bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thinking structures of climate delay: internal deliberations among Swedes with sustainable ambitions
Authors: Wormbs Nina , Wolrath Söderberg Maria
Published: July 2023

It is important to understand how individuals in affluent societies reason around their own actions in relation to climate change. However, much of the research has focused on sceptics and those who have little interest in change. Studying those who want to contribute to a transition and why they fail is also of interest. This study is qualitative and deals with the internal reasoning of a self-selected sample of Swedes with sustainable values who argue in relation to a failed intention. Ca 400 responses were analysed. We used topos theory to identify thinking structures that guide the arguments used to deal with the cognitive dissonance that acting against knowledge and intention results in. The most common ways to argue were to imagine a climate account with possible deposits and withdrawals, or a budget which you strive to keep. Also common was to compare with something or someone that was ”worse”. Redirecting responsibility was also an argument, albeit complicating the issue of responsibility. The limits of reality were used as an excuse for action, whereas articulating the goal conflicts of a less emitting life made choices visible. Finally, the human condition of not always meeting your own standards was mentioned. These arguments only partly overlap common discourses of delay in the public sphere.
Moderating role of audit quality in ESG performance and capital financing dynamics: insights in China
Authors: Zahid R. M. Ammar , Saleem Adil , Maqsood Umer Sahil , Sági Judit
Published: July 2023

This study uncovers the relationship of company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance and capital structure in Chinese corporate sector. Additionally, we investigated if audit quality intervenes this ESG—capital structure nexus. Using panel regressions with fixed effects, we chose Chinese A-Listed companies giving 6295 firm-year observations from 2010 to 2019. The results support the legitimacy theory, suggesting that a company's ESG disclosure and overall progress is a crucial factor in determining their financing decisions. The results suggest that firms with better ESG performance found to have less debt financing and easier access to equity capital from stock markets. However, the results did not show a significant impact of audit quality on this relationship. Sensitivity tests, such as alternate parameter estimation measures, techniques to address endogeneity issues (sysGMM), and lagged regressions, were conducted and did not change the key conclusions of the study.
Semi-simple actions of the Higman-Thompson groups $$T_n$$ on finite-dimensional CAT(0) spaces
Authors: Kato Motoko
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we study isometric actions on finite-dimensional CAT(0) spaces for the Higman–Thompson groups $$T_n$$

T
n

, which are generalizations of Thompson’s group T. It is known that every semi-simple action of T on a complete CAT(0) space of finite covering dimension has a global fixed point. After this result, we show that every semi-simple action of $$T_n$$

T
n

on a complete CAT(0) space of finite covering dimension has a global fixed point. In the proof, we regard $$T_n$$

T
n

as ring groups of homeomorphisms of $$S^1$$

S
1

introduced by Kim, Koberda and Lodha, and use general facts on these groups.
A General Model for Thermodynamic Properties of Fluid Mixtures Based on Helmholtz Energy Formulations for the Components. Virial Expansion and Reduction to van der Waals Mixing Rules
Authors: Hrubý Jan
Published: July 2023

Over the recent decades, Helmholtz energy formulations became available for a broad range of fluids. These multiparameter equations of state (R. Span, Springer 2000) allow computation of thermodynamic properties essentially within the experimental errorbars. Corresponding states-based model by Lemmon and Tillner-Roth (Fluid Phase Equilib 165:1, 1999) enabled construction of Helmholtz energy formulations for mixtures. However, we show that this model generates a non-physical dependence of virial coefficients on composition, which can be strong when the components are dissimilar. We propose a new mixture model that overcomes this deficiency. It has two main ingredients: (i) Quadratic mixing of “Helmholtz volumities”. This quantity with units of molar volume is introduced as a ratio of the molar residual Helmholtz energy to a product of gas constant, thermodynamic temperature, and molar density. It reduces to the second virial coefficient in the zero-density limit. Helmholtz volumities are considered for components and “cross-components”, hypothetical fluids representing the binary interactions. (ii) Replacing the variables—reduced reciprocal temperatures and reduced densities—with temperature and density scaling functions. Different scaling functions can be used for different components and cross-components, thus providing a highly flexible framework for representing the properties of mixtures. The scaling functions must be expandable into Taylor series in terms of molar concentrations in the zero-density limit. For the proposed mixture model, we develop formulas for computing virial coefficients up to the fourth order. Furthermore, we show that when the proposed mixture model is applied to a cubic equation of state, the conventional van der Waals mixing rules can be retrieved. These findings allow to consider the new model as a viable alternative to the corresponding states method of modeling thermodynamic properties of fluid mixtures.
Are all ventilators for NIV performing the same? A bench analysis
Authors: Martínez-Castro Sara , Nacher Francisco Javier Belda , Bernabeu Jaume Puig , Domingo Marina B Soro , Navarro Carlos Delgado , Pons Héctor Ortega
Published: July 2023

Global pandemic due to COVID-19 has increased the interest for ventilators´ use worldwide. New devices have been developed and older ones have undergone a renewed interest, but we lack robust evidence about performance of each ventilator to match appropriate device to a given patient and care environment. The aim of this bench study was to investigate the performance of six devices for noninvasive ventilation, and to compare them in terms of volume delivered, trigger response, pressurization capacity and synchronization in volume assisted controlled and pressure support ventilation. All ventilators were tested under thirty-six experimental conditions by using the lung model ASL5000® (IngMar Medical, Pittsburgh, PA). Two leak levels, two muscle inspiratory efforts and three mechanical patterns were combined for simulation. Trigger function was assessed by measurement of trigger-delay time. Pressurization capacity was evaluated as area under the pressure–time curve over the first 500 ms after inspiratory effort onset. Synchronization was evaluated by the asynchrony index and by incidence and type of asynchronies in each condition. All ventilators showed a good performance, even if pressurization capacity was worse than expected. Leak level did not affect their function. Differences were found during low muscle effort and obstructive pattern. In general, Philips Trilogy Evo/EV300 and Hamilton C3 showed the best results. NIV devices successfully compensate air leaks but still underperform with low muscle effort and obstructive lungs. Clinicians´ must have a clear understanding of the goals of NIV both for devices´ choice and set main parameters to achieve therapy success.
On the nature and structure of externalities
Authors: Paniagua Pablo , Rayamajhee Veeshan
Published: July 2023

This paper contributes to the literature on externalities and their classification by reconciling insights from transaction costs theory with James Buchanan’s and Elinor Ostrom’s analyses of property rights and institutional diversity. We critique the dominant Pigouvian analysis, which assumes only two forms of institutions—namely, governments and private markets—that can internalize externalities. We develop a new taxonomy of externalities that provides relevant conceptual space for a wide array of institutions that the market-versus-state dichotomy obscures. The proposed taxonomy considers two key classes of often-conflated attributes: (1) the scale of externalities, and (2) the assignability, enforceability, and tradability of property rights. This approach enriches the Coasean (transaction cost) perspective by allowing us to unbundle transaction costs in a manner that extends its applicability to nonmarket situations in which market-based transactions are either not permitted or technically infeasible. Thus, by integrating insights from two distinct Public Choice schools, we broaden the theory of externalities to not only encompass market exchanges but also to incorporate cases in which property rights are, and will remain, unclear. We conclude that institutional diversity can offer adaptable solutions to tackle medium- and large-scale externalities.
Vegetation responses to pathogen-induced tree loss: Swedish elm and ash forests revisited after 32 years
Authors: Brunet Jörg , Felton Adam , Hedwall Per-Ola
Published: July 2023

Invasive fungal pathogens are an increasing problem globally and can cause strong effects on forest ecosystems. In this study, we contrast vegetation surveys in eutrophic elm (Ulmus glabra) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) forests in southern Sweden, conducted just prior to the arrival of Dutch elm disease (DED) in 1989, and then again in 2021, several years after ash dieback (ADB) began. At the sample plot scale, species richness (α–diversity) of the upper tree layer strongly decreased from 1989 to 2021, and the mean cover of elm decreased from 27 to 1% and of ash from 29 to 13%. In the lower tree and shrub layers, elm and ash were replaced by other, mainly shade-tolerant, tree species. The cover and richness of the shrub layer increased in previously elm-dominated stands but not in ash-dominated stands. The extensive loss of canopy cover in elm stands caused a larger change in upper tree layer species composition and increased compositional variability (β-diversity) between plots when compared to the ash stands. The direction of the changes in tree layer composition between the surveys varied with soil moisture and nutrient availability. While beech increased in less eutrophic plots, more nutrient-rich plots changed toward hornbeam or small-leaved lime, and wetter plots turned toward alder and bird cherry. Hence, our results indicate increased compositional diversity and alternative successional pathways for community reorganization following DED and ADB. Future research will reveal if these pathways will later merge or further split.
Fascinating wonderful network: Rete mirabile of the maxillary artery in cats – minireview
Authors: Korim Filip , Kuricová Mária , Vdoviaková Katarína , Krešáková Lenka
Published: July 2023

Cats are one of the most common companion animals, and they differ from dogs in several important ways. Considering the central importance of anatomy in high-quality medicine, the treatment of the feline mandible, mostly during intraoral procedures requiring general anaesthesia, has many important features. In cats, the major artery of the brain is the maxillary artery that forms unique structure – the rete mirabile. The rete mirabile is a plexus like vascular structure that lies extracranially and communicates with brain arterial circle through the orbital fissure. The development of the brain vasculature is different in cats, and it includes obliteration mechanisms of the internal carotid artery. The course of the maxillary artery that forms the rete mirabile has a strong relationship to the angular process of the mandible. Emphasis should be placed on manipulation with the feline mandible, especially during open-mouth procedures, as mistakes can lead to blindness, deafness, and central neurological disorders due to compression of the maxillary artery by the angular process of the mandible. This paper focuses on the anatomy and function of the blood supply to the brain, which is very specific in domestic cats and other felids.
CIP-PODEROSA CROCANTE, CIP-PODEROSA POLLERA, and CIP-PODEROSA WATIA: New Potato Varieties for Family Farming with Resistance to Late Blight and High Quality for the Frying Industry
Authors: Gastelo Manuel , Pérez Willmer , Eyzaguirre Raul , Quispe Katherine , Sanabria Kimberlayn , Bastos Carolina , Otiniano Ronal , Pérez Juan M. , Mendoza Alejandro , Unda Trinidad , Andrade-Piedra Jorge
Published: July 2023

Three new potato varieties: CIP-PODEROSA CROCANTE, CIP-PODEROSA POLLERA and CIP-PODEROSA WATIA were generated through traditional breeding as healthy and sustainable potato varieties, as compared with popular Peruvian potato varieties INIA 303-CANCHAN and UNICA, to improve living standards of small and medium scale potato producers in Peru and other developing countries. CIP-PODEROSA CROCANTE has high horizontal resistance to late blight (LB), high tuber yield, excellent quality for frying in French fries, red skin, oval tuber shape, cream flesh and superficial eyes, with crispy texture, adapted from 0 to 3700 m above sea level (m.a.s.l.); CIP-PODEROSA POLLERA has high horizontal resistance to LB, yellow skin with blue around the superficial eyes, elongated oval tuber shape, yellow flesh, it is suited to accompany grilled chicken (“Pollo a la brasa”) a typical dish in Peru, adapted from 2000 to 3700 m.a.s.l.; and CIP-PODEROSA WATIA, which in addition to resistance to LB and quality for frying, has excellent aptitude for baking, superficial eyes, light red skin, cream flesh, and is adapted from 0 to 3700 m.a.s.l. These varieties were released in 2022 and officially registered in the national registry of commercial varieties of Peru in 2023. They have low content of glycoalkaloids and acrylamides, require lower use of fungicides, and therefore present higher economic profitability. These varieties can also be used in other countries as parental material in genetic improvement programs or evaluated under regional environments to be registered as new varieties.
Marine Antimicrobial Peptide Epinecidin-1 Inhibits Proliferation Induced by Lipoteichoic acid and Causes cell Death in non-small cell lung cancer Cells via Mitochondria Damage
Authors: Yu Hsin-Hsien , Wu Luo-Yun , Hsu Pei-Ling , Lee Chu-Wan , Su Bor-Chyuan
Published: July 2023

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is among the deadliest cancers worldwide. Despite the recent introduction of several new therapeutic approaches for the disease, improvements in overall survival and progression-free survival have been minimal. Conventional treatments for NSCLC include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Except for surgery, these treatments can impair a patient’s immune system, leaving them susceptible to bacterial infections. As such, Staphylococcus aureus infections are commonly seen in NSCLC patients receiving chemotherapy, and a major constituent of the S. aureus cell surface, lipoteichoic acid (LTA), is thought to stimulate NSCLC cancer cell proliferation. Thus, inhibition of LTA-mediated cell proliferation might be a useful strategy for treating NSCLC. Epinecidin-1 (EPI), a marine antimicrobial peptide, exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, and it also displays anti-cancer activity in glioblastoma and synovial sarcoma cells. Furthermore, EPI has been shown to inhibit LTA-induced inflammatory responses in murine macrophages. Nevertheless, the anti-cancer and anti-LTA activities of EPI and the underlying mechanisms of these effects have not been fully tested in the context of NSCLC. In the present study, we demonstrate that EPI suppresses LTA-enhanced proliferation of NSCLC cells by neutralizing LTA and blocking its effects on toll-like receptor 2 and interleukin-8. Moreover, we show that EPI induces necrotic cell death via mitochondrial damage, elevated reactive oxygen species levels, and disrupted redox balance. Collectively, our results reveal dual anti-cancer activities of EPI in NSCLC, as the peptide not only directly kills cancer cells but it also blocks LTA-mediated enhancement of cell proliferation.
Dynamic intrafractional position monitoring with implanted fiducial markers for enhanced accuracy in radiotherapy of prostate cancer
Authors: Mangesius Julian , Seppi Thomas , Ibrahim Ramine , Fleischmann Katrin , Ginestet Angela , Vorbach Samuel , Hart Tilmann , Pointner Martin , Mangesius Stephanie , Ganswindt Ute
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Recent advances in the radiation therapy of prostate cancer have brought a shift toward moderate- and ultra-hypofractionated treatment schedules. Reducing safety margins can broaden the therapeutic window in stereotactic treatments and alleviate concerns for toxicity in high dose-per-fraction treatment schedules. Management of intrafractional motion is a necessity for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). It can be achieved by performing intrafractional image guidance and position corrections. We evaluate the suitability of such a novel prostate motion management system and its potential benefit for treatment accuracy. Methods: Intrafractional IGRT was performed for 22 patients during 149 treatment sessions using repeated orthogonal kV-XR imaging of implanted fiducial markers with the ExacTrac Dynamic (EXTD) system. Position measurements were taken four times during each arc of the applied volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Position correction was performed if translational deviation exceeded 2 mm in any direction. Results: Of 677 single EXTD measurements, 20.6% exceeded the predefined threshold of 2 mm 3D deviation. Without intrafractional corrections, 39.4% of all individual measurements would exceed the threshold. The 3D accuracy could thus significantly be improved, reducing mean 3D shifts from 1.97 (± 1.44) mm to 1.39 (± 1.01) mm by performing intrafractional IGRT. In total, 34% of all treatment sessions required correction of intrafractional position shifts. Conclusion: Monitoring of prostate motion using repeated intrafractional orthogonal kV-X-ray-based position measurements of implanted fiducial markers proved to be a reliable method to improve precision of stereotactic irradiations of the prostate. It can prevent unacceptable translation deviations in one third of all sessions.
Clinicopathologic features and long-term prognosis of hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lu Hailing , Li Yu , Lai Maxiu , Guan Tianjun , Yu Yinghao , Zheng Zhiyong , Zhuang Yongze
Published: July 2023

Background

Hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis is a common form of secondary glomerulonephritis in China. However, the clinicopathological features and long-term prognosis of Hepatitis B virus-associated Glomerulonephritis remain only partially known.

Methods

Biopsy-proven Hepatitis B virus-associated Glomerulonephritis patients were enrolled between November 1994 and December 2013 at our center. The composite endpoints were doubling serum creatinine, end-stage renal disease, or death from renal disease during follow-up. The clinicopathological features and predictors of the long-term prognosis of Hepatitis B virus-associated Glomerulonephritis patients were explored.

Results

The median age of the 259 Hepatitis B virus-associated Glomerulonephritis patients was 31.0 years (IQR 24.0–40.0), and 71.0% were males. Among the patients, 45.2% presented with nephrotic syndrome, and 45.9% presented with proteinuria combined with hematuria. The two most prevalent pathological patterns were IgA nephropathy (27.0%) and membranous nephropathy (27.0%). The mean follow-up period was 68.8 ± 46.9 months. The 3-, 5-, and 10-year clinical event-free survival rates were 93.4%, 85.2%, and 70.3%, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that hypertension (HR 2.580, 95% CI 1.351–4.927, P = 0.004), hyperuricemia (HR 2.101, 95% CI 1.116–3.954, P = 0.021), glomerulosclerosis (P = 0.001), and intrarenal arterial lesions (P = 0.041) were independent predictors of composite clinical event endpoint. Patients in the antiviral therapy group exhibited a significantly better prognosis compared to those who received no antiviral therapy (log-rank χ2 = 5.772, P = 0.016).

Conclusion

Hepatitis B virus-associated Glomerulonephritis has specific clinicopathologic features and should not be considered a benign disease in adults. Hypertension, hyperuricemia, glomerulosclerosis, and intrarenal arterial lesions were independent predictors of the long-term prognosis in Hepatitis B virus-associated Glomerulonephritis patients. Antiviral therapy could be effective in improving the long-term prognosis of Hepatitis B virus-associated Glomerulonephritis patients.

Graphic abstract
Complex dual hesitant fuzzy TODIM method and their application in Russia–Ukraine war’s impact on global economy
Authors: Liu Yi , Tariq Muhammad , Khan Saifullah , Abdullah Saleem
Published: July 2023

The primary objective of this research is to examine how the Russia–Ukraine war impacted the global economy. To achieve this goal, we propose operational laws, a score and accuracy function, and a divergence measure for complex dual hesitant fuzzy sets. Furthermore, we investigate the challenges associated with multi-criteria decision-making (MCR) using aggregation operators and the TODIM method with complex dual hesitant fuzzy (CDHF) information. Drawing inspiration from arithmetic aggregation operations, we introduce several aggregation operators for complex dual hesitant fuzzy information, including the complex dual hesitant fuzzy weighted average (CDHFWA) operator, complex dual hesitant fuzzy ordered weighted average (CDHFOWA) operator, and complex dual hesitant fuzzy hybrid average (CDHFHA) operator. We thoroughly analyze the unique characteristics of these proposed operators and use them in conjunction with the TODIM method to develop practical approaches for solving complex dual hesitant fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making problems. To validate our approach and demonstrate its applicability, we provide a practical example of how the Russia–Ukraine war affected the global economy. Our study confirms the effectiveness of our approach and highlights how it can be used to solve real-world problems.
Cyclic reduction densities for elliptic curves
Authors: Campagna Francesco , Stevenhagen Peter
Published: July 2023

For an elliptic curve E defined over a number field K, the heuristic density of the set of primes of K for which E has cyclic reduction is given by an inclusion–exclusion sum $$\delta _{E/K}$$

δ

E
/
K

involving the degrees of the m-division fields $$K_m$$

K
m

of E over K. This density can be proved to be correct under assumption of GRH. For E without complex multiplication (CM), we show that $$\delta _{E/K}$$

δ

E
/
K

is the product of an explicit non-negative rational number reflecting the finite entanglement of the division fields of E and a universal infinite Artin-type product. For E admitting CM over K by a quadratic order $$\mathcal {O}$$
O
, we show that $$\delta _{E/K}$$

δ

E
/
K

admits a similar ‘factorization’ in which the Artin type product also depends on $$\mathcal {O}$$
O
. For E admitting CM over $$\overline{K}$$

K
¯

by an order $$\mathcal {O}\not \subset K$$

O
⊄
K

, which occurs for $$K=\textbf{Q}$$

K
=
Q

, the entanglement of division fields over K is non-finite. In this case we write $$\delta _{E/K}$$

δ

E
/
K

as the sum of two contributions coming from the primes of K that are split and inert in $$\mathcal {O}$$
O
. The split contribution can be dealt with by the previous methods, the inert contribution is of a different nature. We determine the ways in which the density can vanish, and provide numerical examples of the different kinds of densities.
Development of an ejector for passive hydrogen recirculation in PEM fuel cell systems by applying 2D CFD simulation
Authors: Singer Gerald , Köll Rebekka , Pertl Patrick , Trattner Alexander
Published: July 2023

The anode subsystem is a major energy consumer of polymer-electrolyte-membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems. A passive hydrogen recirculation system, like an ejector, is an excellent solution to maximize hydrogen utilization while maintaining low parasitic losses. However, high development efforts are necessary to maximize the performance of the ejector for the entire operating range. This research paper provides part of a toolchain for ejector development, consisting in particular of a multi-parameter simulation based on rotational symmetric 2D CFD. The 2D CFD greatly helps optimize the design of the ejector, reducing development effort, and increasing accuracy. In addition, the main correlations between thermodynamic states and geometry on the entrainment ratio are evaluated. Subsequently, an ejector is designed for a PEM fuel cell application using 2D CFD and the results show in which operating range a single ejector can be applied. This toolchain enables rapid design and optimization of ejector geometry, saving development time and cost while increasing accuracy and extending the operating range.
Analysis of urban expansion and its impact on temperature utilising remote sensing and GIS techniques in the Accra Metropolis in Ghana (1986–2022)
Authors: Frimpong Bernard Fosu , Koranteng Addo , Opoku Fosu Senior
Published: July 2023

The Accra Metropolis of Ghana has experienced rapid urban expansion over the past decades. Agricultural and forestlands have been transformed into urban/built-up areas. This study analysed urban expansion and its relationship with the temperature of Accra from 1986 to 2022. Multi-source datasets such as remote sensing (RS) and other ancillary data were utilised. Land use land cover (LULC) maps were produced employing the random forests classifier. Land surface temperature (LST) and selected d(RS) Indices were extracted. Regression techniques assessed the interplay between LST and remote sensing indices. The LULC maps revealed increasing trends in the urban/built-up areas at the expense of the other LULC types. The analysis from the LST and the RS indices revealed a direct relationship between temperature and urban/built-up areas and an inverse relationship between temperature and vegetation. Thus, spatial urban expansion has modified the urban temperature of Accra. The integrated utilisation of RS and GIS demonstrated to be an efficient approach for analysing and monitoring urban expansion and its relationship with temperature.
Developing Thick Cardiac Tissue with a Multilayer Fiber Sheet for Treating Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Li Junjun , Qu Xiang , Liu Li , Li Lingjun , Hua Ying , Zhang Jingbo , Ishida Masako , Yoshida Noriko , Tabata Akiko , Sougawa Nagako , Ito Emiko , Mochizuki-Oda Noriko , Harada Akima , Kawamura Takuji , Matsuura Ryohei , Wang Yingzhe , Morishima Keisuke , Miyagawa Shigeru , Sawa Yoshiki
Published: July 2023

Human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiac patches have been extensively used for treating myocardial infarction and have shown potential for clinical application. However, the limited patch thickness can hamper its therapeutic effect. We previously developed a fibrous scaffold that allowed the formation of well-organized cardiac tissue constructs. In the present study, based on the above technology, we developed a three-dimensional multilayer fibrous scaffold with dynamic perfusion, on which approximately 20 million hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs) could be seeded in a single step and organized into 1 mm thick and viable tissue. The multilayer cardiac tissue demonstrated enhanced contractile properties and upregulated cytokine secretion compared with the control group. Notably, when used on the myocardial infarction model, the multilayer group showed improved functional recovery and less fibrosis. These results indicated that the appropriate hiPSC-CM dose requires careful evaluation in developing clinical therapy. The multilayer cardiac tissue group demonstrated significant improvement than the control group, indicating that higher doses of transplanted cells may have improved therapeutic effects in treating myocardial infarction.
Challenging AI for Sustainability: what ought it mean?
Authors: Falk Sophia , van Wynsberghe Aimee
Published: July 2023

This paper argues that the terms ‘Sustainable artificial intelligence (AI)’ in general and ‘Sustainability of AI’ in particular are overused to the extent that they have lost their meaning. The AI for (social) good movement is a manifestation of this trend in which almost any application used in the context of healthcare or agriculture can be classified as AI for good regardless of whether such applications have been evaluated from a broader perspective. In this paper, we aim to create a common understanding of what the ‘AI for Sustainability’ movement ought to mean. We distinguish between two possible AI for Sustainability applications, namely those that fulfill the necessary conditions and those that fulfill the sufficient conditions. The former are purely predictive systems that serve as information providers. The latter are directly involved in an activity that contributes to a sustainability goal. We argue that taking action is a key element in distinguishing between these two application groups, as inaction is the key bottleneck in effectively tackling climate change. Furthermore, we question how effective the use of AI applications can be for sustainability when the systems themselves are inherently unsustainable. Hence, AI for Sustainability should include both an action that contributes to a sustainable end goal as well as an investigation of the sustainability issues of the AI system itself. Following that, Sustainable AI research can be on a gradient: AI in an application domain, AI towards sustainability, and AI for Sustainability.
The Right to a Healthy Environment and the Global South
Authors: Gonzalez Carmen G.
Published: July 2023

This essay explores the implications of the right to a healthy environment for the long-standing criticisms of international human rights law as a project and product of the Global North. It examines the Southern origins of the right to a healthy environment and its interpretations in regional human rights tribunals. The essay analyzes the responses offered by this evolving jurisprudence to various objections to human rights-based approaches to environmental protection. These include the human rights-based framework's individualism, anthropocentrism, failure to address transboundary harm, and failure to challenge the economic law instruments that perpetuate environmental degradation.
The Right to a Healthy Environment and Law's Hidden Subjects
Authors: Kotzé Louis J.
Published: July 2023

In this essay I reflect upon whether and how the recent international recognition of the right to a healthy environment might––or might not––provide greater support for efforts to define and protect the rights of what one could term “law's hidden subjects,” namely future generations and nature. Although there are several examples of rights-based regimes that aim to protect future generations and nature, few would disagree that these hidden subjects require better legal protection, and that thoroughgoing reform of existing human rights law is overdue. I argue that the international recognition of a human right to a healthy environment might contribute less to such reforms than what one would have intuitively expected. One reason for this is because the formulation of the right does not provide anything new in terms of more comprehensive recognition and protection of rights of nature and future generations. Although it is an important symbolic event that signifies broad consensus on the importance of rights-based environmental protection, many domestic and regional legal regimes already protect future generations, while some even offer innovative rights of nature provisions. At best, UN General Assembly Resolution 76/300 merely reinforces the status quo ante.
Team Dynamics and Nontechnical Skills Perception During the Disaster Response in Mozambique in 2019: A Survey Study Among the Italian Emergency Medical Team
Authors: Sacchetto Daniela , Raviolo Mario , Hubloue Ives , Valente Martina , Ragazzoni Luca
Published: July 2023

Objective:

Team dynamics and nontechnical skills in general are crucial for emergency medical teams (EMT). No study has ever examined these important issues during a real mission in the field. This study aimed to better investigate team dynamics and nontechnical skills for EMTs; it tried to understand if a real mission, when the people are obliged to work together for the first time, without a prior specific training focused on teamwork, is enough or not to work as an effective team in the field.

Methods:

The study is designed as a pre-test/post-test survey study, and it collected data from 51 people deployed to Mozambique in 2019. Three indexes (the self-efficacy (SE), the teamwork (TW), and the overall team’s performance (TW12)) were calculated as the average value of the rating given by all the participants. Open text feedback was also collected.

Results:

A positive trend was observed comparing the “post” data to the “pre” data, but results did not show a statistical significance, with the only exception of stratified analyses showing aP-value less than 0.05 for SE and TW12for some categories.

Conclusions:

According to the study findings, humanitarian workers feel good but not at their best; training programs focused on team dynamics can be really useful to improve self-confidence of people leaving for a mission.
Leveraging spatiotemporal information in meteorological image sequences: From feature engineering to neural networks
Authors: Bansal Akansha S. , Lee Yoonjin , Hilburn Kyle , Ebert-Uphoff Imme
Published: July 2023

Atmospheric processes involve both space and time. Thus, humans looking at atmospheric imagery can often spot important signals in an animated loop of an image sequence not apparent in an individual (static) image. Utilizing such signals with automated algorithms requires the ability to identify complex spatiotemporal patterns in image sequences. That is a very challenging task due to the endless possibilities of patterns in both space and time. Here, we review different concepts and techniques that are useful to extract spatiotemporal signals from meteorological image sequences to expand the effectiveness of AI algorithms for classification and prediction tasks. We first present two applications that motivate the need for these approaches in meteorology, namely the detection of convection from satellite imagery and solar forecasting. Then we provide an overview of concepts and techniques that are helpful for the interpretation of meteorological image sequences, such as (a) feature engineering methods using (i) meteorological knowledge, (ii) classic image processing, (iii) harmonic analysis, and (iv) topological data analysis; (b) ways to use convolutional neural networks for this purpose with emphasis on discussing different convolution filters (2D/3D/LSTM-convolution); and (c) a brief survey of several other concepts, including the concept of “attention” in neural networks and its utility for the interpretation of image sequences and strategies from self-supervised and transfer learning to reduce the need for large labeled datasets. We hope that presenting an overview of these tools—many of which are not new but underutilized in this context—will accelerate progress in this area.
Science Journalism and Epistemic Virtues in Science Communication: A Defense of Sincerity, Transparency, and Honesty
Authors: Figdor Carrie
Published: July 2023

In recent works, Stephen John (2018, Social Epistemology32(2), 75–87; 2019, Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A78, 64–72) has deepened the social epistemological perspective on expert testimony by arguing that science communication often operates at the institutional level, and that at that level sincerity, transparency, and honesty are not necessarily epistemic virtues. In this paper I consider his arguments in the context of science journalism, a key constituent of the science communication ecosystem. I argue that this context reveals both the weakness of his arguments and a need for further analysis of how non-experts learn from experts.
Mean resolvent operator of a statistically steady flow
Authors: Leclercq Colin , Sipp Denis
Published: July 2023

This paper introduces a new operator relevant to input–output analysis of flows in a statistically steady regime far from the steady base flow: the mean resolvent${{\boldsymbol{\mathsf{R}}}}_0$. It is defined as the operator predicting, in the frequency domain, the mean linear response to forcing of the time-varying base flow. As such, it provides the statistically optimal linear time-invariant approximation of the input–output dynamics, which may be useful, for instance, in flow control applications. Theory is developed for the periodic case. The poles of the operator are shown to correspond to the Floquet exponents of the system, including purely imaginary poles at multiples of the fundamental frequency. In general, evaluating mean transfer functions from data requires averaging the response to many realizations of the same input. However, in the specific case of harmonic forcings, we show that the mean transfer functions may be identified without averaging: an observation referred to as ‘dynamic linearity’ in the literature (Dahanet al.,J. Fluid Mech., vol. 704, 2012, pp. 360–387). For incompressible flows in the weakly unsteady limit, i.e. when amplification of perturbations by the unsteady part of the periodic Jacobian is small compared to amplification by the mean Jacobian, the mean resolvent${{\boldsymbol{\mathsf{R}}}}_0$is well-approximated by the well-known resolvent operator about the mean flow. Although the theory presented in this paper extends only to quasi-periodic flows, the definition of${{\boldsymbol{\mathsf{R}}}}_0$remains meaningful for flows with continuous or mixed spectra, including turbulent flows. Numerical evidence supports the close connection between the two resolvent operators in quasi-periodic, chaotic and stochastic two-dimensional incompressible flows.
“Make All the Laws You Want”: The Catholic Left against Legal Liberalism, circa 1968
Authors: Mayeux Sara
Published: July 2023

How has American Catholicism interacted with American legal culture? Legal scholars have often examined this question in the context of contraception and abortion debates. This article focuses instead on the so-called Catholic left that emerged in protest against the Vietnam War in the late 1960s, and thereby seeks to bring the rich history of Catholic radicalism and peace activism into closer conversation with legal history. Drawing on both primary sources and a rich body of secondary literature in religious and social history that legal scholarship has not fully incorporated, the author examines ideas about law within the writings of Catholic left figures, including writer-monk Thomas Merton, sociologist-priest Paul Hanly Furfey, and activist-priest Berrigan brothers. Building on work by religious historians who have interpreted the Catholic radical tradition as a distinctive response to the limitations of political liberalism, this author emphasizes that the Catholic left also expressed a profound alienation from legal liberalism, with its veneration of lawyers and its faith in courts as sites of social progress. Revisiting the Catholic left through the lens of legal history raises questions for future research about the possible connections between leftist antiliberalism and the more familiar Catholic tradition of conservative illiberalism.
Phase transition for the generalized two-community stochastic block model
Authors: Lee Sunmin , Lee Ji Oon
Published: July 2023

We study the problem of detecting the community structure from the generalized stochastic block model with two communities (G2-SBM). Based on analysis of the Stieljtes transform of the empirical spectral distribution, we prove a Baik–Ben Arous–Péché (BBP)-type transition for the largest eigenvalue of the G2-SBM. For specific models, such as a hidden community model and an unbalanced stochastic block model, we provide precise formulas for the two largest eigenvalues, establishing the gap in the BBP-type transition.
Association of dietary inflammatory index with risk of gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hong Li , Zhu Liyuan , Zhang Jinru , Fu Yueqi , Qi Xiaoyan , Zhao Mei
Published: July 2023

Findings from observational studies have suggested a possible association between dietary inflammatory index (DII) and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia (PE). However, the results of these studies were inconclusive. A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to illuminate this association. Systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus and other databases from inception until January 2023. The qualities of included studies were assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Nine studies (seven cohort, two case–control) were included in the meta-analysis, including 11 423 participants from five different countries. The meta-analysis indicated that a 1-unit increase in the DII score, representing pro-inflammatory diet, was associated with 13 % higher risk of GDM (OR = 1·13; 95 % CI 1·02, 1·25, I2 = 68·4 %, P = 0·004) and 24 % higher risk of PE (OR = 1·24; 95 % CI 1·14, 1·35, I2 = 52·0 %, P = 0·125). Subgroup analysis found that this association was evident among studies with Chinese populations (OR = 1·16; 95 % CI 1·06, 1·28) and studies with mid pregnancy (OR = 1·20; 95 % CI 1·07, 1·34). The findings indicate that pro-inflammatory diet can increase the risk of GDM and PE. Considering some limitations in this study, more studies are needed to verify this association.
Environmental education in the classroom: pilot study in Cabo Verde suggests differing impacts on local knowledge and environmental attitudes
Authors: Rice Romy , Hejmadi Momna , Silva Herval , Kelsh Robert N. , Agues Janete , Engel Noémie , Székely Tamás
Published: July 2023

To execute environmental education effectively, the success and impacts of educational activities must be assessed. In areas of high biodiversity there is generally a lack of evaluation of the impact of environmental education. In this study we investigate the effect of a one-time classroom activity on student knowledge of local environmental issues, environmental attitudes and aspirations. The project was conducted on the island of Maio, Cabo Verde, a small, highly biodiverse island, as part of a classroom visit programme with the local environmental organization, Maio Biodiversity Foundation. We visited every fourth-grade class (i.e. students with an age range of 9–10 years) on the island (a total of 142 students) and delivered a half-day classroom activity. The results show that this activity did not influence environmental attitudes; however, it did significantly improve student knowledge and awareness of local environmental issues. This study shows that environmental education should not be assumed to improve attitudes and knowledge but requires individual evaluation for each type of activity. For environmental education to reach its full potential, activities should be planned in response to evaluation results.
God and being at an impasse: The case of John Duns Scotus and Jean-Luc Marion
Authors: Spinks Casey
Published: July 2023

This essay examines the relationship between Jean-Luc Marion's argument of ‘conceptual idolatry’ and John Duns Scotus’ doctrine of the univocity of being. I argue that Scotus does fall under Marion's criticisms, which radically undermine the use of ‘being’ in theology, but that univocity, in its barest Scotist form, also seems impossible to avoid. After arguing that attempts to move past this ontological conundrum fail, I conclude the relationship stands at an impasse. While this conclusion is critical, I make it for the sake of a constructive argument: post-metaphysical theology should reckon with the inevitability of being, appreciating this impasse between the apparent hegemony of being and the priority of God's self-revelation. Making the impasse clear at least points the way towards a renewed theological consideration of being.
Game semantics of Martin-Löf type theory
Authors: Yamada Norihiro
Published: July 2023

This work presents game semantics of Martin-Löf type theory (MLTT) equipped with the One, the Zero, the N, Pi, Sigma and Id types. Game semantics interprets a wide range of logic and computation, even the polymorphic
$\lambda$
-calculus; however, it has remained a well-known challenge in the past 25 years to achieve game semantics of dependent type theories such as MLTT, and past attempts lack directness or generality. For instance, the approach taken by Abramsky et al. interprets Sigma types indirectly by formal lists, not by games, making an interpretation of universes hopeless, and it is limited to a very specific class of dependent types. The difficulty of this challenge comes from a conflict between the extensionality of dependent types and the intensionality of game semantics. We overcome the challenge by inventing a novel variant of games, while we keep strategies unchanged, in such a way that this variant inherits the strong points of conventional game semantics. Also, our method enables an interpretation of subtyping on dependent types for the first time as game semantics. We finally give a new, game-semantic proof of the independence of Markov’s principle from MLTT. This proof illustrates an advantage of our intensional model over extensional ones such as Hyland’s effective topos.
Limiting empirical spectral distribution for the non-backtracking matrix of an Erdős-Rényi random graph
Authors: Wang Ke , Wood Philip Matchett
Published: July 2023

In this note, we give a precise description of the limiting empirical spectral distribution for the non-backtracking matrices for an Erdős-Rényi graph
$G(n,p)$
assuming
$np/\log n$
tends to infinity. We show that derandomizing part of the non-backtracking random matrix simplifies the spectrum considerably, and then, we use Tao and Vu’s replacement principle and the Bauer-Fike theorem to show that the partly derandomized spectrum is, in fact, very close to the original spectrum.
Working together to increase Australian children’s liking of vegetables: a position statement by the Vegetable Intake Strategic Alliance (VISA)
Authors: Cox David Nicholas , Campbell Karen J , Cobiac Lynne , Gardner Claire , Hancock Lucinda , Hendrie Gilly A , Kelaart Amber , Lausen Michelle , Poelman Astrid AAM , Sambell Ros , Tikellis Kim M , Wiggins Bonnie
Published: July 2023

Children need to be repeatedly and consistently exposed to a variety of vegetables from an early age to achieve an increase in vegetable intake. A focus on enjoyment and learning to like eating vegetables at an early age is critical to forming favourable lifelong eating habits. Coordinated work is needed to ensure vegetables are available and promoted in a range of settings, using evidence-based initiatives, to create an environment that will support children’s acceptance of vegetables. This will help to facilitate increased intake and ultimately realise the associated health benefits. The challenges and evidence base for a new approach are described.