bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Additive functions in short intervals, gaps and a conjecture of Erdős
Authors: Mangerel Alexander P.
Published: September 2022

With the aim of treating the local behaviour of additive functions, we develop analogues of the Matomäki–Radziwiłł theorem that allow us to approximate the average of a general additive function over a typical short interval in terms of a corresponding long average. As part of this treatment, we use a variant of the Matomäki–Radziwiłł theorem for divisor-bounded multiplicative functions recently proven in Mangerel (Divisor-bounded multiplicative functions in short intervals. arXiv: 2108.11401). We consider two sets of applications of these methods. Our first application shows that for an additive function $${\varvec{g:}} \mathbb {N} \rightarrow \mathbb {C}$$

g
:

N
→
C

any non-trivial savings in the size of the average gap $$|{\varvec{g}}{} {\textbf {(}}{\varvec{n}}{} {\textbf {)}}-{\varvec{g}}{} {\textbf {(}}{\varvec{n}}-{\textbf {1}}{} {\textbf {)}} |$$

|

g

(

n

)
-

g

(

n

-
1

)
|

implies that $${\varvec{g}}$$

g

must have a small first centred moment i.e. the discrepancy of $${\varvec{g}}{} {\textbf {(}}{\varvec{n}}{} {\textbf {)}}$$

g

(

n

)

from its mean is small on average. We also obtain a variant of such a result for the second moment of the gaps. This complements results of Elliott and of Hildebrand. As a second application, we make partial progress on an old question of Erdős relating to characterizing constant multiples of $${{\textbf {log}}} \,{\varvec{n}}$$

log

n

as the only almost everywhere increasing additive functions. We show that if an additive function is almost everywhere non-decreasing then it is almost everywhere well approximated by a constant times a logarithm. We also show that if the set $$\{{\varvec{n}} \in \mathbb {N} : {\varvec{g}}{} {\textbf {(}}{\varvec{n}}{} {\textbf {)}} < {\varvec{g}}{} {\textbf {(}}{\varvec{n}}-{\textbf {1}}{} {\textbf {)}}\}$$

{

n

∈
N
:

g

(

n

)
<

g

(

n

-
1

)
}

is sufficiently sparse, and if $${\varvec{g}}$$

g

is not extremely large too often on the primes (in a precise sense), then $${\varvec{g}}$$

g

is identically equal to a constant times a logarithm.
Spatial variations in financial constraints of SMEs—evidence from firm-level estimates of investment-cash flow sensitivities in Sweden
Authors: Andersson Martin , Eklund Johan E. , Tsvetkova Alexandra
Published: September 2022

It is well established that there is uneven availability of credit across space, in particular for SMEs. The evidence on whether this translates into differences in actual business investments remains scarce. We assess this question by using firm-level data for Swedish firms and estimate the extent to which the average investment-cash flow sensitivities of firms vary across the urban–rural hierarchy. We find that the world of financing is not yet flat for the majority of Swedish SMEs. Companies located in non-metro regions are most dependent on own cash flow in their investments. The results hold for all firms, firms of different sizes, firms operating in low-end services, unaffiliated firms and those belonging to domestic corporations. In contrast, investment-cash flow sensitivity of firms operating in high-tech services and those belonging to a multinational enterprise does not differ geographically. On average, regional investment-cash flow sensitivity is lower in bigger, denser and more educated local labour market regions; it is higher in regions with greater concentration of SMEs.
The G-NORM Scale: Development and Validation of a Theory-Based Gender Norms Scale
Authors: Sedlander Erica , Bingenheimer Jeffrey B. , Long Michael W. , Swain Minati , Rimal Rajiv N.
Published: September 2022

Gender norms are increasingly recognized as important modifiers of health. Despite growing awareness of how gender norms affect health behavior, current gender norms scales are often missing two important theoretical components: differentiating between descriptive and injunctive norms and adding a referent group. We used a mixed-methods approach to develop and validate a novel gender norms scale that includes both theoretical components. Based on qualitative data, the theory of normative social behavior, and the theory of gender and power, we generated a pool of 28 items. We included the items in a baseline questionnaire among 3,110 women in Odisha, India as part of a cluster randomized controlled trial. We then ran exploratory factor analysis which resulted in 18 items. Using a second wave of data with the same sample, we evaluated psychometric properties using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The analysis resulted in two subscales with nine items each, “descriptive gender norms” and “injunctive gender norms.” Both subscales represent high internal validity with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.81 and 0.84 and the combined scale has an alpha of 0.87. The G-NORM, gender norms scale, improves on existing measures by providing distinct descriptive and injunctive norms subscales and moving beyond individual attitudes by assessing women’s perceptions of community-level gender norms.
Comparing Teachers’ and Students’ Perspectives on the Treatment of Student Misbehavior
Authors: Twardawski Mathias , Hilbig Benjamin E.
Published: September 2022

The treatment of student misbehavior is both a major challenge for teachers and a potential source of students’ perceptions of injustice in school. By implication, it is vital to understand teachers’ treatment of student misbehavior vis-à-vis students’ perceptions. One key dimension of punishment behavior reflects the underlying motives and goals of the punishment. In the present research, we investigated the perspectives of both teachers and students concerning the purposes of punishment. Specifically, we were interested in the extent to which teachers and students show preferences for either retribution (i.e., evening out the harm caused), special prevention (i.e., preventing recidivism of the offender), or general prevention (i.e., preventing imitation of others) as punishment goals. Therefore, teachers (N = 260) and school students around the age of 10 (N = 238) were provided with a scenario depicting a specific student misbehavior. Participants were asked to indicate their endorsement of the three goals as well as to evaluate different punishment practices that were perceived (in pretests) to primarily achieve one specific goal but not the other two. Results show that teachers largely prefer general prevention, whereas students rather prefer special prevention and retribution. This discrepancy was particularly large in participants’ evaluation of specific punishment practices, whereas differences between teachers’ and students’ direct endorsement of punishment goals were relatively small. Overall, the present research may contribute to the development of classroom intervention strategies that reduce conflicts in student–teacher-interactions.
Edge-Aware Graph Matching Network for Part-Based Semantic Segmentation
Authors: Michieli Umberto , Zanuttigh Pietro
Published: September 2022

Semantic segmentation of parts of objects is a marginally explored and challenging task in which multiple instances of objects and multiple parts within those objects must be recognized in an image. We introduce a novel approach (GMENet) for this task combining object-level context conditioning, part-level spatial relationships, and shape contour information. The first target is achieved by introducing a class-conditioning module that enforces class-level semantics when learning the part-level ones. Thus, intermediate-level features carry object-level prior to the decoding stage. To tackle part-level ambiguity and spatial relationships among parts we exploit an adjacency graph-based module that aims at matching the spatial relationships between parts in the ground truth and predicted maps. Last, we introduce an additional module to further leverage edges localization. Besides testing our framework on the already used Pascal-Part-58 and Pascal-Person-Part benchmarks, we further introduce two novel benchmarks for large-scale part parsing, i.e., a more challenging version of Pascal-Part with 108 classes and the ADE20K-Part benchmark with 544 parts. GMENet achieves state-of-the-art results in all the considered tasks and furthermore allows to improve object-level segmentation accuracy.
Nocturnal nasal high-flow oxygen therapy in elderly patients with concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Spicuzza Lucia , Sambataro Gianluca , Schisano Matteo , Ielo Giuseppe , Mancuso Salvatore , Vancheri Carlo
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The coexistence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is known as “overlap syndrome” (OS). Patients with OS are usually older than patients with OSA alone, suffer from more profound oxygen desaturation during the obstructive events often accompanied by sustained nocturnal hypoventilation. Although oxygen-enriched positive airway pressure (PAP) is the treatment of choice in these patients, this therapy is often poorly tolerated particularly by the elderly. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of nocturnal oxygen therapy via nasal high flow (NHF-OT) as a possible alternative to PAP in patients with OS.

Methods

Patients > 65 years old with OS and nocturnal respiratory failure (time spent below SaO2 90% (T90) > 30%) had cardio-respiratory monitoring performed at baseline, during NHF-OT, or during conventional oxygen therapy (COT).

Results

A total of 40 patients were enrolled in the study. NHF-OT significantly reduced the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) in all patients compared to baseline and COT. The mean basal AHI was 25.4 ± 8.6. During COT and NHF-OT, the AHI was 19.4 ± 7 and 5.4 ± 4.6, respectively (P < 0.001) and 19 patients reached an AHI < 5 during NHF-OT. The mean nocturnal SaO2% was 86.2 ± 2.6 at baseline and at equivalent FiO2 it significantly increased to 91.8 ± 2.4 during COT and to 93.9 ± 2.5 during NHF-OT (P < 0.001). The T90% was 48.7 ± 20.1 at baseline, 16.8 ± 11.7 during COT, and 8.8 ± 8.0 during NHF-OT (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In elderly patients with OS, nocturnal treatment with NHF-OT significantly reduces obstructive episodes and improves oxygenation. As the treatment is generally well tolerated compared to PAP, NHF-OT may be a possible alternative therapy in this subgroup of patients.
The Bradley–Terry Regression Trunk approach for Modeling Preference Data with Small Trees
Authors: Baldassarre Alessio , Dusseldorp Elise , D’Ambrosio Antonio , Rooij Mark de , Conversano Claudio
Published: September 2022

This paper introduces the Bradley–Terry regression trunk model, a novel probabilistic approach for the analysis of preference data expressed through paired comparison rankings. In some cases, it may be reasonable to assume that the preferences expressed by individuals depend on their characteristics. Within the framework of tree-based partitioning, we specify a tree-based model estimating the joint effects of subject-specific covariates over and above their main effects. We, therefore, combine a tree-based model and the log-linear Bradley-Terry model using the outcome of the comparisons as response variable. The proposed model provides a solution to discover interaction effects when no a-priori hypotheses are available. It produces a small tree, called trunk, that represents a fair compromise between a simple interpretation of the interaction effects and an easy to read partition of judges based on their characteristics and the preferences they have expressed. We present an application on a real dataset following two different approaches, and a simulation study to test the model’s performance. Simulations showed that the quality of the model performance increases when the number of rankings and objects increases. In addition, the performance is considerably amplified when the judges’ characteristics have a high impact on their choices.
Accuracy assessment of inverse distance weighting interpolation of groundwater nitrate concentrations in Bavaria (Germany)
Authors: Ohlert Paul L. , Bach Martin , Breuer Lutz
Published: September 2022

For the designation of nitrate vulnerable zones under the EU Nitrate Directive, some German federal states use inverse distance weighting (IDW) as interpolation method. Our study quantifies the accuracy of IDW with respect to the designation of areas with a groundwater nitrate concentration above the threshold of 50 mg NO3/l using a dataset of 5790 groundwater monitoring sites in Bavaria. The results show that the absolute differences of nitrate concentrations between the monitoring sites are only weakly correlated within a range of no more than 0.4 km. The IDW cross-validated nitrate concentration of measurement sites shows a mean absolute error of 7.0 mg NO3/l and the number of measurement sites above 50 mg NO3/l is 44% too low by interpolation for all sites as a whole. The corresponding values for interpolation separately for the 18 hydrogeological regions in Bavaria are 7.1 mg NO3/l and 38%. The sensitivity and the accuracy of nitrate concentration maps due to the variation of IDW parameters and the position of sampling points are analysed by Monte Carlo IDW interpolations using a Random Forest modelled map as reference spatial distribution. Compared to this reference map, the area with a concentration above 50 mg NO3/l in groundwater is estimated by IDW to be 46% too low for the best IDW parametrization. Overall, IDW interpolation systematically underrates the occurrence of higher range nitrate concentrations. In view of these underestimations, IDW does not appear to be a suitable regionalization method for the designation of nitrate vulnerable zones, neither when applied for a federal state as a whole nor when interpolated separately for hydrogeological regions.
Analysing the influence of foreign direct investment and urbanization on the development of private financial system and its ecological footprint
Authors: Ponce Pablo , Álvarez-García José , Álvarez Viviana , Irfan Muhammad
Published: September 2022

In this research, the objective is to examine how private financial development, urbanization and foreign direct investment and economic growth affects the environment using the ecological footprint as an indicator. Panel data was used for 100 countries from 1980 to 2019, classified according to their income level. Several econometric steps were used to estimate the results, such as cointegration and causality techniques. The results show that the private financial system and environmental degradation have a long-term equilibrium relationship, and the incidence is positive, but not significant at the level of the 100 countries. In high-income countries, the private financial system reduces environmental degradation; however, in upper middle-income, lower middle-income and low-income countries, it increases in the long run. Likewise, urbanization plays a predominant role on the ecological footprint in the long term. Meanwhile, the role of foreign direct investment is not stable over time. The causality test shows bidirectional causality between environmental degradation and the private financial system at the global level in high- and upper middle-income countries. However, low-income countries have a unidirectional relationship of environmental degradation to the private financial system. With regard to foreign direct investment, there is a unidirectional causal relationship between environmental degradation and foreign direct investment at the global level and from foreign direct investment to environmental degradation in high-income countries.
Factors controlling 137Cs distribution in bottom sediments of Koronowo Reservoir (Poland)
Authors: Sekudewicz Ilona , Matoušková Šárka , Ciesielska Zuzanna , Mulczyk Anna , Gąsiorowski Michał
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The main aim of this study was to investigate factors influencing the long-term distribution of 137Cs activity concentrations in the bottom sediments of the dam lake, Koronowo Reservoir, 32 years after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident. For this purpose, selected properties of the collected sediment samples, such as grain size, mineralogical composition, and organic matter (OM) content, were investigated.

Materials and methods

The samples of lake sediments were collected with a Kayak-type gravity corer. The spatial and vertical distributions of 137Cs and 40K activity concentrations in the bottom sediments were investigated based on gamma spectrometry measurements. The particle size distribution of surface lake sediments was determined using a laser particle size analyzer. SEM and XRD were used for the mineralogical analysis of the collected sediment samples. Additionally, the content of organic matter was examined in all samples using an elemental analyzer.

Results

The 137Cs content was significantly elevated in the case of fine-grained (< 63 µm) surface lake sediments (classified as silts, which are deposited in the profundal zone of Koronowo Lake) and ranged from 12.5 ± 4.1 to 29.2 ± 4.0 Bq kg−1. It was found that the increased concentration of 137Cs activity is more closely related to the content of the silt fraction (2–63 µm) than to the clay fraction (< 2 µm) in the collected surface lake sediments. The content of clay minerals also showed a significant positive correlation with 137Cs activity concentration in the surface lake sediments of Koronowo Lake. A similar relationship was noticed for the OM content, but it may be suspected that it is the result of radiocesium-bearing particle accumulation in OM-rich sediments.

Conclusion

The most important factor influencing the spatial distribution of 137Cs activity concentrations in the surface lake sediments of Koronowo Lake, apart from the bottom morphology and grain size of sediments, is the content of clay minerals. Moreover, the increased detrital inflow to the lake after the construction of the dam could have probably affected the vertical distribution of 137Cs activity concentrations in the bottom sediments, as evidenced by, e.g., the measurements of 40K activity concentration.
Differences in functional network between focal onset nonconvulsive status epilepticus and toxic metabolic encephalopathy: application to machine learning models for differential diagnosis
Authors: Kim Seong Hwan , Kim Hayom , Kim Jung Bin
Published: September 2022

We aimed to compare network properties between focal-onset nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) and toxic/metabolic encephalopathy (TME) during periods of periodic discharge using graph theoretical analysis, and to evaluate the applicability of graph measures as markers for the differential diagnosis between focal-onset NCSE and TME, using machine learning algorithms. Electroencephalography (EEG) data from 50 focal-onset NCSE and 44 TMEs were analyzed. Epochs with nonictal periodic discharges were selected, and the coherence in each frequency band was analyzed. Graph theoretical analysis was performed to compare brain network properties between the groups. Eight different traditional machine learning methods were implemented to evaluate the utility of graph theoretical measures as input features to discriminate between the two conditions. The average degree (in delta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands), strength (in delta band), global efficiency (in delta and alpha bands), local efficiency (in delta band), clustering coefficient (in delta band), and transitivity (in delta band) were higher in TME than in NCSE. TME showed lower modularity (in delta band) and assortativity (in alpha, beta, and gamma bands) than NCSE. Machine learning algorithms based on EEG global graph measures classified NCSE and TME with high accuracy, and gradient boosting was the most accurate classification model with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.904. Our findings on differences in network properties may provide novel insights that graph measures reflecting the network properties could be quantitative markers for the differential diagnosis between focal-onset NCSE and TME.
Sarmanov bivariate distribution: dependence structure—Fisher information in order statistics and their concomitants
Authors: Barakat H. M. , Alawady M. A. , Mansour G. M. , Husseiny I. A.
Published: September 2022

The Sarmanov family of bivariate distributions is considered as the most flexible and efficient extended families of the traditional Farlie–Gumbel–Morgenstern family. The goal of this work is twofold. The first part focuses on revealing some novel aspects of the Sarmanov family’s dependency structure. In the second part, we study the Fisher information (FI) related to order statistics (OSs) and their concomitants about the shape-parameter of the Sarmanov family. The FI helps finding information contained in singly or multiply censored bivariate samples from the Sarmanov family. In addition, the FI about the mean and shape parameter of exponential and power distributions in concomitants of OSs is evaluated, respectively. Finally, the cumulative residual FI in the concomitants of OSs based on the Sarmanov family is derived.
Differences in pigment circadian rhythmicity in green- and red-leafed tree species in the sun and shade
Authors: Lo Piccolo Ermes , Lauria Giulia , Bongi Giulia , Guidi Lucia , Brestic Marian , Remorini Damiano , Massai Rossano , Landi Marco
Published: September 2022

Light flux and quality are crucial factor for setting endogenous plant circadian rhythms. Evaluating the daily rhythmicity of leaf chlorophyll content is an effective method to monitor the plant physiological endogenous clock in response to environmental signals such as light availability/quality. Here, we used a leaf-clip sensor to monitor diurnal rhythms in the content of chlorophyll and flavonoids such as flavonols and anthocyanins in three green- (Ailanthus altissima, Tilia platyphyllos and Platanus × acerifolia) and two red-leafed (Acer platanoides cv. Crimson King and Prunus cerasifera var. pissardii) tree species, adapted to sun (L) or shade (S). Significant differences in chlorophyll content (Chl) and its variations during the day were observed among treatments in all the analyzed species. S-plants had more Chl than L-plants irrespective of leaf color, and Chl variations were more distinct during the day than in L-plants. In particular, contents were lowest in the morning (9:00) and in the middle of the day (at 12:00 and 15:00), and the highest at dusk (21:00). The less evident trends in Chl variation in L-plants were attributed to a decrease in Chl content in high light, which likely masked any increases in the shaded counterparts during the afternoon. Daily flavonol levels did not vary no notably during the day. In sun-exposed red leaves, anthocyanins partially screened mesophyll cells from incident light, and its levels were similar to the Chl dynamics in the shaded counterparts. This study provides new bases for further work on endogenous rhythms of plant pigments and improves our understanding of plant physiology in the context of day/night rhythmicity.
From Weight Bias Internalization to Health-Related Quality of Life: Self-esteem and Psychopathology in Pre-bariatric Surgery Patients
Authors: Liu Xu , Zhang Wenjing , Yue Wenwen , Sun Chaonan , Li Weihua
Published: September 2022

Introduction

It has been reported that people seeking bariatric surgery have poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Weight bias internalization (WBI) is prevalent in this population and strongly associated with psychopathology and health status. However, the psychological mechanisms underlying the relationship between WBI and the physical and mental dimensions of HRQoL remain to be clarified.

Methods

A preoperative sample of patients with obesity (N = 246; women = 75.2%; Mage = 32.07) completed validated measures as part of a routine preoperative psychological assessment to assess their WBI, self-esteem, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and HRQoL.

Results

After controlling for the effects of gender, age, and BMI, WBI was linked to poorer physical and mental HRQoL through low self-esteem and increased psychological distress, including anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

In pre-bariatric surgery patients with obesity, high WBI may predict impairments in mental and physical HRQoL by lowering self-esteem, and further increasing anxiety and depressive symptoms. Interventions targeting WBI may be an important aspect to consider in the clinical treatment of pre-bariatric surgery patients. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to determine causality.

Graphical abstract
Effect of biosorption of Fe2+ by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa YMM19 on the physiology of Lupinus albus, Triticum aestivum, Vicia faba, and Zea mays seedlings
Authors: Mohammed Youssef M. M. , Ghoraba Wael F. S.
Published: September 2022

The goal of this study was to look into growth changes and a number of metabolic events in Fe2+ treated Lupinus albus, Triticum aestivum, Vicia faba, and Zea mays plants and assess the role of biosorption of Fe2+ by Rhodotorula mucilaginosa YMM19 to alleviate these changes. The effect of Fe2+ concentrations (untreated and treated with biosorbent) on seed germination was studied. T. aestivum plumule was stimulated with a low dose of Fe2+. However, the application of Fe2+ reduced the elongation of plumule, and radicle of all seeds during germination. High doses of Fe2+ treated with biosorbent significantly increased seedling weights (fresh and dry) of all plants. Also, after 20 days, the height, and weight of seedlings of L. albus, T. aestivum, and Z. mays were increased with biosorbed Fe2+ solution. In addition, biosorption of Fe2+ enhanced total carbohydrate and protein accumulation in both T. aestivum and Z. mays radicles. Moreover, Fe2+ caused slight suppression of α- and β-amylase in L. albus and Z. mays seeds after 2 days, but the opposite effect was observed in T. aestivum. Thus, the biosorption by R. mucilaginosa YMM19 is an efficient system for removing the negative effect of excess Fe2+ from water.
Factors affecting prognosis in patients treated with bevacizumab plus paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy for HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer: an international pooled analysis of individual patient data from four prospective observational studies
Authors: Yamamoto Yutaka , Yamashiro Hiroyasu , Schneeweiss Andreas , Müller Volkmar , Gluz Oleg , Klare Peter , Aktas Bahriye , Magdolna Dank , Büdi László , Pikó Béla , Mangel László , Toi Masakazu , Morita Satoshi , Ohno Shinji
Published: September 2022

Background

Bevacizumab (BV) plus paclitaxel (PTX) is a treatment option in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (mBC). We conducted an international pooled analysis with individual patient data to evaluate the effectiveness of BV + PTX as a first-line treatment for HER2-negative mBC patients under routine practice.

Methods

A total of 2,474 mBC patients treated with BV + PTX from four prospective observational studies were analyzed. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The other endpoints including identifying independent prognostic factors and validation of the modified Prognostic Factor Index (PFI) developed in the ATHENA trial.

Results

Median follow-up time was 10.9 months (M). Median OS were 21.4 M (95% confidential interval 19.8–22.7 M). The seven independent prognostic factors (tumor subtype, age, ECOG performance status (PS), disease-free interval (DFI), liver metastases, number of metastatic organs, and prior anthracycline and/or taxane treatment) for OS found in this analysis included the five risk factors (RFs [DFI < 24 months, ECOG PS 2, liver metastases and/or > 3 metastasis organ sites, TNBC, prior anthracycline and/or taxane therapy]). High- (> 3 RFs [median OS 12.6 M]) and intermediate-risk groups (2 RFs [median OS 18.0 M]) had a significantly worse prognosis than the low-risk group (< 1 RF [median OS 27.4 M]), (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

This international pooled analysis showed the effectiveness of first-line BV + PTX for HER2-negative mBC patients identifying seven independent prognostic factors as real-world evidence. The usefulness of the modified PFI developed in the ATHENA trial in predicting OS among patients receiving BV + PTX was also verified.
Learning regenerative cultures: Indigenous nations in higher education renewal in Australia
Authors: Wooltorton Sandra , Guenther John , Poelina Anne , Blaise Mindy , Collard Len , White Peta
Published: September 2022

What is regenerative learning in Australian higher education? This paper addresses the intersecting crises of climate, species loss and injustice; often called a conceptual emergency. We tackle the problem of disciplinary compartmentalisation, preventing integration of important related concepts. The particular case is separation of the Australian Curriculum Cross-curriculum Priorities at school and university for teaching, learning and research purposes. We are concerned with two of the three: sustainability, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. The project generates significant conceptual linkages, which strengthen sustainability with Indigenous histories and cultures. The linked concepts have the potential to re-centre Indigenous knowledge systems and knowledge holders in Australian higher education for sustainability. The interconnectedness facilitates learning of, for and through regenerative cultures, which are healing and wellbeing-oriented. Centring Indigenous histories, concepts and wisdom in sustainability education will reveal deeper meanings such as communicative ways of understanding worlds. These have multiple applications in teaching and learning, and improved outcomes in practice. Each case study presented in this paper utilises a decolonising, regenerative research method for answering research questions. The methods challenge Western, colonising power relationships that continue to act upon Indigenous lived experience; enable communicative relations with more than human worlds and are transformative. Together, they value experience, the collective, being creative, narrative, justice, ways of knowing and responding to sentient, animate places. In this paper, decolonising ways of working towards regenerative futures foreground Indigenous ways of knowing, being, valuing and doing, revealing Indigenous knowledge making for contemporary contexts.
Current treatment practice of functional abdominal pain disorders in children: A multicenter survey
Authors: Gorka Anouk M. , Nauta Femke , Bijlsma Merijn W. , Taselaar Pieter , Diederen Kay , Hol Jeroen , Oeij Nadia , Goede Joery , Rijpert Maarten , Tusscher Gavin W. ten , Plötz Frans B.
Published: September 2022

Background

Approximately 90% of the children with chronic abdominal pain are diagnosed as having functional abdominal pain disorder (FAPD). The Dutch guideline “functional abdominal pain” provides a stepwise approach to treat FAPD. The aim of this survey was twofold first, to determine adherence to the Dutch guideline, and second to determine current management of FAPDs in clinical practice.

Methods

A multicenter survey was designed. The survey was sent to pediatricians and pediatric residents in December 2020. The study ran from October 2020 until March 2021. Participants in ten hospitals in the western region of The Netherlands were invited to complete this survey. Respondents who indicated not to treat children with FAPDs or respondents who completed less than 3 steps of the survey were excluded.

Results

In total, 85/174 (48.9%) respondents completed the survey. We included 80 respondents, 68 pediatricians and 12 pediatric residents, for analysis. Overall, self-reported guideline adherence was 85%. Self-reported adherence was higher than actual adherence. Only 50% of all respondents followed the first three steps of the guideline. The reported non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments were diverse and varied between different age groups. The average follow-up duration was between 2 and 6 months, and the most regularly used outcome measures were attendance at school, quality of life, and adequate pain relief/reassurance.

Conclusion

We reportedly observed a large variation in the management of children with FAPDs, due to low guideline adherence among clinicians. Improved guideline adherence may be accomplished by updating the guideline with specific recommendations per subtype, follow-up and outcome measures as well measures to improve guideline implementation.
Antioxidant, Protoscolicidal, Hemocompatibility, and Antibacterial Activity of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized by Ziziphus spina-christi
Authors: Shnawa Bushra H. , Jalil Parwin J. , Hamad Samir M. , Ahmed Mukhtar H.
Published: September 2022

Over the past several years, the greener fabrication of metal oxide nanoparticles has attracted significant attention due to their simplicity, eco-friendliness, availability, and nontoxicity. This paper focused on the fabrication of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO-NPs) using the leaf extract of Ziziphus spina-christi L. and evaluating its potential biological activities. The characterization of synthesized NiO-NPs was confirmed using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, field emission-scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, protoscolicidal, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities and hemocompatibility of NiO-NPs were investigated. The findings revealed that the NiO-NPs were crystalline on nanoscale between 50- and 90-nm particle sizes. The NiO-NPs showed high scolicidal activity against Echinococcus granulosus. The viability of the treated protoscoleces exponentially decreased with an increase in the concentration of NiO-NPs. The NiO-NPs exhibited effective antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. NiO-NPs also possess a H2O2 scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner. This study revealed that the Z. spina-christi L. leaf extract is an effective reducing and capping agent for the production of NiO-NPs; it showed critical biological properties. Moreover, NiO-NPs have a potent antioxidant activity and low toxicity on the erythrocytes and appear hemocompatible.
Electrode Surface Coverage with Deposit Generated Under Conditions of Electrochemical Nucleation and Growth. A Mathematical Analysis
Authors: Grdeń M. , Próchniak M.
Published: September 2022

The theory of the diffusion limited electrochemical nucleation and growth of a deposit consisting of isolated 3D hemispherical nuclei has been re-analysed. The analysis focuses on a widely discussed model which assumes formation of “diffusion zones” around the growing nuclei. It has been proposed in the literature that the deposit-free fraction of the surface area of the substrate can be directly calculated from the substrate coverage with the “diffusion zones”. The aim of this work is to analyse whether such an approach can be applied for the growth of isolated 3D hemispherical nuclei. This is accomplished by evaluation of equations which describe nuclei radii at various stages of the deposition process. The formulae allow determining the substrate surface coverage with the growing deposit. This, in turn, allows simulating and analysing faradaic currents due to other than the electrodeposition reactions which take place at the deposit-free fraction of the substrate surface. Both instantaneous and progressive modes of the nucleation are discussed and the influence of the nucleation type on the faradaic currents is outlined. A comparison with other approaches reported in the literature indicates that the deposit-free fraction of the substrate surface may not always be determined by means of recalculation of the substrate coverage with the “diffusion zones”.

Graphical abstract
Determination of bioactive compounds, antioxidant and anticancer activities of Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) fruits
Authors: Pham Ngoc Minh Quynh , Vuong Quan V. , Sakoff Jennette A. , Bowyer Michael C. , Le Van Anh , Scarlett Christopher J.
Published: September 2022

This study aimed to determine the phytochemical, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of the crude extract and its fractions of Cupaniopsis anacardioides. The results showed that total phenolic content (TPC), their secondary metabolites (flavonoids—TFC; proanthocyanidins—TPro), and antioxidant activity were significantly different between the crude extract and its fractions. The butanol fraction (F3) had the highest levels of TPC, TFC, and TPro, followed by the crude extract, aqueous fraction (F4), dichloromethyl fraction (F2), and hexane fraction (F1). High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed 14 major bioactive compounds were identified in the C. anacardioides extract. Further analysis showed F3 fraction contained the highest levels of the major bioactive compounds, while F1 fraction had the lowest. A similar pattern was observed for antioxidant activities. The crude extract, F3 and F4 fractions were further tested for cytotoxicity against 10 cancer cell lines, including HT29 (colon); U87, SJG2 (glioblastoma); MCF-7 (Breast); A2780 (ovarian); H460 (lung); A431 (skin); Du145 (prostate); BE2-C (neuroblastoma); MIA PaCa-2 (pancreas); and one non-tumour-derived normal breast cell line (MCF10A). Except for Du145 (prostate), the crude extract, F3 and F4 fractions inhibited the cancer cell lines at 100 µg/mL, with F3 possessing greater activity against these cancer cell lines. Future studies are recommended to isolate and identify the major bioactive compounds of the F3 fraction, and further tested their impact against cancer cell lines. This could identify the potential of anticancer agents from C. anacardioides.
Hubs of belief networks across sociodemographic and ideological groups
Authors: Camina E. , Guell F. , Sepulcre J. , Bernacer J.
Published: September 2022

Beliefs are essential components of the human mind, as they define personal identity, integration and adaptation to social groups. Most theoretical studies suggest that beliefs are organized as structured networks: the so-called belief system. According to these studies and their empirical implementation using graph-theoretical approaches, a belief is any proposition considered as true by the respondent. In a recent contribution, we introduced a novel operationalization: a proposition is a belief if (1) it is taken to be true; and (2) the subject declares to be willing to hold it even if irrefutable evidence were hypothetically argued against it. Here, we implement this operationalization using a graph theory approach to investigate the network organization of the belief system in a sample of 108 participants, as well as the differences between key ideological (left- vs. right-wingers) and sociodemographic features (younger vs. older, female vs. male). We identified a well-coordinated network of interlocked spiritual, prosocial and nature-related beliefs, which displays a dense core of 10 hub nodes. Moreover, we observed how specific social liberalist beliefs and transcendental or individualistic/prosocial viewpoints are articulated within left- and right-wingers networks or younger and older participants. Interestingly, we observed that females tend to engage in denser belief networks than male respondents. In conclusion, our research expands tangible scientific evidence of the belief system of humans through the network study of belief reports, which in turn opens innovative ways to study belief systems in social and clinical samples.
Trends and gaps in biodiversity and ecosystem services research: A text mining approach
Authors: Takacs Viktoria , O’Brien C. David
Published: September 2022

Understanding the relationship between biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services concepts is essential for evidence-based policy development. We used text mining augmented by topic modelling to analyse abstracts of 15 310 peer-reviewed papers (from 2000 to 2020). We identified nine major topics; “Research & Policy”, “Urban and Spatial Planning”, “Economics & Conservation”, “Diversity & Plants”, “Species & Climate change”, “Agriculture”, “Conservation and Distribution”, “Carbon & Soil & Forestry”, “Hydro-& Microbiology”. The topic “Research & Policy” performed highly, considering number of publications and citation rate, while in the case of other topics, the “best” performances varied, depending on the indicator applied. Topics with human, policy or economic dimensions had higher performances than the ones with ‘pure’ biodiversity and science. Agriculture dominated over forestry and fishery sectors, while some elements of biodiversity and ecosystem services were under-represented. Text mining is a powerful tool to identify relations between research supply and policy demand.
Measured load spectra of the bearing in high-speed train gearbox under different gear meshing conditions
Authors: Hou Yu , Wang Xi , Sun Shouguang , Que Hongbo , Guo Rubing , Lin Xinhai , Jin Siqin , Wu Chengpan , Zhou Yue , Liu Xiaolong
Published: September 2022

The load spectrum is a crucial factor for assessing the fatigue reliability of in-service rolling element bearings in transmission systems. For a bearing in a high-speed train gearbox, a measurement technique based on strain detection of bearing outer ring was used to instrument the bearing and determine the time histories of the distributed load in the bearing under different gear meshing conditions. Accordingly, the load spectrum of the total radial load carried by the bearing was compiled. The mean value and class interval of the obtained load spectrum were found to vary non-monotonously with the speed and torque of gear meshing, which was considered to be caused by the vibration of the shaft and the bearing cage. As the realistic service load input of bearing life assessment, the measured load spectrum under different gear meshing conditions can be used to predict gearbox bearing life realistically based on the damage-equivalent principle and actual operating conditions.
Perinatal Outcomes of Fetal Growth Restriction, Classified According to the Delphi Consensus Definition: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Sainky Aman , Nayar Sakshi , Sharma Nidhish , Gupta Nandita Dimri , Modi Manoj , Mansukhani Chandra , Saluja Satish , Gujral Kanwal
Published: September 2022

Fetal Growth Restriction has been redefined on the basis of biometry (Abdominal Circumference/Estimated Fetal Weight) beyond the original definition of failure of a fetus to reach its full growth potential irrespective of its size. The Delphi consensus has standardised the definition of early and late onset FGR using size (biometry) as well as functional parameters (doppler blood flow). The clinical validity of this consensus in terms of perinatal outcomes has yet to be tested. The aim of the study was to assess and compare the incidence and perinatal outcomes of fetal growth restriction classified by the Delphi consensus as against conventional definitions. This was a prospective cohort study of 500 consecutive patients from February 2018 onwards, in a tertiary hospital (Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi) with a fully equipped neonatal intensive care unit. 70 patients were excluded by predefined exclusion criteria. 430 subjects were enrolled as the study population. Enrolled subjects, apart from a dating scan at first visit and an anomaly scan in the 2nd trimester had a transabdominal scan using a 5 MHz curvilinear probe for fetal assessment between 26 and 32 weeks with at least one scan at 31–32 weeks to identify early onset FGR. A repeat USG between 35 and 36 weeks was conducted to identify late onset FGR. All recruited subjects were categorised as Conventional FGR i.e. AC/EFW < 10th% ile (C), early onset (C1) and late onset (C2), Delphi defined FGR (D) based on Delphi Consensus criteria, early onset (D1) and late onset (D2), Non Delphi Conventional FGR as (C-D), early onset (C1-D1) and late onset (C2-D2). Rest of the fetuses were designated as Non FGR (> 10th% ile). The association of incidence along with perinatal outcomes in each group were compared. The incidence of FGR was as follows: conventional criteria: 35.8%, Delphi criteria: 22.7% and Non Delphi Conventional FGR: 13.1%. Delphi defined FGR had statistically significant increased incidence of PPHTN, hypoglycemia and NICU admission in comparison to Conventional FGR. Delphi defined FGR also had statistically significant increased frequency of Apgar < 7, PPHTN, hypoglycemia, seizures, NICU admissions and prolonged stay as compared to Non Delphi Conventional FGR group. Comparing Non FGR fetuses with Non Delphi Conventional FGR fetuses, neonatal outcomes were similar in both groups. Delphi defined FGR is associated with increased frequency of adverse perinatal outcomes as compared to conventionally defined FGR. Delphi defined criteria, should be routinely applied to a fetus who is small (AC/EFW < 10th% ile). This will timely identify a truly growth restricted fetus, who is at risk for adverse perinatal outcome and save the rest from unnecessary monitoring and intervention. The findings of our study call for larger studies validating the use of Delphi consensus in clinical practise.
Child and Caregiver Reporting on Child Maltreatment and Mental Health in the Philippines Before and After an International Child Development Program (ICDP) Parenting Intervention
Authors: Ramsli Emil Graff , Skar Ane-Marthe Solheim , Skylstad Vilde , Sjöblom Disa , Gread Zenona , Chiong Wayomi , Engebretsen Ingunn Marie S.
Published: September 2022

Child maltreatment is a serious problem affecting millions of children. Research on self-reporting of child maltreatment has shown a difference in reporting between caregivers and children. Increased understanding of this has implications for further evaluations of parenting programmes and assessment of violence and maltreatment. The purpose of this study was to explore caregiver-child reporting discrepancies on child maltreatment and emotional health before and after piloting of the International Child Development Program (ICDP) in the Philippines. Data was collected from caregivers and their children before and after caregiver participation in ICDP. Participants were selected from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Leyte by Save the Children. Caregivers and children completed a questionnaire with some adapted items from the Conflict Tactics Scale Parent–Child version (CTSPC), some relevant complementary items on psychological aggression and items from the emotional problems subscale from the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Matching items, subscales and total count scores were compared using paired t-tests in STATA 14. Forty-six caregivers and 43 children aged from 5–13 years participated at baseline, and 44 caregivers and 42 children at endline. At baseline, children reported significantly more maltreatment than their caregivers. The groups reported similarly at baseline and endline on the items from the subscale on emotional problems. Both children and caregivers had lower scores on our harsh discipline scale at endline, indicating improved parenting strategies after the intervention. These results indicate a difference in reporting of child maltreatment between caregivers and children, with higher rates reported by the children before the intervention, but not after. This is important because it illustrates child and caregiver perspectives on maltreatment, and how they can differ. As such, our findings point towards a positive effect of ICDP on parenting.