bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
South Africa
Authors: de Visser Jaap 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSince the year 2000, local government has entered South Africa’s system of intergovernmental relations with a new institutional appearance and has been granted constitutional protection. Intergovernmental relations among municipalities, provinces, and the national government have thus become more dynamic yet also more complex and demanding. This chapter analyses the constitutional and policy frameworks for those relations, and provides insight into current debates and the dynamics related to them. The legal and constitutional recognition of local government is impressive and propels it to a status that at times equals or surpasses that of provincial government. Yet this constitutional status provides no guarantee of strong local government. In reality, many municipalities are incapable of asserting their financial and political autonomy for reasons both within and beyond their control.
Argentina
Authors: Avila Penélope Vaca 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn terms of its Constitution of 1853, Argentina is a federal, republican, and democratic state. It has 24 subnational districts (23 provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA), which has special status) and about 2400 local governments (municipalities and others). Local governments are democratically elected by the citizens, and their autonomy is constitutionally recognised. The legal status of local governments is regulated largely in provincial laws and constitutions, as a result of which they enjoy wide heterogeneity in size, powers, tax capacity, and electoral rules. Despite their limited ability to collect taxes, their chronic impecunity, and their moderate organisational capacity, Argentine local governments play a growing role in political and social life—a fact which was spotlighted during the Covid-19 crisis.
Canada
Authors: Slack Enid , Taylor Zack 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe vast majority of Canadians live within the jurisdiction of a general-purpose municipality to which they elect representatives and pay taxes and fees, and from which they receive a wide range of services. Municipalities function in a variety of contexts, from ones of rapid growth, as in metropolitan areas, to ones of relative or absolute decline, as occurs on the periphery. More widely, they function in a context of intergovernmental entanglement: in Canada, local governance is multilevel governance. As local governments are creations of provincial legislation, their legal authority and fiscal resources are defined by the provinces. The Covid-19 pandemic has intensified debates regarding the constraints imposed by municipalities’ constitutional position.
Problem Solving in East Africa: A Contextualised Approach to Defining the Construct
Authors: Care Esther , Giacomazzi Mauro 
Published: February 2024

AbstractProblem solving is a term that describes a vast number of processes and applications. Countries in East Africa, as well as globally, are looking to equip their young people with problem-solving competencies, which are then hoped to resolve the major issues that all societies confront. Accordingly, it is one of the competencies included in curricula developed by East African education systems. The development of conceptual and assessment frameworks by the ALiVE team was contextualised through reference to recent research undertaken in the ALiVE participating countries. Aspects of this conceptualisation differ from those used in most large-scale assessments; and the ALiVE approach to design and development of the assessment was construct-driven. This means that the form of the assessment tasks, coding criteria, and intended reporting style, are determined by the substance of the construct and how visible signs of this substance might best be captured. The framework was developed through a realistic appraisal of what would be possible to assess at household level. In development of the assessment tool, three factors were considered: the nature of the construct itself; the medium through which the assessment would be conducted; and the use to which the assessment results would be put. The chapter describes the formal process followed in defining problem solving and developing its assessment tools. A set of six workshops attended by 47 representatives of the collaborating organisations structured the process of creation; initially engaging at a level of simplicity to ground differing understandings of the skill, and then moving to the complexity of test and scale development processes. The data from the large-scale assessment indicate that ALiVE’s measurement of problem solving is robust, with the results reflecting maturation with more education. This means that instructional time in the context of a general curriculum is providing a learning environment in which problem-solving processes can be nurtured.
The Strong Force meets the Dark Sector: a robust estimate of QCD uncertainties for anti-matter dark matter searches
Authors: Jueid Adil , Kip Jochem , Ruiz de Austri Roberto , Skands Peter 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In dark-matter annihilation channels to hadronic final states, stable particles — such as positrons, photons, antiprotons, and antineutrinos — are produced via complex sequences of phenomena including QED/QCD radiation, hadronisation, and hadron decays. These processes are normally modelled by Monte Carlo (MC) event generators whose limited accuracy imply intrinsic QCD uncertainties on the predictions for indirect-detection experiments like Fermi-LAT, Pamela, IceCube or Ams–02. In this article, we perform a comprehensive analysis of QCD uncertainties, meaning both perturbative and nonperturbative sources of uncertainty are included — estimated via variations of MC renormalization-scale and fragmentation-function parameters, respectively — in antimatter spectra from dark-matter annihilation, based on parametric variations of the Pythia 8 event generator. After performing several retunings of light-quark fragmentation functions, we define a set of variations that span a conservative estimate of the QCD uncertainties. We estimate the effects on antimatter spectra for various annihilation channels and final-state particle species, and discuss their impact on fitted values for the dark-matter mass and thermally-averaged annihilation cross section. We find dramatic impacts which can go up to $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(40) GeV for uncertainties on the dark-matter mass and up to $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(10%) for the annihilation cross section. We provide the spectra in tabulated form including QCD uncertainties and code snippets to perform fast dark-matter fits, in this github repository.
Probing axion-like particles at the Electron-Ion Collider
Authors: Balkin Reuven , Hen Or , Li Wenliang , Liu Hongkai , Ma Teng , Soreq Yotam , Williams Mike 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), a forthcoming powerful high-luminosity facility, represents an exciting opportunity to explore new physics. In this article, we study the potential of the EIC to probe the coupling between axion-like particles (ALPs) and photons in coherent scattering. The ALPs can be produced via photon fusion and decay back to two photons inside the EIC detector. In a prompt-decay search, we find that the EIC can set the most stringent bound for ma ≲ 20 GeV and probe the effective scales Λ ≲ 105 GeV. In a displaced-vertex search, which requires adopting an EM calorimeter technology that provides directionality, the EIC could probe ALPs with ma ≲ 1 GeV at effective scales Λ ≲ 107 GeV. Combining the two search strategies, the EIC can probe a significant portion of unexplored parameter space in the 0.2 < ma < 20 GeV mass range.
A Necessary Condition on a Singular Kernel for the Continuity of an Integral Operator in Hölder Spaces
Authors: Lanza de Cristoforis Massimo 
Published: February 2024

AbstractWe prove that a condition of boundedness of the maximal function of a singular integral operator, that is known to be sufficient for the continuity of a corresponding integral operator in Hölder spaces, is actually also necessary in case the action of the integral operator does not decrease the regularity of a function. We do so in the frame of metric measured spaces with a measure satisfying certain growth conditions that include nondoubling measures. Then we present an application to the case of an integral operator defined on a compact differentiable manifold.
Targeted CRISPR activation is functional in engineered human pluripotent stem cells but undergoes silencing after differentiation into cardiomyocytes and endothelium
Authors: Karbassi Elaheh , Padgett Ruby , Bertero Alessandro , Reinecke Hans , Klaiman Jordan M. , Yang Xiulan , Hauschka Stephen D. , Murry Charles E. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractHuman induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) offer opportunities to study human biology where primary cell types are limited. CRISPR technology allows forward genetic screens using engineered Cas9-expressing cells. Here, we sought to generate a CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) hiPSC line to activate endogenous genes during pluripotency and differentiation. We first targeted catalytically inactive Cas9 fused to VP64, p65 and Rta activators (dCas9-VPR) regulated by the constitutive CAG promoter to the AAVS1 safe harbor site. These CRISPRa hiPSC lines effectively activate target genes in pluripotency, however the dCas9-VPR transgene expression is silenced after differentiation into cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. To understand this silencing, we systematically tested different safe harbor sites and different promoters. Targeting to safe harbor sites hROSA26 and CLYBL loci also yielded hiPSCs that expressed dCas9-VPR in pluripotency but silenced during differentiation. Muscle-specific regulatory cassettes, derived from cardiac troponin T or muscle creatine kinase promoters, were also silent after differentiation when dCas9-VPR was introduced. In contrast, in cell lines where the dCas9-VPR sequence was replaced with cDNAs encoding fluorescent proteins, expression persisted during differentiation in all loci and with all promoters. Promoter DNA was hypermethylated in CRISPRa-engineered lines, and demethylation with 5-azacytidine enhanced dCas9-VPR gene expression. In summary, the dCas9-VPR cDNA is readily expressed from multiple loci during pluripotency but induces silencing in a locus- and promoter-independent manner during differentiation to mesoderm derivatives. Researchers intending to use this CRISPRa strategy during stem cell differentiation should pilot their system to ensure it remains active in their population of interest.
Cellular forgetting, desensitisation, stress and ageing in signalling networks. When do cells refuse to learn more?
Authors: Veres Tamás , Kerestély Márk , Kovács Borbála M. , Keresztes Dávid , Schulc Klára , Seitz Erik , Vassy Zsolt , Veres Dániel V. , Csermely Peter 
Published: February 2024

AbstractRecent findings show that single, non-neuronal cells are also able to learn signalling responses developing cellular memory. In cellular learning nodes of signalling networks strengthen their interactions e.g. by the conformational memory of intrinsically disordered proteins, protein translocation, miRNAs, lncRNAs, chromatin memory and signalling cascades. This can be described by a generalized, unicellular Hebbian learning process, where those signalling connections, which participate in learning, become stronger. Here we review those scenarios, where cellular signalling is not only repeated in a few times (when learning occurs), but becomes too frequent, too large, or too complex and overloads the cell. This leads to desensitisation of signalling networks by decoupling signalling components, receptor internalization, and consequent downregulation. These molecular processes are examples of anti-Hebbian learning and ‘forgetting’ of signalling networks. Stress can be perceived as signalling overload inducing the desensitisation of signalling pathways. Ageing occurs by the summative effects of cumulative stress downregulating signalling. We propose that cellular learning desensitisation, stress and ageing may be placed along the same axis of more and more intensive (prolonged or repeated) signalling. We discuss how cells might discriminate between repeated and unexpected signals, and highlight the Hebbian and anti-Hebbian mechanisms behind the fold-change detection in the NF-κB signalling pathway. We list drug design methods using Hebbian learning (such as chemically-induced proximity) and clinical treatment modalities inducing (cancer, drug allergies) desensitisation or avoiding drug-induced desensitisation. A better discrimination between cellular learning, desensitisation and stress may open novel directions in drug design, e.g. helping to overcome drug resistance.
Challenges of responsible AI in practice: scoping review and recommended actions
Authors: Sadek Malak , Kallina Emma , Bohné Thomas , Mougenot Céline , Calvo Rafael A. , Cave Stephen 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Responsible AI (RAI) guidelines aim to ensure that AI systems respect democratic values. While a step in the right direction, they currently fail to impact practice. Our work discusses reasons for this lack of impact and clusters them into five areas: (1) the abstract nature of RAI guidelines, (2) the problem of selecting and reconciling values, (3) the difficulty of operationalising RAI success metrics, (4) the fragmentation of the AI pipeline, and (5) the lack of internal advocacy and accountability. Afterwards, we introduce a number of approaches to RAI from a range of disciplines, exploring their potential as solutions to the identified challenges. We anchor these solutions in practice through concrete examples, bridging the gap between the theoretical considerations of RAI and on-the-ground processes that currently shape how AI systems are built. Our work considers the socio-technical nature of RAI limitations and the resulting necessity of producing socio-technical solutions.
Comparative investigation and optimization of cutting tools performance during milling machining of titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) using response surface methodology
Authors: Phokobye Solomon Ntshiniki , Desai Dawood Ahmed , Tlhabadira Isaac , Sadiku Emmanuel Rotimi , Mutombo Kalenda 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to study the optimization of the cutting performance of three different cutting inserts, during the machining operation of titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) by making use of the response surface methodology (RSM) on a computer numerical control (CNC) milling. The cutting tools employed for the optimisation of the cutting performance during machining operation are silicon, aluminium, oxygen, nitrogen (SiAlON), cubic-boron nitride and carbide cutting inserts. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used for the determination of the tool wear for the cutting inserts being compared during machining of Ti6Al4V, and the cutting parameters, which are cutting speed (Vc), feed per tooth (fz) and depth-of-cut that were evaluated from the cutting tools as per the manufacturer’s design specifications. The determination of the tool wear on the cutting inserts was achieved by using the SEM, while the machining operation for the experimental trails was performed from the CNC milling machine, where face milling operation was executed. The optimization process showed that carbide cutting inserts yielded the best performing results and were considered the most significant choice of cutting insert in machining Ti6Al4V when compared to SiAlON and CBN cutting inserts. This choice was from the cutting tool life obtained where a cutting tool life of 29 min was obtained from a use of carbide cutting inserts; 28 min resulted from a use SiAlON cutting inserts and 26 min from a use of CBN cutting inserts. This work finds appropriate value in assisting the machinists in the selection of the best most performing and cost-effective cutting tool.
Overlapping coefficient in network-based semi-supervised clustering
Authors: Conversano Claudio , Frigau Luca , Contu Giulia 
Published: February 2024

AbstractNetwork-based Semi-Supervised Clustering (NeSSC) is a semi-supervised approach for clustering in the presence of an outcome variable. It uses a classification or regression model on resampled versions of the original data to produce a proximity matrix that indicates the magnitude of the similarity between pairs of observations measured with respect to the outcome. This matrix is transformed into a complex network on which a community detection algorithm is applied to search for underlying community structures which is a partition of the instances into highly homogeneous clusters to be evaluated in terms of the outcome. In this paper, we focus on the case the outcome variable to be used in NeSSC is numeric and propose an alternative selection criterion of the optimal partition based on a measure of overlapping between density curves as well as a penalization criterion which takes accounts for the number of clusters in a candidate partition. Next, we consider the performance of the proposed method for some artificial datasets and for 20 different real datasets and compare NeSSC with the other three popular methods of semi-supervised clustering with a numeric outcome. Results show that NeSSC with the overlapping criterion works particularly well when a reduced number of clusters are scattered localized.
Immune-related serious adverse events with immune checkpoint inhibitors: Systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Oliveira Clara , Mainoli Beatrice , Duarte Gonçalo S. , Machado Tiago , Tinoco Rita G. , Esperança-Martins Miguel , Ferreira Joaquim J. , Costa João 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment, though uncertainty exists regarding their immune-related safety. The objective of this study was to assess the comparative safety profile (odds ratio) of ICIs and estimate the absolute rate of immune-related serious adverse events (irSAEs) in cancer patients undergoing treatment with ICIs.

Methods
We searched for randomized trials till February 2021, including all ICIs for all cancers. Primary outcome was overall irSAEs, and secondary outcomes were pneumonitis, colitis, hepatitis, hypophysitis, myocarditis, nephritis, and pancreatitis. We conducted Bayesian network meta-analyses, estimated absolute rates and ranked treatments according to the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA).

Results
We included 96 trials (52,811 participants, median age 62 years). Risk of bias was high in most trials. Most cancers were non-small cell lung cancer (28 trials) and melanoma (15 trials). The worst-ranked ICI was ipilimumab (SUCRA 14%; event rate 848/10,000 patients) while the best-ranked ICI was atezolizumab (SUCRA 82%; event rate 119/10,000 patients).

Conclusion
Each ICI showed a unique safety profile, with certain events more frequently observed with specific ICIs, which should be considered when managing cancer patients.
Investigation of the hydrodynamic and thermodynamic behavior of the liquid jet quenching process
Authors: Narayan Nithin Mohan , Fritsching Udo 
Published: February 2024

AbstractLiquid jet quenching of metals is typically adopted to achieve specific material properties of metals, thereby making them suitable for advanced engineering applications. In this process, a metal plate is heated and cooled rapidly by impinging water jets. The temperature history during cooling leads to a microstructural transformation thereby improving the material properties such as hardness. During liquid jet quenching, since the plate surface temperature is above the Leidenfrost temperature, the boiling heat transfer dominates. This is associated with an intense cooling and water vapor generation, where the Leidenfrost effect impedes the immediate wetting of the surface. The resulting uneven cooling over the plate surface tends to potential deformation and cracking. To control this process, a detailed understanding of the spatial and the temporal heat transfer behavior is imperative. Experiments in this context are limited and therefore investigating the conjugate heat transfer process is to be combined with a multi-phase numerical model. The two-phase numerical model based on the Euler-Euler approach is developed and validated to simulate the jet quenching of a stationary plate considering all the boiling regimes within a single framework. This model consists of two phases, the liquid water which is the continuous phase (primary) and the water vapor modeled as the dispersed phase (secondary). In this study, a circular water jet (tap water) impact is considered and the plate materials under investigation are aluminum alloy (Al-alloy) and stainless steel (St-steel). Experiments are performed using infrared and high-speed imaging. The validated numerical model provides the technical parameters such as wetting front behavior, heat flux, HTC (heat transfer coefficient) etc. The influence of the jet Reynolds number and the plate material properties on the heat transfer is analysed. The study emphasizes that the plate material has a significantly higher influence on the heat transfer during jet quenching.
Graphical abstract
Comparison of male and female non-refugee immigrants with psychosis: clinical, sociodemographic, and migration-related differences and impact on stress
Authors: Trabsa Amira , Casanovas Francesc , Pérez Víctor , Moreno Ana , Amann Benedikt , Mané Anna 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To compare social, clinical, and migration-related factors between male and female immigrants with psychotic disorders and to determine the association between these variables and stress in the last year.

Methods
We administered the Holmes and Rahe Social Readjustment Scale to evaluate psychological stress in 99 non-refugee immigrants (26 women, 73 men) who presented ≥ one psychotic episode (ICD-10 criteria). We compared the two groups in terms of sociodemographic, clinical, cultural, and migration-related variables. A multivariable analysis using a linear regression model (stepwise method) was performed to evaluate potential associations between these variables and stress.

Results
Women were more likely to be married and divorced, had less access to welfare payments, and lower unemployment and homeless rates than men. The most common psychiatric diagnosis was psychosis not otherwise specified with more women being affected (61.5% in women vs. 45.2% in men), but the diagnosis of schizophrenia was more common in men (38.4% vs 15.4%). Both groups exhibited very high levels of stress in the past year (mean total distress score > 300). In women, stress was significantly associated with age at first migration and be a racialized person. By contrast, among men stress was significantly associated with language barrier and comorbidity with a physical disorder.

Conclusions
The results of this study reveal important differences between men and women immigrants. These findings underscore the importance of understanding how gender-specific roles and social expectations intersect with the timing and nature of migration to influence stress levels differently in immigrant women and men with psychotic disorders.