bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Duckweed (Lemna minor) biomass aqueous extract-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles as a novel formulation era for long-term efficacy against Tribolium castaneum and Sitophilus oryzae adults on wheat seeds
Authors: Abdel-Megeed Ahmed , Abdel-Rheim Khaled H. M. , Kordy Ahmed M. A. , El-Ghannam Samaa A. , Salem Mohamed Z. M. , Adel Manal Mohamed
Published: February 2024

Plant-based biological nanoparticles (NPs) synthesis is a new technique where biological molecules and their combinations in plant aqueous extract decrease metal salts, which have a dual role in the fabrication and stabilization of metallic NPs. Here, we used aqueous extract from the duckweed (Lemna minor) plant to biosynthesize silver NPs (AgNPs), which were verified by a shift in color from pale brown to dark brown. AgNPs were then further characterized.By High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis, the most abundant compound in the aqueous extract were vanillic acid, benzoic acid, quercetin, resveratrol, ferulic acid, rutin, p-hydroxy benzoic acid, rosmarinic acid, ellagic acid, and o-coumaric acid. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), micrograph revealed spherical-shaped synthesized AgNPs with an average size of 40.56 nm. Capping and stabilizing agents, present in the form of various biomolecules, were responsible for the prolonged stability of the produced AgNPs, as proven by FTIR analysis. The Zeta potential of the surface electric charges of AgNPs was determined to be − 27 mV. The UV–Vis spectrum indicates a broad surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption peak at 450 nm. The EDAX test confirmed the presence of silver in the suspension. Green-produced AgNPs had the highest insecticidal activity against Sitophilus oryzae, with LC50 values of 6.08 µg/mL compared to adults of Tribolium castaneum, which were 7.03 µg/mL. All the assays clearly showed that formulated AgNPs 1% DP showed that increasing exposure intervals and concentrations resulted in a gradual increase in the mortality of adult T. castaneum and S. oryzae exposed to treated wheat seeds. The effect of post-toxic levels of AgNPs on the progeny counts of adults of T. castaneum and S. oryzae showed that increasing exposure intervals and concentrations resulted in a gradual increase in the mortality of adult T. castaneum and S. oryzae exposed to treated wheat grains. The effect of post-toxic levels of AgNPs on the progeny counts of adults of T. castaneum and S. oryzae and resulted that concentration of 0.2 g/100 g seed being the most effective one, with higher reductions in F1-progenythan than other concentrations and malathion (1% DP) during storage for 1 year, as well as a significant positive effect on seed germination during storage. The present work suggests that eco-friendly biosynthesized and formulated AgNPs are promising green insecticides that can be used as an alternative method to control and protect seeds against adults of T. castaneum and S. oryzae to overcome the synthetic insecticide problems.
Pride and mistrust? The association between maritime bridge crew officers’ professional commitment and trust in autonomy
Authors: Aalberg Asbjørn Lein
Published: February 2024

Increased automation and autonomy are anticipated in the maritime industry, and safe operation is contingent on operators’ appropriate trust in the technology. Seafarers have a strong professional commitment, valuing practical experience and professional independence, which might be challenged by autonomous vessels. It was hypothesized that professional commitment would be negatively related to trust in autonomy and interaction with age of the officer. Using a questionnaire on bridge officers in Norwegian vessels (N = 2016), we performed a multiple linear regression to test the hypotheses. Professional commitment was significantly related to lower trust in autonomy, thus supporting this hypothesis. We found partial support for an interaction effect with age, as the effect of professional commitment was strongest among those with lower age. The model did not account for much variation in trust in autonomy and, therefore, seems to be largely related to aspects other than those considered in this study. Implications for future research are presented.
Diabetes quality of life, Chemical Intolerance, and generational status in a Latino sample: an RRNeT study
Authors: Johnson-Esparza Yajaira , Wood Robert , Cruz Inez , Palmer Raymond
Published: February 2024

Objectives

The impact of diabetes on quality of life (QoL) includes deficits in physical functioning and emotional and mental health. Individuals with diabetes can experience significant distress related to diabetes management and burden. Comorbid conditions can contribute to QoL among individuals with diabetes. Chemical Intolerance (CI) has received minimal attention in the context of diabetes. CI is characterized by multi-systemic symptoms initiated by a one-time high dose or persistent low-dose exposure to environmental toxins. Latinos experience diabetes distress and are exposed to environmental factors at disproportionate rates. This study sought to investigate generational differences in diabetes QoL and CI in a Latino sample across generational status.

Methods

To assess the modifying effect of CI between QoL and generations, the analysis was stratified by those with and without CI.

Results

Compared to 2nd generation Latinos, Latino immigrants were more likely to indicate that without diabetes, their life would be better across several QoL domains. Latino immigrants had a lower A1C and BMI than2nd generation Latinos. Additionally, they were less likely to have scores indicative of CI than U.S.-born Latinos. QoL varied by generational status and suggested a greater emphasis on family and social relationships among immigrants than U.S.-born Latinos. There were no differences in health services measures across generations.

Conclusions

This study highlights generational differences in the impact of diabetes on QoL. It is one of the few studies to seek to understand the impact of CI on QoL in the context of a chronic condition such as type 2 diabetes.
Key Insights into Developing Qualitative Concept Elicitation Work for Outcome Measures with Children and Young People
Authors: Husbands Samantha , Mitchell Paul Mark , Coast Joanna
Published: February 2024

Qualitative concept elicitation can develop meaningful patient-reported outcome measures for children and young people; however, the methods used for concept elicitation are often underreported for this population. This paper provides in-depth insight into the methods used for concept elicitation with children and young people, with a focus on key stages of concept elicitation that are challenging or unique to doing this research with children. Drawing on our experiences of developing wellbeing measures for children and young people aged 6–15 years, we detail the processes followed in our qualitative concept elicitation work, covering issues related to sampling and recruitment, encouraging informed assent and freedom over children and young people’s involvement in concept elicitation, and the use of creative and participatory methods to develop measure items. We provide reflections on the approaches taken to navigate challenging aspects of concept elicitation with children and young people. Our reflections suggest that using existing links and online recruitment methods can help to navigate organisational gatekeepers, and using appropriate processes to develop study information and obtain informed assent can ensure that research is inclusive and that children have the freedom to decide whether to be involved. Our adaptation of a creative and participatory activity to generate concepts for measure items suggests that such approaches can be engaging and may help to give children greater control over their participation. In detailing our methods, we hope to have developed a useful resource for other researchers, while highlighting the value of transparent reporting in this area.
Delirium is associated with low levels of upright activity in geriatric inpatients—results from a prospective observational study
Authors: Evensen Sigurd , Taraldsen Kristin , Aam Stina , Morandi Alessandro
Published: February 2024

Background

Delirium is common in geriatric inpatients and associated with poor outcomes. Hospitalization is associated with low levels of physical activity. Motor symptoms are common in delirium, but how delirium affects physical activity remains unknown.

Aims

To investigate differences in physical activity between geriatric inpatients with and without delirium.

Methods

We included acutely admitted patients ≥ 75 years in a prospective observational study at a medical geriatric ward at a Norwegian University Hospital. Delirium was diagnosed according to the DSM-5 criteria. Physical activity was measured by an accelerometer-based device worn on the right thigh. The main outcome was time in upright position (upright time) per 24 h (00.00 to 23.59) on the first day of hospitalization with verified delirium status. Group differences were analysed using t test.

Results

We included 237 patients, mean age 86.1 years (Standard Deviation (SD) 5.1), and 73 patients (30.8%) had delirium. Mean upright time day 1 for the entire group was 92.2 min (SD 84.3), with 50.9 min (SD 50.7) in the delirium group and 110.6 min (SD 89.7) in the no-delirium group, mean difference 59.7 minutes, 95% Confidence Interval 41.6 to 77.8, p value < 0.001.

Discussion

Low levels of physical activity in patients with delirium raise the question if immobilization may contribute to poor outcomes in delirium. Future studies should investigate if mobilization interventions could improve outcomes of delirium.

Conclusions

In this sample of geriatric inpatients, the group with delirium had lower levels of physical activity than the group without delirium.
Assessing the Risk of Bitcoin Futures Market: New Evidence
Authors: Dutta Anupam
Published: February 2024

The main objective of this paper is to forecast the realized volatility (RV) of Bitcoin futures (BTCF) market. To serve our purpose, we propose an augmented heterogenous autoregressive (HAR) model to consider the information on time-varying jumps observed in BTCF returns. Specifically, we estimate the jump-induced volatility using the GARCH-jump process and then consider this information in the HAR model. Both the in-sample and out-of-sample analyses show that jumps offer added information which is not provided by the existing HAR models. In addition, a novel finding is that the jump-induced volatility offers incremental information relative to the Bitcoin implied volatility index. In sum, our results indicate that the HAR-RV process comprising the leverage effects and jump volatility would predict the RV more precisely compared to the standard HAR-type models. These findings have important implications to cryptocurrency investors.
The Unprecedented Ramsar Resolution: Ukrainian Wetlands Protection in Armed Conflict
Authors: Wang Meng
Published: February 2024

Armed conflict has devastating environmental consequences, adversely impacting critical ecosystems and natural resources. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has been ongoing since February 2022, has significantly affected Ukrainian wetlands, jeopardising their vital ecosystem services. The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (‘Ramsar Convention’), which focuses on conserving and sustainably using wetlands, thus stands as a valuable tool for addressing environmental emergencies during armed conflict. With both Russia and Ukraine as Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention and their armed conflict causing a negative environmental impact, the effectiveness of the Ramsar Convention during such a conflict is being tested. The centrepiece of this article is a Resolution entitled ‘Environmental emergency in Ukraine relating to the damage of its wetlands of international importance (Ramsar Sites) stemming from the Russian Federation’s aggression’ recently adopted by the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention. This article assesses the effectiveness of the mechanisms within the Ramsar Convention and this Resolution in addressing the environmental challenges faced by Ukrainian Ramsar Sites during armed conflict. This case study provides broad insights into the overall challenges to implementing international environmental law treaties in times of armed conflict. Furthermore, it highlights the potential of leveraging the Ramsar Convention and similar environmental agreements to effectively safeguard the natural environment and ecosystems in times of armed conflict.
Sequence-Aware Graph Neural Network Incorporating Neighborhood Information for Session-Based Recommendation
Authors: Huang Liya , Li Ran , Lei Jingsheng , Ji Yuan , Feng Guanglu , Shi Wenbing , Yang Shengying
Published: February 2024

Session-based recommendation is an important part of many e-commerce websites. Its purpose is to make recommendations based on the interaction behavior of anonymous users in a short period of time. Graph neural network can capture complex interactions in sessions, and they are a class of methods with better performance among existing session-based recommendation models. However, most existing models only learn item features for a single session. At the same time, GNNs are not good at capturing long-distance dependencies in a session, which leads to limited performance improvements for them. To address this deficiency, we propose sequence-aware graph neural network incorporating neighborhood information, named SAN-GNN. We construct a session graph and a neighborhood graph to learn item representations. For neighborhood graph, we propose a neighborhood Information extractor for the neighborhood graph to learn the neighbor information of nodes on the neighborhood graph. For the graph model of the session layer, we propose a session graph attention(SGA) module to learn the item representation of the target session. SGA uses Ta-LSTM to learn sequential dependencies in the target session and uses GCN with an integrated attention mechanism to learn node feature relevant to the target item. Exhaustive experiments on three public real-world datasets show that SAN-GNN outperforms the most advanced existing session-based method.
Deep Learning-Based Integrated Circuit Surface Defect Detection: Addressing Information Density Imbalance for Industrial Application
Authors: Wang Xiaobin , Gao Shuang , Guo Jianlan , Wang Chu , Xiong Liping , Zou Yuntao
Published: February 2024

In this study, we aimed to address the primary challenges encountered in industrial integrated circuit (IC) surface defect detection, particularly focusing on the imbalance in information density arising from difficulties in data sample collection. To this end, we have developed a new hybrid architecture model for IC surface defect detection (SDDM), based on ResNet and Vision Transformer (ViT). The core innovation of SDDM lies in the integration of the concepts of image information density and dataset information density, effectively identifying and processing areas of high information density through multi-channel image segmentation techniques. The convolution operations performed within each patch of the model help to precisely capture positional information, thereby meticulously differentiating the complex details on the surface defect detection of ICs. We optimized the model to make it more suitable for industrial applications, significantly reducing computational and operational costs. The experimental results confirmed that the improved SDDM model achieved an accuracy rate of 98.6% on datasets with uneven information density, effectively enhancing the productivity of IC packaging and testing companies, particularly in handling datasets with imbalanced information density.
Population-Based Prognostic Models for Head and Neck Cancers Using National Cancer Registry Data from Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Yu-Lun , Kang Yi-Ting , Chan Han-Ching , Chattopadhyay Amrita , Chiang Chun-Ju , Lee Wen-Chung , Cheng Skye Hung-Chun , Lu Tzu-Pin
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to raise awareness of the disparities in survival predictions among races in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients by developing and validating population-based prognostic models specifically tailored for Taiwanese and Asian populations.

Methods

A total of 49,137 patients diagnosed with HNCs were included from the Taiwan Cancer Registry (TCR). Six prognostic models, divided into three categories based on surgical status, were developed to predict both overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival using the registered demographic and clinicopathological characteristics in the Cox proportional hazards model. The prognostic models underwent internal evaluation through a tenfold cross-validation among the TCR Taiwanese datasets and external validation across three primary racial populations using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Predictive performance was assessed using discrimination analysis employing Harrell’s c-index and calibration analysis with proportion tests.

Results

The TCR training and testing datasets demonstrated stable and favorable predictive performance, with all Harrell’s c-index values ≥ 0.7 and almost all differences in proportion between the predicted and observed mortality being < 5%. In external validation, Asians exhibited the best performance compared with white and black populations, particularly in predicting OS, with all Harrell’s c-index values > 0.7.

Conclusions

Survival predictive disparities exist among different racial groups in HNCs. We have developed population-based prognostic models for Asians that can enhance clinical practice and treatment plans.
Leveraging Relations in Diaspora
Authors: Reiter Rosina Márquez
Published: February 2024

This Element expands the horizon of sociopragmatic research by offering a first inquiry into the sociocultural norms that underlie the establishment and maintenance of interpersonal relations in a diasporic context. Based on accounts of the practices that Spanish-speaking Latin Americans engage in pursuit of employment, primarily gathered in life-story interviews, it captures the social reality of members of this social group as they build interpersonal relations and establish new contractual obligations with each other away from home. It examines occupational recommendations as a diasporic relational practice whereby the relationship between the recommender and the recommendee becomes part of the value being exchanged and the moral order on which the practice is established and maintained through an interlocked system of favours. The Element offers new social pragmatics insights beyond the dyad in a contemporary globalised context characterised by social inequality.
Transmedia Terrors in Post-TV Horror
Authors: Rendell James
Published: February 2024

In the twenty-first century horror television has spread across the digital TV landscape, garnering mainstream appeal. Located within a transmedia matrix, Transmedia Terrors in Post-TV Horror triangulates this boom across screen content, industry practices, and online participatory cultures. Understanding the genre within a post-TV paradigm, the book readdresses what is horror television, analysing not only broadcast TV and streaming platforms but also portals such as YouTube, Twitch.TV, and apps. The book also investigates complex digital media ecologies, blurring distinctions between niche and general audience viewing practices, and fostering new circulation pathways for horror television from around the world. Undertaking netnography, the book further offers an innovative model - abject spectrums - to empirically explore myriad audience responses to TV horror, manifesting in various participatory practices including writing, imagery, and crafts. As such, the book greatly expands what is considered horror television, its formatting and circulation, and the transmedia materiality of audience engagement.
Women, Entertainment, and Precursors of the French Salon, 1532-1615
Authors: Campbell Julie
Published: February 2024

This study of ludic literary society in sixteenth-century France addresses Italianate practices of philosophical and literary sociability as they took root there. It asserts that entertainment activities of women-led circles illustrate the richly complex precursors of the seventeenth-century salons. Notions from the philosophy of play, such as those developed by Johan Huizinga, Eugen Fink, and Roger Caillois, who argue that play is critically intertwined with the development of society, provide a theoretical path across these periods of women's engagement in literary culture. The barrister Estienne Pasquier, whose voluminous network of literary and legal connections permitted him entry into the society of such women, acts as an eyewitness to sixteenth-century circles. Ultimately, we see that the ludic activities in such society produced powerful influences that extended beyond the confines of the groups in question to shape ideas, attitudes, and activities - such as those of the salon cultural norms to come.
Women Filmmakers in Sinophone World Cinema
Authors: Zhang Zhen
Published: February 2024

Women Filmmakers in Sinophone World Cinema portrays a group of important contemporary women filmmakers working across the Sinophone world including Taiwan, Hong Kong, the mainland, and beyond. The book delineates and conceptualizes their cinematic and trans-media practices within an evolving, multifaceted feminist intimate-public commons. The films by these experienced and emerging filmmakers, including Huang Yu-shan, Yau Ching, Ai Xiaoming, Wen Hui, Huang Ji and others, represent some of the most innovative and socially engaged work in both fictional and non-fictional modes in Chinese-language cinema as well as global women's cinema. Their narrative, documentary, and experimental film practices from the 1980s to the present, along with their work in sister media such as dance, theater, literature, and contemporary art, their activities as scholars, educators, activists, and film festival organizers or jurors, have significantly reshaped the landscape of Sinophone film culture and expanded the borders of world cinema.
Production et circulation des savoirs locaux dans les documents géographiques de Dunhuang à l’époque médiévale
Authors: Lycas Alexis
Published: February 2024

Comment travaillent les fonctionnaires et aux confins du monde impérial chinois ? Comme ailleurs, ils produisent des écritures grises afin d’informer le pouvoir central et leurs successeurs de leur gestion administrative et de la situation sociale de la zone dont ils ont la charge. Cette paperasse n’était logiquement pas destinée à être conservée. Cependant, la découverte fortuite de milliers de manuscrits emmurés à Dunhuang présente à l’historien et à l’historienne une dizaine d’écrits géographiques locaux susceptibles de combler les blancs d’une production scripturaire importante mais méconnue. L’analyse proposée dans cet article suit une trajectoire double. Elle s’attelle d’une part à montrer la codification de genres géographiques comme les guides et les traités illustrés, dont peu d’éléments matériels sont connus. D’autre part, elle dévoile les indices qui attestent une richesse typologique indéniable, à travers la présence de topographies et de récits narratifs. L’étude de ces manuscrits souligne combien la circulation du savoir géographique était tant verticale qu’horizontale, et bien plus complexe que l’image héritée de l’historiographie impériale. Ce travail permet de réévaluer les débuts du tournant local dans la production des savoirs bureaucratiques, de caractériser l’affirmation du rôle des acteurs locaux en dépit d’un anonymat de façade et de mettre en évidence la manière dont se construit une localité dans la Chine médiévale.
The Countermeasures of Others: When Can States Collaborate in the Taking of Countermeasures?
Authors: Jackson Miles , Paddeu Federica I.
Published: February 2024

In the last few years, states have advanced various proposals for cooperation in the use of countermeasures. In this Article, we ask whether, and if so under what conditions, states may lawfully collaborate in the taking of countermeasures against other states. We distinguish five different types of collaboration: (1) independent but coordinated action; (2) secondment; (3) joint action; (4) aid and assistance; and (5) what we term “proxy countermeasures”—the idea of taking a measure at the request and on behalf of another state. We consider the permissibility of each, both where the acting state is itself entitled to resort to countermeasures and where it is not. We also draw attention to certain legal and policy considerations relating to, and to plausible avenues for, the development of international law.
Stable laws for random dynamical systems
Authors: AIMINO ROMAIN , NICOL MATTHEW , TÖRÖK ANDREW
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we consider random dynamical systems formed by concatenating maps acting on the unit interval
$[0,1]$
in an independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) fashion. Considered as a stationary Markov process, the random dynamical system possesses a unique stationary measure
$\nu $
. We consider a class of non-square-integrable observables
$\phi $
, mostly of form
$\phi (x)=d(x,x_0)^{-{1}/{\alpha }}$
, where
$x_0$
is a non-recurrent point (in particular a non-periodic point) satisfying some other genericity conditions and, more generally, regularly varying observables with index
$\alpha \in (0,2)$
. The two types of maps we concatenate are a class of piecewise
$C^2$
expanding maps and a class of intermittent maps possessing an indifferent fixed point at the origin. Under conditions on the dynamics and
$\alpha $
, we establish Poisson limit laws, convergence of scaled Birkhoff sums to a stable limit law, and functional stable limit laws in both the annealed and quenched case. The scaling constants for the limit laws for almost every quenched realization are the same as those of the annealed case and determined by
$\nu $
. This is in contrast to the scalings in quenched central limit theorems where the centering constants depend in a critical way upon the realization and are not the same for almost every realization.
Infectious disease as a driver of declines and extinctions
Authors: McCallum Hamish , Foufopoulos Johannes , Grogan Laura F.
Published: February 2024

Infectious disease is an important driver of extinctions and population declines. With a few exceptions, such as the fungal disease chytridiomycosis in frogs, disease is probably underestimated as a cause of both local and global extinction because it often co-occurs with other more overt drivers of extinction, and its signs can be easily overlooked. Here, we discuss issues around attributing extinction to infectious disease and overview key underlying factors. We then examine the extent to which anthropogenic influences, such as climate change, habitat destruction and exotic species introductions, are likely to lead to increased extinction risk in association with infectious disease. Finally, we discuss strategies to mitigate the threat of extinction due to infectious disease.
Differentiating patients admitted primarily due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from those admitted with incidentally detected severe acute respiratory syndrome corona-virus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at hospital admission: A cohort analysis of German hospital records
Authors: Strobl Ralf , Misailovski Martin , Blaschke Sabine , Berens Milena , Beste Andreas , Krone Manuel , Eisenmann Michael , Ebert Sina , Hoehn Anna , Mees Juliane , Kaase Martin , Chackalackal Dhia J. , Koller Daniela , Chrampanis Julia , Kosub Jana-Michelle , Srivastava Nikita , Albashiti Fady , Groß Uwe , Fischer Andreas , Grill Eva , Scheithauer Simone
Published: February 2024

Objective:

The number of hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) does not differentiate between patients admitted due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (ie, primary cases) and incidental SARS-CoV-2 infection (ie, incidental cases). We developed an adaptable method to distinguish primary cases from incidental cases upon hospital admission.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

Data were obtained from 3 German tertiary-care hospitals.

Patients:

The study included patients of all ages who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by a standard quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay upon admission between January and June 2022.

Methods:

We present 2 distinct models: (1) a point-of-care model that can be used shortly after admission based on a limited range of parameters and (2) a more extended point-of-care model based on parameters that are available within the first 24–48 hours after admission. We used regression and tree-based classification models with internal and external validation.

Results:

In total, 1,150 patients were included (mean age, 49.5±28.5 years; 46% female; 40% primary cases). Both point-of-care models showed good discrimination with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.80 and 0.87, respectively. As main predictors, we used admission diagnosis codes (ICD-10-GM), ward of admission, and for the extended model, we included viral load, need for oxygen, leucocyte count, and C-reactive protein.

Conclusions:

We propose 2 predictive algorithms based on routine clinical data that differentiate primary COVID-19 from incidental SARS-CoV-2 infection. These algorithms can provide a precise surveillance tool that can contribute to pandemic preparedness. They can easily be modified to be used in future pandemic, epidemic, and endemic situations all over the world.
On some semi-parametric estimates for European option prices
Authors: Marinelli Carlo
Published: February 2024

We show that an estimate by de la Peña, Ibragimov, and Jordan for
${\mathbb{E}}(X-c)^+$
, with c a constant and X a random variable of which the mean, the variance, and
$\mathbb{P}(X \leqslant c)$
are known, implies an estimate by Scarf on the infimum of
${\mathbb{E}}(X \wedge c)$
over the set of positive random variables X with fixed mean and variance. This also shows, as a consequence, that the former estimate implies an estimate by Lo on European option prices.
Effects of hypertension diagnoses on alcohol consumption among Chinese Adults—A Two-dimensional regression discontinuity analysis
Authors: Huang Juerong , Dang Hongjing , Hu Yue , Chen Qihui
Published: February 2024

Exploiting the fact that hypertension is diagnosed when a person’s blood pressure reading exceeds a medically specified threshold (90 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure or 140 mmHg for systolic blood pressure), this study estimates the effect of a first-ever hypertension diagnosis on Chinese adults’ alcohol consumption using a two-dimensional regression discontinuity design. Analyzing data on 10,787 adults from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, our estimation reveals that hypertension diagnoses based on diastolic blood pressure readings exert a number of desirable effects. Hypertensive adults’ drinking frequency and the incidence of excessive drinking among them were reduced by 1.2 times/week and 17.9 percentage points, respectively, about three years after the diagnosis. Meanwhile, their beer and Chinese spirits (Baijiu) intakes were reduced by 518.6 ml/week and 194.8 ml/week, respectively. Interestingly, we also found modest evidence that hypertension diagnoses based on diastolic blood pressure readings increase Chinese adults’ wine intake, suggesting a substitution pattern upon hypertension diagnoses. In contrast, based on systolic blood pressure readings, no significant effects of hypertension diagnoses on alcohol consumption were found.
The Keeper of the Imperial Body: The Russian Geographical Society as an Entrepreneur of Imperial Nationalism
Authors: Curanović Alicja
Published: February 2024

The goal of this article is to show Russia’s civilizational turn in the broader context of imperial nationalism. The “turn” is a manifestation of imperial nationalism that today feeds not only on political ideas and history but also on geography. In the mass perception, geography is seen as an objective, non-ideologized scientific discipline less prone to political manipulation. Because of this, it can be employed to influence the Russian self-identification process in a much more subtle and efficient way than references to the more abstract notion of civilization. This article presents the Russian Geographical Society (RGS) as an identity entrepreneur managed by the ruling elite with a well-developed regional structure. It functions as a community of imperial practice. With its discursive and material practices, the RGS contributes to reproducing imperial nationalism, including in its civilizational version. The RGS is the keeper of the imperial body. By referring to the imperial body, I mean not just the physical territory but also the ways it is imagined in discourse and made material in numerous practices.
SPATIOTEMPORAL PATTERNS ON THE APPEARANCE OF THE FIRST TRAPEZE INDUSTRIES IN THE LATE MESOLITHIC OF THE IBERIAN PENINSULA
Authors: Gómez-Puche Magdalena , Fernández-López de Pablo Javier
Published: February 2024

The spread of trapeze industries (the creation of trapeze-shaped flint tips) during Late Mesolithic is one of the most disruptive phenomena of technological change documented in the European Prehistory. Understanding the chronological patterns of this process requires (i) a critical evaluation of stratigraphic relationship between trapeze assemblages and radiocarbon samples, and (ii) considering different levels of chronological uncertainty according to the inbuilt age of the samples and the calibration process. In this paper, we critically evaluate and analyze the radiocarbon record of the first trapeze industries in the Iberian Peninsula. A dataset of 181 radiocarbon dates from 67 sites dated to 8800–8200 cal BP was collected and evaluated following a strict data quality control protocol, from which 135 dates of 53 sites were retained and classified according to a reliability index. Then, three different phase Bayesian chronological models were created to estimate the duration of the first spread of trapezes across Iberia, considering different levels of chrono-stratigraphic resolution. We find that trapeze industries appeared in the eastern half of Iberia, over an area of 330,000 km2 between 8505–8390 and 8425–8338 cal BP, spanning 0–85 yr (95.4% CI). When the oldest evidence of trapezes from Portugal are considered, the probability distribution expands (8943–8457 and 8686–7688 cal BP), due to the chronological uncertainty of human samples with marine diet and regional ΔR values applied. For the eastern half of Iberia, the current evidence indicates a very rapid spread of trapeze industries initiated in the Central-Western Pyrenees, suggesting cultural diffusion within Mesolithic social networks as the main driving mechanism.
Network science reveals the early signs of L1 lexical attrition: Introducing the Lexical Attrition Foundation (LeAF) framework
Authors: Chaouch-Orozco Adel , Martín-Villena Fernando
Published: February 2024

L1 lexical attrition is the decline of L1 lexical-semantic abilities due to reduced L1 exposure and/or L2 interference. Semantic fluency tasks are central in this research, but traditional analyses are often inconclusive.

To address this, we employed an innovative network science approach to investigate the bilingual lexicon's structural properties. Semantic fluency data were collected from immersed/non-immersed late bilinguals with comparable L2 proficiencies.

Our results indicate that L2 immersion led to more integrated and efficient L2 networks. Crucially, immersion also resulted in L1 attrition (only evident in the network analysis). Immersed participants exhibited less densely connected and sparser L1 networks. Furthermore, network measures suggest that L1 lexical attrition occurs gradually, initially impacting network interconnectivity, while information flow and community structure remain more stable.

Drawing from these insights, we introduce the Lexical Attrition Foundation (LeAF) framework, offering a network-based perspective on lexical attrition development and laying the groundwork for future research.
Clingraph: A System for ASP-based Visualization
Authors: HAHN SUSANA , SABUNCU ORKUNT , SCHAUB TORSTEN , STOLZMANN TOBIAS
Published: February 2024

We present the Answer Set Programming (ASP)-based visualization tool clingraph, which aims at visualizing various concepts of ASP by means of ASP itself. This idea traces back to the aspviz tool and clingraph redevelops and extends it in the context of modern ASP systems. More precisely, clingraph takes graph specifications in terms of ASP facts and hands them over to the graph visualization system graphviz. The use of ASP provides a great interface between logic programs and/or answer sets and their visualization. Also, clingraph offers a Python application programming interface (API) that extends this ease of interfacing to clingo’s API and in turn to connect and monitor various aspects of the solving process.
Phenotypic profiling of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) accessions enabled identification of promising lines for use in breeding for high yield, early flowering and desirable traits
Authors: Naik Yogesh Dashrath , Sharma Vinay Kumar , Aski Muraleedhar Sidaram , Rangari Sagar Krushnaji , Kumar Raj , Dikshit Harsh Kumar , Sahani Sangita , Kant Ravi , Mishra Gyan , Mir Reyazul Rouf , Kudapa Himabindu , Elango Dinakaran , Zwart Rebecca S. , Varshney Rajeev Kumar , Thudi Mahendar
Published: February 2024

In the face of climate change, developing resilient crops is crucial for global food security in the 21st century to feed a growing population. Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) plays a vital role in ensuring global food and nutritional security. Traits like early flowering enable the crop to mature faster, thereby shortening the growing window and reducing yield losses caused by moisture and heat stresses during the reproductive phase. However, issues like limited genetic diversity in this trait remain unaddressed. To address this gap, our study aims to comprehensively assess genetic variability and trait associations in 158 lentil accessions. In the present study, we observed significant variations for days to 50% flowering (67–90 days), days to maturity (109–122 days) and 100 seed weight (1.69–2.68 g) throughout a period of two consecutive years (2020–2021 and 2021–2022). The observed variability in these traits offers a valuable avenue for the improvement of lentil yield through targeted selection and hybridization. Additionally, correlation analysis showed negative correlation between days to 50% flowering and grain yield per plant, while plant height had a significant (P < 0.01) positive correlation with all traits except yield per plant. Furthermore, we identified specific germplasm with exceptional traits that hold significant potential for future breeding programmes. The genotypes EC 223197-A and EC 267696 were identified for early flowering with high yield, and other genotypes that were identified for various traits would serve as breeding material for the introgression of these traits into elite cultivars.
GEMAct: a Python package for non-life (re)insurance modeling
Authors: Pittarello Gabriele , Luini Edoardo , Marchione Manfred Marvin
Published: February 2024

This paper introduces gemact, a Python package for actuarial modeling based on the collective risk model. The library supports applications to risk costing and risk transfer, loss aggregation, and loss reserving. We add new probability distributions to those available in scipy, including the (a, b, 0) and (a, b, 1) discrete distributions, copulas of the Archimedean family, the Gaussian, the Student t and the Fundamental copulas. We provide an implementation of the AEP algorithm for calculating the cumulative distribution function of the sum of dependent, nonnegative random variables, given their dependency structure specified with a copula. The theoretical framework is introduced at the beginning of each section to give the reader with a sufficient understanding of the underlying actuarial models.
Transdisciplinarity, tempocoupling, and the role of culture in zoonosis research
Authors: Matias Denise Margaret S.
Published: February 2024

Non-technical summary

The general public became familiar with the term and definition of zoonosis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the pandemic, several responses to mitigate zoonotic risk has been put forward. Often cited are stricter biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection but there are also suggestions to educate people who traditionally consume wildlife for food. This implicit condemnation of culture also manifested explicitly in the form of racism especially against Asians during the height of the pandemic. If the world is to avoid a pandemic, it also needs to work against Orientalism and ensure research is inclusive, equitable, and just.

Technical summary

The COVID-19 pandemic widely introduced the term and definition of zoonosis to the general public. More than just a knee-jerk reaction, stricter biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection are now seen as essential strategies in mitigating zoonotic risks while some researchers have called for education campaigns that should discredit ingrained cultural practices such as wildlife consumption. This implicit condemnation of culture may have been initially confined to research papers but it eventually manifested as explicit racism in everyday life during the height of the pandemic, highlighting the need to decolonize Western scientific views on pandemic prevention and to refrain from Orientalism. This Intelligence Briefing makes the case for the inclusion of history and culture as necessary elements in zoonosis research alongside a critical reflection of transdisciplinary approaches. Emphasizing epistemic humility and authentic interest to learn from other actors such as Indigenous communities on the frontlines of human-wildlife interfaces, this Intelligence Briefing recommends the Future Earth Health Knowledge-Action Network to stay the course toward promoting approaches that are ‘transdisciplinary, multi-scalar, inclusive, equitable, and broadly communicated’ in zoonosis research.

Social media summary

History and culture are necessary elements of zoonosis research alongside transdisciplinary approaches.
Calculations of Arctic Ice‐Ocean Interface Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) Transmittance Values
Authors: Redmond Roche B. H. , King M. D.
Published: February 2024

Sea ice algae play an important role in the Arctic Ocean ecosystem, driving primary production in the spring and sequestering carbon to the deep ocean. Up to 45% of Arctic Ocean primary production occurs in ice‐covered areas; photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) is fundamental to driving this production. Sea ice, and particularly snow, strongly scatter and reflect light, reducing the amount of PAR transmitted to the ice‐ocean interface. The effect that varying thicknesses of sea ice (0.2–3.5 m) and snow (0.01–1 m) have on the value of PAR transmittance at the ice‐ocean interface are considered for a Winter, Spring, and Summer scenario. When characteristic Arctic Ocean conditions (2 m sea ice and ∼0.2 m snowpack) are modeled, there is roughly a two‐fold difference in PAR transmittance at the ice‐ocean interface between the Winter (0.003) and Spring (0.007) scenarios and an order of magnitude difference with the Summer scenario (0.04). The modeled values correlate within one standard deviation of measured values and show good agreement with extended pan‐Arctic Ocean field campaign measurements. The results also indicate that simple exponential decay methods may lead to inaccurate results, and radiative‐transfer modeling is required to accurately predict PAR transmittance at the ice‐ocean interface. Therefore, this study offers a novel mathematical technique to predict the value of PAR transmittance at the ice‐ocean interface. Coupled with year‐round near‐real‐time sea ice and snow thickness remote sensing data, this technique may improve understanding of primary production and carbon budgets in the changing Arctic Ocean.
Mississippi River Chemistry Impacts on the Interannual Variability of Aragonite Saturation State in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Gomez Fabian A. , Wanninkhof Rik , Barbero Leticia , Lee Sang‐Ki
Published: February 2024

In the northern Gulf of Mexico shelf, the Mississippi‐Atchafalaya River System (MARS) impacts the carbonate system by delivering freshwater with a distinct seasonal pattern in both total alkalinity (Alk) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and promoting biologically driven changes in DIC through nutrient inputs. However, how and to what degree these processes modulate the interannual variability in calcium carbonate solubility have been poorly documented. Here, we use an ocean‐biogeochemical model to investigate the impact of MARS's discharge and chemistry on interannual anomalies of aragonite saturation state (ΩAr). Based on model results, we show that the enhanced mixing of riverine waters with a low buffer capacity (low Alk‐to‐DIC ratio) during high‐discharge winters promotes a significant ΩAr decline over the inner‐shelf. We also show that increased nutrient runoff and vertical stratification during high‐discharge summers promotes strong negative anomalies in bottom ΩAr, and less intense but significant positive anomalies in surface ΩAr. Therefore, increased MARS discharge promotes an increased frequency of suboptimal ΩAr levels for nearshore coastal calcifying species. Additional sensitivity experiments further show that reductions in the Alk‐to‐DIC ratio and nitrate concentration from the MARS significantly modify the simulated interannual ΩAr patterns, weakening the positive surface ΩAr anomalies during high‐discharge summers or even producing negative surface ΩAr anomalies. Our findings suggest that riverine water carbonate chemistry is a main driver of interannual variability in ΩAr over river dominated ocean margins.
Reactive Transport Modeling in Porous Fractured Media: Application to Weathering Processes
Authors: Favier Sylvain , Teitler Yoram , Golfier Fabrice , Cathelineau Michel
Published: February 2024

Complex permeability distribution is frequently encountered in weathered rocks with inherited heterogeneities, such as networks of discontinuities that impact fluid flow and water‐rock interactions. Reactive transport modeling is a powerful tool for analyzing fractured media's chemical weathering dynamics. In this study, two different ways to model the fracture‐matrix interaction were explored. A 1D dual‐porosity simulation of reactive transport is designed to study the global impact of fractures on the weathering progression front, compared with a Single Porosity (S.P.) (unfractured) reference model. Then a 2D discrete model using a Discrete Fracture Matrix (DFM) representation is built to highlight the importance of medium geometry and fracture connectivity on weathering. The relevance of such models was evaluated in the case of weathering processes affecting ultramafic units in New Caledonia. Comparing the average behavior of the dual and S.P. models reveals a similar trend in both global mineralogical evolutions. Yet differences occur when confronting the weathering rates. By extending the weathering over a greater depth, the fractures favor a smoother transition between the saprolite horizon and the oxide ore. Furthermore, a partition of the newly formed phyllosilicates occurs in fractures and matrix: Ni‐phyllosilicates preferentially precipitate in fractures, while Mg‐phyllosilicates remain trapped within the matrix due to differences in residence time and liquid‐to‐solid ratio. The DFM modeling highlights the effect of the connectivity of a complex fracture network on the dissolution‐precipitation processes. Depending on the permeability and geometry, fluid flow is modified, favoring the formation of weathering heterogeneities typically observed on the field.