bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Joint Attention as the Base of Common Knowledge and Collective Intentionality
Authors: Seemann Axel
Published: February 2024

I argue that joint attention solves the “base problem” as it arises for Schiffer’s and Lewis’s theories of common knowledge. The problem is that an account is needed of the perceptual base of some forms of common knowledge that gets by without itself invoking common knowledge. The paper solves the problem by developing a theory of joint attention as consisting in the exercise of joint know-how involving particular and sometimes distal targets and arguing that certain joint perceivers can always have a minimal form of propositional common knowledge about the location of these targets. On such a view, perceptual common knowledge is based on the experience of a process that is maintained by way of perceivers’ exercise of an object-involving form of joint know-how. Some reductive theories of collective intentionality require that agents’ intentions and subplans are common knowledge (or “out in the open”) between them. For these theories the base problem arises again. The enacted theory of joint attention can solve the problem. The argument is exactly parallel to the common knowledge case. The openness of joint agents’ intentions and meshing subplans is explained by appeal to their practical knowledge of how to maintain the process by way of which they pursue the collective intention. They can then make this knowledge explicit by linguistic communication. When they succeed in communicating knowledge of their meshing subplans as pursued in a joint action context, they necessarily have this knowledge in common. For theories of collective intentionality that include a common knowledge condition, the experience of participating in a perceptually constituted joint action provides the base that renders harmless the regress that otherwise threatens reductive analyses.
Phronesis and Empathy: Allies or Opponents?
Authors: Stefanello Eugenia
Published: February 2024

Empathizing with others is thought to be a useful, if not necessary, skill for a wise person to possess. Beyond this general conceptual assonance, however, there have been few systematic attempts to conceptualize this relationship. This paper aims to address this issue by investigating what role empathy is said to play inphronesisand whether there is a legitimate place for it in Aristotelian (or neo-Aristotelian) accounts of practical wisdom. First, after a brief overview of Aristotle’s account ofphronesis, I will try to define three different ways in which empathy is thought to contribute to it according to the existing literature, based on a conceptual distinction between affective empathy, cognitive empathy, and sympathy. Second, I will ask whether empathy is the best conceptual candidate for Aristotle’s account ofphronesisand, more generally, whether the wise person should always rely on empathy in order to deliberate and act well. My tentative answer will be that empathy does not seem to be perfectly compatible with the concept ofphronesis, nor is it its best ally.
Load based dynamic channel allocation model to enhance the performance of device-to-device communication in WPAN
Authors: Logeshwaran J. , Shanmugasundaram R. N. , Lloret Jaime
Published: February 2024

The modern communication network has advanced to such an extent that it is now possible for devices within a wireless personal area network (WPAN) to communicate among themselves directly. However, the limited shared radio resources of a WPAN lead to numerous issues, such as cross-layer interference and data collisions, which wind up affecting the quality of communication. A load based dynamic channel allocation (LB-DCA) model has been proposed to enhance the performance of device-to-device communication in WPAN. This model uses several control schemes in collaboration with interference estimation and channel load balancing mechanisms to allocate and manage the radio resources efficiently. The objective of this model is to achieve high throughput, low interference and low energy consumption. The control schemes implemented are based on distributed coordination and a cell-splitting approach. These schemes are utilized to estimate the channel usage and number of active nodes in a network. The interference estimation is done by using a new efficiency formula. Further, channel load balancing takes into account the hops and load factor values. The proposed model obtained 98.58% CSI, 95.86% MCC, 96.35% delta-P, 97.96% FMI, 99.83% BMI, 21.52% enhanced spectrum efficiency, 16.38% enhanced scalability, 18.79% enhanced signal quality, 18.64% enhanced power control and 18.89% enhanced energy efficiency.
Optimum Piezo-Electric Based Energy Harvesting for Low-Power Wireless Networks with Power Complexity Considerations
Authors: El-Bendary Mohsen A. M. , Haggag Ayman
Published: February 2024

Low-power wireless sensing-based networks suffer from many constraints and challenges. In this research work, efficient power source has been designed to provide the need of energy for the Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) and Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs). The energy sources are the main challenge and constraint these wireless networks applications. This paper discusses recent researcher’s works which considered the energy constraints of the WSN and WMSN with their proposed security techniques. The main idea of this presented work is the energy harvesting through extracting the electrical energy from the audio/acoustic signal/energy, this utilized audio/acoustic source in this scenario is the disk jockey. To maximize the produced power from the proposed acoustic energy harvesting Piezo-based several parameters is studied. The parameters are considered in this research work are the method of Piezo-transducers connections, the distance of sound source, the sound intensity variation and the sound concentrating tube length. These tubes are mounted on slim diaphragm two maximize the energy harvesting. The piezoelectric transducer array scenario is designed using four piezoelectric transducers utilizing different connect ion methods, series, parallel and in hybrid. Several practically experiments are performed on the presented different scenarios to evaluate the proposed energy harvesting efficiency. These experiments reveal that the superiority of the proposed acoustic energy harvesting technique with low power complexity wireless networks and suitable with the different presented scenarios.
Association between sleep apnea-specific hypoxic burden and severity of coronary artery disease
Authors: Zhang Hehe , Liu Honghong , Jiao Yuanni , Zhang Jing , Covassin Naima , Wang Mu , Lin Yun , Xie Jiang
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Sleep apnea-specific hypoxic burden (SASHB) is a polysomnographic metric that comprehensively measures the degree of nocturnal desaturation caused by obstructive sleep apnea. This research was conducted to elucidate the relationship between SASHB and coronary artery disease (CAD) severity.

Methods

We carried out a prospective study of hospitalized patients with CAD of unstable angina who were expected to undergo invasive coronary angiography at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from February to September 2023. SASHB values were calculated using a self-programmed C +  + program. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the association between SASHB and the prevalence of severe CAD, documented by the Gensini Score, and the SYNTAX (Synergy between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery) Score.

Results

This study enrolled 137 patients with a median age of 59 years, 96 (70.1%) of whom were male. A total of 125 (91.2%) patients had coronary stenosis of ≥ 50% in at least one location. Patients with a high SASHB of ≥ 18% min/h had a significantly higher Gensini Score (32.0 vs. 18.5, P = 0.002) and SYNTAX Score (14.0 vs. 7.0, P = 0.002) than those with a low SASHB. After adjusting for multiple covariates, a high SASHB was significantly associated with the prevalence of severe CAD, determined by a Gensini Score ≥ 21 (OR 2.67, P = 0.008) or a SYNTAX Score > 22 (OR 4.03, P = 0.016).

Conclusion

Our findings revealed a robust and independent association between SASHB and CAD severity in patients with unstable angina, highlighting the potential value of SASHB as a predictor of risk and a target for interventions aimed at preventing cardiovascular diseases.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry No. ChiCTR2300067991 on February 2, 2023.
Measurement Invariance of a Quality-of-life Measure, CASP-12, within the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA)
Authors: Alattas Ali , Shuweihdi Farag , Best Kate , Nikolova Silviya , West Robert
Published: February 2024

CASP-12 is a frequently used quality of life scale for older people, but limited efforts have been made to test the factor structure or to explore the measurement consistency of the scale across key characteristics. The aim of this study is to examine if the CASP-12 questionnaire has a well-defined factor structure with a second-order structure factor nested within four first-order domains: control, autonomy, pleasure, and self-realization. The study also aims to investigates if this factor structure is interpreted similarly by respondents of different genders, ages, educational levels, net wealth, and at two time periods, using a multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MG-CFA). The results show that CASP-12 with lower four first-order domains (CASP-12-4D) is consistent across genders and two time periods and satisfies the second-order strong-invariance criteria. Furthermore, the instrument demonstrates consistency in weak levels across three age groups (50–59, 60–69, and 70–90), educational levels and net wealth, but not strong invariance. The sample was divided into three subsamples based on age groups to address this issue. The consistency of CASP-12-4D has met the second-order strong invariance level requirement across gender, age, education level and two-time periods. Net wealth however still fails to meet the strong invariance levels. The CASP-12-4D version will suit social and public health research which controls for age and wealth status.
Estimating scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions through the shareholder network of publicly traded firms
Authors: Mejia Cristian , Kajikawa Yuya
Published: February 2024

Accounting for scope 3 emissions from investments remains a challenge due to a lack of adequate data and guidelines that do not accommodate the systemic role of firms in the financial chain. Here, we use network analysis to estimate investment-associated scope 3 carbon emissions of public firms. Using shareholder data from publicly traded firms listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, we identified the most influential firms by their ownership share values. Environmental responsibility can then be assigned by distributing the carbon footprint in the network to each of these influential firms. The industrial services, including trading and manufacturing, and financial services industries were found to be the largest source of scope 3 emissions in the investment network. In particular, the influential role of financial firms is reflected by having the largest increase in carbon allocation after the adjustment. This research contributes to ongoing efforts to improve carbon disclosure through methods that accommodate complex interactions among firms and to quantitatively reveal the overlooked responsibility of investors in carbon emissions.
High Homocysteine-Thiolactone Leads to Reduced MENIN Protein Expression and an Impaired DNA Damage Response: Implications for Neural Tube Defects
Authors: Bai Baoling , Wan Chunlei , Xiao Zonghui , Li Dan , Liu Lingyun , Zhang Kexin , Zhang Ting , Zhang Qin
Published: February 2024

DNA damage is associated with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and neural tube defects (NTDs). Additionally, HHcy is a risk factor for NTDs. Therefore, this study examined whether DNA damage is involved in HHcy-induced NTDs and investigated the underlying pathological mechanisms involved. Embryonic day 9 (E9) mouse neuroectoderm cells (NE4C) and homocysteine-thiolactone (HTL, active metabolite of Hcy)-induced NTD chicken embryos were studied by Western blotting, immunofluorescence. RNA interference or gene overexpression techniques were employed to investigate the impact of Menin expression changes on the DNA damage. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate the epigenetic regulation of histone modifications. An increase in γH2AX (a DNA damage indicator) was detected in HTL-induced NTD chicken embryos and HTL-treated NE4C, accompanied by dysregulation of phospho-Atr-Chk1-nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway. Further investigation, based on previous research, revealed that disruption of NER was subject to the epigenetic regulation of low-expressed Menin-H3K4me3. Overexpression of Menin or supplementation with folic acid in HTL-treated NE4C reversed the adverse effects caused by high HTL. Additionally, by overexpressing the Mars gene, we tentatively propose a mechanism whereby HTL regulates Menin expression through H3K79hcy, which subsequently influences H3K4me3 modifications, reflecting an interaction between histone modifications. Finally, in 10 human fetal NTDs with HHcy, we detected a decrease in the expression of Menin-H3K4me3 and disorder in the NER pathway, which to some extent validated our proposed mechanism. The present study demonstrated that the decreased expression of Menin in high HTL downregulated H3K4me3 modifications, further weakening the Atr-Chk1-NER pathway, resulting in the occurrence of NTDs.
Estimation on Individual-Level Carbon Sequestration Capacity of Understory Perennial Herbs
Authors: Nam Bo Eun , Kim Jeong-Min , Lee Seungki , Son Youn Kyoung , Lee Byoung-Hee , Joo Youngsung
Published: February 2024

The carbon sequestration capacity of plants has been used as a nature-based solution to reduce carbon emissions. Perennial herbs potentially contribute to carbon sequestration by allocating carbon to belowground parts as well as trees. As individual-level estimations have mainly been carried out for tree species, individual-level carbon sequestration for understory perennial herb species is poorly understood. To estimate the below- and aboveground carbon sequestration capacity, ten perennial herb species were planted for field experiment. Individual carbon sequestration by biomass was calculated by measuring the aboveground- and estimating belowground biomass gain at harvest. We further measured non-destructive aboveground parameters, such as photosynthesis and leaf area, to estimate the belowground biomass. Four species (Aconitum jaluense Kom., Aquilegea oxysepala Trautv. & C.A.Mey., Disporum smilacinum A.Gray, and Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum (Miq.) Ohwi) showed the positive belowground carbon sequestration level during the experimental period. Correlation analyses indicated that the aboveground biomass and leaf area at senescence stage could be used as non-destructive estimates of belowground carbon sequestration. The perennial herb species habitat suitability for use as additional carbon sinks in urban forests and for forest restoration should be assessed based on the increase in belowground biomass.
The flipped classroom: first-time student preparatory activity patterns and their relation to course performance and self-regulation
Authors: Omarchevska Yoana , van Leeuwen Anouschka , Mainhard Tim
Published: February 2024

In the flipped classroom, students engage in preparatory activities to study the course materials prior to attending teacher-guided sessions. Students’ success in the flipped classroom is directly related to their preparation and students tend to change their preparation activity over time. Few studies have investigated why students change their preparation activity. Therefore, we address this gap by first clustering university students (N = 174) enrolled in a flipped course for the first time based on their preparatory activities at three time points. We identified distinct preparatory activity patterns by computing changes in cluster membership. Next, we compared students’ preparatory activity patterns in course performance, motivation, and self-regulation. The temporal investigation of activity patterns provided important insights into how preparation (or lack thereof) at different phases relates to course performance. Intensive preparation only at the beginning of the course was related to significantly worse course performance whereas preparation only in the middle of the course was related to higher course performance. Students who performed intensively during the course had significantly higher course performance, higher intrinsic motivation at the beginning, and higher self-regulation (in particular, time management) in the middle of the course than students showing lower activity during preparation. Our findings provide important implications for future research and educational practice, particularly for students transitioning to flipped classroom learning for the first time.
MicroRNA cross-talk between Monilinia fungal pathogens and peach host
Authors: Arslan Kubra , Ozkilinc Hilal
Published: February 2024

The reciprocal targeting of microRNAs (miRNA) and micro-like-RNAs (milRNA) between hosts and pathogens is critical for understanding their interactions. In this study, reciprocal miRNA targets were explored in two Monilinia fungal pathogens, M. fructicola & M. laxa, and their peach host (Prunus presica). Using in silico analysis, 355 and 266 putative miRNAs were predicted for M. fructicola and M. laxa, respectively. Number of miRNAs and their targets differed based on host and pathogen species as 209 M. fructicola miRNAs target 98 peach genes and 128 M. laxa miRNAs target 338 peach genes. On the other hand, peach miRNAs showed the species-specific responses targeting fungal pathways to struggle with its pathogens. These findings indicate distinct strategies and species-specific interactions in this pathosystem. Besides, through the in vitro experimental designs, 166 and 124 expressed miRNAs by M. fructicola were detected in the host-mimicked and control environments, respectively. Additionally, novel miRNAs were discovered, six of which were in the mimicked environment and the seven in the controlled environment as highlighting dynamic and specialized miRNA expression in M. fructicola depending on the environmental conditions. In conclusion, this study provides the first insights into miRNA-mediated interactions between M. fructicola, M. laxa, and peach hosts. Unrevealing the cross talk through the miRNAs in host–pathogen interactions enhances the understanding of pathogenesis and host defense mechanisms. These findings have implications for disease management strategies and contribute to the fields of basic science and evolutionary biology.
More reliable determination of daily evaporation from the pan in cold regions by limited meteorological factors
Authors: Mohammadi Mehdi , Salarijazi Meysam , Ghorbani Khalil , Dehghani Amir-Ahmad
Published: February 2024

Evaporation from water surfaces is influencing many environmental science processes. Evaporation from pan data is not available as the most well-known method of determining evaporation in many areas, and therefore, the application of experimental mathematical equations in this field is considered. Most of the data for extracting these equations did not belong to cold regions, and as a result, the accuracy of these equations in cold regions has low reliability. In this study, the equations of Trabert (Meteorol Z 13:261–263, 1896), Kohler (Tech Rep Geol Survey Prof Paper 269:127–148, 1954), Kohler et al. (Evaporation from pans and lakes, US Government Printing Office, Washington, 1955), Papadakis (Soil Sci 93:76, 1961), Ântal (Evapotranspiration from com field. Term paper submitted for Dr. R. F. Dale's Agronomy 537 class. Received from personal communication with Dr. Dale (Dept. of Agronomy, Purdue, 1973), Linacre (Agric Meteorol 18:409–424, 1977), Linacre (Water Int 19:5–14, 1994) in Two default and revised modes (14 equations in total) have been used to determine evaporation in cold regions (Emberger climate classifications). Performance index (PI) as an error metric was used to analyze the efficiency of the equations. Findings show that in the absence of proper datasets for revision, Kohler et al. (Evaporation from pans and lakes, US Government Printing Office, Washington, 1955) and Papadakis (Soil Sci 93:76, 1961) equations are more proper options for determining evaporation in cold regions. The revision process increased the efficiency of all equations, with the slightest improvement for Papadakis (Soil Sci 93:76, 1961) and the most improvement for Trabert (Meteorol Z 13:261–263, 1896). According to the behavior of Papadakis (Soil Sci 93:76, 1961) equation in the revision process and its efficiency in both default and revision modes, it can be considered a firm equation in the cold region. The findings reveal that the revised equations have little efficiency difference. It indicates that in cold regions, the influence of the default parameters of the equations on efficiency is more significant than their mathematical formula of the equation. Also, the revision has led to Trabert (Meteorol Z 13:261–263, 1896) equation with relatively good results due to less relative flexibility than other equations. Therefore, it can be concluded that the essential factor to increase the reliability of the application of experimental mathematical equations in determining evaporation from the pan is the use of revised equations with data from cold regions. In addition, among all the equations studied, the revised Kohler et al. (Evaporation from pans and lakes, US Government Printing Office, Washington, 1955) equation was recognized as the most efficient equation for determining evaporation from the pan in the cold regions studied.
Saracatinib prompts hemin-induced K562 erythroid differentiation but suppresses erythropoiesis of hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Ding Lina , Chen Diyu , Li Yuanshuai , Xie Yingjun , Sun Xiaofang , Wang Ding
Published: February 2024

Human myeloid leukemia cells (such as K562) could be used for the study of erythropoiesis, and mature erythroid markers and globins could be induced during leukemia cell differentiation; however, the pathways involved are different compared with those of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).

We identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of K562 cells and HSCs associated with stem cells and erythroid differentiation. Furthermore, we showed that hemin-induced differentiation of K562 cells could be induced by serum starvation or treatment with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor saracatinib. However, erythroid differentiation of HSCs was inhibited by the deprivation of the important serum component erythropoietin (EPO) or treatment with saracatinib. Finally, we found that the mRNA expression of K562 cells and HSCs was different during saracatinib-treated erythroid differentiation, and the DEGs of K562 cells and HSCs associated with tyrosine-protein kinase were identified.

These findings elucidated the cellular phenomenon of saracatinib induction during erythroid differentiation of K562 cells and HSCs, and the potential mechanism is the different mRNA expression profile of tyrosine-protein kinase in K562 cells and HSCs.
Fixed points of Suzuki-generalized nonexpansive mappings in $$CAT_p(0)$$ metric spaces
Authors: Darweesh Alia Abu , Shukri Sami
Published: February 2024

In this work, we obtain fixed point theorems and convergence theorems for Suzuki-generalized nonexpansive mappings in complete $$CAT_p(0)$$

C
A

T
p

(
0
)

metric spaces for $$p\ge 2$$

p
≥
2

. Our results extend and improve many results in the literature.
Detection of six potato viruses using double antibody sandwich ELISA from in vitro, screen house and field grown potato crops in Ethiopia
Authors: Tessema Lemma , Kakuhenzire Rogers , Seid Ebrahim , Tafesse Shiferaw , Tadesse Yitagesu , Negash Kasaye , McEwan Margaret
Published: February 2024

Virus infection in seed potato reduces yield, and the problem is exacerbated when an early-generation seed is affected. The prevalence of six key potato viruses, PVY, PVX, PLRV, PVA, PVS, and PVM, was assessed among decentralized seed multipliers such as individuals, farmer seed group cooperatives, private companies, and agricultural research centers that produce early generation seed in six major potato growing districts in Ethiopia. A total of 262 leaf samples were randomly collected from potato plants and analyzed using a double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) for six major potato viruses. Potato virus prevalence was calculated as the proportion of samples that tested positive for the viruses against the total number of samples tested. The prevalence of infection with at least one of the six viruses was 98.2%. Among the samples analyzed, 17.2% had a single viral infection with one of the six viruses while the majority had multiple infections. The ELISA tests confirmed presence of latent virus infection in early generation seeds from the three EGS producers and in different seed classes. This result indicates that virus infection is widespread in the country, limiting potato production. To address this issue, it is critical to develop a robust system that prevents viral infection build-up and spread in the seed system through regular seed quality assurance and certification, particularly for early generation seed.
Revolutionizing Somali agriculture: harnessing machine learning and IoT for optimal crop recommendations
Authors: Abdullahi Mohamed Omar , Jimale Abdukadir Dahir , Ahmed Yahye Abukar , Nageye Abdulaziz Yasin
Published: February 2024

Agriculture drives Somalia's economy, but challenges like unpredictable weather, limited resources, and poor infrastructure hamper productivity and economic progress. Emerging technologies like machine learning and IoT offer transformative solutions, optimizing crop yield and resource use. This research demonstrates the substantial impact of integrating Machine Learning (ML) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to improve agricultural decisions in Somalia. The study conducts a comprehensive comparison of Decision Trees (DT), K-nearest Neighbor (KNN), and Random Forest algorithms within a Crop Recommendation System. The Decision Tree algorithm emerges as the standout performer, boasting an impressive accuracy of 99.2% and achieving well-balanced precision, recall, and F1-score metrics. Its transparency and interpretability render it an optimal choice for guiding agricultural choices. Despite slightly trailing in performance, KNN and Random Forest algorithms achieve accuracies of 97.2% and 99.0% respectively, presenting valuable alternatives for various contexts. The successful implementation of the Crop Recommendation System, particularly in Somalia's Balcad District, underscores the tangible advantages of real-time IoT data and the Decision Tree model. This system enables farmers to optimize crop selection, thereby enhancing sustainability and yield potential. In a broader context, this research underscores the capacity of data-driven agriculture to tackle food security challenges and drive economic advancement. The transparent and accurate attributes of the Decision Tree algorithm, coupled with IoT capabilities, establish a framework for modernizing traditional farming practices and shaping a more productive future for Somalia and the global agriculture. The continuous evolution of crop recommendation systems holds promise for further transformative opportunities within the agricultural sector.
Topology Control Using Optimized Clustering Scheme in Mobile Ad Hoc Network
Authors: Agrawal Shyam Sundar , Rathi Rakesh
Published: February 2024

Due to mobile nodes (MNs), the topology of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) frequently varies. Clustering techniques are suggested as a solution to this. Grouping MNs in a MANET has the benefit of reducing congestion and making topology repairs simple. Clustered MN dividing is a multi-objective optimization problem when the MANET size is huge. MANET is partitioned into clusters using a variety of evolutionary methods, including genetic algorithms (GAs). GA has early convergence. Thus, an improved rabbit optimization algorithm (IROA)-based clustering is presented in this work. Using this algorithm, cluster heads (CHs) are selected. Besides, multi-objective functions are used in this algorithm for selecting suitable CHs. Based on the selected CHs, clusters are formed. To manage the topology after clustering, cluster maintenance phase is included. Simulation results of the article depict that the proposed clustering scheme achieves better throughput and energy efficiency.
Innovative Funding and Financing for Infrastructure
Authors: Delmon Jeff
Published: February 2024

Investment in infrastructure is critical to economic growth, quality of life, poverty reduction, access to education, good quality healthcare--i.e, a dynamic economy. Yet amid scarce public capital, heavily indebted governments and increased demands on government resources, infrastructure projects often suffer from investment shortfalls and inadequate maintenance. These challenges merit renewed efforts at finding additional sources of funding. Innovative Funding and Financing for Infrastructure focuses on innovative approaches to financing as well as debt and equity from new sources and structures. It provides critical methods to increase the capital available for infrastructure, reduce fiscal liabilities and improve leverage of scare public resources. Designed for students and specialists in the fields of investment planning and finance, this book offers a survey of creative approaches from around the world, resulting in a practical guidance for policy makers and strategists on how governments can enable and encourage innovative funding and financing.
Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape
Authors: Stasinopoulos Mikis D. , Kneib Thomas , Klein Nadja , Mayr Andreas , Heller Gillian Z.
Published: February 2024

An emerging field in statistics, distributional regression facilitates the modelling of the complete conditional distribution, rather than just the mean. This book introduces generalized additive models for location, scale and shape (GAMLSS) – one of the most important classes of distributional regression. Taking a broad perspective, the authors consider penalized likelihood inference, Bayesian inference, and boosting as potential ways of estimating models and illustrate their usage in complex applications. Written by the international team who developed GAMLSS, the text's focus on practical questions and problems sets it apart. Case studies demonstrate how researchers in statistics and other data-rich disciplines can use the model in their work, exploring examples ranging from fetal ultrasounds to social media performance metrics. The R code and data sets for the case studies are available on the book's companion website, allowing for replication and further study.
People's Parks
Authors: Conway Hazel , Rabbitts Paul
Published: February 2024

Profusely illustrated, this book charts the development of public access parks and what the future holds for these spaces.
Verdi and the Art of Italian Opera
Authors: Huebner Steven
Published: February 2024

A long-needed and up-to-date overview of the syntax and principles that make Verdi's operas so effective and so beloved today.
Masquerades in African Society
Authors: Van Beek Walter E. A. , Leyten Harrie M.
Published: February 2024

Explores the dynamics of African masquerades and mask performances on the continent, linking performative expressions to societal characteristics.
Neural network modeling and prediction of HfO
2
thin film properties tuned by thermal annealing
Authors: Gao Min , Yin Chaoyi , Shao Jianda , Zhu Meiping
Published: February 2024

Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) is gaining interest in thin films for laser applications, and post-annealing treatments are often used to improve thin film properties. However, research to improve thin film properties is often based on an expensive and time-consuming trial-and-error process. In this study, PEALD-HfO2 thin film samples were deposited and treated under different annealing atmospheres and temperatures. The samples were characterized in terms of their refractive indices, layer thicknesses and O/Hf ratios. The collected data were split into training and validation sets and fed to multiple back-propagation neural networks with different hidden layers to determine the best way to construct the process–performance relationship. The results showed that the three-hidden-layer back-propagation neural network (THL-BPNN) achieved stable and accurate fitting. For the refractive index, layer thickness and O/Hf ratio, the THL-BPNN model achieved accuracy values of 0.99, 0.94 and 0.94, respectively, on the training set and 0.99, 0.91 and 0.90, respectively, on the validation set. The THL-BPNN model was further used to predict the laser-induced damage threshold of PEALD-HfO2 thin films and the properties of the PEALD-SiO2 thin films, both showing high accuracy. This study not only provides quantitative guidance for the improvement of thin film properties but also proposes a general model that can be applied to predict the properties of different types of laser thin films, saving experimental costs for process optimization.
The impact of an intervention to reduce dispersal from wastewater drain sites on carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization and bloodstream infection on a hematopoietic cell transplant and hematologic malignancy unit
Authors: Fontana Lauren , Hakki Morgan , Ozer Egon A. , Laird Amy , Strasfeld Lynne
Published: February 2024

Objective:

To evaluate the impact of an intervention to limit dispersal from wastewater drain (WWD) sites on meropenem-nonsusceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa patient and environmental colonization and bloodstream infection (BSI) on a hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) and hematologic malignancy (HM) unit.

Design:

This quasi-experimental study included pre/postintervention point-prevalence surveys in July 2019 and June 2020, respectively. The retrospective cohort included HCT/HM patients with P. aeruginosa BSI between 2012 and 2022.

Setting:

Adult HCT/HM unit at an academic center.

Participants:

This study included consenting HCT/HM patients on the unit at the time of the point-prevalence surveys. HCT/HM patients with P. aeruginosa BSI between 2012 and 2022.

Methods:

A quality improvement intervention targeting WWD sites was conceived and implemented on a HCT/HM unit. Pre and postintervention colonization samples were obtained from patients and environmental sites, cultivated on selective media, then characterized by susceptibility testing. Whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed on select isolates. The impact of the intervention on colonization and BSI was evaluated, as was relatedness among isolates.

Results:

Although colonization of WWD sites with meropenem-nonsusceptible P. aeruginosa was widespread before and after this intervention, we observed a substantial decline in patient colonization (prevalence rate ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04–3.12) and BSI (incidence rate ratio, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.31–1.42) after the intervention. Among 3 predominant sequence types (ST-111, ST-446, and ST-308), there was striking genetic conservation within groups and among environmental colonization, patient colonization, and BSI isolates.

Conclusions:

An intervention targeting WWD sites on a HCT/HM unit had a meaningful impact on meropenem-nonsusceptible P. aeruginosa patient colonization and BSI.
Reviewing Planetary Health in light of Research Directions in One Health
Authors: Ternova Linda , Verger Lorenzo , Nagy Gustavo J.
Published: February 2024

Climate change significantly impacts our planet’s health, ecosystems, plants, animals and humans, increasing extreme weather events and the incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases, including zoonotic diseases. We reviewed the environmental changes affecting human, animal, and planetary health and conducted a bibliometric analysis from 2012-22 that included these components. We identified 448 publications published on the topic throughout that period. Then, we reflected on the Research Directions question: How can we improve and facilitate multi-sectoral collaboration in warning and response systems for infectious diseases and natural hazards to account for their drivers, interdependencies, and cascading impacts? The bibliometric analysis of planetary health has shown increasing interest among researchers since 2017, peaking in 2022. Lancet Planetary Health was the journal with more published articles; The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine was the best-placed institution, and The United States led in topic-related publications. On the other hand, the climatic and pandemic global environmental crises demand fostered surveillance, which should concentrate on the drivers of disease, giving signals that account for human and animal health and environmental degradation. In response to global crises, higher education curricula should integrate One Health and Planetary Health approaches to achieve transdisciplinary thinking, allowing transcend knowledge, research and observation into action.
Utilisation of public healthcare services by an indigenous group: a mixed-method study among Santals of West Bengal, India
Authors: Mozumdar Arupendra , Das Bhubon Mohan , Kundu Chowdhury Tanaya , Roy Subrata K.
Published: February 2024

A barrier to meeting the goal of universal health coverage in India is the inequality in utilisation of health services between indigenous and non-indigenous people. This study aimed to explore the determinants of utilisation, or non-utilisation, of public healthcare services among the Santals, an indigenous community living in West Bengal, India. The study holistically explored the utilisation of public healthcare facilities using a framework that conceptualised service coverage to be dependent on a set of determinants – viz. the nature and severity of the ailment, availability, accessibility (geographical and financial), and acceptability of the healthcare options and decision-making around these further depends on background characteristics of the individual or their family/household. This cross-sectional study adopts ethnographic approach for detailed insight into the issue and interviewed 422 adult members of Santals living in both rural (Bankura) and urban (Howrah) areas of West Bengal for demographic, socio-economic characteristics and healthcare utilisation behaviour using pre-tested data collection schedule. The findings revealed that utilisation of the public healthcare facilities was low, especially in urban areas. Residence in urban areas, being female, having higher education, engaging in salaried occupation and having availability of private allopathic and homoeopathic doctors in the locality had higher odds of not utilising public healthcare services. Issues like misbehaviour from the health personnel, unavailability of medicine, poor quality of care, and high patient load were reported as the major reasons for non-utilisation of public health services. The finding highlights the importance of improving the availability and quality of care of healthcare services for marginalised populations because these communities live in geographically isolated places and have low affordability of private healthcare. The health programme needs to address these issues to improve the utilisation and reduce the inequality in healthcare utilisation, which would be beneficial for all segments of Indian population.
Growth assessment of the sea urchin Pseudechinus magellanicus (Temnopleuridae) in coastal habitats of central Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Gil Damián Gaspar , Zaixso Héctor Eliseo
Published: February 2024

Pseudechinus magellanicus is an ecologically important and small sea urchin in coastal and nearshore habitats off southern South America. We provide the first growth assessment for the species using tag (calcein) and recapture procedures in central Patagonia (Argentina). The individual growth rate of P. magellanicus ranged 0.05–1.3 mm year−1. The Brody–Bertalanffy and Richards growth models provided asymptotic maximum diameters of 29.89 and 26.01 mm, respectively. Both models yielded low values for the growth constant (k), with 0.046 (Brody–Bertalanffy) and 0.062 (Richards). Maximum instantaneous growth rate was estimated at 1.36 mm year−1 for the Brody–Bertalanffy model, and 2.69 mm year−1 for the Richards model. Model selection (corrected Akaike information criterion) showed a slight better fit for the Brody–Bertalanffy growth model compared to the Richards model. A significant variability in growth was observed within the studied population, which can be attributed to genetic factors and micro-environmental effects. P. magellanicus displays a combination of slow growth and small body size, with the lowest recorded growth performance index (θ = 3.72) recorded so far in sea urchins. The species has a long lifespan, with the most common adult sizes estimated to range from 15 to 21 years according to the Brody–Bertalanffy model. Due to the broad geographic distribution and occupation of contrasting habitats, further studies are necessary to explore growth of P. magellanicus under different environmental conditions and/or along a bathymetric gradient.
Magmatic Evolution of the Fossil Melanesian Island Arc: Evidence From Lower Miocene Lavas of Malekula Island (Vanuatu)
Authors: Haase K. M. , Schneider K. P. , Pelletier B. , Ishizuka O.
Published: February 2024

The subduction zones in the SW Pacific Ocean are some of the most dynamic plate boundaries on Earth with changes in subduction polarity and subduction initiation processes. The New Hebrides island arc formed some 10 million years ago after the Melanesian island arc was abandoned due to the cessation of subduction of the Pacific Plate after collision of oceanic plateaus with the island arc. Parts of the Melanesian island arc occur within the New Hebrides island arc and we show that Miocene volcanic rocks exposed on Malekula island in the New Hebrides island arc consist of island arc tholeiites to alkaline basalts with variable slab contribution. The lava erupted between 22.5 and 16.3 Ma, similar to the Wainimala Group lavas on Fiji representing the eastern portion of the Melanesian island arc. Partial melts from subducted sediments affected a Pacific MORB‐type mantle, but we do not find evidence for a slab component derived from the Ontong Java Plateau or for assimilation of continental crust. Thus, no Miocene subduction of the Ontong Java Plateau occurred beneath Malekula and the basement of the island probably does not consist of continental crust rifted from Australia. The Malekula lava succession resembles that of other portions of the Miocene Melanesian island arc between New Britain and Fiji, indicating continuous subduction of the Pacific plate along this arc.
Future Ozone Changes and Their Impacts on Vegetation and Human Health in China Under the Shared Socio‐Economic Pathways
Authors: Xu Chen , Mao Yu‐Hao , Liao Hong
Published: February 2024

Ozone concentrations in China are increasing in recent years and future changes of ozone and their impacts have attracted much attention. We use global chemical transport model (GEOS‐Chem) to simulate the surface ozone concentrations in China in 2020 and 2050 under four Shared Socio‐economic Pathways and evaluate the impacts of future ozone pollution on vegetation and premature mortality in four polluted regions (Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei, BTH; Yangtze River Delta, YRD; Pearl River Delta, PRD; Sichuan Basin, SCB) and three major crop growing areas (Huang–Huai–Hai, HHH; Northeast Plain, NEP; middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River, MLRY) in China. The changes of simulated seasonal maximum daily 8‐hr average (MDA8) ozone from 2020 to 2050 (−15.5 to +11.9 ppbv) are significant under SSP126 (low forcing pathway) and SSP245 (medium forcing pathway) scenarios in all regions due to large changes of emissions. MDA8 ozone in summer 2050 will be above the WHO guidelines (100 μg/m3) in BTH, YRD, HHH and MLRY under four scenarios. By 2050, W126 (vegetative ozone exposure index) in summer will be much above the maximum of US secondary standard (21 ppm‐h) in HHH under SSP245, SSP370 (medium to high forcing pathway) and SSP585 (high forcing pathway) scenarios, and in MLRY under SSP370 and SSP585 scenarios. Annual ozone‐related deaths for people over 30 years old will mainly decrease in four polluted areas from 2020 to 2050 under SSPs scenarios, but only increase much under SSP245 scenario in BTH (+3.1 to +4.2 thousand) and YRD (+1.1 to +1.6 thousand).
Measuring Erosional and Depositional Patterns Across Comet 67P's Imhotep Region
Authors: Jindal A. S. , Birch S. P. D. , Hayes A. G. , Özyurt F. P. , Issah A. B. , Moruzzi S. A. , Barrington M. N. , Soderblom J. M. , Kirk R. L. , Marschall R. , Vincent J. B.
Published: February 2024

Comet 67P/Churyumov‐Gerasimenko displays a pronounced hemispherical dichotomy in surface morphology, where the southern hemisphere exhibits more erosional features than the northern hemisphere due to receiving much greater solar radiation. Consequently, it is generally assumed that particles are ejected from the southern hemisphere through sublimation and a significant fraction eventually descends as airfall, covering the northern terrains. To investigate this south‐to‐north material transfer during the comet's perihelion passage, we used photoclinometry to measure material redistribution within its most extensive smooth terrain deposit around the Imhotep region. However, our findings do not align with this expected trend. Instead, we show that local‐scale processes substantially impact the erosion and accumulation of material, with one area experiencing net erosion while another nearby region, just a few dozen meters away, sees sediment buildup. Our analysis underscores the complex interplay of processes shaping Comet 67P's surface and likely comets more generally.
Simulated Future Shifts in Wildfire Regimes in Moist Forests of Pacific Northwest, USA
Authors: Dye Alex W. , Reilly Matt J. , McEvoy Andy , Lemons Rebecca , Riley Karin L. , Kim John B. , Kerns Becky K.
Published: February 2024

Fire is an integral natural disturbance in the moist temperate forests of the Pacific Northwest of the United States, but future changes remain uncertain. Fire regimes in this climatically and biophysically diverse region are complex, but typically climate limited. One challenge for interpreting potential changes is conveying projection uncertainty. Using projections of Energy Release Component (ERC) derived from 12 global climate models (GCM) that vary in performance relative to the region's contemporary climate, we simulated thousands of plausible fire seasons with the stochastic spatial fire spread model FSim for mid‐21st century (2035–2064) under RCP8.5 emissions scenario for five northwestern pyromes. The magnitude of projected changes to burn probability, fire size, and number of fires varied among pyromes and GCMs. We projected the largest increases in burn probability and fire size in the cooler and wetter northern parts of the region (North Cascades, Olympics & Puget Lowlands) and Oregon West Cascades, with more moderate changes projected for the Washington West Cascades and Oregon Coast Range. We provide new insights into changing fire regimes characterized by the possibility of shifts toward more frequent and large fires (especially >40,000 ha), as well as shifts in seasonality, including more fires burning at the beginning of fall when extreme synoptic weather events have the potential to increase fire spread. Our work highlights the potential geographic variability in climate change effects in some of the most productive moist temperate forests of the world and points to a rapid acceleration of fire in the coming decades.