bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of an online adaptation of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 with its in-person version in an adult autism diagnostic service
Authors: Blackmore Charlotte E. , Nolan Alexandra , Stoencheva Vladimira , Greenwood Natalie , Liu-Thwaites Natasha , Maltezos Stefanos , McAlonan Grainne M.
Published: March 2023

Background

Restrictions on in-person assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic were a challenge for an adult autism diagnostic service receiving over 600 referrals annually. The service sought to adapt the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) for online administration.

Aims

To investigate whether an online adaptation of the ADOS-2 performed comparably to the in-person ADOS-2. To obtain qualitative feedback from patients and clinicians regarding experiences of the online alternative.

Method

Online ADOS-2 assessments were completed for 163 referred individuals. A matched-comparison group comprised 198 individuals seen for an in-person ADOS-2 assessment prior to COVID-19 restrictions. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was run to explore any effect of assessment type (online or in-person ADOS-2) and gender on total ADOS score. Qualitative feedback was collected from 46 patients and 8 clinicians involved in diagnostic decision-making after the online ADOS-2 assessment.

Results

A two-way ANOVA found no significant effect of assessment type or gender and no assessment type × gender interaction effect on total ADOS score. Qualitative feedback suggested that only 27% of patients would have preferred an in-person assessment. Nearly all clinicians reported gains from offering an online alternative.

Conclusions

This is the first study to examine an online adaptation of ADOS-2 within an adult autism diagnostic service. It performed comparably to the in-person ADOS-2, making it a viable alternative when in-person assessments are not possible. As this clinic group has high rates of comorbid mental health difficulties, we encourage further work to determine whether online assessment approaches generalise to other services to increase options for patients and efficiencies for service delivery.
Equivalence between time series predictability and Bayes error rate
Authors: Xu En , Zhou Tao , Yu Zhiwen , Sun Zhuo , Guo Bin
Published: March 2023

Predictability is an emerging metric that quantifies the highest possible prediction accuracy for a given time series, being widely utilized in assessing known prediction algorithms and characterizing intrinsic regularities in human behaviors. Lately, increasing criticisms aim at the inaccuracy of the estimated predictability, caused by the original entropy-based method. In this paper, we strictly prove that the time series predictability is equivalent to a seemingly unrelated metric called Bayes error rate that explores the lowest error rate unavoidable in classification. This proof bridges two independently developed fields, and thus each can immediately benefit from the other. For example, based on three theoretical models with known and controllable upper bounds of prediction accuracy, we show that the estimation based on Bayes error rate can largely solve the inaccuracy problem of predictability.
The influence of plant odours on sexual readiness in an insectivorous songbird
Authors: Caro Samuel P. , Delaitre Ségolène , Buatois Bruno , Bonadonna Francesco , Graham Jessica L.
Published: March 2023

Many organisms rely on environmental cues to predict and anticipate the annual optimal timing of reproduction. In insectivorous birds, preparation for breeding often coincides with the time vegetation starts to develop in spring. Whether there is a direct relationship between the two, and through which mechanisms this link could come about, has rarely been investigated. Plants release herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) when they are attacked by insects, and recent studies have shown that birds can detect and orient to those odours when searching for food. Whether those volatiles also stimulate sexual reproductive development and timing of reproduction remains to be discovered. We tested this hypothesis by monitoring gonadal growth in pairs of blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) exposed to air from caterpillar-infested oak trees or from a control, in spring. We found that while males and females grew their gonads over time, gonads grew at the same rate in both odour treatments. More exploratory (i.e. a proxy of personality) females did, however, have larger ovarian follicle sizes when exposed to the HIPVs than to the control air, which is consistent with earlier results showing that fast explorers have larger gonads in spring and are more sensitive to HIPVs. If HIPVs constitute powerful attractants in foraging birds, their influence on gonadal development prior to breeding appears to be relatively subtle and to only enhance reproductive readiness in some individuals. These results are nevertheless important as they set olfaction as a new player in the seasonal timing of reproduction in birds.
Η παρουσία και η σημασία του οφίτη στην Κρήτη της Εποχής του Χαλκού
Authors: Παπαδοπούλου Δέσποινα
Published: March 2023

Αντικείμενο μελέτης της διατριβής αποτέλεσε ο λίθος οφίτης και η παρουσία του στην Κρήτη της Εποχής του Χαλκού. Είναι ντόπιος λίθος, με πηγές σε πολλά σημεία του νησιού, εντοπίζεται, όμως, σε μεγαλύτερη έκταση στα κεντρικά και κεντροδυτικά του. Είναι αδιαφανές πέτρωμα και, γενικά, παρουσιάζει γκριζοπράσινα έως βαθιά μαυροπράσινα χρώματα. Κατατάσσεται στους μαλακούς λίθους και η υφή του είναι σαπωνοειδής και κάποιες φορές σαν σκόνη. Χρησιμοποιήθηκε από νωρίς από τους κατοίκους του νησιού για κατασκευή λίθινων αντικειμένων, στο μεγαλύτερο ποσοστό τους αγγείων. Η μελέτη του στην προς εκπόνηση διατριβή έγινε σε τρία μέρη. Το πρώτο μέρος (Μέρος Α΄) περιλαμβάνει την κατανομή των αρχαιολογικών ευρημάτων από τον υπό εξέταση λίθο σε έναν αριθμό θέσεων παρατιθέμενων ανά είδος, συγκεκριμένα σε θέσεις κατοίκησης, χώρους λατρείας και χώρους ταφής. Μελετάται, επίσης, η παρουσία του σε εργαστήρια, ή γενικότερα χώρους, επεξεργασίας λίθου και κατασκευής λίθινων αντικειμένων. Ερευνάται, ιδιαιτέρως, η εξάρτησή τους ή μη από τις πηγές του λίθου, αλλά και οι περιπτώσεις εξειδίκευσης κάποιων εργαστηρίων στην επεξεργασία του οφίτη. Η μελέτη, στη συνέχεια, εστιάζει στην παρουσία του εν λόγω λίθου σε δύο κατηγορίες ευρημάτων, στα εργαλεία και στα αρχιτεκτονικά μέλη από οφίτη. Επιπλέον, διερευνάται το θέμα των εξαγωγών αντικειμένων από τον λίθο από την Κρήτη προς το Αιγαίο: τις περιοχές στις οποίες πηγαίνει, τα είδη των εξαγόμενων αντικειμένων κ.ά. Στο δεύτερο μέρος (Μέρος Β΄), η έρευνα επικεντρώνεται στην αρχαιολογική θέση της Ζάκρου και τα αντικείμενα από οφίτη που εντοπίστηκαν εκεί. Παρουσιάζονται αναλυτικά οι ανεπεξέργαστες ύλες και τα προϊόντα από την ανακτορική εγκατάσταση, τον οικισμό και θέσεις στην ευρύτερη περιοχή της Ζάκρου και εξετάζεται η κατανομή τους εκεί. Μελετάται, επίσης, το υλικό ανά χώρους εύρεσης, ανά μακροσκοπικά καθοριζόμενες κατηγορίες του λίθου και, τέλος, βάσει της τυπολογίας τους. Το τρίτο μέρος (Μέρος Γ΄) περιλαμβάνει μία πετρογραφική μελέτη λεπτών τομών γεωλογικών δειγμάτων από περιοχές στο νησί που θεωρήθηκαν πηγές του λίθου, καθώς και αρχαιολογικών αντικειμένων από οφίτη από τη Ζάκρο. Στόχοι της πετρογραφικής μελέτης ήταν η διαπίστωση του είδους του λίθου των αντικειμένων που επιλέχθηκαν μετά τη μακροσκοπική εξέταση και, στη συνέχεια, ο εντοπισμός πιθανών γεωλογικών προελεύσεων του υλικού της Ζάκρου, βάσει των γεωλογικών δειγμάτων που συλλέχθηκαν. Επιπλέον, γίνεται μία προσπάθεια σκιαγράφησης των πιθανών δικτύων διακίνησης του λίθου ως πρώτη ύλη από τις πηγές του στο νησί ως τους τελικούς του προορισμούς. Ο πρώτος τόμος της διατριβής συνοδεύεται από έναν δεύτερο τόμο, ο οποίος περιλαμβάνει εικονογραφικό υλικό, πίνακες και παραρτήματα, που συμπληρώνουν το κείμενο. Μεταξύ αυτών περιλαμβάνεται ο κατάλογος αντικείμενων από οφίτη στη θέση της Ζάκρου, με αναλυτικές πληροφορίες για κάθε εύρημα, και τα παραρτήματα με τις περιγραφές των λεπτών τομών (των γεωλογικών δειγμάτων και των αρχαιολογικών αντικειμένων).
Language Training of Military Specialists in the Context of Professional Communication
Authors: Kostikova L. , Shevchenko B. , Chernyavskaya E.
Published: March 2023

Introduction. The expansion of contacts and interaction with foreign states on security and stability issues increases the requirements for the professional language training of military specialists, their ability to professional communication in a foreign language. The focus on international cooperation obliges military personnel to constantly improve their knowledge, independently master new information related to new types of weapons and military equipment. It is assumed that the language training of military specialists will be effective if it is focused on professional communication.

The purpose of the study is to identify the attitude of future military specialists to professional communication in the process of language training at a military university.

Methods and materials. The methodological orientation of this study is integrated approach to teaching foreign languages. During the study, a questionnaire survey of cadets of 3-4 courses of the Ryazan Guards Higher Airborne Command School was conducted. The total number of respondents is 64 people, aged 19-22 years, young men.

Study results. On the basis of an integrated approach, military terminology is included in the content of foreign language classes, the need to consider the experience of Russian military personnel in military operations, international conflicts and peacekeeping missions is emphasized.

Scientific novelty. It has been proven that the use of pedagogical technologies for activating and intensifying the activities of students contributes to improving their preparation for professional communication. It is determined that the participation of cadets in project technologies, role-playing games and in the analysis of specific situations focused on the disclosure of their creative potential and the development of the desire for cognitive activity requires them to be more independent and self-organization.

Conclusion. In the context of escalation of international conflicts, issues of readiness of military specialists for professional communication become more and more urgent. The results of the study can be used to develop individual training trajectories for military specialists.
A Look from China at Some Trends in the Teaching Methodology of FRL in Recent Years
Authors: Liu Qian
Published: March 2023

The article is devoted to the description of some trends in recent years in the development of the methodology of teaching Russian as a foreign language (RFL). It provides an overview of the socio-cultural reasons that contributed to the strengthening of the communicative orientation of RFL training, the rapid development of distance learning in the context of digitalization of education. During the analysis of the works, a scientific generalization was made and a description of some trends in the field of RFL methodology was proposed. Among them are the increased focus on teaching Russian as a foreign language as a means of communication, the active use of new tools in teaching RCT in connection with the digitalization of education; the increased influence of linguoculturology on the teaching methodology of RFL. Russian Linguistics The article presents current sources of scientific and educational literature, which are useful for improving communicative and cultural competencies, deepening knowledge in the field of Russian linguoculturology in the audience of Chinese students studying Russian.. The article briefly presents innovations in teaching the Russian language that have been used in China in recent years and have a positive effect during training. Russian as a foreign language is of great importance in improving the quality of teaching Russian as a foreign language in China (in conditions outside the Russian language environment), promotes the exchange of experience, promotion of strategic partnership and cooperation in the humanities between Russia and China, including with the aim of expanding mutually beneficial exchanges in the field of higher education.
Transformation of Translation Education as an Important Stage of Its Modernization in the Conditions of the New Era of China
Authors: Day Huey , Kan Inan'
Published: March 2023

Introduction. This article examined the main tasks of Chinese translation education in the new era, analyzed the problems it faces, put forward ideas about the need to transform translation education for the training of qualified personnel. The relevance of the research was determined by the importance of forming the image of China as a state with a centuries-old history, outstanding culture and science, possessing powerful resources, which could not be done without the development of intercultural communication, which was facilitated by a developed system of translation education.

Aim. The goal is to analyze the current state of translation education in China and outline ways to develop this industry.

Methodology and research methods. The authors are based on the analysis and generalization of the experience of teaching foreign languages in China, as well as by the method of included observation and systematic description of methodological processes.

Results. The authors come to the conclusion that the transformation of translation education should provide for a change in the goals of training translation personnel (it is necessary to move from the model of training universal translators to the model of training specialists of a narrow professional orientation) and requirements for the training of translation personnel (it is advisable to subordinate the requirements to the logic of competence-based training); transformation of the model of teaching translation (it is important to move from teacher orientation to the integrated development of translation technologies and translation education) and the transformation of the teaching staff (it is necessary to develop a system of continuous professional development, more actively introduce technological advances in teaching practice).

Practical significance. The implementation of the provisions of this study will make it possible to bring translation education in China to a level that meets the challenges of the time and is characterized by close and intensive social interaction in various fields of activity.
Irrationally elliptic closed characteristics on symmetric compact convex hypersurfaces in R^8
Authors: Wang Wei
Published: March 2023

Let $\Sigma$ be a $C^3$ compact symmetric convex hypersurface in
$\mathbb{R}^{8}$. We prove that when $\Sigma$ carries exactly four
geometrically distinct closed characteristics, then there are at least two
irrationally elliptic closed characteristics on $\Sigma$.
Reeb graphs of circle-valued functions: A survey and basic facts
Authors: Gelbukh Irina
Published: March 2023

The Reeb graph of a circle-valued function is a topological space obtained by contracting connected components of level sets (preimages of points) to points.
For some smooth functions, the Reeb graph has the structure of a finite graph.
This notion finds numerous applications in the theory of dynamical systems, as well as in the topological classification of circle-valued functions and the study of their homotopy properties.
However, important theoretical facts on the topological properties of the Reeb graphs of circle-valued functions are scattered across numerous papers on different topics, according to the specific needs of the corresponding application.
In this paper, we systematize the existing results on the Reeb graphs of circle-valued functions and generalize some of them to wider classes of functions or spaces.
We also show how some results can be carried out from real-valued functions. Finally, we adapt some facts from the theory of foliations to the Reeb graphs of circle-valued functions.
In particular, we analyze the cycle rank of the Reeb graph and address the problem of realization of a finite graph as a Reeb graph.
Topology of the Grünbaum-Hadwiger-Ramos problem for mass assignments
Authors: Blagojević Pavle V. M. , Loperena Jaime Calles , Crabb Michael C. , Dimitrijević Blagojević Aleksandra S.
Published: March 2023

In this paper, motivated by recent work of Schnider and Axelrod-Freed and Soberón, we study an extension of the
classical Grünbaum-Hadwiger-Ramos mass partition problem to mass assignments.
Using the Fadell-Husseini index theory we prove that for a given family of $j$ mass assignments
$\mu_1,\dots,\mu_j$ on the Grassmann manifold $G_{\ell}\big(\mathbb{R}^d\big)$
and a given
integer $k\geq 1$ there exist a linear subspace $L\in G_{\ell}\big(\mathbb{R}^d\big)$ and
$k$
affine hyperplanes in $L$ that equipart the masses $\mu_1^L,\dots,\mu_j^L$
assigned to the subspace $L$, provided that $d\geq j + (2^{k-1}-1)2^{\lfloor\log_2j\rfloor}$.
Resistencia y retroceso (backlash) contra las sentencias de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos: Estudio de 11 casos de reacciones de los Estados a la autoridad del tribunal y la recusación de jueces en el caso “Bedoya Lima”
Authors: Arévalo Ramírez Walter , Rousset Siri Andrés
Published: March 2023

El presente artículo busca analizar conductas de resistencia y retroceso (backlash) contra las sentencias de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, sus efectos en la autoridad del tribunal y los medios elegidos por los Estados para oponerse a la Corte IDH. El artículo propone una adecuación al Sistema Interamericano de las categorías analíticas de resistencia y retroceso (backlash), usadas para analizar otros tribunales internacionales, que dé cuenta de la licitud o ilicitud de las conductas que se oponen a la eficacia del Sistema, desde los derechos y prerrogativas que tienen los Estados en la Convención Americana. Posteriormente el artículo estudia 11 casos de oposición al sistema interamericano y los clasifica según la licitud de los medios utilizados por los Estados, que van desde abusar de derechos procesales hasta invocar indebidamente sus normas constitucionales frente a la obligatoriedad de sus compromisos internacionales. Finalmente, el artículo analiza la licitud, procedibilidad y efectos de los actos de recusación de jueces realizados recientemente por la representación de Colombia en el caso “Bedoya Lima” y propone categorizarlos según sus consecuencias en la autoridad del sistema interamericano.

Palabras clave (ESP): Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, recusación de jueces, eficacia, autoridad, obligatoriedad, tribunales internacionales, resistencia, retroceso.
On the Douglas–Rachford Algorithm for Solving Possibly Inconsistent Optimization Problems
Authors: Bauschke Heinz H. , Moursi Walaa M.
Published: March 2023

More than 40 years ago, Lions and Mercier introduced in a seminal paper the Douglas–Rachford algorithm. Today, this method is well-recognized as a classic and highly successful splitting method to find minimizers of the sum of two (not necessarily smooth) convex functions. Whereas the underlying theory has matured, one case remains a mystery: the behavior of the shadow sequence when the given functions have disjoint domains. Building on previous work, we establish for the first time weak and value convergence of the shadow sequence generated by the Douglas–Rachford algorithm in a setting of unprecedented generality. The weak limit point is shown to solve the associated normal problem, which is a minimal perturbation of the original optimization problem. We also present new results on the geometry of the minimal displacement vector.

Funding: The research of H. H. Bauschke and W. M. Moursi was partially supported by Discovery Grants of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada [Grants RGPIN-2018-03703 and RGPIN-2019-04803], respectively.
Psoriasis: treatment modalities and the need for multidisciplinary care
Authors: Ramadan Francesca
Published: March 2023

Francesca Ramadan provides an overview of the most common modalities and their associated cost and safety considerations, as well as emphasising the need for joined-up care to achieve optimal management.
Getting the bug
Authors: Russell Meredith Jones
Published: March 2023

Are children suffering a form of ‘immunity debt’ from lack of exposure to bugs during the pandemic? By Meredith Jones Russell
Responses of Swine Carcasses Continuously Exposed to 43°C Inside a Small-Scale Finishing Room
Authors: Weyer Sara E. , Ramirez Brett C. , Andersen Daniel Steven , Smith Benjamin
Published: March 2023

Highlights

Carcass and room temperatures, as well as CO, CO2, O2, and NH3, were continuously monitored.

NH3 release was approximately half when carcass leachate was removed from the shallow pit.

Gompertz and logistic models fit data well for daily carcass mass reduction and leachate production.

Abstract. A catastrophic mortality event for swine would present numerous challenges with the management and disposal of infected carcasses. This study explored a new strategy for biosecure in-barn processing of swine carcasses as an alternative to traditional management and disposal approaches. A small-scale, mobile laboratory with two discovery rooms (DRs), replicating a swine finishing facility, was constructed to execute tests of in-barn disposal methods. Carcasses were desiccated by subjection to heat at a room air temperature of 43°C (110°F) for 16 days. Three carcasses (average = 82 kg, SE=1.27 kg) were elevated over individual leachate collection systems in DRA, thereby removing leachate from the room. Three carcasses in DRB were placed on concrete slats with cumulative leachate collection in the pit below. Environmental data were collected for DR, outdoor, and slat temperatures; and CO2, CO, O2, and NH3 gas concentrations. Carcasses were characterized by rectal and shoulder temperature monitoring and daily weighing of carcasses and leachate in DRA. The air exchange rate for this unventilated system was quantified based on wind and thermal-driven infiltration. Room environments were compared for thermal performance and gas levels. Carcass temperatures were compared, and data suggested no significant impact of flooring material on internal carcass temperature. Gompertz and logistic models were fit to leachate production data and carcass mass reduction data. Ammonia generation rates were found to have a peak production rate of 96.5 g AU-1 day-1 (15.8 g animal-1 day-1) in DRA and 120 g AU-1 day-1 (19.7 g animal-1 day-1) in DRB. Over the study, the generation of NH3 in DRB (360 g) was nearly twice that of DRA (182 g) due to leachate removal. Further quantification and qualification of in-barn management strategies will better define biosecure disposal approaches in the event of a catastrophic mortality event. Keywords: Ammonia, Catastrophic event, Disposal, Foreign animal disease, Mortality management, Pig.
Dual Inductor Based Two Input Two Output DC-DC Converter and its Analysis for DC Microgrid Application
Authors: Aravind R. , Athikkal Sivaprasad , Meesala Ravi Eswar Kodumur , Reddy K. Jyotheeshwara , Dash Ritesh , Subburaj Vivekanandan
Published: March 2023

Two input two output DC-DC converters with two switched inductor structure are widespread in DC micro grid and Electric Vehicle (EV) applications with merits of solid structure, lower cost and high-power density. However, owing to the low voltage levels of the non-conventional sources used in the above applications, the significance of step up type DC-DC converters is so high. In this paper, a step up converter that is expert to deliver two different voltages at the output side from two different input energy sources is proposed as a new topology. It mainly contains two inductors for improving the voltage conversion ratio. Thorough analysis of converter has been performed with support of necessary equations and circuits. The performance assessment of DC-DC converter is done with simulation and experimental platforms and required waveforms are presented. A comparative study of the proposed converter is also fulfilled to signify the better features of the converter.
El árbol paremiológico de Pedro
Authors: Iglesias Ovejero Ángel
Published: March 2023

Este artículo pretende mostrar que la paremiología requiere un tratamiento multidisciplinar. Para ello se practica un análisis semiolingüístico del antropónimo Pedro y sus formas derivadas, compuestas y complejas, de las que se contabilizan unas 250 ocurrencias en el corpus del Refranero hasta el siglo XX. Pedro adquiere un estatuto peculiar de sustituto y, sobre todo en sus combinaciones nominales, designa tipos sociales (como tipónimo) en dicho corpus, en que además de las paremias, los paremiógrafos han incluido formulaciones breves descriptivas, dialogadas y mixtas, análogas a los textos de la lírica, el dialogismo y la narrativa popular. El componente onomástico en el Refranero remite, en parte, a lo que este tiene de sedimento de la cultura oral u oralizada, e indirectamente al inaccesible juego de la conversación, en la cual, además de tipónimo, Pedro ha sido objeto de juego verbal (como ludónimo), según se comprueba también en los grandes autores clásicos.
The Expression of Evidentiality in Spoken and Written Texts: Empirical Approaches to Romance Languages
Authors: Sentí i Pons Andreu
Published: March 2023

Evidentiality is a grammatical category that encodes information source as its primary meaning. The information can be: acquired through direct perception, reported by others (hearsay) or inferred by the speaker upon considering the information that is available. Languages with an evidential grammatical category have morphemes with a primary evidential value (Aikhenvald 2004). Nevertheless, Romance languages, like many other languages, have a tense- modal system and lack an evidential grammatical category, instead of which several lexical units or certain constructions convey information source. This special issue is devoted to some of those items, such as modal adverbs, evidential meanings developed from tenses such as the conditional, and certain (semi)grammaticalized markers using SAY-verbs and SEE-verbs. These evidential strategies are good examples of the lexical-grammatical continuum (Cornillie 2007b, Squartini 2008, Pietrandrea 2007, Diewald & Smirnova 2010).
How Evidential is the Epistemic Conditional?
Authors: Celle Agnès
Published: March 2023

This paper aims to reassess how —and if— the epistemic conditional in French relates to evidentiality, focusing on its use in reportative and non-reportative declarative sentences as well as in conjectural polar questions. It is proposed that the epistemic conditional developed from the modal hypothetical use, which accounts for its ability to establish an epistemic frame. The epistemic conditional is defined as a construction that conveys an assumption whatever the source of information. It is claimed that the epistemic conditional does not primarily encode information source. Although the epistemic nature of the epistemic conditional makes it prone to draw on reportative evidence, it is not primarily an evidential marker. Nonetheless, the epistemic conditional is claimed to have indirect evidential and mirative extensions. Rather than the type of information source, the conditional encodes the speaker’s lack of control over information, which affects her level of commitment. Such an approach allows handling the different uses of the epistemic conditional in declarative sentences as well as in conjectural questions in a unified way.
On the Political Use of the Reportative Conditional in Italian Newspapers
Authors: Greco Paolo
Published: March 2023

The labels condizionale riportivo (reportative conditional) or condizionale citativo (quotative conditional) are employed to describe certain uses of the conditional mood in Italian, particularly when the conditional marks the non-firsthand nature of a given piece of information. This use of the conditional is particularly frequent in the language of newspapers. However, reportative conditionals may also carry epistemic overtones, and they are used by speakers when they want to stress that they are not committed to the truthfulness of the information reported. Depending on the context, a reportative conditional can be either a purely evidential marker, or an evidential marker with epistemic overtones. Some Italian (trained) speakers exploit this ambiguity as a strategy to play on the two possible interpretations. This strategy is particularly significant in contexts in which the speaker is supposed to be neutral and, as such, must refrain from expressing her/his epistemic stance when recounting events. In this paper, after an analysis of the different sections of newspapers in which reportative conditionals occur, I will discuss one particular use of reportative conditionals in Italian newspapers, i.e. the “political” use of conditionals. To this end, I will carry out a qualitative analysis of some excerpts from newspapers published between the second half of the 19th century and today. In particular, it will be shown that journalists often take advantage of the ambiguities underlying reportative conditionals in Italian, in order to discredit the political position of a person (or group) without overtly questioning it.
"Es que nuestro idioma es mejor que el vuestro": Contacto lingüístico español-francés en el siglo XIX en Santiago de Cuba a través de las páginas de "El Redactor"
Authors: Bonne Bravo Arcilio , Causse Cathcart Mercedes
Published: March 2023

La relación entre los hablantes de lenguas diferentes establecidas en diversas circunstancias presupone un intercambio del que resultan interpenetraciones, en mayor o en menor grado, entre las lenguas implicadas. Una situación de esta naturaleza se hizo presente en Santiago de Cuba en el siglo XIX cuando como resultado de la Revolución de Haití se establece una oleada migratoria hacia esta región del país que luego se mantuvo desde Francia. Este trabajo centra su interés en el contacto ocurrido entre el español y el francés en Santiago de Cuba durante el siglo XIX y cómo la prensa de la época refleja algunas de sus manifestaciones, para ello se realiza el análisis de varios textos y especialmente una crónica aparecida en el periódico El Redactor, en la que se pone de manifiesto las actitudes lingüísticas y la manera en que esta situación de contacto es percibida por algunos de los habitantes de la ciudad.
Evaluations of nanoparticle capture and transport methods in dielectric bowtie core capillaries
Authors: Tsubokawa Makoto , Feng Weinan , Wang Zihao
Published: March 2023

We propose a flexibly tunable and low-loss optical burette with an all-dielectric bowtie core capillary structure, where nanoparticle arrays can be transported bidirectionally with incident light from one end. Multiple hot spots, acting as optical traps, are periodically distributed at the center of the bowtie cores along the propagation direction because of the mode interference effect of guided lights. By adjusting the beam waist position, the hot spots continuously move across the entire capillary length; thus, trapped nanoparticles also transfer with the hot spots. The bidirectional transfer can be realized simply by changing the beam waist in the forward or backward direction. We confirmed that nanosized polystyrene spheres can be bidirectionally moved along a capillary length of ≈ 20 μm. Furthermore, the magnitude of the optical force can be adjusted using the incident angle and beam waist width, whereas the trapping period can be adjusted using the incident wavelength. These results were evaluated using the finite-difference time-domain method. We believe that this new approach can be extensively used in the field of biochemical and life sciences because of the properties of an all-dielectric structure, bidirectional transportation, and single incident light.
Physics-based tissue simulator to model multicellular systems: A study of liver regeneration and hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence
Authors: Luque Luciana Melina , Carlevaro Carlos Manuel , Llamoza Torres Camilo Julio , Lomba Enrique
Published: March 2023

We present a multiagent-based model that captures the interactions between different types of cells with their microenvironment, and enables the analysis of the emergent global behavior during tissue regeneration and tumor development. Using this model, we are able to reproduce the temporal dynamics of regular healthy cells and cancer cells, as well as the evolution of their three-dimensional spatial distributions. By tuning the system with the characteristics of the individual patients, our model reproduces a variety of spatial patterns of tissue regeneration and tumor growth, resembling those found in clinical imaging or biopsies. In order to calibrate and validate our model we study the process of liver regeneration after surgical hepatectomy in different degrees. In the clinical context, our model is able to predict the recurrence of a hepatocellular carcinoma after a 70% partial hepatectomy. The outcomes of our simulations are in agreement with experimental and clinical observations. By fitting the model parameters to specific patient factors, it might well become a useful platform for hypotheses testing in treatments protocols.
Genomic analysis of Leishmania turanica strains from different regions of Central Asia
Authors: Novozhilova Tatiana S. , Chistyakov Daniil S. , Akhmadishina Lyudmila V. , Lukashev Alexander N. , Gerasimov Evgeny S. , Yurchenko Vyacheslav
Published: March 2023

The evolution in Leishmania is governed by the opposite forces of clonality and sexual reproduction, with vicariance being an important factor. As such, Leishmania spp. populations may be monospecific or mixed. Leishmania turanica in Central Asia is a good model to compare these two types. In most areas, populations of L. turanica are mixed with L. gerbilli and L. major. Notably, co-infection with L. turanica in great gerbils helps L. major to withstand a break in the transmission cycle. Conversely, the populations of L. turanica in Mongolia are monospecific and geographically isolated. In this work, we compare genomes of several well-characterized strains of L. turanica originated from monospecific and mixed populations in Central Asia in order to shed light on genetic factors, which may drive evolution of these parasites in different settings. Our results illustrate that evolutionary differences between mixed and monospecific populations of L. turanica are not dramatic. On the level of large-scale genomic rearrangements, we confirmed that different genomic loci and different types of rearrangements may differentiate strains originated from mixed and monospecific populations, with genome translocations being the most prominent example. Our data suggests that L. turanica has a significantly higher level of chromosomal copy number variation between the strains compared to its sister species L. major with only one supernumerary chromosome. This suggests that L. turanica (in contrast to L. major) is in the active phase of evolutionary adaptation.
Current evidences of the efficacy of mosquito mass-trapping interventions to reduce Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus populations and Aedes-borne virus transmission
Authors: Jaffal Ali , Fite Johanna , Baldet Thierry , Delaunay Pascal , Jourdain Frédéric , Mora-Castillo Ronald , Olive Marie-Marie , Roiz David
Published: March 2023

Background

Over the past decades, several viral diseases transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes—dengue, chikungunya, Zika—have spread outside of tropical areas. To limit the transmission of these viruses and preserve human health, the use of mosquito traps has been developed as a complement or alternative to other vector control techniques. The objective of this work was to perform a systematic review of the existing scientific literature to assess the efficacy of interventions based on adult mosquito trap to control Aedes population densities and the diseases they transmit worldwide.

Methods and findings

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic review was conducted using the PubMed and Scopus databases. Among the 19 selected papers, lethal ovitraps were used in 16 studies, host-seeking female traps in 3 studies. Furthermore, 16 studies focused on the control of Ae. aegypti. Our review showed great heterogeneity in the indicators used to assess trap efficacy: e.g., the number of host-seeking females, the number of gravid females, the proportion of positive containers, the viral infection rate in female mosquitoes or serological studies in residents. Regardless of the type of studied traps, the results of various studies support the efficacy of mass trapping in combination with classical integrated vector control in reducing Aedes density. More studies with standardized methodology, and indicators are urgently needed to provide more accurate estimates of their efficacy.

Conclusions

This review highlights gaps in the demonstration of the efficacy of mass trapping of mosquitoes in reducing viral transmission and disease. Thus, further large-scale cluster randomized controlled trials conducted in endemic areas and including epidemiological outcomes are needed to establish scientific evidence for the reduction of viral transmission risk by mass trapping targeting gravid and/or host-seeking female mosquitoes.
Multi-trophic occupancy modeling connects temporal dynamics of woodpeckers and beetle sign following fire
Authors: Tingley Morgan W. , Montgomery Graham A. , Wilkerson Robert L. , Cluck Daniel R. , Sawyer Sarah C. , Siegel Rodney B.
Published: March 2023

In conifer forests of western North America, wildlife populations can change rapidly in the decade following wildfire as trees die and animals respond to concomitant resource pulses that occur across multiple trophic levels. In particular, black-backed woodpeckers (Picoides arcticus) show predictable temporal increases then declines following fire; this trajectory is widely believed to be a response to the woodpeckers’ main prey, woodboring beetle larvae of the families Buprestidae and Cerambycidae, but we lack understanding of how abundances of these predators and prey may be associated in time or space. Here, we pair woodpecker surveys over 10 years with surveys of woodboring beetle sign and activity, collected at 128 survey plots across 22 recent fires, to ask whether accumulated beetle sign indicates current or past black-backed woodpecker occurrence, and whether that relationship is mediated by the number of years since fire. We test this relationship using an integrative multi-trophic occupancy model. Our results demonstrate that woodboring beetle sign is a positive indicator of woodpecker presence 1–3 years following fire, an uninformative indicator from 4–6 years after fire, and a negative indicator beginning 7 years following fire. Woodboring beetle activity, itself, is temporally variable and dependent on tree species composition, with beetle sign generally accumulating over time, particularly in stands with diverse tree communities, but decreasing over time inPinus-dominated stands where faster bark decay rates lead to brief pulses of beetle activity followed by rapid degradation of tree substrate and accumulated beetle sign. Altogether, the strong connections of woodpecker occurrence to beetle activity support prior hypotheses of how multi-trophic interactions govern rapid temporal dynamics of primary and secondary consumers in burned forests. While our results indicate that beetle sign is, at best, a rapidly shifting and potentially misleading measure of woodpecker occurrence, the better we understand the interacting mechanisms underlying temporally dynamic systems, the more successfully we will be able to predict the outcomes of management actions.
What drives the decoupling progress of China’s civil aviation transportation growth from carbon emissions? A new decomposition analysis
Authors: Liu Xiao , Zhang Yancai
Published: March 2023

Civil aviation carbon emission reduction is an inevitable requirement for achieving sustainable social development. Realizing the continuous expansion of air transportation scale while reducing the impact on the environment is particularly important. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately understand the relationship between civil aviation carbon emissions and the industry development. This study established a civil-aviation-pointed Tapio decoupling model to identify the decoupling state between transportation scale added and carbon dioxide emissions in China’s civil aviation sector. The index decomposition analysis method is further applied to decompose the factors influencing the changes in decoupling states. The empirical study generated three important findings. Firstly, the overall carbon emissions in the civil aviation sector are still growing, while the energy intensity has a tendency to fluctuate and decrease. Secondly, the relationship between carbon emissions and transport turnover is dominated by the expansive coupling, that is, the development of the civil aviation sector is still at the cost of the growth of energy consumption. Nevertheless, the overall decoupling stability is unstable, and the decoupling state is likely to be changed by many external factors. Thirdly, the energy intensity decoupling effect and industry structure decoupling effect are the main reasons for civil aviation carbon decoupling. Meanwhile, the improvement of national economic level during the research period is the dominant negative factor that restrains the carbon decoupling of the civil aviation sector.
Consumers’ knowledge and attitudes about food additives in the UAE
Authors: Osaili Tareq M. , Obaid Reyad S. , Alkayyali Sanaa A. I. , Ayman Hind , Bunni Sara M. , Alkhaled Shaema B. , Hasan Fayeza , Mohamad Maysm N. , Cheikh Ismail Leila
Published: March 2023

The use of food additives (FAs) in food manufacturing is a well-accepted practice worldwide. Inadequate knowledge concerning their safety may cause negative attitude surrounding their use. This would potentially impact the purchase of foods that the consumer perceives as containing FAs. This study aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes of consumers towards the use and safety of FAs in the UAE. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey distributed via social media platforms (n = 1037). Less than one-third of the participants (26.7%) in this study stated that they knew what FAs are. About half the respondents believed that organic products did not contain FAs. The proportion of respondents who reported that the purpose of adding FAs is to extend shelf life, better the taste and aroma of food, enhance nutritional value, improve consistency and texture, and boost appearance and color was 92.1%, 75.0%, 23.5%, 56.6%, and 69.4%, respectively. Around 61% believed that all FAs were harmful to human health. The level of FA knowledge increased with age and education level. About 60% of the respondents reported that food labels did not provide sufficient information about FAs. The most preferred platforms for consumers to receive information about FAs were social media (41.1%), followed by brochures (24.6%). Overall, the UAE population had inadequate knowledge and a hesitant attitude concerning FAs. The municipalities and food industry should play an active role in educating the public to prevent and reduce any possible adverse attitudes towards processed food products.
Hepatocellular carcinoma presentation and prognosis among Nigerian adults with and without HIV
Authors: Davwar Pantong M. , Okeke Edith , Duguru Mary , Nyam David , Bell Kristen , Odeghe Emuobor A. , Oyeleke Ganiat , Lesi Olufunmilayo A. , Singh Revika , Kim Kwang-Youn , Imade Godwin , Akanmu Alani S. , Sagay Atiene S. , Ogunsola Folasade T. , Peters Marion G. , Roberts Lewis R. , Hou Lifang , Murphy Robert L. , Hawkins Claudia A.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an increasing cause of mortality in Nigeria among persons with HIV (PLH), as access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves. In this study we describe clinical, radiological, and laboratory characteristics in Nigerian adults with HCC, with and without HIV, and examine how HIV impacts survival.

Methods

This prospective observational study was conducted between August 2018 and November 2021 at two Nigerian hospitals [Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)]. Subjects ≥18 years with HCC diagnosed according to American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) criteria were included. Baseline characteristics were compared, and Kaplan-Meier curves were generated to estimate survival.

Results

213 subjects [177 (83%) without HIV and 36 (17%) with HIV (PLH)] were enrolled. Median age was 52 years (IQR 42,60) and most subjects were male (71%). 83% PLH were on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity was similar between the two groups [91/177 (51%) without HIV vs. 18/36 (50%) with HIV; p = 0.86]. 46/213 (22%) subjects had active hepatitis C (anti-HCV+/HCV RNA>10 IU/mL). Cirrhosis was more common in PLH but there were no other significant differences in clinical and tumor characteristics between the groups. Overall, 99% subjects were symptomatic and 78% in late-stage HCC. Median overall survival was significantly shorter in PLH vs. without HIV (0.98 months vs 3.02 months, HR = 1.55, 95%CI 1.02, 2.37, p = 0.04). This association was not significant after adjusting for known risk factors including gender, current alcohol use, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), albumin, and total bilirubin (HR = 1.38, 95%CI 0.84, 2.29, p = 0.21).

Conclusion

HCC presented late with an extremely poor overall prognosis, highlighting the urgent need for more intensive surveillance in Nigeria to diagnose HCC at earlier stages. Early diagnosis and management of viral hepatitis, and access to HCC therapies, could prevent early mortality among persons with HCC, especially among PLH.
Come together: A unified description of the escalator capacity
Authors: Gnendiger Christoph , Chraibi Mohcine , Tordeux Antoine
Published: March 2023

We investigate a variety of aspects related to the simulation of passenger dynamics on escalators, mainly focusing on the discrepancy between the ‘theoretical’ and the ‘practical’ capacity that is observed for these facilities. The structure of the paper is twofold. In the first part, we introduce a space-continuous model to describe the transition of agents from walking on the plain to standing on the escalator. In the second part, we use numerical findings from simulations to study important measures like minimum distances between the standing agents and average occupancies of the escalator steps. One of the most important results obtained in this paper is a generalized analytical formula that describes the escalator capacity. We show that, apart from the conveyor speed, the capacity essentially depends on the time gap between entering passengers which we interpret as human reaction time. Comparing simulation results with corresponding empirical data from field studies and experiments, we deduce a minimum human reaction time in the range of 0.15s–0.30s which is in perfect agreement with results from social psychology. With these findings, it is now possible to determine accurately the relationship between the capacity and the speed of an escalator, allowing a science-based performance evaluation of buildings with escalators.