bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DFTMicroagg: a dual-level anonymization algorithm for smart grid data
Authors: Adewole Kayode S. , Torra Vicenç
Published: September 2022

The introduction of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) smart meters has given rise to fine-grained electricity usage data at different levels of time granularity. AMI collects high-frequency daily energy consumption data that enables utility companies and data aggregators to perform a rich set of grid operations such as demand response, grid monitoring, load forecasting and many more. However, the privacy concerns associated with daily energy consumption data has been raised. Existing studies on data anonymization for smart grid data focused on the direct application of perturbation algorithms, such as microaggregation, to protect the privacy of consumers. In this paper, we empirically show that reliance on microaggregation alone is not sufficient to protect smart grid data. Therefore, we propose DFTMicroagg algorithm that provides a dual level of perturbation to improve privacy. The algorithm leverages the benefits of discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and microaggregation to provide additional layer of protection. We evaluated our algorithm on two publicly available smart grid datasets with millions of smart meters readings. Experimental results based on clustering analysis using k-Means, classification via k-nearest neighbor (kNN) algorithm and mean hourly energy consumption forecast using Seasonal Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Average with eXogenous (SARIMAX) factors model further proved the applicability of the proposed method. Our approach provides utility companies with more flexibility to control the level of protection for their published energy data.
Towards standardisation of automatic pollen and fungal spore monitoring: best practises and guidelines
Authors: Tummon Fiona , Bruffaerts Nicolas , Celenk Sevcan , Choël Marie , Clot Bernard , Crouzy Benoît , Galán Carmen , Gilge Stefan , Hajkova Lenka , Mokin Vitalii , O’Connor David , Rodinkova Victoria , Sauliene Ingrida , Sikoparija Branko , Sofiev Mikhail , Sozinova Olga , Tesendic Danijela , Vasilatou Konstantina
Published: September 2022

Standards for manual pollen and fungal spore monitoring have been established based on several decades of experience, tests, and research. New technological and methodological advancements have led to the development of a range of different automatic instruments for which no standard yet exist. This paper aims to provide an overview of aspects that need to be considered for automatic pollen and fungal spore monitoring, including a set of guidelines and recommendations. It covers issues relevant to developing an automatic monitoring network, from the instrument design and calibration through algorithm development to site selection criteria. Despite no official standard yet existing, it is essential that all aspects of the measurement chain are carried out in a manner that is as standardised as possible to ensure high-quality data and information can be provided to end-users.
Theorising the Fiduciary: Ontology and Ethics
Authors: Mussell Helen J.
Published: September 2022

Despite the omnipresence of the fiduciary in business organisations, there is an omission of theorisations of this legal concept within business ethics literature. This is surprising considering its widespread and embedded use, but even more so given that the presence of ethics within the fiduciary is increasingly contested ground. This article addresses both issues by theorising the fiduciary using an ontological analysis—one which subsequently helps identify a suitable ethical framework. The article argues on two grounds that the ontology of the fiduciary is inherently relational; it renders the fiduciary’s implicit ontology explicit. Firstly, the fiduciary is shown to be process-oriented, indicating an open, emergent, and relational ontology at work. Secondly, historical investigation of the development of the fiduciary highlights its core relationship structure, and the interdependency and power dynamic embedded in the fiduciary are revealed. The argument is advanced that by bringing this inherent relational ontology to the fore, we can see how a relational ethical framework—the Ethics of Care—is best placed to explicate the ethics at work in the fiduciary. The article concludes with a discussion outlining how this ontological theorisation offers utility in steering future practice of the fiduciary.
Spherical doubly warped spacetimes for radiating stars and cosmology
Authors: Mantica Carlo Alberto , Molinari Luca Guido
Published: September 2022

Spherically symmetric spacetimes are ambient spaces for models of stellar collapse and inhomogeneous cosmology. We obtain results for the Weyl tensor and the covariant form of the Ricci tensor on general doubly warped (DW) spacetimes. In a spherically symmetric metric, the Ricci and electric tensors become rank-2, built with the metric tensor, a velocity vector field and its acceleration. Their structure dictates the general form of the energy-momentum tensor in the Einstein equations in DW spherical metrics. The anisotropic pressure and the heat current of an imperfect fluid descend from the gradient of the acceleration and the electric part of the Weyl tensor. For radiating stellar collapse with heat flow, the junction conditions of the doubly warped metric with the Vaidya metric are reviewed, with the boundary condition for the radial pressure. The conditions for isotropy simply accomodate various models in the literature. The anisotropy of the Ricci tensor in the special case of spherical GRW space-times (geodesic velocity), gives Friedmann equations deviating from standard FRW cosmology by terms due to the electric tensor. We introduce “perfect 2-scalars” to discuss f(R) gravity with anisotropic fluid source in a doubly warped spacetime, and show that the new geometric terms in the field equations do not change the tensor structure of the fluid energy-momentum tensor.
On the high-energy electron beam irradiation-induced defects in Cu2SnSe3 system: an effort towards modifying the structure, microstructure, and thermoelectric transport
Authors: Gurukrishna K. , Mangavati Suraj , Rao Ashok , Poornesh P. , Petwal Vikash Chandra , Verma Vijay Pal , Dwivedi Jishnu
Published: September 2022

We present report on modulating thermoelectric transport in Cu2SnSe3system via irradiating high-energy electrons of energy of about 8 MeV. Electrical transport is investigated at near room to mid-temperature regime (300–700 K). A smooth transition from degenerate to non-degenerate type of conductivity is observed in all the samples, which indicates the injection of minority carriers with ionisation of defects at high temperatures. Defects created through the knock-on displacement of the constituent atoms is successful in promoting the power factor in the material. Cu2SnSe3irradiated with 50 kGy is found to achieve highest power factor of 228 µW/mK2at 700 K, which is nearly 20% higher than the power factor of pristine material at the same temperature.
Measure and Statistical Attractors for Nonautonomous Dynamical Systems
Authors: Oljača Lea , Ashwin Peter , Rasmussen Martin
Published: September 2022

Various inequivalent notions of attraction for autonomous dynamical systems have been proposed, each of them useful to understand specific aspects of attraction. Milnor’s notion of a measure attractor considers invariant sets with positive measure basin of attraction, while Ilyashenko’s weaker notion of a statistical attractor considers positive measure points that approach the invariant set in terms of averages. In this paper we propose generalisations of these notions to nonautonomous evolution processes in continuous time. We demonstrate that pullback/forward measure/statistical attractors can be defined in an analogous manner and relate these to the respective autonomous notions when an autonomous system is considered as nonautonomous. There are some subtleties even in this special case–we illustrate an example of a two-dimensional flow with a one-dimensional measure attractor containing a single point statistical attractor. We show that the single point can be a pullback measure attractor for this system. Finally, for the particular case of an asymptotically autonomous system (where there are autonomous future and past limit systems) we relate pullback (respectively, forward) attractors to the past (respectively, future) limit systems.
Comment on “On the Analysis of the Tin-Inside-$$H_3S$$ Mössbauer Experiment”
Authors: Hirsch J. E.
Published: September 2022

Prozorov and Bud’ko (On the analysis of the tin-inside-H3S Mössbauer experiment, 2022) recently analyzed the nuclear resonant scattering (NRS) experiment that reportedly demonstrated magnetic field exclusion in sulfur hydride under pressure (Science 351, 1303, 2016), and concluded that the experiment is consistent with the expected behavior of a type II superconductor. Here I point out that their analysis shows that the reported NRS measurements are incompatible with the recently reported magnetization measurements by Minkov et al. (Nat Commun 13, 3194, 2022), indicating that at minimum one of these two experiments does not support the claim that sulfur hydride under pressure is superconducting.
Advancements in Particle Engineering for Inhalation Delivery of Small Molecules and Biotherapeutics
Authors: Chang Rachel Yoon Kyung , Chan Hak-Kim
Published: September 2022

Dry powder inhalation formulations have become increasingly popular for local and systemic delivery of small molecules and biotherapeutics. Powder formulations provide distinct advantages over liquid formulations such as elimination of cold chain due to room temperature stability, improved portability, and the potential for increasing patient adherence. To become a viable product, it is essential to develop formulations that are stable (physically, chemically and/or biologically) and inhalable over the shelf-life. Physical particulate properties such as particle size, morphology and density, as well as chemical properties can significantly impact aerosol performance of the powder. This review will cover these critical attributes that can be engineered to enhance the dispersibility of inhalation powder formulations. Challenges in particle engineering for biotherapeutics will be assessed, followed by formulation strategies for overcoming the hurdles. Finally, the review will discuss recent examples of successful dry powder biotherapeutic formulations for inhalation delivery that have been clinically assessed.
Field scale plant water relation of maize (Zea mays) under drought – impact of root hairs and soil texture
Authors: Jorda Helena , Ahmed Mutez A. , Javaux Mathieu , Carminati Andrea , Duddek Patrick , Vetterlein Doris , Vanderborght Jan
Published: September 2022

Background and aims

Impact of drought on crop growth depends on soil and root hydraulic properties that determine the access of plant roots to soil water. Root hairs may increase the accessible water pool but their effect depends on soil hydraulic properties and adaptions of root systems to drought. These adaptions are difficult to investigate in pot experiments that focus on juvenile plants.

Methods

A wild-type and its root hairless mutant maize (Zea mays) were grown in the field in loam and sand substrates during two growing seasons with a large precipitation deficit. A comprehensive dataset of soil and plant properties and monitored variables were collected and interpreted using simulations with a mechanistic root water uptake model.

Results

Total crop water use was similar in both soils and for both genotypes whereas shoot biomass was larger for the wild type than for the hairless mutant and did not differ between soils. Total final root length was larger in sand than in loam but did not differ between genotypes. Simulations showed that root systems of both genotypes and in both soils extracted all plant available soil water, which was similar for sand and loam, at a potential rate. Leaf water potentials were overestimated by the model, especially for the hairless mutant in sand substrate because the water potential drop in the rhizosphere was not considered.

Conclusions

A direct effect of root hairs on water uptake was not observed but root hairs might influence leaf water potential dependent growth.
Meaningful higher education in Kakuma refugee camp: A case study of why context and contextualization matter
Authors: O’Keeffe Paul , Lovey Thibault
Published: September 2022

In recent years, higher education in refugee contexts has begun to receive increasing attention within the humanitarian-development sector. Resource constraints, coupled with the technology and innovation zeitgeist in international development drives, have helped to create a higher education space where courses in refugee camps are typically delivered via online learning platforms directly from Western education providers. As the space develops, a shift in attention is beginning to occur, such that the legitimacy of online learning for refugees is now being questioned. At the heart of this question are the issue of contextualization and a call for greater emphasis to be placed on blended learning approaches that better reflect the realities of refugee learners. In this case study, the authors compare and evaluate a contextualized medical studies course that was delivered via blended learning in the Kakuma refugee camp in 2019 with a non-contextualized version of the same course that was delivered in the Dadaab refugee camp in 2018. The study explores the contextualization process and finds that the contextualized course achieved better learning outcomes than did the non-contextualized version of the course.
Cognitive ontology and the search for neural mechanisms: three foundational problems
Authors: Francken Jolien C. , Slors Marc , Craver Carl F.
Published: September 2022

The central task of cognitive neuroscience to map cognitive capacities to neural mechanisms faces three interlocking conceptual problems that together frame the problem of cognitive ontology. First, they must establish which tasks elicit which cognitive capacities, and specifically when different tasks elicit the same capacity. To address thisoperationalization problem, scientists often assess whether the tasks engage the same neural mechanisms. But to determine whether mechanisms are of the same or different kinds, we need to solve theabstraction problemby determining which mechanistic differences are and are not relevant, and also theboundary problemby distinguishing the mechanism from its background conditions. Solving these problems, in turn, requires understanding how cognitive capacities are elicited in tasks. These three problems, which have been noted and discussed elsewhere in the literature, together form a ‘cycle of kinds’ that frames the central problem-space of cognitive ontology. We describe this cycle to clarify the intellectual challenges facing the cognitive ontologist and to reveal the kind of iterative process by which ontological revision in cognitive neuroscience is likely to unfold.
Prosocial Organizational Capabilities in the Work-Integration Social Enterprise
Authors: Sacchetti Silvia
Published: September 2022

This study investigates which organizational capabilities (OC) enable Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs) to pursue both social objectives and sustainable sources of revenue. It does so by focusing on the nature and use of OC that support both the social and the economic sustainability of this type of enterprise. The focus of the study is a consortium of 22 organizations that operate under the umbrella of Harmony, the fictional name of a WISE founded in Veneto, Italy. Case study analysis revealed three essential key prosocial capabilities supporting social innovation, namely the capability to engage and include stakeholders, the capability to learn from stakeholders and the capability to grow by diversification. We recommend that WISEs should establish a set of prosocial routines which enable solutions to complex neglected issues, such as the integration of the various categories of people facing specific challenges and which explicitly work towards the creation of social value.
Karawun: a software package for assisting evaluation of advances in multimodal imaging for neurosurgical planning and intraoperative neuronavigation
Authors: Beare Richard , Alexander Bonnie , Warren Aaron , Kean Michael , Seal Marc , Wray Alison , Maixner Wirginia , Yang Joseph Yuan-Mou
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The neuroimaging research community—which includes a broad range of scientific, medical, statistical, and engineering disciplines—has developed many tools to advance our knowledge of brain structure, function, development, aging, and disease. Past research efforts have clearly shaped clinical practice. However, translation of new methodologies into clinical practice is challenging. Anything that can reduce these barriers has the potential to improve the rate at which research outcomes can contribute to clinical practice.

In this article, we introduce Karawun, a file format conversion tool, that has become a key part of our work in translating advances in diffusion imaging acquisition and analysis into neurosurgical practice at our institution.

Methods

Karawun links analysis workflows created using open-source neuroimaging software, to Brainlab (Brainlab AG, Munich, Germany), a commercially available surgical planning and navigation suite. Karawun achieves this using DICOM standards supporting representation of 3D structures, including tractography streamlines, and thus offers far more than traditional screenshot or color overlay approaches.

Results

We show that neurosurgical planning data, created from multimodal imaging data using analysis methods implemented in open-source research software, can be imported into Brainlab. The datasets can be manipulated as if they were created by Brainlab, including 3D visualizations of white matter tracts and other objects.

Conclusion

Clinicians can explore and interact with the results of research neuroimaging pipelines using familiar tools within their standard clinical workflow, understand the impact of the new methods on their practice and provide feedback to methods developers. This capability has been important to the translation of advanced analysis techniques into practice at our institution.
Effect of Phase-Selective Nanoscale Precipitates on the Bauschinger Effect in Austenitic–Ferritic Duplex Stainless Steels
Authors: Kreins M. , Wilkes J. , Wesselmecking S. , Krupp U.
Published: September 2022

The Bauschinger effect in austenitic–ferritic duplex stainless steel 1.4462 was investigated using tension–compression tests combined with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). A major focus was on the impact of phase-selective nanoscale α′ precipitates formed in the ferritic phase due to 475 °C embrittlement. Contrary to the general knowledge that coherent precipitates have only a short-range effect and thus no significant influence, a strong increase in the Bauschinger effect was detected. Based on EBSD data and cyclic micro-indentations in individual grains, it was demonstrated that α′ precipitates enhance the phase difference between austenite and ferrite and increase deformation incompatibility and local dislocation density gradients at phase boundaries. Thus, despite their small size and coherence, α′ precipitates lead to long-range back stresses that significantly enhance the Bauschinger effect. In addition, the influence of precipitation was shown to depend on the extent of pre-strain during initial loading. The insights demonstrate that the influence of precipitates on the Bauschinger effect is highly complex and always needs to be analyzed with respect to precipitation characteristics, microstructure, and external boundary conditions.
Three-dimensional inversion of knot defects recognition in timber cutting
Authors: Zhang Yizhuo , Jiang Dapeng , Zhang Zebing , Chen Jinhao
Published: September 2022

The comprehensive utilization of wood is the main goal of log cutting, but knot defects increase the difficulty of rationally optimizing cutting. Due to the lack of real shape data of knot defects in logs, it is difficult for detection methods to establish a correlation between signal and defect morphology. An image-processing method is proposed for knot inversion based on distance regularized level set segmentation (DRLSE) and spatial vertex clustering, and with the inversion of the defects existing relative board position in the log, an inversion model of the knot defect is established. First, the defect edges of the top and bottom images of the boards are extracted by DRLSE and ellipse fitting, and the major axes of the ellipses made coplanar by angle correction; second, the coordinate points of the top and bottom ellipse edges are extracted to form a spatial straight line; third, to solve the intersection dispersion of spatial straight lines and the major axis plane, K-medoids clustering is used to locate the vertex. Finally, with the vertex and the large ellipse, a 3D cone model is constructed which can be used to invert the shape of knots in the board. The experiment was conducted on ten defective larch boards, and the experimental results showed that this method can accurately invert the shapes of defects in solid wood boards with the advantages of low cost and easy operation.
A critical review on oligometastatic disease: a radiation oncologist’s perspective
Authors: Pacifico Pietro , Colciago Riccardo Ray , De Felice Francesca , Boldrini Luca , Salvestrini Viola , Nardone Valerio , Desideri Isacco , Greco Carlo , Arcangeli Stefano
Published: September 2022

Since the first definition by Hellman and Weichselbaum in 1995, the concept of OligoMetastatic Disease (OMD) is a growing oncology field. It was hypothesized that OMD is a clinical temporal window between localized primary tumor and widespread metastases deserving of potentially curative treatment. In real-world clinical practice, OMD is a “spectrum of disease” that includes a highly heterogeneous population of patients with different prognosis. Metastasis directed therapy with local ablative treatment have proved to be a valid alternative to surgical approach. Stereotactic body radiation therapy demonstrated high local control rate and increased survival outcomes in this setting with a low rate of toxicity. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding many clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic aspects of this disease entity. In this review, we try to summarize the major critical features that could drive radiation oncologists toward a better selection of patients, treatments, and study endpoints. With the help of a set of practical questions, we aim to integrate the literature discussion.
Electrochemically Generated Iodine Cations from a Glassy Carbon Electrode for Highly Selective Iodination of Anisole
Authors: Yan Liang , Lei Haitao , Yang Pengcheng , Zhang Wei
Published: September 2022

The synthesis of aryl iodides from commercially available raw chemicals by simple, cheap and green strategies is of fundamental significance. Aryl iodides can undergo a series of homo-/cross-coupling reactions for the synthesis of important industrial chemicals and materials. Traditional methods require the electrophilic substitution on aromatic compounds by iodine or hypervalent iodine compounds, which suffers from the use of erosive halogens or hazardous oxidants. With the development of green chemistry in the field of electrochemical synthesis, anodic oxidation-derived I+ cations have been used for substitution reactions. However, the selectivity of the iodination by these electrochemical methods remains unsatisfactory. We believed that the anolyte is contaminated by trace platinum species from the working electrode. Herein, we report the generation of active I+ species from the anodic oxidation of I2 in acetonitrile using a glassy carbon electrode. With the presence of H+, electrolyte prepared with a glassy carbon anode can react with anisole to selectively form 4-iodoanisole with a yield as high as 97%. On contrast, the electrolytes prepared from Pt and graphite anodes finished the reaction with yields of 16% and 60% for 4-iodoanisole, respectively. This electrochemical method also applies to the iodination of toluene, benzonitrile and bromobenzene, delivering the target para-iodination products with 92%, 84%, and 73% yields, respectively. Thus, an atom-efficient and highly selective aryl iodination method was developed without the use of excessive oxidants.
The Hajłasz Capacity Density Condition is Self-improving
Authors: Canto Javier , Vähäkangas Antti V.
Published: September 2022

We prove a self-improvement property of a capacity density condition for a nonlocal Hajłasz gradient in complete geodesic spaces with a doubling measure. The proof relates the capacity density condition with boundary Poincaré inequalities, adapts Keith–Zhong techniques for establishing local Hardy inequalities and applies Koskela–Zhong arguments for proving self-improvement properties of local Hardy inequalities. This leads to a characterization of the Hajłasz capacity density condition in terms of a strict upper bound on the upper Assouad codimension of the underlying set, which shows the self-improvement property of the Hajłasz capacity density condition.
Physiological Recordings of the Cerebellum in Movement Disorders
Authors: Kumar Ami , Lin Chih-Chun , Kuo Sheng-Han , Pan Ming-Kai
Published: September 2022

The cerebellum plays an important role in movement disorders, specifically in symptoms of ataxia, tremor, and dystonia. Understanding the physiological signals of the cerebellum contributes to insights into the pathophysiology of these movement disorders and holds promise in advancing therapeutic development. Non-invasive techniques such as electroencephalogram and magnetoencephalogram can record neural signals with high temporal resolution at the millisecond level, which is uniquely suitable to interrogate cerebellar physiology. These techniques have recently been implemented to study cerebellar physiology in healthy subjects as well as individuals with movement disorders. In the present review, we focus on the current understanding of cerebellar physiology using these techniques to study movement disorders.
Influence of Heavy Metals on the Rheology of a Thermophilic Biological Sludge for nutrients Recovery: Effect of Iron, Copper, and Aluminium on Fluid Consistency
Authors: Collivignarelli Maria Cristina , Bellazzi Stefano , Carnevale Miino Marco , Caccamo Francesca Maria , Calatroni Silvia , Durante Angela , Baldi Marco
Published: September 2022

Currently, thermophilic membrane biological reactors (TMBRs) are used to treat industrial wastewaters and biological sewage sludge with the aim of nutrients recovery. The performance of the biological process is strongly influenced by rheological behaviour of the thermophilic biological sludge (TBS) inside the reactor. Considering the high concentration of heavy metals in matrices fed to the reactors, this work aims to evaluate the influence of heavy metal types and concentration on rheological properties of TBS. Sludge has been extracted from a full-scale TMBR and conditioned with Fe3+, Cu2+, and Al3+. Rheological measures have been conducted and constants k and n of Herschel–Bulkley model were used to define the rheological properties of TBS. Rheological properties of high consistency TBS (0.06 ≤ k0 < 0.2 and 0.6 ≤ n0 < 0.8) were not significantly affected by the conditioning with Fe3+, Cu2+, and Al3+. In case of TBS with initial low consistency (0.02 ≤ k0 < 0.06) and behaviour more similar to Newtonian fluids (0.8 ≤ n0 < 1), Fe3+ and Al3+ determined a significant increase in consistency. On the contrary, the addition of Cu2+ reduced k of conditioned TBS with a lower impact on the distance for Newtonian behaviour (n). This work demonstrates the strong influence of Fe3+, Cu2+, and Al3+ on the rheological properties of TBS depending on the initial consistency of the sludge, and the types and dosage of heavy metals.

Graphical Abstract
Hydrocarbon generation and expulsion process in the deepwater area of the Qiongdongnan Basin of China: insights from artificial thermal maturation experiments
Authors: Zhang Shuncun , Su Long , Zhang Dongwei , Yang Haizhang , Kang Qiangqiang
Published: September 2022

A series of natural gas fields have been discovered in the deepwater area of the Qiongdongnan Basin (QDNB) of China. However, the natural gas generation process and mechanism still exist controversy. Hence, two semi-open systematic pyrolysis experiments were conducted on a modified apparatus to study the natural gas generation process and mechanism in the deepwater area of the QDNB in this study, including pressured experiments and non-pressure experiments. In the pressured experiments, a stress pressure ranges from 37.6 to 188.2 MPa and fluid pressure ranges from 14.4 to 96.0 MPa based on the thermal evolution model of the QDNB. In non-pressured experiments, only fluid pressure from 2.0 to 5.0 MPa for a hydrous condition was compared with pressured experiments. The experiment results indicate that the pressured experiments could decrease the generated yields, expulsion efficiencies and expulsion process of the liquid hydrocarbons. Moreover, the suppression effect appears to be stronger under high evolution than that of low-maturity stage. Additionally, liptinite preservation exists during the liquid hydrocarbons and natural gas generation at temperature over 420 °C, whereas the liquid hydrocarbon is cracking to gas at temperature over 500 °C as a function of lithostatic stress, fluid pressure, temperature and time. Hence, pressure plays an important role in influencing expulsion efficiencies and expulsion process of the liquid hydrocarbons and natural gas generation in the high maturity stage.
Enzymatic bioconversion of beechwood xylan into the antioxidant 2′-O-α-(4-O-methyl-D-glucuronosyl)-xylobiose
Authors: Miguez Noa , Fernandez-Polo David , Santos-Moriano Paloma , Rodríguez-Colinas Barbara , Poveda Ana , Jimenez-Barbero Jesus , Ballesteros Antonio O. , Plou Francisco J.
Published: September 2022

Acidic xylooligosaccharides (XOS), also called aldouronics, are hetero-oligomers of xylose randomly branched with 4-O-methyl-D-glucuronic acid residues linked by α(1 → 2) bonds, which display bioactive properties. We have developed a simple and integrated method for the production of acidic XOS by enzymatic hydrolysis of a glucurono-xylan from beechwood. Among the enzymes screened, Depol 670L (a cellulolytic preparation from Trichoderma reesei) displayed the highest activity (70.3 U/mL, expressed in reducing xylose equivalents). High-performance anion-exchange chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) analysis revealed the formation of a neutral fraction (corresponding to linear XOS, mainly xylose and xylobiose) and a group of more retained products (acidic XOS), which were separated using strong anion-exchange cartridges. The acidic fraction contained a major product, characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and mono- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) as 2′-O-α-(4-O-methyl-α-D-glucuronosyl)-xylobiose (X2_MeGlcA). Starting from 2 g of beechwood xylan, 1.5 g of total XOS were obtained, from which 225 mg (11% yield) corresponded to the aldouronic X2_MeGlcA. The acidic XOS exhibited higher antioxidant activity (measured by the ABTS·+ discoloration assay) than xylan, whilst neutral XOS displayed no antioxidant activity. This work demonstrates that it is possible to obtain a safe and natural antioxidant by enzymatic biotransformation of hardwood hemicellulose.
Tracking Procedural Justice in Processing Detainees: Coding Evidence from CCTV Cameras in Three Police Custody Suites
Authors: Firman Catherine Susan , Tankebe Justice
Published: September 2022

Research question

How closely do custody suite encounters between detainees and custody suite officers (CSOs) match the procedural standards for decision makers treating people who are subject to their authority? To what degree does measurement of procedural justice displayed by CSOs on  closed-circuit television (CCTV) records vary across detainees, CSOs and custody suites?

Data

Arrest records for July, August, and September 2020 across three custody suites in the East of England were obtained and a random sample of 150 encounters selected for analysis.

Methods

Encounters between CSOs and detainees at the booking-in stage as captured on pre-recorded CCTV were coded into four elements of procedural justice: voice, trustworthy motives, impartiality, and respect. Non-verbal communications and dialogue were also examined.

Findings

Overall, custody suite officers demonstrated high levels of respect and neutrality in dealing with detainees. However, they showed relatively less care for the wellbeing of the detainees and did not offer them enough opportunities to ‘tell their side of the story’ (‘voice’). Further analysis revealed statistically significant variations across the three custody suites in the level of opportunities offered to detainees to have an input in discussing the decision-making. We also found evidence that as length of service as police officers and in custody roles increased, the observed level of expression of ‘trustworthy motives’ displayed decreased. Finally, detainee compliance with officers was greater when respect and care for the wellbeing of detainees were more pronounced.

Conclusions

A tracking study can help identify police units and police officers with greater concentrations of procedural justice deficits. Such evidence can support more targeted training to improve the delivery of procedural justice, and enhance public confidence in policing.
Empires of Complaints
Authors: Travers Robert
Published: September 2022

In this deeply researched and revealing account, Robert Travers offers a new view of the transition from Mughal to British rule in India. By focusing on processes of petitioning and judicial inquiry, Travers argues that the East India Company consolidated its territorial power in the conquered province of Bengal by co-opting and transforming late Mughal, Persianate practices of administering justice to petitioning subjects. Recasting the origins of the pivotal 'Permanent Settlement' of the Bengal revenues in 1793, Travers explores the gradual production of a new system of colonial taxation and civil law through the selective adaptation and reworking of Mughal norms and precedents. Drawing on English and Persian sources, Empires of Complaints reimagines the origins of British India by foregrounding the late Mughal context for colonial state-formation, and the ways that British rulers reinterpreted and reconstituted Persianate forms of statecraft to suit their new empire.
The Value of Statistical Life: A Meta-Analysis of Meta-Analyses
Authors: Banzhaf H. Spencer
Published: September 2022

The value of statistical life (VSL) is arguably the most important number in benefit–cost analyses of environmental, health, and transportation policies. However, agencies have used a wide range of VSL values. One reason may be the embarrassment of riches when it comes to VSL studies. While meta-analysis is a standard way to synthesize information across studies, we now have multiple competing meta-analyses and reviews. Thus, to analysts, picking one such meta-analysis may feel as hard as picking a single “best study.” This article responds by taking the meta-analysis another step, estimating a meta-analysis (or mixture distribution) of seven meta-analyses. The baseline model yields a central VSL of $8.0 m, with a 90 % confidence interval of $2.4–$14.0 m. The provided code allows users to easily change subjective weights on the studies, add new studies, or change adjustments for income, inflation, and latency.
Associations of red and processed meat intake with screen-detected colorectal lesions
Authors: Kværner Ane Sørlie , Birkeland Einar , Vinberg Elina , Hoff Geir , Hjartåker Anette , Rounge Trine B. , Berstad Paula
Published: September 2022

Limited data exist regarding the role of meat consumption in early-stage colorectal carcinogenesis. We examined associations of red and processed meat intake with screen-detected colorectal lesions in immunochemical fecal occult blood test (FIT)-positive participants, enrolled in the Norwegian CRCbiome study during 2017–2021, aged 55–77 years. Absolute and energy-adjusted intakes of red and processed meat (combined and individually) were assessed using a validated, semi-quantitative FFQ. Associations between meat intake and screen-detected colorectal lesions were examined using multinomial logistic regression analyses with adjustment for key covariates. Of 1162 participants, 319 presented with advanced colorectal lesions at colonoscopy. Highv. low energy-adjusted intakes of red and processed meat combined, as well as red meat alone, were borderline to significantly positively associated with advanced colorectal lesions (OR of 1·24 (95 % CI 0·98, 1·57) and 1·34 (95 % CI 1·07, 1·69), respectively). A significant dose–response relationship was also observed for absolute intake levels (OR of 1·32 (95 % CI 1·09, 1·60) per 100 g/d increase in red and processed meat). For processed meat, no association was observed between energy-adjusted intakes and advanced colorectal lesions. A significant positive association was, however, observed for participants with absolute intake levels ≥ 100v. < 50 g/d (OR of 1·19 (95 % CI 1·09, 1·31)). In summary, high intakes of red and processed meat were associated with presence of advanced colorectal lesions at colonoscopy in FIT-positive participants. The study demonstrates a potential role of dietary data to improve the performance of FIT-based screening.
Of ‘Welfare Queens’ and ‘Poor Carinas’: Social Constructions, Deservingness Messaging and the Mental Health of Welfare Clients
Authors: Baekgaard Martin , Herd Pamela , Moynihan Donald P.
Published: September 2022

Politicians engage in, and the media amplifies, social constructions of welfare recipients as undeserving. Such messaging seeks to influence mass public opinion, but what are the effects on the target population receiving welfare benefits? We test if deservingness messaging affects welfare recipients' mental health. To do so, we exploit a quasi-experiment entailing a dramatic shift in deservingness messaging after a welfare recipient in Denmark became the subject of a national debate, utilizing detailed administrative data on the ensuing consumption of antidepressants by other welfare recipients. We find evidence that welfare recipients experienced worse mental health outcomes after being exposed to deservingness messaging, reflected in a 1.2-percentage-point increase in the use of antidepressants in the weeks following the airing of a critical interview. Deservingness messaging particularly affected more vulnerable groups who had a history of mental health problems.
Sources and effects of foreign language enjoyment, anxiety, and boredom: A structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Dewaele Jean-Marc , Botes Elouise , Greiff Samuel
Published: September 2022

The present study is among the first to investigate how three foreign language (FL) emotions, namely FL enjoyment (FLE), anxiety (FLCA), and boredom (FLB), are related to each other. It is the first study to consider how the three FL emotions are shaped by one learner-internal variable (attitude toward the FL), by two perceived teacher behaviors (frequency of use of the FL in class and unpredictability), and how all these variables jointly affect leaners’ FL achievement. Participants were 332 FL learners from all over the world studying a wide variety of FLs who filled out an online questionnaire. A close-fitting structural equation model revealed associations between FLE, FLCA, and FLB. Teacher behaviors positively affected FLE, with no discernible effect on FLB or FLCA. Only FLCA was found to have a (negative) effect on academic achievement. The study confirms the complex relationship between teacher behaviors and positive emotions in the FL classroom.
Working in hospitals during a pandemic: investigating the resilience among medical staff during COVID-19 outbreak through qualitative and quantitative research
Authors: Hatefipour Zahra , Maghami Sharif Zahra , Farahani Hojjatollah , Aghebati Asma
Published: September 2022

Background:

Medical staff in hospitals were faced with great stress as a result of COVID-19’s sudden and severe occurrence, which makes investigating their resilience essential.

Aims and methods:

Using qualitative and quantitative research methods, this research studied medical staff (n = 403) working in a hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic and followed four main goals: First was evaluating the psychometric properties of the Persian version of Adult Resilience Measure-Revised (ARM-R). The second goal was investigating the personal, relational, social, and organizational issues facing the medical staff during the COVID-19 using semi-structural interviews. The third goal was to determine predictive effects of demographic and work-related variables on resilience using stepwise regression analysis. And the fourth was comparing resilience of three groups of the medical staff (coronavirus group consisted of the medical staff in direct contact with COVID-19 patients; emergency group who work in the emergency department who deal with both COVID and non-COVID patients; and non-coronavirus group who had no contact with COVID-19 patients) using one-way ANOVA.

Findings:

Results showed that internal reliability/consistency, content, and face validity of the Persian version of the ARM-R are acceptable. The construct validity of the test was also verified using exploratory factor analysis and indicated the two factors of personal and relational resilience. The content of the interviews was analyzed using manifest content analysis, and the results were divided into 27 subcategories and 3 main categories including personal, organizational, and family categories. Moreover, regression analysis revealed that the marital status and age of children can explain resilience variance in some medical staff groups. The results of ANOVA and post hoc test also showed that the total resilience of the non-coronavirus group was greater than the coronavirus and emergency groups; the relational resilience of the coronavirus and non-coronavirus groups was greater than the emergency, and non-coronavirus group’s personal resilience was greater than the emergency group.
The Musical Idea Work Group: Production and Reception of Pre-existing Music in Film
Authors: RUDOLPH PASCAL
Published: September 2022

How do filmmakers work with pre-existing music? To answer this question, I conducted interviews with the musicians, composers, editors, sound designers, and music researchers for Lars von Trier's films. This article combines previously unpublished insider information with an original analytical methodology to clarify the working processes of contemporary filmmakers who utilize pre-existing music. I build on Ian Macdonald's production-situated conception of the ‘Screen Idea Work Group’ to posit the ‘Musical Idea Work Group’, a notional framework emerging from the teams who develop film-musical ideas. While previous film music research tends to analyse artists (persons) or music (products), here I focus on contrasting descriptions of highly collaborative working processes with the prescriptive mechanisms of film reception. In this way, I demonstrate a more holistic understanding of filmic authorship while accounting for previous constructions of Trier as an ‘auteur mélomane’ based on critical perceptions of how he utilizes music.
Improving Snow‐Process Modeling by Evaluating Reanalysis Vertical Temperature Profiles Using a Distributed Hydrological Model
Authors: Moiz Abdul , Wei Zhongwang , Naseer Asif , Kawasaki Akiyuki , Acierto Ralph Allen , Koike Toshio
Published: September 2022

The use of the Japanese 55‐year Reanalysis (JRA55) vertical temperature profile (VTP) has been suggested in previous studies for estimating gridded air temperatures at high elevations in data‐scarce regions to conduct hydrological simulations. In this study, we investigate and further enhance the applicability of VTP for hydrological simulations through several experimental sets using a distributed hydrological model with improved snow physics (WEB‐DHM‐S) based on water and energy budget to simulate the hydrology of a snowfed river basin in Japan, Kurobe Basin, while simultaneously correcting the snow precipitation estimates through optimization. We examined the simulated discharge, point snow depth, and snow cover, finding that the snow processes were highly sensitive to the individual station used with VTP for extrapolating air temperature to higher elevations, with corrected snowfall estimates differing by as much as 18%. We further compared this with simulations based on linear regression‐based lapse rates derived from station observations (scarce and often distributed at low elevations). It was found that the use of VTP improved discharge simulations but deteriorated point snow depth simulations at low elevations, compared with linear regression‐based lapse rates. A hybrid of the two methods led to better discharge and point snow depth simulations with reasonable snow cover simulations. The study advances the application of snow‐process models in data‐scarce regions by enhancing our understanding about the usage of VTP.
Estimating the Burden of Heat‐Related Illness Morbidity Attributable to Anthropogenic Climate Change in North Carolina
Authors: Puvvula Jagadeesh , Abadi Azar M. , Conlon Kathryn C. , Rennie Jared J. , Herring Stephanie C. , Thie Lauren , Rudolph Max J. , Owen Rebecca , Bell Jesse E.
Published: September 2022

Climate change is known to increase the frequency and intensity of hot days (daily maximum temperature ≥30°C), both globally and locally. Exposure to extreme heat is associated with numerous adverse human health outcomes. This study estimated the burden of heat‐related illness (HRI) attributable to anthropogenic climate change in North Carolina physiographic divisions (Coastal and Piedmont) during the summer months from 2011 to 2016. Additionally, assuming intermediate and high greenhouse gas emission scenarios, future HRI morbidity burden attributable to climate change was estimated. The association between daily maximum temperature and the rate of HRI was evaluated using the Generalized Additive Model. The rate of HRI assuming natural simulations (i.e., absence of greenhouse gas emissions) and future greenhouse gas emission scenarios were predicted to estimate the HRI attributable to climate change. Over 4 years (2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015), we observed a significant decrease in the rate of HRI assuming natural simulations compared to the observed. About 3 out of 20 HRI visits are attributable to anthropogenic climate change in Coastal (13.40% [IQR: −34.90,95.52]) and Piedmont (16.39% [IQR: −35.18,148.26]) regions. During the future periods, the median rate of HRI was significantly higher (78.65%: Coastal and 65.85%: Piedmont), assuming a higher emission scenario than the intermediate emission scenario. We observed significant associations between anthropogenic climate change and adverse human health outcomes. Our findings indicate the need for evidence‐based public health interventions to protect human health from climate‐related exposures, like extreme heat, while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.
Salt‐Fingering in Seasonally Ice‐Covered Lakes
Authors: Olsthoorn J. , Tedford E. W. , Lawrence G. A.
Published: September 2022

When ice forms on lakes, dissolved salts are rejected, which can lead to under‐ice salt finger formation. We performed a series of laboratory experiments to visualize these fingers. While we detected salt fingers in our camera recordings, the signal of these fingers is nearly absent in the temperature record. We quantify the velocity of the salt‐plumes and measure the bottom salinity increase from these fingers. Further, we estimate that the salinity is often distributed evenly with depth. Comparing the salt fluxes in our experiments with a typical salt flux in lakes, we suggest that conditions are favorable for salt fingering in most seasonally ice‐covered lakes.