bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two-tier board characteristics and expanded audit reporting: Evidence from China
Authors: Noureldeen Emad , Elsayed Mohamed , Elamer Ahmed A. , Ye Jianming
Published: March 2024

This paper investigates the relationship between the characteristics of the two-tier board structure (board of directors and supervisory board) and the disclosure of key audit matters (KAMs) in the expanded audit report. Using a sample of 10,857 firm-year observations of Chinese listed firms spanning the 2017–2020 period, we offer two main results. First, with regard to the board of directors, we find that the auditor discloses a greater number and lengthier content of KAMs when there is a CEO duality and the board meetings are more frequent. Second, conversely, we find that the size and independence of the supervisory board are related to a lower number and length of KAMs disclosure. When we distinguish between account-level KAMs and entity-level KAMs, our further analysis shows that our results are principally associated with account-level KAMs rather than entity-level KAMs. Specifically, we find that CEO duality and the frequency of board of directors meetings are positively related to account-level KAMs. We also find that the size and independence of the supervisory board are negatively related to account-level KAMs. Our further analysis also shows evidence that these two-tier board structure characteristics are associated with the tone of KAMs disclosure in a consistent fashion. Our findings are robust and address endogeneity problems. Overall, our results suggest that the characteristics of the two-tier board structure drive KAMs disclosure, which should be of interest to regulatory bodies, policymakers, auditors, multinational firms, and users of financial reports.
Is Fucus a suitable biomonitoring organism for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination? A study from the Faroe Islands
Authors: Knøfler Ida Huusmann , Andersson Kirstine Evald , Becker Richard Leonard , Christiansen Sigurd , Nielsen Nikoline J. , Christensen Jan H.
Published: March 2024

To evaluate seaweed as a biomonitoring organism, Fucus was sampled in the Faroe Islands. Nineteen PAHs, including the EPA 16, and four groups of alkylated PAHs were quantified using GC–MS analysis of extracts obtained using a modified QuEchERS method with ultrasonication in acetonitrile, back-extraction into hexane, and Florisil® cleanup. Samples from the harbor of Tórshavn collected at high tide were the most polluted with PAH concentrations between 1.3 × 102 and 1.7 × 102 ng/g wet weight. All samples contained a factor 10 higher concentrations of alkylated PAHs compared to their parent compounds. These results suggest that Fucus might be suitable as a biomonitoring organism for PAH pollution. Differences between samples collected in close proximity and on different days were observed (same range of RSD 14–120% and 60–102%, respectively), suggesting that water exchange, tide levels, and direct exposure to surface diesel pollution have a strong influence on pollutant uptake in Fucus. The findings stress the need for further evaluation of the sampling strategy.
Method to measure tree-ring width, density, elemental composition, and stable carbon and oxygen isotopes using one sample
Authors: Xu Chenxi , Zhao Yaru , An Wenling , Zhao Qingyu , Liu Yucheng , Sano Masaki , Nakatsuka Takeshi
Published: March 2024

Tree-ring width (RW), density, elemental composition, and stable carbon and oxygen isotope (δ13C, δ18O) are widely used as proxies to assess climate change, ecology, and environmental pollution; however, a specific pretreatment has been needed for each proxy. Here, we developed a method by which each proxy can be measured in the same sample. First, the sample is polished for ring width measurement. After obtaining the ring width data, the sample is cut to form a 1-mm-thick wood plate. The sample is then mounted in a vertical sample holder, and gradually scanned by an X-ray beam. Simultaneously, the count rates of the fluorescent photons of elements (for chemical characterization) and a radiographic grayscale image (for wood density) are obtained, i.e. the density and the element content are obtained. Then, cellulose is isolated from the 1-mm wood plate by removal of lignin, and hemicellulose. After producing this cellulose plate, cellulose subsamples are separated by knife under the microscope for inter-annual and intra-annual stable carbon and oxygen isotope (δ13C, δ18O) analysis. Based on this method, RW, density, elemental composition, δ13C, and δ18O can be measured from the same sample, which reduces sample amount and treatment time, and is helpful for multi-proxy comparison and combination research.
Adolescent bariatric surgery—a survey of referring practitioners
Authors: Cromwell Paul , McCarthy Therese , Fearon Naomi , Heneghan Helen
Published: March 2024

Background

Recent guidelines, supported by large, well-designed studies, suggest that bariatric surgery is a safe and effective treatment for adolescents living with severe obesity to improve health and psychosocial functioning. The aim of this study was to assess the opinions and referral practices of general practitioners (GPs) and paediatricians in Ireland.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was circulated online to practising paediatricians and GPs. The survey consisted of a short introduction about childhood obesity and 12 questions on adolescent bariatric surgery and obesity medications.

Results

There were 45 unique responses to the survey from 22 GPs (48%), 8 paediatricians (17%), and 15 others. Most GPs (72%) would not consider referring an adolescent for bariatric surgery. Paediatricians were significantly more likely to refer (72% vs. 28%, p = 0.034). A minimum BMI of 40 kg/m2 was the most common response, which GPs (45%) and paediatricians (37.5%) suggested should be a pre-requisite for surgery. There was strong support for family psychological assessment and a reported deficit in the community support needed to manage obesity. GPs were more likely than paediatricians to respond that anti-obesity medications should be made available to adolescents, specifically liraglutide (45% vs. 25%), semaglutide (45% vs. 37.5%), and orlistat (22% vs. 0%).

Discussion

There is a reluctance among GPs to refer adolescents with severe obesity for consideration of bariatric surgery. Concerns regarding the different obesity treatments held by medical professionals should be addressed through education and engagement and should be fundamental to the development of child and adolescent obesity services.
Firm failure prediction for small and medium-sized enterprises and new ventures
Authors: Wang Weiyu , Guedes Maria João
Published: March 2024

New ventures and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the engines that drive the development of the economy, productivity, and business. However, they differ with respect to their natures, and that may affect their choices and success. This paper investigates the determinants of failure for SMEs and new ventures in Portugal by employing a logistic regression technique to develop the one-year prediction models individually over the period from 2010 to 2018. The results show that age and size always play significant roles in discriminating the failure risk of both types of firm, but the financial predictors selected in the final default prediction models for SMEs and new ventures vary. Moreover, based on financial, age, and size predictors, the SME model performs much better than that of the new venture in the classification accuracy reported. This indicates that separate treatment should be carried out while predicting the failure likelihood of SMEs and new ventures.
Osteocytes and Paget’s Disease of Bone
Authors: Tenshin Hirofumi , Delgado-Calle Jesus , Windle Jolene J. , Roodman G. David , Chirgwin John M. , Kurihara Noriyoshi
Published: March 2024

Purpose of Review

To describe the contributions of osteocytes to the lesions in Paget’s disease, which are characterized by locally overactive bone resorption and formation.

Recent Findings

Osteocytes, the most abundant cells in bone, are altered in Paget’s disease lesions, displaying increased size, decreased canalicular length, incomplete differentiation, and less sclerostin expression compared to controls in both patients and mouse models. Pagetic lesions show increased senescent osteocytes that express RANK ligand, which drives osteoclastic bone resorption. Abnormal osteoclasts in Paget’s disease secrete abundant IGF1, which enhances osteocyte senescence, contributing to lesion formation.

Recent data suggest that osteocytes contribute to lesion formation in Paget’s disease by responding to high local IGF1 released from abnormal osteoclasts. Here we describe the characteristics of osteocytes in Paget’s disease and their role in bone lesion formation based on recent results with mouse models and supported by patient data.
Bürgerbeteiligung in Deutschland – Wer beteiligt sich wofür mit welchen Auswirkungen?
Authors: Hübler Olaf
Published: March 2024

Bürgerbeteiligungen finden sich in nahezu allen Bereichen des öffentlichen Lebens. Häufig sind Unzufriedenheit mit öffentlichen Entscheidungen und Politikverdrossenheit dafür ausschlaggebend, dass es zu einem Engagement der Bürger außerhalb des Berufslebens kommt. Über Auswirkungen und Struktur von Bürgerinitiativen ist wenig bekannt. Empirische Untersuchungen beschränken sich häufig auf Einzelfallanalysen. Eine breitere Datenbasis unter Verwendung von statistisch-ökonometrischen Verfahren ist notwendig, um zu verallgemeinerbaren Aussagen zu gelangen. Welcher Typ Mensch ist bei über das Private hinausgehenden Angelegenheiten aktiv und beteiligt sich an diesen? Inwiefern wird er davon in seiner Einstellung und seinen Verhaltensweisen beeinflusst. Bürgerräte sind ein vergleichsweise neu entwickeltes Instrument zur Bürgerbeteiligung, zu dem aus statistischer Sicht noch eine Reihe an Informationen fehlt. Zufallsgesteuerte Auswahlverfahren sollen dazu beitragen, dass sich Politikempfehlungen und Politikentscheidungen stärker am Bevölkerungswillen orientieren. Welche persönlichen Merkmale sind für Bürgerratsmitglieder typisch? Entspricht die Verteilung dieser Merkmale der in der Gesamtbevölkerung?

Die empirische Untersuchung zeigt, dass übliche demographische Merkmale nur beschränkt die Teilnahme an Bürgerinitiativen erklären können und dass eine wechselseitige Beziehung zur Beteiligung an Bürgerinitiativen besteht. Von zusätzlicher Bedeutung sind Big 5 Charakteristika und Beurteilungen, was als gerecht empfunden wird. Lebenszufriedenheit und Vertrauen in Politiker offenbaren sich bei Personen mit und ohne Erfahrung im Bereich der Bürgerinitiativen unterschiedlich. Insgesamt ist die Bedeutung von Bürgerbeteiligung geringer einzuschätzen als die anderer altruistisch orientierter Aktivitäten.
Evaluation of Low-Pressure Cold Plasma Effect on Phytonutrients, Drying and Microstructural Characteristics, and Changes in Microbial Load of Fresh and Hot-Air-Dried ‘Heidi’ Mango
Authors: Yanclo Loriane A. , Sigge Gunnar , Belay Zinash A. , Oyenihi Ayodeji B. , Caleb Oluwafemi J.
Published: March 2024

Alternative pre-treatment strategies before drying offer the prospect to minimize drying time, replacing the use of chemicals, and preserving quality of dried fresh products. This study explored the application of low-pressure atmospheric cold plasma (CP) for 5- and 10 min (CP5 and CP10) as pre-treatments prior to processing and hot air drying (60 °C) of ‘Heidi’ mango, while non-treated samples served as control. Changes in tissue microstructure and physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, and microbial load were evaluated, and seven thin layer drying models were applied. Scanned electron microscope images showed that CP pre-treatments altered the tissue microstructure of dried mango slices compared to control. ‘Heidi’ mango slices with the initial moisture content of 80 ± 0.2% on a wet basis was reduced by 81% and 76% in dried CP5 and CP10 samples, respectively. Drying time was reduced by 20% for CP pre-treated samples in comparison to control samples, and the drying behavior of ‘Heidi’ mango slices was best described by the Logarithmic model (R2, 0.9999 and RMSE, 0.0122). Colour attributes were best retained by sodium metabisulphite (SMB) pre-treated samples, followed by CP5 pre-treated, which performed better than CP10 and control (p ≤ 0.05). Highest total flavanols (15.0 ± 0.4 mg CE 100 g−1) and higher total phenolics (1528.2 ± 23.6 mg GA 100 g−1) were found in CP5 pre-treated samples compared to the control (p ≤ 0.05). Lowest antioxidant activities were found in CP10 pre-treated samples compared to the control (p ≤ 0.05). CP-pretreatment and drying resulted in ≥ 2 Log reduction in microbial load on mango slices. These results demonstrate to the role players in mango value addition chain, the potential of low-pressure CP pretreatment in enhancing/maintaining the bioactive compounds, reducing drying time and microbial load.
Epoxidized technical Kraft lignin as a particulate resin component for high-performance anticorrosive coatings
Authors: Truncali Alessio , Laxminarayan Tejasvi , Rajagopalan Narayanan , Weinell Claus Erik , Kiil Søren , Johansson Mats
Published: March 2024

Deterioration of steel infrastructures is often caused by corrosive substances. In harsh conditions, the protection against corrosion is provided by high-performance coatings. The major challenge in this field is to find replacements for the fossil-based resins constituting anticorrosive coatings, due to increasing needs to synthesize new environmentally friendly materials. In this study, softwood Kraft lignin was epoxidized with the aim of obtaining a renewable resin for anticorrosive coatings. The reaction resulted in the formation of heterogeneous, solid, coarse agglomerates. Therefore, the synthetized lignin particles were mechanically ground and sieved to break up the agglomerates and obtain a fine powder. To reduce the use of fossil fuel-based epoxy novolac resins in commercial anticorrosive coatings, a series of formulations were prepared and cured on steel panels varying the content of epoxidized lignin resin. Epoxidized lignin-based coatings used in conjunction with conventional epoxy novolac resin demonstrated improved performance in terms of corrosion protection and adhesion properties, as measured by salt spray exposure and pull-off adhesion test, respectively. In addition, the importance of size fractionation for the homogeneity of the final coating formulations was highlighted. The findings from this study suggest a promising route to develop high-performing lignin-based anticorrosive coatings.
Biosynthesis of Silver, Copper, and Their Bi-metallic Combination of Nanocomposites by Staphylococcus aureus: Their Antimicrobial, Anticancer Activity, and Cytotoxicity Effect
Authors: Sayed Mohsen A. , El-Rahman Tahany M. A. Abd , Abdelsalam H. K. , El-Souad Sayed M. S. Abo , Shady Rawan Muhammad , Amen Radwa Abdallnasser , Zaki Mostafa Ahmed , Mohsen Martina , Desouky Sara , Saeed Samar , Omar Seif , El-Bassuony Asmaa A. H.
Published: March 2024

The present study outlines an easy, cheap, and environmentally friendly way to make Staphylococcus aureus-mediated bimetallic silver-copper nanocomposites (Ag/Cu) that can fight cancer and germs. The gram-positive S. aureus synthesized Ag, Cu, and their bi-metallic nanocomposites extracellularly. We aimed to prepare the bimetallic nanocomposite in two different ways, and we compared them in terms of characterization and biological applications. The first one is a bimetallic nanocomposite (Ag/Cub) that was made by mixing Ag and Cu metal ions in equal amounts (50:50). Then, the whole mixture was reduced. The second is the after-reduction bimetallic nanocomposite (Ag/Cua), in which each metal ion was reduced separately, and then the nanocomposites were mixed (50:50%) during biological applications. Nanocomposites were characterized using UV–visible spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The results demonstrated that surface plasmon bands were at 320 nm for Ag NPs and 525 nm for Cu NPs, and a shift from these peaks was observed at 290 nm in the Ag/Cub bimetallic nanocomposite. The synthesized nanocomposites were confirmed to be in the nanoscale with 20, 40, and 80 nm spherical crystals, respectively. Nanocomposites were assayed for their antimicrobial activity against the gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the acid-fast Mycobacterium smegmatis, the gram-positive Bacillus cereus, and S. aureus, in addition to three fungal species, which were Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, and Candida albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined. The Ag/Cua/Cuaetallic nanocomposite was the most potent antimicrobial compound. The anticancer activity of the tested compounds was assayed against the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG-2). Low cytotoxic activity was recorded in most assayed nanocomposites against the baby hamster kidney cell line (BHK).
Ancient Solutions of Ricci Flow with Type I Curvature Growth
Authors: Lynch Stephen , Abrego Andoni Royo
Published: March 2024

Ancient solutions of the Ricci flow arise naturally as models for singularity formation. There has been significant progress towards the classification of such solutions under natural geometric assumptions. Nonnegatively curved solutions in dimensions 2 and 3, and uniformly PIC solutions in higher dimensions are now well understood. We consider ancient solutions of arbitrary dimension which are complete and have Type I curvature growth. We show that a simply connected, noncompact,$$\kappa $$κ-noncollapsed Type I ancient solution with nonnegative sectional curvature necessarily splits a Euclidean factor. It follows that a$$\kappa $$κ-noncollapsed Type I ancient solution which is weakly PIC2 is a locally symmetric space.
A Recycled-Material-Based Electrochemical Eco-sensor for Sensitive Detection of Antischistosomal Drug Residues in Bovine-Derived Food Samples
Authors: Attia Khalid A. M. , Abbas Ahmed E. F. , El-Olemy Ahmed , Abdelshafi Nahla A. , Eid Sherif M.
Published: March 2024

Veterinary drug residues in food have emerged as an urgent threat to consumer safety. Herein, we present the first square wave voltammetric method for the trace-level detection of cinnarizine residues, a recently used antischistosomal drug, in bovine food samples. The method depends on the electrochemical oxidation after modification of the carbon paste sensor with recycled Al2O3-NPs functionalized multi-walled carbon nanoparticles. The produced sensor (Al2O3-NPs/ MWCNTs/CPE) was characterized using the transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive spectrometer, and X-ray diffractometer that confirm the successful incorporation of the Al2O3-NPs/MWCNTs composite into the modified electrode. As expected, the active surface area and electron transfer processes were accelerated by the modification, which was evidenced by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometric studies, scan rate studies, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Compared to previous techniques, this facile sensor demonstrated enhancements across critical analytical criteria including the detection limit of 0.17 nM, linear response across 5–100 nM (r2 = 0.998), accuracy ranging from 96.5 to 103.2%, precision below 0.81% relative standard deviation, reproducibility within 0.36% range, 20 s response time and applicability in spiked food matrices. In addition, five different greenness and whiteness tools quantified exceptional environmental friendliness, economic feasibility and waste reduction of 63%–93%, reaffirming alignment with sustainability paradigms. These advantages support practical adoption in quality control especially laboratories lacking expensive instrumentation. Overall, the ingenious sensor reconciles nanotechnology innovation with the circular economy ethos to tackle an urgent food safety challenge, guided holistically by sustainability metrics.
Role of Glucocorticoids in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Authors: Polyzos Stergios A. , Targher Giovanni
Published: March 2024

Purpose of the Review

To summarize published data on the association between glucocorticoids and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), focusing on the possible pathophysiological links and related treatment considerations.

Recent Findings

Glucocorticoids, commonly used for managing many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, may contribute to the development and progression of MASLD. Glucocorticoids may induce hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, thus increasing systemic and hepatic insulin resistance, a hallmark of MASLD pathogenesis. Furthermore, glucocorticoids increase adipose tissue lipolysis, and hepaticde novolipogenesis and decrease hepatic fatty acid β-oxidation, thus promoting MASLD development. Preclinical evidence also suggests that glucocorticoids may adversely affect hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) and 5α-reductase are implicated in the link between glucocorticoids and MASLD, the former enzyme increasing and the latter reducing the glucocorticoid action on the liver. Treatment considerations exist due to the pathogenic link between glucocorticoids and MASLD. Since iatrogenic hypercortisolism is common, glucocorticoids should be used at the minimum daily dose to control the subjective disease. Furthermore, the pharmacologic inhibition of 11β-HSD1 has provided favorable results in MASLD, both in preclinical studies and early MASH clinical trials.

Glucocorticoids are closely linked to MASLD pathophysiology, with specific clinical and therapeutic implications.
Disaster Risk Assessment of Fluvial and Pluvial Flood Using the Google Earth Engine Platform: a Case Study for the Filyos River Basin
Authors: Akcin Hakan , Kose Ruveyda Tercan
Published: March 2024

The aim of this study is to conduct a risk analysis of fluvial and pluvial flood disasters, focusing on the vulnerability of those residing in the river basin in coastal regions. However, there are numerous factors and indicators that need to be considered for this type of analysis. Swift and precise acquisition and evaluation of such data is an arduous task, necessitating significant public investment. Remote sensing offers unique data and information flow solutions in areas where access to information is restricted. The Google Earth Engine (GEE), a remote sensing platform, offers strong support to users and researchers in this context. A data-based and informative case study has been conducted to evaluate the disaster risk analysis capacity of the platform. Data on three factors and 17 indicators for assessing disaster risk were determined using coding techniques and web geographic information system (web GIS) applications. The study focused on the Filyos River basin in Turkey. Various satellite images and datasets were utilized to identify indicators, while land use was determined using classification studies employing machine learning algorithms on the GEE platform. Using various applications, we obtained information on ecological vulnerability, fluvial and pluvial flooding analyses, and the value of indicators related to construction and population density. Within the scope of the analysis, it has been determined that the disaster risk index (DRI) value for the basin is 4. This DRI value indicates that an unacceptable risk level exists for the 807,889 individuals residing in the basin.
EVOCA™, the first biofungicide developed by Biotalys’ AGROBODY Foundry™ platform
Authors: Boutton C. , Leybaert K. , Geerinck J. , Van Daele I. , Hanssens J. , Reyes C. , Maertens L.
Published: March 2024

Biotalys’ first protein-based biofungicide, EVOCA™, is developed to help fruit and vegetable growers who are looking to protect their produce from fungal diseases such as Botrytis and powdery mildew. Developed with the AGROBODY Foundry™ platform, and thanks to a new and unique mode of action (new FRAC code: Group 51 under F10), this innovative product provides a new rotation partner in integrated pest management programs that both protect against resistance and reduce dependency on chemical pesticides and environmental impact.
Sarcopenia is linked to higher levels of B-type natriuretic peptide and its N-terminal fragment in heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Prokopidis Konstantinos , Morwani-Mangnani Jordi , McDowell Garry , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Venturelli Massimo , Sankaranarayanan Rajiv , Isanejad Masoud
Published: March 2024

Aims

Sarcopenia is linked to impaired physical function and exercise tolerance. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the association of sarcopenia and low appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) with biomarkers of cardiac function, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its N-terminal fragment (NT-proBNP), in patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods and results

From inception until May 2023, a systematic literature search of observational studies was undertaken utilizing the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. A meta-analysis employing a random-effects model was used to compute the pooled effects (CRD42023418465). Overall, 16 studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Our main analysis showed that sarcopenia in HF was linked to significantly higher levels of BNP (MD: 87.76, 95% CI 20.74–154.78, I2 = 61%, P = 0.01) and NT-proBNP (MD: 947.45, 95% CI 98.97–1795.93, I2 = 35%, P = 0.03). Similarly, low ASM was associated with significantly higher levels of BNP (MD: 118.95, 95% CI 46.91–191.00, I2 = 93%, P < 0.01) and NT-proBNP (MD: 672.01, 95% CI 383.72–960.30, I2 = 2%, P < 0.01). The quality of the included cohort studies was considered moderate, using the binary AXIS checklist and the Cochrane Tool to Assess the Risk of Bias in Cohort Studies.

Conclusions

In patients with HF, sarcopenia and reduced ASM are associated with considerably higher plasma levels of BNP and NT-proBNP. Future research is required to investigate whether sarcopenia may express dysregulated biomarkers of cardiac function.

Graphical abstract
An application of stability charts to prediction of buckling instability in tapered columns via Galerkin’s method
Authors: El-Borhamy Mohamed , Dabaon Mohamed A.
Published: March 2024

This work tackles the mathematical modeling of buckling problem to obtain their critical loads in tapered columns subjected to concentrated and axial distributed loads. The governing model is a general eigenvalue problem that has no exact solution due to some new terms included. A semi-analytical technique satisfying the boundary conditions is proposed for the solution procedure. The minimum residual Galerkin’s method is suggested due to its effectiveness as a semi-analytical tool for the buckling problem to obtain the buckling shape modes by using admissible periodic functions. The study investigates the buckling instability and the responses of tapered columns with different periodic trial shape functions as approximations to the exact solutions. Based on the eigenvalue problem, Galerkin’s method is employed to obtain the transition curves to represent the critical loads. The stability charts (Ince–Strutt diagrams) among the parameters of the problem are proposed to explain the elastic stability of different tapered columns subjected to different shapes of cross sections and distributed weights. Consequently, the influences of the included parameters on the critical buckling loads are discussed. Among the different tapered columns presented, some parameters in the proposed distributions have a big influence on the critical buckling load and the creation of the instability regions in the chart for the clamped-clamped boundary conditions. The results are verified using the analytical solutions for some specific known problems.
High stability of AnchoisOil extracted with limonene from anchovy fillet leftovers
Authors: Angellotti Giuseppe , Pizzone Daniela Maria , Pagliaro Mario , Avellone Giuseppe , Lino Claudia , Mauriello Francesco , Ciriminna Rosaria
Published: March 2024

To investigate the vitamin content in an AnchoisOil sample stored at − 20 °C under N2 for more than four years, we have developed a new HPLC method for simultaneous identification and quantification of vitamins in anchovy fish oil that is efficient and applicable in practice. Coupled to full retention of the original visual appearance (orange color and transparency), the relatively high concentrations of lipid-soluble vitamin Q (coenzyme Q10) and vitamin A (retinol) in AnchoisOil extracted with d-limonene from European anchovy fillet leftovers more than four years after extraction point to remarkable chemical stability of this marine oil. These findings further support the practical use of the “LimoFish” process to extract valued fish oil from the leftovers of the world’s most caught fish species.

Graphical Abstract
Steroid-induced mania in a patient with previously well-controlled organic bipolar 1-like affective disorder secondary to acquired brain injury: case report and literature review
Authors: King Jacob D. , Elliott Thomas , Pitman Alexandra
Published: March 2024

Steroid-induced neuropsychiatric sequelae are common, and pose significant risks to people usually receiving glucocorticoids in the context of physical illness. Steroid-induced mania and hypomania are the most common of the acute complications, yet despite great progress in understandings in neurophysiology there are no recent studies which review the factors which might predict who will experience this severe complication, nor are there consensus guidelines on management. We report the unusual case of a woman in her 50s admitted to a psychiatric unit with steroid-induced mania despite compliance with two mood stabilisers, several days after the administration of a Dexamethasone and Docetaxel chemotherapy regime adjunctive to lumpectomy for breast cancer. She had previously been diagnosed with an organic affective disorder (with classical bipolar 1 pattern) following severe ventriculitis related to ventricular drain insertion for obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to a colloid cyst. She had no psychiatric illness before this brain injury, but has a maternal history of idiopathic bipolar 1 affective disorder. Her episode of steroid-induced mania resolved following use of sedative medications, continuation of her existing mood stabilisers, and reductions of the steroid dosing in collaboration with her oncology team, which also protected her from further manic relapses during continued chemotherapy. Established mental illness, a family history, and acquired brain injury may reflect risk factors for steroid-induced mania through currently unclear pathways. Future epidemiological studies could better confirm these observations, and basic neuroscience may look to further explore the role of extrinsic glucocorticoids in the pathophysiology of affective disorders.
Superconducting tunnel junctions with layered superconductors
Authors: Bi Xiangyu , Chen Ganyu , Li Zeya , Yuan Hongtao
Published: March 2024

The superconducting tunneling effect in heterostructures, describing the process where single electrons or Cooper pairs tunnel through the barrier, can always play a significant role in understanding the phase coherence and pairing mechanisms in superconductors. Taking advantage of the easy cleavage to atomically-thin monolayer structure of layered superconductors and resulting quantum confinement of electrons or Cooper pairs at two-dimensional limit, van der Waals superconducting materials hosting superconducting order in monolayers or heterostructures can exhibit extensive emergent phenomena associated with quantum phase transitions of vortex and anti-vortex pairs. Examples of superconducting tunnel junctions (STJs) based on layered superconductors have been demonstrated to achieve novel phenomena, including Andreev bound states, Majorana bound states and 0/π-phase junctions. Since the characteristic parameters of quasiparticle tunneling through the barrier are directly associated with the energy gap values of superconductors, such critical parameter can be obtained within the STJ device geometry, which helps us understand and control the pairing states and emerging phenomena in superconductors. In this review, from the perspective of STJs with single electron tunneling and Cooper pair tunneling, we discuss Andreev reflection, Majorana bound states, photon-induced tunneling effects, non-reciprocal transport and superconducting diode phenomena, as well as prospects for layered-superconductor-based STJs.
Decay or Erosion? The Role of Informal Institutions in Challenges Faced by Democratic Judiciaries
Authors: Šipulová Katarína , Kosař David
Published: March 2024

De-democratization may take the form of executive-led attacks as well as incremental decrepitude, gradual emptying of underlying constitutional values, and state inertia. Contrary to general wisdom, both exogenous erosion and endogenous decay are heavily affected by informality. As courts are often the first institutions affected by de-democratization, this Article analyzes informality in erosion and decay of judicial institutions. It argues that such institutions interact with democracy in two core directions. The first one is endogenous and describes the decay of democratic judiciaries as a result of a long-term incongruence between formal and informal judicial institutions. The second direction captures the gradual erosion of informal institutions that have positive effects on judicial democratic resilience. These two processes, decay and erosion of informal judicial institutions, should not be overlooked. While they are less visible, slower, and often unintentional, they are as dangerous as frontal executive-led attacks on courts, because they significantly increase the window of opportunity for politicians who wish to downgrade the substance of democracy or even implement a regime change.
Brightness enhancement on random-distributed-feedback Raman fiber lasers pumped by multimode diodes
Authors: Hao Xiulu , Fan Chenchen , Li Yang , Pan Zhiyong , Leng Jinyong , Yao Tianfu , Lei Bing , Zhou Pu
Published: March 2024

The power scaling on short wavelength (SW) fiber lasers operating around 1 μm are in significant demand for applications in energy, environment and industry. The challenge for performance scalability of high-power SW lasers based on rare-earth-doped fiber primarily lies in the physical limitations, including reabsorption, amplified spontaneous emission and parasitic laser oscillation. Here, we demonstrate an all-fiberized, purely passive SW (1018 nm) random-distributed-feedback Raman fiber laser (RRFL) to validate the capability of achieving high-power output at SWs based on multimode laser diodes (LDs) direct pumping. Directly pumped by multimode LDs, the high-brightness RRFL delivers over 656 W, with an electro-optical efficiency of 20% relative to the power. The slope efficiency is 94%. The beam quality M2 factor is 2.9 (which is ~20 times that of the pump) at the maximum output signal power, achieving the highest brightness enhancement of 14.9 in RRFLs. To the best of our knowledge, this achievement also represents the highest power record of RRFLs utilizing multimode diodes for direct pumping. This work may not only provide a new insight into the realization of high-power, high-brightness RRFLs but also is a promising contender in the power scaling of SWs below 1 μm.
Sources and Mechanisms of Persisting Social Inequality in Russia: Attending to the Blind Spot
Authors: Sharafutdinova Gulnaz
Published: March 2024

An original, empirically rich, and analytically multilayered and provocative statement by Tomila Lankina, The Estate Origins of Democracy in Russia (2022) is a meticulous work of sociology focused on the exploration and elaboration of social mechanisms of resilience in a transforming polity and society. It is also an attempt to link the past, the 19th-century reform of the estate system in Russia, to the present, Russia’s failed democratization, by arguing that the social basis for democracy in postcommunist Russia was associated with the thin stratum of the more privileged, educated, and politically engaged members of the middle class who were able to build on the intergenerational capital and became “the silent custodian of institutions and values that nurtured the democratic promise of post-communism” (391). As such, it is a passionate statement against Soviet historiography that has been influential in shaping the mainstream Western understanding about the socially transformative nature of communism. The book goes against the received wisdom about the degree to which the Soviet society has been modernized and transformed through communist experience: “the narratives of grand revolutionary rupture,” as Lankina phrases it (394). Excavating specific family histories, Lankina shines light “on the ‘tectonic’ layers of skills, values, and occupational complexity” that underlay wealth-supporting strategies along with the pursuit of better education and the acquisition of better-paid jobs in the Soviet Union. The already privileged social groups—the urban and rural meshchane—were better “connected, networked and engaged” and therefore better-equipped “with the skills, tools, and capital” (393). The Soviet regime reincorporated these privileged professional groups into an elite layer (prosloyka) of the Soviet society, commonly known as Soviet intelligentsia.
Democracy for the Democrats? Historical Origins of Soviet and Post-Soviet Intelligentsia
Authors: Lazarev Egor
Published: March 2024

Tomila Lankina’s The Estate Origins of Democracy in Russia, published by Cambridge University Press in 2021, is a very powerful and thought-provoking book. It contains a bold argument, exhibiting the author’s erudition across several disciplines, as well as an unusual richness of empirical evidence and an exquisite prose style. The book delves into the intricacies of social resilience in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution. Contrary to the notion that the Bolshevik Revolution served as “the great leveler,” Lankina demonstrates the enduring presence of Tsarist-era estates within the social fabric throughout the Soviet era and even into the post-Soviet period. The estates encompassed a system of legal classifications that stratified Russian imperial society into distinct categories: aristocracy, clergy, merchants, and meshchane (petty bourgeoisie), as well as peasants. Lankina’s primary focus lies upon the meshchane, an estate that, by the twilight of the tsarist regime, accounted for approximately 10 percent of the empire’s total population.1 Within Lankina’s narrative, the meshchane emerged as an imperial middle class – comprising individuals such as small shopkeepers, rentiers, doctors, teachers, engineers – who mostly resided in urban centers and towns. Many among this group hailed from ethnic and religious minority backgrounds, including Jewish, Polish, German, Old Believers, and others.
A NOTE ON JUDICIOUS BISECTIONS OF GRAPHS
Authors: WU SHUFEI , XIONG XIAOBEI
Published: March 2024

Let G be a graph with m edges, minimum degree
$\delta $
and containing no cycle of length 4. Answering a question of Bollobás and Scott, Fan et al. [‘Bisections of graphs without short cycles’, Combinatorics, Probability and Computing27(1) (2018), 44–59] showed that if (i) G is
$2$
-connected, or (ii)
$\delta \ge 3$
, or (iii)
$\delta \ge 2$
and the girth of G is at least 5, then G admits a bisection such that
$\max \{e(V_1),e(V_2)\}\le (1/4+o(1))m$
, where
$e(V_i)$
denotes the number of edges of G with both ends in
$V_i$
. Let
$s\ge 2$
be an integer. In this note, we prove that if
$\delta \ge 2s-1$
and G contains no
$K_{2,s}$
as a subgraph, then G admits a bisection such that
$\max \{e(V_1),e(V_2)\}\le (1/4+o(1))m$
.
ON SOME CONGRUENCES INVOLVING CENTRAL BINOMIAL COEFFICIENTS
Authors: MAO GUO-SHUAI
Published: March 2024

We prove the following conjecture of Z.-W. Sun [‘On congruences related to central binomial coefficients’, J. Number Theory13(11) (2011), 2219–2238]. Let p be an odd prime. Then
$$ \begin{align*} \sum_{k=1}^{p-1}\frac{\binom{2k}k}{k2^k}\equiv-\frac12H_{{(p-1)}/2}+\frac7{16}p^2B_{p-3}\pmod{p^3}, \end{align*} $$

where
$H_n$
is the nth harmonic number and
$B_n$
is the nth Bernoulli number. In addition, we evaluate
$\sum _{k=0}^{p-1}(ak+b)\binom {2k}k/2^k$
modulo
$p^3$
for any p-adic integers
$a, b$
.
ON THE SET OF KRONECKER NUMBERS
Authors: GOSWAMI SAYAN , HUANG WEN , WU XIAOSHENG
Published: March 2024

A positive even number is said to be a Maillet number if it can be written as the difference between two primes, and a Kronecker number if it can be written in infinitely many ways as the difference between two primes. It is believed that all even numbers are Kronecker numbers. We study the division and multiplication of Kronecker numbers and show that these numbers are rather abundant. We prove that there is a computable constant k and a set D consisting of at most 720 computable Maillet numbers such that, for any integer n,
$kn$
can be expressed as a product of a Kronecker number and a Maillet number in D. We also prove that every positive rational number can be written as a ratio of two Kronecker numbers.
The Abolition of Slavery in Africa's Legal Histories
Authors: Rossi Benedetta
Published: March 2024

This introduction contextualizes the special issue's articles in the broader continental dynamics. It discusses the Eurocentric bias of the historiography and suggests that the view that Europe was responsible for the legal abolition of slavery in Africa should be nuanced and qualified. Some independent African polities abolished slavery before Europe's colonial occupation. Nowhere did European abolitionists encounter a tabula rasa: African polities had complex jurisdictions, oral or written, which formed the normative background against which slavery's abolition should be studied. To do so, however, it is misleading to imagine abolitionism as a unitary movement spreading globally out of Europe. What happened differed from context to context. Normative systems varied, and so did abolition's legal processes. This introduction examines the dynamics that led to the introduction and implementation of anti-slavery laws in African legal systems. It recenters the analysis of the legal abolition of slavery in Africa around particular African actors, concepts, strategies, and procedures.
Disaster Preparedness and Safety Curriculum for Early Childhood Education in Indonesia
Authors: Pohan Rizky Andana , Ramadhani Erfan , Marimbun Marimbun , Chalidaziah Wan , Nengsih Nengsih , Marhaban Marhaban
Published: March 2024

Background:

Indonesia is located within the Asia-Pacific Ring of Fire, so natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods, and landslides are common. Preparedness is essential to prevent many casualties due to various disasters.

Problem:

The Aceh, Indonesia earthquake and tsunami in 2004 was one of the most devastating disasters since the 1990s. Some of the victims were children. This is because there was no pattern of preparedness in dealing with disasters when the incident took place; even the word tsunami was not familiar in Indonesia at that time. Thus, the preparation of a disaster preparedness and safety curriculum began to be implemented in Indonesia after the Aceh earthquake and tsunami.

Conclusion:

The disaster preparedness and safety curriculum in early childhood education is developed in accordance with the potential and characteristics of the school area. Basic disaster material provided concepts, characteristics and threats, maps, ways of overcoming, and disaster preparedness and security. Facilities and infrastructure supporting disaster preparedness learning used disaster puzzles, disaster posters, songs about disasters, and prayers asking God for help to be protected from disasters.
Virtual reality and neurofeedback as a supportive approach to managing cancer symptoms for patients receiving treatment: A brief report of a feasibility trial
Authors: Rolbiecki Abigail J. , Froeliger Brett , Smith Jamie , Ying Jun , Canfield Shannon , Posley Kayla , Polniak Megan , Dotson Dana
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Managing cancer symptoms while patients receive systemic treatment remains a challenge in oncology. The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches like virtual reality (VR) and neurofeedback (NF) in tandem with systemic treatment might reduce symptom burden for patients. The combination of VR + NF as a CAM intervention approach is novel and understudied, particularly as it relates to supportive cancer care. The purpose of this study is to summarize our VR + NF study protocol and share preliminary results regarding study retention (across 2 treatment sessions) and preliminary impact of VR or VR + NF on patient-reported outcomes such as anxiety and pain.

Methods

We utilized a parallel arm trial design to compare preliminary impact of VR only and VR + NF on cancer symptoms among patients who are actively receiving cancer treatment.

Results

Sixty-seven percent (n = 20) of participants returned to participate in a second VR session, and the rates of return were the same between the VR groups. Patients in the VR + NF group showed improvements in anxiety after both sessions, while patients in the VR only group showed significant improvements in pain and depression after both sessions. Patients in the VR + NF group showed improved pain after session 1.

Significance of results

This study demonstrates that patients can be retained over multiple treatment sessions and that VR and NF remain promising treatment approaches with regard to impact on patient-reported outcomes like anxiety and pain.
Dual-port circularly polarized dielectric resonator–based antenna with reconfigurable integrated multifunctional filter for 5G cognitive radio applications
Authors: Rai Yajush , Sigroha Deepak , Tyagi Krishna , Das Gourab , Sharma Anand
Published: March 2024

In this paper, the design of a circularly polarized (CP) multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) antenna system is presented, utilizing a dielectric resonator (DR). This presented antenna system is subsequently integrated with a multifunctional filter, all meticulously structured on a single substrate. The multifunctional filter operates in three modes: reconfigurable band-pass and band-reject filter as well as all-pass filter. The overall structure works as a tunable filtenna. The designed filtenna is expanded into a two-port MIMO system on a unified substrate, providing strong port isolation below −28.5 dB. The overall dimension of proposed radiator is 180 × 180 × 1.6 mm3. The value of peak gain is 5.19 dBic. By switching the states of PIN diodes, the designed filtenna operates as a sensing and communicating antenna for interweave and underlay cognitive radios (CRs). The proposed antenna supports the CP waves within the working band, i.e., 3.6–4.5 GHz. The simulated results are validated by comparing them with the measured results showing less variation among them. MIMO parameters, including the envelope correlation coefficient and diversity gain, have been calculated for the proposed filtenna, representing its suitability for 5G-CR applications.