bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microwave-synthesized ZrO2/ZnO heterostructures: fast and high charge separation solar catalysts for dyes-waste degradation
Authors: Wahba Mohammed Ahmed , Yakout Saad Mabrouk
Published: September 2022

In 60 min, microwave-synthesized ZrO2/ZnO heterostructures exhibited high and fast sunlight photodegradation efficiencies for 50 ppm Congo red (CR) and 50 ppm methylene blue (MB) pollutants. ZrO2/ZnO heterostructures were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX, FTIR, and diffuse reflectance (DR) techniques. The XRD analysis showed that these heterostructures have combined components of tetragonal ZrO2 and hexagonal ZnO phases. The SEM micrographs of all ZrO2/ZnO nanocomposites demonstrate the formation of nanospherical particles (major) and rod-like (minor) structures. The EDX spectra verified the presence of Zr, Zn and O elements with percentage ratios equivalent or close to that used during the experimental preparation. The FT-IR spectra showed the vibrational characteristic absorption modes of ZrO2 and ZnO bonds around 400–600 cm−1. Two band gap energies were estimated corresponding to ZrO2 (5.05–5.16 eV) and ZnO (3.1–3.16 eV) components. Remarkably, in presence of ZrO2/ZnO (30/70 at%) heterostructure, the free solar energy initiated photodegradation efficiencies of 87% and 98% for 50 ppm CR and 50 ppm MB dyes after 60 min, respectively, which indicates the fast and superior photocatalytic activity of microwave-synthesized ZrO2/ZnO heterostructure. As well, this composition reveals good reusability and stability for three photocatalytic cycles. This uppermost photodegradation performance can be assigned to the high separation of charge carriers, especially for the ZrO2/ZnO (30/70 at%) nanocomposite.
The cytoprotective role of GM1 ganglioside in Huntington disease cells
Authors: Hart Hannah S. , Valentin Madeline A. , Peters Stephanie Toering , Holler Susan W. , Wang Hongmin , Harmon Aaron F. , Holler Larry D.
Published: September 2022

Background

Huntington disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease where a genetic mutation leads to excessive polyglutamine (Q) repeats in the huntingtin protein. The polyglutamine repeats create toxic plaques when the protein is cleaved, leading to neuron death. The glycolipid GM1 ganglioside (GM1) has been shown to be neuroprotective in HD models, as it prevents the cleavage of the mutant huntingtin protein by phosphorylation of serine 13 and 16. Previous studies have tested GM1 in both adult-onset and juvenile-onset HD models, but this study set out to investigate whether GM1 mediated cytoprotection is influenced by the length of polyglutamine repeats.

Method and result

This study utilized cell culture to analyze the effect of GM1 on cell viability, directly comparing the response between cells with adult-onset HD and juvenile-onset HD. HEK293 cells expressing either wild-type huntingtin (Htt) (19Q) exon 1, adult-onset HD mutant Htt exon 1 (55Q), or Juvenile HD mutant Htt exon 1 (94Q) were assessed for cell viability using the WST-1 assay. Our results suggested moderate doses of GM1 increased cell viability for all cell lines when compared to untreated cells. When comparing HEK293 55Q and 94Q cells, there was no difference in cell viability within each dose of GM1.

Conclusion

These data suggest cellular responses to GM1 are independent of polyglutamine repeats in HD cells and provide insight on GM1’s application as a therapeutic agent for HD and other diseases.
Dispersion compensation: impact of integration of soliton transmission and cascaded apodized FBGs
Authors: Mustafa Fathy M. , Abdelhalim Mohamed M. , Aly Moustafa H.
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we present a tanh apodized FBG as a dispersion compensator in optical fiber communication systems. This grating is integrated as a hybrid system of four cascaded apodized FBGs with soliton transmission technique. This enhances the linewidth of the light source to get the most out of transmission per-channel bit rate of 9.687 Tbps at a temperature of 20 °C, a relative refractive index difference of 0.002, a Germania doping ratio of 0.2, and a signal wavelength of 1.65 µm.
Time trade-off health state utility values for depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Balázs Péter György , Erdősi Dalma , Zemplényi Antal , Brodszky Valentin
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to systematically review the literature on health utility in depression generated by time trade-off (TTO) method and to compare health state vignettes.

Methods

Systematic literature search was conducted following PRISMA guideline in 2020 November (updated in 2022 March) in Pubmed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Random effect meta-analysis was conducted to pool vignette-based utility values of mild, moderate, and severe depression and to compare the preferences of depressed and nondepressed population.

Results

Overall, 264 records were found, 143 screened by title and abstract after removing duplicates, 18 assessed full text, and 14 original publications included. Majority of the studies (n = 9) used conventional TTO method, and most of the studies (n = 8) applied 10-year timeframe. Eight studies evaluated self-experienced health (own-current depression). Six studies assessed vignette-based health states of remitted, mild, moderate, and severe depression, half of them applied McSad measure based health description. Altogether, 61 different utility values have been cataloged, mean utility of self-experienced depression states (n = 33) ranged between 0.89 (current-own depression) and 0.24 (worst experienced depression). Pooled utility estimates for vignette-based mild, moderate, and severe depression was 0.75, 0.66 and 0.50, respectively. Meta-regression showed that severe depression (β = −0.16) and depressed sample populations (β =  −0.13) significantly decrease vignette-based utility scores.

Conclusion

Our review revealed extent heterogeneity both in TTO methodology and health state vignette development. Patient’s perception of depression health states was worse than healthy respondents.
The livelihood impacts of COVID-19 in urban South Africa: a view from below
Authors: Schotte Simone , Zizzamia Rocco
Published: September 2022

This paper investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related policy measures on livelihoods in urban South Africa. Using qualitative research methods, we analyse two rounds of semi-structured phone interviews, conducted between June and September 2020 in the township of Khayelitsha, Cape Town. We contextualise these by presenting a snapshot of the nationwide dynamics using quantitative panel data. Our findings describe how the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened the economic vulnerability which preceded the crisis. Survivalist livelihood strategies were undermined by the economic disruption to the informal sector, while the co-variate nature of the shock rendered social networks and informal insurance mechanisms ineffective, causing households to liquidate savings, default on insurance payments, and deepen their reliance on government grants. In addition, the impact of the pandemic on schooling may deepen existing inequalities and constrain future upward mobility.
Monitoring of metal content in the tissues of wild boar (Sus scrofa) and its food safety aspect
Authors: Lénárt Zoltán , Bartha András , Abonyi-Tóth Zsolt , Lehel József
Published: September 2022

The study was performed on 10 female and 10 male wild boars (Sus scrofa) after shooting during the regular hunting season to investigate the concentration of metals in the muscle and fat tissue. The concentrations of essential and non-essential elements were determined (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), mercury (Hg), and zinc (Zn)) using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The concentrations of As, Hg, and Cd were below the limit of detection (As, Hg: < 0.5 mg/kg, Cd: < 0.05 mg/kg) in every tissue sample of both sexes. The lead was detected as 0.36 ± 0.16 mg/kg and 0.22 ± 0.06 mg/kg in the muscle of females and males, respectively, showing a significant difference between the sexes (p = 0.0184). The measured concentration of Cr was 0.14 ± 0.08 mg/kg and 0.13 ± 0.06 mg/kg, and that of copper was 1.22 ± 0.14 mg/kg and 1.06 ± 0.16 mg/kg in the muscle of females and males, respectively. The same tendency was observed in the case of copper content of fat tissues (female: 0.13 ± 0.10 mg/kg; male: 0.13 ± 0.04 mg/kg; p = 0.2707). Manganese concentration of muscle was 0.45 ± 0.30 mg/kg (female) and 1.36 ± 0.96 mg/kg (male), and that of fat tissue was 0.32 ± 0.22 mg/kg (female) and 0.74 ± 0.75 mg/kg (male). The Zn was detected as 56.75 ± 7.86 mg/kg and 1.83 ± 0.76 mg/kg in the muscle and fat of females and 52.12 ± 11.51 mg/kg and 1.94 ± 0.57 mg/kg in males, respectively. Based on data, the consumption of fat and muscle tissues of the wild boars tested can be food toxicologically objectionable, mainly due to the lead content, and thus pose a risk to frequent consumers of this type of game meat.
Critical events and pivotal factors as tools for analyzing the sustainability of online study programs
Authors: Suhonen Jarkko , Sutinen Erkki
Published: September 2022

A critical aspect of designing and running online study programs is the identification of factors and elements that could potentially threaten the continuation of studies. In this study, we first identified a set of critical events that occurred in the running of a Finnish online doctoral study program over 16 years. Next, we analyzed the events using a four-pillar sustainability model, which consisted of the economic, social, environmental, and ethical pillars. We detected several contextually relevant and dynamic pivotal factors related to each of the pillars, which had effects on the sustainability of the program at the time of the critical events. The analysis revealed that positive pivotal factors in one sustainability pillar can be used to compensate for negative pivotal factors in the other pillars. Two aspects that were crucial for the sustainability of the online doctoral study program were the resilience and shared commitment of the community involved in its activities, which helped in overcoming any challenges encountered. Based on this study, we recommended that future research should design novel solutions that help online study programs to proactively identify potential critical events and related pivotal factors. Furthermore, studies should find creative approaches for constructively coping with critical events that have been identified.
Physics-Based Flow Stress Model for Alloy 718
Authors: Moretti Marie Anna , Lindgren Lars-Erik , Åkerström Paul
Published: September 2022

A dislocation density-based model for alloy 718 in the annealed state is proposed in order to accurately describe the deformation behavior of this alloy for a wide range of thermo-mechanical loadings. The model accounts for numerous microstructural mechanisms, including strain hardening, grain size effect, dynamic strain aging (DSA), solid solution strengthening, as well as phonon and electron drag which affects dislocation movements at high strain rates. Two types of recovery mechanisms are also included: recovery due to dislocation glide and recovery associated with cross-slip of screw dislocations. The model is calibrated using experimentally determined stress–strain curves for both low and high strain rates in the order of 10–3to 103 s−1, and for temperatures in the range 20 °C to 800 °C. The stress–strain data computed with the model are in good agreement with the experimental data. The inclusion of DSA is found to be effective in the combination of temperatures and strain rates corresponding to experimental observations. The solid solution strengthening contribution increases with decreasing temperature and increasing strain rate. The drag effect in the model proves to be significant only for deformation at high strain rate (~ 103 s−1).
Performance evaluation of CNN and R-CNN based line by line analysis algorithms for fibre placement defect classification
Authors: Meister Sebastian , Wermes Mahdieu
Published: September 2022

The Automated Fibre Placement process is commonly used in aerospace for the manufacturing of structural components, but requires a subsequent inspection to meet the corresponding safety requirements. In order to improve this mostly manual inspection step, machine learning methods for the interpretation of 2D surface images are being increasingly utilised in research. Depending on the manufacturing process, a very long time can elapse between the appearance of a manufacturing defect and its recognition. Hence, in this paper Convolutional and Recurrent Neural Network techniques are presented that allow a line-by-line analysis of the incoming height profile scans of a Laser Line Scan Sensor as a 1D signal, which enables a direct reaction to a defect, even if only one or a few individual height profiles of the defect have been recorded. The combination of Convolutional and Recurrent Neural Network structures is particularly beneficial for this application. The investigations in this paper are especially interesting for developers of automated inspection systems in composite engineering.
Adult quality of life patterns and trajectories during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
Authors: Cohrdes Caroline , Wetzel Britta , Pryss Rüdiger , Baumeister Harald , Göbel Kristin
Published: September 2022

Early investigations of subjective well-being responses to the COVID-19 pandemic indicated average deterioration but also high variability related to vulnerability of population groups and pandemic phase. Thus, we aimed to gain new insights into the characteristics of certain groups and their differences in subjective well-being response patterns over time. First, we performed Latent Class Analyses with baseline survey data of 2,137 adults (mean age = 40.98, SD = 13.62) derived from the German CORONA HEALTH APP Study to identify subgroups showing similarity of a comprehensive set of 50 risk and protective factors. Next, we investigated the course of quality of life (QoL) as an indicator of subjective well-being grouped by the identified latent classes from July 2020 to July 2021 based on monthly and pandemic phase averaged follow-up survey data by means of Linear Mixed-Effects Regression Modeling. We identified 4 latent classes with distinct indicators and QoL trajectories (resilient, recovering, delayed, chronic) similar to previous evidence on responses to stressful life events. About 2 out of 5 people showed a resilient (i.e., relative stability) or recovering pattern (i.e., approaching pre-pandemic levels) over time. Absence of depressive symptoms, distress, needs or unhealthy behaviors and presence of adaptive coping, openness, good family climate and positive social experience were indicative of a resilient response pattern during the COVID-19 pandemic. The presented results add knowledge on how to adapt and enhance preparedness to future pandemic situations or similar societal crises by promoting adaptive coping, positive thinking and solidary strategies or timely low-threshold support offers.
Investigating the prevalence of diabetic complications in overweight/obese patients: a study in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia
Authors: Shaharuddin Shazwani , Thuraisingam Shobna , Daud Noorul Aimi , Shafie Sarah Diyana , Krishnan Sunanthiny , Kow Chia Siang , Appalasamy Jamuna Rani , Ramachandram Dinesh Sangarran
Published: September 2022

Background

In Malaysia, although diabetes accounts for more than 70% of all deaths, it is unclear how it relates to BMI and diabetic complications. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of obesity and diabetic complications among diabetic patients in Malaysia.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study using an existing clinical registry was performed from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020 at Hospital Serdang, Malaysia. Adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus had their medical records examined for disease complications, as reported by the patient at first contact with the DMTAC pharmacist.

Results

The study comprised a total of 495 participants with an average HbA1c of 10.5%. About 91% (n = 451) of the 495 patients were obese/overweight. Around 37.8% (n = 187) of diabetic patients are between the ages of 50 and 59, and 59% (n = 292) have had diabetes for less than 10 years. A total of 8.5% (n = 42) and 9.7% (n = 48) consume alcohol and smoke, respectively. Around 29.9% (n = 148) had one other comorbidity (hypertension or dyslipidemia), and 63.4% (n = 314) had two comorbidities. Regarding the prevalence of complications, there were 18.9% (n = 94) who had myocardial infarction, 11.1% (n = 55) who had stroke, and 9% (n = 45) who had CKD. Age (adjusted OR = 1.03; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.07; p = 0.041) and hypertension (adjusted OR = 4.06; 95% CI 1.21 to 13.60; p = 0.023) were significantly related with the prevalence of complications in patients with diabetes.

Conclusion

In our study, a BMI of more than 23 kg/m2 (obese/overweight) does not seem to be associated with the prevalence of complications. Age and hypertension, on the other hand, appear to be strong risk predictors of the incidence of complications. With the understanding of the recent outlook on diabetes, it is recommended that public education on the targeted population should be encouraged to negate these complications.
Scope for feed-in tariff in a hydro-rich energy market−a case of Bhutan
Authors: Dukpa Andu
Published: September 2022

To promote the use of renewable energy (RE), several types of RE policies have been implemented globally. Among these, feed-in tariff (FiT) is one of the most accepted mechanisms of pricing policy. However, choosing the best policy for a market with a high RE penetration is a challenge. A case of Bhutan is considered in this paper as the source of electrical energy is predominantly hydropower. Additionally, a generous subsidy is provided by the government to keep the electricity tariff to a minimum. Recently, there has been an increase in the advocacy and motivation for other forms of RE sources (RES) to supplement hydropower and increase energy security in Bhutan. Bhutan aims to achieve a total of 20 MW of non-hydro RES by 2025 as per the RE policy of Bhutan. However, Bhutan still does not have an RE pricing policy, and therefore, there is a need to institute a suitable pricing mechanism to accommodate the penetration of the planned non-hydro RES. This paper discusses the challenges in introducing FiT for non-hydro RES in an electricity market dominated by hydropower in Bhutan. Subsequently, recommendations are made in the wake of subsidised electricity tariff, which is the lowest in the region at 0.0171 USD/kWh for low voltage customers. FiTs for solar photovoltaic based on different categories of customers have been computed and proposed.
Resilience and Wellbeing Strategies for Pandemic Fatigue in Times of Covid-19
Authors: Zarowsky Zachary , Rashid Tayyab
Published: September 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic is truly one of the greatest collective health crises in history which have altered our life and living. For years, people have felt fatigued from following public health directives such as social distancing, wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and working or studying remotely without in-person interactions. In this paper, we explore strategies for resilience and wellbeing which can mitigate pandemic-caused stress and behavioural fatigue. We start with individual level strategies including reworking stress appraisals, the importance of psychological flexibility, reducing loneliness through adaptive online platform use, optimizing familial relationships when living in close quarters for a prolonged period, reducing symptoms of burnout and using adaptive distractions, using specific evidence-based resilience strategies. We discuss specific considerations which tap on our shared identities and shared responsibilities which can enhance a sense of community, especially for individuals from marginalized backgrounds and how suicide risks can be minimized.
Influence of sodium-based activators and water content on the fresh and hardened properties of metakaolin geopolymers
Authors: Segura Isabel Pol , Jensen Peter Arendt , Damø Anne Juul , Ranjbar Navid , Jensen Lars Skaarup , Canut Mariana
Published: September 2022

Several studies explore optimal molar oxide ratios for metakaolin geopolymer production. However, there is not a consensus on the optimal mix, and within similar range large differences in compressive strength are reported, and consequently in the overall performance. Hence, the present work selects a specific molar oxide ratio that leads to strengths above 30 MPa (SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 3.19, a Na2O/Al2O3 of 1.00, and a water-to-solids ratio of 0.52), and investigates the individual effect of the sodium-based activators (NaOH and Na2SiO3) and the water content on fresh and hardened properties of metakaolin geopolymers. The tested properties include the rheology, setting time, mass loss, shrinkage, density and compressive strength. The test results show that an increase of water content (water-to-solids > 0.52) and increase of NaOH (Na2O/Al2O3 > 1.03) have the largest impact, showing a detrimental effect on both fresh and hardened properties. Moreover, the best results are obtained when using molar ratios of SiO2/Al2O3 at 3.14, Na2O/Al2O3 at 0.97 and a water-to-solids ratio of 0.51, which is within the range of optimum molar ratios from previous studies. The tests are further supplemented by Thermogravimetric analysis/Differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD).
Optimizing compressive strength of sand treated with MICP using response surface methodology
Authors: Erdmann N. , de Payrebrune K. M. , Ulber R. , Strieth D.
Published: September 2022

In the present study, the optimization of the microbiologically induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) to produce biosandstone regarding the compressive strength is shown. For the biosandstone production, quartz sand was treated sequentially with the ureolytic microorganism Sporosarcina pasteurii (ATCC 11859) and a reagent containing urea and calcium chloride. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to investigate the influence of urea concentration, calcium chloride concentration and the volume of cell suspension on the compressive strength of produced biosandstone. A central composite design (CCD) was employed, and the resulting experimental data applied to a quadratic model. The statistical significance of the model was verified by experimental data (R2 = 0.9305). Optimized values for the concentration of urea and calcium chloride were 1492 mM and 1391 mM. For the volume of cell suspension during treatment 7.47 mL was determined as the optimum. Specimen treated under these conditions achieved a compressive strength of 1877 ± 240 kPa. This is an improvement of 144% over specimen treated with a reagent that is commonly used in literature (1000 mM urea/1000 mM CaCl2). This protocol allows for a more efficient production of biosandstone in future research regarding MICP.
A Multicriteria Analysis of Life Satisfaction: Assessing Trust and Distance Effects
Authors: Daskalopoulou Irene , Karakitsiou Athanasia , Malliou Christina
Published: September 2022

Sustainable societies require that a diverse set of risks (e.g. socio-economic, environmental, political and cultural) that intervene with peoples’ wellbeing levels are systematically addressed. Here we focus on life satisfaction and the social cohesion effects driven from the perceptions of others in contemporary societies. We postulate that perceptions of risk as drawn from ‘otherness’ are dependent upon citizens’ evaluations of trust in key societal institutions and their perceptions of civic (socio-economic and cultural) distance. Trust is a risk mitigation factor whereas distance exacerbates perceptions of exposure to various risk parameters. This constitutes a complex policy intervention challenge suggesting that the use of decision-making tools that are able to handle a large set of information is appropriate. To that extent, we propose the use of a hybrid TOPSIS-Entropy multicriteria technique and test our trust and distance risk effects hypotheses using case study data for Greece. After controlling for the socio-demographic and economic profile of respondents, we provide support for the role of trust in institutions and feelings of distance as determinants of life satisfaction. Important policy level implications are derived on the basis of these findings. Improvements in life satisfaction might be seen as policy interventions that aim at improving civil society institutions. Interventions might involve formal and/or informal institutions that affect both objective (e.g. safety/crime) and subjective (e.g. feelings of safety/disorder) quality of life judgements.
The Elephant in the Room: The Implications of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) proliferation in Kenya for Archiving and Historical Research
Authors: Musandu Phoebe
Published: September 2022

This paper analyzes the implications of ICT for the preservation of publicly owned digital records in Kenya. It examines both efforts to digitize traditional records and the issue of the preservation of born digital records. The study finds that there is a considerable lag between the rate at which the Kenyan government is digitizing its operations and that at which it is developing and implementing protocols and systems for preserving digitally born records. This will impact both historical research and national heritage in future.
Successes and challenges of the Home-grown School Feeding Program in Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia: a qualitative study
Authors: Desalegn Tsion A. , Gebremedhin Samson , Stoecker Barbara J.
Published: September 2022

The Home-grown School Feeding Program (HG-SFP) is a model designed to provide school meals to students using foods sourced from local markets. HG-SFP recently has been incorporated as one of the strategies of educational development in Ethiopia aiming to address hunger and food insecurity problems of school children. Yet, evaluation of the successes and challenges of the program has been limited evaluated. The purpose of the present study was to explore the successes and challenges of the SFP in Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia. This exploratory qualitative study collected data from eight schools targeted for HG-SFP through key informant interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). A total of sixteen FGDs and twenty-one in-depth interviews were conducted. Purposive sampling was used to include study participants based on their potential relevance in delivering in-depth information. The findings of the present study showed that HG-SFP was successful in improving class attendance and academic performance of school children. In addition, the program had a contribution in saving the parents’ money and time as a result of the food provided. With regard to SFP challenges, lack of permanent clean water provision, delay in ration delivery, poor-quality food provision, inadequate amount of food allocated for the academic year, lack of necessary infrastructure for the program, and lack of training in sanitation and hygiene for cooks were among the major challenges identified. Therefore, program challenges need high-level attention in order to make the school feeding program more successful in Sidama Region, Ethiopia.
‘Its name is Awetasc’: devices and the everyday life of people with physical disability in Ethiopia
Authors: De Silva Virginia
Published: September 2022

This article aims to shed light on the institutions involved in spreading a ‘culture of rehabilitation’ and distributing devices (crutches, wheelchairs and protheses) in Tigray, where rehabilitation is strictly bound to the development agenda and to the ‘modernization’ of the country. Moreover, it questions the ways in which people, in practice, deal with such devices: in some cases, they are perceived as useful; in others, they are considered as something requiring a hard process of adjustment and marking a bodily difference. How is the ‘deviced’ body experienced? Are there some ‘techniques of the body’ that resist the biopolitical devices imposed by the culture of rehabilitation? I answer these questions through evidence collected during ethnographic fieldwork carried out between October 2014 and August 2015 in the regional state of Tigray, Ethiopia.
Long-Term Change in Conflict Attitudes: A Dynamic Perspective
Authors: Yakter Alon , Harsgor Liran
Published: September 2022

A large literature examines how citizens in violent conflicts react to the conflict's events, particularly violent escalations. Nevertheless, the temporal nature of these attitudinal changes remains under-studied. We suggest that popular reactions to greater violence are typically immediate but brief, indicating short-term emotional responses to physical threats. Over the longer term, however, public opinion is more commonly shaped by non-violent events signaling the adversary's perceived intentions, reflecting slower but deeper belief-updating processes. We support this argument using dynamic analyses of comprehensive monthly data from Israel spanning two full decades (2001–20). Rather than violence levels, we find that long-term changes in Jewish attitudes on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict follow non-violent events implying Palestinian preferences, particularly failed negotiations and out-group leadership changes. Our findings underscore the importance of public opinion's temporal dynamics and show that non-violent events, which are often overlooked in the literature, play a prominent role in shaping long-term attitudes in conflictual contexts.
Navigation for multi-humanoid using MFO-aided reinforcement learning approach
Authors: Kashyap Abhishek Kumar , Parhi Dayal R. , Kumar Vikas
Published: September 2022

The given article emphasizes the development and modeling of a hybrid navigational controller to optimize the path length and time taken. The proposed navigational controller is developed by hybridizing the metaheuristic moth–flame optimization (MFO) approach and the reinforcement learning (RL) approach. Input parameters like obstacle and target locations are fed to the MFO controller that implements a proper navigational direction selection. It forwards to the RL controller, which exercises further refinement of the output turning angle around obstacles. The collaboration of the global MFO approach with the local-based RL approach helps to optimize the path traversed by the humanoid robot in an unknown environment. The major breakthrough in this article is the utilization of humanoid robots for navigation purposes between various checkpoints. The humanoid robots are placed in a cluttered environment and assigned specific target positions to complete the assigned tasks. In the case of a multi-humanoid robot system, to avoid self-collision, it requires a Petri-Net controller to be configured in the navigation system to prevent deadlock situations and enhance the smooth completion of tasks without inter-collision among the humanoid robots. Simulations and real-time experiments are undertaken using different controllers involving single- and multi-humanoid robot systems. The robustness of the proposed controller is also validated in dynamic environment. Comparisons are carried with an established navigational controller in a similar environmental setup, which proves the proposed hybrid controller to be robust and efficient.
Control in a Norwegian grammar maze
Authors: Larsen Tori , Johansson Christer
Published: September 2022

Coreference processing of Control constructions and their pronoun-containing counterparts can be studied experimentally using priming or interference paradigms. We replicate findings in a priming study on non-finite Control constructions in Norwegian (Larsen & Johansson, 2020) and contrast them with their finite counterparts using interference effects in a grammatical maze (G-maze) design. We asked participants to read sentences word-by-word and to select the grammatically correct continuation from two options. When the ungrammatical option was a potential antecedent from within the sentence, we predicted interference, i.e., longer reaction times compared to an unrelated baseline. We observed a trend towards significant interference effects when a participant was presented with either of the potential noun phrase (NP) antecedents of PRO in competition with the infinitive marker (test position zero) during the processing of a Control sentence. This indicates reactivation of potential antecedents at the infinitive marker, and a reactivation position (PRO) near or at the infinitive marker. We also observed significant differences between Control constructions and their pronoun counterparts. A significant interference effect was recorded for Subject Pronoun constructions when either potential NP antecedent of the pronoun was presented in competition with the pronoun itself. A similar trend was recorded for Object Pronoun sentences.
‘This has not been done because it was not made any one's business to do it.’ Conserving Hyderabad city's Hussain Sagar tank in the late nineteenth century
Authors: Cohen Benjamin B.
Published: September 2022

The ability to capture, store and distribute water safely is fundamental to the health of urban and rural settlements alike. This is true for Hyderabad city, located in India's semi-arid Deccan region. I argue that an exegesis of the nineteenth-century conservation plans for Hyderabad's large, built water reservoir, Hussain Sagar, reveal multiple hydrosocial processes at work: class structures related to proximity and use of the lake's water; health concerns triggered by the water's ebb and flow; and enforcement challenges related to issues of shared governance. This article shows how conservation of a scarce resource brought together princely and colonial officials (often parsed along historiographical lines) to address a shared concern within an urban context. Such urban environmental co-operation offers a new princely urban perspective on the binaries of princely–colonial and/or ruler–ruled.
Consumption of foods with the Keyhole front-of-pack nutrition label: potential impact on energy and nutrient intakes of Swedish adolescents
Authors: Wanselius Julia , Larsson Christel , Berg Christina , Öhrvik Veronica , Lindroos Anna Karin , Lissner Lauren
Published: September 2022

Objective:

The Keyhole is an internationally recognised front-of-pack nutrition label, guiding consumers to healthier food options. It indicates products in accordance with specific criteria for dietary fats, sugars, fibres, salt and wholegrains. The objective of this study was to simulate the potential impact of the Keyhole on adolescents’ energy and nutrient intakes by modelling a shift from reported food intakes to foods meeting the Keyhole criteria.

Design:

Self-reported dietary intake data were derived from a cross-sectional survey. Multiple replacement scenarios were calculated, where foods meeting the Keyhole criteria replaced reported non-compliant foods with varying proportions of replacement.

Setting:

Dietary survey ‘Riksmaten Adolescents 2016–2017’ in schools across Sweden.

Participants:

A nationally representative sample of 3099 adolescents in school years 5, 8 and 11 (55 % girls).

Results:

Overall, replacement with foods meeting the Keyhole criteria led to more adolescents meeting nutrition recommendations. Largest median intake improvements were seen for wholegrains (+196 %), SFA (-13 %), PUFA (+17 %) and fibres (+15 %). Smallest improvements were seen for free sugars (-3 %) and salt (-2 %), partly explained by the ineligibility of main food sources of free sugars for the Keyhole, and non-inclusion of ready meals that are often high in salt. Most micronutrient intakes were stable or improved. Unintentional effects included decreases in vitamin A, MUFA and energy intakes. Largest potential improvements in fat and fibre sources were observed in the youngest age group.

Conclusions:

A shift to Keyhole alternatives for everyday foods would improve adolescents’ nutrient intakes, even with smaller exchanges.
Smutgrass (Sporobolus indicus) control in bahiagrass is improved with applications of herbicide and fertilizer
Authors: Shay Nicholas J. , Baxter Lisa L. , Basinger Nicholas T. , Schwartz Brian M. , Belcher Jason
Published: September 2022

Smutgrass is an invasive weed species that can quickly outcompete bahiagrass because of its aggressive growth, prolific seed production, and rhizomatous nature. Total renovation of bahiagrass pastures or hayfields is generally not a feasible or economically viable option for most producers. Therefore, controlling the continual spread of smutgrass will require an integrated weed management (IWM) plan that incorporates multiple strategies. The objective of this study was to test the interactions of herbicides and fertilizers on smutgrass control in bahiagrass and determine the most efficacious and economical IWM plan for low-input bahiagrass systems. This research was conducted on a mixture of ‘Tifton 9’ and ‘Pensacola’ bahiagrass at the Alapaha Beef Station in Alapaha, GA. The study design was a randomized complete block with a three-by-four factorial treatment arrangement with six replications. Fertility treatments included 56 kg N ha–1 (ammonium nitrate, 34% N) + 56 kg K2O ha–1, 56 kg N ha–1, and an unfertilized control. Smutgrass was reduced to <15% ground coverage when a postemergent herbicide was applied. The addition of a preemergent herbicide and/or fertilizer further reduced the coverage of smutgrass (P < 0.01). As smutgrass declined, the bahiagrass ground coverage increased; other vegetation and dead material did not differ by treatment. Generally, herbage accumulation and crude protein were only affected following the second N application (P < 0.01). Treatments that included preemergent (indaziflam) and postemergent (hexazinone) herbicides in addition to N and K2O resulted in an improved bahiagrass stand as timely weed suppression removed competition, while fertilizer provided essential nutrients for optimum growth to fill in the gaps. Combining herbicide and fertilizer is a more economical option for producers when compared to a complete bahiagrass renovation.
Tracking the 2022 Hunga Tonga‐Hunga Ha'apai Aerosol Cloud in the Upper and Middle Stratosphere Using Space‐Based Observations
Authors: Taha G. , Loughman R. , Colarco P. R. , Zhu T. , Thomason L. W. , Jaross G.
Published: September 2022

On 15 January 2022, the submarine Hunga Tonga volcanic eruption lofted materials high into the upper stratosphere, reaching a record‐breaking altitude of ∼58 km, unprecedented in the satellite observations era. Within two weeks, the bulk of the injected material circulated the globe between 20–30 km altitude, as observed by satellite instruments. We estimate that the stratospheric aerosol optical depth (sAOD) is the largest since the Pinatubo eruption and is at least twice as great as the sAOD after the 2015 Calbubo eruption despite the similar SO2 injection from that eruption. We use space‐based observations to monitor the Hunga‐Tonga volcanic plume evolution and transport at different altitudes as it circulates the globe. While the main aerosol layer remains trapped in the tropical pipe, small parts have already made it to both the northern and southern hemisphere poles by April, which is almost certain to influence this year's ozone hole.
Analysis and Impact of the Hunga Tonga‐Hunga Ha'apai Stratospheric Water Vapor Plume
Authors: Schoeberl M. R. , Wang Y. , Ueyama R. , Taha G. , Jensen E. , Yu W.
Published: September 2022

On 15 January 2022, the Hunga Tonga‐Hunga Ha'apai eruption injected SO2 and H2O into the middle stratosphere. The eruption produced a persistent mid‐stratospheric sulfate aerosol and H2O layer mostly confined to Southern Hemisphere (SH) tropics (Eq. to 30°S). These layers are still present in the tropics 5½ months after the eruption. The SH tropical confinement is simulated using a trajectory model. Measurements following the eruption show that the H2O layer is slowly rising while the aerosol layer is descending. The H2O layer's upward movement is consistent with the residual vertical velocity. Gravitationally settling explains the descent of the aerosol layer. A −4 K temperature anomaly coincident with the H2O enhancement is observed and is caused by thermal adjustment to the additional H2O IR cooling. A simple model of volcanic water injection at the time of the eruption simulates the observed vertical distribution H2O.
Influence of the Tropical Indian Ocean Tripole on Summertime Cold Extremes Over Central Siberia
Authors: Zhang Yazhou , Li Jianping , Diao Yina , Hou Zhaolu , Liu Ting
Published: September 2022

This study investigates the influence of the interannual variability of Indian Ocean tripole (IOT) on summertime cold extremes in Central Siberia. During positive IOT phases, two cross‐equatorial airflows are induced over the tropical eastern and western Indian Ocean. These strengthen ascending motion over the southern tropical Asia (80°–125°E, 15°–25°N), increasing precipitation in situ, as evidenced in observations and simulations by using Community Atmosphere Model. Serving as a heat source, the induced upper‐level Asian continent meridional teleconnection (ACMT) pattern transports the signals from southern tropical Asia into Central Siberia. Positive upper‐level geopotential height anomalies over Central Siberia induced by ACMT favor more solar radiation to reach the surface and raise local surface temperatures through modulating the tropospheric air expansion/compression, further reducing the extreme cold days. Consequently, the ACMT induced by latent heat fluxes associated with precipitation anomalies acts as an atmospheric bridge that links the IOT to Central Siberia cold extremes.
Polynomial Reconstruction of the Magnetic Field Observed by Multiple Spacecraft With Integrated Velocity Determination
Authors: Denton Richard E. , Liu Yi‐Hsin , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Torbert Roy B. , Li Wenya , Fuselier Stephen , Burch James L.
Published: September 2022

Recently, a polynomial reconstruction technique has been developed for reconstructing the magnetic field in the vicinity of multiple spacecraft and has been applied to events observed by the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission. Whereas previously the magnetic field was reconstructed using spacecraft data from a single time, here we extend the method to allow input over a span of time. This extension increases the amount of input data to the model, improving the reconstruction results and yields an independent estimate of the structure velocity. The effect of this modification, as well as many other options, is explored by comparing reconstructed fields to those of a three‐dimensional particle in cell simulation of magnetic reconnection, using virtual spacecraft data as input. We often find best results using multiple‐time input, a moderate amount of smoothing of the input data, and a model with a reduced set of parameters based on the ordering that the maximum, intermediate, and minimum values of the gradient of the vector magnetic field are well separated. When spacecraft input data are temporally smoothed, reconstructions are representative of spatially smoothed fields. Two MMS events are reconstructed. The first of these was late in the mission when it was not possible to use the current density for MMS4 because of its instrument failure. The second shows a rotational discontinuity without an X or O line. In both cases, the reconstructions yield a visual representation of the magnetic structure that is consistent with earlier studies.
On the Sources, Coupling and Energetics During Supersubstorms of the Solar Cycle 24
Authors: Hajra Sritam , Dashora N. , Ivan J. Solomon
Published: September 2022

The solar cycle 24 exhibited only four supersubstorms (SSSs) during three of the geomagnetic storms of May 2011, March 2012, and September 2017. A robust and quantitative analyses of these events is performed and the results show that multiple hits by the magnetic clouds with fast moving background solar wind plasma provided the conditions for occurrence of these events. The available solar wind energy, the magnetospheric input energy and the sink energies are estimated. The input energy dominates the total dissipation for shorter intervals of the SSSs, wherein, a dominance of Joule heating sink over the auroral particle precipitation and ring current sinks is revealed. However, for longer time intervals (6 months and more), the total dissipation supersedes the total input energy wherein, the auroral precipitation sink dominates. The contribution of the ring current sink is found at the lowest levels against a high percentage share (79%–91%) of ionospheric sink during the SSSs. Intriguingly, when the SSS expansion and the recovery phases are compared on dissipation terms, percentage share of the Joule heating (ring current) is found more during the later (former) phase. The input efficiencies are found at ∼3.05%, 4.95%, 3.98%, and 1.15%, and the dissipation efficiencies at 73.95%, 58.56%, 37.72%, and 77.94%, respectively during the four SSSs. The dissipation efficiency and the ratio of the sink energies are found to be inversely proportional to the intensity of the substorms. The energy partitioning in the magnetosphere‐ionosphere system also respond in a contrasting fashion to the different levels of substorms.
Finding Simplicity in the Complexity of Postseismic Coastal Uplift and Subsidence Following Great Subduction Earthquakes
Authors: Luo Haipeng , Wang Kelin
Published: September 2022

Following great subduction earthquakes, postseismic deformation of coastal areas shows consistent seaward motion but complex vertical deformation. Understanding both the horizontal and vertical components in the same geodynamic framework presents challenges. Here, by modeling short‐term (a few years) postseismic viscoelastic relaxation (VER) and afterslip following synthetic and real subduction earthquakes, we demonstrate that the complexity of the vertical deformation can be explained in simple terms. Along a margin‐normal profile, VER results in an up‐down‐up trisegment, long‐wavelength pattern common to most megathrust earthquakes, including near‐trench uplift, midway subsidence, and near‐arc uplift, with locations controlled by coseismic fault slip. The magnitude of the first two segments is controlled mainly by oceanic mantle viscosity, and the third by mantle wedge viscosity. In contrast with VER, afterslip results in an up‐down bimodal pattern of variable wavelengths specific to individual earthquakes. Its site‐specific and heterogeneous nature is primarily responsible for the complexity in vertical deformation, but its effect can be adequately modeled using a simple elastic model. If the coast is near the megathrust rupture zone, variable combinations of the VER and afterslip effects lead to either uplift or subsidence. If the coast is in the near‐arc segment of VER deformation, uplift usually occurs. Modeling the common VER process enables the identification of site‐specific afterslip, which helps to understand the mechanism of afterslip in the context of the broad spectrum of fault slip behavior. Our results also have important implications to deciphering coastal paleoseismic records to constrain coseismic versus postseismic deformation of ancient earthquakes.