bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finite Groups in Which Every Maximal Subgroup Is Nilpotent or a TI-Subgroup or Has Order p′
Authors: Shi Jiangtao
Published: March 2023

We obtain a complete characterization of the structure of a finite group [Formula: see text] in which every maximal subgroup is nilpotent or a TI-subgroup or has order [Formula: see text] for any fixed prime divisor [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we show that there exists at most one prime divisor [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] is neither [Formula: see text]-nilpotent nor [Formula: see text]-closed.
Intelligent Spectrum Sharing and Sensing in Cognitive Radio Network by Using AROA (Adaptive Rider Optimization Algorithm)
Authors: Prasad Reshmi Krishna , Jaya T.
Published: March 2023

Wireless spectrum has been allocated to licensees for large geographic areas on a long-term basis in recent years. Cognitive Radio Networks (CRN) will offer mobile users with a huge amount of available bandwidth. Due to spectrum management issues such as spectrum sensing and sharing, CRN networks pose some challenges. Hence in this paper, Adaptive Rider Optimization (AROA) is developed to improve the energy efficiency for different spectrum sensing conditions. The proposed algorithm is utilized to compute the sensing time, sequence length, and detection threshold. In order to detect the spectrum with optimal values of transmission power and sensing bandwidth, the AROA uses the adaptive threshold detection method. The spectrum sensing and sharing of the CRN network are achieved with the help of the AROA algorithm. The proposed method is implemented in MATLAB and the performances such as Normalized Energy consumption, delay, SNR, Jitter, blocking probability, convergence analysis, and Throughput are evaluated. The proposed method is contrasted with the existing methods such as Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO), respectively.
Pressure-derived storage efficiency for open saline aquifer CO
2
storage
Authors: Thibeau Sylvain , Adler Frank
Published: March 2023

Various approaches are used at the preliminary stage (before flow modelling studies) to evaluate the resources of saline aquifers for storing CO
2
. The two approaches used most commonly are the volumetric ‘open aquifer’ and ‘closed aquifer’ approaches, which provide the end members for the resources of a given aquifer store. We propose a novel approach based on extending the analytical aquifer methods, which have been routinely used for decades in the oil and gas industry, to CO
2
saline aquifer storage. The CO
2
storage resource is derived from the pore volume liberated by pressurization to accommodate CO
2
in the store, which is the sum of: (i) the volume of the store obtained by compression; and (ii) the volume of water outflow towards the regional aquifer. It enables the CO
2
storage resources and storage efficiencies for pressure-limited stores (meaning when the resource is not even more limited by CO
2
migration issues) to be estimated. Formalism is presented, as well as implications and limitations of the method. With this method, storage efficiencies are directly connected to closed store efficiencies that are corrected for the water outflux and pressure dissipation from the CO
2
store into the regional aquifer, reconciling the ‘closed’ and ‘open’ approaches.

We present an application to the Havnsø saline aquifer structure in order to highlight the consequences of the CO
2
storage resource evaluation and also of appraisal and development phases.
3D Object Watermarking from Data Hiding in the Homomorphic Encrypted Domain
Authors: van Rensburg Bianca Jansen , Puteaux Pauline , Puech William , Pedeboy Jean-Pierre
Published: March 2023

For over a decade, 3D objects are an increasingly popular form of media. It has become necessary and urgent to secure them during their transmission or archiving. In this article, we propose a new method to obtain a watermarked 3D object from high-capacity data hiding in the encrypted domain. Based on the homomorphic properties of the Paillier cryptosystem, our proposed method allows us to embed several secret messages in the encrypted domain with a high-capacity. These messages can be extracted in the plain-text domain after the 3D object decryption. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to propose a data hiding method in the encrypted domain where the high-capacity watermark is conserved in the plain-text domain after the 3D object is decrypted. The encryption and the data hiding in the encrypted domain are format compliant and without size expansion, despite the use of the Paillier cryptosystem. Each time a new message is embedded in the encrypted domain, flags are added in order to indicate which blocks are still available for the embedding of additional messages. After the decryption of a watermarked encrypted 3D object, our method produces a watermarked 3D object which is visually very similar to the original 3D object. From the decrypted watermarked 3D object, we can then extract all the embedded messages directly in the plain-text domain, without the need for an auxiliary file. Moreover, large keys are used, rending our method secure for real-life applications.
Transporter Proteins as Ecological Assets and Features of Microbial Eukaryotic Pangenomes
Authors: Milner David S. , Galindo Luis Javier , Irwin Nicholas A.T. , Richards Thomas A.
Published: March 2023

Here we review two connected themes in evolutionary microbiology: ( a) the nature of gene repertoire variation within species groups (pangenomes) and ( b) the concept of metabolite transporters as accessory proteins capable of providing niche-defining “bolt-on” phenotypes. We discuss the need for improved sampling and understanding of pangenome variation in eukaryotic microbes. We then review the factors that shape the repertoire of accessory genes within pangenomes. As part of this discussion, we outline how gene duplication is a key factor in both eukaryotic pangenome variation and transporter gene family evolution. We go on to outline how, through functional characterization of transporter-encoding genes, in combination with analyses of how transporter genes are gained and lost from accessory genomes, we can reveal much about the niche range, the ecology, and the evolution of virulence of microbes. We advocate for the coordinated systematic study of eukaryotic pangenomes through genome sequencing and the functional analysis of genes found within the accessory gene repertoire.
Computer Course Design Plan for Film and Television Media Major
Authors: Hui Shan , Zhang Xiao , Yang Tian
Published: March 2023

Although the film and television media sector is seeing significant growth, there is still a lag in film and television media majors at colleges and institutions. As a result, the colleges must keep pace with the current development trend. In order to better prepare students for the film and television industry, film and television media majors must rethink their teaching methods and promote students’ artistic ideas and professional skills. In the context of surging numbers of students and limited teaching resources, traditional teaching has highlighted many problems. Some film and television media majors have set up corresponding computer courses to make up for the deficiencies of traditional teaching through computer multimedia technology and network technology. This work is oriented to the design of computer courses for film and television media majors. First, this work aims at the current situation of computer courses in film and television media majors, analyzes the existing problems and causes, and explores ways to solve them. Second, this work proposes the IGA-BP model based on neural network to evaluate the teaching quality of computer courses for film and television media majors. In view of the excellent global optimization ability of GA and the defects of the BP algorithm itself, this work adopts the improved GA algorithm to optimize the BP network, and establishes an IGA-BP network combination model with higher prediction accuracy. Third, this work has carried out sufficient experiments, and the experimental results have verified that the IGA-BP network can effectively evaluate the teaching quality of computer courses in film and television media majors. In addition, the comparative experiment also verifies that the computer course design scheme proposed in this work can effectively improve the teaching quality.
A Dynamic Prediction Model of Financial Distress in the Financial Sharing Environment
Authors: Zhu Jie , Zhu Hong , Lin Nan
Published: March 2023

The dynamic prediction of financial distress can monitor the financial status of an enterprise in real time and provide evidence for financial analysts. However, currently, there are few studies concerning the dynamic prediction of financial distress in the financial sharing environment, so in order to fill this research gap, this study established a dynamic prediction model of financial distress in the financial sharing environment. Firstly, this study employed the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy weight theory to determine an index system for the dynamic evaluation of financial distress in the financial sharing environment and gave the weight assignment method of the evaluation indexes. Then, based on the probabilistic neural network (PNN), this study constructed a dynamic prediction model of financial distress and used experimental results to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the constructed model.
Smart Home System: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Chakraborty Arindom , Islam Monirul , Shahriyar Fahim , Islam Sharnali , Zaman Hasan U. , Hasan Mehedi
Published: March 2023

Smart home is a habitation that has been outfitted with technological solutions that are intended to provide people with services that are suited to their needs. The purpose of this article is to perform a systematic assessment of the latest smart home literature and to conduct a survey of research and development conducted in this field. In addition to presenting a complete picture of the current smart home system’s (SHS) development and characteristics, this paper provides a deep insight into latest hardware and trends. The research then moves on to a detailed discussion of some of the important services provided by the SHS and its advantages. The paper also statistically discusses the current and future research trends in the SHS, followed by a detailed portrayal of the difficulties and roadblocks in implementing them. The comprehensive overview of the SHS presented in this paper will help designers, researchers, funding agencies, and policymakers have a bird’s-eye view of the overall concept, attributes, technological aspects, and features of modern SHSs.
Broadband Linear to Circular Polarizer Based on Multilayer Frequency-Selective Surface
Authors: Yuan Yi , Ding Jun , Huang Chao , Ma Xia , Qu Xun , Guo Chenjiang
Published: March 2023

In this work, a transmission polarizer is described by using a frequency-selective surface to transform linearly polarized waves into circularly polarized waves. The linear to circular (LTC) polarizer consists of four layers. Two types of unit cells are designed in the LTC polarizer to improve design freedom. As a result, two orthogonal polarized components of transmission waves display nearly 90° phase differences while maintaining nearly high transparency for the generation of CPWs. The less than 3 dB axial ratio with a fractional width of over 76.8% from 9.20 to 20.67 GHz for this LTC polarizer is obtained. Even when the incident angle reaches 20°, its operating frequency band covers 9.69 to 20.21 GHz. Compared with the converters proposed before, the one proposed in this paper has a wider bandwidth. In order to evaluate the design strategy, a prototype is manufactured and tested. The results of the simulation and the experiment are in good accord.
Low-Carbohydrate Diet Score and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer: Findings from the Singapore Chinese Health Study
Authors: Yu Yi-Chuan , Paragomi Pedram , Jin Aizhen , Wang Renwei , Schoen Robert E. , Koh Woon-Puay , Yuan Jian-Min , Luu Hung N.
Published: March 2023

Background:

Colorectal cancer is common cancer with a high mortality rate. Low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) score holistically evaluates the LCD pattern from carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake. Epidemiologic data of LCD–colorectal cancer association are sparse.

Methods:

We evaluated the associations between LCD (i.e., total, animal- and plant-based) and colorectal cancer risk in the Singapore Chinese Health Study, a population-based prospective cohort study including 61,321 Chinese in Singapore who were 45 to 74 years old at baseline. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to determine the HRs and respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) for colorectal cancer associated with LCD after adjusting for potential confounders, including age, sex, BMI, physical activity, family history of colorectal cancer, etc.

Results:

After an average of 19.5 years of follow-up, 2,520 participants developed colorectal cancer (1,608 colon cancer and 912 rectal cancer). Overall, the association between total or plant-based LCD scores with the risk of colorectal, colon, or rectal cancer was null (all Ptrend ≥ 0.28). The animal-based LCD was modestly associated with colon cancer risk (Ptrend = 0.02), but not with rectal cancer. Compared with the lowest quartile, HRs (95% CIs) of colon cancer for quartiles 2, 3, and 4 of animal-based LCD were 1.12 (0.98–1.29), 1.27 (1.10–1.46), and 1.14 (0.99–1.31), respectively.

Conclusions:

A low-level carbohydrate diet with a high level of animal protein and fat was associated with a moderate increase in the risk of colon cancer among Chinese Singaporeans.

Impact:

High consumption of animal protein/fat and low consumption of carbohydrates may increase colon cancer risk.
Supervised Exercise Training for Chronic Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology
Authors: Sachdev Vandana , Sharma Kavita , Keteyian Steven J. , Alcain Charina F. , Desvigne-Nickens Patrice , Fleg Jerome L. , Florea Viorel G. , Franklin Barry A. , Guglin Maya , Halle Martin , Leifer Eric S. , Panjrath Gurusher , Tinsley Emily A. , Wong Renee P. , Kitzman Dalane W. ,   on behalf of the American Heart Association Heart Failure and Transplantation Committee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology; and American College of Cardiology
Published: March 2023

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is one of the most common forms of heart failure; its prevalence is increasing, and outcomes are worsening. Affected patients often experience severe exertional dyspnea and debilitating fatigue, as well as poor quality of life, frequent hospitalizations, and a high mortality rate. Until recently, most pharmacological intervention trials for HFpEF yielded neutral primary outcomes. In contrast, trials of exercise-based interventions have consistently demonstrated large, significant, clinically meaningful improvements in symptoms, objectively determined exercise capacity, and usually quality of life. This success may be attributed, at least in part, to the pleiotropic effects of exercise, which may favorably affect the full range of abnormalities—peripheral vascular, skeletal muscle, and cardiovascular—that contribute to exercise intolerance in HFpEF. Accordingly, this scientific statement critically examines the currently available literature on the effects of exercise-based therapies for chronic stable HFpEF, potential mechanisms for improvement of exercise capacity and symptoms, and how these data compare with exercise therapy for other cardiovascular conditions. Specifically, data reviewed herein demonstrate a comparable or larger magnitude of improvement in exercise capacity from supervised exercise training in patients with chronic HFpEF compared with those with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, although Medicare reimbursement is available only for the latter group. Finally, critical gaps in implementation of exercise-based therapies for patients with HFpEF, including exercise setting, training modalities, combinations with other strategies such as diet and medications, long-term adherence, incorporation of innovative and more accessible delivery methods, and management of recently hospitalized patients are highlighted to provide guidance for future research.
Use of Nonrecommended Drugs in Patients With Brugada Syndrome: A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Jespersen Camilla H. B. , Krøll Johanna , Bhardwaj Priya , Hansen Carl Johann , Svane Jesper , Winkel Bo G. , Jøns Christian , Jacobsen Peter Karl , Haarbo Jens , Nielsen Jens Cosedis , Johansen Jens Brock , Philbert Berit T. , Riahi Sam , Torp‐Pedersen Christian , Køber Lars , Tfelt‐Hansen Jacob , Weeke Peter E.
Published: March 2023

Background

Patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) are recommended to avoid drugs that may increase their risk of arrhythmic events. We examined treatment with such drugs in patients with BrS after their diagnosis.

Methods and Results

All Danish patients diagnosed with BrS (2006–2018) with >12 months of follow‐up were identified from nationwide registries. Nonrecommended BrS drugs were grouped into drugs to “avoid” or “preferably avoid” according to
http://www.brugadadrugs.org
. Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed to identify factors associated with any nonrecommended BrS drug use, and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine associated risk of appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy, mortality, and a combined end point indicating an arrhythmic event of delayed implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation, appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy, and mortality. During a median follow‐up of 6.8 years, 93/270 (34.4%) patients with BrS (70.4% male, median age at diagnosis 46.1 years [interquartile range, 32.6–57.4]) were treated with ≥1 nonrecommended BrS drugs. No difference in any nonrecommended BrS drug use was identified comparing time before BrS diagnosis (12.6%) with each of the 5 years following BrS diagnosis (
P
>0.05). Factors associated with any nonrecommended BrS drug use after diagnosis were female sex (hazard ratio [HR]) 1.83 [95% CI, 1.15–2.90]), psychiatric disease (HR, 3.63 [1.89–6.99]), and prior use of any nonrecommended BrS drug (HR, 4.76 [2.45–9.25]). No significant association between any nonrecommended BrS drug use and implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy (n=20/97, odds ratio [OR], 0.7 [0.2–2.4]), mortality (n=10/270, OR, 3.4 [0.7–19.6]), or the combined end point (n=38/270, OR, 1.7 [0.8–3.7]) was identified.

Conclusions

One in 3 patients with BrS were treated with a nonrecommended BrS drug after BrS diagnosis, and a BrS diagnosis did not change prescription patterns. More awareness of nonrecommended drug use among patients with BrS is needed.
Classification From Positive and Biased Negative Data With Skewed Labeled Posterior Probability
Authors: Watanabe Shotaro , Matsui Hidetoshi
Published: March 2023

The binary classification problem has a situation where only biased data are observed in one of the classes. In this letter, we propose a new method to approach the positive and biased negative (PbN) classification problem, which is a weakly supervised learning method to learn a binary classifier from positive data and negative data with biased observations. We incorporate a method to correct the negative influence due to a skewed confidence, which is represented by the posterior probability that the observed data are positive. This reduces the distortion of the posterior probability that the data are labeled, which is necessary for the empirical risk minimization of the PbN classification problem. We verified the effectiveness of the proposed method by synthetic and benchmark data experiments.
Hate Speech Classifiers Learn Normative Social Stereotypes
Authors: Davani Aida Mostafazadeh , Atari Mohammad , Kennedy Brendan , Dehghani Morteza
Published: March 2023

Social stereotypes negatively impact individuals’ judgments about different groups and may have a critical role in understanding language directed toward marginalized groups. Here, we assess the role of social stereotypes in the automated detection of hate speech in the English language by examining the impact of social stereotypes on annotation behaviors, annotated datasets, and hate speech classifiers. Specifically, we first investigate the impact of novice annotators’ stereotypes on their hate-speech-annotation behavior. Then, we examine the effect of normative stereotypes in language on the aggregated annotators’ judgments in a large annotated corpus. Finally, we demonstrate how normative stereotypes embedded in language resources are associated with systematic prediction errors in a hate-speech classifier. The results demonstrate that hate-speech classifiers reflect social stereotypes against marginalized groups, which can perpetuate social inequalities when propagated at scale. This framework, combining social-psychological and computational-linguistic methods, provides insights into sources of bias in hate-speech moderation, informing ongoing debates regarding machine learning fairness.
Influence of Legislation on Public Attitude towards Animal Welfare in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Shih-Yun , Lai Yi-Te , Lin Yi-Chun , Wu Chang-Hsien , Chen Yu-Min
Published: March 2023

A face-to-face national survey in Taiwan was conducted to reflect the influence of animal welfare legislation on attitudes of the public (n = 1,099) towards animal welfare. Greater awareness and knowledge of the law correlated with a better attitude towards and preference for relevant animal protection issues in respondents. The lack of knowledge on animal welfare concepts, animal welfare products, and related labels among respondents appears to hinder the development of better animal welfare. Thus, promoting a better understanding of the law is fundamental and necessary. Improving animal welfare in Taiwan requires promotion of animal welfare concepts and markets in society not only through legislation, but also through education and implementation of better animal welfare policies.
Racial Capitalism and the Ecological Crises of the Anthropocene
Authors: Gonzalez Carmen G.
Published: March 2023

The concept of racial capitalism has been embraced by scholars and activists as a means of exploring the common roots of contemporary social and ecological crises. These include unprecedented environmental degradation, extreme economic inequality, the resurgence of authoritarian ethno-nationalism, increasingly militarized and racialized policing and border control, and the expulsion to the margins of society of growing numbers of humans, including persons who are unemployed, incarcerated, or homeless. This article examines the logic of racial capitalism in order to distinguish between reforms that entrench it and those that facilitate its dismantlement.
The Dangers of Ecofascism
Authors: Harris Jerry
Published: March 2023

Neoliberalism and evangelical theocrats want to create an authoritarian capitalism that maintains a political, social, and environmental dictatorship. Green capitalism offers only limited change unable to solve the environmental crisis. Building alternative hegemony around a Green New Deal will be the best oppositional force to ecofascism.
Abolishing the War on Climate: Pathways for Collective Ecological Security
Authors: Yeltekin Dafne , Koli Zainab , Oros Lizander
Published: March 2023

The climate crisis has been increasingly approached by powerful global actors as both a national and international security threat, rather than a matter of ecological security. This article categorizes false solutions behind the climate security approach and presents three intersecting ways forward for climate justice. By highlighting the work of social movements, this article aims to center truly alternative systemic approaches rooted in decolonization, abolition, and ecological security seeking to demilitarize and abolish a War on Climate, while building alternative relationships that foster collective well-being for humans and non-humans.
Post-Disaster Scenarios: Towards Environmental Alternatives of the Global South
Authors: Hrubec Marek
Published: March 2023

While it is also relevant to address the Earth crisis using reformist approaches, this article analyzes a worse-case scenario. It deals with a post-disaster scenario that looks for ways out of a deeper environmental crisis or disaster. But this does not mean a scenario of a total global apocalypse. It addresses the topic in four steps: first, by stressing an importance of post-disaster scenarios between a mere reform and a total collapse; second, by analyzing the Western historical dialectic of enlightenment and capitalism; third, by formulating the non-Western dialectic as well as that of human civilization; and fourth, by expressing a social philosophical background and environmental alternatives present in the Global South.
The Account of Perseus in Orosius: Sources and Precedents
Authors: Garstad Benjamin
Published: March 2023

Orosius includes a note on the hero Perseus that neglects the usually prominent features of his myth, saying little more than that Perseus led an expedition into Asia and, once victorious, named the people he conquered there Persians after himself. He is the earliest of the surviving Latin authors to say either of these things about Perseus. And he is apparently the first author to combine these pieces of information – until, that is, John Malalas, who says much the same things about Perseus not once, but twice. This paper will survey Orosius’ usual sources for possible influences, trace the development of the notions that Perseus invaded Asia and that the Persians were named for him, and explore the possibility that Orosius and Malalas might have shared a source on Perseus and the history of Assyria.
A Note on “substomachans” (Augustine, conf. 3.21)
Authors: van Oort Johannes
Published: March 2023

This brief note explains the curious word “substomachans” in conf. 3.21 from the Manichaean background of both Monnica’s bishop and Augustine. Based on this explanation, the note proposes a new translation of the phrase in which “substomachans” occurs. The interpretation offered seems to be backed by Julian of Eclanum’s use of “substomachans”. In essence, “substomachari” refers to the “ructare” during the Manichaeans’ daily ritual meal: “to belch (out)”.
[RETRACTED] Land Redistribution Policy in Amhara National Regional State: The Case of Basoliben Woreda, East Gojjam Zone, North-Western Ethiopia
Authors: Tessema Adane M.
Published: March 2023

Land redistribution is the deliberate act of governments to handle the problems of social inequality and poverty. The objective of this study was to assess the 1996 land redistribution policy of Amhara National Regional State (ANRS) in terms of its process of implementation, the criteria used and the socio-economic effects of the policy, specifically in Basoliben woreda farmers. Employing a qualitative descriptive case study design, primary sources of data were collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussion (FGD) whereas secondary data was gathered from different documents. Both cross-case analysis and document analysis were used to analyze the collected data. The findings of the study implied that the redistribution policy in ANRS has resulted in both positive and negative effects on the socio-economic life of farmers. Among the positive effects, landless, women and marginalized sections of the society like artisans got access to land. The negative effects include political allegiance used as the mere criteria to allocate land, the reprisal rationale of the regional government to undertake the policy, implementation problems like lack of transparency, land corruption and lack of monitoring and evaluation systems which further resulted in inequality which needs to be addressed.
State of the Nation: Why Does Ethiopia Need to Preserve the Parliamentary Model of Government in its Aspiration to Be a Democracy?
Authors: Bekana Dejene Mamo
Published: March 2023

This paper critically analyses the case for the parliamentary model of government combined with proportional electoral design. Using Ethiopia’s practice of parliamentary model of government, and its diverse social structures, as a case study, the paper examines the viability of parliamentary model of government for transition to democratic polity. The paper relies on the theory of consociational democracy that focuses on the role of social and political elites, their deliberations and cooperation, as the fundamental instrument to stable democratic polity. Methodologically, the paper employed interpretive and qualitative meta-analysis of relevant laws and the literature. As such, this article focuses on the link between the model of government and transition to a democratic polity in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society, more precisely, the risk that the presidential model dents transition to democracy in a multicultural and multi-ethnic society. I argue, therefore, in a social fabric where ethnic and cultural diversity is the basic defining tenet of the social order, parliamentary model of government combined with proportional electoral design offers better flexibility in the process of transition to consolidated democratic polity.
Between Tasavvuf and Spiritism: The Case of Enis Behiç Koryürek
Authors: Sendag Duygu
Published: March 2023

In this article, I explore the changing relationship between humans and spirits and between the self and the divine in Turkey by focusing on the encounter of the poet Enis Behiç Koryürek with a Sufi spirit at a séance in 1946. Based on the scholarship on religion as mediation, I suggest that the poet’s Sufi-spiritist practice brought forth a differently mediated self-divine relationship by forming links between different temporalities, modes of channelling the divine and forms of power and sociality. I believe this analysis of the case of Enis Behiç is helpful in understanding the evolution of ‘alternative spirituality’ within the country’s specific modernisation history, particularly due to the personalised, direct and instant relationship formed with a spirit without prior religious practice, belonging or guidance.
Parliamentary Law and Institutional Crisis in the United Kingdom During Brexit
Authors: Barbé Vanessa
Published: March 2023

The British parliamentary system is generally praised for its longevity and stability. However, the flaws of British democracy were highlighted following the referendum of June 2016. This withdrawal was not only an earthquake for the European project, it was also the source of unprecedented constitutional controversies in the UK itself. In particular, it raised a series of questions about the respective competences of national institutions and local institutions in the field of European affairs and, more broadly, in foreign affairs. Since the British Constitution is not a written one, the rules for the distribution of competences in these areas are essentially the result of practice.

The UK’s parliamentary regime, that was in the process of collapsing in September 2019 appears, against all odds, to have recovered following the early elections of 12 December 2019. The result of those elections has apparently provided a way out of the crisis, although it is unclear whether it will be temporary or not.
Making the Irish Parliament More Family Friendly and Inclusive
Authors: Cousins Charlotte
Published: March 2023

This article describes the work of the Forum on a Family Friendly and Inclusive Parliament (the Forum) which was established by the Ceann Comhairle (Speaker of Dáil Éireann) in 2021. The Forum was established to make recommendations that would result in a more family friendly parliamentary community that better reflects Irish society in terms of its diversity and inclusivity. The article discusses the terms of reference of the Forum, it describes the makeup of the Forum and how it worked to engage with stakeholders and made 51 recommendations. It then sets out some of the key recommendations and approaches to their implementation. The Forum is distinguished from similar initiatives in other parliaments because of its focus on the parliamentary community as a whole and not just the elected members, and further because it was focused on diversity and inclusivity beyond gender.
Introduction to Systems Biology
Authors: Sauter Thomas , Albrecht Marco
Published: March 2023

This book is an introduction to the language of systems biology, which is spoken among many disciplines, from biology to engineering. Authors Thomas Sauter and Marco Albrecht draw on a multidisciplinary background and evidence-based learning to facilitate the understanding of biochemical networks, metabolic modeling and system dynamics.

Their pedagogic approach briefly highlights core ideas of concepts in a broader interdisciplinary framework to guide a more effective deep dive thereafter. The learning journey starts with the purity of mathematical concepts, reveals its power to connect biological entities in structure and time, and finally introduces physics concepts to tightly align abstraction with reality.

This workbook is all about self-paced learning, supports the flipped-classroom concept, and kick-starts with scientific evidence on studying. Each chapter comes with links to external YouTube videos, learning checklists, and Integrated real-world examples to gain confidence in thinking across scientific perspectives. The result is an integrated approach that opens a line of communication between theory and application, enabling readers to actively learn as they read.

This overview of capturing and analyzing the behavior of biological systems will interest adherers of systems biology and network analysis, as well as related fields such as bioinformatics, biology, cybernetics, and data science.
Evaluating Drought Indices for Alaska
Authors: Walston Joshua M. , McAfee Stephanie A. , McEvoy Daniel J.
Published: March 2023

Drought is a recurrent natural phenomenon, but there is concern that climate change may increase the frequency or severity of drought in Alaska. Because most common drought indices were designed for lower latitudes, it is unclear how effectively they characterize drought in Alaska’s diverse, high-latitude climates. Here, we compare three commonly used meteorological drought indices [the standardized precipitation index (SPI), the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI), and the self-calibrating Palmer drought severity index (scPDSI)] with each other and with streamflow across Alaska’s 13 climate divisions. All of the drought indices identify major droughts, but the severity of the drought varies depending on the index used. The SPI and the SPEI are more flexible and often better correlated with streamflow than the scPDSI, and we recommend using them. Although SPI and SPEI are very similar in energy-limited climates, the drought metrics do diverge in drier locations in recent years, and consideration of the impact of temperature on drought may grow more important in the coming decades. Hargreaves potential evapotranspiration (PET) estimates appeared more physically realistic than the more commonly used Thornthwaite equation and are equally easy to calculate, so we suggest using the Hargreaves equation when PET is estimated from temperature. This study, one of the first to evaluate drought indices for high-latitude regions, has the potential to improve drought monitoring and representation within the U.S. Drought Monitor, leading to more informed decision-making during drought in Alaska, and it improves our ability to track changes in drought driven by rising temperatures.

Significance Statement

Tracking drought at high latitudes is challenging because we have not adequately studied drought impacts in cold climates, and the primary meteorological drought indices were designed for lower latitudes and may not accurately estimate evaporative demand and the influence of snow. We investigate three common drought indices and recommend using the standardized precipitation index (SPI) or the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) because they can track short and long droughts. The SPEI may be more useful because comparisons between the SPI and SPEI show that, in recent decades, temperature has made noticeable contributions to drought in drier parts of Alaska. If using the SPEI, we suggest the Hargreaves potential evapotranspiration rather than the Thornthwaite because it is more physically realistic.
Umbilically and Peripherally Inserted Thin Central Venous Catheters Have Similar Risks of Complications in Very Low-Birth-Weight Infants
Authors: Salonen S. , Tammela O. , Koivisto A. M. , Korhonen P.
Published: March 2023

Catheter complications can be life-threatening in very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. We retrospectively evaluated non-elective removals of the first thin (1-2F) umbilical vein catheters (tUVCs (n = 92)) and peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs (n = 103)) among 195 VLBW infants. Catheters were removed non-electively in 78 infants (40%), typically due to suspected infection (n = 42) or catheter dislocation (n = 30). Infants with complications had lower birth weights and gestational ages than others. The frequencies and causes of catheter removal were similar in the tUVC and PICC groups. Thirty-one infants had true catheter infections. The number of infections/1000 catheter days was higher in the tUVC group than in the PICC group. In a multivariable analysis, gestational age was associated with catheter infection, but catheter type was not. The odds of catheter complications decreased with increasing gestational age, but no clear association with thin catheter type was found.
Scalp Tumor and Hydroureteronephrosis in Patients with Nephronophthisis and Homozygous NPHP1 Deletion
Authors: Tong Huajuan , Zhao Feng , Yang Yonghui , Qiu Xiaojian , Zhu Liying , Yu Zihua
Published: March 2023

Homozygous deletion of NPHP1 can lead to isolated nephronophthisis (NPHP) and syndromic disorders. However, the phenotype of scalp tumor and hydroureteronephrosis in NPHP patients with homozygous deletion of NPHP1 has not been reported. Clinical data, laboratory results, and genetic testing of 4 NPHP patients were collected. Examination of their eyes, heart, and urinary tract and of their hepatobiliary, skeletal, and central nervous systems was evaluated. Isolated NPHP was observed in 1 case, and syndromic disorders were observed in the other 3 patients. Their syndromic disorders showed NPHP combined with central nervous system defects, eye involvement, scalp tumor, arachnoid cyst, or hydroureteronephrosis. Large homozygous deletions covering the whole NPHP1 gene locus were identified in all 4 patients. We report a novel phenotype of scalp tumor and hydroureteronephrosis in NPHP patients with homozygous deletion of NPHP1, paving an avenue for further research on NPHP1-associated deformity in the skin and the urinary system.
Gorgeous but dangerous: Comparing Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town’s soft-power struggles
Authors: van der Westhuizen Janis
Published: March 2023

How do deeply unequal cities in the Global South project soft power, and what are the tensions and contradictions that emerge when they do? Cities’ strategies to enhance their international appeal can be gauged through three interlocking or complementary approaches: first, leveraging the strategic value of events and associated services; second, developing iconic architecture and mega-projects; and third, making themselves attractive to the so-called “creative class.” Drawing on a brief comparative analysis of Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town, these strategies are assessed in relation to the dynamics of soft power and soft disempowerment. Although Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town share formidable resources to generate soft power, their societal complexities of crime and violence cast a heavy disempowering shadow on their innovative soft power strategies.
Efficacy of a Mouthwash Containing CHX and CPC in SARS-CoV-2–Positive Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Bonn E.L. , Rohrhofer A. , Audebert F.X. , Lang H. , Auer D.L. , Scholz K.J. , Schuster P. , Wenzel J.J. , Hiller K.-A. , Buchalla W. , Gottsauner J.M. , Vielsmeier V. , Schmidt B. , Cieplik F.
Published: March 2023

Soon after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, preprocedural mouthwashes were recommended for temporarily reducing intraoral viral load and infectivity of individuals potentially infected with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in order to protect medical personnel. Particularly, the antiseptic cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) has shown virucidal effects against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Therefore, the aim of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to investigate the efficacy of a commercially available mouthwash containing CPC and chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) at 0.05% each in SARS-CoV-2–positive patients as compared to a placebo mouthwash. Sixty-one patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 with onset of symptoms within the last 72 h were included in this study. Oropharyngeal specimens were taken at baseline, whereupon patients had to gargle mouth and throat with 20 mL test or placebo (0.9% NaCl) mouthwash for 60 s. After 30 min, further oropharyngeal specimens were collected. Viral load was analyzed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and infectivity of oropharyngeal specimens was analyzed by virus rescue in cell culture and quantified via determination of tissue culture infectious doses 50% (TCID50). Data were analyzed nonparametrically (α = 0.05). Viral load slightly but significantly decreased upon gargling in the test group ( P = 0.0435) but not in the placebo group. Viral infectivity as measured by TCID50 also significantly decreased in the test group ( P = 0.0313), whereas there was no significant effect but a trend in the placebo group. Furthermore, it was found that the specimens from patients with a vaccine booster exhibited significantly lower infectivity at baseline as compared to those without vaccine booster ( P = 0.0231). This study indicates that a preprocedural mouthwash containing CPC and CHX could slightly but significantly reduce the viral load and infectivity in SARS-CoV-2–positive patients. Further studies are needed to corroborate these results and investigate whether the observed reductions in viral load and infectivity could translate into clinically useful effects in reducing COVID-19 transmission (German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00027812).
Synchronous speculative simulation of tightly coupled agents in continuous time on CPUs and GPUs
Authors: Andelfinger Philipp , Uhrmacher Adelinde M
Published: March 2023

Traditionally, parallel discrete-event simulations of agent-based models in continuous time are organized around logical processes exchanging time-stamped events, which clashes with the properties of models in which tightly coupled agents frequently and instantaneously access each other’s states. To illustrate the challenges of such models and to derive a solution, we consider the domain-specific modeling language ML3, which allows modelers to succinctly express transitions and interactions of linked agents based on a continuous-time Markov chain (CTMC) semantics. We propose synchronous optimistic synchronization algorithms tailored toward simulations of fine-grained interactions among tightly coupled agents in highly dynamic topologies and present implementations targeting multicore central processing units (CPUs) as well as many-core graphics processing units (GPUs). By dynamically restricting the temporal progress per round to ensure that at most one transition or state access per agent, the synchronization algorithms enable efficient direct agent interaction and limit the required agent state history to only a single current and projected state. To maintain concurrency given actions that depend on dynamically updated macro-level properties, we introduce a simple relaxation scheme with guaranteed error bounds. Using an extended variant of the classical susceptible-infected-recovered network model, we benchmark and profile the performance of the different algorithms running on CPUs and on a data center GPU.
Reconstruction of conductivity distribution variation with Tikhonov and wavelet frame combined method for electrical impedance tomography
Authors: Shi Yanyan , Zhang Yuhang , Wang Meng , Lou Yajun , Zheng Shuo
Published: March 2023

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is receiving considerable research interest in a variety of applications. With this technique, it is possible to reconstruct conductivity distribution inside the detected region. Note that reconstruction of conductivity distribution is an ill-posed inverse problem. To deal with this problem, Tikhonov regularization method has been preferred. However, this method suffers from poor reconstruction quality. In this work, a novel approach which combines Tikhonov regularization method with wavelet frame is proposed for image reconstruction of EIT. The proposed method is superior to the popular Tikhonov regularization method in enforcing sparse of the solution and enhancing sharp feature. Simulation work has been conducted to validate the performance of the proposed method. Compared with Landweber method, total variation (TV) regularization method, and Tikhonov regularization method, reconstructions of six different models show that images reconstructed by the proposed method have better quality and are more robust to noise. In addition, image reconstruction is also performed based on phantom experimental data. The results further demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms other three methods since the inclusion has been more accurately reconstructed, and there are almost no artifacts in the reconstructed images.
Volatility in Expectations While Awaiting Important News
Authors: Wilson Melissa , Sweeny Kate
Published: March 2023

Waiting for important news is uniquely anxiety provoking, and expectations for one’s outcome fluctuate throughout the wait. Emotional volatility is typically associated with negative outcomes, but little is known about volatility in expectations. In Study 1, law graduates ( N = 248) estimated their chances of passing the bar exam every 2 weeks during the wait for results. Greater volatility in expectations, operationalized as the frequency with which outcome expectations changed during the wait, was associated with greater worry and more negative emotionality throughout the wait. Study 2 partially replicated these findings in a sample of Trump and Biden supporters ( N = 444) awaiting the result of the 2020 presidential election. Study 2 also demonstrated a causal link between constrained (vs. volatile) expectations and worry. Our findings have implications for how best to manage one’s expectations while awaiting important news, with the goal of minimizing worry and other negative emotions.
Understanding the popularity and affordances of TikTok through user experiences
Authors: Schellewald Andreas
Published: March 2023

In this paper I discuss the affordances and popularity of the short-video app TikTok from an audience studies point of view. I do so by drawing on findings from ethnographic fieldwork with young adult TikTok users based in the United Kingdom that was conducted in 2020 and 2021. I trace how using the app, specifically scrolling through the TikTok For You Page, the app’s algorithmic content feed, became a fixed part of the everyday routines of young adults. I show how TikTok appealed to them as a convenient means of escape and relief that they were unable to find elsewhere during and beyond times of lockdown. Further, I highlight the complex nature of TikTok as an app and the active role that users play in imagining and appropriating the app’s affordances as meaningful parts of their everyday social life. Closing the paper, I reflect on future directions of TikTok scholarship by stressing the importance of situated audience studies.