bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robotics Meets AI and Vision in South America (Topical Collection)
Authors: Silva Bruno M. F. , Todt Eduardo , Nascimento Tiago P. , Curvelo Carla da C. F. , Gonçalves Luiz M. G.
Published: January 2024

The integration of robotics research with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computer Vision (CV) has enabled the solution of practical tasks previously challenging with traditional techniques. This interdisciplinary approach focuses on developing intelligent computational systems for decision-making, planning, and object recognition, minimizing human intervention in various domains like e-commerce, healthcare, industry, and more. South American researchers contribute significantly, with emphasis on emerging AI technologies such as Deep Learning, statistical methods, and computer vision applied to robotics. The works within this collection highlight the increasing prominence of robotics in education, with it becoming a part of basic education, and discuss a topical collection showcasing research presented at Latin American robotics events in 2021. The papers cover diverse topics, including altitude control for hybrid aerial-underwater vehicles, robust localization in challenging environments, cross-domain localization for underwater robots, image-based navigation for agricultural rovers, continuous training of educators in Educational Robotics, and the role of robotic simulators in education. The collection aims to disseminate cutting-edge robotics research and foster collaboration in the field.
Geodesic Tracking via New Data-Driven Connections of Cartan Type for Vascular Tree Tracking
Authors: van den Berg Nicky J. , Smets Bart M. N. , Pai Gautam , Mirebeau Jean-Marie , Duits Remco
Published: January 2024

We introduce a data-driven version of the plus Cartan connection on the homogeneous space $${\mathbb {M}}_2$$

M
2

of 2D positions and orientations. We formulate a theorem that describes all shortest and straight curves (parallel velocity and parallel momentum, respectively) with respect to this new data-driven connection and corresponding Riemannian manifold. Then we use these shortest curves for geodesic tracking of complex vasculature in multi-orientation image representations defined on $${\mathbb {M}}_{2}$$

M
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. The data-driven Cartan connection characterizes the Hamiltonian flow of all geodesics. It also allows for improved adaptation to curvature and misalignment of the (lifted) vessel structure that we track via globally optimal geodesics. We compute these geodesics numerically via steepest descent on distance maps on $${\mathbb {M}}_2$$

M
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that we compute by a new modified anisotropic fast-marching method.Our experiments range from tracking single blood vessels with fixed endpoints to tracking complete vascular trees in retinal images. Single vessel tracking is performed in a single run in the multi-orientation image representation, where we project the resulting geodesics back onto the underlying image. The complete vascular tree tracking requires only two runs and avoids prior segmentation, placement of extra anchor points, and dynamic switching between geodesic models. Altogether we provide a geodesic tracking method using a single, flexible, transparent, data-driven geodesic model providing globally optimal curves which correctly follow highly complex vascular structures in retinal images. All experiments in this article can be reproduced via documented Mathematica notebooks available  at van den Berg (Data-driven left-invariant tracking in Mathematica, 2022).
A Dynamic Disadvantage? Social Perceptions of Dynamic Morphed Emotions Differ from Videos and Photos
Authors: Becker Casey , Conduit Russell , Chouinard Philippe A. , Laycock Robin
Published: January 2024

Dynamic face stimuli are increasingly used in face perception research, as increasing evidence shows they are perceived differently from static photographs. One popular method for creating dynamic faces is the dynamic morph, which can animate the transition between expressions by blending two photographs together. Although morphs offer increased experimental control, their unnatural motion differs from the biological facial motion captured in video recordings. This study aimed to compare ratings of emotion intensity and genuineness in video recordings, dynamic morphs, and static photographs of happy, sad, fearful, and angry expressions. We found that video recordings were perceived to have greater emotional intensity than dynamic morphs, and video recordings of happy expressions were perceived as more genuine compared to happy dynamic morphs. Unexpectedly, static photographs and video recordings had similar ratings for genuineness and intensity. Overall, these results suggest that dynamic morphs may be an inappropriate substitute for video recordings, as they may elicit misleading dynamic effects.
Is Dignity Still Necessary in Health Care? From Definition to Recognition of Human Dignity
Authors: Ferdynus Marcin Paweł
Published: January 2024

The concept of dignity is not, as some scholars claim, an unnecessary moral idea, and nor need it have religious overtones or be characterised by speciesism. In this article, I try to show that dignity can be defined and recognised. The starting point for the argumentation is the four typologies of dignity, which show that the term ‘dignity’ can denote significantly different concepts, and that the different concepts of dignity can have significantly different ontological senses. A unified typology of dignity allows for five categories to be distinguished: inherent dignity, dignity based on changeable qualities, moral dignity, bestowed dignity and comportment dignity. I take the first two categories of dignity as the object of the analysis, with which I seek to formulate a philosophical response to the charge of speciesism and to show on what basis it can be maintained that all human beings possess dignity. To this end, I distinguish between existential dignity, actual dignity, and potential dignity. Distinguishing these types of dignity becomes possible in the light of Aquinas’ and Aristotle’s views. In the final section, I point to two ways of recognising dignity. The first is based on certain narratives and emotional states (‘ecumenical model of dignity’), while the second is related to a specific moral experience developed within ethical personalism.
Assessment of the activity scheduling optimization method using real travel data
Authors: Toaza Bladimir , Esztergár-Kiss Domokos
Published: January 2024

New mobility services are appearing with the support of technological developments. Part of them is related to activity scheduling of individuals and the optimization of their travel patterns. A novel method called Activity Chain Optimization (ACO) is an application of the Traveling Salesman Problem with Time Windows (TSP-TW) extended with additional assumptions about temporal and spatial flexibility of the activities, where the travelers can optimize the total travel time of their daily activity schedule. This paper aims to apply the ACO method and evaluate its performance using a real-world household survey dataset, where activity chains of up to 15 activities during a day are considered. The optimization is developed using the genetic algorithm (GA) metaheuristic with suitable parameters selected and the branch-and-bound exact algorithm. The findings demonstrate that the branch-and-bound solution exhibits superior performance for smaller activity chain sizes, while the GA outperforms computationally for activity chains with a size from nine. However, the GA found the solutions in only 2% of the time compared to the branch-and-bound method. By applying the ACO method, relevant time savings and emission reduction can be achieved for travelers, when realizing daily activities.
Spatial Procurement of Farm Products and the Supply of Processed Foods: Application to the Tomato Processing Industry
Authors: Hamilton Stephen , Kjorlien Scott , Ligon Ethan , Shafran Aric
Published: January 2024

Increased transportation and logistical costs in agricultural markets have affected the spatial allocation of production in the agricultural and food sectors of the economy. We develop a spatial model of farm product procurement by a food processor, which is designed to capture the effects of supply-chain disruptions on the spatial procurement of farm products in the processed food sector. We use detailed data on production and procurement from a large California tomato processor to estimate the key parameters of the model, which allow us to calculate the price elasticity of supply for California tomato paste production and describe how changes in energy prices and transportation costs for primary agricultural products affect the supply of processed food.
Underwater hyperspectral imaging technology has potential to differentiate and monitor scallop populations
Authors: Tahmasbian Iman , McMillan Matthew N. , Kok Jonathan , Courtney Anthony J.
Published: January 2024

Accurate and low-impact monitoring of scallop abundance is critical for stock assessment, especially in sensitive habitats. The possibility of using low-impact hyperspectral imaging (HSI) for differentiating scallop species in the marine environment was investigated. Live saucer (Ylistrum balloti) and mud (Ylistrum pleuronectes) scallops (N =  31) were scanned inside a sea simulator using a visible to near infrared (400–1000 nm) line-scanner HSI camera. Partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was trained to distinguish between the species using their spectral signatures. Important wavelengths were identified and new models were developed using these wavelengths to reduce the model complexity and potentially increase the imaging speed when applied under at-sea conditions. The PLS-DA model distinguished between saucer and mud scallops using any area of the left valve that was exposed above the sediments, with 90.73% accuracy when all 462 available wavelengths were used. Using the subset of important wavelengths (N = 13) reduced the classification accuracy to 84%. Overall, our results showed that HSI has potential for detecting, distinguishing and counting commercially important saucer scallops for low-impact monitoring and resource management, and to complement RGB imaging that relies solely on morphological properties.

Graphical abstract
How can revivals of scientific publications be explained using bibliometric methods? A case study discovering booster papers for the 1985 Physics Nobel Prize paper
Authors: Haunschild Robin , Marx Werner , Weis Jürgen
Published: January 2024

The unusual citation profile of the 1985 Physics Nobel Prize paper has been analyzed. The number of citing papers per year exhibits a maximum of 123 citations in the mid-1980s and increases to more than 200 citations about two decades later. The publication set of the citing papers was analyzed in terms of co-authorships and research topics. The USA and (more recently) the People’s Republic of China appear prominently among the countries of the citing authors. A keyword analysis of the citing papers revealed research dealing with topological insulators as one of the major newly evolving research topics. An analysis of the co-cited papers has been performed via reference publication year spectroscopy (RPYS). The most-frequently co-cited papers (the peak papers of the RPYS spectrogram) were identified and discussed. As a result, we found two primary booster papers and three secondary booster papers that renewed the interest in the 1985 Physics Nobel Prize paper.
Parameterization of anisotropic media by A-parameters
Authors: Pšenčík Ivan , Farra Véronique
Published: January 2024

Most common parameterization of anisotropic media is by twenty one independent elements aijkl of the density-normalized stiffness tensor or by twenty one independent elements Aαβ of the density-normalized matrix of elastic parameters in the Voigt notation. These parameters are commonly of significantly different sizes, are dimensional, in (km/s)2, often appear in combinations. We are offering an alternative parameterization by twenty one A-parameters (anisotropic parameters), which removes the mentioned disadvantages and possesses some additional useful properties. For example, axes or planes of coordinate systems, in which A-parameters are defined, need not be related to symmetry axes or planes of the considered anisotropy symmetry as required in other similar parameterizations. In combination with the first-order weak-anisotropy approximation, in which anisotropy is considered as the first-order perturbation of reference isotropy, parameterization by A-parameters yields insight into the role of individual A-parameters in the wave propagation problems. For example, it turns out that in the first-order weak-anisotropy approximation, P- and S-wave velocities are each controlled by fifteen A-parameters. A set of six of them appears only in the expression for P-wave velocity, a set of other six A-parameters appears only in S-waves velocity expressions. Remaining set of nine A-parameters is common for both waves. We present transformation of A-parameters, analogue to Bond transformation, and useful formulae for the weak-anisotropy approximation for anisotropy of any symmetry and arbitrary tilt.
Pike Mercury Concentration in Small Boreal Headwater Lakes During Four Decades of Regional and Local Changes
Authors: Rask Martti , Malinen Tommi , Nyberg Kari , Olin Mikko , Kurkilahti Mika , Blauberg Tarja-Riitta , Salonen Maiju , Vesala Sami , Ruuhijärvi Jukka , Tiainen Joni , Vuorenmaa Jussi , Lodenius Martin , Arzel Celine , Nummi Petri , Kahilainen Kimmo K. , Verta Matti , Arvola Lauri
Published: January 2024

We measured the total mercury (THg) concentration in the muscle of northern pike (Esox lucius L.) from 12 boreal headwater lakes once per decade during the 1980s to 2010s. Relations of pike THg to regional environmental changes, such as reduction of acid deposition and increase in water colour (i.e. browning), were examined as well as the effects of local lake-specific changes caused by introduced beavers (Castor canadensis) and intensive fishing of pike. No consistent decrease in pike THg took place during 1983–2013 despite the reductions in mercury emissions from European sources since the 1990s and the associated decreased mercury deposition in Finland. In most of the lakes, individual pike exceeded the recommended limit for human consumption (1 mg kg−1, wet weight). The highest THg levels were recorded in 2002 following intensive browning of the lakes in the 1990s in connection with decreased sulphate deposition. The effects of acid deposition were only seen as the highest pike THg in the two most acidic lakes in the early 1980s. After taking length effects into account, pike THg had a negative relationship with growth (i.e. growth dilution), but a positive relationship with water colour, iron, nutrients and maximum lake depth. Females grew faster and had lower THg than males. Pike THg was elevated in beaver-impacted lakes. Experimental removal of pike from three study lakes during 2005–2013 resulted in a decrease of pike THg. These findings emphasize the significance of local abiotic and biotic drivers when interpreting the regional long-term trends in pike THg.
Performance analysis of inverse successive interference cancellation in NOMA-based communications
Authors: Ozduran Volkan , Nomikos Nikolaos
Published: January 2024

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is a promising solution to enhance the spectral efficiency of sixth generation (6G) networks. NOMA enables multiple users to be concurrently served, relying on superposition coding at the transmitter and successive interference cancellation (SIC) at the receivers. However, in practice, hardware impairments and channel estimation errors will lead to incorrect signal ordering. This study analyses inverse successive interference cancellation (ISIC) in downlink power-domain NOMA networks. In the worst case, ISIC will inversely order the N received signals, compared to conventional SIC. First, ISIC will decode the signal with the minimum allocated power, while treating the other $$N-1$$

N
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signals as interference. This process is repeated $$N-1$$

N
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times and in the last step, the signal with the maximum allocated power will be decoded without interference. Various key performance metrics for ISIC are analytically derived, including the outage probability, throughput, error probability, ergodic rate, achievable sum-rate, energy and spectral efficiency. In order to provide further insights on ISIC, an asymptotic analysis is also provided. Comparisons with SIC reveal that for the signal with the second-lowest power allocation level, ISIC achieves better performance, while the performance of the information signal with the minimum allocated power is degraded. Overall, our findings shed light on the performance of NOMA in practical settings where SIC can not be correctly performed and focuses on the worst-case where the decoding order at the receiver is completely inversed.
Perceived comfort and tool usability during robot-assisted and traditional laparoscopic surgery: a survey study
Authors: Hislop Jaime , Tirosh Oren , Isaksson Mats , McCormick John , Hensman Chrys
Published: January 2024

It is known that over half of previously surveyed surgeons performing Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery (RALS) and three-quarters of those performing Traditional Laparoscopic Surgery (TLS) experience intraoperative pain. This survey study aimed to expand upon the ongoing impact of that pain as well as perceived tool usability associated with TLS and RALS, for which considerably less documentation exists. A survey regarding the presence and impact, either immediate or ongoing, of intraoperative pain and Likert scale questions regarding tool usability was administered to TLS and RALS surgeons on the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) mailing list. Prevalence statistics as well as trends based on biological sex and glove size were obtained from the 323 responses. Most respondents were right-handed European males (83−88%) with a medium glove size (55.8%). Moderate or severe shoulder symptoms were experienced by one-third of TLS surgeons. Twenty-one percent of RALS surgeons experienced neck symptoms that impacted their concentration. Small-handed surgeons experienced wrist symptoms significantly more frequently than large-handed surgeons, regardless of modality. RALS was associated with a significantly more optimal back and wrist posture compared to TLS. TLS surgeons reported increased ease with applying and moderating force while operating. These results suggest that intraoperative pain may be severe enough in many cases to interfere with surgeon concentration, negatively impacting patient care. Continuing to understand the relationship between tool usability and comfort is crucial in guaranteeing the health and well-being of both surgeons and patients.
Using AI to Write a Review Article Examining the Role of the Nervous System on Skeletal Homeostasis and Fracture Healing
Authors: Nazzal Murad K. , Morris Ashlyn J. , Parker Reginald S. , White Fletcher A. , Natoli Roman M. , Fehrenbacher Jill C. , Kacena Melissa A.
Published: January 2024

Purpose of Review

Three review articles have been written that discuss the roles of the central and peripheral nervous systems in fracture healing. While content among the articles is overlapping, there is a key difference between them: the use of artificial intelligence (AI). In one paper, the first draft was written solely by humans. In the second paper, the first draft was written solely by AI using ChatGPT 4.0 (AI-only or AIO). In the third paper, the first draft was written using ChatGPT 4.0 but the literature references were supplied from the human-written paper (AI-assisted or AIA). This project was done to evaluate the capacity of AI to conduct scientific writing. Importantly, all manuscripts were fact checked and extensively edited by all co-authors rendering the final manuscript drafts significantly different from the first drafts.

Recent Findings

Unsurprisingly, the use of AI decreased the time spent to write a review. The two AI-written reviews took less time to write than the human-written paper; however, the changes and editing required in all three manuscripts were extensive. The human-written paper was edited the most. On the other hand, the AI-only paper was the most inaccurate with inappropriate reference usage and the AI-assisted paper had the greatest incidence of plagiarism.

These findings show that each style of writing presents its own unique set of challenges and advantages. While AI can theoretically write scientific reviews, from these findings, the extent of editing done subsequently, the inaccuracy of the claims it makes, and the plagiarism by AI are all factors to be considered and a primary reason why it may be several years into the future before AI can present itself as a viable alternative for traditional scientific writing.
Boric Acid and Borax Protect Human Lymphocytes from Oxidative Stress and Genotoxicity Induced by 3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol
Authors: Turkez Hasan , Tozlu Ozlem Ozdemir , Arslan Mehmet Enes , Baba Cem , Saracoglu Muhammed Melik , Yıldız Edanur , Tatar Abdulgani , Mardinoglu Adil
Published: January 2024

3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) is a member of the group of pollutants known as chloropropanols and is considered a genotoxic carcinogen. Due to the occurrence of 3-MCPD, which cannot be avoided in multiplexed food processes, it is necessary to explore novel agents to reduce or prevent the toxicity of 3-MCPD. Many recent studies on boron compounds reveal their superior biological roles such as antioxidant, anticancer, and antigenotoxic properties. In the current investigation, we have evaluated in vitro cytotoxic, oxidative, and genotoxic damage potential of 3-MCPD on human whole blood cultures and the alleviating effect of boric acid (BA) and borax (BX) for 72 h. In our in vitro experiments, we have treated blood cells with BA and BX (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/L) and 3-MCPD (at IC50 of 11.12 mg/l) for 72 h to determine the cytotoxic damage potential by using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays. Oxidative damage was assessed using total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Genotoxicity evaluations were performed using chromosome aberrations (CAs) and 8-hydroxy deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) assays. The result of our experiments showed that the 3-MCPD compound induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity in a clear concentration-dependent manner. BA and BX reduced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity induced by 3-MCPD. In conclusion, BA and BX are safe and non-genotoxic under the in vitro conditions and can alleviate cytotoxic, oxidative, and genetic damage induced by 3-MCPD in the human blood cells. Our findings suggest that dietary boron supplements may offer a novel strategy for mitigating hematotoxicity induced by xenobiotics, including 3-MCPD.
Incidental thyroid carcinoma in an endemic goiter area in Italy: histopathological features and predictors of a common finding
Authors: Chiefari Eusebio , Innaro Nadia , Gervasi Rita , Mirabelli Maria , Giuliano Stefania , Donnici Alessandra , Obiso Stefania , Brunetti Francesco S. , Foti Daniela Patrizia , Brunetti Antonio
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The occurrence and histopathological features of incidental thyroid carcinoma (ITC) vary considerably among populations from different geographical regions. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and histopathological characteristics of ITC in patients who underwent thyroid surgery for apparently benign thyroid diseases in an endemic goiter area in Italy.

Methods

A total of 649 consecutive patients (531 females and 118 males; mean age, 52.9 ± 11.0 years), who underwent thyroid surgery at the Endocrine Surgery Unit of the tertiary care “Renato Dulbecco” University Hospital (Catanzaro, Italy) in the period between years 2017 and 2022, were included in this retrospective study. A comprehensive histopathological examination was performed on surgically excised thyroid tissue. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify potential predictors of ITC.

Results

The histopathological examination revealed the presence of ITC in 81 patients, accounting for 12.5% of the total study population. The female to male ratio was found to be 6.4 to 1. Among the patients with ITC, 72 had papillary carcinoma (PTC), with 53 of these tumors being microcarcinomas (microPTC). Additionally, 5 patients had follicular thyroid carcinoma, 2 patients had low-risk follicular cell-derived thyroid neoplasms, 1 patient had an oncocytic carcinoma, and 1 patient had a medullary thyroid carcinoma. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between female sex and incidental microPTC.

Conclusions

These findings provide further evidence of the common occurrence of ITC, typically in the form of microPTC, among individuals who undergo thyroid surgery for apparently benign thyroid diseases.
Early-Life Social Determinants of SCA6 Age at Onset, Severity, and Progression
Authors: Chen Tiffany X. , Casey Hannah L. , Lin Chi-Ying R. , Boyle Theresa A. , Schmahmann Jeremy D. , L’Italien Gilbert J. , Kuo Sheng-Han , Gomez Christopher M.
Published: January 2024

SCA6 patients with the same size CAG repeat allele can vary significantly in age at onset (AAO) and clinical progression. The specific external factors affecting SCA6 have yet to be investigated. We assessed the effect of early life events on AAO, severity, and progression in SCA6 patients using a social determinant of health approach. We performed a survey of biological and social factors in SCA6 patients enrolled in the SCA6 Network at the University of Chicago. AAO of ataxia symptoms and patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) of ataxia were used as primary outcome measures. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operation (LASSO) regressions were used to identify which early life factors are predictive of SCA6 AAO, severity, and progression. Multiple linear regression models were then used to assess the degree to which these determinants influence SCA6 health outcomes. A total of 105 participants with genetically confirmed SCA6 completed the assessments. SCA6 participants with maternal difficulty during pregnancy, active participation in school sports, and/or longer CAG repeats were determined to have earlier AAO. We found a 13.44-year earlier AAO for those with maternal difficulty in pregnancy than those without (p = 0.008) and a 12.31-year earlier AAO for those active in school sports than those who were not (p < 0.001). Higher education attainment was associated with decreased SCA6 severity and slower progression. Early life biological and social factors can have a strong influence on the SCA6 disease course, indicating that non-genetic factors can contribute significantly to SCA6 health outcomes.
A Comprehensive Descriptive Analysis of Out-of-Session Meditation in a Residential Treatment Setting: Duration, Frequency, and Type of Practice
Authors: Zhang Diana , Black David S.
Published: January 2024

Objectives

A nuanced examination of human behavior can yield valuable insights into whether a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) promotes meditation practices and to what degree in various populations. This study aimed to offer a comprehensive analysis of meditation behaviors exhibited by individuals in response to a MBI in the context of an intensive residential treatment program for addiction recovery.

Method

A total of 100 participants enrolled in a residential treatment program participated in an added MBI component to their routine care. We quantified the type, frequency, and duration of meditation practices outside of scheduled MBI sessions and conducted a descriptive analysis to investigate how these practices during the intervention predicted meditation behaviors 7 months later.

Results

All seven common types of mindfulness meditation assessed, except the body scan, were performed an average of once per day during the MBI. The longest average duration of meditation practice was observed in the case of walking meditation, during both the MBI (M=20.30, SD=16.66 min) and 7-month follow-up (M=25.43, SD=20.85 min). Out-of-session meditation frequency (unstandardized beta, B=0.56, p<0.001) and duration (B=0.45, p=0.02) during the MBI significantly predicted subsequent meditation behaviors 7 months later, even after adjusting for treatment site discharge status and other clinical variables.

Conclusions

Most participants in this addiction recovery sample consistently engaged in a variety of meditation practices outside of formal MBI class sessions while in residential living, performing them approximately once a day, with a particularly robust response to walking meditation. The persistence of meditation practice 7 months later suggests that the learned behaviors endure throughout addiction recovery.

Preregistration

This original trial is registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02977988)
Imagining sustainable futures: a response to Buhr
Authors: Gerola Alessio
Published: January 2024

In this response, I express sympathy for Buhr's proposal to expand our typology into an ethical framework of eco-normative profiling of (sustainable) technologies. I reflect on crucial issues that this framework should include, offering some words of caution against taking concepts such as Anthropocene and sustainability too lightly. I end with an invitation to include multiple and diverse perspectives about what sustainable futures could look like.
On Crofton’s type formulas and the solid angle of convex sets
Authors: Bruna J. , Cufí J. , Gallego E. , Reventós A.
Published: January 2024

Here we analyze three dimensional analogues of the classic Crofton formula for planar compact convex sets. In this formula a fundamental role is played by the visual angle of the convex set from an exterior point. A generalization of the visual angle to convex sets in the Euclidean space is the visual solid angle. This solid angle, being an spherically convex set in the unit sphere, has perimeter, area and other geometric quantities to be considered. The main goal of this note is to express invariant quantities of the original convex set depending on volume, surface area and mean curvature integral by means of integrals of functions related to the solid angle.
Synthesis of CaO-Fe and CaO-Ag nanocomposites using raw and hydrolyzed waste chicken eggshell and investigation of their antimicrobial, biofilm inhibition activity, DNA cleavage ability, and antioxidant activity properties
Authors: Tollu Gülşah , Yabalak Erdal , Özdemir Sadin , Işık Zelal , Dizge Nadir
Published: January 2024

In this study, CaO-Fe and CaO-Ag nanocomposites were synthesized and various biological properties were characterized. E. coli cell viability, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antibiofilm, and DNA cleavage properties were examined. All nanocomposites, namely raw CaO-Ag (R-CaO-Ag), hydrolyzed CaO-Ag (H-CaO-Ag), raw CaO-Fe (R-CaO-Fe), and hydrolyzed CaO-Fe (H-CaO-Fe), were found to have good antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm properties. They showed antioxidant activity of 83.33%, 70.60%, 74.73%, and 72.78%, respectively, at 200 mg/L nanocomposites. When DNA cleavage properties of R-CaO-Ag, H-CaO-Ag, R-CaO-Fe, and H-CaO-Fe were evaluated at different concentrations, single-strand break was observed for all samples. It was shown that R-CaO-Ag was more effective against S. aureus and C. tropicalis, and H-CaO-Ag was more effective against E. hirae. It was found that the antimicrobial activities of R-CaO-Ag and H-CaO-Ag were higher compared to R-CaO-Fe and H-CaO-Fe. The microbial cell viability of nanocomposites was examined at three different concentrations. Even at the lowest concentration (125 mg/L), high values of E. coli inhibition were found as 98.65%, 100%, 90.24%, and 88.63%, respectively. Also, it was observed that all nanocomposites exhibited excellent biofilm inhibition activities. The antibiofilm abilities of one Gr (+) and one Gr (−) microorganism at three different concentrations were investigated. Biofilm inhibition percentages of R-CaO-Ag, H-CaO-Ag, R-CaO-Fe, and H-CaO-Fe were found as 65.83%, 86.5%, 89.67%, and 93.62% for S. aureus at 500 mg/L, respectively, while it was 50.06%, 90.68%, 71.69%, and 92.36% for P. aeruginosa, respectively, at 500 mg/L.
Moving up the ladder: the spatial determinants of intergenerational occupational mobility in rural India
Authors: Sen Kunal
Published: January 2024

In this study, we examine the “geography of mobility” for rural India. We study the spatial determinants of intergenerational occupational mobility across villages in India. Using a nationally representative data set—the Indian Human Development Survey of 2011–2012, which has detailed information on the occupations of fathers and sons as well as data on village-level covariates, we find clear effects of village-level factors in explaining intergenerational occupational mobility. The remoteness of the village, its agro-ecological and climactic conditions, infrastructural public goods and its economic prosperity are important correlates of whether the son is less likely to follow his parent’s occupation in the village.
Happiness among subaltern groups: Dalits in India and blacks in South Africa
Authors: Borooah Vani Kant
Published: January 2024

This study has two purposes; the first is to test differences between dominant and subordinate groups in India and South Africa. For India, the comparison is between caste groups: the dominant “forward castes” and the subordinate “non-forward castes”. For South Africa, the comparison is between racial groups: whites as a dominant group and non-Whites (Blacks, Coloured, and Asians) as a subordinate group. The second purpose of the study is to compare happiness levels between India and South Africa with a view to rigorously establishing where happiness is greatest and what its drivers are. These issues are examined using data from the World Values Survey (WVS). Covering in excess of 250,000 respondents drawn from 90 countries, and available for the period 1994–2014, WVS remains the most widely accessible database on well-being. This study establishes that, in general, Indians were happier than South Africans in this period, meaning that the predicted probability of being happy was, on average, higher in India (84.2%) than in South Africa (81.1%). Another important finding was that persons from the dominant groups were more likely to be happy in South Africa than in India but that persons from the subordinate groups were more likely to be happy in India than in South Africa.
The gender bias in regional councilors’ reelection in Italy
Authors: Cellini Roberto , Cuccia Tiziana
Published: January 2024

This study evaluates whether a gender bias exists in the reelection of regional councilors in Italy. A dataset of 4794 councilors elected since 1985 is considered; 597 (i.e., 12.45%) among them are women. The determinants of the reelection are analyzed. A significant gender bias in reelection emerges, even after controlling for several individual and institutional factors. The gender bias in reelection is stable over time, similar across different traditional political parties, and similar in different geographical areas. Institutional and individual factors are also studied in the interaction with gender bias.
Developing the Workforce of the Digital Future: mHealth Competency and Fidelity Measurement in Community-Based Care
Authors: Kopelovich Sarah L. , Buck Benjamin E. , Tauscher Justin , Lyon Aaron R. , Ben-Zeev Dror
Published: January 2024

Integrating mobile health (mHealth) interventions into settings that serve diverse patient populations requires that prerequisite professional competencies are delineated and that standards for clinical quality assurance can be pragmatically assessed. Heretofore, proposed mHealth competencies have been broad and have lacked a framework to support specific applications. We outline the meta-competencies identified in the literature relevant to mHealth interventions and demonstrate how these meta-competencies can be integrated with population- and intervention-related competencies to help guide a pragmatic approach to competency assessment. We present a use case based on FOCUS—an evidence-based mHealth intervention designed for individuals with serious mental illness and currently being implemented in geographically and demographically diverse community behavioral health settings. Subsequent to identifying the cross-cutting competencies relevant to the target population (outpatients experiencing psychotic symptoms), substratal intervention (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis), and treatment modality (mHealth), we detail the development process of an mHealth fidelity monitoring system (mHealth-FMS). We adhered to a published sequential 5-step process to design a fidelity monitoring system that aligns with our integrated mHealth competency framework and that was guided by best practices prescribed by the Treatment Fidelity Workgroup of the National Institutes of Health Behavior Change Consortium. The mHealth-FMS is intended to enhance both clinical and implementation outcomes by grounding the mHealth interventionist and the system of care in which they operate in the core functions, tasks, knowledge, and competencies associated with system-integrated mHealth delivery. Future research will explore acceptability and feasibility of the mHealth-FMS.
Social networking usage and mental health problems in the Kurdistan region of Iraq during the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown
Authors: Hama amin Dyari S. , Mohammad Parzheen J.
Published: January 2024

The COVID-19 outbreak, as an international health emergency, led to uncertainty. Pandemics can be stressful and anxiety-producing for community individuals. Moreover, due to lockdown measures implemented to slow down the spread of the disease, an increase in the usage of social media was reported. Therefore, this study aims to find the prevalence of mental health problems and the level of social media usage during the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Kurdistan region, Iraq. Furthermore, the relationship between mental health problems (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) and social media usage is explored. The study was cross-sectional; the data was collected through a snowball sampling method in which 355 participants completed an online questionnaire. Social networking usage questionnaire, Hopkins Symptom Checklist-15 (HSCL-25), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were used as measurement tools. The results showed that the level of social networking usage was moderate. As for mental health problems, 76.5% of the respondents showed moderate to high stress levels, 56.4% reported experiencing depression, and 37.4% reported experiencing anxiety. Significant gender differences were found in depression, anxiety, and stress, with females scoring higher in all categories. In the mental health problem domains, only depression scores positively correlated with social media usage. The findings also showed social networking usage is associated with higher depression and anxiety; however, the effect sizes were small. Therefore, more research into this matter is necessary in the cultural context of the Kurdistan region to reach conclusive results.
Implementation of direct battery driven discharge in triggerless operation of vacuum arc thrusters
Authors: Saletes James , Saddul Kash , Wittig Alexander , Kim Minkwan
Published: January 2024

The increasing demand for CubeSat missions with limited budgets and constrained timelines necessitates the development of innovative propulsion systems. This paper focuses on vacuum arc thrusters (VATs) and investigates the implementation of battery-driven discharge for triggerless firing. VATs offer a promising alternative for CubeSat propulsion, generating thrust through the pulsed ejection of plasma in a cathode arc discharge. The study explores the feasibility of direct battery-driven discharge in VATs and demonstrates stable and variable-duration pulses. Experimental testing using high C-rating lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries showcase the advantages and operational benefits of this approach. The results highlight the potential for variable energy pulses, precise control of thrust impulse bit, and improved performance compared to capacitor-driven systems. Future research directions include optimising pulse duration for enhanced lifetime, plume analysis, and erosion rate investigations. The implementation of VATs with battery-driven discharge presents a promising solution to enhance the performance and reliability of CubeSat propulsion systems while ensuring compliance with space sustainability guidelines.
The Problem of Animal Pain
Authors: Campbell Victoria
Published: January 2024

In this Element atheists cite animal pain as compelling evidence against the existence of the loving God portrayed in the Judeo-Christian Bible. William Rowe, Paul Draper, Richard Dawkins and others claim widespread unnecessary suffering exists in nature and challenge theism with the Evidential Problem of Natural Evil. This Element engages the scientific literature in order to evaluate the validity of those claims and offers a theodicy of God's providential care for animals through natural pain mitigating processes.
Lawyers, Archivists, and the Turn to Transparency in the French State
Authors: Levi Ron , Marois Sophie , Dezalay Sara
Published: January 2024

In 2021, the French government commissioned two reports on episodes of extreme violence involving France's past: the Algerian War and the Rwandan genocide. Both reports grapple with how “the past haunts the present and the future,”3 a theme that is central to Karen Knop's scholarly legacy. In both reports, legal, historical, and archival expertise are positioned to redraw and recast relations of France to Africa. We argue that the reports’ focus on the role of a particular class of experts (namely archivist and historians, rather than lawyers) reflects France's current approach to narrating historical injustice, emphasizing public memory of violent pasts, rather than legal responsibility of the French state.
What is coastal subsidence?
Authors: Törnqvist Torbjörn E. , Blum Michael D.
Published: January 2024

Major technological advances have made measurements of coastal subsidence more sophisticated, but these advances have not always been matched by a thorough examination of what is actually being measured. Here we draw attention to the widespread confusion about key concepts in the coastal subsidence literature, much of which revolves around the interplay between sediment accretion, vertical land motion and surface-elevation change. We attempt to reconcile this by drawing on well-established concepts from the tectonics community. A consensus on these issues by means of a common language can help bridge the gap between disparate disciplines (ranging from geophysics to ecology) that are critical in the quest for meaningful projections of future relative sea-level rise.
Cogroupoid structures on the circle and the Hodge degeneration
Authors: Moulinos Tasos
Published: January 2024

We exhibit the Hodge degeneration from nonabelian Hodge theory as a$2$-fold delooping of the filtered loop space$E_2$-groupoid in formal moduli problems. This is an iterated groupoid object which in degree$1$recovers the filtered circle$S^1_{fil}$of [MRT22]. This exploits a hitherto unstudied additional piece of structure on the topological circle, that of an$E_2$-cogroupoid object in the$\infty $-category of spaces. We relate this cogroupoid structure with the more commonly studied ‘pinch map’ on$S^1$, as well as the Todd class of the Lie algebroid$\mathbb {T}_{X}$; this is an invariant of a smooth and proper schemeXthat arises, for example, in the Grothendieck-Riemann-Roch theorem. In particular, we relate the existence of nontrivial Todd classes for schemes to the failure of the pinch map to be formal in the sense of rational homotopy theory. Finally, we record some consequences of this bit of structure at the level of Hochschild cohomology.
The trilobite assemblage of the Declivolithus Fauna (lower Katian, Ordovician) of Morocco: a review with new data
Authors: Pereira Sofia , Rábano Isabel , Gutiérrez-Marco Juan Carlos
Published: January 2024

Intense commercial exploitation of fossils in the famous El Qaid Errami area in the last 20 years has led to the discovery of the interesting Declivolithus Fauna in the Moroccan Anti-Atlas. This unusually large trinucleid trilobite, described originally from the Czech Republic, is the most conspicuous element of an assemblage mainly occurring in the Bofloss locality, a local biofacies development of pelagic mudstones and sandstones cropping out in a structurally isolated place in the Tizi n'Ounfite area. Here we revise this Declivolithus Fauna trilobite assemblage from Morocco, increasing the known trilobite diversity from four to 11 species: Ulugtella? biformis n. sp., Selenopeltis cf. S. vultuosa, Phacopidina quadrata, Eudolatites cf. E. bondoni, Prionocheilus cf. P. verneuili, Nobiliasaphus cf. N. kumatox, Cyclopyge cf. C. rediviva, Symphysops stevaninae, Heterocyclopyge sp., Dionide sp., and Declivolithus alfredi. The new data and the very good preservation of specimens in sandstones, clarify the specific identity of previously reported taxa. Although the stratigraphical correlation of the fossiliferous levels remains problematic, it probably corresponds to the upper part of the Lower Ktaoua Formation or to the lower half of the Upper Tiouririne Formation. Most taxa support previous assignment of the Moroccan assemblage to the late Berounian (ca. early Katian, Ka2), although a middle Berounian (ca. Sa2–Ka1) age cannot be excluded. Most of the identified species are known from the Czech Republic (eight out of 11), showing that the strong faunal link between Morocco and the Czech Republic still existed during the Late Ordovician, being stronger than the link with the coeval Ibero-Armorican domain faunas.

UUID: http://zoobank.org/3e6e55c7-168d-4008-98ba-38a795581ca3
The development of aGender, Inclusion and Diversity Frameworkfor inclusive Nature-based Solutions in cities
Authors: Delbaere Ben , Pereira Barboza Evelise , Van Rafelghem Evelien , Potter Kalyn , McCabe Eilish , McBeth Áine , Utkarsh Shreya , Rudd Kassia , Fernandez de Osso Fuentes Maria J. , Duarte Adriana , Gäckle Julia , Keune Hans
Published: January 2024

Evidence consistently shows that the benefits Nature-based Solutions generate are determined by several individual characteristics such as gender, age, sexuality, ethnicity and disability. As a result, Nature-based Solutions can perpetuate existing inequalities and even create new inequalities partly because diverse minority and marginalized people are underrepresented in the process of designing and implementing Nature-based Solutions. Therefore, some Nature-based Solutions scholars have highlighted the necessity to actively involve diverse minority and marginalized groups into the co-creation processes of Nature-based Solutions and to investigate who benefits from the Nature-based Solution and why. Within the GoGreenRoutes H2020 project a transdisciplinary gender, inclusion and diversity panel was established in order to map existing challenges within the consortium. Concordantly, relevant scientific resources and policy documents were identified. Both were blended during consensus meetings in order to develop a common understanding leading to a theoretical gender, inclusion and diversity framework. This framework consists of five domains: (1) gender equality; (2) LGBTQI + rights; (3) social, cultural and ethnic background; (4) people with disabilities; (5) integration of refugees and immigrants; and (6) intergenerational perspectives. Further, the framework was operationalized through the development of a checklist for researchers and practitioners.