bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food hygiene and sanitation knowledges and practices of street food vendors: A systematic review
Authors: Cataluna T , Rukmini E
Published: April 2024

Food safety is critical to avoid side effects arising from contamination in protecting public health. Hygiene and sanitation knowledge and practice are factors influencing food safety performance. Meanwhile, food hygiene and sanitation are still an issue for some of the street vended food that need to investigate further. This study aims to present an overview of street food vendors’ sanitation and hygiene. This systematic review used the PRISMA guidelines as its methodology. Using databases including EBSCOHOST, Scopus, Taylor & Francis, Wiley Online, and PubMed, relevant and related studies were found. Food hygiene, food sanitation, street food vendors, and handlers of street food represent the keywords for the identification procedure. Only 18 of the 3022 publications that were identified from such databases were included in the final paper criteria.
How Do Consumer Awareness, Health Consciousness, and Environmental Concern Drive the Willingness to Buy Hydroponic Vegetables?
Authors: Fahlevi Mochammad , Dandi Mochamad , Matroji Fajar Juanda , Asetya Dimvy Rusefani
Published: April 2024

Hydroponics has emerged as an innovative system in modern plant cultivation. This study explores the intricate relationship between consumer awareness, health consciousness, and environmental concerns relating to the willingness to buy hydroponic vegetables. Initially, 218 completed surveys were collected; however, after a meticulous review of initial responses especially those related to the consumption or purchase of hydroponic products a refined pool of 208 valid respondents was identified. The study employed a Structural Equation Model (SEM) utilizing SmartPLS 4 software for analysis. The findings reveal that all hypotheses posited were accepted. It was identified that consumer awareness, environmental concern, and health consciousness significantly and positively impact the willingness to buy hydroponic vegetable products. Additionally, the results demonstrate that consumer awareness significantly influences both environmental concern and health consciousness. This research has implications for business practitioners selling hydroponic vegetable products by aiding in understanding and identifying their consumers' needs, particularly those related to health and environmental issues.
Synthesis and electrical properties of Reused-Graphite/Polyaniline composites
Authors: Faniband Basheerabegum , Sarvesha chandra S , Sreekanth R , Aravinda T , Pattar Jayadev , Kotrappanavar Nataraj Sanna , Nagaraja M
Published: April 2024

Polyaniline graphite composites have been synthesized using chemical oxidative polymerization method. The graphite powder has been reused which is obtained by used batteries. XRD patterns of graphite show (002) peak and no impurity peaks. Different wt. % (5, 10, 15, 20) of graphite is used for synthesis of composites and studied their electrical conductivity. XRD patterns of composites show increasing intensity with an increasing graphite content. SEM images show plate-like morphology of graphite whereas granular-morphology for PANI. Composite samples show both plate-like morphology and granular morphology indicating that graphite is embedded in the polymer matrix. Electrical characteristics of composite samples have shown a systematic increase in conductivity with an increase in the graphite concentration. Conductive fillers within the polymer matrix can increase the overall conductivity. Higher filler content provides more conductive pathways for electrons, resulting in enhanced conductivity. The detailed studies of these results are discussed and presented in this paper.
Situ synthesis and characterization of polypyrrole/ZnO Nanocomposites for optical and photocatalytic activity
Authors: Mahadevi V , Veeresh S , Vijaykumr B T , Reshma  , Kolhar Priyanka , Basavaraj Bharati , Sannakki Basavaraja
Published: April 2024

In situ polymerisation process used for manufacturing polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticle-reinforced various doping concentration of zinc oxide (ZnO NPs) nanocomposites. Fourier transform infrared(FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy(SEM), Photo luminescence (PL) and UV-vis spectroscopy was used to characterise the polymer nanocomposite. The ZnO nanoparticles are distributed throughout PPy matrix as shown in the SEM pictures of the nanocomposites. Distinctive peaks of Pure PPy and metal oxide bond of ZnO are as displayed in the FTIR spectra. Optical property of PPy, ZnO and PPy/ZnO was studied by using PL and UV-DRs spectrophotometer. These outcomes demonstrated that the synthesised PZ30 nanoparticles could potentially use in the treatment of wastewater.
Investigations on Impact of YSZ Nanoparticles on Morphology & Electrical conductivity of PEDOT: PSS
Authors: Vijaykumar C J , Bulla S S , Chavan C K , Bajantri R F
Published: April 2024

Conductive polymer nanocomposites, which combine the flexibility and conductivity of polymers with the unique properties of nanofillers, have generated interest in various fields such as energy storage, sensors, coatings, and corrosion protection. This study discusses the effect of Yttria-stabilized zirconium nanoparticles (YSZ NPs) on the morphology and electrical conductivity of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS). Thin films of PEDOT: PSS and PEDOT: PSS: YSZ were fabricated using spin coating technique. FTIR and XRD characterizations confirmed the interaction between YSZ nanoparticles and the PEDOT: PSS matrix, leading to changes in chemical morphology and film crystallinity. The investigation of the current-voltage (I-V) relationship showed improved electrical conductivity in PEDOT: PSS films with the addition of YSZ nanoparticles, with respective conductivities of 0.028×10−6 S cm−1 and 0.0885×10−4 S cm−1 for pristine and YSZ-containing films. Additionally, the sensing properties of the PEDOT: PSS: YSZ film in detecting organic vapours were studied. These findings suggest that these conducting polymer nanocomposite thin films could potentially be used as electrolyte components in battery cells, supercapacitors, and fuel cells, as well as serve as sensors for certain organic vapours.
Optical and Structural Properties of TiO2 doped Calcium Borate Glasses
Authors: Pruthviraja B , Eraiah B
Published: April 2024

The novel glasses were created using the melt quenching technique and the glass composition xTiO2-(50-x) CaO-50B2O3, where x=0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 in mol%, which was characterized by XRD spectra and confirmed the glass samples’ amorphous nature. Using the Archimedes principle, the density of the glasses was determined, and the associated molar volume was estimated. Density increases with increasing mol% TiO2, whereas molar volume decreases, as anticipated. The absorption spectra from the wavelength region of 200nm–1100nm were obtained using a UV-visible spectrometer. Tauc’s plot was used to evaluate the direct and indirect energy band gap, and the fluctuation of the energy band gap with mol% TiO2 has been discussed. The refractive index has also been estimated using energy band gap data. In the 400-4000 cm-1 range, the FT-IR functional groups were confirmed.
Wide band gap tuning of Mg doped ZnO thin films for optoelectronic applications.
Authors: Mohammed Salman K , Zikriya Mohamed , Renuka C. G.
Published: April 2024

Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films with magnesium (Mg) doping have demonstrated significant potential due to their wide band gap, which enables efficient absorption of ultraviolet (UV) radiation while maintaining transparency to visible light. Sol-gel spin coating methods were used to deposit Mg-doped ZnO thin films. The solution was made with methanol as the solvent, and the starting materials were magnesium acetate tetrahydrate and zinc acetate dihydrate. The integration of Mg content in deposited ZnO films was investigated for structural, morphological, and optical properties using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Mg-doped ZnO films were produced on quartz substrates and post-annealed at 400°C. According to absorption coefficient calculations, the optical band gap of Mg-doped ZnO films is in the range of 5.4 eV which is ideal for a variety of applications in the field of optoelectronic devices.
TiO2 / Graphitic carbon nitride Z-scheme catalyst for binary dye degradation by persulphate activation
Authors: Viswanathan Shalini , Anil Pallikkara Anooj , Muhammed Fermil , Kavya Sri Majji , Aparna K
Published: April 2024

In this work, we describe the preparation of the TiO2 (P25) / Graphitic Carbon Nitride composite and the degradation of pollutants using this composite with persulphate activation. The materials are characterized by XRD, FTIR analysis, etc. XRD analysis confirms the presence of TiO2 anatase and GCN and the characteristic functional groups of both TiO2 and GCN are determined with the help of FTIR. The degradation of crystal violet and Rhodamine B in binary mixtures over this synthesized catalyst is easier than individual catalysts separately. The degradation efficiency of crystal violet over TiO2/GCN composite is 1.5 times higher than GCN and 3 times higher than TiO2 alone and the degradation efficiency of Rhodamine B over TiO2/GCN composite is 1.1 times higher than GCN and 2.4 times higher than TiO2 alone. In flat band analysis, a Z-Scheme catalyst is formed between TiO2 and GCN. The electron transfer between the bands of TiO2 and GCN occurs because of proper band alignment between these materials.
Investigation on the crystal structure, magnetic, and electrical transport properties of magnetron sputtered Co2FeGe Heusler alloy films
Authors: Midhunlal P.V. , Joseph Joshy , Arout Chelvane J. , Rajani Kanth A. , Harish Kumar N.
Published: April 2024

Crystal structure, magnetic, and electrical resistivity behaviour of Co2FeGe Heusler alloy films deposited at different sputtering parameters have been studied using X-ray diffraction, VSM, and standard four-probe techniques. Though the expected structure was L21, X-ray diffraction studies indicate the A
2-type disordered structure. All films exhibited soft ferromagnetic characteristics having a coercive field of 5-65 Oe and a high ferromagnetic ordering temperature (More than 700 K). The electrical resistivity of the films deposited on the Si substrates was influenced by the substrate temperatures. Out of the different scattering mechanisms present in the low and high-temperature regimes, the two-magnon scattering effect is dominant in all the films. The scattering mechanisms are the same in all films irrespective of the substrate temperature. The optimum sputter deposition parameters that yields good quality Co2FeGe Heusler alloy thin films were found to be 50 W power, 5 mTorr pressure, and 400 °C substrate temperature.
Optimizing electrode arrangement in plasma actuators: a study on induced velocity and efficiency
Authors: Zhou Haifeng , Yousif Mustafa Z , Zhang Meng , Yang Yifan , Kim Jae Wan , Lee Hae June , Lee Jung Sub , Lim Hee-Chang
Published: April 2024

This study investigates the performance of two types of multi-encapsulated electrode (MEE) plasma actuators, compared to typical dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators, in quiescent air. The objective is to determine whether the multiple encapsulated structure can enhance the performance of the plasma actuator. In the present paper, flow characteristics are investigated by using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and Schlieren visualisation. In addition, the distribution of body force over the gas volume based on the Navier–Stokes equations is calculated from velocity measurements. The obtained results demonstrate that the starting vortex behavior is influenced by electrode arrangement. Specifically, it can be observed that when the first encapsulated electrode is positioned closer to the exposed electrode, then a significantly higher induced velocity can be obtained compared to the baseline condition. In fact, the induced velocity can be increased by up to 1.5 times under this optimize configuration. These results highlight the importance of electrode arrangement in the plasma actuator design. Based on body force estimation, MEE plasma actuators exhibit a significantly higher momentum transfer, particularly in the wall normal direction. The investigation on the mechanical efficiency also reveals that the optimized configuration proposed in the present study can significantly enhance the efficiency. In fact, a four-fold increase in maximum efficiency compared to the typical configuration is observed. These results suggest that the proposed configuration could be considered a promising solution for improving the mechanical efficiency of plasma actuators.
New insights into the role of nanotechnology in Bifidobacterium biomedical applications
Authors: Ghaznavi Ghazal , Hashemi Samaneh , Abolhosseini Mohammad Mahdi , Vosough Parisa , Lohrasbi Parvin , Taghizadeh Saeed , Savardashtaki Amir
Published: April 2024

The human gastrointestinal tract is colonised by a multifaceted and dynamic population of microorganisms consisting of trillions of microbes called the gut microbiota. Through extensive research using animal models and human studies, the significant contributions of gut microbiota to immune and metabolic balance, protection against pathogens, and even neurobehavioural traits have been established. Members of the genus Bifidobacterium are the first bacteria to colonise the intestinal tract in infants, and now it has been proven that they play a positive role in enhancing the host immunity, nutrient absorption, reducing and treating gastrointestinal infections, as well as improving conditions such as diarrhea, constipation, and eczema. Bacterial nanotechnology is a rapidly growing research area with great potential for improvement and the discovery of innovations in new applications of bacteria such as Bifidobacterium. In this review, we provide an up-to-date summary of the relations of nanotechnology with Bifidobacterium in various fields, including bacterial synthesis of nanoparticles, encapsulation of bacteria, bacterial toxicity of nanomaterial, application in the field of cancer targeting, and also the treatment of other diseases such as Alzheimer’s and IBD.
The influences of Ag nanoparticles on voids growth and solderability about Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu/Cu solder joint
Authors: Zhao Lingyan , Bai Hailong , Gu Xin , Liang Huaxin , Yang Hongwei , Yan Jikang
Published: April 2024

Although Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu solder (SAC305) has higher reliability, there are a large number of harmful voids in solder joints. Larger voids can reduce thermal conductivity of solder joints. However, as a microstructure growth inhibitor, the influences of Ag nanoparticles on voids growth are not clear at present. Herein, we prove that Ag nanoparticles can increase SAC305 solderability, but promote voids growth. Ag nanoparticles and SAC305 solder paste were mixed by mechanical stirring for 0.5 h. Next, SAC305-xAgP (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 wt%) was obtained. The results indicated that solder solderability was improved increasingly with Ag nanoparticles addition. The lower the amount of nanoparticles added, the greater the final loss. After being aged at 100 °C for 150 h, the voids stopped growing. Due to the violent reaction between Ag nanoparticles and flux, the final voids growth rate became faster, and the average voids size changed from 14.34% to 24.91%.
Behaviour of sewage sludge based lightweight aggregate in geopolymer concrete
Authors: Thukkaram Sathya , Arun Kumar Ammasi
Published: April 2024

The global challenge of sewage sludge disposal has encouraged innovative solutions aimed at reducing environmental impact while simultaneously addressing the growing demand for sustainable construction materials. This study aimed to develop treated raw sewage sludge-based lightweight aggregates with strength comparable to commercially available aggregates. Two methods, namely cold bonding and sintering, were employed for the formation of aggregates. The sintering method produced well-formed and hard aggregates, while the cold bonded aggregates exhibited weakness and disintegrated under the slightest pressure. The optimal mix for quality aggregates was found to be 10%–20% sewage sludge, 70%–80% fly ash, and 10% lime using the sintering method. In the sintering method, an increase in sewage sludge content resulted in the reduction of bulk density and specific gravity by 13% and 4% respectively due to the high organic content in sewage sludge, volatile gas release, and porous structure formation. When 10% to 20% sewage sludge content was added, water absorption of the aggregates also increased by approximately 2%. Physical properties such as individual pellet strength. aggregate crushing value reduced by 18%, 20% respectively and the aggregate impact value increased by about 9%. These aggregates were then used to produce lightweight geopolymer concrete, which exceeded the design strength by 7% for the aggregate containing 20% sewage sludge and demonstrated excellent physical properties. The use of waste-based aggregates offers advantages including savings in cost, sustainability, resource conservation, waste reduction, and reduced environmental impact, making them a valuable alternative to natural crushed stone aggregates in specific applications.
Exploring the potential of poly (caprolactone) and guar gum biodegradable blend film: an investigation for supercapacitor
Authors: Sumana V S , Sudhakar Y N , Nagaraja G K , M B Savitha , P Prasad
Published: April 2024

A biodegradable polymer electrolyte comprising poly (caprolactone) (PCL) and guar gum (GG) doped with lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) was investigated for its application in supercapacitors. The films’ thermal properties, surface morphology, and tensile strength were determined to understand the interaction between the blend system and the salt. Scanning electron microscopic images showed a network of GG channels across the polymer matrix. A unique combo of THF/water as solvent was used for this study as they bring out relaxation in GG segments and compatibility between GG and PCL. The blend polymer electrolyte (BPE) was characterized using conductivity, dielectric, and biodegradation studies. Supercapacitors were fabricated, and electrochemical studies were performed. The optimized BPE was used to fabricate supercapacitors, producing a specific capacitance of 125 F g−1. The time constant was measured at 0.8 s, and a consistent cyclic pattern was observed during galvanostatic charge/discharge studies with 96% Coulombic efficiency. This novel amalgamation of polymeric films holds immense promise for supercapacitor applications.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welded AZ31 magnesium alloy reinforced with ZrB2
Authors: Venkatesan R , Harikrishna KL , Sivashanmugam N
Published: April 2024

Metal matrix composites (MMC) have advantages over polymer matrix composites such as high stiffness and strength, high-temperature resistance, better abrasion resistance, creep resistance, resistance to degradation by fluids, dimensional stability, and non-flammability. Metal matrix composites are used for various applications in the automotive, aerospace and sporting goods industries. The primary objectives of the current research work encompass the fabrication of Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) AZ31 with 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% zirconium boride (ZrB2) nano-powder by the stir casting process, followed by welding through Friction Stir Welding (FSW). The metallographic analysis was carried out on the weldments of all cases. The macroscopic and microscopic analysis confirmed the defect-free weld joint. Tensile and hardness tests were conducted to study the mechanical properties of the materials. The tensile strength and the percentage of elongation increased with the percentage of ZrB2. But, after 1.0% addition of nano particles the strength decreased. The same pattern had been observed in both base and welded samples. The defect-free welding joints were fabricated with an efficiency of 79.1%, 79.7% and 77.7% for the materials with 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% nano powder, respectively. EIS and PDP tests were conducted in 3.5% NaCl to study the corrosion behaviour of base and welded materials. The corrosion tests on the base MMC samples showed that the corrosion resistance increased after the addition of ZrB2 nanoparticles. In addition, the corrosion resistance of all the welded samples improved compared with their respective base materials.
Ten principles for responsible quantum innovation
Authors: Kop Mauritz , Aboy Mateo , De Jong Eline , Gasser Urs , Minssen Timo , Cohen I Glenn , Brongersma Mark , Quintel Teresa , Floridi Luciano , Laflamme Raymond
Published: April 2024

This paper proposes a set of guiding principles for responsible quantum innovation. The principles are organized into three functional categories: safeguarding, engaging, and advancing (SEA), and are linked to central values in responsible research and innovation (RRI). Utilizing a global equity normative framework and literature-based methodology, we connect the quantum-SEA categories to promise and perils specific to quantum technology (QT). The paper operationalizes the responsible QT framework by proposing ten actionable principles to help address the risks, challenges, and opportunities associated with the entire suite of second-generation QTs, which includes the quantum computing, sensing, simulation, and networking domains. Each quantum domain has different technology readiness levels, risks, and affordances, with sensing and simulation arguably being closest to market entrance. Our proposal aims to catalyze a much-needed interdisciplinary effort within the quantum community to establish a foundation of quantum-specific and quantum-tailored principles for responsible quantum innovation. The overarching objective of this interdisciplinary effort is to steer the development and use of QT in a direction not only consistent with a values-based society but also a direction that contributes to addressing some of society’s most pressing needs and goals.
Interactive influences of salinity and sodicity levels on depth-wise soil organic matter and micronutrient elements in Thailand
Authors: Phankamolsil Napaporn , Tengprasert Tanutnan , Kheoruenromne Irb , Phankamolsil Yutthana , Gilkes Robert J , Sonsri Kiattisak
Published: April 2024

Soil salinity and sodicity are the major environmental issues that lead to the deterioration of soil properties, nutrient cycling, and soil ecosystems around the globe. Nevertheless, the reciprocal effects of salinity and sodicity levels on depth-wise soil organic matter (SOM) and micronutrients remain elusive, particularly in Thailand. For a better understanding of such an issue, soil samples were collected from 38 sites at depths of 0–20, 30–50, 60–80, and 80–120 cm where they were affected by salts with variable levels of salinity and sodicity, having electrical conductivity (ECe), and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) from 0.20–74.70 dS m–1, and 2.74%–113.23%, respectively. Soil physicochemical properties, including distribution of sand, silt, and clay, pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and B) were determined. The results exhibited that SOC content, ranging from 3.36–14.74 g kg–1, was higher in topsoil (0–20 cm) compared to the other three soil depths and it correlated negatively with ECe (0–20 and 80–120 cm) and ESP (80–120 cm), suggesting the declines in SOC amount due to high salinity and sodicity levels. Topsoil Mn concentration (0.06–182.06 mg kg–1) also tended to be greater than the other soil depths while Fe concentration in that soil depth (0.02–33.99 mg kg–1) tended to be smaller. The ECe correlated negatively with the concentrations of Fe, Cu (all soil depths), and Zn (30–50 and 60–80 cm), and positively with Mn concentration (60–80 and 80–120 cm), suggesting that the availability of Fe Cu and Zn is vulnerable to high salinity and sodicity levels. Overall, our findings highlight that high salinity and sodicity levels brought about a reduction in SOC content and low concentrations of micronutrients in soils, irrespective of Mn concentration.
3D scanning of daguerreotypes
Authors: Quintero Balbas Diego , Pezzati Luca , Cattaneo Barbara , Righetti Valentina , Striova Jana
Published: April 2024

Daguerreotypes are historical photographic images made on mirror-like metallic plates. These are heritage objects whose shape cannot be measured with invasive techniques, like contact probes, but the high reflectivity of their surfaces makes the use of non-invasive, 3D-measuring optical techniques challenging. Moreover, the dark areas resulting from their degradation produce a very high contrast, which add extra difficulties to their measurement. In the last few years, several strategies have been developed to overcome the limitations of optical techniques when measuring reflective metallic surfaces. Many of these solutions are not applicable to the study of cultural heritage artifacts, as they are invasive. We attempted the use of conoscopic holography in a 3D-scanning system using a double-exposure strategy. This is a promising option for 3D measuring of daguerreotypes, as we experimentally demonstrated in this work. We present the results obtained from the analyses of two 19th-century daguerreotypes with different superficial conditions. The double-exposure allowed us to obtain high-quality data from the entire object surface. This enabled the measurement of micro-scale details related to the manufacturing process and/or to the corrosion deposits. The proposed methodology can be exploited to monitor the overall health of highly reflective metallic objects but also the outcomes of some conservation treatments, such as cleaning.
A Telic Theory of Trust
Authors: Carter J Adam
Published: April 2024

What is it to trust well? How do we do it? If we think of trust as a kind of aimed performance, capable not only of success but also of competence and aptness, we can put our understanding of what it is to trust well on an entirely new footing. This book takes this project up, and in doing so, it uses the core ‘trust as performance’ idea—which is developed and refined in substantive detail—in the service of explaining a range of philosophically important phenomena related to trust, including its nature and varieties, the evaluative norms that govern good trusting and distrusting (both implicit and deliberative), how trust relates to vulnerability, risk, negligence, and monitoring, as well as to trustworthiness and, more generally, to our practices of cooperation. The result, a telic theory of trust, opens up entirely new option space and a research agenda in the philosophy of trust that is methodologically in the spirit of virtue epistemology, but which takes on its own distinctive shape.
What Is Good Trusting?
Authors: Carter J Adam
Published: April 2024

A good knife is a sharp knife. In virtue of what is trust good, as such, when it is? Standard accounts of the nature of trust suggest that good trusting ought to be assimilated in some way to good believing, or to good affect, or to good conation. This chapter raises doubts for all three of these main answer types, and the criticisms given then set the scene for motivating (in Chapter 2) a new performance-theoretic approach to trust and its evaluative normativity, which has the resources to do better.
Trust as Performance
Authors: Carter J Adam
Published: April 2024

It is argued that the evaluative normativity of trust is a special case of the evaluative normativity of aimed performances generally. The view is shown to have advantages over competitor views.
Deliberative Trust and Convictively Apt Trust
Authors: Carter J Adam
Published: April 2024

This chapter aims to bring the achievement of apt deliberative trust—i.e., convictively apt trust—into sharper view by exploring its substance and structure. Important to understanding its substance will be to clearly distinguish between first-order trusting competence and second-order trusting competence and especially how the latter is paired with a different skill/shape/situation profile than the former. Key to understanding its structure will be to appreciate, by way of analogy with fully apt judgement, the relationship in cases of apt deliberative trust, between (i) the exercise of second-order trusting competence, and (ii) the kind of attempt one makes in deliberatively trusting.
Trust, Risk, and Negligence
Authors: Carter J Adam
Published: April 2024

We’ve up to this point seen what convictively apt trust demands (Chapter 5); this chapter explores what it permits. Our guiding question is: What kind of risks to the first-order aptness of trust can the convictively apt trustor non-negligently ignore? An answer inspired by Ernest Sosa’s answer to a generalized version of this question is canvassed and criticized, and a different answer—one that gives de minimis risk a central place—is developed and defended.
Trust, Vulnerability, and Monitoring
Authors: Carter J Adam
Published: April 2024

Here are two perennial questions in the philosophy of trust, both of which concern the relationship between trust and vulnerability: Vulnerability Question: In what sense does trusting essentially involve subjecting oneself to risk of betrayal? Monitoring Question: In what sense is monitoring for risks of betrayal incompatible with trusting? These questions have traditionally been pursued independently from one another in the philosophy of trust. It will be shown that they are much more closely connected than has been appreciated. The central objective will be to demonstrate how a performance-normative framework can be used to answer both the Vulnerability Question and the Monitoring Question in a principled way, one that reveals a deep connection between not just the questions themselves, but also between the concepts of vulnerability, monitoring, and de minimis risk.
Trust and Trustworthiness
Authors: Carter J Adam
Published: April 2024

This chapter motivates and defends a new way of theorizing about trust and trustworthiness—and their relationship to each other—by locating both within a broader picture that captures largely overlooked symmetries on both the trustor’s and trustee’s side of a cooperative exchange. The view defended here takes good cooperation as a theoretical starting point; on the view proposed, cooperation between trustor and trustee is working well when achievements in trust and in responding to trust are matched on both sides of the trust exchange. In a bit more detail, the trustor ‘matches’ her achievement in trusting (an achievement in fitting reliance to reciprocity) with the trustee’s achievement in responding to trust (an achievement in fitting reciprocity to reliance). From this starting point, we can then appreciate symmetrical ways that the trustor and trustee can (respectively) fall short, by violating what are shown to be symmetrical evaluative norms—of success, competence, and aptness—that regulate the attempts made by both trustor and trustee. The overall picture has important advantages over the received way of theorizing about how trust stands to trustworthiness, and it clears the way—by identifying key questions that have been obscured—to making further progress.
Conclusions and a Research Agenda
Authors: Carter J Adam
Published: April 2024

This concluding chapter briefly summarizes the key contours of the telic theory of trust as it has been developed across Chapters 1–9; a short list of research topics and questions, both theoretical (§2.1) and applied (§2.2), is then outlined as an agenda for further work.
Epilogues
Authors: Havely Nick
Published: April 2024

In the first of the two Epilogues (‘Memorials in Liguria’) the writer revisits the Lunigiana a decade after completing the GEA route and takes part in a memorial trek for the partisans and their British allies, walking from the International Brigade’s base at Rossano to Levanto on the Ligurian coast and including a return to the Passo dei Due Santi. This epilogue also harks back further to the presence in the Lunigiana of Dante whose experience of these mountains has, like that of the twentieth-century partisans, been a recurrent theme of the book. The second and much briefer epilogue returns to the middle of the journey some two decades after it began. From a hill outside Bologna in the autumn of 2022 the writer looks southwards along the familiar route that Goethe and others in this book had travelled over the ridge of the Apennines.
Of Things to Come(1820)
Authors: Schellenberg J L
Published: April 2024

Chapter 1 employs the device of an imaginary young inquirer and classical Christian named Ernest living in Cambridge, England in 1820 who is brought into contact with a book called Of Things to Come, which details various improving changes of the next two centuries. Intellectually and morally relevant changes found here are summarized as preparation for the actual book to be continued in subsequent chapters, which will draw on them. As he absorbs Of Things to Come, Ernest’s former understanding of the world comes to appear deeply problematic, since many of that understanding’s constituent elements are shown to be false or seriously questionable. But it is also true that Ernest now has got the materials from which to form a revised understanding—and also a new background for any inquiry into the truth of Christian doctrine. Perhaps he will feel with new urgency that such an inquiry is called for.
On Spiritual Helplessness
Authors: Schellenberg J L
Published: April 2024

This chapter advances the Alternative Deliverance Argument, and defends its central premise—that it is possible to be delivered from sin apart from Christ—from five directions. First, since certain individuals have lived free from the domination of self-oriented desire, and not all are found in Christian communities, we must conclude, given the assumption that everyone starts out in sin, that these people were somehow delivered from it apart from Christ. Second, we have the support afforded by humanitarian activists, who are not always Christians but often live quite selflessly, moved by philosophical ethics rather than by Christ. Third is the evidence from psychological therapy showing that the psychological conditions of self-centredness can be ameliorated by this means, even for non-Christians. Fourth are the avenues of resistance to self-centredness found in non-Christian forms of religion. Fifth, we have approaches from within Judaism, including the religion practised and recommended by Jesus.
On Revelation (I)
Authors: Schellenberg J L
Published: April 2024

The doctrine of revelation is contested by the Untimeliness Argument and the Gender Opposition Argument. According to the former, God would have been able to predict that having undeveloped beings think such doctrines as those concerning the Incarnation and the Trinity to be divinely revealed was asking for trouble. Thus God would not have revealed these doctrines and the doctrine of revelation, which says otherwise, is false. According to the latter argument, any God would have known of the suffering and injustice that would continue given a continuing lack of human compliance with, or even awareness of, the facts about gender, and so would not have been the source of a revelatory process that could be seen to be at odds with these facts. And yet the process of Christian revelation did have this character. Thus it did not have its source in God, and the doctrine of revelation is false.
Meta-analyses of reproductive changes in angiosperm populations in response to elevation reveal a lack of global patterns
Authors: Novaes Letícia R , Cornelissen Tatiana , Arroyo Juan , Simón-Porcar Violeta
Published: April 2024

Background and Aims

Elevation is a major factor shaping plant populations on a global scale. At the same time, reproductive traits play a major role in plant fitness. With increasing elevation and increasingly harsh conditions, decreases in pollinator visitation rates, sexual investment, seed set and heterozygosity (owing to increased selfing) are expected. In response, selection and/or phenotypic plasticity could lead to an increase in floral displays by plants to increase their attractiveness to pollinators and compensate for the negative fitness impacts of reduced pollinator activity. A large body of literature tests these hypotheses at the among-species level, but empirical evidence at the population level (i.e. wihin species), where adaptive change might occur, is still limited to species-specific studies. Unravelling the global patterns of change in the reproductive traits, flower visitation rates and heterozygosity of plant populations across variable environmental conditions, especially climate, can help us to understand how species are able to cope with shifting conditions associated with global change, particularly in mountains. Here, we adopted meta-analytical approaches to assess the reproductive changes of plant populations in response to elevation on a global scale.

Methods

We used a data set with 243 paired populations of plants at ‘lower’ and ‘higher’ elevations, spanning an elevation range of 0–4380 m a.s.l. and taken from 121 angiosperm species and 115 published studies. We analysed changes in the number of flowers, their size and longevity, pollen production, flower visitation rate, seed set and expected heterozygosity. We then tested whether the observed patterns for each trait were dependent upon plant phylogeny and various ecogeographical factors and species traits.

Key Results

We found no evidence of elevation having a global effect on the reproductive traits of angiosperm populations. This null global pattern was not affected by geography or phylogenetics.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that changes in reproductive traits, flower visitation rates and heterozygosity in plant populations across elevations are specific to each species and ecosystem. Hence, macroevolutionary (across species) and macroecological patterns of elevation of plant reproduction reported previously are apparently not simply the outcome of microevolutionary changes (within species). This apparent specificity of response across plant species poses difficulties in predicting the effects of global changes and, specifically, climatic changes, on the fate of plant species, populations and communities.
HMGB1 regulates autophagy of placental trophoblast through ERK signaling pathway
Authors: Li Ming-Rui , Chen En-Xiang , Li Zhuo-Hang , Song Hong-Lan , Zhang Yi , Li Fang-Fang , Xie You-Long , Tang Jing , Ding Yu-Bin , Fu Li-Juan
Published: April 2024

Objective

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) in placental development and fetal growth.

Methods

We employed the Cre-loxP recombination system to establish a placenta-specific HMGB1 knockout mouse model. Breeding HMGB1flox/flox mice with Elf5-Cre mice facilitated the knockout, leveraging Elf5 expression in extra-embryonic ectoderm, ectoplacental cone, and trophoblast giant cells at 12.5 days of embryonic development. The primary goal of this model was to elucidate the molecular mechanism of HMGB1 in placental development, assessing parameters such as placental weight, fetal weight, and bone development. Additionally, we utilized lentiviral interference and overexpression of HMGB1 in human trophoblast cells to further investigate HMGB1’s functional role.

Results

Our findings indicate that the HMGB1flox/floxElf5cre/+ mouse displays fetal growth restriction, characterized by decreased placental and fetal weight and impaired bone development. The absence of HMGB1 inhibits autophagosome formation, impairs lysosomal degradation, and disrupts autophagic flux. Depletion of HMGB1 in human trophoblast cells also suppresses cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion by inhibiting the ERK signaling pathway. Overexpression of HMGB1 observed the opposite phenotypes.

Conclusions

HMGB1 participates in the regulation of autophagy through the ERK signaling pathway and affects placental development.
The ‘Right to an Upbringing’—Contrasting Early German and English Child Welfare Legislation for a Case Study in Comparative Social Work History
Authors: Frampton Magnus
Published: April 2024

National child welfare systems are often unalike in their orientation, and can be understood comparatively. Influenced by the principles of historical institutionalism, this article contrasts early German and English child welfare legislation. The first national German system was based on a statute rarely discussed in English-language social work histories: the Reichsgesetz für Jugendwohlfahrt (National Youth Welfare Act). This legislation came into force in 1924, systematically uniting comprehensive services related to childhood. The law is examined in the context of its contemporaneous cultural, political and academic discourses, and contrasted with English developments. The intentions of the legislation-drafters, as well as ideas specific to German-language discourses such as Erziehung (child-raising) and Verwahrlosung (presenting the effects of abuse/neglect) are investigated to cautiously explain divergence from the English child welfare system that institutionalised later. The article concludes by suggesting that the differing classifications of German and English practices in modern child welfare typologies (a family service versus child protection orientation, respectively) echo differences already evident in the two systems’ early and mid-twentieth-century legislation. The 1920s conceptual broadening of German child welfare to encompass prevention, universal support and social pedagogic approaches is still visible today, and shapes modern understandings of social work in that country.
Vaccination with structurally modified fungal protein fibrils: a new treatment for synucleinopathies?
Authors: Kinoshita Makoto , Kimura Yasuyoshi , Mochizuki Hideki
Published: April 2024

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Vaccination with structurally adapted fungal protein fibrils induces immunity to Parkinson’s disease’ by Pesch et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae061).
Administration and effects of beta blockers and oxandrolone in severely burned adults: a post hoc analysis of the RE-ENERGIZE trial
Authors: Hundeshagen Gabriel , Blears Elisabeth , Mertin Viktoria , Day Andrew G , Palackic Alen , Tapking Christian , Haug Valentin , Kneser Ulrich , Bliesener Björn , Panayi Adriana C , Aballay Ariel , Depret Francois , Stoppe Christian , Heyland Daren K
Published: April 2024

Background

Prospective randomized trials in severely burned children have shown the positive effects of oxandrolone (OX), beta blockers (BB) and a combination of the two (BBOX) on hypermetabolism, catabolism and hyperinflammation short- and long-term post-burn. Although data on severely burned adults are lacking in comparison, BB, OX and BBOX appear to be commonly employed in this patient population. In this study, we perform a secondary analysis of an international prospective randomized trial dataset to provide descriptive evidence regarding the current utilization patterns and potential treatment effects of OX, BB and BBOX.

Methods

The RE-ENERGIZE (RandomizEd Trial of ENtERal Glutamine to minimIZE Thermal Injury, NCT00985205) trial included 1200 adult patients with severe burns. We stratified patients according to their receipt of OX, BB, BBOX or none of these drugs (None) during acute hospitalization. Descriptive statistics describe the details of drug therapy and unadjusted analyses identify predisposing factors for drug use per group. Association between OX, BB and BBOX and clinical outcomes such as time to discharge alive and 6-month mortality were modeled using adjusted multivariable Cox regressions.

Results

More than half of all patients in the trial received either OX (n = 138), BB (n = 293) or BBOX (n = 282), as opposed to None (n = 487, 40.6%). Per study site and geographical region, use of OX, BB and BBOX was highly variable. Predisposing factors for the use of OX, BB and BBOX included larger total body surface area (TBSA) burned, higher acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II scores on admission and younger patient age. After adjustment for multiple covariates, the use of OX was associated with a longer time to discharge alive [hazard ratio (HR) 0.62, confidence interval (CI) (0.47–0.82) per 100% increase, p = 0.001]. A higher proportion of days on BB was associated with lower in-hospital-mortality (HR: 0.5, CI 0.28–0.87, p = 0.015) and 6-month mortality (HR: 0.44, CI 0.24–0.82, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

The use of OX, BB and BBOX is common within the adult burn patient population, with its use varying considerably across sites worldwide. Our findings found mixed associations between outcomes and the use of BB and OX in adult burn patients, with lower acute and 6-month-mortality with BB and longer times to discharge with OX. Further research into these pharmacological modulators of the pathophysiological response to severe burn injury is indicated.
Applications of mesenchymal stem cell-exosome components in wound infection healing: new insights
Authors: Fakouri Arshia , Razavi Zahra-Sadat , Mohammed Adil Tawfeeq , Hussein Abbas Hameed Abdul , Afkhami Hamed , Hooshiar Mohammad Hosseini
Published: April 2024

The healing process at a wound is made up of many types of cells, growth factors, the extracellular matrix, nerves and blood vessels all interacting with each other in complex and changing ways. Microbial colonization and proliferation are possible at the place of injury, which makes infection more likely. Because of this, any cut has a chance of getting an infection. Researchers have found that wound infections make patients more upset and cost the healthcare system a lot of money. Surgical site infections happen a lot to people who have recently had surgery. This study shows that such surgical infection is linked to a high rate of illness and death. This is shown by the fact that 25% of patients get serious sepsis and need to be transferred to an intensive care unit. In both animal models and people, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play an active role in all stages of wound healing and have positive effects. Exosomes are one of the main things MSCs release. They have effects that are similar to those of the parent MSCs. Various effector proteins, messenger RNA and microRNAs can be transported by extracellular vesicles to control the activity of target cells. This has a big impact on the healing process. These results suggest that using MSC-exosomes as a new type of cell-free therapy could be a better and safer option than whole cell therapy. This review is mostly about how to use parts of MSC-exosomes to help wound infections heal.