bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can the pH-dependent adsorption of phenoxyalkanoic herbicides in soils be described with a single equation?
Authors: Paszko Tadeusz , Spadotto Claudio A. , Huber Miłosz , Jerzykiewicz Maria , Matysiak Joanna , Skrzypek Alicja , Boguta Patrycja
Published: November 2024

The six phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides currently used in the European Union have similar molecular structures. Therefore, we assumed the soil components involved in the adsorption mechanisms of these herbicides to be identical. The values of the adsorption distribution coefficient Kd, obtained via batch experiments involving typical Polish Arenosol, Luvisol, and Chernozem profiles with a native pH of 4.2–7.7, were examined using Lasso regression, as well as adsorption on isolated fractions of humic substances, Al2O3, and goethite. The neutral forms of the herbicides were adsorbed on the surface of fulvic acids available to them, covering soil mesopores with a size of > 2.5 nm. The models revealed that fulvic acids had a lognormal-like distribution in soil pores. Herbicide anions were adsorbed on the pH-dependent sites of Al oxyhydroxides and on the sites created by the Al+3 species adsorbed on the surface of fulvic acids (both sites were active up to pH 7.5), the sites of humic acids associated with the adsorbed Al3+ species, sites of Fe oxyhydroxides (active at pH < 5), and, to a limited extent, sites of humins. Two models describing the adsorption of phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides in soils were created. A simpler model was based on humic substance fractions and the variables related to the potential acidity of soils. In the more extensive model, humic substance fractions and Al and Fe oxyhydroxide contents were used as predictors, and, where necessary, the predictors were combined with the modified Henderson–Hasselbalch formula to estimate the activity ranges of pH-dependent sorption sites. The study findings revealed that fulvic and humic acids were the main adsorbents of phenoxyalkanoic herbicides in soils, indicating that transporting of the herbicides with dissolved organic matter is an important mechanism of groundwater and surface water contamination with these chemicals.
Polyethersulfone mixed matrix membranes modified with pore formers and Ag-titanate nanotubes: physicochemical characteristics and (bio)fouling study
Authors: Sałacińska Amanda , Sienkiewicz Paulina , Szymański Kacper , Mozia Sylwia
Published: November 2024

In the presented studies it was hypothesized that the modification of a polymeric membrane with a pore former and a hybrid nanomaterial composed of titanate nanotubes with deposited Ag nanoparticles (Ag-TNTs NPs) can protect the membrane from the microbial growth, and thus enhance its resistance to biofouling. Polyethersulfone (PES) membranes were prepared by the wet phase inversion, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were used as pore formers. The membranes were characterized in terms of morphology, topography, permeability, separation characteristics, and anti-(bio)fouling properties as well as antibacterial activity. The membranes modified with porogens and Ag-TNTs revealed improved hydrophilicity and water permeability compared to the unmodified membrane, from 58 to 66%. Moreover, the improvement in rejection of model dextrans and PEG upon application of the NPs was found. However, the use of PVP or PEG had a negative influence on the resistance to fouling by bovine serum albumin, i.e., ca. 35% of decline of permeate flux was noticed after 2 h of ultrafiltration of BSA. On the contrary, both porogens and NPs contributed to biofouling mitigation. The introduction of pore formers had a positive effect on the inhibition of Escherichia coli growth by the membrane containing Ag-TNTs. The log reduction of bacteria varied from 3.17 to 3.3 in case of stirred and filtration system.
Der russische Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine in den deutschen Medien: Kritik des Maßstabs „ausgewogene Bewertung“ in Inhaltsanalysen
Authors: Neuberger Christoph , Hohlfeld Ralf
Published: November 2024

Inhaltsanalysen über die Darstellung von Konflikten in den Medien werden häufig durchgeführt, um den Vorwurf der Einseitigkeit empirisch zu überprüfen. Dies wirft die normative Frage auf, wie die Forderung nach einer ausgewogenen Bewertung, d. h. einer Gleichverteilung positiver und negativer Bewertungen zwischen Kontrahenten, als Qualitätsmaßstab rechtfertigt werden kann und wie dies fallbezogen, d. h. kontextabhängig geschehen muss. Diese Frage wird am Beispiel von Inhaltsanalysen zum russischen Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine diskutiert. In einer qualitativen Metastudie von 22 Inhaltsanalysen wurden zunächst induktiv acht Annahmen zur Rechtfertigung der Anwendung des Maßstabs für diesen Fall ermittelt. Vier davon beziehen sich auf das Verhältnis der Medien zu ihrer Umwelt: zur journalistischen Profession, der Medien untereinander sowie zum Publikum und zur Politik. Vier weitere Begründungen sind vom Verhältnis der Medien zum Krieg als Thema abgeleitet: zum normativ „richtigen“ und „falschen“ Handeln der Kontrahenten, zur Antizipation negativer Folgen, zum Framing des Kriegs als Machtkonflikt (statt als Konflikt um Werte) und aus der Position des Werterelativismus. Die Forderung nach einer ausgewogenen Bewertung war in den Studien häufig mit der Kritik an einer angeblich zu negativen Sicht der russischen Seite verknüpft. Die Diskussion der Fundstellen zeigt, dass die Argumente zur Rechtfertigung einer ausgewogenen Bewertung für den vorliegenden Fall nur begrenzt oder gar nicht tauglich sind. Damit kann die Studie zeigen, dass das Problem der „False Balance“ nicht nur im Bereich des Wissens, sondern auch des Wertens zu finden ist. Außerdem ist „False Balance“ damit nicht nur ein Phänomen im Journalismus, sondern auch in der Wissenschaft.
Crisis response strategies: a digital reluctance perspective
Authors: Saka Tugce Nuray , Hormiga Esther , Valls-Pasola Jaume
Published: November 2024

This research examines the convergence of digitalisation and managerial capabilities in shaping effective crisis response strategies, with a particular focus on understanding the factors that contribute to managers’ digital reluctance. In a two-wave study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022) through a Dynamic Managerial Capability (DMC) lens, we incorporate the qualitative data from managers of four coworking spaces into a theoretical model that assesses digitalisation as a determinant of DMC in crisis management. Our findings show that digital sensing, digital seizing, and digital reconfiguration capabilities effectively coordinate the survival process. Additionally, we introduce the concept of ‘digital reluctance’ as a constraint on DMC in the context of digitalisation. This behaviour stems from a combination of social, human and cognitive factors, including an avoidance of costly digital tools due to limited resources, scepticism about the ability of digital tools to address core challenges, lack of a compelling competitive advantage, intrinsic confidence in digital maturity, challenges in managing employee learning, and reluctance to sustain digital initiatives that do not yield immediate results. With a theoretical contribution to the crisis management literature, our study provides a better understanding of digital coping mechanisms, highlighting the importance of managers’ social, human and cognitive capabilities. Practically, we analyse the managerial perspectives and pathways for adopting digital technologies to survive in crisis disruptions, against liquidity and solvency threats. Finally, we outline the relevant strategies for achieving business outcomes at four different levels of leveraging digitalisation and DMC exploitation.
A contribution to mitigate NOx and H2O emissions for a hydrogen-powered hypersonic vehicle
Authors: Bodmer Daniel , Jäschke Jacob , Linke Florian , Gollnick Volker
Published: November 2024

Hypersonic transport fueled with liquid hydrogen (LH2-HST) is currently considered as long-term future technology of civil aviation to fly with speeds greater than Mach 5 at stratospheric altitudes of 25–38 km. In this paper, we present a comprehensive methodology to assess the emission mitigation potential (via NOx and H2O) of future LH2-HST through operational measures, considering realistic constraints such as the sonic boom carpet as well as tolerable g-forces acting on the passengers while flying with hypersonic speeds. Both NOx- and H2O-optimal 4D-trajectories are identified by a brute-force algorithm that varies the initial cruise altitude from 30 to 36 km. As case study, the Mach 8 passenger aircraft STRATOFLY-MR3, which was conceptually developed in the framework of the H2020 STRATOFLY project, is operated on a single route from Brussels (BRU) to Sydney (MYA). The findings are highlighted as relative changes regarding MR3's design flight altitude set at 32 km, respectively, 105 000 ft. As scientific contribution,  3D emission inventories are calculated and made publicly available for a world fleet of MR3 aircraft operated along the BRU-MYA route on both NOx- and H2O-optimal mission profiles in the year 2075.
Oral health-related quality of life in children and adolescent with autism spectrum disorders and neurotypical peers: a nested case–control questionnaire survey
Authors: Salerno C. , Campus G. , Bontà G. , Vilbi G. , Conti G. , Cagetti M. G.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children with autism following an oral preventive regimen (ASDsP) was compared to that of children with autism without a preventive regimen (ASDsNP) and of neurotypical peers (NT).

Methods

An online survey was carried out using the Parental/Caregiver Perception Questionnaire (P-CPQ) and the Family Impact Scale (FIS). Scores were assigned to items, with the total score ranging from 0 to 120 (worst QoL). The median scores were compared amongst groups using the Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests. A multivariate linear regression assessed the relationship between questionnaire scores and demographical variables.

Results

Overall, 168 questionnaires from the ASDsP and the ASDsNP groups, respectively, and 336 from the NT group were selected ASDsP compared to ASDsNP showed lower P-CPQ Emotional wellbeing, FIS Emotion (p < 0.01) and Conflict (p < 0.05), and FIS total score (p < 0.01). In addition, they were less nervous (p < 0.05), shy (p < 0.01), with better sleep (p < 0.05), and with happier parents (p < 0.01). Compared to NT, ASDsP showed higher P-CPQ + FIS, P-CPQ, and FIS total scores (p < 0.01) and P-CPQ Functional limitation, Social wellbeing (p < 0.01), Emotional wellbeing (p < 0.05), and FIS Activity, Emotion and Conflict (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The preventive regimen reduces parental stress, improving the quality of life of children and families.
On the essential norms of Toeplitz operators on abstract Hardy spaces built upon Banach function spaces
Authors: Karlovych Oleksiy , Shargorodsky Eugene
Published: November 2024

Let X be a Banach function space over the unit circle such that the Riesz projection P is bounded on X and let H[X] be the abstract Hardy space built upon X. We show that the essential norm of the Toeplitz operator $$T(a):H[X]\rightarrow H[X]$$

T
(
a
)
:
H
[
X
]
→
H
[
X
]

coincides with $$\Vert a\Vert _{L^\infty }$$

‖
a
‖

L
∞

for every $$a\in C+H^\infty $$

a
∈
C
+

H
∞

if and only if the essential norm of the backward shift operator $$T(\textbf{e}_{-1}):H[X]\rightarrow H[X]$$

T

(

e

-
1

)

:
H

[
X
]

→
H

[
X
]

is equal to one, where $$\textbf{e}_{-1}(z)=z^{-1}$$

e

-
1

(
z
)

=

z

-
1

. This result extends an observation by Böttcher, Krupnik, and Silbermann for the case of classical Hardy spaces.
Development of a Generalist Competency Framework for Medical Education Leaders in Longitudinal Integrated Curricula (LILIC)
Authors: Gullo Charles A. , Cho Youngjin , Szarek John L. , Waite Gabi N. , Quesnelle Kelly M. , Prunuske Amy
Published: November 2024

Recent shifts in health professions education have prompted significant curriculum reforms toward multidisciplinary, longitudinally integrated courses during the pre-clinical and clinical years of medical school curricula. Faculty who are accustomed to managing discipline-specific courses must now be trained to meet the challenges of implementing new integrated courses. Skills and competencies for Leaders in Longitudinal Integrated Curricula (LILIC) must be identified for faculty development efforts and to assist administrators in recognizing the attributes of well-qualified course/curriculum directors for their appointment/hiring decisions. Drawing on the collective expertise of faculty from multiple medical schools, we developed a framework to meet this new need. Herein, we present a shared mental model, a framework, and higher-level attributes important for the development of these curricular leaders. A proposed development process and future directions for this framework are also presented, underscoring its potential impact on faculty development and the broader educational landscape in health professions.
Where have all the RE teachers gone? Recruitment and retention issues in schools in England
Authors: Orchard Janet
Published: November 2024

This paper, which was originally a keynote address, offers an analysis of the crisis in retention, and recruitment of teachers of Religious Education (RE). A reflexive assessment is offered to the political lament ‘where have all the RE teachers gone?’ The author, drawing on over three decades of experience and involvement with religious education both in school and higher education, ponders on the complexity of responding to the attrition rates where skilled RE teachers leave the profession at a much faster rate than new entrants are trained. It concludes by calling for unity of purpose amongst the wider RE community in England.
Microstructural analysis of Inconel 718 manufactured via direct energy deposition: response surface methodology for process parameters optimisation and post-heat treatment
Authors: Ribeiro B. L. , Barbosa J. , Mota L. , Gil J. , Amaral R. , Barbosa M. , Santos R. F. , Sequeiros E. W.
Published: November 2024

Direct Energy Deposition (DED) is a highly efficient technology for the manufacture and/or repair of different components for multiple industries, including aeronautical. However, a good understanding of the various process variables is essential for producing deposits with the desired properties and ensuring process efficiency. In this study, the optimisation of Inconel 718 single-track deposits was carried out by varying laser power, scanning speed, and powder feed rate to minimise dilution and maximise height, always ensuring the efficiency of the process. The influence of the DED process’ inputs (laser power, scanning speed, and feed rate) and outputs (deposit’s geometry and dilution) were evaluated in the construction of Response Surface Plots and regression analysis equations, allowing the selection of the most promising processing conditions that achieve high-quality single tracks, with predicted dilution percentage, and deposit height. Optimisation analysis selected process parameters, and a block with 300 × 50 × 3 mm3 was built. Mechanical and microstructural characterisation of the built block before and after heat treatment (homogenisation at 1080 °C, followed by solubilisation at 980 °C, and double ageing at 720 and 620 °C) was performed through Optical Microscopy, SEM/EDS analysis, Vickers hardness and tensile tests. It could be observed that the chosen process leads to the formation of a dendritic structure with considerable amounts of Laves phase. However, heat treatments make it possible to obtain a more homogeneous structure with higher amounts of hardening phases, such as γ’ and γ”, which promotes an increase in hardness and tensile strength, and partial elimination of the Laves phase. With proper optimisation of the DED process and understanding of the different parameters’ influence on the deposit’s microstructure, it is possible to manufacture or repair Inconel 718 components for several industries.
Liebe, die edel und rein ist oder sexuelle Perversitäten
Authors: Lind Miriam
Published: November 2024

Die erste Frauenbewegung kämpfte zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts für die soziale, politische und juristische Emanzipation der Frau; u. a. ging es um politisches Stimmrecht, Zugang zu höherer Bildung, freie Berufswahl und Besserstellung alleinstehender Mütter. Sowohl die sich gerade etablierende Sexualwissenschaft als auch die Gegner der Frauenbewegung stellten immer wieder Zusammenhänge her zwischen der Frauenbewegung und weiblicher Homosexualität; angeblich seien Frauenrechtlerinnen häufig homosexuell und würden andere, gerade junge, Frauen zu gleichgeschlechtlichen sexuellen Beziehungen verleiten. Der Großteil der Frauenbewegung äußerte sich lange nicht zu diesen Behauptungen oder überhaupt zum Thema weibliche Homosexualität. Nur in zwei Kontexten finden sich vermehrt öffentliche Äußerungen hierzu: im Anschluss an Anna Rülings Rede »Welches Interesse hat die Frauenbewegung an der Klärung des homosexuellen Problems?« vor dem wissenschaftlich-humanitären Komitee und in Bezug auf die kurzzeitig geplante, dann jedoch verworfene Ausweitung des § 175, der sexuellen Verkehr zwischen Männern unter Strafe stellte, auf die Frau.

Der vorliegende Beitrag widmet sich eben diesem diskursiven Umgang der ersten Frauenbewegung in Deutschland mit gleichgeschlechtlich liebenden Frauen in Bezug auf diese beiden diskursiven Ereignisse. Adressiert werden Fragen danach, welche Ausdrücke für weibliche Homosexualität und Homosexuelle bestehen, worauf sie referieren und auf welche Konzepte gleichgeschlechtlicher Liebe und Sexualität sie schließen lassen. Zum anderen setzt sich der Aufsatz kritisch mit Fragen danach auseinander, in welchen Zusammenhängen und mit welchen Absichten über homosexuelle Frauen gesprochen oder geschwiegen wurde, wie sie bewertet wurden und welche (Nicht‑)Bedeutung ihnen im Kontext der ersten Frauenbewegung zugeschrieben wurde.
»Wir geben uns der zuversichtlichen Hoffnung hin […] und bitten daher«. Zur Rekonstruktion von Agency in Petitionen der Ersten Frauenbewegung
Authors: Spieß Constanze
Published: November 2024

Bis heute stellen Petitionen wichtige Texte dar, die eine politische Bürger:innenbeteiligung am politischen Geschehen sehr leicht und ohne große Hindernisse möglich machen. Im 19. Jahrhundert nutzten die Akteurinnen der ersten Frauenbewegung diese Möglichkeit, ihre Anliegen in den Reichstag einzubringen und sich somit öffentlich-politisch Gehör zu verschaffen, da ihnen politische Beteiligung bislang versagt geblieben war. Ausgehend von einer kurzen Beschreibung der Geschichte des Petitionsrechts sowie der Textsorte Petition untersucht der Beitrag, wie die Akteurinnen der ersten Frauenbewegung sprachlich ihre Forderungen vorbrachten, Agency einklagten und damit aber zugleich das Fehlen von Handlungsmacht zur Sprache brachten. Dabei greifen drei Typen von sprachlichen Agencykonstruktionen: die auf die Vergangenheit bezogene rekonstruktive Agency, die auf den Akt der Hervorbringung von Agency bezogene perfomative Agency, die mit dem Abfassen der Petitionen hervorgebracht wird und die auf Zunkünftiges bezogene imaginierte Agency. Der Sprechakte fordern stellt dabei ein wesentliches Element von Agencykonstruktionen dar. Forderungen wurden von den Akteurinnen in erster Linie als indirekte Sprechakte sehr defensiv formuliert und an handlungsmächtige Instanzen adressiert, sie sind zudem Bestandteil von komplexen Argumentationen, die die Forderungen z. T. sehr detailreich begründeten.
Breiter Kanon von rechts?
Authors: Krumeich Jens , Schell Sandra
Published: November 2024

Der Beitrag zeigt am Beispiel der ›neurechten‹ Auseinandersetzung mit Gerd Gaiser und Günter Grass, dass die im Umfeld des Antaios-Verlags betriebene Literaturgeschichtsschreibung eine geschichtsrevisionistische Literaturpolitik verfolgt. Hierbei können die gegenwärtigen Akteure auf Geschichtsdeutungen der NS- und Nachkriegszeit zurückgreifen, deren Kontinuitätslinien sich bis in die 1950er Jahre zurückverfolgen lassen.
Challenges and Support Frameworks for Producing High Quality Business Research: A Case Study of Lebanese Scholars
Authors: Yaacoub Hala Khayr , Yacoub Laurent , Hanna Andre
Published: November 2024

This paper aims at exploring the contexts of academic research outputs faced by Lebanese researchers at four major Lebanese business schools. It analyzes both challenges and support mechanisms at these institutions to suggest improvements to the existing framework considering the researchers’ perspectives and opinions. A multiple case study was carried out at four major Lebanese business schools in which 14 individuals involved in research were interviewed. Thematic analysis was carried out to explore the host of challenges faced in the sphere of research output. This study may provide other institutions and researchers in the region and the developing world with a greater insight into necessary alterations to their own research challenges and approaches.
Exploring the Relationship Between Time Series of Sentinel-1 Interferometric Coherence Data and Wild Edible Mushroom Yields in Mediterranean Forests
Authors: Martínez-Rodrigo Raquel , Águeda Beatriz , Lopez-Sanchez Juan M. , Altelarrea José Miguel , Alejandro Pablo , Gómez Cristina
Published: November 2024

Edible wild mushrooms constitute a valuable marketable non-wood forest product with high relevance worldwide. There is growing interest in developing tools for estimation of mushroom yields and to evaluate the effects that global change may have on them. Remote sensing is a powerful technology for characterization of forest structure and condition, both essential factors in triggering mushroom production, together with meteo-climatic factors. In this work, we explore options to apply synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data from C-band Sentinel-1 to characterize, at the plot level, wild mushroom productive forests in the Mediterranean region, which provide saprotroph and ectomycorrhizal mushrooms. Seventeen permanent plots with mushroom yield data collected weekly during the productive season are characterized with dense time series of Sentinel-1 backscatter intensity (VV and VH polarizations) and 6-day interval interferometric VV coherence during the 2018–2021 period. Weekly-regularized series of SAR data are decomposed with a LOESS approach into trend, seasonality, and remainder. Trends are explored with the Theil-Sen test, and periodicity is characterized by the Discrete Fast Fourier transform. Seasonal patterns of SAR time-series are described and related to mycorrhizal and saprotroph guilds separately. Our results indicate that time series of interferometric coherence show cyclic patterns which might be related with annual mushroom yields and may constitute an indicator of triggering factors in mushroom production, whereas backscatter intensity is strongly correlated with precipitation, making noisy signals without a clear interpretable pattern. Exploring the potential of remotely sensed data for prediction and quantification of mushroom yields contributes to improve our understanding of fungal biological cycles and opens new ways to develop tools that improve its sustainable, efficient, and effective management.
The Democratization of Knowledge in Renaissance Italy
Authors: Sgarbi Marco
Published: November 2024

The book identifies to what extent it is possible to speak of a democratization of knowledge in Renaissance Italy. It establishes the boundaries of the present investigation within the Aristotelian tradition, and outlines democratization as a process capable of assigning power to people. It deals with how the democratization of knowledge historically is invested equally in ideas from religion and philosophy, involving the same democratizers, moved by similar intentions, employing identical techniques of vulgarization and targeting equivalent communities of recipients.
Patience: A New Account of a Neglected Virtue
Authors: MILLER CHRISTIAN B. , FURR R. MICHAEL
Published: November 2024

The goal of this article is to outline a new account of the virtue of patience. To help build the account, we focus on five important issues pertaining to patience: (i) goals and time, (ii) emotion, (iii) continence versus virtue, (iv) motivation, and (v) good ends. The heart of the resulting account is that patience is a cross-situational and stable disposition to react, both internally and externally, to slower than desired progress toward goal achievement with a reasonable level of calmness. The article ends with an application of the account to better understanding the vices associated with patience.
Notification, Viewing the Body, and Social and Cultural Considerations After Traumatic Death: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: McCarroll James E. , Fisher Joscelyn E. , Cozza Stephen J. , Mash Holly H. , Biggs Quinn M. , Flynn Brian W. , Walsh Tasanee
Published: November 2024

We conducted a systematic review of the medical, nursing, forensic, and social science literature describing events and processes associated with what happens after a traumatic death in the socio-cultural context of largely Western and high-income societies. These include death notification, why survivors choose to view or not view the body, forensic practices affecting viewing the body, alternatives to viewing, and social and cultural practices following the death. We also describe how elements of these processes may act to increase or lessen some of the negative cognitive and emotional consequences for both survivors and providers. The information presented is applicable to those who may be faced with traumatic deaths, including those who work in medicine, nursing, and law enforcement, as well as first responders, forensic investigators, funeral directors, and the families of the deceased.
Urgent Warning: Evidence-Based Concerns Regarding Mass Gathering Events During Arbaeen in Hazardous Weather Conditions
Authors: Aghababaeian Hamidreza , Etedali Hooman
Published: November 2024

The Arbaeen ceremony is the largest annual mass gathering in the world, attracting millions of Muslim pilgrims each year. However, the event takes place during the summer in Iraq, coinciding with extreme heat and dust storms. Climate change hazards, such as heat waves and dust storms, can have destructive effects on human health, leading to increased mortality and the spread of various diseases. This manuscript recommends measures to stakeholders in emergency or public health management to develop a preventive plan for the Arbaeen ceremony. These measures include improving planning and risk assessment, enhancing capacities, reducing vulnerabilities, increasing knowledge and awareness among pilgrims, developing communication and support systems, ensuring compliance with safety protocols, and regularly assessing evacuation routes. Implementing these measures will contribute to ensuring the safety and well-being of participants during the Arbaeen ceremony in the years ahead.
Disentangling the gender-differentiated determinants of home-based self-employment choices in Nigeria
Authors: Nwaka Ikechukwu Darlington , Ike George Nwokike
Published: November 2024

Understanding gender disparities in home-based self-employment (HBS) and their links to homeownership and socioeconomic factors is crucial for advancing sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria. This study uses data from the 2010/2011, 2012/13, 2015/16, and 2018/19 waves of the Nigerian General Household Survey (GHS). It employs random effect probit regression, the LASSO method for identifying predictors, and the Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition technique to analyse gender differences in nonlinear binary outcomes. The results show that female business owners are more likely to engage in HBS compared to males, highlighting the importance of gender equality (SDG 5) and decent work (SDG 8). While male entrepreneurs are mainly driven by profit, females prioritise balancing paid and unpaid work, reflecting motivations beyond profit within heterodox economics. Significant gender-differentiated impacts are observed in relation to monthly rent, post-secondary education, dwelling space, energy, and regional locations. Notably, the presence of children significantly increases female involvement in HBS, a trend not seen among males. Marriage also influences female participation, suggesting that marital circumstances and economic benefits play a role. These findings highlight the need for policies addressing gender-specific constraints, challenging traditional gender roles, and promoting inclusive human development within the SDG framework.
Turbulent convection in emulsions: the Rayleigh–Bénard configuration
Authors: Moradi Bilondi Abbas , Scapin Nicolò , Brandt Luca , Mirbod Parisa
Published: November 2024

This study explores heat and turbulent modulation in three-dimensional multiphase Rayleigh–Bénard convection using direct numerical simulations. Two immiscible fluids with identical reference density undergo systematic variations in dispersed-phase volume fractions,

$0.0 \leq \varPhi \leq 0.5$

, and ratios of dynamic viscosity,

$\lambda _{\mu }$

, and thermal diffusivity,

$\lambda _{\alpha }$

, within the range

$[0.1\unicode{x2013}10]$

. The Rayleigh, Prandtl, Weber and Froude numbers are held constant at

$10^8$

,

$4$

,

$6000$

and

$1$

, respectively. Initially, when both fluids share the same properties, a 10 % Nusselt number increase is observed at the highest volume fractions. In this case, despite a reduction in turbulent kinetic energy, droplets enhance energy transfer to smaller scales, smaller than those of single-phase flow, promoting local mixing. By varying viscosity ratios, while maintaining a constant Rayleigh number based on the average mixture properties, the global heat transfer rises by approximately 25 % at

$\varPhi =0.2$

and

$\lambda _{\mu }=10$

. This is attributed to increased small-scale mixing and turbulence in the less viscous carrier phase. In addition, a dispersed phase with higher thermal diffusivity results in a 50 % reduction in the Nusselt number compared with the single-phase counterpart, owing to faster heat conduction and reduced droplet presence near walls. The study also addresses droplet-size distributions, confirming two distinct ranges dominated by coalescence and breakup with different scaling laws.
Diffusion-driven flows in a nonlinear stratified fluid layer
Authors: Ding Lingyun
Published: November 2024

Diffusion-driven flow is a boundary layer flow arising from the interplay of gravity and diffusion in density-stratified fluids when a gravitational field is non-parallel to an impermeable solid boundary. This study investigates diffusion-driven flow within a nonlinearly density-stratified fluid confined between two tilted parallel walls. We introduce an asymptotic expansion inspired by the centre manifold theory, where quantities are expanded in terms of derivatives of the cross-sectional averaged stratified scalar (such as salinity or temperature). This technique provides accurate approximations for velocity, density and pressure fields. Furthermore, we derive an evolution equation describing the cross-sectional averaged stratified scalar. This equation takes the form of the traditional diffusion equation but replaces the constant diffusion coefficient with a positive-definite function dependent on the solution's derivative. Numerical simulations validate the accuracy of our approximations. Our investigation of the effective equation reveals that the density profile depends on a non-dimensional parameter denoted as

$\gamma$

representing the flow strength. In the large

$\gamma$

limit, the system is approximated by a diffusion process with an augmented diffusion coefficient of

$1+\cot ^{2}\theta$

, where

$\theta$

signifies the inclination angle of the channel domain. This parameter regime is where diffusion-driven flow exhibits its strongest mixing ability. Conversely, in the small

$\gamma$

regime, the density field behaves like pure diffusion with distorted isopycnals. Lastly, we show that the classical thin film equation aligns with the results obtained using the proposed expansion in the small

$\gamma$

regime but fails to accurately describe the dynamics of the density field for large

$\gamma$

.
On the short-wavelength three-dimensional instability in the cylinder wake
Authors: Aleksyuk Andrey I. , Heil Matthias
Published: November 2024

We examine the mechanisms responsible for the onset of the three-dimensional mode B instability in the wake behind a circular cylinder. We show that it is possible to explicitly account for the stabilising effect of spanwise viscous diffusion and then demonstrate that the remaining mechanisms involved in this short-wavelength instability are preserved in the limit of zero wavelength. Using the resulting simplified equations, we show that perturbations in different fluid particles interact only through the in-plane viscous diffusion which turns out to have a destabilising effect. We also show that in the presence of viscous diffusion, the closed trajectories which had been conjectured to play a crucial role in the onset of the mode B instability are not actually a prerequisite for the growth of mode B type perturbations. We combine these observations to identify the three essential ingredients for the development of the mode B instability: (i) the amplification of perturbations in the braid regions due to the stretching mechanism; and the spreading of perturbations through (ii) viscous diffusion, and (iii) cross-flow advection which transports fluid between the two braid regions on either side of the cylinder. Finally, we develop a simple criterion that allows the prediction of the regions where three-dimensional short-wavelength perturbations are amplified by the stretching mechanism. The approach used in our study is general and has the potential to give insights into the onset of three-dimensionality via short-wavelength instabilities in other flows.
Second Hankel determinant of logarithmic coefficients of inverse strongly starlike functions
Authors: Lecko Adam , Śmiarowska Barbara
Published: November 2024

The sharp bound of the second Hankel determinant of logarithmic coefficients of inverse functions of strongly starlike functions is computed.
Reconfigurable cable-driven parallel mechanism design: physical constraints and control
Authors: Khoshbin Elham , Otis Martin J.-D. , Meziane Ramy
Published: November 2024

The cable-driven parallel mechanism (CDPM) is known as an interesting application in industry to pick and place objects owing to its advantages such as large workspaces. In addition to the advantages of this mechanism, there are some challenges to improving performance by considering constraints in different components, such as the behavior of cables, shape, size of the end effector and base, and model of pulleys and actuators. Moreover, the impact of online geometry reconfiguration must be analyzed. This paper demonstrates the impact of these constraints on the performance of reconfigurable CDPM. The methodology is based on the systematic review and meta-analysis guidelines to report the results. The databases used to find the papers are extracted from Scopus and Google Scholar, using related keywords. As a result, the impact of physical constraints on system performance is discussed. A total of 90 and 37 articles are selected, respectively. After removing duplicates and unrelated papers, 88 studies that met the inclusion criteria are selected for review. Even when considering the physical constraints in modeling the mechanism, simplifications in designing a model for the reconfigurable CDPM generate errors. There is a gap in designing high-performance controllers to track desired trajectories while reconfiguring the geometry, and the satisfaction of physical constraints needs to be satisfied. In conclusion, this review presents several constraints in designing a controller to track desired trajectories and improve performance in future work. This paper presents an integrated controller architecture that includes physical constraints and predictive control.
The performance of a new rapid interferon gamma release assay based on fluorescence immunochromatography for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection testing in village doctors in China
Authors: Cao Xuefang , Chen Yanxiao , Xin Henan , Du Jiang , Feng Boxuan , He Yijun , Guo Tonglei , Shen Lingyu , Di Yuanzhi , Liang Jianguo , Li Zihan , Zhang Bin , Wang Dakuan , Liu Zisen , Duan Weitao , Jin Qi , Gao Lei
Published: November 2024

The AIMTB rapid test assay is an emerging test, which adopted a fluorescence immunochromatographic assay to measure interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production following stimulation of effector memory T cells in whole blood by mycobacterial proteins. The aim of this article was to explore the ability of AIMTB rapid test assay in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection compared with the widely applied QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) test among rural doctors in China. In total, 511 participants were included in the survey. The concordance between the QFT-Plus test and the AIMTB rapid test assay was 94.47% with a Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ) of 0.84 (95% CI, 0.79–0.90). Improved concordance between the two tests was observed in males and in participants with 26 or more years of service as rural doctors. The quantitative values of the QFT-Plus test was higher in individuals with a result of QFT-Plus-/AIMTB+ as compared to those with a result of QFT-Plus-/AIMTB- (p < 0.001). Overall, our study found that there was an excellent consistency between the AIMTB rapid test assay and the QFT-Plus test in a Chinese population. As the AIMTB rapid test assay is fast and easy to operate, it has the potential to improve latent tuberculosis infection testing and treatment at the community level in resource-limited settings.
Prevalence and prognosis of tinnitus in post-COVID-19 patients: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Mao Shihang , Gu Dantong , Wang Di , Li Peifan , Huang Xiaoling , Yin Haoning , Sun Shan
Published: November 2024

Recent developments have indicated a potential association between tinnitus and COVID-19. The study aimed to understand tinnitus following COVID-19 by examining its severity, recovery prospects, and connection to other lasting COVID-19 effects. Involving 1331 former COVID-19 patients, the online survey assessed tinnitus severity, cognitive issues, and medical background. Of the participants, 27.9% reported tinnitus after infection. Findings showed that as tinnitus severity increased, the chances of natural recovery fell, with more individuals experiencing ongoing symptoms (p < 0.001). Those with the Grade II mild tinnitus (OR = 3.68; CI = 1.89–7.32; p = 0.002), Grade III tinnitus (OR = 3.70; CI = 1.94–7.22; p < 0.001), Grade IV (OR = 6.83; CI = 3.73–12.91; p < 0.001), and a history of tinnitus (OR = 1.96; CI = 1.08–3.64; p = 0.03) had poorer recovery outcomes. Grade IV cases were most common (33.2%), and severe tinnitus was strongly associated with the risk of developing long-term hearing loss, anxiety, and emotional disorders (p < 0.001). The study concludes that severe post-COVID tinnitus correlates with a worse prognosis and potential hearing loss, suggesting the need for attentive treatment and management of severe cases.
New data about the use of coinage in Late Antique Tridentum (Trento, Italy)
Authors: Conejo Delgado Noé
Published: November 2024

In 2003, rescue excavations at Piazzeta dell'Anfiteatro, Trento, identified an extramural funerary area dated to the 5th c. CE. The necropolis yielded 45 coins (3rd–5th c.), most of which were involuntary losses. Owing to the sound stratigraphy of the site, these coins present a reliable sample of coinage circulating in Tridentum during the 5th c. This study presents a brief synthesis of the transformations undergone by the Late Antique city, so as to understand the dynamics attested in Piazzeta dell'Anfiteatro, a description of the stratigraphic units that contained coins, and a detailed analysis of the coins from several perspectives. The aim is to improve our understanding of the Late Antique monetary history of the city and Trentino's territory.
Can Autocracy Handle Climate Change?
Authors: Shen Shiran Victoria
Published: November 2024

Existing literature on climate politics predominantly concentrates on democracies. However, there is a pressing need to examine how authoritarian regimes respond to climate change, given their growing impact on global carbon emissions and their populations’ acute climate vulnerability. Extant research often assumes that authoritarian regimes have inherent advantages in addressing climate change, leading to overly optimistic perspectives on their capabilities. This study highlights the necessity of qualifying those assumptions and evaluates the comparative advantages and disadvantages of autocracies relative to democracies throughout the policy process: policy formulation (or outputs), implementation, and outcomes. I argue that whereas climate-conscious autocracies may efficiently produce policy outputs based on scientific evidence, they often face more challenges related to information about local enforcement during implementation. This may result in greater hurdles than democracies, even with adequate state capacity and monitoring infrastructure. Furthermore, this analysis contends that a country’s developmental stage, rather than its regime type, is related more directly to the effectiveness of translating implementation efforts into tangible policy outcomes. Therefore, this article posits that the political science discourse, which often juxtaposes democracies with autocracies, should expand its scope to better understand how a country’s developmental level influences the success of its climate strategies.
Design, modeling, and preliminary evaluation of a 3D-printed wrist–hand grasping orthosis for stroke survivors
Authors: Ledoux Elissa D. , Barth Eric J.
Published: November 2024

Stroke causes neurological and physical impairment in millions of people around the world every year. To better comprehend the upper-limb needs and challenges stroke survivors face and the issues associated with existing technology and formulate ideas for a technological solution, the authors conversed with 153 members of the ecosystem (60 neuro patients, 30 caregivers, and 63 medical providers). Patients fell into two populations depending on their upper-limb impairment: spastic (stiff, clenched hands) and flaccid (limp hands). For this work, the authors chose to focus on the second category and developed a set of design constraints based on the information collected through customer discovery. With these in mind, they designed and prototyped a 3D-printed powered wrist–hand grasping orthosis (exoskeleton) to aid in recovery. The orthosis is easily custom-sized based on two parameters and derived anatomical relationships. The researchers tested the prototype on a survivor of stroke and modeled the kinematic behavior of the orthosis with and without load. The prototype neared or exceeded the target design constraints and was able to grasp objects consistently and stably, as well as exercise the patients’ hands. In particular, donning time was only 42 s, as compared to the next fastest time of 3 min reported in literature. This device has the potential for effective neurorehabilitation in a home setting, and it lays the foundation for clinical trials and further device development.
Pilotierung einer Intervention zur Bewältigung von Progredienzangst in Familien mit einem Kind mit Krebserkrankung
Authors: Herrmann Jessy , Santel Anja , Kulisch Leonhard Konstantin , Kern Laura , Hoffmann Rahel , Engelhardt-Lohrke Christa , Herzog Kristina , Chen-Santel Christiane , Christiansen Holger , Schepper Florian
Published: November 2024

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Progredienzangst (PA) ist eine der häufigsten psychosozialen Belastungen von pädiatrisch-onkologischen Patient_innen und ihren Eltern. Erstmals wurde ein Interventionsmanual für den pädiatrischen Kontext entwickelt und pilotiert (KIPA, Kinder-Progredienzangst). Fragestellung: Ziel der Studie war die Beurteilung der Zufriedenheit, Manualtreue und Anwendbarkeit von KIPA. Methoden: Patient_innen in der onkologischen Akutversorgung oder Nachsorge und ihre Eltern nahmen an der KIPA-Intervention teil. Zufriedenheit und Manualtreue wurden mittels Fragebögen erfasst und deskriptiv ausgewertet. Expert_innen diskutierten die Anwendbarkeit von KIPA in einer Fokusgruppe. Die protokollierten Diskussionspunkte wurden zusammengefasst. Ergebnisse: Die KIPA-Intervention wurde von Therapeut_innen sowie Eltern und Kindern positiv wahrgenommen und konnte größtenteils manualtreu umgesetzt werden. Sie ist ab einem Alter von sieben Jahren für Kinder zu empfehlen und kann durch das Spezifizieren von Inhalten sowohl in Akutversorgung und Nachsorge angewendet werden. Fazit: KIPA stellt einen ersten, breit anwendbaren Ansatz zur Behandlung von Progredienzangst in der pädiatrischen Onkologie dar.
An Analytical Formulation for Correcting the Relative Permeability of Gas‐Water Flow in Propped Fractures Considering the Effect of Brinkman Flow
Authors: Li Qingquan , Teng Bailu , Luo Wanjing , Wang Qian , Yang Yongpeng , Zhang Xuanming
Published: November 2024

Gas‐water flow in propped fractures can be commonly observed in various practical applications, including hydrocarbon development, geothermal exploitation, contaminant transport, and geological carbon storage. The fluid flow in a propped fracture can be regarded as Darcy type if only the resistance from the propping materials (e.g., cement in natural fractures and proppant‐pack in hydraulic fractures) accounts. However, if the fracture width is sufficiently small, the extra resistance from the viscous shear of fracture walls cannot be neglected, resulting in the appearance of Brinkman flow. In practice, during the development of a naturally fractured aquifer or a hydraulicly fractured hydrocarbon reservoir, the fracture width will be significantly reduced as the production proceeds. Therefore, the Brinkman flow can impose a strong effect on the fluid transportation within the fractures. However, the existing study about the two‐phase Brinkman flow in propped fractures is still far from adequate. In this work, on the basis of a modified two‐phase Brinkman equation, the authors derive a novel analytical formulation to correct the relative permeability of gas‐water two‐phase flow in propped fractures to account for the Brinkman effect. With the aid of the proposed formulation, the authors carry out a comprehensive investigation of the influence of Brinkman flow on the effective gas‐water relative permeability and well performance. The calculated results show that the effect of Brinkman flow on the water phase (or gas phase) transportation is more significant with a larger water (or gas) saturation. A narrower propped fracture is more likely to induce Brinkman flow, thus leading to a lower relative permeability for both water and gas phases. As the propping‐material permeability is increased, the fluid transportation bears more severe viscous drag from fracture walls, and the relative permeability will be consequently reduced. Only if the fracture width is significantly reduced during the production, the Brinkman flow demonstrates its influence on the well performance. Otherwise, Darcy's law can provide sufficiently accurate results in characterizing the two‐phase flow in propped fractures.