bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Institution level awarding gap metrics for identifying educational inequity: useful tools or reductive distractions?
Authors: Hubbard Katharine Elizabeth
Published: April 2024

Equity is increasingly seen as a core value for higher education systems around the world. (In)equity is often measured through construction of achievement gaps, quantifying the relative outcomes of two populations of students. Institution-level gaps are embedded in the policy landscape of HE, becoming performance metrics in their own right. These gap metrics increasingly inform the actions of governments, regulators, institutions and educators. This theoretical article scrutinises the technical and conceptual construction of achievement gaps through using the dominant UK conception of the institution level degree classification ‘awarding gap’. Drawing on Adam’s Equity Theory of Motivation, Rawls’s Distributive Justice and the Capability Approach as theoretical perspectives, I highlight multiple structural weaknesses in the conception of the awarding gap. I illustrate the implications of this metric by analysing simulated awarding gap data for a fictional institution, and through the perspectives of five idealised stakeholders. I identify multiple technical and theoretical limitations of the institution level awarding gap metric, including examples where the threshold-based nature of the awarding gap fails to capture statistical differences between groups, thereby undermining its utility in identifying inequity. I call on the sector to develop metrics that more accurately capture (in)equity of outcomes and align better with theoretical frameworks, thereby creating more powerful explanatory metrics that can inform meaningful action.
Resistance is not futile: a systematic review of the benefits, mechanisms and safety of resistance training in people with heart failure
Authors: Morris Bradley A. , Sinaei Ronak , Smart Neil A.
Published: April 2024

Exercise offers many physical and health benefits to people with heart failure (CHF), but aerobic training (AT) predominates published literature. Resistance training (RT) provides additional and complementary health benefits to AT in people with CHF; we aimed to elucidate specific health benefits accrued, the mechanism of effect and safety of RT. We conducted a systematic search for RT randomised, controlled trials in people with CHF, up until August 30, 2023. RT offers several benefits including improved physical function (peak VO2and 6MWD), quality of life, cardiac systolic and diastolic function, endothelial blood vessel function, muscle strength, anti-inflammatory muscle markers, appetite and serious event rates. RT is beneficial and improves peak VO2and 6MWD, partly restores normal muscle fibre profile and decreases inflammation. In turn this leads to a reduced risk or impact of sarcopenia/cachexia via effect on appetite. The positive impact on quality of life and performance of activities of daily living is related to improved function, which in turn improves prognosis. RT appears to be safe with only one serious event reported and no deaths. Nevertheless, few events reported to date limit robust analysis. RT appears to be safe and offers health benefits to people with CHF. RT modifies the adverse muscle phenotype profile present in people with CHF and it appears safe. Starting slowly with RT and increasing load to 80% of 1 repetition maximum (RM) appears to offer optimal benefit.
Masks Versus Cattle: The Ecology of an African Art Form
Authors: van Beek Walter E. A.
Published: April 2024

Masquerades form an important part of indigenous African religions, and headpieces of masks are found all over the world as an iconic African art form. Contrary to expectation, however, the geographical distribution of masking is very restricted, occurring only in three areas of the continent, mainly situated in the forested zones. I explain this peculiar distribution by tracing the ecological and historical parameters of the societies that harbor mask rituals. The main ecological factors are the absence of cattle and the type of horticulture, while a crucial historical element is the long history of slave raiding and trading to which the continent has been subjected. These factors have led to societies in which both gender and local power arrangements show a marked indeterminacy, operating as internal arenas between men and women, and between different groups of men. Crucial in the explanation of masquerades is the fact that masking is completely absent from societies that practice cattle husbandry with the Bos indicus species (zebu). Since sleeping sickness prohibits cattle husbandry, wherever the tsetse fly thrives, masks appear.
A Real-time Fuzzy Interacting Multiple-Model Velocity Obstacle Avoidance Approach for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Candan Fethi , Beke Aykut , Mahfouf Mahdi , Mihaylova Lyudmila
Published: April 2024

This paper presents a new fuzzy interacting multiple-model velocity obstacle (FIMVO) approach for collision avoidance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The proposed approach adopts in one framework the advantages of geometric collision avoidance approaches, namely of the velocity (VO), reciprocal velocity (RVO), and hybrid reciprocal velocity obstacle (HRVO) avoidance approaches combined with fuzzy logic. This leads to a combined decision-making rule, with real-time efficiency. The developed approach is compared with geometric conventional velocity obstacle avoidance approaches: VO, RVO, and HRVO avoidance approaches. The proposed approach is carefully evaluated and validated in a simulation environment and over real UAVs. The case study includes three mini UAVs and a human teleoperator who can control only one of them. The other UAVs used the computer-based teleoperator with the proposed and compared approaches. The performance criteria have been defined in four parts: trajectory smoothness, task performance, algorithm simplicity, and reliability. In 1000 independently repeated simulations, the performance results showed that the proposed FIMVO approach was 10 times better than the VO approach in terms of the number of avoided collisions. The statistical analysis demonstrates that the proposed FIMVO approach outperforms geometric velocity obstacle avoidance approaches concerning reliability and real-time efficiency.
Effect of Cr doping and photoresponse properties of photodiode based on CdO thin films
Authors: Soylu Murat
Published: April 2024

Cadmium oxide (CdO) and chromium (Cr) doped CdO thin films with various Cr wt% contents (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2 at.%) are synthesised on soda lime glass (SLG) substrates. Results from X-ray analysis indicate that all thin films are in cubic nature with (111) preferential orientation. Cr doping does not appear to result in a transition from one crystal phase to another. CdO with the 2.0 wt% Cr doping absorbs much more light than undoped CdO in low wavelength region (< ≈450 nm), giving a maximum absorption peak in the ultraviolet region. Cr doped CdO/p-Si heterojunction shows the Cr wt% content-sensitive rectification property, achieving a high ratio of 105. In addition, Cr doped CdO/p-Si heterojunction exhibits photodiode behavior and possesses an improved photo-to-dark current ratio of ≈153. This work introduces an occasion to develop the optoelectronic devices based on Cr doped CdO thin films.
A generational perspective on owner-occupation rates among migrants and their (grand)children in the Netherlands
Authors: van Gent Wouter , Zorlu Aslan
Published: April 2024

Classical assimilation theories hold that immigrant groups will slowly integrate economically over time over multiple generations, which implies that the (grand)children of immigrants will improve their housing market position compared to their (grand)parents and transition from rental housing to owner-occupation. This study uses unique data on the children and grandchildren of immigrants and native Dutch (‘third generation’) in 2018 to assess whether and how the descendants of large immigrant groups from the postwar era have attained ownership. The generational perspective is two-fold. First, we are interested in how individuals from various generations compare within and between origin groups (generational comparison). Second, the study also assesses the role of parental wealth and tenure in intergenerational transfers, i.e., ethnic and generational differences in the effects of these parental background variables. Our estimates from logistic regression models show that Surinamese-Dutch and Turkish-Dutch see higher predicted owner-occupation rates over generations, with some Turkish-Dutch groups having higher rates than native-Dutch. The parental background variables partly predict owner-occupation rates and explain group differences, which indicates the importance of generational transfers.
The Significance of Religion and Spirituality Among Turkish Women Surviving Breast Cancer Without Treatment: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Güvener Yasemin Özyer
Published: April 2024

The health of breast cancer survivors is a global concern. It is crucial to adopt a holistic approach when understanding their journey from illness to wellness in order to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible. This study focused on the experiences of Muslim women who had overcome breast cancer and were adapting to life post-treatment. Snowball sampling was used to select the participants for this qualitative study. Fifteen women who had successfully completed breast cancer treatment and been declared cancer-free were interviewed. These interviews were semi-structured, using open-ended questions to explore their experiences in-depth. The interviews were conducted by phone, and the data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The study identified four main themes, nine subthemes, and 41 codes. The main themes were as follows: (a) a life changed by cancer and the difficulties encountered; (b) transition from active treatment to treatment-free living; (c) coping mechanisms; and (d) future hopes and expectations. The findings highlighted the survivors’ desire to move past their experience of cancer and normalize their lives, as well as emphasizing their need for support. The participants shared detailed accounts of their journey, the obstacles they encountered during this transition, and the critical role of religion and spirituality in overcoming these challenges. Understanding and effectively managing the experiences of women after breast cancer treatment is vital not only for improving survival rates but also for facilitating their healing process.
The Effect of Religious Attitude on Death Anxiety among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis Treatment: A Sample from Turkey
Authors: Yıldırım Üşenmez Tülay , Demir Dikmen Rukiye
Published: April 2024

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of religious attitude on death anxiety among patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. This cross-sectional study included 77 patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. The religious attitude scale (RAS) and the death anxiety scale (DAS) were used to collect data. The results revealed a moderately strong negative relationship between the mean RAS total score and the mean DAS total score (r = − 0.350, p < 0.05). Additionally, religious attitude accounted for 12% of the variance in death anxiety (R2 = 0.12). Accordingly, the levels of religious attitude exhibited by patients may negatively affect their death anxiety.
Higher crop rotational diversity in more simplified agricultural landscapes in Northeastern Germany
Authors: Schiller Josepha , Jänicke Clemens , Reckling Moritz , Ryo Masahiro
Published: April 2024

Context

Both crop rotational diversity and landscape diversity are important for ensuring resilient agricultural production and supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes. However, the relationship between crop rotational diversity and landscape diversity is largely understudied.

Objectives

We aim to assess how crop rotational diversity is spatially organised in relation to soil, climate, and landscape diversity at a regional scale in Brandenburg, Germany.

Methods

We used crop rotational richness, Shannon’s diversity and evenness indices per field per decade (i.e., crop rotational diversity) as a proxy for agricultural diversity and land use and land cover types and habitat types as proxies for landscape diversity. Soil and climate characteristics and geographical positions were used to identify potential drivers of the diversity facets. All spatial information was aggregated at 10 × 10 km resolution, and statistical associations were explored with interpretable machine learning methods.

Results

Crop rotational diversity was associated negatively with landscape diversity metrics and positively with soil quality and the proportion of agricultural land use area, even after accounting for the other variables.

Conclusion

Our study indicates a spatial trade-off between crop and landscape diversity (competition for space), and crop rotations are more diverse in more simplified landscapes that are used for agriculture with good quality of soil conditions. The respective strategies and targets should be tailored to the corresponding local and regional conditions for maintaining or enhancing both crop and landscape diversity jointly to gain their synergistic positive impacts on agricultural production and ecosystem management.
Typical spelling errors of Grade 1 spellers of Polish: An exploratory study adapting the POMAS classification to the Polish orthography
Authors: Łockiewicz Marta , Barzowska Natalia
Published: April 2024

This paper presents the adaptation of the POMAS classification of spelling errors (Silliman et al., Developmental Neuropsychology 29:93–123, 2006, Bahr et al., Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research 55:1587–1599, 2012; International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism 18:73–91, 2015) to Polish orthography. We identified the most common phonological, orthographic, and/or morphological errors committed by Polish Grade 1 spellers based on a writing-to-dictation task. Some of the error types were included in the original POMAS; some we added, following the classification rationale, to adapt the classification to the specific features of the Polish orthography. Moreover, we found that the participants made, on average, an equal number of phonological and orthographic errors, and of phonological and morphological errors. However, orthographic errors were more frequent than morphological ones. A roughly equal proportion of orthographic and phonological errors occurred in the spelling of the most difficult words. The most frequent orthographic error type was grapheme substitution, followed by final consonant devoicing, and consonant devoicing within a word errors. The most frequent phonological error type were misspellings in diacritic signs, followed by consonant deletion, vowel deletion, and epenthesis. The developed POMAS-PL version may be used by other researchers of Slavic languages, to allow for intercultural comparisons. Moreover, our analyses can be used by teachers of Polish as a first and a second language to anticipate their students’ errors and to understand what knowledge the learners need to learn to spell correctly.
Impact of Argument-Driven Inquiry Activities on Pre-service Science Teachers’ Views of the Nature of Scientific Inquiry in the Context of Climate Change Education
Authors: Erenler Sumeyye , Cetin Pinar Seda , Eymur Gülüzar
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to investigate how argument-driven inquiry (ADI) activities impact pre-service teachers’ views of the nature of scientific inquiry (NOSI), with a specific focus on climate change. To this end, an ADI approach was used to teach climate change, where the aspects of NOSI were explicitly taught. A sample of 24 pre-service teachers participated in a science project which included ADI sessions addressing climate change topics. The pre-service teachers participated in four ADI activities related to rising sea levels, clean water resources, extreme weather events, and zero energy building. The sessions involved explicit instruction on NOSI to enhance pre-service teachers’ understanding. A view of scientific inquiry (VOSI) questionnaire was used to investigate pre-service teachers’ views of scientific inquiry before and after the instruction. The results of the study showed that the pre-service teachers improved in all six aspects of NOSI, but higher improvements were observed in the aspects “multiple methods of scientific investigations” and “distinctions between data and evidence.”
Rodolfo Sacco’s Theoretical Contribution to Comparative Law: A Personal Account
Authors: Graziadei Michele
Published: April 2024

This article highlights certain aspects of Rodolfo Sacco’s theoretical work on comparative law. Rather than offering an exhaustive discussion, it outlines key points in his intellectual journey to help the reader understand how certain themes gained prominence in his work. An outstanding figure in the comparative law community since the 1970s, he remained active until the end of his life, well into the twenty-first century. Through his many contributions to the field, Sacco took comparative law research in new directions. He developed a more nuanced and complex analysis of the tasks of the comparative lawyer, elaborating an approach to comparison that does justice to the multiple components of all legal systems (“legal formants”) and their dynamics. We owe him a fine study of the silent, implicit dimensions of law that have a major impact on its application (“cryptotypes”), and a reflection on the relationship between law and language that shows how comparative law is deeply implicated in the process of translation.
Trust and reliance in the cognitive institutions of cryptocurrency
Authors: Petracca Enrico , Gallagher Shaun
Published: April 2024

The stated aim of cryptocurrencies is to free the monetary system from the need to trust financial intermediaries, by relying on incentive design and technology. Many descriptive studies, however, have questioned cryptocurrencies’ delivery on the promise of trustlessness. This paper promotes a normative analysis of trust in cryptocurrencies by discussing (i) whether trust is in principle eliminable, and (ii) whether trustlessness is in itself a desirable goal. These issues are closely related, we argue, to the further issue of what kind of institutions cryptocurrencies represent. We discuss the cognitive functions played by cryptocurrencies through the lens of the “extended mind” hypothesis in the philosophy of mind and hence conceive of cryptocurrencies as mind-extending institutions. As the models of institutional mind extension differ in the fiduciary bond they assume exists between individuals and institutional resources, we compare the reliance-based model of “scaffolding institutions” with the trust-based model of “cognitive institutions,” showing that the ineliminability and desirability of trust lead to seeing cryptocurrencies as instances of the latter. In the end, our discussion suggests that trust is a necessary component of cryptocurrencies’ cognitive functions and its promotion helps to perform such cognitive functions more effectively and sustainably
Parallel Optimal Calibration of Mixed-Format Items for Achievement Tests
Authors: Miller Frank , Fackle-Fornius Ellinor
Published: April 2024

When large achievement tests are conducted regularly, items need to be calibrated before being used as operational items in a test. Methods have been developed to optimally assign pretest items to examinees based on their abilities. Most of these methods, however, are intended for situations where examinees arrive sequentially to be assigned to calibration items. In several calibration tests, examinees take the test simultaneously or in parallel. In this article, we develop an optimal calibration design tailored for such parallel test setups. Our objective is both to investigate the efficiency gain of the method as well as to demonstrate that this method can be implemented in real calibration scenarios. For the latter, we have employed this method to calibrate items for the Swedish national tests in Mathematics. In this case study, like in many real test situations, items are of mixed format and the optimal design method needs to handle that. The method we propose works for mixed-format tests and accounts for varying expected response times. Our investigations show that the proposed method considerably enhances calibration efficiency.
The effect of temperature on injection-induced shear slip of laboratory faults in sandstone
Authors: Shen Nao , Wang Lei , Li Xiaochun
Published: April 2024

Fluid injection into subsurface reservoirs may cause existing faults/fractures to slip seismically. To study the effect of temperature on injection-induced fault slip, at a constant confining pressure of 10 MPa, we performed a series of injection-induced shear slip experiments on critically stressed sandstone samples containing saw-cut fractures (laboratory-simulated faults) under varying fluid pressurization rates (0.1 and 0.5 MPa/min, respectively) and temperatures (25, 80, and 140 °C, respectively). At 25 °C, slow fault slip events with a peak slip velocity of about 0.13 μm/s were observed on a tested sample in response to a low fluid pressurization rate of 0.1 MPa/min. In contrast, fluid injection with a high pressurization rate of 0.5 MPa/min caused fault slip events with a peak slip rate up to about 0.38 μm/s. In response to a given fluid pressurization rate, several episodes of slip events with a higher slip velocity were induced at an elevated temperature of 140 °C, indicating an appreciable weakening effect at elevated temperatures. We also experimentally constrained the rate-and-state frictional (RSF) parameters at varying effective normal stresses and temperatures by performing velocity-stepping tests. The obtained RSF parameters demonstrate that for a relatively high normal stress, increasing temperature tends to destabilize fault slip. Post-mortem microstructural observations reveal that elevated temperatures promote the generation of abundant fine-grained gouge particles associated with injection-induced shear slip. Our experiments highlight that injection-induced fault slip is affected by temperature-related wear production over the fault surface.
The Role of Microstructure in the Gradient of Tensile Properties through Thickness in 7449 Aluminium Alloy Thick Plate
Authors: Heredero J. A. , Medina J. , Antoranz J. M. , Adeva P.
Published: April 2024

In this article, the yield strength, tensile strength, and the microstructure of the wrought aluminium alloy 7449 rolled thick plate have been studied through thickness under different temper conditions. For all heat treatments, it has been proven that the yield strength and tensile strength values increase from the surface to the centre. The largest difference between the centre and the surface, in both properties, occurs in the case of a sample aged at room temperature for 120 h (TTA temper). The sample artificially aged at 120 °C for 24 h (TTB temper) shows the best strength-gradient relationship of the tensile properties through the thickness. Metallographic characterisation carried out by optical and scanning electron microscopy shows much finer elongated grains in the region near the surface of the plate than in the centre, with incipient recrystallisation in the area near the surface. In addition, electron backscattered diffraction technique, used for micro-texture analysis, has proven the presence of a gradient of crystallography texture in the plate. This explains the yield strength gradient, since the rate of change of the Taylor factor through thickness correlates with the rate of the change of yield strength in the longitudinal direction for the samples studied.
Could Pan-Immune-Inflammation Value be a Marker for the Diagnosis of Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon?
Authors: Kaplangoray Mustafa , Toprak Kenan , Deveci Edhem , Caglayan Cuneyt , Şahin Ebru
Published: April 2024

Inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of the coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP). The newly developed inflammatory marker, pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV), is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. This study investigated the predictive value of PIV for diagnosing CSFP in comparison to other inflammation-based markers. A total of 214 patients, 109 in the CSFP group and 105 in the normal coronary flow (NCF) group, were retrospectively included in the study. Coronary flow was calculated using the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction frame count method. In addition to PIV, other inflammatory markers such as neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) were calculated for the patients. The average age of patients was 50.3 ± 8.4, with a male ratio of 55.1%. Compared to the NCF group, patients in the CSFP group had higher levels of hyperlipidemia, glucose, triglyceride, NLR, PLR, SII, and PIV, while their high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), was lower (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that HDL-C, glucose, triglyceride, and PIV were independent predictor factors for CSFP (p < 0.05). PIV is a strong and independent predictor factor for CSFP and superior in predicting CSFP compared to other inflammatory markers.
Imaging Findings and Toxicological Mechanisms of Nervous System Injury Caused by Diquat
Authors: Ren Yanguang , Guo Feng , Wang Lin
Published: April 2024

Diquat (DQ) is a nonselective bipyridine herbicide with a structure resembling paraquat (PQ). In recent years, the utilization of DQ as a substitute for PQ has grown, leading to an increase in DQ poisoning cases. While the toxicity mechanism of DQ remains unclear, it is primarily attributed to the intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) through the process of reduction oxidation. This results in oxidative stress, leading to a cascade of clinical symptoms. Notably, recent reports on DQ poisoning have highlighted a concerning trend: an upsurge in cases involving neurological damage caused by DQ poisoning. These patients often present with severe illness and a high mortality rate, with no effective treatment available thus far. Imaging findings from these cases have shown that neurological damage tends to concentrate on the brainstem. However, the specific mechanisms behind this poisoning remain unclear, and no specific antidote exists. This review summarizes the research progress on DQ poisoning and explores potential mechanisms. By shedding light on the nerve damage associated with DQ poisoning, we hope to raise awareness, propose new avenues for investigating the mechanisms of DQ poisoning, and lay the groundwork for the development of treatment strategies for DQ poisoning. Trial registration number: 2024PS174K.
Diet of the Invasive Atlantic Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Decapoda, Portunidae) in the Guadalquivir Estuary (Spain)
Authors: Ortega-Jiménez Elena , Cuesta Jose A. , Laiz Irene , González-Ortegón Enrique
Published: April 2024

The Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Decapoda, Portunidae) Rathbun, 1896 is native to the east coasts of North and South America and has recently expanded its distribution in the non-native range into the Gulf of Cadiz (SW Iberian Peninsula, Europe). Considering the impacts caused by this invasive species in numerous estuarine ecosystems and its generalist feeding behavior, this study aims to provide the first account of the Atlantic blue crab diet on the East Atlantic coast. We studied the species’ feeding habits using stomach content analyses to predict food web interactions and putative impacts. Samples were obtained in the Guadalquivir estuary (SW Spain, Europe), which was colonized in 2017. The main food items identified on their stomach were, fish (49.9%), mollusks (44.4%) and crabs (32.3%). They also consumed plant material (27.2%), and the sediment (32.3%) in their digestive tract was likely the result of secondary ingestion. The Atlantic blue crab exhibited the same omnivorous behavior as in the native area. There was no sexual variation in diet composition or feeding activity in general, but there was a seasonal variation in the diet composition of females. The decrease of the caramote prawn Penaeus kerathurus (Forskål 1775) observed in the Guadalquivir estuary since 2021 is likely not due to the Atlantic blue crab because they seldomly eat this prey. Overall, our study provides clear baseline information to expand the knowledge about the ecological roles of the Atlantic blue crab in non-native ecosystems.
Establishment, characterization, and biobanking of 36 pancreatic cancer organoids: prediction of metastasis in resectable pancreatic cancer
Authors: Kim Soon-Chan , Seo Ha-Young , Lee Ja-Oh , Maeng Ju Eun , Shin Young-Kyoung , Lee Sang Hyub , Jang Jin-Young , Ku Ja-Lok
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Early dissemination of primary pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the main cause of dismal prognosis as it highly limits possible treatment options. A number of PDAC patients experience distant metastasis even after treatment due to the metastatic clones. We aimed to demonstrate the molecular architecture of borderline resectable PDAC manifests cancer dissemination of PDAC.

Methods

Here, 36 organoids isolated from primary tumor masses of PDAC patients with diverse metastatic statues are presented. Whole-exome sequencing and RNA sequencing were performed and drug responses to clinically relevant 18 compounds were assessed.

Results

Our results revealed that borderline resectable PDAC organoids exhibited distinct patterns according to their metastatic potency highlighted by multiple genetic and transcriptional factors and strong variances in drug responses.

Conclusions

These data suggest that the presence of metastatic PDAC can be identified by integrating molecular compositions and drug responses of borderline resectable PDAC.
$${\mathcal {C}}_\alpha -$$helices and $${\mathcal {C}}_\alpha -$$ slant helices in fractional differential geometry
Authors: Has Aykut , Yilmaz Beyhan
Published: April 2024

In this study, the theory of curves is reconstructed with fractional calculus. The condition of a naturally parametrized curve is described, and the orthonormal conformable frame of the naturally parametrized curve at any point is defined. Conformable helix and conformable slant helix curves are defined with the help of conformable frame elements at any point of the conformable curve. The characterizations of these curves are obtained in parallel with the conformable analysis Finally, examples are given for a better understanding of the theories and their drawings are given with the help of Mathematics.
Social network mechanisms of price formation in an artisanal fishing community in Chile
Authors: Pulgar Miroslav , Gómez Sílvia , Molina José Luis
Published: April 2024

Local fish markets play a crucial role in meeting local and regional demand for seafood. However, the underlying social and local processes determining price formation in these markets still need to be clarified. Through ethnographic research of an artisanal fishing community in central Chile focused on the common hake catching (Merluccius gayi gayi), we found that mutual observation and negotiation are the two key social processes of the local economic order. These processes produce two local structures: (a) the fishers’ maritime cliques in the sea and (b) the chain structure in the cove, which combines commercial and community relationships to determine market prices.
Experiment and modelling of texture and sliding direction dependence on finger friction behavior
Authors: Li Yuanzhe , Zhou Xue , Bai Pengpeng , Xiang Zhonghuan , Meng Yonggang , Ma Liran , Tian Yu
Published: April 2024

Humans rely on their fingers to sense and interact with external environment. Understanding the tribological behavior between finger skin and object surface is crucial for various fields, including tactile perception, product appearance design, and electronic skin research. Quantitatively describing finger frictional behavior is always challenging, given the complex structure of the finger. In this study, the texture and sliding direction dependence of finger skin friction was quantified based on explicit mathematic models. The proposed double-layer model of finger skin effectively described the nonlinear elastic response of skin and predicted the scaling-law of effective elastic modulus with contact radius. Additionally, the skin friction model on textured surface considering adhesion and deformation factors was established. It revealed that adhesive term dominated finger friction behavior in daily life, and suggested that object texture size mainly influenced friction-induced vibrations rather than the average friction force. Combined with digital image correlation (DIC) technique, the effect of sliding direction on finger friction was analyzed. It was found that the anisotropy in finger friction was governed by the finger’s ratchet pawl structure, which also contributes to enhanced stick-slip vibrations in the distal sliding direction. The proposed friction models can offer valuable insights into the underlying mechanism of skin friction under various operating conditions, and can provide quantitative guidance for effectively encoding friction into haptics.
Biomechanical energy harvesting technologies for wearable electronics: Theories and devices
Authors: Li Xiaowen , Zeng Xu , Li Junwei , Li Boyuan , Chen Yu , Zhang Xiaosheng
Published: April 2024

Wearable biomechanical energy harvesting devices have received a lot of attention recently, benefiting from the rapid advancement of theories and devices in the field of the micro electromechanical system (MEMS). They not only fulfil the requirements for powering wearable electronic devices but also provide an attractive prospect for powering self-powered flexible electronic devices when wearing. In this article, we provide a review of the theories and devices of biomechanical energy harvesting technology for wearable applications. Three different forms of biomechanical energy harvesting mechanisms, including the piezoelectric effect, electromagnetic effect, and electrostatic effect, are investigated in detail. The fundamental principle of converting other types of energy from the biomechanical environment into electrical energy, as well as the most commonly-used analytical theoretical models, are outlined for each process. Therefore, the features, properties, and applications of energy harvesting devices are summarized. In addition, the coupled multi-effect hybrid energy harvesting devices are listed, showing the various possibilities of biomechanical energy harvesting devices for serving as sources, sensors, and actuators. Finally, we present perspectives on the future trends of biomechanical energy harvesting devices for wearable electronics applications.
Decentralized multi-agent cooperation via adaptive partner modeling
Authors: Xu Chenhang , Wang Jia , Zhu Xiaohui , Yue Yong , Zhou Weifeng , Liang Zhixuan , Wojtczak Dominik
Published: April 2024

Multi-agent reinforcement learning encounters a non-stationary challenge, where agents concurrently update their policies, leading to changes in the environment. Existing approaches have tackled this challenge through communication among agents to obtain their partners’ actions, but this introduces computational complexity known as partner sample complexity. An alternative approach is to develop partner models that generate samples instead of direct communication to mitigate this complexity. However, a discrepancy arises between the real policies distribution and the policy of partner models, termed as model bias, which can significantly impact performance when heavily relying on partner models. In order to achieve a trade-off between sample complexity and performance, a novel multi-agent model-based reinforcement learning algorithm called decentralized adaptive partner modeling (DAPM) is proposed, which utilizes fictitious self play (FSP) to construct partner models and update policies. Model bias is addressed by establishing an upper bound to restrict the usage of partner models. Coupled with that, an adaptive rollout approach is introduced, enabling real agents to dynamically communicate with partner models based on their quality, ensuring that agent performance can progressively improve with partner model samples. The effectiveness of DAPM is exhibited in two multi-agent tasks, showing that DAPM outperforms existing model-free algorithms in terms of partner sample complexity and training stability. Specifically, DAPM requires 28.5% fewer communications compared to the best baseline and exhibits reduced fluctuations in the learning curve, indicating superior performance.
Multi-behavior collaborative contrastive learning for sequential recommendation
Authors: Chen Yuzhe , Cao Qiong , Huang Xianying , Zou Shihao
Published: April 2024

Sequential recommendation (SR) predicts the user’s future preferences based on the sequence of interactions. Recently, some methods for SR have utilized contrastive learning to incorporate self-supervised signals into SR to alleviate the data sparsity problem. Despite these achievements, they overlook the fact that users’ multi-behavior interactions in real-world scenarios (e.g., page view, favorite, add to cart, and purchase). Moreover, they disregard the temporal dependencies in users’ preferences and their influence on attribute information, leading to models that struggle to accurately capture users’ personalized preferences. Therefore, we propose a multi-behavior collaborative contrastive learning for sequential recommendation model. First, we introduce both user-side and item-side attribute information and design an attribute-weight-enhanced attention in multi-behavior interaction scenarios. It enhances the model’s ability to capture user’s multi-behavior preferences while considering the influence of attribute information. Second, in order to capture users’ fine-grained temporal preferences. We divide the interaction sequences into different time scales based on the users’ multi-behavior interaction timestamps. In addition, introduce temporal aware attention to generate temporal embeddings for different time scales and effectively integrate them with the user’s multi-behavior embeddings. Finally, we design collaborative contrastive learning, which collaboratively captures users’ multi-behavior personalized preferences from both temporal and attribute perspectives. This approach alleviates the issue of data sparsity. We conduct extensive experiments on two datasets to validate the effectiveness and superiority of our model.
Externalisation of Migration Control: Impunity or Accountability for Human Rights Violations?
Authors: Pijnenburg Annick
Published: April 2024

Externalisation and the human rights violations it entails have received much attention in recent years from both advocates and academics. Since a key aspect of externalisation consists in people on the move staying in the Global South, the locus of litigation has broadened from externalising states in the Global North to also include accountability mechanisms in the Global South. Therefore, this article seeks to answer the following question: to what extent do the international and regional human rights regimes provide accountability mechanisms for violations of the human rights of people on the move in the context of externalisation? It does so through a comparison of externalisation policies in three different regions: the Mediterranean, North America and the Pacific. In each region, the analysis focuses on cooperation between an externalising state in the Global North and a neighbouring state in the Global South to illustrate the differences and similarities between the various contexts: Australia and Indonesia, the United States and Mexico, and Italy and Libya. For each context, the analysis examines the policies implemented by externalising states and their effect on the human rights of people on the move as well as states’ substantive and procedural human rights commitments under the applicable international and regional human rights regimes. While there is no ‘one size fits all’, it shows that there are only limited accountability mechanisms available to people on the move affected by the externalisation of migration control.
The fungal predominance in stem collar necroses of Fraxinus excelsior: a study on Hymenoscyphus fraxineus multilocus genotypes
Authors: Peters Sandra , Gruschwitz Nina , Bien Steffen , Fuchs Sebastian , Bubner Ben , Blunk Viktoria , Langer Gitta Jutta , Langer Ewald Johannes
Published: April 2024

Over the past decades, European ash trees in Germany have been affected by ash dieback, reducing their vigour and mechanical resistance. Those trees that also have stem collar necroses and the resulting stem rot are particularly affected. In this study, multilocus genotypes (MLGs) of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus and their interactions with other fungi from stem collar necroses were analysed. Ten ash trees from three different adjacent forest stands in central Germany were sampled. A total number of 716 isolates were obtained from stem collar necroses from these ten trees. Microsatellite analysis was successfully performed on 274 isolates identified as H. fraxineus and 26 MLGs were revealed. The number of MLGs varied from one to seven per tree and did not correspond to the number or severity of necroses. A striking result was that five of the MLGs occurred in two trees. All other MLGs occurred independently in only one tree, as expected. Our data show that when multiple MLGs were observed in a tree, one of the MLGs outnumbered the others, indicating that H. fraxineus is a primary coloniser of stem collar necroses. A total of 61 morphotypes, including H. fraxineus, were identified and discussed, comprising endophytic, saprotrophic and pathogenic fungi. Between five and 19 different fungi were found per stem collar necrosis. The majority of all isolated morphotypes were Ascomycota (82%), with the most common orders being Xylariales and Hypocreales. The most frequently isolated morphotypes, apart from H. fraxineus, were Armillaria sp. and Diplodia fraxini. Together they account for more than three quarters of all assigned isolations. Apart from H. fraxineus, only Diplodia fraxini was isolated from all ten trees.
Can Social Media Reach Isolated Domestic Abuse Victims? Evidence from a Randomized Control Trial During the Covid-19 Lockdown
Authors: Grogger Jeffrey , Ivandić Ria , Kirchmaier Tom
Published: April 2024

Research Questions

Can social media reach isolated domestic abuse victims? Secondly, does providing victims with more information and a safer means of contacting police change their likelihood of domestic abuse reporting?

Data

This research is based on high-frequency and confidential administrative data on the population of domestic abuse calls during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic but also the preceding years from two police forces—the Thames Valley Police (TVP) and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

Methods

To answer the research questions, we ran a randomized control trial (RCT) using a novel social media campaign promoting a method of reporting through Facebook and Instagram. We randomized the treatment across geographic areas in one police force and across individuals in another police force.

Findings

We found that while social media is an effective tool for engaging on domestic abuse topics, particularly with younger individuals, our intention-to-treat estimates between the treatment and control areas and individuals did not show any significant difference in domestic abuse reporting. One of the reasons to explain this finding was the geographically imprecise social media targeting features on Facebook.

Conclusions

Our research contributes to the scarce experimental literature on how to increase domestic abuse reporting among victims with, to the best of our knowledge, the first randomized test of the effects of a social media campaign on engagement and reporting. As police forces across the UK, but also worldwide, start using social media more to engage with the citizens they serve, these results provide interesting and valuable implications for their effectiveness and the role of technology in the future policing. Our results contribute to the understanding of how police forces can use social media to reach specific groups of people, such as younger cohorts.
Geochemical, ecological, and health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the surrounding soil of a cement plant
Authors: Sulaiman Mohammad Bashir , Okoye Chukwuma O. B. , Asegbeloyin Jonnie N.
Published: April 2024

Cement plants are the major anthropogenic sources of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), which are generated from the processing of raw materials and combustion of fossil fuels. This study determined the PTE concentration and assessed the geochemical, ecological, and health risks associated with the activities in the Ashaka cement plant, Bajoga, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected between 2019 and 2020, and analyzed by ICP-OES for 20 PTEs. The data obtained were statistically evaluated for descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean concentrations of PTEs were in the declined order of Al > Fe > Mn > Zn > Ti > Ba > Sr > Pb > Cu > V > Cr > Ni > As > Sc > Mo > Hg > Cd > Se > Sb > Co. Multivariate analysis revealed that the main sources of PTEs might be related to anthropogenic activities from the cement plant. The geochemical load index (GLI) values obtained range from unpolluted to moderate. The ecological risk ranged from 4.74 × 10–3 to 8.00 × 100, and the overall risk index indicated low contamination for the investigated elements. The hazard index (HI) was < 1, suggesting non-probable non-carcinogenic effects. However, children were more susceptible to risk than adults, and the cancer risk (CR) values of Cd for children and adults were higher than the threshold level of 1.0 × 10–4, which suggests probable development of cancer risk for residents.
Parental Love and Filial Equality
Authors: Floris Giacomo , Spotorno Riccardo
Published: April 2024

It is widely accepted that parents have a fundamental moral obligation to consider and treat their children as each other’s equals. Yet the question of what grounds the equality of status among children in the eyes of their parents has so far been largely neglected in the literature on the philosophy of childhood and the ethics of parenthood. This paper fills this gap by developing a novel theory of the basis of filial equality: it argues that parents ought to consider and treat their children as equals by virtue of loving them. Parental love is the basis of filial equality.
Moderatism and Truth
Authors: Echeverri Santiago
Published: April 2024

According to moderatism, perceptual justification requires that one independently takes for granted propositional hinges. This view faces the truth problem: to offer an account of truth for hinges that is not threatened by skepticism. Annalisa Coliva has tried to solve the truth problem by developing a new form of alethic pluralism. I argue that the resulting view cannot offer a coherent characterization of “skeptical switch scenarios” while providing an effective anti-skeptical strategy. In a more positive vein, I defend an approach that combines a correspondence conception of truth with epistemological disjunctivism.