bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exogenous H2S Ameliorates High Salt-Induced Hypertension by Alleviating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in the Paraventricular Nucleus in Dahl S Rats
Authors: Liao Yingying , Fan Yuanyuan , He Qinglin , Li Yuwei , Wu Dongdong , Jiang Enshe
Published: February 2022

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important gaseous signaling molecule that regulates cardiovascular activity in animals. The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is a major integrative region involved in blood pressure (BP) regulation. We explored whether exogenous H2S application by intraperitoneal injection of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) alleviates BP increase induced by a high salt diet (HSD) and the role of PVN in Dahl salt-sensitive (Dahl S) rats. Dahl S rats were divided into four groups according to diet regime (normal salt diet [NSD] and HSD) and treatment method (daily intraperitoneal NaHS or saline injection). We monitored BP, food and water intake, and body weight for 8 weeks. Plasma, kidney, and brain tissues were collected at the end of the experiment. We found that exogenous H2S not only delayed BP elevation but also attenuated the increase in the levels of norepinephrine, cystatin C, and blood urea nitrogen in the plasma of Dahl S rats with an HSD. Furthermore, H2S enhanced the total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in the PVN. Exogenous H2S attenuated the protein expression of the nuclear factor-κB pathway and proinflammatory cytokines, which were significantly higher in the PVN in rats with an HSD than in rats with an NSD. Additionally, exogenous H2S relieved PVN neuronal apoptosis induced by an HSD. These findings suggest that exogenous H2S attenuates hypertension caused by an HSD by ameliorating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the PVN. This study provides evidence of the benefits of peripheral H2S therapy for hypertension.
Biogas Potential of Agriculture
Authors: Nurgaliev Timur , Müller Joachim , Koshelev Valery
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the biogas potential of agriculture in the typical Russian region. The design of this study was completed using the main kinds of agricultural production of the Tambov region as the feedstocks for biogas production. Average amounts of the feedstocks were calculated on the base of data for the period 2009–2018. The quantities and revenues of electricity, heat, and biofertilizers from biogas produced from various substrates were estimated and mapped for each of the twenty-three municipal districts of the region. Results revealed an average total monetary biogas potential of 88.52 × 109 RUB for the Tambov region per year, where 75.43% are provided by electricity and heat energy and the remaining 24.57%—by biofertilizers, therefore, biogas potential of the Tambov region is comparable with biogas potential of a European country. Such feedstocks as sunflower silage, cereal grain, and cereal straw were defined as the most attractive substrates in the region. At the same time, the most of feedstocks being the main farmers’ commodity production are debatable to be used as substrates; as for Russian farmers, biogas production is a new and not well-known technology. Nevertheless, the developed calculation method can now be applied by local authorities of the Tambov region and other regions of the Russian Federation as the base to develop the biogas sector in the most promising areas by supporting farmers and business structures and attracting investments in biogas technology.
Outcome analysis of primary breast cancer patients who declined adjuvant chemotherapy—results from the prospective multi-center BRENDA II study
Authors: Leinert Elena , Schwentner Lukas , Janni Wolfgang , Wöckel Achim , Herbert Saskia-L. , Herr Daniel , Kühn Thorsten , Flock Felix , Felberbaum Ricardo , Kreienberg Rolf , Fink Visnja , Dayan Davut , Ernst Kristina , Singer Susanne ,   the BRENDA study group
Published: February 2022

Background

This study examined 5-year overall, recurrence and distant metastasis-free survival (OS, RFS, MFS) of high- and intermediate-risk breast cancer (BC) patients who declined guideline-recommended adjuvant chemotherapy (CHT).

Methods

In the prospective multicenter cohort study BRENDA II, patients with primary BC were sampled over a period of four years (2009–2012). A multi-professional team (tumorboard) discussed recommendation for adjuvant CHT according to the German guideline. Potential differences in 5 year survival were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression. The hazard ratios (HR) were adjusted for age, Charlson Comorbidity Score, American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) physical status classification, and endocrine therapy.

Results

A total of 759 patients were enrolled of which 688 could receive CHT according to the guidelines (n = 219 had a clear indication, inn = 304 it was possible). For 360 patients, the tumorboard advised to perform CHT, for 304 it advised against and in 24 cases, no decision was documented. Of those with a positive suggestion, 83% received CHT. Until 5 years after diagnosis, 57 patients were deceased, 41 had at least one distant metastasis and 29 a recurrence. There was no evidence for differences in OS and MFS in patients who declined CHT despite tumorboard recommendation (HR 3.5, 95% CI 0.8–15.1 for OS, HR 1.9, 95% 0.6–6.6 for MFS). Patients who received CHT had significantly better 5-year RFS compared to those who declined (HR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.9,p = 0.03). There was no evidence for different survival in those who had no CHT because of comorbidity and those who declined actively, neither for OS, MFS nor RFS.

Conclusion

The prospective BRENDA II study demonstrates benefit in RFS by guideline adherence in adjuvant breast cancer treatment, indicating prospectively the value of internationally validated guidelines in breast cancer care.
Refining the Bayesian Approach to Unifying Generalisation
Authors: Poth Nina
Published: February 2022

Tenenbaum and Griffiths (Behavioral and Brain Sciences 24(4):629–640, 2001) have proposed that their Bayesian model of generalisation unifies Shepard’s (Science 237(4820): 1317–1323, 1987) and Tversky’s (Psychological Review 84(4): 327–352, 1977) similarity-based explanations of two distinct patterns of generalisation behaviours by reconciling them under a single coherent task analysis. I argue that this proposal needs refinement: instead of unifying the heterogeneous notion of psychological similarity, the Bayesian approach unifies generalisation by rendering the distinct patterns of behaviours informationally relevant. I suggest that generalisation as a Bayesian inference should be seen as a complement to, instead of a replacement of, similarity-based explanations. Furthermore, I show that the unificatory powers of the Bayesian model of generalisation can contribute to the selection of one of these models of psychological similarity.
Textile wastewater heavy metal removal using Luffa cylindrica activated carbon: an ANN and ANFIS predictive model evaluation
Authors: Nwosu-Obieogu Kenechi , Dzarma Goziya W. , Ehimogue Precious , Ugwuodo Chijioke B. , Chiemenem Linus I.
Published: February 2022

This study investigated the application of soft computing models [Artificial neural network (ANN) and Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS)] in removing heavy metals [chromium (VI), vanadium (V) and iron (II)] from textile wastewater using Luffacylindrica activated carbon (LAC). The effect of pH, contact time and adsorbent dosage on the adsorptive potential of the prepared LAC were determined using a batch mode experiment. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and scanning electron micrograph assessed the potential of the adsorbent in this study. ANN and ANFIS were evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R2) and mean square error (MSE). The result showed that the models demonstrated significant predictive behavior with R2 (9.9999E−1), MSE (5.985E−14) for chromium(VI) removal, R2 (9.9999E−1), MSE (2.33856E−13) for iron(II) removal and R2 (9.9999E−1), MSE (7.22197E−12) for vanadium(V) removal for ANN, while ANFIS predicted R2 (0.76305), MSE (0.037105) for chromium(VI) removal, R2 (0.67652), MSE (0.846) for iron(II) removal, R2 (0.22673), MSE (0.65925) for vanadium(V) removal. Sensitivity analysis carried out with ANFIS (exhaustive search) indicated that the parameters (time, pH and adsorbent dosage) significantly impact the heavy metal removal. Thus, this study shows that ANN and ANFIS are reliable tools for modelling heavy metal removal using LAC. The parameter results obtained are relevant in process design and control.
Long non-coding RNA linc00921 suppresses tumorigenesis and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of triple-negative breast cancer via targeting miR-9-5p/LZTS2 axis
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhang Lina , Wang Jianlong , Zhao Jing , Zhao Xuelian , Zhang Chunli , Han Peng , Geng Cuizhi
Published: February 2022

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) plays crucial roles in the initiation and progression of TNBC. In this study, we analyzed public GEO profiles to verify the key lncRNAs in TNBC. Linc00921 was selected for further study. Low expression of linc00921 was observed in 49 of 95 TNBC tissues. Low expression of linc00921 was correlated with poor postoperative disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of TNBC patients. Overexpression of linc00921 with lentivirus suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of TNBC cells. A luciferase reporter assay showed that linc00921 could sponge miR-9-5p in TNBC. Moreover, linc00921 and miR-9-5p occupied the same Argonaute-2 (Ago2) protein in TNBC cells. Leucine zipper tumor suppressor 2 (LZTS2) was recognized as a target gene of miR-9-5p, and thereby a linc00921/miR-9-5p/LZTS2 axis was identified in TNBC cells. Overexpression of linc00921 promoted nuclear export of β-catenin, neutralized its function, and subsequently promoted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in TNBC. A xenograft tumor mouse model showed that the miR-9-5p inhibitor upregulates LZTS2 expression and induce nuclear export of β-catenin in TNBC. Thus, linc00921 upregulates LZTS2 by sponging miR-9-5p to suppress tumorigenesis and EMT of TNBC. Linc00921/miR-9-5p/LZTS2 axis may be a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for TNBC patients.
From Theory to Practice: An International Approach to Establishing Prehabilitation Programmes
Authors: Davis June F. , van Rooijen Stefan J. , Grimmett Chloe , West Malcom A. , Campbell Anna M. , Awasthi Rashami , Slooter Gerrit D. , Grocott Michael P. , Carli Franco , Jack Sandy
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This article focuses on the following:

The importance of prehabilitation in people with cancer and the known and hypothesised benefits.

Exploration of the principles that can be used when developing services in the absence of a single accepted model of how these services could be established or configured.

Description of approaches and learning in the development and implementation of prehabilitation across three different countries: Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, based on the authors’ experiences and perspectives.

Recent Findings

Practical tips and suggestions are shared by the authors to assist others when implementing prehabilitation programmes. These include experience from three different approaches with similar lessons.

Important elements include the following: (i) starting with a small identified clinical group of patients to refine and test the delivery model and demonstrate proof of concept; (ii) systematic data collection with clearly identified target outcomes from the outset; (iii) collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders including those who will be designing, developing, delivering, funding and using the prehabilitation services; (iv) adapting the model to fit local situations; (v) project leaders who can bring together and motivate a team; (vi) recognition and acknowledgement of the value that each member of a diverse multidisciplinary team brings; (vii) involvement of the whole team in prehabilitation prescription including identification of patients’ levels of risk through appropriate assessment and need-based interventions; (viii) persistence and determination in the development of the business case for sustainable funding; (ix) working with patients ambassadors to develop and advocate for the case for support; and (x) working closely with commissioners of healthcare.

Principles for the implementation of prehabilitation have been set out by sharing the experiences across three countries. These principles should be considered a framework for those wishing to design and develop prehabilitation services in their own areas to maximise success, effectiveness and sustainability.
It is complicated: Potential short- and long-term impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on antimicrobial resistance—An expert review
Authors: Seneghini Marco , Rüfenacht Susanne , Babouee-Flury Baharak , Flury Domenica , Schlegel Matthias , Kuster Stefan P. , Kohler Philipp P.
Published: February 2022

As of December 2021, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has claimed millions of deaths and caused disruptions in health systems around the world. The short- and long-term effects of COVID-19 on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which was already a global threat before the pandemic, are manifold and complex. In this expert review, we summarize how COVID-19 might be affecting AMR in the short term (by influencing the key determinants antibiotic use, infection control practices and international/local mobility) and which additional factors might play a role in the long term. Whereas reduced outpatient antibiotic use in high-income countries, increased awareness for hand hygiene, and reduced mobility have likely mitigated the emergence and spread of AMR in the short term, factors such as overuse of antibiotics in COVID-19 patients, shortage of personal protective equipment, lack of qualified healthcare staff, and patient overcrowding have presumably facilitated its propagation. Unsurprisingly, international and national AMR surveillance data for 2020 show ambiguous trends. Although disruptions in antibiotic stewardship programs, AMR surveillance and research might promote the spread of AMR, other developments could prove beneficial to the cause in the long term. These factors include the increased public awareness for infectious diseases and infection control issues, the strengthening of the One Health perspective as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the unprecedented number of international research collaborations and platforms. These factors could even serve as leverage and provide opportunities to better combat AMR in the future.
Association between duration of antipseudomonal beta-lactam therapy and Clostridioides difficile infections in monomicrobial Enterobacterales bloodstream infections at an academic medical center
Authors: Hawkins Audry M. , Raux Brian , Weeda Erin , Hornback Krutika Mediwala
Published: February 2022

Objective:

To evaluate the effects early de-escalation of antipseudomonal β-lactam (APBL) on 90-day CDI risk in Enterobacterales bloodstream infections (BSIs).

Design:

Retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting:

An academic medical center in South Carolina.

Patients:

We included patients aged >18 years with monomicrobial BSIs with Enterobacterales who received APBL between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2020.

Methods:

Rates of CDI were compared between patients who received an APBL for >72 hours and <72 hours, followed by comparison between formulary APBLs utilized.

Results:

In total, 447 patients were included; 292 and 155 patients received APBL for < 72 hours and > 72 hours, respectively. The incidences of CDI for <72 hours compared to >72 hours were 2.4% and 6.5%, respectively (unadjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–7.10; P = .04). This difference was not statistically significant in the adjusted model (HR, 2.66; 95% CI, 0.97–7.31; P = .06). Meropenem was associated with an increased risk of CDI when compared with all other formulary APBLs: 4 (26.7%) of 15 versus 13 (3.0%) of 432 (P < .001).

Conclusions:

Utilization of an APBL for >72 hours was associated with a statistically significant increase in the incidence of CDI in an unadjusted model and with a numerically higher CDI incidence in the adjusted model. Meropenem was the formulary APBL that carried the highest risk of CDI. The results of this study provide further evidence supporting active antimicrobial stewardship to reduce unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotics in the effort to alleviate the burden that CDI imposes on the healthcare system.
Influence of critically appraising exemption requests from healthcare personnel along a spectrum of influenza vaccine hesitancy
Authors: Eby Joshua C. , Richey Morgan M. , Sifri Costi D. , Schuch Jonathon Z.
Published: February 2022

Objectives:

This study was performed to assess whether an intervention for critically appraising influenza vaccine exemption requests from healthcare personnel (HCP) affected (1) the overall rate of influenza vaccine exemption within a healthcare institution and/or (2) the rates of postintervention vaccine acceptance among those who inconsistently request exemption from annual vaccination and those who consistently request exemption from vaccination.

Design:

Retrospective, before-and-after intervention study.

Setting:

We conducted the study at a single academic medical center.

Participants:

This study included 29,663 HCP.

Methods:

Between 2010 and 2019, HCP were permitted to request an exemption from influenza vaccination without critical appraisal of exemption requests. After January 2019, medical center policy required critical appraisal of exemption requests. Of those employed 3 or more years who requested an exemption at least once during the preintervention period (n = 1,177), those with unchanging exemption reasons annually were termed “consistent exempters.” Those who changed reasons or accepted vaccination n ≥ 1 times were termed “inconsistent exempters.”

Results:

The overall exemption rate from influenza vaccine decreased from 3.8% to 1.2% (P < .001; N = 29,663) after the intervention. Of those requesting exemption at least once before the intervention, 329 (28.0%) of 1,177 were consistent exempters and 878 (72.0%) were inconsistent exempters. Of inconsistent exempters employed after the intervention, 442 (88.9%) of 497 accepted vaccine postintervention compared with 118 (59.6%) of 198 consistent exempters (P < .001). Of all exempters who changed from exemption to acceptance after the intervention, 442 (78.9%) of 560 were inconsistent exempters.

Conclusions:

Critical appraisal of HCP exemption requests promotes influenza vaccine acceptance, and acceptance by inconsistent exempters drives the effect of the intervention. Analysis of changes in annual exemption requests represents a novel objective method for describing those on the spectrum of vaccine hesitancy.
A cross-sectional analysis of psychological distress among higher education students in Ireland
Authors: Cullinan J. , Walsh S. , Flannery D. , Kennelly B.
Published: February 2022

Objectives:

To examine levels of psychological distress among higher education students in Ireland overall and across a range of personal, higher education, and socioeconomic characteristics, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

A cross-sectional online survey of college students in Ireland was undertaken in 2018. Data on 5201 students from 13 higher education institutions (HEIs) were analyzed. Stress, anxiety, and depression symptom scores based on the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were calculated and reported, with statistical testing used to compare across groups.

Results:

Overall, 29.6% and 19.1% of respondents were classified in the mild to moderate and severe to extremely severe range for depression respectively. The corresponding proportions were 25.9% and 20.7% for anxiety, and 24.5% and 14.8% for stress. Differences across groups included higher levels of psychological distress for transgender and female students compared to males (p < 0.01), for gay/lesbian/bisexual students compared to heterosexuals (p < 0.01), for undergraduates compared to postgraduates (p < 0.01), for students from intermediate/technical/service/unskilled social classes compared to professional/self-employed social classes (p < 0.01), and for those with financial difficulties compared to those without financial difficulties (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

Rates of psychological distress were high amongst college students in Ireland prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, with substantial differences across groups. Due to study limitations, such as possible selection bias, the findings need replication. Further research is needed to determine the impact of the pandemic on the prevalence of mental illness in this population.
Vorticity generation and conservation on generalised interfaces in three-dimensional flows
Authors: Terrington S.J. , Hourigan K. , Thompson M.C.
Published: February 2022

This article presents a three-dimensional theory of vorticity creation on generalised interfaces, including both non-slip and free-slip boundaries, which generalises a previous two-dimensional formulation (Terrington et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 890, 2020, p. A5). Under this description, vorticity may be created on a boundary by the inviscid relative acceleration between fluid elements on each side of the boundary, driven by either tangential pressure gradients or body forces. Viscosity acts to transfer circulation between the vortex sheet representing the slip velocity on the interface, and the fluid interior, but is not responsible for the creation of vorticity on the interface. This formulation also describes a principle of vorticity conservation for interfacial and free-surface flows: in many flow configurations, the net generation of vorticity on the interface is zero, and the total circulation remains constant throughout flow evolution.
Empirical glacier mass-balance models for South America
Authors: Mutz Sebastian G. , Aschauer Johannes
Published: February 2022

We investigate relationships between synoptic-scale atmospheric variability and the mass-balance of 13 Andean glaciers (located 16–55° S) using Pearson correlation coefficients (PCCs) and multiple regressions. We then train empirical glacier mass-balance models (EGMs) in a cross-validated multiple regression procedure for each glacier. We find four distinct glaciological zones with regard to their climatic controls: (1) The mass-balance of the Outer Tropics glaciers is linked to temperature and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (PCC ⩽ 0.6), (2) glaciers of the Desert Andes are mainly controlled by zonal wind intensity (PCC ⩽ 0.9) and the Antarctic Oscillation (PCC ⩽0.6), (3) the mass-balance of the Central Andes glaciers is primarily correlated with precipitation anomalies (PCC ⩽ 0.8), and (4) the glacier of the Fuegian Andes is controlled by winter precipitation (PCC ≈ 0.7) and summer temperature (PCC ≈ −0.9). Mass-balance data in the Lakes District and Patagonian Andes zones, where most glaciers are located, are too sparse for a robust detection of synoptic-scale climatic controls. The EGMs yieldR2values of ~ 0.45 on average and ⩽ 0.74 for the glaciers of the Desert Andes. The EGMs presented here do not consider glacier dynamics or geometry and are therefore only suitable for short-term predictions.
Discounted probability of exponential parisian ruin: Diffusion approximation
Authors: Liang Xiaoqing , Young Virginia R.
Published: February 2022

We analyze the discounted probability of exponential Parisian ruin for the so-called scaled classical Cramér–Lundberg risk model. As in Cohen and Young (2020), we use the comparison method from differential equations to prove that the discounted probability of exponential Parisian ruin for the scaled classical risk model converges to the corresponding discounted probability for its diffusion approximation, and we derive the rate of convergence.
INITIAL SEGMENTS OF THE DEGREES OF CEERS
Authors: ANDREWS URI , SORBI ANDREA
Published: February 2022

It is known that every non-universal self-full degree in the structure of the degrees of computably enumerable equivalence relations (ceers) under computable reducibility has exactly one strong minimal cover. This leaves little room for embedding wide partial orders as initial segments using self-full degrees. We show that considerably more can be done by staying entirely inside the collection of non-self-full degrees. We show that the poset can be embedded as an initial segment of the degrees of ceers with infinitely many classes. A further refinement of the proof shows that one can also embed the free distributive lattice generated by the lower semilattice as an initial segment of the degrees of ceers with infinitely many classes.
MUTUAL INTERPRETABILITY OF WEAK ESSENTIALLY UNDECIDABLE THEORIES
Authors: DAMNJANOVIC ZLATAN
Published: February 2022

Kristiansen and Murwanashyaka recently proved that Robinson arithmetic, Q, is interpretable in an elementary theory of full binary trees, T. We prove that, conversely, T is interpretable in Q by producing a formal interpretation of T in an elementary concatenation theory QT+, thereby also establishing mutual interpretability of T with several well-known weak essentially undecidable theories of numbers, strings, and sets. We also introduce a “hybrid” elementary theory of strings and trees, WQT*, and establish its mutual interpretability with Robinson’s weak arithmetic R, the weak theory of trees WT of Kristiansen and Murwanashyaka, and the weak concatenation theory WTCε of Higuchi and Horihata.
The Water of Life and Death: A Brief Economic History of Spirits
Authors: Cockx Lara , Meloni Giulia , Swinnen Johan
Published: February 2022

Spirits represent around 50% of global alcohol consumption. This sector is much less studied than other alcoholic beverages such as wine or beer. This paper reviews the economic history of spirits and analyzes recent trends in the spirits markets. The technology to produce spirits is more complex than for wine or beer. Distillation was known in ancient Chinese, Indian, Greek, and Egyptian societies, but it took innovations by the Arabs to distill alcohol. Initially, this alcohol was used for medicinal purposes. Only in the Middle Ages did spirits become a widespread drink. The Industrial Revolution created a large consumer market and reduced the cost of spirits, contributing to excess consumption and alcoholism. Governments have intervened extensively in spirits markets to reduce excessive consumption and to raise taxes. There have been significant changes in spirits consumption and trade over time. Over the past 50 years, the share of spirits in global alcohol consumption increased from around 30% to around 50%. In the past decades, there was strong growth in emerging markets, including in China and India. Recent developments in the spirits industry include premiumization, the growth of craft spirits, and the introduction of terroir for spirits. (JEL Classifications: L51, L66, N40, Q11, Q18)
Global populism and Italy. An interview with Federico Finchelstein
Authors: Maccaferri Marzia , Mammone Andrea
Published: February 2022

Federico Finchelstein is Professor of History at the New School for Social Research and Eugene Lang College, New York. He is one of the leading scholars on fascism and populism. Professor Finchelstein is the author of many books that have been translated into several languages, including the successful From Fascism to Populism in History (University of California Press, 2017). His new monograph, Fascist Mythologies. The History and Politics of Unreason in Borges, Freud, and Schmitt, is forthcoming in June 2022 from Columbia University Press. Given this, he is a natural starting point to discuss the global dimension of populism and its historical experiences from Latin America to Italy. Andrea Mammone, co-editor of Modern Italy, interviewed him in December 2021.
SOIL ORGANIC CARBON DATING OF PALEOSOILS OF ALLUVIAL FANS IN A BLOWN SAND AREA (NYÍRSÉG, HUNGARY)
Authors: Buró Botond , Négyesi Gábor , Varga Tamás , Sipos György , Filyó Dávid , Jull A J Timothy , Molnár Mihály
Published: February 2022

The most widely used dating techniques in quaternary research are the radiocarbon (14C) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating methods. In some environments, the investigated sediments do not contain enough material for14C dating. In these cases,14C dating of bulk sediment may be used as a last resort. The major aim of the present study was to determine the reliability and limitations of the different fractions of the soil organic carbon (SOC)14C ages in the Nyírség blown-sand study area, in Hungary. Therefore, the low- and high-temperature combustions of SOC (LT-SOC and HT-SOC)14C age of fossil soils were compared with the charcoal ages from the same fossil soil layer, and their (LT-SOC, HT-SOC, and charcoal) age reliability was verified independently by applying OSL to the quartz fraction of the sediment samples. The14C data show variable agreement with OSL ages. Charcoal fragments were collected from some of the best material for14C dating and their ages are in agreement with the LT and HT-SOC14C ages and OSL data. The14C age LT-SOC gives a reliable, credible ages, which were confirmed by independent OSL measurements. If buried soils do not contain any other macroscopic remnants for14C dating, the LT-SOC14C ages can be used, in the case of the Nyírség study area. The LT-SOC, which is the younger fraction of the soil organic carbon, may be considered to represent the burial time of the fossil soil layer. The HT-SOC14C ages are sometimes unrealistically older than expected and cannot be considered to be reliable.
Can Courts in Nondemocracies Deter Election Fraud? De Jure Judicial Independence, Political Competition, and Election Integrity
Authors: HARVEY COLE J.
Published: February 2022

Many nondemocracies hold multiparty elections while also adopting institutions of de jure judicial independence; yet there is debate over how nondemocratic courts can affect election integrity. This paper argues that increased de jure independence creates incentives for opposition recourse to the courts, which reduces election fraud due to greater legal exposure for election-manipulating agents and the ruling party. However, this effect occurs only when competition is low and the ruling party has limited incentive to intervene. These predictions are distinct from those of prior work, and they are supported by an analysis of cross-national election-year data from 1945 to 2014. Preprocessing techniques are used to reduce concerns about endogeneity and confounding. The results show that principal-agent dynamics can occur in manipulated elections even when incumbents remain in office, challenge the centrality of protest risk as a deterrent to manipulation, and offer a framework for predicting when de jure reforms translate to behavioral independence.
Plan Calcul: France's National Information Technology Ambition and Instrument of National Independence
Authors: Kuo Laureen
Published: February 2022

The history of Plan Calcul―France's first information technology program, launched by de Gaulle's government in 1966―has been well described in the literature; however, few studies investigate the arsenal system of the program in depth. Drawing from Plan Calcul's archives, this article is the first to demonstrate that, in the context of de Gaulle's Cold War foreign policy, the French government, initially aiming to avoid an arsenal system, still became the program's funding supplier, entrepreneur, and client. Plan Calcul aimed to establish an industrial-type operation but was ultimately reduced to a state information technology arsenal program.
A learned closure method applied to phase mixing in a turbulent gradient-driven gyrokinetic system in simple geometry
Authors: Shukla A. , Hatch D.R. , Dorland W. , Michoski C.
Published: February 2022

We present a new method for formulating closures that learn from kinetic simulation data. We apply this method to phase mixing in a simple gyrokinetic turbulent system – temperature-gradient-driven turbulence in an unsheared slab. The closure, called the learned multi-mode (LMM) closure, is constructed by, first, extracting an optimal basis from a nonlinear kinetic simulation using singular value decomposition. Subsequent nonlinear fluid simulations are projected onto this basis and the results are used to formulate the closure. We compare the closure with other closures schemes over a broad range of the relevant two-dimensional parameter space (collisionality and gradient drive). We find that the turbulent kinetic system produces phase-mixing rates much lower than the linear expectations, which the LMM closure is capable of capturing. We also compare radial heat fluxes. A Hammett–Perkins closure, generalized to include collisional effects, is quite successful throughout the parameter space, producing${\sim }14\,\%$root-mean-square (r.m.s.) error. The LMM closure is also very effective: when trained at three (two) points (in a 35 point parameter grid), the LMM closure produces$8\,\%$($12\,\%$) r.m.s. errors. The LMM procedure can be readily generalized to other closure problems.
UK food policy: implications for nutritionists
Authors: Lang Tim
Published: February 2022

Implications of the ‘changing world’ for nutrition and nutritionists are considered, using the UK within a global context as an illustration. The first section summarises the slow recognition by policy makers of the significance of the changing world of food and nutrition. The second section ‘Food system stress is now at a critical level’ considers the present scale of global food system stress and the failure so far sufficiently to narrow the gap between evidence and policy change. The year 2021 was earmarked when three major UN conferences had the opportunity to chart food changes ahead. The third section ‘Multi-criteria analysis helps frame 21st century nutrition science’ proposes that multi-criteria analysis is an essential methodology for nutrition within this more complex policy world; nutrition studies can no long exclude social and environmental criteria. The penultimate section ‘Nutrition science can reconnect its life science, social and environmental nutrition traditions to contribute to new paradigm formation’ suggests that nutrition science can now recombine three traditions within its own history to address this complexity: social nutrition, environmental nutrition and life sciences. The final section ‘Priorities ahead’ concludes that this multi-criteria approach to nutrition offers new routes for science and policy influence. Five priorities are identified: (1) clarification of the features of a good food system; (2) new sustainable dietary guidelines which integrate different determinants of sustainability; (3) helping consumer engagement with change; (4) developing improved policy frameworks and (5) contributing to professional channels in these processes. In the UK, while the challenge of narrowing the gap between evidence, policy and change remains daunting, the risks of not attempting to improve the transition to an ecologically sound public health nutrition are even greater.
Histories of Empire and Environmental Legacies in Africa
Authors: Peša Iva
Published: February 2022

Societal debates about climate change have rekindled interest in environmental history approaches. This review article considers three recent books in African environmental history, on the Kruger National Park, the East African Groundnut Scheme, and on infrastructure in postcolonial Dar es Salaam. Why is it important to study the empire–environment nexus? How do African experiences relate to discussions on the Anthropocene? Taking environmental dynamics into account enriches understandings of social, political, and cultural relationships and sheds light on imperialism and its complex legacies. This article makes the case for the importance of environmental history as a category of analysis, encouraging other scholars to think “with” the environment in broader debates concerning power, identity, and social change.
Towards an acceptance of the ideology of English as a lingua franca in Hong Kong?
Authors: Sung Chit Cheung Matthew
Published: February 2022

English as a lingua franca (ELF) is now the most extensive sociolinguistic use of English around the world (Jenkins, 2015). As a widespread language phenomenon, ELF serves as ‘a “contact language” between persons who share neither a common native tongue nor a common (national) culture and for whom English is the chosen foreign language of communication’ (Firth, 1996: 240). More specifically, ELF refers to communication in English between speakers from different first language (L1) backgrounds (Mauranen, 2012; Seidlhofer, 2011). Instead of being a single variety of English, ELF is also conceptualized as a set of practices involving translingual uses of English (Jenkins, 2015; Seidlhofer, 2017).
Eliciting uncertainty for complex parameters in model-based economic evaluations: quantifying a temporal change in the treatment effect
Authors: Jankovic Dina , Payne Katherine , Kanaan Mona , Bojke Laura
Published: February 2022

Background

In model-based economic evaluations, the effectiveness parameter is often informed by studies with a limited duration of follow-up, requiring extrapolation of the treatment effect over a longer time horizon. Extrapolation from short-term data alone may not adequately capture uncertainty in that extrapolation. This study aimed to use structured expert elicitation to quantify uncertainty associated with extrapolation of the treatment effect observed in a clinical trial.

Methods

A structured expert elicitation exercise was conducted for an applied study of a podiatry intervention designed to reduce the rate of falls and fractures in the elderly. A bespoke web application was used to elicit experts’ beliefs about two outcomes (rate of falls and odds of fracture) as probability distributions (priors), for two treatment options (intervention and treatment as usual) at multiple time points. These priors were used to derive the temporal change in the treatment effect of the intervention, to extrapolate outcomes observed in a trial. The results were compared with extrapolation without experts’ priors.

Results

The study recruited thirty-eight experts (geriatricians, general practitioners, physiotherapists, nurses, and academics) from England and Wales. The majority of experts (32/38) believed that the treatment effect would depreciate over time and expressed greater uncertainty than that extrapolated from a trial-based outcome alone. The between-expert variation in predicted outcomes was relatively small.

Conclusions

This study suggests that uncertainty in extrapolation can be informed using structured expert elicitation methods. Using structured elicitation to attach values to complex parameters requires key assumptions and simplifications to be considered.
The timescales of word learning in children with language delays: In-the-moment mapping, retention, and generalization
Authors: KUCKER Sarah C. , SEIDLER Erin
Published: February 2022

Learning new words and, subsequently, a lexicon, is a time-extended process requiring encoding of word-referent pairs, retention of that information, and generalization to other exemplars of the category. Some children, however, fail in one or more of these processes resulting in language delays. The present study examines the abilities of children who vary in vocabulary size (including both children with normal language (NL) and late talking (LT) children) across multiple timescales/processes – known and novel word mapping, novel word retention, and novel noun generalization. Results indicate that children with lower language skills suffer from deficits in quick in-the-moment mapping of known words compared to their NL peers, but age and vocabulary size rather than normative vocabulary ranking or NL/LT status better predicts performance on retention and generalization processes. Implications for understanding language development as a holistic process with multiple interacting variables are discussed.
Rudra Kavi and the Mughal Elite: A Codicological Reappraisal
Authors: PRAKASH PRANAV
Published: February 2022

This essay offers a codicological analysis of three manuscripts—Bühler 70a (Ms. 7089), Bühler 70b (Ms. 7304) and Bühler 70c (Ms. 7303)—of the British Library, which contain some panegyrics composed by Rudra Kavi (fl. 1570s–1650s). Based on a critical appraisal of handwriting, colophons, watermark and other textual attributes, this essay shows that the three Bühler manuscripts constitute a composite volume of an incomplete anthology of Rudra's panegyric poems. Furthermore, it corroborates how deftly and faithfully all three manuscripts were copied by just one scribe sometime between 1840 and 1880. His exemplar, however, was a draft edition of a few unfinished panegyrics that the poet had been composing simultaneously in praise of some prominent members of the Mughal elite. These findings about the material production and reception history of the Bühler manuscripts illuminate both the craft of an adept scribe and the creative imaginings of a court-poet. For want of a rigorous codicological analysis, previous scholarship has held the scribe responsible for the ‘fragmentary’ and ‘corrupt’ condition of these manuscripts and applauded the Brahmin poet for his literary prowess. This essay distances itself from such unwarranted privileging of a court-poet and marginalisation of a skilled scribe. Instead, it seeks codicological and textual evidence in determining the roles played by poets and scribes in the production of literary manuscripts. This essay ultimately reaffirms the value of codicological reflections in the fields of South Asian historiography and literary studies.
Pandemic Pressures in Universities and their Libraries: a View from Australia
Authors: Tucker Kay , Batagol Becky
Published: February 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has heavily impacted Australian universities and their libraries but has been felt most strongly by students and staff who are already marginalised. This article, written by Kay Tucker and Becky Batagol, draws upon both published literature and the authors’ own experiences as a librarian and academic employed at Monash University, Australia's largest university. Important lessons from the pandemic for universities and university libraries at times of crisis and disaster include: actively recognising and responding to structural inequalities amongst students and staff; organising services so that all can participate to their fullest ability; providing students with opportunities for social connection, enhanced digital capabilities, safe and inclusive spaces and accessible materials; as well as flexible employment practices.
The Story of LawCare: Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Legal Community Past, Present and Future
Authors: Jackson Mary B
Published: February 2022

This article explores how and why LawCare came into being. LawCare is the only charity dedicated to promoting and supporting good mental health and wellbeing across the legal community in the UK. The charity started in 1997 to help solicitors with alcohol problems, but has developed over the years and now supports all legal professionals in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man with any mental health and wellbeing issues. This article by Mary Jackson is based on a presentation she gave at the BIALL Online Annual Conference held in June 2021.
Optimal investment strategy for a DC pension fund plan in a finite horizon time: an optimal stochastic control approach
Authors: Vahabi Saman , Payandeh Najafabadi Amir T.
Published: February 2022

This paper obtains an optimal strategy in a finite horizon time for a portfolio of a defined contribution (DC) pension fund for an investor with the CRRA utility function. It employs the optimal stochastic control method in a financial market with two different asset markets, one risk-free and another one risky asset in which its jump follows either by a finite or infinite activity Lévy process. Sensitivity of jump parameters in an uncertainty financial market has been studied.
Spatio‐Temporal Changes in Extreme Rainfall Events Over Different Indian River Basins
Authors: Chaubey Pawan K. , Mall R. K. , Jaiswal Rohit , Payra Swagata
Published: February 2022

During recent decades, India experienced more frequent and severe floods due to increasing extreme rainfall events over different Indian River Basins (IRBs). The present study uses Generalized Extreme Value distribution, Expert Team on Climate Change and Detection Indices, and Standardized Precipitation Index to examine the trend in extreme rainfall events over the IRBs using long‐term observed high‐resolution gridded rainfall data (1901‐2019) obtained from India Meteorological Department. The analysis depicts a marked shifting trend in extreme rainfall events from northeastern Indian river basins toward the western Indian river basins during the recent decades of 1981‐2019. The spatial variations in the annual maximum rainfall for the 10‐, 30‐, and 100‐year return levels show statistically significant increasing trends over the IRBs. The observed decadal changes of rainfall during wet and dry conditions showed the shifting and increasing (15%–58.74%) pattern in extreme rainfall events during the last decades of the 20th and current twenty first century over the west‐flowing river basins. This research highlights the significant increasing trend in extreme rainfall events, which may pose a grave risk to agriculture, human life, and infrastructure, predominantly on the vulnerable sections of the society.
Dynamics of the North American Plate: Large‐Scale Driving Mechanism From Far‐Field Slabs and the Interpretation of Shallow Negative Seismic Anomalies
Authors: Liu Shangxin , King Scott D.
Published: February 2022

With a small fraction of marginal subduction zones, the driving mechanism for the North American plate motion is in debate. We construct global mantle flow models simultaneously constrained by geoid and plate motions to investigate the driving forces for the North American plate motion. By comparing the model with only near‐field subducting slabs and that with global subducting slabs, we find that the contribution to the motion of the North American plate from the near‐field Aleutian, central American, and Caribbean slabs is small. In contrast, other far‐field slabs, primarily the major segments around western Pacific subduction margins, provide the dominant large‐scale driving forces for the North American plate motion. The coupling between far‐field slabs and the North American plate suggests a new form of active plate interactions within the global self‐organizing plate tectonic system. We further evaluate the extremely slow seismic velocity anomalies associated with the shallow partial melt around the southwestern North America. Interpreting these negative seismic shear‐velocity anomalies as purely thermal origin generates considerably excessive resistance to the North American plate motion. A significantly reduced velocity‐to‐density scaling for these negative seismic shear‐velocity anomalies must be incorporated into the construction of the buoyancy field to predict the North American plate motion. We also examine the importance of lower mantle buoyancy including the ancient descending Kula‐Farallon plates and the active upwelling below the Pacific margin of the North American plate. Lower mantle buoyancy primarily affects the amplitudes, as opposed to the patterns of both North American and global plate motions.