bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Joint Attention: The PAIR Account
Authors: Schmitz Michael
Published: April 2024

In this paper I outline the PAIR account of joint attention as a perceptual-practical, affectively charged intentional relation. I argue that to explain joint attention we need to leave the received understanding of propositions and propositional attitudes and the picture of content connected to it behind and embrace the notions of subject mode and position mode content. I also explore the relation between joint attention and communication.
Real Feeling and Fictional Time in Human-AI Interactions
Authors: Krueger Joel , Roberts Tom
Published: April 2024

As technology improves, artificial systems are increasingly able to behave in human-like ways: holding a conversation; providing information, advice, and support; or taking on the role of therapist, teacher, or counsellor. This enhanced behavioural complexity, we argue, encourages deeper forms of affective engagement on the part of the human user, with the artificial agent helping to stabilise, subdue, prolong, or intensify a person’s emotional condition. Here, we defend a fictionalist account of human/AI interaction, according to which these encounters involve an elaborate practise of imaginative pretence: a make-believe in which the artificial agent is attributed a life of its own. We attend, specifically, to the temporal characteristics of these fictions, and to what we imagine artificial agents are doing when we are not looking at them.
Overlapping Functions: Volunteering and Other Forms of Civic Participation in the COVID-19 Disaster
Authors: Wong Kang Li
Published: April 2024

Functional motivations are closely linked to important volunteer outcomes, yet more socio-political forms of civic participation (CP) besides volunteering are growing. There is little attention on the applicability of functional motivations to such CP, including in disasters. Using a critical realist grounded theory methodology, 39 in-depth interviews were conducted with Singapore residents who had engaged in a diverse range of CP before and during COVID-19. A key mechanism, fulfilling personal functions, was found to relate to functional motivations. Overlapping functions were found, but there are differences in how these functions were fulfilled depending on the form of CP.Perceived accessibility, the subjective mental state about one’s potential to engage, mediated the effectuation of motivations in actual engagement. COVID-19 contributed to emergent CP by increasingperceived accessibility. Participating citizens pre-COVID-19 made adaptations to maintainperceived accessibilityto continue CP during the pandemic. These theoretical developments inform policy and research agenda in understanding and leveraging CP.
Effects of subgrade spatial variability on critical strains and effectiveness of geogrid reinforcement in flexible pavement
Authors: Xiao Li , Xue Jianfeng
Published: April 2024

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of spatial variability in the subgrade layer on the critical response of pavements and the effectiveness of geogrid reinforcement, employing the random field finite difference analysis (RFFDA). A comprehensive parametric study was conducted to examine the influence of two crucial factors: the coefficient of variation ($${{\text{COV}}}_{E}$$

COV
E

) and scale of fluctuation (SOF) of the subgrade modulus. Further investigation was conducted to uncover the statistical and mechanical mechanisms underlying the impact of subgrade spatial variability with emphasis on the critical strain distributions and their correlation with both the overall modulus and the local spatial variability of the key influence zone. Furthermore, this study explored the influence of subgrade spatial variability on the effectiveness of geogrid in reducing critical strains, considering various placement positions and geogrid moduli. The following main conclusions are drawn: (a) subgrade spatial variability has a substantial amplifying effect on critical pavement strains due to low modulus dominating effect, (b) there exists a worst value of SOF that results in the most unfavorable statistics of critical subgrade strain, (c) the effect of subgrade spatial variability on critical subgrade strain is more pronounced compared to its effect on critical asphalt strain, (d) the mean value of critical subgrade strain in RFFDA can be significantly underestimated when assuming fixed location for the strain, and (e) the effectiveness of geogrid in reducing critical strains is impacted by subgrade spatial variability, with the impact varying with the type of critical strain and geogrid location. Specifically, when placed at the base course–subgrade interface, the ability of geogrid to reduce critical subgrade strain is significantly compromised due to the subgrade spatial variability.
Teledidactic Versus Hands-on Teaching of Abdominal, Thoracic, and Thyroid Ultrasound—The TELUS II Study
Authors: Höhne E. , Recker F. , Brossart P. , Schäfer V. S.
Published: April 2024

Background

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has initiated a change in medical education and the development of new teaching concepts has become inevitable to maintain adequate training.

Objective

This pilot study aims to compare teledidactic teaching with traditional face-to-face teaching for abdominal, thoracic, and thyroid ultrasound.

Design

Concurrently, a teledidactic and a face-to-face ultrasound course were held. The students completed seven 90-min modules using mobile ultrasound probes (Butterfly IQ). Each module consisted of a lecture, a demonstration of probe guidance, and independent training.

Participants

A total of thirty medical students took part in the study and were randomly assigned to a teledidactic and a face-to-face group.

Main Measures

An objective structured assessment of ultrasound skills (OSAUS) was performed as a pre-test and as the final exam and ultrasound images obtained during the exam were evaluated using the brightness mode quality ultrasound imaging examination (B-QUIET) scale.

Key Results

No significant difference between the two cohorts on the OSAUS final exam was shown (p > 0.05 in all modules). There was a significant difference in the assessment of the images in the focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) (p 0.015) and aorta (p 0.017) modules. Students in the teledidactic group performed better in both modules, scoring 33.59 (± 2.61) out of 44 in the module FAST (face-to-face group 30.95 (± 1.76)) and aortic images averaged 35.41 (± 2.61) points (face-to-face group 32.35 (± 3.08)).

Conclusions

A teledidactic course for abdominal and thoracic ultrasound examinations is equally effective to traditional face-to-face teaching in this pilot study. Digital implementation with a portable ultrasound machine could be a great opportunity to promote ultrasound education worldwide and over great distances.
Prospective secondary teachers’ noticing of students’ thinking about the limit concept: pathways of development
Authors: Fernández Ceneida , Moreno Mar , Sánchez-Matamoros Gloria
Published: April 2024

Research has shown that there is a need to examine prospective teachers’ development trajectories related to noticing expertise. An important content in the Spanish high school curriculum (16–18 years old) is the limit concept. Given the importance of this concept in the curriculum and the difficulties some prospective teachers have, developing their noticing of students’ mathematical thinking of this concept in teacher education programs is crucial to achieve high school student mathematics achievement. This study examines how prospective secondary school mathematics teachers (PTs) notice students’ mathematical thinking about the limit concept as they participated in a teaching module. PTs had to anticipate and interpret students’ mathematical understanding and make instructional decisions to support students’ conceptual progression using information about high school students’ understanding of the limit concept. We examined PTs changes related to how they anticipated, interpreted and made instructional decisions during the teaching module. We identified a change in how PTs conceived the understanding of the dynamic limit concept: from all-or-nothing dichotomy to progression; and a change in the instructional decisions they made: from decisions focused on changing the type of discontinuity to conceptual decisions. These changes allow us to characterise development noticing pathways. Our findings also help to identify the teaching module characteristics that support the development of PTs noticing.
Forwards Attractor Structures in a Planar Cooperative Non-autonomous Lotka–Volterra System
Authors: Garcia-Fuentes Juan , Kalita Piotr , Langa José A.
Published: April 2024

The global attractor of a dissipative dynamical system provides the necessary information to understand the asymptotic dynamics of all the system’s solutions. A crucial question consists in finding the structure of this set. In this paper we provide a full characterization of the structure of attractors for a planar non-autonomous Lotka–Volterra cooperative system. We show sufficient conditions for the existence of forward attractors and give a full description of them by proving the existence of such bounded global solutions that all bounded global solutions join them, i.e. converge towards them when time tends to plus and minus infinity. These results generalize those known in an autonomous framework. The case of particular interest in our work is the situation where globally forward-stable non-autonomous solutions have both coordinates strictly positive. We study this case in detail and obtain sufficient conditions that the problem parameters must satisfy in order to obtain various structures of non-autonomous attractors. This allows us to understand different paths of the solutions towards the unique globally stable one.
Empirical Enhancement of Intrusion Detection Systems: A Comprehensive Approach with Genetic Algorithm-based Hyperparameter Tuning and Hybrid Feature Selection
Authors: Bakır Halit , Ceviz Özlem
Published: April 2024

Machine learning-based IDSs have demonstrated promising outcomes in identifying and mitigating security threats within IoT networks. However, the efficacy of such systems is contingent on various hyperparameters, necessitating optimization to elevate their performance. This paper introduces a comprehensive empirical and quantitative exploration aimed at enhancing intrusion detection systems (IDSs). The study capitalizes on a genetic algorithm-based hyperparameter tuning mechanism and a pioneering hybrid feature selection approach to systematically investigate incremental performance improvements in IDS. Specifically, our work proposes a machine learning-based IDS approach tailored for detecting attacks in IoT environments. To achieve this, we introduce a hybrid feature selection method designed to identify the most salient features for the task. Additionally, we employed the genetic algorithm (GA) to fine-tune hyperparameters of multiple machine learning models, ensuring their accuracy in detecting attacks. We commence by evaluating the default hyperparameters of these models on the CICIDS2017 dataset, followed by rigorous testing of the same algorithms post-optimization through GA. Through a series of experiments, we scrutinize the impact of combining feature selection methods with hyperparameter tuning approaches. The outcomes unequivocally demonstrate the potential of hyperparameter optimization in enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of machine learning-based IDS systems for IoT networks. The empirical nature of our research method provides a meticulous analysis of the efficacy of the proposed techniques through systematic experimentation and quantitative evaluation. Consolidated in a unified manner, the results underscore the step-by-step enhancement of IDS performance, especially in terms of detection time, substantiating the efficacy of our approach in real-world scenarios.
Predictive performance of NEWS and qSOFA in immunocompromised sepsis patients at the emergency department
Authors: Boekhoud Lisanne , Schaap Helena M. E. A. , Huizinga Rick L. , Olgers Tycho J. , ter Maaten Jan C. , Postma Douwe F. , Bouma Hjalmar R.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Sepsis has a high incidence and a poor prognosis. Early recognition is important to facilitate timely initiation of adequate care. Sepsis screening tools, such as the (quick) Sequential Organ Failure Assessment ((q)SOFA) and National Early Warning Score (NEWS), could help recognize sepsis. These tools have been validated in a general immunocompetent population, while their performance in immunocompromised patients, who are particularly at risk of sepsis development, remains unknown.

Methods

This study is a post hoc analysis of a prospective observational study performed at the emergency department. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 18 years with a suspected infection, while ≥ two qSOFA and/or SOFA criteria were used to classify patients as having suspected sepsis. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality.

Results

1516 patients, of which 40.5% used one or more immunosuppressives, were included. NEWS had a higher prognostic accuracy as compared to qSOFA for predicting poor outcome among immunocompromised sepsis patients. Of all tested immunosuppressives, high-dose glucocorticoid therapy was associated with a threefold increased risk of both in-hospital and 28-day mortality.

Conclusion

In contrast to NEWS, qSOFA underestimates the risk of adverse outcome in patients using high-dose glucocorticoids. As a clinical consequence, to adequately assess the severity of illness among immunocompromised patients, health care professionals should best use the NEWS.
An Observation About Conformal Points on Surfaces
Authors: Albers Peter , Benedetti Gabriele
Published: April 2024

We study the existence of points on a compact oriented surface at which a symmetric bilinear two-tensor field is conformal to a Riemannian metric. We give applications to the existence of conformal points of surface diffeomorphisms and vector fields.
Computational Thinking in Secondary Mathematics Education with GeoGebra: Insights from an Intervention in Calculus Lessons
Authors: Chytas Christos , van Borkulo Sylvia Patricia , Drijvers Paul , Barendsen Erik , Tolboom Jos L. J.
Published: April 2024

Nowadays, mathematics teachers in K–12 strive to promote their students‘ mathematical knowledge and computational thinking (CT) skills. There is an increasing need for effective CT-embedded mathematics learning material and a better understanding of students’ views toward them. In this work, we present the results of a research study, which included the design of a six-lesson learning activity aimed at fostering 16- to 17-year-old secondary students’ CT skills in calculus lessons using the dynamic mathematics software GeoGebra. Our goal was to investigate how students experienced the CT-embedded calculus lessons with GeoGebra and what challenges they faced during their interaction with the learning material and software. We collected and analyzed data from students’ code in GeoGebra, workbooks, semi-structured interviews, and questionnaires. Our findings suggest that most students mastered using CT concepts in calculus activities to a satisfactory degree and could reason about their computational solutions using GeoGebra and the generated graphs. Students’ understanding of the mathematical content knowledge introduced was essential to complete the lesson series successfully and unnoticed gaps in prior knowledge emerged. Our study shows that students appreciate the CT-embedded calculus lessons and GeoGebra’s exploratory approach to mathematics problems when provided with appropriate support. We conclude that an integrated approach to mathematics education and CT is viable and can contribute not only to fostering CT but also to increasing interest in mathematics.
Three-Dimensional Nano-displacement Measurement by Four-Beam Laser Interferometry
Authors: Zhang Xu , Wang Zi , Liu Mengnan , Song Zhengxun , Wang Zuobin , Dong Litong
Published: April 2024

A 3D nano-displacement measurement method, where the difference in phase between the beams in a four-beam laser interference is changed, is proposed. Simulation results demonstrate that the variation of phase difference causes the deviation of the interference pattern in the laser interference system. Based on this theory, we design and build a four-beam laser interference system. The corner cube prism in the optical path is shifted, and the phase of the beam is changed by applying different voltages to a piezoelectric stage. The phase difference is obtained by analyzing the lattice pattern with subpixel precision, and then the displacement is determined by correlation operation. The experimental measurement results are consistent with the theoretical analysis, thereby verifying the feasibility of this measurement method.
Exploring Factors That Support Pre-service Teachers’ Engagement in Learning Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Ayanwale Musa Adekunle , Frimpong Emmanuel Kwabena , Opesemowo Oluwaseyi Aina Gbolade , Sanusi Ismaila Temitayo
Published: April 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly relevant, and students need to understand the concept. To design an effective AI program for schools, we need to find ways to expose students to AI knowledge, provide AI learning opportunities, and create engaging AI experiences. However, there is a lack of trained teachers who can facilitate students’ AI learning, so we need to focus on developing the capacity of pre-service teachers to teach AI. Since engagement is known to enhance learning, it is necessary to explore how pre-service teachers engage in learning AI. This study aimed to investigate pre-service teachers’ engagement with learning AI after a 4-week AI program at a university. Thirty-five participants took part in the study and reported their perception of engagement with learning AI on a 7-factor scale. The factors assessed in the survey included engagement (cognitive—critical thinking and creativity, behavioral, and social), attitude towards AI, anxiety towards AI, AI readiness, self-transcendent goals, and confidence in learning AI. We used a structural equation modeling approach to test the relationships in our hypothesized model using SmartPLS 4.0. The results of our study supported all our hypotheses, with attitude, anxiety, readiness, self-transcendent goals, and confidence being found to influence engagement. We discuss our findings and consider their implications for practice and policy.
Aufopferung als Gabe ohne Maß?
Authors: Landweer Hilge
Published: April 2024

Der Text untersucht die Frage, ob Aufopferung moralisch gut ist und lotet das Verhältnis von Aufopferung und Supererogation aus. Ausgehend vom Kontext historisch dominierender Formen von Aufopferung wird die Pflege von Angehörigen paradigmatisch für die Aufopferung für jemanden (nicht für Sachen oder Ideen) in den Blick genommen. Die für Pflegebeziehungen typische Gefühlsdynamik macht deutlich, inwiefern diese Form der Aufopferung als eine Gabe ohne Maß betrachtet werden kann. Mit Rekurs auf die Theorie der Gabe werden Kriterien dafür entwickelt, unter welchen Bedingungen Aufopferung bewunderungswürdig oder womöglich moralisch falsch ist. Bewunderungswürdig ist die spezifische Gabe der Pflege von Angehörigen nur dann, so die entwickelte These, wenn sie seitens der sich aufopfernden Person mit einem ausgewogenen Gefühlshaushalt verbunden ist. Handelt es sich bei der Aufopferung dagegen um eine emotionale Dauerüberforderung, so ist diese Gabe zwar nicht mehr bewunderungswürdig, aber auch nicht moralisch falsch.
From psychophysiology to brain imaging: forty-five years MMN history of investigating acoustic change sensitivity
Authors: Csépe Valéria , Honbolygó Ferenc
Published: April 2024

Forty-five years have passed since the first publication of the mismatch negativity (MMN) event-related brain potential (ERP) component. The first 10 years of research hardly gained any particular attention of the scientific community interested in acoustic perception. Debates on the nature of sensation versus perception were going on, and the technical possibilities to record ERPs, called in general evoked potentials, were very limited. Subtle changes in pure tone frequency or intensity giving rise to the MMN component were first investigated in humans. The background of the theoretical model developed by Risto Näätänen was the orientation reaction model of E.N. Sokolov published in 1963 so that the MMN was seen first as an electrophysiological correlate of auditory change detection. This fundamental ability of the auditory system seen as crucial for survival led to the development of the first animal model of the MMN (Csépe et al. in Clin Neurophysiol 66: 571–578, 1987). Indeed, it was confirmed that the MMN was the brain correlate of subtle changes detected that might alert to potential threats in the environment and direct the behavioral orientation. The investigations performed after 2000 introduced complex models and more sophisticated methods, both in animal and human studies, so that the MMN method was on the way to become a tool on the first place and not the main goal of research. This approach was further strengthened by the increasing number of studies on different clinical populations aiming at future applications. The aim of our review is to describe and redefine what the MMN may reflect in auditory perception and to show why and how this brain correlate of changes in the auditory scene can be used as a valuable tool in cognitive neuroscience research. We refer to publications selected to underly the argument the MMN cannot be classified anymore as a sign of simple change detection and not all the indicators used to confirm how genuine the MMN elicited by variations of tones are valid for those to  speech contrasts. We provide a fresh view on the broadly used MMN models, provided by some influential publications as well as on the unwritten history of MMN research aiming to give revised picture on what the MMN may truly reflect. We show how the focus and terminology of the MMN research have changed and what kind of misunderstandings and seemingly contradictive results prevent the MMN community to accept a generally usable cognitive model.
Have a Woman’s Heart but a Man’s Face: Perceptions of Gay Relationships in Greek Gay Men
Authors: Daoultzis Konstantinos Christos , Kordoutis Panagiotis
Published: April 2024

In this qualitative study, we build upon the findings of previous research by investigating the perceptions and attitudes of 10 self-identified gay men in Greece, toward gay relationships, the influence of Greek society upon them, masculinity, partner preferences, and self-disclosure. A critical thematic analysis of the semi-structured interviews revealed that most participants held negative views regarding same-sex relationships among gay men possibly due to internalizing the homonegativity of Greek society which was consistently acknowledged. They further expressed preference for masculine partners and tended to avoid feminine gay men, preferring to befriend them rather than pursue a romantic relationship with them. Although many participants described masculine gay men as reserved, distant, and emotionally restricted, they still preferred them as partners. Furthermore, most participants expressed negative opinions about self-disclosure, possibly due to the identity confusion caused by the rejection for their sexual orientation Greek social environment. Similarly, when it came to LGBTIQ + rights activism, participants were opposed, contending that it caused more confusion and discord within the younger generation of gays rather than fostered positive change. This research makes a unique contribution by presenting a realistic account of gay men’s contradicting views of their selfhood, a disbelief in gay relationships, an outright preference for masculinity in partnerships, a disdain for gay rights activism, and fear of self-disclosure. These perceptions and attitudes appear to be due to the long history of societal marginalization and rejection and may be subject to change as Greece moves toward a more accepting environment for LGBTIQ + rights.
Multidimensional credibility: A new approach based on joint distribution function
Authors: Wen Limin , Liu Wei , Zhang Yiying
Published: April 2024

In the traditional multidimensional credibility models developed by Jewell ((1973) Operations Research Center, pp. 73–77.), the estimation of the hypothetical mean vector involves complex matrix manipulations, which can be challenging to implement in practice. Additionally, the estimation of hyperparameters becomes even more difficult in high-dimensional risk variable scenarios. To address these issues, this paper proposes a new multidimensional credibility model based on the conditional joint distribution function for predicting future premiums. First, we develop an estimator of the joint distribution function of a vector of claims using linear combinations of indicator functions based on past observations. By minimizing the integral of the expected quadratic distance function between the proposed estimator and the true joint distribution function, we obtain the optimal linear Bayesian estimator of the joint distribution function. Using the plug-in method, we obtain an explicit formula for the multidimensional credibility estimator of the hypothetical mean vector. In contrast to the traditional multidimensional credibility approach, our newly proposed estimator does not involve a matrix as the credibility factor, but rather a scalar. This scalar is composed of both population information and sample information, and it still maintains the essential property of increasingness with respect to the sample size. Furthermore, the new estimator based on the joint distribution function can be naturally extended and applied to estimate the process covariance matrix and risk premiums under various premium principles. We further illustrate the performance of the new estimator by comparing it with the traditional multidimensional credibility model using bivariate exponential-gamma and multivariate normal distributions. Finally, we present two real examples to demonstrate the findings of our study.
Business and Human Rights in Central and Eastern Europe: Trends, Challenges and Prospects
Authors: Faracik Beata , Letnar Černič Jernej , Uvarova Olena
Published: April 2024

This Special Issue denotes the first comprehensive attempt to place business and human rights-related (BHR) developments in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region on the map of global discussions in BHR. The CEE is a geographical area that is historically, politically, socio-economically, geo-strategically and culturally distinct from other regions, including Western Europe. Hence, this Special Issue explores the region’s specific elements and factors and how they affect and influence the implementation and embedding of human rights in the practice of business enterprises in the region. The ‘Scholarly Articles’ and ‘Developments in the Field’ pieces collected in this issue highlight the promising and not-so-promising developments and practices of state institutions, business enterprises, and other actors. It documents the current situation in the region and outlines ideas and prospects for addressing the identified challenges over the next decade. As an introduction to the Special Issue, this editorial outlines the region’s leading trends and prospects in BHR. It reflects on persisting challenges and notes the region’s progress in BHR awareness, knowledge and capacity in recent decades.
Health Care Encounters Prior to Hospitalization for Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Patients
Authors: Waheed Zeina , Field Thalia S. , Zhou Lily W.
Published: April 2024

Background:

Unlike other causes of stroke, symptoms in cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) can be nonspecific at onset with gradual worsening over time. To explore potential opportunities for earlier diagnosis, we analyzed healthcare interactions in the week prior to hospitalization for patients admitted with incident CVT in British Columbia (BC).

Methods:

We constructed a population-based cohort (2000–2017) using linked patient-level administrative data to identify patients aged ≥18 diagnosed with CVT in BC. We used descriptive analysis to describe the frequency and types of healthcare encounters within the 7 and 3 days prior to hospitalization. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was performed to examine risk factors associated with prior encounters.

Results:

The cohort included 554 patients (mean age 50.9 years, 55.4% female). Within the 7 days prior to CVT hospitalization, 57.9% of patients had ≥1 outpatient encounter and 5.6% had ≥1 inpatient encounter. In the 3 days prior to hospitalization, 46.8% of patients had ≥1 outpatient encounter and 2.0% had ≥1 inpatient encounter. Women more frequently had outpatient interactions within 7 days (64.8% women vs. 35.2% men, p < 0.001) and 3 days (51.8% vs. 48.2%, p = 0.01) before admission. Common provider specialties for outpatient encounters were general practice (58.0%), emergency (8.3%) and neurology (5.7%). Females had higher odds (OR = 1.79) of having ≥1 outpatient encounter after adjusting for confounding.

Conclusions:

Within our Canadian cohort, over half of patients had a healthcare encounter within 7 days before their hospitalization with incident CVT. Women more commonly had an outpatient encounter preceding hospital admission.
Exploring Cascading Disaster Risk During Complex Emergencies: Chemical Industry Disaster Risk Assessment in the Aftermath of the Kakhovka Dam Bombing in Ukraine
Authors: Gan Rick Kye , Alsua Carlos , Aregay Aron , Assaf Denise , Bruni Emanuele , Arcos González Pedro
Published: April 2024

Objective:

This risk assessment aims to investigate the analysis of cascading disaster risks from the perspective of the chemical industry and public health subsequent to the Kakhovka dam bombing in Ukraine.

Method:

The study utilized a modified observational cross-sectional risk assessment method to assess disaster risk. The method involved identifying the location of chemical factories, determining flooded or at-risk factories, analyzing the type and frequency of chemical hazards, assessing population exposure, and plotting a disaster risk metric. Data on chemical industries and flood extent were collected from open-source secondary data.

Results:

The destruction of the Kakhovka dam in June 2023 led to severe flooding, placing 42 000 individuals at risk. The analysis identified four chemical factories, with 1 affected by flooding and 3 at risk. The overall risk assessment indicated a high likelihood and severe consequences, including loss of life, environmental contamination, and property damage.

Conclusion:

The combination of complex emergencies and high-risk chemical facilities in Kherson Oblast poses a significant risk of a chemical industry disaster. The interplay between compound and cascading risks during complex emergencies amid the current war further exacerbates the situation, leading to the devastation and destruction of the environment to the detriment of life, and aligns with the characterization of ecocide.
Investigating the effects of social information on spite in an online game
Authors: Watson Robin , Morgan Thomas J. H. , Kendal Rachel L. , Van de Vyver Julie , Kendal Jeremy
Published: April 2024

While humans are highly cooperative, they can also behave spitefully. Yet spite remains understudied. Spite can be normatively driven and while previous experiments have found some evidence that cooperation and punishment may spread via social learning, no experiments have considered the social transmission of spiteful behaviour. Here we present an online experiment where, following an opportunity to earn wealth, we asked participants to choose an action towards an anonymous partner across a full spectrum of social behaviour, from spite to altruism. In accordance with cultural evolutionary theory, participants were presented with social information that varied in source and content. Across six conditions, we informed participants that either the majority or the highest earner had chosen to behave spitefully, neutrally or altruistically. We found an overall tendency towards altruism, but at lower levels among those exposed to spite compared with altruism. We found no difference between social information that came from the majority or the highest earner. Exploratory analysis revealed that participants’ earnings negatively correlated with altruistic behaviour. Our results contrast with previous literature that report high rates of spite in experimental samples and a greater propensity for individuals to copy successful individuals over the majority.
Impact of diabetes mellitus on osteoarthritis: a scoping review on biomarkers
Authors: Seow Shi Rui , Mat Sumaiyah , Ahmad Azam Amalina , Rajab Nor Fadilah , Safinar Ismail Intan , Singh Devinder Kaur Ajit , Shahar Suzana , Tan Maw Pin , Berenbaum Francis
Published: April 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) commonly affects the knee and hip joints and accounts for 19.3% of disability-adjusted life years and years lived with disability worldwide (Refs 1, 2). Early management is important in order to avoid disability uphold quality of life (Ref. 3). However, a lack of awareness of subclinical and early symptomatic stages of OA often hampers early management (Ref. 4). Moreover, late diagnosis of OA among those with severe disease, at a stage when OA management becomes more complicated is common (Refs 5, 6, 7, 8). Established risk factors for the development and progression of OA include increasing age, female, history of trauma and obesity (Ref. 9). Recent studies have also drawn a link between OA and metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and hypertension (Refs 10, 11).
Non-existence of a universal zero-entropy system via generic actions of almost complete growth
Authors: VEPREV GEORGII
Published: April 2024

We prove that a generic probability measure-preserving (p.m.p.) action of a countable amenable group G has scaling entropy that cannot be dominated by a given rate of growth. As a corollary, we obtain that there does not exist a topological action of G for which the set of ergodic invariant measures coincides with the set of all ergodic p.m.p. G-systems of entropy zero. We also prove that a generic action of a residually finite amenable group has scaling entropy that cannot be bounded from below by a given sequence. In addition, we show an example of an amenable group that has such a lower bound for every free p.m.p. action.
Demographics and risk factors for suicide in Syria: A retrospective media content analysis of online news sources
Authors: Almidani Salma , Abo Hilal Mohammad , Alghadban Marwa , Abou Helal Omama , Alkourdi Manal , Kannan Juman , Ekzayez Abdulkarim , Patel Preeti , El Achi Nassim
Published: April 2024

Since the beginning of the Syrian conflict in 2011, Syrians have faced violence and displacement causing an increase in mental health issues. The COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 earthquake, and deteriorating living conditions have exacerbated these issues. Suicide in Syria remains an under-researched topic since accurate data are difficult to obtain. In this study, we aimed to explore the demographics and risk factors of suicide in Syria by performing a retrospective content analysis of selected online news (media) outlets from across Syria. Twelve news outlets from the three regions of Syria were selected and news of suicide cases were searched retrospectively. The age range was between 9 and 79 years old with the average age being 27.1 ± SD 5.9 years. The most reported causes of suicide were harsh living conditions (18.5%) and relationship problems (18.3%). The most common method of suicide was hanging followed by using firearms. More suicides occurred at night and in the summer and spring seasons. Based on our study’s results, young adult, male, unmarried, individuals in rural settings and northern governorates were at the highest risk of suicide in Syria. This study highlights the urgent need for mental health interventions that address the unique challenges faced by Syrians.
A scoping review of the implementation and cultural adaptation of school-based mental health promotion and prevention interventions in low-and middle-income countries
Authors: Harte Patricia , Barry Margaret M.
Published: April 2024

Effective school-based mental health promotion and prevention interventions in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) can positively impact the mental health and well-being of large numbers of young people. This scoping review aimed to investigate the implementation of effective mental health promotion and prevention interventions in LMIC schools. A scoping review of the international literature was conducted and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Medline, PsycInfo, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane were searched for peer-reviewed literature published from 2014 to 2022. PsycExtra, Google Scholar and the websites of key organisations were searched for relevant grey literature. Study selection focussed on mental health promotion interventions, including the development of social and emotional skills and mental health literacy, and prevention interventions, including anti-bullying and skill-based interventions for “at-risk” students. Twenty-seven studies evaluating 25 school-based interventions in 17 LMICs were included in the review. Fifteen interventions were developed in the implementing country and 10 were adapted from high-income countries (HICs) or other settings. Findings from the studies reviewed were generally positive, especially when interventions were implemented to a high quality. Universal life-skills interventions were found to increase social and emotional skills, decrease problem behaviours and positively impact students’ mental health and well-being. Mental health literacy interventions increased mental health knowledge and decreased stigma among students and school staff. Outcomes for externally facilitated anti-bullying interventions were less positive. All 19 effective studies reported on some aspects of programme implementation, and 15 monitored implementation fidelity. Eleven studies outlined the programme’s underpinning theoretical model. Only four studies reported on the cultural adaptation of programmes in detail. Including young people in the adaptation process was reported to facilitate natural cultural adaptation of programmes, while input from programme developers was considered key to ensuring that the core components of interventions were retained. The review findings indicate increasing evidence of effective mental health interventions in LMIC schools. To facilitate the sustainability, replication and scaling-up of these interventions, greater attention is needed to reporting on intervention core components, and the processes of implementation and cultural adaptation in the local setting.
Different scenarios in sloshing flows near the critical filling depth
Authors: Bardazzi A. , Lugni C. , Faltinsen O.M. , Durante D. , Colagrossi A.
Published: April 2024

In the present paper, the sloshing flow in a cuboid tank forced to oscillate horizontally is investigated with both experimental and numerical approaches. The filling depth chosen is

$h/L=0.35$

(with h the water depth and L the tank height), which is close to the critical depth. According to Tadjbakhsh & Keller (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 8, issue 3, 1960, pp. 442–451), as the depth passes through this critical value the response of the resonant sloshing dynamics changes from ‘hard spring’ to ‘soft spring’. The experimental tank has a thickness of

$0.1L$

, reducing three-dimensional effects. High-resolution digital camera and capacitance wave probes are used for time recording of the surface elevation. By varying the oscillation period and the amplitude of the motion imposed on the tank, different scenarios are identified in terms of free-surface evolution. Periodic and quasi-periodic regimes are found in most of the frequencies analysed but, among these, sub-harmonic regimes are also identified. Chaotic energetic regimes are found with motions of greater amplitude. Typical tools of dynamical systems, such as Fourier spectra and phase maps, are used for the regime identification, while the Hilbert–Huang transform is used for further insight into doubling-frequency and tripling-period bifurcations. For the numerical investigation, an advanced and well-established smoothed particle hydrodynamics method is used to aid the understanding of the physical phenomena involved and to extend the range of frequencies investigated experimentally.
Electromagnetically driven flow in unsupported electrolyte layers: lubrication theory and linear stability of annular flow
Authors: Pototsky Andrey , Suslov Sergey A.
Published: April 2024

We consider a thin horizontal layer of a non-magnetic electrolyte containing a bulk solution of salt and carrying an electric current. The layer is bounded by two deformable free surfaces loaded with an insoluble surfactant and is placed in a vertical magnetic field. The arising Lorentz force drives the electrolyte in the plane of the layer. We employ the long-wave approximation to derive general two-dimensional hydrodynamic equations describing symmetric pinching-type deformations of the free surfaces. These equations are used to study the azimuthal flow in an annular film spanning the gap between two coaxial cylindrical electrodes. In weakly deformed films, the base azimuthal flow and its linear stability with respect to azimuthally invariant perturbations are studied analytically. For relatively thick layers and weak magnetic fields, the leading mode with the smallest decay rate is found to correspond to a monotonic azimuthal velocity perturbation. The Marangoni effect leads to further stabilisation of the flow while perturbations of the solute concentration in the bulk of the fluid have no influence on the flow stability. In strongly deformed films in the diffusion-dominated regime, the azimuthal flow becomes linearly unstable with respect to an oscillatory mixed mode characterised by the combination of radial and azimuthal velocity perturbations when the voltage applied between electrodes exceeds the critical value.
THE AMALGAMATION PROPERTY AND URYSOHN STRUCTURES IN CONTINUOUS LOGIC
Authors: GAO SU , REN XUANZHI
Published: April 2024

In this paper we consider the classes of all continuous

$\mathcal {L}$

-(pre-)structures for a continuous first-order signature

$\mathcal {L}$

. We characterize the moduli of continuity for which the classes of finite, countable, or all continuous

$\mathcal {L}$

-(pre-)structures have the amalgamation property. We also characterize when Urysohn continuous

$\mathcal {L}$

-(pre)-structures exist, establish that certain classes of finite continuous

$\mathcal {L}$

-structures are countable Fraïssé classes, prove the coherent EPPA for these classes of finite continuous

$\mathcal {L}$

-structures, and show that actions by automorphisms on finite

$\mathcal {L}$

-structures also form a Fraïssé class. As consequences, we have that the automorphism group of the Urysohn continuous

$\mathcal {L}$

-structure is a universal Polish group and that Hall’s universal locally finite group is contained in the automorphism group of the Urysohn continuous

$\mathcal {L}$

-structure as a dense subgroup.
Impact of elevated body mass index (BMI) on cognitive functioning and inflammation in persons with post-COVID-19 condition: a secondary analysis
Authors: Le Gia Han , Kwan Angela T.H. , Guo Ziji , Wong Sabrina , Badulescu Sebastian , Gill Hartej , Teopiz Kayla M. , Meshkat Shakila , Ceban Felicia , Phan Lee , Subramaniapillai Mehala , Di Vincenzo Joshua D. , Rosenblat Joshua D. , Mansur Rodrigo B. , d’Andrea Giacomo , Ho Roger , Rhee Taeho Greg , McIntyre Roger S.
Published: April 2024

Background:

Individuals who have recovered from the acute stage of SARS-CoV-2 infection may be at risk of developing post-COVID-19 condition (PCC), characterised by a spectrum of persisting, non-specific, and functionally impairing symptoms across multiple organ systems. Obesity has been implicated as a risk factor for PCC, mediated by chronic systemic inflammation. The foregoing has also been separately reported to mediate cognitive dysfunction in PCC.

Methods:

This is a post-hoc analysis of a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating vortioxetine treatment for cognitive impairments in persons with PCC who received vortioxetine or placebo for eight weeks. This analysis comprises baseline data, examining the impact of BMI on cognitive functioning measured by the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and Trails Making Tests (TMT)-A/B, as well as inflammation, via serum c-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

Results:

Complete data from 70 participants were statistically analysed and adjusted for age and sex. BMI was negatively correlated with performance on the DSST (β = −0.003, p = 0.047), TMT-A (β = −0.006, p = 0.025), and TMT-B (β = −0.006, p = 0.002). BMI was positively correlated with serum CRP (unstandardized β = 0.193, standardized β = 0.612, p < 0.001) and ESR (β = 0.039, p < 0.001) levels.

Conclusion:

We observed a significant negative correlation between BMI and cognitive functioning, and a significant positive correlation between BMI and inflammation in persons with PCC, suggesting a bidirectional interplay between BMI, PCC, and cognitive function; individuals with an elevated BMI may be at a greater risk of developing PCC and/or presenting with greater cognitive deficits mediated by chronic systemic inflammation.
Epidemiology of Echinococcus granulosus in Arbil province, northern Iraq, 1990–1998
Authors: Saeed I. , Kapel C. , Saida L.A. , Willingham L. , Nansen P.
Published: April 2024

During the period 1990–1998, 99 cases of human cystic hydatidosis (12.4 cases per year) were surgically treated at the two main hospitals in Arbil province, northern Iraq, and from this the human occurence for the province was estimated to be 2 per 100,000 inhabitants. In the same area, 1270 sheep, 550 goats and 320 cattle were examined at slaughter for hydatid cysts and prevalence rates were found to be 15.0%, 6.2% and 10.9%, respectively. A decreasing tendency in livestock prevalences was found towards the end of the study period. As in humans, most of the hydatid cysts in livestock were located in the liver. Fertility of sheep cysts, i.e. those containing protoscoleces, was found to be significantly higher (64%) than that of goats (35.7%) and cattle (29.8%). The percentage of fertile cysts containing viable protoscoleces varied between 63 and 82% in the livers and between 72 and 79% in the lungs of the different animal species. A total of 97 stray dogs were examined post-mortem in the years 1991, 1992 and 1998, and Echinococcus granulosus worms were found in the intestines of 48 dogs (49.5%). High worm burdens (> 1000) were observed in 37% of the dogs, medium worm burdens (200–1000) in 41%, and low worm burdens (< 200) in 22%. In 1998, the prevalence of canine echinococcosis (24.3%) was found to be significantly lower than in 1991 (70.4%) and 1992 (60.6%). The prevalence of human hydatidosis did not differ significantly over the years, but the study confirmed that hydatidosis is endemic in northern Iraq, and that housewives, labourers and farmers appear to be at the greatest risk of infection.