bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Interplay Between Dietary Choline and Cardiometabolic Disorders: A Review of Current Evidence
Authors: Vallianou Natalia G. , Kounatidis Dimitris , Psallida Sotiria , Panagopoulos Fotis , Stratigou Theodora , Geladari Eleni , Karampela Irene , Tsilingiris Dimitrios , Dalamaga Maria
Published: March 2024

Purpose of Review

Choline is an essential nutrient for human health and cellular homeostasis as it is necessary for the synthesis of lipid cell membranes, lipoproteins, and the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The aim of this review is to analyze the beneficial effects of choline and its significance in cellular metabolism and various inflammatory pathways, such as the inflammasome. We will discuss the significance of dietary choline in cardiometabolic disorders, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) as well as in cognitive function and associated neuropsychiatric disorders.

Recent Findings

Choline deficiency has been related to the development of NAFLD and cognitive disability in the offspring as well as in adulthood. In sharp contrast, excess dietary intake of choline mediated via the increased production of trimethylamine by the gut microbiota and increased trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels has been related to atherosclerosis in most studies. In this context, CVD and CKD through the accumulation of TMAO, p-Cresyl-sulfate (pCS), and indoxyl-sulfate (IS) in serum may be the result of the interplay between excess dietary choline, the increased production of TMAO by the gut microbiota, and the resulting activation of inflammatory responses and fibrosis.

A balanced diet, with no excess nor any deficiency in dietary choline, is of outmost importance regarding the prevention of cardiometabolic disorders as well as cognitive function. Large-scale studies with the use of next-generation probiotics, especially Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, should further examine their therapeutic potential in this context.
Prioritizing Strategies for Building the Resilience of Public Health Systems to Disasters Across Multiple Communities and Countries
Authors: Ryan Benjamin J. , Kako Mayumi , Garner Shelby , Fink Rok , Tayfur Ismail , Abrahams Jonathan , Bhatia Sanjaya , Campelo Adriana , Fendt Matthew , Fontenot Alicia , Garcia Nahuel Arenas , Hatch Tim , Kayano Ryoma , Malrey-Horne LaShonda , MacDermot Makiko , Rahman Md Moshiur , Noel Chaverle , Nomura Shuhei , Novak Jeremy P. , Opazo Maria , Oliver Kendell , Peters Luciana , Rahman Sohel , Şimşek Perihan , Stricklin Andrew , Swienton Raymond , Brooks Bryan W.
Published: March 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need to strengthen public health systems. In response, the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Public Health System Resilience Scorecard (Scorecard) was applied in workshops across multiple countries. The aim of our research was to explore the workshop findings to develop priority strategies for strengthening public health system resilience. We conducted a workshop from 14 to 16 March 2023, at the UNDRR Global Education and Training Institute in Incheon, Republic of Korea. A sequential modified Delphi method was utilized to develop a set of prioritized resilience strategies. These were drawn from 70 strategies identified from 13 distinct workshops in eight countries. After two surveys, 23 strategies were finalized. Ten received ratings of “High” or “Very High” from 89% of participants. These related to the inclusion of public health risks in emergency plans, integrating multidisciplinary teams into public health, enabling local transport mechanisms, and improving the ability to manage an influx of patients. The Scorecard provides an adaptable framework to identify and prioritize strategies for strengthening public health system resilience. By leveraging this methodology, our study demonstrated how resilience strategies could inform disaster risk reduction funding, policies, and actions.
Preadmission course and management of severe pediatric group A streptococcal infections during the 2022–2023 outbreak: a single-center experience
Authors: Schöbi Nina , Duppenthaler Andrea , Horn Matthias , Bartenstein Andreas , Keitel Kristina , Kopp Matthias V. , Agyeman Philipp , Aebi Christoph
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The massive increase of infections with Group A Streptococcus (GAS) in 2022–2023 coincided in Switzerland with a change of the recommendations for the management of GAS pharyngitis. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate whether the clinical manifestations and management before hospitalization for GAS infection differed in 2022–2023 compared with 2013–2022.

Methods

Retrospective study of GAS infections requiring hospitalization in patients below 16 years. Preadmission illness (modified McIsaac score), oral antibiotic use, and outcome in 2022–2023 were compared with 2013–2022. Time series were compared with surveillance data for respiratory viruses.

Results

In 2022–2023, the median modified McIsaac score was lower (2 [IQR 2–3] vs. 3 [IQR 2–4], p =  < 0.0001) and the duration of preadmission illness was longer (4 days [3–7] vs. 3 [2–6], p = 0.004) than in 2013–2022. In both periods, withholding of preadmission oral antibiotics despite a modified McIsaac score ≥ 3 (12% vs. 18%, n.s.) or ≥ 4 (2.4% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.027) was rare. Respiratory disease, skeletal/muscle infection, and invasive GAS disease were significantly more frequent in 2022–2023, but there were no differences in clinical outcome. The time course of GAS cases in 2022–2023 coincided with the activity of influenza A/B.

Conclusion

We found no evidence supporting the hypothesis that the 2022–2023 GAS outbreak was associated with a change in preadmission management possibly induced by the new recommendation for GAS pharyngitis. However, clinical manifestations before admission and comparative examination of time-series strongly suggest that viral co-circulation played an important role in this outbreak.
Working seagrasses: emerging coastal ethics in the Mexican Caribbean
Authors: Otto Laura
Published: March 2024

The article explores the emergence of coastal ethics in the Anthropocene, focusing on the Riviera Maya in Mexico. In response to escalating challenges such as coastal degradation and Sargassum impact, the study shifts the focus from blame to the practices of marine biologists engaged in repairing ecosystems, particularly seagrasses. The concept of “working seagrasses” is introduced, emphasizing the functional, performative, and manipulative aspects of human-seagrass interactions. Through ethnographic fieldwork, the author observes a departure from blame-based approaches prevalent in the field towards marine biologists, who actively work to repair seagrass beds. Three empirical examples illustrate different dimensions of working seagrasses, shedding light on scientists’ curated interactions, ecological restoration practices, and the role of species recognition in coastal ethics. The study explores multi-species entanglements along Mexican coasts, emphasizing collaborative efforts between humans and non-humans. By addressing how marine biologists respond to coastal degradation and involving non-human actors, the study contributes to understanding evolving coastal ethics in the Anthropocene.
Developing Flexible Risk Management Systems for Resilience in a Post-pandemic World: Can Lessons from a Makerspace Case Study Support Pacific Island Communities?
Authors: Tootell Adrian , Treadwell Leanne , Schulz Rebekah , Margetts Belinda , Grozdanov Jessica , Spinks Geoff
Published: March 2024

Pacific Island communities are facing disruptions to supply chains from natural disasters and a changing global environment, which have become more acute following the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, it has been demonstrated how flexible systems can enhance resilience in low-resource environments, such as adapting to changing consumer needs and minimizing supply chain disruptions. This paper considers how the development of a flexible system for conducting a risk assessment on a product that was developed and manufactured in a Makerspace environment would have application in Pacific Island communities to improve resilience. Using a participative action research (PAR) approach, a traditional product risk assessment is refined through iterative PAR cycles to reconceptualize it into a structured simplified risk process. The resulting product development risk assessment process (PDRAP) demonstrates that it is possible to adapt a detailed systematic risk assessment process, such as hazard and operability analysis (HAZOP), to be more suitable and effective for low-resource situations requiring flexible solutions. The improved process provides greater system flexibility to empower people to develop products which may improve their resilience in an ever changing and complex world. The PDRAP process can improve product design and adaptability which assists safeguarding supply chains from system wide disruptions. With the emergence of Makerspaces in developing countries for supply chain recovery from natural disasters and a changing national strategy, the PDRAP provides communities with a low-resource approach for risk assessment to ensure the safe use of products fabricated using emerging low-volume, rapid prototyping, and manufacturing technology.
Educational interventions in pharmacovigilance to improve the knowledge, attitude and the report of adverse drug reactions in healthcare professionals: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Cervantes-Arellano Mónica J. , Castelán-Martínez Osvaldo D. , Marín-Campos Yolanda , Chávez-Pacheco Juan L. , Morales-Ríos Olga , Ubaldo-Reyes Laura M.
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Underreporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) limits and delays the detection of signs. The aim of this systematic review with meta-analyses was to synthesize the evidence of educational interventions (EIs) efficacy in health professionals to increase ADR reporting, attitudes, and knowledge of pharmacovigilance.

Evidence acquisition

A systematic literature review was carried out to identify randomized clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of EI in pharmacovigilance in health professionals to improve ADR reports, knowledge, and attitude toward pharmacovigilance. ADR reports were pooled by calculating Odds Ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI), while pharmacovigilance knowledge and attitude were pooled by calculating a mean difference (MD) with 95%CI. In addition, the subanalysis was performed by EI type. Meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.4 software. PROSPERO registry CRD42021254270.

Results

Eight hundred seventy-five articles were identified as potentially relevant, and 11 were included in the systematic review. Metanalysis showed that EI increased ADR reporting in comparison with control group (OR = 4.74, [95%CI, 2.46 to 9.12], I2 = 93%, 5 studies). In subgroup analysis, the workshops (OR = 6.26, [95%CI, 4.03 to 9.73], I2 = 57%, 3 studies) increased ADR reporting more than telephone-based interventions (OR = 2.59, [95%CI, 0.77 to 8.73], I2 = 29%, 2 studies) or combined interventions (OR = 5.14, [95%CI, 0.97 to 27.26], I2 = 93%, 3 studies). No difference was observed in pharmacovigilance knowledge. However, the subanalysis revealed that workshops increase pharmacovigilance knowledge (SMD = 1.85 [95%CI, 1.44 to 2.27], 1 study). Only one study evaluated ADR reporting attitude among participants and showed a positive effect after the intervention.

Conclusion

EI improves ADR reports and increases pharmacovigilance knowledge. Workshops are the most effective EI to increase ADR reporting.

Graphical abstract
Incorporation of multilayered double hydroxides/sepiolite augments proton conductivity performance in low sulfonated polyether sulfone octyl sulfonamide
Authors: Charradi khaled , Mabrouk Walid , Kacem Imen Ben , Bellakhal Nizar , Al-Ghamdi Youssef O. , Marzouki Riadh , Keshk Sherif M. A. S.
Published: March 2024

Low-sulfonation-level polyether sulfone octyl sulfonamide (LSPSO) was blended with a layered double hydroxides (LDHs, Mg2AlCl)/sepiolite nanostructure clay as a filler to create an electrolyte membrane for fuel cell applications. Comprehensive characterization of the composite membranes was conducted, encompassing Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, mechanical stability assessment, thermal gravimetric analysis, ion exchange capability, swelling characteristics, water uptake performance, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis. In comparison to the pristine LSPSO membrane, the presence of LDHs/sepiolite nanoarchitecture material within LSPSO exhibited superior water retention and proton conductivity values, especially at elevated temperatures. The proton conductivity of the composite membranes reached approximately 250 mS/cm, while the unmodified LSPSO membrane only achieved 35 mS/cm at 100 °C. Moreover, LSPSO composite membranes demonstrated enhanced chemical and thermal stability along with higher proton conductivity when compared to pristine LSPSO membranes. These findings highlight the potential of developing tailored LSPSO composite membranes to advance the prospects of commercial applications in proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
Elevated hemoglobin levels in renal transplant recipients with polycystic kidney disease versus other etiologies: exploring mechanisms and implications for outcomes
Authors: Rothem Yael , Askenasy Enosh , Siman-Tov Maya , Davidov Yana , Hoffman Tomer , Mor Eytan , Hod Tammy
Published: March 2024

Background

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)-related end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) often necessitates transplantation. However, the impact of ADPKD on post-transplant outcomes, specifically hemoglobin levels, remains unknown.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 513 Kidney Transplant Recipients (KTRs), of whom 81 had ESKD due to ADPKD (20 with pre-transplant native nephrectomy and 61 without). Hemoglobin levels were evaluated at multiple time intervals post-transplant.

Results

Kidney transplant recipients with ADPKD vs. KTRs with ESKD due to other causes exhibited significantly higher hemoglobin levels in repeated measurement analysis. Multivariable analyses confirmed ADPKD as an independent predictor for elevated hemoglobin levels. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, the odds for maximum hemoglobin > 15 mg/dL at 3–12 months post-transplant were more than twice as high in ADPKD patients vs. all the other KTRs (Odds Ratio [OR] 2.31, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.3–4.13, p < 0.001). Pre-transplant native nephrectomy revealed a trend toward lower hemoglobin levels. Elevated hemoglobin levels were linked to improved estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at one year post-transplant. Patient survival was enhanced among KTRs with ADPKD compared to other ESKD causes.

Conclusions

Kidney transplant recipients with ADPKD exhibited elevated hemoglobin levels post-transplant, possibly due to prolonged native kidney erythropoietin production. These elevated hemoglobin levels were linked to improved outcomes, including allograft function and patient survival. Future research should further investigate the underlying mechanisms driving favorable ADPKD KTR outcomes.

Graphical abstract
Examining the association between serum galactose-deficient IgA1 and primary IgA nephropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Vaz de Castro Pedro Alves Soares , Amaral Arthur Aguiar , Almeida Mariana Godinho , Selvaskandan Haresh , Barratt Jonathan , Simões e Silva Ana Cristina
Published: March 2024

Background

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a common primary glomerular disease. The O-glycosylation status of IgA1 plays a crucial role in disease pathophysiology. The level of poorly-O-galactosylated IgA1, or galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1), has also been identified as a potential biomarker in IgAN. We sought to examine the value of serum Gd-IgA1 as a biomarker in IgAN, by investigating its association with clinical, laboratory, and histopathological features of IgAN.

Methods

The review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021287423). The literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus, and the selected articles were evaluated for eligibility based on predefined criteria. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Statistical analysis was performed to calculate effect sizes and assess heterogeneity among the studies.

Results

This review analyzed 29 out of 1,986 studies, conducted between 2005 and 2022, with participants from multiple countries. Gd-IgA1 levels were not associated with age and gender, while associations with hypertension, hematuria, and proteinuria were inconsistent. In the meta-analyses, a correlation between serum Gd-IgA1 and estimated glomerular filtration rate was identified, however, the relationships between Gd-IgA1 levels and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage and progression to kidney failure were inconsistent.

Conclusions

Serum Gd-IgA1 levels were not associated with validated prognostic risk factors, but were negatively correlated with kidney function. Further research in larger studies using standardized assays are needed to establish the value of Gd-IgA1 as a prognostic risk factor in IgAN.

Graphical abstract
Dynamic feedback algorithm based on spatial corner fitness for solving the three-dimensional multiple bin-size bin packing problem
Authors: Liu Yi , Jiang Xiaoyun
Published: March 2024

To improve cargo loading efficiency and achieve diverse needs of companies for the loading process, this paper innovatively establishes a multiple objective mixed integer programming model for the three-dimensional multiple bin-size bin packing problem (3D-MBSBPP). The model is designed to maximize container space utilization rate and cargo load balance, minimize container usage costs, and incorporates some practical constraints. On this basis, we propose a novel dynamic feedback algorithm based on spatial corner fitness (SCF_DFA) to solve this model, which consists of three stages. Specifically, Stage 1 employs a heuristic algorithm based on spatial corner fitness to optimize the search of the remaining spaces. Stage 2 employs a container type selection algorithm to dynamically adjust and optimize container types. Stage 3 uses an improved genetic algorithm to improve the quality of the solutions of the first two stages. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm through comparative experiments on benchmark instances, and apply it to solve the real-life instances for the 3D-MBSBPP. The results show that the proposed algorithm can make the average container space utilization rate reach 85.38%, which is 1.48% higher than that of baseline method, while the loading results obtained are more balanced, indicating the advantages of the SCF_DFA in solving 3D-MBSBPP. Furthermore, we conduct ablation experiments to confirm the effectiveness of each component within the algorithm.
Ground subsidence monitoring in based on UAV-LiDAR technology: a case study of a mine in the Ordos, China
Authors: An Shikai , Yuan Liang , Xu Ying , Wang Xiao , Zhou Dawei
Published: March 2024

Ground subsidence in Western coal mining areas is characterized by rapid deformation, extensive damage, and a wide range of impacts. The conventional observation methods are inappropriate for surface damage monitoring in high-intensity mining areas of Western China. Therefore, it is a crucial problem to quickly, accurately, and comprehensively monitor the ground subsidence and environmental damage caused by high-intensity and large-scale mining. In this study, we propose a monitoring method for the ground subsidence of high-intensity mining with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Lidar (UAV-LiDAR) measurement technology. Taking a mine in Ordos of China as an example, the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is obtained by Kriging Interpolation of the ground point cloud from UAV-LiDAR. Then, the multi-stage DEM differential processing is employed to get ground subsidence. Finally, the median and bilateral filters combine for denoise to obtain the high-precision ground subsidence. The results show that the accuracy of the ground DEM generated by UAV-LiDAR is 15 mm and the mean square error of the ground subsidence basin is 39 mm. UAV-LiDAR technology can quickly obtain abundant surface data and obtain high-precision ground subsidence. Therefore, the application of this technology and method in subsidence monitoring in mining areas is feasible. And it can provide support for ecological environment monitoring, land reclamation, and ecological restoration in mining areas. The research results can provide a useful basis for monitoring the surface damage of coal mining in Western China.
Global asymptotic stability of endemic equilibria and stability of traveling waves for a diffusive SIR epidemic model with logistic growth
Authors: Shimojo Masahiko , Tanaka Yuya
Published: March 2024

This paper deals with the asymptotic behavior of solutions for the diffusive epidemic model with logistic growth. In the first part, we consider the initial boundary value problem on the bounded domain and derive the stabilization of the solutions of the reaction–diffusion system to a constant equilibrium. In the second part, we consider the initial value problem on$${\mathbb {R}},$$R,and derive the stability of forced waves under certain perturbations of a class of initial data.
The Agreement and Correlation Between Shear-Wave Elastography, Myotonometry, and Passive Joint Stiffness Measurements: A Brief Review
Authors: Ličen Urška , Opara Manca , Kozinc Žiga
Published: March 2024

This brief review article was conducted to summarize the findings regarding correlation and agreement between different methods to assess muscle stiffness (shear wave elastography (SWE), myotonometry, and passive joint stiffness measurements). Muscle stiffness, an important biomechanical characteristic, influences joint flexibility, postural stability, injury risk, and athletic performance. SWE provides insights into tissue elasticity by measuring the propagation speed of shear waves, while myotonometry assesses stiffness through induced muscle oscillations. Passive joint stiffness measurements offer a holistic perspective, capturing the resistance of the entire joint to movement. However, distinguishing the contributions of muscular and non-muscular tissues remains a challenge in this method. The article highlights the variability in the correlation between these methodologies, influenced by factors such as muscle length, age, and examiner technique. While some studies report good agreement between SWE and myotonometry, others note discrepancies, underscoring the need for careful method selection based on the research or clinical context. This review highlights the complexity of assessing muscle stiffness and the necessity of a nuanced approach in interpreting data from different measurement techniques, aiming to guide researchers and clinicians in their choice of method for a precise and accurate evaluation of muscle stiffness.
Predictive modeling of dining facility waste by material type across time and geography
Authors: Rice Abigail , Urban Angela , Davidson Paul
Published: March 2024

The increasing rate of global solid waste generation is startling. This is exacerbating the challenge of decreasing solid waste generation to reduce disposal in landfills. U.S. Army installations offer a unique qualitative and quantitative dataset across a span of geographical locations. Modeling prediction capability of dining facility (DFAC) solid waste streams using data from 11 Army installations was investigated to demonstrate aggregate building and material type generation forecasting. Solid waste generation data were collected, quantified, and categorized for diversion potential (e.g., source reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, etc.) of materials currently landfilled. Over one week, samples from one day of DFAC operations were collected for each installation. Materials from the samples were manually separated into 22 categories, weighed, and recorded. Results identified many solid waste stream materials with diversion potential. Five material types were down selected to construct and validate the linear regression model. The material types down selection was based on available data robustness and applicability beyond military contexts. A linear regression model was constructed for five material and building type combinations to avoid multiplication factor errors of coefficients for each independent variable. Results were statistically significant (p-value ≤ 0.05) for four of five modeling combination predictions. These results demonstrate the unique capability of predicting solid waste generation for the four statistically significant model combinations. Each of the four statistically significant model combinations differed in adjusted R2 values, ranging from 0.988 to 0.996. This study provides five linear regression model combinations with predictive power that could reduce the labor- and cost-intensive process of characterizing waste streams while increasing data availability across the continental U.S. to focus targeted source reduction efforts for dining settings.
“Collaborators”, “Guides”, “Facilitators”, and “Advocates”: Using a Spatial Lens to Understand the Roles of NGO Practitioners in Supporting Youth Participation
Authors: Douglas Annie
Published: March 2024

Youth participation has become an increasing focus for international development programs in the Global South. However, in the home, as well as in the community and formal decision-making spaces, traditional norms often dictate that young people are expected to refrain from raising their views. This presents a dilemma for NGO practitioners who are working with communities on youth participation initiatives. In this paper, I explore the valuable insights of a small number of NGO practitioners who face this dilemma in their practice. I argue that a spatial lens is critical to understanding the key challenges and complexities of youth participation. Particularly, it is essential to understand that practitioners can contribute to the distanciation of the resources, discourses, and practices that enable young people’s participation in intergenerational spaces with adults. I suggest that NGO practitioners can play four key roles, as collaborators, guides, facilitators, and advocates, in different spaces and contexts. By taking on these various roles, they can contribute to young people’s empowered participation. While this study is focused on the context of international development initiatives, the findings can also be applied broadly to initiatives focused on youth participation.
GLGNet: light field angular superresolution with arbitrary interpolation rates
Authors: Fang Li , Wang Qian , Ye Long
Published: March 2024

Acquiring high-resolution light fields (LFs) is expensive. LF angular superresolution aims to synthesize the required number of views from a given sparse set of spatially high-resolution images. Existing methods struggle with sparsely sampled LFs captured with large baselines. Some methods rely on depth estimation and view reprojection, and are sensitive to textureless and occluded regions. Other non-depth based methods suffer from aliasing or blurring effects due to the large disparity. In addition, most methods require specific models for different interpolation rates, which reduces their flexibility in practice. In this paper, we propose a learning framework that overcomes these challenges by exploiting the global and local structures of LFs. Our framework includes aggregation across both the angular and spatial dimensions to fully exploit the input data and a novel bilateral upsampling module that upsamples each epipolar plane image while better preserving its local parallax structure. Furthermore, our method predicts the weights of the interpolation filters based on both subpixel offset and range difference, allowing angular superresolution at different rates with a single model. We show that our non-depth based method outperforms the state-of-the-art methods in terms of handling large disparities and flexibility on both real-world and synthetic LF images.
Slavery and Dependence in Ancient Egypt
Authors: Bruning Jelle , Claytor W. Graham , Cromwell Jennifer , Eyre Christopher J. , Muhs Brian P. , Pearce Sarah J. , Tuplin Christopher J.
Published: March 2024

Ancient Egypt offers rich sources of documentary evidence for the study of the experiences of dependent people, particularly enslaved persons, and how they changed over almost four millennia from the Old Kingdom to the early Islamic period. This volume, the work of a team of scholars spanning the full range of disciplines and languages involved, provides nearly three hundred primary sources in translation, arranged both chronologically and thematically, and is aimed principally at students, instructors and general readers. The documents reveal how people became slaves and ceased to be slaves and how they were traded and exchanged in different periods. They also detail the various kinds of work slaves undertook, whether in the household, in agriculture or in mines and quarries. Introductions explain and contextualise the sources, and particularly address the problems of varying terminology in several different languages. The book shows Egypt's place in the world history of slavery.
Beyond electoral performance: reviewing and advancing the literature on LGBTIQ+ political careers
Authors: Prearo Massimo , Trastulli Federico
Published: March 2024

In recent years, the rising number of LGBTIQ+ politicians across the world has been matched by an increase in academic attention on which factors foster or hinder their careers. Here, we provide a comprehensive analytical review of the relevant literature, with the goal of illustrating both its synergies and imbalances. We show that most of the existing evidence specifically concerns LGBTIQ+ politicians' electoral performance. Moreover, this knowledge has largely been produced in very similar contexts politically and socioculturally. Finally, we highlight the potential of investigating a number of additional factors that may impact LGBTIQ+ political careers, such as intersectional dynamics that may have a differentiated impact within this population. Future works could expand the scope of this literature by considering these elements and focussing more on the direct experience of LGBTIQ+ politicians.
Forced synchronization of self-excited chaotic thermoacoustic oscillations
Authors: Guan Yu , Yin Bo , Yang Zhijian , Li Larry K.B.
Published: March 2024

We experimentally investigate the forced synchronization of a self-excited chaotic thermoacoustic oscillator with two natural frequencies,

$f_1$

and

$f_2$

. On increasing the forcing amplitude,

$\epsilon _f$

, at a fixed forcing frequency,

$f_f$

, we find two different types of synchronization: (i)

$f_f/f_1 = 1:1$

or

$2:1$

chaos-destroying synchronization (CDS), and (ii) phase synchronization of chaos (PSC). En route to

$1:1$

CDS, the system transitions from an unforced chaotic state (

${\rm {CH}}_{1,2}$

) to a forced chaotic state (

${\rm {CH}}_{1,2,f}$

), then to a two-frequency quasiperiodic state where chaos is destroyed (

$\mathbb {T}^2_{2,f}$

), and finally to a phase-locked period-1 state (

${\rm {P1}}_f$

). The route to

$2:1$

CDS is similar, but the quasiperiodic state hosts a doubled torus

$(2\mathbb {T}^2_{2,f})$

that transforms into a phase-locked period-2 orbit

$({\rm {P2}}_f)$

when CDS occurs. En route to PSC, the system transitions to a forced chaotic state (

${\rm {CH}}_{1,2,f}$

) followed by a phase-locked chaotic state, where

$f_1$

,

$f_2$

and

$f_f$

still coexist but their phase difference remains bounded. We find that the maximum reduction in thermoacoustic amplitude occurs near the onset of CDS, and that the critical

$\epsilon _f$

required for the onset of CDS does not vary significantly with

$f_f$

. We then use two unidirectionally coupled Anishchenko–Astakhov oscillators to phenomenologically model the experimental synchronization dynamics, including (i) the route to

$1:1$

CDS, (ii) various phase dynamics, such as phase drifting, slipping and locking, and (iii) the thermoacoustic amplitude variations in the

$f_f/f_1$

–

$\epsilon _f$

plane. This study extends the applicability of open-loop control further to a chaotic thermoacoustic system, demonstrating (i) the feasibility of using an existing actuation strategy to weaken aperiodic thermoacoustic oscillations, and (ii) the possibility of developing new active suppression strategies based on both established and emerging methods of chaos control.
Unsteady large-scale wake structure behind levitated free-stream-aligned circular cylinder
Authors: Yokota Sho , Nonomura Taku
Published: March 2024

The relationships between characteristic large-scale wake structures appearing behind a free-stream-aligned circular cylinder are investigated and discussed from the velocity field obtained by wind tunnel tests. The tests were conducted under a supportless condition using a magnetic suspension and balance system and stereo PIV measurements at a Reynolds number of

$3.46\times 10^4$

. The velocity fields were analysed with a modal decomposition combining azimuthal Fourier decomposition and proper orthogonal decomposition. The wake behind the free-stream-aligned circular cylinder with three different fineness ratios of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 was investigated, and the wake structures in a non-reattaching flow formed by the cylinder at a fineness ratio of 1.0 are mainly discussed in the present study. Four characteristic large-scale wake structures of the recirculation bubble pumping, azimuthal shear mode, large-scale vortex shedding and streaks are identified and mainly focused on in the present study. The state of the vortex shedding is classified into three: anticlockwise/clockwise circular and flapping patterns. Each state has a relationship with the azimuthal shear mode and it tends to appear when the state is circular. Furthermore, from the analysis of the relationship between modes, the recirculation bubble pumping is found to be related to the vortex shedding position in the radial direction and the strength of the streaks. Particularly, analysis of causality shows that the recirculation bubble pumping is affected by them in the low-frequency range.
Contrasting the semantic space of ‘shame’ and ‘guilt’ in English and Japanese
Authors: Diegoli Eugenia , Öhman Emily
Published: March 2024

This article sheds light on the significant yet nuanced roles of shame and guilt in influencing moral behaviour, a phenomenon that became particularly prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic with the community’s heightened desire to be seen as moral. These emotions are central to human interactions, and the question of how they are conveyed linguistically is a vast and important one. Our study contributes to this area by analysing the discourses around shame and guilt in English and Japanese online forums, focusing on the terms shame, guilt, haji (‘shame’) and zaiakukan (‘guilt’). We utilise a mix of corpus-based methods and natural language processing tools, including word embeddings, to examine the contexts of these emotion terms and identify semantically similar expressions. Our findings indicate both overlaps and distinct differences in the semantic landscapes of shame and guilt within and across the two languages, highlighting nuanced ways in which these emotions are expressed and distinguished. This investigation provides insights into the complex dynamics between emotion words and the internal states they denote, suggesting avenues for further research in this linguistically rich area.
The Right to Occupy: Moral Economies of Occupation and Social Housing in Urban Brazil
Authors: Burdick John , Garmany Jeff , Gurr Mel
Published: March 2024

Current research on Brazilian vacant buildings where squatters live tends to paint a familiar picture: the occupants are united in struggle, resolute in their understanding that squatting is within their constitutional, legal, and natural rights. However, drawing on new data from Rio de Janeiro, we argue that researchers have an incomplete understanding of this process. Our findings reveal considerable ideological variation among occupants regarding their rights to occupy abandoned property, including their understandings of private ownership versus the social function of property. In our analysis, we explain this ideological variation through what we call “moral economies of occupation.” Specifically, we focus on lived experiences of losing or being excluded from secure housing and the remembered role that the state played in that lived experience. This, we argue, is crucial for understanding why some occupants believe in their rights to squat while others doubt it.
Transnational Visual Parodies: Political Cartoons of Perón in the Chilean Satirical Magazine Topaze, 1943–1958
Authors: Acuña Pedro
Published: March 2024

Although a few historians have discussed the influence of Peronism in Chile, research has been guided mostly by diplomatic studies and political history, which, though important, are less convincing for historians interested in logics of media representation, particularly from the satirical press. This article explores visual representations of Argentina’s president Juan Perón (1946–1955) in the Chilean magazine Topaze. By discussing and contextualizing a series of images produced by Chilean cartoonists, this study provides new insights into the important role played by the press in shaping anti-Peronist sensibilities and discrediting Perón within Chilean domestic politics. Studying the impact of Peronism in the region—particularly in neighboring countries such as Chile—is useful for thinking about Peronism as a transnational phenomenon with multiple meanings outside Argentina.
HSP gene superfamily in Aspongopus chinensis Dallas: unravelling identification, characterisation and expression patterns during diapause and non-diapause stages
Authors: Ma Xinyi , Yin Zhiyong , Li Haiyin , Guo Jianjun
Published: March 2024

Aspongopus chinensis Dallas 1851, an insect of important economic value, faces challenges in artificial breeding due to mandatory diapause and limited access to wild resources. Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are thought to influence diapause in insects, but little is known about their role in A. chinensis during diapause. This study used genomic methods to identify 25 Hsp genes in A. chinensis, including two Hsp90, 14 Hsp70, four Hsp60 and five small Hsp genes, were located on seven chromosomes, respectively. The gene structures among the same families are relatively conserved. Meanwhile, the motif compositions and secondary structures of A. chinensis Hsps (AcHsps) were predicted. RNA-seq data and fluorescence quantitative PCR analysis showed that there were differences in the expression patterns of AcHsps in diapause and non-diapause stages, and AcHsp70-5 was significantly differentially expressed in both analysis, which was enriched in the pathway of response to hormone. All the results showed that Hsps play an important role in the diapause mechanism of A. chinensis. Our observations highlight the molecular evolution of the Hsp gene and their effect on diapause in A. chinensis.
Gender-Responsive Public Procurement in Africa: Barriers and Challenges
Authors: Williams Sope
Published: March 2024

Public procurement is often used to achieve policy goals beyond the purchase of the required goods and services. These goals include the economic advancement of minorities, the promotion of fair labour practices and climate action. In the last two decades, many countries have used public procurement to advance gender equality. This is referred to as gender-responsive procurement and is often implemented through the award of public contracts to women-owned businesses. While many countries have legal provisions designed to increase the award of public contracts to women, gender-responsive procurement is extremely limited and women-owned businesses are not fully integrated into public sector supply chains. This is unfortunate, given that gender-responsive procurement can improve women's economic empowerment, with implications for sustainable development. This article adopts a gender equality and women's economic empowerment lens to examine the legal, policy and cultural barriers to gender-responsive procurement and recommends measures to improve the award of public contracts to women-owned businesses.
Paying Managers of Complex Portfolios: Evidence on Compensation and Performance from Endowments
Authors: Binfarè Matteo , Harris Robert S.
Published: March 2024

We examine compensation for endowment Chief Investment Officers (CIOs) overseeing portfolios with significant allocations to alternatives. We find widespread use of bonuses and that large endowments with high alternative allocations hire CIOs with stronger backgrounds, pay them more, and have higher pay-for-performance sensitivity. We find weak evidence of a relationship between compensation and future performance. Our results align with contract theory predictions but differ from empirical findings on pension funds. Endowments pay CIOs more, rely more on bonuses, attract more experienced professionals, and have lower turnover than pensions. This suggests more effective talent management compared to politically influenced public pensions.
The uniform distribution modulo one of certain subsequences of ordinates of zeros of the zeta function
Authors: ÇİÇEK FATMA , GONEK STEVEN M.
Published: March 2024

On the assumption of the Riemann hypothesis and a spacing hypothesis for the nontrivial zeros
$1/2+i\gamma$
of the Riemann zeta function, we show that the sequence
\begin{equation*}\Gamma_{[a, b]} =\Bigg\{ \gamma : \gamma>0 \quad \mbox{and} \quad \frac{ \log\big(| \zeta^{(m_{\gamma })} (\frac12+ i{\gamma }) | / (\!\log{{\gamma }} )^{m_{\gamma }}\big)}{\sqrt{\frac12\log\log {\gamma }}} \in [a, b] \Bigg\},\end{equation*}
where the
${\gamma }$
are arranged in increasing order, is uniformly distributed modulo one. Here a and b are real numbers with
$a<b$
, and
$m_\gamma$
denotes the multiplicity of the zero
$1/2+i{\gamma }$
. The same result holds when the
${\gamma }$
’s are restricted to be the ordinates of simple zeros. With an extra hypothesis, we are also able to show an equidistribution result for the scaled numbers
$\gamma (\!\log T)/2\pi$
with
${\gamma }\in \Gamma_{[a, b]}$
and
$0<{\gamma }\leq T$
.
Disasters and the rise of global religious philanthropy
Authors: Cornelio Jayeel , Teehankee Julio C.
Published: March 2024

This article seeks to make sense of the rise of global religious philanthropy in relation to disaster. Global religious philanthropy refers to the transnational activities of religious organizations to respond to humanitarian crisis. These organizations can be faith-based initiatives or religious groups or denominations that have created humanitarian services for the specific purpose of relief and recovery in other countries. The first part spells out what we mean by the rise of global religious philanthropy in disaster response. It is not so much a shift as it is a rediscovery of the religious roots of humanitarian work. But at the same time, it is also a contemporary development that is part of the globalization of risk, humanitarian aid, and religion itself. The second part will explain the rise in two ways. First, faith-based and religious organizations hold what we describe as a global imaginary. In this imaginary, the world is in crisis and it offers an opportunity to demonstrate global compassion. Second, the rise of global religious philanthropy is also tied to the expansion of religious movements, some of which are in emerging economies. The expansion renders the religious field competitive. This is why, in a paradoxical manner, their humanitarian activities are also acts of strength and power that contend with the state and other players in the religious field.
Maternal alcohol dependence symptoms, maternal insensitivity to children’s distress, and young children’s blunted emotional reactivity
Authors: Jacques Debrielle T. , Sturge-Apple Melissa L. , Davies Patrick T. , Cicchetti Dante
Published: March 2024

Maternal insensitivity to children’s emotional distress (e.g., expressions of sadness or fearfulness) is one mechanism through which maternal alcohol dependence may increase children’s risk for psychopathology. Although emotion dysregulation is consistently associated with psychopathology, it remains unclear how or why alcohol dependence’s effects on caregiving responses to children’s distress may impact children’s emotion regulation over time, particularly in ways that may engender risks for psychopathology. This study examined longitudinal associations between lifetime maternal alcohol dependence symptoms, mothers’ insensitivity to children’s emotional distress cues, and children’s emotional reactivity among 201 mother-child dyads (Mchild age = 2.14 years; 56% Black; 11% Latino). Structural equation modeling analyses revealed a significant mediational pathway such that maternal alcohol dependence predicted increases in mothers’ insensitivity to children’s emotional distress across a one-year period (β = .16, p = .013), which subsequently predicted decreases in children’s emotional reactivity one year later (β = −.29, p = .009). Results suggest that mothers with alcohol dependence symptoms may struggle to sensitively respond to children’s emotional distress, which may prompt children to suppress or hide their emotions as an adaptive, protective strategy. The potential developmental benefits and consequences of early, protective expressive suppression strategies are discussed via developmental psychopathology frameworks.
I Become a Pattern
Authors: Moretti Lisa Talia
Published: March 2024

A poetic provocation that considers the embodied tone and feel of humans contra machines.
Brain potentials reveal reduced sensitivity to negative content during second language production
Authors: Jończyk Rafał , Naranowicz Marcin , Bel-Bahar Tarik S. , Jankowiak Katarzyna , Korpal Paweł , Bromberek-Dyzman Katarzyna , Thierry Guillaume
Published: March 2024

Prior research suggests that bilinguals show reduced sensitivity to negative content when operating in the second language (L2). The available evidence, however, is limited to language comprehension. We tested the production of emotional words in Polish (L1)–English (L2) bilinguals in two EEG studies that manipulated emotional cueing. In Experiment 1 (neutral context), white or black circles indicated whether participants should read aloud (shadow) or translate a subsequently presented word. N400 amplitudes were selectively reduced for negative L2 words regardless of the task. In Experiment 2 (emotional context), we used black or white emojis, either sad or neutral, as cues. The previous interaction between word valence and language of operation vanished, but late positive potential amplitudes elicited by negative words were larger for translation from L2 to L1 (i.e., production in Polish) than L1 to L2. These results validate and extend to production previous findings of attenuated emotional response in L2 comprehension.
Global Governance Confronts the Onslaught of Disinformation
Authors: Martin Lisa L.
Published: March 2024

My presidential address is an attempt to connect two themes: my own work in the field of global governance and the theme of the 2023 APSA Annual Meeting, “Rights and Responsibilities in an Age of Mis- and Disinformation.” Most work on disinformation focuses on domestic-level politics.1 However, I would argue that it also presents a major challenge to global governance, and research on disinformation on the international level deserves greater attention.