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Past quantitative studies have shown that most media coverage is of men. Here we ask if the scarce coverage that women get is qualitatively different from that of men. We use computer-coded sentiment scores for 14 million person names covered in 1,323 newspapers to investigate the three-way relationship between gender, fame, and sentiment. Additional large-scale data on occupational categories allow us to compare women and men within the same profession and rank. We propose that as women's fame increases their media coverage becomes negative more quickly when compared to men (a "paper cut"), because their violation of gender hierarchies and social expectations about typical feminine behavior evokes disproportionate scrutiny. We find that while overall media coverage is much more positive for women than for men, this difference disappears and even reverses at higher levels of fame. In encyclopedic sentiment data we find no biographic basis for women's disproportionate decline in media coverage sentiment at high fame, consistent with the conjectured double standard in media discourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout its serial run, Charles Dickens's Pickwick Papers (1836–7), was repurposed hundreds of times by the provincial press. From acting as innocuous filler material to making strategic political statements, provincial newspaper editors evoked, excerpted and adapted Pickwick as quickly as Dickens was penning the instalments, showing a keen responsiveness to political topicalities relevant to their reading communities. This article contends that these types of journalistic re-use benefit from being read collectively as a form of remediation, defined by Jay David Bolter and Richard Grusin as 'the formal logic by which new media refashion prior media forms'. It argues that these remediations are vital to understanding the politics of the provincial press because they became one method through which provincial newspapers articulated a localised response to the national political debates that raged following the 1832 Reform Act. As well as reflecting the political priorities of specific communities, these remediations nuance our understanding of Pickwick 's popularity by drawing attention to aspects of its construction that lent themselves to re-use. While explicit engagement with party politics is conspicuously absent from Pickwick , provincial editors capitalised upon this generality and imbued their re-workings of the serial with a partisanship that Dickens himself avoided, while using his name to substantiate and authorise their own pieces. In this respect, these remediations invite us to place Pickwick at the heart of political debate in the papers, by foregrounding the close relationship between newspaper politics, serial literature, and provincial identity in the 1830s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article leverages a five-treatment response mode experiment (paper-only, web-only, sequential web-mail, choice, and choice-plus [choice with a promised incentive for responding online]) that was conducted within a nationally representative survey. Because this survey's sample was drawn from respondents to another nationally representative survey, we have rich frame data that includes multiple indicators of comfort using the internet for our sample members and we can compare their response behavior across two surveys. We find that the paper-only treatment yielded a lower response rate than most of the other treatments, but there were not significant differences between the response rates for the other treatments. Among our mixed-mode treatments, the sequential web-mail treatment had the highest percentage of response by web and the lowest cost per response. When focusing on the subgroups that we expected to be the least—and the most—comfortable with the internet, we found that the paper-only treatment generally performed worse than the others, even among subgroups expected not to be comfortable with the internet. We generally did not find significant differences in the effect of response mode treatment on the response rate or percentage of response by web between the subgroups who were the most and least comfortable with the internet. In terms of the consistency of response mode choice over time, our results suggest that some people respond consistently—but also that response mode preferences are weak enough that they can be influenced by the way in which the modes are offered. We ultimately recommend using a sequential web-mail design to minimize costs while still providing people who cannot or will not respond by web with another response mode option. We also find evidence that there may be a growing lack of interest in responding by paper; more research is needed in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When deciding which modes to offer, researchers consider cost, known respondent contact information, and potential mode effects. For a short survey on employment, we evaluate the effect of adding one of two new electronic data collection modes to a mailed questionnaire. We sent a survey to principals who previously responded to the National Center for Education Statistics' (NCES) National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS) asking about their current job status. This questionnaire, known as the Principal Follow-up Survey (PFS), has typically been administered as a short paper form that is mailed to NTPS respondents. In 2022, the PFS introduced two new modes of completion, and principals were randomly assigned to receive: (i) a paper form only; (ii) a paper form, as well as emails with a direct link to complete a web survey; or (iii) a paper form, as well as invitations by text message to complete an automated two-way short message service text survey by responding to texted "yes/no" questions. This article compares overall response rates and time-to-response by mode to determine respondent preferences for completing short surveys. Adding either electronic mode significantly increased response rates and decreased the number of days in which completed surveys were received, compared to offering only a paper questionnaire. Although email and text messages are both forms of electronic communication that may be accessible on a smartphone, the added text message survey resulted in higher response rates than the added web survey. This suggests that respondents interact differently with emails and text messages they receive and that offering an option to complete a survey by text message can increase the speed and efficiency of data collection for short surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We measure the broad impact of galaxy structure on galaxy formation by examining the ongoing star formation and integrated star formation history as revealed through the stellar masses of galaxies at z < 7 based on JWST CEERS data from the Extended Groth Strip (EGS). Using the morphological catalog of 3965 visually classified JWST galaxies from Ferreira et al. (2023), we investigate the evolution of stars, and when they form, as a function of morphological type as well as galaxies classified as passive and starburst through spectral energy distributions. Although disc galaxies dominate the structures of galaxies at z < 7, we find that these discs are in general either 'passive', or on the main sequence of star formation, and do not contain a large population of starburst galaxies. We also find no significant correlation between morphological type and the star formation rate or colours of galaxies at z < 7. In fact, we find that the morphologically classified 'spheroids' tend to be blue and are not found to be predominately passive systems at z > 1.5. We also find that the stellar mass function for disc galaxies does not evolve significantly during this time, whereas other galaxy types, such as the peculiar population, evolve dramatically, declining at lower redshifts. This indicates that massive peculiars are more common at higher redshifts. We further find that up to z ∼ 7, the specific star formation rate (sSFR) does not vary with visual morphology, but strongly depends on stellar mass and internal galaxy mass density. This demonstrates that at early epochs galaxy assembly is a mass-driven, rather than a morphologically driven process. Quenching of star formation is therefore a mass-dominated process throughout the universe's history, likely due to the presence of supermassive black holes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the analysis of the stellar population and star formation history of 181 MIRI selected galaxies at z  = 0 − 3.5 in the massive galaxy cluster field SMACS J0723.3–7327, commonly referred to as SMACS0723, using the JWST Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). We combine the data with the JWST Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) catalogue, in conjunction with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) WFC3/IR and ACS imaging. We find that the MIRI bands capture PAH features and dust emission, significantly enhancing the accuracy of photometric redshift and measurements of the physical properties of these galaxies. The median photo- z 's of galaxies with MIRI data are found to have a small 0.1 per cent difference from spectroscopic redshifts and reducing the error by 20 per cent. With MIRI data included in SED fits, we find that the measured stellar masses are unchanged, while the star formation rate is slightly lower by 0.1 dex. We also fit the median SED of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and star-forming galaxies (SFG) separately. MIRI data provides tighter constraints on the AGN contribution, reducing the typical AGN contributions by ∼15 per cent. In addition, we also compare the median SED obtained with and without MIRI, and we find that including MIRI data yields steeper optical and UV slopes, indicating bluer colours, lower dust attenuation, and younger stellar populations. In the future, MIRI/MRS will enhance our understanding by providing more detailed spectral information and allowing for the study of specific emission features and diagnostics associated with AGN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article studies the contested legal–political dynamics around forced migration flows to and through an unrecognized state: the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). We adopt an analytical perspective drawn from the literature on performative politics and the legal anthropology of documents to explore how migration dynamics interact with the contested legal status of the TRNC. Our two main questions are: What practical shape do the human rights of refugees and asylum seekers take in an interstitial legal space, where the foundation of law is itself subject to ambiguity, suspension, and contestation? And what implications—opportunities and hazards—does this constellation have for refugees and asylum-seekers? Drawing on interviews, lived experience and fieldwork observations, we make two arguments. First, we contend that the interstitial status of the TRNC represents both an opportunity for refugees and a threat. Secondly, we argue that a purely legal or technical understanding of legal identity and concurrent rights is inadequate; we must subject these phenomena to a politically informed analysis of the everyday practices through which legal norms and spaces are continuously shaped and reshaped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this white paper is to educate health care professionals about the evolution of telemedicine (TM) and to propose a hybrid model that leverages the strengths of traditional in-person medicine as well as virtual medicine while maximizing the safety and quality of men's sexual health care. Literature Search Strategy: A literature search focused on the use of TM in urology and men's health was performed through PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science (January 1, 2012–April 26, 2022). Keywords included all known permutations of the terminology used to refer to virtual health, care as well as the terminology used to refer to urologic diseases, issues specific to men's health, and men's sexual health concerns. Publications that emerged after the literature search that met this criterion also were incorporated. Opinion pieces, letters to the editor, meeting abstracts, and conference proceedings were excluded. Additional resources were retrieved, such as governmental technical reports, legislative updates and reviews, and blogs. This search strategy yielded 1684 records across databases after removal of duplicates. Abstracts from the retrieved records were reviewed for relevance. Relevant publications were defined as those that reported data on any aspect of TM use specific to urology, men's health, and/or men's sexual health. If relevance was unclear from the abstract, then the full text of the article was retrieved for a more detailed review. In addition, the published evidence-based practice guidelines relevant to care for erectile dysfunction, Peyronie's disease, ejaculatory dysfunction, and hypogonadism were retrieved. The most common reasons for article exclusions were a focus on TM use in disciplines other than urology and the absence of data (ie, opinion pieces). After exclusions, a total of 91 publications remained and constituted the evidence base for this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco is a popular choice in Australia, with some people who smoke finding these products more attractive than factory-made cigarettes (FMC). Differences in visual and tactile properties and in the feel and taste of the smoke may contribute to this attractiveness. These differences may be driven by variation in tobacco constituents and wrapping paper permeability. However, to date, there has been no comparison of RYO and FMC products on the Australian market. Aims and Methods Chemical constituents, pH, flavorants, and paper permeability were compared in unburned RYO tobacco and tobacco from FMC. RYO and FMC products from matched brands were compared, as were products from the most popular FMC and RYO brands on the Australian market in 2018. Results RYO tobacco had higher moisture and humectant content (glycerol and propylene glycol) than FMC tobacco. RYO tobacco also had higher amounts of total and reducing sugars and lower nicotine when comparing the most popular brands. RYO papers were less permeable than FMC papers. Both RYO and FMC tobacco contained many chemicals identified as flavorants, including fourteen with known potential health risks. For most measured constituents and flavorants, RYO tobaccos had more in common with other RYO than FMC, with the commonalities remaining even when matched brands were compared. Conclusions Higher levels of moisture, humectants, and sugars in Australian RYO tobacco compared to FMC may be increasing attractiveness of RYO by reducing the harsh taste of the smoke and increasing the moist feel of the tobacco. Implications While price is the main factor driving the use of RYO tobacco, some people who smoke find these products more attractive. This study has shown that Australian RYO tobacco contains higher amounts of glycerol, propylene glycol, and sugars than FMC. These chemicals may be improving the taste of the tobacco, as well as creating a moist feel that is falsely perceived as indicating that the tobacco is "fresh" and "less chemically." Ironically, it may be that higher amounts of some added chemicals in RYO contribute to false perceptions of a more natural and less harmful product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has evaluated the extent to which cocaine and other drugs were detectable on currency in the USA. The literature was in agreement that the majority of bills exhibited some degree of contamination. With the increase of fentanyl in the illicit drug supply, this study was designed to evaluate the extent that fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and other substances were present on circulating currency in 2022. A quantitative assay using liquid chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was developed and validated to detect six analytes: fentanyl, 4-anilino- N -phenethylpiperidine, acetylfentanyl, benzylfentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine. One-dollar bills were collected from 13 cities across the country. Sample preparation consisted of soaking the bills in methanol followed by liquid–liquid extraction. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a C18 analytical column and gradient elution with ammonium formate in water (5 mM, pH 3) and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile. The quantitative working range for this assay was 0.1 μg to 1.0 μg per bill (equivalent to 1 ng/mL to 100 ng/mL of extract). Fentanyl was detected on the majority (63%) of samples, with 61% of samples having ≥0.1 μg of fentanyl and 4% of samples having ≥1.0 μg. Cocaine and methamphetamine were detected on 100% and 98% of bills, respectively, typically in amounts >1.0 μg. The remaining fentanyl-related substances were detected in 15% of samples in amounts no >0.69 μg per bill and exclusively in the presence of fentanyl. Unsurprisingly, areas of the country with higher incidence of fentanyl use yielded higher frequency of contaminated bills and higher concentrations. Human exposure to drugs on currency is unlikely to have any significant impacts toxicologically or pharmacologically; however, our research findings suggest that paper currency could serve as a useful substrate for surveillance of drug trends regionally, nationally and/or internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced the Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock Management Bundle (SEP-1) as a pay-for-reporting measure in 2015 and is now planning to make it a pay-for-performance measure by incorporating it into the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program. This joint IDSA/ACEP/PIDS/SHEA/SHM/SIPD position paper highlights concerns with this change. Multiple studies indicate that SEP-1 implementation was associated with increased broad-spectrum antibiotic use, lactate measurements, and aggressive fluid resuscitation for patients with suspected sepsis but not with decreased mortality rates. Increased focus on SEP-1 risks further diverting attention and resources from more effective measures and comprehensive sepsis care. We recommend retiring SEP-1 rather than using it in a payment model and shifting instead to new sepsis metrics that focus on patient outcomes. CMS is developing a community-onset sepsis 30-day mortality electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) that is an important step in this direction. The eCQM preliminarily identifies sepsis using systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria, antibiotic administrations or diagnosis codes for infection or sepsis, and clinical indicators of acute organ dysfunction. We support the eCQM but recommend removing SIRS criteria and diagnosis codes to streamline implementation, decrease variability between hospitals, maintain vigilance for patients with sepsis but without SIRS, and avoid promoting antibiotic use in uninfected patients with SIRS. We further advocate for CMS to harmonize the eCQM with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Adult Sepsis Event surveillance metric to promote unity in federal measures, decrease reporting burden for hospitals, and facilitate shared prevention initiatives. These steps will result in a more robust measure that will encourage hospitals to pay more attention to the full breadth of sepsis care, stimulate new innovations in diagnosis and treatment, and ultimately bring us closer to our shared goal of improving outcomes for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The primary aim of this paper is to review evidence and clinical implications related to lifestyle activities associated with promoting brain and cognitive health. Our review targets four key lifestyle factors: physical activity and exercise, social engagement, cognitively stimulating activity, and consuming Mediterranean-style diets. Method We conducted a critical review of the lifestyle factor literature in the four domains listed earlier. We contextualize this literature review by translating findings, when possible, into evidence-based recommendations to consider when providing neuropsychological services. Results There is significant current evidence supporting the role of physical activity and exercise, social engagement, cognitively stimulating activity, and consuming Mediterranean-style diets on positive brain and cognitive health outcomes. While some null findings are present in all four areas reviewed, the weight of the evidence supports the notion that engaging in these activities may promote brain and cognitive functioning. Conclusions Clinical neuropsychologists can have confidence in recommending engagement in physical activity, social activity, and cognitively stimulating activity, and adhering to a Mediterranean-style diet to promote brain and cognitive health. We discuss limitations in existing lifestyle factor research and future directions to enhance the existing evidence base, including additional research with historically underrepresented groups and individuals with neurological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological relationships among antimicrobial producing, resistant, and sensitive strains have been proposed to follow rock-paper-scissors dynamics, but evidence is mainly based on Gram-negative bacteriocins in vitro. The ecological relevance of antimicrobials in vivo or in situ has not been systematically studied. This study therefore aimed to analyze binary and ternary competitions among reutericyclin-producing strain Limosilactobacillus reuteri TMW1.656, its reutericyclin-resistant, nonproducing isogenic derivative L. reuteri TMW1.656 ∆rtcN , and the reutericyclin-sensitive, nonproducing L. reuteri TMW1.656 ∆rtcN∆rtcT in vitro (liquid culture and static plate), in situ (sourdough fermentation), and in vivo (gut of germ-free mice). In liquid culture, L. reuteri TMW1.656 had a higher fitness than TMW1.656 ∆rtcN and TMW1.656 ∆rtcN∆rtcT. Limosilactobacillus reuteri TMW1.656 ∆rtcN∆rtcT had a higher fitness than TMW1.656 ∆rtcN. On agar plates, L. reuteri TMW1.656 had a higher fitness than TMW1.656 ∆rtcN∆rtcT. In situ , reutericyclin production and resistance had no influence on the fitness of the strains. In vivo , TMW1.656 had an advantage over TMW1.656 ∆rtcN and TMW1.656 ∆rtcN∆rtcT. Ternary competitions showed reutericyclin production was ecologically beneficial in all ecosystems. The findings support the ecological importance of reutericyclin in a variety of environments/niches, providing an explanation for the acquisition of the reutericyclin gene cluster in L. reuteri and its contribution to the ecological fitness of Streptococcus mutans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we update and develop algorithms for KMTNet tender-love care (TLC) photometry in order to create a new, mostly automated, TLC pipeline. We then start a project to systematically apply the new TLC pipeline to the historic KMTNet microlensing events, and search for buried planetary signals. We report the discovery of such a planet candidate in the microlensing event MOA-2019-BLG-421/KMT-2019-BLG-2991. The anomalous signal can be explained by either a planet around the lens star or the orbital motion of the source star. For the planetary interpretation, despite many degenerate solutions, the planet is most likely to be a Jovian planet orbiting an M or K dwarf, which is a typical microlensing planet. The discovery proves that the project can indeed increase the sensitivity of historic events and find previously undiscovered signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Cress seeds release allelochemicals that over-stimulate the elongation of hypocotyls of neighbouring (potentially competing) seedlings and inhibit their root growth. The hypocotyl promoter is potassium, but the root inhibitor was unidentified; its nature is investigated here. Methods Low-molecular-weight cress-seed exudate (LCSE) from imbibed Lepidium sativum seeds was fractionated by phase partitioning, paper chromatography, high-voltage electrophoresis and gel-permeation chromatography (on Bio-Gel P-2). Fractions, compared with pure potassium salts, were bioassayed for effects on Amaranthus caudatus seedling growth in the dark for 4 days. Key Results The LCSE robustly promoted amaranth hypocotyl elongation and inhibited root growth. The hypocotyl inhibitor was non-volatile, hot acid stable, hydrophilic and resistant to incineration, as expected for K+. The root inhibitor(s) had similar properties but were organic (activity lost on incineration). The root inhibitor(s) remained in the aqueous phase (at pH 2.0, 6.5 and 9.0) when partitioned against butan-1-ol or toluene, and were thus hydrophilic. Activity was diminished after electrophoresis, but the remaining root inhibitors were neutral. They became undetectable after paper chromatography; therefore, they probably comprised multiple compounds, which separated from each other, in part, during fractionation. On gel-permeation chromatography, the root inhibitor co-eluted with hexoses. Conclusions Cress-seed allelochemicals inhibiting root growth are different from the agent (K+) that over-stimulates hypocotyl elongation and the former probably comprise a mixture of small, non-volatile, hydrophilic, organic substances. Abundant components identified chromatographically and by electrophoresis in cress-seed exudate fitting this description include glucose, fructose, sucrose and galacturonic acid. However, none of these sugars co-chromatographed and co-electrophoresed with the root-inhibitory principle of LCSE, and none of them (in pure form at naturally occurring concentrations) inhibited root growth. We conclude that the root-inhibiting allelochemicals of cress-seed exudate remain unidentified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study published in the British Journal of Dermatology discusses the use of beremagene geperpavec (B-VEC) gene therapy for the treatment of cutaneous wounds in patients with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). DEB is a rare inherited skin disease characterized by blistering and slow-to-heal wounds. The study found that B-VEC treatment resulted in significantly higher rates of wound healing compared to a placebo. The therapy has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration and is expected to provide a new treatment option for patients with DEB. [Extracted from the article]

The Society of Toxicology has awarded the Paper of the Year to a study titled "Increased renal expression of complement components in patients with liver diseases: nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, alcohol-associated, viral hepatitis, and alcohol-viral combination." The study examined the impact of liver dysfunction on renal physiology and identified overlapping renal expression changes across different liver disease etiologies. The findings provide insight into the mechanisms of renal dysfunction associated with chronic liver disease. Two other papers received Honorable Mention, one exploring the impact of particulate matter exposure on foam cell formation in atherosclerosis and the other investigating the effects of developmental exposure to environmental chemicals on CD8+ T cell function during influenza A virus infection. These studies contribute to our understanding of toxicological effects and offer potential strategies for intervention. [Extracted from the article]

There are a few results about the global nonlinear stability of nontrivial large solution to quasilinear wave equations. Time-like extremal surface in Minkowski space is an important model of quasilinear wave equation. There are two folds in this paper. Firstly, we get the existence of traveling wave solution to the time-like extremal hypersurface in |$\mathbb {R}^{1+(n+1)}$|⁠ , which can be considered as the generalized Bernstein theorem. For |$n=2$|⁠ , we are also concerned with global stability of traveling wave solutions with speed of light to time-like extremal hypersurface equation in |$1+(2+1)$| dimensional Minkowski space, which is corresponding with quasilinear wave equation in two space dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Genetics Society of America is calling for submissions of papers on the Genetics of Bacteria for their journals GENETICS and G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics. The series aims to highlight recent genetic and genomic work on various aspects of bacterial genetics, including genetic diversity, genome preservation, mutagenesis, gene function and regulation, bacterial defense systems, and the genetic basis of medically important traits. The series will be launched in mid-2025, and authors are invited to submit manuscripts by September 30. The papers will undergo peer review and will be published online shortly after acceptance. [Extracted from the article]

The Genetics Society of America is calling for submissions of papers on biobank-scale genomic data analyses. Biobanks, which are large collections of biological, medical, and genetic data on the same individuals, have revolutionized human genomics research. However, there is substantial heterogeneity between biobanks worldwide, creating both challenges and opportunities for data analysis. The series will focus on various topics, including population structures, selection bias, measurement errors, clinical observations, linkage with external data sources, meta-analysis, computational analysis methods, family-based analyses, ethical and privacy-related issues, and technological considerations. Manuscripts can be submitted until May 31, 2024, and the series will be an ongoing resource in this area. [Extracted from the article]

The article calls for papers on genomic data analyses in biobanks by highlighting the opportunities and challenges stemming from the heterogeneity between biobanks worldwide. Topics include population structures, selection bias effects, clinical observations, ethical considerations, and technological advancements in data generation for omics studies.

UV light is a potent mutagen that induces bulky DNA damage in the form of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). Photodamage and other bulky lesions occurring in nuclear genomes can be repaired through nucleotide excision repair (NER), where incisions on both sides of a damaged site precede the removal of a single-stranded oligonucleotide containing the damage. Mitochondrial genomes (mtDNAs) are also susceptible to damage from UV light, but current evidence suggests that the only way to eliminate bulky mtDNA damage is through mtDNA degradation. Damage-containing oligonucleotides excised during NER can be captured with antidamage antibodies and sequenced (XR-seq) to produce high-resolution maps of active repair locations following UV exposure. We analyzed previously published datasets from Arabidopsis thaliana, Saccharomyces cerevisiae , and Drosophila melanogaster to identify reads originating from the mtDNA (and plastid genome in A. thaliana). In A. thaliana and S. cerevisiae , the mtDNA-mapping reads have unique length distributions compared to the nuclear-mapping reads. The dominant fragment size was 26 nt in S. cerevisiae and 28 nt in A. thaliana with distinct secondary peaks occurring in regular intervals. These reads also show a nonrandom distribution of di-pyrimidines (the substrate for CPD formation) with TT enrichment at positions 7–8 of the reads. Therefore, UV damage to mtDNA appears to result in production of DNA fragments of characteristic lengths and positions relative to the damaged location. The mechanisms producing these fragments are unclear, but we hypothesize that they result from a previously uncharacterized DNA degradation pathway or repair mechanism in mitochondria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Both exposure to occupational chemicals and to unusual working hours have well documented effects on health. Determination of occupational exposure limits is, however, usually based on chemical-only exposure and assumes an 8-h workday, 5 days/week and a 40-h work week. A significant proportion of the workforce is exposed to chemicals while working in other work schedules. This review thus aimed to synthesize and evaluate the scientific support for a combined effect of unusual working hours and chemical exposure and, if possible, give recommendations for OEL adjustments to account for unusual working hours. Methods The search for articles was made as part of the preparation of a report for the Nordic Expert Group for Criteria Documentation of Health Risks from Chemicals. In this report, unusual working hours were categorized as shift work or extended (>8 h) working hours. Inclusion criteria were observational studies in the English language published up to November 2021 in peer-reviewed journals, with explicit metrics of exposure (chemicals and unusual working hours) and of health outcome, and which explicitly tested the association between exposure and outcome. Search engines of seven databases were used. Results Of the initially 15 400 identified papers, 9 studies published between 1985 and 2021 met the inclusion criteria, 7 of which showed significant associations. Results from a few of the studies, i.e. regarding effects of dust and endotoxin on lung function, effects of acetone on sleep quality and tiredness, effects of carbon disulphide on coronary artery disease and effects of chemicals on spontaneous abortion, suggested more pronounced effects during night shifts compared to during day shifts. Discussion The reviewed data is considered insufficient to conclude on recommendations for OEL adjustment for shift work. Suggested areas of future studies are mentioned. Conclusion Further studies about the effects of the combined exposure to unusual working hours and chemical exposure are essential for risk assessment, and for recommendation of potential OEL adjustments. What is important about this paper? Effects of chemical agents at the workplace may depend not only on exposure level and duration but also on the time of exposure in relation to the circadian rhythm. This study reviewed the scientific support for a combined effect of unusual working hours and chemical exposure and revealed an obvious need for additional studies regarding the complex interplay of the two different exposures with respect to adverse health effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background During the first epidemic wave, COVID-19 surveillance focused on quantifying the magnitude and the escalation of a growing global health crisis. The scientific community first assessed risk through basic indicators, such as the number of cases or rates of new cases and deaths, and later began using other direct impact indicators to conduct more detailed analyses. We aimed at synthesizing the scientific community's contribution to assessing the direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on population health through indicators reported in research papers. Methods We conducted a rapid scoping review to identify and describe health indicators included in articles published between January 2020 and June 2021, using one strategy to search PubMed, EMBASE and WHO COVID-19 databases. Sixteen experts from European public health institutions screened papers and retrieved indicator characteristics. We also asked in an online survey how the health indicators were added to and used in policy documents in Europe. Results After reviewing 3891 records, we selected a final sample of 67 articles and 233 indicators. We identified 52 (22.3%) morbidity indicators from 33 articles, 105 severity indicators (45.1%, 27 articles) and 68 mortality indicators (29.2%, 51). Respondents from 22 countries completed 31 questionnaires, and the majority reported morbidity indicators (29, 93.5%), followed by mortality indicators (26, 83.9%). Conclusions The indicators collated here might be useful to assess the impact of future pandemics. Therefore, their measurement should be standardized to allow for comparisons between settings, countries and different populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conceptualizing tobacco dependence as a chronic relapsing condition suggests the need to use analytic strategies that reflect that premise. However, clinical trials for smoking cessation typically define the primary endpoint as a measure of abstinence at a single timepoint distal to the intervention, typically 3–12 months. This reinforces the concept of tobacco outcomes as a dichotomous state—one is, or is not, abstinent. Fortunately, there are several approaches available to handle longitudinal data that reflect the relapsing and remitting nature of tobacco use during treatment studies. In this paper, sponsored by the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco's Treatment Research Network, we present an introductory overview of these techniques and their application in smoking cessation clinical trials. Topics discussed include models to examine abstinence outcomes (eg, trajectory models of abstinence, models for transitions in smoking behavior, models for time to event), models that examine reductions in tobacco use, and models to examine joint outcomes (eg, examining changes in the use of more than one tobacco product). Finally, we discuss three additional relevant topics (ie, heterogeneity of effects, handling missing data, and power and sample size) and provide summary information about the type of model that can be used based on the type of data collected and the focus of the study. We encourage investigators to familiarize themselves with these techniques and use them in the analysis of data from clinical trials of smoking cessation treatment. Implications Clinical trials of tobacco dependence treatment typically measure abstinence 3–12 months after participant enrollment. However, because smoking is a chronic relapsing condition, these measures of intervention success may not accurately reflect the common trajectories of tobacco abstinence and relapse. Several analytical techniques facilitate this type of outcome modeling. This paper is meant to be an introduction to these concepts and techniques to the global nicotine and tobacco research community including which techniques can be used for different research questions with visual summaries of which types of models can be used for different types of data and research questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The estimation of the slope (b -value) of the frequency–magnitude distribution of earthquakes is based on a formula derived by Aki decades ago, assuming a continuous exponential distribution. However, as the magnitude is usually provided with a limited resolution, its distribution is not continuous but discrete. In the literature, this problem was initially solved by an empirical correction (due to Utsu) to the minimum magnitude, and later by providing an exact formula such as that by Tinti and Mulargia, based on the geometric distribution theory. A recent paper by van der Elst showed that the b -value can be estimated also by considering the magnitude differences (which are proven to follow an exponential discrete Laplace distribution) and that in this case the estimator is more resilient to the incompleteness of the magnitude data set. In this work, we provide the complete theoretical formulation including (i) the derivation of the means and standard deviations of the discrete exponential and Laplace distributions; (ii) the estimators of the decay parameter of the discrete exponential and trimmed Laplace distributions and (iii) the corresponding formulas for the parameter b. We deduce (iv) the standard 1 σ intervals for the estimated b. Moreover, we are able (v) to quantify the error associated with the Utsu minimum-magnitude correction. Furthermore, we have discussed the formulas to produce statistically independent magnitude differences. We tested extensively the b -value estimators on simulated synthetic data sets including complete catalogues as well as catalogues affected by a strong incompleteness degree such as aftershock sequences where the incompleteness is made to vary from one event to the next. We have also analysed the real aftershock sequence of the 30/10/2016 Norcia (central Italy) to integrate the finding of the simulations. To judge the performance of the various estimators we have introduced an index p that can be seen as a non-parametric extension of the Student's t index. The main outcomes of this paper are that (1) the b -value estimators devised for continuous magnitude data are not adequate for binned magnitudes, (2) for complete data sets, estimators based on magnitudes and on magnitude differences provide substantially equivalent results, (3) for incomplete magnitude data sets, estimators based on magnitude differences provide better results and (4) for incomplete aftershock sequences there is no evidence that methods based on positive magnitude differences are superior than other methods using differences. This conclusion is further confirmed by our analysis of the above-mentioned Norcia seismic sequence. This last finding contrasts with the van der Elst's claim that the so called |${{b}_ + }$| method is the most adequate to treat real aftershock sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Full-waveform inversion (FWI) is an effective method for imaging subsurface properties using sparsely recorded data. It involves solving a wave propagation problem to estimate model parameters that accurately reproduce the data. Recent trends in FWI have seen a renewed interest in extended methodologies, among which source extension methods leveraging reconstructed wavefields to solve penalty or augmented Lagrangian (AL) formulations have emerged as robust algorithms, even for inaccurate initial models. Despite their demonstrated robustness on synthetic data, challenges remain, such as the lack of a clear physical interpretation and reliance on difficult-to-compute least-squares (LS) wavefields. Moreover, the literature lacks a general and through comparison of these source extension methods with each other and with the standard FWI. This paper is divided into three critical parts. In the first, a novel formulation of these methods is explored within a unified Lagrangian framework. This novel perspective permits the introduction of alternative algorithms that use LS multipliers instead of wavefields. These multiplier-oriented variants appear as regularizations of the standard FWI, are suitable to the time domain, offer tangible physical interpretations, and foster enhanced convergence efficiency. The second part of the paper delves into understanding the underlying mechanisms of these techniques. This is achieved by solving the associated non-linear equations using iterative linearization and inverse scattering methods. The paper provides insight into the role and significance of Lagrange multipliers in enhancing the linearization of the equations. It explains how different methods estimate multipliers or make approximations to increase computing efficiency. Additionally, it presents a new physical understanding of the Lagrange multiplier used in the AL method, highlighting how important it is for improving algorithm performance when compared to penalty methods. In the final section, the paper presents numerical examples that compare different methods within a unified iterative algorithm, utilizing benchmark Marmousi and 2004 BP salt models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper responds to Friend's (2023) critique of the Powers-BSA , a view according to which laws of nature are efficient descriptions of how modally laden properties (powers) are possibly distributed in spacetime. In the course of this response, the paper discusses the nature of scientific and metaphysical explanation, the aim of science, and the structure of modal space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Is relativism a coherent thesis? The paper argues for a new view of relativism that opposes both classic and contemporary views. On this view, the thesis of relativism is coherent even if the key notions in the standard apparatus of relativism—of alternative conceptual schemes, relative truth, perspectival content—are all incoherent. The view defended here highlights issues about attitude attribution and explanation in formulating the thesis of relativism and it proposes a surprising connection between relativism and nonsense. The paper argues further that the thesis of relativism, so understood, is coherent, by considering different accounts of the semantics of attitude attributions in their application to the attribution of nonsensical thinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid construction and implementation of smart grid, lots of studies have been conducted to explore how to ensure the security of information privacy. At present, most privacy-preserving data aggregation schemes in smart grid achieve privacy data protection through homomorphically encrypted data aggregation. However, these data aggregation schemes tend to rely on a trusted third party (TTP), and fail to efficiently handle the case of a meter failure. Besides, they are less flexible for overall user management, and resistance to collusion attacks needs to be improved. In this paper, we propose an efficient and robust privacy-preserving data aggregation scheme without TTP, called EFTA. Overall, the scheme eliminates the reliance on a TTP, combines with Shamir threshold secret sharing scheme to increase overall fault tolerance, supports flexible and dynamic user management, and effectively defends against entity initiated collusion attacks. According to security and performance analysis results, the scheme proposed in this paper meets the multiple security requirements of smart grid, and is more efficient in terms of overall overhead compared to the existing privacy-preserving data aggregation schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intrusion detection has become a research focus in internet information security, with deep learning algorithms playing a crucial role in its development. Typically, intrusion detection data are transformed into a two-dimensional matrix by segmenting, stacking and padding them with zeros for input into deep learning models. However, this method consumes computational resources and fails to consider the correlation between features. In this paper, we transform the data into images through visualization operations and propose an information entropy weighted scheme to optimize the collision element problem during the transformation process. This method enhances the correlation between pixel frame features, leading to approximately 2% improvement in accuracy of the classification model when using the generated image samples for detection in experiments. To address the issues of insensitivity to target feature locations and incomplete feature extraction in traditional neural networks, this paper introduces a new network model called CBAM-CapsNet, which combines the advantages of the lightweight Convolutional Block Attention Module and capsule networks. Experimental results on the UNSW-NB15 and IDS-2017 datasets demonstrate that the proposed model achieves accuracies of 92.94% and 99.72%, respectively. The F1 scores obtained are 91.83% and 99.56%, indicating a high level of detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate representation of objects holds pivotal significance in the realm of panoptic segmentation. Presently, prevalent object representation methodologies, including box-based, keypoint-based and query-based techniques, encounter a challenge known as the 'representation confusion' issue in specific scenarios, often resulting in the mislabeling of instances. In response, this paper introduces Convex Object Representation (COR), a straightforward yet highly effective approach to address this problem. COR leverages a CNN-based Euclidean Distance Transform to convert the target instance into a convex heatmap. Simultaneously, it offers a parallel embedding method for encoding the object. Subsequently, COR characterizes objects based on the distinctive embedding vectors of their convex vertices. This paper seamlessly integrates COR into a state-of-the-art query-based panoptic segmentation framework. Experimental findings validate that COR successfully mitigates the representation confusion predicament, enhancing segmentation accuracy. The COR-augmented methods exhibit notable improvements of +1.3 and +0.7 points in PQ on the Cityscapes validation and MS COCO panoptic 2017 validation datasets, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the case of Higgs v Farmor's School, a decision of the Employment Appeal Tribunal concerning unlawful discrimination on the basis of the manifestation of protected philosophical beliefs. It discusses the relationship between human rights standards and discrimination law standards in the interpretation of direct discrimination on grounds of religion or belief. While this decision goes a long way towards providing guidance on how this interaction is to be parsed out in the context of discrimination law, it nevertheless leaves certain important questions open. Finally, the paper argues that much of the discussion of proportionality around the censorship of protected belief manifestation is misconstrued. It is commonly accepted without question that the legitimate aim pursued by censorship is the protection of the rights of others. Yet in the cases dealing with manifestation such as this, there is an extremely remote threat to rights, if one exists at all. The expression of views that some take offense to is not a human rights violation. Rather, censorship of such views is better described as aimed at the protection of morals; the enforcement of speech codes or workplace standards in order to maintain a particular ethos or atmosphere of professionalism. There is then an interesting question which arises: would the choice of justification grounded in protecting morals over the rights of others affect the intensity of the proportionality assessment? There is a plausible argument that attempts to justify infringement on the exercise of fundamental rights by reference to a desire to impose a moral code, unconnected to the rights of others, would attach more intensive scrutiny. If this is true, it is incumbent upon courts not to accept at face value that employment speech codes are necessary to protect the rights of others, certainly not without more searching analysis of which rights in particular are claimed to be infringed by a failure to mandate speech. This is of particular salience given that courts have repeatedly stressed that the right to freedom of expression includes the right to say things that are offensive, shocking or even disturbing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst ongoing global debate about reproductive rights, questions have emerged about the role of language in reinforcing stigma around termination. Amongst some 'pro-choice' groups, the use of pro-life is discouraged, and anti-abortion is recommended. In UK official documents, termination of pregnancy is generally used, and abortion is avoided. Lack of empirical research focused on lexis means it is difficult to draw conclusions about the role language plays in this polarized debate, however. This paper, therefore, explores whether the stigma associated with abortion may reflect negative semantic prosody. Synthesizing quantitative corpus linguistic methods and qualitative discourse analysis, it presents findings that indicate that abortion has unfavourable semantic prosody in a corpus of contemporary internet English. These findings are considered in relation to discursive salience, offering a theoretical framework and operationalization of this theory. Through this lens, the paper considers whether the discursive salience of extreme anti-abortion discourses may strengthen the negative semantic prosody of abortion. It, therefore, combines a contribution to theory around semantic prosody with a caution to those using abortion whilst unaware of its possibly unfavourable semantic prosody. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many survey programs switched to self-administered modes of data collection, often offering respondents both web-based and paper-based questionnaires. However, there is little guidance as to when to offer which mode, especially when the aim is to recruit participants for a panel survey. This study examines the effectiveness of different mode-sequence designs by analyzing an experiment implemented in the recruitment wave of the German panel study "Family Research and Demographic Analysis." We randomly assigned 108,256 individuals aged 18–49 years to one of three mode-sequence-design conditions: concurrent, web-first including a paper-based questionnaire with the second reminder (web-first-2), and web-first including a paper-based questionnaire with the third reminder (web-first-3). A fourth, simulated group did not receive a paper-based questionnaire (web-only). We analyzed how different mode-sequence designs affected outcome rates, sample composition, response distributions, data quality, share of paper-based questionnaires, postage costs, number of postal mailings in the recruitment wave, and participation in the first regular wave. Our results show no differences in response distributions and small differences in sample composition across the four mode-sequence designs. As the web-first-2 and simulated web-only designs yielded comparatively good response and recruitment rates at reasonable costs, we recommend their use when surveying adults between 18 and 49 years old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A general |$N$| -dimensional non-monotone delayed diffusive Lotka–Volterra model is considered in our paper. First, we obtain the global stability of the model subject to Neumann boundary condition by using a small delay result for delayed systems. Second, the limits at |$+\infty $| of bounded travelling wave solutions are confirmed by virtue of such global stability. Therefore, the existence of co-existence state travelling wave solutions is established. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the biological significance of the assumptions in the current paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the adaptive two-bit-triggered containment control problem for nonlinear multi-agent systems in the presence of input saturation. Since input saturation occurs frequently in practical systems, which can affect the stability of the multi-agent systems under consideration, an auxiliary design system is introduced to address this issue. Meanwhile, considering limited transmission resources in practical systems, this paper mainly focuses on the triggering condition and the control signal transmission bits, presenting a two-bit-triggered control approach to optimize the utilization of transmission resources. Furthermore, a command filter is introduced into the design process to solve the problem of complexity explosion. The proposed method ensures that all signals of the closed-loop system are bounded and the output signals of all followers converge to a convex hull spanned by the outputs of the leaders. Finally, two simulation examples are provided to verify the validity of the presented control scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose a novel discrete-time consensus algorithm based on the new min–max criterion for the discrete-time second-order linear agents. To boost the convergence speed, the proposed algorithm allocates three different operating modes to the network agents. Unlike most of the existing consensus algorithms in which the links of the communication graph have specific weights and these weights are required to have positive lower bounds to achieve asymptotic convergence, the communication graph in this paper has unspecific link weights. Accordingly, because of data transmission errors and faults, the weights of the communication links can even go from a positive to a negative value. Thus, the proposed algorithm can bring the agents to consensus under more general conditions. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm, numerical simulations are performed, and their results are compared with those of the minimum consensus algorithm, which shows a significantly faster convergence speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the concept of methodological congruence—where the different elements of a study 'fit' together—we explore both problematic and good practice in (reflexive) thematic analysis (TA) as reported in Health Promotion International (HPI). Aligning with the importance we place on 'owning your perspectives' we situate this exploration in relation to our understanding of the variation in approaches to TA and qualitative research more broadly. This contextualization is necessary for highlighting why we judge practices to be in/congruent, and to facilitate more knowing congruence in future research. We critically reviewed a 'sample' of 31 papers published in HPI between 2010 and 2023 citing Braun and Clarke as reference for TA. We overview a range of problematic and good features of the use of TA in HPI , before focusing on two domains that seemed to present key challenges: theory and themes. Methodological incongruence can occur when postpositivist values and practices unwittingly creep into ostensibly non-positivist TA; we encourage thoughtfully and what we term 'knowing' consideration of theory, and quality practices and criteria. Methodological incongruence can also occur through mismatched conceptualizations of themes—notably, the use of 'topic summaries' as themes for reflexive TA (and fragmented thematic structures with 'thin' themes). We provide examples from the reviewed papers to demonstrate good practice in researcher reflexivity, articulation of theoretical and methodological frameworks and congruent themes. However, mindful of power dynamics, we only discuss problematic practice in general terms, to protect author anonymity. To facilitate thoughtful, quality TA—of all kinds—we provide eight pointers for researchers (and reviewers) to guide quality practice, and facilitate the use of concepts, procedures and criteria that promote knowing methodological congruence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Incontinence is a common, distressing condition, most prevalent in older people. There is an unmet need for effective interventions to support continence. This review focuses on non-pharmacological interventions to reduce incontinence among homebound older people. Aim: to identify interventions with potential to be delivered by care workers, nurses or family members in a person's home. Methods Multiple databases were searched until 15 September 2023 for randomised controlled trials reporting home-based interventions for incontinence for older people (≥65 years) living at home. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and papers against inclusion criteria, then assessed for the Risk of Bias (RoB2). A third reviewer resolved the discrepancies. Primary data were extracted and synthesised. Results A full-text review of 81 papers identified seven eligible papers (1996–2022, all USA), including n  = 636 participants (561 women and 75 men). Two studies focusing on multicomponent behavioural interventions showed benefit, as did one study of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation self-administered through electrode-embedded socks. Three, which included cognitively impaired people, reported improvement with toileting assistance programmes, but the effects were not all significant. Results were inconclusive from a study examining the effects of fluid intake adjustments. Interventions were delivered by nurses, three in collaboration with family caregivers. No faecal incontinence interventions met the criteria. Conclusion There is scant evidence for continence supporting interventions delivered in older people's own homes. With an ageing population often reliant on family or social care workers well-placed to support continence promotion and policy drives for services to support older people remaining at home, this evidence gap needs addressing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fornax galaxy cluster is the richest nearby (D ∼ 20 Mpc) galaxy association in the southern sky. As such, it provides a wealth of opportunities to elucidate on the processes where environment holds a key role in transforming galaxies. Although it has been the focus of many studies, Fornax has never been explored with contiguous homogeneous wide-field imaging in 12 photometric narrow and broad bands like those provided by the Southern Photometric Local Universe Survey (S-PLUS). In this paper, we present the S-PLUS Fornax Project (S+FP) that aims to comprehensively analyse the galaxy content of the Fornax cluster using S-PLUS. Our data set consists of 106 S-PLUS wide-field frames (FoV∼1.4 × 1.4 deg2) observed in five Sloan Digital Sky Survey-like ugriz broad bands and seven narrow bands covering specific spectroscopic features like [O  ii ], Ca  ii  H+K, Hδ, G band, Mg b triplet, Hα, and the Ca  ii triplet. Based on S-PLUS specific automated photometry, aimed at correctly detecting Fornax galaxies and globular clusters in S-PLUS images, our data set provides the community with catalogues containing homogeneous 12-band photometry for ∼3 × 106 resolved and unresolved objects within a region extending over ∼208 deg2 (∼5  R vir in RA) around Fornax' central galaxy, NGC 1399. We further explore the eagle and IllustrisTNG cosmological simulations to identify 45 Fornax-like clusters and generate mock images on all 12 S-PLUS bands of these structures down to galaxies with M ⋆ ≥ 108 M⊙. The S+FP data set we put forward in this first paper of a series will enable a variety of studies some of which are briefly presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quality control charts aim at raising an alarm as soon as sequentially obtained observations of an underlying random process no longer seem to be within stochastic fluctuations prescribed by an in-control scenario. Such random processes can often be modelled using the concept of stationarity, or even independence as in most classical works. An important out-of-control scenario is the changepoint alternative, for which the distribution of the process changes at an unknown point in time. In his seminal 1954 Biometrika paper, E. S. Page introduced the famous cumulative sum control charts for changepoint monitoring. Innovatively, decision rules based on cumulative sum procedures took the full history of the process into account, whereas previous procedures were based only on a fixed and typically small number of the most recent observations. The extreme case of using only the most recent observation, often referred to as the Shewhart chart, is more akin to serial outlier than changepoint detection. Page's cumulative sum approach, introduced seven decades ago, is ubiquitous in modern changepoint analysis, and his original paper has led to a multitude of follow-up papers in different research communities. This review is focused on a particular subfield of this research, namely nonparametric sequential, or online, changepoint tests that are constructed to maintain a desired Type-1 error as opposed to the more traditional approach seeking to minimize the average run length of the procedures. Such tests have originated at the intersection of econometrics and statistics. We trace the development of these tests and highlight their properties, mostly using a simple location model for clarity of exposition, but we also review more complex situations such as regression and time series models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we review the ways in which replication has been and could be featured in consumer behavior, using Journal of Consumer Research as a specific setting. We present a framework for thinking about the generalizability of research findings and differentiate various potential benefits that replication can have for understanding variability in consumer research findings. We then define four different types of replications, describe how researchers can use these approaches to produce distinct benefits, and give guidance regarding conducting, interpreting, and the potential contributions of these different types of replications. We conclude with a discussion of various ways in which replication could be more fully integrated into different phases of the scientific research process, taking into account the contribution necessary for publication. In particular, we identify opportunities to incorporate independent replication into original papers, to increase the replication-based contribution in papers that build on prior work, and to use systematic replication in conjunction with meta-analysis to synthesize and confirm conclusions from a mature research literature. More fully integrating replication into scientific practice can yield a new equilibrium, in which replication is routine, typically consistent with previous results, and recognized as necessary for establishing an empirical generalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rebel groups often develop governance during war by establishing administrative structures, engaging in taxation, and providing social services to the local population. Rebel governance structures, however, vary depending on the extent to which they include participatory arrangements. Some rebel groups allow civilian participation in their governance during the war, while others have highly hierarchical structures strictly limiting civilian participation. This paper examines whether and how the governance activities of rebel groups and participatory arrangements and institutions that they adopt during the war affect the durability of peace. I argue that participatory rebel governance can be particularly effective in establishing durable peace after the war. Civilian participation under rebel governance facilitates civilian political participation after conflict ends, which, in turn, discourages the use of political violence in response to grievances. Using rebel governance data between 1945 and 2012, I find strong empirical support for my argument. I then demonstrate the plausibility of the causal mechanism in the case of Indonesian and the Philippine civil wars. By establishing a strong positive empirical relationship between rebel wartime governance and the durability of peace, this paper identifies another important effect of rebel governance on conflict processes and outcomes in addition to its demonstrated effect on negotiations between warring parties and post-war democratization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, regime complexes are conceptualized as dynamic networks constituted by relations between international organizations (IOs). We introduce "IO positioning" as a conceptual lens for studying patterns and shifts in IO networks resulting from negotiations between IOs over their distinctiveness and social membership in complex organizational fields. We suggest that IO positioning has two constitutive effects. First, on the level of individual IOs, positioning affects IO identities within the field as these are (re)negotiated in relations with other organizations. Secondly, the positioning practices of IOs have constitutive effects on the contours of entire policy fields too; they form and shift the boundaries of regime complexes. Empirically, the paper examines the utility of our approach by analyzing the history, dynamics, and positioning effects of interorganizational relations between eight IOs in global health governance—an area of international cooperation that is commonly portrayed as exceptionally fragmented, complex, and densely populated. Examining relations between our eight IOs, we provide network analytical longitudinal data of in- and out-reporting by IOs derived from IOs' annual reports between 1970 and 2017. We triangulate our network analysis with data derived from semi-structured interviews with health IO professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What happens after border externalization? States and regional organizations of the Global North increasingly engage in transnational migration management that seeks to prevent potential irregular migration beyond their territory. Despite the impressive financial and political resources the involved actors mobilize to reach this goal, little is known about the effects of this strategy on their target states and populations. This paper conceptualizes border externalization as a spatial intervention that absorbs contingent migrant flows into an interplay of capital and race. It argues that the immobilization and differential integration produced through externalization can serve as a spatial fix for labor shortages in transit "migration" states. This differential integration disempowers the targeted migrant population and aggravates racial antagonisms. Hence, border externalization is not just a (by-)product of racist ideology and policy, but also intensifies racial hierarchies in the space it intervenes into. The paper studies this through the case of the "EU-Turkey Deal" and Turkey's Syrian refugee population, building on document analysis and primary interview data with industry representatives, farmers, NGO workers, and government officials. On a theoretical level, the paper thereby contributes to the recent trend that reinserts the border into global processes of racialized capital accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we presented a detailed analysis of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey optical spectrum of a new sub-kpc scale dual AGN candidate SDSS J222428.53+261423.2 (=SDSS J2224). The target is one of the few AGNs with all the optical narrow emission lines characterized by double-peaked profiles and with peak separations in velocity units of about 930 km s−1. If the double-peaked narrow emission lines (DPNELs) are due to a dual AGN in SDSS J2224, the estimated physical separation between the two cores is about 500 pc. Meanwhile, three alternative explanations are also discussed in this paper, however, we can not find solid evidence to completely rule them out. Our results support the presence of a sub-kpc dual AGN with DPNELs in all lines, indicating a key episode of galaxy merging evolution at sub-kpc scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]