bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dryopteris microlepioides, a new synonym of Trichoneuron microlepioides (Dryopteridaceae)
Authors: DONG SHI-YONG , ZUO ZHENG-YU , PHAM VAN THE
Published: July 2024

When reviewing the species diversity of Dryopteridaceae from Vietnam, we noticed the name Dryopteris microlepioides Christensen (1934: 102) is taxonomically uncertain and to be treated (Hassler 1994–2024). Dryopteris microlepioides was described based on two collections from northern Vietnam and was thought to be a distinct species superficially resembling Microlepia speluncae (Linnaeus 1753: 1093) Moore (1857: 93) (Christensen 1934). Since its publication in 1934, this name had been neglected by authors who treated Dryopteris Adanson (1763: 20) for the fern flora or species diversity of Vietnam (e.g., Tardieu-Blot & Christensen 1938, 1941; Pham 1999; Phan 2010). At the first sight of the type specimens of D. microlepioides, the senior author (SYD) was aware of D. microlepioides representing the same taxon with Trichoneuron microlepioides Ching (1965: 119) described from southern Yunnan, China, because this taxon is morphologically unique by having the microlepioid frond habit (especially with copious pale hairs on both surfaces) and the dryopterioid sori (reniform, medial on abaxial surface of lamina) (Fig. 1). Phylogenetically, the sample of this species from northern Vietnam, which was identified as T. microlepioides by Liu et al. (2016), was resolved to be sister to Polystichopsis (Smith 1875: 217) Holttum (1947: 147) in Dryopteridaceae subfam. Polybotryoideae based on the analysis of three cpDNA sequences (rbcL, atpA, and atpB) (Liu et al. 2016). In recent years, we also collected this taxon in northern Vietnam (paratype locality of D. microlepioides) and southern Yunnan, China, and conducted phylogenetic analysis based on cpDNA genome (not presenting here). Our analysis resolved one sample from Vietnam (Dong 4598) and two collections from Yunnan (Dong 4801 and Zuo 5093) clustered together, identifying no any significant difference between them. The three samples in the phylogenetic tree formed a sister relationship in high supporting values with Polystichopsis as the result in Liu et al. (2016). This result provides further evidence supporting the same species of D. microlepioides Christensen (1934) with T. microlepioides Ching (1965).
Morphological variation within Solanum campylacanthum (Solanaceae) in Uganda and its relationship with S. cerasiferum
Authors: KAWUMA CAROL , NAMAGANDA MARY , KATUURA ESTHER , IPULET PERPETUA , MULUMBA JOHN WASSWA , KAKUDIDI ESEZAH , TUSIIME FELLY MUGIZI , BELLO ANIFAT OLAYEMI , STEDJE BRITA
Published: July 2024

This is a morphological study of 108 accessions of Solanum campylacanthum and 10 accessions of Solanum cerasiferum. The aim was to assess the morphological variations that occur within the S. campylacanthum species in Uganda and evaluate the morphological differences between S. campylacanthum and S. cerasiferum. Fourteen quantitative and eleven qualitative vegetative characters were measured and analysis done by phenetics method. Cluster (UPGMA) and box plot analyses were done in PAST program version 4.03. Prickle density and leaf tip angles are reported for the first time as being useful in the intraspecific delimitation of S. campylacanthum. The distinction between S. cerasiferum and S. campylacanthum can only be based on leaf base shapes, which is, attenuate and oblique respectively.
Contribution to knowledge of the oribatid mite genus Oribatodes (Acari, Oribatida, Cepheusidae), with supplementary descriptions of two species and data on juvenile instars
Authors: ERMILOV SERGEY G. , BAYARTOGTOKH BADAMDORJ
Published: July 2024

The supplementary descriptions of two species of Oribatodes (Oribatida, Cepheusidae), O. mirabilis Banks, 1895 and O. reticulatus (Sitnikova, 1979), are presented, based on adults collected from the U.S.A. and Panama, respectively. The deutonymphal and tritonymphal instars of O. mirabilis and the deutonymphal instar of O. reticulatus are described; this is the first data on juveniles of the genus. The revised generic diagnosis and an identification key to the known representatives of Oribatodes are provided. The taxonomic status of the related genus Reticulocepheus Vasiliu & Călugăr, 1977 is discussed, resulting in the following new taxonomic proposals: Oribatodes Banks, 1895 (=Reticulocepheus Vasiliu & Călugăr, 1977 syn. nov.); O. areolatus (Sitnikova, 1979) comb. nov.; O. decoui (Vasiliu & Călugăr, 1977) comb. nov.; O. grandis (Sitnikova, 1979) comb. nov.; O. mirabiloides (Jacot, 1938) comb. nov.; and O. reticulatus (Sitnikova, 1979) comb. nov. Comparative characteristics of juveniles of the different genera of Cepheusidae are given based on our own data and available literature sources.
Whip black corals (Antipatharia: Antipathidae: Stichopathes) of the Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem of Mo’orea (French Polynesia), with the description of a new species
Authors: TERRANA L. , ROUZÉ H. , OPRESKO D.M. , CONSORTIUM UNDER THE POLE , EECKHAUT I. , DUBOIS P. , HÉDOUIN L. , GODEFROID M.
Published: July 2024

Black corals are key species of marine ecosystems. They can be found in dense aggregations worldwide, but some parts of the world remain totally unexplored. This is the case of the Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem of Mo’orea where the Under the Pole scientific expedition explored mesophotic ecosystems between 60 and 120 m depth and focused on whip black corals. A total of 64 specimens were analyzed morphologically and genetically, and all belonged to the genus Stichopathes. Among them, we describe the new species Stichopathes desaturata sp. nov. It is characterized by an unbranched corallum, irregularly sinuous, with a basal diameter not exceeding 1 mm, reaching a dozen of cm in height. The polyps measure 0.50–1.0 mm in transverse diameter, the interpolypar space is well defined and up to 0.50 mm, with 6–8 polyps per cm. The polypar spines are taller than abpolypar spines, reaching 0.13 mm, perpendicular to the corallum, and conical with a pointed tip, with round and/or elongated papillae on two thirds of the spine. The abpolypar spines are conical to triangular, inclined upwards, with the same ornamentation as the polypar spines. We also identified specimens assigned as Stichopathes cf. contorta and four other putative species. Genetic analyses showed that Mo’orea specimens grouped in three different clades. Analyses of endosymbionts showed that the association with Symbiodiniaceae was likely not involved in the process of host species delineation.
Simulation of Onion Response to Soil Moisture Stress at Different Growth Stages on Yield and Water Productivity Using Aquacrop
Authors: Kebede Solomon , Waltner István
Published: July 2024

The objective of this study is to select the most effective water-saving techniques and improve the water productivity of irrigated onion. The phenological growth of onion, the crop was subjected to moisture stress during one, two, or three of the growth stages. The highest yield attained was 21.157 tons/ha and the lowest was 7.177 tons/ha. Treatments T3 & T4 were water stressed during second and last growth stages produce yields that weren’t significantly different from the yield achieved under completely irrigated (T1). Compared to the maximum yield, 22.3% to 48.4% lower yields were recorded under treatments subjected to water deficiency during two growth stages. Treatments that were stressed during one growth stage had a 2.6 to 42.7% yield reduction relative to the maximum yield. The highest yield reduction was observed under treatment irrigated during the first growth stage (T8), followed by irrigated during first and second growth stages (T7), first and late stages (T5) and then treatment not irrigated during midseason (T2). This shows that a prolonged deficiency over three growing stages has more yield reduction (T8). Plots stressed during both third and fourth growth stages were producing lower yields indicating the severe effects of water stress during flowering and early bulb filling stages on yield. Water savings achieved under different treatments with no significant differences in yield from full irrigated plots range 11.8% to 21.7% (T4 & T3) respectively.
Outcome of Emergency Cholecystectomy at Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Kebede Tolera , Desta Getachew , Kibret Alemu , Amtataw Wondwossen
Published: July 2024

Background: Emergency cholecystectomy is the standard treatment for acute cholecystitis worldwide. However, in Ethiopia, it's only performed in a limited number of healthcare facilities, despite its recognition as the preferred treatment by many physicians. To date, there is no study examining the prevalence and outcomes of emergency cholecystectomy in Ethiopia. In our setting, this practice is relatively new, and its outcomes remain unstudied. Purpose: To assess the trends and outcome of emergency cholecystectomy at Yekatit 12 hospital medical college. Method: We employed a longitudinal study design, encompassing all patients who underwent emergency cholecystectomy throughout the study period. Data entry and analysis were conducted using SPSS statistical software version 25. Qualitative variables were depicted in frequencies and percentages, while continuous variables were summarized with mean and standard deviation (SD). Binary logistic regression was applied to evaluate the impact of independent variables on the outcome variable. A significance level of p < 0.05 was taken for statistical significance. Result: Between January 2022 and December 2023, 68 emergency cholecystectomies were performed. Females comprised 60.3% of the cases, with a mean age of 42.43 ± 14.03 years. Surgery for 44.1% of patients occurred between days 4 and 7 after symptom onset, while five patients underwent surgery after 10 days. The mean duration of surgery was 63.9 ± 17.14 minutes. Hospital stays ranged from 2 to 12 days, with a mean of 4.4 ± 2.47 days. Serum creatinine levels exceeding 1 mg/dl (p=0.004) were significantly linked to poor outcomes.
Participatory Forest Management in Burkina Faso: Perceptions of Local Populations in the Cassou Managed Forest
Authors: Sibiri Birba , Eveline Compaoré , Jacqueline Sow , Patrice Toé , Souleymane Ouedraogo
Published: July 2024

In recent decades, the participation of local populations has become an imperative and a solution in forest management. Mystified and idealized, the participatory approach is seen as the key to sustainable management of this resource. This approach was adopted in Burkina Faso in the mid-1980s, leading to the establishment of the Forest Management Sites (FMS or CAF in french), administrative and technical structures for sustainable forest management involving local populations. However, the area of managed forests has continued to decline at an alarming rate. In such a context, we are tempted to ask whether there really is participation in systems described as participatory forest management, and if the populations have appropriated the approach. This study, carried out among the local populations of Cassou forest management site, attempts to answer these questions. Its aim was to gather local people's perceptions on their involvement in the forest management. To achieve the study's objective, eight (8) focus groups with men and women were organized during July and August 2022 in the villages of Cassou, Vrassan, Kou and Dao. The study analyzed local people's perceptions of the following scales of participation: “consultation, involvement, information sharing, collaboration, decision-making and sharing of economic benefits”. The data analysis using Nvivo 21 software showed that local people felt 100% involved only in sharing economic benefits, while the level of participation on the other scales was barely 20%. These results show the low level of participation of local people in the forests management. The decision-makers therefore need to work towards genuine involvement of local populations in the management of these areas, so that they see them as part of the community heritage to be defended. The socio-political situation in Burkina Faso today proves that this is all the more important given that, in addition to the environmental stakes, forests represent a national security issue.
Strategic Foresight and Corporate Efficiency of Agricultural Research Institutions in Kenya: Mediating Influence of Leadership Commitment
Authors: Warinda Enock , Kathula Domeniter , Ngala Michael
Published: July 2024

In today's volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous organizational landscape, effective leadership and management are pivotal for navigating challenges and seizing opportunities. This is especially crucial in agricultural research institutions in Kenya, tasked with enhancing productivity, sustainability, and food security. These institutions must innovate to address climate change, resource scarcity, and evolving consumer demands, yet face challenges in maintaining corporate efficiency. With global population growth and increasing food demand, there is urgency for these institutions to enhance strategic foresight and corporate efficiency. However, the impact of strategic foresight and leadership commitment on efficiency remains underexplored in Kenya's agricultural research sector. This study aimed to investigate the influence of strategic foresight on corporate efficiency and to explore how leadership commitment mediates this relationship. Utilizing a mixed methods approach—cross-sectional surveys for quantitative data and interpretive phenomenological analysis for qualitative insights—data were gathered from key segments of Kenyan agricultural research institutions. Statistical analyses, including regression and mediation analysis, were employed to test hypotheses and uncover relationships among strategic foresight, leadership commitment, and corporate efficiency. Results showed that the study achieved a robust response rate, ensuring reliable findings with strong internal consistency. Leadership in agricultural research institutes skewed male, revealing gender disparities. Age significantly influenced corporate efficiency, emphasizing strategic foresight's role. Concerns arose over short leader tenures and institutional memory loss. Supervisory roles correlated positively with corporate efficiency, consistent with prior research. Pearson's correlations showed significant relationships among corporate efficiency, strategic foresight, and leadership commitment. Structural equation modeling confirmed significant relationships, with leadership commitment partially mediating the relationship between strategic foresight and corporate efficiency. Management boards were pivotal in strategic activities and policy coordination. Despite policy alignment challenges in organizations, government support for policy enactment received positive feedback. The study recommended expansions into resource mobilization, patenting, and policy revisions aligning with digital agriculture trends. Effective governance, supportive policies, and strategic implementation were crucial for advancing agricultural research and development.
Application of the Discrete Element Method to Landslides
Authors: Abanda Andre , Olivier Langola , Joseph Bikoun , Fokwa Didier , Christophe Kikmo
Published: July 2024

Civil engineering is defined as all construction related to the ground. In other words, civil engineering is only possible where there is soil. Construction professionals should not face any obstacles when building sustainably in any soil context. Knowledge of the altimetric state, including hills, mountains, valleys, etc., and the subterranean state, including obstacles such as compressible soil, holes, water tables, and rock masses, is crucial to consider before designing infrastructure. This includes the buried part of a structure and the angle of the natural slope in the superstructure to avoid landslides in the infrastructure. Landslides are natural disasters that have had a devastating impact on several populated areas in Cameroon, resulting in numerous fatalities. The most recent landslides recorded in our country occurred in NGOUACHE, MBANKOLO, MOBIL GUINNESS, among others. Preventing disasters requires an understanding of the relationship between construction and landslides to minimize their occurrence and impact. It is important to campaign for sustainable construction that respects the environment. Understanding landslides involves both destructive and non-destructive approaches. This article presents numerical methods for analysing and predicting phenomena. Among these methods, we focus on the discrete element method, which represents the medium as an assembly of circular, rigid particles. We examine three cases to observe the behaviour of the supporting soils and determine the fracture surface. Additionally, we compare our results with those found in the literature.
The Quest for Participating to Global Value Chain in Sub-Sahara Africa: An Analysis of Determining Factors Using a Spatial Panel Model
Authors: Gueyea Adama , Diopb Allé , Ndiayec Mohamed
Published: July 2024

This paper aims to determine the factors that influence the participation of the Sub-Saharan Africa countries in the global value chain (GVC). The paper use of a spatial panel Model to show that the variability of participation in the global value chain is explained by the total factor productivity, the dollar rate, the terms of trade, the type of economic zone and the degree of integration of countries into the Global Economy (Globalization). Empirical evidence displays a positive link between the total factor productivity growth and the participation in the global value chain. The rise of the Dollar against the Euro strengthens the participation in the global value chain. The deterioration of the terms of trade decreases participation in the global value chain. Special Economic Zones have a positive effect on the global value chain. On the other hand, a significant negative relationship between the free trade zones and participation in the GVC is observed. Finally, with the exception of the Economic Globalization Index and Political Index, all the other indexes have a positive and significant impact on participation in the GVC. The Sub-Saharan African countries have an interest in becoming more integrated into the globalization of trade, information technology and finance. They must also promote economic and political integration.
Pattern and Outcome of Abdominal Injury Management in Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Melese Yismaw , Meshesha Terefe , Woldeyohannes Getachew , Amtataw Wondwossen
Published: July 2024

Background: Abdominal injury is one of the major causes of trauma admissions. Evidence based information about causes of trauma related deaths is relevant for health policy making about prevention and control. The aim of the study was to identify the mechanism of trauma, commonly injured organs, patterns and outcome of abdominal trauma in Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College. Method: ALongitudinal study design was conducted from April 2022 to May 2023 G.C Results: During the study, 42 patients were observed, with males comprising 83.3%. Most patients fell within the 20-29 age groups. Penetrating trauma was the most common mechanism (54.8%), with stabs (38.1%), RTAs (31.0%), and gunshots (14.3%) leading the causes. Negative laparotomy rate was 4.8%. Laparotomy was performed in 88.1% of cases, with the small bowel (33.3%) being the most commonly injured organ. Postoperative complication rate was 21.6%, mainly surgical site infections (10.8%). Complication rate was higher in penetrating injuries (62.5%) compared to blunt trauma (37.5%). Mortality rate for abdominal injury was 4.78%. Conclusion: Abdominal trauma predominantly impacts younger males. Stab wounds and road traffic accidents (RTAs) are the primary causes, emphasizing the importance of public awareness for preventing RTAs and similar injuries.
Stinging Nettle (Urtica Simensis): A Review of Its Role in Plant Pathology and Disease Management
Authors: Mamo Tsigehana
Published: July 2024

Stinging nettle (Urtica simensis) has garnered increasing attention in the realm of plant pathology for its multifaceted role in disease management. This review aims to elucidate the diverse mechanisms by which stinging nettle influences plant pathology and contributes to disease management strategies. Stinging nettle possesses notable allelopathic properties, exerting inhibitory effects on various plant pathogens through the release of allelochemicals. Furthermore, its rich phytochemical composition, including phenolics, flavonoids, and terpenoids, contributes to its antimicrobial activity against a spectrum of plant pathogens. Additionally, stinging nettle exhibits immunomodulatory effects on host plants, enhancing their resistance to pathogen invasion. Moreover, the incorporation of stinging nettle extracts or formulations into integrated disease management approaches has shown promising results in reducing disease incidence and severity in various crops. However, further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms underlying stinging nettle's efficacy in plant disease management and optimize its utilization in agricultural systems. This review underscores the potential of stinging nettle as a valuable tool in sustainable plant disease management strategies, providing insights for researchers and practitioners alike.
Efficacy of Specialized Security Agencies in Curbing Cattle Rustling in Sotik and Borabu Sub-Counties in Kenya
Authors: Nyagwara Fredrick , Ogutu Kennedy
Published: July 2024

Kenya has faced a wide scale threat of cattle rustling. The menace has been occurring mainly in counties populated by pastoralist groups including the Turkana, Samburu, Maasai, Pokot as well as Kipsigis and Kisii among others. People have been killed, their property lost; some mutilated, injured, and displaced. Security organizations such as the General Service Unit (GSU) and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) among others were mobilized to help curb the danger of cattle rustling yet it has continued to occur in Kenya including Sotik and Borabu Sub counties. The purpose of this study was thus to investigate how effective security agencies were in curbing cattle rustling in the counties of Bomet and Nyamira, Kenya. This study therefore investigated the effectiveness of specialized security agencies in curbing cattle rustling in the Sotik and Borabu Sub-Counties in Bomet and Nyamira Counties in Kenya. A sequential exploratory mixed methods design was used. The target population was all the residents of Sotik and Borabu Sub-Counties (18 years and above) who had information regarding the topic under discourse. They were 284,379 in number. A total of 156 respondents participated. The respondents were drawn through purposive sampling. A questionnaire was used to gather quantitative information while key informant interview guides were used to gather qualitative information from the respondents. The hypothesis was tested using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient (r) at α =0.05 level of significance. The results obtained from the two sub-counties determined that the deployment of specialized security agencies had a statistically significant effect on curbing cattle rustling. This means that before the deployment of security agencies, the frequency of cattle rustling was relatively high as compared to the periods after their deployment. The reduction was therefore attributed to the constant pursuit and deployment of specialized units such as the ASTU, GSU and Administration Police in the region. The study recommends that the national government should expand the presence and activities of specialized security agencies in regions with a history of high cattle rustling rates, focusing on areas with the highest correlation between agency presence and rustling reduction. The government should also implement targeted training programs for specialized security personnel to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge for addressing the unique challenges associated with cattle rustling.
Research on Identification of the Capacity Influencing Factors of Youth Sports Clubs in China
Authors: Song Ying , Zhao Yingdong , Zhou Yuting , Zhou Peiquan
Published: July 2024

Since the 1970s, nonprofit organizations have identified organizational capacity as the key to improving organizational effectiveness. Youth sports clubs have long been trapped in a predicament that makes it difficult for them to keep non-profit nature, operate independently and maintain high performance for a long time. This study investigates which influencing factors can act on the capacity of youth sports clubs to ensure their non-profit nature whilst achieving healthy and sustainable development. The organizational theory systems view emphasizes the relationship between open internal structures and the role of external environmental factors, therefore the capacity influencing factors of youth sports clubs can be comprehensively considered to achieve this by considering both the internal and external influencing components of organizational capacity. The focus of this study was obtained by searching 11 relevant policy documents, 21 papers, and in-depth interviews with 26 experts including youth sports club managers, coaches, and venue management personnel and scholars studying in the field of youth sports research or practice. The study revealed the internal and external influences on youth sports club capabilities, including strategic leadership, service innovation, resource acquisition, network relationships, policy, social media, and environmental uncertainty; and constructed a relationship between internal and external influences on youth sports club capabilities and organizational effectiveness. In addition, we found that Social media had the highest weight, policy had the lowest weight, and the rest of the influences did not differ significantly by the method of the weight calculation. We recommend that youth sports clubs increase the application of social media, stimulate employees' service and innovation ability, and cultivate the strategic leadership ability of leaders.
Teleanalysis Does Not Have to be “Muted”: On the Crucial Role of the Analyst’s Internal Frame in any Setting
Authors: Ehrlich Lena Theodorou
Published: July 2024

Given that practicing teleanalytically is relatively new and more widespread than ever, questions about how to practice and teach it effectively have increased and are more pressing than ever. To contribute answers to these questions, this paper addresses long-standing and persisting negative views of teleanalysis as an inherently muted, remote, and pale experience with reduced therapeutic effectiveness. I propose that this view of teleanalysis as inherently inferior to in-office analysis limits or even precludes its therapeutic usefulness because it allows analysts to avoid making analytic use of the disturbing feelings hiding within the experience of practicing teleanalysis. Through case examples, I suggest that when analysts do not take our negative views of teleanalysis at face value but instead consider them as symbolic expressions of our and our patients’ anxieties, we can improve our understanding of our analytic functioning within the tele-setting and enhance our capacity to think and engage analytically effectively in any setting. I maintain that these considerations have important implications, not only for how experienced analysts practice, but also for how we treat and teach future analysts.
The role of job satisfaction and organizational culture match in the relationship between pay satisfaction and turnover intention: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Li Xin , Yuan Yiqing , He Xuesong
Published: July 2024

High turnover among social workers is a long-standing concern. This article explores whether pay satisfaction (PS) influences turnover intention (TI) and whether job satisfaction (JS) mediates this relationship. We also examine whether organizational culture match (OCM) moderates this mediation model. Based on multiple regression model of 5525 Chinese social workers, we found that PS was negatively related to TI and JS mediated this relationship. The effects of such a mediation model were significantly larger when OCM was at a higher level. Findings highlight the need to increase material rewards for social workers and to build organizational culture supporting personal psychological needs.
Wives’ Discrimination by Spouse’s Culpability in the Globalised Fisheries Industry: Insights From Public Political Hearing on Mafia Island, Tanzania
Authors: Ishengoma Nelson Mwesiga
Published: July 2024

Globalisation has been lauded for transforming African women’s financial and cultural lives. However, current discourses fail to demonstrate the new hurdles women have to survive in the fishery globalised world. This article uses public political hearing insights, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to show how Mafia Cooperative women employees in the Mafia region were discriminated against in unprecedented ways. The data were examined thematically. The results show that women’s right to work was based on their marital status and husbands’ behaviour, and not their skills or experience. Such behaviour violates human and workplace rights and should be strongly chastised.
‘I don’t like it, but I won’t leave home’: Interpersonal Factors Restricting Married Women in Rural Zimbabwe From Reporting Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Muzingili Taruvinga , Mafa Itai Hlonie
Published: July 2024

This study explores interpersonal factors that negatively impact married women’s reporting of intimate partner violence. Using the snowball sampling, the data were collected from 12 married women who had suffered intimate partner violence. The findings revealed many interpersonal factors that affect intimate partner abuse reporting, such as the length of the marriage, fear of criminal victimisation, physical impairments, trivialisation of certain types of abuse and a lack of awareness about intimate partner violence. The study calls for the need to build married women’s resilience and mobilise resources to improve their socio-economic status and break their economic dependence on abusive husbands.
Access to the exclusive city: Home sharing as an affordable housing strategy
Authors: Harten Julia Gabriele , Boeing Geoff
Published: July 2024

Home sharing, particularly via online platforms, is becoming a mainstream housing strategy as social processes evolve and housing costs rise. Recent research has studied shared rentals as a modality for students and kin-based households, as one strategy among diversifying pathways to housing and as a social phenomenon. However, we still know little about whether it actually creates opportunities for home seekers in unaffordable markets. Analysing online rental listings in Los Angeles, we find that shared rentals are both more affordable and more widely available across diverse neighbourhoods than traditional whole-unit rentals. Shared rentals have historically been understudied due to their limited data trail, but they offer important entryways into unaffordable markets. We argue for shared housing research to shift its traditional focus away from students and young adults and towards a broader exploration of the diverse populations that may benefit from or depend on shared housing.
Carbon Disclosure and Common Ownership
Authors: Choi Bobae , Lee Doowon , Luo Le
Published: July 2024

The crossholding of multiple firms by major shareholders in the same industry is known as common ownership. In this article, we examine how common ownership affects the carbon-related disclosure practices of cross-held firms. We report that common ownership decreases a firm’s propensity to disclose carbon information as well as the quality of such disclosures. A one standard deviation increase in measures of common ownership decreases the likelihood of participating in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) survey by as much as 19.4%. Our results are robust to exogenous events, such as changes in common ownership and robustness tests, including Heckman two-stage regression and the exclusion of the financial sector. Further analyses demonstrate that the negative impact of common ownership on carbon disclosures is stronger in carbon-intensive sectors than in other sectors and for hard than for soft disclosures.
Culture and Public Support for Violence Against Children in Six Nations
Authors: Hassan Bilal
Published: July 2024

This study explores the link between culture and support for violence against children in six South Asian (Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan) and European (Germany, Netherlands, and Sweden) countries. Utilizing data from the World Values Survey, it tests three hypotheses based on modernization theory. Results reveal that various measures of secularism are negatively associated with support for violence against children. For instance, individuals not affiliated with any religious organizations are more inclined to reject such violence. Similarly, belief that God is not important in life and respect for authority is a bad thing are linked to reduced support for violence against children. Moreover, post-materialist values show a negative correlation with violence. However, there is also evidence of rejection of violence against children among adherents of traditional values. The study does not discern a consistent cross-cultural pattern of association, suggesting that the spillover effects of secular value orientations are more complex than initially expected.
Progress and Remaining Opportunities to Increase the Use of Animal-free Antibodies in the USA
Authors: Groff Katherine , Allen David , Casey Warren , Clippinger Amy J.
Published: July 2024

The scientific and ethical issues associated with the use of animal-derived antibodies in research can be overcome by the use of animal-free, sequence-defined recombinant antibodies, whose benefits are well documented. Here, we describe progress made following a 2019 expert meeting focused on improving the quality and reproducibility of biomedical research by accelerating the production and use of animal-free recombinant antibodies in the USA. In the five intervening years since the meeting, participants have established multifaceted initiatives to tackle the next steps outlined during the meeting. These initiatives include: prioritising the replacement of ascites-derived and polyclonal antibodies; distributing educational materials describing recombinant antibodies; fostering public–private partnerships to increase access to recombinant antibodies; and increasing the availability of funding for recombinant antibody development. Given the widescale use of antibodies across scientific disciplines, a transition to modern antibody production methods relies on a commitment from government agencies, universities, industry and funding organisations, to initiatives such as those outlined here.
Animal geographies III: Relational and political
Authors: Gibbs Leah
Published: July 2024

Animal geography is inherently relational. At its core is curiosity for relations between humans and nonhuman animals. As in other fields, relational approaches are increasingly adopted as conceptual framework and methodology. Two current relational themes of the field are care, killing and ethics; and how humans and nonhuman animals create space, particularly the home and the city. Animal geographies tackle diverse political elements of animals’ lives (and deaths), operating at multiple scales, through a variety of approaches. Major current themes include biopolitics, colonialism, state power and (in)justice. Relationality and politics are by no means separate. Relations have political outcomes – notably, in the form of value and commodification – and relationality can open possibilities for reframing political problems; a fitting goal for this time of conflict and dramatic change.
Association of Mechanical Axis With Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Femoral Condyle
Authors: Klueh Michael P. , Ren Bryan O. , Muscatelli Stefano R. , Grant John A.
Published: July 2024

Background:

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is a condition characterized by abnormal subchondral bone with disturbance of overlying articular cartilage. The role of weightbearing alignment in the pathophysiology of OCD lesion development is not fully understood.

Hypothesis:

Lower extremity mechanical axis would be concordant with femoral condylar OCD lesion location.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Cases were identified from a single, large academic institutional database using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and Tenth Revision and Current Procedural Terminology codes associated with OCD. Patients were included if they had a magnetic resonance imaging scan demonstrating the OCD lesion and lower extremity alignment radiographs. OCD lesion location was identified using Cahill and Berg zones. The primary outcome was the association of OCD lesion location with weightbearing mechanical axis. Secondary outcomes included the association of mechanical axis with skeletal maturity, OCD lesion stability, and treatment. For unilateral OCD lesions, mechanical axis was compared between affected and unaffected lower extremities.

Results:

A total of 86 patients (95 knees) with an OCD lesion of the femoral condyle were identified. The population was 74% male, and the mean age was 21 years. In total, 65% of knees had closed physes, 82% of lesions were unstable, and 85% underwent a surgical procedure. Mechanical axis was located in the same zone as the OCD lesion in 48% of cases and within the same compartment in 56% of cases. Spearman correlation coefficient demonstrated a moderate positive correlation (rs = 0.59). No significant differences were found in the association of mechanical axis and OCD lesion location in subgroup analysis of medial versus lateral femoral condylar OCD lesions, skeletal maturity, stability of the lesion, or treatment group. For patients with varus alignment and medial femoral condylar OCD lesions, the mean lateral distal femoral angle was 89.9°, and medial proximal tibial angle was 85.4°; for valgus alignment and lateral femoral condylar lesions, the lateral distal femoral angle was 84.8°, and medial proximal tibial angle was 88.8°. Patients with unilateral medial femoral condylar OCD lesions were more likely to have varus alignment of the affected extremity compared with the contralateral extremity (59% vs 36%; P = .01).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated a relationship between lower extremity mechanical weightbearing axis and femoral condylar OCD location. Patients with unilateral medial femoral condylar OCD lesions frequently had asymmetric varus alignment in the affected extremity.
A Transformer Model for Manifesto Classification Using Cross-Context Training: An Ecuadorian Case Study
Authors: Barzallo Fernanda , Baldeon-Calisto Maria , Pérez Margorie , Moscoso Maria Emilia , Navarrete Danny , Riofrío Daniel , Medina-Peréz Pablo , Lai-Yuen Susana K , Benítez Diego , Peréz Noel , Moyano Ricardo Flores , Fierro Mateo
Published: July 2024

Content analysis of political manifestos is necessary to understand the policies and proposed actions of a party. However, manually labeling political texts is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Transformer networks have become essential tools for automating this task. Nevertheless, these models require extensive datasets to achieve good performance. This can be a limitation in manifesto classification, where the availability of publicly labeled datasets can be scarce. To address this challenge, in this work, we developed a Transformer network for the classification of manifestos using a cross-domain training strategy. Using the database of the Comparative Manifesto Project, we implemented a fractional factorial experimental design to determine which Spanish-written manifestos form the best training set for Ecuadorian manifesto labeling. Furthermore, we statistically analyzed which Transformer architecture and preprocessing operations improve the model accuracy. The results indicate that creating a training set with manifestos from Spain and Uruguay, along with implementing stemming and lemmatization preprocessing operations, produces the highest classification accuracy. In addition, we found that the DistilBERT and RoBERTa transformer networks perform statistically similarly and consistently well in manifesto classification. Using the cross-context training strategy, DistilBERT and RoBERTa achieve 60.05% and 57.64% accuracy, respectively, in the classification of the Ecuadorian manifesto. Finally, we investigated the effect of the composition of the training set on performance. The experiments demonstrate that training DistilBERT solely with Ecuadorian manifestos achieves the highest accuracy and F1-score. Furthermore, in the absence of the Ecuadorian dataset, competitive performance is achieved by training the model with datasets from Spain and Uruguay.
Formal models in normative political theory
Authors: Chung Hun , Kogelmann Brian
Published: July 2024

This article revisits the conventional distinction in political science between ‘positive’ and ‘normative’ political theory, particularly the belief that formal and mathematical methods are only pertinent to positive political theory. We argue that formal models are equally valuable in normative political theory for three reasons: they can make thought experiments more rigorous, they can demonstrate the consistency of normative principles, and they can provide insights into the practical workings of novel institutional arrangements in the absence of empirical data. The integration of formal models into normative political theory presents challenges, including the development of criteria for evaluating these models and potential shifts in research focus. Integration can also strengthen political theory’s tenuous role in the political science discipline.
Lived experience of ethical challenges among undergraduate nursing students during their clinical learning
Authors: Gonella Silvia , Viottini Elena , Gastmans Chris , Tambone Sara , Conti Alessio , Campagna Sara , Dimonte Valerio
Published: July 2024

Background

Undergraduate nursing students may experience several ethical challenges during their clinical learning placement that can lead to moral distress and intention to leave the profession. Ethical challenges are complex phenomena and ethical frameworks may help improve their understanding and provide actionable recommendations to enhance students’ readiness for practice.

Aim

To explore undergraduate nursing students’ ethical challenges experienced during their clinical learning and their suggestions for better ethics education; to illuminate students’ experience against a foundational ethical framework.

Research design

Qualitative study based on interpretative phenomenology. Semi-structured, in-person or at distance, one-to-one interviews were performed, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. The ‘Dignity-enhancing care framework’ was employed to frame the study findings.

Participants and research context

Nineteen nursing graduands attending seven sites of one Northwestern Italian University were interviewed.

Ethical consideration

The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Torino (number 0187646/2023). All participants provided written informed consent.

Findings

Students experienced several ethical challenges concerning daily practice such as pain control or the decision to restrain patients, and reported deficient professional ethics with healthcare professionals who demonstrated poor caring attitudes and teamwork. Moreover, they perceived professionals poorly committed to their role of educators and complained of poor support in the learning process. When a supportive, dialogical, and relational context lacked, students experienced negative feelings about the profession and the healthcare system and reported the intention to leave the profession. Dialogue with peers, family members or significant others, nursing educators, and clinical nurse supervisors, as well as self-learning activities and discussion-based teaching methods grounded on real scenarios helped to overcome challenging situations.

Conclusion

While complying with normative standards, nursing education policies should encourage the adoption of dynamic teaching methods and sustain a regular, dialogical approach within and between the clinical and academic contexts to improve readiness for practice.
H∞ stabilization of singular networked cascade control systems subject to periodic DoS attack
Authors: Fallahnejad Maziar , Kazemy Ali , Shafiee Masoud
Published: July 2024

In this paper, a [Formula: see text] controller with an event-triggered mechanism is designed for a singular networked cascade control system (SNCCS) under periodic denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. The SNCCS is treated as a system of differential-algebraic equations (DAEs) with an index of two and is modeled as a switched system. The paper first establishes sufficient stability conditions, which are formulated as linear matrix inequalities based on multiple Lyapunov functions. These conditions ensure that the system remains regular, free from impulse modes, and stable. Next, state feedback controllers are designed for both the inner loop and the outer loop. However, the outer loop is subjected to periodic DoS cyber-attacks. Finally, the proposed method’s effectiveness is demonstrated through simulation results on a practical thermal cascade control system.
Vertical vibration control to the in-wheel-motor electric vehicles with static eccentricity based on a reinforcement learning method
Authors: Zhang Dawei , Zhong Chen , Liu Shuizhou , Xu Peijuan , Tian Yiyang
Published: July 2024

The in-wheel-motor electric vehicle (IWM-EV) is hailed as the epitome of driving ingenuity within the realm of electric vehicles. Nonetheless, the intricate nature of its components, compounded by the intricate interplay of multiple force fields, poses a significant detriment to ride comfort. In the present study, an IWM-EV driven by a permanent magnet synchronous motor was employed as a representative case study. Initially, the calculations were conducted to determine the unbalanced magnetic force (UMF) in the presence of static eccentricity of the stator. Subsequently, the characteristics of UMF across different ratios of static eccentricity as well as different velocities in the time domains were analyzed. Furthermore, the road-electromagnetic-mechanical model was developed to investigate the influence of UMF on the vertical vibration of IWM-EV under static eccentricity, comparing it against the scenario devoid of UMF. Finally, a reinforcement learning control approach was adopted to regulate the active suspension system, comparing its efficacy with that of passive suspension and semi-active suspension (specifically, skyhook control). Through extensive simulations, the results demonstrated that the reinforcement learning control strategy derived from the road-electromagnetic-mechanical model outperforms the other two control strategies, exhibiting commendable resilience and adaptability across diverse road surfaces and velocities. This study unveiled the potential of RL methods in enhancing riding comfort through active suspension control.