bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Where’ is the evidence? A starting point for the development of place‐based research reviews and their implications for wellbeing‐related policymaking
Authors: Esmene Shukru , Leyshon Michael , de Braal Petra , de Bruin Hans , Leyshon Catherine
Published: April 2024

This paper aims to stimulate debate around the development of a place‐based research review methodology. We present place‐based reviews as a potential source of support for wellbeing‐related local policymaking. Our introductory discussions highlight an ever‐growing need for insights about specific localities and a lack in resources—including time—for local policymakers to engage with research. Additionally, increasing demands for local insights have been driven by devolution shifts, which redistribute policymaking responsibilities to local authorities. Hence, we explore the challenges and opportunities that arise when places are considered in reviewing research relevant to wellbeing. We build a case study around two related places of different scale: Truro, a small cathedral city in the United Kingdom's Southwest; and Cornwall, the regional county that contains Truro. We use these places as search terms in combination with terms concerning health and social care (HSC) services. HSC services are included as a component of our case study, as the topic is a consistent concern for wellbeing‐related policies. In our findings, we report a lack of papers on our smaller scale of place (Truro). One might expect this outcome. Nonetheless, we reflect on current research practices and processes that might have further limited our ability to generate insights about Truro. Encouragingly, our findings on Cornwall demonstrate the potential of place‐based reviews in supporting local policymaking more broadly. We make initial judgements around knowledge gaps—including the exclusion of perspectives from certain groups and identities—and topological insights, that is, those that are relevant to Cornwall as a whole. Our discussions also consider how place‐based reviews can be enhanced via the retrieval and inclusion of non‐academic studies. Finally, key questions to induce debate on this subject are posed in the conclusion.
Fried Frailty Phenotype Questionnaire scores and postoperative patient‐reported outcomes of patients undergoing major abdominal cancer surgery: A secondary analysis
Authors: Kinugasa Yuki , Ida Mitsuru , Kawaguchi Masahiko
Published: April 2024

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Fried Frailty Phenotype Questionnaire (FFPQ) scores on patient‐reported postoperative outcomes.

Methods

This secondary analysis of a prospective observational study included 230 inpatients aged ≥65 years undergoing elective abdominal cancer surgery. The primary outcome was the Quality of Recovery‐15 score on postoperative days 2, 4 and 7. The secondary outcomes included disability‐free survival, defined as a 12‐item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 score of <16% at 3 months. The associations of the FFPQ scores, ranging from 0 (robust) to 5 (frailty), with the primary and secondary outcomes were assessed using multiple analysis.

Results

After confirming the linearity of the FFPQ score for the outcomes, multiple regression analysis adjusted for prominent factors showed that the FFPQ score was a significant factor influencing the decrease in the Quality of Recovery‐15 score on postoperative day 2 (β = −2.67, 95% confidence interval −5.20, −0.15), 4 (β = −3.54, 95% confidence interval −5.77, −1.30) and 7 (β = −3.70, 95% confidence interval −5.75, −1.65). The adjusted odds ratio of the FFPQ score for disability‐free survival postoperatively was 0.66 (95% confidence interval 0.49–0.90).

Conclusions

Patients with higher FFPQ scores before elective major abdominal cancer surgery were likely to have lower postoperative Quality of Recovery‐15 scores and poor disability‐free survival. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 464–469.
Residential and healthcare mobility during pregnancy among women living with HIV in the UK, 2009–2019
Authors: Dema Emily , Peters Helen , Gilleece Yvonne , Thorne Claire
Published: April 2024

Introduction

The extent to which individuals living with HIV experience residential and healthcare mobility during pregnancy in the UK is unknown. We aimed to determine a minimum estimate of residential and healthcare mobility during pregnancy in people living with HIV in the UK in 2009–2019 to explore patterns of and factors associated with mobility and to assess whether mobility was associated with specific HIV outcomes.

Methods

We analyzed data from the Integrated Screening Outcomes Surveillance Service to assess pregnancies with HIV in the UK and included livebirths and stillbirths with estimated delivery in 2009–2019. Residential mobility was defined as changing residential postcode between notification and delivery, and healthcare mobility was defined as changing NHS Trust or Strategic Health Authority (SHA) in that same timeframe. We used logistic regression to determine factors associated with residential and healthcare mobility and with detectable delivery viral load.

Results

Among 10 305 pregnancies, 19.6% experienced residential mobility, 8.1% changed NHS Trust, and 4.5% changed SHA during pregnancy. Mobility was more likely to be experienced by younger women, migrants, and those with new antenatal diagnosis; residential but not healthcare mobility declined over time. In a fully adjusted model, mobility was not associated with having a detectable viral load at delivery. Higher proportions of infants were lost to follow‐up after mobile pregnancies than after non‐mobile pregnancies.

Conclusions

This analysis provides new knowledge on mobility during pregnancy in the context of HIV, but further research is needed to understand its broader impacts and its utility as a marker to help identify families requiring additional follow‐up and support.
“Without the video I wouldn't have known”: An experienced EFL teacher learning to provide oral corrective feedback
Authors: Ha Xuan V. , Murray Jill C. , Reynolds Barry Lee
Published: April 2024

Oral corrective feedback, a key aspect of second language teaching, has received extensive research attention. However, little is known about whether and how professional development (PD) activities influence teachers' beliefs and classroom practices regarding oral corrective feedback. This case study investigates the effects of a targeted PD program on one experienced teacher's feedback beliefs and practices. The program comprised a workshop facilitating the teacher to discuss recent research findings regarding corrective feedback in language classrooms and experiential learning and reflective activities for 8 weeks. The data included semistructured interviews, three sources of written reflections, and classroom observations conducted over 17 weeks. The findings showed that although the teacher had already been positive about the importance of corrective feedback in teaching and learning, she underwent several considerable changes in her beliefs regarding the types and timing of feedback. The findings also showed some considerable changes in her actual feedback practices. Implications for teacher PD programs are discussed.
Development and validation of the Dermatology Social Comparison (DSC) Scale
Authors: Choi Ellie , Du Ruochen , Yew Yik W. , Long Valencia , Oon Hazel H. , Chandran Nisha S. , Phan Phillip , Chan Yiong H. , Valderas Jose M.
Published: April 2024

Background

Social comparison, the process of evaluating one's characteristics in relation to others, influences individuals' self‐perception and behavior. However, instruments are scarce for assessing social comparison in the medical setting.

Objectives

Our aim was to develop and validate a new scale for assessing social comparison.

Materials and methods

Seven statements were developed, encompassing the perceived normality of having rashes, the tendency to compare their situation with others, and the emotional response when seeing someone better or worse off than themselves. The instrument was piloted in 15 patients for readability and face validity, then prospectively validated using modern psychometric methods in 1,053 adult patients with eczema or psoriasis from three tertiary dermatological centers in Singapore.

Results

Of 1,053 adult patients, 802 (76.2%) had eczema, and 251 (23.8%) had psoriasis. Exploratory factor analysis (using a 70% sample split) showed a single factor model comprising three questions (Eigenvalue: 1.4). Confirmatory factor analysis with the remaining 30% of the sample confirmed an excellent model fit. Cronbach's alpha was 0.7, and inter‐item correlations ranged from 0.42 to 0.46. In the Rasch analysis, item fit statistics and item characteristic curves showed appropriate discrimination between response options, although reliability was suboptimal with a person separation reliability of 0.63.

Conclusions

Comprising 3 questions, the newly derived social comparison scale showed acceptable psychometrics as a measure of social comparison for clinical and research purposes in dermatology. Its brief nature likely results from its brevity and applicability to conditions beyond eczema and psoriasis, which warrants further investigation.
Deciphering crystal structure of Li3Bi3Te2O12:Sm3+ phosphors with high thermal stability for plant cultivation and white light‐emitting diodes
Authors: Chen Shigao , Che Junzhi , Zhao Bin , Li Shulei , Yao Xuemei , Yang Yue , Yang Ya , Liu Xiang , Yu Ruijin
Published: April 2024

The novel orange‐red light‐emitting garnet‐type phosphors Li3Bi3Te2O12:xSm3+ (0.005 ≤ x ≤ 0.25) were first synthesized using the high‐temperature solid‐state reaction method. The phase structure was recorded with XRD. Raman spectroscopic analysis was conducted for the first time to extract detailed structural insights of the tellurate garnet Li3Bi3Te2O12:Sm3+. The characteristics of the obtained compounds were investigated, including particle morphology, elemental mapping, diffuse reflection spectra, excitation and emission spectra, thermal stability, chromaticity coordinates according to the Commission International del′Eclairage, and color purity. The Li3Bi3Te2O12:Sm3+ phosphor could be effectively excited by 406 nm irradiation, and four sharp peaks were presented. The dominant peaks are located at 613 and 653 nm, corresponding to the typical transition of Sm3+ ions at 4G5/2→6H7/2 and 4G5/2→6H9/2, respectively. The phosphors present a regular concentration quenching trend, with an optimum Sm3+ doping concentration of 0.02. Impressively, the product demonstrates remarkable thermal stability by maintaining an emission intensity of 93% at a working temperature of 423 K. Additionally, the thermal quenching temperature (T0.5) surpasses 480 K. The lighting performance of the white light‐emitting diode fabricated using Li3Bi3Te2O12:0.02Sm3+ phosphor has been found to be exceptional, characterized by a high color rendering index (Ra = 90) and a low correlated color temperature (CCT = 5122 K). The electroluminescent spectrum of the red light‐emitting diode device fabricated by Li3Bi3Te2O12:0.02Sm3+ overlapped well with the absorption spectra of the phytochromes, suggesting its potential for plant cultivation light source. In conclusion, considering all these photoluminescent properties mentioned above, Li3Bi3Te2O12:Sm3+ phosphor can be regarded as a promising material for daily illumination and plant cultivation LEDs.
Studying crystallisation processes using electron microscopy: The importance of sample preparation
Authors: Ilett Martha , Afzali Maryam , Abdulkarim Bilal , Aslam Zabeada , Foster Stephanie , Burgos‐Ruiz Miguel , Kim Yi‐Yeoun , Meldrum Fiona C. , Drummond‐Brydson Rik M.
Published: April 2024

We present a comparison of common electron microscopy sample preparation methods for studying crystallisation processes from solution using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). We focus on two widely studied inorganic systems: calcium sulphate, gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3). We find significant differences in crystallisation kinetics and polymorph selection between the different sample preparation methods, which indicate that drying and chemical quenching can induce severe artefacts that are capable of masking the true native state of the crystallising solution. Overall, these results highlight the importance of cryogenic (cryo)‐quenching crystallising solutions and the use of full cryo‐TEM as the most reliable method for studying the early stages of crystallisation.
Impact of government‐issued financial incentive to medical facilities on management of secondary dysmenorrhea
Authors: Ishida Risa , Koga Kaori , Ohbe Hiroyuki , Izumi Gentaro , Matsui Hiroki , Yasunaga Hideo , Osuga Yutaka
Published: April 2024

Aim

In April 2020, the Japanese government introduced a Specific Medical Fee for managing secondary dysmenorrhea (SD). This initiative provided financial incentives to medical facilities that provide appropriate management of SD with hormonal therapies. We aimed to assess how this policy affects the management processes and outcomes of patients with SD.

Methods

Using a large Japanese administrative claims database, we identified outpatient visits of patients diagnosed with SD from April 2018 to March 2022. We used an interrupted time‐series analysis and defined before April 2020 as the pre‐introduction period and after April 2020 as the post‐introduction period. Outcomes were the monthly proportions of outpatient visits due to SD and hormonal therapy among women in the database and the proportions of outpatient visits for hormonal therapy and continuous outpatient visits among patients with SD.

Results

We identified 815 477 outpatient visits of patients diagnosed with SD during the pre‐introduction period and 920 183 outpatient visits during the post‐introduction period. There were significant upward slope changes after the introduction of financial incentives in the outpatient visits due to SD (+0.29% yearly; 95% confidence interval, +0.20% to +0.38%) and hormonal therapies (+0.038% yearly; 95% confidence interval, +0.030% to +0.045%) among the women in the database. Similarly, a significant level change was observed after the introduction of continuous outpatient visits among patients with SD (+2.68% monthly; 95% confidence interval, +0.87% to +4.49%).

Conclusions

Government‐issued financial incentives were associated with an increase in the number of patients diagnosed with SD, hormonal therapies, and continuous outpatient visits.
Effect of bioceramic powder abrasion on different implant surfaces
Authors: Abuhajar Eman , Salim Nesreen A. , Satterthwaite Julian D. , Silikas Nick , Anweigi Lamyia M.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Bioceramic coatings have been shown to promote bone repair, which aids in the early integration of implants. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of air abrasion with a bioceramic abrasive on the surface characteristics of different implant materials and surfaces. The dissolution of the applied treatment from the surfaces over 3 weeks was also assessed.

Materials and Methods

Discs of three alloys used for dental implants were studied and compared: two types of commercially pure titanium (CpTi)/ (CpTi SLActive) and titanium‐zirconia (TiZr). The tested surfaces were: CpTi control (CpC), sandblasted (SB), sandblasted and acid‐etched (SBE), and CpTi SLActive®, (TiZr) Roxolid®. Three discs from each group underwent air abrasion with apatite bioceramic powders, 95% hydroxyapatite (HA)/5% calcium oxide (CaO), and 90% hydroxyapatite (HA)/10% calcium oxide (CaO). The treated discs were surface characterized by optical profilometry to obtain surface roughness, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) to compare element weight percentages of titanium, calcium, and phosphate. Dissolution was assessed using inductively coupled plasma optic emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES).

Results

Bioceramic powders were deposited on all tested surfaces leading to changes in surface characteristics. The only statistically significant differences between the material groups for surface roughness were found with 95% HA/5% CaO powder in the Sp and Rp parameters (p = 0.03 and 0.04, respectively). There were no significant differences in the Ca and P wt% between all groups and powders 95% HA/5% CaO and 90% HA/10% CaO (p = 0.14, 0.18, and p = 0.15, 0.12, respectively). A non‐uniform dispersion of the treatment on the surface layer was visible on all treated surfaces. The bioceramic powder continued to dissolute from the tested surfaces for 3 weeks.

Conclusion

Bioceramic abrasion modifies implant surface characteristics, although the change in surface characteristics resulting from such treatment was not influenced by the implant material or surface treatment. Air abrasion with hydroxyapatite and calcium oxide bioceramics leaves powder deposits on the treated implant surfaces that could potentially influence the healing of implants affected by peri‐implantitis.
Valuation entrepreneurship through product‐design and blame‐avoidance strategies: How Tesla managed to change the public perception of sustainable innovations
Authors: Palmié Maximilian , Miehé Lucas , Mair Johanna , Wincent Joakim
Published: April 2024

Developing innovative, eco‐friendlier products that gain traction in the mass market remains a persistent challenge for many firms. To bring consumers to choose “greener” alternatives over conventional products, firms need to overcome prevailing product evaluations that favor traditional solutions. Research on valuation entrepreneurship examines the strategies that actors apply to induce changes in established evaluations. Adding to the emerging literature on valuation entrepreneurship, our study analyzes how the car maker Tesla, Inc. used product design—material artifacts' properties of form and function—to advance the public perception of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). When Tesla entered the market, several firms had tried to promote BEVs as a way of making private mobility more environmentally friendly, but with limited success. In contrast, Tesla produced well‐received BEVs that generated enormous consumer interest and led to a more favorable assessment of BEVs as a whole. Drawing on 54 interviews and nearly 2000 pages of archival data, our abductive study identifies three product design strategies that increased the appeal of Tesla's initial models: (1) incorporating discontinuous technological solutions; (2) optimizing the products on traditional evaluation criteria (e.g., driving performance, comfort, space, status); and (3) creating an ecosystem of complementary products. Since some design choices came at the expense of a minimal environmental footprint, they risked attracting blame for compromising on the environmental performance of potentially eco‐friendly cars and for committing “greenwashing.” To minimize this risk, Tesla complemented its design strategies by employing three strategies of reputational politics to avoid such blame. After Tesla's initial, lavish models had improved the public perception of electric cars, Tesla and other car makers were able to sell less excessive and more sustainable BEVs in much greater quantities than ever before. Our findings contribute to three literature streams and generate valuable insights for management practice.
Underperforming reformers: Examining disappointing cases of economic reforms
Authors: Callais Justin , Lawson Kerianne
Published: April 2024

While pro‐market economic institutions are a strong and causal predictor of economic development, such institutions are not expected to have the same impact across countries. Furthermore, there are actually a few instances where countries that enacted market‐friendly reforms had negative economic growth soon after. Examining 49 cases of large and sustained increases in economic freedom over a five year window, we find 10 cases that were followed by low/negative economic growth thereafter. We consider various potential determinants of failed reforms by comparing different measures between the successful and failed reforming countries. Our strongest evidence points to the following as plausible reasons for failed reforms: culture (high levels of power distance, low levels of individualism, and low levels of generalized trust), areas of economic freedom that countries reformed (less focus on sound monetary policy, more focus on limiting the size of government, and more variance between the five areas), and autocratic political institutions.
The election campaign for parliament in the age of the Internet
Authors: Santolini Raffaella
Published: April 2024

This study examines whether the use of Internet‐based communication technologies during election campaigns helps candidates to be elected to parliament and improves their perception of being able to win national elections. Using data from the 2013 Italian Candidate Survey, estimation results show that the use of a personal website and Twitter during the electoral race significantly improves candidates' perceptions of winning nationwide election and their likelihood of being elected to parliamentary office.
The phonology of A'ingae
Authors: Dąbkowski Maksymilian
Published: April 2024

A'ingae (or Cofán, ISO 639‐3: con) is an indigenous language isolate spoken in northeast Ecuador and southern Colombia. This paper presents the first comprehensive overview of the A'ingae phonology, including descriptions of (i) the language's phonemic inventory, (ii) phonotactics and a number of related phonological rules, (iii) nasality and nasal spreading, as well as (iv) stress, glottalisation, their morphophonology, and aspects of clause‐level prosody.
Noncanonical Obligatory Control
Authors: Landau Idan
Published: April 2024

Intensive research on Obligatory Control (OC) in the past 2 decades has revealed a rich crosslinguistic terrain of deviations from the classical format. Five types of noncanonical OC are surveyed here: Finite control, controlled overt pronouns, partial control, proxy control and crossed control. Each one is described and illustrated, paying attention to methodological difficulties in establishing its characteristic empirical signature. We then turn to a critical assessment of leading theoretical accounts of these phenomena, pointing to merits and faults, and indicating how they can be integrated with broader concerns of syntactic theory.
Transgressive gene expression and expression plasticity under thermal stress in a stable hybrid zone
Authors: Schwartz Lindsey C. , González Vanessa L. , Strong Ellen E. , Truebano Manuela , Hilbish Thomas J.
Published: April 2024

Interspecific hybridization can lead to myriad outcomes, including transgressive phenotypes in which the hybrids are more fit than either parent species. Such hybrids may display important traits in the context of climate change, able to respond to novel environmental conditions not previously experienced by the parent populations. While this has been evaluated in an agricultural context, the role of transgressive hybrids under changing conditions in the wild remains largely unexplored; this is especially true regarding transgressive gene expression. Using the blue mussel species complex (genus Mytilus) as a model system, we investigated the effects of hybridization on temperature induced gene expression plasticity by comparing expression profiles in parental species and their hybrids following a 2‐week thermal challenge. Hybrid expression plasticity was most often like one parent or the other (50%). However, a large fraction of genes (26%) showed transgressive expression plasticity (i.e. the change in gene expression was either greater or lesser than that of both parent species), while only 2% were intermediately plastic in hybrids. Despite their close phylogenetic relationship, there was limited overlap in the differentially expressed genes responding to temperature, indicating interspecific differences in the responses to high temperature in which responses from hybrids are distinct from both parent species. We also identified differentially expressed long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which we suggest may contribute to species‐specific differences in thermal tolerance. Our findings provide important insight into the impact of hybridization on gene expression under warming. We propose transgressive hybrids may play an important role in population persistence under future warming conditions.
Smartphone‐based method for measuring maximum peak tensile and compressive strain
Authors: Chen Xixian , Li Huan , Zhao Chenhao , Zhou Guangyi , Li Weijie , Zhang Xue , Zhao Xuefeng
Published: April 2024

This paper proposes an innovative smartphone‐based strain sensing method (named MaxCpture) for measuring maximum peak tensile and compressive strains. The MaxCpture method is able to record the maximum peak strain of a structure without continuous power supply and real‐time monitoring. This method combines the maximum peak strain sensor, a smartphone, and the microimage sensing algorithm. Crucially, the novel clamping sensitive mechanism in the sensor preserves information about the maximum deformation of the structure. To validate the feasibility of the MaxCpture method, this study conducted a series of experiments, including static tests, the beam of constant strength tests, and dynamic tests. The results show that the MaxCpture method is able to measure the maximum peak tensile and compressive strain effectively. With its convenient acquisition, low cost, and multi‐user collaboration, the MaxCpture method provides a promising approach for seismic response detection of various engineering structures.
C‐TERMINAL DOMAIN PHOSPHATASE‐LIKE 3 contributes to GA‐mediated growth and flowering by interaction with DELLA proteins
Authors: Li Ting , Wang Yongqin , Natran Annelore , Zhang Yi , Wang Hao , Du Kangxi , Qin Peng , Yuan Hua , Chen Weilan , Tu Bin , Inzé Dirk , Dubois Marieke
Published: April 2024

Gibberellic acid (GA) plays a central role in many plant developmental processes and is crucial for crop improvement. DELLA proteins, the core suppressors in the GA signaling pathway, are degraded by GA via the 26S proteasomal pathway to release the GA response. However, little is known about the phosphorylation‐mediated regulation of DELLA proteins.

In this study, we combined GA response assays with protein–protein interaction analysis to infer the connection between Arabidopsis thaliana DELLAs and the C‐TERMINAL DOMAIN PHOSPHATASE‐LIKE 3 (CPL3), a phosphatase involved in the dephosphorylation of RNA polymerase II.

We show that CPL3 directly interacts with DELLA proteins and promotes DELLA protein stability by inhibiting its degradation by the 26S proteasome. Consequently, CPL3 negatively modulates multiple GA‐mediated processes of plant development, including hypocotyl elongation, flowering time, and anthocyanin accumulation.

Taken together, our findings demonstrate that CPL3 serves as a novel regulator that could improve DELLA stability and thereby participate in GA signaling transduction.
Colonic crypt stem cell functions are controlled by tight junction protein claudin‐7 through Notch/Hippo signaling
Authors: Naser Amna N. , Xing Tiaosi , Tatum Rodney , Lu Qun , Boyer Philip J. , Chen Yan‐Hua
Published: April 2024

The tight junction protein claudin‐7 is essential for tight junction function and intestinal homeostasis. Cldn7 deletion in mice leads to an inflammatory bowel disease‐like phenotype exhibiting severe intestinal epithelial damage, weight loss, inflammation, mucosal ulcerations, and epithelial hyperplasia. Claudin‐7 has also been shown to be involved in cancer metastasis and invasion. Here, we test our hypothesis that claudin‐7 plays an important role in regulating colonic intestinal stem cell function. Conditional knockout of Cldn7 in the colon led to impaired epithelial cell differentiation, hyperproliferative epithelium, a decrease in active stem cells, and dramatically altered gene expression profiles. In 3D colonoid culture, claudin‐7–deficient crypts were unable to survive and form spheroids, emphasizing the importance of claudin‐7 in stem cell survival. Inhibition of the Hippo pathway or activation of Notch signaling partially rescued the defective stem cell behavior. Concurrent Notch activation and Hippo inhibition resulted in restored colonoid survival, growth, and differentiation to the level comparable to those of wild‐type derived crypts. In this study, we highlight the essential role of claudin‐7 in regulating Notch and Hippo signaling–dependent colonic stem cell functions, including survival, self‐renewal, and differentiation. These new findings may shed light on potential avenues to explore for drug development in colorectal cancer.
Role of executive functions in the relations of state‐ and trait‐math anxiety with math performance
Authors: Pelegrina Santiago , Martín‐Puga M. Eva , Lechuga M. Teresa , Justicia‐Galiano M. José , Linares Rocío
Published: April 2024

The detrimental effect of math anxiety on math performance is thought to be mediated by executive functions. Previous studies have primarily focused on trait‐math anxiety rather than state‐math anxiety and have typically examined a single executive function rather than comprehensively evaluating all of them. Here, we used a structural equation modeling approach to concurrently determine the potential mediating roles of different executive functions (i.e., inhibition, switching, and updating) in the relationships between both state‐ and trait‐math anxiety and math performance. A battery of computer‐based tasks and questionnaires were administered to 205 university students. Two relevant results emerged. First, confirmatory factor analysis suggests that math anxiety encompassed both trait and state dimensions and, although they share substantial variance, trait‐math anxiety predicted math performance over and above state‐math anxiety. Second, working memory updating was the only executive function that mediated the relationship between math anxiety and math performance; neither inhibition nor switching played mediating roles. This calls into question whether some general proposals about the relationship between anxiety and executive functions can be extended specifically to math anxiety. We also raise the possibility that working memory updating or general cognitive difficulties might precede individual differences in math anxiety.
Why democracy fails in Africa
Authors: Attoe Aribiah David
Published: April 2024

Oftentimes, we have been informed that democracy is the best form of government possible. In African politics, this view has mostly been adopted and pursued as true. Surprisingly, democracy has mostly failed as a system in most parts of the continent—with most democratic governments undermining the mandates of the citizens who are supposed to have placed them in power, and also escalating the already spiralling decline of the continent through bad leadership and corruption. In this article, and with Nigeria as the primary case study, I offer explanations regarding why democracy fails in most African countries. Specifically, I argue that mass miseducation and false self‐interestedness are the main culprits that limit the success of democracy in Africa. I further propose that democracy in Africa can only be salvaged when there is proper moral ideology guiding the informal education of citizens, when citizens are offered proper quality formal education that would grant them the necessary skills and aid them to make informed decisions, and when citizens take a turn from false self‐interestedness to true self‐interestedness (which is fealty to collective interests).
Regions, extensions, distances, diameters
Authors: Calosi Claudio
Published: April 2024

Extended simple regions have been the focus of recent developments in philosophical logic, metaphysics, and philosophy of physics. However, only a handful of works provides a rigorous characterization of an extended simple region. In particular, a recent paper in this journal defends a definition based on an extrinsic notion of least distance. Call it the Least Distance proposal. This paper provides the first assessment of it. It argues that Least Distance faces difficulties and drawbacks. The paper then goes on to suggest a different proposal, the Diameter proposal that is able to handle such drawbacks and difficulties.
Individual peak alpha frequency does not index individual differences in inhibitory cognitive control
Authors: Busch Nuno , Geyer Thomas , Zinchenko Artyom
Published: April 2024

Previous work has indicated that individual differences in cognitive performance can be predicted by characteristics of resting state oscillations, such as individual peak alpha frequency (IAF). Although IAF has previously been correlated with cognitive functions, such as memory, attention, or mental speed, its link to cognitive conflict processing remains unexplored. The current work investigated the relationship between IAF and inhibitory cognitive control in two well‐established conflict tasks, Stroop and Navon task, while also controlling for alpha power, theta power, and the 1/f offset of aperiodic broadband activity. In Bayesian analyses on a large sample of 127 healthy participants, we found substantial evidence against the assumption that IAF predicts individual abilities to spontaneously exert cognitive control. Similarly, our findings yielded substantial evidence against links between cognitive control and resting state power in the alpha and theta bands or between cognitive control and aperiodic 1/f offset. In sum, our results challenge frameworks suggesting that an individual's ability to spontaneously engage attentional control networks may be mirrored in resting state EEG characteristics.
Impact of urea fertilization rates on nitrogen losses, productivity and profitability in East African sugarcane plantations
Authors: Tamale Joseph , Nasta Paolo , Doetterl Sebastian , Hutson John , van Straaten Oliver , Turyagyenda Laban F. , Fiener Peter
Published: April 2024

Fertilizer‐intensive sugarcane plantations are expanding in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) amidst increased groundwater pollution and carbon footprint concerns. Yet, the impact of nitrogen (N) levels on N losses, productivity and profitability in these plantations remains unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a completely randomized design experiment in a Ugandan sugarcane plantation using three N fertilization rates (low, standard and high) as treatments. N leaching under the different treatments was determined using the average drainage fluxes across a 1‐m‐layered profile which we estimated with a suite of pedotransfer functions (PTFs) and leachate N concentrations from suction cup lysimeters. Soil nitrous oxide fluxes were determined using static vented chamber bases and gas chromatography. Partial factor crop productivity was estimated from the average field fresh weight under each treatment and the amount of N fertilizer applied, while the return on investment was determined from the factory price of the field fresh weight and the market price of fertilizers. Our findings indicate that three out of five PTFs effectively estimated soil hydraulic properties at our test site, based on the close match between measured and predicted soil matric potential values. Notably, N leaching at low and standard N rates were comparable but significantly lower than at higher‐than‐standard N rates. Additionally, we measured comparable soil nitrous oxide emissions and field fresh weight but partial factor productivity and return on investment declined along the fertilizer intensification gradient. In conclusion, the study demonstrates the promising application of certain PTFs in N‐leaching modelling in the data‐scarce SSA. Furthermore, obtaining comparable field fresh weight with minimal N losses at lower‐than‐standard N rates presents an opportunity to mitigate groundwater pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. However, the potential impact of the switch from standard to low N rates on soil organic carbon stocks and sugarcane yields warrants further investigation.
Impact of human leucocyte antigen class II polymorphism on anti‐red blood cell antibody development: Correlations and indications
Authors: Milosavić Milanka , Lilić Marko , Andrić Zorana
Published: April 2024

Backround and Objectives

Blood transfusion therapy is vital for many patient groups. They can cause many complications, and the development of anti‐red blood cell (RBC) antibodies is of significant importance. Molecules of class II human leucocyte antigens (HLA) are one of the several factors that influence antibody development in patients.

Materials and Methods

In this study, we investigated 108 patients who developed antibodies against different erythrocyte antigens and 115 patients on multiple transfusion therapies who did not develop anti‐RBC antibodies. The HLA loci HLA‐DRB1 and HLA‐DQB1 were typed using commercial molecular assays routinely used in HLA laboratories.

Results

An increased frequency of the HLA‐DRB1*04 allele group was observed in patients who developed antibodies. Additionally, HLA‐DRB1*09 was also significant for anti‐E development and in patients with multi‐specific alloimmunization. It was found that the HLA‐DRB1*07 allele group is associated with antibodies to antigents of the Rh and MNS systems but also lacks an association with anti‐K development. The HLA‐DRB1*11 and ‐DRB1*01 allele groups displayed a protective mechanism for anti‐E development, similar to that of HLA‐DQB1*02 for anti‐K.

Conclusion

There is an association between various HLA class II alleles and anti‐RBC development.
Workshop Analysis on Behaviour Changes Towards Minimising Food Waste for Waste-Ed
Authors: Christensen Charli May
Published: April 2024

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Waste-Ed with Kate, a community-directed food waste reduction workshop, in instigating behaviour change among participants. This study used a combination of pre-attendance, on the night and both three and six week post attendance surveys to gain insight into participant behaviours. The data collected, focuses on understanding the dynamics of reported food waste amounts. Alongside the focus of investigating change in behaviour following workshop attendance, this study also investigated the best form of communication. The purpose of looking into communication methods, was to determine the most effective way to collect data about household food waste practices following the workshop. Three different communication methods were tested, and reported on to determine the highest response rate, which can be used in future. Graphical representations and Likert scale analyses illustrate participants' behaviour’s pre-attendance and at three and six weeks post-workshop. The findings indicate a significant reduction in reported post-workshop food waste, suggesting a positive impact on participants' practices. The study, commissioned by the Ministry for the Environment, contributes valuable insights into the success of workshops as behaviour change interventions. Continued evaluation of behaviour change initiatives that address the complex issue of food waste is recommended.

Supervised by: Miranda Mirosa and Grace Clare

Scholarship Project Funded by: Waste-Ed With Kate
Consumers' Response to Food Date Labels
Authors: Elliott Saffron
Published: April 2024

This research project delves into consumers' responses to food expiry date labels, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3, to reduce global food waste by 50% at consumer and retail levels by 2030. The project utilises biometric (eye tracking) data collection to investigate consumer interpretation of expiration labels and the potential correlation between inadequate understanding and household food waste. The research methodology involves an in-depth literature analysis, focusing on distinctions between best-before and use-by dates, particularly concerning food safety. The study addresses crucial questions, including consumers' responses to expiry dates, comprehensions, awareness of best-before versus use-by distinctions, and the correct utilisation of these labels. The key innovation lies in uncovering consumer behaviours and proposing a streamlined labelling approach with fewer best-before dates, offering opportunities for the food industry to reduce household food waste, consequently mitigating the environmental impact on landfills, and contributing to climate change mitigation.

Supervised by: Erin Young, Grace Clare, Miranda Mirosa, Food Science Department, University of Otago

Scholarship Project Funded by: New Zealand- China Food Protection Network
Stable Isotope Analysis Reveals Feral Cat Diet on the Chatham Islands
Authors: Muller Hadley
Published: April 2024

Feral cats are significant invasive predators in New Zealand and are widely associated with drastic declines in breeding seabird populations. Suppressing or controlling feral cat populations has been a major conservation focus in large island ecosystems, including Rēkohu (The Chatham Islands). The Chatham Island tāiko (Pterodroma magentae) naturally persists in a single breeding colony after experiencing rapid population declines in the 19th & 20th centuries. A deeper understanding of feral cat ecology and diet is required to ensure control methods maximise conservation benefits. We used stable isotope analysis of feral cat fur, claws, and bone collagen to investigate the ecology and diet of feral cats trapped in the Tuku Nature Reserve on Rēkohu (The Chatham Islands). We predicted that cat diet would be highly specialised among individuals but relatively stable over time. To estimate the relative contribution of available prey to feral cat diets we employed Bayesian mixing models. Standard ellipse areas were used to understand diet stability over time. Our results have implications for the ongoing management of the Chatham Island Taiko.

Supervised by: Cilla Wehi
Effect of size on the thermal noise and acoustic response of viscous-driven microbeams
Authors: Lai Junpeng , Farahikia Mahdi , Karimi Morteza , Liu Zihan , Jiang Yingchun , Ke Changhong , Miles Ronald
Published: April 2024

A study is presented of the thermal-mechanical noise and response to sound of microphones that are designed to be driven by the viscous forces in air rather than by sound pressure. Virtually all existing microphone designs are intended to respond to sound pressure. The structures examined here consist of thin, micro-scale, cantilever beams. The viscous forces that drive the beams are proportional to the relative velocity between the beams and fluid medium. The beams' movement in response to sound is similar to that of the air in a plane acoustic wave. The thermal-mechanical noise of these beams is found to be a very weak function of their width and length; the size of the sensing structure does not appear to significantly affect the performance. This differs from the well-known importance of the size of a pressure-sensing microphone in determining the pressure-referred noise floor. Creating microphones that sense fluid motion rather than pressure could enable a significant reduction in the size of the sensing element. Calculated results are revealed to be in excellent agreement with the measured pressure-referred thermal noise.
Viscoelastic flow with slip in a hyperbolic channel
Authors: Housiadas Kostas D. , Beris Antony N.
Published: April 2024

We study theoretically the steady viscoelastic flow in confined and symmetric hyperbolic channels considering slip along the walls. Under the lubrication approximation and a variety of constitutive models, a high-order perturbation solution with respect to the Deborah number is calculated. The solution for all the field variables (velocity, pressure, and extra-stress) is found analytically up to eighth order and is used along with proper acceleration techniques to achieve convergence up to order one Deborah number. We reveal that even in the presence of slip, the pressure drop decreases monotonically with increasing the fluid elasticity. We evaluate the influence of slip in terms arising from two different decompositions of the pressure drop obtained with the aid of the total force balance and the mechanical energy balance of the flow system. In contrast to the nonslip Newtonian flow, our analysis also showed that the fluid slip along the walls introduces variations in the strain rate at the midplane with the distance from the inlet. However, these are small, and an effective strain rate can be well-represented using a previously developed formula [Housiadas, K. D., and A. N. Beris, Phys. Fluids 36(2), 021702 (2024)]. We also show that when the solution for the midplane velocity is used in the general formula for the Trouton ratio, instead of the Newtonian lubrication solution, there are no appreciable changes, thus confirming the validity and accuracy of our previously reported results [Housiadas, K. D., and A. N. Beris, J. Rheol. 68(3), 327–339 (2024)].
Persistent urban heat
Authors: Li Dan , Wang Linying , Liao Weilin , Sun Ting , Katul Gabriel , Bou-Zeid Elie , Maronga Björn
Published: April 2024

Urban surface and near-surface air temperatures are known to be often higher than their rural counterparts, a phenomenon now labeled as the urban heat island effect. However, whether the elevated urban temperatures are more persistent than rural temperatures at timescales commensurate to heat waves has not been addressed despite its importance for human health. Combining numerical simulations by a global climate model with a surface energy balance theory, it is demonstrated here that urban surface and near-surface air temperatures are significantly more persistent than their rural counterparts in cities dominated by impervious materials with large thermal inertia. Further use of these materials will result in even stronger urban temperature persistence, especially for tropical cities. The present findings help pinpoint mitigation strategies that can simultaneously ameliorate the larger magnitude and stronger persistence of urban temperatures.
Cellular Trojan Horse initiates bimetallic Fe-Cu MOF-mediated synergistic cuproptosis and ferroptosis against malignancies
Authors: Chen Kerong , Zhou Anwei , Zhou Xinyuan , He Jielei , Xu Yurui , Ning Xinghai
Published: April 2024

Disruptions in metal balance can trigger a synergistic interplay of cuproptosis and ferroptosis, offering promising solutions to enduring challenges in oncology. Here, we have engineered a Cellular Trojan Horse, named MetaCell, which uses live neutrophils to stably internalize thermosensitive liposomal bimetallic Fe-Cu MOFs (Lip@Fe-Cu-MOFs). MetaCell can instigate cuproptosis and ferroptosis, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy. Mirroring the characteristics of neutrophils, MetaCell can evade the immune system and not only infiltrate tumors but also respond to inflammation by releasing therapeutic components, thereby surmounting traditional treatment barriers. Notably, Lip@Fe-Cu-MOFs demonstrate notable photothermal effects, inciting a targeted release of Fe-Cu-MOFs within cancer cells and amplifying the synergistic action of cuproptosis and ferroptosis. MetaCell has demonstrated promising treatment outcomes in tumor-bearing mice, effectively eliminating solid tumors and forestalling recurrence, leading to extended survival. This research provides great insights into the complex interplay between copper and iron homeostasis in malignancies, potentially paving the way for innovative approaches in cancer treatment.