bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Assessment of the Environmental Impact of Coal Mining through Acid Mine Drainage and Soil Degradation from Makum Coalfields, Upper Assam, India: A Case Study
Authors: Kumar Manish , Srivastava Manish Kumar , Kishor Kaushal , Singh Alok K.
Published: August 2023

Acid mine drainage and soil erosion are significant problems in the coal mining area. It affects the water quality and soil quality, henceforth affecting plant growth and most aquatic life. During the last two decades, coal mining areas were increased by 194 hectares in Makum coalfield (Assam), which led to an increase in acid mine drainage and soil loss. In this paper, the water chemistry of water samples was analyzed, and annual soil loss near the area of Makum coalfield was calculated to investigate the most affected region by Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) and soil erosion. The Watershed delineation, slope angle, elevation contour map, and drainage system of 57 km2 of the study area were developed by ArcGIS Pro. The Universal Soil Loss Equation was used to estimate the amount of annual soil loss. The USLE parameter was assessed using a Digital Elevation Model with a 30-meter X 30-meter resolution. The result indicates that the quality of drainage near the mines was highly acidic. Also, compared to the area near the riverside, the proximity of mines is more affected by soil erosion and needs improvement.
Geochemical Characteristics of the Bottom and Pond Fly ash, Neyveli, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: G. Sathiyamoorthy , S. Vasudevan , P. Balamurugan , R. Selvaganapathi
Published: August 2023

Research on finding the trace element in the fly ash material becomes imposing due to environmental effect. Coal fly ash formed from the burning of coal by thermal power plants are huge and it has been a big problem in its disposal. The main aim of this study is geochemistry of fly ash sample from Neyveli thermal power station. Mine-I has a reserve of 365 MT and covers an area of 26.69 sq. km. The tiny mine-IA, which has a reserve of 120 MT, is spread across an area of 11.6 sq. km. The Indian government has approved the expansion of the second Mine’s capacity from 4.7 MT to 10.5 MT. Despite the above listed numerous studies, the behavior of trace elements are still incompletely understood and additional investigations are required. The current study is a thorough examination of trace elements in Neyveli lignite combustion bottom ash and pond ash. In the bottom ash and pond ash, the concentrations of 21 elements (As, Ba, Cr, Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Se, Ti, Zn, Zr, Sb, and Sn) were determined.
Multi-collinearity Based Parameter Optimization and Comparison among Multi-criteria Decision Analysis to Map Groundwater Potential Zones
Authors: Venkatesh S. , Parimalarenganayaki S.
Published: August 2023

Zonation of groundwater potential is a vital technique for long-term water governance and urban planning, particularly in agrarian countries such as India. As a result, the present groundwater potential mapping study was carried out in Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu, India to assess the capability of the aquifer using 21 groundwater conditioning parameters. An overlay analysis was performed to create a database for multicollinearity analysis to optimize the parameters. Normalization, weight allocation, and ranking of locations based on the assessment value were performed using Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) techniques such as Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and Multi-Objective Optimization based on Ratio Analysis (MOORA). The results of MCDA techniques were integrated with Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) for the identification of groundwater potential zones. Based on the TOPSIS, 5.17 % of the area was classified as very high potential and 9.38 % of the area was classified as a very low potential zones. Similarly, the MOORA technique classified 5.54% of zones as very high and 13.55% as very low potential. Validation of results were done using groundwater level and groundwater draft data and prediction accuracy of MOORA and TOPSIS was found to be more than 80%.
Ascertaining Potential Causes of Hillslope Failure Associated to Human Settlement: A Case Study from Alaknanda Valley, Uttarakhand, NW Himalaya, India
Authors: Kumar Vipin , Sundriyal Yaspal , Chauhan Neha , Puniya Mohit Kumar , Kaushik Sameeksha , Kumar Sanjeev , Bagri Dhirendra Singh , Rana Naresh
Published: August 2023

Growing human population along the river valleys in hilly terrain particularly on the fluvial sediments poses increasing risk of terrace instability and subsequent failure. Such instability and failure result in frequent loss of settlement, agricultural lands, and often lives. Alaknanda River valley in Uttarakhand comprises many fluvial terrace slopes that accommodate human settlement and hence one such fluvial terrace slope was taken as a case study area. On Feb. 28, 2022, Saari (or Sari) village, situated on the fluvial sequence, witnessed a slope failure collapsing 3 houses but no casualties. The hillslope with a total disturbed area of ~3889±5.0 m2 and failed material volume of ~16858±4.3 m3 partially dammed a tributary of Alaknanda River, which passes through the toe of the failed slope. The present study is an attempt to understand the instability that led to such failure because there was no extreme rainfall or earthquake prior to this failure. Preand post-failure topography of slope was used to demarcate the detachment and deposition zones. Pre-failure topography was used to perform the Finite Element Method (FEM) based slope stability simulation. In order to evaluate the possible contribution of exposed rockmass in failure, kinematic analysis was also performed. Results revealed the development of displacement pattern, particularly due to anthropogenic loads that must have initiated this failure. Such studies are primary requisites for an effective disaster mitigation in the NW Himalaya where growing human population on fragile hillslopes are at risk.
Compact formula for skew-symmetric system of matrix equations
Authors: Rehman Abdur , Kyrchei Ivan I.
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we consider skew-Hermitian solution of coupled generalized Sylvester matrix equations encompassing $$*$$

∗

-hermicity over complex field. The compact formula of the general solution of this system is presented in terms of generalized inverses when some necessary and sufficient conditions are fulfilled. An algorithm and a numerical example are provided to validate our findings. A numerical example is carried out using determinantal representations of the Moore–Penrose inverse.
GIST: distributed training for large-scale graph convolutional networks
Authors: Wolfe Cameron R. , Yang Jingkang , Liao Fangshuo , Chowdhury Arindam , Dun Chen , Bayer Artun , Segarra Santiago , Kyrillidis Anastasios
Published: August 2023

The graph convolutional network (GCN) is a go-to solution for machine learning on graphs, but its training is notoriously difficult to scale both in terms of graph size and the number of model parameters. Although some work has explored training on large-scale graphs, we pioneer efficient training of large-scale GCN models with the proposal of a novel, distributed training framework, called . disjointly partitions the parameters of a GCN model into several, smaller sub-GCNs that are trained independently and in parallel. Compatible with all GCN architectures and existing sampling techniques, (i) improves model performance, (ii) scales to training on arbitrarily large graphs, (iii) decreases wall-clock training time, and (iv) enables the training of markedly overparameterized GCN models. Remarkably, with , we train an astonishgly-wide 32–768-dimensional GraphSAGE model, which exceeds the capacity of a single GPU by a factor of $$8\times $$

8
×

, to SOTA performance on the Amazon2M dataset.
Seismic control of T-shape in plan steel high-rise buildings with SSI effect using tuned mass dampers
Authors: Kontoni Denise-Penelope N. , Farghaly Ahmed Abdelraheem
Published: August 2023

A steel high-rise building (HRB) with plan irregularity is a major challenge in engineering design, especially under seismic loads. Soil–structure interaction (SSI) is one of the most important factors in designing steel high-rise structures. Herein, a T-shape in plan steel HRB subjected to four different earthquakes will mitigate the vibration and control the displacements and base straining actions resulting from earthquakes by using tuned mass dampers (TMDs) systems, and the most controlling arrangement of TMDs, in the fixed base HRB model and in the SSI HRB model, will be examined. Three-dimensional models of the steel high-rise building (HRB) with a T-shape in the plan subjected to four different earthquakes fixed or with the SSI effect were analyzed to investigate the seismic mitigation effect of six different plan arrangements of TMDs applied on the top plan of the fixed HRB model, while for the SSI HRB model, these TMDs distributions were applied on the top plan and additionally on two intermediate plans along the HRB height. The TMDs for the T-shape in plan steel HRB are more effective in the SSI model than in the fixed base model. In the SSI effect model, the distributions of the TMDs not only on the top plan of the model but also through the model (on two additional plan levels along the height) further reduced the HRB seismic response and this three-level TMDs distribution was required for the plan arrangement of 2 or 4 TMDs.
Potential suppression of broad-spectrum virulence of Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici population to race-specific resistance genes in hexaploid wheat
Authors: Draz Ibrahim S. , Abdelrhim Abdelrazek S. , Mabrouk Ola I. , Esmail Samar M.
Published: August 2023

Powdery mildew caused by Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), is one of the serious diseases that attack wheat plants during the growing season. The Bgt virulence was screened against 16 Egyptian wheat cultivars and 21 powdery mildew differential lines carrying different (Pm) resistance genes in two regions (Kafr-Elsheikh and El-Minya) in Egypt 2021–2022. Broad-spectrum virulence and high diversity were observed at both regions. Regional populations of Bgt in Egypt are independent of each other. Genes, Pm2a, Pm3a, Pm1b, Pm3b, Pm21, Pm34, Pm36, Pm37, Pm53, PmNCA6, PmMIAG12, and PmNCAG13 were nationally effective, while Pm4a, Pm4b, Pm6, and Pm8 appeared to be defeated throughout the country affected by broad-spectrum virulence. Field responses showed that only four cultivars, Misr-1, Misr-2, Sakha-95 and Shandweel-1 were resistant in both regions. A strong correlation was recorded between FDS and AUDPC which implies that wheat pathologists and breeders may be able to assess their lines by a single scoring at an appropriate time. Phenotypic and genotypic data proved that ineffective Pm8 was present in four susceptible cultivars, Sakha-93, Sakha-94, Gemmeiza-10, and Gemmeiza-11, while it was present in combination with effective Pm3a in two resistant cultivars, Sakha-95 and Shandweel-1. This suggests that cultivar susceptibility may be attributed to the existence of ineffective gene Pm8 potentially suppressed by effective Pm3a in hexaploid-resistant wheat. Pyramiding effective resistance genes particularly those that have a suppression effect like Pm3a may be a viable option to avoid the risk of broad-spectrum Bgt virulence at a regional scale.
The interplay between leaf-cutter ants behaviour and social organization
Authors: Khayat Rana O.
Published: August 2023

Leaf-cutter ants (Atta and Acromyrmex species) exhibit complex social organizations that have fascinated scientists for decades. The leaf-cutter ants belong to a subgroup of fungus-growing ants, which live with fungus inside their nests. The behaviours exhibited by these ants are closely linked to their social organization, which involves intricate division of labour, caste systems, and cooperative tasks. This review article provides an overview of the behaviors associated with the social organization of leaf-cutter ants. It explores various aspects of their social organization, including foraging behavior, hitchhiking behaviour, hygienic behaviour, social organization and environmental influences. The leaf cutter ants have the instinct to forage, as they walk around the nest to cut leaf fragments from plants, then transport those fragments with their jaws and go back to the nest to cultivate a special fungus garden within the colony. By synthesizing existing knowledge, this review highlights the intricate relationships between behaviors and the social structure of leaf-cutter ants, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms and evolutionary implications. Furthermore, it identifies research gaps and proposes future directions for studying leaf-cutter ant behaviors, including emerging techniques and interdisciplinary approaches. The behaviors correlating with the social organization of leaf-cutter ants showcase the intricate mechanisms underlying their highly organized societies. In conclusion, this review contributes to our understanding of the fascinating behaviors exhibited by leaf-cutter ants and their implications in the broader context of social insect societies.
Multilingual representation matters: an in-depth analysis of translanguaging in “Dear Primo: A Letter to my Cousin”
Authors: Moses Lindsey
Published: August 2023

Language and literacy are inextricably linked with identity, yet most children experience children’s literature in schooling contexts in only one language. For many students, this language is not their home or preferred language, so they rarely, if ever, see their home language represented in school and children’s literature. While the number of bilingual children’s texts is increasing, the majority of these texts continue to privilege English and present a distinct separation of languages that is not representative of multilingual communicative practices. People who are multilingual engage in translanguaging, a dynamic and flexible process using all their linguistic resources that results in new and sophisticated communicative practices. This paper draws upon translanguaging theories (García The Reading Teacher, 73(5), 557–562, 2020; Wei Applied Linguistics, 39(1), 9–30, 2018) and multimodal perspectives (Serafini, 2022) to investigate the linguistic representations and ways languages are privileged in Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin (Tonatiuh, 2010). Instances of translanguaging throughout the text are identified and analyzed for the ways the author/illustrator uses these instances to engage within a variety of purposes, systems, and structures (Wei Journal of Pragmatics, 43(5), 1222-1235, 2011). Building on the translanguaging analysis, a multimodal analysis is utilized to examine the use of semiotic resources in the representation of language, translanguaging, and multilingualism within the modes of written language and illustration.
Change of Seasons: Boston Marathon Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Index in October
Authors: Cheuvront Samuel N. , Kenefick Robert W. , Blazy Phil T. , Troyanos Chris
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The importance of providing wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) heat stress flag category measurements in real time is well recognized by road race directors, and it is bound to become even more important with the rise of extreme weather and pandemic outbreaks. The purpose of this paper is to describe the WBGT index and its components measured during the 125th running of the Boston Marathon on October 11, 2021, for qualitative comparison to measurements made similarly on its traditional April date, 2014 to 2019.

Methods

Monitoring occurred at the 7 km, 18 km, and 32 km marks of the race in the towns of Ashland, Natick-Wellesley, and Newton. The outdoor WBGT index was calculated from direct hourly measurements of the dry bulb, black globe, and natural wet bulb temperatures from 0900 to 1500 h.

Results

The WBGT index was not different among towns; thus, the average hourly values for the 3 towns were compared to historical data averaged identically. Although the black globe temperature fluctuated considerably in response to changing cloud cover, on average, partly cloudy skies kept the solar load comparable to what has been observed in April. Dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures were higher than those on most April dates shown, which resulted in a yellow (or amber) flag day for most of the race.

Conclusions

The historic October Boston Marathon was among the warmest in recent history. Like the impact of COVID-19 on the 2021 Boston Marathon, future climate challenges around outdoor activities could necessitate rescheduling; they underscore the importance of real-time WBGT index measures.
Low Energy Availability and Increased Risk of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) During a 3767-km Thru-Hike on the Pacific Crest Trail: A Case Study
Authors: Weiss Edward P. , Frech Abigail M. , Perez Victoria R.
Published: August 2023

Long-distance “thru-hiking” has extraordinary physical demands and has become increasingly popular. This report describes a man (55 y) who thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2021 and was at risk of developing the relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) syndrome. Hiking distance was 3767 km over 128 d. Eighty-eight days (69%) were full days of hiking, covering 38±8 km/d (mean±SD) in 7.9±1.6 h/d. Exercise energy expenditure above rest (heart rate vs indirect calorimetry regression method) was 2834±1518 kcal/d, total energy expenditure was 5702±1323 kcal/d, and energy intake was 4141 kcal/d. Body mass decreased by 9%, and fat mass (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) decreased by 46%. Energy availability (energy intake minus exercise energy expenditure) was 19.3 kcal/d/kg fat-free mass, indicating low energy availability (defined as <30 kcal/d/kg). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry–measured spine bone mineral density (BMD) decreased by 8.6%, with little to no decrease in total hip (−1.0%) and femoral neck (−1.5%) BMD. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides increased by 24, 39, and 57%, respectively. Within 8 mo after the hike, BMD and serum lipids nearly or fully returned to baseline. No changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glycemia, or blood pressure were observed. According to guidelines, these observations are consistent with a moderate risk of RED-S, and a medical evaluation and treatment plan are advisable in order to avoid clinical manifestations (eg, stress fractures, anemia, psychological disturbances). To minimize RED-S risk, it may be prudent for thru-hikers to optimize energy availability by moderating daily hiking distances and/or increasing food intake.
Stakeholder-driven development and implementation of CRICIT: an app to support high-quality data capture and protocol monitoring for outpatient clinical trials with vulnerable populations
Authors: Clark Katie , Ruth Caleb , Thomas Kathryn A. , Dunham Katherine , Travis Madelene , Rivera-Santiago Kristian , Brinkely-Rubinstein Lauren , Wang Emily
Published: August 2023

Introduction:

Choosing an appropriate electronic data capture system (EDC) is a critical decision for all randomized controlled trials (RCT). In this paper, we document our process for developing and implementing an EDC for a multisite RCT evaluating the efficacy and implementation of an enhanced primary care model for individuals with opioid use disorder who are returning to the community from incarceration.

Methods:

Informed by the Knowledge-to-Action conceptual framework and user-centered design principles, we used Claris Filemaker software to design and implement CRICIT, a novel EDC that could meet the varied needs of the many stakeholders involved in our study.

Results:

CRICIT was deployed in May 2021 and has been continuously iterated and adapted since. CRICIT’s features include extensive participant tracking capabilities, site-specific adaptability, integrated randomization protocols, and the ability to generate both site-specific and study-wide summary reports.

Conclusions:

CRICIT is highly customizable, adaptable, and secure. Its implementation has enhanced the quality of the study’s data, increased fidelity to a complicated research protocol, and reduced research staff’s administrative burden. CRICIT and similar systems have the potential to streamline research activities and contribute to the efficient collection and utilization of clinical research data.
Modelling the wall friction coefficient for a simple shear granular flow in view of the degradation mechanism
Authors: Lin Cheng-Chuan , Artoni Riccardo , Yang Fu-Ling , Richard Patrick
Published: August 2023

A steady granular flow experiment was performed in a confined annular shear cell to examine how the wall friction coefficient

$\mu _w$

degrades from the intrinsic sliding friction coefficient

$f$

between the grains and the container wall. Two existing models are invoked to examine the decay trend of

$\mu _w/f$

in view of the ratio of shear velocity to the square root of granular temperature

$\chi$

(Artoni & Richard, Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 115, 2015, 158001) and the ratio of grain angular and slip velocities

$\varOmega$

(Yang & Huang, Granul. Matt., vol. 18, issue 4, 2016, p. 77), respectively. As both models correlate

$\mu _w/f$

to different flow properties, a hidden relation is speculated between

$\chi$

and

$\varOmega$

, or equivalently, between the granular temperature and the grain rotation speed. We used experiment data to confirm and reveal this hidden relation. From there, a unified

$\mu _w/f-\chi$

model is proposed with physical meanings for the model coefficients and to show general agreement with the measured trend. Hence we may conclude that both the fluctuations in grain translations and their mean rotation are the crucial yet equivalent mechanisms to degrade

$\mu _w/f$

.
Single-particle dynamics in a low-Reynolds-number fluid under spherical confinement
Authors: Chen Gaofeng , Jiang Xikai
Published: August 2023

Non-colloidal dynamics of a single particle suspended in a low-Reynolds-number fluid under spherical confinement was studied numerically. We calculated hydrodynamic mobilities of a sphere, a prolate spheroid and an oblate spheroid parallel and transverse to the particle-cavity line of centres. The mobilities show maximum in the cavity centre and decay as the particle moves towards the no-slip wall. For prolate and oblate spheroids, their mobilities are also affected by the angle between the particle's axis of revolution and the particle-cavity line of centres due to particle anisotropy. It was observed that the effect of particle anisotropy becomes stronger as the confinement level increases. When the external force on the particle is not parallel or transverse to the particle-cavity line of centres, a drift velocity perpendicular to the force occurs because of the confinement-induced anisotropy of the mobility in the cavity. The normalized drift velocity depends on the particle location, size, shape and orientation of the non-spherical particle. We also studied the motion of a non-neutrally buoyant particle under external forces in a rotating flow inside the cavity. Cooperation between the external force, rotation-induced centrifugal or centripetal force and the force from particle–wall interactions leads to multiple modes of particle motion. A fundamental understanding of single-particle dynamics in this work forms the basis for studying more complex particle dynamics in intracellular transport, and can guide particle manipulation in microfluidic applications ranging from droplet-based microreactors to microfluidic encapsulation.
Should You Put an Emoticon on Your Flag? How Subliminal Visual Stimuli Can Change Political Opinions
Authors: Sánchez Medero Rubén , Losada Maestre Roberto
Published: August 2023

Political objects, like national flags, arouse emotions even when they are subliminal stimuli. Through two experiments that show subliminal stimuli to the subjects, this article analyzes if those emotions are positive or negative ones—that is to say, if they enhance an inclusive reaction or an excluding one. Besides, the article compares the intensity of the flag’s emotional effect with that of the emoticons, which are figures intended to represent emotional reactions or states. Findings confirm that the Spanish flag, as a subliminal stimulus, influences the opinions of the participants. However, it has had a lower effect than that obtained in previous, similar experiments. Emoticons produce a much more intense type of response than flags. The experiments (n = 85; n = 126) enlarge the knowledge about the emotional effects of political objects of nonconscious perception. Besides, we present an original methodological contribution: the use of emoticons to alter political views.
Sámi agency in economic development processes in the Norwegian High North
Authors: Angell Elisabeth , Eikeland Sveinung , Selle Per
Published: August 2023

The emergence of the Sámi Parliament has lifted Norwegian Sámi politics into an international discourse on indigenous peoples. The clearest imprints of the new Sámi political space are found in the High North region of Norway, where the Sámi account for a significant proportion of the population. The article shows to what extent and how Sámi agency affects governance structures and business development in the north in an increasingly globalised economic setting. From its origin, Sámi agency has influenced development in the High North through three processes: the first is through the Sámi institution building and strengthening of Sámi communities; the second is through its links to local and regional societal development; and the third is through the role of Sámi politics in globalised development processes. One main finding is that the boundaries between these links to the surrounding environment have become more diffuse. Sámi agency is taking a more important role in the economic development processes in the High North, often in terms of the local and regional processes, and now also within the increasingly important globalised economic modernisation processes in which inclusion in new multi-level governance structures is important.
Post-traumatic stress disorder symptom remission and cognition in a large cohort of civilian women
Authors: Liu Jiaxuan , Roberts Andrea L. , Lawn Rebecca B. , Jha Shaili C. , Sampson Laura , Sumner Jennifer A. , Kang Jae H. , Rimm Eric B. , Grodstein Francine , Liang Liming , Haneuse Sebastien , Kubzansky Laura D. , Koenen Karestan C. , Chibnik Lori B.
Published: August 2023

Background

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with cognitive impairments. It is unclear whether problems persist after PTSD symptoms remit.

Methods

Data came from 12 270 trauma-exposed women in the Nurses' Health Study II. Trauma and PTSD symptoms were assessed using validated scales to determine PTSD status as of 2008 (trauma/no PTSD, remitted PTSD, unresolved PTSD) and symptom severity (lifetime and past-month). Starting in 2014, cognitive function was assessed using the Cogstate Brief Battery every 6 or 12 months for up to 24 months. PTSD associations with baseline cognition and longitudinal cognitive changes were estimated by covariate-adjusted linear regression and linear mixed-effects models, respectively.

Results

Compared to women with trauma/no PTSD, women with remitted PTSD symptoms had a similar cognitive function at baseline, while women with unresolved PTSD symptoms had worse psychomotor speed/attention and learning/working memory. In women with unresolved PTSD symptoms, past-month PTSD symptom severity was inversely associated with baseline cognition. Over follow-up, both women with remitted and unresolved PTSD symptoms in 2008, especially those with high levels of symptoms, had a faster decline in learning/working memory than women with trauma/no PTSD. In women with remitted PTSD symptoms, higher lifetime PTSD symptom severity was associated with a faster decline in learning/working memory. Results were robust to the adjustment for sociodemographic, biobehavioral, and health factors and were partially attenuated when adjusted for depression.

Conclusion

Unresolved but not remitted PTSD was associated with worse cognitive function assessed six years later. Accelerated cognitive decline was observed among women with either unresolved or remitted PTSD symptoms.
The Hobbesian Crowd Problem
Authors: Foisneau Luc
Published: August 2023

In this article I try to identify the nature of the Hobbesian Crowd Problem as a problem depending on the nature of the connection, or absence of connection, between the notions of “crowd” and “people.” When a crowd is considered as a “subjected crowd” it is but the flip side of a people, which is itself the other name of the sovereign. When considered as a gathering of people, the crowd's status depends on the intention of its members as well as the number of its participants, but also on whether it is authorized by the sovereign. Within the framework of his complex theory of associations (or “system subjects”), Hobbes's theory of crowds is a useful instrument for assessing what we now call “populism,” the claim by some citizens to speak for the whole political community.
Herder on the Self-Determination of Peoples
Authors: Piirimäe Eva
Published: August 2023

Recent studies have argued that Herder supported cultural, rather than national, self-determination. While Herder did not argue that all nations should become states, using the term “cultural” as the defining element of his conception of self-determination risks the false impression that political self-determination is not part of it. Focusing on Herder's discussion of the relationship between the people and the state in modern European “state-machines” and his comments on the French revolution, this article shows that Herder encouraged the national “self-constitution” of both subjugated and dominant peoples, thus contributing to the rise of the concept of self-determination of peoples. Rejecting direct popular rule as a “phantom of liberty,” he envisioned modern self-determination to be a continuous process of free public deliberation in print media and representative institutions on the possible reform of the constitution of one's political community, as guided by the public's evolving understanding of the principles of Humanität.
Synchronization control of blanket remote maintenance robot based on MPC-CCC algorithm
Authors: Li Dongyi , Lu Kun , Cheng Yong , Wu Huapeng , Handroos Heikki , Zhang Xuanchen , Guo Xinpeng , Yang Songzhu , Du Liansheng , Zhang Yu
Published: August 2023

This paper studies the synchronization control of the blanket remote maintenance robot (BRMR) of the China fusion engineering test reactor (CFETR). First, the general state space mathematical model of BRMR was established by using a physical-based method. Second, based on the receding horizon optimization of model predictive control (MPC) and cross-coupling error reduction in cross-coupling control (CCC), the innovative MPC-CCC controller was proposed to realize the single-system and multisystem error convergence and high accuracy transportation of blanket through the high accuracy synchronization control of BRMR. Third, to verify the control effectiveness of the MPC-CCC controller, two types of simulations and experiments were implied compared with the original proportional-integral (PI) controller in Mover. Results showed that simulation and experiments were highly consistent. It is found that the use of an MPC-CCC controller can result in up to a 70% reduction in displacement error and up to a 59% reduction in synchronization error compared to the PI controller. And the accuracy of the MPC-CCC controller satisfies the real requirement of the maintenance process of the blanket. This work provides the theoretical basis and practical experience for the highly stable, safe, and efficient maintenance of blankets in the future.
Estimation of vaccination coverage and associated factors in older Mexican adults
Authors: García-Hernández Héctor , Zárate-Ramírez Judith , Kammar-García Ashuin , García-Peña Carmen
Published: August 2023

National vaccination programmes recommend the influenza vaccine for older adults, but this population group has the greatest morbidity and mortality from other preventable vaccine diseases. The aim of this article is to estimate the vaccine coverage in adults aged 65 years and older and to analyse the factors that could increase or decrease vaccination uptake probability for the three listed vaccines in the national vaccination programme (influenza, tetanus and diphtheria, and pneumococcus) and the full scheme in Mexico. We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study with 2012, 2018, and 2021 rounds from the National Health and Nutrition Survey, in which we calculated the vaccine coverage estimations and performed multivariable logistic regression models to analyse the factors related to vaccine uptake. Tetanus and diphtheria vaccines had the greatest coverage estimation in all years (59–71%), whereas the pneumococcus vaccine had the lowest (32–53%). Full scheme vaccine coverage decreased from 37.80% to 24.77% in 2012 and 2021, respectively. The National Health Card property, morbidity, being a beneficiary of any health system institution, and use of preventive services increased the probability of vaccine uptake. In conclusion, vaccine coverage in older Mexican adults decreased over time, and the Mexican health system plays a strategic role in immunisation.
Ten years of German benefit assessment: price analysis for drugs with unproven additional benefit
Authors: Kleining Katrin , Laufenberg Jan , Thrun Philip , Ehlert Dorothee , Wasem Jürgen , Bartol Arne
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Since 2011, the prices for all new drugs in Germany are negotiated based on a benefit assessment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the price regulation of drugs with unproven additional benefit.

Methods

Benefit assessment procedures from 2011 to 2020 were reviewed and selected through AMNOG Monitor and Lauer Taxe. Negotiated annual therapy costs, the annual costs of the most cost-efficient appropriate comparative therapy (ACT) and the potential budget impact for 33 included procedures were calculated.

Results

55% of the included drugs achieved a negotiated price higher than the most cost-efficient ACT, 3% were identified as equal and 42% showed lower negotiated prices. The potential savings exceeded expenditures by around EUR 523.5 m. After price flexibility was adopted by the legislator in 2017, the overall potential savings still outweighed the expenditures by around EUR 62 m.

Conclusions

Our analysis shows that making price negotiations more flexible by law does not undermine the fundamental aim of the AMNOG, which is to avoid additional expenditure without increased patient benefit. The regulation can thus fulfill the objective provided by the legislature of keeping drugs without proven additional benefits in the German healthcare system.
The Taverna San Felice Dike (NE of Roccamonfina Volcano): Unraveling Magmatic Intrusion Processes and Volcano‐Tectonics in the Tyrrhenian Margin of the Southern Apennines
Authors: Natale Jacopo , Vitale Stefano , Giordano Guido , Fedele Lorenzo , Lucci Federico , Vona Alessandro , Prinzi Ernesto Paolo , Tramparulo Francesco D’Assisi , Isaia Roberto , Ciarcia Sabatino
Published: August 2023

The Roccamonfina volcano is located within the Garigliano Graben (southern Apennines, Italy) and has been active throughout the Middle‐Late Pleistocene. Along its polyphase volcanic history (630–55 ka), including several caldera‐forming eruptions (385–230 ka), several effusive/mildly explosive monogenetic events occurred along the volcano slopes, within the summit caldera, and along the graben‐bounding carbonate reliefs. In this paper, we present a multidisciplinary study of a mafic magmatic feeder dike intruded within the Meso‐Tertiary carbonates and overlying Lower Pleistocene breccias of Mt Cesima, northeast of the Roccamonfina volcano. We performed a stratigraphic and structural survey of the area and petrographic analyses on several samples of the dike. Results indicate that a ∼1 km long fissure fed an eruption that also emplaced a Strombolian pyroclastic sequence. Petrological data show that an open‐system mafic recharge fueled the tephritic magma that fed the eruption, whereas no evidence of significant pre/syn‐eruptive assimilation of carbonate has been identified. Stratigraphic and petrological data do not allow to firmly constrain the timing of the eruption, which could belong both to the pre‐Brown Leucitic Tuff (>354 ka) and to the post‐White Trachytic Tuffs (<230 ka) epochs of activity of the Roccamonfina volcano. Structural data show that the dike is broadly oriented E‐W and changes direction toward NE‐SW in correspondence with a pre‐existing fault damage zone. We suggest that magma was intruded during an N‐S trending extensional event in the Middle Pleistocene, whose prolonged activity resulted in regional uplift and exhumation of regional significance.
Towards a youth mental health paradigm: a perspective and roadmap
Authors: Uhlhaas Peter J. , Davey Christopher G. , Mehta Urvakhsh Meherwan , Shah Jai , Torous John , Allen Nicholas B. , Avenevoli Shelli , Bella-Awusah Tolulope , Chanen Andrew , Chen Eric Y. H. , Correll Christoph U. , Do Kim Q. , Fisher Helen L. , Frangou Sophia , Hickie Ian B. , Keshavan Matcheri S. , Konrad Kerstin , Lee Francis S. , Liu Cindy H. , Luna Beatriz , McGorry Patrick D. , Meyer-Lindenberg Andreas , Nordentoft Merete , Öngür Dost , Patton George C. , Paus Tomáš , Reininghaus Ulrich , Sawa Akira , Schoenbaum Michael , Schumann Gunter , Srihari Vinod H. , Susser Ezra , Verma Swapna K. , Woo T. Wilson , Yang Lawrence H. , Yung Alison R. , Wood Stephen J.
Published: August 2023

Most mental disorders have a typical onset between 12 and 25 years of age, highlighting the importance of this period for the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of mental ill-health. This perspective addresses interactions between risk and protective factors and brain development as key pillars accounting for the emergence of psychopathology in youth. Moreover, we propose that novel approaches towards early diagnosis and interventions are required that reflect the evolution of emerging psychopathology, the importance of novel service models, and knowledge exchange between science and practitioners. Taken together, we propose a transformative early intervention paradigm for research and clinical care that could significantly enhance mental health in young people and initiate a shift towards the prevention of severe mental disorders.
Cerebellar deep brain stimulation for chronic post-stroke motor rehabilitation: a phase I trial
Authors: Baker Kenneth B. , Plow Ela B. , Nagel Sean , Rosenfeldt Anson B. , Gopalakrishnan Raghavan , Clark Cynthia , Wyant Alexandria , Schroedel Madeleine , Ozinga John , Davidson Sara , Hogue Olivia , Floden Darlene , Chen Jacqueline , Ford Paul J. , Sankary Lauren , Huang Xuemei , Cunningham David A. , DiFilippo Frank P. , Hu Bo , Jones Stephen E. , Bethoux Francois , Wolf Steven L. , Chae John , Machado André G.
Published: August 2023

Upper-extremity impairment after stroke remains a major therapeutic challenge and a target of neuromodulation treatment efforts. In this open-label, non-randomized phase I trial, we applied deep brain stimulation to the cerebellar dentate nucleus combined with renewed physical rehabilitation to promote functional reorganization of ipsilesional cortex in 12 individuals with persistent (1–3 years), moderate-to-severe upper-extremity impairment. No serious perioperative or stimulation-related adverse events were encountered, with participants demonstrating a seven-point median improvement on the Upper-Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment. All individuals who enrolled with partial preservation of distal motor function exceeded minimal clinically important difference regardless of time since stroke, with a median improvement of 15 Upper-Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment points. These robust functional gains were directly correlated with cortical reorganization evidenced by increased ipsilesional metabolism. Our findings support the safety and feasibility of deep brain stimulation to the cerebellar dentate nucleus as a promising tool for modulation of late-stage neuroplasticity for functional recovery and the need for larger clinical trials. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT02835443.
Regional, circuit and network heterogeneity of brain abnormalities in psychiatric disorders
Authors: Segal Ashlea , Parkes Linden , Aquino Kevin , Kia Seyed Mostafa , Wolfers Thomas , Franke Barbara , Hoogman Martine , Beckmann Christian F. , Westlye Lars T. , Andreassen Ole A. , Zalesky Andrew , Harrison Ben J. , Davey Christopher G. , Soriano-Mas Carles , Cardoner Narcís , Tiego Jeggan , Yücel Murat , Braganza Leah , Suo Chao , Berk Michael , Cotton Sue , Bellgrove Mark A. , Marquand Andre F. , Fornito Alex
Published: August 2023

The substantial individual heterogeneity that characterizes people with mental illness is often ignored by classical case–control research, which relies on group mean comparisons. Here we present a comprehensive, multiscale characterization of the heterogeneity of gray matter volume (GMV) differences in 1,294 cases diagnosed with one of six conditions (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive–compulsive disorder and schizophrenia) and 1,465 matched controls. Normative models indicated that person-specific deviations from population expectations for regional GMV were highly heterogeneous, affecting the same area in <7% of people with the same diagnosis. However, these deviations were embedded within common functional circuits and networks in up to 56% of cases. The salience–ventral attention system was implicated transdiagnostically, with other systems selectively involved in depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Phenotypic differences between cases assigned the same diagnosis may thus arise from the heterogeneous localization of specific regional deviations, whereas phenotypic similarities may be attributable to the dysfunction of common functional circuits and networks.
Time-varying overdispersion of SARS-CoV-2 transmission during the periods when different variants of concern were circulating in Japan
Authors: Ko Yura K. , Furuse Yuki , Otani Kanako , Yamauchi Masato , Ninomiya Kota , Saito Mayuko , Imamura Takeaki , Cook Alex R. , Ahiko Tadayuki , Fujii Shunji , Mori Yoshiharu , Suzuki Emiko , Yamada Keiko , Ashino Yoshikazu , Yamashita Hidetoshi , Kato Yuichi , Mizuta Katsumi , Suzuki Motoi , Oshitani Hitoshi
Published: August 2023

Japan has implemented a cluster-based approach for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from the pandemic’s beginning based on the transmission heterogeneity (overdispersion) of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, studies analyzing overdispersion of transmission among new variants of concerns (VOCs), especially for Omicron, were limited. Thus, we aimed to clarify how the transmission heterogeneity has changed with the emergence of VOCs (Alpha, Delta, and Omicron) using detailed contact tracing data in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. We estimated the time-varying dispersion parameter ($${k}_{t}$$

k
t

) by fitting a negative binomial distribution for each transmission generation. Our results showed that even after the emergence of VOCs, there was transmission heterogeneity of SARS-CoV-2, with changes in $${k}_{t}$$

k
t

during each wave. Continuous monitoring of transmission dynamics is vital for implementing appropriate measures. However, a feasible and sustainable epidemiological analysis system should be established to make this possible.
N-glycosylation in non-invasive and invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm
Authors: Nieminen Heini , Nummela Pirjo , Satomaa Tero , Heiskanen Annamari , Hiltunen Jukka O. , Kaprio Tuomas , Seppänen Hanna , Hagström Jaana , Mustonen Harri , Ristimäki Ari , Haglund Caj
Published: August 2023

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs), often found incidentally, are potentially malignant cystic tumors of the pancreas. Due to the precancerous nature, IPMNs lacking malignant features should be kept on surveillance. The follow-up relies on magnetic resonance imaging, which has a limited accuracy to define the high-risk patients. New diagnostic methods are thus needed to recognize IPMNs with malignant potential. Here, aberrantly expressed glycans constitute a promising new area of research. We compared the N-glycan profiles of non-invasive IPMN tissues (n = 10) and invasive IPMN tissues (n = 10) to those of non-neoplastic pancreatic controls (n = 5) by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Both IPMN subgroups showed increased abundance of neutral composition H4N4 and decrease in H3N5F1, increase in sialylation, and decrease in sulfation, as compared to the controls. Furthermore, invasive IPMN showed an increase in terminal N-acetylhexosamine containing structure H4N5, and increase in acidic complex-type glycans, but decrease in their complex fucosylation and sulfation, as compared to the controls. In conclusion, the N-glycan profiles differed between healthy pancreatic tissue and non-invasive and invasive IPMNs. The unique glycans expressed in invasive IPMNs may offer interesting new options for diagnostics.
Growing disparity in the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease between people with and without disabilities: a Korean nationwide serial cross-sectional study
Authors: Min Jinsoo , Park Jong Eun , Kim So Young , Kim Yeon Yong , Park Jong Hyock
Published: August 2023

Few studies have examined the association between disability and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We compared the trends in the annual COPD prevalence between people with and without disabilities, and examined the association between disability and COPD. We linked the National Health Information Database (2008–2017) with the National Disability Registration Database, which includes more than 2 million people with disabilities every year. In the 2017 dataset, people with disabilities had a higher prevalence of COPD than those without disabilities (30.6% vs. 12.5%, P < 0.001). The age-standardized prevalence rate of COPD among people without disabilities increased from 4.2 in 2008 to 10.9% in 2017 (change of 6.7%), whereas that among those with disabilities increased from 7.0 to 17.1% (change of 10.1%). In multivariate analysis, compared to people without disabilities, those with disabilities had a higher probability of having COPD (adjusted odds ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval 1.42–1.43). The results of subgroup analysis by disability characteristics suggested that disabilities due to failure of an organ, such as the kidney, lung, heart, or liver, and severe disabilities were particularly vulnerable to COPD. In conclusion, people with disabilities are more likely to have COPD compared to people without disabilities. Further longitudinal studies that examine cause-and-effect relationship between disability and COPD are needed to clarify this relationship and to further investigate any potential negative effects associated with the coexistence of these conditions.