bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using systems thinking to understand the experiences of overseas‐trained teachers in Australia
Authors: Datta Roy Sushmita , Standing Craig
Published: June 2024

Many overseas‐trained teachers (OTTs) migrate to Australia in search of different lifestyles and career challenges and are encouraged to do so by the Australian government to partly address the acute teacher shortage that is labelled by some as a crisis. In their endeavour to find suitable teaching positions in public secondary schools, OTTs often confront multiple challenges. This study explores the different issues that 12 OTTs experienced after obtaining a teaching position in public secondary schools in Australia. An instrumental case study was the chosen methodology. Data were collected through 12 in‐depth semi‐structured interviews and researcher generated field notes. Systems thinking concepts are employed to identify the various systems that interact and provide the context for individual teachers in the classroom. The results indicate that participants experienced the following challenges: apparent lack of effective in‐school induction and mentoring, student behaviour management issues: pedagogical and cultural dissonance and perceived workplace harassment and discrimination. Much of the analysis and guidance for successful classroom teaching emphasises appropriate strategies that should be used by the teacher. From our analysis, we argue that these alone do not account for either success or failure in the classroom. The wider school system, family and community structures, State/Federal Education Department, regional and national economies and socio‐cultural factors all have an important role to play yet are beyond the influence of the individual teacher. The systems thinking approach offers a way forward to create effective solutions to address the problems faced by OTT and also avert a major crisis in public secondary schools. However, despite all of the challenges OTTs faced, the majority were grateful for their multiple positive and rewarding experiences in Australia.
Untersuchung zur Detektion von Oberflächenkorrosion an Schrauben mithilfe von piezoelektrischen Wandlern
Authors: Sahm Daniel , Pak Daniel
Published: June 2024

Die Studie untersucht die Anwendbarkeit von piezoelektrischen Wandlern zur zerstörungsfreien Detektion von Oberflächenkorrosion an Schrauben. Grundlage dieser Methode ist die Messung elektromechanischer Impedanzspektren, die sich infolge variierender Strukturzustände verändern und grundsätzlich eine Bewertung des Strukturzustands ermöglichen. Im Rahmen der Studie wurden zur Eignungsprüfung experimentelle und numerische Untersuchungen an vier HV‐Schraubengrößen nach DIN EN 14399‐4 durchgeführt. Es konnte ein Zusammenhang zwischen der Verschiebung der Resonanzamplitude der Schrauben und dem Korrosionsgrad hergestellt werden. Weiterhin wurde ein annähernd linearer Trend zwischen der Änderung des Schaftquerschnitts und der Verschiebung der Resonanzamplitude beobachtet. Darüber hinaus konnte die Entwicklung der Impedanzspektren erfolgreich durch eine numerische Simulation reproduziert werden. Die Ergebnisse der Studie zeigen einen vielversprechenden Ansatz für eine automatisierte und kosteneffiziente Überwachung der Oberflächenkorrosion von Schrauben. Die Integration dieser Technologie könnte in verschiedenen Anwendungsbereichen zu erheblichen Kosteneinsparungen und erhöhter Sicherheit führen, insbesondere bei der Überwachung schwer zugänglicher, korrosionsgefährdeter Bereiche.
Frame Analysis and Animal Studies: Erving Goffman's Overlooked Thesis on Animal Metacommunication and Mind
Authors: Jerolmack Colin , Westberry Abigail , Teo Belicia
Published: June 2024

Erving Goffman's concept of framing is one of his most enduring contributions to social science. Despite the canonical status of Frame Analysis (1974) in multiple fields, few acknowledge its intellectual engagement with animal studies. It was Gregory Bateson, in an analysis of animal play, who first posited the idea of frames as metacommunicative propositions that signal the meaning of behavior. In this paper, we show that Goffman did not just opportunistically borrow the idea of framing from Bateson, but also advanced Bateson's thesis that nonhuman animals are capable of (re)framing the meaning of behavior. He emphasized that animals and humans could meta‐communicate with each other as well. Goffman polemicized against human exceptionalist theories of cognition and communication—not only in Frame Analysis, but also in unpublished remarks he delivered at a controversial conference on animal communication, and he suggested that the ability to meta‐communicate is a more appropriate index of mind than language. Although new research indicates that many species use “significant symbols” and have a “theory of mind,” most interactionists have not reckoned with the sociological implications of animals as “minded” social actors capable of metacommunication with each other—and with people.
Conformal perturbation theory for n-point functions: structure constant deformation
Authors: Burrington Benjamin A. , Zadeh Ida G.
Published: June 2024

Abstract

We consider conformal perturbation theory for n-point functions on the sphere in general 2D CFTs to first order in coupling constant. We regulate perturbation integrals using canonical hard disk excisions of size ϵ around the fixed operator insertions, and identify the full set of counter terms which are sufficient to regulate all such integrated n-point functions. We further explore the integrated 4-point function which computes changes to the structure constants of the theory. Using an sl(2) map, the three fixed locations of operators are mapped to 0, 1, and ∞. We show that approximating the mapped excised regions to leading order in ϵ does not lead to the same perturbative shift to the structure constant as the exact in ϵ region. We explicitly compute the correction back to the exact in ϵ region of integration in terms of the CFT data. We consider the compact boson, and show that one must use the exact in ϵ region to obtain agreement with the exact results for structure constants in this theory.
Topology change and non-geometry at infinite distance
Authors: Demulder Saskia , Lüst Dieter , Raml Thomas
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The distance conjecture diagnoses viable low-energy effective realisations of consistent theories of quantum gravity by examining their breakdown at infinite distance in their parameter space. At the same time, infinite distance points in parameter space are naturally intertwined with string dualities. We explore the implications of the distance conjecture when T-duality is applied to curved compact manifolds and in presence of (non-)geometric fluxes. We provide evidence of how divergent potentials signal pathological infinite distance points in the scalar field space where towers of light states cannot be sustained by the curved background. This leads us to suggest an extension to the current statement of the Swampland distance conjecture in curved spaces or in presence of non-trivial fluxes supporting the background.
Genomic Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Linezolid-Resistant Enterococcus from the Nostrils of Healthy Hosts Identifies Zoonotic Transmission
Authors: Abdullahi Idris Nasir , Lozano Carmen , Zarazaga Myriam , Latorre-Fernández Javier , Hallstrøm Søren , Rasmussen Astrid , Stegger Marc , Torres Carmen
Published: June 2024

Linezolid resistance in Enterococcus spp. is increasingly considered critically important and a public health threat which mandates the need to understand their genomic contents and dissemination patterns. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing to characterize the resistome, virulome and mobile genetic elements of nine linezolid-resistant (LZDR) enterococci (seven optrA-E. faecalis, one poxtA-E. faecium and one optrA-E. casseliflavus) previously obtained from the nares of healthy dogs, pigs, pig farmers and tracheal samples of nestling storks in Spain. Also, the relatedness of the isolates with publicly available genomes was accessed by core-genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. The optrA gene of the E. faecalis and E. casseliflavus isolates was located downstream of the fexA gene. The optrA gene in the E. casseliflavus isolate was carried in a plasmid (pURX4962), while those in the seven E. faecalis isolates were chromosomally located. The OptrA proteins were mostly variants of wild type (DP-2: Y176D/T481P; RDK: I104R/Y176D/E256K; DD-3: Y176D/G393D; and EDD: K3E/Y176D/G393D), except two that were wild type (one E. faecalis and one E. casseliflavus). The poxtA gene in the E. faecium isolate was found alone within its contig. The cfrD was upstream of ermB gene in the E. casseliflavus isolate and flanked by ISNCY and IS1216. All the LZDR enterococci carried plasmid rep genes (2–3) containing tetracycline, chloramphenicol and aminoglycoside resistance genes. All isolates except E. casseliflavus carried at least one intact prophage, of which E. faecalis-ST330 (X4957) from a pig carried the highest (n = 5). Tn6260 was associated with lnuG in E. faecalis-ST330 while Tn554 was with fexA in E. feaecalis-ST59 isolates. All except E. casseliflavus (n = 0) carried at least two metal resistance genes (MRGs), of which poxtA-carrying E. faecium-ST1739 isolate contained the most (arsA, copA, fief, ziaA, znuA, zosA, zupT, and zur). SNP-based analyses identified closely related optrA-E. faecalis isolates from a pig and a pig farmer on the same farm (SNP = 4). Moreover, optrA- carrying E. faecalis-ST32, -ST59, and -ST474 isolates from pigs were related to those previously described from humans (sick and healthy) and cattle in Spain, Belgium, and Switzerland (SNP range 43–86). These findings strongly suggest the transmission of LZDR-E. faecalis between a pig and a pig farmer and potential inter-country dissemination. These highlight the need to strengthen molecular surveillance of LZDR enterococci in all ecological niches and body parts to direct appropriate control strategies.
Whole genome sequencing in (recurrent) glioblastoma: challenges related to informed consent procedures and data sharing
Authors: Hasner Mira C. , van Opijnen Mark P. , de Vos Filip Y. F. , Cuppen Edwin , Broekman Marike L. D.
Published: June 2024

Increased use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in neuro-oncology for diagnostics and research purposes necessitates a renewed conversation about informed consent procedures and governance structures for sharing personal health data. There is currently no consensus on how to obtain informed consent for WGS in this population. In this narrative review, we analyze the formats and contents of frameworks suggested in literature for WGS in oncology and assess their benefits and limitations. We discuss applicability, specific challenges, and legal context for patients with (recurrent) glioblastoma. This population is characterized by the rarity of the disease, extremely limited prognosis, and the correlation of the stage of the disease with cognitive abilities. Since this has implications for the informed consent procedure for WGS, we suggest that the content of informed consent should be tailor-made for (recurrent) glioblastoma patients.
Deep neural network expressivity for optimal stopping problems
Authors: Gonon Lukas
Published: June 2024

This article studies deep neural network expression rates for optimal stopping problems of discrete-time Markov processes on high-dimensional state spaces. A general framework is established in which the value function and continuation value of an optimal stopping problem can be approximated with error at most $\varepsilon $
ε
by a deep ReLU neural network of size at most $\kappa d^{\mathfrak{q}} \varepsilon ^{-\mathfrak{r}}$
κ

d
q

ε

−
r

. The constants $\kappa ,\mathfrak{q},\mathfrak{r} \geq 0$
κ
,
q
,
r
≥
0
do not depend on the dimension $d$
d
of the state space or the approximation accuracy $\varepsilon $
ε
. This proves that deep neural networks do not suffer from the curse of dimensionality when employed to approximate solutions of optimal stopping problems. The framework covers for example exponential Lévy models, discrete diffusion processes and their running minima and maxima. These results mathematically justify the use of deep neural networks for numerically solving optimal stopping problems and pricing American options in high dimensions.
The usability and user experience of an interactive e-learning platform to empower older adults when using electronic personal health records: an online intervention study
Authors: Perotti Luis , Stamm Oskar , Dietrich Michael , Buchem Ilona , Müller-Werdan Ursula
Published: June 2024

Since the introduction of the electronic Personal Health Record (ePHR) in Germany in 2021, usage rates among those with statutory health insurance have remained below 1%. The patient-administered conception of the ePHR presents access barriers, particularly for older adults. This study aimed to evaluate an e-learning platform as an empowerment tool for ePHR usage, tailored toward older adults. In this explorative study, a micro-learning-based prototype platform for effective utilization of the ePHR was evaluated through both an online (n = 53) and a face-to-face (n = 6) intervention. The usability of the e-learning platform was measured using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and user experience with the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ). The mean rating in the SUS was 67.9 in the online group and 70.4 in the face-to-face group. For participants of the online group, only the perspicuity subscale of the UEQ was rated above average compared to the benchmark. There was a strong positive correlation between usability and the perception of how learning content was presented, as measured by the eHealth Impact Questionnaire, in the online group (p = < 0.001, r(40) = 0.72). An investigation of the face-to-face group helped identify key usability challenges. The results of our study suggest that aspects of the target group-oriented design of the learning platform, in particular, still need to be improved. The insights gleaned from this study will contribute to the ongoing development of the learning platform in subsequent phases. Future studies will investigate the platform’s effectiveness in empowering older adults.

Trial Registration The study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (registration number: DRKS00029700) and received approval from the Ethics Committee of the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin (application number: EA1/081/22).
COVID-19 prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation: a scoping review of key concepts for future pandemic preparedness
Authors: Formica Valentina , Piccinni Armando , Saraff Giovanni , Zafar Ali , Mayer Gwendolyn , Hummel Svenja , Schultz Jobst-Hendrik , Durán Raquel Losada , Muñoz Elisa Sáez , Domínguez Laura Martínez , de Almeida Rosa Maria Resende , Conotter Valentina , Sebastiani Maddalena , Janssen Niels , Duits Annelien
Published: June 2024

Aim

This scoping review explores key concepts related to the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of COVID-19, offering insights for future pandemic preparedness and response strategies.

Subject and methods

A scoping review was conducted using electronic databases including PubMed, EBSCO (CINAHL, APA PsycINFO), and Cochrane. The results were filtered for papers published in English, German, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch until 31 December 2022. Eighty-one articles were selected for the scoping review. Moreover, gray literature on guidelines was retrieved from reports by each country’s main institution for pandemic management, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Results

From the analyzed articles several key points emerged, highlighting main issues facing the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenges in prevention include emphasizing airborne precautions, addressing diverse adherence to social distancing, and overcoming challenges in digital contact tracing. In the realm of treatment, essential considerations include personalized patient management and the significance of holistic care. Rehabilitation efforts should prioritize post-COVID conditions and explore suggested management models. Addressing the social impact involves recognizing psychological effects, advocating for quality improvement initiatives, and for the restructuring of public health systems.

Conclusion

This scoping review emphasizes the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global and European population, resulting in a significant death toll and widespread long-term effects. Lessons learned include the critical importance of coordinated emergency management, transparent communication, and collaboration between health authorities, governments, and the public. To effectively address future public health threats, proactive investment in infrastructure, international collaboration, technology, and innovative training is crucial.
Experimental investigation on oxygenation efficiency of an effective aeration system for ponds
Authors: Kelestemur Guluzar Tuna , Aytac Ayca , Tuna M. Cihat
Published: June 2024

Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in water is one of the most important water quality parameters in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The most effective way to increase DO concentration in water is aeration. Conduits with high aeration performance are predicted to significantly increase aeration efficiency. Based on this prediction, the physical parameters affecting the aeration efficiency (E20) of the conduit aeration system were experimentally investigated. The effect of different jet plunge angles, flow rates, hydrostatic levels, Froude numbers, and gate opening rates was investigated to optimize the system for the best ventilation efficiency. As a result, the aeration efficiency (E20) improves with increasing air intake performance at low gate openings, high Froude numbers, and hydrostatic levels. The increase in jet plunge angles and hydrostatic level directly increases the aeration efficiency. The study showed that conduit systems can be an important alternative for pond aeration due to initial investment and operating costs, low energy cost, and high aeration efficiency.
Phenotypic and molecular characterization of pleiotropic resistance to rusts and powdery mildew in spring wheat
Authors: Draz Ibrahim S. , Esmail Samar M. , Komeil Doaa A.
Published: June 2024

An attempt was undertaken to comprehend how phenotypic markers, leaf tip necrosis (LTN), and pseudo black chaff (PBC), are associated with pleiotropic resistance genes in wheat (Triticum spp.). Pleiotropic resistance to stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici), leaf rust (P. triticina), stem rust (P. graminis f. sp. tritici) and powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici) was evaluated in 57 Egyptian spring wheat cultivars at seedling stage in greenhouse and at adult plant stage in field during 2021/22 and 2022/23. At seedling stage, pleiotropic resistance rated moderately resistance (MR) was observed in five cultivars, Misr-3 (all three rusts), Misr-4 (stripe rust, leaf rust, powdery mildew), Giza-168 (leaf rust, stem rust, powdery mildew), Sakha-94 and Sids-13 (leaf rust, stem rust). At adult plant stage, Misr-4 outperformed all other evaluated cultivars, exhibiting a high level of pleiotropic adult plant resistance (PAPR) against all diseases investigated. High levels of PAPR were also noticed against the three rusts in nine cultivars, Misr-3, Sakha-93, Sakha-94, Sakha-95, Giza-156, Giza-168, Giza-171, Gemmeiza-10 and Sids-13, and moderate levels against powdery mildew in Misr-3, Sakha-95, Giza-156. Four PAPR genes were characterized in cultivars based on phenotypic and molecular markers. Phenotypic markers (LTN and PBC) were observed in 23 cultivars. Molecular marker csLV34 indicated the presence of Lr34/Yr18/Sr57/Pm38/Ltn1 in six cultivars, whilst marker Xwmc44 indicated that Lr46/Yr29/Sr58/Pm39/Ltn2 was present in five cultivars. Marker Xcfd71 indicated the presence of Lr67/Yr46/Sr55/Pm46/Ltn3 in 19 cultivars. Gene Sr2/Yr30/Lr27/Pbc was identified with marker csSr2 in three cultivars. A complete association between LTN and molecular markers was recorded, while a strong association (r = 0.73) was recorded between PBC and molecular markers. Findings demonstrated the reliability of phenotypic markers in predicting pleiotropic resistance in wheat, which would facilitate marker-assisted selection in breeding programs.
Low pH adaptation of tropical exotic acid tolerance yellow maize donor lines in sub-tropical breeding programs
Authors: Nginamau Dibanzilua , Kamutando Casper Nyaradzai , Magorokosho Cosmos , Saraiva João Constâncio , van Biljon Angeline , Labuschagne Maryke
Published: June 2024

Soil acidity is one of the most important constraints to maize production in Angola, where both yellow and white maize is essential for food and feed requirements. In this study, four yellow acid soil tolerant donor lines from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT)—Colombia were crossed with ten yellow elite lines adapted to the mid-altitude climatic conditions developed by CIMMYT—Zimbabwe, in order to identify donor lines, which can be potential sources of acid tolerance genes in breeding programs in Angola and within the mid-altitude climatic zones. The two groups of parents were crossed using a line by tester mating design, yielding 36 crosses with sufficient seed, which were evaluated alongside six acid tolerant commercial hybrids, during the 2014–16 cropping seasons at nine sites, representing acid and non-acid soils in Angola and Zimbabwe. A significant (p < 0.05) line and line × tester effect for grain yield performance was observed across acid and non-acid conditions. Acid tolerance donor lines CY3 and CY1 showed the highest positive GCA effects for grain yield. In addition, crosses involving these two donor lines had the best yielding ability and stability under both acid and non-acid conditions. For instance, the crosses CH142464 (ZY2 × CY3) and, CH142447 (ZY2 × CY1) were the best combinations for grain yield performance under both acid and non-acid soil conditions, and were stable compared to the commercial check hybrids. Crosses involving the acid tolerant donor lines mostly flowered earlier than the commercial checks. Overall, the data showed the potential of tropically-adapted exotic yellow maize acid tolerance donor lines in improving productivity of sub-tropical maize under both low-pH and well-managed soil conditions.
Correlation of powers of Hüsler–Reiss vectors and Brown–Resnick fields, and application to insured wind losses
Authors: Koch Erwan
Published: June 2024

Hüsler–Reiss vectors and Brown–Resnick fields are popular models in multivariate and spatial extreme-value theory, respectively, and are widely used in applications. We provide analytical formulas for the correlation between powers of the components of the bivariate Hüsler–Reiss vector, extend these to the case of the Brown–Resnick field, and thoroughly study the properties of the resulting dependence measure. The use of correlation is justified by spatial risk theory, while power transforms are insightful when taking correlation as dependence measure, and are moreover very suited damage functions for weather events such as wind extremes or floods. This makes our theoretical results worthwhile for, e.g., actuarial applications. We finally perform a case study involving insured losses from extreme wind speeds in Germany, and obtain valuable conclusions for the insurance industry.
Rape Myths, Rape Law and Mendelsohn’s Victimology: Law’s ‘Bio-psycho-social’ Witness
Authors: Stringer Rebecca
Published: June 2024

This article provides a feminist reading of a neglected text: victimology founder Benjamin Mendelsohn’s essay about rape victims and the law, ‘Rape in Criminology and the Importance of the Female Judge’ (Mendelsohn Benjamin in La Giustizia Penale I-II-III-IV:28–50 1940). Following the heuristics of feminist socio-legal scholarship, my reading unsettles the established origin story of victimology and furthers feminist knowledge about the persistence of rape myths. I show victimology sprang from Mendelsohn’s work as a rape trial lawyer and was a vehicle for modernising rape myths, brought into being in response to rape survivor-corroborating advancements in forensic science. Mendelsohn’s ‘bio-psycho-social’ method of criminal defence sought a modern scientific foundation for rape myths, mobilising biological, psychoanalytic and sociological knowledge to contrive new grounds for invalidating complainant testimony as corrupt data.
Surface Erosion Equations for Degradation Analysis of Several Common Three-Dimensional Shapes of Plastic Materials
Authors: Dotson Kirk W. , Pisano Kyle , Renegar D. Abigail
Published: June 2024

Equations were derived for the biodegradative erosion of the surfaces of arbitrarily-sized circular and square objects, i.e., the decrease in volume caused by the catalytic activity of enzymes secreted by microorganisms attached to the object surfaces. Surface erosion is the primary mode of biodegradation for polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) objects resting on the ocean floor. Although the derivations were motivated by a need to assess the time-varying biodegradation and ultimate disintegration of PHA tubes and straws in the benthic environment, generality was maintained during the mathematical development such that the resulting equations are also applicable to other circular and square objects, including cylindrical rings, discs, and solid rods, and square plates, cubes, and prisms. Moreover, the equations are applicable to abiotic degradation via physical erosion, not just to biotic degradation caused by microbes. Surface erosion is expressed in terms of the ratio of the instantaneous mass to the initial mass, which is generally nonlinear with respect to time. The value of this ratio and the relative dimensions of the object establish a surface erosion function and its evolution over the lifetime of the object. Hence, the rate of degradation is not constant in the theory, but rather is prescribed by the irregular mass loss and the original geometry of the 3D object.
Evaluation of the Accuracy of the Smart Work Injury Management (SWIM) System to Assist Case Managers in Predicting the Work Disability of Injured Workers
Authors: Yeung Yumiki Y. K. , Chen Peter Q. , Ng Peter H. F. , Cheng Andy S. K.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Many countries have developed clinical decision-making support tools, such as the smart work injury management (SWIM) system in Hong Kong, to predict rehabilitation paths and address global issues related to work injury disability. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of SWIM by comparing its predictions on real work injury cases to those made by human case managers, specifically with regard to the duration of sick leave and the percentage of permanent disability.

Methods

The study analyzed a total of 442 work injury cases covering the period from 2012 to 2020, dividing them into non-litigated and litigated cases. The Kruskal–Wallis post hoc test with Bonferroni adjustment was used to evaluate the differences between the actual data, the SWIM predictions, and the estimations made by three case managers. The intra-class correlation coefficient was used to assess the inter-rater reliability of the case managers.

Results

The study discovered that the predictions made by the SWIM model and a case manager possessing approximately 4 years of experience in case management exhibited moderate reliability in non-litigated cases. Nevertheless, there was no resemblance between SWIM’s predictions regarding the percentage of permanent disability and those made by case managers.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that SWIM is capable of replicating the sick leave estimations made by a case manager with an estimated 4 years of case management experience, albeit with limitations in generalizability owing to the small sample size of case managers involved in the study.

Implications

These findings represent a significant advancement in enhancing the accuracy of CDMS for work injury cases in Hong Kong, signaling progress in the field.
Urban landscape pattern mainly drives the early epidemic distribution of dengue fever in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Zhao Xinyu , Sun Yangyang , Xu Jialu , Hu Jinli , Wu Jueying , Hu Guang , Wen Yanping
Published: June 2024

Context

A new dengue fever (DF) epidemic in Hangzhou, China has placed a serious burden on the urban sustainable development. However, the key drivers of DF epidemic are still unclear, especially the effects of urban landscape patterns.

Objectives

In the present study, the spatial relationships between DF epidemic and urban landscape attributes in Hangzhou were investigated based on the framework and approach of landscape epidemiology.

Methods

The landscape indices of green space, waterbody, and built-up area were calculated based on land cover and land use (LULC) data. Population density, road density, GDP, and property price were used to represent socioeconomic conditions. The densities of social gathering places (SGPs) such as restaurants, malls, services, entertainment, traditional markets, and parks were recorded. A geographically weighted zero-inflated poisson regression (GWZIPR) model was applied to analyze the effects of LULC patterns, socioeconomic conditions, and SGPs on the risk of DF epidemics. An additional ZIPR-LASSO algorithm was used to explore the dominant drivers of spatial patterns of DF risk to construct the optimal model.

Results

DF cases were mainly clustered in central Hangzhou. Landscape patterns involving LULC and SGPs played a more important role in DF epidemic than the socioeconomic conditions. Among these factors, the total area of built-up area had the greatest effect to DF risk. Furthermore, property price, density of entertainment and services could better explain the spatial variation of DF risk in Hangzhou.

Conclusions

Overall, the contribution of landscape patterns to the DF epidemic was more important than socioeconomic conditions within the urban region, especially in the new epidemic region. These findings revealed the key role of landscape epidemiology in public health management and landscape governance to improve the urban sustainable development and human well-being.
Detecting the key role of the family in explaining corporate heritage use in family firms
Authors: D’Allura Giorgia Maria , Quarato Fabio , Dagnino Giovanni Battista , Merlo Elisabetta
Published: June 2024

This paper looks at the socioemotional wealth (SEW) priorities to reveal how family involvement in the firms affects their use of heritage as a marketing signal, thereby leading to a corporate heritage identity. Built considering the distinction between extended and restricted family’s SEW framework, we find a direct relationship between the presence of a family CEO and the use of heritage, that is moderated by the family involvement in the board and by the generational stage. Our empirical analysis employs a quantitative approach applied to a sample of medium- and large-sized firms examined over the period from 2000 to 2016.
Adaptation and content validation of measure yourself medical outcomes profile (MYMOP) for 7–11 year-old children
Authors: Ishaque S. , Roberts R. M. , Karnon J. , Thomas D. , Salter A. B.
Published: June 2024

Background

The Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP) is an individualised tool designed for adults but used with children without any evidence of validation in this population. Individualised instruments are patient-specific rather than disease-specific and therefore can be applied across various health conditions. This study sought to adapt, and content validate the MYMOP for application in 7–11 year old children.

Methods

There were two main phases of the four iterations: expert consultation (three rounds) and interviews with child-parent pairs at the Outpatient clinics of a Children’s Hospital. Thematic analysis was undertaken using an inductive, interpretative approach.

Results

Four paediatricians completed the first survey, five paediatricians participated in the focus group, and four paediatric health-related quality of life (HRQOL) research experts completed the second survey. Several changes were recommended to the MYMOP by the expert groups. Twenty-five children (17 general medicine, and 8 diabetes/endocrine clinic) aged 7–11 years completed the draft paediatric MYMOP (P-MYMOP) and were interviewed. Results demonstrated that the majority of participants were able to identify their own problems and activity limitations, and all participants understood the 7-point faces scale. Most parents and children perceived that the P-MYMOP would be useful to complete before clinic appointments.

Conclusions

The P-MYMOP is the first content-validated generic individualised HRQOL measure for children 7–11 years old. Given that validation is an iterative process, further research to assess its feasibility, reliability, and construct validity is required.
State-Level Antitrust Enforcement: Revisiting the Determinants
Authors: Feinberg Robert M. , Reynolds Kara M.
Published: June 2024

State-level antitrust enforcement has historically been an important tool that promotes competition in the U.S. The total number of cases that were filed between 1990 and 2006 averaged 22 per year, and generally fluctuated in a fairly tight band. In an earlier article we found that political and macroeconomic variables tended to explain well these filing patterns. However, since then the number of state cases filed has dropped dramatically and averaged just 12 cases over the five years that preceded Covid. In this paper we consider again the political economy of antitrust enforcement at the state level: we find similar explanations to our 2010 article, with the size of the state economy, the macroeconomic conditions that face the state, and the political party in charge of enforcement continuing to drive antitrust filing activity.
Characterizing phenotypic data of Peromyscus leucopus compared to C57BL/6J Mus musculus and diversity outbred (DO) Mus musculus
Authors: Wimer Lauren A. , Davis-Castillo Asia , Galkina Sofiya , Ciotlos Serban , Patterson Cavan , Prado Leandro , Munoz Maria Castro , Martin Nicolas , Epstein Sharon , Schaum Nicholas , Melov Simon
Published: June 2024

Translational research is commonly performed in the C57B6/J mouse strain, chosen for its genetic homogeneity and phenotypic uniformity. Here, we evaluate the suitability of the white-footed deer mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) as a model organism for aging research, offering a comparative analysis against C57B6/J and diversity outbred (DO) Mus musculus strains. Our study includes comparisons of body composition, skeletal muscle function, and cardiovascular parameters, shedding light on potential applications and limitations of P. leucopus in aging studies. Notably, P. leucopus exhibits distinct body composition characteristics, emphasizing reduced muscle force exertion and a unique metabolism, particularly in fat mass. Cardiovascular assessments showed changes in arterial stiffness, challenging conventional assumptions and highlighting the need for a nuanced interpretation of aging-related phenotypes. Our study also highlights inherent challenges associated with maintaining and phenotyping P. leucopus cohorts. Behavioral considerations, including anxiety-induced responses during handling and phenotyping assessment, pose obstacles in acquiring meaningful data. Moreover, the unique anatomy of P. leucopus necessitates careful adaptation of protocols designed for Mus musculus. While showcasing potential benefits, further extensive analyses across broader age ranges and larger cohorts are necessary to establish the reliability of P. leucopus as a robust and translatable model for aging studies.
Levamisole Impairs Vascular Function by Blocking α-Adrenergic Receptors and Reducing NO Bioavailability in Rabbit Renal Artery
Authors: Guerra-Ojeda Sol , Marchio Patricia , Suarez Andrea , Aldasoro Martin , Valles Soraya L. , Genoves Patricia , Vila Jose M. , Mauricio Maria D.
Published: June 2024

Levamisole is an anthelmintic drug restricted to veterinary use but is currently detected as the most widely used cocaine cutting agent in European countries. Levamisole-adulterated cocaine has been linked to acute kidney injury, marked by a decrease in glomerular filtration rate, which involves reduced renal blood flow, but data on the alteration of renovascular response produced by levamisole are scarce. Renal arteries were isolated from healthy rabbits and used for isometric tension recording in organ baths and protein analysis. We provide evidence that depending on its concentration, levamisole modulates renovascular tone by acting as a non-selective α-adrenergic receptor blocker and down-regulates α1-adrenoceptor expression. Furthermore, levamisole impairs the endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine without modifying endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression. However, exposure to superoxide dismutase (SOD) partially prevents the impairment of ACh-induced relaxation by levamisole. This response is consistent with a down-regulation of SOD1 and an up-regulation of NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4), suggesting that endothelial NO loss is due to increased local oxidative stress. Our findings demonstrate that levamisole can interfere with renal blood flow and the coordinated response to a vasodilator stimulus, which could worsen the deleterious consequences of cocaine use.

Graphical Abstract

EFS electric field stimulation, NA noradrenaline, AR adrenergic receptor, IP3 inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate, cAMP cyclic adenosine monophosphate, mAChR muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, eNOS endothelial nitric oxide synthase, sGC soluble guanylyl cyclase, SOD superoxide dismutase, NOX4 NAPH oxidase 4
SFXN3 is a Prognostic Marker and Promotes the Growth of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Jin Fengbo , He Limei , Wang Jing , Zhang Yu , Yang Mingzhen
Published: June 2024

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease with rapid progression and frequent mutations. Sideroflexin3 (SFXN3) has been shown to be involved in various neurodegenerative diseases. However, the role of SFXN3 in AML remains unclear. The level and prognostic value of SFXN3 were assessed in pan-cancer, especially AML, based on the data obtained from the TCGA database. The effect and mechanism of SFXN3 in AML were measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), qRT-PCR, western blotting in vitro and in vivo. The correlation between SFXN3 and the infiltration of immune cells in AML was assessed via cibersort and ssGSEA analyses. SFXN3 is expressed at higher levels in AML, and high SFXN3 level is associated with decreased overall survival rate (OSR) in AML. Next, knockdown of SFXN3 results in enhanced cell apoptosis and dropped cell proliferation. Then, knockdown of SFXN3 caused a reduction in the expression of CyclinD1 (CCND1) and nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells 1 (NFKB1). Finally, SFXN3 may related to the immunosuppressive state of AML. Increased SFXN3 expression is detected in AML, which indicates a poor prognosis and may link to immunosuppressive state of AML. In addition, SFXN3 can inhibit AML cells apoptosis and promote cell proliferation via enhancing CCND1 and NFKB1 levels.
Short- and medium-term impacts of small-scale vegetable support on food security: evidence from Syria
Authors: Baliki Ghassan , Al Daccache Melodie , Ghattas Hala , Brück Tilman
Published: June 2024

Small-scale agricultural and horticultural interventions play a critical role in improving nutrition and food security of vulnerable households in peaceful settings. However, scant rigorous evidence exists on the impacts and sustainability of such interventions in conflict settings. In this paper, we address this knowledge gap by analyzing the short- and medium-term impacts of a small-scale vegetable input support program involving asset transfers on food security and diets in war-time Syria. We use longitudinal panel household survey data from a quasi-experimental study collected at three rounds: before, one year, and two years after the horticultural intervention ended. We use propensity score matching and fixed-effect regression models to estimate the average treatment effects on the treated. We find that the vegetable support significantly improves food security by 21% and 19% in the short- and medium-term, respectively. More specifically, we find that the intervention significantly increased the consumption of nutrient-rich food groups such as vegetables, root tubers, fruits, eggs, pulses and nuts, milk, and oil and fats. Moreover, we find that the intervention reduces in the short-term the use of harmful coping strategies by 17%. However, this effect dissipates two years after the end of the intervention. The findings underscore the importance of small-scale vegetable support in addressing food insecurity in protracted conflict settings.
Doing gender and sexuality while doing group
Authors: Klevermann Nils
Published: June 2024

Im DFG-geförderten Projekt „Doing gender and sexuality while doing group. Zur Verschränkung von kollektiver und personaler (Selbst‑)Bildung in der queeren Jugendarbeit“ wird erforscht, wie Jugendliche und junge Erwachsene in der queeren Gruppenarbeit zu lesbischen, schwulen, bisexuellen, trans*, inter*, asexuellen/aromantischen und queeren Jugendlichen (LSBT*IAQ) gebildet werden und sich selbst bilden. Das ethnographische Forschungsprojekt analysiert, wie durch diese Bildungsangebote eine Sozialität geschaffen wird, in der Jugendliche eine Identität ausbilden und einüben (können). Im Zentrum des Erkenntnisinteresses steht die Verschränkung von individuellen und kollektiven Bildungsprozessen.
Microbiome origin and stress-related changes in bacterial abundance of the photosymbiotic sea slug Berghia stephanieae (Á. Valdés, 2005)
Authors: Sickinger Corinna , Brackwehr Sofie Marie , Melo Clavijo Jenny , Gasperoni Gilles , Tierling Sascha , Preisfeld Angelika , Christa Gregor
Published: June 2024

The precise mechanisms that allow animals and phototrophic organisms to form a stable photosymbiotic relationship are still unknown. While previous studies focused on genomic adaptations of the animal host, more recent research looked into the role of bacteria in photosymbiosis. Here, we analyzed the core microbiome of the sea slug Berghia stephanieae and its food source Exaiptasia diaphana to understand if the microbiome and the linked bacterial metabolic pathways differ between unstable and stable photosymbiosis. This sea slug feeds solely on the model cnidarian E. diaphana and steals their photobionts which the slug can only maintain for a week. We additionally examined the influence of light and starvation stress on the slug’s bacterial composition, which are common experimental set-ups to elucidate the photosymbiotic relationship in the slugs. Our results show that the core microbiome of B. stephanieae and E. diaphana differed significantly suggesting that the slug’s microbiome is not obtained from its food source or the water column and indicates a vertical transmission. Further, differences in metabolic pathways imply that the microbiome of B. stephanieae does not support a stable photosymbiosis due to an insufficient nitrogen cycle on part of the photobiont. Starving the slugs induced a shift towards an increased abundance of potential pathogens and led to a downregulation in the sulphur cycle. Yet, starvation in darkness resulted in the depletion of most bacteria and induced a metabolic switch toward bacterial nitrogen fixation. This emphasizes that different holobiont members contribute to essential nutrient cycles, and it is important to look beyond the photobiont to understand the sea slug holobiont.
Identification and expression analysis of nuclear factor Y transcription factor genes under drought, cold and Eldana infestation in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid)
Authors: le Roux Jancke , Jacob Robyn , Fischer Riëtte , van der Vyver Christell
Published: June 2024

Background

The Nuclear Factor Y (NF-Y) transcription factor (TF) gene family plays a crucial role in plant development and response to stress. Limited information is available on this gene family in sugarcane.

Objectives

To identify sugarcane NF-Y genes through bioinformatic analysis and phylogenetic association and investigate the expression of these genes in response to abiotic and biotic stress.

Methods

Sugarcane NF-Y genes were identified using comparative genomics from functionally annotated Poaceae and Arabidopsis species. Quantitative PCR and transcriptome analysis assigned preliminary functional roles to these genes in response to water deficit, cold and African sugarcane borer (Eldana saccharina) infestation.

Results

We identify 21 NF-Y genes in sugarcane. Phylogenetic analysis revealed three main branches representing the subunits with potential discrepancies present in the assignment of numerical names of some NF-Y putative orthologs across the different species. Gene expression analysis indicated that three genes, ShNF-YA1, A3 and B3 were upregulated and two genes, NF-YA4 and A7 were downregulated, while three genes were upregulated, ShNF-YB2, B3 and C4, in the plants exposed to water deficit and cold stress, respectively. Functional involvement of NF-Y genes in the biotic stress response were also detected where three genes, ShNF-YA6, A3 and A7 were downregulated in the early resistant (cv. N33) response to Eldana infestation whilst only ShNF-YA6 was downregulated in the susceptible (cv. N11) early response.

Conclusions

Our research findings establish a foundation for investigating the function of ShNF-Ys and offer candidate genes for stress-resistant breeding and improvement in sugarcane.
Data-Driven Earthquake Multi-impact Modeling: A Comparison of Models
Authors: Patten Hamish , Anderson Loake Max , Steinsaltz David
Published: June 2024

In this study, a broad range of supervised machine learning and parametric statistical, geospatial, and non-geospatial models were applied to model both aggregated observed impact estimate data and satellite image-derived geolocated building damage data for earthquakes, via regression- and classification-based models, respectively. For the aggregated observational data, models were ranked via predictive performance of mortality, population displacement, building damage, and building destruction for 375 observations across 161 earthquakes in 61 countries. For the satellite image-derived data, models were ranked via classification performance (damaged/unaffected) of 369,813 geolocated buildings for 26 earthquakes in 15 countries. Grouped k-fold, 3-repeat cross validation was used to ensure out-of-sample predictive performance. Feature importance of several variables used as proxies for vulnerability to disasters indicates covariate utility. The 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquake event was used to explore model limitations for extreme events. However, applying the AdaBoost model on the 27,032 held-out buildings of the 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquake event, predictions had an AUC of 0.93. Therefore, without any geospatial, building-specific, or direct satellite image information, this model accurately classified building damage, with significantly improved performance over satellite image trained models found in the literature.