bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small rain events during drought alter sediment dissolved organic carbon leaching and respiration in intermittent stream sediments
Authors: Coulson Laura E. , Weigelhofer Gabriele , Gill Stephanie , Hein Thomas , Griebler Christian , Schelker Jakob
Published: March 2022

With climate change, streams and rivers are at increased risk of droughts and flow intermittency. The full implications of these conditions for fluvial carbon (C) processing and stream-atmosphere CO2 emissions are not well understood. We performed a controlled drought experiment in outdoor hyporheic flumes. We simulated small rain events that increase sediment moisture content, but do not cause streamflow in order to investigate how these events affect streambed dissolved organic C dynamics, biofilm respiration and enzyme activity, and bacterial community composition. Flumes were subject to a non-flow phase of one month with small rain events with varying frequency (weekly, 3 × weekly, and no rain). Sediment was sampled at the surface and from the hyporheic zone at the end of the non-flow phase. We quantified microbial respiration of the dry sediments and sediment DOC leaching after simulated flow resumption. We found that, at the surface, more frequent rain events significantly increased microbial respiration from 12.6 ± 0.25 µg CO2 g−1 DW h−1 to 26.5 ± 11.3 µg CO2 g−1 DW h−1 between the control and 3 × weekly rain events. The average amount of DOC leached from surface sediments during flow resumption was reduced by 0.813 ± 0.62 mg L−1 with more frequent rain events. More frequent rain events also resulted in the leaching of fresher DOM with increased tryptophan fluorescence and a higher BIX. This, along with higher glucosidase activity in the biofilms, indicates higher OC processing during the drought period with more frequent rain events. Small rain events also enhanced Shannon diversity of microbial communities, with a stronger presence of ‘terrestrial-like’ bacterial clades. We propose that rain events during drought, even those of small size, are highly relevant for fluvial organic C processing during the dry phase. Future research should explicitly consider small rain events when investigating C fluxes in intermittent streams to fully understand the C processing in these systems with climate change. We conclude that small rain events impact DOM dynamics during reflow and likely impact the cascading C processing in the downstream river network.
CASPER: A mission to study the time-dependent evolution of the magnetic solar chromosphere and transition regions
Authors: Orozco Suárez D. , del Toro Iniesta J. C. , Bailén F. J. , López Jiménez A. , Balaguez Jiménez M. , Bellot Rubio L. R. , Ishikawa R. , Katsukawa Y. , Kano R. , Shimizu T. , Trujillo Bueno J. , Asensio Ramos A. , del Pino Alemán T.
Published: March 2022

Our knowledge about the solar chromosphere and transition region (TR) has increased in the last decade thanks to the huge scientific return of space-borne observatories like SDO, IRIS, and Hinode, and suborbital rocket experiments like CLASP1, CLASP2, and Hi-C. However, the magnetic nature of those solar regions remain barely explored. The chromosphere and TR of the Sun harbor weak fields and are in a low ionization stage both having critical effects on their thermodynamic behavior. Relatively cold gas structures, such as spicules and prominences, are located in these two regions and display a dynamic evolution in high-resolution observations that static and instantaneous 3D-magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models are not able to reproduce. The role of the chromosphere and TR as the necessary path to a (largely unexplained) very hot corona calls for the generation of observationally based, time-dependent models of these two layers that include essential, up to now disregarded, ingredients in the modeling such as the vector magnetic field. We believe that the community is convinced that the origin of both the heat and kinetic energy observed in the upper layers of the solar atmosphere is of magnetic origin, but reliable magnetic field measurements are missing. The access to sensitive polarimetric measurements in the ultraviolet wavelengths has been elusive until recently due to limitations in the available technology. We propose a low-risk and high-Technology Readiness Level (TRL) mission to explore the magnetism and dynamics of the solar chromosphere and TR. The mission baseline is a low-Earth, Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude between 600 and 800 km. The proposed scientific payload consists of a 30 cm aperture telescope with a spectropolarimeter covering the hydrogen Ly-alpha and the Mg II h&k ultraviolet lines. The instrument shall record high-cadence, full spectropolarimetric observations of the solar upper atmosphere. Besides the answers to a fundamental solar problem the mission has a broader scientific return. For example, the time-dependent modeling of the chromospheres of stars harboring exoplanets is fundamental for estimating the planetary radiation environment. The mission is based on technologies that are mature enough for space and will provide scientific measurements that are not available by other means.
An updated checklist of plant agrobiodiversity of northern Italy
Authors: Canella Marco , Ardenghi Nicola M. G. , Müller Jonas V. , Rossi Graziano , Guzzon Filippo
Published: March 2022

Northern Italy is an area particularly suitable for the cultivation of different crops. It used to be characterized by a high agrobiodiversity. However, it is estimated that over the last decades, this area experienced a genetic erosion of more than 90%, resulting in the loss of many traditional plant genetic resources (PGR). Nevertheless, recent surveys found an unexpectedly high agrobiodiversity which remains. The presented study aims to provide a complete overview of plant agrobiodiversity (in terms of crop landraces, old cultivars and neglected crops) in northern Italy using a mixed approach of literature research and ethnobotanical field surveys. In addition, this paper aims to investigate on farm and ex situ conservation activities performed in the study area. 810 entities were found, of which 26 were identified as neglected crops, 377 as landraces (plus 124 doubtful landraces) and 99 as old cultivars (plus 184 doubtful old cultivars). 248 entities were here recorded for the first time through field surveys. It clearly emerges that by using an ethnobotanical approach, several PGR can still be found in the study area especially in small farms and home gardens. We describe hotspots of crop diversity and areas in which there is still a lack of knowledge of local agrobiodiversity. Only 43% of the PGR recorded are conserved long-term in seed banks, underlying the fact that great efforts are needed to ensure the ex situ conservation of PGR in northern Italy. Careful interventions are needed to enhance the on-farm conservation status of the crop diversity reported here by enhancing its demand and its accessibility.
Computing a maximum clique in geometric superclasses of disk graphs
Authors: Grelier Nicolas
Published: March 2022

In the 90’s Clark, Colbourn and Johnson wrote a seminal paper where they proved that maximum clique can be solved in polynomial time in unit disk graphs. Since then, the complexity of maximum clique in intersection graphs of d-dimensional (unit) balls has been investigated. For ball graphs, the problem is NP-hard, as shown by Bonamy et al. (FOCS ’18). They also gave an efficient polynomial time approximation scheme (EPTAS) for disk graphs. However, the complexity of maximum clique in this setting remains unknown. In this paper, we show the existence of a polynomial time algorithm for a geometric superclass of unit disk graphs. Moreover, we give partial results toward obtaining an EPTAS for intersection graphs of convex pseudo-disks.
Fault shape effect on SH waves using finite element method
Authors: Di Michele Federica , Styahar Andriy , Pera Donato , May Jon , Aloisio Roberto , Rubino Bruno , Marcati Pierangelo
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we analyse how the combination of fault zone shape and material properties affects the propagation of seismic waves in a two-dimensional domain. We focus on SH wave propagation through several faults with different thicknesses and bending radii, but the theory is easily generalized to the three-dimensional case. We show how the density of energy released is mostly a function of the radius and does not depend on the velocity inside a fault zone.
Exploration of molecular mechanism of intraspecific cross-incompatibility in sweetpotato by transcriptome and metabolome analysis
Authors: Yang Yiling , Zhang Xiongjian , Zou Hongda , Chen Jingyi , Wang Zhangying , Luo Zhongxia , Yao Zhufang , Fang Boping , Huang Lifei
Published: March 2022

Cross-incompatibility, frequently happening in intraspecific varieties, has seriously restricted sweetpotato breeding. However, the mechanism of sweetpotato intraspecific cross-incompatibility (ICI) remains largely unexplored, especially for molecular mechanism. Treatment by inducible reagent developed by our lab provides a method to generate material for mechanism study, which could promote incompatible pollen germination and tube growth in the ICI group. Based on the differential phenotypes between treated and untreated samples, transcriptome and metabolome were employed to explore the molecular mechanism of sweetpotato ICI in this study, taking varieties ‘Guangshu 146’ and ‘Shangshu 19’, a typical incompatible combination, as materials. The results from transcriptome analysis showed oxidation–reduction, cell wall metabolism, plant–pathogen interaction, and plant hormone signal transduction were the essential pathways for sweetpotato ICI regulation. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) enriched in these pathways were the important candidate genes to response ICI. Metabolome analysis showed that multiple differential metabolites (DMs) involved oxidation–reduction were identified. The most significant DM identified in comparison between compatible and incompatible samples was vitexin-2-O-glucoside, a flavonoid metabolite. Corresponding to it, cytochrome P450s were the most DEGs identified in oxidation–reduction, which were implicated in flavonoid biosynthesis. It further suggested oxidation–reduction play an important role in sweetpotato ICI regulation. To validate function of oxidation–reduction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected in compatible and incompatible samples. The green fluorescence was observed in incompatible but not in compatible samples. It indicated ROS regulated by oxidation–reduction is important pathway to response sweetpotato ICI. The results in this study would provide valuable insights into molecular mechanisms for sweetpotato ICI.
Iodine clocks: applications and untapped opportunities in materials science
Authors: Panzarasa Guido
Published: March 2022

Iodine clocks are fascinating nonlinear chemical systems with a glorious past and a promising future. The dynamic removal of iodine from these systems by different means can have important consequences for their reaction dynamics, and could be exploited for time-controlled autonomous dissipative self-assembly. Here, the untapped opportunities offered by iodine clocks for materials science, especially for the time-programming of supramolecular assembly and sol–gel transition, are reviewed and discussed with the hope of arousing the interest on the subject and stimulating new research directions.
CSsCL: the performance of collaborative learning
Authors: Crook Charles
Published: March 2022

This article discusses the integration of three concepts central to the enterprise of computer-supported collaborative learning: namely, collaboration scripts, self-regulation, and group awareness. It does so through consideration of five reports in this Special Issue that address the integration challenge. Various themes are extracted and proposed as important to the field. These include the layered nature of self-regulation (meta-metacognition) and the layered nature of group awareness (trait-state-action). The theatre metaphor implied by the term ‘collaboration script’ is taken seriously here and is elaborated. It is shown to afford an extended and richer conceptualisation of scripted collaborations, developing the significance of direction, production, and audience. The features characterising this model of collaboration-as-performance reinforce an imperative for locating episodes of scripted collaboration within the broader eco-system of classroom practice.
Parental Gambling and the Health and Wellbeing of Children Derived From Two Nationally Representative Cohorts of Australian Children
Authors: Tulloch Catherine , Hing Nerilee , Browne Matthew , Rockloff Matthew , Hilbrecht Margo
Published: March 2022

Gambling-related harms can impact the lives of children living with someone experiencing a gambling problem. These harms have been associated with impacts across a number of domains. However, previous studies exploring gambling-related effects on the health and wellbeing of children have had conflicting results. This study aimed to further understand the impact of parental gambling problems on children's health and wellbeing using nationally representative data from Growing up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. The subsample of interest contained 3,695 children (49.1% female) across two cohorts aged around 12 and 16 years. Parental gambling problems were measured by the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). Child health and wellbeing was measured via the Child Health Utility 9D (CHU9D), the Spence Anxiety Scale, the Short Mood & Feelings Questionnaire, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and self-harm and happiness questions. Across both cohorts, the study found significant associations between parental gambling problems and poorer health, anxiety and/or low mood symptoms, and behavioural and emotional problems in children. The study found that more than 10% of Australian children were living in households with adults experiencing some level of gambling problems, including 1.2% in households with severe problems. Policymakers and educators might help ensure that the appropriate information and support is being provided to these children.
New PET Radiotracers for the Imaging of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Authors: Fortunati Emilia , Argalia Giulia , Zanoni Lucia , Fanti Stefano , Ambrosini Valentina
Published: March 2022

Opinion statement

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) are a heterogeneous group of tumours derived from cells of neuroendocrine origin and can potentially arise everywhere in the human body. The diagnostic assessment of NEN can be performed using a variety of PET radiopharmaceuticals. Well-differentiated NEN (NET) present a high expression of SSTR (somatostatin receptors) and can therefore be studied with 68Ga-DOTA-peptides ([68Ga]Ga-DOTANOC, [68Ga]Ga-DOTATOC, [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE). Current guidelines recommend the use of SSTR imaging to assess disease extension at staging/restaging, follow-up, assessment of response to therapy and selection of patients who may benefit from radionuclide therapy (PRRT). [18F]F-FDG is used for the assessment of high-grade tumours (high-grade G2, G3 and NEC) and in every case, there is one or more mismatched lesions between diagnostic CT (positive) and SSTR-PET/CT (negative). [18F]F-DOPA is currently used for the assessment of medullary thyroid carcinoma, neuroblastoma, primary pheochromocytoma and abdominal paraganglioma. In recent years, however, several new tracers were designed exploiting the many potential targets of the neuroendocrine cell and were employed in clinical trials for both imaging and therapy. Currently, the real-life clinical impact of these tracers is still mostly not known; however, the favourable biodistribution (e.g. [68Ga]Ga-FAPI, SSTR antagonists) and the possibility to use new theranostic pairs may provide novel diagnostic as well as therapeutic options (e.g. [68Ga]Ga-PSMA, [64Cu]Cu-SARTATE, [68Ga]Ga-CXCR4) for NEN patients.
‘Do I Have to Say Exactly Word by Word?’ (Re)producing and Negotiating Asymmetrical Relations in Asylum Interviews
Authors: Nikolaidou Zoe , Rehnberg Hanna Sofia , Wadensjö Cecilia
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we conduct a critical discourse analytical study of asylum interviews in order to contribute to knowledge and awareness of (a) how asymmetrical power relations are discursively (re)produced as well as manoeuvred and negotiated during the interaction and (b) what this means in terms of positioning of the participants. Focusing on a number of metacommunicative sequences characterised by a notably high degree of interpersonal complexity, we examine how participants are positioned and how positioning is discursively realised. We draw on eight observed and recorded asylum interviews conducted in Sweden 2018–2021. Metacommunicative positioning is analysed mainly with a focus on speech functions and modality. We show that metacommunication is used by all participants largely as a means of constructing an asylum narrative within the framework of an institutional discourse. The participants can position each other in (dis)advantageous ways in their attempts to deny, or sometimes claim, responsibility for miscommunication. The applicants generally obey the metacommunicative instructions given by other, more powerful participants. However, we also show an example of an applicant who makes resistance to the institutional discourse. Furthermore, all participants use metacommunication as a tool to guide each other in the conversation, thereby positioning themselves as responsible for the co-construction of the asylum narrative. Finally, we underline the benefits of conducting critical discourse analysis in the study of asylum interviews, although such studies can barely change the fact that the asylum determination process is unequal and asymmetrical in its core.
Short-term effects of air pollution on respiratory diseases among young children in Wuhan city, China
Authors: Huang Zeng-Hui , Liu Xing-Yuan , Zhao Tong , Jiao Kui-Zhuang , Ma Xu-Xi , Ren Zhan , Qiu Yun-Fei , Liao Jing-Ling , Ma Lu
Published: March 2022

Background

The high risks for childhood respiratory diseases are associated with exposure to ambient air pollution. However, there are few studies that have explored the association between air pollution exposure and respiratory diseases among young children (particularly aged 0–2 years) based on the entire population in a megalopolis.

Methods

Daily hospital admission records were obtained from 54 municipal hospitals in Wuhan city, China. We included all children (aged 0–2 years) hospitalized with respiratory diseases between January 2017 and December 2018. Individual air pollution exposure assessment was used in Land Use Regression model and inverse distance weighted. Case-crossover design and conditional logistic regression models were adopted to estimate the hospitalization risk associated with air pollutants.

Results

We identified 62,425 hospitalizations due to respiratory diseases, of which 36,295 were pneumonia. Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were significantly associated with respiratory diseases and pneumonia. ORs of pneumonia were 1.0179 (95% CI 1.0097–1.0260) for PM2.5 and 1.0131 (95% CI 1.0042–1.0220) for NO2 at lag 0–7 days. Subgroup analysis suggested that NO2, Ozone (O3) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) only showed effects on pneumonia hospitalizations on male patients, but PM2.5 had effects on patients of both genders. Except O3, all pollutants were strongly associated with pneumonia in cold season. In addition, children who aged elder months and who were in central urban areas had a higher hospitalization risk.

Conclusions

Air pollution is associated with higher hospitalization risk for respiratory diseases, especially pneumonia, among young children, and the risk is related to gender, month age, season and residential location.
Fish oil-containing lipid emulsions prevention on parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in very low birth weight infants: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zou Ting-Ting , Li Jin-Rong , Zhu Yu , Wan Chao-Min , Liao Qiong
Published: March 2022

Background

The effect of fish oil-containing lipid emulsions on preventing parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis (PNAC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants is not known. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to identify any prevention effect.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were searched up to 26 January 2021 for studies related to the preventive effect of fish oil-containing lipid emulsions and fish oil-free lipid emulsions on cholestasis in VLBW infants. Revman 5.3 was used to synthesize the results. A fixed-effect model was used to summarize the data when the heterogeneity was non-significant (I2 < 50%), and a random-effects model was used when the heterogeneity was significant (I2 > 50%).

Results

Of 728 articles, 11 randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis indicated that fish oil-containing lipid emulsion reduced the occurrence of PNAC significantly with risk ratio (RR) = 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36–0.80, P = 0.002. The heterogeneity was non-significant with I2 = 23%. Subgroup analysis based on parenteral nutrition duration and median birth weight was performed. The synthesis results for patients with parenteral nutrition duration exceeding 14 days revealed I2 = 35% (P = 0.15) and pooled RR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.30–0.73, P = 0.0008; and for patients with duration less than 14 days revealed I2 = 0% (P = 0.72) and pooled RR = 1.14, 95% CI 0.39–3.35, P = 0.81. The synthesis for patients with birth weight more than 1000 g revealed I2 = 0% (P = 0.41) and pooled RR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.26–1.18, P = 0.12; and for patients with birth weight below 1000 g revealed I2 = 44% (P = 0.11) and pooled RR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.33–0.85, P = 0.009.

Conclusions

The fish oil-containing lipid emulsion can reduce the occurrence of PNAC in VLBW infants based on the available original randomized controlled trial studies, especially for patients with parenteral nutrition duration exceeding 14 days and extremely low birth weight infants. Future studies should be performed before a definitive conclusion can be established.
Parental perception of child's weight, their attitudes towards child's dietary habits and the risk of obesity
Authors: García-Blanco Lorena , Berasaluce Arantxa , Romanos-Nanclares Andrea , Martínez-González Miguel Ángel , Moreno-Galarraga Laura , Martín-Calvo Nerea
Published: March 2022

Background

The association between parental perception of child’s weight and their attitudes towards his/her dietary habits has not been reported yet. This study aimed to assess the association between parental underestimation of child’s weight and parental attitudes towards child’s dietary habits.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of SENDO cohort participants recruited between January 2015 and June 2020. All information was collected through online questionnaires completed by parents. We calculated crude and multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for unhealthy attitudes towards child’s dietary habits associated with parental underestimation of child’s weight.

Results

Sixteen percent of children in the SENDO project had parents who underestimated their weight. Parents who underestimated their child’s weight status were more likely to have unhealthy attitudes toward his/her dietary habits [OR 3.35; 95% CI (1.71–6.53)].

Conclusions

Parental underestimation of child's weight was associated with unhealthy attitudes towards child’s dietary habits. Pediatricians and public health practitioners should pay attention to the parental perception of child’s weight to identify parents who underestimate it as an at-risk group in which to inquire about lifestyle and dietary habits.
State of the art of the funerary archaeoentomological investigations in Italy
Authors: Tuccia F. , Giordani G. , Vanin S.
Published: March 2022

Archaeoentomology is a branch of environmental archaeology focusing on insects and other arthropods contributing, with other disciplines, to reconstruct a more complete view of past events, climate and landscape. Funerary archaeoentomology focuses on the arthropods associated with human remains or with elements part of funerary rituals such as offerings. In the last years, several papers have been published on Italian material covering around 5000 years. Sardinian necropolis, Egyptian mummies and offerings stored in public collections are among the oldest samples in which insects have been evidenced. Mummified and skeletonised bodies of kings, Saints and common people are another important source of insects in addition to remains of WWI soldiers. The arthropod remains found during these investigations belong mainly to Diptera (flies), Coleoptera (beetles) and Arachnida (mites). The aim of this paper is to summarise the Italian data about insects associated with human remains of archaeological interest in order to increase the interest and the utilisation of a discipline too often underestimated.
What is the point of behavioural public policy? A contractarian approach
Authors: Chater Nick
Published: March 2022

Many proponents of behavioural public policy work within a broadly consequentialist framework. From this perspective, the ultimate aim of public policy is to maximise utility, happiness, welfare, the satisfaction of preferences, or similar; and the behavioural aspect of public policy aims to harness a knowledge of human psychology to make this maximisation more effective. In particular, behavioural insights may be crucial to help policy-makers ‘save us from ourselves’ by helping citizens avoid falling into non-rational choices, for example, through framing effects, failures of will-power, and so on. But an alternative reading of the psychological literature is that human thoughts and actions are not biased from a rational standard, but are simply systematically inconsistent. If so, then utility and similar notions are not well defined either for individuals or as an objective of public policy. I argue that a different, contractarian viewpoint is required: that the determination of public policy is continuous with the formation of agreements we make with each other at all scales, from momentary social interactions, to linguistic and social conventions, to collective decisions by groups and organisations. Behavioural factors do not over-ride, but can (among many other factors) inform, our collective decision-making process. The point of behavioural insights in public policy is primarily to inform and enrich public debate when deciding the rules by which we should like to live.
The Impact of Psychological First aid Training on the Providers: A Systematic Review
Authors: Movahed Mitra , Khaleghi-Nekou Melika , Alvani Elahesadat , Sharif-Alhoseini Mahdi
Published: March 2022

Objective:

The consensus is that psychological first aid is a practical, early psychosocial intervention to mitigate the distress caused by disasters. This review aimed to investigate PFA training’s efficacy in the existing studies and evaluate these programs’ impact on trainees.

Methods:

MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD), EMBASE (Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands), PsycInfo (American Psychological Association, Washington, DC), and Cochrane Library (John Wiley & Sons, Hobken, NJ, USA) were searched on August 1, 2020 without language and date limitation. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized controlled trials and the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies - of Interventions (ROBINS-I) (Cochrane, London, UK) were used to assess the quality of the studies included. SPSS (IBM Corp., Endicott, NY, USA) was used for descriptive, comparative, and correlational summaries.

Results:

From 376 articles, only 9 studies met the criteria and were included after screening. The most common outcome was knowledge improvement, followed by increased confidence, and competence. Other outcomes encompassed Attitude, preparedness, and therapeutic engagement.

Conclusion:

PFA is the most suggested early intervention aftermath and could be acquired by professionals and non-professionals in the mental health area. Nonetheless, to obtain the desired outcome, PFA training programs’ quality is vital. This review revealed that most training programs’ duration was short, without scenario-based interactions and post-training supervisions. More controlled trials are required to measure the effectiveness of PFA training on the providers.
Validation and Revision of the Household Emergency Preparedness Instrument (HEPI) by a Pilot Study in the City University of New York
Authors: Heagele Tara N. , Adams Lavonne M. , McNeill Charleen C. , Alfred Danita M.
Published: March 2022

Objective:

The aim of this study was to pilot test the Household Emergency Preparedness Instrument (HEPI) with a diverse sample, allowing for assessment of reliability and validity of the instrument. The HEPI is an international, all-hazards questionnaire created to measure disaster preparedness of households, which results in data that can be used to enhance health promotion/disease prevention for individuals and promote resilience for communities.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study of faculty, staff, and students (N = 284) was completed to perform factor analysis to establish the HEPI’s construct validity and compare preparedness across groups.

Results:

The factor analysis revealed 2 dimensions of general preparedness, explaining 35% of the sample variance (Cronbach’s α = 0.89): preparedness actions and planning (α = 0.86) and disaster supplies and resources (α = 0.80). This factor analysis resulted in the revision of the subscaling of HEPI questions. Consistent with previous studies, faculty/staff, older age, higher income, and those with previous disaster experience were more prepared. The mean score was 15.28 out of 40 points.

Conclusions:

The HEPI is easy to administer and explains an acceptable amount of variance. The reliability was strong in this assessment, particularly for a pilot test. Construct, criterion, face, and content validity support the adequacy of the HEPI to capture essentials of household emergency preparedness.
Reimagining Creolization: The Deep History of Cultural Interactions in the Windward Islands, Lesser Antilles, through the Lens of Material Culture
Authors: Hofman Corinne L. , Martin John Angus , Boomert Arie , Manem Sébastien , Jacobson Katarina , Hoogland Menno L. P.
Published: March 2022

People from different areas of the insular Caribbean and the coastal zone of mainland South America moved in and out of the Lesser Antilles throughout the archipelago's history before the European invasion. Successive migrations, the development of networks of human mobility, and the exchange of goods and ideas, as well as constantly shifting inter-insular alliances, created diverse ethnic and cultural communities in these small islands. We argue that these processes of alliance-building and ethnicity can be best understood through the concept of creolization. We examine this idea first in terms of the cultural interactions reflected in the pottery traditions that emerged among the Windward Islands before colonization, and second by analyzing the historiographical and emerging archaeological information available on the formation of the Indigenous Kalinago/Kalipuna and Garifuna identities from the late fifteenth to the early seventeenth centuries. Finally, we discuss the colonial and contemporary Afro-Caribbean pottery traditions on these islands, in particular Grenada and Saint Lucia. The embedding of this study in a deep historical framework serves to underscore the divergent origins and developmental trajectories of the region. including the disruption of the Indigenous cultures and the impact of European colonization, the African diaspora, and the emergence of today's cosmopolitan Caribbean cultural tradition.
Monitoring Prisons in Europe: Understanding Perspectives of People in Prison and Prison Staff
Authors: O’Connell Ciara , Rogan Mary
Published: March 2022

Prison monitoring has been promoted by international human rights bodies as a way to support the prevention of torture and ill-treatment in prison. However, there has been very limited examination of the operation of prison-monitoring bodies, especially from the perspective of those most affected by their recommendations: those who live and work in prisons. This article draws on interviews conducted with people living and working in a Scottish and a Norwegian prison to explore how they perceive a long-standing prison-monitoring body, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT). The article provides an examination of the benefit and utility of CPT recommendations from the point of view of people in prison and prison staff. The study further reveals that the effectiveness of CPT monitoring in prisons may be considered in terms aside from state implementation of recommendations and should include how people in prison see its work, its impact, its power to persuade, and its connection to the outside world. Through taking a prison-centered approach, the article contributes to wider discussions on whether and how human rights frameworks can alter experiences of punishment.
K Street on main: legislative turnover and multi-client lobbying
Authors: Strickland James M. , Crosson Jesse M.
Published: March 2022

This study explores the consequences of legislative turnover for the hiring of lobbyists and influence of interest groups. We argue that lobbyists develop durable relationships with lawmakers in assemblies with low turnover. Such relationships allow lobbyists to attract clients. We use a new, state-level measure of multi-client lobbying to show that legislative turnover and multi-client lobbying are inversely related: decreases in turnover are correlated with more multi-client lobbying. In a second set of analyses, we find that legislative term limits are associated with less multi-client lobbying. Since multi-client lobbying poses risks to the representation of individual interests and magnifies the effects of resource differences between interests, our results suggest that turnover may help more diverse interests to achieve political influence.
Asymmetric flooding as a tool for foreign influence on social media
Authors: Cirone Alexandra , Hobbs William
Published: March 2022

Research on Russian troll activity during the 2016 US presidential campaign largely focused on divisive partisan messaging. Here, we document the use of apolitical content—content that could counteract mobilization efforts and escape detection in future campaigns. We argue this resembled techniques used by autocratic regimes domestically, in “flooding” social media with entertainment content to distract from and displace mobilizing messaging. Using automated text analysis and hand coding to construct a timeline of IRA messaging on Twitter, we find left-leaning trolls posted large volumes of entertainment content in their artificial liberal community and shifted away from political content late in the campaign. Simultaneously, conservative trolls were targeting their community with increases in political content. This suggests the use of apolitical content might be an overlooked strategy to selectively manipulate levels of attention to politics.
The 2021 ECtHR Decision inGeorgia v Russia (II)and the Application of Human Rights Law to Extraterritorial Hostilities
Authors: Longobardo Marco , Wallace Stuart
Published: March 2022

This article discusses the findings of the European Court of Human Rights in the 2021 case ofGeorgia v Russia (II)in relation to the applicability of the European Convention on Human Rights to the conduct of hostilities. The article describes the arguments advanced by the Court to support the idea that the Convention does not apply to extraterritorial hostilities in an international armed conflict. In the light of past decisions, international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and the law of the treaties, it is argued that the Court's conclusion is unconvincing and the arguments seem to be based on extralegal considerations, rather than on a sound interpretation of the notion of state jurisdiction under the Convention.
Risk-thresholds for the association between frequency of cannabis use and the development of psychosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Robinson Tessa , Ali Muhammad Usman , Easterbrook Bethany , Hall Wayne , Jutras-Aswad Didier , Fischer Benedikt
Published: March 2022

Background

Epidemiological studies show a dose–response association between cannabis use and the risk of psychosis. This review aimed to determine whether there are identifiable risk-thresholds between the frequency of cannabis use and psychosis development.

Methods

Systematic search of Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science for relevant studies (1 January 2010–26 April 2021). Case–control or cohort studies that investigated the relationship between cannabis use and the risk of psychosis development that reported effect estimates [odds ratios (OR), hazard ratios (HR), risk ratios (RR)] or the raw data to calculate them, with information on the frequency of cannabis consumption were included. Effect estimates were extracted from individual studies and converted to RR. Two-stage dose–response multivariable meta-analytic models were utilized and sensitivity analyses conducted. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias of included studies.

Results

Ten original (three cohorts, seven case–control) studies were included, including 7390 participants with an age range of 12–65 years. Random-effect model meta-analyses showed a significant log-linear dose–response association between cannabis use frequency and psychosis development. A restricted cubic-splines model provided the best fit for the data, with the risk of psychosis significantly increasing for weekly or more frequent cannabis use [RR = 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93–1.11 yearly; RR = 1.10, 95% CI 0.97–1.25 monthly; RR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.19–1.52 weekly; RR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.47–2.12 daily]

Conclusion

Individuals using cannabis frequently are at increased risk of psychosis, with no significant risk associated with less frequent use. Public health prevention messages should convey these risk-thresholds, which should be refined through further work.
Peer support for the newly diagnosed: how people with dementia can co-produce meeting centre services
Authors: Söderlund Mona , Hellström Ingrid , Vamstad Johan , Hedman Ragnhild
Published: March 2022

This paper aims to contribute to the knowledge about open, co-produced meeting centres for people with dementia, from their own perspective. Services that support people who are newly diagnosed with dementia are often insufficient. Co-produced services have the potential to address the need of people with dementia to be useful and productive, while reducing the stigma. In this study, we applied a qualitative design. Data were collected at a meeting centre for people with newly diagnosed dementia, and consisted of fieldwork (13 days for about two hours at a time), written materials, and semi-structured interviews (mean length 30 minutes) with five attendees with dementia and two staff persons. The analysis was inspired by situational analysis. The findings showed that the meeting centre provided a place for human encounters, a break from everyday life, and a place to share knowledge and develop new skills. Further, challenges were described. Co-production consisted of the attendees being encouraged to take part in the planning of activities, learning from each other and providing mutual support. The study adds to previous knowledge about co-produced services for people with dementia. Future studies can clarify how co-production can be developed in services for people with newly diagnosed dementia in countries and regions where there is a dearth of this kind of support.
Sociocultural insights on dementia care-giving in Arab and Muslim communities: the perspectives of family care-givers
Authors: Hammad Suzanne H. , Daher-Nashif Suhad , Kane Tanya , Al-Wattary Noor
Published: March 2022

Little is known about the experiences of informal family care-giving for persons with ADRD in the context of Arab and Muslim communities. This paper offers fresh insight into the less-studied private sphere of the home, showing how families respond to the onset and long-term care of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). It considers the extent to which sociocultural and religious influences are appropriated by family care-givers as coping mechanisms and motivators for care. Drawing upon interviews with 32 family care-givers for older persons living with ADRD in Qatar, findings reveal the intersectionality of the care-giving experience with various sociocultural, religious and emotional influences through seven emergent themes: (a) reasons and motivations for care-giving; (b) role of the extended family; (c) socio-demographic attributes of care-givers, their allocated responsibilities and how these intersect; (d) socio-religious attitudes towards care-giving of older persons; (e) social stigma; (f) personal knowledge of ADRD; and (g) coping mechanisms. The paper is concluded with key implications of these sociocultural insights for theory, policy and practice, which could inform Qatar's health and social care provision sector as well as other Arab and Muslim communities that share similar cultural and religious belief systems.
Mainstream popular music research: a musical update
Authors: Steinbrecher Bernhard
Published: March 2022

This article reviews studies that examine internationally circulating music which has reached the upper echelon of all-genre single charts in the 21st century. The examinations will be used as examples for the analysis of sonic aesthetics that are embedded in a particular frame of cultural debate, which the article conceptualises as ‘mainstream popular music’. The research field is then mapped and discussed with regard to prevailing objectives, methods and findings, including elaborations on how future research might advance understanding of the aesthetics within the discourses of mainstream popular music and, thus, of contemporary culture at large. The literature review focuses on music- and listener-based analytical directions and critically reflects on the frequent absence of theoretically well-founded and empirically underpinned, context-sensitive music examinations, particularly with regard to quantitative and audience research. The concluding section calls for a more integrated perspective on mainstream popular music as a discourse and praxis formation.
Design, modeling and control of an index finger exoskeleton for rehabilitation
Authors: Talat Hassan , Munawar Hammad , Hussain Hamza , Azam Usama
Published: March 2022

With diverse areas of applications, wearable robotic exoskeleton devices have gained attention in the past decade. These devices cover one or more human limbs/joints and have been presented for rehabilitation, strength augmentation and interaction with virtual reality. This research is focused towards design, modeling and control of a novel series elastic actuation (SEA) based index finger exoskeleton with a targeted torque rendering capability of 0.3 Nm and a force control bandwidth of 3 Hz. The proposed design preserves the natural range of motion of the finger by incorporating five passive and two actively actuated joints and provides active control of metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints. Forward and inverse kinematics for both position and velocity have been solved using closed loop vector analysis by including human finger as an integral part of the system. For accurate force control, a cascaded control structure has been presented. Force controlled trajectories have been proposed to guide the finger along preprogrammed virtual paths. Such trajectories serve to gently guide the finger towards the correct rehabilitation protocol, thus acting as an effective replacement of intervention by a human therapist. Extensive computer simulations have been performed before fabricating a prototype and performing experimental validation. Results show accurate modeling and control of the proposed design.
ON MULTIPLE STRUCTURAL BREAKS IN DISTRIBUTION: AN EMPIRICAL CHARACTERISTIC FUNCTION APPROACH
Authors: Fu Zhonghao , Hong Yongmiao , Wang Xia
Published: March 2022

We estimate and test for multiple structural breaks in distribution via an empirical characteristic function approach. By minimizing the sum of squared generalized residuals, we can consistently estimate the break fractions. We propose a sup-Ftype test for structural breaks in distribution as well as an information criterion and a sequential testing procedure to determine the number of breaks. We further construct a class of derivative tests to gauge possible sources of structural breaks, which is asymptotically more powerful than the smoothed nonparametric tests for structural breaks. Simulation studies show that our method performs well in determining the appropriate number of breaks and estimating the unknown breaks. Furthermore, the proposed tests have reasonable size and excellent power in finite samples. In an application to exchange rate returns, our tests are able to detect structural breaks in distribution and locate the break dates. Our tests also indicate that the documented breaks appear to occur in variance and higher-order moments, but not so often in mean.
Of Judge Quota and Judicial Autonomy: An Enduring Professionalization Project in China
Authors: Sun Ying , Fu Hualing
Published: March 2022

This article presents the findings of original research on “judge quota” reform. The reform's agenda was essentially aimed at professionalization: by edging out a given percentage of judges, only the better qualified judges would be re-appointed to create a more professionalized judiciary. A key component of the reform was to reduce the level and the intensity of both political and bureaucratic control over judges in adjudication and to decentralize judicial power to the rank-and-file judges, restoring individualized judging while enhancing judicial accountability. This article critically examines the potential and limits of the judge quota reform in the context of incremental legal reform in a party-state.