bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reflective equilibrium in logic
Authors: Martin Ben
Published: February 2024

Among the areas of knowledge that the method of reflective equilibrium (RE) has been applied to is that of logical validity. According to RE in logic, we come to be justified in believing a (deductive) logical theory in virtue of establishing some state of equilibrium between our initial judgements over the validity of specific (natural language) arguments and the logical principles which constitute our logical theory. Unfortunately, however, while relatively popular, RE with regards to logical theorizing is underspecified. In particular, it’s unclear what constitute: (1) the relevant logical “data”, (2) logical theories, so that they can be suitably tested, and (3) the mechanisms under which such theories are tested. Considering the various options for how to interpret the position, we argue that in order to be workable the advocate of RE about logic must embrace what we call an operationalised, wide and communal version of RE with a rich understanding of logical theories. Fortunately for the advocate of RE, there is an available account of logic’s epistemology which possesses just these properties, logical predictivism. However, equally unfortunately, logical predictivism commits the advocate of RE to certain further claims that they have historically been weary of holding. Consequently, it is unclear whether RE about logic itself is a viable proposal, or rather a similar but distinct epistemology of logic.
Quantitative assessment of cleft volume and evaluation of cleft’s impact on adjacent anatomical structures using CBCT imaging
Authors: Vicente António , Wiedel Anna-Paulina , Becker Magnus , Brogårdh-Roth Susanne , Shi Xie-Qi , Hellén-Halme Kristina
Published: February 2024

Objectives

To determine pre-operative cleft volume and evaluate cleft´s impact on surrounding anatomical structures in children and adolescents with orofacial clefts using cone bean computed tomography (CBCT) imaging.

Methods

The present retrospective study retrieved CBCT examinations of 68 patients from a previous study. The examinations had been exposed either before (n = 53) or after (n = 15) alveolar bone grafting. Pre-operative volume of cleft was determined, and type and location were evaluated. Morphological changes on the adjacent anatomical structures, including the incisive foramen, the nasal septum and floor, and the inferior turbinate, were assessed.

Results

Mean bilateral cleft volume was 0.76 cm3, while mean unilateral cleft volume was 1.08 cm3; the difference was significant (p < 0.001). Variation in cleft volume, however, was large. The incisive foramen was not visible in the majority of cases with bilateral clefts (71%); the difference was significant (p = 0.001). In cases with unilateral clefts, the nasal septum in 87% was curved towards the cleft or graft side. Also, the mean size of the widest part of the inferior turbinate was 8.8 mm on the cleft or graft side and 10.4 mm on the non-cleft side. The difference was significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

When required, CBCT is a feasible method for quantitatively illustrating alveolar clefts and their impact on the morphological development of surrounding structures. Variation in cleft volume was large.
Nutzung von Gesundheits-Apps durch Jugendliche
Authors: Tillmann Judith , Heye Anne-Lisa , Maas Michaela , Völkel Klaus , Wiesheu Paul , Weckbecker Klaus , Klassen Oxana , Münster Eva
Published: February 2024

Ziel

Die Nutzung von Smartphones durch Jugendliche in Deutschland ist stark gestiegen. Gleichzeitig steigt auch der App-Gebrauch. Zur Nutzung von Gesundheits-Apps und mobilen Gesundheitsanwendungen durch Jugendliche in Deutschland gibt es jedoch kaum Daten. Diese Studie befasst sich mit dieser Thematik und untersucht zudem mögliche Zusammenhänge mit soziodemografischen Angaben und Gesundheitsparametern.

Methodik

Von November 2021 bis Februar 2022 wurde eine Querschnittsstudie unter Schüler*innen der zehnten Klassen mittels schriftlicher Befragung in allen neun städtischen Sekundarschulen der Stadt Witten durchgeführt. Die Daten wurden mittels deskriptiver Analysen, Kontingenzanalysen und logistischen Regressionsanalysen ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

98,3 % der anwesenden Schüler*innen (n = 649) nahmen an der Befragung teil. Insgesamt nutzten 80,7 % Gesundheits-Apps und -anwendungen, 54,2 % solche ohne COVID-19-Bezug. Als häufig genutzte Apps wurde der Corona-Impfpass (58,1 %) sowie die Corona-Warn-App (37,9 %), gefolgt von Bewegungsmessern (31,1 %), Online-Sportprogrammen (22,3 %) und Kalorienzählern (14,0 %) genannt. Mädchen haben eine signifikant höhere Chance Gesundheits-Apps ohne COVID-19-Bezug zu nutzen (aOR: 1,78, 95 % KI: 1,26–2,52), Hauptschüler*innen haben geringere Chancen (aOR: 0,37, 95 % KI: 0,17–0,81). Ein Zusammenhang zum allgemeinen subjektiven Gesundheitsstatus liegt nicht vor.

Schlussfolgerungen

Gesundheits-Apps spielen eine relevante Rolle für Jugendliche in Witten. Die häufige Nutzung birgt sowohl Chancen als auch Risiken; hier sollte nach Art, Zweck und Qualität der Apps differenziert werden. Unterschiede im Nutzungsverhalten und Barrieren nach Geschlecht und Bildungsstand rechtfertigen weitere Untersuchungen zur Förderung der digitalen Gesundheitskompetenz.
To reform or to replace? Succession as a mechanism of institutional change in intergovernmental organisations
Authors: Eilstrup-Sangiovanni Mette , Verdier Daniel
Published: February 2024

Given high costs of negotiating formal international institutions, states are widely expected to adapt, reform, and repurpose existing institutions rather than create new ones. Nevertheless, during the past century some 60 intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) have been directly replaced by a legal successor. Why do states sometimes dissolve an existing IGO only to replace it with a new one that takes over the incumbent organization’s mandate and assets—a practice known as institutional succession? We offer a theory of institutional succession and illustrate with examples. Against the dominant belief that creating new IGOs is a choice of last resort, we argue that reform and succession are equally expedient tools for achieving institutional change but address different negotiating hurdles. By creating a new institution (as opposed to amending an existing one) succession bypasses veto players that may stunt reform. However, succession suffers from potential diseconomies-of-scale (since not every member of an existing IGO may join the successor) which reform does not. Depending on which negotiation hurdle prevails, reform will be preferred to succession or vice versa. Our analysis advances existing understandings of institutional contestation and change within the life cycle of an international organisation.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Prescribing of Pain Medication in US Primary Care Settings, 1999–2019: Where Are We Now?
Authors: Thompson Trevor , Stathi Sofia , Shin Jae Il , Carvalho Andre , Solmi Marco , Liang Chih-Sung
Published: February 2024

Background

Policy initiatives have attempted to reduce healthcare inequalities in the USA, but evidence on whether these initiatives have reduced racial and ethnic disparities in pain treatment in primary care is lacking.

Objective

To determine whether racial and ethnic disparities in medication prescribed for pain in primary care settings have diminished over a 21-year period from 1999 to 2019.

Design

An annual, representative cross-sectional probability sample of visits to US primary care physicians, taken from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.

Patients

Pain-related visits to primary care physicians.

Main Measures

Prescriptions for opioid and non-opioid analgesics.

Key Results

Of 599,293 (16%) sampled visits, 94,422 were pain-related, representing a population-weighted estimate of 143 million visits made annually to primary care physicians for pain. Relative risk analysis controlling for insurance, pain type, and other potential confounds showed no difference in pain medication prescribed between Black and White patients (p = .121). However, White patients were 1.61 (95% CI 1.32–1.97) and Black patients 1.57 (95% CI 1.26–1.95) times more likely to be prescribed opioids than a more underrepresented group consisting of Asian, Native-Hawaiian/Pacific-Islander, and American-Indian/Alaska-Natives (ps < .001). Non-Hispanic/Latino patients were 1.32 (95% CI 1.18–1.45) times more likely to receive opioids for pain than Hispanic/Latino patients (p < .001). Penalized cubic spline regression found no substantive narrowing of disparities over time.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that additional intervention strategies, or better implementation of existing strategies, are needed to eliminate ethnic and racial disparities in pain treatment towards the goal of equitable healthcare.
Sozioemotionale Charakteristika und Bildung
Authors: Becker Michael
Published: February 2024

Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick zum Stand der Forschung zu sozioemotionalen Charakteristika (mitunter auch als nicht-kognitive Fähigkeiten bezeichnet) und ihre Beziehung zu Bildung und die Entwicklung über den Lebensverlauf. Im Beitrag werden mehrere Punkte adressiert: Es werden aktuelle taxonomische Überlegungen vorgestellt und terminologische Probleme diskutiert. Zudem werden theoretische Ansätze und Prozessüberlegungen skizziert, warum und wie sozioemotionale Charakteristika und Bildung in Zusammenhang stehen und sich wechselseitig beeinflussen. Darüber hinaus wird ein Überblick über zentrale empirische Befunde zu diesen Zusammenhängen gegeben, wobei sowohl korrelative als auch kausale Evidenz systematisiert wird. Der Beitrag schließt mit Überlegungen zu zentralen Problemen und Aufgaben künftiger Forschung.
AI-Enhanced Healthcare: Not a new Paradigm for Informed Consent
Authors: Pruski M.
Published: February 2024

With the increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies in healthcare, the ethical debate surrounding their adoption is becoming more prominent. Here I consider the issue of gaining informed patient consent to AI-enhanced care from the vantage point of the United Kingdom’s National Health Service setting. I build my discussion around two claims from the World Health Organization: that healthcare services should not be denied to individuals who refuse AI-enhanced care and that there is no precedence to seeking patient consent to AI-enhanced care. I discus U.K. law relating to patient consent and the General Data Protection Regulation to show that current standards relating to patient consent are adequate for AI-enhanced care. I then suggest that in the future it may not be possible to guarantee patient access to non-AI-enhanced healthcare, in a similar way to how we do not offer patients manual alternatives to automated healthcare processes. Throughout my discussion I focus on the issues of patient choice and veracity in the patient–clinician relationship. Finally, I suggest that the best way to protect patients from potential harms associated with the introduction of AI to patient care is not via an overly burdensome patient consent process but via evaluation and regulation of AI technologies.
Die heuristische Gefährdungsbeurteilung – ein Fortbildungsansatz zur Verbesserung der Polizeiarbeit im Umgang mit Personen in psychischen Ausnahmezuständen
Authors: Ibrahim Fabio , Kattenberg Tom
Published: February 2024

Ziel dieser Übersichtsarbeit ist die Diskussion des polizeilichen Umgangs mit psychisch erkrankten Personen und Personen in psychischen Ausnahmezuständen. Die Themenrelevanz wird anhand praktischer Beispiele sowie der Darstellung aktueller Forschungsergebnisse und -kontroversen aufgezeigt. Aufbauend auf der Schlussfolgerung von Lorey und Fegert (2021) zur notwendigen Verbesserung der polizeilichen Fortbildung werden Konzeptionsinhalte einer heuristischen Gefährdungsbeurteilung im Umgang mit Personen in psychischen Ausnahmezuständen abgeleitet. Ein dienststellenübergreifendes Ausbildungskonzept, mit vereinheitlichten Begrifflichkeiten und Handlungsempfehlungen, könnte den Polizist:innen mehr Handlungssicherheit ermöglichen, das Eskalationspotenzial verringern und den Einsatzerfolg erhöhen.
Adult education in mathematics and numeracy: a scoping review of recent research
Authors: Gal Iddo
Published: February 2024

The paper responds to the need for understanding trends and gaps in extant research related to adult education in mathematics and numeracy, given changing skill demands and skill gaps regarding adults, and related policy, theorizing, and practice trends. This paper presents the results of a scoping review of recent empirical research related to adult education in mathematics and numeracy, published in 22 selected journals from 2019 to 2022, including 15 journals in adult education and seven in mathematics education. The results show that only 39 relevant empirical studies were found among over 2300 research papers reviewed, and that few of those focus on practice-related of adult education in mathematics and numeracy. The results provide quantitative evidence suggesting that the field of adult numeracy education is under-researched, and help to identify gaps in empirical research involving adult numeracy, including on emerging topics such as on modeling and critical interpretation. The results also point to research opportunities that can strengthen theorizing and practice in both mathematics education and adult numeracy education.
Heart Failure: a Punch from the Gut
Authors: Mahenthiran Ajay , Wilcox Jennifer , Tang W.H. Wilson
Published: February 2024

Purpose of Review

This article seeks to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the bidirectional relationship between the gut and the heart, focusing on the pathophysiology of heart failure. We have previously demonstrated that Heart failure (HF) has significant effects on splanchnic vasculature and leads to key alterations in the gut microbiome, portending greater comorbidity with HF.

Recent Findings

A growing field of research is focused on the effects of a “leaky gut” in the development of disease across organ systems. The leaky gut hypothesis centers on intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction causing increased permeability of the gut and subsequent alterations to gut composition by endotoxins and microbial metabolites. Changes in the quantities of metabolites including short-chain fatty acids, trimethylamine N-oxide and other amino acid metabolites, and various bile acid species have been shown to result in gut dysbiosis and worsening HF.

The gut plays a highly significant role in HF prognosis and requires greater attention for future therapeutic interventions. Treatments targeting gut composition could have very beneficial effects on HF prognosis.
Civil Society Under Attack: The Consequences for Horizontal Accountability Institutions
Authors: Smidt Hannah , Johansson Jessica , Richter Thomas
Published: February 2024

Existing research shows that the activity of independent civil society organizations (CSOs) is an important ingredient of democratization and democratic consolidation. Yet, what happens when governments impose restrictions on CSO activity? This manuscript investigates how restrictions on CSOs affect the quality of horizontal accountability institutions like parliaments and courts. CSOs monitor and mobilize against violations of democratic norms. Thus, if governments impose restrictions on CSO activity, they may face fewer barriers (i.e., less scrutiny and criticism) to dismantling horizontal checks and balances. In addition, when restrictions prevent CSOs from supporting horizontal accountability institutions (e.g., with monitoring and expertise), the latter’s ability to control and constrain governments likely declines. Our large-N cross-country analysis supports this argument, suggesting that the imposition of restrictions on CSOs diminishes the quality of horizontal accountability institutions. We examine alternative explanations (i.e., prior autocratization trends and the authoritarian nature of governments) and offer qualitative evidence from Kenya and Turkey to illustrate the expected causal pathways. Our results imply that a crackdown on CSOs serves as a warning sign of deteriorating horizontal oversight.
Human trafficking, sexual exploitation and digital technologies
Authors: L’Hoiry Xavier , Moretti Alessandro , Antonopoulos Georgios A.
Published: February 2024

This is the introduction to the special issue on ‘human trafficking, sexual exploitation and digital technologies’. This special issue contributes to the knowledge base by bringing together four articles that focus on the use of online platforms by human traffickers for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation. In doing so, this special issue explores the affordances of online platforms to human traffickers, the challenges faced by law enforcement and other actors seeking to intervene in human trafficking in the digital age, and perhaps pathways towards overcoming these challenges in the future.
All laser direct writing process for temperature sensor based on graphene and silver
Authors: Li Qi , Bai Ruijie , Guo Lianbo , Gao Yang
Published: February 2024

A highly sensitive temperature sensing array is prepared by all laser direct writing (LDW) method, using laser induced silver (LIS) as electrodes and laser induced graphene (LIG) as temperature sensing layer. A finite element analysis (FEA) photothermal model incorporating a phase transition mechanism is developed to investigate the relationship between laser parameters and LIG properties, providing guidance for laser processing parameters selection with laser power of 1–5 W and laser scanning speed (greater than 50 mm/s). The deviation of simulation and experimental data for widths and thickness of LIG are less than 5% and 9%, respectively. The electrical properties and temperature responsiveness of LIG are also studied. By changing the laser process parameters, the thickness of the LIG ablation grooves can be in the range of 30–120 μm and the resistivity of LIG can be regulated within the range of 0.031–67.2 Ω·m. The percentage temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) is calculated as − 0.58%/°C. Furthermore, the FEA photothermal model is studied through experiments and simulations data regarding LIS, and the average deviation between experiment and simulation is less than 5%. The LIS sensing samples have a thickness of about 14 μm, an electrical resistivity of 0.0001–100 Ω·m is insensitive to temperature and pressure stimuli. Moreover, for a LIS-LIG based temperature sensing array, a correction factor is introduced to compensate for the LIG temperature sensing being disturbed by pressure stimuli, the temperature measurement difference is decreased from 11.2 to 2.6 °C, indicating good accuracy for temperature measurement.

Graphical Abstract
Clinical heterogeneity and five phenotypes identified in pediatric Behçet’s syndrome: a cohort study from Shanghai Behçet’s syndrome database
Authors: Hu Dan , She Chun-Hui , Bao Hua-Fang , Zou Jun , Cai Jian-Fei , Ye Jing‑Fen , Shen Yan , Ma Hai‑Fen , Luo Dan , Guan Jian-Long
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Behçet’s syndrome (BS) is a rare disease of unknown etiology, with limited reports especially in pediatric BS. The clinical characteristics and phenotypes of pediatric BS as a highly heterogeneous variable vessel vasculitis were investigated in this study.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted to compare clinical variables and descriptive characteristics of BS by age of onset and gender. Cluster analysis was then performed to identify the phenotypes of pediatric BS.

Results

A total of 2082 BS patients were included in this study, 1834 adults and 248 children. Compared with adult-onset BS, pediatric BS had a higher incidence of folliculitis [relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3 (1.0–1.5)], uveitis of the left eye [RR and 95% CI 2.3 (1.0–5.0)], intestinal ulcer complications [RR and 95% CI 2.1 (1.1–4.2)], pericarditis [RR and 95% CI 2.5 (1.0–6.2)], and psychiatric disorders [RR and 95% CI 2.8(1.0–7.9)], while the incidence of thrombocytopenia was lower [RR 0.2 (0.1–1.0)]. Among pediatric BS, females had more genital ulcers, while males were more likely to have skin lesions, panuveitis, vascular involvement, venous lesions, cardiac involvement, and aortic aneurysms. Cluster analysis classified pediatric BS into five clusters (C1–C5): C1 (n = 61, 24.6%) showed gastrointestinal (GI) involvement; C2 (n = 44, 17.7%) was the central nervous system (CNS) type where 23 cases overlapped joint involvement; in C3 (n = 35, 14.1%), all patients presented with arthritis or arthralgia; all patients in C4 (n = 29, 11.7%) manifested ocular involvement, with a few patients overlapping with GI involvement or joint damage; C5 (n = 79, 31.9%) was the mucocutaneous type, presenting both oral ulcers, genital ulcers, and skin lesions.

Conclusions

The clinical features of pediatric and adult BS differ significantly. Male and female pediatric BS also have a distinct demography. Five phenotypes including GI, CNS, joint, ocular, and mucocutaneous types were identified for pediatric BS.

Graphical Abstract
Inter-organisational Sustainability Cooperation Among European Regions and the Role of Smart Specialisation
Authors: Kruse Mirko
Published: February 2024

Innovation represents one of the most crucial levers for regional prosperity and sectoral renewal. Additionally, it is applied to address challenges such as a sustainable transition and the battle against climate change. Since innovation is the result of cooperation between different actors with different backgrounds, the topic is increasingly studied from a systemic perspective. Here, not only internal cooperation but also cross-border connections between regions become important. While smart specialisation, a European policy for innovation and cohesion, highlights the role of interregional cooperation, practical manifestations and research on this aspect have remained limited so far. This article addresses this gap by discussing the relevance of interregional cooperation for knowledge creation and presents empirical evidence on cooperation between organisations in different European regions in the field of environmental sustainability. The underlying dataset was constructed from Horizon 2020 (H2020) research projects with Northern Germany as an exemplary set of regions chosen as the core of a social network analysis (SNA). The findings reveal that involvement in interregional projects is concentrated particularly in urban regions and correlates with GDP and population density. On the other hand, also organisations in regions with different structural characteristics are involved in interregional cooperation, and H2020 managed to introduce new cooperation patterns. Finally, the empirical data do not adequately match the regional smart specialisation strategies (S3) which raises questions on updating smart specialisation as a policy.
Can Social Media Be a Key Driver to Becoming an Entrepreneur?
Authors: Blanco-González-Tejero Cristina , Ulrich Klaus , Ribeiro-Navarrete Samuel
Published: February 2024

Social media have in recent years been considered crucial to entrepreneurial activity. There are, however, different ways of using them. Social media can be used from a professional or personal perspective to interact or influence by generating networks of contacts. Users freely share their opinions, desires, and concerns on the networks, thus contacting and interacting with influential people or with their own interest groups. Digitalization has given social media particular significance, but it is not clear that they are key motivating factors for entrepreneurial drive. Hence, through a survey conducted in organizations in the Community of Madrid, we have analyzed various factors such as the context and the intention to use social media and their influence on the decision to be an entrepreneur or engage in entrepreneurial activities. We used the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) methodology, which allows us to provide reliability in the results without large samples. The findings suggest that social networks are dynamic and highly relevant tools today, with the ability to facilitate meaningful connections. Thus, while social media are influential and worthy of consideration, they are not the primary catalyst for entrepreneurial initiatives. Consequently, much of the information and knowledge generated in this area over the years is assumed to be normal and not particularly relevant to being an entrepreneur.
Science and values: a two-way direction
Authors: Ratti Emanuele , Russo Federica
Published: February 2024

In the science and values literature, scholars have shown how science is influenced and shaped by values, often in opposition to the ‘value free’ ideal of science. In this paper, we aim to contribute to the science and values literature by showing that the relation between science and values flows not only from values into scientific practice, but also from (allegedly neutral) science to values themselves. The extant literature in the ‘science and values’ field focuses by and large on reconstructing, post hoc, how values have influenced science; our reconstruction of the case studies, instead, aims to show that scientific concepts and methodstoo, because of specific identifiable characteristics,can promote some values rather than (or at the expense of) others. We explain this bidirectional relation in analogy to debates on the normativity of technical artifacts and on feminist approaches in science, and we illustrate our claims with cases from the health sciences and machine learning. While our arguments in this paper also draw on post hoc reconstructions, we intend to show where, in the science in the making, we should engage not only with the question whether a practice is value-laden, but also how specific conceptual and methodological choices can influence values down the road. All in all, these considerations expand the ways in which philosophers can contribute to more value-aware scientific practices.
Managing Provenance Data in Knowledge Graph Management Platforms
Authors: Kleinsteuber Erik , Al Mustafa Tarek , Zander Franziska , König-Ries Birgitta , Babalou Samira
Published: February 2024

Knowledge Graphs (KGs) present factual information about domains of interest. They are used in a wide variety of applications and in different domains, serving as powerful backbones for organizing and extracting knowledge from complex data. In both industry and academia, a variety of platforms have been proposed for managing Knowledge Graphs. To use the full potential of KGs within these platforms, it is essential to have proper provenance management to understand where certain information in a KG stems from. This plays an important role in increasing trust and supporting open science principles. It enables reproducibility and updatability of KGs. In this paper, we propose a framework for provenance management of KG generation within a web portal. We present how our framework captures, stores, and retrieves provenance information. Our provenance representation is aligned with the standardized W3C Provenance Ontology. Through our framework, we can rerun the KG generation process over the same or different source data. With this, we support four applications: reproducibility, altered rerun, undo operation, and provenance retrieval. In summary, our framework aligns with the core principles of open science. By promoting transparency and reproducibility, it enhances the reliability and trustworthiness of research outcomes.
Capped flexosomes for prominent anti-inflammatory activity: development, optimization, and ex vivo and in vivo assessments
Authors: Ahmed Sadek , Aziz Diana E. , Sadek Mohamed A. , Tawfik Mai Ahmed
Published: February 2024

This study aimed to formulate diacerein (DCN)-loaded flexosomes for enhanced efficacy against osteoarthritis. A 23 D-optimal design was employed, investigating the impact of surfactant type (A), surfactant concentration (%w/v) (B), and oleylamine amount (mg) (C). Flexosomes were formulated using a rotary evaporator, and Design-Expert® software was utilized to statistically analyze entrapment efficiency (EE%), zeta potential (ZP), poly-dispersity index (PDI), and particle size (PS) to determine the optimum formula. The selection criteria prioritized increased ZP (as absolute value) and EE%, coupled with decreased PDI and PS. Rigorous physicochemical, in vivo, and ex vivo tests were conducted to validate the safety, stability, and activity of the optimal formula. Physicochemical assessments encompassed pH measurement, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, release profiles, storage effects, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In vivo tests included permeation studies, histopathology, anti-inflammatory activity, and skin irritancy, while ex vivo tests focused on permeation parameters and skin deposition. The optimum formula demonstrated high desirability (0.931), along with favorable EE% (90.93%), ZP (− 40.4 mV), particle size (188.55 nm), and sustained behavior. Notably, improved in vivo permeation (132 µm), skin deposition (193.43 µg/cm2), and antinociceptive activity (66%) compared to DCN suspension (48 µm, 66.31 µg/cm2, and 26%, respectively) were observed. The optimal formula also exhibited excellent safety and storage characteristics. In conclusion, DCN-loaded flexosomes exhibit significant potential for effectively managing osteoarthritis.

Graphical Abstract
Experimental Investigation of the Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene Fiber-Reinforced Clay Soil and Development of Predictive Models: Effects of Fiber Length and Fiber Content
Authors: Yazici Mehmet Fatih , Keskin Siddika Nilay
Published: February 2024

This study investigated the mechanical properties of a low-plasticity clay soil reinforced with polypropylene (PP) fiber in various contents (0.05%, 0.10%, 0.15%, and 0.20%) and lengths (6, 12, and 19 mm). The reinforced specimens were subjected to unconsolidated-undrained (UU) triaxial compression tests under three different confining pressures (50, 100, and 200 kPa). The optimum fiber contents in specimens reinforced with 6-, 12-, and 19-mm PP fiber were determined as 0.15%, 0.15%, and 0.20%, respectively. As a result, the highest values regarding deviator stress at failure (σdev), energy absorption capacity (EAC), and shear strength parameters occurred in specimens containing 0.20% PP (19 mm). As a result of the reinforcement process, the most remarkable improvements in the σdev, cohesion, internal friction angle, and EAC values of the natural soil are 59.95%, 21.80%, 63%, and 34.70%, respectively. Linear and nonlinear relationships between σdev and fiber length, fiber content, and confining pressure were investigated by multiple linear regression and artificial neural network methods. Equations were generated to predict σdev of a low-plasticity clay soil reinforced with PP fiber and were made available to geotechnical researchers.
Auf Sand gebaut? Über den Versuch, die Basisdimensionen der Unterrichtsqualität in erziehungswissenschaftlicher „Theorie“ zu verankern
Authors: Rothland Martin
Published: February 2024

In der Diskussion der drei Basisdimensionen der Unterrichtsqualität wird neben der sparsamen Systematik, empirischen Fundierung und dem generischen Anspruch die solide theoretische Begründung des Modells hervorgehoben und als erziehungswissenschaftliche Theoriebasis das Studienbuch „Theorie der Schule“ (Diederich & Tenorth, 1997) verwendet. Welche Ausführungen und Aspekte daraus zur theoretischen Fundierung des Modells wie in Anspruch genommen werden und ob sie eine erziehungswissenschaftliche Begründung bieten, wird in diesem Beitrag gefragt und diskutiert.
Phase Composition and Phase Transformation of Additively Manufactured Nickel Alloy 718 AM Bench Artifacts
Authors: Zhang Fan , Johnston-Peck Aaron C. , Levine Lyle E. , Katz Michael B. , Moon Kil-Won , Williams Maureen E. , Young Sandra W. , Allen Andrew J. , Borkiewicz Olaf , Ilavsky Jan
Published: February 2024

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies offer unprecedented design flexibility but are limited by a lack of understanding of the material microstructure formed under their extreme and transient processing conditions and its subsequent transformation during post-build processing. As part of the 2022 AM Bench Challenge, sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, this study focuses on the phase composition and phase evolution of AM nickel alloy 718, a nickel-based superalloy, to provide benchmark data essential for the validation of computational models for microstructural predictions. We employed high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction, in situ synchrotron X-ray scattering, as well as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy for our analyses. The study uncovers critical aspects of the microstructure in its as-built state, its transformation during homogenization, and its phase evolution during subsequent aging heat treatment. Specifically, we identified secondary phases, monitored the dissolution and coarsening of microstructural elements, and observed the formation and stability ofγ’ andγ” phases. The results provide the rigorous benchmark data required to understand the atomic and microstructural transformations of AM nickel alloy 718, thereby enhancing the reliability and applicability of AM models for predicting phase evolution and mechanical properties.
Copyright Law and the Lifecycle of Machine Learning Models
Authors: Kretschmer Martin , Margoni Thomas , Oruç Pinar
Published: February 2024

Machine learning, a subfield of artificial intelligence (AI), relies on large corpora of data as input for learning algorithms, resulting in trained models that can perform a variety of tasks. While data or information are not subject matter within copyright law, almost all materials used to construct corpora for machine learning are protected by copyright law: texts, images, videos, and so on. There are global policy moves to address the copyright implications of machine learning, in particular in the context of so-called “foundation models” that underpin generative AI. This paper takes a step back, exploring empirically three technological settings through detailed case studies. We set out the established industry methodology of a lifecycle of AI (collecting data, organising data, model training, model operation) to arrive at descriptions suitable for legal analysis. This will allow an assessment of the challenges for a harmonisation of rights, exceptions and disclosure under EU copyright law. The three case studies are:

Machine learning for scientific purposes, in the context of a study of regional short-term letting markets;

Natural Language Processing (NLP), in the context of large language models;

Computer vision, in the context of content moderation of images.

We find that the nature and quality of data corpora at the input stage is central to the lifecycle of machine learning. Because of the uncertain legal status of data collection and processing, combined with the competitive advantage gained by firms not disclosing technological advances, the inputs of the models deployed are often unknown. Moreover, the “lawful access” requirement of the EU exception for text and data mining may turn the exception into a decision by rightholders to allow machine learning in the context of their decision to allow access. We assess policy interventions at EU level, seeking to clarify the legal status of input data via copyright exceptions, opt-outs or the forced disclosure of copyright materials. We find that the likely result is a fully copyright-licensed environment of machine learning that may have problematic effects for the structure of industry, innovation and scientific research.
The effects of quantum hardware properties on the performances of variational quantum learning algorithms
Authors: Buonaiuto Giuseppe , Gargiulo Francesco , De Pietro Giuseppe , Esposito Massimo , Pota Marco
Published: February 2024

In-depth theoretical and practical research is nowadays being performed on variational quantum algorithms (VQAs), which have the potential to surpass traditional, classical, algorithms on a variety of problems, in physics, chemistry, biology, and optimization. Because they are hybrid quantum-classical algorithms, it takes a certain set of optimal conditions for their full potential to be exploited. For VQAs, the construction of an appropriate ansatz in particular is crucial, since it lays the ground for efficiently solving the particular problem being addressed. To prevent severe negative effects that hamper quantum computation, the substantial noise, together with the structural limitations, characteristic of currently available devices must be also taken into consideration while building the ansatz. In this work the effect of the quantum hardware structure, namely the topological properties emerging from the couplings between the physical qubits and the basis gates of the device itself, on the performances of VQAs is addressed. Specifically, it is here experimentally shown that a complex connectivity in the ansatz, albeit being beneficial for exploring wider sets of solutions, introduces an overhead of gates during the transpilation on a quantum computer that increases the overall error rate, thus undermining the quality of the training. It is hence necessary, when implementing a variation quantum learning algorithm, to find the right balance between a sufficiently parametrized ansatz and a minimal cost in terms of resources during transpilation. Moreover, the experimental finding allows to construct a heuristic metric function, which aids the decision-making process on the best possible ansatz structure to be deployed on a given quantum hardware, thus fostering a more efficient application of VQAs in realistic situations. The experiments are performed on two widely used variational algorithms, the VQE (variational quantum eigensolver) and the VQC (variational quantum classifier), both tested on two different problems, the first on the Markowitz portfolio optimization using real-world financial data, and the latter on a classification task performed on the Iris dataset.
Novel Curtailment Control Strategy for Wind Power Plants Based on the SQP Optimization
Authors: Seo KangWon , Choi DongHee , Lim SungHoon
Published: February 2024

As the penetration level of renewable energy sources (RESs) increases, the output power of RESs needs to be curtailed to balance the power supply and load demand. Nevertheless, depending on the curtailment control strategy for wind power plants (WPPs), while the total amount of output power curtailment remains the same, the overall stored inertial energy within WPPs may vary. Furthermore, this stored inertial energy within WPPs can be used during disturbances to enhance frequency stability. This paper proposes a novel curtailment control strategy based on the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) optimization algorithm to effectively curtail WPPs and increase the overall stored inertial energy within WPPs. Then, the proposed solution can enhance frequency stability by providing a more inertial response from WPPs during disturbances. To verify the effectiveness of this novel curtailment control strategy, several case studies are conducted using the IEEE 39-bus system. The results show that the proposed curtailment control strategy effectively increases the stored inertial energy within WPPs while satisfying the required output power curtailment.
Evil in Turkish Muslim horror film: the demonic in “Semum”
Authors: Erdağı Deniz Özkan
Published: February 2024

The aim of the following study is to offer a better understanding of the Turkish religious consciousness. Turkey is a secular country with a Muslim majority. Movie characters with different attitudes towards religion and their relationship to supernatural evil within Islamic cosmology will be examined. This will provide better insights into the religiosity among Turkish Muslims and their relationship with religious metaphysics in a secular world through the popular horror movie “Semum” (2008). “Semum” is unique by not utilizing jinn, but a devil as the chosen monster. By that, “Semum” conceptualizes an entity of what is perceived as evil in contrast to the moral greyness presented in jinn-horror movies. It reflects a supernatural world of good and evil to its audience, in which metaphysical questions are addressed. Turkey, as a Muslim-majority society, is less often examined when it comes to theological/metaphysical matters regarding the Islamic faith, than when it comes to social issues. For an accurate understanding, this paper first investigates the director’s own statements about his monster. Afterwards, Islamic sources will be compared to the movie’s depiction of said monsters. Next, the roles of the main characters and their relationships towards the demonic will be explained. By that, it will be seen how the roles of the characters allegedly deal with evil. It will be shown that secularism is considered to be insufficient to deal with possible threats to humanity. Yet, the director asserts that science and religion should co-exist to deal with mankind’s fears.
Teaching and learning science as inquiry: an outlook of teachers in science education
Authors: Twizeyimana Etienne , Shyiramunda Theophile , Dufitumukiza Balthazard , Niyitegeka Gratien
Published: February 2024

For years, educators have recognized inquiry-based learning as a cutting-edge and promising approach in science education. However, the connection between teachers’ beliefs and practices and students’ attitudes within inquiry-based classrooms has not been fully explored. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quasiexperimental and descriptive research designs with quantitative data analysis. The results indicate a statistically significant difference in the performance of students who participated in a Chemistry Achievement Test between the control and experimental groups (t = 5.66, p < 0.05). Furthermore, our research highlights teachers’ optimistic views and eagerness to embrace inquiry-based learning. They perceive it as a means to ignite students’ enthusiasm for science subjects and foster the acquisition of essential science process skills through practical activities. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the interplay between teacher perspectives, instructional methods, and students’ grasp of the scientific process in science education, emphasizing the potential benefits of inquiry-based learning for enhancing science education.
Unveiling the dynamic relationship of viruses and/or symbiotic bacteria with plant resilience in abiotic stress
Authors: Sharma Vasudha , Mohammed Shakeel A. , Devi Nisha , Vats Gourav , Tuli Hardeep S. , Saini Adesh K. , Dhir Yashika W. , Dhir Sunny , Singh Bharat
Published: February 2024

In the ecosphere, plants interact with environmental biotic and abiotic partners, where unbalanced interactions can induce unfavourable stress conditions. Abiotic factors (temperature, water, and salt) are primarily required for plants healthy survival, and any change in their availability is reflected as a stress signal. In certain cases, the presence of infectious pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and insects can also create stress conditions in plants, leading to the emergence of disease or deficiency symptoms. While these symptoms are often typical of abiotic or biotic stress, however, there are instances where they can intensify under specific conditions. Here, we primarily summarize the viral interactions with plants during abiotic stress to understand how these associations are linked together during viral pathogenesis. Secondly, focus is given to the beneficial effects of root-associated symbiotic bacteria in fulfilling the basic needs of plants during normal as well as abiotic stress conditions. The modulations of plant functional proteins, and their occurrence/cross-talk, with pathogen (virus) and symbiont (bacteria) molecules are also discussed. Furthermore, we have highlighted the biochemical and systematic adaptations that develop in plants due to bacterial symbiosis to encounter stress hallmarks. Lastly, directions are provided towards exploring potential rhizospheric bacteria to maintain plant-microbes ecosystem and manage abiotic stress in plants to achieve better trait health in the horticulture crops.
Investigating the structure under the Pingting Terrace from the co-seismic surface rupture of the 2022 Guanshan earthquake
Authors: Hsu Yi-Chun , Chang Chung-Pai , Yen I-Chin , Huang Shao-Yi , Yen Jiun-Yee
Published: February 2024

On September 17th and 18th, 2022, shallow earthquakes with magnitudes of 6.6 (ML) and 6.8 (ML) occurred in the eastern Taiwan Longitudinal Valley, which marks the collision zone between the Philippine Sea plate and the Eurasian plate, and led to noticeable surface deformation and ruptures within 70 km. This study primarily focuses on the southernmost section of the rupture zone—the Pingting Terrace. Surface rupture locations and behaviors correspond to changes in topography, providing mutual confirmation that the deformation behavior of Pingting Terrace is complex. Based on the distribution of surface ruptures and topography changes, this study roughly divides the Pingting Terrace into northern and southern segments, using the central concave feature as a boundary. The Riedel shear model analysis results show that the principal shear directions in the northern and southern segments are N–S trending and azimuth 20°, respectively. The maximum principal stress orientations are around 135° for the northern and 155° for the southern segments. These findings align with the fault mechanical investigation of the Lichi Mélange in the northern Muken River area of the Pingting Terrace. This suggests spatial changes in shear zone orientations within the Lichi Mélange, which contribute to developing pressure ridges due to transpressional forces. As a result, the Pingting Terrace experiences rapid uplift, causing the Luliao River to migrate southward into the Beinan River, while the eastern Beinan River turns to the eastward edge of the Pingting Terrace.
Transient Data Caching Based on Maximum Entropy Actor–Critic in Internet-of-Things Networks
Authors: Zhang Yu , Chen Ningjiang , Yu Siyu , Hu Liangqing
Published: February 2024

With the rapid development of the Internet-of-Things (IoT), a massive amount of transient data is transmitted in edge networks. Transient data are highly time-sensitive, such as monitoring data generated by industrial devices. Due to their inefficiency, traditional caching strategies in edge networks are inadequate for handling transient data. Thus, to improve the efficiency of transient data caching, we construct a freshness model of transient data and propose a maximum entropy Actor–Critic-based caching strategy, TD-MEAC-which can improve the freshness of cached data and reduce the long-term caching cost. Simulation results show that the proposed TD-MEAC achieves a higher cache hit rate and maintains a higher average freshness of cached transient data compared with the existing DRL and baseline caching strategies.