bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blind classification of e-scooter trips according to their relationship with public transport
Authors: Vinagre Díaz Juan José , Fernández Pozo Rubén , Rodríguez González Ana Belén , Wilby Mark Richard , Anvari Bani
Published: March 2023

E-scooter services have multiplied worldwide as a form of urban transport. Their use has grown so quickly that policymakers and researchers still need to understand their interrelation with other transport modes. At present, e-scooter services are primarily seen as a first-and-last-mile solution for public transport. However, we demonstrate that $$50\,\%$$

50

%

of e-scooter trips are either substituting it or covering areas with little public transportation infrastructure. To this end, we have developed a novel data-driven methodology that autonomously classifies e-scooter trips according to their relation to public transit. Instead of predefined design criteria, the blind nature of our approach extracts the city’s intrinsic parameters from real data. We applied this methodology to Rome (Italy), and our findings reveal that e-scooters provide specific mobility solutions in areas with particular needs. Thus, we believe that the proposed methodology will contribute to the understanding of e-scooter services as part of shared urban mobility.
Positive Solutions of the $\mathcal {A}$-Laplace Equation with a Potential
Authors: Hou Yongjun , Pinchover Yehuda , Rasila Antti
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we study positive solutions of the quasilinear elliptic equation
$$ \begin{array}{@{}rcl@{}} Q^{\prime}_{p,\mathcal{A},V}[u]\triangleq -\text{div} {\mathcal{A}(x,\nabla u)}+V(x)|u|^{p-2}u=0, \end{array} $$

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=
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in a domain ${\Omega }\subseteq \mathbb {R}^{n}$
Ω
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, where n ≥ 2, $1< p <\infty $
1
<
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, the divergence of $\mathcal {A}$
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is the well known $\mathcal {A}$
A
-Laplace operator considered in the influential book of Heinonen, Kilpeläinen, and Martio, and the potential V belongs to a certain local Morrey space. The main aim of the paper is to extend criticality theory to the operator $Q^{\prime }_{p,\mathcal {A},V}$

Q

p
,
A
,
V

′

. In particular, we prove an Agmon-Allegretto-Piepenbrink (AAP) type theorem, establish the uniqueness and simplicity of the principal eigenvalue of $Q^{\prime }_{p,\mathcal {A},V}$

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p
,
A
,
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in a domain $\omega \Subset {\Omega }$
ω
⋐
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, and give various characterizations of criticality. Furthermore, we also study positive solutions of the equation $Q^{\prime }_{p,\mathcal {A},V}[u]=0$

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,
V

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[
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=
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of minimal growth at infinity in Ω, the existence of a minimal positive Green function, and the minimal decay at infinity of Hardy-weights.
Within-field yield stability and gross margin variations across corn fields and implications for precision conservation
Authors: Adhikari Kabindra , Smith Douglas R. , Hajda Chad , Kharel Tulsi P.
Published: March 2023

Soil spatial variability is a primary contributor to within-field yield variation across farms. Spatio-temporal yield stability and variability can be assessed through multi-year yield monitor data and geostatistical techniques. Our objective was to delineate yield stability zones using multi-year yield data coupled with gross margins to plan precision conservation prescriptions. This study employed corn yield measurements from 2018, 2019, 2020 and farm economics data to compile yield stability and gross margin maps for nine Texas Blackland Prairie corn fields, and identified nonprofitable areas in each field that may be unsuitable for crop production. Yield stability zones were delineated using mean and coefficient of variation of multi-year yield maps (Zone A: high yield, stable; Zone B: high yield, unstable; Zone C: low yield, unstable; and Zone D: low yield, stable). Approximately 57% of the area in the fields was classified as unstable and, nearly 29% of the area yielded consistently below the field mean (Zone D). Gross margin for stability zones ranged from − $693 to $775/ha. Stability zones A and B generally had positive gross margins, whereas zones C and D had negative margins. Based on yield and gross margin assessment, yield stability zone D could be removed from row crop production. As a part of the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research Network Common Cropland Experiment, Zone D was removed from production (fields Y-8 and Y-13) or received reduced inputs (field SW-16 and W-13). Further study is needed to verify the farm-level economic benefits to producers and to evaluate the environmental benefits of precision conservation.
Biologically inspired robotic perception-action for soft fruit harvesting in vertical growing environments
Authors: Wang Fuli , Urquizo Rodolfo Cuan , Roberts Penelope , Mohan Vishwanathan , Newenham Chris , Ivanov Andrey , Dowling Robin
Published: March 2023

Multiple interlinked factors like demographics, migration patterns, and economics are presently leading to the critical shortage of labour available for low-skilled, physically demanding tasks like soft fruit harvesting. This paper presents a biomimetic robotic solution covering the full ‘Perception-Action’ loop targeting harvesting of strawberries in a state-of-the-art vertical growing environment. The novelty emerges from both dealing with crop/environment variance as well as configuring the robot action system to deal with a range of runtime task constraints. Unlike the commonly used deep neural networks, the proposed perception system uses conditional Generative Adversarial Networks to identify the ripe fruit using synthetic data. The network can effectively train the synthetic data using the image-to-image translation concept, thereby avoiding the tedious work of collecting and labelling the real dataset. Once the harvest-ready fruit is localised using point cloud data generated by a stereo camera, our platform’s action system can coordinate the arm to reach/cut the stem using the Passive Motion Paradigm framework inspired by studies on neural control of movement in the brain. Results from field trials for strawberry detection, reaching/cutting the stem of the fruit, and extension to analysing complex canopy structures/bimanual coordination (searching/picking) are presented. While this article focuses on strawberry harvesting, ongoing research towards adaptation of the architecture to other crops such as tomatoes and sweet peppers is briefly described.
The Association Between Facilitator Competent Adherence and Outcomes in Parenting Programs: a Systematic Review and SWiM Analysis
Authors: Martin M. , Steele B. , Spreckelsen T. F. , Lachman J. M. , Gardner F. , Shenderovich Y.
Published: March 2023

There is increasing interest about the fidelity with which interventions are implemented because it is theorized that better implementation fidelity by facilitators is associated with better participant outcomes. However, in the parenting program literature, there is mixed evidence on the relationship between implementation fidelity and outcomes. This paper provides a synthesis of the evidence on the relationship between facilitator delivery and outcomes in the parenting program literature. Following PRISMA guidelines, this paper synthesizes the results of a systematic review of studies on parenting programs aiming to reduce violence against children and child behavior problems. Specifically, it examines associations between observational measures of facilitator competent adherence and parent and child outcomes. A meta-analysis was not feasible due to study heterogeneity. As a result, Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis guidelines were followed. Searches in electronic databases, reference searching, forward citation tracking, and expert input identified 9653 articles. After screening using pre-specified criteria, 18 articles were included. The review found that most studies (n = 13) reported a statistically significant positive relationship with at least one parent or child outcome. However, eight studies reported inconsistent findings across outcomes, and four studies found no association with outcomes. The results suggest that better facilitator competent adherence is generally associated with positive parent and child outcomes. However, this finding is weakened by the methodological heterogeneity of included studies and due to the wide variety of ways in which studies conceptualized competent adherence-outcome relationships.
Addition and aggregative efficiency
Authors: Färe Rolf , Karagiannis Giannis
Published: March 2023

The aim of this paper is to relate the condition for cost subadditivity to aggregative efficiency. In particular, we verify that subadditivity of the cost function occurs when aggregate cost efficiency is not less than the cost efficiency of the average production unit. This provides a simple way of examining the potential of merging two or more firms and of making inference about the extent of industry concentration. It also provides a simple nonparametric test for subadditivity of the cost function.
Reliability and validity of PRO-CTCAE® daily reporting with a 24-hour recall period
Authors: Lee M. K. , Basch E. , Mitchell S. A. , Minasian L. M. , Langlais B. T. , Thanarajasingam G. , Ginos B. F. , Rogak L. J. , Mendoza T. R. , Bennett A. V. , Schrag D. , Mazza G. L. , Dueck A. C.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The standard recall period for the patient-reported outcomes version of the common terminology criteria for adverse events (PRO-CTCAE®) is the past 7 days, but there are contexts where a 24-hour recall may be desirable. The purpose of this analysis was to investigate the reliability and validity of a subset of PRO-CTCAE items captured using a 24-hour recall.

Methods

27 PRO-CTCAE items representing 14 symptomatic adverse events (AEs) were collected using both a 24-hour recall (24 h) and the standard 7 day recall (7d) in a sample of patients receiving active cancer treatment (n = 113). Using data captured with a PRO-CTCAE-24h on days 6 and 7, and 20 and 21, we computed intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC); an ICC ≥ 0.70 was interpreted as demonstrating high test–retest reliability. Correlations between PRO-CTCAE-24h items on day 7 and conceptually relevant EORTC QLQ-C30 domains were examined. In responsiveness analysis, patients were deemed changed if they had a one-point or greater change in the corresponding PRO-CTCAE-7d item (from week 0 to week 1).

Results

PRO-CTCAE-24h captured on two consecutive days demonstrated that 21 of 27 items (78%) had ICCs ≥ 0.70 (day 6/7 median ICC 0.76), (day 20/21 median ICC 0.84). Median correlation between attributes within a common AE was 0.75, and the median correlation between conceptually relevant EORTC QLQ-C30 domains and PRO-CTCAE-24 h items captured on day 7 was 0.44. In the analysis of responsiveness to change, the median standardized response mean (SRM) for patients with improvement was − 0.52 and that for patients with worsening was 0.71.

Conclusion

A 24-hour recall period for PRO-CTCAE items has acceptable measurement properties and can inform day-to-day variations in symptomatic AEs when daily PRO-CTCAE administration is implemented in a clinical trial.
Akan folklore as a philosophical framework for education in Ghana
Authors: Amponsah Samuel
Published: March 2023

Philosophies of education serve as frameworks for producing lifelong learners and a knowledgeable and skilled human workforce who brace up their societies for changes in the 21st century. However, the Ghanaian education system continues to relegate its rich Indigenous philosophies to the back burner, favouring Western educational philosophies to drive its educational policies and practices. Ghana cannot continue to pursue a lifelong education agenda by relying on education that is entirely centred on foreign cultural values. The author of this article argues that lifelong education in Ghana needs to incorporate more elements of an authentic Ghanaian framework. Based on the view that a connection between education, culture and development in Ghana is imperative, he thus analyses the educational strengths of African folklore from the Akan ethnic group of Ghana. His conclusion is that aspects of Akan folklore, including its stories and proverbs, its kinship rights and rules, its moral codes, its corporate and humanistic perspective, present a viable alternative and complement to the country’s current westernised education. The author therefore proposes an enhanced Ghanaian framework for education which takes on board Akan philosophy and pedagogy. This will be beneficial for promoting quality and lifelong education in the country and serve the common good of Ghanaians.
Transport endowment, knowledge spillovers and firm performance in emerging economies
Authors: Bergantino Angela Stefania , Capozza Claudia , Spiru Ada
Published: March 2023

This work explores the link between firm performance in emerging economies and transport infrastructure endowment, as a key element of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. We ground on the idea that transport infrastructures, by enabling connectivity, interactions and the exchange of knowledge and ideas, have the potential to enhance commercial opportunity recognition, technological development and, thus, firm economic performance. We also emphasize the crucial role of logistics system performance in providing better linkages between suppliers, firms and customers. The empirical analysis is focused on emerging economies whose infrastructure endowment is lower than those of developed ones; thus, its improvement is likely to be associated with better performance of their firms and economies. The results suggest that part of country-level differences in firm’s labour productivity is explained by transport endowment. Particularly, transport networks, such as roads and railways, and the logistics system and services show strong and positive relationships with productivity, while transport nodes, such as airports and ports, show little or no association. This might occur because networks spread knowledge spillovers in a more capillary way compared to nodes. Overall, the empirical results suggest that policy-makers in emerging economies can sustain the economic performance of firms, with beneficial effects on the economic system, by improving their transport endowment.
‘Vulnerable Monsters’: Constructions of Dementia in the Australian Royal Commission into Aged Care
Authors: Chelberg Kristina
Published: March 2023

This paper argues that while regulatory frameworks in aged care authorise restraints to protect vulnerable persons living with dementia from harm, they also serve as normalising practices to control challenging monstrous Others. This argument emerges out of an observed unease in aged care discourse where older people living with dementia are described as ‘vulnerable’, while dementia behaviours are described as ‘challenging’. Using narrative analysis on a case study from the Final Report of the Australian Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (RCAC), this paper investigates how the RCAC (re)produced constructions of persons with dementia as ‘vulnerable monsters’. Drawing upon monstrous theory about ‘unruly and leaky’ bodies, extracts from the case study reveal how the RCAC repeated and reinforced monstrous constructions of dementia. Dementia behaviours, particularly ‘wandering’, were constructed through a dehumanising crisis frame that produced ‘challenging’ bodies and legitimised ‘last resort’ normalising practices, such as physical and chemical restraints. In failing to resist monstrous constructions of dementia behaviours, the RCAC accepted and authorised a regime of scaled responses leading to restrictive practices for control of challenging bodies in aged care. Although dementia care and restrictive practices received substantial attention in the RCAC, this paper reveals a missed opportunity for deeper review of institutionalised use of restraints that has relevance for ongoing reform of Australian aged care following conclusion of the RCAC.
Critical ordinary language philosophy: A new project in experimental philosophy
Authors: Fischer Eugen
Published: March 2023

Several important philosophical problems (including the problems of perception, free will, and scepticism) arise from antinomies that are developed through philosophical paradoxes. The critical strand of ordinary language philosophy (OLP), as practiced by J.L. Austin, provides an approach to such ‘antinomic problems’ that proceeds from an examination of ‘ordinary language’ (how people ordinarily talk about the phenomenon of interest) and ‘common sense’ (what they commonly think about it), and deploys findings to show that the problems at issue are artefacts of fallacious reasoning. The approach is capable, and in need of, empirical development. Proceeding from a case-study on Austin’s paradigmatic treatment of the problem of perception, this paper identifies the key empirical assumptions informing the approach, assesses them in the light of empirical findings about default inferences, contextualisation failures, and belief fragmentation, and explores how these findings can be deployed to address the problem of perception. This facilitates a novel resolution of the problem of perception. Proceeding from this paradigm, the paper proposes ‘experimental critical OLP’ as a new research program in experimental philosophy that avoids apparent non-sequiturs of OLP, extends and transforms experimental philosophy’s ‘sources program’, and provides a promising new strategy for deploying empirical findings about how people ordinarily talk and think about phenomena, to address longstanding philosophical problems.
Deepfakes and the epistemic apocalypse
Authors: Habgood-Coote Joshua
Published: March 2023

It is widely thought that deepfake videos are a significant and unprecedented threat to our epistemic practices. In some writing about deepfakes, manipulated videos appear as the harbingers of an unprecedented epistemic apocalypse. In this paper I want to take a critical look at some of the more catastrophic predictions about deepfake videos. I will argue for three claims: (1) that once we recognise the role of social norms in the epistemology of recordings, deepfakes are much less concerning, (2) that the history of photographic manipulation reveals some important precedents, correcting claims about the novelty of deepfakes, and (3) that proposed solutions to deepfakes have been overly focused on technological interventions. My overall goal is not so much to argue that deepfakes are not a problem, but to argue that behind concerns around deepfakes lie a more general class of social problems about the organisation of our epistemic practices.
When the education emphasises empathy: does it predict differences in professional commitment between male and female students in caring education?
Authors: Nesje Kjersti
Published: March 2023

Men are underrepresented in caring degrees such as nursing, teaching and social work. There is a political ambition to attract more men to these educational programmes, in part because of the future, global need for professionals such as nurses and teachers. A common explanation for men not entering these programmes concerns the relational aspects. Care and empathy are important components in caring professions - skills which traditionally have been associated with the female role, and stereotypically viewed as less suitable for men. There has been too little research on how male students that do enter caring degrees evaluate the programmes’ emphasis on empathy, and furthermore whether this relates to their commitment to their future profession. In this study I show that there is no difference between male and female students in reporting that the study programmes have overemphasised empathy. However, reporting that the degree has given excessive weight to empathy is negatively related to commitment to the profession among male students and not among female students.
Sequence-to-Sequence Change-Point Detection in Single-Particle Trajectories via Recurrent Neural Network for Measuring Self-Diffusion
Authors: Martinez Q. , Chen C. , Xia J. , Bahai H.
Published: March 2023

A recurrent neural network is developed for segmenting between anomalous and normal diffusion in single-particle trajectories. Accurate segmentation infers a distinct change point that is used to approximate an Einstein linear regime in the mean-squared displacement curve via the transition density function, a unique physical descriptor for short-lived and delayed transiency. Through several artificial and simulated scenarios, we demonstrate the compelling accuracy of our model for dissecting linear and nonlinear behaviour. The inherent practicality of our model lies in its ability to substantiate the self-diffusion coefficient through offline trajectory segmentation, which is opposed to the common ‘best-guess’ linear fitting standard. Additionally, we show that the transition density function has fundamental implications and correspondence to underlying mechanisms that influence transition. In particular, we show that the known proportionality between salt concentration and diffusion of water also influences delayed anomalous behaviour.
Foam Propagation with Flow Reversal
Authors: Torres-Ulloa Carlos , Grassia Paul
Published: March 2023

With a view towards modelling the foam improved oil recovery process, fractional flow theory is used to study the dynamics of a foam as it propagates in a porous medium that is initially filled with liquid. In particular, a case is studied whereby, at a certain time, the net pressure driving the foam is decreased below the hydrostatic pressure at depth, leading to a local change in the flow direction. This is known as flow reversal. In both forward and reverse flow, the boundary between foamed gas and liquid is found as a discontinuous jump in liquid saturation. Over a certain thickness in the neighbourhood of this discontinuity, foam is finely textured, and the mobility of foamed gas drops by orders of magnitude relative to either pure gas or pure liquid. In reverse flow, however, the foam mobility itself and also the thickness over which low mobilities apply might differ from the forward flow case. Fractional flow theory reveals that the thickness of the low mobility region, and hence the resistance to motion that it presents, increases directly proportional to the distance travelled. Previous studies recognised this, but assumed the thickness of this region to be just a small fraction of the distance travelled by the discontinuity. Here, however, we demonstrate that the extent of the low mobility region, in both forward and reverse flow, accounts for a considerable fraction of the distance travelled by the foam, despite what was assumed in previous works.
Provocative Insinuations as Hate Speech: Argumentative Functions of Mentioning Ethnicity in Headlines
Authors: Domínguez-Armas Álvaro , Soria-Ruiz Andrés , Lewiński Marcin
Published: March 2023

We explore a particular type of propagandistic message, which we call “provocative insinuation”. For example: ‘Iraqi refugee is convicted in Germany of raping and murdering teenage girl’. Although this sentence seems to merely report a fact, it also conveys a potentially hateful message about Iraqi refugees. We look at the argumentative roles that these utterances play in public discourse. Specifically, we argue that they implicitly address the question of the integration of refugees and migrants, and in fact aim to tilt the audience against these groups by strongly inviting hearers to make generalisations based on “striking” properties. We examine different strategies to counteract the conveyed hateful message.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of community acquired-acute kidney injury
Authors: Tso Maggie , Sud Kamal , Van Connie , Tesfaye Wubshet , Castelino Ronald L.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Published works have reported the impact of a nephrologist intervention on outcomes for patients with hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (HA-AKI), however little is known about the clinical characteristics of patients with community-acquired acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) and the impact of nephrology interventions on outcomes in these patients.

Methods

A retrospective study on all adult patients admitted to a large tertiary care hospital in 2019 who were identified to have CA-AKI were followed from hospital admission to discharge. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of these patients were analysed by receipt of nephrology consultation. Statistical analysis included descriptive, simple Chi-squared/Fischer Exact test, independent samples t-test/Mann–Whitney U test and logistic regression.

Results

182 patients fulfilled the study inclusion criteria. Mean age was 75 ± 14 years, 41% were female, 64% had stage 1 AKI on admission, 35% received nephrology input and 52% had achieved recovery of kidney function by discharge. Higher admission and discharge serum creatinine (SCr) (290.5 vs 159 and 173 vs 109 µmol/L respectively, p =  < 0.001), and younger age (68 vs 79, p =  < 0.001) were associated with nephrology consultations, whilst length of hospitalisation, mortality and rehospitalisation rates were not significantly different between the two groups. At least 65% were recorded to be on at least one nephrotoxic medication.

Conclusion

Our findings provide a snapshot of current practice where close to two-thirds of hospitalised patients with CA-AKI had a mild form of AKI that was associated with good clinical outcomes. While higher SCr on admission and younger age were predictors of receiving a nephrology consultation, nephrology consultations did not have any impact on outcomes.
The dynamics of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in cats naturally exposed to virus reveals an increase in antibody activity after re-infection
Authors: Villanueva-Saz Sergio , Martínez Marivi , Rueda Pablo , Bolea Sara , Pérez María Dolores , Verde Maite , Yzuel Andrés , Hurtado-Guerrero Ramón , Pardo Julián , Santiago Llipsy , Fernández Antonio , Arias Maykel
Published: March 2023

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 is the causative agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in humans. To date, little is known about the persistence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in animals under natural conditions, in particular susceptible pets such as cat. This study reports the detection and monitoring of the humoral response against SARS-CoV-2 including the detection of immunoglobulins G specific for receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and neutralizing antibodies by virus neutralization assay. Results showed that these antibodies last longer than 16 months in two naturally apparently healthy infected cats with the absence of clinicopathological findings during the follow-up. Moreover, re-infection is also possible with an important increase in virus neutralization test titers in both animals with no evident systemic signs found during each physical examination and with values of hematologic and biochemical parameters inside the normal reference intervals. Our results confirm a slow but progressive decrease of the kinetics and immunity of neutralizing antibodies in cats after the infection. Furthermore, similar to humans SARS-CoV-2 reinfection can stimulate an increase of the neutralizing antibodies determined by these two serological techniques in domestic cats.
Improved 3D localization algorithm for large scale wireless sensor networks
Authors: Mani Rahma , Rios-Navarro Antonio , Sevillano-Ramos Jose-Luis , Liouane Noureddine
Published: March 2023

As localization represents the main core of various wireless sensor network applications, several localization algorithms have been suggested in wireless sensor network research. In this article, we put forward an iterative bounding box algorithm enhanced by a Kalman filter to refine the unknown node’s estimated position. In fact, several research efforts are currently in progress to extend the 2D positioning algorithm in WSNs to 3D that reflects reality and the most practical applications. Subsequently, we replace a large number of GPS-equipped anchors with a single mobile anchor. In our studies, we consider the type of range-free sensor network exploiting the wireless sensors connectivity. We assess the performance of our algorithm using exhaustive experiments on several isotropic and anisotropic topologies. Our proposed algorithm can fulfill the joint goals of algorithm transparency and accuracy for various scenarios by evaluating parameters such as localization accuracy whilst changing other simulation parameters such as the effect of communication range, mobile anchor node position and sensor node deployment topology. It has been proven by the results of the experiments that the proposed algorithm effectively reduces the location error without requiring more equipment or increasing the communication cost.
A systematic literature review on greenwashing and its relationship to stakeholders: state of art and future research agenda
Authors: Santos Célia , Coelho Arnaldo , Marques Alzira
Published: March 2023

The interest in greenwashing has grown in recent decades. However, comprehensive, and systematic research concentrating on the evolution of this phenomenon, specifically regarding its impacts on stakeholders, is still needed. The main purpose of this study is to provide an overview and synthesis of the existing body of knowledge on greenwashing, through a bibliometric study of articles published up to 2021, identifying the most relevant research in this field. Special attention is given to the latest articles that link greenwashing to stakeholders, identifying gaps and future research opportunities. A bibliometric analysis and literature review was performed on 310 documents obtained from the Web of Science database, using the VOSviewer software program. This article identifies the most influential aspects of greenwashing literature (authors, articles, journals, institutions, and keyword networks). The most recent articles on the effect of greenwashing on stakeholders were also analyzed, which made it possible to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for future research. These topics include greenwashing impacts on branding, consumer attitudes and intentions, mainly on purchase behavior, B2B relationships and the definition of taxonomy for greenwashing, considering the different practices. This study offers a thorough analysis on the state-of-the-art, as well as a closer look at the impacts of greenwashing on various stakeholders, providing a list of suggestions for future research.
Changes in testicular histomorphometry and ultrastructure of Leydig cells in adult male Japanese quail exposed to di (n-butyl) phthalate (DBP) during the prepubertal period
Authors: Bello Umar M. , Madekurozwa Mary-Cathrine , Groenewald Hermanus B. , Arukwe Augustine , Aire Tom A.
Published: March 2023

Phthalate esters, such as di(n-butyl) phthalate, (DBP), are synthetic chemical pollutants commonly used as plasticizers in the manufacture of plastics. In the present study, we investigated the effects of DBP in the testes of adult male quails (Coturnix cortunix japonica) exposed by oral gavage to variable doses of DBP (0 [control], 1, 10, 50, 200, and 400 mg/kgbw−d), for 30 days during the prepubertal period, using histo-morphometric and ultrastructural techniques. Generally, significant decreases in seminiferous tubular diameter (STD) and epithelial height (SEH) were observed predominantly at the highest DBP doses (200 and 400 mg/kg), as compared to medium (50 mg/kg), and lowest doses (1 and 10 mg/kg) as well as the control group. Ultrastructurally, apparent dose-specific degenerative changes were observed in the Leydig cells. The lowest DBP doses (1 and 10 mg/kg) did not produce significant effects on Leydig cell ultrastructure, whereas, at the highest doses (200 and 400 mg/kg), the Leydig cells were remarkably conspicuous in the interstitium and appeared foamy. There was a preponderance of electron-lucent lipid droplets which crowded out the normal organelles of the cell, as well as increases in the number of dense bodies in the cytoplasm. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (sER) was less obvious, compacted, and wedged between the abundant lipid droplets and mitochondria. Taken together, these findings indicate that pre-pubertal exposure of precocious quail birds to DBP, produced parameter-specific histometric tubular changes, as well as dose-dependent cyto-structural derangement of the Leydig cells; which consequently may lead to overt reproductive impairments in the adult bird in the environment.

Graphical Abstract
Study on hydration mechanism and environmental safety of thermal activated red mud-based cementitious materials
Authors: Zhu Junge , Yue Hongzhi , Ma Laijun , Li Zichao , Bai Rong
Published: March 2023

Red mud (RM) cementitious materials were prepared with the thermally, thermoalkali- or thermocalcium-activated RM, steel slag (SS), and other additives. The effects of different thermal RM activation methods on the cementitious material hydration mechanisms, mechanical properties, and environmental risks were discussed and analyzed. The results showed that the hydration products of different thermally activated RM samples were similar with the main products being C-S–H, tobermorite, and Ca(OH)2. Ca(OH)2 was mainly present in thermally activated RM samples, and the tobermorite was mainly produced by samples prepared with thermoalkali- and the thermocalcium-activated RM. The mechanical properties of the samples prepared by thermally and thermocalcium-activated RM had early-strength properties, while the thermoalkali-activated RM samples were similar to the late-strength type of cement properties. The average flexural strength of thermally and the thermocalcium-activated RM samples at 14 days were 3.75 MPa and 3.87 MPa respectively, whereas, the 1000 °C thermoalkali-activated RM samples only at 28 days was 3.26 MPa; the above data could reach the single flexural strength (3.0 MPa) of the first-grade pavement blocks of the building materials industry standard of the People’s Republic of China-concrete pavement blocks (JC/T446-2000). The optimal preactivated temperature for different thermally activated RM was different; the optimal preactivated temperature for both thermally and thermocalcium-activated RM was 900 °C, and the flexural strength was 4.46 MPa and 4.35 MPa, respectively. However, the optimal preactivated temperature of thermoalkali activated RM at 1000 °C. The 900 °C thermally activated RM samples had better solidified effects for heavy metal elements and alkali substances. 600~800℃ thermoalkali activated RM samples had better solidified effects for heavy metal elements. Different temperatures of thermocalcium-activated RM samples showed different solidified effects on different heavy metal elements, which may be due to the influence of thermocalcium activation temperature on the structural changes of the hydration products of the cementitious samples. In this study, three thermal RM activation methods were proposed, and the co-hydration mechanism and environmental risk study of different thermally activated RM and SS were further elucidated. This not only provides an effective method for the pretreatment and safe utilization of RM, but also facilitates the synergistic resource treatment of solid waste and further promotes the research process of replacing part of traditional cement with solid waste.
The driving factors of corporate carbon emissions: an application of the LASSO model with survey data
Authors: Xia Mengyao , Cai Helen Huifen
Published: March 2023

Corporate carbon performance is a key driver of achieving corporate sustainability. The identification of factors that influence corporate carbon emissions is fundamental to promoting carbon performance. Based on the carbon disclosure project (CDP) database, we integrate the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model and the fixed effects model to identify the determinants of carbon emissions. Furthermore, we rank determining factors according to their importance. We find that Capx enters the models under all carbon contexts. For Scope 1 and Scope 2, financial-level factors play a greater role. For Scope 3, corporate internal incentive policies and emission reduction behaviors are important. Different from absolute carbon emissions, for relative carbon emissions, the financial-level factors’ debt-paying ability is a vital reference indicator for the impact of corporate carbon emissions.
Swimming behaviour as an alternative endpoint to assess differences in abiotic stress sensitivities between strains of Brachionus koreanus (Rotifera: Monogononta)
Authors: Granada Luana , Lemos Marco F. L. , Bossier Peter , Novais Sara C.
Published: March 2023

Brachionus plicatilis is a cosmopolitan rotifer used as a model organism in several research areas and as live food in aquaculture. Being a species complex, responses to stressors vary even among strains of the same species and, thus, the responses of one species are not representative of the whole complex. This study aimed to address the effects of extreme salinity ranges, and different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, copper, cadmium, and chloramphenicol, in two strains of B. koreanus (MRS10 and IBA3) from B. plicatilis species complex, by assessing effects on their survival and swimming capacity. Neonates (0–4 h old) were exposed to the stressors in 48 well-microplates, for 24 and 6 h, to evaluate lethal and behavioural effects, respectively. Tested conditions of chloramphenicol did not show any effects on rotifers. The behavioural endpoint showed to be particularly sensitive to assess the effects of high salinity, hydrogen peroxide, and copper sulfate, as swimming capacity impairment was observed for both strains in the lowest concentrations used in lethal tests. Overall, results showed that IBA3 was more tolerant to the majority of stressors, comparing to MRS10, which may be due to differences in physiological characteristics, highlighting the importance of performing multiclonal experiments. Also, swimming capacity inhibition proved to be a good alternative to the classical lethality tests, being sensitive to lower concentrations and with shorter exposure periods.
Keeping Promises to Supererogate
Authors: Robinson Michael
Published: March 2023

Promises to perform supererogatory actions present an interesting puzzle. On the one hand, this seems like a promise that one should be able to keep simply by performing some good deed or other. On the other hand, the only way to keep it is to do something that exceeds one’s duties. But any good deed that one performs, which might otherwise have been supererogatory, will not go above and beyond what one is morally required to do in such a case because one has an obligation that one does not normally have—namely, an obligation to do something supererogatory. Thus, some scholars have argued that promises of this sort cannot possibly be kept and so are wrong to make. I show that, far from being impossible, keeping promises to supererogate is easy, and so there is nothing wrong with making promises of this sort.
The temporal dynamics of online problem-based learning: Why and when sequence matters
Authors: Saqr Mohammed , López-Pernas Sonsoles
Published: March 2023

Early research on online PBL explored student satisfaction, effectiveness, and design. The temporal aspect of online PBL has rarely been addressed. Thus, a gap exists in our knowledge regarding how online PBL unfolds: when and for how long a group engages in collaborative discussions. Similarly, little is known about whether and what sequence of interactions could predict higher achievement. This study aims to bridge such a gap by implementing the latest advances in temporal learning analytics to analyze the sequential and temporal aspects of online PBL across a large sample (n = 204 students) of qualitatively coded interactions (8,009 interactions). We analyzed interactions at the group level to understand the group dynamics across whole problem discussions, and at the student level to understand the students’ contribution dynamics across different episodes. We followed such analyses by examining the association of interaction types and the sequences thereof with students’ performance using multilevel linear regression models. The analysis of the interactions reflected that the scripted PBL process is followed a logical sequence, yet often lacked enough depth. When cognitive interactions (e.g., arguments, questions, and evaluations) occurred, they kindled high cognitive interactions, when low cognitive and social interactions dominated, they kindled low cognitive interactions. The order and sequence of interactions were more predictive of performance, and with a higher explanatory power as compared to frequencies. Starting or initiating interactions (even with low cognitive content) showed the highest association with performance, pointing to the importance of initiative and sequencing.
Titanium Nitride Plasmonic Nanohole Arrays for CMOS-Compatible Integrated Refractive Index Sensing: Influence of Layer Thickness on Optical Properties
Authors: Reiter Sebastian , Han Weijia , Mai Christian , Spirito Davide , Jose Josmy , Zöllner Marvin , Fursenko Oksana , Schubert Markus Andreas , Stemmler Ivo , Wenger Christian , Fischer Inga Anita
Published: March 2023

The combination of nanohole arrays with photodetectors can be a strategy for the large-scale fabrication of miniaturized and cost-effective refractive index sensors on the Si platform. However, complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication processes place restrictions in particular on the material that can be used for the fabrication of the structures. Here, we focus on using the CMOS compatible transition metal nitride Titanium Nitride (TiN) for the fabrication of nanohole arrays (NHAs). We investigate the optical properties of TiN NHAs with different TiN thicknesses (50 nm, 100 nm, and 150 nm) fabricated using high-precision industrial processes for possible applications in integrated, plasmonic refractive index sensors. Reflectance measurements show pronounced Fano-shaped resonances, with resonance wavelengths between 950 and 1200 nm, that can be attributed to extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) through the NHAs. Using the measured material permittivity as an input, the measured spectra are reproduced by simulations with a large degree of accuracy: Simulated and measured resonance wavelengths deviate by less than 10 nm, with an average deviation of 4 nm observed at incidence angles of 30° and 40°. Our experimental results demonstrate that an increase in the thickness of the TiN layer from 50 to 150 nm leads to a sensitivity increase from 614.5 nm/RIU to 765.4 nm/RIU, which we attribute to a stronger coupling between individual LSPRs at the hole edges with spatially extended SPPs. Our results can be used to increase the performance of TiN NHAs for applications in on-chip plasmonic refractive index sensors.
CIDP: Analysis of Immunomarkers During COVID-19 mRNA-Vaccination and IVIg-Immunomodulation: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Svačina Martin K. R. , Meißner Anika , Schweitzer Finja , Sprenger-Svačina Alina , Klein Ines , Wüstenberg Hauke , Kohle Felix , Walter Helene L. , Schroeter Michael , Lehmann Helmar C.
Published: March 2023

Availability of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) raises the question of whether COVID-19 mRNA vaccine influences disease activity or IVIg-mediated immunomodulation in CIDP. In this exploratory study, blood samples of CIDP patients on IVIg treatment were longitudinally analyzed before and after vaccination with a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. A total of 44 samples of eleven patients were characterized at four timepoints by ELISA and flow cytometry in terms of immunomarkers for disease activity and IVIg-immunomodulation. Apart from a significantly lower expression of CD32b on naïve B cells after vaccination, no significant alteration of immunomarkers for CIDP or IVIg-mediated immunomodulation was observed. Our exploratory study suggests that COVID-19 mRNA vaccine does not have a relevant impact on immune activity in CIDP. In addition, immunomodulatory effects of IVIg in CIDP are not altered by COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. This study was registered in the German clinical trial register (DRKS00025759).

Graphical Abstract

Overview over the study design. Blood samples of CIDP patients on recurrent IVIg treatment and vaccination with a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine were obtained at four timepoints for cytokine ELISA and flow cytometry, to assess key cytokines and cellular immunomarkers for disease activity and IVIg-immunomodulation in CIDP.
Die Versprechungen „neuer Arbeit“ – eine kritische Betrachtung
Authors: Zirkler Michael
Published: March 2023

Mit dem Begriff der „neuen Arbeit“ gehen Versprechungen einher, welche kritisch beleuchtet werden sollen. „Neue Arbeit“ kann nur vor dem Hintergrund des bestehenden Zeitgeistes verstanden werden; dieser bemüht das Narrativ des selbstbestimmten und eigenverantwortlichen Arbeitssubjekts, das weniger an ökonomischen Transaktionen als vielmehr an Sinn interessiert ist. Die zentralen Versprechungen werden dargestellt und ihre Bruchlinien skizziert. Dabei wird deutlich, dass „neue Arbeit“ nicht (nur) als Emanzipation und Befreiung gesehen werden kann, sondern als Notwendigkeit spätkapitalistischer Anforderungen an Komplexitäten, die nicht (mehr) anders zu bewältigen sind.
Treatment rates and healthcare costs of patients with fragility fracture by site of care: a real-world data analysis
Authors: Singer A. , McClung M. R. , Tran O. , Morrow C. D. , Goldstein S. , Kagan R. , McDermott M. , Yehoshua A.
Published: March 2023

Summary

In a characterization of treatment rates and healthcare costs among patients with an osteoporotic-related fragility fracture overall and by site of care, costs were high and treatment rates were low.

Purpose

Osteoporotic fractures can be debilitating, even fatal, among older adults. The cost of osteoporosis and related fractures is projected to increase to more than $25 billion by 2025. The objective of this analysis is to characterize disease-related treatment rates and healthcare costs of patients with an osteoporotic fragility fracture overall and by site of fracture diagnosis.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis, individuals with fragility fractures were identified in the Merative MarketScan® Commercial and Medicare Databases among women 50 years of age or older and diagnosed with fragility fracture between 1/1/2013 and 6/30/2018 (earliest fracture diagnosis = index). Cohorts were categorized by clinical site of care where the diagnosis of fragility fracture was made and were continuously followed for 12 months prior to and following index. Sites of care were inpatient admission, outpatient office, outpatient hospital, emergency room hospital, and urgent care.

Results

Of the 108,965 eligible patients with fragility fracture (mean age 68.8), most were diagnosed during an inpatient admission or outpatient office visit (42.7%, 31.9%). The mean annual healthcare costs among patients with fragility fracture were $44,311 (± $67,427) and were highest for those diagnosed in an inpatient setting ($71,561 ± $84,072). Compared with other sites of care at fracture diagnosis, patients diagnosed during an inpatient admission also had highest proportion of subsequent fractures (33.2%), osteoporosis diagnosis (27.7%), and osteoporosis therapy (17.2%) during follow-up.

Conclusion

The site of care for diagnosis of fragility fracture affects treatment rates and healthcare costs. Further studies are needed to determine how attitude or knowledge about osteoporosis treatment or healthcare experiences differ at various clinical sites of care in the medical management of osteoporosis.