bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reading Confucius in translation
Authors: Tao Youlan , Li Wenlu
Published: November 2024

This article examines the communicative effectiveness of translated versions of The Analects from
an Anglophone perspective using a questionnaire-based survey targeting English-speaking academics. Sinologists, translators, and
readers specializing in East Asian philosophy provided insights about their preferences, reading expectations, and opinions
regarding the translations’ influence. The findings indicate a preference for translations that they considered to be not entirely
fluent, but rather more accurate and in an easily accessible and readable form. Other important considerations include the content
of translations and the translations’ influence on their value systems and cultural orientations. The study also suggests that
collaborative efforts in translating Chinese classics could enhance quality, meet readers’ needs more effectively, and promote
East–West cultural exchange. Recommendations are made for translators and publishers to support a more balanced interaction among
scholars, translators, and readers in China and the Anglophone world, enriching Confucian studies with a communicative
approach.
Length frequency distribution of yellow-tail fusilier (Caesio Cuning) in several fishing gears in the managed access and reserves of Pasikolaga, Buton Strait Muna Regency
Authors: Rais Mohammad , Musbir  , Marimba Assir , Budimawan
Published: November 2024

Yellow-tail fusilier (Caesio cuning) is the dominant catch caught by fishermen in the Buton Strait, especially in the Managed Access and Reserves of Pasikolaga, Muna District, Southeast Sulawesi. The level of utilization of the yellow-tail is quite high, and it is caught in several fishing gear of several sizes, so it is necessary to have management arrangements to maintain the yellow-tail fish resource. This study aimed to determine the size distribution of yellow-tail fish caught using several fishing gear types. This research was conducted in May 2021 - May 2022 in Buton Strait, Muna Regency. This study analyzed trap catches, drift gillnets, surface gillnet, vertical hand lines, and bottom gillnets. The results showed that 13828 (Caesio cuning) fish of different sizes were caught during the study period. The dominant sizes caught in traps were 21 - 22 cmTL (356), drive gillnet 21 - 22 cmTL (367), net 23 - 24 cmTL (159), Gillnet 22 - 23 cmTL (2263) and vertical hand line 19-20 cmTL (1063). Therefore, regulations related to the number of catches and the use of fishing gear must implemented to create a sustainable.
Methyltestosterone 17α- injection as a safe alternative way to enhance maturation and immune response of tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon transgenic F1
Authors: Lante S , Rosmiati R , Parenrengi A , Tenriulo A , Suryati E
Published: November 2024

The present study investigated the effects 17α-methyltestosterone on the reproductive performance and immune response of broodstock tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon transgenic F1. This study evaluated reproduction, mature spawners, spermatophore weight and density, and total haemocyte count (THC) immune response. Males aged 13 months were divided into four groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were injected 17α-methyltestosterone (17α-MT) at the dose of 100, 150, and 200 ng/100 g body weight three times with an interval of one week. Group 4 was eyestalk ablation. The specimen was kept in a concrete maturation tank for 10 tons. Approximately two weeks after the final injection (on the 35th day), the male subjects were collected, their weights were recorded, and their spermatophores (sperm capsules) were removed. THC was observed before, then on the 7th, 14th, and 35th days of the post-rearing period. 17α -MT induction using dose-dependent increases the percentage of the mature spawner, spermatophore weight, spermatozoa density, and higher total hemocyte count (p>0.05) than eyestalk ablation. The THC injected with 17α-MT at three doses was higher (p<0.05) than ablation on the 7th and 14th days. Unlike on the 35th day, the highest THC was observed at a dose of 200 ng/100 g bw (p>0.05) among all treatments.
The effects of fermented raintree (Samanea saman) seed meal substitution in feed the digestive enzyme activity of pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Anwar Asni , Zainuddin  , Djawad Muhammad Iqbal , Aslamyah Siti , Saade Edison , Karim Muhammad Yusri , Trijuno Dody Dharmawan , Murni  , Mohammed Ayman Alameen , Kamaruddin
Published: November 2024

This research aimed to determine the effect of the substitution of soybean meal using raintree seed meal fermented with mixed microorganisms in feed, on the activity of protease, amylase, cellulase and lipase enzymes in pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The research used a completely randomized basic design, with five treatments and three replications at different levels of substitution of soybean meal with mixed microorganisms fermented raintree seed meal, namely 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. A total of 600 juvenile pacific white shrimp L. vannamei were reared for 60 days, with an initial weight of 0.08 g/fish, in an aquarium measuring 50x30x35 cm3, water volume 40 L, salinity 27 ppt, fed a dose of 10% of body weight with a frequency of four times a day at 06:00,12:00,18:00 and 21:00 WITA. The results showed that the enzyme activity of protease was 1.187, amylase 0.83, cellulase 111.57 and lipase 0.110 U/g/minute, optimal at 50% feed substitution.
Utilization of gutter in fattening Mangrove Crabs, Scylla olivacea consuming GEL feed containing various shrimp paste origins as attractant with vertical crab house systems and RAS
Authors: Sukardi Reski Wahyuni , Saade Edison , Zainuddin  , Abustang
Published: November 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the use of gutter and the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) in mud crab cultivation using the Vertical Crab House (VCH) or apartment system. To address the high cost of cultivation with VCH technology, an innovative semi-moist GEL feed containing the seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii as a thickening agent and nutrient source was used. Shrimp paste was added to the GEL to enhance attractiveness, feed consumption, and weight gain in mud crabs. The research was conducted at the Mini Hatchery of the Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, South Sulawesi, using male mud crabs with an average weight of 108.45 ± 10.23 g. The crabs were kept in a gutter measuring 100 x 13 x 11 cm, placed on a three-tiered iron rack. Each gutter was divided into four sections using wire mesh, with one crab per section. The study was designed using a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments and three replications: homemade shrimp paste from UNHAS (treatment A), Malili shrimp paste (B), Selayar shrimp paste (C), and Kendari shrimp paste (D). Measured parameters included survival rate, feed consumption, daily growth rate, condition factor, and feed efficiency. The analysis of variance showed that different sources of shrimp paste had no significant effect (p>0.05) on survival, feed consumption, growth, feed efficiency, and condition factors in mud crabs. The study concluded that all types of shrimp paste could be used as attractants and nutritional supplements in GEL feed for fattening mud crabs in gutter with VCHS and RAS.
Performance of purse seine catching in Bone Gulf, Sinjai Regency
Authors: Idris Ahmad Satari , Nelwan Alfa Filep Petrus , Palo Mahfud
Published: November 2024

The performance of fishing operations, especially for pelagic fish, is important because these resources are widely used for human food needs and serve as an evaluation material for sustainable fishing operations. This study aims to describe the composition of purse seine catch types, determine the productivity of purse seine fishing, and determine the extent of fishing areas in the waters of Bone Gulf, Sinjai Regency. This research uses a case study method by directly following and describing the conditions of fishing operations and making observations and sampling data directly in the field. Primary data was obtained by making direct observations at the research site by following purse seine fishing operations in August - October 2022. Primary data can also be obtained through the interview method. The species composition of purse seine catches in the waters of Bone Gulf, are Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) percentage of catches is 94%, Houndfish (Tylosurus crocodilus) 5.6% and Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) 0.4%. In this study, the average productivity of purse seine fishing during 30 fishing trips was 9.89 kg/min. The purse seine fishing operation pattern shows that the fishing location moves with a relatively short distance and there are three fishing areas determined based on the fishing areas that are close to each other including the first fishing area of 1,450 ha, then for the second fishing area of 181.27 ha while for the third fishing area of 814.17 ha.
Increasing performance of golden rabbitfish Siganus guttatus larvae after vitamin C dietary supplementation in broodstock
Authors: Darsiani  , Hasrianita  , Mulyaningrum Sri Redjeki Hesti , Yuniati Dewi , Zulfiani  , Tartila Shobrina Silmi Qori , Karim Muh. Yusri
Published: November 2024

This study aimed to determine the effect of vitamin C dietary supplementation in orange-spotted spinefoot broodstock on the performance quality of the larvae. This study was in the Tiger Shrimp Breeding Installation (IPUW), Barru, South Sulawesi. This study used a completely randomized design with four treatments of vitamin C dosage and two replications. The vitamin C dosage treatments were composed of 0 mg/kg diet (C0), 600 mg/kg diet (C600), 1200 mg/kg diet (C1200), and 1800 mg/kg diet (C1800). Parameters observed in this study were larval performance. These parameters were analyzed using the W-Tukey test. The feeding test for broodstock was performed for 60 days at four-times a day (08:00,11:00,14:00, and 16:00 WIB). The results showed that the dietary supplementation of 1800 mg Vitamin C/kg diet could increase yolk sac diameter at 7.3%, and improve the larval performance of orange-spotted spinefoot well.
Endoparasite infestation of red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) in relation to water quality and fish farm types
Authors: Zamri Nur Asha Shahira , Manaf Sharifah Raina , Harun Arif Azizi Che , Latama Gunarto
Published: November 2024

Water quality is one of crucial things in aquaculture. Water quality has varied effects to animals health that cause disease. One of diseases events that can occur in aquaculture farms is endoparasite infestation. The study investigated the endoparasite affecting farmed Red Hybrid Tilapia, Oreochromis sp. in four different locations in Sarawak, Malaysia. Hundred and twenty farmed Red Hybrid Tilapia were randomly sampled out in this study throughout June to December 2022 from four different district (Kuching, Miri, Mukah and Sibu). This study included different types of Jish farms; earthen pond, concrete pond, and Jish cage. Water quality parameters for four ponds were evaluated in situ using multiprobe and ex situ, in the laboratory. The result shows high concentration of nutrient, phosphate phosphorus, nitrite nitrogen and total ammonium nitrogen recorded from concrete pond in Miri. Endoparasite analysis revealed 18.3% of digenean trematode found in stomach and intestine of farmed Red Hybrid Tilapia in the earthen pond of Kuching. The Jinding suggests variable relationship between water quality and endoparasite infestation. Different water quality and Jish farm surrounding might cause the presence and absent of endoparasite infestation in farmed Red Hybrid Tilapia. The Jinding suggests variable relationship between water quality and endoparasite infestation. Different water quality and Jish farm surrounding might cause the presence and absent of endoparasite infestation in farmed Red Hybrid Tilapia.
Marine debris characteristics of Barane Beach West Sulawesi
Authors: Noor Rahmat Januar , Faizal Ahmad , Mafud Chairul Rusyd , Nur Fauzia , Nur Rahmi , Saharuddin  , Hidayah Nur , Hasria
Published: November 2024

The Barane Majene Beach, West Sulawesi are a multifunctional area that combines ecological and economic coastal functions. Ecologically, the coastal area of Barane Beach is a place where sea turtles lay their eggs every year and economically it is a beach tourism area that is open to the public activity. The existence of beach tourism and river estuaries causes a lot of rubbish to be strewn around and accumulated on the Barane Majene Beach. The research carried out aims to identify the characteristics of marine debris on Barane Majene Beach based on type, size, and total mass. The research was conducted from February to March 2024 at Barane Majene Beach. The research method uses a quantitative approach by collecting data through field surveys using four quadrant transects where each transect measures 10 x 25 m according to the research area. The highest prevalence of marine debris is based on type in sequence, namely plastic, rubber, and others (diaper and foam pieces). Based on size, the majority of marine debris found is macro-debris (91,18%), but some are <2.5 cm in size. The density of marine debris was 0.89 items/m2. The highest mass of marine debris was shown by plastic waste (52 kg) while the total mass collected reached 173.7 kg. The presence of macro-sized waste can threaten the water quality of Barane Beach because once it is in the water it will easily settle to the bottom and disrupt the benthic ecosystem and disrupt sea turtle nesting activites.
Exploring the implementation potential of entrance fees as sustainable funding source for management of Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area
Authors: Pratama Christy Desta
Published: November 2024

Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Coral Triangle faces significant challenges in funding its management. This examines the potential of implementing entrance fees as a sustainable funding mechanism for MPA. By analyzing historical governance changes, previous funding options, and stakeholder dynamics, aims to identify challenges and opportunities for implementing entrance fees, as a form of payment for environmental services, to support the MPA management. The study reveals that the cessation of NGO involvement has led to governance shortcomings within the MPA, emphasizing the need for continuity in leadership and clarity in management responsibilities. Additionally, research suggests that well-resourced MPAs, funded through visitor entry fees, demonstrate greater fish biomass, although, the relationship between funding, management activities, and ecological outcomes requires further investigation. The findings in this paper underscore the importance of diversifying funding sources to mitigate the risks associated with tourism dependency, ensuring financial security, and enhancing ecological effectiveness in MPAs. In the end, this paper aims to point out the challenges to be addressed and opportunities to pursue an entrance fee mechanism in the context of a payment for environmental services to work effectively in Nusa Penida.
Constitutional Comparisons and Language
Authors: De Visser Maartje
Published: November 2024

Language can be seen as an intuitive challenge for those who embark on comparative constitutional research: its intricate entanglement with law is often overlooked and not engaged with explicitly. This chapter argues that this is a missed opportunity at best, and arguably presents a hazard for the collective quality of the scholarly discourse. It discusses four ways in which language matters when engaging in constitutional comparisons: the problem of literal translation; the problem of legal-conceptual translation; a multilingual discourse that is marked by fragmentation; and expectations in communication with a foreign or international readership. The approach taken is constructive, with efforts to identify possible coping techniques to alleviate the challenges identified.
Global Values in National Constitutions
Authors: Albert Richard
Published: November 2024

In this chapter prepared for a book commemorating the scholarly career of Mark Tushnet, my point of departure is Tushnet’s claim that the globalization of constitutional law is inevitable. I build on his provocative prediction by shining a light on the many creative constitutional design strategies deployed by countries around the world to integrate the global values of international law into their national constitutions. I begin by outlining Tushnet’s thesis that countries will ultimately build an informal world constitution by converging on their interpretation of national constitutional rights and structures. I then identify and illustrate three models of domestic constitutional design used to advance the project of global constitutionalism. Recognizing that world constitutionalism is a multigenerational project that will succeed only if reformers seek to innovate along parallel tracks, I conclude with a question that doubles as a suggestion for advocates of global constitutionalism: In addition to deepening ongoing strategies toward world constitutionalism, why not also devote energies to building the legal, political, and intellectual infrastructure for an international constitutional court armed with global jurisdiction?
Rights as the Domain of Weak-Form Review
Authors: Waldron Jeremy
Published: November 2024

Mark Tushnet has shown great interest in the contrast between weak-form and strong-form judicial review of legislation. In a system of weak-form review, courts scrutinize legislation for its conformity to a Bill of Rights, but courts do not have final power to strike down legislation that is incompatible with the Bill of Rights. They may have power only to issue a Declaration of Incompatibility or they may be constrained, as in Canada, by a “notwithstanding” clause. This chapter examines the domain of weak-form judicial review of legislation. We are familiar with its operation in cases involving possible violations of rights. But constitutional objections to legislation may also be made on structural grounds, such as separation of powers or federalism requirements. Are these instances of judicial review—when they happen—also subject to a weak-form/strong-form distinction? The chapter argues that they are not—that weak-form structural review is more or less unheard of—and it examines the reasons for this discrepancy. Is it because (as Tushnet has argued) rights-based considerations are less determinate? Or is it because structural issues need determinate and timely resolution that weak-form judicial responses cannot provide?
Dialogic Judicial Review and First World Autocracies
Authors: Yap Po Jen
Published: November 2024

Dialogic or weak-form review is the only viable and effective path for courts operating in First World autocracies. The judicial use of strong-form review to address problems posed by sedition laws and restrictions on the franchise—as Mark Tushnet suggests—would be counterproductive as this would only be to the detriment of the courts. At the same time, I argue that dialogic review is not judicial abdication. I will also show how weak-form review has enhanced rights protection in Singapore and Hong Kong, and has imposed soft but meaningful controls on state power in these autocracies. Precisely because these autocracies want to remain First World, the perceived independence of the courts must be preserved for their governments to retain talent and continued investments in the economy. Governments in First World autocracies are sensitive to global businesses’ perception of the regime’s commitment to the rule of law as that directly impacts the entity’s economic future. This is unlike military dictatorships and banana republics, where the rent-seeking behavior of autocrats is driven primarily by the self-interest of its cabal. Therefore, in First World autocracies, so long as the courts respect the regime’s plenary agenda-setting powers, the government will in turn acquiesce to the judiciary’s calibrated show of force to preserve rights.
Constitutional Design and Political Parties
Authors: Choudhry Sujit
Published: November 2024

In this chapter, I taxonomize constitutional provisions that reference political parties thematically according to their function. Constitutional provisions that refer to political parties fall into six categories: (a) basic function, (b) the right to form political parties, (c) militant democracy, (d) access to public resources, (e) legislative design, and (f) the separation of party and state. I examine these provisions to answer two questions: (1) How do constitutions rely on political parties to discharge their regulative function? (2) Can we develop a constitutive account of the role of political parties in constitutional democracies? Provisions on the basic function of political parties serve the constitutive function of codifying their roles in integrating and mobilizing citizens, interest aggregation, formulating public policy, simplifying political participation, structuring the popular vote and enabling political competition, representation, and accountability. The right to form political parties furthers the same functions in a regulative sense. Constitutional provisions regarding legislative design further the goals of structuring the popular vote and enabling political competition, accountability, recruiting leaders for public office, government selection, and enabling the enactment of legislation. Constitutional design also reveals an acute concern with the negative risks posed by political parties. Militant democracy provisions serve the constitutive function of conveying the nature of the existential risk that might pose a threat to the constitutional order, and the regulative function of checking that risk. The provisions on the separation of party and state check the risk that parties can capture the state by prohibiting party membership for the courts and security services.
Competitive Populism
Authors: Khosla Madhav
Published: November 2024

The preoccupation of comparative constitutional lawyers over the past decade or so has been the rise of authoritarian populism. This chapter focuses on one possible pathway that might follow our present political moment: competitive populism. This phase will involve a certain kind of institutional vacuum: the prior institutions, associated with liberal constitutional democracy, will not lend themselves to being rebooted. In reflecting on this possible future, this chapter explores the nature and form of deinstitutionalization that has occurred under authoritarian populism, and the elements that define the emerging constitutional framework. The implication here is that what will be crucial after authoritarian populism is not the nature of institutional design but the character of political contestation. The chapter closes by turning to Tushnet and Bugarič’s important work on populism, and by using their thesis as an opportunity to consider the relationship between populism, formalism, instrumentalism, and the rule of law.
Lay Learning and the Bible in the Seventeenth-Century Atlantic World
Authors: Macfarlane Kirsten
Published: November 2024

Early modernity has long been seen as a crucial period in the history of biblical scholarship, witnessing rapid advances in studies of Hebrew, Greek, and the ancient Jewish and Christian past. Historians have devoted much attention to how these developments were received by the academic and clerical elite, and yet there is little research on their reception beyond such exclusive circles. Some have even argued that ordinary believers had no interest in the demanding world of elite scholarship. According to current narratives, the Protestant laity was preoccupied by practical piety, scripture reading, and devotional exercises, all of which were far removed from the dazzling polyglot erudition of the scholar. This monograph offers an alternative account of popular religion in early modernity by reconstructing a striking and unstudied community of seventeenth-century puritan immigrants to North America. Composed of tradespeople without a university education, this community offers unparalleled evidence for lay engagement with even the most abstruse and challenging concerns of contemporary biblical scholarship. Drawing on whatever resources they could find, this group taught themselves the languages of biblical criticism; immersed themselves in the most specialized questions of controversial theology; and then promulgated, through their hard-earned learning, an unprecedentedly inclusive vision of education, society, and the church. By recovering the lives and interests of this group, this book presents a new vision of lay puritanism in the Atlantic world, one marked by far greater ambition, critical thought, and intellectual boldness than ever before suspected.
Controversy and the Covenants
Authors: Macfarlane Kirsten
Published: November 2024

In 1650, the first book was burned in Boston. This was a theological tract written by Pynchon and published in London before it was imported to New England. The controversy this tract caused was thanks to its audacious ideas about the nature of man’s redemption, which denied major tenets of Reformed orthodoxy. Pynchon’s theological heterodoxy has received prior attention, but chapter 4 offers a new perspective by showing how his positions arose from the intellectual and social contexts of Broughtonism, even as Pynchon himself had long outgrown the movement. By examining the long-term development of Holyoke and Pynchon’s heretical ideas from their youth to their final publications in 1658 and 1662 respectively, this chapter disentangles the threads that made up their theologies and argues that, despite the seeming strangeness of their thinking, their ideas developed organically from their communal studies in Jacobean London and 1640s New England.
The Love Letters of Edward Holyoke and Prudence Stockton, 1607–12
Authors: Macfarlane Kirsten
Published: November 2024

Appendix 1 offers an annotated semi-diplomatic edition of nine letters sent by Edward Holyoke to his fiancée and later wife, Prudence Stockton, in the period from their engagement (c.1607) to just after their marriage (1612). Two of these letters were partly published in the late nineteenth century, and the rest have remained unstudied in the Phillips Library of the Peabody Essex Museum in Massachusetts. They provide a rare glimpse into the norms of early modern courtship and how these romantic expectations intertwined with the puritan piety and religious observance that were crucial components of Edward and Prudence’s self-perceived identities as ‘godly’ youth.
Using negative controls to identify causal effects with invalid instrumental variables
Authors: Dukes O , Richardson D B , Shahn Z , Robins J M , Tchetgen Tchetgen E J
Published: November 2024

Many proposals for the identification of causal effects require an instrumental variable that satisfies strong, untestable unconfoundedness and exclusion restriction assumptions. In this paper, we show how one can potentially identify causal effects under violations of these assumptions by harnessing a negative control population or outcome. This strategy allows one to leverage sup-populations for whom the exposure is degenerate, and requires that the instrument-outcome association satisfies a certain parallel trend condition. We develop the semiparametric efficiency theory for a general instrumental variable model, and obtain a multiply robust, locally efficient estimator of the average treatment effect in the treated. The utility of the estimators is demonstrated in simulation studies and an analysis of the Life Span Study.
Phytop: A tool for visualizing and recognizing signals of incomplete lineage sorting and hybridization using species trees output from ASTRAL
Authors: Shang Hong-Yun , Jia Kai-Hua , Li Nai-Wei , Zhou Min-Jie , Yang Hao , Tian Xiao-Ling , Ma Yong-Peng , Zhang Ren-Gang
Published: November 2024

Incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and introgression/hybridization (IH) are prevalent in nature and thus frequently result in discrepancies within phylogenetic tree topologies, leading to misinterpretation of phylogenomic data. Despite the availability of numerous tools for detecting ILS and IH among species, many of these tools lack effective visualization, or are time-consuming, or require prior predetermination. Here, we addressed these shortcomings by developing a fast-running, user-friendly tool called Phytop. By defining ILS and IH indices to quantify ILS and IH, this tool can detect the extent of ILS and IH among lineages with high reliability, and can visualize them based on the gene tree topology patterns constructed using ASTRAL. We tested Phytop extensively using both simulated and real data, and found that it enables users to quickly and conveniently estimate the extent of ILS and IH, thus clarifying the phylogenetic uncertainty. Phytop is available at https://github.com/zhangrengang/phytop and is expected to contribute to the intuitive and convenient inference of genetic relationships among lineages in future research.
SlKNUCKLES regulates floral meristem activity and controls fruit size in Solanum lycopersicum
Authors: Li Dongbao , Yang Wen , Wu Zhiyue , Yang Yonghua , Wen Zhongling , Sun Bo
Published: November 2024

Timed termination of floral meristem (FM) is crucial for proper development of floral organs and fruits. In Solanum lycopersicum, CLAVATA3 (CLV3)-WUSCHEL (WUS) feedback regulation maintains FM homeostasis in early stage of floral buds. It is known that the zinc finger protein SlKNUCKLES (SlKNU) functions to promote FM determinacy by directly repressing the stem cell identity gene SlWUS. However, how the robust FM activity is suppressed to secure fruit development is not fully understood in tomato. Here, we demonstrate that SlKNU also directly represses the stem cell marker gene SlCLV3 and the receptor gene SlCLV1 for FM determinacy control. Besides, loss-of-function mutants of SlKNU generated by CRISPR-Cas9 show increased fruit size of tomato. Moreover, overexpression of SlKNU attenuates the activities of the shoot apical meristem (SAM) and FM in Arabidopsis, but normal carpel development is still maintained. Hence, although the function of KNU in tomato and Arabidopsis may diverge during evolution, the role of KNU for FM determinacy and fruit size control is conserved and may potentially be useful for enhancing fruit yield of tomato.
Seeing the Good in Medical Ethics
Authors: Wilson Finn
Published: November 2024

This issue of The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy is unified by a theme of what contributes to and detracts from patient well-being. I highlight this unifying thread through five of this issue’s contributions, dividing them according to whether they are predominantly about what diminishes or enhances the well-being of patients. Three of them are more directly relevant to whether certain actions diminish well-being, and two of them touch more closely on what promotes well-being. Although these papers are generally focused on what is good or detrimental for patients, their insights are also relevant to the nature of human flourishing.
More unjustified inferences from limited data in
Authors: Gutierrez Richard E
Published: November 2024

In recent years, multiple scholars have criticized the design of studies exploring the accuracy of firearms examination methods. Rosenblum et al. extend those criticisms to the work of Guyll et al. on practitioner performance when comparing fired cartridge cases. But while Rosenblum et al. thoroughly dissect issues regarding equiprobability bias and positive predictive values in the Guyll et al. study, they do not delve as deeply into other areas such as variability in participant performance, as well as sampling of participants and test samples, that further undercut the ability to generalize Guyll et al.’s results. This commentary extends what Rosenblum et al. began and explores how the low rates of error reported by Guyll et al. likely underestimate the potential for misidentifications in casework. Ultimately, given Guyll et al.’s convenience samples, those authors should not have gone beyond descriptive statistics to instead draw conclusive inferences that classify firearms examination as “a highly valid forensic technique.”
Causal role of 179 lipids in colorectal cancer: Mendelian randomization study and meta-analysis
Authors: Mao Fukang , Ran Jianghua , Wu Ruichao , Zhang Xibing
Published: November 2024

Background:

Lipid metabolism plays a key role in colorectal cancer (CRC). Our two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis assessed the causal links between 179 genetically determined lipids and CRC to find potential lipid markers and treatment targets.

Methods:

Data on 179 lipids were gathered from public genome-wide association studies (GWAS) databases. Genetic associations with CRC were sourced from FinnGen and the GWAS Catalog. MR analysis was conducted for each lipid, followed by inverse variance weighting meta-analysis.

Results:

Elevated levels of genetically predicted phosphatidylcholine (PC; 18:1_20:2) were associated with a reduced risk of CRC, with a meta-analysis odds ratio (OR) of 0.9048 (95% CI: 0.8829–0.9272, P = 1.6694 × 10−13). Conversely, increased levels of genetically predicted PC (O-16:1_20:4) were associated with an elevated CRC risk, with a meta-analysis OR of 1.1025 (95% CI: 1.0748–1.13085, P = 7.3163 × 10−12). Reverse causality was ruled out.

Conclusion:

Our findings provide evidence for the causal relationship between these two lipids and CRC risk, offering new insights into the prevention and pathogenesis of CRC.
Percutaneous Needle Fasciotomy Versus Limited Fasciectomy for Dupuytren Disease: A Linear Model Assessment of Short-term Efficacy
Authors: Kwok Jason C C , Shtarbanov Petko , Giwa Lolade , Toft Neil , Nikkhah Dariush , Kang Norbert
Published: November 2024

Background:

There is no consensus about the best treatment for Dupuytren contracture in the hand. In particular, whether to use a percutaneous needle fasciotomy (PCNF) in preference to a limited fasciectomy (LF).

Methods:

We performed a retrospective review of the outcomes of 74 joints treated with either PCNF or LF. Baseline characteristics, complications, and active extension deficit (AED) were assessed at 3 weeks and 3 months posttreatment. Reoperative procedures were analyzed to assess the effectiveness of repeated procedures.

Results:

Our results suggest that there is no significant difference between PCNF and LF in reducing AED at 3 weeks (P = 0.504) or 3 months (P = 0.66). Moreover, our data suggest that the risk of a surgical complication was the same for both procedures, after adjustment for confounders (P = 0.613). Our study suggests that a reoperative PCNF was 15.3% less effective in reducing the AED compared with a primary PCNF at 3 months postoperatively (P = 0.032); whereas there was no change in the effectiveness of a reoperative LF in reducing AED at both 3 weeks (P = 0.839) and 3 months (P = 0.449).

Conclusions:

We believe that PCNF should be used as the primary treatment for nonrecurrent and recurrent Dupuytren contractures. More frequent use of PCNF may help to reduce waiting times for treatment and may enable better resource allocation. Further prospective studies should be carried out.
Pregabalin produces analgesia in males but not females in an animal model of chronic widespread muscle pain
Authors: Plumb Ashley N. , Hayashi Kazuhiro , Janowski Adam , Smith Angela , Rasmussen Lynn , Sluka Kathleen A. , Lesnak Joseph B.
Published: November 2024

Introduction:

Pregabalin, which acts on the α2δ-1 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels, relieves ≥50% of pain in a third of individuals with fibromyalgia. Thus far, preclinical studies of pregabalin have predominantly used male animals.

Objectives:

The purpose of our study was to investigate potential sex differences in the analgesic efficacy of pregabalin that may contribute to disparities in human outcomes.

Methods:

We used a mouse model of chronic widespread muscle pain (CWP) to test the effects of pregabalin on muscle hyperalgesia, nonreflexive pain, and motor behaviors. The CWP pain model combines 2 pH 4.0 saline injections, spaced 5 days apart, into the gastrocnemius muscle and produces bilateral muscle hyperalgesia. Furthermore, we explored sex differences in the mRNA and protein expression of the α2δ-1 subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia after development of CWP.

Results:

Pregabalin fully attenuated muscle hyperalgesia bilaterally in male but not female mice with equal motor deficits produced in both sexes. In addition, using the conditioned place preference test, mice of both sexes with CWP spent significantly more time in the pregabalin-paired chamber compared with baseline, but not significantly greater than pain-free controls. Chronic widespread muscle pain produced no changes in α2δ-1 subunit mRNA or protein expression in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord or dorsal root ganglia in either sex.

Conclusion:

Overall, these findings indicate pregabalin may be more effective in treating CWP in males, but the factors leading to these differences are not fully understood.
The Experiences of Patients Who Participated in a Family Involvement Program After Abdominal Cancer Surgery
Authors: Kreca Sani M. , Musters Selma C. W. , Horst Mariken E. E. , van Ingen Cornelia H. N. M. , Nieveen van Dijkum Els J. M. , Eskes Anne M.
Published: November 2024

To prepare patients’ families for active care roles after discharge, a family involvement program was developed. We aimed to gain in-depth insight into patients’ well-being and experience during the program regarding the active involvement of family caregivers after oncological gastrointestinal cancer surgery during their hospital stay. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 patients who participated in the program. Patients emphasized that participation in the program gave them a sense of feeling at home. They reported that having a family caregiver on their side during hospitalization strengthened their existing relationship and contributed to their recovery by motivating them. Patients felt safer and more confident. Although patients described predominantly positive results, they also mentioned that unclear guidance from nurses made them feel less safe, especially when they saw their family caregivers struggling. Patients experience being accompanied and cared for by their family caregivers as meaningful and contributory to their recovery. Patients felt safer, more confident, and more relaxed.
The application of AI and product innovation efficiency: the role of knowledge innovation under SECI model
Authors: Liu Chang
Published: November 2024

Purpose

While the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on organizational innovation is increasingly acknowledged, empirical investigations exploring its effect on product innovation efficiency, particularly through the lens of knowledge innovation at various modes, remain scarce. This study aims to address this gap by empirically examining the influence of AI application on product innovation efficiency within firms. It further investigates the mediating role of knowledge innovation within the SECI model and the moderating effect of technological perception characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected through a questionnaire survey administered to managers in intelligent manufacturing enterprises across China. The proposed hypotheses were tested using the PROCESS macro for SPSS, employing the bootstrapping method to assess mediation and moderation effects.

Findings

Enterprise application of AI significantly influences both knowledge innovation within the SECI model and product innovation efficiency. Knowledge innovation occurring in the socialization and combination modes of the SECI model mediates the relationship between AI application and product innovation efficiency. Perceived ease of use of AI exhibits a contrasting moderating effect on AI-related relationships, while perceived usefulness does not demonstrate a significant moderating effect.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature by empirically examining the influence of AI application on product innovation efficiency, mediated by knowledge innovation within the SECI model. Additionally, it explores the nuanced moderating role of AI perception characteristics, highlighting the potential duality of AI technology in driving innovation outcomes. These findings offer valuable insights for managers seeking to leverage AI for enhancing product innovation and knowledge management practices.
Quantitative evaluation of smart construction pilot cities policies in China based on the PMC-index model
Authors: Shi Qingyu , Yu Jingyu , Zhang Lifei , Wang Jingfeng , Cheng Guowei
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The construction industry has experienced an irreversible digital transformation to smart construction. Many countries have published supporting policies to encourage the development of smart construction. However, there is no universally valid approach. This paper thus aims to evaluate smart construction policies issued by 24 pilot cities in China and identify applicable policy tools and their impact.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper collected 33 governmental documents on smart construction through the official websites in China. Different policy tools were classified into supply-side, demand-side and environment-side categories. The supporting policies of smart construction development in pilot cities were quantitatively evaluated by using a policy modeling consistency index (PMC-index) model.

Findings

Supply-type and environment-type policy instruments were used more frequently than demand-type policies in 24 pilot cities. Most of the 24 pilot cities had an evaluation of PMC-index over 8, realizing the consistency of smart construction policies. Eight pilot cities had an evaluation of PMC-index of 6–7.99, realizing acceptable consistency. Only Foshan City has an evaluation of PMC-index below 4, which may reflect a poor consistency of policy implementation. The paper proposes consistencies of smart construction policies of 24 pilot cities and valid policy instruments, including the presale of commercial residential buildings, additional bonus points in the tendering process and cooperating with multiple departments when promoting smart construction.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to expanding policy evaluation studies in the smart construction field and provides concrete suggestions for policymakers to formulate more effective and specific policies and strategies for the development of smart construction.
Factors affecting telemedicine services adoption in the healthcare sector
Authors: Al-Ghazo Hanan , Al-Okaily Manaf , Al-Okaily Aws , Al-Anber Arwa , Heilat Hadeel B. , Alissa Mohammad A. , Alomar Ali A. , Basheti Iman A.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to determine the factors affecting the adoption of telemedicine services as mobile health apps in the Jordanian context by extending the technology acceptance model (TAM).

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research approach with an online survey was used to collect data from 306 Jordanian respondents to achieve the main purpose. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach was used to analyze collected data.

Findings

The results mainly confirmed that the intention to use mobile health apps (otherwise known as AMAN apps in Jordan) is significantly influenced by social influence, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, trust in government and social media awareness. Next, contrary to what is expected, culture does not moderate the association between perceived ease of use and behavioral intention to use the AMAN app, and hence the related hypothesis was not supported. To conclude, the results show that the actual use of the AMAN app is significantly influenced by behavioral intention, and hence, the final hypothesis was supported.

Originality/value

The current research contributed to the literature on information technology (IT)/information systems (IS) acceptance and use by switching the investigation efforts from the acceptance of IT/IS to the adoption of protection technology in the crisis era.
Experimental and numerical study of thermal analysis of Al2O3/C2H6O2 nanofluid with porous medium in corrugated converge-diverge enclosure with magnetohydrodynamic effect
Authors: Hamza Nehad Abid Allah , Oliwie Amal Hussein , Said Nejla Mahjoub , Abed Isam , Rasheed Qusay
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate experimentally and numerically the thermal analysis of a wavy diverging-converging corrugated enclosure, partitioned into two parts under the effect of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) natural convection. The left part was filled with Al2O3/C2H6O2 nanofluid, while the right part was Al2O3/C2H6O2 saturated by a porous medium, featuring a corrugated cylinder at the center. This system is relevant to many engineering applications. Key factors affecting thermal performance, such as nanofluid volume fraction, Darcy number, Hartmann number, inclination angle of MHD and Rayleigh number, were analyzed. This study evaluated the impact of these parameters on stream function, average Nusselt number and isothermal lines under three heat source scenarios: heating the corrugated cylinder, heating the magnetic source and heating the nanofluid, porous media and corrugated walls.

Design/methodology/approach

The main governing equations for the nanofluid flow are mass, momentum and heat transfer, while the porous media are modeled using the Darcy–Brinkmann model. These governing equations are transformed into a dimensionless form and solved numerically using COMSOL 6.0 based on the finite-element method. Dynamic viscosity, density and thermal conductivity equations are used to calculate the properties of the nanofluid at different volume concentrations.

Findings

The results showed that increasing the Rayleigh number (Ra) and Darcy number (Da) increased the Nusselt number by 55%, indicating enhanced heat transfer. A vertical magnetic source (γ = 90°) further improved thermal performance. Conversely, thermal performance decreased with increasing Hartmann number (Ha). The highest Nusselt number was observed when the heat source was applied to the corrugated cylinder, followed by the right side with nanofluid–porous contact and was lowest for the left side with nanofluid contact. Experimental data demonstrated that the presence of a magnetic field can significantly increase the temperature, thereby enhancing heat transfer by natural convection, particularly when the heat source is applied in the region of nanofluid–porous contact.

Originality/value

The primary originality of this work lies in the use of a novel design featuring a diverging-converging structure with a wavy wall. In addition, it uses two types of fluids simultaneously, dividing the enclosure into two sections: the right side contains nanofluid mixed with a porous medium, while the left side is filled with nanofluid only. The system also includes a corrugated cylinder at its center with four undulations. The position of the heat source significantly influences heat dissipation. Therefore, three different positions were examined: heating the cylinder at a constant temperature, heating the left side of the enclosure and heating the right side.