bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Space-Time Association between Gunshot Detection Alerts, Calls for Service, and Police Enforcement in Chicago: Differences Across Citizen Race and Incident Type
Authors: Piza Eric L. , Mohler George O. , Connealy Nathan T. , Arietti Rachael , Carter Jeremy G.
Published: July 2024

Objectives

This study explores the level to which Gunshot Detection Technology (GDT) leads to increased arrests and stops as compared to shots fired calls for service (CFS) in Chicago, Illinois.

Methods

A two-process Knox test and point process test are applied to measure the level to which GDT alerts and CFS cluster with arrests and stops in space and time. Both tests are first applied to the aggregate arrest and stops data. We then disaggregate arrests and stops by type as well as suspect race/ethnicity to measure any disproportionate effects across GDT and CFS.

Results

Both GDT alerts and CFS are significantly associated with arrests and stops occurring in close spatial and temporal proximity. The relative effect of GDT and CFS was consistent across race in the majority of instances. The small number of instances with disparate effects did not exhibit any clear patterning. For some racial groups and arrest/stop types, GDT was associated with heightened enforcement while CFS had a null effect, with the opposite relationship observed for other racial groups and arrest/stop types.

Conclusions

Overall, the results indicate that GDT systems may not generate racial disparities in arrests and stops above and beyond what results from the standard police response to gunfire. Racial disparities resulting from police responses to reported gunfire likely relate to aspects of the reporting and dispatch processes generally rather than as they relate specifically to GDT.
How is human well-being related to ecosystem services at town and village scales? A case study from the Yangtze River Delta, China
Authors: Gao Yanmin , Zhang Naijie , Ma Qun , Li Jingwei
Published: July 2024

Context

The relationships between ecosystem services (ES) and human well-being (HWB) have been found to be influenced by geographic locations and socioeconomic development, and vary from local to global scales. However, there is a lack of comparative analyses at fine administrative scales such as town and village scales.

Objective

This study took the core region of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) of China as the study area to examine the spatial characteristics of the values of ES and the subjective satisfaction scores of HWB and then compare their relationships at the town and village scales.

Methods

The values of 9 ES indicators were quantified using the ecosystem service equivalent factor method, and the subjective satisfaction scores of 11 HWB indicators were investigated using the questionnaire survey. The ES-HWB relationships between 9 ES and 11 HWB measures in the study area were investigated using Spearman's correlation analysis.

Results

The value of ES per unit area in the study area in 2020 was about 15,202.90 USD/ha, nearly three times the average level in China, but the per capita value was relatively low, at 322.11 USD/person. The satisfaction score of HWB was relatively high, especially for the dimensions of social relations (4.46), health (4.26), and safety (4.22), based on a 5-point Likert scale. As spatial scales decreased from town to village scales and thematic scales increased from secondary to primary indicators, the strength of the ES-HWB correlations diminished and their direction changed as well. According to secondary indicators, most of the ES-HWB relationships were positive at the town scale but became negative or nonexistent at the village scale (e.g. the Spearman correlation coefficient between the value of raw material supply and the satisfaction score of leisure and entertainment shifted from 0.9 at the town scale to -0.51 at the village scale).

Conclusions

The correlation strength and direction of the ES-HWB relationships still changed with spatial and thematic scales at the town and village scales. Thus, better understanding the relationships requires studies at multiple and broader scales and calls for caution when using the aggregating indicators, because they can also lead to different ES-HWB relationships.
Training in Cultural Competence for Mental Health Care: A Mixed-Methods Study of Students, Faculty, and Practitioners from India and USA
Authors: Raval Vaishali V. , Gopal Baiju , Aggarwal Pankhuri , Mohan Miriam Priti , Padmakumari P. , Thomas Elizabeth , Luebbe Aaron M. , Hay M. Cameron
Published: July 2024

Although the need to train clinicians to provide effective mental health care to individuals from diverse backgrounds has been recognized worldwide, a bulk of what we know about training in cultural competence (CC) is based on research conducted in the United States. Research on CC in mental health training from different world populations is needed due to the context-dependent nature of CC. Focusing on India and USA, two diverse countries that provide complementary contexts to examine CC, we explored graduate students’, practicing clinicians’, and faculty members’ perspectives regarding CC training they received/provided and future training needs using mixed-methods. The data were collected using focus groups (n = 25 groups total: 15 in India, 11 in USA), and a survey (n = 800: 450 in India, 350 in USA). Our data highlight the salient social identities in these countries, and the corresponding constituents of CC training. Participants in India described a practical emphasis to their CC training (e.g., learning about CC through life experiences and clinical practice experiences) more so than through coursework, whereas participants in USA described varying levels of coursework related to CC along with practice. Participants in both countries considered enormity of CC as a challenge, while those in the US also identified CC training limited to a white, straight, male perspective, hesitancy in engaging with diversity topics, and limited time and competence of the faculty. Strengths of CC training in India and USA are mutually informative in generating recommendations for enhancing the training in both countries.
On the Resolvent of H+A$$^{*}$$+A
Authors: Posilicano Andrea
Published: July 2024

We present a much shorter and streamlined proof of an improved version of the results previously given in [A. Posilicano: On the Self-Adjointness of $$H+A^{*}+A$$

H
+

A

∗

+
A

. Math. Phys. Anal. Geom.23 (2020)] concerning the self-adjoint realizations of formal QFT-like Hamiltonians of the kind $$H+A^{*}+A$$

H
+

A

∗

+
A

, where H and A play the role of the free field Hamiltonian and of the annihilation operator respectively. We give explicit representations of the resolvent and of the self-adjointness domain; the consequent Kreĭn-type resolvent formula leads to a characterization of these self-adjoint realizations as limit (with respect to convergence in norm resolvent sense) of cutoff Hamiltonians of the kind $$H+A^{*}_{n}+A_{n}-E_{n}$$

H
+

A
n

∗

+

A
n

-

E
n

, the bounded operator $$E_{n}$$

E
n

playing the role of a renormalizing counter term. These abstract results apply to various concrete models in Quantum Field Theory.
The order of operations and A/Ā interactions
Authors: Newman Elise
Published: July 2024

Double object constructions provide an ideal context in which to investigate interactions between multiple instances of movement. With two internal arguments, we can construct scenarios where one A-moves and another Ā-moves, such as in the passive wh-question What was Sue given? Holmberg et al. (2019) observe that in many languages (e.g. Norwegian) that otherwise permit either object of a double object construction to A-move to subject position, a restriction emerges when the indirect object wh-moves: the indirect object must also A-move (e.g. Who was given a book?). One cannot pronounce an indirect object wh-question in a clause where the direct object A-moves instead (*Who was a book given?). In this paper, I observe that this restriction is only found in languages that otherwise permit the indirect object to A-move. In languages such as Greek, which have no indirect object passives, indirect objects can freely wh-move in a direct object passive, and thus do not exhibit the same restriction as in Norwegian. I propose that this restriction comes about in languages such as Norwegian but not Greek due to the timing of wh-movement relative to A-movement within vP. Indirect objects wh-move through the position that controls A-movement early, blocking a direct object from A-moving, so long as the indirect object can A-move itself. The analysis features a smuggling approach to passives of ditransitives (Collins 2005) and an economy condition like van Urk and Richards’ (2015) Multitasking, which jointly predict the order of operations that gives rise to the wh-movement restriction observed in Norwegian.
PANet: Pluralistic Attention Network for Few-Shot Image Classification
Authors: Cao Wenming , Li Tianyuan , Liu Qifan , He Zhiquan
Published: July 2024

Traditional deep learning methods require a large amount of labeled data for model training, which is laborious and costly in real word. Few-shot learning (FSL) aims to recognize novel classes with only a small number of labeled samples to address these challenges. We focus on metric-based few-shot learning with improvements in both feature extraction and metric method. In our work, we propose the Pluralistic Attention Network (PANet), a novel attention-oriented framework, involving both a local encoded intra-attention(LEIA) module and a global encoded reciprocal attention(GERA) module. The LEIA is designed to capture comprehensive local feature dependencies within every single sample. The GERA concentrates on the correlation between two samples and learns the discriminability of representations obtained from the LEIA. The two modules are complementary to each other and ensure the feature information within and between images can be fully utilized. Furthermore, we also design a dual-centralization (DC) cosine similarity to eliminate the disparity of data distribution in different dimensions and enhance the metric accuracy between support and query samples. Our method is thoroughly evaluated with extensive experiments, and the results demonstrate that with the contribution of each component, our model can achieve high-performance on four widely used few-shot classification benchmarks of miniImageNet, tieredImageNet, CUB-200-2011 and CIFAR-FS.
Residential building and sub-building level flood damage analysis using simple and complex models
Authors: Paulik Ryan , Zorn Conrad , Wotherspoon Liam
Published: July 2024

Flood damage assessment is critical for optimal risk management investments. Damage models evaluate physical damage or monetary loss from direct building exposure to flood hazard processes. Traditional models represent a simple relationship whereby physical damage increases with water depth. More complex models offer an improved understanding of vulnerability, analysing interactions between multiple hazard and exposure variables that drive damage. Our study investigates whether increasing model complexity and explanatory damage variables improves prediction precision and reliability at residential building and sub-building (component) levels. We evaluate simple and complex empirical univariable and multivariable models for flood damage prediction. The Random Forest algorithm learned on multiple hazard and exposure explanatory variables outperformed linear and non-linear univariable regression approaches. Random Forest model predictive precision was highest when learning was limited to water depth and several important explanatory damage variables (flow velocity, area and floor height). Component damage models demonstrated high predictive precision for internal finishes and services. Precision reduced for structure and external finishes as damage samples for model learning were limited. High performing but complex multivariable models require further spatio-temporal transfer investigation to determine opportunities for accurate and reliable object-specific flood damage prediction in data scarce locations.
Backbone curve tailoring via Lyapunov subcenter manifold optimization
Authors: Pozzi Matteo , Marconi Jacopo , Jain Shobhit , Braghin Francesco
Published: July 2024

We present a technique for the direct optimization of conservative backbone curves in nonlinear mechanical systems. The periodic orbits on the conservative backbone are computed analytically using the reduced dynamics of the corresponding Lyapunov subcenter manifold (LSM). In this manner, we avoid expensive full-system simulations and numerical continuation to approximate the nonlinear response. Our method aims at tailoring the shape of the backbone curve using a gradient-based optimization with respect to the system’s parameters. To this end, we formulate the optimization problem by imposing constraints on the frequency-amplitude relation. Sensitivities are computed analytically by differentiating the backbone expression and the corresponding LSM. At each iteration, only the reduced-order model construction and sensitivity computation are performed, making our approach robust and efficient.
Forecasting the waste production hierarchical time series with correlation structure
Authors: Eryganov Ivan , Rosecký Martin , Šomplák Radovan , Smejkalová Veronika
Published: July 2024

Continuous increase in society’s prosperity causes overwhelming growth of the produced municipal solid waste. Circular economy initiatives help to solve this problem by creating closed production cycles, where the produced waste is recycled, or its energy is recovered. An embedment of such principles requires implementation of new waste management strategies. However, these novel strategies must be based on the accurate forecasts of future waste flows. Municipal solid waste production data demonstrate behavior of hierarchical time series. Among all possible approaches to hierarchical times series forecasting, this article is focused on the reconciliation of the base waste generation forecasts. The novel method, that is based on the game-theoretically optimal reconciliation of hierarchical time series, is presented. The modified approach enables to incorporate interdependencies between time series using correlation matrix and to obtain the forecasts corresponding to the unique solution of the optimization problem. The potential of the proposed abstract approach is demonstrated on the waste production data of paper, plastics (both primarily sorted by households), and mixed municipal solid waste from the Czech Republic.
Topical Semisolid Drug Product Critical Quality Attributes with Relevance to Cutaneous Bioavailability and Pharmacokinetics: Part I—Bioequivalence of Acyclovir Topical Creams
Authors: Mohammed Y. H. , Namjoshi S. N. , Jung N. , Windbergs M. , Benson H. A. E. , Grice J. E. , Raney S. G. , Roberts M. S.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

To develop a toolkit of test methods for characterizing potentially critical quality attributes (CQAs) of topical semisolid products and to evaluate how CQAs influence the rate and extent of active ingredient bioavailability (BA) by monitoring cutaneous pharmacokinetics (PK) using an In Vitro Permeation Test (IVPT).

Methods

Product attributes representing the physicochemical and structural (Q3) arrangement of matter, such as attributes of particles and globules, were assessed for a set of test acyclovir creams (Aciclostad® and Acyclovir 1A Pharma) and compared to a set of reference acyclovir creams (Zovirax® US, Zovirax® UK and Zovirax® Australia). IVPT studies were performed with all these creams using heat-separated human epidermis, evaluated with both, static Franz-type diffusion cells and a flow through diffusion cell system.

Results

A toolkit developed to characterize quality and performance attributes of these acyclovir topical cream products identified certain differences in the Q3 attributes and the cutaneous PK of acyclovir between the test and reference sets of products. The cutaneous BA of acyclovir from the set of reference creams was substantially higher than from the set of test creams.

Conclusions

This research elucidates how differences in the composition or manufacturing of product formulations can alter Q3 attributes that modulate myriad aspects of topical product performance. The results demonstrate the importance of understanding the Q3 attributes of topical semisolid drug products, and of developing appropriate product characterization tests. The toolkit developed here can be utilized to guide topical product development, and to mitigate the risk of differences in product performance, thereby supporting a demonstration of bioequivalence (BE) for prospective topical generic products and reducing the reliance on comparative clinical endpoint BE studies.
Interactions between an arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculum and the root-associated microbiome in shaping the response of Capsicum annuum “Locale di Senise” to different irrigation levels
Authors: Calvo Alice , Reitz Thomas , Sillo Fabiano , Montesano Vincenzo , Cañizares Eva , Zampieri Elisa , Mahmoudi Roghayyeh , Gohari Gholamreza , Chitarra Walter , Giovannini Luca , Conte Adriano , Mennone Carmelo , Petruzzelli Gianniantonio , Centritto Mauro , González-Guzmán Miguel , Arbona Vicent , Fotopoulos Vasileios , Balestrini Raffaella
Published: July 2024

Background and aims

The use of root-associated microorganisms emerge as a sustainable tool to enhance crop tolerance and productivity under climate change, particularly in drought-affected areas. Here, the impact of an inoculum based on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was evaluated on pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivation at varying water irrigation treatments (well-watered, reduced irrigation and rain-fed) under open-field conditions.

Methods

Agronomic and ecophysiological parameters, as well as biochemical analyses on stress markers and phytohormones in leaves and on fruit quality traits, were evaluated, along with the shifts in soil- and root-associated microbial communities.

Results

Rain-fed water treatment caused reduced fruit sizes, while no differences were detected among well-watered and reduced irrigation. Reduced irrigation did not cause a reduction in stomatal conductance. The highest AM fungal colonization rates were observed under reduced irrigation, and the enhanced flavonoid content and reduced oxidative stress markers in AMF-inoculated plants suggested a synergistic effect of AM fungal inoculation in boosting plant tolerance against stress. A shift in microbial community composition in the different irrigation treatments, associated with different enzymatic activity, highlighted the potential role of microbial dynamics in plant stress response under water-limited conditions.

Conclusion

The study suggests that a reduced irrigation comes along with beneficial impacts on pepper root associated microbes, while not impairing crop performance and yields, indicating a potential of saving water. All together, our results imply that optimization of irrigation and beneficial plant–microbe interactions, such as AM fungal symbiosis, can improve pepper physiological and productivity features under climate change.
Interactive effects of fungal community structure and soil moisture on Wyoming big sagebrush performance
Authors: Engel Arden , Simler-Williamson Allison , Ravenscraft Alison , Bittleston Leonora , de Graaff Marie-Anne
Published: July 2024

Aims

Local adaptation of plant populations to soil biotic conditions may complicate ecosystem restoration if seeds used in reseeding efforts are sourced from a different population than the one that succumbed to disturbance. Furthermore, climatic conditions may mediate the interaction between plants and soil microbial communities. This study aimed to assess how the composition of the local soil fungal community affects Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis) growth and its resource allocation to shoot and root growth under different moisture-availability conditions.

Methods

We explored sagebrush growth responses to inoculation with wet-adapted versus dry-adapted sagebrush-associated fungal communities in a 7-month greenhouse experiment. Seeds were planted with inoculum isolated from rhizosphere soil from either a relatively wet or a dry sagebrush-dominated site and subjected to a moisture regime representative of either the wet or dry site. Biomass, root morphology, and fungal community composition were assessed.

Results

Wet and dry sites hosted distinct in-situ fungal communities, and inoculum derived from different sites generated compositionally different fungal assemblages in the seedlings’ rhizospheres during the growth period. Compared to sterilized inoculum controls, live inoculum from either site enhanced seedling biomass, but only when soil moisture simulated that of the inoculum’s source site. Dry-site inoculum also produced longer, finer roots under dry-site conditions.

Conclusions

Moisture similar to the fungal inoculum’s source was necessary for fungi to positively impact sagebrush growth and root characteristics. Applying fungal inoculum adapted to an intended restoration site’s moisture could help seedlings optimize water uptake and productivity, encouraging sagebrush establishment.
Radial and angular correlations in a confined system of two atoms in two-dimensional geometry
Authors: Kościk Przemysław
Published: July 2024

We study the ground-state entanglement between two atoms in a two-dimensional isotropic harmonic trap. We consider a finite-range soft-core interaction that can be applied to simulate various atomic systems. We provide detailed results on the dependence of the correlations on the parameters of the system. Our investigations show that in the hardcore limit, the wave function can be approximated as the product of the radial and angular components regardless of the interaction range. This implies that the radial and angular correlations are independent of one another. However, correlations within the radial and angular components persist and are heavily influenced by the interaction range. The radial correlations are generally weaker than the angular correlations. When soft-core interactions are considered, the correlations exhibit more complex behavior.
Investigation of Chemiresisitive Electronic Nose for the Analysis of Multiple Analytes Using Pattern Recognition Algorithm
Authors: Keshari Ajay Kumar , Prabhakar Rao J. , Sree Rama Murthy A. , Jayaraman V.
Published: July 2024

The multiple analytes produced during the operation of nuclear facilities are required to monitor the smooth operation of the plant in the environment of high temperature and radioactivity in real time. A chemiresisitive electronic nose was investigated and developed to analyze the multiple analytes generated in the nuclear reactor/allied facilities. An electronic nose consists of chemiresisitive sensor, array, housing, hardware, software, and pattern recognition algorithm. The sensor and array of different semiconductor metal oxides were prepared, processed, and developed to sense the multiple analytes. The hardware and data acquisition software (DAS) was designed and developed to acquire the dynamic responses from the array of four sensors. The hardware provides a low excitation voltage for measurement of the dynamic response of four sensors towards the improvement of the life of the sensor. The various experiments were conducted with multiple analytes at different temperatures to study the analysis of analytes. The performance of the hardware and DAS were tested and evaluated with the sensor array responses towards three analytes, viz., hydrogen (H2), formaldehyde (HCHO), and hydrazine (NH2NH2). Different features evaluated from the response traces were processed to teach the instrument using pattern recognition algorithms. The training and real-time testing of the sensor array realized the qualitative discrimination and quantitative estimation of the analytes.
Correction to: analysis of stochastic gradient descent in continuous time
Authors: Latz Jonas
Published: July 2024

A correction regarding [Latz 2021, Stat. Comput. 31, 39].
The Role of Moral Norms in Political Theory
Authors: Erman Eva , Möller Niklas
Published: July 2024

In the recent debate on political normativity in political philosophy, two positions have emerged among so-called political realists. On the first ‘non-moral’ view, political normativity is understood as orthogonal to moral normativity. On the second ‘filter view’, moral norms and prescriptions may be ‘filtered through’ the realities of politics such that they are altered by politics’ constitutive features. While the former has been severely criticized, the latter has remained underdeveloped and vague. To take the debate on political normativity forward, the aim in this paper is to explore what it could reasonably mean to claim that moral norms are filtered through politics and are aligned with its constitutive features. More specifically, we explore the role of moral norms in political theory. We take our starting-point in Larmore’s work and make two claims. First, we argue against Larmore’s claim – following political realists – that because political philosophy is concerned with the regulation of basic institutions and legal-political orders, it should primarily focus on political legitimacy rather than justice and always focus on legitimacy before justice. In our view, nothing in the constitutive features of politics supports such a conclusion. Second, we argue that any reasonable political theory relies on at least one moral premise, constituted by foundational principles (or values), which are independent of a society or polity. These are more basic than political principles in the sense that they put up the normative boundary conditions for such principles.
Chemical activation and magnetization of carbonaceous materials fabricated from waste plastics and their evaluation for methylene blue adsorption
Authors: Salama Eslam , Samy Mahmoud , Hassan Hassan Shokry , Mohamed Safaa , Mensah Kenneth , Elkady Marwa F.
Published: July 2024

In this study, novel adsorbents were synthesized via the activation and magnetization of carbon spheres, graphene, and carbon nanotubes fabricated from plastics to improve their surface area and porosity and facilitate their separation from aqueous solutions. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy “FTIR”, X-ray diffraction “XRD”, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy “EDX”, transmission electron microscope “TEM”, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy “XPS” affirmed the successful activation and magnetization of the fabricated materials. Further, surface area analysis showed that the activation and magnetization enhanced the surface area. The weight loss ratio decreased from nearly 60% in the case of activated graphene to around 25% after magnetization, and the same trend was observed in the other materials confirming that magnetization improved the thermal stability of the fabricated materials. The prepared carbonaceous materials showed superparamagnetic properties according to the magnetic saturation values obtained from vibrating sample magnetometry analysis, where the magnetic saturation values were 33.77, 38.75, and 27.18 emu/g in the presence of magnetic activated carbon spheres, graphene, and carbon nanotubes, respectively. The adsorption efficiencies of methylene blue (MB) were 76.9%, 96.3%, and 74.8% in the presence of magnetic activated carbon spheres, graphene, and carbon nanotubes, respectively. This study proposes efficient adsorbents with low cost and high adsorption efficiency that can be applied on an industrial scale to remove emerging pollutants.
Extended lifespan in female Drosophila melanogaster through late-life calorie restriction
Authors: Li Michael , Macro Jacob , Huggins Billy J. , Meadows Kali , Mishra Dushyant , Martin Dominique , Kannan Kavitha , Rogina Blanka
Published: July 2024

Calorie restriction has many beneficial effects on healthspan and lifespan in a variety of species. However, how late in life application of caloric restriction can extend fly life is not clear. Here we show that late-life calorie restriction increases lifespan in female Drosophila melanogaster aged on a high-calorie diet. This shift results in rapid decrease in mortality rate and extends fly lifespan. In contrast, shifting female flies from a low- to a high-calorie diet leads to a rapid increase in mortality and shorter lifespan. These changes are mediated by immediate metabolic and physiological adaptations. One of such adaptation is rapid adjustment in egg production, with flies directing excess energy towards egg production when shifted to a high diet, or away from reproduction in females shifted to low-caloric diet. However, lifelong female fecundity reveals no associated fitness cost due to CR when flies are shifted to a high-calorie diet. In view of high conservation of the beneficial effects of CR on physiology and lifespan in a wide variety of organisms, including humans, our findings could provide valuable insight into CR applications that could provide health benefits later in life.
Genetic and environmental determinants of bone quality: a cross-sectional analysis of the Hungarian Twin Registry
Authors: Mészáros Szilvia , Piroska Márton , Leel-Őssy Tamás , Tárnoki Ádám Domonkos , Tárnoki Dávid László , Jokkel Zsófia , Szabó Helga , Hosszú Éva , Csupor Emőke , Kollár Réka , Kézdi Árpád , Tabák Ádám G. , Horváth Csaba
Published: July 2024

There is abundant evidence that bone mineral content is highly heritable, while the heritability of bone quality (i.e. trabecular bone score [TBS] and quantitative ultrasound index [QUI]) is rarely investigated. We aimed to disentangle the role of genetic, shared and unique environmental factors on TBS and QUI among Hungarian twins. Our study includes 82 twin (48 monozygotic, 33 same-sex dizygotic) pairs from the Hungarian Twin Registry. TBS was determined by DXA, QUI by calcaneal bone ultrasound. To estimate the genetic and environmental effects, we utilized ACE-variance decomposition. For the unadjusted model of TBS, an AE model provided the best fit with > 80% additive genetic heritability. Adjustment for age, sex, BMI and smoking status improved model fit with 48.0% of total variance explained by independent variables. Furthermore, there was a strong dominant genetic effect (73.7%). In contrast, unadjusted and adjusted models for QUI showed an AE structure. Adjustments improved model fit and 25.7% of the total variance was explained by independent variables. Altogether 70–90% of the variance in QUI was related to additive genetic influences. We found a strong genetic heritability of bone quality in unadjusted models. Half of the variance of TBS was explained by age, sex and BMI. Furthermore, the adjusted model suggested that the genetic component of TBS could be dominant or an epistasis could be present. In contrast, independent variables explained only a quarter of the variance of QUI and the additive heritability explained more than half of all the variance.
Systematising the LCA approaches’ soup: a framework based on text mining
Authors: Di Bari Roberta , Alaux Nicolas , Saade Marcella , Hong Sun Hea , Horn Rafael , Passer Alexander
Published: July 2024

Purpose

It is challenging for practitioners to navigate through the multitude of life cycle assessment (LCA) approaches due to the rich literature and a lack of systematisation. The LCA flexibility allowed by standards results in a multitude of applications and, as referred to in previous works, as an “alphabet soup”. This paper proposes a scheme for a clearer classification of currently used LCA approaches, with consideration of the 4-stage framework coming from standards.

Methods

This systematisation was first established through literature research serving as a preliminary tentative framework. A text mining task was carried out in a second stage, involving 2044 published articles among 7558 of the last 10 years. For text mining, a dictionary collected keywords and synonyms of the LCA approaches. Such keywords were then extracted from the text together with their context (multiword). The final multiword analysis allowed the association of each keyword (i.e. each LCA approach) with a specific LCA stage (Goal and Scope, Life Cycle Inventory, Life Cycle Impact Assessment, Interpretation). The preliminary framework was adapted, further enriched and validated based on the text mining results.

Results

As a result of the text mining activities, the preliminary tentative framework was partially confirmed and enriched with new insights, especially in the field of “explorative” LCA approaches, which also include “prospective” and “scenario-based” LCA. For most of the currently used LCA approaches, a link to a unique LCA stage was not recorded. However, clear trends were detected. The text mining task also highlighted a high number of works in which different approaches are compared or counterposed, especially in the field of attributional and consequential LCA. Some issues were found with the connotations of “traditional” approaches, which could be defined more specifically as “non-explorative”.

Conclusions

Unlike other works focused on notions from selected literature, text mining activities can provide bottom-up feedback on a larger scale more automatically. In addition, this work brought out novel LCA approaches, for which future developments will confirm a final definition and systematisation. As an additional advantage, the presented methodology is easily replicable. Hence, the presented framework can be updated along with developments in LCA approaches.
Effect of particle size distribution of sediments on development of polder soils in Japan
Authors: Nishikura Seri , Kawahigashi Masayuki
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Polder soils develop from oceanic and lacustrine sediments covered with seawater, brackish water, and freshwater after artificial drainage. Because there are several concerns regarding the agricultural use of polder soils, soil genesis and properties have been considerably surveyed, mainly focusing on problematic soils developed from fine sediments. Although sediments have a wide range of particle size distributions due to different sedimentary conditions, particle size of parent materials have not been well addressed to understand the soil developmental process. In this study, Japanese polders with different reclamation ages and sedimentary conditions were surveyed to clarify the soil formation process and factors affecting pedogenesis.

Materials and methods

Soil samples were collected from 15 soil profiles in six Japanese polders under different land use types. Sedimentary conditions of polders were evaluated from particle size distributions using the hydrodynamic classification proposed by Pejrup (The triangular diagram used for classification of estuarine sediments: a new approach. Tide-influenced Sediment Environ Facies, pp 289–300, 1988). The major soil-forming factors of polders were extracted by principal component analysis (PCA) using general soil properties.

Results and discussion

Brackish lake and inner bay polders were characterized by calm hydrodynamic conditions comprising fine particles. Two polders reclaimed from a shallow inland sea were characterized by violent hydrodynamic conditions. Sandy sediments were also characteristic of immature soils reclaimed from a freshwater lake and an estuarine tidal flat. Soils on polders developed under calm hydrodynamic conditions enabled the accumulation of high total carbon content. The soil-forming process in the brackish bay oxidized pyrite, leading to an acidic soil reaction. Conversely, soils developed from sandy sediments were characterized by low iron content. The PCA extracted two factors explained by particle size and soil reaction relating to acidification and salt leaching.

Conclusion

Polder soils can be mainly discriminated by their particle size distributions, which are characterized by hydrodynamics under the sedimentary conditions, and the polder soil development is affected by water management in land uses after artificial drainage.
The Construction and Meaning of Race Within Hypertension Guidelines: A Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Awolope Anna , El-Sabrout Hannah , Chattopadhyay Anurima , Richmond Stephen , Hessler-Jones Danielle , Hahn Monica , Gottlieb Laura , Razon Na’amah
Published: July 2024

Background

Professional society guidelines are evidence-based recommendations intended to promote standardized care and improve health outcomes. Amid increased recognition of the role racism plays in shaping inequitable healthcare delivery, many researchers and practitioners have critiqued existing guidelines, particularly those that include race-based recommendations. Critiques highlight how racism influences the evidence that guidelines are based on and its interpretation. However, few have used a systematic methodology to examine race-based recommendations. This review examines hypertension guidelines, a condition affecting nearly half of all adults in the United States (US), to understand how guidelines reference and develop recommendations related to race.

Methods

A systematic scoping review of all professional guidelines on the management of essential hypertension published between 1977 and 2022 to examine the use and meaning of race categories.

Results

Of the 37 guidelines that met the inclusion criteria, we identified a total of 990 mentions of race categories. Black and African/African American were the predominant race categories referred to in guidelines (n = 409). Guideline authors used race in five key domains: describing the prevalence or etiology of hypertension; characterizing prior hypertension studies; describing hypertension interventions; social risk and social determinants of health; the complexity of race. Guideline authors largely used race categories as biological rather than social constructions. None of the guidelines discussed racism and the role it plays in perpetuating hypertension inequities.

Discussion

Hypertension guidelines largely refer to race as a distinct and natural category rather than confront the longstanding history of racism within and beyond the medical system. Normalizing race as a biological rather than social construct fails to address racism as a key determinant driving inequities in cardiovascular health. These changes are necessary to produce meaningful structural solutions that advance equity in hypertension education, research, and care delivery.
Key topic or bare necessity? How Research Ethics are Addressed and Discussed in Computational Communication Science
Authors: Knöpfle Philipp , Haim Mario , Breuer Johannes
Published: July 2024

In Computational Communication Science (CCS) researchers grapple with intricate ethical challenges arising from the collection and analysis of complex data sets, often including sensitive or copyrighted data. Taking into consideration differences between the two main lines of philosophical reasoning in the realm of (research) ethics—deontology and consequentialism—we argue that ethical challenges faced in CCS are multidimensional and, hence, require multiple perspectives and approaches. Our general considerations are complemented by an empirical study that aims to assess the nature, prevalence, and discussion of ethical issues in CCS literature. Through a manual content analysis of 476 CCS publications, we shed light on ethical challenges as well as reflections thereof by CCS researchers. Notably, we find that only 5.88% of studies explicitly address general ethical considerations. Ethical review processes are also only mentioned in 6.51% of the considered studies, with the majority focusing on specific ethical procedures, such as obtaining informed consent, data anonymization measures, or debriefing. This suggests that, in the absence of consensus and field-specific standards, researchers in CCS prioritize context-specific ethical procedures, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in addressing ethical considerations.
Zusammenhangsfaktoren mit dem Fortbildungsverhalten von Lehrkräften
Authors: Heijens Marie Jeanne Marleen
Published: July 2024

Diese Studie untersucht den differentiellen Zusammenhang personenbezogener beruflicher Merkmale von Lehrkräften sowie schulischer Rahmenbedingungen mit dem Fortbildungsverhalten. Dabei wird vertiefend die bisher unbeleuchtete Gruppe der gesellschaftswissenschaftlichen Lehrkräfte betrachtet. Datengrundlage bildet die Befragung des Lehramtsstudierendenpanels im Rahmen des Nationalen Bildungspanels aus den Jahren 2021 und 2022. Mittels logistischer Regressionsmodelle wurden die Daten von 580 jungen Lehrkräften im Berufseinstieg (230 davon mit Fakultas in den Gesellschaftswissenschaften) bezüglich der Zusammenhänge ihrer Motivation, Selbstwirksamkeit, Berufsbelastung und schulischer Unterstützungsstrukturen mit der Fortbildungsteilnahme sowie der Themenwahl dieser analysiert. Die Ergebnisse zeigen auf fächerübergreifender Ebene, dass die schulischen Rahmenbedingungen den bedeutsamsten Zusammenhang mit dem Teilnahmeverhalten aufweisen. Betrachtet man ferner die Teilnahme an Veranstaltungen mit Fachbezug zeigt sich zusätzlich ein positiver Zusammenhang mit dem persönlichen Interesse der Lehrkräfte. In der Gruppe der gesellschaftswissenschaftlichen Lehrkräfte zeigt sich allerdings eine scheinbare Widersprüchlichkeit, da dort zwar eine erhöhte Motivation zur Fortbildungsteilnahme vorliegt, das tatsächliche Teilnahmeverhalten dies allerdings nicht widerspiegelt. Als mögliche Ursache werden fachspezifische Defizite auf Angebotsseite vermutet und weitergehende Forschungsansätze zur Untersuchung dieser diskutiert. Ebenso wird die evidenzbasierte Ableitung von Maßnahmen zur Förderung des fächerübergreifenden Fortbildungsverhaltens skizziert.
Cohort study of prediction of venous thromboembolism in emergency department patients with extremity symptoms
Authors: Gottsäter Anders , Ekelund Ulf , Melander Olle , Björkelund Anders , Ohlsson Bodil
Published: July 2024

Despite diagnostic algorithms, identification of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in emergency departments (ED) remains a challenge. We evaluated symptoms, background, and laboratory data in 27,647 ED patients presenting with pain, swelling, or other symptoms from the extremities, and identified predictors of VTE diagnosis within one year. Predictors of a clinical decision to perform phlebography, ultrasound, or computer tomography (CT) angiography of pelvic, lower, or upper extremity veins, CT of pulmonary arteries, or pulmonary scintigraphy at the ED or within 30 days, and the results of such investigations were also evaluated. A total of 3195 patients (11.6%) were diagnosed with VTE within one year. In adjusted analysis of patients in whom all laboratory data were available, a d-dimer value ≥ 0.5 mg/l (odds ratio [OR]: 2.602; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.894–3.575; p < 0.001) at the ED and a previous diagnosis of VTE (OR: 6.037; CI 4.465–8.162; p < 0.001) independently predicted VTE within one year. Of diagnosed patients, 2355 (73.7%) had undergone imaging within 30 days after the ED visit and 1730 (54.1%) were diagnosed at this examination. Lower age (OR: 0.984; CI 0.972–0.997; p = 0.014), higher blood hemoglobin (OR: 1.023; CI 1.010–1.037; p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (OR: 2.229; CI 1.433–3.468; p < 0.001), d-dimer (OR: 8.729; CI 5.614–13.574; p < 0.001), and previous VTE (OR: 7.796; CI 5.193–11.705; p < 0.001) predicted VTE on imaging within 30 days, whereas female sex (OR 0.602 [95% CI 0.392–0.924]; p = 0.020) and a previous diagnosis of ischemic heart disease (OR 0.254 [95% CI 0.113–0.571]; p = 0.001) were negative predictors of VTE. In conclusion, analysis of 27,647 ED patients with extremity symptoms confirmed the importance of well-established risk factors for VTE. Many patients developing VTE within one year had initial negative imaging, highlighting the importance of continued symptom vigilance.
Culturally Centered Palliative Care: A Framework for Equitable Neurocritical Care
Authors: Magee Paula M. , October Tessie W.
Published: July 2024

Health disparities continue to plague racial and ethnic underserved patients in the United States. Disparities extend to the most critically ill patients, including those experiencing neurologic injury and patients at the end of life. Achieving health equity in palliative care in the neurointensive care unit requires clinicians to acknowledge and address structural racism and the social determinants of health. This article highlights racial and ethnic disparities in neurocritical care and palliative care and offers recommendations for an anti-racist approach to palliative care in the neurointensive care unit for clinicians.
Standard precipitation-temperature index (SPTI) drought identification by fuzzy c-means methodology
Authors: Şen Zekâi
Published: July 2024

Global warming and climate change impacts intensify hydrological cycle and consequently unprecedented drought and flood appear in different parts of the world. Meteorological drought assessments are widely evaluated by the concept of standardized precipitation index (SPI), which provides drought classification. Its application is based on the probabilistic standardization procedure, but in the literature, there is a confusion with the statistical standardization procedure. This paper provides distinctive differences between the two approaches and provides the application of a better method. As a novel approach, SPI classification is coupled with fuzzy clustering procedure, which provides drought evaluation procedure based on two variables jointly, precipitation and temperature, which is referred to as the standard precipitation-temperature index (SPTI). The final product is in the form of fuzzy c-means clustering in five clusters with exposition of annual drought membership degrees (MDs) for each cluster and resulting objective function. The application of the proposed fuzzy methodology is presented for the long-term annual precipitation and temperature records from New Jersey Statewide records.
Mangrove Cover and Extent of Protection Influence Lateral Erosion Control at Hybrid Mangrove Living Shorelines
Authors: Chan Sophie C. Y. , Swearer Stephen E. , Morris Rebecca L.
Published: July 2024

Erosion poses a significant threat to coastal and estuarine environments worldwide and is further exacerbated by anthropogenic activities and increasing coastal hazards. While conventional engineered structures, such as seawalls and revetments, are commonly employed to protect shorelines from wave impact and erosion, they can also cause detrimental environmental effects. By creating/restoring coastal habitats with engineered structures, hybrid living shorelines offer coastal protection and other co-benefits. Using aerial imagery, we studied the rates of shoreline change before and after living shoreline installation, and between living shorelines and adjacent bare shorelines in three estuaries in New South Wales, Australia. Mangroves had established behind most rock fillets and displayed a trend of increasing canopy cover with fillet age. In the first 3 years since installation, the rates of lateral shoreline change reduced from − 0.20, − 0.16, and − 0.10 m/year to − 0.03, − 0.01, and 0.06 m/year in living shorelines in Hunter, Manning, and Richmond Rivers, respectively. However, when compared to control shorelines, the effectiveness in reducing erosion varied among living shorelines with mean effect sizes of 0.04, − 0.28, and 1.74 across the three estuaries. A more positive rate of shoreline change was associated with an increasing percentage of mangrove canopy area and an increasing length of protected shoreline at wide channels. While hybrid mangrove living shorelines are a promising solution for mitigating erosion and creating habitats at an estuary-wide scale, they may also contribute to downdrift erosion, emphasising the importance of considering site-specific hydrogeomorphology and sediment movement when installing living shorelines.