bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bone turnover markers as surrogates of fracture healing after intramedullary fixation of tibia and femur fractures
Authors: Stewart Christopher C. , O’Hara Nathan N. , Bzovsky Sofia , Bahney Chelsea S. , Sprague Sheila , Slobogean Gerard P. ,   On behalf of Vita-Shock Investigators
Published: April 2022

Aims

Bone turnover markers (BTMs) follow distinct trends after fractures and limited evidence suggests differential levels in BTMs in patients with delayed healing. The effect of vitamin D, and other factors that influence BTMs and fracture healing, is important to elucidate the use of BTMs as surrogates of fracture healing. We sought to determine whether BTMs can be used as early markers of delayed fracture healing, and the effect of vitamin D on BTM response after fracture.

Methods

A total of 102 participants aged 18 to 50 years (median 28 years (interquartile range 23 to 35)), receiving an intramedullary nail for a tibial or femoral shaft fracture, were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial comparing vitamin D3 supplementation to placebo. Serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX; bone resorption marker) and N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (P1NP; bone formation marker) were measured at baseline, six weeks, and 12 weeks post-injury. Clinical and radiological fracture healing was assessed at three months.

Results

CTX and P1NP concentrations peaked at six weeks in all groups. Elevated six-week CTX and P1NP were associated with radiological healing at 12 weeks post-injury (odds ratio (OR) 10.5; 95% confidence interval 2.71 to 53.5, p = 0.002). We found no association between CTX or P1NP and functional healing. Baseline serum 25(OH)D showed a weak inverse relationship with P1NP (p = 0.036) and CTX (p = 0.221) at 12 weeks, but we observed no association between vitamin D supplementation and either BTM.

Conclusion

Given the association between six-week BTM concentrations and three-month radiological fracture healing, CTX and P1NP appear to be potential surrogate markers of fracture healing. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(4):239–250.
Ocorrência de Gaibulus schubarti Roewer 1973 (Opiliones: Stygnidae) em ambientes de clareira natural de Floresta Atlântica
Authors: Andrade Alessandra Rodrigues Santos de , Peres Marcelo César Lima , Benati Kátia Regina , Dias Marcelo Alves
Published: April 2022

This paper aimed increase the knowledge of the Northeast Brazilian opiliofauna and compare the environmental data and Gaibulus schubarti abundance between two forest habitats: treefall gaps and adjacent forest, and also, verify if the litter cover and thickness would influence their abundance. In the Pituaçu Metropolitan Park (425 ha), Atlantic Forest’s fragment, 12 sites (six gaps and six forest). Across 12 months, micro-habitats and micro-climate variables were collected monthly on the 12 sites, throw 144 litter samples (50x50cm). MRPP and t test were used to verify, respectively, if there are difference between environmental data and G. schubarti abundance, between the two study areas. Linear regression was used to test the influence of litter cover and thickness over abundance. The environmental data differ (p=0.0208) between the areas, however, the abundance didn’t differ (p=0.8755), wasn’t influence of litter thickness and cover over abundance (p>0.05). This study suggests that G. schubarti is generalist and dominant competitive in the two areas.
Potential conflicts between fishermen and Sotalia guianensis (Van Bénéden, 1864) (Cetacea, Delphinidae) in Brazil
Authors: Zappes Camilah Antunes , Andriolo Artur , Silva Fernando Oliveira , Monteiro-Filho Emygdio Leite de Araújo
Published: April 2022

This study investigated the potential conflicts between artisanal fishermen and the estuarine dolphin (Sotalia guianensis), based on the experience of fishermen living in the states of Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, in Brazil. One hundred ethnographic surveys were performed with fishermen from five colonies located at the four above-mentioned states. For statistical analysis of the results, Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance tests were performed where three or more variables were compared while the Mann-Whitney test was used for analysis of two independent variables involving qualitative data. All tests were conducted using the statistical program BioEstat 5.0. Accidental capture of estuarine dolphin individuals occurred in the five studied areas. The gillnet was reported as the only artifact responsible for these entanglements. The carcasses were consumed by the community, used as bait during fishing activities or discarded where they were found. Despite no conflict being mentioned by the fishermen, accidental capture has an impact over the estuarine dolphin but its magnitude could not be measured in this study. Studies and management actions must be carried out together in accordance with the local communities in order to propose strategies aiming to preserve the estuarine dolphin population.
Conhecimento tradicional dos caçadores de Pedra Lavrada (Paraíba, Brasil) sobre os recursos faunísticos caçados
Authors: Ramos Marcela M. , Mourão José da Silva , Abrantes Stephenson H. F.
Published: April 2022

This work was developed along with the hunters of Pedra Lavrada (Paraíba, Brazil). The aim was tracing a profile of the hunters and studying their knowledge towards bio-ecology of the main hunted species. This research addressed to study the knowledge of the game hunters about the biology and ecology of the faunistic resources. The methodology encompassed the following techniques: snow ball, guided tour, direct observation, and free and semi-structured interviews. The results shows that (n=28) hunters are, in the majority, generalists (53.6%), residents of the urban zone (57.9%) and youngster, between 13 and 28 years old. The most used techniques were: with dogs (n=18) and with traps (n=18). The preferred faunal resources hunted were: the “lambu”, the “arribaçã” and the “rolinha” representing 82.1%; and the “peba” representing 67.8%. The key-informants revealed details about sexual dimorphism, habitat use and eating habits of both hunted resources, proving to be connoisseurs of the biological and ecological aspects of the hunted faunal resources.
Flora da Bahia: Vitex Tour. ex. L. Lamiaceae
Authors: Lima Carla Teixeira de , França Flávio
Published: April 2022

The genus Vitex is characterized by digitated compound leaves, bilipped corolla, didynamous androecium, axial placentation and drupaceous fruit. This study aimed at goals the inventory of Vitex species within the state of Bahia. There are 15 species in the state: Vitex agnus-castus, V. capitata, V. cymosa, V. flavens, V. gardneriana, V. hypoleuca, V. martii, V. megapotamia, V. mexiae, V. orinocensis, V. polygama, V. rufescens, V. schaueriana, V. sellowiana, and V. triflora.
Levantamento das pteridófitas ornamentais na cidade de Salvador, Bahia
Authors: Macedo Taís Soares , Nonato Fabiana Regina
Published: April 2022

O presente estudo teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento das pteridófitas nos principais locais de venda de plantas ornamentais da cidade de Salvador, Bahia. O interesse pelo conhecimento das pteridófitas ornamentais existe pela evidência de se trazer à comunidade científica quais as espécies utilizadas para a ornamentação e principalmente se são nativas ou exóticas. A coleta foi realizada no primeiro semestre de 2008 e foram coletadas 14 espécies e três variedades cultivadas, distribuídas em dez gêneros e seis famílias. A maioria (8 spp.) tem distribuição paleotropical. Devido à maior parte das espécies encontradas serem exóticas, atenta-se para o fato de que muitas destas podem se tornar invasoras em ambientes naturais. A utilização de plantas nativas na ornamentação constitui uma das alternativas que elimina o risco da contaminação biológica por espécies exóticas.
AVALIAÇÃO DA ADSORÇÃO DE METAIS TRAÇO EM DIFERENTES CLASSES DE SOLO: ESTUDO DE CASO APA DO PRATIGI
Authors: Carneiro Ayala de Souza Reis
Published: April 2022

Os diferentes elementos químicos presentes nos solos são provenientes principalmente de fontes naturais (KABATA-PENDIAS & PENDIAS, 1984; SOARES, 2004).
Archivos personales de mujeres bajo dictadura : aproximación a los fondos documentales del Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos de Chile
Authors: Ortiz María Luisa , Bernasconi Oriana , Lagos Tamara
Published: April 2022

Objetivo: identificar, describir y analizar las narrativas presentes en las donaciones realizadas por mujeres al Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos de Chile.
 Metodología: estudio exploratorio de metodología mixta. Considera un análisis estadístico descriptivo de los fondos documentales donados al Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos según tipo de donante y género; un análisis del perfil, motivación, procedencia y tipo de experiencia relevada en las donaciones de mujeres para proponer una tipología de sus archivos y el análisis de 37 fondos documentales seleccionados para ilustrar dicha tipología.
 Resultados: pese a las severas restricciones impuestas por la dictadura al ejercicio de la política, la asociación y la expresión pública, y a los profundos daños que el terrorismo de Estado produjo en el tejido social, los archivos personales revelan el rol fundamental que las mujeres desempeñaron en el campo de la defensa y la promoción de los derechos humanos, y también en el campo político, social y cultural organizado y movilizado contra la dictadura en Chile.
Centros de documentación de diarios en el siglo XXI. Panorama después del tsunami
Authors: Guallar Javier , Cornet Anna
Published: April 2022

Objetivo: analizar la situación de los centros de documentación en la prensa española a finales de la segunda década del siglo xxi, diez años después del inicio de la crisis que ha tenido un gran impacto en las empresas periodísticas.
 Metodología: se envía un cuestionario con opción de respuestas abiertas a responsables de documentación de nueve diarios españoles, con cuestiones sobre: personal, funciones documentales, software, fuentes de información, productos documentales, redes sociales, nuevas funciones y futuro de la profesión.
 Resultados: entre otros, se constatan la reducción considerable de plantillas en los últimos diez años; el mayor uso de tareas documentales con relación a la edición impresa que con relación a la edición digital (por ejemplo, el análisis documental);la escasa integración del software documental de las ediciones impresa y en línea; la poca evolución enel uso de fuentes de información; la realización generalizada de productos documentales para uso interno de la redacción,cuando, en cambio, son muy pocos los productos de este tipo que llegan al lector; el interés por participar en actividades emergentes como la verificación de datos (fact-checking) o la curación de contenidos, y, finalmente, que, en las opiniones sobre el futuro profesional, conviven percepciones pesimistas sobre la continuidad de los centros de documentación con propuestas para valorizar la profesión.
FiloBlenDret: una metodología innovadora de aprendizaje colaborativo y responsable en Filosofía del derecho.
Authors: Correa Padrón Darisbel , Carrio Sampedro Alberto , Forestello Ana María
Published: April 2022

Este artículo presenta los resultados de una metodología docente innovadora introducida el curso 2016-2017 en Filosofía del Derecho del tercer curso del Doble Grado en Derecho-Economía / ADE de la Universidad Pompeu Fabra (UPF). La metodología utilizada en esta asignatura pretende corresponsabilizar al estudiante en la fase de aprendizaje activo y en la evaluación entre iguales. En este sentido, se pone en práctica la metodología de clase inversa (Flipped classroom), el aprendizaje basado en problemas, el blended learning, el trabajo colaborativo, la gamificación, y la coevaluación entre iguales; todo lo cual orienta el desarrollo de niveles de pensamiento en la franja alta de la taxonomía de Bloom. La investigación de esta experiencia es de tipo mixto concurrente. A lo largo de cuatro cursos y a partir del año previo al cambio de la docencia en Filosofía del Derecho, se analizaron los resultados académicos de los estudiantes desde las actas de calificación. Asimismo, se analizan los resultados de la evaluación de la docencia por parte del alumnado a través del programa AVALDO. A pesar de que esta metodología se encuentra aún en fase de consolidación, por lo que será necesario corregir algunos aspectos formales y sustantivos, los datos recogidos permiten concluir que esta metodología innovadora consolida la excelencia tanto en los resultados académicos como en el grado de satisfacción de los y las estudiantes.
Down Syndrome Cures: Perspectives of People With Down Syndrome and Their Parents
Authors: Rogers Julie M. , Weaver Amy L. , Havyer Rachel D.
Published: April 2022

Down syndrome (DS) research is advancing rapidly, yet efforts have raised ethical questions. This mixed methods study describes views of people with DS (self-advocates) and their parents regarding medical interventions for DS. Responses from 35/171 (20.5%) self-advocates and 430/867 (49.6%) parents showed the majority of self-advocates were glad they have DS (27/35; 77.1%) and liked who they are (33/35; 94.3%), but did want to learn faster (23/35; 65.7%). Parents much more commonly agreed with a willingness to give medications to prevent Alzheimer's disease (427/429; 99.5%) or blood cancer (428/430; 99.5%) as compared with a medicine to cure DS (225/425; 52.9%). Qualitative comments intertwined DS with identity, yet indicated desire for improved quality of life and opportunities. Responses decoupled DS itself from the complications of DS, with treatment of complications being more acceptable.
Highly sensitive RI and temperature sensor based on an asymmetric fiber coupler
Authors: Chen Yufang , Wan Hongdan , Chang Hongqiang , Lin Xueying , Hu Fangren
Published: April 2022

We propose and demonstrate a highly sensitive refractive index (RI) and temperature sensor based on an asymmetric fiber coupler (AFC). The AFC was fabricated by weak fusion of a pre-stretched single-mode fiber and a few-mode fiber. An ultra-sensitivity RI can be achieved near the dispersion turning point (DTP). The proposed RI sensor achieves a high RI sensitivity of

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within the RI range of 1.31–1.35. By packaging the AFC into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), the temperature sensitivity reaches 11.44 nm/°C. The proposed AFC with high RI and temperature sensitivity can be potentially used in the field of chemical monitoring, biochemical detection, and clinical diagnosis.
3  kW power-level all-fiberized superfluorescent fiber source with linear polarization and near-diffraction-limited beam quality
Authors: Ren Shuai , Wang Guangjian , Li Wei , Song Jiaxin , Chen Yisha , Ma Pengfei , Liu Wei , Zhou Pu
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we demonstrate a high-power linearly polarized all-fiberized superfluorescent fiber source (SFS) with near-diffraction-limited beam quality. The laser system is based on a master oscillator power amplifier configuration, which mainly consists of a polarization-maintained (PM) broadband SFS and multistage PM fiber amplifiers. A linearly polarized fiber laser over 3 kW is obtained at a pump power of about 4.3 kW with the corresponding slope efficiency of 71.9%. The polarization extinction ratio and the beam quality (M2factor) of the output laser are about 12.7 dB and 1.18, respectively, at the maximum output power. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest output power of a linearly polarized broadband SFS with near-diffraction-limited beam quality.
Diatom biosilica in plasmonics: applications in sensing, diagnostics and therapeutics [Invited]
Authors: De Tommasi Edoardo , De Luca Anna Chiara
Published: April 2022

Several living organisms are able to synthesize complex nanostructures
provided with peculiar physical and chemical properties by means of
finely-tuned, genetically controlled biomineralization processes.
Frustules, in particular, are micro- and nano-structured silica shells
produced by ubiquitous diatom microalgae, whose optical properties
have been recently exploited in photonics, solar energy harvesting,
and biosensing. Metallization of diatom biosilica, both in the shape
of intact frustules or diatomite particles, can trigger plasmonic
effects that in turn can find application in high-sensitive detection
platforms, allowing to obtain effective nanosensors at low cost and on
a large scale. The aim of the present review article is to provide a
wide, complete overview on the main metallization techniques applied
to diatom biosilica and on the principal applications of diatom-based
plasmonic devices mainly but not exclusively in the fields of
biochemical sensing, diagnostics and therapeutics.
Tailored dual polarization encryption-coherence modulation-based decryption scheme for a predefined uniformly distributed noisy output image
Authors: DhiyaEddine Chachoua Marwan , Rachid Hamdi , Alfalou Ayman , Abderezzaq Halassi , Badr-Eddine Benkelfat
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we propose a tailored dual polarization encryption scheme (T-DPES) based on a polarization encoding of input target images into a same predefined uniformly distributed noisy output image, using Mueller–Stokes's formalism. The optical encryption setup, based on a polarizer and a pixelated polarizer, uses a random image key as a first key and a pixelated polarizer as a second key. This key depends on the input image, the image key and the predefined uniformly distributed noisy output image. The decryption process is carried out, for the first time to our knowledge, optically by combining the coherence modulation to the DPES scheme. The performance evaluation and the crypto-analyze of T-DPES show their strength and robustness against attacks, thus overcoming limitations of previous optical encryption techniques.
Application and comparison of active and transfer learning approaches for modulation format classification in visible light communication systems
Authors: Zhao Zhenquan , Khan Faisal Nadeem , Li Yibin , Wang Zhaoming , Zhang Yuan , Fu H. Y.
Published: April 2022

Automatic modulation classification (AMC) is a crucial part of adaptive modulation schemes for visible light communication (VLC) systems. However, most of the deep learning (DL) based AMC methods for VLC systems require a large amount of labeled training data which is quite difficult to obtain in practical systems. In this work, we introduce active learning (AL) and transfer learning (TL) approaches for AMC in VLC systems and experimentally analyze their performances. Experimental results show that the proposed novel AlexNet-AL and AlexNet-TL methods can significantly improve the classification accuracy with small sizes of training data. To be specific, using 60 labeled samples, AlexNet-AL and AlexNet-TL increase the classification accuracy by 6.82% and 14.6% compared to the result without AL and TL, respectively. Moreover, the use of data augmentation (DA) operation along with our proposed methods helps achieve further better performances.
BioCRNpyler: Compiling chemical reaction networks from biomolecular parts in diverse contexts
Authors: Poole William , Pandey Ayush , Shur Andrey , Tuza Zoltan A. , Murray Richard M.
Published: April 2022

Biochemical interactions in systems and synthetic biology are often modeled with chemical reaction networks (CRNs). CRNs provide a principled modeling environment capable of expressing a huge range of biochemical processes. In this paper, we present a software toolbox, written in Python, that compiles high-level design specifications represented using a modular library of biochemical parts, mechanisms, and contexts to CRN implementations. This compilation process offers four advantages. First, the building of the actual CRN representation is automatic and outputs Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) models compatible with numerous simulators. Second, a library of modular biochemical components allows for different architectures and implementations of biochemical circuits to be represented succinctly with design choices propagated throughout the underlying CRN automatically. This prevents the often occurring mismatch between high-level designs and model dynamics. Third, high-level design specification can be embedded into diverse biomolecular environments, such as cell-free extracts and in vivo milieus. Finally, our software toolbox has a parameter database, which allows users to rapidly prototype large models using very few parameters which can be customized later. By using BioCRNpyler, users ranging from expert modelers to novice script-writers can easily build, manage, and explore sophisticated biochemical models using diverse biochemical implementations, environments, and modeling assumptions.
Change in unemployment by social vulnerability among United States counties with rapid increases in COVID-19 incidence—July 1–October 31, 2020
Authors: Tang Shichao , Horter Libby , Bosh Karin , Kassem Ahmed M. , Kahn Emily B. , Ricaldi Jessica N. , Pao Leah Zilversmit , Kang Gloria J. , Singleton Christa-Marie , Liu Tiebin , Thomas Isabel , Rao Carol Y.
Published: April 2022

Objective

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the unemployment rate in the United States peaked at 14.8% in April 2020. We examined patterns in unemployment following this peak in counties with rapid increases in COVID-19 incidence.

Method

We used CDC aggregate county data to identify counties with rapid increases in COVID-19 incidence (rapid riser counties) during July 1–October 31, 2020. We used a linear regression model with fixed effect to calculate the change of unemployment rate difference in these counties, stratified by the county’s social vulnerability (an indicator compiled by CDC) in the two months before the rapid riser index month compared to the index month plus one month after the index month.

Results

Among the 585 (19% of U.S. counties) rapid riser counties identified, the unemployment rate gap between the most and least socially vulnerable counties widened by 0.40 percentage point (p<0.01) after experiencing a rapid rise in COVID-19 incidence. Driving the gap were counties with lower socioeconomic status, with a higher percentage of people in racial and ethnic minority groups, and with limited English proficiency.

Conclusion

The widened unemployment gap after COVID-19 incidence rapid rise between the most and least socially vulnerable counties suggests that it may take longer for socially and economically disadvantaged communities to recover. Loss of income and benefits due to unemployment could hinder behaviors that prevent spread of COVID-19 (e.g., seeking healthcare) and could impede response efforts including testing and vaccination. Addressing the social needs within these vulnerable communities could help support public health response measures.
Young children show negative emotions after failing to help others
Authors: Gerdemann Stella C. , Tippmann Jenny , Dietrich Bianca , Engelmann Jan M. , Hepach Robert
Published: April 2022

Self-conscious emotions, such as guilt and shame, motivate the adherence to social norms, including to norms for prosociality. The relevance of an observing audience to the expression of negative self-conscious emotions remains poorly understood. Here, in two studies, we investigated the influence of being observed on 4- to 5-year-old children’s (N= 161) emotional response after failing to help someone in need and after failing to complete their own goal. As an index of children’s emotional response, we recorded the change in children’s upper body posture using a motion depth sensor imaging camera. Failing to help others lowered children’s upper body posture regardless of whether children were observed by an audience or not. Children’s emotional response was similar when they failed to help and when they failed to complete their own goal. In Study 2, 5-year-olds showed a greater decrease in upper body posture than 4-year-olds. Our findings suggest that being observed is not a necessary condition for young children to express a negative self-conscious emotion after failing to help or after failing to complete their own goal. We conclude that 5-year-olds, more so that 4-year-olds, show negative emotions when they fail to adhere to social norms for prosociality.
Magnitude and predictors of HIV-Drug resistance in Africa: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Melku Mulugeta , Gesesew Hailay Abrha , Ward Paul R.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is continued to be a major public health problem in low-income countries and more importantly in Africa. For the last decade, access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and its impact in improving quality of life and reducing HIV-related morbidity and mortality has significantly been improved in Africa. Nevertheless, the emergency of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) has posed challenges in achieving optimal ART treatment outcomes and is alarmingly increasing globally in general and in Africa in particular. Comprehensive epidemiological data on the magnitude of HIVDR and HIVDR mutations, and predictors of HIVDR are, however, limited in Africa.

Objective

The main objective of this systematic review will be to estimate the pooled proportion of HIVDR and HIVDR mutations, and identify factors associated with HIVDR among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) in Africa.

Method

Published Literature from 2000 until 30 October 2021 will be searched in PubMed/Medline Ovid, HINARI, SCOPUS, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Sciences, and Cochrane electronic databases. Initially, the literature will be screened based on title/abstract and followed by full-text appraisal for methodological quality using JBI critical appraisal tools. Data will be extracted from eligible articles after the full-text appraisal. Heterogeneity will be qualitatively assessed by a visual Funnel plot and quantitatively measured by an index of heterogeneity (I2 statistics). Random-effects model will be fitted to estimate the proportion of HIVDR and each HIVDR mutations. Sub-group and sensitivity analyses will be conducted to reduce heterogeneity. Meta-regression will be done by median year of sampling per study to observe the pattern of changes over time. Publication bias will be assessed by egger’s statistics. In case of publication bias, Trim and Fill analysis will be conducted to overcome small-study effect. Data analysis will be performed using Stata version 14.

Ethics and dissemination

As the data sources are published papers, the protocol will not require an ethical approval letter. The final report of the review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Parenting Musically, Lisa Huisman Koops (2020)
Authors: Digby Julie , Cavanagh Barbara
Published: April 2022

Review of: Parenting Musically, Lisa Huisman Koops (2020)

New York: Oxford University Press, 218 pp.,

ISBN-13 978-0-19087-362-2, p/bk, £25.49
Questioning the Notion of Financial Gain as the Primary Motivation of Human Traffickers
Authors: Clarke Matthew
Published: April 2022

One common belief in the anti-trafficking field is that the primary motivation of traffickers is financial gain. This short paper describes recent examples of that belief among researchers and practitioners and suggests that it is not warranted by the available evidence. My intention is to stimulate conversation and to call for improved documentation and analysis of perpetrator motivations. I encourage a more nuanced appreciation of those motivations by policymakers and the larger anti-trafficking community.
Traffickers and Victims: Opposite sides of the same coin?
Authors: Leung Helen , Yeung Crystal , Ho Patricia
Published: April 2022

Hong Kong Dignity Institute (HKDI) provides direct assistance to victims of trafficking and seeks to break cycles of exploitation through institutional change. Drawing from first-hand testimonials of over 30 individuals we have assisted since 2019 and insight from our civil society partners, in this article, we outline our observations of traffickers and their modus operandi in three prevalent trafficking scenarios in Hong Kong. Our experience suggests that trafficking networks are composed of a complex and fluid interplay of actors with blurred emotional lines between the traffickers and victims. We conclude that anti-trafficking efforts in Hong Kong are hampered by difficulties in identifying traffickers given the elusive nature of their activities.
The Myth of the ‘Ideal Offender’: Challenging persistent human trafficking stereotypes through emerging Australian cases
Authors: Raby Kyla , Chazal Nerida
Published: April 2022

Human trafficking and slavery offences are often constructed through prominent stereotypes of the ideal victim and the ideal offender. This article examines four common offender stereotypes created by representations of trafficking seen in the media, popular culture, government reports, and awareness campaigns, and challenges these stereotypes by comparing them with international and Australian research and statistics. This comparison demonstrates that the ideal trafficking offender is a myth that must be broken. To support this argument, the article explores two emerging Australian cases involving sexual exploitation and allegations of slavery and servitude that significantly depart from stereotypical representations of trafficking. This shows the limitations of offender stereotypes in explaining trafficking offences and demonstrates the need for greater emphasis on the role of coercive control in trafficking offences, the impact of trust and changing relationships, and the interrelationship of trafficking with domestic violence.
Oblivious ‘Sex Traffickers’: Challenging stereotypes and the fairness of US trafficking laws
Authors: Horning Amber , Stalans Loretta
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we explore third parties who unexpectedly fell within the legal definition of a sex trafficker. The anti-trafficking lobby and media stories frequently portray traffickers as organised, psychopathic, violent, and child kidnappers. We dismantle these depictions by showing the unexpected people who qualify as traffickers. This paper incorporates findings from two studies involving eighty-five third parties in New York City and forty-nine in Chicago. We analyse how teenagers, drivers, and boyfriends qualify as traffickers under US law. We find that two-thirds of them hold inaccurate views about the difference between sex trafficking and facilitating prostitution. Trafficking can be incidental or temporary, and traffickers in these samples were often oblivious to their legal status, potentially resulting in lengthy prison sentences. We conclude by calling for differential sentencing based on traffickers’ age, and awareness campaigns designed to alert third parties of the legal distinctions between pandering and sex trafficking.
Traffickers’ Use of Substances to Recruit and Control Victims of Domestic Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation in the American Midwest
Authors: Koegler Erica , Wood Claire , Bahlinger Lilly , Johnson Sharon
Published: April 2022

This paper describes how traffickers use substances to recruit and control victims of domestic trafficking for sexual exploitation, as reported by service providers working with trafficking survivors in the American Midwest. This data was derived from interviews with 15 service providers in a major metropolitan area. Findings revealed consistencies with previous literature and new insights into the trafficker- substance use dynamic. Traffickers’ use of substances with victims was pervasive when trafficking was for the purpose of sex but not other labour. There were several examples of how traffickers use substances for victim exploitation and recruitment. These include using substances to ensure a victim is in a euphoric mood prior to sex work, to reward victim sex work productivity, and to initiate withdrawal effects to demonstrate the traffickers’ supreme control. Novel findings include how and why traffickers might deny victim use of substances and how they might give substances to victims without the victim’s knowledge. Implications for how these findings can be utilised for victim treatment and for future research are discussed.
‘It’s About Survival’: Court constructions of socio-economic constraints on women offenders in Australian human trafficking for sexual exploitation cases
Authors: Baxter Alexandra , Chazal Nerida
Published: April 2022

Women make up more than half of the offenders convicted for human trafficking for sexual exploitation in Australia since 2005. This article explores how courts construct the financial motivations for women’s offending to examine how gendered structural constraints are considered in Australian trafficking cases. We explore data from the sentencing remarks and appeal transcripts from the ten cases of women convicted for human trafficking and analyse the two most recent cases to explore how women’s financial considerations are underpinned by the gendered socio-economic pressure of supporting family members. Using data from interviews with Australian judges and anti-trafficking experts, we examine the relationship between structural constraints and women’s agency and the relative weight each of these factors are given in sentencing women trafficking offenders. In doing this, we explore the overlap between victimisation and offending and the tensions between structural constraints and agency, arguing that the former must be taken into consideration when sentencing women trafficking offenders.
The Constitutional Limits of Anti-Trafficking Norms in the Commonwealth Caribbean
Authors: Haynes Jason
Published: April 2022

Trafficking in persons is a crime and a human rights violation that affects most states across the globe, including those in the Commonwealth Caribbean. There- fore, in the last twenty years, governments have rushed to enact anti-trafficking laws with a level of alacrity the international community has never seen before. While the enactment of these laws is both necessary and desirable, some have pushed the limits of what is constitutionally permissible in a free and democrat- ic society. This article demonstrates that some of the prosecution provisions of anti-trafficking norms enacted by Caribbean governments have encroached or threaten to encroach upon the constitutional rights of accused persons. It concludes that unconstitutional provisions of regional anti-trafficking laws need to be addressed by regional governments as a matter of urgency, as they can potentially be challenged by traffickers with the result being that, if successfully challenged, traffickers may escape liability for crimes they have committed on mere technicalities.
A Machine Learning Based Framework for PdM
Authors: Meira Jorge , Rodrigues Luis , Fernandes Marta , Queiroz Jonas , Leitão Paulo , Marreiros Goreti
Published: April 2022

The need for adaptation led the industry to evolve into a new revolution, where connectivity, amount of data, new devices, stock reduction, personalization and production control gave rise to Industry 4.0. Predictive maintenance is based on historical data, models and knowledge of the domain in order to predict trends, patterns of behavior and correlations by statistical models or Machine Learning to predict pending failures in advance. This paper presents a review of most applied machine learning techniques, comparing different authors’ approaches used in predictive maintenance. Also, a conceptual machine learning framework is proposed to tackle various predictive maintenance challenges such as failure forecast, anomaly detection and Remaining Useful Life prediction.
Technological Applications for Sustainable Agriculture : A trinomial
Authors: Pérez-Pons María-Eugenia , Parra-Dominguez Javier , Corchado Juan Manuel , Queiroz Jonas , Leitão Paulo
Published: April 2022

In recent years, technological development has made it possible to implement sustainability-oriented solutions in the agricultural sector, leading to significant improvements. The practical application of information and communication technologies and of blockchain technology in agriculture, gives a deeper digital meaning to agricultural challenges and possibilities. This article addresses the trinomial: technology, agriculture and sustainability. The present research reviews some examples of the application of those technologies in real-world scenarios, as well as their evolution and contribution to agricultural sustainability.
A brief review on Multi-Agent System Approaches and Methodologies
Authors: Pérez-Pons María-Eugenia , Parra-Dominguez Javier , Anzola-Rojas Camilo , Durán Barroso Ramón J. , Miguel Ignacio de , Queiroz Jonas , Leitao Paulo
Published: April 2022

Agents are understood by definition as entities that interact with their environment and also with other agents. Thus, when two or more agents are able to work together in order to solve a common problem, they form a multi-agent system (MAS). MAS are systems that integrate a set of agents that interact, communicate and coordinate to achieve the established objectives. MAS are designed to meet a set of objectives according to a set of rules and standards. This article briefly summarizes different MAS classifications and methodologies that have been extensively used in the literature.
Gestión inteligente de red cuántica
Authors: García-Cobo Iván , Martín del Rey Ángel
Published: April 2022

Las redes cuánticas materializan el cambio de paradigma provocado por el agotamiento de la computación clásica. Hasta ahora, se han construido redes cuánticas agrupando repetidores cuánticos confiables unidos por redes de fibra óptica. La necesidad de construir redes robustas y resilientes ante ataques se hace fundamental en el diseño del futuro Internet cuántico. Proponemos un método de gestión de la red que permita a esta adaptarse en tiempo real y protegerse frente a sabotajes o accidentes que inutilicen parte de la red o de sus nodos.
Optical and Magnetic Characteristics of LaFeO3 Nanoparticles
Synthesized by Simple Co-Precipitation Method using Ethanol
Authors: Hong Duyen Pham Thi , Tien Nguyen Anh , Vuong Bui Xuan
Published: April 2022

Present study describes the synthesis of nanocrystalline lanthanum orthoferrite by co-precipitation
method using ethanol as a solvent. LaFeO3 nanopowders formed after annealing the precursor at
temperatures of 700, 800 and 900 ºC for 1 h, have a particle size in the range of 30-50 nm. According
to XRD analysis, an increase in the annealing temperature from 700 to 900 ºC leads to an increase in
the average crystallite size from 43.76 to 62.80 nm and a decrease in the unit cell volume of about
241.90 to 240.66 Å3. Synthesized LaFeO3 nanoparticles have strong absorption in ultraviolet
(~ 200-400 nm) and visible light (~ 400-600 nm) and are soft magnetic materials with high
magnetization.
Investigation of Formic Acid involved Molecular Clusters with
Atmospheric Acidic, Basic and Neutral Species
Authors: Kohli Ruchi , Mittal Anu
Published: April 2022

New particle formation (NPF) is regarded as a main source of tropospheric aerosols. Formic acid (FA)
is investigated as a source of NPF by studying its dimer, trimer and tetramer clusters with atmospheric
nucleating species like H2O, H2S, MeNH2 and H2O2 employing quantum chemical methods. The
structural characteristics, nature of interactions, interaction energies, harmonic vibrational frequencies,
thermochemistry at ambient and tropospheric conditions are investigated employing DFT and MP2
methods. Acidic (H2S), basic (MeNH2) and neutral (H2O) nucleating precursors are chosen to study
the effect of nature of these species on NPF. Results show that clusters of formic acid with MeNH2
have more stabilising effect than clusters with H2O, H2S and H2O2. The FA-MeNH2 clusters are formed
spontaneously at ambient conditions while for others (H2O, H2O2) although the clusters are stable at
ambient conditions, yet have positive binding free energy that becomes negative at tropospheric
conditions. The cluster formation leads to significant red shifts and increased IR intensities for
conventional hydrogen bond donor bond stretching vibrations relative to its monomeric units. For all
the nucleating species, stability increases with the growth of clusters.
Efficiency Enhancement of Dye Sensitized Solar Cell Using Composite
P25-TiO2/Carbon Nanotubes Photoanode with Platinum Counter Electrode
Authors: Mahmood Samaa S. , Hussien Falah H. , Atiyah Abbas J.
Published: April 2022

Present study includes enhancing the efficiency of the prepared dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) by
using Degussa (Evonik) P25 with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composites as the photoanode electrode
instead of using TiO2 alone. Platinum was used as the counter electrode with the use of natural
pomegranate dye and KI/I2 as electrolyte solution. The morphology of the prepared composites were
characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron spectroscopy
(SEM) and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra for all ratios prepared from P25/CNTs composites,
The results showed that the CNTs dopant were incorporated into interstitial position of the P25 lattice
nanoribbons with diameter of (30-75) nm and length of few micrometers. The calculated optical band
gap for P25 and P25/CNTs in ratios 1:2.5% were 3.22 eV and 3.00, respectively. These modified
properties of the P25/CNTs composites showed an important effect on the conversion efficiency of
the assembled dye sensitized solar cells, where the efficiency of the P25 and P25/CNTs composites
was 2.962% and 3.679%, respectively. This indicates that the efficiency of the DSSCs was increased
relatively when using P25/CNTs composite instead of P25 alone as a photoanode when the other
components of the cell were applied under the same preparation and fabrication conditions for the
investigated DSSCs.
Influence of Solvent and Oxidant in Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Xanthine Skeletons
Authors: Rahaman Habibur
Published: April 2022

An interesting approach for the synthesis of xanthine skeletons by a copper-catalyzed reaction between
N,N′-dialkylated 5-bromouracil derivatives and amidines are being reported. The coupling reaction
was promoted by catalytic amount of Cu(OAc)2 in the presence of molecular O2. The 1,4-dioxane was
found to be a better solvent for the reaction and the reaction was believed to go through a N-arylation
and subsequent C-H activation/C-N bond formation process.
Modeling of Dynamic/Situational Leadership for Effective Entrepreneurship Development
Authors: Shaikh Sadique , Shaikh Rafik
Published: April 2022

In this article we try to pay attention of readers, researchers and management executives how one can adapting situational leadership in another words dynamic leadership and enhance organization performance for goal attainment with high motivational leverages for effective team building and teamwork. We developed two models and explained how we should have to improve leadership qualities to lead business efficiently.
Comparison of FETI-based domain decomposition methods for topology optimization problems
Authors: Medřický Tomáš , Doškář Martin , Pultarová Ivana , Zeman Jan
Published: April 2022

We critically assess the performance of several variants of dual and dual-primal domain decomposition strategies in problems with fixed subdomain partitioning and high heterogeneity in stiffness coefficients typically arising in topology optimization of modular structures. Our study considers Total FETI and FETI Dual-Primal methods along with three enhancements: k-scaling, full orthogonalization of the search directions, and considering multiple search-direction at once, which gives us twelve variants in total. We test these variants both on academic examples and snapshots of topology optimization iterations. Based on the results, we conclude that (i) the original methods exhibit very slow convergence in the presence of severe heterogeneity in stiffness coefficients, which makes them practically useless, (ii) the full orthogonalization enhancement helps only for mild heterogeneity, and (iii) the only robust method is FETI Dual-Primal with multiple search direction and k-scaling.
Methylene blue test and adsorption capacity of clays
Authors: Plaček Otcovská Tereza , Mužíková Barbora , Padevět Pavel
Published: April 2022

This article presents results of experimental measurements focused on an ability of clay to adsorb Methylene Blue dye. This adsorption capacity is determined by a methylene blue test. Adsorption capacity could be a specific characteristics of individual types of clay which are basic component of earth. Therefore, the methylene blue test could be a good method to identify the composition of an unknown earth. Composition of earth is very important for example for final properties of unfired earth structures. The basic common element in all experiments was at least one of the elementary clay minerals (montmorillonite, kaolinite, illite). In the case of adsorption ability measurements, it was determined what is the maximum ability of a given clay to adsorb the Methylene Blue dye. The highest adsorption capacity was determined for montmorillonite clay, lower for kaolinite clay and the lowest for illite clay.
Steel elements with timber fire protection - experiment and numerical analysis
Authors: Šulc Stanislav , Šejna Jakub , Šmilauer Vít , Wald František
Published: April 2022

Steel structural elements are sensitive to elevated temperatures, while timber elements have good thermal insulation properties. Timber material can fulfill the role of fire protection of steel members. The effect of the protection is demonstrated on an experiment with three beams with different levels of the protection, placed into a horizontal furnace. The experimental task was also numerically analysed with standard computational approach given by the Eurocode [1, 2], which leads to an interesting comparison, as the calculation is supposed to provide higher temperatures and larger deformations compared to the experimental data.
Simulation and Experimental Studies on Sustainable Process Optimization of CO2 Adsorption Using Zeolite 5A Pellet
Authors: Wongchalerm Boonthita , Arunchai Thanaporn , Khamkenbong Thanayut , Sangsuradet Supawon , Pitiraksakul Anurak , Worathanakul Patcharin
Published: April 2022

This study focused on a quantitative study of the CO2 adsorption dynamic within the adsorbent particle. It could drive and improve ideal pore characteristics and the adsorption process efficiency. The parameters operating conditions for the CO2 adsorption process of zeolite 5A pellet were studied using Aspen Adsorption. The effects of compression force (200–400 MPa), compression time (5–15 min), and addition of bentonite binder (0–15% wt. of bentonite binder) for zeolite 5A pelletization and temperature for CO2 adsorption ranging from 298–373 K were studied. There was an error from the simulation of approximately 0.34–10.62% compared to the experimental results. The results showed that the interparticle voidage was reduced, and the appropriate mass transfer was required for good CO2 adsorption capacity. Reduction of interparticle voidage is achieved using a small compression force, a short compression duration, and a small bentonite binder, all of which significantly increase CO2 adsorption capacity. The mass transfer must be within the optimum range because it will decrease the contact time between the zeolite surface and the CO2 molecules. The CO2 adsorption increases with the gas phase temperature decrease. The result showed that the maximum CO2 adsorption by zeolite 5A was 7.078 mmol CO2/g with 0 wt% bentonite binder, 200 MPa, and 5 min at 298 K, 1 atm pressure.