bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age-induced changes in skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA synthesis, quantity, and quality in genetically unique rats
Authors: Musci Robert V. , Fuqua Jordan D. , Peelor Frederick F. , Nguyen Hoang Van Michelle , Richardson Arlan , Choi Solbie , Miller Benjamin F. , Wanagat Jonathan
Published: September 2024

Mitochondrial genomic integrity is a key element of physiological processes and health. Changes in the half-life of the mitochondrial genome are implicated in the generation and accumulation of age-induced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, which are implicated in skeletal muscle aging and sarcopenia. There are conflicting data on the half-life of mtDNA, and there is limited information on how aging affects half-life in skeletal muscle. We hypothesized that skeletal muscle mtDNA synthesis rates would decrease with age in both female and male rats concomitant with changes in mtDNA integrity reflected in mtDNA copy number and mutation frequency. We measured mitochondrial genome half-life using stable isotope labeling over a period of 14 days and assessed mtDNA copy number and deletion mutation frequency using digital PCR in the quadriceps muscle of 9-month-old and 26-month-old male and female OKC-HET rats. We found a significant age-related increase in mtDNA half-life, from 132 days at 9 months to 216 days at 26 months of age in OKC-HET quadriceps. Concomitant with the increase in mtDNA half-life, we found an age-related increase in mtDNA deletion mutation frequency in both male and female rats. Notably, 26-month-old female rats had a lower mutation frequency than male rats, and there were no changes in mtDNA copy number with sex, age, or mitochondrial genotype. These data reveal several key findings: (1) mtDNA turnover in rat skeletal muscle decreases with age, (2) mtDNA half-lives in skeletal muscle are approximately an order of magnitude longer than what is reported for other tissues, and (3) muscle mtDNA turnover differs significantly from the turnover of other mitochondrial macromolecules including components of the mitochondrial nucleoid. These findings provide insight into the factors driving age-induced mtDNA mutation accumulation, which contribute to losses of mitochondrial genomic integrity and may play a role in skeletal muscle dysfunction.
Preferring to work from home
Authors: Furnham Adrian , Cuppello Stephen , Semmelink David S.
Published: September 2024

What sort of people like to work from home (WFH)? In this study 1185 adults from different sectors and countries completed a work-related personality test (HPTI) and a self-esteem measure as well as indicating their preference for WFH. Correlations showed that those who were less Adjusted, Conscientious, and Risking Taking showed a preference for WFH. The regression suggested the strongest indicator was sex, degree status, and trait Conscientiousness. We split the sample by sex, age and education and reran the six regressions. Conscientiousness was consistently significant, though other personality factors were important for non-graduates. Explanations and implications of this finding are discussed. The limitations of a cross-sectional study using only self-report data is acknowledged.
Ophiolites: Geological Heritage with Multifaceted Cultural Values
Authors: Ferrando Andrea , Faccini Francesco , Coratza Paola
Published: September 2024

Cultural geomorphology is a very recent discipline that studies the geomorphological component of a territory which embodies both a cultural feature of the landscape and its interactions with cultural heritage: this cultural approach concerns the dialogue and cultural integration between humanistic and scientific disciplines and can be extended to all the fields of Earth Sciences. Ophiolite rock masses strongly characterize the landscape: their greenish-black, sometimes red-brown colour; the steep profile of the slopes, which results from their greater resistance to erosion than the surrounding softer sedimentary rocks; the scarce or even absent vegetation cover. The value of ophiolites is not only related to scientific and aesthetic interests, but is also due to historical–geographical, cultural and socio-economic issues. In this research, we present the elements of cultural and landscape value related to the ophiolites of the Northern Apennines, and how these geological and geomorphological features have led to specific relationships with humankind and human geography. Indeed, ophiolites represent characteristic elements of popular culture with immediate reference to toponymy, local legends and religion. Ophiolites are also an element of great strategic importance, as they are crucial for human settlement, with specific reference to defence, and for mining and quarrying activities. The landscape of ophiolites is of great geological, geomorphological, hydrogeological and pedological interest, resulting in a high concentration of geosites, hence on the one hand the opportunity for enhancement and potential geotourism, and on the other hand the need for their protection and geoconservation.
Fluchtlinien sozialpädagogischer Theorien – Eine Re- und Dekonstruktion aus einer diskursanalytischen Perspektive
Authors: Düker Jan , Humme Mark
Published: September 2024

Das von der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) geförderte Projekt „Fluchtlinien sozialpädagogischer Theorien – eine Re- und Dekonstruktion aus einer diskursanalytischen Perspektive“ untersucht disziplinäre Theoriebildung in einer systematisch-empirischen Perspektive. Ziel des Projekts ist es, den sozialpädagogischen Theoriediskurs seit der sozialwissenschaftlichen Wende bis in die Gegenwart aus einer diskursanalytischen Perspektive zu re- und dekonstruieren. Dabei wird analysiert, welche Art von (hegemonialem) symbolischem Wissensraum durch sozialpädagogische Theorien erzeugt wird und wie dieser gleichzeitig durch vielfältige Bezüge aktualisiert und transformiert wird. Dadurch sollen die Entstehungs- und Differenzierungsprozesse der sozialpädagogischen Theoriebildung in einer historischen Perspektive empirisch sichtbar gemacht werden. Damit steht das Forschungsvorhaben vor der Herausforderung, die Vielfalt der (symbolischen) Kontexte sozialpädagogischer Theorien zu berücksichtigen und gleichzeitig zu untersuchen, wie Texte über einzelne Kontexte hinauswirken. Um die Heterogenität im sozialpädagogischen Theoriediskurs zu beleuchten, setzt das Projekt auf zwei unterschiedliche, aber sich ergänzende methodologische Ansätze: die Hegemonieanalyse nach Nonhoff und die äußerungslinguistische Diskursanalyse nach Angermüller. Die Hegemonieanalyse fokussiert darauf, wie (symbolische) Elemente innerhalb des Diskurses positioniert werden und zielt darauf ab, die Struktur des diskursiven Raumes zu rekonstruieren. Im Gegensatz dazu wird mit der äußerungslinguistischen Diskursanalyse die Mikroebene in den Blick genommen, um zu verfolgen, wie hegemonialer Sinn im Diskurs auseinanderfällt.
Bacteriocin Antagonistic Potentials of Lactococcus cremoris and Lactococcus lactis Isolates from Different Habitats
Authors: Tang Taya , Leisner Jørgen J.
Published: September 2024

It has not been extensively examined if the ecological role of lactic acid bacterial bacteriocins may affect their distribution in different habitats and thereby impact screenings for novel variants. Further, the functionality of such variants requires additional investigation. This study investigated the distribution of bacteriocin biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and bacteriocinogenic activity of Lactococcus cremoris and Lactococcus lactis from a range of different environments. Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of fifty L. cremoris and L. lactis strains showed distinct species clustering without significant genome size differences between species or sources. Genomic screening with AntiSMASH and BAGEL4 identified several BGCs, with variation based on species but not on habitat. Deferred inhibition assays revealed pronounced activity only in strains possessing nisin or lactococcin B BGCs and not in strains with other BGCs. Several hitherto undescribed types of lactococcin BGCs appeared to be incomplete regarding genes encoding secretion and immunity. In conclusion, this study indicates that habitats did not appear to affect distribution of BGCs. Further, the antagonistic functionality of several BGCs was unclear indicating that improving applications of lactococcal bacteriocins may depend as much or more on research on increasing efficacy of well-known bacteriocins than searching for novel variants.
Adversarial attacks on machine learning-aided visualizations
Authors: Fujiwara Takanori , Kucher Kostiantyn , Wang Junpeng , Martins Rafael M. , Kerren Andreas , Ynnerman Anders
Published: September 2024

Research in ML4VIS investigates how to use machine learning (ML) techniques to generate visualizations, and the field is rapidly growing with high societal impact. However, as with any computational pipeline that employs ML processes, ML4VIS approaches are susceptible to a range of ML-specific adversarial attacks. These attacks can manipulate visualization generations, causing analysts to be tricked and their judgments to be impaired. Due to a lack of synthesis from both visualization and ML perspectives, this security aspect is largely overlooked by the current ML4VIS literature. To bridge this gap, we investigate the potential vulnerabilities of ML-aided visualizations from adversarial attacks using a holistic lens of both visualization and ML perspectives. We first identify the attack surface (i.e., attack entry points) that is unique in ML-aided visualizations. We then exemplify five different adversarial attacks. These examples highlight the range of possible attacks when considering the attack surface and multiple different adversary capabilities. Our results show that adversaries can induce various attacks, such as creating arbitrary and deceptive visualizations, by systematically identifying input attributes that are influential in ML inferences. Based on our observations of the attack surface characteristics and the attack examples, we underline the importance of comprehensive studies of security issues and defense mechanisms as a call of urgency for the ML4VIS community.

Graphical abstract
Comprehensive in silico CpG methylation analysis in hepatocellular carcinoma identifies tissue- and tumor-type specific marks disconnected from gene expression
Authors: Bilbao Idoia , Recalde Miriam , Daian Fabrice , Herranz José Maria , Elizalde María , Iñarrairaegui Mercedes , Canale Matteo , Fernández-Barrena Maite G. , Casadei-Gardini Andrea , Sangro Bruno , Ávila Matías A. , Landecho Acha Manuel F. , Berasain Carmen , Arechederra María
Published: September 2024

DNA methylation is crucial for chromatin structure, transcription regulation and genome stability, defining cellular identity. Aberrant hypermethylation of CpG-rich regions is common in cancer, influencing gene expression. However, the specific contributions of individual epigenetic modifications to tumorigenesis remain under investigation. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), DNA methylation alterations are documented as in other tumor types. We aimed to identify hypermethylated CpGs in HCC, assess their specificity across other tumor types, and investigate their impact on gene expression. To this end, public methylomes from HCC, other liver diseases, and 27 tumor types as well as expression data from TCGA-LIHC and GTEx were analyzed. This study identified 39 CpG sites that were hypermethylated in HCC compared to control liver tissue, and were located within promoter, gene bodies, and intergenic CpG islands. Notably, these CpGs were predominantly unmethylated in healthy liver tissue and other normal tissues. Comparative analysis with 27 other tumors revealed both common and HCC-specific hypermethylated CpGs. Interestingly, the HCC-hypermethylated genes showed minimal expression in the different healthy tissues, with marginal changes in the level of expression in the corresponding tumors. These findings confirm previous evidence on the limited influence of DNA hypermethylation on gene expression regulation in cancer. It also highlights the existence of mechanisms that allow the selection of tissue-specific methylation marks in normally unexpressed genes during carcinogenesis. Overall, our study contributes to demonstrate the complexity of cancer epigenetics, emphasizing the need of better understanding the interplay between DNA methylation, gene expression dynamics, and tumorigenesis.

Graphical Abstract
Development of a wastewater treatment system contaminated with Cr (VI) through vegetable biomass modified with TIO2
Authors: Sayago U. F. C. , Ballesteros Ballesteros V.
Published: September 2024

Research from around the world highlights the importance of creating affordable and simple industrial wastewater treatment systems to preserve water resources. The absence of such systems can have serious consequences. For example, the release of chromium (VI) from industries such as tanneries pollutes water bodies, often causing irreversible damage. The mechanical properties, low acquisition cost, and abundance of aquatic plant biomass of E crassipes make it a viable option for Cr (VI) removal. Furthermore, the addition of TiO2 to plant biomass increases the amount of functional groups that contribute to high removal of heavy metals, including Cr (VI), providing an economical and efficient material for a novel industrial water treatment. The objective of this study is to create water treatment systems using TiO2 treated E crassipes root waste powder. Removal data were collected from two fixed bed columns operating in series, treating about 4 L of water, removing 99% of the Cr (VI) present. Design parameters for a larger scale treatment system were modeled and validated using internal and external particle and mass balance models. Column reusability was evaluated by EDTA elution studies, adding all cycles, the total adsorption capacity was 69 mg/g. A full-scale treatment system was designed and developed using these models under effluent conditions similar to those found in the tanning and painting industries. The strategy proposed in this work allows compliance with environmental regulations through the use of green biotechnologies and mathematical and statistical reliability models. This tool is of vital importance in the concept of circular economy.

Graphical abstract
The Management of Intractable Gastroesophageal Reflux Following Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Narrative Review
Authors: Chan Daniel L. , Chen Kerry L. , Indja Ben E. , Talbot Michael L.
Published: September 2024

Purpose of Review

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is currently the most commonly performed bariatric surgery in the world and is widely considered safe and effective for weight loss in the obese population. However, intractable gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) following LSG poses a clinical challenge, with significant impact on quality of life and the potential for development of Barrett’s esophagus This review aims to provide clinicians with a systematic approach to investigating and managing patients with intractable GERD following LSG.

Recent Findings

Management of GERD following LSG requires thorough clinical, anatomical and functional assessment in order to accurately diagnose GERD. Management should then be tailored to the patient in an integrated approach, with medical, endoscopic and/or operative interventions. Medical therapy includes PPIs and lifestyle therapy and are well established for GERD in the post-LSG population but limited in efficacy for severe disease. Endoscopic treatments such as anti-reflux mucosectomy and endoscopic radiofrequency ablation are novel, and benefits are still unclear. Operative interventions include conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with or without hiatal hernia repair, one anastomosis gastric bypass, duodenal switch, hiatal hernia repair or insertion of a Linx ™ device. These options have predominantly been studied in weight-loss failure post-LSG, with emerging evidence now in the treatment of intractable GERD following LSG.

A three-pronged assessment including clinical factors, anatomical evaluation and functional studies are required to accurately diagnose intractable GERD following LSG. Following this, individualised management with medical therapy, endoscopic and/or operative interventions should be considered with the patient within a multidisciplinary healthcare setting.
Which stakeholders should be addressed to promote Geriatric Medicine among healthcare professionals, educationalists and policy-makers in European countries? – the PROGRAMMING COST 21,122 action experience
Authors: Savas Sumru , Demiral Yilmaz Nilufer , Kotsani Marina , Piotrowicz Karolina , Duque Sofia
Published: September 2024

Background

Geriatric Medicine (GM), concerned with well-being and health of older adults, can play a crucial role in the alignment of healthcare systems to the needs of the aged populations. However, countries have varying GM development backgrounds. The goal of PROGRAMMING- COST 21,122 Action is to propose the content of education and training activities in GM for healthcare professionals across various clinical settings, adapted to local context, needs, and assets. Defining relevant stakeholders and addressing them on both an international as well as a country-specific level is crucial for this purpose. In this paper we are describing the methods used in the PROGRAMMING Action 21,122 to map the different categories of stakeholders to be engaged in the Action.

Methods

Through conceptualizing a model for stakeholders by literature research, and online discussion group meetings, a synthesis for the potential stakeholders was defined as a template, and pilot applications were requested from participant countries.

Results

There were 24 members from 14 countries (6 males/18 females) of multidisciplinary professions involved in this study. A model for the list of stakeholders to be addressed was developed and, after seven online discussion meetings, a consensus framework was provided. Invited countries completed the templates to pilot such operationalization.

Conclusion

Our framework of stakeholders will support the research coordination and capacity-building objectives of PROGRAMMING, including the participation into the assessment of educational needs of healthcare professionals. Identified stakeholders will also be mobilized for purposes of dissemination and maximization of the Action’s impact. By defining and mapping multidisciplinary stakeholders involved in older people’s care specific to countries, particularly where GM is still emerging, GM tailored educational activities will be facilitated and optimally targeted.
Catalyst–Support Interaction in Polyaniline-Supported Ni3Fe Oxide to Boost Oxygen Evolution Activities for Rechargeable Zn-Air Batteries
Authors: Zou Xiaohong , Lu Qian , Tang Mingcong , Wu Jie , Zhang Kouer , Li Wenzhi , Hu Yunxia , Xu Xiaomin , Zhang Xiao , Shao Zongping , An Liang
Published: September 2024

Catalyst–support interaction plays a crucial role in improving the catalytic activity of oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here we modulate the catalyst–support interaction in polyaniline-supported Ni3Fe oxide (Ni3Fe oxide/PANI) with a robust hetero-interface, which significantly improves oxygen evolution activities with an overpotential of 270 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and specific activity of 2.08 mA cmECSA−2 at overpotential of 300 mV, 3.84-fold that of Ni3Fe oxide. It is revealed that the catalyst–support interaction between Ni3Fe oxide and PANI support enhances the Ni–O covalency via the interfacial Ni–N bond, thus promoting the charge and mass transfer on Ni3Fe oxide. Considering the excellent activity and stability, rechargeable Zn-air batteries with optimum Ni3Fe oxide/PANI are assembled, delivering a low charge voltage of 1.95 V to cycle for 400 h at 10 mA cm−2. The regulation of the effect of catalyst–support interaction on catalytic activity provides new possibilities for the future design of highly efficient OER catalysts.
What Moderates the Link Between Peers’ and Individual’s Substance Use in Adolescence? A Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Rodríguez-Ruiz Joaquín , Espejo-Siles Raquel
Published: September 2024

Peers’ substance use is one of the most robust predictors of adolescent’s substance use. Albeit some empirical studies have explored factors that moderate peers’ influences on individual’s substance use, there is a lack of literature synthesis analyzing all existing research on the topic regardless the design and the type of substance. Because of that, the present systematic scoping review sought to explore the available studies that analyze moderators in the relation between peers’ and adolescent’s substance use. This review focused on studies including samples aged 10–19. The search was conducted in different databases and 43 studies meeting the criteria were finally included. It was found that elements such as emotional control, closeness to parents, school disapproval of substance use, friendship reciprocity or sport participation attenuated the impact of peers’ substance use on target’s substance use. On the other hand, avoidant and anxious attachment, sibling’s willingness to use substances, school troubles, peer support or setting criminogenic increased the likelihood of using substances among adolescents with peers who use substances. Results revealed that the effect of peers’ substance use on adolescent’s substance use is moderated by individual, family, school, peers and community factors. The effect of moderators could be different depending on the type of substance and the stage of adolescence. Substance use prevention programs for adolescents should be ecological, specific and adapted to the stage of adolescence.
Learning Spaces of Higher Education for Postdigital Citizens
Authors: Carvalho Lucila , Freeman Cristina Garduño , Lamb James
Published: September 2024

Citizen science research is often interdisciplinary, responsive to public concerns and inclusive of community knowledge. It can also involve multiple voices coming together to address ‘wicked’ problems. In this paper, we introduce CmyView, a visual and creative methodology that is suitable for research projects in citizen science, particularly those focusing on learning spaces. CmyView’s conceptual framing is informed by research in embodied cognition, digital heritage, networked learning, and the postdigital. The paper discusses the CmyView methodology, as grounded on five core actions: walking, capturing, sharing, connecting, and documenting via public participation. We argue that the CmyView methodology and its accompanying app can offer an innovative way to understand, manage, document, engage with, and study the social and educational significance of learning spaces through community participation.
Are USDA Forecasts Optimal? A Systematic Review
Authors: Isengildina Massa Olga , Karali Berna , Irwin Scott H.
Published: September 2024

The goal of this paper is to systematically review the literature on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecast evaluation and critically assess their methods and findings. The fundamental characteristics of optimal forecasts are bias, accuracy and efficiency as well as encompassing and informativeness. This review revealed that the findings of these studies can be very different based on the forecasts examined, commodity, sample period, and methodology. Some forecasts performed very well, while others were not very reliable, resulting in forecast specific optimality record. We discuss methodological and empirical contributions of these studies as well as their shortcomings and potential opportunities for future work.
The Possibility Bias is not Justified
Authors: KIMPTON-NYE SAMUEL
Published: September 2024

Necessity, but not possibility, is typically thought to be rare and suspicion-worthy. This manifests in an asymmetry in the burden of proof incurred by modal claims. In general, claims to the effect that some proposition is impossible/necessary require significant argumentative support and, in general, claims to the effect that some proposition is possible/contingent are thought to be justified freely or by default. Call this the possibility bias. In this article, I argue that the possibility bias is not epistemically justified. We should regard possibility with at least as much suspicion, that is to say as incurring at least as much of an explanatory demand, as necessity. In fact, I suggest that we might even be justified in reversing the burden of proof asymmetry and adopting a necessity bias. This has quite radical implications for philosophical methodology and hence for many first-order philosophical concerns.
Evidence gaps among systematic reviews examining the relationship of race, ethnicity, and social determinants of health with adult inpatient quality measures
Authors: Advani Sonali D. , Smith Alison G. , Kalu Ibukunoluwa C. , Perez Reinaldo , Hendren Stephanie , Dantes Raymund B. , Edwards Jonathan R. , Soe Minn , Yi Sarah H. , Young Janine , Anderson Deverick J.
Published: September 2024

Background:

The field of healthcare epidemiology is increasingly focused on identifying, characterizing, and addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) to address inequities in healthcare quality. To identify evidence gaps, we examined recent systematic reviews examining the association of race, ethnicity, and SDOH with inpatient quality measures.

Methods:

We searched Medline via OVID for English language systematic reviews from 2010 to 2022 addressing race, ethnicity, or SDOH domains and inpatient quality measures in adults using specific topic questions. We imported all citations to Covidence (www.covidence.org, Veritas Health Innovation) and removed duplicates. Two blinded reviewers assessed all articles for inclusion in 2 phases: title/abstract, then full-text review. Discrepancies were resolved by a third reviewer.

Results:

Of 472 systematic reviews identified, 39 were included. Of these, 23 examined all-cause mortality; 6 examined 30-day readmission rates; 4 examined length of stay, 4 examined falls, 2 examined surgical site infections (SSIs) and one review examined risk of venous thromboembolism. The most evaluated SDOH measures were sex (n = 9), income and/or employment status (n = 9), age (n = 6), race and ethnicity (n = 6), and education (n = 5). No systematic reviews assessed medication use errors or healthcare-associated infections. We found very limited assessment of other SDOH measures such as economic stability, neighborhood, and health system access.

Conclusion:

A limited number of systematic reviews have examined the association of race, ethnicity and SDOH measures with inpatient quality measures, and existing reviews highlight wide variability in reporting. Future systematic evaluations of SDOH measures are needed to better understand the relationships with inpatient quality measures.
EJRR Special Issue: The Future of Food Law after and Beyond the Farm to Fork Strategy
Authors: Alessandrini Mirta , Cazzini Francesco , Rolandi Silvia
Published: September 2024

This Special Issue stems from some of the insights at the “Future of Food Law” Conference held at Wageningen University and Research (WUR) in 2023, prompting an examination of the Farm to Fork (F2F) Strategy’s achievements and shortcomings. With the von der Leyen Commission’s term concluding, the paper critically assesses key aspects of the F2F Strategy, laying the foundation for an in-depth discussion presented in six contributions. The exploration extends from US and EU perspectives to national considerations, moving even further and beyond the boundaries of the Strategy. It encompasses emerging views on food safety, fostering fair and sustainable agri-food production models, encouraging healthier and democratic food choices, and reevaluating decision-making distribution from EU to Member States in sustainability regulatory actions. This issue aims to probe how agri-food regulatory frameworks should adapt to current challenges, acknowledging new economic, social, and environmental expectations. As a frame to the six contributions, this paper addresses the substantial delay in implementing crucial food law interventions, with a focus on the legislative Framework for Sustainable Food Systems (SFSF). The paper concludes by outlining potential scenarios for the future of EU food law, emphasising the necessity for establishing a guiding principle of sustainability for food systems.
Shub’s example revisited
Authors: LIANG CHAO , SAGHIN RADU , YANG FAN , YANG JIAGANG
Published: September 2024

For a class of robustly transitive diffeomorphisms on
${\mathbb T}^4$
introduced by Shub [Topologically transitive diffeomorphisms of
$T^4$
. Proceedings of the Symposium on Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems (Lecture notes in Mathematics, 206). Ed. D. Chillingworth. Springer, Berlin, 1971, pp. 39–40], satisfying an additional bunching condition, we show that there exists a
$C^2$
open and
$C^r$
dense subset
${\mathcal U}^r$
,
$2\leq r\leq \infty $
, such that any two hyperbolic points of
$g\in {\mathcal U}^r$
with stable index
$2$
are homoclinically related. As a consequence, every
$g\in {\mathcal U}^r$
admits a unique homoclinic class associated to the hyperbolic periodic points with index
$2$
, and this homoclinic class coincides with the whole ambient manifold. Moreover, every
$g\in {\mathcal U}^r$
admits at most one measure of maximal entropy, and every
$g\in {\mathcal U}^{\infty }$
admits a unique measure of maximal entropy.
The strategic planning of corporate social responsibility: An endogenous perspective
Authors: Chen Chung-Jen , Hsiao Yung-Chang , Chen Kuo-Liang
Published: September 2024

This study addresses endogenous factors related to the strategic planning of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Our findings help explain the paradox: If better CSR always leads to better firm performance, why do so many companies either choose not to engage in CSR or act irresponsibly? Managers may make decisions regarding CSR based on the environment. Some companies may be better served through a proactive CSR strategy; however, others may be unable to achieve better performance through this strategy for a variety of endogenous causes. Our sample included 594 U.S. publicly traded companies with 2,019 firm-year observations. We empirically simulated scenarios where companies selected inappropriate CSR strategies and found that the companies were unable to achieve better firm performance if they did not select appropriate CSR strategies based on their internal and external environment. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Intakes of energy, macronutrients, and micronutrients in adult Lithuanian population: a national study of 2019–2020
Authors: Bulotaitė Gabija , Bartkevičiūtė Roma , Barzda Albertas , Stukas Rimantas
Published: September 2024

Dietary surveys are critical in evaluating dietary trends prevailing across the entire population. The aim of this study is to present the results of the latest research into the intakes of energy, macronutrients, and micronutrients amongst the adult population in Lithuania from 2019 through 2020. A cross-sectional study was conducted and dietary data was collected using a 24-h dietary recall method from a total of 2555 Lithuanian adults. Medians, 25th and 75th percentiles were calculated. The diet of Lithuanian adults was found insufficient as the energy intake from fats exceeded the recommended norms, while the energy intake from carbohydrates was below the lower range. The intakes of dietary fibre and most vitamins and minerals were insufficient. Men, compared to women, had a statistically higher total energy intake and energy intake from fats, and a higher intake of dietary fibre. Younger adults, compared to older ones, had statistically lower intakes of energy from fats, including saturated fats, and lower intakes of sodium chloride. Respondents with primary education, compared to those who had attained a higher degree of education, had a statistically lower intake of total energy and dietary fibre. Study showed that intakes of majority of nutrients in the diet of the adult Lithuanian population are not in compliance with the recommended daily intakes. Continuous nationally representative studies into food consumption and nutrient intake of the adult Lithuanian population must be carried out to assess the changes in the population’s diet and the effectiveness of policies aimed at promoting healthy diets.
Cosmic rays, radiocarbon and the beginning of high-energy particle physics: Marietta Blau and the “disintegration stars”
Authors: Strohmaier Brigitte , Kutschera Walter
Published: September 2024

This brief review describes the discovery of cosmic rays by Victor Hess from the Vienna Radium Institute and the later contribution of Marietta Blau through her observation of “disintegration stars” in photographic emulsion plates exposed to cosmic-ray bombardment. Marietta Blau, a nearly forgotten cosmic-ray pioneer from the Vienna Radium Institute, developed the nuclear emulsion technique for studying nuclear reactions, eventually discovering the disintegration of nuclei through high-energy cosmic rays. Blau survived the Holocaust by escaping to Mexico City from 1939 to 1944. Starting in 1948 at Columbia University, later as a staff member of Brookhaven National Laboratory and then University of Miami, she performed fundamental and original research with nuclear emulsions exposed to 3-GeV protons at the Brookhaven Cosmotron and to 6-GeV protons at the Berkeley Bevatron. Blau returned to Vienna in 1960, where at the Radium Institute a classical β-decay counting facility for radiocarbon dating had been installed, which was finally superseded by the Vienna Environmental Research Accelerator (VERA), a modern versatile accelerator mass spectrometry facility.
Geochemistry, U-Pb geochronology and Nd-Hf isotopes of leucocratic dykes in the Cape Spencer area, southern New Brunswick, Canada: insights into the Alleghanian orogeny in the northern Appalachians
Authors: Cardenas-Vera Alan , Lentz David R. , McFarlane Christopher R.M. , Thorne Kathleen G.
Published: September 2024

Contrary to the southern Appalachians, where Alleghanian magmatism is widespread and well documented, the expressions of magmatism in the Canadian Appalachians are limited. In this study, a suite of leucocratic dykes from the Cape Spencer area in southern New Brunswick, Canada, were investigated to determine the nature, timing and source of these magmas using zircon and monazite U-Pb geochronology, whole-rock geochemistry and Nd-Hf isotopes. An LA-ICP-MS U-Pb monazite Alleghanian age of 273.7 ± 1.3 Ma obtained for these dykes constitutes a new example of magmatism in the northern segment of the orogen, where significant strike-slip movement and reheating have been the primary markers of the Alleghanian Orogeny. These metaluminous leucocratic dykes are enriched in light rare elements, U and Th; depleted in high-field strength elements (HFSE; Nb, P, Ti); and have slight negative Europium anomalies [(Eu/Eu*)N = 0.72–0.95]. All the dykes samples have negative εNd(t) values (−9.76 to −5.7), negative εHf(t) values (−1.8 to −1.0) and Mesoproterozoic Nd depleted-model ages (TDM = 1371–1618 Ma). The geochemical and isotopic characteristics suggest that the dykes were formed by the partial melting of lower crust that assimilated Meguma metasedimentary rocks and/or Avalonian sedimentary rocks, following terminal subduction of the Rheic Ocean and thermal re-equilibration during the Alleghanian orogeny. The effects of the closure of the Rheic Ocean in the oblique collision between composite Laurentia and Gondwana were, to a certain extent, accommodated along the Minas Fault Zone, where magmatism and regional fluid flow were concentrated.
B-vitamins and one-carbon metabolism during pregnancy: health impacts and challenges
Authors: Pentieva Kristina , Caffrey Aoife , Duffy Bethany , Ward Mary , Clements Michelle , Kerr Maeve , McNulty Helene
Published: September 2024

Folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and riboflavin interact by functioning as cofactors within one-carbon metabolism (OCM), a network of interrelated cellular pathways essential for numerous biological processes, including the biosynthesis of DNA, amino acid interconversions and methylation reactions. The pathways of OCM are influenced by endocrine signals and genetic polymorphisms and are particularly responsive to relevant B-vitamin intakes. Physiological changes in healthy pregnancy, leading to a steady decline in B-vitamin status, add another layer of complexity to the regulation of OCM. Although significant advances have been made to improve our understanding of these pregnancy-related changes, no specific reference ranges yet exist for B-vitamin biomarkers in pregnancy to support normal fetal growth without depleting maternal stores. The lack of pregnancy-related criteria for adequacy of B-vitamin status is in turn a major limitation in identifying pregnant women most at risk of B-vitamin deficiency. Another challenge is that the evidence is very limited to provide a basis for establishing pregnancy-specific dietary recommendations for B-vitamins to support successful pregnancy outcomes. In terms of preventing adverse outcomes, periconceptional folic acid supplementation has a proven role, established more than 30 years ago, in protecting against neural tube defect-affected pregnancies and this has been the major focus of public health policy worldwide. This review evaluates the emerging evidence for the less well recognised role of B-vitamins in preventing hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and the intergenerational effects of B-vitamins on offspring neurodevelopment and cognitive performance during childhood. We also consider the underlying biological mechanisms.
Combining meta-learned models with process models of cognition
Authors: Sanborn Adam N. , Yan Haijiang , Tsvetkov Christian
Published: September 2024

Meta-learned models of cognition make optimal predictions for the actual stimuli presented to participants, but investigating judgment biases by constraining neural networks will be unwieldy. We suggest combining them with cognitive process models, which are more intuitive and explain biases. Rational process models, those that can sequentially sample from the posterior distributions produced by meta-learned models, seem a natural fit.
Modernism, modernity, and politics in the general history of science: Implications of Herbert Mehrtens‘ work, from “Vienna 1900” to the Nazi era, and beyond
Authors: Ash Mitchell G.
Published: September 2024

Argument

Herbert Mehrtens‘ work and the implications of the historical ideas he advanced went beyond the history of any single discipline. The article therefore addresses three broad issues: (1) Mehrtens‘ reconceptualization of mathematical modernism, in his field-changing book Moderne—Sprache—Mathematik (1990) and other works, as an epistemic and cultural phenomenon in a way that could potentially reach across and also beyond the sciences and also link scientific and cultural modernisms; (2) the extension of his work to the history of modernity itself via the concept of “technocratic modernism”; (3) his seminal contributions to the historiography of the sciences and technology during the National Socialist period, focusing on his critique of claims that mathematics, the natural sciences and technology were morally or politically “neutral” during or after the Nazi era, and on his counter-claim that mathematicians and other scientists had in fact mobilized themselves and their knowledge in support of Nazism’s central political projects. Taken as a guide for understanding science-politics relations in general, Mehrtens‘ work was and remains a counterweight to the political abstinence adopted by many who have followed the “cultural turn” in history of science and technology. In the broadest sense, the article is a plea for the culturally relevant and politically engaged historiography of the sciences and humanities that Mehrtens himself pursued.
The idea of protecting cultural heritage for the benefit of future generations in international cultural heritage law
Authors: Giorgallis Andreas
Published: September 2024

Much of today’s academic scholarship of international cultural heritage law circles around cultural heritage’s protection for the benefit of future generations. Despite this, the efforts to systematically examine the concept in more detail are scarcer. This paper seeks to fill this gap by taking a closer look at the ways in which the notion of future generations features in the body of international cultural heritage law. This contribution firstly illustrates how central the idea of protecting cultural heritage for the benefit of future generations is in international cultural heritage law. Despite this centrality, evidenced by an extensive analysis of international and regional hard and soft law, national law, case law, and policy options, its precisely contours the second argument of this paper, is that they remain elusive. Finally, skepticism is voiced over the concept’s potential ambivalent use with respect to the protection of cultural heritage.
Government size and the effectiveness of fiscal policy: the bigger the better?
Authors: Cho Dooyeon , Lee Kyung-woo
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the effect of government size, as measured by the tax revenue to gross domestic product (tax-GDP) ratio, on output responses to increases in government purchases. First, we show that in a standard static neoclassical model, the stimulus effect of fiscal expansion on output increases with the tax-GDP ratio. This finding is quantitatively confirmed using a dynamic neoclassical model with standard functional forms and parameter values. To empirically test the theoretical findings, we analyze the responses of macroeconomic variables to an unanticipated increase in government purchases for 12 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries during 1985–2019 using a state-dependent local projection method. The estimation results reveal that while output responses to an unanticipated fiscal expansion are significantly positive when the tax-GDP ratio is high, they are statistically indistinguishable from zero when the ratio is low. Overall, our findings suggest that fiscal expansion can stimulate output more effectively at high tax rates, unlike the well-known predictions of the traditional Keynesian model.
Social Anxiety, Perceptions of Social Support, and Behavior in Anticipation of Online Peer Interaction
Authors: Jones Emily L. , Rozenman Michelle
Published: September 2024

Abstract: Most Americans aged 18–49 use social media ( Atske, 2021 ). The social compensation ( McKenna & Bargh, 2000 ) and social enhancement ( Kraut et al., 2002 ) hypotheses offer two frameworks for understanding online social behavior, yet the evidence for these hypotheses is mixed. Two factors that may be important to consider in the context of online social behavior are social anxiety symptoms ( Weidman et al., 2012 ) and perceived social support ( O’Day & Heimberg, 2021 ). This study aimed to understand how online social behavior may be associated with social anxiety and perceived social support. Participants ( N = 303) completed self-report measures of social anxiety symptoms and perceived social support, as well as a task designed to simulate online social interactions. Participants who mentioned social activities in a mock social media profile had significantly lower social anxiety and significantly higher perceived social support than those who did not. There were no significant associations between social anxiety or perceived social support and the number of people with whom participants expressed interest in interacting. Participants with higher perceived social support indicated that they wanted to maximize their chances of interacting with another person. Overall, these findings provide some support for the social enhancement hypotheses. Further research is needed to disentangle how social anxiety and perceived social support may be relevant to online social behavior.
A Simple Noncontact Soil Moisture Probe for Weather and Climate Applications
Authors: Voronovich A. G. , Johnston P. E. , Lataitis R. J.
Published: September 2024

The measurement of soil moisture is important for many practical applications. We describe the theoretical design of a simple, noncontact, electromagnetic probe that complements many existing soil moisture measurement techniques. The approach uses a low‐frequency (i.e., 50–150 MHz) antenna operating in proximity of the soil. The presence of the soil affects the antenna input impedance, which in turn depends on the distance between the soil and antenna and the complex dielectric constant of the soil. The latter strongly depends on the soil wetness, which suggests that bulk soil moisture integrated over a depth of roughly 1 m can be inferred from antenna impedance measurements. This is in contrast with many current higher‐frequency techniques that penetrate only a few centimeters into the soil and provide only near‐surface values of soil wetness. Our work suggests that under ideal conditions bulk soil moisture can be mapped with an accuracy on the order of 1% over horizontal scales spanning a few tens of meters to a few kilometers using simple low‐frequency antennas.
Unveiling the Evolution of Extreme Rainfall Storm Structure Across Space and Time in a Warming Climate
Authors: Ghanghas Ankit , Sharma Ashish , Merwade Venkatesh
Published: September 2024

Climate change induces significant changes in storm characteristics, particularly for short‐duration extreme storms (heavy rain features), impacting their intensity and spatio‐temporal distribution. Although alterations in precipitation intensity are well documented, past studies examining changes in spatio‐temporal distribution of storms (storm rainrates) were region‐specific and focused on isolated aspects of change in space or time, eluding a comprehensive understanding of the precise nature and extent of these changes. Bridging this gap, this study introduces a novel grid‐based measure of storm homogeneity, “spatio‐temporal homogeneity” metric and investigates the global patterns of change in combined spatio‐temporal characteristics of extreme storms. Analyzing the 30 min × 0.1° × 0.1° resolution Global Precipitation Measurements, the study finds that extreme storms are shrinking in both space and time due to rising surface air temperatures, predominantly in tropics. In contrast, temperate regions experience expanded extreme storms with increasing temperatures. The study also identifies a global trend toward more front‐loading in storms with rising temperatures, driven by a substantial increase in tropics and southern temperate regions. Conversely, storms in northern temperate regions become slightly more rear‐loaded as temperature increases. Furthermore, the study finds that characteristics of short–duration storms (6–12 hr) are more sensitive to temperature changes. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into the global spatio‐temporal changes of extreme storms, highlighting regions most susceptible to alterations in storm patterns due to climate change. These findings are essential for developing effective adaptation strategies and flood management practices to cope with the changing nature of extreme storms in a warming climate.
How to Get Elected Officials to Support Your Science
Authors: Jensen Elizabeth , Jensen Deborah
Published: September 2024

Whether as an officeholder or a challenger, the campaign trail is where U.S. candidates are uniquely open to new ideas. As former candidates for office, we have tips for a different kind of outreach.