bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing medical imaging technology uptake by private hospitals
Authors: Reyes-Santias Francisco , Cordova-Arevalo Octavio , Dominguez Ivan Busto , Antelo Manel
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This article analyses the factors influencing the uptake of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologies by a sample of private hospitals located in Galicia-North of Portugal European Region.

Methods

Regarding adoption, associations with the different variables were analysed by means of binary logistic regression for CT and MRI of data from 24 private hospitals for the period 2006–2019. The sample data used to perform the regression analyses were panel data (Wooldridge in Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1) and statistical significance was established at p ≤ 0.05.

Results

We find that hospital size, proxied by the number of beds, best explains the decision to adopt CT technology, while the only sociodemographic variable that affects the adoption decision is age above 64 years. Hospital size is also the main explanatory variable for MRI technology adoption, and in this case, all sociodemographic variables, except for population density, affect the adoption decision.

Conclusions

The availability of a CT scanner reduces the probability of a private hospital adopting MRI technology. Contracts with Public Sector have a counterfactual effect on CT uptake and a negative influence on MRI uptake.
Validation of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Bangla Using Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory
Authors: Siraji Mushfiqul Anwar , Rahman Munia , Saha Bishal , Haque Shamsul
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Mindfulness-based interventions are common in contemporary mental health practices. Hence, the assessment of mindfulness is necessary during those interventions, and the 39-item Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) is one of the most frequently used tools. As there is a scarcity of mindfulness scales for Bangla-speaking people, we translated this questionnaire into Bangla and validated it with a Bangladeshi community sample.

Method

We collected data from 532 Bangladeshi adults (mean age = 30.22; SD = 5.19), of which 390 were females and 142 were males. The participants completed FFMQ-Bangla, Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale, Emotional Intelligence Scale, Depression Scale, and Openness and Neuroticism sub-scales of the Big Five Personality Inventory. Item response theory–based analysis evaluated the item quality of the Bangla FFMQ. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) assessed the scale’s structural validity.

Results

Item response theory–based analysis discarded 10 items. Both CFA and ESEM supported the five-faceted model (CFA: CFI = 0.94; TLI = 0.94; ESEM: CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.99) and indicated satisfactory reliability for the remaining 29-item scale (≥ 0.80). ESEM revealed two general components (self-regulated attention and orientation to experience) encompassing the five facets (CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.93). All those facets exhibited positive correlations with the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale, Emotional Intelligence Scale, and the Openness trait and negative correlations with Depression and the Neuroticism trait, revealing the scale’s concurrent validity.

Conclusions

Since the FFMQ-Bangla has exhibited satisfactory reliability and structural and concurrent validity, we recommend that researchers and mental health practitioners use this scale to assess mindfulness among Bangla-speaking people.

Preregistration

This study is not preregistered.
Economic Costs of Work Stoppages Caused by the COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Cui Lianbiao , Li Xiao , Weng Shimei , Brutu Madalina , Shahzad Umer
Published: October 2023

This study explores the economic costs of work stoppages resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. It utilizes a global multiregional dynamic computable general equilibrium model and finds that the higher the proportion of labor compensation in the initial factor distribution, the greater the economic damage. Macroeconomic loss was characterized by a monotonically increasing function, with developed countries potentially incurring greater losses than developing countries. The COVID-19 pandemic had significant negative impacts on the global labor market, with a decline in labor productivity; the cumulative global economic loss in 2020–2022 surpassed $10.4 trillion, of which the EU, the USA, and China contributed 30.44%, 18.74%, and 15.44%, respectively. Countries’ anti-epidemic responses showed great heterogeneity, with South Korea and China’s actions showing the dual advantages of protecting the economy and lives, whereas the EU failed to protect either lives or the economy. This article argues that it was necessary to adopt strict quarantine measures to control the spread of the virus in the early stages of the epidemic, but with a drop in the case fatality rate and the introduction of vaccinations, strict control measures had to be removed to protect the economy.
Folic acid grafted mixed polymeric micelles as a targeted delivery strategy for tamoxifen citrate in treatment of breast cancer
Authors: Nasr Mohamed , Hashem Fahima , Teiama Mohammed , Tantawy Norhan , Abdelmoniem Raghda
Published: October 2023

The objective of this study was to develop folic acid (FA) grafted mixed polymeric micelles loaded with Tamoxifen citrate (TMXC) to enhance its antitumor activity in breast tissues. The conjugated folic acid Pluronic 123 (FA-P123) was prepared using carbonyl diimidazole cross-linker chemistry and confirmed using FTIR and 1HNMR. TMXC-loaded P123/P84 (unconjugated) and TMXC-loaded FA-P123/P84 (conjugated) micelles were examined for encapsulation efficiency, particle size, surface charge, in vitro drug release, cytotoxic effect, and cellular uptake by a breast cancer cell line. The conjugated TMXC-loaded micelle exhibited a nanoparticle size of 35.01 ± 1.20 nm, a surface charge of—20.50 ± 0.95 mV, entrapped 87.83 ± 5.10% and released 67.58 ± 2.47% of TMXC after 36 h. The conjugated micelles exhibited a significantly higher cellular uptake of TMXC by the MCF-7 cell line and improved in vitro cytotoxicity by 2.48 folds compared to the TMXC-loaded unconjugated micelles. The results of in vivo studies indicated that TMXC-loaded FA-P123/P84 has a potential antitumor activity, as revealed by a significant reduction of tumor volume in tumor-bearing mice compared to TMXC-loaded unconjugated micelles. In conclusion, the obtained results suggested that conjugated FA-P123/P84 micelles could be an encouraging carrier for the treatment of breast cancer with TMXC.

Graphical abstract
Elastic metamaterials with fractional-order resonators
Authors: Kaczmarek Marcin B. , HosseinNia S. Hassan
Published: October 2023

Elastic metamaterials incorporating locally resonating unit cells can create bandgap regions with lower vibration transmissibility at longer wavelengths than the lattice size and offer a promising solution for vibration isolation and attenuation. However, when resonators are applied to a finite host structure, not only the bandgap but also additional resonance peaks in its close vicinity are created. Increasing the damping of the resonator, which is a conventional approach for removing the undesired resonance peaks, results in shallowing of the bandgap region. To alleviate this problem, we introduce an elastic metamaterial with resonators of fractional order. We study a one-dimensional structure with lumped elements, which allows us to isolate the underlying phenomena from irrelevant system complexities. Through analysis of a single unit cell, we present the working principle of the metamaterial and the benefits it provides. We then derive the dispersion characteristics of an infinite structure. For a finite metastructure, we demonstrate that the use of fractional-order elements reduces undesired resonances accompanying the bandgap, without sacrificing its depth.
Biofilm formation on microplastics in wastewater: insights into factors, diversity and inactivation strategies
Authors: Rajcoomar S. , Amoah I. D. , Abunama T. , Mohlomi N. , Bux F. , Kumari S.
Published: October 2023

Microplastic (MP) occurrence in wastewater poses serious threats to aquatic organisms due to their ecological impact. Additionally, these microplastics may provide a unique habitat for microbial biofilms. This study explored the possible factors that facilitate biofilm formation on different MPs in a wastewater environment. Biofilm formation was determined via measurement of optical density (OD) and confirmed using scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, microbial community profiling was performed via 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The highest biofilm formation occurred after 3 weeks of exposure, followed by a decline to its lowest after 5 weeks. Biofilms were predominant on MPs that were exposed to dark conditions, mesophilic temperature (25 °C) and aerobic conditions. Under these conditions, a positive correlation was observed between the OD value and ammonia (NH3) (r = 0.824) and nitrite (NO2) concentrations (r = 0.1). However, a negative correlation (r = −0.673) was found between the OD value and nitrate (NO3) levels in the medium. Furthermore, the highest biofilm formation was observed on polyethylene particles. The most dominant phyla in both the biofilms and wastewater medium were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Planctomycetes, with Methylotenera being the most abundant genera in the biofilms. In general, the polypropylene particles supported the most diverse bacterial community (H' = 2.51138 and Simpson index = 11.096), while high-density polyethylene supported the least diverse bacterial community (H' = 0.88779 and Simpson index = 1.5324). The study also demonstrated that both UV and chlorine treatments were effective in inactivating these biofilms, within 30 and 10 min, respectively.
Exploring the Dynamic Relationship of Transformational Leadership Behavior and Leader Well-Being: A Three-Wave Cross-Lagged Panel Study
Authors: Poetz Lennart , Volmer Judith
Published: October 2023

Leadership behavior is associated with leader well-being. Yet, existing research, with the majority representing cross-sectional studies, limits our understanding of the association over time, potential mediating mechanisms, and potential reciprocal relations. Based on Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, we test between- and within-person relationships between transformational leadership and leader vigor as well as emotional exhaustion over time. In addition, we include leaders’ occupational self-efficacy, information exchange with followers, and meaning of work as mediators. 132 leaders participated in a fully cross-lagged study across three consecutive weeks. We analyzed the data with a random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) that allows separating the within- and between-person variance in our variables. At the between-person level, transformational leadership was positively related to vigor, occupational self-efficacy, information exchange, and meaning of work. At the within-person level, there were no lagged associations of transformational leadership and well-being, but a positive lagged effect of vigor in one week on information exchange and meaning of work in the next week. Within one week, transformational leadership was related to occupational self-efficacy, meaning of work, and vigor (positive, respectively) and to emotional exhaustion (negative) within persons. In line with COR theory, we discuss transformational leadership as a resource for leaders associated with greater well-being for leaders. Our study contributes to the literature on dynamic leadership behavior and the mechanisms between leadership and leader well-being
Organo-mineral Fertilizer Containing Struvite from Liquid Digestate for Cucurbita pepo L. Seedling Production
Authors: Melito Sara , Ronga Domenico , Marceddu Daniele , Kallikazarou Nomiki I. , Antoniou Maria G. , Giannini Vittoria
Published: October 2023

The increasing demand for sustainable fertilizers has made phosphorus recovery from waste a win–win solution. The present study shows the effects of two different types of organo-mineral fertilizers, derived from liquid digestate, on Cucurbita pepo L. (zucchini) seed germination and seedling growth. Organo-mineral fertilizers (OMF) were obtained from two biogas plants—one in Cyprus and one in Sardinia. In Cyprus, it was extracted from the digestate of mixed agricultural by-products. In Sardinia, it was extracted from the digestate of bovine slurry. Different treatment levels, compared with the traditional fertilizers, were applied in a nursery: (i) business-as-usual (0.04 g of N, 0.03 g of P2O5, 0.07 of K2O per seedling), (ii) half business-as-usual level, (iii) double business-as-usual level. Agronomic, physiological, and quality parameters were assessed. At the germination level, comparable results were shown for traditional fertilizers and OMF treatments. A significant rate-response effect was observed for leaf number and area. Cyprus OMF and traditional fertilizer showed a comparable trend with the highest value at the double business-as-usual level or fertilizer. A similar trend was observed for other biometric parameters and for fresh and dry biomasses. The highest total polyphenol and anthocyanin values were recorded under Cyprus OMF and traditional fertilizer treatments at the business-as-usual level. Cyprus OMF at the highest level (2BAU, business-as-usual) presents a comparable effect on seedling growth and to traditional fertilizers probably due to the use of different agro-industrial by-products and suggesting its potential use as an alternative nutrient supply.
The Urban Circularity Assessment Framework (UCAF): a Framework for Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning from CE Transitions in Cities
Authors: Vanhuyse Fedra
Published: October 2023

While several studies have been undertaken to understand the circular economy (CE) in cities, there needs to be a comprehensive framework acknowledging why certain decisions related to the CE have been taken. This paper proposes a framework building on literature reviews on circular cities and engagements with cities. Our research objectives are to improve how the CE is understood at the city level; and support the planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning on the CE at the city level. Our framework locates urban CE strategies and visions, biophysical and socio-economic urban stocks and flows, and institutional arrangements within the triple bottom line concept and conceptualises how they interact. Our case studies with two cities provide insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the cities’ CE approaches. It can help identify priority interventions.
Study of active design strategies to enhance physical activity in university educational buildings: a case study at King Abdulaziz University
Authors: Mahfoudh Rawan , Ghabra Noura
Published: October 2023

Saudi Arabia is taking significant steps to improve urban lifestyles by implementing the Quality-of-Life Program, which focuses on increasing public participation in physical activities. Studies have shown a link between physical inactivity and poor health. A large percentage of the adult population does not meet the World Health Organization's physical activity recommendations due to many reasons, including the lack of active design strategies in the built environment. This research aims to measure the extent to which active design strategies are applied in university buildings at King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia and suggest recommendations for university educational buildings in KSA. A comparative analysis of systems for evaluating the application of active design strategies was conducted, and The Movement Checklist in WELL Building Standard was used as a tool to evaluate educational buildings. Additionally, a questionnaire and interviews were used to identify the awareness of the study sample of the importance of physical activity and to discover appropriate active design strategies for them. The findings of this research will help to inform the development of active design strategies that can be applied to university educational buildings in KSA and will contribute to achieving the objectives of the National Transformation Program's Quality-of-Life Program.
Development and performance assessment of a new opensource Bayesian inference R platform for building energy model calibration
Authors: Hou Danlin , Zhan Dongxue , Wang Liangzhu , Hassan Ibrahim Galal , Sezer Nurettin
Published: October 2023

Many factors contribute to the inherent uncertainty of energy consumption modeling in buildings. It is essential to perform a calibration and sensitivity analysis in order to manage these uncertainties. Despite the availability of several calibration methods, they are often deterministic and lack quantified uncertainties. Moreover, the selection of parameters in building energy modeling for calibration depends on the user’s experience. Therefore, a more rigorous selection process is required. This study developed a new automated Bayesian Inference calibration platform running as an R package. A sensitivity analysis module and a Bayesian inference module determine the calibration parameters and uncertainties, respectively. The Meta-model module is developed to replace the building energy model for the Markov Chain Monte Carlo process to save computing time. The proposed platform is successfully demonstrated on a synthetic high-rise office building and a real high-rise residential building in a hot and arid climate. The relationship between the number of calibration parameters, calibration performance, and the accuracy of the Meta-model is further discussed. The developed calibration platform in this study proved to have clear advantages over the existing platforms, with the ability to reasonably estimate building energy performance in a short computing time.
Transcriptome analysis of resistant and susceptible grapes reveals molecular mechanisms underlying resistance of white rot disease
Authors: Li Peng , Tan Xibei , Wanghao  , Sun Lei , Jiang Jianfu , Fan Xiucai , Liu Chonghuai , Zhang Ying
Published: October 2023

Grape production in China is significantly impacted by white rot disease, which is caused by Coniella diplodiella (Speg.) Sacc. This study analyzes the differences in leaf transcriptomes and phenotypes of two grape species, ‘Manicure Finger (Vitis vinifera L.)’ and ‘0940 (Vitis davidii Foex)’, following inoculation with C. diplodiella. Leaf anatomy and H2O2 content confirm the greater resistance of '0940' to C. diplodiella compared to 'Manicure Finger.' Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals that the defense mechanism of '0940' against C. diplodiella involves sesquiterpenoid and triterpenoid biosynthesis, plant-pathogen interactions, sulfur relay systems, suberin and wax biosynthesis, monoterpenoid biosynthesis, as well as flavonoid and flavonol biosynthesis pathways. Using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), we identified three modules highly correlated with C. diplodiella resistance and 125 candidate genes, including resistant genes (R genes), pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), and pathogenesis-related proteins genes (PR genes), which may play important roles in grape resistance to this disease.
Reimagining public policy formulation and analysis: a comprehensive theoretical framework for public policy
Authors: Manazir Sharique Hassan
Published: October 2023

This research paper delves into the intricate domain of policy science, focusing on the policy-making process itself. Existing theoretical frameworks in policy science often overlook essential nuances, particularly the role of political willingness causing non-linearity in the policy-making process. Three fundamental questions drive the research at hand. First, the research delves into the adequacy of existing policy frameworks in effectively elucidating the complexities of policymaking in the context of large democracies, with a particular focus on India. Second, it investigates the significant role of political willingness in shaping the trajectory of policymaking, particularly within democratic systems. Lastly, the research aims to construct a comprehensive framework capable of accommodating and explaining the non-linear dynamics introduced by the influence of political willingness throughout the policy-making process. Through an analysis of India's Data Protection Regulation formulation process, this paper attempts to map the existing gap and way forward. As an outcome of the case study analysis, the proposed framework introduces political willingness as a central element extending the policy formulation cycle and showcases its influence on agenda setting, policy formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation. This research contributes to the field of policy science by providing a comprehensive framework that accounts for the complexities of policymaking, especially in the Indian context. By acknowledging the pivotal role of political willingness, this framework seeks to bridge the gap in existing theoretical models, offering a more holistic understanding of policy formulation and analysis. This research lays the foundation for a paradigm shift in the study of policy science, addressing the challenges posed by evolving governance mechanisms and the rising influence of political agendas in the modern world.
Revisiting debates over China’s proposed Antarctic specially managed area at Dome A: a test of consistency for the Antarctic Treaty System
Authors: Jiang Maozeng , Tang Jianye
Published: October 2023

Facing the challenges arising from climate change and biodiversity loss, the tool of protected areas has been gaining increasing attention. This phenomenon is similarly observed in the Antarctic. At this critical juncture, revisiting the practice of the Antarctic Treaty System in relation to the Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA), particularly China’s proposal to designate an ASMA at Dome A in 2013, will be valuable. This paper compares several key features of existing ASMAs, including their management plans, and reviews the debates on China’s proposal since 2013. Three dilemmas of the Antarctic Treaty System are observed, and thorough analyses are conducted. This paper argues that China’s proposal fully complies with the rules of the Environmental Protocol, and safeguarding and promoting consistency in the application and interpretation of the rules of the Antarctic Treaty and its Environmental Protocol should be the top priority for the Antarctic Treaty System.
Relationship Between Community Resilience and Quality of Life of Disaster-Affected People: Reinforcement Effects of the Perception of Government Relief Services in South Korea
Authors: Park Hyung-Joo , Shin Yerim , Lee Soo-Bi
Published: October 2023

Objective:

The occurrence of various forms of disasters has increased worldwide. In South Korea, community resilience is particularly emphasized, especially in response to large-scale disasters in regional and group units. This study investigated the association between community resilience and the quality of life of disaster-affected people, and identified the moderating effects of perception of government relief services.

Methods:

Data from the third long-term survey on the change of life of disaster-affected people conducted in 2018 by the National Disaster Management Research Institute were used. The study selected 1046 participants ages ≥ 19 years from among the disaster-affected people. Statistical analyses were performed using Model 1 of the PROCESS Macro 4.0 in the SPSS program.

Results:

Community resilience positively affected disaster-affected people’s quality of life. The perception of government relief services significantly strengthened the association between community resilience and quality of life.

Conclusions:

The study highlights the importance of enhancing community resilience to improve disaster-affected people’s quality of life and emphasizes the role of perception of government relief services in reinforcing this relationship. Several practical and political measures that focus on improving community resilience and perception of government relief services are suggested to enhance disaster-affected people’s quality of life.
Alienation commodification: a critique of the role of EU consumer law
Authors: Hesselink Martijn W.
Published: October 2023

This paper offers a critique of European Union (EU) consumer law’s role in commodification. Arguing that commodification is best understood as a normatively dependent concept, it contrasts two very different strands of commodification critique. While teleological critique refers to conceptions of the good life, authenticity, or the corruption of human essence, deontological critique relies on conceptions of right and wrong, justice, and human dignity. The paper argues for a specific, Kantian–Marxian version of the latter, proposing to understand commodification as a moral wrong when it leads to legal–political alienation. Such legal–political alienation occurs when someone becomes disconnected or feels dissociated from the political community and its political institutions because its laws treat that person as a mere means, not also an end. The only way to overcome such alienating commodification, the paper argues, is through a dialectic of individual and collective self-determination. On this normative basis, the paper, then, critiques core instances where EU consumer law wrongs its addressees through alienating commodification, including its acceptance of personal data as consideration, its encouragement of consumer resilience, and its privatisation of social justice through ethical consumerism.
Flexibility as commodification and contracts as local resistance
Authors: Leone Candida
Published: October 2023

The paper looks at contracts and contract law as a place of both commodification and resistance to commodification. Commodification and contract are connected through the lens of flexibilisation, seen in particular as one party’s unilateral prerogative to adapt the content of the contract’s performance. Flexibilisation in this sense works to entrench the market mechanism (qua responsiveness to price and demand dynamics) in situations where marketisation makes the realisation of long-term human needs rely on the short-term horizon of market operations. Two such contexts of marketisation in the context of European Private Law are considered as examples, namely transfer of enterprise and acquisition of a (household) customer portfolio in energy markets. The paper argues that ‘taking contractual equality seriously’ can contribute to decommodification – or at least throw some sand in the wheels of commodification.
Commodification and EU law: a genealogy
Authors: Fia Tommaso , Murray Ian J.
Published: October 2023

This symposium analyses European Union (EU) law as a means for both perpetuating commodification processes and potentially mitigating their consequences. This issue framing essay traces the evolutionary trajectory of commodification as a conceptual framework in contemporary intellectual debates, zeroing in on the most prominent theoretical frameworks underpinning its usage. It then relates the evolution of these debates more concretely to the context of the EU as a major institutional forum for the concept’s actualisation. Lastly, it connects these narratives to current conversations on the law’s role in constituting capitalism and consolidating its attendant structural inequalities. In so doing, it also canvasses the contributions that make up this symposium, showing how each enhances the discussion of commodification in the EU context.
Vorticity cascade and turbulent drag in wall-bounded flows: plane Poiseuille flow
Authors: Kumar Samvit , Meneveau Charles , Eyink Gregory
Published: October 2023

Drag for wall-bounded flows is directly related to the spatial flux of spanwise vorticity outward from the wall. In turbulent flows a key contribution to this wall-normal flux arises from nonlinear advection and stretching of vorticity, interpretable as a cascade. We study this process using numerical simulation data of turbulent channel flow at friction Reynolds number

$Re_\tau =1000$

. The net transfer from the wall of spanwise vorticity created by downstream pressure drop is due to two large opposing fluxes, one which is ‘down-gradient’ or outward from the wall, where most vorticity concentrates, and the other which is ‘up-gradient’ or toward the wall and acting against strong viscous diffusion in the near-wall region. We present evidence that the up-gradient/down-gradient transport occurs by a mechanism of correlated inflow/outflow and spanwise vortex stretching/contraction that was proposed by Lighthill. This mechanism is essentially Lagrangian, but we explicate its relation to the Eulerian anti-symmetric vorticity flux tensor. As evidence for the mechanism, we study (i) statistical correlations of the wall-normal velocity and of wall-normal flux of spanwise vorticity, (ii) vorticity flux cospectra identifying eddies involved in nonlinear vorticity transport in the two opposing directions and (iii) visualizations of coherent vortex structures which contribute to the transport. The ‘D-type’ vortices contributing to down-gradient transport in the log layer are found to be attached, hairpin-type vortices. However, the ‘U-type’ vortices contributing to up-gradient transport are detached, wall-parallel, pancake-shaped vortices with strong spanwise vorticity, as expected by Lighthill's mechanism. We discuss modifications to the attached eddy model and implications for turbulent drag reduction.
A large-deviation principle for birth–death processes with a linear rate of downward jumps
Authors: Logachov Artem , Suhov Yuri , Vvedenskaya Nikita , Yambartsev Anatoly
Published: October 2023

Birth–death processes form a natural class where ideas and results on large deviations can be tested. We derive a large-deviation principle under an assumption that the rate of jump down (death) grows asymptotically linearly with the population size, while the rate of jump up (birth) grows sublinearly. We establish a large-deviation principle under various forms of scaling of the underlying process and the corresponding normalization of the logarithm of the large-deviation probabilities. The results show interesting features of dependence of the rate functional upon the parameters of the process and the forms of scaling and normalization.
AUSTRALIAN MARINE RADIOCARBON RESERVOIR EFFECTS: ΔR ATLAS AND ΔR CALCULATOR FOR AUSTRALIAN MAINLAND COASTS AND NEAR-SHORE ISLANDS
Authors: Ulm Sean , O’Grady Damien , Petchey Fiona , Hua Quan , Jacobsen Geraldine , Linnenlucke Lauren , David Bruno , Rosendahl Daniel , Bunbury Magdalena M E , Bird Michael I , Reimer Paula J
Published: October 2023

Studies of pre-bomb mollusks live-collected around the Australian coastline have concluded that near-shore marine radiocarbon reservoir effects are small and relatively uniform. These studies are based on limited samples of sometimes dubious quality representing only selective parts of Australia’s lengthy coastline. We systematically examine spatial variability in the marine radiocarbon reservoir effect (ΔR) through analysis of 292 live-collected mollusk samples across the Australian mainland coasts and near-shore islands subject to strict selection criteria. This study presents 233 new ΔR values combined with an evaluation of 59 previously published values. Results demonstrate significant spatial variability in marine radiocarbon reservoir effects across the study region. ΔR values range from 68 ± 24 14C years off the Pilbara region of Western Australia to –337 ± 46 14C years in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria in Queensland. Most sets of local values exhibit internal consistency, reflecting the dominant influence of regional oceanography, including depletion in ΔR values southwards along the eastern Australian coastline coincident with the East Australian Current. Anomalous values are attributed to inaccurate documentation, species-specific relationships with the carbon cycle and/or short-term fluctuations in marine radiocarbon activities. To account for the heterogeneous distribution of marine 14C, we recommend using a location specific ΔR value calculated using the Australian ΔR Calculator, available at: https://delta-r-calc.jcu.io/.
Education, Confessional Conflict, and the Catholic Mission in Scotland, c. 1660–1707
Authors: SCHULTZ KARIE
Published: October 2023

In 1653, the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith created a secular mission for Scotland that initially struggled with finances and provision. Its Prefects argued that the Jesuits exacerbated these problems by failing to prepare students at the Scots College Rome intellectually for the mission. This article examines the resulting campaign for curricular reform that Scottish secular priests waged, one intended to improve missionaries’ pastoral skills and undermine the college's Jesuit administration. It ultimately demonstrates the significance of education to wider conflicts between Propaganda Fide and the Society of Jesus regarding missions and resources in the seventeenth century.
Novel insights into the genetics, morphology, distribution and hosts of the global fish parasitic digenean Proctoeces maculatus (Looss, 1901) (Digenea: Fellodistomidae)
Authors: Vermaak Anja , Kudlai Olena , Yong Russell Q-Y. , Smit Nico J.
Published: October 2023

Larval stages of the widely distributed digenean species Proctoeces maculatus (Looss, 1901) were reported 40 years ago from South Africa in the common octopus, Octopus vulgaris Cuvier (Octopodidae). However, the absence of adult specimens and molecular data from this region has hindered a comprehensive understanding of its distribution. In this study, we collected three species of intertidal and near-shore marine fishes [Clinus superciliosus (L.) (Clinidae), Diplodus capensis (Smith) (Sparidae) and Sparodon durbanensis (Castelnau) (Sparidae)] along the South African coast and discovered adult specimens of P. maculatus at five localities. By employing a combination of morphological and molecular techniques, including 28S rDNA, 18S rDNA and COI mtDNA analyses, the first report of adult P. maculatus from South Africa is presented. The findings encompass a comprehensive morphological description and molecular data, illuminating the true distribution of this species in the region.
Association between expectations and clinical outcomes in online v. face-to-face therapy – an individual participant data meta-analysis
Authors: Pontén Moa , Jonsjö Martin , Vadenmark Viktor , Moberg Erica , Grannas David , Andersson Gerhard , Boersma Katja , Hedman-Lagerlöf Erik , Kleinstaeuber Maria , Weise Cornelia , Kaldo Viktor , Ljótsson Brjánn , Andersson Erik , Axelsson Erland , Jensen Karin
Published: October 2023

Background

Online treatments are increasing in number and are currently available for a wide range of clinical problems. To date little is known about the role of treatment expectations and other placebo-like mechanisms in online settings compared to traditional face-to-face treatment. To address this knowledge gap, we analyzed individual participant data from randomized clinical trials that compared online and face-to-face psychological interventions.

Methods

MEDLINE (Ovid) and PsycINFO (Ovid) were last searched on 2 February 2021. Randomized clinical trials of therapist guided online v. face-to-face psychological interventions for psychiatric or somatic conditions using a randomized controlled design were included. Titles, abstracts, and full texts of studies were independently screened by multiple observers. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guideline was followed. Authors of the matching trials were contacted for individual participant data. Ratings from the Credibility and Expectancy Questionnaire and the primary outcome measure from each trial were used to estimate the association between expectation ratings and treatment outcomes in online v. face-to-face interventions, using a mixed-effects model.

Results

Of 7045 screened studies, 62 full-text articles were retrieved whereof six studies fulfilled the criteria and provided individual participant data (n = 491). Overall, CEQ ratings predicted clinical outcomes (β = 0.27) at end of treatment with no moderating effect of treatment modality (online v. face-to-face).

Conclusions

Online treatment appears to be equally susceptible to expectancy effects as face-to-face therapy. This furthers our understanding of the importance of placebo-like factors in online treatment and may aid the improvement of healthcare in online settings.
Effects of klotho protein or klotho knockdown in porcine oocytes at different stages
Authors: Kim Eun Pyo , Kim Do Yon , Park Changhoon , Yoo Seung-Min , Lee Myung-Shin , Kim Geon A
Published: October 2023

Klotho is a protein that plays different functions in female fertility. We have previously reported that klotho protein supplementation during in vitro maturation improves porcine embryo development, while klotho knockout for somatic cell cloning completely blocks full-term pregnancy in vivo. However, the effects of the microinjection of klotho protein or klotho knockdown dual vector in porcine embryos at different time points and the specific molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we injected the preassembled cas9 + sgRNA dual vector, for klotho knockdown, into the cytoplasm of the germinal vesicle stage of oocytes and into porcine embryos after 6-h parthenogenetic activation. Similarly, the klotho protein was inserted into the cytoplasm of germinal vesicle stage oocytes and porcine embryos after 6-h parthenogenetic activation. Compared with the controls, the microinjection of klotho dual vector markedly decreased the blastocyst formation rates in germinal vesicle stage oocytes and activated embryos. However, the efficiency of blastocyst formation when klotho protein was inserted before in vitro maturation was significantly higher than that after klotho protein insertion into parthenogenetically activated embryos. These results indicated that klotho knockdown may impair embryo development into blastocyst irrespective of injection timing. In addition, klotho protein injection timing in pig embryos may be an important factor for regulating embryo development.
Abstractive summarization with deep reinforcement learning using semantic similarity rewards
Authors: Beken Fikri Figen , Oflazer Kemal , Yanıkoğlu Berrin
Published: October 2023

Abstractive summarization is an approach to document summarization that is not limited to selecting sentences from the document but can generate new sentences as well. We address the two main challenges in abstractive summarization: how to evaluate the performance of a summarization model and what is a good training objective. We first introduce new evaluation measures based on the semantic similarity of the input and corresponding summary. The similarity scores are obtained by the fine-tuned BERTurk model using either the cross-encoder or a bi-encoder architecture. The fine-tuning is done on the Turkish Natural Language Inference and Semantic Textual Similarity benchmark datasets. We show that these measures have better correlations with human evaluations compared to Recall-Oriented Understudy for Gisting Evaluation (ROUGE) scores and BERTScore. We then introduce a deep reinforcement learning algorithm that uses the proposed semantic similarity measures as rewards, together with a mixed training objective, in order to generate more natural summaries in terms of human readability. We show that training with a mixed training objective function compared to only the maximum-likelihood objective improves similarity scores.
Social and ecological disparities in anaemia among adolescent girls 15–19 years old in Nepal
Authors: Rai Anjana , Chan Mei Ting , Nambiar Smita
Published: October 2023

Objective:

Adolescent girls are at risk of anaemia due to increased nutrient demands because of growth, menstrual blood loss and possible pregnancies. Sociocultural and household conditions influence their anaemia risk. We aimed to identify the sociocultural and economic factors associated with anaemia among adolescent girls in Nepal.

Design:

The Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS) conducted in 2006, 2011 and 2016 were pooled for secondary analysis. We used data on haemoglobin measurements for anaemia and conducted bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with anaemia.

Setting:

Nationally representative NDHS households with adolescent girls 15–19 years of age.

Participants:

Non-pregnant adolescent girls 15–19 years, with a haemoglobin measurement (n = 3731).

Results:

The overall prevalence of anaemia among adolescent girls was 39·6 %. Adolescents from socially disadvantaged caste/ethnicity groups were 1·42 times (95 % CI: 1·13, 1·78) more likely to have anaemia compared with those from Brahmin/Chhetri households. We found a counter-intuitive association between socio-economic status and anaemia where adolescents from the middle (adjusted OR (aOR) 1·37, 95 % CI: 1·01, 1·85) and highest (aOR 1·74, 95 % CI: 1·18, 2·56) quintiles were at increased odds of anaemia. Relative geographical inequality was observed where adolescents from the Terai region had 3·5 times (95 % CI: 2·32, 5·33) higher odds of anaemia.

Conclusions:

The disparities in the distribution of anaemia among adolescents by caste/ethnicity groups, wealth quintiles and geographical regions are evident. Reducing the anaemia burden will require addressing the social determinants of anaemia by allocating resources and expanding anaemia prevention programmes to target adolescents at higher risk.
Interventions to improve the nutritional status of children under 5 years in Ethiopia: a systematic review
Authors: Ahmed Kedir Y , Ogbo Felix Akpojene , Tegegne Teketo Kassaw , Dalton Hazel , Arora Amit , Ross Allen G
Published: October 2023

Objective:

To conduct a systematic review of experimental or quasi-experimental studies that aimed to improve the nutritional status of children under 5 years of age in Ethiopia.

Design:

Embase, MEDLINE/PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsychINFO, and Academic Search Database were used to locate peer-reviewed studies, and Google Scholar and Open Dissertation were used to locate grey literatures. All searches were conducted between 2000 and November 2022.

Setting:

Ethiopia.

Participants:

Pregnant women and mothers with children aged 0–59 months.

Results:

Ten cluster randomised controlled trials (RCT), six quasi-experimental studies and two individual RCT were included. Out of the identified eighteen studies, three studies targeted pregnant mothers. Our findings showed that almost two-thirds of published interventions had no impact on childhood stunting and wasting, and more than half had no impact on underweight. Some behaviour change communication (BCC) interventions, food vouchers, micronutrient supplementation and quality protein maize improved stunting. Similarly, BCC and fish oil supplementation showed promise in reducing wasting, while BCC and the provision of quality protein maize reduced underweight. Additionally, water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) interventions provided to pregnant mothers and children under 2 years of age were shown to significantly reduce childhood stunting.

Conclusion:

Future childhood nutritional interventions in Ethiopia should consider adopting an integrated approach that combines the positive effects of interdependent systems such as BCC, food supplemental programmes (e.g. boosting protein and micronutrients), health interventions (e.g. strengthening maternal and childcare), WaSH and financial initiatives (e.g. monetary support and income schemes).
A merger of equals: The political economy of the World Bank’s early contacts with China
Authors: Pachetti Federico
Published: October 2023

This article assesses the initial contacts between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the World Bank during the early 1980s, following China’s admission to the institution in 1980. In the late 1970s, the PRC launched a new phase of economic reforms aimed at re-modelling its economic outlook. Collaboration with multilateral economic institutions such as the World Bank was a key part of its “opening up” strategy. By drawing on newly available records from World Bank archives, the article reveals how the Bank’s approach to China's economic development was tailored to meet Beijing’s specific economic conditions and needs, and welcomed gradualism as the best path for China's reform strategy. At times of free market triumphalism and heavy structural adjustment towards developing countries, the China case, the article stresses, shows a World Bank behaving not quite in line with what many would expect. Therefore, the article provides not only an account of a bilateral relationship but offers a new perspective and reflection of the history of the international political economy of the early 1980s.
AI Meets Its Match: The Butterfly Effect
Authors: Sidik Saima
Published: October 2023

Artificial intelligence algorithms fail to account for a key limitation in weather prediction.
Detecting Signatures of Convective Storm Events in GNSS‐SNR: Two Case Studies From Summer 2021 in Switzerland
Authors: Aichinger‐Rosenberger Matthias , Aregger Martin , Kopp Jerome , Soja Benedikt
Published: October 2023

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) are not only a state‐of‐the‐art sensor for positioning and navigation applications but also a valuable tool for remote sensing. Through the usage of L‐band carrier frequencies, GNSS acts as an all‐weather‐operation system, offering substantial benefits compared to optical systems. Nevertheless, severe weather can still have an impact on the strength of signals received at a ground station, as we show in this study. We investigate GNSS Signal‐to‐Noise Ratio (SNR) observations during two severe convective storm events over the city of Zurich, Switzerland. We make use of a GNSS‐SNR‐based algorithm originally developed for the detection of hail particles from volcanic eruptions. Results indicate that, although GNSS observations are considered to be fairly insensitive to the presence of hydrometeors, convective storm events are visible in SNR observations. SNR levels of affected satellites show a significant drop during event periods, which are determined by weather radar observations.
Monitoring Preferential Flow of Water in Sand Using Thermoacoustics Wave Imaging
Authors: Liu Chang , Mao Xu , Wang Chang , Liyanage Rebecca , Heredia Juesas Juan , Juanes Ruben , Martinez‐Lorenzo Jose Angle
Published: October 2023

Accurate predictions of fluid flow, mass transport, and reaction rates critically impact the efficiency and reliability of subsurface exploration and sustainable use of subsurface resources. Quantitative dynamical sensing and imaging can play a pivotal role in the ability to make such predictions. Geophysical thermoacoustic technology has the potential to provide the aforementioned capabilities, since it builds upon the principle that electromagnetic and mechanical wave fields can be coupled through a thermodynamic process. In this letter, we present laboratory experiments featuring the efficacy of thermoacoustic imaging in the monitoring of preferential flow of water in porous media. Our laboratory experimental equipment can be readily packaged in a form factor that fits in a borehole, and the use of multiple acoustic transducers—which can be combined with volumetric coding techniques—has the potential to provide quasi‐real‐time imaging (0.5 Hz video rate) of regions in close proximity (a few meters) of an open field well.