bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A School Story, Not a Student Story: The Dyslexic Diagnosis Paradigm in Children’s and Young Adult Literature
Authors: Leung Elizabeth
Published: May 2023

Representations of dyslexia have a history of educational and literary scholarship primarily concerned with how dynamic characters with learning disabilities are and if they are positively portrayed. This article uses narrative theory to analyze how diagnosis operates on a structural level to create what I call the dyslexic diagnosis paradigm. Examining school stories featuring characters with dyslexia published between 2007 and 2020, I demonstrate how this paradigm functions through a structural closure of struggle, diagnosis and accommodations, and a psychological closure consisting of shame, declaration, and acceptance within these novels. Variations or polytypes of this narrative are also common within this corpus which maintain the psychological closure of shame, declaration, and acceptance present within the prototypical narrative. While some disability counternarratives or dyslexic persistence narratives nuance the school story, the dyslexic diagnosis paradigm ultimately remains prevalent and upholds the medical model of disability within the educational system, promoting the flawed status quo of disability rather than asking readers to question the validity of the systems which enforce them.
The social cost of methane
Authors: Azar Christian , Martín Jorge García , Johansson Daniel JA. , Sterner Thomas
Published: May 2023

A rapid and sustained reduction of methane emissions has been proposed recently as a key strategy to meet the climate targets of the Paris Agreement. The social cost of methane (SCM), which expresses the climate damage cost associated with an additional metric ton of methane emitted, is a metric that can be used to design policies to reduce the emissions of this gas. Here, we extend the DICE-2016R2 model so that it includes an improved carbon cycle and energy balance model as well as methane emissions, methane abatement cost, and an atmospheric methane cycle explicitly to be able to provide consistent estimations of the SCM. We estimate the SCM to lie in the range 880–8100 USD/tCH4in 2020, with a base case estimate of 4000 USD/tCH4. We find our base case estimate to be larger than the average SCM presented in other studies mainly due to the revised damage function we use. We also estimate the social cost of carbon (SCC) and find that SCM estimates are less sensitive to variations in the social discount rate than the SCC due to the relatively short lifetime of methane. Changes in the parameterization of the damage function have similar relative impacts on both SCM and SCC. Furthermore, we evaluate the ratio of SCM to SCC as an alternative metric to GWP-100 of CH4to facilitate tradeoffs between these two gases. We find this ratio to lie in the range 7–33 in 2020, with a base case estimate of 21, based on an extensive sensitivity analysis with respect to the discount rate, damage cost, and underlying emission scenarios. We also show that the global warming potential (GWP) and the SCM to SCC ratio are almost the same if the inverse of the effective discounting (in the social cost calculations) is equal to the time horizon used to evaluate the GWP. For comparison, the most widely used GWP, i.e., with a time horizon of 100 years, equals 27, hence in the upper range of the ratio we find using the SCM to SCC ratio.
Was humpty dumpty right?: Towards a functional definition of e-learning
Authors: O’Neill Aidan
Published: May 2023

This paper discusses the importance of definitions in the context of academic discussion, highlights the inconsistent terminology used to describe e-learning, and examines a range of different definitions of e-learning used by academic authors since 2011. Following an outline of the methodology, the paper identifies 15 unique definitions of e-learning in peer-reviewed papers published between January 2011 and December 2022. The 15 definitions are analysed for significant properties, and these properties are reviewed to assess whether they are essential components of e-learning. The paper then proposes a functional definition of e-learning, including all essential elements of e-learning and eliminating elements that may be present in some, but not all, instances of e-learning.
Young Japanese Children’s Subjectification and Objectification Through the Lens of Joint Labor in a Mathematical Activity at a Preschool: A Case Study
Authors: Nakawa Nagisa , Uegatani Yusuke , Otani Hiroki , Fukuda Hiroto
Published: May 2023

The objective of this case study was to identify the role of finger gestures in learning mathematics informally during play, especially in sociocultural settings. A mathematical activity involving addition was qualitatively analyzed at a Japanese preschool. We explored how the process of subjectification and objectification contributed to a mathematical activity at a Japanese preschool and how the role of preschoolers’ finger gestures changed during the process of learning mathematics. We utilized Radford’s theoretical construct of joint labor and analyzed Japanese preschool children’s mathematical behaviors from a sociocultural perspective. The subjects were 15 Japanese preschool children and their teacher. We relied on both Radford’s methodology and a microgenetic approach for the analysis. We found that subjectification and objectification proceeded in the scene of the conversations regarding addition; observing joint labor in a classroom activity offered valuable insights into these processes. In the activity, the children actively extended their practice of posing and answering quizzes, and learned how to resolve a conflict with the support of the teacher. Secondly, although the role of finger gestures was originally used to obtain correct answers to quizzes, it was reconstructed to solve the conflict between the children through the teacher’s mediation. This showed that, even in an environment where children implicitly learn mathematics, they learn from one another, including the teacher, and that gestures in mathematical communications function well for developing mathematical thinking and skills.
Salinity as a tool for strain selection in recirculating land-based production of Ulva spp. from germlings to adults
Authors: Cardoso Isabel , Meiβner Anneke , Sawicki Anja , Bartsch Inka , Valentin Klaus-Ulrich , Steinhagen Sophie , Buck Bela H. , Hofmann Laurie C.
Published: May 2023

The genus Ulva is globally distributed and has been thoroughly studied because of its functional biochemical composition, rapid growth rates and opportunistic features, and interest in Ulva cultivation is growing worldwide. In Europe, mostly near- and on-shore flow-through cultivation systems are used and land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) using fresh water or artificial seawater have not been developed for Ulva. While RAS provides quality control and can be located inland, maintenance costs are high. Using selected strains adapted to low-salinity could reduce seawater production costs and improve the economic feasibility. Therefore, our study assessed how salinity can be used as a tool for strain selection and optimization of functional traits. Growth rates and antioxidant activity of three species (four strains) of tubular and foliose Ulva from the NE-Atlantic and Mediterranean (foliose: Ulva lacinulata – two geographical strains, tubular: Ulva linza and Ulva flexuosa) were followed for three weeks at salinities ranging from 10 to 30 PSU. The tubular strains achieved optimal growth at a lower salinity than U. lacinulata. However, growth rates of both foliose strains were higher than of tubular strains, even at sub-optimal salinity. Therefore, U. lacinulata is a good candidate for RAS with artificial seawater, and the cost of salt can be reduced by up to 33.3% (20 PSU) without significantly reducing the growth rate of U. lacinulata. Higher antioxidant activity was achieved by reducing the salinity to 10 PSU for 10 days, suggesting that the functional traits of cultivated Ulva lacinulata can be optimized prior to harvest.
Melt Processible Biodegradable Blends of Polyethylene Glycol Plasticized Cellulose Diacetate with Polylactic Acid and Polybutylene Adipate-Co-Terephthalate
Authors: Tselana Bethuel M. , Muniyasamy Sudhakar , Ojijo Vincent O. , Mhike Washington
Published: May 2023

Enhancing the melt processability of cellulose is key to broadening its applications. This is done via derivatization of cellulose, and subsequent plasticization and/or blending with other biopolymers, such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT). However, derivatization of cellulose tends to reduce its biodegradability. Moreover, traditional plasticizers are non-biodegradable. In this study, we report the influence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) plasticizer on the melt processibility and biodegradability of cellulose diacetate (CD) and its blends with PLA and PBAT. CD was first plasticized with PEG (PEG-200) at 35 wt%, and then blended with PLA and PBAT using a twin-screw extruder. Blends of the PEG plasticized CD with PLA at 40 wt% and with PBAT at 60 wt% were studied in detail. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) showed that PEG reduced the glass transition of the CD from ca. 220 °C to less than 100 °C, indicating effective plasticization. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the CD/PEG-PBAT blend had a smoother morphology implying some miscibility. The CD/PEG-PBAT blend at 60 wt% PBAT had an elongation-to-break of 734%, whereas the CD/PEG-PLA blend had a tensile strength of 20.6 MPa, comparable to that of the PEG plasticized CD. After a 108-day incubation period under simulated aerobic composting, the CD/PEG-PBAT blend at 60 wt% PBAT exhibited a biodegradation of 41%, whereas that of the CD/PEG-PLA at 40 wt% PLA was 107%. This study showed that melt processible, biodegradable CD blends can be synthesized through plasticization with PEG and blending with PBAT or PLA.
Hydrothermal performance of a turbulent nanofluid with different nanoparticle shapes in a duct fitted with various configurations of coiled-wire inserts
Authors: Al-Tohamy Amro H. , Fadodun Olatomide G. , Kaood Amr
Published: May 2023

This paper examines the turbulent hydrothermal performance of boehmite/water–ethylene glycol$$(\upgamma -\mathrm{AlO}(\mathrm{OH})/{\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{EG})$$(γ-AlO(OH)/H2O-EG)nanofluid flowing through a square duct fitted with various coiled-wire inserts (CWIs) using the finite volume method. The turbulent flow of$$\upgamma -\mathrm{AlO}(\mathrm{OH})/{\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{EG}$$γ-AlO(OH)/H2O-EGnanofluid is modeled using single-phase and$$k-\varepsilon$$k-εmodel. A parametric study is carried out on the effect of Reynolds number ($$5.0\times {10}^{3}\le \mathrm{Re}\le 4.0\times {10}^{4}$$5.0×103≤Re≤4.0×104), the geometry of wire (circular, triangular, square, square-diamond, hexagon, octagon, and decagon), nanoparticle volume ratio ($$0\le \varphi \le 4\%$$0≤φ≤4%), and nanoparticle shapes (blade, brick, cylinder, platelet, and oblate-spheroid) on hydrodynamic and convective heat transfer performance (CHTP). The results showed that the combination between CWI and nanofluid enhances hydrothermal performance. For instance, among the geometries of CWI considered at$$\mathrm{Re}=5.0\times {10}^{3}$$Re=5.0×103, the square CWI has the highest normalized$${\mathrm{Nu}}^{\mathrm{G}}$$NuG(referencing empty channel) of 2.58, while the decagon has the lowest value of 1.78. Furthermore, regarding the nanoparticle shapes, the platelet shape has a maximum normalized$${\mathrm{Nu}}^{\mathrm{N}}$$NuN(referencing base fluid) of 1.53, while the oblate-spheroid has a minimum value of 0.93. Lastly, in terms of application, square and octagon wire-fitted channels are better than empty channel at low$$\mathrm{Re}$$Re, as the values of their hydrothermal performance evaluation criteria are greater than unity.
Exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells alleviate biliary ischemia reperfusion injury in fatty liver transplantation by inhibiting ferroptosis
Authors: Tian Xuan , Wu Longlong , Li Xiang , Zheng Weiping , Zuo Huaiwen , Song Hongli
Published: May 2023

Fatty liver grafts are susceptible to ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI), increasing the risk of biliary complications after liver transplantation (LT). Ferroptosis, a newly recognized programmed cell death, is expected to be a novel therapeutic target for IRI. We investigated whether exosomes derived from heme oxygenase 1-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (HExos) relieve ferroptosis and protect biliary tracts from IRI in a rat fatty liver transplantation model. Rats were fed with a methionine choline deficient (MCD) diet for 2 weeks to induce severe hepatic steatosis. Steatotic grafts were implanted and HExos were administered after liver transplantation. A series of functional assays and pathological analysis were performed to assess ferroptosis and biliary IRI. The HExos attenuated IRI following liver transplantation, as demonstrated by less ferroptosis, improved liver function, less Kupffer and T cell activation, and less long-term biliary fibrosis. MicroRNA (miR)-204-5p delivered by HExos negatively regulated ferroptosis by targeting a key pro-ferroptosis enzyme, ACSL4. Ferroptosis contributes to biliary IRI in fatty liver transplantation. HExos protect steatotic grafts by inhibiting ferroptosis, and may become a promising strategy to prevent biliary IRI and expand the donor pool.
A lava flow simulation experience oriented to disaster risk reduction, early warning systems and response during the 2021 volcanic eruption in Cumbre Vieja, La Palma
Authors: Martín-Raya Nerea , Díaz-Pacheco Jaime , López-Díez Abel , Dorta Antequera Pedro , Cabrera Amílcar
Published: May 2023

Lava flows are one of the hazards involved in a volcanic eruption, and although they rarely cause the loss of human life, they are highly destructive in terms of damage to property and economic activity. Therefore, the management of volcanic disasters requires fast and accurate information on the behaviour and evolution of the flows, mainly related to their extension, displacement, and trajectory. This was the case during the disaster linked to the volcanic event that occurred on the island of La Palma in the Cumbre Vieja area at the end of 2021, which lasted eighty-five days. This paper describes part of the work performed by many different groups to provide predictive information aimed at feeding the early warning system set up during the disaster. This case shows the experience in the use of a probabilistic simulation algorithm implemented in the Q-LavHA plugin for the QGIS software, which is both easily accessible and applicable, to analyze its features in detail, as well as its predictive capacity. The results show that the model can efficiently and quickly satisfy the demand for this type of information, and its high similarity value is also validated by the Kappa index.
Estimating fuzzy measures of deprivation at local level in Tuscany
Authors: Crescenzi Federico , Neri Laura
Published: May 2023

In this paper we estimate monetary and non-monetary poverty measures at two sub-regional levels in the region of Tuscany (Italy) using data from the ad-hoc Survey on Vulnerability and Poverty held by Regional Institute from Economic Planning of Tuscany (IRPET). We estimate the percentage of households living in poverty conditions and three supplementary fuzzy measures of poverty regarding deprivation in basic needs and lifestyle, children deprivation, and financial insecurity. The key feature of the survey is that it was carried out after the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore, some of the items collected focus on the subjective perception of poverty eighteen months after the beginning of the pandemic. We assess the quality of these estimates either with initial direct estimates along with their sampling variance, and with a secondary small area estimation when the formers are not sufficiently accurate.
Estimating the innovation benefits of first-mover and second-mover strategies when micro-businesses adopt artificial intelligence and machine learning
Authors: Nafizah Ully Y. , Roper Stephen , Mole Kevin
Published: May 2023

Digital technologies have the potential to transform all aspects of firms’ operations. The emergence of advanced digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning raises questions about whether and when micro-businesses should adopt these technologies. In this paper we focus on how firms’ adoption decisions on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning influence their innovation capabilities. Using survey data for over 6,000 micro-businesses in the UK, we identify two groups of adopters based on the timing of their adoption of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. ‘first movers’ – early adopters of the new technologies - and ‘second movers’- later adopters of the new technology. Probit models are used to investigate the innovation benefits of first and second mover adoption strategies. Our results suggest strong and positive impacts of adopting Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning on micro-businesses’ innovation outcomes and innovation processes. We highlight the differential benefits of first mover and second mover strategies and highlight the role of technology characteristics as the differentiating factor. Our results emphasize both the innovation enabling role of digital technologies and the importance of an appropriate strategic approach to adopting advanced digital technologies.
Sub-Saharan Africa’s Tragedy: Resource Curse, Democracy and Income Inequality
Authors: Acheampong Alex O. , Dzator Janet , Abunyewah Matthew , Erdiaw-Kwasie Michael Odei , Opoku Eric Evans Osei
Published: May 2023

This study utilized instrumental variable techniques and the Driscoll-Kraay estimator to examine the effect of democracy and natural resources on income inequality using a comprehensive panel dataset from 43 sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The findings from our empirical analysis indicated that natural resources and democracy indices such as electoral, liberal, participatory, deliberative, and egalitarian drive income inequality in SSA. Regional comparative analysis also showed that the democracy indices increase income inequality in West, Central, and Southern Africa while having a neutral effect on income inequality in Eastern Africa. Natural resources were revealed to reduce income inequality in West and Southern African countries while increasing income inequality in Eastern Africa. In the case of Central Africa, natural resources play an insignificant role in income inequality. The interactive effect analysis indicates that the democracy indices interact with natural resources to increase income inequality in SSA. Finally, the democracy indices interacted with natural resources to drive income inequality in Eastern and Southern African countries while exerting an insignificant effect on income inequality in West and Central African countries. The policy implications of the findings are discussed.
Automatically adapting the number of state particles in SMC$$^2$$
Authors: Botha Imke , Kohn Robert , South Leah , Drovandi Christopher
Published: May 2023

Sequential Monte Carlo squared (SMC$$^2$$

2

) methods can be used for parameter inference of intractable likelihood state-space models. These methods replace the likelihood with an unbiased particle filter estimate, similarly to particle Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). As with particle MCMC, the efficiency of SMC$$^2$$

2

greatly depends on the variance of the likelihood estimator, and therefore on the number of state particles used within the particle filter. We introduce novel methods to adaptively select the number of state particles within SMC$$^2$$

2

using the expected squared jumping distance to trigger the adaptation, and modifying the exchange importance sampling method of Chopin et al. (J R Stat Soc: Ser B (Stat Method) 75(3):397–426, 2012) to replace the current set of state particles with the new set of state particles. The resulting algorithm is fully automatic, and can significantly improve current methods. Code for our methods is available at https://github.com/imkebotha/adaptive-exact-approximate-smc.
Effect of obstructive sleep apnea on prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndromes with varying numbers of standard modifiable risk factors: insight from the OSA-ACS study
Authors: Wang Bin , Zhang Yuekun , Hao Wen , Fan Jingyao , Yan Yan , Gong Wei , Zheng Wen , Que Bin , Ai Hui , Wang Xiao , Nie Shaoping
Published: May 2023

Background

Standard modifiable risk factors (SMuRFs) increase the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and are also strongly associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a bidirectional relationship. However, the association of OSA with recurrent cardiovascular events in ACS patients based on the number of SMuRFs remains unclear. Hence, we aimed to elucidate the prognostic implication of OSA in ACS patients stratified by the number of SMuRFs.

Methods

This was a post hoc analysis of the OSA-ACS study (NCT03362385), including 1927 patients admitted for ACS and undergoing portable sleep monitoring. OSA was defined as an apnea hypopnea index ≥ 15 events/h. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure, and ischemia-driven revascularization. Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to investigated the relationship between OSA and subsequent cardiovascular events after patients were stratified by the number of SMuRFs.

Results

Among 1927 patients enrolled, 130 (6.7%) had no SMuRF, 1264 (65.6%) exhibited 1–2 SMuRFs and 533 (27.7%) presented 3–4 SMuRFs. With the increase of the number of SMuRFs, the proportion of OSA in ACS patients tended to increase (47.7% vs. 51.5% vs. 56.6%), but there was no significant difference between them (P = 0.08). After the stratification of ACS patients via SMuRF numbers and adjustment for confounding factors, fully adjusted Cox regression indicated that OSA increased the risk of MACCE (adjusted HR, 1.65; 95%CI, 1.06–2.57; P = 0.026) and ischemia-driven revascularization (adjusted HR, 2.18; 95%CI, 1.03–4.65; P = 0.042) in ACS patients with 3–4 SMuRFs.

Conclusions

In hospitalized ACS patients, OSA is associated with an increased risk of MACCE and ischemia-driven revascularization among patients with 3–4 SMuRFs. Therefore, screening for OSA should be emphasized in ACS patients with 3–4 SMuRFs, and intervention trials should be prioritized in these high-risk patients.
Living Alone in the City: Differentials in Subjective Well-Being Among Single Households 1995–2018
Authors: Fritsch Nina-Sophie , Riederer Bernhard , Seewann Lena
Published: May 2023

Over the past decades, the number of single households is constantly rising in metropolitan regions. In addition, they became increasingly heterogeneous. In the media, individuals who live alone are sometimes still presented as deficient. Recent research, however, indicates a way more complex picture. Using the example of Vienna, this paper investigates the quality of life of different groups of single households in the city. Based on five waves of the Viennese Quality of Life Survey covering almost a quarter of a century (1995–2018), we analyse six domains of subjective well-being (satisfaction with the financial situation, the housing situation, the main activity, the family life, social contacts, and leisure time activities). Our analyses reveal that, in most domains, average satisfaction of single households has hardly changed over time. However, among those living alone satisfaction of senior people (60+) increased while satisfaction of younger people (below age 30) decreased. Increasing differences in satisfaction with main activity, housing, or financial situation reflect general societal developments on the Viennese labour and housing markets. The old clichéd images of the “young, reckless, happy single” and the “lonely, poor, dissatisfied senior single” reverse reality.
Comparison of image quality of 3D ultrasound: motorized acquisition versus freehand navigated acquisition, a phantom study
Authors: Bekedam N. M. , Karssemakers L. H. E. , van Alphen M. J. A. , van Veen R. L. P. , Smeele L. E. , Karakullukcu M. B.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Intra-operative assessment of resection margins during oncological surgery is a field that needs improvement. Ultrasound (US) shows the potential to fulfill this need, but this imaging technique is highly operator-dependent. A 3D US image of the whole specimen may remedy the operator dependence. This study aims to compare and evaluate the image quality of 3D US between freehand acquisition (FA) and motorized acquisition (MA).

Methods

Multiple 3D US volumes of a commercial phantom were acquired in motorized and freehand fashion. FA images were collected with electromagnetic navigation. An integrated algorithm reconstructed the FA images. MA images were stacked into a 3D volume. The image quality is evaluated following the metrics: contrast resolution, axial and elevation resolution, axial and elevation distance calibration, stability, inter-operator variability, and intra-operator variability. A linear mixed model determined statistical differences between FA and MA for these metrics.

Results

The MA results in a statistically significant lower error of axial distance calibration (p < 0.0001) and higher stability (p < 0.0001) than FA. On the other hand, the FA has a better elevation resolution (p < 0.003) than the MA.

Conclusion

MA results in better image quality of 3D US than the FA method based on axial distance calibration, stability, and variability. This study suggests acquiring 3D US volumes for intra-operative ex vivo margin assessment in a motorized fashion.
Deep learning-based lightweight radar target detection method
Authors: Liang Siyuan , Chen Rongrong , Duan Guodong , Du Jianbo
Published: May 2023

For target detection tasks in complicated backgrounds, a deep learning-based radar target detection method is suggested to address the problems of a high false alarm rate and the difficulties of achieving high-performance detection by conventional methods. Considering the issues of large parameter count and memory occupation of the deep learning-based target detection models, a lightweight target detection method based on improved YOLOv4-tiny is proposed. The technique applies depthwise separable convolution (DSC) and bottleneck architecture (BA) to the YOLOv4-tiny network. Moreover, it introduces the convolutional block attention module (CBAM) in the improved feature fusion network. It allows the network to be lightweight while ensuring detection accuracy. We choose a certain number of pulses from the pulse-compressed radar data for clutter suppression and Doppler processing to obtain range–Doppler (R–D) images. Experiments are run on the R–D two-dimensional echo images, and the results demonstrate that the proposed method can quickly and accurately detect dim radar targets against complicated backgrounds. Compared with other algorithms, our approach is more balanced regarding detection accuracy, model size, and detection speed.
Transdiagnostic factors in symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress: a systematic review
Authors: Hernández-Posadas Alejandrina , Lommen Miriam J. J. , de la Rosa Gómez Anabel , Bouman Theo K. , Mancilla-Díaz Juan Manuel , del Palacio González Adriana
Published: May 2023

The current systematic review sought to identify quantitative empirical studies that focused on the transdiagnostic factors of intolerance of uncertainty, emotional dysregulation and rumination, and their relation with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The overall research aim was to examine the relationship between these transdiagnostic factors and their relation with depression and PTSD symptoms. The systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Out of the 768 articles initially identified, 55 met the inclusion criteria for the current review. The results determined that intolerance of uncertainty is indirectly related to depression and PTSD symptoms, mainly through other factors including emotion dysregulation and rumination. Additionally, emotional dysregulation is a significant predictor of both depression and PTSD symptoms. Rumination is a robust factor related to depression and PTSD symptoms, this relationship was significant in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. This review provides evidence on the transdiagnostic factors of intolerance of uncertainty, emotional dysregulation and rumination in the relationship with depression and PTSD symptoms.
The Increasing Prevalence of Children Home Alone in Ghana: The Importance of Considering Regional Inequalities
Authors: Iwo René , Ruiz-Casares Mónica , Nazif-Muñoz José Ignacio
Published: May 2023

Research from industrialized settings has linked inadequate child supervision with various negative consequences. Nevertheless, empirical research in lower- and middle-income countries about correlates of inadequate child supervision has been scarce. The few studies that exist tended to focus on individual- and household-level factors, and reported associations that are not significant or in mixed directions depending on the context. Structural factors are left underexplored, but taking a more macro-level lens in settings with high regional disparities can hold the key to explaining increases in prevalence of inadequate child supervision. Exploring the evolution over time of child supervision practices can also enrich this explanation. We use data from two rounds of Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys to examine factors associated with children left home alone, and employ regional analysis using strata-level mixed effects. We found that in Ghana, the prevalence of children left home alone without adult supervision increased by 8.5% between 2011 and 2018 – an increase of more than 500,000 children over seven years. Statistical analyses suggest that variation between regions likely are associated with the growth of inadequate child supervision in this country. Future research should pay closer attention to how structural conditions, proxied by regions, can serve as either barriers or facilitators to adequate child supervision practices, helping shed light on residual variance unexplained by individual- and household-level factors.
Multilevel implications for anti-consumption social marketing within the public policy framework for SDG realization: a systematic literature review
Authors: Pinto Olavo , Casais Beatriz
Published: May 2023

This systematic literature review analyzes the topic of anti-consumption within the framework of public policy and discusses the multilevel implications for social marketing. Previous research provides a broader scope of analysis based on cases suggesting public policy implications of anti-consumption. However, the topic broadens into social issues and calls for the discussion of the social role and the relationship to sustainability. Building on the goal number 12—Responsible Consumption and Production—of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the authors analyzed 42 peer-reviewed papers to assess the relationship quantitatively and qualitatively between public policy and anti-consumption, pointing to future avenues of research. The results show how policymakers can address either disruptive or transitional approaches by considering systemic changes. Public infrastructure and public management are important factors to support policies aiming to achieve sustainable and replacement consumption. However, participatory and transparency mechanisms are needed to effect this social change, which reaffirms the importance of stakeholders and the analysis of their relationships. The impact of anti-consumption on macro and structural changes may be hard to measure, but should not be dismissed. This paper calls for a broad approach to anti-consumption and the mapping of stakeholders – including individuals, organizations, governments, researchers and the media – by applying a social marketing perspective to sustainability concerns. By linking anti-consumption both with social marketing and the contemporary challenge of environmental sustainability reflected on the SDGs, this paper bridges the gap between individual analysis of anti-consumption and its impact and potential to address sustainability challenges.
Isolation and Characterization of Starch from the Purple Yam (Dioscorea alata) Anthocyanin Extraction Residue Obtained by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction
Authors: Ochoa Susana , Osorio-Tobón J. Felipe
Published: May 2023

Purple yam (Dioscorea alata) is a tuber crop found in tropical countries that could be a valuable source of anthocyanins and starch. After anthocyanin extraction, the starch from the extraction residue was isolated using steeping in acid pH (AS), steeping in alkaline pH (KS), and steeping in water (WS). The starch yield was higher in AS (50.86 ± 1.23%), followed by KS (45.90 ± 0.68%) and WS (41.23 ± 4.92%). WS starches presented softer round-oval forms, and AS and KS presented some layers in the spherical structures. Diffractograms showed a characteristic of a B type of starch with crystallinity between 43 and 48% for all isolation methods. Enthalpy of gelatinization was higher in the AS (302.52 ± 29.26 J g−1) than KS (211.40 ± 35.09 J g−1) and WS (265.03 ± 26,58 J g−1). Monomodal distributions with mean volume diameter ranging between 35.58 µm and 36.05 µm were obtained for all isolation methods. As expected, the swelling power (SP) and water solubility index (WSI) increases as temperature increases for starches isolated using AS, KS, and WS. The isolation of starch from the residue of the extraction of anthocyanins from purple yam is suitable using AS, KS, and WS. Although no significant differences among isolation methods were observed in almost physicochemical parameters, AS isolation method produces starches with higher extraction yield and purity.

Graphical Abstract
The stability of mathematics students’ beliefs about working with CAS
Authors: Cameron Scott , Ball Lynda , Steinle Vicki
Published: May 2023

In Victoria, Australia, senior secondary mathematics students are expected to use technology and thus need to make decisions about using pen-and-paper (P&P) or technology when solving mathematics problems. The predominant technology is a Computer Algebra System (CAS). This study investigated the beliefs about CAS held by twelve Year 11 students as they learnt to use CAS and whether these beliefs were stable over time. These students held a range of beliefs related to the usefulness of CAS, speed of CAS compared to P&P, whether CAS is proper mathematics, choice of CAS or P&P, ease of use, the correctness of answers and solving problems in Mathematical Methods (i.e. the mathematics subject studied). Beliefs are often described as being stable (e.g. McLeod, 1992), but some researchers stress stability needs to be determined empirically rather than being seen as a characteristic of beliefs (e.g. Liljedahl et al., 2012). For this sample of students, stability (rather than instability) is a feature of students’ beliefs about CAS.
Multifactorial evolutionary algorithm with adaptive transfer strategy based on decision tree
Authors: Li Wei , Gao Xinyu , Wang Lei
Published: May 2023

Multifactorial optimization (MFO) is a kind of optimization problem that has attracted considerable attention in recent years. The multifactorial evolutionary algorithm utilizes the implicit genetic transfer mechanism characterized by knowledge transfer to conduct evolutionary multitasking simultaneously. Therefore, the effectiveness of knowledge transfer significantly affects the performance of the algorithm. To achieve positive knowledge transfer, this paper proposed an evolutionary multitasking optimization algorithm with adaptive transfer strategy based on the decision tree (EMT-ADT). To evaluate the useful knowledge contained in the transferred individuals, this paper defines an evaluation indicator to quantify the transfer ability of each individual. Furthermore, a decision tree is constructed to predict the transfer ability of transferred individuals. Based on the prediction results, promising positive-transferred individuals are selected to transfer knowledge, which can effectively improve the performance of the algorithm. Finally, CEC2017 MFO benchmark problems, WCCI20-MTSO and WCCI20-MaTSO benchmark problems are used to verify the performance of the proposed algorithm EMT-ADT. Experimental results demonstrate the competiveness of EMT-ADT compared with some state-of-the-art algorithms.
Technological Trust Perceptions in Wearable Fitness Technology: A Person-Centred Approach
Authors: Methlagl Michael , Michlmayr Friederike , Perillo Valentina
Published: May 2023

Technological trust is a key element impacting the success of a technology. This study focuses on fitness tracker users and their perceptions of trust towards the device. The aim of the study is to identify distinct subgroups of technological trust perceptions of fitness tracker users (n = 150) adopting a person-centred approach. Furthermore, the role of age, experience with the device and effort expectancy in trust perception subgroup membership are examined. Three distinct subgroups could be identified. The first subgroup is characterised by neutral to low data privacy perceptions and moderate perceptions towards reliability, validity, system capability and system transparency perceptions. The second subgroup is characterised by moderate to high trust perceptions, and the third group shows the highest trust perceptions in comparison to the other subgroups. Age and experience with the device were no significant predictors of trust profile membership; effort expectancy, however, was a significant predictor. Users who perceive that using the device does not require high effort and that using the tracker is easy are more likely to be classified in the high trust subgroup and in the moderate to high trust subgroup than in the low to moderate trust subgroup. Furthermore, differences between two latent profiles regarding their usage of the wearable in their physical activities were found.
An Integrated Assessment of Climate Change Impacts and Implications on Bonaire
Authors: van Oosterhout L. , Koks E. , van Beukering P. , Schep S. , Tiggeloven T. , van Manen S. , van der Knaap M. , Duinmeijer C. , Buijs S. L.
Published: May 2023

Bonaire’s topographic and geographic characteristics, in combination with the island’s high dependency on economic sectors that are susceptible to the impacts of climate change, make this Caribbean island particularly vulnerable to climatic changes. In this study, biophysical and economic models are combined and complemented with stakeholder consultation to assess and quantify environmental effects and associated socio-economic impacts of climate change on Bonaire. We apply three climate scenarios of the 2021 IPCC report (SSP1-2.6, 2–4.5, and 5–8.5) and combine them with local conditions to conduct a site-specific integrated assessment. The results show that various buildings, critical infrastructure, and identified tangible cultural heritage, especially at the south of Bonaire, are at risk of climate change induced coastal inundation by 2050, even under the least severe climate projection. In addition, the overall health of coral reefs declines under the climate scenarios SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 due to sea level rise, acidification, and increasing temperatures. In the most pessimistic scenario, Bonaire could experience a reduction in dive tourist arrivals of 118,000, which can lead to an economic contraction of 174 USDm (25%) in Bonaire’s GDP. In the absence of timely planning and implementation of adaptation measures, the impacts of climate change may have serious implications for inhabitants’ lifestyles and wellbeing. These results are imperative for various stakeholders, and stress that decision-makers should focus on the development and implementation of effective and feasible adaptation strategies urgently. Moreover, future researchers confronted with data scarcity in comparable contexts can utilise the novel methodologies employed in this study.
Evaluation of a tabletop UV-LED device for disinfection of smart devices and tools
Authors: Westerhoff Thomas , Mally Thorsten , Schlicht Anastasija , Muellner Martin , Zimmermann Hartmut F.
Published: May 2023

Smart devices and tools, which are transferred into clean rooms, have a risk of surface contamination. Chemical disinfection can harm such devices and the process is prone to error due to the manual procedure. Therefore, a UVC-LED based disinfection device was developed, which can inactivate almost all kind of pathogens. The disinfection efficiency was investigated on 3 test surfaces (stainless steel, plastic, glass), each with 5 different types of pathogens (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, A. brasiliensis-spores, B. subtilis-spores, Pae. glucanolyticus-spores). The tabletop device is capable of significant inactivation rates between 2 and 8 log10 depending on the type of pathogen in less than 10 min. For the first time, we report that Pae. glucanolyticus-spores can be inactivated with UV-LEDs. Furthermore, we report that the type of surface material does have an impact on the disinfection performance. We assume that it is related to the surface roughness of the different materials combined in conjunction with the size of the microorganisms. The novel UV-LED disinfection device has the potential to become a routine device for bringing tablets and other electronical devices into cleanrooms.
Wigner crystallization in quasi-one-dimensional quantum wire
Authors: Girdhar Ankush , Ashokan Vinod
Published: May 2023

We study the ground-state properties of quasi-one-dimensional paramagnetic electron fluid using variational quantum Monte Carlo method. The electrons are transversally confined using the harmonically regularized Coulomb potential with long range order. In this work we have investigated the crossover from liquid to crystalline phase in the finite width paramagnetic quantum wire. The calculated pair correlation function shows the oscillations of period $$2r_\text {s} a_0$$

2

r
s

a
0

, where $$a_0$$

a
0

is the Bohr’s radius and $$r_\text {s}$$

r
s

is Wigner Seitz radius or electron-density parameter which corresponds to a $$k=4k_\text {F}$$

k
=
4

k
F

peak with $$k_\text {F}$$

k
F

being Fermi wave vector in the static structure factor at finite electron density. It is a signature of the onset of Wigner crystallization. It is found that the cross-over from liquid to a quasi-Wigner phase is due to enhancement of the electron correlation effects as $$r_\text {s}$$

r
s

increases or as the wire width b decreases.
Rapid alkalinization factor: function, regulation, and potential applications in agriculture
Authors: Zhang Ran , Shi Peng-Tao , Zhou Min , Liu Huai-Zeng , Xu Xiao-Jing , Liu Wen-Ting , Chen Kun-Ming
Published: May 2023

Rapid alkalinization factor (RALF) is widespread throughout the plant kingdom and controls many aspects of plant life. Current studies on the regulatory mechanism underlying RALF function mainly focus on Arabidopsis, but little is known about the role of RALF in crop plants. Here, we systematically and comprehensively analyzed the relation between RALF family genes from five important crops and those in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Simultaneously, we summarized the functions of RALFs in controlling growth and developmental behavior using conservative motifs as cues and predicted the regulatory role of RALFs in cereal crops. In conclusion, RALF has considerable application potential in improving crop yields and increasing economic benefits. Using gene editing technology or taking advantage of RALF as a hormone additive are effective way to amplify the role of RALF in crop plants.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Digital Economy, Technical Innovation and China’s Green Total Factor Productivity Growth
Authors: Wang Yuhuan
Published: May 2023

This study investigates the impact of the digital economy (DE) on green total factor productivity (GTFP) and its transmission mechanism. Using panel data from 256 cities in China from 2009 to 2020, the study examines a directional distance function and the Malmquist–Luenberger productivity index to estimate the GTFP growth and constructs an ordinary least squares model to explore the impact effect and mechanism. Three findings are drawn from the estimation results: (1) The DE has significantly promoted GTFP. (2) Technological innovation has significantly aided in the promotion of GTFP. (3) By encouraging technological innovation, the DE further enhances the promotion of GTFP, verifying the DE → technology innovation → green conduction mechanism of total factor productivity.
Persistent overcut regions dominate the terminus morphology of a rapidly melting tidewater glacier
Authors: Abib Nicole , Sutherland David A. , Amundson Jason M. , Duncan Dan , Eidam Emily F. , Jackson Rebecca H. , Kienholz Christian , Morlighem Mathieu , Motyka Roman J. , Nash Jonathan D. , Ovall Bridget , Pettit Erin C.
Published: May 2023

Frontal ablation, the combination of submarine melting and iceberg calving, changes the geometry of a glacier's terminus, influencing glacier dynamics, the fate of upwelling plumes and the distribution of submarine meltwater input into the ocean. Directly observing frontal ablation and terminus morphology below the waterline is difficult, however, limiting our understanding of these coupled ice–ocean processes. To investigate the evolution of a tidewater glacier's submarine terminus, we combine 3-D multibeam point clouds of the subsurface ice face at LeConte Glacier, Alaska, with concurrent observations of environmental conditions during three field campaigns between 2016 and 2018. We observe terminus morphology that was predominately overcut (52% in August 2016, 63% in May 2017 and 74% in September 2018), accompanied by high multibeam sonar-derived melt rates (4.84 m d−1 in 2016, 1.13 m d−1 in 2017 and 1.85 m d−1 in 2018). We find that periods of high subglacial discharge lead to localized undercut discharge outlets, but adjacent to these outlets the terminus maintains significantly overcut geometry, with an ice ramp that protrudes 75 m into the fjord in 2017 and 125 m in 2018. Our data challenge the assumption that tidewater glacier termini are largely undercut during periods of high submarine melting.
A word of low complexity without uniform frequencies
Authors: CASSAIGNE JULIEN , KABORÉ IDRISSA
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we construct a uniformly recurrent infinite word of low complexity without uniform frequencies of letters. This shows the optimality of a bound of Boshernitzan, which gives a sufficient condition for a uniformly recurrent infinite word to admit uniform frequencies.
Scientific Disagreements, Fast Science and Higher-Order Evidence
Authors: Friedman Daniel C. , Šešelja Dunja
Published: May 2023

Scientific disagreements are an important catalyst for scientific progress. But what happens when scientists disagree amid times of crisis, when we need quick yet reliable policy guidance? In this article, we provide a normative account for how scientists facing disagreement in the context of “fast science” should respond and how policy makers should evaluate such disagreement. Starting from an argumentative, pragma-dialectic account of scientific controversies, we argue for the importance of higher-order evidence (HOE), and we specify desiderata for scientifically relevant HOE. We use our account to analyze the controversy about the aerosol transmission of COVID-19.