bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterising the discharge of hillslope karstic aquifers from hydrodynamic and physicochemical data (Sierra Seca, SE Spain)
Authors: González-Ramón Antonio , Jódar Jorge , Morales-González Antonio L. , Moral-Martos Francisco , Jiménez-Espinosa Rosario
Published: September 2024

Groundwater flow has been investigated in the Sierra Seca, Spain. Maximum recharge to the central core of the mountain occurs at high elevations, which provides recharge to two overlapping karst aquifers constituting a groundwater storage zone at a lower elevation break in slope. Both karst aquifers are associated with three springs arising from the upper part of the permeable formations. The climate is characterized by long and intense periods of drought and short periods of rainfall, which trigger discharges from the springs. Spring flow recession curve analysis, cross-correlation and monitoring of groundwater temperature and electrical conductivity have demonstrated contrasts observed in the hydrodynamic and physicochemical response of the three springs during flood events. One spring records floods with narrow and short peaks of high discharge accompanied by sharp drops in temperature and electrical conductivity. Another spring records floods with somewhat wider peaks and sharp increases in temperature and electrical conductivity (piston effect), whereas the third spring shows great consistency in all monitored characteristics. It is concluded that the absence of a piston effect in the spring with the highest flow rates is due to the contribution of rapidly circulating water that is expelled by semi-active karst networks (overflow) before reaching the saturated zone, which does not occur in the other springs due to the absence of overflow hydrological pathways. The most regular spring owes its functioning to the contribution of infiltrated water in the bed of an upstream riverbed, which explains this regularity.
Effects of treadmill training combined with transcranial direct current stimulation on mobility, motor performance, balance function, and other brain-related outcomes in stroke survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Usman Jibrin Sammani , Wong Thomson Wai-lung , Ng Shamay Sheung Mei
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Treadmill training (TT) is a gait training technique that has commonly been used in neurorehabilitation, and has positive effects on gait, mobility, and related outcomes in stroke survivors. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive approach for modulating brain cortex excitability.

Aim

To evaluate the available scientific evidence on the effects of TT combined with tDCS on mobility, motor performance, balance function, and brain-related outcomes in stroke survivors.

Methods

Five databases namely the Cochrane library, PEDro, Web of Science, PubMed, and EMBASE, were searched for relevant studies from inception to March, 2024. Only randomized controlled trials were included, and their methodological quality and risk of bias (ROB) were evaluated using the PEDro scale and Cochrane ROB assessment tool respectively. Qualitative and quantitative syntheses (using fixed effects meta-analysis) were employed to analyze the data.

Results

The results revealed that TT combined with active tDCS had significant beneficial effects on some mobility parameters, some gait spatiotemporal parameters, some gait kinematic parameters, gait endurance, gait ability, and corticomotor excitability in stroke survivors, but no significant difference on gait speed (P > 0.05), functional mobility (P > 0.05), motor performance (P > 0.05), or some balance functions (P > 0.05), compared with the control conditions.

Conclusions

TT combined with active tDCS significantly improves some gait/mobility outcomes and corticomotor excitability in stroke survivors.
Dynamic evolution of causal relationships among cryptocurrencies: an analysis via Bayesian networks
Authors: Amirzadeh Rasoul , Thiruvady Dhananjay , Nazari Asef , Ee Mong Shan
Published: September 2024

Understanding the relationships between cryptocurrencies is important for making informed investment decisions in this financial market. Our study utilises Bayesian networks to examine the causal interrelationships among six major cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Binance Coin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, and Tether. Beyond understanding the connectedness, we also investigate whether these relationships evolve over time. This understanding is crucial for developing profitable investment strategies and forecasting methods. Therefore, we introduce an approach to investigate the dynamic nature of these relationships. Our observations reveal that Tether, a stablecoin, behaves distinctly compared to mining-based cryptocurrencies and stands isolated from the others. Furthermore, our findings indicate that Bitcoin and Ethereum significantly influence the price fluctuations of the other coins, except for Tether. This highlights their key roles in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Additionally, we conduct diagnostic analyses on constructed Bayesian networks, emphasising that cryptocurrencies generally follow the same market direction as extra evidence for interconnectedness. Moreover, our approach reveals the dynamic and evolving nature of these relationships over time, offering insights into the ever-changing dynamics of the cryptocurrency market.
The Role of Dosage and Family Profiles in a Child Welfare Home Visiting Program
Authors: Hidalgo García Victoria , Pérez-Padilla Javier , Camacho Martínez-Vara de Rey Carlos , Jiménez García Lucía
Published: September 2024

Background

Among the different modalities of family support, home visiting programs have proved to be one of the most effective secondary prevention models for families involved in child welfare services. Despite the promising outcomes and the extensive available literature, further research is needed to investigate target population characteristics and implementation factors that may explain the heterogeneity in the outcomes of these programs for families receiving child welfare services.

Objective

This longitudinal study explored the role of dosage and family characteristics related to the effectiveness of the Family Intervention Program (FIP), which is a home-based Spanish child welfare service for supporting families at psychosocial risk.

Method

To this end, a quasi-experimental design was followed, including a time-series evaluation of the 289 families receiving the FIP. In order to examine the impact of the FIP, the evolution of child well-being (CWB) was evaluated with Child Well-Being Scales every 6 months.

Results

The results showed that the highest average CWB score was observed after 39 months of intervention, observing no improvements in CWB from that point. Similarly, the results showed that the FIP was more effective for single parent families at higher socioeconomic levels.

Conclusions

This article provides new knowledge for the understanding of home visiting programs success, concluding that the programs are not equally effective for all family profiles, and that it is necessary to adjust each program to the specific characteristics of the target population.
Disfluencies as a Window into Pragmatic Skills in Russian-Hebrew Bilingual Autistic and Non-Autistic Children
Authors: Beradze Marianna , Meir Natalia
Published: September 2024

There is little research on the production of speech disfluencies such as silent pauses, repetitions, self-corrections, and filled pauses (e.g., eh, em) in monolingual autistic children, and there is no data on this crucial part of speech production in bilingual autistic children. This study aims to address this gap by examining disfluency production in bilingual autistic and non-autistic children across two linguistically distinct languages, HL-Russian (the home language) and SL-Hebrew (the societal language). Fifty-one bilingual Russian-Hebrew-speaking autistic and non-autistic children aged 5–9 (autistic: n = 21; non-autistic: n = 30), matched for age and non-verbal intelligence, participated in picture-based story-generation tasks (LITMUS MAIN, Gagarina et al., ZAS Papers in Linguistics, 63:1–36, 2019). Audio recordings of narrative samples were transcribed, coded, and scored for eleven disfluency types using CLAN tools. The non-autistic group produced higher overall disfluency rate than the autistic group. The autistic group exhibited fewer filled and silent pauses than the non-autistic group in HL-Russian. Furthermore, non-autistic children manifested varied distribution of disfluency types across languages, while autistic children displayed more consistent patterns across languages. In summary, we replicated findings from previous research on monolinguals only partly, as no between-group difference in filled pauses was found in SL-Hebrew. Additionally, bilingual autistic children exhibited language-universal patterns of disfluency production, whereas their non-autistic peers displayed language-specific patterns.
Translation, Intercultural Dialogue and the Mediation of Legal Semiotics
Authors: Linhares J. M. Aroso
Published: September 2024

Contemporary meta-dogmatic legal discourse has frequently mobilized the signifier “translation”, in different stages and to face diverse problems ─ the multidirectional interactions between legal language and ordinary language, the plural network of (national and international, state and non-state) legal orders, the dialectics between presupposed legal materials and practical controversies, the intersubjective place of the judge as the impartial third, the invention of exemplarity as concreteness ─ always however with decisive projections in the understanding or experiencing of juridicalness (its aspirations, categories and limits). The purpose of this paper is to explore the claims to inter-semioticity which the mobilization of this signifier and the plurality of its contexts of meaning and performance seem to construct. This means, on the one hand, to resume the dialogue with Boyd White (justice as translation) and François Ost (le droit comme traduction). It also means, on the other hand, returning to the counterpoint between translation and tradition which MacIntyre’s narrativism exemplarily proposes (Whose Justice? Which Rationality?), this time to discuss the relevance of treating Law (a certain Law) as a cultural artifact, i.e. as a non-universal (culturally plausible and civilizationally moulded) answer to the universal (anthropologically necessary) problem of the institutionalization of a social order (law as a form of life, as a project and as a tradition). With an unexpected helping hand coming from Greimassian’s semio-narrative, this means also asking if translation (or the ethics of humility it celebrates) can actually be experienced, in our limit-situation, as the resource (if not the place or the environment) of a plausible intercultural dialogue.
Optimization of Brilliant Blue R photocatalytic degradation by silver nanoparticles synthesized using Chlorella vulgaris
Authors: Sidorowicz Agnieszka , Fais Giacomo , Desogus Francesco , Loy Francesco , Licheri Roberta , Lai Nicola , Locci Antonio Mario , Cincotti Alberto , Orrù Roberto , Cao Giacomo , Concas Alessandro
Published: September 2024

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using microalgae is gaining recognition for its environmentally friendly and cost-effective nature while maintaining high activity of NPs. In the present study, Ag NPs were synthesized using a methanolic extract of Chlorella vulgaris and subjected to calcination. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed a crystalline nature of the products with Ag2O and Ag phases with an average crystalline size of 16.07 nm before calcination and an Ag phase with 24.61 nm crystalline size after calcination. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the capping functional groups on Ag NPs, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) displayed their irregular morphology and agglomeration after calcination. The organic coating was examined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses, confirming the involvement of the metabolites. The UV–Vis analysis showed a difference in optical properties due to calcination. Synthesized Ag NPs were applied for the photodegradation of hazardous dye Brilliant Blue R in visible light. Different values of light intensity, catalyst dose, initial dye concentration, and pH were tested to identify the optimal set of operating conditions. The highest degradation efficiency of 90.6% with an apparent rate constant of 0.04402 min−1 was achieved after 90 min of irradiation in the highest tested catalyst dosage.
Trust in Legal Institutions: An Examination of the Philippines
Authors: Regalado Jullianne , Sun Ivan Y.
Published: September 2024

While studies have examined the correlates of institutional trust across Asian countries, few studies have analyzed public attitudes toward two major social control institutions, the police and courts, in the Philippines. This study fills this gap in the literature by exploring the connections between social trust, institutional performance, media exposure and consumption, and trust in the police and courts. Using recent survey data from the Asian Barometer Survey, regression models were employed to assess and compare whether these factors are predictive of police and court trustworthiness. Results reveal the importance of social trust and institutional performance in predicting Filipinos’ trust in the police and courts. However, media exposure and consumption were largely ineffective in predicting police and court trust. Given the Philippines’ unique historical and political context, these findings contribute to existing literature and provide implications for future research and policy.
Relationship between environmental evolution and human activities in the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau throughout the past millennium and its implications for the onset of the Anthropocene
Authors: Pu Yang , Wei Xueqiong , Liu Jianbao , Zhang Ke , Li Beibei , Wei Zhudeng , Zhang Mengmeng , He Tong , Wang Yanjun , Shao Xiaohua
Published: September 2024

In current research on the Anthropocene, assessing the impact of human activities via stratigraphic records of sediments and demarcating the Anthropocene epoch globally are critical scientific issues that urgently need to be addressed. The northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau (QXP), where humans first settled permanently in large numbers in the QXP, has varying sedimentary environments that are extremely sensitive to human activities. In contrast to other regions of the QXP, the northeastern sector boasts a richer array of climatic and environmental reconstruction sequences. This distinctive feature renders it an exemplary locale for investigating the stratigraphic boundary of the Anthropocene. Through in-depth analysis and integration of existing paleoclimate and paleoenvironment sequences in the northeastern QXP, we draw the following conclusions: (1) Throughout the past millennium, the impact of human activities on the environment of the northeastern QXP has become increasingly significant, especially in the past 200–300 years, gradually overshadowing climatic factors. (2) Since AD 1950, multiple physicochemical indicators related to human activities in the northeastern QXP have shown exponential growth, forming a distinct peak within the past millennium and clearly depicting the global “Great Acceleration” phenomenon and its development process. (3) Intensified human activities have driven swift environmental shifts and “decoupled” the interplay between climatic variations and the ecological environment, propelling the northeastern QXP into the “Early Anthropocene” from the “Late Holocene”. On the basis of the above findings, we construct a model suitable for identifying the stratigraphic boundary of the Anthropocene in the northeastern QXP and note that since the ecological environment in the northeastern QXP has entered the “Early Anthropocene”, the climate signals of certain physicochemical indicators in sediments are gradually becoming weaker, whereas the signals of human activities are becoming stronger.
Self-reported health, function, and use of health care services in older prostate cancer survivors compared to matched controls: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Sletten Reidun , Slaaen Marit , Oldervoll Line Merethe , Skjellegrind Håvard Kjesbu , Benth Jūratė Šaltytė , Åstrøm Lennart , Kirkevold Øyvind , Bergh Sverre , Grønberg Bjørn Henning , Rostoft Siri , Bye Asta , Mork Paul Jarle , Christiansen Ola Berger
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Information about outcomes of particular relevance to older prostate cancer survivors is limited. This study aimed to compare health, activities of daily living (ADL), and use of health care services between survivors and matched controls.

Methods

A single-centre study on men treated for prostate cancer with curative intent at the age ≥ 70 years 2 to 7 years earlier. Controls matched on age and education were drawn (1:3) from the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) in Norway. Self-reported general health, independence in ADL and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), hospital admissions and emergency room visits were compared by estimating non-adjusted and adjusted (age, education, comorbidity, cohabitant status and pack years of smoking) regression models.

Results

The majority of both survivors (N = 233) and controls (N = 699) reported good (58.7% vs. 62.7%) or very good (11.2% vs. 6.8%) health and independence in ADL (95.6% vs. 96.3%) and IADL (82.7% vs. 81.9%). Hospital admission was reported by 17.3% vs. 18.2% and emergency room visit by 23.6% vs. 26.7%. Regression models showed no significant differences between survivors and controls.

Conclusions

Older prostate cancer survivors reported similar health, independence in ADL and use of emergency room and hospital admissions as matched controls.

Implications for Cancer Survivors.

This study shows that survivors after curatively intended treatment of prostate cancer have as good health as matched controls, indicating that many patients tolerate such treatment well despite being of old age and that current practice for selection of patients offered such treatment is appropriate.
Getting in Shape: Updates in Exercise Anaphylaxis
Authors: Carlisle Annette , Lieberman Jay Adam
Published: September 2024

Purpose of Review

Exercise induced anaphylaxis (EIA) can be difficult to diagnose due to the interplay of co-factors on clinical presentation and the lack of standardized, confirmatory testing.

Recent Findings

EIA has been historically categorized as either food-independent or food-dependent. However, recent literature has suggested that perhaps EIA is more complex given the relationship between not only food on EIA but other various co-factors such as medications and alcohol ingestion that are either required to elicit symptoms in EIA or make symptoms worse.

For the practicing clinician, understanding how these co-factors can be implicated in EIA can enable one to take a more personalized approach in treating patients with EIA and thus improve quality of life for patients.
Fatal exulceratio simplex (dieulafoy lesion) – a case report and review
Authors: Tan Luzern , Gilbert John D. , Byard Roger W.
Published: September 2024

A 64-year-old man involved in a low-speed vehicle crash was found at autopsy to have altered blood extending from his stomach to his rectum. Within the stomach a small arterial vessel opened onto the mucosa of the posterior wall of the antrum adjacent to the pylorus with no adjacent mucosal ulceration or malignancy. Histologic sections showed the typical appearances of a Dieulafoy lesion with a tortuous small arteriole within the submucosa extending to the gastric lumen with an overlying cap of recently formed clot. There were no injuries attributable to the vehicle collision. Death was due to a bleeding Dieulafoy lesion of the stomach with a background of cardiomegaly. Dieulafoy lesion of the stomach is a rare disorder accounting for only 1–2% of cases of acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Although its pathogenesis is poorly understood it is capable of producing life-threatening bleeding, as in the present case. The small size of the lesion may make it difficult to identify at the time of autopsy.
Environmental and Human Impact on Ice Caves: The Example of the Wielka Śnieżna Cave in the Tatra Mountains (Poland)
Authors: Baturo Bartosz , Kasprzak Marek
Published: September 2024

Ice caves are characterised by specific microclimate, defined by the external climate as well as cave morphology (hence the location). They are unique components of Earth’s heritage. The ice formed there holds important paleoclimatic information and can be used to assess the global warming effect on the cryosphere in non-glaciated areas. We present an example from Wielka Śnieżna, the deepest cave system in the Polish Tatra Mountains, located in Tatra National Park (Tatrzański Park Narodowy). There have been no recent studies completed on the topic in this location. We provide the first contemporary results of temperature measurements by analysing microclimatic patterns and their response to global warming. There is ongoing ablation of the Ice Fall located in one of the lower entrances (Śnieżna) showing that the ice level has decreased by around 2 m in the last 10 years. The cave is under a minor human impact as it can be accessed only by professional cavers. However, some practices impact the balance of this fragile environment. By comparing our results with the outside temperature records, we aim to understand how dependent the cave microclimate is on the external fluctuations and changes. The ice in the Śnieżna is expected to be gone in the current century.
Selection of propulsion characteristics for systematic assessment of future European RLV-options
Authors: Sippel Martin , Wilken Jascha
Published: September 2024

The propulsion system as the key-element of any space transportation concept is systematically investigated supporting a study on potential future European RLV. Different liquid propellant combinations are compared and evaluated. Subsequently, main stage rocket engines are defined for the two cycle options: open gas-generator and closed staged-combustion. Four different propellant combinations are considered all based on liquid oxygen (LOX) as oxidizer and with the fuel options liquid hydrogen (LH2), liquid methane (LCH4), liquid propane (LC3H8) and kerosene (RP1). These combinations result in eight different generic engines with sub-variants using different nozzle expansion ratios in first and upper stage application. Engine characteristics are similar, as far as conceivable, to be well-suited for the system level comparison of pre-defined RLV-launchers. However, characteristics are not necessarily identical as different engine architectures and propellants might make individual choices necessary. Engine performance characteristics are compared with similar existing engines when available. It is shown that closed-cycle staged combustion engines bring significant performance gains, particularly in sea-level operations. On the other hand, hydrocarbon- and open-cycle gas-generator engines offer a better thrust-to-weight-ratio than hydrogen and staged combustion cycle.
Experiences and Comfort of Young Cancer Patients Discussing Cannabis with Their Providers: Insights from a Survey at an NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Authors: Baral Amrit , Diggs Bria-Necole A. , Aka Anurag , Williams Renessa , Ortega Nicholas Hernandez , Fellah Ranya Marrakchi El , Islam Jessica Y. , Camacho-Rivera Marlene , Penedo Frank J. , Vidot Denise C.
Published: September 2024

Cannabis use among cancer patients for managing treatment-related symptoms is increasing, yet little is known about patterns in patient-provider communication. This study examines demographic differences in cannabis use communication at a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. The analysis included cancer patients aged ≥ 18 years who self-reported current cannabis use (past 30 days) and had visited Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center within the past 5 years (N = 226). Data were collected via an anonymous electronic survey on REDCap. Responses on patients’ disclosure of cannabis use to cancer doctor/care team and their comfort in discussing cannabis were analyzed. Chi-squared/Fisher’s exact tests and t-tests were applied. Logistic regression estimated the associations between age and stage of cancer treatment with patients’ comfort in discussing cannabis use with cancer doctor (oncologist). The sample was 51.8% male and 39.4% Hispanic (mean age, 45.9 years (SD = 15.1)); 41.1% were aged 20–39 years, 43.8% were undergoing treatment, and 35.4% were in follow-up/had finished treatment. Over half (50.4%) did not disclose cannabis use to their cancer doctor/care team. Non-disclosers were more often younger (20–39 years) than disclosers (52.6% vs. 29.5%, p < 0.01). Most patients (72.5%) felt comfortable discussing cannabis use with their oncologist; however, younger patients (20–39 years) were more often uncomfortable (40.8%). Logistic regression showed newly diagnosed patients had lower odds (aOR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.12–0.98) of comfort discussing cannabis compared to those in follow-up/finished treatment. Younger patients (20–39 years) also had lower odds (aOR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.03–0.40) of feeling comfortable discussing cannabis compared to older patients (≥ 60 years). Age and treatment stage significantly impact the cannabis use disclosure and comfort in discussing it with cancer doctor/care team. These findings underscore the importance of considering age-related factors and treatment status when addressing cannabis use discussions within oncology setting.
Spatio-Temporal Hawkes Point Processes: A Review
Authors: Bernabeu Alba , Zhuang Jiancang , Mateu Jorge
Published: September 2024

Hawkes processes are a particularly interesting class of stochastic point processes that were introduced in the early seventies by Alan Hawkes, notably to model the occurrence of seismic events. They are also called self-exciting point processes, in which the occurrence of an event increases the probability of occurrence of another event. The Hawkes process is characterized by a stochastic intensity, which represents the conditional probability density of the occurrence of an event in the immediate future, given the observations in the past. In this paper, we present some background and all major aspects of Hawkes processes, with a particular focus on simulation methods, and estimation techniques widely used in practical modeling aspects. We aim to provide a rich and self-contained overview of these stochastic processes as a way to have an overall vision of Hawkes processes in only one piece of paper. We also discuss possibilities for future research in the area of self-exciting processes.
Iperparatiroidismo primitivo in gravidanza
Authors: Cipriani Cristiana
Published: September 2024

Sommario

L’iperparatiroidismo primitivo in gravidanza ha una prevalenza inferiore rispetto alla popolazione generale, anche se dati definitivi non sono disponibili, poiché numerosi sono i casi che restano non diagnosticati. Dal punto di vista clinico, esso può decorrere in modo asintomatico, paucisintomatico o essere associato a complicanze materne quali nefrolitiasi, fratture da fragilità, pancreatite, infezioni urinarie, preeclampsia e, raramente, crisi paratireotossica. Tra le complicanze fetali si annoverano ipocalcemia, prematurità, ritardo di crescita intrauterina, basso peso alla nascita, aborto e natimortalità. La terapia chirurgica rappresenta, come nell’iperparatiroidismo primitivo non in gravidanza, l’unica cura della malattia e trova indicazione in particolare nelle forme più gravi e durante il secondo trimestre di gestazione. Nella presente rassegna sono riassunti i dati più recenti circa la presentazione clinica, la diagnosi e le raccomandazioni terapeutiche dell’iperparatiroidismo primitivo in gravidanza.
Metabotropic glutamate receptors—guardians and gatekeepers in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury
Authors: Mielecki Damian , Bratek-Gerej Ewelina , Salińska Elżbieta
Published: September 2024

Injury to the developing central nervous system resulting from perinatal hypoxia–ischemia (HI) is still a clinical challenge. The only approach currently available in clinical practice for severe cases of HI is therapeutic hypothermia, initiated shortly after birth and supported by medications to regulate blood pressure, control epileptic seizures, and dialysis to support kidney function. However, these treatments are not effective enough to significantly improve infant survival or prevent brain damage. The need to create a new effective therapy has focused attention on metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR), which control signaling pathways involved in HI-induced neurodegeneration. The complexity of mGluR actions, considering their localization and developmental changes, and the functions of each subtype in HI-evoked brain damage, combined with difficulties in the availability of safe and effective modulators, raises the question whether modulation of mGluRs with subtype-selective ligands can become a new treatment in neonatal HI. Addressing this question, this review presents the available information concerning the role of each of the eight receptor subtypes of the three mGluR groups (group I, II, and III). Data obtained from experiments performed on in vitro and in vivo neonatal HI models show the neuroprotective potential of group I mGluR antagonists, as well as group II and III agonists. The information collected in this work indicates that the neuroprotective effects of manipulating mGluR in experimental HI models, despite the need to create more safe and selective ligands for particular receptors, provide a chance to create new therapies for the sensitive brains of infants at risk.
“It’s the Only World We’ve Got.” Children’s Responses to Chris Jordan’s Images about SDG 14: Life Below Water
Authors: O’Gorman Lyndal
Published: September 2024

Broad and complex ideas about sustainability can be communicated through the Arts. Australian curriculum documents support the integration of Arts education with education for sustainability. Responding to artworks as a viewer is a key aspect of Arts education in Australian schools. Chris Jordan is a US artist whose online media galleries communicate ideas about environmental and social justice themes. This paper reports interview data from a larger project exploring children’s responses to Chris Jordan’s artworks. Conversations were held with 28 children aged between 4 and 12 as they navigated Jordan’s website to explore the images they encountered. Data relating to SDG14: Life below water were selected for the specific focus of this paper. Thematic analysis of the data revealed five themes: connections to prior experience and knowledge, links with local contexts and places, emotional engagement with the images, solutions and action-taking and ideas related to post-humanism and the human-nature binary. These findings endorse the power of Arts-based experiences for enhancing education for sustainability in primary schools and early childhood contexts.
Orating Origins: the Formation of Pakistan in Contemporary Urdu Shi’i Khitabat in Karachi
Authors: Jafri Mohammad Nabeel
Published: September 2024

Urdu-speaking Shiʿa khatibs (orators) in Karachi regularly speak on the origins of Pakistan, seeking to recuperate Shiʿi contributions to the foundation of the nation-state. In this article, I argue that such claims do not resist, subvert, or undermine statist historical narratives. Instead, the claims mimic, in structure and teleology, the very statist historical narratives that they attempt to challenge. I draw upon twenty months of ethnographic fieldwork in Karachi and demonstrate how thoroughly circumscribed such claims are. I read this minority rhetoric as an attempt to appropriate the majoritarian discourse, rather than as an attempt to challenge the dominant historiography of the origins of Pakistan. I turn to the domain of Shiʿi khitabat (oratory), a ubiquitous and public performance, and identify the important role played by such mass and physical gatherings in the articulation of historical claims. My works emerges from, and contributes back to, scholarship on South Asian Shiʿism, oratory, and the public sphere.
Self-similarity and the direct (enstrophy) cascade in forced two-dimensional fluid turbulence
Authors: Reynoso Mateo , Zhigunov Dmitriy , Grigoriev Roman O.
Published: September 2024

In the absence of large-scale coherent structures, a widely used statistical theory of two-dimensional turbulence developed by Kraichnan, Leith, and Batchelor (KLB) predicts a power-law scaling for the energy,

$E(k)\propto k^\alpha$

with an integral exponent

$\alpha ={-3}$

, in the inertial range associated with the direct cascade. A power-law scaling is also observed in the presence of coherent structures, but the scaling exponent becomes fractal and often differs substantially from the value predicted by the KLB theory. Here we present a dynamical theory that sheds new light on the relationship between the spatial and temporal structure of the large-scale flow and the scaling of small-scale structures representing filamentary vorticity. Specifically, we find hyperbolic regions of the large-scale flow to play a key role in the flux of enstrophy between scales. Small-scale vorticity in these regions can be described by dynamically self-similar solutions of the Euler equation, which explains the power-law scaling. Furthermore, we find that correlations between different hyperbolic regions are responsible for the emergence of fractal scaling exponents.
Food insecurity and its association with socio-demographic characteristics in Cyprus
Authors: Kantilafti Maria , Yannakoulia Mary , Giannakou Konstantinos , Kyprianidou Maria , Chrysostomou Stavri
Published: September 2024

The prevalence of food insecurity in Cyprus and the socio-demographic factors that are related to this public health problem are unknown. Data used in this cross-sectional study were collected between 1 June 2022 and 21 May 2023 using a self-reported method. Food insecurity was evaluated using the Greek version of Adult Food Security Survey Module. The data regarding socio-demographic and socio-economic characteristics along with body weight and height measurements were collected through self-administered questionnaire. A representative sample of n=1255 adults, ≥18 years old living in the five different districts of the Republic of Cyprus, was recruited. Prevalence of food insecurity in Cypriot population was 12.6%. Prevalence was higher in females, in older adults, in adults living in Paphos, in individuals who were separated, divorced, or widowed, in retired people, in people living with children, and in people with low income and education. Based on multivariable analysis, income was the strongest socio-demographic factor independently associated with food security (€ 6,500–€ 19,500: AOR: 0.49, 95% CI 0.28, 0.86 and >€ 19,500: AOR: 0.15, 95% CI 0.73, 0.31). Food insecurity is a global problem that need further examination. The association between food insecurity and socio-demographic characteristics needs to be highlighted in order for each country to develop specific public health policies (e.g. financial support to low income people) to decrease food insecurity and improve people’s overall health and quality of life.
Breastfeeding and biomarkers of folate and cobalamin status in Norwegian infants: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Solvik Beate S. , Bakken Kjersti S. , McCann Adrian , Ueland Per M. , Henjum Sigrun , Strand Tor A.
Published: September 2024

Folate and vitamin B12 (cobalamin) are essential for growth and development. This cross-sectional study aims to describe folate and vitamin B12 status according to infant age and breastfeeding practices in Norwegian infants. Infants aged 0–12 months (n = 125) were recruited through public health clinics. We registered breastfeeding status and measured serum concentrations of folate, cobalamin, total homocysteine (tHcy), and methylmalonic acid (MMA). The associations between infant age, breastfeeding, and biomarker concentrations were estimated in regression models. The mean (SD) age was 24 (16) weeks, and 42% were exclusively breastfed, 38% were partially breastfed, and 21% were weaned. Overall, median (IQR) folate, cobalamin, tHcy, and MMA concentrations were 47 (35–66) nmol/L, 250 (178–368) pmol/L, 6.99 (5.69–9.27) µmol/L, and 0.35 (0.24–0.83) µmol/L, respectively. None of the infants were folate deficient, 15% were vitamin B12 deficient (< 148 pmol/L), and 23% had low vitamin B12 status (148–221 pmol/L). Elevated tHcy (> 6.5 μmol/L) and MMA (> 0.26 μmol/L) were found in 62% and 69% of the infants, respectively. Compared to weaned, exclusively or partially breastfed infants were younger and had 46% higher tHcy concentrations (P < 0.001), in addition to 47% and 39% lower cobalamin concentrations (P < 0.001), respectively. However, the observed biomarker concentrations appeared to be independent of infant age. In conclusion, low vitamin B12 status was prevalent and appeared to be more common in the younger exclusively breastfed compared to older weaned infants. The implications of low vitamin B12 status in infancy are unknown and require further investigation.
Rift propagation signals the last act of the Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf despite low basal melt rates
Authors: Wild Christian T. , Kachuck Samuel B. , Luckman Adrian , Alley Karen E. , Sharp Meghan A. , Smith Haylee , Tyler Scott W. , Kratt Christopher , Dotto Tiago S. , Price Daniel , Nicholls Keith W. , Bevan Suzanne L. , Collao-Barrios Gabriela , Muto Atsuhiro , Truffer Martin , Scambos Ted A. , Heywood Karen J. , Pettit Erin C. ,   the TARSAN team
Published: September 2024

Rift propagation, rather than basal melt, drives the destabilization and disintegration of the Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf. Since 2016, rifts have episodically advanced throughout the central ice-shelf area, with rapid propagation events occurring during austral spring. The ice shelf's speed has increased by ~70% during this period, transitioning from a rate of 1.65 m d−1 in 2019 to 2.85 m d−1 by early 2023 in the central area. The increase in longitudinal strain rates near the grounding zone has led to full-thickness rifts and melange-filled gaps since 2020. A recent sea-ice break out has accelerated retreat at the western calving front, effectively separating the ice shelf from what remained of its northwestern pinning point. Meanwhile, a distributed set of phase-sensitive radar measurements indicates that the basal melting rate is generally small, likely due to a widespread robust ocean stratification beneath the ice–ocean interface that suppresses basal melt despite the presence of substantial oceanic heat at depth. These observations in combination with damage modeling show that, while ocean forcing is responsible for triggering the current West Antarctic ice retreat, the Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf is experiencing dynamic feedbacks over decadal timescales that are driving ice-shelf disintegration, now independent of basal melt.
The Unbearable Uncertainty of Being on the Front Street-level Military in the Mexican War on Drugs
Authors: Pocoroba Alejandro , Atuesta Laura H. , Treviño-Rangel Javier
Published: September 2024

Since the so-called war on drugs began in Mexico in 2006, the military has been the leading actor in charge of the government’s public security policy, undertaking tasks that should be carried out by the police. Analyses of this security strategy are based on quantitative methods and have focused on its results: e.g., an increase in the homicide rate or the committing of human rights violations. In contrast, based on in-depth interviews, this article explores the testimony of military personnel to understand what they experience in the field. Contrary to what the existing literature argues, which maintains that the military acts with a logic of war, this article shows that the situation is far more complex: they act in a scenario characterized by improvisation, facing the dilemma between acting and being accused of human rights or not acting and being accused of disobedience.
Race, Inequality, and Political Trust in Latin America
Authors: Granados Castellar , Sánchez Francisco
Published: September 2024

During the last decades, political distrust has seemingly become a common trend across Latin American democracies, however, differences in the levels of confidence among groups have also been identified. This article considers the potential effects of ethno-racial structures and their interactions with other forms of socioeconomic inequalities on political trust. Building on data from four waves of the Latinobarometer project and contextual measures from different sources, we analyze these relations and find that both socioeconomic and ethno-racial inequalities affect political trust and impact on the formation of different relations with the political system across Latin America. Furthermore, in particular it is found that at the individual-level interactions between inequalities shape political trust differently depending on the particular ethno-racial identification. These findings contribute to the understanding of ethnicity and race and its associations with other structural inequalities in shaping mass political culture.
Agency Entrenchment: Sociological Legitimacy in a Politically Contested Occupation
Authors: Farrell-Bryan Dylan
Published: September 2024

This study investigates how agents in contested occupations justify and legitimize their work. It examines Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attorneys who prosecute immigrant removal cases on behalf of the federal government, delving into the narrative strategies that attorneys use to attain self-legitimacy within the agency. While existing literature suggests that self-legitimacy stems from either public support or an intrinsic belief in one’s deservingness of power, this study introduces a third pathway to self-legitimacy, agency entrenchment, in which government prosecutors draw on a highly internalized sense of patriotism and a duty to their organizational role, in the face of heightened public protest and changing administrative priorities. Analyzing forty in-depth interviews with ICE attorneys, this study identifies two primary approaches to agency entrenchment. The first is a bureaucratic approach, in which attorneys derive an internalized sense of duty from the existing law. The second is an enforcement approach, in which attorneys derive moral authority from what they see as their protector status. By deploying these narratives of self-legitimacy, ICE prosecutors attempt to resolve perceived conflicts between their legally mandated responsibilities and the ethical and reputational criticisms they encounter. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of the occupational dynamics between political polarization and law enforcement prosecution.
Predicting potential habitat distribution of the invasive speciesRhynchophorus ferrugineusOlivier in China based on MaxEnt modelling technique and future climate change
Authors: Wang Zhiling , Zhuo Zhihang , Ali Habib , Mureed Sumbul , Liu Quanwei , Yang Xuebin , Xu Danping
Published: September 2024

Changes in the distribution of species due to global climate change have a critically significant impact on the increase in the spread of invasive species. An in-depth study of the distribution patterns of invasive species and the factors influencing them can help to better predict and combat invasive alien species.Rhynchophorus ferrugineusOlivier is an invasive species that primarily harms plants ofTrachycarpusH. Wendl. The pest invades trees in three main ways: by laying eggs and incubating them in the crown of the plant, on roots at the surface and at the base of the trunk or petiole. Most of the plants in the genusTrachycarpusare taller, and the damage is concentrated in the middle and upper parts of the plant, making control more difficult. In this paper, we combine 19 bioclimatic variables based on the MaxEnt model to project the current and future distributions ofR. ferrugineusunder three typical emission scenarios (2.6 W m−2(SSP1-2.6), 4.5 W m−2(SSP2-4.5) and 8.5 W m−2(SSP5-8.5)) in the 2050s and 2090s. Among the 19 bioclimatic variables, five variables were screened out by contribution rates, namely annual mean temperature (BIO 1), precipitation of driest quarter (BIO 17), minimum temperature of coldest month (BIO 6), mean diurnal range (BIO 2) and precipitation of wettest quarter (BIO 16). These five variables are key environmental variables that influence habitat suitability forR. ferrugineusand are representative in reflecting its potential habitat. The results showed thatR. ferrugineusis now widely distributed in the southeastern coastal area of China (high suitability zone), concentrating in the provinces of Hainan, Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi and Taiwan. In the future, the area of high and low suitability zones will increase and the area of medium suitability zones will decrease. The area of low suitability zone will still be in the largest proportion. This study aims to provide a theoretical reference for the future control ofR. ferrugineusfrom the perspective of geographic distribution.
Transcriptional response of laboratory-reared Mexican fruit flies (Anastrepha ludensLoew) to desiccation
Authors: Zamora-Briseño Jesús Alejandro , Schunke James M. , Arteaga-Vázquez Mario A. , Arredondo José , Tejeda Marco T. , Ascencio-Ibáñez José Trinidad , Díaz-Fleischer Francisco
Published: September 2024

Confronting environments with low relative humidity is one of the main challenges faced by insects with expanding distribution ranges.Anastrepha ludens(the Mexican fruit fly) has evolved to cope with the variable conditions encountered during its lifetime, which allows it to colonise a wide range of environments. However, our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the ability of this species to confront environments with low relative humidity is incomplete. In this sense, omic approaches such as transcriptomics can be helpful for advancing our knowledge on how this species copes with desiccation stress. Considering this, in this study, we performed transcriptomic analyses to compare the molecular responses of laboratory-rearedA. ludensexposed and unexposed to desiccation. Data from the transcriptome analyses indicated that the responses to desiccation are shared by both sexes. We identified the up-regulation of transcripts encoding proteins involved in lipid metabolism and membrane remodelling, as well as proteases and cuticular proteins. Our results provide a framework for understanding the response to desiccation stress in one of the most invasive fruit fly species in the world.