bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐Yield Electrosynthesis of Formic Acid from CO2 Reduction on Single‐Bismuth Catalyst Loaded on N‐Doped Hollow Carbon Nanospheress
Authors: Zhang Jihan , Zhao Kun , Ma Yueming , Chen Weirui , Shi Xinglei , Sun Chenghua , Zhang Qianyu , Niu Junfeng
Published: October 2023

Electroreduction of CO2 into formic acid (HCOOH) is of great economical value and potential for industrialization. However, it is still a substantial challenge due to the lack of efficient catalysts with simultaneously high activity, selectivity, and durability. Herein, a single‐atom bismuth loaded on N‐doped hollow carbon sphere (Bi–SA/NHCS) catalyst is reported and its catalytic activity and selectivity are modulated by changing the coordination structure of Bi center. The obtained Bi–SA/NHCS with a Bi–N3 site exhibits significantly enhanced electrocatalytic activity and selectivity of HCOOH synthesis from CO2 reduction. The HCOOH production rate achieves 16.2 mmol L−1 h−1 cm−2 at a current density of 20 mA cm−2, and its Faradaic efficiency remains 100% during a long‐term reaction. The HCOOH production rate normalized by catalyst loading is at a molar level of nearly 1.5 mol h−1 gcat−1. The production rate and Faradaic efficiency of HCOOH electrosynthesis on Bi–SA/NHCS are significantly boosted as compared with other catalysts reported in the literature. Experimental and density‐functional theory results demonstrate that the boosted activity and selectivity of HCOOH synthesis owe to the electronic structure modulation to the Bi center via threefold coordinated N‐ligands, leading to a proper binding energy of HOCO* intermediates.
Study of the flexural performance and a novel calculation formula for the degree of composite action for precast concrete sandwich panels
Authors: Zheng Tiancai , Ge Qi , Xiong Feng , Li Guo , Xue Yu , Deng Xiang
Published: October 2023

This study investigates the flexural performance and degree of composite action (DCA) of precast concrete sandwich panels (PCSPs) with four types of connectors. Five full‐scale specimens were designed, and 4‐point bending tests were performed. The specimens included four PCSPs utilizing glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) truss connectors, steel truss connectors, concrete rib connectors, and GFRP pin connectors, respectively, along with a solid panel (SP). The results indicated that the flexural performance and DCA provided by the four types of connectors followed an ascending order as follows: GFRP pin‐type connectors, GFRP truss connectors, steel truss connectors, and concrete rib‐type connectors. Moreover, the study presented a novel method for calculating DCA, namely, the neutral axis method, which was compared with the displacement and strain methods. The reasonableness and accuracy of the neutral axis method in calculating DCA during the linear elastic stage were verified. Results indicated that the neutral axis method provided more precise and reasonable DCA that closely matched the experimental results compared with the displacement and strain methods. Additionally, the neutral axis method was simpler to calculate DCA and had a broader range of applications. Finally, the study provided recommendations for the optimal application scenarios of each calculation method.
Structural damping estimation from live monitoring of a tall modular building
Authors: Hickey John , Moore Hollie , Broderick Brian , Fitzgerald Breiffni
Published: October 2023

The damping ratio is a key indicator of an individual structure's susceptibility to dynamic loads, including the level of discomfort experienced by the occupants of a tall building subjected to wind loading. While computational models, laboratory studies and empirical data can provide estimates of structural damping, the most reliable way to evaluate true damping ratio values is through modal identification using data from field tests on full‐scale finished structures. As an innovative form of construction, high‐rise modular buildings have not been the subject of previous vibration monitoring investigations, implying an absence of essential structural dynamics information. This paper assesses the reliability of four modal identification methods for estimating the damping ratio of a structure using ambient acceleration response data recorded from the world's tallest modular structure, the Ten Degrees building in Croydon, South London. The methods considered are two implementations of the Bayesian fast Fourier transform (BFFT), the random decrement technique (RDT), and a hybrid of the RDT which first decomposes the ambient data into sub‐signals using analytical mode decomposition (AMD‐RDT). Each method is applied to response data collected during 10 significant wind loading events to evaluate the inherent modal properties of the structure, with the computed damping ratio values compared between methods and events. By reporting the first measured damping ratios for a tall modular structure, the paper makes an important contribution to knowledge about the vibration properties of an emerging form of construction.
From eco‐theology to eco‐skepticism: How American Latter‐day Saint environmental perspectives changed over time, and how they may change again
Authors: Hahne Madeleine Ary
Published: October 2023

Modern American members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‐day Saints (aka LDS or Mormons) are among the most environmentally skeptical American groups, but it has not always been this way. The church has an exceptionally robust eco‐theology. In the 19th century, it espoused a strong “ethic of stewardship.” The review focuses on the story of how and why this shift from eco‐theology to eco‐skepticism occurred, shedding light on how theology, wider culture, and other forces can influence value creation, and how these changing values can transform the environmental attitudes and behaviors of an entire people. LDS eco‐theology shares some principles in common with some other Christian faiths, but also includes a number of unique or unusual beliefs and egalitarian/agrarian practices. In the early church (19th century), eco‐theology contributed to a value system which prioritized creation care. However, early LDS community land practices did not necessarily live up to these ideals and the local environment suffered serious consequences. Then, with an influx of external influences, including a growing population of non‐LDS frontiersmen, Latter‐day Saint values shifted away from creation care and egalitarianism and toward individualism and capitalism. Church leaders stopped regularly preaching about the earth's value, instead focusing on individual salvation. Environmental action antipathy and climate skepticism became the norm. This volte‐face demonstrates both how theology can influence values and actions, and the inverse.

This article is categorized under:

The Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Sociology/Anthropology of Climate Knowledge

Perceptions, Behavior, and Communication of Climate Change > Perceptions of Climate Change
Is posterior nasal neurectomy the definitive treatment for intractable allergic rhinitis: A prospective study
Authors: Rajdev Saivi , Goel Khushboo , Bhagat Sanjeev , Sahni Dimple , Sharma Dinesh K. , Yadav Vishav
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Allergic rhinitis (AR) has a significant effect on the quality of life and accounts for unproductive times at work and school, causes disturbed sleep patterns and can lead to daytime somnolence. It is fairly prevalent in the world with medical management still being the mainstay of treatment. Patients suffer for a significant number of years before they undergo surgical management for their intractable rhinitis. Thus, this prospective observational study was conducted to reinforce the proficiency of posterior nasal neurectomy in being an effective method for ending this suffering.

Methods

Thirty patients with troublesome intractable rhinitis underwent posterior nasal neurectomy. Pre‐ and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) scores were compared to study the improvement in nasal and ocular symptoms. Each domain of these scores was studied separately.

Results

The mean reduction in the VAS was from 6.76 ± 0.884 preoperatively to a mean of 5.33 ± 0.675 at 1 month, 3.81 ± 0.462 at 3 months and 2.53 ± 0.405 at 6 months postoperatively. The mean RQLQ score was reduced from preoperative 4.22 ± 1.091 to a mean of 3.82 ± 1.072 at 1 month, 3.55 ± 1.063 at 3 months and 3.18 ± 1.173 at 6 months postoperatively. Thus, a statistically significant improvement was seen in both mean VAS and RQLQ scores (P < 0.001), and also when each domain was compared separately.

Conclusion

Endoscopic posterior nasal neurectomy may be an effective way of improving symptoms in patients with intractable AR and freeing them from long‐term medical regimes, thereby improving their quality of life.
Adaptive response of Siberian roe deer Capreolus pygargus to climate and altitude in the temperate forests of South Korea
Authors: Eom Tae‐Kyung , Lee Jae‐Kang , Lee Dong‐Ho , Ko Hyeongyu , Rhim Shin‐Jae
Published: October 2023

Understanding climatic effect on wildlife is essential to prediction and management of climate change's impact on the ecosystem. The climatic effect can interact with other environmental factors. This study was aimed to determine effects of climate and altitude on Siberian roe deer Capreolus pygargus activity in temperate forests of South Korea. We conducted camera trapping to investigate roe deer's activity level from spring to fall. Logistic regressions were used to determine effects of diel period, temperature, rain, and altitude on the activity level. A negative relationship was noted between temperature and the activity level due to thermoregulatory costs. Roe deer activity exhibited nocturnal and crepuscular patterns during summer and the other seasons, respectively, possibly due to heat stress in summer. In addition, the effect of temperature differed between high‐ and low‐altitude areas. In low‐altitude areas, temperature affected negatively the activity level throughout the study period. Conversely, in high‐altitude areas, temperature affected activity level only in summer and early fall. Lower temperatures in higher altitudes favoured roe deer activity, resulting in roe deer's preference towards higher altitude areas. However, roe deer's movement toward lower altitudes was observed in summer. Reduced heat stress by changing activity pattern allowed them to access lower altitude areas with greater resource availability during summer. This study revealed how roe deer activity varied across seasons and altitudes, considering the interactions among weather, microclimate and resource availability. It provides insight into how montane species adapt to various climatic conditions, and this could have important implications for wildlife management and conservation efforts.
Yueomyces silvicola sp. nov., a novel ascomycetous yeast species unable to utilize ammonium, glutamate, and glutamine as sole nitrogen sources
Authors: Yu Hong‐Tao , Shang Yu‐Jie , Zhu Hai‐Yan , Han Pei‐Jie , Wang Qi‐Ming , Santos Ana Raquel O. , Barros Katharina O. , Souza Gisele F. L. , Alvarenga Flávia B. M. , Abegg Maxwel A. , Rosa Carlos A. , Bai Feng‐Yan
Published: October 2023

Five yeast strains isolated from tree bark and rotten wood collected in central and southwestern China, together with four Brazilian strains (three from soil and rotting wood collected in an Amazonian rainforest biome and one from Bromeliad collected in Alagoas state) and one Costa Rican strain isolated from a flower beetle, represent a new species closely related with Yueomyces sinensis in Saccharomycetaceae, as revealed by the 26S ribosomal RNA gene D1/D2 domain and the internal transcribed spacer region sequence analysis. The name Yueomyces silvicola sp. nov. is proposed for this new species with the holotype China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center 2.6469 (= Japan Collection of Microorganisms 34885). The new species exhibits a whole‐genome average nucleotide identity value of 77.8% with Y. sinensis. The two Yueomyces species shared unique physiological characteristics of being unable to utilize ammonium and the majority of the amino acids, including glutamate and glutamine, as sole nitrogen sources. Among the 20 amino acids tested, only leucine and tyrosine can be utilized by the Yueomyces species. Genome sequence comparison showed that GAT1, which encodes a GATA family protein participating in transcriptional activation of nitrogen‐catabolic genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is absent in the Yueomyces species. However, the failure of the Yueomyces species to utilize ammonium, glutamate, and glutamine, which are generally preferred nitrogen sources for microorganisms, implies that more complicated alterations in the central nitrogen metabolism pathway might occur in the genus Yueomyces.
Umweltrisiken und Gesundheitskompetenz: Eine systematische Übersichtsarbeit
Authors: Pfleger Elisabeth , Lutz Regina , Drexler Hans
Published: October 2023

Hintergrund

Bei der Entstehung von Erkrankungen können Umweltfaktoren eine wesentliche Rolle spielen. Das Verständnis der Beziehung zwischen Umweltrisiken und Gesundheit in der Bevölkerung gestaltet sich jedoch noch schwierig. Ziel der Arbeit ist es, den Stand der Forschung zum Zusammenhang zwischen Gesundheitskompetenz (GK) bzw. umweltbezogener Gesundheitskompetenz (UGK) und Umweltrisiken differenziert nach untersuchten Umweltrisiken, Population, Erhebung und Ausprägung der GK bzw. UGK und deren Interaktion mit anderen Variablen darzustellen.

Methoden

Es erfolgte eine systematische Literaturrecherche in den Datenbanken Pubmed, Scopus und LIVIVO. Eingeschlossen wurden Originalarbeiten in deutscher oder englischer Sprache, die die GK oder UGK im Kontext von Umweltrisiken oder -schadstoffen an einer Population untersuchen. Die Bewertung der methodischen Studienqualität erfolgte mithilfe des Navigation Guide.

Ergebnisse

24 Studien wurden in die qualitative Analyse eingeschlossen. Die Operationalisierung der GK bzw. UGK erfolgte in 22 Studien heterogen. 9 Studien bezogen sich auf Umweltthemen im Allgemeinen und 15 Studien analysierten einzelne Umweltrisiken. 11 Studien bezogen sich auf die allgemeine Bevölkerung, 12 auf spezifizierte Zielgruppen und 1 Studie untersuchte beides. Das Niveau der GK bzw. UGK erwies sich in allen Populationen verbesserungswürdig. Interventionen wie Schulungen konnten die GK bzw. UGK steigern.

Diskussion

Die heterogenen Operationalisierungen erschweren die Vergleichbarkeit der Studien. Zukünftige Arbeiten sollten die Vereinheitlichung methodischer Aspekte forcieren. Insgesamt zeigt sich, dass Interventionen wie Schulungen zur Verbesserung der GK bzw. UGK förderlich waren. Diese sollten in der Praxis zur Erhöhung der GK bzw. UGK verstärkt in den Fokus gerückt werden.
A Structural Theorem for Sets with Few Triangles
Authors: Mansfield Sam , Passant Jonathan
Published: October 2023

We show that if a finite point set $$P\subseteq {\mathbb {R}}^2$$

P
⊆

R

2

has the fewest congruence classes of triangles possible, up to a constant M, then at least one of the following holds.

There is a $$\sigma >0$$

σ
>
0

and a line l which contains $$\Omega (|P|^\sigma )$$

Ω
(
|
P

|
σ

)

points of P. Further, a positive proportion of P is covered by lines parallel to l each containing $$\Omega (|P|^\sigma )$$

Ω
(
|
P

|
σ

)

points of P.

There is a circle $$\gamma $$
γ
which contains a positive proportion of P.

This provides evidence for two conjectures of Erdős. We use the result of Petridis–Roche–Newton–Rudnev–Warren on the structure of the affine group combined with classical results from additive combinatorics.
Sociodemographic Factors as Predictors of the Duration of Long-term Psychotherapy: Evidence from a Finnish Nationwide Register Study
Authors: Selinheimo Sanna , Gluschkoff Kia , Kausto Johanna , Turunen Jarno , Väänänen Ari
Published: October 2023

Objective

The role of sociodemographic factors in determining psychotherapy duration has been largely unexplored despite their known association with treatment use. We examined the association between sociodemographic factors and rehabilitative psychotherapy treatment duration, as well as any changes in duration over time.

Method

We used three register-based nationally representative cohorts. Participants included employed Finnish individuals (n = 5572, 77% women, mean age = 37) who started psychotherapy treatment in 2011, 2013 or 2016 and were followed until 2019. We used negative binomial regression to examine the association between sociodemographic factors (age, gender, education, occupational status, income, geographical area of residence, and onset year of treatment) with treatment duration.

Results

The mean treatment duration was 27 months (with a standard deviation of 12 months). Several sociodemographic factors were associated with treatment duration. Gender and education were found to have the largest impact on treatment duration, with females having a longer duration (IRR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04–1.11) and those with low education having a shorter duration (IRR 0.91, 95% CI 0.85–0.97), resulting in a difference of 2–3 months. Treatment duration also increased in later years, which suggests potentially increasing differences in treatment implementation. At largest, the combined effect of all factors corresponded to a 10-month difference in treatment duration.

Conclusions

The duration of long-term psychotherapy varied across the sociodemographic groups and increased in all studied groups in the 2010s.
Using Nightly Sleep Guidelines to Address Links Between Adolescents’ Self-Reported Weekly Sleep Patterns and Anxiety and Depression Symptoms
Authors: Waters Allison M. , Gibson Lily , Sluis Rachel A. , Modecki Kathryn L.
Published: October 2023

Short and long nightly sleep durations are associated with anxiety and depression symptoms among adolescents. However, studies have not used recommended hours of nightly sleep or focused on sleep patterns across weekdays and weekends in examining links with anxiety and depression symptoms. The present study included 709 adolescents in Grade 11 (402 females; 307 males) who self-reported hours of sleep on weeknights and weekends and anxiety and depression symptoms. Using the recommended 8–10 h to define average nightly sleep for adolescents, sleep patterns across weekdays and weekends were categorised into seven classes: short stable, short increasing, average decreasing, average stable, average increasing, long decreasing, and long stable. Relative to average stable sleepers, short stable, short increasing, and long stable sleepers had significantly higher anxiety and depression. Adolescents require 8–10 h of sleep on weeknights, regardless of weekends, for optimal emotional wellbeing.
Capturing the Complexities of Collaborative Partnerships in Early Childhood Through Metaphor
Authors: Mason Kathryn , Brown Alice , Carter Susan
Published: October 2023

Within an early childhood setting strong collaborative partnerships between the service and the family are critical to the success of a child’s development and learning. Collaborative interactions with families are considered indicators of quality within early childhood services. Whilst the value and importance of collaborative partnerships are widely agreed upon, the plethora of terms utilised to describe collaborative partnerships, and the multitude of models for its enactment have muddied the waters for successful interpretation and application in practice. This paper employs metaphor as a way of creating conceptual clarity of the complex issues surfaced in the literature related to collaborative partnerships and their intended implementation in curriculum and policy, and what practices occur in services globally. Findings highlight a mismatch between discourse and practice and elucidate the missed opportunities for collaborative partnerships towards improving service quality. Insights identified in this paper are relevant to the early childhood sector, highlighting a call for further clarity and interpretation of the term and mechanisms of quality collaborative partnership to inform practices in the field. This paper suggests new ways of thinking that rupture taken for granted viewpoints, offering the metaphor of a tandem bicycle to reflect the collaborative partnership between educators and families. This article provides a powerful provocation for the early childhood field to encourage reflection and refinement to existing conceptualisations of family-educator relationships.
Gamma irradiation-induced changes in structural, linear/nonlinear optical, and optoelectrical properties of PVB/BiVO4 nanocomposite for organic electronic devices
Authors: Abdel Maksoud M. I. A. , Fahim Ramy Amer , Kassem Said M. , Awed A. S.
Published: October 2023

Herein, nanocomposite films based on polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and BiVO4 plates were synthesized through solution casting. The present study aims to investigate the impact of varying doses of gamma irradiation (0, 15, 30, 60, and 90 kGy) on the structural, dispersion, linear/nonlinear optical, and optoelectrical properties of PVB/BiVO4 nanocomposite films. The effects of gamma irradiation on various optical characteristics, such as refractive index (n), extinction coefficient (k), and other related parameters, have been observed. The study of dielectric behavior and the derivation of optoelectrical parameters, including high-frequency dielectric constant (ε∞), plasma frequency (ωP), relaxation time (τ), and optical mobility (µopt.), were conducted using the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constants εr and εi. In addition, the linear optical susceptibility (χ(1)), the third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility (χ(3)), and the nonlinear refractive index (n2) were studied as a function of gamma irradiation doses. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that the average oscillator wavelength (λ0) values, oscillator strength (S0), and optical conductivity (σopt) vary significantly after gamma radiation treatment. Overall, the strong correlations between the linear/nonlinear optical and optoelectrical parameters of the irradiated PVB/BiVO4 nanocomposite films make them suitable for application in flexible organic electronic devices.
Do car drivers respond differently to fuel price changes? Evidence from German household data
Authors: Khanna Arpita Asha , Dubernet Ilka , Jochem Patrick
Published: October 2023

For cutting down greenhouse gas emissions in road transport, core economic measures are relying on the response to increasing fuel prices—i.e., the fuel price elasticity. A focal point of the effectiveness of these measures is the heterogeneity in fuel price elasticities of different vehicle users. These effects were often neglected in the transport-related literature and were only incorporated recently. The results show, however, sometimes contradicting conclusions on influencing parameters such as income, region-type or household size. In this paper, we used a pooled OLS model estimated on a German refuelling diary data set and analysed the impact of various household level characteristics on fuel price elasticities through an analysis of interaction terms and their marginal effects. This analysis provides a cornerstone in this discussion on fuel price elasticities. We found out that the overall results contrast the existing literature by identifying heterogeneity in fuel price elasticities among German households for different socio-economic and regional characteristics. The results are highly relevant for policy modellers and for introducing effective policy measures for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in road transport.
Recent Development on the Chemical Composition and Phenolic Extraction Methods of Apple (Malus domestica)—A Review
Authors: Arnold Marcellus , Gramza-Michalowska Anna
Published: October 2023

Apple (Malus domestica) is a reliable source of nutrients to increase the bioactive compounds intake in the human body. In the market, the development of apple is still growing, not only in the hybridization of new cultivars, but also in the functional food products, based on apple’s bioactive compounds. In this paper, we review the recent studies about the chemical composition of apples, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, dietary fibers, minerals, vitamins, phenolics, and other compounds, from various cultivars, grown in different countries or regions. Among the bioactive compounds in apple, the phenolic compounds, including hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavanols and their oligo- and polymeric structure, flavonols, dihydrochalcones, and anthocyanins, majorly contribute to beneficial biological impacts. Therefore, the extraction process might be the most critical step to recover all the phenolics from apple and could be used in various food product developments. In this paper, the comparison of conventional and developed phenolic extraction methods is also reviewed in various apple products (flesh, peel, pomace, pulp, etc.). The selection of food grade and green solvents in the optimal phenolic extraction methods could reduce the environmental issues, thus supports sustainability and can be safer for consumers. To sum up, this paper may help the readers, both at general household and industrial levels, to understand the nutritional composition of various apple cultivars from different regions and to select the optimum conditions for apple’s phenolic extraction, based on recent studies.

Graphical Abstract
Practical nurse students’ misconceptions about infection prevention and control
Authors: Eronen Riikka , Helle Laura , Palonen Tuire , Boshuizen Henny P. A.
Published: October 2023

When teaching infection prevention and control (IPC), nursing education tends to focus on skills and fostering good practice rather than challenging students’ thinking. Therefore, students’ misconceptions about IPC receive less attention than they deserve. The purpose of the study was to make an inventory of student nurses’ misconceptions about IPC before instruction and to make these misconceptions visible to teachers. The study was conducted in one vocational institute in Finland and is based on the answers of 29 practical nurse students before IPC training. The students took an online test requiring them to justify their answers to two multiple-true–false questions: 1) What is the main route of transmission between patients in healthcare facilities, and 2) What is the most effective and easiest manner to prevent the spreading of pathogens, e.g., multi-resistant bacteria in long-term care facilities? Analysis of the students’ written justifications resulted in three mental models: 1) the Household Hygiene Model manifesting lay knowledge learned in domestic situations, 2) the Mixed Model consisting of lay knowledge, enriched with some professional knowledge of IPC, and 3) the Transmission Model manifesting a professional understanding of IPC. The first two mental models were considered to be misconceptions. Only one of the participants showed a professional understanding (i.e., the Transmission Model). To conclude, student nurses manifested systematic patterns of misconceptions before instruction. Unless the students are confronted with their misconceptions  of IPC during instruction, it is likely that these misconceptions will impede their learning or make learning outcomes transient.
Rethinking screening mammography in Japan: next-generation breast cancer screening through breast awareness and supplemental ultrasonography
Authors: Uematsu Takayoshi
Published: October 2023

Breast cancer mortality has not been reduced in Japan despite more than 20 years of population-based screening mammography. Screening mammography might not be suitable for Japanese women who often have dense breasts, thus decreasing mammography sensitivity because of masking. The J-START study showed that breast ultrasonography increases the sensitivity and the detection rate for early invasive cancers and lowers the rate of interval cancers for Japanese women in their 40 s. Breast awareness and breast cancer survival are directly correlated; however, breast awareness is not widely known in Japan. Next-generation breast cancer screening in Japan should consist of breast awareness campaigns for improving breast cancer literacy and supplemental breast ultrasonography to address the problem of false-negative mammograms attributable to dense breasts.
A Brief Wellbeing Training Session Delivered by a Humanoid Social Robot: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Robinson Nicole L. , Connolly Jennifer , Suddrey Gavin , Kavanagh David J.
Published: October 2023

Mental health and psychological distress are rising in adults, showing the importance of wellbeing promotion, support, and technique practice that is effective and accessible. Interactive social robots have been tested to deliver health programs but have not been explored to deliver wellbeing technique training in detail. A pilot randomised controlled trial was conducted to explore the feasibility of an autonomous humanoid social robot to deliver a brief mindful breathing technique to promote information around wellbeing. It contained two conditions: brief technique training (‘Technique’) and control designed to represent a simple wait-list activity to represent a relationship-building discussion (‘Simple Rapport’). This trial also explored willingness to discuss health-related topics with a robot. Recruitment uptake rate through convenience sampling was high (53%). A total of 230 participants took part (mean age = 29 years) with 71% being higher education students. There were moderate ratings of technique enjoyment, perceived usefulness, and likelihood to repeat the technique again. Interaction effects were found across measures with scores varying across gender and distress levels. Males with high distress and females with low distress who received the simple rapport activity reported greater comfort to discuss non-health topics than males with low distress and females with high distress. This trial marks a notable step towards the design and deployment of an autonomous wellbeing intervention to investigate the impact of a brief robot-delivered mindfulness training program for a sub-clinical population.
Federal and provincial legislation regarding ‘Right to Information' for good governance in Pakistan
Authors: Afzal Jamil , Yongmei Chen
Published: October 2023

Since democracy is the only political system that considers the views of the general populace, most states have switched over to democratic political systems over time. The right to vote allows citizens to directly or indirectly elect the representatives of their choice in democracies; Good governance is a term that is only applied to this one system, a transparent, participatory, and accountable government. The phrase "good governance" refers to a system of government that upholds the rights of its citizens, gives them equal access to opportunities, considers the views of the general public, and makes its policies clear to the general populace and refrains from engaging in dishonest practices. It is referred to as a government that values participation, accountability, and transparency and ensures that all citizens are treated equally under the law. As time goes on, laws are made to increase government accountability and transparency; for this reason, the right to information is included in the constitutions of the vast majority of states. Through the exercise of this right, the public will have access to information about public matters, enabling them to monitor the government. As a result, corruption will be reduced and a more accountable system of government will be established; in addition, it will make corruption and the abuse of power more difficult. The constitution of 1973 was amended in April of 2010 to include 19-A Article regarding the RTI in order to design a more explicit, participatory, and accountable structure. Pakistan is a democratic country with a separate chapter on fundamental rights and this research paper aims to examine how Pakistan's RTI can put up good governance. This study looks at the regulatory structures of Pakistan's right-to-information laws and asks if the intended goals of openness and good governance have been met?
Python for Chemists
Authors: Hill Christian
Published: October 2023

This accessible and self-contained guide provides a comprehensive introduction to the popular programming language Python, with a focus on applications in chemistry and chemical physics. Ideally suited to students and researchers of chemistry learning to employ Python for problem-solving in their research, this fast-paced primer first builds a solid foundation in the programming language before progressing to advanced concepts and applications in chemistry. The required syntax and data structures are established, and then applied to solve problems computationally. Popular numerical packages are described in detail, including NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib, SymPy, and pandas. End of chapter problems are included throughout, with worked solutions available within the book. Additional resources, datasets, and Jupyter Notebooks are provided on a companion website, allowing readers to reinforce their understanding and gain confidence applying their knowledge through a hands-on approach.
Criminalization in Acts of the Apostles
Authors: Williams Jeremy L.
Published: October 2023

In this study, Jeremy L. Williams interrogates the Book of Acts in an effort to understand how early Christian texts provide glimpses of the legal processes by which Roman officials and militarized police criminalized, prosecuted, and incarcerated people in the first and second centuries CE. Williams investigates how individuals and groups have been, and still are, prosecuted for specious reasons – because of stories and myths written against them, perceptions of alterity that render them subhuman or nonhuman, the collision of officials, and financial incentives that foster injustices, among them. Through analysis of criminalization in Acts, he demonstrates how Critical Race Theory, Black studies, and feminist rhetorical scholarship enables a reconstruction of ancient understandings of crime, judicial institutions, militarized police, punishment, and socio-political processes that criminalize. Williams' study highlights how the criminalization of Jesus followers as depicted in Acts enables connections with contemporary movements. It also presents the ancient text as a critique against the shortcomings of some contemporary understandings of justice and human rights.
Understanding Suicide in the United States
Authors: Stacy Meaghan , Schulkin Jay
Published: October 2023

By integrating sociological, psychological, and biological perspectives, this book aims to demystify and destigmatize a challenging and taboo topic – suicide. It weaves current theories and statistics on suicide into a larger message of how suicide can affect almost anyone, and how urgent prevention needs are. Written in an accessible manner, it assumes no pre-existing knowledge of suicide. The broad nontechnical overview will appeal to general readers and a wide range of disciplines, including politics and policy, biology, psychology, sociology, and psychiatry. It concludes on a positive note, focused on recovery, resilience, and hope. It considers not only how these factors may play a role in suicide prevention, but how, despite persistent suicide rates, we can proceed optimistically and take concrete action to support loved ones or promote suicide prevention efforts.
Execution, State and Society in England, 1660–1900
Authors: Devereaux Simon
Published: October 2023

This book provides the first comprehensive account of execution practices in England and their extraordinary transformation from 1660 to 1900. Agonizing execution rituals were once common. Male traitors were hanged, disembowelled while still alive, then decapitated and quartered. Female traitors were burned alive. And common criminals slowly choked to death beneath wooden crossbeams erected at the margins of towns. Some of their bodies were either left to rot on roadside gibbets or dissected by anatomy instructors. Two centuries later, only murderers and traitors were executed – both by hanging – and they died alone, usually quickly, and behind prison walls. In this major contribution to the history of crime and punishment in England, Simon Devereaux reveals how urban growth, and the unique public culture it produced, challenged and largely displaced those traditional elites who valued the old 'Bloody Code' as an instrument of their rule.
Music and the Making of Medieval Venice
Authors: Reuland Jamie L.
Published: October 2023

Music played an essential part in raising the city of Venice and in founding the empire on which its fortunes would depend. This book focuses on a set of musical projects - played out in liturgy and civic ritual - that formed the city's history and framed and interpreted its unique material culture as it was in the process of taking shape. Jamie L. Reuland shows the state's most imaginative musical endeavors bound up with legal culture, stemming from the chancery's engines of historiography, or situated within the rich material environment of relics and reliquaries, mosaics and wall paintings, icons and statues. Arguing for music's technical ability to fabricate a sense of place and give form to history, Reuland recovers Venice's fascinating early propensity for a statecraft of the imagination, the consequences of which would be the better-known history of its material decay.
Why Not Moderation?
Authors: Craiutu Aurelian
Published: October 2023

Moderation is often presented as a simple virtue for lukewarm and indecisive minds, searching for a fuzzy center between the extremes. Not surprisingly, many politicians do not want to be labelled 'moderates' for fear of losing elections. Why Not Moderation? challenges this conventional image and shows that moderation is a complex virtue with a rich tradition and unexplored radical sides. Through a series of imaginary letters between a passionate moderate and two young radicals, the book outlines the distinctive political vision undergirding moderation and makes a case for why we need this virtue today in America. Drawing on clearly written and compelling sources, Craiutu offers an opportunity to rethink moderation and participate in the important public debate on what kind of society we want to live in. His book reminds us that we cannot afford to bargain away the liberal civilization and open society we have inherited from our forefathers.
Creating an Effective Mediation Scheme for Business-Related Human Rights Abuses: The Case of Ukraine
Authors: Mazaraki Nataliia , Tsuvina Tetiana
Published: October 2023

Non-judicial remedies for corporate human rights abuses have a viable and complementary role to judicial remedies in mature jurisdictions, although in Ukraine the ‘bouquet’ of effective remedies is more of a still-life. The national mediation community is gaining momentum and the authors argue that mediation may take place within state-based non-judicial remedies when institutionalized by the office of the Ombudsman. The objective of this article is to scrutinize the rule of law, access to justice, and the effectiveness criteria of the UNGPs with regard to mediation. The authors conclude that mediation can meet all of the effectiveness criteria requirements and special effort should be devoted to addressing the challenges of power imbalances between parties, the confidential nature of mediation and the public demand for transparency, to ensure that mediation outcomes are in accord with internationally recognized human rights. Based on the findings, the authors suggest that a state-based business and human rights mediation scheme, in line with the UNGPs’ effectiveness criteria, should have its own three pillars, namely, accessibility, availability and awareness, with quality assurance as its cornerstone.
Are sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances the cause or simply the consequence of depression or other mood disorder sub-types?
Authors: Hickie Ian B. , McCarthy Michael J. , Crouse Jacob J. , Carpenter Joanne S.
Published: October 2023

An area of great interest in Depression and Mood Disorder research has been highlighted by the Mental Health Priority Area of the Wellcome Trust (UK), namely sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances (SCRD). Wellcome has set out the background logic for this focus and clear research priorities (Wellcome Trust, 2022), leading to the funding of a series of international projects. This focus is a particularly good fit with the international agenda for development of more effective and scalable strategies for prevention, early intervention and secondary prevention of illness relapse, progression and downstream physical illnesses for adolescent-onset anxiety, depressive and psychotic disorders (Hickie et al., 2019).
Low complexity subshifts have discrete spectrum
Authors: Creutz Darren , Pavlov Ronnie
Published: October 2023

We prove results about subshifts with linear (word) complexity, meaning that

$\limsup \frac {p(n)}{n} < \infty $

, where for every n,

$p(n)$

is the number of n-letter words appearing in sequences in the subshift. Denoting this limsup by C, we show that when

$C < \frac {4}{3}$

, the subshift has discrete spectrum, that is, is measurably isomorphic to a rotation of a compact abelian group with Haar measure. We also give an example with

$C = \frac {3}{2}$

which has a weak mixing measure. This partially answers an open question of Ferenczi, who asked whether

$C = \frac {5}{3}$

was the minimum possible among such subshifts; our results show that the infimum in fact lies in

$[\frac {4}{3}, \frac {3}{2}]$

. All results are consequences of a general S-adic/substitutive structure proved when

$C < \frac {4}{3}$

.
Quantum symmetries of Cayley graphs of abelian groups
Authors: Gromada Daniel
Published: October 2023

We study Cayley graphs of abelian groups from the perspective of quantum symmetries. We develop a general strategy for determining the quantum automorphism groups of such graphs. Applying this procedure, we find the quantum symmetries of the halved cube graph, the folded cube graph, and the Hamming graphs.
Photographic evidence from a recreational angler of the northernmost record of the bull shark Carcharhinus leucas (Elasmobranchii: Carcharhinidae) in the western Pacific Ocean
Authors: Ogata Yukiya , Murase Atsunobu
Published: October 2023

Photographs of a single shark specimen (1040 mm in total length) caught in the Oyodo River estuary, Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan, by a recreational angler and uploaded to the social networking service Facebook, were identified as a juvenile specimen of the bull shark Carcharhinus leucas. The photographic record, now deposited in the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History collection, represents the northernmost record of this species in the western Pacific Ocean. Although C. leucas is known to utilize primarily tropical estuarine habitats as nursery grounds, a few reports exist regarding the utilization of subtropical and warm-temperate latitude estuaries, as in this case. From the perspectives of species conservation and shark-bite mitigation in warm-temperate latitudes, further information on C. leucas occurrence around its northern distribution limit is required.
Executive coalition building
Authors: Napolio Nicholas G.
Published: October 2023

Why do executive agencies form coalitions? Legislative coalitions are widely theorized and studied, but less attention has been paid to executive coalitions. Executive agencies’ dependence on the political branches calls for a distinctive theory of coalition building. This article presents such a theory, arguing that agencies form coalitions to optimize their autonomy given their subordinate position in a separation of powers system by signaling to overseers that their policies are efficient and should be maintained. Bureaucrats form coalitions actively to advance their policy goals in the face of political opposition. Using data on dozens of agencies over seventeen years, I find that agencies are most likely to form coalitions when their preferences are misaligned with the president but aligned with each other. I also find evidence that coalitions send credible signals that bureaucratic policies are efficient since Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs is less likely to request regulatory revisions of policies produced by coalitions.
Mapping high-altitude peatlands to inform a landscape conservation strategy in the Andes of northern Peru
Authors: Curatola Fernández Giulia F , Makowski Giannoni Sandro , Delgado Florián Ellen , Rengifo Piero , Rascón Jesús , Chichipe Vela Elder , Butrich Carolina , Salas López Rolando , Oliva-Cruz Manuel , Scheske Christel
Published: October 2023

The wetlands of the jalca ecoregion in the Andes of northern Peru form peat and play a major role in the hydrological ecosystem services of the ecoregion. Although peat is globally valued for carbon sequestration and storage, peatlands have not yet been mapped in the jalca. In this region, the Gocta waterfall, one of the 20 highest waterfalls in the world, depends on the jalca’s wetlands ecosystem. The local population depends on tourism to the waterfall and is concerned about preserving its drainage area. To inform conservation planning, in this study we delimited the drainage area of the Gocta waterfall and identified land tenure by applying Geographic Information System (GIS), remote sensing and participatory mapping techniques. Then, by classifying optical, radar and digital elevation models data, we mapped peatland in the jalca of the Gocta drainage area with an overall accuracy of 97.1%. Our results will inform conservation strategy in this complex area of communal, private and informal land tenure systems. At a regional level, this appears to be the first attempt at mapping peatlands using remote sensing imagery in the jalca ecoregion, and it represents a milestone for future efforts to map and conserve peatlands in other tropical mountain areas of the world.
Posterior pericardial window: a simple and reproducible technique in order to prevent pericardial tamponade in paediatric cardiac surgery
Authors: Simsek Baran , Ozyuksel Arda , Saygi Murat , Basaran Murat
Published: October 2023

Objective:

Pericardial tamponade, which increases postoperative mortality and morbidity, is still not uncommon after paediatric cardiac surgery. We considered that posterior pericardiotomy may be a useful and safe technique in order to reduce the incidence of early and late pericardial tamponade. Herein, we present our experience with creation of posterior pericardial window following congenital cardiac surgical procedures.

Methods:

This retrospective study evaluated 229 patients who underwent paediatric cardiac surgical procedures between June 2021 and January 2023. A posterior pericardial window was created in all of the patients. In neonates and infants, pericardial window was performed at a size of 2x2 cm, whereas a 3x3 cm connection was established in elder children and young adults. A curved chest tube was placed and positioned at the posterolateral pericardiophrenic sinus. An additional straight anterior mediastinal chest tube was also inserted in every patient. Transthoracic echocardiographic evaluations were performed daily to assess postoperative pericardial effusion.

Results:

A total of 229 (135 male, 94 female) patients were operated. Mean age and body weight were 24.2 ± 26.7 months and 10.2 ± 6.7 kg, respectively. Eight (3.5%) of the patients were neonates where 109 (47.6%) were infants and 112 (48.9%) were in childhood. Fifty-two (22.7%) re-do operations were performed. Six (2.6%) patients underwent postoperative surgical re-exploration due to surgical site bleeding. Any early or late pericardial tamponade was not encountered in the study group.

Conclusions:

Posterior pericardial window is an effective and safe technique in order to prevent both the early and late pericardial tamponade after congenital cardiac surgery.