bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Einleitung
Authors: Kannengießer Sigrid
Published: February 2022

Aktuelle Digitalisierungs- und Datafizierungsprozesse stellen heutige Gesellschaften in Hinblick auf Nachhaltigkeit vor große Herausforderungen. Versteht man aus einer sozial- und kulturwissenschaftlichen Perspektive unter Digitalisierung die Bedeutungszunahme digitaler Medien für (fast) alle gesellschaftlichen Bereiche und sozialen Beziehungen, so stellt genau diese Bedeutungszunahme, die auch zu einer steigenden Anzahl digitaler Medientechnologien in der Gesellschaft führt, diese vor einige zentrale Probleme. Eng verknüpft mit dem Prozess der Digitalisierung ist der der Datafizierung, indem viele Aspekte der Welt in Daten übersetzt werden, sodass riesige Datenmengen entstehen: „Big Data“. Die Bedeutungszunahme digitaler Medien und digitaler Kommunikation sowie die Generierung von „Big Data“ führt nicht nur in Hinblick auf Datensicherheit und den Schutz der Privatheit zu Problemen, sondern stellt aktuelle Gesellschaften auch vor sozial-ökologische Herausforderungen und Fragen der Nachhaltigkeit. Denn nicht nur die Produktion von Medientechnologien, sondern auch die Speicherung riesiger Datenmengen in Serverfarmen sowie die Entsorgung nicht mehr genutzter Medienapparate verursachen einen enormen Ressourcen- und Energierverbrauch und haben komplexe negative sozial-ökologische Auswirkungen. Wie Individuen, Nichtregierungsorganisationen und Unternehmen diesen Herausforderungen begegnen und digitale Medien nutzen, um zu einer nachhaltigen Gesellschaft beizutragen, ist die zentrale Forschungsfrage der vorliegenden Publikation. Die Autorin rekonstruiert die sozial-ökologischen Folgen aktueller Digitalisierungsprozesse und zeigt anhand dreier Fallstudien, wie verschiedene Akteur*innen Digitalisierung nachhaltiger gestalten (wollen): Neben dem Reparieren von Medientechnologien in Repair Cafés wurde die Produktion und Aneignung fairer Medientechnologien am Beispiel des Fairphones untersucht sowie Onlineplattformen, die für nachhaltigen Konsum werben, am Beispiel von utopia.de. Sind dies Beispiele für Medienpraktiken, die das Ziel der Nachhaltigkeit verfolgen, so werden in der vergleichenden Analyse auch Grenzen und Ambivalenzen dieses Handelns offenbar. In diesem einleitenden Kapitel skizziert die Autorin die sozial-ökolgischen Folgen aktueller Digitalisierung und Datafizierung sowie die theoretischen Grundlagen der hier diskutierten empirischen Studie, sie beschreibt das methodische Vorgehen dieser, weist auf zentrale Ergebnisse hin und umreißt den Aufbau der gesamten Publikation. Schließlich wird die Verantwortung der Kommunikations- und Medienforschung unterstrichen, die sozial-ökologischen Folgen aktueller Digitalisierung und Datafizierung sichtbar zu machen und die Möglichkeiten einer nachhaltigen Gestaltung digitaler Gesellschaften zu untersuchen.
A regularity result for a class of non-uniformly elliptic operators
Authors: Ferrari Fausto , Galise Giulio
Published: February 2022

We obtain an explicit Hölder regularity result for viscosity solutions of a class of second order fully nonlinear equations led by operators that are neither convex/concave nor uniformly elliptic.
Transcriptome changes in the developing sugarcane culm associated with high yield and early-season high sugar content
Authors: Perlo Virginie , Margarido Gabriel R. A. , Botha Frederik C. , Furtado Agnelo , Hodgson-Kratky Katrina , Correr Fernando H. , Henry Robert J.
Published: February 2022

Sugarcane, with its exceptional carbon dioxide assimilation, biomass and sugar yield, has a high potential for the production of bio-energy, bio-plastics and high-value products in the food and pharmaceutical industries. A crucial challenge for long-term economic viability and environmental sustainability is also to optimize the production of biomass composition and carbon sequestration. Sugarcane varieties such as KQ228 and Q253 are highly utilized in the industry. These varieties are characterized by a high early-season sugar content associated with high yield. In order to investigate these correlations, 1,440 internodes were collected and combined to generate a set of 120 samples in triplicate across 24 sugarcane cultivars at five different development stages. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used and revealed for the first time two sets of co-expressed genes with a distinct and opposite correlation between fibre and sugar content. Gene identification and metabolism pathways analysis was used to define these two sets of genes. Correlation analysis identified a large number of interconnected metabolic pathways linked to sugar content and fibre content. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of gene expression revealed a stronger level of segregation associated with the genotypes than the stage of development, suggesting a dominant genetic influence on biomass composition and facilitating breeding selection. Characterization of these two groups of co-expressed key genes can help to improve breeding program for high fibre, high sugar species or plant synthetic biology.
Skarn-style alteration in Proterozoic metasedimentary protoliths hosting IOCG mineralization: the Island Dam Prospect, South Australia
Authors: Keyser William , Ciobanu Cristiana L. , Ehrig Kathy , Dmitrijeva Marija , Wade Benjamin P. , Courtney-Davies Liam , Verdugo-Ihl Max , Cook Nigel J.
Published: February 2022

New mineralogical, geochemical, and geochronological data are presented for the Island Dam prospect, Olympic Cu-Au Province, South Australia. Skarn assemblages comprising actinolite/phlogopite + K-feldspar + magnetite suggest the presence of calcareous protoliths at Island Dam and indicate high-temperature alkali-calcic alteration in the early stages of IOCG mineralization, as seen in other deposits in the region. Dating of lamellar hematite intergrown with Cu-Fe-sulfides allows the timing of the alteration-mineralization event to be constrained at 1594 ± 28 Ma, contemporaneous with the ~ 1.59 Ga IOCG mineralization event recorded across the eastern Gawler Craton. The host metasedimentary sequence can be correlated to the Wallaroo Group based on lithology and fabrics, and stratigraphically by an underlying ~ 1850 Ma Donington Suite granite and the new U–Pb ages for superimposed mineralization. Oscillatory zoned silician magnetite in skarn displays a trace element signature comparable to that observed in the outer shell of the Olympic Dam deposit and the nearby Wirrda Well prospect and is consistent with early stages of IOCG mineralization. The geochemical signatures of hematite from skarn and banded Fe-rich metasedimentary rocks share a common enrichment in W, Sn, Mo, Th, and U seen in hematite from IOCG-style mineralization across the Gawler Craton. Relative enrichment in As, Sb, Ni, and Co is, however, specific to iron-oxides from banded Fe-rich metasedimentary rocks. These features can be attributed to pre-existing iron-rich lithologies.
Drug-coated balloons for small coronary artery disease in patients with chronic kidney disease: a pre-specified analysis of the BASKET-SMALL 2 trial
Authors: Mahfoud Felix , Farah Ahmed , Ohlow Marc-Alexander , Mangner Norman , Wöhrle Jochen , Möbius-Winkler Sven , Weilenmann Daniel , Leibundgut Gregor , Cuculi Florim , Gilgen Nicole , Kaiser Christoph , Cattaneo Marco , Scheller Bruno , Jeger Raban V.
Published: February 2022

Background

Data on the safety and efficacy of drug-coated balloon (DCB) compared to drug-eluting stent (DES) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are scarce, particularly at long term. This pre-specified analysis aimed to investigate the 3-year efficacy and safety of DCB versus DES for small coronary artery disease (< 3 mm) according to renal function at baseline.

Methods

BASKET-SMALL-2 was a large multi-center, randomized, controlled trial that tested the efficacy and safety of DCBs (n = 382) against DESs (n = 376) in small vessel disease. CKD was defined as eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2. The primary endpoint was the composite of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization (MACE) during 3 years.

Results

A total of 174/758 (23%) patients had CKD, out of which 91 were randomized to DCB and 83 to DES implantation. The primary efficacy outcome during 3 years was similar in both, DCB and DES patients (HR 0.98; 95%-CI 0.67–1.44; p = 0.937) and patients with and without CKD (HR 1.18; 95%-CI 0.76–1.83; p = 0.462), respectively. Rates of cardiac death and all-cause death were significantly higher among patients with CKD but not affected by treatment with DCB or DES. Major bleeding events were lower in the DCB when compared to the DES group (12 vs. 3, HR 0.26; 95%-CI 0.07–0.92; p = 0.037) and not influenced by presence of CKD.

Conclusions

The long-term efficacy and safety of DCB was similar in patients with and without CKD. The use of DCB was associated with significantly fewer major bleeding events (NCT 01574534).

Graphical Abstract
Iatrogenic instability of the acromioclavicular joint leads to ongoing impairment of shoulder function even following secondary surgical stabilization
Authors: Geyer Stephanie , Achtnich Andrea E. , Voss Andreas , Berthold Daniel P. , Lutz Patricia M. , Imhoff Andreas B. , Martetschläger Frank
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Iatrogenic instability of the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) following distal clavicle excision (DCE) represents an infrequent pathology. Revision surgery to restore ACJ stability and alleviate concomitant pain is challenging due to altered anatomic relationships. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the used salvage techniques and postoperative functional and radiological outcomes in retrospectively identify patients with a painful ACJ following DCE. We hypothesized that iatrogenic instability leads to ongoing impairment of shoulder function despite secondary surgical stabilization.

Methods

9 patients with a painful ACJ after DCE (6 men, 3 women, 43.3 ± 9.4 years) were followed up at a minimum of 36 months after revision surgery. Besides range of motion (ROM), strength and function were evaluated with validated evaluation tools including the Constant score and the DASH score (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire), specific AC Score (SACS), Nottingham Clavicle Score (NCS), Taft score and Acromioclavicular Joint Instability Score (AJI). Additionally, postoperative X-rays were compared to the unaffected side, measuring the coracoclavicular (CC) and acromioclavicular (AC) distance.

Results

At follow-up survey (55.8 ± 18.8 months) all patients but one demonstrated clinical ACJ stability after arthroscopically assisted anatomical ACJ reconstruction with an autologous hamstring graft. Reconstruction techniques were dependent on the direction of instability. The functional results demonstrated moderate shoulder and ACJ scores with a Constant Score of 77.3 ± 15.4, DASH-score of 51.2 ± 23.4, SACS 32.6 ± 23.8, NCS 77.8 ± 14.2, AJI 75 ± 14.7 points and Taft Score 7.6 ± 3.4 points. All patients stated they would undergo the revision surgery again. Mean postoperative CC-distance (8.3 ± 2.8 mm) did not differ significantly from the contralateral side (8.5 ± 1.6 mm) (p > 0,05). However, the mean AC distance was significantly greater with 16.5 ± 5.8 mm compared to the contralateral side (3.5 ± 1.9 mm) (p = 0.012).

Conclusion

Symptomatic iatrogenic ACJ instability following DCE is rare. Arthroscopically assisted revision surgery with an autologous hamstring graft improved ACJ stability in eight out of nine cases (88.9%). However, the functional scores showed ongoing impairment of shoulder function and a relatively high overall complication rate (33.3%). Therefore, this study underlines the importance of precise preoperative indication and planning and, especially, the preservation of ACJ stability when performing AC joint resection procedures.

Level of Evidence

Case series, LEVEL IV.
Seasonal dynamic of cholecalciferol (D3) and anti-Muellerian hormone (AMH) with impact on ovarian response and IVF/ICSI
Authors: Rogenhofer Nina , Jeschke Udo , von Schönfeldt Viktoria , Mahner Sven , Thaler Christian J.
Published: February 2022

Objective

Recent studies revealed intriguing associations between cholecalciferol (D3) and reproductive functions. Seasonal changes of D3 concentrations are well known; however, they are not always considered in the context of reproductive functions. In this study, we analyzed D3 serum concentration in IVF/ICSI patients with respect to seasonal 3-month quartiles and anti-Muellerian hormone (AMH) referring to the impact on Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) outcome.

Materials and research methods

We studied 469 female patients, presenting between 2012 and 2018 for ART treatment in our fertility center. D3 as well as the AMH serum concentrations were measured at the beginning of the follicle stimulation (days 3–5 of menstrual cycles). Results were evaluated with respect to seasonal quartiles and outcome of the ART cycles.

Results

D3 concentrations showed significant fluctuations within annual quartiles with a pronounced peak in August–October and a minimum in February–April (26.0 vs. 20.5 mg/dl; p < 0.0001). Similar seasonal dynamics were found for AMH (2.98 vs. 1.78 ng/ml; p = 0.010) and these were associated with significantly shorter stimulation periods during August–October (11.29 vs. 12.12 days; p = 0.042), higher number of fertilized oocytes between August and October (6.23 vs. 4.97; p = 0.05) along with a trend towards higher numbers of cumulus–oocyte complexes. However, no such differences were found for the numbers of MII oocytes or pregnancy rates.

Conclusion

Our data indicate seasonal 3-month quartile variations of AMH concentrations and characteristics of ART, such as days of ovarian stimulation and number of fertilized oocytes. Highest AMH concentrations were found between August and October and this quartile was associated with highest D3 concentrations.
The experiential basis of compatibility effects in reading-by-rotating paradigms
Authors: Capuano Francesca , Claus Berry , Kaup Barbara
Published: February 2022

The current study originates from inconsistent findings within the framework of embodied language processing, specifically in the reading-by-rotating literature: whereas some studies report a match advantage (e.g., Zwaan and Taylor (J Exp Psychol 135:1, 2006)), i.e., shorter reading times when the direction of a linguistically conveyed manual rotation matched rather than mismatched the direction of an actually to be performed manual rotation Claus (Acta Psychol 156:104–113, 2015) found a mismatch advantage. The current study addresses two explanations that were previously discussed as potentially responsible for this inconsistency: on the one hand, differences in the knob devices employed; on the other hand, differences in the perspectives adopted by the readers depending on the number of characters involved in the narratives. Concurrently, the study exploits individual differences in motoric experience to explore the experiential basis of action-sentence compatibility effects. The results are inconclusive with respect to the two explanations. However, in their overall picture, they contribute suggestive considerations for the ongoing debate on action-simulation effects by pointing to the potential role of interindividual variation in motoric experience.
Artificial intelligence (AI) models for the ultrasonographic diagnosis of liver tumors and comparison of diagnostic accuracies between AI and human experts
Authors: Nishida Naoshi , Yamakawa Makoto , Shiina Tsuyoshi , Mekada Yoshito , Nishida Mutsumi , Sakamoto Naoya , Nishimura Takashi , Iijima Hiroko , Hirai Toshiko , Takahashi Ken , Sato Masaya , Tateishi Ryosuke , Ogawa Masahiro , Mori Hideaki , Kitano Masayuki , Toyoda Hidenori , Ogawa Chikara , Kudo Masatoshi ,   JSUM A. I. investigators
Published: February 2022

Background

Ultrasonography (US) is widely used for the diagnosis of liver tumors. However, the accuracy of the diagnosis largely depends on the visual perception of humans. Hence, we aimed to construct artificial intelligence (AI) models for the diagnosis of liver tumors in US.

Methods

We constructed three AI models based on still B-mode images: model-1 using 24,675 images, model-2 using 57,145 images, and model-3 using 70,950 images. A convolutional neural network was used to train the US images. The four-class liver tumor discrimination by AI, namely, cysts, hemangiomas, hepatocellular carcinoma, and metastatic tumors, was examined. The accuracy of the AI diagnosis was evaluated using tenfold cross-validation. The diagnostic performances of the AI models and human experts were also compared using an independent test cohort of video images.

Results

The diagnostic accuracies of model-1, model-2, and model-3 in the four tumor types are 86.8%, 91.0%, and 91.1%, whereas those for malignant tumor are 91.3%, 94.3%, and 94.3%, respectively. In the independent comparison of the AIs and physicians, the percentages of correct diagnoses (accuracies) by the AIs are 80.0%, 81.8%, and 89.1% in model-1, model-2, and model-3, respectively. Meanwhile, the median percentages of correct diagnoses are 67.3% (range 63.6%–69.1%) and 47.3% (45.5%–47.3%) by human experts and non-experts, respectively.

Conclusion

 The performance of the AI models surpassed that of human experts in the four-class discrimination and benign and malignant discrimination of liver tumors. Thus, the AI models can help prevent human errors in US diagnosis.
Medicated corn feeders to disinfest cattle fever ticks, Boophilus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae), from a suburban population of white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus (Cervidae)
Authors: Thomas Donald B. , Duhaime Roberta
Published: March 2022

Following its eradication from the USA, the cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini), a vector of bovine babesiosis, has made episodic incursions into, and sometimes beyond, an established barrier zone separating tick-free from endemic areas. In large part the incursions involve hosting and transport by wild ungulates, particularly deer and antelope. One approach to disinfest ticks from wild hosts is with food baits medicated to stop parasites. The approach has had mixed success due to factors that have been previously identified with supplemental feeding of wildlife especially competition for the bait, social dominance behavior, and the availability of alternative food sources. Given that not all of the target hosts will intake a therapeutic dose of the medication (ivermectin) at all seasons of the year, an open question is whether the approach is efficacious as a stand-alone treatment or even as part of an integrated program. As detailed in the present study an intensive effort was successful in eradicating a local outbreak of fever ticks.
The Dawn of the AI Robots: Towards a New Framework of AI Robot Accountability
Authors: Tóth Zsófia , Caruana Robert , Gruber Thorsten , Loebbecke Claudia
Published: March 2022

Business, management, and business ethics literature pay little attention to the topic of AI robots. The broad spectrum of potential ethical issues pertains to using driverless cars, AI robots in care homes, and in the military, such as Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems. However, there is a scarcity of in-depth theoretical, methodological, or empirical studies that address these ethical issues, for instance, the impact of morality and where accountability resides in AI robots’ use. To address this dearth, this study offers a conceptual framework that interpretively develops the ethical implications of AI robot applications, drawing on descriptive and normative ethical theory. The new framework elaborates on how the locus of morality (human to AI agency) and moral intensity combine within context-specific AI robot applications, and how this might influence accountability thinking. Our theorization indicates that in situations of escalating AI agency and situational moral intensity, accountability is widely dispersed between actors and institutions. ‘Accountability clusters’ are outlined to illustrate interrelationships between the locus of morality, moral intensity, and accountability and how these invoke different categorical responses: (i) illegal, (ii) immoral, (iii) permissible, and (iv) supererogatory pertaining to using AI robots. These enable discussion of the ethical implications of using AI robots, and associated accountability challenges for a constellation of actors—from designer, individual/organizational users to the normative and regulative approaches of industrial/governmental bodies and intergovernmental regimes.
The Role of Share Repurchases for Firms’ Social and Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Vaupel Mario , Bendig David , Fischer-Kreer Denise , Brettel Malte
Published: February 2022

This article embarks on ethical trade-offs at the sustainability/finance interface by contrasting shareholders’ interest in short-term financial returns with society’s interest in counteracting ecological and social grievances. Scrutinizing share repurchases, we investigate a firm’s communicated sustainability orientation (i.e., its environmental and social value orientation) as well as its environmental and social sustainability performance. Our results are based on a large-scale panel dataset of 491 U.S. firms observed from 2004 to 2016. The dataset combines share buyback data with sustainability orientation scores from shareholder letters and sustainability performance ratings. The econometric models suggest no association between social value orientation and repurchase volumes, but a significantly negative relationship between environmental value orientation and buybacks in a cubic form. Executive stock options partially attenuate this relationship. Share repurchases in turn negatively affect future environmental and social performance. This study grasps the consequences of firms’ short-term shareholder satisfaction and discusses its ethical implications in the context of firms’ contribution to sustainable development, thereby providing important insights to the business ethics discourse.
Transformative Experiences, Cognitive Modelling and Affective Forecasting
Authors: Mathony Marvin , Messerli Michael
Published: March 2022

In the last seven years, philosophers have discussed the topic of transformative experiences. In this paper, we contribute to a crucial issue that is currently under-researched: transformative experiences' influence on cognitive modelling. We argue that cognitive modelling can be operationalized as affective forecasting, and we compare transformative and non-transformative experiences with respect to the ability of affective forecasting. Our finding is that decision-makers’ performance in cognitively modelling transformative experiences does not systematically differ from decision-makers’ performance in cognitively modelling non-transformative experiences. This claim stands in strict opposition to L.A. Paul’s main argument.
How do supported employment programs work? Answers from a systematic literature review
Authors: Sundermann Larissa M. , Haunberger Sigrid , Gisler Fiona , Kita Zuzanne
Published: February 2022

Many studies have found that supported employment (SE) has effectively helped people with severe mental illness obtain and maintain competitive employment. However, most SE studies have asked “What works?” rather than discerning what works for whom, in what circumstances, in what respects and how. It is important to understand the outcomes of SE and identify the impact factors (contexts and mechanisms) that can trigger them. Four literature databases were searched for studies that analyzed counseling settings. Overall, 104 publications met the inclusion criteria. The review showed that most of the research on SE programs were one-dimensional, looking at either the effects of SE programs, the client or the professional, or the relationship between clients and professionals. The model reveals that impact factors are interconnected and can have a cumulative impact on the client, professionals, and the environment.
Between perfect habitat and ecological trap: even wildflower strips mulched annually increase pollinating insect numbers in intensively used agricultural landscapes
Authors: Schmied Heiko , Getrost Larissa , Diestelhorst Olaf , Maaßen Genevieve , Gerhard Lisa
Published: February 2022

The loss of biodiversity and biomass of insects has a detrimental effect on eco-systems and associated ecosystem services, e.g. pollination. For this reason, various nature conservation measures for the promotion of insects are being created in agricultural landscapes. One of those measures is the so-called flower strip at the edge of fields. However, it is repeatedly propagated in the nature conservation community that by means of annually mulched flower strips, species richness and abundance of pollinators in intensively used agricultural areas cannot be increased. Furthermore, these measures might represent ecological traps. To check this criticism, we surveyed one to three meter wide perennial wild flower strips in intensively used agricultural areas, which have been mulched annually for three years, upon abundance, species numbers and biomass of bees and butterflies. By means of transect surveys, species richness and abundance were recorded and biomass was calculated. We compared the findings with those of reference field margins. Our results show an increase in species richness and abundance as well as a general increase in biomass of wild bees and butterflies in wild flower strips compared to findings in the reference field margins.

Implications for insect conservation

Our study shows that small, annually mulched wild flower strips are able to promote biodiversity of wild bees and butterflies in the intensively used agricultural landscape. Further, our results obtained that this measure does not inevitably represent an ecological trap or sink habitat for most species.
Is the replication crisis a base-rate fallacy?
Authors: Autzen Bengt
Published: February 2022

Is science in the midst of a crisis of replicability and false discoveries? In a recent article, Alexander Bird offers an explanation for the apparent lack of replicability in the biomedical sciences. Bird argues that the surprise at the failure to replicate biomedical research is a result of the fallacy of neglecting the base rate. The base-rate fallacy arises in situations in which one ignores the base rate—or prior probability—of an event when assessing the probability of this event in the light of some observed evidence. By extension, the replication crisis would result from ignoring the low prior probability of biomedical hypotheses. In this paper, my response to Bird’s claim is twofold. First, I show that the argument according to which the replication crisis is due to the low prior of biomedical hypotheses is incomplete. Second, I claim that a simple base-rate fallacy model does not account for some important methodological insights that have emerged in discussions of the replication crisis.
Measuring partisan polarization with partisan differences in satisfaction with the government: the introduction of a new comparative approach
Authors: Patkós Veronika
Published: February 2022

In recent years, the attention of political scientists investigating political polarization has turned from the ideological aspects of polarization to its partisan and affective aspects. This recent turn implied that this area has experienced an urgent need to create appropriate polarization indices that are backed with high-quality data across time and countries to carry out comparative research. This paper argues that existing polarization indices mostly fail to adequately include the most important aspect of polarization, that is, bimodality. To fill this gap, it proposes a partisan polarization index using European Social Survey data on government satisfaction of partisan camps, which is available for 32 European countries between 2002 and 2020 for all in all 214 country-years. That is, the paper offers an insight into trends in partisan polarization for these 214 cases. The analysis of cases shows that in the last two decades polarization hit mostly Southern European countries and some East-Central European ones, like Cyprus, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Poland and especially, Hungary. Within the realm of possibilities, the paper compares the newly constructed index to other polarization indices.
Being your own boss and bossing others: the moderating effect of managing others on work meaning and autonomy for the self-employed and employees
Authors: Nikolova Milena , Nikolaev Boris , Boudreaux Christopher
Published: February 2022

We examine the moderating role of being a supervisor for meaning and autonomy of self-employed and employed workers. We rely on regression analysis applied after entropy balancing based on a nationally representative dataset of over 80,000 individuals in 30 European countries for 2005, 2010, and 2015. We find that being a self-employed supervisor is correlated with more work meaningfulness and autonomy compared with being a salaried supervisor working for an employer. Wage supervisors and self-employed supervisors experience similar stress levels and have similar earnings, though self-employed supervisors work longer hours. Moreover, solo entrepreneurs experience slightly less work meaningfulness, but more autonomy compared with self-employed supervisors. This may be explained by the fact that solo entrepreneurs earn less but have less stress and shorter working hours than self-employed supervisors.
Factors affecting time to publication in information science
Authors: Taşkın Zehra , Taşkın Abdülkadir , Doğan Güleda , Kulczycki Emanuel
Published: February 2022

Publication speed is one of the important aspects of scholarly communication since various research performance evaluation systems are based mostly on published papers. This study aims to reveal the factors affecting the publication speed of journals. In this context, six information science journals: ASLIB Journal of Information Management, Journal of Documentation, Journal of Informetrics, Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, Online Information Review, and Scientometrics are analysed in terms of time to publication (from submission to decision). Our results show that publication time is significantly shorter when an editorial board member or a productive author of a given journal is one of the authors, in compare with the articles. submitted by other authors. The number of authors has a time-prolonging effect on publication time, as expected. On the other hand, publications with more citations were accepted in a shorter time. The papers with authors from central countries and high-income countries have an advantage of shorter publication time. Thus, this study shows that researchers who publish papers with popular and successful researchers from central countries have the advantage of the speed of publication which may have substantial effects on the future academic work, especially of early career researchers.
The development of the intention to study of pupils from different social backgrounds in non-traditional pathways to higher education
Authors: Schuchart Claudia , Schimke Benjamin
Published: March 2022

In this paper we investigate whether and if so why different pathways to higher education (HE) have an effect on the development of the intention to study and its motivational factors of pupils from different social backgrounds. In Germany as well as in many other countries, non-traditional pathways—mostly vocational oriented schools, but also comprehensive schools—lead to eligibility for HE. Drawing on the theory of planned behaviour (Ajzen in Organ Behav Human Decis Process 50:179–211, 1991); Fishbein and Ajzen (Belief, attitude, intention and behaviour. An introduction to theory and research, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Reading, MA, 1975) and empirical results, we assume that the intention to study and motivational factors (= attitudes towards HE, the perceptions of expectations of relevant others, control beliefs) of pupils in vocationally oriented pathways develop less favourably than those of pupils in comprehensive schools, and that for pupils in vocationally oriented pathways the effects of social backgrounds on intentions and motivational factors become stronger due to school-type specific college-going cultures. Our database consists of the responses of 7133 pupils in comprehensive schools and vocationally oriented two-year and three-year pathways to HE at the beginning (t1) and the end (t2) of upper secondary education. We use Propensity Score Matching to disentangle selection and socialization effects. Our results show that among vocationally oriented pathways, only two-year pathways divert pupils from HE, partly due to decreasing expectations of relevant others and attitudes towards HE. In contrast, the intention to study and the motivational factors among pupils in direct as well as in three-year vocationally oriented pathways remain stable during upper secondary education. No differential effects of the pathways on pupils from different social backgrounds could be observed. Thus, vocationally oriented pathways do not in general divert their pupils from HE, but if they do so, all pupils are affected regardless of social background.
Neuromedia, cognitive offloading, and intellectual perseverance
Authors: Turner Cody
Published: March 2022

This paper engages in what might be called anticipatory virtue epistemology, as it anticipates some virtue epistemological risks related to a near-future version of brain-computer interface technology that Michael Lynch (2014) calls 'neuromedia.' I analyze how neuromedia is poised to negatively affect the intellectual character of agents, focusing specifically on the virtue of intellectual perseverance, which involves a disposition to mentally persist in the face of challenges towards the realization of one’s intellectual goals. First, I present and motivate what I call ‘the cognitive offloading argument’, which holds that excessive cognitive offloading of the sort incentivized by a device like neuromedia threatens to undermine intellectual virtue development from the standpoint of the theory of virtue responsibilism. Then, I examine the cognitive offloading argument as it applies to the virtue of intellectual perseverance, arguing that neuromedia may increase cognitive efficiency at the cost of intellectual perseverance. If used in an epistemically responsible manner, however, cognitive offloading devices may not undermine intellectual perseverance but instead allow people to persevere with respect to intellectual goals that they find more valuable by freeing them from different kinds of menial intellectual labor.
Authentication, scale-relativity, and relational kindhood
Authors: Creţu Ana-Maria
Published: February 2022

This paper proposes a new natural kinds framework according to whichkindhood is relational, dynamic, and scale-relative. Reflecting on the ontogenesis of a scientific classification, I argue that there are two distinct conceptual stages to a scientific classification: a first stage in which enough entities and relations must be authenticated for kindhood to emerge and a second in which the nature of authenticated entities and relations is investigated. The new framework is scale-relative and explains both the changing nature of the entities and relations themselves as well as the changing nature of the classifications in which they are organised.
Underdetermination, holism, and feminist philosophy of science
Authors: Nelson Lynn Hankinson
Published: February 2022

Appeals to some thesis of underdetermination, to the idea that scientific theories and hypotheses are not entailed by the evidence that supports them, are common in feminist philosophy of science. These appeals seek to understand and explain how androcentrism and other problematic approaches to gender have found their way into good science, as well as the reverse – how feminist approaches to gender and science that are also value-laden, can contribute to good science. Focusing on W.V. Quine’s positions on holism and underdetermination, I argue that although Quine’s general thesis of holism does not entail his thesis of global underdetermination, his account of and arguments for moderate holism entail a localized and generalizable underdetermination, which I call moderate underdetermination. This moderate underdetermination is not transient or true of only some theories and hypotheses. Rather, it is a permanent state of affairs that characterizes all reasonably inclusive theories and hypotheses, however much evidence for them accumulates. I contend that Quine’s moderate holism entails the most robust and defensible argument for localized underdetermination, and that feminists would do well to appeal to it in arguing that values inform good science.
A note on non-uniform points for projections of hypersurfaces
Authors: Cifani Maria Gioia , Moschetti Riccardo
Published: February 2022

Let X be an irreducible, reduced complex projective hypersurface of degree d. A uniform point for X is a point P such that the projection of X from P has maximal monodromy. We extend and improve some results concerning the finiteness of the locus of non-uniform points for projections of hypersurfaces obtained by the authors and Cuzzucoli (Ann. Mat. Pura ed Appl. 1923, 1–18 (2021)) only for P not contained in X.
System-level consequences of synergies and trade-offs between SDGs: quantitative analysis of interlinkage networks at country level
Authors: Dawes Jonathan H. P. , Zhou Xin , Moinuddin Mustafa
Published: February 2022

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) present a complex system of 17 goals and 169 individual targets whose interactions can be described in terms of co-benefits and trade-offs between policy actions. We analyse in detail target-by-target interlinkage networks established by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) SDG Interlinkages Tool. We discuss two quantitative measures of network structure; the leading eigenvector of the interlinkage networks (‘eigencentrality’) and a notion of hierarchy within the network motivated by the concept of trophic levels for species in food webs. We use three interlinkage matrices generated by IGES: the framework matrix which provides a generic network model of the interlinkages at the target level, and two country-specific matrices for Bangladesh and Indonesia that combine SDG indicator data with the generic framework matrix. Our results echo, and are confirmed by, similar work at the level of whole SDGs that has shown that SDGs 1–3 (ending poverty, and providing food security and healthcare) are much more likely to be achieved than the environmentally- related SDGs 13–15 concerned with climate action, life on land and life below water. Our results here provide a refinement in terms of specific targets within each of these SDGs. We find that not all targets within SDGs 1–3 are equally well-supported, and not all targets within SDGs 13–15 are equally at risk of not being achieved. Finally, we point to the recurring issue of data gaps that hinders our quantitative analysis, in particular for SDGs 5 (gender equality) and 13 (climate action) where the huge gaps in indicator data that mean the true nature of the interlinkages and importance of these two SDGs are not fully recognised.
Remote management of osteoporosis in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Salvio Gianmaria , Gianfelice Claudio , Firmani Francesca , Lunetti Stefano , Ferroni Rossella , Balercia Giancarlo , Giacchetti Gilberta
Published: March 2022

We conducted a survey during the first pandemic wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on a large group of osteoporotic patients to evaluate the general conditions of osteoporotic patients and the impact of the pandemic on the management of osteoporosis, finding high compliance to treatments and low COVID-19 lethality.

Introduction

During the first pandemic wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), 209,254 cases were diagnosed in Italy; fatalities were 26,892 and were overwhelmingly older patients. The high prevalence of osteoporosis in this age group suggests a potential relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and bone metabolism.

Methods

In a telephone survey conducted from April to May 2020, patients from the Osteoporosis Center, Clinic of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases of Umberto I Hospital (Ancona, Italy), were interviewed to evaluate the general clinical conditions of osteoporotic patients, compliance with osteoporosis medications, COVID-19 prevalence, hospitalization rate, COVID-19 mortality, and lethality.

Results

Among the 892 patients interviewed, 77.9% were taking osteoporosis treatment and 94.6% vitamin D supplementation as prescribed at the last visit. COVID-19-like symptoms were reported by 5.1%, whereas confirmed cases were 1.2%. A total number of 33 patients had been in hospital and the hospitalization rate of those who had not discontinued vitamin D supplementation was less than 4%. There were eight deaths, two with a concomitant COVID-19 diagnosis. The prevalence of severe osteoporosis was 50% in total COVID-19 patients and 87.5% in deceased COVID-19 patients. The overall COVID-19 mortality was 0.2%; lethality was 20%, lower than the national rate of the same age group.

Conclusions

This large group of osteoporotic patients showed high compliance and lower COVID-19 lethality compared to patients of the same age. Novel approaches such as telemedicine can provide critical support for the remote follow-up of patients with chronic diseases also in the setting of routine care.
Life Quality in Care Homes: Chinese and Danish Older Adults’ Perspectives
Authors: Ren Puxiang
Published: February 2022

The demand for care homes appears to be emerging as a key future trend in response to the burgeoning population of older adults, with the need for care provision increasing accordingly. Life quality, happiness and well-being are important factors associated with the care of older residents. This qualitative study explores how older adults moving into care homes view their life quality, from their own perspectives, in two quite different cultural contexts, Chinese and Danish. Older care residents in Shanghai and Denmark participated in the study by means of semi-structured and in-depth interviews. An interpretive phenomenological analysis approach was used for data analysis. Four interrelated themes were identified: positive transfer; positive environment; positive capability and positive experience. The findings demonstrated that older adults considered their quality of life as the result of a dynamic process. Their pursuit of a harmonious status, centered on “change” as the core value, which encompassed both the simplicities and complexities of life. Both older adult groups cared more about their emotional wellbeing, which focused mainly on positive emotions being stimulated while negative emotions were shunned. In the situations when they were “harmonized” by society systems, there was an important emotional thread which continued throughout their whole life that was strongly associated with life quality which was the relationship with family members – be it in the past, present or future.
Ducted fans for hybrid electric propulsion of small aircraft
Authors: Weintraub Daniel , Koppelberg Jan , Köhler Jo , Jeschke Peter
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a method for modeling ducted fan propulsion systems for hybrid-electrically driven small aircraft based on mean line flow analysis methods. Studies of the essential design parameters provide the basis for a discussion of potential advantages when compared to free propellers, as well as possible new fields of application for the ducted fan. A two-seater aircraft, equipped with two ducted fans powered by a combustion engine and additionally by a parallel hybrid electric start-boost drive, is used as a reference application case. The fan performance characteristics are described with the aid of aero mean line flow analysis methods and semi-empirical loss correlations. Physics-based methods are applied to assess the nacelle drag and noise emissions. The combustion engine and electric motor performance are described using maps. The ducted fan design variables are investigated to identify the main trade-offs and favorable designs for the target aircraft mission, with special attention to noise. The results show that the performance of fixed pitch fans benefits strongly from hybridization. Ducted fans can also operate considerably more quietly than is required by current certification standards. The physics-based design method presented here can be used for conceptual design and performance prediction of ducted fan propulsion systems, which may be especially interesting if low noise emissions are required.
Kill rates and associated ecological factors for an apex predator
Authors: Cristescu Bogdan , Elbroch L. Mark , Dellinger Justin A. , Binder Wesley , Wilmers Christopher C. , Wittmer Heiko U.
Published: March 2022

Kill rates and functional responses are fundamental to the study of predator ecology and the understanding of predatory-prey dynamics. As the most widely distributed apex predator in the western hemisphere, pumas (Puma concolor) have been well studied, yet a synthesis of their kill rates is currently lacking. We reviewed the literature and compiled data on sex- and age-specific kill rate estimates of pumas on ungulates, and conducted analyses aimed at understanding ecological factors explaining the observed spatial variation. Kill rate studies on pumas, while numerous, were primarily conducted in Temperate Conifer Forests (< 10% of puma range), revealing a dearth of knowledge across much of their range, especially from tropical and subtropical habitats. Across studies, kill rates in ungulates/week were highest for adult females with kitten(s) (1.24 ± 0.41 ungulates/week) but did not vary significantly between adult males (0.84 ± 0.18) and solitary adult females (0.99 ± 0.26). Kill rates in kg/day differed only marginally among reproductive classes. Kill rates of adult pumas increased with ungulate density, particularly for males. Ungulate species richness had a weak negative association with adult male kill rates. Neither scavenger richness, puma density, the proportion of non-ungulate prey in the diet, nor regional human population density had a significant effect on ungulate kill rates, but additional studies and standardization would provide further insights. Our results had a strong temperate-ecosystem bias highlighting the need for further research across the diverse biomes pumas occupy to fully interpret kill rates for the species. Data from more populations would also allow for multivariate analyses providing deeper inference into the ecological and behavioural factors driving kill rates and functional responses of pumas, and apex predators in general.