bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Only incandescent light significantly decreases feeding of Anopheles funestus s.s. (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes under laboratory conditions
Authors: van Zyl Layla , Burke Ashley M. , Koekemoer Lizette L. , Coetzee Bernard W. T.
Published: October 2024

Recent work has demonstrated that exposure to artificial light at night (ALAN) may alter mosquito feeding behavior and so must be considered a moderator of vector-borne disease transfer. Anopheles funestus mosquitoes are a primary malaria vector in sub-Saharan Africa, but no study to date has tested the impact of ALAN on their feeding behavior. Here we test if the exposure to commonly used household lights (compact fluorescent lights, light-emitting diodes, and incandescent lights) alters Anopheles funestus feeding. Mated, unfed female mosquitoes were exposed to a light treatment, at the onset of darkness, followed by a blood-feeding assay. The light treatments consisted of a 30-min light pulse of one of the three household lights, each in individual experimental containers, versus controls. All three household lights resulted in a reduction in the percentage of females taking a blood meal, but only mosquitoes exposed to incandescent light showed a statistically significant reduction in feeding of 19.6% relative to controls which showed a 42.8% feeding rate. Our results suggest that exposure to some household lights during the night may have an immediate inhibitory effect on Anopheles funestus feeding. By helping identify which light types lead to a suppression of feeding, the findings of this study could provide insight necessary to design household lights that can help minimize mosquito feeding on humans.
Bone impairment in atypical hemolytic and uremic syndrome treated by long-term eculizumab
Authors: Regnier Maitena , Leclerc Anne-Laure Sellier , Tenenbaum Julie , Desjonqueres Marine , Chavassieux Pascale , Fremeaux-Bacchi Véronique , Farlay Delphine , Bacchetta Justine
Published: October 2024

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a thrombotic microangiopathy, related to complement dysregulation, including Factor H deficiency (FH) treated by lifelong eculizumab therapy. Its long-term tolerance is not yet fully described. We report two patients with genetic FH deficiency receiving long-term eculizumab and displaying a peculiar bone phenotype. First case is a 13-year-old girl, presenting with bone pains, arthritis, and deformities, for which X-rays and MRI described multifocal osteochondritis. Bone biopsy revealed an active remodeling bone (many areas of bone formation and resorption) and C3c accumulation on immunohistochemical staining. The second patient is an 11-year-old girl, displaying mechanical bone pains, for which bone scintigraphy found hypofixation of wrists and ankles. These findings could be consistent with a side effect of eculizumab, as C3c accumulation may result from the downstream C5-blockade. Alternatively, bone alterations could be due to the absence of FH, as described in murine models. Further investigations are required to characterize bone disease in aHUS.
Wie problematisch sind Stauraumspülungen aus Sicht der Fischökologie? Ein Überblick mit Fokus auf eine fischökologische Fallstudie an der Unteren Möll
Authors: Pinter Kurt , Hauer Christoph , Grohmann Michael , Grün Bettina , Schmutz Stefan , Unfer Günther
Published: October 2024

Die Problematik, dass Stauräume zunehmend verlanden, erfordert zukünftig auch verstärkte wissenschaftliche Forschung, die letztendlich zur Konzeption nachhaltiger und ökologisch verträglicher Sedimentmanagementkonzepte beitragen soll. Bestehende Studien beleuchten vor allem technische Aspekte des Sedimentmanagements, detaillierte Untersuchungen zu den ökologischen Konsequenzen von Stauraumspülungen fehlen jedoch weitgehend. Die vorliegende Publikation arbeitet die verfügbare Literatur zu den Auswirkungen von Stauraumspülungen auf Fische auf und stellt in weiterer Folge die Ergebnisse einer Fallstudie an der Unteren Möll vor. Dort wurden die Auswirkungen einer Spülung auf die Bestände von Bachforelle, Äsche und Regenbogenforelle untersucht und mit der Fischbestandsentwicklung in einer flussauf gelegenen Kontrollstrecke verglichen, die durch ein natürliches Hochwasser, nicht aber durch Spülung, betroffen war. Die Stauraumspülung während eines 12-jährlichen Hochwasserereignisses führte zu einem drastischen Rückgang der Fischdichten um bis zu 80 %. Im Vergleich dazu führte das 20-jährliche Hochwasser in der Kontrollstrecke nur zu einem marginalen Rückgang der Fischbestände. Die Ergebnisse werden vor dem Hintergrund unterschiedlicher gewässermorphologischer Rahmenbedingungen (hydraulische Belastung, Refugialhabitate) und Artenzusammensetzungen diskutiert und die Notwendigkeit weiterer Forschung zur Entwicklung ökologisch verträglicher, gezielterer Sedimentmanagementstrategien wird unterstrichen.
Electron transfer in biological systems
Authors: Marques Helder M.
Published: October 2024

Examples of how metalloproteins feature in electron transfer processes in biological systems are reviewed. Attention is focused on the electron transport chains of cellular respiration and photosynthesis, and on metalloproteins that directly couple electron transfer to a chemical reaction. Brief mention is also made of extracellular electron transport. While covering highlights of the recent and the current literature, this review is aimed primarily at introducing the senior undergraduate and the novice postgraduate student to this important aspect of bioinorganic chemistry.

Graphical abstract
Multisensory experiences of affective touch in virtual reality enhance engagement, body ownership, pleasantness, and arousal modulation
Authors: Sun Wenhan , Banakou Domna , Świdrak Justyna , Valori Irene , Slater Mel , Fairhurst Merle T.
Published: October 2024

When engaging in physical contact, our emotional response hinges not only on the nuanced sensory details and the receptive properties of the skin but also on contextual cues related to the situation and interpersonal dynamics. The consensus is that the nature of the affective interactive experience in social touch is shaped by a combination of ascending, C-tactile (CT) afferents mediated somatosensory information, and modulatory, top-down information. The question we pose here is whether, in the absence of somatosensory input, multisensory cues alone can suffice to create a genuinely pleasant, authentic, and engaging experience in virtual reality. The study aims to explore how affective touch is perceived in immersive virtual environments, considering varied social norms in neutral settings or settings like a physiotherapy room where the touch provider is a healthcare professional. We conducted an experiment with 58 male and female healthy adults, where we employed a within-group counterbalanced design featuring two factors: (a) visuo-tactile affective touch, and (B) visual-only affective touch. Findings, drawn from questionnaires and collected physiological data, shed light on how contextual factors influence implicit engagement, self-reported embodiment, co-presence, as well as the perceived realism and pleasantness of the touch experience. Our findings, in line with the literature, indicate that to experience the advantages of touch in immersive virtual worlds, it is essential to incorporate haptic feedback, as depending solely on visual input may not be adequate for fully realising the optimal benefits of interpersonal touch. Furthermore, in contradiction with our hypothesis, a less ambiguous context (specifically, the physiotherapy room and touch from a physiotherapist) is not linked to heightened touch pleasantness.
Assessment of solar drying of Brazilian pulp mill primary sludge
Authors: Gonçalves Lindomar Matias , Mendoza-Martinez Clara , Salcedo-Puerto Orlando , Emebu Samuel , Coutinho de Paula Eduardo , Cardoso Marcelo
Published: October 2024

Pulp mill sludge is a challenging by-product in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), due to high moisture content, and poor dewatering characteristics. Solar drying was identified as an appropriate pre-treatment to reduce sludge moisture and enhance its energy efficiency for combustion purposes. Brazil is the world’s second-largest pulp producer, and its high intensity of annual solar irradiation makes it a prime candidate for the application of solar sludge drying technology. This study evaluates the main characteristics of primary sludge (PS) from pulp mills at 65% and 95% moisture content. An active passive solar dryer, followed by ASPEN Plus software simulation was used to evaluate drying properties and combustion potential. CO2 emission impact was explored, and the environmental effects of primary sludge combustion after solar drying were estimated. As indicated by the findings, the sludge commenced with a solids concentration of 21%, eventually reaching 95.5%, thereby enhancing its suitability for combustion. From the simulation, a heat rate expenditure in sludge combustion reported 24672 kW and 16295 kW for a solids content of 65% and 95%, respectively. Therefore, employing solar drying before the sludge incineration is crucial for minimizing energy consumption during combustion. Additionally, solar energy being cost-free, offers an opportunity to alleviate environmental harm.
Taxonomic re-evaluation of the Brachionus calyciflorus species complex (Rotifera) in Japanese freshwaters
Authors: Otake Yurie , Kurokawa Mai , Maruoka Natsumi , Nakagawa Megumi , Makino Wataru , Urabe Jotaro
Published: October 2024

Recently, the Brachionus calyciflorus species complex was divided into four nominal species: B. calyciflorus sensu stricto (s.s.) Pallas, 1766; Brachionus dorcas Gosse, 1851, Brachionus elevatus Michaloudi et al., 2018, and Brachionus fernandoi Michaloudi et al., 2018 based on the results of both morphological and molecular investigations. We applied this systematic approach to B. “calyciflorus” collected from lakes and ponds in various parts of Japan to examine spatial and temporal distributions of these species. We found that all four species indeed distributed in Japan. Among the species, B. fernandoi exhibited a somewhat different occurrence pattern and morphology. Generally, B. fernandoi appeared to occur in the winter–spring, while the other three species seemed to occur in the early summer–late autumn. A seasonal succession from B. fernandoi-dominant community to other species-dominant communities was observed in the same lakes/ponds. A statistical analysis showed that B. fernandoi-dominant species composition was also related to low temperatures. It was also found that the body of B. fernandoi was more elongated compared to those of other species. These results suggest that B. fernandoi is a distinct species in terms of morphology and phenology. Among the other three species, we observed a variation in the length of posterolateral spines. However, it was not clear if this variation is a trait that distinguish these species morphologically. In addition, some of these species co-occurred in the same lakes and ponds. The mechanism by which they coexist is a topic for future study.
Resource management in disaster relief: a bibliometric and content-analysis-based literature review
Authors: Geng Shaoqing , Gong Yu , Hou Hanping , Yang Jianliang , Onggo Bhakti Stephan
Published: October 2024

Disasters cause huge economic losses, affect the lives of many people, and severely damage the environment. Effective resource management during disaster preparedness and response phases improves distribution efforts and service levels and, hence, accelerates the disaster relief operations. Resource management in response to catastrophe has received increasing research attention in recent years, but no review paper focuses on this specific topic. Thus, the main purpose of this paper is to review the existing literature on resource management for disaster relief published in English in peer-reviewed journals in order to fill the gap. We apply bibliometric, network, and content analyses in our review to identify popular research topics, classify the literature into research clusters, and analyze the interrelationships between these research clusters. The second purpose of this paper is to identify gaps and trends in existing research. Finally, we propose six future research directions that provide a roadmap for resource management research for disaster relief.
Wittgenstein and Toulmin’s Model of Argument: The Riddle Explained Away
Authors: Zarębski Tomasz
Published: October 2024

The article undertakes the problem of a Wittgensteinian background of Toulmin’s model of argument. While appreciating the original character of the investigations set out by Toulmin in The Uses of Argument, Wittgenstein’s ideas taken to be forerunners of both Toulmin’s philosophical method and the particular elements of the model of substantial argument are traced backward, to Toulmin’s earlier books: The Philosophy of Science (Toulmin, The philosophy of science. An introduction, Hutchinson University Library, London, 1953) and An Examination of the Place of Reason in Ethics (Toulmin, An examination of the place of reason in ethics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1950). The technique of pinpointing the constituents of that model in the books preceding The Uses of Argument is superposing the layout of Toulmin’s model on the crucial arguments concerning the earlier books: the scientific one based on Newtonian optics and the moral one concerning keeping promises. Such a procedure allows identifying backing for warrants and argument fields with the methods of representation in The Philosophy of Science and with modes of reasoning in An Examination of the Place of Reason in Ethics. The former is traced to passages 6.3 ff of Wittgenstein’s Tractatus, while the latter—to the concept of word-games (the later Wittgenstein’s language games). The claim regarding Wittgenstein’s background is that in Toulmin’s view of Wittgenstein, some parts of Tractatus concerning representing are in line with Wittgenstein’s later reflections on language games; as well as that the overall method of The Uses of Argument goes along with Wittgenstein’s therapeutic approach to philosophical problems that have to be placed in the context of their ordinary use.
Exploring estrogen-related mechanisms in ovarian carcinogenesis: association between bone mineral density and ovarian cancer risk in a multivariable Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Tuesley Karen M. , Webb Penelope M. , Protani Melinda M. , Donovan Peter , Jordan Susan J. , Dixon-Suen Suzanne
Published: October 2024

Background

Estrogen may play a role in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) carcinogenesis, with effects varying by EOC histotype. Measuring women’s long-term exposure to estrogen is difficult, but bone mineral density (BMD) may be a reasonable proxy of longer-term exposure. We examined this relationship by assessing the association between genetic predisposition for higher BMD and risk of EOC by histotype.

Methods

We used Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess associations between genetic markers for femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD and each EOC histotype. We used multivariable MR (MVMR) to adjust for probable pleiotropic traits, including body mass index, height, menarcheal age, menopausal age, smoking, alcohol intake, and vitamin D.

Results

Univariable analyses suggested greater BMD was associated with increased risk of endometrioid EOC (per standard deviation increase; lumbar spine OR = 1.21; 95% CI 0.93,1.57, femoral neck: OR = 1.25; 0.99,1.57), but sensitivity analyses indicated that pleiotropy was likely. Adjustment using MVMR reduced the magnitude of estimates slightly (lumbar spine: OR = 1.13; 95% CI 1.00,1.28, femoral neck: OR = 1.18; 1.03,1.36). Results for lumbar spine BMD and high-grade serous EOC were also suggestive of an association (univariable MR: OR = 1.16; 95% CI 1.03,1.30; MVMR: OR = 1.06; 0.99,1.14).

Conclusion

Our study found associations between genetic predisposition to higher BMD, a proxy for long-term estrogen exposure, and risk of developing endometroid and high-grade serous EOC cancers. These findings add to existing evidence of the relationship between estrogen and increased risk of EOC for certain histotypes.
Teachers’ Feedback on Oral Reading: A Critical Review of its Effects and the use of Theory in Research
Authors: Grønli Karianne Megard , Walgermo Bente Rigmor , McTigue Erin M. , Uppstad Per Henning
Published: October 2024

Teachers’ feedback is critical for student learning, particularly during oral reading, where it supports skill development and fosters students' agency and reader identity. However, research has yet to provide clear recommendations for effective classroom feedback. This critical-constructive review aims to achieve two objectives: to present evidence of effective feedback strategies for reading development and to explore the theoretical foundations of feedback in oral reading. The review analyzes twenty-four empirical studies (1995–2022) on effects of teachers’ feedback in K–5 settings. Findings reveal significant variability in effective feedback types and content, making clear-cut generalizations challenging and emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of feedback's influence on fluency, motivation and engagement. While many studies utilized theoretical frameworks, their limited diversity constrains our understanding of students' emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses to feedback, highlighting a gap in research that often prioritizes reading processes over the role of feedback. This study discusses the potential for integrating feedback and reading development theories to better align interventions with contemporary understandings. By adopting a more comprehensive approach, we can inform teaching strategies that support reading development and redefine how we assist young readers. Additionally, the study offers an example and approach for aligning theory across the different phases of performing empirical research, with implications that extend beyond the current review.
The Goodness of Nesting Containers in Virtual Machines for Server Consolidation
Authors: Bermejo Belen , Juiz Carlos , Calzarossa Maria Carla
Published: October 2024

Virtualization and server consolidation are the technologies that govern today’s data centers, allowing both efficient management at the functionality level as well as at the energy and performance levels. There are two main ways to virtualize either using virtual machines or containers. Both have a series of characteristics and applications, sometimes being not compatible with each other. Not to lose the advantages of each of them, there is a trend to load data centers by nesting containers in virtual machines. Although there are good experiences at a functional level, the performance and energy consumption trade-off of these solutions is not completely clear. Therefore, it is necessary to study how this new trend affects both energy consumption and performance. In this work, we present an experimental study aimed to investigate the behavior of nesting containers in virtual machines while executing CPU-intensive workloads. Our objective is to understand what performance and energy nesting configurations are equivalent or not. In this way, administrators will be able to manage their data centers more efficiently.
Unboundedness of the images of set-valued mappings having closed graphs: application to vector optimization
Authors: Hieu V. T. , Köbis E. A. S. , Köbis M. A. , Schmölling P. H.
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we propose criteria for unboundedness of the images of set-valued mappings having closed graphs in Euclidean spaces. We focus on mappings whose domains are non-closed or whose values are connected. These criteria allow us to see structural properties of solutions in vector optimization, where solution sets can be considered as the images of solution mappings associated to specific scalarization methods. In particular, we prove that if the domain of a certain solution mapping is non-closed, then the weak Pareto solution set is unbounded. Furthermore, for a quasi-convex problem, we demonstrate two criteria to ensure that if the weak Pareto solution set is disconnected then each connected component is unbounded.
Review about the history of thermal analysis in Hungary
Authors: Szilágyi Imre Miklós , Kállay-Menyhárd Alfréd , Kristóf János , Korda Sophie , Várady Zalán István , Bohus Marcell , Liptay George
Published: October 2024

This review discusses the development of the Derivatograph in the 1950s and the history of thermal analysis in Hungary. This device was the first commercial simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) instrument of the world. It initiated the development of thermal analysis and its application possibilities in a wide range during the second half of the last century. As a result, very strong thermoanalytical schools were established in Hungary, and the first thermoanalytical journal in the world, i.e., the Journal of Thermal Analysis was started in 1969, which is still a leading journal in the field, now under the title of Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry. In addition, several periodicals and books were published in thermal analysis in Hungary. In the paper, the most important Hungarian thermal analysis-related associations, events, acknowledgements and awards are also mentioned, together with names of major Hungarian researchers in this field. Presently, beside the internationally acknowledged research groups and the JTAC, the flagship of the Hungarian thermal analysis is the Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry Conference (JTACC) series.
Stimulating creativity and grit of high school students with creative STEM activities: an RCT with noncompliance
Authors: Ballerini Veronica , Dominici Alice , Ferracane Martina Francesca , Menchetti Fiammetta , Noirjean Silvia
Published: October 2024

Creativity and grit are widely recognized as vital components for the success and prosperity of individuals, even more so for younger people who will have to deal with the complex challenges connected to the digital era. Yet, whether these skills can be learnt or are innate traits is still subject to debate, which is further complicated by the difficulty of defining and, in turn, assessing these concepts. In this study, we challenge the idea that creativity and grit cannot be learnt and show that creative pedagogy activities, such as those offered by FabLabs, are powerful tools to enhance these non-cognitive skills. We conduct a randomized controlled trial in which 710 students from five Italian high schools are randomly assigned to creative STEM courses. The courses are delivered by FabLabs, small-scale workshops that offer access to tools for digital fabrication and employ a hands-on pedagogical approach expected to impact students’ creativity and grit positively. Assignment to the courses is at the class level: only students in classes randomly selected to join the Fablab activities can participate, and they may decide whether to enrol or not on a voluntary basis. We address noncompliance by adopting an instrumental variable approach. We use two modalities to measure creativity: a self-assessment through the Short Scale of Creative Self and an assessment made by an independent expert using an index of creativity developed by the authors. While the effect on self-assessed creativity is not significant, results show that the external, independent assessment of students’ creativity can capture a significant effect of Fablabs’ courses. It also emerges that FabLab activities have a positive significant effect on students’ grit, measured through the Duckworth scale. The encouraging results obtained for a relatively small sample of students should prompt a replication of the experiment on a broader scale.
Questions, justification requests, inference, and definition
Authors: Restall Greg
Published: October 2024

In this paper, I examine connections between the speech acts of assertion, denial, polar questions and justification requests, and the common ground. When we pay attention to the structure of norms governing polar questions, we can clarify the distinction between strong and weak denial, together with the parallel distinction between strong and weak assertion, and the distinct way that these speech acts interact with the common ground. In addition, once we pay attention to the distinct norms concerning justification requests, we can give a distinctive answer to Carroll’s puzzle concerning the force of the logical must and the sense in which certain rules for logical concepts can indeed count as definitions.
The Flow of Lubricant as a Mist in the Piston Assembly and Crankcase of a Fired Gasoline Engine: The Effect of Viscosity Modifier and the Link to Lubricant Degradation
Authors: Dyson Christopher J. , Priest Martin , Lee Peter M.
Published: October 2024

Droplet flows, termed misting, are significant lubrication flow mechanisms to, in and around the piston assembly. Therefore, these are important in piston assembly tribology and engine performance. Crankcase lubricant degradation rate has been hypothesised to be influenced by lubricant droplet flows through the piston assembly and crankcase, but not previously confirmed. Lubricant was sampled from the sump, top ring zone (TRZ), and mist and aerosol from the crankcase during an extended run. The physical and chemical degradation of these samples was characterised. Droplet flows were intermediate in degradation and fuel dilution between TRZ and sump. Flows with smaller droplet sizes were more degraded that those with larger droplets. The degradation of polymers was dependent on their molecular architecture.
Providing organizations with a validated instrument for an Enterprise Service Management capability
Authors: Goscinska Daria , Winkler Till J.
Published: October 2024

In light of new digital opportunities, enterprises require modernization also with regard to intra-organizational business and IT management. Enterprise Service Management (ESM) is an organizational capability aimed at a more efficient and effective IT and business service management in organizations. Although ESM has been recognized as an approach to improve customer and employee satisfaction and to create digital competitive advantage, there is a methodological and analytical void for organizations in how to measure their ESM capability. Motivated by this lack of measurability and tangibility, we aim to empirically validate the ESM capability model. Our contribution to this paper is empirical, as we provide a measurable instrument for further ESM studies. We aim to initiate a broader debate on ESM and thereby add to the scholarly establishment of the concept in the Information Systems and IT Management literature. Practically, we contribute by offering companies a validated and actionable set of ESM characteristics.
Machine Learning Based Assessment of Elite Football Players Based on Anthropometric and Motor Fitness Parameters with Regard to their Playing Positions
Authors: Sneha Santoshi , Prithvi B. S. , Niranjanamurthy M. , Kiran Kumar H. K. , Dayananda P.
Published: October 2024

Sports players strive to be the epitome of human excellence, pushing the barrier of skill and execution with training, focus and direction, amplified by regular training and practice. This could be attributed to various factors such as response to stimuli, physical factors, psychological factors etc. The present study incorporated the prediction of the most suited playing position of elite male football players using machine learning approaches based on their Anthropometric Parameters (AP–11 parameters) and Motor Fitness Parameters (MFP–7 parameters). Of the features analysed, results identified the position indicative nature of some parameters among6 AP (Height, Body Mass Index, Basal Metabolic Rate, Fat %, Thigh Circumference, Calf circumference) and 4 MFP (120 m, 80 m, 40 m dash and T-Test) by Spearman’s Rank Correlation Test. Further, the prediction of ideal playing position was achieved using various classifiers such as Support Vector Machine (SVM), SVM with over sampled data, SVM with hyperparameter tuning, SVM with variable scaling and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XG Boost). Among these, the highest classification accuracy and f1-score at 92% and 0.92 respectively were obtained for XG Boost Classifier which portrayed a faster performance as compared to the other approaches. The present study could be useful in professional sports training and rehabilitation so as to help the players perform better in the football game.
Réduire puis rétablir les inégalités
Authors: Ericsson Peter , Winton Patrik
Published: October 2024

Dans les années 1710, sous la pression d’une guerre en cours, Charles XII, le roi absolu de Suède, met en oeuvre une série de mesures fiscales et monétaires qui remettent en question les privilèges traditionnels et impliquent de profondes transformations sociales. La fiscalité est rendue progressive et le crédit de plus en plus important afin de financer la guerre. Les liquidités sont radicalement augmentées, notamment au moyen de la mise en circulation d’une grande quantité de pièces de monnaie fiduciaire. La mort de Charles XII, en novembre 1718, entraîne une réaction hostile à ses politiques militaires. Les mesures fiscales et monétaires sont abolies, provoquant le renversement de l’absolutisme royal ainsi qu’une défaillance partielle de l’État. Cet article s’organise en deux parties. Dans la première, nous cherchons à vérifier l’hypothèse selon laquelle la politique militaire et les mesures monétaires du régime de Charles XII ont conduit à une redistribution des ressources dans la société suédoise, en particulier dans les années 1715-1718. Dans la seconde partie, nous analysons la façon dont les acteurs politiques suédois ont réagi à ces changements socio-économiques entre le décès de Charles XII et le défaut de paiement de 1719. Nos résultats montrent que la monnaie fiduciaire imprégna l’économie et atteint l’ensemble des groupes sociaux, allant même, dans certains endroits, jusqu’à en bouleverser les hiérarchies en vigueur. Les paysans, parmi d’autres groupes de rang inférieur, ont été particulièrement affectés par le défaut de paiement partiel, car ils ont été en grande partie privés de leurs actifs monétaires.
Un empire parmi des empires
Authors: Cooper Frederick
Published: October 2024

Cette réflexion sur le livre de Denis Cogneau, Un empire bon marché, met en évidence l’importance accordée par l’auteur à l’aspect politique de l’économie politique : comment un État colonisateur a-t-il agi à la fois envers ses sujets colonisés et face aux empires rivaux ? Une perspective inter-impériale permet d’expliquer la rapidité de la colonisation au xixe siècle tout autant que celle de la décolonisation au xxe siècle. L’empire n’a ni coûté cher aux contribuables français ni rapporté grand-chose à l’économie française, bien qu’il ait permis à certains individus de s’enrichir et à d’autres de faire une longue et belle carrière. Pour la France, l’empire fut une bonne affaire, car les peuples colonisés ont payé les coûts de leur propre assujettissement. Au contraire, pour ces populations, l’empire ne fut en rien une bonne affaire.
Les colonisations à l’épreuve de la comparaison
Authors: Cogneau Denis
Published: October 2024

Mon livre Un empire bon marché propose une analyse du colonialisme français des xixe et xxe siècles. En partant des commentaires de mes collègues Frederick Cooper, Christelle Dumas et David Todd, je reviens sur la méthode comparative adoptée, puis je discute les motivations préemptives des conquêtes coloniales, la variété des institutions de domination, l’exploitation économique et le non-développement. Je conclus sur l’inachèvement de la décolonisation.
Logistics efficiency in Brazilian cities applying data envelopment analysis
Authors: Fioravanti Reinaldo , Montoya Giset Natalia , Pinto Janaina Antonino , Lima Orlando Fontes
Published: October 2024

Urban logistics has emerged as a priority to improve goods distribution and mobility within urban centers worldwide. Brazil presents a unique set of challenges in this regard due to issues such as excessive reliance on road transportation, lack of regulations, inadequate infrastructure, cargo theft, and the intricate interplay of cargo transportation with urban traffic. These challenges collectively exert a substantial influence on the economic, urban, and environmental performance of cities. This article introduces a novel approach aimed at assessing and benchmarking urban logistics performance between Brazilian cities with potential applicability to other contexts. The methodology was based on data envelopment analysis to evaluate efficiency based on key indicators, including GDP Gross Domestic Product, population size, commercial establishments, urban area coverage, cargo fleet size, and travel time. By applying this methodology to 12 Brazilian cities, the study improves the understanding of their relative efficiency levels concerning urban logistics and provides key insights for policymaking. The results also show the relevance of the proposed methodology and contribute to provide a perspective of different administrative and logistical facets through the lens of macroeconomic indicators, contributing to a holistic understanding of urban logistics dynamics.
Entrepreneurial identity and business success: Former refugee women’s navigation of (in)visibility paradoxes
Authors: Ranabahu Nadeera , de Vries Huibert P. , Basharati Zhiyan
Published: October 2024

Former refugee women’s entrepreneurial journeys are embedded in social, cultural, and legal environments in their home, transition, and host countries. Their multiple context embeddedness creates contradictions and identity issues. Thus, women adopt behaviours that make them visible or invisible simultaneously when navigating these contradictions. Using intersectionality and translocational positionality lenses, this study explored this phenomenon. We collected narrative data using semi-structured interviews from refugee women resettled in New Zealand. The findings illustrate that multi-country social processes, that is, ‘translocational’ experiences, create (in)visibility paradoxes for women entrepreneurs. Women dynamically create visibility for themselves through reliance on or defiance of ethnic, cultural or refugee identities in their ventures and by creating a business identity aligning with the host country’s values. In contrast, cultural conformity and playing a role behind the ‘shopfront’ make women invisible. This study synthesises these paradoxical entrepreneurial strategies, develops a conceptual framework and contributes to women’s entrepreneurial identity studies.
From Patriotism to Transnationalism: Exploring Hashtag Narratives on Lithium Mining Protests in Serbia
Authors: Stepanović Ivana
Published: October 2024

By examining social media interactions, the analysis that is presented in this article reveals how hashtags are adeptly used to reframe the lithium mining issue, embedding it within wider narratives. The article investigates narratives surrounding lithium mining protests in Serbia, using digital ethnography and narrative analysis to study the discourse of ecology activists on the social platform X (formerly known as Twitter). It illuminates the fluid, rhizomatic, and puzzle-like nature of hashtags that helps to achieve online visibility, mobilize audiences for street protests, and appear as narrative building blocks. Hashtags operate as algorithmic signifiers that create additional layers of meaning and fine-tune narratives toward either the left or right side of the political spectrum. This article focuses on how activists use hashtags not just as tools for categorizing content but also as essential components in shaping their narratives. This approach reveals the dynamic engagement of a broad political spectrum in the lithium mining debate, forging connections between different actors. The analysis demonstrates how interconnected hashtags modulate the narratives so that they can transgress from the right to the left side of the political spectrum, indicating that lithium mining is a global rather than a local problem.
Courage Measure (CM) – Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties for Brazilian Adolescents
Authors: Padilha Sandra , Pereira da Silva Maynara Priscila , Peixoto Evandro Morais , Norton Peter J.
Published: October 2024

Abstract: The objective of the study was to adapt the Courage Scale and estimate validity evidence based on content and internal structure. The study included 510 young people, between 14 and 19 years old. The results of the content validity coefficient suggested the adequacy of the content. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test three factor models, namely one-factor, two-factor, and the random intercept model. The results indicated that it is possible to measure courage through a factor, when the acquiescent response style is controlled, corroborating the theoretical perspective, given that the random intercept model adjusted well to the sample data. In other words, the findings indicate that the scale is capable of measuring courage in the Brazilian context and that acquiescence control is an important method in evaluating the construct.
Many of the World’s Cities Have Gotten Wetter
Authors: Wilke Carolyn
Published: October 2024

Dense populations, aerosols, and cities’ tendency to raise temperatures contribute to higher levels of precipitation in urban areas than surrounding rural areas.
California Wildfires and Weather Are Changing Erosion Patterns
Authors: Owen Rebecca
Published: October 2024

Sediment runoff from the state’s increasingly severe wildfires and heavy rain events may affect ecosystems and water resources downstream.
Understanding the Zonal Variability in Projections of Sahel Precipitation
Authors: Audu E. O. , Dixon R. D. , Diallo I.
Published: October 2024

The uncertainty in precipitation projections across the Sahel has persisted across generations of climate models. Many projections show a zonal dipole in the sign of precipitation change, with wetting across the Central Sahel and drying across the Western Sahel. We analyze the outputs from an ensemble of current climate models to explain why some produce this dipole and understand the inter‐model variability in the transition region for these models. Models projecting the dipole tend to shift the Atlantic Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) to the south, while models that do not tend to shift the ITCZ to the north. We find that the strong relationship between the change in Sahel precipitation and surface temperature‐based indices is highly driven by the non‐dipole models. These indices do not explain most of the variance in where models transition. This suggests that understanding zonal variability in Sahel precipitation change must go beyond these temperature‐based analysis.
Base editing screens define the genetic landscape of cancer drug resistance mechanisms
Authors: Coelho Matthew A. , Strauss Magdalena E. , Watterson Alex , Cooper Sarah , Bhosle Shriram , Illuzzi Giuditta , Karakoc Emre , Dinçer Cansu , Vieira Sara F. , Sharma Mamta , Moullet Marie , Conticelli Daniela , Koeppel Jonas , McCarten Katrina , Cattaneo Chiara M. , Veninga Vivien , Picco Gabriele , Parts Leopold , Forment Josep V. , Voest Emile E. , Marioni John C. , Bassett Andrew , Garnett Mathew J.
Published: October 2024

Drug resistance is a principal limitation to the long-term efficacy of cancer therapies. Cancer genome sequencing can retrospectively delineate the genetic basis of drug resistance, but this requires large numbers of post-treatment samples to nominate causal variants. Here we prospectively identify genetic mechanisms of resistance to ten oncology drugs from CRISPR base editing mutagenesis screens in four cancer cell lines using a guide RNA library predicted to install 32,476 variants in 11 cancer genes. We identify four functional classes of protein variants modulating drug sensitivity and use single-cell transcriptomics to reveal how these variants operate through distinct mechanisms, including eliciting a drug-addicted cell state. We identify variants that can be targeted with alternative inhibitors to overcome resistance and functionally validate an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) variant that sensitizes lung cancer cells to EGFR inhibitors. Our variant-to-function map has implications for patient stratification, therapy combinations and drug scheduling in cancer treatment.
Polymeric nanoparticles loaded with vincristine and carbon dots for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy and imaging
Authors: Fawaz Walaa , Hanano Abdulsamie , Murad Hossam , Yousfan Amal , Alghoraibi Ibrahim , Hasian Jameela
Published: October 2024

Chemotherapy for hepatoblastoma is limited by organ toxicity and poor outcomes, prompting the search for new, more effective treatments with minimal side effects. Vincristine sulfate, a potent chemotherapeutic, faces challenges due to P-glycoprotein-mediated resistance and its systemic toxicity. Nanoparticles offer a promising solution by improving pharmacokinetics, targeting tumor cells, thus reducing side effects. Moreover, the use of fluorescent nanomaterials is emerging in biomedical applications such as bioimaging, detection and therapies. This study describes a promising delivery system utilizing carbon dots encapsulated with vincristine in biodegradable polycaprolactone nanoparticles via a double emulsion technique. The fine characterization of these nanoparticles showed that they are spherical, uniformly sized with around 200 nm and exhibit excellent colloidal stability. Moreover, the release profile showed prolonged release for both vincristine and carbon dots. In vitro cell viability studies revealed enhanced cancer cell inhibition for the encapsulated drug compared to the vincristine solution. The uptake study indicated clear fluorescence for carbon dots solution and vincristine and carbon dots loaded nanoparticles upon excitation. Additionally, studies on primary mouse hepatocytes demonstrated higher fluorescence intensity in treatment groups. These results suggest that vincristine and carbon dots loaded nanoparticles are effective, target-specific carriers for liver cancer treatment. Furthermore, the carbon dots were not cytotoxic, highlighting their potential in bioimaging and cancer cell studies.
Autoantibodies to protein S may explain rare cases of coagulopathy following COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Yalcinkaya Ahmet , Cavalli Marco , Aranda-Guillén Maribel , Cederholm Axel , Güner Almira , Rietrae Isabel , Mildner Hedvig , Behere Anish , Eriksson Oskar , Gonzalez Laura , Mugabo Constantin Habimana , Johnsson Anette , Lakshmikanth Tadepally , Brodin Petter , Wadelius Mia , Hallberg Pär , Landegren Nils
Published: October 2024

While Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have proven to be both effective and generally safe, rare but severe adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) are described. Autoantibodies to platelet factor-4 are associated with catastrophic thrombotic AEFIs, but comprehensive investigations of other autoantibodies are lacking. We aimed to detect and describe autoantibodies targeting coagulation-related proteins in a population-wide cohort (SWEDEGENE) including AEFIs attributed to COVID-19 vaccines in Sweden. Subjects were recruited from December 2020 to October 2022 and were stratified based on diagnosis and COVID-19 exposure. Screening was carried out in two phases, with a multiplex bead-based assay in the first subset (until September 2021) and with targeted assays for the second (until October 2022). Positivity was defined based on absolute, relative, and biological/technical thresholds. Patients with coagulation-related AEFIs were older and the Vaxzevria vaccine was overrepresented in this group. Two cases had antiphospholipid antibodies but none had PF4 antibodies. We identified six positives for protein S autoantibodies. Protein S concentrations were negatively correlated with autoantibody response in patients with immunoreactivity and functional analysis revealed low protein S activity in three subjects. Our population-wide analysis reveals cases with autoantibodies against protein S which possibly underlie coagulopathic AEFIs.
Phase 2 trial of PSMA PET CT versus planar bone scan and CT in prostate cancer patients progressing while on androgen deprivation therapy
Authors: Nikitas John , Gafita Andrei , Benz Matthias R. , Djaïleb Loïc , Farolfi Andrea , Hotta Masatoshi , Sonni Ida , Alano Rejah , Rettig Matthew , Shen John , Armstrong Wesley , Grogan Tristan , Liu Sandy , Czernin Johannes , Calais Jeremie
Published: October 2024

For prostate cancer patients who experience biochemical progression during androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) has not been prospectively compared to planar bone scan plus CT. This was a single-arm, head-to-head, prospective phase II trial (NCT04928820) designed to enroll 102 men with prostate cancer who experienced biochemical progression (rising prostate-specific antigen [PSA] ≥ 1 ng/mL) during ADT. All patients received 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and 99mTc-MDP planar bone scans. Each scan was interpreted by three central independent readers. The primary endpoint was the per-patient bone metastasis detection rate of PSMA PET/CT versus planar bone scan and CT. Secondary endpoints compared the number of bone metastases detected per patient and the inter-reader agreement of each imaging modality. Twenty-two men were enrolled between July 2021 and June 2022. Due to slow accrual following approval of PSMA PET radiotracers in the U.S. and a lack of a statistical signal between the two imaging modalities on interim analysis, this trial was closed early on October 2022. Median PSA was 8.5 ng/mL (interquartile range: 1.6–77.6). There was 100% agreement between the two scans. Six patients (27%) had negative findings and 16 patients (73%) had positive findings on both scans. PSMA PET/CT and bone scan plus CT detected an equal number of bone lesions for 14 patients (64%), PSMA PET/CT detected more bone lesions for six patients (27%), and bone scan plus CT detected more bone lesions for two patients (9.1%) (p = 0.092). The inter-reader agreement rates of PSMA PET/CT and bone scan plus CT were 96% and 82%, respectively (p = 0.25). In men with biochemical progression during ADT, 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and 99mTc-MDP planar bone scan plus CT had identical bone metastasis detection rates. Bone scan plus CT can continue to serve as a cost-effective and readily accessible restaging modality in patients with biochemical progression. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04928820. Registered 16/06/2021.
The perceptibility curve test applied to direct digital dental radiography
Authors: Yoshiura K , Stamatakis H , Shi X Q , Welander U , McDavid W D , Kristoffersen J , Tronje G
Published: October 2024

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of an additional scintillator layer on the psychophysical properties of a CCD detector for digital dental radiography.

METHODS

Radiographs of a test object containing ten holes of increasing depth were obtained throughout the exposure range of two CCD detectors at 70 and 90 kVp. One was the original detector for the Sens-A-Ray system (Regam Medical Systems, Sundsvall, Sweden) and the other the same detector covered by a scintillator layer. Ten viewers evaluated the radiographs for the number of perceptible holes. From these data and the dose response functions for the two detectors, the minimum perceptible exposure difference was found. The reciprocal values of this parameter were plotted against the logarithm of exposure to create Perceptibility Curves (PCs).

RESULTS

The four PCs had essentially the same shape and height. There was a shift to lower exposures in the PCs for the detector covered by a scintillator.

CONCLUSIONS

The two detectors have essentially the same psychophysical properties. Since the detector covered by a scintillator layer is more sensitive, it should be preferred for clinical practice since the dose to the patient is reduced.