bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fecal matters: implementing classical Coleoptera species lists with metabarcoding data from passerine bird feces
Authors: Bookwalter Jamie , Niyas Afaq M Mohamed , Caballero-López Berta , Villari Caterina , Claramunt-López Bernat
Published: June 2023

Diversity inventories are critical to creating accurate species range maps and estimating population sizes, which in turn lead to better informed landscape and wildlife management decisions. Metabarcoding has facilitated large-scale environmental diversity surveys. However, the use of a metabarcoding approach with bird feces to survey arthropod diversity is still relatively undeveloped. The aim of this study was to see if and how a metabarcoding approach with bird feces could contribute to a saproxylic Coleoptera survey of traditional insect traps. We compared two methods of surveying saproxylic Coleoptera diversity (metabarcoding birds feces and deploying traditional traps) over two elevations in a mountain system. The two methods caught different species and different levels of functional guild richness. The metabarcoding method successfully recorded both distinct and overlapping portions of diversity from traditional collections, and the approach was also effective in signaling the presence of both rare species and nine country records. Our results show that metabarcoding Passerine bird feces can be successful when used alongside traditional collection methods to capture a broad diversity of saproxylic Coleoptera. This method, however, has quantitative and qualitative limitations, including the inability to produce species abundance data as well as the generation of false positives and negatives due to biases within the metabarcoding pipeline.

Implications for insect conservation

As many terrestrial ecosystems lose insect diversity, insect diversity surveys are essential to understand the scope of the loss. Despite metabarcoding approach shortcomings, the declining costs and shorter survey and processing time required for this approach compared to traditional survey methods indicate that it can be a valuable addition to the toolkit for saproxylic Coleoptera diversity surveys.
Contents and Characteristics of Mental Imagery and their Association with Emotional Intensity in Adolescents: A Pilot Study
Authors: Schwarz Susan Muriel , Stangier Ulrich
Published: June 2023

The contents and characteristics of mental imagery (MI) have been investigated with respect to a few mental disorders, but not yet in healthy samples. In adults, it was found that characteristics like the vividness and perspective of MI might be associated with emotions and emotional distress, a matter which needs to be examined in youths. A sample of 80 adolescents (14–20 years; 75.3% female) completed a web-based quasi-experimental design about the contents, and characteristics (frequency, vividness, perspective, controllability) of spontaneous positive and negative MI and emotional distress and emotions, as well as the Beck Depression Inventory and the Social Phobia Inventory. Adolescents described mental images primarily about social themes and those participants experiencing images about social conflicts reported higher levels of emotional distress. Participants reported perceiving images in a combination of field- and observer perspective also stated a higher score of anxiety. A higher frequency, vividness and less control over negative images were significantly linked to a higher intensity of emotional distress and anxiety. A higher frequency, vividness and a higher level of control over positive images were significantly linked to a higher intensity of joy. Small sample size and high social status of participants limits generalizability. Findings indicate that encouraging young people to create vivid positive images and to use a training to increase control over MI might be useful to increase mental health. The results do not permit causal conclusions to be drawn, but raise questions about previous studies comparing each imagery perspective individually.
Multi-vulnerability analysis for seismic risk management in historic city centres: an application to the historic city centre of La Serena, Chile
Authors: Baquedano-Juliá Pilar , Ferreira Tiago Miguel , Arriagada-Luco Camilo , Sandoval Cristián , Palazzi Nuria Chiara , Oliveira Daniel V.
Published: June 2023

A comprehensive understanding of the elements at risk, through the identification of the main hazards, level of exposure and different dimensions of the vulnerability of the communities, is an essential step toward the definition and adoption of more effective risk reduction strategies. Historic urban centres have received special attention in the assessment of damage and physical vulnerability to earthquakes, but it is well known that vulnerability also depends on the social and demographic characteristics of communities. This paper discusses the application of a holistic approach aimed at assessing the seismic vulnerability of historic urban centres by considering their physical and social dimensions. Two index-based methodologies are presented, and the data are analyzed using the CENSUS block as the unit of study, which is scarcely present in the literature. The results of both indices are crossed through a matrix, which allows the classification of the blocks in five levels of priority and are mapped using a Geographic Information System tool. The Historic city centre of La Serena, one of the oldest in Chile, was selected as a case study. This historic city centre still preserves historic buildings of raw earth of diverse architectural typologies widely distributed throughout the country, which makes it relevant, not only by itself but as a model that can be replicated and extrapolated to other historic centres of similar constructive characteristics.
Conversion of native grassland to coniferous forests decreased stocks of soil organic carbon and microbial biomass
Authors: Li Lidong , Hosseiniaghdam Elnaz , Drijber Rhae , Jeske Elizabeth , Awada Tala , Hiller Jeremy , Kaiser Michael
Published: June 2023

Aims

Encroachment of woody species into grasslands is a global phenomenon that affects ecosystem services, including soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and microbial community structure. We determined stocks of SOC and soil microbial biomass as affected by conversion of grasslands to coniferous forests.

Methods

We examined SOC and soil δ13C signatures under three vegetation covers: native grasslands, eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), at six soil depths (0 − 10, 10 − 30, 30 − 100, 100 − 170, 170 − 240, 240 − 300 cm). Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were used to quantify soil microbial biomass (MB) and as biomarkers for bacteria, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and saprophytic fungi (SF) which includes ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM).

Results

Native grasslands had higher overall SOC and MB stocks in the top 300 cm soil depth (7.39 kg SOC m− 2and 65.6 mmol MB m− 2) than converted cedar (6.80 kg SOC m− 2and 38.4 mmol MB m− 2) or pine (5.87 kg SOC m− 2and 39.9 mmol MB m− 2) forest. Losses of AMF biomass occurred on conversion of native grasslands to pine forest. Stocks of SF biomass only differed with vegetation type in topsoil.

Conclusions

Conversion of native grasslands to cedar or pine forest increased topsoil (0 − 10 cm) SOC storage due to needle litter accumulation. Conversion of native grasslands to forests decreased subsoil (10 − 300 cm) SOC stocks and had replaced, by increasing depth, 30 to 19% and 45 to 26% of grassland C with cedar and pine C, respectively. Changes in soil pH, nutrients, and soil microbial communities accelerated SOC turnover.
‘Being’ and ‘doing’: interconnections between researcher identity and conceptualizations of sustainability research
Authors: Hakkarainen Viola , Ovaska Ulla , Soini Katriina , Vainio Annukka
Published: June 2023

Sustainability research is characterized by a plurality of interests, actors, and research traditions. Sustainability is a widely used concept across multiple disciplines and often a cross-cutting theme in different research projects. However, there is a limited understanding of how researchers from multiple disciplinary backgrounds approach sustainability and position themselves in sustainability research as a part of their researcher identity. Previous studies among sustainability science experts have indicated diverse approaches and definitions of the socio-political, epistemic and normative dimensions of sustainability. In this study, we use semi-structured interviews with researchers (N = 7) and a survey distributed to two academic institutes in Finland (N = 376) to examine how researchers relate to sustainability research through the notions of identity as ‘being’ and ‘doing’ and how the differing ways to relate to sustainability research shape preferred definitions and approaches. The examination of perspectives among researchers enables the identification of diverse views related to sustainability and, consequently, sheds light on what kinds of ideas of sustainability get presented in the research. We conclude that understanding different identities is crucial for negotiating and implementing sustainability and developing sustainability research, requiring more attention to researchers’ positionality and reflexivity.
Active identification of vertebral fracture in the FLS model of care
Authors: Rubiño Francisco J. , Naranjo Antonio , Molina Amparo , Fuentes Sonia , Santana Fabiola , Navarro Ricardo , Montesdeoca Arturo , Fernández Tito , Lorenzo José A. , Ojeda Soledad
Published: June 2023

Summary

The identification of vertebral fracture is a key point in an FLS. We have analyzed the characteristics of 570 patients according to the route of identification (referral by other doctors, emergency registry or through VFA), concluding that promoting referral by other doctors with a training campaign is effective.

Purpose

Vertebral fractures (VF) are associated with increased risk of further VFs. Our objective was to analyze the characteristics of patients with VF seen in a Fracture Liaison Service (FLS).

Methods

An observational study was carried out on patients with VF referred to the outpatient metabolic clinic (OMC) after a training campaign, identified in the emergency registry, and captured by VF assessment with bone densitometry (DXA-VFA) in patients with non-VFs. Patients with traumatic VF or VF > 1 year, infiltrative or neoplastic disease were excluded. The number and severity of VFs (Genant) were analyzed. Treatment initiation in the first 6 months after baseline visit was reviewed.

Results

Overall, 570 patients were included, mean age 73. The most common route for identifying VF was through referral to OMC (303 cases), followed by the emergency registry (198) and DXA-VFA (69). Osteoporosis by DXA was found in 312 (58%) patients and 259 (45%) had ≥ 2 VFs. The rate of grade 3 VFs was highest among patients on the emergency registry. Those identified through OMC had a higher number of VFs, a higher rate of osteoporosis, more risk factors and greater treatment initiation. Patients with VFs detected by DXA-VFA were mostly women with a single VF and had a lower rate of osteoporosis by DXA.

Conclusions

We present the distribution of VFs by the route of identification in an FLS. Promoting referral by other doctors with a training campaign may help in the quality improvement of the FLS-based model of care.
Neuromonitoring in Children with Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Agrawal Shruti , Abecasis Francisco , Jalloh Ibrahim
Published: June 2023

Traumatic brain injury remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity in children across the world. Current management based on international guidelines focuses on a fixed therapeutic target of less than 20 mm Hg for managing intracranial pressure and 40–50 mm Hg for cerebral perfusion pressure across the pediatric age group. To improve outcome from this complex disease, it is essential to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for disease evolution by using different monitoring tools. In this narrative review, we discuss the neuromonitoring tools available for use to help guide management of severe traumatic brain injury in children and some of the techniques that can in future help with individualizing treatment targets based on advanced cerebral physiology monitoring.
Speciation in a MacArthur model predicts growth, stability, and adaptation in ecosystem dynamics
Authors: Bellavere Elena , Hamster Christian H. S. , Dijksman Joshua A.
Published: June 2023

Ecosystem dynamics is often considered driven by a coupling of species’ resource consumption and its population size dynamics. Such resource-population dynamics is captured by MacArthur-type models. One biologically relevant feature that would also need to be captured by such models is the introduction of new and different species. Speciation introduces a stochastic component in the otherwise deterministic MacArthur theory. We describe here how speciation can be implemented to yield a model that is consistent with current theory on equilibrium resource-consumer models, but also displays readily observable rank diversity metric changes. The model also reproduces a priority effect. Adding speciation to a MacArthur-style model provides an attractively simple extension to explore the rich dynamics in evolving ecosystems.
The expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone family peptides in premalignant and malignant vulvar lesions
Authors: Dimas Angelos , Goussia Anna , Papoudou-Bai Alexandra , Politi Anastasia , Paschopoulos Minas , Navrozoglou Iordanis , Makrigiannakis Antonis , Vrekoussis Thomas
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To examine the relation of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) family peptides with inflammatory processes and oncogenesis, emphasizing in vulvar inflammatory, premalignant and malignant lesions, as well as to investigate the possibility of lesion cells immunoescaping, utilizing FAS/FAS-L complex.

Methods

Immunohistochemical expression of CRH, urocortin (UCN), FasL and their receptors CRHR1, CRHR2 and Fas was studied in vulvar tissue sections obtained from patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of lichen, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) and vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC). The patient cohort was selected from a tertiary teaching Hospital in Greece, between 2005 and 2015. For each of the disease categories, immunohistochemical staining was evaluated and the results were statistically compared.

Results

A progressive increase of the cytoplasmic immunohistochemical expression of CRH and UCN, from precancerous lesions to VSCC was observed. A similar increase was detected for Fas and FasL expression. Nuclear localization of UCN was demonstrated in both premalignant and VSCC lesions, with staining being significantly intensified in carcinomas, particularly in the less differentiated tumor areas or in the areas at invasive tumor front.

Conclusions

Stress response system and CRH family peptides seem to have a role in inflammation maintenance and progression of vulvar premalignant lesions to malignancy. It seems that stress peptides may locally modulate the stroma through Fas/FasL upregulation, possibly contributing to vulvar cancer development.
Achievable information rate optimization in C-band optical fiber communication system
Authors: Liu Zheng , Xu Tianhua , Qi Ji , Uduagbomen Joshua , Zhao Jian , Liu Tiegen
Published: June 2023

Optical fiber communication networks play an important role in the global telecommunication network. However, nonlinear effects in the optical fiber and transceiver noise greatly limit the performance of fiber communication systems. In this paper, the product of mutual information (MI) and communication bandwidth is used as the metric of the achievable information rate (AIR). The MI loss caused by the transceiver is also considered in this work, and the bit-wise MI, generalized mutual information (GMI), is used to calculate the AIR. This loss is more significant in the use of higher-order modulation formats. The AIR analysis is carried out in the QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM and 256QAM modulation formats for the communication systems with different communication bandwidths and transmission distances based on the enhanced Gaussian noise (EGN) model. The paper provides suggestions for the selection of the optimal modulation format in different transmission scenarios.

Graphical Abstract
Exploiting Therapeutic Vulnerabilities in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Successes, Challenges, and Opportunities
Authors: Matossian Margarite , Chen Nan , Nanda Rita
Published: June 2023

Purpose of Review

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is notoriously difficult to treat. Recent technological advances have led to the identification of novel targets and new approaches to treat this devastating disease. The aim of this review is to highlight therapeutic vulnerabilities of TNBC and discuss novel therapeutic strategies.

Recent Findings

Interrogating the inherent heterogeneity and rich cellular and transcriptional diversity within TNBC has led to the discovery of vulnerabilities and actionable targets for therapeutic development. Characterization of the tumor immune environment, discovery of novel molecular targets, and identification of somatic alterations which confer sensitivity to DNA repair inhibitors are just a few examples.

The key to developing effective strategies to treat TNBC is to exploit vulnerabilities using a multifaceted approach. The identification of actionable targets has led to numerous therapeutic advances for TNBC, resulting in substantial improvements in patient outcomes and quality of life.
Is a Brief Body Scan Helpful for Adolescent Athletes’ Sleep Problems and Anxiety Symptoms?
Authors: Johles Lis , Norell Annika , Lundqvist Carolina , Jansson-Fröjmark Markus , Mehlig Kirsten
Published: June 2023

Objectives

The aim of the study
was to compare the effects of a brief body scan with relaxation as an active control group to better understand their respective contributions to the reduction of sleep problems and anxiety symptoms among adolescent athletes.

Method

Two hundred and six adolescent athletes were recruited during the school year 2016/2017 and randomized into four arms: 4 weeks body scan, 8 weeks body scan, 4 weeks relaxation, and 8 weeks relaxation. Sleep problems and anxiety were measured at baseline and 4, 8, and 16 weeks after baseline. Time trends in sleep problems and anxiety were estimated using linear repeated measures models and compared between the four groups.

Results

Overall, there were beneficial time changes for sleep problems and anxiety symptoms in all four intervention groups, but significantly so only for anxiety symptoms. Specifically, the reduction of anxiety symptoms varied between − 11% per month for 8 weeks body scan, − 12% per month for 8 weeks relaxation, − 13% per month for 4 weeks relaxation, and − 16% per month for 4 weeks body scan. However, the time trends did not differ by intervention type or duration.

Conclusions

Both types of interventions had beneficial effects on anxiety independent of length of intervention, suggesting that a brief body scan as well as a brief relaxation could be part of a daily recovery practice for adolescent athletes.

Preregistration

This study was not preregistered.
Metadata Management and Asset Exchange in the Agricultural Data Ecosystem of the Project Agri-Gaia
Authors: Wamhof Tobias , Bernardi Ansgar , Martini Daniel , Leinberger Martin , Sinha Arka , Tapken Heiko , Schliebitz Andreas , Graf Henri
Published: June 2023

The particularities of the agricultural ecosystem of cooperating partners suggest a highly distributed, open data architecture to support the exchange and re-use of data and data-driven applications. We describe the data strategy and the federated basic architecture of the Agri-Gaia ecosystem. We present an ontology-based approach to metadata management which extends a bucket store for arbitrary data storage by an RDF-based metadata graph store and employs widely-used domain ontologies as a conceptual basis. Data and service providers are free to extend the describing metadata at any time, according to their needs. The resulting set of interconnected platforms supports the publication, retrieval and secure sharing of exposable data under full control of their owners.
Rigidity of terminal simplices in persistent homology
Authors: Franc Aleksandra , Virk Žiga
Published: June 2023

Given a filtration function on a finite simplicial complex, stability theorem of persistent homology states that the corresponding barcode is continuous with respect to changes in the filtration function. However, due to the discrete setting of simplicial complexes, the simplices terminating matched bars cannot change continuously for arbitrary perturbations of filtration functions. In this paper we provide a sufficient condition for rigidity of a terminal simplex, i.e., a condition on $$\varepsilon >0$$

ε
>
0

implying that the terminal simplex of a homology class or a bar in persistent homology remains constant through $$\varepsilon $$
ε
-perturbations of filtration function. The condition for a homology class or a bar in dimension n depends only on the barcodes in dimensions n and $$n+1$$

n
+
1

.
Patient assignment optimization in cloud healthcare systems: a distributed genetic algorithm
Authors: Pang Xinyu , Ge Yong-Feng , Wang Kate , Traina Agma J. M. , Wang Hua
Published: June 2023

Integrating Internet technologies with traditional healthcare systems has enabled the emergence of cloud healthcare systems. These systems aim to optimize the balance between online diagnosis and offline treatment to effectively reduce patients’ waiting times and improve the utilization of idle medical resources. In this paper, a distributed genetic algorithm (DGA) is proposed as a means to optimize the balance of patient assignment (PA) in cloud healthcare systems. The proposed DGA utilizes individuals as solutions for the PA optimization problem and generates better solutions through the execution of crossover, mutation, and selection operators. Besides, the distributed framework in the DGA is proposed to improve its population diversity and scalability. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed DGA in optimizing the PA problem within the cloud healthcare systems.
Indigenous rights and underwater cultural heritage: (de)constructing international conventions
Authors: Perez-Alvaro Elena
Published: June 2023

People, ideas and products of all civilisations have been moved by ships, making oceans one of the major drivers for the divergence and convergence of human societies. Furthermore, human beings have interacted and lived on and around oceans, so their heritage provides testimony to many periods and aspects of our shared history. The marine policies to protect underwater and coastal heritage are complex, since this heritage has an intricate two-way relationship with anthropology and law. The legal instruments to specifically protect underwater cultural heritage do not include the consideration of Indigenous communities, although there are nearly 2000 coastal Indigenous communities in 87 countries with coastal heritage and maritime-based traditions. Since it is the law of Coastal States (emphasis on States) that directs how submerged lands and waters that belonged to Indigenous communities are used, the international legal instruments offer little actual leverage to these communities over the management of their cultural resources. This article studies Indigenous rights over their underwater cultural heritage, exploring the legal issues, anthropological arguments and ethical dilemmas. It will also show the complexity of the language and the interpretation of international treaties for these communities. Finally, the article encourages inclusion of the Indigenous concept of intangible cultural heritage, arguing that Indigenous peoples have been, and are, innovative users of natural resources, and their traditional activities can benefit not only their own members but also the international community.
A systematic review in understanding stakeholders’ role in developing adaptive learning systems
Authors: Alajlani Nawaf , Crabb Michael , Murray Iain
Published: June 2023

The creation and development of adaptive learning systems involve various stakeholders in the overall development process. To understand how the involvement of these stakeholders is approached, we conducted a systematic literature review to determine which stakeholder groups are actively involved within different stages of system creation. We identified 35 papers published between 2018 and 2022 relevant to this review and used these to identify specific areas where stakeholder involvement has been carried out. We show that educators have very little involvement in the design, implementation, and evaluation of adaptive learning systems. We suggest that this is an area where further research is required.
Causal calibration: iteratively calibrating LiDAR and camera by considering causality and geometry
Authors: Liu Ruyu , Shi Jieying , Zhang Haoyu , Zhang Jianhua , Sun Bo
Published: June 2023

The external calibration between 3D LiDAR and 2D camera is an extremely important step towards multimodal fusion for robot perception. However, its accuracy is still unsatisfactory. To improve the accuracy of calibration, we first analyze the interference factors that affect the performance of the calibration model under a causal inference framework in this study. Guided by the causality analysis, we present Iter-CalibNet (Iterative Calibration Convolutional Neural Network) to infer a 6 degrees of freedom (DoF) rigid body transformation between 3D LiDAR and 2D camera. By downscaling point clouds to obtain more overlapping region between 3D–2D data pair and applying iterative calibration manner, the interference of confounding bias in the calibration model is effectively eliminated. Moreover, our Iter-CalibNet adds non-local neural network after each convolution operation to capture the transformation relationship. We also combine the geometric loss and photometric loss obtained from the interframe constraints to optimize the calibration accuracy. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our Iter-CalibNet can achieve leading performance by comparison with other CNN based and traditional calibration methods.
Quasi-Three-Dimensional Cyclotriphosphazene-Based Covalent Organic Framework Nanosheet for Efficient Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Chang Jianhong , Li Cuiyan , Wang Xiaoxia , Li Daohao , Zhang Jie , Yu Xiaoming , Li Hui , Yao Xiangdong , Valtchev Valentin , Qiu Shilun , Fang Qianrong
Published: June 2023

Metal-free carbon-based materials are considered as promising oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts for clean energy conversion, and their highly dense and exposed carbon active sites are crucial for efficient ORR. In this work, two unique quasi-three-dimensional cyclotriphosphazene-based covalent organic frameworks (Q3CTP-COFs) and their nanosheets were successfully synthesized and applied as ORR electrocatalysts. The abundant electrophilic structure in Q3CTP-COFs induces a high density of carbon active sites, and the unique bilayer stacking of [6 + 3] imine-linked backbone facilitates the exposure of active carbon sites and accelerates mass diffusion during ORR. In particular, bulk Q3CTP-COFs can be easily exfoliated into thin COF nanosheets (NSs) due to the weak interlayer π–π interactions. Q3CTP-COF NSs exhibit highly efficient ORR catalytic activity (half-wave potential of 0.72 V vs. RHE in alkaline electrolyte), which is one of the best COF-based ORR electrocatalysts reported so far. Furthermore, Q3CTP-COF NSs can serve as a promising cathode for Zn-air batteries (delivered power density of 156 mW cm–2 at 300 mA cm–2). This judicious design and accurate synthesis of such COFs with highly dense and exposed active sites and their nanosheets will promote the development of metal-free carbon-based electrocatalysts.
Geometry of Needle-Like Microstructures in Shape-Memory Alloys
Authors: Conti Sergio , Lenz Martin , Rumpf Martin , Verhülsdonk Jan , Zwicknagl Barbara
Published: June 2023

Needle-like microstructures are often observed in shape memory alloys near macro-interfaces that separate regions with different laminate orientation. We study their shape with a two-dimensional model based on nonlinear elasticity, that contains an explicit parametrization of the needle profiles. Energy minimization leads to specific predictions for the geometry of needle-like domains. Our simulations are based on shape optimization of the needle interfaces, using a polyconvex energy density with cubic symmetry for the elastic problem, and a numerical implementation via finite elements on a dynamically changing grid.
Soziometrische Befragungsstimuli – Eine Mixed-Method Analyse ihrer Schnittmengen und Grenzen
Authors: Gehrmann Marie-Luise , Schramm Satyam Antonio
Published: June 2023

Für Erkenntnisse zur sozialen Akzeptanz von Schülerinnen und Schülern führen Lehrende und Forschende soziometrische Befragungen durch. Schülerinnen und Schüler antworten dabei auf unterschiedliche Befragungsstimuli. Nur vereinzelt liegen Empfehlungen zur zielgerichteten Verwendung und Interpretation vor. Die vorliegende Studie setzt bei diesem Desiderat an. Basierend auf soziometrischen und qualitativen Daten von 428 Grundschülerinnen und Grundschülern werden Schnittmengen und Grenzen soziometrischer Befragungsstimuli herausgearbeitet. Zum Beispiel ist Sitznachbarschaft mit dem Unterrichtskontext, Präferenz mit informellen Beziehungen, Popularität und Coolness mit auf Klassenebene wahrgenommenen Normen assoziiert. Ableitungen für soziometrische Befragungen in Schulklassen werden formuliert.
National Governance and Investment Treaties
Authors: Ostřanský Josef , Pérez Aznar Facundo
Published: June 2023

Much of the existing accounts assume that investment treaties affect national governance. However, how exactly this happens has been subject to little analysis. Conventional accounts presume that these treaties improve national governance, leading to good governance and the rule of law for all. Critical accounts charge that investment treaties unduly empower foreign investors and cause a regulatory chill. On both accounts, investment treaties are expected to empower and constrain. Comparing extended case studies of Argentina, the Czech Republic, India and Mexico, this book shows how investment treaties influence national governance ideologically, institutionally, and socially. We show how the overarching role of IIAs in national governance – to cultivate constraining discipline in public administration – is realised and who gets empowered and marginalised in the process. The book's findings will serve in the debates about alternative ways of economic governance and help explain the investment treaty regime's significant resistance to change.
Rethinking Warfare in the 21st Century
Authors: Chifu Iulian , Simons Greg
Published: June 2023

This book seeks to critically review and evaluate the changes and consistencies in how warfare is interpreted and represented by academics, mass media outlets and political actors in the 21st century. The authors suggest that it is essential to understand the evolution and transformation of contemporary warfare's conceptualisation and practice in order to make sense of the current global geopolitical transformations that are in process, from a unipolar to multipolar global order. They therefore examine the various key actors in international relations from conceptual, theoretical and empirical perspectives through thematic chapters that demonstrate the increasingly central role played by intangible factors in the representation and management of contemporary armed conflict. The book stresses the need to reflect and rethink the potentially highly problematic trajectory of the global community within the framework of 21st century warfare's political and informational influence and effects.
Numerical improvement to Glauert correction for the flow around a wind turbine
Authors: Wanderley J.B.V. , Levi C.
Published: June 2023

Accurate and reliable computation of the aerodynamic characteristics of wind turbines is very important for the development of new efficient designs. The flow around a wind turbine is modeled by a permeable disc (PD), solved through the Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes equations (URANS), here named PD/URANS method. The finite volume method and a total variation diminishing (TVD) scheme solve numerically the flow governing equations. The turbulent flow in the wake of the wind turbine is simulated utilising a one-equation turbulence model. The Glauert correction calculation considers a uniform normal force distribution (CT) on the virtual permeable disc applied to the flow, while the axial induction factor is obtained directly from the numerical solution of the URANS equations. The numerical axial induction factor obtained agrees fairly well with Glauert correction, except if the flow behind the turbine is highly unsteady and Reynolds number dependent.
The Islamisation of the English Trust: The Hibah Trust in Malaysia
Authors: Tang Hang Wu
Published: June 2023

Malaysia, being a former English colony, inherited a corpus of English law which includes equity and trusts. In recent times, major banks, financial institutions, and trust companies have reimagined the English trust in combination with Islamic law, by offering an innovation called the hibah trust. This instrument represents the Islamisation of the English trust concept where the Islamic idea of the hibah, an inter vivos gift and the English trust is combined as a wealth management offering to clients. This article explores how the hibah trust works, reasons why institutions may be offering this hybrid instrument, and potential challenges to its validity both in the civil and Syariah court.
Strategic Surge Responses in the COVID-19 era: Operational Themes, Innovative Solutions and Lessons Learned by Three Freestanding Pediatric Emergency Departments
Authors: Tan Yongtian Tina , Braund Cortney , Carney Kevin P , Gill Natasha , Goldberg Bradley , Hartford Emily A , Johnson Bernadette K , Keilman Ashley , Stone Kimberly , Yoshida Hiromi , Liu Deborah R
Published: June 2023

The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has created unique and complex challenges in operational and capacity planning for pediatric emergency departments, as initial low pediatric patient volumes gave way to unpredictable patient surges during Delta and Omicron variants. Compounded by widespread hospital supply chain issues, staffing shortages due to infection and attrition, and a concurrent pediatric mental health crisis, the surges have pushed pediatric emergency department leaders to re-examine traditionally defined clinical processes, and adopt innovative operational strategies. This study describes the strategic surge response and lessons learned by 3 major freestanding academic pediatric emergency departments in the western United States to help inform current and future pediatric pandemic preparedness.
‘A few practical things’: The Redress of Law and the irritation of (critical) constitutional theory
Authors: Golia Angelo Jr
Published: June 2023

This Article discusses Emilios Christodoulidis’s The Redress of Law as a major contribution to contemporary critical constitutional theory, with a focus on its relationship with other lines of critical thought; with systems theory and societal constitutionalism; and with legal pluralism and the global constitutionalism discourses. It argues that the most valuable contribution of The Redress of Law lies in its capacity to innovate current theoretical discourses, too often closed in on their conceptual assumptions, in turn modelled on liberal political theory.
Rethinking rights in social media governance: human rights, ideology and inequality
Authors: Griffin Rachel
Published: June 2023

This paper aims to question the dominance of human rights as the primary normative framework for European social media regulation, and academic research in this field. Analysing EU legislation and recent ECJ cases, it shows that issues like discriminatory content moderation, profiling, and promotion of stereotypes cannot adequately be addressed within a human rights framework. The centrality of individual rights in the EU legal regime not only fails to address collective issues, like platforms’ influence on culture and social norms, but cannot even offer effective, equal protection to individuals. In policy debates, the depoliticised and individualistic language of human rights can legitimise corporate activities and downplay important questions about the political economy of this privatised, highly-concentrated, advertiser-funded industry. The paper also considers interpretations of human rights as structural conditions or collective values, and argues that they cannot fully overcome the limitations discussed here. Given the entrenched role of fundamental rights in EU law, critics of social media cannot avoid relying on them. However, academics should also seek to develop more explicitly political critiques, based on alternative normative visions.
Can Rational Reflection Save Moral Knowledge from Debunking?
Authors: McKay Noah
Published: June 2023

In this essay, I reply to an influential objection to evolutionary debunking arguments against moral realism. According to this objection, our capacity for autonomous rational reflection allows us to grasp moral truths independently of distorting evolutionary influences, so those influences do not prevent us from having moral knowledge. I argue that rational moral reflection is not, in fact, autonomous from evolutionary influences, since it depends on our evolved, pre-reflective grasp of moral properties. I then consider and reject the suggestion that realists can supply an autonomous foundation for rational moral reflection or do without any such foundation. Next, I address the allegation that my arguments have skeptical implications for rational reflection in non-moral domains. Finally, I conclude with a gesture toward a more promising route for realists who oppose debunking arguments.
Water surface response to turbulent flow over a backward-facing step
Authors: Luo Q. , Dolcetti G. , Stoesser T. , Tait S.
Published: June 2023

The water surface response to subcritical turbulent flow over a backward-facing step (BFS) is studied via high-resolution large-eddy simulation (LES). The LES method is validated first using data of previously reported experiments. The LES-predicted water surface is decomposed into different types of gravity waves as well as turbulence-driven forced waves. Analysis of the LES data reveals the interplay between low-frequency large-scale turbulence structures, which are the result of flow separation from the step and reattachment behind the step, and the dynamics of the water surface. The water surface deformation is mainly the result of freely propagating gravity waves and forced waves, owing to turbulence in the form of rollers and/or hairpin vortices. Gravity waves with zero group velocity define the characteristic spatial and temporal scales of the surface deformations at higher frequencies, while large eddies determine their low-frequency modulation. These deformations are mainly confined in lateral bands that propagate downstream following the advection of the near-surface streamwise vortices (rollers) that are shed from the step. Steeper surface waves are observed in regions of negative perturbation velocity gradient and down-welling, downstream of the larger rollers, and are associated with thin isolated regions of high vorticity near the surface. The investigation of such a complex flow has shown that the decomposition of the water surface fluctuations into its different physical components may be used to identify the dynamics of the underlying flow structure.
Prevalence of healthy diet and activity behaviours among U.S. Latino preschool children living in an emerging Latino community
Authors: Liguori Carli A. , Sharma Neil P. , Documét Patricia I. , Gibbs Bethany B. , Taverno Ross Sharon E.
Published: June 2023

This pilot study provides preliminary insights into whether Latino preschool children living in an emerging Latino community (ELC) are meeting recommendations for healthy diet and activity behaviours and whether those behaviours are associated with sociodemographic or home environment variables. Secondary data analysis was conducted utilising cross-sectional baseline survey data from ANDALE Pittsburgh, a home-based intervention study. Measures included parent-reported information on child dietary intake, screen time and the home environment, and objectively measured physical activity and anthropometry. χ2 and Fischer's exact tests were used to determine associations. The study was conducted in an ELC in western Pennsylvania in the US. Fifty-one Latina mothers (age: 33⋅5 ± 6⋅1 years; 63 % Mexican origin; 86 % low acculturation) and their children (age: 3⋅9 ± 1⋅3 years; 55 % male) 2–5 years of age. On average, children consumed 2⋅25 ± 1⋅44 cups of fruits/vegetables, viewed 98⋅7 ± 74⋅2 min of screen time, accumulated 12⋅9 ± 2⋅9 min/h of total physical activity and consumed 15⋅5 ± 26⋅0 kcals of sugar-sweetened beverages per day. Forty-one percent met the fruit/vegetable recommendation, 54 % met the screen time recommendation, 27 % met the physical activity recommendation and 58 % met the sugary drink recommendation. Country of origin (P = 0⋅032) and acculturation (P = 0⋅048) were significantly associated with children meeting sugary drink recommendations. No other relationships were significant. The proportion of children in this sample meeting diet and activity recommendations was mixed. More research with larger sample sizes is needed in ELCs to identify effective intervention strategies for improving health behaviours.
Global clustering of recent glacier surges from radar backscatter data, 2017–2022
Authors: Kääb Andreas , Bazilova Varvara , Leclercq Paul Willem , Mannerfelt Erik Schytt , Strozzi Tazio
Published: June 2023

Using global Sentinel-1 radar backscatter data, we systematically map the locations of glaciers with surge-type activity during 2017–22. Patterns of pronounced increases or decreases in the strongest backscatter between two winter seasons often indicate large changes in glacier crevassing, which we treat here as a sign of surge-type activity. Validations against velocity time series, terminus advances and crevassing found in optical satellite images confirm the robustness of this approach. We find 115 surge-type events globally between 2017 and 2022, around 100 of which on glaciers already know as surge-type. Our data reveal a pronounced spatial clustering in three regions, (i) Karakoram, Pamirs and Western Kunlun Shan (~50 surges), (ii) Svalbard (~25) and (iii) Yukon/Alaska (~9), with only a few other scattered surges elsewhere. This spatial clustering is significantly more pronounced than the overall global clustering of known surge-type glaciers. The 2017–22 clustering may point to climatic forcing of surge initiation.
Influence of seasonally varying sea-ice concentration and subsurface ocean heat on sea-ice thickness and sea-ice seasonality for a ‘warm-shelf’ region in Antarctica
Authors: Saenz Benjamin T. , McKee Darren C. , Doney Scott C. , Martinson Douglas G. , Stammerjohn Sharon E.
Published: June 2023

Processes driving changes in sea-ice seasonality and sea-ice thickness were explored for a ‘warm-shelf’ region along the West Antarctic Peninsula using vertically coupled sea-ice-ocean thermodynamic simulations, with and without assimilated satellite sea-ice observations and moored ocean temperature observations. Simulations with assimilated sea-ice observations permitted investigation of surface [thermodynamic and dynamic (e.g., wind-driven)] processes affecting sea-ice thickness and seasonality. Assimilation of quasi-weekly variability in the depth and temperature of the deep warm pycnocline permitted examination of subsurface processes affecting sea-ice. Simulations using assimilated sea-ice observations (and implied motion) always produced greater surface heat fluxes and overall thinner sea ice. Assimilating seasonal and quasi-weekly variability in the depth and temperature of the pycnocline modified the start of the sea-ice season by −23 to +1 d, and also modified the sea ice thickness/seasonality to be thinner/shorter or thicker/longer at sub-seasonal and seasonal timescales, highlighting a mechanism where a shoaling pycnocline enhanced upward deep-water heat fluxes as transient surface-induced turbulence had a greater effect on a reduced mixed layer volume. The observed interplay of surface, subsurface, and sea-ice modulation of ocean-atmosphere heat transfer underscores the importance of representing the interaction between sea-ice concentration and upper ocean variability in climate projections.
Crocodylian princess in Taiwan: Revising the taxonomic status of Tomistoma taiwanicus from the Pleistocene of Taiwan and its paleobiogeographic implications
Authors: Cho Yi-Yang , Tsai Cheng-Hsiu
Published: June 2023

Toyotamaphimeia is an extinct crocodylian lineage whose name is derived from a mythological Japanese princess. Here, we re-examine the type specimens of a long-forgotten species: Tomistoma taiwanicus from the Pleistocene of Tainan (Taiwan) and revise its taxonomic status to Toyotamaphimeia taiwanicus n. comb., leading to the first recognized species of Toyotamaphimeia outside Japan. Our phylogenetic analyses also support this taxonomic assignment and, more interestingly, further suggest an East Asian lineage. In addition, Toyotamaphimeia taiwanicus n. comb. represents a tropical species, resolving a long-standing puzzle of why Toyotamaphimeia only inhabited a much higher latitudinal area (Japan). Given the large body size of Toyotamaphimeia taiwanicus n. comb. (~7 m) and the fact that it is geologically older than Toyotamaphimeia machikanensis from Japan, we propose a novel evolutionary scenario: the genus Toyotamaphimeia originated in Taiwan and evolved to a large body size with gigantothermic physiology, which resulted in migration out of Taiwan and dispersal farther north to Japan. Our taxonomic identification shows the presence of an extinct endemic crocodylian species from the Pleistocene of Taiwan with large-scale paleogeographic implications. This study, with our recent progress in vertebrate paleontology in Taiwan, should provoke more in-depth paleontological research on the Pleistocene extinction.
DEFINABLE -THEOREM FOR FAMILIES WITH VC-CODENSITY LESS THAN
Authors: ANDÚJAR GUERRERO PABLO
Published: June 2023

Let

$\mathcal {S}$

be a family of nonempty sets with VC-codensity less than

$2$

. We prove that, if

$\mathcal {S}$

has the

$(\omega ,2)$

-property (for any infinitely many sets in

$\mathcal {S}$

, at least two among them intersect), then

$\mathcal {S}$

can be partitioned into finitely many subfamilies, each with the finite intersection property. If

$\mathcal {S}$

is definable in some first-order structure, then these subfamilies can be chosen definable too.

This is a strengthening of the case

$q=2$

of the definable

$(p,q)$

-conjecture in model theory [9] and the Alon–Kleitman–Matoušek

$(p,q)$

-theorem in combinatorics [6].