bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of genomic loci regulating grain iron content in aus rice under two irrigation management systems
Authors: Talukdar Partha , Travis Anthony J. , Hossain Mahmud , Islam Md Rafiqul , Norton Gareth J. , Price Adam H.
Published: September 2021

Iron (Fe) deficiency is one of the common causes of anaemia in humans. Improving grain Fe in rice, therefore, could have a positive impact for humans worldwide, especially for those people who consume rice as a staple food. In this study, 225–269 accessions of the Bengal and Assam Aus Panel (BAAP) were investigated for their accumulation of grain Fe in two consecutive years in a field experiment under alternative wetting and drying (AWD) and continuous flooded (CF) irrigation. AWD reduced straw Fe by 40% and grain Fe by 5.5–13%. Genotype differences accounted for 35% of the variation in grain Fe, while genotype by irrigation interaction accounted for 12% of the variation in straw and grain Fe in year 1, with no significant interactions detected in year 2. Twelve rice accessions were identified as having high grain Fe for both years regardless of irrigation treatment, half of which were from BAAP aus subgroup 3 which prominently comes from Bangladesh. On average, subgroup 3 had higher grain Fe than the other four subgroups of aus. Genome‐wide association mapping identified 6 genomic loci controlling natural variation of grain Fe concentration in plants grown under AWD. For one QTL, nicotianamine synthase OsNAS3 is proposed as candidate for controlling natural variation of grain Fe in rice. The BAAP contains three haplotypes of OsNAS3 where one haplotype (detected in 31% of the individuals) increased grain Fe up to 11%. Haplotype analysis of this gene in rice suggests that the ability to detect the QTL is enhanced in the BAAP because the high Fe allele is balanced in aus, unlike indica and japonica subgroups.
Investigation of the effects of pomegranate juice addition on physicochemical, microbiological, and functional properties of set and stirred yogurts
Authors: Golmakani Mohammad‐Taghi , Eskandari Mohammad Hadi , Kooshesh Somayyeh , Pishan Mahboobeh
Published: September 2021

Pomegranate juice (PJ) (at concentrations of 13% and 17%) was added to yogurt and its physicochemical and microbial properties were investigated. PJ improved several features of yogurt, bringing an increase in total phenolic contents by 4.3–6.1 and 5.3–7.3 fold in response to 13% and 17% PJ, respectively. Also, there were increases in the total anthocyanin contents of yogurt by 2650–2870 and 3470–3820 fold in response to the said juice concentrations. These increases were observed in both set and stirred yogurts, whereas IC50 values of the yogurts decreased by 2.2–2.6 and 3.0–3.3 fold, respectively, compared to the control samples. Total acidity, syneresis, and redness value of the yogurts increased, parallel to the increase in the PJ concentration being added. Also, Streptococcus thermophilus count decreased significantly, whereas no significant effect was observed on the population count of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. Among PJ yogurt samples, the panelists selected the 13% PJ stirred yogurt as the best sample. PJ was observed to contain valuable bioactive compounds with functional and medicinal effects that culminate in health benefits.
Features selection and substitution in PEM fuel cell water management failures diagnosis
Authors: Zhou Su , Wang Keyong , Zhou Shangwei , Shan Jing , Bao Datong
Published: September 2021

A data‐driven strategy considering sensor reliability and cost is presented for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) fault diagnosis. An increase of pressure drop in the flow field is a reliable indicator of PEMFC flooding fault. Still, it highly depends on the pressure measurement accuracy of the stack inlet and outlet. The abnormal sensor will mislead the diagnosis results, and an extra pressure sensor in the outlet means higher system cost. Thus, the related behavior is investigated. The throttle opening set, one of the control signals, is chosen to replace the cathode pressure drop. The throttle opening set, the stack voltage, and cell voltage monitoring (CVM) standard deviation are employed as diagnostic features, and the support vector machine (SVM) is used as the classifier. Compared to the approach using single‐cell voltages, the strategy mentioned above minimizes extra sensors and avoids the computation load of dimensionality reduction. High accuracy in diagnosing flooding and dehydration via identifying experimental data of different fault severity verifies the effectiveness of the presented strategy.
Cathodic reduction of oxidizing gas generated by low‐temperature decomposition of hydrated calcium hypochlorite for flow cell
Authors: Kodera Fumihiro , Nakagawa Shogo , Sato Shun , Nishimura Hajime , Umeda Minoru
Published: September 2021

In this study, we investigated the oxidizing gas generated from the low‐temperature decomposition of hydrated calcium hypochlorite and evaluated its possible use in the cathode reaction of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. The cathodic reduction of the oxidizing gas generated from hydrated calcium hypochlorite was performed at <80°C using an electrochemical method comprising a combination of a Pt millidisc and a Pt microdisc in a non‐aqueous solution as an aprotic polar solvent. In addition, we proposed a low‐temperature mechanism for the decomposition of hydrated calcium hypochlorite and assessed the crystal structure change using X‐ray diffraction. Overall, the results indicate that the oxidizing gas exhibited sufficient electrochemical activity. At each decomposition temperature, the waveform changed, and at 30°C approximately two reactive electrons were present in a typical reduction wave. The main reactant in the cathodic reaction was chlorine oxyacid, and the low‐temperature decomposition of hydrated calcium hypochlorite was found to be strongly related to water crystallization.
Polygenic risk score for bipolar disorder associates with divergent thinking and brain structures in the prefrontal cortex
Authors: Takeuchi Hikaru , Kimura Ryosuke , Tomita Hiroaki , Taki Yasuyuki , Kikuchi Yoshie , Ono Chiaki , Yu Zhiqian , Matsudaira Izumi , Nouchi Rui , Yokoyama Ryoichi , Kotozaki Yuka , Nakagawa Seishu , Hanawa Sugiko , Iizuka Kunio , Sekiguchi Atsushi , Araki Tsuyoshi , Miyauchi Carlos Makoto , Ikeda Shigeyuki , Sakaki Kohei , dos S. Kawata Kelssy H. , Nozawa Takayuki , Yokota Susumu , Magistro Daniele , Imanishi Tadashi , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: September 2021

It has been hypothesized that a higher genetic risk of bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with greater creativity. Given the clinical importance of bipolar disorder and the importance of creativity to human society and cultural development, it is essential to reveal their associations and the neural basis of the genetic risk of bipolar disorder to gain insight into its etiology. However, despite the previous demonstration of the associations of polygenic risk score (PRS) of BD and creative jobs, the associations of BD‐PRS and creativity measured by the divergent thinking (CMDT) and regional gray matter volume (rGMV) as well as regional white matter volume (rWMV) have not been investigated. Using psychological analyses and whole‐brain voxel‐by‐voxel analyses, we examined these potential associations in 1558 young, typically developing adult students. After adjusting for confounding variables and multiple comparisons, a greater BD‐PRS was associated with a greater total CMDT fluency score, and a significant relationship was found in fluency subscores. A greater BD‐PRS was also associated with lower total mood disturbance. Neuroimaging analyses revealed that the BD‐PRS was associated with greater rGMV in the right inferior frontal gyrus, which is a consistently affected area in BD, as well as a greater rWMV in the left middle frontal gyrus, which has been suggested to play a central role in the increased creativity associated with the risk of BD with creativity. These findings suggest a relationship between the genetic risk of BD and CMDT and prefrontal cortical structures among young educated individuals.
Human microRNA‐182‐5p and kinectin 1: Potential biomarkers for prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Jakob Mark , Mattes Lena M. , Unger Kristian , Kueffer Stefan , Hess Julia , Canis Martin , Schirmer Markus , Spiegel Jennifer L. , Haubner Frank , Ihler Friedrich , Weiss Bernhard G. , Kitz Julia
Published: September 2021

Background

The prognostic impact of hsa‐miRNA‐182‐5p in oral cancer remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of hsa‐miRNA‐182‐5p and its predicted target kinectin 1 (KTN1) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Method

Expression level of hsa‐miRNA‐182‐5p was analyzed in tumor tissue (n = 36) and healthy oral mucosal tissue (n = 17) using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Protein level of the predicted target KTN1 was detected via immunohistochemistry. Results were validated in a cohort of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

Results

After dividing the data into a subgroup with high and low hsa‐miRNA‐182‐5p expression level, a significant better overall (p = 0.016), recurrence‐free (p = 0.009), and progression‐free survival (p = 0.004) was observed in an upregulation of hsa‐miRNA‐182‐5p. Staining intensity of KTN1 showed a reciprocal impact on the prognosis. Validation in a TCGA cohort confirmed these results.

Conclusion

Our results indicate hsa‐miRNA‐182‐5p and KTN1 as potential biomarkers for OSCC.
Implications of deep-seabed mining on marine ecosystems—Introduction to a special series of papers
Authors: Gilron Guy , Smith Samantha
Published: September 2021

After more than 50 years of exploration and research that has intensified over the past decade, deep-seabed mining (DSM) remains a controversial subject, resulting mainly from legacy issues of other extractive industries. Moreover, our planet is environmentally challenged, with climate change as one of the major issues that we collectively face. Deep-seabed mining aims to collect metal resources lying on the deep seabed to help meet increased global demand caused by growth in population and urbanization, and clean energy, in a way that reduces pressures on land, such as deforestation and community relocation. The metals found on the seabed are those needed to address climate change through clean energy technologies. An important question facing us is: How do we, most responsibly, obtain the metals we need with the least impact on the planet we are trying to protect? DSM is one of the options to meet the demand. In this IEAM special series, we set out to present neutral and unbiased perspectives on the environmental implications of DSM. Our aim is to offer readers environmental management considerations learned by researchers around the world and working in diverse aspects of the field, including: population and community assessment, biota ecosystem services, environmental ethics, and rehabilitation and restoration. In consideration of the controversies, fundamental questions still remain: How can a new industry be given the opportunity to “do the right thing”? How do we make evidence-based decisions about where metals should come from when emotions and possibly fear often seem to drive the debate? Can we assume that decisions and policies are best achieved based on data and evidence? The papers presented in the series help address these questions and cover a range of diverse topics from ethical frameworks to biodiversity assessment to risk assessment to restoration. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:631–633. © 2021 SETAC

KEY POINTS

Deep seabed mining (DSM) is one of the options to meet the demand for metals globally. This special series presents neutral and unbiased perspectives on the environmental implications of DSM. Fundamental questions remain: can a new industry be given the opportunity to “do the right thing”; how do evidence-based decisions about where metals should come from be made, when emotions and fear often drive the debate, and can we assume that decisions and policies are best achieved based on data and evidence. Papers presented in the special series help address key questions and cover a range of diverse topics from ethical frameworks to biodiversity assessment to risk assessment to restoration.
A new protocol for the identification of singlet fission sensitizers through computational screening
Authors: López‐Carballeira Diego , Polcar Tomáš
Published: September 2021

Although singlet fission presents deep advantages or the generation of solar energy, the list of efficient singlet fission sensitizers is still very short, encouraging the theoreticians to focus their efforts on selecting and designing new candidates. Here, it is presented a computational protocol for the efficient screening of databases to select those species matching the energy requirements for singlet fission. Hence, out of the initial 29,123 species, 254 molecules (0.87%) were found to match singlet fission energy conditions. The consideration of practical concerns such as availability or stability reduced the number to just 24 (0.08%), among which the aminoanthraquinone derivatives are found particularly promising. The proposed protocol correct the deficiencies of the preceding ones, reaching DFT accuracy and minimizing the risk of getting false negatives especially at the early stages of the screening. In addition, this protocol can be used in future high‐throughput investigations using datasets composed of millions of species.
Role of blood mSEPT9 in evaluating tumor burden and disease monitoring in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Jiang Huiqin , Yu Qian , Chen Xinning , Zhang Chunyan , Shen Junfei , Shen Minna , Yang Yihui , Wang Beili , Pan Baishen , Guo Wei
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between mSEPT9 and tumor burden as well as the role of mSEPT9 in monitoring colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

Methods

A total of 309 patients were recruited and received mSEPT9 detection in this retrospective study. Clinicopathologic characteristics were collected, including age, gender, differentiation, gene mutation, stage, and tumor markers. The correlation between mSEPT9 and clinical tumor burden was analyzed. A relative mSEPT9 value was determined using the ΔΔCt method.

Results

The overall positivity rate of mSEPT9 was 39.8% in CRC patients. mSEPT9 status was significantly associated with disease status and tumor markers (CEA and CA19‐9). The mSEPT9 positivity rates were 15.6%, 50.0%, 64.4%, and 70.0% for P0M0, P1M0, P0M1, and P1M1 patients, respectively (p < 0.001). Among 137 CRC patients who received mSEPT9 assay before surgery, the pre‐operation mSEPT9 positivity rate increased significantly from stage I to stage IV (Stage I vs. II vs. III vs. IV 25% vs. 59.1% vs. 57.1% vs. 70.0%, respectively). Consecutive blood samples were obtained from 26 patients during therapy. The patients with increased mSEPT9 levels showed a higher progression rate.

Conclusions

mSEPT9 was a biomarker reflecting tumor burden, and serial detections of mSEPT9 could be a promising strategy for disease monitoring in CRC patients.
Asiatic Acid Improves Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Vocal Fold Scarring Via SMAD7 Activation
Authors: Liu Danling , Qian Tingting , Li Peifan , Li Wen , Sun Shan , Jiang Jack J.
Published: September 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

Vocal fold (VF) fibroblasts are the central target for developing new strategies for the treatment of VF scarring and fibrosis. Asiatic acid (AA) is a triterpenoid derivate with antifibrotic properties. However, the effect of AA in VF scarring is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential application of AA as a therapeutic treatment in VF scarring.

Study Design

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Methods

The functional expression of SMAD7 was knocked down with recombinant adenoviruses and adeno‐associated viruses carrying shRNAs in the in vitro and in vivo models, which were constructed to investigate AA's antifibrotic function. The expression of collagens and SMADs in cultured human and rabbit cell lines and animal models was evaluated with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry labeling, respectively. Cell migration capacity and contraction in VF fibroblast cell lines were also evaluated.

Results

AA downregulated the downstream fibrotic activation in a dose‐dependent manner. Meanwhile, AA attenuated VF scarring/fibrosis by reducing collagen deposition. Furthermore, the antifibrotic effects of AA were associated with the upregulation of SMAD7. In contrast, knockdown of SMAD7 inhibited the effect of AA on transforming growth factor‐beta‐1 (TGF‐β1) stimulation, which suggests a central role for SMAD7 in AA‐induced antifibrotic activities during VF fibrosis.

Conclusion

We concluded that AA, which is a novel therapeutic candidate for preventing VF scarring/fibrosis, might exert its antifibrotic effect via the TGF‐β1/SMAD signaling pathway.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 132:1237–1244, 2022
Long‐Range Ordered Double Gyroid Structures via Solution Casting from Poly(2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate)‐block‐poly(2‐vinyl pyridine)
Authors: Kurimoto Sho , Tong Liang , Maeda Hayato , Nabae Yuta , Hayakawa Teruaki
Published: September 2021

A highly conformable long‐range ordered double gyroid structure with the space group Ia3d is obtained by the self‐assembly of a poly(2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(2‐vinyl pyridine) (PTFEMA‐b‐P2VP) diblock copolymer through solution casting. 9 different PTFEMA‐b‐P2VP samples are synthesized, each of which has a different mass fraction to others, with the product containing 47 wt% of PTFEMA exhibiting a double gyroid structure. Analysis of the transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images of this product have revealed that the structural planes of the obtained 3D sample are in good agreement with the typical (211), (110), and (111) planes of the Ia3d space group, which is also supported by small angle X‐ray scattering spectroscopy, therefore confirming that the samples formed a long‐range double gyroid structure over a large area.
Investigating optical adsorption properties of lead‐free double perovskite semiconductors Cs2SnI6−xBrx (x = 0–6) via first principles calculation
Authors: Zhang Jin , Yang Chen , Liao Yulong , Li Shijie , Yang Pengfei , Xi Yingxue , Cai Changlong , Liu Weiguo
Published: September 2021

In this work, the properties of the Br− ion‐doped Cs2SnI6 system (Cs2SnI6−xBrx, x = 0–6) are systematically explored via the first principle calculation. The evolution of Cs2SnI6−xBrx crystal structure in the doping process is obtained by regulating the doping positions where I− ions are replaced with Br− ions, and the changing curve of the bandgap is drawn on the basis of the setting of the U value in I 5p and Br 5p orbits and the accurate description of the bandgap of Cs2SnI6−xBrx with HSE06 hybrid functional. Br− ions doping not only improves the stability of the Cs2SnI6−xBrx structure, but also can adjust its bandgap width. In light of the analysis of gain and loss of electrons among ions and electron density difference during the doping process, the introduction of Br− ions enable Cs2SnI6−xBrx to have a stronger ionic crystal character than Cs2SnI6, which indicates that the Cs2SnI6−xBrx is suitable to be applied to photoelectric devices as a carrier transport layer. The further analysis of the distribution of electronic states density of Cs2SnI6−xBrx and the variation trend of its absorption spectra confirms the transition process of electrons among energy bands, which also reveals the main reason why the performance of current photovoltaic devices based on Cs2SnI6 are unsatisfactory. It is notable that we find Cs2SnI6−xBrx, especially Cs2SnI3Br3 is an ideal material for solar‐blind detection.
The dependence of stress and strain rate on the deformation behavior of a Ni‐based single crystal superalloy at 1050°C
Authors: Ding Qingqing , Bei Hongbin , Li Lulu , Ouyang Jie , Zhao Xinbao , Wei Xiao , Zhang Ze
Published: September 2021

Ni‐based single crystal (SX) superalloys are important high‐temperature materials used for manufacturing turbine blades in aero‐engines. During service under combinational impacts of temperature and stress, the SX superalloy may reach its life due to plastic deformation, which normally accompanies time‐dependent microstructural degradation. To reveal this dynamically mechanical response, tensile tests at 1050°C are carried out to record stress‐strain curves at five stain rates as well as creep curves at four applied stresses. Deformed microstructures and defects have been analyzed to understand mechanical behaviors and the underlying mechanism by using advanced scanning electron and scanning transmission electron microscopes. Results show that the deformation mode of the alloy strongly depends on the strain rates/applied stresses under mechanical loading. The dislocation density inside the γ phase is extremely low at all tests, indicating that the γ phase is relatively weak and ready to flow at this temperature even at a very fast strain rate. The deformation behavior of the γ′ phase is much complicated. At fast strain rates or high applied stresses, the dislocation density in the γ′ phase is very high, contributing to high‐stress requirements to deform the material. At slow strain rates or low applied stresses, rafting microstructures develop and the deformation mode becomes directional coarsening/diffusion‐dominated. Our results demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the deformation mechanism of Ni‐based SX superalloys, which may provide lifetime prediction of the mechanical failure, as well as the database for superalloy applications in mechanical systems.
Subjective experiences of physical activity and forecasting bias during behavioral weight loss
Authors: Crane Nicole T. , Martinelli Mary K. , Forman Evan M. , Butryn Meghan L.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Engagement in physical activity (PA) is a critical component of behavioral weight loss (BWL) treatment. Subjective experiences surrounding PA may shape exercise decisions and need to be further understood within a BWL sample.

Methods

Participants in this study were adults with overweight/obesity enrolled in an 18‐month BWL program. At baseline, six, and 18 months, participants (N = 320) predicted how they would feel during a lab‐based walking task and rated their experiences mid‐walk and post‐walk. They also completed self‐report questionnaires assessing depressive symptoms and discomfort intolerance.

Results and Discussion

Results indicated that exercise experience and expectations were more positive at later treatment points than at baseline. At each assessment point, post‐walk ratings were more positive than mid‐walk ratings, but pre‐walk ratings did not differ from mid‐walk ratings, suggesting BWL participants were relatively accurate in predicting their PA experience. These results suggest treatment‐seeking adults with overweight/obesity feel most positive upon completion of PA, may not experience a forecasting bias as hypothesized and seem to have increasingly positive PA expectations and experiences as they proceed through treatment and lose weight. Lower discomfort intolerance and depressive symptoms were associated with more positive PA expectations and experiences. Understanding these individual differences in PA experience can inform intervention strategies.
Digital privacy concerns in India for medical tourism
Authors: Guha Roy Diya
Published: September 2021

Investments in Indian Medical Tourism (MT) have been growing at a greater rate than the global standards. However, unfortunately, Indian legislations have not managed to keep pace with this phenomenal growth, and have thereby been lacking in forming specific amendments, coupled with both preventive and compensative decrees. Moreover, safety and security have emerged as an aggregated inter‐web of complex multi‐dimensional components, encompassing aspects such as “public and personal data safety,” “legal protection of tourists,” “consumers” “protection,” and so on. The internet has affected “data integration,” “storage,” “exchange” exposing thereby the possibilities of security breaches. All of these, in amalgamation, call for elevating the overall hygiene of India's growing medical tourism industry. Based upon this backdrop, this study looks into the theories of security, privacy, and consumerism, and the need for preventive cybercrime laws in India's medical tourism sector, especially considering several technical vulnerabilities that do exist. In this endeavor, I reviewed and analyzed journals and government policies, and have looked to identify some of the fallacies and gaps. Additionally, I also attempted to identify some of the needs that exist in MT's cybersecurity space, both within the Indian and international contexts.
Metacognition in action as a possible explanation for stock‐flow failure
Authors: Aşιk Gürsu , Doğança Küçük Zerrin
Published: September 2021

This study aims at examining the role of metacognition, which refers to one's ability to control and regulate their own thinking process through various activities in assessing dynamics of stocks and flows. The first research question focuses on the metacognitive activities used by individuals who solved such tasks correctly and who did not. The second question focuses on how successfully participants organized their thinking processes to arrive at a correct answer when prompted and permitted to retry. Forty undergraduate students were involved in the study, and concurrent think‐aloud protocol was used to examine their thinking when performing two stock‐flow tasks. The findings revealed that participants tend to have difficulties in reading, planning, monitoring, and checking activities. The effectiveness of metacognitive activities employed by the participants is likely to decrease from reading to checking, respectively. The study contributes to our understanding of metacognitive deficiencies in stock‐flow failure and provides further research suggestions. © 2021 The Authors. System Dynamics Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of System Dynamics Society.
A comparison of methods for analyzing a binary composite endpoint with partially observed components in randomized controlled trials
Authors: Pham Tra My , White Ian R. , Kahan Brennan C. , Morris Tim P. , Stanworth Simon J. , Forbes Gordon
Published: September 2021

Composite endpoints are commonly used to define primary outcomes in randomized controlled trials. A participant may be classified as meeting the endpoint if they experience an event in one or several components (eg, a favorable outcome based on a composite of being alive and attaining negative culture results in trials assessing tuberculosis treatments). Partially observed components that are not missing simultaneously complicate the analysis of the composite endpoint. An intuitive strategy frequently used in practice for handling missing values in the components is to derive the values of the composite endpoint from observed components when possible, and exclude from analysis participants whose composite endpoint cannot be derived. Alternatively, complete record analysis (CRA) (excluding participants with any missing components) or multiple imputation (MI) can be used. We compare a set of methods for analyzing a composite endpoint with partially observed components mathematically and by simulation, and apply these methods in a reanalysis of a published trial (TOPPS). We show that the derived composite endpoint can be missing not at random even when the components are missing completely at random. Consequently, the treatment effect estimated from the derived endpoint is biased while CRA results without the derived endpoint are valid. Missing at random mechanisms require MI of the components. We conclude that, although superficially attractive, deriving the composite endpoint from observed components should generally be avoided. Despite the potential risk of imputation model mis‐specification, MI of missing components is the preferred approach in this study setting.
Mechanistic Insights into the Intercalation and Interfacial Chemistry of Mesocarbon Microbeads Anode for Potassium Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Dandan , Li Lingjie , Zhang Zhonghua , Liu Jing , Guo Xiaosong , Mao Changming , Peng Hongrui , Li Zhenjiang , Li Guicun
Published: September 2021

Mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) are highly desirable as anode materials for rechargeable potassium ion batteries (PIBs) due to their commercially availability, high stability and low‐cost. However, their charge storage and interfacial mechanisms are still unclear. In this work, the intercalation mechanisms and the solid‐electrolyte‐interphase (SEI) formation of the MCMB in four different electrolytes is comprehensively studied. The MCMB anodes exhibit superior rate and cycle performances via a naked K‐ions sequentially staging intercalation mechanism, realizing the complete transformation from graphite to KC8. Whereas a solvated K‐ions co‐intercalation mechanism of the MCMB occurs in ether‐based electrolytes, which might induce graphite exfoliation and result in unsatisfied specific capacity and capacity decay. Nevertheless, this co‐intercalation behavior could be effectively suppressed by a highly concentrated electrolytes. Interfacial analyses unveil the distinct SEI components, which vary with the electrolyte chemistries. These SEI components also varies from surface to bulk and especially attention should be paid to the accurate control of the concentration of the fluoroethylene carbonate additives. This work provides a panoramic understanding of the intercalation and interfacial mechanisms on the MCMB anodes for PIBs.
Epsilon Consistent Mixup: Structural regularization with an adaptive consistency‐interpolation trade‐off
Authors: Pisztora Vincent , Ou Yanglan , Huang Xiaolei , Chiaromonte Francesca , Li Jia
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we propose Epsilon Consistent Mixup (∈mu). ∈mu is a data‐based structural regularization technique that combines Mixup's linear interpolation with consistency regularization in the Mixup direction, by compelling a simple adaptive tradeoff between the two. This learnable combination of consistency and interpolation induces a more flexible structure on the evolution of the response across the feature space and is shown to improve semi‐supervised classification accuracy on the SVHN and CIFAR10 benchmark datasets, yielding the largest gains in the most challenging low label‐availability scenarios. Empirical studies comparing ∈mu and Mixup are presented and provide insight into the mechanisms behind ∈mu's effectiveness. In particular, ∈mu is found to produce more accurate synthetic labels and more confident predictions than Mixup.
Divergence instability of kinematically constrained Hencky chains: Analytic results and asymptotic behavior
Authors: Lerbet Jean , Challamel Noël , Nicot François , Darve Felix
Published: September 2021

This paper investigates the stability of any n degree‐of‐freedom Hencky chain subjected to a full follower force at its tip and under kinematic constraints. We specifically solve this discrete problem and focus on its asymptotic behavior when n tends towards infinity and compare it with its analogous continuous formulation, also referred to as the kinematically constrained Beck's column. The divergence instability load of this non‐conservative discrete system under general kinematic constraints is ruled by the so‐called second‐order work criterion, which involves the symmetric part of the stiffness matrix. The application of the second‐order work criterion to the discrete repetitive system allows to find the exact divergence load under kinematic constraints, whatever the size of the discrete system. The critical value is obtained as the smallest positive root of explicit transcendent equations for both the generic () and the singular () cases, these two cases being illustrated by different values (respectively 2C and C) of the stiffness of the elastic torsion spring at the basis of the discrete system. The corresponding destabilizing kinematic constraint is also calculated. Asymptotic derivations show the convergence of the dimensionless buckling load towards the continuous one, equal to π2, and give the corresponding destabilizing kinematic constraint of the Beck's column.
Institutional Aspects of the Nordic Justice Systems: Striving for Consolidation and Settlements
Authors: Nylund Anna
Published: September 2021

This chapter maps the structure of the Nordic justice systems and explores whether and why one could argue that there is a ‘Nordic’ structure. The aim is also to examine recent changes and to investigate whether these entail a cultural shift in some or all Nordic countries. It examines shifts in the intended functions of the courts; changes in the court structure; and the use of alternative dispute resolution outside courts. It argues that the while the private functions of Nordic courts have been accentuated in recent decades in that courts are increasingly expected to facilitate amicable solutions, while alternative dispute resolution outside courts has also been important. It also discusses how the ideal of the generalist judge has been important in consolidating the Nordic court structure. While most of these changes are congruent across the Nordic countries, and have hence strengthened the Nordic court culture, differences among the countries regarding recourse against administrative decisions are growing. New differences among the Nordic countries have emerged and these do not follow the existing divide between the East-Nordic and the West-Nordic countries.
Small Claims Procedures in the Scandinavian Countries
Authors: Jensen Christina
Published: September 2021

All the Scandinavian countries have some form of special proceedings for small claims. Still, there has not been formal cooperation between the countries. This means that Sweden, Denmark and Norway have quite different approaches to some procedural questions concerning small claims. The goal of this article is to analyse whether the implementation of small claims procedures has had any effect on the Scandinavian civil procedure. There is no doubt that the introduction of small claims procedures has a direct effect purely by being an addition to the ordinary proceedings. The question of more interest here is whether the implementation has some indirect effects on the Scandinavian way of approaching procedural questions. Mainly, the article will focus on the effect of the rules limiting the possibility of obtaining cost reimbursement from the losing party in small claims cases. For example, there is an assumption that the mentioned cost limitations will increase the number of self-represented parties. More self-represented parties demand more of the judge, for example when it comes to giving guidance.
Courts and Proceedings: Some Nordic Characteristics
Authors: Letto-Vanamo Pia
Published: September 2021

This paper will discuss the characteristics of the court system and proceedings in the Nordic countries. The analysis is based on the idea of Nordic legal systems as a group bound both by historical similarities between them and by advanced legal cooperation between different legal actors. First, the main features of socio-legal developments, legal theory and legal practices characterising Nordic legal systems are discussed. Then, ideas, methods and results of cooperation in the field of law are described. ‘Nordicness’ within legal and judicial institutions is highlighted with three examples. The first example concerns popular participation, especially the importance of lay judges. The second example concerns the relationship between the legislator and the judiciary and the non-existence of constitutional courts. Finally, the third example discusses the many modes of conflict resolution typical in the Nordic countries.
The History of Nordic Legal Culture and Court Culture: The Story of What Should not Have Been, but Still Came to Be
Authors: Sunde Jørn Øyrehagen
Published: September 2021

The story of the making of a Nordic legal culture and court culture appears, at first glance, to be a story of what should not have been. Culture is about commonalities arising from common experiences. However, the similarities between the Nordic countries’ political history are limited, with no common institutions before the late nineteenth century, large language similarities but no common legal language, and—most importantly—no common legal procedure. Still, the natural conditions in the very north of Europe came to shape the political and legal systems in similar ways, stimulating the desire to create a Nordic legal culture in the second half of the nineteenth century, with the Nordic Meeting for Lawyers playing a crucial role. Hence, law in the Nordic countries shares several characteristics today: a strong legislative tradition and strong courts with lay participation, accessible legal language in legislation and court decisions and orality in legal procedure, a small number of legal professionals and a small and pragmatic legal science. These characteristics can be viewed as building blocks in an overarching characteristic of Nordic legal culture and court culture: dialogue.
Culture and Mentality in East-Nordic Courts
Authors: Ervo Laura
Published: September 2021

In this chapter, the East-Nordic, that is Finnish and Swedish, court culture and mentality and its historical, cultural and societal roots are explored. The objective of the chapter is to uncover the mechanisms underlying the East-Nordic court mentality and the hallmarks of Swedish and Finnish court culture, as well as to identify how these processes influence adjudication. Emphasis is put on the historical development of these countries, since Finland was part of Sweden until 1809. After Finland became an autonomous Grand Dutchy of the Russian Empire, it suffered under Russification, whereas Sweden was still part of the western sphere. Even after Finland gained independence in 1917, the history of the two countries has differed to some extent. Therefore, it is interesting to explore the manner in which the differences in history are manifested in contemporary court proceedings. This study is based mainly on comparative and historical resources.
Globalisation and Court Practice in Iceland: New Case Law of the Supreme Court in Relation to the EEA Agreement and European Convention on Human Rights
Authors: Thorsteinsdóttir Halldóra
Published: September 2021

This article examines the status of international treaties in Iceland law and how Icelandic court practice has developed in recent years in that area. With regard to the relationship between domestic law and international law, Iceland adheres to the principle of dualism. This means that international law does not come into force as Icelandic law unless implemented by the legislator. As a result, Icelandic Courts will not, in general, apply provisions of international treaties unless they have been incorporated into Icelandic statutory law. However, this does not mean that international obligation are not fulfilled, as Icelandic Courts will seek to interpret domestic law in line with international obligation to the extent possible. If an international treaty has been implemented into Icelandic law, its provisions are binding like other domestic law. With regard to the EEA Agreement, Icelandic Courts will seek to interpret national law in accordance with EEA obligations and follow the judgments of the EFTA Court if the Icelandic provision in question is open to such an interpretation. With regard to the European Convention on Human Rights, Icelandic Courts will even go a step further, as recent judgments show that Icelandic Courts tend to interpret the human rights provisions of the Icelandic Constitution in line with interpretation laid down by The European Court of Human Rights, even in cases where such an interpretation does not exactly fit within the direct wording of the provision in question. This is due to a special connection between the human rights chapter of the Icelandic Constitution and the Convention, as one of the legislators’ main goals when amending the Constitution in 1994 was to bring the human rights chapter more in line with the Convention.
Regional Ideas in International Education Organizations: The Case of SEAMEO
Authors: Krogmann David
Published: September 2021

In Chap. 8, on SEAMEO, David Krogman focuses the attention on regional identities in international education organizations. This IO has been a major player in education policy in Southeast Asia for decades. The chapter explores the underlying themes and ideas which inform discursive patterns produced and reproduced by SEAMEO. How does SEAMEO conceive of education? Did SEAMEO’s image of education evolve over time? The analysis by Krogmann finds that SEAMEO mostly follows the UN’s global sustainable development agenda in education policy, stressing both the social as well as the economic purposes of education. However, it does so with a distinct emphasis on the education purpose of reinforcing the collectively shared values and traditions of its member states, which it deems unique to Southeast Asia.
Harmonic analysis of 2d CFT partition functions
Authors: Benjamin Nathan , Collier Scott , Fitzpatrick A. Liam , Maloney Alexander , Perlmutter Eric
Published: September 2021

Abstract

We apply the theory of harmonic analysis on the fundamental domain of SL(2, ℤ) to partition functions of two-dimensional conformal field theories. We decompose the partition function of c free bosons on a Narain lattice into eigenfunctions of the Laplacian of worldsheet moduli space ℍ/SL(2, ℤ), and of target space moduli space O(c, c; ℤ)\O(c, c; ℝ)/O(c)×O(c). This decomposition manifests certain properties of Narain theories and ensemble averages thereof. We extend the application of spectral theory to partition functions of general two-dimensional conformal field theories, and explore its meaning in connection to AdS3 gravity. An implication of harmonic analysis is that the local operator spectrum is fully determined by a certain subset of degeneracies.
Instanton counting and O-vertex
Authors: Nawata Satoshi , Zhu Rui-Dong
Published: September 2021

Abstract

We present closed-form expressions of unrefined instanton partition functions for gauge groups of type BCD as sums over Young diagrams. For SO(n) gauge groups, we provide a fivebrane web picture of our formula based on the vertex-operator formalism of the topological vertex with a new type called O-vertex for an O5-plane.
Component decompositions and adynkra libraries for supermultiplets in lower dimensional superspaces
Authors: James Gates S. , Hu Yangrui , Mak S.-N. Hazel
Published: September 2021

Abstract

We present Adynkra Libraries that can be used to explore the embedding of multiplets of component field (whether on-shell or partial on-shell) within Salam-Strathdee superfields for theories in dimension nine through four.
Practice of radiation therapy for anal cancer in Austria—a survey on behalf of the Austrian radiation oncology society gastrointestinal tumor group (ÖGRO-GIT)
Authors: Gerum S. , Iglseder W. , Schmid R. , Peterka K. , Knocke-Abulesz T. H. , Harl P. , Schwaiger S. , Reiter I. , Salinger J. , Venhoda C. , Kurzweil G. , Poetscher M. , Jaeger R. , Celedin B. , Clemens P. , Roeder F.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

We conducted a patterns-of-care survey on chemoradiation for locoregionally confined anal cancer in Austria to evaluate areas of disagreement and to identify possible targets for further standardization.

Methods

An anonymous questionnaire comprising 38 questions was sent to all Austrian radiation oncology departments. Results were analyzed descriptively and compared to two international guidelines.

Results

The response rate was 93%. Work-up generally includes DRE, endoscopy, and cross-sectional imaging of chest/abdomen and pelvis. PET-CT is used by 38%. Screening for HIV and biopsies of suspicious lymph nodes are infrequently used. All centers perform IMRT, mainly with daily IGRT. Median doses to the primary are 54.7 Gy (T1–2) and 59.4 Gy (T3–4). Suspicious nodes receive a boost (median dose 54 Gy), while elective nodal areas are mainly treated with 45–50.4 Gy. Target delineation of elective nodal areas seems generally uniform, although disagreement exists regarding inclusion of the common iliac nodes. No agreement was found for OAR-delineation and dose constraints. Concurrent chemotherapy is mitomycin and 5‑FU/capecitabine. Supportive care beyond skin care is infrequently offered. Intensive follow-up is performed for at least 5 years. Treatment of T1N0 shows considerable disagreement.

Conclusion

We found a high rate of agreement between the centers and concordance with major guidelines. PET-CT, routine HIV testing, and biopsies of suspicious LN seem underrepresented. The largest controversy regarding target volumes concerns inclusion of the common iliac nodes. Prescribed doses are generally in line with the recommendations or higher. OAR delineation, dose constraints, supportive care, and treatment of early anal cancer represent areas for further standardization.
How feelings of unpleasantness develop during the progression of motion sickness symptoms
Authors: Reuten A. J. C. , Nooij S. A. E. , Bos J. E. , Smeets J. B. J.
Published: September 2021

To mitigate motion sickness in self-driving cars and virtual reality, one should be able to quantify its progression unambiguously. Self-report rating scales either focus on general feelings of unpleasantness or specific symptomatology. Although one generally feels worse as symptoms progress, there is anecdotal evidence suggesting a non-monotonic relationship between unpleasantness and symptomatology. This implies that individuals could (temporarily) feel better as symptoms progress, which could trouble an unambiguous measurement of motion sickness progression. Here we explicitly investigated the temporal development of both unpleasantness and symptomatology using subjective reports, as well as their mutual dependence using psychophysical scaling techniques. We found symptoms to manifest in a fixed order, while unpleasantness increased non-monotonically. Later manifesting symptoms were generally judged as more unpleasant, except for a reduction at the onset of nausea, which corresponded to feeling better. Although we cannot explicate the origin of this reduction, its existence is of importance to the quantification of motion sickness. Specifically, the reduction at nausea onset implies that rating how bad someone feels does not give you an answer to the question of how close someone is to the point of vomiting. We conclude that unpleasantness can unambiguously be inferred from symptomatology, but an ambiguity exists when inferring symptomatology from unpleasantness. These results speak in favor of rating symptomatology when prioritizing an unambiguous quantification of motion sickness progression.