bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Civil society elites: managers of civic capital
Authors: Sevelsted Anders , Johansson Håkan
Published: June 2024

The article takes the first steps towards a general theory of civil society elites, a concept not fully developed in either elite or civil society research. This conceptual gap hampers academic and public understanding of the dynamics at the top of civil society. To address this, the authors rely on the theoretical framework of Pierre Bourdieu to build a theory of civil society elites as managers of civic capital. This role is illustrated through examples from the differently institutionalised UK and Nordic civil societies. The first part of the article introduces the notion of civic capital and its emergence during the 19th century. The second part focuses on elite positions in civil society fields, demonstrating how civil society elites, as managers of civic capital, navigate between their constituents and other elite groups. These elites wield the power to consecrate social relations while misrecognising their own symbolic and economic gains. Recent scandals in the climate movement and UK and Nordic civil societies shed light on the symbolic aspects of the positions of civil society elites. This comprehensive analysis contributes to elite and civil society research and enriches public discussions about the role of civil society leaders in society.
Normative uncertainty meets voting theory
Authors: Elkin Lee
Published: June 2024

Recent attempts to provide a viable account of decision making under normative uncertainty through the use of voting procedures seem promising, but incomparable options pose a challenge. This paper focuses on the so-called Borda approach to decision making under normative uncertainty (MacAskill, Mind 125(500):967–1004, 2016; MacAskill et al., Moral uncertainty, Oxford University Press, 2020) and illustrates how an extended version of it aimed at accommodating incomplete preference orderings associated with normative theories fails. I propose a different account for proponents fond of the voter-theoretic approach that is grounded by approval voting, which sufficiently addresses the problem of option incomparability and is pragmatically compelling due to its simpler structure.
Shared plasma metabolomic profiles of cognitive and mobility decline predict future dementia
Authors: Tian Qu , Yao Shanshan , Marron Megan M. , Greig Erin E. , Shore Supriya , Ferrucci Luigi , Shah Ravi , Murthy Venkatesh L. , Newman Anne B.
Published: June 2024

Experiencing decline in both cognition and mobility is associated with a substantially higher dementia risk than cognitive decline only. Metabolites associated with both cognitive and mobility declines may be early predictors of dementia and reveal specific pathways to dementia. We analyzed data from 2450 participants initially free of dementia who had 613 metabolites measured in plasma in 1998–1999 (mean age = 75.2 ± 2.9 years old, 37.8% Black, 50% women) from the Health, Aging and Body Composition study. Dementia diagnosis was determined by race-specific decline in 3MS scores, medication use, and hospital records through 2014. Cognition and mobility were repeatedly measured using 3MS and a 20-m walking test up to 10 years, respectively. We examined metabolite associations with changes in 3MS (n = 2046) and gait speed (n = 2019) using multivariable linear regression adjusted for age, sex, race, and baseline performance and examined metabolite associations with dementia risk using Cox regression. During a mean follow-up of 9.3 years, 534 (21.8%) participants developed dementia. On average, 3MS declined 0.47/year and gait declined 0.04 m/sec/year. After covariate adjustment, 75 metabolites were associated with cognitive decline, and 111 metabolites were associated with gait decline (FDR-adjusted p < 0.05). Twenty-six metabolites were associated with both cognitive and gait declines. Eighteen of 26 metabolites were associated with dementia risk (p < 0.05), notably amino acids, glycerophospholipids (lysoPCs, PCs, PEs), and sphingolipids. Results remained similar after adjusting for cardiovascular disease or apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carrier status. During aging, metabolomic profiles of cognitive decline and mobility decline show distinct and shared signatures. Shared metabolomic profiles suggest that inflammation and deficits in mitochondria and the urea cycle in addition to the central nervous system may play key roles in both cognitive and mobility declines and predict dementia. Future studies are warranted to investigate longitudinal metabolite changes and metabolomic markers with dementia pathologies.
Alzheimer-Type Cerebral Amyloidosis in the Context of HIV Infection: Implications for a Proposed New Treatment Approach
Authors: Ellis Ronald J. , Pal Shibangi , Achim Cristian L. , Sundermann Erin , Moore David J. , Soontornniyomkij Virawudh , Feldman Howard
Published: June 2024

Reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) are currently broadly prescribed for the treatment of HIV infection but are also thought to prevent Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression by protecting against amyloidosis. Our study evaluates the hypothesis that reverse transcriptase inhibitors protect against Alzheimer-type brain amyloidogenesis in the context of HIV infection. We compiled a case series of participants from a prospective study of the neurological consequences of HIV infection at the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP) who had serial neuropsychological and neurological assessments and were on RTIs. Two participants had gross and microscopic examination and immunohistochemistry of the brain at autopsy; one was assessed clinically for Alzheimer’s disease by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis of phosphorylated-Tau, Total-Tau and Aβ42. Additionally, a larger cohort of 250 autopsied individuals was evaluated for presence of amyloid plaques, Tau, and related pathologies. Three older, virally suppressed individuals with HIV who had long-term treatment with RTIs were included in analyses. Two cases demonstrated substantial cerebral amyloid deposition at autopsy. The third case met clinical criteria for AD based on a typical clinical course and CSF biomarker profile. In the larger cohort of autopsied individuals, the prevalence of cerebral amyloidosis among people with HIV (PWH) was greater for those on RTIs. Our study showed that long-term RTI therapy did not protect against Alzheimer-type brain amyloidogenesis in the context of HIV infection in these patients. Given the known toxicities of RTIs, it is premature to recommend them to individuals at risk or with Alzheimer’s disease who do not have HIV infection.
Investigation of the effect of metal powder and metal-supported MCM-41 catalysts on the pyrolysis of horse chestnut fruits and shells (Aesculus hippocastanum L.)
Authors: Durak Halil , Genel Salih
Published: June 2024

Horse chestnut fruit and horse chestnut shell are derived from the same biomass but exhibit distinct structural characteristics. Different compounds can be produced through the pyrolysis of these materials. The pyrolysis process was conducted on horse chestnut fruit and shell at temperatures of 300, 400, and 500 °C, both with and without various catalysts (Al, Fe, MCM-41/Al, MCM-41/Fe). The synthesis of MCM-41 catalysts utilized a hydrothermal method, and their properties were assessed through XRD, SEM–EDX, and SEM–EDS analyses. The resulting products from the pyrolysis were analyzed using GC–MS and elemental analysis techniques. Optimal efficiency was achieved at 400 °C, with the highest HHV value recorded at 34.38 MJ/kg when Al powder catalyst was present.
Oops, I Sampled Again … the Meaning of “Pastiche” as an Autonomous Concept Under EU Copyright Law
Authors: Mezei Péter , Jütte Bernd Justin , Sganga Caterina , Pascault Léo
Published: June 2024

With the return of the Metal auf Metal case (Pelham v. Hütter) to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), the Luxembourg court will again be faced with the question under which circumstances the reproduction of parts of a sound recording requires authorisation. When the case was first argued before the EU’s highest court, it revolved around the concept of partial reproduction of a sound recording and an interpretation of the quotation exception. In addition, the defendant had proposed that national courts, in the absence of an applicable exception, could provide for flexibility by allowing creative uses purely based on fundamental rights. The Court rejected this possibility, arguing that something akin to an open norm would create legal uncertainty. Following the first ruling, Germany, where the case originated, implemented the pastiche exception of Art. 5(3)(k) of the Information Society Directive into its national copyright law. In Pelham v. Hütter II, the CJEU is asked to give guidance on the interpretation of the concept of pastiche. Following the introduction of the exception under German law, German courts had interpreted the exception broadly, allowing a variety of derivative artistic uses. This article explores the concept of pastiche from an interdisciplinary and comparative perspective. After an overview of the relevant German decisions, it explores the various non-legal meanings of pastiche before comparing the development of the notion in the copyright laws of Italy, France and some other EU Member States. Since the non-legal as well as the different national legal understandings of pastiche do not crystallise a common understanding of the notion, pastiche is subsequently developed as an autonomous concept under EU law. In distinguishing pastiche from parody, which the CJEU developed as an autonomous concept in the Deckmyn case, the article proposes that pastiche should be understood as an exception that broadly permits referential uses that have no elements of humour or mockery – as distinct from parody – but are of an artistic nature. An important role must be assigned to the three-step test, which functions as a framework to balance the interests of rightholders and users in a given case.
Prevention Strategies and Management of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Authors: Colarelli Andrea Marian , MD  , Barbian Maria Estefania , MD  , Denning Patricia Wei , MD
Published: June 2024

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious intestinal disease which primarily affects preterm infants. The pathogenesis of NEC is multifactorial. Thus, it is complicated to study, prevent, and manage.

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of recent research and provide recommendations for the prevention and management of NEC. Currently, management is supportive and non-specific and long-term outcomes for surgical NEC are poor.

Recent Findings

The most important strategy to prevent NEC is to provide preterm infants with a human milk diet, minimize exposure to antibiotics and avoid medications that disturb the intestinal microbiome.

Strategies to optimize the infant’s intestinal microbiome are critical, as disturbances in the intestinal microbiome composition are a major factor in the pathogenesis of this disease. Optimizing maternal health is also vital to prevent prematurity and neonatal morbidity. Ongoing research holds promise for the implementation of new diagnostic modalities, preventive strategies, and medical treatment options to improve outcomes for premature infants.
Scikit-ANFIS: A Scikit-Learn Compatible Python Implementation for Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System
Authors: Zhang Dongsong , Chen Tianhua
Published: June 2024

The Adaptative neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) has shown great potential in processing practical data from control, prediction, and inference applications, reflecting advantages in both high performance and system interpretability as a result of the hybridization of neural networks and fuzzy systems. Matlab has been a prevalent platform that allows to utilize and deploy ANFIS conveniently. On the other hand, due to the recent popularity of machine learning and deep learning, which are predominantly Python-based, implementations of ANFIS in Python have attracted recent attention. Although there are a few Python-based ANFIS implementations, none of them are directly compatible with scikit-learn, one of the most frequently used libraries in machine learning. As such, this paper proposes Scikit-ANFIS, a novel scikit-learn compatible Python implementation for ANFIS by adopting a uniform format such as fit() and predict() functions to provide the same interface as scikit-learn. Our Scikit-ANFIS is designed in a user-friendly way to not only manually generate a general fuzzy system and train it with the ANFIS method but also to automatically create an ANFIS fuzzy system. We also provide four kinds of representative cases to show that Scikit-ANFIS represents a valuable addition to the scikit-learn compatible Python software that supports ANFIS fuzzy reasoning. Experimental results on four datasets show that our Scikit-ANFIS outperforms recent Python-based implementations while achieving parallel performance to ANFIS in Matlab, a standard implementation officially realized by Matlab, which indicates the performance advantages and application convenience of our software.
Drivers of firms’ digital activities in response to the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Franco Chiara , Pietrovito Filomena
Published: June 2024

The aim of the paper is to analyse the main internal drivers of the increase and adoption of online activities carried out by firms in reaction to the Covid-19 pandemic. While the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on several measures of firm-level performance has been debated in many papers, not enough effort has been devoted to investigating its digitalization impact, especially with respect to the drivers of firms operating in transition countries. To this end, we explore a very detailed firm-level dataset, drawn from the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) combined with the Covid-19-ES Follow-up Survey, for 22 Eastern European and Central-Eastern Asian countries. Our findings reveal that (i) higher online activity is associated with higher digital and technological endowment of the firm and (ii) this relationship is shaped by external factors, such as country-level digital infrastructure.
Dynamic interactions between oil prices and renewable energy production in Italy amid the COVID-19 pandemic: wavelet and machine learning analyses
Authors: Magazzino Cosimo , Gattone Tulia , Giolli Lorenzo
Published: June 2024

This study examines the intricate dynamics between oil prices and renewable energy investments in Italy during the initial phase of the CoronaVirus Disease 2019 pandemic, a period characterized by significant economic and social upheaval. Utilizing advanced empirical techniques, such as Partial Wavelet Coherency analysis, Time-Varying Granger Causality, and Robinson Log-Periodogram tests, as well as Machine Learning (ML) regressions, this research uncovers nuanced insights into the interplay between oil prices and renewable energy series including biomass, solar, hydro, wind, and geothermal. Key findings indicate a predominant in-phase relationship with oil prices leading most renewable energy series, and unidirectional causality from renewables to oil prices in several instances, highlighting the potential influence of renewable energy on oil market dynamics. In robustness checks, ML models further elucidate the impact, with solar, hydro, and geothermal sources showing significant importance scores. These insights are critical for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to enhance energy security and transition towards sustainable energy sources amidst global crises.
Tax Loss Carryforward Disclosure
Authors: Flagmeier Vanessa , Müller Jens
Published: June 2024

This study examines firms’ voluntary disclosure of tax loss carryforward (TLCF) information. We measure the content and presentation of TLCF information by a disclosure score based on hand collected data from annual reports. Our identification strategy employs new proprietary data to control for overall reporting quality. We argue and find that uncertainty about the usability of TLCF is a key driver of voluntary TLCF disclosure. The disclosure score is on average 3.86 points higher for firms with a strong loss history vis-à-vis firms without such a loss history. This positive association is economically meaningful, since the sample mean for the disclosure score is 8.88 (median 7.5). We also find that the content and type of disclosure vary systematically with the signal of uncertainty. In instances of historic uncertainty, firms exhibit increased reporting on the reasons and mechanisms behind changes in TLCF. Conversely, in the case of future uncertainty, they increase disclosure related to valuation allowance information. Our study provides detailed and unique insights into TLCF disclosure, suggesting that managers enrich the information environment with voluntary disclosure that caters to expected investors’ needs.
Evaluation of the support vector regression (SVR) and the random forest (RF) models accuracy for streamflow prediction under a data-scarce basin in Morocco
Authors: Bargam Bouchra , Boudhar Abdelghani , Kinnard Christophe , Bouamri Hafsa , Nifa Karima , Chehbouni Abdelghani
Published: June 2024

Streamflow prediction is a key variable for water resources management. It becomes more important in semi-arid regions such as the Tensift river basin in Morocco, where water resources are facing a severe drought and the demand is continuously increasing. The present analysis focuses on evaluating Machine Learning techniques, namely support vector regression (SVR) and Random Forest (RF) against the multiple linear regression (MLR) for daily streamflow forecasting in the mountainous sub-basin of Rheraya between 2003 and 2016. The results show that SVR performed best, followed by RF and MLR. In measurable terms and regarding mean performance, SVR exhibited the higher Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency score (NSE = 0.59) and a lower root mean squared error (RMSE = 1.18 $$\text {m}^3\,\text {s}^{-1}$$m3s-1) compared to RF (NSE = 0.53, RMSE = 1.18 $$\text {m}^3\,\text {s}^{-1}$$m3s-1) and MLR (NSE = 0.54, RMSE = 1.01 $$\text {m}^3\,\text {s}^{-1}$$m3s-1). Furthermore,the available time series was too short to properly capture the full range of streamflow variability, which reduced the prediction performance outside of the calibration conditions. These findings suggest that ML algorithms, particularly SVR, can provide accurate streamflow estimation useful for water resources management when trained on a representative period. The results highlight the capacity of Machine Learning algorithms, specifically SVR, to augment streamflow prediction for enhanced water resource management in arid regions.
An assessment of using eco-friendly crop production practices by the project beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries in Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan Mohammad Maruf , Farouque Md. Golam , Sarker Md. Asaduzzaman
Published: June 2024

The purposes of this study were to determine the present state of use of eco-friendly crop production practices by the beneficiaries of “safe crop production through eco-friendly approaches” project and non-beneficiary smallholder farmers and to explore the factors that may influence their use. The study’s population was the smallholder farmers of 2 villages (Darirampur and Birrampur Uzanpara) of Rampur union under Trishal upazila (sub-district) of Bangladesh. 60 beneficiaries and 60 non-beneficiaries were randomly selected as samples from a population of 270 beneficiaries and 585 non-beneficiaries. Thus, the total sample was 120 smallholder farmers. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The respondents were asked to give responses regarding their use of 21 practices following a 4-point rating scale. The highest proportion (95%) of the beneficiaries had medium extent of use, whereas highest proportion (85%) of the non-beneficiaries had low extent of use. The multiple linear regression analysis showed educational level, annual income, training experience, extension media contact, knowledge, and attitude toward eco-friendly crop production practices were the influential variables for the beneficiaries explaining 81.8% variation. However, for the non-beneficiaries, annual income, training experience, organizational participation, and credit received were the influential variables explaining 78.1% variation. The beneficiaries are more environmentally conscious than the non-beneficiaries, which highlights the need for authorities to involve more farmers in future projects to ensure safe crop production and better environmental health.
SeaOrbiter, the first International Oceanic Station
Authors: Rougerie Jacques , Vallat Francis , Fuchs Ariel
Published: June 2024

SeaOrbiter’s vision is to become the first International Space Station of the ocean, a symbol of humanity's capacity to explore and understand the most uncharted and critical part of our planet. SeaOrbiter will bring together scientists, explorers, and innovators from around the world to conduct ground-breaking research, notably in the context of global change, explore the unknown, and develop new technologies to better understand our ocean, its fine relationship with the atmosphere and its complex ecosystems. With its unique design and innovative operational mode–a quiescent slow drifting pace–SeaOrbiter aims to become an iconic symbol of human’s commitment to protecting our planet's most valuable resource: the ocean.
The Reasonable Person
Authors: Jeutner Valentin
Published: May 2024

Jeutner argues that the reasonable person is, at heart, an empathetic perspective-taking device, by tracing the standard of the reasonable person across time, legal fields and countries. Beginning with a review of imaginary legal figures in the legal systems of ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, the book explains why the common law's reasonable person emerged amidst the British industrialisation under the influence of Scottish Enlightenment thinking. Following the figure into colonial courts, onto battlefields and into self-driving cars, the book contends that the reasonable person invites judges, jury-members, and lawyers to take another person's perspective when assessing their own or another person's conduct. The perspective of another is taken by means of empathy, by feeling what others might feel in a particular situation. Thus construed, the figure of the reasonable person can help us make more accurate judgments in a diverse world.
Compelling Communication
Authors: Hall Simon
Published: May 2024

Do your communication skills let you down? Do you struggle to explain and influence, persuade and inspire? Are you failing to fulfil your potential because of your inability to wield words in the ways you'd like? This book has the solution. Written by a University of Cambridge Communication Course lead, journalist and former BBC broadcaster, it covers everything from the essentials of effective communication to the most advanced skills. Whether you want to write a razor sharp briefing, shine in an important presentation, hone your online presence, or just get yourself noticed and picked out for promotion, all you need to know is here. From writing and public speaking, to the beautiful and stirring art of storytelling, and even using smartphone photography to help convey your message, this invaluable book will empower you to become a truly compelling communicator.
Hume and the Cognitive Phenomenology of Belief
Authors: Miyazono Kengo
Published: June 2024

This article argues that Hume is committed to the cognitive phenomenology of believing. For Hume, beliefs have some distinctively cognitive phenomenology, which is different in kind from sensory phenomenology. I call this interpretation the “cognitive phenomenal interpretation” (“CPI”) of Hume. CPI is coherent with, and supported by, the textual evidence from A Treatise of Human Nature as well as An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. In both texts, Hume talks about the distinctive “manner” of believing, and CPI provides us with the best explanation of Hume’s remarks on this distinctive “manner.”
Clinical Predictors of Acute Ischemia in Patients with Low-Risk Neurological Deficits
Authors: Marko Martha , Moreau Francois , Boulanger Jean-Martin , Camden Marie-Christine , Campbell Bruce C.V. , Field Thalia S. , Krause Martin , Mikulik Robert , Penn Andrew M. , Swartz Richard H. , Hill Michael D. , Coutts Shelagh B.
Published: June 2024

Background:

Diagnosis of acute ischemia typically relies on evidence of ischemic lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a limited diagnostic resource. We aimed to determine associations of clinical variables and acute infarcts on MRI in patients with suspected low-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor stroke and to assess their predictive ability.

Methods:

We conducted a post-hoc analysis of the Diagnosis of Uncertain-Origin Benign Transient Neurological Symptoms (DOUBT) study, a prospective, multicenter cohort study investigating the frequency of acute infarcts in patients with low-risk neurological symptoms. Primary outcome parameter was defined as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-positive lesions on MRI. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate associations of clinical characteristics with MRI-DWI-positivity. Model performance was evaluated by Harrel’s c-statistic.

Results:

In 1028 patients, age (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.03, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.01–1.05), motor (OR 2.18, 95%CI 1.27–3.65) or speech symptoms (OR 2.53, 95%CI 1.28–4.80), and no previous identical event (OR 1.75, 95%CI 1.07–2.99) were positively associated with MRI-DWI-positivity. Female sex (OR 0.47, 95%CI 0.32–0.68), dizziness and gait instability (OR 0.34, 95%CI 0.14–0.69), normal exam (OR 0.55, 95%CI 0.35–0.85) and resolved symptoms (OR 0.49, 95%CI 0.30–0.78) were negatively associated. Symptom duration and any additional symptoms/symptom combinations were not associated. Predictive ability of the model was moderate (c-statistic 0.72, 95%CI 0.69–0.77).

Conclusion:

Detailed clinical information is helpful in assessing the risk of ischemia in patients with low-risk neurological events, but a predictive model had only moderate discriminative ability. Patients with clinically suspected low-risk TIA or minor stroke require MRI to confirm the diagnosis of cerebral ischemia.
Variation in the structural order of kaolinite in regolith as an effective indicator of REE mineralization
Authors: Luo Lianying , Tan Wei , Qin Xiaorong , Ji Shichao , Liang Xiaoliang , He Hongping
Published: June 2024

Regolith-hosted rare earth element (REE) deposits hosted by the granitic regolith in South China provide >90% of the world’s heavy REEs. Kaolinite is one of the major carriers of REE ions in regolith. The formation and transformation of kaolinite can be affected by chemical weathering and hydrodynamic conditions, but the contribution of each factor has not been evaluated. This study systematically investigated the variation in abundance of phyllosilicate minerals and structural order of kaolinite in the Renju regolith-hosted REE deposit. The total abundance of 1:1 phyllosilicate minerals increased upwards along the profile from Section I to Section III. However, semi-quantitative analyses indicated that Section III-1 (depth at 10–16 m) featured an evident decrease in both abundance and structural order of kaolinite upward along the profile. The morphological feature and abundance of kaolinite revealed intensive kaolinite-to-halloysite transformation and kaolinite dissolution in Section III-1. This suggests that the alternating wetting and drying zone in Section III-1 provided a favorable kinetic environment for the entry of water molecules into the kaolinite interlayer and the kaolinite-to-halloysite transformation, resulting in both lower structural order and abundance of kaolinite in Section III-1. Moreover, REE ions started to be enriched from the alternating wetting and drying zone and formed high-grade ores at the lower part of the water table, due to a significant increase in pore water and decrease in the seepage velocity. Therefore, the abundance and structural order of secondary kaolinite can serve as important indicators of hydrodynamic changes in regolith, as well as the mineralization of regolith-hosted REEs.
The influence of space environmental factors on the laser-induced damage thresholds in optical components
Authors: Ma Bin , Guan Shuang , Yan Dongyue , Pan Qiaofei , Hou Zhiqiang , Wang Ke , Han Jiaqi
Published: June 2024

This paper systematically investigated the impact mechanisms of proton irradiation, atomic oxygen irradiation and space debris collision, both individually and in combination, on the laser damage threshold and damage evolution characteristics of HfO2/SiO2 triple-band high-reflection films and fused silica substrates using a simulated near-Earth space radiation experimental system. For the high-reflection film samples, the damage thresholds decreased by 15.38%, 13.12% and 46.80% after proton, atomic oxygen and simulated space debris (penetration) irradiation, respectively. The coupling irradiation of the first two factors resulted in a decrease of 26.93%, while the combined effect of all the three factors led to a reduction of 63.19%. Similarly, the fused silica substrates exhibited the same pattern of laser damage performance degradation. Notably, the study employed high-precision fixed-point in situ measurement techniques to track in detail the microstructural changes, surface roughness and optical-thermal absorption intensity before and after proton and atomic oxygen irradiation at the same location, thus providing a more accurate and comprehensive analysis of the damage mechanisms. In addition, simulations were conducted to quantitatively analyze the transmission trajectories and concentration distribution lines of protons and atomic oxygen incident at specific angles into the target material. The research findings contribute to elucidating the laser damage performance degradation mechanism of transmissive elements in near-Earth space environments and provide technical support for the development of high-damage-threshold optical components resistant to space radiation.
Diagnosing the fast-heating process of the double-cone ignition scheme with X-ray spectroscopy
Authors: Dai Yu , Gu Haochen , Fang Ke , Zhang Yihang , Zhang Chenglong , Dong Yufeng , Zhang Zhe , Yuan Xiaohui , Li Yutong , Zhang Jie
Published: June 2024

In the double-cone ignition scheme of inertial confinement fusion, the head-on collision of two compressed fuel jets from the cone-tips forms an isochoric plasma, which is then heated suddenly by a MeV relativistic electron beam produced by ultra-intense picosecond laser pulses. This fast-heating process was studied experimentally at the Shenguang II upgrade laser facility. By observing temporal-resolved X-ray emission and the spatial-resolved X-ray spectrum, the colliding process and heating process are carefully studied. The colliding plasma was imaged to have dimensions of approximately 86 μm in the implosion direction and approximately 120 μm in the heating direction. By comparing the simulated plasma X-ray spectrum with experimental data, the electron temperature of the heated plasma was found to rapidly increase to 600 ± 50 eV, almost doubling the temperature achieved before the heating laser incidence.
Part-of-speech tagger for Bodo language using deep learning approach
Authors: Pathak Dhrubajyoti , Narzary Sanjib , Nandi Sukumar , Som Bidisha
Published: June 2024

Language processing systems such as part-of-speech (POS) tagging, named entity recognition, machine translation, speech recognition, and language modeling have been well-studied in high-resource languages. Nevertheless, research on these systems for several low-resource languages, including Bodo, Mizo, Nagamese, and others, is either yet to commence or is in its nascent stages. Language model (LM) plays a vital role in the downstream tasks of modern natural language processing. Extensive studies are carried out on LMs for high-resource languages. However, these low-resource languages are still underreprese. In this study, we first present BodoBERT, an LM for the Bodo language. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first such effort to develop an LM for Bodo. Second, we present an ensemble deep learning-based POS tagging model for Bodo. The POS tagging model is based on combinations of BiLSTM with conditional random field and stacked embedding of BodoBERT with BytePairEmbeddings. We cover several LMs in the experiment to see how well they work in POS tagging tasks. The best-performing model achieves an F1 score of 0.8041. A comparative experiment was also conducted on Assamese POS taggers, considering that the language is spoken in the same region as Bodo.
A case study on decompounding in Indian language IR
Authors: Sahu Siba Sankar , Pal Sukomal
Published: June 2024

Decompounding is an essential preprocessing step in text-processing tasks such as machine translation, speech recognition, and information retrieval (IR). Here, the IR issues are explored from five viewpoints. (A) Does word decompounding impact the Indian language IR? If yes, to what extent? (B) Can corpus-based decompounding models be used in the Indian language IR? If yes, how? (C) Can machine learning and deep learning-based decompounding models be applied in the Indian language IR? If yes, how? (D) Among the different decompounding models (corpus-based, hybrid machine learning-based, and deep learning-based), which provides the best effectiveness in the IR domain? (E) Among the different IR models, which provides the best effectiveness from the IR perspective? This study proposes different corpus-based, hybrid machine learning-based, and deep learning-based decompounding models in Indian languages (Marathi, Hindi, and Sanskrit). Moreover, we evaluate the effectiveness of each activity from an IR perspective only. It is observed that the different decompounding models improve IR effectiveness. The deep learning-based decompounding models outperform the corpus-based and hybrid machine learning-based models in Indian language IR. Among the different deep learning-based models, the Bi-LSTM-A model performs best and improves mean average precision (MAP) by 28.02% in Marathi. Similarly, the Bi-RNN-A model improves MAP by 18.18% and 6.1% in Hindi and Sanskrit, respectively. Among the retrieval models, the In_expC2 model outperforms others in Marathi and Hindi, and the BB2 model outperforms others in Sanskrit.
Association between whole-grain consumption, tryptophan metabolism and psychological distress: a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Liikonen Vilma , Näätänen Mari , Kårlund Anna , Hanhineva Kati , Karhunen Leila , Kolehmainen Marjukka
Published: June 2024

This study aimed to investigate whether psychological distress, whole-grain consumption and tryptophan metabolism are associated with participants undergoing weight management intervention. Seventy-nine women and men (mean age 49·7 (sd 9·0) years; BMI 34·2(sd 2·5) kg/m2) participated in a 7-week weight-loss (WL) period and in a 24-week weight maintenance (WM) intervention period. Whole-grain consumption was measured using 4 d food diaries. Psychological distress was assessed with the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ), and participants were divided into three GHQ groups based on the GHQ scores before WL. Tryptophan metabolites were determined from the participants’ fasting plasma using liquid chromatography-MS. GHQ scores were not associated with the whole-grain consumption. A positive association was observed between the whole-grain consumption and indole propionic acid (IPA) during the WM (P = 0·033). Serotonin levels were higher after the WL in the lowest GHQ tertile (P = 0·033), while the level at the end of the WM was higher compared with other timepoints in the highest GHQ tertile (P = 0·015 and P = 0·001). This difference between groups was not statistically significant. Furthermore, levels of several tryptophan metabolites changed within the groups during the study. Tryptophan metabolism changed during the study in the whole study group, independently from the level of psychological distress. The association between whole-grain consumption and IPA is possibly explained by the effects of dietary fibre on gut microbiota. This broadens the understanding of the pathways behind the health benefits associated with the intake of whole grains.
The ameliorative and neuroprotective effects of dietary fibre on hyperuricaemia mice: a perspective from microbiome and metabolome
Authors: Wang Yu , Miao Fengping , Wang Jun , Zheng Maokun , Yu Feng , Yi Yuetao
Published: June 2024

The effect of single dietary fibre (DF) on lowering uric acid (UA) level has been reported in the literature. However, the potential protective mechanism of DF against potassium oxybate-induced hyperuricaemia (HUA), as modelled by prophylactic administration, remains unclear. The data demonstrate that DF significantly decreased serum and cerebral tissue UA concentrations, inhibited xanthine oxidase expression and activity in the liver and reduced levels of creatinine and urea nitrogen in the serum. Additionally, it mitigated the deposition of amyloid-β in cerebral tissue. Correlation analysis showed that DF modulated the Toll-like receptor 4/NF-κB signalling pathway, attenuating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in HUA mice. Additionally, DF helps to maintain the composition of the gut microbiota, reducing harmful Desulfovibrio and enriching beneficial Akkermansia and Ruminococcus populations. The results of the faecal metabolomics analysis indicate that DF facilitates the regulation of metabolic pathways involved in oxidative stress and inflammation. These pathways include pyrimidine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, nucleotide metabolism and vitamin B6 metabolism. Additionally, the study found that DF has a preventive effect on anxiety-like behaviour induced by HUA. In summary, DF shows promise in mitigating HUA and cognitive deficits, primarily by modulating gut microbiota and metabolites.
Thirty days of double-strain probiotic supplementation increases monocyte phagocytosis in marathon runners
Authors: Tavares-Silva Edgar , Leite Geovana Silva Fogaça , Batatinha Helena , Resende Ayane , Lemos Valdir de Aquino , Marques Camila Guazzelli , Lancha-Jr Antônio Herbert , Rosa Neto José , Thomatieli-Santos Ronaldo
Published: June 2024

Marathon runners, subjected to intense training regimens and prolonged, exhaustive exercises, often experience a compromised immune response. Probiotic supplementation has emerged as a potential remedy to mitigate the impact of prolonged exercise on athletes. Consequently, this study sought to assess the influence of probiotic supplementation on monocyte functionality both before and after the official marathon race. Twenty-seven runners were randomly and double-blindly assigned to two groups: placebo (n 13) and probiotic (PRO) (n 14). Over 30 d, both groups received supplements – placebo sachets containing maltodextrin (5 g/d) and PRO sachets containing 1 × 1010 colony-forming unit Lactobacillus acidophilus and 1 × 1010 colony-forming unit Bifidobacterium bifidum subsp. lactis. Blood samples were collected, and immunological assays, including phagocytosis, hydrogen peroxide production, cytokine levels and monocyte immunophenotyping, were conducted at four different intervals: baseline (start of supplementation/30 d pre-marathon), 24 h-before (1 d pre-marathon), 1 h-after (1 h post-marathon) and 5 d-after (5 d post-marathon). Monocyte populations remained consistent throughout the study. A notable increase in phagocytosis was observed in the PRO group after 30 d of supplementation. Upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation, both PRO and placebo groups exhibited decreased IL-8 production. However, after the marathon race, IL-15 stimulation demonstrated increased levels of 5 d-after, while IL-1-β, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15 and TNF-α varied across different intervals, specifically within the PRO group. Probiotic supplementation notably enhanced the phagocytic capacity of monocytes. However, these effects were not sustained post-marathon.
Global, regional and national burdens of nutritional deficiencies, from 1990 to 2019
Authors: Qing Xin , Ji Yurou , Yuan Chunlei , Xie Kunke , Wang Ke
Published: June 2024

The epidemiological and burden characteristics of nutritional deficiencies (ND) have been evolving, and it is crucial to identify geographical disparities and emerging trends. This study aimed to analyse the global, regional and national trends in the burden of ND over the past 30 years. Data were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 database for the period 1990–2019. The study examined the incidence rates and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) of ND at various levels. Globally, the incidence rate of ND decreased from 2226·2 per 100 000 in 2019 to 2096·3 per 100 000 in the same year, indicating a decline of 5·8 %. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) was −0·21 (–0·31, −0·11). Similarly, DALY, prevalence and mortality rates of ND exhibited significant declines (AAPC = −3·21 (–3·45, −2·96), AAPC = −0·53 (–0·55, −0·51) and AAPC = −4·97 (–5·75, −4·19), respectively). The incidence rate of ND varied based on age group, sex, cause and geographical area. Moreover, a negative association was observed between incidence and the sociodemographic index. At the regional level, the South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa regions had the highest incidence rates of ND. In conclusion, the global incidence rate of ND showed a mixed pattern, while the DALY rate consistently declined. Additionally, prevalence and mortality rates of ND decreased between 1990 and 2019.
Memory Scripts and Life History in the Shadow of Brazil's Dictatorship
Authors: Blanc Jacob
Published: June 2024

This article proposes the concept of ‘memory script’ to analyse how, in the aftermath of political violence, memory activists narrate their lives in a way that is practised, repetitive and performative. Through a self-reflective life history of Aluízio Palmar, a Brazilian human rights activist and former political prisoner who suffered intense torture under military rule, this approach seeks to elucidates the personal and political contours of somebody's decision to transform their experiences into a public narrative. A close reading of Palmar's various platforms of memory-sharing reveals the complex moral reckoning of an activist's own trauma.
Codex Augiensis is a Copy of the Greek Text of Codex Boernerianus
Authors: Fisher Alec
Published: June 2024

Scholars have long been aware of the close relationship between two ninth-century Greek-Latin bilingual manuscripts, Codex Boernerianus (GA 012, VL 77) and Codex Augiensis (GA 010, VL 78). However, assessments of the nature of this relationship differ. The present article seeks to resolve this question by comparing full electronic transcriptions of the Greek texts of these manuscripts in Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and First Timothy. An examination of the points of divergence, including unique readings, word division, corrections and lacunae confirm that their Greek text was either copied from the same exemplar, or that one served as exemplar for the other. Close analysis of the types of errors and the way in which corrections in Codex Boernerianus are handled in Codex Augiensis proves that the latter was copied from the former. These findings indicate that, as a copy of an existing manuscript, Codex Augiensis should no longer be cited in the apparatus of the Greek New Testament.
Curbing Elite Capture or Enhancing Resources: Recentralizing Local Environmental Enforcement in China
Authors: Zhu Xiao , Qiu Taotao , Liu Dongshu
Published: June 2024

Decentralization is believed to ensure better environmental governance. However, recent studies have shown that some governments recentralize local enforcement to increase the effectiveness of policy implementation. Under what conditions is recentralization the better option for environmental enforcement? This study attempts to differentiate two possible mechanisms through which recentralization can deliver better environmental outcomes: curbing elite capture and enhancing local resources. In the context of recentralization reform and with a unique dataset of local investigations into China's environmental enforcement, we demonstrate that although decentralization has been successful from many perspectives, recentralizing local environmental enforcement can produce better outcomes for pollution reduction in China, by curbing local protectionism rather than enhancing local resources. Further qualitative analysis reveals why recentralization cannot necessarily enhance local resources and capacity, even though it is designed to do so.
Toward a Poetics of Maya Art and Writing
Authors: Carrasco Michael D.
Published: June 2024

This article identifies large-scale chiastic and bracketing structures in contemporary, colonial and Classic Maya verbal art and literature. These structures are composed of the repetition of lines, verses and stanzas that frame sections of texts and sometimes images. Initially, the argument focuses on an ethnopoetic analysis that directs attention to such forms in modern and colonial narrative and presents an extended contemporary Yucatecan story to illustrate key forms. Second, it turns to similar structures in Classic Mayan narrative written in Maya hieroglyphs to examine the way rhetorical and linguistic tropes intertwined with corresponding features in visual compositions to craft highly sophisticated artistic programmes. By tracking how specific structures are deployed and in what contexts, this article defines an aesthetic that not only sheds light on verbal narratives, but also elucidates visual programmes and their interrelationship with text to reveal a fundamental principle in Maya world conceptualization. This literary and visual analysis develops a cross-medial Maya aesthetics comparable to other global poetic traditions.
An examination of health care efficiency in Canada: a two-stage semi-parametric approach
Authors: Watson Barry , Amin Gholam R.
Published: June 2024

Using data envelopment analysis, we examine the efficiency of Canada's universal health care system by considering a set of labour (physicians) and capital (beds) inputs, which produce a level of care (measured in terms of health quality and quantity) in a given region. Data from 2013–2015 were collected from the Canadian Institute for Health Information regarding inputs and from the Canadian Community Health Survey and Statistics Canada regarding our output variables, health utility (quality) and life expectancy (quantity). We posit that variation in efficiency scores across Canada is the result of regional heterogeneity regarding socioeconomic and demographic disparities. Regressing efficiency scores on such covariates suggests that regional unemployment and an older population are quite impactful and associated with less efficient health care production. Moreover, regional variation indicates the Atlantic provinces (Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick) are quite inefficient, have poorer economic prospects, and tend to have an older population than the rest of Canada. Oaxaca-Blinder decompositions suggest that the latter two factors explain about one-third of this efficiency gap. Based on our two-stage semi-parametric analysis, we recommend Canada adjust their transfer payments to reflect these disparities, thereby potentially reducing inequality in regional efficiency.