bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hard Policy Lessons from 50 Years of Federal Direct Student Aid Policies
Authors: Alexander F. King
Published: September 2024

abstract: The purpose of this paper on U.S. federal higher education policy is to discuss how market-based federal higher education funding policies over the last five decades has led to consequences that have been detrimental to student access at American public colleges and universities. Evidence shows increasing inequality in higher education opportunities for low income and underrepresented students due to the redeployment to the private sector of public funding. Since the passage of the federal direct student aid funding policy, the United States has fallen from first among OECD countries in bachelor’s degree attainment for 25–34 year olds to sixteenth in bachelor’s degree attainment, and eleventh in lower levels of tertiary attainment for the same age group. For the first time in U.S. history, the younger generation is being less well-educated than the generation before them. This paper highlights the problematic market-based federal funding policies that have aided this educational attainment decline and increased inefficiency in higher education. It also calls for new federal funding policies and directives to incentivize states to reinvest in its public colleges and universities in order to improve affordability and decrease student indebtedness.
Fiscal and Competitive Externalities of Charter Schools: Evidence from Utah
Authors: Mamo Michael
Published: September 2024

abstract: District expenditures and efficiency can be influenced by the entry of charter schools. Loss of economies due to reduced enrollments and a rising share of high-cost students are some of the key mechanisms that could potentially increase the costs of providing education in district schools. The competitive pressure from charter schools could also lead to efficiency gains by reducing the per pupil amount districts spend to achieve a given level of outcome. Utilizing data for Utah’s school districts over the period of 2014–2018, I estimate unobserved effects models to assess the expenditure and efficiency effects of charter schools on traditional public schools. I find significant increases in per-pupil expenditures associated with charter-induced enrollment losses and rising percentages of high need students. I also find evidence of efficiency losses in school districts stemming from the initial charter entry, but most adverse externalities appear to recede over time. The research underscores the policy significance of understanding how fiscally-constrained schools respond to competition.
Applying Critical Resource Theory to an Intradistrict Equity Audit
Authors: Duplain Nicole , Owings William , Kaplan Leslie
Published: September 2024

abstract: This study involved an intradistrict equity audit of one mid-Atlantic school district using a Critical Resource Theory lens (Owings, Kaplan, & Whitfield, 2022). This study utilized publicly available school-level expenditure data to determine the allocation and distribution of resources to expose any existing disparities. We used Skrla, McKenzie, and Scheurich's (2009) three equity classifications of teacher quality equity, programmatic equity, and achievement equity in the audit. We examined the findings through an a priori lens, proposing differences between/among as slight, moderate , or notable . To rate the differences in school funding as slight, moderate , or notable , we created two per-pupil expenditure weighting groups based on Verstegen and Driscoll's (2008) suggested student category weighting recommendations. Findings revealed slight, moderate , and notable differences in allocation disparities, teacher quality, and an association between funding and academic achievement across the eleven elementary schools.
Race to the Top or Bottom? Globalization and Education Spending in China
Authors: Guo Gang
Published: September 2024

abstract: The question of whether economic globalization promotes or depresses governments' education spending has attracted social scientists' attention for decades. Existing literature presents an interesting contrast between two theoretical scenarios, namely race to the top and race to the bottom. This paper attempts to adapt the debate to the subnational context of China and argues that, under this decentralized authoritarian setting, economic globalization could boost the absolute levels of education funding by incentivizing human capital formation and by contributing to local government coffers but shrink its relative share in overall spending by shifting government priorities away from education to other budget items such as infrastructure that relate more closely to foreign investment. A dynamic panel data analysis of provincial-level statistics from China over an 11-year period confirms that inflow of foreign direct investment increases the absolute level but decreases the relative weight of education spending in the overall provincial budget, essentially a race to the top and to the bottom at the same time.
Responsibility Center Management (RCM) and Enrollment, Graduation, Financial Aid, and Retention: Examining Trends at Four Public Institutions
Authors: Decker Emy Nelson
Published: September 2024

abstract: Responsibility center management (RCM) is a market-based budget model that may benefit certain academic institutions. While there are supporters and opponents of the model, there is a lack of hard evidence about the potential impact of RCM on a variety of institutional variables, hence the need for this study. This study brought together the variables, "fall enrollment," "graduation rate," "retention," and "financial aid," informed by IPEDS data, to examine quantitatively changes relating to RCM implementation. Data indicates that the implementation of RCM had a positive relationship with these variables. While these outcomes may encourage the implementation of RCM, the individual goals of an institution need to be considered before the decision to use RCM is made.
Pulling Back the Curtain on School-Level Expenditures: A Quantitative Examination of Budget Choices in New York City Public Schools
Authors: Batt Lena M.
Published: September 2024

abstract: Funding disparities between states and districts have been repeatedly documented, but scholars have put much less focus on resource inequities at the school level, a crucial gap in the research. In this study, I investigate school-level fiscal decision making in New York City public schools, a district that provides a unique look into expenditures due to their robust budget reporting and greater principal autonomy. Using latent profile analysis, I identified three distinct profiles or classes of schools based on their budget allocations. I then mapped administrative data onto the three classes to see how they varied by school and student demographics. School grade level was the main determinant of expenditure choices, with two classes primarily composed of elementary schools and the third mostly high schools. Race, socioeconomic status, ability, and language differentiated the two elementary classes and led to different expenditure choices, such as one spending more of their budget on paraprofessionals and books. The more affluent elementary class with less students of color spent more on experienced teachers, a persistent source of intradistrict inequity.
The Incidence of Financial Aid: How Colleges Respond to Merit Scholarship Programs
Authors: Welch Jilleah
Published: September 2024

abstract: This paper examines how colleges respond to the introduction of broad merit aid programs. Previous research has emphasized the impact of merit aid on enrollment, student choices, and post-matriculation outcomes. Yet much less is known about how state-implemented merit aid programs affect colleges’ financial decisions. To explore impacts, college financial data that spans from 1986–87 to 2009–10 is used and includes tuition and fees, expenditures on students, institutional grants, Pell grants disbursed, and other revenue sources. Results suggest that colleges do not capture merit scholarships through significant increases in published tuition prices. Instead, colleges increase expenditures on students following the introduction of merit aid programs.
Excitation of pure quartic platicon in optical microresonators
Authors: Liu Mulong , Zhu Haotong , Huang Huimin , Lu Zhizhou , Dang Yaai , Mei Sen , Cai Yanan , Wang Yuanyuan , Zhou Wenquan , Zhao Wei
Published: September 2024

We analytically derive the formulas of the threshold pump intensity and the range of possible detuning for the initiation of the pure quartic platicon (PQP) in the presence of multiphoton absorption, free-carrier absorption, and free-carrier dispersion. Theoretical investigations demonstrate a feasible approach for the excitation of PQP in the normal quartic dispersion regime via the free-carrier effects in platforms such as silicon, germanium, and their derivates. Due to the time-variant nonlinear loss related to free-carrier absorption or additional nonlinear detuning induced by free-carrier plasma dispersion, PQP can be generated through turn-key or laser frequency scanning schemes in both the three- and four-photon absorption regimes. Parameter spaces associated with varying detuning and free-carrier lifetime for the different dark, oscillating, and bright PQP states are revealed in the turn-key generation case. Such solitonic pulses are more energetic than conventional quadratic solitons with the same pulse width, especially for shorter pulse operations. In the spectral domain, PQP microcombs in the mid-infrared are desired for spectroscopy. These findings will facilitate the generation and manipulation of PQP and present promising potential for Kerr microcomb related applications.
Realizing Kirchhoff’s superposition law of light-irradiated pure spin currents in paralleled graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Liu Yulin , Zhu Lihua , Zhou Yan-Hong , Zheng Xiaohong
Published: September 2024

Light-irradiated pure spin current has been achieved via several methods. In this work, we aim to realize its superposition law by reducing the quantum interference effect between parallel circuits via first principles. As an example, a single-layer zigzag graphene nanoribbon (ZGNR) and a two-layer ZGNR constituted two-probe structures are chosen as our model. It is found that the lowest total energy of the system constructed by bilayer ZGNR occurs at an interlayer distance of about d=4Å, which indicates that the quantum interference between the two layer ZGNRs can be neglected when the interlayer distance exceeds 4Å. In our anticipation, the total light-irradiated pure spin current in the two-layer ZGNR constituted two-probe structures is twice that in the single-layer ZGNR constituted two-probe structure when the interlayer distance is set to 6Å, satisfying the superposition law. While when the interlayer distance is 2Å, the total light-irradiated pure spin current in the two-layer ZGNR constituted two-probe structures is not bigger but smaller than that in the single-layer ZGNR constituted two-probe structure, which may be induced by the quantum coherent cancellation. So the superposition law of photogalvanic pure spin currents can be realized in ZGNR-based devices by manipulating the layer distances. In addition, the combination type of light irradiation area won’t affect the realization of the superposition law of photogalvanic pure spin currents. The results provide a reliable method for strengthening the photogalvanic pure spin currents in two-dimensional graphene materials and also for the integration of optoelectronic devices.
Vibration disturbance compensation in in situ confocal microscopy
Authors: Liu Jian , Xu Zhenlong , Wang Ziyi , Liu Chenguang
Published: September 2024

In situ microscopic measurement, conducted within the natural environment of a material or device, offers precise observations directly at the sample location, mitigating potential damage or deformation during transport. However, the inherent vibration of microscopic measurement equipment can introduce blurring and distortion to images, compromising measurement accuracy. This study proposes employing an acceleration sensor to detect microprobe vibrations and subsequently calculates three-dimensional coordinate displacements to compensate for measurement discrepancies. This approach can diminish the adverse effects of vibration on measurement outcomes within the order of hundreds of nanometers. Experimental results demonstrated the efficacy of this method in mitigating vibration artifact stripes or irregularities with a displacement amplitude I = sinc2[a(z − b)] ranging from ∼0.2 to 5.2 μm and a frequency spanning ∼7.9–18.8 Hz. Moreover, the lateral resolution of the probe attained 212 nm. Notably, the measurement error associated with the standard step height was decreased from 2.32 to 0.03 μm.
The refinement paradox and cumulative cultural evolution: Complex products of collective improvement favor conformist outcomes, blind copying, and hyper-credulity
Authors: Miu Elena , Rendell Luke , Bowles Sam , Boyd Rob , Cownden Daniel , Enquist Magnus , Eriksson Kimmo , Feldman Marcus W. , Lillicrap Timothy , McElreath Richard , Murray Stuart , Ounsley James , Lala Kevin N.
Published: September 2024

Social learning is common in nature, yet cumulative culture (where knowledge and technology increase in complexity and diversity over time) appears restricted to humans. To understand why, we organized a computer tournament in which programmed entries specified when to learn new knowledge and when to refine (i.e. improve) existing knowledge. The tournament revealed a ‘refinement paradox’: refined behavior afforded higher payoffs as individuals converged on a small number of successful behavioral variants, but refining did not generally pay. Paradoxically, entries that refined only in certain conditions did best during behavioral improvement, while simple copying entries thrived when refinement levels were high. Cumulative cultural evolution may be rare in part because sophisticated strategies for improving knowledge and technology are initially advantageous, yet complex culture, once achieved, favors conformity, blind imitation and hyper-credulity.
Applications of the prediction of satisfaction design for monitoring single-arm phase II trials
Authors: Djeridi Zohra , Ghouar Ahlem , Boulares Hamid , Bouye Mohamed
Published: September 2024

Prediction of satisfaction design, with binary endpoints, is an innovative strategy for phase II trials. We explain this hybrid frequentist-Bayesian strategy with an adept statistical plan and thorough findings, incorporating a description of study design features such as the sample size and the beta prior distribution, to simplify the Bayesian design. We also provide a set of tables and figures ranging from the stopping boundary for futility to the prediction of satisfaction, performance (type I error, power, and the probability of early termination PET), and sensitivity analysis for prediction of satisfaction. The statistical plan includes the operating characteristics through simulation study. Several trial examples from phase II lung cancer studies demonstrate the approach’s practical use. The prediction of satisfaction design presents a flexible method in clinical study. This statistical study adds value to the application by broadening its scope.
Unravelling taphono-myths. First large-scale study of histotaphonomic changes and diagenesis in bone from modern surface depositions
Authors: Schotsmans Eline M. J. , Stuart Barbara H. , Stewart Tahlia J. , Thomas Paul S. , Miszkiewicz Justyna J.
Published: September 2024

The use of diagenetic alterations in bone microstructure (‘histotaphonomy’) as indicators of funerary treatment in the past and for post-mortem interval calculations in forensic cases has received increasing attention in the last decade. Studies have used histological changes to conclude in-situ decomposition, mummification, infanticide and post-mortem interval. There has been very little attempt to experimentally validate the links between decomposition, depositional conditions, time-since-death and microscopic changes in human bone so that meaningful interpretations of archaeological and forensic observations can be made. Here, we address this problem experimentally using the largest sample of human remains from anatomical donors and the longest-term deposition framework to date. This study tests one key assumption of histotaphonomy; that putrefaction during the early stages of decay is reflected in bone microanatomy and composition. Seventeen human donors and six pigs were deposited on the surface in a known Australian environment and left to decompose between 463 and 1238 days. All remains underwent all stages of decomposition reaching skeletonisation. Rib and femur samples were analysed using conventional histological methods and scanning electron microscopy, by applying the Oxford Histological Index, and examining collagen birefringence, microcracking and re- and de mineralisation. Biomolecular changes of the femoral samples were analysed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results indicate that bioerosion in human bone does not occur due to putrefaction. There were no correlations between bone histology and the following variables: human vs pigs, season, primary vs secondary deposition, position, fresh vs frozen and time-since-deposition. Furthermore, no trends were observed between biomolecular changes and time-since-deposition. The study also shows that pigs cannot be used as substitutes for human remains for bone biodegradation research. This is the first, controlled, larger scale study of human remains providing a lack of support for a long-assumed relationship between putrefaction and bone histology bioerosion. Using bone degradation as an argument to prove putrefaction, in-situ decomposition and early taphonomic processes cannot be supported based on the experimental human data presented.
Effects of spray-dried plasma on performance, carcass parameters, tibia quality and Newcastle disease vaccine efficacy in broiler chicken fed corn-soy diets with two varying levels of digestible amino acids and AMEn density
Authors: Bundur Atakan , Riaz Roshan , Elibol Fatma K. E. , Demir Teyfik , Polo Javier , Crenshaw Joe , Zentek Jürgen , Sizmaz Ozge
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to determine the effects of spray dried plasma (SDP) on growth performance, carcass traits, tibia quality, and hemagglutination inhibition titers in broilers fed two nutritional strategies with high or low nutrient density. In the study, 816 one-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens were divided into a 2 × 2 factorial arrangements consisting of four treatment groups with 12 replicates (17 birds/replicate) based on diets with high nutrient density (HND) or low nutrient density (LND) from d 0 to 42 and receiving either control or 1% SDP diets during d 0 to 10. The results showed that feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) were increased (P < 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly reduced (P = 0.003) for broilers fed HND diets from d 0 to 42. The inclusion of SDP increased the BWG (P < 0.001), FI (P < 0.001), and FCR (P < 0.05) during d 0 to 10 of broiler life but not effect of SDP was observed for the whole 0–42 d period. Carcass yield increased with HND (P < 0.001) and dietary SDP (P = 0.002). However, HND feeding significantly decreased liver (P < 0.001), bursa of Fabricius (P = 0.002), abdominal fat (P < 0.001), proventriculus (P < 0.001) and gizzard weight (P < 0.001), but increased heart weight (P = 0.013), although spleen weight remained unaffected (P > 0.05) on d 42. Tibial bone morphometric and mechanical properties improved (P < 0.05) with SDP supplementation, and bone ash, Ca, and P remained unaffected (P > 0.05) on d 14. With the exception at d 28 (P = 0.037), the antibody titer to ND virus was similar among all treatment groups (P > 0.05) at d 0, 14, and 42. In conclusion, HND diets improve performance of broilers during the whole period and SDP supplementation during starter phase improve performance at this period, but also increased carcass yield, and tibial quality. Therefore, inclusion of SDP in the starter diet could be a beneficial nutritional strategy to improve the health and production of broilers provided feeding strategies using various nutrient densities.
Dynamics of odor-source localization: Insights from real-time odor plume recordings and head-motion tracking in freely moving mice
Authors: Tariq Mohammad F. , Sterrett Scott C. , Moore Sidney , Lane  , Perkel David J. , Gire David H.
Published: September 2024

Animals navigating turbulent odor plumes exhibit a rich variety of behaviors, and employ efficient strategies to locate odor sources. A growing body of literature has started to probe this complex task of localizing airborne odor sources in walking mammals to further our understanding of neural encoding and decoding of naturalistic sensory stimuli. However, correlating the intermittent olfactory information with behavior has remained a long-standing challenge due to the stochastic nature of the odor stimulus. We recently reported a method to record real-time olfactory information available to freely moving mice during odor-guided navigation, hence overcoming that challenge. Here we combine our odor-recording method with head-motion tracking to establish correlations between plume encounters and head movements. We show that mice exhibit robust head-pitch motions in the 5-14Hz range during an odor-guided navigation task, and that these head motions are modulated by plume encounters. Furthermore, mice reduce their angles with respect to the source upon plume contact. Head motions may thus be an important part of the sensorimotor behavioral repertoire during naturalistic odor-source localization.
Protocol for the co-design of an online support service for adults with hearing loss
Authors: Zou Alicia , Tang Diana , Ferguson Melanie , Sherman Kerry , McMahon Catherine , Gill Liz , Lau Annie , Lee Jane , Williamson Steve , Davies Elizabeth , Sheng Kate , O’Toole Simon , Georgiou Andrew , Mukherjee Payal , Wolnizer Peter , Gopinath Bamini
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Untreated hearing loss is reported to negatively impact on an individual’s quality of life, affecting their psychological and physical health and placing them at greater risk of developing dementia. Despite this, hearing loss management is often delayed by up to a decade. This is likely due to difficulties in navigating the hearing care pathway, and the absence of a central, unbiased reference point for consumer-friendly hearing health information and resources. We intend to co-design an online support service for adults with hearing loss with the following aims: 1) to understand unmet needs and consumer barriers to accessing hearing health information, 2) to identify solutions to these unmet needs that can be developed into prototype ideas, 3) to incrementally build on iterations of a prototype until a usable online support service is developed and ready for real-life testing with end-users, and 4) to test and evaluate the usability, accessibility, and effectiveness of the prototype from the consumer’s perspective, so that the prototype can be refined into the final product.

Methods and analysis

This will be a mixed method study. Consumers will be involved in all stages of the design of the project following the Hasso Plattner model of design thinking. The qualitative component will involve sprints and semi-structured interviews to access the consumer perspective and understand unmet needs and challenges regarding the access of online hearing health information. For the quantitative component, an online survey will be administered prior to prototype testing as part of the remote usability study to collect self-efficacy and eHealth literacy outcome measures via validated questionnaires. Data collection will also be performed post-prototype testing for evaluation purposes. Finally, heuristic evaluation of the prototype will be conducted by an eLearning expert to help refine the prototype into the final product.
Understanding the impact related to lifestyle interventions for people with dementia: A systematic review protocol
Authors: Middleton Laura , Vucea-Tirabassi Vanessa , Liu Grace , Bethell Jennifer , Cooke Heather , Keller Heather , Liu-Ambrose Teresa , O’Connell Megan E. , Stapleton Jackie , Waldron Ingrid , Wu Sarah , Yous Marie-Lee , Aiken Christine , Heibein William , Norman Myrna , McAiney Carrie
Published: September 2024

There is growing evidence to suggest that lifestyle initiatives promote brain health and reduce dementia risk. However, there is comparatively limited research focused on lifestyle interventions among people living with dementia. Most recent systematic reviews of lifestyle interventions among people living with dementia centre on the impact of exercise on cognition; yet, functional abilities and quality of life are most consistently prioritized by people living with dementia, care partners, and healthcare professionals. There is insufficient evidence to inform guidelines on effective lifestyle interventions, programs, resources, and policies for people living with dementia. To address this knowledge gap, the objective of this study is to perform a systematic review to understand the impact of lifestyle interventions among people living with dementia. The specific research questions are: "What is the effectiveness of physical activity interventions on improving functional abilities and quality of life among community-dwelling people living with dementia?", "What is the effectiveness of healthy eating/nutrition on improving nutritional status or quality of life among community-dwelling people living with dementia?" and "Does the effectiveness of interventions vary depending on the components (single or multi), setting (in-home or community centre, geography), program structure, mode of delivery, dosage, and participant characteristics (sex/gender, ethno-cultural or language group, race, dementia type)?" The results from this review will inform recommendations of lifestyle interventions and their delivery among people living with dementia in the community.

Trial registration: Systematic review registration PROSPERO #CRD42024509408.
Improving hospice delirium guideline adoption through an understanding of barriers and facilitators: A mixed-methods study
Authors: Jackson Catriona , Malia Catherine , Zacharias Hannah , Dyson Judith , Johnson Miriam J.
Published: September 2024

Objectives

This study seeks to understand and address barriers to practitioners’ optimal assessment and management of people with delirium in hospices.

Methods

Retrospective clinical record review to identify areas of low concordance with guideline-adherent delirium care; Survey of healthcare practitioners to identify barriers and facilitators to optimal care; Qualitative interviews with health care practitioners to explore and develop strategies to address barriers or optimise facilitators; Meeting with senior clinical staff to refine identified strategies.

Results

Eighty clinical records were reviewed. Elements of poor guideline concordance were identified. Delirium screening on admission was conducted for 61% of admissions. Non-pharmacological management was documented for 59% of those we identified as having delirium from the clinical records. Survey and interview data identified key barriers to delirium assessment as competing priorities, poor knowledge and skills and lack of environmental resources (staff and guidelines, environment). Consultation with staff resulted in strategies to address barriers and enhance facilitators including champions, educational meetings, audit and feedback, and environmental changes (including careful consideration of the staff skills mix on shift and tools to support non-pharmacological management).

Conclusions

We conducted a theoretically underpinned, internationally relevant study in a hospice in England, UK. Implementation of strategies should result in greater guideline-adherent delirium care. Further work should test this in practice and include both process and clinical outcomes (e.g., reduction in delirium days).
Small extracellular vesicles from the human endothelial cell line EA.hy 926 exert a self-cell activation and modulate DENV-2 genome replication and infection in naïve endothelial cells
Authors: Calderón-Peláez María-Angélica , Madroñero L. Johana , Castellanos Jaime E. , Velandia-Romero Myriam L.
Published: September 2024

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play crucial roles in cell signaling and communication, transporting molecules that convey a message to target cells. During infectious diseases, EVs can also carry viral molecules that may contribute to viral spread, as previously reported for dengue virus (DENV). EVs from infected endothelial cells (EC) may harbor viral segments and various sets of molecules that could contribute to endothelial dysfunction during severe dengue. However, the effect of these EVs on non-infected EC (NIC) remain unknown. We characterized the EVs produced by the human EC line EA.hy 926 infected with DENV-2 and assessed their functional impact on polarized NIC. Results showed that infection induced an increased in the quantity of produced EVs, which differentially carried proteins mainly involved in proteosome activity, along with a peptide of the NS5 viral protein. Additionally, all types of Y-RNAs were found, accompanied by a set of differentially loaded microRNAs (miRs) that could regulate DENV genome. Pre-treatment of polarized NIC with small EVs (sEVs) from infected EC before DENV-2 infection caused EC activation, a decrease in viral genome replication, and a protective effect against barrier disruption during the first 24h post-infection, suggesting that sEVs could be important in the pathology or resolution of DENV and a promising therapeutic tool for infectious diseases.
Exploring carbon catenoids and their applications for encapsulation of carbon nanostructures
Authors: Sripaturad Panyada , Thamwattana Ngamta , Stevens Kyle , Baowan Duangkamon
Published: September 2024

Carbon nanostructures of various shapes are among materials that have been extensively studied due to their unique chemical and physical properties. In this paper, we propose a new geometry of carbon nanostructures known as molecular carbon catenoid to compare with theoretical catenoid found from minimising the Willmore energy functional. Since applications of this structure include electron and molecular transport, this paper mathematically models the energetic behaviour of an atom and a spherical molecule entering a catenoid using the Lennard-Jones potential and a continuum approach. The suction energy is also obtained to determine the size of catenoid suitable for encapsulation of various structures. Results shown for theoretical catenoid using continuum modelling approach are found to be in good agreement with numerical simulations for molecular carbon catenoid.
Unlocking the secrets of green semiotics: The revolutionary power of eco-symbols in transforming consumer perceptions and catalyzing behavioral shifts in emerging markets
Authors: Worakittikul Wongsatorn , Saenwerm Chatrawee , Naruetharadhol Phaninee
Published: September 2024

This study delves into the intriguing dynamics between green semiotics and brand experiences, examining how elements like color, image, logo, and font not only shape brand experiences towards eco-friendly products but also influence green consumer behavior and thinking. Conducting a survey among 357 Thai consumers, this research uses Covariance-based Structural Equation Modeling (CB-SEM) to unearth the complex relationships between these semiotic elements and the multifaceted dimensions of brand experience—cognitive, sensory, emotional, and cultural. Surprisingly, the analysis revealed a predominantly negative impact of green semiotics on consumer perceptions, challenging the prevailing notion that eco-friendly branding consistently engenders positive reactions. Theoretically, this research sheds light on the potential pitfalls of green semiotics in branding, while practically, it offers critical insights for marketers on the cautious use of these elements to avoid consumer disillusionment and enhance sustainable consumer engagement, thereby contributing to a more nuanced understanding of how green brand experiences can be optimized to foster positive environmental behavior.
Estimating population infection rates from non-random testing data: Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Benatia David , Godefroy Raphael , Lewis Joshua
Published: September 2024

To effectively respond to an emerging infectious disease outbreak, policymakers need timely and accurate measures of disease prevalence in the general population. This paper presents a new methodology to estimate real-time population infection rates from non-random testing data. The approach compares how the observed positivity rate varies with the size of the tested population and applies this gradient to infer total population infections. Applying this methodology to daily testing data across U.S. states during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, we estimated widespread undiagnosed COVID-19 infections. Nationwide, we found that for every identified case, there were 12 population infections. Our prevalence estimates align with results from seroprevalence surveys, alternate approaches to measuring COVID-19 infections, and total excess mortality during the first wave of the pandemic.
Exploring the impact of child underweight status on common childhood illnesses among children under five years in Bangladesh along with spatial analysis
Authors: Islam Khondokar Naymul , Sultana Sumaya , Rahman Ferdous , Rahman Abdur
Published: September 2024

Background

In developing countries like Bangladesh, under-five children are mostly experiencing and suffering from common diseases like fever, cough, diarrhea, and acute respiratory infections (ARI). To mitigate these problems, it’s crucial to spot prevalent areas and take proper action. This study investigates the spatial distribution and associated factors of prevalent childhood illnesses across Bangladesh.

Methods and findings

This research comprised 8,306 children’s information from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017–18. We performed chi-square, t-tests, binary logistic regression and spatial analyses in this work. BDHS survey data and GPS data were aggregated to identify common childhood illnesses among under-five children. Moran’s index first mapped childhood illnesses. Afterward, Getis-Ord Gi* discovered hot and cold spots for illnesses. However, Kriging interpolation predicted child illnesses in unsampled areas. Here, 33.2% (CI: 32.2–34.3), 36% (CI: 35–37.1), 4.7% (CI: 4.3–5.2), and 12.9% (CI: 12.2–13.6) of children under five had fever, cough, diarrhea, and ARI, respectively. In the fortnight before to the survey, 47.3% (CI: 46.2–48.3) of under-5 children were ill. Common childhood illnesses are associated with children’s (age, underweight status, etc.), mothers’ (age, education, etc.), and household factors (residency, wealth index, etc.). Underweight status is associated with fever, cough and at least one disease. The unsampled north-western and south-western areas of Bangladesh had a higher prevalence of fever, cough, ARI and at least one common disease. Cough was most common in the central-northern region; fever was most common in the lower southern region; and ARI was most common in Bangladesh’s south-east. Childhood diseases were more prevalent in Bangladesh’s central-northern and southern regions.

Conclusions

Our research demonstrates the regional clustering of common childhood diseases in Bangladesh. Policymakers should focus on these higher-prevalence regions, and the necessary preventive measures should be taken immediately.
Um convite à teoria algébrica de formas quadráticas e de formas hermitianas
Authors: Santos Kaique , Luiz Mariano Hugo
Published: September 2024

O objetivo deste trabalho é duplo: fornecer uma introdução para os leitores que não estão familiarizados com a teoria algébrica das formas quadráticas sobre corpos (TAFQ) e, na sequência, com o referente construído na TAFQ introduzir a teoria algébrica de formas hermitinas com coeficientes em algébras associativas munidas de uma involução (TAFH).
Having a disabled child: Relationship between psychological well-being and family resilience
Authors: Akyürek Zeynep , Soyer Fikret
Published: September 2024

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between resilience and psychological well-being characteristics of parents of disabled children. The research group consists of 248 parents of disabled individuals who continue their education in special education schools and rehabilitation centers. The personal Information Form prepared by the researcher, the Family Resilience Scale (FYÖ), and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PIOS) were used as data collection tools. Descriptive statistics, Independent Sample T-Test, Pearson Correlation, and Regression analysis were used to analyze the data. When the research findings are examined, there is no significant difference between family resilience and psychological well-being levels according to sports activity; Positive and significant relationships were determined between psychological well-being and family resilience. Accordingly, it is seen that as the family resilience levels of the participants increase, their psychological well-being levels also increase. In this study, since there is no significant difference between family resilience and psychological well-being levels according to sports playing status, various demographic variables can be examined by taking into account.
(Extended English summary is at the end of this document)
Özet
Bu çalışma engelli çocuğa sahip ebeveynlerin yılmazlık ve psikolojik iyi oluş özellikleri arasındaki ilişkiyi belirlemek amacıyla ele alınmıştır. Araştırma grubunu, Özel eğitim okulu ve rehabilitasyon merkezlerinde eğitimine devam eden 248 engelli birey ebeveyni oluşturmaktadır. Veri toplama araçları olarak araştırmacı tarafından hazırlanan Kişisel Bilgi Formu, Aile Yılmazlık Ölçeği (AYÖ) ve Psikolojik İyi Oluş Ölçeği (PİOÖ) kullanılmıştır. Verilerin analizinde Tanımlayıcı istatistikler, Independent Sample T-Testi, Pearson Korelasyon ve Regresyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma bulguları incelendiğinde, spor yapma durumuna göre, aile yılmazlık ve psikolojik iyi oluş düzeyleri arasında anlamlı farklılık bulunmazken; psikolojik iyi oluş ile aile yılmazlık arasında pozitif yönde anlamlı ilişkiler tespit edilmiştir. Buna göre, katılımcıların aile yılmazlık düzeyleri arttıkça psikolojik iyi oluş düzeylerinin de artış gösterdiği görülmektedir. Bu çalışmada, spor yapma durumuna göre, aile yılmazlık ve psikolojik iyi oluş düzeyleri arasında anlamlı farklılık bulunmaması sebebiyle çeşitli demografik değişkenler de dikkate alınarak incelenebilir.
Fluvial processes under late Pleni-Weichselian environmental conditions: a case study from the Warenka site in central Poland
Authors: Petera-Zganiacz Joanna , Brzozowicz Dorota , Pawłowski Dominik , Kaczmarek Paweł
Published: September 2024

Strong aggradational tendencies during the late Pleni-Weichselian have been noted in river valleys in central Europe. Thick series of mineral deposits were laid down, but also organic or mineral-organic horizons were formed under favourable conditions. The study area is located in the central section of the valley of the River Warta within an extraglacial area of the last glaciation. At the Warenka site alluvia, that attain thicknesses of 16 m, were analysed. Lithofacies analysis, OSL dating of mineral sediments and radiocarbon dating of organic and mineral-organic strata were performed. Organic and mineral-organic deposits were also subjected to pollen and Cladocera analyses. Together this set of analyses was used to determine fluvial processes and environmental conditions during the late Pleni-Weichselian. The results obtained allow the conclusion that these levels were deposited in the sedimentary environment of a low-energy, sand-bed braided river, which operated in the period from approximately 30 to 24 cal kBP – the late Pleni-Weichselian. During this time, there were periods when shallow water bodies were formed on the valley bottom, where deposition of organic material was possible. The presence of this type of sediment made it possible to reconstruct the vegetation cover; this had the character of a steppe-tundra, periodically shrubby steppe-tundra. Short-lived reservoirs were characterised by shallow-water settings with weakly developed vegetation and temporary influence of floodwaters as indicated by changes in cladoceran assemblages. Pollen spectra, low concentration of cladocerans, as well as the presence of the cold-tolerant Cladocera taxa are indicative of cold climatic conditions.
In search of Polish in the multilingual cityscape: analysing the urban spaces of Ealing, London
Authors: Romanowski Piotr
Published: September 2024

This paper examines Polish in the public space of the Borough of Ealing, London. The area has been known for a high concentration of the Polish diaspora since the end of World War II, with the highest proportion of Polish speakers at 7 % according to the most recent statistics. In this study, the focus is on the presence of Polish, its relative prestige, power of conveying a meaning, as well as its relevance in a text. It also considers the status and dominance of English above Polish and answers the question how languages are combined in bi-/multilingual signage. A methodological framework encompassing the aspects of semiotic and linguistic analysis, such as: contexts, domains, language dominance, genre and function, has been adopted to analyse a corpus of 368 signs. It has been argued that Polish indexes and constructs public spaces in different areas of Ealing as places of identity and belonging, since Poles have been very active in their efforts to construct their own space where they could function in their mother tongue and organise social life.
Weiterbildung in wissenschaftlichen Bibliotheken: Status quo und Perspektiven
Authors: Dotzauer Mareike , Vonhof Cornelia
Published: September 2024

Der vorliegende Beitrag beleuchtet den Status quo der Weiterbildung in wissenschaftlichen Bibliotheken in Deutschland. Dazu werden Kennzeichen einer idealtypischen systematischen Weiterbildung den Ergebnissen von qualitativen Interviews mit zehn Universitäts- und Landesbibliotheken gegenübergestellt. Die Auswertung zeigt, dass der Stellenwert und die Umsetzung von Weiterbildung mit Faktoren wie finanziellen Ressourcen, strategischer Ausrichtung und dem Vorhandensein eines Personalentwicklungskonzeptes korrelieren. Der Beitrag diskutiert darüber hinaus die in der Literatur zu findende Diskrepanz zwischen der Bedeutung, die einer systematisch und strategisch ausgerichteten Weiterbildung in wissenschaftlichen Bibliotheken zugeschrieben wird und der vorzufindenden Praxis. Good-Practice-Beispiele aus den befragten Bibliotheken und Empfehlungen für zukünftige Entwicklungen ergänzen die Analyse.
Invasive Chinese tallow tree serves as a new host for four scale insect species
Authors: Lucas Alyssa L. , Powell Erin C. , Deeter Lily A. , Pandey Manoj
Published: September 2024

Chinese tallow tree (Triadica sebifera [L.] Small) (Malpighiales: Euphorbiaceae) is one of the most invasive plants in the southeastern United States and is designated as a noxious weed in the state of Florida. Current management strategies for Chinese tallow are expensive and ineffective at the landscape scale, allowing for further spread. Here, we document the first records of four scale insect species, Ceroplastes rusci (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Coccidae), Coccus hesperidum Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Coccidae), Rhizoecus floridanus Hambleton (Hemiptera: Rhizoecidae), and Aonidiella orientalis (Newstead) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), feeding on a small population of cultivated Chinese tallow and discuss the implications of invasive species interactions.
Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Lymph Node Metastasis in a 12 Years-Old Sphynx Female Cat
Authors: Hatipoglu Fatih , Tas Abuzer , Bozkurt M. Fatih , Risvanli Ali , Sen İsmail
Published: September 2024

In this report, a case of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with lymph node metastasis was described in a 12 years-old Sphynx female cat. The mandibular lymph node was totally removed and dissected (lymphadenectomy). The oral necrotic-ulcerated mass was extirpated. In the oral mass, pleomorphic squamous epithelial cells with atypical cellular features, erosions and ulcers were also observed. Squamous epithelial cells with prominent atypical cell features were found in the mandibular lymph node. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that neoplastic cells were positive for AE1-AE3 and cytokeratin 5/6. It was found appropriate to present the case in order to draw attention to the fact that dogs and cats with chronic gingivostomatitis with erosions and ulcers on the oral mucosa should also be evaluated in terms of OSCC
Producción de semilla élite de papa (Solanum tuberosum L.) variedad Diacol Capiro en sistema aeropónico
Authors: Betancur Betancur Natalia Andrea , Tabares Giraldo Daniela , Montoya Pérez Nelson de Jesús , Garzón González Jorge Mario
Published: September 2024

La papa (Solanum tuberosum L.) es una de las especies vegetales con mejor respuesta al cultivo de tejidos in vitro; esta metodología se utiliza como estrategia para apoyar los procesos de producción de semilla de papa, lo que contribuye a una rápida propagación de variedades, alta estabilidad genética y calidad fitosanitaria. La principal problemática del sector papicultor está relacionada con el uso de semilla de baja calidad, la cual aumenta los problemas fitosanitarios, incrementa costos de producción y disminuye el rendimiento y la producción en los cultivos. El objetivo de esta investigación fue producir semilla élite de papa de la variedad Diacol Capiro, en sistema aeropónico. El material vegetal empleado fueron plántulas in vitro, las cuales se sometieron a proceso de aclimatización bajo condiciones controladas de invernadero, cubierto con casa malla. La siembra de las plántulas se hizo en vasos plásticos de 100 g, los cuales se llenaron con un sustrato compuesto por una mezcla de turba canadiense y fibra de coco; las plantas se dejaron en producción de minitubérculos en este sistema, después se cosecharon los minitubérculos, se tallaron y, posteriormente, se sembraron en sistema aeropónico. Una vez sembradas las plantas en este sistema se evaluaron dos tratamientos: el primero (S1) usó dos soluciones nutritivas con nutrientes mayores y menores en dos concentraciones diferentes; para el segundo tratamiento (S2) se usaron tres tamaños de los minitubérculos tallados y sembrados en el sistema aeropónico. Los resultados arrojaron, para el caso de las dos soluciones nutritivas, que el mejor tratamiento fue la solución (S1), ya que presentó el mayor peso de tubérculos por planta (356.6 g), frente a la solución (S2) con 56.19 g, una diferencia de 300 g/planta. Con relación al número de tubérculos por planta, la solución S1 presentó el mayor número, con 30.5 tubérculos, mientras que la solución S2 arrojó 10.4 tubérculos; una diferencia de 20.1 tubérculos/planta. Con relación al tratamiento del tamaño de los tubérculos semilla sembrado en el sistema aeropónico, la semilla de 3 gramos logró el mejor rendimiento con un total de 1338 tubérculos; la semilla entre 1-3 gramos, 885 tubérculos; y la pequeña de <1 gramo, 643 tubérculos.