bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nephron sparing surgery and surgical management of intravascular extension of Wilms tumor
Authors: Tracy Elisabeth T. , Vasconcelos‐Castro Sofia , Malogolowkin Marcio , Loh Amos Hong Pheng , Kotagal Meera , Glick Richard D. , Warmann Steven , Apezzato Maria Lucia de Pinho , Cost Nicholas G. , Godzinski Jan
Published: April 2023

Although general treatment approaches for Wilms tumor differ between Children's Oncology Group and Société Internationale d'Oncologie Pédiatrique‐Renal Tumors Study Group protocols, complex tumors that may be candidates for nephron sparing surgery (NSS) and those with intravascular tumor extension represent a management challenge. In both of these scenarios, anatomic considerations are important in guiding management, making these areas of significant similarities in management between the international groups. This paper aims to explore the current approaches to NSS and intravascular tumor extension by both international groups, with attention to the evidence supporting these approaches and current knowledge gaps.
Facile fabrication of flexible TPU‐based microcellular nanocomposite piezoresistive sensors with tunable piezoresistivity via modulating cell structure
Authors: Li Xiao‐Dan , Huang Han‐Xiong
Published: April 2023

Thermoplastic polyurethane/multi‐wall carbon nanotubes/graphene nanoplates (TPU/MWCNTs/GNPs) microcellular nanocomposites used for assembling flexible piezoresistive sensors are prepared via melt mixing and then supercritical carbon dioxide foaming. The adjustable piezoresistivity and higher resilience of the sensors are achieved by creating tunable closed‐cell structure in the nanocomposites through foaming. The sensor assembled with the microcellular nanocomposite having a relatively uniform cell structure and moderately thicker cell walls exhibits a wider linear response range (0%–45% strain) and relatively higher sensitivity (gauge factor of 1.84). It shows repeatable piezoresistive response and good durability, and can be used to detect typical medium‐high pressure human motions. The sensor assembled with the microcellular nanocomposite having moderately larger cell diameter and thinner cell walls displays a higher sensitivity (gauge factor of 4.17) and obviously lower detection limit (0.8 kPa), but a narrower linear response range (0%–13% strain). It can accurately detect weak human physiological signals. Moreover, the enhanced performances of the sensors are also attributed to the hybrid conductive nanofillers (1D MWCNTs and 2D GNPs) distributing in the cell walls. The strategy for preparing the microcellular nanocomposites in this work gives a guidance for the development of flexible sensors in wide‐range of pressure sensing applications.
Encountering young caregivers: Attitudes and practices of healthcare professionals caring for cancer patients
Authors: Justin Pauline , Dorard Géraldine , Untas Aurélie
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Cancer and its treatments severely limit patients' daily lives. Relatives of patients may provide caregiving assistance to help patients cope with these limitations. Many children and adolescents—referred to as young caregivers (YCs)—provide support for patients. However, healthcare professionals do not always recognize YCs, and when they do, healthcare professionals are unsure how to support them.

Objective

This study aimed to explore healthcare professionals' attitudes toward and practices when encountering YCs and to compare these aspects according to their experiences with YCs.

Methods

In total, 395 oncology healthcare professionals (mean age 43.3 years; 84.8% females) participated in the study and completed an online survey.

Results

Only 1 in 2 professionals reported ever meeting a YC. The majority identified YCs by YCs' frequent presence in the department. No significant difference in attitudes was observed between professionals who had met a YC and those who had never met one. The support provided by professionals to YCs generally consisted of vigilance and exchanges. However, many professionals expressed a need to know where they can refer YCs for assistance.

Conclusions

These findings underline the importance of improving the practices of healthcare professionals to help them better identify and support the YCs they meet.
Physiotherapy strategies for functional improvement in a child with complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia: 1‐year follow‐up of a case report using a changing criterion design
Authors: Choi Ji‐Young , Oh Duck‐Won , Son Sung‐Min , Kim Chang‐Ju
Published: April 2023

Background

and Purpose: Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP) are a group of clinically diverse genetic disorders that share the neurologic symptom of difficulty in walking due to progressive serious muscle weakness and spasticity in the legs. This study describes a physiotherapy program for improving the functional ability of a child diagnosed with complicated HSP and reports the treatment results.

Methods

A 10‐year‐old boy with complicated HSP received a physiotherapy intervention that included strengthening of the leg muscles and treadmill training for 1 h per session, three to four times a week for 6 weeks. Outcome measures included sit‐to‐stand, 10‐m walk, 1‐min walk tests, and gross motor function measures (dimensions D and E).

Results

After the intervention, the sit‐to‐stand, 1‐min walk, and 10‐m walk test scores improved by 6.75 times, 2.57 m, and 0.05 m/s, respectively. Furthermore, the gross motor function measure dimensions D and E scores improved by 8% (46%–54%) and 5% (22%–27%), respectively. The gains in each parameter were maintained at the 3‐ and 6‐month and 1‐year follow‐ups.

Conclusion

These results suggest that structured physiotherapy programs can benefit the functional rehabilitation of children with complicated HSP.
Gravitational Decoupling as a Generator of Curvature and Matter Distribution
Authors: Tello‐Ortiz Francisco , Bargueño Pedro , Alvarez A. , Contreras Ernesto
Published: April 2023

In this work, we generate curved Lorentzian manifolds from a flat Minkowskian space–time, through the Gravitational Decoupling by the Minimal Geometric Deformation method interpreting the decoupling sector as a generator of curvature and matter distribution. In particular, we obtain some new wormhole geometries by imposing either physically relevant equations of state or certain physically–motivated geometric constraints. These solutions are analyzed in detail. For all these solutions, we study the associated energy conditions, the geometric behavior and construct their embedding diagrams.
Local Activity in a Self‐Assembled Quantum Dot System
Authors: Wan Qin , Zeng Fei , Yu Junwei , Chen Tongjin , Lu Ziao , Pan Feng
Published: April 2023

Research and development of memristor‐based neuromorphic networks has entered the stage of large‐scale application. However, the understanding of the adopted memristors is still vague, meaning a thorough study of their local activity is urgently necessary. Here, an electrode tip is created to focus the electrical field on the active locality, where the NbO quantum dot (QD) self‐assembles in the middle of the Nb‐doped AlNO film. The QD size can fluctuate under an appropriately controlled electron beam or electrical field, suggesting reversible nucleation behavior. The QD system periodically pulses when the input is enhanced to a co‐tunneling threshold or to one that activates the oscillation of the QD size. These two mechanisms are attributed to the local activity accounting for the information‐energy conversion of the QD system. This study presents a more precise and low energy‐consumption approach for neuromorphic computing by manipulating the local activity.
Rapid target screening and quantitative analysis of various environmental pollutants
Authors: Bořík Adam , Nováková Petra , Stroski Kevin M.
Published: April 2023

Rationale

The presented analytical method demonstrates a straightforward approach for environmental applications based on laser diode thermal desorption (LDTD). The study aims to examine abilities to achieve environmentally relevant outcomes for different types of pollutants with a fast method following the green chemistry principle.

Methods

Treatment of environmentally relevant sample matrix (river water) was limited to filtration with a cellulose filter. Samples fortified with analytes were spotted in a LazWell plate and dried before analysis. Samples thermally desorbed using LDTD were detected with Q Exactive hybrid high‐resolution mass spectrometer operation in full‐scan data‐dependent acquisition mode (LDTD‐FullMS‐dd‐MS/MS).

Results

LDTD‐FullMS‐dd‐MS/MS exhibits the lowest quantification limits for anatoxin‐A, atrazine, caffeine, methamphetamine, methylbenzotriazole, paracetamol, perfluorobutanoic acid, perfluorohexanoic acid, and perfluorooctanoic acid of between 0.10 and 1.0 ng mL−1 in the environmentally relevant sample matrix.

Conclusions

The developed method was successfully evaluated for different environmental pollutants and radically reduced sample treatment and time requirements for analysis and sample preparation.
The learning curve for a novel, fluoroscopy‐based robotic‐assisted total hip arthroplasty system
Authors: Buchan Graham B. J. , Hecht Christian J. , Lawrie Charles M. , Sculco Peter K. , Kamath Atul F.
Published: April 2023

Background

Adoption of robotic‐assisted total hip arthroplasty (RA‐THA) systems can improve the accuracy of acetabular cup placement, but no group has reported the learning curve of novel, fluoroscopy‐based RA‐THA systems.

Methods

A learning‐curve cumulative summation (LC‐CUSUM) analysis was performed on a consecutive series of the first 100 patients who received fluoroscopy‐based RA‐THA by the study surgeon. Operative times and specific robotic timepoints were compared between learning and proficiency phases.

Results

Implementation of fluoroscopy‐based RA‐THA was associated with a learning curve of 12 cases. A 6‐min increase in operative time was seen during the learning phase compared to the proficiency phase (44.3 ± 4.4 vs. 38.0 ± 7.1 min; p < 0.001), with a 3‐min longer robotic cup impaction sequence during the learning phase (7.8 ± 1.9 vs. 4.8 ± 1.3 min; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Adoption of fluoroscopy‐based RA‐THA is associated with a brief learning curve of 12 cases, with the most significant improvements in surgical efficiency realised during acetabular cup placement.
Single Atom‐Engineered NIR‐II Gold Clusters with Ultrahigh Brightness and Stability for Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Huang You , Chen Ke , Liu Ling , Ma Huizhen , Zhang Xiaoning , Tan Kexin , Li Yuan , Liu Ying , Liu Changlong , Wang Hao , Zhang Xiao‐Dong
Published: April 2023

Near‐infrared‐II (NIR‐II) imaging has shown great potential for monitoring the pathological progression and deep tissue imaging but is limited to present unmet NIR‐II agent. Present fluorophores show a promising prospect for NIR‐II imaging, but brightness and photostability are still highly challenging during real‐time monitoring. In this work, atom‐engineered NIR‐II Au24Cd1 clusters with ultrahigh brightness, stability, and photostability are developed via single atomic Cd doping. Single atom Cd substitutions contribute to Cd 4d state in HOMO and redistribution of energy level near the gap, exhibiting 56‐fold fluorescence enhancement of Au24Cd1 clusters. Meanwhile, single atomic Cd reinforces CdAu bond energy, formation energy, and stabilized cluster structure, leading to persistent stability for up to 1 month without decay, as well as excellent photostability of 1 h without photobleaching, much longer than clinically approved indocyanine green (<5 min). In vivo imaging shows gold clusters can monitor acute kidney injury (AKI) even after 72 h of injury, enabling evaluating progression at a very long window. Meanwhile, the bioactive gold clusters can alleviate AKI‐induced oxidative stress damage and acute neuroinflammation. Single atom‐engineered gold clusters exhibit molecular tracking and diagnostic prospect in kidney‐related diseases.
Rational Construction of Heterostructured Cu3P@TiO2 Nanoarray for High‐Efficiency Electrochemical Nitrite Reduction to Ammonia
Authors: Cai Zhengwei , Zhao Donglin , Fan Xiaoya , Zhang Longcheng , Liang Jie , Li Zixiao , Li Jun , Luo Yongsong , Zheng Dongdong , Wang Yan , Li Tingshuai , Yan Hong , Ying Binwu , Sun Shengjun , Alshehri Abdulmohsen Ali , Yan Hong , Xu Jia , Kong Qingquan , Sun Xuping
Published: April 2023

Electroreduction of nitrite (NO2−) to valuable ammonia (NH3) offers a sustainable and green approach for NH3 synthesis. Here, a Cu3P@TiO2 heterostructure is rationally constructed as an active catalyst for selective NO2−‐to‐NH3 electroreduction, with rich nanosized Cu3P anchored on a TiO2 nanoribbon array on Ti plate (Cu3P@TiO2/TP). When performed in the 0.1 m NaOH with 0.1 m NaNO2, the Cu3P@TiO2/TP electrode obtains a large NH3 yield of 1583.4 µmol h−1 cm−2 and a high Faradaic efficiency of 97.1%. More importantly, Cu3P@TiO2/TP also delivers remarkable long‐term stability for 50 h electrolysis. Theoretical calculations indicate that intermediate adsorption/conversion processes on Cu3P@TiO2 interfaces are synergistically optimized, substantially facilitating the conversion of NO2−‐to‐NH3.
Haplotyping interspecific hybrids by dual alignment to both parental genomes
Authors: Brown Pat J.
Published: April 2023

Sequencing‐based genotyping of heterozygous diploids requires sufficient depth to accurately call heterozygous genotypes. In interspecific hybrids, alignment of reads to both parental genomes simultaneously can generate haploid data, potentially eliminating the problem of heterozygosity. Two populations of interspecific hybrid rootstocks of walnut (Juglans) and pistachio (Pistacia) were genotyped using alignment to the maternal genome, paternal genome, and dual alignment to both genomes simultaneously. Downsampling was used to examine concordance of imputed genotype calls as a function of sequencing depth. Dual alignment resulted in datasets essentially free of heterozygous genotypes, simplifying the identification and removal of cross‐contaminated samples. Concordance between full and downsampled genotype calls was always highest after dual alignment. Nearly all single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in dual alignment datasets were shared with the corresponding single‐parent datasets, but 60%–90% of single‐parent SNPs were private to that dataset. Private SNPs in single‐parent datasets had higher rates of heterozygosity, lower levels of concordance, and were enriched in fixed differences between parental genomes (“homeo‐SNPs”) compared to shared SNPs in the same dataset. In multi‐parental walnut hybrids, the paternal‐aligned dataset was ineffective at resolving population structure in the maternal parent. Overall, the dual alignment strategy effectively produced phased, haploid data, increasing data quality and reducing cost.
Evolutionary perspective of uteroplacental malperfusion: subjacent insult common to most pregnancy complications
Authors: Espinoza J.
Published: April 2023

Linked article: There is a comment on this article by Yagel et al. Click here to view the Correspondence.
Imaging in gynecological disease (25): clinical and ultrasound characteristics of intramural pregnancy
Authors: Nijjar S. , Bottomley C. , Jauniaux E. , Jurkovic D.
Published: April 2023

Objective

To describe the clinical and sonographic characteristics of intramural pregnancy, as well as the available management options and treatment outcomes.

Methods

This was a retrospective single‐center study of consecutive patients with a sonographic diagnosis of intramural pregnancy between November 2008 and November 2022. An intramural pregnancy was diagnosed on ultrasound when a pregnancy was implanted within the uterine corpus, above the level of the internal cervical os and separate from the interstitial section of the Fallopian tube, and extended beyond the decidual–myometrial junction. Clinical, ultrasound, relevant surgical and histological information and outcomes were retrieved from each patient's record and analyzed.

Results

Eighteen patients were diagnosed with an intramural pregnancy during the study period. Their median age was 35 (range, 28–43) years and the median gestational age at diagnosis was 8 + 1 (range, 5 + 5 to 12 + 0) weeks. Vaginal bleeding with or without abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom, recorded in eight patients. Nine (50%) patients had a partial and nine (50%) had a complete intramural pregnancy. Embryonic cardiac activity was present in eight (44%) pregnancies. The majority of pregnancies (n = 10 (56%)) were initially managed conservatively, including expectant management in eight (44%) cases, local injection of methotrexate in one (6%) and embryocide in one (6%). Conservative management was successful in nine of the 10 (90%) pregnancies, with a median time to serum human chorionic gonadotropin resolution of 71 (range, 35–143) days. One patient with an ongoing live pregnancy had an emergency hysterectomy for a major vaginal bleed at 20 weeks' gestation. No other patient managed conservatively experienced any significant complication. The remaining eight (44%) patients had primary surgical treatment, comprising transcervical suction curettage in seven (88%) of these cases, while one patient presented with uterine rupture and underwent emergency laparoscopy and repair.

Conclusions

We describe the ultrasound features of partial and complete intramural pregnancy, demonstrating key diagnostic features. Our series suggests that, when intramural pregnancy is diagnosed before 12 weeks' gestation, it can be managed either conservatively or by surgery, with preservation of reproductive function in most women. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Bioproduction and applications of aldobionic acids with a focus on maltobionic and cellobionic acid
Authors: Bieringer Emmeran , García Vázquez Uxía , Klein Luisa , Moretó Bravo Núria , Tobler Matthias , Weuster-Botz Dirk
Published: April 2023

Aldobionic acids are sugar acids which consist of a disaccharide with an anomeric acid group. The most famous is lactobionic acid (LBA). LBA is used in many applications such as food and beverages, pharmaceuticals and medicine, cosmetics or chemical processes. During the last decade, all these industries are observing a shift of consumer preferences towards plant-based options. Thus, the biotechnological industry is trying to replace the animal-derived LBA. Maltobionic acid (MBA) and cellobionic acid (CBA) are two stereoisomers of LBA which have emerged as vegan alternatives. However, MBA and CBA face different obstacles related to their industrial production. While traditionally used electrochemical or chemical catalysis often rely on cost intensive and/or hazardous catalysts, novel production methods with microorganisms are still poorly studied. In the first part, this paper discusses both alternatives in terms of their characteristics and applications. In the second part, it reviews the long-studied chemical production and the novel bioproduction methods, which are based on enzymatic and microbial systems. This review concludes with a discussion of future work needed to bring their production to the industrial scale.
Cost-effectiveness analysis alongside the inter-B-NHL ritux 2010 trial: rituximab in children and adolescents with B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Authors: Lueza Béranger , Aupérin Anne , Rigaud Charlotte , Gross Thomas G. , Pillon Marta , Delgado Rafael F. , Uyttebroeck Anne , Amos Burke G. A. , Zsíros József , Csóka Monika , Simonin Mathieu , Patte Catherine , Minard-Colin Véronique , Bonastre Julia
Published: April 2023

Objectives

The randomized controlled trial Inter-B-NHL ritux 2010 showed overall survival (OS) benefit and event-free survival (EFS) benefit with the addition of rituximab to standard Lymphomes Malins B (LMB) chemotherapy in children and adolescents with high-risk, mature B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Our aim was to assess the cost-effectiveness of rituximab-chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in the French setting.

Methods

We used a decision-analytic semi-Markov model with four health states and 1-month cycles. Resource use was prospectively collected in the Inter-B-NHL ritux 2010 trial (NCT01516580). Transition probabilities were assessed from patient-level data from the trial (n = 328). In the base case analysis, direct medical costs from the French National Insurance Scheme and life-years (LYs) were computed in both arms over a 3-year time horizon. Incremental net monetary benefit and cost-effectiveness acceptability curve were computed through a probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Deterministic sensitivity analysis and several sensitivity analyses on key assumptions were also conducted, including one exploratory analysis with quality-adjusted life years as the health outcome.

Results

OS and EFS benefits shown in the Inter-B-NHL ritux 2010 trial translated into the model by rituximab-chemotherapy being the most effective and also the least expensive strategy over the chemotherapy strategy. The mean difference in LYs between arms was 0.13 [95% CI 0.02; 0.25], and the mean cost difference € − 3 710 [95% CI € − 17,877; € 10,525] in favor of rituximab-chemotherapy group. For a € 50,000 per LY willingness-to-pay threshold, the probability of the rituximab-chemotherapy strategy being cost-effective was 91.1%. All sensitivity analyses confirmed these findings.

Conclusion

Adding rituximab to LMB chemotherapy in children and adolescents with high-risk mature B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is highly cost-effective in France.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01516580.
A Mathematical Analysis of the Intermediate Behaviour of the Energy Cascades of Quantum Turbulence
Authors: Jou David , Sciacca Michele
Published: April 2023

We propose a mathematical interpolation between several regimes of energy cascade in quantum turbulence in He II. On the basis of a physical interpretation of such mathematical expression we discuss in which conditions it is expected to appear an intermediate $k^{2}$

k
2

regime (equipartition regime) in the transition region between the hydrodynamic regime and the Kelvin wave regime (namely, between the $k^{-5/3}$

k

−
5
/
3

and $k^{-1}$

k

−
1

regions in coflow situations and between the $k^{-3}$

k

−
3

and $k^{-1}$

k

−
1

regions in counterflow situations). It is seen that if the energy rate transfer from the hydrodynamic region to the Kelvin wave region is sufficiently slow, such equipartition region will be present, but for higher values of such energy rate transfer it will disappear. For high rates of the energy rate transfer, the transition regime between the hydrodynamic and the Kelvin wave regimes will be monotonous, characterized by a negative exponent of $k$
k
between $-5/3$
−
5
/
3
and −1 (or between −3 and −1), instead of the positive 2 exponent of the equipartition regime.
Regional communication and media analysis of aquaculture in Atlantic islands
Authors: Machado Patrícia C. , Pinto Bruno , Nogueira Natacha
Published: April 2023

The way the media portrays aquaculture-related events can influence how this industry is perceived by the public and affect its success. Since media are an important source of public information, media content analysis has been carried out in several regions of the world. This study aimed to determine which aspects of aquaculture were more exposed and how they were discussed by regional media in the Madeira archipelago, an oceanic group of Portuguese islands. Analysis of aquaculture’s media coverage in the two most-read regional newspapers of Madeira was carried out over a 5-year period (2017 to 2021). For each news article, the assessment focused on the geographic scope, the main topics covered, the stakeholders with access to the debate, and the general tone of the article (risk/benefit framework). A total of 297 articles were analyzed. Results indicate the occurrence of trigger events that contributed to a shift in the amount of news published and in the way media framed aquaculture. In general, political and economic issues dominated the coverage, whereas social, environmental, scientific, and landscape matters received less media attention. The voice of the government was predominant throughout the 5 years in analysis and aquaculture was generally framed with a balanced tone, slightly more negative. Open and transparent communication between the stakeholders and the media is fundamental for the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry.
In our (frozen) backyard: the Eurasian Union and regional environmental governance in the Arctic
Authors: Hartwell Christopher A.
Published: April 2023

Regional environmental governance has emerged as a viable alternative to supranational environmental solutions, using regional and local knowledge and actors to tailor more effective policies. This does not deny a role for supranational institutions, however, which can enable their members to effectively shift towards such a decentralized and polycentric approach. In specific regions such as the Arctic, with many national and local actors interested in environmental improvement, such impetus from meta-organizations (i.e., organizations comprised of organizations) could result in beneficial environmental outcomes. This paper examines an underutilized institution, the Eurasian Union (EaEU), and the role it currently plays in facilitating regional environmental governance. Focusing on its largest member, Russia—and the only member with an Arctic linkage—I explore the tension between supranational facilitation and interference in an area not directly affecting all members. Despite explicit Russian interest in this realm, the EaEU may be able to influence Russian environmental policy for the better via multilateral means and internal mechanisms. By challenging the Russian monopoly on Arctic policy in the EaEU, these additional voices may create space for environmental innovation in areas not central to Russia’s interests.
Selecting the species to be used in lichen transplant surveys of air pollution in Tunisia
Authors: Chahloul Nadia , Khadhri Ayda , Vannini Andrea , Mendili Mohamed , Raies Aly , Loppi Stefano
Published: April 2023

This study was undertaken with the aim of selecting one or more lichen species that are the most suitable for transplant-based surveys of air pollution in Tunisia, in areas where the local native lichen vegetation is scanty or missing at all. To this purpose, four epiphytic (tree inhabiting) lichen species (Evernia prunastri, Flavoparmelia caperata, Parmotrema perlatum, Ramalina farinacea) were collected from the Babouch forests, a remote and unpolluted area of NW Tunisia, and analyzed for their content of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), namely Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Zn, by ICP-MS. Moreover, also the physiological status of the lichen samples was evaluated by measuring their chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, and spectral reflectance. The results indicated a remarkable contribution of airborne soil and dust particles to the total PTE content, especially for the foliose species F. caperata and P. perlatum. The fruticose lichens E. prunastri and R. farinacea had a lower and similar content of PTEs, and hence were regarded as more suitable to be used in transplant studies, since are able to detect even minimal accumulation amounts. All lichen species were healthy, as emerged from the analysis of physiological parameters.
‘I wish to participate but…’: investigating students’ perceptions of student-staff pedagogical partnerships at a Hong Kong University
Authors: Dai Kun , Matthews Kelly E. , Liang Yifei
Published: April 2023

There is an increasing focus on relationship-rich education and relational pedagogies in higher education. Engaging students as partners (SaP) to nurture values-based pedagogical relationships is one such approach, yet it is contested with limited research outside of Anglophone countries. To advance a collective understanding of SaP as a global practice, we interviewed 35 postgraduate students at a research-intensive university in Hong Kong with a hybridised educational setting combining Chinese and westernised strategies and heritages. Reflecting on their learner-teacher relationships as both undergraduate and postgraduate students, they discussed differing senses of student identity that shaped how they perceived their pedagogical relationships: entanglement of positioning themselves as followers, customers, and co-teachers. The influence of neoliberalism, capitalism, and marketisation of higher education in the Hong Kong context was evident throughout the interviews. We discuss the implications for learner-teacher relationships as a pedagogical partnership in the broader hybridised higher education context of Hong Kong. In doing so, we argue that students are navigating an in-betweenness that shapes how they see themselves and the pedagogical relationships they form with teaching staff.
Introduction: Sustainability, Democracy and the Dark Sides of Civil Society
Authors: Machin Amanda , Ruser Alexander
Published: April 2023

Despite widespread acknowledgement of the value of sustainability, the transition towards more sustainable economies and societies remains a challenge around the world. Civil societies play an important role not only in supporting government efforts on sustainability by ‘filling gaps’ and raising social awareness, but also in pioneering new practices and disrupting particular governmental or corporate strategies, as well as engaging and empowering previously marginalised individuals and groups. Yet civil society is not always a champion of sustainability nor of democracy; these actors may of course also destabilise innovations, depoliticise sustainability issues by reifying certain concepts or approaches and reinforce social hierarchies and patterns of exclusion that can undermine any transformative potential and bolster the unsustainable status quo. This Special Issue is therefore dedicated to interrogating what we see as the ambiguous, yet critical, role played by civil societies in sustainability politics. This introductory paper intends not only to draw attention to some of the arguments, theories and challenges found in each of the individual papers collected here, but also to pull on the common threads that run through them, as well as to unpick some of the different uses of the key terminology that they employ. We aim, moreover, to highlight the inevitable tension between the ‘democratic side’ and the ‘dark side’ of civil society and its politics of sustainability.
Information and decision support needs: A survey of women interested in receiving planned oocyte cryopreservation information
Authors: Sandhu Sherine , Hickey Martha , Braat Sabine , Hammarberg Karin , Lew Raelia , Fisher Jane , Ledger William , Peate Michelle ,   on behalf of the Eggsurance Collaborative Group, Agresta F , Lieberman D , Anderson R , Norman R , Hart R , Johnson L , Michelmore J , Parle A , Summers F , Allingham C
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Identifying the information and decision support needs of women interested in receiving planned oocyte cryopreservation (POC) information.

Methods

An online survey of Australian women, aged 18-45, interested in receiving POC information, proficient in English, with internet access. The survey covered POC information sources, information delivery preferences, POC and age-related infertility knowledge (study-specific scale), Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS), and time spent considering POC. Target sample size (n=120) was determined using a precision-based method.

Results

Of 332 participants, 249 (75%) had considered POC, whilst 83 (25%) had not. Over half (54%) had searched for POC information. Fertility clinic websites were predominately used (70%). Most (73%) believed women should receive POC information between ages 19-30 years. Preferred information providers were fertility specialists (85%) and primary care physicians (81%). Other methods rated most useful to deliver POC information were online. Mean knowledge score was 8.9/14 (SD:2.3). For participants who had considered POC, mean DCS score was 57.1/100 (SD:27.2) and 78% had high decisional conflict (score >37.5). In regression, lower DCS scores were associated with every 1-point increase in knowledge score (-2.4; 95% CI [-3.9, -0.8]), consulting an IVF specialist (-17.5; [-28.0, -7.1]), and making a POC decision (-18.4; [-27.5, -9.3]). Median time to decision was 24-months (IQR: 12.0-36.0) (n=53).

Conclusion

Women interested in receiving POC information had knowledge gaps, and wanted to be informed about the option by age 30 years from healthcare professionals and online resources. Most women who considered using POC had high decisional conflict indicating a need for decision support.
Polydopamine surface functionalized submicron ZnO for broadening the processing window of 3D printable PLA composites
Authors: Yang Xiao-Mei , Yin Guang-Zhong , Amorós Olga Zafra , Hernández María Arroyo , de la Vega Jimena , Torralba José Manuel
Published: April 2023

The “catalytic degradation” of metal oxides limits the wide application of PLA when PLA needs to be modified by adding metal oxides to achieve desired properties. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a common and widely used agent as it can be used for many properties, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, etc. However, detrimental effects often exist on the properties of polymers after introducing the ZnO, due to the catalytic degradation. In this study, we used polydopamine (PDA) to construct ZnO@PDA core-shell submicron particles via the self-polymerization of dopamine (DA) in alkaline solution, aimed to produce a surface functionalization that would be used to control the rate of degradation of PLA by ZnO during thermal processing, and promote the preservation of mechanical properties. PLA with different contents of ZnO and ZnO@PDA were prepared by a simple melt extrusion method. The degradation behavior, mechanical properties and antibacterial activity of ZnO/PLA and ZnO@PDA/PLA were investigated. It was found that the incorporation of ZnO@PDA in PLA at different contents exhibits a dramatic control over the degradation rate when compared to that of the ZnO/PLA with the same filler content. Notably, the T5% and T50% of 3%-ZnO@PDA/PLA increased by 36.4 oC and 31.9 oC. GPC results showed the molecular weight of 3%-ZnO@PDA/PLA was only reduced by 15.8% after thermal processing. In addition, 3%-ZnO@PDA/PLA can be 3D-printed smoothly. That is to say, the introduction of ZnO@PDA can increase the processing window of PLA/ZnO composites, providing the possibility for materials that need to be included in civil application. Accordingly, ZnO@PDA/PLA samples showed higher tensile strength and elongation at break than that of corresponding ZnO/PLA samples. Regarding the antibacterial behavior, the ZnO@PDA/PLA have more bacterial growth disability effect against Gram(+) bacteria than that of pure PLA.
Musical Mnemonics in Cognitively Unimpaired Individuals and Individuals with Alzheimer’s Dementia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Derks-Dijkman Marije W. , Schaefer Rebecca S. , Kessels Roy P. C.
Published: April 2023

Based on the idea that music acts as a mnemonic aid, musical mnemonics (i.e., sung presentation of information, also referred to as ‘music as a structural prompt’), are being used in educational and therapeutic settings. However, evidence in general and patient populations is still scarce. We investigated whether musical mnemonics affect working and episodic memory performance in cognitively unimpaired individuals and persons with Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). Furthermore, we examined the possible contribution of musical expertise. We comprehensively searched the PubMed and PsycINFO databases for studies published between 1970 and 2022. Also, reference lists of all identified papers were manually extracted to identify additional articles. Of 1,126 records identified, 37 were eligible and included. Beneficial effects of musical mnemonics on some aspect of memory performance were reported in 28 of 37 studies, including nine on AD. Nine studies found no beneficial effect. Familiarity contributed positively to this beneficial effect in cognitively unimpaired adults, but require more extensive investigation in AD. Musical expertise generally did not lead to additional benefits for cognitively unimpaired participants, but may benefit people with AD. Musical mnemonics may help to learn and remember verbal information in cognitively unimpaired individuals and individuals with memory impairment. Here, we provide a theoretical model of the possible underlying mechanisms of musical mnemonics, building on previous frameworks. We also discuss the implications for designing music-based mnemonics.
The structure of moral encroachment
Authors: Hirvelä Jaakko
Published: April 2023

According to moral encroachment facts about epistemic justification can vary with moral factors that are unrelated to the truth of the belief. Most of the literature on this topic has focused on how beliefs can wrong, and whether the data that moral encroachers offer in support of their view can be explained within a purist framework. A largely neglected question has been what kind of consequences moral encroachment would have for epistemic justification if the thesis were true. Here I remedy this shortcoming by examining what kind of structural implications moral encroachment has for epistemic justification.
Urbanization influences spatiotemporal patterns of roost site selection by black vultures and turkey vultures
Authors: Hill Jacob E. , Kellner Kenneth F. , Holland Amanda E. , Kluever Bryan M. , Pfeiffer Morgan B. , DeVault Travis L. , Belant Jerrold L.
Published: April 2023

Roost locations can be an important contributor to vulture conflicts with humans, but factors influencing roost-site selection at a landscape level remain largely unexplored. Further, there has been little research comparing how these factors vary between nocturnal and diurnal roosting sites. We used remote cameras to document daily variation in vulture use of 21 roosts (20 communication/water towers and 1 natural roost) near Beaufort, South Carolina, USA from October 2019–August 2020. Numbers of vultures on roosts increased with decreasing urban cover and with greater distance to water, but were not influenced by habitat fragmentation or elevation. Roosts surrounded by greater proportions of urban cover were used more often during the day, whereas roosts adjacent to less urban cover were more commonly used at night. We suggest that this relationship results from a greater daytime association with human development, areas that likely provide food and favorable soaring conditions for vultures. Vultures tended to depart nocturnal roosts before sunrise and return within two hours of sunset, indicating that aircraft collision risk resulting from movement around nocturnal roosts would be elevated during these times. Several communication towers routinely had > 100 vultures roosting on them at once, likely contributing to conflict with humans. Our findings reiterate the generalism of these species and their capacity to exploit novel structures for roosting, which has likely contributed to range expansions and resultant increases in human-vulture conflicts over the past several decades.
The Complex Relationship between the Board and Web Transparency in Nonprofit Organizations
Authors: Benito-Esteban Clara I. , Elvira-Lorilla Teresa , Garcia-Rodriguez Inigo , Romero-Merino M. Elena
Published: April 2023

This research analyzes the relationship between board composition and web transparency in nonprofit organizations (NPOs). The board is conceived as a governance mechanism that not only monitors management but also gives voice to all stakeholders and considers accountability—and, more specifically, web transparency—as a key instrument for the NPO’s legitimization. To conduct this study, we manually built a database from the CVs of 793 directors of 67 Spanish non-governmental development organizations and we use fuzzy set comparative qualitative analysis (fsQCA). Our results indicate that board composition (size, independence, gender diversity, and presence of directors with financial or NPOs’ expertise) influences transparency and that, depending on the organizational size and legal form, there are different board configurations that lead to high transparency. Generally, NPOs should include experts in nonprofit sector and more female members on their boards to increase transparency.
“We Closed Down Mpape on the Judgement Day”: Resistance and Place-Making in Urban Informal Settlements in Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Ismail Nuhu Adeiza , Aceska Ana , Adu-Ampong Emmanuel Akwasi
Published: April 2023

Informal settlements in major urban areas are often derided through discourses as pockets of poverty, disorder, and marginalisation. Consequently, city planning officials often seek to eliminate or reduce such settlements for more ordered planned settlements. Yet, informal urban settlements continue to remain a part of urban life and have, in many places, increased in size and density. This paper provides an ethnographic account of the place-making activities deployed by informal settlement dwellers in Abuja, Nigeria, who face constant threats of displacement and eviction. We use place-making as an analytic lens with which to explore the discursive, political, and material strategies used by individuals and communities to resist the threats of displacement. Through ethnographic fieldwork in Mabushi and Mpape, we identify, on the one hand, the key material strategies of place-making to include incremental improvement to dwellings, planting of economic trees, and physical confrontations. On the other hand, the formation of settlement associations and active involvement in local politics with its attendant alliance-making have contributed to place-making strategies through the development of meanings, senses of togetherness, and belonging to the settlements. Our findings show the agency of informal settlement dwellers and how they use both material processes and discursive narratives to generate new meanings of place, tenure security, and the right to the city. This enables them to resist displacement from the urban environment. We conclude that a place-making approach to exploring informal settlements is fruitful for understanding the complexity of urban change processes in the Nigerian context.
Between God and Hitler
Authors: Bergen Doris L.
Published: April 2023

During the Second World War, approximately 1000 Christian chaplains accompanied Wehrmacht forces wherever they went, from Poland to France, Greece, North Africa, and the Soviet Union. Chaplains were witnesses to atrocity and by their presence helped normalize extreme violence and legitimate its perpetrators. Military chaplains played a key role in propagating a narrative of righteousness that erased Germany's victims and transformed the aggressors into noble figures who suffered but triumphed over their foes. Between God and Hitler is the first book to examine Protestant and Catholic military chaplains in Germany from Hitler's rise to power, to defeat, collapse, and Allied occupation. Drawing on a wide array of sources – chaplains' letters and memoirs, military reports, Jewish testimonies, photographs, and popular culture – this book offers insight into how Christian clergy served the cause of genocide, sometimes eagerly, sometimes reluctantly, even unknowingly, but always loyally.
Contribution of glaciers to water, energy and food security in mountain regions: current perspectives and future priorities
Authors: Clason Caroline , Rangecroft Sally , Owens Philip N. , Łokas Edyta , Baccolo Giovanni , Selmes Nick , Beard Dylan , Kitch Jessica , Dextre Rosa María , Morera Sergio , Blake Will
Published: April 2023

Mountain glaciers are crucial sources of fresh water, contributing directly and indirectly to water, energy and food supplies for hundreds of millions of people. Assessing the impact of diminishing glacial meltwater contributions to the security of this resource is critical as we seek to manage and adapt to changing freshwater dynamics in a warming world. Both water quantity and quality influence water (in)security, so understanding the fluxes of water, sediment and contaminants through glacial and proglacial systems is required for holistic assessment of meltwater contribution to downstream resource security. In this paper we consider the socio-environmental role of and pressures on glacier-fed waters, discuss key research priorities for the assessment of both the quantity and quality of meltwater and reflect on the importance of situating our understanding within a transdisciplinary and inclusive research landscape.
Probabilism: An Open Future Solution to the Actualism/Possibilism Debate
Authors: COHEN YISHAI , TIMMERMAN TRAVIS
Published: April 2023

The actualism/possibilism debate in ethics is traditionally formulated in terms of whether true counterfactuals of freedom about the future (true subjunctive conditionals concerning what someone would freely do in the future if they were in certain circumstances) even partly determine an agent's present moral obligations. But the very assumption that there are true counterfactuals of freedom about the future conflicts with the idea that freedom requires a metaphysically open future. We develop probabilism as a solution to the actualism/possibilism debate, a solution that accommodates an open future requirement for freedom. We argue that probabilism resolves the conflicting intuitions that arise between actualists and possibilists and maintains certain distinct advantages over actualism and possibilism.
Local limits of spatial inhomogeneous random graphs
Authors: van der Hofstad Remco , van der Hoorn Pim , Maitra Neeladri
Published: April 2023

Consider a set of n vertices, where each vertex has a location in
$\mathbb{R}^d$
that is sampled uniformly from the unit cube in
$\mathbb{R}^d$
, and a weight associated to it. Construct a random graph by placing edges independently for each vertex pair with a probability that is a function of the distance between the locations and the vertex weights.

Under appropriate integrability assumptions on the edge probabilities that imply sparseness of the model, after appropriately blowing up the locations, we prove that the local limit of this random graph sequence is the (countably) infinite random graph on
$\mathbb{R}^d$
with vertex locations given by a homogeneous Poisson point process, having weights which are independent and identically distributed copies of limiting vertex weights. Our set-up covers many sparse geometric random graph models from the literature, including geometric inhomogeneous random graphs (GIRGs), hyperbolic random graphs, continuum scale-free percolation, and weight-dependent random connection models.

We prove that the limiting degree distribution is mixed Poisson and the typical degree sequence is uniformly integrable, and we obtain convergence results on various measures of clustering in our graphs as a consequence of local convergence. Finally, as a byproduct of our argument, we prove a doubly logarithmic lower bound on typical distances in this general setting.
Exploitation and the Desirability of Unenforced Law
Authors: Hughes Robert C.
Published: April 2023

Many business transactions and employment contracts are wrongfully exploitative despite being consensual and beneficial to both parties, compared with a nontransaction baseline. This form of exploitation can present governments with a dilemma. Legally permitting exploitation may send the message that the public condones it. In some economic conditions, coercively enforced antiexploitation law may harm the people it is intended to help. Under these conditions, a way out of the dilemma is to enact laws with provisions that lack coercive enforcement. Noncoercive law would convey the state’s condemnation of wrongful exploitation without risking the harmful effects of coercively enforced law. It would also give firms and their agents a way of explaining nonexploitative pricing decisions to investors, and it may help give precise content to the moral duty to set prices and wages fairly. Governments should thus consider noncoercive law a viable component of their responses to exploitation.