bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of SRSD writing interventions in grade 3: examining the added value of attention vs. transcription training components
Authors: Rocha Renata S. , Soeiro Inês , Magalhães Sofia , Castro São Luís , Limpo Teresa
Published: July 2023

Children’s writing depends on strategic and self-regulated behaviors as well as on attention and transcription skills. Despite the well-established effectiveness of interventions based on the self-regulated strategy development model (SRSD), little is known about their effects when combined with the explicit teaching and systematic training of attention or transcription. This study compared the effects of SRSD interventions that taught students a planning strategy and how to use it compose text, with additional components of attention (via focused meditation exercises) or transcription (via copy and alphabet exercises). We used a quasi-experimental design with three groups of Portuguese third graders: SRSD + attention (n = 42), SRSD + transcription (n = 37), and wait list (n = 34). Measures of transcription, executive functions, motivation, written production, and academic achievement were collected before and after the interventions. Analyses of co-variance revealed that the SRSD + transcription group surpassed the others in terms of handwriting fluency as well as in terms of spelling accuracy, though only among the weakest spellers at pretest. Moreover, in comparison to the wait list group, both SRSD groups showed better planning skills, wrote more complete texts, and displayed better executive functioning at posttest. After the intervention, though the SRSD + transcription group produced better texts than their peers, the SRSD + attention group achieved better academic performance, but only among those with poorer grades at pretest. Regarding motivation, we only found an effect of the SRSD + transcription intervention on self-efficacy for ideation, among students with lower self-efficacy at pretest. These findings suggest the importance of articulating writing and self-regulation strategies with attention and transcription training in early schooling.
Airport COVID-19 Testing of Travelers: An Island Destination Perspective
Authors: Hou Amy T. , Pang Genevieve C. , Mills Kristin M. , Bayudan Krizhna L. , Moore Dayna M. , Medina Luz P. , Pang Lorrin W.
Published: July 2023

Purpose of Review

To highlight recent literature on airport COVID-19 testing studies among travelers at international borders and to identify factors that may contribute to bias.

Recent Findings

Literature search shows vastly different study designs and goals for airport COVID-19 screening programs, with positivity rates ranging from 0.1 to 100%. Goals included detecting the maximum cases with enforced isolation, determining an accurate positivity rate among travelers, investigating alternative diagnostics, and evaluating pre-travel programs. Participation rates are in the low (27–40%) to high ranges (72–100%).

The implementation strategy differs depending on the primary goal. If the goal is to ban new cases or perform active surveillance of new variants, then it is reasonable to consider mandatory airport testing, or voluntary testing with genome sequencing and isolation. If the goal is to determine an accurate positivity rate among travelers or effectiveness of pre-travel programs, then it is reasonable to consider an anonymous, voluntary testing program (without associated isolation) to minimize self-selection bias or distortion of travelers.
Bone Health in the Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth Population
Authors: Lee Janet Y.
Published: July 2023

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to summarize the scientific evidence on bone health in transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth.

Recent Findings

Gender-affirming medical therapies may be introduced during a key window of skeletal development in TGD adolescents. Before treatment, low bone density for age is more prevalent than expected in TGD youth. Bone mineral density Z-scores decrease with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and differentially respond to subsequent estradiol or testosterone. Risk factors for low bone density in this population include low body mass index, low physical activity, male sex designated at birth, and vitamin D deficiency. Peak bone mass attainment and implications for future fracture risk are not yet known.

TGD youth have higher than expected rates of low bone density prior to initiation of gender-affirming medical therapy. More studies are needed to understand the skeletal trajectories of TGD youth receiving medical interventions during puberty.
Can we decrease unethical behavior at work? The role of ethical culture, ethical culture strength and collective moral identity
Authors: Resende Marilia Mesquita , Porto Juliana Barreiros , Gracia Francisco J.
Published: July 2023

Past research suggests that ethical culture and moral identity impact ethical behavior in organizations. However, research has yet to consider if collective moral identity interacts with ethical culture to predict ethical behavior and how ethical culture strength has a role in this relationship. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship of ethical culture, ethical culture strength, and collective moral identity with unit-level observed unethical behavior and unethical pro-organizational behavior while examining their moderating effects. We test our model with 1942 employees from 96 units of ten organizations and within-unit agreement was estimated for all variables. Our findings point out that ethical culture, and ethical culture strength have a strong association on unethical behavior, but that collective moral identity has no association. We discuss implications regarding the influence of collective moral identity on societies where the perception of corruption is high.
Psychological distress mediates the associations between neighborhood social cohesion (NSC) and cognitive performance in older adults
Authors: Kang Weixi
Published: July 2023

The aim of the current study is to test how psychological distress mediates the associations between neighborhood social cohesion (NSC) and cognitive performance including episodic memory, semantic verbal fluency, fluid reasoning, and numeracy in older adults. Nine multiple regressions were used to analyze the associations between NSC and cognitive performance, NSC and psychological distress, and psychological distress and cognitive performance respectively based on data from 4922 older adults with a mean age of 66.51 (S.D. = 8.27) years old and 47.01% males from Understanding Society: the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS). Moreover, a mediation analysis was conducted by the mediation toolbox on MATLAB 2018a (https://github.com/canlab/MediationToolbox). The current study found that NSC is positively related to all cognitive measures but negatively related to psychological distress, whereas psychological distress is negatively associated with all cognitive performance. Moreover, there was a complete mediation effect of psychological distress on the positive association between NSC and semantic verbal fluency and the association between NSC and fluid reasoning. However, NSC only partially mediated the positive associations between NSC and episodic memory and numeracy respectively. From a policy standpoint, findings from the current study contribute evidence that reinforces the need for program designers and policymakers to join the WHO’s global efforts to build age-friendly communities, which promotes NSC, then leads to reduced psychological distress, and thus better cognitive functions among the elderly. Preserving cognitive functions may in turn reduce health care burdens.
Is There a trade-off Between Achievement and Wellbeing in Education Systems? New cross-country Evidence
Authors: Högberg Björn
Published: July 2023

Wellbeing has recently been given a more prominent place in education policy and discourse, with critics arguing that an overemphasis on achievement comes at the cost of well-being. This raises questions concerning possible trade-offs between the traditionally dominant focus on learning and achievement in education and the growing emphasis on well-being. Can education systems promote high achievements and wellbeing simultaneously, or is reduced wellbeing an inevitable price to pay for high academic achievements? In this study, I investigate possible trade-offs between country-level achievement and individual wellbeing using five waves of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) data, spanning over 18 years and including more than one million pupils in 45 countries. I find weak and inconsistent empirical support for a trade-off. While there is a modest negative relationship between country-level achievement and some indicators of well-being, this does not hold when adjusting for possible confounders or country-fixed effects. I also find no or weak evidence for heterogeneous effects depending on individual achievement. I conclude that concerns regarding possible trade-offs between achievement and wellbeing are not supported by cross-country comparative data. However, the predominantly null findings also imply that policymakers should not expect miracles in terms of wellbeing from high-achieving education systems. High achievements may be good from an academic perspective, but do not seem to make much of a difference from the perspective of wellbeing.
GIN method applied to the consolidation of cracked rocks: case study of the Memve’ele hydroelectric dam (southern Cameroon)
Authors: Mbe Jean Lucien , Yem Mbida , Ekoa Bessa Armel Zacharie , Tatietse Thomas Tamo , Bisso Dieudonné , Mridekh Abdelaziz , Smaoui Abdellatif , Ekodeck Georges Emmanuel
Published: July 2023

The empirical GIN (grouting intensity number) method is one of the most popular methods for structural stabilization and is increasingly used in many projects. The concept of this method is to limit the combination of pressure and volume injected to a specific grouting intensity number in order to control the energy induced in the rock fractures and to avoid heaving. In order to ensure the water tightness of the foundation of the Memve’ele hydroelectric dam, the treatment by the GIN method was implemented. The protocol implemented consisted to carry out a veil of injection drilling, consolidation, and control of effective treatment on each geotechnical hazard zone. Thus, 1240 injection boreholes were opened over a total length of 1600 m, i.e.: 613 pre-treatment boreholes and 627 consolidation boreholes. The results of the monitoring tests show that the 0.7 cement grouting treatment contributed to a reduction in crack permeability to less than 5 Lu (Lugeon units), a reduction of over 94%. This confinement of the rock was confirmed by geophysical imagery whose signature at the fractured interval varied after treatment. Geophysical and geohydrological characterization through permeability testing and electrical tomography revealed the existence of highly permeable discontinuity zones (over 90 Lu) below the bedrock surface, up to 15 m wide. Notwithstanding the volume of drilling carried out, the results obtained support the use of the GIN method in the stabilization of foundations of structures in the granite-gneissic basement zone.
‚Unordentliches Erzählen‘. Anmerkungen zur Rekonstruktion ‚kleiner‘, ‚unvollständiger‘ oder ‚inkohärenter‘ Erzählungen in der Sozialpädagogik und Kriminologie
Authors: Schmidt Holger
Published: July 2023

Der Beitrag rückt die Frage in den Mittelpunkt, wie in an (biographischen) Erzählungen interessierten Forschungen sozialpädagogischer und kriminologischer Provenienz mit dem Phänomen ‚ungeordneter‘ Forschungserzählungen umgegangen wird. In Rekurs auf aktuelle narrationstheoretische Diskurse wie auch auf empirisches Datenmaterial wird ein Verständnis von Erinnerungserzählungen skizziert, in dem die je spezifische Beschaffenheit nicht als Hindernis, sondern als Anlass erkannt wird, engführende und bisweilen normativ grundierte Erzählungs- und Erzählverständnisse zu überdenken, um auf diese Weise soziale Wirklichkeit(skonstruktionen) differenzierter aufzuschließen.
Trends in hospital volume and operative mortality in hepato-biliary surgery in Veneto region, Italy
Authors: Guglielmi Alfredo , Tripepi Marzia , Salmaso Laura , Fedeli Ugo , Ruzzenente Andrea , Saia Mario
Published: July 2023

Hepatobiliary resections are among the most complex and technically challenging surgical procedures. Even though robust evidence showed that complex surgical procedures such as hepatobiliary surgery have better short- and long-term outcomes and lower mortality rate when performed in high-volume centers, the minimal criteria of centers that can perform hepatobiliary activity are not clearly defined. We conducted a retrospective population study of patients who underwent hepatobiliary surgery for malignant disease in a single Italian administrative region (Veneto) from 2010 to 2021 with the aim to investigate the hospitals annual surgical volume for hepatobiliary malignant diseases and the effect of hospital volume on in-hospital, 30- and 90-day postoperative mortality. The centralization process of hepatobiliary surgery in Veneto is rapidly increasing over the past 10 years (rate of performed in highly specialized centers increased from 62% in 2010 to 78% in 2021) and actually it is really established. The crude and adjusted (for age, sex, Charlson Index) mortality rate after hepatobiliary surgery resulted significantly lower in centers with high-volume activity compared to them with low-volume activity. In the Veneto region, the “Hub and Spoke” model led to a progressive centralization of liver and biliary cancer treatment. High surgical volume has been confirmed to be related to better outcomes in terms of mortality rate after hepatobiliary surgical procedures. Further studies are necessary to clearly define the minimal criteria and associated numerical cutoffs that can help define the characteristics of centers that can perform hepatobiliary activities.
Exploring the Social Impact of the Short-Stay Market (SSM) in Regional Areas: An Empirical Study
Authors: Ndaguba Emeka , Brown Kerry , Marinova Dora , Jogulu Uma
Published: July 2023

The discourse on microentrepreneurs and their involvement in the short stay market (SSM) was non-existent until 2008. While several concepts and constructs have been developed and empirically tested since 2009, many of them relate to economics, leaving the social, cultural, and environmental factors underdeveloped. Thus, this study aimed to fill the gap and identify and assess the social impact of the short-stay market (SSM) in a regional area. The study included 16 face-to-face interview sessions conducted with 18 participants, and the Leximancer software was employed to analyse the data. The study revealed that the social impact on SSM is not generic, rather pluralistic, multidimensional, and dynamic. The study also found that the limitation clause instituted by the council is a direct disconnect between the council and property owners/managers. Furthermore, despite ample opportunities provided by the short-stay market (SSM) in regional areas, encumbrances cannot be overlooked. Therefore, there is a need for a comprehensive approach to understand the social impact on policy frameworks in regional areas.
Synergistic Effect of Dual-Doped Carbon on Mo2C Nanocrystals Facilitates Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Zhou Min , Jiang Xiaoli , Kong Weijie , Li Hangfei , Lu Fei , Zhou Xin , Zhang Yagang
Published: July 2023

Molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) materials are promising electrocatalysts with potential applications in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to low cost and Pt-like electronic structures. Nevertheless, their HER activity is usually hindered by the strong hydrogen binding energy. Moreover, the lack of water-cleaving sites makes it difficult for the catalysts to work in alkaline solutions. Here, we designed and synthesized a B and N dual-doped carbon layer that encapsulated on Mo2C nanocrystals (Mo2C@BNC) for accelerating HER under alkaline condition. The electronic interactions between the Mo2C nanocrystals and the multiple-doped carbon layer endow a near-zero H adsorption Gibbs free energy on the defective C atoms over the carbon shell. Meanwhile, the introduced B atoms afford optimal H2O adsorption sites for the water-cleaving step. Accordingly, the dual-doped Mo2C catalyst with synergistic effect of non-metal sites delivers superior HER performances of a low overpotential (99 mV@10 mA cm−2) and a small Tafel slope (58.1 mV dec−1) in 1 M KOH solution. Furthermore, it presents a remarkable activity that outperforming the commercial 10% Pt/C catalyst at large current density, demonstrating its applicability in industrial water splitting. This study provides a reasonable design strategy towards noble-metal-free HER catalysts with high activity.
Tuning Active Metal Atomic Spacing by Filling of Light Atoms and Resulting Reversed Hydrogen Adsorption-Distance Relationship for Efficient Catalysis
Authors: Chen Ding , Lu Ruihu , Yu Ruohan , Zhao Hongyu , Wu Dulan , Yao Youtao , Yu Kesong , Zhu Jiawei , Ji Pengxia , Pu Zonghua , Kou Zongkui , Yu Jun , Wu Jinsong , Mu Shichun
Published: July 2023

Precisely tuning the spacing of the active centers on the atomic scale is of great significance to improve the catalytic activity and deepen the understanding of the catalytic mechanism, but still remains a challenge. Here, we develop a strategy to dilute catalytically active metal interatomic spacing (dM-M) with light atoms and discover the unusual adsorption patterns. For example, by elevating the content of boron as interstitial atoms, the atomic spacing of osmium (dOs-Os) gradually increases from 2.73 to 2.96 Å. More importantly, we find that, with the increase in dOs-Os, the hydrogen adsorption-distance relationship is reversed via downshifting d-band states, which breaks the traditional cognition, thereby optimizing the H adsorption and H2O dissociation on the electrode surface during the catalytic process; this finally leads to a nearly linear increase in hydrogen evolution reaction activity. Namely, the maximum dOs-Os of 2.96 Å presents the optimal HER activity (8 mV @ 10 mA cm−2) in alkaline media as well as suppressed O adsorption and thus promoted stability. It is believed that this novel atomic-level distance modulation strategy of catalytic sites and the reversed hydrogen adsorption-distance relationship can shew new insights for optimal design of highly efficient catalysts.
Lost in data: recognizing type of time series sensor data using signal pattern classification
Authors: Čulić Gambiroža Jelena , Mastelić Toni , Nižetić Kosović Ivana , Čagalj Mario
Published: July 2023

With the increase in number and size of Internet of Things systems, there is an ever-growing risk of (meta)data loss, as well as the maintenance overhead to mitigate such risks. The experts recognize three main challenges in this area that need to be tackled, namely (1) downsizing the manual work required for configuring sensor networks, (2) recovering metadata, such as sensor type, in case of connection issues, malfunctions or malicious actions in sensor networks, (3) rebuilding metadata lost due to unexpected problems within a data storage. Fortunately, all three challenges can be tackled with a uniform solution, namely the signal type classification approach, which is able to match raw signal to an appropriate data type. In this research, we evaluate and compare different approaches for signal type classification that can be used to recognize a signal type being read from an IoT sensor. This is done by using machine learning methods for modelling a signal represented as raw time series data. Three machine learning classification approaches are taken into a consideration, namely one class, two class and multi-class. According to the results of the evaluation, the most accurate multi-class random forest algorithm can correctly classify unknown signals in $$\sim {75}\%$$

∼
75
%

of the cases based on only 20 consecutive sensor readings. Moreover, multi-class random forest can detect two most probable classes of monitored signal with the accuracy of 95%.
Growth drivers in emerging capitalist economies: building blocks for a post-Keynesian analysis and an empirical exploration of the years before and after the Global Financial Crisis
Authors: Jungmann Benjamin
Published: July 2023

This paper contributes to the growth models debate by expanding the concept of growth drivers to emerging capitalist economies (ECEs). Conceptually, the paper synthesizes growth drivers with a growth model operationalization based on GDP growth contributions and financial sector balances. Drawing on post-Keynesian and structuralist economics, as well as, empirical studies, seven growth drivers for ECEs are reviewed: income distribution, price and non-price competitiveness, commodity prices, private debt, foreign direct investment (FDI) and fiscal policy. Descriptive data for these drivers are presented for 19 regionally grouped ECEs between 2000 and 2019. On average, Asian ECEs exhibit higher growth rates, stable real exchange rates, high and increasing non-price competitiveness and high private debt levels. Latin American countries show comparatively lower growth rates, high but decreasing income inequality, unstable exchange rates and relatively expansionary fiscal policy after the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). Central and Eastern European countries generally display medium to high growth rates, lower income inequality, high non-price competitiveness, a substantial FDI stock and, after the GFC, real depreciations and contractionary fiscal policy. The assessment of cross-country growth drivers via bivariate coefficients reveals limited robust results, except for non-price competitiveness, which emerges as a significant driver. Additionally, we find indications that private debt and expansionary fiscal policy became more important for growth in ECEs after the GFC. This is in line with the emergence of domestic demand- and private debt-led growth models in ECEs following the GFC in the course of private deleveraging and austerity policies in developed capitalist economies.
Perceptions of commercialisation and value-addition of non-timber forest products in forest adjacent communities in Ghana
Authors: Asamoah Obed , Danquah Jones Abrefa , Bamwesigye Dastan , Verter Nahanga , Acheampong Emmanuel , Boateng Charles Mario , Kuittinen Suvi , Appiah Mark , Pappinen Ari
Published: July 2023

Residents living adjacent to forests commonly gather non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for income, nourishment, ailment treatment, firewood, religious reasons, and artefacts. This study investigates local perceptions of the commercialisation and value addition of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in forest-adjacent communities in Ghana. NTFPs are integral to food security and cultural practices. However, more is needed to know about local perceptions of these products' commercialisation and value addition. In this study, we collected data using a qualitative research approach through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with community members involved in NTFP collection and sales. To determine which NTFPs are collected, we interviewed 732 residents about their perception of value addition to the NTFPs collected and if value addition has impacted the commercialisation and quality of the products obtained from the forest. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data for the study. From the survey, frequencies and percentages of responses were analysed for each indicator related to value addition and commercialisation of NTFPs. The study found that 97.5% of those surveyed frequently visited the forest to gather different NTFPs. For example, mushrooms, snails, honey, and others were the most collected. Also, most interviewees do not process or add value to the NTFPs collected from the forest; thus, adding value to these NTFPs could increase incomes in the future. The findings indicate that locals have a variety of perceptions and understandings about commercialisation and value-addition processes. The study emphasises the importance of understanding local perceptions to develop effective strategies for the commercialisation and value addition of NTFPs. By incorporating the perceptions and insights of locals, interventions can be tailored to meet the needs and aspirations of forest-adjacent communities and promote sustainable resource management and equitable distribution of benefits. Future research should focus on educating locals about the value addition to NTFPs, and processes for increasing the price of NTFPs by adding value and commercialising these products. Proper commercialising of NTFPs may well help improve the lives of the locals.
Progress in the comprehensive treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a review for risk-stratified management strategies
Authors: Liu Yang , Du Ziou , Song Shiyu , Yi Junlin
Published: July 2023

Purpose

A “one-size-fits-all” treatment recommendation is not advisable for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This article aims to review the risk-stratified strategies and propose future directions in NPC.

Results

For low-risk NPC patients, a review of literature shows that de-escalation approaches can be generally categorized into de-escalating systemic therapy and de-escalating radiotherapy. Studies have explored the exemption of concurrent chemotherapy in stage II and T3N0M0 NPC patients, as well as sparing concurrent chemotherapy after induction chemotherapy in selected low-risk patients,changing the cisplatin-based chemotherapy schedules, and doses. De-escalation of radiotherapy involves a reduction in dose and clinical treatment volume (CTV). For high-risk patients, increasing treatment intensity is commonly used, including selecting appropriate patients to receive induction or adjuvant chemotherapy or adding targeted therapy to standard chemo-radiotherapy to improve survival. In many instances, these risk-stratified approaches are guided by the measurement of Epstein-Barr virus DNA levels and various image-based modalities. Immunotherapy has shown initial efficacy in recurrent or metastatic NPC patients. The treatment advances of ICIs monotherapy in Locoregionally advanced NPC have remained scarce, and several phase II and III anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monoclonal antibody clinical trials are currently underway.

Conclusions

Various strategies for the risk-stratified treatment of NPC have been investigated and remain highly effective in most approaches. Optimization of patient selection is still critical, and both long-term oncological outcomes and late complications remain to be determined. More prospective, multi-institutional researches are needed to elucidate how best to individualize the treatment of NPC.
The Politics of Social Protection During Times of Crisis
Authors: Blofield Merike , Pribble Jennifer , Giambruno Cecilia
Published: July 2023

In 2020, as Latin American countries shuttered their economies, it became clear that effective lockdowns would require states to provide income support. In a region that has historically struggled to build systems of social protection, the effort to expand benefits was notable. Policies varied in scope and generosity, but in what seemed to signify a new era of state-building, Latin American democracies demonstrated a nearly uniform commitment to providing assistance to the poor. Why did some countries implement broader and more adequate programs than others and why did countries vary in their ability to sustain support over time? This Element argues that three factors explain cross-national and cross-temporal differences in policy effort: policy legacies, unified/divided government, and fiscal space. The study shows that in settings of crisis, the democratic politics of social policy expansion shift, with traditional factors like ideology and electoral competition playing a less central role.
When the Archaeologists Leave
Authors: Astudillo Fernando , Becerra Edy , Delgado Florencio , Jamieson Ross , Stahl Peter W.
Published: July 2023

The Hacienda El Progreso functioned as an important Ecuadorian agro-industrial enterprise in the late nineteenth century. Operating out of San Cristóbal Island in the Galápagos archipelago, the plantation exported refined sugar, coffee, cattle products, and other goods to national and international markets. From its beginnings in the 1860s, the plantation established the first permanent human settlement on the island, and long after its demise in the 1930s, it continues to exert an important influence in local culture. Contemporary communities of San Cristóbal are shaping their identities based on the historical importance of the hacienda. The summer of 2018 was our last field season. From its start, the Historical Ecology of the Galápagos Islands project involved close participation with communal authorities and town leaders to investigate the island's human past. In this article, we discuss legacy and services of our project in the contemporary setting of Galápagos. We examine the relevance and contributions of our project to education, heritage policies, and the local economy. We discuss lessons learned from interactions and collaborations between archaeologists and the local community, and we evaluate the consequences of implementing an archaeological project on a remote environmental sanctuary where interest in human history can collide with the agendas of nature conservation and a lucrative ecotourism industry.
N-of-1 trials: The epitome of personalized medicine?
Authors: Samuel Joyce P. , Wootton Susan H. , Tyson Jon E.
Published: July 2023

Observational studies are notoriously susceptible to bias, and parallel-group randomized trials are important to identify the best overall treatment for eligible patients. Yet, such trials can be expected to be a misleading indicator of the best treatment for some subgroups or individual patients. In selected circumstances, patients can be treated in n-of-1 trials to address the inherent heterogeneity of treatment response in clinical populations. Such trials help to accomplish the ultimate goal of all biomedical research, to optimize the care of individual patients.
Pollution tracker: Finding industrial sources of aerosol emission in satellite imagery
Authors: Manshausen Peter , Watson-Parris Duncan , Wagner Lena , Maier Pirmin , Muller Sybrand J. , Ramminger Gernot , Stier Philip
Published: July 2023

The effects of anthropogenic aerosol, solid or liquid particles suspended in the air, are the biggest contributor to uncertainty in current climate perturbations. Heavy industry sites, such as coal power plants and steel manufacturers, large sources of greenhouse gases, also emit large amounts of aerosol in a small area. This makes them ideal places to study aerosol interactions with radiation and clouds. However, existing data sets of heavy industry locations are either not public, or suffer from reporting gaps. Here, we develop a supervised deep learning algorithm to detect unreported industry sites in high-resolution satellite data, using the existing data sets for training. For the pipeline to be viable at global scale, we employ a two-step approach. The first step uses 10 m resolution data, which is scanned for potential industry sites, before using 1.2 m resolution images to confirm or reject detections. On held-out test data, the models perform well, with the lower resolution one reaching up to 94% accuracy. Deployed to a large test region, the first stage model yields many false positive detections. The second stage, higher resolution model shows promising results at filtering these out, while keeping the true positives, improving the precision to 42% overall, so that human review becomes feasible. In the deployment area, we find five new heavy industry sites which were not in the training data. This demonstrates that the approach can be used to complement existing data sets of heavy industry sites.
Revitalizing the infection prevention workforce with a fellowship program for underrepresented groups
Authors: Nelson Alison L. , Steiner Jacqueline , Hanley Diane , Barlam Tamar F. , Drainoni Mari-Lynn , Burrowes Shana A. B. , Pierre Cassandra M.
Published: July 2023

Infection preventionist (IP) positions are difficult to fill, and future workforce shortages are anticipated. The IP field has less racial and ethnic diversity than the general nursing workforce or patient population. A targeted fellowship program for underrepresented groups allowed the recruitment and training of IPs while avoiding staffing shortages.
Deep learning closure models for large-eddy simulation of flows around bluff bodies
Authors: Sirignano Justin , MacArt Jonathan F.
Published: July 2023

Near-wall flow simulation remains a central challenge in aerodynamics modelling: Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes predictions of separated flows are often inaccurate, and large-eddy simulation (LES) can require prohibitively small near-wall mesh sizes. A deep learning (DL) closure model for LES is developed by introducing untrained neural networks into the governing equations and training in situ for incompressible flows around rectangular prisms at moderate Reynolds numbers. The DL-LES models are trained using adjoint partial differential equation (PDE) optimization methods to match, as closely as possible, direct numerical simulation (DNS) data. They are then evaluated out-of-sample – for aspect ratios, Reynolds numbers and bluff-body geometries not included in the training data – and compared with standard LES models. The DL-LES models outperform these models and are able to achieve accurate LES predictions on a relatively coarse mesh (downsampled from the DNS mesh by factors of four or eight in each Cartesian direction). We study the accuracy of the DL-LES model for predicting the drag coefficient, near-wall and far-field mean flow, and resolved Reynolds stress. A crucial challenge is that the LES quantities of interest are the steady-state flow statistics; for example, a time-averaged velocity component

$\langle {u}_i\rangle (x) = \lim _{t \rightarrow \infty } ({1}/{t}) \int _0^t u_i(s,x)\, {\rm d}s$

. Calculating the steady-state flow statistics therefore requires simulating the DL-LES equations over a large number of flow times through the domain. It is a non-trivial question whether an unsteady PDE model with a functional form defined by a deep neural network can remain stable and accurate on

$t \in [0, \infty )$

, especially when trained over comparatively short time intervals. Our results demonstrate that the DL-LES models are accurate and stable over long time horizons, which enables the estimation of the steady-state mean velocity, fluctuations and drag coefficient of turbulent flows around bluff bodies relevant to aerodynamics applications.
How effective is the efficiency gap?
Authors: Sibley Thomas Q.
Published: July 2023

Gerrymandering has affected U. S. politics since at least 1812. A political cartoon that year decried this tactic by then Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry. (Gerrymandering is manipulating the boundaries of districts to benefit a group unfairly.)
Developing new picture proofs that the sums of the first n odd integers are squares
Authors: Sangwin Chris , Tanswell Fenner Stanley
Published: July 2023

What is it that makes us judge two proofs of the same theorem to be the same or different? This is not an idle question: one central aspect of judging mathematics is the novelty of the mathematics presented. This is important everywhere, from the peer-review system, to assigning international prestige, to funding agencies’ grant decisions. It even matters to some extent in examinations, to avoid accusations of collusion. Surprisingly, philosophers of mathematics have not paid the question of novelty much attention. In this Article, we will consider the appealing conjecture that the main ideas that make up the proof, the essence of a proof, can indeed be identified and that very different styles of proofs can share common main ideas. Further, that a particular theorem can be proved using quite different, independent main ideas. As a means of exploring whether this is plausible, we will present a number of novel proofs of the following theorem.
Approximating Lipschitz and continuous functions by polynomials; Jackson’s theorem
Authors: Jameson G. J. O.
Published: July 2023

The celebrated theorem of Weierstrass, dating from 1885, states that continuous functions can be uniformly approximated by polynomials on any bounded, closed interval. But just how well can we approximate by polynomials of a certain degree? Let us introduce some notation to facilitate the discussion. For an interval I (which will usually be ), denote by C (I) the space of continuous functions on I, and write for (the notation is often used). Uniform convergence of fn to f (on I) equates to the statement that . Denote by the space of polynomials of degree not more than n. This is a linear subspace of C (I) of dimension n + 1. We write
ON THE LND CONJECTURE
Authors: SUN XIAOSONG , WANG BEINI
Published: July 2023

Let k be a field of characteristic zero and
$k^{[n]}$
the polynomial algebra in n variables over k. The LND conjecture concerning the images of locally nilpotent derivations arose from the Jacobian conjecture. We give a positive answer to the LND conjecture in several cases. More precisely, we prove that the images of rank-one locally nilpotent derivations of
$k^{[n]}$
acting on principal ideals are MZ-subspaces for any
$n\geq 2$
, and that the images of a large class of locally nilpotent derivations of
$k^{[3]}$
(including all rank-two and homogeneous rank-three locally nilpotent derivations) acting on principal ideals are MZ-subspaces.
Counting periodic orbits on fractals weighted by their Lyapounov exponents
Authors: Bessi Ugo
Published: July 2023

Several authors have shown that Kusuoka’s measure κ on fractals is a scalar Gibbs measure; in particular, it maximizes a pressure. There is also a different approach, in which one defines a matrix-valued Gibbs measure µ, which induces both Kusuoka’s measure κ and Kusuoka’s bilinear form. In the first part of the paper, we show that one can define a ‘pressure’ for matrix-valued measures; this pressure is maximized by µ. In the second part, we use the matrix-valued Gibbs measure µ to count periodic orbits on fractals, weighted by their Lyapounov exponents.
On the Dales–Żelazko conjecture for Beurling algebras on discrete groups
Authors: White Jared T.
Published: July 2023

Let G be a group that is either virtually soluble or virtually free, and let ω be a weight on G. We prove that if G is infinite, then there is some maximal left ideal of finite codimension in the Beurling algebra $\ell^1(G, \omega)$, which fails to be (algebraically) finitely generated. This implies that a conjecture of Dales and Żelazko holds for these Banach algebras. We then go on to give examples of weighted groups for which this property fails in a strong way. For instance, we describe a Beurling algebra on an infinite group in which every closed left ideal of finite codimension is finitely generated and which has many such ideals in the sense of being residually finite dimensional. These examples seem to be hard cases for proving Dales and Żelazko’s conjecture.
Strategies to increase the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of iron and zinc from cereal products
Authors: Arafsha Sarah M. , Aslam Mohamad F. , Ellis Peter R. , Latunde-Dada Gladys O. , Sharp Paul A.
Published: July 2023

Cereal products provide 50 % of iron and 30 % of zinc in the UK diet. However, despite having high content, the bioavailability of minerals from cereals is low. This review discusses strategies to increase mineral bioavailability from cereal-based foods. Iron and zinc are localised to specific tissue structures within cereals; however, the cell walls of these structures are resistant to digestion in the human gastrointestinal tract and therefore the bioaccessibility of these essential minerals from foods for absorption in the intestine is limited. In addition, minerals are stored in cereals bound to phytate, which is the main dietary inhibitor of mineral absorption. Recent research has focused on ways to enhance mineral bioavailability from cereals. Current strategies include disruption of plant cell walls to increase mineral release (bioaccessibility) during digestion; increasing the mineral:phytate ratio either by increasing the mineral content through conventional breeding and/or agronomic biofortification, or by reducing phytate levels; and genetic biofortification to increase the mineral content in the starchy endosperm, which is used to produce white wheat flour. While much of this work is at an early stage, there is potential for these strategies to lead to the development of cereal-based foods with enhanced nutritional qualities that could address the low mineral status in the UK and globally.
Satellite-monitored movements of the Amazon River dolphin and considerations for their conservation
Authors: Campbell Elizabeth , Alfaro-Shigueto Joanna , Mangel Jeffrey C. , Mena Jose Luis , Thurstan Ruth H. , Godley Brendan J. , March David
Published: July 2023

The Amazon River dolphin Inia geoffrensis occurs throughout the basins of the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers and is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Using satellite tracking data from eight dolphins (one female and seven males) in the Peruvian Amazon, we demonstrate that these dolphins inhabit a variety of habitat types and have core areas and home range areas of variable magnitudes. To gain a better understanding of how threats affect these dolphins, we examined the distance of dolphin records to locations of current and potential future anthropogenic threats. On average, dolphin home ranges overlapped with fisheries by 89%. Dolphins were found at an average distance of 252 km from the nearest proposed dam and 125 km from the nearest proposed dredging site. Given that many of these threats are still in the planning stage, we advise the government to consider the negative effects these activities have already had on other riverine species before proceeding. Additionally, efforts should be made to expand river dolphin tracking programmes to span multiple seasons, to track more females at our study sites and to increase the numbers tracked overall in other areas to improve our knowledge of the species' movement patterns.
Establishment of a secondary infection laboratory model of Echinococcus shiquicus metacestode using BALB/c mice and Mongolian jirds (Meriones unguiculatus)
Authors: Wu Yantao , Li Li , Xu Fuling , Yan Hongbin , Ohiolei John Asekhaen , Shumuye Nigus Abebe , Nian Xiaofeng , Li Wenhui , Zhang Nianzhang , Fu Baoquan , Jia Wanzhong
Published: July 2023

Echinococcus shiquicus is peculiar to the Qinghai–Tibet plateau of China. Research on this parasite has mainly focused on epidemiological surveys and life cycle studies. So far, limited laboratory studies have been reported. Here, experimental infection of E. shiquicus metacestode in BALB/c mice and Mongolian jirds (Meriones unguiculatus) was carried out to establish alternative laboratory animal models. Intraperitoneal inoculation of metacestode material containing protoscoleces (PSCs) obtained from infected plateau pikas were conducted on BALB/c mice. Furthermore, metacestode material without PSCs deriving from infected BALB/c mice was intraperitoneally inoculated to Mongolian jirds. Experimental animals were dissected for macroscopic and histopathological examination. The growth of cysts in BALB/c mice was infiltrative, and they invaded the murine entire body. Most of the metacestode cysts were multicystic, but a few were unilocular. The cysts contained sterile vesicles, which had no PSCs. The metacestode materials were able to successfully infect new mice. In the jirds model, E. shiquicus cysts were typically formed freely in the peritoneal cavity; the majority of these cysts were free while a small portion adhered loosely to nearby organs. The proportion of fertile cysts was high, and contained many PSCs. The PSCs produced in Mongolian jirds also successfully infected new ones, which confirms that jirds can serve as an alternative experimental intermediate host. In conclusion, a laboratory animal infection was successfully established for E. shiquicus using BALB/c mice and Mongolian jirds. These results provide new models for the in-depth study of Echinococcus metacestode survival strategy, host interactions and immune escape mechanism.
Haemoproteus parasites and passerines: the effect of local generalists on inferences of host–parasite co-phylogeny in the British Isles
Authors: Woodrow Charlie , Rosca Adina Teodora , Fletcher Rachel , Hone Abigail , Ruta Marcello , Hamer Keith C. , Dunn Jenny Claire
Published: July 2023

Host–parasite associations provide a benchmark for investigating evolutionary arms races and antagonistic coevolution. However, potential ecological mechanisms underlying such associations are difficult to unravel. In particular, local adaptations of hosts and/or parasites may hamper reliable inferences of host–parasite relationships and the specialist–generalist definitions of parasite lineages, making it problematic to understand such relationships on a global scale. Phylogenetic methods were used to investigate co-phylogenetic patterns between vector-borne parasites of the genus Haemoproteus and their passeriform hosts, to infer the ecological interactions of parasites and hosts that may have driven the evolution of both groups in a local geographic domain. As several Haemoproteus lineages were only detected once, and given the occurrence of a single extreme generalist, the effect of removing individual lineages on the co-phylogeny pattern was tested. When all lineages were included, and when all singly detected lineages were removed, there was no convincing evidence for host–parasite co-phylogeny. However, when only the generalist lineage was removed, strong support for co-phylogeny was indicated, and ecological interactions could be successfully inferred. This study exemplifies the importance of identifying locally abundant lineages when sampling host–parasite systems, to provide reliable insights into the precise mechanisms underlying host–parasite interactions.
How is the coming generation to go on living? Bonhoeffer's preservation orders for the ‘sixth extinction’
Authors: Robinson David S.
Published: July 2023

This essay adapts Dietrich Bonhoeffer's ‘orders of preservation’ to address the sharp rise in species extinctions due to human causes. I argue that Bonhoeffer's creative use of preservation orders to build an international alliance provides the scope required to meet the present biodiversity crisis while pre-empting Karl Barth's criticism of static regionalism and avoiding problematic elements in Carl Schmitt's concept of the ‘restraining force’. Drawing on Bonhoeffer's 1932 address, ‘On the Theological Foundation of the Work of the World Alliance’, I present three convictions to guide the task of preservation today, which include the formation of alliances between ecclesial and scientific communities in order to properly specify God's commandment.