bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Y‐TiO2/5A/NiFe2O4 Composite for the High‐efficiency Adsorption and Photocatalytic Degradation of Norfloxacin under Visible Light
Authors: Xu Jing , Ren Zhihao , Qiu Xiaoyuan , Zhu Pengfei , Chen Dandan , Xie Lisi , Zhang Chaoli
Published: August 2021

Y‐TiO2/5A/NiFe2O4 composite was prepared by hydrothermal and sol‐gel method. The structure, morphology and optical properties of the composite were investigated by XRD, FT‐IR, XPS, SEM, UV‐vis DRS and so on. Compared with 5A, TiO2, TiO2/5A and Y‐TiO2/5A, the photocatalytic properties of Y‐TiO2/5A/NiFe2O4 was enhanced and the removal rate of norfloxacin can reach the highest 96.55 % under visible light for 60 min. Moreover, the photocatalyst still has good photocatalytic performance after three cycles of use. This improvement is mainly attributed to two factors. On the one hand, the doping of Y brings impurity level to TiO2, which broadens the spectral response range of the photocatalyst to the visible region. On the other hand, NiFe2O4 forms Z‐scheme heterojunction with TiO2, which enables the photogenerated carriers to be separated effectively through the interface of heterojunction, thus improving the performance of the photocatalyst. Moreover, the photocatalyst still has a good removal rate for several other antibiotics. Finally, a possible electron transfer mechanism is proposed based on characterization and active species capture experiments.
Nanoscale Pd Supported on Layered Co(OH)2 as Efficient Catalysts for Solvent‐Free Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol
Authors: Lv Lin , Wang Yongzhao , Peng Dengchao , Zhou Zhiyuan , Shang Jing , Guo Wenyao , Zhang Bingsen , Xin Zhiling
Published: August 2021

In this work, two‐dimensional (2D) Co(OH)2 nanosheets, with large surface areas and wrinkles are obtained, and used to support Pd nanoparticles (NPs) by simple impregnation method as an efficient catalyst for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol under solvent‐free conditions. The resulting 1 wt.% Pd/Co(OH)2 catalyst exhibits a high turnover frequency value of 57999 h−1. The catalysts were characterized by SEM, TEM, AFM, XRD, BET, XPS and CO‐pulse chemisorption. The results of characterizations reveal that the Pd NPs are highly dispersed on the Co(OH)2 nanosheets. The abundant hydroxyl groups on the surface of Co(OH)2 nanosheets promote the reduction of Pd species, resulting in a higher proportion of Pd0 than that of Pd/AC catalyst, which further facilitates the catalytic performances.
Palladium‐Catalysed Oxidative Decarboxylative Cross‐Coupling of Heteroarenes with CF3‐Acrylic Acids
Authors: Xiao Pan , Pannecoucke Xavier , Bouillon Jean‐Philippe , Couve‐Bonnaire Samuel
Published: August 2021

Whereas decarboxylative cross‐coupling is becoming an important tool in organic synthesis, the metal‐catalysed decarboxylative/direct C−H alkenylation using acrylic acid derivatives has been scarcely studied in the literature. Herein, we reported the first decarboxylative/direct C−H trifluoromethylalkenylation of heteroarenes using various 3‐aryl‐2‐trifluoromethylacrylic acids as coupling partners. Due to the electronic and steric features of the trifluoromethyl moiety, the protodecarboxylated compound is produced in large quantity during the reaction compared to the desired product. Nevertheless, we succeeded, albeit in low to fair yields, in obtaining the functionalized heterocycles bearing the trifluoromethyl alkene moiety.
Roll‐to‐Roll Processes for the Fabrication of Perovskite Solar Cells under Ambient Conditions
Authors: Benitez-Rodriguez Juan F. , Chen Dehong , Gao Mei , Caruso Rachel A.
Published: August 2021

Recent progress in the engineering and fabrication optimization of hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has led to power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of up to 25.2%. The properties of perovskite solutions enable low‐temperature, scalable coating methods that are compatible with the roll‐to‐roll (R2R) fabrication process. Despite this, there is still a significant lag in efficiency in large‐area devices fabricated using the R2R process, which achieves PCEs of 50% of the record value. Direct translation of research results to large‐scale commercially acceptable levels is crucial for commercialization, along with long‐term durability and processing reproducibility of the different device layers. Herein, the recent progress of several coating and R2R processes for the formation of PSC layers, detailing the key variables involved in the process, with an emphasis on the nucleation and crystallization of the perovskite film, is considered. The barriers and challenges in producing high‐quality perovskite films and improving the stability of devices are discussed. In addition, stability protocols for PSCs are discussed as they are key to unifying PSC stability and performance assessment, which is required to gain a better understanding of the different compounds and layers used in cell fabrication and the approaches necessary for their optimization.
Teaching (Bi)Multilingual Learners: Connecting Languages
Authors: Escamilla Kathy , Hopewell Susan , Slavick Jody
Published: August 2021

We begin this article with a brief look at opportunities to learn for the nation's growing numbers of Emerging Bilingual children. We briefly present the research literature that supports the use of children's languages other in English (LOTEs) in literacy instruction whether the children are participating in bilingual/dual language programs or English medium (English only) programs. We suggest that cross‐language connections can occur in any type of educational program. Next, we present three different instructional examples of potential instructional activities designed to explicitly encourage cross‐language connections in bilingual/dual language and/or English medium/English only contexts. These examples include early, middle and upper elementary. Finally, we provide resources and ideas for teachers to go beyond our suggestions to create their own cross‐language learning opportunities for their students.
The alcohol marketing policy environment and adolescent drinking in Sri Lanka: A qualitative exploration of stakeholder perspectives
Authors: Athauda Lathika , Peiris‐John Roshini , McCool Judith , Wickremasinghe Rajitha , Ameratunga Shanthi
Published: August 2021

Adolescents continue to be exposed to alcohol marketing, despite the existence of alcohol control policies in Sri Lanka. National‐level policies restrict all forms of alcohol advertising, promotions, and sponsorship and sale to minors. The act calls for the need to protect children and adolescents from exposure to the harm of alcohol. This article investigates stakeholders' perceptions of the alcohol marketing policy environment in Sri Lanka, with a specific focus on policies designed to prevent or curtail adolescent drinking. Between May and July 2019, in‐depth interviews were conducted with policy stakeholders in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Thematic analysis was conducted on the audio‐recorded interviews that were transcribed and translated and imported to NVivo12. Fifteen policy stakeholders from government and nongovernment organizations participated in this study. The overarching theme identified a lukewarm alcohol marketing policy environment. This situation was facilitated by the alcohol industry acting as the vector, an amber light approach towards public health programs, and other factors contributing to the perceived ineffectiveness of the alcohol marketing policy environment. A unified public health approach supported by policy and political commitment may pave the way for better alcohol control in Sri Lanka.
Numerical Concepts in Context
Authors: Gega Paola , Liu Mingya , Bechberger Lucas
Published: August 2021

Numerical concepts are an integral part of everyday conversation and communication. Expressions relating to numbers in natural language can have precise or imprecise interpretations. While the precise interpretation most prominently appears in mathematical contexts, the imprecise interpretation seems to arise when numbers (as quantities) are applied to real world contexts (e.g., the rope is 50 m long). Earlier literature shows that the (im)precise interpretation can depend on different factors, e.g., the kind of approximator a numeral appears with (precise vs. imprecise, e.g., exactly vs. roughly) or the kind of numeral itself (round vs. non-round, e.g., 50 vs. 47). We report on a corpus-linguistic study and a rating experiment of English numerical expressions. The results confirm the effects of both factors and additionally an effect of the kind of unit (discrete vs. continuous, e.g., people vs. meters). This shows the contextual variability in the interpretation of numerical concepts in natural language.
On $$\alpha $$-Firmly Nonexpansive Operators in r-Uniformly Convex Spaces
Authors: Bërdëllima Arian , Steidl Gabriele
Published: August 2021

We introduce the class of $$\alpha $$
α
-firmly nonexpansive and quasi $$\alpha $$
α
-firmly nonexpansive operators on r-uniformly convex Banach spaces. This extends the existing notion from Hilbert spaces, where $$\alpha $$
α
-firmly nonexpansive operators coincide with so-called $$\alpha $$
α
-averaged operators. For our more general setting, we show that $$\alpha $$
α
-averaged operators form a subset of $$\alpha $$
α
-firmly nonexpansive operators. We develop some basic calculus rules for (quasi) $$\alpha $$
α
-firmly nonexpansive operators. In particular, we show that their compositions and convex combinations are again (quasi) $$\alpha $$
α
-firmly nonexpansive. Moreover, we will see that quasi $$\alpha $$
α
-firmly nonexpansive operators enjoy the asymptotic regularity property. Then, based on Browder’s demiclosedness principle, we prove for r-uniformly convex Banach spaces that the weak cluster points of the iterates $$x_{n+1}:=Tx_{n}$$

x

n
+
1

:
=
T

x
n

belong to the fixed point set $${{\,\mathrm{Fix}\,}}T$$

Fix

T

whenever the operator T is nonexpansive and quasi $$\alpha $$
α
-firmly. If additionally the space has a Fréchet differentiable norm or satisfies Opial’s property, then these iterates converge weakly to some element in $${{\,\mathrm{Fix}\,}}T$$

Fix

T

. Further, the projections $$P_{{{\,\mathrm{Fix}\,}}T}x_n$$

P

Fix

T

x
n

converge strongly to this weak limit point. Finally, we give three illustrative examples, where our theory can be applied, namely from infinite dimensional neural networks, semigroup theory, and contractive projections in $$L_p$$

L
p

, $$p \in (1,\infty ) \backslash \{2\}$$

p
∈
(
1
,
∞
)
\
{
2
}

spaces on probability measure spaces.
Quasi-nilpotency of Generalized Volterra Operators on Sequence Spaces
Authors: Chalmoukis N. , Stylogiannis G.
Published: August 2021

We study the quasi-nilpotency of generalized Volterra operators on spaces of power series with Taylor coefficients in weighted$$\ell ^p$$ℓpspaces$$1<p<+\infty $$1<p<+∞. Our main result is that when an analytic symbolgis a multiplier for a weighted$$\ell ^p$$ℓpspace, then the corresponding generalized Volterra operator$$T_g$$Tgis bounded on the same space and quasi-nilpotent, i.e. its spectrum is$$\{0\}.$${0}.This improves a previous result of A. Limani and B. Malman in the case of sequence spaces. Also combined with known results about multipliers of$$\ell ^p$$ℓpspaces we give non trivial examples of bounded quasi-nilpotent generalized Volterra operators on$$\ell ^p$$ℓp. We approach the problem by introducing what we call Schur multipliers for lower triangular matrices and we construct a family of Schur multipliers for lower triangular matrices on$$\ell ^p, 1<p<\infty $$ℓp,1<p<∞related to summability kernels. To demonstrate the power of our results we also find a new class of Schur multipliers for Hankel operators on$$\ell ^2 $$ℓ2, extending a result of E. Ricard.
Correction to: Wood-water relationships and their role for wood susceptibility to fungal decay
Authors: Brischke Christian , Alfredsen Gry
Published: August 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s00253-020-10479-1
Ludwig van Beethoven—a psychiatric perspective
Authors: Erfurth Andreas
Published: August 2021

Biographical accounts of famous artists usually try to relate the life story to the works (and vice versa). This gives the work a special “colour”, often the context for understanding for today’s recipients. This interrelation is complex and often judgmental, sometimes manipulative. Thus, medical (including psychiatric), characterological and psychodynamic assessments and interpretations must be made with great caution. Primary sources may be scanty and diagnostic concepts may have changed (Mozart died ofhitzigem Frieselfieber[prickly heat fever]; in Hölderlin’s lifetime, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder did not yet “exist”). The attempt at a diagnostic classification often says more about the author and his time than about the artist (for example, the assessment of Robert Schumann’s or Friedrich Hölderlin’s mental illness). Against this background, elements of Ludwig van Beethoven’s biography are presented from a psychiatric perspective. In summary, Beethoven can be diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder. A pronounced hyperthymic temperament is likely to have had a clearly positive influence on the course of the disorder. In particular, no influence of the alcohol use disorder on the musical quality of the work can be proven. A clear episodic course of affective symptoms as in bipolar disorder is not demonstrable. The deafness caused a severe reduction in quality of life.
Distended abdomen due to a pseudocyst around a ventriculoperitoneal shunt
Authors: Meyer Sascha , Nemat Sogand , Linsler Stefan , Bay Johannes , Zemlin Michael , Poryo Martin
Published: August 2021

Described herein is a case of distended abdomen in a 4-year-old boy with a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt due to bilateral intraventricular hemorrhage following premature birth. Physical examination and laboratory tests revealed tenderness in the lower quadrants, with mild leukocytosis and normal C‑reactive protein levels. X‑ray demonstrated an intact VP shunt catheter but cranial displacement of the large intestine. Ultrasonography confirmed a large pseudocyst around the VP shunt, with extension from the symphysis to the sternum. The distal part of the VP shunt was surgically revised and 2.5 l of cerebrospinal fluid were evacuated. The boy made a full clinical recovery. Conventional X‑rays, routinely used to confirm or exclude VP shunt continuity, may provide important clues regarding to the etiology of VP shunt dysfunction.
Effect of lithium disilicate ceramic thickness, shade and translucency on transmitted irradiance and knoop microhardness of a light cured luting resin cement
Authors: Borges Lincoln Pires Silva , Borges Gilberto Antônio , Correr Américo Bortolazzo , Platt Jeffrey A. , Kina Sidney , Correr-Sobrinho Lourenço , Costa Ana Rosa
Published: August 2021

This in vitro study evaluates the influence of pressed lithium disilicate thickness, shade and translucency on the transmitted irradiance and the Knoop microhardness (KHN) of a light-cured resin cement at two depths. One hundred and thirty-five ceramic discs of IPS e.max Press (Ivoclar Vivadent) were fabricated and divided into twenty-seven groups (n = 5) according to the association between translucency: HT (hight translucency), LT (low translucency), and MO (medium opacity); shade: BL2, A1 and A3.5; and thickness: 0.5 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2.0 mm. One side of each ceramic disc was finished, polished and glazed. The irradiance (mW/cm²) of a multiwave LED light curing unit (Valo, Ultradent) was evaluated with a potentiometer (Ophir 10ª-V2-SH, Ophir Optronics) without (control group) or with interposition of ceramic samples. The microhardness of Variolink Esthetic LC resin cement (Ivoclar Vivadent) was evaluated after 24 h at two depths (100 μm and 700 μm). Data were submitted to ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). Irradiance and KHN were significantly influenced by ceramic thickness (p < 0.0001), shade (p < 0.001), translucency (p < 0.0001) and depth (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: the interposition of increasing ceramic thicknesses significantly reduced the irradiance and microhardness of resin cement. Increased depth in the resin cement showed significantly reduced microhardness for all studied groups. Increased ceramic opacity reduced the KHN of the resin cement at both depths for all ceramic thicknesses and shades.
Constructing tree decompositions of graphs with bounded gonality
Authors: Bodlaender Hans L. , van Dobben de Bruyn Josse , Gijswijt Dion , Smit Harry
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we give a constructive proof of the fact that the treewidth of a graph is at most its divisorial gonality. The proof gives a polynomial time algorithm to construct a tree decomposition of width at most k, when an effective divisor of degree k that reaches all vertices is given. We also give a similar result for two related notions: stable divisorial gonality and stable gonality.
Testing conditional independence in supervised learning algorithms
Authors: Watson David S. , Wright Marvin N.
Published: August 2021

We propose the conditional predictive impact (CPI), a consistent and unbiased estimator of the association between one or several features and a given outcome, conditional on a reduced feature set. Building on the knockoff framework of Candès et al. (J R Stat Soc Ser B 80:551–577, 2018), we develop a novel testing procedure that works in conjunction with any valid knockoff sampler, supervised learning algorithm, and loss function. The CPI can be efficiently computed for high-dimensional data without any sparsity constraints. We demonstrate convergence criteria for the CPI and develop statistical inference procedures for evaluating its magnitude, significance, and precision. These tests aid in feature and model selection, extending traditional frequentist and Bayesian techniques to general supervised learning tasks. The CPI may also be applied in causal discovery to identify underlying multivariate graph structures. We test our method using various algorithms, including linear regression, neural networks, random forests, and support vector machines. Empirical results show that the CPI compares favorably to alternative variable importance measures and other nonparametric tests of conditional independence on a diverse array of real and synthetic datasets. Simulations confirm that our inference procedures successfully control Type I error with competitive power in a range of settings. Our method has been implemented in an package, , which can be downloaded fromhttps://github.com/dswatson/cpi.
Back to reality: transition techniques from short HMD-based virtual experiences to the physical world
Authors: Horst Robin , Naraghi-Taghi-Off Ramtin , Rau Linda , Dörner Ralf
Published: August 2021

Every Virtual Reality (VR) experience has to end at some point. While there already exist concepts to design transitions for users to enter a virtual world, their return from the physical world should be considered, as well, as it is a part of the overall VR experience. We call the latter outro-transitions. In contrast to offboarding of VR experiences, that takes place after taking off VR hardware (e.g., HMDs), outro-transitions are still part of the immersive experience. Such transitions occur more frequently when VR is experienced periodically and for only short times. One example where transition techniques are necessary is in an auditorium where the audience has individual VR headsets available, for example, in a presentation using PowerPoint slides together with brief VR experiences sprinkled between the slides. The audience must put on and take off HMDs frequently every time they switch from common presentation media to VR and back. In a such a one-to-many VR scenario, it is challenging for presenters to explore the process of multiple people coming back from the virtual to the physical world at once. Direct communication may be constrained while VR users are wearing an HMD. Presenters need a tool to indicate them to stop the VR session and switch back to the slide presentation. Virtual visual cues can help presenters or other external entities (e.g., automated/scripted events) to request VR users to end a VR session. Such transitions become part of the overall experience of the audience and thus must be considered. This paper explores visual cues as outro-transitions from a virtual world back to the physical world and their utility to enable presenters to request VR users to end a VR session. We propose and investigate eight transition techniques. We focus on their usage in short consecutive VR experiences and include both established and novel techniques. The transition techniques are evaluated within a user study to draw conclusions on the effects of outro-transitions on the overall experience and presence of participants. We also take into account how long an outro-transition may take and how comfortable our participants perceived the proposed techniques. The study points out that they preferred non-interactive outro-transitions over interactive ones, except for a transition that allowed VR users to communicate with presenters. Furthermore, we explore the presenter-VR user relation within a presentation scenario that uses short VR experiences. The study indicates involving presenters that can stop a VR session was not only negligible but preferred by our participants.
Narratives in entrepreneurial ecosystems: drivers of effectuation versus causation
Authors: Hubner Sylvia , Most Fabian , Wirtz Jochen , Auer Christine
Published: August 2021

This paper introduces narratives in entrepreneurial ecosystems as drivers of effectuation vs. causation. Drawing on 43 interviews with successful players in Silicon Valley, Munich, and Singapore, we found ecosystem-specific narratives indicate what is common, appropriate, and successful in each ecosystem, and these narratives encourage either effectuation or causation. Our findings indicate that the narratives in the ecosystem in Silicon Valley facilitate effectuation, in Munich causation, and in Singapore a cautious balance of both. Our research suggests that narratives can explain mechanisms how ecosystems influence entrepreneurship: the national culture, market characteristics, available resources, and networks in an ecosystem spark ecosystem-specific narratives, which in turn shape tendencies towards effectuation and causation. Thereby, we introduce a new ecosystem-focused perspective on predictors of effectuation and causation.
Not a Negation? A Logico-Philosophical Perspective on the Ugaritic Particles lā/ ’al
Authors: Barés Gómez Cristina , Fontaine Matthieu
Published: August 2021

The negative particleslā/ ’alin Ugaritic change from positive to negative in modal contexts, conditional, questions, disjunctions, etc. They have usually been studied from a Semitic and linguistic points of view. On the basis of their occurrence in Ugaritic texts, we pretend to explain their uncommon behaviour from a philosophical and logico-semantic perspective. Is it possible to translate this linguistic structure in our Modern languages? Starting from a general view of their use in Ugaritic language, we claim that this phenomenon can be more clearly understood in relation to modality. We interpret these negation as a negative evidential paradigm and we explain how they change in different contexts. Methodologically, we make use of formal tools of Dynamic Epistemic Logic in order to provide a more fine-grained understanding of these negations, and their dynamics.
A soft computing approach to tunnel face stability in a probabilistic framework
Authors: Soranzo Enrico , Guardiani Carlotta , Wu Wei
Published: August 2021

Tunnel face is important for shallow tunnels to avoid collapses. In this study, tunnel face stability is studied with soft computing techniques. A database is created based on the literature which is used to train some broadly adopted soft computing techniques, ranging from linear regression to the artificial neural network. The soil dry density, cohesion, friction angle, cover depth and the tunnel diameter are used as the input parameters. The soft computing techniques state whether the face support is stable and predict the face support pressure. It is found that the artificial neural network outperforms the other techniques. The face support pressure is predicted with the artificial neural network for statistically distributed samples, and the failure probability is obtained with Monte Carlo simulations. In this way, the stability of the tunnel face can be reliably assessed and the support pressure can be estimated fairly accurately.
How Trust Makes a Difference: The Impact of the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Life Satisfaction in Germany
Authors: Bittmann Felix
Published: August 2021

The extraordinary COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most severe disruptions of human life since the end of World War II, even in rich and industrialized countries like Germany. The introduction of a rather comprehensive “lockdown” and the restriction of multiple basic civil rights have affected the population in many areas of life, like employment, economic prosperity, health and trust in public institutions. The question arises how life satisfaction is influenced by these measures in detail and whether there are interactions between institutional trust, life satisfaction and time of crisis. Fixed-effect regression analyses using German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS) data demonstrate that life satisfaction has fallen sharply after the onset of the crisis and that interaction effects with institutional trust are present. Individuals with low levels of pre-crisis trust in institutions like the government, courts or the media report a stronger decrease of satisfaction than individuals with higher levels of trust. We believe that these results are relevant to explain the role of institutions in times of crisis and might serve as foundations for interventions to strengthen trust and increase overall satisfaction.
Improving negotiation success in B2B sales organizations: is structured negotiation management a success factor?
Authors: Mayer Markus , Voeth Markus
Published: August 2021

Researchers and practitioners alike recognize the necessity to manage salespeople before, during, and after negotiations. Literature identifies four approaches that companies use to manage salespeople in and around negotiations. However, it has never been researched which of these approaches help companies implement negotiation management successfully. The present study examines which management approach or combination of approaches lead to a consistently high level of negotiation success. The authors use a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to identify the conditions explaining negotiation success. The findings indicate that any effort to actively manage negotiations as a corporate capability supports sales in achieving a higher level of negotiation success. While the study was not able to identify any necessary conditions, the sufficient solution formula to reach a high level of negotiation success comprises two paths in its most parsimonious form. Following this solution formula, companies should either enable salespeople to solve complex situations autonomously and provide guidance along the negotiation process or define clear objectives, manage salespeople against deviations from the objectives, and monitor them closely throughout the negotiation process. This suggests, that successful negotiation management either empowers salespeople to act autonomously or focuses on a control management style. The latter should comprise both aspects of outcome and behavior control.
„Und täglich grüßt das Murmeltier“ oder Selbsterfahrung in der Zeitschleife. Zur Musterbildung in Interaktionssystemen
Authors: Bachmann Thomas
Published: August 2021

Anhand der Films „Und täglich grüßt das Murmeltier“ wird das Konzept der doppelten Kontingenz erklärt und die Entstehung von tragfähigen Beziehungen in Therapie, Coaching und Beratung untersucht. Dabei wird gezeigt, dass Resonanz in Beziehungen, jenseits von Tools und Methoden, eine wesentliche Quelle für Selbsterfahrung und Lernen darstellt.
Around averaged mappings
Authors: Górnicki Jarosław , Bisht Ravindra K.
Published: August 2021

This paper is intended for a general mathematical audience. The examples show how the study of existence of fixed points of averaged mappings $$T_{\lambda }= (1-\lambda )I+ \lambda T$$

T
λ

=

(
1
-
λ
)

I
+
λ
T

, where $$0<\lambda <1$$

0
<
λ
<
1

and I is the identity operator, can help in the study of existence of fixed points of mappings T.
Physical and sexual abuse against young athletes in sport in light of article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
Authors: Shinohara Tsubasa
Published: August 2021

Numerous young athletes have suffered from physical and sexual abuse at the hands of their coaches. Despite this, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has never dealt with a violation of child rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in the case of physical and sexual abuse in sport. In this situation, a question that may arise is how young athletes can argue a violation of their substantive rights under the Convention before the ECtHR in the case of such abuses? In this regard, the right to physical and mental integrity under Articles 10 (2) and 27 (2) of the Swiss Federal Constitution (SFC) as well as the prohibition of an excessive limitation of personal freedom under Article 27 (2) of the Swiss Civil Code (SCC) may play an essential role to build a bridge between the Convention rights and the fundamental human rights under national law in light of the SFT’s precedents within the meaning ofsubstantive public policyunder Article 190 (2) (e) of the Swiss Private International Law Act (PILA). Although the International Federations (IFs) have not recognised a legal standing of young athletes suffering from physical and sexual abuse, state parties to the ECHR must implement positive obligations under Article 8 (1) of the ECHR to take necessary measures to protect young athletes against such abuses by non-state actors and may require sports governing bodies within the jurisdiction to comply with Article 8 (1)’s obligations. Accordingly, this article might serve to clarify a duty of sports governing bodies to protect young athletes against such abuses through a lens of the ECHR.
Human Belief State-Based Exploration and Exploitation in an Information-Selective Symmetric Reversal Bandit Task
Authors: Horvath Lilla , Colcombe Stanley , Milham Michael , Ray Shruti , Schwartenbeck Philipp , Ostwald Dirk
Published: August 2021

Humans often face sequential decision-making problems, in which information about the environmental reward structure is detached from rewards for a subset of actions. In the current exploratory study, we introduce an information-selective symmetric reversal bandit task to model such situations and obtained choice data on this task from 24 participants. To arbitrate between different decision-making strategies that participants may use on this task, we developed a set of probabilistic agent-based behavioral models, including exploitative and explorative Bayesian agents, as well as heuristic control agents. Upon validating the model and parameter recovery properties of our model set and summarizing the participants’ choice data in a descriptive way, we used a maximum likelihood approach to evaluate the participants’ choice data from the perspective of our model set. In brief, we provide quantitative evidence that participants employ a belief state-based hybrid explorative-exploitative strategy on the information-selective symmetric reversal bandit task, lending further support to the finding that humans are guided by their subjective uncertainty when solving exploration-exploitation dilemmas.
An Innovative Health Literacy Approach Designed to Improve Patient Understanding of Medication Labeling
Authors: Jacobson Kara L. , Faughnan Juliette , Myers Laurie , Dubost Amy , Courtade Lisa , von Lutcken Scott , McCrary Sisk Christine , Gregory Suzanne , Cunningham Anita , Gunther Cathryn , Wolf Michael S.
Published: August 2021

Objective

Limited health literacy negatively impacts understanding of medication-related information. We describe an innovative methodology designed to optimize user understanding of patient medication labeling through the systematic application of evidence-based health literacy principles, using the Patient Package Insert (PPI) for bezlotoxumab (ZINPLAVA™, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA) as an example.

Methods

We used a mixed-model, iterative approach consisting of three phases: (1) content development; (2) focus group testing; and (3) comprehension testing. Content development was based on evidence-based health literacy principles and conducted through a collaborative partnership between industry and academia professionals. The PPI was then tested in four focus groups, two in Atlanta and two in Chicago, with an emphasis on collecting feedback from respondents with limited health literacy, evaluated using the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) health literacy assessment tool. Subsequent comprehension testing included patients withC. diff, caregivers, and general population members, with a pre-defined target sample of 25% with limited health literacy identified through two health literacy assessment tools: the Single Item Literacy Screener and the NVS.

Results

Content development of the bezlotoxumab PPI occurred in May 2015. In June 2015, focus group respondents (n = 34) provided generally favorable feedback, with insights revolving around organization and usability; language and comprehension; and volume of information. Comprehension testing of the revised PPI resulted in average comprehension scores of 96% for the overall population (n = 59), 90% for individuals presenting with limited health literacy (n = 14), and 97% for those with adequate health literacy (n = 45). This PPI development approach was similarly effective for subsequent products across diverse therapeutic areas, with comprehension scores ≥ 86% for all participants (n = 1197).

Conclusion

This methodology represents a significant advancement for the development of understandable patient medication labeling, especially for people with limited health literacy.
Do higher temperatures influence how yields respond to increasing planting density?
Authors: Wang Ruixue , Rejesus Roderick M. , Tack Jesse B. , Aglasan Serkan
Published: August 2021

This study explores how higher temperatures influence corn yield response to planting density. Using 1990–2010 field trial data from Wisconsin and econometric models with a variety of specifications, we find that higher temperatures reduce the yield benefits of increasing planting density. However, these adverse high-temperature effects are smaller for genetically modified corn varieties, especially those with rootworm-resistant traits. Consistent with previous studies, these results support the notion that varietal improvements through genetic modification may have paved the way for higher planting densities in US corn production. Moreover, our results imply that expected in-season temperatures are important considerations when making planting density decisions.
The influence of electronic human resource management on employee's proactive behavior: based on the job crafting perspective
Authors: Zhou Lulu , Chen Zhihong , Li Jin , Zhang Xufan , Tian Feng
Published: August 2021

As a new management reform adapting the development of the times, electronic human resource management (E-HRM) covers all possible integration mechanisms and contents between HRM and Information Technologies. E-HRM promotes employees' subject status with the network characteristics of openness and cooperation. Taking the theory of work adjustment as the instruction, this research studies the adaptive process induced by reconstructing the sense of matching when employees experience the reform, along with the influence of E-HRM on employee's initiative behavior from the perspective of job crafting. In total, 706 employees and their supervisors were investigated with matched questionnaire survey. The results show that: (1) E-HRM can stimulate employees' personal initiative behavior; (2) task crating, relational crafting and cognitive crafting as three dimensions of employees' job crafting, mediate the effect of E-HRM on personal initiative behavior and (3) the self-development motivation of employees' internet use plays a positive moderating role, steering self-oriented job crafting in the positive direction which conforms to the organizations' expectation.
Life, Literacy, and the Pursuit of Prosperity: Party Competition and Policy Outcomes in 50 States
Authors: GAMM GERALD , KOUSSER THAD
Published: August 2021

We ask whether party competition improves economic and social well-being, drawing on evidence from the 50 American states for the period 1880–2010. Today, strident party competition and partisan polarization are blamed for many of the ills of national and state politics. But a much deeper political science tradition points to the virtues of competitive party politics. In this historical analysis, we find that states with competitive party systems spend more than other states—and specifically spend more on education, health, and transportation, areas identified as investments in human capital and infrastructure. We find that this spending leads to longer life expectancy, lower infant mortality, better educational outcomes, and higher incomes. Thus we conclude that party competition is not just healthy for a political system but for the life prospects of a state’s residents.
Individual SFA intake and risk of overweight/obesity: findings from a population-based nationwide cohort study
Authors: Wu Fei , Mao Lei , Zhang Yu , Chen Xiaoqian , Zhuang Pan , Wang Wenqiao , Wang Jun , Jiao Jingjing
Published: August 2021

The relationship between SFA consumption and the risk of overweight/obesity remains unclear. Epidemiological evidence is lacking among Chinese population. This study aimed to investigate the association between individual dietary SFA intake and the risk of overweight/obesity in Chinese adults. Data from 8465 adults with BMI < 24 kg/m2 at entry in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (1989–2011) were analysed. Three-day 24-h dietary records were used to collect dietary data. Cox proportional hazards regression models were constructed to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % CI for the risk of developing overweight or obesity. A total of 3171 incident cases of overweight/obesity were identified (1649 for women and 1522 for men) during a median of 11 years of follow-up. Compared with the lowest category, the intake of total SFA (TSFA) showed no significant association with the risk of overweight/obesity. However, an increased risk of overweight/obesity was observed with a higher intake of medium chain SFA (MCSFA) (Ptrend = 0·004), especially decanoic acid (10:0) (HR was 1·25 (95 % CI 1·10, 1·42) comparing the highest category with the reference group; Ptrend < 0·001), whereas an inverse relationship was observed for hexanoic acid (6:0) consumption; compared with non-consumers, 6:0 intake was associated with 32 % lower risk of overweight/obesity (HR: 0·68 (95 % CI 0·56, 0·84); Ptrend < 0·001). Overall, the intake of subtypes of MCSFA but not TSFA was associated with the risk of overweight/obesity. Increasing hexanoic acid (6:0) and limiting decanoic acid (10:0) consumption may be protective for overweight/obesity among Chinese population.
Association of dietary inflammatory potential with risk of overall and cause-specific mortality
Authors: Li Xiude , Chen Bo , Zhang Jiawei , Li Meiling , Zhang Zhuang , Zhu Yu , Zeng Xu-Fen , Li Hairong , Wang Yingying , Wang Su-Fang , Hu Anla , Zhao Qihong , Yang Wanshui
Published: August 2021

Inflammation is a central mechanism in metabolic disorders associated with morbidity and mortality and dietary factors can modulate inflammation. We aimed to prospectively investigate the association between an empirically developed, food-based dietary inflammatory pattern (EDIP) score and the risk of overall and cause-specific mortality, using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2014. EDIP score was derived by entering thirty-nine predefined commonly consumed food groups into the reduced rank regression models followed by stepwise linear regression, which was most predictive of two plasma inflammation biomarkers including C-reactive protein and leucocyte count among 25 500 US adults. This score was further validated in a testing set of 9466 adults. Deaths from baseline until 31 December 2015 were identified through record linkage to the National Death Index. During a median follow-up of 7·8 years among 40 074 participants, we documented 4904 deaths. Compared with participants in the lowest quintile of EDIP score, those in the highest quintile had a higher risk of overall death (hazard ratio (HR) = 1·19, 95 % CI 1·08, 1·32, Ptrend = 0·002), and deaths from cancer (HR = 1·41, 95 % CI 1·14, 1·74, Ptrend = 0·017) and CVD (HR = 1·22, 95 % CI 0·98, 1·53, Ptrend = 0·211). When stratified by age, the association of EDIP with overall mortality was stronger among individuals under 65 years of age (Pinteraction = 0·001). Diets with a higher inflammatory potential were associated with increased risk of overall and cancer-specific mortality. Interventions to reduce the adverse effect of pro-inflammatory diets may potentially promote health and longevity.
An example regarding Kalton's paper ‘isomorphisms between spaces of vector-valued continuous functions’
Authors: Sánchez Félix Cabello
Published: August 2021

The paper alluded to in the title contains the following striking result: Let $I$ be the unit interval and $\Delta$ the Cantor set. If $X$ is a quasi Banach space containing no copy of $c_{0}$ which is isomorphic to a closed subspace of a space with a basis and $C(I,\,X)$ is linearly homeomorphic to $C(\Delta ,\, X)$, then $X$ is locally convex, i.e., a Banach space. We will show that Kalton result is sharp by exhibiting non-locally convex quasi Banach spaces $X$ with a basis for which $C(I,\,X)$ and $C(\Delta ,\, X)$ are isomorphic. Our examples are rather specific and actually, in all cases, $X$ is isomorphic to $C(K,\,X)$ if $K$ is a metric compactum of finite covering dimension.
Metabolic syndrome among young adults at high and low familial risk for depression
Authors: Daches Shimrit , Vértes Miklós , Matthews Karen , Dósa Edit , Kiss Eniko , Baji Ildikó , Kapornai Krisztina , George Charles J. , Kovacs Maria
Published: August 2021

Background

Our study examined whether the early-onset depression phenotype among young adults (probands) is associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components, and if MetS characterizes unaffected but high-risk siblings of probands.

Methods

We studied three groups of young adults (Mage = 25 years, s.d. = 3.84 years): probands with histories of childhood onset depression – i.e. early-onset phenotype – (n = 293), their unaffected siblings (high-risk siblings, n = 273), and healthy controls (n = 171). Participants completed a full psychiatric interview, physical and laboratory assessments, and self-rating scales. MetS was defined using the criteria of the Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (2001).

Results

Early-onset depression phenotype and being a high-risk sibling were associated with higher MetS composite scores relative to that of controls, but did not differ from one another. With regard to MetS components: Probands and siblings had similarly larger waist circumference and lower HDL than did controls, while siblings and controls had lower triglyceride levels than did probands but did not differ from one another. Groups did not differ on glucose levels and SBP.

Conclusions

Our study extends the literature on the association between MetS and depression and underscores the importance of depression phenotypes: failure to account for the clinical heterogeneity of depression may partly underlie the inconsistent findings regarding its relation to MetS. The results also suggest that, in depression-prone populations, MetS may predate and possibly function as a risk factor for eventual depression.
The combined impact of Type D personality and depression on cardiovascular events after acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Wang Yini , Gao Xueqin , Zhao Zhenjuan , Li Ling , Liu Guojie , Tao Hui , Yu Xi , Yu Bo , Lin Ping
Published: August 2021

Background

Type D personality and depression are the independent psychological risk factors for adverse outcomes in cardiovascular patients. The aim of this study was to examine the combined effect of Type D personality and depression on clinical outcomes in patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods

This prospective cohort study included 3568 patients diagnosed with AMI between February 2017 and September 2018. Type D personality and depression were assessed at baseline, while the major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate (cardiac death, recurrent non-fatal myocardial infarction, revascularization, and stroke) and in-stent restenosis (ISR) rate were analyzed after a 2-year follow-up period.

Results

A total of 437 patients developed MACEs and 185 had ISR during the follow-up period. The Type D (+) depression (+) and Type D (+) depression (−) groups had a higher risk of MACE [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.74–6.07] (95% CI 1.25–2.96) and ISR (95% CI 3.09–8.28) (95% CI 1.85–6.22). Analysis of Type D and depression as continuous variables indicated that the main effect of Type D, depression and their combined effect were significantly associated with MACE and ISR. Moreover, Type D (+) depression (+) and Type D (+) depression (−) emerged as significant risk factors for MACE and ISR in males, while only Type D (+) depression (+) was associated with MACE and ISR in female patients.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that patients complicated with depression and Type D personality are at a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Individual assessments of Type D personality and depression, and comprehensive interventions are required.
Robust fuzzy sliding mode control and vibration suppression of free-floating flexible-link and flexible-joints space manipulator with external interference and uncertain parameter
Authors: Xie Limin , Yu Xiaoyan , Chen Li
Published: August 2021

The flexibility of the free-floating flexible space manipulator system’s link and joint may affect the control accuracy and cause vibrations. We studied the dynamics modeling, joint trajectory tracking control, and vibration suppressing problem of free-floating flexible-link and flexible-joints space manipulator system with external interference and uncertain parameter. The system’s dynamic equations are established using linear momentum conservation, angular momentum conservation, assumed mode method, and Lagrange equation. Then, the system’s singular perturbation model is established, and a hybrid control is presented. For the slow subsystem, a robust fuzzy sliding mode control is proposed to realize the joint desired trajectory tracking. For the fast subsystem, a speed difference feedback control and a linear-quadratic optimal control are designed to suppress the vibration caused by the flexible joints and the flexible link separately. The simulation comparison experiments under different conditions are taken. The simulate results demonstrate the proposed hybrid control’s validity.