bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cyberbullying and Social Media
Authors: Kowalski Robin M. , Giumetti Gary W. , Patchin Justin , Cotten Shelia R. , Craig Wendy
Published: December 2024

Recent years have seen an increase in research devoted not only to cyberbullying broadly speaking but to cyberbullying and social media specifically. With the majority of 13–17-year-olds using social media apps such as YouTube or TikTok on a regular basis, there are concomitant increases in involvement in cyberbullying as victim and/or perpetrator, both within the United States and around the world. Outcomes of cyberbullying for victims and perpetrators include heightened levels of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, often accompanied by lower levels of self-esteem. Much of the cyberbullying that occurs among adolescents on social media platforms involves current or former classmates, placing schools in the difficult position of having to decide whether to intervene or not. Considering these issues, in this chapter, we examine the current state of the research focusing on cyberbullying involvement and social media, including policy and legal issues, uncover limitations of the existing research, and identify ways forward for future researchers and practitioners.
Digital Cruelty’s Impact on Self-Esteem and Body Image
Authors: Burnell Kaitlyn , Trekels Jolien , George Madeleine J. , Nesi Jacqueline
Published: December 2024

Adolescents are immersed in digital technologies, raising concerns among parents, teachers, scholars, and policymakers on how use may be affecting adolescent development. The affordances of digital technologies bear special relevance to declines in self-esteem and body image perceptions that occur during adolescence. One element of digital technologies that may be especially relevant for self-esteem and body image is the occurrence of digital cruelty, in which digital technologies can be used to transmit and reflect negative or hurtful commentary and feedback. This review considers how digital cruelty may unfold in digital spaces and how it may relate to self-esteem and body image concerns, with special attention given to how digital cruelty may occur in the appearance domain. Past research has demonstrated that appearance-oriented digital cruelty may be rare, heterogeneous in how it occurs, and not always linked to poorer self-esteem and greater body image concerns. However, much work is to be done that considers the nuances of how digital cruelty can occur and the individual differences and contexts in which negative effects may manifest. We discuss areas of future research and conclude with recommendations on how to combat digital cruelty as it occurs among adolescents.
Introduction to the Section on Media Policy
Authors: Kraft Colleen , Wartella Ellen
Published: December 2024

Media Policy covers a diverse collection of topics related to child health, privacy, and equity. Children are much more comfortable with screens and devices than their parents, but their developing brain juxtaposes their facility and skill in using technology with personal privacy and safety. This collection of chapters speaks to design that facilitates privacy and security and the role of both legislation and regulation in supporting this design. Two chapters highlight the digital divide with regard to both high-speed internet access and the fact that the largest populations of young people live in countries with the fewest resources. This collection of media policy chapters seeks to define what is needed for children to navigate today’s digital landscape safely and equitably.
Social Media Use in Childhood and Adolescence: Minimizing Its Adverse Effects Through Corporate Social Responsibility and European Union Regulations
Authors: Montag Christian , Demetrovics Zsolt , Elhai Jon D. , Grant Don , Koning Ina , Rumpf Hans-Jürgen , Spada Marcantonio M. , Throuvala Melina , van den Eijnden Regina
Published: December 2024

The present chapter revisits the prevailing data business model of the social media industry and explains how it stands in conflict with psycho-developmental tasks in children and adolescents. In this realm, issues surrounding the current “APIcalypse” (based on the term application program interfaces (APIs); closed APIs hindering the study of social media use on the platforms) are discussed, along with the need to foster interdisciplinary research that brings together psychological, psychiatric, neuroscientific, and computer sciences to truly understand social media impacts on well-being and mental health. Given the billion users of social media around the globe, many of whom are minors, much is at stake, and it is urgent to address the numerous knowledge gaps surrounding the effects of social media use on mental health.
Distinguishing Credible from Sham: Supporting Young People to Navigate Online
Authors: Breakstone Joel , McGrew Sarah , Smith Mark , Wineburg Sam
Published: December 2024

Teenagers in the United States spend over 8 hours on digital devices outside of schoolwork each day (Rideout et al. The Common Sense census: media use by tweens and teens. Common Sense Media, 2021), where they encounter information that ranges from educational to toxic. Despite their fluency with digital devices, young people struggle to evaluate the information that streams across their screens. There are evidence-based approaches for helping students to become more discerning consumers of digital content. Based on research with professional fact checkers, these interventions have been proven across a range of contexts to help people learn effective evaluation strategies. Unfortunately, outdated educational approaches to digital literacy remain widely used. As states across the country adopt legislation mandating media literacy instruction, a series of research questions deserve attention: (1) How can adults be supported to learn and teach digital literacy? (2) How do schools integrate digital literacy into the curriculum? (3) How do young people’s beliefs and identities influence their evaluations? (4) How do we reach people outside of school settings and how can trusted messengers (e.g., parents, health professionals, and community leaders) provide instruction about evidence-based strategies for evaluating online information?
Introduction to the Section on Education Technology
Authors: Darling-Aduana Jennifer
Published: December 2024

Educational technology (edtech) has become a pervasive part of students’ schooling experiences whether integrated in traditional, face-to-face classrooms, or used to support fully online courses. Despite the potential for edtech to improve learning processes and outcomes, most edtech enactment reproduces existing teacher-centric practices. The following six chapters review current understanding on the topic from the perspectives of emergency schooling, equity, digital media literacy, early childhood education, and data privacy and security. The introduction concludes with a roadmap for the policies, practices, and research identified across chapters to realize the true potential of edtech to enhance and transform education.
The State of Educational Technology Research and Practice
Authors: Krutka Daniel G. , Greenhow Christine , Kimmons Royce , Pangrazio Luci , Trust Torrey
Published: December 2024

The authors offer a brief overview of the state of educational technology (edtech) research and practice. They detail the current state of the field by reporting on trends in edtech scholarship and from analysis of social media data and website analytics. Topics of focus in the field change from year to year. For example, there was a shift among scholarly focus from virtual and augmented reality in 2021 to more attention on artificial intelligence in 2022 and 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in more focus on emergency remote teaching and an increased interest in online and blended learning. There has also been more concern about increasing open educational resources (OER) and the use of technology to improve women’s and girls’ experiences in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning. The authors also put forth self-directed learning on social media and critical data literacy as illustrative examples of particular areas of study. Overall, the authors contend that the field can, at times, be constrained by a technophilic view that fails to account for downsides, such as prohibitive costs, loss of data privacy, or even discriminatory design or use. There is emerging scholarly interest in centering ethical issues with technology.
Digital Ethics and Equity in K-12 Blended and Online Learning
Authors: Darling-Aduana Jennifer , Heath Marie K. , Stewart Ashley , Viano Samantha , Asim Sumreen , Garcia Antero , Langran Elizabeth , Heinrich Carolyn , Woodley Xeturah
Published: December 2024

We propose a definition for digital equity that includes leveraging fully online and blended learning to dismantle power dynamics and systems in society that perpetuate and legitimize educational inequities. For technology to support that aim, educators must acknowledge the non-neutrality of technology and work to mitigate the negative effects of differential use, algorithmic biases, surveillance, built-in normative assumptions, and online harassment. We start by describing the current state of digital ethics and equity in K-12 blended and online learning before concluding with suggestions for future research and recommendations for policymakers and educators.
The Explosion of EdTech: Can Its Promise Be Fulfilled?
Authors: Golinkoff Roberta Michnick , Hassinger-Das Brenna , Kucirkova Natalia , Myers Lauren , Dore Rebecca A.
Published: December 2024

Educational Technologies (EdTech) refers to apps, coding robots, educational videos, websites, e-books, and games allegedly designed to promote children’s learning. EdTech is changing how children learn and will likely become increasingly common in future years. In this review, we focus on EdTech used in preschool and early primary school classrooms and at home, with typically developing children aged between 0 and 5 years. We review the current state of the literature, consider whether educational EdTech is aligned with the research, propose ways EdTech could be improved, suggest avenues for future research, and conclude with a set of recommendations for parents, educators, and pediatricians.
Children, Education, and Technologies: Current Debates, Key Concerns, and Future Directions Around Data Privacy, Surveillance, and Datafication
Authors: Hillman Velislava , Manolev Jamie , Johnston Samantha-Kaye , Kumar Priya C. , Martin Florence , Zeide Elana , Vladova Gergana , Lai Rina
Published: December 2024

In this chapter, we discuss the impact of digitizing education, the risks of datafication, data privacy loss, and surveillance, and their implications for children’s fundamental rights and freedoms. While debates around digital media’s impact on children’s health and development have grown, our goal is to present the most pertinent concerns emerging from the use of education technologies (edtech), focusing on data collection and surveillance in Anglo-American (Western) contexts. We shed light on the gaps in literature and provide recommendations addressing education stakeholders.
Introduction to the Section on Video Gaming, Violence, and Gambling
Authors: Gentile Douglas A. , Potenza Marc N.
Published: December 2024

This chapter summarizes the content and themes from the four chapters in this section on online gaming, violent and aggressive behaviors, and online gambling in youth. The chapters taken together suggest a convergence of online behaviors in which learning may contribute across behaviors. While strong data suggest relationships, albeit sometimes of modest magnitudes, across these domains, less is known regarding directionality and how moderating and mediating factors operate. However, given the prevalence of these behaviors during development and their potential impacts, improved understanding is needed in order to provide individuals, and perhaps particularly pediatricians, with the appropriate information to help promote the healthy development of youth.
Video Gaming and Its Effects on Children and Adolescents: Research Priorities and Recommendations
Authors: King Daniel L. , Galanis Christina R. , Delfabbro Paul H. , Billieux Joel , Király Orsolya , Canale Natale , Rehbein Florian , Gainsbury Sally M. , Potenza Marc N.
Published: December 2024

This chapter critically considers the research literature on the experiences and potential effects of gaming among young people. The effects of gaming on young people’s well-being appear complex and multidirectional, and depend on patterns, content, and context of gaming activities. Research into media effects appears to have become specialized in discrete areas (e.g., cognition, mental health, social effects), with few studies synthesizing data across subfields. Priority research areas include studies of short- and long-term effects of gaming; studying artificial intelligence-driven designs, monetized, and gambling-like designs in games; evaluating assessment and interventions for problematic gaming; and testing regulatory measures and safeguards for young users and their families. Methodological improvements include the use of holistic frameworks and designs to examine positive and negative effects; considering gaming activity as a unit of analysis in psychological and social terms as distinct from “screen time;” the use of objective measures to complement self-report measures; and the use of industry data. As gaming products evolve and become increasingly embedded into young people’s lives, understanding the psychosocial effects on young users remains a global priority.
Digital Media and Neurodevelopmental Differences
Authors: Alper Meryl , Alcorn Alyssa M. , Harrison Kristen , Manganello Jennifer A. , Romeo Rachel R.
Published: December 2024

“Screen media” guidance is not a one-size-fits-all, and this is especially true for young people whose development occurs outside the window of “typical” development. Given the wide range of neurodevelopmental differences, the review of children’s digital media use research in this chapter focuses on those diagnosed with autism and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—conditions that differ but share many underlying cognitive and clinical characteristics. While the evidence base is uneven and incomplete, existing research reviews indicate that screen media use by children and adolescents with an autism and/or ADHD diagnosis can be not only high-risk but also high-reward. The current chapter organizes the major findings into (1) developmental domains for media use and (2) ecological contents for media engagement. We recommend future research directions and provide recommendations for stakeholder groups such as clinicians, policymakers, educators, and technologists. It is now a given that neurodivergent children engage with digital media at least as much if not more than neurotypical children do but often for different reasons. As such, it is important to move conversations toward practical concerns about effective, personally meaningful, and healthy usage.
Children’s Understanding of Digital Tracking and Digital Privacy
Authors: Gelman Susan A. , Nancekivell Shaylene E. , Lee Young-eun , Schaub Florian
Published: December 2024

Digital technologies provide both interpersonal and institutional risks for users, and children are particularly vulnerable, given their limited understanding of these risks. This chapter reviews the current state of literature on children’s understanding of technology as it relates to digital privacy and tracking, focusing especially on children under 14 years of age and their parents. Existing work paints a complex picture of children’s privacy representations wherein children show sophisticated thinking regarding some aspects of privacy and tracking (including types of information, interpersonal privacy risks, and benefits of tracking), but also struggle to represent other privacy concepts such as institutional privacy risks, how/when data is accessed, and the diverse entities that might access it. Directions for future research include a greater focus on children younger than 12 years of age, developing and testing effective educational interventions for children and their parents, and research informing child-appropriate design of privacy information and controls. Recommendations include a research-informed consideration of child age in regulatory requirements, practicing privacy by design in addition to legal compliance, introducing meaningful education at earlier ages, and improving transparency regarding data collection in trusted contexts, such as healthcare and educational settings.
An Efficient ZK Compiler from SIMD Circuits to General Circuits
Authors: Bui Dung , Chu Haotian , Couteau Geoffroy , Wang Xiao , Weng Chenkai , Yang Kang , Yu Yu
Published: December 2024

We propose a generic compiler that can convert any zero-knowledge (ZK) proof for SIMD circuits to general circuits efficiently, and an extension that can preserve the space complexity of the proof systems. Our compiler can immediately produce new results improving upon state of the art.

By plugging in our compiler to Antman, an interactive sublinear-communication protocol, we improve the overall communication complexity for general circuits from

$$\mathcal {O}(C^{3/4})$$

O
(

C

3
/
4

)

to

$$\mathcal {O}(C^{1/2})$$

O
(

C

1
/
2

)

. Our implementation shows that for a circuit of size

$$2^{27}$$

2
27

, it achieves up to

$$83.6\times $$

83.6
×

improvement on communication compared to the state-of-the-art implementation. Its end-to-end running time is at least

$$70\%$$

70
%

faster in a 10Mbps network.

Using the recent results on compressed

$$\varSigma $$

Σ

-protocol theory, we obtain a discrete-log-based constant-round zero-knowledge argument with

$$\mathcal {O}(C^{1/2})$$

O
(

C

1
/
2

)

communication and common random string length, improving over the state of the art that has linear-size common random string and requires heavier computation.

We improve the communication of a designated n-verifier zero-knowledge proof from

$$\mathcal {O}(nC/B+n^2B^2)$$

O
(
n
C
/
B
+

n
2

B
2

)

to

$$\mathcal {O}(nC/B+n^2)$$

O
(
n
C
/
B
+

n
2

)

.

To demonstrate the scalability of our compilers, we were able to extract a commit-and-prove SIMD ZK from Ligero and cast it in our framework. We also give one instantiation derived from LegoSNARK, demonstrating that the idea of CP-SNARK also fits in our methodology.
What Will the Future Bring? – Socio-Economic Challenges to Herder Households in the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area in Mongolia
Authors: Michler Lena M. , Kaczensky Petra , Batsukh Daginnas , Treydte Anna C.
Published: December 2024

Nomadic pastoralism is still practiced by around one-third of the Mongolian population. Recent socio-economic constraints have challenged pastoral livelihoods and rising livestock numbers threaten overall rangeland health and biodiversity conservation. In the Mongolian Gobi, herder households fully depend on livestock production but little is known about their livelihood trends and potential compatibility with protected area goals. We combined interview data in the Great Gobi B strictly protected area (SPA) with secondary data on regional and national herder households to determine the importance of social networks, willingness to continue a herding lifestyle, and degree of involvement in protected area (PA) management. Our descriptive data confirm that herding is no longer centred on a subsistence lifestyle but rather around cashmere production. Contrary to sustainability goals, especially in protected areas, herder households continue to increase livestock numbers in response to high expenditures in the economic reality of a market economy. We conclude that herders in the Great Gobi B SPA are reaching neither socio-economically nor ecologically sustainable livestock numbers which challenge herders’ livelihoods and PA management alike. We recommend enhancing communication between the PA management and the herding community and increasing participatory conservation activities. National strategies are needed to resolve the current dilemma of increasing livestock numbers to meet livelihood demands and the growing threat to rangeland health.
The effect of diabetes on short-term outcomes following epiretinal membrane surgery
Authors: Hecht Idan , Karesvuo Minna , Kanclerz Piotr , Jeon Sohee , Karesvuo Petteri , Tuuminen Raimo
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the association of diabetes with anatomical and functional outcomes of epiretinal membrane surgery.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent epiretinal membrane surgery between 2017–2021 at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. Here we examined the association of diabetes, glycemic control, and requirement for insulin medication with surgical outcomes at 1-month.

Results

Included were 214 eyes of 214 patients, with a mean age of 71.2 ± 8.2 years. Among patients with diabetes (n = 45), neither significant differences were observed in anatomical outcomes (− 47.8 ± 72.7 μm vs. − 38.3 ± 103 μm for foveal thickness, p = 0.566 and − 41.6 ± 61.8 μm vs. − 41.7 ± 85.7 μm for central subfield macular thickness, p = 0.996) nor in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) gain (0.06 ± 0.22 vs 0.12 ± 0.30 LogMAR units, p = 0.214) compared to those without diabetes. In a multivariate analysis adjusted for age, gender, the existence of preoperative macular cysts, and topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use, the results remained consistent. The last preoperative HbA1c levels did not correlate with changes in foveal (Pearson’s r = 0.218, p = 0.264) or central subfield macular thickness (r = 0.365, p = 0.056), or with BCVA gain (r = -0.177, p = 0.386). Insulin therapy for diabetes did not associate with the outcomes (p > 0.05 for anatomical and functional comparisons).

Conclusions

In a cohort of patients who underwent epiretinal membrane surgery, neither the presence of diabetes, nor glycemic control and the use of insulin medication associated with the outcomes.
Influence of welding methods on the microstructure of nickel-based weld metal for liquid hydrogen tanks
Authors: Yu Chenjun , Kawabata Tomoya , Kyouno Shigetoshi , Li Xixian , Uranaka Shohei , Maeda Daiki
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the microstructure and hardness of weld metals used in liquid hydrogen storage tanks, with a focus on the effects of three welding methods: Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), Submerged Arc Welding (SAW), and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW). Finite element simulations were employed to model the temperature field during welding, aiding in the explanation of observed microstructural differences. The results show that while GTAW and SMAW produce weld metals with similar microstructures, SAW generates significantly larger grains with a pronounced preferential orientation. The use of weaving techniques play a key role in shaping the solidification microstructures. Additionally, the hardness of the weld metal is comparable to that of the base material, with a slight reduction corresponding to increased grain size. This research offers valuable insights into optimizing welding processes for liquid hydrogen storage tanks by addressing the microstructural characteristics that influence weld joint performance.

Graphical Abstract
Decolonial Musings about Constitutionalism, the Constitution, and Democratic Future(s)
Authors: Sindane Ntando
Published: December 2024

In “Two Cheers to Constitutionalism” Karl Klare and Dennis Davis take us through a longue durée analysis of South Africa’s constitutional democracy, its genesis, essence and implications for the future. Their reflections about the 25 years of South Africa’s constitution coincide with the 30-years milestone since the dawn of the so-called democratic breakthrough. In this article, I grapple with some of the epistemic and axiological specificities that define both the constitution of 1996 and the notion of a constitutional democracy in the afterlife of apartheid and colonialism. More directly, I invite both Klare & Davis to attempt to contend with South Africa through a decolonial lens. I invoke my own positionality, not only as a locus of enunciation, but as a legitimate marker in discussions about the constitution, and constitutionalism; my contention is that frank conversations about our own positionalities will help us sieve through and decisively discern between the [p]olitics and [P]olitics of the constitution. In fleshing out the four dominant themes/positions in ongoing debates about the constitution, I lean towards the grammar of constitutional abolitionists, to conclude that the fundamental crisis about the South African constitution and present conceptions of constitutionalism is that they are a normal framework in an abnormal society. Given our history/present of anti-Black racism, the systemic dehumanization of indigenous people, colonial theft/dispossession, epistemicides, historicides, linguisticides, et cetera, I insist that ours is an abnormal society, consequently an abnormal constitution/constitutionalism would have been a more just outcome.
Effect of innovative peat-free organic growing media and fertilizer on nutrient allocation in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) seedlings
Authors: Rotowa Odunayo James , Małek Stanisław , Jasik Michał , Staszel-Szlachta Karolina
Published: December 2024

This study evaluates the effects of novel peat-free organic growing media and a novel liquid fertilizer on the biometric features and macronutrient allocation of Quercus robur and Fagus sylvatica seedlings with the view to compare biomass and nutrient allocation of plant organs in seedlings cultivated on peat growing medium against those grown on novel peat-free growing medium and fertilizer. The experimental setup involved four growing medium variants, including peat as the control (R20, R21, R22 and C). The novel growing medium and fertilizer were designed and formulated by the University of Agriculture in Kraków, Poland (UAK). Fertilization used in the state forest nurseries was represented as SR20, SR21, and SR22, while the novel fertilizer of UAK was represented as UR20, UR21, and UR22; meanwhile, SC and UC represented the control growing medium (peat) in both cases, respectively. The experiment was laid in a 2 × 2 × 4 experimental design using five seedlings per treatment. Seedlings were assessed for roots, shoots, and leaves biomass. The allocation patterns highlighted the variability of nutrient allocation within the plants, with more nutrients allocated to the root system. Interestingly, treatment UR22 yielded the highest mean root values, root biomass, and virtually all macroelement allocation. The SC solid fertilizer treatment and the UR22 liquid fertilizer treatment consistently showed superior performance across both species and different plant organs. These findings suggest that these treatments are particularly effective in enhancing the nutrient content of oak and beech seedlings, making them suitable choices for optimizing the growth and health of these species. Seedlings were assessed for roots, shoots, and leaves biomass after the nursery production cycle.
Predicting multi-parametric dynamics of an externally forced oscillator using reservoir computing and minimal data
Authors: Yadav Manish , Chauhan Swati , Shrimali Manish Dev , Stender Merten
Published: December 2024

Mechanical systems exhibit complex dynamical behavior from harmonic oscillations to chaotic motion. The dynamics undergo qualitative changes due to changes to internal system parameters like stiffness and changes to external forcing. Mapping out complete bifurcation diagrams numerically or experimentally is resource-consuming, or even infeasible. This study uses a data-driven approach to investigate how bifurcations can be learned from a few system response measurements. Particularly, the concept of reservoir computing (RC) is employed. As proof of concept, a minimal training dataset under the resource constraint problem of a Duffing oscillator with harmonic external forcing is provided as training data. Our results indicate that the RC not only learns to represent the system dynamics for the external forcing seen during training, but it also provides qualitatively accurate and robust system response predictions for completely unknown multi-parameter regimes outside the training data. Particularly, while being trained solely on regular period-2 cycle dynamics, the proposed framework correctly predicts higher-order periodic and even chaotic dynamics for out-of-distribution forcing signals.
Environmental and socio-economic determinants of fecal sludge emptying in Sub-Saharan Africa: A cross-sectional mixed-methods study in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Tra Lou Tinan Ange-Laetitia , Dongo Kouassi , Pessoa Colombo Vitor , Singh Shirish , Chenal Jérôme
Published: December 2024

This study sought to understand the determinants of household’s choices for fecal sludge (FS) emptying to help fighting against unhygienic/unsafe practices and environmental pollution. A cross-sectional mixed study used in the municipality of Yopougon (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire), involved surveys (559 household), and 24 semi-structured interviews. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) from logistic regressions indicated the variables significantly associated with these practices while thematic content analysis helped assessing stakeholders’ perceptions. Respondents (47.6%) reported unhygienic/unsafe emptying, mainly direct FS discharge into open drains or the immediate environment via illegal toilets/pits connections (38.1% out of 47.6%). Household heads with a high monthly income (aOR = 0.59; 95% CI 0.35–0.98; p = 0.04), house ownership (aOR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.15–0.47; p < 0.001) and distance to a water body (aOR = 0.03; 95% CI 0.009–0.12; p < 0.001) were the main explanatory variables, significantly reducing the likelihood of unsafe emptying. This likelihood increases when the household is close (≤ 100 m) to gully/gutter (aOR = 1.73; 95% CI 0.99–3.03; p = 0.05). Our recommendations for improving sanitation in low-income settings include reducing environmental pollution caused by unhygienic/unsafe emptying practices requires, enhancing and enforcing current regulations and making implementing texts effective, raising public awareness focusing on the benefits associated to hygienic sanitation practices, and subsidizing sanitation interventions for the poor that includes homeowners.
Guidelines for the management of pulmonary nodules detected by low-dose CT lung cancer screening 6th edition: compiled by the Japanese Society of CT Screening
Authors: Ashizawa Kazuto , Maruyama Yuichiro , Kobayashi Takeshi , Kondo Tetsuro , Nakagawa Toru , Hatakeyama Masayuki , Matsusako Masaki , Hayashi Hideyuki , Subcommittee Lung Cancer Diagnostic Criteria
Published: December 2024

Objective

The aim of this special report is to describe the 6th edition of “The Guidelines for the Management of Pulmonary Nodules Detected by Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening “.

Methods

Since the 5th edition six years ago, a review of the literature and consideration of consistency with new evidence led to the revision of the 6th edition.

Results

The main revisions in the 6th edition can be summarized as follows: 1) addition of the section “Recommendations for Low-Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening in Japan”; 2) change in the recommended solid component diameter, and follow-up interval for nodules with a total mean diameter of less than 15 mm and a solid component diameter of less than 8 mm; 3) replacement of the recommended case images; and 4) introduction of the criteria of the Accreditation Council for Lung Cancer CT Screening.

Conclusion

This guideline is gradually gaining acceptance in Japan. This guideline should be applied carefully in clinical practice, considering various factors such as the patient’s condition.
Quantitative determination of Na-luminolate by chemiluminescence method in pharmaceutical preparations
Authors: Mozgova Olena , Blazheyevskiy Mykola , Moroz Valeriy , Diadchenko Vladyslav
Published: December 2024

A procedure for the chemiluminescence determination of Na-luminolate (NaHL) was developed. It is based on the oxidation of luminol with diperoxysuccinic acid (DPSA) in an alkaline solution (pH 10.3). At concentrations of DPSA 5.8 × 10–4 mol/L and NaHL in the range from 1.5 × 10–7 to 1.02 × 10–6 mol/L at pH 10.3 (in phosphate buffer solution), Imax is proportional to c(NaHL): Imax = (2.76 ± 0.30) × 107c + (0.34 ± 1.78) (r = 0.998). LOD = 6.10 × 10–8 mol/L; LOQ = 2.03 × 10–7 mol/L. The procedures were developed, and the possibility of quantitative determination of NaHL in sublingual tablets "Galavit" 25 mg and powder for preparing a solution for injection "Galavit" 100 mg using the method of chemiluminescence by reaction with DPSA was shown. RSD ≤ 2.2%, (δ = (x̅-μ) × 100%/μ =  + 1.16%….. – 0.41%, respectively). The results of the determination of NaHL in tablets and powder for preparing a solution for injection of "Galavit" 100 mg by the proposed method agree with those obtained by the standard pharmacopeia method. The reliability of the obtained measurement results is proved by comparing the accepted reference value (μ) with the level of results of the proposed method: |(x̅-μ) × 100%/μ|< tα(0.95, n = 5) × RSD/√n.
Sustainable practices and household resilience: an empirical analysis of behavior change in times of crises
Authors: Arning Katrin , Venghaus Sandra
Published: December 2024

Understanding sustainability behavior is essential in tackling the global challenge of climate change. The importance of studying sustainability practices and their dynamics grows in light of recent global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the energy crisis following the Ukraine war. These events both challenge and shape individual sustainable practices, offering opportunities for fostering individual sustainable practices and enhancing societal resilience. An online survey was conducted in Germany (n = 571, May 2023) to investigate sustainable behavior dynamics (mobility, energy-saving, and shopping habits) and to identify segments reflecting behavioral shifts. We found relative stability in sustainable mobility choices compared to pre-crisis times, with a tendency towards reduction, as well as an overall increase in energy-saving and sustainable shopping habits. Factor analyses revealed that sustainable mobility behavior (SMB) and sustainable consumer practices (SCP) formed two separate domains. Cluster analyses further identified four segments within each domain, each exhibiting unique behavioral patterns compared to pre-crisis practices. Examining individual variables, adopting more sustainable mobility practices was associated with sociodemographic factors (income, education, and area of living), higher levels of environmental awareness, institutional trust, and increased risk perceptions. Sociodemographic variables had less influence on sustainable consumer practices. Here, higher levels of knowledge, climate change awareness, trust, and risk perceptions played a significant role. Our findings highlight the importance of separately considering behavioral domains in understanding crises-induced changes in sustainability practices. Moreover, it is important to consider specific individual factors and to develop tailored interventions and policies to promote sustainable practices during volatile times.
On Emergence of Spontaneous Oscillations in Kombucha and Proteinoids
Authors: Mougkogiannis Panagiotis , Nikolaidou Anna , Adamatzky Andrew
Published: December 2024

An important part of studying living systems is figuring out the complicated steps that lead to order from chaos. Spontaneous oscillations are a key part of self-organisation in many biological and chemical networks, including kombucha and proteinoids. This study examines the spontaneous oscillations in kombucha and proteinoids, specifically exploring their potential connection to the origin of life. As a community of bacteria and yeast work together, kombucha shows remarkable spontaneous oscillations in its biochemical parts. This system can keep a dynamic balance and organise itself thanks to metabolic processes and complex chemical reactions. Similarly, proteinoids, which may have been primitive forms of proteins, undergo spontaneous fluctuations in their structure and function periodically. Because these oscillations happen on their own, they may play a very important part in the development of early life forms. This paper highlights the fundamental principles governing the transition from chaos to order in living systems by examining the key factors that influence the frequency and characteristics of spontaneous oscillations in kombucha and proteinoids. Looking into these rhythms not only helps us understand where life came from but also shows us ways to make self-organising networks in synthetic biology and biotechnology. There is significant discussion over the emergence of biological order from chemical disorder. This article contributes to the ongoing discussion by examining at the theoretical basis, experimental proof, and implications of spontaneous oscillations. The results make it clear that random oscillations are an important part of the change from nonliving to living matter. They also give us important information about what life is all about.
Investigation of groundwater quality indices and health risk assessment of water resources of Jiroft city, Iran, by machine learning algorithms
Authors: Maleky Sobhan , Faraji Maryam , Hashemi Majid , Esfandyari Akbar
Published: December 2024

Assessing water quality is essential for acquiring a better understanding of the importance of water in human society. In this study, the quality of groundwater resources in Jiroft city, Iran, using artificial intelligence methods to estimate the groundwater quality index (GWQI) was evaluated. The analysis of hydrochemical parameters, including arsenic (As), fluoride (F), nitrate (NO3), and nitrite (NO2), in 408 samples revealed that concentrations of F, NO3, and NO2 were below the WHO standard threshold, but levels of As exceeded the permissible value. The random forest model with the highest accuracy (R
2 = 0.986) was the best prediction model, while logistic regression (R
2 = 0.98), decision tree (R
2 = 0.979), K-nearest neighbor (R
2 = 0.968), artificial neural network (R
2 = 0.955), and support vector machine (R
2 = 0.928) predicted GWQI with lower accuracy. The non-carcinogenic risk assessment revealed that children had the highest hazard quotient for oral and dermal intake, with values ranging from 0.47 to 13.53 for oral intake and 0.001 to 0.05 for dermal intake. The excess lifetime cancer risk of arsenic for children, adult females, and males was found to be from 2.5 × 10–4 to 7.2 × 10–3, 1.2 × 10–4 to 3.6 × 10–3, and 4.3 × 10–5 to 1.2 × 10–3, respectively. This study suggests that any effort to reduce the arsenic levels in the Jiroft population should take into account the health hazards associated with exposure to arsenic through drinking water.
In vitro tear replenishment system: assessing drug delivery from contact lens biomaterials through corneal epithelial monolayer and multilayer under replenishment conditions
Authors: Mohammadi Saman , Eslami Shahabedin , Jones Lyndon , Gorbet Maud
Published: December 2024

There is a need to develop improved in vitro ocular models for biocompatibility and drug delivery studies to assess the potential of in vivo performance of contact lenses. By using an in vitro corneal epithelial cell model combined with a tear replenishment method, this study aimed to investigate the delivery of the glaucoma drug latanoprost from contact lenses and compare the dynamic release results to no-replenishment (immersion) conditions. Corneal epithelial cells were grown as a monolayer or multilayer on curved cellulose cell culture inserts. Three contact lens materials (balafilcon A; senofilcon A; etafilcon A), soaked for 24 h in latanoprost, were placed on the curved cornea models (CCM) and drug concentration was determined on the basal (diffusion/transport) and apical (supernatant) sides after 1, 4, 8 and 12 h. The in vitro tear replenishment was achieved via intermittent flow of a tear solution over the CCM at a rate of 1 mL/hour. A zero-order kinetic was observed for basal drug concentration over the 12 h period. Similar basal and apical drug concentrations were observed with monolayer and multilayer CCM, except for the etafilcon A material. The apical release of latanoprost was significantly lower under replenishment compared to no-replenishment conditions. These results demonstrate the role that a dynamic release model will have in predicting the amount of drug that can be released from a contact lens into the tear film and the critical role of a cell monolayer in in vitro drug delivery studies.

Graphical Abstract
Exploring Physical Activity Among Mexican American Immigrants in New York City Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Two-Wave Panel, Mixed-Method Analysis
Authors: Derose Kathryn P. , Hwang Neil , Verdaguer Sandra , Hernández María , Gálvez Alyshia , King Aisha , Quiroz Ivonne , Flórez Karen R.
Published: December 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with decreases in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and increases in sedentary time for children and adults, and there is some evidence that Latino populations were particularly affected. This article leverages a two-wave panel, mixed-method social network dataset collected before and during the pandemic with Mexican American immigrants living in New York City to examine social networks and other factors associated with physical activity and explore participants’ perceptions about how the pandemic affected their physical activity. Participants (n = 49) completed in-person, egocentric social network interviews between January and June 2019 and virtual follow-up egocentric social network interviews between May and November 2021. Qualitative data collection with a subsample (n = 25) occurred between October and December 2022. Social network quantitative analyses found that age and female sex were negatively associated with participants’ baseline physical activity level, but the proportion of alters (important persons identified by the participant) with whom the participant did physical activity at baseline was positively associated. Baseline physical activity level was inversely related to the change in physical activity, and the change in the proportion of alters who were close to the participant was negatively associated with physical activity change at follow-up. Qualitative results supported the quantitative findings, providing rich narratives regarding the importance of social support for physical activity during the pandemic. Social networks among Mexican American immigrants in New York City provided motivation and support for physical activity but became harder to sustain during a pandemic. The findings can inform strategies to create environments that are conducive to physical activity while also protecting public health.
Carbon meets credit: enhancing corporate ratings using principal component analysis and Gaussian mixture models
Authors: Wang Dandan , Ma Zhihui
Published: December 2024

This study integrates environmental factors, such as carbon emissions and climate-related risks, with traditional financial metrics to enhance corporate credit rating predictions for approximately 2,000 publicly listed Chinese firms. Utilizing Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction and Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM) for probabilistic clustering, the approach effectively addresses multicollinearity and captures nuanced financial-environmental relationships. The PCA-GMM framework not only improves predictive accuracy over traditional methods but also maintains high interpretability, making it suitable for complex risk profiles. Empirical results demonstrate that firms with lower carbon emissions and robust financial health receive higher credit ratings, providing valuable insights for investors and policymakers. This model supports sustainable economic growth in alignment with China’s dual carbon goals by highlighting the critical interplay between financial performance and environmental responsibility.
Distribution theory for dependent renewal–reward processes and their first-passage times using saddlepoint and residue expansions
Authors: Butler Ronald W.
Published: December 2024

The distribution theory for discrete-time renewal–reward processes with dependent rewards is developed through the derivation of double transforms. By dependent, we mean the more realistic setting in which the reward for an interarrival period is dependent on the duration of the associated interarrival time. The double transforms are the generating functions in time of the time-dependent reward probability-generating functions. Residue and saddlepoint approximations are used to invert such double transforms so that the reward distribution at arbitrary time n can be accurately approximated. In addition, double transforms are developed for the first-passage time distribution that the cumulative reward exceeds a fixed threshold amount. These distributions are accurately approximated by inverting the double transforms using residue and saddlepoint approximation methods. The residue methods also provide asymptotic expansions for moments and allow for the proof of central limit theorems related to these first passage times and reward amounts.
DarijaBanking: A new resource for overcoming language barriers in banking intent detection for Moroccan Arabic speakers
Authors: Skiredj Abderrahman , Azhari Ferdaous , Berrada Ismail , Ezzini Saad
Published: December 2024

Navigating the complexities of language diversity is a central challenge in developing robust natural language processing systems, especially in specialized domains like banking. The Moroccan Dialect of Arabic (Darija) serves as a common language that blends cultural complexities, historical impacts, and regional differences, which presents unique challenges for language models due to its divergence from Modern Standard Arabic and influence from French, Spanish, and Tamazight. To tackle these challenges, this paper introduces Darija Banking, a novel Darija dataset aimed at enhancing intent classification in the banking domain. DarijaBanking comprises over 1800 parallel high-quality queries in Darija, Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), English, and French, organized into 24 intent classes. We experimented various intent classification methods, including full fine-tuning of monolingual and multilingual models, zero-shot learning, retrieval-based approaches, and Large Language Model prompting. Furthermore, we propose BERTouch, a BERT-based language model fine-tuned on intent detection in Darija, which outperforms state-of-the-art models, including OpenAI’s GPT-4, achieving F1 scores of 0,98 and 0,96 on both Darija and MSA, respectively. The results provide insights into enhancing Moroccan Darija banking intent detection systems, highlighting the value of domain-specific data annotation and balancing precision and cost-effectiveness.