bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient-Centric In Vitro Fertilization Prognostic Counseling Using Machine Learning for the Pragmatist
Authors: Yao Mylene W.M. , Jenkins Julian , Nguyen Elizabeth T. , Swanson Trevor , Menabrito Marco
Published: October 2024

Although in vitro fertilization (IVF) has become an extremely effective treatment option for infertility, there is significant underutilization of IVF by patients who could benefit from such treatment. In order for patients to choose to consider IVF treatment when appropriate, it is critical for them to be provided with an accurate, understandable IVF prognosis. Machine learning (ML) can meet the challenge of personalized prognostication based on data available prior to treatment. The development, validation, and deployment of ML prognostic models and related patient counseling report delivery require specialized human and platform expertise. This review article takes a pragmatic approach to review relevant reports of IVF prognostic models and draws from extensive experience meeting patients' and providers' needs with the development of data and model pipelines to implement validated ML models at scale, at the point-of-care. Requirements of using ML-based IVF prognostics at point-of-care will be considered alongside clinical ML implementation factors critical for success. Finally, we discuss health, social, and economic objectives that may be achieved by leveraging combined human expertise and ML prognostics to expand fertility care access and advance health and social good.
Machine learning reveals properties of molten salts
Authors: Johnson-Groh Mara
Published: October 2024

Potential avenues to improving some thermal energy storage systems found through a machine learning-enhanced method.
A robotic arm with open-source reconstructive workflow for in vivo bioprinting of patient-specific scaffolds
Authors: Quint Jacob P. , Mollocana-Lara Evelyn , Samandari Mohamadmahdi , Shin Su Ryon , Sinha Indranil , Tamayol Ali
Published: October 2024

In vivo bioprinting, fabricating tissue-engineered implants directly in a patient, was recently developed to overcome the logistical and clinical limitations of traditional bioprinting. In vivo printing reduces the time to treatment, allows for real-time reconstructive adjustments, minimizes transportation challenges, improves adhesion to remnant tissue and ensuing tissue integration, and utilizes the body as a bioreactor. Unfortunately, most in vivo printers are frame-based systems with limited working areas that are incompatible with the human body and lack portability. Robotic arms have recently been used to resolve these challenges, but developed systems suffered from complex deposition or cross-linking modalities and lacked bioink temperature control, drastically limiting the use of biologically favorable bioinks. Here, we created a portable and affordable robotic arm bioprinter with precise control over bioink temperature. The system maintained biomaterial ink temperatures from 6 to 60 ± 0.05 °C. We tested a bioprinting optimization strategy with different temperature-sensitive bioinks. In addition, we engineered a personalized in vivo printing strategy derived from in situ scanning and model reconstruction that utilizes freely available and open-source software. We further demonstrated the benefits of human-derived bioinks made of blood components. The system and the proposed human-derived bioinks pave the way toward the personalization of scaffold-based regenerative medicine.
ROS-mediated damage to the core domain of HIV integrase: A molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Pan Cunjia , Chen Qiaoyue , Liu Danfeng , Ding Mingming , Zhang Lili
Published: October 2024

Using molecular dynamics simulation with reactive force-field (ReaxFF), we study the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated damage to the core domain of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) integrase. Our results demonstrate that with the increase in the ROS concentration, the structure of the core domain of HIV is more severely damaged, including dehydrogenation, increasing oxygen-containing groups, shorting or damaging spirals, and breaking peptide bonds. We particularly note that ROS has a significantly higher capability to abstract H atoms from N atoms than C atoms. The effects of different species of ROS on dehydrogenation and shorting or damaging spirals are not prominent. In contrast, for increasing oxygen-containing groups and breaking peptide bonds, the effect of O is more remarkable than O3 and O3 is greater than ·OH. Moreover, carboxyl dehydrogenation and nitrogen dehydrogenation are more easily dehydrogenated, resulting in higher dehydrogenation ratios for polar amino acid residues. These meticulous findings deepen our understanding of the role of ROS in regulating the structure and function of the core domain of HIV integrase and provide valuable insights into the plasma treatment of acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
Investigation of ferro-resistive switching mechanisms in TiN/Hf0.5Zr0.5O2/WOx/W ferroelectric tunnel junctions with the interface layer effect
Authors: Lee Suk Hyun , Park Han Sol , Shin Seong Jae , Lee In Soo , Ryoo Seung Kyu , Byun Seungyong , Kim Kyung Do , Moon Taehwan , Hwang Cheol Seong
Published: October 2024

This study presents an in-depth analysis of ferro-resistive switching (FRS) behaviors in a TiN/Hf0.5Zr0.5O2(HZO)/WOx/W ferroelectric tunnel junction (FTJ) device, with a particular focus on the role of the tungsten oxide (WOx) interface layer (IL). Structural examinations confirm the presence of the WOx IL, which significantly influences the FRS properties of the device. Electrical measurements indicate the devices exhibit stable and reproducible FRS characteristics with an ON/OFF ratio of 9.7, predominantly attributed to the tunneling electro-resistance (TER) effect driven by the ferroelectric polarization. Comprehensive numerical simulations, incorporating the nucleation-limited switching model and Simmons tunneling mechanism, provide detailed insights into how the WOx IL and the trapped charges at the HZO/WOx interface affect polarization switching mechanisms and the electronic potential barrier profile. These findings underscore the importance of interface effects in HfO2-based FTJs and advance the understanding of the TER mechanism in multilayer ferroelectric systems.
Water permeability property of recycled aggregate concrete
Authors: Yu Yong , Yuan Jialiang , Lin Lang
Published: October 2024

Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) is widely recognized as a promising approach for recycling construction and demolition waste. However, its practical application remains limited. A contributing factor to this limitation is the incomplete understanding of RAC’s durability characteristics, particularly its permeability, which is closely tied to the transport of harmful ions within the concrete matrix. Despite the critical importance of this issue, research in this area is still relatively sparse. This knowledge gap has motivated the current study, which seeks to thoroughly investigate the water permeability properties of RAC. In this comprehensive study, 84 specimens were fabricated for permeability testing. This study explores the influence of various factors, including the sources of coarse and fine recycled aggregates (RAs), the RA replacement ratios, and the water-to-binder ratio. The results indicate that the inclusion of both coarse and fine RAs reduces the impermeability of concrete. However, enhancing the quality of these RAs—specifically by increasing the compressive strength of the source concrete—can mitigate the reduction in impermeability. A statistical relationship is established between the average and maximum water permeation depths measured during permeability testing, leading to the formulation of a correlation between the permeability coefficient and the impermeability grade of RAC. Furthermore, mercury intrusion porosimetry testing was conducted to quantitatively analyze the pore structure of the mortar in RAC, providing a microscopic perspective that explains the macroscopic permeability behavior observed. Finally, a predictive model for estimating the permeability coefficient of RAC is proposed, demonstrating a high level of accuracy.
Historical trends in teacher personality from human language
Authors: Xu Liang
Published: October 2024

Understanding the historical perception and value of teacher personalities reveals key educational priorities and societal expectations. This study analyzes the evolution of teachers’ ascribed Big Five personality traits from 1800 to 2019, drawing on millions of English-language books. Word frequency analysis reveals that conscientiousness is the most frequently discussed trait, followed by agreeableness, openness, extraversion, and neuroticism. This pattern underscores society’s focus on whether teachers are responsible. Polarity analysis further indicates a higher prevalence of low neuroticism descriptors (e.g., patient and tolerant) in descriptions of teachers compared to the general population, reinforcing the perception of teachers as stable and dependable. The frequent use of terms like “moral”, “enthusiastic”, and “practical” in describing teachers highlights the positive portrayal of their personalities. However, since the mid-20th century, there has been a notable rise in negative descriptors related to openness (e.g., traditional and conventional), coupled with a decline in positive openness terms. This shift suggests an evolving view of teachers as less receptive to new ideas. These findings offer valuable insights into the historical portrayal and societal values attributed to teacher personalities.
Premature Coconut Nutfall and
Amblypelta cocophaga
China (Hemiptera, Coreidae) in Solomon Islands
Authors: Macfarlane R.
Published: October 2024

The causal organism of premature nutfall of coconuts is the coreiid bug,
Amblypelta cocophaga
China. There are several species of
Amblypelta
which are spread throughout Melanesia, Northern Australia, and Indonesia. Only
Amblypelta cocophaga cocophaga
and
Amblypelta cocophaga malaitensis
are associated with severe premature nutfall of coconuts.
Amblypelta cocophaga
has also been reported by EPPO and CABI to be present in Fiji and Singapore, but both records are erroneous. Premature nutfall of coconuts has always been associated with four dominant ant species,
Oecophylla smaragdina
and
Anoploleplis gracilipes
are antagonistic to
A. cocophaga
whereas
Pheidole megacephala
and
Philidris myrmecodiae
are not. Spraying the base of the palm to kill ants, and inter-planting with soursop trees to encourage
O. smaragdina
has shown promise in controlling nutfall. The little fire ant,
Wasmannia auropunctata,
was accidentally introduced into Solomon Islands in the 1960s and was accidentally spread around the country. It has proven beneficial in stopping premature nutfall. Currently premature nutfall is hard to find. Biosecurity is an essential component of effective pest management. Eradication of new pests is often not possible, economic, or necessary. Prevention of movement of organisms into new areas is still the most effective biosecurity tool.

Information

© The Author 2024
Single transition layer in mass-conserving reaction-diffusion systems with bistable nonlinearity
Authors: Kuwamura Masataka , Teramoto Takashi , Ikeda Hideo
Published: October 2024

Mass-conserving reaction-diffusion systems with bistable nonlinearity are useful models for studying cell polarity formation, which is a key process in cell division and differentiation. We rigorously show the existence and stability of stationary solutions with a single internal transition layer in such reaction-diffusion systems under general assumptions by the singular perturbation theory. Moreover, we present a meaningful model for understanding the existence of an unstable transition layer solution; our numerical simulations show that the unstable solution is a separatrix of the dynamics of the model.
The applicability study of the large wind farm wake effect model
Authors: Han Yi , Li Qian , Liu Wei , Peng Huaiwu , Zhang Lihui
Published: October 2024

As the scale of the wind farm becomes bigger and the wind turbines are increasingly clustered, a large wind farm wake effect occurs. In this work, the initial distance where the large wind farm wake effect model starts to take effect is investigated analytically. The large wind farm wake effect is evaluated by constructing a large-scale wind farm with a regular arrangement of wind turbines similar to Horns Rev. The essential variables that influence the wind deficit trend of the large wind farm wake effect model are explored numerically. The wake deficit becomes more obvious as the surface roughness gets lower, the apparent turbine spacing gets smaller, or the thrust coefficient decreases. The wake deficits between the large wind farm wake effect model and the wake superposition of the modified Park model are compared. The transition distance, where the dominator of the wind deficit switches from the modified Park model to the large wind farm wake effect model, moves upstream along the incoming wind for the rougher surface or the lower thrust coefficient. In addition, for the similar resultant turbine spacing, the slightly staggered wind farm layout does not show an obvious influence on the wake deficit obtained by the large wind farm wake effect model.
Reactive power and voltage control based on reactive power compensation coefficient and sensitivity factor
Authors: Xie Zhihua , Wei Wenqi , Jia Peng
Published: October 2024

Aiming at the problems that the existing reactive power allocation methods do not take into account the specific operating state of each doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) and the established optimization model has many variables and is complicated, this paper proposes to construct an optimization model based on reactive power compensation coefficient and sensitivity factor, to reduce the number of variables in the mathematical model and simplify the expression of the relationship between each key parameter, so the speed of the reactive power and voltage control are improved. In the process of constructing specific optimization models, the objective of minimizing the active loss takes into account the operating copper consumption of each DFIG. The objective of minimizing the voltage fluctuation of each DFIG is also taken into account, in addition to the operating state constraints of each DFIG, so that the final reactive power allocation is more practical. In solving the multi-objective optimization problem, the improved NSGA-II algorithm is utilized, which can achieve the simultaneous optimization of multiple objectives, and when combined with the simplified model established in this paper, the correctness and speed of obtaining the optimal solution set of Pareto can be further improved. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed strategy in reducing active losses and voltage fluctuations in wind farms is verified by simulation examples.
Gender inequality in global water security
Authors: Kakinuma Kaoru , Wada Yoshihide
Published: October 2024

Ensuring universal and equitable access to water and sanitation for all by 2030 (United Nations Agenda 2030, Sustainable Development Goal or SDG 6) is one of the most important goals for the world. 785 million people do not still have access to basic drinking water services. This burden disproportionately affects women, who are often responsible for collecting water from distant sources in regions with limited or no water supply systems. Understanding the spatial patterns of socio-demographic and hydrological factors is key to address the interlinked challenges of gender equality and water security under SDG 5 (‘Achieve gender equality’) and SDG 6. While the challenges women face in securing water are widely recognized, quantitative analysis of gender inequality in global water security has not previously been studied. Here, we present, to our knowledge the first global assessment of gender inequality in water security. We measured water security by examining both water access and water scarcity (hereafter, water stress), incorporating population data for working-age individuals and children. We integrated this hydrological and demographic information at a spatial resolution of approximately 10 km from 2000 to 2014 when the information is available. Our results showed that more working-age women than men experience poor water access, particularly in Africa. In addition, women in countries with high water insecurity, defined as high water stress and poor water access—such as Burkina Faso, Togo, and Somalia—primary conduct water collection. Our results indicate significant gender-based differences in water security, with women frequently remaining in rural areas characterized by poor water access. These inequalities could be further intensified by climate change and socio-economic factors.
Severity of a megafire reduced by interactions of wildland fire suppression operations and previous burns
Authors: Harris Lucas B , Farris Calvin A , Niziolek Dani , Taylor Alan H
Published: October 2024

Burned area and proportion of high severity fire have been increasing in the western USA, and reducing wildfire severity with fuel treatments or other means is key for maintaining fire-prone dry forests and avoiding fire-catalyzed forest loss. Despite the unprecedented scope of firefighting operations in recent years, their contribution to patterns of wildfire severity is rarely quantified. Here we investigate how wildland fire suppression operations and past fire severity interacted to affect severity patterns of the northern third of the 374 000 ha Dixie Fire, the largest single fire in California history. We developed a map of the intensity and type of suppression operations and a statistical model of the Composite Burn Index (CBI) including weather, fuels, and terrain variables during the fire to quantify the importance of operations and prior fires on wildfire severity. Wildfire severity was estimated without operations and previous fires and then compared with modeled severity under observed conditions. Previous low and moderate-severity fire without operations decreased CBI by 38% and 19% respectively. Heavy operations and offensive firing in the footprint of past fires lowered fire severity even more compared to prior fire alone. Medium operations and defensive firing reduced but did not eliminate the moderating effects of past fires. This analysis demonstrates important interactions between suppression operations and previous burns that drive patterns of fire severity and vegetation dynamics in post-fire landscapes. Given the need to reduce wildfire severity to maintain forest resilience, particularly with a warming climate, increased attention to using operations and severity patterns of previous fires known to reduce wildfire severity in megafires are likely to increase forest resilience and improve ecological outcomes.
Higher-rank sectors in the hexagon formalism and marginal deformations
Authors: Eden Burkhard , le Plat Dennis , Spiering Anne
Published: October 2024

The hexagon approach provides an integrability framework for the computation of structure constants in

N

=

4

super Yang–Mills theory in four dimensions. Three-point functions are cut into two hexagonal patches, on which the excitations of the long-range Bethe ansatz of the spectrum problem scatter. To this end, the Bethe states representing the operators also need to be cut into two parts. In rank-one sectors such entangled states are fairly straightforward to construct so that most applications of the method have so far been restricted to this simplest case. In this article we construct entangled states for operators in

p
s
u
(
1
,
1

|

2
)

sectors, importing a minimum of information from the nested Bethe ansatz. The idea is successfully tested against free field theory for a sample set of correlators with up to three higher-rank operators. Further, we take a look at the same correlators in the presence of marginal deformations of the theory. While a systematic modification of the hexagon procedure remains out of reach for now, in practical applications the undeformed amplitudes are surprisingly efficient, especially for a certain one-parameter deformation.
Analysis of blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus) stock in Banten Bay waters based on spawning potential ratio methods
Authors: Aulia I , Khalifa M A , Rahmawati A
Published: October 2024

Blue Swimming Crab (BSC) (Portunus pelagicus) is the main commodity in Banten Bay with fishing activity throughout the year. The increasing fishing pressure has led to a decrease in the average size of the BSC carapace width. This situation is indicative of overfishing of BSC and it can have negative effects on the stock of BSC. This study aimed to determine the stock and condition status of BSC based on the results of research conducted from December 2021 to February 2022 in the waters around Banten Bay. Data were collected using direct observation and simple random sampling from fishers at each landing site with a total sample of 7244 consisting of 4448 males and 2796 females. Data analysis using the Fisat II and web-based application http://barefootecologist.com.au/. The results showed that the stock status of BSC in Banten Bay resulted in an SPR value of 21% or below the sustainability target. The catch of BSC males was more than females with a ratio of 1.59:1. The length at first capture (Lc) females was 117.3 mm and the length at first mature/adult (Lm) was 103 mm. The length at first capture size was greater than the length at first mature which showed catch-worthy.
Haplotype diversity of coastal horseshoe crab (Tachypleus gigas, Muller 1785) based on 16S rRNA gene markers as a basis for conservation
Authors: Kurniawan C , Samosir A M , Mashar A
Published: October 2024

Tachypleus gigas is one of horseshoe crab species found in Indonesia, but does not have sufficient molecular biology information available. This study aims to predict the populations health of T. gigas from the waters of Langkat, Semarang, and Bintan; through analysis of haplotype diversity based on 16S rRNA gene markers. The observation was conducted from November 2022 until April 2023. Sample’s total DNA was isolated, extracted, amplified and then sequenced to obtain the nucleotide base sequence. The BLASTn results showed that the samples were validated as Tachypleus gigas and the genetic distance between locations showed a close kinship relationship between the three. The population health of the horseshoe crabs from Langkat and Semarang were indicated good with high haplotype diversity values, meanwhile the Bintan indicated poor health with low haplotype diversity values. This study of haplotype diversity provided the starting point to the conservation of horseshoe crab T. gigas
The relationship between coral fish diversity and ecosystem services as an added value for the sustainable development: Evidence in Tanjung Lesung SEZ, Banten Province, Indonesia
Authors: Kusuma O R , Adrianto L , Kurniawan F , Mulyawati L S
Published: October 2024

This study aims to explore the relationship between the diversity of coral fish resources and ecosystem services as added value in the development of sustainable Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The existence of SEZs has become an economic focal point, making the balance of the natural environment increasingly crucial to support long-term economic growth. Data collection for this research was conducted through field surveys to assess the diversity of coral fish resources, including species, abundance, and distribution in Tanjung Lesung. The data was further analyzed to determine the added value of ecosystem services to SEZ development, which includes provisioning services and cultural services. The results of the study revealed a significant relationship between the diversity of coral fish resources and ecosystem services in the area. High levels of species and resources diversity positively contribute to food availability for communities, as well as enhancing cultural services, such as tourism. Additionally, coral fish naturally plays a vital role in maintaining ecosystem balance and ensuring the survival of other species in the food chain. The findings of this research provide a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainability and governance of coral fish resources in supporting the development of SEZs. This study also serves as a foundation for policy planning that focuses on responsible and sustainable utilization of coral fish resources to achieve balanced long-term economic development in harmony with aspect of environmental conservation.
Social media influence on the promotion of sustainable fisheries management: Insight from Indonesian blue swimming crab
Authors: Darmawan D , Sutinem  , Yaskun M , Taqiyuddin MW , Maulydya FYD
Published: October 2024

Blue swimming crab is one of potential fisheries commodities in Indonesia that has been mainly exported to America. Crab industry contributed to national economy due to high export volume and value. The use of social media has surged due to digitalization, becoming a crucial marketing strategy for maximizing business profits. The role of social media in non-profit organizations for fisheries sustainability campaigns remains unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze to the role of social media in promoting sustainable blue swimming crab fisheries programs in Indonesia. Data was collected for 14 days from 31 social media users on various platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. SmartPLS 3.2.9 was applied to analyze the effect of recall, recognition, alternative, and recalling on blue swimming crabs fishery programs on interaction and effectiveness consumer brand engagement (CBE). Results showed that the most recognized fisheries sustainability programs for blue swimming crabs were crab apartment and GTK-5 Minutes. Meanwhile, the crab enlargement program and APRI Youth Innovation were known through moment-open recruitment. Knowing and following APRI’s social media has significant effect on CBE’s interaction and effectiveness. Social media could also be used as a marketing strategy to promote sustainable fisheries management programs The research reveals the significance of social media in fostering consumer engagement and promoting sustainable practices in fisheries management programs by non-profit organization through effective marketing strategies.
A microphysiological assay for studying T-cell chemotaxis, trafficking and tumor killing
Authors: Grandhi Taraka Sai Pavan , Mebrahtu Makda , Musso Ryan , Fullman Alexis , Nifong Brady , Wisdom Katrina , Roh Terrence T , Sender Matthew , Poore Derek , Macdougall Claire E , Oren Ravit , Griffin Sue , Cheng Aaron T , Ekert Jason E
Published: October 2024

Tumors in patients non-responsive to immunotherapy harbor a series of barriers that impede the efficacy of effector T-cells. Consequently, therapeutically modulating the chemotaxis machinery to enable effector T cell infiltration and function in the tumor could result in more successful therapeutic outcomes. Complex in-vitro models allow re-creation of in-vivo tumor complexities in an in-vitro setting, allowing improved translatability to patient biology at the laboratory scale. We identified a gap in available industrial scale microphysiological (MPS) assays for faster validation of targets and strategies that enable T-cell chemotaxis and effector function within tumor microenvironments. Using a commercially available, 96-chip 2-lane microfluidic assay system, we present a novel, scalable, complex in vitro MPS assay to study 3D T-cell chemotaxis and function within native, extracellular matrix (ECM)-rich multicellular tumor environments. Activated or naïve CD3+ T-cells stained with far-red nuclear stain responded to the chemokine gradients generated within the matrigel-collagen ECM by migrating into the microfluidic channel (∼5 mm horizontal window), in a concentration- and cell type-dependent manner. Furthermore, we observed and tracked chemotaxis and cancer cell killing function of antigen-specific CD4.CD8. chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells that responded to CXCR3 agonist gradient built through the expansive 5 mm of cancer cell colony containing stroma. The 2-lane assay system yielded useful information regarding donor and dose-dependent differences in CAR-T cell chemotaxis and tumor killing. The scalable assay system allows a granular window into immune cell migration and function in tissue spaces beyond endothelium, addressing a missing gap in studying tissue-specific immune cell chemotaxis and function to bring forward advancements in cancer immunotherapy.
Synthesis of magnetic spinal ferrite CrFe2O4 nanoparticles and uses them to remove lead and cadmium ions from aqueous solutions
Authors: Hammood Ahmed Yousif , AL- Tememi Muhand K. , Abdulnabi Zuhair Ali , Majed Ahmed A.
Published: October 2024

This study deals with the preparation of a magnetic ferrite CrFe2O4 by the sol–gel auto-combustion method, using the lemon juice extract as a fuel for the reaction and preventing the precipitation of the components. The prepared nanocomposite was diagnized using various techniques such as FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, EDX, Zeta Potential and (BET). X-ray diffraction patterns verified the state of phase purity and the particle size of 33.9 nm. Additionally the study examined the synthesized compound as an adsorbent surface for lead and cadmium ions from their aqueous solutions. The mathematical formulae of the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were applied to the actual adsorption data utilising the findings from the temperature effect studies. As a result, the Freundlich equation yielded a more correlated linear link than the Langmuir isotherm. The thermodynamic results showed that the lead and cadmium ions adsorption were endothermic according to the positive (ΔH) values, whereas the lead and cadmium ion adsorption process were spontaneous with negative (ΔG) values. Positive values of (ΔS) indicate an increase in the randomness of the adsorption process. The current study also comprises the practical application of eliminating lead and cadmium ions from marine waters collected from two sites: Al-Faw Al-Kabir Port (Eastern Breaker) and Khor Al-Zubair (berth 13), by means of the prepared surface. The results indicate the removal percentage of the prepared surface for lead was (91.72%) for the first location and (86.00%) for the second location, whereas the removal percentage of cadmium was (85.52%) for the first site and (89.10%) for the second site.
Contingent Property
Authors: Ho Jean
Published: October 2024

Chapter 4 introduces contingent property as a category of new property in international law, and evaluates the extent to which assimilation to property offers a more rewarding avenue for redressing violations to a person, a thing, or a right. It further demonstrates that while international law has been applied to regulate contingent property, practice has been sporadic and uneven, resulting in an international law that is adequate as a remedial law in some contexts, and lacking in others. Section 2 takes a closer look at the motivations and conditions for assimilating a range of things and rights to property and how the assimilation breeds expectations regarding the corrective function of contingent property. Section 3 showcases the extent to which these expectations are met across different types of contingent property, namely, jurisdictional rights, humans and human rights, and economic rights. Drawing on the different types of contingent property canvassed in the preceding section, Section 4 ventures that international law’s capacity for contingent property regulation and protection reflects a symbiotic relationship between the emergence of contingent property and the development of international law content, which can either sustain or suppress contingent property. Section 5 concludes.
The Regulation of Actors and Actions Affecting New Property
Authors: Ho Jean
Published: October 2024

Chapter 5 investigates the adequacy of existing procedural and substantive redress in international law with respect to actors and actions affecting new property. It also posits that the outlook for new property regulation can only be assessed in light of any articulated shortcomings besetting the status quo. To this end, Section 2 identifies six configurations of sanctionable new property interference, featuring new property-interfering actors undertaking new property-interfering actions. Building on these configurations, Section 3 demonstrates how international law lags behind the rise of new property and its personalities by failing to provide satisfactory procedural and substantive redress for interference. Procedural redress is hampered by stringent conditions attached to the jurisdictional authority of international courts and tribunals, as well as overlapping jurisdictions across different dispute settlement bodies. Substantive redress is hampered by the availability of only state-centric or individual-centric remedies for property interference in narrowly defined settings. Drawing together the dawn of new problems presented in Section 2, and the current obstacles to redress reviewed in Section 3, Section 4 considers the propriety of viewing international law as a complex adaptive system capable of self-correction, and the factors that inform the promise of self-correction. Section 5 concludes.
Concluding Remarks
Authors: Ho Jean
Published: October 2024

The Concluding Remarks draw on the five preceding substantive chapters to posit that international law’s current ineptitude towards new property regulation is the result of its subversion by corporate, capitalist forces. The capture began when mighty European trading companies managed to invoke international law to justify their blatant use of force to dominate trading routes and concessions in Asia. Over time, the corporate, capitalist orientation of international law became evident from the complete absence of provisions in international instruments that are enforceable against corporations and individuals illegally trading cultural property for profit, from the complete absence of provisions in international instruments that are enforceable against corporations and individuals over-harvesting common property for profit, and from the complete absence of provisions in international instruments that are enforceable against corporations and individuals extorting contingent property for profit. The Concluding Remarks thus advocate a step away from treaties to plaster over the striking content deficiencies in international law, and a step towards less institutionalized, less centralized forms of regulation as gap-fillers.
How important is important? A commentary on ‘Temporal turnover of Ceratobasidiaceae orchid mycorrhizal fungal communities with ontogenetic and phenological development in Prasophyllum (Orchidaceae)’
Authors: Jacquemyn Hans
Published: October 2024

This article comments on:

Marc Freestone, Noushka Reiter, Nigel D. Swarts and Celeste C. Linde, Temporal turnover of Ceratobasidiaceae orchid mycorrhizal fungal communities with ontogenetic and phenological development in Prasophyllum (Orchidaceae), Annals of Botany, Volume 134, Issue 6, 31 December 2024, Pages 933–947, https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcae089
Offspring may succeed well next to their relatives, but it needs particular traits
Authors: Zhang Keliang , Deniau Maud , Jung Vincent , Béchade Benoît , Gousbet Valérie , Brunellière Margot , Yguel Benjamin , Prinzing Andreas
Published: October 2024

Background and Aims

There is ongoing debate about whether offspring perform best next to phylogenetically distantly related adult neighbours (due to the scarcity of enemies and competitors) or next to closely related adults (due to the abundance of mutualists). Here we hypothesize that relatedness of adult neighbours affects which traits confer performance rather than performance itself.

Methods

We studied seed removal, seed germination and sapling growth in sessile oaks (Quercus petraea and hybrids) and how they depend on size, shape and other traits, under both closely and distantly related canopies, manipulating offspring density, presence of insects and fungi, and spatial proximity to oaks.

Key Results

We found that phylogenetic distance of adult neighbours affects only little the performance of offspring but strongly affects which traits confer performance on offspring, in particular the size and shape of seeds and saplings. Differences in trait–performance relationships mostly disappear once insects or conspecific competitors are excluded (albeit exclusion of fungi reinforced these differences). Effects of phylogenetic distance of neighbours were not replaceable by the percentage of gymnosperms among neighbours or by the environmental conditions considered.

Conclusions

We suggest that, by responding to a biotic micro-mosaic of selection pressures, sessile oak flexibly succeeds in diverse neighbourhoods. Sessile oak might maintain the potential for both convergence with and divergence from phylogenetically distantly related species, thereby reinforcing or eroding phylogenetic signal of niches.
The Cosmetic Readiness Questionnaire (CRQ): Validation of a Preoperative Psychological Screening Tool for Aesthetic Procedures
Authors: Pikoos Toni D , Buchanan Ben , Hegarty David , Rossell Susan L
Published: October 2024

Background

Several psychological risk factors are associated with patient dissatisfaction with aesthetic procedures, such as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), unmanaged mental health concerns, and unrealistic expectations. Identifying these risks by preoperative screening may protect patients from adverse psychological outcomes and provide reputational or legal protection for practitioners.

Objectives

In this study we aimed to further develop and validate the Cosmetic Readiness Questionnaire (CRQ), a comprehensive psychological screening tool to assess patient suitability for surgical and nonsurgical aesthetic procedures.

Methods

The CRQ was validated across 2 studies in clinical contexts, examining structural and construct validity in a sample of 8031 individuals who completed the CRQ as part of routine clinical care. In a further sample (n = 574), criterion validity was explored through the relationship between the CRQ and dissatisfaction with past aesthetic treatments. Risk category cutoff scores were developed.

Results

Results supported the reliability and validity of a 5-factor CRQ that measured body dysmorphia, psychological distress, self-criticism, unrealistic expectations, and lack of openness. High scorers on the CRQ were 78% more likely to report dissatisfaction with a past cosmetic procedure than low scorers.

Conclusions

The CRQ is a comprehensive and valid screening measure for identifying patients who may require further psychological assessment or additional support before aesthetic treatment. Instructions are provided on how to implement the CRQ in clinical practice.

Level of Evidence: 3 (Diagnostic)
Cutaneous metastasis: a rare presentation of prostate cancer
Authors: Passby Lauren , Colloby Peter , Roberts Claudia , Preston Philip
Published: October 2024

We report an 81-year-old man who presented with an ulcerated nodule on the anterior scrotum. Histological analysis identified this to be a cutaneous metastasis of previously treated prostate adenocarcinoma. We also reviewed the literature on cutaneous metastasis of visceral malignancies, as well as differential diagnoses for scrotal nodules and ulceration.
Informal caregiver burden in dialysis care and how it relates to patients’ health-related quality of life and symptoms
Authors: Driehuis Esmee , Janse Roemer J , Roeterdink Anneke J , Konijn Wanda S , van Lieshout Thomas S , Vogels Theodôr J F M , Goto Namiko A , Broese van Groenou Marjolein I , Dekker Friedo W , van Jaarsveld Brigit C , Abrahams Alferso C
Published: October 2024

Background

Informal caregivers play a crucial role in dialysis care but may experience significant burden, potentially affecting both caregiver and patient outcomes. Research on caregiver burden and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the relation to patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to (i) describe informal caregivers’ experienced burden and HRQoL and (ii) investigate how these are related to dialysis patients’ HRQoL and symptoms.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study at dialysis initiation with 202 adult informal caregiver–dialysis patient dyads. Caregiver burden was measured with the Self-Perceived Pressure from Informal Care (SPPIC) questionnaire, HRQoL with the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), and symptom number and burden with the Dialysis Symptom Index (DSI). Data were analysed using linear and logistic ordinal regression.

Results

Around 38% of caregivers experienced moderate to high burden. Patients’ lower mental HRQoL [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92; 0.99], higher symptom number (aOR = 1.07, 95% CI 1.02; 1.12) and higher symptom burden (aOR = 1.03, 95% CI 1.01; 1.04) were associated with greater odds of higher caregiver burden. Patients’ lower mental HRQoL (β = 0.30, 95% CI 0.15; 0.46), higher symptom number (β = –0.55, 95% CI –0.78; –0.31) and higher symptom burden (β = –0.17, 95% CI –0.25; –0.10) were also associated with a lower mental HRQoL in caregivers.

Conclusion

We show that a third of caregivers feel moderate to high burden and that caregiver burden is associated with patients’ mental HRQoL and symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing informal caregivers and the nature of their burden.
Sex-specific expression of circadian rhythms enables allochronic speciation
Authors: van Doorn G Sander , Schepers Jens , Hut Roelof A , Groot Astrid T
Published: October 2024

Noctuid moths provide prime examples of species in various stages of allochronic speciation, where reproductive barriers are mediated by genetic divergence in daily or seasonal timing. Theory indicates that allochronic divergence might be one of the most plausible mechanisms of adaptive speciation, especially when timing is subject to divergent ecological selection. Here, we show that the validity of this theoretical expectation is entirely contingent on species characteristics of the mating system. Our analysis focuses on the moth Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae), which occurs as two strains that differ in circadian reproductive activity. Unlike in generic models of assortative mating, where chronotypes diverge under mild assumptions, individual-based evolutionary simulations of the mating system and life cycle of S. frugiperda fail to recover allochronic diversification, even under conditions highly conducive to speciation. Instead, we observe that both chronotypes advance their activity schedule toward the early night, resulting in a rapid loss of allochronic variation. This outcome is caused by the fact that mating in S. frugiperda takes considerable time and potential mates are encountered sequentially, so that early males enjoy a systematic advantage. The undermining effect of male mate competition can be overcome when circadian genes evolve sex-specific expression, enabling early and late chronotypes to be maintained or even to diversify in sympatry. These results give new significance to sex differences in biological rhythms and suggest that species characteristics of the mating system and genetic architecture are key to understanding the scope for allochronic speciation across diverse species exhibiting variation in timing.
The impact of mental health disorders and job demands on the individual job performance of construction workers
Authors: Kazar Gokhan , Rahmanzadeh Pourya
Published: October 2024

Objectives

Understanding the impact of job demands and mental health disorders on individual job performance is crucial to achieving a more productive workforce and should be empirically investigated. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to assess the impact of job demands and mental health disorders on individual job performance among construction workers. In addition, we examined the interaction effect between job demands and some demographic characteristics (income, marital status, experience, and area of residence) on the job performance of construction workers in 2 dimensions.

Methods

For this purpose, a new conceptual model and 3 different hypotheses were introduced. A survey was designed and administered to 513 construction workers. Whereas the measurement items regarding demographic characteristics, job demands, and mental health disorders were addressed to construction workers, the last part related to job performance of construction workers was conducted with site managers of the workers to obtain more objective results. A structural equation modeling approach was adopted to assess the validity of the model and to test the hypotheses.

Results

The results of this study show that whereas job demands have a significant and high impact on individual job performance, the effect of mental health disorders on job performance is significant at a moderate level. In addition, the demographic characteristics of marital status and area of residence have a significant interaction effect on job performance when combined with job demands.

Conclusion

Providing individualized support systems, resources, and opportunities for construction workers can help mitigate the negative effects of excessive demands and mental disorders on labor productivity.
The spatially resolved relation between dust, gas, and metal abundance with the TYPHOON survey
Authors: Park Hye-Jin , Battisti Andrew J , Wisnioski Emily , Cortese Luca , Seibert Mark , Grasha Kathryn , Madore Barry F , Groves Brent , Rich Jeff A , Beaton Rachael L , Chen Qian-Hui , Mun Marcie , McClure-Griffiths Naomi M , de Blok W J G , Kewley Lisa J
Published: October 2024

We present the spatially resolved relationship between the dust-to-gas mass ratio (DGR) and gas-phase metallicity ($Z_{\rm gas}$ or 12 + log(O/H)) (i.e. DGR–$Z_{\rm gas}$ relation) of 11 nearby galaxies with a large-metallicity range (1.5 dex of 12 + log(O/H)) at (sub-)kpc scales. We used the large field-of-view ($\gtrsim$ 3 arcmin) optical pseudo-Integral Field Spectroscopy data taken by the TYPHOON/Progressive Integral Step Method survey, covering the optical size of galaxies, combining them with multiwavelength data [far-ultrviolet (UV) to far-infrared (IR), CO, and H i 21 cm radio]. A large scatter of DGR in the intermediate-metallicity galaxies (8.0 $\lt $ 12 + log(O/H)$\lt $ 8.3) is found, which is in line with dust evolution models, where grain growth begins to dominate the mechanism of dust mass accumulation. In the lowest metallicity galaxy of our sample, Sextans A (12 + log(O/H)$\lt $ 7.6), the star-forming regions have significantly higher DGR values (by 0.5–2 dex) than the global estimates from literature at the same metallicity, but aligns with the DGR values from metal depletion method from damped Lyman alpha systems and high hydrogen gas density regions of Sextans A. Using dust evolution models with a Bayesian Monte Carlo Markov Chain approach suggests: (1) a high supernova dust yield and (2) a negligible amount of photofragmentation by UV radiation, although we note that our sample in the low-metallicity regime is limited to Sextans A. On the other hand, it is also possible that while metallicity influences DGR, gas density also plays a role, indicating an early onset of dust grain growth in the dust mass build-up process despite its low metallicity.