bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping the Policy Regulatory Environment of Transnational Education (TNE) in the Ghanaian Tertiary Education System
Authors: Ansah Francis , Pius Nudzor Hope , Nyame Gloria , Affreh Ophelia
Published: November 2021

Given the critical role of public policy in TNE arrangements of countries, and the fact that TNE partnerships are growing steadily in the Ghanaian tertiary education sector, a robust and resilient public policy environment is imperative. However, the public policy environment of TNE partnerships in the tertiary education sector in Ghana is unexamined by any scientific study to guide decision on TNE partnerships in Ghanaian tertiary education institutions (TEIs). Against this backdrop, this chapter examines the level of influence of public policy frameworks on TNE partnerships in TEIs in Ghana to ignite a national discourse on TNE regulation. A multiphase mixed-method research design, informed by exploratory and explanatory sequential designs was adopted for the study. The findings reveal that TNE partnerships are an emerging concept in the Ghanaian tertiary education system with less than 20% of the over 200 TEIs engaged in TNE partnerships. More importantly, the findings indicate that the policy environment of TNE partnerships of TEIs in Ghana is not sufficiently robust because no tailor-made policy regulatory frameworks exist to regulate TNE partnerships in TEIs. To this end, the study concludes that the existing policy regulatory frameworks for the Ghanaian tertiary education system are incapable of helping the country maximise the full benefits of TNE partnerships by ensuring win-win situations for TEIs engaged in TNE partnerships. In view of this, the study recommends that the government should develop a tailor-made policy framework for regulating TNE partnerships in Ghanaian TEIs.
Radiotherapy in the Adjuvant and Advanced Setting of CSCC
Authors: Muto Paolo , Pastore Francesco
Published: November 2021

Introduction: The use of radiotherapy for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) has solid historical roots. It is used with patients who are not suitable for surgery, patients with high-risk histological features in the adjuvant setting, and in palliative care.

Objectives: The aim of this article is to summarize and provide a radiation therapy overview on the indications, effectiveness, and potential adverse events of radiotherapy in the adjuvant and advanced setting of CSCC.

Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature review on PubMed, adopted as our biomedical literature database. Articles were selected based on their date of publication (in the last 30 years) and relevance.   

Results: Radiotherapy (RT) can safely be used to manage non-surgical patients and high-risk patients in the advanced CSCC setting. The remarkable progress of delivery techniques has greatly improved the effectiveness and toxicity profile of RT treatments. From 2D techniques to intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and brachytherapy, all RT techniques have greatly advanced. To improve acute and chronic side effects, deeper care has been used. As regards CSCC, several dose fractionations and schedules have been suggested, in line with the patient’s age and medical conditions.

Conclusions: RT is a fundamental and constantly evolving therapeutic option in the treatment of CSCC, to minimize the risk of recurrence and metastases in the adjuvant setting and in the exclusive treatment for non-surgical patients. Patients’ selection is crucial, together with and a collaborative team working approach among the specialists involved in disease management in the perspective of the best multidisciplinary assessment.
Quels facteurs limitent l’installation d’une graminée pérenne dominante pour la restauration écologique des pelouses sèches méditerranéennes ?
Authors: VIDALLER Christel , DUTOIT Thierry , BISCHOFF Armin
Published: November 2021

Le Brachypode rameux, Brachypodium retusum (Pers.) P. Beauv., est une espèce herbacée pérenne qui domine les pelouses sèches méditerranéennes. Dans la plaine de la Crau (Sud-Est de la France), sa recolonisation spontanée est très faible après perturbation du sol. L’objectif principal de ce travail a donc été de tester les différentes hypothèses pouvant expliquer les raisons de cette faible colonisation dans le but d’améliorer l’efficacité des opérations de restauration écologique futures. Nous avons d’abord testé si sa dynamique résulte d’une différenciation génétique entre les populations. Nous avons ensuite étudié la différenciation adaptative des traits phénotypiques en fonction de plusieurs facteurs environnementaux clés et analysé quels facteurs environnementaux limitent alors la recolonisation. Nous avons aussi testé in situ l’effet du pâturage et du feu sur le recouvrement végétatif ainsi que sur la reproduction sexuée de B. retusum. Pour finir, nous avons mesuré l’effet de l’arrosage initial et du pâturage sur l’installation de ses plantules. Nos résultats ont montré que les populations de B. retusum sont génétiquement différenciées pour les marqueurs neutres et les traits phénotypiques. Cette différenciation est supérieure à la dérive seule et suggère donc une adaptation aux conditions environnementales. Les expériences in situ ont, quant à elles, montré que le feu a un effet positif sur la reproduction de B. retusum et sur sa communauté végétale associée. Enfin, l’effet de l’arrosage a été positif sur la survie de ses plantules uniquement dans les parcelles pâturées. Le pâturage au début du cycle de vie a cependant eu un effet négatif sur le recrutement et la croissance des plantules.
La novela negra como «transgénero»: éticas transnacionales en la feminización del canon
Authors: Castellano Ortolá Elena
Published: November 2021

El presente trabajo supone una pequeña aportación en la búsqueda de modelos de análisis «interseccionales» (Hill Collins y Bilge 2016/2020) que permitan analizar desde el feminismo las denominadas «transnacionalidades mínimas» (Lionnet y Shih 2005). Modelos que, en definitiva, superen la todavía fuerte adscripción de muchos feminismos a los bloques geotextuales heredados del patriarcado. Desde sus orígenes, los feminismos han empleado la traducción para subvertir los géneros textuales (Godard 1987: 6; Simon 1996: 46) y, en definitiva, para luchar contra el ostracismo literario que comparten con otros colectivos de la lucha postcolonial. Unas y otros han visto su diálogo y mutua comprensión frenados por los flujos textuales globales, surcados por las hegemonías político-culturales (Reimóndez 2017). Combatir la exclusión de lo canónico pasa por la subversión de los discursos dominantes y la promoción de los modelos de literatura secundarios, seculares (Berman 1984), con cuya periferia en los polisistemas se identifica la mujer. Es el caso de la novela negra, que consideramos un «transgénero», o género transfronterizo, y dentro de la cual estudiaremosLa muerte me da, de Cristina Rivera Garza (2008). Se trata de una narración polifónica en que la autora, convertida en personaje, interactúa con el resto de protagonistas al hilo de fragmentos del diario de Alejandra Pizarnik, renovando el clásico anglosajón bajo un orden femenino diverso, coral.
Do Unions Still Matter for Redistribution? Evidence from Canada’s Provinces
Authors: Haddow Rodney
Published: November 2021

We examine the relationship between union power and redistribution in Canada’s ten provinces between 1986 and 2014. Subnational jurisdictions are thus the focus of research questions that have previously been addressed at the international level. Multilevel models with time-series cross-sectional data are used to estimate the long-term association between union density and redistribution through provincial transfer payments and income taxes. We found that higher union density correlates with considerably more redistribution over the long term but not over the short term. This finding is confirmed by three distinct measures of inequality and poverty reduction, an indication that it is quite robust. The association is significant for the entire study period and for its second half. This finding is consistent with power resource theory in its original form, but not with more recent work in that area or with comparative political economy scholarship, which generally now neglects or downplays the impact of organized labour on social and economic policy outcomes. Our findings suggest a need to re-assess the diminished interest of recent researchers in the political influence of organized labour. It will also interest scholars in other countries where tax and transfer systems are decentralized, and where the impact of organized labour on such measures has been understudied at the subnational level. Additionally, we show that unionized voters in Canada are more favourably disposed than their non-unionized counterparts toward redistribution and toward pro-redistribution political parties. Unions may consequently affect redistribution in part by socializing their members to favour it. This possibility is advanced with preliminary data in this paper. We argue that further scholarly attention is both required and deserved on this subject in Canada and elsewhere.
Les intervenants sociaux à l’aune de la nouvelle gestion publique : difficultés émotionnelles, relations professionnelles sous tension et collectifs de travail fragilisés
Authors: le Pain Isabelle , Kirouac Laurie , Larose-Hébert Katharine , Namian Dahlia
Published: November 2021

L’article présente les résultats d’une étude qualitative menée auprès de 31 intervenants et intervenantes qui travaillent en protection de l’enfance au Québec. Elle porte sur les conséquences des difficultés émotionnelles des intervenants sur leurs relations avec les gestionnaires et les collègues de travail, dans le contexte de la réforme du réseau de la santé et des services sociaux (projet de loi 10). Les résultats montrent qu’une large majorité d’intervenants et intervenantes rapportent une ou plusieurs conséquences délétères dans les relations avec les gestionnaires (colère et frustration, méfiance à l’égard d’une possible instrumentalisation des difficultés émotionnelles, évitement et perte de confiance). Également, une proportion très significative d’entre eux font état de conséquences à l’échelle des relations avec les collègues de travail (isolement et retrait, effet boule de neige sur les collègues et l’équipe de travail et diminution de la collaboration et de l’entraide). L’analyse montre que l’intensification du travail et la dégradation des conditions de pratique des intervenantes et intervenants sociaux, qui ont résulté de la dernière réforme (projet de loi 10) instituée par le ministre Barrette (2013), ont significativement contribué à fragiliser les collectifs de travail. Ce faisant, les possibilités d’entraide et de coopération, pourtant nécessaires à la réalisation de leur mandat professionnel, ont tendance à s’effacer au profit d’une activité professionnelle pratiquée par des travailleuses et travailleurs isolés et en souffrance.

Précis

Les services de la protection de l’enfance au Québec ont connu des restructurations majeures dans la foulée des deux plus récentes réformes du réseau de la santé et des services sociaux. Fortement inspirées par les principes de la nouvelle gestion publique, ces réformes, pilotées tour à tour par les ministres Philippe Couillard (2004) et Gaétan Barrette (2013), visaient un rehaussement de la productivité ainsi qu’une réduction des coûts des services sociaux et de santé. Les études montrent aujourd’hui qu’elles ont aussi signifié plusieurs conséquences négatives pour les travailleurs et travailleuses, notamment en lien avec l’intensification du travail et la dégradation des conditions de travail. L’analyse montre que les difficultés émotionnelles des intervenants sociaux qui travaillent en protection de l’enfance se répercutent sur leurs relations professionnelles avec les gestionnaires, mais aussi sur leurs relations avec les collègues. Perçues comme conflictuelles et en déficit de coopération et d’entraide, les relations professionnelles avec les collègues sont symptomatiques de collectifs de travail fragilisés, moins à même de protéger la santé des intervenants et intervenantes.
Technological Strikebreaking: A Case Study of Quebec’s Anti-Scab Legislation
Authors: Talarico Andrea
Published: November 2021

The right to strike has been constitutionally protected in Canada since 2015. In other jurisdictions where the right to strike is explicitly recognized in the constitution, protection against strikebreaking is recognized as part of that right. Only two Canadian provinces restrict the use of replacement workers during a strike or a lockout. Quebec’s Labour Code has provisions that prohibit the use of replacement workers at the employer’s establishment. Quebec arbitrators, courts, and boards have interpreted this ill-defined concept as a strictly physical location of production, while ignoring technological advances that make remote work possible. This paper examines how the restrictive interpretation of establishment allows a form of strikebreaking that the Spanish Constitutional Court has described as “technological strikebreaking” (esquirolaje technologico), while also allowing the use of technology already at the employer’s disposal to circumvent restrictions on replacement workers even when such technology is not routinely used. The impact of technology on strikebreaking is examined through two case studies: the successive lockouts at the Journal de Québec and the Journal de Montréal. In both cases, external contributors provided the newspapers with content electronically, thus allowing uninterrupted publication. Using Katz, Kochan and Colvil’s three-tier model of collective bargaining, this paper looks at how technological strikebreaking disrupts not only the balance of bargaining power but also bargaining strategy, and how, in the case of the Journal de Montréal, it led to devastating bargaining outcomes. Though the lockouts led to a call for legislative reform in 2011, legislative change is not necessary to align existing provisions with the goal of shortening labour disputes.
Sistema de ensino de Singapura e plano de ação para o modelo híbrido
Authors: Fonseca Gomes Aline
Published: November 2021

O ensino híbrido ao combinar a aprendizagem por desafios, problemas e jogos possibilita aos alunos maior engajamento, vislumbrando a utilização de metodologias ativas de aprendizagem e da sala de aula invertida. Assim, este estudo objetivou de forma geral compreender como os princípios de um modelo de ensino de excelência, baseados no o Programa Internacional de Avaliação de Alunos — PISA, podem ser utilizados pelo sistema educacional brasileiro, ao se desenvolver um plano de ação para o ensino híbrido. Foi escolhido o sistema de ensino de Singapura devido à representatividade ao longo dos anos do PISA e aos rankings alcançados nos últimos PISA, além de ser conhecido como um dos maiores centros financeiros do mundo, tendo investido em educação. Utilizou-se por metodologia uma pesquisa exploratória e ensaio teórico com análise dos dados de natureza qualitativa, ao se estudar o sistema de ensino de Singapura. Por resultados tem-se que através do plano de ação para implementação no ensino híbrido e a partir das variáveis da profissão docente, acredita-se que é possível desenvolver uma prática reflexiva, construir conexões e permitir que os docentes reflitam, compartilhem e planejem seus próprios objetivos de aprendizagem, além disso, faltam programas de formação continuada para os educadores brasileiros, disponibilizados a partir das instituições de ensino demandantes para valorizar os professores de forma efetiva, promovendo o seu desenvolvimento profissional.
La enseñanza del español en Estados Unidos: el componente fónico en la Spanish grammar, en el Vingut’s Ollendorff’s New Method y en Le maître d’espagnol de Francisco Javier Vingut (1848, 1850, 1853 y 1854)
Authors:   Universidad Complutense de Madrid (España), García Aranda M.ª Ángeles
Published: November 2021

Este artículo analiza el componente fónico en tres textos compuestos por Francisco Javier Vingut: la Spanish grammar, el Vingut’s Ollendorff’s New Method y Le maître d’espagnol (Nueva York, 1848, 1850, 1853 y 1854), pues resultan una interesante contribución a la historiografía de la pronunciación española, pues se aproxima, en un país y en una etapa todavía poco conocidos, a descripciones articulatorias, a metodologías comparativas y a un sistema de notación o representación de la pronunciación a partir de diferentes signos de trascripción.
LORE: a model for the detection of fine-grained locative references in tweets
Authors:   Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (España), Fernández-Martínez Nicolás José , Periñán-Pascual Carlos ,   Universitat Politècnica de València (España)
Published: November 2021

Extracting geospatially rich knowledge from tweets is of utmost importance for location-based systems in emergency services to raise situational awareness about a given crisis-related incident, such as earthquakes, floods, car accidents, terrorist attacks, shooting attacks, etc. The problem is that the majority of tweets are not geotagged, so we need to resort to the messages in the search of geospatial evidence. In this context, we present LORE, a location-detection system for tweets that leverages the geographic database GeoNames together with linguistic knowledge through NLP techniques. One of the main contributions of this model is to capture fine-grained complex locative references, ranging from geopolitical entities and natural geographic references to points of interest and traffic ways. LORE outperforms state-of-the-art open-source location-extraction systems (i.e. Stanford NER, spaCy, NLTK and OpenNLP), achieving an unprecedented trade-off between precision and recall. Therefore, our model provides not only a quantitative advantage over other well-known systems in terms of performance but also a qualitative advantage in terms of the diversity and semantic granularity of the locative references extracted from the tweets.
Processing–Microstructure–Property Relationships in a Laser‐Deposited Fe‐Co‐V Alloy
Authors: Firdosy Samad , Ury Nicholas , Borgonia John Paul , McEnerney Bryan , Conversano Ryan , Hofer Richard , Hermann Adam , Ucar Huseyin , Ravi Vilupanur A. , Dillon R. Peter
Published: November 2021

The microstructure and magnetic performance of Fe49Co2V (Hiperco50) manufactured via laser‐directed energy deposition are determined. In the as‐printed form, the material displays a fine, equiaxed microstructure and magnetically “hard” behavior. With a customized post‐process annealing treatment, significant grain growth occurs, resulting in soft magnetic performance comparable to traditionally manufactured materials. An inverse correlation between laser power and post‐anneal grain size is observed, with lower laser powers resulting in samples with larger grain sizes after annealing. Samples printed with lower laser powers also display improvements in soft magnetic performance. This is consistent with the expected relationships between grain size, magnetic permeability, and magnetic coercivity, i.e., as grain size increases, magnetic permeability increases and magnetic coercivity decreases. A prototype magnetic shield for a Hall‐effect thruster is successfully printed. The magnetic performance of the printed and annealed shield is comparable to one that is traditionally manufactured.
Scaffolding Biomaterials for 3D Cultivated Meat: Prospects and Challenges
Authors: Bomkamp Claire , Skaalure Stacey C. , Fernando Gonçalo F. , Ben‐Arye Tom , Swartz Elliot W. , Specht Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2021

Cultivating meat from stem cells rather than by raising animals is a promising solution to concerns about the negative externalities of meat production. For cultivated meat to fully mimic conventional meat's organoleptic and nutritional properties, innovations in scaffolding technology are required. Many scaffolding technologies are already developed for use in biomedical tissue engineering. However, cultivated meat production comes with a unique set of constraints related to the scale and cost of production as well as the necessary attributes of the final product, such as texture and food safety. This review discusses the properties of vertebrate skeletal muscle that will need to be replicated in a successful product and the current state of scaffolding innovation within the cultivated meat industry, highlighting promising scaffold materials and techniques that can be applied to cultivated meat development. Recommendations are provided for future research into scaffolds capable of supporting the growth of high‐quality meat while minimizing production costs. Although the development of appropriate scaffolds for cultivated meat is challenging, it is also tractable and provides novel opportunities to customize meat properties.
The Redox‐Mediated Nickel–Metal Hydride Flow Battery
Authors: Páez Teresa , Zhang FeiFei , Muñoz Miguel Ángel , Lubian Lara , Xi Shibo , Sanz Roberto , Wang Qing , Palma Jesús , Ventosa Edgar
Published: November 2021

Each battery technology possesses intrinsic advantages and disadvantages, e.g., nickel–metal hydride (MH) batteries offer relatively high specific energy and power as well as safety, making them the power of choice for hybrid electric vehicles, whereas aqueous organic flow batteries (AORFBs) offer sustainability, simple replacement of their active materials and independent scalability of energy and power, making them very attractive for stationary energy storage. Herein, a new battery technology that merges the above mentioned battery technologies through the use of redox‐mediated reactions is proposed that intrinsically possesses the main features of each separate technology, e.g., high energy density of the solid active materials, easy recyclability, and independent scalability of energy and power. To achieve this, Ni(OH)2 and MHs are confined in the positive and negative reservoirs of an AORFB that employs alkaline solutions of potassium ferrocyanide and a mixture of 2,6‐dihydroxyanthraquinone and 7,8‐dihydroxyphenazine‐2‐sulfonic acid as catholyte and anolyte, respectively. An energy density of 128 Wh L–1 is achieved based on the capacity of the reservoirs leaving ample room for improvement up to the theoretical limit of 378 Wh L–1. This new battery technology opens up new market opportunities never before envisaged, for redox flow batteries, e.g., domestic energy storage and heavy‐duty vehicle transportation.
Interface Chelation Induced by Pyridine‐Based Polymer for Efficient and Durable Air‐Processed Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Kuiyuan , Deng Yaxin , Shi Xiangrong , Li Xin , Qi Dianpeng , Jiang Bo , Huang Yudong
Published: November 2021

Polymer doping is a significant approach to precisely control nucleation and crystal growth of perovskites and enhance electronic quality in perovskite solar cells (PSC) prepared in air. Here, a brand‐new self‐healing polysiloxane (SHP) with dynamic 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxamide (PDCA) coordination units and plenty of hydrogen bonds was designed and incorporated into perovskite films. PDCA units, showing strong intermolecular Pb2+‐Namido, I−‐Npyridyl, and Pb2+‐Oamidocoordination interactions, were expected to enhance crystallinity and passivate the grain boundary. In addition, abundant hydrogen bonds in SHP afforded the self‐healing of cracks at grain boundaries for fatigue PSCs. Significantly, the doped device demonstrated a champion efficiency of 19.50 % with inconspicuous hysteresis, almost rivaling those achieved in control atmosphere. This strategy of heterocyclic‐based macromolecular doping in PSCs will pave a way for realizing efficient and durable crystalline semiconductors.
A Genuine Stannylone with a Monoatomic Two‐Coordinate Tin(0) Atom Supported by a Bis(silylene) Ligand
Authors: Xu Jian , Dai Chenshu , Yao Shenglai , Zhu Jun , Driess Matthias
Published: November 2021

The monoatomic zero‐valent tin complex (stannylone) {[SiII(Xant)SiII]Sn0} 5 stabilized by a bis(silylene)xanthene ligand, [SiII(Xant)SiII=PhC(NtBu)2Si(Xant)Si(NtBu)2CPh], and its bis‐tetracarbonyliron complex {[SiII(Xant)SiII]Sn0[Fe(CO)4]2} 4 are reported. The stannylone 5 bearing a two‐coordinate zero‐valent tin atom is synthesized by reduction of the precursor 4 with potassium graphite. Compound 4 results from the SnII halide precursor {[SiII(Xant)SiII]SnIICl}Cl 2 or {[SiII(Xant)SiII]SnBr2} 3 through reductive salt‐metathesis reaction with K2Fe(CO)4. According to density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and HOMO‐1 of 5 correspond to a π‐type lone pair with delocalization into both adjacent vacant orbitals of the SiII atoms and a σ‐type lone pair at the Sn0 center, respectively, indicating genuine stannylone character.
Unravelling Channel Structure–Diffusivity Relationships in Zeolite ZSM‐5 at the Single‐Molecule Level
Authors: Fu Donglong , Maris J. J. Erik , Stanciakova Katarina , Nikolopoulos Nikolaos , van der Heijden Onno , Mandemaker Laurens D. B. , Siemons Marijn E. , Salas Pastene Desiree , Kapitein Lukas C. , Rabouw Freddy T. , Meirer Florian , Weckhuysen Bert M.
Published: November 2021

The development of improved zeolite materials for applications in separation and catalysis requires understanding of mass transport. Herein, diffusion of single molecules is tracked in the straight and sinusoidal channels of the industrially relevant ZSM‐5 zeolites using a combination of single‐molecule localization microscopy and uniformly oriented zeolite thin films. Distinct motion behaviors are observed in zeolite channels with the same geometry, suggesting heterogeneous guest–host interactions. Quantification of the diffusion heterogeneities in the sinusoidal and straight channels suggests that the geometry of zeolite channels dictates the mobility and motion behavior of the guest molecules, resulting in diffusion anisotropy. The study of hierarchical zeolites shows that the addition of secondary pore networks primarily enhances the diffusivity of sinusoidal zeolite channels, and thus alleviating the diffusion limitations of microporous zeolites.
Macro‐porous permeability aspects of MgSO4 salt hydrate foams for energy storage applications
Authors: Calabrese Luigi , Hernández Leonor , Mondragón Rosa , Cabeza Luisa F.
Published: November 2021

In the present work a macroporous silicone foam, able to contain the magnesium sulfate, was chosen as matrix for the reversible hydration/dehydration process of the salt hydrate. The aim of the article was addressed towards the assessment of the relationship among microstructure, permeability and mass diffusion of the composite foam. This aspect represents an essential step for the future industrial development of this composite material. The results show that the filler content influences the foam morphology where a transition from closed to mixed and then closed cell again was observed with increasing filler content. Consequently, depending on the distribution and interconnection of the structural channels, a different effectiveness in guaranteeing mass diffusion phenomena was identified. In particular, permeability tests show that foams with 50 wt% of salt hydrates have a highly interconnected microstructure allowing a permeability over three times higher than a closed cell structure making it suitable for thermochemical energy storage applications.
‘What am I Bringing into the Room?’ Perception and Management of Interviewer Bias in Child Sexual Abuse Interviews: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Lacey Eimear , Nunkoosing Karl
Published: November 2021

Several high‐profile cases in the USA in the 1980s and 1990s revealed the impact that interviewer bias can have on children's accounts of child sexual abuse (CSA). Since then, researchers and practitioners have explored techniques to address this, leading to refined interviewing techniques, greater understanding of suggestibility and memory, and the development of best practice guidelines. However, a gap remains in understanding how professionals themselves manage their interviewer bias. This interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) examines professionals' perceptions and management of interviewer bias when assessing CSA allegations. Eight professionals across social work, clinical/counselling psychology and psychiatry employed in specialist services across Ireland participated in semi‐structured interviews to explore this question. Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant university and the first author's organisational panel. IPA identified three superordinate themes: Quality Assurance; Collaborative Approach; and Professional Identity ‐ Personal Self. The professionals considered interviewer bias to have potentially detrimental impacts upon both the interview process and possible outcomes. They move from a definition of bias related specifically to a priori beliefs to a definition in which bias is a more dynamic process. A multidisciplinary approach alongside the constant reviewing of practice is considered essential to ensuring a high standard of practice, accountability and integrity of assessments.

‘This interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) examines professionals' perceptions and management of interviewer bias when assessing CSA allegations’

Key Practitioner Messages

Interviewer bias is dynamic and can develop at any stage of an intervention thus potentially affecting outcomes.

Investigative interview protocols/guidance provide security for practitioners who make significant decisions regarding alleged CSA.

Professionals view multidisciplinary teamwork and co‐working as essential to maintaining the integrity of their assessments.

Practitioners are encouraged to reflect on their potential biases in a conscious manner, by thinking explicitly about information, maintaining a neutral stance, questioning and testing information, and seeking alternative explanations.
Precipitation variability can bias estimates of ecological controls on ecosystem productivity response to precipitation change
Authors: Parolari Anthony J. , Paschalis Athanasios
Published: November 2021

Annual vegetation aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) exhibits a non‐linear dependence on annual precipitation. A common pattern of non‐linearity, called asymmetry, arises when productivity responses in wet years are larger than declines in dry years. To date, ANPP asymmetry has been attributed primarily to vegetation water stress, an internal ecosystem response to precipitation and soil water availability. However, when quantified via the asymmetry index (AI) estimated from productivity measurements, the asymmetry can be a sampling artefact that arises from a positively skewed annual precipitation distribution. In this paper, we aimed to separate the sampling effect (from external precipitation variability) from the non‐linear response of the system (the internal ecosystem dynamics). We constructed a probabilistic model that integrates the precipitation distribution with the precipitation‐productivity response curve (PPT‐ANPP curve), derived using empirical formulae and a process‐based soil water balance model. The model was used to derive the probability density function of AI and to attribute its shape to the PPT distribution and the PPT‐ANPP response curve. The models were compared to data from 47 grasslands. Results demonstrated that positively skewed precipitation produces a positive AI as a statistical artefact. The non‐linear ecosystem PPT‐ANPP dependence can further enhance or dampen this statistical artefact. In all sites, the precipitation skew highly affected the probability of correctly identifying asymmetry using AI. Observed negative asymmetry arises from a larger soil water holding capacity and positive asymmetry from plant water stress. More robust statistical indicators of non‐linear ecological responses to climate variability are needed to improve ecosystem forecasts.
Effects of different batteries and dispatch strategies on performance of standalonePV/WT/DG/battery system: A case study
Authors: R. K. Dhavala , H. N. Suresh , S. Rajanna , M. Ramesh
Published: November 2021

The idea of integrated hybrid renewable energy systems (IHRES) is gaining attention for electrification of rural areas where on‐grid electricity supply is uneconomical. From this point of view, the technical and economic feasibility analysis is carried out for a standalone IHRES in a remote area of Malnad region in Karnataka, India. Solar and wind energy are the prominent renewable resources available in the selected area for study. In the present study, lithium‐ion, lead‐acid and zinc‐bromide batteries effect on “PV‐WT‐DG‐Battery” system is examined and compared. The control strategies used in the study are “load following (LF)” and “predictive dispatch (PD).” The simulation results reveal that the “cost of energy (COE)” and “net present cost (NPC)” are found to be low in zinc‐bromide batterybased system with “PD control strategy.” The NPC and COE are found to be $55 262 and $0.35 per kWh for optimal system. Zinc‐bromide batteries are best suited for remote electrification with less load demand. The sensitivity analysis shows that there is a minimal effect on the performance of the planned IHRES upon variation in the “inflation rate,” “discount rate,” and “diesel price.”
A Bayesian hierarchically structured prior for gene‐based association testing with multiple traits in genome‐wide association studies
Authors: Yang Yi , Basu Saonli , Zhang Lin
Published: November 2021

Although genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) often collect data on multiple correlated traits for complex diseases, conventional gene‐based analysis is usually univariate, and therefore, treating traits as uncorrelated. Multivariate analysis of multiple correlated traits can potentially increase the power to detect genes that affect some or all of these traits. In this study, we propose the multivariate hierarchically structured variable selection (HSVS‐M) model, a flexible Bayesian model that tests the association of a gene with multiple correlated traits. With only summary statistics, HSVS‐M can account for the correlations among genetic variants and among traits simultaneously and can also estimate the various directions and magnitudes of associations between a gene and multiple traits. Simulation studies show that HSVS‐M substantially outperforms competing methods in various scenarios, particularly when variants in a gene are associated with a trait in similar directions and magnitudes. We applied HSVS‐M to the summary statistics of a meta‐analysis GWAS on four lipid traits from the Global Lipids Genetics Consortium and identified 15 genes that have also been confirmed as risk factors in previous studies.
Efficient prediction for high precision CO‐N2 potential energy surface by stacking ensemble DNN
Authors: Xu Shanshan , Li You , Wang Donghan , Fang Chao , Luo Chengwei , Deng Jiankun , Hu LiHong , Li Hui , Li Hongzhi
Published: November 2021

High‐dimensional potential energy surface (PES) for van der Waals systems with spectroscopic accuracy, is of great importance for quantum dynamics and an extremely challenge job. CO‐N2 is a typical van der Waals system and its high‐precision PES may help elucidate weak interaction mechanisms. Taking CO‐N2 potential energies calculated by CCSD(T)‐F12b/aug‐cc‐pVQZ as the benchmark, we establish an accurate, robust, and efficient machine learning model by using only four molecular structure descriptors based on 7966 benchmark potential energies. The highest accuracy is obtained by a stacking ensemble DNN (SeDNN). Its evaluation parameters MAE, RMSE, and R2 reach 0.096, 0.163, 0.9999 cm−1, respectively, and the spectroscopic accuracy for vibration spectrum is achieved with predicted PES, which shows SeDNN superior goodness‐of‐fit and prediction performance. An elaborated PES with the reported global minimum has been predicted with the model, which perfectly reproduces CCSD(T) potential energies and the analytical MLR PES [PCCP, 2018, 20, 2036]. The critical points (global minimum, TSI, TSII, and their barriers), potential curve, and entire PES profile are remarkably consistent with CCSD(T) calculations. To further improve the usability of constructing PESs in practice, the size of the training set (energy points) for the model is reduced to 50%, 30%, and 20% of the database, respectively. The results show that even training with the smallest training set (1593 points), the PES only differs 2.555 cm−1 with the analytic MLR PES. Therefore, the proposed SeDNN is promisingly an alternative efficient tool to construct subtle PES for van der Waals systems.
Role of autophagy in intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Kritschil Rebecca , Scott Melanie , Sowa Gwendolyn , Vo Nam
Published: November 2021

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a leading contributor to low back pain. The intervertebral disc (IVD) is composed of three tissue types: the central gelatinous nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue, the surrounding annulus fibrosus (AF) tissue, and the inferior and superior cartilage endplates. The IVD microenvironment is hypoxic, acidic, hyperosmotic, and low in nutrients because it is mostly avascular. The cellular processes that underlie IDD initiation and progression are still poorly understood. Specifically, a lack of understanding regarding NP cell metabolism and physiology hinders the development of effective therapeutics to treat IDD patients. Autophagy is a vital intracellular degradation process that removes damaged organelles, misfolded proteins, and intracellular pathogens and recycles the degraded components for cellular energy and function. NP cells have adapted to survive within their harsh tissue microenvironment using processes that are largely unknown, and we postulate autophagy is one of these undiscovered mechanisms. In this review, we describe unique features of the IVD tissue, review how physiological stressors impact autophagy in NP cells in vitro, survey the current understanding of autophagy regulation in the IVD, and assess the relationship between autophagy and IDD. Published studies confirm autophagy markers are present in IVD tissue, and IVD cells can regulate autophagy in response to cellular stressors in vitro. However, data are still lacking to determine the exact mechanisms regulating autophagy in IVD cells. More in‐depth research is needed to establish whether autophagy is necessary to maintain IVD cell health and validate autophagy as a relevant therapeutic target for treating IDD.
Evaluation of snow depth and snow cover represented by multiple datasets over the Tianshan Mountains: Remote sensing, reanalysis, and simulation
Authors: Li Qian , Yang Tao , Li Lanhai
Published: November 2021

Mountain snowpacks play important roles in water resource and ecological system. However, existing snow depth products show great uncertainties across the Tianshan Mountains, Central Asia. This study evaluated and compared four snow depth datasets over the Tianshan Mountains, including snow depth datasets from ERA5, ERA5‐Land, passive microwave, as well as a dynamically downscaled simulation by Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The snow depth was evaluated against in situ observations while the snow cover extent was evaluated by interactive multisensor snow and ice mapping system (IMS) snow cover. Furthermore, the snow‐related metrics, such as annual mean snow depth and snow cover days, were compared among the four datasets. The results showed that the spatial patterns of snow‐related metrics were relatively consistent among datasets, although discrepancies existed in magnitude. Additionally, the temporal variations in snow‐related metrics depended on the dataset employed. The simulated snow depth from WRF got the lowest bias in daily snow depth value against the in situ observations (mean bias = 0.12 cm, root mean square error = 2.08 cm), additionally, it had the best performance in classifying correct snow grids compared with IMS (probability of detection = 0.766). It also outperformed in annual mean snow depth and snow cover days by 47.2 and 13.3% compared with ERA5‐Land snow depth. This study highlights the confidence in characterizing both the spatial pattern and temporal variations of snow depth products based on WRF model simulation.
Efficiency and transparency of Spanish football clubs: A non‐parametric approach
Authors: Cifuentes‐Faura Javier
Published: November 2021

The economic transparency of football clubs has become one of the most demanded aspects as a consequence of the approval of the Transparency Law in Spain. The aim of this work is to determine whether transparency, together with other economic and sporting variables, influences the efficiency of Spanish first and second division football clubs. In the first stage, efficiency is estimated using DEA bootstrapping. In the second stage, by means of a truncated regression, the weight of transparency on efficiency is studied. In 2015, transparency has a positive influence on the efficiency of football clubs, but not in 2019.
Perinatal socio‐behavioral and obstetric predictors of metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity in adult offspring
Authors: Talisman Shahar , Friedlander Yechiel , Hochner Hagit
Published: November 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether obstetric and perinatal socio‐behavioral characteristics at the time of pregnancy predict obesity phenotypes of adult offspring.

Methods

The Jerusalem Perinatal Study was conducted among 17,003 deliveries during 1974 to 1976. Follow‐up studies were conducted during 2007 to 2009 and 2017 to 2019 among 1,440 offspring undergoing examinations. Offspring were classified into four phenotypes according to obesity and metabolic status: metabolically healthy normal weight (MHNW, reference group), unhealthy normal weight, healthy obesity (MHO), and unhealthy obesity (MUO). Regression models were carried out to identify perinatal predictors for risk phenotypes at age 30 to 35 years, emphasizing the differentiation between socio‐behavioral and obstetric features.

Results

A total of 15.7% of participants were classified as MUO, and 5.4% were classified as MHO. Low socioeconomic status was associated with both obesity phenotypes (e.g., odds ratio [OR]MHO/MHNW = 2.98, p < 0.001). High socioeconomic status was associated with MUO (ORMUO/MHNW = 1.93, p = 0.002). Maternal low education was also associated with both obesity phenotypes (ORMUO/MHNW = 2.46, p < 0.001, ORMHO/MHNW = 2.45, p = 0.005). Participants with MUO were more likely to have a smoking father (ORMUO/MHNW = 1.48, p = 0.021).

Conclusions

Perinatal socio‐behavioral characteristics are associated with adult obesity phenotypes. The findings point to possible mechanisms underlying the development of obesity in young adults and, thus, contribute toward identifying high‐risk groups that would mostly benefit from obesity risk‐reduction interventions.
Teachers' career commitment amid terrorism: The role of religiousness in a parallel mediation model
Authors: Nisa Zaib Un , Ibrahim Azrin , Memon Ubedullah
Published: November 2021

Over the last decade, terrorist attacks on educational institutions have psychologically intercepted teachers in delivering their services effectively. Surprisingly, there is scant research available on a sensitive issue that helps to prevent teachers' career commitment amidst terrorism. Hence, the present study fills the gap by intercepting teachers' job anxiety and perceived job risk with the buffering effect of their religiousness. The findings revealed that teachers' job anxiety and perceived job risk are the by‐products of perceived threats of terrorism. Results also unveiled a significant negative relationship between teachers' perceived job risk and their career commitment. Further, the mediating role of teachers' perceived job risk amid terrorism was found significant. Finally, the buffering effect of teachers' religiousness to mitigate the adverse effects of job anxiety and perceived job risk on career commitment was found significant. The results elucidated that teachers' job anxiety and perceived job risk accounted for 13.2% of the variance in their career commitment.
Influence of CeO2as dispersoid in blend poly(styrene‐co‐methylmethacrylate) as electrolyte for lithium‐ion battery
Authors: Ramachandran Murugesan , Subadevi Rengapillai , Rajkumar Palanisamy , Muthupradeepa Rajendran , Sivakumar Marimuthu
Published: November 2021

Poly(styrene‐co‐methylmethacrylate) P(S‐MMA) composite polymer electrolytes are having massive consideration for solid‐state electrochemical devices. There are numerous tactics implement to improve the ambient temperature ionic conductivity such as the addition of plasticizers, the inclusion of nanosize ceramic fillers and blending with the host polymer, which were carried out in this work. The effect of CeO2 on the P(S‐MMA)‐poly(vinylidene fluoride) (25:75 of 27 wt%)‐LiClO4 (8 wt%)‐ethylene carbonate:propylene carbonate (1:1 of 65 wt%) system prepared via a conventional solution casting technique. The as‐prepared polymer membranes were characterized using XRD, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis, SEM and AC impedance analyses. The composite polymer blend gel electrolyte system exhibits high ionic conductivity (2.51 × 10−2 S cm−1) with 6 wt% CeO2 nanofiller at ambient temperature. The conductivity enhancement is due to the presence of a rise in the amorphous content; it is in well concurrence with the XRD results. The optimum electrolyte was used to design the LiFePO4/composite gel polymer electrolyte/Li cell couple in a 2032 type coin cell. It possesses a discharge capacity of 151 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Magnetic Vortex Domain Wall Observation on Polycrystalline Imperfect Iron−Cobalt Alloy Nanowires Growing on 1050 Aluminum
Authors: Londoño-Calderón César Leandro , Londoño-Calderón Alejandra , Moscoso-Londoño Oscar , Galindo Arturo , Ponce Arturo , Pampillo Laura Gabriela , Martínez-García Ricardo , José Yacamán Miguel , Knobel Marcelo
Published: November 2021

Herein, the magnetic vortex domain wall structure of polycrystalline imperfect iron−cobalt alloy nanowires (Nws) growing on 1050 aluminum by pulsed electrodeposition is reported. The magnetic properties are analyzed using magnetometry and off‐axis electron holography. The electrodeposited Nw arrays show homogeneous elemental composition and exhibit a structure composed of piled‐up grains of small crystallites. The saturation magnetization, coercive field, and reduced remanence, measured in directions parallel and perpendicular to the Nw's axis, are studied as a function of the temperature. Although the array of Nws on anodized aluminum grows both straight and within an inclination angle, in both cases, a high shape anisotropy is noticed, which is the most predominant contribution to the magnetic behavior. Misalignments and defects of the Nws in the array, as well as the wide distribution of lengths and diameters, do not contribute significantly to coercivity dispersion. A modified model is used to explain the changes in the magnetic behavior of the Nw's arrays, which accounts for structural imperfections and magnetostatic interactions. The reversal magnetization arising from the vortex domain wall propagation via localized curling is verified by off‐axis electron holography.
Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers as Enabling Quantum Technology
Authors: Vitiello Miriam Serena , De Natale Paolo
Published: November 2021

Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) represent the most fascinating achievement of quantum engineering, showing how artificial materials can be generated through quantum design, with tailor‐made properties. Their inherent quantum nature deeply affects their core physical parameters. QCLs indeed display intrinsic linewidths approaching the quantum limit, and show spontaneous phase‐locking of their emitted modes via intracavity four‐wave‐mixing, meaning that they can naturally operate as miniaturized metrological frequency rulers, also in frontier frequency domains, as the far‐infrared, yet unexplored in quantum science. Here, the authors discuss the fundamental quantum properties of QCLs operating at terahertz frequencies and their key technological performances, highlighting future perspectives of this frontier research field in disruptive areas of quantum technologies such as quantum sensing, quantum metrology, quantum imaging, and photonic‐based quantum computation.