bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mesenchymal stromal cells from human Wharton’s jelly modulate the intraocular immune response in a glucocorticoid hypertension model: an exploratory analysis
Authors: dos Santos Evangelho Karine , Cifuentes-González Carlos , Rojas-Carabali William , De Vivero-Arciniegas Clemencia , Cañas-Arboleda Mariana , Salguero Gustavo , Ramírez-Santana Carolina , de-la-Torre Alejandra
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells. Recent research suggests that immunological changes such as cytokine imbalance may play a role in its pathophysiology. This implies that immunomodulation, similar to that produced by mesenchymal cells, could be a potential therapeutic avenue for this disease. However, the effects of intravitreal injections of human Wharton’s jelly derived mesenchymal stromal cells(hWJ-MSCs) on intraocular immune response have not been assessed in ocular hypertension (OH) models. Methods: We measured explored this by measuring cytokine levels and expression of other markers, such as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and T cells, in 15 randomly divided New Zealand rabbits: G1: OH; G2: hWJ-MSCs; and G3: OH+hWJ-MSCs. We analyzed the aqueous humor (IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) and vitreous humor (IFN-γ, IL-10, and TGF-β) using ELISA and flow cytometry (cell populations), as well as TCD3+, TCD3+/TCD4+, and TCD3+/TCD8+ lymphocytes, and GFAP in the retina and optic nerve through immunohistochemistry. Results: We found a decrease in TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-8 in G3 compared to G1 and an increase in TGF-β in both G2 and G3. TCD3+ retinal infiltration in all groups was primarily TCD8+ rather than TCD4+ cells, and strong GFAP expression was observed in both the retina and optic nerves in all groups. Conclusion: Our results suggest that cellular and humoral immune responses may play a role in glaucomatous optic neuropathy, and that intravitreal hWJ-MSCs can induce an immunosuppressive environment by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines and enhancing regulatory cytokines.
Association of Achievement of the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 Goals With Incident Cardiovascular Diseases in the SHFS
Authors: Paing Pyone Yadanar , Littman Alyson J. , Reese Jessica A. , Sitlani Colleen M. , Umans Jason G. , Cole Shelley A. , Zhang Ying , Ali Tauqeer , Fretts Amanda M.
Published: March 2024

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in American Indian people. In 2022, the American Heart Association developed the Life's Essential 8 goals to promote cardiovascular health (CVH) for Americans, composed of diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep, body mass index, blood lipids, blood pressure, and blood glucose. We examined whether achievement of Life's Essential 8 goals was associated with incident CVD among SHFS (Strong Heart Family Study) participants.

Methods and Results

A total of 2139 SHFS participants without CVD at baseline were included in analyses. We created a composite CVH score based on achievement of Life's Essential 8 goals, excluding sleep. Scores of 0 to 49 represented low CVH, 50 to 69 represented moderate CVH, and 70 to 100 represented high CVH. Incident CVD was defined as incident myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, or stroke. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the relationship of CVH and incident CVD. The incidence rate of CVD at the 20‐year follow‐up was 7.43 per 1000 person‐years. Compared with participants with low CVH, participants with moderate and high CVH had a lower risk of incident CVD; the hazard ratios and 95% CIs for incident CVD for moderate and high CVH were 0.52 (95% CI, 0.40–0.68) and 0.25 (95% CI, 0.14–0.44), respectively, after adjustment for age, sex, education, and study site.

Conclusions

Better CVH was associated with lower CVD risk which highlights the need for comprehensive public health interventions targeting CVH promotion to reduce CVD risk in American Indian communities.
Lateral Connections Improve Generalizability of Learning in a Simple Neural Network
Authors: Crutcher Garrett
Published: March 2024

To navigate the world around us, neural circuits rapidly adapt to their environment learning generalizable strategies to decode information. When modeling these learning strategies, network models find the optimal solution to satisfy one task condition but fail when introduced to a novel task or even a different stimulus in the same space. In the experiments described in this letter, I investigate the role of lateral gap junctions in learning generalizable strategies to process information. Lateral gap junctions are formed by connexin proteins creating an open pore that allows for direct electrical signaling between two neurons. During neural development, the rate of gap junctions is high, and daughter cells that share similar tuning properties are more likely to be connected by these junctions. Gap junctions are highly plastic and get heavily pruned throughout development. I hypothesize that they mediate generalized learning by imprinting the weighting structure within a layer to avoid overfitting to one task condition. To test this hypothesis, I implemented a feedforward probabilistic neural network mimicking a cortical fast spiking neuron circuit that is heavily involved in movement. Many of these cells are tuned to speeds that I used as the input stimulus for the network to estimate. When training this network using a delta learning rule, both a laterally connected network and an unconnected network can estimate a single speed. However, when asking the network to estimate two or more speeds, alternated in training, an unconnected network either cannot learn speed or optimizes to a singular speed, while the laterally connected network learns the generalizable strategy and can estimate both speeds. These results suggest that lateral gap junctions between neurons enable generalized learning, which may help explain learning differences across life span.
CA3 Circuit Model Compressing Sequential Information in Theta Oscillation and Replay
Authors: Kuroki Satoshi , Mizuseki Kenji
Published: March 2024

The hippocampus plays a critical role in the compression and retrieval of sequential information. During wakefulness, it achieves this through theta phase precession and theta sequences. Subsequently, during periods of sleep or rest, the compressed information reactivates through sharp-wave ripple events, manifesting as memory replay. However, how these sequential neuronal activities are generated and how they store information about the external environment remain unknown. We developed a hippocampal cornu ammonis 3 (CA3) computational model based on anatomical and electrophysiological evidence from the biological CA3 circuit to address these questions. The model comprises theta rhythm inhibition, place input, and CA3-CA3 plastic recurrent connection. The model can compress the sequence of the external inputs, reproduce theta phase precession and replay, learn additional sequences, and reorganize previously learned sequences. A gradual increase in synaptic inputs, controlled by interactions between theta-paced inhibition and place inputs, explained the mechanism of sequence acquisition. This model highlights the crucial role of plasticity in the CA3 recurrent connection and theta oscillational dynamics and hypothesizes how the CA3 circuit acquires, compresses, and replays sequential information.
Unifying Structured Data as Graph for Data-to-Text
Pre-Training
Authors: Li Shujie , Li Liang , Geng Ruiying , Yang Min , Li Binhua , Yuan Guanghu , He Wanwei , Yuan Shao , Ma Can , Huang Fei , Li Yongbin
Published: March 2024

Data-to-text (D2T) generation aims to transform structured data into natural language text. Data-to-text pre-training has proved to be powerful in enhancing D2T generation and yields impressive performance. However, previous pre-training methods either oversimplified structured data into a sequence without considering input structures or designed training objectives tailored for a specific data structure (e.g., table or knowledge graph). In this paper, we unify different types of structured data (i.e., table, key-value data, knowledge graph) into the graph format and cast different D2T generation tasks as graph-to-text generation. To effectively exploit the structural information of the input graph, we propose a structure-enhanced pre-training method for D2T generation by designing a structure-enhanced Transformer. Concretely, we devise a position matrix for the Transformer, encoding relative positional information of connected nodes in the input graph. In addition, we propose a new attention matrix to incorporate graph structures into the original Transformer by taking the available explicit connectivity structure into account. Extensive experiments on six benchmark datasets show the effectiveness of our model. Our source codes are available at https://github.com/AlibabaResearch/DAMO-ConvAI/tree/main/unid2t.
Erasmus’ Cambridge Years (1511–1514)
Authors: van Kooten George , Payne Matthew , Rex Richard , Bloemendal Jan
Published: March 2024

Despite the clear attestation of Erasmus’ three-year period in Cambridge from 1511 to 1514, the reason for and nature of his stay—including whether he was also the official incumbent of the Lady Margaret’s professorship, created in 1502 as the first established chair at the university—are still contested. This paper argues that three issues have not been (sufficiently) taken on board in these discussions: namely, the statutes for the ‘lecture of sacred Theology founded by Margaret, Countess of Richmond’; the fact that in December 1512, Erasmus was paid to compose the epitaph for Lady Margaret’s tomb in Westminster Abbey; and the nature of Erasmus’ work whilst he was at Cambridge, which he describes in a letter as teaching ‘Greek and sacred literature’ (Ep. 296). Our new proposal is that Erasmus’ three-year stay in Cambridge began with an initial year in which he taught Greek, explored his opportunities, and prepared himself for the competition surrounding the election for the Lady Margaret’s professorship. Yet the Cambridge theologians did not support him in the election, and he ultimately lost to a competitor. Erasmus’ failure to secure the Lady Margaret’s professorship is closely related to his understanding of theology as ‘sacred literature’, which allows it to be compared to ‘the (good) literature’ and philosophy of Greek and Roman authors. His defeat constitutes its own episode in the series of tensions between Christian biblical humanism and what Erasmus saw as modernist scholastic theology.
The “Sinicization” of Religion: Culture as Political Rhetoric
Authors: Ji Zhe , Xuan Fang
Published: March 2024

The “Sinicization of religion” policy launched in 2015 marked a turn in the Communist Party’s approach to religious governance, opening a new era of strict control over religion in post-reform China. This article first analyzes this policy in the context of the evolution of the CCP’s attitudes to religion over the past century. It then explores the elaboration process and its implications for related official discourse and follows with an examination of the promotion and implementation of this policy. The authors argue that the new conceptual design of “Sinicization” was aimed initially at exogenous religions but later became a general policy applied to all religions, as the central power of the Party realized its utility for subtly achieving absolute authority. Such a “Sinicization” is a projection of Xi Jinping’s “Chinese Dream” in the field of religious affairs, a dream of the Party’s permanent domination under the mantle of nationalism.
Radar Survey of Hail-Producing Storms and Environments during the 2018–19 Severe-Weather Season in the Córdoba Region of Argentina
Authors: Elkins Calvin M. , Hence Deanna A.
Published: March 2024

Frequent deep convective thunderstorms and mesoscale convective systems make the Córdoba region, near the Sierras de Córdoba mountain range, one of the most active areas on Earth for hail activity. Analysis of hail observations from trained observers and social media reports cross-referenced with operational radar observations identified the convective characteristics of hail-producing convective systems in central Argentina over a 6-month period divided into early (October–December 2018) and late seasons (January–March 2019). Reflectivity and dual-polarization characteristics from the Córdoba operational radar [Radar Meteorológico Argentina (RMA1)] were used to identify the convective modes of convective cells at time of positive hail indicators. Analysis of ERA5 upper-air and surface data examined convective environments of hail events and identified representative dynamic and thermodynamic environments. A majority of early season hail-producing cells were classified as discrete convection, while discrete and multicell occurrence evened out in the late season. Most hail-producing cells initiated directly adjacent to the Sierras in the late season, while cell initiation and hail production is further spread out in the early season. Dividing convective events into dynamic/thermodynamic regimes based on values of 1000 J kg−1 of CAPE and vertical wind shear of 20 m s−1 results in most early season events reflecting shear-dominant characteristics (low CAPE, high shear) and most late-season events exhibiting CAPE-dominant characteristics (high CAPE, low shear). Strength and placement of low-level temperature and moisture anomalies/advection and upper-level jets largely defined the differences in the dominant regimes.

Significance Statement

This study used regional radar data alongside hail reports from trained observers and social media to better understand the types and timing of storms identified as producing hail, given the lower resolution of satellite studies. Dividing the hail season (October–December; January–March) showed that within hail season, early season storms tended to be singular storms that formed across the region in environments with strong vertical winds and weak instability. Late-season storms were a mix of singular storms and multicellular storm systems focused on the mountains in weak vertical winds and strong instability. These results show differences from satellite studies and identify key representative hail-producing radar features and environmental regimes for this region, which could guide hail risk analysis within the severe-weather season.
“Other Customer” Perception as Strategic Insight into Gen Z Consumer–Brand Identification and Purchase Behavior: A Mixed-Methods Approach
Authors: Anton Anca
Published: March 2024

This study addresses the knowledge and research gaps regarding the “other customer” concept within the consumer–brand identification paradigm, drawing on branding and consumer behavior theories. We consider the “other customer” as the other customers of a brand from the perspective of an individual (focal customer) using or simply assessing the brand. We take into account both how the focal customer is influenced by other customers and how the focal customer perceives those other customers. While the concept is traditionally associated with the service industries, we expand its relevance to product brands. We use Social Identity Theory, Social Comparison Theory, and Other Customer Perception to identify how Gen Z focal consumers construct the image of other consumers of international brands at national level. A mixed-method approach was developed, bringing together MMCA (multimodal content analysis), perceptual mapping regarding brand image, and other customer perceived attributes, as well as a survey addressing (a) focal customer–other customer–brand identification perceived similarity and (b) perceived influence of sustainability on purchase behavior. MMCA was performed on a corpus of 236 other customer profiles of Nike and Adidas, consisting of a visual component and a textual description. The profiles were developed by a convenience sample of 147 Romanian Gen Z young adults. The results show that: (a) The national specificity and history of the brand can lead to diverging, local other customer profiles that might be accepted or rejected based on the desirability and similarity perceived by the focal customer; (b) The other customer is used as a form of self-evaluation carried out by the focal customer (Gen Z consistently evaluates downward some of the other customers as a way to curate self-esteem and avoid identification with profiles they consider undesirable or unsuitable for their own self-image); and (3) The connection perceivable at international level between brand sustainability as a purchase pre-condition and Gen Z customers is not universal and should be re-evaluated based on local realities. At theoretical level, this study contributes to the advancement of the “other customer” concept; at a practical level, it advocates for the inclusion of an “other customer communication strategy” into the marketing communication mix.
Understanding justice in the platform economy: A qualitative case study of platform-based food delivery work
Authors: Lee Bo-Yi
Published: March 2024

This qualitative study explores the conceptualisation of justice in the context of platform work, focusing on the dimensions of distributive, procedural, interpersonal, and informational justice. Drawing upon in-depth interviews with platform-based food delivery couriers in Taiwan, the study extends the organisational justice theory to platform work, showing how the dimensions of justice remain highly relevant in platform work, despite its individualised work organisation and algorithm-mediated transactions. The study highlights the influence of legal categorisations on distributive justice perceptions, while uncovering how perceptions of procedural justice had been undermined in relation to task allocation, fee calculations, and the lack of voice and consultation. Furthermore, it underscores the significance of dignity, respect, transparency, and explainability in interpersonal and informational justice within the platform work context. The theoretical and empirical contributions provide insights for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to better understand and address justice concerns within the rapidly expanding platform work sector.
Three-dimensional spiral model of the wicking effect for continuous polyester filaments
Authors: He JiaHao , Li Jiugang , Yang Qiang , Xie Zhiyun , Jin Xinpeng , Sun Xiaoxi , Zhang Wenlu , Liu Zhijiang , Xu Xiaopeng , Li Wenbin , Guo Jing
Published: March 2024

The wicking effect constitutes a pivotal determinant in facilitating the ingress and transference of liquid water within yarns and fabrics. Its significance looms prominently in the context of subsequent product processing, particularly concerning the immersion and interface bonding of textile matrix composites. The twist exerts profound influence over the fiber disposition and density within yarns, as well as the yarn and the wicking pathways for liquid water. We use a mathematical model grounded in the three-dimensional helical capillary permeation mechanism, inherently linked to the twist factor. This model operates under the assumption that the yarn's fibers exhibit uniform diameters and arrangements. Leveraging the macroscopic force equilibrium method, a function of liquid capillary rise with wicking time was deduced. and the dynamic progression of liquid water ascent within the yarn was simulated using the COMSOL platform. Subsequently, a series of wicking experiments were executed on polyester filament yarns, each characterized by varying twist levels. The results revealed that the experimental data coincided well with the theoretical prediction, thus affirming the model's accuracy.
Enhancing warp sizing effect and quality: a comprehensive review of the squeezing process and future research
Authors: Wang Kuang , Wang Jingan , Gao Weidong
Published: March 2024

Warp sizing significantly influences both the efficiency of weaving machines and the overall quality of the woven fabric, playing a crucial role in the weaving preparation process. Ensuring precise control of process parameters and equipment status during the sizing process is essential to maintain desirable sizing quality. This paper clarified the research significance of squeezing from the perspective of its application in warp sizing. Moreover, research advances in the squeezing device, including the structure, material, surface state of squeezing and sizing rollers, the configuration of the squeeze and sizing rollers, the spraying device, the pressurization methods for the squeezing roller, and their influence on sizing performance were reviewed in detail. A comprehensive analysis and summary were conducted to explore the correlations between sizing quality and diverse squeezing technical parameters, encompassing squeezing force, surface hardness of rubber-covered sizing and the squeezing roller, squeezing width, warp speed, and immersion time. In addition, this article also outlines the mathematical models related to the squeezing process and the characterization methods of the squeezing effect. Finally, it offers a glimpse into potential future research directions concerning the squeezing process.
Improving the ventilation of a classroom to achieve heating energy savings and better indoor air quality
Authors: Labihi Abdelouhab , Benakcha Younes , Meslem Amina , Byrne Paul , Collet Florence
Published: March 2024

Indoor air quality and heating energy consumption are closely linked, especially in densely occupied spaces, as classrooms. In a classroom of Rennes University, a transient thermal simulation highlights the impact of ventilation on heating consumptions for different cases: (1) without controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV), (2) with a single flow CMV (SF CMV) of a regulatory flow of 18 m3.h−1. person−1 during periods of occupancy, and (3) a double flow CMV (DF CMV) whose flow is during periods of occupancy either equal to 18 m3.h−1. person−1 or (4) to 35 m3.h−1.person−1. The infiltration flowrate was evaluated experimentally using CO2 concentration measurements in the first case, which corresponds to the actual situation. In the normal use of the classroom with 30 persons inside, CO2 concentration exceeds 5000 ppm and the heating energy consumption is equal to 52 kWh.m−2.year−1. In case (2) and (3), CO2 concentration has a maximum level of 1350 ppm and the energy consumption is equal to 65 and 53 kWh.m−2.year−1, respectively. In case (4), the maximum CO2 concentration stays in the range 800-900 ppm without excessive heating consumption (58 kWh.m−2.year−1). Finally, by limiting the fresh air flowrate to 18 m3.h−1.person−1 in DF CMV and coupling it to a façade insulation (extra Case 5), the heating consumption is reduced to 32 kWh.m−2.year−1. These results are valuable within the context of the upcoming energy renovation strategy of the campus.

Practical application

In most schools, in France and elsewhere, insufficient ventilation flowrates are often observed compared to regulatory requirements. If compliance with ventilation standards and the subsequent revision of CMV installations are necessary to ensure the health of users, it is important to evaluate the energy cost of these renovations, and to identify the best choice to reduce heating consumptions. Our contribution is to compare different renovation choices in terms of two indicators: energy consumption and indoor air quality evaluated using CO2 concentration.
Feasibility and Acceptability of Implementing a Job Search Intervention for Adults With Visual Impairments via Videoconferencing
Authors: Cmar Jennifer L. , Antonelli Karla
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Research supports the benefits of job search interventions in improving employment outcomes for various populations, but previous studies involved face-to-face implementation and did not include adults with visual impairments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a job search intervention designed for synchronous distance implementation with adults with visual impairments. Methods: Two trainers implemented a 5-day job search skills training program with 12 job seekers with visual impairments, ages 22–63 years, via Zoom videoconferencing software. Researchers documented participant attendance and intervention fidelity during the program. Participants completed electronic surveys that included quantitative measures of cognitive load and acceptability, plus open-ended questions about their overall perceptions of the program. Results: Attendance, intervention fidelity, and germane cognitive load were high, whereas intrinsic and extraneous cognitive load were low. Most implementation issues resulted from technical difficulties experienced by participants, which were most prevalent on the first day. Acceptability ratings indicated high levels of engagement; relevance; interactivity; and satisfaction with the trainers, group processes, and virtual format. Participants commented on many positive aspects of the program, and some acknowledged the technical issues that occurred. Discussion: The results support the acceptability and feasibility of the job search intervention. The trainers successfully implemented the program via videoconferencing with adults with visual impairments and developed a positive group atmosphere with high social support. Implications for Practitioners: Our findings have implications for facilitating group interventions through videoconferencing, including strategies for building group cohesion and social support.
Beyond the presumption of monogamy: the role of religiosity, political conservatism and mononormativity in motivating opposition towards poly families / Más allá de la presunción de monogamia: el rol de la religiosidad, el conservadurismo político y la mononormatividad como motivadores de la oposición hacia las polifamilias
Authors: Grigoropoulos Iraklis
Published: March 2024

In light of the current discussion concerning poly families’ rights, this study examined the motivational underpinnings of opposition to poly families. Grounded on the theoretical line that institutional and ideological systems can legitimize the ostracism of stigmatized groups, the current exploratory research project examined the relationship between religiosity and opposition to poly families and whether this relationship is mediated by political positioning and mononormativity in a serial fashion. Specifically, Study 1 ( N = 277) examined the effect of religiosity on opposition towards polyamorous parents and whether the endorsement of conservative ideology and mononormativity would mediate this relationship. Study 2 ( N = 193) replicated the first study’s findings using a behavioural expression of negative stigma towards poly families’ rights. Study 1 showed that opposition towards poly families might be affected by religiosity and that the impact of religiosity is mediated by conservative ideology and mononormativity. Study 2 showed that religiosity could affect opposition to poly families’ rights through conservative ideology and mononormativity. This study provides evidence that the more religious participants are likely to express attitudinal and behavioural opposition towards poly families and that the more religious participants endorsed ideas based on conservative and mononormativity principles, the more they opposed poly families. The current exploratory study shows the relation between system-justifying ideological manifestations in prejudice towards poly families.
Inclusion of the partner in the self and its association with relational quality and quality of life: an analysis based on the actor-partner interdependence model / La inclusión de la pareja en el yo y su asociación con la calidad relacional y vital: un análisis basado en el modelo de interdependencia actor-pareja
Authors: Alonso-Ferres María , Sáez Gemma , Garrido-Macías Marta , Navarro-Carrillo Ginés , Serrano-Montilla Celia , Valor-Segura Inmaculada
Published: March 2024

When forming a relationship, people can to some extent include their partner’s resources, perspectives and identities in their own identity (i.e., inclusion of the other in the self, or IOS). In this study, which was conducted with 169 couples, we examine the association of three sources of IOS: (a) the IOS of one member of the relationship; (b) the IOS of their partner; and (c) the similarity of both partners’ IOS with indicators of relational quality (partner conflicts, satisfaction with the relationship and sexual satisfaction) and quality of life (life satisfaction and stress). Using a multilevel approach, the results showed that higher IOS was related to higher levels of relational quality in the person and their partner, and with higher levels of quality of life in the person but not in their partner. Likewise, couples showed a strong similarity in IOS, which was indicative of higher relational quality and quality of life. These results underscore the importance of analysing the (inter)personal mechanisms and their consequences at different levels (i.e., individual and couple).
Hidden diversity in the conservatoire: A qualitative enquiry into the experiences of higher education music students with disability
Authors: Thompson Grace , de Bruin Leon , Subiantoro Monica , Skinner Anthea
Published: March 2024

Students undertaking higher education music degrees represent a rich tapestry of experiences, cultures and needs. However, equity and inclusion issues related to music students with disability in higher education are frequently addressed in generic ways, and without consultation or consideration of their unique requirements. With limited research available, this qualitative study within an Australian Conservatorium of Music analysed the experiential and situated reflections of 18 music students with disability. Based on our reflexive thematic analysis, we propose that issues related to equity and inclusion for music students in higher education are multi-faceted and interrelated. By foregrounding the participants’ voice, the qualitative themes suggest that enhancements related to disclosure processes, quality of communication and reliability of resources, would fortify equity and inclusion. The findings span the need for reforms at the institutional level, as well as specific professional development for educators and awareness raising amongst the student cohort. Informed by the participants’ lived experience, the findings call for music educators, professional staff and institutional leaders to effectively apply features of inclusive, caring, professional practices so that music students with disability can thrive in higher education.
Green Transitions in Developing Countries: Perspectives on Women’s Political Leadership
Authors: Doan Nguyen , Doan Huong , Nguyen Canh Phuc
Published: March 2024

Green transition by reducing CO2 emissions and curtailing the exploitation of natural resources while increasing renewable energy use and generation is one of the most important targets in sustainable development. This study investigated the impacts of women’s empowerment in politics on the green transition in developing countries. We applied a fixed-effects model to the panel data for 131 developing countries from 2000 to 2019. Our findings indicated that higher levels of participation by women in politics are likely to reduce CO2 emissions and reliance on natural resources. However, there was no statistically significant effect of women’s political empowerment on renewable energy consumption. Women’s political participation enhanced the transition towards sustainable energy sources such as geothermal and wind energy. We also found that the effects of women’s political participation on CO2 emissions were greater in countries with better political stability, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, control of corruption, and voice and accountability. This study contributes to the growing literature in feminism and environmentalism on the achievement of sustainable development.

JEL Codes: J16, O13, P48
Breaking the silence: Examining process of cyber sextortion and victims’ coping strategies
Authors: Wang Fangzhou
Published: March 2024

Sextortion is the threat to distribute intimate, sexual materials unless a victim complies with particular demands. Cyber sextortion, specifically, takes advantage of the Internet’s anonymous nature and uses explicit personal images to inflict harm on victims. Despite this crime’s serious nature, there is a dearth of empirical knowledge of sextortion, particularly the process of fear management for the victims. This article employed a qualitative content analysis of the victim testimonials posted on the Reddit sextortion forum to explore the coping mechanisms of 175 cyber sextortion victims. Borrowed from the transactional model of stress and coping developed by Lazarus and Folkman, the characteristics of person–environment stimuli, ransom, appraisal and coping, revisit, and reappraisal were identified and revealed an extended model of fear and stress management applied particularly among sextortion victims. In addition, characteristics that are unique to female and male victims are also revealed in this analysis. In sum, the dynamic nature of fear and stress management among victims of sextortion implies specific crime control and prevention policies.
Effects of adipose-derived cell supplementation on tendon-bone healing in a rat model of chronic rotator cuff tear with suprascapular nerve injury
Authors: Eshima Kenichiro , Ohzono Hiroki , Gotoh Masafumi , Abe Ryunosuke , Nakamura Hidehiro , Mitsui Yasuhiro , Hiraoka Koji , Okawa Takahiro
Published: March 2024

Objective

To investigate the effect of adipose-derived cells (ADCs) on tendon-bone healing in a rat model of chronic rotator cuff tear (RCT) with suprascapular nerve (SN) injury.

Methods

Adult rats underwent right shoulder surgery whereby the supraspinatus was detached, and SN injury was induced. ADCs were cultured from the animals’ abdominal fat. At 6 weeks post-surgery, the animals underwent surgical tendon repair; the ADC (+ve) group (n = 18) received an ADC injection, and the ADC (−ve) group (n = 18) received a saline injection. Shoulders were harvested at 10, 14, and 18 weeks and underwent histological, fluorescent, and biomechanical analyses.

Results

In the ADC (+ve) group, a firm enthesis, including dense mature fibrocartilage and well-aligned cells, were observed in the bone-tendon junction and fatty infiltration was less than in the ADC (−ve) group. Mean maximum stress and linear stiffness was greater in the ADC (+ve) compared with the ADC (−ve) group at 18 weeks.

Conclusion

ADC supplementation showed a positive effect on tendon-bone healing in a rat model of chronic RCT with accompanying SN injury. Therefore, ADC injection may possibly accelerate recovery in massive RCT injuries.
Influence of Specimen Geometries on the Viscoelastic Properties of Bituminous Mixtures in Torsion
Authors: Sunny Greena Maria , Krishnan J. Murali
Published: March 2024

A standard test method for determining the linear viscoelastic properties of bituminous mixtures in torsion prescribes the use of a dynamic shear rheometer. The method uses a prismoidal specimen (rectangular cross section) sliced from a Superpave gyratory compacted sample. However, the geometry utilized in the standard is a non-axisymmetric cross section, which leads to the development of warping stress when the specimen is tested in torsion using a dynamic shear rheometer. On the other hand, axisymmetric geometry, such as cylinder (circular cross section), does not warp when subjected to torsion. This study investigates the influence of the two specimen geometries, namely prismoidal and cylindrical, on the linear viscoelastic properties of bituminous mixtures in torsion. The specimens are obtained from a bituminous mixture with a nominal maximum aggregate size of 13.2 mm, and statistical analysis is carried out to determine whether the material constitution in the specimen geometries is identical. A frequency sweep experiment is conducted at 10, 20, and 30°C with a constant strain amplitude of 0.001% in the frequency range of 0.01 Hz to 20 Hz. The absolute shear modulus of the prismoidal specimens is found to be higher than that of cylindrical specimens because of warping stresses in prismoidal specimens. It was seen that the effect of warping stress is greater at higher temperatures and lower frequencies. Correction factors are used to correct the absolute shear modulus of prismoidal specimens. These findings highlight the importance of considering correction factors for warping when characterizing prismoidal bituminous mixtures in torsion.
Relationship Between Sex-Specific Labor Market Performance and Breastfeeding Prevalence
Authors: Beltran-Silva Francisco , McInnis Nicardo
Published: March 2024

Background:

Prior research has explored the association between women’s employment status and breastfeeding at the individual level, however; a notable gap in scholarly inquiry exists regarding the relationship between labor market performance and breastfeeding at the population level.

Research Aim:

The aim of this paper is to investigate the association between labor market performance and breastfeeding prevalence in the United States.

Methods:

This study is a cross-sectional analysis of the association between labor market performance and the prevalence of breastfeeding. Our analysis is conducted at the state level using data published up to late 2021 from the Current Population Survey and the National Immunization Survey. The first dataset was used to construct aggregate and sex-specific state level indicators of labor market performance for both males and females. The second dataset supplied the proportion of mothers breastfeeding for the corresponding birth cohort from each state.

Results:

Higher average weekly hours worked by females in the year before giving birth was associated with a lower prevalence of breastfeeding, but employment rates among females did not significantly affect breastfeeding prevalence. Among males, current employment rates were positively associated with breastfeeding prevalence; however, no significant relationship was observed between breastfeeding prevalence and average weekly work hours worked.

Conclusion:

Sex-specific labor market performance may play a role in breastfeeding decisions and the timing of labor market performance relative to childbirth is important. Furthermore, these results highlight that employment rates and hours worked might be associated with child health through breastfeeding prevalence.
Investigation into the predicted performance of a cooling fan for an sCO2 concentrated solar power plant
Authors: Boshoff Francois D , van der Spuy Sybrand J , Pretorius Johannes P , Meyer Christiaan J
Published: March 2024

An axial flow fan is designed for dry cooling of a sCO2 Brayton cycle for a CSP plant, and a scaled model of the fan is manufactured and tested experimentally in an ISO 5801:2017 Type A fan test facility. While the design procedure’s estimate of the total-to-static efficiency at the design flow rate is relatively high, at 74.4%, the experimental fan efficiency was found to be only 50.6%. This paper details an investigation into the causes of fan performance degradation, using both experimental and numerical methods. The investigation finds that the hub configuration, tip clearance size, and scale of the test fan is responsible for the reduced performance. Two alternative hub and casing configurations are identified which improve the fan’s performance significantly.
The Two Sides of Crowdfunding Success: Attributes and Motivations of Backers and Entrepreneurs—Evidence from Israel
Authors: Nayer Dana , Rosenboim Mosi , Malul Miki
Published: March 2024

Using two studies of the same leading Israeli crowdfunding platform—‘Headstart’—various aspects of the fundraising method discussed in this article were explored. The first study identifies the factors that impact the amount of investment in crowdfunding projects. Using data from 517 backers who invested in ‘Headstart’ projects, direct correlations were established between the age of the backers, the minimum tangible reward levels, being friends or family of the entrepreneurs and the level of risk aversion with the investment amount. It is argued that these results are related to more extensive information being available to family and friends. Furthermore, the findings implicate that for different amounts of investment, different factors will have an impact. The second study seeks to identify the crowdfunding entrepreneurs’ unique characteristics that make some of them succeed in funding their projects more than others. According to the responses of 162 crowdfunding entrepreneurs to the ‘Big Five’ questionnaire, their agreeableness and extraversion have a positive impact on the success of campaign funding, but the impact is gender related. Neuroticism and conscientiousness are also factors. These studies contribute to the literature by using rare, first-hand information from entrepreneurs and backers to identify the internal and external factors that lead to success in crowdfunding.
ArcelorMittal Steel’s Essar Acquisition: A Long Legal Battle with Ramifications
Authors: Priyadarshani Priyanka , Ayyalusamy Kanagaraj
Published: March 2024

Essar Steel India Limited (ESIL) participated in an auction under the new Indian Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) of 2016 to recover outstanding dues totalling ₹545,470 million owed to financial lenders and operational creditors. The acquisition process, initiated in August 2017, concluded in December 2019, with ArcelorMittal paying ₹420,000 million. This marked the resolution of a prolonged two-year legal dispute. Essar’s case served as a significant milestone in the implementation of the IBC 2016, establishing legal precedents such as the non-interference principle regarding commercial decisions made by the Committee of Creditors by the National Company Law Tribunal. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal and the introduction of Section 29A were additional developments. The case aims to assess the motivations behind ArcelorMittal’s acquisition of ESIL, evaluate the appropriateness of ArcelorMittal’s approach and examine the impact of the protracted legal battle spanning two years on the deal.
The Playing Motivations of Male and Female Gamers and the Effects of Stereotypes on Their Motivations in Honor of Kings
Authors: Li Chunqi , Fryer Luke K. , Shum Alex
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Honor of Kings (HoK) is one of the most popular mobile games worldwide. To understand why players actively engage with digital games, it is essential to focus on their gaming motivations. However, no previous studies were found to have investigated the kinds and depth of players’ motivations in this game. Moreover, the empirical research concerning the impact of stereotype threat and lift on players’ motivations is scant. Thus, this pre-registered study aims to examine male and female players’ gaming motivations in Honor of Kings and the effects of stereotypes on players’ motivations.

Methods

This study utilized Yee et al. (2012)’s motivational model. A 2 × 3 MANCOVA was performed for the outcome variables of achievement, social, and immersion motivations; with gender and stereotype activation (no activation, female, and male threat activation) as independent variables; and with age and gaming time as covariates (n = 421).

Results

Contrary to prevalent perceptions, the results suggested females had higher achievement and immersion motivations, but lower social motivation than males in Honor of Kings. Unexpectedly, only females’ immersion motivation was impaired under stereotype threat, and females demonstrated lower social motivation under stereotype lift. However, males were not affected by either stereotype threat or stereotype lift.

Discussion

The results suggest that caution is needed for the assumption that male gamers are more achievement-oriented and females are more social-oriented because their motivations may vary depending on game genres. This study also found unexpected effects of stereotype threat and lift. Future research should further explore how to implement stereotype activation effectively to promote gender equality in gaming. Notably, this study only recruited participants from China due to the restrictions of recruitment channels. Future researchers are highly recommended to examine whether there are cross-cultural differences in the findings of this study.
The Toxic Stress of Racism and Its Relationship to Frailty
Authors: Graham Julie-Kathryn , Jenkins Danisha , Iris Kalie , Knudsen Morgan , Kelley Christina
Published: March 2024

Significant morbidity and mortality from COVID-19-related illnesses have been observed among people of color within the United States. While theories involving healthcare inequity and political division have emerged to explain this observation, the role of chronic stress and inflammation is also being explored. Toxic stress is experienced disproportionately by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status and increases frailty and vulnerability to diseases such as COVID-19. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a biomarker associated with the inflammatory response that is typically elevated due to exposure to acute or chronic traumatic stress, as well as COVID-19. This study explored the relationship between CRP and Hispanic/non-Hispanic ethnicity among adults hospitalized with COVID-19 via a secondary analysis of retrospective electronic health record (EHR) data collected from a community healthcare system in Southern California. A total of 1,744 cases representing hospitalized adults with COVID-19 were reviewed. Data were extracted from the EHR to reflect demographics, medical diagnoses, medications, CRP, and comorbidity burden. Frequencies, percentages, and measures of central tendency were assessed to understand the distribution of data. Associations were conducted using Pearson’s r and the chi-square test of independence. Differences between groups were examined via independent samples t-tests. The sample was 52% Hispanic, 56% male, and the mean age was 62 years ( SD = 16.1). The mean age of Hispanic cases was younger than non-Hispanic cases ( p < .001, η = 0.289). Serum CRP was significantly higher in the Hispanic cases, with a high degree of association ( p < .001, η = 0.472). In addition, higher CRP levels were significantly associated with the need for mechanical ventilation ( p < .001, φc = 0.216). No significant relationships were found between CRP and age, body mass index (BMI), or comorbidity burden. Findings challenge the assumption that the disproportionate morbidity and mortality suffered by the Hispanic population due to COVID-19 was due to age, BMI, or comorbidities such as metabolic syndrome or heart disease. CRP in the Hispanic population should be further investigated to understand its relationship to chronic stress, frailty, and risk for COVID-19 in this population.