bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D deficiency in hip fracture patients is associated with an increased mortality risk
Authors: Bayram John M. , Kanesan Hariprasath , Clement Nicholas D.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The aims were to assess whether vitamin D deficiency influenced mortality risk and length of acute hospital stay in patients presenting with a hip fracture.

Methods

A retrospective study was undertaken including all patients aged over 50 years that were admitted with a hip fracture to a single centre during a 24-month period. Serum vitamin D levels on admission, patient demographics, perioperative variables and mortality were collected. Cox regression analysis was utilised to determine the independent association between serum vitamin D levels and patient mortality.

Results

The cohort consisted of 1510 patients with a mean age of 81.3 years and 1107 (71.4%) were female. 876 (58.0%) were vitamin D deficient (< 50 nmol/l). The median follow up was 405 (IQR 249 to 610) days. During follow-up there were 464 deaths (30.7%). Vitamin D deficiency was independently associated with higher mortality risk (hazard ratio [HR] 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03 to 1.53, P = 0.022). Male sex (HR 1.64, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.01, P < 0.001) was also associated with a higher mortality risk. Vitamin D deficiency was not associated with length of hospital stay (median difference 0 days, P = 0.207).

Conclusion

Vitamin D deficiency was independently associated with increased mortality in hip fracture patients, though this finding may be influenced by lack of comprehensive adjustment for comorbidity. While the value of routine serum vitamin D measurement is debated, supplementation during hospital stays is important to reduce falls and fracture risks associated with deficiency.
Taxonomy, systematics and conservation of the highly threatened and endemic Mexican genus Tridimeris (Annonaceae)
Authors: Ortiz-Rodriguez Andrés Ernesto , Nge Francis J. , Rodrigues-Vaz Carlos , Soulé Vincent , Schatz George E. , Martínez-Velarde María Fernanda , Hurtado-Reveles Leopoldo , Rangel-Olguin Moises , Couvreur Thomas L. P.
Published: December 2024

Tridimeris is the only genus of Annonaceae endemic to Mexico, and since its description more than 150 years ago, the genus has been largely ignored. Here, based on herbarium specimens and a comprehensive phylogenomic study involving hundreds of nuclear markers, the first taxonomic revision of the genus Tridimeris (Annonaceae, Malmeioideae, subtribe Sapranthinae) is presented. Ten species are recognized, six of which are newly described here. All the species are exclusively found in Mexico's most humid forests, particularly in the montane cloud forest and the tropical rainforest. The genus Tridimeris is morphologically distinguished from other neotropical genera of the Annonaceae by its leaves with pocket domatia present in the axils of the secondary veins, by its dimerous flowers (two sepals and four petals), basally fused sepals with ciliated margins, by a reduced number of carpels per flower (1–5) and by its large and fleshy fruits (monocarps) with numerous seeds. A highly resolved phylogenetic hypothesis provides strong support for the relationships among Tridimeris species, forming two well-supported clades. Consequently, two new sections are proposed, namely Tridimeris sect. Tridimeris and Tridimeris sect. Zoque. A detailed description of the morphology of the genus is presented, including the description of the pollen, domatia and its phylogenetic relationships. Taxonomic treatments of the species include synonyms, geographic and ecological notes, comparisons with similar species and a preliminary assessment of their conservation status. All species of the genus are potentially threatened with extinction and eight are assessed as Critically Endangered, which makes it the most threatened lineage of Mexican trees. This study emphasizes the importance of scientific collections as invaluable sources of data for current taxonomic revisions and conservation. It is a formal invitation to preserve and support the basic scientific research.
Technology adoption performance evaluation applied to testing industrial REST APIs
Authors: Poth Alexander , Rrjolli Olsi , Arcuri Andrea
Published: December 2024

Testing is an important task within software development. To write test cases and integrate them into an automated test suite requires a significant amount of work. Given a set of requirements and specifications of a software, testing is needed to verify its correctness. When done manually, it is an expensive and error prone task. To facilitate such work, automated test-case generation via tools could be useful. Test-case generation can be facilitated by deterministic algorithm-driven approaches or non-deterministic approaches such as with AI (e.g., evolutionary and LLM). The different approaches come with their strengths and weaknesses, which must be considered when integrating these approaches into a product test procedure in industry. Several novel testing techniques and tools have been developed in academia and industry, but how effective they are and how to integrate them in real-world large industrial scenarios is still unclear. In this paper, a systematic approach is presented to evaluate test-case generation methodologies and integrate them into a scalable enterprise setup. The specific context is black-box testing of REST APIs, based on their OpenAPI schemas. The aim is to facilitate IT product development and service delivery. The proposed Technology Adoption Performance Evaluation (TAPE) approach is evaluated by a case study within the Group IT of Volkswagen AG. We evaluated existing tools such as OpenAPI Generator, EvoMaster and StarCoder which are built on different technologies. Our results show that these tools are of benefit for test engineers to facilitate test-case specification and design within the Group IT of Volkswagen AG.
Artemia selective grazing: survival value and nutritional intake
Authors: Belovsky Gary E. , Stumpf Andrea C. , Girgis Madeleine C.
Published: December 2024

Grazing experiments were conducted for the zooplankton Artemia franciscana on three of its most common Great Salt Lake (Utah: USA) phytoplankton species (> 80–90% of phytoplankton biovolume: a chlorophyte, Dunaliella viridis; a cyanobacterium, Euhalothece sp., and a bacillariophyte, the pennate diatom Nitzschia epithemioides). For each Artemia developmental stage (nauplii, juveniles and adults), grazing rates (same phytoplankton abundances, temperatures, and salinities) are reported along with grazing preferences for the phytoplankton species in mixes of species pairs and all three species together. Each Artemia developmental stage exhibited different preferences for the phytoplankton species. Preferences measured for each species pair were consistent with preferences when all three species were together and were correlated with the phytoplankton’s survival value for each Artemia developmental stage. Survival values were positively related to the ingestion rate for each phytoplankton species (biovolume/individual/h), likely a function of cell size, and its nutritional quality treated as a function of phytoplankton N:P relative to Artemia developmental stage N:P.
Amplitude death in ring-coupled network with asymmetric thermoacoustic oscillators and nonlocal time-delay interactions
Authors: Zheng Liheng , Liao Yu , Kim Kyu Tae , Zhou Jie , Guan Yu
Published: December 2024

This numerical study examines the pressure amplitude distribution, focusing on amplitude death, in a ring-coupled network of nonlocally coupled asymmetric thermoacoustic oscillators. Each decoupled self-excited thermoacoustic oscillator is modeled using the classical Rijke tube model. We investigate three configurations with asymmetric thermoacoustic oscillators: localized asymmetry, side-by-side asymmetry, and alternating asymmetry. Asymmetries are introduced through frequency detuning and heater power mismatching. Our study reveals that the configuration with alternating asymmetry induces the largest region of amplitude death compared to the other two configurations, where all originally self-excited oscillators become quenched in the network. The remaining energy of oscillations often concentrates at the two ends of the axis of symmetry. The region of amplitude death generally increases with the number of thermoacoustic oscillators and remains unchanged when the number of oscillators is sufficiently large (n = 8). The variation of the global average pressure amplitude predicted by the proposed model qualitatively agrees with previous experimental observations. In summary, we conclude: (1) reduced-order models developed from a dynamical system approach can provide a qualitative prediction of the system’s pressure amplitude distribution, potentially offering useful information for avoiding operating parameters that lead to high-amplitude thermoacoustic oscillations in multi-combustor systems; and (2) introducing asymmetries into a ring-coupled network can potentially be leveraged to weaken self-excited oscillations in multi-combustor systems globally.
Separation of Plasma Species for Investigating the Impact of Hydrogen Plasmas on the Work Function of Caesiated Surfaces
Authors: Heiler A. , Friedl R. , Fantz U.
Published: December 2024

In negative hydrogen ion sources in situ adsorption of Cs is typically used to generate low work function converter surfaces. The achievement of a temporally stable low work function coating is, however, challenging due to the hydrogen plasma interaction with the surface. Particularly in ion sources for neutral beam injection systems for fusion with pulse durations of minutes to hours temporal instabilities are a major issue and limit the source performance. To clarify the influence of the hydrogen plasma on the converter surface, investigations are performed at an experiment equipped with an absolute work function diagnostic based on the photoelectric effect. Caesiated surfaces are exposed to the full plasma impact by the generation of plasmas in front of the surface as well as to selected plasma species (H atoms, positive ions and VUV/UV photons) from an external plasma source to identify driving mechanisms that lead to surface changes. Depending on the exposure time and initial surface condition, the plasma strongly affects the surface in terms of work function and quantum efficiency (QE). For degraded Cs layers (work function $$\ge 3$$

≥
3

 eV) a favorable increase in QE and reduction in work function can be achieved, while for Cs layers with an ultra-low work function of $$1.2-1.3$$

1.2
-
1.3

 eV the opposite is true. It is found that each plasma species can influence the Cs layers and that VUV photons lead to a work function increase of ultra-low work function layers. For sufficiently high VUV fluences a severe work function increase by 0.5 eV is given, highlighting the relevance of photochemical processes in the plasma-surface interaction and demonstrating that ultra-low work function layers are not stable in a hydrogen plasma environment.
Closure and the structure of justification
Authors: Kelp Christoph , Jope Matthew
Published: December 2024

Abstact

This paper considers two recent views on the structure of justification and closure of knowledge by Ernest Sosa. It provides reason to believe that neither view is ultimately viable and sketches a better alternative.
How Should We Distribute Education in Property-Owning Democracy and Liberal Socialism?
Authors: Magni-Berton Raul , Merrill Roberto
Published: December 2024

Welfare capitalism is going through a deep crisis, and alternative models to welfare state capitalism such as liberal socialism and property-owning democracy are once again becoming prominent in public debates. The aim in this article is to compare the merits and the limits of liberal socialism and of property-owning democracy through the specific case of the distribution of educational capital, by comparing two educational systems: the Pay It Forward (PIF) system and the Tax-subsidy scheme (TS) system. Based on the analysis of these two educational systems, we provide three arguments in favor of liberal socialist institutions in general and the PIF educational system in particular: (1) the individual common assets argument, (2) the principle of reciprocity argument, and (3) the predistribution argument.
Establishment of primary and immortalized fibroblasts reveals resistance to cytotoxic agents and loss of necroptosis-inducing ability in long-lived Damaraland mole-rats
Authors: Suzuki Yusuke , Yamaguchi Kanta , Hardell Kaitlyn N. Lewis , Ota Kurumi , Kamikado Taira , Kawamura Yoshimi , Buffenstein Rochelle , Oka Kaori , Miura Kyoko
Published: December 2024

The Damaraland mole-rat (DMR; Fukomys damarensis) is a long-lived (~ 20 years) Bathyergid rodent that diverged 26 million years ago from its close relative, the naked mole-rat (NMR). While the properties of NMR cultured fibroblasts have been extensively studied and have revealed several unusual features of this cancer-resistant, long-lived species, comparative DMR studies are extremely limited. We optimized conditions for successfully culturing primary DMR skin fibroblasts and also established immortalized DMR cells using simian virus 40 early region expression. Like NMRs, DMR fibroblasts are more resistant than mice to various cytotoxins including heavy metals, DNA-damaging agents, oxidative stressors, and proteasome inhibitors. DMR genome sequencing analyses revealed the presence of premature stop codons in the master regulator genes of necroptosis, an inflammatory programmed cell death—receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) and mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL), although these mutations have different locations to those found in the NMR. DMR cells, like NMR cells, did not show significantly increased cell death in response to necroptosis induction. Our data suggest that both Bathyergid species require species-specific cell culture conditions for optimized growth, display similar resistance to cytotoxins, and show loss-of-function mutations abrogating the ability to employ necroptosis. These shared traits may contribute to their evolved adaptations to their subterranean lifestyle and prolonged longevity. These convergent insights and valuable resource may be pertinent to biomedical research.
Histopathologic and Molecular Insights Following the Management of Ameloblastomas via Targeted Therapies – Pathological and Clinical Perspectives
Authors: Hirschhorn Ariel , Grynberg Shirly , Campino Gadi Abebe , Dobriyan Alex , Patel Vinod , Greenberg Gahl , Yacobi Rinat , Barshack Iris , Yahalom Ran , Toren Amos , Vered Marilena
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Current standard of care for ameloblastoma (conventional/unicystic - mural type) usually mandates extensive bone resection that frequently necessitates immediate reconstruction with serious sequelae, especially among young patients. BRAF-mutated ameloblastomas can be targeted by BRAF inhibitors to markedly reduce their size, enabling conservative removal of residual tumor. We aimed to characterize the effect of post-treatment histomorphologic changes.

Methods

Study included 14 patients, 11 mandibular and three maxillary tumors. Cases with very minimal residual tumor were defined as near-complete response, while those with mostly vital residual tumor as partial response. The epithelium component was scored for architectural and cellular changes, stroma - for fibrosis, inflammation and new bone formation, on a 3-tired score system: 0–no, 1–focal and 3–frequent changes. The mean scores of each parameter, total epithelium and total stroma were calculated and related to duration of treatment. Differences in the mean scores were investigated for mandibular tumors with near-complete response (n = 3) and partial response (n = 8).

Results

There were no significant differences in mean epithelium or stroma scores between tumors with near-complete and those with partial response (2.22 ± 0.68 versus 2.08 ± 0.43, p = 0.55; 1.41 ± 1.04 versus 1.43 ± 0.44, p = 0.27), suggesting that ameloblastomas have potential to undergo complete response to targeted treatment. This is probably dependent upon tumor/patient/treatment-related factors. Response to treatment appears to be predictable with neoplastic epithelium being first, while the stromal response increases during treatment, the entire process expanding over weeks-to-months.

Conclusion

Albeit preliminary, these are the first comprehensive histomorphologic findings on BRAF-treated ameloblastomas. Analyzing the suggested parameters in tumors with partial response, should highlight which tumor component has responded/failed to respond. This could serve as a basis for decision-taking toward subsequent steps in adjuvant treatment (e.g., follow-up, conservative surgery, modifications/changes in treatment regimen, combinations of approaches), with a prime aim of jaw preservation and minimal risk of sequelae.
Deciphering the causal landscape: genetic insights into sporadic vestibular schwannoma risk factors through Mendelian Randomization
Authors: Liu Yuyang , Feng Hui , Ma Hengchao , Li Jing , Yu Yang , Zhao Hua , Wang Xiaoguang , Li Yun , Zhang Jun , Liu Qi
Published: December 2024

Background

Sporadic vestibular schwannoma, a benign tumor affecting the vestibulocochlear nerve, poses significant health challenges due to its impact on hearing, balance, and facial nerve function. Despite known associations with genetic mutations and environmental factors, the causality between potential risk factors and sporadic vestibular schwannoma remains underexplored.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the causal effects of various genetically predicted risk factors on sporadic vestibular schwannoma utilizing a Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach to enhance understanding of its etiology and inform prevention strategies.

Methods

Leveraging data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we analyzed 29 risk factors across five categories: related diseases, lifestyle habits, nutritional status, learning ability, and laboratory indicators. The MR analysis employed instrumental variables (IVs) derived from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to assess causal relationships, overcoming traditional observational study limitations.

Results

Our findings highlight significant associations between sporadic vestibular schwannoma and factors such as ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids and lifestyle habits including dietary intake and alcohol consumption. Notably, higher educational attainment and specific laboratory indicators like high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were linked to altered disease risk. These results suggest a multifaceted etiology involving hormonal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, immune, and metabolic pathways.

Conclusion

This comprehensive MR study provides novel insights into the diverse risk factors contributing to sporadic vestibular schwannoma, emphasizing the role of genetic predispositions, hormonal influences, and lifestyle choices in its development. The associations identified underscore the need for a multidisciplinary research approach and targeted public health strategies to mitigate sporadic vestibular schwannoma risk. Further research into the underlying mechanisms of these associations is crucial for developing effective interventions and improving patient outcomes.
Third Hankel determinant for starlike and convex functions associated with the exponential function
Authors: Raza Moshan , RiazRiaz Amina , Thomas Derek K. , Zaprawa Paweł
Published: December 2024

In this paper sharp bounds of the third Hankel determinant for starlike and convex functions related to the exponential function are obtained, thus solving two long-standing open problems.
Carbon Nanofiber/Polyaniline Composite Aerogel with Excellent Electromagnetic Interference Shielding, Low Thermal Conductivity, and Extremely Low Heat Release
Authors: Chen Mingyi , Zhu Jian , Zhang Kai , Zhou Hongkang , Gao Yufei , Fan Jie , Chen Rouxi , Wang Hsing-Lin
Published: December 2024

The rapid development of communication technology and high-frequency electronic devices has created a need for more advanced electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials. In response to this demand, a study has been conducted to develop multifunctional carbon nanofibers (CNFs)/polyaniline (PANI) aerogels with excellent electromagnetic interference shielding, flame retardancy, and thermal insulation performance. The process involved freeze-drying of electrospun CNFs and PANI nanoparticles followed by in situ growth PANI to coat the CNFs, creating the core–shell structured CNFs/PANI composite fiber and its hybrid aerogels (CP-3@PANI). The interaction between PANI and aniline (ANI) provides attachment sites, allowing additional ANI adsorption into the aerogel for in situ polymerization. This results in PANI uniformly covering the surface of the CNFs, creating a core–shell composite fiber with a flexible CNF core and PANI shell. This process enhances the utilization rate of the ANI monomer and increases the PANI content loaded onto the aerogel. Additionally, effective connections are established between the CNFs, forming a stable, conductive three-dimensional network structure. The prepared CP-3@PANI aerogels exhibit excellent EMI shielding efficiency (SE) of 85.4 dB and specific EMI SE (SE d−1) of 791.2 dB cm3 g⁻1 in the X-band. Due to the synergistic flame-retardant effect of CNFs, PANI, and the dopant (phytic acid), the CP-3@PANI aerogels demonstrate outstanding flame-retardant and thermal insulation properties, with a peak heat release rate (PHRR) as low as 7.8 W g⁻1 and a total heat release of only 0.58 kJ g⁻1. This study provides an effective strategy for preparing multifunctional integrated EMI shielding materials.
Accounting for Transparency: a Framework and Three Applications in Tax, Managerial, and Financial Accounting
Authors: Bischof Jannis , Gassen Joachim , Rohlfing-Bastian Anna , Rostam-Afschar Davud , Sureth-Sloane Caren
Published: December 2024

This article presents how the Collaborative Research Center TRR 266 Accounting for Transparency understands and studies transparency in organizations and markets. Starting from our transparency definition, which is rooted in a sender/receiver framework, we discuss how accounting, taxation, and their regulation affect transparency and illustrate selected economic consequences of transparency. We use three analyses to exemplify our research approach. These analyses illustrate that (i) firms use tax literacy and tax advice as substitutes in their strategies to cope with signals sent by tax regulators about complex tax regulations, (ii) trade-offs between tighter management controls and employee motivation lead firms to design hybrid work environments that facilitate information exchange within the firm, and (iii) managers’ understanding of how financial statement users benefit from firm disclosures affects the managers’ assessments of disclosure regulation. Overall we argue that transparency is context-specific, hard to achieve, and often has ambiguous consequences. We conclude by highlighting selected transparency-related questions that interdisciplinary work with a particular emphasis on institutional details can meaningfully address.
C3H7NH3PbI3@PVDF porous piezo-active film: a wearable potential bio-sensor
Authors: Sengupta Payal , Sahoo Dipankar , Ikbal Ashik , Ray Ruma
Published: December 2024

Recently, sustainable energy sources have become a top concern worldwide to meet the increasing power demand. Simultaneously, micro-sensors, particularly wearable biosensors, environmental monitoring, space monitoring, etc., are becoming integral to our daily lives. Therefore, harvesting low power on a large scale is crucial, given the substantial demand for low-powered sensors in various applications. Piezoelectric energy harvesting can meet the need for consistent, low-power energy by scavenging mechanical energy from the surroundings. The inclusion of sol-gel derived propylammonium lead iodide (C3H7NH3PbI3) in polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) significantly enhances the ferroelectric phase content (β phase, approximately 66.7%) of the film. This composite has been used to fabricate a piezoelectric energy harvester (PPEH) that generates ~ 45 V open circuit voltage (VOC) and 17.8 µA/cm² short circuit current (JSC) under free-hand hammering. This performance is substantially higher compared to a PPEH made of neat PVDF. The flexibility of the PPEH offers an added advantage, making it suitable for use as a wearable biosensor. Additionally, the photo-active piezo response of the photodetector made from this composite is remarkable, making it effective as a photodetector.
Thermal Characteristics of Fly Ash-Slag Based Geopolymer Concrete for Sustainable Road Construction in Tropical Region
Authors: Girish M. G. , Shetty Kiran K. , Nayak Gopinatha
Published: December 2024

Geopolymer cement is an emerging eco-friendly alternative to traditional Portland cement that offers a lower carbon footprint and the opportunity to use of industrial by-products such as fly ash and slag in its production. Although acknowledged as a dependable structural material in various studies, the potential of Geopolymer Concrete for paving applications remains under-explored. This research aimed to address this gap by developing Paving Quality Geopolymer Concrete (PQGC) and examining its mechanical and thermal properties. For applications in tropical climates, where the pavement surface may be subjected to temperatures in the range 30–60 °C, studies on thermal conductivity (λ), coefficient of thermal expansion (α), and stresses caused by daily and seasonal temperature changes in PQGC slabs need to be essentially studied. The study revealed that thermal conductivity of PQGC ranged from λ = 0.82 W/(m°C) to 0.71 W/(m°C) within the temperature range of 30–60 °C. The coefficient of thermal expansion for PQGC was evaluated using a setup based on AASHTO T 336–15 recommendations, and it was found, α = 8 × 10–6/°C, to be lower than that of Pavement Quality Concrete (PQC). Furthermore, stresses resulting from temperature fluctuations in PQGC, when computed using closed form solution and EverFe 2.26, were observed to be lower than those in PQC. Finally, PQGC has the potential to contribute to a cooler environment by emitting less heat into its surroundings and promotes the utilisation of fly ash and slag, making it a promising material for paving applications.
Achieving sustainability development goals of quality education through “VIDGRATION” method
Authors: Harith Siti Hawa , Zabidi Norsharina , Zulkifly Syazwan Syah , Mohammad Nur’Jila
Published: December 2024

Flexible teaching by applying the “VIDGRATION” method, a video-based teaching tool used explicitly for non-law students, is one of the efforts to support the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 of Quality Education. This study investigates the effectiveness of the “VIDGRATION” method in improving non-law students’ understanding of a law-related subject. Non-law students mostly face difficulty with law-related subjects due to their unfamiliarity with law terms and wording. Therefore, these students cannot understand the lesson and score poorly during examinations. The “VIDGRATION” method is being introduced to facilitate the non-law students’ learning process. This qualitative study was undertaken toward 99 non-law students who enrolled on the Human Resource Management subject. This intervention study was conducted in three stages: problem identification, intervention and evaluation. All data were triangulated from the instructor’s and students’ reflections, focus group interviews, and comparisons between the pre-and post-quiz results. The results show that the “VIDGRATION” method has successfully improved the non-law students’ understanding of law-related subjects. In addition, the non-law students also enhance their cognitive skill, time management skills, readiness to study and develop critical thinking skills when applying real working scenarios.
Are mental dysfunctions autonomous from brain dysfunctions? A perspective from the personal/subpersonal distinction
Authors: Jurjako Marko
Published: December 2024

Despite many authors in psychiatry endorsing a naturalist view of the mind, many still consider that mental dysfunctions cannot be reduced to brain dysfunctions. This paper investigates the main reasons for this view. Some arguments rely on the analogy that the mind is like software while the brain is like hardware. The analogy suggests that just as software can malfunction independently of hardware malfunctions, similarly the mind can malfunction independently of any brain malfunction. This view has been critically examined in recent literature. However, other less discussed reasons suggest that mental dysfunctions cannot be reduced to brain dysfunctions because mental dysfunctions are appropriately ascribed at the level of intentional mental states, while brain dysfunctions are solely related to abnormalities in anatomy and physiological processes. This paper questions why such a view would be upheld. The discussion is framed within the interface problem in the philosophy of cognitive science, which concerns the relationship between personal and subpersonal levels of explanation. The paper examines the view that an autonomist perspective on the personal/subpersonal distinction could justify the separation of mental dysfunctions, described in intentional terms, from brain dysfunctions, described in anatomical or physiological terms. Ultimately, the paper argues that the autonomist view cannot be upheld in psychiatry and, consequently, does not provide a principled justification for rejecting the reduction of mental dysfunctions to brain dysfunctions.
Feasibility study of FFPP thermoplastic lining for concrete pipeline rehabilitation: a case study
Authors: Xi Dongmin , Yan Yonggui , Shi Kebing , Ni Houming , Azimi Mohammadamin
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the feasibility and efficacy of Flexible Fiber-reinforced Polypropylene (FFPP) thermoplastic lining technology for the rehabilitation of concrete pipelines, specifically focusing on BONNA pipes. A custom-built test bench, featuring a 2-m high platform and multiple 90° bends, was designed to simulate the impact of pipe gallery space, adaptability and material accessibility of bent pipes, and cooling issues of long-distance dragging of materials. The simulation process utilizes a modified polyvinyl chloride (PVC) liner with unique thermomechanical properties. The liner, folded into an "H" shape, is mechanically inserted into the host pipe using a 2-ton winch and pulley system. During insertion, continuous high-temperature steam injection softens the material, facilitating expansion and conformity to the pipe's internal surface. Subsequently, cold air application rigidifies the liner below 60 °C while maintaining pressure, ensuring structural integrity and adherence to the pipe wall. Results revealed that while the FFPP liner successfully navigated through confined spaces, including a 300 mm expansion joint, spatial constraints led to localized cracking defects during inflation. Traction feasibility tests using a 2-ton winch demonstrated high pulling resistance in sections with multiple bends. The liner exhibited excellent adhesion in straight pipe sections but showed significant wrinkling and poor adhesion in 90° bends. Notably, the liner demonstrated remarkable strength, withstanding internal pressures exceeding 3.3 MPa in a DN300 pipe with a 10 cm diameter intentional defect, far surpassing the on-site hydrostatic test pressure of 9 bar. This study addresses a significant gap in trenchless rehabilitation research by evaluating the FFPP thermoplastic lining technique in complex pipeline geometries, an area previously understudied. While the technique shows promise for structural reinforcement in straight pipe sections, our findings reveal that its application in complex pipeline geometries requires further refinement. The study contributes to the field of trenchless pipeline rehabilitation in several ways: (1) it provides empirical data on FFPP liner performance in multi-bend configurations and confined spaces, (2) it identifies specific challenges such as localized cracking and poor adhesion in bends, and (3) it demonstrates the liner's exceptional strength under high pressure conditions. These insights advance our understanding of FFPP technology's potential and limitations in concrete pipe repair, paving the way for future research and development in optimizing trenchless rehabilitation techniques for complex pipeline systems.
Knowing What It Is Like
Authors: Cath Yuri
Published: December 2024

What kind of knowledge does one have when one knows what it is like to, say, fall in love, eat vegemite™, be a parent, or ride a bike? This Element addresses this question by exploring the tension between two plausible theses about this form of knowledge: (i) that to possess it one must have had the corresponding experience, and (ii) that to possess it one must know an answer to the 'what it is like' question. The Element shows how the tension between these two theses helps to explain existing debates about this form of knowledge, as well as puzzling conflicts in our attitudes towards the possibility of sharing this knowledge through testimony, or other sources like literature, theories, and simulations. The author also offers a view of 'what it is like' knowledge which can resolve both the tension between (i) and (ii), and these puzzles around testimony.
Kant on Rational Sympathy
Authors: Vilhauer Benjamin
Published: December 2024

This Element explains Kant's distinction between rational sympathy and natural sympathy. Rational sympathy is regulated by practical reason and is necessary for adopting as our own those ends of others which are contingent from the perspective of practical rationality. Natural sympathy is passive and can prompt affect and dispose us to act wrongly. Sympathy is a function of a posteriori productive imagination. In rational sympathy, we freely use the imagination to step into others' first-person perspectives and associate imagined intuitional contents with the concepts others use to communicate their feelings. This prompts feelings in us that are like their feelings.
Identity Studies in Archaeology
Authors: Blake Emma
Published: December 2024

This Element explores the origins, current state, and future of the archaeological study of identity. A floruit of scholarship in the late 20th century introduced identity as a driving force in society, and archaeologists sought expressions of gender, status, ethnicity, and more in the material remains of the past. A robust consensus emerged about identity and its characteristics: dynamic; contested; context driven; performative; polyvalent; intersectional. From the early 2000s identity studies were challenged by new theories of materiality and ontology on the one hand, and by an influx of new data from bioarchaeology on the other. Yet identity studies have proven remarkably enduring. Through European case studies from prehistory to the present, this Element charts identity's evolving place in anthropological archaeology.
Gaussian fluctuations for the two-urn model
Authors: Kolesko Konrad , Sava-Huss Ecaterina
Published: December 2024

We introduce a modification of the generalized Pólya urn model containing two urns, and we study the number of balls

$B_j(n)$

of a given color

$j\in\{1,\ldots,J\}$

added to the urns after n draws, where

$J\in\mathbb{N}$

. We provide sufficient conditions under which the random variables

$(B_j(n))_{n\in\mathbb{N}}$

, properly normalized and centered, converge weakly to a limiting random variable. The result reveals a similar trichotomy as in the classical case with one urn, one of the main differences being that in the scaling we encounter 1-periodic continuous functions. Another difference in our results compared to the classical urn models is that the phase transition of the second-order behavior occurs at

$\sqrt{\rho}$

and not at

$\rho/2$

, where

$\rho$

is the dominant eigenvalue of the mean replacement matrix.
Gaussian approximation and moderate deviations of Poisson shot noises with application to compound generalized Hawkes processes
Authors: Khabou Mahmoud , Torrisi Giovanni Luca
Published: December 2024

In this article, we give explicit bounds on the Wasserstein and Kolmogorov distances between random variables lying in the first chaos of the Poisson space and the standard normal distribution, using the results of Last et al. (Prob. Theory Relat. Fields165, 2016). Relying on the theory developed by Saulis and Statulevicius in Limit Theorems for Large Deviations (Kluwer, 1991) and on a fine control of the cumulants of the first chaoses, we also derive moderate deviation principles, Bernstein-type concentration inequalities, and normal approximation bounds with Cramér correction terms for the same variables. The aforementioned results are then applied to Poisson shot noise processes and, in particular, to the generalized compound Hawkes point processes (a class of stochastic models, introduced in this paper, which generalizes classical Hawkes processes). This extends the recent results of Hillairet et al. (ALEA19, 2022) and Khabou et al. (J. Theoret. Prob.37, 2024) regarding the normal approximation and those of Zhu (Statist. Prob. Lett.83, 2013) for moderate deviations.
The World Health Organization Access, Watch, and Reserve classification of antibiotics: an awareness survey among pharmacy professionals in a sub-Saharan country, Zambia
Authors: Mudenda Steward , Wataya McDonald David , Mufwambi Webrod , Chizimu Joseph Yamweka
Published: December 2024

Background:

Antimicrobial stewardship programs are very essential in addressing the problem of drug-resistant infections. The WHO Access, Watch, and Reserve (AWaRe) classification of antibiotics is essential in monitoring the rational use of antibiotics. Therefore, this study evaluated the awareness of the WHO AWaRe classification of antibiotics among pharmacy professionals in Zambia.

Materials and methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 239 pharmacy professionals practicing in both private and public facilities in Zambia. A questionnaire was used to collect data which was subsequently analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.0.

Results:

Of the 239 participants, 63% were male and most were pharmacists employed in the public sector. This study found that 58% of the pharmacy professionals were aware of the AWaRe classification of antibiotics. Consequently, only 36% of the participants agreed that they implemented the AWaRe framework of antibiotics in their healthcare facilities. Most of the participants (74%) agreed that implementing the AWaRe tool can promote the rational use of antibiotics and 98% of the participants were willing to learn more about the AWaRe tool through training or meetings.

Conclusion:

This study found a low awareness of the WHO AWaRe classification of antibiotics among pharmacy professionals. Our study further revealed that very few pharmacy professionals agreed that they had implemented the WHO AWaRe tool in their healthcare facilities. Hence, there is a need to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship programs by implementing the AWaRe framework and other recommended guidelines for monitoring the rational use of antibiotics.
National partnerships address critical needs in infection prevention and control
Authors: Kaufman West Erica , Doll Michelle , Fitzpatrick Margaret A. , Lewis James , Nori Priya , Passaretti Catherine , Restrepo Dalilah , Stevens Michael P. , Thyagarajan Rama , Hong Catriona
Published: December 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted gaps in infection control knowledge and practice across health settings nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with funding through the American Rescue Plan, developed Project Firstline. Project Firstline is a national collaborative aiming to reach all aspects of the health care frontline. The American Medical Association recruited eight physicians and one medical student to join their director of infectious diseases to develop educational programs targeting knowledge gaps. They have identified 5 critical areas requiring national attention.
The tacit dimension and behavioural public policy: insights from Hayek and Polanyi
Authors: Festré Agnès , Østbye Stein
Published: December 2024

In this paper, we revisit the Knowledge Problem addressed by Hayek eight decades ago and emphasised more recently by Rizzo and Whitman in their critique of the new paternalist approach of mainstream behavioural economics promoted by Sunstein and Thaler. We do this in light of the work of Michael Polanyi. Polanyi developed a theory of knowledge which has some commonalities with Hayek’s but also departs from it by emphasising the tacit, personal and perceptual dimensions of any process of knowing, thus radically renouncing any attempt of a knowledge typology separating different types of tacit knowledge (TK) and even denying that general knowledge could exist independently of TK.
Human–machine collaboration for enhanced decision-making in governance
Authors: Van Rooy Dirk
Published: December 2024

A detailed exploration is presented of the integration of human–machine collaboration in governance and policy decision-making, against the backdrop of increasing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. This exploration focuses on the transformative potential of combining human cognitive strengths with machine computational capabilities, particularly emphasizing the varying levels of automation within this collaboration and their interaction with human cognitive biases. Central to the discussion is the concept of dual-process models, namely Type I and II thinking, and how these cognitive processes are influenced by the integration of AI systems in decision-making. An examination of the implications of these biases at different levels of automation is conducted, ranging from systems offering decision support to those operating fully autonomously. Challenges and opportunities presented by human–machine collaboration in governance are reviewed, with a focus on developing strategies to mitigate cognitive biases. Ultimately, a balanced approach to human–machine collaboration in governance is advocated, leveraging the strengths of both humans and machines while consciously addressing their respective limitations. This approach is vital for the development of governance systems that are both technologically advanced and cognitively attuned, leading to more informed and responsible decision-making.
Post-Pandemic Reform Discussions in International Health Law: The Reform of the International Health Regulations and the New WHO Pandemic Agreement Proposal
Authors: Klafki Anika
Published: December 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly demonstrated that international cooperation to combat pandemics is insufficient. The World Health Organization has, therefore, recently reformed the International Health Regulations based on the experience of the COVID 19-pandemic. The World Health Assembly also plans to adopt a new Pandemic Agreement to further strengthen international cooperation. However, negotiations have not yet been successful, and this year’s World Health Assembly agreed to extend the negotiations for the Pandemic Agreement by one year. Reason enough to analyse and critically evaluate the reform efforts in detail, and to give an outlook on the future of international pandemic law.
Integrability of special quadratic systems with invariant hyperbolas
Authors: Mancilla-Martínez Y Paulina , Valls Claudia
Published: December 2024

In Oliveira, Schlomiuk, Travaglini, and Valls, Geometry, integrability and bifurcation diagrams of a family of quadratic differential systems as application of Darboux theory of integrability, Electron. J. Qual. Theory Differ. Equ.45(2021), 1–90, the authors investigate about the integrability of the family QSH (the whole class of non-degenerate planar quadratic systems possessing at least one invariant hyperbola). However, some very difficult cases are left open in Oliveira, Schlomiuk, Travaglini, and Valls, Geometry, integrability and bifurcation diagrams of a family of quadratic differential systems as application of Darboux theory of integrability, Electron. J. Qual. Theory Differ. Equ.45(2021), 1–90, and the main aim of this article is to study the Liouvillian integrability some of the systems that were left behind in Oliveira, Schlomiuk, Travaglini, and Valls, Geometry, integrability and bifurcation diagrams of a family of quadratic differential systems as application of Darboux theory of integrability, Electron. J. Qual. Theory Differ. Equ.45(2021), 1–90.
Mapping soil health research in the Brazilian Semiarid region: a bibliometric approach
Authors: Lima Antonio Yan Viana , Cherubin Maurício Roberto , Greschuk Lucas Tadeu , Muniz Gabriel de Almeida Mori , Cavalcante Douglas Monteiro , Pereira Arthur Prudêncio de Araujo
Published: December 2024

Bibliometric research illuminates the scientific development of soil health (SH) studies in the Brazilian Semiarid, which are crucial for sustainable agriculture and mitigating climate change impacts. However, research trends on SH in the Brazilian Semiarid are still not well understood. This study aimed to illustrate how SH has been addressed in research concerning the Brazilian Semiarid. Terms such as ‘soil health,’ ‘soil quality,’ ‘biological quality,’ ‘chemical quality,’ ‘physical quality,’ as well as ‘Caatinga,’ ‘Brazilian Semiarid,’ and ‘Brazilian Northeast’ were searched in the Scopus® database. Bibliometric parameters were catalogued by the number of publications per year, most cited articles, primary institutions, main journals, and keyword frequency. The articles were evaluated based on the examination of chemical, physical, and biological indicators, and a similarity test was conducted to group articles according to these indicators. The bibliometric analysis reveals a significant increase in scientific output since 2020. Embrapa research centres contribute significantly to this expanding body of knowledge, with the leading journal ‘Revista Caatinga’ reflecting a specialized focus on the region’s unique challenges. The most evaluated indicators were pH, soil organic carbon, P, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and bulk density, but the prevalence of biological indicators, such as soil organic carbon (SOC), activity of enzymes such as alkaline and acid phosphatase, and ß-glucosidase, microbial activity, and soil fauna, underscores key research themes. These findings highlight the practical implications of SH research, but while increased research is commendable and increasingly necessary, studies are still scarce. Increased research is vital for the development of strategies that contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Brazilian Semiarid region.
Transference of multilinear Fourier and Schur multipliers acting on noncommutative
$L_p$
-spaces for non-unimodular groups
Authors: Vos Gerrit
Published: December 2024

In Caspers et al. (Can. J. Math. 75[6] [2022], 1–18), transference results between multilinear Fourier and Schur multipliers on noncommutative

$L_p$

-spaces were shown for unimodular groups. We propose a suitable extension of the definition of multilinear Fourier multipliers for non-unimodular groups and show that the aforementioned transference results also hold in this more general setting.