bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of gluten-free diet (GFD) on some of cardiovascular risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rohani Pejman , Izze da Silva Magalhães Elma , Imanifard Roya , Jarahzadeh Maryam , Ziamanesh Fateme , Fatahi Somaye , Jalalieh Hajar Ghorbani , Sohouli Mohammad Hassan
Published: September 2024

A gluten-free diet (GFD) may have a stronger potential impact on reducing cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, according to research evidence. We investigated the impact of GFD on CV risk variables by doing a systematic review and meta-analysis for this reason. We conducted a thorough database search starting on January 1, 2000, and ending on July 12, 2022. We used random-effects models to pool the data. Totally 19 articles met the eligible criteria and were included. Pooled findings indicated that intervention with GFD has a significantly beneficial effect on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (WMD: 4.80 mg/dl, 95% CI: 2.09, 7.51, P = 0.001), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (WMD: –2.96 mmHg; 95% CI: –4.11, –1.81, P < 0.001), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (WMD: –0.40, mg/l, 95% CI: –0.67, –0.14, P = 0.002) levels. In celiac patients as well as with an intervention duration of more than 48 weeks, GFD increased TC and HDL compared to non-celiac patients and with an intervention duration lower than 48 weeks, respectively. The results of the present study showed that GFD can have a significant and beneficial effect on HDL, SBP, and CRP.
An archaeological and archaeometric study of Late Punic–Roman Pottery from the Tas-Silġ Sanctuary and the Żejtun Villa, Malta
Authors: Richard-Trémeau Emma , Capelli Claudio , Betts John C. , Grech Joseph , Humann Alexandra , Anastasi Maxine , Piazza Michele
Published: September 2024

This interdisciplinary study contributes to the understanding of the use of raw materials and pottery production techniques in Late Punic–Late Republican Malta, focusing on the Tas-Silġ sanctuary and the Żejtun Villa. Plates, bowls and cooking vessels were described typologically, and their fabrics were characterised using polarised light microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence. The aims were to classify these vessels into integrated and coherent fabric groups based on all analyses, to better understand the local production of vessels and to assess a possible local provenance.

Four integrated fabric groups were identified and represent local productions using distinct raw materials or production techniques. These groups can be distinguished typologically, macroscopically, petrographically and chemically. Multivariate techniques, including the chemical analysis of Maltese clays, were produced to enhance the fabric classification and discuss their raw materials. The raw materials identified are consistent with what is known in Maltese geology. One group is distinctive, and the results suggest the possible use of a previously unidentified raw material, Terra Rossa, found over the Upper Coralline Limestone. This new classification provides the basis for further studies of Late Punic–Roman sites in the Maltese islands and the future identification of imports and exports from the Maltese islands.
The Latin inscriptions of Cyrenaica: an overview
Authors: Chevrollier François
Published: September 2024

Although Greek was the dominant epigraphic language in Cyrenaica throughout the Classical period, Latin was introduced by Roman merchants and administrators at the time of the formation of the province of Crete and Cyrene c. 67 BC, and remained in use, albeit by a constant minority, until at least the fourth century AD, with the last well-dated Latin inscription dating from the Valentinian dynasty. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of Latin inscriptions in the region, based on the IR Cyrenaica 2020 corpus, which brings together hitherto scattered documents and also includes many texts published for the first time. After a general overview of the corpus in terms of geographical, typological and chronological distribution, we will look at the linguistic landscape of ancient Cyrenaica, focusing on the multilingualism of the region, the literacy of the populations, the borrowings from one language to another (Latinisms), and the influences of the western provinces on the Latin of the region, among other topics. Lastly, a series of Latin funerary inscriptions allow us to examine the multiple identities claimed by the populations, as well as the cultural influences between Greek-, Latin- and Libyan-speaking populations.
High-time resolution GPU imager for FRB searches at low radio frequencies
Authors: Sokolowski Marcin , Aniruddha Gayatri , Di Pietrantonio Cristian , Harris Chris , Price Danny , McSweeney Samuel , Wayth Randall Bruce , Bhat Ramesh
Published: September 2024

Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are millisecond dispersed radio pulses of predominately extra-galactic origin. Although originally discovered at GHz frequencies, most FRBs have been detected between 400 and 800 MHz. Nevertheless, only a handful of FRBs were detected at radio frequencies

$\le$

400 MHz. Searching for FRBs at low frequencies is computationally challenging due to increased dispersive delay that must be accounted for. Nevertheless, the wide field of view (FoV) of low-frequency telescopes – such as the the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), and prototype stations of the low-frequency Square Kilometre Array (SKA-Low) – makes them promising instruments to open a low-frequency window on FRB event rates, and constrain FRB emission models. The standard approach, inherited from high-frequencies, is to form multiple tied-array beams to tessellate the entire FoV and perform the search on the resulting time series. This approach, however, may not be optimal for low-frequency interferometers due to their large FoVs and high spatial resolutions leading to a large number of beams. Consequently, there are regions of parameter space in terms of number of antennas and resolution elements (pixels) where interferometric imaging is computationally more efficient. Here we present a new high-time resolution imager BLINK implemented on modern graphical processing units (GPUs) and intended for radio astronomy data. The main goal for this imager is to become part of a fully GPU-accelerated FRB search pipeline. We describe the imager and present its verification on real and simulated data processed to form all-sky and widefield images from the MWA and prototype SKA-Low stations. We also present and compare benchmarks of the GPU and CPU code executed on laptops, desktop computers, and Australian supercomputers. The code is publicly available at https://github.com/PaCER-BLINK-Project/imager and can be applied to data from any radio telescope.
Cognitive decline and political leadership
Authors: Gong Steven , Hu Zifeng P. , Ghaemi S. Nassir , Min Dave , Mapstone Mark , Sanbar S. S. , Berenji Manijeh , Rosenberg Shawn , Phoenix Davin , Fisher Mark
Published: September 2024

The cognitive deterioration of politicians is a critical emerging issue. As professions including law and medicine develop and implement cognitive assessments, their insights may inform the proper strategy within politics. The aging, lifetime-appointed judiciary raises legal and administrative questions of such assessments, while testing of older physicians experiencing cognitive decline provides real-life examples of implementation. In politics, cognitive assessment must contend with the field’s unique challenges, also taking context-dependent interpretations of cognitive-neuropsychological status into account. These perspectives, from legal and medical experts, political scientists, and officeholders, can contribute toward an equitable, functioning, and non-discriminatory system of assessing cognition that educates the public and enables politicians to maintain their public responsibilities. With proper implementation and sufficient public knowledge, we believe cognitive assessments for politicians, particularly political candidates, can be valuable for maintaining properly functioning governance. We offer recommendations on the development, implementation, and execution of such assessments, grappling with their democratic and legal implications.
The timing and mode of southern Andean human migrations
Authors: Barberena Ramiro , Becerra-Valdivia Lorena , Guevara Daniela , Novellino Paula
Published: September 2024

While recent genomic and isotopic information show that migration has been pervasive along human history, southern Andean archaeology has largely overlooked its importance in shaping human trajectories of sociocultural change. Building on previous isotopic research that identified the presence of migrant farmers in the Uspallata Valley (Mendoza, Argentina), we present chronological and bioarchaeological results that help to characterize the timing and mode of human migrations in the southern Andes. The burials with migrants show the representation of the different age classes, including a high abundance of children, as well as both men and women, suggesting that family groups were likely involved. The Bayesian modeling of 16 direct dates for migrants indicates that these migrations started between 1210–1275 CE (median 1255 CE) and finished at 1320–1425 CE (median 1360 CE), indicating that there is nearly no overlap between the commencement of this migration phase and the southwards expansion of the Inka Empire. The model defines a diachronic process that lasted between 55 and 195 years, implying that migration to Uspallata was a multi-generational process that involved between two and eight generations (median of four generations). Our contextual, bioarchaeological and chronological evidence indicates that the conditions fostering migration to Uspallata were sustained through time, inviting to explore persisting push-pull dynamics acting during this period. 87Sr/86Sr results show that migration occurred across the daily territories of these groups and may have involved movement across social or ethnic frontiers.
VIRTUE'S CLAIM TO FAME (STATIUS, THEBAID 10.610–80)
Authors: Tomcik Melissande
Published: September 2024

This note argues that the appearance of Virtus at the outset of Menoeceus’ sacrifice in Statius’ Thebaid (10.610–80) is modelled on Virgil's Fama (Aen. 4.173–97).
FRAMING THE DELPHIC ORACLE, INSTITUTIONALIZING THE OLYMPIC GAMES: PHLEGON OF TRALLES’ OLYMPIADS
Authors: Guo Zilong
Published: September 2024

This article re-examines the account of the Delphic oracle in Phlegon of Tralles’ Olympiads (FGrHist 257 F 1). It argues that the oracular utterance is framed in an attempt to bolster the Lycurgan institution of the Olympic Games in 776 b.c. More specifically, according to Goffman's theory, the divine anger of Zeus (mênis) is keyed to the modulation of the frame, or the cognitive perspective, that has been radically changed by warfare and plague in the Peloponnese, thus serving a heuristic function in achieving political rationality. By showing the Delphic oracle to be even more dynamic than previous scholarship has suggested, frame analysis increases knowledge and understanding of the literary, social and political progresses reported in ancient sources.
ANTHOLOGIA PALATINA 8 AS A HELLENISTIC BOOK OF POEMS: STRUCTURE AND MEANING IN GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS
Authors: Prieto Domínguez Óscar
Published: September 2024

This article analyses Anth. Pal. 8 as a Hellenistic book of poems, i.e. as a collection artfully arranged by an author-editor and not as a mere gathering of sepulchral epigrams devoid of any reflection or literary aspiration. In common with modern poetry books, Anth. Pal. 8 was conceived for linear sequential reading. A close study of its tripartite structure, of the thoughtful collocation of each piece and of their organizing principles in well-thought-out sequences reveals the ultimate eschatological meaning of the book. Finally, a comparative contextualization with other late antique poets indicates a late antique dating for the elaboration of this collection as such, whereas the strong numerological element and the religious transcendence sought by the distribution of the poems point to Gregory of Nazianzus himself as the author-editor of Anth. Pal. 8.
The Homiliary of Agimund and its Implications for the Availability of Patristic Texts in Rome in the Early Middle Ages
Authors: McKITTERICK ROSAMOND
Published: September 2024

Agimund's Homiliary is extant in two eighth-century manuscripts in BAV, Vat. lat. 3835 and 3836 and is one of the very few Roman texts actually written in Roman script surviving from the early Middle Ages. This article argues that the Homiliary is a crucial piece of evidence for early medieval Roman liturgical and cultural life and the patristic resources of Rome. Agimund's Homiliary, and the late eighth-century additions which are actually part of another, hitherto unidentified Roman Homiliary, together constitute evidence of the degree to which patristic theology and exegesis were embedded in Roman culture, of the interchange between the Latin- and Greek-speaking communities in Rome and the Lateran in the early Middle Ages, and of the intellectual productivity and cultural versatility of early medieval Rome.
Reading Martin Luther from Legend to Life
Authors: GUYER BENJAMIN M.
Published: September 2024

Thomas Kaufmann's The saved and the damned was first published in Germany in 2017. It was therefore one of many publications that year offered to mark the fifth centennial of Martin Luther nailing up his Ninety-Five Theses (quite possibly a legendary event, as the author notes). Kaufmann's work, now available in English translation, is an unapologetically blunt assertion that ‘In the beginning was Luther’ (p. 6). In this it is much the same as some other English-language scholarship from 2017, such as the monumental Oxford handbook of the Protestant Reformations, which also began with Luther. Although a comparatively recent entry in English-language Reformation scholarship, The saved and the damned has already generated academic discussion and was the focus of a panel at the Sixteenth Century Society Conference in 2023.
Oriental Scholarship and Episcopal Polity: The Reception of John Selden's Arabic-Latin Edition of Eutychius
Authors: VOZAR THOMAS MATTHEW
Published: September 2024

John Selden's 1642 edition and translation of an extract from a chronicle by Eutychius (Said ibn Batriq), the tenth-century Melkite patriarch of Alexandria, can be considered the first Arabic book printed in England. This article examines the early reception of Selden's Eutychius in the European republic of letters, exploring the ways in which its testimony about the early Alexandrian Church contributed to scholarly debates over episcopacy against the backdrop of the English Revolution. In doing so it demonstrates how Selden's edition made Eutychius a touchstone in seventeenth-century confessional disputes over ecclesiastical history while attracting readers in England and abroad.
Mapping of schistosome hybrids of the haematobium group in West and Central Africa
Authors: Agniwo P. , Savassi B.A.E.S. , Boissier J. , Dolo M. , Ibikounlé M. , Dabo A.
Published: September 2024

Hybridization of parasitic species is an emerging health problem in the evolutionary profile of infectious disease, particularly within trematodes of the genus Schistosoma. Because the consequences of this hybridization are still relatively unknown, further studies are needed to clarify the epidemiology of the disease and the biology of hybrid schistosomes. In this article, we provide a detailed review of published results on schistosome hybrids of the haematobium group. Using a mapping approach, this review describes studies that have investigated hybridization in human (S. haematobium, S. guineensis, and S. intercalatum) and animal (S. bovis and S. curassoni) schistosome species in West Africa (Niger, Mali, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Nigeria) and in Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo), as well as their limitations linked to the underestimation of their distribution in Africa. This review provides information on studies that have highlighted hybrid species of the haematobium group and the regions where they have been found, notably in West and Central Africa.
Obituary: Eve Caroline Southward (née Judges) 1930–2023
Authors: Dando Paul R. , Hawkins Stephen J. , Tunnicliffe Verena , Mieszkowska Nova
Published: September 2024

Eve Caroline Southward (1930–2023) was a multi-talented scientist, motivated by her curiosity and love of nature. Since she was never paid as a scientist, Eve was an amateur, in the best sense of the word. She was highly proficient at transmission electron microscopy and made lasting contributions to polychaete taxonomy, morphology and ecology. Eve was internationally respected, especially for her studies on the Siboglinidae, mouthless and gutless tubeworms (formerly called Pogonophora) that are found worldwide in the deep-sea. She described how the siboglinids obtained nutrition from symbiotic, sulphur-oxidising bacteria and described similar symbiotic relationships in several bivalve species. Eve wrote over 140 scientific publications and described 56 new benthic species, 47 being mouthless and gutless ‘pogonophores’. Eve assisted her husband Alan Southward in starting broad-scale intertidal surveys around the British Isles and Northwest Europe. These surveys formed the foundation for the time-series, later continued by others, that allowed assessments of the influence of climatic fluctuations, using intertidal rocky shore biota as indicators. Eve contributed, with Alan, to what became a 50-year study describing the long-term effects on intertidal communities of the oil pollution and excessive dispersant use resulting from the Torrey Canyon oil spill in 1967. Eve also co-wrote the Linnaean Society Synopsis on Echinoderms of the British Isles and helped complete unpublished work by Alan Southward and others on barnacle taxonomy.
Robust motion planning for mobile robots under attacks against obstacle localization
Authors: Wu Fenghua , Tang Wenbing , Zhou Yuan , Lin Shang-Wei , Ding Zuohua , Liu Yang
Published: September 2024

Thanks to its real-time computation efficiency, deep reinforcement learning (DRL) has been widely applied in motion planning for mobile robots. In DRL-based methods, a DRL model computes an action for a robot based on the states of its surrounding obstacles, including other robots that may communicate with it. These methods always assume that the environment is attack-free and the obtained obstacles’ states are reliable. However, in the real world, a robot may suffer from obstacle localization attacks (OLAs), such as sensor attacks, communication attacks, and remote-control attacks, which cause the robot to retrieve inaccurate positions of the surrounding obstacles. In this paper, we propose a robust motion planning method ObsGAN-DRL, integrating a generative adversarial network (GAN) into DRL models to mitigate OLAs in the environment. First, ObsGAN-DRL learns a generator based on the GAN model to compute the approximation of obstacles’ accurate positions in benign and attack scenarios. Therefore, no detectors are required for ObsGAN-DRL. Second, by using the approximation positions of the surrounding obstacles, ObsGAN-DRL can leverage the state-of-the-art DRL methods to compute collision-free motion commands (e.g., velocity) efficiently. Comprehensive experiments show that ObsGAN-DRL can mitigate OLAs effectively and guarantee safety. We also demonstrate the generalization of ObsGAN-DRL.
A pixel-level grasp detection method based on Efficient Grasp Aware Network
Authors: Xi Haonan , Li Shaodong , Liu Xi
Published: September 2024

This work proposes a novel grasp detection method, the Efficient Grasp Aware Network (EGA-Net), for robotic visual grasp detection. Our method obtains semantic information for grasping through feature extraction. It efficiently obtains feature channel weights related to grasping tasks through the constructed ECA-ResNet module, which can smooth the network’s learning. Meanwhile, we use concatenation to obtain low-level features with rich spatial information. Our method inputs an RGB-D image and outputs the grasp poses and their quality score. The EGA-Net is trained and tested on the Cornell and Jacquard datasets, and we achieve 98.9% and 95.8% accuracy, respectively. The proposed method only takes 24 ms for real-time performance to process an RGB-D image. Moreover, our method achieved better results in the comparison experiment. In the real-world grasp experiments, we use a 6-degree of freedom (DOF) UR-5 robotic arm to demonstrate its robust grasping of unseen objects in various scenes. We also demonstrate that our model can successfully grasp different types of objects without any processing in advance. The experiment results validate our model’s exceptional robustness and generalization.
The Australian Music Students Health Survey: impact of past experience on student attitudes to health education
Authors: Ackermann Bronwen Jane , Wijsman Suzanne , Halaki Mark
Published: September 2024

Widespread research over four decades has shown that musicians suffer physical and psychological injuries that can begin during childhood and early adulthood. A survey of 268 Australian tertiary music students revealed their perceptions of the importance of health education as part of their education. While students rated health knowledge as highly important, they considered its inclusion in their education to be less significant. Thirty-six percent reported current physical pain or injury, and 41% reported current psychological health issues. Significant correlations emerged between students’ reported injury history and prioritisation of health education and particular health topics. This has implications for tertiary music education providers regarding policies for the integration of health education into the curriculum.
A corpus-based study on the “ungrammatical” aren't I
Authors: Xiang Mingyou , Jiang Xiao
Published: September 2024

Concerning the “ungrammatical” interrogative form aren't I, many scholars have made their points. However, these scholars’ arguments are based on their personal observations and few studies have examined this phenomenon against large corpora. This study aimed at investigating the widespread usage of “ungrammatical” contraction form aren't I in question tags from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. Based on large corpora, this study showed a clear picture of the current frequency of use of the question tags aren't I and other alternatives (amn't I, ain't I, am I not and an't I) in modern English. From a qualitative perspective, this study found that the reason why aren't I has taken hold as a recognized standard form around the globe lies in that the use of aren't I appears to be a smart coincidence to imply the potential double roles of “I” as both the addresser and the addressee in a monologue. In addition, the fact of the matter that amn't I is difficult to pronounce, am I not is bookish, an't I is old-fashioned and ain't I can only be used in informal situations, increases the popularity of aren't I. The findings of this study can justify the usage of “ungrammatical” aren't I as a natural norm in both British English and American English. These findings open new research avenues alongside pedagogical and sociolinguistic implications for other similar “ungrammatical” language phenomenon.
Local geometric properties of conductive transmission eigenfunctions and applications
Authors: Diao Huaian , Fei Xiaoxu , Liu Hongyu
Published: September 2024

The purpose of the paper is twofold. First, we show that partial-data transmission eigenfunctions associated with a conductive boundary condition vanish locally around a polyhedral or conic corner in

$\mathbb{R}^n$

,

$n=2,3$

. Second, we apply the spectral property to the geometrical inverse scattering problem of determining the shape as well as its boundary impedance parameter of a conductive scatterer, independent of its medium content, by a single far-field measurement. We establish several new unique recovery results. The results extend the relevant ones in [26] in two directions: first, we consider a more general geometric setup where both polyhedral and conic corners are investigated, whereas in [26] only polyhedral corners are concerned; second, we significantly relax the regularity assumptions in [26] which is particularly useful for the geometrical inverse problem mentioned above. We develop novel technical strategies to achieve these new results.
Recent distribution and population trends for Secretarybirds Sagittarius serpentarius in South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini from citizen science data
Authors: Brink Christiaan Willem , Lee Alan Tristram Kenneth , Priyadarshani Dinusha , Hwang Wen-Han , Retief Ernst , Chetty Kishaylin , Whitecross Melissa Andrea
Published: September 2024

The Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius is a charismatic raptor of the grasslands and open savannas of Africa. Evidence of widespread declines across the continent has led to the assessment that the species is at risk of becoming extinct. Southern Africa was identified as a remaining stronghold for the species, but the status of this population requires reassessment. To determine the status of the species in South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini, we analysed data from a citizen science project, the Southern African Bird Atlas Project (SABAP). We implemented novel time-to-detection modelling, as well as summarisation of changes in reporting rates, using standard metrics, to determine the trajectory of the population. To cross-validate our findings, we used data from another citizen science project, the Coordinated Avifaunal Roadcounts (CAR) project. While our results were in agreement with previous studies that have reported significant declines when comparing SABAP1 (1987–1992) and SABAP2 (2007 and onwards), all analysis pathways that examined data within the SABAP2 period only, as well as CAR data from this period, failed to show an alarming declining trend over this more recent time period. We did, however, find some evidence for decreases in Secretarybird abundance in urban grid cells. We used random forest models to predict probability of occurrence, as well as probability of abundance (reporting rates) for the assessed region and provided population estimates based on these analysis pathways. Continued monitoring and conservation efforts are required to guard this population stronghold.
List packing number of bounded degree graphs
Authors: Cambie Stijn , Cames van Batenburg Wouter , Davies Ewan , Kang Ross J.
Published: September 2024

We investigate the list packing number of a graph, the least
$k$
such that there are always
$k$
disjoint proper list-colourings whenever we have lists all of size
$k$
associated to the vertices. We are curious how the behaviour of the list packing number contrasts with that of the list chromatic number, particularly in the context of bounded degree graphs. The main question we pursue is whether every graph with maximum degree
$\Delta$
has list packing number at most
$\Delta +1$
. Our results highlight the subtleties of list packing and the barriers to, for example, pursuing a Brooks’-type theorem for the list packing number.
On the Ramsey numbers of daisies II
Authors: Sales Marcelo
Published: September 2024

A
$(k+r)$
-uniform hypergraph
$H$
on
$(k+m)$
vertices is an
$(r,m,k)$
-daisy if there exists a partition of the vertices
$V(H)=K\cup M$
with
$|K|=k$
,
$|M|=m$
such that the set of edges of
$H$
is all the
$(k+r)$
-tuples
$K\cup P$
, where
$P$
is an
$r$
-tuple of
$M$
. We obtain an
$(r-2)$
-iterated exponential lower bound to the Ramsey number of an
$(r,m,k)$
-daisy for
$2$
-colours. This matches the order of magnitude of the best lower bounds for the Ramsey number of a complete
$r$
-graph.
A quantitative general equilibrium approach to migration, remittances, and brain drain
Authors: Cespedes-Reynaga Nikita
Published: September 2024

The international migration literature has highlighted four key stylized facts from the perspective of the source country: (i) Migration rates are notably high, with some nations seeing over ten percent of their population living abroad. (ii) Certain developing countries have witnessed a significant exodus of skilled workers, commonly referred to as brain drain, spanning several decades. (iii) Migrants often maintain strong ties to their country of origin, evidenced by the substantial remittances they send back to their relatives. (iv) Migration is not necessarily permanent, as a considerable number of individuals return to their home country after a period spent abroad. In this paper, we present a theoretical model that endogenously explains these facts. Our model allows us to explore key issues in migration literature from a theoretical standpoint. We analyze the general equilibrium effects of migration, its long-term implications, and its welfare consequences. Additionally, we investigate whether the combined impact of return migration and remittances can counterbalance the effects of skilled migration. Finally, we evaluate the efficacy of policy interventions designed to mitigate the adverse effects of brain drain.
US trade policy and public health: heterogeneous effects from the North American Free Trade Agreement
Authors: Adu Derick T. , Sawadgo Wendiam P.M. , Li Wenying
Published: September 2024

Objective:

To investigate the causal link between the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) unrestricted sugar trade agreement signed in 2008 between the USA and Mexico and the diabetes prevalence across all fifty US states.

Design:

A quasi-experimental research design to investigate the causal effect of the NAFTA unrestricted sugar trade agreement on diabetes prevalence. Our study utilises a comprehensive panel dataset spanning from 2000 to 2016, comprising 1054 observations. To conduct our analysis, we applied both the difference-in-differences and event-study methodologies.

Setting:

All the states in the USA.

Participants:

The fifty states in the USA.

Results:

After the enactment of the NAFTA sugar trade agreement between the USA and Mexico in 2008, most states witnessed an increase in diabetes prevalence. The annual impacts displayed significant variation among states, with percentage increases spanning from 0·50 to 2·28 %.

Conclusions:

States with a higher percentage of their population living below the poverty line, a larger Black resident population and a lower proportion of high school graduates had more significant increases in diabetes prevalence attributed to the NAFTA sugar trade agreement.
‘Broken souls’ vs. ‘mad ax man’ – changes in the portrayal of depression and schizophrenia in the German media over 10 years
Authors: Sittner M. , Rechenberg T. , Speerforck S. , Angermeyer M.C , Schomerus G.
Published: September 2024

Aims

Population studies show the stigma of depression to diminish, while the stigma of schizophrenia increases. To find out whether this widening gap is reflected in the media portrayal of both disorders, this study compares the portrayal of depression and schizophrenia in German print media in 2010 vs. 2020.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative content analysis using a mixed deductive-inductive approach to establish a category system. In total, we analyzed 854 articles with the summative approach by Mayring.

Results

The study found a widening gap in the portrayal of schizophrenia and depression in German media between 2010 and 2020. Schizophrenia was depicted increasingly negative between 2010 and 2020, covering more negative stereotypes and focusing on its biological causes. Depression received increased attention and more neutral and professional coverage, with a greater emphasis on psychosocial causes and discussion of treatment options.

Conclusions

By showing a widening gap the study highlights how media may shape public views on mental illnesses and reflects public attitudes at the same time. Media analyses from other nations have shown similar trends. This emphasizes the need for responsible reporting to combat stigma and promote understanding worldwide. Therefore, the authors recommend a balanced coverage that includes accurate professional information about all mental illnesses.
This Drum Is Not the Devil’s Instrument: The Development and Performance of Drum Tunes in Norwegian Folk Music
Authors: MISTEREGGEN BIRGER , WAADELAND CARL HAAKON
Published: September 2024

Trommeslåtter (drum tunes) have played a vital role in Norwegian traditional music for several hundred years. This article examines the development and performance of drum tunes in Norway, with a special focus on the work of Johannes Sundvor in transcribing drum music. We present several examples and analyse tunes from Sundvor’s collection. We also demonstrate how this Norwegian drum tradition is related to a tradition of European military drumming. The article concludes with a discussion of aspects of interpretation and an outline of the status of drum tunes today.
Scaling the Diurnal Mixing/Mixed Layer Depth in the Tropical Ocean: A Case Study in the South China Sea
Authors: Cao Zhiyong , Liu Zhiyu , Wang Dong , Wang Jianing , Lin Hongyang , Zhang Fangtao
Published: September 2024

The diurnal cycling of the surface mixing/mixed layer (ML) depth, air‐sea heat flux, and vertical profiles of the temperature and turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate in the tropical central South China Sea was observed in summer (June 2017) and winter (January 2018). In the daytime, solar heating warmed and stabilized the ML, and the thickness of the ML can be well characterized by the Zilitinkevich scale as noted in previous studies. By contrast, in the nighttime the ML was deepened by convective turbulence generated by surface cooling. Guided by these observations, we have derived a simple scaling for the nighttime deepening of the ML by simplifying the classic Kraus‐Turner type model. We show that the variation of the ML depth can be scaled by a function of the wind speed, air‐sea heat flux and the temporal variation of the sea surface temperature, all of which are observable variables at the sea surface. It is found that the scaling works well in reproducing observed variations of the ML depth from hydrographic data. As such, this study advances our understanding of the response of the upper ocean to atmospheric forcing and provides a simple way for predicting the ML depth with solely surface observations.
Low‐Profile Miniaturized Wideband Circularly Polarized Monopole and MIMO Antennas Using Characteristic Mode Analysis for Wireless Communication
Authors: Ding Z. , Cao J. , Yu J. , Nasimuddin Nasimuddin , Chia M. Y. , Fei S. , Wang H.
Published: September 2024

Low‐profile miniaturized wideband circularly polarized (CP) monopole and multiple‐input‐multiple‐output (MIMO) antennas using characteristic mode analysis (CMA) are presented. The antennas are constructed with a microstrip feeding line, a slot, and a branch, which positions the transmission line perpendicularly to the branch to achieve CP. The CP characteristic is realized through a characteristic angle (CA) difference of approximately 90° at three mode significance (MS) intersections across four modes. CMA provides both theoretical analysis and design guidance for these antennas. The antennas were fabricated and tested, with dimensions of 0.48λ₀ × 0.48λ₀ × 0.03λ₀ and 0.47λ₀ × 0.47λ₀ × 0.03λ₀, where λ₀ represents the free‐space wavelength. Measurements indicate that the monopole antenna achieves a −10 dB impedance bandwidth (IBW) from 3.2 to 8.4 GHz (89.7% relative bandwidth), a 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth (ARBW) from 3.6 to 5.1 GHz (34.5%), and a peak gain of 6.6 dBic. The MIMO antenna has a −10 dB IBW from 3.1 to 8.2 GHz (90.3%), a 3 dB ARBW from 3.2 to 6 GHz (60.9%), and a peak gain of 5.1 dBic. Both antennas feature a low profile, ultra‐wideband IBW, broadband ARBW, and miniaturized design, making them suitable for wideband wireless communication applications.
Mediative role of body mass index in cardiorespiratory fitness-associated vascular remodeling in youth
Authors: Semmler Luisa , Baumgartner Lisa , Weberruß Heidi , Pirzer Raphael , Oberhoffer-Fritz Renate
Published: September 2024

Background

Data on fitness-associated arterial remodeling in children is limited. We assessed the relation between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and intima-media thickness (IMT), diameter, IMT:diameter-ratio (IDR), and tensile stress of the common carotid artery (CCA) in 697 healthy German schoolchildren. Further, we explored how body mass index (BMI) may influence these associations.

Methods

We measured the vascular parameters with a high-resolution ultrasound device. We determined CRF using the FITNESSGRAM® PACER test and calculated each child’s allometrically scaled peak oxygen uptake capacity (VO2peak).

Results

VO2peak, reflecting CRF, showed positive direct effects on IMT (girls: p < 0.001; boys: p = 0.02) and diameter in girls (p < 0.001). Considering BMI as a mediator, higher CRF was indirectly linked to decreases in IMT (girls: p = 0.04; boys: p = 0.02) and diameter (both p < 0.001), reflecting a competitive mediation. CRF indirectly mitigated the BMI-associated decrease in IDR (both p < 0.001) and increase in tensile stress (both p < 0.001) without affecting any of these parameters directly.

Conclusion

CRF appears to be linked to uniform arterial remodeling with balanced hemodynamics and to further alleviate BMI-associated, potentially adverse vascular alterations, highlighting its significant role in cardiovascular health in youth.

Impact

Data on CRF-associated arterial remodeling in youth is limited.

Higher VO2peak, reflecting higher CRF, was positively associated with IMT in girls and boys and diameter in girls. These direct effects were counteracted by the indirect BMI-mediated effect of CRF on IMT and diameter, reflecting a competitive mediation.

A higher CRF indirectly mitigated the BMI-associated decrease in IDR and increase in tensile stress without directly affecting any of these parameters.

Our findings indicate homogenous remodeling and balanced hemodynamics with increasing CRF—and opposite effects with increasing BMI.
Three-dimensional wave breaking
Authors: McAllister M. L. , Draycott S. , Calvert R. , Davey T. , Dias F. , van den Bremer T. S.
Published: September 2024

Although a ubiquitous natural phenomenon, the onset and subsequent process of surface wave breaking are not fully understood. Breaking affects how steep waves become and drives air–sea exchanges1. Most seminal and state-of-the-art research on breaking is underpinned by the assumption of two-dimensionality, although ocean waves are three dimensional. We present experimental results that assess how three-dimensionality affects breaking, without putting limits on the direction of travel of the waves. We show that the breaking-onset steepness of the most directionally spread case is double that of its unidirectional counterpart. We identify three breaking regimes. As directional spreading increases, horizontally overturning ‘travelling-wave breaking’ (I), which forms the basis of two-dimensional breaking, is replaced by vertically jetting ‘standing-wave breaking’ (II). In between, ‘travelling-standing-wave breaking’ (III) is characterized by the formation of vertical jets along a fast-moving crest. The mechanisms in each regime determine how breaking limits steepness and affects subsequent air–sea exchanges. Unlike in two dimensions, three-dimensional wave-breaking onset does not limit how steep waves may become, and we produce directionally spread waves 80% steeper than at breaking onset and four times steeper than equivalent two-dimensional waves at their breaking onset. Our observations challenge the validity of state-of-the-art methods used to calculate energy dissipation and to design offshore structures in highly directionally spread seas.
Emissions-weighted carbon price: sources and methods
Authors: Dolphin Geoffroy , Merkle Magnus
Published: September 2024

This note describes the sources and methods used to calculate the emissions-weighted carbon price (ECP), the average price applied to CO2 emissions across all sources of emissions within a territorial jurisdiction by all carbon pricing mechanisms in force. It provides a transparent summary of the stringency of carbon pricing mechanisms in force within a given jurisdiction and allows for a straightforward comparison of that stringency across jurisdictions. It also describes the methodology behind two closely connected calculations: (i) sector-level carbon prices (by IPCC categories of emissions by sources and by categories of economic activity, respectively), (ii) industry- and country-level carbon costs.
Stability of electrocatalytic OER: from principle to application
Authors: Li HuangJingWei , Lin Yu , Duan Junyuan , Wen Qunlei , Liu Youwen , Zhai Tianyou
Published: September 2024

A comprehensive summary of the stability of electrocatalytic OER will provide insight into electrocatalyst design and device optimization for industrial applications.
Exploring aromatic rings with planar tetracoordinate group 13–15 atoms
Authors: Sacanamboy Dumer S. , Gamero-Begazo Pamela L. , Parco-Valencia Kevin E. , Inostroza Diego , Ruiz Lina , Leyva-Parra Luis , Merino Gabriel , Tiznado William
Published: September 2024

This study introduces systems with planar tetracoordinate group 13–15 atoms (E) in pentagonal C4H2E rings bridged by Si or Ge.
Base-promoted multicomponent synthesis of 1,2,4-triazole-based hybrids from 1,3-diones, β-nitrostyrenes, and hydrazones
Authors: Sreelekha Mariswamy K. , Jijin Robert K. , Nayak Kalinga H. , Babu Beneesh P.
Published: September 2024

Herein, we report a metal-free, base-promoted route for the synthesis of hybrid molecular scaffolds in which various 1,3-diones and 1,2,4-triazoles are linked by a benzyl bridge.
Ambient electrosynthesis of urea with nitrate and carbon dioxide over a CuRu alloy catalyst
Authors: Liu Jiafang , Zhang Shengbo , Jiang Yong , Li Wenyi , Jin Meng , Ding Jun , Zhang Yunxia , Wang Guozhong , Zhang Haimin
Published: September 2024

We have successfully prepared CuRu alloy nanoparticles on carbonized cellulose for efficient electrocatalytic urea synthesis.
Enhanced photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin by SiNWs@PANI composites
Authors: Sun Qingan , Qian Sen , Rong Zhenzhou , Song Yongli , Qiao Fen , Li Haitao , Liu Yanzhen
Published: September 2024

SiNWs@PANI synthesized via in situ polymerization optimized for CIP photocatalysis. Optimal catalyst selectivity, PANI content, and solution pH maximized performance, achieving 91.54% CIP removal.
Study on the design and construction of β-ZnMoO4 microstructures and their enhanced electrochemical performance as anodes for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Gong Piyu , Hu Mengwen , Zheng Yihao , Tao Shuo , Li Haibo , Zeng Suyuan , Wang Lei
Published: September 2024

Two β-ZnMoO4 microstructures were prepared by one hydrothermal method, which delivered the reversible capacities of 665.5 and 704.6 mA h g−1 after 500 cycles at 2.0 A g−1. The intrinsic parallelogram open channels contribute to the lithium storage.
Si@SbN: a promising solar photocatalyst for the reduction of NO
Authors: Yang Lei , Fan Jiake , Zhu Weihua
Published: September 2024

Si@SbN, a highly promising visible-light photocatalyst for the NO reduction reaction (NORR), was studied by performing first-principles calculations.
Heteroatom-vacancy centres in molecular nanodiamonds: a computational study of organic molecules possessing triplet ground states through σ-overlap
Authors: Macarios Colette Maya , Pittner Jiří , Prasad Viki Kumar , Fekl Ulrich
Published: September 2024

Can doped nanodiamonds with a central vacancy be small-molecule-sized and still retain a desirable triplet ground state? Computational results are encouraging for doped and hollow decamantane derivatives of C3v symmetry.
In situ characterization techniques of protein corona around nanomaterials
Authors: Fu Fangqin , Crespy Daniel , Landfester Katharina , Jiang Shuai
Published: September 2024

We discuss here the in situ characterization methods for unraveling nanoparticle–protein interactions, highlighting the challenges of in situ protein corona characterization and its significance for nanomedicine development and clinical translation.
Investigating water quality and preservation strategies in Abuja's distribution system: a Nigerian case study
Authors: Kulmedov Begmyrat , Akaiku Lucy Achobe , Mogbo Onyebuchi Nwabueze
Published: September 2024

The study explores how treated water quality degrades during distribution due to pipe material release and biofilm formation, with a focus on intermittent supply systems and the decreasing effectiveness of disinfectants.
Biodegradable polymers: from synthesis methods to applications of lignin-graft-polyester
Authors: Kim Sundol , Chung Hoyong
Published: September 2024

Biodegradable lignin-based grafted polyesters have wide range of applications.
Halide-free and metal-free allylic thiolation/selenation of P(O)H compounds with sulfur/selenium and allylic alcohols
Authors: Zhu Longzhi , Luo Weiwei , Guo Furong , Chen Lin , Tang Ying , Xiong Biquan , Liu Yu , Tang Ke-Wen , Qiu Renhua
Published: September 2024

A halide- and metal-free method for forming C–S/Se–P(O) bonds using allylic alcohols, P(O)H compounds, and elemental sulfur/selenium is reported, eliminating the need for toxic, odorous, and moisture-sensitive starting materials.
SlipO2Chip – single-cell respiration under tuneable environments
Authors: Cui Yuan , Moreira Milena De Albuquerque , Whalen Kristen E. , Barbe Laurent , Shi Qian , Koren Klaus , Tenje Maria , Behrendt Lars
Published: September 2024

In disciplines like toxicology and pharmacology, oxygen (O2) respiration is a universal metric for evaluating the effects of chemicals across various model systems, including mammalian and microalgal cells.
Utilization of microdroplets as optical lenses for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) enhancement on localized silver nanoparticle-decorated porous silicon substrates
Authors: Tsao Chia-Wen , Yang Zi-Yi
Published: September 2024

We demonstrate the use of a microdroplet as an optical lens positioned on a localized silver nanoparticle-decorated porous silicon (LocAg-PS) surface for enhanced surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) analysis.
Al-alkyl borate salt cocatalysts for olefin polymerization: exploration of N-donor ligand variations
Authors: Urciuoli Gaia , Zaccaria Francesco , Zuccaccia Cristiano , Cipullo Roberta , Budzelaar Peter H. M. , Tensi Leonardo , Vittoria Antonio , Ehm Christian , Macchioni Alceo , Busico Vincenzo
Published: September 2024

The stability and reactivity of {[iBu2(L)Al]2(μ-H)}+[B(C6F5)4]− (AlHAl), recently identified as a promising cocatalyst for olefin polymerization, can be modulated by varying the structure of the neutral N-donor (L).
Visible light-induced aerobic photooxidative cleavage of C(sp3)–C(sp2) σ-bonds of allylarenes
Authors: Tang Jinyu , Zhao Xi , Ni Jinxuan , Huo Yanping , Gao Yang , Li Xianwei , Liu Yan , Maruoka Keiji , Chen Qian
Published: September 2024

A cleavage of C(sp3)–C(sp2) σ-bonds of allylarenes to aromatic aldehydes and ketones has been achieved via a visible light-induced photocatalysis.
A pillar[5]arene-based three-component supramolecular copolymer for the fluorescence detection of spermine
Authors: Mazzaferro Martina , Crisafulli Daniele , Mancuso Francesca , Milone Marco , Puntoriero Fausto , Irto Anna , Patanè Salvatore , Greco Valentina , Giuffrida Alessandro , Pisagatti Ilenia , Notti Anna , Parisi Melchiorre F. , Gattuso Giuseppe
Published: September 2024

A supramolecular copolymer, composed of a bis-pillar[5]arene diacid and complementary alkylidene- and perylene-bisimide-bis-imidazole comonomers, acts as an OFF/ON luminescent sensor for spermine.
Design, synthesis and application of bipyridine-N,N′-dioxide catalysts in asymmetric synthesis of chiral cyclopropanes
Authors: Cao Xiaoying , Tian Xue , Liu Minmin , Li Shi-Wu
Published: September 2024

A novel type of highly efficient chiral C2-symmetric bipyridine-N,N′-dioxide ligands was prepared and successfully applied in the synthesis of optically pure 1,2,3-trisubstituted cyclopropanes.