bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Striving Against Sonlessness: The Moral Uses of Medical Pluralism in Western Indian Quests for a Boy
Authors: Sandesara Utpal 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAmid patriarchal conditions that render one son necessary and multiple daughters burdensome, selective abortion of female fetuses has become pervasive in India. Public responses often cast sex selection as self-evidently ignorant, cruel, and misogynistic – an obvious evil meriting denunciation and eradication. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in Gujarat state, this article zooms out from ultrasound and abortion to survey the landscape of biomedical, herbal, and religious son production techniques surrounding them. Doing so clarifies the lived moral experience in which sex selection is embedded. Resort to multiple son production techniques is both an abstract moral indicator reflecting prevailing concerns and a pragmatic moral intervention aimed at harnessing every available means in response to those concerns. Fundamentally, people live out the multimodal quest that sometimes leads to selective abortion as aspiration – social, bodily, spiritual – toward an indispensable good, not as heartless rejection of daughters. Pluralistic son production illuminates the moral uses of medical pluralism for care-seekers, social scientists, and policymakers and practitioners. The case underscores that “complementary” therapies, rather than being just desperate behaviors, barriers to biomedical therapy, or curiosities to be integrated into care, may in fact be the clearest markers of the moral conditions in which public health problems unfold.
Unsupervised random quantum networks for PDEs
Authors: Dees Josh , Jacquier Antoine , Laizet Sylvain 
Published: September 2024

AbstractClassical Physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) approximate solutions to PDEs with the help of deep neural networks trained to satisfy the differential operator and the relevant boundary conditions. We revisit this idea in the quantum computing realm, using parameterised random quantum circuits as trial solutions. We further adapt recent PINN-based techniques to our quantum setting, in particular Gaussian smoothing. Our analysis concentrates on the Poisson, the Heat and the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equations, which are ubiquitous in most areas of science. On the theoretical side, we develop a complexity analysis of this approach, and show numerically that random quantum networks can outperform more traditional quantum networks as well as random classical networks.
Cross-country analysis of science, technology and innovation policies: non-covid-19 related and Covid-19 specific STI policies in OECD countries
Authors: Russo Margherita , Pavone Pasquale , Meissner Dirk , Alboni Fabrizio 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn OECD countries, Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policies were seen as key aspects of coping with the Covid-19 pandemic. Now that the pandemic is over, identifying which policy mix portfolios characterised countries in terms of their non-Covid-19 related and Covid-19 specific STI policies fills a knowledge gap on changes in STI policies induced by exogenous shocks. The descriptive nature of this exercise sheds light on the emergency phase, which was addressed in different ways by countries with similar STI policy portfolios in the last decade before the pandemic. Using information on STI policy initiatives in OECD countries, this paper proposes a multidimensional analysis to classify policy initiatives based on both codes (of innovation policy themes, policy instruments and target beneficiaries) and free text policies’ descriptions. Based on text mining and clustering techniques, the multidimensional analysis highlights semantic similarities between the combinations of codes and terms, making it possible to identify policy mixes that characterise non-Covid-19 related and Covid-19 specific STI policies. The cross-country comparison draws attention to the specific policy mix portfolios implemented by countries during the pandemic. The paper contributes to the literature on innovation policy mix in terms of research methods and results in identifying STI policy portfolios and groups of countries with similar structural composition of their innovation policy portfolios, implementing a range of STI strategies in tackling the pandemic. Policy implications of the findings are discussed, with a forward-looking perspective for the analysis of post-pandemic STI policies.
Metaphors on Protein Synthesis in Swedish Upper Secondary Chemistry and Biology Textbooks – A Double-Edged Sword
Authors: Wahlberg Sara J. , Haglund Jesper , Gericke Niklas M. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis study provides insights into the use of metaphors in protein synthesis descriptions in upper secondary chemistry and biology textbooks. Data were collected from seven Swedish textbooks and analyzed with the Metaphor Identification Protocol and categorized within the framework of Conceptual Metaphor Theory. The results reveal two main parallel metaphor systems of construction-based metaphors and information-based metaphors. Five sub-systems with different emphasis on the usage of construction and information related metaphors emerged in the analysis: the location, translocation, transportation, cryptography and publishing sub-metaphor systems. These metaphors can function as double-edged swords for students’ learning. On the positive side, the construction-based metaphors (location, translocation and transportation) meet the educational need to describe where the processes of the protein synthesis occur and how these take place, while the information-based metaphors (cryptography and publishing) describe how the different sub-processes of the protein synthesis are linked via the interflow of information between them. On the negative side, the identified metaphors are presented implicitly without explanations, thus making it difficult for the students to identify them. Also, textbook sentences often contain metaphors drawn from several of the five sub-systems, requiring students not only to differentiate between them, but also to connect the source and target domain of the different metaphors correctly. The results highlight the important role of the teacher in supporting students’ learning by explaining what metaphors are and how they are used in textbooks. To further this end, authors of biology and chemistry textbooks are recommended to introduce metaphors early and explicitly.
Daphnia stress response to environmental concentrations of chloramphenicol—multi-omics approach
Authors: Grzesiuk Malgorzata , Grabska Marta , Malinowska Agata , Świderska Bianka , Grzesiuk Elzbieta , Garbicz Damian , Gorecki Adrian 
Published: September 2024

AbstractCommonly used medicines, when discarded or improperly disposed of, are known to contaminate freshwater ecosystems. Pharmaceuticals can be toxic and mutagenic, and can modify freshwater organisms, even at environmentally relevant concentrations. Chloramphenicol (CAP) is an antibiotic banned in Europe. However, it is still found in surface waters around the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of chloramphenicol contamination in freshwater on the model organism Daphnia magna. Specific life history parameters, proteome, and host-associated microbiome of four D. magna clones were analyzed during a three-generation exposure to CAP at environmental concentrations (32 ng L−1). In the first generation, no statistically significant CAP effect at the individual level was detected. After three generations, exposed animals were smaller at first reproduction and on average produced fewer offspring. The differences in D. magna’s life history after CAP treatment were in accordance with proteome changes. D. magna’s response to CAP presence indicates the high stress that the tested organisms are under, e.g., male production, upregulation of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 and calcium-binding protein, and downregulation of glutathione transferase. The CAP-exposed D. magna proteome profile confirms that CAP, being reactive oxygen species (ROS)-inducing compounds, contributes to structural changes in mitochondria. Microbiome analysis showed a significant difference in the Shannon index between control and CAP-exposed animals, the latter having a more diverse microbiome. Multilevel analyses, together with long exposure in the laboratory imitating conditions in a polluted environment, allow us to obtain a more complete picture of the impact of CAP on D. magna.
A tomato a day keeps the beetle away – the impact of Solanaceae glycoalkaloids on energy management in the mealworm Tenebrio molitor
Authors: Winkiel Magdalena Joanna , Chowański Szymon , Walkowiak-Nowicka Karolina , Gołębiowski Marek , Słocińska Małgorzata 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSolanine (SOL), chaconine (CHA), and tomatine (TOM) are plant secondary metabolites produced mainly by the species of Solanaceae family, such as tomato Solanum lycopersicum L. These glycoalkaloids (GAs) have a wide range of biological activity, also in insects. However, their mechanisms of action are not precisely understood. The purpose of the study was to investigate how pure GAs and tomato leaf extract (EXT) affect glycolysis, Krebs cycle and β-oxidation of fatty acid pathways in Tenebrio molitor L. beetle. For this purpose, the larvae were injected with SOL, CHA, TOM, and EXT at two concentrations (10–8 and 10–5 M). For experiments, fat body, gut, and heamolymph samples were collected 2 and 24 h after injection. Then, the changes in the expression level of phosphofructokinase, citrate synthase, and β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase were measured using the RT-qPCR technique. The catalytic activity of these enzymes and the carbohydrate level in insects after GA treatment were determined by spectrophotometric method. Furthermore, the analysis of the amount of amino acids in tissues was performed with a GC–MS technique. The results obtained show that the GAs changed the activity and expression of the genes encoding key enzymes of crucial metabolic pathways. The effect depends on the type of GA compound, the tissue tested, and the incubation time after treatment. Furthermore, TOM and EXT affected trehalose concentration in the insect hemolymph and led to accumulation of amino acids in the fat body. The observed changes may indicate a protein degradation and/or enhanced catabolism reactions for the production of ATP used in detoxification processes. These results suggest that GAs alter energy metabolism in the mealworm T. molitor. The study contributes to our understanding of the mechanisms of action of secondary metabolites of plants in insects. This knowledge may allow the design of new natural biopesticides against insect pests because proper energy metabolism is necessary for the survival of the organism.
Study of the one-dimensional consolidation and creep of clays with different thicknesses using different hypotheses and three elastic visco-plastic models
Authors: Chen Ze-jian , Li Peng-lin , Wu Pei-chen , Yin Jian-hua , Song Ding-bao 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe one-dimensional consolidation analysis of clays considering creep compression is a classical issue in soil mechanics and geotechnical design. The major debate lies in how to predict the consolidation settlement for a thick layer in the field using parameters obtained from a thin specimen from the laboratory. Different hypotheses have been advocated, based on which various methods and constitutive models have been developed. However, there are still some questions unaddressed and concepts inconsistently used, which may mislead engineers in the selection of methods/models and may result in settlements underestimated on a risk design side. In this paper, a state-of-the-art review and a thorough comparison study are performed on the existing methods and models for the consolidation analysis of clays exhibiting creep, from theoretical derivations to numerical simulations in comparison with soil test data. An in-depth discussion is carried out on several key issues related to the thickness effects on the time-dependent compression behaviour of clays. The arguments of Hypothesis A and Hypothesis B are revisited based on the current development of constitutive theories. Three existing elastic visco-plastic (EVP) models that consider the creep compression implicitly during the whole consolidation process can perform well in predicting the settlement of clay layers with different thicknesses, and are in line with Hypothesis B. It is concluded that using existing EVP models based on porous-media continuum mechanics is a rigorous scientific method (also called “rigorous” Hypothesis B method), which is superior to the old Hypothesis A method which has logic errors and may result in unsafe underestimation of settlements.
Parental Investment, Status, and Child Gender: Some Evidence for the Trivers–Willard Hypothesis from a Survey Experiment
Authors: Schnettler Sebastian 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis study critically evaluates and empirically tests the Trivers–Willard (TW) hypothesis, which proposes a relationship between parental socioeconomic status and sex: Parents with higher status are expected to be more likely to have male offspring and to preferentially invest in male offspring, whereas parents with lower status are expected to be more likely to have female offspring and to preferentially invest in daughters. Although the TW hypothesis has been explored in terms of offspring sex ratio and parental investment, findings in modern developed societies generally show null results, with notable exceptions in the domain of parental investment in their children’s education. Previous studies have often not explicitly addressed the potential underlying mechanisms of the TW effect. This includes the authors of the original hypothesis (Trivers and Willard 1973), who discussed some potential mechanisms but ultimately left the question of mechanisms unanswered. Building on Matthews’s (2011) proposition to explore psychological underpinnings, this paper posits that the TW effect, if present, may be rooted in general parental preferences. To investigate this, a factorial survey experiment was designed to measure respondents’ preferences in parental investment while minimizing social desirability bias. The study specifically examines the extent to which respondents’ assessments of favorability and fairness in various parental investment scenarios depend on child characteristics believed to influence differential parental behavior. The findings reveal patterns that are somewhat in line with the TW hypothesis but are minor and lack statistical significance. The article concludes by proposing three future research directions aimed at further unraveling the intricacies of the TW effect.
Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Health and Health Services Research Workforce: A Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Gichane Margaret W. , Griesemer Ida , Cubanski Leah , Egbuogu Blessing , McInnes D. Keith , Garvin Lynn A. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractHealth and health services research institutions seek to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to overcome structural bias. The objective of this review is to identify, characterize, and evaluate programs aimed to strengthen DEI in the health and health services research workforces. We conducted a systematic scoping review of literature of 2012–2022 North American peer-reviewed empirical studies in PubMed and Embase using the Arksey and O’Malley approach. This review identified 62 programs that varied in focus, characteristics, and outcomes. Programs focused on supporting a spectrum of underrepresented groups based on race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, and socioeconomic status. The majority of programs targeted faculty/investigators, compared to other workforce roles. Most programs were 1 year in length or less. The practices employed within programs included skills building, mentoring, and facilitating the development of social networks. To support program infrastructure, key strategies included supportive leadership, inclusive climate, resource allocation, and community engagement. Most programs evaluated success based on shorter-term metrics such as the number of grants submitted and manuscripts published. Relatively few programs collected long-term outcomes on workforce pathway outcomes including hiring, promotion, and retention. This systematic scoping review outlined prevalent practices to advance DEI in the health and health services research field. As DEI programs proliferate, more work is needed by research universities, institutes, and funders to realign institutional culture and structures, expand resources, advance measurement, and increase opportunities for underrepresented groups at every career stage.
Do women board members contribute to companies’ superior environmental performance? A literature review
Authors: Fernández-Torres Yakira , Gallego-Sosa Clara , Gutiérrez-Fernández Milagros 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe urgent need to tackle climate change has led scholars to study the factors that affect companies’ ability to achieve superior environmental performance. One such factor, the influence of women board members, has received considerable attention because of women’s greater tendency to care for the planet. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no literature review has yet attempted to describe the state of the art of this relationship and its conditioning factors. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the degree of consensus in the literature regarding the role of board gender diversity in environmental performance and to specify the variables that condition this relationship. The content of all studies that offer evidence of this relationship is analyzed. The results imply that there is a high degree of consensus regarding the positive influence of female leadership on environmental performance in studies that focus exclusively on this relationship. The review also shows that this relationship is conditioned by numerous factors. However, the evidence in this regard is scant and in some cases inconclusive. Therefore, this review reveals both the scope and the unfilled needs in this field of study. It thus supports the sharing of knowledge on this topic and draws attention to the questions that need to be addressed.
A decade of PISA: student perceived instructional quality and mathematics achievement across European countries
Authors: Liu Xin , Hansen Kajsa Yang , Valcke Martin , De Neve Jan 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThis study examines the relationship between instructional quality and mathematics achievement, taking into account socioeconomic status. Data from ten European countries participating in PISA 2012 and 2022 were analysed using the framework of the Dynamic Modelling of Educational Effectiveness. In PISA 2012, instructional quality was defined by student-oriented instruction, classroom management, teacher support, disciplinary climate, and cognitive activation. The finding indicated that teacher support, disciplinary climate, and cognitive activation positively predict student achievement, but dimensions of student-oriented instruction and classroom management were negatively related in several countries. Instructional quality was captured by four dimensions in PISA 2022, namely, teacher support, disciplinary climate, cognitive activation in mathematics of encouraging mathematical thinking and of fostering reasoning. Teacher support and disciplinary climate had a positive effect on achievement, but two aspects of cognitive activation had opposite effects on achievement. SES also had significant indirect effects on achievement through various instructional quality dimensions. Across two PISA cycles, teacher support, disciplinary climate, and cognitive activation consistently benefited low-SES students, while classroom management and student-oriented instruction tended to harm their performance. These results underscore the role of instructional quality in promoting equity for disadvantaged students. Trend data from these two cycles of PISA, give an indication of specific instructional strategies that do consistently contribute to student achievement. Implications and findings are discussed in relation to the policy and practice context in different education systems.
Carbon Isotopic Composition Reflects Intrinsic Water Use Efficiency But Not its Component Traits in Sugarcane
Authors: Ellsworth Patrick Z. , White Paul M. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWater is the most important resource in plant growth and is a major limiting factor in sugarcane productivity worldwide. Improving water use efficiency (WUE) can increase sugarcane productivity relative to available water resources by increasing photosynthetic capacity relative to transpiration and stomatal conductance instead of decreasing stomatal conductance. Leaf carbon stable isotopic composition (δ13Cleaf) can serve as a proxy for intrinsic WUE (WUEi) because WUEi and δ13Cleaf are theoretically related through the link between intracellular and ambient CO2 concentrations (Ci/Ca) and leaf CO2 discrimination (Δ13Cleaf). In this study we surveyed 55 sugarcane genotypes for WUEi, leaf WUE (WUEleaf), Ci/Ca, and δ13Cleaf by gas exchange measurements and stable isotope analysis. We hypothesized that significant genotypic variation was found in WUEi, WUEleaf, and δ13Cleaf within the sugarcane population in Louisiana. We also hypothesized that both WUEi and δ13Cleaf and Δ13Cleaf and Ci/Ca were correlated and that δ13Cleaf could be used as a proxy for WUEi in sugarcane. Here WUEi and WUEleaf had a genetic effect and were controlled mostly by water loss (stomatal conductance or transpiration). WUEi, WUEleaf, Ci/Ca, and δ13Cleaf were correlated, but δ13Cleaf was not correlated with the component traits of WUEi (photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance). δ13Cleaf shows promise as a proxy for WUEi to at least be able to select the tails of the distribution, but the relationship between WUEi and δ13Cleaf may not be sufficiently strong to select WUE at a finer scale.
Dispositional mindfulness and the nonjudgmental regard towards others: the role on sexual prejudice and transphobia among cisgender heterosexual people
Authors: Costacurta Mirco , Chiorri Carlo , Di Battista Silvia , Salvati Marco 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAlthough several studies examined the relationship between high levels of dispositional mindfulness and low scores of prejudices referred to various social groups, the findings have sometimes been inconsistent. Such inconsistency may be explained by the fact that much research has relied exclusively on self-oriented dispositional mindfulness as predictor of intergroup biases, thus underestimating the role of the nonjudgmental regard towards others. In the current study, we explored the associations between dispositional mindfulness related to the self, Nonjudgmental Regard towards Others (NRO), sexual prejudice, genderism/transphobia and gender bashing. We expected that higher scores on both dimensions of NRO traits (i.e. Ideological Acceptance and Emotion Acceptance) would be negatively associated with sexual prejudice, genderism/transphobia and gender bashing over mindful traits related to the self. 911 cis-heterosexual participants recruited through Prolific completed the online questionnaire. Dominance analyses were conducted to test our hypotheses. The results partially confirmed the predictions. NRO Emotion Acceptance was the best predictor of sexual prejudice, genderism/transphobia and gender bashing among the mindful traits, above socio-anagraphics, religiosity, political, and ideological variables. However, NRO Ideological Acceptance was not associated with the measures of prejudice. These results suggest that having a nonjudgmental attitude toward others’ emotions bay be a better factor in reducing prejudice. Limitations, future research directions, and social implications are discussed.