bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La Thaïlande à l’épreuve de la Covid-19 : le roi, l’armée et la Chine contre la jeunesse
Authors: Mérieau Eugénie
Published: March 2024

En Thaïlande, tout au long de la crise de la Covid-19, les manifestations de la jeunesse contre un modèle autoritaire de gouvernance et une politique vaccinale perçus comme prochinois se sont multipliées. Elles révèlent une importante fracture générationnelle sur la question des alignements diplomatiques, annonciatrice d’une profonde reconfiguration des alliances politiques au niveau régional, alors que la Thaïlande se trouve tiraillée entre les États-Unis, son allié historique, et la Chine, le grand hégémon régional.
Les démocraties d’Amérique latine face au péril autoritaire
Authors: Gaudichaud Franck , Posado Thomas
Published: March 2024

Depuis la fin des années 1980, l’Amérique latine a connu diverses phases de consolidation de la démocratie, quoique dans un contexte social très inégalitaire. Pourtant, dans la plupart des États de la région, ressurgit désormais un péril autoritaire. De la tentation de dirigeants voulant se maintenir au pouvoir coûte que coûte, aux « coups d’État parlementaires », en passant par la permanence de régimes à l’héritage autoritaire particulièrement répressif ou instrumentalisant la justice à des fins politiques, ces tournants ou ces dérives autoritaires présentent des formes multiples .
La démocratie américaine vers « une union plus parfaite »
Authors: Branaa Jean-Éric
Published: March 2024

Dans le grand récit américain, les institutions du pays n’ont traversé que peu d’épreuves susceptibles de les mettre en péril. Pourtant, l’attaque menée par les partisans de Donald Trump contre le Capitole, le 6 janvier 2021, a fortement traumatisé la démocratie américaine. Cette date est depuis entrée dans l’histoire du pays. À y regarder de plus près, et contrairement à la première impression et aux prédictions des Cassandre, cet événement ne constitue toutefois pas la marque d’un écroulement de la démocratie américaine .
Les tribulations de la politique africaine de la France
Authors: Alleno Kevin
Published: March 2024

Depuis les années 1990, la France est régulièrement fustigée pour sa politique africaine, accusée d’entretenir avec les États africains des relations ambiguës et opaques qualifiées de néo ou de post-coloniales. Ces critiques se sont cristallisées sous la formule de « Françafrique ». Désireux de combattre ces accusations, les dirigeants français ont amorcé des changements sans toutefois faire taire les critiques ou enrayer la baisse d’influence de la France sur le continent africain. Inhibée par son passé colonial et faisant face à une concurrence accrue de la part d’autres puissances, comme la Chine sur le terrain économique ou la Russie sur le terrain sécuritaire, la France peine à surmonter les contradictions de sa politique africaine .
La Chine et sa diaspora : la mobilité au service de la puissance
Authors: Pina-Guerassimoff Carine
Published: March 2024

Les communautés chinoises – Chinois et descendants de Chinois établis à l’étranger – installées sur tous les continents, souvent de longue date, ont depuis la fin du xix e siècle toujours reçu une attention particulière de la part des autorités de Pékin. Renouvelé depuis les années 1980, cet intérêt grandit avec l’expansion économique, diplomatique et culturelle croissante de la Chine dans le monde. Se faisant plus intrusif, il commence néanmoins à irriter les gouvernements de nombreux États étrangers .
La Chine et les Chinois en Asie du Sud-Est : les dessous d’une relation particulière
Authors: Nicolas Françoise
Published: March 2024

Premier pôle des diasporas chinoises, partenaire économique privilégié de la Chine et premier terrain d’expérimentation de l’initiative des nouvelles routes de la soie, l’Asie du Sud-Est est marquée par l’omniprésence de la Chine et des Chinois. Cet état de fait est fréquemment l’objet de spéculations et mérite d’être minutieusement examiné afin d’identifier tant les motivations de la Chine que les implications de sa présence dans la région .
La Chine en Afrique : une nouvelle hégémonie
Authors: Cabestan Jean-Pierre
Published: March 2024

La présence chinoise en Afrique ne cesse de croître. Elle est devenue hégémonique et multidimensionnelle. La Chine n’est pas le seul acteur extérieur sur ce continent, mais elle domine dans plusieurs secteurs, dont celui des infrastructures. Ses prêts et ses échanges commerciaux y sont importants. Sa diplomatie y est proactive, son influence politique croissante et son action culturelle dynamique. Même dans le domaine de la sécurité, la Chine a commencé à poser sa marque, cherchant à devenir également dans ce domaine un partenaire incontournable .
Le sable : une ressource faussement abondante en cours de raréfaction
Authors: Bueb Julien
Published: March 2024

La consommation de sable, matière première au cœur de nombreuses activités humaines, atteint actuellement des niveaux sans précédent. La raréfaction de cette ressource non renouvelable, matérialisée par la disparition progressive de certaines plages, n’est pas sans conséquences dramatiques sur les écosystèmes, mais également pour les populations humaines riveraines et les États qui l’échangent et l’exploitent .
Le pétrole vu par Hollywood : les bons, le brut et les truands
Authors: Féline Jean-Baptiste
Published: March 2024

Vecteur par excellence du soft power américain, le cinéma entretient une relation ambiguë avec l’industrie pétrolière, l’un des piliers de la puissance américaine au xx e siècle. Si les narrations hollywoodiennes sont traditionnellement hostiles au capitalisme sauvage et aux patrons prévaricateurs, le cinéma a pu présenter sous un jour favorable cette ressource providentielle pour les États-Unis, à l’image de ce pétrole jaillissant des puits que les personnages reçoivent comme une onction. Ces dernières années, les crispations autour de la question des réserves, des enjeux écologiques et des nouvelles formes d’exploitation ont cependant incité le cinéma à réinventer les héros du monde pétrolier .
Les relations Russie-Ukraine depuis 1991 : un chemin de trente ans vers la guerre
Authors: Kastouéva-Jean Tatiana
Published: March 2024

Si l’invasion de l’Ukraine, le 24 février 2022, a surpris certains observateurs, elle ne fut pas un coup de tonnerre dans un ciel serein. Le pays n’a jamais vraiment cessé d’être, aux yeux de son puissant voisin, la « Petite Russie », une région destinée à revenir dans le giron de Moscou malgré son choix d’indépendance en 1991. Les trois dernières décennies ont vu, à plusieurs reprises, les velléités d’émancipation politique ukrainiennes contrariées, voire réprimées, par la Russie. La guerre en cours semble constituer le résultat d’un long cheminement vers l’affrontement ouvert entre les deux États .
Les pays d’Europe centrale et orientale face à la guerre en Ukraine
Authors: Rupnik Jacques
Published: March 2024

La guerre russe en Ukraine a donné aux pays d’Europe centrale et orientale un rôle clé dans le dispositif occidental d’aide militaire, économique et humanitaire, qui fait dire à certains dirigeants politiques et experts de ces pays que le centre de gravité géopolitique de l’Europe se déplace vers l’Est. Quels sont les principaux traits de ce processus, ses antécédents et ses répercussions tant sur l’avenir de l’Union européenne que sur son engagement dans son voisinage oriental ? Évaluer l’impact du conflit sur les politiques migratoire, économique, énergétique et plus généralement sur l’orientation du projet européen s’avère également nécessaire .
La stratégie indopacifique de la France : s’inscrire dans le nouvel ordre mondial
Authors: Pajon Céline
Published: March 2024

Théâtre de la montée en puissance de la Chine et de la rivalité qui l’oppose aux États-Unis, l’espace indopacifique a acquis ces dernières années un intérêt croissant pour la France. En y nouant des partenariats et en y défendant les intérêts liés à son vaste territoire maritime, Paris cherche à conjuguer autonomie stratégique et promotion du multilatéralisme. La défense des normes internationales, notamment sur le plan du droit de la mer, figure en bonne place des priorités françaises .
Dépendance et vulnérabilité énergétiques
Authors: Percebois Jacques
Published: March 2024

Avant de porter un jugement sur le degré de dépendance énergétique de la France, il importe de bien distinguer dépendance et vulnérabilité. Il convient ensuite d’observer que, même dans un secteur où la production est largement nationale (l’électricité), des facteurs exogènes peuvent être générateurs de vulnérabilité. C’est le cas de la guerre en Ukraine, du fait de son impact sur le marché du gaz naturel, et par ricochet sur le prix de l’électricité. La décarbonation du mix énergétique français 1 , qui s’accompagnera de l’abandon progressif des importations d’énergies fossiles, ne va pas pour autant supprimer tout risque de dépendance envers l’étranger .
L’intégration européenne des Balkans à l’heure de la guerre en Ukraine
Authors: Zipper de Fabiani Henry
Published: March 2024

En créant un appel d’air vers un nouvel élargissement de l’Union européenne, la guerre d’Ukraine est venue perturber un processus mis en place voilà plus de vingt ans, au terme des conflits ayant marqué l’éclatement de la Yougoslavie. Mais, en relançant une dynamique qui s’essoufflait pour les six États des Balkans occidentaux, elle invite aussi à rendre plus palpables les bénéfices qu’ils peuvent tirer d’un rapprochement puis d’une adhésion à l’Union et à ne négliger aucun incitatif. L’enjeu dépasse désormais la gestion prudente d’un espace mitoyen de l’Union considéré comme livré à la corruption et aux trafics : les ambitions de la Russie y restent vivaces et plus que jamais stimulées par celles de la Turquie et de la Chine .
L’inégalité des niveaux de vie dans le monde : un bref état des lieux
Authors: Bourguignon François
Published: March 2024

Identifier et distinguer les inégalités de niveaux de vie, tant au sein d’un même pays qu’entre pays, permet de saisir deux tendances majeures de l’inégalité mondiale au cours des dernières décennies. Alors que les inégalités se sont creusées au sein de pays qui représentent ensemble plus de la moitié de la population et de l’économie mondiales, l’écart de niveau de vie s’est réduit entre économies avancées et le monde en développement. Au total, il en est résulté une baisse substantielle de l’inégalité mondiale. Une certaine ambiguïté pèse cependant sur la persistance de cette tendance .
La Bosnie-Herzégovine, éternelle « oubliée » des Balkans ?
Authors: Dérens Jean-Arnault
Published: March 2024

Vingt-huit ans après les accords de paix de Dayton (1995), la Bosnie-Herzégovine continue d’aller de crise en crise. La menace d’une sécession de la Republika Srpska, l’« entité serbe » de ce pays divisé, a repris une particulière acuité ces derniers mois, relançant la crainte d’un nouvel éclatement du pays. Alors que la perspective d’intégration européenne semble s’enliser et que de nouvelles tensions apparaissent au Kosovo, le pays ne risque-t-il pas d’être oublié dans les équilibres géopolitiques des Balkans qui se redéfinissent ?
Global stability and co-balancing numbers in a system of rational difference equations
Authors: Attia Najmeddine , Ghezal Ahmed
Published: March 2024

This paper investigates both the local and global stability of a system of rational difference equations and its connection to co-balancing numbers. The study delves into the intricate dynamics of mathematical models and their stability properties, emphasizing the broader implications of global stability. Additionally, the investigation extends to the role of co-balancing numbers, elucidating their significance in achieving equilibrium within the solutions of the rational difference equations. The interplay between global stability and co-balancing numbers forms a foundational aspect of the analysis. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the mathematical structures underlying dynamic systems and offer insights into the factors influencing their stability and equilibrium. This article serves as a valuable resource for mathematicians, researchers, and scholars interested in the intersection of global stability and co-balancing sequences in the realm of rational difference equations. Moreover, the presented examples and figures consistently demonstrate the global asymptotic stability of the equilibrium point throughout the paper.
TCN-Attention-BIGRU: Building energy modelling based on attention mechanisms and temporal convolutional networks
Authors: Deng Yi , Yue Zhanpeng , Wu Ziyi , Li Yitong , Wang Yifei
Published: March 2024

Accurate and effective building energy consumption prediction is an important basis for carrying out energy-saving evaluation and the main basis for building energy-saving optimization design. However, due to the influence of environmental and human factors, energy consumption prediction is often inaccurate. Therefore, this paper presents a building energy consumption prediction model based on an attention mechanism, time convolutional neural (TCN) network fusion, and a bidirectional gated cycle unit (BIGRU). First, t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (T-SNE) was used to preprocess the data and extract the key features, and then a BIGRU was employed to acquire past and future data while capturing immediate connections. Then, to catch the long-term dependence, the dataset was partitioned into the TCN network, and the extended sequence was transformed into several short sequences. Consequently, the gradient explosion or vanishing problem is mitigated when the BIGRU handles lengthy sequences while reducing the spatial complexity. Second, the self-attention mechanism was introduced to enhance the model's capability to address data periodicity. The proposed model is superior to the other four models in accuracy, with an mean absolute error of 0.023, an mean-square error of 0.029, and an coefficient of determination of 0.979. Experimental results indicate that T-SNE can significantly improve the model performance, and the accuracy of predictions can be improved by the attention mechanism and the TCN network.
Dimension formulas of the highest weight exceptional Lie algebra-modules
Authors: Zhang Yupei , Luan Yongzhi
Published: March 2024

Given a complex simple exceptional Lie algebra $ \mathfrak g $, let $ \mathscr V_\lambda $ be an irreducible finite-dimensional $ \mathfrak g $-module with highest weight $ \lambda $. We provide the precise dimension formula of $ \dim \mathscr V_{\lambda} $.
Analytical modeling of 2D groundwater flow in a semi-infinite heterogeneous domain with variable lateral sources
Authors: Hsieh Ping-Cheng , Yu Po-Wen , Wu Ming-Chang
Published: March 2024

In nature, aquifers are usually composed of distinct kinds of media, i.e., heterogeneous domains rather than homogeneous domains. Groundwater level and flow changes in such domains are more complicated than those in homogeneous domains; thus, building a mathematical model for addressing groundwater flow in heterogeneous aquifers is the present research goal. In conventional research on similar topics, many one-dimensional (1D) analytical models have been presented, but it is challenging to simulate real-world scenarios. This study develops a two-dimensional (2D) analytical model for modeling groundwater flow in a conceptual sloping heterogeneous domain imposed by variable recharge. This model can consider distinct slope angles, medium heterogeneity, and any type of lateral recharge for a semi-infinite domain. The results indicate that groundwater level and flow discharge are greatly affected by the abovementioned factors. The recharge intensity significantly affects the peak of the groundwater level. For example, when the recharge rate increases by 30%, the peak water level increases by 50% as the groundwater flows from the sandy loam zone to the loam zone. The loops delineating the relationship between discharge and groundwater level for different bottom slopes cannot become close for heterogeneous aquifers. The presented 2D analytical model can simulate and better predict results of groundwater changes than previous 1D analytical models. Further, this model can simultaneously consider the effect of varying recharge over time and space on groundwater level change.
Law of the single logarithm for randomly weighted sums of dependent sequences and an application
Authors: Wu Yi , Zhao Duoduo
Published: March 2024

In this work, the law of the single logarithm for randomly weighted sums of widely orthant dependent random variables was studied, which improved and generalized some corresponding results in the literature. As an application, the rate of complete convergence for random weighting estimation with widely orthant dependent samples was obtained under general assumptions. Some numerical analyses were also conducted to confirm the theoretical results.
An enhanced tunicate swarm algorithm with deep-learning based rice seedling classification for sustainable computing based smart agriculture
Authors: Abdullah Alohali Manal , Al-Mutiri Fuad , Othman Kamal M. , Yafoz Ayman , Alsini Raed , Salama Ahmed S.
Published: March 2024

Smart agricultural techniques employ current information and communication technologies, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for effectually managing the crop. Recognizing rice seedlings, which is crucial for harvest estimation, traditionally depends on human supervision but can be expedited and enhanced via computer vision (CV). Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with high-resolution cameras bestow a swift and precise option for crop condition surveillance, specifically in cloudy states, giving valuable insights into crop management and breeding programs. Therefore, we improved an enhanced tunicate swarm algorithm with deep learning-based rice seedling classification (ETSADL-RSC). The presented ETSADL-RSC technique examined the UAV images to classify them into two classes: Rice seedlings and arable land. Initially, the quality of the pictures could be enhanced by a contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) approach. Next, the ETSADL-RSC technique used the neural architectural search network (NASNet) method for the feature extraction process and its hyperparameters could be tuned by the ETSA model. For rice seedling classification, the ETSADL-RSC technique used a sparse autoencoder (SAE) model. The experimental outcome study of the ETSADL-RSC system was verified for the UAV Rice Seedling Classification dataset. Wide simulation analysis of the ETSADL-RSC model stated the greater accuracy performance of 97.79% over other DL classifiers.
Dynamical analysis of a network-based SIR model with saturated incidence rate and nonlinear recovery rate: an edge-compartmental approach
Authors: Wang Fang , Zhang Juping , Liu Maoxing
Published: March 2024

A new network-based SIR epidemic model with saturated incidence rate and nonlinear recovery rate is proposed. We adopt an edge-compartmental approach to rewrite the system as a degree-edge-mixed model. The explicit formula of the basic reproduction number $ \mathit{\boldsymbol{R_{0}}} $ is obtained by renewal equation and Laplace transformation. We find that $ \mathit{\boldsymbol{R_{0}}} < 1 $ is not enough to ensure global asymptotic stability of the disease-free equilibrium, and when $ \mathit{\boldsymbol{R_{0}}} > 1 $, the system can exist multiple endemic equilibria. When the number of hospital beds is small enough, the system will undergo backward bifurcation at $ \mathit{\boldsymbol{R_{0}}} = 1 $. Moreover, it is proved that the stability of feasible endemic equilibrium is determined by signs of tangent slopes of the epidemic curve. Finally, the theoretical results are verified by numerical simulations. This study suggests that maintaining sufficient hospital beds is crucial for the control of infectious diseases.
Executive function deficits mediate the relationship between employees' ADHD and job burnout
Authors: Turjeman-Levi Yaara , Itzchakov Guy , Engel-Yeger Batya
Published: March 2024

Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often face significant deficits in executive function and adverse work-related outcomes. This study aimed to explore the role of executive function deficits in job burnout of employees with ADHD. We hypothesized that employees with ADHD, relative to employees without ADHD, will experience higher levels of job burnout and deficits in executive function. We also hypothesized that the ADHD-job burnout relationship would be mediated through executive function deficits, specifically by self-management to time and self-organization/problem-solving. A field study with 171 employees provided support for the research hypotheses and mediation model in which the employees' ADHD-job burnout relationship was mediated through executive function deficits. Additional mediation analyses indicated that the specific executive function of self-management to time and self-organization/problem-solving mediated the effect of ADHD on job burnout and its facets. Specifically, for physical fatigue, the mediation was realized through self-management to time, and for emotional exhaustion and cognitive weariness, the mediation was significant through self-organization/problem-solving. The present findings shed light on the relevance of referring ADHD among employees, their vulnerability to job burnout, and the role of executive function deficits in job burnout of employees with ADHD.
External training load and performance recovery after small-sided games in soccer: Insights for return-to-play management
Authors: Modena Roberto , Schena Federico
Published: March 2024

The return-to-play process' characteristics can vary by injury and sport type but are typically composed of phases of different durations, training targets, and intensities that gradually increase the physiological and mechanical load. In team sports, contact drills are a necessary part of the last phases of this process, and they should be planned using the optimal mechanical load. The present study investigated the external load and kinetic recovery in U19 soccer players performing 6vs6 and 3vs3 small-sided games. A global positioning system (GPS) measured external load metrics. The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was registered at the end. Total quality of recovery (TQR) was collected at the beginning of the training session and after 24 h. Moreover, before and after the small-sided games (SSGs) and at 24 h, delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) of the legs, sprinting time, and vertical jump height (CMJ) were collected. 6vs6 presented higher values in total distance low-, moderate-, high, and very-high-speed distance, and maximum speed (p < 0.05). However, 3vs3 showed higher number of sprints, acceleration, and deceleration at different intensities. Furthermore, no difference was shown in RPE. The effect of fatigue on sprint seems greater for 6vs6, showing an impairment persistent at 24 h (p < 0.05). Moreover, CMJ height was impaired after 6vs6 and at 24 h (p < 0.05) but did not change after 3vs3 (p > 0.05). DOMS values after SSGs and at 24 h were higher than baseline for both conditions (p < 0.05), while TQR decreased at 24 h in both conditions (p < 0.05). Based on our results, it seems that 6vs6, leading to a greater high-speed running distance, might cause a training load that needs more time to recover. This point may be crucial in a return-to-play process, especially when hamstring muscles are involved.
Players, production and power: Labor and identity in live streaming video games
Authors: Cisternino Irissa
Published: March 2024

Thousands flock to sites like Twitch or YouTube to create new, transformative media by playing video games. Streaming is a massive, monetized industry and practice, with a spectrum of streamers: hobbyists, full-time creators, and celebrities. I orient streaming as a type of fannish production, both commercial and noncommercial, that allows gamers to create new media products and make money doing so. Broadening understandings of fannish labor to include streaming provides new opportunities for insight that benefit the field. I review current trends in streaming research, discussing potential new research directions beneficial to cross-disciplinary fan studies. I focus on studies that foreground power and inequality (rarer, to date), arguing that intersectional research, methodological diversity, and increased attention to power hierarchies is imperative. Focusing on the relationship between power and streamers' lived experiences complements existing attention to power in fan cultures.
Fandom and the ethics of world-making: Building spaces for belonging on BobaBoard
Authors: Ocone Paul
Published: March 2024

BobaBoard is an in-development social media platform for media fans who are striving to create a space of belonging and acceptance for what its founder describes as a "niche group of weirdos." This emerging community is creating a protected space where media fans can explore and share their sexualities through both an anonymity-first design and a core ethos of anticensorship. However, these goals are not simple or easy to implement, and there are both affordances and limitations to BobaBoard's approach. Through digital ethnographic fieldwork, including participant observation and interviews, I found that the strategies and innovations through which tensions surrounding anonymity and (anti)censorship are negotiated illustrate emerging community ethics around the cocreation of fan spaces and the exploration of sexual fantasy in these spaces. These community ethics, or the ethics of world-making, demonstrate the possibilities of collaboratively creating protected spaces for sharing desire and sexuality.
#web-weaving: Parallel posts, commonplace books, and networked technologies of the self on Tumblr
Authors: Rose Axel-Nathaniel
Published: March 2024

The literary meme format of "parallel posts" or "web weaving" on microblogging website Tumblr emerged from intersecting fandom and bookish communities in the late 2010s, rising with the fandom-cum-subculture Dark Academia. Parallel posts are an acute symptom of a digital literary culture defined by excess of content, filtered through Tumblr's aesthetic norms as a hub of transformative fandom. Parallel posts both represent and reject the norms of bookishness on other platforms, granting insight into the conflicting impulses of media engagement in the digital age, caught between consumption and rumination. Parallel posts are a resurgence of the commonplace book or quote-collection journal; both forms are technologies of the self, practices of self-transformation and self-expression. At a moment in which the relationship between literature and digital media is in flux, parallel posts and Dark Academia demonstrate the spread of literature into a wholly transtextual, transmedial frame, grounded in both personal expression and in fandom.
"Mediatized fan play: Moods, modes and dark play in networked communities," by Line Nybro Petersen
Authors: Rose Axel-Nathaniel
Published: March 2024

Line Nybro Petersen, Mediatized Fan Play: Moods, Modes and Dark Play in Networked Communities. London and New York: Routledge, 2022, e-book $51.74 AUD (162p), ISBN 9781138545861.
"Darkness never prevails": Doctor Who Covid-19 videos as keystones for pandemic engagement
Authors: Loewen Rachel
Published: March 2024

An analysis of three Doctor Who Covid-19 videos featuring Jodie Whittaker and a discussion of how fans may have used these videos as optimistic keystones for pandemic engagement.
Influence of crystallizing type chemical admixture on precast micro concretes: a statistical analysis and holistic engineering overview
Authors: Lopes R. C. , Bacarji G. W. , Bacarji E. , Oliveira A.M.
Published: March 2024

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the influence of a crystallizing chemical admixture on precast micro concretes with two water contents (7% and 11%, by dried mass) and two different conditions of exposure. Thus, precast micro concretes with a composition of 1:3 (cement: fines) with and without crystalline chemical admixture were evaluated on compressive strength (at the age of 28 and 154 days) and water absorption by immersion (at the age of 154 days). Statistical analysis showed that the only significant factor was the effect of the water content on the compressive strength. Besides that, the most significant factors for the water absorption and voids index properties were the water content, followed by the exposure conditions, and the interaction between the water content and the presence of the chemical admixture. The crystalline admixture was insignificant in the conditions of this research.
Enhancing the utility of known-biomass production models: a case study of the Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast ecoregion
Authors: Yosri Zanni Mohamed , Cousido-Rocha Marta , Cerviño Santiago , Pennino Maria Grazia
Published: March 2024

Our general purpose is to support the use of known-biomass production models (KBPMs), illustrating their usefulness by addressing the evolution of surplus production (SP) over time and the factors affecting it (e.g. environment). We also demonstrate the utility of KBPMs for multispecies management objectives or for estimating maximum sustainable yield reference points without a stock recruitment function, among other worthwhile applications. To do so, we present different uses of KBPMs, illustrating their application on demersal species in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) area, specifically for megrim, white anglerfish and European hake stocks. The proposed analytical approach involved fitting single-species and multispecies KBPMs, conducting retrospective analyses and assessing the effects of environmental variability on SP. The findings show that, in general, stock SP increased after a decline in biomass and SP, except for white anglerfish in the southern area. Megrim stocks are the least productive, while hake and northern anglerfish are the most productive. Retrospective analysis revealed SP shifts in northern hake stock for reasons other than biomass variability. Hence, the North Atlantic Oscillation and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), two key climate variability modes in the North Atlantic, were tested for their links to SP, revealing a positive connection between SP and AMO, although further research is necessary. Beyond the specific results of our particular KBPM application, our main conclusion is that KBPMs can serve as a tool complementary to more complex assessment models for resolving unaddressed issues and crosschecking available assessment results.
A influência do recebimento de recursos financeiros e a participação em eventos para a obtenção de resultados esportivos: o caso brasileiro
Authors: Costa Caroline Schweigert , Ordonhes Mayara Torres , Souza João Victor Moretti de , Mezzadri Fernando Marinho , Cavichiolli Fernando Renato
Published: March 2024

O presente estudo teve por objetivo verificar a influência do recebimento de recursos financeiros por intermédio de políticas esportivas e da participação em eventos relevantes na obtenção de resultados esportivos em competições internacionais. A amostra deste estudo baseou-se em 907 atletas brasileiros que representaram o Brasil nas seguintes competições internacionais: Jogos Pan-Americanos de Lima 2019, Jogos Mundiais Militares (JMM) de Wuhan 2019 e Jogos Olímpicos de Verão de Tóquio 2020 (2021). Por meio da análise, pode-se observar que o fato de ser beneficiário de programas públicos esportivos e o fato de participar de competições internacionais influenciou na obtenção de resultados esportivos em competições internacionais. Pode-se perceber que receber recursos por meio de mais de um programa apresentou influência positiva, do que ser beneficiário de apenas um. Com base nestes achados, ficou exposto que o incentivo ao esporte por meio de bolsas, a participação em eventos esportivos e a quantidade de medalhas obtidas, tiveram correlação positiva com o financiamento concedido.
Evaluation of physicochemical and organoleptic properties of wild tea (Camellia sinensis) compared to selected commercially grown tea cultivars in Sri Lanka
Authors: Aluthgama A. G. S. R. , Bandara N. P. S. N. , Dissanayake P. K. , Dissanayake R. M. B. B. B.
Published: March 2024

“Ceylon tea”, has a special place as one of the best quality tea among the tea drinkers worldwide. However, Sri Lankan tea industry is facing some challenges associated with lower productivity and increasing cost of production. Therefore, higher price should be gained through value addition and product differentiation. Production of wild tea is one such strategy associated with higher demand in niche markets. An experiment was conducted to evaluate qualities of wild tea with compared to commercially cultivated tea and free growing cultivar in the Low Country region in Sri Lanka. Wild tea, free growing cultivar (TRI 2025), two commercial cultivars from the Tea Research Station in Rathnapura (TRI 4049 and TRI 2023) and one cultivar from a commercial grower (TRI 2023) were used for evaluation. Phytochemical investigation was carried out on methanol crude extracts of the made tea leaves. The made tea samples were subjected to organoleptic evaluation to determine its quality and preference. Significantly highest total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and the highest ABTS+ free radical scavenging activities were recorded in wild tea than other commercial cultivars. Organoleptic qualities such as colour, aroma, taste, strength and overall acceptability were favorably higher in wild tea, over the other commercial cultivars.
Technical efficiency of organic tea smallholders: Evidence from Uva region of Sri Lanka
Authors: Kodagoda A. H. , Dharmadasa R. A. P. I. S.
Published: March 2024

Today the society is moving towards sustainable agriculture, as a sustainable farming system, where cultivation is carried out without using chemically synthesized products such as urea, ammonium sulphate, pesticides, herbicides, hormones, activators, etc. With the introduction of organic agriculture to the world, organic tea also became important. Farmer productivity is one of the most important concerns in this regard. In the short run, the farmer productivity can be raised by improvement in technical efficiency. However, there is dearth of empirical evidence on technical efficiency of tea cultivation in Sri Lanka. Hence this article contributes to the pertinent literature by providing estimates of a stochastic frontier production model in a sample of organic tea smallholders in Diyathalawa region of Badulla district in Sri Lanka where the highest number of smallholders cultivate organic tea. The results reveal that the mean technical efficiency of organic tea smallholders is 24.7% implying that there is a scope of further increasing the output by 75.3%. Furthermore, livelihood diversification and crop diversification activities of smallholders contribute to decrease the efficiency.
Models of practice and training in psychotherapy: cross-national perspectives from Italy and Canada
Authors: Klimkowski Victoria , McRae Sofia , Blick Alexia , Beaulieu Laurence , Handley J. Reese S. , Hopley Anara A. , Hyde Caroline A. , Jain Devika M. , Kolodziejczyk Sylvia , Laliberté Josiane , Lévesque Alexa , Masri Lara M. , Monet Anya M. , Nediu Reagan S. , Valihrach Rachel , Tasca Giorgio
Published: March 2024

Internationally, there is ongoing concern about accessibility to mental health care and training. The goal of this study was to explore commonalities and differences within models of clinical psychology and psychotherapy in Ontario, Canada, and Lombardia, Italy, respectively, to inform improvements to the accessibility of mental health care and training. Using key informant sampling, we recruited ten students and professionals in Italy and Canada who study or work in psychology for semi-structured interviews. We analyzed the interview content using an inductive approach for thematic analysis within countries and meta-theme analysis across countries. The findings indicated three cross-national meta-themes: the need to integrate evidence with practice, the limited accessibility of training for students and treatment for patients, and the importance of the quality of training programs. Despite some differences regarding the amount of scientific training, personal therapy for trainees, and the prominence of cultural diversity training, Canadian and Italian psychology professionals and students shared experiences of psychotherapy practice and clinical psychology training. The three cross-national meta-themes indicate which issues in training and practice may be relevant worldwide and where to focus resources. The findings can inform international collaborations regarding training model structures that may increase access to psychology training and may increase consensus on professional recognition standards to improve mobility for professionals. These changes could reduce barriers to mental healthcare services for patients.
‘Team Australia?’: Understanding Acculturation From Multiple Perspectives
Authors: Dandy Justine , Ziaian Tahereh , Moylan Carolyn
Published: March 2024

In this paper we explore mutual acculturation among Australians from Indigenous, majority, immigrant and refugee backgrounds. Our aims were: to develop Berry’s acculturation scales for use in Australia and from multiple perspectives and to explore acculturation expectations and strategies from these multiple perspectives. We conducted in-depth interviews (n = 38) in Perth, Western Australia. We investigated participants’ views, guided by the two dimensions underlying Berry’s model of acculturation: cultural maintenance and intercultural contact, and models of culture learning. We found that participants had different acculturation expectations for different groups, as well as different preferred strategies for themselves, although most indicated a preference for integration. In particular, the extent to which groups were seen as voluntary to intercultural contact was regarded as an important factor; participants had considerably different expectations of Indigenous Australians than for immigrants to Australia. This was consistent with the strategies of most immigrant participants who regarded the responsibility for integrating as resting with them by virtue of their decision to migrate. The findings highlight the importance of the multi-way approach to investigating acculturation in multiethnic and post-colonial societies such as Australia and have been used to develop acculturation scales for future quantitative studies.
Localised Differences in the Conception of Cultural and Economic Security: Examining the Multiculturalism Hypothesis in Singapore
Authors: Teng Eugene , Leong Chan-Hoong
Published: March 2024

This study examines the multiculturalism hypothesis (Berry, Kalin, & Taylor, 1977) in Singapore, a multi-racial nation steeped in Asian-Confucian culture, in an attempt to distil the underlying constructs of cultural and economic security. Using a nationally representative sample of 924 native-born Singapore citizens, we examined whether national pride, family ties and economic optimism mitigated the effect of realistic and symbolic threat on attitude toward number of immigrants. The results showed that, paradoxically, stronger family ties predicted less acceptance of immigrants but buffered against perceived realistic threat. More economic optimism predicted more acceptance of immigrants but also made one more sensitive to symbolic threats. National pride had no effect on one’s receptivity towards immigrants, nor did it interact with threat. Possible reasons for these findings were discussed with reference to Singapore’s unique culture, history and view towards immigration. Future study on the multiculturalism hypothesis should consider the particular cultural context of the site of study, instead of assuming a one-size-fit-all approach.
Who Cares? Attitudes of High School Students From Various Countries Towards Global and Domestic Environmental Issues
Authors: Fomichova Kseniya , Misonou Taku
Published: March 2024

This study focused on attitudes of 16 year-old students from six countries towards environmental issues on domestic and global scales. Male and female students from China, Guinea, Japan, Malaysia, Ukraine and Vietnam expressed their level of concern about the following in regard to their country and the world: (a) air quality, (b) drinking water quality, (c) pollution caused by atomic power plants, (d) clearing of forests, (e) extinction of plants and animals, (f) climate change and (g) global disaster. This research focused on gender and cultural variability and invariance under diverse conditions of students’ backgrounds.

The most pronounced intercultural regularity found was the prioritization of certain issues. In all countries, both genders showed similar priorities when assessing global and domestic environmental issues. The differences were mainly in the level of anxiety expressed towards environmental problems. While in some countries the level of concern expressed by girls was higher than that of boys, there was no such pattern across all cultures. Only in Japan were the ratings given by boys higher when comparing to those of girls.

Another intercultural regularity was that the level of concern about the world’s environmental problems listed above is higher for both genders than about own country with exceptions of specific pressing national problems.
An ‘Exo-Tick’ Problem: A Sudden Increase in Tick Bite – A Case Series
Authors: Sumitra Sathyavath , Nazeer Fathima A. , Bhaskaramenon Sindhu C. , Sivaprasad R , Abdul Nazeer Marjan M. , George Sandhya
Published: March 2024

Ticks are blood-sucking arthropod ectoparasites of vertebrates, which are vectors of many diseases. They cause varied skin manifestations, which occur either due to the attachment of the tick to the host or due to the infections it spreads. Dermoscopy serves as a precise diagnostic tool for tick bites and also helps in ensuring complete removal of the tick. Prompt removal and identification of the tick, along with appropriate antibiotic therapy, are important aspects of the management of this condition. Herein, we present a case series of nine patients with tick bites, by ticks of similar morphology but at different body sites and with varied predisposing factors.
Role of Hematological Indices as Predictors of Systemic Inflammation in Dermatology
Authors: Aiholli Sanmitra , Adya Keshavmurthy A. , Inamadar Arun C.
Published: March 2024

Hematological indices have long been used in a variety of conditions as indicators of systemic inflammation. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are inexpensive tools in predicting severity and disease activity in acute coronary syndrome, malignancy, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) illness, and other autoimmune conditions. Evidence suggests that such hematological indices can be used in various dermatoses as predictors of systemic inflammation, to assess the severity of the disease, prognosis, and treatment response.
Dermoscopic Findings and Assessment of Treatment Response in Patients with Tinea Incognito: A Pilot Study
Authors: Yadav Sheetal , Pandhi Deepika , Grover Chander , Das Shukla
Published: March 2024

Background:

Tinea incognito presents with atypical, widespread, and recurrent lesions. Dermoscopy can aid its rapid diagnosis.

Aim and Objectives:

This study aimed at assessing dermoscopic features and response to treatment in patients with tinea incognito.

Materials and Methods:

An evaluation of 62 patients with tinea of glabrous skin (Group A (cases)—31 steroid modified and Group B (controls)—31 treatment naïve) was done. Clinical, dermoscopic, and mycological evaluations were done for both groups at baseline, 2, and 4 weeks of terbinafine therapy. Clinical severity (Clinical Assessment Severity Score (CASS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)) and frequency of various dermoscopic changes were compared at 0 and 4 weeks between cases and controls, using unpaired Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results:

Baseline dermoscopic features for both groups were significantly different with respect to frequency of broken hair, bent hair, micropustules and Morse code hair. Earliest feature to resolve with treatment was micropustules at 2 weeks. Significant reduction in frequency of morphologically altered hair was evident at 4 weeks. Telangiectasia, dotted vessels, I-hair, and broken hair persisted for a longer period of time. Terbinafine for 4 weeks was an effective treatment, producing complete cure in 73% of cases and 93% of controls. Persistent dermoscopic changes at 2 weeks were found to be associated with treatment failure at 4 weeks, highlighting the role of dermoscopy in identifying patients requiring prolonged treatment.

Conclusions:

Dermoscopy can be used as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for tinea of glabrous skin.
Patient Perspectives of the Impact of Psoriatic Disease on Quality-of-Life in India: Sub-analysis from the Global Psoriasis and Beyond Survey
Authors: Chandrashekar B S , Nayak Chitra S. , Kar Bikash R. , Salloju Vineeth
Published: March 2024

Background:

Psoriatic disease (PsD), including plaque psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), comprises a wide spectrum of manifestations and significantly impacts quality-of-life (QoL). Here, we assessed patients’ understanding of PsO and PsA as a systemic disease, its impact on their physical and emotional well-being, and patients’ experiences with healthcare professionals for shared treatment decision-making.

Materials and Methods:

The Global Psoriatic Disease and Beyond Survey was a cross-sectional, qualitative, online survey conducted on patients with moderate-to-severe PsO with/without concomitant PsA. This analysis reports findings from Indian patients.

Results:

Of the 261 surveyed patients, 27% with PsO reported concomitant PsA, of whom 89% reported PsA severity as moderately or highly active. Overall, 92% had heard the term “PsD,” and 90% knew their condition was a systemic disease. Few were aware of PsD manifestations (palmoplantar psoriasis, 49%; nail psoriasis, 43%; axial symptoms, 40%; PsA, 34%) and comorbidities (cardiovascular disease, 33%; obesity, 30%; diabetes, 28%). Eighty-nine percent of patients indicated their skin problems had a “very-large” to “extreme-large” impact on QoL. Ninety-seven percent of patients experienced discrimination and stigmatization from others. Eighty-one percent of patients were not involved in deciding treatment goals. Few (PsO, 6%; PsA, 9%) patients were dissatisfied with current treatment; ≥50% patients reported incomplete relief of skin symptoms (PsO) and joint symptoms (PsA) as the reason for dissatisfaction.

Conclusion:

Lack of awareness of the manifestations and comorbidities associated with PsD and poor QoL highlights the need for patient education, shared treatment decision-making, and a multidimensional approach to PsD management in India.
Role of FoxO1 in Acne and Effect of Isotretinoin on FoxO1 Expression
Authors: Kamboj Parul , Khullar Geeti , Handa Sanjeev , Pal Arnab , Saikia Uma Nahar , De Dipankar
Published: March 2024

Background:

Nodulocystic acne is a severe type of acne that is known to improve after treatment with isotretinoin. Melnik has hypothesized a unifying concept on the mechanism of acne pathogenesis involving altered expression of Forkhead box O transcription factor (FoxO1) and role of isotretinoin in improving acne via modulating this pathway.

Aim:

To evaluate the pathway proposed by Melnik in acne pathogenesis by analysing the difference in the expression of FoxO1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ), and androgen receptor (AR) between acne patients and non-acne controls and the effect of treatment with isotretinoin on change in expression of these genes in acne patients.

Results:

The gene expression of FoxO1 was non significantly higher in acne patients as compared to controls. After treatment with isotretinoin, a significant decrease in FoxO1 expression in acne patients at mRNA (P = 0.05) level was observed. There was a significant decrease in grade 3 positivity of FoxO1 at protein level (P = 0.0009). A decrease in androgen receptor positivity (P = 0.055) at protein level was also observed.

Conclusion:

Reduction in FoxO1 expression appears to be an important mechanism of action of isotretinoin in acne.