bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconstruction of invasion pathways of East Asian crab species of the genus Hemigrapsus (Decapoda, Brachyura, Varunidae) based on a comparative phylogeographic approach
Authors: Bader Markus , Chu Ka Hou , Schubart Christoph D.
Published: August 2024

Three intertidal varunid crab species of the genus Hemigrapsus, viz. H. penicillatus, H. sanguineus, and H. takanoi, are widely distributed along the East Asian coastline. The first two became globally well-known after their introduction into Atlantic waters of North America and Europe. Since the first record in the late 1980s, they established breeding populations and now live in sympatry with native and other invasive crab species. The aim of this study was to determine the correct species identity and geographic origin of these invasive populations and, if possible, estimate the number of independent invasion events. For that purpose, specimens from the three species were obtained from native populations in Taiwan, Japan, Russia, Korea, and China, and genetically compared to invasive populations from Europe and the U.S.A. Sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene were generated and used for haplotype network and AMOVA analyses, thus providing insights into the potential invasion pathways, gene flow, and phylogeography of the two invasive species. Pronounced geographic structure for all three species is revealed in their native ranges, with a marked differentiation among northern and southern populations. We furthermore provide evidence that all invasions into North America and Europe originated from northern Asian populations, which is in line with similar climatic conditions in Europe, northeastern America and northern Asia. Our results also confirm the recent finding that all European populations previously thought to consist of H. penicillatus should be reclassified as H. takanoi.
Molecular phylogenetic reassessment of eastern Atlantic Callinectes (Brachyura, Portunidae)
Authors: Robles Rafael , Schubart Christoph D. , Felder Darryl L.
Published: August 2024

Several species from the genus Callinectes are economically important, yet the number of species and their geographic distributions remain unclear. Recently, one of the American species, Callinectes larvatus, was synonymized with one of the African species, C. marginatus, making C. marginatus the only species of the genus regarded to be amphi-Atlantic in distribution. However, there was no formal taxonomic study to support this taxonomic change, which was in contradiction to earlier studies that had provided morphological characters to support the taxonomic separation of the eastern Atlantic species from those of western Atlantic distribution. Callinectes maracaiboensis has also been questionably resurrected. Here we present a molecular based analysis for all species of Callinectes, using the two common mitochondrial genes 16S and 12S. Our molecular data support the presence of three eastern Atlantic, three eastern Pacific, and nine western Atlantic species. Historically, it appears that the separation of Africa and South America with the opening of the Atlantic basin gave rise to sister species distributed on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In a second isolation event, the emergence of the Panamanian isthmus resulted in pairs of geminate species distributed in eastern Pacific and western Atlantic waters.
A new species of xanthid crab, Palapedia schubarti n. sp. (Decapoda, Brachyura, Xanthoidea), from Socotra, northwestern Indian Ocean
Authors: Naderloo Reza
Published: August 2024

Palapedia schubarti n. sp. is the third species of the genus Palapedia, described from the northwestern Indian Ocean. Two species, P. persica and P. apeli, had already been recorded from the Persian Gulf, and the new species is described from farther south in Socotra Island. Palapedia persica has appendages markedly ornamented with large denticles, while P. apeli has distinctly smooth appendages. Compared to the two above-mentioned species, the new species has an intermediate position regarding the spination, with small denticles on the upper margin of the palm, fingers and anterior margin of walking legs. The morphology of the first male gonopod of P. schubarti n. sp. is very close to P. rastripes, described from Ceylon, and P. truncatifrons described from Japan. The new species, however, is easily distinguishable from those two congeners in having a spade form ending and several other characteristics of chelipeds and carapace.
Population genetics of two sibling species of fiddler crabs (Decapoda, Ocypodidae): Brazilian homogeneity and West Atlantic heterogeneity
Authors: de Oliveira Rodrigues Renata , Trettin Ivana Miranda , Costa Tânia Marcia , Schubart Christoph D.
Published: August 2024

Fiddler crabs are a widespread group of marine invertebrates. Their wide distribution is due to the great capacity of their larvae to disperse among estuarine and shelf waters. Therefore, it is expected that all populations along their distribution show molecular similarities due to extensive gene flow. Thus, we assessed the intra- and interspecific genetic divergence of two sibling species of fiddler crabs, Minuca panema and Minuca mordax, based on COI mtDNA sequences. The molecular data resulted in a highly mixed haplotype network for M. panema, while M. mordax sequences were clustered in two groups, one with Brazilian and other with Costa Rican haplotypes. The highest variance in M. panema was found within populations, while in M. mordax it was between groups and populations. The analyses of nucleotide divergence showed small genetic variance within populations of both species and between Brazilian populations, and higher variance between Brazilian and Costa Rican populations of M. mordax. The highest genetic divergence was found between the two species. Thereby, our results show an intense gene flow along the Brazilian coast, while there is a clear divergence among Brazil and Costa Rica, which may be a result of the great distance between these populations.
Triangulated Challenges to Democracy: a Critical Voice of Public Theology to Counter Fear and Escalating Polarization in Indonesia
Authors: Kurniawan Danang
Published: August 2024

This article seeks to unveil the triangulated forces which challenge contemporary democracy in Indonesia. Those forces are irrational fear, the problem of likeness (like and unlike), and the grip of Leviathanic force. Indonesia’s secular yet religious democracy struggles to deal with a real polarization amongst the citizens as a consequence. The present intention is to explore a critical view of a public theology that asserts hope and ‘knowing the other’ as a viable virtue for the Christian response. Drawing on Martha Nussbaum’s view of the monarchy of irrational fear and Jürgen Moltmann’s notion of hope and faith for the sake of a practice of ‘knowing others’, the article sketches the roots of this polarization and considers how Indonesians can recover their democracy from below through daily religious engagement.
Binding Citizenship as a Bridge between Communities and Institutions: Dialogues between Christian Social Ethics, Political Philosophy and Social Sciences
Authors: Hodge Cristián , Daher Marianne , Rosati Antonia , López Rodrigo
Published: August 2024

People are intrinsically relational beings and this need to interact is channelled into the establishment of communities, whose organization is often formalized into institutions. An opposition between both types of groups has been raised in the literature. This article seeks to critically analyze the relationship between communities and institutions, based on Christian social ethics, political philosophy, and social sciences through a bibliographic exploration and a transdisciplinary discussion. The concepts of community and institution are analyzed and citizenship connections with both concepts are discussed, considering two different traditions of citizenship, and its relationship with democratic culture and community building. To conclude, the concept of binding citizenship as a bridge between communities and institutions is proposed, and solidarity and liberty are considered as two principles that become integrated and can coexist in communities and institutions.
Intersex and Medical Health: a Construction of a Public Health Theology Paradigm for Sexual Polymorphism in Indonesia
Authors: Kristianto Andreas , Singgih Emanuel Gerrit , Haryono Stefanus Christian
Published: August 2024

This article looks at intersex from a medical health perspective, with descriptions of gender and various forms of sex ambiguity. The discussion of the history of medical care for intersex individuals, particularly the model of ‘gender parenting’ created by John Money in the 1950s based on sexual dimorphism is still the dominant paradigm today. Through the paradigm of sexual polymorphism, medical theology centred on the experience of intersex bodily ambiguity has an holistic medicinal power that embraces the physical, mental and spiritual. This article establishes the theological case for models that see humans as a continuum from the creation of ha’adam (Gen. 1:27) through to an anthropology based on an understanding of sexual polymorphism.
The (Im)Possibility of Doing Public Theology in Korea?
Authors: Kim Minseok
Published: August 2024

This article aims to examine the possibility and some challenges of doing public theology in Korea. While vibrant public theological discourse can be seen in many different contexts around the globe, the conservative Korean churches and theologians (which are the mainstream of Korean Christianity) remain largely indifferent to public theology. This is unfortunate, especially considering that the DNA of public theology can be seen throughout the history of Korean Christianity. As such, this article first examines how the early Korean church played a prophetic role and contributed to the wider society in the praxis of Christian faith that was socially engaged and publicly intelligible. This is then followed by a discussion on how the church was changed during the Cold War, the period of dictatorships, and the Industrialization era. It is especially important here to examine how a particular strand of Reformed theology from the United States, specifically that of J. Gresham Machen and Cornelius Van Til, was adopted. This had a profound influence on the reshaping of the role of the Korean church in public life. In conclusion, the article then urges the Korean church to engage in public theological discourse actively and extensively for the restoration of its prophetic role, its “bilingual” approach to faith praxis (navigating both contexts of the church and society), and to explore the rich diversity of the Reformed tradition, in order to recover its lost role as a public church.
Investment Law and World Heritage: The Case of Le Morne
Authors: Kari Ville
Published: August 2024

This article explores international investment disputes concerning sites inscribed on the unesco World Heritage List, with a special focus on the icsid tribunal award concerning Le Morne Brabant in Mauritius. It analyses the encounter between international investment law and the World Heritage Convention from both perspectives and examines the collision taking place between the two legal regimes in light of the theory of fragmentation of international law. After unpacking key lessons from international arbitrations concerning World Heritage, the article concludes by suggesting ways in which participants in the Convention could engage with the question of investment protection within their regime should they so choose.
Evidence for Re-attributing to Pierre Gassendi the Authorship of Anatomia ridiculi muris (1651) and Favilla ridiculi muris (1653)
Authors: Garau Rodolfo
Published: August 2024

From 1643 onwards – almost until the ends of their lives –, the philosopher and astronomer Pierre Gassendi (1592–1655) and the mathematician and astrologer Jean-Baptiste Morin (1583–1656) were engaged in a bitter polemic. Scholars in the history of early modern science consider this polemic crucial both for understanding the debate over Galileanism and Copernicanism in France, and for understanding the decline of astrology within scholarly communities. This conflict began with the publication of Gassendi’s De motu impresso a motore translato (1642) and Morin’s subsequent critique of the author’s Galileanism and Copernican stance. As the polemic evolved, it came to include other members of Gassendi’s network, who retaliated with criticism of Morin’s astrological practices – a process that culminated in what Robert Alan Hatch interpreted in 2017 as a significant moment in the exclusion of astrology from French academic discourse. In this paper, I present evidence that two of the texts in this polemical series, the Anatomia ridiculi muris (1651) and the Favilla ridiculi muris (1653), which have traditionally been attributed to Gassendi’s pupil François Bernier (1620–1688), were in fact authored by Gassendi himself. This re-attribution casts Gassendi’s influence on the decline of astrology in early modern France in a different light, while also offering a deeper insight into his intellectual biography and into the composition of his Opera omnia.
Mechanism, vis motiva, and Fermentation: a Reassessment of Borelli’s Physiology
Authors: Clericuzio Antonio , Schmechel Carmen
Published: August 2024

According to the standard view, Borelli was a strict mechanist who sought to explain organic processes by resorting to invisible mechanisms. This paper aims to show that his outlook on living organisms as contained in De motu animalium was far more nuanced than historians have maintained. Borelli resorted to vis motiva as the source of activity of corpuscles, a notion that was at odds with strict mechanism. He identified motive force with spirits, namely with self-moving particles of matter. Borelli combined anatomy and mechanism and integrated the latter with chemical experiments and analogies. Like most late–seventeenth century physiologists, Borelli resorted to fermentation to account for several physiological processes such as digestion, generation, and muscular motion. He distinguished two kinds of fermentative processes: a slow one, as in the case of digestion, and a quick one, as in the case of the presumed effervescence of the blood which he maintained was the cause of muscular movement.
Confession to God and Reconciliation with Neighbours
Authors: Kang Byunghoon
Published: August 2024

Guy de Brès collected biblical and patristic quotations in the chapter on confession to God in his first work, Le baston de la foy chrestienne, to demonstrate that confession to priests was not supported by the Church Fathers or the Bible. This essay examines de Brès’ intention in using various quotations in the chapter by comparing his usage of quotations with the original text and with his colleagues’ use of them. The paper also discusses the revisions made by the reformer and what his intentions were there. In particular, de Brès placed the chapter on confession between the chapters on baptism and the Lord’s Supper, leading readers to consider what confession is within the context of the doctrine of the sacraments. Furthermore, this essay shows that he implied that we must be reconciled with each other before the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, suggesting a public confession, which later became part of the Dutch Reformed tradition.
The Extraterritoriality of the gdpr and Its Effect on gcc Businesses
Authors: Alshaleel Mohammed Khair
Published: August 2024

This article considers the extraterritoriality of the General Data Protection Regulation (gdpr) and its effect on Gulf Cooperation Council (gcc) businesses. Given the robust economic ties to the European Union (EU), many gcc businesses fall under the scope of the gdpr. This article argues that the territorial gateways through which the gdpr applies are much wider than might be thought and so may capture many gcc businesses, and that while the personal data protection laws in the gcc countries have been influenced to varying degrees by the gdpr, there are significant disparities, especially regarding their approach to data protection. This suggests that the level of data protection in the gcc countries is not equivalent to that offered by the gdpr. The article is divided into six sections, covering the EU’s data protection laws, framework evolution, gdpr’s impact on gcc businesses, and gcc’s data protection framework.
Blockchain in Banking: Possible Use Cases and Benefits
Authors: Caudevilla Oriol
Published: August 2024

Whilst Blockchain has usually been associated with Web3 and cryptocurrencies, that is, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), this technology can be used in countless other areas, such as banking, Central Bank Digital Currencies (cbdc s), healthcare, smart contracts, financial services, supply chain management, insurance, Internet of Things (IoTs), video games …, not much has been written about applying Blockchain technology to the traditional, Banking and Finance industry. This article will focus on how blockchain is or can be applied to the Banking industry, by analyzing a few possible use cases and its benefits, and, more importantly, it will also focus on whether it is worth it for the Banking industry to use it or not.
Two new species of the genus Dentigaster Zettel (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Cheloninae) from Brazil
Authors: DIAS MANOEL MARTINS , PENTEADO-DIAS ANGÉLICA MARIA
Published: August 2024

Two new species of the genus Dentigaster Zettel, 1990 are described from brazilian fauna: Dentigaster medeirosi Dias & Penteado-Dias sp. nov., from Atlantic Forest and Dentigaster fernandesi sp. nov., from Cerrado.
Revision of the genus Syzeuctus Förster, 1869 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Banchinae) from Japan
Authors: WATANABE KYOHEI , RIEDEL MATTHIAS
Published: August 2024

Japanese species of the genus Syzeuctus Förster, 1869 are revised, with a total of 12 species recorded from Japan. Five species, S. brevicaudus sp. nov., S. flavitarsis sp. nov., S. nigrus sp. nov., S. rufiapicalis sp. nov., and S. yamatonis sp. nov., are newly described. Three species, S. flavofacialis Kang & Lee, 2020, S. laoticus Riedel, 2022, and S. maculatus Sheng, 2009, are newly recorded from Japan. Male of S. maculatus is newly described. A key for Japanese species is also provided.
Amphisbaena lumbricalis Vanzolini, 1996 is a synonym of Amphisbaena carvalhoi Gans, 1965 (Squamata, Amphisbaenidae)
Authors: SALES RAUL FERNANDES DANTAS , CARAMASCHI ULISSES , FREIRE ELIZA MARIA XAVIER
Published: August 2024

We reassessed the type-series of Amphisbaena lumbricalis Vanzolini, 1996 and Amphisbaena carvalhoi Gans, 1965, two small amphisbaenid species from northeastern Brazil, to evaluate the characters used to diagnose and distinguish them, and compared these data with additional specimens from four new localities. We found broadly overlapping ranges of the diagnostic characters, and no morphological traits that could support differences between A. carvalhoi and A. lumbricalis. Based on the morphological similarities, and the overlapping distribution ranges of both species, we consider A. lumbricalis as a junior synonym of A. carvalhoi. We provide updated data on intraspecific variation in the diagnostic characters of A. carvalhoi.
First record of Nicobium LeConte (Coleoptera: Ptinidae: Anobiinae) from Baltic amber with the description of a new extinct species
Authors: ALEKSEEV VITALII , HÁVA JIŘÍ , PANKOWSKI MADELINE V. , BUKEJS ANDRIS
Published: August 2024

The first extinct Paleogene species of the Anobiinae genus Nicobium LeConte, 1861 is described based on an inclusion in Baltic amber. Two characteristic features distinguishing the extinct species (among other characters present in one combination or another in extant species) are sparse, inconspicuous elytral pubescence and rectangular, sharp posterior pronotal angles. The new species, Nicobium necrocrator sp. nov., is just the second described extinct representative of the genus. Its discovery adds to our knowledge of the diversity of deathwatch beetles in the amberiferous forests of the Eocene—and establishes an important reference point for future studies of the origin and distribution of these wood-boring beetles living millions of years ago.
The 2023/24 El Niño and the Feasibility of Long-Lead ENSO Forecasting
Authors: Petrova Desislava , Rodó Xavier , Koopman Siem Jan , Tzanov Vassil , Cvijanovic Ivana
Published: August 2024

Through its atmospheric teleconnections, El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) shifts and disrupts weather and climate patterns far beyond the equatorial Pacific where it occurs often resulting in catastrophic consequences in many countries of the world. It is also the largest source of seasonal and interannual climate predictability. Despite its huge importance, ENSO forecasting is still not performed operationally at longer leads than about 6 months ahead. At the same time, there is mounting scientific evidence that forecasts are possible even more than a year in advance. Early warning of ENSO events could substantially mitigate some of the most damaging impacts, such as floods, droughts, and harvest failure and help avoid famine, migration, and disease outbreaks. Here, we present forecasts from a statistical ENSO model of the next El Niño predicted to occur in the winter of 2023/24, at lead times between 11 and 17 months ahead of an expected peak in December 2023. We use a statistical unobserved dynamic components model (EDCM) based on subsurface ocean temperatures as well as sea surface temperatures and zonal wind stress. EDCM has been previously validated through hindcasts of the major El Niños since 1970 and through real-time forecasts of the 2015/16 and 2018/19 El Niños. Our statistical framework and results indicate that there is potential for doubling the operational predictive lead time of ENSO to at least 12 months, with additional promise for even earlier anticipation of 19 months. Such longer-lead forecasts could be of high value, because decision-making and management in a number of key socioeconomic sectors could be greatly improved.
Baroclinic Effects on Wave-Driven Flows in a Microtidal Bay
Authors: Li Xiuren , Song Dehai , Wang Nan , Ding Yang , Liu Zedong , Bao Xianwen
Published: August 2024

A wave–current coupled numerical model with 3D radiation stress formalism is used to study baroclinic effects, specifically stratification and baroclinic pressure gradient force (BcPGF), on wind-wave-driven flows, separated as vertically sheared flows and vertically homogeneous flows. Numerical experiments are conducted under ideal offshore winds of 8 m s−1. Results show that stratification enhances the two-layer structure of the wave-driven sheared flow, while BcPGF has minimal impact. Stratification and BcPGF have limited influence on the direction of the wave-driven depth-averaged circulation, but they can enhance the total circulation by promoting the upper one. In the upper layer where form drag dominates, the competition between the vertical form drag divergence (FDD) and turbulent stress divergence (TSD) plays a critical role in shaping the wave-driven flow. Stratification reduces vertical eddy viscosity Km, suppressing the growth of TSD associated with the vertical shear of velocity, which facilitates the FDD driving the upper outflow. Likewise, stratification can enhance the effect of FDD curl on the upper horizontal circulation by limiting the growth of TSD curl related to the vertical shear of vorticity. Additionally, low Km reinforces geostrophic effect and therefore enhances the lateral circulation. Baroclinic torque contributes to reducing the vertical variation of vorticity and the growth of TSD curl, indirectly improving the effectiveness of FDD curl in driving the upper circulation. Stratification undergoes fortnightly adjustments due to the spring–neap cycle, leading to the synchronized variation in the strength of wave-driven flow, particularly its vertically sheared component. During neap tides with weak tidal forcing and well-developed stratification, wave-driven sheared flow, horizontal circulation, and lateral circulation are stronger.

Significance Statement

The aim of this study is to enhance our comprehension of the impact of baroclinic processes on wind-wave-driven flows in wind-dominated regimes. During summer, wave-driven flows exhibit noticeable vertical shearing, which differ from those observed in winter. This is particularly important because during summer, river runoffs generate strong stratification and introduce large quantities of terrigenous materials into coastal oceans. Consequently, wave-driven flows may play a crucial role in bay-shelf exchange, which has been given in few studies. Our findings highlight the influence of baroclinic processes on turbulent stress divergence, which can enhance wave-driven flows, both the vertically sheared and the vertically homogeneous components, especially during neap tides.
Ensemble Predictability of Week 3/4 Precipitation and Temperature over the United States via Cluster Analysis of the Large-Scale Circulation
Authors: Jennrich Gregory , Straus David , Chelliah Muthuvel , Baggett Cory
Published: August 2024

Forecasting the week 3/4 period presents many challenges, resulting in a need for improvements to forecast skill. At this distance from initial conditions, numerical models struggle to present skillful forecasts of temperature, precipitation, and associated extremes. One approach to address this is to utilize more predictable large-scale circulation regimes to make forecasts of temperature and precipitation anomalies, using the association between the regimes and surface weather obtained from reanalysis products. This study explores the utility of k-means cluster analysis on geopotential heights and their ability to make skillful regime predictions in the week 3/4 period. Using 14-day running means of European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Reanalysis v5 (ERA5) 500-hPa geopotential heights for the wintertime December–February (DJF) period, circulation regimes are identified using k-means clustering. Each period is assigned a cluster number, allowing the compositing of any reanalysis or observation variable to form cluster maps. Maps of 500-hPa height, 2-m temperature, precipitation, and storm-track anomalies are some of the variables composited. The utility of these relationships in a dynamical forecast setting is tested via Global Ensemble Forecast System v12 (GEFSv12) hindcasts and real-time ensemble suite forecasts. Week 3/4 deterministic and probabilistic experimental forecasts are then derived from cluster assignments using several methods. We find, via a conditional skill analysis, forecasts strongly correlated with a cluster exhibit greater skill for both dynamical model and cluster-derived forecasts. Our preliminary results represent a step forward to aid forecasters make more skillful assessments of the circulation regime and its associated surface weather for this challenging forecast time scale.

Significance Statement

Our paper links the local statistics of 14-day precipitation and temperature within the United States to very broad preferred patterns of winds and pressure over the wide Pacific–North American region. Such patterns, known as “circulation regimes,” provide the background that heavily influences local surface conditions. We find that forecasts for which midatmospheric anomalies are closely aligned with one or more circulation regimes are better at predicting the U.S. weather probabilities than other week 3–4 forecasts. A tool based on this finding identifies forecasts for which confidence is higher. Future work will be designed to further exploit the links between circulation regimes and weather to improve the accuracy of week 3–4 forecasts.
A Warning System for the Laseyer Windstorm in a Narrow and Deep Valley of Northeastern Switzerland
Authors: Sprenger Michael , Mahlstein Irina , Caratsch Andrina , Müller Marielle
Published: August 2024

The Laseyer is a very local and uncommon windstorm in a narrow and steep valley in northeastern Switzerland. Whereas the ambient wind is from west to northwest, the strong surface wind in the valley is from the east, leading to gust speeds that become dangerous for the local train running into the valley to the Wasserauen station. To minimize the risk of derailment and to improve passenger comfort, the train service provider Appenzeller Bahnen (AB) has developed a new warning algorithm in close collaboration with academia (ETH Zurich) and the Swiss national weather service (MeteoSwiss). The aim is not only to accurately predict the Laseyer windstorm several hours in advance but also to reduce the number of false alarms. The new warning system is based on the MeteoSwiss operational ensemble prediction system at 1.1-km horizontal mesh size, which is then used in combination with an observation-based machine learning approach to probabilistically forecast Laseyer events up to 30 h in advance. A particular challenge in developing the new system was to introduce the customer, AB, to the modern concept of probabilistic numerical weather prediction, which requires a careful risk assessment by the customer. Hence, the development of the warning system is a process in which the customer and the warning provider closely collaborate and specify the final warning products to be delivered operationally. The operation of the new warning system during the 2021/22 Laseyer season shows that it is working successfully and also indicates that the warning thresholds in the warning algorithm can be adjusted in the future to minimize false alarms without increasing the number of missed events.
Effects of Benzo[α]pyrene on Mucus Secretion and Tissue Remodeling in a Rat Model of Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Liu Jian , Chen Guohui , Qin Xuemei , Sun Qing , Guo Zhiqiang
Published: August 2024

Objectives:

Exposure to benzo[α]pyrene (BaP) increases the incidence and severity of allergic rhinitis (AR), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, we investigated the in vivo effects of BaP exposure on mucus hypersecretion and tissue remodeling in a rat model of AR.

Methods:

Female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: a negative control group, a group of healthy rats exposed to BaP, a group of rats with ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR, and a group of AR model rats exposed to BaP. Nasal symptoms and levels of OVA-specific serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) were measured in each individual rat. Moreover, examination of goblet cell hyperplasia and collagen deposition was carried out with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and Masson trichrome (MT) staining. Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry.

Results:

BaP significantly increased the number of sneezes, the number of nasal rubs and the levels of OVA-specific serum IgE in rats with AR. Statistically significant differences in goblet cell hyperplasia and collagen deposition were observed between the BaP-exposed AR model group and the AR model group. Immunohistochemical results showed that the nasal mucosa of AR model rats displayed markedly elevated MUC5AC expression after BaP exposure.

Conclusion:

Our data indicate that mucus hypersecretion and the development of nasal remodeling might be pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying increased susceptibility to AR after exposure to BaP.
Spatial Inequalities Among Urban Probation Populations: Supervision, Safety, and Ecological Considerations
Authors: Bocanegra Kathryn , Schoeny Michael
Published: August 2024

This study presents findings of the first empirical analysis of the spatial distribution of probation populations and ecological implications. The study analyzes closed cases in the Adult Probation Department of Cook County, Illinois, between 2011 and 2016. Analyses examine the spatial distribution of individuals on probation across Chicago neighborhoods and the association between neighborhood probationer concentration rates and violent crime rates over time. The results confirm that probation populations are not randomly distributed but rather hyper-concentrated in a handful of neighborhoods. Changes in the neighborhood concentration of individuals on probation over time are predictive of fluctuations in neighborhood violent crime rates. The paper discusses the implications of the durability of spatial patterns observed in neighborhood probationer concentration rates and implications for neighborhood safety.
Strategic Trade Policy in a Cournot Oligopoly with Convex Cost
Authors: Mukherjee Arijit , Sinha Uday Bhanu
Published: August 2024

We provide a simple reason for export tax in a third-country model of strategic trade policy. We show that the optimal policy under Cournot competition could be export tax in the presence of convex production costs. This happens whether or not the import competing country imposes import tariff.

JEL Codes: F12, F13
Media Attention and Compliance With the European Court of Human Rights
Authors: Reis José M. , Garz Marcel
Published: August 2024

International courts lack traditional enforcement mechanisms. Scholars theorize that compliance with human rights rulings is therefore often driven by domestic processes, including political mobilization and parliamentary agenda setting. A necessary condition underlying these processes is attention to the rulings which is in part expected to be mediated by media attention. However, these conditions have not been explicitly addressed by the existing compliance literature. In this paper, we assess the impact of media attention to rulings by the European Court of the Human Rights on the likelihood of their implementation, using a novel dataset of case-specific news coverage. Exploiting exogenous variation in media attention caused by competing newsworthy events, we find that the probability of compliance increases, the more coverage a ruling receives. Our findings indicate that domestic news media play a key role for compliance with international courts.
Comparative genomics revealed new insights into the plastome evolution of Ludwigia (Onagraceae, Myrtales)
Authors: Nguyen Hoang Danh , Do Hoang Dang Khoa , Vu Minh Thiet
Published: August 2024

The primrose-willow ( Ludwigia L.), a well-defined genus of the Onagraceae family, comprises 87 species widely distributed worldwide. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the complete chloroplast (cp) genomes of three species in the genus, including Ludwigia adscendens, Ludwigia hyssopifolia, and Ludwigia prostrata. Three Ludwigia cp genomes ranged from 158,354 to 159,592 bp in size, and each contained 113 genes, including 79 unique protein-coding genes (PCGs), four rRNA genes, and 30 tRNA genes. A comparison of the Ludwigia cp genomes revealed that they were highly conserved in gene composition, gene orientation, and GC content. Moreover, we compared the structure of cp genomes and reconstructed phylogenetic relationships with related species in the Onagraceae family. Regarding contraction/expansion of inverted repeat (IR) region, two kinds of expansion IR region structures were found in Oenothera, Chamaenerion, and Epilobium genera, with primitive IR structures in Ludwigia and Circeae genera. The regions clpP, ycf2, and ycf1 genes possessed highly divergent nucleotides among all available cp genomes of the Onagraceae family. The phylogenetic reconstruction using 79 PCGs from 39 Onagraceae cp genomes inferred that Ludwigia (including L. adscendens, L. hyssopifolia, L. prostrata, and Ludwigia octovalvis) clade was monophyletic and well-supported by the bootstrap and posterior probability values. This study provides the reference cp genomes of three Ludwigia species, which can be used for species identification and phylogenetic reconstruction of Ludwigia and Onagraceae taxa.
Untangling the Complex and Idiosyncratic Nature of Tourist Destination Brand Equity
Authors: Fang Xi , Chatzipanagiotou Kalliopi , Veloutsou Cleopatra
Published: August 2024

Research in Tourist Destination Brand Equity mainly adopts established linear brand equity models without accounting for the destination brand’s complex and idiosyncratic nature. This is the first study leveraging complexity theory and the advantages of Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis to decode the Tourist Destination Brand Equity complexity. It employs a mixed-sequential design, data originating from the destination management (official websites) and tourists (semi-structured interviews and three e-surveys in different tourist markets), offering a fine-grained explanation of Tourist Destination Brand Equity formation process. The proposed Tourist Destination Brand Equity model consists of three sequential blocks: destination brand building, understanding, and relationship block, feeding into the overall destination brand equity. The results confirm the model’s structural power in all three tourist segments, while simultaneously detecting their idiosyncrasies highlighting different configurations of tourists’ destination functional perceptions and imagery attributes, structuring cognitive and sequentially affective responses fueling a solid overall destination brand equity.
A Socio-Cognitive Approach to Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for Indigenous Tourism Development: The Case of Nepal’s Newars
Authors: Shrestha Roshis Krishna , L’Espoir Decosta Jean-Noel Patrick
Published: August 2024

Socio-cognitive factors play a significant role in multi-stakeholder collaborations but are often overlooked in Indigenous tourism research. This research examines the underlying attitudes, beliefs and values that shape structural and functional interactions in collaboration for Indigenous tourism development. Using ethnographic research approaches, this study explores the traditional ontologies and knowledge of the Indigenous Newari community in Nepal to identify the socio-cognitive factors underpinning traditional collaborative engagement in tourism. The bottom-up collaborative approach identified in this study facilitates emancipation through Indigenous tourism and offers an Indigenous-informed theoretical framework to enable the understanding and execution of Indigenous tourism initiatives. This approach emphasizes the need for genuine participative mechanisms that respect Indigenous perspectives and provide emancipatory agency. A paradigm shift in Indigenous tourism development that highlights the conscious integration of Indigenous perspectives from the inception of initiatives is needed to contest the lingering power dynamics affecting the success and sustainability of collaborative endeavors.
A Primer on Deep Learning for Causal Inference
Authors: Koch Bernard J. , Sainburg Tim , Geraldo Bastías Pablo , Jiang Song , Sun Yizhou , Foster Jacob G.
Published: August 2024

This primer systematizes the emerging literature on causal inference using deep neural networks under the potential outcomes framework. It provides an intuitive introduction to building and optimizing custom deep learning models and shows how to adapt them to estimate/predict heterogeneous treatment effects. It also discusses ongoing work to extend causal inference to settings where confounding is nonlinear, time-varying, or encoded in text, networks, and images. To maximize accessibility, we also introduce prerequisite concepts from causal inference and deep learning. The primer differs from other treatments of deep learning and causal inference in its sharp focus on observational causal estimation, its extended exposition of key algorithms, and its detailed tutorials for implementing, training, and selecting among deep estimators in TensorFlow 2 and PyTorch.
Research on the molecular dynamics of coalbed methane diffusion and adsorption in reservoir pores under different factors
Authors: Wang Xuefan , Zhong Jianwei , Zhang Ziyang , Zeng Xu , Shen Rui , Deng Ze , Wang Nan
Published: August 2024

The migration and diffusion of coalbed methane (CBM) are impeded by adsorption in pore channels, resulting in a significant portion of CBM being trapped in the reservoir and thereby reducing the efficiency of CBM extraction. Investigating the adsorption and diffusion behavior of CBM in reservoirs is crucial for optimizing CBM extraction. In this study, we developed a theory based on the basic geological characteristics of coal beds and the adsorption state of CBM, focusing on the transition state of adsorption gas diffusion of surface diffusion gas molecules. We explored the impact of various factors on the diffusion coefficients and adsorption capacity of CBM, elucidating the underlying reasons for variations in CBM adsorption and diffusion through molecular dynamics simulations. Our findings reveal that CBM undergoes simultaneous adsorption and desorption on the surface of coal beds, with adsorption conforming to the Langmuir monomolecular layer adsorption. Increasing reservoir temperature leads to a reduction in methane adsorption and a gradual increase in diffusion coefficient. For instance, at 80 °C, methane adsorption decreases to 0.5 mg/m3, while the diffusion coefficient increases to 4 × 10−9 m2/s. Moreover, the presence of water in coal beds significantly weakens CBM adsorption capacity, with a water content of 0.5% resulting in a minimal adsorption capacity of 0.5 mg/m3. Additionally, increasing coal bed pressure enhances CBM adsorption capacity but decreases the diffusion coefficient. For example, a reservoir pressure of 30 MPa increases CBM adsorption capacity to 0.65 mg/m3, while reducing the diffusion coefficient to 2.5 × 10−9 m2/s. Overall, our study demonstrates that geological conditions, such as temperature, water content, and pressure, play crucial roles in shaping CBM adsorption and diffusion behavior. By understanding these environmental factors, we can effectively manipulate CBM diffusion and adsorption capacity, thereby providing essential insights and foundational data for CBM exploitation.
Validation and Measurement Invariance of the Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport Scale (TAPAS) Among Thai Young Adults
Authors: Ruckwongpatr Kamolthip , Ahorsu Daniel Kwasi , Pimsen Apiradee , Paratthakonkun Chirawat , Tung Serene En Hui , Pramukti Iqbal , Bevan Nadia , Chen Jung-Sheng , Huang Chi Hsien , Pakpour Amir H. , Griffiths Mark D. , Lin Chung-Ying
Published: August 2024

Examining ways of reducing physical inactivity has been at the forefront of public health research. Moreover, valid and reliable scales are needed to objectively assess physical activity (PA) avoidance. Previous research has shown that experiencing weight stigma and physical appearance-related concerns are associated with physical inactivity. However, there is currently no Thai instrument that assesses physical inactivity in relation to weight stigma. Therefore, the present study examined the psychometric properties of the Thai version of the Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport Scale (TAPAS). Thai university students ( N = 612) recruited via convenience sampling completed an online survey using SurveyMonkey between September 2022 and January 2023. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), multigroup CFA, and Pearson correlations (between TAPAS scores, age, body mass index, and time spent exercising) were used to analyze the data. The CFA showed robust psychometric properties for the Thai version of TAPAS regarding its unidimensional structure. The TAPAS was measurement invariant across sex, weight status, and daily hours of exercise. However, no significant Pearson correlations were found. In general, the results showed that the TAPAS is a good scale for assessing PA avoidance among Thai young adults across different sexes, weight status, and daily hours of exercise.
Rethinking news media from the perspective of epistemic democracy: ‘Democratic imagination’ in the coverage of minoritised activism in Polish liberal media
Authors: Polynczuk-Alenius Kinga
Published: August 2024

This article contributes to the rethinking of the relationship between news media and democracy by adopting the perspective of ‘epistemic democracy’, characterised by universal and equal participation of all knowers. While this perspective foregrounds the tension between the normative vision of news media as facilitators of democratic deliberation and their actual socio-political position as part of the hegemonic domain, it also enables the reconceptualisation of media’s democratic role as the cultivation of ‘democratic imagination’. On the one hand, media can exercise democratic imagination in their reporting by promoting epistemic diversity. On the other hand, they may extend the public’s horizon of democratic imagination by generating epistemic friction. The article operationalises this process as countering epistemic exclusion of minoritised knowers and employs the three-tier framework borrowed from feminist philosophy as its main heuristic. Empirically, the investigation focuses on the Polish liberal news media’s coverage of minoritised activism. This is a particularly relevant case due to the liberal media’s stake in reimagining democracy in Poland. The article finds that the Polish liberal media were ready to include minoritised perspectives and relay minoritised experiential knowledge, though they were unable to offer them an equal platform.
Effectiveness of ChatGPT in remote learning environments: An empirical study with medical students in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alnaim Norah , AlSanad Duha Sami , Albelali Salma , Almulhem Munerah , Almuhanna Afnan Fahd , Attar Razaz Waheeb , Alsahli Mohammed , Albagmi Salem , Bakhshwain Amal Mubarak , Almazrou Saja , Almutairi Saud Asman , AboAlsamh Hoda M. , Arif Wejdan M. , Alsadhan Abeer Abdullah , Alsedrah Ibrahim Tawfeeq , Alanezi Fahad , Alibrahim Daneah , Alqahtani Nasser S.
Published: August 2024

Purpose: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of ChatGPT in remote learning among medical students. Methods: This cross-sectional survey study recruited 386 medical students from three public universities in Saudi Arabia. Participants completed an online questionnaire designed to assess perceptions of ChatGPT's effectiveness in remote learning. The questionnaire included Likert scale questions to evaluate various aspects of ChatGPT's support in remote learning, such as personalized learning, language and communication skills, and interactive quizzing. Data were analyzed using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Cronbach's alpha to evaluate reliability. Results: Participants mostly used ChatGPT on a weekly (43.2%) or daily (48.7%) basis, primarily on personal computers (62.5%). Mean scores for ChatGPT's support in remote learning were high for personalized learning (4.35), language and communication skills (4.23), and interactive quizzing and assessments (4.01). Statistically significant differences were found based on gender for interactive quizzing ( p = .0177) and continuity of education ( p = .0122). Conclusion: Despite certain challenges and variations in perceptions based on gender and education level, the overwhelmingly positive attitudes toward ChatGPT highlight its potential as a valuable tool in medical education.
“Holy Water”: The Ritual Praxis of Aladura Churches and Its Economic Implications in South West, Nigeria
Authors: Akindolie Akinwumi Ambrose
Published: August 2024

Water is a vital natural resource for every living organism. Water is used for various anthropogenic purposes as drinking, washing, and cooking. In African and non-African religions, water is important for religious practices such as baptism, ablution, cleansing, healing, and worship of gods, to mention but a few. Aladura Churches in Nigeria also use water as one of the natural resources, to facilitate the completion of their rituals. Previous academic works show that the use of water in Aladura Churches is laden with symbolic use and these previous works are noticeable on the spiritual dimensions but neglect its economic implications. This study also argues that water is not only anthropogenic but has elements of sacralization in the ritual and idiosyncrasies of Aladura Churches. The data were gathered through ethnographical methods, interviews, and observation.