bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climate change, ESG criteria and recent regulation: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Oliver Yébenes Mónica 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe application of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria has now become a more than essential requirement in the financial world. Therefore, it is necessary to understand, select and assess the risks of these ESG criteria and evaluate how they can impact a product or investment decision. Thus, the main objective of this article is to analyze ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) indicators and their potential impacts in the framework of non-financial information. Current regulatory developments, such as the European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), are pushing to make ESG indicators (within this triple perspective: social, environmental and governance risks) a key set of information to be used for reporters and users of information. This article will study in further detail the main implications these regulations will have in how corporations will reflect social and ecological footprint information in their external reporting. Since these ESG indicators could have relevant financial impacts on the financial drivers of a corporation, stakeholders will be concerned on how enterprises are dealing with these ESG risks. Therefore, this ESG data will increase transparency and would mean a better understanding on how companies and investors have a sustainability compromise to evolve to a neutral carbon economy. In order to understand a company’s commitment with these ESG criteria, stakeholders would have to assess different aspects of the information reported. In this sense, this article will focus on how credit rating agencies incorporate these risks in their assessments. Credit rating agencies are becoming important actors in the sustainability criteria, as they incorporate ESG risks in their assessments, transmitting the importance of these indicators to investors and to markets. This study will look into the different time horizons between financial profitability and sustainability indicators. Current tendency and huge demand of non-financial indicators do not have the same profoundness, framework and tradition as financial indicators. This could lead to a situation in which it would be necessary a period to adapt both worlds and make them join and connect together in a sense in which one need the other one.
Experimentation on triple-blended concrete with manufactured sand replaced by granulated blast furnace slag for fine aggregates
Authors: Impa K. A. , Sachin K. C. , Abhishek R. , Bekkeri Gopal Bharamappa , Shetty Kiran K. , Shashikumara S. R. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractConcrete has become a versatile material by adapting itself to user needs, from pavers to skyscrapers. Escalated demand for concrete is the prime reason for the exploitation of resources and increased carbon emissions. This research focuses on reducing the environmental impact of cement manufacturing by partly replacing cement with 40% ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) and 20% fly ash (FA). Waste management is also uplifted by fractional replacement of manufactured sand (M-sand) with granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) at various intervals. Results of mechanical properties prove that this triple-blend M25 concrete with 60% GBFS and 40% M-sand as a fine aggregate would exhibit optimum mechanical properties and a maximum density of 2.58 g/cc. Tests on durability properties assure that, at the same replacement level, the percentage of weight loss due to acid attack was the lowest, with a value of 1.9, and the percentage of weight gain due to sulfate attack was as low as 0.12. The end product obtained with 40% M-sand and 60% GBFS as fine aggregates will be cost-effective and eco-friendly, making triple-blended concrete dense, durable, and sustainable and promoting waste management.
An exploratory analysis of COVID bot vs human disinformation dissemination stemming from the Disinformation Dozen on Telegram
Authors: Ng Lynnette Hui Xian , Kloo Ian , Clark Samantha , Carley Kathleen M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic of 2021 led to a worldwide health crisis that was accompanied by an infodemic. A group of 12 social media personalities, dubbed the “Disinformation Dozen”, were identified as key in spreading disinformation regarding the COVID-19 virus, treatments, and vaccines. This study focuses on the spread of disinformation propagated by this group on Telegram, a mobile messaging and social media platform. After segregating users into three groups—the Disinformation Dozen, bots, and humans, we perform an investigation with a dataset of Telegram messages from January to June 2023, comparatively analyzing temporal, topical, and network features. We observe that the Disinformation Dozen are highly involved in the initial dissemination of disinformation but are not the main drivers of the propagation of disinformation. Bot users are extremely active in conversation threads, while human users are active propagators of information, disseminating posts between Telegram channels through the forwarding mechanism.
Study of a wall-climbing robot based on chain feet with negative pressure adhesion
Authors: Qian Zhen , Xia Hanbiao 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn this paper, a wall-climbing robot based on chain feet with negative pressure adhesion is designed. The robot uses chain feet with negative pressure adhesion as the motion units and has the characteristics of adhesion and barrier crossing. Analyzing the power consumption is an important aspect of robot design. The influences of robot design parameters on mechanical characteristics are analyzed with the kinetic method. The robot power model is constructed by combining the energy model of the drive motor and the power model of the transmission system. The relationship between the key parameters and robot power consumption is established by discussing the effects of the robot load, motor angular velocity, and other related design parameters on the robot power consumption. Simulations and experiments show that the established robot power model can be used as a theoretical basis for the optimal design of robots and provides a reference for establishing an optimal model for the motion control of robots.
Frame Selection Using Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Key Features as Input Pre-processing for Video Super-Resolution Models
Authors: Agrahari Baniya Arbind , Lee Tsz-Kwan , Eklund Peter , Aryal Sunil 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper presents a novel approach to video super-resolution (VSR) by focusing on the selection of input frames, a process critical to VSR. VSR methods typically rely on deep learning techniques, those that are able to learn features from a large dataset of low-resolution (LR) and corresponding high-resolution (HR) videos and generate high-quality HR frames from any new LR input frames using the learned features. However, these methods often use as input the immediate neighbouring frames to a given target frame without considering the importance and dynamics of the frames across the temporal dimension of a video. This work aims to address the limitations of the conventional sliding-window mechanisms by developing input frame selection algorithms. By dynamically selecting the most representative neighbouring frames based on content-aware selection measures, our proposed algorithms enable VSR models to extract more informative and accurate features that are better aligned with the target frame, leading to improved performance and higher-quality HR frames. Through an empirical study, we demonstrate that the proposed dynamic content-aware selection mechanism improves super-resolution results without any additional architectural overhead, offering a counter-intuitive yet effective alternative to the long-established trend of increasing architectural complexity to improve VSR results.
Scenario-based tsunami hazard assessment for Northeastern Adriatic coasts
Authors: Peresan Antonella , Hassan Hany M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSignificant tsunamis in the Northern Adriatic are rare, and only a few historical events have been reported in the literature, with sources mostly located along central and southern parts of the Adriatic coasts. Recently, a tsunami alert system has been established for the whole Mediterranean area; however, a detailed description of the potential impact of tsunami waves on coastal areas is still missing for several sites. This study aims to model the hazard associated with possible tsunamis generated by offshore earthquakes, with the purpose of contributing to tsunami risk assessment for selected urban areas along the Northeastern Adriatic coasts. Tsunami modelling is performed by the NAMI DANCE software, which allows accounting for seismic source properties, variable bathymetry, and nonlinear effects in wave propagation. Hazard scenarios at the shoreline are developed for the coastal areas of Northeastern Italy and at selected cities (namely, Trieste, Monfalcone, Lignano and Grado). An extensive set of potential tsunamigenic sources of tectonic origin located in three distance ranges (namely at Adriatic-wide, regional and local scales) are considered for the modelling. Sources are defined according to available literature, which includes catalogues of historical tsunamis and existing active faults databases. Accordingly, a set of tsunami-related parameters and maps are obtained (e.g. maximum run-up, arrival times, synthetic mareograms) that are relevant to planning mitigation actions at the selected sites.
Identification of root cause of fatal confined space incidents in Malaysia and strategies for prevention
Authors: Arifin Kadir , Ahmad Mohd Akhir , Abas Azlan , Juhari Mohammad Lui , Ali Mohamad Xazaquan Mansor , Mohd Fadzil Lokman 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
The high number of confined space incidents in Malaysia suggests that working in a confined space exposes workers to a substantial risk of serious injury or fatality. The rapid development of industry and technology has increased the need to work in confined spaces and significantly impacted the risk management of confined spaces. Utilizing past incident data through investigation will help develop risk management and preventive measures related to confined spaces. As a result, this paper will conduct a fatal incident investigation associated with confined spaces from 2010 to 2020 in Malaysia.

Methodology
The incident investigation uses the improved systematic casual analysis technique (SCAT) to identify the immediate cause and the direct cause. From the identified fatal incidents immediate causes, the study will highlight the main hazard that causes fatal incidents in confined spaces. The preventive measure is developed based on the main hazard of confined spaces that cause fatalities.

Result
The result of the study has identified that physical and atmospheric hazards are the main factors that cause fatal incidents associated with confined spaces in Malaysia. Moreover, from the SCAT checklist, the study has revealed that failing to use PPE properly and hazardous environmental conditions are the main immediate cause of fatal incidents in confined spaces.

Conclusion
Effective risk management of confined spaces, with a particular focus on addressing atmospheric and physical hazards, is crucial for preventing accidents, especially those incidents resulting in fatalities. Future studies should expand their focus to include injuries and near-miss events in confined spaces, aiming to develop more effective and inclusive safety measures by analyzing a broader range of incidents.
Variation of biomass carbon stock within agroforestry systems in the Senegalese groundnut basin
Authors: Sambou Mariama , Koné Brahima , Sambou Simon , Niang Fatimata , Sane Seyni , Diatta Malainy , Sambou Hyacinthe , Goudiaby Assane , Mbow Cheikh , Sambou Bienvenu 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAgroforestry plays a pivotal role in mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. While carbon sequestration efforts have primarily centred on forests, it is imperative to acknowledge the contribution that non-forest ecosystems, such as agroforestry, can offer. This study investigated the influence of agroforestry systems on the variation of biomass carbon stocks in the Sahelo-Sudanian and Sudanian regions of the Senegalese Groundnut basin. Three primary agroforestry systems were studied: silvopastoral, agrisilvicultural, and agrosilvopastoral. Forty-six (46) 100 m × 100 m plots were sampled, within which 1 × 1 m2 subplots were used to sample understory biomass across three agroforestry systems in the two climatic zones. Analysis of variance was performed to assess the influence of agroforestry systems and climatic zones on biomass carbon stocks. The findings showed that in the Sahelo-Sudanian region, the agrisilvicultural system exhibited the highest AGC + BGC stocks, averaging 43.42 ± 21.61 tCha−1. In contrast, the silvopastoral system showed significantly higher AGC + BGC stocks, which amounted to 36.33 ± 12.27 tCha−1 in the Sudanian region. On the other hand, understory carbon stocks were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the agrisilvicultural and agrosilvopastoral systems than in the silvopastoral system in both climatic zones. Agroforestry systems had a significant effect on AGC + BGC stocks within climatic zones. Nevertheless, the effect was less pronounced when comparing across climatic regions. These results underscore the importance of specific land management practices interacting with local climatic conditions to influence AGC + BGC stocks. Therefore, policy makers should carefully consider the interaction of these factors when implementing carbon management practices and planning mitigation strategies in West Africa.
Opportunities and challenges for the use of deep brain stimulation in the treatment of refractory major depression
Authors: Unadkat Prashin , Quevedo Joao , Soares Jair , Fenoy Albert 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMajor Depressive Disorder continues to remain one of the most prevalent psychiatric diseases globally. Despite multiple trials of conventional therapies, a subset of patients fail to have adequate benefit to treatment. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising treatment in this difficult to treat population and has shown strong antidepressant effects across multiple cohorts. Nearly two decades of work have provided insights into the potential for chronic focal stimulation in precise brain targets to modulate pathological brain circuits that are implicated in the pathogenesis of depression. In this paper we review the rationale that prompted the selection of various brain targets for DBS, their subsequent clinical outcomes and common adverse events reported. We additionally discuss some of the pitfalls and challenges that have prevented more widespread adoption of this technology as well as future directions that have shown promise in improving therapeutic efficacy of DBS in the treatment of depression.
Differences in the incidence of nosocomial-onset COVID-19 among hospitalized patients with exposure to SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Nakagawa Masataka , Fujishiro Yumiko , Doi Yohei , Yamakami Junichi , Honda Hitoshi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe evaluated the secondary COVID-19 incidence among uninfected hospitalized patients after nosocomial COVID-19 exposure. An exposure source of SARS-CoV-2 was hospitalized patients or healthcare personnel (HCP) newly diagnosed as having COVID-19. Patients exposed to a COVID-19-infected patient in a shared room more frequently developed COVID-19 than those exposed to an infected HCP.
Canonical decompositions and algorithmic recognition of spatial graphs
Authors: Friedl Stefan , Munser Lars , Quintanilha José Pedro , Santos Rego Yuri 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe prove that there exists an algorithm for determining whether two piecewise-linear spatial graphs are isomorphic. In its most general form, our theorem applies to spatial graphs furnished with vertex colourings, edge colourings and/or edge orientations.We first show that spatial graphs admit canonical decompositions into blocks, that is, spatial graphs that are non-split and have no cut vertices, in a suitable topological sense. Then, we apply a result of Haken and Matveev in order to algorithmically distinguish these blocks.
On the moduli of hypersurfaces in toric orbifolds
Authors: Bunnett Dominic 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe construct and study the moduli of stable hypersurfaces in toric orbifolds. Let X be a projective toric orbifold and $\alpha \in \operatorname{Cl}(X)$ an ample class. The moduli space is constructed as a quotient of the linear system $|\alpha|$ by $G = \operatorname{Aut}(X)$. Since the group G is non-reductive in general, we use new techniques of non-reductive geometric invariant theory. Using the A-discriminant of Gelfand, Kapranov and Zelevinsky, we prove semistability for quasismooth hypersurfaces of toric orbifolds. Further, we prove the existence of a quasi-projective moduli space of quasismooth hypersurfaces in a weighted projective space when the weighted projective space satisfies a certain condition. We also discuss how to proceed when this condition is not satisfied. We prove that the automorphism group of a quasismooth hypersurface of weighted projective space is finite excluding some low degrees.
Orders and Disorders of Marriage, Church, and Empire in Mid-Nineteenth-Century Ottoman Armenia
Authors: Derderian Dzovinar 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe Ottoman state and the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople during the mid-19th-century Tanzimat reform era relied on ethno-confessional and gendered differences, new administrative organization, and coercive institutions like the police to centralize and expand their power. Yet Armenian men and women used those same tools of power to seek justice in ways that created instances of disorder for their families, local community, the church, and the Ottoman state. Attending to the voices and experiences of Armenians through untapped petitions from Erzurum, Mush, and Van, this article highlights the ways in which provincial Armenians interacted with and navigated their diverse ethno-confessional milieus.
Feeling Responsible: On Regret for Others’ Harms
Authors: Ferguson Magnus 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper investigates the moral emotion of being socially, but non-agentially connected to a harm. I propose understanding the emotion of an affiliated onlooker as a species of regret called ‘social-regret’. Breaking from existing guilt- and shame-based accounts, I argue that social-regret can be a fitting, expressive, and revelatory reactive attitude that opens the way for deliberation over accountability for others’ harms. When we feel social-regret, our attention is directed towards the moral salience of our social relations and the expectations that undergird them, as well as possibilities for ameliorative action. I consider several existing accounts of affiliated onlookers’ emotions (including embarrassment, guilt, and shame), and I highlight the advantages of supplementing these with a regret-based account. Social-regret provides a novel way to understand negative, self-directed emotions in response to others’ harms as rational, expressive, and potentially reason-giving experiences.
A longitudinal investigation of caregiving and adolescent post-traumatic stress symptoms during COVID-19: evidence for high resting RSA as a susceptibility factor
Authors: Linde-Krieger Linnea B. , Rudd Kristen L. , Aringer Alexandra S. , Yates Tuppett M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundPost-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) were the most frequently reported mental health concern for youth during COVID-19, yet variations in youth's PTSS responses warrant empirical consideration. Features of the caregiving environment influence youth's responses to environmental stressors, and youth's parasympathetic nervous system regulation may qualify the magnitude and/or direction of these effects. This prospective investigation evaluated diathesis stress and differential susceptibility models of caregiving and parasympathetic influences on youth's PTSS responses to COVID-19.MethodParticipants were 225 caregiver-youth dyads (youth 49.8% female at birth; 88.4% non-white) followed from childhood through adolescence and COVID-19. Youth's resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA; Mage = 6.11, s.d. = 0.21), caregiving features (i.e. attachment security [youth Mage = 12.24, s.d. = 0.35] and caregiver internalizing psychopathology [caregiver Mage = 39.29, s.d. = 6.78]) were assessed pre-pandemic. Youth's PTSS was assessed one year prior to the US COVID-19 pandemic (Mage = 14.24, s.d. = 0.50) and during the spring of 2020 at the height of the pandemic (Mage = 15.23, s.d. = 0.57).ResultsYouth's PTSS increased during COVID-19. Youth with relatively high resting RSA evidenced the lowest PTSS when their caregiving environment featured high attachment security or low caregiver internalizing problems, but the highest PTSS when their caregiving environment featured low attachment security or high caregiver internalizing problems. In contrast, PTSS levels of youth with relatively low or average resting RSA did not differ significantly depending on attachment security or caregiver internalizing.ConclusionsResults are consistent with a differential susceptibility hypothesis, wherein relatively high resting RSA conferred heightened sensitivity to caregiving environments in a for-better-and-for-worse manner during COVID-19.
From Labor Sit-Downs to Civil Rights Sit-Ins: A Genealogy of Liberal Civil Disobedience
Authors: Scheuerman William E. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractLiberal views of civil disobedience that emerged in the 1960s and ’70s can only be properly interpreted with recourse to the complicated history of the early civil rights movement's selective appropriation of the labor sit-downs of the 1930s. This essay addresses the messy but basically successful effort by civil rights sit-inners and the lawyers who defended them to circumvent the repressive state and legal response—especially the US Supreme Court ruling in National Labor Relations Board v. Fansteel Metallurgical Corporation (1939)—that the 1930s sit-downers garnered. My reexamination of the sit-ins places influential liberal ideas about civil disobedience in a fresh light. In his influential theory of civil disobedience, John Rawls mirrored key features of the politically and legally savvy strategy of delinking the lunch counter sit-ins from the workplace sit-downs. The result was a somewhat restrictive view of civil disobedience that sidelined matters of economic justice.
Thomas Aquinas's Political Science: Philosophy or Theology?
Authors: Waldorf Steven 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis article examines whether Aquinas's political science is philosophy or theology, a question that arises from his understanding of happiness. If the supernatural vision of God constitutes perfect beatitude or the ultimate end, then how can an account of imperfect happiness—political virtue—be given without reference to it and hence without appeal to revealed theology? I argue that Aquinas provides a strictly philosophical account of imperfect happiness by showing that, among temporal goods, virtue most fully instantiates general attributes of beatitude such as self-sufficiency and continuity, even though it does not perfectly instantiate them. This way of demonstrating the superiority of virtue to other temporal goods requires no appeal to supernatural beatitude, and thus political science, which takes this imperfect happiness as its first principle, is philosophy.