bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Virtual Wild: Exploring the Intersection of Virtual Reality and Natural Environments
Authors: Grassini Simone , Ratcliffe Eleanor 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis chapter considers the potential of virtual reality (VR) technology in fostering mental well-being and raising environmental consciousness. As urbanisation leads to a decline in green spaces, VR emerges as a solution by simulating natural environments, providing an innovative approach to health and well-being. The chapter investigates the capacity of VR to evoke emotional responses thus potentially promoting prosocial behaviour and effective environmental communication. It also examines how VR can help frame environmental messages and the need for more empirical research to understand the effects of message framing on pro-environmental behaviour. Furthermore, the chapter considers the psychological benefits of VR nature experiences and the rise of virtual reality tourism as a sustainable alternative to traditional tourism, which often contributes to environmental degradation due to associated economic activities. Despite facing challenges and limitations such as lack of standardisation and varying user acceptance, VR technology holds promise in the fields of environmental education and nature-based health promotion, meriting further exploration and research.
What Does the Global Biodiversity Framework Mean for Protected and Conserved Areas?
Authors: Dudley Nigel 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), agreed by signatory states of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in December 2022, is the latest and most ambitious plan to date to halt and reverse global biodiversity loss. Target 3 aims to conserve at least 30% of land, inland water and marine ecosystems in protected and conserved areas by 2030 (the 30 × 30 target). This target contains many elements and this chapter discusses the most important ways in which the GBF will influence conservation. Nine issues are identified: (1) the level of ambition inherent in the 30% target itself; (2) inclusion of inland waters in the wording, reflecting particularly severe threats to freshwater biodiversity; (3) increased ambition for protection of coastal and marine areas, including the high seas; (4) emphasis on a new conservation mechanism, ‘other effective area-based conservation measures’ (OECMs); (5) Inclusion of indigenous and traditional territories as a third category within 30 × 30; (6) the importance of effectiveness; (7) coupled with equitable management; (8) integration of protected areas and OECMs into wider landscapes and seascapes; and (9) additional emphasis on the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. The politics behind the decisions taken at the CBD meeting are analysed.
Managing a UNESCO World Heritage Site in a Post-colonial, Post-conflict and Post-disaster Destination. The Case of the Haitian National History Park
Authors: Belfort Jocelyn , Séraphin Hugues , Lubrun Godson 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe Haitian National History Park, which comprises the historical sites of the Citadel, Sans-Souci and Ramiers, is Haiti’s sole UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site aims to contribute to fostering a sense of community among all Haitians. Equally importantly, it seeks to instil a sense of national pride despite the negative image of Haiti conveyed by the popular media. All the attempts to turn the Park into a tourist destination have failed however, despite the site’s huge potential. On top of the political, economic and social issues faced by modern Haiti, the lack of leadership on developing tourism strategies also impacts negatively on the promotion of the site. This chapter considers the main difficulties of managing a Caribbean UNESCO site within a post-colonial, post-conflict and post-disaster context. Key issues that are faced include: lack of professionalism of tourism actors, lack of leadership and absence of vision, lack of knowledge of visitor needs and requirements, as well as the problematic external image of Haiti as a tourism destination. Although the focus of the paper is on a cultural heritage site, we raise wider issues here that have relevance to other debates around how heritage in an environment such as Haiti’s might be managed.
(Re)Connecting with Nature: Exploring Nature-Based Interventions for Psychological Health and Wellbeing
Authors: Gray Debra , Hewlett Denise , Hammon Julie , Aburrow Stephanie 
Published: December 2023

AbstractGiven the ever-expanding body of evidence that nature is good for our psychological wellbeing, many have argued that nature-based interventions have the capacity to provide effective, equitable and cost-effective ways of promoting mental health and wellbeing across all ages. Recent decades have seen a significant expansion in this field, from interventions which are focused on ‘bringing nature to people’ by greening local environments, to those that are focused on ‘bringing people to nature’ by encouraging adults and children to participate in nature-based activities. In this chapter, we review the diversity of this field, and evaluate the current evidence base (and its gaps) for how, when and for whom such interventions are effective. Recommendations for future research programmes in this area are provided.
Regulating AI: Challenges and the Way Forward Through Regulatory Sandboxes
Authors: Yordanova Katerina , Bertels Natalie 
Published: December 2023

AbstractFinancial industry was the first filed where it became clear that we needed a new type of regulation, an evolutionary and anticipatory approach that can at least stand chance to mitigate the new risks posed by disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). This approach took the shape of various tools, none of which has showed more prominence than the regulatory sandboxes. This rather young approach to regulation spread across various sectors and jurisdictions from FinTech to privacy and healthcare.The European Commission recognised the potential of the regulatory sandboxes as an increasing compliance mechanism but also as a way to facilitate innovation and thus included them as part of the draft regulation on artificial intelligence (the AI Act). In this article we analyse the potential of the regulatory sandboxes for regulating AI in the format envisioned in Article 53 and 54 from the draft AI Act and the challenges this approach could face based on the experience from earlier regulatory sandboxes involving AI products or services. We also aim to suggest some tailor-made solutions that would mitigate potential disadvantages of the regulatory sandboxes for AI, including how to balance the emerging ‘Innovation Principle’ and the protection of human rights.
The Dilemma of Good Governance Versus Power Grab in Georgia
Authors: Dzebisashvili Shalva 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis chapter deals with the problem of informal governance and the diffusion of “bad governance” practices in the context of regime transition and the change of political elites in Georgia. The general assumption is that the democratization process aims to solidify democratic gains and stabilize institutional performance regarding transparency and accountability (good governance). The reality in the post-Soviet region, however, often renders the opposite results, in which the new ruling political elite is content with the current lack of democratic practices, continues to take advantage of informal rule and reform masking, and does little to prevent the complete monopolization of power (state capture). Using the example of power transition in Georgia, where in 2012, the National Movement party led by President Saakashvili was defeated in parliamentary elections and had to hand over the power to the opposition conglomerate Georgian Dream, we take a closer look at the failed attempt to establish a tradition of democratic transition that, instead of cementing the mechanisms of good governance, resulted in societal polarization, the politicization of institutions and robust instances of state capture.
Introduction to the Special Section
Authors: Mihr A. , Pierobon C. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn July 2023, the OSCE Parliamentarian Assembly adopted the Vancouver Declaration during its 30th Session, condemning Russia’s aggression and war crimes in Ukraine and calling for an end to the nuclear threat escalation fuelled by Russia’s invasion of and so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine on the 24th of February 2022. Russian parliamentarians did not participate in the Assembly (OSCE 2023). Ever since, this invasion has been declared a violation of international law by the OSCE, UN, and EU, and a “war of aggression against Ukraine” by the ICC. This Special Section is dedicated to the events unfolding since February of 2022 and the responses by different states, organizations, and actors toward these. The following chapters illustrate and represent different views and perspectives on the war, crisis and conflict in Ukraine from across the OSCE region.
Italian Governments and Political Parties Vis-a-Vis the War in Ukraine
Authors: Bruno Valerio Alfonso , Fazio Federica 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis chapter presents the positioning of the Italian governments and political parties vis-à-vis Russia’s war in Ukraine. We first look at former Italian prime minister Mario Draghi’s government from 13 February 2021–22 October 2022, and secondly at his successor, Prime minister Giorgia Meloni’s government from 22 October 2022–present. Furthermore, we assess Italy’s main political parties and their narratives concerning the conflict in Ukraine. In this chapter, we argue that the transition from the Draghi to the Meloni administration is not showing any significant changes in policies or positions vis-à-vis the war in Ukraine. However, military aid to Ukraine, alongside potential increases in the Italian defense budget, caused tensions among Draghi’s coalition partners, notably the Five-Star Movement, eventually triggering the collapse of his national unity government. The ambiguous and inconsistent positioning of Meloni’s coalition partners, Forza Italia and the League, risks triggering a similar crisis within the right-wing bloc that won the election.
Assessing Water (Ir)Rationality in Nagorno-Karabakh
Authors: Zanatta Leonardo , Alvi Marco 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe deterioration and scarcity of water resources have increasingly been at the heart of debates on regional security, with disputes over management and ownership of waterways leading both upstream and downstream countries to the brink of conflict. Such danger has emphasized the need for transboundary cooperation to ensure water security and regional governance. The present chapter focuses on a region where military security, economic viability, and national sentiment have overshadowed transboundary water management issues: Nagorno-Karabakh. As home to the headwaters of rivers, dams, and hydropower plants alike, the lands in and around Nagorno-Karabakh have played a vital role in providing water to an area that has been particularly afflicted by water scarcity. In the last three decades, this case has assumed significant importance in the literature on water conflicts because of the status of Nagorno-Karabakh as an upstream non-internationally recognized state whose control has been disputed by Armenia and Azerbaijan since the collapse of the Soviet Union. On 9 November 2020, the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a Russia-brokered agreement to end the military operations in Karabakh after 44 days of war. As evidenced by the reciprocal accusations of eco-terrorism and environmental sabotage, mutual distrust and deep politicization prevent the two sides from achieving successful transboundary management, which fosters instability in the region. The present chapter will assess and compare the main theories on water governance, exploring possible diplomatic outcomes between Armenia and Azerbaijan in convergence with the other regional states—Georgia, Russia, Turkey, and Iran—to foster successful cooperation over shared water resources.
Human Rights Adjudication in Central Asia
Authors: Toktogazieva Saniia 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn this chapter, I will explore human rights adjudication in three Central Asian countries, namely, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan, in the context of external power dynamics. The chapter will show that external factors are shaping the internal political dynamics and fundamental rights adjudication in Central Asia. The cases discussed in this chapter will reveal a common trend across Central Asia involving a shift from monism toward dualism in constitutional texts and in the interpretations of Constitutional Courts (CCs) on the relationship between domestic law and international human rights law. Furthermore, the chapter will demonstrate that Central Asian CCs tend to adopt a pluralistic approach to interpreting the relationship between domestic law and laws regulating Russian-led regional organizations, such as the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
Real-time spin systems from lattice field theory
Authors: Warrington Neill C. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
We construct a lattice field theory method for computing the real-time dynamics of spin systems in a thermal bath. This is done by building on previous work of Takano with Schwinger-Keldysh and functional differentiation techniques. We derive a Schwinger-Keldysh path integral for generic spin Hamiltonians, then demonstrate the method on a simple system. Our path integral has a sign problem, which generally requires exponential run time in the system size, but requires only linear storage. The latter may place this method at an advantage over exact diagonalization, which is exponential in both. Our path integral is amenable to contour deformations, a technique for reducing sign problems.
More on the tensionless limit of pure-Ramond-Ramond AdS3/CFT2
Authors: Brollo Alberto , le Plat Dennis , Sfondrini Alessandro , Suzuki Ryo 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
In a recent letter we presented the equations which describe tensionless limit of the excited-state spectrum for strings on AdS3 × S3 × T4 supported by Ramond-Ramond flux, and their numerical solution. In this paper, we give a detailed account of the derivation of these equations from the mirror TBA equations proposed by Frolov and Sfondrini, discussing the contour-deformation trick which we used to obtain excited-state equations and the tensionless limit. We also comment at length on the algorithm for the numerical solution of the equations in the tensionless limit, and present a number of explicit numerical results, as well as comment on their interpretation.
Variability in the duration and timing of the estuarine to freshwater transition of critically endangered European eel Anguilla anguilla
Authors: Boardman Rose M. , Pinder Adrian C. , Piper Adam T. , Roberts Catherine Gutmann , Wright Rosalind M. , Britton J. Robert 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) is a critically endangered catadromous fish. Their inshore and in-river arrival as glass eel and elvers is an important stage of their life cycle, marking the transition from marine to freshwater habitats. Considerable knowledge gaps remain on the temporal and spatial patterns of this transition period to freshwater residency. Stable isotope (SI) analysis (δ13C, δ15N) was used to assess the timing and duration of the marine to freshwater transition among glass eels and elvers migrating upstream of the weirs at, or just upstream of, the tidal limit of four English rivers. (Parrett, Frome, Piddle, Chelmer). Variability in SI was low in the Parrett and Frome, resulting in narrow isotopic niches, but was high in the Piddle and Chelmer, resulting in wider niches. The Parrett and Frome data were then used to train a discriminant function analysis (DFA) model to classify eels as ‘marine’, ‘freshwater-established’ and ‘transitioning’. When applied to the Piddle and Chelmer eel SI data, only a small proportion of eels were classified as marine and transitioning, with most being freshwater established. These results suggest that most eels present in the lower reaches rivers have been present for sufficient time for their SI values to represent feeding on local prey resources, with relatively few eels being newly arrived from the marine environment. The transition of eels from marine to freshwater in this species can therefore be prolonged, with many ascending rivers at least one winter after their initial arrival.
Development of a 3D-printed neonatal congenital diaphragmatic hernia model and standardisation of intra-operative measurement
Authors:   Paediatric Surgical Trainees Research Network (PSTRN), Bethell George S. , Eastwood Mary Patrice , Neville Jonathan J. , Harwood Rachel , Ali Sajeed , Ooi Setthasorn Zhi Yang , Brown Joshua , Tullie Lucinda , Hotonu Sesi , Bradnock Timothy J. , Hall Nigel J. ,   SurgeryLabs PSTRN, Chacon Sofia , Osgouei Reza Haghighi , Neville Jonathan J. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is frequently used for surgical simulation and training, however, no widely available model exists for neonatal congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The aim of this study was to develop a 3D-printed model of CDH and test interobserver variability in the simulated model for obtaining measurements of the diaphragmatic defect and ipsilateral diaphragm.

Methods
A term fetal MRI (3.5 kg) of thorax, diaphragm and defect (15 mm × 5 mm) were delineated and segmented after parental consent to produce 3D-printed models. Consultant and trainee paediatric surgeons were invited to measure the posterior-lateral diaphragmatic defect and ipsilateral diaphragm. Mean measurement error was calculated (millimetres). Data are presented as median (range) and number/total (%).

Results
An abdominal and thoracoscopic model were produced and tested by 52 participants (20 consultants and 32 trainees). Diaphragmatic defect via laparotomy measured 15 (10–20) mm (AP) × 16 (10–25) mm (ML) and thoracoscopically 14 (11–19) mm (AP) × 15 (11–22) mm (ML). Mean error per measurement was 4 (1–17) mm via laparotomy vs. 3 (0.5–9.5) mm thoracoscopically. Mean error was similar between consultants and trainees via laparotomy (4.3 vs. 3.9 mm, p = 0.70) and thoracoscopically (3 vs. 3 mm, p = 0.79). Error did not correlate with experience as operating surgeon via laparotomy (β = 13.0 [95% CI − 55.9 to 82.0], p = 0.71) or thoracoscopically (β = 1.4[95% CI − 6.4 to 9.2], p = 0.73.

Conclusions
We have designed and built simulation models for CDH repair via laparotomy and thoracoscopically. Operators can reliably measure the diaphragmatic defect and ipsilateral diaphragm, regardless of surgical experience and operative approach.
Biodegradable flexible foam: Novel material based on cassava TPS obtained by extrusion
Authors: Alban-Bolaños Pedro , Ayala-Aponte Alfredo Adolfo , Villada-Castillo Héctor Samuel , Rodríguez-Herrera Raúl , Ávalos-Belmonte Felipe , Solanilla-Duque José Fernando 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThermoplastic foams made from petrochemical polymers are commonly commercialized in the market, which, due to their chemical nature, require hundreds of years to degrade and therefore end up accumulating and polluting the environment. Therefore, the present research sought to develop a biodegradable foam from thermoplastic cassava starch, biodegradable polyester, and wheat gluten. Initially, an extreme vertex blend design was run, which comprised 60 to 70% thermoplastic starch (TPS), 30 to 40% biodegradable polyester, and 0 to 5% wheat gluten, the foam was obtained by extrusion and evaluated for expansion rate, bulk density, damping index, and morphology. A thin layer of rubber latex was applied to the foamed material with the most outstanding properties in order to reduce moisture adsorption, and its biodegradability was also evaluated. The results indicated that with the addition of 70% TPS, 30% polyester, and 0% wheat gluten, it was possible to obtain by extrusion a flexible thermoplastic foam with high radial expansion rate and low bulk density. Impregnation of the foam with natural rubber latex created an impermeable layer that helped to decrease moisture adsorption; however, there was an increase in compressibility. Also, it was found that this foam met the biodegradability condition since it presented a percentage of mineralization in relative terms of 97.59% in less than 180 days.
MRI segmentation of tooth tissue in age prediction of sub-adults — a new method for combining data from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd molars
Authors: Bjørk Mai Britt , Bleka Øyvind , Kvaal Sigrid Ingeborg , Sakinis Tomas , Tuvnes Frode Alexander , Eggesbø Heidi Beate , Lauritzen Peter Mæhre 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Purpose
We aimed to establish a model combining MRI volume measurements from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd molars for age prediction in sub-adults and compare the age prediction performance of different combinations of all three molars, internally in the study cohort.

Material and method
We examined 99 volunteers using a 1.5 T MR scanner with a customized high-resolution single T2 sequence. Segmentation was performed using SliceOmatic (Tomovision©). Age prediction was based on the tooth tissue ratio (high signal soft tissue + low signal soft tissue)/total. The model included three correlation parameters to account for statistical dependence between the molars. Age prediction performance of different combinations of teeth for the three molars was assessed using interquartile range (IQR).

Results
We included data from the 1st molars from 87 participants (F/M 59/28), 2nd molars from 93 (F/M 60/33) and 3rd molars from 67 (F/M 45/22). The age range was 14–24 years with a median age of 18 years. The model with the best age prediction performance (smallest IQR) was 46–47-18 (lower right 1st and 2nd and upper right 3rd molar) in males. The estimated correlation between the different molars was 0.620 (46 vs. 47), 0.430 (46 vs. 18), and 0.598 (47 vs. 18). IQR was the smallest in tooth combinations including a 3rd molar.

Conclusion
We have established a model for combining tissue volume measurements from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd molars for age prediction in sub-adults. The prediction performance was mostly driven by the 3rd molars. All combinations involving the 3rd molar performed well.