bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health Related Quality of Life in Juvenile-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Questionnaire-Based Study
Authors: Eid Riham , Hammad Ayman , Korkor Mai S. , Fathy Aya A. , Abd El-Ghafaar Dena M. , Rakha Shaimaa , Hamdy Nashwa
Published: June 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate health related quality of life (HRQOL) in Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using 3 different tools.

Methods

In this questionnaire-based study, 100 children with SLE were included. HRQOL was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales (PedsQL™ 4.0 GCS), PedsQL™ 3.0 Rheumatology Module (PedsQL3-RM) and the Simple Measure of the Impact of Lupus Erythematosus in Youngsters (SMILEY). SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) was used to evaluate activity and SLE International Collaborating Clinics/ American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI) was used to evaluate chronic damage.

Results

All mean scores of PedsQLTM4.0 GCS domains in SLE patients were lower than published normative data and previously published results of Egyptian healthy controls (p < 0.001). All mean scores of PedsQL-3RM domains were significantly lower than published normative data except for the treatment and pain and hurt domains (p = 0.1, 0.2 respectively). SMILEY scores were low and the lowest domain scores was “Burden of SLE”. Longer duration of illness, higher cumulative steroid doses, higher SLEDAI and SDI scores and presence of obesity were associated with lower scores for all 3 tools (p < 0.001).

Conclusion for Practice

The Arabic copies of PedsQL™ 4.0 GCS, PedsQL3-RM and SMILEY are easily used for Arabic speaking subjects and easily interpreted by physician and can be implemented for frequent monitoring of SLE HRQOL. Controlling the disease activity and using lowest doses of steroids and other immunosuppressive drugs are the corner stone strategies for improving HRQOL in SLE children.
Conceptual development of an intensive exercise program for glioma patients (ActiNO): summary of clinical experience
Authors: Jost Johanna , Müther Michael , Brandt Ralf , Altuner Ugur , Lemcke Lars , Stummer Walter , Völker Klaus , Wiewrodt Rainer , Wiewrodt Dorothee
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Exercise proved to reduce cancer-related symptoms and prolong survival in some cancer types. However, brain tumor patients are often advised against strenuous exercise. Here, we summarize our experience with a submaximal exercise program for glioma patients: ActiNO (Active in Neuro-Oncology).

Methods

Glioma patients were invited to participate in the program. Since 2011, a sports scientist individualized two one-hour sessions per week adapted to the patients’ symptoms. One session consisted of bicycle ergometry (average workload: 75% of maximum heart rate), the other of whole-body resistance training. Both sessions were further complimented by coordinative elements. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using the ”Physical Work Capacity” procedure. Patients were followed up regularly to assess adherence to the program and disease activity.

Results

Until December 2019, 45 glioma patients, median-aged 49 years (IQR 42–59), were included in the analysis. Most patients suffered from glioblastoma (58%), followed by diffuse lower-grade astrocytoma (29%). In overall 1828 training sessions, two minor epileptic events occurred (1 speech arrest; 1 focal seizure). During fitness assessment, all patients achieved at least 75% of their age-adjusted maximum heart rate. Peak workload averaged 172 W (95% CI 156–187). Median survival of participating glioblastoma patients was 24.1 months (95% CI 8.6–39.5).

Conclusion

This supervised training program with submaximal exertion was feasible and safe in glioma regardless of WHO grading. Based on these experiences, we initiated a prospective multicenter study to objectify improvements in physical performance and quality of life in patients with glioblastoma.
European stakeholders’ perspectives on implementation potential of precision weed control: the case of autonomous vehicles with laser treatment
Authors: Tran Duc , Schouteten Joachim J. , Degieter Margo , Krupanek Janusz , Jarosz Wanda , Areta Alvaro , Emmi Luis , De Steur Hans , Gellynck Xavier
Published: June 2023

Weed control is a basic agricultural practice, typically achieved through herbicides and mechanical weeders. Because of the negative environmental impacts of these tools, alternative solutions are being developed and adopted worldwide. Following recent technical developments, an autonomous laser-based weeding system (ALWS) now offers a possible solution for sustainable weed control. However, beyond recent proof of performance, little is known about the adoption potential of such a system. This study assesses the adoption potential of ALWS, using a mixed-method approach. First, six macro-environmental factors regarding the adoption of ALWS were determined. This assessment is referred to as a Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, Environmental (PESTLE) analysis and is conducted in a form of a literature review initiated by expert consultations. Second, a range of European stakeholders’ perceptions of ALWS was evaluated in four focus-group discussions (n = 55), using a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) analysis. The factors identified in the PESTLE and SWOT analyses were subsequently merged to provide a comprehensive overview of the adoption potential of ALWS. Labour reduction, precision treatment and environmental sustainability were found to be the most important advantages of ALWS. High costs and performance uncertainty were identified as the main weaknesses. To promote the adoption of ALWS, this study recommends the following: (1) Concrete performance results, both technical and economic, should be communicated to farmers. (2) Farmers’ knowledge of precision agriculture should be improved. (3) Advantage should be taken of policies that are favourable towards non-chemical methods and the high demand for organic products. This article also extensively discusses regulatory barriers, the risks posed to the safety of both humans and the machines involved, technological challenges and requirements, and policy recommendations related to ALWS adoption.
Visible Emission Line Spectroscopy of the Solar Corona During the 2019 Total Solar Eclipse
Authors: Muro Gabriel D. , Gunn Matt , Fearn Stephen , Fearn Tomos , Morgan Huw
Published: June 2023

Spectroscopic measurements of the low solar corona are crucial to understanding the mechanisms that heat the corona and accelerate the solar wind, yet the lowest solar radii ($R_{\odot }$

R
⊙

) of the corona are difficult to observe. Our expedition collected narrow wavelengths of visible light at 530.3, 637.4, and 789.2 nm emitted by Fe xiv, x, and xi ions, respectively, from the total solar eclipse on 2019 July 2 at 20:40 UTC in Rodeo, Argentina with a bespoke 3-channel spectrometer. This paper describes the instrument and data calibration method that enables diagnostics out to ${\approx}\,1.0~R_{\odot }$
≈

1.0

R
⊙

above the solar limb within a bright helmet streamer. We find that Fe x and xi lines are dominant through $0.3~R_{\odot }$
0.3

R
⊙

, with Fe xiv maintaining a stronger signal at higher elevations. Thermal line width broadening is consistent with 1.5 MK for the cooler Fe x, 2 MK for Fe xi, and 3 MK for the hotter Fe xiv line, which can be interpreted as differing density scale heights within isolated, isothermal flux tubes. The Doppler measurements correspond to bulk plasma motion ranging from −12 to +2.5 km s−1, with Fe xiv moving at nearly an assumed solid body rotation rate throughout $1.0~R_{\odot }$
1.0

R
⊙

. After considering coronal rotation, these measurements are likely associated with plasma motion along the dominant longitudinal orientation of the magnetic field at the streamer base within $0.4~R_{\odot }$
0.4

R
⊙

. These results show that high-resolution spectroscopy of visible light offers valuable diagnostics of the low corona, and lend insight into the interconnected loop complexity within helmet streamers.
Arguing about thought experiments
Authors: Horvath Joachim , Wiegmann Alex
Published: June 2023

We investigate the impact of informal arguments on judgments about thought experiment cases in light of Deutsch and Cappelen’s mischaracterization view, which claims that philosophers’ case judgments are primarily based on arguments and not intuitions. If arguments had no influence on case judgments, this would seriously challenge whether they are, or should be, based on arguments at all—and not on other cognitive sources instead, such as intuition. In Experiment 1, we replicated Wysocki’s (Rev Philos Psychol 8(2):477–499, 2017) pioneering study on a Gettier-style case, and we confirmed that the informal arguments used by him had no significant effect. However, we also included an improved argument for ascribing knowledge, which did have a significant effect even in Wysocki’s original design. We therefore followed up with Experiment 2 on three Gettier-style cases, where we used a more natural dialogical format for presenting both case descriptions and informal arguments. Overall, we found a clear impact of prima facie good pro and con arguments on case judgments. The issue of argument impact is thus no obstacle to arguing about thought experiments.
Quantifying the Impact of 3D Pore Space Morphology on Soil Gas Diffusion in Loam and Sand
Authors: Prifling Benedikt , Weber Matthias , Ray Nadja , Prechtel Alexander , Phalempin Maxime , Schlüter Steffen , Vetterlein Doris , Schmidt Volker
Published: June 2023

Effective diffusion is an important macroscopic property for assessing transport in porous media. Numerical computations on segmented 3D CT images yield precise estimates for diffusive properties. On the other hand, geometrical descriptors of pore space such as porosity, specific surface area and further transport-related descriptors can be easily computed from 3D CT images and are closely linked to diffusion processes. However, the investigation of quantitative relationships between these descriptors and diffusive properties for a diverse range of porous structures is still ongoing. In the present paper, we consider three different soil samples of each loam and sand for a total of six samples, whose 3D microstructure is quantitatively investigated using univariate as well as bivariate probability distributions of geometrical pore space descriptors. This information is used for investigating microstructure–property relationships by means of empirically derived regression formulas, where a particular focus is put on the differences between loam and sand samples. Due to the analytical nature of these formulas, it is possible to obtain a deeper understanding for the relationship between the 3D pore space morphology and the resulting diffusive properties. In particular, it is shown that formulas existing so far in the literature for predicting soil gas diffusion can be significantly improved by incorporating further geometrical descriptors such as geodesic tortuosity, chord lengths, or constrictivity of the pore space. The robustness of these formulas is investigated by fitting the regression parameters on different data sets as well as by applying the empirically derived regression formulas to data that is not used for model fitting. Among others, it turns out that a formula based on porosity as well as mean and standard deviation of geodesic tortuosity performs best with regard to the coefficient of determination and the mean absolute percentage error. Moreover, it is shown that regarding the prediction of diffusive properties the concept of geodesic tortuosity is superior to geometric tortuosity, where the latter is based on the creation of a skeleton of the pore space.
Nomogram for predicting the biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer after neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy
Authors: Sun Qi , Yang Yuan-Zhong , Yang Ping , Li Yong-Hong , Cao Yun , Chen Dong , Zhang Yijun
Published: June 2023

Background

A predictive model for biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer (PCa) after neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (nADT) has not been established. This study was aimed at determining multiparameter variables that could be used to construct a nomogram to predict the post-nADT BCR of PCa.

Methods

Overall, 43 radical prostatectomy specimens from PCa patients who had undergone nADT were collected. Multiparameter variables were analyzed by univariate and then multivariate logistic analyses to identify the independent prognostic factors for predicting BCR. The predictive model was established using Lasso regression analysis.

Results

Univariate logistic analysis revealed six variables, pathology stage; margins; categorization as group A, B, or C; nucleolus grading; percentage of tumor involvement (PTI); and PTEN status were significantly associated with the BCR of PCa (all p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested that categorization as group C, severe nucleolus grading, PTI less than or equal to 5%, and PTEN loss were positively correlated with BCR (all p < 0.05). A nomogram comprising the four variables predicting BCR was constructed, and it exhibited good discrimination (AUC: 0.985; specificity: 86.2%; sensitivity: 100%). Calibration plots for the probability of freedom from BCR at 1 and 2 years showed a good match between the prediction by the nomogram.

Conclusions

We constructed and validated a nomogram to predict the risk of BCR in PCa patients after nADT. This nomogram is a complement to the existing risk stratification systems for PCa, which could have marked implications for clinical decision-making for PCa patients after nADT.
Validity of neural networks in determining lower limb kinematics in stationary cycling
Authors: Bini Rodrigo Rico , Nascimento Vitor Bertoli , Nibali Aiden
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Increasing access to marker-less technology has enabled practitioners to obtain kinematic data more quickly. However, the validation of many of these methods is lacking. Therefore, the validity of pre-trained neural networks was explored in this study compared to reflective marker tracking from sagittal plane cycling motion.

Methods

Twenty-six cyclists were assessed during stationary cycling at self-selected cadence and moderate intensity exercise. Standard video from their sagittal plane was obtained to extract joint kinematics. Hip, knee, and ankle angles were calculated from marker digitisation and from two deep learning-based approaches (TransPose and MediaPipe).

Results

Typical errors ranged between 1 and 10° for TransPose and 3–9° for MediaPipe. Correlations between joint angles calculated from TransPose and marker digitalization were stronger (0.47–0.98) than those from MediaPipe (0.25–0.96).

Conclusion

TransPose seemed to perform better than MediaPipe but both methods presented poor performance when tracking the foot and ankle. This seems to be associated with the low frame rate and image resolution when using standard video mode.
Vergleich der Effektivität von multiplen dynamischen Behandlungsstrategien unter Nutzung der Target-Trial-Emulierung
Authors: Kuehne Felicitas , Hallsson Lára , Arvandi Marjan , Puntscher Sibylle , Jahn Beate , Sroczynski Gaby , Siebert Uwe
Published: June 2023

Hintergrund

Therapieentscheidungen, die durch „Wenn-dann“-Algorithmen basierend auf bspw. Krankheitsverläufen oder vergangenen Therapien geregelt werden, sind dynamische Fragestellungen. Die Effektivität von dynamischen Therapiestrategien wird häufig mit Real World Data (RWD), d. h. Realdaten, untersucht. Einerseits bieten RWD ein großes Potenzial, da hiermit viele unterschiedliche in der Routineversorgung vorkommende Therapiestrategien analysiert werden können. Andererseits bergen Effektschätzer aus RWD-Analysen ein hohes Verzerrungspotenzial.

Ziel der Arbeit

Dieser Artikel beschreibt, wie dynamische Behandlungsstrategien mithilfe von RWD adäquat verglichen und damit die optimale Therapiestrategie identifiziert werden können.

Material und Methoden

Wir beschreiben, wie die Kombination aus drei Ansätzen eine kausale Interpretation der Ergebnisse erlaubt. Hierzu gehören (1) Kausaldiagramme, (2) Target-Trial-Emulierung sowie (3) statistische g‑Methoden. Der beschriebene kausale Ansatz und die genannten Begriffe und Konzepte werden erläutert und anhand eines Fallbeispiels verdeutlicht, in welchem untersucht wird, wann die antivirale Therapie bei behandlungsnaiven Patient:innen mit HIV-Infektion begonnen werden sollte.

Ergebnisse

Kausaldiagramme visualisieren kausale Prozesse, die der Datengenerierung zugrunde liegen. Sie helfen, Parameter zu identifizieren, die in der Analyse berücksichtigt werden müssen. Die Target-Trial-Emulierung simuliert eine randomisierte klinische Studie, indem alle möglichen dynamischen Strategien definiert, die Patientendaten kopiert („geklont“) und jede:r Patient:in jedem Behandlungsarm zugewiesen werden. In einer kausalen Per-Protokoll-Analyse werden alle Patient:innen, die das jeweilige Protokoll einer Behandlungsstrategie verletzen, zensiert. Durch g‑Methoden wird für informatives Zensieren adjustiert. Die erwarteten Outcomes jeder Behandlungsstrategie werden simuliert und miteinander verglichen.

Schlussfolgerung

Dynamische Behandlungsstrategien können mithilfe von RWD adäquat verglichen werden, wenn drei kausale Ansätze kombiniert werden und die erforderlichen Daten vorliegen. Diese Ansätze sind (1) Kausaldiagramme, (2) Target-Trial-Emulierung sowie (3) statistische g‑Methoden.
Soziale Teilhabe in Pflegeheimen während der COVID-19-Pandemie („coronavirus disease 2019“)
Authors: Plangger Bianca , Riedel Priya-Lena , Kulcar Vanessa , Juen Barbara
Published: June 2023

Hintergrund

Die COVID-19 Pandemie (“coronavirus disease 2019”) stellt für den Gesundheitsbereich eine Herausforderung dar. Zur Bewältigung dieser durch angepasste Maßnahmen ist die Einbeziehung von betroffenen Gruppen zentral.

Ziel

Im Rahmen dieses Papers wird die wahrgenommene soziale Teilhabe von Mitarbeitenden in Altenpflegeeinrichtungen und Anpassungsmöglichkeiten von Maßnahmen sowie deren Bedeutung für Bewohnende und Angehörige während der Pandemie dargestellt.

Methodik

Von Juni 2021 bis März 2022 wurden 26 Leitfadeninterviews und zwei Fokusgruppen mit Mitarbeitenden und Bewohnenden deutschsprachiger Pflegeheime durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse

Eine klare Zielvorgabe war eine wesentliche Grundvoraussetzung der Krisenbewältigung. Teilhabeorientiertere Organisationen ermöglichten Mitarbeitenden Entscheidungsspielräume in der Zielerreichung. Hierdurch wurden mehr bedürfnisorientierte Anpassungen der Infektionsschutzmaßnahmen möglich.

Diskussion

Klare Krisenstrategien durch die Führungsebene bei gegebenen Teilhabemöglichkeiten Mitarbeitender können eine erfolgreiche Krisenbewältigung in Pflegeheimen fördern. Dadurch können Maßnahmen angepasst und das Wohlbefinden aller Betroffenen geschützt werden.
Ein Plädoyer für die Komfortzone
Authors: Schnack Quirin , Fladerer Martin P. , Schnitzler Katharina
Published: June 2023

Nur eine verlassene Komfortzone ist eine gute Komfortzone. So zumindest die gegenwärtig vorherrschende gesellschaftliche Zuschreibung eines Raumes, der selten definiert wird. Dieser Beitrag setzt sich kritisch mit den Ursprüngen dieses Modells in der Erlebnispädagogik und der Organisationspsychologie auseinander, die bis heute das Denken darüber zu prägen scheinen. Daran anknüpfend beziehen die Autor:innen Stellung für die Aufwertung der Komfortzone und stellen erste Ideen vor, inwiefern diese in Zeiten der täglichen Herausforderungen als wertvolle Ressource des Kompetenzerlebens verstanden werden kann.
Warm Aging of Pre-aged AA6013 Sheet and Its Relevance to Room Temperature and Warm Forming Applications—Experimental and Modeling Analyses
Authors: DiCecco S. , Di Ciano M. , Baghbanaghaie N. , Esmaeili S. , Wells M. A. , Worswick M. J.
Published: June 2023

Warm forming has been shown to be an effective way to increase the formability of various aluminum sheet alloys. If applied to precipitation hardenable alloys, aging and/or coarsening may occur during heating and/or forming processes. As such, there is a potential to leverage the warm forming process to artificially age precipitation hardenable alloys. In this study, the aging characteristics of a pre-aged Al-Mg-Si-Cu alloy (designated AA6013-PA and comprising a 4 h, 100 °C pre-aging cycle following solutionization) were examined using: (i) room temperature tensile and (ii) bendability experiments, as well as (iii) elevated temperature tensile and formability experiments in the temperature range of 220-280 °C. In the pre-aged condition, the alloy exhibited very high work hardening, elongation and bendability. It was found that T6-like properties can be obtained with short duration secondary aging of the AA6013-PA starting temper (410 s at 235 °C), followed by a paint bake cycle (30 min at 177 °C). In such heavily aged conditions, the bendability is found to be moderate and consistent with a T6 temper. Bendability of the pre-aged alloy is shown to be enhanced by reducing the extent of aging, which may be beneficial for applications requiring energy absorption during crash, for example. In the pre-aged condition, AA6013 displayed a 55% improvement in room temperature formability, relative to the T6 condition, for near plane-strain loading using a Nakazima punch, although neither temper exhibited formability improvements through warm forming. The aging kinetics of AA6013-PA were determined from mechanical test data and used to calibrate an aging kinetics model. A strong obstacle model was used to relate precipitation state to yield strength, for artificial aging in the range 220-280 °C. The incremental strength increase due to exposure to an automotive paint cure cycle was also modeled and found to yield accurate results. Warm deformation, as well as room temperature deformation, were shown to enhance the paint bake response of the alloy, reducing the time to the peak aged condition by up to 14% for artificial aging at 177 °C.
Existential anxieties and right-wing populism in Europe—why people unconcerned by globalisation vote against it
Authors: Metten Anne , Bayerlein Michael
Published: June 2023

In recent years several contributions have made the argument that right-wing populist voting is interrelated with individuals being negatively affected by globalisation. While there is certainly merit to this argument, it cannot explain why voters unconcerned by globalisation vote for right-wing populist parties. In this article we answer this question and argue that ontological insecurity or, the way we frame it, existential anxieties are a previously overlooked determinant of right-wing populist voting, as these anxieties make people vulnerable to right-wing populist crises narratives even when they are not affected by the crises. Using European Social Survey data for 12 Western European countries between 2004 and 2018, we construct a novel index that measures existential anxieties on the individual level. Our index shows (1) that existential anxieties increase the likelihood of right-wing populist voting and (2) that the fear fuelling narratives of these parties especially mobilise individuals with moderate globalisation attitudes.
Psychological Treatment of Exhaustion Due to Persistent Non-Traumatic Stress: A Scoping Review
Authors: van de Leur Jakob Clason , Jovicic Filip , Åhslund Andreas , McCracken Lance M. , Buhrman Monica
Published: June 2023

Background

Exhaustion due to persistent non-traumatic stress (ENTS) is a significant health problem with substantial personal, social, and economic impact. While there are increasing studies of ENTS, there is no international agreement on how it should be diagnosed and treated. This scoping review aimed to map definitions, diagnoses, treatments, outcome measures, and outcomes in psychological treatment studies of ENTS. A further aim was to assess the quality of the treatments and map what change processes are described within ENTS interventions.

Methods

A PRISMA-guided scoping review of psychological treatment studies delivered in a clinical setting for ENTS was conducted using the databases of PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL.

Results

Of the 60 studies included, the majority (87%) stemmed from Europe. The most recurrent term for ENTS was burnout, and the diagnosis most often utilized was exhaustion disorder. Several treatments were reported, the most frequent being cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) (68%). Statistically significant outcomes relevant to ENTS were reported in 65% (n = 39) of the studies, with effect sizes between 0.13 and 1.80. In addition, 28% of the treatments were rated as high quality. The most frequent change processes described were dysfunctional sleep, avoidance, behavioral activation, irrational thoughts and beliefs, worry, perceived competence/positive management, psychological flexibility, and recuperation.

Conclusions

While several treatments based on CBT show promising results for ENTS, there do not seem to be any uniformly established methods, theoretical models, or change processes. Instead of adopting a monocausal, syndromal, and potentially bio-reductionist perspective on ENTS, a process-based approach to treatment is encouraged.
BRD4770 inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation via SUV39H2, but not EHMT2 to protect against neointima formation
Authors: Chen Tai-Qiang , Guo Xian , Huo Bo , Zhong Xiao-Xuan , Wang Qun-Hui , Chen Yue , Zhu Xue-Hai , Feng Gao-Ke , Jiang Ding-Sheng , Fang Ze-Min , Wei Xiang
Published: June 2023

The behavior of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contributes to the formation of neointima. We previously found that EHMT2 suppressed autophagy activation in VSMCs. BRD4770, an inhibitor of EHMT2/G9a, plays a critical role in several kinds of cancers. However, whether and how BRD4770 regulates the behavior of VSMCs remain unknown. In this study, we evaluate the cellular effect of BRD4770 on VSMCs by series of experiments in vivo and ex vivo. We demonstrated that BRD4770 inhibited VSMCs’ growth by blockage in G2/M phase in VSMCs. Moreover, our results demonstrated that the inhibition of proliferation was independent on autophagy or EHMT2 suppression which we previous reported. Mechanistically, BRD4770 exhibited an off-target effect from EHMT2 and our further study reveal that the proliferation inhibitory effect by BRD4770 was associated with suppressing on SUV39H2/KTM1B. In vivo, BRD4770 was also verified to rescue VIH. Thus, BRD4770 function as a crucial negative regulator of VSMC proliferation via SUV39H2 and G2/M cell cycle arrest and BRD4770 could be a molecule for the therapy of vascular restenosis.
Deictic Framing Performance Fails to Generalize to Other Perspective-Taking Tasks
Authors: Taylor Tokiko , Sargisson Rebecca J. , Edwards Timothy L.
Published: June 2023

The behavioral processes underlying perspective taking have not been studied extensively. One approach to understanding and enhancing perspective taking, deictic framing, has been proposed. Proponents of this approach have suggested that deictic framing is a core property of perspective taking. A training protocol based on deictic framing has been developed and tested, but researchers generally evaluate the effectiveness of the protocol using tasks that have a similar format to the training protocol. Little research has examined the protocol’s effectiveness for improving performance in different perspective-taking tasks. We investigated generalization of the performance of three groups of university students trained with a deictic-framing protocol (or not) and tested with two other perspective-taking tasks: a visuospatial perspective taking using a cupboard containing a range of objects and a version of the implicit relational assessment procedure specifically designed to measure perspective taking. The first group was trained with the original verbal protocol with deictic expressions; the second group with the same protocol involving nondeictic words; and the third group was merely exposed to deictic expressions as a control condition. The results suggested that deictic framing is not fundamental to perspective taking, as the performance of the two experimental groups was not significantly different from the control group’s performance. Identification of specific stimulus functions involved in successful perspective taking and how those functions can be established should be addressed in future research.
On-line determination of the trace amount of cobalt(II) in real samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry method after pre-concentration by modified polyvinyl chloride
Authors: Zarnoushe Farahani Tahere , Bagherian Ghadamali , Arab Chamjangali Mansour , Ashrafi Motahare
Published: June 2023

This work reports a simple and sensitive on-line solid-phase extraction system for the pre-concentration and determination of a trace amount of Co(II (ions by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). This method is based on the on-line retention of cobalt ions with polyvinyl chloride modified by 3-(2-thiazolylazo)-2,6-diaminopyridine in a mini-column system. The retained Co(II) ions were eluted with 1.0 mol L−1 HCl, and direct aspiration to flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) for an accurate determination of it. The important experimental parameters such as the solution pH, length of column (adsorbent mass), sample flow rate, solvent eluent, type and concentration of the eluent, and co-existing ion effects were investigated in detail and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration graph was linear over the concentration range of 2–150 µg L−1 for pre-concentration of 10.0 mL of the sample solution. The interassay precession (n = 6) was in the range of 1.8–5.2% at the concentration levels of 10.0, 50.0, 100.0, and 140.0 µg L−1. The limit of detection and enhancement factor were 1.3 µg L−1 and 40, respectively. The method was applied for determination of trace levels of Co(II) ions in different real samples such as tap water, waste water, vegetable, fruit, and drug with satisfactory results.
Inverse Scattering Transform for Nonlinear Schrödinger Systems on a Nontrivial Background: A Survey of Classical Results, New Developments and Future Directions
Authors: Prinari Barbara
Published: June 2023

In this topical review paper we provide a survey of classical and more recent results on the IST for one-dimensional scalar, vector and square matrix NLS systems on the line ($$-\infty<x<\infty$$

-
∞
<
x
<
∞

) with certain physically relevant non-zero boundary conditions at space infinity, discuss some new developments and applications, and offer some perspectives about future directions on the subject.
Effect of Driving Sound of Electric Vehicle on Product Attractiveness
Authors: Kato Takumi , Yokote Ryuji
Published: June 2023

Product sounds are an effective means of communicating product features. However, the existing research on electric vehicle (EV) driving sounds has focused on noise reduction and pedestrian safety. Discussions from the perspective of improving product attractiveness and creating value are lacking. This study examined the effects of the driving sounds of gasoline-powered vehicles and EVs in the Japanese automobile market using randomized controlled trials. For verification, we prepared four types of cars with three types of driving sounds (gasoline-powered engines, gasoline-powered sports engines, and EV motors) for 12 movies. This makes it possible to evaluate the effects of the driving sounds equally. As a result, we clarified that the driving sound of EVs enhances the evaluation of product attractiveness compared to the sound of gasoline-powered sports vehicles. This result implies that practitioners should be aware that recent consumers tend to be more attracted to EVs than gasoline-powered vehicles. Consumers have a beautiful and sophisticated impression of the EV category and electrified future. The results confirm that consumers find the engine of a sports car confusing but find the quietness of EV attractive. The trend toward a higher evaluation of EV motors is more pronounced among younger generations and men. Therefore, although products that restore loud engine noise, despite EVs, exist, the concern is that the direction that companies should aim for is different. This study goes beyond noise reduction and safety assurance and demonstrates the importance of sound design that conveys attractiveness.
La possible réparation du préjudice d’éco-anxiété en Afrique: vers une meilleure protection des droits des peuples autochtones dans le contexte des activités des industries extractives
Authors: Nono Guy Marcel
Published: June 2023

Au lendemain de la journée internationale des peuples autochtones initiée par l’Organisation des Nations Unies et célébrée le 9 août de chaque année, cet article est une piste de réflexion pour une meilleure protection des droits de ces peuples dans le contexte des activités extractives. Il suggère que la réception dans la jurisprudence africaine du préjudice moral en général, et celui d’anxiété en particulier, en cas de violation des droits garantis par la Charte africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples, ouvre une brèche à la réparation du préjudice d’éco-anxiété. Il propose et met en relief les critères juridiques que le juge régional africain pourrait appliquer pour évaluer et réparer la carence fautive de l’État quant à son obligation de garantir le droit à un environnement sain, potentiellement à l’origine du préjudice d’éco-anxiété.
A fourth way to the digital transformation: The data republic as a fair data ecosystem
Authors: Calzati Stefano , van Loenen Bastiaan
Published: June 2023

To harness the promises of digital transformation, different players take different paths. Departing from corporate-driven (e.g., the United States) and state-led (e.g., China) approaches, in various documents, the European Union states its goal to establish a citizen-centric data ecosystem. However, it remains contentious the extent to which the envisioned digital single market can enable the creation of public value and empower citizens. As an alternative, in this article, we argue in favor of afairdata ecosystem, defined as an approach capable of representing and keep in balance the data interests of all actors, while maintain a collective outlook. We build such ecosystem around data commons—as a third path to market and state approaches to the managing of resources—coupled with open data (OD) frameworks and spatial data infrastructures (SDIs). Indeed, based on literature, we claim that these three regimes complement each other, with OD and SDIs supplying infrastructures and institutionalization to data commons’ limited replicability and scalability. This creates the preconditions for designing the main roles, rules, and mechanisms of a data republic, as a possible enactment of a fair data ecosystem. While outlining here its main traits, the testing of the data republic model is open for further research.
q-deformed rational numbers and the 2-Calabi–Yau category of type
Authors: Bapat Asilata , Becker Louis , Licata Anthony M.
Published: June 2023

We describe a family of compactifications of the space of Bridgeland stability conditions of a triangulated category, following earlier work by Bapat, Deopurkar and Licata. We particularly consider the case of the 2-Calabi–Yau category of the

$A_2$

quiver. The compactification is the closure of an embedding (depending on q) of the stability space into an infinite-dimensional projective space. In the

$A_2$

case, the three-strand braid group

$B_3$

acts on this closure. We describe two distinguished braid group orbits in the boundary, points of which can be identified with certain rational functions in q. Points in one of the orbits are exactly the q-deformed rational numbers recently introduced by Morier-Genoud and Ovsienko, while the other orbit gives a new q-deformation of the rational numbers. Specialising q to a positive real number, we obtain a complete description of the boundary of the compactification.
Religious Comprehension in Scotland, 1689–1695
Authors: ROGERS BEN
Published: June 2023

This article discusses how religious comprehension was promoted by the Scottish authorities after the revolution of 1688–9 to reach a compromise between the nation's two main religious groups: the Presbyterians and the Episcopalians. Unlike the failed attempt to enact comprehension in England in 1689, in Scotland five attempts were made from 1689 to 1694 to accommodate Episcopalians into the Church. The article argues that comprehension forced the Scots to confront the practical limits of their commitment to religious uniformity, and was central to their transition from a Reformed nation that cherished uniformity to one that begrudgingly accepted the existence of pluralism.
Second language anxiety: Construct, effects, and sources
Authors: Papi Mostafa , Khajavy Hassan
Published: June 2023

Second language (L2) anxiety is the most studied affective factor in the field of second language acquisition. Numerous studies have been conducted on this emotion from different perspectives over the last few decades. These studies can be classified into three groups. The first group has tried to conceptualize and operationalize L2 anxiety and identify the different components or dimensions of the construct (e.g., Cheng, 2004; Horwitz et al., 1986). The second group has explored the impact of L2 anxiety on various motivational, behavioral, learning, and performance aspects of L2 learning (e.g., Gkonou et al., 2017). Finally, the third group has investigated different sources of L2 anxiety (Papi & Khajavy, 2021). In this manuscript, we will draw on studies from the three strands to present an overview of the state of research on this construct and conclude by discussing major issues with the conceptualization, measurement, and design of studies on L2 anxiety.
Constitutions and their foundational discontents: Studying the process of constitution-making in Jammu and Kashmir
Authors: Dar Rouf Ahmad
Published: June 2023

This article studies the process of constitution-making in Jammu and Kashmir as a hegemonic process dominated by, and an ideological reflection of, the dominant political party of Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference led by the popular leader Sheikh Abdullah. The Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir emerged as an outcome of their ideas. Though the process itself was punctuated by the exclusionary violence against diverse communities present in the state at that time, very little attention has been paid to the idea of a constitution as an exclusivist text that embeds ‘foundational violence’ within it, and that eliminates dissenting groups and prevents the inclusion of plural conceptions of politics by actualizing a monopolistic discourse in favour of the dominant party. This article locates the violence that went into constitution-making and further employs hermeneutical interpretation of the Constituent Assembly Debates of Jammu and Kashmir to locate the differing viewpoints that existed in the State Constituent Assembly. It also takes the surrounding political and ideological context into account. In doing so, it constructs an alternative and ‘unofficial’ version of the constitution-making process, which helps challenge the dominant historical narrative that the constitution-making in Jammu and Kashmir was a successful experiment in Indian federal democracy.
The Role of Job Crafting and Psychological Capital in the Relationship between Job Autonomy and Work Engagement: A Serial Mediation Model
Authors: García-Merino Sonia , Martín Noemy , Alcover Carlos-María
Published: June 2023

Work engagement is a scientifically consolidated variable, due to its fundamental role in business practice. To increase work engagement in companies, it is necessary to know which variables are antecedents and how they relate to each other. These variables include job autonomy, job crafting, and psychological capital. This research evaluates the relationships between job autonomy, job crafting, psychological capital, and work engagement. Specifically, based on the job demands and resources model and the conservation of resources theory, the study examines these relationships in a sample of 483 employees, through a serial mediation model. The results show that job crafting, and psychological capital mediates the relationship between job autonomy and work engagement. These results have practical implications for interventions to promote employee work engagement.
Land‐Use Intensity Reversed the Role of Cropland in Ecological Restoration Over the World's Most Severe Soil Erosion Region
Authors: Lan Xin , Liu Zhiyong , Yang Ting , Cheng Linyin , Wang Xiaojun , Wei Wei , Ge Yang , Chen Xiaohong , Lin Kairong , Zhao Tongtiegang , Zhang Xin , Zhou Guoyi
Published: June 2023

Long‐term extending cultivation activities resulted in the world's worst soil erosion on the Chinese Loess Plateau (LP). By converting cropland into vegetated land, the Grain for Green Project (GfGP)—the world's largest investment revegetation project—effectively alleviates the soil erosion on the LP. However, during the GfGP implementation, the positive effect of cropland to the revegetation and soil erosion control has been underestimated to date, hindering a comprehensive evaluation to the effect of cropland on ecological restoration. Here, we evaluated the effect of the GfGP on soil erosion control across the LP, analyzed the dominant driver of the LP vegetation greening, and further identified the contributions of croplands to this world's largest revegetation project. We found that the vegetation of the LP was significantly improved and its leaf area increased by 1.23 × 105 km2 after the implementation of the GfGP, which contributed 42% to the decrease of the LP soil loss. Among them, our results show that cropland contributed 39.3% to the increased leaf areas of the LP, higher than grassland (36.3%) and forestland (14.3%). With the reduction of agricultural area, the contribution of cropland to the increased leaf areas in the LP was still the largest, which was mainly due to the increase in cropland utilization intensity. This study highlights the significance of the GfGP in soil erosion control and revises our understanding of the role of cropland in ecological restoration and society development.
Ecohydrologic Dynamics of Rock Moisture in a Montane Catchment of the Colorado Front Range
Authors: Burns E. F. , Rempe D. M. , Parsekian A. D. , Schmidt L. M. , Singha K. , Barnard H. R.
Published: June 2023

Warming across the western United States continues to reduce snowpack, lengthen growing seasons, and increase atmospheric demand, leading to uncertainty about moisture availability in montane forests. As many upland forests have thin soils and extensive rooting into weathered bedrock, deep vadose‐zone water may be a critical late‐season water source for vegetation and mitigate forest water stress. A key impediment to understanding the role of the deep vadose zone as a reservoir is quantifying the plant‐available water held there. We quantify the spatiotemporal dynamics of rock moisture held in the deep vadose zone in a montane catchment of the Rocky Mountains. Direct measurements of rock moisture were accompanied by monitoring of precipitation, transpiration, soil moisture, leaf‐water potentials, and groundwater. Using repeat nuclear magnetic resonance and neutron‐probe measurements, we found depletion of rock moisture among all our monitored plots. The magnitude of growing season depletion in rock moisture mirrored above‐ground vegetation density and transpiration, and depleted rock moisture was from ∼0.3 to 5 m below ground surface. Estimates of storage indicated weathered rock stored at least 4%–12% of mean annual precipitation. Persistent transpiration and discrepancies between estimated soil matric potentials and leaf‐water potentials suggest rock moisture may mitigate drought stress. These findings provide some of the first measurements of rock moisture use in the Rocky Mountains and indicated rock moisture use is not just confined to periods of drought or Mediterranean climates.
Re‐Visiting EEJ and CEJ Occurrences Pattern Under the Influence of Sq Variations of Both Hemispheres
Authors: Archana R. K. , Lingala Manjula , Arora Kusumita
Published: June 2023

The present study investigated the variability in Equatorial electrojet (EEJ) and Counter electrojet (CEJ) extracted at the Indian equatorial station Tirunelveli (TIR) using low‐latitude geomagnetic conjugate sites, Hyderabad (HYB) and GAN Island (GAN) from the northern and southern hemispheres respectively over a period of 5 years. A significant difference in the amplitudes, of more than 10 nT for 43% of the days, is observed when the TIR‐HYB pair and the TIR‐GAN pair are used. Occurrence of CEJs are 60% more when the TIR‐GAN pair is considered. A correlation coefficient of 0.9 is obtained between the monthly mean peaks of diurnal variations in H between TIR and GAN; this correlation coefficient is 0.66 between TIR and HYB. The correlation coefficients from the first principal components of H, at these sites show variability with seasons; the correlation observed between TIR and GAN is higher than that between TIR‐HYB for all seasons except northern winter. This indicates the coupling of EEJ with Sq of both northern or southern hemispheres with varying extents. The present study highlights that the extraction of EEJ/CEJ using Sq from only one hemisphere will lead to biased estimates; even a small difference in the seasonal pattern of ∆H at equatorial and low latitude sites can result in the over/under‐estimation of EEJ and hence CEJ.
Internal Variability of the Climate System Mirrored in Decadal‐Scale Trends of Surface Solar Radiation
Authors: Chtirkova Boriana , Folini Doris , Correa Lucas Ferreira , Wild Martin
Published: June 2023

Decadal‐scale unforced climate variability associated with low‐frequency ocean (or coupled) modes can be identified within the time‐evolving sea surface temperature (SST) pattern. We seek to find a relationship between 12 well‐known climate modes of variability (El Niño–Southern Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, etc.), which are reflected in the SST pattern, and decadal trends in downwelling shortwave radiation at Earth's surface (surface solar radiation, surface shortwave radiation [SSR]). The analysis is performed using the pre‐industrial control runs (piControl) of 57 models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project—Phase 6. We find that regional SSR trends occur during periods when a climate mode is transitioning and show a mirroring pattern (opposite sign SSR trends) when the mode transitions in the opposite direction. Unforced trends in clear‐sky SSR are mostly driven by SST‐induced water vapor changes, while all‐sky SSR trends show a complex spatial structure with trends of different signs in different regions. Unforced SSR trends are generally weaker in simulations with climatological SSTs. The role of natural aerosols as another potentially relevant factor for SSR variability is briefly addressed and we find that constantly higher aerosol loads result in increased variability for clear‐sky conditions, but not for all‐sky conditions. The results from this study suggest that all‐sky dimming and brightening in different parts of the world are enhanced rather than suppressed by internal variability related to an SST‐pattern with the exception of India and China, where both effects are present. A practical application can be the planning of photovoltaic energy facilities given areas where internal variability is generally smaller or affects SSR in opposite directions.