bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conjuration and Conspiracy. The Controversy over the German Covid Policy as a Mediumistic Trial, or: The Medium is the Mess
Authors: Voss Ehler
Published: August 2023

Based on anthropological fieldwork among protesters against the Covid policy in Germany, this paper elaborates the symmetry of accusations made against each other by proponents and opponents of the state-imposed protection measures against the backdrop of an asymmetrical distribution of power. The social dynamics that emerged during the pandemic are often understood as the result of a knowledge controversy that most participants thus categorize as a media problem. A key finding of my research on protests against the German Covid policy is that, as in my research on the controversy over mediumism, the controversy is about the agency of human and nonhuman actors and carried out to a great extent based on the same values on both sides, which at the same time accuse each other of not conforming to these values. The protesters are part of a heterogeneous minority that in large parts embodies the values of the majority and, in a way, exceeds them, i.e., a minority that is hypercritical and has extreme expectations about the values of the majority society – in this case: of solidarity, science, transparency, rationality, and coherence. From its marginal position, the minority develops a canny eye for the unfulfilled promises of the majority: its contradictions and conscious or unconscious double standards are perceived as bigotry against the backdrop of the aspiration to absence of contradiction. Therefore, this minority suspects that the motivations and goals behind the measures taken are other than just the protection of health, while the majority in turn see the minority’s commitment to society and democracy as (self-)deception and also suspect hidden motives and actors behind it. This mutual suspicion leads to a hysterical state of doubt and distrust, which is rooted in the nature of mediality.
“I Need to Get My Culture Back”: Youth and Provider Perspectives on Integrating Culturally Based Approaches into Sexual and Reproductive Health Programs for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Authors: Kuo Charlene , Jasczynski Michelle , Yoo Jee Hun , Robinson Jennifer L. , Reynolds Katelyn , Anoruo Lisa , Bae Kayla , Ka‘opua Lana Sue , Chavez Rebecca , Tellei Jacqueline , Aparicio Elizabeth M.
Published: August 2023

There is growing interest in decolonizing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and embedding cultural practices into social and medical services in Hawai‘i. Wahine (“woman”) Talk is a multilevel, comprehensive SRH program for female youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) led by community health, social work, and medical providers. This study examines youth and program provider perspectives of culturally based approaches that may strengthen SRH programs. The study team conducted three focus groups and ten in-depth interviews with participating youth and program providers after the program’s conclusion. Youth participants were aged 14 to 22 years (M = 18.1) and of Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander ancestry. Interview transcripts were analyzed using structured thematic analysis. The youth described feeling estranged from their ancestral cultures and suggested incorporating multiple cultural practices to enhance their connection to community, body, and land into SRH programming for YEH. They identified several ʻāina (“land”)–based approaches, hands-on learning, hula, and language as possible practices to weave into the program. While youth felt estranged from their ancestral cultures, they discussed Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander health perspectives where ʻāina and relationships are considered life-sustaining. Youth and program staff stressed incorporating culture respectfully, caring for the whole person, and providing trauma-informed care. Future policy, practice, and research should consider protecting and integrating Native Hawaiian conceptions of health into SRH policy and practice and include youths’ cultural identities in SRH intervention development.
“All that glitters is not gold!”: The (Unexplored) Determinants of Equity Crowdfunding
Authors: Civardi Camilla , Moro Andrea , Winborg Joakim
Published: August 2023

Drawing from the rich literature in behavioural finance and extensive analysis of forum data from a UK equity crowdfunding platform, we present a comprehensive framework that delineates the investment decision-making process of equity crowdfunders. Our framework captures the utilitarian, emotional, and expressive investment motives that drive crowdfunders, their behaviours and actions during and after the campaign, as well as the challenges they encounter in fulfilling their investment goals. Our work highlights the crucial need to explore the extent to which entrepreneurs and crowdfunding platforms cater to the diverse investment motives and expectations of the crowd. We offer practical insights to entrepreneurs and platforms on how they can better align their strategies with the expectations and needs of equity crowdfunders.
High Surface Area Assemblies of Gold Nanoparticles on Hydrophilic Carbon Fiber Paper with Ionomer Overlayers for Aqueous CO2 Reduction Electrocatalysis to Clean Syngas
Authors: Forsythe Ryland C. , Cox Connor P. , Wilsey Madeleine K. , Yu Wanqing , Müller Astrid M.
Published: August 2023

We report a universal approach for the utilization of nanoparticles on inexpensive, high surface area carbon substrates in aqueous applications. We immobilized gold nanoparticles from aqueous colloid on hydrophilic carbon fiber paper and assessed this electrode assembly in aqueous carbon dioxide reduction electrocatalysis. Uniform distributions of gold nanoparticles on carbon fibers and stable electrocatalytic current generation indicated that immobilization of gold nanoparticles on hydrophilic carbon fiber paper was successful. Surface analysis before and after electroreduction revealed that the detachment of citrate capping ligands enhanced the amount of exposed surface gold and concomitantly increased the CO-to-H2 ratio in subsequent CO2 reduction electrocatalysis. Systematic variations of ionomer overlayers controlled the ratio of produced CO and H2 towards useful syngas compositions and revealed mechanistic insights into catalyst microenvironments, to enhance CO selectivity. Our results demonstrate that hydrophilic carbon fiber paper is an excellent high surface area electrode substrate for the utilization of nanoparticulate electrocatalysts in aqueous electrolyte.
Impacts of florfenicol on immunity, antioxidant activity, and histopathology of Oreochromis niloticus: a potential protective effect of dietary spirulina platensis
Authors: Abu-Zahra Nagwa I.S. , Elseify Mohamed M. , Atia Ayman A. , Al-sokary Eman T.
Published: August 2023

The misuse of antibiotics enhances the development of resistant microorganisms and decreases the efficacy of treatments. Florfenicol (FF) is one of the antibiotics approved for use in aquaculture in Egypt. Because of its extensive usage, potential negative impacts on aquatic creatures are a major concern. This motivates us to search for an appropriate neoadjuvant to work synergistically with FF and reduce adverse effects. Results from this study will contribute towards improving the understanding of the impacts of FF on Oreochromis niloticus and the possible amelioratory effects of Spirulina platensis algae (SP). O. niloticus (n = 240; 40 ± 2.5 g) were fed on two diets supplemented with or without SP for 4 weeks, then divided into four treatments each in three replicates (n = 60/treatment). G1; was fed a control diet, and the other groups were fed diets supplemented with FF (10 mg /kg of BW, G2), SP (2 g/kg of diet, G3), or FF + SP (G4) for 10 days. Among the four groups, the SP group (G3) had the best immunostimulatory effects as observed by a significant (p < 0.05) elevation in phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, IL6, and TNF-α. The treatment with FF had significantly impacted hepatic and renal tissues, as the values of liver enzymes and creatinine demonstrated tissue deterioration and also resulted in oxidative stress, which was expressed by an increase of GPx, CAT, and SOD in (G2). Additionally, the combined FF + SP improved the hematological parameters and decreased the oxidative damage induced by FF (G4). Thus, it was clear that FF has harmful effects on O. niloticus and that SP can modulate such impacts. These data recommend the use of SP as an effective immunostimulant and a probable adjuvant to FF in O. niloticus diets to attain maximum disease resistance.
Design and Implementation of 3.2-GHz Co-Planar Miniaturized Antenna for S-Band Communication and Wireless Applications
Authors: Abdel Halim Ashraf S. , Mostafa Mohanad , Hamdy Omnia
Published: August 2023

The use of miniaturized antennas in wireless communications is very common. In the current paper, a miniature coplanar-waveguide fed-rectangular patch antenna with semicircular ground is presented. The antenna performance was studied at two different configurations; straight and bent. Cross lines were added to ensure the obtained frequency band. Different parameters were evaluated including return-loss, radiation-pattern, gain and band-width. These parameters were analyzed numerically after twisting along both X and Y axis. Additionally, a prototype of the straight structured antenna is fabricated, and compared with the simulation results. The numerical results show high return loss (− 33 dB) at the straight structure, while the measured return loss decreased to − 28 dB. The bandwidth was 0.75-GHz in case of the straight structure and the measured bandwidth 0.18 GHz. The obtained gain at the resonance frequency is − 13 dB. Moreover, the proposed antenna resonates at frequency 3.22-GHz making it suitable for wireless communications, WIMAX and microwave S-band applications.
Bibliometric analysis of the global scientific production on machine learning applied to different cancer types
Authors: Ruiz-Fresneda Miguel Angel , Gijón Alfonso , Morales-Álvarez Pablo
Published: August 2023

Cancer disease is one of the main causes of death in the world, with million annual cases in the last decades. The need to find a cure has stimulated the search for efficient treatments and diagnostic procedures. One of the most promising tools that has emerged against cancer in recent years is machine learning (ML), which has raised a huge number of scientific papers published in a relatively short period of time. The present study analyzes global scientific production on ML applied to the most relevant cancer types through various bibliometric indicators. We find that over 30,000 studies have been published so far and observe that cancers with the highest number of published studies using ML (breast, lung, and colon cancer) are those with the highest incidence, being the USA and China the main scientific producers on the subject. Interestingly, the role of China and Japan in stomach cancer is correlated with the number of cases of this cancer type in Asia (78% of the worldwide cases). Knowing the countries and institutions that most study each area can be of great help for improving international collaborations between research groups and countries. Our analysis shows that medical and computer science journals lead the number of publications on the subject and could be useful for researchers in the field. Finally, keyword co-occurrence analysis suggests that ML-cancer research trends are focused not only on the use of ML as an effective diagnostic method, but also for the improvement of radiotherapy- and chemotherapy-based treatments.
Solar photo-Fenton optimization at neutral pH for microcontaminant removal at pilot plant scale
Authors: Hinojosa Mercedes , Oller Isabel , Quiroga José María , Malato Sixto , Egea-Corbacho Agata , Acevedo-Merino Asunción
Published: August 2023

The increasing occurrence of micropollutants in natural water bodies has medium to long-term effects on both aquatic life and human health. The aim of this study is to optimize the degradation of two pharmaceutical pollutants of emerging concern: amoxicillin and acetaminophen in aqueous solution at laboratory and pilot scale, by solar photo-Fenton process carried out at neutral pH using ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS) as a complexing agent to maintain iron in solution. The initial concentration of each compound was set at 1 mg/L dissolved in a simulated effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant (MWTP). A factorial experimental design and its surface response analysis were used to optimize the operating parameters to achieve the highest initial degradation rate of each target. The evolution of the degradation process was measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC/UV), obtaining elimination rates above 90% for both contaminants. Statistical study showed the optimum concentrations of Fe(III) at 3 mg/L at an Fe-EDDS ratio of 1:2 and 2.75 mg/L H2O2 for the almost complete removal of the target compounds by solar photo-Fenton process. Validation of the experimental design was successfully carried out with actual MWTP effluent spiked with 100 μg/L of amoxicillin and acetaminophen, each at pilot plant scale.
Signaling in the Market for Security Tokens
Authors: Kreppmeier Julia , Laschinger Ralf
Published: August 2023

Security token offerings (STOs) are a new means for ventures to raise funding, where digital tokens are issued as regulated investment products on the blockchain. We study market outcomes in the primary and secondary markets for security tokens and examine the associated determinants in the context of signaling theory. We analyze success determinants of 138 STOs and find that a pre-sale and the announcement of token transferability are positively related to the funding success and serve as positive quality signals for investors to overcome information asymmetries. We examine 108 security tokens traded on centralized and decentralized exchanges related to the rapidly evolving area of decentralized finance. There is hardly any underpricing in the market, and it is positively associated with the crypto market sentiment as an external signal. When traded on the secondary market, security tokens generate both extremely positive and negative returns for various short-term time horizons. We disentangle the liquidity situation in the market between centralized and decentralized exchanges and find that decentralized marketplaces are less liquid and offer lower barriers to entry, indicating slow market completion.
Text data mining on current newspaper articles from the United States with ProQuest TDM Studio
Authors: Pohlmann Jens
Published: August 2023

This paper introduces and reviews a novel digital resource and service that offers access to a wealth of newspaper data from the United States for Text Data Mining (TDM) and Natural Language Processing (NLP). Due to copyright restrictions, gaining access to relevant text corpora of this sort can be difficult. However, ProQuest TDM Studio and similar services provide researchers with access to data and resources that were previously unavailable for TDM to this extent. By using these tools, researchers can gain insights into current newspaper discourses that still have a tremendous impact on debates in society and on political decisions.

After giving an account of the structural and procedural elements that are of relevance for TDM research projects when working with data providers, the paper describes the newspaper data that ProQuest TDM Studio makes available and reviews the ways in which this data can be examined via the tools that ProQuest TDM Studio’s research environment offers. After contrasting this setup with other data providers and their systems, the paper concludes with an analysis of the opportunities and challenges of working with data providers and research environments such as those provided by ProQuest TDM Studio.
Secondary rotational atherectomy is associated with reduced occurrence of prolonged ST-segment elevation following ablation
Authors: Kanda Daisuke , Takumi Takuro , Arikawa Ryo , Anzaki Kazuhiro , Sonoda Takeshi , Ohmure Kenta , Fukumoto Daichi , Tokushige Akihiro , Ohishi Mitsuru
Published: August 2023

Elevation of the ST segment after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using rotational atherectomy (RA) for severely calcified lesions often persists after disappearance of the slow-flow phenomenon on angiography. We investigated clinical factors relevant to prolonged ST-segment elevation following RA among 152 patients with stable angina undergoing elective PCI. PCI procedures were divided into two strategies, RA without (primary RA strategy) or with (secondary RA strategy) balloon dilatation before RA. Incidence of prolonged ST-segment elevation after disappearance of slow-flow phenomenon was higher in the 56 patients with primary RA strategy (13%) than in the 96 patients with secondary RA strategy (3%, p = 0.039). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (odds ratio [OR] 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93–0.99; p = 0.013), levels of triglycerides (OR 0.97, 95%CI 0.94–0.99; p = 0.040), and secondary RA strategy (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.05–0.85; p = 0.028) were inversely associated with occurrence of prolonged ST-segment elevation following ablation. However, hemodialysis, diabetes mellitus, left-ventricular ejection fraction, lesion length ≥ 20 mm, and burr size did not show significant associations. Multivariate logistic regression analysis modeling revealed that secondary RA strategy was significantly associated with the occurrence of prolonged ST-segment elevation (Model 1: OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.05–0.95, p = 0.042; Model 2: OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.03–0.68, p = 0.018; Model 3: OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.03–0.87, p = 0.041) even after adjusting for levels of LDL-C and triglycerides. Secondary RA strategy may be useful to reduce the occurrence of prolonged ST-segment elevation following RA.
First observation on morphological and molecular characters of Bitylenchus ventrosignatus (Tobar Jiménez, 1969) Siddiqi, 1986 isolated from tomato in Dalmada, South Africa
Authors: Shokoohi Ebrahim
Published: August 2023

During a survey on the biodiversity of plant-parasitic nematodes in Limpopo Province, South Africa, Bitylenchus ventrosignatus was discovered around the rhizosphere of a tomato in Dalmada. The nematodes were extracted using the tray method and then fixed according to available protocols. The morphological characters fit well with the description of B. ventrosignatus. In addition, molecular analysis using 18S and 28S rDNA indicated 99% similarity (MW255611; MW255613) with the Botswana population of B. ventrosignatus. The phylogenetic analysis of 18S and 28S rDNA placed the examined population with other populations of B. ventrosignatus in a group with a posterior probability support value of 1.00. According to published literature, this is the first morphological and molecular characters of 18S and 28S rDNA of B. ventrosignatus from South Africa.
Conductive and stable polyphenylene/CNT composite membrane for electrically enhanced membrane fouling mitigation
Authors: Xie Huijuan , Zhang Haiguang , Wang Xu , Wei Gaoliang , Chen Shuo , Quan Xie
Published: August 2023

Nanocarbon-based conductive membranes, especially carbon nanotube (CNT)-based membranes, have tremendous potential for wastewater treatment and water purification because of their excellent water permeability and selectivity, as well as their electrochemically enhanced performance (e.g., improved antifouling ability). However, it remains challenging to prepare CNT membranes with high structural stability and high electrical conductivity. In this study, a highly electroconductive and structurally stable polyphenylene/CNT (PP/CNT) composite membrane was prepared by electropolymerizing biphenyl on a CNT hollow fiber membrane. The PP/CNT membrane showed 3.4 and 5.0 times higher electrical conductivity than pure CNT and poly(vinyl alcohol)/CNT (PVA/CNT) membranes, respectively. The structural stability of the membrane was superior to that of the pure CNT membrane and comparable to that of the PVA/CNT membrane. The membrane fouling was significantly alleviated under an electrical assistance of − V, with a flux loss of only 11.7% after 5 h filtration of humic acid, which is significantly lower than those of PP/CNT membranes without electro-assistance (56.8%) and commercial polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes (64.1%). Additionally, the rejection of negatively charged pollutants (humic acid and sodium alginate) was improved by the enhanced electrostatic repulsion. After four consecutive filtration-cleaning cycle tests, the flux recovery rate after backwashing reached 97.2%, which was much higher than those of electricity-free PP/CNT membranes (67.0%) and commercial PVDF membranes (61.1%). This study offers insights into the preparation of stable conductive membranes for membrane fouling control in potential water treatment applications.
How knowledge-based dynamic capabilities relate to firm performance: the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation
Authors: Hernández-Linares Remedios , López-Fernández María Concepción , García-Piqueres Gema , Pina e Cunha Miguel , Rego Arménio
Published: August 2023

To examine how knowledge-based dynamic capabilities relate to firm performance through the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation, we analyzed data of a sample of 1047 Portuguese and Spanish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of all industry sectors. The results reveal that knowledge-based dynamic capabilities are associated with firm performance and that the relationship is partially mediated by a firm’s entrepreneurial orientation. This mediation could be explained by the fact that an entrepreneurial orientation to identify and utilize new opportunities is integral to knowledge value creation and extraction, and to avoid pervasive rigidities. Our study sheds light on the mechanisms through which knowledge-based dynamic capabilities are associated with firm performance and helps to explain performance differences among firms. In addition, we provide management insight on how firms can deploy their knowledge-based dynamic capabilities and extract value from them to face change and promote their entrepreneurial orientation and performance.
An integrated portable bio-monitoring system based on tough hydrogels for comprehensive detection of physiological activities
Authors: Yang Congcong , Ji Chenchen , Guo Fengjiao , Jin Chunjiang , Mi Hongyu , Wang Zhongchang
Published: August 2023

Advanced soft ion-conducting hydrogels have been developed rapidly in the integrated portable health monitoring equipment due to their higher sensitivity, sensory traits, tunable conductivity, and stretchability for physiological activities and personal healthcare detection. However, traditional hydrogel conductors are normally susceptible to large deformation and strong mechanical stress, which leads to inferior electro-mechanical stability for real application scenarios. Herein, a strong ionically conductive hydrogel (poly(vinyl alcohol)-boric acid-glycerol/sodium alginate-calcium chloride/electrolyte ions (PBG/SC/EI)) was designed by engineering the covalently and ionically crosslinked networks followed by the salting-out effect to further enhance the mechanical strength and ionic conductivity of the hydrogel. Owing to the collective effects of the energy-dissipation mechanism and salting-out effect, the designed PBG/SC/EI with excellent structural integrity and robustness exhibits exceptional mechanical properties (elongation at break for 559.1% and tensile strength of 869.4 kPa) and high ionic conductivity (1.618 S·m−1). As such, the PBG/SC/EI strain sensor features high sensitivity (gauge factor = 2.29), which can effectively monitor various kinds of human motions (joint motions, facial micro-expression, faint respiration, and voice recognition). Meanwhile, the hydrogel-based Zn∥MnO2 battery delivers a high capacity of 267.2 mAh·g−1 and a maximal energy density of 356.8 Wh·kg−1 associated with good cycle performance of 71.8% capacity retention after 8000 cycles. Additionally, an integrated bio-monitoring system with the sensor and Zn∥MnO2 battery can accurately identify diverse physiological activities in a real-time and noninvasive way. This work presents a feasible strategy for designing high-performance conductive hydrogels for highly-reliable integrated bio-monitoring systems with excellent practicability.
Additive Manufacturing of Locally Weakened Parts to Obtain a Designed Fracture
Authors: Galati Manuela , Defanti Silvio
Published: August 2023

Today, the additive manufacturing (AM) approach has led to profound changes in part and process design, enabling previously impossible material properties. With the freedom to create the material as components are built layer by layer, AM has permitted precise spatial control of the material properties in manufactured parts. In this work, an original approach is proposed to locally control component and process design and create intentionally weakened regions with designed fracture, which paves the way to tuneable mechanical properties. Tensile tests of specimens with embedded weakened area of various geometries are used to verify the feasibility of a-priori-designed fracture modes and to characterise the variation in material behaviour. The results show that an ad hoc design of the artificially weakened areas is effective for predictable breakage, with load and strain being the precursor for active control of the mechanical behaviour. The attainability of a quantitative relationship between the defect and the mechanical response is exemplified by the fact that, e.g. for a flat geometry, the maximum stress and strain are reduced by half when the thickness of the weak region is doubled.

Graphical abstract
Characterizing Drug use Typologies and Their Association with Sexual Risk Behaviors: A Latent Class Analysis Among Men who have Sex with Men in Mexico
Authors: Algarin Angel B. , Lara Marisol Valenzuela , Hernandez-Avila Mauricio , Baruch-Dominguez Ricardo , Sanchez Travis , Strathdee Steffanie A. , Smith Laramie R.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Drug use behaviors are closely associated with increased risk for HIV and other STIs among men who have sex with men (MSM) globally. Less is known about the drug use characteristics and their association with HIV/STI risk among MSM in Mexico, who have 13 times higher risk of acquiring HIV than the general population. We characterized distinct classes of drug use behaviors among a nationwide sample of MSM in Mexico and tested their associations with HIV risk behaviors.

Methods

We used latent class analysis (LCA) to analyze injection/non-injection drug use data collected by the online Encuesta de Sexo Entre Hombres self-administered survey among 15,875 MSM living in Mexico between May-June 2017. MSM were recruited on general social media sites (e.g. Facebook and Twitter), popular LGBT + focused web pages (e.g. Soy Homosensual and Desastre), and dating apps (e.g. Grindr and Hornet). We used robust Poisson regression to examine associations between drug use classes and recent sexual risk behaviors while adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

Most participants were under 30 years of age (65.5%), received a Bachelor’s degree or higher (65.2%), gay-identified (82.5%), HIV negative (58.1%), and lived in the Mexico City/State of Mexico region (34.5%). We identified five distinct drug use classes: Limited Drug Use (75.4%), Marijuana Only (15.1%), Sex Event Popper + Marijuana (4.3%), Club Drug + Marijuana (4.2%), and Elevated Polydrug Use (1.0%). Compared to the Limited Drug Use class, participants in all other drug use classes were significantly more likely to engage in condomless anal intercourse (aPR = 1.14–1.39; p < 0.001), sex exchange (aPR = 1.37–4.99; p < 0.001), anonymous sex (aPR = 1.22–2.01; p < 0.001), group sex (aPR = 1.50–3.28; p < 0.001), and report an STI diagnosis in the past 12 months (aPR = 1.24–2.20; p < 0.002). Estimates were largest among the Elevated Polydrug Use class.

Conclusions

This study is the first to characterize drug use behaviors and HIV/STI risk among a national sample of MSM in Mexico. Understanding how distinct combinations of drug use behaviors impact sexual risk and prevention behaviors among MSM can inform how best to target and tailor future interventions to reduce HIV/STI incidence.
Molecular examination of nosemosis and foulbrood pathogens in honey bee populations from southeastern Morocco
Authors: Aglagane Abdessamad , Carra Elena , Ravaioli Valentina , Er-Rguibi Omar , Santo Emma , Mouden El Hassan El , Aourir Mohamed , Frasnelli Matteo
Published: August 2023

The western honey bee is highly valued for its important role as natural pollinator. In Morocco, pollination services of Apis mellifera along with other insect pollinators were estimated at 1.2 billion US$. Regrettably, biological stressors including pathogens are leading factors contributing to colony losses and hampering pollination services. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and prevalence of four agents responsible for nosemosis and foulbrood diseases in the oases of southeastern Morocco. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we have analyzed 87 beehives sampled during two successive years from four provinces and representing two different beekeeping operation types, namely migratory (N = 51) versus stationary (N = 36). The results obtained revealed the absence of Nosema apis and Paenibacillus larvae. However, Nosema ceranae and Melissococcus plutonius were present at prevalence rates of 16.09% and 62.07% respectively. During the winter of 2020, there was higher prevalence rates of both pathogens compared to the winter of 2019. The province of Errachidia was free of N. ceranae, while the other three provinces were infected with different prevalence rates. On the other hand, M. plutonius was more prevalent in all four sampling areas. In addition, infection and co-infection patterns of N. ceranae and M. plutonius were found to be more prevalent in migratory beehives as opposed to stationary colonies. Results of this work constitute the first contribution to study infection patterns of nosemosis and foulbrood in Morocco, while more inquiries are needed in order to elaborate sustainable strategies for the beekeeping industry in Morocco.
Scalp eschar and neck lymph adenopathy after a tick bite (SENLAT) in Tuscany, Italy (2015–2022)
Authors: Barbiero Anna , Manciulli Tommaso , Spinicci Michele , Vellere Iacopo , Colao Maria Grazia , Rossolini Gian Maria , Bartoloni Alessandro , Raoult Didier , Zammarchi Lorenzo
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The Scalp Eschar and Neck Lymph Adenopathy After a Tick Bite (SENLAT) syndrome is frequently caused by Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia raoultii. Only six microbiologically confirmed SENLAT cases have been reported in Italy between 1996 and 2021. We report ten cases of SENLAT seen between 2015 and 2022 in a tertiary care center in Tuscany, Italy.

Cases presentation

All patients were women; most common symptoms were scalp eschar on the site of tick bite (100%) and cervical lymphadenopathy (90%). No microbiological identification was obtained. Persistent alopecia, for several months to years, was observed in four patients. The known difficulty of microbiological diagnosis in SENLAT was worsened, in our cases, by factors as the absence of ticks available for identification and microbiological study, and antibiotic treatment administration previous to microbiological tests.

Conclusion

The report highlights the presence of SENLAT in Italy, aiming to raise the awareness toward the emergence of this clinical entity.
Exploring the potential of contrast agents in breast cancer echography: current state and future directions
Authors: Monzeglio Oriana , Melissa Vittoria Maria , Rodolfi Sara , Valentini Eleonora , Carriero Alessandro
Published: August 2023

Breast cancer stands as the most frequent malignancy and leading cause of death among women. Early and accurate detection of this pathology represents a crucial factor in enhancing both incidence and mortality rates. Ultrasound (US) examination has been extensively adopted in clinical practice due to its non-invasiveness, affordability, ease of implementation, and wide accessibility, thus representing a valuable first-line diagnostic tool for the study of the mammary gland. In this scenario, recent developments in nanomedicine are paving the way for new interpretations and applications of US diagnostics, which are becoming increasingly personalized based on the molecular phenotype of each tumor, allowing for more precise and accurate evaluations. This review highlights the current state-of-the-art of US diagnosis of breast cancer, as well as the recent advancements related to the application of US contrast agents to the field of molecular diagnostics, still under preclinical study.
Watching Women Watch Sports and (re)Claim Their Fandom in Popular Culture
Authors: Symons Kasey
Published: August 2023

This conceptual paper explores the gendered framing of women as sports fans in literature and pop culture and the surveillance of their fandom in the stands. By investigating what it feels like to be watched while watching, and the complex ways in which gendered practices complicate the position of women as spectators of sport, we can see how some women are actively challenging the stereotypes of sports fandom in popular culture. Through using the method of reflexive autoethnography, (see Delamont, 2009; Ellis et al., 2010 and Holman Jones, 2016) this paper will re/address how women are framed as fans in the sports fan space and the activism they demonstrate in these presentations that has gone unnoticed and under-researched in the sports fan space.

Through autoethnography I intend to also add personal reflections to connect to, challenge and re-position some representations of women as sports fans through this framework in order to explore different ways of engaging with the existing research. This method builds on innovative approaches to exploring fandom through mixed method and ethnographical investigations that have been developed in studies by key researchers in the field such as Hoeber & Kerwin’s (2013), McParland (2012) and Richards (2015 &, 2018).

Applying the lens of reflexive autoethnography as the primary methodology will further allow me, an engaged participant myself, to re-explore my previous experiences to give gendered perceptions of sports fandom further nuanced consideration. This approach aims to offer alternative ways to consider how women show activism in challenging their surveillance and presenting their multi-layered and complicated experiences of fandom by re-viewing how women as fans are represented in popular culture.

This paper will move through an examination of the existing research on gender and sports fandom, and touch on concepts of surveillance and present examples of women as fans in several text that perform elements of activism to challenge the ‘female fan’ stereotype to connect key ideas to the reflective autoethnographical entries, bringing a different way to understand the gendered experience of being watched while watching sport in a stadium.
Silicon Incorporation Reduces the Reactivity of Short-range Ordered Aluminosilicates Toward Organic Acids
Authors: Lenhardt Katharina R. , Stein Mathias , Rennert Thilo
Published: August 2023

The structure and composition of short-range ordered aluminosilicates (SROAS) may control their affinity for organic acids with potential effects on soil organic matter stabilization. Adsorption mechanisms of model organic acids were studied to resolve the effect of Si incorporation. Adsorption of oxalic, salicylic, and octanoic acid on Al-rich (Al:Si = 3.7) and Si-rich (Al:Si = 1.4) SROAS was quantified by analyses of dissolved organic carbon using catalytic high-temperature combustion. The initial pH of 5 and 6.5 increased to 6.3–8.2 during adsorption of oxalic and salicylic acid, demonstrating hydroxyl release by ligand exchange. Minor changes in pH indicated weak interactions of octanoic acid with both SROAS. Adsorbates were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Asymmetric stretching of carboxylate groups at 1720 and 1700 cm–1, and symmetric stretching at 1430 cm–1 evinced the formation of chelate complexes for oxalic acid. An absorption band centered at 1545 cm–1 indicated partial inner-sphere binding of salicylic acid on both SROAS. Silicon-rich SROAS adsorbed 80–90% less than Al-rich SROAS, suggesting that adsorption of oxalic and salicylic acid was controlled by surface aluminol groups. Fast kinetics of oxalate adsorption on Al sites was studied by a conductivity-based stopped-flow technique. Ligand exchange proceeded at a rate constant of 3.5 s–1 (25°C), similar to solute Al complexation, with an activation energy of up to 34.1 kJ mol–1. A slow process with a rate constant of 0.13 s–1 (25°C) was attributed to diffusion of oxalate at the surface or into SROAS particles. As supported by structural characterization of Si-rich SROAS, the much lower susceptibility of Si-rich SROAS to ligand exchange relates to Al speciation. The formation of tetrahedral Al precludes its complexation by carboxyl groups.
Comparing Capitalisms for an Unknown Future
Authors: Redding Gordon
Published: August 2023

Systems of capitalism are conceived as formed under certain broad logics that apply to all, but which then interpret those logics in distinct ways society by society, seen as the society's own processes. Such processes cluster into three categories: an inspiring context; a transformative capacity; and empowered action. The political role is that of balancing the influences across the total. Each inspirational influence adds a key contribution, as with benevolent empowering authority, and critical thinking. Transformative capacity is built by: innovativeness and cooperativeness; and stable decentralized authority flows from communicative action, spontaneous emergent ordering; and competitive productivity. Societal progress may be explained in terms of the integrated workings of these processes to yield an ethically legitimate structure for the prosperity-driven creating and distributing of wealth. Two main stereotypes are examined to compare their workings and their outcomes: the Western free market democratic, and the Chinese party-state driven.
Smooth Operators, Predictable Glitches: The Interface Governance of Benefits and Borders
Authors: Raso Jennifer
Published: August 2023

This article examines the phenomenon of interface governance. It uses two interface technologies—Universal Credit’s digital account (United Kingdom) and ArriveCAN (Canada)—to explore how interfaces and their predictable glitches govern relations between state officials and members of the public. Drawing on tools of government literature, it argues that interfaces do not achieve their stated goals evenly (improved efficiency, digital literacy). Instead, they generate several unintended effects, including heightened bureaucratic intensity, diffused responsibility, and even eroded public trust in state agencies. It urges socio-legal and administrative justice scholars to take interfaces seriously and calls on scholars to adopt socio-legal-technical methods to better conceptualize the effects of infrastructure governance and to imagine other possibilities for public administration.
Fast reaction of soluble surfactant can remobilize a stagnant cap
Authors: Crowdy Darren G. , Curran Anna E. , Papageorgiou Demetrios T.
Published: August 2023

Analytical solutions are derived showing that a stagnant cap of surfactant at the interface between two viscous fluids caused by a linear extensional flow can be remobilized by fast kinetic exchange of surfactant with one of the fluids. Using a complex variable formulation of this multiphysics problem at zero capillary number, zero Reynolds number and zero bulk Péclet number, and assuming a linear equation of state, it is shown that the system is governed by a forced complex Burgers equation at arbitrary surface Péclet number. Consequently, this nonlinear system is shown to be linearizable using a complex analogue of the Cole–Hopf transformation. Steady equilibria of the system at any finite value of the surface Péclet number are found explicitly in terms of parabolic cylinder functions. While surface diffusion is naturally expected to mollify sharp gradients associated with stagnant caps and to remobilize the interface, this work gives an analytical demonstration of the less intuitive result that fast kinetic exchange has a similar effect. Indeed, the analytical approach here imposes no limit on the surface Péclet number, which can be taken to be infinitely large so that surface diffusion is completely absent. Mathematically, the solution structure is then very rich allowing a theoretical investigation of this extreme case where it is seen that fast surfactant exchange with the bulk can alone remobilize a stagnant cap. Remarkably, it is also possible to track explicitly the time evolution of the system to these remobilized equilibria by finding time-evolving exact solutions.
Evidence that superstructures comprise self-similar coherent motions in high Reynolds number boundary layers
Authors: Deshpande Rahul , de Silva Charitha M. , Marusic Ivan
Published: August 2023

We present experimental evidence that the superstructures in turbulent boundary layers comprise smaller, geometrically self-similar coherent motions. The evidence comes from identifying and analysing instantaneous superstructures from large-scale particle image velocimetry datasets acquired at high Reynolds numbers, capable of capturing streamwise elongated motions extending up to 12 times the boundary layer thickness. Given the challenge in identifying the constituent motions of the superstructures based on streamwise velocity signatures, a new approach is adopted that analyses the wall-normal velocity fluctuations within these very long motions, which reveals the constituent motions unambiguously. The conditional streamwise energy spectra of the Reynolds shear stress and the wall-normal fluctuations, corresponding exclusively to the superstructure region, are found to exhibit the well-known distance-from-the-wall scaling in the intermediate-scale range. It suggests that geometrically self-similar motions are the constituent motions of these very-large-scale structures. Investigation of the spatial organization of the wall-normal momentum-carrying eddies, within the superstructures, also lends empirical support to the concatenation hypothesis for the formation of these structures. The association between the superstructures and self-similar motions is reaffirmed on comparing the vertical coherence of the Reynolds-shear-stress-carrying motions, by computing conditionally averaged two-point correlations, which are found to match with the mean correlations. The mean vertical coherence of these motions, investigated for the log region across three decades of Reynolds numbers, exhibits a unique distance-from-the-wall scaling invariant with Reynolds number. The findings support modelling of these dynamically significant motions via data-driven coherent structure-based models.
A quantitative assessment of ontogeny and molting in a Cambrian radiodont and the evolution of arthropod development
Authors: Moysiuk Joseph , Caron Jean-Bernard
Published: August 2023

Radiodonta is a clade of stem euarthropods of central importance to our understanding of the evolution of this phylum. Radiodonts include some of the largest early Paleozoic animals; however, little is known about their ontogeny. We present an analysis of molting patterns and ontogeny in the radiodont Stanleycaris based on 265 exceptionally preserved specimens from the mid-Cambrian (Wuliuan) Burgess Shale. Ranging in size from 10 to 83 mm, they constitute the most extensive radiodont ontogenetic series known. Using a novel morphospace approach, we show that putative carcasses and exuviae can be quantitatively distinguished by the particular suites of structures preserved and their modes of preservation. We propose that Stanleycaris, and probably other radiodonts, molted via a suture near the anterior of the trunk. Similar anterior molting strategies, with a suture located at the head–trunk boundary, are shared with some Cambrian euarthropods and are potentially ancestral. Allometric analyses suggest that as Stanleycaris body size increased, the head sclerite and neck became relatively broader, while the trunk and flaps became slightly longer. The eyes developed precociously, indicating an important role of visual processing in juveniles. Finally, we find evidence for an initial anamorphic developmental phase, where segment number increased at least from 11 or 12 up to 17, followed by an epimorphic phase, in which growth continued without segment addition. This is consistent with the hypothesis that finite postembryonic segment addition (hemianamorphosis) is ancestral for arthropods and refines the timing of the origin of this important developmental mode.
Inferred nutrient forcing on the late middle Eocene to early Oligocene (~40–31 Ma) evolution of the coccolithophore Reticulofenestra (order Isochrysidales)
Authors: Ma Ruigang , Aubry Marie-Pierre , Bord David , Jin Xiaobo , Liu Chuanlian
Published: August 2023

The first size reduction (FSR) in the Reticulofenestra-Gephyrocapsa-Emiliania (RGE) lineage (order Isochrysidales), which occurred in the early Oligocene (~32 Ma), is of great significance for understanding the Lilliput effect that has affected coccolithophore communities from the late Eocene to this day. We conducted a morphologic analysis on the coccoliths of Reticulofenestra species that lived during the late middle Eocene to early Oligocene (~40–31 Ma), using marine sediments from the South Atlantic Ocean. Our data show increasing size and decreasing abundance of the large species during the late Eocene, leading to their disappearance at the FSR, and a concurrent decrease in the size variability of the small- to medium-sized coccoliths whose central opening diameter had become very reduced. Although the cosmopolitan late Paleogene through Neogene size decrease in coccolithophores has been linked to the concomitant long-term decline in global pCO2, we suggest here that the FSR was the result of environmental destabilization caused by the expansion of eutrophic environments following the late Eocene establishment of overturning circulation associated with ice buildup on Antarctica. This study also leads us to propose a hypothetical model that links coccolith morphology of species of the RGE lineage and trophic resources in the upper ocean: the small- to medium-sized, r-selected coccolithophores with smaller coccolith central openings live in nutrient-rich waters where they rely mostly on photosynthesis and little on mixotrophy, whereas the larger, K-selected species with larger coccolith central openings live in oligotrophic waters where they are more dependent on mixotrophy.
Personal Economic Shocks and Public Opposition to Unauthorized Immigration
Authors: Hopkins Daniel J. , Margalit Yotam , Solodoch Omer
Published: August 2023

Do negative economic shocks heighten public opposition to immigration, and through what mechanisms? Extant research suggests that economic circumstances and levels of labour market competition have little bearing on citizens' immigration attitudes. Yet personal economic shocks have the potential to trigger the threatened, anti-immigration responses – possibly through channels other than labour market competition – that prior cross-sectional research has been unable to detect. To examine these propositions, we used a unique panel study which tracked a large, population-based sample of Americans between 2007 and 2020. We found that adverse economic shocks, especially job losses, spurred opposition to unauthorized immigration. However, such effects are not concentrated among those most likely to face labour market competition from unauthorized immigrants. Instead, they are concentrated among white male Americans. This evidence suggests that the respondents' anti-immigration turn does not stem from economic concerns alone. Instead, personal experiences with the economy are refracted through salient socio-political lenses.