bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of PAP on UACR and metabolic indexes in patients with MS and OSAHS
Authors: Shen Fang-jing , Zhou Ren-ke , Qiu Dan-qi , Li Li
Published: May 2024

Purpose

To investigate the effects of positive airway pressure (PAP) device on urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) and metabolic indexes in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Methods

This study is a retrospective cohort study. Grouped according to whether to use PAP treatment, there were 25 cases in the PAP group and 44 cases in the no OSAHS treatment group. The PAP group received positive airway pressure device and routine treatment of MS. The no OSAHS treatment group received routine treatment of OSAHS and MS. The treatment period is 3 months.

Results

1. The PAP group demonstrated significant reductions in Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist circumference (WC), Neck circumference (NC), Visceral fat area (VFA), Fasting C peptide (FCP), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and UACR compared to the no OSAHS treatment group, with significant differences (P all <0.05). Among them, the UACR in the PAP group decreased significantly (from 86.05(52.55,131.61)mg/g to 16.76(8.70,25.12)mg/g, P<0.001). 2. Linear regression analysis using the decrease in UACR values as the dependent variable demonstrated a positive linear relationship with the decrease in BMI, VFA, fasting insulin (FINS), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Furthermore, multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the decrease in VFA (B=0.537 [95% confidence interval, 0.084 to 0.989]; P = 0.021) and HOMA-IR (B=1.000 [95% confidence interval, 0.082 to 1.917]; P = 0.033) values independently correlated with decrease in UACR values.

Conclusions

PAP treatment can reduce UACR in patients with MS and OSAHS, and has the effect of improving metabolic disorders. The decrease of UACR in patients may be related to the decrease of visceral fat and the improvement of insulin resistance.
The crucial roles of ICT, renewable energy sources, industrialization, and institutional quality in achieving environmental sustainability in BRICS
Authors: Saba Charles Shaaba , Djemo Charles Raoul Tchuinkam , Ngepah Nicholas
Published: May 2024

The BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—are committed to achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13, which focuses on mitigating climate change. To attain this goal, it is crucial to emphasize the significance of ICT, renewable energy sources, industrialization, and institutional quality. This study contributes to the literature by examining the potential role of these factors in environmental sustainability in the BRICS economies from 2000 to 2021, utilizing cross-sectional augmented autoregressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL) estimation and other novel econometric techniques. Accordingly, the study suggests that BRICS governments and policymakers prioritize the use of ICT in the industrial and institutional sectors to achieve faster environmental sustainability in the short-run, as per the CS-ARDL results. However, the study advises caution in the long-term as the interaction between ICT and renewable energy sources, industrialization, and institutional quality may not favour environmental quality. Although the renewable energy sources interaction with ICT may not yield immediate progress, strong measures need to be taken to ensure that short-term gains are not nullified. In conclusion, the study highlights the potential of ICT, renewable energy sources, industrialization, and institutional quality in achieving environmental sustainability in the BRICS countries, while recommending cautious measures in the long run to safeguard the progress made.
Sex-specific relationships of inflammatory biomarkers with blood pressure in older adults
Authors: Sulicka-Grodzicka Joanna , Wizner Barbara , Zdrojewski Tomasz , Mossakowska Małgorzata , Puzianowska-Kuźnicka Monika , Chudek Jerzy , Więcek Andrzej , Korkosz Mariusz , Caiazzo Elisabetta , Maffia Pasquale , Siedlinski Mateusz , Messerli Franz H. , Guzik Tomasz J.
Published: May 2024

Emerging evidence indicates an association between blood pressure and inflammation, yet this relationship remains unclear in older adults, despite the elevated prevalence of hypertension. We investigated the association between blood pressure, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and white blood cell (WBC) count in a cohort of 3571 older adults aged 65 and above, and 587 middle-aged participants (55–59 years old). In women aged 65 and above, the relationship between inflammatory markers and blood pressure was consistent, with hs-CRP and WBC emerging as predictors of high blood pressure. For hs-CRP, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 1.5 (95% CI, 1.07 to 2.10, P = 0.02), and for WBC, the adjusted OR was 1.41 (95% CI, 1.02 to 1.94, P = 0.04), comparing the highest to the lowest quartiles. In men, only the WBC count was significantly associated with an increased OR for high BP (adjusted OR 1.49, 95% CI, 1.09 to 2.02, P = 0.01) across quartiles. Across the entire study population, in a fully adjusted model, all inflammatory markers were modestly associated with blood pressure levels, while the effect of being over 65 years was the most significant predictor of high blood pressure (OR 1.84, 95% CI, 1.50 to 2.25, P < 0.001). The link between key inflammation markers and blood pressure in older adults varies by sex and biomarker type and may differ from the relationship observed in younger individuals. These relationships are likely to be affected by factors linked to age.
DEM investigation on flow instability of particulate assemblies under coupling between volumetric and axial strains
Authors: Salimi M. , Lashkari A. , Tafili M.
Published: May 2024

The discrete element method (DEM) is employed to investigate the impact of coupling between volumetric and axial strains on the flow liquefaction vulnerability of 3D cubic particulate specimens. The virtual testing program conducted here encompasses a wide range of initial states and varying degrees of coupling between volumetric and axial strains. Utilizing data obtained from DEM simulations, the evolution of micro- and macroscale variables, including coordination number, contact fabric anisotropy, redundancy index, strong force networks, invariants of the effective stress tensor, and excess pore-water pressure, is examined. Results from DEM tests indicate that coupling expansive volumetric strain with axial strain leads to a gradual loosening of the load bearing microstructure, a decrease in coordination number, and a faster change in contact anisotropy. DEM simulations demonstrate that the triggering of flow liquefaction instability is followed by a sudden increase in contact fabric anisotropy and abrupt drops in coordination number and redundancy index. Moreover, a detailed analysis of the findings suggests that the stress ratio at the onset of post-peak softening decreases with increasing expansive volumetric strains.
Individual and Interactive Effects of Housing and Neighborhood Quality on Mental Health in Hong Kong: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Wong Corine Sau Man , Chan Wai Chi , Chu Natalie Wing Tung , Law Wing Yan , Tang Harriet Wing Yu , Wong Ting Yat , Chen Eric Yu Hai , Lam Linda Chiu Wa
Published: May 2024

Existing literature has widely explored the individual roles of housing and neighborhood quality, and there is limited research examining their interactive effects on mental health. This 3-year cohort study utilized a longitudinal design to investigate the individual and interactive effects of housing and neighborhood quality on mental health among 962 community-dwelling adults in Hong Kong. Participants were asked to rate their residential qualities over the 3-year period. Mental health outcomes, including levels of psychological distress and common mental disorders (CMD), were assessed using the Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R). Logistic regression and generalized linear models were used to examine the association between housing and neighborhood quality and CMD/psychological distress, adjusting for sociodemographic and residential characteristics and baseline mental disorders. Housing quality was associated with the 3-year CMD (adjusted OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.91 to 0.98). Likewise, neighborhood quality was associated with CMD over 3 years (adjusted OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.87 to 0.96). In a separate model including both quality measures, the effect of housing quality on CMD was attenuated, whereas the neighborhood impact remained significant (adjusted OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.87 to 0.98). Generalized linear models indicated that for participants residing in substandard housing, those with high neighborhood quality had lower CIS-R scores at follow-up compared to those with low neighborhood quality (p = 0.041). Better neighborhood quality alleviated the detrimental effects of poor housing quality on mental health. Planning for an enhanced neighborhood would improve population mental health in an urban environment.
Optimization of Process Parameters for Microwave Drying of Yellow- and Purple-Fleshed Potatoes
Authors: Coruk Katibe Sinem , Baltacıoğlu Hande
Published: May 2024

The main objective of the present work was to study the optimization of microwave drying of potatoes that have different flesh colors. The effects of independent variables of microwave power (300, 450, 600 W), slice thickness (2–4, 6 mm), and steam blanching time (2, 5, 8 min) on the color, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, starch ratio, and total monomeric anthocyanin content (TMA) were investigated by using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Before drying, potato slices that had different thicknesses were blanched in steam at 90 °C for indicated times. Optimization was applied to improve bioactive compounds, starch ratio, and color. The optimum drying parameters were determined as 300 W, 6 mm, and 8 min for purple-fleshed potatoes, and 450 W, 6 mm, and 2 min for yellow-fleshed potatoes. This study is beneficial to the development of the processing of potatoes in the food industry and provides more insights into the application of microwave drying technology.
Federated 3D multi-organ segmentation with partially labeled and unlabeled data
Authors: Zheng Zhou , Hayashi Yuichiro , Oda Masahiro , Kitasaka Takayuki , Misawa Kazunari , Mori Kensaku
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper considers a new problem setting for multi-organ segmentation based on the following observations. In reality, (1) collecting a large-scale dataset from various institutes is usually impeded due to privacy issues; (2) many images are not labeled since the slice-by-slice annotation is costly; and (3) datasets may exhibit inconsistent, partial annotations across different institutes. Learning a federated model from these distributed, partially labeled, and unlabeled samples is an unexplored problem.

Methods

To simulate this multi-organ segmentation problem, several distributed clients and a central server are maintained. The central server coordinates with clients to learn a global model using distributed private datasets, which comprise a small part of partially labeled images and a large part of unlabeled images. To address this problem, a practical framework that unifies partially supervised learning (PSL), semi-supervised learning (SSL), and federated learning (FL) paradigms with PSL, SSL, and FL modules is proposed. The PSL module manages to learn from partially labeled samples. The SSL module extracts valuable information from unlabeled data. Besides, the FL module aggregates local information from distributed clients to generate a global statistical model. With the collaboration of three modules, the presented scheme could take advantage of these distributed imperfect datasets to train a generalizable model.

Results

The proposed method was extensively evaluated with multiple abdominal CT datasets, achieving an average result of 84.83% in Dice and 41.62 mm in 95HD for multi-organ (liver, spleen, and stomach) segmentation. Moreover, its efficacy in transfer learning further demonstrated its good generalization ability for downstream segmentation tasks.

Conclusion

This study considers a novel problem of multi-organ segmentation, which aims to develop a generalizable model using distributed, partially labeled, and unlabeled CT images. A practical framework is presented, which, through extensive validation, has proved to be an effective solution, demonstrating strong potential in addressing this challenging problem.
Effect of Stanozolol and/or Cannabis Abuse on Hypertrophic Mechanism and Oxidative Stress of Male Albino Rat Cardiac Tissue in Relation to Exercise: A Sport Abuse Practice
Authors: Mowaad Noha A. , Elgohary Rania , ElShebiney Shaimaa
Published: May 2024

Adolescents commonly co-abuse many drugs including anabolic androgenic steroids either they are athletes or non-athletes. Stanozolol is the major anabolic used in recent years and was reported grouped with cannabis. The current study aimed at evaluating the biochemical and histopathological changes related to the hypertrophic effects of stanozolol and/or cannabis whether in condition of exercise practice or sedentary conditions. Adult male Wistar albino rats received either stanozolol (5 mg/kg, s.c), cannabis (10 mg/kg, i.p.), and a combination of both once daily for two months. Swimming exercise protocol was applied as a training model. Relative heart weight, oxidative stress biomarkers, cardiac tissue fibrotic markers were evaluated. Left ventricular morphometric analysis and collagen quantification was done. The combined treatment exhibited serious detrimental effects on the heart tissues. It increased heart tissue fibrotic markers (Masson’s trichrome stain (p < 0.001), cardiac COL3 (p < 0.0001), and VEGF-A (p < 0.05)), lowered heart glutathione levels (p < 0.05) and dramatically elevated oxidative stress (increased malondialdehyde (p < 0.0001) and 8-OHDG (p < 0.0001)). Training was not ameliorating for the observed effects. Misuse of cannabis and stanozolol resulted in more hypertrophic consequences of the heart than either drug alone, which were at least largely assigned to oxidative stress, heart tissue fibrotic indicators, histological alterations, and morphometric changes.
Knowing What One Likes: Epistemicist Solution to Faultless Disagreement
Authors: Tarnowski Maciej
Published: May 2024

In this paper, I argue that the phenomenon of faultless disagreement for predicates of taste may be fruitfully explained by appealing to the vagueness of predicates of taste and the epistemicist reading of vagueness as defended by Timothy Williamson (1994). I begin by arguing that this position is better suited to explain both the “faultless” and “disagreement” intuition. The first is explained here by appealing to the necessary ignorance of the predicate’s boundaries and a plausible account of constitutive norms of taste assertions, while the second by insisting on classical, absolutist semantics for judgments containing predicates of taste. Furthermore, I analyze the arguments against the reading of taste predicates as vague based on the alleged epistemic privilege concerning one’s taste and on the lack of definite cases. Responding to these objections, I develop a plausible account of constitutive norms of taste assertions, comment on the assumed epistemic privilege concerning taste ascriptions and provide a more detailed account of sources of the vagueness of predicates of personal taste, which I dub “super-vagueness.”
11C-Methionine uptake in meningiomas after stereotactic radiotherapy
Authors: Jeltema Hanne-Rinck , van Dijken Bart R. J. , Tamási Katalin , Drost Gea , Heesters Mart A. A. M. , van der Hoorn Anouk , Glaudemans Andor W. J. M. , van Dijk J. Marc C.
Published: May 2024

Objective

11C-Methionine positron emission tomography (MET-PET) is used for stereotactic radiotherapy planning in meningioma patients. The role of MET-PET during subsequent follow-up (FU) is unclear. We analyzed the uptake of 11C-Methionine before and after stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) in patients with a complex meningioma and investigated if there was a difference between patients with progressive disease (PD) and stable disease (SD) during FU.

Methods

This retrospective study investigates 62 MET-PETs in 29 complex meningioma patients. Standardized uptake value (SUV)max and SUVpeak tumor-to-normal ratios (T/N-ratios) were calculated, comparing the tumor region with both the mirroring intracranial area and the right frontal gray matter. The difference in 11C-Methionine uptake pre- and post-SRT was analyzed, as well as the change in uptake between PD or SD.

Results

Median (IQR) FU duration was 67 months (50.5–91.0). The uptake of 11C-Methionine in meningiomas remained increased after SRT. Neither a statistically significant difference between MET-PETs before and after SRT was encountered, nor a significant difference in one of the four T/N-ratios between patients with SD versus PD with median (IQR) SUVmax T/NR front 2.65 (2.13–3.68) vs 2.97 (1.55–3.54) [p = 0.66]; SUVmax T/Nmirror 2.92 (2.19–3.71) vs 2.95 (1.74–3.60) [p = 0.61]; SUVpeak T/NR front 2.35 (1.64–3.40) vs 2.25 (1.44–3.74) [p = 0.80]; SUVpeak T/Nmirror 2.38 (1.91–3.36) vs 2.35 (1.56–3.72) [p = 0.95].

Conclusions

Our data do not support use of MET-PET during FU of complex intracranial meningiomas after SRT. MET-PET could not differentiate between progressive or stable disease.
Operational taxonomy of farmers' towards circular bioeconomy in regional level
Authors: Papadopoulou Christina-Ioanna , Chatzitheodoridis Fotios , Loizou Efstratios , Jurga Piotr
Published: May 2024

The concept of the bioeconomy holds great promise for promoting green growth and competitiveness across Europe through the use of renewable biological resources, such as plant and animal biomass, while adhering to the principles of circularity. Despite its introduction by the European Commission in 2015, little effort has been made to define or describe what exactly a circular bioeconomy entails. In the case of Greece in particular, however, the survival of the region of Western Macedonia appears to be highly dependent on sustaining its agricultural activity by incorporating elements related to this crucial sector of the economy. In order for this agricultural transformation to be effective, bio-economic practices relevant to crop production and appropriate alternative management practices must be universally implemented at all levels. To achieve this, it was necessary to collect questionnaires from 412 farmers in the region for analysis purposes, and to classify their responses based on k-means cluster analysis, which later formed these systematic groups: modernists, early adopters and latecomers. Evaluation of these categories revealed a variety of factors, such as age and income, that significantly influenced their attitudes towards adopting bioeconomy farming practices and related circularity principles. Overall, understanding these challenges opens the door for policy decisions aimed at supporting the development of sustainable rural areas.
“No, I Won't Do That.” Assertive Behavior of Robots and its Perception by Children
Authors: Maj Konrad , Grzybowicz Paulina , Kopeć Julia
Published: May 2024

This paper contributes to the understanding of child-robot interaction through the investigation of child interactions with and anthropomorphization of humanoid robots when manipulating robot-related variables such as behavior and gender. In this study, children observe a robot demonstration in a classroom setting, during which the robot showcases either assertive or submissive behavior and is attributed a gender, either robot-female or robot-male. Afterwards, participant anthropomorphization is measured using the Attributed Mental States Questionnaire (AMS-Q). Results suggest that when prompted to select a response directed at the robot, children used significantly more commanding phrases when addressing the assertively behaving robot when compared to the submissively behaving robot. Further, younger children ages 7–9 anthropomorphize robots at a higher degree than older children 10–12 and assertive behavior from the robot lead to higher rates of anthropomorphization. Results also suggest that children are more likely to respond to female robots in an imperative way than male robots. This widened understanding of child perception of and interaction with humanoid robots can contribute to the design of acceptable robot interaction patterns in various settings.
Pan-cancer analysis for the prognostic and immunological role of CD47: interact with TNFRSF9 inducing CD8 + T cell exhaustion
Authors: Liang Hongxin , Zheng Yong , Huang Zekai , Dai Jinchi , Yao Lintong , Xie Daipeng , Chen Duo , Qiu Hongrui , Wang Huili , Li Hao , Leng Jinhang , Tang Ziming , Zhang Dongkun , Zhou Haiyu
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The research endeavors to explore the implications of CD47 in cancer immunotherapy effectiveness. Specifically, there is a gap in comprehending the influence of CD47 on the tumor immune microenvironment, particularly in relation to CD8 + T cells. Our study aims to elucidate the prognostic and immunological relevance of CD47 to enhance insights into its prospective utilities in immunotherapeutic interventions.

Methods

Differential gene expression analysis, prognosis assessment, immunological infiltration evaluation, pathway enrichment analysis, and correlation investigation were performed utilizing a combination of R packages, computational algorithms, diverse datasets, and patient cohorts. Validation of the concept was achieved through the utilization of single-cell sequencing technology.

Results

CD47 demonstrated ubiquitous expression across various cancer types and was notably associated with unfavorable prognostic outcomes in pan-cancer assessments. Immunological investigations unveiled a robust correlation between CD47 expression and T-cell infiltration rather than T-cell exclusion across multiple cancer types. Specifically, the CD47-high group exhibited a poorer prognosis for the cytotoxic CD8 + T cell Top group compared to the CD47-low group, suggesting a potential impairment of CD8 + T cell functionality by CD47. The exploration of mechanism identified enrichment of CD47-associated differentially expressed genes in the CD8 + T cell exhausted pathway in multiple cancer contexts. Further analyses focusing on the CD8 TCR Downstream Pathway and gene correlation patterns underscored the significant involvement of TNFRSF9 in mediating these effects.

Conclusion

A robust association exists between CD47 and the exhaustion of CD8 + T cells, potentially enabling immune evasion by cancer cells and thereby contributing to adverse prognostic outcomes. Consequently, genes such as CD47 and those linked to T-cell exhaustion, notably TNFRSF9, present as promising dual antigenic targets, providing critical insights into the field of immunotherapy.
Deep genotyping reveals specific adaptation footprints of conventional and organic farming in barley populations—an evolutionary plant breeding approach
Authors: Schneider Michael , Ballvora Agim , Léon Jens
Published: May 2024

Sustainable food production for a growing world population will pose a central challenge in the coming decades. Organic farming is among the feasible approaches to achieving this goal if the yield gap to conventional farming can be decreased. However, uncertainties exist to which extend—and for which phenotypes in particular—organic and conventional agro-ecosystems require differentiated breeding strategies. To answer this question, a heterogeneous spring barley population was established between a wild barley and an elite cultivar to examine this question. This initial population was divided into two sets and sown one in organic and the other in conventional managed agro-ecosystems, without any artificial selection for two decades. A fraction of seeds harvested each year was sown the following year. Various generations, up to the 23th were whole-genome pool-sequenced to identify adaptation patterns towards ecosystem and climate conditions in the allele frequency shifts. Additionally, a meta-data analysis was conducted to link genomic regions’ increased fitness to agronomically related traits. This long-term experiment highlights for the first time that allele frequency pattern difference between the conventional and organic populations grew with subsequent generations. Further, the organic-adapted population showed a higher genetic heterogeneity. The data indicate that adaptations towards new environments happen in few generations. Drastic interannual changes in climate are manifested in significant allele frequency changes. Particular wild form alleles were positively selected in both environments. Clustering these revealed an increased fitness associated with biotic stress resistance, yield physiology, and yield components in both systems. Additionally, the introduced wild alleles showed increased fitness related to root morphology, developmental processes, and abiotic stress responses in the organic agro-ecosystem. Concluding the genetic analysis, we demonstrate that breeding of organically adapted varieties should be conducted in an organically managed agro-ecosystem, focusing on root-related traits, to close the yield gap towards conventional farming.
Efficient prediction of tidal turbine fatigue loading using turbulent onset flow from Large Eddy Simulations
Authors: Mullings Hannah , Amos Lindsey , Miller Calum , Ouro Pablo , Stallard Tim
Published: May 2024

To maximise the availability of power extraction from a tidal stream site, tidal turbines need to be able to operate reliably when located within arrays. This requires a thorough understanding of the operating conditions, which include turbulence, velocity shear due to bed proximity and roughness, ocean waves and due to upstream turbine wakes, over the range of flow speeds that contribute to the loading experienced by the devices. High-fidelity models such as Large Eddy Simulation (LES) can be used to represent these complex flow conditions and turbine device models can be embedded to predict loading. However, to inform micro-siting of multiple turbines with an array, the computational cost of performing multiple simulations of this type is impractical. Unsteady onset conditions can be generated from the LES to be used in an offline coupling fashion as input to lower-fidelity load prediction models to enable computationally efficient array design. In this study, an in-house Blade Element Momentum (BEM) method is assessed for prediction of the unsteady loads on the turbines of a floating tidal device with unsteady inflow developed with the in-house LES solver DOFAS. Load predictions are compared to those obtained using the same unsteady inflow to the commercial tool Tidal Bladed and from an Actuator Line Model (ALM) embedded in the LES solver. Estimates of fatigue loads differ by up to 3% for mean thrust and 11% for blade root bending moment for a turbine subject to a turbulent channel flow. When subjected to more complex flows typical of a turbine wake, the predictions of rotor thrust fatigue differ by up to 10%, with loads reduced by the inclusion of a pitch controller.
Degradation and inhibition kinetics of phenanthrene by Alcaligenes ammonioxydans, [VITRPS2] strain isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil
Authors: Sumathi K. , Manian Rameshpathy
Published: May 2024

Phenanthrene, a common three-ring polyaromatic hydrocarbon [PAH], originates from sources like grilled meals, tobacco, crude oil, coal tar, and automobile exhaust. Recognized as a hazardous PAH, it is often targeted for bioremediation due to its sustainability and potential for full mineralization. In this study, we focus on biodegrading phenanthrene using the strain Alcaligenes ammonioxydans [VITRPS2], isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil. At 5 mg/ml, degradation occurred at a rate constant of 0.0181/day, with half-life values of 2.7 and 4.49 according to first and second-order kinetics, respectively. Employing a one-factor-at-a-time [OFAT] approach, we optimized biodegradation conditions within Luria–Bertani [LB] media. Under optimal conditions—pH 8.0, 8% inoculum concentration, and 37 °C incubation over seven days—the strain achieved maximal growth with phenanthrene as the sole carbon source. It exhibited a degradation efficiency of up to 72% for phenanthrene under these conditions. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry [GC–MS] analysis revealed principal metabolites of the breakdown pathway, including salicylic acid, catechol, and various phthalic acid derivatives. This underscores the strain's potential for remediating environments polluted by PAH metabolites, showcasing its remarkable capability for complete phenanthrene degradation.

Graphical abstract
Strategic principles for co-existence in a multinodal world
Authors: Womack Brantly
Published: May 2024

In realist international relations theory, world order is assumed to be a vertical structure ordered by relative power, with the hegemon, or the contest of hegemons, at its apex. Power is viewed as the ability to coerce, and security lies in the avoidance of defeat. But the proportional changes in the globalized economy of this century have created a new reality, one in which effective pursuit of one’s own national interest is more complex than compelling or submitting. Differences in relative power and capabilities still matter, and differences in situations create conflicts of interests. But the horizontal dimension of continuing interaction among autonomous actors is more important than the vertical dimension of unilateral imposition. Without hegemony, states have agency, but they face greater uncertainty. The diplomatic calculus of each state is to pursue its national interests, but a major component of this pursuit lies in reducing uncertainty. Strategy for a post-hegemonic multinodal world stresses the complex ecology of action, the importance of relationships, the utility of partnerships, the encouragement of common interests, and the problems of conducting limited conflicts. These are principles of strategic prudence relevant to the global matrix of asymmetric international relationships.
Geometric properties for a class of deformed trace functions
Authors: Hansen Frank
Published: May 2024

We investigate the geometric properties for a class of trace functions expressed in terms of the deformed logarithmic and exponential functions. We extend earlier results of Epstein, Hiai, Carlen and Lieb.
Exploring public knowledge on technical vocational education in Ghana
Authors: Adams Abubakar-Zagoon , Intsiful Emmanuel , Zagoon-Sayeed Haruna
Published: May 2024

The study examined the public’s knowledge of Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) in the Ayawaso-West Municipality, located in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Qualitative methods were employed to investigate the societal understanding of TVET, utilizing key informant interviews and focus group discussions. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select thirty-six (36) participants. Key informant interviews involved twelve individuals, consisting of ten parents and two school personnel. Additionally, three focus group discussions were conducted, with eight students participating in each group. Data was analysed through the lens of Solomon Eliot Asch’s theory of impression formation, which centres on beliefs and information availability. The limited public information and beliefs surrounding TVET serve as the foundation for downgrading the subsector. As the theory suggests, societal or public actions are based on the beliefs and information available to them. The results revealed two main themes: awareness and misconceptions regarding TVET. It was further revealed that while people are familiar with TVET and understand its importance, there exist misconceptions that TVET is only intended for specific groups within society. The study recommends that the government should actively engage in public awareness campaigns to highlight the significance of TVET.
Rahmenbedingungen der Primärversorgung in Deutschland, Norwegen, Großbritannien, den Niederlanden und Italien – eine Übersicht
Authors: Linde Klaus , Bayer Robert , Gehrmann Jan , Jansky Bianca , Zimmermann-Sigterman Kirsten , Engl Adolf , Föll Jens , Wapler Peter , Schneider Antonius
Published: May 2024

Hintergrund

Die Gesundheitssysteme und mit ihnen die Ausgestaltung der hausärztlichen Versorgung unterscheiden sich in den einzelnen europäischen Ländern erheblich. Ziel des vorliegenden Beitrags ist die vergleichende Darstellung der Rahmenbedingungen der Primärversorgung in Deutschland, Großbritannien, Italien, den Niederlanden und Norwegen.

Methoden

Der Vergleich beruht primär auf den International Health Care System Profiles des Commonwealth Fund aus dem Jahre 2020, ergänzt durch publizierte Analysen einzelner Länder, internationale Befragungen und Vergleiche sowie publizierte Berichte von Hausärzt:innen über das Arbeiten in anderen Ländern.

Ergebnisse

Gemessen am Bruttosozialprodukt hat Deutschland die höchsten Gesundheitsausgaben, die Zahl der Krankenhausbetten ist mit Abstand am höchsten, gleichzeitig ist auch die Liegedauer vergleichsweise lang. Die unmittelbaren Rahmenbedingungen für die Primärversorgung unterscheiden sich in vieler Hinsicht deutlich zwischen den einzelnen Ländern, z. B. im Hinblick auf die Gatekeeper-Funktion, das Vergütungssystem, die Praxisgröße und die Teamzusammensetzung. Internationale Befragungen zeigen, dass die mittlere Wochenarbeitszeit und die Zahl der Patientenkontakte in Deutschland mit Abstand am höchsten sind. Die Arbeitszufriedenheit ist in Deutschland und aktuell in Großbritannien geringer als in den anderen Ländern.

Diskussion

Unser Vergleich verdeutlicht die zum Teil massiven Unterschiede in den betrachteten Ländern. Mehrere Indikatoren sprechen dafür, dass die Rahmenbedingungen der Primärversorgung in Deutschland trotz der insgesamt hohen Gesundheitsausgaben im internationalen Vergleich nicht besonders günstig sind.
Computational Construction Grammar
Authors: Dunn Jonathan
Published: May 2024

This Element introduces a usage-based computational approach to Construction Grammar that draws on techniques from natural language processing and unsupervised machine learning. This work explores how to represent constructions, how to learn constructions from a corpus, and how to arrange the constructions in a grammar as a network. From a theoretical perspective, this Element examines how construction grammars emerge from usage alone as complex systems, with slot-constraints learned at the same time that constructions are learned. From a practical perspective, this work is accompanied by a Python package which enables linguists to incorporate construction grammars into their own corpus-based work. The computational experiments in this Element are important for testing the learnability, variability, and confirmability of Construction Grammar as a theory of language. All code examples will leverage the cloud computing platform Code Ocean to guide readers through implementation of these algorithms.
Maritime Bristol in the Slave-Trade Era
Authors: Rogers Nicholas
Published: May 2024

Explores the maritime history of Bristol, a leading slave port in the eighteenth century.
Transactional Culture in Colonial Dakar, 1902-44
Authors: Petrocelli Rachel M.
Published: May 2024

Examines Dakar's transformation from a small colonial capital to a dynamic city, highlighting how its resourceful residents challenged French control by forging adaptive economic relationships.
Renaissance Masculinities, Diplomacy, and Cultural Transfer
Authors: O'Leary Jessica
Published: May 2024

Federico and Ferrante Gonzaga came of age during a time of intense change in sixteenth-century Italy: the Italian Wars (1494-1559). The first and third-born sons of Isabella d'Este and Francesco Gonzaga spent their formative years at the courts of Francis I of France and Charles V of Spain, where, as effectively diplomatic hostages, they learned valuable lessons about the transnational social codes and rituals central to sixteenth-century political life. As adults, they applied these lessons in their political and martial collaborations with Charles V: supporting his dominions in Italy, facilitating his attempted colonisation of northern Africa, and praising his attacks on Muslim pirates in the Italian Mediterranean. This book uses epistolary, literary, and material sources to argue that the boyhood and adult experiences of Federico and Ferrante Gonzaga are illustrative of wider strategies adopted by elite Italians to respond to conflict and crisis in a global age.
Initiation of interdisciplinary prevention rounds: decreasing CLABSIs in critically ill children
Authors: Linam Matthew , Wannemacher Lisette , Hawthorne Angela , Calamaro Christina , Spafford Patrick , Walson Karen
Published: May 2024

Objective:

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) harm children. Insertion and maintenance bundles have significantly reduced CLABSIs, but infections still occur. The objective was to develop bedside infection prevention (IP) rounds and evaluate their impact on CLABSI rates.

Methods:

This quality improvement project was initiated sequentially in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a large academic children’s hospital. IP rounds, interdisciplinary discussions led by the hospital epidemiologist and unit nursing leader with the bedside nurse, occurred weekly for patients with central lines. Discussions included strategies to optimize line maintenance and identify and mitigate patient-specific infection risks. Concerns and recommendations were communicated with the clinician. CLABSIs were identified by prospective surveillance using standard definitions. The change in CLABSIs over time was analyzed using days-between-events charts (g chart).

Results:

IP rounds included 3,832 patients in the NICU and 1,322 patients in the PICU. Opportunities were identified to reduce line access and protect the dressing from contamination. The average days between CLABSIs in the NICU increased from 41 days to 54 days after IP rounds began. The longest time between CLABSIs was 362 days. In the PICU, the average days between CLABSIs increased from 53 to 91 days. The longest time between CLABSIs was 398 days.

Conclusion:

IP rounds reduced CLABSIs in the NICU and PICU by reinforcing best practices, encouraging proactive strategies, and fostering communication between members of the healthcare team.
Does tail docking prevent Cochliomyia hominivorax myiasis in sheep? A six-year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Barros Giuliano Pereira de , Hötzel Maria José , da Silva Marceli Carvalho , Avilés Laura Lívia Arias , Bricarello Patrizia Ana
Published: May 2024

Tail docking is a husbandry practice widely incorporated in sheep farms around the world. It is an irreversible mutilation that impairs animal welfare, both immediately and in the longer term. The defence of tail docking as a practice is centred around the perception that doing so contributes to the promotion of local hygiene, allowing the use of the wool, facilitating reproductive management and reducing the chances of myiasis, a disease caused by the invasion of blowfly larvae in the tissues of warm-blooded animals. However, current understanding of farm animal welfare questions the need to maintain practices such as tail docking. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tail docking on the incidence of Cochliomyia hominivorax myiasis in sheep in an experimental flock in Brazil during a six-year retrospective cohort study. Relative risk, odds ratio and incidence rate ratio were the association measures adopted. A total of 4,318 data-points were collected and supplied the analytical model. Tail docking did not decrease the risk and, on the contrary, was found to increase the chances of sheep being affected by myiasis. The results support the hypothesis that tail docking is not a protective factor against the occurrence of myiasis and further fuel calls for a rethink of tail docking being deployed as a blanket measure in the prevention of myiasis in sheep.
Transition induced by a bursting vortex ring in channel flow
Authors: Wang Boyuan , Yang Yue
Published: May 2024

We investigate the influence of vortices remote from the boundary on the near-wall flow dynamics in wall-bounded flows. A vortex ring with precisely controlled local twist is introduced into the outer layer of a channel flow at a moderate Reynolds number. We find that the minimum vorticity flux for triggering the transition to turbulence is significantly reduced from the initial disturbance of an untwisted vortex ring to that of a twisted ring. In particular, the latter disturbance can cause vortex bursting in the early transitional stage. The impact of vortex bursting on the transition process is characterised by the near-wall, wall-normal velocity with the rapid distortion theory. The wall-normal velocity grows during vortex bursting, and leads to streak formation and then the transition to turbulence. The notable wall-normal velocity is induced by the large di-vorticity generated in vortex bursting. We model the growing radial component of the di-vorticity in terms of the local twist, and demonstrate that its surge is due to the generation of highly twisted vortex lines in vortex bursting. Then, we derive that the generation of the di-vorticity in the outer layer enhances the wall-normal velocity in the inner layer via the Poisson equation with the image method and the multipole expansion. Thus, we elucidate that the vortex bursting can have an effect on the transition process.
Coppélia's Human-Objects: Winding Up Racialized Automata on the Ballet Stage
Authors: Mandradjieff Mara
Published: May 2024

This article focuses on how dance companies have restaged three of the original automata characters from the ballet Coppélia (Arthur Saint-Léon, 1870), described as the “Negro,” the “Moor,” and the “Chinaman.” In conversation with scholarship on the racialization of objects and the object-ification of humans, I claim these characters embody and reenact the ontological effects of slavery and colonialism, in which notions of human and object collapse into one another. I further argue that such processes vary among the roles, illuminating ways the white colonialist perspective constructs the imagined Chinese body differently than the Black body through human-object relations. As a contribution to discussions within the ballet world surrounding the use of blackface and yellowface, this article exposes how ballet choreography both participates in and reveals object-centered acts of racism through embodiment practices.
Is Mademoiselle Mercédès Always Julienne Mathieu? The Challenges of Using a Stage Name to Reconstruct the Career of a Parisian Belle Époque Music Hall Dancer
Authors: Alvarez San Román Mercedes
Published: May 2024

The dancer Mademoiselle Mercédès performed in the most important music halls of the Parisian Belle Époque, such as the Folies-Bergère and the Olympia. Her exotic pseudonym reflects the Hispanophilia of this period in France, but she was neither a Spanish dancer nor a native imitator. On the contrary, she displayed great versatility as a dancer and actively participated in the transition to modernity with the dancer Loïe Fuller and the choreographer Madame Mariquita. However, who is behind this artist's name? This research reveals that at least three women used this nickname and only one of them has been previously identified: Julienne Mathieu (1874–1943), who, after her stage career, became one of the most prolific actresses in early cinema. This case study explores the implications of using a pseudonym by a secondary figure in the dance world in fin-de-siècle Paris.
From Cadres to Managers: The Double-hundred Action Programme and China's State-owned Enterprise Reform
Authors: Lee Chengpang , Zhang Ruiyu
Published: May 2024

Reforming China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) is a complex endeavour. Among recent initiatives, the double-hundred action (DHA) programme stands out for its ambition, especially in its aim to revamp corporate governance structures and management systems. A notable change is that top executive positions are now open to a wider and more diverse candidate pool and are no longer restricted to Party cadres. Based on fieldwork and interviews at a DHA-selected enterprise, this paper explores the DHA's impact on SOE functioning and governance. Our research reveals unanimous support among top executives for the policy, despite stringent performance appraisals and limitations on future promotion opportunities. The policy has significantly transformed recruitment, performance evaluation and remuneration within the enterprise under study. However, although top executive recruitment is no longer tied to Party membership, the Party still exerts its influence through key appointments on the board of directors.
Privilege and Prejudice: Han Victimhood and Legitimizing Islamophobia in China
Authors: Miao Ying
Published: May 2024

Islamophobia, along with other forms of alt-right discourse and hate speech, is a well-documented phenomenon in the Euro-American world. Despite increasing scholarly attention in the West, however, research on Islamophobia in authoritarian regimes is more limited. Using content analysis of key online Islamophobic accounts, this paper shows that there are two distinct types of Islamophobic narratives in the Chinese cyberspace: a “confessional” narrative attributed to Uyghur authors, and a warning narrative specifically for Han readership, cautioning them about the hidden dangers posed by the Hui. This paper explores how these Islamophobic pieces share a Han-centric gaze where the Han, the majority-dominant group in China today, are placed in both a saviour role in terms of the Uyghurs, and a victim role as underdogs coming under attack from the Hui. The successful assimilation of the Hui has led to suspicion and narratives of betrayal, despite state efforts to promote Hui assimilation as a successful example of ethnic harmony. Whereas the Uyghurs are welcomed and accepted as long as they are willing to admit Han superiority, the Hui are rejected based on their perceived threat to Han dominance.
The effect of temperature and exposure time on redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus) and yellow foxtail (Setaria pumila) seed mortality in the natural soil seedbank
Authors: Šoštarčić Valentina , Pišonić Mateja , Pismarović Laura , Šćepanović Maja
Published: May 2024

Heat disinfection of soil can be used to reduce the content of the soil seedbank. However, species differ in the lethal temperature needed for seed destruction and mortality. Laboratory research was conducted on the seeds of two weed species, redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) and yellow foxtail [Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult]. The soil samples were collected at the experimental station Šašinovečki Lug, Zagreb, Croatia (45.850289°N, 16.180465°E), and exposed to linearly increasing constant temperatures of 40, 50, 60, 80, 100, and 120 C and exposure times of 30, 60, and 90 min in a laboratory oven. Weed seeds were then extracted from the soil using the sieve separation method and survival was measured by germinating seeds on filter paper. Germination counts were converted into percentages of mortality compared with untreated seeds. The results show that both temperature and exposure time significantly affected seed mortality of both weed species. Amaranthus retroflexus shows a greater susceptibility to high temperatures than S. pumila. A fitted three-parameter sigmoid model was used to define the relationship between temperature and exposure time needed for 50% (LT50) and 90% (LT90) seed mortality. The estimated LT50 values for A. retroflexus are 58.89 to 46.08 C over the 30- to 90-min exposure times; the estimated LT90 values were 113.36 to 65.72 C for the same durations. The estimated LT50 values for S. pumila over the 30- to 90-min exposure times ranged from 91.33 to 75.15 C; the estimated LT90 ranged from 98.79 to 90.32 C over the same durations. The research results contribute to the knowledge about the thermal sensitivity of seeds. Estimating efficacy of soil-heating treatments is essential when comparing the environmental, economic, and social costs of alternatives to conventional weed control methods.