bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors and Outcomes of Digital Weighing and Activity Tracking Lapses Among Young Adults During Weight Gain Prevention
Authors: Nezami Brooke T. , Valle Carmina G. , Nulty Alison K. , Espeland Mark , Wing Rena R. , Tate Deborah F.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Self‐monitoring is critical for weight management, but little is known about lapses in the use of digital self‐monitoring. The objectives of this study were to examine whether lapses in self‐weighing and wearing activity trackers are associated with weight and activity outcomes and to identify objective predictors of lapses.

Methods

Participants (N = 160, BMI = 25.5 ± 3.3 kg/m2, 33.1 ± 4.6 years old) were drawn from a sample of young adults in the Study of Novel Approaches to Prevention‐Extension (SNAP‐E) weight gain prevention trial. Analyses evaluated associations between weighing and tracker lapses and changes in weight and steps/day during the first 90 days after receiving a smart scale and activity tracker.

Results

On average, participants self‐weighed 49.6% of days and wore activity trackers 75.2% of days. Every 1‐day increase in a weighing lapse was associated with a 0.06‐lb gain. Lapses in tracker wear were not associated with changes in steps/day or weight between wear days. Weight gain predicted a higher likelihood of starting a lapse in weighing and tracker wear, whereas lower steps predicted a higher likelihood of a tracker lapse.

Conclusions

Weight gain may discourage adherence to self‐monitoring. Future research could examine just‐in‐time supports to anticipate and reduce the frequency or length of self‐monitoring lapses.
Does efficiency play a transmission role in the relationship between competition and stability in the banking industry? New evidence from South Asian economies
Authors: Alvi Muhammad Amir , Akhtar Kalsoom , Rafique Amir
Published: March 2021

This study explores the transmission role of efficiency in the relationship between bank competition and stability consisting 88 commercial banks in four South Asian economies (Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) over the time period of 2012–2018. Both efficiency adjusted Lerner index and Boone indicator are used to measure the bank competition. The results using two‐step system generalized method of moment propose that efficiency adjusted Lerner index and Boone indicator has significant negative influence on the stability of banks. The main findings are strongly in the favor of the postulate that efficiency plays a transmission role in the relationship between bank competition and stability. The results provide significant policy implications for policy makers regarding commercial bank's stability.
Quantification of gray mold infection in lettuce using a bispectral imaging system under laboratory conditions
Authors: Scarboro Clifton G. , Ruzsa Stephanie M. , Doherty Colleen J. , Kudenov Michael W.
Published: March 2021

Gray mold disease caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea damages many crop hosts worldwide and is responsible for heavy economic losses. Early diagnosis and detection of the disease would allow for more effective crop management practices to prevent outbreaks in field or greenhouse settings. Furthermore, having a simple, non‐invasive way to quantify the extent of gray mold disease is important for plant pathologists interested in measuring infection rates. In this paper, we design and build a bispectral imaging system for discriminating between leaf regions infected with gray mold and those that remain unharmed on a lettuce (Lactuca spp.) host. First, we describe a method to select two optimal (high contrast) spectral bands from continuous hyperspectral imagery (450–800 nm). We then explain the process of building a system based on these two spectral bands, located at 540 and 670 nm. The resultant system uses two cameras, with a narrow band‐pass spectral filter mounted on each, to measure the bispectral reflectance of a lettuce leaf. The two resulting images are combined using a normalized difference calculation that produces a single image with high contrast between the leaves’ infected and healthy regions. A classifier was then created based on the thresholding of single pixel values. We demonstrate that this simple classification produces a true‐positive rate of 95.25% with a false‐positive rate of 9.316% in laboratory conditions.
Effect of Halogen‐Doping on Properties of Bismuth Iodide (BiI3) Optical Absorption Layer
Authors: Wu Hao , Huang Xianli , Lv Jun , Sheng Lei , Gao Bin , Jiang Cheng , Wang Tao , He Jianping
Published: March 2021

Bismuth tri‐iodide (BiI3), a promising lead‐free photoelectric semiconductor material, is suitable for photovoltaic applications. Herein, the effect of halogen doping with bromine (Br) and chlorine (Cl) compounds on the morphology and photovoltaic performances of BiI3 thin films is investigated. BiI3−xXx films doped with halogens are prepared by vacuum thermal evaporation. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows that with the increase in doping ratio, the morphology of the thin film changes significantly, which is conducive to the contact with the cavity conduction layer. The bandgap increases from ≈1.75 to 1.78 eV (BiI2.91Cl0.09) and 2.06 eV (BiI2.91Br0.09) after doping. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) shows that the band position of the two doped films increases, which is more conducive to the realization of band matching. The films with higher properties are obtained by doping halogens, and the maximum (BiI2.91X0.09) photocurrent is twice of the minimum (BiI2.97X0.03). The maximum photocurrent obtained by photocurrent I–T test is 0.043 Ma cm−2 (BiI2.91Cl0.09) and 0.047 mA cm−2 (BiI2.91Br0.09).
A 2D/3D Heterojunction Photocatalyst Using 2D Nanosheet Sm2MoO6 on 3D Spherical NiS: A Novel High‐Efficiency Photocatalyst
Authors: Xu Jing , Li Xuanhao , Liu Ye , Liu Zeying
Published: March 2021

The 2D nanosheet Sm2MoO6 is mounted on a bulk 3D NiS to form a durian‐like 2D/3D heterojunction photocatalyst, and the photocatalytic activity is studied. The photocatalytic activity of the optimal composite catalyst is 8.3 times higher than that of NiS. Compared with Sm2MoO6, it is increased by 186.7 times. On the one hand, it may be attributed to the assembly of 2D nanosheets onto a massive 3D structure, effectively preventing the problem of stacking due to high surface energy and interlayer van der Waals attraction. The specific surface area of the catalyst is expanded to provide more active sites, which facilitates contact of the catalyst with the sensitizer and the sacrificial agent. On the other hand, Sm2MoO6 as a rare earth cocatalyst, the activation energy required for the surface reaction can be lowered, and the electron–hole separation ability can be improved.
Treatment allocation strategies for umbrella trials in the presence of multiple biomarkers: A comparison of methods
Authors: Ouma Luke Ondijo , Grayling Michael J. , Zheng Haiyan , Wason James
Published: March 2021

Umbrella trials are an innovative trial design where different treatments are matched with subtypes of a disease, with the matching typically based on a set of biomarkers. Consequently, when patients can be positive for more than one biomarker, they may be eligible for multiple treatment arms. In practice, different approaches could be applied to allocate patients who are positive for multiple biomarkers to treatments. However, to date there has been little exploration of how these approaches compare statistically. We conduct a simulation study to compare five approaches to handling treatment allocation in the presence of multiple biomarkers – equal randomisation; randomisation with fixed probability of allocation to control; Bayesian adaptive randomisation (BAR); constrained randomisation; and hierarchy of biomarkers. We evaluate these approaches under different scenarios in the context of a hypothetical phase II biomarker‐guided umbrella trial. We define the pairings representing the pre‐trial expectations on efficacy as linked pairs, and the other biomarker‐treatment pairings as unlinked. The hierarchy and BAR approaches have the highest power to detect a treatment‐biomarker linked interaction. However, the hierarchy procedure performs poorly if the pre‐specified treatment‐biomarker pairings are incorrect. The BAR method allocates a higher proportion of patients who are positive for multiple biomarkers to promising treatments when an unlinked interaction is present. In most scenarios, the constrained randomisation approach best balances allocation to all treatment arms. Pre‐specification of an approach to deal with treatment allocation in the presence of multiple biomarkers is important, especially when overlapping subgroups are likely.
Reliability analysis of the dynamic system for the Chen model through sequential order statistics
Authors: Tyagi Abhishek , Choudhary Neha , Singh Bhupendra
Published: March 2021

Recently, the two‐parameter Chen distribution has widely been used for reliability studies in various engineering fields. In this article, we have developed various statistical inferences on the composite dynamic system, assuming Chen distribution as a baseline model. In this dynamic system, failure of a component induces a higher load on the surviving components and thus increases component hazard rate through a power‐trend process. The classical and Bayesian point estimates of the unknown parameters of the composite system are obtained by the method of maximum likelihood and Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques, respectively. In the Bayesian framework, we have used gamma priors to obtain Bayes estimates of unknown parameters under the squared error and generalized entropy loss functions. The interval estimates of the baseline reliability function are obtained by using the Fisher information matrix and Bayesian method. A parametric hypothesis test is presented to test whether the failed components change the hazard rate function. A compact simulation study is carried out to examine the behavior of the proposed estimation methods. Finally, one real data analysis is performed for illustrative purposes.
Finite‐time adaptive neural control for nonlinear systems under state‐dependent sensor attacks
Authors: Lv Wenshun
Published: March 2021

This article proposes a finite‐time control scheme for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems in the presence of sensor attacks. Specifically, based on the backstepping technology and the nonlinear function approximation capability of radial basis function neural networks, we develop an adaptive controller, guaranteeing the finite‐time stability of the closed‐loop system despite sensor attacks. In particular, the unknown time‐varying state‐feedback gains caused by sensor attacks are handled by Nussbaum functions. To decrease the design difficulty of the finite‐time controller, a novel practical finite‐time stability criterion is given. Finally, two simulation examples are provided, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive control scheme.
Assembly of Colloidal Nanoparticles into Hollow Superstructures by Controlling Phase Separation in Emulsion Droplets
Authors: Wu Chaolumen , Lu Zhenda , Li Zhiwei , Yin Yadong
Published: March 2021

Template‐mediated self‐assembly of colloidal nanoparticles into secondary structures is of particular importance for exploring new materials with unique collective properties. However, the limited available templates and the poor control over the assembly of nanoparticles within the space defined by the templates drastically inhibit the preparation of the superstructures with the desired size and morphology. Herein, a general method to prepare submicron hollow superstructures by self‐assembling hydrophobic colloidal nanoparticles together with polymeric additives within oil‐in‐water emulsion droplets is reported. Upon evaporation of low boiling point oil, phase separation occurs to drive the assembly of nanoparticles at the polymer/water interface, producing a nanoparticle shell surrounding each polymeric core. Such core–shell structures can be converted into hollow superstructures of nanoparticles by stabilization with a silica coating and removal of the polymeric additives by solvent dissolution. Upon calcination, the silica layer can be further etched to release free‐standing hollow shells of nanoparticles. With its general applicability to the assembly of various nanoparticles, this method represents a new platform for the fabrication of diverse hollow superstructures toward broad applications that can take advantage of the collective properties of the nanoparticles and the hollow morphology of the assemblies.
Transborder Gene Flow between Canada and the USA and Fine‐Scale Population Structure of Atlantic Cod in the Broader Gulf of Maine Region
Authors: Puncher Gregory Neils , Wang Yanjun , Martin Ryan , DeCelles Gregory , Cadrin Steven X. , Zemeckis Douglas , Rowe Sherrylynn , Leblanc Nathalie M. , Parent Genevieve J. , Pavey Scott A.
Published: March 2021

Fishery managers have struggled for decades to rebuild stocks of Atlantic Cod Gadus morhua in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean, and the resolution of current fine‐scale population structure will surely help those efforts. Using double digest restriction‐site associated DNA sequencing, we analyzed 248 adult and 215 juvenile Atlantic Cod collected from areas bordering the Canada–USA boundary in 2017–2018. Chromosomal inversions from linkage group (LG) 2 and LG 7 contribute the largest amount of variance to the data set. A southwesterly decrease in the proportion of LG 1 inversion haplotypes may indicate gene flow from areas north of 45°N. Samples from both the northern Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy were genetically distinct from all other samples, suggesting that local spawning groups may still be active. Genetic similarities between Atlantic Cod from Browns Bank and eastern Georges Bank indicate that transborder gene flow is ongoing. These results will help to better define the stocks in order to guide the implementation of management strategies in the USA and Canada, which should consider rebuilding exhausted and genetically isolated populations.
Anodic Oxidation of Phenols: A Key Step for the Synthesis of Natural Products
Authors: Yamamoto Takashi , Saitoh Tsuyoshi , Einaga Yasuaki , Nishiyama Shigeru
Published: March 2021

Natural products have played a significant role not only in discovery of drugs but also in development of organic chemistry by providing the synthetic challenges. Inspired by biosynthesis where enzymes catalyze a multi‐step reaction, we have investigated the natural product synthesis utilizing electrochemical reactions as the key step. Electrochemical organic synthesis, so‐called electro‐organic synthesis, enables to control the reactivity of substrates simply by tuning electrolysis conditions. In this Personal Account, we overview the recent progress of our research projects about natural product synthesis, in which anodic oxidation of phenol compounds affords the important frameworks such as diaryl ether, spirodienone, and spiroisoxazoline.
Investigation of Cyclam Based Re‐Complexes as Potential Electrocatalysts for the CO2Reduction Reaction
Authors: Gerschel Philipp , Cordes Anna L. , Bimmermann Sarah , Siegmund Daniel , Metzler‐Nolte Nils , Apfel Ulf‐Peter
Published: March 2021

Among the various homogenous electrocatalysts, especially Re(bpy)(CO)3Cl and [Ni(cyclam)]2+were shown to be highly efficient for the selective conversion of CO2to CO at moderate potentials. However, a purposeful combination of a ReItricarbonyl unit with a cyclam ligand hitherto received no attention. Herein, we report on a series of cyclam based Re complexes comprising the original {N4} as well as heteroatom‐altered ligand frameworks, describe their synthesis, reveal their coordination behavior and furthermore investigate their performance towards the electrochemical CO2reduction.
From $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 Super-Yang-Mills on ℝℙ4 to bosonic Yang-Mills on ℝℙ2
Authors: Wang Yifan
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We study the four-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super-Yang-Mills (SYM) theory on the unorientable spacetime manifold ℝℙ4. Using supersymmetric localization, we find that for a large class of local and extended SYM observables preserving a common supercharge $$ \mathcal{Q} $$
Q
, their expectation values are captured by an effective two-dimensional bosonic Yang-Mills (YM) theory on an ℝℙ2 submanifold. This paves the way for understanding $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM on ℝℙ4 using known results of YM on ℝℙ2. As an illustration, we derive a matrix integral form of the SYM partition function on ℝℙ4 which, when decomposed into discrete holonomy sectors, contains subtle phase factors due to the nontrivial η-invariant of the Dirac operator on ℝℙ4. We also comment on potential applications of our setup for AGT correspondence, integrability and bulk-reconstruction in AdS/CFT that involve cross-cap states on the boundary.
Light rings of five-dimensional geometries
Authors: Bianchi M. , Consoli D. , Grillo A. , Morales J. F.
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We study massless geodesics near the photon-spheres of a large family of solutions of Einstein-Maxwell theory in five dimensions, including BHs, naked singularities and smooth horizon-less JMaRT geometries obtained as six-dimensional uplifts of the five-dimensional solution. We find that a light ring of unstable photon orbits surrounding the mass center is always present, independently of the existence of a horizon or singularity. We compute the Lyapunov exponent, characterizing the chaotic behaviour of geodesics near the ‘photon-sphere’ and the time decay of ring-down modes dominating the response of the geometry to perturbations at late times. We show that, for geometries free of naked singularities, the Lyapunov exponent is always bounded by its value for a Schwarzschild BH of the same mass.
QNEC2 in deformed holographic CFTs
Authors: Ecker C. , Grumiller D. , Soltanpanahi H. , Stanzer P.
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We use the quantum null energy condition in strongly coupled two-dimensional field theories (QNEC2) as diagnostic tool to study a variety of phase structures, including crossover, second and first order phase transitions. We find a universal QNEC2constraint for first order phase transitions with kinked entanglement entropy and discuss in general the relation between the QNEC2-inequality and monotonicity of the Casini-Huertac-function. We then focus on a specific example, the holographic dual of which is modelled by three-dimensional Einstein gravity plus a massive scalar field with one free parameter in the self-interaction potential. We study translation invariant stationary states dual to domain walls and black branes. Depending on the value of the free parameter we find crossover, second and first order phase transitions between such states, and thec-function either flows to zero or to a finite value in the infrared. We present evidence that evaluating QNEC2for ground state solutions allows to predict the existence of phase transitions at finite temperature.
Mixed EW-QCD leading fermionic three-loop corrections at $$ \mathcal{O} $$(αsα2) to electroweak precision observables
Authors: Chen Lisong , Freitas Ayres
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Measurements of electroweak precision observables at future electron-position colliders, such as the CEPC, FCC-ee, and ILC, will be sensitive to physics at multi-TeV scales. To achieve this sensitivity, precise predictions for the Standard Model expectations of these observables are needed, including corrections at the three- and four-loop level. In this article, results are presented for the calculation of a subset of three-loop mixed electroweak-QCD corrections, stemming from diagrams with a gluon exchange and two closed fermion loops. The numerical impact of these corrections is illustrated for a number of applications: the prediction of the W-boson mass from the Fermi constant, the effective weak mixing angle, and the partial and total widths of the Z boson. Two alternative renormalization schemes for the top-quark mass are considered, on-shell and $$ \overline{\mathrm{MS}} $$

MS
¯

.
Holographic KMS relations at finite density
Authors: Loganayagam R. , Ray Krishnendu , Sharma Shivam K. , Sivakumar Akhil
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We extend the holographic Schwinger-Keldysh prescription introduced in [1] to charged black branes, with a view towards studying Hawking radiation in these backgrounds. Equivalently we study the real time fluctuations of the dual CFT held at finite temperature and finite chemical potential. We check our prescription using charged Dirac probe fields. We solve the Dirac equation in a boundary derivative expansion extending the results in [2]. The Schwinger-Keldysh correlators derived using this prescription automatically satisfy the appropriate KMS relations with Fermi-Dirac factors.
Word vector embeddings hold social ontological relations capable of reflecting meaningful fairness assessments
Authors: Izzidien Ahmed
Published: March 2021

Programming artificial intelligence (AI) to make fairness assessments of texts through top-down rules, bottom-up training, or hybrid approaches, has presented the challenge of defining cross-cultural fairness. In this paper a simple method is presented which uses vectors to discover if a verb is unfair (e.g., slur, insult) or fair (e.g., thank, appreciate). It uses already existing relational social ontologies inherent in Word Embeddings and thus requires no training. The plausibility of the approach rests on two premises. That individuals consider fair acts those that they would be willing to accept if done to themselves. Secondly, that such a construal is ontologically reflected in Word Embeddings, by virtue of their ability to reflect the dimensions of such a perception. These dimensions being: responsibility vs. irresponsibility, gain vs. loss, reward vs. sanction, joy vs. pain, all as a single vector (FairVec). The paper finds it possible to quantify and qualify a verb as fair or unfair by calculating the cosine similarity of the said verb’s embedding vector against FairVec—which represents the above dimensions. We apply this to Glove and Word2Vec embeddings. Testing on a list of verbs produces an F1 score of 95.7, which is improved to 97.0. Lastly, a demonstration of the method’s applicability to sentence measurement is carried out.
Routine postoperative blood tests fail to reliably predict procedure-related complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Strohäker Jens , Wiegand Lisa , Beltzer Christian , Königsrainer Alfred , Ladurner Ruth , Bachmann Robert
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a highly standardized surgical procedure with a low risk of complications. However, once complications develop, they can be life-threatening. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of blood tests on postoperative day one regarding their potential to predict postoperative complications

Methods

A cohort study of 1706 consecutive cholecystectomies performed at a tertiary hospital and teaching facility over a 5-year period between 2014 and 2019.

Results

Patients that had open CCE or conversion CCE were excluded. One thousand five hundred eighty-six patients were included in the final analysis that received a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CCE). One thousand five hundred twenty-three patients had blood tests on POD 1. Forty-one complications were detected including 14 bile leaks, 2 common bile duct injuries, 13 choledocholithiasis, 9 hematomas, and 2 active bleedings. Bilirubin was elevated in 351 patients on POD 1. A drop of more than 3 mg/dl of hemoglobin was reported in 39 patients. GPT was elevated 3 × above the upper limit in 102 patients. All three tests showed a low sensitivity and specificity in detecting postoperative complications.

Conclusions

Early postoperative blood tests alone show a low specificity in detecting postoperative complications after laparoscopic CCE. Their main benefit appears to be the negative predictive value, when they are normal. Routine blood testing appears to be unnecessary and should be based on the intraoperative diagnosis and postoperative clinical findings.
Laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty: an alternative procedure for end-stage achalasia
Authors: Senra Fátima , Navaratne Lalin , Acosta-Mérida Asunción , Gould Stuart , Martínez-Isla Alberto
Published: March 2021

Background

Primary achalasia is a rare oesophageal motor disorder characterized by the absence of swallow-induced relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter and diminished or absent oesophageal body peristalsis. Around 5% of these patients will develop end-stage achalasia, where oesophagectomy may be advocated. We present the laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty as an alternative ‘oesophagus-preserving’ procedure in patients with end-stage achalasia.

Methods

We present a retrospective review of four patients who underwent laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty. Data collected included pre-operative demographic information and investigations; and post-operative outcomes. Patients were scored pre- and post-operatively using Reflux Symptom Index, Eating Assessment Tool-10 and Voice Handicap Index-10 questionnaires.

Results

Four patients underwent laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty during the study period. In one patient, it was performed as a rescue procedure during attempted myotomy following multiple perforations of friable mucosa. In the other three patients, laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty was performed for end-stage achalasia. None of the patients had post-operative complications and all patients were discharged on the second post-operative day. All patients experienced improvement in swallowing symptoms (EAT-10; p = 0.03) but developed post-operative gastroesophageal reflux.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first published case series of laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty for end-stage achalasia. It appears to be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of end-stage achalasia, offering an alternative minimally invasive procedure to oesophagectomy. Laparoscopic hand-sewn cardioplasty can also be used as a ‘rescue’ procedure during myotomy in patients who have poor-quality mucosa which perforates intra-operatively or is at high risk of perforation/leaking post-operatively.
Antihormone treatment differentially regulates PSA secretion, PSMA expression and 68Ga–PSMA uptake in LNCaP cells
Authors: Mathy C. S. , Mayr T. , Kürpig S. , Meisenheimer M. , Dolscheid-Pommerich R. C. , Stoffel-Wagner B. , Kristiansen G. , Essler M. , Muders M. H. , Bundschuh R. A.
Published: March 2021

Background

In recent years, a variety of innovative therapeutics for castration-resistant prostate cancer have been developed, including novel anti-androgenic drugs, such as abiraterone or VPC-13566. Therapeutic monitoring of these pharmaceuticals is performed either by measuring PSA levels in serum or by imaging. PET using PSMA ligands labeled with Fluor-18 or Gallium-68 is the most sensitive and specific imaging modality for detection of metastases in advanced prostate cancer. To date, it remains unclear how PSMA expression is modulated by anti-hormonal treatment and how it correlates with PSA secretion.

Methods

We analyzed modulation of PSMA-mRNA and protein expression, 68Ga–PSMA uptake and regulation of PSA secretion by abiraterone or VPC-13566 in LNCaP cells in vitro.

Results

We found that abiraterone and VPC-13566 upregulate PSMA protein and mRNA expression but block PSA secretion in LNCaP cells. Both anti-androgens also enhanced 68Ga–PSMA uptake normalized by the number of cells, whereas abiraterone and VPC-13566 reduced 68Ga–PSMA uptake in total LNCaP monolayers treated due to cell death.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that PSA secretion and PSMA expression are differentially regulated upon anti-androgen treatment. This finding might be important for the interpretation of 68Ga–PSMA PET images in monitoring therapies with abiraterone and VPC-13566 in prostate cancer patients, but needs to be validated in vivo.
Historical reconfigurations of a social–ecological system adapting to economic, policy and climate changes in the French Alps
Authors: Bruley Enora , Locatelli Bruno , Vendel François , Bergeret Agnès , Elleaume Nicolas , Grosinger Julia , Lavorel Sandra
Published: March 2021

To ensure their quality of life, people adapt to multiple changes by maintaining or transforming the structure and functions of their socio-ecological systems (SES). A better understanding of mechanisms underpinning SES adaptation, especially the contribution of changes in human–nature interactions, is crucial to facilitate adaptation to future challenges. Using a chronosystemic timeline and based on literature, archives and local knowledge of inhabitants, we explored the past trajectory of a mountain SES (Pays de la Meije, French Alps) since 1900 by analysing drivers, impacts and responses. We hypothesised that adaptation has occurred through changes in the co-production of nature’s contributions to people (NCP). We identified four historical periods of combined changes in agriculture and tourism with associated changes in NCP. Results show which and how drivers of changes have influenced NCP co-production, how NCP have been mobilised in adaptive responses and how human and natural capitals involved in NCP co-production have been reconfigured for adaptation. We show that drivers of change have been mainly exogenous and out of the control of local actors, like public policies, markets and consumption patterns. These drivers can directly impact the capitals involved in NCP co-production like amount of workforce, knowledge or skills, creating not only threats but also opportunities for the livelihood of the local community. Depending on the intensity of capital reconfiguration and the type of NCP involved, adaptive responses range from resistance to transformation of the governance system and socio-economic sectors. This analysis highlights existing path dependencies that could hinder future adaptation.
Sauerbruch, STARPAHC, and SARS: Historical Perspectives on Readiness and Barriers in Telemedicine
Authors: Reifegerste Doreen , Harst Lorenz , Otto Lena
Published: March 2021

Aim

Telemedicine is a promising solution to extend traditional health care services. Even though mainly discussed during the past two decades, its roots go back into the past century and even further, considering the use of bonfires to warn other villages of diseases. Insights from historical cases can therefore be useful for the ongoing discussion regarding the successful implementation of telemedicine.

Subject and Methods

We analyzed three historical telemedicine cases (varying regarding time and place) and extracted their success factors and barriers as well as assessed their maturity by using the Telemedicine Community Readiness Model (TCRM). Evidence-based categories of success factors and barriers as well as the TCRM’s dimensions were used as deductive categories to analyze the study material’s content.

Results

The analysis showed that the readiness for telemedicine is higher when the technology is the only option to access health care services. In all three cases, core readiness played a central role. However, the health sector, existing technology, and finance were barriers present at all times, while during pandemics, some barriers are only temporarily removed, for example, by putting legal issues on hold. The analyzed cases were all on lower levels of maturity as they mainly represent pilot tests or exceptional circumstances.

Conclusion

Results indicate the important core functions in telemedicine initiatives as well as the diversity of their circumstances. Insights from such historical meta-perspectives can, for example, help to strengthen the sustainability of the increased use of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic and scale up current telemedicine projects.
Electro-magneto-hydrodynamic flow of couple stress nanofluids in micro-peristaltic channel with slip and convective conditions
Authors: Ramesh K. , Reddy M. G. , Souayeh B.
Published: March 2021

This study explores the effects of electro-magneto-hydrodynamics, Hall currents, and convective and slip boundary conditions on the peristaltic propulsion of nanofluids (considered as couple stress nanofluids) through porous symmetric microchannels. The phenomena of energy and mass transfer are considered under thermal radiation and heat source/sink. The governing equations are modeled and non-dimensionalized under appropriate dimensionless quantities. The resulting system is solved numerically with MATHEMATICA (with an in-built function, namely the Runge-Kutta scheme). Graphical results are presented for various fluid flow quantities, such as the velocity, the nanoparticle temperature, the nanoparticle concentration, the skin friction, the nanoparticle heat transfer coefficient, the nanoparticle concentration coefficient, and the trapping phenomena. The results indicate that the nanoparticle heat transfer coefficient is enhanced for the larger values of thermophoresis parameters. Furthermore, an intriguing phenomenon is observed in trapping: the trapped bolus is expanded with an increase in the Hartmann number. However, the bolus size decreases with the increasing values of both the Darcy number and the electroosmotic parameter.
Variational time discretizations of higher order and higher regularity
Authors: Becher Simon , Matthies Gunar
Published: March 2021

We consider a family of variational time discretizations that are generalizations of discontinuous Galerkin (dG) and continuous Galerkin–Petrov (cGP) methods. The family is characterized by two parameters. One describes the polynomial ansatz order while the other one is associated with the global smoothness that is ensured by higher order collocation conditions at both ends of the subintervals. Applied to Dahlquist’s stability problem, the presented methods provide the same stability properties as dG or cGP methods. Provided that suitable quadrature rules of Hermite type are used to evaluate the integrals in the variational conditions, the variational time discretization methods are connected to special collocation methods. For this case, we present error estimates, numerical experiments, and a computationally cheap postprocessing that allows to increase both the accuracy and the global smoothness by one order.
Developing a model Fracture Liaison Service consultation with patients, carers and clinicians: a Delphi survey to inform content of the iFraP complex consultation intervention
Authors: Bullock Laurna , Crawford-Manning Fay , Cottrell Elizabeth , Fleming Jane , Leyland Sarah , Edwards John , Clark Emma M , Thomas Simon , Chapman Stephen , Gidlow Christopher , Iglesias Cynthia P , Protheroe Joanne , Horne Robert , O’Neill Terence W , Mallen Christian , Jinks Clare , Paskins Zoe
Published: March 2021

Fracture Liaison Services are recommended to deliver best practice in secondary fracture prevention. This modified Delphi survey, as part of the iFraP (Improving uptake of Fracture Prevention drug Treatments) study, provides consensus regarding tasks for clinicians in a model Fracture Liaison Service consultation.

Purpose

The clinical consultation is of pivotal importance in addressing barriers to treatment adherence. The aim of this study was to agree to the content of the ‘model Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) consultation’ within the iFraP (Improving uptake of Fracture Prevention drug Treatments) study.

Methods

A Delphi survey was co-designed with patients and clinical stakeholders using an evidence synthesis of current guidelines and content from frameworks and theories of shared decision-making, communication and medicine adherence. Patients with osteoporosis and/or fragility fractures, their carers, FLS clinicians and osteoporosis specialists were sent three rounds of the Delphi survey. Participants were presented with potential consultation content and asked to rate their perception of the importance of each statement on a 5-point Likert scale and to suggest new statements (Round 1). Lowest rated statements were removed or amended after Rounds 1 and 2. In Round 3, participants were asked whether each statement was ‘essential’ and percentage agreement calculated; the study team subsequently determined the threshold for essential content.

Results

Seventy-two, 49 and 52 patients, carers and clinicians responded to Rounds 1, 2 and 3 respectively. One hundred twenty-two statements were considered. By Round 3, consensus was reached, with 81 statements deemed essential within FLS consultations, relating to greeting/introductions; gathering information; considering therapeutic options; eliciting patient perceptions; establishing shared decision-making preferences; sharing information about osteoporosis and treatments; checking understanding/summarising; and signposting next steps.

Conclusions

This Delphi consensus exercise has summarised for the first time patient/carer and clinician consensus regarding clearly defined tasks for clinicians in a model FLS consultation.
Entrepreneurial orientation and new venture performance in emerging markets: the mediating role of opportunity recognition
Authors: Anwar Muhammad , Clauss Thomas , Issah Wunnam Basit
Published: March 2021

How entrepreneurial orientation facilitates the identification of new opportunities in newly established ventures in emerging economies remains largely unexplored. Approaching entrepreneurial orientation as a second order latent construct, we examined the mediating role of opportunity recognition on new venture performance. Using a survey data from 316 SMEs, the results of the analysis in SmartPLS highlights that entrepreneurial orientation indirectly contributes to the performance of new ventures, where the relationship is partially mediated by opportunity recognition. The findings show that firms with high entrepreneurial orientation can identify and exploit new opportunities as well as enjoy superior performance.
Copper-hydride nanoclusters with enhanced stability by N-heterocyclic carbenes
Authors: Shen Hui , Wang Lingzheng , López-Estrada Omar , Hu Chengyi , Wu Qingyuan , Cao Dongxu , Malola Sami , Teo Boon K. , Häkkinen Hannu , Zheng Nanfeng
Published: March 2021

Copper-hydrides have been intensively studied for a long time due to their utilization in a variety of technologically important chemical transformations. Nevertheless, poor stability of the species severely hinders its isolation, storage and operation, which is worse for nano-sized ones. We report here an unprecedented strategy to access to ultrastable copper-hydride nanoclusters (NCs), namely, using bidentate N-heterocyclic carbenes as stabilizing ligands in addition to thiolates. In this work, a simple synthetic protocol was developed to synthesize the first large copper-hydride nanoclusters (NCs) stabilized by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs). The NC, with the formula of Cu31(RS)25(NHC)3H6 (NHC = 1,4-bis(1-benzyl-1H-benzimidazol-1-ium-3-yl) butane, RS = 4-fluorothiophenol), was fully characterized by high resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrum, nuclear magnetic resonance, ultra-violet visible spectroscopy, density functional theory (DFT) calculations and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Structurally, the title cluster exhibits unprecedented Cu4 tetrahedron-based vertex-sharing (TBVS) superstructure (fusion of six Cu4 tetrahedra). Moreover, the ultrahigh thermal stability renders the cluster a model system to highlight the power of NHCs (even other carbenes) in controlling geometrical, electronic and surface structure of polyhydrido copper clusters.
Microstructural evolution of h-BN matrix composite ceramics with La-Al-Si-O glass phase during hot-pressed sintering
Authors: Qiu Baofu , Duan Xiaoming , Zhang Zhuo , Zhao Chen , Niu Bo , He Peigang , Cai Delong , Chen Lei , Yang Zhihua , Wang Yujin , Jia Dechang , Zhou Yu
Published: March 2021

BN/La-Al-Si-O composite ceramics were fabricated by hot-pressed sintering using hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), lanthanum oxide (La2O3), aluminia (Al2O3), and amorphous silica (SiO2) as the raw materials. The effects of sintering temperature on microstructural evolution, bulk density, apparent porosity, and mechanical properties of the h-BN composite ceramics were investigated. The results indicated that La-Al-Si-O liquid phase was formed during sintering process, which provided an environment for the growth of h-BN grains. With increasing sintering temperature, the cristobalite phase precipitation and h-BN grain growth occurred at the same time, which had a significant influence on the densification and mechanical properties of h-BN composite ceramics. The best mechanical properties of BN/La-Al-Si-O composite ceramics were obtained under the sintering temperature of 1700 °C. The elastic modulus, flexural strength, and fracture toughness were 80.5 GPa, 266.4 MPa, and 3.25 MPa·m1/2, respectively.
University Mathematics Lecturing as Modelling Mathematical Discourse
Authors: Viirman Olov
Published: March 2021

The lecture format, while being the subject of much criticism, is still one of the most common formats of university mathematics teaching. This paper investigates lecturing as a means of modelling mathematical discourse, sometimes highlighted in the literature as one of its most important functions. The data analysed in the paper are taken from first-semester lectures given by seven mathematics lecturers at three Swedish universities, all concerning various aspects of the function concept. Analysis was carried out from a commognitive perspective, which distinguishes between object-level and meta-level discourse. Here I focus on two aspects of meta-level discourse: introducing new mathematical objects; and what counts as valid endorsement of a narrative. The analysis reveals a number of metarules concerning the modelling of mathematical reasoning and behaviour, both more general rules such as precision and consensus, and rules more specifically concerning construction and endorsement of narratives. The paper contributes to a small but growing body of empirical research on university mathematics teaching, and also lends empirical support to previous claims about the modelling aspect of mathematics lecturing, thus contributing to a deepened understanding of the lecture format and its potential role in future university mathematics teaching.
Ludwig Erhards Modell der Sozialen Marktwirtschaft
Authors: Reichel Richard
Published: March 2021

Der Beitrag beschreibt die Wirtschaftsordnung der Sozialen Marktwirtschaft nach Ludwig Erhard und geht den historischen und wirtschaftsphilosophischen Wurzeln dieser Konzeption nach. Es wird gezeigt, dass Erhards Modell bis zum Ende der 1950er-Jahre systematisch realisiert werden konnte. Gegenwärtig ist die Wirtschaftsordnung der Bundesrepublik stark durch interventionistische und wohlfahrtsstaatliche Elemente geprägt, die mit Erhards Konzeption unvereinbar sind.
Dynamic Compression Model Incorporating Elastic Nonlinearity of Paperboard
Authors: Yang Li
Published: March 2021

Spring of constant elasticity is a concept from theories of extension while elastic nonlinearity in compressive deformation is a general phenomenon for polymeric materials involved in offset or flexographic printing, paper board, polymer plate, and cushioning tape. This phenomenon needs therefore to be coped with by the model of printing dynamics. We hereby present an extended approach based on the Maxwell material model. In the extended approach, a compression process is subdivided into (or approximated by) sequential subprocesses. The elastic modulus may vary from one subsection to another but remains constant in each of the subprocesses. With the extended approach dynamic behaviours (compression/recovering) of paperboard can be reproduced and predicted. As a concrete example, dynamic behaviours of paper board in the print nip were simulated with satisfactory outcome. The simulation also revealed that viscoelasticity of the board is the origin of mechanical hysteresis of the stress–strain curve. Due to viscoelasticity and nonlinearity of the materials careful design is essential to simulate full-scale printing with a lab press.
A Novel Peridynamic Mindlin Plate Formulation Without Limitation on Material Constants
Authors: Yang Zhenghao , Oterkus Erkan , Oterkus Selda
Published: March 2021

In this study, a new peridynamic Mindlin plate formulation is introduced by utilising Euler-Lagrange equations. The classical strain energy density of a material point is converted to its corresponding peridynamic form by using Taylor’s expansions. The formulation is suitable for thick plates by considering the transverse shear deformation. Material constants do not have any limitation in the current formulation. Different types of boundary conditions are considered in numerical examples including simply supported, clamped and mixed (clamped-supported). To verify the current formulation, peridynamic solutions of the transverse displacements and rotations are compared against solutions obtained from finite element analysis.
ID-based key-insulated signcryption with equality test in cloud computing
Authors: Alornyo Seth , Mireku Kingsford Kissi , Mohammed Mustapha Adamu , Adu-Gyamfi Daniel , Asante Michael
Published: March 2021

Key-insulated encryption reduces the problem of secret key exposure in hostile setting while signcryption cryptosystem attains the benefits of digitally signing a ciphertext and public key cryptosystem. In this study, we merge the primitives of parallel key-insulation cryptosystem and signcryption with equality test to construct ID-based parallel key-insulated signcryption with a test for equality (ID-PKSET) in cloud computing.
The construction prevent data forgery, data re-play attacks and reduces the leakage of secret keys in harsh environments. Our scheme attains the security property of existential unforgeable chosen message attack (EUF-CMA) and indistinquishable identity chosen ciphertext attack (IND-ID-CCA2) using random oracle model.
Making a Muslim
Authors: Zaidi S. Akbar
Published: March 2021

Using primarily Urdu sources from the nineteenth century, this book allows us to rethink notions of 'the Muslim', in its numerous, complex and often contradictory forms, which emerged in colonial North India after 1857. Allowing the self-representation of Muslimness and its manifestations to emerge, it contrasts how the colonial British 'made Muslims' very differently compared to how the community envisaged themselves. A key argument made here contests the general sense of the narrative of lamentation, decay, decline, and a sense of self-pity and ruination, by proposing a different condition, that of zillat, a condition which gave rise to much self-reflection resulting in action, even if it was in the form of writing and expression. By questioning how and when a Muslim community emerged in colonial India, the book unsettles the teleological explanation of the Partition of India and the making of Pakistan.
Reporting on one's behavior: a survey experiment on the nonvalidity of self-reported COVID-19 hygiene-relevant routine behaviors
Authors: Hansen Pelle Guldborg , Larsen Erik Gahner , Gundersen Caroline Drøgemüller
Published: March 2021

Surveys based on self-reported hygiene-relevant routine behaviors have played a crucial role in policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, using anchoring to test validity in a randomized controlled survey experiment during the COVID-19 pandemic, we demonstrate that asking people to self-report on the frequency of routine behaviors are prone to significant measurement error and systematic bias. Specifically, we find that participants across age, gender, and political allegiance report higher (lower) frequencies of COVID-19-relevant behaviors when provided with a higher (lower) anchor. The results confirm that such self-reports should not be regarded as behavioral data and should primarily be used to inform policy decisions if better alternatives are not available. To this end, we discuss the use of anchoring as a validity test relative to self-reported behaviors as well as viable alternatives to self-reports when seeking to behaviorally inform policy decisions.