bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gulls as potential sentinels for urban litter: combining nest and GPS-tracking information
Authors: Galimany Eve , Navarro Joan , Martino Ilaria , Aymí Raül , Cermeño Pablo , Montalvo Tomas 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
The production of urban waste has increased in the past decades leading to its mishandling. The effects on public health, economy, and wildlife that waste mismanagement can have are forcing governments to increase their efforts in detecting and mitigating the presence of waste. Identifying and monitoring sentinel species to assess the presence of urban litter could be a cost-effective option. Thus, analyzing the nest composition of yellow-legged gulls from an urban population inhabiting a very high populated city (Barcelona, Spain), and combining this information with accurate GPS tracking data, provides a potential tool to monitor the presence of marine and terrestrial litter over time. The results revealed the highest presence of debris in the nests of a seabird ever recorded. All the nests examined contained anthropogenic waste, with plastic items present in all of them. Crossing the nest composition with GPS tracking movements confirmed that the waste to build the nests was collected in the urban area and not in other environments surrounding the city. Then, the nest waste composition may be a good indicator of waste mismanagement and advise the municipalities to improve waste management and recycling strategies for the different types of litter. Using gulls breeding in cities as sentinel species and, in particular, the study of their nest composition, may provide essential data to decision-making stakeholders to adopt a One Health approach and help improve not only the environment’s health but also the health of those who live in it.
Influence of adhesive on optical fiber-based strain measurements on printed circuit boards
Authors: Freitas C. , Leite T. M. , Lopes H. , Gomes M. , Cruz S. , Magalhães R. , Silva A. F. , Viana J. C. , Delgado I. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe use of optical fiber sensing for strain measurements on printed circuit boards is a recent approach, and there is a lack of f reliable methods to obtain valid strain measurements. This work investigates the influence of different adhesives and their application for strain measurements using optical fiber sensors on PCB, considering room and high temperature tests. Strain developed in PCB during production and quality testing are measured by a single distributed optical fiber sensor, interrogated by Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry. Different adhesives are evaluated for room and high temperatures strain measurements. Different thicknesses of the adhesive layer are studied under tensile and bending loadings. The mechanical properties of the adhesives and their effectiveness in optical fiber measurements were evaluated. A suitable adhesive selection is required for reliable strain measurements under different testing requirements: cyanoacrylate based for room temperature testing; epoxy or polyimide-based for high temperature measurements. The adhesive thickness should be the lowest and uniformly applied. A linear relationship between adhesive thickness and strain error was found, being necessary the application of a correction factor for valid strain measurements. Optical distributed sensing is highlighted as an alternative approach to conventional strain gauges for PCB strain measurements, reducing the installation complexity, significantly enlarging the number of measured points, without reducing the quality of the strain measurements. Selection of the best adhesive is crucial, as well as its thickness for reliable strain measurements.
On the Rate of Convergence of the Difference-of-Convex Algorithm (DCA)
Authors: Abbaszadehpeivasti Hadi , de Klerk Etienne , Zamani Moslem 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIn this paper, we study the non-asymptotic convergence rate of the DCA (difference-of-convex algorithm), also known as the convex–concave procedure, with two different termination criteria that are suitable for smooth and non-smooth decompositions, respectively. The DCA is a popular algorithm for difference-of-convex (DC) problems and known to converge to a stationary point of the objective under some assumptions. We derive a worst-case convergence rate of $$O(1/\sqrt{N})$$

O
(
1
/

N

)

after N iterations of the objective gradient norm for certain classes of DC problems, without assuming strong convexity in the DC decomposition and give an example which shows the convergence rate is exact. We also provide a new convergence rate of O(1/N) for the DCA with the second termination criterion. Moreover, we derive a new linear convergence rate result for the DCA under the assumption of the Polyak–Łojasiewicz inequality. The novel aspect of our analysis is that it employs semidefinite programming performance estimation.
Connecting national flags – a deep learning approach
Authors: Kalampokas Theofanis , Mentizis Dimitrios , Vrochidou Eleni , Papakostas George A. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractNational flags are the most recognizable symbols of the identity of a country. Similarities between flags may be observed due to cultural, historical, or ethical connections between nations, because they may be originated from the same group of people, or due to unrelated sharing of common symbols and colors. Although the fact that similar flags exist is indisputable, this has never been quantified. Quantifying flags’ similarities could provide a useful body of knowledge for vexillologists and historians. To this end, this work aims to develop a supporting tool for the scientific study of nations’ history and symbolisms, through the quantification of the varying degrees of similarity between their flags, by considering three initially stated hypotheses and by using a novel feature inclusion (FI) measure. The proposed FI measure aims to objectively quantify the overall similarity between flags based on optical multi-scaled features extracted from flag images. State-of-the-art deep learning models built for other applications tested their capability for the first time for the problem under study by using transfer learning, towards calculating the FI measure. More specifically, FI was quantified by six deep learning models: Yolo (V4 and V5), SSD, RetinaNet, Fast R-CNN, FCOS and CornerNet. Flags’ images dataset included flags of 195 nations officially recognized by the United Nations. Experimental results reported maximum feature inclusion between flags of up to 99%. The extracted degrees of similarity were subsequently justified with the help of the Vexillology scientific domain, to support research findings and to raise questions for further investigation. Experimental results reveal that the proposed approach and FI measure are reliable and able to serve as a supporting tool to social sciences for knowledge extraction and quantification.
Learning from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications from Governance Capacity and Legitimacy
Authors: Lund-Tønnesen Jonas , Christensen Tom 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis paper examines the crisis management learning by the Norwegian government after the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on types of learning based on the concepts of governance capacity and legitimacy. Using unique interview data with 36 elite administrative and political executives in Norway, the study finds varied learning by the involved actors, and most learning about coordination between ministries and agencies, which are amplified by the lack of knowledge related to analytical capacity. The study contributes to advance the analytical understanding of crisis management learning and provides insight into what a high performing government in the pandemic attempts to learn.
Laboratory Flushing Tests of Dissolved Contaminants in Heterogeneous Porous Media with Low-Conductivity Zones
Authors: Kurasawa Tomoki , Takahashi Yoshitaro , Suzuki Mariko , Inoue Kazuya 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
The retention of contaminants within low-conductivity regions such as clay lenses and aquitards can greatly affect groundwater remediation processes. The aim of this study was to experimentally investigate the effects of the geometry of low-conductivity zones, conductivity contrast, and flow regime on solute flushing. We conducted a series of flushing tests in cylindrical models containing a cylindrical low-conductivity zone (i.e., low-K zone) embedded in a highly conductive medium (i.e., high-K zone). Seven models comprising four high-conductivity-contrast (SL, SS, LL, and LS), one medium-contrast (LLM), one low-contrast (LLL), and one homogeneous (H) models were considered. Experiments were conducted at two flow rates (Q = 0.6 and 26 cm3/min) for each heterogeneous model (SL, SS, LL, LS, LLM, and LLL) to compare the flushing processes in different flow regimes. First, we verified the validity of our experiments by comparing the results of the H model from an analytical solution with our experiment. The results of the high-contrast models showed that for a diffusion-dominated regime (Q = 0.6 cm3/min), the pore volume injected (PVI) required to flush out solute mass was much smaller than that in an advection-dominated regime (Q = 26 cm3/min). To evaluate the pore volumes required to flush out solutes for the four high-contrast models, we introduced a parameter P0.01, which is defined as the PVI needed for the relative concentration to become 0.01 at the middle of the low-K zone. P0.01 decreases with increasing the specific surface area of the low-K zone for diffusion-dominated regimes, while it increases with increasing the length of the low-K zone for advection-dominated regimes. We also determined the importance of the effect of K contrast on solute retention by comparing the results of three different models of K contrast (LL, LLM, and LLL).
The spectrum of knowledge: integrating knowledge dimensions in the context of forests and climate change
Authors: Priebe Janina , Hallberg-Sramek Isabella , Reimerson Elsa , Mårald Erland 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIntegrated approaches to knowledge that recognize meaning, behavior, culture, and systems as domains of knowledge are increasingly employed in holistic views on sustainability transformation but often remain conceptually driven. In this study, we analyze empirical data from a collaborative process with local forest stakeholders in Sweden through the lens of individual, collective, interior, and exterior knowledge dimensions. We show that the participants’ understanding of knowledge about forests and climate change presents a nuanced picture of how knowledge and acting are connected. Meaning-making, cultural frames, and techno-scientific knowledge conceptions converge, interact, and, at times, replace or diminish each other. The connection and interplay of these dimensions, we suggest, can be understood as a knowledge spectrum. These insights into integrated knowledge, based on an empirical case, must be addressed in the production of knowledge, both to grasp the climate and sustainability issues that face us and to support action in response to them.
The psychological future of unemployed individuals and workers: invariance measurement model and mean differences
Authors: Coscioni Vinicius , de Carvalho Catarina Luzia , Céu Taveira Maria do , Silva Ana Daniela 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis study compared the psychological future of unemployed individuals and workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. It used the data from two previous data collections, one with unemployed individuals and another with workers. Participants from the two datasets were paired considering the same gender and similar age and education degree. The analyzed sample consisted of 352 participants, of which 176 were unemployed individuals and 176 were workers. The psychological future was measured by the Future Time Orientation Scale and the Life Project Scale. Both scales fit the sample of unemployed individuals and were invariant at the metric level across occupation status. Partial scalar model met good fit after freeing the intercepts of one item in each scale. In contrast to the hypothesis, compared to workers, unemployed individuals did not have lower rates in the assessed features of their psychological future. Conversely, for some variables, the rates were even higher among unemployed individuals. Unexpected results and limitations are discussed.
Phase 1 study of oral selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) amcenestrant (SAR439859), in Japanese women with ER-positive and HER2-negative advanced breast cancer (AMEERA-2)
Authors: Tamura Kenji , Mukohara Toru , Yonemori Kan , Kawabata Yumiko , Nicolas Xavier , Tanaka Tomoyuki , Iwata Hiroji 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
This AMEERA-2 study evaluated the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of the oral selective estrogen receptor degrader amcenestrant as a monotherapy with dose escalation in Japanese postmenopausal women with advanced estrogen receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer.

Methods
In this open-label, nonrandomized, phase I study, patients received amcenestrant 400 mg once daily (QD) (n = 7) and 300 mg twice daily (BID) (n = 3). The incidence of dose-limiting toxicities (DLT), recommended dose, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety were assessed.

Results
No DLTs were observed and MTD was not reached in the 400 mg QD group. One DLT (grade 3 maculopapular rash) was reported in a patient treated with 300 mg BID. After repeated oral administration of either dosing regimen, steady state reached before day 8, without accumulation. Four out of 5 response-evaluable patients from 400 mg QD group achieved clinical benefit and showed tumor shrinkage. No clinical benefit was reported in the 300 mg BID group. Overall, most patients (8/10) experienced a treatment-related adverse event (TRAE), with skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders most commonly reported (4/10 patients). No ≥ grade 3 TRAE in 400 mg QD group and 1 grade 3 TRAE in 300 mg BID group were reported.

Conclusions
Amcenestrant 400 mg QD has a favorable safety profile and has been selected as the recommended Phase II dose for monotherapy for evaluating the safety and efficacy of amcenestrant in a larger, global, randomized clinical trial of patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Trial registration
Clinical trial registration NCT03816839.
On the Topologies of micro/macrohabitats in the Mollusca-Sciomyzidae Taxocene
Authors: Williams Christopher David 
Published: March 2023

AbstractA new perspective on habitat is presented, which considers the topological relationships among macrohabitats of adults and the sub-set microhabitats of eggs and other juvenile stages. A model of seven topologies is presented using the snail-killing flies (Sciomyzidae: Diptera) as an exemplar; four of these topologies are drawn on a hydrological continuum from aquatic through shoreline to terrestrial, and three are presented as stand-alone specialized feeding groups. Colonisation-extinction dynamics are discussed in relation first to macrohabitat dynamics and then microhabitat structure. The topological perspective has wide application outside the Mollusca-Sciomyzidae taxocene e.g. in parasitoid wasp-host taxocenes, in phytophagous insect-host communities, for freshwater macro-invertebrates and even, in the context of a “landscape of fear”, for bird and mammal populations. The perspective taken is more “autecological” than the traditional “biotope” or resource view of habitats, yet is broad enough to encompass many different behavioural groups as shown for the Sciomyzidae.
Numerical Analysis of Thorax Injury Caused by the Blunt Impact of SIR-X Sponge Grenade
Authors: Chen Chaoming , Zhao Fadong , Ma Zongmin 
Published: March 2023

AbstractTo effectively assess the injury risk of the blunt impact of the SIR-X sponge grenade on the human thorax, in this paper, we used a numerical simulation technique to test the non-lethal kinetic energy projectiles that blunt impact on the Hybrid III 50th dummy model. By simulating the effect of the L5 projectile on the thorax of the Hybrid III 50th dummy model, about NATO standard AEP-99 (2021 edition), the thoracic displacement curves of the dummy model in three testing conditions were obtained in the validation corridors. The idea of replacing the finite element model of the human body with the Hybrid III 50th dummy finite element model was proposed. We considered the difficulty in obtaining data due to the large deformation of the contact position when the SIR-X sponge grenade impacts the dummy’s thorax. We proposed a mathematical model to predict the impact injury of the human thorax using the rib displacement measured by the rib displacement sensor of the Hybrid III 50th dummy. We simulated the SIR-X sponge grenade blunt impacting the dummy model’s thorax. The measured rib displacement was used to predict and analyze the injury risk of the human thorax, providing a specific data reference for practical application.
Decentring Narratives around Business and Human Rights Instruments: An Example of the French Devoir de Vigilance Law
Authors: Bose Debadatta 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThere has been tremendous momentum in adoption of business and human rights regulations, specifically national legislation that mandate human rights due diligence. While these laws have been heralded as the torchbearers of progress, this article approaches national legislation on business and human rights by placing them in context of a North–South divide through a Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL) lens. It looks at the form of regulation of transnational corporations (national/international) – not the substance – and illustrates the neo-colonial flavour of these laws by diving into the narrative behind the adoption of the French devoir de vigilance law. It illustrates that the French law can also be read as an attempt to universalise European values while reinforcing power hierarchies. The claim of this article is that national legislation cannot be a substitute for a treaty but only a path towards one, because national legislation structurally lacks means to take the Global South participation seriously.
Knowledge, beliefs, and practices related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and vaccination in healthcare personnel working at nonacute care facilities
Authors: Mansoor Armaghan-e-Rehman , O’Neil Caroline A. , McDonald David , Fraser Victoria J. , Babcock Hilary M. , Kwon Jennie H. ,   for the CDC Prevention Epicenters Program
Published: March 2023

AbstractObjective:To characterize experiences, beliefs, and perceptions of risk related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), infection prevention practices, and COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare personnel (HCP) at nonacute care facilities.Design:Anonymous survey.Setting:Three non–acute-care facilities in St. Louis, Missouri.Participants:In total, 156 HCP responded to the survey, for a 25.6% participation rate). Among them, 32% had direct patient-care roles.Methods:Anonymous surveys were distributed between April-May 2021. Data were collected on demographics, work experience, COVID-19 exposure, knowledge, and beliefs about infection prevention, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, COVID-19 vaccination, and the impact of COVID-19.Results:Nearly all respondents reported adequate knowledge of how to protect oneself from COVID-19 at work (97%) and had access to adequate PPE supplies (95%). Many HCP reported that wearing a mask or face shield made communication difficult (59%), that they had taken on additional responsibilities due to staff shortages (56%), and that their job became more stressful because of COVID-19 (53%). Moreover, 28% had considered quitting their job. Most respondents (78%) had received at least 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Common reasons for vaccination were a desire to protect family and friends (84%) and a desire to stop the spread of COVID-19 (82%). Potential side effects and/or inadequate vaccine testing were cited as the most common concerns by unvaccinated HCP.Conclusions:A significant proportion of HCP reported increased stress and responsibilities at work due to COVID-19. The majority were vaccinated. Improving workplace policies related to mental health resources and sick leave, maintaining access to PPE, and ensuring clear communication of PPE requirements may improve workplace stress and burnout.
Revalidation of the L2-Grit scale: A conceptual replication of Teimouri, Y., Plonsky, L., & Tabandeh, F. (2022). L2 grit: Passion and perseverance for second-language learning
Authors: Mikami Hitoshi 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis study is a conceptual replication of Teimouri et al.'s (2022) investigation into the validity of the second language (L2) grit scale (the L2-Grit scale). There are several concerns about the generalizability of the findings of Teimouri et al. (2022), especially regarding the discriminant validity of the scale and the relation of L2 grit with language achievements. A conceptual replication study was conducted because these concerns could be addressed by using a different methodology. The main findings include: (a) the factor structure of L2 grit was supported in the replication sample (106 English majors at a Japanese university), (b) the results support the discriminant validity of L2 grit, but in a different way from the initial study, and (c) L2 grit was a consistent predictor of L2-specific Grade Point Average and standardized test score. The results obtained lend further support for the validity of the L2-Grit scale.
Global Climate Change and UNESCO World Heritage
Authors: Lafrenz Samuels Kathryn , Platts Ellen J. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis article considers the fiftieth anniversary of the 1972 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage Convention in light of climate change, offering a state of the field review of climate responses for World Heritage sites (WHS). Opening with a brief review of UNESCO World Heritage activities around climate change, we then detail the primary impacts and risks that climate change pose for WHS and the reporting and monitoring systems in place to document and track these impacts. Looking forward, we examine the most promising pathways for World Heritage to advance in the domains of climate mitigation, adaptation, climate communication, and climate action.
Teaching Social Movements with a Sustained Simulation of Police–Protester Contention: The Hypothetical Case of the Contested Election of 2024
Authors: Kryder Daniel , Morgan Jamie , Parish Anja 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACTThis case study reviews a social movement course that centered on a 10-week simulation of a contemporary contentious event in Washington, DC, involving six movement organizations and four police agencies. To our knowledge, it is the first classroom simulation of a Trump-era police–protester contentious episode or of any political science simulation that places an episode of insurrection in the contemporary United States. Three goals animated this project: (1) promote learning concerning extra-institutional political conflict in the American case; (2) combine scholarship and role playing to explore the dynamic interaction of movement, countermovement, and enforcement organizations; and (3) teach the complex relationship between social science theory and political practice in an engaging way. Students used theoretical frameworks drawn from the literature to assess and develop protest capacity and repertoires for their assigned organization and chose strategic goals and tactical means to attempt to generate political leverage. Student organizations made concurrent “moves” and instructors iteratively developed the contentious episode. This article discusses the results of students’ evaluations of the simulation. In addition to extensive online appendices, it provides a detailed explanation and design for instructors who are considering a similar approach.