bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration der Kundenmeinung ins Geschäftsmodell
Authors: Frey Michael
Published: December 2023

Kundenfeedback ist von entscheidender Bedeutung für jedes Geschäftsmodell, da es wertvolle Einblicke in die Bedürfnisse, Wünsche und Probleme der Kunden bietet, die bei der Verbesserung von Produkten, Dienstleistungen und der allgemeinen Kundenerfahrung hilfreich sein können. Darüber hinaus kann eine positive Kundenbewertung das Vertrauen und die Glaubwürdigkeit eines Unternehmens erhöhen und somit langfristig zum Geschäftserfolg beitragen. Es ist jedoch mit hohem Aufwand verbunden Kundenfeedback zu erfassen, da es eine sorgfältige Planung und Umsetzung erfordert, um die Qualität und Relevanz der Rückmeldungen sicherzustellen und die richtigen Informationen zu sammeln. Das vorliegende Kapitel beschreibt die prototypische Umsetzung des in im Forschungsprojekt AKKORD entwickelten Konzepts zur digitalen Kollaborationsmöglichkeiten und Geschäftsmodellen anhand des Beispiels der teilautomatischen Integration von Kundenfeedback in ein bestehendes Geschäftsmodell. Ziel des vorliegenden Anwendungsfalls ist es, aus frei im Internet zugänglichen Quellen Meinungen zu Produkten und Dienstleistungen in unstrukturierter Weise zu erfassen und mit Hilfe von Techniken der natürlichen Sprachverarbeitung in eine strukturierte Form zu bringen, um anhand der darin enthaltenen Informationen das jeweils vorliegende Geschäftsmodell weiterzuentwickeln. Der dazu entwickelte Prototyp verwendet im Kern eine Sentiment-Analyse, um die jeweilige Stimmung des Verfassers der Produktbewertung zu extrahieren.
Re-envisioning Women’s Empowerment: A Maqasid Approach to Understanding Women’s Status and Rights in Islam
Authors: Abdelgafar Basma I.
Published: December 2023

Like other human rights treatises, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) has elicited moral-religious responses from both state and non-state actors, especially in predominantly Muslim societies. The reactions are divided, with supporters and opponents using selective traditional arguments. This paper suggests that the Islamic response lacks a comprehensive approach and is fragmented, relying on partialistic views of the Shariah and offers to adopt a new maqasid methodology (NMM) to examine the status and rights of women in Islam. The paper challenges the focus on inequality as the main cause of injustice and argues that empowering women involves recognizing their relationship with their Creator as well as their relationships to their own selves, other individuals and groups, and all other creatures. The dominance of two policy positions (full acceptance or acceptance with reservations) that assume or neglect these deeper issues is inadequate and does not reflect the potential of an Islamic perspective. The Islamic perspective has yet to be fully explored and cannot endorse positions that view women in conflict with men or that are based on false premises.
Empowering Women Through Public Sector Employment in Qatar: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Naguib Rabia , Aref Ahmed
Published: December 2023

Integrating women into the workforce is considered as part of the economic progress formula and modernization process leading to women’s empowerment. While this process has been internally driven in Western societies, it is globally imposed through policy diffusion, raising challenges for policy-makers to adapt the prevailing models to local cultures. Given the dearth of empirical studies in the context of Arab Gulf countries, this chapter offers compelling insights and qualitative evidence of women’s employment in Qatar. It focuses on the public sector as it represents the main employer of women providing many benefits and opportunities while presenting some constraints and challenges. Using an integrative multi-level lens and a culturally sensitive approach results from 50 in-depth semi-structured interviews with civil servants are analyzed to identify factors affecting women’s economic empowerment. The findings highlight the complexity of determining specific factors and provide policy recommendations based on women’s opinions and conveyed voices.
Silver isotope analysis and systematics of native gold from the Rajapalot Co-enriched gold deposit, Finnish Lapland
Authors: Tepsell J. , Lahaye Y. , Molnár F. , Rämö O.T. , Cook N.
Published: December 2023

Silver is probably the closest isotopic proxy to track monoisotopic gold and has been shown to have great potential to yield new information on the origin and enrichment processes of gold. This study describes the development of a tailored analytical protocol for accurate analysis of Ag isotopes and provides the first Ag isotope data for the Paleoproterozoic Rajapalot Au-Co deposit, Finnish Lapland. Six native Au samples yield ε109Ag values (relative to NIST SRM 978a) from −6.8 to +2.1 and are within the range of Ag isotopic compositions reported for native Au samples. The mean of the analyzed Au samples is ε109Ag = −3.8 ± 1.7 (2SD) with most of the samples with negative ε109Ag values (−6.7 to −2.0); one sample has a positive ε109Ag value of +2.1 ± 0.5. Silver isotope fractionation in the Rajapalot Au deposit was likely associated with physicochemical processes related to deposition and/or re-mobilization of the ore rather than with source region inheritance. It is suggested that redox reactions involving Ag+ ↔ Ag0 phase change primarily account for the isotopic differences within the deposit. Our results also suggest that the Rajapalot Au-Co deposit was formed via multistage ore-forming processes and/or that the primary ore was re-mobilized, which caused isotope fractionation along fluid pathways. Silver isotope variation within a deposit may mark a fractional crystallization trend with the lightest isotopic composition representing the earliest precipitate. Hence, Ag isotopes show potential as an isotopic vectoring tool in search of Au-enriched domains.
A new conceptual model of global ocean heat uptake
Authors: Gregory Jonathan M. , Bloch-Johnson Jonah , Couldrey Matthew P. , Exarchou Eleftheria , Griffies Stephen M. , Kuhlbrodt Till , Newsom Emily , Saenko Oleg A. , Suzuki Tatsuo , Wu Quran , Urakawa Shogo , Zanna Laure
Published: December 2023

We formulate a new conceptual model, named “MT2”, to describe global ocean heat uptake, as simulated by atmosphere–ocean general circulation models (AOGCMs) forced by increasing atmospheric CO$$_{2}$$

2

, as a function of global-mean surface temperature change T and the strength of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC, M). MT2 has two routes whereby heat reaches the deep ocean. On the basis of circumstantial evidence, we hypothetically identify these routes as low- and high-latitude. In low latitudes, which dominate the global-mean energy balance, heat uptake is temperature-driven and described by the two-layer model, with global-mean T as the temperature change of the upper layer. In high latitudes, a proportion p (about 14%) of the forcing is taken up along isopycnals, mostly in the Southern Ocean, nearly like a passive tracer, and unrelated to T. Because the proportion p depends linearly on the AMOC strength in the unperturbed climate, we hypothesise that high-latitude heat uptake and the AMOC are both affected by some characteristic of the unperturbed global ocean state, possibly related to stratification. MT2 can explain several relationships among AOGCM projections, some found in this work, others previously reported: $$\bullet $$
∙
 Ocean heat uptake efficiency correlates strongly with the AMOC. $$\bullet $$
∙
 Global ocean heat uptake is not correlated with the AMOC. $$\bullet $$
∙
 Transient climate response (TCR) is anticorrelated with the AMOC. $$\bullet $$
∙
 T projected for the late twenty-first century under high-forcing scenarios correlates more strongly with the effective climate sensitivity than with the TCR.
Frequency of Consumption of Food Groups and Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors: A Genetically Informative Twin Study in Sri Lanka
Authors: Zavos Helena M. S. , Riddleston Laura , Jayaweera Kaushalya , Dissanayake Lasith , Jabir Sameeha , Pannala Gayani , Hotopf Matthew , Siribaddana Sisira , Sumathipala Athula , Rijsdijk Frühling V.
Published: December 2023

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) globally have undergone rapid urbanisation, and changes in demography and health behaviours. In Sri Lanka, cardio-vascular disease and diabetes are now leading causes of mortality. High prevalence of their risk factors, including hypertension, dysglycaemia and obesity have also been observed. Diet is a key modifiable risk factor for both cardio-vascular disease and diabetes as well as their risk factors. Although typically thought of as an environmental risk factor, dietary choice has been shown to be genetically influenced, and genes associated with this behaviour correlate with metabolic risk indicators. We used Structural Equation Model fitting to investigate the aetiology of dietary choices and cardio-metabolic phenotypes in COTASS, a population-based twin and singleton sample in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Participants completed a Food Frequency Questionnaire (N = 3934) which assessed frequency of intake of 14 food groups including meat, vegetables and dessert or sweet snacks. Anthropometric (N = 3675) and cardio-metabolic (N = 3477) phenotypes were also collected including weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose and triglycerides. Frequency of consumption of most food items was found to be largely environmental in origin with both the shared and non-shared environmental influences indicated. Modest genetic influences were observed for some food groups (e.g. fruits and leafy greens). Cardio-metabolic phenotypes showed moderate genetic influences with some shared environmental influence for Body Mass Index, blood pressure and triglycerides. Overall, it seemed that shared environmental effects were more important for both dietary choices and cardio-metabolic phenotypes compared to populations in the Global North.
Chest Computed Tomography Characteristics of Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients with Auto-antibodies Against Type I Interferons
Authors: Lafont Rapnouil Baptiste , Zaarour Youssef , Arrestier Romain , Bastard Paul , Peiffer Bastien , Moncomble Elsa , Parfait Mélodie , Bellaïche Raphaël , Casanova Jean-Laurent , Mekontso Dessap Armand , Mule Sébastien , de Prost Nicolas
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Patients with auto-antibodies neutralizing type I interferons (anti-IFN auto-Abs) are at risk of severe forms of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). The chest computed tomography (CT) scan characteristics of critically ill COVID-19 patients harboring these auto-Abs have never been reported.

Methods

Bicentric ancillary study of the ANTICOV study (observational prospective cohort of severe COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for hypoxemic acute respiratory failure between March 2020 and May 2021) on chest CT scan characteristics (severity score, parenchymal, pleural, vascular patterns). Anti-IFN auto-Abs were detected using a luciferase neutralization reporting assay. Imaging data were collected through independent blinded reading of two thoracic radiologists of chest CT studies performed at ICU admission (± 72 h). The primary outcome measure was the evaluation of severity by the total severity score (TSS) and the CT severity score (CTSS) according to the presence or absence of anti-IFN auto-Abs.

Results

Two hundred thirty-one critically ill COVID-19 patients were included in the study (mean age 59.5 ± 12.7 years; males 74.6%). Day 90 mortality was 29.5% (n = 72/244). There was a trend towards more severe radiological lesions in patients with anti-IFN auto-Abs than in others, not reaching statistical significance (median CTSS 27.5 (21.0–34.8) versus 24.0 (19.0–30.0), p = 0.052; median TSS 14.5 (10.2–17.0) versus 12.0 (9.0–15.0), p = 0.070). The extra-parenchymal evaluation found no difference in the proportion of patients with pleural effusion, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, or thymal abnormalities in the two populations. The prevalence of pulmonary embolism was not significantly different between groups (8.7% versus 5.3%, p = 0.623, n = 175).

Conclusion

There was no significant difference in disease severity as evaluated by chest CT in severe COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU for hypoxemic acute respiratory failure with or without anti-IFN auto-Abs.
Plasma Levels of mir-34a-5p Correlate with Systemic Inflammation and Low Naïve CD4 T Cells in Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Authors: Nyström Sofia , Hultberg Jonas , Blixt Emelie , Nilsdotter-Augustinsson Åsa , Larsson Marie
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary antibody deficiency that commonly manifests as recurrent infections. Many CVID patients also suffer from immune dysregulation, an inflammatory condition characterized by polyclonal lymphocytic tissue infiltration and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The genetic cause is unknown in most CVID patients and epigenetic alterations may contribute to the broad range of clinical manifestations. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that are involved in epigenetic modulation and may contribute to the clinical phenotype in CVID.

Methods

Here, we determined the circulating microRNAome and plasma inflammatory proteins of a cohort of CVID patients with various levels of immune dysregulation and compared them to healthy controls. A set of deregulated microRNAs was validated by qPCR and correlated to inflammatory proteins and clinical findings.

Results

Levels of microRNA-34a correlated with 11 proteins such as CXCL9, TNF, and IL10, which were predicted to be biologically connected. Moreover, there was a negative correlation between mir-34 levels and the number of naïve CD4 T cells in CVID.

Conclusion

Collectively, our data show that microRNAs correlate with the inflammatory response in CVID. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the role of miRNAs in the development of CVID-related immune dysregulation.
Scalable variable selection for two-view learning tasks with projection operators
Authors: Szedmak Sandor , Huusari Riikka , Duong Le Tat Hong , Rousu Juho
Published: December 2023

In this paper we propose a novel variable selection method for two-view settings, or for vector-valued supervised learning problems. Our framework is able to handle extremely large scale selection tasks, where number of data samples could be even millions. In a nutshell, our method performs variable selection by iteratively selecting variables that are highly correlated with the output variables, but which are not correlated with the previously chosen variables. To measure the correlation, our method uses the concept of projection operators and their algebra. With the projection operators the relationship, correlation, between sets of input and output variables can also be expressed by kernel functions, thus nonlinear correlation models can be exploited as well. We experimentally validate our approach, showing on both synthetic and real data its scalability and the relevance of the selected features.
On deformations of coisotropic submanifolds with fixed characteristic foliation
Authors: Geudens Stephane
Published: December 2023

It is well-known that the deformation problem of a compact coisotropic submanifold C in a symplectic manifold is obstructed in general. We show that it becomes unobstructed if one only allows coisotropic deformations whose characteristic foliation is diffeomorphic to that of C. This extends an unobstructedness result in the setting of integral coisotropic submanifolds due to Ruan.
Influence of Reynolds number and rotational number on the features of a transitional flow in short Taylor-Couette cavity
Authors: Tuliszka-Sznitko E.
Published: December 2023

The paper reports on the DNS results of the flow in co- and counter-rotating coaxial cylinders of aspect ratios Γ = H/(R2 − R1) between 3.8 and 4.05, and radius ratio η = R1/R2 = 0.5, with the end-walls rotating with the angular velocity of the inner cylinder Ω1. The computations are performed for a wide range of rotational number RΩ = (1 − η)(Re1 + Re2)/(ηRe2 − Re1), from − 1.069 to 0.0, which includes both the linearly unstable flows and the Rayleigh stable flows. The considered Reynolds numbers of the inner cylinder Re1 = Ω1R1(R2 − R1)/ν are up to 3000 (Re2 = Ω2R2(R2 − R1)/ν). The obtained flow structures appearing at various stages of the laminar-turbulent transition and the radial profiles of statistical parameters are discussed in the light of the data published by other authors. The critical bifurcation lines are determined as functions of the inner and outer cylinder Reynolds numbers. Many interesting phenomena have been found.
If Molinism is true, what can you do?
Authors: Law Andrew
Published: December 2023

Suppose Molinism is true and God placed Adam in the garden because God knew Adam would freely eat of the fruit. Suppose further that, had it not been true that Adam would freely eat of the fruit, were he placed in the garden, God would have placed someone else there instead. When Adam freely eats of the fruit, is he free to do otherwise? This paper argues that there is a strong case for both a positive and a negative answer. Assuming such cases are possible under Molinism, we are left with a puzzling question: if Molinism is true, what can you do?
Determining Changes in Mangrove Cover Using Remote Sensing with Landsat Images: a Review
Authors: Vasquez Juan , Acevedo-Barrios Rosa , Miranda-Castro Wendy , Guerrero Milton , Meneses-Ospina Luisa
Published: December 2023

Mangroves are ecosystems within the intertidal zone of tropical and subtropical coasts; they offer ecosystem services such as protection from coastal erosion and storms and flood control, act as carbon sinks and are also sources of income by providing various forest products. However, their cover is rapidly disappearing worldwide, which makes the diagnosis and monitoring of the state of these important ecosystems, as well as their restoration and conservation, a challenge. Remote sensing is a promising technique that provides accurate and efficient results in the mapping and monitoring of these ecosystems. The Landsat sensor provides the most used medium-resolution images for this type of study. The main objective of this article is to provide an updated review of the main remote sensing techniques, specifically Landsat satellite imagery, used in the detection of changes and mapping of mangrove forests, as well as a review of climatic and/or chemical factors related to changes in the spatial distribution of these ecosystems.
Next generation edible nanoformulations for improving post-harvest shelf-life of citrus fruits
Authors: Kumar Nishant , Upadhyay Ashutosh , Shukla Shruti , Bajpai Vivek K. , Kieliszek Marek , Yadav Ajay , Kumaravel Vighnesh
Published: December 2023

Citrus is one of the most widely grown fruits globally, because of its remarkable organoleptic features, nutritional content and bioactive ingredients. Microbial spoilage and other factors such as physiological disorder, mechanical and physical damage, and fruit senescence are the major factors of postharvest loss to citrus industry. The postharvest losses in citrus are directly have negative impcats on the economy, environment and healths due to production of carbon emission gases. The fungal pathogens such as Penicillium digitatum, Penicillium italicum and Geotrichum candidum are the major cause of postharvest spoilage in citrus fruits. These pathogens produce different mycotoxins such as citrinin, patulin, and tremorgenic. These mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of molds; they employ toxic effects on the healths. The acuteness of mytoxin on toxicity is dependings on the extent exposure, age and nutritional status of individual. The toxicity of mytoxins are directly related to the food safety and health concern including damage DNA, kidney damage, mutation in RNA/DNA, growth impairment in childs and immune system etc. Several attempts have been made to extend the shelf-life of citrus fruits by controlling physiological decay and fungal growth which has got limited success. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a new strategy for shelf life prevention of citrus fruits. The biopolymer based nano-formulations functionalized with active compounds have shown promising results in maintaining the postharvest quality attributes of fruits and vegetables by retarding the moisture loss and oxidation. This review exclusively discloses the postharvest losses in citrus fruits and their causes. In addition, the use of biopolymer based nanoformulations functionalized with active agents and their developing technologies have been also discussed briefly. The effects of nano-formulation technologies on the postharvest shelf life of citrus is also described.The finding of this review also suggest that the natural biopolymers and bioactive compounds can be used for developing nanoformulations for extending the shelf-life of citrus fruits by minimizing the fungal growth and as an alternatives of fungicides.
Differential Outcomes Training of Visuospatial Memory: A Gamified Approach Using a Socially Assistive Robot
Authors: Markelius Alva , Sjöberg Sofia , Bergström Martin , Ravandi Bahram Salamat , Vivas Ana B. , Khan Imran , Lowe Robert
Published: December 2023

This study represents the first stage of evaluating whether cognitive training interventions may be facilitated by the presence of a socially assistive robot (SAR) and gamification. Our experimental setup involves using a SAR providing feedback to a gamified visuospatial working memory task, administered according to a differential outcomes training (DOT) protocol. The study’s main objective was to investigate whether performance and attitude towards the task would be affected by different robotic setups (none, simulated or physical) and in relation to different challenge levels. We measured performance accuracy on the gamified visuospatial memory task and self-reported affective ratings, which are relevant for assessing attitude towards the task and providing indicators to the potential for using a SAR for a longer-term cognitive intervention. Additionally, we conducted exploratory analyses of eye movement strategies for memory encoding during the task. The results demonstrated a significant differential outcomes effect (DOE) on memory performance accuracy, regardless of Robot type and Challenge level, providing evidence that a DOE can still be obtained when a SAR interacts with participants. Moreover, the results from the affective ratings revealed that participants accompanied by the physical robot reported lower levels of stress and increased levels of control. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, a DOE using a SAR in a gamified context. This result, coupled with positive subjective reporting of the human–robot interactive experience of participants, demonstrates the potential for using a SAR to: (i) promote positive attitudes for a DOT-based cognitive intervention, without (ii) negatively affecting task performance.
MXene/Cellulose Composite Cloth for Integrated Functions (if-Cloth) in Personal Heating and Steam Generation
Authors: Chang Jian , Pang Bo , Zhang Hao , Pang Kanglei , Zhang Miao , Yuan Jiayin
Published: December 2023

Given the abundant solar light available on our planet, it is promising to develop an advanced fabric capable of simultaneously providing personal thermal management and facilitating clean water production in an energy-efficient manner. In this study, we present the fabrication of a photothermally active, biodegradable composite cloth composed of titanium carbide MXene and cellulose, achieved through an electrospinning method. This composite cloth exhibits favorable attributes, including chemical stability, mechanical performance, structural flexibility, and wettability. Notably, our 0.1-mm-thick composite cloth (RC/MXene IV) raises the temperature of simulated skin by 5.6 °C when compared to a commercially available cotton cloth, which is five times thicker under identical ambient conditions. Remarkably, the composite cloth (RC/MXene V) demonstrates heightened solar light capture efficiency (87.7%) when in a wet state instead of a dry state. Consequently, this cloth functions exceptionally well as a high-performance steam generator, boasting a superior water evaporation rate of 1.34 kg m−2 h−1 under one-sun irradiation (equivalent to 1000 W m−2). Moreover, it maintains its performance excellence in solar desalination processes. The multifunctionality of these cloths opens doors to a diverse array of outdoor applications, including solar-driven water evaporation and personal heating, thereby enriching the scope of integrated functionalities for textiles.

Graphical Abstract
“These Somalis are not Somalis:” Cup of Art Italian Coffeehouse, Authentic Identities, and Belonging in Hargeisa, Somaliland
Authors: Serunkuma Yusuf
Published: December 2023

Through ethnography of a performatively Western-inspired coffeehouse in a “traditionally” identifying town of Hargeisa in Somaliland, Serunkuma uses Cup of Art Italian Coffeehouse to debate the political-conceptual dilemma—and potential dangers—of the renewed longing for cultural authenticity and “total revolution” in post-colonial Africa. While acknowledging the failure of the dreams that animated the anti-colonial struggle, manifest in the collapse in public service delivery, governance challenges, and civil war, Serunkuma contends that taking this to be the product of the “legacy of late colonialism,” and thus seeking to protect supposedly “authentic” African traditions and religious practices from Western corruption is itself a poisoned chalice. Using Cup of Art, Serunkuma urges humility toward the permanence of a colonial modernity and constant awareness of the new “problem space,” in which actors exercise their agency.
The utility of whole-genome sequencing to inform epidemiologic investigations of SARS-CoV-2 clusters in acute-care hospitals
Authors: Rader Theodore S. , Srinivasa Vatsala R. , Griffith Marissa P. , Waggle Kady , Pless Lora , Chung Ashley , Wagester Suzanne , Harrison Lee H. , Snyder Graham M.
Published: December 2023

Objective:

To evaluate the utility of selective reactive whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in aiding healthcare-associated cluster investigations.

Design:

Mixed-methods quality-improvement study.

Setting:

Thes study was conducted across 8 acute-care facilities in an integrated health system.

Methods:

We analyzed healthcare-associated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) clusters between May 2020 and July 2022 for which facility infection prevention and control (IPC) teams selectively requested reactive WGS to aid the epidemiologic investigation. WGS was performed with real-time results provided to IPC teams, including genetic relatedness of sequenced isolates. We conducted structured interviews with IPC teams on the informativeness of WGS for transmission investigation and prevention.

Results:

In total, 8 IPC teams requested WGS to aid the investigation of 17 COVID-19 clusters comprising 226 cases and 116 (51%) sequenced isolates. Of these, 16 (94%) clusters had at least 1 WGS-defined transmission event. IPC teams hypothesized transmission pathways in 14 (82%) of 17 clusters and used data visualizations to characterize these pathways in 11 clusters (65%). The teams reported that in 15 clusters (88%), WGS identified a transmission pathway; the WGS-defined pathway was not one that was predicted by epidemiologic investigation in 7 clusters (41%). WGS changed the understanding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission in 8 clusters (47%) and altered infection prevention interventions in 8 clusters (47%).

Conclusions:

Selectively utilizing reactive WGS helped identify cryptic SARS-CoV-2 transmission pathways and frequently changed the understanding and response to SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. Until WGS is widely adopted, a selective reactive WGS approach may be highly impactful in response to healthcare-associated cluster investigations.
Authoritarian Ruling Parties' Recruitment Dilemma: Evidence from China
Authors: Angiolillo Fabio
Published: December 2023

In autocracies, party membership offers benefits to citizens who join the ruling party. The recruitment process consists of (i) citizens' applying to become party members, followed by (ii) ruling parties' selection among applicants. Hence, I propose that ruling parties can face a “recruitment dilemma” when the citizens who apply for party membership with an eye on its benefits do not overlap with the ruling party's targeted population. Previous research assumes that the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) interest in co-opting white-collar workers is matched by those workers’ interest in becoming party members. However, it is their emergence as an essential social group that changed the CCP membership's pattern, leading it to adapt its co-optation strategy to solve the recruitment dilemma. Using surveys across multiple waves between 2005 and 2017, I show (i) changes in application patterns, (ii) the CCP's recruitment dilemma when they receive applications from more laborers than white-collar workers, and (iii) the CCP solution of rejecting laborers in favor of white-collar workers.
CHILD SOLDIERS AND PEACE AGREEMENTS
Authors: Molloy Sean
Published: December 2023

For societies transitioning from conflict to peace, the phenomenon of child soldiers poses significant challenges. These include quandaries associated with assisting in the reintegration of serving child soldiers, determining how to prevent future recruitment of child soldiers, and pursuing accountability of those who utilize child soldiers. In addition, questions are also raised as to whether and how child soldiers responsible for crimes committed during conflict are to be held to account. While no one mechanism or response can adequately and sufficiently address the multifaceted issues that arise, peace agreements, as foundational documents that serve as the blueprint for peacebuilding and the post-conflict State, can make a useful contribution to some or all of them. Drawing on all references to child soldiers in 77 peace agreements signed between 1990 and 2022, this article examines the ways in which peace agreements address the issue of child soldiers.
Ketorolac in neonates and infants following congenital heart surgery: a retrospective review
Authors: Kiskaddon Amy L. , Stock Arabela C. , Fierstein Jamie L. , Miller Alexandra , Quintessenza James A. , Goldenberg Neil
Published: December 2023

Introduction:

Pain management is essential in the immediate post-surgical period. We sought to describe the ketorolac dose regimen in neonates and infants following cardiac surgery. Secondary outcomes included renal dysfunction, bleeding, and pain management.

Methods:

We performed a single-centre retrospective cohort study of neonates and infants (aged < 12 months) who received ketorolac following cardiac surgery, from November 2020 through November 2021 (inclusive). Ketorolac was administered at 0.5 mg/kg every 6 hours. Safety was defined by absence of a clinically significant decline in renal function (i.e., increase in serum creatinine [SCr] by ≥ 0.3 mg/dL from baseline within 48 hours and/or urine output ≤ 0.5 mL/kg/hour for 6 hours) and absence of clinically significant bleeding defined as major by International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis paediatric criteria or Severe/Fatal Bleeding Events by Nellis et al. Efficacy measures included pain scores and opioid utilisation.

Results:

Fifty-five patients met eligibility criteria. The median (range) dose and duration of ketorolac administration was 0.5 mg/kg/dose for 48 (6–90) hours. Among all patients, there was not a statistically significant difference observed in median SCr within 48 hours of baseline (p > .9). There were no major or severe bleeding events. The median (range) opioid requirements (morphine intravenous equivalents per kg per day) at 48 hours post-ketorolac initiation was 0.1 (0–0.8) mg/kg/day.

Conclusions:

If validated prospectively, these findings suggest that a ketorolac regimen 0.5 mg/kg/dose every 6 hours in neonates and infants post-cardiac surgery may be safe with regard to renal function and bleeding risk, and effective regarding opioid-sparing capacity.
Adjustment to “new normal” after cancer among non–small cell lung cancer survivors: A qualitative study
Authors: Lee Genehee , Kim Soo Yeon , Ahn Alice , Kong Sunga , Nam Heesu , Kang Danbee , Kim Hong Kwan , Shim Young Mog , Jeong Ansuk , Shin Dong Wook , Cho Juhee
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Cancer is a life-changing experience, and side effects from treatment can make it difficult for survivors to return to their pre-cancer “normal life.” We explored the “new normal” and barriers to achieving it among lung cancer survivors who underwent surgery.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 recurrence-free non–small cell lung cancer survivors. We asked survivors how life had changed; how they defined the “new normal”; barriers that prevent them from achieving a “normal” life; and unmet needs or support for normalcy. Thematic analysis was performed.

Results

Defining “new normal” subjectively depends on an individual’s expectation of recovery: (1) being able to do what they want without pain or discomfort; (2) being able to do activities they could accomplish before their surgery; and (3) being able to work, earn money, and support their family. We found that (1) persistent symptoms, (2) fear of cancer recurrence, (3) high expectations in recovery, and (4) psychosocial stress and guilty feelings were barriers to achieving a “new normal.” The needs and support for normalcy were information on expected trajectories, postoperative management, and support from family and society.

Significance of results

Survivors defined the “new normal” differently, depending on their expectations for recovery. Informing survivors about the “new normal” so they could expect possible changes and set realistic goals for their life after cancer. Health professionals need to communicate with survivors about expectations for “normality” from the beginning of treatment, and it should be included in comprehensive survivorship care.
Reiki intervention for supporting healthcare professional care behaviors in pediatric palliative care: A pilot study
Authors: Zucchetti Giulia , Ciappina Sabrina , Bottigelli Cristina , Campione Gabriela , Parrinello Annalisa , Piu Paola , Lijoi Stefano , Quarello Paola , Fagioli Franca
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Pediatric healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in a palliative setting may experience challenges during their clinical practice in addressing the complex end-of-life phase of children and their families. Nurses, especially, have a frontline role in providing assistance, thereby becoming at risk of physical and psychological burden. Pediatric psychologists have an ethical responsibility to help colleagues by proposing self-care interventions that will improve their well-being and, indirectly, the work climate. This study investigated the impact of a complementary therapy, delivered by a pediatric psychologist and a nurse, on physical and psychological variables among nurses at the Paediatric Hospice of the Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital in Italy.

Methods

Thirty-five nurses participated in 5 weeks of Reiki sessions for an overall total of 175 sessions. The effect of the sessions was analyzed through a paired t-test analysis comparing the values of heart rate, oxygen saturation, and systolic and diastolic pressure collected before and after each session. The same test was conducted comparing the values of the 3 burnout subscales for each of the 35 nurses collected before the beginning of the first session with those collected at the end of the last session 2 months later.

Results

Results underlined a positive short-term effect with a significant decrease in heart rate before and after each session (t = 11.5, p < .001) and in systolic pressure (t = 2, p < .05). In addition, a decrease in emotional exhaustion symptoms was found (t = 2.3, p < .05) at the end of the intervention.

Significance of results

Reiki could be a valid strategy to complement traditional pediatric psychology clinical practice designed to protect HCPs from emotional and physical demands and to create a more supportive workplace for staff and patients alike.
Voting against Women: Political Patriarchy, Islam, and Representation in Indonesia
Authors: White Sally , Warburton Eve , Pramashavira  , Hendrawan Adrianus , Aspinall Edward
Published: December 2023

We examine cultural and ideological barriers to gender equality in a young democracy, Indonesia, where women’s political representation has increased slowly since democratization, but where survey results point to declining support for women’s political leadership. In both country and comparative literature, the effect of ideological factors—including religion—on voter support for women candidates is contested. Using results of a nationally representative survey, we group respondents according to a “political patriarchy” index. We find that being a Muslim is a strong predictor of holding patriarchal attitudes; university education is associated with gender-egalitarian views. Patriarchal views, in turn, are associated with opposition to increasing Indonesia’s gender quota and with lower levels of self-reported voting for female candidates. Our findings suggest that patriarchal attitudes drive both policy preferences and voter behavior. We conclude that Indonesia’s recent conservative Islamic turn likely underpins widespread—and increasing—opposition to gender equality in politics.
Schoolhouse Rocked: Pandemic Politics and the Nationalization of School Board Elections
Authors: Shah Paru , Weinschenk Aaron , Yiannias Zach
Published: December 2023

We examine the influence of national politics and changing racial demographics on school board elections. We identify the districts where candidates campaigned on Critical Race Theory, COVID response, or parent control/transparency (what we call “conflict elections”) and examine two related questions. First, what characteristics define school districts that had elections involving these issues? Second, in the places that had conflict elections, how frequently did “conflict candidates” win, and what factors influenced their odds of winning? Utilizing a unique dataset of all school board elections in Wisconsin in 2022, we find that Republican presidential vote share is positively related to both the probability that a school district had a conflict election and that a conflict candidate won. We also find that in communities where the white population declined between 2010 and 2020, there was a higher likelihood that a conflict candidate won compared to communities where the size of the white population grew. Overall, our analysis confirms that school board elections are increasingly mirroring nationalized trends in other elections.
Live-Ins: Eine Kartierung relevanter Akteur_innen und moralischer Normen auf der Public-Health-Ebene
Authors: Seidlein Anna-Henrikje , Kuhn Eva
Published: December 2023

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Live-Ins sind in ein Netz aus Akteur_innen eingebunden, die ihre Arbeits- und Lebenssituation prägen. Dabei gehen Ursachen und Auswirkungen weit über die eigentliche Pflegebeziehung hinaus und umfassen Strukturen und darin Handelnde, die auf Public Health Ebene miteinander verbunden sind. Ihnen kommt neben rechtlicher auch moralische Verantwortung zu. Ziel: Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über relevante Akteur_innen und moralische Normen im Zusammenhang mit Live-Ins auf der Public Health Ebene. Methoden: Das Vorgehen erfolgte entlang der „Context and Actor Analysis“. Die für die Situation der Live-Ins maßgeblichen Akteur_innen auf der Public Health Ebene wurden identifiziert und die in deren Internetauftritten präsentierten Verantwortlichkeiten und Aufgaben sowie ihre jeweilige Zielgruppe zusammengetragen. Aus diesen Selbstbeschreibungen wurde die ethische Dimension expliziert. Ergebnisse: Die 23 Akteur_innen adressieren die Live-Ins direkt oder indirekt in ihren verschiedenen sozialen Rollen. Die selbst zugeschriebenen Aufgaben und daraus abgeleiteten moralischen Normen, für welche die Akteur_innen besonders einstehen, verdeutlichen die Wichtigkeit von Gerechtigkeit und Respekt. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Arbeit hat die Grundlage für eine überfällige empirisch-ethische Analyse des gegenwärtigen Standes der Verantwortungsübernahme geschaffen. Nicht nur die Rollenvielfalt der Live-Ins, sondern auch die Vielzahl involvierter Akteur_innen und geteilter Normen verdeutlichen die Notwendigkeit enger Kooperation, um Verantwortungsräume ausfüllen zu können.
Oceanic Cacophony�
Authors: Tripathy-Lang Alka
Published: December 2023

The ocean is a pretty loud place, and anthropogenic noise is adding another layer to the soundscape.
The Sound of Science
Authors: Micalizio Caryl-Sue
Published: December 2023

Noisy data aren’t always a bad thing.
XStorm: A New Gamma Ray Spectrometer for Detection of Close Proximity Gamma Ray Glows and TGFs
Authors: Pallu Melody , Celestin Sebastien , Hazem Yanis , Trompier François , Patton Gaël
Published: December 2023

In this paper, we present XStorm, a gamma ray spectrometer developed to detect gamma ray glows and terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs) in close proximity. Measurements are mostly planned to take place on balloon campaigns but also on the ground using bigger detectors. The main aim in developing XStorm is to perform new in situ and close proximity measurements of those events to improve the understanding of the physical processes involved. For that, we ensured XStorm reached performances adapted to glow and TGF detections. It detects photons with energy between ∼400 keV and ∼20 MeV. Detected particles are timetagged with a 600 ns precision with respect to UTC. Using two types of scintillator, Bismuth Germanium Oxide and EJ‐276 plastic associated with SiPMs, the instrument is able to discriminate three types of particles involved in those events: photons, neutrons, and electrons. The behavior of the detector under high particle fluxes has been quantified through ground testing using a pulse generator. A triggered detection system has been developed, with different thresholds depending on the target of study. First measurements have been carried out with test flights in fair weather conditions and are presented here. Estimations of the configurations in which a gamma ray glow can be detected by XStorm and of the number of TGFs that could be detected in specific campaigns are also addressed.
Revisiting the Link Between Thunderstorms and Upper Tropospheric Water Vapor
Authors: Price Colin , Plotnik Tair , Saha Joydeb , Guha Anirban
Published: December 2023

As the Earth's temperatures continue to rise due to increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, a large portion of the warming is due to positive feedbacks from increasing atmospheric water vapor or specific humidity (SH). Some of this water vapor in the boundary layer is transported via deep convection to the upper troposphere (as droplets and ice crystals), moistening the upper troposphere. These small changes in SH in the upper troposphere have a significant impact on the Earth's radiation balance. We compared global daily lightning from the WWLLN data set, and SH data from the ERA5 reanalysis product for 2019, at a spatial resolution of 5°. Our findings show high spatial and temporal correlations between the lightning activity and the SH concentrations in the upper troposphere. The best correlations (r2 = 0.72, p << 0.001) are between lightning activity and UTWV at the 200 mb level (∼12 km altitude), although the correlations with SH at 300 and 400 mb were only slightly lower. Lightning and SH migrate with the seasons north and south of the equator with both parameters showing maxima in the summer hemisphere around 10° latitude. Furthermore, the correlation increases slightly (r2 = 0.73) if a 1‐day lag is considered between the lightning activity and the UTWV. We find that the daily global SH in the upper troposphere can be best estimated using daily global lightning frequency and a power law having an exponent of 0.33.
Validation of plasma protein glycation and oxidation biomarkers for the diagnosis of autism
Authors: Al-Saei Aisha Nasser J. M. , Nour-Eldine Wared , Rajpoot Kashif , Arshad Noman , Al-Shammari Abeer R. , Kamal Madeeha , Akil Ammira Al-Shabeeb , Fakhro Khalid A. , Thornalley Paul J. , Rabbani Naila
Published: December 2023

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children. It is currently diagnosed by behaviour-based assessments made by observation and interview. In 2018 we reported a discovery study of a blood biomarker diagnostic test for ASD based on a combination of four plasma protein glycation and oxidation adducts. The test had 88% accuracy in children 5–12 years old. Herein, we present an international multicenter clinical validation study (N = 478) with application of similar biomarkers to a wider age range of 1.5–12 years old children. Three hundred and eleven children with ASD (247 male, 64 female; age 5.2 ± 3.0 years) and 167 children with typical development (94 male, 73 female; 4.9 ± 2.4 years) were recruited for this study at Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation hospitals, Qatar, and Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Spain. For subjects 5–12 years old, the diagnostic algorithm with features, advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs)—Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML), Nω-carboxymethylarginine (CMA) and 3-deoxyglucosone-derived hydroimidazolone (3DG-H), and oxidative damage marker, o,o’-dityrosine (DT), age and gender had accuracy 83% (CI 79 – 89%), sensitivity 94% (CI 90–98%), specificity 67% (CI 57–76%) and area-under-the-curve of receiver operating characteristic plot (AUROC) 0.87 (CI 0.84–0.90). Inclusion of additional plasma protein glycation and oxidation adducts increased the specificity to 74%. An algorithm with 12 plasma protein glycation and oxidation adduct features was optimum for children of 1.5–12 years old: accuracy 74% (CI 70–79%), sensitivity 75% (CI 63–87%), specificity 74% (CI 58–90%) and AUROC 0.79 (CI 0.74–0.84). We conclude that ASD diagnosis may be supported using an algorithm with features of plasma protein CML, CMA, 3DG-H and DT in 5–12 years-old children, and an algorithm with additional features applicable for ASD screening in younger children. ASD severity, as assessed by ADOS-2 score, correlated positively with plasma protein glycation adducts derived from methylglyoxal, hydroimidazolone MG-H1 and Nε(1-carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL). The successful validation herein may indicate that the algorithm modifiable features are mechanistic risk markers linking ASD to increased lipid peroxidation, neuronal plasticity and proteotoxic stress.
Squaramides enhance NLRP3 inflammasome activation by lowering intracellular potassium
Authors: Seoane Paula I. , Beswick James A. , Leach Andrew G. , Swanton Tessa , Morris Lucy V. , Couper Kevin , Lowe Martin , Freeman Sally , Brough David
Published: December 2023

The NLRP3 inflammasome is a component of the inflammatory response to infection and injury, orchestrating the maturation and release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-18, and triggering pyroptotic cell death. Appropriate levels of NLRP3 activation are needed to avoid excessive tissue damage while ensuring host protection. Here we report a role for symmetrical diarylsquaramides as selective K+ efflux-dependent NLRP3 inflammasome enhancers. Treatment of macrophages with squaramides potentiated IL-1β secretion and ASC speck formation in response to K+ efflux-dependent NLRP3 inflammasome activators without affecting priming, endosome cargo trafficking, or activation of other inflammasomes. The squaramides lowered intracellular K+ concentration which enabled cells to respond to a below-threshold dose of the inflammasome activator nigericin. Taken together these data further highlight the role of ion flux in inflammasome activation and squaramides as an interesting platform for therapeutic development in conditions where enhanced NLRP3 activity could be beneficial.