bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Origins of Enduring Economic Inequality
Authors: Bowles Samuel , Fochesato Mattia
Published: December 2024

We survey archaeological evidence suggesting that among hunter-gatherers and farmers in Neolithic western Eurasia (11,700 to 5,300 years ago) elevated levels of wealth inequality occurred but were ephemeral and rare compared to the substantial enduring inequalities of the past five millennia. In response, we seek to understand not the de novo “creation of inequality” but instead the processes by which substantial wealth differences could persist over long periods and why this occurred only at the end of the Neolithic, at least four millennia after the agricultural revolution. Archaeological and anthropological evidence suggests that a culture of aggressive egalitarianism may have thwarted the emergence of enduring wealth inequality until the Late Neolithic, when new farming technologies raised the value of material wealth relative to labor and a concentration of elite power in early proto-states (and eventually the exploitation of enslaved labor) provided the political and economic conditions for heightened wealth inequalities to endure. (JEL D31, D63, N30, N50, Z13)
How to cross the line: design principles for interdisciplinary education
Authors: Oudenampsen Jessica , Das Enny , Blijlevens Nicole , van de Pol Marjolein
Published: December 2024

Background Interdisciplinary learning is gaining popularity in higher education worldwide. Currently, knowledge about how to appropriately design interdisciplinary education is still lacking. The current study presents the iterative development, pilot, and implementation of an interdisciplinary course in healthcare communication. Methods We used a design-based educational research approach in four phases to construct the program. In phase 1, we conducted a narrative review of the literature and distilled several prerequisites for interdisciplinary learning. In phase 2, we implemented two pilot courses with a focus on the content and the interdisciplinary context of the course. In research phase 3, we implemented the course during three consecutive years, with yearly evaluations of the course. In phase 4, we distilled design principles based on evaluation and reflection of the previous research phases. Results We elaborate on the various components of the design itself. Furthermore, using data from surveys, panel discussions and interviews, we reflect on the content and outcomes of the interdisciplinary course. We propose seven evidence-informed ‘crossing the line’ design principles for future interdisciplinary education. Conclusions The developed design principles pertain to interdisciplinary education in general and transcend subject-specific boundaries. The design principles are applicable in a wide range of higher education disciplines.
The genome sequence of the pear, Pyrus communis L.
Authors: Ruhsam Markus ,   Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Plant Genome Sizing collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: December 2024

We present a genome assembly from a specimen of Pyrus communis (the pear; Streptophyta; Magnoliopsida; Rosales; Rosaceae). The genome sequence has a total length of 487.30 megabases. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 17 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial and plastid genome assemblies have lengths of 443.53 kilobases and 159.93 kilobases, respectively. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 37,713 protein-coding genes.
The genome sequence of a tachinid fly, Phania funesta (Meigen, 1824)
Authors: Nash Will J. , Falk Steven ,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: December 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual male tachinid fly, Phania funesta (Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Tachinidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 557.40 megabases. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 6 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.18 kilobases in length.
Book Review: Anne-Christin Mittwoch, Nachhaltigkeit und Unternehmensrecht, Schriften zum Unternehmens - und Kapitalmarkrecht 107, TÜBINGEN (MOHR SIEBECK) 2022.
Authors: Weber Anne-Marie
Published: December 2024

The increasing acknowledgment that economic development is constrained by planetary boundaries, coupled with heightened societal awareness of climate change, places the transition to a sustainable economy at the forefront of today’s global political agendas. International climate policy commitments such as the Paris Climate Agreement and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are shaping the global trajectory of sustainability policy. In the European Union (EU), alongside treaty-based obligations (Art. 3 TEU), the European Green Deal, with its climate neutrality commitment, is laying the groundwork for this transformative change. Recognizing that a sustainable reorientation of the economy necessitates a shift in economic behavior, there is an increasing understanding that companies must play a central role in pursuing sustainability objectives. While public law instruments, such as direct regulatory controls on emissions, have a longstanding tradition of regulating commercial activity, the emerging discourse increasingly emphasizes the role of private law in fostering sustainable business conduct. The monograph "Nachhaltigkeit und Unternehmensrecht" (Sustainability and Company Law), authored by Anne-Christin Mittwoch, substantially contributes to this discussion by exploring to what extent company law is capable of facilitating sustainability objectives.
Polityka (zdrowotna) doby rozbiorów. Bojkot niemieckich uzdrowisk i miejscowości wypoczynkowych przez Polaków na przełomie XIX i XX wieku
Authors: Szlanta Piotr
Published: December 2024

Artykuł poświęcony jest bojkotowi niemieckich uzdrowisk i miejscowości wypoczynkowych, do którego wzywała polska prasa na przełomie XIX i XX w. Organizowano go oddolnie, na znak protestu przeciw polityce germanizacji prowadzonej w zaborze pruskim. Bojkot miał także zwiększyć popularność uzdrowisk znajdujących się na ziemiach polskich. Spierano się przy tym, czy należy obejmować nim leżący na Kaszubach, a więc „polski” Sopot, czy nie. Wezwania do bojkotu zaniepokoiły władze niemieckie, lecz przyniosły ograniczone efekty. Spadek liczby kuracjuszy okazał się przejściowy. Przyczyną była m.in. niewystarczająca jakość usług oferowanych przez ośrodki wypoczynkowe leżące na ziemiach polskich.
High-efficiency, dynamic optical beam steering device using Pancharatnam phase
Authors: Vreeland Brandon , Van Rynbach Andre , Bos Philip
Published: December 2024

A large aperture, non-mechanical beam steering device is proposed that demonstrates a defect free, continuous phase profile, for a high-efficiency beam steering. The device uses a fringe field electrode structure, a vertical surface alignment of the liquid crystal director, and, to our knowledge, a novel two-step voltage application method to produce a linear Pancharatnam phase gradient that can be electrically tuned. An example optical beam steering device is numerically calculated and demonstrates steering angles of IR light (1550 nm) from less than 1 deg to greater than 10 deg with an efficiency of over 80%. This new approach provides previously unobtainable beam steering performance in a single layer, Pancharatnam phase device.
Parallel implementation by the FPGA of phase diversity based on an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm
Authors: Kou Xianzheng , Li Dequan , Wang Dong , Zhang Bin
Published: December 2024

The phase diversity (PD) algorithm based on population optimization has been widely used in wavefront sensing due to advantages such as a simple optical path, no customized sensors, and low cost. However, this method requires a large amount of computation, and the optimization process is seriously disturbed by local extreme values, with the calculation time increasing with the size of the population. Therefore, it is unsuitable for scenarios with limited computing power and energy consumption, such as space optical systems. The field programmable gate array (FPGA) is a device widely used in the aerospace field with high flexibility, reconfigurability, high reliability, and low power consumption. Based on the characteristics of FPGA parallel computing, this paper analyzes and improves the phase diversity algorithm and the particle swarm optimization (PSO) used for its solution, making it suitable for a parallel algorithm architecture, and finally realizing FPGA board-level verification. The results show that this work can improve the computational speed and performance of the phase diversity algorithm based on population optimization.
Adaptive contrast enhancement and effect of non-linear exponential merit function on computer-generated holograms
Authors: Liu Jiaqi , Pivnenko Mike , Sui Xiaomeng , Chu Daping
Published: December 2024

A merit function that integrates energy redistribution into the Gerchberg–Saxton method for computer-generated holograms is introduced for enhancing the contrast and increasing the dynamic range of reconstructed holographic images. It employs a non-linear exponent to adjust intensity weighting and a dynamic range shift to selectively suppress noise in visually sensitive regions. The proposed non-linear merit function can bring about superior contrast ratios and maintain overall luminance, producing sharper and more vivid reconstructed holographic images. The optical reconstruction results indicate a 6.25% improvement in peak signal-to-noise ratio and a 67.85% improvement in dynamic range index.
Optical tactile sensor based on a flexible optical fiber ring resonator for intelligent braille recognition
Authors: Wang Heng , Ma Lin , Nie Qin , Hu Xuehao , Li Xiaoli , Min Rui , Wang Zhuo
Published: December 2024

Inspired by human skin, bionic tactile sensing is effectively promoting development and innovation in many fields with its flexible and efficient perception capabilities. Optical fiber, with its ability to perceive and transmit information and its flexible characteristics, is considered a promising solution in the field of tactile bionics. In this work, one optical fiber tactile sensing system based on a flexible PDMS-embedded optical fiber ring resonator (FRR) is designed for braille recognition, and the Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH) demodulation scheme is adopted to improve the detection sensitivity. Theoretical simulations and experimental verifications show that by adopting a bionic sliding approach and a Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network, a single FRR with a hardness gradient design can detect eight different tactile pressures in braille characters with an accuracy of 98.57%. Furthermore, after training and testing, the MLP-LSTM model classifies time series signals, thereby achieving completely accurate encoding of braille keywords and braille poems. The advantages of the optical fiber tactile sensing system in this study are that the high-quality factor FRR can detect subtle differences in braille dots, it is not affected by changes in optical power due to its relies on PDH frequency demodulation, and the application of machine learning algorithms can enhance the robustness to slight pressure errors and simplify the recognition process. This solution opens up what we believe is a new optical approach for bionic tactile perception and has important potential value in promoting human-computer interaction, smart medical care, and other fields.
Spatiotemporal mode-locked intelligent fiber laser based on cascaded photonic lanterns
Authors: Liu Zhuyixiao , Zhang Fengming , Qian Zichen , Liu Jing , Dai Lilong , Mou Chengbo , Zhao Luming , Tang Ming
Published: December 2024

An intelligent controlled spatiotemporal mode-locked (STML) fiber laser based on a photonic lantern (PL) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. A pair of in-house developed PLs is spliced into the cavity in a back-to-back structure. This PL-based structure functions as a mode multiplexer/demultiplexer to generate higher-order spatial modes. Owing to the strong polarization-dependent loss structural characteristics, the structure also serves as an equivalent saturable absorber based on nonlinear polarization rotation. The STML fiber laser delivers pulsed high-order modes at a center wavelength of 1555.4 nm with a pulse duration of 6.99 ps. With the deployment of a motorized polarization controller and a time-domain signal feedback system, the laser enables intelligent control via a stochastic global polarization search algorithm. Experimental results indicate that the proposed laser can effectively evade disturbances from complex intracavity states and accurately lock onto the fundamental mode-locking state within only 2 min.
Regional hotspots for chronic kidney disease: A multinational study from the ISN-GKHA
Authors: Garcia Pablo , Strasma Anna K. , Wijewickrama Eranga , Arruebo Silvia , Caskey Fergus J. , Damster Sandrine , Donner Jo-Ann , Jha Vivekanand , Levin Adeera , Nangaku Masaomi , Saad Syed , Tonelli Marcello , Ye Feng , Okpechi Ikechi G. , Bello Aminu K. , Johnson David W. , Anand Shuchi
Published: December 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) disproportionately affects certain populations as demonstrated by well-established subnational geographic hotspots of CKD in Central America and South Asia. Using data from the third iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA), we aimed to systematically identify sub-national geographic or population clusters with high prevalence of CKD. The ISN-GKHA survey was conducted from July to September 2022, and included questions regarding whether a regional CKD hotspot existed in the respondents’ country and possible contributors. A CKD hotspot was defined as a population cluster with a high risk of kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant, or people dying from kidney failure. Overall, 46 out of 162 responding countries reported subnational hotspots for CKD within their country. Hotspots were reported across all regions, except for the Middle East. Latin America had the highest percentage (12 of 21, 57%) of countries reporting a regional CKD hotspot followed by the regions of North and East Asia, and Western Europe. Adults aged 18 to 44 years and rural populations were most commonly identified as the primary groups affected. Clinical factors were most commonly identified as contributors to CKD (hypertension in 74% and diabetes in 72%), followed by cultural (e.g., diet and herbal medications in 67%), and environmental (e.g., polluted water in 43%) factors. Latin American countries more commonly reported climate, cultural, and environmental factors as contributors compared to other regions. Across the world, there are a number of subnational regions where in-country experts identify a disproportionately higher burden of CKD, commonly occurring among younger age groups with clinical, cultural, and environmental contributors specific to these geographic regions. In-depth studies, starting with systematic epidemiology efforts, are needed to investigate the aetiopathogenesis of these CKD hotspots around the world so that tailored interventions can be offered.
Healthcare providers’ perceptions on post abortion intrauterine contraception: A qualitative study in central Uganda
Authors: Kayiga Herbert , Looft-Trägårdh Emelie , Cleeve Amanda , Kakaire Othman , Tumwesigye Nazarius Mbona , Byamugisha Josaphat , Gemzell-Danielsson Kristina
Published: December 2024

Background

Despite access to post abortion intrauterine contraception, the uptake of Intrauterine devices (IUDs) in Uganda remains low. Whether the perceptions of healthcare providers towards IUDs have a role in the provision of post abortion IUDs remains unclear. We explored perceptions on post abortion IUD provision among healthcare providers in Uganda, focusing on barriers and facilitators in regards to provision and uptake.

Methods

Between 1st August 2022 and 30th September 2022, forty-five in-depth interviews were conducted among healthcare providers of different cadres at sixteen public health facilities in central Uganda. We used the case study design to explore the healthcare providers’ perceptions. The interviews were primarily to help us understand the perceptions of healthcare providers towards IUDs. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Themes were identified using the conventional inductive content analysis.

Results

From the analysis, three themes emerged. Theme one covered health system related barriers in regards to IUD provision such as healthcare providers’ and health facility challenges. The second theme focused on the challenges in post abortion contraceptive counselling focusing on IUDs. The third theme covered the motivating factors and participants’ views on how to scale up IUD uptake and provision within post abortion care in Uganda. We found that lack of appropriate knowledge and skills on IUD provision, and heavy workloads, negatively impacted IUD provision. Inadequate facilities, IUD stock-outs, and minimal community sensitization also limited the utilization of IUDs. Furthermore, language barriers, community misconceptions around IUDs, long travel distances to the health facility, and partner refusal, contributed to the low uptake of post abortion IUDs. To address the identified barriers and scale up post abortion IUD provision, participants recommended addressing health system barriers, regular in-service refresher trainings, mentoring and supervision. They emphasized the importance of addressing contraceptive misconceptions and men’s opposition to IUDs through community sensitization.

Conclusion

In this study we identified several barriers to post abortion IUD provision, highlighting an urgent need to address health system barriers including healthcare providers’ skills and knowledge gaps, supply chain challenges, and to ensure that facilities are conducive to quality contraceptive counselling. Provision of on-job refresher trainings, mentoring and supervision, are key motivators that can be utilized in supporting healthcare providers towards post abortion IUD provision. To further increase uptake, efforts are needed to dispel contraceptive myths and misconceptions at the community level.
Ethical attitudes and perspectives of AI use in medicine between Croatian and Slovenian faculty members of school of medicine: Cross-sectional study
Authors: Grosek Štefan , Štivić Stjepan , Borovečki Ana , Ćurković Marko , Lajovic Jaro , Marušić Ana , Mijatović Antonija , Miksić Mirjana , Mimica Suzana , Škrlep Eva , Lah Tomulić Kristina , Erčulj Vanja
Published: December 2024

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) is present in preclinical, clinical and research work, in various branches of medicine. Researchers and teachers at school of medicines may have different ethical attitudes and perspectives about the implementation of AI systems in medicine.

Methods

We conducted an online survey among researchers and teachers (RTs) at the departments and institutes of two Slovenian and four Croatian Schools of Medicine.

Results

The sample included 165 and 214 researchers and teachers in Slovenia and Croatia, respectively. The sample of respondents in Slovenia and Croatia was comparable in demographical characteristics. All participants reported high emphasis on the bioethical principles when using artificial intelligence in medicine, its usefulness in certain circumstances, but also caution regarding companies providing AI systems and tools. Slovenian and Croatian researchers and teachers shared three similar perspectives on the use of AI in medicine–complying with highest ethical principles, explainability and transparency and usefulness of AI tools. Higher caution towards use of AI in medicine and effect on autonomy of physicians was expressed in Croatia, while in Slovenia high emphasis was put on understanding how AI works, but also the concerns regarding willingness and time of physicians to learn about AI.

Conclusion

Slovenian and Croatian researchers and teachers share ethical attitudes and perspectives with international researchers and physicians. It is important to facilitate understanding of the implications of AI use in medicine and set a solid evidence-based ground to tackle ethical and legal issues.
Asymmetric impact of exchange rate on trade balance in Ethiopia: Evidence from a non-linear autoregressive distributed lag model (NARDL) approach
Authors: Abegaz Bazezew Endalew
Published: December 2024

Ethiopia has persistently pursued exchange rate devaluations to address its trade deficit and the structure of the economy, a strategy supported by the United Nations and economists. However, the effectiveness of this policy shift has sparked prolonged debate among scholars, exacerbated by divergent findings regarding the effect of exchange rates on trade balances. This study investigates the asymmetric effect of the real exchange rate on Ethiopia’s trade balance from 1992 to 2022. Employing the Non-linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (NARDL), the research challenges the prevalent assumption of a linear (symmetric) association between exchange rates and trade balances in Ethiopian studies. Results reveal asymmetric effects of the exchange rate on the trade balance in both the short and long run, suggesting that exchange rate depreciations have varying implications for trade balances compared to appreciations of similar magnitude. Both real exchange rate depreciation and appreciation demonstrate statistically significant and positively asymmetric effects on Ethiopia’s trade balance across temporal dimensions. Specifically, a 1% exchange rate depreciation corresponds to a 0.843% and 0.856% improvement in the long-run and short-run trade balance, respectively. Furthermore, a 1% appreciation of the exchange rate is associated with a 15.079% and 15.02% enhancement of the long-run and short-run trade balance, respectively. The study underscores the importance of considering non-linear models of asymmetries in policymaking to inform more effective interventions.
Micronutrients absorbed via the oral mucosa reduce emotion dysregulation in 5-10-year-old children: A three-phased randomized wait-list-controlled trial
Authors: Katta Nurina M. , Blampied Neville M. , Eggleston Matt , Rucklidge Julia J.
Published: December 2024

Objective

Previous evidence has established that micronutrient capsules can improve emotion regulation in children. This three-phased randomized open-label waitlist-controlled study investigated the safety of a micronutrient powder absorbed by the oral mucosa and its effects on emotion dysregulation in 5-to-10-year-old children. The primary outcome measures were the Revised Clinician-rated Temper and Irritability Scale (CL-ARI) and the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement Scale (CGI-I).

Method

Forty-eight children with moderate-to-severe symptoms of irritability were randomized to an initial treatment group (ITG) or waitlist control group (IWLG) (four-week delayed start), followed by the two groups alternating between taking the micronutrients for four weeks or having a four-week break. For the last three months of the trial, both groups took the micronutrients continuously.

Results

Overall adherence rates were high (93%). At the end of RCT phase, there were large group differences (CL-ARI; d = 1.25, p < .001), and 67% in the ITG and 8% in the IWLG were ‘much’ or ‘very much’ improved (CGI-I). Further, the ITG displayed a clinically meaningful reduction in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Impulsivity Disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) symptoms as measured with the Child Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham-IV Questionnaire 26 (SNAP-IV) compared to IWLG. The treatment effect regressed when participants stopped taking the micronutrients and was reinstated when participants were taking the micronutrients. The observed benefits were maintained over a sustained time period. The IWLG reported significantly more headaches (p = .040) and sweating (p = .037) at the end of RCT. By the end of the study, seven participants (14.5%) dropped out non-differentially by group (p = .22).

Conclusion

The findings showed that micronutrients absorbed by the oral mucosa are a safe intervention that can effectively improve emotion dysregulation in children. Future double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trials are needed to support these findings.
Lexical innovations are rarely passed on during one’s lifetime: Epidemiological perspectives on estimating the basic reproductive ratio of words
Authors: Baumann Andreas
Published: December 2024

Lexical dynamics, just as epidemiological dynamics, represent spreading phenomena. In both domains, constituents (words, pathogens) are transmitted within populations of individuals. In linguistics, such dynamics have been modeled by drawing on mathematical models originating from epidemiology. The basic reproductive ratio is a quantity that figures centrally in epidemiological research but not so much in linguistics. It is defined as the average number of individuals that acquire a constituent (infectious pathogen) from a single individual carrying it. In this contribution, we examine a set of lexical innovations, i.e., words that have spread recently, in four different languages (English, German, Spanish, and Italian). We use and compare different ways of estimating the basic reproductive ratio in the lexical domain. Our results show that the basic reproductive ratio can be somewhat reliably estimated by exploiting estimates of lexical age of acquisition and prevalence but that the derivation based on diachronic corpus data comes with certain challenges. Based on our empirical results, we argue that the basic reproductive ratio can inform about the stability of newly emerging words and about how often such words are successfully propagated in linguistic contact events. Our analysis shows that an average lexical innovation that has spread in the previous two centuries has been passed on by each individual only to a handful of contacts.
The mediating role of depression on the link between physical activity and health-related quality of life among people with diabetes: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Priyono Djoko , Kim Sanghee
Published: December 2024

Introduction

A correlation between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical activity has been identified. Many studies have discussed whether this correlation is significantly associated with depression in the general and diabetic populations. However, the role of depression in this relationship, especially in individuals with diabetes, remains incompletely understood.

Objective

This study investigated the relationship between PA and HRQoL, with depression as a potential mediator, in individuals with diabetes.

Methods

This cross-sectional study involved 1,472 individuals with diabetes who participated in the Korea Health Panel Survey (KHPS) from 2019 to 2020. Their sociodemographic characteristics, PA, depressive symptoms, and HRQoL based on EuroQol-five-dimension (EQ-5D) scores were extracted from the KHPS. The mediating effect of depression on PA and HRQoL was investigated using multiple regression and a mediation effect test.

Results

HRQoL was positively associated with PA, regular exercise, and varying degrees of walking activity. Conversely, depression was substantially negatively associated with HRQoL. Mediation analysis confirmed that depression partially mediated the relationship between PA and HRQoL. Specifically, for PA and regular exercise, the indirect effect of depression accounted for 46.61% (B = 0.002, p < 0.05) and 33.82% (B = 0.003, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In individuals with diabetes, depression was found to mediate the effect of PA on HRQoL. Therefore, conducting depression screening and managing depressive symptoms in this population is crucial to enhancing HRQoL through PA interventions. Consequently, strategies to enhance HRQoL can be effectively implemented and customized in response to particular depression screening outcomes.
Understanding tuberculosis transmission and progression: A prospective cohort study of index cases and close contacts in Moldova
Authors: Syed Rehan R. , Catanzaro Donald G. , Hillery Naomi , Crudu Valeriu , Tudor Elena , Ciobanu Nelly , Codreanu Alexandru , Borujeni Maryam Kheirandish , Catanzaro Antonino , Rodwell Timothy C.
Published: December 2024

Objectives

This study aims to determine the progression rate, risk factors and timeline for the progression from exposure to active tuberculosis (TB) in a high-risk population. Using a prospective cohort in the Republic of Moldova, we investigated pulmonary TB disease progression among close contacts of patients with TB in a low-burden country with high rates of drug-resistant TB.

Methods

Close contacts of patients with newly diagnosed TB were recruited and monitored to evaluate for progression rates to active TB. Data collected included demographic information, medical and exposure history, and clinical samples. Follow-up clinical evaluations of close contacts were conducted at regular intervals over at least 24 months to monitor for progression to TB disease.

Results

The overall incidence rate of TB disease among close contacts was 3.7%. Among the close contacts, 2.3% were identified as progressor cases, developing TB disease more than 30 days after index case treatment initiation. Thirteen (1.3%) were co-prevalent cases, diagnosed within 30 days of index case treatment initiation. Identified risk factors for progression included male sex, active tobacco use, prior TB infection, and frequent, prolonged exposure to index cases. Close contacts with daily exposure of more than eight hours had a significantly higher risk of disease progression (adjusted OR: 4.28, 95% CI: 1.79–10.23).

Conclusion

The incidence of TB disease among close contacts was consistent with global findings, highlighting the need for enhanced diagnostic tools and targeted interventions to manage TB transmission and progression. These results underscore the importance of contact tracing and progression monitoring in low-burden, high drug-resistant TB settings. Future research should focus on developing a better understanding of factors contributing to the risk for and timeline of TB disease progression, and more precise methods, including biomarkers, to identify individuals at the highest risk for progression from TB exposure to active disease.
Awareness and its determinant factors towards breast examination to detect breast cancer among reproductive age women in Kenya: Multi level analysis of the recent demographic and health survey data
Authors: Wassie Mulugeta , Zegeye Alebachew Ferede , Aemro Agazhe , Terefe Bewuketu , Zeleke Gebreeyesus Abera , Workneh Belayneh Shetie , Tekeba Berhan , Ali Mohamed Seid , Mekonen Enyew Getaneh , Tamir Tadesse Tarik
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Worldwide, breast cancer accounts for about 2.3 million new cases and 685,000 deaths, making it the second most common cancer in women. It can be detected through breast examination like mammograms, self-breast examination and clinical breast examinations in the early stage potentially before it spreads to other organs. The current study aimed to determine the awareness of breast examination to detect breast cancer and its determinant factors.

Methods

A total of 16,474 women of reproductive age were included. The 2022 Kenyan demographic and health survey dataset were used. The data were analyzed using STATA version14.0. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression was employed to identify potential factors of the outcome variable. Variables with p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Result

Nearly 44.4% of women were aware of breast examinations to detect breast cancer. Older age [AOR = 2.517, 95%CI: 2.11–3.00], higher educational level [AOR = 5.755, 95%CI: 4.631–7.153], being an active worker [AOR = 1.343, 95%CI:1.232–1.465], being the wealthiest [AOR = 1.526, 95%:1.336–1.744], use of the internet [AOR = 1.451, 95%CI:1.323–1.592], exposure to different media [AOR = 1.350, 95%CI:1.187–1.536] and health facility contact within 12 months [AOR = 1.496, 95%CI:1.385–1.615] were positively associated at the individual level, while low community poverty [AOR = 0.777, 95%:0.676–0.892] and high literacy level [AOR = 1.412, 95%CI:1.190–1.677] were significant factors at the community level.

Conclusion and recommendation

Less than half of the women were aware of breast examination to detect breast cancer. Older age, high level education, being active worker, exposure for media, using internet, being rich were favorable covariates at the individual level while high literacy and low poverty were found to be enabling factors at the community level. This study recommends that educating women, engaging them in different occupational activities, decreasing poverty, improving media and internet accessibility can bring positive change of women’s awareness towards breast examination.
Tense, aspect and related textual criticism in Herodotos, Historiai 1.186
Authors: De Decker Filip
Published: December 2024

In this article I discuss the use of tense and aspect in Herodotos Historiai 1,186 and, related to that, the instances where both a form from the present-stem and the aorist-stem are attested. I first provide a brief overview and discussion of tense and aspect in Greek and Herodotos, briefly summarising scholarship before Hettrich 1976 and discussing in somewhat more detail Hettrich 1976, the reactions to that work (Ruijgh 1979 (and 1971), Rijksbaron 1979) and Stork 1982. As the literature on aspect (in Greek and on aspect in general) is very large, my discussion will inevitably have to leave out many studies and issues, and I canonly treat the issue of the fortwirkende Handlung and the observer’s perspective, and even those only very superficially. The issue of tense, aspect, Aktionsart and their overlap cannot be discussed here. In a second step I proceed to the actual passage and discuss all the forms of the present and aorist stem (finite and non-finite forms). As is known, the transmission of Herodotos’ text often poses problems and in several instances, forms from both stems are transmitted (in two cases in 1,186, the manuscripts agree but conjectures were made). In order to decide on which variant to adopt, a detailed analysis of all the forms in the passage is offered using the distinction perfective / completed – imperfective / ongoing as guiding principle (time and space constraints prevented me from quoting the variants printed in all editions and commentaries, limiting myself to 15 in total).
Inovação Gerencial Incorporada ao Sistema de Controle Gerencial: Um Estudo de Caso em uma Organização do Setor de Metalurgia
Authors: Pletsch Caroline Sulzbach , Silva Marcia Zanievicz
Published: December 2024

Objetivo: O estudo tem como objetivo caracterizar como a inovação gerencial foi incorporada ao Sistema de Controle Gerencial (SCG) em uma organização do setor de metalurgia.
Método: Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, descritivo e estudo de caso em uma organização listada na B3, do setor de metalurgia. A inovação gerencial emergiu do caso de estudo, sendo representada por um novo modelo de gestão. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio da realização de entrevistas, documentos e observação. A análise de conteúdo foi utilizada para analisar os dados, com o auxílio do Software Nvivo.
Resultados: Verifica-se que a organização tem focado em novos sistemas de controle, em informações contábeis e de gestão, que permitem agilidade e assertividade na tomada de decisão. A prática gerencial de definição e acompanhamento de indicadores e estruturação de procedimentos internos requer um processo gerencial voltado ao desempenho dos colaboradores, planejamento estratégico e orçamento. A tecnologia da informação permite sistemas que facilitam as operações e processos. As mudanças no sistema de gestão de custos melhoraram as análises e proporcionaram redução de custos, favoreceram a criação de novas linhas de produtos e novos mercados. Essas ações permitem transparência externa, o que reflete em novas parcerias e fortalecimento das relações externas.
Contribuições: Os insights gerados pela inovação gerencial incorporada ao SCG permitem que as empresas definam e acompanhem indicadores de desempenho, utilizem procedimentos internos, busquem por agilidade e assertividade na tomada de decisão, valorizem e reconheçam o desempenho dos colaboradores, invistam no planejamento estratégico e orçamento, na gestão de pessoas, em Dashboard de KPIs, em novas parcerias e fortalecimento das relações com empresas, clientes, fornecedores.
Estrangeirização de terras no Brasil contemporâneo
Authors: Kato Karina Yoshie Martins , Siviero Vicente Jessica , Leite Sergio Pereira
Published: December 2024

O tema da estrangeirização de terras ganhou destaque no início do século XXI, acompanhando o crescente interesse do capital internacional pelos ativos fundiários e recursos naturais após a crise financeira de 2008. No Brasil, a estrangeirização dos imóveis rurais obteve espaço nos círculos políticos e midiáticos (além de se tornar objeto de pesquisas acadêmicas), chamando a atenção para os riscos que esse processo traria à soberania nacional, à garantia da segurança alimentar e, de forma mais geral, à sustentabilidade. O presente artigo procura refletir sobre os desafios teórico-metodológicos da estrangeirização de terras no Brasil contemporâneo, destacando os atores envolvidos (globais e regionais), os setores para os quais se dirigem esses investimentos e problematizando potenciais desdobramentos nos territórios. O enquadramento deste fenômeno em uma chave de leitura mais ampla como land grabbing (açambarcamento ou apropriação de terras) nos permite refletir sobre o fenômeno de uma perspectiva histórico-processual, sem perder de vista suas particularidades contemporâneas. Considerando as subnotificações nos dados oficiais do Estado brasileiro e as dificuldades de acesso a informações confiáveis, entre 2017 e 2020 analisamos 224 casos de empresas, companhias de capital aberto ou fundos de investimento, com participação de capital estrangeiro em sua composição, que são proprietários de terras ou controlam terra no Brasil, correspondendo a cerca de 9,1 milhões de hectares, número três vezes maior do que as estimativas oficiais.
Identification of optimal Sentinel-1 SAR polarimetric parameters for forest monitoring in Czechia
Authors: Paluba Daniel , Le Saux Bertrand , Sarti Francesco , Štych Přemysl
Published: December 2024

Time series analysis of synthetic aperture radar data (SAR) offers a systematic, dynamic and comprehensive way to monitor forests. The main emphasis of this study is on the identification of the most suitable and best performing Sentinel-1 SAR polarimetric parameters for forest monitoring. This is accomplished through: 1) a pairwise correlation analysis of SAR polarimetric parameters, multispectral optical vegetation indices and ancillary data, 2) a univariate binary time series classification for differentiation between forest types and 3) a visual exploration of time series. For this purpose, 600 validated broad-leaved and 600 coniferous forest areas in Czechia were used. Nine different SAR polarimetric parameters were examined, including VH and VV polarizations, VV/VH and VH/VV polarization ratios, the Radar Vegetation Index, Radar Forest Degradation Index, polarimetric radar vegetation index and the original and modified versions of the dual polarimetric SAR vegetation index. The pairwise correlation analysis revealed that most of the derived SAR polarimetric parameters were functions of each other with nearly identical behavior (r > |0.96|). The strongest correlation of r ~0.50 between SAR and optical features was found for broad-leaved forest for VV/VH and VH/VV. The highest overall accuracy in the time series classification of forest types was achieved by VH (76%), while for VV, VV/VH and VH/VV it was higher than 60%. Furthermore, the time series analysis of these parameters showed seasonal behaviors of the SAR features in both forest types. These results demonstrated the high relevance of using VH, VV, VV/VH and VH/VV time series in forest monitoring compared to other SAR polarimetric parameters. This study also introduces a novel pipeline to generate multi-modal time series datasets in Google Earth Engine (MMTS-GEE), used to generate data for the analysis. MMTS-GEE combines spatially and temporally aligned SAR and multispectral data, extended with topographic and weather data, and a land cover class label. Its high versatility enables its use in time series analyses, intercomparisons and in machine learning applications for tabular time series data. The GEE code for the proposed tool and analysis is freely available to the research community.
Contractibility of boundaries of cocompact convex sets and embeddings of limit sets
Authors: Bregman Corey , Incerti-Medici Merlin
Published: December 2024

We provide sufficient conditions as to when a boundary component of a cocompact convex set in a

CAT

(

0

)

{\rm{CAT}}\left(0)

-space is contractible. We then use this to study when the limit set of a quasi-convex, codimension one subgroup of a negatively curved manifold group is “wild” in the boundary. The proof is based on a notion of coarse upper curvature bounds in terms of barycenters and the careful study of interpolation in geodesic metric spaces.
Diagnostic scope: the AI can’t see what the mind doesn’t know
Authors: Weissman Gary E. , Zwaan Laura , Bell Sigall K.
Published: December 2024

Background

Diagnostic scope is the range of diagnoses found in a clinical setting. Although the diagnostic scope is an essential feature of training and evaluating artificial intelligence (AI) systems to promote diagnostic excellence, its impact on AI systems and the diagnostic process remains under-explored.

Content

We define the concept of diagnostic scope, discuss its nuanced role in building safe and effective AI-based diagnostic decision support systems, review current challenges to measurement and use, and highlight knowledge gaps for future research.

The diagnostic scope parallels the differential diagnosis although the latter is at the level of an encounter and the former is at the level of a clinical setting. Therefore, diagnostic scope will vary by local characteristics including geography, population, and resources. The true, observed, and considered scope in each setting may also diverge, both posing challenges for clinicians, patients, and AI developers, while also highlighting opportunities to improve safety. Further work is needed to systematically define and measure diagnostic scope in terms that are accurate, equitable, and meaningful at the bedside. AI tools tailored to a particular setting, such as a primary care clinic or intensive care unit, will each require specifying and measuring the appropriate diagnostic scope.

Outlook

AI tools will promote diagnostic excellence if they are aligned with patient and clinician needs and trained on an accurately measured diagnostic scope. A careful understanding and rigorous evaluation of the diagnostic scope in each clinical setting will promote optimal care through human-AI collaborations in the diagnostic process.
Cash-Holdings of Single Family Office-Owned Firms
Authors: Block Joern , Eroglu Onur
Published: December 2024

Single-Family Offices (SFOs) have become crucial for transgenerational wealth management of business families. Many SFOs directly invest in firms, yet their role as firm owners remains understudied. This study explores how SFO ownership impacts the cash holdings of their portfolio firms, with a comparative analysis against firms directly owned by business families. Cash holdings are critical for firms as they offer the flexibility to seize entrepreneurial opportunities and increase resilience in times of crisis. However, when cash is held in excess, it can also signal managerial opportunism. Using agency theory as our theoretical framework, we propose that SFOs are less effective as monitors compared to families that have a direct ownership stake in their firm. This reduced oversight shall lead SFO-owned firms to maintain higher cash reserves than family-owned firms. We test our predictions by comparing the cash holdings of a hand-collected sample of 173 SFO-owned firms in the DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) region with the cash holdings of matched family-owned firms. Our study has three main findings. First, it reveals that firms owned SFOs maintain higher cash reserves compared to those owned directly by business families. Second, we show that this effect is more pronounced when the SFO has divested from its original family business. Finally, a post-hoc analysis indicates that the impact of cash holdings on future firm performance is more ambiguous and tends to be more negative in SFO-owned firms than in family-owned firms. Overall, these results suggest potential inefficiencies in cash utilization under SFO ownership. Our study contributes to the small but growing literature on (single) family offices. It also extends the family firm cash holdings literature. Practical implications exist for business-owning families with a family office or seeking to set up one.
Dissolution of abietic acid in water by the solid dispersion method using methylcellulose analogs
Authors: Aruga Satoshi , Teramoto Yoshikuni , Takano Toshiyuki
Published: December 2024

Solid dispersion materials of abietic acid (ABA) were prepared with methylcellulose (MC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Na) using a conventional solvent evaporation method. In these materials, ABA was incorporated in an amorphous form. During dissolution tests, ABA from ABA/MC and ABA/HPMC solid dispersion materials initially rapidly dissolved, followed by a decrease in the dissolution rate before eventually plateauing. The dissolution of ABA from ABA/CMC-Na solid dispersion materials was similar, although it increased slightly with an increased shaking time over a long period. ABA from ABA/MC solid dispersion materials exhibited a higher dissolution rate compared with ABA from both ABA/HPMC and ABA/CMC-Na solid dispersion materials. The amount of undissolved material from ABA/cellulose derivative solid dispersion materials was lower compared with ABA/cellulose nanofiber and ABA/TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber solid dispersion materials. In addition, both ABA/MC and ABA/HPMC solid dispersion materials exhibited good growth-inhibitive effects against Trametes versicolor, a representative of white-rot fungus, compared with ABA/CMC-Na, ABA/cellulose nanofiber and ABA/TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber solid dispersion materials. Consequently, MC proved to be the most effective water-soluble carrier for ABA in water among the cellulose derivatives tested.