bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lucayan charred wood selection patterns: a comparative study of variability in fragile island ecosystems of the central and northern Bahamas
Authors: Berman Mary Jane , Pearsall Deborah M. , Ritzheimer Caleb
Published: October 2024

While Lucayan exploitation of their marine environment is relatively well understand, less is known about terrestrial resource utilization, particularly of the floristic environment. Lucayans are the earliest permanent Indigenous inhabitants of the Bahama archipelago, which has suffered significant terrestrial habitat changes through time due to natural and anthropogenic factors. In this study we examined 878 wood charcoal specimens (21 taxa; 19 at the genus and two at the family level) from two Early Lucayan (ca. ad 700–1100) sites: the Three Dog and Pigeon Creek Dune 2 sites from San Salvador Island (Guanahaní), and two Late Lucayan (ca. ad 1100–1530) sites: the Pigeon Creek Dune 1 site from San Salvador and the Deadman’s Reef site from Grand Bahama (Bahama) for temporal and inter-island variability in fuelwood selection patterns and for insight into the composition of the islands’ flora during aboriginal occupation. Although the islands are both part of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, they are in two different bioclimatic zones. We found that the Lucayans practiced a combination of least-effort and intentional fuelwood collection strategies, even though the sites lie in dissimilar bioclimatic zones encompassing multiple plant communities. Considered “globally rare”, “highly endangered”, and “the most threatened tropical forests”, the vulnerability of Bahamian forests is increasing with climate change and development. The Lucayan wood collection economy can provide a model for contemporary conservation management and sustainability.
Alterations in magnitude and spatial distribution of erector spinae muscle activity in cyclists with a recent history of low back pain
Authors: Sampieri Alessandro , Marcolin Giuseppe , Gennaro Federico , Magistrelli Emanuele , Del Vecchio Alessandro , Moro Tatiana , Paoli Antonio , Casolo Andrea
Published: October 2024

Purpose

While cycling offers several health benefits, repetitive loading and maintenance of static postures for prolonged periods expose cyclists to low back pain (LBP). Despite high LBP prevalence in cyclists, underlying pathomechanics and specific lumbar region muscle activation patterns during cycling are unclear. Here, we compared lumbar erector spinae (ES) muscles activation and spatial distribution activity in cyclists with and without recent LBP history.

Methods

Ten cyclists with recent LBP history (LBPG; Oswestry Disability Index score ~ 17.8%) and 11 healthy cyclists (CG) were recruited. After assessing the Functional Threshold Power (FTP), participants underwent an incremental cycling test with 4 × 3 min steps at 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% of their FTP. High-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) signals were recorded from both lumbar ES using two 64-channel grids. Information about ES activation levels (root-mean-square, RMS), degree of homogeneity (entropy), and cranio-caudal displacement of muscle activity (Y-axis coordinate of the barycenter of RMS maps) was extracted from each grid separately and then grand-averaged across both grids.

Results

Repeated-measure 2-way ANOVAs showed a significant intensity by group interaction for RMS amplitude (p = 0.003), entropy (p = 0.038), and Y-bar displacement (p = 0.033). LBPG increased RMS amplitude between 70–100% (+ 19%, p = 0.010) and 80–100% FTP (+ 21%, p = 0.004) and decreased entropy between 70–100% FTP (− 8.4%, p = 0.003) and 80–100% FTP (− 8.5%, p = 0.002). Between-group differences emerged only at 100% FTP (+ 9.6%, p = 0.049) for RMS amplitude.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that cyclists with recent LBP history exhibit higher ES muscles activation and less homogeneous activity compared to healthy controls, suggesting potential inefficient muscle recruitment strategy.

Trial registration number

HEC-DSB/09-2023.
Three-dimensional approximated isogeometric analysis via Bernstein–Bézier tetrahedron
Authors: Song Dong-Hyeon , Kang Seung-Hoon , Kim Yongse , Hwang Minho , Shin SangJoon
Published: October 2024

Precise simulation of realistic physical phenomena and maintaining high efficiency will be the ultimate goal of computational mechanics. As an effort of such endeavor, an isogeometric analysis (IGA) was proposed by integrating finite element analysis (FEA) and computer-aided design. IGA efficiently predicts a physical behavior with higher fidelity than the original FEA. However, an application to various geometries will be cumbersome owing to the absence of an appropriate pre-processor. To alleviate such limitation, various reinforcements have been attempted, including a finite element (FE)-based IGA. Derived from those initiatives, alternatives will be suggested herein by using a Bernstein–Bézier FE. To obtain approximate

$$C^1$$

C
1

continuity for a general tetrahedral FE, an approximated Worsey–Piper element split will be presented. Also, Bézier mesh generation will be adopted for an enhanced geometric representation. The present attempt will be validated by comparing the results for various curved geometry. Furthermore, the present method will be applied to a much more complicated configuration to demonstrate the geometric applicability.
CP decomposition-based algorithms for completion problem of motion capture data
Authors: Mohaoui Souad , Dmytryshyn Andrii
Published: October 2024

Motion capture (MoCap) technology is an essential tool for recording and analyzing movements of objects or humans. However, MoCap systems frequently encounter the challenge of missing data, stemming from mismatched markers, occlusion, or equipment limitations. Recovery of these missing data is imperative to maintain the reliability and integrity of MoCap recordings. This paper introduces a novel application of the tensor framework for MoCap data completion. We propose three completion algorithms based on the canonical polyadic (CP) decomposition of tensors. The first algorithm utilizes CP decomposition to capture the low-rank structure of the tensor. However, relying only on low-rank assumptions may be insufficient to deal with complex motion data. Thus, we propose two modified CP decompositions that incorporate additional information, SmoothCP and SparseCP decompositions. SmoothCP integrates piecewise smoothness prior, while SparseCP incorporates sparsity prior, each aiming to improve the accuracy and robustness of MoCap data recovery. To compare and evaluate the merit of the proposed algorithms over other tensor completion methods in terms of several evaluation metrics, we conduct numerical experiments with different MoCap sequences from the CMU motion capture dataset.
Paving the way for lowering embodied carbon emissions in the building and construction sector
Authors: Amarasinghe Isuri , Liu Tingting , Stewart Rodney A. , Mostafa Sherif
Published: October 2024

The building and construction sector is one of the main sectors contributing to carbon emissions around the globe. Current emission reduction initiatives in the building and construction industry have largely lowered the share of operational carbon (OC) emissions in the project’s life cycle emissions. Achieving embodied carbon (EC) emission reductions is essential for decarbonising the sector. This study adopts a comprehensive literature review and expert interviews with key industry practitioners to identify the barriers to lowering EC emissions in the building and construction sector and to propose strategies and actions to overcome the identified barriers and further facilitate the uptake of EC considerations. The results show that the barriers fall under four categories, organisational, financial, regulatory and policy, and methodological and data availability. The study proposes the following strategies for lowering EC emissions: (1) embedding carbon reduction targets into an organisation’s strategy, (2) implementing regulations and policies, (3) integrating digital technologies for EC assessment, (4) encouraging cross-disciplinary coordination, (5) building capacity and capability, and (6) encouraging R&D initiatives. The study provides important insights into the strategies to be adopted to reduce EC emissions. Finally, an evidence-based framework is proposed to offer useful references for professionals and decision-makers in the building and construction sector when planning and implementing EC reduction strategies.

Graphical Abstract
Intrahousehold Resource Allocation and Child Food Poverty in the United States
Authors: Liang Wanqi , Li Wenying , Li Qingxiao , Zhao Shuoli
Published: October 2024

Intrahousehold inequality, characterized by an uneven distribution of resources and bargaining power, can lead to disparities in access to food among household members. Utilizing the U.S. Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) within a collective household framework, this study empirically estimates intrahousehold resource allocation in the U.S., with a specific emphasis on the resource shares allocated to children. Based on our findings, we introduce an individual-based metric for food poverty that highlights the affordability of a healthy meal in multi-child households, offering an alternative to the currently used survey-based measure. We show that the resource shares for children decrease significantly as the number of children in a household increases. Using this individual-based metric alongside USDA food plans as a reference, we find that nearly half of the food-poor children reside in households with incomes that exceed the eligibility thresholds for food assistance programs. These findings suggest the need to develop support strategies that consider a broader spectrum of household attributes.
Seasonal variation of groundwater quality in a basement complex geology of Ado Ekiti Nigeria using water quality index model
Authors: Kayode M. O. , Tomori W. B. , Okoronkwo E. A. , Adiat K. A. N.
Published: October 2024

Ado Ekiti is one of the Southwestern regions in Nigeria underlained with basement complex geology. Urbanization and growing population leading to increase in various activities are dominant contributors of groundwater pollutants in the area which affect the hydrological system. The research aimed to determine the suitability of groundwater for consumption and domestic uses and also provide information about groundwater quality in bedrock lithologies using water quality index. Samples were taken from two major sources, boreholes and wells, covering all of the study area's major lithologies. The number of samples was based on the spread of the individual rock with charnockites having 15 samples, porphyritic having 47 samples, migmatite having 37, and undifferentiated granite having the least with 5 samples. Analysis of some of the water parameters such as hydrogen ion concentration (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), Salinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and dissolved oxygen (Do) was done in situ using standard equipment while other were determined using standard methods in the laboratory. The results underwent descriptive statistical analysis to determine the mean, minimum, maximum, standard deviation, and variance. The variance in the result showed the different interactions of the host rock and the groundwater. The groundwater was a little acidic in majority of the water samples in all the rock types. The mean values of EC, TDS, DO, alkalinity, and turbidity were mostly within the WHO acceptable limit except for total hardness (TH) which recorded high mean values in almost all the rock types. The ion concentration revealed that calcium and magnesium ions were dominant in the cationic species while phosphate and chloride ions were dominant in the anionic species. This indicates the geogenic origin and a reflection of bedrock dissolution as a result of the water and underlying rock interaction. Water quality index values were gotten and characterized into; excellent, very good, good, poor, very poor, and unfit for drinking. Differential weathering, influenced by differences in mineralogical and chemical composition, occurs within each rock unit, leading to localized groundwater occurrence and variations in the chemistry of groundwater based on geological formations. The water quality was observed to be mostly poor in all the rock types which may be attributed to the near to ground protective capacity of the basement complex.
Student preferences over module design
Authors: Fullard Joshua
Published: October 2024

In this paper we use new experimental data to investigate students’ preferences regarding lecture mode and length, and assessment type across two unique dimensions: expected learning and enjoyment. Our main findings are as follows: first, students demonstrate a strong preference against online lectures. Students expect to learn more from, and enjoy, modules that have in-person lectures. Given that one-third of lectures in UK universities are now taught online—up from 4 percent before the pandemic—these results indicate a misalignment with students’ preferences. Second, students favour shorter lectures (1 h) over longer lectures (2 h). Students do not expect to learn more from longer lectures—suggesting diminishing expected marginal returns. Third, students prefer individual assignments to exams. Students expect to enjoy and learn more from modules that have individual assignments (as opposed to exams). These findings are robust across two samples of university students.
Aggression in aquatic environments and its relevance in aquaculture and conservation efforts
Authors: Mushtaq Syed Talia
Published: October 2024

Fish population dynamics, stock assessment and overall productivity of aquaculture environments are all significantly impacted by aggressive interactions within fish populations. The purpose of this review is to examine the major determinants of aggression, such as the physical characteristics of the fish themselves, social complexity, the presence of prospective rivals, and environmental factors. This article offers a thorough analysis of the state of the art regarding fish aggression. The effects of aggression on vital functions like feeding effectiveness, growth performance, health status, death rates, and reproductive success are examined in depth. The review also assesses the use of pheromones, light modification, and environmental enrichment as management strategies to reduce antagonism in aquaculture settings. Finally, the pressing need for additional study to create novel and efficient approaches to control and avoid aggression in aquaculture has been emphasized on. Researchers, aquaculture professionals, and fish welfare advocates who want to comprehend the complicated behaviour of aggression in fish and its broader implications for aquaculture and conservation may find this thorough overview helpful.
Mobility patterns of rare earth elements in diagenetically altered vitric tuff shaped by illite-smectite
Authors: Šegvić Branimir , Badurina Luka , Braga Adriano E. , Mandic Oleg , Werts Kevin , Doyle Emily , Slovenec Damir , Marković Frane , Slivšek Goran , Demir Vedad
Published: October 2024

The mobility of rare-earth elements (REE) in low-grade diagenetic regimes, potentially leading to their clay-mediated fractionation, remains poorly understood. This study draws evidence from the argillitized Miocene tuff of the Southwestern Pannonian Basin (SPB) and adjacent Dinarides intramontane basins (DIB) to investigate the role of illite-smectite (I-S) in controlling early diagenetic REE behavior. The present research relies on detailed mineralogical, geochemical, and gas adsorption characterization of altered tuff, focusing on comparative analyses of the REE chemistry obtained by in situ laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry of glass shards and that of spatially related authigenic clay minerals. The depositional environment, in which the volcanic glass alteration took place, gave rise to the composition of secondary paragenesis, revealing a dominance of I-S. The normalized REE geochemistry of clay separates show similarities to unaltered glass, but notable differences indicate fluctuations in fluid/rock ratio environments. The redox conditions during glass alteration are reflected in Ce and Eu anomalies and indicate the ranges from oxic to anoxic across the analyzed tuffs. The results showed that I-S, formed through volcanic glass diagenesis, inherits magmatic REE signatures but also fractionates REE based on more reducing physiochemical conditions. The strong correlation between smectite content of I-S and a total budget of fractionated REE posits the smectite interlayers as prime factors controlling the REE fractionation during volcanic ash diagenesis. Furthermore, greater specific surface area values and development of slit-shaped porosity along the non-basal edges of I-S particles contributed to REE adsorption. These findings contribute to our understanding of REE behavior in low-temperature diagenetic environments, emphasizing the significance of clay minerals in retaining and fractionating these elements which may lead ultimately to the formation of economically viable ion-adsorption clay deposits.
Institutional carriers of values: Exploring values entrenchment strategies of founders and next-generation leaders in family businesses
Authors: Kupangwa Welcome , Venter Elmarie , Farrington Shelley Maeva
Published: October 2024

This study aims to provide insights into the values entrenchment strategies that indigenous Black founders and next-generation (NextGen) leaders use in their efforts to entrench values into their family businesses. The study uses a qualitative methodology and an inductive approach, and draws on seven indigenous African family business cases operating in various industries within the services sector. Our findings show that founders and NextGen leaders use explicit and implicit carriers as they strive to entrench values in their family businesses. It was established that these leaders are influential institutional constituents who contribute to entrenching values into the family business and, by doing so, shape institutional knowledge. Our study contributes to family business literature by extending the founder centrality to include that of the NextGen leaders in values entrenchment, explaining how these leaders articulate their personal and family values and how they seek to translate them into family business values.
Parameterizing Spatial Weight Matrices in Spatial Econometric Models
Authors: Tan Chang , Kesina Michaela , Elhorst J. Paul
Published: October 2024

Spatial econometric models allow for interactions among cross-sectional units through spatial weight matrices. This paper parameterizes each spatial weight matrix in the widely used spatial Durbin model with a different instead of one common distance decay parameter, using negative exponential and inverse distance matrices. We propose a joint estimation approach of the decay and response parameters, and we investigate its performance in a Monte Carlo simulation experiment. We also present the results of an empirical application on military expenditures. Indirect effects in particular appear to be sensitive to different parameterizations.
DECOMPOSITION OF THE JACOBIAN OF SOME TWISTS OF A GENUS
$2$
CURVE
Authors: JEONG KEUNYOUNG , KWON YEONG-WOOK , PARK JUNYEONG
Published: October 2024

Cardona and Lario [‘Twists of the genus 2 curve

$y^2 = x^6+1$

’, J. Number Theory209 (2020), 195–211] gave a complete classification of the twists of the curve

$y^2 = x^6+1$

. In this paper, we study the twists of the curve whose automorphism group is defined over a biquadratic extension of the rationals. If the twists are of type B or C in the Cardona–Lario classification, we find a pair of elliptic curves whose product is isogenous with the Jacobian of the twist.
Voting for war, to secure peace: weaponising the Tigray 2020 election in Ethiopia
Authors: Tronvoll Kjetil
Published: October 2024

Elections in divided societies and in countries undergoing political transitions are precarious events. Hastened democratisation may ignite inter-communal antagonism and mobilise voters for conflict. Sub-national elections are even more prone to challenge national policies to defend regional autonomy and self-determination. The relationship between the Tigray Peoples' Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian Federal government had been deteriorating since the coming to power of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018. It was formally breached in September 2020 when the TPLF insisted on organising a separate regional election in Tigray in defiance of the federal government's decision to postpone national elections due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to one of Africa's most devastating civil wars in modern times. In the pursuit of democratic legitimacy, and conversely consciously framing the federal government as non-democratic, the TPLF ‘weaponised’ the election. This article analyses the process leading up to the decision to conduct separate elections in Tigray, its conduct and result. The analysis demonstrates how elections and the contestation to claim a democratic legitimacy in transition countries may contribute to a politics of violence, ultimately leading to war.
Examining the College of Interpreters and translation issues in colonial Vietnam, 1862–90
Authors: Vo Eileen N.
Published: October 2024

When the French occupied Cochinchina in 1862 they encountered many issues related to language and communication that hindered their ability to effectively govern the local population. This article will discuss how the French attempted to establish a College of Interpreters to institutionalise interpreters and to enforce a translation regime where quốc ngữ served as the intermediary script between Chinese and French to overcome translation challenges. Their translation surveillance system, via legal protocols, ultimately failed to discipline local interpreters and regulate translation, nor did it protect French colonial interests and agenda in Vietnam, due to pedagogical, financial and administrative constraints.
Hospitalizations and emergency attendance averted by influenza vaccination in Victoria, Australia, 2017 – 2019
Authors: Pendrey Catherine G. A. , Khvorov Arseniy , Nghiem Son , Rahaman Md R. , Strachan Janet , Sullivan Sheena G
Published: October 2024

Seasonal influenza epidemics result in high levels of healthcare utilization. Vaccination is an effective strategy to reduce the influenza-related burden of disease. However, reporting vaccine effectiveness does not convey the population impacts of influenza vaccination. We aimed to calculate the burden of influenza-related hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) attendance averted by influenza vaccination in Victoria, Australia, from 2017 to 2019, and associated economic savings. We applied a compartmental model to hospitalizations and ED attendances with influenza-specific, and pneumonia and influenza (P&I) with the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Australian Modification (ICD-10-AM) diagnostic codes of J09-J11 and J09-J18, respectively. We estimated an annual average of 7657 (120 per 100000 population) hospitalizations and 20560 (322 per 100000 population) ED attendances over the study period, associated with A$85 million hospital expenditure. We estimated that influenza vaccination averted an annual average of 1182 [range: 556 – 2277] hospitalizations and 3286 [range: 1554 – 6257] ED attendances and reduced the demand for healthcare services at the influenza season peak. This equated to approximately A13 [range: A6 – A25] million of savings over the study period. Calculating the burden averted is feasible in Australia and auseful approach to demonstrate the health and economic benefits of influenza vaccination.
Executive function deficits in congenital heart surgical patients: prevalence and timing of presentation
Authors: Hasselman Ty Elliot , Marriott Kara T. , Verda Michele , Zumpf Katelyn B. , McGraw Kristin E. , Hasselman Anna Marie
Published: October 2024

Background:

Congenital heart patients undergoing congenital heart surgery in the first year of life are at high risk of having a neurodevelopmental disorder. The most common difficulties are related to executive functioning. The following questions were assessed in the current project: Are patients having congenital heart surgery after one year of life at lower risk for neurodevelopmental disorders? At what age do executive function deficits manifest?

Methods:

We evaluated executive function in four groups of congenital heart patients who had undergone congenital heart surgery. These groups were high-risk patients with and without a genetic syndrome associated with a neurodevelopmental disorder and low-risk patients with and without a genetic syndrome associated with a neurodevelopmental disorder. We evaluated executive function using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Preschool Version, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-2, and Minnesota Executive Function Scale at various ages. We compared the rates of executive function deficits in the high- and low-risk groups as well as compared that to the published norms for age. We also assessed at what age these deficits become apparent.

Conclusion:

We found that both high- and low-risk groups had higher levels of executive functioning deficits compared to the norms for age. The low-risk group’s degree of executive function deficits appeared a little lower than the high-risk group. However, it was difficult to comment on the statistical significance. We also saw that executive function deficits often do not become apparent for many years after surgery. This finding highlights the need for continued evaluation of functioning as these kids mature.
Assessment of foods for infants and toddlers in Australia against the World Health Organization’s Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model for food products for infants and young children
Authors: Chung Alexandra , Torkel Sophia , Myers Judith , Skouteris Helen
Published: October 2024

Objective:

Global public health agencies have recommended stronger regulation of food marketing to protect children’s diets. This study assessed commercial foods for infants and toddlers available in Australian supermarkets for compliance with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe’s Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model: supporting appropriate promotion of food products for infants and young children 6–36 months in the WHO European Region (NPPM).

Design:

Dietitians assessed a sample of commercial foods for infants and toddlers against the composition, labelling and promotion requirements of the NPPM.

Setting:

Australia.

Participants:

Commercial foods for infants and toddlers (n 45) available in two major Australian supermarkets, purposely sampled across product categories and brands.

Results:

Fewer than one quarter (23 %) of the assessed products met all nutrient content requirements of the NPPM. No products met all of the labelling or promotional requirements. All products included at least one promotional marketing claim that was not permitted under the NPPM.

Conclusions:

The NPPM is useful to assess and monitor the nutritional composition and prevalence of marketing claims on commercial foods for infants and toddlers. Findings of noncompliance with the NPPM recommendations indicate an urgent need for stronger government regulation of the composition, labelling and marketing of commercial foods for infants and toddlers in Australia.
‘The company is using the credibility of our profession’: exploring experiences and perspectives of registered dietitians from Canada about their interactions with commercial actors using semi-structured interviews
Authors: Hamel Virginie , Mialon Mélissa , Moubarac Jean-Claude
Published: October 2024

Objective:

To gain insight into the experiences and perspectives of registered dietitians (RD) in Canada regarding their interactions with commercial actors and actions undertaken to manage these interactions.

Design:

Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews combined with a document analysis.

Setting:

Quebec, Canada

Participants:

RD aged ≥ 18 years (n 18)

Results:

All participants reported interacting with commercial actors during their careers, such as receiving continuing education provided or sponsored by food companies. RD in Quebec perceive these interactions as either trivial or acceptable, depending on the commercial actor or interaction type. Participants discussed how certain interactions could represent a threat to the credibility and public trust in dietitians, among other risks. They also discussed the benefits of these interactions, such as the possibility for professionals to improve the food supply and public health by sharing their knowledge and expertise. Participants reported ten mechanisms used to manage interactions with commercial actors, such as following a code of ethics (individual level) and policies such as partnerships policy (institutional level). Finally, RD also stressed the need for training and more explicit and specific tools for managing interactions with commercial actors.

Conclusions:

RD in Quebec, Canada, may engage with commercial actors in their profession and hold nuanced perspectives on this matter. While some measures are in place to regulate these interactions, they are neither standardised nor evaluated for their effectiveness. To maintain the public’s trust in RD, promoting awareness and developing training on this issue is essential.
The impact of food aid interventions on food insecurity, diet quality and mental health in households with children in high-income countries: a systematic review
Authors: Stahacz Charlotte , Alwan Nisreen A , Taylor Elizabeth , Smith Dianna , Ziauddeen Nida
Published: October 2024

Objective:

Households with children accessing food aid in high-income countries are often food insecure. We aimed to review the evidence on food aid interventions in households with children and impact on food insecurity, diet quality and mental health.

Design:

A systematic search was conducted using Web of Science, MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO. Articles published from January 2008 to July 2022 including cross-sectional, cohort and interventional studies in high-income countries were eligible.

Setting:

Food aid is defined as the use of interventions providing free food items by community and/or charitable organisations.

Participants:

Two-parent, lone parent or households with a primary caregiver with at least one child ≤ 18 years.

Results:

From a total of 10 394 articles, nine were included. Food banks, mobile pantry combined with a free meal for children, backpack provision during school term and food parcel home delivery interventions were evaluated. Food bank models offering additional support such as community programmes, health and social services, cooking classes and free meals for children, client-choice-based models and programmes providing convenient access were associated with improved food security and diet quality (increased intake of wholegrains, fruit and vegetables). One study reported an improvement in mental health and food bank access at the end of 18 months but not at earlier timepoints and one study reported no change in parents’ mental health.

Conclusions:

Accessing food aid was linked to improved diet quality and reduced food insecurity in some studies. Allowing clients to choose food items and providing support services were most effective.
‘For me it’s just the conversation:’ responsive feeding influences among early childhood educators
Authors: Levin Olga , McIsaac Jessie-Lee D , Campbell Julie , Dickson Elizabeth , Rossiter Melissa D
Published: October 2024

Objective:

Early learning and childcare (ELCC) programmes play an important role in shaping children’s eating behaviours and long-term health by establishing a responsive feeding environment that encompasses not only mealtime behaviours but also extends to play activities and language used throughout the day. Despite their potential benefits, many ELCC centres do not consistently implement responsive feeding behaviours, facing challenges with organisational and behavioural changes within these environments. This study aims to identify influences on responsive feeding behaviours among early childhood educators prior to an intervention.

Design:

A qualitative study guided by the Behaviour Change Wheel framework and Capability Opportunity Motivation – Behaviour (COM-B) model. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted, recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was employed to identify themes, categorising them within the corresponding COM-B domains.

Setting:

Canada.

Participants:

Forty-one ELCC staff in various roles across eight centres from two provinces in eastern Canada.

Results:

Fifteen influences, spanning across all six domains of the COM-B model, were identified, highlighting gaps in educators’ knowledge and skills, varied approaches to food and feeding, and the interactions with children, parents, and co-workers on mealtimes dynamics. Additionally, costs, centre location and other physical resources emerged as enabling opportunities for responsive feeding behaviours.

Conclusions:

These findings offer a comprehensive exploration of the diverse factors influencing responsive feeding behaviours among educators, each varying in its potential for future behaviour change intervention.
Lab to Legislature
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: October 2024

More scientists are entering the political arena to help solve the biggest problems of our time.
In Appreciation of AGU’s Outstanding Reviewers of 2023
Authors: Giampoala Matt , Hauck II Steven
Published: October 2024

AGU editors recognize the contributions of peer reviewers in 2023, who helped advance the Earth and space sciences while maintaining the integrity and accountability of the scientific record.
Apolipoproteins have a major role in cellular tumor dormancy in triple negative breast cancer: In-silico study
Authors: El-Gammal Zaynab , Bakry Usama , El-Sayed Ahmed F. , Ahmed Toka A. , Oura Gehad Atef , Elshenawy Shimaa E. , El-Badri Nagwa , Romany Amin F. , Amer Khaled , Elnagdy Tarek , Azmy Osama Mahmoud , Ali Tarek Taha Ahmed
Published: October 2024

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptors and has a poor prognosis as it is resistant to chemotherapy. A new treatment option for this type of cancer may be by putting these malignant cells into dormancy. The oocyte’s embryonic milieu presents a unique tumor reversion microenvironment by inducing growth arrest and changing cells’ phenotypes. We conducted an in-silico study to determine the most likely oocyte extract (OE) proteins involved in inducing dormancy using HDock, CluPro, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation. Results showed low energy scores for complexes between OE proteins and four surface markers: K1C14, CLD3, CLD4, and ITA6. Apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) and Apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) showed the highest stability and affinity with these four surface markers: K1C14, CLD3, CLD4, and ITA6. These proteins are involved in key tumor-related pathways such as angiogenesis, proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. This will pave the way for exploring novel therapeutic options to induce dormancy in TNBC cells.
Artificial intelligence in commercial fracture detection products: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy
Authors: Husarek Julius , Hess Silvan , Razaeian Sam , Ruder Thomas D. , Sehmisch Stephan , Müller Martin , Liodakis Emmanouil
Published: October 2024

Conventional radiography (CR) is primarily utilized for fracture diagnosis. Artificial intelligence (AI) for CR is a rapidly growing field aimed at enhancing efficiency and increasing diagnostic accuracy. However, the diagnostic performance of commercially available AI fracture detection solutions (CAAI-FDS) for CR in various anatomical regions, their synergy with human assessment, as well as the influence of industry funding on reported accuracy are unknown. Peer-reviewed diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) studies were identified through a systematic review on Pubmed and Embase. Diagnostic performance measures were extracted especially for different subgroups such as product, type of rater (stand-alone AI, human unaided, human aided), funding, and anatomical region. Pooled measures were obtained with a bivariate random effects model. The impact of rater was evaluated with comparative meta-analysis. Seventeen DTA studies of seven CAAI-FDS analyzing 38,978 x-rays with 8,150 fractures were included. Stand-alone AI studies (n = 15) evaluated five CAAI-FDS; four with good sensitivities (> 90%) and moderate specificities (80–90%) and one with very poor sensitivity (< 60%) and excellent specificity (> 95%). Pooled sensitivities were good to excellent, and specificities were moderate to good in all anatomical regions (n = 7) apart from ribs (n = 4; poor sensitivity / moderate specificity) and spine (n = 4; excellent sensitivity / poor specificity). Funded studies (n = 4) had higher sensitivity (+ 5%) and lower specificity (-4%) than non-funded studies (n = 11). Sensitivity did not differ significantly between stand-alone AI and human AI aided ratings (p = 0.316) but specificity was significantly higher the latter group (p < 0.001). Sensitivity was significant lower in human unaided compared to human AI aided respectively stand-alone AI ratings (both p ≤ 0.001); specificity was higher in human unaided ratings compared to stand-alone AI (p < 0.001) and showed no significant differences AI aided ratings (p = 0.316). The study demonstrates good diagnostic accuracy across most CAAI-FDS and anatomical regions, with the highest performance achieved when used in conjunction with human assessment. Diagnostic accuracy appears lower for spine and rib fractures. The impact of industry funding on reported performance is small.
Using cross-recurrence quantification analysis to compute similarity measures for time series of unequal length with applications to sleep stage analysis
Authors: Drews Henning Johannes , Felletti Flavia , Kallestad Håvard , Drews Annika , Scott Jan , Sand Trond , Engstrøm Morten , Heglum Hanne Siri Amdahl , Vethe Daniel , Salvesen Øyvind , Langsrud Knut , Morken Gunnar , Wallot Sebastian
Published: October 2024

Comparing time series of unequal length requires data processing procedures that may introduce biases. This article describes, validates, and applies Cross-Recurrence Quantification Analysis (CRQA) to detect and quantify correlation and coupling among time series of unequal length without prior data processing. We illustrate and validate this application using continuous and discrete data from a model system (study 1). Then we use the method to re-analyze the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS), a rare large dataset comprising detailed physiological sleep measurements acquired by in-home polysomnography. We investigate whether recurrence patterns of ultradian NREM/REM sleep cycles (USC) predict mortality (study 2). CRQA exhibits better performance compared with traditional approaches that require trimming, stretching or compression to bring two time series to the same length. Application to the SHHS indicates that recurrence patterns linked to stability of USCs are associated with all-cause mortality even after controlling for other sleep parameters, health, and sociodemographics. We suggest that CRQA is a useful tool for analyzing categorical time series, where the underlying structure of the data is unlikely to result in matching data points—such as ultradian sleep cycles.
Biofilm infections of endobronchial valves in COPD patients after endoscopic lung volume reduction: a pilot study with FISHseq
Authors: Pappe Eva , Hübner Ralf-Harto , Saccomanno Jacopo , Ebrahimi Hadis Darvishi Nakhl , Witzenrath Martin , Wiessner Alexandra , Sarbandi Kurosh , Xiong Zhile , Kursawe Laura , Moter Annette , Kikhney Judith
Published: October 2024

Endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR) using endobronchial valves (EBV) is a treatment option for a subset of patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), suffering from emphysema and hyperinflation. In this pilot study, we aimed to determine the presence of bacterial biofilm infections on EBV and investigate their involvement in lack of clinical benefits, worsening symptomatology, and increased exacerbations that lead to the decision to remove EBVs. We analyzed ten COPD patients with ELVR who underwent EBV removal. Clinical data were compared to the microbiological findings from conventional EBV culture. In addition, EBV were analyzed by FISHseq, a combination of Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with PCR and sequencing, for visualization and identification of microorganisms and biofilms. All ten patients presented with clinical symptoms, including pneumonia and recurrent exacerbations. Microbiological cultures from EBV detected several microorganisms in all ten patients. FISHseq showed either mixed or monospecies colonization on the EBV, including oropharyngeal bacterial flora, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus spp., and Fusobacterium sp. On 5/10 EBV, FISHseq visualized biofilms, on 1/10 microbial microcolonies, on 3/10 single microorganisms, and on 1/10 no microorganisms. The results of the study demonstrate the presence of biofilms on EBV for the first time and its potential involvement in increased exacerbations and clinical worsening in patients with ELVR. However, further prospective studies are needed to evaluate the clinical relevance of biofilm formation on EBV and appropriate treatment options to avoid infections in patients with ELVR.
Auxinic Herbicides and Ecotoxicological Risk for Fish Species Inhabiting the Pampas Region of South America
Authors: Ruiz de Arcaute Celeste
Published: October 2024

The extensive use of herbicides worldwide is, at present, a potentially harmful aspect to be included in environmental health risk analyses. Formulations of auxinic herbicides containing 2,4-D, dicamba and MCPA, among others, are widely employed alone or in combination with other agrochemicals. In this sense, significant concentrations of these herbicides can be found in water bodies, inhabited by aquatic species, e.g., fish that are employed for toxicological evaluation. In the Pampas Region, different studies were performed to evaluate lethal and sublethal effects induced by the auxinic herbicides 2,4-D and dicamba, in several aquatic species. These included, Cnesterodon decemmaculatus (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae), Rhamdia quelen (Siluriformes, Heptapteridae), Poecilia vivipara (Cyprinodontiformes, Poeciliidae), Jenynsialineata (Cyprinodontiformes, Anablepidae) and Leporinus obtusidens (Characiformes, Anostomidae). The results obtained demonstrated that these compounds induce lethal and sublethal effects such as genotoxicity as well as behavioural, enzymatic, biochemical and histological alterations, to name a few. These observations highlight the feasibility of auxinic herbicides of inducing detrimental effects on these species that inhabit this highly cultivated area of South America.
Interfacial reaction behavior in blast furnace and analysis of influence mechanism
Authors: Deng Yong , Yao Kuo , Liu Ran , Gao Yanjia , Wang Laixin
Published: October 2024

This study aims to explore the influence mechanism of interfacial reaction in BF. The interfacial reaction behavior was analyzed, the thermodynamic and evolution processes of interfacial reaction were studied, and the influence of interfacial reaction on BF was discussed. The results show that: The desulfurization reaction mechanism can be considered as the electron transfer at slag-iron interface. The viscosity of molten iron shows a decreasing trend with the increase of sulfur content, and the surface tension of molten iron will rapidly decrease with sulfur content, so the interfacial reaction rate will be accelerated. The reduction of FeO occurs at slag-carbon interface, the content of FeO in slag often shows a decreasing trend along the height direction of BF, the erosion rate of carbon brick will increase under the condition of slag with high FeO content. The reduction of SiO2 is achieved with the help of two gas-phase compounds SiO and SiS. The average Si content in molten iron decreases with the increase of BF volume, which indicates that the large BF is more conducive to achieving low-carbon smelting. The reduction of TiO2 is carried out at the slag-carbon interface step by step, the valence state of Ti element gradually decreases. The iron-carbon interface in hearth has a significant effect on the erosion of carbon brick and the state of hearth. The wetting and erosion process at iron-carbon interface is clarified based on the cycle model, the carbon brick is eroded in this cycle. The time for the carburization of molten iron is limited, so the carbon content of molten iron cannot reach saturation, although there are a large number of iron-carbon interfaces in hearth. The change trend of maximum temperature on sidewall is opposite to the actual carbon content, the change in carburization behavior at iron-carbon interface is the essential reason for the fluctuation of erosion rate of carbon brick.
Défenses inconscientes, sentiment de culpabilité et trauma
Authors: Valentin Virginie
Published: October 2024

Cet article est fondé sur un témoignage portant sur les attentats du 13 novembre 2015 à Paris, d’une part et, d’autre part, sur la psychothérapie d’un jeune homme présentant un trauma lié à sa position « d’enfant de remplacement ». L’auteur montre comment certains mécanismes de défenses inconscientes et, en particulier, celui du « clivage de la personnalité » qui peut mener au déni de la réalité sont issus d’un puissant sentiment de culpabilité à l’œuvre chez des sujets aux prises avec certains traumatismes psychiques. Ayant entraîné le refoulement de certains aspects de la réalité momentanément chez l’homme se remémorant les attentats, à l’instar de Freud pris « du sentiment d’impiété » envers son père sur l’Acropole, il est le symptôme d’une névrose profonde et indissociable du syndrome du survivant, chez l’autre. Ainsi, ce type de défenses résultant d’un événement traumatique est inscrit plus ou moins profondément dans la psyché selon le moment biographique auquel il a lieu. Le traumatisme infantile ayant la particularité de créer des zones psychiques mortes ou cryptes.
La psychosomatique psychosociale : James Lorimer Halliday
Authors: Chemouni Jacquy
Published: October 2024

L’article présente la pensée psychosomatique du psychanalyste écossais James Lorimer Halliday (1897-1983). Pionnier de la psychosomatique au Royaume-Uni, ses travaux sont généralement ignorés. Son œuvre inaugure pourtant une approche novatrice des troubles psychosomatiques alliant étiologie psychique et causalité sociale. Il lui revient d’avoir introduit en 1943 l’expression « Médecine psychosomatique » ainsi que celle de « maladie psychosomatique ». On lui doit également la rédaction du premier ouvrage psychobiographique centré sur la psychosomatique : Mr. Carlyle – My Patient. A psychosomatic Biography. Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) est un écrivain écossais, à la fois essayiste, mathématicien, traducteur, philosophe dont l’influence fut importante à l’époque victorienne.