bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Double refractive particle tracking and sizing
Authors: König Jörg , Cierpka Christian
Published: October 2024

We present a novel bifocal imaging method enabling three-dimensional particle tracking and size determination employing a single camera only. The method is based on double refraction causing a particle to be imaged twice, each particle image of different blur. From these double images, a linear calibration function can be derived allowing to determine the three-dimensional particle position unambiguously over the entire depth of measurement volume. As this calibration function is independent of the particle size used, the particle size can be determined simultaneously by relating size of the double images and depth position of the particle. To prove the applicability, a co-laminar flow of two particle suspensions with particles of 1.14 $$\upmu$$
μ
m and 2.47 $$\upmu$$
μ
m in diameter was measured in a Y-shaped microchannel. While the laminar flow field was measured with very low uncertainty and independent of the particle size, the particle size distributions determined reproduced reliably the size distributions expected for the co-laminar flow applied, with a precision of about 98.6 $$\%$$
%
regarding the particle size discrimination. The progress for research is a new method readily to implement in common optical setups, promising, for example, valuable insights in polydisperse suspension flows—the vast majority of flows in fundamental research and applications.

Graphical abstract
Family planning after transplantation: sex- and organ-related differences in the perception of medical counseling and social challenges
Authors: Schirm Nina , Böhm Lea , Zimmermann Tanja , Meyer Nadia , von Versen-Höynck Frauke
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Transplant patients are increasingly of childbearing age. Organ-related health as well as pregnancy-related risks require a standardized approach to family planning counseling. The aim of this study was to explore sex- and organ-related counseling differences and expectations in family planning to improve counseling services and reduce risks after transplantation.

Methods

The study was designed as a cross-sectional, multi-center cohort study. A total of 251 participants aged between 18 and 45 years with a visceral or thoracic transplant completed a questionnaire on their attitude toward family planning and experience with medical consultation.

Results

More female than male participants had a desire to have children. Males believed their transplantation-related medication had an influence on their fertility, while women worried it could harm their child. Contraceptive counseling was negated by 43.6% of the women and 73.4% of the men. Medical advice regarding family planning was highly requested by both sexes. Women felt more influenced in their family planning than men. Female thoracic organ recipients worried about a pregnancy more than visceral organ recipients. Women showed great awareness for pregnancy-related risks with the majority wanting to plan a pregnancy beforehand.

Conclusion

The findings revealed a lack of contraceptive counseling and a lack of family planning advice by physicians.
Causality and scientific explanation of artificial intelligence systems in biomedicine
Authors: Boge Florian , Mosig Axel
Published: October 2024

With rapid advances of deep neural networks over the past decade, artificial intelligence (AI) systems are now commonplace in many applications in biomedicine. These systems often achieve high predictive accuracy in clinical studies, and increasingly in clinical practice. Yet, despite their commonly high predictive accuracy, the trustworthiness of AI systems needs to be questioned when it comes to decision-making that affects the well-being of patients or the fairness towards patients or other stakeholders affected by AI-based decisions. To address this, the field of explainable artificial intelligence, or XAI for short, has emerged, seeking to provide means by which AI-based decisions can be explained to experts, users, or other stakeholders. While it is commonly claimed that explanations of artificial intelligence (AI) establish the trustworthiness of AI-based decisions, it remains unclear what traits of explanations cause them to foster trustworthiness. Building on historical cases of scientific explanation in medicine, we here propagate our perspective that, in order to foster trustworthiness, explanations in biomedical AI should meet the criteria of being scientific explanations. To further undermine our approach, we discuss its relation to the concepts of causality and randomized intervention. In our perspective, we combine aspects from the three disciplines of biomedicine, machine learning, and philosophy. From this interdisciplinary angle, we shed light on how the explanation and trustworthiness of artificial intelligence relate to the concepts of causality and robustness. To connect our perspective with AI research practice, we review recent cases of AI-based studies in pathology and, finally, provide guidelines on how to connect AI in biomedicine with scientific explanation.
Adolescents and parents’ knowledge of chronic kidney disease: the potential of school-based education
Authors: Nakamura Junko , Kaseda Ryohei , Takeuchi Mizuki , Kitabayashi Kou , Narita Ichiei
Published: October 2024

Background

Preventing the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), reducing the incidence of new dialysis patients, and increasing public awareness about CKD are pivotal in mitigating renal impairment. This study aimed to assess the relevance of kidney disease and CKD knowledge among junior high school students and their parents.

Methods

A questionnaire survey on kidney function and CKD was conducted among students aged 14–15 years and their parents (851 pairs). Parents were also asked about their age, sex, and participation in health checkups.

Results

The study achieved a collection rate of 49.1%, with a valid response rate of 79.7%. Both junior high school students and their parents exhibited limited knowledge about kidney functions, primarily understanding these functions only in terms of waste product excretion and lacking awareness of other functions. A significant positive correlation was observed in awareness of kidney functions between students and their parents. Regarding CKD awareness, only 2.4% of students and 16.5% of parents were knowledgeable about CKD itself, while 18.9% of students and 45.3% of parents were aware of its name only. Importantly, CKD knowledge among both students and parents was associated, with those aware of CKD also demonstrating better understanding of kidney functions.

Conclusion

This study highlights inadequate knowledge among junior high school students and their parents regarding renal function and CKD. A significant correlation was observed in CKD awareness between students and their parents. These findings underscore the need for targeted strategies to enhance public education and awareness about kidney health.
Global aspirations of Chinese universities: towards a world-centred tianxia (all under heaven) imaginary of global higher education?
Authors: Yang Lili , Shen Yuting , Fan Lijun
Published: October 2024

This article explores the global aspirations of Chinese universities by examining the Chinese scholarly conceptualisation of guoji yingxiangli (literally meaning international influence) and its connection to the world-centred idea of tianxia. We interviewed 22 Chinese experts in education and conducted a documentary analysis of relevant Chinese academic publications. Findings show that there is no English equivalence of the Chinese term guoji yingxiangli of universities, which encompasses two aspects: the intrinsic capacity of universities and their external reputation and relations. Chinese universities’ agential pursuit of guoji yingxiangli embodies their commitment to both national ambitions and global common good. The study then argues that the world-centred tianxia imaginary, characterised by interdependency, reciprocity, and diversity, is more effective in explaining the higher education practices and relations in China and globally than methodological globalism or nationalism. It also highlights the need for further research and critical reflections on the tianxia imaginary while calling for reciprocal collaboration, diverse and mutual development, and the production of global common goods among worldwide universities.
Special Joyce structures and hyperkähler metrics
Authors: Tulli Iván
Published: October 2024

Joyce structures were introduced by T. Bridgeland in the context of the space of stability conditions of a three-dimensional Calabi–Yau category and its associated Donaldson–Thomas invariants. In subsequent work, T. Bridgeland and I. Strachan showed that Joyce structures satisfying a certain non-degeneracy condition encode a complex hyperkähler structure on the tangent bundle of the base of the Joyce structure. In this work we give a definition of an analogous structure over an affine special Kähler (ASK) manifold, which we call a special Joyce structure. Furthermore, we show that it encodes a real hyperkähler (HK) structure on the tangent bundle of the ASK manifold, possibly of indefinite signature. Particular examples include the semi-flat HK metric associated to an ASK manifold (also known as the rigid c-map metric) and the HK metrics associated to certain uncoupled variations of BPS structures over the ASK manifold. Finally, we relate the HK metrics coming from special Joyce structures to HK metrics on the total space of algebraic integrable systems.
The role of teacher–child relationships in kindergarten on children’s motivation and reading skills in grade 1
Authors: Hiltunen Vilija , Raiziene Saule , Silinskas Gintautas
Published: October 2024

The main aim of the current study was to investigate the role of teacher–child relationship quality in kindergarten on children’s motivation (interest in reading and task persistence) and reading skills in Grade 1. A total of 231 children (age at baseline 6.8 years; 50.6% girls) completed reading-related tasks and answered questions about their interest in reading. Eighteen kindergarten teachers completed questionnaires about the teacher–child relationship for each child in kindergarten. School psychologists reported on children’s task persistence during tests. A cross-lagged path model analysis revealed that teacher–child conflict in kindergarten predicted lower task persistence and interest in reading at the beginning of Grade 1. In addition, we found two indirect effects of teacher–child conflict in kindergarten on reading skills at the end of Grade 1 via task persistence and interest in reading at the beginning of Grade 1. The current study emphasizes the importance of teacher–child relationship quality in kindergarten and its longitudinal effects on the development of children’s motivation and reading skills in Grade 1.
Robotic microsurgery for pediatric peripheral nerve surgery
Authors: Schäfer Benedikt , Freund Gerrit , Bahm Jörg , Beier Justus P.
Published: October 2024

The technology of microsurgical robotic systems has shown potential benefit during the last decade for a variety of microsurgical procedures, such as vascular anastomoses, lymphatic anastomoses or nerve coaptation. At the same time, peripheral nerve surgery has produced ever more sophisticated nerve transfers in which the smallest nerve structures are connected to each other. Following obstetric brachial plexus injuries, nerve reconstruction surgery is often required in the first few years of life in order to improve the function of the affected arm, including nerve transfers to denervated muscles, which enable reinnervation of target muscles. In pediatric patients, these donor-nerve structures are even smaller than in adults, which further increases the demands to the microsurgeon. In this publication, we show the possible applications, capabilities and limitations of a dedicated microsurgical robotic system for nerve transfers in pediatric patients.
The art of peer reviewing
Authors: Byard Roger W.
Published: October 2024

Peer review of submitted manuscripts refers to the process of sending out papers for evaluation by suitably qualified academics/practitioners working in the same area. After their assessments and recommendations have been addressed by submitting authors editors will decide on whether publication is warranted or not. Unfortunately, ‘peer review’ has achieved a high status in courts without a real understanding of the way that the system works. Given that it has been deemed: ‘a flawed process, full of easily identified defects with little evidence that it works’, greater understanding of the nature of peer review is required. The following paper provides an overview of its strengths and weaknesses.
Synthesis of Stearyl Alcohol/Polyethylene Glycol Hybrids as Water-Repellent Finishes for Cotton/Polyester Blended Fabric
Authors: Fahmy H. M. , Amr A.
Published: October 2024

Nowadays, developing and innovation of new finishing agents that are cost effective, efficient, durable, and safe for the consumer as well as the environment are greatly required by the textile manufactures. In that concern, new stearyl alcohol/polyethylene glycol (SA/PEG) hybrids were synthesized, characterized, and applied as textile finishes to impart cotton/polyester fabric with water repellency. Such hybrids were synthesized by reaction of SA with PEG of molecular weight 1000 or 4000 Da in the presence of ammonium persulfate (APS) as initiator. The optimum conditions of the synthesis reaction are: APS/PEG, 20%; PEG/SA, 15%; reaction temperature, 80 °C and reaction time, 45 min. The synthesized hybrids are self-water dispersible that form oil-in-water stable emulsions. The results indicated that treating cotton/polyester fabric with easy-care finishing formulation containing 60 g/L of dimethyloldihydroxyethylene urea as a cross-linker, and 60 g/L of any of such hybrids emulsions imparts the treated fabric with water repellency, softness, and stiffness properties. Moreover, increasing the PEG molecular weight from 1000 to 4000 Da leads to a reduction in extents of softness and contact angle along with an enhancement in stiffness of treated fabric. Furthermore, the prepared hybrids emulsions-treated fabric samples are durable up to five washing cycles. The FTIR analysis confirmed the chemical structure of the synthesized SA/PEG1000 hybrid. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) revealed that the particles size of SA/PEG4000 hybrid emulsion is in the range of 34–70 nm and reaches to 185 nm in case of the SA/PEG4000 hybrid emulsion. The surface of SA/PEG1000 hybrid emulsion-treated fabric was characterized via scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Construction and sample path properties of Brownian house-moving between two curves
Authors: Ishitani Kensuke , Hatakenaka Daisuke , Suzuki Keisuke
Published: October 2024

This study aims to construct a stochastic process called “Brownian house-moving,” which is a Brownian bridge conditioned to stay between two curves. To construct this process, statements are prepared on the weak convergence of conditioned Brownian motions, conditioned Brownian bridges, and conditioned three-dimensional Bessel bridges. Moreover, the sample path properties of Brownian house-moving are studied as well.
Hermitian solution to constraint system of generalized Sylvester quaternion matrix equations
Authors: Rehman Abdur , Kyrchei Ivan
Published: October 2024

The different systems of Sylvester quaternion matrix equations have prolific functions in system and control. This paper considers a Hermitian solution of a system of Sylvester quaternion matrix equations over a quaternion algebra $$\mathbb {H}$$
H
. If some necessary and sufficient conditions are fulfilled, the general solution to these quaternion matrix equations is expressed by explicit representation formulas in terms of generalized inverses. We provide an algorithm and a numerical example based on the original direct method using determinantal representations of the quaternion Moore–Penrose inverse.
Prospects of the sugarcane industry in Fiji for carbon sequestration and environmental sustainability amidst changing climate: a critical overview
Authors: Kumar Shamal Shasang , Goundar Kaashvi Krishna , Wani Owais Ali , Hassan Shazil Sharfaraz , Kumar Shavneel , Kumar Vinit Vinay
Published: October 2024

Fiji, a South Pacific island nation relies on its longstanding sugarcane industry for economic growth. However, this industry is threatened by climate change (CC), endangering lives and the economy. Sugarcane production has been declining due to changing climate conditions for over a decade. Despite its small carbon (C) footprint, Fiji is actively engaged in global efforts, including leading COP23, to prevent severe CC scenarios. As part of this, Fiji aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE’s) by 2050 through the Paris Agreement. Scientists worldwide are exploring ways to reduce C emissions and boost soil C absorption. Sugarcane, Fiji's oldest and largest cultivated industry has an opportunity to mitigate CC and improve soil sustainability. This can be achieved with proper land use and management. Advanced techniques like plantstone C, residue retention, conservative soil tillage, crop rotation, sugarcane bagasse biochar, and nutrient management practices can increase C in Fiji's soils. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge and advancements that can be attained in the sugarcane industry. It covers various aspects, including the impact of CC in Fiji, the history of the sugar industry, changing industry status, market conditions, challenges, enhancement strategies, and the prospective potential for C sequestration and sustainability in the sugarcane sector. A key research priority is to establish optimal management practices that can increase C storage potential, building on a deeper understanding for greater sustainability in sugarcane production.
Evaluation and lessons learned from the dissemination and implementation science scholars program in the national cancer prevention and control research network
Authors: Friedman Daniela B. , Escoffery Cam , Morrato Elaine H. , Thomson Cynthia A. , Petagna Courtney N. , Hucek Freda Allyson , Wangen Mary , Villalobos Aubrey , Hebert James R. , Noblet Samuel , Sakhuja Mayank , Garcia David O. , Cruz Jennifer L. , Wheeler Stephanie B.
Published: October 2024

Background:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN) has been a leader in cancer-related dissemination & implementation (D&I) science. Given increased demand for D&I research, the CPCRN Scholars Program launched in 2021 to expand the number of practitioners, researchers, and trainees proficient in cancer D&I science methods.

Methods:

The evaluation was informed by a logic model and data collected through electronic surveys. Through an application process (baseline survey), we assessed scholars’ competencies in D&I science domains/subdomains, collected demographic data, and asked scholars to share proposed project ideas. We distributed an exit survey one month after program completion to assess scholars’ experience and engagement with the program and changes in D&I competencies. A follow-up survey was administered to alumni nine months post-program to measure their continued network engagement, accomplishments, and skills.

Results:

Three cohorts completed the program, consisting of 20, 17, and 25 scholars in Years 1-3, respectively. There was a significant increase in the total D&I competency scores for all three cohorts for 4 overarching domains and 43 subdomains (MPre = 1.38 MPost = 1.89). Differences were greatest for the domain of Practice-Based Considerations (0.50 mean difference) and Theory & Analysis (0.47 mean difference). Alumni surveys revealed that scholars appreciated access to D&I-focused webinars, toolkits, and training resources. 80% remain engaged with CPCRN workgroups and investigators.

Conclusions:

Program evaluation with scholars and alumni helped with ongoing quality assurance, introspection, and iterative program adaptation to meet scholars’ needs. This approach is recommended for large-scale capacity-building training programs.
COUNTABLE SPACES, REALCOMPACTNESS, AND THE PSEUDOINTERSECTION NUMBER
Authors: AGOSTINI CLAUDIO , MEDINI ANDREA , ZDOMSKYY LYUBOMYR
Published: October 2024

All spaces are assumed to be Tychonoff. Given a realcompact space X, we denote by

$\mathsf {Exp}(X)$

the smallest infinite cardinal

$\kappa $

such that X is homeomorphic to a closed subspace of

$\mathbb {R}^\kappa $

. Our main result shows that, given a cardinal

$\kappa $

, the following conditions are equivalent:

•

There exists a countable crowded space X such that

$\mathsf {Exp}(X)=\kappa $

.

•

$\mathfrak {p}\leq \kappa \leq \mathfrak {c}$

.

In fact, in the case

$\mathfrak {d}\leq \kappa \leq \mathfrak {c}$

, every countable dense subspace of

$2^\kappa $

provides such an example. This will follow from our analysis of the pseudocharacter of countable subsets of products of first-countable spaces. Finally, we show that a scattered space of weight

$\kappa $

has pseudocharacter at most

$\kappa $

in any compactification. This will allow us to calculate

$\mathsf {Exp}(X)$

for an arbitrary (that is, not necessarily crowded) countable space X.
THE SHAPE OF COMPACT COVERS
Authors: FENG ZIQIN , GARTSIDE PAUL
Published: October 2024

For a space X let

$\mathcal {K}(X)$

be the set of compact subsets of X ordered by inclusion. A map

$\phi :\mathcal {K}(X) \to \mathcal {K}(Y)$

is a relative Tukey quotient if it carries compact covers to compact covers. When there is such a Tukey quotient write

$(X,\mathcal {K}(X)) \ge _T (Y,\mathcal {K}(Y))$

, and write

$(X,\mathcal {K}(X)) =_T (Y,\mathcal {K}(Y))$

if

$(X,\mathcal {K}(X)) \ge _T (Y,\mathcal {K}(Y))$

and vice versa.

We investigate the initial structure of pairs

$(X,\mathcal {K}(X))$

under the relative Tukey order, focussing on the case of separable metrizable spaces. Connections are made to Menger spaces.

Applications are given demonstrating the diversity of free topological groups, and related free objects, over separable metrizable spaces. It is shown a topological group G has the countable chain condition if it is either

$\sigma $

-pseudocompact or for some separable metrizable M, we have

$\mathcal {K}(M) \ge _T (G,\mathcal {K}(G))$

.
El exilio y el impacto del desexilio en la regeneración institucional de la Argentina, 1829–1861
Authors: Blumenthal Edward , Zubizarreta Ignacio
Published: October 2024

El proceso de retorno del exilio, iniciado después de la caída del poder de Juan Manuel de Rosas en la Confederación Argentina, llevó a una compleja trama de reinserción profesional. Este artículo examina la incorporación de los proscriptos en los cargos asociados a la formación de las instituciones políticas argentinas. Para ello, recurrimos a una base de datos de 891 casos que utilizamos para seguir los recorridos socioprofesionales antes, durante y después de la emigración. En los principales sitios de asilo en Bolivia, Chile y Uruguay, los emigrados integraron las ocupaciones asociadas a la construcción institucional: desde cargos públicos, en el ejército y hasta profesiones liberales como la abogacía y el periodismo. Postulamos el exilio como experiencia fundadora que permitió la adquisición del saber gubernamental necesario para el desarrollo de las instituciones políticas argentinas en la segunda mitad del siglo XIX. Nuestro estudio es un ejemplo de cómo los fenómenos transnacionales jugaron un papel determinante en la formación de los Estados nación contemporáneos.
Social Learning in Neural Agent-Based Models
Authors: Douven Igor
Published: October 2024

Agent-based models (ABMs) are widely used to study how individual interactions shape collective behaviors. Critics argue that ABMs are often too simplistic to capture real-world complexities. We address this by integrating artificial neural networks into ABMs, focusing on enhancing the Hegselmann–Krause (HK) model. By using multilayer perceptrons as agents, we create more realistic ABMs that better reflect actual agents. This approach yields multiple models, as core elements of the HK model can be defined in various ways. We conduct two computational studies to compare these models with each other and with traditional individual-learning paradigms.
Locating Values in the Space of Possibilities
Authors: Aronowitz Sara
Published: October 2024

Where do values live in thought? A straightforward answer is that we (or our brains) make decisions using explicit value representations which are our values. Recent work applying reinforcement learning to decision-making and planning suggests that, more specifically, we may represent both the instrumental expected value of actions as well as the intrinsic reward of outcomes. In this paper, I argue that identifying value with either of these representations is incomplete. For agents such as humans and other animals, there is another place where reward can be located in thought: the division of the space of possibilities or “state space.”
Do Government Benefits Affect Officeholders’ Electoral Fortunes? Evidence from State Earned Income Tax Credits
Authors: RENDLEMAN HUNTER E. , YODER JESSE
Published: October 2024

When do public policies influence citizens’ political attitudes and behavior, and among whom? We study this question using one of the largest social provision programs in the United States: the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). We exploit the staggered roll-out of state-level EITC programs to estimate the causal effect of the program on elections, voter behavior, and attitudes about the government. Contrary to predictions from the policy feedback literature, we show that the credit leads to higher vote shares and approval ratings for the implementing governor. These effects are temporally limited to the first years of the credit’s availability and dissipate over time. Taken together, our results offer new insights about the conditions under which particularistic economic policies affect political outcomes.
A personalised nutrition intervention for adolescent depression: a mixed-methods feasibility pilot study
Authors: Campisi Susan C. , Liang Megan , Anthony Samantha J. , Dettmer Elizabeth , Korczak Daphne J.
Published: October 2024

Randomised controlled trials have demonstrated the benefit of diet modification to improve diet quality in the treatment of adult major depressive disorder (MDD). However, research examining nutritional interventions for adolescents with MDD is sparse. This pilot study examined the feasibility of a personalised nutrition intervention for adolescents with MDD. Ten adolescents with MDD and their parents recruited from a tertiary care setting participated in an 8-week, single-arm mixed-methods study. Feasibility was assessed using five criteria (demand, acceptability, implementation, adaptation and limited efficacy testing) alongside qualitative interviews. The intervention involved four bi-weekly virtual nutrition counselling sessions with a stepped approach to dietary change, menu planning, grocery delivery and educational eHealth messages. Study participants sought positive changes in diet, health and lifestyle for adolescents and family-wide benefits. Recruitment challenges included concerns about managing mood fluctuations, anticipated dietary restrictions and the potential time and effort required for diet adherence. Feedback based on interviews emphasised moderate to high acceptability, satisfaction with menu planning and counselling and recognition of the benefits of trying new foods and sustaining positive dietary changes beyond the study. Improvements in depression symptoms (Cohen’s d = 0·36, 95 % CI (–0·24, 3·36)), parent food modeling (Cohen’s d = 0·24, 95 % CI (–0·43, 1·16) and the family food environment (Cohen’s d = 0·61, 95 % CI (–0·04, 2·61)) were observed. This nutrition intervention was feasible for adolescents with MDD and was acceptable to both parents and depressed adolescents. These preliminary data suggest that further examination of the intervention and its potential benefits on depression symptoms and family food dynamics are warranted.
The longest documented travel by a West Indian manatee
Authors: Carvalho Camila Carvalho de , Simoes-Sousa Iury Tercio , Santos Lucas Pereira , Choi-Lima Katherine Fiedler , Pereira Letícia Gonçalves , Alves Maria Danise de Oliveira , Carrero Adrian , Santander Juan Carlos , Carvalho Vitor Luz
Published: October 2024

In Northeastern Brazil, successful release programmes have been implemented for the conservation of West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) since the 1990s. Recently, the non-government organization AQUASIS started releasing manatees in the state of Ceará, where oceanographic conditions and the absence of sheltered places pose new challenges for the release and monitoring of manatees. This research investigates the movement of a manatee named Tico, released in Icapuí, Ceará, Brazil, that travelled approximately 4017 km over 62 days through deep oceanic waters. Correlating Tico's trajectory and velocity with surface currents revealed the influence of the North Brazil Current (NBC) and its vortices on his movement. Tico crossed the diluted Amazon River plume with surface salinity as low as 26 g kg−1 in early August, potentially encountering areas of even lower salinity. Additionally, Tico experienced several storms, with significant rainfall during his journey, which may have provided freshwater. The erratic movement patterns and significant weight loss prompted the rescue of Tico on Isla la Blanquilla, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Tico is currently being temporarily housed in Parque Zoológico y Botánico Bararida in Venezuela. Understanding the nature of Tico's long-distance movement could help inform decisions about his future. AQUASIS proposes to return Tico to Brazil, a region with an ecologically and genetically distinct population from Venezuela, for a second release attempt, incorporating lessons learned from the first release. Furthermore, AQUASIS has the necessary human and financial resources to ensure the continuous monitoring of Tico during his readaptation to the wild.
First record of Hesione sicula delle Chiaje, 1830 (Polychaeta: Hesionidae) for Mediterranean Moroccan coasts
Authors: Chouikh Nor-eddine , Janah Hafsa , Ouagajjou Yassine , Aghzar Adil
Published: October 2024

During our research programme about mussel spat in Amsa Bay, we found some specimens of Hesione sicula delle Chiaje, 1830 and noted as the first record for Mediterranean Moroccan coasts and for the Mediterranean coastlines of North Africa. Five specimens of this species were collected for the first time in the Amsa shellfish farm on October 30, 2021, and we provide some characteristics and illustrations for the species. This new record from the bay contributes to the Polychaeta list of North Africa and expands the geographical distribution range of species within the Mediterranean Sea.
‘The visible renewal of human life’: Barth's ethical assessment of the Reformed confessions
Authors: Allen Michael
Published: October 2024

Karl Barth's Theology of the Reformed Confessions characterised those catechetical texts as more ethical in orientation and more horizontal in focus than the corresponding Lutheran symbols. By examining both primary and secondary sources, this paper shows that while Barth legitimately illumines a key element of the Reformed witness regarding a connection between faith and life, his polemical eye may also distort his perspective on its distinctiveness, likely owing to contextual factors related to his self-fashioning a Reformed identity in his early academic service at the predominantly Lutheran University of Göttingen and alongside his colleague, Emanuel Hirsch.
The armed conflict in Gaza, and its complexity under international law: Jus ad bellum, jus in bello, and international justice
Authors: van Steenberghe Raphaël
Published: October 2024

The armed conflict in Gaza raises a series of questions under international law. The most significant questions concern the Israel’s use of force under jus ad bellum, the military operations conducted by the belligerents in relation to the law of armed conflict, and the proceedings brought before certain international courts, such as the International Criminal Court. This article examines each of these three issues in two stages. Firstly, it shows that the answers to these questions give rise to uncertain solutions insofar as they depend on the point of view adopted in relation to fundamental controversies concerning Palestine, such as the latter’s statehood. Secondly, it sets out the solutions that emerge independently of these controversies, whether these solutions express certainties or likelihoods.
Morpho-molecular evaluation for developmental competence of oocytes retrieved through transvaginal ovum pick-up from FSH-stimulated Tharparkar donor cows (Bos indicus)
Authors: Donadkar Manoj , Kumar Brijesh , Singh Sanjay Kumar , Chandra Pradeep , Dangi Pradeep , Gawai Mohan , Jackson Amala , Jasrotia Nancy , Sharma Shweta , Chouhan Vikrant , Patra M.K. , Khan Meraj Haider
Published: October 2024

The study was conducted on indigenous Tharparkar cow (Bos indicus) to evaluate FSH stimulation on follicular attributes, oocyte recovery and morpho-molecular developmental competence parameters concerning oocyte quality. A total of 20 OPU sessions were performed, which included 10 sessions in each FSH stimulated at the dose of 130 µg divided into four sub-doses and non-stimulated. Findings on the size of follicles having ≥6 mm showed a significantly higher, however an opposite trend was observed in the case of smaller sized follicle (<6 mm) between stimulated and non-stimulated respectively. The stimulated cows had a significantly higher number as well as the percentage of oocytes of Grade A, having a diameter ≥120 µm and BCB+VE as compared to the non-stimulated cows. The relative mRNA expression profile of GDF9, BMP15, PCNA and BCL-2 genes was higher and BAX was lower in the FSH-stimulated cow. These results indicated that FSH stimulation before OPU in Bos indicus cows has a significant impact on follicle size, oocyte yield, recovery, and their quality with respect to COC’s, diameter and BCB+VE oocytes. Further, a significant increase in the relative mRNA expression levels of GDF9, BMP15 and PCNA genes in the FSH-stimulated group suggests that FSH plays a key role in modulating the expression of these important candidate genes and thus influencing oocyte quality. The higher mRNA expression of BCL-2 genes and concomitantly lower expression of BAX gene in FSH Stimulated cows indicates the protective role of these genes and preventing programmed cell death and thus promoting cell survival, quality and embryo development.
Joseph Joachim's Cadenzas as a Site of Performative and Compositional Virtuosity
Authors: Babyak Tekla
Published: October 2024

A recurrent trope in the reception of Joseph Joachim's performances is the notion that that he magically transformed himself into the composer of the work. In particular, his performances of violin concertos frequently evoked this perception, as documented by Andreas Moser, Otto Gumbrecht, Hans von Bülow, and Johannes Brahms. Building on work by Katharina Uhde and Karen Leistra-Jones, this article will propose that Joachim's cadenzas played a central role in fostering the perceived slippage between the composer and performer. Joachim composed – and performed – cadenzas for many of the concertos in his core repertoire, including works by Giuseppe Tartini, W. A. Mozart, Giovanni Battista Viotti, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Brahms. I will argue that Joachim's cadenzas enact a compositional approach to the thematic material. The depth of this engagement is profound, encompassing not only the soloistic passages but also the ritornello sections as material for developmental reworking and modulatory processes. In fact, he often explores harmonic avenues that are only hinted at in the ‘parent’ concerto, highlighting and fulfilling moments of unrealized potential. Joachim's cadenzas thus create the impression that the composer of the concerto is revising and expanding his own work. I propose that he inhabits the genre of the cadenza as a site of compositional and performative virtuosity, fusing the two personas at a time when they were becoming increasingly polarized in European musical culture.
Khakiweed (Alternanthera pungens) control with contact and residual herbicides
Authors: McEachin Annabelle E. , Grey Timothy L. , Basinger Nicholas T. , Baxter Lisa L.
Published: October 2024

Khakiweed is a perennial broadleaf weed that is difficult to control because of its multiple means of reproduction, vigorous growth, and deep taproot. Khakiweed reduces the performance of pasture, pecan, and turf areas by choking out desirable grass and legume species. Because information on the effectiveness of contact and residual herbicides for control in pecan and pasture areas is limited, greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the effect of application timing, mode of action, and rate on khakiweed control. Preemergence and postemergence herbicides were applied to mature khakiweed plants at 0.25X, 0.5X, 1X, or 2X the label recommended rate for general broadleaf control. Biomass was collected 3 wk after application. Plants regrew from roots in the greenhouse until a second biomass harvest was collected at 6 wk after treatment (WAT). Metsulfuron-methyl, indaziflam, or pendimethalin was applied preemergence to the soil surface. All rates of preemergence herbicides provided high-efficacy control of regrowth (>85%) compared to the nontreated control. The efficacies of postemergence-applied metsulfuron-methyl, metsulfuron-methyl + nicosulfuron, indaziflam, aminopyralid + florpyrauxifen-benzyl, 2,4-D amine, and 2,4-D amine + florpyrauxifen-benzyl were also examined. All postemergence herbicide treatments exhibited control compared to the nontreated plants at both sample timings (3 and 6 WAT) and increased with herbicide application rate. No herbicide provided high-efficacy control during the initial postspray period (0 to 3 WAT). During the regrowth period (3 to 6 WAT), metsulfuron-methyl alone and in combination gave >85% control of khakiweed biomass, indicating that the sulfonylurea herbicides used in this study are well suited to controlling khakiweed.
Effects of cover crops on weed suppression in the interrow spaces of citrus orchards
Authors: Brewer Miurel , Strauss Sarah L. , Chase Carlene , Sellers Brent , Kadyampakeni Davie M. , van Santen Edzard , Kanissery Ramdas
Published: October 2024

A multiyear study was carried out at two citrus groves with mature trees in southwest Florida in the United States to evaluate the effects of cover cropping on the citrus interrow as a sustainable weed management strategy in the Florida citrus production system. Two cover crop (CC) mixes (legume + non-legume species and only non-legume species) were compared with a no-CC grower standard management (GSM) that utilized the herbicide paraquat for weed suppression in the citrus tree interrow spaces. We gathered data on the biomass and density of both CCs and weeds, during the spring and summer/fall CC planting seasons throughout the study years. Both mixes of CCs effectively reduced weed density in the citrus interrow by 58% to 99% (P < 0.05), depending on the growing season and study locations, compared with GSM. Additionally, there were no significant differences observed between the different CC mixes. Similarly, both CC mixes reduced the weed biomass by 95% to 99% (P < 0.05) in the citrus interrow compared with the GSM. However, weed suppression by CCs varied between growing seasons, mainly due to differences in germination and establishment of the CCs in each season.
Entwicklung und Pilotierung einer pflegegeleiteten mHealth-Versorgung für Herzinsuffizienz-Betroffene
Authors: Rothmann Laura , Ritter-Herschbach Madeleine , Müller Julia , Rosenbusch Lena , Lili-Kokkori Stavroula , Tongers Jörn , Sedding Daniel , Jahn Patrick
Published: October 2024

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Die chronische Herzinsuffizienz (cHI) ist der häufigste Krankenhauseinweisungsgrund. Durch Telemonitoring (TM) und Heart Failure Nurses (HFN) können Dekompensationen erkannt und Hospitalisierungen vermieden werden. Fragestellung/Ziel: Ziel war die Entwicklung und Evaluation der Machbarkeit eines digital-gestützten pflegegeleiteten Versorgungsmodells für cHI-Betroffene, und die Evaluation hinsichtlich Adhärenz, Gebrauchstauglichkeit, Zufriedenheit, Selbstpflege- und Gesundheitskompetenz, Krankheitswissen, Lebensqualität und Gesundheitszustand. Methoden: Die Studie wurde patientenzentriert mit Mixed Methods durchgeführt. Die 6-monatige Pilotierung erfolgte in der Häuslichkeit der Patient_innen mit qualitativen (z.B. Fokusgruppen) und quantitativen Methoden (validierte Fragebögen). Ergebnisse: Insgesamt haben 30 cHI-Patient_innen (Alter: MW 66, SD 14 Jahre; ♀ n = 10 [31%], ♂ n = 22 [69%]) die klinische Testung abgeschlossen. Die Intervention bestand aus Schulungen, der TM-Anwendung, pflegerischer/ärztlicher Beratung und Betreuung sowie einer digitalen Bibliothek. Die Adhärenz zum TM lag über 80% (relative Adhärenz: MW 87, SD 16%; absolute Adhärenz: MW 82, SD 19%). Gesundheitskompetenz, Krankheitswissen und Lebensqualität erhöhten sich. Der Gesundheitszustand verbesserte sich und Betroffene fühlten sich sicherer im Umgang mit der Erkrankung. Für die Selbstpflegekompetenz konnten keine Änderungen erfasst werden. Schlussfolgerungen: Eine hybride Betreuung wird sehr gut angenommen und zeigt das Potenzial zur Selbstpflegeförderung bei Betroffenen.
The Short Stress State Questionnaire in German (SSSQ-G)
Authors: Ringgold Veronika , Shields Grant S. , Hauck Felicitas , Kurz Miriam , Schindler-Gmelch Lena , Abel Luca , Richer Robert , Eskofier Bjoern M. , Rohleder Nicolas
Published: October 2024

Abstract: Background: Although the physiological stress response is well established, self-reported stress has received less attention. Some validated measures assess task-related stress via self-report in English. However, no such measure exists in Germany. Aims: To address this research gap, we translated and validated the Short Stress State Questionnaire in German (SSSQ-G). It assesses stress-related affective states (e.g., anger) and appraisals (e.g., feelings of control). We expected to replicate the factor structure of the English SSSQ in the SSSQ-G. Methods: We included the SSSQ-G in five studies that induced stress either via the gold standard task for acute stress induction – the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) – or via a novel virtual reality (VR) task. The sample consisted of 213 participants (112 women; age: 23.36 ± 3.62 years). Results: The SSSQ-G demonstrated sensitivity to stress-induced changes ( ps < .01), particularly in response to the TSST compared to the VR stress induction ( p < .001 for total scale comparison between stressors). In TSST participants, the magnitudes of stress-induced changes on the SSSQ-G were larger than those on the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), p = .008, indicating strong construct validity. Although the SSSQ-G total score was highly reliable (α = .85, Ω = .86), factor analyses revealed a six-factor solution, with the factors representing  Distress, Worry, Confidence, Negative affect, Motivation, and  Self-evaluation. Limitations: The SSSQ-G appears more sensitive to state changes induced by moderate-to-severe stress tasks. Conclusion: The SSSQ-G is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing states of subjective stress.
A Scalable, Cloud‐Based Workflow for Spectrally‐Attributed ICESat‐2 Bathymetry With Application to Benthic Habitat Mapping Using Deep Learning
Authors: Corcoran Forrest , Parrish Christopher E. , Magruder Lori A. , Swinski J. P.
Published: October 2024

Since the 2018 launch of NASA's ICESat‐2 satellite, numerous studies have documented the bathymetric measurement capabilities of the space‐based laser altimeter. However, a commonly identified limitation of ICESat‐2 bathymetric point clouds is that they lack accompanying spectral reflectance attributes, or even intensity values, which have been found useful for benthic habitat mapping with airborne bathymetric lidar. We present a novel method for extracting bathymetry from ICESat‐2 data and automatically adding spectral reflectance values from Sentinel‐2 imagery to each detected bathymetric point. This method, which leverages the cloud computing systems Google Earth Engine and NASA's SlideRule Earth, is ideally suited for “big data” projects with ICESat‐2 data products. To demonstrate the scalability of our workflow, we collected 3,500 ICESat‐2 segments containing approximately 1.4 million spectrally‐attributed bathymetric points. We then used this data set to facilitate training of a deep recurrent neural network for classifying benthic habitats at the ICESat‐2 photon level. We trained two identical models, one with and one without the spectral attributes, to investigate the benefits of fusing ICESat‐2 photons with Sentinel‐2. The results show an improvement in model performance of 18 percentage points, based on F1 score. The procedures and source code are publicly available and will enhance the value of the new ICESat‐2 bathymetry data product, ATL24, which is scheduled for release in Fall 2024. These procedures may also be applicable to data from NASA's upcoming CASALS mission.
Lithospheric Structure and Strength Variations in Antarctica From Joint Modeling of Elevation, Geoid and Seismic Data
Authors: Ji Fei , Xu Mingju , Zhang Qiao , Liu Xiaochun , Zhou Xin
Published: October 2024

Antarctica is renowned for its ancient cratons, difficult‐to‐observe sutures and active continental rifts. Detailed lithospheric structure and strength estimates are crucial for understanding the potential distribution, long‐term geological evolution, and deformation patterns of this continent. The lithospheric structure of the Antarctic continent is investigated based on joint modeling of elevation and geoid data with the incorporation of seismic data and thermal constraints. Moreover, these results are used to infer the yield strength envelopes across Antarctica. The laterally variable lithospheric strength is finally generated by vertically integrating the above envelopes. Our results show that the variations in the depth of the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary (LAB) are analogous to the variations in the integrated lithospheric strength; these parameters vary from 60 to 220 km and from 0.5 × 1013 Pa m to 4.5 × 1013 Pa m, respectively. Several regions of East Antarctica exhibit thick and strong lithospheric mantle, suggesting the presence of scattered cratonic blocks. In contrast, a thin and weak lithosphere is observed in the tectonically active West Antarctica and East Antarctic orogenic belts. Generally, our new LAB model correlates well with previous estimates, but there is a significant inconsistency beneath the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains, where a shallow LAB (∼120 km), high Moho temperature, and low strength (<1.0 × 1013 Pa m) are estimated. We speculate that this anomaly may be similar to the thinned lithosphere in Dronning Maud Land and reflects the removal of the mantle lithosphere during or after the orogenesis associated with the assembly of the Gondwana supercontinent.