bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reflecting on a Decade of Evolution: MapReduce‐Based Advances in Partitioning‐Based, Hierarchical‐Based, and Density‐Based Clustering (2013–2023)
Authors: Sardar Tanvir Habib
Published: October 2024

The traditional clustering algorithms are not appropriate for large real‐world datasets or big data, which is attributable to computational expensiveness and scalability issues. As a solution, the last decade's research headed towards distributed clustering using the MapReduce framework. This study conducts a bibliometric review to assess, establish, and measure the patterns and trends of the MapReduce‐based partitioning, hierarchical, and density clustering algorithms over the past decade (2013–2023). A digital text‐mining‐based comprehensive search technique with multiple field‐specific keywords, inclusion measures, and exclusion criteria is employed to obtain the research landscape from the Scopus database. The Scopus‐obtained data is analyzed using the VOSViewer software tool and coded using the R statistical analysis tool. The analysis identifies the numbers of scholarly articles, diversities of article sources, their impact and growth patterns, details of most influential authors and co‐authors, most cited articles, most contributing affiliations and countries, and their collaborations, use of different keywords and their impact, and so forth. The study further explores the articles and reports the methodologies employed for designing MapReduce‐based counterparts of traditional partitioning, hierarchical, and density clustering algorithms and their optimizations and hybridizations. Finally, the study lists the main research challenges encountered in the past decade for MapReduce‐based partitioning, hierarchical, and density clustering. It suggests possible areas for future research to contribute further in this field.
Synthesis and Structure of Rhenium and Manganese Carbonyl Complexes Bearing a Thiosaccharinate Ligand
Authors: Rahman Robinur , Kumar Saha Sanjoy , Hosen Shakil , Rajbangshi Subas , Nesterov Vladimir N. , Ghosh Shishir
Published: October 2024

The reactions of [M2(CO)8(NCMe)2] (M=Re, Mn) with thiosaccharin (tsacH) have been investigated. TsacH reacts with [Re2(CO)8(NCMe)2] at room temperature to furnish [Re2(CO)8(μ‐H)(μ‐sac‐κN,S)] (1) and [Re(CO)5(sac‐κS)] (2), while a similar reaction with [Mn2(CO)8(NCMe)2] affords only [Mn(CO)5(sac‐κS)] (3). The dinuclear 1 contains a bridging tsac ligand coordinated to both rhenium centers using the nitrogen and thiocarbonylic sulfur atoms, while the tsac ligand is bonded to the metal center only through the sulfur atom in mononuclear 2 and 3. The molecular structures of 1–3 have also been determined by X‐ray crystallography.
Labour Exploitation as a Continuum, Human Dignity, and Vulnerability
Authors: Palumbo Letizia
Published: October 2024

This chapter focuses on the notion of labour exploitation, following on from the previous chapter’s examination of the notions of slavery, forced labour, and trafficking in the international legal framework. While international and European instruments provide definitions of slavery, forced labour, and trafficking, the boundaries between these legal concepts are porous. Institutional attention at both international and national levels on the issue of trafficking or so-called modern slavery has increased in recent years, with the risk of overlooking the complexity of labour exploitation, which can take on different shapes and gradations. Building on these considerations, Chap. 2 unpacks the legal and theoretical conceptions of labour exploitation and the related concepts of human dignity and vulnerability. In particular, it explores these notions in relevant international and European legal instruments, as well as in significant case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), while drawing on relevant legal and social literature. In so doing, this chapter, in line with Chap. 1, highlights the conceptual framework and perspectives underlying the analysis carried out in this book.
Introduction
Authors: Rousi Rebekah , von Koskull Catharina , Roto Virpi
Published: October 2024

Humane autonomous technology—re-thinking experience with and in intelligent systems invites the reader to engage in a range of issues that span across sectors and disciplines. Ultimately, the core issue of artificial intelligence (AI) is a cultural one. Yet, we see that cultural underpinnings stemming from the heart of AI, bleed through to all areas of society. This introduction gives a brief oversight on the concept of humane, while explaining current issues pertaining to ethics in AI and how these relate to the present book. The introduction presents the featured contributions that range from labour, service and industry, to creativity, design and visual art.
Dishonesty Through AI: Can Robots Engage in Lying Behavior?
Authors: Witell Lars , Snyder Hannah
Published: October 2024

This book chapter addresses how artificial intelligence (AI) engages in lying behavior in service encounters when customers interact with it when booking trips, investing money, or using customer service. The chapter concerns how AI learns from human behavior and how it practices the ethics of humans in service encounters. We identify three types of lying behavior from AI: (a) hallucinatory lying behavior, (b) manipulative lying behavior, and (c) directed lying behavior. Further, we show that mechanical AI, thinking AI, and feeling AI engage in these behaviors to different extents. By becoming familiar with concepts such as corporate digital responsibility and AI lying behavior, managers of service firms will be better equipped to provide service in the future.
The Cultivated Practices of Text-to-Image Generation
Authors: Oppenlaender Jonas
Published: October 2024

Humankind is entering a novel creative era in which anybody can synthesise digital information using generative artificial intelligence (AI). Text-to-image generation, in particular, has become vastly popular and millions of practitioners produce AI-generated images and AI art online. This chapter first gives an overview of the key developments that enabled a healthy co-creative online ecosystem around text-to-image generation to rapidly emerge, followed by a high-level description of key elements in this ecosystem. A particular focus is placed on prompt engineering, a creative practice that has been embraced by the AI art community. It is then argued that the emerging co-creative ecosystem constitutes an intelligent system on its own—a system that both supports human creativity, but also potentially entraps future generations and limits future development efforts in AI. The chapter discusses the potential risks and dangers of cultivating this co-creative ecosystem, such as the bias inherent in today’s training data, potential quality degradation in future image generation systems due to synthetic data becoming common place, and the potential long-term effects of text-to-image generation on people’s imagination, ambitions, and development.
Social Robot Design and the Aesthetics of Imperfection
Authors: Rousi Rebekah , Haimes Paul
Published: October 2024

Humans are, by nature and nurture, flawed from the outset in a variety of physical and socio-psychological ways. Humans strive however, to achieve perfection within themselves and phenomena around them. Human imperfection can be seen as an impetus behind all technological development. Technology augments human abilities and compensates for limitations. From an aesthetic perspective, little has been said about the role of imperfection and its connection to spirituality in human-robot interaction. The influence that spirituality has on aesthetic experience, and particularly the perception of imperfection seems greatly neglected in contemporary human-technology discourse. In this chapter, the authors explain the potential for instrumental aesthetic imperfection through the lens of Japanese philosophy and Christianity by drawing on Kierkegaard’s three stages of life in light of human-technology interaction paradigms, practical design considerations and Wabi-Sabi.
Gewichtsentwicklung in den ersten 10 Lebensjahren in Tirol
Authors: Müller Valentina , Ndayisaba Jean-Pierre , Scholl-Bürgi Sabine , Karall Daniela
Published: October 2024

Hintergrund

Übergewicht und Adipositas stellen v. a. im Kindesalter ein gesundheitspolitisches Problem dar. Mit Daten aus der Erhebung „Ernährung des Säuglings und Kleinkindes in Tirol“ von 2009 bot sich eine Analyse der Gewichtsentwicklung an, um Einflüsse auf den Gewichtsverlauf in den ersten Lebensjahren zu verstehen und eine Grundlage für präventivmedizinische Maßnahmen zu schaffen.

Methodik

Von den ursprgl. 555 in die Erhebung eingeschlossenen Kindern standen von 209 Daten aus Fragebogenerhebungen der ersten 2 Lebensjahre sowie im Alter von 7-9 Jahren zur Verfügung. Der Fokus lag auf der Verteilung des Body-Mass-Index (BMI) sowie der Untersuchung möglicher früher Einflussfaktoren auf die Entwicklung einer Adipositas. Es wurden der elterliche BMI, das Geburtsgewicht, die frühkindliche Gewichtszunahme, das Stillverhalten und weitere potenziell beeinflussende Faktoren betrachtet.

Ergebnisse

Im Alter von 7-9 Jahren sind 6,2 % der Kinder übergewichtig, 2,4 % adipös mit einem BMI über der 97. Perzentile, 79,9 % der Kinder sind normalgewichtig (10.-90. Perzentile). Untergewicht ist bei 11,5 % der Kinder nachweisbar, 5,8 % mit einem BMI unter der 3er-Perzentile. Als beeinflussende Faktoren sind der elterliche BMI und die Geburtsperzentile signifikant. Weitere Faktoren zeigten keinen signifikanten Einfluss.

Diskussion

Je niedriger die geburtliche Perzentile, desto höher die Wahrscheinlichkeit, im Alter von ca. 10 Jahren untergewichtig zu sein, bzw. je höher die Geburtsperzentile, desto größer das Risiko, an Adipositas zu erkranken. Daher sollten Interventionen zur Vermeidung von Übergewicht bereits das vorgeburtliche Stadium umfassen. Nur unter Einbeziehung der Eltern, deren Verhalten den Gewichtsverlauf ihrer Kinder beeinflusst, kann eine sinnvolle Prävention von Übergewicht und Adipositas erfolgen.
Statistical models for classification by handedness of Olympic Trap shooters in digital training services and remote coaching
Authors: Zanardelli Riccardo , Carpita Maurizio , Manisera Marica
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we address the problem of classification by handedness of Olympic Trap shooters applying statistical methods to newly available data gathered from the field. We assess the performance of binary classification models based on KNN and Binary Regression, with both symmetric and asymmetric link functions, in a context characterized by unbalanced data. Our results show promising classification performance, suitable for first non-critical applications in data driven training services and remote coaching, encouraging further future research.
Equidistribution of non-uniformly stretching translates of shrinking smooth curves and weighted Dirichlet approximation
Authors: Shah Nimish A. , Yang Pengyu
Published: October 2024

Consider the action of $$a_t=\textrm{diag}(e^{nt},e^{-r_1(t)},\ldots ,e^{-r_n(t)})\in \textrm{SL}(n+1,{\mathbb {R}})$$

a
t

=
diag

(

e

nt

,

e

-

r
1

(
t
)

,
…
,

e

-

r
n

(
t
)

)

∈
SL

(
n
+
1
,
R
)

, where $$r_i(t)\rightarrow \infty $$

r
i

(
t
)

→
∞

for each i, on the space of unimodular lattices in $${\mathbb {R}}^{n+1}$$

R

n
+
1

. We show that $$a_t$$

a
t

-translates of segments of size $$e^{-t}$$

e

-
t

about all except countably many points of a nondegenerate smooth horospherical curve get equidistributed in the space as $$t\rightarrow \infty $$

t
→
∞

. This result implies that the weighted Dirichlet approximation theorem cannot be improved for almost all points on any nondegenerate $$C^{2n}$$

C

2
n

curve in $${\mathbb {R}}^n$$

R

n

. These results extend the corresponding results for translates of fixed pieces of analytic curves due to Shah (2010) as well as those for uniform translates of shrinking curves due to Shah and Yang (2023), and answer some questions inspired by the work of Davenport and Schmidt (1969) and Kleinbock and Weiss (2008).
Toric configuration spaces: the bipermutahedron and beyond
Authors: Nabijou Navid
Published: October 2024

We establish faithful tropicalisation for point configurations on algebraic tori. Building on ideas from enumerative geometry, we introduce tropical scaffolds and use them to construct a system of modular fan structures on the tropical configuration spaces. The corresponding toric varieties provide modular compactifications of the algebraic configuration spaces, with boundary parametrising transverse configurations on tropical expansions. The rubber torus, used to identify equivalent configurations, plays a key role. As an application, we obtain a modular interpretation for the bipermutahedral variety.
Diacerein and myo-inositol alleviate letrozole-induced PCOS via modulation of HMGB1, SIRT1, and NF-kB: A comparative study
Authors: Khodir Suzan A. , Sweed Eman , Motawea Shaimaa Mohamed , Al-Gholam Marwa A. , Elnaidany Sherin Sobhy , Dayer Mohamed Zakaria Sayer , Ameen Omnia
Published: October 2024

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent cause of anovulatory infertility in women. Myo-inositol supplementation has displayed effectiveness in curing PCOS patients. Diacerein, an anti-inflammatory medication, has not been extensively studied in the context of reproductive disorders. This study aimed to compare the role of myo-inositol and diacerein in PCOS and the probable mechanisms mediating their actions. Forty adult female rats were divided equally into the following: control, PCOS, PCOS+Myo-inositol, and PCOS+Diacerein groups. Rats were subjected to arterial blood pressure (ABP), electromyography (EMG), and uterine reactivity measurements. Blood samples were collected for measuring hormonal assays, glycemic state, lipid profile, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers. Ovaries and uteri were extracted for histological examination, including hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson’s trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry, and rt-PCR analysis of ovarian tissues. PCOS was associated with significant increases in ABP, uterine frequency and amplitude of contraction, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, lipid, glycemic and inflammatory markers, malondialdehyde, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), nuclear factor kappa (NF-kB), ovarian fibrosis, and endometrial thickening. In contrast, there was a significant reduction in follicular stimulating hormone, reduced glutathione, and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) when compared with control group. Both myo-inositol and diacerein counteract PCOS changes; but diacerein’s effects were superior to myo-inositol’s for all parameters, except for lipid and glycemic markers. Diacerein possessed anti-inflammatory properties and showed significant efficacy in mitigating the endocrinal, metabolic, and ovarian structural alterations linked to PCOS. Its beneficial actions likely stem from reducing oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia, potentially through the modulation of HMGB1, SIRT1, and NF-kB pathways.
Pyrazolyl amide-chalcones conjugates: Synthesis and antikinetoplastid activity
Authors: Agarwal Devesh S. , Beteck Richard M. , Mabille Dorien , Caljon Guy , Legoabe Lesetja J.
Published: October 2024

A series of novel pyrazolyl amide-chalcones conjugates was synthesized in five steps and evaluated against a range of medically important kinetoplastid parasites including Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Leishmania infantum. In addition, the series was also tested for in vitro cytotoxicity activity against human lung fibroblasts and primary mouse macrophages. Among all synthetised compounds, 9b was found to be the most active against T. b. brucei with an IC50 value of 0.51 ± 0.06 μM. Against T. b. rhodesiense, 9n was found to be the most potent with an IC50 value of 0.46 ± 0.07 μM. While against L. infantum, 9a was found to be most active with an IC50 value of 7.16 ± 1.88 μM. Based on the results and SAR, further modifications will be carried out to increase potency.

Graphical Abstract
Notaufnahmevorstellungen von älteren Menschen mit Sturz
Authors: Koppelkamm Lilly , Meyer Gabriele , von Arnim Ulrike , Beutner Katrin
Published: October 2024

Hintergrund

Die demografische Entwicklung führt zu einer steigenden Inanspruchnahme des Gesundheitssystems durch ältere Menschen. Eine der häufigsten Ursachen für die Vorstellung im Krankenhaus von Menschen über 65 Jahren stellen Stürze dar.

Ziel der Arbeit

Ziel der Studie ist die Charakterisierung und Analyse des konsekutiven Verbleibs von älteren Menschen, die nach einem Sturz in der Notaufnahme vorstellig werden.

Methodik

Es erfolgte eine Sekundärdatenanalyse von Routinedaten aus einem maximalversorgenden Krankenhaus über den Zeitraum eines Jahres (Januar bis Dezember 2022) mit deskriptiver Datenanalyse. In die Analyse eingeschlossen wurden alle Patient*innen, die ≥65 Jahre alt waren und aufgrund eines Sturzgeschehens in der Notaufnahme vorstellig wurden.

Ergebnisse

Im Jahr 2022 wurden 18.839 Patient*innen ≥65 Jahre in der Notaufnahme behandelt, 16 % davon aufgrund eines Sturzes. Frauen sind mit 63 % in der Studienkohorte häufiger vertreten, 42 % der Patient*innen waren 85 Jahre oder älter. Nur 36 % der Vorstellenden wurden stationär aufgenommen, wobei Patient*innen, die mit dem Rettungsdienst kamen, signifikant häufiger stationär verblieben. Eine durch das Trauma bedingte Diagnose bestand bei 43 % der Patient*innen. Bei 15 % fand eine Operation statt, am häufigsten an den unteren Extremitäten.

Diskussion

Stürze stellen einen relevanten Vorstellungsgrund in Notaufnahmen bei älteren Menschen dar, häufig besteht keine traumatologische Therapieindikation. Auffallend ist der hohe Anteil an ambulant behandelten Patient*innen, bei denen unklar bleibt, ob und wie sich eine Weiterversorgung gestaltet. Weitere Forschung ist nötig, um Potenziale für verbesserte Behandlungsabläufe, insbesondere bei ambulant Behandelten, zu identifizieren.
Die Überleitungsvorschriften des neuen Windenergieplanungsrechts in §245e BauGB – Systematik und offene Fragen
Authors: Kümper Boas
Published: October 2024

Nachdem durch das sog. Wind-an-Land-Gesetz vom 20. Juli 2022 ein neues Windenergieplanungsrecht
geschaffen wurde, welches die bislang vielfach praktizierte sog. Konzentrationsflächenplanung mit
Ausschlusswirkung nach §35 Abs. 3 S. 3 BauGB durch eine reine “Positivplanung” ablöste,
ist der erfolgreiche weitere Ausbau der Windenergienutzung – soll er sich nicht ungesteuert und gleichsam
“planlos” vollziehen – darauf angewiesen, die bestehenden Konzentrationspläne in
das neue Recht zu integrieren. Zugleich soll das Kernanliegen des Wind-an-Land-Gesetzes – die Intensivierung
der Windenergienutzung und eine möglichst rasche Bereitstellung geeigneter Flächen – ohne
Verzögerung umgesetzt werden. Zu diesen Zwecken hält §245e BauGB verschiedene “Überleitungsvorschriften”
bereit, die im Folgenden systematisch aufbereitet werden sollen.
The deterrence effect of criminal sanctions against environmental crime in Finland: an application of the rational choice model of crime
Authors: Lindqvist Riku , Lombardini Chiara , Suvantola Leila , Ollikainen Markku
Published: October 2024

Applying the rational choice model of crime, this study estimates the optimality of sanctions for environmental crimes, the social cost of these crimes and the expected gain to the offender with Finnish court data from 327 criminal cases in the period 2013–2018. Sensitivity analyses are conducted for the optimal fine, the expected gain from the crime and its social cost. The time-lag and uncertainties related to the restoration of the environmental harm are explicitly included in the model and the empirical analysis. The average fine was much lower than the optimal fine even when taking into account the constraint posed by the offenders’ wealth and disregarding the time-lag and uncertainties related to the restoration of the environmental harm. The use of prison sentences was also suboptimal. Even when the illegal gain was fully forfeited, the expected gain from the crime to the offender remained positive. Our results suggest a need to increase the cost of punishment by higher fines and reliable forfeiture of the illegal economic gain. They also point to the importance of systematically estimating both the environmental damage and the illegal gain from the crime as these were available respectively for only 24% (N = 79) and 3% (N = 11) of all cases.
HaloClass: Salt-Tolerant Protein Classification with Protein Language Models
Authors: Narang Kush , Nath Abhigyan , Hemstrom William , Chu Simon K. S.
Published: October 2024

Salt-tolerant proteins, also known as halophilic proteins, have unique adaptations to function in high-salinity environments. These proteins have naturally evolved in extremophilic organisms, and more recently, are being increasingly applied as enzymes in industrial processes. Due to an abundance of salt-tolerant sequences and a simultaneous lack of experimental structures, most computational methods to predict stability are sequence-based only. These approaches, however, are hindered by a lack of structural understanding of these proteins. Here, we present HaloClass, an SVM classifier that leverages ESM-2 protein language model embeddings to accurately identify salt-tolerant proteins. On a newer and larger test dataset, HaloClass outperforms existing approaches when predicting the stability of never-before-seen proteins that are distal to its training set. Finally, on a mutation study that evaluated changes in salt tolerance based on single- and multiple-point mutants, HaloClass outperforms existing approaches, suggesting applications in the guided design of salt-tolerant enzymes.
An Improved YOLOv9 and Its Applications for Detecting Flexible Circuit Boards Connectors
Authors: Huang Gengjie , Huang Yinbing , Li Haoyang , Guan Ziwen , Li Xuecong , Zhang Guidong , Li Wendong , Zheng Xiran
Published: October 2024

Flexible circuit boards are a cornerstone of the modern electronics industry. In automatic defect detection, FPC connectors present challenges such as minimal differences between oxidation defects and the background, easy degradation of Intersection over Union (IoU) scores, and significant variations in the shapes of black defect boundaries. Consequently, existing algorithms perform poorly in this task. We improve model YOLOv9 by introducing Multi-scale Dilated Attention (MSDA) on the output side to enhance the ability to capture features, and Deformable Large Kernel Attention (DLKA) on the other side of the output header to improve the ability to adapt to complex defect boundaries. Our use ofIoUloss completely eliminates the risk ofIoUdegradation or gradient vanishing. Furthermore, we reduce computational overhead with the implementation of Faster Block. Following these improvements, the mean Average Precision (mAP) at 75%IoU(mAP75) for oxidized defects increased by 7.5% relative to the base model. Similarly, the mAP at 50%IoU(mAP50) for black defects increased by 5.7%, validating the relevance and efficacy of our proposed improvements. Overall, the average mAP50, mAP75, and mAP50:95 for all defects improved by 3.8%, 2.0%, and 2.3%, respectively. The performance gain achieved by our enhanced model significantly exceeds the improvement of YOLOv9 relative to YOLOv8.
Birationally rigid Fano-Mori fibre spaces
Authors: Pukhlikov Aleksandr
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we prove the birational rigidity of Fano-Mori fibre spaces

$\pi \colon V\to S$

, every fibre of which is a Fano complete intersection of index 1 and codimension

$k\geqslant 3$

in the projective space

${\mathbb P}^{M+k}$

for M sufficiently high, satisfying certain natural conditions of general position, in the assumption that the fibre space

$V/S$

is sufficiently twisted over the base. The dimension of the base S is bounded from above by a constant, depending only on the dimension M of the fibre (as the dimension of the fibre M grows, this constant grows as

$\frac 12 M^2$

).
The global plastics treaty: understanding the present to guide the future
Authors: de Sousa Fabiula Danielli Bastos
Published: October 2024

To mitigate plastic pollution, Resolution 5/14 of the United Nations Environment Assembly established an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) tasked with negotiating the Global Plastics Treaty, an ambitious treaty expected to take effect in 2025. This treaty’s success in effectively reducing plastic pollution will depend on the ongoing work of the committee and the existing literature. Herein, I review the literature on the Global Plastics Treaty based on a search of the Web of Science. The data were analyzed, mapped and discussed in depth. The literature indicates an interdisciplinary nature, where Environmental Sciences/Ecology and Government Law are the subject areas with the highest contribution. Plastic pollution is a prominent emerging trend and research topic. Notable gaps include the need for stronger connections among the various directions in the literature and limited collaboration among authors. This work may serve as a basis for other researchers aiming to enhance the literature on the Global Plastics Treaty.
Accelerator mass spectrometer facility for heritage radiocarbon dating at NRICH, Korea
Authors: Kong Min-Ji , Park Sujin , Kim Youngeun
Published: October 2024

In 2021, the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage (NRICH) installed a new accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) to date Korean national heritage. Before conducting radiocarbon dating, the facility was set up and its performance was assessed. AMS system parameters have been optimized. Measurement of standard and blank samples was verified. Intercomparison analyses were also performed using heritage samples. The F14C value of NIST 4990C was 1.3406 and the background level was 0.0024. Both IAEA-C7 and C8 were confirmed to match the reference value within the 1-σ range. The NIST 4990C measurement results confirmed high precision and accuracy, with 1-σ values below 2‰. In the intercomparison, the error for each sample was 2‰. Thus, based on this study, NRICH plans to launch a dating service specializing in cultural heritage.
The Global Enclosure and the Remaking of Peasantries, 1870–1950
Authors: Vanhaute Eric , Bernardi Claudia
Published: October 2024

Peasant transformation has often been framed in dichotomous, linear, and predominantly a-historical models. This article adopts a dynamic perspective and shows how the developments that have often been regarded as constituent to the long-term process of the decline of agriculture and peasant worlds were in fact part of the spread of more diversified labour and income strategies of the peasantries. In the movement towards a worldwide enclosure of the rural worlds after 1870, a global peasantry emerged through a wide range of regional trajectories and narratives. By the first half of the twentieth century, peasant households all over the world had become heavily involved in the capitalist market economy. In this article, we argue that the (re)creation of peasantries as a social group is part of a diverse complex of reciprocal exchanges, regional and extra-regional market transactions, actions of public forces, and social conflict. Also we stress that social class formation should be understood in its specific world-historical co-ordinates using a particular set of transhistorical concepts like (re)peasantization, peasant frontiers, and peasant regimes.
Density and Differentiation: Cities in Global Social History
Authors: Goebel Michael
Published: October 2024

The present article examines the particular role that cities have played, and should play, in global social history. It notes that many of the historiographical discussions that in the past years have addressed the reach and limits of the bourgeoisie and the middle class as a globalized social formation have implicitly focused on cities. It also notes that these discussions have often not been very forthcoming in explicitly acknowledging this urban focus. From this starting point, the present article ponders the implications and ramifications of making this focus more explicit. What do we conclude from the observation that the ‘global bourgeoisie’ or the ‘global middle class’, inasmuch as they existed at all, were quintessentially urban formations? And what do these conclusions, conversely, entail for the field of urban history? Highlighting density and differentiation as key traits of the urban form, the article ultimately argues for greater attention to the spatiality and to the built environment of class formation in global history.
Banditry in Global Social History
Authors: Fuoli Francesca
Published: October 2024

Eric Hobsbawm argued that banditry was an archaic and pre-political phenomenon that emerged simultaneously and with striking intensity in different regions around the world during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. While it has often been seen as marginal in global histories, banditry provides an essential gateway to the study of modern history from a global perspective. Drawing on different regional case studies, this article approaches the similarities and connections that ran through different instances of banditry in terms of their inclusion within the global dynamics of imperial expansion, capitalism, and the developing notions of territoriality and sovereignty. It argues that the ubiquitous presence of banditry in this period was propelled by the deep-running changes to local relations of class, economy, and power that resulted from these accelerating global dynamics. Bandits emerged as the expression of rural communities in all their complexity and were able to negotiate their place within the rapidly evolving societies of this period. Far from being victims, bandits were key agents who navigated change, adaptation, and resistance in the modern world. In this sense, banditry was a powerful expression of the different ways in which rural communities interacted, negotiated, and clashed with the global.
A Man for All Seasons: Mosaddeq's Image and Legacy in Contemporary Iran
Authors: Hendelman-Baavur Liora
Published: October 2024

The unwavering commitment of the people to the leadership of the Islamic Revolution, coupled with the willingness of political elites to demonstrate selflessness and sacrifice, can effectively thwart any potential colonial ambitions that might once again threaten the nation. The historical backdrop of the 28 Mordad coup (August 19) serves as a valuable lesson for the years to come in our country. Much like how colonialists were defeated during the uprisings of the 30 Tir (July 21), the 25 Mordad (16 August), and the events of the autumn of 2022, this legacy of resistance and resilience can endure into the future.

If seventy years ago, foreigners orchestrated the tragic coup on the 28 Mordad 1332 (August 19, 1953) against the Iranian people, today, the rulers of Iran have instigated a new coup against the happiness and rightful demands of the people. . . . Do the rulers not learn from the consequences of the 28 Mordad coup, which resulted in the 1979 Revolution?

The seventieth anniversary of the 1953 coup d’état that toppled the government of Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddeq prompted a moment of reflection in Iran, shedding light on a pivotal chapter in the country's modern history. The two quotations presented above, each in its distinctive way, invoke the profound and enduring consequences of those tumultuous years while drawing pertinent connections to contemporary circumstances. They establish a link between the fateful events leading to the coup and the 2022 surge of civil unrest and waves of protests under the slogan Women, Life, Freedom (Zan, Zendegi, Azadi), sparked by the tragic death of Jina Mahsa Amini in police custody that September after she was arrested for violating the Islamic Republic's dress code. Each quotation reflects a continuity of collective memory and the use of historical narratives to shape current perspectives.
Clinical efficacy of tobramycin dexamethasone eye ointment combined with a catheter in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy
Authors: Hu Hailin , Bi Xiaoping , Li Yimin , Wang Junfang , Shi Wodong
Published: October 2024

Objective

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of tobramycin dexamethasone eye ointment combined with a catheter in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

Methods

Eighty chronic dacryocystitis patients were randomly divided into two groups: observation (n = 39) and control (n = 41). Both groups underwent endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. The observation group used tobramycin dexamethasone eye ointment and catheter support, while the control group used only the eye ointment.

Results

No statistical differences were found in gender, age, disease course or eye type. However, the anastomotic formation time and bleeding amount were significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.001). After six months of follow up, there were no significant complications differences (p > 0.05). The fluorescein disappearance test time in the observation group was significantly shorter (p < 0.001), and the clinical effective rate was significantly higher (97.4 per cent vs 78 per cent, p < 0.05) in the observation group.

Conclusion

Using tobramycin dexamethasone eye ointment combined with a catheter slightly prolongs the operation time and increases bleeding, but promotes anastomotic healing, accelerates tear drainage, improves the operation success rate and is economically efficient.
The many faces of natural theology: Diverse projects, distinct roles, and the pursuit of clarity
Authors: Baker-Hytch Max , Mallary Mitchell D.
Published: October 2024

The term ‘natural theology’ provokes a variety of reactions, spanning from whole-hearted endorsement to passionate rejection. Charged as it is with polemical and pejorative undertones, this debate begs for an intervention. If the scholarly community is to engage constructively with the concept and practice of natural theology – either by way of acceptance, rejection, or something in between – clarity in its definition and identification is imperative. The aim of this paper is to try to shed some light on three of the most common definitions of ‘natural theology’ in contemporary scholarship, to provide clarity about the ways in which they differ, and to propose some conceptual refinements in the hope that, if adopted, more fruitful discourse may take place in relation to this much-debated and interdisciplinary phrase.
Semantic feature salience matters: new values of significance and relative weight for the Spanish feature norms for young and older adults
Authors: Vivas Leticia , Yerro Avincetto Matías , Romanelli Sofía , Lizarralde Francisco , Vivas Jorge Ricardo
Published: October 2024

To determine the semantic importance of certain features has been a topic of interest for many semantic memory models. Diverse measures have been proposed in the last years. Semantic significance, the latest measure proposed by Montefinese and colleagues, is both sophisticated and comprehensive. Given the cultural and linguistic variability of semantic measures, this study presents values of significance and relative weight for the Spanish-speaking population corresponding to 400 concrete concepts. First, we presented data for both young and older adults. Second, we assessed the effect of significance on response times in two speeded feature verification tasks. Third, we compared significance values with the existing Italian significance norms. To evaluate the effect of significance to predict response times, two speeded verification tasks (Experiment 1 and 2) were carried out, selecting a total of a 130 concepts for analysis. In Experiment 1, subjects were presented with a feature followed by a concept, while in Experiment 2, the order of stimulus presentation was reversed (i.e., the concept was presented before the feature). An independent linear mixed model showed that significance was a good predictor of response latencies in Experiments 1 and 2. Moreover, results revealed a strong positive correlation between the Spanish and Italian significance values. Findings are discussed in terms of recent theories of semantic cognition.
The body politic has private parts: market creation as a policymaking tool
Authors: Sankaran Kirun
Published: October 2024

Philosophical arguments about government contracting either categorically oppose it on legitimacy grounds or see it as largely anodyne. I argue for a normatively distinct kind of contracting – the advance market commitment, or AMC – and show that it is justified by the same liberal values that justify the welfare state.
Dietary pattern transition and its nutrient intakes and diet quality among Japanese population: results from the 2003–2019 National Survey
Authors: Sakai Yui , Rahayu Yen Yen Sally , Zhao Yajie , Araki Tetsuya
Published: October 2024

Objective:

While many Asian countries undergo dietary transitions, little is known about Japan’s dietary pattern changes and their impact on nutritional intake. We aimed to examine 17-year trends in dietary patterns and nutrient intakes in Japan.

Design:

Principal component analysis was used to derive dietary patterns. The nutrient intake of subjects with principal component scores in the highest quartiles of each dietary pattern was assessed using the NRF9·3, which is a scale that evaluates the entire diet in terms of nutrient density.

Setting:

Japan.

Participants:

We used data from the National Survey 2003–2019 (67 066 women, 55 133 men).

Results:

Two common dietary patterns were identified in both sexes: the ‘Japanese style’ and the ‘bread and dairy’ pattern. Additionally, two other patterns: ‘meat and oil’ and ‘noodles’, were pronounced in men. Over the 17 years, the scores of the ‘Japanese style’ pattern decreased while the ‘meat and oil’ and the ‘bread and dairy’ patterns increased. The nutrition assessment result showed that the highest quartiles of the ‘Japanese style’ pattern had higher NRF scores (women: 716·0, men: 670·5) (P < 0·001), whereas those of the ‘bread and dairy’ pattern had a lower score (636·9 in women, 661·2 in men) (P < 0·001).

Conclusions:

Trend analysis in this study suggests the ongoing Westernisation of diet in Japan. A decreasing trend of the dietary pattern with the most preferable nutrient profile (i.e. the ‘Japanese style’) might indicate a potential decrease in beneficial nutrient intake and, thus, a deterioration of the nutritional status of the Japanese population.
Procedural fairness to recalibrate the power imbalance in health decision-making: comment on the report: ‘Open and inclusive: Fair processes for financing universal health coverage’
Authors: Rajan Dheepa , Rouffy-Ly Benjamin
Published: October 2024

The policy-making process for health financing in most places lacks equity, failing to adequately consider the voices of ordinary citizens, residents, and especially those facing significant disadvantage. Procedural fairness is about addressing this imbalance, which requires a recalibration of power dynamics, ensuring that decision-making incorporates a more diverse range of perspectives. In this comment, we highlight the important contributions made by the report ‘Open and inclusive: Fair processes for financing universal health coverage’ in furthering the understanding and importance of procedural fairness in health financing decision-making especially as it relates to the three sub-functions of financing – revenue raising, pooling, and purchasing. We also argue for the importance of conceptual clarity – especially as to the added value of procedural fairness vis-à-vis accountability – and critically review the proposed framework for procedural fairness, emphasising the role of voice as the linchpin to advancing equity in influence.
Psychometric Properties of a German Version of the Emotion Regulation	Questionnaire-Short Form (ERQ-S)
Authors: Sahm Alexander H. J. , Burghart Matthias , Wolber Alexander , Lipinski Leonie , Stumpp Sarah , Büchele Natascha , Schmidt Stephanie N. L. , Odenwald Michael , Bulla Jan , Mier Daniela
Published: October 2024

Abstract: The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-Short Form (ERQ-S) may offer a psychometrically sound and time-efficient alternative to the original ERQ. We analyzed data of 315 participants from the community, as well as of 153 patients (forensic inpatients, patients with schizophrenia, and patients with alcohol use disorder). Our results support the reliability, factorial validity, and concurrent validity of the ERQ-S. With an additional English-speaking sample, we found metric measurement invariance of the ERQ-S. This provides researchers in German-speaking countries with a new, more economical measure of emotion regulation.
Land and Atmospheric Drivers of the 2023 Flood in India
Authors: Kushwaha Anuj Prakash , Solanki Hiren , Vegad Urmin , Mahto Shanti Shwarup , Mishra Vimal
Published: October 2024

Floods in India are recurring natural disasters resulting from extreme precipitation during the summer monsoon season (June–September). The recent flood in North India in July 2023 caused substantial damage to lives, agriculture, and infrastructure. However, what led to the 2023 North India flood and the role of atmospheric and land drivers still need to be examined. Using in situ observations, satellite data, and ERA5 reanalysis combined with hydrological and hydrodynamical modeling, we examine the role of land and atmospheric drivers in flood occurrence and its impacts. Extreme precipitation in a large region during 7–10 July 2023 created favorable conditions for the flood in the hilly terrains and plains of north India. More than 300 mm of precipitation fell in just 4 days, which was eight times higher than the long‐term average (2001–2022). Anomalously high moisture transport over northern India was recorded on 7 July 2023, making atmospheric conditions favorable for intense landfall. Increased column water vapor and specific humidity at different pressure levels confirmed the continuous moisture presence before the extreme rainfall that caused floods in northern India from 7 to 12 July 2023. Atmospheric and land (high antecedent soil moisture) conditions contributed to a more than 200% rise in streamflow at several gauge stations. Satellite‐based flood extent shows a considerable flood inundation that caused damage in the Sutlej and Yamuna River basins. Our findings highlight the crucial role of the favorable land and atmospheric conditions that caused floods and flash floods in north India in July 2023.
Role of Initial Conditions and Meteorological Drought in Soil Moisture Drought Propagation: An Event‐Based Causal Analysis Over South Asia
Authors: Gupta Amitesh , Karthikeyan L.
Published: October 2024

The role of meteorological droughts and initial conditions (land and atmosphere) in soil moisture drought (SMD) propagation are not yet fully understood. This work uses a drought event‐based causal framework to investigate the relative importance of meteorological drought (MD) duration and intensity and initial conditions that result in surface and rootzone SMD, considering their event‐level propagation time (PT) over South Asia. Initially, spatial variability of drought propagation is assessed by the Propagation Ratio (PR) computed based on MD counts that trigger SMD at various lags. PR depicts 2–3 months slower rootzone propagation than at surface. The gradual decrease in PR with increasing regional aridity indicates faster propagation over humid regions. The causal impact of initial conditions and MD parameters on propagating SMD are evaluated using normalized mutual information and a newly proposed normalized conditional mutual information. We found greater importance of triggering MD parameters followed by initial soil moisture condition on propagating SMD. This behavior is more evident for the surface layer propagation at shorter PT. There is a confounding effect of initial atmospheric conditions on drought propagation through initial soil moisture, depicting the significance of land‐atmosphere interactions prior to propagation. In the rootzone propagation, initial soil moisture has a greater influence on propagation, especially at longer PT, indicating the significance of soil moisture persistence. Stronger causal links obtained through the joint influence of MD parameters on SMD suggest the importance of accounting for MD duration and intensity simultaneously, which are not considered in drought index‐based propagation studies.
Ultra-compact dual-channel integrated CO2 infrared gas sensor
Authors: Feng Liyang , Liu Yanxiang , Wang Yi , Zhou Hong , Lu Zhongming , Li Tie
Published: October 2024

Expiratory CO2 concentrations can directly reflect human physiological conditions, and their detection is highly important in the treatment and rehabilitation of critically ill patients. Existing respiratory gas analyzers suffer from large sizes and high power consumption due to the limitations of the internal CO2 sensors, which prevent them from being wearable to track active people. The internal and external interference and sensitivity limitations must be overcome to realize wearable respiratory monitoring applications for CO2 sensors. In this work, an ultra-compact CO2 sensor was developed by integrating a microelectromechanical system emitter and thermopile detectors with an optical gas chamber; the power consumption of the light source and ambient temperature of the thermally sensitive devices were reduced by heat transfer control; the time to reach stabilization of the sensor was shortened; the humidity resistance of the sensor was improved by a dual-channel design; the light loss of the sensor was compensated by improving the optical coupling efficiency, which was combined with the amplitude trimming network to equivalently improve the sensitivity of the sensor. The minimum size of the developed sensor was 12 mm × 6 mm × 4 mm, and the reading error was <4% of the reading from −20 °C to 50 °C. The minimum power consumption of the sensor was ~33 mW, and the response time and recovery time were 10 s (@1 Hz), and the sensor had good humidity resistance, stability, and repeatability. These results indicate that the CO2 sensor developed using this strategy has great potential for wearable respiratory monitoring applications.
Four ribbons of double-layer graphene suspending masses for NEMS applications
Authors: Fan Xuge , He Chang , Ding Jie , Afyouni Akbari Sayedeh Shirin , Zhang Wendong
Published: October 2024

Graphene ribbons with a suspended proof mass for nanomechanical systems have been rarely studied. Here, we report three types of nanomechanical devices consisting of graphene ribbons (two ribbons, four ribbons-cross and four ribbons-parallel) with suspended Si proof masses and studied their mechanical properties. The resonance frequencies and built-in stresses of three types of devices ranged from tens of kHz to hundreds of kHz, and from 82.61 MPa to 545.73 MPa, respectively, both of which decrease with the increase of the size of proof mass. The devices with four graphene ribbons featured higher resonance frequencies and spring constants, but lower built-in stresses than two ribbon devices under otherwise identical conditions. The Young’s modulus and fracture strain of double-layer graphene were measured to be 0.34 TPa and 1.13% respectively, by using the experimental data and finite element analysis (FEA) simulations. Our studies would lay the foundation for understanding of mechanical properties of graphene ribbons with a suspended proof mass and their potential applications in nanoelectromechanical systems.