bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resolving complexity: Material flow analysis of a national wood flow system integrating the versatility of wood
Authors: Malinverno Nadia , Buschor Simon , Vogel Kealie , Schwarze Francis , Stadelmann Golo , Thürig Esther , Nowack Bernd , Nyström Gustav , Som Claudia
Published: October 2024

A systemic understanding of the use of wood resources is required to defossilize society and promote bio‐based developments. This study provides a novel approach to represent a comprehensive material flow analysis (MFA) spanning the entire wood value chain; encompassing wood harvest to products, use in society, collection, reuse, recycle, energy generation, and trade. By recognizing wood as a complex material, with changing properties throughout its lifespan, we developed a method where we employed a color‐coded system for processes (27 boxes) and 110 flows to symbolize distinct life stages and the dynamic characteristics, including 23 different trade flows. The wood processes and flows are categorized (11 categories) into different wood types (e.g., softwood and hardwood) and harmonized to include all available data on each single step of the wood life cycle, improving data traceability and visualization, and allowing for replicable analysis with respective data noted for each process and flow. Methodological obstacles due to different units, uncertainty of flows, and discrepancies in data are addressed and adjustments proposed. Switzerland was chosen as a case study as a large number of various types of data were available to perform the analysis. The categorized and harmonized flows of woody biomass mapped and analyzed in the MFA provide a comprehensive basis to identify and recommend avenues to increase cascading use of wood as a carbon sink, by considering relevant aspects like the network of flows and processes, the quality and availability of the woody biomass, and the organization of the industry.
From schools of thought to an ecology of practices: Categorizing circular economy's futures
Authors: Nolan Ryan , Morasae Esmaeil Khedmati , Michael Mike
Published: October 2024

In response to pressing societal challenges, scholars are increasingly focusing on research aimed at fostering sustainable futures. We contribute to that discussion by theorizing the circular economy (CE) as an “ecology of practices.” The ecology of practices concept helps to make sense of a developing field that has been heavily practitioner‐driven. Through an analysis of the diverse CE practices in analytical and operational contexts, we investigate the roles, disciplinary influences, and visions for the future and categorize their trajectories. Drawing on the sociology of expectations, we consider the articulations of CE in practice, advocating for inclusive dialogue among stakeholders and collective engagement with ontological multiplicity in shaping CE futures. We propose a framework that contributes to broader debates in organization and management studies, emphasizing the significance of everyday practices in shaping sustainable futures beyond the realm of CE. In so doing, we focus on unpicking how sustainable futures are variously enacted as a way of enabling collaboration that might otherwise be hindered by disciplinary obligations.
Raising relational legal consciousness through co‐production research? Making law more accessible
Authors: HARDING ROSIE , KEELING AMANDA
Published: October 2024

This article offers co‐production as a new methodology for relational approaches to legal consciousness studies that allows for deeper analysis of and engagement with the everyday experience of law. We argue that the inherent relationality of co‐production has the potential to both expose and change legal consciousness. As an approach that equalizes status in the co‐production of knowledge, social structures and hierarchies are reproduced in real time, allowing the relational networks through which legal consciousness is formed to emerge. We demonstrate both the possibility and the value of this approach through a discussion of early findings from a co‐produced project focused on accessible legal information for disabled people with cognitive impairments. Our emerging data show that disabled people's experience as ‘outsiders’ in their communities, and the barriers to justice that they encounter through being not believed or information being given in inaccessible formats, creates uncertainty and distrust of the utility of legal professionals as routes for resolution – even as they express a desire for formal legal process. These data also show that engaging with co‐production work can increase the legal confidence of people from marginalized groups.
Psychosocial impact of alopecia areata in paediatric and adolescent populations: A systematic review
Authors: Tan Isabella J , Jafferany Mohammad
Published: October 2024

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder characterised by sudden hair loss, and can range from patchy baldness to more severe forms such as alopecia totalis and universalis. Hair loss can have a profound impact on self‐esteem and body image, particularly during childhood and adolescence. Understanding the psychosocial impact of alopecia areata in paediatric and adolescent populations is crucial to address the emotional and social challenges faced by these patients. The aim is to review the existing literature for clinical studies and reports investigating the psychosocial impact of alopecia areata in paediatric and adolescent populations. A systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed, Cochrane and Embase databases from inception to July 2023. Included articles assessed the psychosocial impact of alopecia areata in paediatric and adolescent populations. Of 79 total articles, 10 were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. Several studies highlighted self‐esteem, emotional distress and social challenges as features of psychosocial manifestations. Factors such as stress, psychiatric comorbidities and familial issues are significantly associated with alopecia areata in these populations. The heterogeneity of studies precluded data synthesis and analysis. A majority of the included studies evaluated short‐term findings. Alopecia areata has significant psychosocial impacts in paediatric and adolescent populations, with studies emphasising the negative effects on self‐esteem, body image and quality of life. Additional research is required to better elucidate this relationship and draw meaningful conclusions to guide clinical support and interventions.
Prevalence and determinants of stunting and anaemia in children aged 6–23 months: A multilevel analysis from rural Ethiopia
Authors: Guja Habtamu , Belgiu Mariana , Baye Kaleab , Stein Alfred
Published: October 2024

Low‐ and middle‐income countries shoulder the greatest burden of stunting and anaemia in children. This calls for prompt and effective intervention measures, while the contributing factors are not fully understood. This study evaluates determinants spanning from individual‐, household‐ and community levels including agroecology and antinutrients as unique sets of predictors. Primary data were collected from 660 rural households representing the midland (ML), highland, and upper highland (UHL) agroecological zones from northern Ethiopia. The study relates several predictors to stunting and anaemia in children aged 6–23 months. We found 49.1% and 49.7% of children were stunted and anaemic, respectively. Children living in the ML are approximately twice more likely to be stunted adjusted odds ratio (AOR: 1.869; 95% CI: 1.147–3.043) than in the UHL. The risk of stunting increases by 16.3% and 41.9% for every unit increase in phytate‐to‐zinc and phytate‐to‐iron molar ratios, respectively. A 10% increase in mean aggregated crop yield was observed to reduce the likelihood of stunting occurrence by 13.6%. Households lacking non‐farm income‐generating opportunities, travel longer time to access the marketplace and poor health service utilisation were associated with increased risk of stunting. Low diversity of child's diet, age of the child (18–23 months) and mothers at a younger age are significantly associated with stunting. Risk of anaemia in children is high amongst households with unimproved water, sanitation, and hygiene practices, younger age (6–11 months) and mostly occurs amongst boys. Children in the ML had a 55% reduced risk of being anaemic (AOR: 0.446; 95% CI: 0.273–0.728) as compared to the UHL. Therefore, the influence of these factors should be considered to tailor strategies for reducing undernutrition in children of 6–23 months in rural Ethiopia. Interventions should go beyond the administrative boundaries into targeting agroecological variation.
Effects of opium tincture on gastrointestinal function and motility in healthy volunteers: A magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Mark Esben Bolvig , Okdahl Tina , Kahlke Daniel Gerdt , Hansen Line Elise Møller , Krogh Klaus , Frøkjær Jens Brøndum , Drewes Asbjørn Mohr
Published: October 2024

Background

Opioids inhibit motility and secretion of the gut and have been used for antidiarrheal treatment for centuries. However, the underlying mechanisms of opium tincture are not evident.

Aim

To investigate the effects of opium tincture on gastrointestinal motility, intestinal volumes, and water content of different gut segments assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

Twenty healthy volunteers were included in a randomized, placebo‐controlled, crossover study of 9 days of treatment with 30 drops of opium tincture per day. MRI was performed on day 1 (before treatment) and day 9 (during treatment). Measurements included assessments of gastric volume, gastric emptying, gastric motility, small bowel volume, small bowel water content, small bowel motility, colon volume, colon water content, and whole gut transit.

Key Results

Opium tincture delayed gastric emptying by a mean difference of 5.6 min [95% CI: 1.8–9.4], p = 0.004, and increased postprandial gastric meal volume (17–21%, p = 0.02). Small bowel endpoints did not change. Opium tincture delayed whole gut transit time (p = 0.027) and increased ascending colon volume by 59 mL [95% CI: 15–103], p = 0.004, and transverse colon volume by 48 mL [95% CI: 4–92], p = 0.027. T1‐relaxation time of the descending colon chyme was decreased during opium treatment, indicating dryer feces (difference: −173 ms [95% CI: −336 ‐11], p = 0.03).

Conclusion and Inferences

Opium tincture induced changes in the stomach and colon in healthy volunteers. An improved understanding of how opioids affect gut functions may lead to a better understanding and optimized management of diarrhea.
Desmoplastic Fibroma of the Gnathic Bones—A Systematic Review
Authors: Loureiro Felippe José Almeida , Nogueira Wictor Rodrigues , Dutra Mateus José , Stelter Grazielle Oliveira , Schuch Lauren Frenzel , Silveira Felipe Martins , Wagner Vivian Petersen , Martins Manoela Domingues , Martins Marco Antônio Trevizani
Published: October 2024

Objective

To summarize published information about the desmoplastic fibroma of the gnathic bones into a descriptive analysis of the main features of this condition.

Material and Methods

A systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Electronic search was performed in four databases and in the gray literature. Case reports and case series were included. Frequencies were obtained for descriptive analysis.

Results

We identified 66 articles, for a total of 96 cases. Female patients (55.8%) in the first decade of life (40.6%) with a mean age of 18.2 years were more affected. The mandible was the most affected bone with 81.2% of the cases. The main clinical feature was painless swelling (54.2%). Most of the imaging examinations (radiological, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance) showed well‐defined radiolucencies (65.4%) lesions. The treatment was surgical removal in all cases. The recurrence rate was 10.8% and all in the posterior mandible. Spindle cell fibroblasts in a collagenized stroma were often described in the histopathological features. Vimentin, smooth muscle actin, and β‐catenin were common immunohistochemical markers.

Conclusion

Desmoplastic fibroma is a locally aggressive lesion that commonly affects the jaws in children. Histopathology is essential for diagnosis, and the pathogenesis of this tumor should be further investigated.
Above‐ and belowground plant pathogens along elevational gradients: patterns and potential mechanisms
Authors: Lin Ziyuan , Halliday Fletcher W. , Zhang Peng , Wang Xingxing , Chen Fei , Shi Anya , Shi Juanjuan , Xiao Yao , Liu Xiang
Published: October 2024

Plant pathogens are important for community assembly and ecosystem functioning and respond to a variety of abiotic and biotic factors, which may change along elevational gradients. Thus, elevational gradients are a valuable model system for exploring how environmental, plant community and soil factors influence pathogen communities. Yet, how these factors influence pathogens in natural ecosystems remains poorly understood. We examined the dynamics of plant fungal pathogens along elevational gradients, as well as the mechanisms shaping these dynamics, by combining a field survey on the Tibetan Plateau with a global meta‐analysis. In the field survey, increasing elevation was associated with a decrease in soil fungal pathogen richness but not in foliar fungal disease symptoms. Elevation was primarily related to soil fungal pathogen richness through abiotic factors, whereas no association was found between elevation and foliar fungal diseases. The meta‐analysis confirmed the generality of our field survey results: elevation was associated with a decrease in soil fungal pathogen richness, but it had no consistent relationship with foliar fungal diseases or pathogens. Thus, above‐ and belowground plant pathogen communities showed distinct elevational patterns, providing new insights into underlying mechanisms.
Native tree promotes invasion when native grasses are absent
Authors: Eugenia Estanga‐Mollica María , Hierro Jose L.
Published: October 2024

Despite the expected co‐occurrence of effects from resident species, the environment, and disturbance on non‐natives, these factors have largely been treated as acting separately. Co‐occurring factors may, however, act in combination to result in a powerful, yet little explored, mechanism of invasion. Here, we addressed three hypotheses to explain the localized invasion of the non‐native Chenopodium album (Chenopodium) under the canopy of the dominant native tree Neltuma caldenia (Neltuma) in central Argentina. First, we evaluated that Neltuma favors Chenopodium by modifying environmental conditions, and specifically assessed the importance of soil versus that of the microclimate created by Neltuma shade. Second, we tested that Neltuma benefits Chenopodium by promoting under its canopy (calden microsite) the dominance of a grass species, Nassella tenuissima (Nassella), that exerts weaker competitive effects on Chenopodium than those exerted by the dominant grass, Piptochaetium napostaense (Piptochaetium), in adjacent communities free of the tree (open microsite). Lastly, we explored that the invasion of Chenopodium is mediated by disturbance. Chenopodium displayed increased biomass and fecundity (performance) in soil from calden relative to that from open microsites, whereas it exhibited no response to shade treatments. Also, Chenopodium performance in pots with Nassella was similar to that in pots with Piptochaetium. Finally, Chenopodium performance was much greater in pots with no initial plants than in those with grasses. Importantly, in pots without plants, Chenopodium performed much better in calden than open microsites, but in pots with grasses, Chenopodium performance exhibited no differences between microsites. These findings suggest that disturbance mediates Chenopodium invasion in calden microsites. Specifically, disturbance may weaken strong competitive effects from native grasses on Chenopodium, allowing this non‐native herb to benefit from favorable soil conditions under Neltuma. The combined action of natives enhancing resource levels and disturbance providing access to them could be a general mechanism of invasion.
Examining the Safety of Dorsogluteal and Ventrogluteal Sites for Intramuscular Injection in Older Adults
Authors: Yalcin Atar Nurdan , Altan Melis Deniz , Kaymaz Erhan
Published: October 2024

Background

Muscle, subcutaneous tissue and total tissue thicknesses are important factors in successful intramuscular injection. Muscle mass decreases and subcutaneous tissue increases with age. This may negatively affect the safety and effectiveness of intramuscular injection in older adults by increasing the risk of bone contact and subcutaneous drug administration. Intramuscular injection sites should be evaluated in this respect, but no previous study has evaluated the most appropriate sites for safe and effective intramuscular injection in older adults.

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the safety of dorsogluteal and ventrogluteal injection sites in older adults.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 171 older adults who presented to the radiology clinic of a hospital between November 2022 and February 2023. We collected the study data using a descriptive characteristics form and an ultrasonographic measurement form. To complete the descriptive characteristics form, we interviewed the participants and measured their waist circumference, hip circumference, weight and height. Muscle, subcutaneous tissue and total tissue thicknesses at the ventrogluteal and dorsogluteal sites were determined by ultrasonography. This study followed the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guideline.

Results

At the ventrogluteal and dorsogluteal sites, respectively, total tissue thicknesses were 59.43 ± 11.21 and 48.78 ± 9.68 mm, subcutaneous tissue thicknesses were 20.07 ± 6.64 and 22.97 ± 7.40 mm and muscle thicknesses were 40.13 ± 5.59 and 25.61 ± 4.30 mm. Tissue thicknesses at both sites differed according to sex, weight, hip circumference and waist circumference (p < 0.05). Although both sites were acceptable according to the tissue thickness thresholds for intramuscular injection given in the literature (subcutaneous tissue < 25 mm, total tissue > 35 mm), the ventrogluteal site was more advantageous in terms of greater muscle thickness and lower subcutaneous tissue thickness.

Conclusions

The results of this study indicated that both the ventrogluteal and dorsogluteal sites are safe for intramuscular injections in older adults in terms of tissue thickness. However, the ventrogluteal site may be safer for older adults because of the lower risk of bone contact and subcutaneous injection. Further studies are needed on this subject.

Implications for Practice

This study is important in terms of determining the safe and effective gluteal site for IM injection in older people aged 65 and over, preventing complications that may arise from site selection, and developing nursing policies that consider older people as a special group in the selection of IM injection sites.
Deprivation and NHS General Ophthalmic Service sight testing activity in England in 2022–2023
Authors: Harper Robert A. , Hooper Jeremy , Parkins David J. , Fenerty Cecilia H. , Roach James , Bowen Michael
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Socioeconomic deprivation is associated with an increased incidence of sight‐loss. To inform potential developments in eyecare, General Ophthalmic Service (GOS) sight‐testing activity was explored in relation to deprivation for GOS contractors submitting National Health Service (NHS) claims in England.

Methods

Data on NHS sight‐test claims for the financial year 2022–2023 were sought from NHS England (NHSE), including number of sight‐tests by GOS contractors, their unique Organisation Data Service codes and postcodes and age‐bands of patients accessing sight‐testing. Deprivation scores were assigned to contractor practices using the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and the average number of sight‐tests for all contractors within each IMD decile calculated, allowing rate of sight‐testing per 1000 population per decile of deprivation to be estimated using Office of National Statistics (ONS) Lower Layer Super Output Area mid‐year population estimates. Inequality was examined using the Odds Ratio (OR) and slope and relative index of inequality measures (SSI and RII).

Results

Overall, 12.94 million NHS sight‐tests were provided by 5622 GOS contractors in England in 2022–2023. Most affluent decile GOS contractors undertook an average ~2200 NHS sight‐tests, while in the most deprived decile, average NHS sight‐tests per contractor was ~1100. Rate of sight‐testing per 1000 population in the most deprived decile was one quarter of that in the most affluent, with an OR of 5.29 (95% CI 5.27–5.30), indicating those in the most affluent areas were ~five times more likely to access NHS sight‐tests. Overall, SII and RII were 333.5 (95% CI 333.52–333.53) and 6.4 (95% CI 6.39–6.40), respectively, findings reflective of substantial inequality in uptake.

Conclusion

There remains substantial unwarranted variation in uptake of NHS sight‐testing, with those in more affluent areas accessing sight‐testing substantially more than those in more deprived areas. Strategies are required to facilitate primary care optometry to provide more equitable access to eyecare.
Subjective quasi‐vector‐based refraction with a conventional phoropter
Authors: Albero Moreno Jose Ricardo , Albarrán Diego Cesar , Micó Vicente
Published: October 2024

Purpose

To introduce a novel methodology for subjective refraction based on power vectors with a conventional phoropter.

Methods

A conventional phoropter was used to measure power vector components of refraction (M, J0 and J45) directly by using the sphere power (for M measurement) and the cylinder power combined with the Jackson cross‐cylinders (for J0 and J45 measurements). Conventional subjective refraction was also performed, and this result was mathematically transformed into power vector notation for comparison purposes. Visual acuities with the conventional prescription and the quasi‐vector‐based prescription were compared.

Results

Refractive error from 40 healthy participants was measured by conventional and quasi‐vector‐based subjective refraction. No differences were found between methods for any of the power vector components of refraction (p > 0.21 in all cases). The visual acuity achieved with the prescriptions yielded similar values (p = 0.85).

Conclusions

Subjective refraction can be measured directly in power vector notation using a conventional phoropter without any additional adaptation and computation.
Revealing the use of dental indices to infer taxonomic variation in sauropod dinosaurs
Authors: Frauenfelder Timothy G. , Birch Sienna A. , Bell Phil R. , Campione Nicolás E.
Published: October 2024

Sauropod teeth are commonly categorized taxonomically by two well‐established measurement indices: slenderness index (SI; apicobasal height/mesiodistal width), which quantifies breadth, and compression index (CI; labiolingual width/mesiodistal width), which quantifies cross‐sectional circularity. Although both indices are used to infer high‐level taxonomic affinities, little is known about the linear relationships between the constituent measurements or how the indices vary intra‐cranially and at lower taxonomic levels. Here, we evaluate these relationships using a novel dataset of sauropod teeth (N = 898) spanning all major sauropod groups. Results for both indices indicate significant differential scaling within Sauropodomorpha, both in slope and elevation. Broad‐crowned sauropods mostly display positive allometry in SI compared to isometry in narrow‐crowned sauropods. However, this distinction is less clear with CI as most sauropods display isometry, whilst non‐sauropod sauropodomorphs (e.g. Plateosauridae) display positive allometry. An anova reveals SI varies significantly with genus and tooth position. Specifically, jaw type (maxilla and dentary) is significant within Plateosauridae, whilst tooth position is significant within titanosaurs. Overall, variation within CI is restricted to genus. Our findings reveal that whilst indices have taxonomic utility, there are caveats. The measurements used to calculate the indices exhibit significant allometry, indicating that index values are size‐dependent. Furthermore, the indices may not accurately reflect size heterodont conditions present among early‐branching sauropodomorphs. Our study highlights the importance of quantifying taxonomic relationships of measurement data, which can be used to inform hypotheses regarding the physiological and palaeoecological drivers influencing tooth shape evolution.
Clinical and imaging correlates of hyperorality in syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration
Authors: Altomare Daniele , Bracca Valeria , Premi Enrico , Micheli Anna , Cotelli Maria Sofia , Gasparotti Roberto , Alberici Antonella , Borroni Barbara
Published: October 2024

Aim

Empirical research investigating hyperorality in syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is limited. The present study aims to assess and describe hyperorality and its clinical and imaging correlates in patients with FTLD‐associated syndromes.

Methods

This retrospective longitudinal study included consecutive patients with FTLD who underwent a clinical, cognitive, and behavioral assessment. The presence and severity of hyperorality was assessed using the Frontal Behavior Inventory.

Results

A total of 712 patients with FTLD were included in the study. Hyperorality was reported by 29% (204 of 712 [95% CI: 25–32%]) of patients; was more frequent in those with severe dementia than in those with prodromal or mild to moderate dementia (P < 0.05); was associated with younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.96 [95% CI: 0.94–0.99]), (P = 0.003) and positive family history for dementia (OR = 2.03 [95% CI: 1.18–3.49], P = 0.010); was overall more probable in the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and frontotemporal dementia with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis phenotypes, and less probable in other language or motor phenotypes; and was associated with higher severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms (OR = 1.08 [95% CI: 1.06–1.10], P < 0.001) and with the presence of several behavioral symptoms (P < 0.05). Moreover, hyperorality severity increased over time only in patients with bvFTD (β = +0.15, P = 0.011) or semantic variant of primary progressive aphasia (β = +0.34, P = 0.010). Finally, the presence of hyperorality was significantly associated with greater atrophy in the right anterior insula and right orbitofrontal region (false discovery rate–corrected P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Hyperorality is common in certain FTLD‐associated syndromes. Understanding its correlates can help clinicians define pharmacological and educational interventions and clarify related anatomical circuits.
Identification and characterization of NHX gene family for their role under salt stress in Vigna mungo
Authors: Kumar Kuldeep , Jha Sudhir Kumar , Kumar Vaibhav , Sagar Pritee , Tripathi Sandhya , Rathore Meenal , Singh Awnindra Kumar , Soren Khela Ram , Dixit Girish Prasad
Published: October 2024

In the current study, we have performed a comprehensive analysis of the Sodium Hydrogen Exchanger (NHX) gene family in Vigna mungo, and a total of 44 NHX genes were identified. A bimodal distribution based on domains, gene structure and phylogenetic analysis was evident. All intronpoor and intron‐rich genes were clustered in clades I and II, respectively. Interestingly, all genes of subclade IIb were localized to vacuoles and possess only the NHX domain. The isoelectric point and trans‐membrane domain analysis reflect the wide distribution of the NHX genes. Interestingly, Vm_NHX2 and Vm_NHX3 lacked trans‐membrane domain but were found to interact with other NHX genes as well as vital salinity pathway genes, including calcium‐mediated salt‐responsive genes. The comparison of the mRNA sequences with that of V. marina, a halophytic species, reflects their independent evolution, majorly supporting the convergent evolution. The Ka/Ks ratio reflects the abundance of purifying selection supporting their conserved function during evolution. In our analysis, several abiotic stress and hormone‐responsive elements and transcription factor binding sites were present in the promoter of the NHX genes. Further, the ion partitioning of a tolerant (K90) and a susceptible (K49) variety of V. mungo suggested that K90 managed the Na+/K+ ratio more affluently, which was also supported by profiling of superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide, phenol, peroxidase activity and superoxide dismutase activity. From the expression, we identified five candidate Vm_NHX genes, four of which, i.e. Vm_NHX16, Vm_NHX17, Vm_NHX29 and Vm_NHX33, were localized to the vacuolar and lysosomal membrane.
Metaphors Realized in Narrative: A New Direction for Biblical Metaphor
Authors: Brownsmith Esther
Published: October 2024

An insight of Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) is that metaphor is more than a mere literary device; it influences readers through cognitive connections. Yet biblical metaphors have most often been studied in poetic, theological contexts and within linguistic rhetorical devices like “YHWH is my shepherd.” In contrast, some of the most ideologically powerful metaphors are those that shape the Hebrew Bible's prose stories. These metaphors reify cultural constructs and experiences, making them seem “natural.” The study of realized metaphor—metaphor embodied as a literal narrative feature—offers a new pathway for applying CMT to narrative texts, even those without overt linguistic metaphors. This article surveys the history of realized metaphors in literary theory, then provides some brief examples of biblical texts where a CMT approach reveals metaphors embedded in the fabric of the narrative. It concludes with a challenge: how can we extend metaphor theory to the full range of biblical texts, poetry and prose alike, in order to understand how metaphor shapes human perception in the past and the present?
Deviance, Discourses, and Everyday Rationalities of Sports Betting in Singapore
Authors: Tan Manfred , Antolihao Lou
Published: October 2024

More liberal regulations and technological advances have spurred the growth of sports betting around the world. Given its long‐standing association with various social ills, how do sports bettors justify their gambling activities? This paper looks into the guiding principles and everyday practices of sports betting participants in Singapore. Based on qualitative research, it argues that sports bettors distinguish their activities by following a distinctive rationality that we call “benevolent play.” This concept refers to gambling practices where goodwill and charity serve as a justification for the potential of losing their bets and for their continued participation in sports betting. Apart from latching on the use of regulated gambling by state‐affiliated agencies to support development programs and charitable causes, benevolent play also emphasizes the sense of agency (football knowledge) and emotional investment (“play”) that sports bettors wage on their teams and communities. Generally, this study will contribute to the understanding of gambling culture and the larger discussions on deviance and social control.
Public Rights Orientations and Views on Long‐Term Care Options for Children in the Child Protection System: An Analysis of Representative Samples of Adults in California, USA and Norway
Authors: Berrick Jill Duerr , Helland Hege Stein , Skivenes Marit
Published: October 2024

This study examines a representative sample of adults in California (USA) and Norway, and their attitudes toward adoption versus foster care in a child protection case. The results show that a majority of people favour adoption for a child who has been removed due to maltreatment and cannot be reunified with birth parents. The study examines if people's rights orientation, favouring children or adults, or favouring birth parents or adoptive parents, or their institutional context explain their preferences about long‐term care options. Data material consist of representative samples of the population in California (USA) and Norway (n = 2222), using a vignette survey design. Findings suggest that individuals with a child rights position favour adoption, but attitudes about birth parents' and adoptive parents' rights are not related to care option choices. Institutional context, anchored in policy feedback literature, partly explains the preference for adoption and the population's rights orientation. Further studies are necessary to confirm the role of rights attitudes and institutional context.
ARR1 and ARR12 modulate arsenite toxicity responses in Arabidopsis roots by transcriptionally controlling the actions of NIP1;1 and NIP6;1
Authors: Zhang Ping , Liu Fei , Abdelrahman Mostafa , Song Qianqian , Wu Fei , Li Ruishan , Wu Min , Herrera‐Estrella Luis , Tran Lam‐Son Phan , Xu Jin
Published: October 2024

Cytokinin is central to coordinating plant adaptation to environmental stresses. Here, we first demonstrated the involvement of cytokinin in Arabidopsis responses to arsenite [As(III)] stress. As(III) treatment reduced cytokinin contents, while cytokinin treatment repressed further primary root growth in Arabidopsis plants under As(III) stress. Subsequently, we revealed that the cytokinin signaling members ARR1 and ARR12, the type‐B ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATORs, participate in cytokinin signaling‐mediated As(III) responses in plants as negative regulators. A comprehensive transcriptome analysis of the arr1 and arr12 single and arr1,12 double mutants was then performed to decipher the cytokinin signaling‐mediated mechanisms underlying plant As(III) stress adaptation. Results revealed important roles for ARR1 and ARR12 in ion transport, nutrient responses, and secondary metabolite accumulation. Furthermore, using hierarchical clustering and regulatory network analyses, we identified two NODULIN 26‐LIKE INTRINSIC PROTEIN (NIP)‐encoding genes, NIP1;1 and NIP6;1, potentially involved in ARR1/12‐mediated As(III) uptake and transport in Arabidopsis. By analyzing various combinations of arr and nip mutants, including high‐order triple and quadruple mutants, we demonstrated that ARR1 and ARR12 redundantly function as negative regulators of As(III) tolerance by acting upstream of NIP1;1 and NIP6;1 to modulate their function in arsenic accumulation. ChIP–qPCR, EMSA, and transient dual‐LUC reporter assays revealed that ARR1 and ARR12 transcriptionally activate the expression of NIP1;1 and NIP6;1 by directly binding to their promoters and upregulating their expression, leading to increased arsenic accumulation under As(III) stress. These findings collectively provide insights into cytokinin signaling‐mediated plant adaptation to excessive As(III), contributing to the development of crops with low arsenic accumulation.
Media Narratives on China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Nepal: Impact on Nepal-China Relations
Authors: BK Lok Bahadur , Dai Yonghong , Poudel Ashok , Devkota Dipak
Published: October 2024

China and Nepal have signed a number of bilateral agreements aimed at expanding mutual cooperation in infrastructure, trade, investment, and cultural exchange. With Nepal currently involved in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, China's BRI has provided a foundation for future economic collaboration in the region. This paper utilizes framing theory and qualitative content analysis to explore the media narratives on China's BRI projects in Nepal by three prominent Nepalese newspapers: My Republica, The Himalayan Times, and The Kathmandu Post. Analyzing news articles, the study examines how these newspapers frame BRI projects in Nepal across economic, geopolitical, and sociocultural dimensions. The analysis contributes to a comprehensive understanding of Nepal's participation in the BRI framework by highlighting the complexities and considerations across economic, geopolitical, and sociocultural domains using framing theory and qualitative content analysis methodology. The study reflects various media narratives on Chinese BRI projects in Nepal and its impacts on public opinions in understanding about BRI.
Effectiveness of early childhood education interventions to improve complementary feeding practices in children 4 to 36 months of age: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Cardoso Paloma Sodré , Mori Bruno , Freitas Ronilson Ferreira , Lima Regismeire Viana , Tavares Bruno Mendes , Barcellos Jose Fernando Marques , Lopes Carla Vanessa Alves , Souza Celsa da Silva Moura
Published: October 2024

Objective:

This review will analyze the effectiveness of early childhood education interventions to improve complementary feeding practices in children aged 4 to 36 months.

Introduction:

Healthy eating habits, which start with food introduction, can influence children’s growth and development. Educational actions carried out at school for children who are beginning to eat, involving families and school staff who attend daycare centers, can serve as strategies to improve complementary feeding practices.

Inclusion criteria:

The review will consider randomized clinical trials, cluster-randomized clinical trials, and controlled clinical trials that evaluate the effectiveness of early childhood education interventions involving children aged 4 to 36 months, their families, or school staff to improve complementary feeding. In their absence, observational cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies may be considered.

Methods:

This review will be conducted in line with the JBI methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness. The search for relevant studies will be conducted in PubMed, Embase (Ovid), BIREME, Scopus, the Cochrane Library (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials CENTRAL and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), and the ProQuest Databases (ProQuest Central). No date or language limitations will be applied. Two independent reviewers will select studies by screening titles, abstracts, and keywords against the inclusion criteria. This will be followed by full-text screening. Two independent reviewers will then evaluate the quality of the sources and perform data extraction. GRADEpro will be used to assess the certainty in the findings, which will be reported in the systematic review and, if possible, grouped in a meta-analysis.

Review registration:

PROSPERO CRD42022384704
Co-optimizing of H-curing, stress, and thermal annealing—A more effective way for realizing FEOL-BEOL compatible eMRAM chip
Authors: Yu Zhimeng , Yang Xiaolei , Zhao Xiaonan , Li Yanjie , He Shikun , Wang Yewu
Published: October 2024

Metallization, plasma, and thermal annealing used in magneto-resistive random access memory integration differs significantly from traditional interconnection processes, usually resulting in the device performance deterioration of metal-oxide-silicon field-effect transistors. Commonly used methods, such as hydrogen postalloying, may not be effective to recover performance when magneto-resistive random access memory is integrated. The study focused on the interplay between hydrogen content in the dielectric films, wafer configuration induced by film stress, and thermal annealing during the chip fabrication process. Post-thermal annealing can enhance the release of hydrogen from the dielectric films, which can repair the silicon–hydrogen bond breakage resulting from magneto-resistive random access memory integration. However, this process can also worsen wafer bowing in an undesired direction which is detrimental to the performance of metal-oxide-silicon field-effect transistors. Consequently, utilizing silicon nitride with specific hydrogen content, in conjunction with post-thermal annealing, can improve effectively both p-type and n-type metal-oxide-silicon field-effect transistors. This approach holds significant potential for application in more advanced technological nodes since it is compatible with traditional process and does not require more advanced fabrication equipment. Additionally, the resulting embedded magneto-resistive random access memory chips maintain competitive magnetic tunneling junction reliability in term of endurance and reflow resistivity.
Constant period line gratings as a metric for patterning fidelity in electron beam lithography
Authors: Fasano C. R. , Cruz Aguirre F. , DeRoo C. T. , Hoadley K. , Termini J. A. B.
Published: October 2024

As smaller critical dimensions of devices fabricated via electron-beam lithography (EBL) are achieved over large areas, the need for new metrology techniques follows. Large (cm × cm) substrates have traditionally been both time and labor intensive to measure using traditional techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or atomic force microscopy. When optimizing an EBL process over large areas, stitch error must be eliminated to maximize feature placement fidelity. Simultaneously, traditional EBL requirements, such as low line-edge roughness, proximity effect correction, and appropriate write times, must be maintained. With this plethora of requirements, we propose a technique to characterize placement errors over large areas using interferometric measurements. This method, when combined with traditional techniques like SEM and optical microscopy, assesses the full domain of potential errors over large areas in a time- and cost-efficient manner. As a proof of concept, a set of five small format (5 × 10 mm2) gratings with an 855 nm period were written twice, each set produced under two different tool error conditions. We report on the efficacy of interferometric metrology to accurately assess feature placement errors and report measured groove displacement across all ten gratings.
Shear-induced migration of rigid spheres in a Couette flow
Authors: Ovarlez Guillaume , Guazzelli Élisabeth
Published: October 2024

Concentration inhomogeneities occur in many flows of non-Brownian suspensions. Their modeling necessitates the description of the relative motion of the particle phase and of the fluid phase, as well as the accounting for their interaction, which is the object of the suspension balance model (SBM). We systematically investigate the dynamics and the steady state of shear-induced migration in a wide-gap Couette flow for a wide range of particle volume fraction, and we test the ability of the SBM to account for the observations. We use a model suspension for which macroscopic particle stresses are known. Surprisingly, the observed magnitude of migration is much lower than that predicted by the SBM when the particle stress in the SBM is equated to the macroscopic particle stress. Another noteworthy observation is the quasi-absence of migration for semidilute suspensions. From the steady-state volume fraction profiles, we derive the local particle normal stress responsible for shear-induced migration according to the SBM. However, the observed dynamics of migration is much faster than that predicted by the SBM when using this stress in the model. More generally, we show that it is not possible to build a local friction law consistent with both the magnitude and the dynamics of migration within the standard SBM framework. This suggests that there is a missing term in the usual macroscopic constitutive law for the particle normal stress driving migration. The SBM is indeed capable of accurately predicting both the magnitude and the dynamics of migration when a tentative phenomenological term involving a concentration gradient is added to the particle normal stresses determined in macroscopic experiments.
Integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Relational–Cultural Theory in the Treatment of Female College Athletes
Authors: Furr Kelly N. , Ferguson Tomika
Published: October 2024

Female college athletes struggle with mental health issues at rates similar to their nonathlete peers. Relationships with coaches and teammates can significantly impact mental health. An integrative therapeutic approach that combines cognitive behavioral therapy with relational–cultural theory can provide clinicians with a framework for addressing underlying relational and systemic issues to better meet the needs of female college athletes. A case illustration featuring a Division I female soccer player struggling with negative mental self-talk will demonstrate how to effectively integrate relational–cultural theory and cognitive behavioral therapy when working with female student athletes. This article will discuss the implications for coaches, athletes, parents, mental health providers, and sport psychology practitioners about the integration of relational–cultural theory and cognitive behavioral therapy to enhance relationships with female college athletes to improve their mental health.
Associations of Working From Home Frequency With Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Japanese White-Collar Workers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Meiji Yasuda LifeStyle Study
Authors: Kitano Naruki , Fujii Yuya , Wada Aya , Kawakami Ryoko , Yoshiba Kaori , Yamaguchi Daisuke , Kai Yuko , Arao Takashi
Published: October 2024

Background: The association of working from home (WFH) with physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) has been explored; however, this association during periods without stringent measures to combat coronavirus disease 2019 is undercharacterized. Particularly, few studies have evaluated the potential effect modification on its associations. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the associations of WFH frequency with accelerometer-measured PA and SB, along with its effect modifiers, among Japanese white-collar workers during the later pandemic period. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 1133 white-collar workers residing in the Tokyo metropolitan area was conducted between April 2022 and March 2023. WFH frequency was evaluated through a self-report questionnaire, while SB and PA during weekdays were measured using a triaxial accelerometer. Linear regression models adjusting for potential confounders were used to examine the association of WFH frequency with PA and SB. Results: Regardless of activity intensity, individuals who worked at home, even for 1 to 2 days per week, demonstrated lower levels of PA and higher levels of SB as compared with those who did not (P < .05). For example, difference between never and ≥5 days per week WFH was approximately 70 minutes/day for total PA and about 4000 steps/day for step counts. Associations between WFH and decreased PA were more pronounced in workers who were older, female, less educated, in sales and service work, nonregular staff, and precontemplating changes in exercise and eating habits. Conclusions: We report that WFH was associated with decreased PA and increased SB in Japanese white-collar workers with pronounced associated in several subgroups.