bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aus Hartz IV wird Bürgergeld — nur alter Wein in neuen Schläuchen?
Authors: Blömer Maximilian , Fuest Clemens , Peichl Andreas
Published: February 2022

In this article, we discuss reform elements of “Hartz IV”. This includes, on the one hand, merging unemployment benefits with housing benefits and the additional child benefits (Kinderzuschlag) and, on the other hand, reducing disincentives which prevent the recipients from earning higher incomes. Employment incentives can be improved if the effective marginal transfer withdrawal rate is reduced and, at the same time, the preferential treatment of “mini jobs” is reduced. In addition, the eligibility criteria should be simplified. This could reduce the rate of non-takeup and thus hidden poverty. One criticism of such a reform of Hartz IV is that it would increase the number of transfer recipients. However, this is not an economically sensible outcome in a reform effort. What is important is the disposable income of transfer recipients affected and that the design of the transfer withdrawal does not create lock-in effects.
Bürgergeld statt Hartz IV
Authors: Schäfer Holger
Published: February 2022

Germany’s new government attempts once again to get rid of the infamous “Hartz IV” name for the country’s basic income support. The new “Bürgergeld” not only sports a new name, it also formulates new rules for sanctions and for considering income and property.
Perspektiven zum Bürgergeld
Authors: Merkl Christian
Published: February 2022

The Hartz IV labour market reform in 2005 triggered a substantial reduction in unemployment in Germany. At the same time, it reduced social welfare for the long-term unemployed and increased uncertainty for the employed. The proposed reform by the new government (“Bürgergeld”) will adjust the German welfare system moderately towards more social insurance. This article argues that the associated negative employment effects can be minimised by requiring appropriate participation from unemployed and by preventing new paths to early retirement. In addition, the article further discusses potential reforms to better reconcile employment incentives and social insurance.
Beim Übergang zum Bürgergeld mutig große Veränderungen wagen
Authors: Herzog-Stein Alexander
Published: February 2022

The new German federal government wants to replace the unemployment benefit II (Arbeitslosengeld II) with a so-called citizen’s income (“Bürgergeld”). In doing so, it needs to make major changes. Measures outlined in the coalition agreement indicate that the existing imbalance in the so called support and claim-approach (“Fördern und Fordern”) for the long-term unemployed will be finally readjusted towards supportive policy measures such as training. The reform of the in-work benefit element should aim at supporting sustainable employment subject to social security contributions. However, to live up to its name, the citizen’s income must ensure genuine social participation for those receiving the citizen’s income.
Krisengeprüftes Europa — auf dem Weg zu einer Patchwork-Union?
Authors: Handler Heinz
Published: February 2022

Auf der Grundlage einer unzureichend gefestigten „europäischen Identität“ sah sich die Europäische Union in den vergangenen Jahren etlichen Herausforderungen gegenüber: der Globalisierung, der Finanzkrise, der Migration und dem populistischen Nationalismus, dem Brexit sowie der Coronapandemie. Die negativen Folgen konnten bis zu einem gewissen Grad aufgefangen werden. Die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels werden dies aber wahrscheinlich in den Schatten stellen. Die vorliegende Analyse unterstreicht den Mehrwert der europäischen Integration, dämpft aber auch die Illusionen über die Zukunft der EU. Obwohl die Krisen die Solidarität im Kern der EU gestärkt zu haben scheinen, sind auch die Unterschiede zwischen den Mitgliedstaaten deutlicher geworden. Das Ziel einer vollwertigen politischen Union ist in weite Ferne gerückt, und es lohnt sich daher, nach zweitbesten Lösungen zu suchen, wie etwa einer Form der differenzierten weiteren Integration.
Evidenzbasierte Verbandsarbeit: der erweiterte Ethikkodex des Vereins für Socialpolitik
Authors: Kriwoluzky Alexander , Osikominu Aderonke , Weichselbaumer Doris , Weizsäcker Georg
Published: February 2022

Der neue Ethikkodex des Vereins für Socialpolitik nimmt Stellung gegen die Diskriminierung von Frauen und Minderheiten, sexuelle und anderweitige Belästigung im Arbeitsumfeld sowie das Schaffen eines feindseligen Umfelds. Neuere Untersuchungen zeigen, dass eine Gleichberechtigung von Frauen und Minderheiten in der Volkswirtschaftslehre noch nicht vorliegt. Der erweiterte Ethikkodex ist ein Schritt auf dem Weg zu mehr Chancengleichheit.
Strukturelle Finanzierungssalden auf verlässliche Füße stellen
Authors: Göttert Marcell , Wollmershäuser Timo
Published: February 2022

Derzeit wird in der EU und Deutschland diskutiert, wie die Fiskalregeln zukünftig ausgestaltet sein sollen. Ein Punkt ist dabei die Berechnung des strukturellen Finanzierungssaldos. Fünf Kriterien sind wichtig, die strukturelle Salden erfüllen sollten. Die Revisionen, die sich aus dem bestehenden Produktionsfunktionsansatz ex post ergeben, zeigen die Revisionsproblematik auf. Ein umfragegestützter Ansatz kann diese Problematik deutlich entschärfen.
Biontechs Steuerbooster und seine Nebenwirkungen auf das Finanzgefüge
Authors: Weiß Reinhold , Kanzler Kristof , Fiesel Robert
Published: February 2022

Der Mainzer Impfstoffhersteller Biontech hatte 2021 eine glänzende Geschäftsentwicklung, die zu einem sprunghaften Anstieg der rheinland-pfälzischen Steuereinnahmen geführt hat. Damit gehört das seit jeher finanzschwache Land Rheinland-Pfalz plötzlich zu den finanzstärksten Bundesländern und zählt damit zu den Geberländern im Finanzausgleichssystem. Ein so starker Anstieg der Finanzkraft führt jedoch zu erheblichen fiskalischen Spillover-Effekten, die letztlich zu problematischen Verteilungsergebnissen führen können. Die fiskalischen Folgen der durch Biontech induzierten Steuererhöhung führen speziell für den rheinland-pfälzischen Landeshaushalt zu überraschenden Ergebnissen.
Italiens Bankensystem und die Coronakrise
Authors: Matthes Jürgen
Published: February 2022

Das italienische Bankensystem ist bislang recht gut durch die Coronakrise gekommen. Dazu haben umfangreiche staatliche Hilfsmaßnahmen ebenso beigetragen wie Vorkrisenreformen mit Blick auf Altlasten aus der Euro-Schuldenkrise. Dazu zählen der Abbau notleidender Kredite und der Aufbau von Kapitalpuffern. Doch 2022 könnten Firmeninsolvenzen zur erneuten Belastungsprobe werden, wenn staatliche Kreditgarantien und -moratorien allmählich auslaufen. Risiken liegen für das italienische Bankensystem mittelfristig vor allem in der engen Verflechtung zwischen Staat und Banken. Eine Staatsschuldenkrise droht damit rasch zu einer umfassenden Wirtschaftskrise zu werden.
Demografische Alterung führt zu einem stark sinkenden Erwerbspersonenpotenzial
Authors: Fuchs Johann , Söhnlein Doris , Weber Birgit
Published: February 2022

The demographic development in Germany will lead to a declining number of people of working age and thus potentially in the labour force. The age structure is shifting towards older cohorts. The labour force will decline by 16 million workers between 2020 and 2060. However, an increase in the labour force participation of women and elderly people combined with immigration will mitigate the demographic effect. An average net migration of 100,000 persons per year would result in a projected decline in the labour force of 9 million by 2060. An extremely high migration of at least 400,000 persons would allow the potential labour force to remain roughly constant. A sensitivity analysis also looks at the effects that may arise if the participation rates increased even further.
AI-Driven Model for Automatic Emphysema Detection in Low-Dose Computed Tomography Using Disease-Specific Augmentation
Authors: Nagaraj Yeshaswini , Wisselink Hendrik Joost , Rook Mieneke , Cai Jiali , Nagaraj Sunil Belur , Sidorenkov Grigory , Veldhuis Raymond , Oudkerk Matthijs , Vliegenthart Rozemarijn , van Ooijen Peter
Published: February 2022

The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a disease-specific deep learning (DL) model based on minimum intensity projection (minIP) for automated emphysema detection in low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans. LDCT scans of 240 individuals from a population-based cohort in the Netherlands (ImaLife study, mean age ± SD = 57 ± 6 years) were retrospectively chosen for training and internal validation of the DL model. For independent testing, LDCT scans of 125 individuals from a lung cancer screening cohort in the USA (NLST study, mean age ± SD = 64 ± 5 years) were used. Dichotomous emphysema diagnosis based on radiologists’ annotation was used to develop the model. The automated model included minIP processing (slab thickness range: 1 mm to 11 mm), classification, and detection maps generation. The data-split for the pipeline evaluation involved class-balanced and imbalanced settings. The proposed DL pipeline showed the highest performance (area under receiver operating characteristics curve) for 11 mm slab thickness in both the balanced (ImaLife = 0.90 ± 0.05) and the imbalanced dataset (NLST = 0.77 ± 0.06). For ImaLife subcohort, the variation in minIP slab thickness from 1 to 11 mm increased the DL model’s sensitivity from 75 to 88% and decreased the number of false-negative predictions from 10 to 5. The minIP-based DL model can automatically detect emphysema in LDCTs. The performance of thicker minIP slabs was better than that of thinner slabs. LDCT can be leveraged for emphysema detection by applying disease specific augmentation.
Evaluation of earth rotation parameters from modernized GNSS navigation messages
Authors: Steigenberger Peter , Montenbruck Oliver , Bradke Markus , Ramatschi Markus , Hessels Uwe
Published: February 2022

Modernized navigation messages of global navigation satellite systems like GPS CNAV include earth rotation parameters (ERPs), namely the pole coordinates and UT1-UTC (∆UT1) as well as their rates. Broadcast ERPs are primarily needed for space-borne GNSS applications that require transformations between earth-fixed and inertial reference frames like navigation in earth orbit as well as to the moon. Based on a global tracking network of 23 stations, broadcast ERP values are obtained for the global systems GPS and BeiDou as well as the regional QZSS and IRNSS. Subsequent data sets at daily intervals show polar motion discontinuities of 0.4 to 0.7 mas for GPS, QZSS, and IRNSS, whereas BDS is worse by a factor of about two. Discontinuities in ∆UT1 range from 0.17 to 0.45 ms. External comparison with the C04 series of the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service results in polar motion RMS differences of 0.3 to 1.0 mas and ∆UT1 differences of about 0.13 ms for GPS, QZSS, and IRNSS. Due to less frequent update intervals, BDS performs worse by a factor of 2 – 4. In view of the current GNSS-based positioning errors at geostationary or even lunar distances, the accuracy of GPS, QZSS, and IRNSS broadcast ERPs is sufficient to support autonomous spacecraft navigation without the need for external data.
Solar photo-oxidation of recalcitrant industrial wastewater: a review
Authors: Tawfik Ahmed , Alalm Mohamed Gar , Awad Hanem M. , Islam Muhammad , Qyyum Muhammad Abdul , Al-Muhtaseb Ala’a H. , Osman Ahmed I. , Lee Moonyong
Published: February 2022

Conventional methods to clean wastewater actually lead to incomplete treatments, calling for advanced technologies to degrade recalcitrant pollutants. Herein we review solar photo-oxidation to degrade the recalcitrant contaminants in industrial wastewater, with focus on photocatalysts, reactor design and the photo-Fenton process. We discuss limitations due to low visible-light absorption, catalyst collection and reusability, and production of toxic by-products. Photodegradation of refractory organics by solar light is controlled by pH, photocatalyst composition and bandgap, pollutant properties and concentration, irradiation type and intensity, catalyst loading, and the water matrix.
Cohort-specific disability trajectories among older women and men in Europe 2004–2017
Authors: Fors Stefan , Illinca Stefania , Jull Janet , Kadi Selma , P Phillips Susan , Rodrigues Ricardo , Vafaei Afshin , Zolyomi Eszter , Rehnberg Johan
Published: February 2022

As the population of Europe grows older, one crucial issue is how the incidence and prevalence of disabilities are developing over time in the older population. In this study, we compare cohort-specific disability trajectories in old age across subsequent birth cohorts in Europe, during the period 2004–2017.We used data from seven waves of data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Mixed effects logistic regression models were used to model trajectories of accumulation of ADL limitations for subsequent birth cohorts of older women and men in different European regions. The results showed that there were sex differences in ADL and IADL limitations in all regions for most cohorts. Women reported more limitations than men, particularly in Eastern and Southern rather than Northern and Western Europe. Among men in Eastern, Northern and Western Europe, later born cohorts reported more disabilities than did earlier born birth cohorts at the same ages. Similar patterns were observed for women in Northern and Western Europe. In contrast, the risk of disabilities was lower in later born cohorts than in earlier born birth cohorts among women in Eastern Europe. Overall, results from this study suggest that disability trajectories in different cohorts of men and women were by and large similar across Europe. The trajectories varied more depending on sex, age and region than depending on cohort.
Perceptions and Practicalities Influencing Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Adherence Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in England
Authors: Arnold-Forster Dora , Horne Robert , Nutland Will , Wayal Sonali , Rayment Michael , Rae Caroline , Desai Monica , Clarke Amanda , Sullivan Ann , McCormack Sheena , Gafos Mitzy
Published: February 2022

PrEP is highly effective for HIV prevention but requires adequate adherence. In this paper we use the perceptions and practicalities approach (PAPA) to identify factors that influenced PrEP adherence using qualitative data from the PROUD study. From February 2014 to January 2016, we interviewed 41 gay, bisexual and other men-who-have-sex-with-men and one trans woman who were enrolled in the study. We purposively recruited participants for interview based on trial arm allocation, adherence and sexual risk behaviours. The interviews were conducted in English, audio-recorded, transcribed, coded and analysed using framework analysis. Participants in general were highly motivated to use and adhere to PrEP, and this was linked to strong perceptions of personal necessity for PrEP as they felt at risk of HIV and viewed PrEP as highly effective. On the other hand, concerns about side effects and HIV resistance did inhibit PrEP initiation and adherence although this was uncommon. Practical factors such as daily routine, existing habitual pill-taking and pill storage impacted adherence. Drug and alcohol use rarely caused participants to miss doses. These findings indicate that using the principals of PAPA to unpick influencers of PrEP use, could help tailor adherence support in PrEP programmes.
A methodological framework to relate the earthquake-induced frequency reduction to structural damage in masonry buildings
Authors: Sivori Daniele , Cattari Serena , Lepidi Marco
Published: February 2022

The diffusion of seismic structural health monitoring systems, evaluating the dynamic response of engineering structures to earthquakes, is growing significantly among strategic buildings. The increasing availability of valuable vibration data is being backed by continuously evolving techniques for analysing and assessing structural health and damage. Within this framework, the paper proposes a novel model-driven vibration-based methodology to support the assessment of the damage level in masonry buildings hit by earthquakes. The leading idea is to exploit, in the pre-event phase, synthetic equivalent-frame modelling and nonlinear dynamic analyses to systematically relate the gradual reduction of natural frequencies to increasing levels of structural damage. The resulting behavioural chart (seismic chart) of the building, constructed by employing computational tools and robustly defined on a statistical base, may provide the theoretical expectation to ascertain a certain level of seismic damage, based on the decrease in vibration frequency experimentally identified in the post-event phase. The methodology is firstly formalized, integrating common identification techniques with a novel damage grade estimation procedure, and finally exemplified for a monitored strategic masonry building damaged by the 2016–2017 Central Italy earthquake sequence. The outcomes of this application confirm the operational validity of the methodology, which can be intended as effective support for the decision-making process regarding structural usability and safety in the post-earthquake scenario.
Environmental stress determines the colonization and impact of an endophytic fungus on invasive knotweed
Authors: Garnica Sigisfredo , Liao Zhiyong , Hamard Samuel , Waller Frank , Parepa Madalin , Bossdorf Oliver
Published: February 2022

There is increasing evidence that microbes play a key role in some plant invasions. A diverse and widespread but little understood group of plant-associated microbes are the fungal root endophytes of the order Sebacinales. They are associated with exotic populations of invasive knotweed (Reynoutriassp.) in Europe, but their effects on the invaders are unknown. We used the recently isolated Sebacinales root endophyte Serendipita herbamansto experimentally inoculate invasive knotweed and study root colonisation and effects on knotweed growth under different environmental conditions. We verified the inoculation success and fungal colonisation through immunofluorescence microscopy and qPCR. We found thatS. herbamansstrongly colonized invasive knotweed in low-nutrient and shade environments, but much less under drought or benign conditions. At low nutrients, the endophyte had a positive effect on plant growth, whereas the opposite was true under shaded conditions. Our study demonstrates that the root endophyteS. herbamanshas the potential to colonize invasive knotweed fine roots and impact its growth, and it could thus also play a role in natural populations. Our results also show that effects of fungal endophytes on plants can be strongly environment-dependent, and may only be visible under stressful environmental conditions.
Evaluation of different monitoring methods at maternity roosts of greater mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis)
Authors: Matthäus Laura , Kugelschafter Karl , Fietz Joanna
Published: February 2022

In recent years, biodiversity has declined faster than ever before in human history. Appropriate monitoring methods are needed to detect the decline of populations in time to be able to take conservation measures. Information on population dynamics can only be obtained by conducting standardised monitoring programmes, and the quality of the data depends on the survey method used. The present study aims to provide scientifically sound recommendations for the selection of a suitable survey method for emerging flights at greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) maternity roosts. For this purpose, three survey methods, namely infrared video recordings, counting by light barriers and visual counting of emerging bats, were used simultaneously for 4–5 nights at three different maternity roosts in 2019 and comparatively evaluated. Besides the quality of the counting data, the requirements and limitations of the different methods were compared and discussed. The results of this study showed that the number of emerging flights detected with all three survey methods were closely correlated, regardless of location, number of emerging flights per night (between 300 and 800) and season. Furthermore, it was shown that the presence of the observer and infrared video recordings had no significant influence on the emergence behaviour of the bats recorded by light barriers concerning the time of emergence, the duration of activity and the number of counts. As the three methods differed with regard to additional parameters, such as the need for technical equipment or qualified personnel, the time required, the costs and the error-proneness individual settings and requirements should be taken into account when deciding about the method used. However, for the continuous monitoring of greater mouse-eared bats at their maternity roosts, which is part of the monitoring requirements under the European Union Habitats Directive, the use of light barriers proved to be the method of choice, in particular as it allows to promptly detect changes in the bats’ activity as a basis for conservation measures.
Elevated levels of sIL-2R, TNF-α and hs-CRP are independent risk factors for post percutaneous coronary intervention coronary slow flow in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Wang Cheng , Wu Yan , Su Yang , Mao Bin , Luo Yihong , Yan Yexiang , Hu Kun , Lu Yi , Che Wenliang , Wan Minying
Published: February 2022

To evaluate the association between circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines and the occurrence of post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) coronary slow flow (CSF) in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). CSF after PCI commonly occurs and implies poor outcomes, while the determinants of post-PCI CSF in patients with NSTE-ACS remain controversial. In this multicenter case control study, 176 patients diagnosed with NSTE-ACS and with post-PCI CSF occurred composed of CSF group, while 352 matched NSTE-ACS patients composed control group. Corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (cTFC), circulating levels of inflammatory cytokines and PCI related parameters were analyzed using Logistic regression models. Among 528 patients with median age of 67 (59–76) and male proportion of 65.5%, 176 (35.0%) patients had occurrence of post-PCI CSF defined as cTFC ≥ 24. Patients with CSF presented more intense inflammatory activity revealed by higher levels of white blood cell, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), while PCI related parameters were comparable. Correlation analysis showed cTFC was positively correlated with those inflammatory cytokines. Logistic regression model indicates that hs-CRP (odds ratio (OR) = 3.038, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.545–5.975), sIL-2R (OR = 2.103, 95% CI 1.959–4.026) and TNF-α (OR = 3.708, 95% CI 1.426–9.641) were valuable predictors for CSF occurrence. Elevated circulating levels of inflammatory cytokine including hs-CRP, sIL-2R and TNF-α rather than PCI related parameters could predict post-PCI CSF in patients with NSTE-ACS.
Parts-Per-Million (Salen)Fe(III) Homogeneous Catalysts for the Production of Biodiesel from Waste Cooking Oils
Authors: Melchiorre Massimo , Amoresano Angela , Budzelaar Peter H. M. , Cucciolito Maria E. , Mocerino Fabio , Pinto Gabriella , Ruffo Francesco , Tuzi Angela , Esposito Roberto
Published: February 2022

This work describes the application of a library of iron(III)-salen catalysts in the production of biodiesel from vegetable oils. The conversion of neutral soybean oil is complete within two hours at 160–180 °C with low catalyst loading (0.10 mol%). A comparative screening reveals that the catalysts containing acetate as a fifth ligand are the most performing, and these have been conveniently used to convert acidic and waste cooking oils (WCO). WCOs were used as received without further purification to produce biodiesel in high yield (85–90%) under optimized conditions (2 h at 180 °C, catalyst loading 0.1 mol%, oil to alcohol molar ratio 1:20). The iron content in the lipophilic and hydrophilic phases of the crude mixture was investigated and the residual concentration in biodiesel was found to be in the order of 10–14 ppm, comparable to that contained in biodiesels from other sources.

Graphical Abstract
Two languages, one treebank: building a Turkish–German code-switching treebank and its challenges
Authors: Çetinoğlu Özlem , Çöltekin Çağrı
Published: February 2022

This paper presents the SAGT Turkish–German code-switching treebank, and observations and annotation challenges we encountered during its development. The treebank consists of transcriptions of bilingual conversations annotated with several layers: language IDs, lemmas, POS tags, morphological features, and dependency relations. The annotations follow the Universal Dependencies annotation scheme and the conventions used in monolingual treebanks as much as possible. We present and discuss a number of issues that arise because of the need for consistent multilingual annotation within a single treebank, as well as the informal language, which is where code-switching is observed most. Besides proposing solutions to these issues, we present some observations about code-switching phenomena that are only possible to observe in a data set with rich linguistic annotation. The treebank was annotated with a focus on quality of annotations through an iterative process of detecting and correcting annotation errors. We also present quantitative measures for indication of annotation quality. The code-switching treebank created in this study is released to the public through Universal Dependencies repositories.
Decline in the alpine landscape aesthetic value in a national park under climate change
Authors: Mameno Kota , Kubo Takahiro , Oguma Hiroyuki , Amagai Yukihiro , Shoji Yasushi
Published: February 2022

Alpine landscapes are projected to be degraded under climate change, which would threaten their benefits to society. Previous studies, however, have been limited to aesthetic change, and it remains unclear how much the aesthetic change would affect human welfare. To address this issue and gain insights into climate change adaptation policies, we conducted a choice experiment survey using digitally manipulated images based on climate change scenarios and natural scientific knowledge in a mountainous national park in Japan. We uncovered that park visitors appreciate the alpine landscapes that include snow patches on mountains and some types of alpine flowers by analyzing the data from 445 respondents. Conversely, both the invasion of alpine vegetation by dwarf bamboo and the disappearance of snow patches due to climate change substantially deteriorated the perceived aesthetic benefits from alpine landscapes. The economic loss caused by climate-induced landscape degradation was estimated at more than 100 USD per visitor, at maximum; the disappearance of snow patches and invasion by dwarf bamboo reduced the benefits by approximately 13 USD and 101 USD, respectively. Our findings suggest that sustaining the aesthetic value of alpine landscapes in national parks via climate change adaptation has potentially significant economic benefits. By supposing that the mountain national park attracts 70,000 visitors in summer, climate change would cause as a minimum of eight million USD economic loss at the park without appropriate measures annually. Our findings highlight the importance of climate change measures by considering climate change impacts on social benefits associated with alpine landscapes.
The Impact of Large Investors on the Portfolio Optimization of Single-Family Houses in Housing Markets
Authors: Yilmaz Bilgi , Korn Ralf , Selcuk-Kestel A. Sevtap
Published: February 2022

As a consequence of the real estate market crash after 2008, large investors invested a significant amount of wealth into single-family houses to construct a portfolio of rental dwellings, whose income is securitized in the capital. In some local housing markets, these investors own remarkable numbers of single-family houses. Furthermore, their trading activities have resulted in a new investment strategy, which exacerbates property wealth concentration and polarization. This new investment strategy and its portfolio optimization inspire curiosity about its influence on housing markets. This paper first aims to find an optimal portfolio strategy by employing an expected utility optimization from the terminal wealth, which adopts a stochastic model that includes a variety of economic states to estimate house prices. Second, it aims to analyze the effect of large investors on the housing market. The results show the investment strategies of large investors depend on the balance among economic state, maintenance cost, rental income, interest rate and investment willingness of large investors to housing and their effect depends on the state of the economy.
Reproductive character displacement allows two sexually deceptive orchids to coexist and attract the same specific pollinator
Authors: Cozzolino Salvatore , Scopece Giovanni , Cortis Pierluigi , Barone Lumaga Maria Rosaria , Cafasso Donata , Ayasse Manfred
Published: February 2022

An increased divergence in characters between species in secondary contact can be shaped by selection against competition for a common resource (ecological character displacement, ECD) or against maladapted hybridization (reproductive character displacement, RCD). These selective pressures can act between incipient species (reinforcement) or well-separated species that already completed the speciation process, but that can still hybridize and produce maladapted hybrids. Here, we investigated two well-separated sexually deceptive orchid species that, unusually, share their specific pollinator. Sympatric individuals of these species are more divergent than allopatric ones in floral characters involved in a mechanical isolating barrier, a pattern suggestive of RCD. To experimentally test this scenario, we built an artificial sympatric population with allopatric individuals. We measured flower characters, genotyped the offspring in natural and artificial sympatry and estimated fertility of hybrids. Different from naturally sympatric individuals, allopatric individuals in artificial sympatry hybridized widely. Hybrids showed lower pollination success and seed viability than parentals. Character displacement did not affect plant pollination success. These findings suggest that RCD evolved between these species to avoid hybridization and that selection on reinforcement may be very strong even in plants with highly specialized pollination.
Reflecting on twenty years of international agreements concerning water governance: insights and key learning
Authors: Mirumachi Naho , Hurlbert Margot
Published: February 2022

The purpose of this article is to examine the research advanced in the journal, International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics that represents key insights into international agreements on water and their political, legal, economic and cross-disciplinary dimensions for water governance. The article analyses evidence and lessons learnt over the last twenty years to inform policy through a review of theoretical advances, innovations in principles and policy instruments, outcomes of problem-solving and knowledge gained regarding water agreements and associated institutions. Important international agreement principles of no significant harm and economic frames of water as a ‘commons’ advance equity and community of interest in relation to water. The studies on water, sanitation and hygiene point to the ways the role of the state can be advanced in achieving Sustainable Development Goals and in complex contexts of water scarcity and public private partnerships. Cross-disciplinary learnings substantiate the existence and utility of multiple water frames in legal arrangements and use of multiple policy instruments. Cross-disciplinary insights are significant in addressing equity, whether through the nascent development of water indicators or in advancing social learning. Water governance frameworks increasingly focus on adaptation by incorporating multiple stakeholders. These findings that advance equity and inclusivity are tempered by crucial lessons in our understanding of the very contested, power-laden nature of water governance that impact agency at multiple scales and policy coordination across sectors of water, food and energy.
Social and Behavioural Outcomes of School Aged Autistic Children Who Received Community-Based Early Interventions
Authors: Vinen Zoe , Clark Megan , Dissanayake Cheryl
Published: February 2022

The school-age outcomes of autistic children who received early interventions (EI) remains limited. Adaptive functioning, social, peer play skills, problem behaviours, and attitudes towards school of 31 autistic children who received community-based group early start Denver model (G-ESDM) were compared to 28 age matched autistic children who received other community interventions. Similar adaptive behaviours, social skills, problem behaviours and attitudes towards school were found. Play disruption was the only dimension of play to differ; children that received community interventions demonstrated higher levels of play disruption compared to the G-ESDM group. Children had pervasive challenges in adaptive behaviour, social and play behaviour at school, irrespective of EI type. Thus, ongoing provisions are needed to support development into the school years.
Autistic Adults Show Similar Performance and Sensitivity to Social Cues on a Visual Perspective Taking Task as Non-autistic Adults
Authors: O’Connor Richard J. , Plant Joshua L. , Riggs Kevin J.
Published: February 2022

Autistic and non-autistic adults completed a visual perspective taking (VPT) task, reporting an object’s location from an actor’s perspective, or their own. On half the trials the actor looked at and reached for the object, and on half did not. Accuracy and reaction time were measured. In Experiment 1, both groups (N = 34, mean age = 24 years) responded slower when reporting the actor’s perspective, with no group differences in this effect. Experiment 2 included “other” VPT trials only. Both groups (N = 30, mean age = 25 years) showed sensitivity to the actor’s behaviour, more accurately reporting his perspective when he acted upon the object. No group differences were observed. In contrast to developmental studies, these experiments suggest similar VPT abilities in autistic and non-autistic adults.
Muslim Adolescent Mental Health in Australia: A Cross-Cultural Comparison of the Risk of Developing Clinically Significant Psychological Problems
Authors: Kayrouz Rony , Karin Eyal , Ghanem Carawan , Choudhury Nafisa , Malas Ahmad
Published: February 2022

This study explores the risk of developing clinically significant social, emotional, and behavioural problems among Muslim adolescents living in Australia compared to the general adolescent population living in Australia. A descriptive, cross-sectional, and exploratory survey of 12–17-year-old students across three Islamic schools in New South Wales was conducted. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to measure the risk of developing clinically significant social, emotional, and behavioural problems. Six hundred and thirty-two students (261 males, 371 females), at a response rate of 48%, were recruited via collaborations with three Islamic schools, and children were invited to participate if their parents did not object in writing to their child’s participation. Overall, when compared to the general adolescent community sample, Muslim adolescents did not report a significantly higher proportion in the top 10% (i.e., abnormal range) for total difficulties, emotional problems, conduct problems, and peer problems, but did report a significant difference for hyperactivity/inattention problems (18.4% vs. 13.8%). Furthermore, Muslim adolescents (29.0% vs. 23.7%) reported a significantly higher proportion of scores in the top 20% (i.e., borderline range). These differences were explained by Muslim females aged 11–15 years higher hyperactivity (15.1% vs. 11.4%) and total difficulties (31.8% vs. 24%), as younger males and older males and older females showed no difference on any scale. Specifically, Muslim females aged 11–15 years reported a significantly higher proportion of scores in the abnormal ranges for total difficulties (14.3% vs. 9.8%), emotional problems (17.6% vs. 12.6%), and conduct problems (11.2% vs. 7.5%) and marginally for hyperactivity. Muslim females aged 11–15 years may demonstrate higher rates of clinically significant problems and are at a substantial higher risk of developing clinically significant emotional and conduct problems when compared to their age-related female adolescent peers. A review of the current child and adolescent mental health and community services is required to determine if this risk to Muslim females aged 11–15 years in Australia is being mitigated and their needs are being met.
Feasibility and Acceptability of Technology-supported Sexual Health Education Among Adolescents Receiving Inpatient Psychiatric Care
Authors: Olmsted Allison E. , Markham Christine M. , Shegog Ross , Ugueto Ana M. , Johnson Erica L. , Peskin Melissa F. , Emery Susan T. , Baker Kimberley A. , Newlin Elizabeth W.
Published: February 2022

Mental illness in adolescence is associated with high-risk sexual behaviors including multiple sex partners, infrequent or inconsistent condom use, and nonuse of contraception. Inpatient psychiatric care represents a promising setting to provide sexual health education. This pilot study investigates the feasibility and acceptability of online sexual health education in this group by assessing usability and impact on short-term psychosocial outcomes. We administered online modules on healthy relationships, pregnancy prevention, condom use, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention to youth. We evaluated outcomes using a single group, pre/post-intervention design. One quality improvement session assessed staff acceptability of the programming. Participants included 51 inpatients (mean age = 15.3; 61% female; 57% Hispanic or Latino; 55% heterosexual). Overall, the program was feasible to administer and highly acceptable to youth (84-89% liked the modules, 98-100% found them easy to use, 96-100% found them credible, 91-98% said information would lead to healthier dating relationships, and 78-87% would refer to a friend). Youth who completed modules demonstrated improvement in several outcomes: attitudes and norms towards violence (p < 0.001), intention to use a method of birth control other than condoms if having sex in the next 3 months (p < 0.001), condom knowledge (p < 0.001), condom use self-efficacy (p < 0.001), condom beliefs (p = 0.04), HIV/STI knowledge (p < 0.001), and perceived susceptibility to STI (p < 0.01). The quality improvement session revealed high acceptability by nursing staff on the unit. This intervention could be useful and efficacious in an inpatient setting and larger studies are warranted to understand its full impact.
Adolescents’ Victimization and Internalizing Problems: The Protective Role of Parental Sense of Coherence
Authors: Donato Silvia , Barni Daniela , Ferraris Alice , Iafrate Raffaella , de Silva Aryanne D. , Gao Mengyu , Miller-Graff Laura E. , Cummings E. Mark
Published: February 2022

Adolescents who are exposed to or involved in violence are at risk of developing internalizing problems; research interest is increasing in identifying family processes that may buffer adolescents’ adjustment problems. This study examines parents’ sense of coherence (SOC; i.e., parents’ perception of comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness in daily life) as a possible protective factor in the relation between adolescents’ victimization and internalizing problems. One hundred and forty-eight adolescents (87.7% girls, aged between 15-19) and their parents (128 fathers and 144 mothers) participated in the study. Parents completed self-report questionnaires including the Sense of Coherence Scale and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Adolescents reported about their own experiences of violence (i.e., violence and peer victimization). Results from the path analyses showed that both paternal and maternal SOC were negatively associated with adolescents’ internalizing problems. Moreover, paternal SOC, but not maternal SOC, moderated the relation between adolescents’ victimization and internalizing problems. When fathers had low levels of SOC, adolescents’ victimization was strongly and positively associated with their internalizing problems; on the contrary, for adolescents whose fathers had high levels of SOC the relation between victimization and internalizing problems was not significant. Thus, paternal SOC serves as a resource for adolescents with victimization experiences. We discussed implications and future developments of the study.
Estimating anisotropy directly via neural timeseries
Authors: Fagerholm Erik D. , Foulkes W. M. C. , Gallero-Salas Yasir , Helmchen Fritjof , Moran Rosalyn J. , Friston Karl J. , Leech Robert
Published: February 2022

An isotropic dynamical system is one that looks the same in every direction, i.e., if we imagine standing somewhere within an isotropic system, we would not be able to differentiate between different lines of sight. Conversely, anisotropy is a measure of the extent to which a system deviates from perfect isotropy, with larger values indicating greater discrepancies between the structure of the system along its axes. Here, we derive the form of a generalised scalable (mechanically similar) discretized field theoretic Lagrangian that allows for levels of anisotropy to be directly estimated via timeseries of arbitrary dimensionality. We generate synthetic data for both isotropic and anisotropic systems and, by using Bayesian model inversion and reduction, show that we can discriminate between the two datasets – thereby demonstrating proof of principle. We then apply this methodology to murine calcium imaging data collected in rest and task states, showing that anisotropy can be estimated directly from different brain states and cortical regions in an empirical in vivo biological setting. We hope that this theoretical foundation, together with the methodology and publicly available MATLAB code, will provide an accessible way for researchers to obtain new insight into the structural organization of neural systems in terms of how scalable neural regions grow – both ontogenetically during the development of an individual organism, as well as phylogenetically across species.
Enhancing the electrical and physical nature of high-voltage XLPE cable dielectric using different nanoparticles
Authors: Said Abdelrahman , Abd-Allah M. A. , Nawar Amira G. , Elsayed Alaa E. , Kamel Samir
Published: February 2022

The goal of this study is to see how different chemically modified nanoparticles affect the performance and characteristics of commercial cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) as a polymeric insulator used in insulating power cables and to compare their properties in order to figure out what factors are most important in improving the XLPE properties. Silicon dioxide or silica, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide nanoparticle are used in this study. Nanoparticles (NPs) amino silane surface modification was carried out to decrease nanoparticle aggregation and improve compatibility with the polymer matrix. The melt blending process was used to synthesize and develop XLPE nano-composites on an industrial scale with varying nanoparticle loading ratios (0.5, 2.0, 3.5, and 5.0 wt%). The morphology and size of all functionalized nanoparticles were explained. The morphology of the produced nano-composites and particle dispersion in the XLPE polymer matrix were studied using X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. All samples' thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties are evaluated. The result shows the optimum values of melting temperature for functionalized XLPE nano-composites and it is seen that the functionalized XLPE/TiO2 samples have the highest value that increased by 6.85 °C over XLPE, but the smallest tensile strength and elongation values were observed. Also, the use of silica NPs gives maximum enhancement dielectric properties.
Renewal Model for Dependent Binary Sequences
Authors: Zamparo Marco
Published: February 2022

We suggest to construct infinite stochastic binary sequences by associating one of the two symbols of the sequence with the renewal times of an underlying renewal process. Focusing on stationary binary sequences corresponding to delayed renewal processes, we investigate correlations and the ability of the model to implement a prescribed autocovariance structure, showing that a large variety of subexponential decay of correlations can be accounted for. In particular, robustness and efficiency of the method are tested by generating binary sequences with polynomial and stretched-exponential decay of correlations. Moreover, to justify the maximum entropy principle for model selection, an asymptotic equipartition property for typical sequences that naturally leads to the Shannon entropy of the waiting time distribution is demonstrated. To support the comparison of the theory with data, a law of large numbers and a central limit theorem are established for the time average of general observables.
A Mixed Finite Differences Scheme for Gradient Approximation
Authors: Boresta Marco , Colombo Tommaso , De Santis Alberto , Lucidi Stefano
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we focus on the linear functionals defining an approximate version of the gradient of a function. These functionals are often used when dealing with optimization problems where the computation of the gradient of the objective function is costly or the objective function values are affected by some noise. These functionals have been recently considered to estimate the gradient of the objective function by the expected value of the function variations in the space of directions. The expected value is then approximated by a sample average over a proper (random) choice of sample directions in the domain of integration. In this way, the approximation error is characterized by statistical properties of the sample average estimate, typically its variance. Therefore, while useful and attractive bounds for the error variance can be expressed in terms of the number of function evaluations, nothing can be said on the error of a single experiment that could be quite large. This work instead is aimed at deriving an approximation scheme for linear functionals approximating the gradient, whose error of approximation can be characterized by a deterministic point of view in the case of noise-free data. The previously mentioned linear functionals are no longer considered as expected values over the space of directions, but rather as the filtered derivative of the objective function by a Gaussian kernel. By using this new approach, a gradient estimation based on a suitable linear combination of central finite differences at different step sizes is proposed and deterministic bounds that do not depend on the particular sample of points considered are computed. In the noisy setting, on the other end, the variance of the estimation error of the proposed method is showed to be strictly lower than the one of the estimation error of the Central Finite Difference scheme. Numerical experiments on a set of test functions are encouraging, showing good performances compared to those of some methods commonly used in the literature, also in the noisy setting.