bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gelatin‐Based Versus Alginate‐Based Hydrogels: Providing Insight in Wound Healing Potential
Authors: Ionescu Oana Maria , Mignon Arn , Minsart Manon , Van Hoorick Jasper , Gardikiotis Ioannis , Caruntu Irina‐Draga , Giusca Simona Eliza , Van Vlierberghe Sandra , Profire Lenuta
Published: September 2021

Wound dressings under the form of films constituted of modified alginate (methacrylated alginate – AlgMA) versus a gelatine derivative containing norbornene functionalities (GelNB) are developed and evaluated for their moisturizing effects, followed by further in vivo testing to assay their wound healing potential. The gel fraction results shows that AlgMA and GelNB films displayed a high crosslinking efficiency while the swelling assay reveals a stronger water uptake capacity for AlgMA films compared to GelNB and to commercial dressing AquacelAg, used as positive control. Referring to the in vivo wound healing effect, the GelNB films not only exhibit proper healing properties, yet is higher to the AquacelAg, while the AlgMA films exhibit similar wound healing effect as the positive control. On a microscopic level, the healing phases (from inflammation to proliferation and contraction) are present for both materials, yet at a faster rate for the GelNB films, which is in line with the macroscopic findings. These results provide data which support that GelNB films outperform AlgMA films, but both can be used for wound healing applications.
Lamellar Assembly Mechanism on Dendritic Ring‐Banded Spherulites of Poly(ε‐caprolactone)
Authors: Nagarajan Selvaraj
Published: September 2021

The self‐assembly structures of lamellae in optical ring bands have a critical effect on their optical and physical arrangements. Two different types of dendritic banded spherulites (namely ring‐banded and zigzag ring‐banded) are formed in poly(ε‐caprolactone)/poly (phenyl methacrylate) blend at crystallization temperatures of 42 and 46 °C, respectively. The difference in optical birefringence of ring bands in two types of spherulites is resolved by means of direct morphological comparison. Banded spherulites are fractured carefully to facilitate lamellar orientation analyses of both the top surface and the interior surface. The results have revealed the existence of tree‐like dendritic fractal growth lamellar assemblies in both banded spherulites. The optical ring patterns of the banded spherulites are differentiated mainly by the fractal orientation of the edge‐on crystal branches in the ridge region. On the basis of detailed morphological analysis, 3D‐lamellar assembly mechanisms are proposed to explain the growth of dendritic ring‐banded spherulites at 42 °C and dendritic zigzag ring‐banded spherulites at 46 °C.
In Silico Targeting Human Multidrug Transporter ABCG2 in Breast Cancer: Database Screening, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: Ibrahim Mahmoud A. A. , Badr Esraa A. A. , Abdelrahman Alaa H. M. , Almansour Nahlah Makki , Mekhemer Gamal A. H. , Shawky Ahmed M. , Moustafa Mahmoud F. , Atia Mohamed A. M.
Published: September 2021

ABCG2 is a substantial member of the ABC transporter superfamily that plays a significant role in multidrug resistance in cancer. Until recently, the 3D structure of ABCG2 has not been resolved, which resulted in the limitation of developing potential ABCG2 inhibitors using structure‐based drug discovery. Herein, eMolecules, ChEMBL, and ChEBI databases, containing >25 million compounds, were virtually screened against the ABCG2 transporter in homodimer form. Performance of AutoDock4.2.6 software to predict inhibitor‐ABCG2 binding mode and affinity were validated on the basis of available experimental data. The explored databases were filtered based on docking scores. The most potent hits with binding affinities higher than that of experimental bound ligand (MZ29) were then selected and subjected to molecular mechanics minimization, followed by binding energy calculation using molecular mechanics‐generalized Born surface area (MM‐GBSA) approach. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations for 50 ns, followed by MM‐GBSA binding energy calculations, were performed for the promising compounds, unveiling eight potential inhibitors with binding affinities <−55.8 kcal/mol. Structural and energetic analyses demonstrated the stability of the eight identified inhibitors over the 50 ns MD simulation. This research sheds light on the potentiality of the identified ABCG2 inhibitors as a therapeutic approach to overcome multidrug resistance cancer therapy.
An alternative technique for the symmetry reduction of time‐fractional partial differential equation
Authors: Zhang Zhi‐Yong , Guo Lei‐Lei
Published: September 2021

Based on the Lie symmetry method and taking the generalized time‐fractional Burgers equations involving the Riemann–Liouville derivative for example, we propose a new similarity transformation which converts the time‐fractional Burgers equation into a fractional ordinary differential equation without containing the Erdélyi–Kober fractional differential operator. Such type of reduced equations facilitates us to study the properties as well as construct analytical solutions. Consequently, we obtain an exact solution and a new power series solution of the time‐fractional Burgers equation via the reduced equation.
On the limit cycle of a Belousov–Zhabotinsky differential systems
Authors: Llibre Jaume , Oliveira Regilene
Published: September 2021

In Leonov and Kuznetsov (2013), the authors shown numerically the existence of a limit cycle surrounding the unstable node that system (1) has in the positive quadrant for specific values of the parameters. System (1) is one of the Belousov–Zhabotinsky dynamical models. The objective of this paper is to prove that system (1), when in the positive quadrant Q has an unstable node or focus, has at least one limit cycle, and when
,
, and ϵ > 0 sufficiently small this limit cycle is unique.
Comparison of prospective and retrospective motion correction in 3D‐encoded neuroanatomical MRI
Authors: Slipsager Jakob M. , Glimberg Stefan L. , Højgaard Liselotte , Paulsen Rasmus R. , Wighton Paul , Tisdall M. Dylan , Jaimes Camilo , Gagoski Borjan A. , Grant P. Ellen , van der Kouwe André , Olesen Oline V. , Frost Robert
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To compare prospective motion correction (PMC) and retrospective motion correction (RMC) in Cartesian 3D‐encoded MPRAGE scans and to investigate the effects of correction frequency and parallel imaging on the performance of RMC.

Methods

Head motion was estimated using a markerless tracking system and sent to a modified MPRAGE sequence, which can continuously update the imaging FOV to perform PMC. The prospective correction was applied either before each echo train (before‐ET) or at every sixth readout within the ET (within‐ET). RMC was applied during image reconstruction by adjusting k‐space trajectories according to the measured motion. The motion correction frequency was retrospectively increased with RMC or decreased with reverse RMC. Phantom and in vivo experiments were used to compare PMC and RMC, as well as to compare within‐ET and before‐ET correction frequency during continuous motion. The correction quality was quantitatively evaluated using the structural similarity index measure with a reference image without motion correction and without intentional motion.

Results

PMC resulted in superior image quality compared to RMC both visually and quantitatively. Increasing the correction frequency from before‐ET to within‐ET reduced the motion artifacts in RMC. A hybrid PMC and RMC correction, that is, retrospectively increasing the correction frequency of before‐ET PMC to within‐ET, also reduced motion artifacts. Inferior performance of RMC compared to PMC was shown with GRAPPA calibration data without intentional motion and without any GRAPPA acceleration.

Conclusion

Reductions in local Nyquist violations with PMC resulted in superior image quality compared to RMC. Increasing the motion correction frequency to within‐ET reduced the motion artifacts in both RMC and PMC.
Promoted field emission and cell attachment of TiO2nanorods/carbon fiber with hydrogen doping induced by cold atmospheric‐pressure Ar/H2plasma jet
Authors: Zhu Xinyu , Yin Zihao , Ma Guozhi , Li Limin
Published: September 2021

Cold atmospheric‐pressure plasma jet not only modifies surface morphology but also introduces functional groups on sample surfaces. In this work, TiO2nanorods/carbon fiber (TNCF) is hydrothermally prepared, and hydrogen‐doped TNCF (H:TNCF) is obtained by the surface treatment of TNCF using cold atmospheric‐pressure Ar/H2Plasma jet. H and OH spectral lines are observed from the emitting spectrum of atmospheric‐pressure Ar/H2plasma jet. Nanoscaled protrusions appear at top of TiO2nanorods after the surface treatment of cold atmospheric‐pressure Ar/H2plasma jet. OH functional groups form on the surface of H:TNCF, based on the results of FTIR, Raman and XPS analysis. Furthermore, hydrogen doping can lower the band gap from 3.2 eV of TNCF to 2.9 eV of H:TNCF, and reduce the work function from 4.97 eV of TNCF to 4.71 eV of H:TNCF. Field emission property and cell compatibility of TNCF and H:TNCF are investigated. Field emission property of TNCF is considerably improved by hydrogen doping, due to a reduced work function and a higher field enhancement factor. In the cell attachment experiments, H:TNCF exhibits more attached cells with a larger cell attachment area, compared with the TNCF sample. The obtained results show H:TNCF prepared by hydrothermal method combined with cold atmospheric‐pressure Ar/H2Plasma jet will be a promising candidate for field emission and biocompatibility applications.
MediTrans—Patient‐centric interoperability through blockchain
Authors: George Merlin , Mary Chacko Anu
Published: September 2021

In order to ensure best health care experience for the user, the user should be able to access or grant access to his medical information as the requirement arises. Currently, when the data are residing in hospital proprietary Electronic Health Record (EHR), this is not possible. Hence there is a requirement for patient operated PHR where the details of the treatment of patient is with the patient. This paper proposes a blockchain‐based, secure interoperable patient‐centric data access management system—MediTrans. In the proposed model, the patient owns his/her treatment related data and stores it in a secure personal health record (PHR) cloud. The tool provides technique for secure transfer of patient related data from Hospital EHR to patient PHR Cloud. Patient can give controlled access of patient's medical data to Health Care Providers for a specific period of time. MediTrans proposes secure access management of data stored in PHR cloud to authorised person via Blockchain Technology and Ciphertext policy attribute‐based encryption technique. The proposed design was evaluated by developing a prototype on Ethereum Blockchain with OpenEMR as the healthcare system. Performance analysis was carried out by varying the size of the data and the number of users. The results obtained were promising, which gives clear insights on the feasibility of the approach taken.
Weight bias among health care professionals: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lawrence Blake J. , Kerr Deborah , Pollard Christina M. , Theophilus Mary , Alexander Elise , Haywood Darren , O’Connor Moira
Published: September 2021

Objective

Weight‐biased attitudes and views held by health care professionals can have a negative impact on the patient‐provider relationship and the provision of care, but studies have found mixed results about the extent and nature of bias, which warrants a review of the evidence.

Methods

A systematic review and random‐effects meta‐analysis were conducted by including studies up to January 12, 2021.

Results

A total of 41 studies met inclusion criteria, with 17 studies providing sufficient data to be meta‐analyzed. A moderate pooled effect (standardized mean difference = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.37‐0.96) showed that health care professionals demonstrate implicit weight bias. Health care professionals also report explicit weight bias on the Fat Phobia Scale, Antifat Attitudes Scale, and Attitudes Towards Obese Persons Scale. Findings show that medical doctors, nurses, dietitians, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, podiatrists, and exercise physiologists hold implicit and/or explicit weight‐biased attitudes toward people with obesity. A total of 27 different outcomes were used to measure weight bias, and the overall quality of evidence was rated as very low.

Conclusions

Future research needs to adopt more robust research methods to improve the assessment of weight bias and to inform future interventions to address weight bias among health care professionals.
Facile synthesis of three diazido compounds and their application in polyether polytriazido elastomers as solid propellant binders
Authors: Cong Kun , He Jiyu , Yang Rongjie
Published: September 2021

Three linear diazido compounds as novel binders have been prepared via a one‐step substitution of corresponding bromo‐ended halide. The structures of these novel diazido compounds and their reactivity with alkyne have been characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, GPC, and element analysis. Polytriazolepolyethyelene oxide‐tetrahydrofuran (PTPET) elastomers are prepared by curing alkyne terminated polyethyleneoxide‐tetrahydrofuran (ATPET) with glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) and three novel diazido compounds at different molar ratios of ‐N3 to alkyne. The properties of the PTPET elastomers are measured by TGA, DSC and mechanical apparatus. Plasticizer A3 [1:1 mixture of bis‐(2,2‐dinitropropy) acetal (BDNPA) and bis‐(2,2‐dinitropropyl)] is added thereafter as a comparison. The results revealed that PTPET elastomers synthesized with the novel compounds that have longer ‐CH2 chain and ether group could have better properties and serve as promising binders for propellant components.
Perceptions of parents of pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on oral chemotherapy administration: A qualitative analysis
Authors: Tang Natalie , Kovacevic Anja , Zupanec Sue , Sivananthan Araby , Patel Rikesh , Patel Priya , Vennettilli Ashlee , Paw Cho Sing Edric , Alexander Sarah , Sung Lillian , Dupuis L. Lee
Published: September 2021

Objective

To describe the experiences and perspectives of parents of pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) regarding oral chemotherapy administration during maintenance therapy.

Methods

English‐speaking parents of patients 4 to <18 years who were receiving ALL maintenance oral chemotherapy were eligible to participate in this mixed methods study. Using semi‐structured interviews, we asked participants how difficult they found oral chemotherapy administration. We also probed regarding barriers and facilitators of oral chemotherapy administration and strategies used to overcome challenges. Lastly, we asked participants for their advice to future parents giving oral chemotherapy to their children.

Results

Twenty‐three participants were interviewed. One‐fifth of participants stated that oral chemotherapy administration at home was hard or very hard. Common factors influencing oral chemotherapy administration were product‐related (e.g., formulation) and treatment‐related adverse effects (e.g., nausea), lifestyle adjustment (e.g., fitting in with family schedule), and attitudes (e.g., onus of medication administration). Strategies to address oral chemotherapy administration included several administration techniques, scheduling of medication administration, and normalization of medication taking.

Conclusions

Oral chemotherapy administration during ALL maintenance therapy was hard for some parents. Identification of these parents and discussion of strategies to facilitate adherence to oral chemotherapy regimens may optimize patient outcomes.
An experimental study of the transition in the wear regime of brake friction materials
Authors: Barros Liu Y. , Poletto Jean C. , Buneder Diogo , Flores Roberto , Gehlen Gustavo , Neis Patric D. , Ferreira Ney F. , Matozo Luciano T.
Published: September 2021

Brake friction materials (BFMs) are designed to have low wear rate under different conditions of contact pressure, temperature, and sliding velocity. The conditions to ensure a low wear rate (i.e., a moderate wear regime) between the disc and the BFM are not well established. The present article aims to enhance the comprehension about the wear regimes for BFMs. For this purpose, a commercial BFM was slid against a gray cast iron rotor (disc). Tests were performed under different sliding velocities and with both increasing and decreasing steps of pressure levels. Tribofilm formed on the disc's surface and BFM's wear were monitored during the tests. It was possible to conclude that the previous condition of the surface of the disc, with respect to the presence or absence of tribofilm, affects the required conditions for the transition in the wear regime. The removal of tribofilm on the surface of the disc was affected by high contact pressures and high sliding velocities. Those conditions led to a severe wear regime with a destruction of contact plateaus and an increase in friction and BFM's wear.
Vinyl‐functionalized polyborosiloxane for improving mechanical and flame‐retardancy performances of silicone rubber foam composites
Authors: Du Weining , Yin Chaolu , Huang Hao , Ge Xinguo
Published: September 2021

In this work, we first synthesized vinyl‐terminated polyborosiloxane (pBS) filler, and then incorporated it into silicone rubber foam (SRF) matrix to prepare composite materials through a simple chemical dehydrogenative foaming method under ambient conditions. The pBS filler with reactive groups could form physical and chemical crosslinking networks in SRF, leading to an excellent dispersion level of pBS in the SRF matrix. Moreover, the inserted pBS could remarkably improve the mechanical and flame‐retardancy properties of SRF‐pBS composites. Intriguingly, the SRF‐pBS6 foam containing 6 wt% of pBS possessed a uniform porous structure and balanced mechanical properties (σb = 65.4 kPa, εb = 56.7%, compression stress 97.1 kPa), thermal conductivity (0.102 W (m K)−1), limiting oxygen index (29.8%) and UL‐94 rating (V‐0) among the prepared foams. In addition, the incorporated pBS (6 wt%) could synergistically catalyze the formation of a silicon–boron strengthened ceramic‐like protective layer under fire and was capable of suppressing heat and smoke production in the SRF‐pBS6 foam. The present work provides a promising way for developing high mechanical and flame‐retardant polymeric foam materials with good thermal insulation. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Non‐perturbative Quantum Field Theory and the Geometry of Functional Spaces
Authors: Aastrup Johannes , Grimstrup Jesper Møller
Published: September 2021

In this paper we construct a non‐commutative geometry over a configuration space of gauge connections and show that it gives rise to a candidate for an interacting, non‐perturbative quantum gauge theory coupled to a fermionic field on a curved background. The non‐commutative geometry is given by an infinite‐dimensional Bott‐Dirac type operator, whose square gives the Hamilton operator, and which interacts with an algebra generated by holonomy‐diffeomorphisms. The Bott‐Dirac operator and the associated Hilbert space relies on a metric on the configuration space of connections, which effectively works as a covariant ultra‐violet regulator. We show that the construction coincides with perturbative quantum field theory in a local limit. Questions concerning Lorentz invariance and the fermionic sector as well as the issue of existence are left open.
Fabrication of Topological Insulator Bi2Se3−PbSe Heterojunction Photodetector for Infrared Detection
Authors: Ren Yixuan , Li Yuqi , Liu Xingzhao
Published: September 2021

A van der Waals heterojunction is successfully constructed with topological insulator (TI) Bi2Se3 and traditional narrow‐gap PbSe via molecular beam epitaxy. High‐quality crystallization and an atomically abrupt heterointerface between Bi2Se3 and PbSe are observed in the Bi2Se3−PbSe heterojunction. Prominent photosensitivity in the infrared band is achieved with the as‐fabricated Bi2Se3−PbSe photodetector. Under zero bias, responsivity and detectivity are 3.9 A W−1 and 8.7 × 1011 cm Hz0.5 W−1, respectively. With a response time of several milliseconds, fast response speed is also achieved. Prominent photosensitivity and fast response speed together suggest that the construction of TI Bi2Se3−PbSe heterojunction is a promising solution to fabricate high‐performance infrared photodetector.
Mean square exponential stabilization of uncertain time‐delay stochastic systems with fractional Brownian motion
Authors: Parvizian Majid , Khandani Khosro
Published: September 2021

This article is concerned with exponential mean square stabilization of stochastic systems driven by fractional Brownian motion subject to state‐delay and uncertainties by sliding mode control. By applying the proposed method, the states of the system reach the sliding surface in finite time. Then, some sufficient conditions are given in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) to guarantee the mean‐square exponential stability of the sliding motion. The LMI conditions for mean‐square exponential stability of the sliding mode dynamics are derived by constructing a novel Lyapunov functional. Finally, a simulation example is presented which corroborates the accuracy of the results.
Sustainability at the community level: A bibliometric journey around a set of sustainability‐related terms
Authors: Shi Jiangang , Duan Kaifeng , Wu Guangdong , Si Hongyun , Zhang Rui
Published: September 2021

In recent years, sustainability at the community level has drawn attention from academic circles. However, no studies attempt to comprehensively explore the research field reflecting sustainability at the community level (hereinafter referred to as SC field). To fill this knowledge gap, this study makes an unprecedented attempt to draw the general aspects, intellectual structure and conceptual evolution of the SC field from 1992 to 2020. Using a set of sustainability‐related terms to delineate the boundary of the SC field, a total of 416 journal articles published in the databases of Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) and Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) were used to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis. Interpretation of main findings of the bibliometric analysis and implications for future trends of the SC field have been discussed. This study can provide a new reference for scholars to better understand the research status and knowledge domains of the SC field.
Bond deterioration effects on corroded RC bridge pier in seismic zone
Authors: Bartolozzi Mara , Casas Joan R. , Domaneschi Marco
Published: September 2021

The effects of corrosion focusing on the consequences of bond strength deterioration for a reinforced concrete bridge pier in a seismic affected area are examined in this research. A bond degradation model based on the local bond stress‐slip model presented in FIB Model Code 2010 is chosen. A motorway overpass object of a previous study, which considered the rebars cross‐section reduction effect only, has been selected to assess the seismic capacity of the corroded pier in the time domain when bond degradation due to corrosion is also taken into account. The modification of strength capacity and ductility of the structural element is analyzed and the effect of corrosion during the whole service life of the structure is obtained. It is concluded that the effect of bond degradation is more critical for the safety of the pier than the effect of rebars cross‐section loss.
Salt‐inducible kinase 2 functions as a tumor suppressor in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Li Yuan , Yu Jinsong , Jia Manran , Ma Pei , Dong Chunrong
Published: September 2021

Salt‐inducible kinase 2 (SIK2) has been reported to be involved in cancer progression in a dichotomous manner. However, the role and mechanism of action of SIK2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression remain elusive. SIK2 expression in HCC tissues in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was analyzed using the AIPuFu platform. SIK2 expression in HCC cells was examined by quantitative real‐time PCR and western blot analysis. The expression of N‐cadherin, E‐cadherin, β‐catenin, and c‐Myc was detected by western blot analysis. SIK2 was downregulated in HCC tissues compared with normal patients, and low SIK2 expression was correlated with poor prognosis in HCC patients in TCGA database. SIK2 was lowly expressed in HCC cells than that in normal human liver epithelial cells. SIK2 overexpression inhibited cell proliferation and invasion and promoted apoptosis in HCC cells, while SIK2 silencing exerted the opposite effects. Additionally, SIK2 overexpression inactivated the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway in HCC cells, as evidenced by the reduced expression of β‐catenin and c‐Myc. β‐catenin overexpression rescued the inhibitory effects of SIK2 on the malignant properties of HCC cells. Xenograft tumor experiment confirmed that SIK2 suppressed the growth of HCC cells in vivo. In conclusion, SIK2 exerted anti‐tumor activity in HCC via inactivating the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway.
An efficient numerical simulation of nonlinear‐dispersive model of shallow water wave
Authors: Labidi Samira , Rouatbi Asma , Omrani Khaled
Published: September 2021

This paper studied a linearized conservative high‐order finite difference scheme for a model of nonlinear dispersive equation: the regularized long wave‐Korteweg de Vries (RLW‐KdV) equation. The scheme is proved to be conservative, uniquely solvable, and conditionally stable. The convergence of the difference scheme is proved by using the energy method to be of fourth‐order in space and second‐order in time in the discrete ‐norm. An application on the regularized long wave and the modified regularized long wave equations are discussed numerically in details. Furthermore, interaction of solitary waves with different amplitudes is shown. The three invariants of the motion are evaluated to determine the conservation proprieties of the system. Several numerical examples are presented in order to validate the theoretical results and compared with other existing methods. Comparison reveals that our linearized difference improves the accuracy and shortens computation time largely.
‘It Would Be Silly to Stop Now and Go Part-Time’: Fathers and Flexible Working Arrangements in Australia
Authors: Borgkvist Ashlee
Published: September 2021

Expectations of fathering have changed over the past few decades, and it appears fathers are increasingly participating in care activities. Despite this, the capacity for Australian men to participate in child rearing is impeded by limitations around flexible working arrangements. The link between fathering, masculinity, paid work, and the persistent expectation that fathers will be the financial providers within the family unit is examined in this chapter. The influence of this gendered expectation on Australian policy development is briefly discussed, and some recommendations provided for policy makers, organizations, and fathers.
The Role of Love and Children’s Agency in Improving Fathers’ Wellbeing
Authors: Macht Alexandra
Published: September 2021

This chapter focuses on father-child wellbeing arguing that fathers are emotionally transformed by having a child and that children have a beneficial influence on father’s health and positive engagement in work. Previous research described how involved fatherhood offers men the opportunity to resist practices of risk-taking, denial of treatment, expression of anger, which are harmful to their health. However, studies on the relationship between fathers and children often overlook the mutual beneficial effects that these family members have on each other. Based on findings from 47 qualitative interviews and 6 observations with Scottish and Romanian involved fathers and their children, I show how children were described by fathers as re-energizing them for work and helping them let go of negative health habits, such as smoking, drugs, and reckless driving. Fathers in turn, adopted a long-term perspective for their health and wellbeing brought on by planning for the future. Conclusively, children seem to play an important role in counteracting the toxic aspects of masculinity, as children were described as helping fathers shift emotionally from stoicism and control to increased nurturance and emotional openness, thereby affecting their wellbeing in positive ways.
Biosecurity for Synthetic Biology and Emerging Biotechnologies: Critical Challenges for Governance
Authors: Trump Benjamin D. , Florin Marie-Valentine , Perkins Edward , Linkov Igor
Published: September 2021

Synthetic biology uses engineering-based modeling and building techniques to modify existing organisms and microbes or to construct them from scratch. The rate of development and research related to synthetic biology for both industry and academia has increased over the past two decades (Ahteensuu 2017), with applications in medicine (new vaccines, delivery of therapeutics, and treatments), energy (biofuels), environmental remediation, food production, and general industry (detergents, adhesives, perfumes) (Evans and Selgelid 2015; Gronvall 2015).
Technical Aspects of Biosecurity: Screening Guidance, Attribution, and Traceability
Authors: Appleton Evan , Millett Piers
Published: September 2021

Biosecurity is a multi-disciplinary topic that covers areas of policy, public health, economics, and science. This chapter focuses on the technical scientific aspects of the current international biosecurity framework. We discuss these technical areas in terms time horizon. We begin this chapter with review of current technology within the international biosecurity framework and discuss weakness and opportunities for further work. We then focus on near-term technical developments and imminent opportunities to strengthen the existing framework. Specifically, we break down the range of issues into biological threat prevention, detection, and response. We discuss how technical tools can assist in policy development and the engineering cycle of Design, Built, and Test. Finally, this chapter describes a ‘futuring’ exercise conducted by the working group that created this chapter to explore broader longer-term issues in the biosecurity space.
Responsible Governance of Biosecurity in Armenia
Authors: Malsch Ineke , Espona Maria
Published: September 2021

This chapter analyses a case study of responsible governance of dual use life sciences and biosecurity in Armenia. It is based on materials presented during a Responsible Research and Innovation Course in Armenia, held on 17–19 May 2019. The course was organised as part of the ISTC Targeted Initiative (TI) on CBRN Export Control and Dual Use in Central Asia. The focus of the case study is on ethical aspects and how collective responsibility for biosecurity can be organised, in order to prevent innovation from undermining international law prohibiting hostile uses of life sciences.
Naturalness and the muon magnetic moment
Authors: Arkani-Hamed Nima , Harigaya Keisuke
Published: September 2021

Abstract

We study a predictive model for explaining the apparent deviation of the muon anomalous magnetic moment from the Standard Model expectation. There are no new scalars and hence no new hierarchy puzzles beyond those associated with the Higgs; the only new particles at the TeV scale are vector-like singlet and doublet leptons. Interestingly, this simple model provides a calculable example violating the Wilsonian notion of naturalness: despite the absence of any symmetries prohibiting its generation, the coefficient of the naively leading dimension-six operator for (g − 2) vanishes at one-loop. While effective field theorists interpret this either as a surprising UV cancellation of power divergences, or as a delicate cancellation between matching UV and calculable IR corrections to (g − 2) from parametrically separated scales, there is a simple explanation in the full theory: the loop integrand is a total derivative of a function vanishing in both the deep UV and IR. The leading contribution to (g − 2) arises from dimension-eight operators, and thus the required masses of new fermions are lower than naively expected, with a sizeable portion of parameter space already covered by direct searches at the LHC. The viable parameter space free of fine-tuning for the muon mass will be fully covered by future direct LHC searches, and all of the parameter space can be probed by precision measurements at planned future lepton colliders.
Notes on flat-space limit of AdS/CFT
Authors: Li Yue-Zhou
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Different frameworks exist to describe the flat-space limit of AdS/CFT, include momentum space, Mellin space, coordinate space, and partial-wave expansion. We explain the origin of momentum space as the smearing kernel in Poincare AdS, while the origin of latter three is the smearing kernel in global AdS. In Mellin space, we find a Mellin formula that unifies massless and massive flat-space limit, which can be transformed to coordinate space and partial-wave expansion. Furthermore, we also manage to transform momentum space to smearing kernel in global AdS, connecting all existed frameworks. Finally, we go beyond scalar and verify that $$ \left\langle VV\mathcal{O}\right\rangle $$

VV
O

maps to photon-photon-massive amplitudes.
Well-Posedness for a Modified Bidomain Model Describing Bioelectric Activity in Damaged Heart Tissues
Authors: Amar M. , Andreucci D. , Timofte C.
Published: September 2021

We prove the existence and the uniqueness of a solution for a modified bidomain model, describing the electrical behaviour of the cardiac tissue in pathological situations. The leading idea is to reduce the problem to an abstract parabolic setting, which requires to introduce several auxiliary differential systems and a non-standard bilinear form. The main difficulties are due to the degeneracy of the bidomain system and to its non-standard coupling with a diffusion equation, accounting for the presence of the pathological zone in the heart tissue.
Societal importance of Antarctic negative feedbacks on climate change: blue carbon gains from sea ice, ice shelf and glacier losses
Authors: Barnes D. K. A. , Sands C. J. , Paulsen M. L. , Moreno B. , Moreau C. , Held C. , Downey R. , Bax N. , Stark J. S. , Zwerschke N.
Published: September 2021

Diminishing prospects for environmental preservation under climate change are intensifying efforts to boost capture, storage and sequestration (long-term burial) of carbon. However, as Earth’s biological carbon sinks also shrink, remediation has become a key part of the narrative for terrestrial ecosystems. In contrast, blue carbon on polar continental shelves have stronger pathways to sequestration and have increased with climate-forced marine ice losses—becoming the largest known natural negative feedback on climate change. Here we explore the size and complex dynamics of blue carbon gains with spatiotemporal changes in sea ice (60–100 MtCyear−1), ice shelves (4–40 MtCyear−1 = giant iceberg generation) and glacier retreat (< 1 MtCyear−1). Estimates suggest that, amongst these, reduced duration of seasonal sea ice is most important. Decreasing sea ice extent drives longer (not necessarily larger biomass) smaller cell-sized phytoplankton blooms, increasing growth of many primary consumers and benthic carbon storage—where sequestration chances are maximal. However, sea ice losses also create positive feedbacks in shallow waters through increased iceberg movement and scouring of benthos. Unlike loss of sea ice, which enhances existing sinks, ice shelf losses generate brand new carbon sinks both where giant icebergs were, and in their wake. These also generate small positive feedbacks from scouring, minimised by repeat scouring at biodiversity hotspots. Blue carbon change from glacier retreat has been least well quantified, and although emerging fjords are small areas, they have high storage-sequestration conversion efficiencies, whilst blue carbon in polar waters faces many diverse and complex stressors. The identity of these are known (e.g. fishing, warming, ocean acidification, non-indigenous species and plastic pollution) but not their magnitude of impact. In order to mediate multiple stressors, research should focus on wider verification of blue carbon gains, projecting future change, and the broader environmental and economic benefits to safeguard blue carbon ecosystems through law.
Ultimate lateral pressures exerted on buried pipelines by the initiation of submarine landslides
Authors: Zhang Weiyuan , Askarinejad Amin
Published: September 2021

Submarine slope instabilities are considered one of the major threats for offshore buried pipelines. This paper presents a novel method to evaluate the ultimate pressure acting on a buried pipeline during the liquefaction of an inclined seabed. Small-scale model tests with pipes buried at three different embedment ratios have been conducted at an enhanced centrifugal acceleration condition. A high-speed, high-resolution imaging system was developed to quantify the soil displacement field of the soil body and to visualize the development of the liquefied zone. The measured lateral pressures were compared with the hybrid approach proposed for the landslide–pipeline interaction in clay-rich material by Randolph and White (2012) and Sahdi et al. (2014). The hybrid approach is proved to be able to predict later pressures induced by the movement of (partially) liquefied sand on buried pipelines. It is found that the fluid inertia (fluid dynamics) component plays an important role when the non-Newtonian Reynolds number >~2 or the shear strain rate > 4.5 × 10−2sec−1.
An IPCC that listens: introducing reciprocity to climate change communication
Authors: Dudman Karl , de Wit Sara
Published: September 2021

As the epistemic hand in the UNFCCC’S political glove, the IPCC is charged with furnishing the global dialogues with ‘reliable knowledge’ on climate change. Much has been written about how this body of scientific information can be communicated more effectively to a diverse public, but considerably less so on the role communication might play in making the IPCC itself more receptive to alternative forms of contribution. Climate change communication remains centred on a unidirectional model that has helped climate science achieve greater public legibility, but so far not explored equivalent channels within institutional thinking for representing public and other non-scientific knowledges. Anticipating a new assessment report and major developments for the Paris Agreement, now is an opportunity to consider ambitious pathways to reciprocity in the IPCC’s communication strategy. Drawing on interdisciplinary insights from social science literatures, we argue that communication is not only inseparable from knowledge politics in the IPCC, but that communication activities and research may prove key avenues for making the IPCC more inclusive. Recognising climate communication as a developed field of study and practice with significant influence in the IPCC, we present a framework for categorising communicative activities into those which help the panelspeakwith a more human voice, and those that help itlistenreceptively to alternative forms of knowledge. The latter category especially invites communicators to decouple ‘epistemic authority’ from ‘scientific authority’, and so imagine new forms of expert contribution. This is critical to enabling active and equitable dialogue with underrepresented publics that democratises climate governance, and enhances the public legitimacy of the IPCC.
Exploring the foundations of the physical universe with space tests of the equivalence principle
Authors: Battelier Baptiste , Bergé Joël , Bertoldi Andrea , Blanchet Luc , Bongs Kai , Bouyer Philippe , Braxmaier Claus , Calonico Davide , Fayet Pierre , Gaaloul Naceur , Guerlin Christine , Hees Aurélien , Jetzer Philippe , Lämmerzahl Claus , Lecomte Steve , Le Poncin-Lafitte Christophe , Loriani Sina , Métris Gilles , Nofrarias Miquel , Rasel Ernst , Reynaud Serge , Rodrigues Manuel , Rothacher Markus , Roura Albert , Salomon Christophe , Schiller Stephan , Schleich Wolfgang P. , Schubert Christian , Sopuerta Carlos F. , Sorrentino Fiodor , Sumner Timothy J. , Tino Guglielmo M. , Tuckey Philip , Klitzing Wolf von , Wörner Lisa , Wolf Peter , Zelan Martin
Published: September 2021

We present the scientific motivation for future space tests of the equivalence principle, and in particular the universality of free fall, at the 10− 17 level or better. Two possible mission scenarios, one based on quantum technologies, the other on electrostatic accelerometers, that could reach that goal are briefly discussed. This publication is a White Paper written in the context of the Voyage 2050 ESA Call for White Papers.
Massive stars in extremely metal-poor galaxies: a window into the past
Authors: Garcia Miriam , Evans Christopher J. , Bestenlehner Joachim M. , Bouret Jean Claude , Castro Norberto , Cerviño Miguel , Fullerton Alexander W. , Gieles Mark , Herrero Artemio , de Koter Alexander , Lennon Daniel J. , van Loon Jacco Th. , Martins Fabrice , de Mink Selma E. , Najarro Francisco , Negueruela Ignacio , Sana Hugues , Simón-Díaz Sergio , Szécsi Dorottya , Tramper Frank , Vink Jorick S. , Wofford Aida
Published: September 2021

Cosmic history has witnessed the lives and deaths of multiple generations of massive stars, all of them invigorating their host galaxies with ionizing photons, kinetic energy, fresh material, and stellar-mass black holes. Ubiquitous engines as they are, astrophysics needs a good understanding of their formation, evolution, properties and yields throughout the history of the Universe, and with decreasing metal content mimicking the environment at the earliest epochs. Ultimately, a physical model that could be extrapolated to zero metallicity would enable tackling long-standing questions such as “What did the first, very massive stars of the Universe look like?” or “What was their role in the re-ionization of the Universe?” Yet, most of our knowledge of metal-poor massive stars is drawn from one single point in metallicity. Massive stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC, $\sim $
∼
1/5Z⊙ ) currently serve as templates for low-metallicity objects in the early Universe, even though significant differences with respect to massive stars with poorer metal content have been reported. This White Paper summarizes the current knowledge on extremely (sub-SMC) metal poor massive stars, highlighting the most outstanding open questions and the need to supersede the SMC as standard. A new paradigm can be built from nearby extremely metal-poor galaxies that make a new metallicity ladder, but massive stars in these galaxies are out of reach to current observational facilities. Such a task would require an L-size mission, consisting of a 10m-class space telescope operating in the optical and the ultraviolet ranges. Alternatively, we propose that ESA unites efforts with NASA to make the LUVOIR mission concept a reality, thus continuing the successful partnership that made the Hubble Space Telescope one of the greatest observatories of all time.
Dovish and Hawkish Influence in Distributive and Integrative Negotiations: The Role of (A)symmetry in Constituencies
Authors: Aaldering Hillie , Kopelman Shirli
Published: September 2021

Dovish and hawkish constituency pressures influence representative negotiations. Dovish constituency voices promote a collaborative and problem-solving approach, but can also allow for exploitation in negotiations. Hawkish voices encourage a competitive approach, but may leave value on the table. These dynamics are investigated in four experiments. In two interactive dyadic-negotiation experiments (Experiments 1 & 2; N = 186 and N = 220), we investigated how constituency pressures influenced outcomes in two negotiation settings (distributive and integrative). Representatives of dovish constituencies reached higher negotiation outcomes than representatives of hawkish constituencies, when facing a representative with a similar constituency (Experiment 1). However, when representatives with a dovish constituency met with representatives of a hawkish constituency, dovish representatives reached lower gains in both negotiation settings (Experiment 2). This hawkish advantage was replicated in two online scenario studies (Experiments 3 & 4; N = 248 and N = 319). There was no consistent empirical support for the role of a potential future interaction in eliciting representatives’ concessions (Experiment 1–3), however, an absence of accountability to constituents reduced representatives’ competitiveness, irrespective of whom they represented (Experiment 4). Theoretical and practical implications for labor relations, diplomacy, and business negotiations are discussed.
Review and comparison of algorithms and software for mixed-integer derivative-free optimization
Authors: Ploskas Nikolaos , Sahinidis Nikolaos V.
Published: September 2021

This paper reviews the literature on algorithms for solving bound-constrained mixed-integer derivative-free optimization problems and presents a systematic comparison of available implementations of these algorithms on a large collection of test problems. Thirteen derivative-free optimization solvers are compared using a test set of 267 problems. The testbed includes: (i) pure-integer and mixed-integer problems, and (ii) small, medium, and large problems covering a wide range of characteristics found in applications. We evaluate the solvers according to their ability to find a near-optimal solution, find the best solution among currently available solvers, and improve a given starting point. Computational results show that the ability of all these solvers to obtain good solutions diminishes with increasing problem size, but the solvers evaluated collectively found optimal solutions for 93% of the problems in our test set. The open-source solvers MISO and NOMAD were the best performers among all solvers tested. MISO outperformed all other solvers on large and binary problems, while NOMAD was the best performer on mixed-integer, non-binary discrete, small, and medium-sized problems.
The Spiritual Needs Questionnaire in Research and Clinical Application: a Summary of Findings
Authors: Büssing Arndt
Published: September 2021

To provide spiritual care, an assessment and documentation of patients´ spiritual struggles and/or their spiritual needs is required to initiate appropriate support planning processes. For that purpose, the Spiritual Needs Questionnaire (SpNQ) was developed in 2009 as an easy to apply standardized measure. The tool has so far been translated into numerous languages and is widely used as a valid and reliable instrument to assess a wide range of spiritual needs of patients with chronic diseases, elderly, adolescents, and healthy persons. Its four main factors address Religious needs, Existential needs, Inner Peace needs, and Giving/Generativity needs. Here, the main findings are summarized and discussed.