bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Memory impressions in slow tourism: Intrapersonal and interpersonal authenticity as antecedents
Authors: Lu Carol Yirong , Wang Yao‐Chin , Suhartanto Dwi
Published: November 2023

With the trend of developing slow tourism in the global tourism industry, this study aims to examine the role of memory impressions in slow tourism. Building upon the theoretical support of authenticity, this study proposes an authenticity‐driven model for memory impressions in slow tourism. Data were collected from 303 foreign tourists who have been to three slow towns in Taiwan, including Chishang, Nanzhuang, and Chaozhou. Analytical results show that, in slow tourism, intrapersonal authenticity enhances interpersonal authenticity. Intrapersonal and interpersonal authenticity both improve memory impressions. Destination satisfaction and destination loyalty are significant outcomes of memory impressions. In addition, we found that memory impressions could mediate the relationship between intrapersonal, and interpersonal authenticity, satisfaction, and destination loyalty. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first attempts to contribute knowledge of memory impressions in slow tourism.
Symmetry on a class of multiparameter Markov processes
Authors: Yuquan Xie
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we study the symmetry on a class of multiparameter Markov processes and obtain some interesting results. It is very important for us to research and apply some multiparameter stochastic processes.
Traveling waves in nonlocal delayed reaction–diffusion bistable equations and applications
Authors: Li Kun , He Yanli
Published: November 2023

In this paper, we are concerned with traveling waves in a class of reaction–diffusion equations with nonlocal delays. By introducing new variables, we transform equations with nonlocal delays to non‐delayed system; the existence of traveling waves is obtained by means of Routh–Hurwitz criterion, and by considering the regularity of the Cauchy problem and using spectral theory, we investigate the global stability of traveling waves and then the uniqueness of wave speeds with the help of upper and lower solution method. Finally, our results are applied to two nonlocal delayed reaction–diffusion equations.
Effects of zeolite loaded with silver, copper, or zinc ions on antimicrobial properties of the ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer
Authors: Nekooei‐Fard Mahsa , Jahanmardi Reza , Fazaeli Reza , Sohrabi‐Haghdoost Nakisa
Published: November 2023

The improvement of antimicrobial activity of ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA) resin is of significant importance from the hygienic point of view. Hence, the present work aimed to improve antimicrobial performance of the polymer with the aid of a novel, effective and low‐cost additive. Accordingly, the effects of incorporating Mobil‐twenty‐two zeolite loaded with silver, copper and zinc salts to EVA on antimicrobial activity of the polymer was investigated in this study. The used zeolite was hydrothermally synthesized and doped with silver, copper, or zinc nitrates. The loaded zeolite particles were added to EVA through melt mixing. The prepared composite samples were then compression molded to obtain thin films with a thickness of about 0.1 mm. X‐ray diffraction experiments and scanning electron microscopy revealed successful synthesis of Mobil‐twenty‐two zeolite and its metal‐salt loading. Moreover, favorable distribution of the loaded zeolite in the polymer matrix was proved by scanning electron microscopy images. Also, stress–strain test unveiled that the addition of the zeolite particles enhances Young's modulus and tensile strength of the polymer while decreases its elongation at break. In addition, among the studied samples, the one containing 2 wt.% of silver‐loaded zeolite showed the highest Young's modulus of 105 ± 4.7 MPa. however, its modulus was only about 2% higher than that of the sample containing 2 wt.% of copper/zinc‐doped zeolite. Moreover, the two mentioned samples showed the highest elongation at break among the samples containing 2 wt.% of the loaded zeolites. Besides, the lowest observed elongation at break was 491% ± 16.2 belonging to the composite sample containing 2 wt.% of copper‐loaded zeolite. Furthermore, the film samples containing either of the loaded zeolite particles exhibited antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, with maximum bacterial and fungal inhibitions of about 56% and 54% in the case of the film samples containing 2 wt.% of silver‐ and copper/zinc‐doped zeolite, respectively. Overall, it was concluded that copper and/or zinc‐loaded zeolites, the effects of which is comparable to that of silver‐loaded zeolite, have the potential for application as low cost additives to induce antimicrobial activity to EVA, while maintaining its beneficial mechanical properties.
Anorexia nervosa in a postoperative patient with Ebstein's anomaly
Authors: Sato Kengo , Watanabe Ryosuke , Okada Tsuyoshi , Nishiyori Yasushi , Kobayashi Toshiyuki , Suda Shiro
Published: November 2023

Background

Along with the improved prognosis of patients with congenital heart disease, the associated diverse complications are under scrutiny. Due to various medical restrictions on their upbringing, patients with congenital heart disease often have coexisting mental disorders. However, reports on patients with congenital heart disease and coexisting eating disorders are rare. Here, we report the case of a patient who developed anorexia nervosa (AN) following surgery for Ebstein's anomaly.

Case Presentation

A 21‐year‐old female with Ebstein's anomaly who underwent Fontan surgery was transferred to our institution with suspected AN after >2 years of intermittent stays at a medical hospital for decreased appetite. Initially, she did not desire to lose weight or fear obesity, and we suspected that she was suffering from appetite loss due to a physical condition associated with Fontan circulation. However, the eating disorder pathology gradually became more apparent.

Conclusion

Our experience suggests that patients with congenital heart disease are more likely to have a psychological background and physical problems that might contribute to eating disorders than the general population.
To be a freshman during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A cross‐lagged model of depression, mentalizing, and epistemic trust
Authors: De Coninck David , Matthijs Koen , Van Bavel Jan , Luyten Patrick
Published: November 2023

Research has shown that severity of depression increased in freshmen during their first months at university due to increased social and academic pressures. Since the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic, several cross‐sectional studies have suggested that levels of depression in university students are higher than before the pandemic, but longitudinal data are largely lacking. This study investigated severity of depression and negative affect linked to the pandemic among freshmen during their first semester at a large university in Flanders, Belgium. We also investigated whether epistemic trust predicted severity of depression and pandemic‐related negative affect and whether problems with reflective functioning (or mentalizing) mediated these relations. Participants in this two‐wave prospective study were 289 first‐year students of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of a large Belgian university. We conducted paired samples t‐tests and cross‐panel analysis to answer the research question. The number of students at risk of clinical depression increased by 41% between T1 (early October 2020) and T2 (late December 2020). Epistemic mistrust at T1 was prospectively associated with an increase in the prevalence and severity of depression at T2. Problems with mentalizing and negative COVID‐19‐related affect were positively associated with severity of depression at T2 and mediated the association between epistemic mistrust and severity of depression at T2. The findings highlight the key role of epistemic trust in the development of depression among freshmen, with the COVID‐19 pandemic presenting an additional source of uncertainty.
Environmental consequence of Australian agricultural trade: An asymmetric analysis
Authors: Kashem Mohammad Abul , Rahman Mohammad Mafizur , Khanam Rasheda
Published: November 2023

Link between environmental degradation and agricultural trade balance (ATB) is an under investigated issue. This article, therefore, investigates the issue for Australia using the data of 1988–2021. In this investigation when a linear model is applied, support for short‐run impact is revealed. However, linear model is unable to explore the asymmetry of the relationship. Therefore, to assess the asymmetry a nonlinear model is applied. The latter model has supported both short‐ and long‐run asymmetry adjustment by the ATB on Australian pollution. The findings reveal that improvement of the ATB is harmful for Australian environment, and agro import related economic activities are environmentally more efficient than agro export activities. However, to improve the environmental condition, agricultural commodity import substitution is not a viable option for the country. The result also validates the EKC hypothesis, and additionally when environmental pollution is concerned, national income is as important as the ATB of Australia.
Emerging ctDNA detection strategies in clinical cancer theranostics
Authors: Yi Kexin , Wang Xiaoju , Filippov Sergey K. , Zhang Hongbo
Published: November 2023

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is naked DNA molecules shed from the tumor cells into the peripheral blood circulation. They contain tumor‐specific gene mutations and other valuable information. ctDNA is considered to be one of the most significant analytes in liquid biopsies. Over the past decades, numerous researchers have developed various detection strategies to perform quantitative or qualitative ctDNA analysis, including PCR‐based detection and sequencing‐based detection. More and more studies have illustrated the great value of ctDNA as a biomarker in the diagnosis, prognosis and heterogeneity of tumor. In this review, we first outlined the development of digital PCR (dPCR)‐based and next generation sequencing (NGS)‐based ctDNA detection systems. Besides, we presented the introduction of the emerging ctDNA analysis strategies based on various biosensors, such as electrochemical biosensors, fluorescent biosensors, surface plasmon resonance and Raman spectroscopy, as well as their applications in the field of biomedicine. Finally, we summarized the essentials of the preceding discussions, and the existing challenges and prospects for the future are also involved.
Advancing microdata privacy protection: A review of synthetic data methods
Authors: Hu Jingchen , Bowen Claire McKay
Published: November 2023

Synthetic data generation is a powerful tool for privacy protection when considering public release of record‐level data files. Initially proposed about three decades ago, it has generated significant research and application interest. To meet the pressing demand of data privacy protection in a variety of contexts, the field needs more researchers and practitioners. This review provides a comprehensive introduction to synthetic data, including technical details of their generation and evaluation. Our review also addresses the challenges and limitations of synthetic data, discusses practical applications, and provides thoughts for future work.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Modeling Methods and Algorithms
Efficiency Controls and the Captured Fishery Regulator
Authors: Berck Peter , Costello Christopher
Published: November 2023

Rent dissipation in open access fisheries is well studied (Gordon J Polit Econ 62:124–142, 1954; Homans and Wilen J Environ Econ Manag 32:1–21, 1997) and has been shown to induce efficiency losses of over $50 billion per year in global fisheries (Costello et al Proc Natl Acad Sci 113(18):5125–5129, 2016). While fisheries are increasingly managed with quota-based approaches, over half of the world’s fish catch is still largely unregulated. This lack of complete management stems, in part, from the reluctance of fishery regulators to limit entry or directly regulate harvest. This often leaves restrictions on efficiency—such as technology or season restrictions—as the only means to achieve management goals. We study the situation when a regulator is “captured” in the sense that he cannot directly control entry but acts in the representative fisher’s best interest. Incumbent fishers are faced with the problem that potential entrants appear just like incumbents, so current profits must be weighed against the incentive for entry. We find that when the regulator is captured by industry members, he unambiguously allows overfishing—reaching a lower stock and higher effort than is socially optimal. This steady state has zero rents, but, interestingly, a higher stock and effort than in the pure open access equilibrium.
Assessing the Potential of Eucalyptus Plantation to Supply Timber for Greener Development in China
Authors: Xu Jintao , Shi Miaoying
Published: November 2023

China needs to increase forest productivity, not only to reduce pressure on tropical deforestation but also to help transform its growth pattern toward a low-carbon and green growth path. For more than two decades, the national efforts have focused mainly on forest conservation and logging restrictions. Efforts by the government to increase timber supply have been very limited, if not negligible. Meanwhile, eucalyptus plantations have emerged quietly in southern China and suddenly have become China’s largest timber source. Eucalyptus demonstrates unusual potential in solving China’s timber supply issues. Lots of questions remain. This paper intends to provide an assessment of eucalyptus development in China. Our analyses will use plot-level data to estimate current production and growth potential of eucalyptus in southern China, under several technological scenarios. The need for an enabling policy environment is also discussed.
The Future of Agriculture
Authors: Zilberman David , Rausser Gordon , Wesseler Justus
Published: November 2023

Peter Berck started his career as a resource economist applying dynamic systems to study forest management. Over the years, his attention shifted toward other resource challenges, including land use and water management, and his range of techniques expanded to include econometrics and computable general equilibrium models. He immersed himself in various aspects of agricultural problems and policy in both developed and developing countries. As a scholar and especially as an editor of the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Peter had a significant impact on the evolution of agricultural economics. In this chapter, we address a topic that engaged Peter: the future of agriculture and its relationship with other natural resources. The first section of the chapter will discuss the emergence of agricultural systems and the transition from extraction systems to sustainable farming. The second section will address the challenges of modern agriculture in developed countries, and the third will address the future of agriculture, introducing three alternative themes: organic eco-agriculture, food plus, and the bioeconomy.
The Satellite at the End of the World: Infrastructural Encounters in North Greenland
Authors: Abildgaard Mette Simonsen
Published: November 2023

In this chapter, I examine processes of place-making in Qaanaaq, North Greenland which display how its marginality is produced on different scales. I focus on the mutual co-shaping of local everyday practices and infrastructural systems, which I term ‘infrastructural encounters’. Through stories of key infrastructural sites in Qaanaaq, such as its hotel, satellite ground station and telecommunication station, as well as the local concept “down south” which describes the world south of Qaanaaq, the chapter highlights how infrastructural encounters act in the ongoing making of Qaanaaq, leading to extractive processes in the circulation of people and information, marginalization of Qaanaaq’s internet users and remote control of infrastructure. I draw on fieldwork conducted across multiple sites in Greenland, including interviews with locals and representatives from various functions in Qaanaaq. Through this exploration of infrastructure and everyday life, the chapter sheds light on the ways in which marginality is produced and sustained, and the role that telecommunication infrastructures play in shaping the experiences of those positioned as living ‘on the margins’.
Poetics of Nothingness: Ordering Wilderness
Authors: Lund Katrín Anna
Published: November 2023

This chapter takes the reader on a journey into the wilderness of Melrakkaslétta and follows the researcher who takes on the role of an explorer to rethink the potentiality of a place as a tourist destination. Selected encounters with features and figures whilst journeying are examined. What these have in common, although different in nature, is that they bring the flow of movement to a momentary, sometimes poetical, standstill which requires rethinking the order of things in an explorative manner. The features selected are:

Beach

Arctic terns

Moss and lichens

Modern ruin

The aim is to examine how one can be in touch with the surroundings by allowing for the narratives they entail to emerge when moving with them. A beach reveals how heterogeneous materialities are moved about by natural forces which reflects on the constant rejuvenation that a place undergoes. Arctic terns provide a sense for constant renewal through seasonal changes and extreme mobile abilities. Moss and lichens bring one into direct touch with multispecies habitation that grows and nurtures, whilst modern ruins of a derelict farm give an insight into more-than-human co-habitation of flows and fluxes. These features represent mobile forces that constantly shape a place; a destination.
Statistische Datenauswertung der RST-Analyse
Authors: Wan Shujun
Published: November 2023

In diesem Kapitel werden die Ergebnisse der statistischen Datenauswertung der RST-Analyse, deren Annotationsprozess im vorherigen Kapitel vorgestellt wurde, präsentiert. Hierbei stehen vor allem drei große Fragen im Fokus: a) Gibt es Unterschiede und/oder Gemeinsamkeiten in der Häufigkeit der jeweiligen rhetorischen Relation in den argumentativen Texten der chinesischen Deutschlerner/-innen und der deutschen L1-Sprecher/-innen? b) Wie werden die Texte innerhalb und zwischen den Textregionen „Einleitung“, „Hauptteil“ sowie „Schluss“ rhetorisch aufgebaut? Besteht ein Unterschied zwischen den beiden Vergleichsgruppen? c) Was lässt sich aus diesen Ergebnissen für die Analyse der Argumentationsstrategien ableiten? Die erste Frage wird in Abschnitt 4.1 behandelt. Dabei werden die in den Texten vorkommenden Relationen aus unterschiedlichen Perspektiven verglichen.
Spontaneous supersymmetry breaking in inhomogeneous supersymmetric field theories and BPS vacua
Authors: Kim Yoonbai , Kwon O-Kab , Tolla D. D.
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We study spontaneous supersymmetry breaking in inhomogeneous extensions of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 supersymmetric field theory models in 4-dimensions. The $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 Abelian Higgs model with the inhomogeneous mass parameter and the FI coefficient that are dependent on spatial coordinates, as well as the O’Raifeartaigh model with all its parameters being dependent on spatial coordinates, are studied in detail. In the presence of inhomogeneous parameters, half supersymmetry can be preserved by adding appropriate inhomogeneous deformations to the original Lagrangians. The inhomogeneous deformations often break the R-symmetry explicitly. In cases where the inhomogeneous deformations do not break the R-symmetry explicitly, we demonstrate that spontaneous breaking of the R-symmetry is infeasible. We argue that those models can not be spontaneous supersymmetry breaking models, according to the Nelson-Seiberg argument. We comment on this issue in the context of a generic $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 supersymmetric model as well.
Sortierung von Mehrschichtfolien durch Anwendung von Transflektion und Machine-Learning-Ansätzen
Authors: Koinig Gerald , Kuhn Nikolai , Tischberger-Aldrian Alexia
Published: November 2023

Die Verbreitung von Mehrschichtfolien im Bereich der Kunststoffverpackungen bringt viele Vorteile für Verbraucher, Logistik und die Umwelt mit sich, stellt jedoch gleichzeitig neue Herausforderungen für das Abfallmanagement dar. Aufgrund eines Mangels an geeigneten Technologien im industriellen Maßstab ist der Materialverbund der dünnsten verschiedenen Kunststoffe bisher kaum vom übrigen Kunststoffverpackungsstrom zu unterscheiden. Die Mischung unerwünschter Materialien führt zu Inkompatibilität zwischen den Kunststoffen im Recyclingprodukt und infolgedessen zu einer Verringerung der Qualität der Sekundärrohstoffe. Projekte wie „Multilayer Detection“ des AVAW der Montanuniversität bieten Lösungen, die vorhandene NIR-Sortiertechnologie in bestehenden Kunststoffrecyclinganlagen so anzupassen, dass die Identifizierung und Ausscheidung von Mehrschichtfolien problemlos nachgerüstet werden können. Mit der Entwicklung der neuen Recyclingmethode können die bestehenden Vorteile von leichter Folienverpackung auf bestmögliche und umweltfreundliche Weise genutzt werden. Eine Herausforderung im Abfallmanagement kann gemeistert und in einen wertvollen Beitrag zur Kreislaufwirtschaft umgewandelt werden. Dazu werden adaptierte Messmethoden in der Nahinfrarotspektroskopie wie die Akquise von Spektraldaten in Transflektion angewandt. Weiters wird gezeigt, wie Machine-Learning-Klassifikationsmethoden Herausforderungen, die aus schierer Vielfalt an Mehrschichtfolien erwachsen, lösen können. Schlussendlich wird anhand einer Lebenszyklusanalyse von Folienverpackungen die Notwendigkeit einer verbesserten Sammlung und Sortierung gezeigt.
A Novel Splice Site Mutation in the FBN2 Gene in a Chinese Family with Congenital Contractural Arachnodactyly
Authors: Zhang Cuiping , Qiao Fengchang , Cheng Qing , Luo Chunyu , Zhang Qinxin , Hu Ping , Xu Zhengfeng
Published: November 2023

Congenital contractural arachnodactyly (CCA) is a rare connective tissue disorder characterized by arachnodactyly, multiple joint contractures, progressive kyphoscoliosis, pectus deformity and abnormal crumpled ears. FBN2 is the only gene currently known to be associated with CCA. In this study, we report on a prenatal case presented with skeletal, cardiac and spinal malformations. And his father had elongated limbs, contractures of the proximal interphalangeal joints, high myopia and scoliosis. We conducted whole exome sequencing (WES) on the fetus-parental trio and a heterozygous variant (hg19 chr5:127,673,685, c.3598 + 4A > G, NM_001999.4) in intron 27 of the FBN2 gene was successfully identified, inherited from the father. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to evaluate the potential splicing effect of this variant, which confirmed that the variant caused a deletion of exon 27 (126 bp) by disrupting the splice-donor site and destroyed the 17th calcium-binding epidermal growth factor-like (cbEGF) domain. Our research not only finds the etiology of the disease in affected individuals and expands the mutation spectrum of FBN2 gene, but also provides genetic counseling and fertility guidance for this family.
The effects of contemporary treatment of DCIS on the risk of developing an ipsilateral invasive Breast cancer (iIBC) in the Dutch population
Authors: Alaeikhanehshir Sena , Schmitz Renée S.J.M. , van den Belt-Dusebout Alexandra W. , van Duijnhoven Frederieke H. , Verschuur Ellen , van Seijen Maartje , Schaapveld Michael , Lips Esther H. , Wesseling Jelle ,   and Grand Challenge PRECISION Consortium
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To assess the effects of contemporary treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) on the risk of developing an ipsilateral invasive breast cancer (iIBC) in the Dutch female population.

Methods

Clinical data was obtained from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR), a nationwide registry of all primary malignancies in the Netherlands integrated with the data from PALGA, the Dutch nationwide network and registry of histo- and cytopathology in the Netherlands, on all women in the Netherlands treated for primary DCIS from 2005 to 2015, resulting in a population-based cohort of 14.419 women. Cumulative iIBC incidence was assessed and associations of DCIS treatment type with subsequent iIBC risk were evaluated by multivariable Cox regression analyses.

Results

Ten years after DCIS diagnosis, the cumulative incidence of iIBC was 3.1% (95% CI: 2.6–3.5%) in patients treated by breast conserving surgery (BCS) plus radiotherapy (RT), 7.1% (95% CI: 5.5–9.1) in patients treated by BCS alone, and 1.6% (95% CI: 1.3–2.1) in patients treated by mastectomy. BCS was associated with a significantly higher risk for iIBC compared to BCS + RT during the first 5 years after treatment (HR 2.80, 95% CI: 1.91–4.10%). After 5 years of follow-up, the iIBC risk declined in the BCS alone group but remained higher than the iIBC risk in the BCS + RT group (HR 1.73, 95% CI: 1.15–2.61).

Conclusions

Although absolute risks of iIBC were low in patients treated for DCIS with either BCS or BCS + RT, risks remained higher in the BCS alone group compared to patients treated with BCS + RT for at least 10 years after DCIS diagnosis.
Cross-lagged Relations of Children’s Somatoform Complaints: Embedment within Learning Theory and Secondary Gain Concept
Authors: Vesterling Christina
Published: November 2023

The current state of research on the emergence and maintenance of somatoform symptoms in childhood identifies the influence of both child and parental factors. The aim of the present study is to examine reciprocal relations and stability between somatoform complaints, children’s adaptive emotion regulation (ER) strategies, withdrawal behavior, and overprotective parenting. In total, 97 children (female n = 46, (47%); M age T1 = 9.7 years (SD) = 0.54) and their parents completed questionnaires at two time points. A cross-lagged panel design was used to analyze reciprocal associations and stability effects between the included variables over one year (Kearney, 2017; Selig & Little, 2012). Results show significant autoregressive effects of both the individual child and parental variables. Parental overprotection predicted child emotion regulation, withdrawal behavior, and somatoform complaints over time; with no reciprocal effects. Similarly, only unilateral effects were shown between adaptive ER strategies, and withdrawal behaviors, and somatoform symptoms. The results are discussed in the framework of learning theory and secondary gain.
Residual stress analysis in industrial parts: a comprehensive comparison of XRD methods
Authors: Sarmast Ardeshir , Schubnell Jan , Preußner Johannes , Hinterstein Manuel , Carl Eva
Published: November 2023

A recently emerged XRD-based cosα residual stress measurement method, which utilizes imaging plate detectors, has attracted special attention from both academia and industry. There are uncertainties about to which extent the method could be used and about the accuracy of the measurements when analyzing industrial components. This work investigates the accuracy of the method by targeting four common types of material structures for the XRD experiments: preferred orientation of the microstructure (texture effect), coarse grain microstructure (coarse grain effect), a combination of both, and materials with steep lateral or in-depth residual stress gradients. The analysis was carried out by the conventionally used sin2ψ and the newly developed cosα methods on ferritic and austenitic steels, aluminum alloys, and SiSiC ceramics. The results indicate that both methods are reliable in most cases. However, cosα method has higher uncertainties and is more sensitive to the initial microstructure of the material.
Beyond Continuous versus Categorical Dichotomy: Uncovering Latent Structure of Non-electoral Political Participation Using Zero-Inflated Models
Authors: Koc Piotr
Published: November 2023

While modeling political participation as a latent variable, researchers usually choose whether to conceptualize and model participation as a latent continuous or latent categorical variable. When participation is modeled as a continuous variable, factor analytic and item-response theory models are used. When modeled as a categorical variable, latent class analysis is employed. However, both conceptualizations and modeling approaches rest upon very strong assumptions. In the continuous case, all subjects are assumed to come from the same homogenous population; in the categorical case, we assume that no quantitative heterogeneity exists within the latent classes. In this work, I argue that these assumptions are implausible and propose to model participation using zero-inflated measurement and regression models that assume the existence of two latent classes-politically disengaged and politically active-with the latter class being quantitatively heterogenous (people in that class are thought to participate to a varying degree). The results show that the models accounting for the latent class of politically disengaged have much better out-of-sample predictive accuracy. Moreover, modeling the zero-inflation changes estimates of measurement and regression models, and offers new research opportunities because with zero-inflated models we can explicitly tackle the question of what impacts the probability of ending up in the latent class of politically disengaged.
A Generalization of Beall’s Off-Topic Interpretation
Authors: Song Yang , Omori Hitoshi , Arenhart Jonas R. B. , Tojo Satoshi
Published: November 2023

In one of his papers, JC Beall advanced a new and interesting interpretation of Weak Kleene logic, in terms of on-topic/off-topic. In brief, Beall suggests to read the third value as off-topic, whereas the two classical values are read as true and on-topic and false and on-topic. Building on Beall’s new interpretation, the aim of this paper is threefold. First, we discuss two motivations to enrich Beall’s interpretation, and offer an alternative semantic framework that reflects our motivations. Second, by making use of our new framework, we will offer a new interpretation of the logic of Catuskoti which combines Beall’s proposal of having FDE as the correct logic with the on-topic/off-topic divide. Finally, we will offer a general result that will allow us to make sense of a family of infectious logics in terms of Beall’s on-topic/off-topic reading.
A formal framework to design and prove trustworthy memory controllers
Authors: Lisboa Malaquias Felipe , Asavoae Mihail , Brandner Florian
Published: November 2023

In order to prove conformance to memory standards and bound memory access latency, recently proposed real-time DRAM controllers rely on paper and pencil proofs, which can be troubling: they are difficult to read and review, they are often shown only partially and/or rely on abstractions for the sake of conciseness, and they can easily diverge from the controller implementation, as no formal link is established between both. We propose a new framework written in Coq, in which we model a DRAM controller and its expected behaviour as a formal specification. The trustworthiness in our solution is two-fold: (1) proofs that are typically done on paper and pencil are now done in Coq and thus certified by its kernel, and (2) the reviewer’s job develops into making sure that the formal specification matches the standards—instead of performing a thorough check of the mathematical formalism. Our framework provides a generic DRAM model capturing a set of controller properties as proof obligations, which all implementations must comply with. We focus on properties related to the assertiveness that timing constraints are respected, every incoming request is handled in bounded time, and the DRAM command protocol is respected. We refine our specification with two implementations based on widely-known arbitration policies—First-in First-Out (FIFO) and Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM). We extract proved code from our model and use it as a “trusted core” on a cycle-accurate DRAM simulator.
Childhood sunburn and risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Li Yajia , Wu Jianhuang , Cao Ziqin
Published: November 2023

Previous evidence has suggested that childhood sunburn could be a risk factor for cutaneous malignant melanoma (MM) and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). However, existing observational studies could not reveal the causal associations genetically. This study aimed to investigate whether there was a genetic causal relationship between childhood sunburn and skin cancers. Univariable Mendelian randomization (MR) and Causal Analysis Using Summary Effect analysis was carried out for causal estimates and evaluation for the horizontal pleiotropy. Multivariable MR and the mediation effects analysis were used to test whether the causal associations were mediated by potential confounders. A suggestively significant causal association between childhood sunburn and MM was indicated (OR = 4.74; 95% CI: 1.31–17.19; p = 1.79E-02). Genetically predicted childhood sunburn was significantly associated with increased risk of overall melanoma in situ (MIS) (OR = 4.02; 95% CI: 2.00–8.08; p = 9.40E-05), MIS of face (OR = 18.28; 95% CI: 5.28–63.35; p = 4.59E-06), and MIS of trunk (OR = 7.05; 95% CI: 2.06–24.13; p = 1.88E-03). Similar trends were found for childhood sunburn and NMSC (OR = 8.16; 95% CI: 6.07–10.99; p = 1.53E-20), including both basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (OR = 3.76; 95% CI:2.96–4.77; p = 2.19E-08) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (OR = 7.44; 95% CI: 5.09–10.87; p = 2.19E-08). After adjustment for hair and skin color, facial ageing, vitamin D levels, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and smoking status, childhood sunburn showed an independent association with MIS, MIS of face, MIS of trunk, as well as NMSC, including both BCC and SCC. Mediation analysis showed no significant mediation effect. This study demonstrated a causal relationship between childhood sunburn and the risk of both MM and NMSC, which suggested that enhanced screening and prevention for childhood sunburn could contribute to the early detection and decreased risk of MM and NMSC.
Exploring the Relationship Between Medication Adherence and Diabetes Disparities among Hispanic Patients in a Large Health System
Authors: Narain Kimberly Danae Cauley , Patel Ayan , Skootsky Samuel , Mangione Carol M.
Published: November 2023

Background

Sub-optimal HbA1c control is a driver of disparities in diabetes outcomes among Hispanic patients. Differences in medication adherence may underlie racial/ethnic differences in HbA1c level.

Objective

To examine the relationship between medication adherence and disparities in HbA1c level among Hispanic patients, relative to other racial/ethnic groups, obtaining care in the University of California Health System (UC Health).

Design

This study used clinical, administrative, and prescription dispensing data (January–December 2021) derived from the electronic health records of 5 Academic Medical Centers in UC Health, and linear regression models (LRMs) to conduct a cross-sectional analysis of the association between medication adherence, race/ethnicity, and HbA1c level. Adjusted LRMs were run with and without the measure of medication adherence to assess this relationship.

Participants

Patients with a UC Health primary care physician (PCP), with ≥ 1 PCP visit within the last 3 years, ages 18–75, reporting Asian, Hispanic, or White race/ethnicity, and who had ≥ 2 encounters with an ICD diagnosis of diabetes or had a prescription for a diabetes medication within the last 2 years, as of 12/31/21 (N = 27, 542; Asian = 6253, Hispanic = 7216, White = 14,073).

Main Measures

Our measure of medication adherence was the proportion of days covered (PDC) for diabetes medications in 2021. Our outcome was the most recent HbA1c value.

Key Results

In the LRM excluding the PDC, Hispanic ethnicity was positively associated with HbA1c level (β = 0.31, p =  < 0.001). In the LRM model including PDC, PDC was negatively associated with HbA1c level (β =  − 0.18, p =  < 0.001). However, the positive relationship between Hispanic ethnicity and HbA1c level did not change (β = 0.31, p =  < 0.001).

Conclusions

The findings of this study suggest that the relationship between Hispanic ethnicity, HbA1c level, and factors outside of medication adherence should be explored among primary care patients receiving care in Academic Medical Centers.
Geoheritage of the Kaliningrad Region, SE Baltic Coast
Authors: Chlachula Jiri , Mychko Eduard V.
Published: November 2023

The Kaliningrad Region is physiographically a mosaic and travel-attractive part of the SE Baltic coast. The Sambia Peninsula, the geomorphically most interesting, E-W-oriented extension of the mainland, has been shaped by past dynamic processes, starting with the Precambrian tectonics, the Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sea transitions, the Last Ice Age glaciations, the post-glacial riverine network formation, and the present shoreline erosion. The complex geological and palaeogeographical history generated a broad variety of geo-forms and landscapes, relicts of which are seen from the sea coast to the mainland. Rich fossils sealed in ancient, well-stratified formations of specific lithologies, with the famous Palaeogene amber beds, provide witness of past natural settings with flourishing life forms. The great geo-diversity of the peninsula underscores its scientific value as well as national and international tourism significance, adding to the historical architectural sites of this area. Some of these geomorphologically and geologically valuable places are increasingly threatened, besides anthropogenic factors, by storm surges, gravity flows and aeolian activity, causing progressing erosion along undercut cliffs, slumping and degradation of sand dune fields, among other geo-hazards. Survey, mapping and publicity of unique geo-sites are a proviso for their registration in natural heritage programmes with the implementation of appropriate geo-environmental protection strategies in balance with land-use management. This paper outlines the scientific, educational and touristic potential of the national geoheritage in the frame of the Baltic Sea coast geo-conservation initiatives.
The Impact of Resource Allocation on the Machine Learning Lifecycle
Authors: Duda Sebastian , Hofmann Peter , Urbach Nils , Völter Fabiane , Zwickel Amelie
Published: November 2023

An organization’s ability to develop Machine Learning (ML) applications depends on its available resource base. Without awareness and understanding of all relevant resources as well as their impact on the ML lifecycle, we risk inefficient allocations as well as missing monopolization tendencies. To counteract these risks, the study develops a framework that interweaves the relevant resources with the procedural and technical dependencies within the ML lifecycle. To rigorously develop and evaluate this framework the paper follows the Design Science Research paradigm and builds on a literature review and an interview study. In doing so, it bridges the gap between the software engineering and management perspective to advance the ML management discourse. The results extend the literature by introducing not yet discussed but relevant resources, describing six direct and indirect effects of resources on the ML lifecycle, and revealing the resources’ contextual properties. Furthermore, the framework is useful in practice to support organizational decision-making and contextualize monopolization tendencies.
Analyzing Semantically Enriched Trajectories
Authors: Seep Jana
Published: November 2023

In order to understand what influences the movement of an object or person it is important to consider a variety of factors. These could be the visibility of certain landmarks, the current temperature or the presence of a crowded area to be avoided. These insights then can be used to understand movement in the public sector and improve our build environment, e.g. to reduce street traffic accidents or orientation in complex buildings. The following extended abstract is a summary of a doctoral thesis submitted to the University of Münster. The thesis was successfully defended in February 2023 [16]. The dissertation focuses on the analysis of so-called semantically enriched trajectories, which are used to describe observed movement. It proposes a new model based on an extended finite state machine, which allows for the representation and consideration of the information about the context of the trajectory. With the new model, we consider two main steps in trajectory analysis: First, we aim to infer a semantically enriched representative trajectory for a given cluster of trajectories. Second, we introduce a variation of the well-known k-means algorithm to calculate clusters based on the given context of trajectories. To show semantic feasibility of our approach, we conclude this work by evaluating the possibility to provide decision support for domain experts in two different public sector related contexts.
Optimization and comparison of heat- and ultrasound-assisted extraction methods for anthocyanin recovery from Sicana odorifera fruit epicarp
Authors: Albuquerque Bianca R. , Pinela José , Pereira Carla , Calhelha Ricardo C. , Oliveira Izamara , Heleno Sandrina , Oliveira M. Beatriz P.P. , Barros Lillian
Published: November 2023

This study is aimed at maximizing the recovery of anthocyanins from Sicana odorifera fruit epicarp by heat- and ultrasound-assisted extraction (HAE and UAE, respectively) and at evaluating the in vitro bioactive properties of the anthocyanin-rich extracts obtained under optimized conditions. The optimization process utilized response surface methodology (RSM) through a central composite rotatory design (CCRD), combining time, ethanol percentage, and temperature or ultrasonic power. Response criteria included extraction yield (determined by gravimetry) and total anthocyanin content (TAC, quantified by HPLC-DAD). Under global optimum conditions, HAE (62 min, 90 °C, 27% ethanol) recovered 281 mg TAC/g extract with a yield of 23% (w/w) extract, while UAE (23 min, 500 W, 40% ethanol) yielded 200 mg TAC/g extract and 26% (w/w) extract, thus confirming the models’ predictive capacity. Furthermore, although HAE has produced extracts with higher anthocyanin concentrations, the cost-benefit associated with the processing conditions of each method must be considered. Both extracts showed antioxidant activity by inhibiting thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and oxidative hemolysis, but did not show anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial effects. Overall, this study promotes the upcycling of fruit waste into new ingredients for the food industry and other sectors that use anthocyanins, in line with sustainability and circular economy principles.
Traction power systems for electrified railways: evolution, state of the art, and future trends
Authors: Hu Haitao , Liu Yunjiang , Li Yong , He Zhengyou , Gao Shibin , Zhu Xiaojuan , Tao Haidong
Published: November 2023

Traction power systems (TPSs) play a vital role in the operation of electrified railways. The transformation of conventional railway TPSs to novel structures is not only a trend to promote the development of electrified railways toward high-efficiency and resilience but also an inevitable requirement to achieve carbon neutrality target. On the basis of sorting out the power supply structures of conventional AC and DC modes, this paper first reviews the characteristics of the existing TPSs, such as weak power supply flexibility and low-energy efficiency. Furthermore, the power supply structures of various TPSs for future electrified railways are described in detail, which satisfy longer distance, low-carbon, high-efficiency, high-reliability and high-quality power supply requirements. Meanwhile, the application prospects of different traction modes are discussed from both technical and economic aspects. Eventually, this paper introduces the research progress of mixed-system electrified railways and traction power supply technologies without catenary system, speculates on the future development trends and challenges of TPSs and predicts that TPSs will be based on the continuous power supply mode, employing power electronic equipment and intelligent information technology to construct a railway comprehensive energy system with renewable energy.
Hedonic real estate price estimation with the spatiotemporal geostatistical model
Authors: Muto Sachio , Sugasawa Shonosuke , Suzuki Masatomo
Published: November 2023

This study argues that the spatiotemporal geostatistical model for real estate prices, which accounts for and incorporates spatial autocorrelation, can be estimated successfully using the Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation. While this procedure often encounters difficulty in calculating probabilistic densities in the Metropolis–Hastings (MH) algorithm, this study introduces a feasible and practical estimation method, providing useful estimated parameters for the model. Using single-family house transaction data, we show that ordinary estimations of real estate prices, with respect to certain explanatory variables, may lead to the underestimation of standard errors of coefficients for explanatory variables with spatial effects unless spatial autocorrelation is controlled for. Our model also makes it possible to obtain accurate in-sample predictions and moderately improved out-of-sample predictions for real estate prices. This study further estimates a “decay rate:” a diminishing correlation between real estate prices and increasing distance, showing that geographical proximities are likely to have an important impact on real estate prices, especially at a range under 600 m.
Economy-energy-environment nexus: the potential of agricultural value-added toward achieving China’s dream of carbon neutrality
Authors: Raihan Asif , Voumik Liton Chandra , Mohajan Babla , Rahman Md Shoaibur , Zaman Md Rashed
Published: November 2023

Agriculture is one of the major sources of global emissions that cause climate change while agricultural value added helps to boost the economy in developing countries like China. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the long- and short-term influences of agricultural value added, economic growth (GDP), and energy use on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in China. The autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) method was used by using annual time series data from 1990 to 2021. The empirical outcomes revealed that a 1% increase in the agricultural value added would cut CO2 emissions by 1.37% in the long-run and 0.65% in the short-run. However, this study found that both GDP and energy consumption have a positive and statistically significant effect on CO2 emissions. Furthermore, an inverted U-shaped association between economic growth and environmental pollution was discovered by spotting the positive coefficient of GDP and the negative coefficient of GDP squared, which proved the validity of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis. The robustness of the ARDL outcomes was verified by using the fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS), dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), and canonical cointegration regression (CCR) approaches. This study offers a comprehensive set of policy recommendations aimed at enhancing agricultural value added in China. These suggestions focus on the promotion of climate-smart agriculture, the integration of renewable energy sources in agricultural production, and the adoption of advanced technologies within agricultural systems. Implementing these measures would contribute to the achievement of China’s goal of carbon neutrality.

Graphical Abstract