bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Human Activities” and Climate Justice: Reframing Media Narratives on Climate Change Mitigation Efforts Towards Africa
Authors: Lusike Mukhongo L.
Published: July 2024

The study delved into media framing of climate change narratives and mitigation efforts towards Africa. The study selected 30 newspaper articles published between June 2021 to December 2021. Content analysis was used to analyze the framing of climate change narratives against a framework of decolonizing media narratives on climate change. It further discussed climate justice and detailed how communities most impacted by climate change are the least contributors to climate change. The study was guided by the following questions: (a) Who are the humans in the “human activities” in the climate change media narratives? (b) What harms are caused by climate change, and how can those who have created the most harm be called to bear the cost of fixing or making significant amendments? (c) How can the media frame climate change mitigation efforts in a fair, just, and equitable approach?
Navigating Skepticism: Cognitive Insights and Bayesian Rationality in Pinillos’ Why We Doubt
Authors: Gonnerman Chad , Waterman John Philip
Published: July 2024

Pinillos’ Why We Doubt presents a powerful critique of such global skeptical assertions as “I don’t know I am not a brain-in-a-vat (biv)” by introducing a cognitive mechanism that is sensitive to error possibilities and a Bayesian rule of rationality that this mechanism is designed to approximate. This multifaceted argument offers a novel counter to global skepticism, contending that our basis for believing such premises is underminable. In this work, we engage with Pinillos’ adoption of Bayesianism, questioning whether the Bayesian principle that he invokes truly does fail to generate the verdict that we don’t we aren’t biv s, contrary to what Pinillos asserts. Furthermore, we argue that Pinillos’ empirical argument is not empirical enough; we need a lot more empirical work if we are going to counter global skepticism and win over neutral bystanders.
Submarine Communication Cables and Belligerent Rights in Armed Conflict
Authors: Ryan Sophie
Published: July 2024

This article takes up the significant yet understudied issue of belligerent rights regarding submarine communication cables in armed conflict. The article takes up three key questions that have persistently evaded clarity. First, what actually is the law applicable to cables in wartime? Second, how is this law to be applied in practice? And third, is it fit for purpose? The article concludes that, as a matter of lex lata, no lex specialis rules have emerged specific to the protection of submarine cables in armed conflict, either in treaty or customary international law. However, this does not MEAn that belligerents are free to target submarine cables in times of armed conflict. Instead, important international law constraints are to be found in general IHL principles, the law of neutrality, and law of the sea protections that persist in times of armed conflict. Applied to the technical configurations of submarine cables as currently deployed and used, it is far from clear that these rules and principles permit the targeting of submarine cables in wartime.
The Numerus Clausus and the Governance of Property Law: A Comparative Approach to German, English and American Legal Reasoning
Authors: Vargas Weil Ernesto
Published: July 2024

Relying on a micro-comparative analysis, mainstream comparative scholarship tends to be of the view that most modern legal systems place limits on both the number and the content of the property rights private parties can create. This paper takes a different angle, arguing that such conclusion, although correct and meaningful, is essentially incomplete, as it does not take account of the implications this ‘numerus clausus principle’ has for the institutional governance of legal systems. Adopting a macro-comparative approach, the paper analyses this principle from the perspective of its impact on the role of courts and their legal reasoning in modern Germany, England and the US. It concludes that the numerus clausus principle has materially different ‘systemic effects’ in each of these jurisdictions and that this has important implications both for the understanding of the principle and the development of property law more broadly.
The potential of 3D food printing to promote the circular insect supply chain in achieving sustainable development goals
Authors: Chaimung C. , Liou S.
Published: July 2024

Edible insects have gained increasing interest in circular economy research due to their potential as sustainable alternative protein sources and waste managers, which can initiate circular systems; however, challenges exist to closing the loops of insect supply chains, leading to a broader failure to attain sustainable development goals (SDGs). The potential of 3D food printing (3DFP) aligns with circular economy principles; thus, it can be used to promote the development of a circular economy and contribute to the SDGs. As such, its efficiency should be further investigated, specifically in circular insect supply chains (CISCs), to fill a gap in the current literature. We present a narrative review of the extant research to understand how 3DFP can promote the CISCs and help achieve the SDGs. The findings are clearly articulated based on themes of the SDGs: people, prosperity, planet and partnership. Our results confirm that 3DFP promotes the CISCs and can contribute to achieving the SDGs as follows: people by enhancing food security (SDG 1, 2 and 3), prosperity by promoting economic growth (SDG 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12), planet by reducing environmental impacts (SDG 13) and partnership by fostering interdisciplinary collaborations (SDG 17). These findings offer researchers valuable insights that can shape potential development pathways and future research directions. Utilising the potential of 3DFP, stakeholders can drive sustainable development efforts.
Batch-to batch variation in nutrient digestibility of black soldier fly larvae meals in rainbow trout
Authors: Bellezza Oddon S. , Biasato I. , Caimi C. , Belghit I. , Radhakrishnan G. , Gasco L.
Published: July 2024

The aim of this study was to evaluate the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of four batches of black soldier fly (BSF) meal, named BSF1, BSF2, BSF3 and BSF3, produced by the same company over one year, in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). To assess nutrients and amino acids ADCs, each insect meal was mixed with a high-quality reference diet in a 30:70 ratio on as is basis, including celite as inert marker, and pelleted. The reference diet was also used as control. The ADCs were calculated based on the data collected and determined during an in vivo experiment. A total of 240 fish were randomly divided into 250-L cylindroconical tanks supplied in flow-through open and Choubert systems (3 replicates/treatment). Data were analysed by One-Way ANOVA (SPSS V20.0.0.; ). Globally, the four BSF meals showed a high ADC value, between 82.6 and 100%. No statistically significant differences were observed in the ADCs of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and gross energy, while some differences were observed in the amino acid profile (). Generally, fish fed on BSF1 displayed reduced digestibility for histidine, isoleucine, leucine, valine, alanine, proline, and glycine compared to BSF2 and BSF4 meals (), while the BSF3 group showed intermediate results (). Despite the good digestibility of nutrients for all the insect mealsthe implementation of standardized production is important to have a standardize BSF meal capable of meeting market demands.
Black soldier fly larvae efficiently bioconvert the organic fraction of municipal solid waste thanks to the functional plasticity of their midgut
Authors: Bruno D. , Bonelli M. , Valoroso M.C. , Roma D. , Montali A. , Pellegrino M.G. , Marzari M. , Caccia S. , Tettamanti G. , Casartelli M.
Published: July 2024

The saprophagous larvae of Hermetia illucens show promising potential as effective agents for bioconverting organic waste and by-products into valuable biomass. Their capability to efficiently transform organic substrates, varying in nutrient content, origin, texture, and moisture, is strictly correlated with the morphofunctional complexity of their digestive system and the associated microbiota. In addition, post-ingestion mechanisms are set in motion to regulate the midgut activity depending on the feeding substrate, thus ensuring the nutritional requirements of the larvae. This study aims to assess the capability of H. illucens larvae to grow and biotransform the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). In particular, the larvae were reared on substrates mimicking the OFMSW with different nutrient content, and their growth and bioconversion performance, as well as the quality of larval and pupal biomass were evaluated. Our results demonstrate that the nutritional composition of the rearing substrates had minimal impact on the efficiency of the bioconversion process and on the protein, lipid, and chitin content of the insect biomass. This was due to a fine transcriptional regulation of genes encoding enzymes involved in protein, polysaccharide, and lipid digestion in midgut cells. As a consequence, larvae reared on OFMSW with the lowest protein, starch, and lipid content exhibited a significant increase in protease, amylase, and lipase activities. Overall, this study highlights the value of H. illucens larvae in valorising the OFMSW, demonstrating that variations in its composition do not significantly affect the quality of the bioconversion process. These findings hold significant practical implications as current strategies for OFMSW treatment remain unsatisfactory and innovative approaches are needed to enhance bio-waste recycling and reduce the environmental impact of waste management.
Effect of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) supplement on the growth characteristics and larval metabolism of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.)
Authors: Kannan M. , Vitenberg T. , Schweitzer R. , Khatib S. , Opatovsky I.
Published: July 2024

The black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens. L (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), is often harnessed to transform organic waste into nutrient-rich larval biomass, providing an alternative animal feed in the aquaculture industry. In Israel, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a common ornamental plant in gardens that also demonstrates insecticidal and repellent properties and medicinal value. This study focuses on utilizing rosemary waste to produce nutrient-enriched BSF larvae for animal feed and potential medical applications. We evaluated BSF larval survivability, adult emergence and metabolomics following supplementation with different percentages of rosemary leaves (4%, 15%, and 20%, relative to 25 g of the total Gainesville diet). Surprisingly, we observed 95-99.6% larval survivability in the rosemary treatments, comparable to the control. Larval body weight slightly decreased by 4%, 12%, and 20%, respectively, measured as 219 ± 3 mg, 220 ± 3 mg, and 219 ± 4 mg, respectively, compared to the control (249 ± 5 mg) (x̄ ± SE; ). There was a significant difference in adult emergence at 10 days from larval addition (), but no difference after 16 days (). Metabolomics analysis unveiled the over-accumulation of metabolites in BSF larvae after rosemary supplementation linked to aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, butanoate metabolism, and arginine and proline metabolism. Conversely, purine metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, and pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis were down-accumulated. Rosemary supplementation also led to the over-accumulation of antioxidant metabolites (rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, and caffeic acid), suggesting that including rosemary powder in organic compost slightly reduced larval body weight but shortened adult developmental time and enhancing the nutritional value of BSF larvae. However, further molecular studies are necessary to understand BSF resistance and other biochemical changes resulting from rosemary inclusion in their diet.
Costa Rica’s potential for entotechnology development: an ecosystem and entomophagy perspective
Authors: López-Almonte O.H. , Hernández-Simón L.M. , Aguilar-Guggembuhl J.
Published: July 2024

Entotechnology integrates scientific and technical knowledge to leverage the potential of insects for societal benefit, encompassing fields such as medicine, agriculture, food, and biotechnology. This article aims to assess and promote the potential of Costa Rica to develop entotechnology from an ecosystem and entomophagy perspective, including an updated list of edible insect species in the region. Costa Rica boasts a biodiversity of 48 edible insect species. To date, two notable projects by the Universidad de Costa Rica have been successfully implemented. However, the current legislation in Costa Rica needs to provide better conditions to foster industrial insect farming within a circular economy. Universities play a crucial role in encouraging the formalization and appreciation of insect rearing, entomophagy, and entotechnology studies. Prioritizing the exploration of new uses for edible insect species is essential for the advancement of this field.
Cross-cultural comparison of the acceptance of insects as food among young adults in Malaysia and Japan
Authors: Lim S.M. , Ng Y.L. , Kagawa M. , Wong J.E. , Shinde M. , Tochinai F. , Poh B.K.
Published: July 2024

The growing world population raises concerns about food security, with increasing demand for animal protein often impacting scarce resources like land, water and energy. Edible insects have been proposed as an alternative protein source to address this issue. The study aimed to compare acceptance of insects as food and its association with food neophobia among young adults in Malaysia and Japan. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1954 subjects, comprising 1,071 Malaysians and 883 Japanese young adults. Subjects completed an online questionnaire on sociodemography, Food Neophobia Scale, and acceptance of insects as food. Chi-square, Wilcoxon signed rank post-hoc and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis. Only 9.2% were willing to eat insects as food and 6.5% were ready to adopt eating insects in daily life. A higher proportion of Malaysians (10.5%) was willing to accept insects as food than Japanese (7.6%, ). However, Japanese (9.5%) were more ready to adopt eating insects in daily life than Malaysians (3.9%, ). Most subjects in both countries were in the neutral category of food neophobia, with no significant difference between countries. In Malaysia, the main reason for willingness to eat insects was food safety (11.5%), while in Japan it was caloric and nutritional value (17.8%). The main reason for unwillingness to eat insects in both countries was appearance (Malaysia: 17.1%; Japan: 27.9%). There was a significant association () between the acceptance of insects as food and the category of food neophobia, with lower acceptance associated with higher neophobia or vice versa. In conclusion, the acceptance of insects as food is low among young adults in Malaysia and Japan. A strategic marketing approach tailored to the reasons for acceptance could effectively promote entomophagy in both countries. Further studies should focus on transforming insects into more palatable forms.
Upholding Sovereignty and Constitutional Mandates: The Philippine Supreme Court’s Ruling on the Tripartite Agreement for Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking in the South China Sea
Authors: Bautista Lowell
Published: July 2024

This article examines the Philippine Supreme Court’s landmark ruling declaring the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (jmsu) unconstitutional, emphasizing its implications for Philippine foreign policy and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The jmsu, an agreement between China, Vietnam, and the Philippines for joint exploration in a contested maritime area, was challenged for contravening the Philippine Constitution’s provisions on national sovereignty over natural resources. The decision reaffirms the Philippines’ sovereign rights and sets a legal precedent emphasizing the primacy of the Philippine Constitution in international agreements on natural resource exploration. This article discusses the decision’s significant impact on Philippine foreign policy, the ongoing territorial and maritime disputes in the South China Sea, and its wider relevance to diplomacy and international law. The ruling marks a critical affirmation of Philippine sovereignty and adherence to legal norms, shaping the country’s future diplomatic relations and stressing the importance of constitutional fidelity in international agreements, especially within the contentious South China Sea areas.
asean Legal Framework for Cooperation against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (iuu): Significance, Challenges and Proposed Solutions
Authors: Tran Long Thang
Published: July 2024

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (iuu) fishing is an act that is provided for in many international legal instruments, causing enormous impacts on biodiversity and the environment, sustainable development as well as entailing serious economic impacts. For that reason, the European Union has taken strict action against fishing vessels and iuu-supporting countries through the mechanism of “yellow card”, and even “red card” on aquatic products imported into the EU, based on meeting EU standards for iuu fishing. Not only Vietnam but many countries in asean have also been sanctioned by such cards from the European Union (EU). Not only has this measure greatly impacted each country’s export industry, but it also harms asean as a whole. Establishing and developing an asean cooperation mechanism for combating iuu fishing is meaningful in that context. The article stresses on the importance of a legal framework for combating iuu fishing in asean; and discusses the challenges to developing such a framework. Finally, the article proposes solutions to realize asean’s cooperation model.
The Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty: Opportunities and Controversies
Authors: Schofield Clive , Anggadi Frances
Published: July 2024

The Prime Ministers of Australia and Tuvalu signed an agreement creating the Australia-Tuvalu Faelepili Union on 9 November 2023. The agreement commits both States to a closer relationship and includes important provisions related to climate cooperation and security. As a small, low-elevation island State, climate change is recognised as Tuvalu’s primary national security concern. Through the agreement, Australia commits to Tuvalu’s continued sovereignty notwithstanding climate change-related impacts and to create a special human mobility pathway for Tuvaluan citizens to move to Australia. The agreement also provides that Tuvalu will mutually agree with Australia any arrangement with any other State or entity on security and defence-related matters. This is in keeping with Australia’s treaty arrangements with other neighbours in the Pacific region and has been seen as a counterweight to China’s growing presence in the region.
Sustainability of the Model Production Sharing Contract 2023 in Bangladesh: An Historical Analysis
Authors: Hosen Muhammad Farhad
Published: July 2024

The significance of the Production Sharing Contract (psc) for the onshore and offshore extraction of petroleum resources from Bangladesh’s sovereign territory has grown in recent years due to maritime delimitations among its neighbouring countries. To ensure the long-term investment, social well-being, economic growth, and energy stability of the country, the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) has introduced the Model Offshore Production Sharing Contract (psc)-2023. This article aims to provide an analysis of the Model psc-2023. Through a thorough examination of the Model psc-2023, it will address any existing loopholes and provide recommendations for its improvement. This article will be instrumental in launching the future development of the offshore model offshore production sharing contract.
Signed, Sealed, but Not Delivered: the Credibility of Nigeria’s Climate Change Act 2021 in Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change in Nigeria
Authors: Okara Goodtime Chimnecherem , Innocent Ruth
Published: July 2024

Under the Paris Agreement, parties are required to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC s). Many countries have enacted domestic climate legislation that promote the implementation of these NDC s. This article investigates what climate legislation should include to enable countries to better achieve the Paris Agreement’s climate change adaptation and mitigation goals. It critically analyses Nigeria’s Climate Change Act (CCA) 2021 to determine the extent to which it can address climate change in Nigeria. Considering the peculiarities of Nigeria, the article compares the CCA with the UK Climate Change Act 2008. It also compares the Petroleum Industry Act as a piece of climate-related legislation with the CCA’s objective in respect of gas flaring. The article argues that considering Nigeria’s circumstances, it is unlikely that it will be able to achieve its climate target under the NDC s and the CCA. This article therefore attempts to foreshadow the likely path forward.
Constructing Moral Governance in China Today: The Law‒Morality‒Self-Governance Connection
Authors: Trevaskes Susan
Published: July 2024

This paper asks how moral governance [dezhi 德治] infrastructure has expanded under Xi Jinping. The Xi leadership has designed this expansion by framing moral governance activity within what it calls the Three Governances (law-based governance, moral governance and self-governance), which, in turn sits under the Chinese Communist Party Political-Legal Committee’s social governance regime. Moral governance has expanded as part of the Xi leadership’s efforts to enhance the Party’s governance capacity-building in the area of social governance in three main ways: through ideology, social governance plans, and community engagement. The Party has broadened the boundaries of what elements of social relations it considers risky or capable of inducing social disorder, and in so doing, it has broadened the boundaries of its response to its own perceived expansion of risks. The Party has integrated moral governance into its overall comprehensive social governance ambitions to enhance its capacity to securitize the grassroots, which is the Xi leadership’s number one governance priority.
Do Different Types of Right-Wing Populism Reflect Different Types of Right-Wing Populist Voter Bases?
Authors: Stockemer Daniel , Arhin Kofi
Published: July 2024

In this article, we compare the voter profile of Trump, Erdogan and Bolsonaro voters to decipher if the voter profile for any of the three leaders matches their type of right-wing populism. Through original survey research in the US, Brazil and Turkey conducted in October 2021 with 1000 participants in each country, we find support for this proposition; that is, the voter profile for any of the three presidents is distinct with the exception that voters of all three populists are morally conservative in terms of their views on homosexuality and abortion. Trump voters tend to be ethnically driven and reject minorities. For Bolsonaro voters, moral conservativism and their increased age are their main features. Finally, the Erdogan voter is culturally motivated rather than ethnically motivated and younger.
Historical Wooden Ceilings in Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Austria
Authors: Lichtenschopf Alfred , Buchinger Günther , Wächter Elisabeth , Grabner Michael
Published: July 2024

Wooden ceilings were among the earliest wooden constructions in wooden houses, and stone and brick buildings. In Austria, a special type of wooden ceiling is known as the Riemenbalkendecke. In Waidhofen, in the Ybbs region, these constructions are decorated with chip carvings, year numbers, and letters. There has been no systematic study on this type of ceiling in Austria. In this study, all houses in Waidhofen an der Ybbs built before 1900 were surveyed, and their ceiling constructions described. Riemenbalkendecken decorated with chip carvings and moldings appeared in 1465 CE and lasted for almost 300 years. The number of carved years was verified using dendrochronological dating. Different chip carving patterns were identified. The letters on ten ceilings can be attributed to the initials of the house owners at the time the ceiling was installed. None of the chip carvings can be attributed to ornaments that were common at the time. The art of the chip carvings on the wooden ceilings represents a special language of form.
Irish Evangelicals, Keswick Spirituality, and the Formation of the Egypt General Mission, 1898–1907
Authors: Randall Ian
Published: July 2024

This article tells the story of the Egypt General Mission, which originated in 1898, up to 1907. It uses the relatively few published accounts, and various documents held in the Cambridge Centre for Christianity Worldwide. It looks in some detail at the coming together, to a large extent in Belfast, Ireland, of those who were to form the initial group. They had experienced evangelical conversion and the holiness spirituality of the annual Keswick Convention was a powerful influence on this group. Seven young men, forming the Egypt Mission Band (as it was called at first), embarked on the mission venture in Egypt. There they worked with others and established small but significant communities of witness. This study looks at their varied experiences and argues, from evidence presented, for the crucial influence of Keswick as a motivator for mission of an interdenominational nature in the case of the Egypt General Mission.
Maritime Boundaries after Delimitation
Authors: Papanicolopulu Irini
Published: July 2024

Legal scholars who have researched delimitation of maritime boundaries have generally restricted their inquiry to the stage leading to the drawing of the line and its incorporation into a treaty or judicial decision. This approach, however, cannot account for the fact that, sometimes, treaties and decisions will not be applied and may be contested by one or both parties to the boundary dispute. This article starts an inquiry into maritime boundaries after delimitation, examining the rules that may apply and drawing conclusions not only on the need to develop further rules addressing consequent stages, but also to probably think again the existing rules concerning the previous stages.
Economic Sanctions Against Individuals and Human Rights Law
Authors: Bílková Veronika
Published: July 2024

The paper discusses human rights implications of economic sanctions against individuals, typically asset freezing. It shows that it is now largely accepted that states (and the EU), when implementing sanctions imposed by other actors (the UN) remain responsible for the compatibility of the implementing measures with human rights and that individuals targeted by sanctions are within their jurisdiction. The paper also demonstrates that economic sanctions against individuals may violate certain procedural rights, mainly the right to be heard and the right to effective remedies. Finally it argues that although sanctions could also interfere with substantive human rights, such as the right to property or the right to privacy, (quasi)judicial bodies have been reluctant to discuss their effects on these rights.
The genus Hoplandrothrips and its relatives (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) from Southeast Asia and Taiwan
Authors: OKAJIMA SHÛJI , MASUMOTO MASAMI
Published: July 2024

Three fungus-feeding phlaeothripine genera included in the Phlaeothrips-lineage, Ecacanthothrips, Hoplandrothrips and Phlaeothrips, are studied taxonomically from Southeast Asia and Taiwan. Ten Ecacanthothrips species are recognised, in which one species is newly described from Bali Is., Indonesia: E. brevicornis sp. n. Seventeen Hoplandrothrips species are recognised, of which 13 species are newly described from Southeast Asia and Taiwan, and one newly recorded species is transferred from Tylothrips: H. adoraneoides sp. n., H. aseanae sp. n., H. asianus sp. n., H. basantratus sp. n., H. coloratus Okajima, H. flavicornis sp. n., H. flavus Bagnall, H. floresi sp. n., H. formosae sp. n., H. graminicola, sp. n., H. laurencei sp. n., H. obesametae Chen, H. quinqueconus sp. n., H. samirseni (Varatharajan, Singh & Bala) comb. n., H. sapae sp. n., H. sulawesi sp. n. and H. thailandicus sp. n. Two Phlaeothrips species are newly described from northern Vietnam: P. annamensis sp. n. and P. tonkinensis sp. n. One African species transferred to Hoplandrothrips from Malacothrips: H. natalensis (Trybom) comb. n. The generic definitions and relationships of these three genera together with Malacothrips are discussed. Three illustrated keys are provided for 12 Ecacanthothrips species, 17 Hoplandrothrips species from Southeast Asia and Taiwan, and two Phlaeothrips species from Vietnam.
Understanding Child Marriage Among Girls in Nigeria: A Focus on Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State
Authors: Ahoo Terhile
Published: July 2024

The right of choice in marriage is universal and it is enshrined in international human rights instruments. Yet, many girls under 18 years enter into marriage without a chance to exercise that right. This has proved problematic as the situation often results in negative outcomes including school drop-out, pregnancy risks, diseases and sexually transmitted infections, unhappiness, and even death. This study therefore examined the factors influencing child marriage among girls in Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. It specifically investigated the cultural and sociodemographic factors influencing child marriage among girls in the study area. The ethno-cultural theory of pedogamy guided the study. The mixed method research design was employed with structured questionnaire and key informant interviews utilized in the collection of data. Data was retrieved from 183 respondents, and it was analyzed using quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study hypothesis was tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Results from the study showed that the practice of arranged marriage and beliefs that marriage brings honour to a girl and her family contributes to child marriage. Also, ignorance of fundamental human rights among girls and peer influence, as well as financial difficulties in families, illiteracy among parents and weak enforcement of legal sanctions against child marriage contributes to the practice of child marriage. The study recommends, among others, promotion of education and awareness programme that challenge cultural beliefs that perpetuate child marriage, and implementation of interventions that address poverty in Nasarawa Eggon LGA.
A Mathematical Model for the Co-infection Dynamics of Pneumocystis Pneumonia and HIV/AIDS with Treatment
Authors: Byamukama Michael , Kajunguri Damian , Karuhanga Martin
Published: July 2024

The control of opportunistic infections among HIV infected individuals should be one of the major public health concerns in reducing mortality rate of individuals living with HIV/AIDS. In this study a deterministic co-infection mathematical model is developed to provide a quantification of treatment at each contagious stage against Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP) among HIV infected individuals on ART. The goal is to minimize the co-infection burden by putting the curable PCP under control. The disease-free equilibria for the HIV/AIDS sub-model, PCP sub-model and the co-infection model are shown to be locally asymptotically stable when their associated disease threshold parameter is less than a unity. By use of suitable Lyapunov functions, the endemic equilibria corresponding to HIV/AIDS and PCP sub-models are globally asymptotically stable whenever the HIV/AIDS related basic reproduction number R0H and the PCP related reproduction number R0P are respectively greater than a unity. The sensitivity analysis results implicate that the effective contact rates are the main mechanisms fueling the proliferation of the two diseases and on the other hand treatment efforts play an important role in reducing the incidence. The model numerical results reveal that PCP carriers have a considerable contribution in the transmission dynamics of PCP. Furthermore, treatment of PCP at all contagious phases significantly reduces the burden with HIV/AIDS and PCP co-infection.
Impact of Assimilating Uncrewed Aircraft System Observations on River Valley Fog Prediction
Authors: Pinto James O. , Bailey Sean C. C. , Fossell Kathryn R. , Binau Seth , Xu Mei , Kay Junkyung , Nolin Ryan D. , Vezzi Christina N. , Smith Suzanne W. , Lave Joshua , Colavito Jenny , Wilson Matthew B. , Weckwerth Tammy M.
Published: July 2024

The impact of assimilating targeted uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) observations on the prediction of radiation and river valley fog is assessed using observing system experiments (OSEs). Two multirotor UASs were deployed during Frequent in situ Observations above Ground for Modeling and Advanced Prediction of fog (FOGMAP) which took place during the summer of 2022 in northern Kentucky. Targeted UAS missions were flown to sample the spatiotemporal variability of temperature and moisture in the vicinity of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. During each mission, the UAS performed near-continuous profiling at two locations between the surface to 120 m AGL throughout the night. Data denial experiments were performed using the ensemble adjustment Kalman filter available in NSF NCAR’s Data Assimilation Research Testbed (DART) to determine the impact of assimilating UAS observations on the skill of analyses and forecasts issued during potential fog events. Simulations that only assimilated conventional observations tended to have a dry bias in the analyses and forecasts. The dry bias in the analyses was reduced in experiments that assimilated UAS observations leading to improved probabilistic predictions of fog. Sensitivity tests revealed that the ensemble mean analyses were improved when assimilating UAS observations of specific humidity rather than relative humidity (RH) due to the existence of a cold bias near the surface and the negative covariance between RH and temperature. It was also found that either the assumed observation error variance of (1 g kg−1)2 or the ensemble spread of the background specific humidity was too large since their sum tended to overestimate the root-mean-square error (RMSE) of the predicted ensemble mean values.
Community-Driven Brakes on Violent Extremism: The Case of Non-Radicalization of the Czech Romani Minority
Authors: Kocmanová Markéta , Marcol Michael
Published: July 2024

This paper introduces intra-community brakes on domestic violent extremism within the Czech Romani minority. We discuss how the community’s ties to nonviolent networks, approach to ideology, and family attachment worked against manifestations of violent extremism during three major episodes of political violence affecting the Romani in Czechia. The study draws on extensive empirical data gathered through ethnographic and netnographic methods and analytical tools provided by constructivist grounded theory for data analysis. Our work aims to contribute to the growing body of scholarship on the role of protective factors in preventing engagement in extreme forms of political violence. It would also like to encourage scholarly debate on the notion of marginalized groups as active agents maintaining security within their own communities.
Integration of improved APF and RRT algorithms for enhanced path planning in mobile robotics
Authors: Liangwu Yu , Jianggui Han , Boweng Ma , Bao Liu , Zhiying He
Published: July 2024

In the process of path planning for mobile robots, situations occur such as local optimal solutions and failure to reach the target point when the traditional Artificial Potential Field (APF) method is used independently for path search; When the traditional Rapidly-exploring Random Tree method (RRT) is used independently for path search, the generated random path tree has multiple branching branches, thereby resulting in high time and distance costs. In response to the above issues, it’s attempted that the two methods were integrated and compensated for each other’s shortcomings. Firstly, the mathematical model of the traditional APF algorithm was improved to solve the problems of unbalanced force and unreachable targets. Secondly, the improved APF was established in the RRT algorithm space by the guide of geometric probability model, and APF contributed to enhancing the target directionality of RRT. Simulation experiments had shown that the fusion algorithm had significant advantages in path length and runtime.
Suicidal ideation in male UK military personnel who sustained a physical combat injury in Afghanistan and the mediating role of leaving service: The ADVANCE cohort study
Authors: Dyball Daniel , Williamson Charlotte , Bennett Alexander N , Schofield Susie , Boos Christopher J , Bull Anthony MJ , Cullinan Paul , Fear Nicola T
Published: July 2024

Background/aims:

Suicidal Ideation (SI) is a risk factor for suicide, a leading cause of death amongst young men globally. In this study we assess whether sustaining a serious physical combat injury is associated with SI and whether leaving service mediates this association.

Methods:

We analysed data from male UK Armed Forces personnel who sustained a combat injury in Afghanistan and a frequency-matched comparison group who did not sustain such an injury (the ADVANCE cohort). SI was measured from the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item ‘thoughts that you would be better off dead or of hurting yourself in some way’.

Results:

Approximately, 11.9% ( n = 61) of the uninjured group, 15.3% ( n = 83) of the overall injured group, 8.5% ( n = 13) of an Amputation injury (AI) subgroup and 17.6% ( n = 70) of a Non-Amputation Injury (NAI) subgroup reported SI in the past 2 weeks. The NAI subgroup reported greater likelihood of SI (Relative Risk Ratio (RR) = 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.04, 2.00]) compared to the comparison group, whereas the overall injured group (RR = 1.23, 95% CI [0.90, 1.68]) and AI subgroup (RR = 0.65, 95% CI [0.36, 1.18]) did not. Leaving service fully mediated the association between sustaining a NAI and SI (natural direct effect RR = 1.08, 95% CI [0.69, 1.69]).

Conclusions:

UK military personnel with NAI reported significantly higher rates of SI compared to demographically similar uninjured personnel, while those who sustained AIs reported no significant difference. Leaving service was associated with greater rates of SI for both injured and uninjured personnel and fully mediated the association between sustaining a NAI and SI.
Influence of prior contact with community mental health services on first inpatient psychiatric admission for ethnic minorities: Findings from the NOMIAC study
Authors: Carrà Giuseppe , Bartoli Francesco , Moretti Federico , Villa Oliviero , Camera Paolo , Crocamo Cristina ,   NOMIAC Investigators
Published: July 2024

Background:

Research has extensively documented inequalities in inpatient psychiatric care provided to people of minoritized ethnic groups. Nonetheless, the role of their previous engagement with community mental health care has been little studied.

Aims:

We aimed at exploring whether previous clinical care can influence key domains of subsequent psychiatric inpatient care for people of ethnic minorities.

Methods:

We identified patients with a first hospital admission between 2016 and 2022, from a representative, highly diverse, catchment area of Northern Italy, using electronic health data of the NOMIAC study. We aimed at testing the impact of clinical care prior to admission on indicators of poor inpatient care, as identified by a participatory expert panel, that is, compulsory admission, insufficient length of stay, administration of Long-Acting Antipsychotics (LAI) during the last 7 days before discharge. Multiple regression models, predicted and counterfactual proportions and path analyses from generalized structural equations modeling were used to explore the association between belonging to ethnic minorities and these indicators.

Results:

Among 1,524 participants, 18% were from minoritized ethnic groups. While these were more likely to experience an involuntary admission, regardless of previous care received, they were offered appropriate length of stay if had previous engagement with community mental health care. Both belonging to ethnic minorities and mental health care prior-to-admission were independently associated with early LAI administration.

Conclusions:

Several ethnic inequalities in inpatient care continue despite previous community mental health care provided. Future research should examine how these disparities translate into clinical outcomes. Nonetheless, there is the need to actively promote equity, improving the quality of inpatient care of minoritized ethnic groups.
The nano-clay effect on the improvement of the thermal, flammability, and mechanical behavior of epoxy/glass fiber/ATH hybrid composites
Authors: Shahrajabian Hamzeh , Vaezzadeh Hosein
Published: July 2024

More than 50% of the flame retardants used in the polymer and plastic industries are metal hydroxides. Among them, aluminum trihydroxide (ATH) is the most widely used due to its low toxicity and corrosiveness and its cost-effectiveness. The use of high-volume ATH in polymers reduces the mechanical properties. In this work, clay nanoparticles were added into epoxy/glass fiber/ATH hybrid composites to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites. The effect of nano-clay content (1, 3, and 5 phr) on mechanical properties such as tensile and flexural strength and modulus, and thermal properties was investigated. Thermal properties were evaluated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The result of mechanical tests showed that adding 3 phr of clay nanoparticles increases tensile and flexural strength by 10% and 9.2%, respectively. The flammability of the composites was measured in horizontal mode. The flammability results revealed that introducing 3 phr of nano-clay improves the flammability of the composites by 41%.
Work–Family Life Course Trajectories and Women’s Mental Health: The Moderating Role of Defamilization Policies in 15 European Territories
Authors: Azar Ariel
Published: July 2024

This study employs multichannel sequence analysis of data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe to explore variations in the association between work–family life trajectories and women’s mental health across European cohorts born between 1924 and 1965 within different policy contexts. It finds that trajectories characterized by prolonged employment and delayed familial commitments are generally associated with increased depressive symptoms. Notably, the strength of this association varies significantly across cohorts and is notably moderated by defamilization policies. These policies, which aim to reduce dependency on family for managing social risks, buffer mental health challenges in traditional family roles but are less effective for women in trajectories with delayed family formation. This investigation highlights the nuanced ways in which historical and cultural contexts alongside policy environments shape mental health outcomes at various life stages, offering valuable insights into our understanding of health disparities across the life course, with an emphasis on exposure to changing institutions.
Is This for Me? Differential Responses to Skin Tone Inclusivity Initiatives by Underrepresented Consumers and Represented Consumers
Authors: D’Angelo Jennifer K. , Dunn Lea , Valsesia Francesca
Published: July 2024

To better represent consumers who have traditionally been underrepresented in the marketplace, an increasing number of brands are extending or launching product lines that are more inclusive of a diverse consumer base. This article focuses on consumers’ feelings of representation (the feeling that they, and consumers they identify with, are seen, heard, or considered when product decisions across product categories are made) and explores how consumers who feel underrepresented (vs. represented) in skin tone products respond to more inclusive skin tone line extensions. Across seven studies using laboratory, field, and secondary data, the authors show that those who feel underrepresented have less favorable responses than those who feel represented. The authors find evidence that this is driven by product fit skepticism; that is, doubt that products in the inclusive line will meet one's skin tone needs. The authors also identify managerial interventions that improve responses among underrepresented consumers by demonstrating respect for consumer needs, thus reducing the differential response between underrepresented and represented consumers.
Sharing to Persuade: The Role of Donor- Versus Charity-Focused Word of Mouth
Authors: Boman Laura , He Xin
Published: July 2024

Charitable organizations are increasingly soliciting donors to engage in word of mouth (WOM) as a strategy to foster future contributions. While some organizations encourage donors to share WOM that focuses on their own donations (donor-focused WOM; e.g., “I just donated to the kids of @StJude. Join me in saving children's lives.”), others prompt donors to share WOM that focuses on the organization itself (charity-focused WOM; e.g., “Smile Train gives children with clefts the #PowerOfASmile.”). Contrary to the common belief that people mostly want to talk about themselves, the current research demonstrates that donor-focused WOM backfires, such that donors are less likely to share donor- than charity-focused WOM. This effect is driven by their belief that donor-focused WOM is less altruistic and is therefore less efficacious in persuading others to contribute to the same cause. In addition to sharing, the type of WOM solicited exerts far-reaching impact, with donor-focused WOM attracting fewer new donors than charity-focused WOM. The current research improves the understanding of WOM type, its effect, and the underlying processes.
Getting the Board on Board: Marketing Department Power and Board Interlocks
Authors: Ebbes Peter , Germann Frank , Grewal Rajdeep
Published: July 2024

Although the power held by the marketing department can determine key organizational outcomes, including firm performance, this power seemingly has been decreasing. To address this apparent disconnect, the authors propose that the board of directors is a critical but overlooked antecedent of marketing department power (MDP). In particular, the authors demonstrate that directors’ exposure through board service at other firms (i.e., board interlocks) affects MDP in the firms on whose boards they also serve (i.e., focal firms). A sample of 6,008 firms, spanning 2007–2021, reveals that MDP in board-interlocked firms has a positive effect on MDP in focal firms. Despite evidence that board interlock effects have diminished or even disappeared, the findings suggest the board interlock effect remains a potent antecedent of MDP—and this effect did not decrease during the observation period. Adapting the 3R (reach–richness–receptivity) framework, the authors also find that the board interlock effect increases with greater reach and richness of a focal firm's board interlock network and its executives’ receptivity to information. The marketing department's decreasing power is concerning for the discipline; the robust results of this study suggest that firms need to get the board “on board” to stem this diminishing trend.