bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Macroscale structural changes of thylakoid architecture during high light acclimation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Broderson Mimi , Niyogi Krishna K. , Iwai Masakazu
Published: January 2024

Photoprotection mechanisms are ubiquitous among photosynthetic organisms. The photoprotection capacity of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is correlated with protein levels of stress-related light-harvesting complex (LHCSR) proteins, which are strongly induced by high light (HL). However, the dynamic response of overall thylakoid structure during acclimation to growth in HL has not been fully understood. Here, we combined live-cell super-resolution microscopy and analytical membrane subfractionation to investigate macroscale structural changes of thylakoid membranes during HL acclimation in Chlamydomonas. Subdiffraction-resolution live-cell imaging revealed that the overall thylakoid structures became thinned and shrunken during HL acclimation. The stromal space around the pyrenoid also became enlarged. Analytical density-dependent membrane fractionation indicated that the structural changes were partly a consequence of membrane unstacking. The analysis of both an LHCSR loss-of-function mutant, npq4 lhcsr1, and a regulatory mutant that over-expresses LHCSR, spa1-1, showed that structural changes occurred independently of LHCSR protein levels, demonstrating that LHCSR was neither necessary nor sufficient to induce the thylakoid structural changes associated with HL acclimation. In contrast, stt7-9, a mutant lacking a kinase of major light-harvesting antenna proteins, had a slower thylakoid structural response to HL relative to all other lines tested but still showed membrane unstacking. These results indicate that neither LHCSR- nor antenna-phosphorylation-dependent HL acclimation are required for the observed macroscale structural changes of thylakoid membranes in HL conditions.
Digitization and the Shaping of Society – A Soft Systems Study
Authors: Stowell Frank
Published: January 2024

The ubiquity of communication technologies has influenced the way we receive and process ‘information’. It is shaping the way that human societies interact and made it to distinguish between tittle-tattle and facts. Despite its many benefits it can also lead to social disengagement where ‘data’ is treated as information and ‘news’ can be untrue. In this paper I investigate if digitization is changing the nature of society and the way we behave. Using a Soft systems method, I explore the impact that digitization is having upon society and discuss the lessons learnt. The suggestion is made that using soft ideas might help receivers to gain a better appreciation of the material they access within the context in which it is expressed.
Pregnancy, a test case for immunology
Authors: Devanesan Arjun
Published: January 2024

The traditional conception of immune function is that of a system which differentiates the organism’s own tissues (the self) from any foreign invaders (nonself), preserving the former by rejecting the latter. In a mammalian pregnancy, however, the immunologically foreign foetus is accepted by the gestator’s immune system. This presents a serious challenge to the self–nonself theory which has sometimes been called the immunological paradox of pregnancy. In this paper I shall defend the self–nonself theory against the critique posed by Thomas Pradeu. In addition I critically examine the alternative he proposes—the continuity theory. The main problem I will raise for any theory of immunology is that the phenomenon to be explained in pregnancy is the non-rejection of the foetus despite the triggering of the gestator’s immune system. I will argue that contemporary modified versions of the self–nonself theory can rise to this challenge but that continuity theory cannot. As such, the immunology of pregnancy gives us a good reason to favour contemporary self–nonself theory over the continuity theory.
Inductive Metaphysics Versus Logical Construction—Russell’s Methods and Realisms in 1912 and 1914
Authors: Seide Ansgar
Published: January 2024

In his 1912 book The Problems of Philosophy, Bertrand Russell advocates an indirect realism with regard to physical objects. Only two years later, in his book Our Knowledge of the External World and the paper “The Relation of Sense-Data to Physics”, he changes his method in philosophy. Instead of inferring the existence of physical objects, he now sets out to construct them out of sense-data. As I will argue in this article, the main argument from The Problems of Philosophy can be rationally reconstructed as an inference to the best explanation which infers to unobservable objects. The main motivation for the new approach in Our Knowledge of the External World, on the other hand, is to establish a more direct variant of realism, in particular because Russell became skeptical with regard to inferences to unobservable objects. As I will argue, the resulting theory of the physical world loses so much in simplicity that it becomes an unattractive alternative to his earlier position, and Russell’s reason for rejecting simplicity as a criterion of theory choice turns out to be inconsequential.
Variation in the use of anthropogenic materials in tit nests: influence of human activities and pandemic restrictions
Authors: Girão Joana , Bessa Filipa , Garrido-Bautista Jorge , Ferreira Beatriz , Santos-Baena Carolina , Marques M. Paula M. , Batista de Carvalho Luís A. E. , Ramos Jaime Albino , Norte Ana Cláudia
Published: January 2024

As urbanization expands, so does the presence of anthropogenic materials within bird’s nests. However, our understanding of this phenomenon remains limited, particularly in terrestrial birds. This study describes and compares the use of anthropogenic materials in great tit (Parus major) and blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nests in relation to the intensity of anthropogenic activities, distance to contamination sources and reproductive metrics, in nest boxes in a suburban wood in Coimbra, Portugal, during the breeding seasons of 2020 and 2021. Nests were collected after fledging and sorted to remove anthropogenic materials. From a total of 9.71% anthropogenic materials in great tit nests we observed an abundance of uncoloured tangles of mixed fibres, representing 78% of the total weight of the anthropogenic materials in great tit nests in 2021. The chemical composition of these mixtures was determined by spectroscopy analysis, using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and 56% of the nests (16/25) contained fibres from synthetic origin. The percentage of anthropogenic materials was higher in great tit than in blue tit nests and increased in 2021, comparatively to 2020. The proximity to potential contamination sources influenced positively the percentage of anthropogenic materials in nests, as those closer to areas with more intense anthropogenic activities (the bar/tennis court and the wastewater treatment plant) had a higher percentage of these materials. No effects on productivity were detected. Our results suggest that the use of these materials is probably related to the intensity of anthropogenic activities.
Plant-based ink properties and storage stability for inkjet printing
Authors: Thakker Alka Madhukar , Sun Danmei
Published: January 2024

In this sustainability-oriented research, the properties of plant-based inks were evaluated denoting the viscosity range of 8.5 to 10 cP, the relative density of 1.06, conductivity value of 2.51 mS/cm, and the surface tension of 60 mN/m and pH of 4.9 to be most effective for inkjet printing. The changes in these properties to the one-month storage phase are detailed as determined with attenuated total reflectance – Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, viscometer, and tensiometer. The varied colours of plant-based inks were stable to storage time except for the blue colour ink made from bio indigo herb that displayed agal-like sediments. After the storage phase, the plant-based inks exhibited anti-thixotropic viscosity except for yellow colour plant-based ink demonstrating thixotropic behaviour. High conductivity values of 18.5 and 15.6 mS/Cm were noted for blue and black colour plant-based inks, indicating their potential for constituting conducting inks; however, the conductivity values dropped to 7.5 and 9.5, respectively, after 1 month. The pH and surface tension were found steady during the storage period. The study of the life cycle analysis of plant-based inks is suggested for future work. The significance of this work in developing plant-based inks for inkjet printing of textiles lies in the convergence of sustainability and innovation. Plant-based inks can offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional synthetic inks that are used currently, which provides a knowledge base for good practises meeting the environmentally conscious in the digital printing of the textile industry. These developed inks from this study can not only reduce the environmental impact but also promote a healthier ecosystem.
Cell Tree Rings: the structure of somatic evolution as a human aging timer
Authors: Csordas Attila , Sipos Botond , Kurucova Terezia , Volfova Andrea , Zamola Frantisek , Tichy Boris , Hicks Damien G
Published: January 2024

Biological age is typically estimated using biomarkers whose states have been observed to correlate with chronological age. A persistent limitation of such aging clocks is that it is difficult to establish how the biomarker states are related to the mechanisms of aging. Somatic mutations could potentially form the basis for a more fundamental aging clock since the mutations are both markers and drivers of aging and have a natural timescale. Cell lineage trees inferred from these mutations reflect the somatic evolutionary process, and thus, it has been conjectured, the aging status of the body. Such a timer has been impractical thus far, however, because detection of somatic variants in single cells presents a significant technological challenge. Here, we show that somatic mutations detected using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) from thousands of cells can be used to construct a cell lineage tree whose structure correlates with chronological age. De novo single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) are detected in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells using a modified protocol. A default model based on penalized multiple regression of chronological age on 31 metrics characterizing the phylogenetic tree gives a Pearson correlation of 0.81 and a median absolute error of ~4 years between predicted and chronological ages. Testing of the model on a public scRNA-seq dataset yields a Pearson correlation of 0.85. In addition, cell tree age predictions are found to be better predictors of certain clinical biomarkers than chronological age alone, for instance glucose, albumin levels, and leukocyte count. The geometry of the cell lineage tree records the structure of somatic evolution in the individual and represents a new modality of aging timer. In addition to providing a numerical estimate of “cell tree age,” it unveils a temporal history of the aging process, revealing how clonal structure evolves over life span. Cell Tree Rings complements existing aging clocks and may help reduce the current uncertainty in the assessment of geroprotective trials.
Testing Reflexive Practitioner Dialogues: Capacities for Socio-technical Integration in Meditation Research
Authors: Smolka Mareike , Fisher Erik
Published: January 2024

To put frameworks of Responsible Innovation and Responsible Research and Innovation (R(R)I) into practice, engagement methods have been developed to study and enhance technoscientific experts’ capacities to reflexively address value considerations in their work. These methods commonly rely on engagement between technoscientific experts and social scholars, which makes them vulnerable to structural barriers to interdisciplinary collaboration. To circumvent these barriers, we adapt Socio-Technical Integration Research (STIR) for broader use within technoscientific communities. We call this adaptation: reflexive practitioner dialogues. While the primary aim of this article is to introduce and explain the methodological adaptation, we also analyze results from a pilot study with participants who are involved in research on contemplative practices such as mindfulness meditation. The analysis is guided by research questions that sought to assess whether and under what conditions the practitioner dialogues support reflexive and practical engagement with value considerations in participants’ work. The results indicate that reflexive practitioner dialogues can stimulate reflexive awareness of value conflicts and help re-direct decision-making responsively. We characterize the conditions facilitating such responsiveness as “value exnovators,” highlighting the oft-unacknowledged interpersonal relational practices that support collaborative engagement with value considerations. We suggest that “exnovation”—exposing the strengths of given practices for their improvement—can support R(R)I practices by directing analytical attention to their micro-level carriers.
Directing personal sustainability science toward subjective experience: conceptual, methodological, and normative cornerstones for a first-person inquiry into inner worlds
Authors: Frank Pascal , Wagemann Johannes , Grund Julius , Parodi Oliver
Published: January 2024

Despite the rapid expansion of sustainability science in recent decades, sustainability crises have continued to grow. Sustainability researchers argue that this is partly the result of neglecting people’s inner worlds and call for a stronger consideration of inner states and processes in sustainability scholarship. We argue that the advancement of personal sustainability science, i.e., the systematic inquiry of inner worlds in relation to sustainability, is currently impeded by at least two unresolved issues. First, attitudes, emotions, values, and the like have frequently been the object of sustainability-related research. It thus remains unclear to what exactly researchers should more closely look at when inquiring into people’s inner worlds. Second, the epistemological and methodological foundations for conducting research on inner worlds remain underdeveloped. We illustrate that current research activities usually remain at a phenomenologically shallow level. In response to these issues, we provide conceptual, methodological, and normative cornerstones for a first-person inquiry within personal sustainability science, allowing for an in-depth understanding and potentially even a transformation of people’s inner worlds with regard to sustainability. Overall, we suggest redirecting personal sustainability science more strongly toward the inquiry into people’s subjective (i.e., first-person) experiences of inner states and processes unfolding in relation to sustainability.
Evaluation of Conservation status of the Egyptian endemic plants along the Mediterranean coastal strip region
Authors: El-Khalafy Mohamed M. , Al-Sodany Yassin M. , Ahmed Dalia A. , Bedair Heba , Haroun Soliman A. , Shaltout Salma K.
Published: January 2024

The IUCN Red List, which provides data on distribution, ecology and habitats, population size, economic uses, threats and conservation actions, is a critical indicator of the status of the world's biodiversity and will assist in informing a necessary conservation decision. The Mediterranean region is characterized by a heavy endemism of plant diversity, where the majority of its species are narrow endemic species. The current investigation aims at evaluating the conservation status, degree of extinction of Mediterranean endemic plants in Egypt and their changes over the recent climate changes. Twenty Field trips were conducted from February 2017 to March 2023, investigating different regions in the coastal Mediterranean strip in Egypt. In addition, all the previous studies performed in the investigated area, scientific literature, and different herbaria have been taken into consideration. Coordinates, main habitats and threats for 15 Mediterranean endemic taxa were conducted during visits to evaluate their level of conservation depending on IUCN categories. The current investigation indicated that nine taxa were found to be threatened (7 endangered, 2 critically endangered). In addition, four taxa were believed to be extinct, while two species were recorded as Data Deficient. Climate changes (drought and excessive temperature) and human impacts (urbanization and tourism) are the most effective threats on the taxa in this region. The present investigation is the pioneer study for completely evaluation of these taxa according to IUCN criteria.
A highly accurate prediction for heart failure disease: a new deep attentive model with guided feature ranking
Authors: Altantawy Doaa A. , Kishk Sherif S.
Published: January 2024

Heart failure (HF) is a life-threatening disease affecting at least 64 million people worldwide. Hence, it places great stresses on patients and healthcare systems. Accordingly, providing a computerized model for HF prediction will help in enhancing diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of HF. In this paper, we introduce a new guided attentive HF prediction approach. In this method, a sparse-guided feature ranking method is proposed. Firstly, a Gauss–Seidel strategy is applied to the preprocessed feature pool for low-rank approximation procedure with a trace-norm regularization. The resultant sparse attributes, after a Spearman ranking elimination, are employed to guide the original feature pool through linear translation-variant model. Then, a fast Newton-based method is employed for a non-negative matrix factorization for the guided feature pool. The resultant bases of the factorization process are finally utilized in the adopted deep attentive predictive model. For the final prediction stage, instead of the commonly used machine learning approaches, we introduce an attentive-based classifier. It employs sequential attention to choose the most proper salient features for efficient interpretability and learning process. For the evaluation of the proposed HF prediction model, three different datasets are employed, i.e., UCI, Faisalabad, and Framingham datasets. Compared to state-of-the-art techniques, the proposed approach outperforms their performance on all datasets with even small feature sizes. With only four feature bases, the proposed method achieves an average accuracy of 98%, while, with full feature bases, full accuracy is gained.
The value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of microcirculatory perfusion abnormalities in diabetic foot
Authors: He Lan-fang , Yan Hua-ying , Yuan Yi , Kang Jia , Lv De , Kang Yu
Published: January 2024

Background

Diabetic foot is one of the most serious complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and its incidence is increasing in China. Early detection of abnormal microcirculation in the foot is very important for the prevention and treatment of diabetic foot.

Objective

To investigate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in diagnosing microcirculatory alterations in the dorsum of the foot for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

Eighty-eight T2DM patients were included, among them 30 patients sustained diabetes mellitus without complications (group A), 28 with lesions in the dorsum of the foot (no acute infection) that can be classified as Wagner grade 0 ~ 1 (group B), and 30 with lesions in the dorsum of the foot that can be classified as Wagner grade 2–5 (group C). Another 30 healthy adults were included as the control group. All subjects underwent CEUS to examine the dorsalis pedis arteries and blood perfusion to the underlying soft tissues. Parameters of the time-intensity curve (TIC), including rise time (RT), ascending slope (AS), time to peak (TTP), peak intensity (PI), area under the curve (AUC), and half of drop time (DT/2) were analyzed.

Results

The analysis of TIC data of the dorsalis pedis arteries showed that group C had decreased AS, PI, and AUC and increased TTP, RT, and DT/2 compared with groups A, B, and the control group; the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The analysis of TIC data of the perfusion to the underlying soft tissues showed that AS, PI, and AUC decreased from the control group through group A, B, and then C; the differences were all statistically significant (p < 0.05). The TIC data were correlated with the severity of microcirculatory impairment in the dorsum of the foot and among them the AUC, PI, and AS had higher predictive value.

Conclusions

Microcirculatory impairment in the dorsum of the foot in T2DM patients presents itself as “delayed wash-in, delayed wash-out, and weak enhancement” on CEUS images. CEUS can provide quantification of the microcirculatory changes in the soft tissues in the dorsum of the foot and reflect the differences of microcirculatory perfusion across different grades of lesions.
A Two-Stage Evolutionary Game Model for Collaborative Emergency Management Between Local Governments and Enterprises
Authors: Wang Yanqing , Chen Hong , Gu Xiao
Published: January 2024

Enterprises play a vital role in emergency management, but few studies have considered the strategy choices behind such participation or the collaborative relationship with the government. This study contended that enterprises have at least three strategies regarding emergency management: non-participation, short-term participation, and long-term participation. We constructed a two-stage evolutionary game model to explore the behavioral evolution rules and evolutionary stability strategies of the government and enterprises, and employed numerical simulation to analyze how various factors influence the strategy selection of the government and enterprises. The results show that if and only if the utility value of participation is greater than 0, an enterprise will participate in emergency management. The evolutionary game then enters the second stage, during which system stability is affected by a synergistic relationship between participation cost, reputation benefit, and government subsidies, and by an incremental relationship between emergency management benefit, government subsidies, and emergency training cost. This study provides a new theoretical perspective for research on collaborative emergency management, and the results provide important references for promoting the performance of collaborative emergency management.
Dialysis for older adults: why should the targets be different?
Authors: Khatri Priyanka , Davenport Andrew
Published: January 2024

The number of patients aged > 75-years treated by dialysis continues to increase, particularly in developed countries. Haemodialysis is a well-established treatment with national and international clinical guidelines designed to provide patients with optimal treatment. However, these were developed when the dialysis population was younger, and less co-morbid. This change in patient demographics questions whether these guideline targets still apply to older patients. More patients now start dialysis with residual kidney function and could benefit from a less frequent dialysis schedule. Older patients have a lower thirst drive, so lower interdialytic gains, reduced appetite, muscle mass and physical activity would potentially allow starting dialysis with less frequent sessions a practical option. Similarly, patients with residual kidney function and lower metabolic activity may not need to meet current dialyser Kt/Vurea clearance targets to remain healthy. Instead, some elderly patients may be at risk of malnutrition and might need liberalisation of the low salt, potassium and phosphate dietary restrictions, or even additional supplements to ensure adequate protein intake. Although a fistula is the preferred vascular access, a forearm fistula may not be an option due to vascular disease, while a brachial fistula can potentially compromise cardiovascular reserve, so a dialysis catheter becomes the de facto access, especially in patients with limited life expectancy. Thus, clinical guideline targets designed for a younger less co-morbid dialysis population may not be equally applicable to the older patient initiating dialysis, and so a more individualised approach to dialysis prescription and vascular access is required.
Covalent Organic Framework with 3D Ordered Channel and Multi-Functional Groups Endows Zn Anode with Superior Stability
Authors: Li Bin , Ruan Pengchao , Xu Xieyu , He Zhangxing , Zhu Xinyan , Pan Liang , Peng Ziyu , Liu Yangyang , Zhou Peng , Lu Bingan , Dai Lei , Zhou Jiang
Published: January 2024

Achieving a highly robust zinc (Zn) metal anode is extremely important for improving the performance of aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs) for advancing “carbon neutrality” society, which is hampered by the uncontrollable growth of Zn dendrite and severe side reactions including hydrogen evolution reaction, corrosion, and passivation, etc. Herein, an interlayer containing fluorinated zincophilic covalent organic framework with sulfonic acid groups (COF-S-F) is developed on Zn metal (Zn@COF-S-F) as the artificial solid electrolyte interface (SEI). Sulfonic acid group (− SO3H) in COF-S-F can effectively ameliorate the desolvation process of hydrated Zn ions, and the three-dimensional channel with fluoride group (-F) can provide interconnected channels for the favorable transport of Zn ions with ion-confinement effects, endowing Zn@COF-S-F with dendrite-free morphology and suppressed side reactions. Consequently, Zn@COF-S-F symmetric cell can stably cycle for 1,000 h with low average hysteresis voltage (50.5 mV) at the current density of 1.5 mA cm−2. Zn@COF-S-F|MnO2 cell delivers the discharge specific capacity of 206.8 mAh g−1 at the current density of 1.2 A g−1 after 800 cycles with high-capacity retention (87.9%). Enlightening, building artificial SEI on metallic Zn surface with targeted design has been proved as the effective strategy to foster the practical application of high-performance AZIBs.
ZnO Additive Boosts Charging Speed and Cycling Stability of Electrolytic Zn–Mn Batteries
Authors: Wu Jin , Tang Yang , Xu Haohang , Ma Guandie , Jiang Jinhong , Xian Changpeng , Xu Maowen , Bao Shu-Juan , Chen Hao
Published: January 2024

Electrolytic aqueous zinc-manganese (Zn–Mn) batteries have the advantage of high discharge voltage and high capacity due to two-electron reactions. However, the pitfall of electrolytic Zn–Mn batteries is the sluggish deposition reaction kinetics of manganese oxide during the charge process and short cycle life. We show that, incorporating ZnO electrolyte additive can form a neutral and highly viscous gel-like electrolyte and render a new form of electrolytic Zn–Mn batteries with significantly improved charging capabilities. Specifically, the ZnO gel-like electrolyte activates the zinc sulfate hydroxide hydrate assisted Mn2+ deposition reaction and induces phase and structure change of the deposited manganese oxide (Zn2Mn3O8·H2O nanorods array), resulting in a significant enhancement of the charge capability and discharge efficiency. The charge capacity increases to 2.5 mAh cm−2 after 1 h constant-voltage charging at 2.0 V vs. Zn/Zn2+, and the capacity can retain for up to 2000 cycles with negligible attenuation. This research lays the foundation for the advancement of electrolytic Zn–Mn batteries with enhanced charging capability.
Design Strategies for Aqueous Zinc Metal Batteries with High Zinc Utilization: From Metal Anodes to Anode-Free Structures
Authors: Zhang Xianfu , Zhang Long , Jia Xinyuan , Song Wen , Liu Yongchang
Published: January 2024

Aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) are promising candidates for next-generation energy storage due to the excellent safety, environmental friendliness, natural abundance, high theoretical specific capacity, and low redox potential of zinc (Zn) metal. However, several issues such as dendrite formation, hydrogen evolution, corrosion, and passivation of Zn metal anodes cause irreversible loss of the active materials. To solve these issues, researchers often use large amounts of excess Zn to ensure a continuous supply of active materials for Zn anodes. This leads to the ultralow utilization of Zn anodes and squanders the high energy density of AZMBs. Herein, the design strategies for AZMBs with high Zn utilization are discussed in depth, from utilizing thinner Zn foils to constructing anode-free structures with theoretical Zn utilization of 100%, which provides comprehensive guidelines for further research. Representative methods for calculating the depth of discharge of Zn anodes with different structures are first summarized. The reasonable modification strategies of Zn foil anodes, current collectors with pre-deposited Zn, and anode-free aqueous Zn metal batteries (AF-AZMBs) to improve Zn utilization are then detailed. In particular, the working mechanism of AF-AZMBs is systematically introduced. Finally, the challenges and perspectives for constructing high-utilization Zn anodes are presented.
Community perspectives on the use of extension offices for behavioral health
Authors: Brown Virginia , Golson Aaron , Goldstein Emily , Bowie Maria , Bales Diane , Scheyett Anna
Published: January 2024

Rural communities experience more systemic health disparities than urban communities, particularly around behavioral health. Disparities include a lack of providers, few hospitals, lack of health insurance, stigma, and limited public transportation. This study explored the potential use of Cooperative Extension offices to serve as “hubs” for behavioral health services. We conducted six focus groups (n = 52) in rural communities with high rates of opioid use and misuse. Community stakeholders were asked about the potential benefits and barriers to using Cooperative Extension as a behavioral health hub and what role Extension can play in behavioral health. We identified four major themes related to the extension being used to address behavioral health: the organization is trusted, the organization could provide many services, potential structural and social barriers need to be addressed, and resources are necessary for success. The study found that Extension is trusted, lacks the stigma of a traditional behavioral health setting, and could provide prevention and/or recovery education and a connector to support services. However, Extension is not currently seen as a resource for behavioral health and may have structural barriers and create stigma by providing services. To address these barriers, it was suggested Extension partner with other organizations to extend the reach of existing resources (telehealth and support groups) while focusing on both prevention education and relationship building. Moving forward, participating counties will leverage their partners into a community advisory group to define next steps, develop processes and protocols and begin advertising services/resources, and provide continual feedback on how needs are being met and recommended improvements.
Comparative perspective on social welfare policies for the indigenous peoples in Taiwan and India: exploring best practices and lessons
Authors: Majumdar Koustab
Published: January 2024

This study discusses the social welfare policies for Indigenous peoples in Taiwan and India. Offering critical insights into the historical progression of social welfare policies, this study provides an analytical review of the existing policies and outlines the different approaches to social welfare with an emphasis on best practices in both countries. The synthesis of literature makes it evident that Taiwan and India show a notable shift towards mainstreaming indigeneity. The primary approach of this reformative process involves dismantling the historical impacts of colonization and adopting more inclusive policy frameworks for the welfare of their Indigenous peoples. This study outlines similarities such as increasing budgetary allocations, framing social welfare policies based on Indigenous rights and values, and recognizing culture as an essential aspect within welfare policies. However, the Taiwanese social welfare policy is characteristically operating towards transitional and historical justice for Taiwan. On the other hand, India has adopted a dynamic social development model of social welfare policy that works on need-based action. The dichotomy between right-based (Taiwan) and need-based social development policy (India) reinforcements characteristically local policy dynamics and modelling towards country’s approach to Indigenous social welfare. Conversely, differences exist within the best practices of Indigenous social welfare policies, serving as a pioneering lesson for both Taiwan and India.
Power and Inequality
Authors: Roncaglia Alessandro
Published: January 2024

Power is a broad and complex concept that cuts across all fields in humanities and social sciences. Written by a leading historian of economic thought, Power and Inequality presents a wide-ranging and multi-disciplinary analysis of power as an economic and social issue. Its aim is not to formulate a new abstract theory of power but rather to illustrate the different ways in which power is used to exacerbate social and economic inequality. Issues such as division of labour and its evolution, different forms of capitalism up to the money-manager economy, the role of networks (from the family to mason lodges and the mafia), the state and the international arena, culture and the role of the masses are considered. The analysis of these elements, causing inequalities of various kinds, is a prerequisite for devising progressive policy strategies aiming at a reduction of inequalities through a strategy of reforms.
The Real Agricultural Revolution
Authors: Brassley Paul , Harvey David , Lobley Matt , Winter Michael
Published: January 2024

At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 British agriculture was largely powered by the muscles of men, women, and horses, and used mostly nineteenth-century technology to produce less than half of the country's temperate food. By 1985, less land and far fewer people were involved in farming, the power sources and technologies had been completely transformed, and the output of the country's agriculture had more than doubled. This is the story of the national farm, reflecting the efforts and experiences of 200,000 or so farmers and their families, together with the people they employed. But it is not the story of any individual one of them. We know too little about change at the individual farm level, although what happened varied considerably between farms and between different technologies.

Based on an improbably-surviving archive of Farm Management Survey accounts, supported by oral histories from some of the farmers involved, this book explores the links between the production of new technologies, their transmission through knowledge networks, and their reception on individual farms. It contests the idea that rapid adoption of technology was inevitable, and reveals the unevenness, variability and complexity that lay beneath the smooth surface of the official statistics.
Development of a low-temperature immersion microscopy technique for ice research
Authors: Muniozguren-Arostegi Bittor , Muñoz-Marzagon Patricia , Faria Sérgio Henrique
Published: January 2024

Perennial ice can be studied for many purposes, including paleoclimate records or rheological properties. For most of those purposes, the ice microstructure must be studied, often through optical microscopy. The aim of this work is to assess the viability of immersion microscopy for the study of ice microstructures. It consists of using an oil between the objective lens and the specimen, to increase image resolution. Immersion microscopy is a technique well-developed for the investigation of diverse materials, but it has so far not been explored for ice research. Here we investigate the challenges and advantages of that technique. The main challenge is related to the selection of the immersion oil itself, which must satisfy a number of criteria, ranging from refractive index and viscosity to toxicity and reactivity. We identify pure silicone oil (dimethicone) as a simple and safe option for immersion microscopy of inner ice structures. Among its advantages, it provides higher resolution (compared to standard ‘dry’ microscopy) and it can be simultaneously used as a long-term coating to prevent undesired sublimation of the ice-sample surfaces. For the observation of surface structures, however, another type of oil with higher refractive index should be used.
Freedom of Movement and the Normative Value of the Right to Work in the United Kingdom Post-Brexit
Authors: O'Connor Niall , Harvey Darren
Published: January 2024

A new legal order has arisen in the United Kingdom (‘UK’) following that country's withdrawal from the European Union (‘EU’). Nowhere are these changes more evident than in the complex rules that have emerged in the fields of freedom of movement and the right to work. In evaluating the new legal landscape, this Article has two overarching aims. The first is to assess the level of protection granted to the right to work and associated free movement rights within EU and UK law, including the terms of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. The second aim is to examine the extent to which those right to work rules are reflective of the status of the right to work as a fundamental social right. It is argued that Brexit unmoors the right to work from EU free movement rules, thereby undermining the normative value of that right, while exacerbating flaws in domestic rules governing access to employment for both national and migrant workers.
Data-driven hypothesis generation among inexperienced clinical researchers: A comparison of secondary data analyses with visualization (VIADS) and other tools
Authors: Jing Xia , Cimino James J. , Patel Vimla L. , Zhou Yuchun , Shubrook Jay H. , De Lacalle Sonsoles , Draghi Brooke N. , Ernst Mytchell A. , Weaver Aneesa , Sekar Shriram , Liu Chang
Published: January 2024

Objectives:

To compare how clinical researchers generate data-driven hypotheses with a visual interactive analytic tool (VIADS, a visual interactive analysis tool for filtering and summarizing large datasets coded with hierarchical terminologies) or other tools.

Methods:

We recruited clinical researchers and separated them into “experienced” and “inexperienced” groups. Participants were randomly assigned to a VIADS or control group within the groups. Each participant conducted a remote 2-hour study session for hypothesis generation with the same study facilitator on the same datasets by following a think-aloud protocol. Screen activities and audio were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed. Hypotheses were evaluated by seven experts on their validity, significance, and feasibility. We conducted multilevel random effect modeling for statistical tests.

Results:

Eighteen participants generated 227 hypotheses, of which 147 (65%) were valid. The VIADS and control groups generated a similar number of hypotheses. The VIADS group took a significantly shorter time to generate one hypothesis (e.g., among inexperienced clinical researchers, 258 s versus 379 s, p = 0.046, power = 0.437, ICC = 0.15). The VIADS group received significantly lower ratings than the control group on feasibility and the combination rating of validity, significance, and feasibility.

Conclusion:

The role of VIADS in hypothesis generation seems inconclusive. The VIADS group took a significantly shorter time to generate each hypothesis. However, the combined validity, significance, and feasibility ratings of their hypotheses were significantly lower. Further characterization of hypotheses, including specifics on how they might be improved, could guide future tool development.
Identifying culture as cause: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: Lonati Sirio , Lalive Rafael , Efferson Charles
Published: January 2024

Causal inference lies at the core of many scientific endeavours. Yet answering causal questions is challenging, especially when studying culture as a causal force. Against this backdrop, this paper reviews research designs and statistical tools that can be used – together with strong theory and knowledge about the context of study – to identify the causal impact of culture on outcomes of interest. We especially discuss how overlooked strategies in cultural evolutionary studies can allow one to approximate an ideal experiment wherein culture is randomly assigned to individuals or entire groups (instrumental variables, regression discontinuity design, and epidemiological approach). In doing so, we also review the potential outcome framework as a tool to engage in causal reasoning in the cultural evolutionary field.
Base sizes of primitive groups of diagonal type
Authors: Huang Hong Yi
Published: January 2024

Let G be a permutation group on a finite set

$\Omega $

. The base size of G is the minimal size of a subset of

$\Omega $

with trivial pointwise stabiliser in G. In this paper, we extend earlier work of Fawcett by determining the precise base size of every finite primitive permutation group of diagonal type. In particular, this is the first family of primitive groups arising in the O’Nan–Scott theorem for which the exact base size has been computed in all cases. Our methods also allow us to determine all the primitive groups of diagonal type with a unique regular suborbit.
Cytokines in hepatitis C-infected patients with or without opioid maintenance therapy
Authors: Nygaard-Odeh Kristin , Soloy-Nilsen Hedda , Kristiansen Magnhild Gangsoy , Brekke Ole Lars , Mollnes Tom Eirik , Berk Michael , Bramness Jorgen G. , Oiesvold Terje
Published: January 2024

Objective:

Both chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and opioids cause altered blood levels of cytokines. Previous studies have investigated levels of selected groups of cytokines in patients on opioid maintenance treatment. Little is known about the levels of multiple cytokines in patients with chronic HCV infection on opioid maintenance treatment. Our aim was to investigate the cytokine profile in patients with active HCV infection with and without opioid maintenance treatment.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional study in an out-patients population included upon referral for antiviral hepatitis C infection treatment. The level of 27 cytokines was measured in serum using multiplex technology. Patients were interviewed using a modified version of the European addiction severity index. Data pertaining to weight, height, current medication, smoking habits, allergies, previous medical history and ongoing withdrawal symptoms were collected. Non-parametric testing was used to investigate differences in levels of cytokines between the two groups. A 3-model hierarchical regression analysis was used to analyse associations between cytokines and confounding variables.

Results:

Out of 120 included patients, 53 were on opioid maintenance treatment. Median duration of opioid treatment was 68.4 months. There were no demographical differences between the two groups other than age. IL-1β was lower and eotaxin-1 higher in the group on opioid maintenance treatment than in the non-opioid group. No other inter-group differences in the remaining cytokine levels were found.

Conclusion:

In HCV infection patients, the impact of chronic opioid administration on peripheral circulating cytokine level is minimal.
Ultra-processed foods consumption among a USA representative sample of middle-older adults: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Aljahdali Abeer Ali , Rossato Sinara Laurini , Baylin Ana
Published: January 2024

The study evaluated the association between ultra-processed foods (UPF) and nutrient intake and identified the socio-demographic characteristics associated with UPF consumption among a nationally representative sample of middle-older adults. Dietary assessment was collected in 2013 using a validated FFQ. The Nova system was used to classify food and drinks into UPF. The percentage of dietary energy from UPF was calculated and used throughout the analyses, and average nutrient intake across quintiles of UPF was evaluated. The determinants associated with the dietary caloric contribution of UPF intake were investigated using linear regression models. A cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative study of Americans over the age of 50, the Health and Retirement Study, was conducted. The analysis included 6220 participants. The mean age was 65 (se 0·28) years, with 55 % being female. UPF intake accounted for 51 % (se 0·25) of total intake. An increase in the percentage of (%UPF) consumption was correlated with an increase in calories, carbohydrates, saturated fat and sugar, and a decrease in fibre, vitamins and minerals. %UPF intake was inversely associated with being Hispanic, higher income, physical activity, vegetarian diet and Mediterranean diet but positively associated with very low food insecurity. UPF represented half of the calories consumed. A higher %UPF intake was associated with a lower nutrient profile, suggesting decreasing %UPF intake as a strategy to improve the nutritional quality of middle-older adults. A few socio-demographic factors were associated with %UPF, which would help in planning strategies to reduce UPF consumption.
A Song of Fallen Flowers: Miyazaki Tōten and the making of naniwabushi as a mode of popular dissent in transwar Japan, 1902–1909
Authors: Littler Joel
Published: January 2024

The popular genre of sung and spoken performance—naniwabushi—was the biggest ‘craze’ during the first decade of the twentieth century in Japan. This article uncovers how Miyazaki Tōten (1870–1922), a revolutionary and thinker who became a naniwabushi balladeer, was instrumental in the rise of naniwabushi as a popular art form during the Russo-Japanese transwar period (1902–1909) and used it to engage in a practice of nihilist democracy. In using a transwar frame to examine the content, audiences, and contemporary reports of his performances, this article concludes that Miyazaki Tōten created ‘new’ naniwabushi to deliberately link the techniques and rhetoric of the Freedom and People’s Rights Movement from the 1880s to the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905). He used naniwabushi to articulate his concepts of autonomous freedom, nihilism, and anarchist communitarianism in a time usually characterized by the heavy suppression of dissent. It counters the impression of the wholesale embrace of nationalism and support for Japanese imperialism and shows how Japan’s urban poor engaged in political discourse through popular entertainment that was critical of Japanese imperialism.
Exposing linguistic imperialism: Why global IR has to be multilingual
Authors: Aydinli Ersel , Aydinli Julie
Published: January 2024

A key feature of the long-observed ‘core’ hegemony in International Relations (IR) is a linguistic one, yet it remains the least explored and confronted, with even today’s ‘Global IR’ discussion unquestioningly taking place in English. However, the non-English IR world is demographically and intellectually immense, and global IR cannot afford to ignore it. This study argues that English dominance in IR knowledge production and dissemination is a pillar of a dependent relationship between an English-speaking core and a non-English periphery. It further argues that this linguistic unilateralism, through assimilation, is structurally homogenising, and impedes the periphery’s original contribution potential in an imperialistic manner. This study examines 135 journals from 39 countries in the linguistic periphery to assess the degree and nature of English dominance in them. It explores the relationship between publication language and ranking and analyses citations to understand whether language matters for being cited in the core. We conclude with recommendations for institutions, individuals, and knowledge outlets, including a call for greater multilingualism, which – though a possible risk for parochialism and provincialism – is necessary for periphery concept development and incorporation into a broadened ‘core’, and a necessary stage to curbing the imperialistic impact of linguistic unilateralism and encouraging a genuine globalisation of IR.