bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Policy integration in urban policies as multi-level policy mixes
Authors: Dorado-Rubín María José , Guerrero-Mayo María José , Navarro-Yáñez Clemente Jesús
Published: January 2025

This paper analyses policy integration in the field of urban policies. Specifically, the policy framework on sustainable urban development promoted by various international organisations is analysed as an exemplar combining multi-sectoriality in its substantive dimension (policy goals in different policy subsystems) and integration in its procedural dimension (integration between policy actions across policy subsystems involved). It is assumed that urban policies often take the form of multi-level policy mixes, and that integration involves a process of collective action between different policy subsystems. Based on the literature on policy integration and actor-centred institutionalism frameworks, it is postulated that in the absence of clear indications about the integrated strategy and policy integration capacities in the policy frame, the collective action dilemmas that this strategy entails in local projects will prevail, reducing the possibility of policy integration. The implementation of the urban dimension of the European Union's cohesion policy in Spain between 1994 and 2013 is analysed a total of 82 urban projects, where the integrated strategy is a central element but understood as multi-sectorial objectives rather than a complementarity between policy subsystems. Empirical results show a high level of diversity of objectives across policy sectors and a very low level of integration; specifically, a curvilinear pattern in the relationship between these two aspects. The results highlight the need to include policy instruments and capacities in the policy frame to address the collective action dilemmas that policy integration implies, especially if the policy frame calls for a broad multi-sectorial agenda across different policy subsystems.
Beyond “Hope”: Constructive Anger as a Force in Sustained Climate Action
Authors: Grau Marion
Published: January 2025

This article explores the role of constructive anger in motivating and sustaining climate action. It considers relevant research in climate psychology with special attention to the dynamic between climate-related anger, action, and hope. The psychological research is then applied to a reconstruction of the concept of anger and hope in philosophical and theological approaches. Developing the concept of constructive anger, this article suggests that such constructive anger can be a factor in moving through apathy, fear, and depression and mobilizing toward collective climate action. Climate-related anger can be relieved through collective forms of climate action and the sense of collective efficacy that can emerge in becoming active. These can become a means to generating resistant, active, constructive forms of hope that can be distinguished from deceptive forms of hope.
Life Satisfaction and Inequality in Slovakia: The Role of Income, Consumption and Wealth
Authors: Banerjee Biswajit , Tóth Peter
Published: January 2025

In recent years, a small number of studies have emphasized that subjective well-being of individuals depends not only on income but also consumption and wealth. However, only a few have examined the influence of all three variables simultaneously. Empirical studies have also analyzed the role of self-centered and community-centered inequalities but the inclusion of both measures in the same specification is scarce. In a departure from much of the existing literature, this paper analyzes concurrently the influence of all three economic well-being indicators and both types of inequalities on subjective well-being. We find that absolute levels of income, consumption and wealth all have a significant positive effect that remains robust even after the inclusion of self-centered and community-centered inequalities in the regression equations. The evidence indicates that both types of inequalities are important considerations for subjective well-being, but with different influences. Self-centered inequality measured using reference group average has a positive signaling effect, while inequality defined by the position of an individual within the distribution of the relevant economic well-being indicator has a negative comparison effect. Whereas community-centered inequality in income has a positive signaling effect, consumption and wealth inequalities have a negative comparison effect.
Citizen Participation and Political Efficacy at the Grassroots Level: The Case of Residents’ Self-Governance Associations in Seoul, South Korea
Authors: Miura Hiroki , Lee Taedong , Kim Euiyoung
Published: January 2025

Residents’ self-governance associations (RSAs) in Seoul, South Korea, have been established to enhance local democracy at the grassroots level. Do participants in RSAs feel political efficacy? What factors influence the political efficacy of community benefits and consensus building through RSAs? This study aims to theorize and test the relationships between citizens’ political efficacy, as measured by participation satisfaction, community benefits, and consensus building, and various socioeconomic, cultural, procedural, and institutional factors. Multilevel ordered logit models of surveys from 1,319 RSA participants suggest that the citizen-led decision-making process, participation frequency, trust in neighbors, and budget and staff support are positively associated with political efficacy. To promote grassroots democracy and enhance the political efficacy of participating citizens, local RSAs should be operated in a voluntary, cooperative, and democratic manner. Supporting local self-governance organizations and their activities with adequate funding and effective administration is crucial for success.
International organizations in national parliamentary debates
Authors: Hunter Tom , Walter Stefanie
Published: January 2025

This data article introduces IOParlspeech, an original dataset of over 600,000 statements on international organizations (IOs) in parliamentary debates in six countries between 1990 and 2018. We explain the creation of the dataset and demonstrate the value of IOParlspeech through two exploratory studies. First, we examine which actors convey more positive and more negative sentiment regarding IOs in parliamentary discourse. Contributing to research on IO contestation, we demonstrate that parliamentarians from the radical right and left, as well as parliamentarians in opposition, use more negative language in their IO-related communication. Second, we explore the salience of IOs in national parliaments. Speaking to debates about the democratic deficit of IOs, we show that IOs with higher authority and those with an international parliamentary institution are more likely to be discussed in parliament. We conclude by suggesting further uses for IOParlspeech.
Decision-making in the United Nations General Assembly: A comprehensive database of resolution-related decisions
Authors: Fjelstul Joshua , Hug Simon , Kilby Christopher
Published: January 2025

Existing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voting databases provide excellent coverage of UNGA voting on resolutions adopted by roll-call vote. These databases, however, have known limitations: The United Nations Digital Library only covers final decisions on adopted resolutions, not prior resolution-related decisions nor decisions on failed resolutions. Coverage of roll-call votes in the widely-used database provided by Bailey, Strezhnev and Voeten is broader but reflects limitations in the historical datasets on which the database is built (e.g., the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research dataset). As a result, voting coverage and what is reported vary over time. In this paper, we present a new dataset that expands and improves the consistency of the UNGA decisions covered. We provide comparisons of our database with other UNGA datasets and explore the implications of more complete data for existing and future research.
Relevance of debt- and tax-related motives for conditional conservatism of limited-liability and full-liability firms: evidence from Europe
Authors: Bigus Jochen , Georgiou Nadine
Published: January 2025

In contrast to shareholders of limited-liability firms, the owners of sole proprietorships and partnerships are fully liable for their firm’s liabilities. We expect owners’ full liability to mitigate agency problems of debt and to lower creditors’ demand for financial debt covenants and accounting conservatism. Using a European sample of private firms, we find robust evidence that full-liability firms exhibit about 20–25% less timely loss recognition than limited-liability firms, confirming previous findings for German firms. In addition, we find that full-liability firms exhibit significantly more timely loss recognition in countries with high book-tax conformity, while limited-liability firms do not. Furthermore, we find some, but not robust, evidence that the strictness of the bankruptcy code and timely loss recognition are partial substitutes. Our analyses contribute to prior literature by analyzing how owner liability is related to conditional conservatism and how the characteristics of the institutional framework are related to this association.
Treatment of Inpatient Opioid Withdrawal with Short-Acting Full Agonist Opioids at a Safety-Net Hospital
Authors: Steiner Gabriela , Suen Leslie W. , Martin Marlene , Skinner Sasha , Crouch Pierre , Nguyen Oanh K. , Slown Kristin , Logan Alexander
Published: January 2025

Background

Fentanyl use leads to increased opioid tolerance in people with opioid use disorder, complicating management of opioid withdrawal syndrome. While accepted as gold standard, methadone and buprenorphine may be insufficient to treat acute opioid withdrawal. Short-acting full agonist opioids (SAFAO) may improve treatment in the acute care setting.

Aim

Characterize use of SAFAO to treat opioid withdrawal syndrome for inpatients.

Setting

Urban safety-net hospital.

Participants

Inpatients with opioid use disorder.

Program Description

Addiction Consult Team offers SAFAO to manage opioid withdrawal syndrome.

Program Evaluation

We performed retrospective chart review of hospitalizations (n = 124) for patients with opioid use disorder who received SAFAO between March and June 2023. Patients received methadone or buprenorphine during 94% of hospitalizations. On average, 278 mg (SD 407 mg) oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) of SAFAO were administered daily during the first hospitalization week. Daily Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale scores and SAFAO OMEs were inversely correlated (Spearman rank correlation = − 0.96, p = 0.003). Five hospitalizations exhibited adverse events (AEs).

Discussion

Use of methadone/buprenorphine did not alleviate the need for SAFAO, suggesting that SAFAO administration may be an important intervention for opioid withdrawal. Use of escalating OMEs of SAFAO was associated with reduced withdrawal severity. This practice was well-tolerated with few AEs.
The association between self-compassion and psychological distress among Chinese college students: serial mediation via emotions and resilience resources
Authors: Hou Jianhua , Qu Diyang , Bu He , Chen Bowen , Liu Guoxiong , Yu Nancy Xiaonan
Published: January 2025

Guided by the theory of self-compassion and the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, we aimed to assess how self-compassion is related to psychological distress among Chinese college students. A convenience sample of 2,263 Chinese college students from four universities participated in this cross-sectional study. They completed measures assessing (un)compassionate self-responding, positive emotions, negative emotions, resilience resources, and psychological distress through an online survey platform. We found that positive emotions and resilience resources significantly mediated the associations between (un)compassionate self-responding and psychological distress. Future studies on mental health promotion programs based on self-compassion should evaluate whether interventions for enhancing positive emotions effectively boost resilience resources and adjustment outcomes during future pandemics. For application, university counselling centers may offer self-compassion workshops or groups to college students during transitional periods.
Evaluation of Three Viral Capsid Integrity qPCR Methods for Wastewater-Based Viral Surveillance
Authors: Kevill Jessica L. , Farkas Kata , Herridge Kate , Malham Shelagh K. , Jones Davey L.
Published: January 2025

Capsid Integrity qPCR (CI-qPCR) assays offer a promising alternative to cell culture-based infectivity assays for assessing pathogenic human virus viability in wastewater. This study compared three CI-qPCR methods: two novel (Crosslinker, TruTiter) and one established (PMAxx dye). These methods were evaluated on heat-inactivated and non-heat-inactivated ‘live’ viruses spiked into phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and wastewater, as well as on viruses naturally present in wastewater samples. The viral panel included Human adenovirus 5 (HAdV), enterovirus A71 (EV), hepatitis-A virus (HAV), influenza-A H3N2 (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus A2 (RSV), norovirus GI, norovirus GII, and SARS-CoV-2. All three methods successfully differentiated between degraded, heat-inactivated, and live viruses in PBS. While all three methods were comparable for HAdV and norovirus GI, PMAxx detected significantly lower gene copies for EV and IAV. In spiked wastewater, PMAxx yielded significantly lower gene copies for all heat-inactivated viruses (HAdV, EV, HAV, IAV, and RSV) compared to the Crosslinker and TruTiter methods. For viruses naturally present in wastewater (un-spiked), no significant difference was observed between PMAxx and TruTiter methods. Intact, potentially infectious viruses were detected using both PMAxx and TruTiter on untreated and treated wastewater samples. A comparative analysis of qPCR data and TEM images revealed that viral flocculation of IAV may interfere with capsid integrity assays using intercalating dyes. In summary, our findings not only advance the development of more effective methods for assessing viral viability in wastewater, but also highlight the potential of CI-qPCR techniques to enhance early warning systems for emerging pathogens, thereby strengthening public health preparedness and response strategies.
Wheat cultivar mixtures enhance the delivery of agroecosystem services compared to monocultures under contrasted tillage intensities and fertilization
Authors: Tous-Fandos Alba , Bragg Daniel , Blanco-Moreno José M. , Chamorro-Lorenzo Lourdes , Sans F. Xavier
Published: January 2025

Wheat cultivar mixtures provide a more complex and functional cropping system than monocultures. Their functionality may result in the delivery of agroecosystem services. However, research on cultivar mixture performance has mainly been done in controlled environments. Greenhouses and laboratory experiments do not account for environmental or agronomic factors that may influence the polyculture’s functionality. To fill this research gap, we set up a novel strip-split-block experimental design with three factors (wheat treatment, tillage, and fertilization) in a field long-term trial. We assessed the performance of the modern wheat cultivar Florence-Aurora and the traditional cultivars Xeixa (Triticum aestivum L. subsp. aestivum) and Forment (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum) monocultures and their mixture in providing aphid and weed control and promoting crop yield under contrasting tillage practices (moldboard ploughing vs. chisel ploughing) and fertilization (farmyard manure applied or not applied). We analyzed aphid abundance, number of aphids per tiller, parasitism rate, weed abundance and richness, and crop yield. Additionally, we examined wheat establishment, cover, phenology, and height for cultivar characterization. We observed that soil management practices affected some aspects of the cropping system. The wheat cultivars differed in their aphid susceptibility and weed suppression ability, with Florence-Aurora being less suppressant to weeds and more prone to aphid infestation. Most remarkably, our study shows for the first time that mixing wheat cultivars with distinguished traits enhances associational resistance for aphid and weed control. These benefits were specifically important under high weed infestations generated by reduced tillage. Moreover, the yield of Florence-Aurora monoculture and the mixture was found to be influenced by tillage and fertilization. Our study underscores how soil management practices impact the functionality of cultivar mixtures. This emphasizes the need for further field research to better understand the complexity of farming conditions that influence the delivery of agroecosystem services by cultivar mixtures.
Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance as an environmentally benign and energy saving analytical tool in organic laboratories
Authors: Gašparová M. , Tokárová Z.
Published: January 2025

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is of vital importance for chemical structure characterization. Over the last decade, low-field NMR spectroscopy (LF-NMR) has forced noticeable growth in chemical analysis and quality control processes. Benchtop (also known as table-top or compact) NMR instruments are small and compact, offering the benefit of being locatable on a table or in a fume-hood. Most importantly, as they employ the spectroscopic-grade permanent magnets processing at room temperature, the dependence on non-renewable natural resources (helium and nitrogen) for cryogenic cooling is avoided. Although the quality of LF-NMR never reaches the level of data provided by high-field NMR (HF-NMR) instruments, the field is indeed trending and deserves attention when taking into account the advantages of the daily use possibility of working in an environmentally benign and cost and time saving mode. Herein, we highlight LF-NMR spectroscopy as profitable analytical tool for structural determination in an organic laboratory immediately upon synthesis. The accurate characterization by 1H LF-NMR is presented on a set of compounds, 1–6, representing the products of an undergraduate laboratory course. The comparative proton LF-/ HF-NMR is presented for pharmaceuticals 7, 8 synthesized de-novo during the advanced laboratory course. Finally, the sole LF-NMR has been successfully applied for 1H and 2D (1H-1H) COSY NMR experiments for structural characterization of azomethine 7 representing a compound of our research aims.
Global drive toward net-zero emissions and sustainability via electric vehicles: an integrative critical review
Authors: Timilsina Raja Rajendra , Zhang Jingchao , Rahut Dil B , Patradool Kaewupsorn , Sonobe Tetsushi
Published: January 2025

The urgent need for a net-zero future necessitates a fundamental shift in the energy sector, with road transportation responsible for a substantial 37% of global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2021, emerging as a pivotal focal point in the battle against climate change. Energy consumption in the road sector is expected to surge by 1.26% with a 1% growth in urbanization, concentrated mainly in Asia and Africa by the mid-2030s. Therefore, addressing emissions from the transportation industry is paramount. Electric vehicles (EVs), coupled with a transition to renewable energy, offer a sustainable solution, yet their market share remains at a modest 10% globally and in Asia. With numerous nations committed to achieving net-zero emissions, EV adoption is on the rise, particularly in developing regions with high urbanization and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. Governments worldwide have initiated policies that provide incentives to promote EVs, but challenges like patent declines and EV battery disposal concerns persist. In this paper, we make an integrative critical review of the existing literature, conduct a SWOT analysis of EVs, and address crucial factors influencing their adoption, thereby contributing to the goal of a more sustainable future in road transportation.
Basic Considerations for the Consistency Evaluation Based on ICH E17 Guideline
Authors: Long Meihua , Wu Haiyan , Liu Xiaoni , Li Pengfei , Lin Renxin , Zhao Ziwei , Kou Xiujing , Zhu Chao , Ji Chen , Zhang Wei , Zhang Kezhou , Yu Bing , Wang Yun , Zhang Hua , Jia Fan , Hou Yan
Published: January 2025

In the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidance on General Principles for Planning and Design of Multi-Regional Clinical Trials (E17), it is important to evaluate the consistency of treatment effect across regions in a multi-regional clinical trial (MRCT). In this paper, we elaborated on some basic considerations to evaluate consistency. We first list the design considerations, and then provide consistency evaluation and interpretation on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, safety, and benefit-risk. Furthermore, we consider special situations including non-inferiority, multiple primary endpoints, interim analyses with delayed treatment effect, adaptive design, single-arm studies, rare diseases, and statistical methods for regional treatment effect estimate and consistency evaluation. Finally, if potential inconsistency is anticipated or observed in the MRCT, an exploratory framework is provided for further investigations. Overall, this paper elaborates on consistency evaluation in MRCT, discusses possible challenges in reality and also provides strategies and methods to overcome these challenges. This could help consensus across health authorities, industries, and academic societies, which could further facilitate consistency evaluation and MRCT implementation. Effective communication with regulatory authorities is encouraged to obtain an acceptance of a global approach.
Heterotrimeric G-proteins: multi-dimensional regulation in plant growth, development and abiotic stress responses
Authors: Guo Shiyuan , Wang Yingge , Wu Jiayan , Zhou Xiani , Gao Huiling
Published: January 2025

Heterotrimeric G-proteins, comprising Gα, Gβ, and Gγ subunits, act as crucial molecular switches for signaling transduction in all eukaryotic organisms. Through precise modulation of specific receptors or effectors coupled with heterotrimeric G-proteins in signaling cascades, plants have the capability to activate or suppress unique signaling pathways necessary for plant growth, development, and stress responses. This review provides an overview of the heterotrimeric G-proteins signaling pathway obtained to date, and highlights novel areas for future exploration and agricultural application based on the emerging significance and potential of heterotrimeric G proteins in regulating plant development and responses to abiotic stress.
Study on the influence of Tropical Cyclone Kimi on wind speed and wave height in central and eastern Indonesian waters
Authors: Andariwan Yogi Muhammad , Ningsih Nining Sari , Kartadikaria Aditya Rakhmat
Published: January 2025

Tropical Cyclone (TC) Kimi was active from January 15 to 19, 2021 in Australian waters. TC Kimi activity does influence the atmosphere and ocean dynamics around it, including in central and eastern Indonesian waters, with the highest increase in local winds occurring in Sangihe (315.8%), Gorontalo (236.3%), Seram (236.3%) dan Manado (225.8%). On the other hand, Gorontalo experienced the highest increase of significant wave height during TC Kimi active, with 921.4% increase. In this study, we analyze wave height change in central and eastern Indonesian waters before TC Kimi was active, at the peak intensity of TC Kimi, and after TC Kimi dissipated by employing Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN) wave model. From spatial lagged correlation analysis between wind from TC Kimi and local winds in Indonesia, we obtained 12 locations that have positive lag and correlation, namely: Denpasar, Waingapu, Rote, Majene, Gorontalo, Manado, Sangihe, Sanana, Seram, Raja Ampat, Agats dan Merauke. From time series lagged correlation, the locations that have negative lag are Denpasar (-6 h) and Rote (-1 h), those with 0 h lag are Raja Ampat and Agats, and those with positive lag are Waingapu (+ 8 h), Majene (+ 10 h), Gorontalo (+ 14 h), Manado (+ 6 h), Sangihe (+ 15 h), Sanana (+ 7 h), Seram (+ 5 h) and Merauke (+ 6 h). Surface wind analysis during the development and early phase of TC Kimi shows wind flows from Sulawesi Sea, Maluku Sea, Halmahera Sea, and Banda Sea towards the TC Kimi system. When TC Kimi approaches its strongest intensity, there are low-pressure areas (Low) that are also active, including Low in the Philippines and in the Gulf of Carpentaria, while the wind flow towards TC Kimi appears to be disconnected. Low in the Philippines and the Gulf of Carpentaria, respectively, play a role in maintaining the high waves in the northern and southern waters of Indonesia. It indicates that TC Kimi plays a role in the initial increase of wind speed in Indonesia, which is continued by the presence of Low in their respective local areas.
Data encryption based on field effect transistors and memristors
Authors: Yang Rumeng , Hu Huiqian , Zhang Jianyuan , Wang Donghui , Huang Weiguo
Published: January 2025

Information security is a critical requirement across military affairs, business, and daily life. Compared to traditional encryption methods, non-volatile memory offers significant advantages for data encryption due to its high-density storage, reliability, rewrite capability, fast data transport, robust handleability, and ease of integration into electrical circuits. This review comprehensively summarizes the latest advancements in functional materials design and fabrication for data storage and encryption. It highlights innovative techniques that leverage the stimulus including optical, electrical, magnetic, and humidity properties, covering both single-stimulus and multi-stimulus synergistic effect. This review also systematically explores notable progress in the field of encryption. Future research directions will focus on developing ultra-low power devices for data encryption, implementing multiple coordinated encryption techniques, and efficiently integrating advanced devices with algorithms to meet evolving security demands. By offering insights into future trends and challenges, this review aims to deepen understanding and inspire innovative perspectives for the ongoing development of advanced encryption devices.
Visions of Hierarchy and Inequality in Early Medieval England
Authors: Pracy Stuart
Published: January 2025

This Element examines the socio-political hierarchy of England in the tenth and eleventh centuries, focusing upon the plasticity of the boundary between the ranks of ceorl and thegn. Offering a nuanced analysis of terms such as thegn and ceorl in both early medieval texts and modern scholarship, the Element highlights the mechanisms that allowed these non-institutional signifiers to hold such social weight while conferring few tangible benefits. To better describe the relative social positions, the author argues that a compound method is preferable, supporting this proposal via a thorough deconstruction of writings by Archbishop Wulfstan II of York − responsible for many of scholars' ideas about rank in the period − and the examination of sources that evidence a blurring of 'middling' social boundaries across the two centuries under discussion. Together, these strands of interrogation allow for a fuller understanding of how status was constructed in early medieval England.
Economic Opportunities of Bioelectricity from Cotton Gin Waste
Authors: Fuad Syed M. , Farmer Michael C. , Adisa Abidemi
Published: January 2025

This work shows that direct combustion of cotton gin waste (CGW) at cotton gins can profitably generate electricity. Many bioenergy processing centres emphasise very large-scale operations, which require a large and stable bio-stock supply that is not always available. Similarly, a small biorefinery processing gin trash at a cotton gin must wrestle with the high volatility of cotton yields and price variation in cotton and electricity. Fortunately, the smaller scale allows these risks to be somewhat countervailing. Low cotton yields allow the limited gin trash available to be applied to the highest peak electricity prices in winter. Similarly, high yields with low cotton prices generate revenue from power generation throughout high winter electric prices.

To assess the profitability of an onsite power plant requires high-resolution data. We utilise hourly electricity price data from 2010 to 2021 in West Texas and obtain a small data array of 15 years of gin trash at a medium-sized gin. Prior analyses have had neither. We leverage limited CGW data to better leverage generous electricity price data by generating a Bayesian distribution for CGW. We simulate 10,000 annual CGW outcomes and electricity prices. Using engineering parameters for combustion efficiency, we show the expected internal rates of return of 19–22% for a 1 MWe and a 2 MWe plant at a small gin. Simulations then compare economic returns to the variance of those returns, which allows the analyst to present to investors a frontier of stochastic dominant return outcomes (risk-returns trade-off) for plants of different sizes at different sized gins.
China, global value chains, and the middle-income trap
Authors: Murphree Michael , Breznitz Dan
Published: January 2025

Whether China can avoid the middle-income trap has been the subject of extensive research. Currently classified as an upper middle-income country, China increasingly exhibits similar characteristics as countries currently experiencing the middle-income trap. However, using evidence from China’s coastal manufacturing city of Dongguan, this article shows how China’s approach to global value chain (GVC) participation created conditions for avoiding the middle-income trap: 1) agglomeration and manufacturing scale at multiple stages of production, 2) a mix of foreign and domestic enterprises, 3) participation in GVCs for multiple industries, 4) development of domestic demand, and 5) continuously reconfiguring government industrial policies. With these characteristics, China’s economy is likely to continue to grow, suggesting that GVC participation can facilitate a path around the middle-income trap.
EU rules of origin, signalling and the potential erosion of the art market through generative artificial intelligence
Authors: De Cooman Jerome
Published: January 2025

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) systems generate artwork likely to be copyrightable if made by human. In lieu of discussing whether machine-enabled artworks should be copyrighted, a question that has received a large attention in academic scholarship, this paper proposes to analyse the economic implications of GenAI. Although the valuation of their outputs is still mostly unknown, preliminary studies show that, all other things being equal, humans’ works are evaluated at a significant higher value than machine-enabled ones. Yet, to be properly valued, human-made and machine-enabled products must be distinguishable. They are not. This indistinguishability creates an asymmetry in information that in turn leads to a lemons problem, defined as a market erosion of good-quality products. Against that background, this paper proposes a solution in light of European Union rules of origin and the so-called substantial transformation test. This solution can then be used in copyright law to identify where the human author has been able to make free and creative choices (or lack thereof) required to satisfy the criterion of originality and, hence, copyrightability.
LLMs meet the AI Act: Who’s the sorcerer’s apprentice?
Authors: Pagallo Ugo
Published: January 2025

The paper examines the legal regulation and governance of “generative artificial intelligence” (AI), “foundation AI,” “large language models” (LLMs), and the “general-purpose” AI models of the AI Act. Attention is drawn to two potential sorcerer’s apprentices, namely, in the spirit of J. W. Goethe’s poem, people who were unable to control a situation they created. Focus is on developers and producers of technologies, such as LLMs that bring about risks of discrimination and information hazards, malicious uses and environmental harms; furthermore, the analysis dwells on the normative attempt of European Union legislators to govern misuses and overuses of LLMs with the AI Act. Scholars, private companies, and organisations have stressed limits of such normative attempt. In addition to issues of competitiveness and legal certainty, bureaucratic burdens and standard development, the threat is the over-frequent revision of the law to tackle advancements of technology. The paper illustrates this threat since the inception of the AI Act and recommends some ways in which the law has not to be continuously amended to address the challenges of technological innovation.
Mapping Generative AI rules and liability scenarios in the AI Act, and in the proposed EU liability rules for AI liability
Authors: Rodríguez de Las Heras Ballell Teresa
Published: January 2025

The Paper aims to explore whether the current ecosystem of existing and still-to-be adopted rules on artificial intelligence (AI) systems in the European Union does fully and adequately address the liability for damages caused by Generative AI system. It maps first and primarily the distinctive features and functional characteristics of Generative AI likely to impact on regulatory and legal considerations and, in particular, on determining the specific regulatory regime governing Generative AI and on tracing and allocating liability along the value chain pursuant to the AI Act. On the basis of this mapping exercise, the Paper focuses on testing the liability rules as provided for the draft Artificial Intelligence Liability Directive and the Revised Product Liability Directive and assessing their sufficiency and effectiveness in the face of Generative AI. Beyond the assessment of the rules laid down in the above-referred texts, the Paper briefly describes other liability scenarios to be explored in future works.
Tailoring coherent beam combined laser pulse trains for high peak and average power applications
Authors: Ranély-Vergé-Dépré Claude-Alban , Lechevalier Corentin , Andrieu Jordan , Fsaifes Ihsan , Jovanovic Igor , Chanteloup Jean-Christophe
Published: January 2025

Laser systems based on coherent beam combination (CBC) that rely on tiled pupil architecture intrinsically carry digital capabilities independently applicable to all three essential characteristics of a laser pulse: amplitude, phase and polarization. Those capabilities allow the far-field energy distribution to be flexibly tailored in real time. Operation in the femtosecond regime at high repetition rates gives access to a wide range of applications requiring both high peak and average powers. We address the task of independent peak versus average power adjustment needed for applications seeking to decouple nonlinear phenomena associated with GW peak power from the thermal load inherent to kW average power operation. The technical solutions proposed are presented in the framework of the Ecole Polytechnique XCAN CBC laser platform (61 independent channels) with an emphasis on thermal management measures implemented to ensure its nominal operation.
Watt-level sub-100 fs third near-infrared window laser generated by self-seeded coherent Raman amplification based on erbium-ytterbium co-doped fiber
Authors: Zhang Jiaxuan , Fan Jintao , Hu Minglie
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we prove that the third near-infrared (NIR-III) window high-power laser with wavelength in the range of 1600–1800 nm can be obtained by the coherent Raman fiber amplification technique through theoretical and experimental study. Detailed numerical simulation reveals that the nonlinear dynamics of the Raman fiber amplification in the polarization-maintaining double-clad erbium-ytterbium co-doped fiber is similar to that of the Mamyshev oscillator. Through the spectral filtering effect induced by finite Raman gain, we can obtain a high-quality Raman pulse. According to the theoretical results, we design a simple Raman fiber amplification laser and finally obtain a high-quality watt-level NIR-III window laser pulse in which the central wavelength is about 1650 nm and the pulse width can reach 85 fs. The experimental results correspond to the simulation results. Such nonlinear effect is universal in all kinds of fibers, and we think this technology can provide a great contribution to the development of ultrafast fiber lasers.
High-efficiency thin-plate compression of multi-TW Ti:sapphire lasers
Authors: Li Zhaoli , Zhou Kainan , Mu Jie , Wang Xiaodong , Zeng Xiaoming , Wu Zhaohui , Wang Xiao , Zuo Yanlei
Published: January 2025

Nonlinear compression experiments based on multiple solid thin plates are conducted in an ultra-high peak power Ti:sapphire laser system. The incident laser pulse, with an energy of 80 mJ and a pulse width of 30.2 fs, is compressed to 10.1 fs by a thin-plate based nonlinear compression. Significant small-scale self-focusing is observed as ring structures appear in the near-field of the output pulse at high energy. Numerical simulations based on the experimental setup provide a good explanation for the observed phenomena, offering quantitative predictions of the spectrum, pulse width, dispersion and near- and far-field distributions of the compressed laser pulse.
The Ability and Authority of Servants in a Ming Lineage Plan
Authors: Schneewind Sarah
Published: January 2025

In considering Huo Tao’s Family Admonitions, a text included in a lineage genealogy of the early sixteenth century, this article investigates its five constituent logics (Confucian propriety, bureaucratic division of responsibility, subsistence agriculture, wealth creation, and punitive patriarchy). It explains what sorts of expert abilities Huo considered necessary and what relations of authority (defined as power over others that they accept) those abilities entailed. Huo’s plan relies not only on the expertise of lineage members, but also on the abilities of hired workers and bondservants/slaves who held their positions for a long time. Their positions gave them authority in the workspace over the lineage members who outranked them legally, calling into question the utility of simple categories of “social status.” Because the text was later copied repeatedly into other lineages’ compilations, Huo’s plan must have made sense to Ming and Qing lineage leaders, so it may illuminate how they constructed relations of authority and social status.
Dust-free region over horizontal hot surfaces
Authors: Prasoon K.K. , Roy Anubhab , Puthenveettil Baburaj A.
Published: January 2025

We study the formation of dust-free regions above hot horizontal surfaces of uniform temperature and propose relations for its height in the limit of small particle inertia and gravitational effects. By including particle inertia, thermophoretic, gravitational and viscous effects, we conduct Lagrangian simulations of particle dynamics in a natural convection boundary layer over a horizontal surface. Trajectory analysis of the particles inside the boundary layer on the surface reveals the existence of two separatrices originating from a saddle point, which form the boundary of the dust-free region. These separatrices for low gravitational effects follow the boundary layer thickness, but are of much lower height and also depend on the dimensionless thermophoretic number (

$Th$

) and Prandtl number (

$Pr$

). We obtain a relation for the dimensionless height of the dust-free region (

$\eta _{df}$

) as a function of

$Pr$

and

$Th$

, for low dimensionless gravitational number (

$Gn$

); the numerical solution of this equation gives us the dust-free region height for any

$Th$

and

$Pr$

. We then obtain scaling laws for

$\eta _{df}$

using the boundary layer equations corresponding to the

$Pr \gg 1$

and

$Pr \ll 1$

cases; these scaling laws are shown to be valid respectively for

$Pr>1$

and

$Pr<1$

, except in the large

$\eta$

limit for

$Pr>1$

, where

$\eta$

is the boundary layer similarity variable. We then obtain an empirical relation in this large

$\eta$

limit using the numerical solutions of the boundary layer equations for the intermediate

$Pr$

case to obtain scaling laws for dust-free region height for the whole range of

$Pr \ll 1$

to

$Pr \gg 1$

.
A Victorian nature cure philosophy as a reconciliation of Romantic Naturalism and laboratory medicine: the case of E.W. Lane’s (1823–89) hygienic medicine
Authors: Bae Min
Published: January 2025

This article primarily concentrates on the theoretical and intellectual dimensions of nature cure, particularly efforts to revive it during the second half of the nineteenth century. Little is known about specific medical professionals or theories concerning the Victorian philosophy of nature cure, although this philosophy is mentioned in general terms in studies on alternative medicine and hygiene. This article illuminates a Victorian nature cure philosophy through the works of Edward W. Lane (1823–1889). As a physician and hydropathist, Lane aspired to create a new form of medical system, ‘hygienic medicine’, seeking answers to the questions ‘What is disease?’ and ‘What is medicine?’ throughout his career. Lane was among many physicians interested in nature’s healing power during his time. However, few undertook as thorough a theorisation of nature cure philosophy as Lane did in the latter half of the nineteenth century, a period that presented unprecedented challenges in reconciling medicine with nature. This study explores the subtle nuances of the concepts that Lane actively used in his theoretical explanations, including ‘nature’, ‘laws of health’ and ‘vital force’, interpreting his efforts as a reconciliation between Romantic naturalism and laboratory medicine. The aim of this study is not to re-evaluate the significance of Lane’s medical theory itself. It rather uses Lane as a lens to reveal the intricacies of Victorian nature cure philosophy.
Interactions among simultaneous elections
Authors: Zhou Congyi
Published: January 2025

In this study, we examine the interactions among elections by considering two parties competing in simultaneous elections, where each party fields candidates in every election. We model these interactions through voters’ utility functions, influenced not just by the policies proposed in a specific election but also by those in concurrent elections. The benchmark result indicates that all candidates adopt positions more polarized than those predicted by the Calvert–Wittman model. This shift occurs because candidates leverage the policy stance of their counterparts in co-partisan elections to pursue policies more aligned with their preferences. In multidistrict elections, candidates from areas with strong ideological leanings deviate further from the median voter's stance at the national level. Moreover, this interaction effect may select candidates with more extreme ideology into the local elections.
Reward or punishment? The distribution of life-cycle returns to political office
Authors: Dahlgaard Jens Olav , Kjøller Frederik K. , Kristensen Nicolai
Published: January 2025

The remuneration of MPs affects who engages in politics. Even if average returns to office are positive, as found in all other studies, some officeholders’ returns are likely negative. Further, the timing of returns to office is crucial as politicians often enjoy delayed compensation like lucrative pensions. Utilizing administrative data for parliamentary candidates in Denmark from 1994 to 2015, we estimate first-time runners’ earnings and total income returns to office. Based on total income, practically all elected MPs experience economic gains during their first term. Computations of life-cycle returns reveal that the 25 percent highest earning candidates (pre-office) have no long-term economic gain from winning. Generally, considering the distribution and timing of returns to office improves studies of how office-holding is economically rewarded.
Competent legislators or mere pawns? Experimental evidence of attitudes toward gender quota politicians
Authors: Barnett Carolyn , Blackman Alexandra , Shalaby Marwa
Published: January 2025

Do citizens evaluate quota and non-quota politicians similarly? Do voters perceive quota-elected politicians as less competent and autonomous? Despite the proliferation of gender quotas, it remains unclear how citizens view female quota politicians compared to their non-quota male and female counterparts. This is particularly important in electoral systems where competitive and reserved seats both exist. We conducted a vignette experiment in Morocco where we randomized information about how politicians were elected and their legislative behavior. We find no evidence that voters evaluate quota women as less competent than non-quota male and female politicians. Our data demonstrate partial support for the argument that quota women are perceived as pawns of their parties, although information about legislative behavior can mitigate this perception.
Detailed characterisation of the Co-Smad protein in liver fluke Fasciola gigantica
Authors: Japa O. , Phuangsri C. , Klinbumrung K. , Prakhammin K. , Flynn R. J.
Published: January 2025

Fasciolosis, caused by the liver flukes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica, is a zoonotic parasitic disease associated with substantial economic losses in livestock. The transforming growth factor-beta signalling pathway is implicated in developmental processes and biological functions throughout the animal kingdom, including the Fasciola spp. It may also mediate host–helminth interactions during infection. In this work, we present an exploration of FgSmad4, the sole member of the Co-Smad protein family in F. gigantica. The isolated FgSmad4 cDNA was 4,014 bp in length encoding for a protein comprising 771 amino acids. FgSmad4 exhibited typical Co-Smad protein features, including Mad Homology 1 (MH1) and Mad Homology 2 (MH2) domains, a Nuclear Localisation Signal, a DNA-Binding Motif, and a Nuclear Export Signal. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of FgSmad4 revealed that its MH1 and MH2 sequences are most similar to those of other trematode species. The MH1 domain, in particular, closely resembles the Co-Smad protein in mammalian hosts more than those in cestodes and nematodes. The expression patterns of FgSmad4 during the liver fluke’s developmental stages showed significant variation. Transcript levels were highest at the newly excysted juvenile stage, followed by unembryonated egg, redia, and metacercaria, with the lowest expression in the adult fluke, embryonated egg, and cercaria stages. Our results underscore the conservation and suggest the potential role of FgSmad4, a key transforming growth factor-beta signalling molecule within the liver fluke F. gigantica. As Co-Smad is typically involved in several biological pathways, the precise functions and mechanisms of this identified FgSmad4 necessitate further exploration.