bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Goethes Blauer Stein
Authors: Schmitt Axel , Klein Rüdiger
Published: September 2021

Farbige Gläser aus Verhüttungsschlacken dienten bis in die Neuzeit in Kunst und Architektur als Ersatz für teurere Edelsteine und mineralische Pigmente. Wie die Farben der Gläser zustande kamen, war lange unklar. Elektronenmikroskopie und Röntgenspektrometrie haben das Rätsel nun entschlüsselt.
Rückstände aus dem Kunststoffschlauch
Authors: Hupach Sascha , Schuster Erika
Published: September 2021

Rein und genusstauglich muss es sein und darf nicht der Gesundheit schaden: Trinkwasser. Nach der Trinkwasserverordnung dürfen Anlagen, die das Wasser gewinnen, aufbereiten und verteilen, seine Qualität nicht mindern oder es verunreinigen. Werkstoffe in Kontakt mit Trinkwasser müssen sich also technisch wie hygienisch eignen. Der Gehalt an organischem Kohlenstoff ist ein Indikator dafür.
15 Jahre Reach für den Arbeitsschutz
Authors: Marx Romy , Magerkurth Clemens , Rühl Reinhold
Published: September 2021

In Ministerien und Bundesbehörden gestalten Chemiker:innen Reach mit. Auf Landesebene sind sie mit dem Umsetzen der Regelungen beschäftigt, sie überwachen die Auslegung der Vorschriften und arbeiten mit Blick auf ein angemessenes Schutzniveau für Mensch und Umwelt.
Mitgliedschaft neu erleben
Authors: Bräutigam Maximilian , Schreiner Peter R.
Published: September 2021

Chemie gebündelt in der GDCh.app
Nachruf: Gottfried Huttner (1937 – 2021)
Authors: Fässler Thomas , Heinze Katja , Lang Heinrich , Limberg Christian , Meyer Franc
Published: September 2021

Am 21. Juli 2021 verstarb Gottfried Huttner, Professor für anorganische Chemie, wenige Wochen vor seinem 84. Geburtstag. In der Chemie war er seiner Zeit oft weit voraus.
Kupfer mit Klimaschutz
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: September 2021

Ein Wettbewerb zeichnet Unternehmen aus, die mehr für Umweltschutz und Arbeitssicherheit leisten, als es Gesetze vorschreiben.
Light Trapping Reveals Multiple Bigheaded Carp Spawns Upstream of Lock and Dam 19 in the Upper Mississippi River
Authors: La Hood Boone M. , Thomsen Tyler C. , Lenaerts Allison W. , Tomczak Madeline G. , Szott Emily A. , Woiak Zebadiah , Von Ruden Kyle M. , Bockrath Katherine D. , Irons Kevin S. , Lamer James T.
Published: September 2021

The Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead Carp H. nobilis are two species of invasive bigheaded carp currently invading North American rivers and watersheds. Bigheaded carp were accidentally introduced into the lower Mississippi River basin in the early 1970s and have since invaded many water bodies in the Midwestern United States. Evidence of bigheaded carp reproduction and recruitment in the upper Mississippi River upstream of Lock and Dam 19 (LD19) at Keokuk, Iowa, thought to be a critical constriction point to their upstream establishment, has been limited to a few isolated detections of eggs, larvae, and juvenile life stages since 2012. Therefore, a more comprehensive assessment of bigheaded carp reproduction in this critical management zone was needed. We used quadrafoil light traps (n = 1,387) deployed during May–September 2016–2018 in Pools 17–19 of the Mississippi River to monitor for advanced larval bigheaded carp in low-velocity habitats. Throughout the sampling period, we captured 1,747 larval and 35 postlarval bigheaded carp (N = 1,782). Bigheaded carp were collected on 15 sampling events that spanned from May 31, 2016, to September 13, 2018, with associated hatch dates estimated to represent 10 unique reproductive events from May 2016 to September 2018. The individual captures and backdated hatch estimates revealed a protracted spawning period of up to seven events in 2016, one event in 2017, and two events in 2018. Bigheaded carp were only captured in Pool 19, possibly due to the drifting requirements for egg maturation and the low-velocity downstream reach of Pool 19. This research provides confirmation that bigheaded carp spawned upstream of LD19 are capable of transitioning past the yolk sac stage upstream of this bottleneck to more advanced larval stages. Knowledge of reproduction and larval retention and the field-based evidence of protracted spawning fill critical research gaps needed for the management of bigheaded carp.
Phytosphingosine induces systemic acquired resistance through activation of sphingosine kinase
Authors: Seo So Yeon , Kim Yu Jung , Kim Jinwoo , Nam Myung Hee , Park Ky Young
Published: September 2021

Phytosphingosine (PHS) is a naturally occurring bioactive sphingolipid molecule. Intermediates such as sphingolipid long‐chain bases (LCBs) in sphingolipid biosynthesis have been shown to have important roles as signaling molecules. PHS treatment caused rapid cell damage and upregulated the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ethylene in tobacco plants. These events were followed by the induction of sphingosine kinase (SphK) in a biphasic manner, which metabolized PHS to phytosphingosine‐1‐phosphate (PHS‐1‐P). On the other hand, a PHS treatment with a virulent pathogen, Phytophthora parasitica var. nicotianae (Ppn), alleviated the pathogen‐induced cell damage and reduced the growth of Ppn. A Ppn infection increased the PHS and PHS‐1‐P levels significantly in the upper part of the leaves at the infection site at the later stage. In addition, Ppn increased the transcription levels of serine palmitoyltransferase (LCB1 and LCB2) for sphingolipid biosynthesis at the later stage, which was enhanced further by PHS. Moreover, the PHS treatment increased the transcription and activity of SphK, which was accompanied by prominent increases in the transcription levels of ROS‐detoxifying enzymes and PR proteins in the later phase of the pathogen infection. Overall, the PHS‐induced resistant effects were prominent during the necrotic stage of this hemibiotrophic infection, indicating that it is more beneficial for inhibiting the pathogenicity on necrotic cell death. Phosphorylated LCBs reduced the pathogen‐induced cell damage significantly in this stage. These results suggest that the selective channeling of sphingolipids into phosphorylated forms has a pro‐survival effect on plant immunity.
Risk assessment and safeguarding of lithium‐ion battery containing facilities
Authors: Marszal Edward , Bryan Austin
Published: September 2021

As the energy grid moves further toward renewable sources to generate the world's power requirements, energy storage becomes increasingly critical to infrastructure. Lithium‐ion batteries are an attractive option for such storage, with an energy density and cycling characteristics that provide advantages over other technologies. However, Li‐ion batteries also have several unique safety concerns due to the potential for thermal runaway, a self‐heating reaction, which can result in venting of both flammable and toxic gases and fire. This article explores the hazards associated with thermal runaways and discusses design considerations and requirements for systems intended to mitigate risk associated with such events.
Cell death mechanisms involved in cell injury caused by SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Morais da Silva Maríllya , Lira de Lucena André Silva , Paiva Júnior Sergio de Sá Leitão , Florêncio De Carvalho Vanessa Mylenna , Santana de Oliveira Priscilla Stela , da Rosa Michelle Melgarejo , Barreto de Melo Rego Moacyr Jesus , Pitta Maira Galdino da Rocha , Pereira Michelly Cristiny
Published: September 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19) is an emerging novel respiratory infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) that rapidly spread worldwide. In addition to lung injury, Covid‐19 patients may develop extrapulmonary symptoms, including cardiac, liver, kidney, digestive tract, and neurological injuries. Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 is the major receptor for the entry of SARS‐CoV‐2 into host cells. The specific mechanisms that lead to cell death in different tissues during infection by SARS‐CoV‐2 remains unknown. Based on data of the previous human coronavirus SARS‐CoV together with information about SARS‐CoV‐2, this review provides a summary of the mechanisms involved in cell death, including apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis, provoked by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus.
ABO blood groups and risk of human immunodeficiency virus infection: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Noori Maryam , Shokri Pourya , Nejadghaderi Seyed Aria , Golmohammadi Saeid , Carson‐Chahhoud Kristin , Bragazzi Nicola Luigi , Ansarin Khalil , Kolahi Ali‐Asghar , Arshi Shahnam , Safiri Saeid
Published: September 2021

The last few decades have seen a pandemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality. ABO blood groups are anthropological and genetic characteristics of a population whose associations with HIV infection are still controversial. This systematic review with meta‐analysis was undertaken to investigate whether certain blood groups may have associations with HIV infection. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were systematically searched as of 6 September 2021. Grey literature was identified through screening Google Scholar, and reference lists of relevant studies. All observational studies providing data on ABO blood group distribution among HIV‐infected and uninfected participants were included. Using a random effect model, risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled to quantify this relationship. Fifty eligible studies with a total of 3,068,244 participants and 6508 HIV‐infected cases were included. The overall analysis found that blood group AB increased the risk of HIV infection by 19% as compared with non‐AB blood groups (RR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03–1.39,p = 0.02). Pooled estimates for other blood groups failed to reach statistical significance. Subgroup analyses identified a positive relationship between AB blood group and HIV infection within Asia, patient populations (as opposed to blood donors and general populations), studies with lower sample sizes, high‐income countries and studies with a moderate quality score. The sequential omission and re‐analysis of studies within sensitivity analyses produced no change in the overall pooled effect. In conclusion, this study identified that blood group AB carriers were more susceptible to HIV infection. Future investigations should be directed toward clarification of the exact role of ABO blood groups in HIV infection and the possible underlying mechanisms.
A new ‐gain analysis framework for discrete‐time switched systems based on predictive Lyapunov function
Authors: Wang Ruihua , Zong Guangdeng , Shen Hao , Shi Kaibo
Published: September 2021

The work proposes the pre‐‐gain analysis framework based on the newly raised nonweighted pre‐‐gain performance index and predictive Lyapunov function, which is devoted to nonweighted ‐gain analysis and relevant control of discrete‐time switched systems under mode‐dependent average dwell time. This also provides new ideas for other disturbance‐related studies. To begin with, the predictive Lyapunov function is established for switched nonlinear systems in the sense of better reflecting future system dynamics and future external disturbances. Hence, it is achievable to develop less conservative stability and nonweighted pre‐‐gain criteria for switched linear systems. Further, a new disturbance‐output expression is devised to match with the nonweighted pre‐‐gain, whose function is to estimate and optimize the traditional nonweighted ‐gain of the underlying system through discussions. Then, a solvable condition is formulated to seek the piecewise time‐dependent gains of switching controller in a convex structure, ensuring the global uniform exponential stability with nonweighted pre‐‐gain and thereby attaining much smaller non‐weighted ‐gain. Finally, the simulation comprised of a circuit system and a numerical example manifests the impressive potential of the obtained results for the purpose of preferable disturbance attenuation performances.
What matters for interorganizational connectedness? Locating the drivers of multiplex corporate networks
Authors: Novoselova Olga A.
Published: September 2021

Research Summary

Past research discovered multiple drivers of interorganizational connectivity; however, their relative importance remains a puzzle. This study generalizes known network antecedents to six dimensions of the interorganizational environment—time, industry, geography, organization, networks, and agents—and decomposes variability in dyadic corporate connectedness to find the dimensions' relative importance for board interlocks, executive migration, and alliances among the S&P 500 companies in 1997–2015. Firm‐specific factors matter for all ties, industry—for alliances and executive migration, and geography—for board interlocks. Effects of time, executives, and past connections are relatively unimportant. Tie types differ in how much of their variability the analysis accounts for: while substantial part of alliance variability can be attributed to the six dimensions together, they explain much less of board interlock variability.

Managerial Summary

Connections between firms are important for firms and markets, but what drives connections themselves? Expansive past research suggests that nearly everything does. This study asks how much influence different factors have on whether three types of interfirm connections exist among the S&P 500 companies: alliance, board interlock, and executive migration. To answer this question, it generalizes connectivity factors into those related to time, industry, location, firm itself, its existing connections, and its top managers. Results show that different factors matter differently depending on the tie type. Thus, when managers evaluate the potential of future connections between firms in the market, connectivity factors should be considered regarding a specific connection type rather than as increasing or decreasing the chances of interfirm connections in general.
Recycling Polymeric Solid Wastes for Energy‐Efficient Water Purification, Organic Distillation, and Oil Spill Cleanup
Authors: Gong Feng , Li Hao , Yuan Xiangzhou , Huang Jigang , Xia Dawei , Papavassiliou Dimitrios V. , Xiao Rui , Yamauchi Yusuke , Wu Kevin C.‐W. , Ok Yong Sik
Published: September 2021

Conventional approaches (e.g., pyrolysis) for managing waste polymer foams typically require highly technical skills and consume large amounts of energy resources. This paper presents an ultrafacile, cost‐effective, and highly efficient alternative method for recycling waste packaging and cleaning foam (e.g., polymelamine–formaldehyde foam). The designed solar absorber, a polypyrrole‐coated melamine foam (PMF), features a highly porous structure, excellent mechanical strength, low thermal conductivity, and rapid water transport capacity. These exceptional properties render the PMF suitable for multiple applications, including energy‐efficient solar‐powered water purification, ethanol distillation, and oil absorption. In water purification, the PMF yields a solar–thermal conversion efficiency as high as 87.7%, stability that is maintained for more than 35 operation cycles, and antifouling capabilities (when purifying different water types). In solar distillation, the PMF achieves a concentration increase up to 75 vol% when distilling a 10 vol% ethanol solution. In oil absorption, the PMF offers an oil‐absorption capacity of ≈70 g g−1 with only a 7% loss in capacity after 100 absorbing–squeezing cycles. Thus, systems combining solar energy with various waste foams are highly promising as durable, renewable, and portable systems for water purification, organic distillation, and oil absorption, especially in remote regions or emergency situations.
Construction of Stable Wide‐Temperature‐Range Proton Exchange Membranes by Incorporating a Carbonized Metal–Organic Frame into Polybenzimidazoles and Polyacrylamide Hydrogels
Authors: Yin Bibo , Liang Rui , Liang Xiaoxu , Fu Duo , Wang Lei , Sun Guoxing
Published: September 2021

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are promising devices for clean power generation in fuel cell electric vehicles applications. The further request of high‐efficiency and cost competitive technology make high‐temperature proton exchange membranes utilizing phosphoric acid‐doped polybenzimidazole be favored because they can work well up to 180 °C without extra humidifier. However, they face quick loss of phosphoric acid below 120 °C and resulting in the limits of commercialization. Herein UiO‐66 derived carbon (porous carbon–ZrO2), comprising branched poly(4,4′‐diphenylether‐5,5′‐bibenzimidazole) and polyacrylamide hydrogels self‐assembly (BHC1‐4) membranes for wide‐temperature‐range operation (80–160 °C) is presented. These two‐phase membranes contained the hygroscopicity of polyacrylamide hydrogels improve the low‐temperature proton conductivity, relatively enable the membrane to function at 80 °C. An excellent cell performance of BHC2 membrane with high peak power density of 265 and 656 mW cm−2 at both 80 and 160 °C can be achieved. Furthermore, this membrane exhibits high stability of frequency cold start‐ups (from room temperature to 80 °C) and long‐term cell test at 160 °C. The improvement of cell performance and stability of BHC2 membrane indicate a progress of breaking operated temperature limit in existing PEMFCs systems.
2D Hybrid Halide Perovskites: Structure, Properties, and Applications in Solar Cells
Authors: Wu Guangbao , Liang Rui , Zhang Zhipeng , Ge Mingzheng , Xing Guichuan , Sun Guoxing
Published: September 2021

2D metal‐halide perovskites have attracted intense research interest due to superior long‐term stability under ambient environments. Compared to their 3D analog, the alternate arrangement of organic and inorganic layers leads to forming a multilayer quantum well (MQW), which endows 2D perovskites with anisotropic optoelectronic properties. In addition, the spacer layer functions as a hydrophobic barrier to effectively prevent 2D perovskite films from ion migration and moisture penetrating, thus realizing outstanding stability. Recently, 2D perovskites have been widely developed with abundant species. The stunning photovoltaic performance with the coexistence of long‐term stability and high‐power conversion efficiency (PCE) has been realized in 2D perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which paves an avenue for commercialization of PSCs. This review begins with an introduction of crystal structure and crystallization kinetics to illustrate the unique layer characters in 2D perovskites. Then, electron structure, excitons, dielectric confinement, and intrinsic stability properties are discussed in detail. Next, the photovoltaic performance based on recent Ruddlesden–Popper (RP), Dion–Jacobson (DJ), and alternating cations in the interlayer (ACI) phase 2D‐PSCs is comprehensively summarized. Finally, the confronting challenges and strategies toward structural design and optoelectronic studies of 2D perovskites are proposed to offer insight into the advanced underlying properties of this family of materials.
Efficacy and safety of enflicoxib for treatment of canine osteoarthritis: A 6‐week randomised, controlled, blind, multicentre clinical trial
Authors: Salichs Marta , Badiella Llorenç , Sarasola Patxi , Homedes Josep
Published: September 2021

Background

Enflicoxib is a new COX‐2 selective NSAID intended for the treatment of pain and inflammation associated with canine osteoarthritis.

Methods

A prospective, multisite, blinded, randomised, controlled, parallel‐group field study was performed to determine the efficacy and safety of enflicoxib in canine osteoarthritis. A total of 242 dogs were randomised to receive enflicoxib at 4 or 2 mg/kg, mavacoxib at 2 mg/kg or placebo, orally. Enflicoxib and placebo were administered once weekly from day 0 to day 35. Mavacoxib was administered on D0 and day 14. Veterinarians assessed efficacy with a numerical rating scale and owners used the Canine Brief Pain Inventory.

Results

After 6 weeks, enflicoxib at 4 mg/kg showed the highest percentage of responders as assessed by the veterinarians (68%) and the owners (84%), followed by mavacoxib (62and 83%, respectively), and enflicoxib at 2 mg/kg (57 and 80%, respectively). All treatments reached statistical significance versus placebo, which obtained success rates of 37% and 53%, respectively. No differences in the incidence of adverse reactions were detected among the different groups.

Conclusions

Enflicoxib administered weekly for 6 weeks, at 4 mg/kg PO with an initial loading dose of 8 mg/kg, is efficacious and safe for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis.
Dynamic characteristics of electromechanical coupling of wind turbine drive system under multi‐source excitation
Authors: Chen Ruibo , Qin Datong , Yi Yuanyuan , Liu Changzhao , Shi Junren
Published: September 2021

With the rapid development of wind turbine, the operational reliability of the main drive systems of wind turbine has received extensive attention. The wind turbine drive system is affected not only by random wind loads for a long time but also by the electromagnetic torque of the generator. Exploring the coupling behavior and mechanism is particularly important for optimizing the design of the drive system and improving the operational reliability of the main drive system. This study establishes a mechanical–electrical coupling model, which includes a translational–torsional dynamic model of a gear transmission system that can be used for variable speed and variable‐load conditions, a finite element model of the generator, and voltage vector control. This model takes into account nonlinear factors such as the time‐varying meshing stiffness of the gear system and the magnetic characteristics of the generator. The speed sweep analysis method was used to identify the resonance speed and dangerous components of the system. Under different external excitation conditions, the dynamic characteristics of the system were compared with and without considering electromagnetic characteristics. The generator speed of 1030 r/min and 651 r/min is the potential resonance speed of the system. The gear system and generator system have strong coupling characteristics. In the vibration signal of the gear system, there will be electrical system frequency components dominated by 6kfe and (h − 1)fe. In the current signal, not only appeared the excitation frequency in the gear system, but also the modulation signal with the excitation frequency in the gear system as the carrier frequency and the electric frequency as the fundamental frequency ((6k ± 1) ⋅ fe ± n ⋅fm) appeared. Under the gust wind, the transient response of the system will excite the gear‐generator coupling vibration mode. The electromagnetic characteristic of generator can suppress the vibration of mechanical system.
Correction to: Big Data in Bioeconomy
Authors: Södergård Caj , Mildorf Tomas , Habyarimana Ephrem , Berre Arne J. , Fernandes Jose A. , Zinke-Wehlmann Christian
Published: September 2021

The original version of the book was inadvertently published with wrong affiliation of the editor “Tomas Mildorf” in frontmatter. The affiliation has been changed from “Plan4All Horní Bříza, Czech Republic” to “University of West Bohemia, Univerzitni 8, 301 00 Plzen, Czech Republic”.
Mediation: A Change in Finnish Court Culture?
Authors: Linnanmäki Kirsikka
Published: September 2021

The topic of this chapter is court-connected mediation and how mediation has affected the court culture in civil cases in Finland. The focus is on the three following dimensions of the mediation system: on legislative, theoretical, and practical changes. The main normative change was the act that came into force in 2006. The new legislation led gradually to changes in practice as well. A significant amount of cases in the District Courts go to mediation today. The law defines judges also as mediators, and in practice many judges are trained and experienced mediators. Also, the theoretical framework for courts has expanded, since mediation theories constitute a relevant basis for the mediation process. The change in culture is also multidirectional. Not only has mediation moved into the legalistic court culture, but also the legal context affects mediation. Mediation has changed court culture by providing an alternative to court trial and it has brought new dimensions to the definition, role and function of courts of law.
The Australian Context: National, State and School-Level Efforts to Improve Schools in Australia
Authors: Gurr David , Acquaro Daniela , Drysdale Lawrie
Published: September 2021

Australia, like many countries, has a history of colonisation and extensive controlled and humanitarian immigration, with this shifting from an Anglo-Celtic emphasis to include, in succession, an emphasis on migrants from Europe, Asia and Africa. This chapter provides several perspectives on evidence-based school development in this changing context. The first focus is on national school-wide improvement initiatives: IDEAS (Innovative Designs for Enhancing Achievements in Schools), which utilises professional learning communities to improve student outcomes; and PALL (Principals as Literacy Leaders) which provides principals with literacy and leadership knowledge to support teachers to improve student reading performance. The second perspective explores the state level through considering work at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education in terms of evidence-based teacher training through the development of a clinical teaching model, and evidence-based school improvement through the Science of Learning Schools Partnership. The final perspective is at the school level, where the development of two schools in challenging contexts are described: the first a school formed from the closure of three failing schools; the second a school that was at the point of closure when the current principal was appointed to turn-it-around.
Concluding Comments and Looking Ahead
Authors: Ylimaki Rose M. , Brunderman Lynnette A.
Published: September 2021

This chapter provides concluding reflections and implications for future work in school development amidst global trends toward evidence-based practice, tensions between centralization of curriculum and evaluation policy and the needs of particular, and increasingly diverse communities, schools, and students. We see the globalization of evidence-based school development policies and university-community partnerships, the use of generalizable models developed from experimental design, and increasingly diverse demographics in schools. Thus, we have argued that context matters; evidence does not necessarily mean that a model developed from an experimental design is appropriate for a problem of practice in particular school settings. At the same time, school and district leaders benefit from dialogue within levels and beyond as they work toward improvement in order to navigate the Zone of Uncertainty in their particular school and community context and in relation to particular problems of practice affecting schools in other communities, other states, or even other nation states.
Values, Culture and Context
Authors: Ylimaki Rose M. , Brunderman Lynnette A.
Published: September 2021

This chapter presents our conception of culture for school development, including broader cultural aims and humanistic values of education for an increasingly multicultural society reflected in the micro-organizational culture of schools and the sub-culture of the leadership team. Specifically, drawing on the International Successful School Principalship Project (ISSPP) research, related studies, and education theory, we defined culture as the values, beliefs and norms of behavior embedded within the individual, the leadership team, the organization, and the larger community. The balance of the chapter presents application of theory and practice in the Arizona project (AZiLDR) as well as lessons learned. The chapter illustrates the critical importance of culture to readiness for school development. Often, during the project, teams were at different stages of readiness, resulting in the need to spend time building and solidifying the culture. In schools with less readiness, we found the diffusion process to progress much more slowly. We saw these schools existing in the Zone of Uncertainty much longer. We describe our process to develop school culture through leadership teams, using the AZiLDR delivery system of institutes, regional meetings and on-site coaching. Example case studies and activities are provided.
Building and Sustaining School Leadership Capacity
Authors: Ylimaki Rose M. , Brunderman Lynnette A.
Published: September 2021

This chapter presents our approach to building and sustaining leadership capacity with attention to three areas: (1) personal capacity and commitment to growth; (2) interactions and interpersonal capacity grounded in a culture of trust, collective responsibility and appreciation of diversity, and (3) organizational capacity in high functioning teams that take responsibility for a child-centered vision and help diffuse that vision throughout the school. Leadership in high capacity schools incorporates both formal and informal leadership capacities (Mitchell and Sackney, 2009). Team leadership is essential for building and sustaining leadership capacity in a shared direction for continous school development and diffusion of educational improvements throughout the school. As formal leaders leave to take on new positions in the district or elsewhere, the shared direction and culture of continous improvement helps to sustain progress. In this chapter, we discuss our experiences with building and sustaining leadership capacity in teams that work to develop and diffuse a shared direction for continuous school development. We begin with a discussion of the research-based content from ISSPP and other studies that informed our project. The balance of the chapter presents application in our research-practice approach in the Arizona project (AZILDR) as well as lessons learned with case examples.
The Global Development, Diffusion, and Transformation of Education Systems: Transnational Isomorphism and ‘Cultural Spheres’
Authors: Windzio Michael , Martens Kerstin
Published: September 2021

In Chap.1, Michael Windzio and Kerstin Martens present the theoretical framework of their study, which focuses on the tension between the global institutionalization of Western rationality but also the culturally specific rationales for the development of education. In essence, they argue that horizontal and vertical interdependencies, as well as the moderating effects of national factors, are still neglected research topics when it comes to the global development of education policy. The chapter also presents the common research used in the different chapters and justifies the IO cases selected for deeper analysis. In addition, the chapter provides a short overview of existing research in this field that the book as a whole relates to.
Education as Cultural Frame
Authors: Meyer John W.
Published: September 2021

Education, both mass and elite, has spread everywhere over recent centuries, generally taking globally standardized forms. The studies in this book address its distinctively compulsory form. It is originally organized for the collective good of religious and later political society, and more recently formulated as a citizen—and later human—right. Educational expansion is global, and greatly affected by worldwide organizations. But regional variations matter too, as education spreads out from the Western core. A key to understanding the diffusion of education is to see it as reflecting cultural and political forces, not principally economic ones that obviously vary greatly around the world. Education reflects a cultural model of a secularized modern society, much more than economic interests and structures, and its commonalities are visible everywhere.
The Introduction of Compulsory Schooling Around the World: Global Diffusion Between Isomorphism and ‘Cultural Spheres’
Authors: Seitzer Helen , Besche-Truthe Fabian , Windzio Michael
Published: September 2021

In Chap.2, Helen Seitzer, Fabian Besche-Truthe, and Michael Windzio investigate the diffusion of compulsory education from a global perspective. Compulsory education closely relates to the reproduction and change of a country’s culture.  In this chapter, the authors focus on the effect of a country’s membership in different clusters defined by cultural characteristics, on the diffusion of compulsory education. They apply social network analysis to define global ‘cultural spheres’, which have fuzzy boundaries. This network is the structural framework behind the diffusion process of compulsory education. The impact of cultural spheres on diffusion is tested by exposure in terms of close ties to other countries with compulsory education, and they are found to significantly increase the rate of adoption.
Does Globalization Affect the Performance of Secondary Education Systems? A Coevolution Model of Multiplex Transnational Networks and Educational Performance
Authors: Seitzer Helen , Windzio Michael
Published: September 2021

In Chap. 4, Helen Seitzer and Michael Windzio address PISA scores, student exchange, service sector trade flows, and migration. PISA, a study on education system effectiveness, is used to compare, name, and shame the ‘best’ and ‘worst’ of state education. Better education in connection to job prospects is one reason for migration but might also influence students’ choice of the destination for an exchange. But, both these networks might also follow existing paths of interconnectedness, similar to service trade relations. Applying a network coevolution model, the authors ask if a country’s change in PISA scores coincides with student exchange flows and migration patterns, or if other factors such as cultural, geographical, or economic aspects influence the choice of destination.
International Organizations in Education: New Takes on Old Paradigms
Authors: Niemann Dennis
Published: September 2021

In Chap. 5, Dennis Niemann analyzes international organizations (IOs) and their education ideas. Different ideological paradigms dominated the global education discourse at different periods. Fundamentally, they revolve around two poles of an economic utilitarian view on education and on an interpretation that emphasizes the social and cultural value of education. Both leitmotifs were influenced by general developments in world politics, and they were also reflected within IOs. Niemann analyzes how global education IOs, specifically the World Bank, the OECD, UNESCO, and the ILO, influenced the global discourse on education. First, he argues that within the IOs, the antipodal views on education became more complementary over time. Second, he demonstrates the pattern of interaction between the IOs has also changed from competition to cooperation.
Erratum zu: NGOs als besondere Akteure der Interessenvermittlung
Authors: Schiffers Maximilian
Published: September 2021

Die EPUB- und HTML-Versionen des Buches wurden mit einem unvollständigen Untertitel veröffentlicht, dies wurde nun korrigiert.
Complexity measures in QFT and constrained geometric actions
Authors: Bueno Pablo , Magán Javier M. , Shahbazi C. S.
Published: September 2021

Abstract

We study the conditions under which, given a generic quantum system, complexity metrics provide actual lower bounds to the circuit complexity associated to a set of quantum gates. Inhomogeneous cost functions — many examples of which have been recently proposed in the literature — are ruled out by our analysis. Such measures are shown to be unrelated to circuit complexity in general and to produce severe violations of Lloyd’s bound in simple situations. Among the metrics which do provide lower bounds, the idea is to select those which produce the tightest possible ones. This establishes a hierarchy of cost functions and considerably reduces the list of candidate complexity measures. In particular, the criterion suggests a canonical way of dealing with penalties, consisting in assigning infinite costs to directions not belonging to the gate set. We discuss how this can be implemented through the use of Lagrange multipliers. We argue that one of the surviving cost functions defines a particularly canonical notion in the sense that: i) it straightforwardly follows from the standard Hermitian metric in Hilbert space; ii) its associated complexity functional is closely related to Kirillov’s coadjoint orbit action, providing an explicit realization of the “complexity equals action” idea; iii) it arises from a Hamilton-Jacobi analysis of the “quantum action” describing quantum dynamics in the phase space canonically associated to every Hilbert space. Finally, we explain how these structures provide a natural framework for characterizing chaos in classical and quantum systems on an equal footing, find the minimal geodesic connecting two nearby trajectories, and describe how complexity measures are sensitive to Lyapunov exponents.
The stochastic axiverse
Authors: Reig Mario
Published: September 2021

Abstract

In addition to spectacular signatures such as black hole superradiance and the rotation of CMB polarization, the plenitude of axions appearing in the string axiverse may have potentially dangerous implications. An example is the cosmological overproduction of relic axions and moduli by the misalignment mechanism, more pronounced in regions where the signals mentioned above may be observable, that is for large axion decay constant. In this work, we study the minimal requirements to soften this problem and show that the fundamental requirement is a long period of low-scale inflation. However, in this case, if the inflationary Hubble scale is lower than around O(100) eV, no relic DM axion is produced in the early Universe. Cosmological production of some axions may be activated, via the misalignment mechanism, if their potential minimum changes between inflation and today. As a particular example, we study in detail how the maximal-misalignment mechanism dilutes the effect of dangerous axions and allows the production of axion DM in a controlled way. In this case, the potential of the axion that realises the mechanism shifts by a factor ∆θ = π between the inflationary epoch and today, and the axion starts to oscillate from the top of its potential. We also show that axions with masses ma ∼ O(1 − 100) H0 realising the maximal-misalignment mechanism generically behave as dark energy with a decay constant that can take values well below the Planck scale, avoiding problems associated to super-Planckian scales. Finally, we briefly study the basic phenomenological implications of the mechanism and comment on the compatibility of this type of maximally-misaligned quintessence with the swampland criteria.
Enigmatic mechanism of the N-vinylpyrrolidone hepatocarcinogenicity in the rat
Authors: Oesch Franz , Fruth Daniela , Hengstler Jan G. , Fabian Eric , Berger Franz Ingo , Landsiedel Robert
Published: September 2021

N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) is produced up to several thousand tons per year as starting material for the production of polymers to be used in pharmaceutics, cosmetics and food technology. Upon inhalation NVP was carcinogenic in the rat, liver tumor formation is starting already at the rather low concentration of 5 ppm. Hence, differentiation whether NVP is a genotoxic carcinogen (presumed to generally have no dose threshold for the carcinogenic activity) or a non-genotoxic carcinogen (with a potentially definable threshold) is highly important. In the present study, therefore, the existing genotoxicity investigations on NVP (all showing consistently negative results) were extended and complemented with investigations on possible alternative mechanisms, which also all proved negative. All tests were performed in the same species (rat) using the same route of exposure (inhalation) and the same doses of NVP (5, 10 and 20 ppm) as had been used in the positive carcinogenicity test. Specifically, the tests included an ex vivo Comet assay (so far not available) and an ex vivo micronucleus test (in contrast to the already available micronucleus test in mice here in the same species and by the same route of application as in the bioassay which had shown the carcinogenicity), tests on oxidative stress (non-protein-bound sulfhydryls and glutathione recycling test), mechanisms mediated by hepatic receptors, the activation of which had been shown earlier to lead to carcinogenicity in some instances (Ah receptor, CAR, PXR, PPARα). No indications were obtained for any of the investigated mechanisms to be responsible for or to contribute to the observed carcinogenicity of NVP. The most important of these exclusions is genotoxicity. Thus, NVP can rightfully be regarded and treated as a non-genotoxic carcinogen and threshold approaches to the assessment of this chemical are supported. However, the mechanism underlying the carcinogenicity of NVP in rats remains unclear.
Body dysmorphic disorder of female genitalia: a qualitative study of Swiss obstetrician–gynecologists’ experiences and practices
Authors: Dworakowski Olenka , Drüge Marie , Schlunegger Michelle , Watzke Birgit
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This work focuses on the experiences and practices of obstetrician–gynecologists (ob–gyns) with patients suffering from body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and issues with their aesthetics, specifically focusing on female genitalia. Ob–gyns are likely to play an important role in the recognition and treatment of women facing such issues.

Methods

This study took a qualitative, explorative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 ob–gyns about their experiences with patients who presented symptoms of BDD of female genitalia, their treatments, and interest in further education and supportive material. Interviews were analyzed through qualitative content analysis.

Results

A categorization system was created. The results showed that the participating ob–gyns are often confronted with genital dissatisfaction of patients. The study sample demonstrated a lack of mental health literacy concerning BDD. The treatments that the ob–gyns of this sample suggested for BDD of female genitalia were not in line with what evidence suggests. Finally, interest in further education and supportive material for consultation was evidenced in this sample.

Conclusions

The findings encourage further studies to identify the recognition of BDD concerning genitalia or etiological factors. Furthermore, practical implications (e.g., need of supportive material) can be derived from the results.
Molecular epidemiologic characteristics of hemagglutinin from five waves of avian influenza A (H7N9) virus infection, from 2013 to 2017, in Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Sun Yi , Mao Haiyan , Lou Xiuyu , Wang Xinying , Chen Yin , Zhou Biaofeng , Zhang Yanjun
Published: September 2021

There have been five waves of influenza A (H7N9) epidemics in Zhejiang Province between 2013 and 2017. Although the epidemiological characteristics of the five waves have been reported, the molecular genetics aspects, including the phylogeny, evolution, and mutation of hemagglutinin (HA), have not been systematically investigated. A total of 154 H7N9 samples from Zhejiang Province were collected between 2013 and 2017 and sequenced using an Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine. The starting dates of the waves were 16 March 2013, 1 July 2013, 1 July 2014, 1 July 2015, and 1 July 2016. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and amino acid mutations were counted after the HA sequences were aligned. The evolution of H7N9 matched the temporal order of the five waves, among which wave 3 played an important role. The 55 SNPs and 14 amino acid mutations with high frequency identified among the five waves revealed the dynamic occurrence of mutation in the process of viral dissemination. Wave 3 contributed greatly to the subsequent epidemic of waves 4 and 5 of H7N9. Compared with wave 1, wave 5 was characterized by more mutations, including A143V and R148K, two mutations that have been reported to weaken the immune response. In addition, some amino acid mutations were observed in wave 5 that led to more lineages. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance of subsequent H7N9 influenza outbreaks.
Understanding responsibility in Responsible AI. Dianoetic virtues and the hard problem of context
Authors: Constantinescu Mihaela , Voinea Cristina , Uszkai Radu , Vică Constantin
Published: September 2021

During the last decade there has been burgeoning research concerning the ways in which we should think of and apply the concept of responsibility for Artificial Intelligence. Despite this conceptual richness, there is still a lack of consensus regarding what Responsible AI entails on both conceptual and practical levels. The aim of this paper is to connect the ethical dimension of responsibility in Responsible AI with Aristotelian virtue ethics, where notions of context and dianoetic virtues play a grounding role for the concept of moral responsibility. The paper starts by highlighting the important difficulties in assigning responsibility to either technologies themselves or to their developers. Top-down and bottom-up approaches to moral responsibility are then contrasted, as we explore how they could inform debates about Responsible AI. We highlight the limits of the former ethical approaches and build the case for classical Aristotelian virtue ethics. We show that two building blocks of Aristotle’s ethics, dianoetic virtues and the context of actions, although largely ignored in the literature, can shed light on how we could think of moral responsibility for both AI and humans. We end by exploring the practical implications of this particular understanding of moral responsibility along the triadic dimensions of ethicsbydesign, ethicsindesign and ethicsfordesigners.
Associative spectra of graph algebras II
Authors: Lehtonen Erkko , Waldhauser Tamás
Published: September 2021

A necessary and sufficient condition is presented for a graph algebra to satisfy a bracketing identity. The associative spectrum of an arbitrary graph algebra is shown to be either constant or exponentially growing.
Hemostatic efficacy of two topical adjunctive hemostats in a porcine spleen biopsy punch model of moderate bleeding
Authors: MacDonald Melinda H. , Zhang Gary , Tasse Laura , Wang Daidong , De Leon Hector , Kocharian Richard
Published: September 2021

Topical hemostatic agents have become essential tools to aid in preventing excessive bleeding in surgical or emergency settings and to mitigate the associated risks of serious complications. In the present study, we compared the hemostatic efficacy of SURGIFLO® Hemostatic Matrix Kit with Thrombin (Surgiflo—flowable gelatin matrix plus human thrombin) to HEMOBLAST™ Bellows Hemostatic Agent (Hemoblast—a combination product consisting of collagen, chondroitin sulfate, and human thrombin). Surgiflo and Hemoblast were randomly tested in experimentally induced bleeding lesions on the spleens of four pigs. Primary endpoints included hemostatic efficacy measured by absolute time to hemostasis (TTH) within 5 min. Secondary endpoints included the number of product applications and the percent of product needed from each device to achieve hemostasis. Surgiflo demonstrated significantly higher hemostatic efficacy and lower TTH (p < 0.01) than Hemoblast. Surgiflo-treated lesion sites achieved hemostasis in 77.4% of cases following a single product application vs. 3.3% of Hemoblast-treated sites. On average, Surgiflo-treated sites required 63% less product applications than Hemoblast-treated sites (1.26 ± 0.0.51 vs. 3.37 ± 1.16). Surgiflo provided more effective and faster hemostasis than Hemoblast. Since both products contain thrombin to activate endogenous fibrinogen and accelerate clot formation, the superior hemostatic efficacy of Surgiflo in the porcine spleen punch biopsy model seems to be due to Surgiflo’s property as a malleable barrier able to adjust to defect topography and to provide an environment for platelets to adhere and aggregate. Surgiflo combines a flowable gelatin matrix and a delivery system well-suited for precise application to bleeding sites where other methods of hemostasis may be impractical or ineffective.