bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design e a tecnologia sexual:
Authors: Beccari Marcos Namba
Published: December 2021

Este ensaio delineia um breve panorama conceitual em torno da noção de “tecnologia sexual” nos pensamentos de Paul B. Preciado e Michel Foucault, com o intuito de depreender tal dimensão tecnológica enquanto uma prática de design. Para tanto, apresento a perspectiva de Foucault acerca da sexualidade, destacando a filiação de Preciado para com essa abordagem e como que o design pode ser entendido sob esse prisma. Esclareço, na sequência, a noção de “tecnologia” (cara à Foucault) e o sentido de dizer que o sexo é tecnológico, com especial atenção ao conceito de “dildo” (caro à Preciado). Contextualizo, então, algumas das tecnologias sexuais historicamente recentes ao longo de um panorama abreviado da invenção do (hetero)sexo, na esteira da genealogia do orgasmo feminino traçada por Preciado. Uma vez assinalado que a heterossexualidade talvez seja o design mais bem-sucedido da história, concluo apontando que, no terreno da tecnologia sexual, o design aciona uma via de “mão-dupla”: pela manutenção e reforço da heteronormatividade, possibilita, paradoxalmente, a subversão da sexualidade assim construída. Por fim, forneço ainda um “breve glossário contrassexual”, com o intuito de esclarecer alguns termos-chaves abordados neste artigo.
Entering the second decade: FEBS Open Bio in 2022
Authors: Wright Duncan E. , De la Rosa Miguel A.
Published: December 2021

FEBS Open Bio continues to go from strength to strength, with 2021 perhaps marking its most exciting year. In this Editorial, the Editor‐in‐Chief Miguel A. De la Rosa looks back at all the new developments of 2021 and forecasts the outlook for 2022.
Construction Grammar
Authors: Fischer Kerstin
Published: December 2021

Construction grammar is a perspective on language that assumes linguistic knowledge to consist exclusively of form‐meaning pairs. Lexicon and grammar constitute a continuum in construction grammar, and partially schematic structures like idioms and collocations can easily be handled within this framework. Rooted in cognitive linguistics, construction grammar makes only minimal assumptions concerning the architecture of the language faculty. Instead, it anchors language knowledge in general cognition and in language usage that can be observed in real‐life social situations. Construction grammar has been proven particularly useful for the description of first and second language acquisition, language emergence, typology, and change as well as to account for linguistic interaction. The few assumptions construction grammar makes have received increasing support from empirical work over the past decade. Furthermore, the fact that construction grammar encompasses a family of approaches, in which different perspectives and possibilities are openly discussed, increases its credibility as a serious endeavor into investigating the nature of human language.
Super‐Multiplex Nonlinear Optical Imaging Unscrambles the Statistical Complexity of Cancer Subtypes and Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Li Yanping , Shen Binglin , Zou Gengjin , Hu Rui , Pan Ying , Qu Junle , Liu Liwei
Published: December 2021

Label‐free nonlinear optical imaging (NLOI) has made tremendous inroads toward unscrambling the microcosmic complexity of cancers. However, harmonic and Raman microscopy offers throughput without redox information to reveal metabolic differentiation, and fluorescence lifetime microscopy lacks the vibrational response of molecules to visualize specific molecular constituents such as lipid. Here, a flexible, robust simultaneous multi‐nonlinear imaging and cross‐modality system that combines complementary imaging contrast mechanisms is demonstrated. This system, utilizing multiplexed ultrashort pulses, ingeniously integrates typical nonlinear processes, and high‐dimension lifetime extension in a single setup to enhance the imaging dimensions and quality. Using this system, the authors perform label‐free comprehensive evaluation of clinicopathological tissues of ovarian carcinoma due to its statistical complexity. The results show that the technology provides statistically rich, insightful information with high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, in contrast to standard histopathology, and can potentially be a powerful tool for fundamental cancer research and clinical applications.
Whole genome sequencing–based copy number variations reveal novel pathways and targets in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Ming Chen , Wang Minghui , Wang Qian , Neff Ryan , Wang Erming , Shen Qi , Reddy Joseph S. , Wang Xue , Allen Mariet , Ertekin‐Taner Nilüfer , De Jager Philip L. , Bennett David A. , Haroutunian Vahram , Schadt Eric , Zhang Bin
Published: December 2021

Introduction

A few copy number variations (CNVs) have been reported for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there is a lack of a systematic investigation of CNVs in AD based on whole genome sequencing (WGS) data.

Methods

We used four methods to identify consensus CNVs from the WGS data of 1,411 individuals and further investigated their functional roles in AD using the matched transcriptomic and clinicopathological data.

Results

We identified 3,012 rare AD‐specific CNVs whose residing genes are enriched for cellular glucuronidation and neuron projection pathways. Genes whose mRNA expressions are significantly correlated with common CNVs are involved in major histocompatibility complex class II receptor activity. Integration of CNVs, gene expression, and clinical and pathological traits further pinpoints a key CNV that potentially regulates immune response in AD.

Discussion

We identify CNVs as potential genetic regulators of immune response in AD. The identified CNVs and their downstream gene networks reveal novel pathways and targets for AD.
Intensive Serum Urate Lowering With Oral Urate‐Lowering Therapy for Erosive Gout: A Randomized Double‐Blind Controlled Trial
Authors: Dalbeth Nicola , Doyle Anthony J. , Billington Karen , Gamble Greg D. , Tan Paul , Latto Kieran , Parshu Ram Thrishila , Narang Ravi , Murdoch Rachel , Bursill David , Mihov Borislav , Stamp Lisa K. , Horne Anne
Published: December 2021

Objective

To determine whether a therapeutic approach of intensive serum urate lowering results in improved bone erosion scores in patients with erosive gout.

Methods

We undertook a 2‐year, double‐blind randomized controlled trial of 104 participants with erosive gout who were receiving serum urate–lowering therapy orally and who had serum urate levels of ≥0.30 mmoles/liter at baseline. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intensive serum urate target of <0.20 mmoles/liter or a standard target of <0.30 mmoles/liter (considered the standard according to rheumatology guidelines). Oral serum urate–lowering therapy was titrated to target using a standardized protocol (with the maximum approved doses of allopurinol, probenecid, febuxostat, and benzbromarone). The primary end point was the total computed tomography (CT) bone erosion score. Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) gout core outcome domains were secondary end points.

Results

Although the serum urate levels were significantly lower in the intensive target group compared to the standard target group over the study period (P = 0.002), fewer participants in the intensive target group achieved the randomized serum urate target level by year 2 (62% versus 83% of patients in the standard target group; P < 0.05). The intensive target group required higher doses of allopurinol (mean ± SD 746 ± 210 mg/day versus 497 ± 186 mg/day; P < 0.001) and received more combination therapy (P = 0.0004) compared to the standard target group. We observed small increases in CT bone erosion scores in both serum urate target groups over 2 years, with no between‐group difference (P = 0.20). OMERACT core outcome domains (gout flares, tophi, pain, patient's global assessment of disease activity, health‐related quality of life, and activity limitation) improved in both groups over 2 years, with no between‐group differences. Adverse event and serious adverse event rates were similar between the groups.

Conclusion

Compared to a serum urate target of <0.30 mmoles/liter, more intensive serum urate lowering is difficult to achieve with an oral urate‐lowering therapy. Intensive serum urate lowering leads to a high medication burden and does not improve bone erosion scores in patients with erosive gout.
Peculiarities of optical emission spectroscopy of Copper–Chromium‐air plasma
Authors: Murmantsev Aleksandr , Veklich Anatoly , Kleshych Michael , Fesenko Sergiy , Boretskij Viacheslav
Published: December 2021

This work is devoted to the peculiarities of optical emission spectroscopy of plasma of electric arc discharge between Cu and Cr composite electrodes manufactured of two different compositions (Cr50% and Cr35% of volume) by impact sintering or pressing sintering technologies at various temperatures, namely: 650, 750, 850, 950, 1,050, and 1,150°C. The investigations are carried out at an arc current of 3.5 A. The comparison of radial distributions of plasma temperatures, which were determined by the Boltzmann plot technique both on the basis of Cu I and Cr I spectral lines, are performed and discussed.
Production of phenylpropanoids and flavonolignans from glycerol by metabolically engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: Park Seon Young , Yang Dongsoo , Ha Shin Hee , Lee Sang Yup
Published: December 2021

Phenylpropanoids are a group of plant natural products with medicinal importance derived from aromatic amino acids. Here, we report the production of two representative phenylpropanoids—coniferyl alcohol (CA) and dihydroquercetin (DHQ)—from glycerol by engineered Escherichia coli. First, an E. coli strain capable of producing 187.7 mg/L of CA from glycerol was constructed by the introduction of hpaBC from E. coli and OMT1, 4CL4, and CCR1 from Arabidopsis thaliana to the p‐coumaric acid producer. Next, an E. coli strain capable of producing 239.4 mg/L of DHQ from glycerol was constructed by the introduction of F3H, TT7, and CPR from A. thaliana to the naringenin producer, followed by engineering the signal peptide of a cytochrome P450 TT7. Furthermore, to demonstrate the production of flavonolignans, a group of heterodimeric phenylpropanoids, from glycerol, ascorbate peroxidase 1 from Silybum marianum was employed and engineered to produce 0.04 μg/L of silybin and 1.29 μg/L of isosilybin from glycerol by stepwise culture. Finally, a single strain harboring all the 16 necessary genes was constructed, resulting in 0.12 μg/L of isosilybin production directly from glycerol. The strategies described here will be useful for the production of pharmaceutically important yet complex natural products.
Substrate Profiling of Anion Methyltransferases for Promiscuous Synthesis of S‐Adenosylmethionine Analogs from Haloalkanes
Authors: Schülke Kai H. , Ospina Felipe , Hörnschemeyer Kathrin , Gergel Sebastian , Hammer Stephan C.
Published: December 2021

Biocatalytic alkylation reactions can be performed with high chemo‐, regio‐ and stereoselectivity using S‐adenosyl‐l‐methionine (SAM)‐dependent methyltransferases (MTs) and SAM analogs. Currently, however, this methodology is limited in application due to the rather laborious protocols to access SAM analogs. It has recently been shown that halide methyltransferases (HMTs) enable synthesis and recycling of SAM analogs with readily available haloalkanes as starting material. Here we expand this work by using substrate profiling of the anion MT enzyme family to explore promiscuous SAM analog synthesis. Our study shows that anion MTs are in general very promiscuous with respect to the alkyl chain as well as the halide leaving group. Substrate profiling further suggests that promiscuous anion MTs cluster in sequence space. Next to iodoalkanes, cheaper, less toxic, and more available bromoalkanes have been converted and several haloalkanes bearing short alkyl groups, alkyl rings, and functional groups such as alkene, alkyne and aromatic moieties are accepted as substrates. Further, we applied the SAM analogs as electrophiles in enzyme‐catalyzed regioselective pyrazole allylation with 3‐bromopropene as starting material.
Gout gone awry: The importance of proper diagnosis
Authors: Tessema Sophia , Mahgoub Abdullahi E. , Nakhleh Rasha
Published: December 2021

Gout is the best‐known type of arthritis with a prevalence of 1%–3% in the western world (Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease, 6, 2014 and 131; Journal of Advanced Research, 8, 2017 and 495). Although it is well understood, there is growing evidence of the misdiagnosis of gout from other forms of arthritis. These errors lead to delay in accurate diagnosis (Journal of Advanced Research, 8, 2017 and 495).
Nitroxide‐Catalyzed Oxidative Amidation of Aldehydes to Yield N‐Acyl Azoles Using Sodium Persulfate
Authors: Politano Fabrizio , León Sandoval Arturo , Witko Mason L. , Doherty Katrina E. , Schroeder Chelsea M. , Leadbeater Nicholas E.
Published: December 2021

A methodology for the oxidative amidation of aldehydes to yield N‐acyl azoles is reported. The approach employs sodium persulfate and a catalytic amount of a nitroxide and is applicable to a range of structurally diverse substrates.
Triflic Imide‐Catalyzed Glycosylation of Disarmed Glycosyl ortho‐Isopropenylphenylacetates and ortho‐Isopropenylbenzyl Thioglycosides
Authors: Qiao Zhi , Wang Peng , Ni Jingxuan , Li Dongwei , Sun Yao , Li Tiantian , Li Ming
Published: December 2021

Glycosylation reaction involving the coupling of a glycosyl donor with a glycosyl acceptor is one of the cornerstones of chemical preparation of pure glycans and glycoconjugates of biological relevance. Catalytic glycosylation of glycosyl ester donors and thioglycosides is an attractive but underexplored topic in carbohydrate chemistry. Herein, triflic imide (Tf2NH)‐catalyzed glycosylation of various O‐, S‐, and C‐nucleophiles has been achieved using disarmed glycosyl ortho‐isopropenylphenylacetates (GIPPAs) and ortho‐isopropenylbenzyl thioglycosides as glycosylating agents. The reactions proceed under mild conditions to give the desired glycosides in good‐to‐excellent yields. Of particular note, the comparable reactivity for the α‐isomers and the β‐ones of GIPPAs is observed. The mechanistic investigation demonstrates that the isopropenyl group is essential for the reaction and its preferential protonation triggers the reaction. This work provides another member to the arsenals of glycosyl ester and thioglycoside donors suitable for acid‐catalyzed glycosylation to create various glycosidic bonds.
Vacuum compatible flow‐cell for high‐quality in situ and operando soft X‐ray photon‐in–photon‐out spectroelectrochemical studies of energy materials
Authors: Tesch Marc F. , Bonke Shannon A. , Golnak Ronny , Xiao Jie , Simonov Alexandr N. , Schlögl Robert
Published: December 2021

Soft X‐ray spectroscopy is a powerful method to investigate materials on an element selective level with respect to their atomic and electronic structure. However, its application is technically challenging for in situ or operando investigations of materials for electrochemical applications. Herein, we present a spectroelectrochemical flow‐cell designed to enable state‐of‐the‐art electrochemical characterization while being installed in a vacuum chamber for the direct accessibility of the electroactive sample to soft X‐rays. An overview of the application of soft X‐ray photon‐in–photon‐out spectroscopic studies to electromaterials is provided, along with discussions of experimental and technical considerations specific to this highly sensitive mode of analysis. Application of the cell for the in situ spectroelectrochemical characterization of an electrodeposited nickel oxide water electrooxidation catalyst is demonstrated.
An automated prior robustness analysis in Bayesian model comparison
Authors: Chan Joshua C. C. , Jacobi Liana , Zhu Dan
Published: December 2021

It is well‐known that the marginal likelihood, the gold standard for Bayesian model comparison, can be sensitive to prior hyperparameter choices. However, most models require computationally intense simulation‐based methods to evaluate the typically high‐dimensional integral of the marginal likelihood expression. Hence, despite the recognition that prior sensitivity analysis is important in this context, it is rarely done in practice. We develop efficient and feasible methods to compute the sensitivities of the marginal likelihood, obtained via two common simulation‐based methods, with respect to any prior hyperparameter, alongside the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation algorithm. Our approach builds on automatic differentiation (AD), which has only recently been introduced to the more computationally intensive MCMC simulation setting. We illustrate our approach with two empirical applications in the context of widely used multivariate time series models.
Treating intimate partner violence with metacognitive interpersonal therapy: The case of Aaron
Authors: Misso Dave , Velotti Patrizia , Pasetto Andrea , Dimaggio Giancarlo
Published: December 2021

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is responsible for loss of lives and significant psychological, financial, and social costs. Research into therapeutic effectiveness show inconsistent results irrespective of therapeutic orientation. The capacity to understand one's own mental states as subjective and distinct from others is an important factor in the regulation of mental states and physiological arousal associated with the perpetration of IPV. Metacognitive Interpersonal Therapy (MIT) offers an innovative approach in working with male perpetrators of IPV. The current paper outlines 14 sessions of MIT with a 45‐year‐old male perpetrator. A core aspect was helping the client resolve how his view of self and others were subjective experiences that were distinct from relational objectivity. The emergence of healthy self‐narratives was fostered through experiential processes, involving guided imagery, rescripting and body focused interventions. Qualitative outcomes are summarized and implications for the use of MIT in treatment of perpetrators of IPV is discussed.
Prostaglandin signaling in ciliogenesis and development
Authors: Jin Daqing , Zhong Tao P.
Published: December 2021

Prostaglandin (PG) signaling regulates a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes, including body temperature, cardiovascular homeostasis, reproduction, and inflammation. Recent studies have revealed that PGs play pivotal roles in embryo development, ciliogenesis, and organ formation. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and its receptor EP4 modulate ciliogenesis by increasing the anterograde intraflagellar transport. Many G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) including EP4 are localized in cilia for modulating cAMP signaling under various conditions. During development, PGE2 signaling regulates embryogenesis, hepatocyte differentiation, hematopoiesis, and kidney formation. Prostaglandins are also essential for skeletal muscle repair. This review outlines recent advances in understanding the functions and mechanisms of prostaglandin signaling in ciliogenesis, embryo development, and organ formation.
On singularities of solution of the elasticity system in a bounded domain with angular corner points
Authors: Nadeem Anjam Yasir , Ali Akhtar
Published: December 2021

This paper aims to give a mathematically rigorous description of the corner singularities of the weak solutions for the plane linearized elasticity system in a bounded planar domain with angular corner points on the boundary. The qualitative properties of the solution including its regularity depend crucially on these corner points or such types of boundary conditions. In particular, the resulting expansion of the solutions of the underlying problem involves singular vector functions, inlines, depending on a certain parameter ξμ. We derive the transcendental equations for all 10 possible cases of combinations of the boundary conditions generated by the basic four ones in classical elasticity proposing in the two natural directions of the boundary, that is, tangential and normal direction, respectively, which depends on ξμ. So a MATLAB program is developed whereby ξμ can be computed, and figures showing their distributions are presented. The leading singular exponents are computed for these combinations of the boundary conditions, wherein critical angles ωcritical are listed such that for interior angles ω < ωcritical the H2‐regularity of solution can be guaranteed. Moreover, the characterization of stress singularities in terms of the inner angle of a corner point is studied, and the regularity results are given.
A new methodology for the statistical descriptions of Particle‐by‐Particle measurements of liquid droplets in cumulus clouds
Authors: Bera Sudarsan , Chowdhuri Subharthi , Prabha Thara V.
Published: December 2021

Statistical and microphysical properties of liquid cloud droplets (with diameter 2–50 μm) in the growing stage of cumulus clouds are illustrated by in situ Particle‐by‐Particle (PbP) measurements. A contrasting statistical behaviour for the cloud core, following Poisson statistics with an indication of random spatial distribution, and the cloud edge which unveils non‐Poisson statistics, tells of a heterogeneous spatial distribution. A new metric from the joint probability distribution function of droplet inter‐arrival distance and droplet size is proposed for quantifying the dynamics–microphysics interaction in cumulus clouds. We found that the interaction is stronger for the cloud edge compared to the undiluted core region. The scale dependency of mixing is studied using PbP data, and reveals a sharp change at length‐scales below a critical value of around 40–60 cm, above which microphysical change of mixing is almost constant. This critical length‐scale separates the mixing regimes between the homogeneous and inhomogeneous processes. Observation of such a critical length‐scale of mixing from in situ measurements (at sub‐metre scale) is the key finding of this study.
Multi‐Pathway Microenvironment Regulation for Atherosclerosis Therapy Based on Beta‐Cyclodextrin/L‐Arginine/Au Nanomotors with Dual‐Mode Propulsion
Authors: Wu Ziyu , Wu Rui , Li Xiaoyun , Wang Xingwen , Tang Xueting , Tan Kaiyuan , Wan Mimi , Mao Chun , Xu Xingquan , Jiang Huiming , Li Jiawei , Zhou Min , Shi Dongquan
Published: December 2021

Most of the current non‐pharmacological treatment strategies for atherosclerosis (AS) suffer from poor penetration into the plaque and only aim at a certain factor in its formation process, resulting in limited therapeutic effect. Herein, a kind of nanomotor with dual‐mode propulsion is constructed, which is sensitive to higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the AS site and near‐infrared (NIR) laser by the covalent binding and self‐assembly of β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and L‐arginine (LA) with immobilization of Au nanoparticles. NIR laser irradiation can be used as a driving force and to ablate inflammatory macrophages through the photothermal effect. The nitric oxide (NO) released by the nanomotors can be used as another driving force and a therapeutic agent to promote endothelial repair in the plaque site. LA can eliminate ROS in the inflammatory site, and β‐CD can promote the removal of cholesterol from foam cells. In particular, the two driving modes of nanomotors synergistically promote their aggregation and penetration in the plaque. This kind of nanomotor can regulate the microenvironment of AS in multiple ways, including combination therapy for endothelial repair, lipid clearance, and reducing ROS, which is expected to become a potential non‐pharmacological strategy in the treatment of AS.
Inorganic CsSnI3 Perovskite Solar Cells: The Progress and Future Prospects
Authors: Wang Guiqiang , Chang Jiarun , Bi Jiayu , Lei Miao , Wang Chuang , Qiao Quinn
Published: December 2021

Although the power conversion efficiency of Pb‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has increased rapidly from 3.8% to 25.2%, the concerns about the toxicity of Pb greatly hinders its large‐scale application in the future. Therefore, many efforts have been made to develop environmentally benign Pb‐free perovskites, and there is a growing consensus that Sn‐based perovskites are by far the most promising alternative due to their ideal electric and optical properties. Among Sn‐based perovskites, CsSnI3 perovskite shows great promise for developing high‐efficiency Sn‐based PSCs due to its high thermal stability, ideal bandgap range, and low exciton binding energy. On the basis of the device engineering, an efficiency up to 10.1% has been reported for CsSnI3 PSCs. Nevertheless, considering the theoretical efficiency of CsSnI3 PSCs to be over 30%, there is still much room for improvement in the efficiency. Herein, the properties of CsSnI3 perovskite are summarized and the origins of stumbling the efficiency improvement of CsSnI3 PSCs are provided. The device engineering toward more stable and efficient CsSnI3 PSCs is discussed in detail. Finally, the remaining challenges and future perspectives in the field of CsSnI3 PSCs are also shown to help further the development of highly efficient CsSnI3 PSCs.
Efficiency of prestressed concrete joist reinforced by CFRP: Experimentation and analytical verification
Authors: Michel Laurent , Ferrier Emmanuel
Published: December 2021

In this paper, the bending behavior of prestressed concrete joists strengthened by fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) laminates is described. An experimental investigation on 18 large‐scale beams is conducted, allowing determination of the strengthening influence of FRP in the general behavior of prestressed joists. The mechanical parameters considered in the study are the ultimate and elastics loads and the deflection or initial stiffness of joists. The analytical verification is done to calculate the design load values of the floor system. The results indicate that the application of FRP laminates significantly increases the response of prestressed concrete joists.
Testing Accuracy and Agreement among Multiple Versions of Automated Bat Call Classification Software
Authors: Goodwin Katy R. , Gillam Erin H.
Published: December 2021

Passive acoustic monitoring is a common method of studying bats that involves recording echolocation calls of bats in their natural environment. Call sequences are then identified to species using automated acoustic analysis software. One limitation of acoustic software programs, particularly for long‐term monitoring efforts, is that newer versions may provide results that are not directly comparable with older versions. However, there is little available information regarding how much or in what ways the versions differ, or which versions are most accurate. We evaluated 2 software programs used for automated bat call identification by testing a common set of echolocation call files across multiple versions of each program. We quantified the level of agreement on identification results and compared accuracy rates among the versions of each program. Level of agreement varied by species, recording location, and the software versions being compared. Overall percent agreement ranged from 28–82%. Newer versions were more conservative, in that they assigned fewer species‐level identifications. However, newer versions were not substantially more accurate than older versions. Our conclusions suggest that bat researchers should be attentive to what software versions and settings are used as they plan and perform data analyses. Software developers could assist software users by providing more detailed information about their testing procedures and results, and what changes are associated with new versions. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Cryptofaunal diversity in fringing reef rhodoliths
Authors: Abrecht Mira , Peinemann Viktor Nunes , Yazaryan Ara Kevork , Kestler Madeline , DeMattei Braden Charles , Hà Benjamin A. , Ryznar Emily , Jacobs David K.
Published: December 2021

Rhodolith distribution, morphology, and cryptofauna have been minimally studied on fringing reefs. We present the first study to examine both rhodolith distribution and associated cryptofauna in a tropical fringing reef, located along the microtidal, wave-dominated north shore of Moorea, French Polynesia. We find higher abundances of larger, rounder, and more branching rhodoliths in locations where longer waves impact the fringing reef. Among 1879 animals extracted and identified from 145 rhodoliths, ophiuroids, polychaetes, decapod crustaceans, and gastropods are most abundant, with a wide range of additional taxa contributing to diversity. Large and branching rhodoliths contain the greatest number and diversity of cryptofaunal organisms and are the preferred habitat of rigid-bodied, non-burrowing forms. Overall, exposure to waves entering the lagoon through passes appears to be a critical determinant of rhodolith abundance, morphotype, and in turn cryptofaunal composition in fringing reef habitats.
Zur Rolle artenschutzrechtlicher Ausnahmen im Rahmen der raumordnerischen Konzentrationszonenplanung für die Windenergie: Ausnahmevoraussetzungen nach 45 Abs. 7 S. 1 BNatSchG
Authors: Wagner Stephan
Published: December 2021

Angesichts des ungebrochenen Ausbaubedarfs der Windenergie und zunehmend knapper werdender Standorte
rückt die artenschutzrechtliche Ausnahme nach 45 Abs. 7 BNatSchG mehr und mehr in den Fokus der Raumplanung.
Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird die in Rechtsprechung und Literatur aktuell hochumstrittene Frage untersucht,
ob für die Errichtung von Windkraftanlagen überhaupt ein Ausnahmegrund gemäß 45 Abs.
7 S. 1 BNatSchG geltend gemacht werden kann. In einem demnächst erscheinenden zusätzlichen Beitrag
werden sodann die weiteren Ausnahmevoraussetzungen nach 45 Abs. 7 S. 2 BNatSchG sowie die für Planungspraxis
und Projektträger nicht unwesentliche Frage erörtert, ob und inwiefern die Ausnahmeerteilung durch
die Naturschutzbehörden an eine gewisse Regelhaftigkeit und damit Vorhersehbarkeit gebunden werden
kann.
On the Propagation of the Weak Representation Property in Independently Enlarged Filtrations: The General Case
Authors: Di Tella Paolo
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we investigate the propagation of the weak representation property (WRP) to an independently enlarged filtration. More precisely, we consider an $${\mathbb {F}}$$
F
-semimartingale X possessing the WRP with respect to $${\mathbb {F}}$$
F
and an $${\mathbb {H}}$$
H
-semimartingale Y possessing the WRP with respect to $${\mathbb {H}}$$
H
. Assuming that $${\mathbb {F}}$$
F
and $${\mathbb {H}}$$
H
are independent, we show that the $${\mathbb {G}}$$
G
-semimartingale $$Z=(X,Y)$$

Z
=
(
X
,
Y
)

has the WRP with respect to $${\mathbb {G}}$$
G
, where $${\mathbb {G}}:={\mathbb {F}}\vee {\mathbb {H}}$$

G
:
=
F
∨
H

. In our setting, X and Y may have simultaneous jump-times. Furthermore, their jumps may charge the same predictable times. This generalizes all available results about the propagation of the WRP to independently enlarged filtrations.
Health-related quality of life of individuals sharing a household with persons with dementia
Authors: Dams Judith , Grochtdreis Thomas , König Hans-Helmut
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Previous research has found a negative effect of dementia on the health-related quality of life (HrQoL) of persons with dementia (PWD) and their primary informal caregivers. However, the impact of dementia on HrQoL of other individuals sharing a household with PWD has not been investigated to date. The current study therefore aimed to determine differences in the HrQoL between those sharing a household with PWD and those not living with PWD. In addition, factors related to the HrQoL of those sharing a household with PWD were evaluated.

Methods

The analyses were based on data from the German Socio-Economic Panel, using the SF-12 to measure HrQoL. Mixed-effects models were calculated to compare the HrQoL of those sharing a household with PWD and persons not living with PWD, as well as to determine factors related to the HrQoL of those sharing a household with PWD. Bootstrapping was used where residuals were not normally distributed.

Results

Mixed-effect models showed a significantly lower HrQoL among those sharing a household with PWD, compared to those not living with PWD. Number of diseases, number of persons in the household, marital status and educational level were significantly related to HrQoL among those sharing a household with PWD.

Discussion

The HrQoL of those sharing a household with PWD was reduced compared to persons not living with PWD. Further, those living with PWD in small households, or those with multi-morbidities had a lower HrQoL. Further research focusing on HrQoL in the social environment of PWD is needed.
Attacking TrustZone on devices lacking memory protection
Authors: Stajnrod Ron , Ben Yehuda Raz , Zaidenberg Nezer Jacob
Published: December 2021

ARM TrustZone offers a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) embedded into the processor cores. Some vendors offer ARM modules that do not fully comply with TrustZone specifications, which may lead to vulnerabilities in the system. In this paper, we present a DMA attack tutorial from the insecure world onto the secure world, and the design and implementation of this attack in a real insecure hardware.
Application of full factorial design to screen the factors influencing the wax deposition of Malaysian crude oil
Authors: Elarbe Basem , Elganidi Ibrahim , Ridzuan Norida , Yusoh Kamal , Abdullah Norhayati , Vijaya Kumar Shamala
Published: December 2021

Wax deposition in production pipelines and transportation tubing from offshore to onshore is critical in the petroleum industry due to low-temperature conditions. The most significant popular approach to solve this issue is by inserting a wax inhibitor into the channel. This research aims to reduce the amount of wax formation of Malaysian crude oil by estimating the effective parameters using Design-Expert by full factorial design (FFD) method. Five parameters have been investigated, which are rotation speed (A), cold finger temperature (B), duration of experimental (C), the concentration of poly (stearyl acrylate-co-behenyl acrylate) (SABA) (D), and concentration of nano-silica SiO2 (E). The optimum conditions for reducing the amount of wax deposit have been identified using FFD at 300 rpm, 10 ℃, 1 h, 1200 ppm and 400 ppm, respectively. The amount of wax deposit estimated is 0.12 g. The regression model’s variance results revealed that the R2 value of 0.9876, showing 98.76% of the data variation, can be described by the model. The lack of fit is not important in comparison to the pure error, which is good. The lack of fit F value of 12.85 means that there is only a 7.41% probability that this huge can occur because of noise. The influence of cold finger temperature was reported as the main contributing factor in the formation of wax deposits compared to other factors. In addition, the interaction between factor B and factor C revealed the highest interaction effect on the wax deposition. In conclusion, the best interaction variables for wax inhibition can be determined using FFD. It is a valued tool to measure and detect the unique relations of two or more variables. As a result, the findings of this study can be used to develop a reliable model for predicting optimum conditions for reducing wax deposits and the associated costs and processing time.
Shimura subvarieties in the Prym locus of ramified Galois coverings
Authors: Grosselli Gian Paolo , Mohajer Abolfazl
Published: December 2021

We study Shimura (special) subvarieties in the moduli space$$A_{p,D}$$Ap,Dof complex abelian varieties of dimensionpand polarization typeD. These subvarieties arise from families of covers compatible with a fixed group action on the base curve such that the quotient of the base curve by the group is isomorphic to$${{\mathbb {P}}}^1$$P1. We give a criterion for the image of these families under the Prym map to be a special subvariety and, using computer algebra, obtain 210 Shimura subvarieties contained in the Prym locus.
A metaheuristic-based framework for index tracking with practical constraints
Authors: Yuen Man-Chung , Ng Sin-Chun , Leung Man-Fai , Che Hangjun
Published: December 2021

Recently, numerous investors have shifted from active strategies to passive strategies because the passive strategy approach affords stable returns over the long term. Index tracking is a popular passive strategy. Over the preceding year, most researchers handled this problem via a two-step procedure. However, such a method is a suboptimal global-local optimization technique that frequently results in uncertainty and poor performance. This paper introduces a framework to address the comprehensive index tracking problem (IPT) with a joint approach based on metaheuristics. The purpose of this approach is to globally optimize this problem, where optimization is measured by the tracking error and excess return. Sparsity, weights, assets under management, transaction fees, the full share restriction, and investment risk diversification are considered in this problem. However, these restrictions increase the complexity of the problem and make it a nondeterministic polynomial-time-hard problem. Metaheuristics compose the principal process of the proposed framework, as they balance a desirable tradeoff between the computational resource utilization and the quality of the obtained solution. This framework enables the constructed model to fit future data and facilitates the application of various metaheuristics. Competitive results are achieved by the proposed metaheuristic-based framework in the presented simulation.
Integrity triad as doubled edged sword for head-teachers’ integrity: a case from Nepal
Authors: Khadka Bhanu Bhakta , Bhattarai Prakash C
Published: December 2021

Headteachers in the community schools are responsible for academic and administrative activities. They are considered role models for integrity practices. However, the situation is different on some occasions. For instance, political interest plays more important roles than qualifications, training, work experience, etc., in school affairs. In this context, a qualitative study was carried out in the purposefully selected two schools – an urban and a rural – to explore the elements that influence school integrity practices. Data collected from the schools were analyzed and interpreted. The findings show that nepotism, unhealthy party politics, and impunity (integrity triad) influence the school integrity practices in Nepal.
Evolution of topics and hate speech in retweet network communities
Authors: Evkoski Bojan , Ljubešić Nikola , Pelicon Andraž , Mozetič Igor , Kralj Novak Petra
Published: December 2021

Twitter data exhibits several dimensions worth exploring: a network dimension in the form of links between the users, textual content of the tweets posted, and a temporal dimension as the time-stamped sequence of tweets and their retweets. In the paper, we combine analyses along all three dimensions: temporal evolution of retweet networks and communities, contents in terms of hate speech, and discussion topics. We apply the methods to a comprehensive set of all Slovenian tweets collected in the years 2018–2020. We find that politics and ideology are the prevailing topics despite the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic. These two topics also attract the highest proportion of unacceptable tweets. Through time, the membership of retweet communities changes, but their topic distribution remains remarkably stable. Some retweet communities are strongly linked by external retweet influence and form super-communities. The super-community membership closely corresponds to the topic distribution: communities from the same super-community are very similar by the topic distribution, and communities from different super-communities are quite different in terms of discussion topics. However, we also find that even communities from the same super-community differ considerably in the proportion of unacceptable tweets they post.
Analysing land use/land cover changes and its dynamics using remote sensing and GIS in Gubalafito district, Northeastern Ethiopia
Authors: Abebe Gebeyehu , Getachew Dodge , Ewunetu Alelgn
Published: December 2021

Mapping and quantifying the status of Land use/Land cover (LULC) changes and drivers of change are important for identifying vulnerable areas for change and designing sustainable ecosystem services. This study analyzed the status of LULC changes and key drivers of change for the last 30 years through a combination of remote sensing and GIS with the surveying of the local community understanding of LULC patterns and drivers in the Gubalafto district, Northeastern Ethiopia. Five major LULC types (cultivated and settlement, forest cover, grazing land, bush land and bare land) from Landsat images of 1986, 2000, and 2016 were mapped. The results demonstrated that cultivated and settlement constituted the most extensive type of LULC in the study area and increased by 9% extent. It also revealed that a substantial expansion of bush land and bare land areas during the past 30 years. On the other hand, LULC classes that has high environmental importance such as grazing land and forest cover have reduced drastically through time with expanding cultivated and settlement during the same period. The grazing land in 1986 was about 11.1% of the total study area, and it had decreased to 5.7% in 2016. In contrast, cultivated and settlement increased from 45.6% in 1986 to 49.5% in 2016. Bush land increased from 14.8 to 21% in the same period, while forest cover declined from 8.9 to 2% in the same period. The root causes for LULC changes in this particular area include population growth, land tenure insecurity, and common property rights, persistent poverty, climate change, and lack of public awareness. Therefore, the causes for LULC changes have to be controlled, and sustainable resources use is essential; else, these scarce natural resource bases will soon be lost and will no longer be able to play their contribution in sustainable ecosystem services.

Article Highlights

Forest cover and grazing lands declined rapidly.

Fluctuating trends in cultivated and settlement, bush land and bare land.

Population pressure and associated demand are the main causes behind LULC changes in the study area.
The future of AI in our hands? To what extent are we as individuals morally responsible for guiding the development of AI in a desirable direction?
Authors: Persson Erik , Hedlund Maria
Published: December 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly influential in most people’s lives. This raises many philosophical questions. One is what responsibility we have as individuals to guide the development of AI in a desirable direction. More specifically, how should this responsibility be distributed among individuals and between individuals and other actors? We investigate this question from the perspectives of five principles of distribution that dominate the discussion about responsibility in connection with climate change: effectiveness, equality, desert, need, and ability. Since much is already written about these distributions in that context, we believe much can be gained if we can make use of this discussion also in connection with AI. Our most important findings are: (1) Different principles give different answers depending on how they are interpreted but, in many cases, different interpretations and different principles agree and even strengthen each other. If for instance ‘equality-based distribution’ is interpreted in a consequentialist sense, effectiveness, and through it, ability, will play important roles in the actual distributions, but so will an equal distribution as such, since we foresee that an increased responsibility of underrepresented groups will make the risks and benefits of AI more equally distributed. The corresponding reasoning is true for need-based distribution. (2) If we acknowledge that someone has a certain responsibility, we also have to acknowledge a corresponding degree of influence for that someone over the matter in question. (3) Independently of which distribution principle we prefer, ability cannot be dismissed. Ability is not fixed, however and if one of the other distributions is morally required, we are also morally required to increase the ability of those less able to take on the required responsibility.
A novel interaction-based methodology towards explainable AI with better understanding of Pneumonia Chest X-ray Images
Authors: Lo Shaw-Hwa , Yin Yiqiao
Published: December 2021

In the field of eXplainable AI (XAI), robust “blackbox” algorithms such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are known for making high prediction performance. However, the ability to explain and interpret these algorithms still require innovation in the understanding of influential and, more importantly, explainable features that directly or indirectly impact the performance of predictivity. A number of methods existing in literature focus on visualization techniques but the concepts of explainability and interpretability still require rigorous definition. In view of the above needs, this paper proposes an interaction-based methodology–Influence score (I-score)—to screen out the noisy and non-informative variables in the images hence it nourishes an environment with explainable and interpretable features that are directly associated to feature predictivity. The selected features with high I-score values can be considered as a group of variables with interactive effect, hence the proposed name interaction-based methodology. We apply the proposed method on a real world application in Pneumonia Chest X-ray Image data set and produced state-of-the-art results. We demonstrate how to apply the proposed approach for more general big data problems by improving the explainability and interpretability without sacrificing the prediction performance. The contribution of this paper opens a novel angle that moves the community closer to the future pipelines of XAI problems. In investigation of Pneumonia Chest X-ray Image data, the proposed method achieves 99.7% Area-Under-Curve (AUC) using less than 20,000 parameters while its peers such as VGG16 and its upgraded versions require at least millions of parameters to achieve on-par performance. Using I-score selected explainable features allows reduction of over 98% of parameters while delivering same or even better prediction results.
Clinical Presentation and Course of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Health-Care Personnel Working in Dedicated COVID-19 Hospital During 2 Pandemic Waves in India
Authors: Bindra Ashish , Sharma Neha , Joseph Sheeba , Mathur Purva , Malhotra Rajesh , Khan Maroof A.
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Health-care personnel (HCPs) are predisposed to infection during direct or indirect patient care as well as due to the community spread of the disease.

Methods:

We observed the clinical presentation and course of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in HCPs working in a dedicated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) care hospital during the first and the second wave.

Results:

A total of 100 and 223 HCPs were enrolled for the first wave and the second wave, respectively. Cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, and headache was seen in 40 (40%) and 152 (68%) (P < 0.01), 15 (15%) and 64 (29%) (P = 0.006), 40 (40%) and 119 (53.3%) (P = 0.03), 9 (9%) and 66 (30%) (P < 0.01), 20 (20%) and 125 (56%) (P < 0.01), respectively. Persistent symptoms at the time of joining back to work were seen in 31 (31%) HCPs and 152 (68%) HCPs, respectively (P ≤ 0.01). Reinfection was reported in 10 HCPs.

Conclusions:

Most of the HCPs had mild to moderate infections. Symptoms persist after joining back to work. Upgradation of home-based care and teleconsultation facilities for active disease and redressal of residual symptoms will be helpful.