bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extraction of polyphenols from hybrid Eucalyptus leaves using ultrasound: Parametric and antioxidant studies
Authors: Kumar Manish , Sivasankar Thirugnanasambandam
Published: July 2023

In the present study, a medicinal tree named hybrid Eucalyptus was chosen for the extraction of polyphenols from its leaves. Ultrasound has been used for extraction studies, whereas other conventional extraction methods were studied to validate the applied ultrasound assisted extraction method. Various experimental parameters like material to solvent ratio, solvents, and ultrasound irradiation time were employed to obtain the required condition for effective polyphenols extraction. The maximum total polyphenols achieved was 62.24 mg Gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g of powdered leaves sample with material to solvent ratio of 1:30 and 50% ethanol as solvent with an ultrasonic bath whereas the maximum total flavonoid of 14.20 mg Quercetin equivalent (QE)/g of powdered leaves sample was obtained under the same experimental conditions. The gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC‐MS) study of the eucalyptus leaves extract had proved that it contains the required polyphenols of high medicinal value. Also, studies were performed to check 2,2‐diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing anti‐oxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging potential of the leaves extract.
Phenol degradation using combined effects of hydrodynamic cavitation and oxidant: Doehlert matrix
Authors: Mohod Ashish , Palharim Priscila H. , Ramos Bruno , Moreira Paulo F. , Teixeira Antonio Carlos S. C. , Giudici Reinaldo
Published: July 2023

Hydrodynamic cavitation (HC)‐based treatments have been proposed for the degradation of phenol as a toxic pollutant. The present work aimed to optimize the degradation of phenol using HC by means of Doehlert experimental design, which has not been previously addressed. Initially, operational parameters of hydraulic characteristics of the pump, inlet pressure, solution pH, and initial concentration were optimized; later, the effects of pH solution and H2O2 loading or initial pollutant concentration on phenol degradation were explored using the Doehlert experimental design. It was observed that phenol degradation is strongly dependent on the pH of the solution. Also, the acidic condition favors the formation of hydroxyl radicals and thus, the degradation of phenol. Based on the Doehlert matrix, the 94.1% phenol degradation and 68.60% total organic carbon (TOC) were obtained in 180 min at 304.5 mg/L of hydrogen peroxide at an initial concentration of 20 mg/L, 2.0 pH, and 90 psi inlet pressure, providing a cavitational yield of 6.33 × 10−6 mg/J and minimum treatment cost of US$/L 0.13. Overall, it has been observed that HC can be a promising route for the removal of pollutants (phenol) effectively using hydrogen peroxide as an additive.
A School Workshop Format for 13–15-Year-Old Pupils: Experiencing and Understanding Europe
Authors: Jolly Bérénice , Fikejzl Jakub
Published: July 2023

This chapter reports about the idea, organisation and experiences of the Erasmus+ project Experiencing and understanding democracy and Europe. It mainly focused on organising workshops at schools, including schools in the rural regions of Saxony in the post-socialist part of Germany. The overarching aim of the project was to inform young people about the possibilities of their active involvement in the EU and about the benefits that the EU citizenship brings to them. The chapter broadly discusses how the organisers in the beneficiary organisation, the Villa socio-cultural centre in Leipzig, reflect on their project and on the task to reach out to young people. It also describes the challenges of realising the project, including the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and limited funding.
Peripheral Futurities. Emigration Plans and Sense of Belonging among East Central European Youth
Authors: Pates Rebecca
Published: July 2023

Peripherality is a matter not only of politics and geography but also of self-identification. One important measure of peripherality as lived experience is the desire of rural youth to emigrate—it is a future imagined elsewhere, coupled with a denigration of those unwilling to relocate (as Miggelbrink has shown, see Meyer and Miggelbrink, Peripheralization: The Making of Spatial Dependencies and Social Injustice. Springer VS, Wiesbaden, 2013 and Raumforschung und Raumordnung, 73(1): 17–30, 2015; also Leibert, Geographische Rundschau 67: 34–41, 2015). Based on grounded theory, this chapter provides a comparative analysis of the focus group discussions conducted with the students of the 11th grade in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania on their visions of the future. It comes down to two findings: young people largely articulate their expectations to emigrate, but they talk about this with a great deal of ambivalence. Most want to live within the European Union, seeing in this option a chance to seek their fortune elsewhere as the greatest achievement of EU citizenship. And so, secondly, they think of EU citizenship as an important tool to manage their futures. They thus articulate a functionalist rather than an affectionate relationship with the EU.
Non-affirmative Theory of Education and Cultural-Historical Activity Theory: Where Do They Meet?
Authors: Mäkiharju Alex , Autio Petra , Uljens Michael
Published: July 2023

This study investigates how cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) and non-affirmative theory of education (NAT) position themselves regarding the questions of normativity, ontology, and epistemology. The reason for choosing these three issues as a point of departure for a comparative study is that they highlight three interrelated dimensions of how educational research and theory are related to educational practice. The amalgamation of the theories is presented in a dialectical and comparative dialogue. Both theories highlight the cultural-historical context and emphasise the achievement of autonomy and emancipation through an individual’s self-activity. While NAT is primarily perceived as a theory conceptualising education as a cultural and historical phenomenon, CHAT is designed as a general systems-theoretical approach to be used as a point of departure to achieve a change in praxis, but not by directing praxis from an outside interest.
Simulationsverfahren
Authors: Jünger Jakob , Gärtner Chantal
Published: July 2023

Dieses Kapitel führt in Computersimulationen ein. Sie lernen die grundlegende Terminologie und verschiedene Arten von Computersimulationen kennen. Anhand eines Beispiels erkunden Sie, wie Agent-Based-Modeling umgesetzt wird.

Im Online-Repositorium unter https://github.com/strohne/cm finden Sie begleitend zum Kapitel weitere Materialien, auf die wir im Text mit ☛ verweisen.
Datenquellen
Authors: Jünger Jakob , Gärtner Chantal
Published: July 2023

Dieses Kapitel beinhaltet eine Einführung in Datenquellen, aus denen Daten mit Computational Methods gewonnen und analysiert werden können. Sie lernen, worin sich verschiedenen Verfahren automatisierter Datenerhebung unterscheiden und wie Ressourcen im Web identifiziert werden. Außerdem erfahren Sie, wo wissenschaftlich verwertbare Daten zu finden sind.

Im Online-Repositorium unter https://github.com/strohne/cm finden Sie begleitend zum Kapitel weitere Materialien, auf die wir im Text mit ☛ verweisen.
Automatisierte Datenerhebung
Authors: Jünger Jakob , Gärtner Chantal
Published: July 2023

Dieses Kapitel führt in die automatisierte Datenerhebung mittels Webscraping und über Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) ein. Sie lernen, wie Sie mit Python oder R einen Webscraper entwickeln und wie Sie mit APIs interagieren können.

Im Online-Repositorium unter https://github.com/strohne/cm finden Sie begleitend zum Kapitel weitere Materialien, auf die wir im Text mit ☛ verweisen.
Zur evaluierenden Audiometrie nach Cochlea-Implantat-Versorgung
Authors: Dziemba Oliver C. , Merz Stephan , Hocke Thomas
Published: July 2023

Hintergrund

Ein Hauptziel der Versorgung von Patient*innen mit Cochlea-Implantat (CI) ist die Verbesserung des Sprachverstehens. Einer der Zielparameter ist die Sprachverständlichkeit in Ruhe. Die Versorgungsergebnisse lassen jedoch eine sehr große Variabilität erkennen, welche bislang nur unzureichend erklärt werden konnte. Ziel dieser nichtinterventionellen retrospektiven Studie war die Aufklärung dieser Variabilität. Dies erfolgte anhand einer ausgewählten Population von Patient*innen, bei der die Ätiologie keinen negativen Einfluss auf die postoperative Sprachverständlichkeit erwarten ließ.

Material und Methoden

Es wurden die audiometrischen Befunde der CI-Folgetherapie von 28 erwachsenen Patient*innen nach 6 Monaten CI-Erfahrung ausgewertet. Diese wurden in Relation zur präoperativen audiometrischen Untersuchung gesetzt und hinsichtlich eines unlängst publizierten Prädiktionsmodells für das postoperative Einsilberverstehen ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Durch Einschluss der postoperativen Hörfeldskalierung und des Hörverlusts für Zahlen in das Modell lassen sich 55 % der Variabilität in den Versorgungsergebnissen bzgl. des Einsilberverstehens erklären.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie legen nahe, dass ein Großteil der Ursachen für die Variabilität der Versorgungsergebnisse durch systematische postoperative audiometrische Kontrollen erfasst werden kann. Aus diesen Ergebnissen können sich unmittelbare Schlussfolgerungen für die Anpassungen der CI-Systeme ziehen lassen. Inwieweit diese jedoch von den einzelnen Patient*innen akzeptiert werden und somit zu einer Verbesserung der Befundlage führen, muss Gegenstand weiterer, möglichst prospektiver Studien sein.
Sprachverstehen in Abhängigkeit von der cochleären Abdeckung – Vergleich bei bimodal versorgten Cochleaimplantatpatienten
Authors: Rader Tobias , Schrank Leonhard , Spiegel Jennifer L. , Nachtigäller Pascal , Spiro Judith E. , Hempel John-Martin , Canis Martin , Müller Joachim
Published: July 2023

Hintergrund

Der Hörerfolg für Patienten mit bimodaler Versorgung, bestehend aus einem Cochleaimplantat (CI) und einem kontralateralen Hörgerät (HG), ist unterschiedlich. Einige Patienten profitieren von einer bimodalen Versorgung mit CI und HG, andere nicht.

Ziel der Arbeit

Ziel war die Untersuchung des Erfolgs beim Sprachverstehen bimodal versorgter Patienten in Abhängigkeit von der cochleären Abdeckung (Cochlear Coverage, CC) durch den CI-Elektrodenträger.

Material und Methoden

Mittels der Software OTOPLAN (Fa. CAScination AG, Bern, Schweiz) wurde retrospektiv die CC von 39 Patienten anhand präoperativer Computertomographien (CT) des Felsenbeins erhoben, und in die Patienten wurden in 2 Gruppen, zum einen mit einer CC ≤ 65 % (CC500) und zum anderen mit einer CC > 65 % (CC600), unterteilt. Das monaurale Sprachverstehen für Einsilber bei 65 dB Schalldruckpegel (Sound Pressure Level, SPL) im Freifeld wurde zu verschiedenen Beobachtungszeitpunkten, präoperativ mit HG und postoperativ mit CI, erfasst und zwischen den Gruppen verglichen. Das Sprachverstehen wurde des Weiteren mit der CC der Gesamtkohorte präoperativ und zum Nachbeobachtungszeitpunkt (NBZ) korreliert.

Ergebnisse

Es wurde kein signifikanter Unterschied im Sprachverstehen zwischen Patienten mit CC500 und Patienten mit CC600 zu den einzelnen Beobachtungszeitpunkten festgestellt. Sowohl bei Patienten mit CC500 als auch bei Patienten mit CC600 kam es zu einer stetigen Verbesserung des Sprachverstehens nach der Implantation. Während Patienten mit CC600 im Trend eher eine frühere Verbesserung des Sprachverstehens zeigten, wiesen Patienten mit CC500 tendenziell eine langsamere Verbesserung in den ersten 3 Monaten und danach eine steilere Lernkurve auf. Zum NBZ näherten sich die beiden Patientengruppen ohne signifikante Unterschiede im Sprachverstehen an. Es gab keine signifikante Korrelation zwischen dem unimodalen/unilateralen Sprachverstehen im Freifeld und der CC. Allerdings erreichten v. a. die Patienten, die eine CC von 70–75 % aufwiesen, das maximale Sprachverstehen.

Schlussfolgerung

Trotz einer nichtsignifikanten Korrelation zwischen CC und Sprachverstehen schien v. a. die Patientengruppe mit einer Abdeckung von 70–75 % das Maximum im unimodalen/unilateralen Sprachverstehen zu erreichen. Es besteht jedoch Raum für weitere Untersuchungen, da CC500 mit einer kürzeren Cochlear Duct Length (CDL) assoziiert war und in beiden Gruppen lange und sehr lange Elektroden verwendet wurden.
Melanin-dependent tissue interactions induced by a 755-nm picosecond-domain laser: complementary visualization by optical imaging and histology
Authors: Jacobsen Kevin , Ortner Vinzent Kevin , Fredman Gabriella Louise , Christensen Rikke Louise , Dierickx Christine , Tanghetti Emil , Paasch Uwe , Haedersdal Merete
Published: July 2023

Fractional picosecond-domain lasers (PSL) induce optical breakdown, which correlates histologically to vacuolization in the epidermis and dermis. In this ex vivo porcine study, we sought to establish a framework for the investigation of laser-tissue interactions and their dependence on melanin density. Light- (melanin index: 24.5 [0–100]), medium- (58.7), and dark-pigmented (> 98) porcine skin samples were exposed to a 755-nm fractional PSL and examined with dermoscopy, line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT), conventional OCT, and subsequently biopsied for digitally stained ex vivo confocal microscopy (EVCM) and histology, using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Warthin-Starry (WS) melanin staining. Dermoscopy showed focal whitening in medium- and dark-pigmented skin. Similarly, LC-OCT and OCT visualized melanin-dependent differences in PSL-induced tissue alterations. Vacuoles were located superficially in the epidermis in dark-pigmented skin but at or below the dermal–epidermal junction in medium-pigmented skin; in light-pigmented skin, no vacuoles were observed. Histology confirmed the presence of vacuoles surrounded by areas void of WS staining and disrupted stratum corneum in darker skin. The combined use of optical imaging for multiplanar visualization and histological techniques for examination of all skin layers may mitigate the effect of common artifacts and attain a nuanced understanding of melanin-dependent laser-tissue interactions.
Towards neuromorphic FPGA-based infrastructures for a robotic arm
Authors: Canas-Moreno Salvador , Piñero-Fuentes Enrique , Rios-Navarro Antonio , Cascado-Caballero Daniel , Perez-Peña Fernando , Linares-Barranco Alejandro
Published: July 2023

Muscles are stretched with bursts of spikes that come from motor neurons connected to the cerebellum through the spinal cord. Then, alpha motor neurons directly innervate the muscles to complete the motor command coming from upper biological structures. Nevertheless, classical robotic systems usually require complex computational capabilities and relative high-power consumption to process their control algorithm, which requires information from the robot’s proprioceptive sensors. The way in which the information is encoded and transmitted is an important difference between biological systems and robotic machines. Neuromorphic engineering mimics these behaviors found in biology into engineering solutions to produce more efficient systems and for a better understanding of neural systems. This paper presents the application of a Spike-based Proportional-Integral-Derivative controller to a 6-DoF Scorbot ER-VII robotic arm, feeding the motors with Pulse-Frequency-Modulation instead of Pulse-Width-Modulation, mimicking the way in which motor neurons act over muscles. The presented frameworks allow the robot to be commanded and monitored locally or remotely from both a Python software running on a computer or from a spike-based neuromorphic hardware. Multi-FPGA and single-PSoC solutions are compared. These frameworks are intended for experimental use of the neuromorphic community as a testbed platform and for dataset recording for machine learning purposes.
Teacher Use of Digital Stories to Promote Reflective Practice Supportive of Migrant and Refugee Children’s Sense of Belonging
Authors: Khoo Elaine , Mitchell Linda , Sammons Maria
Published: July 2023

Creative and innovative reflective methods are important to prompt and sustain alternative and novel ways for teachers to consider their professional identity and practice. Digital storytelling is one such method that enables the sharing of valued events including narratives of lived experience. This paper reports on a case study investigating teacher use of digital storytelling to promote reflection and pedagogical awareness in support of immigrant and refugee children’s developing sense of belonging. The case study is part of a larger funded project aimed at strengthening the identity and belonging of refugee and immigrant children in early childhood education. In the case study, four early childhood education teachers in an education and care centre planned and created their digital narratives, reflected on the process, and considered the opportunities and implications for integrating digital storytelling in their practice. A range of qualitative data were collected through observations (notes, photographs, video recordings), focus group interview, and teacher created artifacts. Thematic analysis identified that teachers valued their experiences with creating their own digital stories in identifying and affirming their values and identities as teacher practitioners, and in thinking more deeply about coming to belong. They recognised the transformative potential of digital storytelling in promoting understandings of belonging, facilitating reflective practice and identifying relevant belonging-based pedagogical strategies. They recommended other staff and parents could undertake a similar process, predicting that this would enable even stronger reciprocal connections between staff, parents and children to facilitate greater understanding of children’s cultural backgrounds and home experiences as a basis for establishing more targeted belonging-based pedagogies.
Sustainable growth of organic farming in the EU requires a rethink of nutrient supply
Authors: Reimer Marie , Oelofse Myles , Müller-Stöver Dorette , Möller Kurt , Bünemann Else K. , Bianchi Silvia , Vetemaa Airi , Drexler Dóra , Trugly Bence , Raskin Ben , Blogg Hugh , Rasmussen Anton , Verrastro Vincenzo , Magid Jakob
Published: July 2023

The European Commission recently set a target of increasing the area of organic agriculture to 25% by 2030. To achieve this, it is imperative to understand current nutrient use patterns and identify sustainable nutrient supply opportunities. To that end, this study assessed the sustainability of the current nutrient origin and supply of 71 arable organic farms in 8 European regions. Deficient nutrient supply was found on 24%, 66%, and 56% of farms for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively. On average, we show a moderate surplus for nitrogen (28 kg ha−1), while phosphorus and potassium balances were close to zero (− 1 and 2 kg ha−1, respectively). Large variation between countries and farm types shows a divide between more intensive systems relying on external inputs, and less intensive systems facing nutrient deficits and lower outputs. We show, for the first time, the extent of current use of external input types, where conventional manures supplied 17–26% of external nutrients and inputs from non-agricultural origin supplied 31–41%. A large proportion of nutrient sources within the last group are materials derived from urban wastes. The sustainable expansion of the organic sector will require increased use of locally available recycled fertilizers from urban wastes, and acceptance of such sources by organic farmers is shown to be high, provided they are considered safe.
Smart technology solution for a cleaner city: a case study of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Pellatt Jemima , Palfreman Joshua
Published: July 2023

This paper investigates Smart-TRACS, an affordable and innovative smart technology solution to improve solid waste management and revenue collection in the rapidly expanding city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. By analyzing data from key stakeholders in the solid waste management service chain, the study validates the hypotheses that: (H1) Smart-TRACS has improved solid waste management service provision, and (H2) Smart-TRACS has enhanced refuse collection charges collection rates in the piloted wards. Notably, Smart-TRACS registered a 129% increase in identified service users, 13.5% increase in revenue collection, 55% increase in revenue collection coverage, and many other positive impacts resulting from data-driven internal management optimization. This paper provides compelling evidence that leveraging data can drive improved efficiency, resilience, innovation and inclusivity in Dar es Salaam’s city development. However, the paper also identifies limitations with Smart-TRACS, which underscore challenges hindering the city’s transition to a smart city status. The absence of an actively implemented robust overarching city master plan, smart city coordination framework, a challenging business environment, and the risks associated with sudden institutional change pose significant obstacles to sustained smart city development and innovation. Addressing these core challenges is crucial for Dar es Salaam to embark on a sustainable path towards smart city development and realize its potential for transformative growth.
Pharmacological Upregulation of Microglial Lipid Droplet Alleviates Neuroinflammation and Acute Ischemic Brain Injury
Authors: Li Huiya , Liu Pinyi , Deng Shiji , Zhu Liwen , Cao Xiang , Bao Xinyu , Xia Shengnan , Xu Yun , Zhang Bing
Published: July 2023

Lipid droplets (LDs) were reported to play an important role in the modulation of inflammation and various cellular processes among multiple cell types. However, LDs accumulation, its function and mechanisms of its formation during ischemic stroke remained poorly-identified. In this study, we observed increased LDs accumulation in microglia at the acute stage of ischemic stroke by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that microglia accumulated with LDs were associated with inflammation and phagocytosis. Both inflammatory activation and phagocytosis of tissue debris in microglia could contribute to LDs formation. Moreover, through specific LDs depletion and overload experiments by pharmacological approaches, we proposed that LDs was critical for the maintenance of anti-inflammatory properties of microglia. Furthermore, Atglistatin, a specific adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) inhibitor, was shown to prevent proinflammatory cytokines production in primary microglia through decreased LDs lipolysis. After Atglistatin treatment, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mice showed decreased infarct volume and improved neurobehavioral performance at the acute stage of stroke. Our findings provided a biological basis for microglial LDs regulation as a potential therapeutic strategy for acute ischemic stroke and uncovered the neuroprotective role of Atglistatin in the treatment of MCAO mice.
A Qualitative Study Exploring Parents’ Experiences of Caring for an Adolescent Child with Conduct Problems during the Covid-19 Lockdowns
Authors: Bull Marcus , Ball Rachael , Livanou Maria
Published: July 2023

Young people with conduct problems (CPs) have been detrimentally impacted by Covid-19 restrictions, with increased behaviour problems and internalising symptoms. Parents experienced increased strain, managing their child’s behaviours through lockdowns, while support services have been reduced. The present qualitative study aims to explore the deeper parental experience of caring for an adolescent child with CPs during the Covid-19 period. Participants were purposively recruited through a social media support forum. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with 14 parents of children with CPs (13 mothers and one father) between June-December 2021. Interviews were analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. Analysis revealed four main themes; Experiencing Positive Changes in Children, Navigating Practicalities of Home Confinement, Parents at “Breaking Point”, and Methods of Survival. Parents observed increased behavioural problems in their children, and expressed great strain and fatigue in relation to their child’s expression. Overall, parents felt isolated, confused, and burnt out, feeling they have no support to turn to. These issues appear to expand beyond the pandemic, highlighting an imperative need to provide more social, practical, and psychoeducational support for these parents whose voices are currently going unheard. These should be more robust and tailored to this unique population, with suggested services including peer social networks or parental hubs, more proficient and targeted psychoeducation, crisis interventions, and a greater capacity for parental respite.
Magnetite graphene oxide-albumin conjugate: carrier for the imatinib anticancer drug
Authors: Mashreghi Maral , Sabeti Bahare , Chekin Fereshteh
Published: July 2023

Carbon nanomaterials are widely used in biomedical applications due to their versatile properties. These are the attractive candidates for the carrying of anticancer drugs, genes, and proteins for chemotherapy. Imatinib is an effective chemotherapy drug whose toxicity has created a significant limitation in treatment. In this research, a new biocompatible nanocarrier based on albumin-magnetite graphene oxide conjugates was reported for the loading and release of imatinib. The magnetite graphene oxide nanocomposite was investigated by ultra violet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) and energy diepersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) methods. The crystallite size of Fe3O4 nanoparticles on graphene oxide obtained from XRD is about 14 nm which is in agreement well with the SEM results. We show that magnetite graphene oxide conjugated with albumin is an extremely efficient carrier. An efficient loading of IM, 81% at pH 7.0, time 2 h and initial concentration of 1 mg/mL was seen onto magnetite graphene oxide-albumin in comparison to graphene oxide and magnetite graphene oxide due to the presence of oxygen and nitrogen functional groups of albumin. Upon the pH 9.0 and 7.0, 7% and 16% imatinib could be released from the magnetite graphene oxide-albumin in a time span of 5 h but when exposed pH 4.0 the corresponding 31% was released in 5 h. After 20 h, 21, 42 and 68% of imatinib was released at pH 9.0, 7.0 and 4.0, respectively. This illustrates the major benefits of the developed approach for biomedical applications.

Graphical Abstract
Reframing rangeland systems science research in Kenya: a synthesis of social-science mixed methods to inform integrative analysis of landscape pattern and process
Authors: Unks Ryan
Published: July 2023

Context

Interdisciplinary borrowing between ecology and the social sciences has produced numerous insights about pastoral livelihood practices and rangeland ecology, demonstrating how people practicing pastoralism constantly modify their practices to adapt to social, political, economic, and biophysical change.

Objectives

I outline an approach for integrating research on pastoral livelihoods into a landscape ecology framework. I focus on access to land and resources, and an integrative approach to scale, to assess the relationship between landscape and social processes.

Methods

I use remotely sensed data and ethnographic analysis of livelihood change in two semi-arid contexts in Kenya to compare broad scale changes in pastoral mobility to spatio-temporal patterns of variability in rainfall and vegetation productivity. I then synthesize the political, economic, and social relations that have most prominently influenced access to land and restructured landscape process at finer scales.

Results

Spatial controls have been imposed on land use that have increasingly partitioned landscapes and concentrated pastoral access to land. Access to land has also been influenced by changes in social norms, employment, and market relations. Informal rules and norms, social differentiation, and exclusionary partitions have produced socially differentiated land use intensity gradients and novel landscape processes that have not previously been considered in landscape analyses in Kenya.

Conclusions

Understanding access, land use, and landscape processes as intertwined, with uneven processes of land and resource capture at different scales, would enable landscape ecologists to choose observational scales relevant to rural livelihoods and sensitive to power asymmetries, creating robust analytical linkages between social and ecological processes.
Truth and directness in pictorial assertion
Authors: Lewerentz Lukas , Viebahn Emanuel
Published: July 2023

This paper develops an account of accuracy and truth in pictorial assertion. It argues that there are two ways in which pictorial assertions can be indirect: with respect to their content and with respect to their target. This twofold indirectness explains how accurate, unedited pictures can be used to make false pictorial assertions. It captures the fishiness of true pictorial assertions involving target-indirectness, such as true pictorial assertions involving outdated pictures. And it raises the question whether target-indirectness may also arise in linguistic assertion.
Preserving Retinal Structure and Function with the Novel Nitroxide Antioxidant, DCTEIO
Authors: Rayner Cassie L. , Bottle Steven E. , Martyn Alexander P. , Barnett Nigel L.
Published: July 2023

Oxidative stress is a major contributor to progressive neurodegenerative disease and may be a key target for the development of novel preventative and therapeutic strategies. Nitroxides have been successfully utilised to study changes in redox status (biological probes) and modulate radical-induced oxidative stress. This study investigates the efficacy of DCTEIO (5,6-dicarboxy-1,1,3,3-tetraethyllisoindolin-2-yloxyl), a stable, kinetically-persistent, nitroxide-based antioxidant, as a retinal neuroprotectant. The preservation of retinal function following an acute ischaemic/reperfusion (I/R) insult in the presence of DCTEIO was quantified by electroretinography (ERG). Inflammatory responses in retinal glia were analysed by GFAP and IBA-1 immunohistochemistry, and retinal integrity assessed by histology. A nitroxide probe combined with flow cytometry provided a rapid technique to assess oxidative stress and the mitigation offered by antioxidant compounds in cultured 661W photoreceptor cells. DCTEIO protected the retina from I/R-induced damage, maintaining retinal function. Histological analysis showed preservation of retinal integrity with reduced disruption and disorganisation of the inner and outer nuclear layers. I/R injury upregulated GFAP expression, indicative of retinal stress, which was significantly blunted by DCTEIO. The number of ‘activated’ microglia, particularly in the outer retina, in response to cellular stress was also significantly reduced by DCTEIO, potentially suggesting reduced inflammasome activation and cell death. DCTEIO mitigated oxidative stress in 661W retinal cell cultures, in a dose-dependent fashion. Together these findings demonstrate the potential of DCTEIO as a neuroprotective therapeutic for degenerative diseases of the CNS that involve an ROS-mediated component, including those of the retina e.g. age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Former CEOs chairing the board: does it matter to corporate social and environmental investments?
Authors: Trinh Vu Quang , Salama Aly , Li Teng , Lyu Ou , Papagiannidis Savvas
Published: July 2023

Former CEOs who stay on the board as Chairmen (i.e., Chair-Former-CEO or CFCEO) often play a vital role in monitoring and advising the incumbent CEOs. However, their influence on firm performance remains under-investigated. This paper aims to offer new insights into the impact that such a role can have by examining corporate investment in social and environmental responsibility. It examines the effect of CFCEOs on the firm’s social and environmental responsibility of 1,263 S&P1500 firms from 2002 to 2021. We find that firms with the presence of a CFCEO exhibit superior social and environmental performance. This finding suggests that CFCEOs can encourage long-term value creation for a broader range of stakeholders by building social capital and public trust. Additional analyses reveal that the positive association between the CFCEO and firms’ social and environmental performance was more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic than during the global financial crisis of 2007-9.
Relocating mathematics: a case of moving texts between the front and back of mathematics
Authors: Lorenat Jemma
Published: July 2023

As mathematics departments in the United States began to shift toward standards of original research at the end of the nineteenth century, many adopted journal clubs as forums to engage with new periodical literature. The Bryn Mawr Mathematics Journal Club, maintained episodically between 1896 and 1924, began as a supplement to the graduate course offerings. Each semester student and professor participants focused on a single disciplinary area or surveyed what had been published lately. The Notebooks containing these reports were stored on the open shelves of the college library. These collectively composed documents record ways in which graduate students transcribed and interpreted contemporary literature from the front to the back of mathematics. This article will consider the entries of a single student in which published mathematics was rewritten for a local audience and how the process of relocation animated research at Bryn Mawr.
Statistical evidence and algorithmic decision-making
Authors: Holm Sune
Published: July 2023

The use of algorithms to support prediction-based decision-making is becoming commonplace in a range of domains including health, criminal justice, education, social services, lending, and hiring. An assumption governing such decisions is that there is a property Y such that individual a should be allocated resource R by decision-maker D if a is Y. When there is uncertainty about whether a is Y, algorithms may provide valuable decision support by accurately predicting whether a is Y on the basis of known features of a. Based on recent work on statistical evidence in epistemology this article presents an argument against relying exclusively on algorithmic predictions to allocate resources when they provide purely statistical evidence that a is Y. The article then responds to the objection that any evidence that will increase the proportion of correct decisions should be accepted as the basis for allocations regardless of its epistemic deficiency. Finally, some important practical aspects of the conclusion are considered.
On Polyanalytic Functions in Several Complex Variables
Authors: Vasilevski Nikolai
Published: July 2023

We give a characterisation of the polyanalytic type subspaces of the Hilbert spaces $$\mathcal {H}$$
H
, being the weighted $$L_2$$

L
2

function spaces on a connected simply connected domains $$D \subset \mathbb {C}^n$$

D
⊂

C

n

. The typical examples considered in the paper are the unit ball $$\mathbb {B}^n$$

B

n

and the whole space $$\mathbb {C}^n$$

C

n

. Our approach is based on the use of the two tuples of operators $$\begin{aligned} \mathbf {\mathfrak {a}}= (\mathfrak {a}_1, \ \mathfrak {a}_2, \ \ldots , \ \mathfrak {a}_n) \quad \textrm{and} \quad \mathbf {\mathfrak {b}}= (\mathfrak {b}_1, \ \mathfrak {b}_2, \ \ldots , \ \mathfrak {b}_n), \end{aligned}$$

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which act invariantly in some linear space and satisfy therein the commutation relations $$\begin{aligned} \left[ \mathfrak {a}_j, \mathfrak {b}_{\ell }\right] = \delta _{j,\ell }I, \quad \left[ \mathfrak {a}_j, \mathfrak {a}_{\ell }\right] = 0, \quad \left[ \mathfrak {b}_j, \mathfrak {b}_{\ell }\right] = 0, \quad j,\ell = 1,2,...,n. \end{aligned}$$

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We assume further that a common invariant domain of the above operators is a dense linear subspace in a Hilbert space $$\mathcal {H}$$
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, and impose several additional conditions. The exact formulation is given in the Extended Fock space construction. Further we specify the obtained description to different concrete realizations of the above operators and Hilbert spaces $$\mathcal {H}$$
H
, illustrating a variety of possibilities that may occur in the characterisation of the polyanalytic type spaces in several complex variables.
The Dual Role of Inner Speech in Narrative Self-Understanding and Narrative Self-Enactment
Authors: Fanti Rovetta Francesco
Published: July 2023

Psychologists and philosophers agree that personal narratives are a central component of one’s identity. The concept of narrative self has been proposed to capture this aspect of selfhood. In recent times, it has been a matter of debate how the narrative self relates to the embodied and experiential dimension of the self. In this debate, the role attributed to inner speech is that of constructing and maintaining personal narratives. Indeed, evidence suggests that inner speech episodes are involved in self-reflection and autobiographical reasoning. That is, previous works have focused mostly, if not solely, on the role of inner speech for narrative self-understanding. However, inner speech is also involved in enacting personal narratives. In such cases, the content of the inner speech episodes is not in the service of the construction of narratives, rather it implies the identification with the character of the personal narratives. I introduce two instances of the use of inner speech for narrative self-enactment: positive self-talk and stereotype threat. I conclude by considering the implications of the examples introduced for the debate regarding the relation between the narrative and the embodied dimensions of selfhood.
Training Community African American and Hispanic/Latino/a Advocates on Prostate Cancer (PCa): a Multicultural and Bicoastal Approach
Authors: Aristizabal Carolina , Suther Sandra , Yao Yingwei , Behar-Horenstein Linda S. , Webb Fern , Stern Mariana C. , Baezconde-Garbanati Lourdes
Published: July 2023

African American communities are disproportionately impacted by prostate cancer (PCa) compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Whereas the incidence of PCa in Hispanic/Latino men is lower than the incidence in non-Hispanic/Latino White men, Hispanic/Latino men are more likely to be diagnosed with PCa in late stages, and less likely to be knowledgeable about PCa, resulting in significant disparities. We developed, culturally adapted, translated, implemented, and evaluated a PCa Cancer Advocacy Training in African American and Hispanic/Latino/a communities. Culturally and language specific content for African American and Hispanic/Latino/a patients on PCa causes, risk factors, epidemiology, detection, diagnosis, and treatment were delivered through a workshop and simultaneously broadcasted in Spanish in Los Angeles County (n = 29) and in English in Tallahassee, FL (n = 9). Pre- and posttest surveys assessed impact. Pre vs post differences were statistically significant in knowledge (5.0 ± 1.6 vs 6.3 ± 1.1) and advocacy intentions (3.9 ± 0.9 vs 4.3 ± 0.8), on correctly identifying warning signs for PCa (50% vs 87%), intent to inform and educate about PCa within the next 3 months (69% vs 95%), to ensure that high-quality research is sensitive to the priorities of patients (63% vs 84%), to help increase patient recruitment, compliance, and retention for clinical trials within the next month (62% vs 84%), intent to engage in PCa patient education within the next 3 months (67% vs 92%), and in engaging in PCa community outreach within the next 3 months (67% vs 94%). There were no significant differences due to race/ethnicity. The Cancer Advocacy Training led to increased knowledge, awareness, and intention to engage in advocacy regarding PCa in the next 3 months. Results suggest that delivering culturally and language specific educational information increases engagement of Hispanic/Latino/a and African American patient/community advocates.
Optimization of extraction conditions for phytochemicals from Senna fistula using cheminformatics
Authors: Faboro Esther Oremeyi , Adekunle David Oluwatobi , Obisesan Idowu Arinola , Oyinlola Tomiwa Adelani
Published: July 2023

Senna fistula (commonly called golden shower tree) is a tropical plant renowned for its established medicinal properties. Additionally, it serves as a popular ornamental tree for homesteads and roadside plantings. But previous phytochemical studies on the plant adopted the conventional methods of extraction without optimal yield of the plant extract. This study investigated on the phytochemistry of S. fistula leaf, stem bark and flower using ethanol, aqueous and palm wine extracts. Also, optimization of extraction with the aid of design expert was carried out to determine the extraction condition that would give the optimum yield using different solvent. Result of qualitative analysis on phytochemicals showed presence of anthraquinones, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, phenols, cardiac glycosides and tannins. An extraction of 10 g of S. fistula for 24 h at 300 rpm, with an orbital shaker time of 30 min, gave an optimal yield of 3.6 g. The bio-active compounds found in S. fistula are subjects of more exploratory research with usable products that can benefit mankind as the focus.
Structuring Surfaces at the Speed of Light
Authors: Henriques B. , Lasagni A. F.
Published: July 2023

An emerging laser-based surface structuring technology (DLIP) uses the interference of light to transfer to materials well-defined periodic features for the large-scale production of novel bio-inspired multifunctional surfaces. In this text, we describe briefly some fundamental aspects of laser-based materials processing, describe the different capabilities of DLIP for producing functional surfaces and give some examples of multifunctional surfaces thus produced. Finally, the main strategies that are being developed to boost the throughput of interference-based patterning technologies are presented.
Mechanics of Fluids
Authors: Powers Joseph M.
Published: July 2023

Providing a modern approach to classical fluid mechanics, this textbook presents an accessible and rigorous introduction to the field, with a strong emphasis on both mathematical exposition and physical problems. It includes a consistent treatment of a broad range of fluid mechanics topics, including governing equations, vorticity, potential flow, compressible flow, viscous flow, instability, and turbulence. It has enhanced coverage of geometry, coordinate transformations, kinematics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and nonlinear dynamics. To round out student understanding, a robust emphasis on theoretical fundamentals and underlying mathematical details is provided, enabling students to gain confidence and develop a solid framework for further study. Included also are 180 end-of-chapter problems, with full solutions and sample course syllabi available for instructors. With sufficient coverage for a one- or two-semester sequence, this textbook provides an ideal flexible teaching pathway for graduate students in aerospace, mechanical, chemical, and civil engineering, and applied mathematics.
The Book of Esther between Judaism and Christianity
Authors: Kalimi Isaac
Published: July 2023

The book of Esther is one of the most challenging books in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, not only because of the difficulty of understanding the book itself in its time, place, and literary contexts, but also for the long and tortuous history of interpretation it has generated in both Jewish and Christian traditions. In this volume, Isaac Kalimi addresses both issues. He situates 'traditional' literary, textual, theological, and historical-critical discussion of Esther alongside comparative Jewish and Christian interpretive histories, showing how the former serves the latter. Kalimi also demonstrates how the various interpretations of the Book of Esther have had an impact on its reception history, as well as on Jewish-Christian relations. Based on meticulous and comprehensive analysis of all available sources, Kalimi's volume fills a gap in biblical, Jewish, and Christian studies and also shows how and why the Book of Esther became one of the central books of Judaism and one of the most neglected books in Christianity.
Blue Humanities
Authors: Oppermann Serpil
Published: July 2023

By drawing on oceanography (marine sciences) and limnology (freshwater sciences), social sciences, and the environmental humanities, the field of the blue humanities critically examines the planet's troubled seas and distressed freshwaters from various socio-cultural, literary, historical, aesthetic, ethical, and theoretical perspectives. Since all waterscapes in the Anthropocene are overexploited and endangered sites, the field calls for transdisciplinary cooperation and encourages thinking with water and thinking together beyond the conventions of tentacular anthropocentric thought. Working across many disciplines, the blue humanities, then, challenges the cultural primacy of standard sea and freshwater narratives and promotes disanthropocentric discourses about water ecologies. Engaging with the most pressing water problems, this Element contributes to those new discursive practices from a material ecocritical perspective. The authors' hypothesis is that fluid-storied matter and the new stories we tell can change the game by changing our mindset.
The Poverty of Strategy
Authors: Holt Robin , Zundel Mike
Published: July 2023

At least since the ancient Greeks, strategists have sought to direct and distinguish organized activity through planned, rational decision-making, through the imaginative creation of vision, or through the assertion of will. In all cases, argue Holt and Zundel, strategy impoverishes, not because it only ever offers limited view of organized life, but because it is dedicated to concealing these limits behind grand generalities. The situation is exacerbated when machines and algorithms, not humans, organize. Holt and Zundel draw on philosophy, literature, media theory, art, mathematics, computing and military thinking in an attempt to rescue strategy by isolating what, they argue, remains its essence: strategy is a continual organizational struggle towards authenticity. This, too, is a condition of poverty, but one that sets in place an unhomely condition of questionability as opposed to one of distinctive settlement. It is, argue Holt and Zundel, the sole gift of strategy to thoughtfully refuse rather than impose, organizational imperatives.
The Publications of The Bedfordshire Historical Record Society Volume XIX
Authors: Loyd Lewis C.
Published: July 2023

Contains 'Tractatus de Dunstaple et de Houcton', edited by G. Herbert Fowler (Of the 10 surviving folios of the Tractatus of Dunstable, folios 1-5 deal with Dunstable Priory; and folios 6-10 with Houghton Regis, where the Priory's most important Bedfordshire lands lay. These documents duplicate some information in the Dunstable Annals and Cartulary (for the annals see the Rolls Series; for the cartulary see BHRS vol. 10). The documents cover the foundation, administration and property of the priory and its relations with Houghton Regis, Kensworth and Caddington, from which places land was taken to set up the priory and town. The Treatise of Houghton deals with the rights and services of the lords and tenants of the vill before and after its transfer to Dunstable Priory. The documents in this volume date to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. They are presented as Latin transcriptions with English translations and are explained by copious notes and a pedigree of the Gournay family).

'The Origin of the Family of Aubigny of Cainhoe', by Lewis C. Loyd (This article updates Fowler's article in BHRS vol. 1).

 'Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem, No. 2, 1272-1286', by G. Herbert Fowler (Twenty-three inquisitions of lands held in Bedfordshire with copious notes and pedigrees.).