bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceived adequacy of policy instruments reveals weak targets in the Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Guerrero Omar A. , Guariso Daniele , Castañeda Gonzalo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe report the results of a novel worldwide survey on how adequate are existing policy instruments (if any) across the 169 targets of the Sustainable Development Goals. By obtaining more than 130,000 responses about 146 countries from more than 7000 experts, a large‐scale picture of the existence and adequacy of policy instruments emerges. This survey provides the first dataset depicting the current state of the world according to how well prepared (in terms of instruments) are countries and regions to tackle the challenges posed by the 2030 Agenda. We combine these data with the official UN SDG indicators and identify targets that systematically exhibit weaknesses in their historical performance and the adequacy of the available policy instrument, revealing key policy issues that need to be prioritised through interventions that go beyond the allocation of financial resources.
Introducing Ph.D. students to asymptotic inference for two‐stage M‐estimators: Easing analytic and coding demands via the use of numerical derivatives
Authors: Terza Joseph V. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractApplications of two‐stage M‐estimators (2SMEs) abound in empirical economics. Asymptotic theory for 2SMEs (correct formulation of the asymptotic standard errors [ASE]) has been available for decades. Nevertheless, due to the daunting nature of the requisite matrix formulations, when conducting statistical inference based on two‐stage estimates, applied researchers often implement bootstrapping methods or ignore the two‐stage nature of the estimator and report the uncorrected second‐stage outputs from packaged statistical software. In the present paper, we offer teachers of econometrics a pedagogical approach for introducing Ph.D. students to asymptotic inference for 2SMEs, with a view toward easier software implementation and empirical application. We seek to demonstrate to students (and their teachers) that the analytic and coding demands for calculating correct ASEs for the 2SME need not be burdensome (or prohibitive). The main instructional (and practical) innovation that we offer in this regard is our suggested use of numerical derivative (ND) software for calculating the most challenging components of the ASE formulations. An exercise demonstrates to the student that, by implementing ND software, one can overcome the analytic and coding impediments to conducting inference based on 2SMEs, without abandoning rigor.
Reimagining hydropower in the United States
Authors: Haemmerli Hannah L. , Gerlak Andrea K. , Swanson Tyler 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this Perspective, we review the clashing narratives around the role of hydropower in the United States' (US) energy future. In doing so, we reveal how hydropower is regarded as a keystone for the renewable energy transition but also viewed as a harmful technology with significant negative environmental and social impacts. These narratives can be seen in the contrasting future renewable energy visions of US government agencies, the hydropower industry, NGOs, and Tribal governments. We review critical lessons learned from past dam‐ and hydropower‐related challenges to reimagine a just energy future for the US that bridges diverse sectors, jurisdictions, and values. We conclude by highlighting some key paths forward that might result in more resilient and adaptive water and energy systems as the country strives to decarbonize.This article is categorized under:
Human Water > Human Water
Human Water > Water Governance
Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change
Engineering Water > Planning Water
Efficient cadmium removal from industrial wastewater generated from smelter using chemical precipitation and oxidation assistance
Authors: Lee Yeon‐Jin , Lee Chang‐Gu , Min Kyung Jin , Park Seong‐Jik 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe effective treatment of cadmium (Cd) in smelting wastewater is of great industrial importance. This study investigates the efficient removal of Cd from real industrial smelting wastewater via chemical precipitation using a series of experiments. In particular, the effects of different precipitants, agitation conditions, and the addition of NaOCl on Cd removal and pH variation are investigated. CaO (3.75 g/L), NaOH (3.50 g/L), and Ca(OH)2 (3.75 g/L) are found to be effective in elevating the wastewater pH and achieving high Cd removal rates (>99.9%), while the use of NaOH as a precipitant maintains a high Cd removal rate even at low agitation intensities. The properties of the produced sludge and supernatant are also determined using moisture content, particle size, and sludge leaching analyses due to the importance of economic and environmental sustainability in filtration, dewatering, and waste disposal processes. In addition, the addition of 2% NaOCl is tested, revealing that it can improve the Cd removal efficiency of Ca(OH)2, thus potentially reducing processing costs and enhancing the environmental benefits. Overall, these findings offer valuable insights into the removal of Cd from smelting wastewater, with potential implications for both environmental sustainability and economic viability.Practitioner Points
CaO, NaOH, and Ca(OH)2 effectively remove Cd (>99.9%) from smelting wastewater.
The use of NaOH leads to high Cd removal rates even at low agitation speeds.
Adding 2% NaOCl can reduce the Ca(OH)2 dose for more economical Cd removal.
Investigating Communities of Practice in Large-Scale Agile Software Development: An Interview Study
Authors: Tobisch Franziska , Schmidt Johannes , Matthes Florian 
Published: May 2024

AbstractNowadays, responsiveness is essential to be competitive, particularly in software development. Traditional methods face limitations in meeting this demand for agility, which led to the rise of agile practices. Inspired by their success in small projects, organizations have begun to use agile methods in larger contexts. However, scaling agile practices introduces complexities and requires coordinating teams, managing dependencies, and collaboration. Communities of Practices (CoPs) are argued to address these issues and support organizations in adopting agile methods at scale. Still, empirical insights into the establishment of CoPs in scaled agile settings are limited. This study fills this gap by conducting expert interviews, exploring why organizations applying agile methods at scale adopt CoPs, and examining their characteristics. Our key findings include that, next to benefit from known advantages of CoPs, like knowledge sharing, organizations establish them to foster empowerment, strengthen alignment, and drive their agile transformation. Moreover, CoPs focus not only on agile but also on classical themes such as architecture. Communities are not necessarily established bottom-up but are often initiated by management, e.g., to empower employees. In general, CoPs are accepted by management and play an essential role in decision-making.
Ōnā Shippu: A Vestige of Japan’s Ambition to Lead International Aid
Authors: Doi Kenichi 
Published: May 2024

AbstractOwnership is a concept that the international aid community has emphasized since the 1990s, and Japan has been an enthusiastic practitioner and promoter of ownership. However, Japan’s view of ownership, or “ōnā shippu,” emphasizes the aspect of responsibility imposed on the recipient, compared with “ownership” used in the international aid community. In Japan, “ōnā shippu” is a loanword, which places less emphasis on the aspect of control by the recipient itself and is conscious of the power asymmetry between donor and recipient. This chapter argues that the Japanese-style “ōnā shippu” is a product created in conjunction with Japan’s ambition to enhance its presence as a major donor in the aid community since the 1990s. Instead of using direct translations of self-help and autonomy, values that Japan’s aid emphasizes, it adopted the English word ownership because it was instrumental for Japan to take an initiative in the international aid community at that time. Japan led the conceptualization and promotion of ownership as a top donor until the mid-1990s. However, after that, differences with other DAC donors became apparent when “ōnā shippu” failed to translate into “ownership”: a concept that is commonly understood and accepted internationally. As the Japanese government has lost the need to emphasize ownership, the Japanese-style “ōnā shippu” is becoming a fading vestige in the Japanese government’s development cooperation strategy, but its connotation still remains among the Japanese aid workers and researchers.
Kokusai Kōken: Changing Perceptions of Japan’s Status in the International Society
Authors: Oyama Takatoshi 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn Japan, the concept of kokusai kōken refers to positive means of international engagement that ought to be pursued by the Japanese government and the public. Rendering it literally as international contribution lacks nuance in English, while an ideological translation as contributions to the international society would be too vague in terms of its object and the underlying values. This chapter first seeks to provide a deeper understanding of kokusai kōken by tracing its genealogy. The concept emerged from a discursive framework that developed from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, through attempts to position Japan, which had grown into an economic superpower, within a hierarchical international order. Secondly, the chapter considers how the concept has justified Japan’s focus on international development based on the Japanese view of international society, with the aim to gain recognition as an economic superpower by advanced Western countries and international organizations without posing a threat to Asian countries.
Asianism: Continuity and Divergence in Japan’s Foreign and International Cooperation Policy
Authors: Nakasato Lauren , Kuroda Kazuo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAsianism has often been discussed in Anglophone literature as rhetoric used to justify Japan’s imperial expansion. Yet both the genesis of the concept prior to World War II and its evolution in the post-World War II era have received less attention. This chapter examines how shifting conceptions of Asianism have influenced Japan’s foreign policy stance and international cooperation development agenda. By tracing the historical roots, development and diffusion of Asianism from its origins in early Meiji Japan to present, the chapter shows how Asianism, though its influence has declined over time, has endured in the post-war era through the concept of Asian regionalism.
5d Conformal matter
Authors: De Marco Mario , Del Zotto Michele , Graffeo Michele , Sangiovanni Andrea 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Six-dimensional superconformal field theories (SCFTs) have an atomic classification in terms of elementary building blocks, conformal systems that generalize matter and can be fused together to form all known 6d SCFTs in terms of generalized 6d quivers. It is therefore natural to ask whether 5d SCFTs can be organized in a similar manner, as the outcome of fusions of certain elementary building blocks, which we call 5d conformal matter theories. In this project we begin exploring this idea and we give a systematic construction of 5d generalized “bifundamental” SCFTs, building from geometric engineering techniques in M-theory. In particular, we find several examples of ($$ {\mathfrak{e}}_6 $$

e
6

, $$ {\mathfrak{e}}_6 $$

e
6

), ($$ {\mathfrak{e}}_7 $$

e
7

, $$ {\mathfrak{e}}_7 $$

e
7

) and ($$ {\mathfrak{e}}_8 $$

e
8

, $$ {\mathfrak{e}}_8 $$

e
8

) 5d bifundamental SCFTs beyond the ones arising from (elementary) KK reductions of the 6d conformal matter theories. We show that these can be fused together giving rise to 5d SCFTs captured by 5d generalized linear quivers with exceptional gauge groups as nodes, and links given by 5d conformal matter. As a first application of these models we uncover a large class of novel 5d dualites, that generalize the well-known fiber/base dualities outside the toric realm.
Rindler fluids from gravitational shockwaves
Authors: Bak Sang-Eon , Keeler Cynthia , Zhang Yiwen , Zurek Kathryn M. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
We study a correspondence between gravitational shockwave geometry and its fluid description near a Rindler horizon in Minkowski spacetime. Utilizing the Petrov classification that describes algebraic symmetries for Lorentzian spaces, we establish an explicit mapping between a potential fluid and the shockwave metric perturbation, where the Einstein equation for the shockwave geometry is equivalent to the incompressibility condition of the fluid, augmented by a shockwave source. Then we consider an Ansatz of a stochastic quantum source for the potential fluid, which has the physical interpretation of shockwaves created by vacuum energy fluctuations. Under such circumstance, the Einstein equation, or equivalently, the incompressibility condition for the fluid, becomes a stochastic differential equation. By smearing the quantum source on a stretched horizon in a Lorentz invariant manner with a Planckian width (similarly to the membrane paradigm), we integrate fluctuations near the Rindler horizon to find an accumulated effect of the variance in the round-trip time of a photon traversing the horizon of a causal diamond.
Immune Response to the Recombinant Apa Protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis Expressed in Streptomyces lividans After Intranasal Administration in Mice. Induction of Protective Response to Tubercle Bacillus Aerosols Exposure
Authors: Martínez-Sotelo José Alberto , Vallecillo Antonio J. , Parada Cristina , Segura Erika , Campuzano Jaime , Silva-Miranda Mayra , Servín-González Luis , Espitia Clara 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIdentifying and evaluating potential vaccine candidates has become one of the main objectives to combat tuberculosis. Among them, mannosylated Apa antigen from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the non-mannosylated protein expressed in Escherichia coli, have been studied. Although both proteins can induce a protective response in mice, it has been considered that native protein can be dispensed. In this work, we study the protective response induced by Apa expressed in E. coli and in Streptomyces lividans. The latter, like native is secreted as a double band of 45/47 kDa, however, only its 47 kDa band is mannosylated. Both antigens and BCG were intranasal administrated in mice, and animals were then challenged by aerosol with M. tuberculosis H37Rv. The results showed that both, Apa from S. lividans and E. coli conferred statistically significantly protection to animals compared to controls. The cytokine immune response was studied by an immunoassay after animals’ immunization, revealing that Apa from S. lividans induced a statistically significant proliferation of T cell, as well as the expression of IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-17 and IL-10. In contrast, non-proliferation was obtained with non-mannosylated protein, but induction of IL-12 and IL-17 was observed. Together, these results demonstrate that both proteins were able to modulate a specific immune response against M. tuberculosis, that could be driven by different mechanisms possibly associated with the presence or not of mannosylation. Furthermore, stimulation of cells from BCG-vaccinated animals with the proteins could be an important tool, to help define the use of a given subunit-vaccine after BCG vaccination.
Unraveling the role of microRNAs: potential biomarkers for gestational diabetes mellitus revealed through RNA sequencing analysis
Authors: Lin Huizhen , Chen Xiao , Wang Lisui , Zhu Tang , Feng Xiaohui , Liu Xiaomei , Chen Haiying , Pan Si 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Background
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses significant health risks for both mothers and children, contributing to long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This study explores the potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers for GDM by analyzing peripheral blood samples from GDM patients.

Method
Ten samples, including peripheral blood from 5 GDM patients and 5 controls, were collected to perform the RNA sequencing analysis. Differentially expressed miRNAs were further validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results
A total of 2287 miRNAs were identified, 229 of which showed differential expression. Validation by qRT-PCR confirmed significant up-regulation of miR-5193, miR-5003-3p, miR-3127-5p, novel-miR-96, miR-6734-5p, and miR-122-5p, while miR-10395-3p was down-regulated. Bioinformatics analyses revealed the involvement of these miRNAs in pathways associated with herpes simplex virus 1 infection.

Conclusion
This study provides insights into the differential expression of miRNAs in GDM patients and their potential roles in disease pathogenesis. It suggests that the differentially expressed miRNAs could serve as potential biomarkers for GDM, shedding light on the complex molecular mechanisms involved.
Approximating Long Cycle Above Dirac’s Guarantee
Authors: Fomin Fedor V. , Golovach Petr A. , Sagunov Danil , Simonov Kirill 
Published: May 2024

AbstractParameterization above (or below) a guarantee is a successful concept in parameterized algorithms. The idea is that many computational problems admit “natural” guarantees bringing to algorithmic questions whether a better solution (above the guarantee) could be obtained efficiently. For example, for every boolean CNF formula on m clauses, there is an assignment that satisfies at least m/2 clauses. How difficult is it to decide whether there is an assignment satisfying more than $$m/2 +k$$

m
/
2
+
k

clauses? Or, if an n-vertex graph has a perfect matching, then its vertex cover is at least n/2. Is there a vertex cover of size at least $$n/2 +k$$

n
/
2
+
k

for some $$k\ge 1$$

k
≥
1

and how difficult is it to find such a vertex cover? The above guarantee paradigm has led to several exciting discoveries in the areas of parameterized algorithms and kernelization. We argue that this paradigm could bring forth fresh perspectives on well-studied problems in approximation algorithms. Our example is the longest cycle problem. One of the oldest results in extremal combinatorics is the celebrated Dirac’s theorem from 1952. Dirac’s theorem provides the following guarantee on the length of the longest cycle: for every 2-connected n-vertex graph G with minimum degree $$\delta (G)\le n/2$$

δ
(
G
)
≤
n
/
2

, the length of a longest cycle L is at least $$2\delta (G)$$

2
δ
(
G
)

. Thus the “essential” part in finding the longest cycle is in approximating the “offset” $$k = L - 2 \delta (G)$$

k
=
L
-
2
δ
(
G
)

. The main result of this paper is the above-guarantee approximation theorem for k. Informally, the theorem says that approximating the offset k is not harder than approximating the total length L of a cycle. In other words, for any (reasonably well-behaved) function f, a polynomial time algorithm constructing a cycle of length f(L) in an undirected graph with a cycle of length L, yields a polynomial time algorithm constructing a cycle of length $$2\delta (G)+\Omega (f(k))$$

2
δ
(
G
)
+
Ω
(
f
(
k
)
)

.
Capturing anatomy in computed tomography scans for genital pathology
Authors: Chen Anna , Siapno Allen , Kim Tae-Hee , Kanner Christopher , Posid Tasha , Goodstein Taylor 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Purpose
In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to characterize how frequently the anatomy of interest (AOI) was excluded when evaluating genital pathology using the current CT pelvis protocol recommended by the American College of Radiology and evaluate how AOI exclusion affects patient management.

Methods
We retrospectively reviewed medical records, using diagnosis and CPT codes, of patients admitted with genital pathology who obtained a CT scan at our institution from July 1, 2020–April 30, 2023. Baseline patient demographics were included. Data about each index CT scan (scan obtained at our institution) were recorded and assessed for exclusion of the AOI. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the rate of AOI exclusion and to compare patient management between patients with AOI excluded versus those without AOI exclusion.

Results
113 presentations for genital pathology included an index CT scan and were included for analysis. Patients were primarily men (98%) with a mean age of 53.1 years (SD 13.9). The most common diagnoses were Fournier’s gangrene (35%), scrotal abscess (22%) and unspecified infection (19%). 26/113 scans (23%) did not capture the entire AOI. When the AOI was missed during the index scan, there was a higher rate of obtaining additional scans (38% vs. 21%), but a similar rate of intervention (77% vs. 63%) when compared to index scans that captured the entire AOI. 35 scans (31%) had protocol-extending instructions; index scans that captured the entire AOI were more likely to have specific protocol-extending instructions (38% vs. 8% p < 0.01).

Conclusions
Creating a specific CT protocol for genital pathology could decrease the amount of inappropriate irradiation and improve AOI capture rates without relying on specific request for protocol deviation.
Birational Maps to Grassmannians, Representations and Poset Polytopes
Authors: Feigin Evgeny 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
We study the closure of the graph of the birational map from a projective space to a Grassmannian. We provide explicit description of the graph closure and compute the fibers of the natural projection to the Grassmannian. We construct embeddings of the graph closure to the projectivizations of certain cyclic representations of a degenerate special linear Lie algebra and study algebraic and combinatorial properties of these representations. In particular, we describe monomial bases, generalizing the FFLV bases. The proof relies on combinatorial properties of a new family of poset polytopes, which are of independent interest. As a consequence we obtain flat toric degenerations of the graph closure studied by Borovik, Sturmfels and Sverrisdóttir.
Flashbacks of the bad old days? The bureaucratization of Czech universities in the post-communist era
Authors: Kozak Jan , Klement Josef 
Published: May 2024

AbstractNumerous countries are reportedly witnessing the bureaucratization of universities, manifesting inter alia in a gradual increase in the administrative burden that overshadows the core missions of universities. Regrettably, there is a notable gap in research specifically focused on bureaucratization of higher education institutions in post-communist countries, where state bureaucratic control over economies, societies, and academic institutions prevailed before 1990. This article seeks to address this gap by examining the perception of the administrative burden among a representative sample of 1117 Czech academic workers, utilizing a diverse range of methods, including an experimental component. The majority of academics are experiencing an escalation in administrative demands that curtails the time and effort they can allocate to research and teaching. While they do see potential in digitalization and modern technology, they view the existing university bureaucracy as inefficient, ever-increasing, and excessively regulated, particularly in relation to grants and subsidy programs. Notably, for many seasoned academics who have lived through communism, modern university bureaucracy is a reminder of the “bad old days.”