bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review of aerial survey density estimates of bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) in the Canadian Arctic highlights important knowledge gaps and research needs
Authors: Fuirst Matthew , Ferguson Steven H. , Higdon Jeff W. , Young Brent G. , Lea Ellen V. , Koski William R. , Yurkowski David J.
Published: September 2023

There has been significant sea ice loss in the Arctic as a result of climate change, with measurable impacts on available habitat for ice-obligate marine mammals. Bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) have a circumpolar distribution and primarily inhabit coastal areas of shallower depths with seasonal pack ice cover. However, there is limited information and no formal estimates on population abundance and densities of bearded seals within Canada. Here, we review historic field reports and publications from aerial surveys conducted from 1974 to 2022 to compile the density and abundance estimates of bearded seals across Canadian waters. Aerial surveys for marine mammals have been flown in several areas across the Canadian Arctic, including the Beaufort Sea (1974–2006), Canadian High Arctic (1979–2022), Baffin Bay-Davis Strait (1979–2014), and the Hudson Complex (1994–2017). After reviewing all published data sources, we report that the density of bearded seals in Canada were highest (and highly variable) in the Beaufort Sea (0.01–8.68 seals*km−2), then in Baffin Bay-Davis Strait (0.004–8.3 seals*km−2), and lowest and less variable inter-annually in the Hudson Complex (0.02 to 0.12 seals*km−2) at the time of these surveys. We also determined that bearded seals are more often found in areas of patchy ice cover (50–75%) with shallow water depths ≤ 500 m. Further, this review identifies regions within the Canadian Arctic and sub-Arctic that require updated aerial survey information. Quantifying the abundance and density estimates of bearded seals in Canada is essential for monitoring population status over time to better understand how this species is responding to environmental variation from anthropogenic activity and climate change.
Multi-luminance mobility testing after gene therapy in the context of retinal functional diagnostics
Authors: Jung Ronja , Kempf Melanie , Holocher Saskia , Kortüm Friederike C. , Stingl Krunoslav , Stingl Katarina
Published: September 2023

Background

Voretigene neparvovec (Luxturna®) is the first approved gene therapy for RPE65-linked Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Though individual effects are highly variable, most recipients report improved vision in everyday life. To describe such effects, visual navigation tests are now frequently used in clinical trials. However, it is still unclear how their results should be interpreted compared to conventional parameters of visual function.

Methods

Seven LCA patients underwent a multi-luminance visual navigation test (Ora-VNCTM) before and 3 months after receiving Luxturna gene therapy. Their performance was rated based on the luminance level at which they passed the course. Differences between the first and second test were correlated to changes in visual acuity, full-field stimulus thresholds, chromatic pupil campimetry, and dark-adapted perimetry.

Results

A few patients displayed notable improvements in conventional measures of visual function whereas patients with advanced retinal degeneration showed no relevant changes. Independent of these results, almost all participants improved in the visual navigation task by one or more levels. The improvement in the mobility test was best correlated to the change in full-field stimulus thresholds. Other measures of visual functions showed no clear correlation with visual navigation.

Discussion

In patients who passed the test’s more difficult levels, improved visual navigation can be attributed to the reactivation of rods. However, the performance of patients with low vision seemed to depend much more on confounding factors in the easier levels. In sum, such tests might only be meaningful for patients with better preserved visual functions.
How flexible is cognitive control? (Mouse) tracking conflict adaptation across context similarities
Authors: Potamianou Hera , Bryce Donna
Published: September 2023

Exerting cognitive control to remain on-task and reach our goals is a crucial skill, as is the ability to flexibly adapt our responding in rapidly changing environments. The dynamics of cognitive control are typically studied by examining how participants process stimuli that contain competing relevant and irrelevant information in so-called conflict tasks. Adjustments in performance following the experience of conflict, also termed conflict adaptation, suggests a certain degree of flexibility in the deployment of cognitive control. The present study investigated to what extent conflict adaptation effects transfer across trials of the same and different tasks in three online mouse-tracking experiments. Adaptations of the Simon and Stroop tasks were combined to create different levels of context similarity between the paired tasks. Based on a previous review (Braem et al., Frontiers in Psychology 5:1–13, 2014), across-task conflict adaptation was expected only in the most and least similar contexts. In contrast to our hypothesis, conflict adaptation effects were observed in at least one measure in all three experiments. To our surprise, task order also seemed to impact the size of across-task conflict adaptation effects. The heterogeneity in the current results highlight the importance of using sensitive measurement tools to evaluate conflict adaptation and suggest that the occurrence of across-task conflict adaptation may be conditional on more than just shared relevant and irrelevant dimensions.
An accurate and unified study on non-symmetric tensile and compressive responses of elastoplastic bars and beams until failure
Authors: Liu Quan-Pu , Wang Hui-Yu , Wang Si-Yu , Xiao Heng , Bruhns Otto T.
Published: September 2023

A new and unified approach is proposed toward accurately analyzing overall elastoplastic responses of axially loaded bars and finite bending beams until failure. Results are presented for various constituent materials such as metals, reinforced concretes and reinforced composites, etc. Novelties in three respects are incorporated: (a) new uniaxial stress–strain functions are first presented in explicit forms for the purpose of accurately characterizing non-symmetric tensile and compressive behaviors of axially loaded bars from hardening to softening; (b) explicit solutions to both the varying neutral axis and the flexural moment of finite bending beams are then obtained directly in terms of these two uniaxial functions; and, hence, (c) the complex bending problem of various beams until failure is in a unified manner reduced to a simple issue of fitting two uniaxial functions to tension and compression data from uniaxial testing, thus bypassing the analytical and numerical complexity of various existing approaches. Numerical examples of model predictions are provided for typical constituent materials, including aluminium, meso-scopic heterogeneous concrete and ultra-high performance fiber-reinforced concrete with reinforcing rebars. Good agreement is achieved simultaneously with all experimental data for bars and beams made of these materials.
An amino acid mixture, enriched with Krebs cycle intermediates, enhances extracellular matrix gene expression in cultured human fibroblasts
Authors: Ragni Maurizio , Canciani Luca , Spataro Letizia , Ruocco Chiara , Valerio Alessandra , Nisoli Enzo
Published: September 2023

In the human body, the skin is one of the organs most affected by the aging process. Nutritional approaches aimed to counteract the age-induced decline of extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition could be a valuable tool to decrease the degenerative processes underlying skin aging. Here, we investigated the ability of a six-amino acid plus hyaluronic acid (6AAH) formulation enriched with tricarboxylic acid (TCA) intermediates to stimulate ECM gene expression. To this aim, human BJ fibroblasts were treated with 6AAH alone or plus succinate or malate alone or succinate plus malate (6AAHSM), and mRNA levels of several ECM markers were evaluated. 6AAHSM increased the expression of all the ECM markers significantly above 6AAH alone or plus only succinate or malate. Furthermore, in an in vitro oxidative damage model, 6AAHSM blunted the hydrogen peroxide-induced decline in ECM gene expression. Our data suggest that feeding cells with 6AAH enriched with TCAs could efficiently be employed as a non-pharmacological approach for counteracting skin aging.
Discount models
Authors: Filipović Damir
Published: September 2023

Discount is the difference between the face value of a bond and its present value. We propose an arbitrage-free dynamic framework for discount models, which provides an alternative to the Heath–Jarrow–Morton framework for forward rates. We derive general consistency conditions for factor models, and discuss affine term structure models in particular. There are several open problems, and we outline possible directions for further research.
A stochastic control perspective on term structure models with roll-over risk
Authors: Fontana Claudio , Pavarana Simone , Runggaldier Wolfgang J.
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we consider a generic interest rate market in the presence of roll-over risk, which generates spreads in spot/forward term rates. We do not require classical absence of arbitrage and rely instead on a minimal market viability assumption, which enables us to work in the context of the benchmark approach. In a Markovian setting, we extend the control-theoretic approach of Gombani and Runggaldier (Math. Finance23 (2013) 659–686) and derive representations of spot/forward spreads as value functions of suitable stochastic optimal control problems, formulated under the real-world probability and with power-type objective functionals. We determine endogenously the funding–liquidity spread by relating it to the risk-sensitive optimisation problem of a representative investor.
Impact of permeability anisotropy misalignment on flow rates predicted by hydrogeological models
Authors: Poulet Thomas , Sheldon Heather A. , Kelka Ulrich , Behnoudfar Pouria
Published: September 2023

The notion of permeability is critical to compute underground fluid flow. In most cases rock permeability is anisotropic, due to physical processes including gravitational compaction, which often results in the principal permeability directions being approximately horizontal and vertical in undeformed rocks. However, rocks often are tilted and/or deformed over time, therefore permeability orientation varies. Anisotropic permeability with varying orientation is hard to quantify in three-dimensional (3D) models and is therefore sometimes approximated, for convenience, by setting the principal permeability directions to horizontal and vertical, and assuming that corresponding errors in fluid flow might be negligible when the change in orientation is minimal. This study shows how minor misalignment of the permeability tensor can lead to large errors in fluid flow magnitude and corresponding transport times for strongly anisotropic rocks. It also provides a method to set anisotropic permeability orientation appropriately in geometrically complex 3D models using implicit 3D geological modelling. The misalignment is particularly costly when fluid flow is localised in thin channels, where a misalignment of just 5° leads to errors of two orders of magnitude for anisotropy ratios (between the largest and smallest principal values of the permeability tensor) of 104. It is therefore recommended to set anisotropic permeability accurately, using longitudinal and transverse components along with their respective orientations, rather than horizontal and vertical components. This approach will become increasingly important as 3D models gain realism in their representation of complex geometries.
Statistically validated coeherence and intensity in temporal networks of information flows
Authors: Pagnottoni Paolo , Spelta Alessandro
Published: September 2023

We propose a method for characterizing the local structure of weighted multivariate time series networks. We draw intensity and coherence of network motifs, i.e. statistically recurrent subgraphs, to characterize the system behavior via higher-order structures derived upon effective transfer entropy networks. The latter consists of a model-free methodology enabling to correct for small sample biases affecting Shannon transfer entropy, other than conducting inference on the estimated directional time series information flows. We demonstrate the usefulness of our proposed method with an application to a set of global commodity prices. Our main result shows that, despite simple triadic structures are the most intense, coherent and statistically recurrent over time, their intensity suddenly decreases after the Global Financial Crisis, in favor of most complex triadic structures, while all types of subgraphs tend to become more coherent thereafter.
Pandemic and infodemic: the spread of misinformation about COVID-19 from a cultural evolutionary perspective
Authors: Häusler Lara , Baraghith Karim
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we critically consider the analogy between “infodemic” and “pandemic”, i.e. the spread of fake news about COVID-19 as a medial virus and the infection with the biological virus itself from the perspective of cultural evolutionary theory (CET). After confronting three major shortcomings of the ‘infodemic’ concept, we use CET as a background framework to analyze this phenomenon. To do so, we summarize which bi-ases are crucial for transmission in terms of cultural selection and how transmission is restricted by filter bubbles or echo chambers acting as TRIMS (transmission isolating mechanisms) post “infection”, which isolate false from trustworthy scientific information in the context of the Corona pandemic. This is followed by a demonstration of the threat to biological fitness posed by the effects of an infection with fake news, which leads to a reduced willingness to vaccinate and follow health measures. We identify fake news on Covid as pseudoscience, trying to immunize itself from external influences. We then address the question of how to combat the infodemic. Since debunking strategies, such as warnings by fact-checking, have proven relatively ineffective in combating fake news, the inoculation theory from psychology might offer an alternative solution. Through its underlying ‘prebunking strategy’, which educates individuals about the risks and tactics of fake news prior to a potential infection, they could be ‘immunized’ in advance, similar to a virological vaccination. Although we recognize that the pandemic/infodemic analogy is in fact far from perfect, we believe that CET could provide a theoretical underpinning in order to give much more semantic depth to the concept ‘infodemic’.
Enhanced Bactericidal Effects and Drug Delivery with Gentamicin-Conjugated Nanoparticles
Authors: Athauda I. D. , Shetty M. G. , Pai P. , Hegde M. , Gurumurthy S. C. , Babitha K. S.
Published: September 2023

Amid the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains in human populations, novel solutions are necessary. Nanoparticles, renowned for their adaptability, offer a diverse range of research avenues, notably as antibacterial agents. Coupling antibiotics with nanoparticles stands out as a potential strategy, effectively intriguing drug delivery challenges and circumventing antibiotic resistance. This review focuses on studies of nanoparticles in conjugation with the aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin and their effectiveness as novel nanoparticle conjugates, their applications in drug delivery and enhanced bactericidal effects. In most cases, the nanoparticle conjugates were found to efficiently kill different bacterial strains, which was mainly dependent on the size, stability and concentration of the nanoparticles. Despite the several limitations such as nanotoxicity, accumulation of intravenously injected nanomaterials in tissues and organs, the urge and potential for the advancement of nanoparticle-drug conjugates still demands more scientific advancements.
Overcoming seed dormancy of Taxus baccata L. by embryo rescue leads to germination and seedling growth
Authors: He Junou , Favero Bruno Trevenzoli , Chen Xuefei , Müller Renate , Lütken Henrik
Published: September 2023

Hairy roots generated by Rhizobium rhizogenes-mediated transformation of yew (Taxus spp.) is a promising approach to enhance production of Taxol® (paclitaxel), which is one of the most effective anticancer drugs. As a prerequisite, it is pivotal to successfully produce Taxus seedlings for transformation. However, the deep dormancy of Taxus seeds leads to extreme difficulties in seed germination. Therefore, embryo rescue has been used to break the dormancy of Taxus baccata seeds, thereby producing seedlings for transformation. In the current study, a successful strategy of embryo rescue was to sterilize the surface of T. baccata seeds collected from the field at two different maturity stages (low and high). The strategy resulted in 100% germination rate, but it was worth noting that not all germinated embryos grew into fully developed plants. As a result, the present experiment introduced an innovative indicator—fully developed seedling index—to describe the growth of seedlings developed by germinated embryos. Collectively, the data revealed that 21 ± 4% of the seedlings eventually grew into fully developed plants. Regarding the development of the seedlings, the fully developed seedling index increased initially along with seedling growth, reaching a peak after 2 weeks. Subsequently, the fully developed seedling index from low maturity seeds and high maturity seeds began to decrease until it stabilized after 4 weeks and 7 weeks, respectively. Consequently, the new findings proved helpful to select T. baccata seeds with appropriate maturity, hence developing a reliable technique to produce viable seedlings for a transformation pipeline.
Impacts of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease on Acute Coronary Syndrome: Evidence and Controversies
Authors: Shi Shun-Yi , Jia Fang , Wang Meng-Fei , Zhou Ya-Feng , Li Jian-Jun
Published: September 2023

Purpose of Review

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are two clinically common disease entities that share numerous risk factors. This review aimed to discuss the impacts of NAFLD on ACS.

Recent Findings

In an era of improved control of traditional risk factors, the substantial burden of cardiometabolic abnormalities has caused widespread concern. NAFLD is considered the hepatic component of metabolic syndrome, which can exert an impact on human health beyond the liver. Accumulating studies have demonstrated that NAFLD is closely related to cardiovascular disease, especially coronary artery disease. Interestingly, although recent data have suggested an association between NAFLD and the incidence and outcomes of ACS, the results are not consistent.

In this review, we comprehensively summarized evidence and controversies regarding whether NAFLD is a contributor to either the development of ACS or worse outcomes in patients with ACS. The potential pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms involved in the impacts of NAFLD on ACS were also elucidated.
Effects of Nuts, Dried Fruits, Dried Seeds and Black Olives as Enrichment Ingredients on Acrylamide Concentrations in Sweet and Savoury Biscuits
Authors: Schouten Maria Alessia , Santanatoglia Agnese , Angeloni Simone , Ricciutelli Massimo , Acquaticci Laura , Caprioli Giovanni , Vittori Sauro , Romani Santina
Published: September 2023

This study investigated the effect of adding 10% almonds, pistachios, apricots, plums, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and black olives to sweet and savoury biscuits on acrylamide (AA) concentration. These ingredients, which are increasingly used to enrich bakery products, can increase the final AA content, because they contain its precursors and sometimes AA itself, due to the processing treatments they undergo. The AA and some quality characteristics of all ingredients and biscuit samples were analysed. The results showed that sweet biscuits with almonds, pistachios and apricots had AA concentrations exceeding the European benchmark level (350 µg/kg), while those with plums had a lower value (190.7 µg/kg). The enriched savoury biscuits had significantly higher AA concentrations than the control (198.9 µg/kg), up to + 163%. A 10% addition of enrichment ingredients to biscuits can lead to high AA concentrations, highlighting the need for further studies aimed at its mitigation in bakery products.
Dimensionality and reliability of the online version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) in a large Colombian sample: Results from the PSY-COVID study
Authors: Sanabria-Mazo Juan P. , Gómez-Acosta Andrés , Castro-Muñoz John Alexander , Rojas Yonatan Ferney , Feliu-Soler Albert , Luciano Juan V. , Sanz Antoni
Published: September 2023

The Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) is an ultra-brief screening instrument to measure depressive and anxiety symptoms. This study evaluated the dimensionality and reliability of the online version of the PHQ-4 in a large sample of the general population in Colombia. Data were collected during the first phase of lockdown measures occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 18,061 adult participants completed the online version of the PHQ-4. The characteristics of the items and subscales were explored. Dimensionality was examined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), including an examination of invariance (configural, metric, and scalar) across socio-demographic characteristics. Reliability indices were computed and known-groups validity was addressed by estimating associations between PHQ-4 scores and socio-demographic characteristics. The CFA showed significantly adequate fit indices for the expected two-factor structure, being invariant across gender, age, income level, education level, and region. Internal consistency was satisfactory for the PHQ-2 (α = .83), the GAD-2 (α = .79), and the PHQ-4 (α = .86). Higher scores on depressive (PHQ-2), anxiety (GAD-2), and psychological distress (PHQ-4) symptoms in females and young people, and those respondents with lower income, unemployed, and lower level of education were observed. The findings indicate that the PHQ-4 is a reliable scale for depressive and anxiety symptoms among adult Colombian people, being recommendable this tool for online surveys.
Treatment of elderly patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction: the nationwide POPular age registry
Authors: Gimbel Marieke E. , Chan Pin Yin Dean R. P. P. , van den Broek Wout W. A. , Hermanides Renicus S. , Kauer Floris , Tavenier Annerieke H. , Schellings Dirk , Brinckman Stijn L. , The Salem H. K. , Stoel Martin G. , Heestermans Ton A. C. M. , Rasoul Saman , Emans Mireille E. , van de Wetering Machiel , van Bergen Paul F. M. M. , Walhout Ronald , Nicastia Debby , Aksoy Ismail , van ’t Hof Arnoud , Knaapen Paul , Botman Cees-Joost , Liem Anho , de Nooijer Cornelis , Peper Joyce , Kelder Johannes C. , ten Berg Jurriën M.
Published: September 2023

Objective

We describe the current treatment of elderly patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) enrolled in a national registry.

Methods

The POPular AGE registry is a prospective, multicentre study of patients ≥ 75 years of age presenting with NSTEMI, performed in the Netherlands. Management was at the discretion of the treating physician. Cardiovascular events consisted of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and ischaemic stroke. Bleeding was classified according to the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) criteria.

Results

A total of 646 patients were enrolled between August 2016 and May 2018. Median age was 81 (IQR 77–84) years and 58% were male. Overall, 75% underwent coronary angiography, 40% percutaneous coronary intervention, and 11% coronary artery bypass grafting, while 49.8% received pharmacological therapy only. At discharge, dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and P2Y12 inhibitor) was prescribed to 56.7%, and 27.4% received oral anticoagulation plus at least one antiplatelet agent. At 1‑year follow-up, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction or stroke had occurred in 13.6% and major bleeding (BARC 3 and 5) in 3.9% of patients. The risk of both cardiovascular events and major bleeding was highest during the 1st month. However, cardiovascular risk was three times as high as bleeding risk in this elderly population, both after 1 month and after 1 year.

Conclusions

In this national registry of elderly patients with NSTEMI, the majority are treated according to current European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Both the cardiovascular and bleeding risk are highest during the 1st month after NSTEMI. However, the cardiovascular risk was three times as high as the bleeding risk.
Applicability of sawdust as a green additive to improve the rheological and filtration properties of water-based drilling fluid: an experimental investigation
Authors: Shuvo Md. Ashiqul Islam , Sultan Md. Zayed Bin , Ferdous A. R. Rafi
Published: September 2023

Drilling fluid is essential to oil and gas drilling operations due to its diverse functionality. But the most commonly used drilling fluid additives are hazardous chemicals and are not biodegradable. As a result, the demand for environment-friendly additives has been raised to replace the hazardous chemical additives. Considering the rising interest toward green additive, this study examined the applicability of sawdust to be used as a biodegradable drilling fluid additive to improve the rheological and filtration properties of water-based mud. Sawdust was chosen for this study because of its high cellulose content, widespread availability, and low cost. Following the guidelines set by the American Petroleum Institute (API), we carried out laboratory experiments that encompassed three distinct concentrations of sawdust: sample 1 (with 0.25% sawdust), sample 2 (with 0.50% sawdust), and sample 3 (with 0.75% sawdust). The concentrations of sawdust were measured as a weight percentage of the total volume of the base water. Concentrations above 0.75% led to gelation issues. Results showed minimal impact on mud weight at 0.25% sawdust, while 0.50 and 0.75% concentrations caused slight weight reduction due to foam development. Plastic viscosity increased by 28.5, 42.8, and 71.4% for sample 1, sample 2, and sample 3, respectively, compared to the base mud. Sawdust-containing mud exhibited desirable gel strength and shear-thinning behavior. Moreover, sawdust significantly improved filtration properties by reducing fluid loss and mud cake thickness. Sample 2 (0.5% sawdust) performed well in terms of filtration properties. Mud cake permeability followed the trend: $${k}_{\mathrm{BM}}>{k}_{0.75\% \mathrm{sawdust}}>{k}_{0.25\% \mathrm{sawdust}}>{k}_{0.50\% \mathrm{sawdust}}$$

k
BM

>

k

0.75
%
sawdust

>

k

0.25
%
sawdust

>

k

0.50
%
sawdust

. Based on promising laboratory performance, lower concentrations of sawdust are recommended as a cost-effective and eco-friendly additive to enhance rheological and filtration properties of water-based drilling fluid systems.
The relationship between speculation and translation in Bioethics: methods and methodologies
Authors: Johnson Tess , Romanis Elizabeth Chloe
Published: September 2023

There are increasing pressures for bioethics to emphasise ‘translation’. Against this backdrop, we defend ‘speculative bioethics’. We explore speculation as an important tool and line of bioethical inquiry. Further, we examine the relationship between speculation and translational bioethics and posit that speculation can support translational work. First, speculative research might be conducted as ethical analysis of contemporary issues through a new lens, in which case it supports translational work. Second, speculation might be a first step prior to translational work on a topic. Finally, speculative bioethics might constitute different content altogether, without translational objectives. For each conception of speculative bioethics, important methodological aspects determine whether it constitutes good bioethics research. We conclude that whether speculative bioethics is compatible with translational bioethics—and to what extent—depends on whether it is being employed as tool or content. Applying standards of impact uniformly across bioethics may inappropriately limit speculative bioethics.
Postdigital Collective Memory: Media Practices Against Total Design
Authors: Jelewska Agnieszka
Published: September 2023

The article presents the concept of postdigital collective memory—a proposal that opens possible research fields for postdigital science and education. Postdigital collective memory is co-created between human and nonhuman beings and technological media, with the latter treated as sensitive sensors. In order to exemplify this concept, the article presents research results from field practices and design workshops conducted by the Humanities/Art/Technology Research Center at Lake Elsensee-Rusałka in Poznań and the prototype of the Sensitive Data Lake (SDL)—a digital environment project incorporating human and nonhuman actants and attempting to restore a shared narrative about a place whose history has been suppressed and has faded from public memory. This lake is one of many examples of what Tony Fry calls ‘total design’: it was created during World War II, through the forced labor of Jewish prisoners, as part of the Nazi expansion into the East; and the project attempted to redesign the environment and remove the local inhabitants. Following the theories that analyze the long duration of ‘total design’ (Fry) and the concepts of transitions design (Escobar), the author’s own Critical Media Design (CMD) method was applied to develop various experimental strategies for design and educational work related to the history and memory of the Elsensee-Rusałka site in the postdigital reality.
Human Rights, Interpretivism, and the Semantic Sting
Authors: Costa Val Rodrigues Gabriel
Published: September 2023

What are human rights? What makes a particular human rights claim ‘genuine’ or ‘valid’? These are difficult questions with which current philosophical literature on human rights is concerned. They are also the same kind of questions that legal philosophers asked about Law throughout the 20th century. Drawing from the similarities between the two fields, I attempt to do with the concept of human rights something similar to what Ronald Dworkin accomplished with that of Law in Law’s Empire. First, I offer a critique of the two dominant perspectives on human rights—the Orthodox and Political views—that is similar in character to Dworkin’s Semantic Sting objection to Legal Positivism. Second, I sketch an alternative, Dworkinian-inspired framework that seeks to develop the notion of human rights as an interpretive concept. According to this framework, different accounts of human rights are to be understood as expressing different interpretations of the point (or purpose) of human rights practice.
Exploring the Magnitude, Characteristics and Socio-economic Contexts of Witchcraft-Related Eldercides in Kenya
Authors: Owusu Emmanuel Sarpong
Published: September 2023

Many eldercides in African societies are motivated by witchcraft beliefs. Yet, witchcraft-related eldercide remains an understudied criminological subject. The present study explores the scale, features and socio-cultural and economic contexts of witchcraft-related elder homicide in Kenya. A total of 94 media articles reporting the witchcraft-related killings of 136 older people in Kenya between January 2012 and December 2021 were perused. Key information about the victims and perpetrators and the circumstances surrounding each event/eldercide was collected and critically analysed. The data suggest that approximately 75% of witchcraft-related homicide victims in Kenya are 60 years old and above. Most victims were females (mainly widows) of low socio-economic backgrounds. All the cases occurred in rural communities, and the perpetrators were largely young adult males. Arson, slashing with a machete and clubbing/beating were the dominant methods used to kill alleged witches. Most killings were motivated by the belief that the victims caused misfortunes/calamities by witchcraft. However, witchcraft allegations and concomitant killings were sometimes weaponized to obtain the victims’ property/land. Because witchcraft beliefs are deeply entrenched in the culture and philosophy of the Kenyan people, the use of a multifaceted approach may be the most appropriate way of curtailing the problem.
Future for inertial-fusion energy in Europe: a roadmap
Authors: Batani Dimitri , Colaïtis Arnaud , Consoli Fabrizio , Danson Colin N. , Gizzi Leonida Antonio , Honrubia Javier , Kühl Thomas , Le Pape Sebastien , Miquel Jean-Luc , Perlado Jose Manuel , Scott R. H. H. , Tatarakis Michael , Tikhonchuk Vladimir , Volpe Luca
Published: September 2023

The recent achievement of fusion ignition with laser-driven technologies at the National Ignition Facility sets a historic accomplishment in fusion energy research. This accomplishment paves the way for using laser inertial fusion as a viable approach for future energy production. Europe has a unique opportunity to empower research in this field internationally, and the scientific community is eager to engage in this journey. We propose establishing a European programme on inertial-fusion energy with the mission to demonstrate laser-driven ignition in the direct-drive scheme and to develop pathway technologies for the commercial fusion reactor. The proposed roadmap is based on four complementary axes: (i) the physics of laser–plasma interaction and burning plasmas; (ii) high-energy high repetition rate laser technology; (iii) fusion reactor technology and materials; and (iv) reinforcement of the laser fusion community by international education and training programmes. We foresee collaboration with universities, research centres and industry and establishing joint activities with the private sector involved in laser fusion. This project aims to stimulate a broad range of high-profile industrial developments in laser, plasma and radiation technologies along with the expected high-level socio-economic impact.
Severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA and viable virus contamination of hospital emergency department surfaces and association with patient coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) status and aerosol-generating procedures
Authors: Roberts Scott C. , Barbell Elliana S. , Barber Douglas , Dahlberg Suzanne E. , Heimer Robert , Jubanyik Karen , Parwani Vivek , Pettigrew Melinda M. , Tanner Jason M. , Ulrich Andrew , Wade Martina , Wyllie Anne L. , Yolda-Carr Devyn , Martinello Richard A. , Tanner Windy D.
Published: September 2023

Emergency departments are high-risk settings for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) surface contamination. Environmental surface samples were obtained in rooms with patients suspected of having COVID-19 who did or did not undergo aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs). SARS-CoV-2 RNA surface contamination was most frequent in rooms occupied by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who received no AGPs.
An Author without a Nation: Fictional Renderings of Leopoldo Lugones in Argentine Literature
Authors: López Martínez Rodrigo
Published: September 2023

This article examines three novels that use fiction to revise the figure of the Argentine author Leopoldo Lugones: Ricardo Piglia’s Respiración artificial (1980), C. E. Feiling’s Un poeta nacional (1993), and César Aira’s Lugones (2020). These three novels present different portrayals of Lugones, which also mirror their opposing views of the Argentine literary tradition. Piglia, Feiling, and Aira look back at the so-called national poet when self-fashioning themselves as writers and outlining a literary project in a (post)dictatorial scenario. In a cultural field marked by the effects of state terror and neoliberal reform policies, these fictional renderings of Lugones become a means of reflecting on the political past and the future of literature. Ultimately, I argue that Respiración artificial, Un poeta nacional, and Lugones devise a figure of the Argentine author decoupled from the mission of consolidating a national identity that Lugones epitomized for nearly half a century.
Nonlinear elasticity with vanishing nonlocal self-repulsion
Authors: Krömer Stefan , Reiter Philipp
Published: September 2023

We prove that for nonlinear elastic energies with strong enough energetic control of the outer distortion of admissible deformations, almost everywhere global invertibility as constraint can be obtained in the

$\Gamma$

-limit of the elastic energy with an added nonlocal self-repulsion term with asymptocially vanishing coefficient. The self-repulsion term considered here formally coincides with a Sobolev–Slobodeckiĭ seminorm of the inverse deformation. Variants near the boundary or on the surface of the domain are also studied.
Can a Thought's Whole Subject-Matter Be Itself? The Case of Pain
Authors: Goldstick D.
Published: September 2023

Even if it cannot be found elsewhere, it does at least appear that logical infallibility, or incorrigibility, can be found in the belief that one is, or is not, in pain, as well as in the Cogito. But how could the existence of a (true) belief and the existence of the fact believed be the same existence? An answer is proposed. Sometimes a belief can be a desire.
A systematic review of antimicrobial treatment regimens and their outcomes in necrotising otitis externa
Authors: Lodhi Sirat , Timms Sara , Stapleton Emma
Published: September 2023

Background

Necrotising otitis externa is a serious infection with minimal evidence underpinning its management. This review aims to synthesise published evidence of antimicrobial therapies and their outcomes in necrotising otitis externa.

Methods

The review was PROSPERO registered (CRD42022353244) and conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (‘PRISMA’) guidelines. A robust search strategy filtered 28 manuscripts into the final review. Antimicrobial therapy and clinical outcome data were extracted and analysed.

Results

Published studies are heterogeneous, with high risk of bias and low certainty. Reporting of outcomes is poor and extremely variable. First-line therapy is most commonly in-patient (95 per cent) empiric fluoroquinolone (68 per cent) delivered intravenously (82 per cent). The lack of granular data and poor outcome reporting mean it is impossible to correlate treatment strategies with clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

Robust, consistent outcome reporting with reference to treatments administered is mandatory, to inform clinical management and optimise future research. Optimal antimicrobial choices and treatment strategies require clarification through prospective clinical trials.
Imaging Hadrian in Britain between Coinage and Sculpture: A New Digital Approach to the Study of Roman Imperial Portraiture
Authors: Calomino D. , Bologna F. , Wilson P.F. , Donnelly M. , Williams M.A.
Published: September 2023

This paper presents a new approach to an old problem, the provincial reception of the image of Roman emperors. Applying 3D computer modelling, we captured the portrait features of Hadrian as represented on coinage minted for the British province, produced a 3D model from a coin and compared it with the bronze head of Hadrian found in London. The aim was to test the possibility, previously posited by other scholars, that the London portrait might have been produced by an artisan who used coin portraits of the emperor as his main – if not only – model. More generally, the paper examines the dependencies of coinage and sculpture on shared models and applies new technology to Roman portrait studies.
The computational and the representational language-of-thought hypotheses
Authors: Chalmers David J.
Published: September 2023

There are two versions of the language-of-thought hypothesis (LOT): Representational LOT (roughly, structured representation), introduced by Ockham, and computational LOT (roughly, symbolic computation) introduced by Fodor. Like many others, I oppose the latter but not the former. Quilty-Dunn et al. defend representational LOT, but they do not defend the strong computational LOT thesis central to the classical-connectionist debate.
Putting relating at the core of language-of-thought
Authors: De Houwer Jan
Published: September 2023

Propositional representations are units of information with a relational content. Their relational nature allows for the six distinctive properties of language-of-thought representations. Putting relating at the core of language-of-thought also fits well with the idea that thinking and reasoning are instances of relational behavior. These propositional and behavioral perspectives can be combined within a functional-cognitive framework.
Linguistic structure and the languages-of-thought
Authors: Dupre Gabe
Published: September 2023

Quilty-Dunn et al. adopt a methodology for psychology connecting behavioral capacities to the format of the mental systems underlying them. This methodology opens up avenues connecting linguistic theory to comparative psychology. On the assumption that language structures thought, identifying the formal structure of human language can generate hypotheses connecting distinctively human cognitive traits to the distinctive structures of human language.
Processing to learn noncanonical word orders: Exploring linguistic and cognitive predictors of reanalysis in early L2 sentence comprehension
Authors: Hopp Holger , Schimke Sarah , Gastmann Freya , Öwerdieck David , Poarch Gregory J.
Published: September 2023

To test the contributions of processing to L2 syntax learning, this study explores (cross-) linguistic and cognitive predictors of sentence reanalysis in the L2 comprehension of relative clauses among low-intermediate L1 German adolescent learners of L2 English. Specifically, we test the degree to which L2 comprehension is affected by L2 proficiency, reanalysis ability in a related, earlier-acquired L2 structure (questions), reanalysis ability of relative clauses in the L1, cognitive control, and cognitive capacity. In visual-world eye-tracking experiments, 141 adolescent German-speaking L2 learners of English selected target pictures for auditorily presented questions and relative clauses in the L1 and in the L2. The results showed a strong subject preference for L2 relative clauses. Learners’ L2 proficiency and their processing of object questions in the L2 predicted reanalysis for object relatives in eye movements, reaction times, and comprehension accuracy. In contrast, there was no evidence that cognitive control or working memory systematically affected the processing of object relatives. These findings suggest that linguistic processing outweighs cognitive processing in accounting for individual differences in low-intermediate L2 acquisition of complex grammar. Specifically, learners recruit shared processing mechanisms and routines across grammatical structures to pave a way in the acquisition of syntax.
The scholar and administrator: personal reflections on Francis Robinson
Authors: Gowar Norman
Published: September 2023

It is a privilege to be asked to contribute to this celebration of Francis's career and I am pleased to contribute a few comments beyond those concerned with his immense contributions to his field of study and to pay tribute to him as a major player in the intellectual and social life of Royal Holloway, University of London.
Co-Production and Structural Oppression in Public Mental Health
Authors: Wilde Alana
Published: September 2023

Co-production, in the field of mental health, aims to bring together academic and clinical researchers and those with lived experience. Often, research projects informed by this methodology involve the meeting of opposing attitudes, whether to the legitimacy of psychiatry, determinants of mental ill health, or the most appropriate interventions. This has meant that whilst some have reported positive experiences of co-production, many people with lived experience of mental ill health, sometimes referred to as ‘experts by experience’ (EbE), report harms which have taken place or been perpetuated during co-produced research projects. In the literature, nearly always, this is understood as a kind of epistemic injustice in Miranda Fricker's sense. In this paper, I argue that whilst Fricker's view does provide a plausible explanation of what's at play, we can gain more insight into the structural factors which exclude EbE by applying a framework of epistemic oppression. By highlighting the systemic and structural factors which work to keep certain knowers and their contributions out of our collective epistemic resources, we begin to understand the enormity of the task required to redress injustices in our knowledge production systems.
Application of Deep Learning to Solar and Space Weather Data
Authors: Moon Yong-Jae , Lee Harim , Son Jihyeon , Sung Suk-Kyung , Yi Kangwoo , Jeong Hyun-Jin , Park Eunsu , Ji Eun-Young , Cho Il-Hyun , Lawrance Bendict , Lim Daye , Shin Gyungin , Lee Sujin , Rahman Sumiaya , Kim Taeyoung
Published: September 2023

In this review, we introduce our recent applications of deep learning to solar and space weather data. We have successfully applied novel deep learning methods to the following applications: (1) generation of solar farside/backside magnetograms and global field extrapolation based on them, (2) generation of solar UV/EUV images from other UV/EUV images and magnetograms, (3) denoising solar magnetograms using supervised learning, (4) generation of UV/EUV images and magnetograms from Galileo sunspot drawings, (5) improvement of global IRI TEC maps using IGS TEC ones, (6) one-day forecasting of global TEC maps through image translation, (7) generation of high-resolution magnetograms from Ca II K images, (8) super-resolution of solar magnetograms, (9) flare classification by CNN and visual explanation by attribution methods, and (10) forecasting GOES solar X-ray profiles. We present major results and discuss them. We also present future plans for integrated space weather models based on deep learning.
Study of Ionospheric behaviour during the intense geomagnetic storms in 24th solar cycle over different Latitudes and Longitudes
Authors: Malvi Bhupendra , Tripathi Sharad C. , Purohit P. K.
Published: September 2023

An analysis of geomagnetic disturbances and global ionospheric electron density perturbations during the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day geomagnetic storm is presented in this paper. GPS observations from worldwide IGS stations are used and analysed through GPS-TEC analysis application developed by Gopi Seemala to get VTEC profiles. The St. Patrick’s geomagnetic storm covers the interval of 15-23 March 2015, when transient solar eruptions (a prolonged C9-class solar flare and associated CMEs on 15 March) and a strong geomagnetic storm during 16-18 March (Dst dropped to -223 nT) were reported. This geomagnetic storm led to complex effects on the ionosphere. The global maps have been created after analysing VTEC profiles at Low, Mid and High-latitudes over different longitudinal sectors. Major features of the positive and negative ionospheric storm development are observed in Asian, European and American Low, Mid and High-latitudes.