bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Riga Native Johann Christian Weltzien (1767–1829), Author of a Book on “Мedical Рolice”
Authors: Vasyliev Kostiantyn K. , Vasyliev Yurii K. ,   Sumy State University, Vasylieva Olena H. ,   Sumy State University
Published: January 2024

On the basis of the archival materials, first identified by the authors, and the published historical sources that have not yet come to the attention of historians of science, this article reconstructs the biography of Johann Christian Weltzien (1767–1829), doctor of medicine and surgery. In 1785, Weltzien became a court physician. In 1799, in the retinue of Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich, he participated in Italian and Swiss military campaigns. After that, Weltzien was assigned to the Сourt of Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia and stayed at his court until 1810. He started his charitable activities in the Medico-Philanthropic Committee. From May 1810 to the middle of 1825, Weltzien was a physician at the Imperial Page Corps. It turned out that around the same time, in 1804–1825, he was a member of the Medical Council. Furthermore, as there were two medical councils under two ministries at the time, in 1811–1822, he was a member of both. Since 1825, Weltzien lived on his estate in Somel, now Vaiatu Manor in Estonia, and died in St. Petersburg. Weltzien’s work as a provincial physician prompted him to write a book on medical police, which was published in 1785. It has been established that this remained his only book on the topic. The article shows that Weltzien became one of the first ideologists of state care for public health in the Russian Empire. Weltzien’s ideas, expressed over 200 years ago, regarding the state having mechanisms to impact public health and the importance of not excluding it from solving health problems have not lost their significance even today.
Frontiers in AI Judiciary: A Contribution to Legal Futurology
Authors:   Tallinn University of Technology, Kerikmäe Tanel , Hamuľák Ondrej ,   Palacký University Olomouc, Gábriš Tomáš ,   Trnava University in Trnava
Published: January 2024

The article responds to the recent evolution in AI judiciary, especially as presented in China. The authors compare the basic methodological background of Western and Eastern legal systems, concluding that the West is rather inclined to post-positivist methodology in law, which seems incompatible with the full use of AI in legal decision-making. In China, with its more pragmatic approach, the actual process of decision-making might be closer to a new form of technological legal positivism, distinct from Western trends in jurisprudence. Finally, various forms of applicability of AI in law and judiciary are pondered upon, so as to use at least some positive aspects of AI in this sector—albeit with reservations regarding the decision-making proper.
ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF DIGESTIVE SYSTEMS DISORDERS IN BADUY ETHNIC, INDONESIA
Authors: Khastini Rida Oktorida , Wahyuni Indria , Saraswati Irma
Published: January 2024

Digestive disorders rank among the most common problems faced in Indonesia, especially for the Baduy people in Banten Province. Although the Baduy live in water-rich areas, their lack of sanitation facilities and unawareness of methods of disease prevention have prompted high morbidity and mortality rates in their communities, largely due to digestive system disorders that they continue to treat with medicinal plants. This survey was undertaken to document Baduy indigenous medicinal plants that were used to treat and prevent different types of digestive system disorders in their communities using quantitative ethnobotanical approaches. Ethno medicinal data were collected from 30 informants regarding their knowledge on medicinal plants. Quantitative approaches were used to determine the use value and informant consensus factor values of collected data. The results revealed that the Baduy currently use 54 medicinal plant species belonging to 30 families to treat digestive system disorders. Additional research is required, however, to validate the function of the medicinal plants and identify their active compounds.
DIVERSITY AND ECOLOGY OF UNDERSTORY PLANT IN SEMPU ISLAND, EAST JAVA, INDONESIA
Authors: Hapsari Lia , Abywijaya Ilham Kurnia , Nurfadilah Siti , Rindyastuti Ridesti
Published: January 2024

As indicator for environmental disturbances, the understory is an important structural and functional component of forests ecosystems. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the diversity and composition of understory plants in the lowland forests adjacent to the trekking paths along Semut Bay (dock entrance) to Segara Anakan Lagoon and some coastal areas in Sempu Island, and to detemine their association with the underlying environmental factors as disturbance indicators by the presence of understory invasive alien species (IAS). Sixty six plots of 2 x 2 m2 were established to analyze the understory vegetation, the site profiles and the environmental variables. A total of 135 understory plant species belonging to 108 genera and 60 families were recorded within the 66 plots of the study areas. Poaceae was the dominant family, followed by Compositae, Phyllanthaceae, Sterculiaceae, Rubiaceae, Putranjivaceae and Cyperaceae. The understory communities in the lowland forest adjacent to Semut Path were dominated by tree seedlings and had a relatively fewer composition of shrubs. Coastal areas, which have more open canopies, were dominated by grasses and shrubs. Some dominant native understory species include Ckistanthus ohlongifolius, Pterocymbium javanicum, lschaemum muticum, Guettarda spedosa, etc. Indicating disturbance, 12 understory IAS were found in the study areas. Four of these are among the worldâ€™s worst invaders (Chromolaena odorata, Imperata tylindrica, Lantana camara and Spathodea campanulata), and three are noxious weeds (Cyperus rotundus, Eleusine indica and Imperata cylindricd). The light intensity and air temperature were strongly positively associated with disturbed sites, while relative humidty, soil pH, and elevation were associated with less disturbed sites. These study results provide the scientific basis for management and recommendations on the current diversity status of the understory plant species at Sempu Island, hoping that these would justify further conservation of indigenous species and their protection from these disturbances.
HARVESTING TIME AND VIABILITY OF Ixora coccinea 'Dwarf Red Coccinea' POLLEN
Authors: Leung David
Published: January 2024

The cultivated variety of the non-native I. coccinea,   Knowledge about pollen of Ixora coccinea, cv. â€˜Dwarf Red Coccineaâ€™ to be collected for basic investigations or plant breeding purposes is limited. Under a light microscope, I. coccinea, cv. â€˜Dwarf Red Coccineaâ€™ pollen was generally prolate in shape which was different from that ofÂ  I. congesta and I. arborea. In addition, the quantity, viability and germinability of pollen collected at different times from 8 am to 4 pm in a summer day from the flowers of I. coccinea, cv. â€˜Dwarf Red Coccineaâ€™ were investigated. Pollen quantity was determined using a haemacytometer while the viable and germinable pollen was examined after staining with 1% acetocarmine and germinating on a modified agar-gelled germination medium, respectively. The I. coccinea, cv. â€˜Dwarf Red Coccineaâ€™ pollen collected at 10 am exhibited the highest pollen density and germination percentage of 53.3Ã—104 pollen/ml and 72.05%, respectively. When these pollen were germinated on the artificial medium supplemented with various sucrose concentrations, the highest in vitro '˜Dwarf Red Coccinea' pollen germinability was found on a medium containing 10% sucrose. It was concluded that the best time to collect I. coccinea, cv. '˜Dwarf Red Coccinea' pollen was at 10 AM. Further studies would be worthwhile to investigate more closely the effect of changes in the environmental factors (for example, ambient temperature and humidity) even within the same day on harvestable pollen quantity and quality as well as pistil phenology to develop a more complete breeding strategy for Ixora.
NATURAL HABITAT OF BALI STARLING (Leucopsar rothschildi) IN BALI BARAT NATIONAL PARK, INDONESIA
Authors: Sutomo Sutomo
Published: January 2024

Tropical savannas and dry forests in Indonesia are important types of ecosystems which provide habitat to support various endemic wildlife. Several of these endemic species are now seriously threatened and accordingly have high conservation status according to IUCN, including the Bali starling (Leucopsar rotschildi) which is mostly now restricted to the Bali Barat National Park. Given the high extinction risk facing such species, conservation programmes are likely to require multidisciplinary approaches that address both the biological attributes of the species itself, as well as their habitat requirements. Regrettably, for many species, their habitat ecology remains inadequately understood. The objectives of this paper are to: 1) characterise the habitat of the Bali starling in terms of structure and floristic composition; and 2) document evidence of vegetation cover changes in the Bali Barat National Park. Analysis of remote sensing imagery as well as field sampling for vegetation attributes was conducted to address these objectives. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was calculated from Landsat imageries using red and near infrared bands. Tree cover percentage data were downloaded from Vegetation Continuous Fields (VCF) product from the University of Marylandâ€™s website. Results showed that forest and savanna are the dominant land cover types in the Bali Barat National Park but their distribution is somewhat dynamic with changes in vegetation cover and greenness found across the years in which increasing cover of woody plants is the general trend. In the Bali Barat National Park, the Bali starling is mostly found at or near distinct vegetation boundaries, such as the border between savanna-forest; savanna-cropland; savanna-shrubland; settlement-cropland; and forest-shrubland. Although Cekik area had planted species that has been known to be able to provide shelter and food for Bali Starling (so was Brumbun), the bird has not been observed to be presence in the area since the 1990s. These results further confirm the importance of examining habitat patterns of endemic bird within a landscape that are influenced by multiple factors that interact in space and time. Addressing data shortage in habitat patterns within endemic species distribution is important for conservation managers developing conservation management strategies. Evaluating the remaining habitat of the species is important for conservation of Bali starling and useful for the reintroduction and release program to their natural habitat.
DYNAMICS OF MICROBIAL COMMUNITY DURING TEMPEH FERMENTATION
Authors: Suwanto Antonius
Published: January 2024

Tempeh is sliceable soybean-cake fermented by Rhizopus oligosporus. Various bacteria were detected in tempeh employing cultivation technique with limited information about their origin or sources. The present study aimed to examine the source/s of bacterial community in tempeh by combining metagenomics analysis and cultivation technique. Samples were obtained from a number of steps in tempeh production employing two-times boiling of soybean (WJB tempeh production). All samples were plated on Enterobacteriaceae and Lactic Acid Bacteria medium. Total DNA were extracted directly from tempeh for metagenomics analysis, employing High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) and cloned 16S rRNA genes. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the predominant and second dominant bacteria existed in fresh tempeh (FT) obtained by metagenomics analysis. In contrast, cultivation technique showed that Proteobacteria was the predominant phylum, suggested that most of the Firmicutes were not culturable. FT was dominated by Lactobacillus and Acetobacter. Both FT and soaking water (SW) were dominated by same species of Lactobacillus, i.e. L. delbreuckii and L. mucosae, indicated that SW was probably the source of bacterial community established in the final product of fermentation. Predominant bacteria in starter culture (SC), Acinetobacter, was not detected in FT, indicating that bacteria in SC might not play significant role in bacterial community development in FT.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF OIL PALM SHOOTS UNDER DIFFERENT LIGHT QUALITIES
Authors: Manoh Helena Patricia , Yanti Yanti , Toruan-Mathius Nurita
Published: January 2024

Light is one of the most important factor in plant tissue culture. The growth and development of plant in vitro are affected by light quality. This study examines the influence of different light qualities on the in vitro growth and development of oil palm shoots. Oil palm shoots were cultured in Murashige & Skoog medium under either white fluorescent lamp, white light-emitting diode (LED), red LED, blue LED, combination of red and blue LED, or in darkness. The results show that the growth and development of oil palm shoots are influenced by the light quality. Root initiation and shoot elongation were good under red light, while chlorophyll and sugar content was better produced under white and blue light than red light. In addition to white fluorescent lamp, the combination of red and blue LED resulted in higher growth parameter compared to other light treatments, but the results were not significantly different.
DOMINANCE, ASSOCIATION AND DISTRIBUTION PATTERN OF TREE SPECIES IN BURNT FOREST IN EAST KALIMANTAN
Authors: Rahayu Subekti
Published: January 2024

Repeated forest fires have high impact on speciesâ€™ composition. Pioneer species colonize the burnt forest and develop widely up to 30 years after a fire but late-succession species regenerate gradually or even disappear owing to direct impact of fires or other ecological consequences related to fires. Forest restoration through assisted natural regeneration needs information about the state of speciesâ€™ composition after fire. Speciesâ€™ dominance is a speciesâ€™ composition indicator used in this research, with additional information on speciesâ€™ association and distribution patterns, to understand tree speciesâ€™ composition after repeated fires. A 1.8-hectare plot divided into 10 x 10 m sub-plots was established in secondary forest in Samboja Research Forest, East Kalimantan. The plot sample was burnt in 1982/1983 and 1997/1998. All trees above 10 cm DBH were measured; leaf specimens were collected for speciesâ€™ identification at the Herbarium Bogoriense, Cibinong, West Java. For comparison, we used 1981 data observed by the Indonesian Institute of Science, published by Kartawinata et al 2008. The Importance Value Index was used in the data analysis to express speciesâ€™ dominance. A 2x2 matrix based on presence-absence of species for each sub-plot was used to analyse the association index among species. Variance and average value ratio of certain species present in each sub-plot was expressed in a dispersion index. A chi-square was used to test the significance of the association and dispersion index. Thirteen years after a second fire, pioneer species of Macaranga gigantea were most dominant, followed by Vernonia arborea, a sub-climax species. This indicated that the forest was in an early succession process. Pholidocarpus majadun was consistently dominant before and after the fire. We found 38 pairs of species significantly positively associated and 4801 pairs negatively associated. About 60% speciesâ€™ association, both negatively and positively, occurred between â€˜native speciesâ€™ (species that exist befores burnt) and â€˜non-native speciesâ€™ (new comer species regenerated after burnt) in the plot sample. A non-native species, Vernonia arborea, associated negatively with the non-native species Tabernaemontana sphaerocarpa, and native species, Oncosperma horridum, Palaquium dasyphyllum and Endiandra rubescens. The distribution pattern of four native speciesâ€”Artocarpus anisophyllus, Cananga odorata, Croton laevifolius and Macaranga giganteaâ€”changed after repeated fires, from uniform to clumped.
Value Creation Through Artificial Intelligence and Cardiovascular Imaging: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Hanneman Kate , Playford David , Dey Damini , van Assen Marly , Mastrodicasa Domenico , Cook Tessa S. , Gichoya Judy Wawira , Williamson Eric E. , Rubin Geoffrey D. ,   on behalf of the American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention; and Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young
Published: January 2024

Multiple applications for machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiovascular imaging are being proposed and developed. However, the processes involved in implementing AI in cardiovascular imaging are highly diverse, varying by imaging modality, patient subtype, features to be extracted and analyzed, and clinical application. This article establishes a framework that defines value from an organizational perspective, followed by value chain analysis to identify the activities in which AI might produce the greatest incremental value creation. The various perspectives that should be considered are highlighted, including clinicians, imagers, hospitals, patients, and payers. Integrating the perspectives of all health care stakeholders is critical for creating value and ensuring the successful deployment of AI tools in a real-world setting. Different AI tools are summarized, along with the unique aspects of AI applications to various cardiac imaging modalities, including cardiac computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography. AI is applicable and has the potential to add value to cardiovascular imaging at every step along the patient journey, from selecting the more appropriate test to optimizing image acquisition and analysis, interpreting the results for classification and diagnosis, and predicting the risk for major adverse cardiac events.
Soluble Suppression of Tumorigenicity‐2 Predicts Mortality and Right Heart Failure in Patients With a Left Ventricular Assist Device
Authors: Numan Lieke , Aarts Emmeke , Ramjankhan Faiz , Oerlemans Marish I. F. , van der Meer Manon G. , de Jonge Nicolaas , Oppelaar Anne‐Marie , Kemperman Hans , Asselbergs Folkert W. , Van Laake Linda W.
Published: January 2024

Background

Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity‐2 (sST2) predicts mortality in patients with heart failure. The predictive value of sST2 in patients with a left ventricular assist device remains unknown. Therefore, we studied the relationship between sST2 and outcome after left ventricular assist device implantation.

Methods and Results

sST2 levels of patients with a left ventricular assist device implanted between January 2015 and December 2022 were included in this observational study. The median follow‐up was 25 months, during which 1573 postoperative sST2 levels were measured in 199 patients, with a median of 29 ng/mL. Survival of patients with normal and elevated preoperative levels was compared using Kaplan‐Meier analysis, which did not differ significantly (
P
=0.22) between both groups. The relationship between postoperative sST2, survival, and right heart failure was evaluated using a joint model, which showed a significant relationship between the absolute sST2 level and mortality, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.20 (95% CI, 1.10–1.130;
P
<0.01) and an HR of 1.22 (95% CI, 1.07–1.39;
P
=0.01) for right heart failure, both per 10‐unit sST2 increase. The sST2 instantaneous change was not predictive for survival or right heart failure (
P
=0.99 and
P
=0.94, respectively). Multivariate joint model analysis showed a significant relationship between sST2 with mortality adjusted for NT‐proBNP (N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide), with an HR of 1.19 (95% CI, 1.00–1.42;
P
=0.05), whereas the HR of right heart failure was not significant (1.22 [95% CI, 0.94–1.59];
P
=0.14), both per 10‐unit sST2 increase.

Conclusions

Time‐dependent postoperative sST2 predicts all‐cause mortality after left ventricular assist device implantation after adjustment for NT‐proBNP. Future research is warranted into possible target interventions and the optimal monitoring frequency.
Protruding Aortic Plaque and Coronary Plaque Vulnerability
Authors: Yuki Haruhito , Isselbacher Eric , Niida Takayuki , Suzuki Keishi , Kinoshita Daisuke , Fujimoto Daichi , Lee Hang , McNulty Iris , Nakamura Sunao , Kakuta Tsunekazu , Jang Ik‐Kyung
Published: January 2024

Background

Protruding aortic plaque is known to be associated with an increased risk for future cardiac and cerebrovascular events. However, the relationship between protruding aortic plaque and coronary plaque characteristics has not been systematically investigated.

Methods and Results

A total of 615 patients who underwent computed tomography angiography, and preintervention optical coherence tomography imaging were included. Coronary plaque characteristics were compared to evaluate coronary plaque vulnerability in patients with protruding aortic plaque on computed tomography angiography. 615 patients, the 186 (30.2%) patients with protruding aortic plaque were older and had more comorbidities such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and a prior myocardial infarction than those without. They also had a higher prevalence of coronary plaques with vulnerable features such as thin‐cap fibroatheroma (85 [45.7%] versus 120 [28.0%],
P
<0.001), lipid‐rich plaque (165 [88.7%] versus 346 [80.7%],
P
=0.014), macrophages (147 [79.0%] versus 294 [68.5%],
P
=0.008), layered plaque (117 [62.9%] versus 213 [49.7%],
P
=0.002), and plaque rupture (96 [51.6%] versus 111 [25.9%],
P
<0.001). Patients with protruding aortic plaque experienced more major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events, including all‐cause mortality, nonfatal acute coronary syndromes, and stroke (27 [14.7%] versus 21 [4.9%],
P
<0.001; 8 [4.3%] versus 1 [0.2%],
P
<0.001; 5 [2.7%] versus 3 [0.7%],
P
=0.030; and 5 [2.7%] versus 2 [0.5%],
P
=0.013, respectively).

Conclusions

The current study demonstrates that patients with protruding aortic plaque have more features of coronary plaque vulnerability and are at increased risk of future adverse events.
Covert Diplomacy to Overcome a Crisis: West German and Israeli Intelligence after the Munich Olympics Attack
Authors: Guttmann Aviva
Published: January 2024

What happens among intelligence communities when two countries face a diplomatic crisis? This article looks at the interactions between the West German Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV) and Israel's Mossad in a multilateral liaison called the Club de Berne after the Munich Olympics attack in September 1972. The article shows that these covert links were a means to overcome the crisis and served different functions for each side. For the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), which had been severely criticized after giving in to terrorist pressure, the BfV tried to prove to Israel its value as a security asset. For Israel, the Club de Berne allowed Mossad to send a covert message that aimed to pressure the FRG into a no-negotiation line. For both, the agencies could build on preexisting relations based on trust in the Club de Berne, which helped with the normalization process after the crisis. Although diplomatic and domestic policies after the Munich attack are well known, the intelligence dimension has thus far not been explored. The article offers a new way of thinking about covert diplomacy in theory and practice.
Marx’s Dissertation in Light of the Value-Form
Authors: Schimmenti Gabriele
Published: January 2024

My article investigates Marx’s dissertation from the perspective of the categories of Hegelian logic employed in the writings on the critique of political economy and, in particular, in the analysis of the value-form (Wertform) in Capital. The aim of my contribution is to show how Marx’s early writing is not intended as a mere ‘exercice encore scolaire’ (Althusser), but as the first documented confrontation with Hegel’s logic. Marx’s early writing displays a moment of elaboration and acquisition of Hegel’s method. I argue that the Epicurean atom represents a developing contradiction, and that the dissertation follows a precise Darstellung, which extends from the metaphysical and physical principle to the abstract subjectivity of Epicurean atomism.
Contrasts of Large-Scale Moisture and Heat Budgets between Different Sea Areas of the South China Sea and the Adjacent Land
Authors: Zhang Chunyan , Wang Donghai , Yao Lebao , Wu Zhenzhen , Ma Qianhui , Li Yongsheng , Wang Peidong
Published: January 2024

This study investigates and compares large-scale moisture and heat budgets over the eastern rainy sea area around Dongsha, the western rainless sea area around Xisha, and the northern coastland of the South China Sea. Ten-year (2011–20) surface, balloon-sounding, satellite measurements, and ERA5 reanalysis are merged into the physically consistent data to study annual and vertical variations of the budgets. It shows that the surface and column-integrated heat and moisture budgets have the smallest annual evolution over the coastland. The latent heat as a key heat contributor in summer is mainly offset by total cold advection and partially offset by net radiative cooling. The horizontal moisture advection below 700 hPa presents moistening over the sea whereas drying over the coastland during rainy months, in which the vertical moisture advection presents moistening up to 250 hPa for all three subregions. The horizontal temperature advection is weak throughout the year over the sea but displays strong top warming and bottom cooling in summer and nearly the opposite in winter over the coastland. The diabatic cooling with a peak at ∼700 hPa in winter is largely due to the enhanced radiative cooling and latent cooling. While the diabatic heating with a peak at ∼500 hPa in summer is largely due to the enhanced latent heating. The earliest atmospheric heating and moistening occur in spring over the coastland, inducing the earliest precipitation increase. The enhanced heating and moistening over Xisha have a 1-month lag relative to Dongsha, resulting in lagging precipitation.
Dissenting and innovating: Freelancers’ emerging forms of organising in the Netherlands
Authors: Piro Valeria , Murgia Annalisa
Published: January 2024

This article investigates precarious workers’ organising by considering the case of freelancers, a category between the self-employed – usually represented by employer organisations – and employees – whose interests are traditionally defended by trade unions. Drawing on a 6-month ethnography conducted in the Netherlands within two freelancer associations, our study shows their capacity to exercise collective forms of ‘critical agency’ – on the one hand, by questioning their established practices and seeking to innovate their repertoire, and on the other, by staging protest actions, despite the long Dutch tradition of consensus-based social dialogue. The aim of the article is twofold. First, it contributes to the debate on precarious workers’ organising by considering freelancers as agentic subjects, whose collective identity and organising practices shape and are shaped not only by the socio-institutional context, but also by the type of relationships they create and in which they are embedded. Second, by focusing on collective everyday practices as fields of production of the new, it illustrates diverse forms of critical agency exercised by freelancers, thus offering an empirical contribution to the understanding of critical agency in its making.
Information Without Guidance: Managing the College Search Process in Urban Schools
Authors: Shamsuddin Shomon
Published: January 2024

Despite high aspirations, many students do not complete postsecondary education. Some scholars advocate for providing more college information to increase enrollment and reduce attainment gaps but this approach overlooks what school counselors and students do with information. Based on interviews and participant observations drawn from 20 urban high schools, this study explores how counselors and students make use of online college information in postsecondary education guidance. The findings reveal that counselors feel students hold responsibility for many aspects of their college searches. Students easily find college information online but experience challenges in understanding it, which leaves them with unanswered questions. Abundant college information may enable counselors to adopt the role of managing the college search process instead of directly guiding students. Scaffolding, active engagement, and additional resources are needed to support counselors and students in college guidance.
Effect of Trade and Industrialisation on Environmental Sustainability: The Case of African Countries
Authors: Edeme Richardson Kojo , Israel Imide O. , Emeka Ekene ThankGod , Ogochukwu Azotani Christain
Published: January 2024

This study explores the effect of trade and industrialisation on environmental sustainability in Africa. To achieve the study objective, the pooled mean group estimation strategy was employed on data from 1990 to 2019 for 38 selected African countries. Findings are indicative that trade has a negative and significant effect on ecological footprint in the long run. It is iemplied that trade enhancement has the tendency to enhance environmental sustainability in African countries. In addition, industrialisation has a positive and significant effect on ecological footprint. Implied is that industrialisation dampens environmental sustainability in African countries. Similarly, foreign direct investment inflows into African countries exert a positive but insignificant effect on ecological footprint. The result further depicts that economic growth positively and significantly impacts ecological footprints in African countries. Also, renewable energy consumption has a negative and significant effects on ecological footprint, suggesting that the adoption of renewable energy plays a crucial role in enhancing environmental sustainability in African countries. The short-run result reveals no significant relationship between trade, industrialisation, foreign direct investment and ecological footprints. Population growth has a positive effect on ecological footprint, albeit not a statistically significant effect. Furthermore, the result depicts that renewable energy consumption has a negative and significant effect on ecological footprints in African countries. On the strength of the findings, we recommend the stimulation of domestic trade and the strengthening of industrial policies to ensure environmental sustainability in African countries.

JEL Codes: C33, F14, F18, R11
Is There a Trade-off Between Economic Growth, Foreign Direct Investment, International Trade and Environmental Degradation? A Comparison Between Asian Developed and Developing Countries
Authors: Ho Thi Lam , Nguyen Bao-Chau Xuan , Ho Thu Hoai
Published: January 2024

Against the backdrop of impressive economic growth, the attractive foreign direct investment (FDI) and international trade of Asian countries, this study attempts to examine whether trade-offs between three aspects of economic growth, FDI, international trade and environmental degradation. Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (P-ARDL) model with pooled mean group estimates has been applied on panel data from 1996 to 2019. Panel Vector Error Correction model (VECM) Granger causality test is also used to identify multidimensional causal relationships between variables. The research results confirm the existence of a long-term equilibrium relationship between environmental degradation (CO2 emission) and the combination of economic growth, FDI and trade openness. In the short run, income positively affects CO2 emission while negative impacts and lower income elasticity have been found in the long run, implying that CO2 emission decreases and reverses its direction when income rises. Contrasting results collected from two groups of developed versus developing countries, the author reveals a linear relationship with a positive direction between economic growth and environmental degradation in developing countries while opposite results have been shown in developed nations, which supports the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis in Asian countries. This study also provides sound proof for the ‘pollution haven hypothesis’ and the scale effects on FDI attraction and international trade. By applying relatively new estimators in the field of econometrics to compare the differences between Asian developed and developing countries, the research highlights the appropriate policies contributing to sustainable economic growth, attractive FDI and growing green trade with minimum adverse effects on the environment.

JEL Codes: C33, F18, F21, F43, O44, Q40, Q51, Q53
Dual Role of IGF2BP2 in Osteoimmunomodulation during Periodontitis
Authors: Ma X.X. , Zhou X.Y. , Feng M.G. , Ji Y.T. , Song F.F. , Tang Q.C. , He Q. , Zhang Y.F.
Published: January 2024

Periodontitis is a complex disease characterized by distinct inflammatory stages, with a peak of inflammation in the early phase and less prominent inflammation in the advanced phase. The insulin-like growth factor 2-binding proteins 2 (IGF2BP2) has recently been identified as a new m6A reader that protects m6A-modified messenger RNAs (mRNAs) from decay, thus participating in multiple biological processes. However, its role in periodontitis remains unexplored. Here, we investigated the role of IGF2BP2 in inflammation and osteoclast differentiation using a ligature-induced periodontitis model. Our findings revealed that IGF2BP2 responded to bacterial-induced inflammatory stimuli and exhibited differential expression patterns in early and advanced periodontitis stages, suggesting its dual role in regulating this disease. Depletion of Igf2bp2 contributed to increased release of inflammatory cytokines, thereby exacerbating periodontitis after 3 d of ligature while suppressing osteoclast differentiation and ameliorating periodontitis after 14 d of ligature. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that IGF2BP2 directly interacted with Cd5l and Cd36 mRNA via RNA immunoprecipitation assay. Overexpression of CD36 or recombinant CD5L rescued the osteoclast differentiation ability of Igf2bp2-null cells upon lipopolysaccharide stimulus, and thus the downregulation of Cd36 and Cd5l effectively reversed periodontitis in the advanced stage. Altogether, this study deepens our understanding of the potential mechanistic link among the dysregulated m6A reader IGF2BP2, immunomodulation, and osteoclastogenesis during different stages of periodontitis.
Maize seed aid and seed systems development: Opportunities for synergies in Uganda
Authors: Donovan Jason , Voss Rachel C. , Bayiyana Irene , Rutsaert Pieter
Published: January 2024

In the name of food security, governments and NGOs purchase large volumes of maize seed in non-relief situations to provide at reduced or no cost to producers. At the same time, efforts to build formal maize seed systems have been frustrated by slow turnover rates – the dominance of older seed products in the market over newer, higher performing ones. Under certain conditions, governments and NGO seed aid purchases can support formal seed systems development in three ways: i) support increased producer awareness of new products, ii) support local private seed industry development, and iii) advance equity goals by targeting aid to the most vulnerable of producers who lack the capacity to purchase seeds. This study explores the objectives and activities of seed aid programmes in Uganda and their interactions with the maize seed sector. We draw insights from interviews with representatives of seed companies, NGOs and government agencies, as well as focus group discussions with producers. The findings indicated that seed aid programme objectives are largely disconnected from broader seed systems development goals. There is little evidence of public-private collaboration in design of these programmes. Better designed programs have the potential to align with varietal turnover objectives, commercial sector development and targeting of underserved markets could promote equity and ‘crowd in’ demand.
A Prison to Higher Ed Pipeline: The Education Transition Coordination Program
Authors: Hartwell Stephanie , Collins Toycia , Furlow Oliva , Sheldon Trent , Kubiak Sheryl , Topps Terrell
Published: January 2024

The Educational Transition Coordination program is a pilot intervention at Wayne State University with the goals of increasing the well-being and economic mobility of formerly incarcerated individuals who confront both structural and functional difficulties navigating community reentry. This article describes the program, the population served, the evaluation to date, including functional and structural barriers, and policy implications.
Attachment Anxiety and Nomophobia: A Moderated Parallel Mediation Model
Authors: Liang Yuan
Published: January 2024

Nomophobia is the state of being anxious or disturbed when feeling disconnected from the digital world and can have a significant impact on individuals’ health and well-being. Drawing upon attachment theory and the previous literature on nomophobia, this study aims to understand how attachment anxiety influences nomophobia and whether this relationship differs between males and females. In the Human Penguin Project (HPP) (N = 1221; 12 countries; participants aged ≥20 years), the Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire-Revised (ECR-R), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) were used to assess attachment anxiety, alexithymia, perceived stress, and nomophobia, respectively. The results demonstrated that (1) there were significant positive correlations between attachment anxiety, nomophobia, alexithymia, and perceived stress. Additionally, (2) there was a direct and significant effect of attachment anxiety on nomophobia, and alexithymia and perceived stress partially mediated this relationship. Finally, (3) gender significantly moderated the relationship between attachment anxiety and nomophobia. Specifically, the predicted effect was significant in both males and females, but the direct effect of attachment anxiety and nomophobia was stronger in males.
To Assign a Topic or Not: Examining Critical Thinking in English as a Foreign Language Speaking
Authors: Yin Shengkai , Guo Kai , Li Danling
Published: January 2024

Research has indicated that self-selected (versus teacher-assigned) topics enhance the linguistic aspects of English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ performance in learning activities. However, the impact of self-selected topics on non-linguistic meaning-making skills, such as critical thinking (CT), which are essential for content building, has remained understudied. To address this gap in the literature, we examined the effects of two topic-selection approaches – teacher-assigned versus self-selected – on EFL learners’ ability to apply CT in speaking. Forty-two Chinese undergraduate EFL learners were evaluated on their CT in speaking based on their speeches on topics selected using the two methods. The evaluation utilized a six-dimensional rating scale. The results showed that the learners demonstrated significantly higher levels of CT when speaking about self-selected topics than when speaking about teacher-assigned topics. The learners performed better on self-selected topics in five of the six CT dimensions: interpretation, analysis, evaluation, inference and self-regulation. There was no significant difference in their performance in the explanation dimension between the two kinds of topics. The findings have pedagogical implications regarding the selection of topics in speaking tasks and can serve as guidelines for EFL teachers in designing activities to enhance learners’ CT and speaking proficiency.
Why Using Feminine Job Titles in German Is Profitable for Women: Ascribed Linguistic Competence Enhances Prospects of Being Hired
Authors: Formanowicz Magdalena , Hodel Lea , Sczesny Sabine
Published: January 2024

In German, symmetrical treatment of women and men through gender-fair language is well established and the use of feminine forms is evaluated positively. In the present study ( N = 331), we examined the mechanisms behind this positive evaluation. Female job applicants were evaluated as more linguistically competent and as more competent in general, which translated into more favorable hiring decisions when using a feminine (vs. a masculine) job title. These results illuminate positive effects of successful language reform for women.
South African diabetic patients’ use of mobile applications for physical activity: An age comparison
Authors: Petersen Fazlyn
Published: January 2024

The prevalence of diabetes is greater in older, low-income, urban South African populations. Exploring the potential of mobile applications to aid in this challenge, the research focuses on 514 diabetic patients in Cape Town, applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling, the study identifies age-specific variations in factors influencing mobile app use. While overall predictability of intention to use mobile health apps for exercise is moderate (R2 = 11.6%), specific relationships differ across age groups. Notably, relationships involving Social Norm, Intention, and Perceived Behavioural Control show insignificance in certain age brackets. Although the study retains significance for the oldest age group at a 95% confidence interval, compared to the original 99%, the overall model exhibits low predictive power. The findings underscore the necessity for designers to tailor mobile applications to diverse age requirements. This research contributes to theoretical understanding by highlighting age-related nuances in the Theory of Planned Behaviour, offering practical insights for intervention design and public health policies to enhance diabetes management among various age groups in South Africa.
A review of quality monitoring for ultrasonic metal welding
Authors: Feng Mengnan , Wang Ziyao , Meng Dequan , Liu Changle , Hu Jie , Wang Peng
Published: January 2024

Ultrasonic metal welding, an emerging solid state bonding method, has drawn extensive attention and been applied in various manufacturing scenarios in recent years. This paper reviews the quality monitoring system of ultrasonic metal welding from in-situ testing (online monitoring), non-in-situ testing and prediction of ultrasonic weld quality through machine learning methods. In-situ testing focuses on the acquisition of different process parameters and their relationship to weld quality, while non-in-situ testing focus on the monitoring indicators of the weld quality and the testing means. The exploration of machine learning methods concentrates on the influence of model selection and parameter input on prediction accuracy. Based on the analysis, the future development trend of ultrasonic weld quality monitoring is provided.
Inspired trifunctional adsorption films of branched molecules on copper surface for protection
Authors: Shi Yueting , Chen Lingli , Zhang Shengtao , Gao Fang , Wang Xinchao , Li Hongru
Published: January 2024

This study developed a method to realise triple resistant effects of new branched molecules for copper surface in aqueous solution. The adsorption of the studied molecules on copper surface was analysed. The results demonstrate that the copper surface adsorbed by the studied molecules showed super resistance effects on Chlorella sp., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The dramatic corrosive suppression of the branched compounds on copper in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution was revealed by the potentiodynamic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy at 298 K. By establishing a simple chemical strategy to construct the branched molecules, the multiple inhibition properties of the target molecular adsorption layers on copper can be controlled on the molecular scale.
Patellar height: an important parameter in knee MRI associated with tendinopathy, quadriceps fat pad edema (QFPE), anterior cruciate ligament mucoid degeneration (ACL-MD), and lateral cartilage damage
Authors: Atay Musa , Toprak Huseyin , Yilmaz Temel Fatih , Sari Lutfullah , Balsak Serdar , Ucan Vahdet , Mehdi Elnur
Published: January 2024

Background

Some pathologies associated with abnormal patellar height have been reported in the literature. However, its relationship with some pathologies, such as anterior cruciate ligament mucoid degeneration (ACL-MD) and focal cartilage defect, has not been investigated.

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between patellar height with patellar-quadriceps tendinopathy, quadriceps fat pad edema, ACL-MD, and focal cartilage defect.

Material and Methods

Magnetic resonance imaging of the knees of 261 patients were classified into three groups as normal, patella alta, and patella baja, and evaluated in terms of patellar-quadriceps tendinopathy, quadriceps fat pad edema, ACL-MD, and focal cartilage defect.

Results

There were 261 patients (140 men, 121 women; age range = 18–60 years; mean age = 30 ± 4.7 years). Of the 261 patients, 181 (69.3%) were normal, 56 (21.4%) were patella alta, and 24 were patella baja (9.1%). Patellar-quadriceps tendinopathy, quadriceps fat pad edema, and ACL-MD rates were significantly higher compared to the normal group ( P <0.05). While a moderate positive correlation was found between patellar height shift and patellar-quadriceps tendinopathy and ACL-MD, there was a small correlation between patellar height shift and quadriceps fat pad edema. The rate of focal cartilage defect was significantly higher in the middle part of the lateral femoral condyle and lateral knee joint only in patella alta.

Conclusion

The risk of patellar-quadriceps tendinopathy, quadriceps fat pad edema, ACL-MD, and lateral focal cartilage defect is higher in patients with alta-baja. The radiologist should evaluate these pathologies more carefully, especially subtle ones, in patients with abnormal patellar height.
Perspectives of primary care physicians on academic detailing for antimicrobial stewardship: feasibility and impact assessment
Authors: Kuruc Poje Darija , Kuharić Maja , Posavec Andrić Ana , Mađarić Vesna , Poje Janeš Vlatka , Payerl-Pal Marina , Tambić Andrašević Arjana , Poje Juraj Mark , Bačić Vrca Vesna , Marušić Srećko
Published: January 2024

Objective

To understand primary care physicians’ perspectives on academic detailing from an antimicrobial stewardship team to combat antibiotic overuse for upper respiratory infections and bronchitis in the COVID-19 era, which will help prevent avoidable outpatient visits.

Methods

In this prospective study, 14 female Croatian physicians completed standardized qualitative interviews using a semi-structured guide. The data were analyzed using inductive methodology based on reflexive thematic analysis. We used a theoretically informed approach based on a conceptual framework of healthcare intervention implementability focused on three domains: acceptability, fidelity, and feasibility.

Results

We identified six key themes highlighting barriers to changing prescribing practices, with patient pressure and specialist recommendations having an impact on the effectiveness of academic detailing. Despite challenges, primary care physicians described appreciation of direct interaction with evidence-based practices and reported usefulness, effectiveness, and further need for academic detailing.

Conclusion

This study highlights the complex dynamics involved in implementing healthcare interventions and provides valuable insights for enhancing strategies directed at improving antibiotic prescribing practices. Specifically, our findings emphasize factors influencing behavior changes in physicians’ antibiotic prescribing. The authors advocate for a collaborative approach involving community and hospital-based professionals to provide tailored guidance and address questions, ultimately improving prescribing practices.