bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formation and Performance of Monolithic Catalysts for Selective Catalytic Reduction of Nitrogen Oxides: A Critical Review
Authors: Cai Ming , Bian Xue , Xie Feng , Wu Wen‐yuan , Cen Peng
Published: November 2021

Selective Catalytic Reduction of nitrogen oxides with NH3 (NH3‐SCR) is the dominant denitration technology for the treatment of nitrogen oxides produced by thermal power plants. Denitration catalysts are the core of the NH3‐SCR system, which can be fabricated into shaped forms to obtain necessary mechanical strength for industrial applications. Specifically, the monolithic catalysts are widely used due to its unique structural properties and high conversion rate. Therefore, this review critically summarized the development of the monolithic catalysts forming, and characterized the influence of the different carriers, the various additives and different reaction conditions of forming process for NH3‐SCR. The purpose of this review is to highlight: (1) the Support effect of the different carriers; (2) the influence of mechanical properties of the various forming additives for the monolithic catalysts; and (3) the physicochemical properties of the monolithic catalysts under the different process conditions and illustrate their relations to catalytic performances. Finally, we hope that this work can give timely technical guidance and valuable insights for the applications of the NH3‐SCR in the field of NOx control.
Enhanced Cycle Stability of Li1.2Ni0.13Mn0.54Co0.13O2 Cathode with Sodium Oxalyldifluoroborate Electrolyte Salt for Hybrid Li‐Na Ion Battery
Authors: Wang Suqin , Zhang Jie , Xu Zhixin , Wang Jiulin
Published: November 2021

Sodium oxalyldifluoroborate (NaODFB) electrolyte is, for the first time, examined as the electrolyte for a hybrid Li−Na ion battery. The solvent is propylene carbonate (PC) in this report. Li1.2Ni0.13Mn0.54Co0.13O2 (LNMCO) cathode exhibits better electrochemical performances in the NaODFB/PC electrolyte than those in the NaClO4/PC. The discharge capacity of LNMCO cathode shows a slight decrease from 202 mAh g−1 at the 10th cycle to 186 mAh g−1 at the 50th cycle in the NaODFB/PC, which is much better than that in the NaClO4/PC with a dramatically decreases from 190 mAh g−1 at the 27th cycle to 76 mAh g−1 at the 50th cycle. Moreover, in the NaODFB/PC, the LNMCO cathode attains a high discharge capacity of 151 mAh g−1 at the 200th cycle even at 0.5 C. The better reversible cycling performance of the LNMCO cathode in the NaODFB/PC is believed to be the formation of a more stable cathode solid electrode interphase based on scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Synthesis and Flotation Performance Evaluation of Polypropylene Glycol Grafted Poly N‐[(3‐dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide Copolymer
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyue , Tang Qingqing , Liao Yang , Gong Hui , Fang Shenwen , Xiong Yan , Duan Ming
Published: November 2021

When cationic polymers are used as flotation agent in oil field to treat oily wastewater, viscous flocs are inevitably produced, which severely affect the oilfield production. In this paper, polypropylene glycol monomethyl ether (MPPG) was used to graft‐modify poly N‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) methacrylamide (PDPM). Five types of copolymers (PPG‐g‐PDPM‐X) with different theoretical grafting degrees of PPG (20 %, 40 %, 60 %, 80 %, 100 %) were prepared. Chemical structures and surface activities of these copolymers were investigated. The flotation performances of the synthesized PPG‐g‐PDPM‐X and PDPM were evaluated and compared. It was found that PPG‐g‐PDPM‐3 showed high oil removal efficiency and the stickiness of its flocs was significantly lower than that of PDPM flocs. Factors that can affect the flotation performance of PPG‐g‐PDPM‐X were also studied. The results showed that both the interfacial activity and the conformation of PPG‐G‐PDPM‐3 in water changed as the rising temperature and the increasing pH, resulting in a decrease in the oil removal rate. The oil removal rate of PPG‐g‐PDPM‐3 increased with the increasing dosage, gas flow rate and flotation time. The recommended flotation conditions for PPG‐g‐PDPM‐3 were as follows: 100 mg/L dosage at room temperature, 1.5 L/min gas flow and 15 min flotation time. The oil removal rate at this condition was 87.33 %. This paper provides a solution to solve the viscous flocs issue when cationic copolymers are used as the flotation agent. Meanwhile, the PPG‐g‐PDPM‐3 is expected to have more interesting applications because it is temperature sensitive and pH sensitive.
Recent Developments of Nanomaterials in Hydrogels: Characteristics, Influences, and Applications
Authors: Zhang Zongzheng , Jiang Wenqing , Xie Xinmin , Liang Haiqing , Chen Hao , Chen Kun , Zhang Ying , Xu Wenlong , Chen Mengjun
Published: November 2021

In recent years, due to their good physical and chemical properties, nanocomposite hydrogels have shown great application potential in the fields of biomedicine, sensors, 3D printing, and water pollution control. Compared with pure polymer hydrogels, the superior performance of nanocomposite hydrogels is mainly due to the influence of nanomaterials on the internal structure and composition of the hydrogels. In this paper, starting from the basic properties required for practical applications of hydrogels, the influence of nanomaterials on the different properties of hydrogels is discussed. Meanwhile, this paper reviews the research status of nanocomposite hydrogels in different application fields, and emphasizes the challenges and development prospects of nanocomposite hydrogel applications.
A Schiff‐Base Molecular Keypad LockandTurn‐On Sensor for Selective Detection of Fe3+ with INHIBIT Logic Behaviour
Authors: Ekta  , Utreja Divya , Singh Kamaljit , Sharma Sucheta
Published: November 2021

A novel emissive Schiff‐base (3)has been synthesized through single‐step condensation of sulfanilamide and fluorogenic 3‐formylchromone. Compound (3) senses Fe3+ ion in semi‐aqueous media. Both fluorogenic and colorimetrical changes were observed in the presence of Fe3+ ions. Interestingly, on introduction of EDTA into the putative complex, [(3)+Fe3+], the spectroscopic changes were reversed. The ligand detects Fe3+ ions sensitively as the limit of detection for Fe3+ ion was 9.3×10−7 M. The probe performs molecular logic operation (INHIBIT) as well as function of a three‐input keypad lock. Further, the ligand (3)was successfully incorporated into Whatman filter paper as the test strips and aluminium coated silica gel plates, which showed a great selectivity for Fe3+ ions.
On the heterogeneous effects of tax policy on labor market outcomes
Authors: Adnan Wifag , Arin Kerim Peren , Corakci Aysegul , Spagnolo Nicola
Published: November 2021

Many recent studies have documented the heterogeneous effects of government‐spending shocks on major macroeconomic variables, particularly on output. We delve deeper into the heterogeneous effects of fiscal policy innovations, but focus on the tax policy innovations and their impact on the labor market, while accounting for gender, race, ethnicity, and the business cycle. Using microlevel data from the United States, we find that: (i) Tax shocks have varying employment effects depending on gender, race, and the stage of the business cycle; (ii) Sector, industry, and occupational segregation in labor markets by gender, race, and ethnicity can explain most of the variation in response to fiscal policy shocks.
Mechanism of the Dimethylammonium Cation in Hybrid Perovskites for Enhanced Performance and Stability of Printable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhao Jianhong , Wang Hongzhang , Duan Liangfei , Lv Tianping , Xiao Bin , Zhang Jin , Liu Jing , Zhang Yumin , Liu Qingju
Published: November 2021

Upscaling efficient and stable perovskite materials is vital for metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and additive engineering contributes a lot to making high‐quality PSCs. While the recent examples involved mixing dimethylammonium (DMA) cation has been employed for the fabrication of all‐inorganic perovskites with improved efficiency and stability, the role of DMA cation in hybrid perovskite (formamidinium lead triiodide, denoted as FAPbI3) remains inconclusive. Herein, DMA cations are substituted for FA sites of Cs0.12FA0.88PbI3 for printable triple mesoscopic PSCs and shed lights on the roles and mechanism of DMA in the perovskite. It is found that a small amount of DMA is doped into the perovskite lattices, meanwhile, an intermediate compound DMAPbI3 is formed and exists at grain boundaries, which improves the crystallinity of perovskite films and reduces nonradiative recombination through a passivation role. With these benefits, the best‐performing printable PSC attained a power conversion efficiency of 17.46%. Unencapsulated devices maintained over 96% of the initial efficiencies in ambient condition for 960 h and 95% of the initial efficiencies after 360 h under continuous thermal aging at 85 °C in N2 atmosphere.
The effect of distance metrics in a general purpose synthesizer: An empirical study on integer domain imperative programs
Authors: Correia Alexandre R. S. , Iyoda Juliano M. , Mota Alexandre C.
Published: November 2021

Context

Program synthesis is the task of automatically finding a program that satisfies the user intention. In previous work, we have developed a program synthesizer that integrates genetic algorithm with model finder. A genetic algorithm uses a fitness function to calculate how “distant to a solution” a given candidate program is. Researchers argue that different distance metrics for a fitness function may reveal behavioral differences in the genetic algorithm.

Objective

We have chosen five distance metrics as fitness functions to check whether they affect the synthesis task of five different integer domain imperative toy‐programs which read/write integer values using fundamental syntactic constructs, such as while, if‐then‐else, and so forth. We have used input/output examples and sketches to constrain the search space of the candidate programs.

Method

A hypothesis test was proposed and experiments were conducted to observe the number of calls to the fitness function (x) and to measure the synthesis time ().

Results

Regarding x, the synthesizer found a solution for all five subjects after calling the fitness function the same amount of times. For , a one‐way ANOVA was performed with a significance level of 5% (). No significant differences were observed in both x and .

Conclusion

With these preliminary results, this study suggests that the discrete distance metric is the best choice, because it guides the search with the same effectiveness as the others and is not time consuming, and so forth. However, future experimentation with a larger search space will confirm or not this initial impression.
Reframing Life Skills: From an Individualistic to a Relational Transformative Approach
Authors: DeJaeghere Joan
Published: November 2021

This chapter examines how life skills education draws on a dominant individualistic behavioral approach that aims to teach skills to young people so they can overcome various social and economic problems. Life skills are taught to girls so that they can be empowered to overcome health issues, such as HIV/AIDs or early pregnancy. They are also targeted at boys who are deemed ‘at risk’ of engaging in asocial behaviors in efforts to reduce violence and to contribute to the economy. Yet many of these societal problems are linked to changing social, economic and environmental relations. To think differently about how to use life skills to foster a good life that is just, equitable, and sustainable, the chapter offers a transformative framing based in a critical and relational approach. Such an approach requires a reframing of skills to consider the values and perspectives that are often implicitly taught, such as individual responsibility and self-promotion, and to reorient these skills around values that youth desire and need within their challenging contexts. It concludes with a discussion of some common life skills and how they can be reframed to achieve transformation in society so youth can live life well – oriented toward greater justice, equality and peace.
Informatics as a Fundamental Discipline in General Education: The Danish Perspective
Authors: Caspersen Michael E.
Published: November 2021

Informatics in general, and the particular development of artificial intelligence, is changing human knowledge, perception, and reality, thus radically changing the course of human history. Informatics has made it possible to automate an extraordinary range of tasks by enabling machines to play an increasingly decisive role in drawing conclusions from data and then taking action. The growing transfer of judgment from human beings to machines denotes the revolutionary aspect of informatics.

For societies to maintain or regain democratic control and supremacy over digital technology, it is imperative to include informatics in general education with a dual perspective on possibilities and implications of computing for individuals and society. The Danish informatics curriculum for general education acknowledges the dual and bipartite nature of informatics by complementing a constructive approach to computing with a critical analytic approach to digital artifacts.
Responsible Technology Design: Conversations for Success
Authors: Winter Susan J. , Butler Brian S.
Published: November 2021

Digital humanism calls for new technologies that enhance human dignity and autonomy by educating, controlling, or otherwise holding developers responsible. However, this approach to responsible technology design paradoxically depends on the premise that technology is a path to overcoming human limitations while assuming that developers are themselves capable of super-human feats of prognostication. Recognizing developers as subject to human limitations themselves means that responsible technology design cannot be merely a matter of expecting developers to create technology that leads to certain desirable outcomes. Rather, responsible design involves expecting the technologies to be designed in ways that provide for active, meaningful, ongoing conversations between the developer and the technology, between the user and the technology, and between the user and the developer—and expecting that designers and users will commit to engaging in those conversations.
The Real Cost of Surveillance Capitalism: Digital Humanism in the United States and Europe
Authors: Stanger Allison
Published: November 2021

Shoshana Zuboff’s international best seller, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the Frontier of Power, has rightfully alarmed citizens of free societies about the uses and misuses of their personal data. Yet the concept of surveillance capitalism, from a global perspective, ultimately obscures more than it reveals. The real threat to liberal democracies is not capitalism but the growing inequalities that corporate surveillance in its unfettered form both reveals and exacerbates. By unclearly specifying the causal mechanisms of the very real negative costs she identifies, Zuboff creates the impression that capitalism itself is the culprit, when the real source of the problem is the absence of good governance.
Freshwater organisms potentially useful as biosensors and power-generation mediators in biohybrid robotics
Authors: Rajewicz Wiktoria , Romano Donato , Varughese Joshua Cherian , Vuuren Godfried Jansen Van , Campo Alexandre , Thenius Ronald , Schmickl Thomas
Published: November 2021

Facing the threat of rapidly worsening water quality, there is an urgent need to develop novel approaches of monitoring its global supplies and early detection of environmental fluctuations. Global warming, urban growth and other factors have threatened not only the freshwater supply but also the well-being of many species inhabiting it. Traditionally, laboratory-based studies can be both time and money consuming and so, the development of a real-time, continuous monitoring method has proven necessary. The use of autonomous, self-actualizing entities became an efficient way of monitoring the environment. The Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) will be investigated as an alternative energy source to allow for these entities to self-actualize. This concept has been improved with the use of various lifeforms in the role of biosensors in a structure called ”biohybrid” which we aim to develop further within the framework of project Robocoenosis relying on animal-robot interaction. We introduce a novel concept of a fully autonomous biohybrid agent with various lifeforms in the role of biosensors. Herein, we identify most promising organisms in the context of underwater robotics, among others Dreissena polymorpha, Anodonta cygnaea, Daphnia sp. and various algae. Special focus is placed on the ”ecosystem hacking” based on their interaction with the electronic parts. This project uses Austrian lakes of various trophic levels (Millstättersee, Hallstättersee and Neusiedlersee) as case studies and as a ”proof of concept”.
SchenQL: in-depth analysis of a query language for bibliographic metadata
Authors: Kreutz Christin Katharina , Wolz Michael , Knack Jascha , Weyers Benjamin , Schenkel Ralf
Published: November 2021

Information access to bibliographic metadata needs to be uncomplicated, as users may not benefit from complex and potentially richer data that may be difficult to obtain. Sophisticated research questions including complex aggregations could be answered with complex SQL queries. However, this comes with the cost of high complexity, which requires for a high level of expertise even for trained programmers. A domain-specific query language could provide a straightforward solution to this problem. Although less generic, it can support users not familiar with query construction in the formulation of complex information needs. In this paper, we present and evaluate SchenQL, a simple and applicable query language that is accompanied by a prototypical GUI. SchenQL focuses on querying bibliographic metadata using the vocabulary of domain experts. The easy-to-learn domain-specific query language is suitable for domain experts as well as casual users while still providing the possibility to answer complex information demands. Query construction and information exploration are supported by a prototypical GUI. We present an evaluation of the complete system: different variants for executing SchenQL queries are benchmarked; interviews with domain-experts and a bipartite quantitative user study demonstrate SchenQL’s suitability and high level of users’ acceptance.
Clinicopathological discordance in biopsy-proven nephrosclerosis: a nationwide cross-sectional study of the Japan Renal Biopsy Registry (J-RBR)
Authors: Sumida Keiichi , Takeda Asami , Furuichi Kengo , Uesugi Noriko , Ubara Yoshifumi , Sato Hiroshi , Sugiyama Hitoshi , Shimizu Akira , Yokoyama Hitoshi
Published: November 2021

Background

Patients with nephrosclerosis display heterogenous clinical phenotypes, often leading to a clinical diagnosis discordant with pathological nephrosclerosis diagnosis. However, little is known about clinical factors associated with clinicopathological discordance of biopsy-proven nephrosclerosis.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study of 891 patients with biopsy-proven nephrosclerosis registered in the Japan Renal Biopsy Registry (J-RBR) between July 2007 and June 2016, we examined clinical characteristics associated with a pre-biopsy clinical diagnosis discordant with pathological nephrosclerosis diagnosis using multivariable logistic regression with adjustment for relevant clinical characteristics.

Results

Overall, the mean (SD) age was 58.6 (13.7) years; 67.6% of patients were male; and 63.2% were on antihypertensive drugs. The median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 43.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 and the median proteinuria was 0.5 g/day. Of the 891 patients, 497 (55.8%) had a clinical diagnosis discordant with pathological nephrosclerosis diagnosis, with chronic nephritic syndrome being the most common (> 75%) discordant clinical diagnosis. After multivariable adjustment, age (odds ratio 1.34, [95% confidence interval, 1.16–1.55], per 10 years increase), eGFR (1.10 [1.00–1.21], per 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 increase), and proteinuria (1.20 [1.03–2.16], per 1 g/day decrease) were found to be significantly associated with the clinicopathological discordance.

Conclusions

Patients with older age, higher eGFR, and lower proteinuria had significantly higher likelihood of being clinically diagnosed with other glomerular disease in patients with biopsy-proven nephrosclerosis. Our findings highlight the heterogeneous clinical phenotypes of nephrosclerosis and suggest the need for continuous improvement of clinical diagnostic accuracy as well as for wider kidney biopsy indications for nephrosclerosis.
Associations between Experiences of Police Contact and Discrimination by the Police and Courts and Health Outcomes in a Representative Sample of Adults in New York City
Authors: Thompson Azure , Baquero María , English Devin , Calvo Michele , Martin-Howard Simone , Rowell-Cunsolo Tawandra , Garretson Marné , Brahmbhatt Diksha
Published: November 2021

Communities marginalized because of racism, heterosexism, and other systems of oppression have a history of being aggressively policed, and in those contexts, researchers have observed associations between a range of negative experiences with police and poor physical, mental, and behavioral health outcomes. However, past studies have been limited in that experiences of police contacts were aggregated at the neighborhood level and, if police contacts were self-reported, the sample was not representative. To address these limitations, we employed NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 2017 Social Determinants of Health Survey (n = 2335) data to examine the associations of self-reported police contacts and discrimination by police and the courts with measures of physical (poor physical health), mental (poor mental health, serious psychological distress), and behavioral health (binge drinking). Residents marginalized because of racial, ethnic, and sexual minority status were more likely to be stopped, searched, or questioned by the police; threatened or abused by the police; and discriminated against by the police or in the courts; those experiences were associated with poor physical, mental, and behavioral health outcomes. The associations between experiences with police and poor health outcomes were strongest among Black residents and residents aged 25–44. Our findings suggest that the health of NYC residents who have had exposure to police and experienced discrimination by the police and courts is poorer than those who have not, and build on a growing body of evidence that aggressive policing practices have implications for public health.
Continuous Heating Dissolution and Continuous Cooling Precipitation Diagrams of a Nickel-Titanium Shape Memory Alloy
Authors: Rowolt Christian , Milkereit Benjamin , Broer Jette , Springer Armin , Kessler Olaf
Published: November 2021

Binary NiTi alloys are the most common shape memory alloys in medical applications, combining good mechanical properties and high biocompatibility. In NiTi alloys, the shape memory effect is caused by the transformation of an austenite phase to a martensite phase and the reverse process. Transformation temperatures are strongly influenced by the exact chemical composition of the NiTi phase and the presence of precipitates in the microstructure induced by thermo-mechanical treatment, especially solution annealing and ageing. Isothermal time–temperature precipitation diagrams can be found in the literature. Cooling is frequently not considered, as water quenching is typically assumed to be sufficient. To the best of our knowledge, continuous heating dissolution (CHD) and continuous cooling precipitation (CCP) diagrams do not exist. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a common method to analyse the austenite/martensite transformation in shape memory alloys, but it has not yet been used to analyse precipitation processes during continuous temperature changes. We have enabled DSC to analyse dissolution and precipitation processes in situ during heating as well as during cooling from the solution annealing temperature. Results are presented as CHD and CCP diagrams, including information from microstructure analysis and the associated changes in the austenite/martensite transformation temperatures.
A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of Fe-Containing Palygorskite
Authors: Lu Zhijun , Zhou Jinhong , Lu Xiancai
Published: November 2021

Fe is a common substituent in palygorskites (Plg), but its effect on the microscopic properties is unclear. In the current study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out to investigate the effect of Fe on the properties of the nano-pores in Plg. The structures and dynamics of water and Na+ ions in the pores were computed by analyzing the MD trajectories. The results revealed that for both Fe-containing and ordinary Plg, zeolitic water molecules can diffuse into the pores with very low mobility whereas Mg-coordinated water fails to escape. Na+ ions show no obvious diffusivity because they are fixed above the Si–Osix-membered rings. Detailed comparison indicates that Fe-substitution has no significant influence on the pore properties of Plg.
Land Reform for a Landless Chief in South Africa: History and Land Restitution in KwaZulu-Natal
Authors: Kelly Jill E.
Published: November 2021

Land claims and contests have been central to the construction of political authority across the African continent. South Africa’s post-apartheid land reform program aims to address historical dispossessions, but the program has experienced numerous obstacles and limits—in terms of pace, communal land access, productivity, and rural class divides. Drawing on archival and newspaper sources, Kelly traces how the descendant of a colonially-appointed, landless chief manipulated a claim into a landed chieftaincy and how both the chief and the competing claimants have deployed histories of landlessness and firstcomer accounts in a manner distinct to the KwaZulu-Natal region as part of the land restitution process.
Iran’s higher education and COVID-19: the “new normal” for Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Authors: Memari Amir-Hossein , Kordi Ramin , Ziaee Vahid , Pourgharib Shahi Mohammad Hossein , Sohrabpour Amir Ali , Dastjerdi Nasrin , Nakhostin-Ansari Amin
Published: November 2021

When the emergency committee of the World Health Organization declared that the outbreak of COVID-19 meets the criteria of a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” on January 30th, 2020, no one could ever imagine how soon it will spread globally, and a health crisis would turn to a social crisis that affects everything including higher education. However, during this uncertainty, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) tried to respond quickly. In this study, we explain how a nerve center has helped TUMS respond to this crisis and ensure safety to keep key operations going, and set up a functional decision-making system for the future. We also share perspectives on the critical issues, the challenges ahead, and the opportunities emerging in the “new normal.”
Multimodal Active Shooter Training for Emergency Department Personnel: An Initiative for Knowledge, Comfort, and Retention
Authors: Regan Elizabeth M. , Cranmer Thomas , Hanaway Timothy
Published: November 2021

Background:

While hospital-related shootings are not common, recent years have demonstrated an increasing trend, especially involving the emergency department (ED). Despite this increase, there remains a lack of effective training for providers for active shooter events. Existing trainings commonly lack active participation, departmental-specific plans, or feasibility.

Methods:

Sixty-six emergency medicine physicians, nurses, and technicians participated in a two-phased multimodal active shooter training aimed to increase response knowledge and comfort. The initial training phase included a lecture on “Run-Hide-Fight” principles with departmental adaptations, followed by scenario-based discussion, and then safety walkthrough. Months later in the second phase, participants completed an active shooter simulation. An identical knowledge survey was collected before and after each phase along with descriptive analysis. Surveys were compared using paired t-test. Comfort levels were reported on a Likert scale and compared by paired t-test.

Results:

Paired t-tests confirmed a statistically significant difference in both active shooter knowledge and comfort levels. Participants showed retention of response knowledge and comfort with implementing response behaviors. Further descriptive analysis demonstrated effective fleeing and barricading, suggesting a real-life gain of knowledge and comfort.

Conclusion:

A two-phased, multimodal training design for active shooter response was successful in increasing ED provider active shooter knowledge, comfort, retention, and effective response behaviors.
Arcsine laws for random walks generated from random permutations with applications to genomics
Authors: Fang Xiao , Gan Han L. , Holmes Susan , Huang Haiyan , Peköz Erol , Röllin Adrian , Tang Wenpin
Published: November 2021

A classical result for the simple symmetric random walk with 2nsteps is that the number of steps above the origin, the time of the last visit to the origin, and the time of the maximum height all have exactly the same distribution and converge when scaled to the arcsine law. Motivated by applications in genomics, we study the distributions of these statistics for the non-Markovian random walk generated from the ascents and descents of a uniform random permutation and a Mallows(q) permutation and show that they have the same asymptotic distributions as for the simple random walk. We also give an unexpected conjecture, along with numerical evidence and a partial proof in special cases, for the result that the number of steps above the origin by step 2n for the uniform permutation generated walk has exactly the same discrete arcsine distribution as for the simple random walk, even though the other statistics for these walks have very different laws. We also give explicit error bounds to the limit theorems using Stein’s method for the arcsine distribution, as well as functional central limit theorems and a strong embedding of the Mallows(q) permutation which is of independent interest.
On point processes defined by angular conditions on Delaunay neighbors in the Poisson–Voronoi Tessellation
Authors: Baccelli François , Kalamkar Sanket S.
Published: November 2021

Consider a homogeneous Poisson point process of the Euclidean plane and its Voronoi tessellation. The present note discusses the properties of two stationary point processes associated with the latter and depending on a parameter
$\theta$
. The first is the set of points that belong to some one-dimensional facet of the Voronoi tessellation and such that the angle with which they see the two nuclei defining the facet is
$\theta$
. The main question of interest on this first point process is its intensity. The second point process is that of the intersections of the said tessellation with a straight line having a random orientation. Its intensity is well known. The intersection points almost surely belong to one-dimensional facets. The main question here concerns the Palm distribution of the angle with which the points of this second point process see the two nuclei associated with the facet. We will give answers to these two questions and briefly discuss their practical motivations. We also discuss natural extensions to three dimensions.
INDESTRUCTIBILITY WHEN THE FIRST TWO MEASURABLE CARDINALS ARE STRONGLY COMPACT
Authors: APTER ARTHUR W.
Published: November 2021

We prove two theorems concerning indestructibility properties of the first two strongly compact cardinals when these cardinals are in addition the first two measurable cardinals. Starting from two supercompact cardinals
$\kappa _1 < \kappa _2$
, we force and construct a model in which
$\kappa _1$
and
$\kappa _2$
are both the first two strongly compact and first two measurable cardinals,
$\kappa _1$
’s strong compactness is fully indestructible (i.e.,
$\kappa _1$
’s strong compactness is indestructible under arbitrary
$\kappa _1$
-directed closed forcing), and
$\kappa _2$
’s strong compactness is indestructible under
$\mathrm {Add}(\kappa _2, \delta )$
for any ordinal
$\delta $
. This provides an answer to a strengthened version of a question of Sargsyan found in [17, Question 5]. We also investigate indestructibility properties that may occur when the first two strongly compact cardinals are not only the first two measurable cardinals, but also exhibit nontrivial degrees of supercompactness.
Morphological and molecular characterization of Castniidae (Lepidoptera) associated to sugarcane in Colombia
Authors: Aya Viviana Marcela , Pabón Alejandro , González Jorge M. , Vargas Germán
Published: November 2021

The giant sugarcane borer,Telchin licus, has been reported as an economically important sugarcane pest in Colombia; however, its taxonomic status has been scarcely investigated and previous reports offer an ambiguous characterization of both the immature and adult stages. The objective of this work is to identifyTelchinspecies affecting sugarcane and alternative hosts in different departments of the country by integrating molecular analysis and conventional morphology. To date,T. licushas been found in the departments of Caquetá, Casanare, and Meta, whileT. atymniushas been found in Antioquia, Caldas, Nariño, and Valle del Cauca. Sugarcane, Musaceae, and Heliconiaceae have been found to be hosts to both species. Additionally, the speciesT. cacicahas also been registered in the department of Nariño, affecting heliconias and plantains. Genetic variation within the species allowed differentiation at the molecular level of subspecies ofT. licusandT. atymnius, confirming that the subspecies present in Colombia areT. licus magdalena,T. atymnius humboldti,andT. atymnius atymnius. The haplotype diversity of populations is closely related to their geographical distribution, indicating low gene flow between populations and possible speciation inside the country. Analysis of genetic variance showed significant differences among and withinT. atymniuspopulations, which may suggest a high genetic structure along the regions where it is found and the possible presence of additional subspecies to those previously reported. To understand the geographical and environmental conditions that determine the pest's distribution in Colombia, this information needs to be complemented with ecological considerations of possible geographical isolation and association of alternative hosts.
Research on helminths from Mexican amphibians: gaps, trends, and biases
Authors: Cabrera-Guzmán E. , Papeş M. , García-Prieto L.
Published: November 2021

We present a taxonomic, spatial, and thematic overview of the current state of knowledge on helminth parasites of Mexican amphibians. Sixty-six host species have been studied so far, representing 17.5% of the amphibian species distributed in Mexico. A total of 139 nominal species of helminths – 68 platyhelminths, 62 nematodes, three acanthocephalans, three annelids (hirudineans), and three arthropods (pentastomids) – have been recorded parasitizing these hosts. Most taxa found in larval stages have not been identified at the species level. The gastrointestinal nematodeAplectana itzocanensisexhibits the broadest host range, while the bladder flukeGorgoderina attenuataandA. itzocanensisshow the widest geographic distribution. Our analysis of helminthological studies evidenced gaps and biases on research efforts that have been devoted to relatively few host species, regions, and approaches. Most helminthological records come from two species, the cane toadRhinella marinaand the Montezuma's frogLithobates montezumae, and most studies have focused on describing the helminth fauna of a host species in a particular location or on the description of new helminth species. The highest proportion of records corresponds to the Veracruzan biogeographic province, and helminth richness is significantly correlated with host richness and with total amphibian richness by biogeographic province. Only three provinces (Yucatan Peninsula, Pacific Lowlands, and Baja Californian) have positive, yet still low helminth species discovery effort. Based on our findings, we recommend pursuing research approaches unexplored in Mexico and we provide guidelines to improve research on helminths parasitizing amphibians.
NAVIGATION PATHS AND URBANISM IN THE BASIN OF MEXICO BEFORE THE CONQUEST
Authors: Biar Alexandra
Published: November 2021

The island nature of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, is an under-studied aspect in our understanding of this unique urban space, located in the Mexican highlands of Mesoamerica. The island location induces cross-links from aquatic and terrestrial paths to create connectivity and continuity within the lacustrine cultural landscape of the Basin of Mexico during the Postclassic period (a.d.900–1521). Although Cortés described this city as the “Venice of the New World,” no specific and systematic investigation of facilities related to water transport has been carried out. In this article, I fill this gap through a study of navigation routes which were conceived to facilitate the continuous movement of people and goods through the numerous canals crisscrossing the Aztec capital, and which are identifiable by means of anthropic markers that respond to functional needs. Transition zones (piers, quays, shoreline areas), coordination zones (ports), and activity zones (customs facilities, warehouses, bridges, sacred sites) are all related to the practice of water transport and intimately related to terrestrial roads. I identify and locate these areas using a multidisciplinary methodology based on archaeological data, ethnohistorical testimonies, and pictographic and iconographic documents.
Wernicke encephalopathy in a caregiver: A serious physical issue resulting from stress in a family member caring for an advanced cancer patient
Authors: Ishida Mayumi , Uchida Nozomu , Yoshioka Akira , Sato Izumi , Hamaguchi Tetsuya , Horita Yosuke , Mihara Yoshiaki , Onishi Hideki
Published: November 2021

Objective

It is well known that the burden on the families of cancer patient extends across many aspects, but there have been no reports of family members developing delirium due to the burden of caring for a cancer patient.

Methods

We reported a caregiver who developed Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) while caring for a family member with advanced cancer.

Results

The subject was a 71-year-old woman who had been caring for her husband, diagnosed with gastric cancer and liver metastases, for 5 months. She visited the “caregivers’ clinic” after referral by an oncologist who was worried about a deterioration in her mental condition that had appeared several weeks previously. The woman had a history of diabetes mellitus. Some giddiness was observed and, based on her inability to answer questions, her level of consciousness was checked and some disorientation was observed. She was diagnosed with delirium. A blood sample was collected to investigate the cause of the delirium, but the test data showed no hypoglycemia. Her appetite had declined since her husband was diagnosed with cancer. Thiamine deficiency was suspected as thiamine stores in the body are depleted within about 18 days and her loss of appetite had continued for 5 months. On intravenous injection of 100 mg of thiamine, her consciousness level was returned to normal in 1 h. A diagnosis of WE was supported by the patient's abnormally low serum thiamine level.

Significance of the results

The family members of cancer patients may develop a loss of appetite due to the burden of caring, resulting in WE. When providing care for signs of distress in family members, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the psychological aspects but also to their level of consciousness and physical aspects, particularly the possibility of serious illness resulting from reduced nutritional status.
Christian Interest Groups in A Religiously Changing United Kingdom: Issues, Strategies, Influence
Authors: Gover Daniel
Published: November 2021

Christianity is in long-term decline in the United Kingdom, with decreasing levels of affiliation, practice, belief, and social authority. At the same time, however, Britain's churches and the faith they represent remain deeply embedded within culture and society. This paper offers the most comprehensive analysis to date of how the “sector” of UK Christian interest groups—that is, organizations with a Christian character that seek to influence government policy—operates within this changing socio-religious context. Based on survey and interview data, it examines the extent of Christian interest group activity in the UK, before assessing their issue agendas, lobbying strategies, and influence. The results indicate that the activities of Christian interest groups have been affected by decline, but also by Christianity's continued strengths within society. These findings provide a basis for deeper investigation of Christianity's political influence in the UK, and will also have implications beyond this case.
Arbeitsbezogene Kompetenzen erfolgreich entwickeln
Authors: Bauer Agnes , Jungclaus Joana , Arndt Petra A.
Published: November 2021

Zusammenfassung. Sich wandelnde Arbeitsanforderungen in Unternehmen erfordern zunehmend eigenverantwortliches Handeln in komplexen Situationen und daran angepassten Kompetenzerwerb auf hoher Kompetenzstufe. Als Antwort auf diese Herausforderung wurde im Projekt „in MEDIAS res“ mit dem agilen Sprintlernen ein didaktisches Rahmenkonzept entwickelt, das für eine große Bandbreite an Lerngegenständen, Zielgruppen und Kontexten einsetzbar ist. Das Konzept kombiniert Elemente agiler Projektmanagementmethoden mit didaktischen Ansätzen (u. a. handlungsorientiertes, selbstreguliertes und kooperatives Lernen). Es wurde mit vier Partnerunternehmen in 19 Praxisumsetzungen (19 verschiedene Lerninhalte, jeweils 1 – 3 Lernteams) erprobt und evaluiert. Die Evaluation zeigt überwiegend positive Ergebnisse, u. a. im Hinblick auf die Einschätzung des Kompetenzerwerbs durch Fachexpert_innen und die Akzeptanz der Lernenden sowie hinsichtlich der Bewertung der Lernform durch Lernende, Fachexpert_innen und Lernbegleiter_innen. Relevante Faktoren für die erfolgreiche Umsetzung des agilen Sprintlernens in der Praxis sind u. a. sorgfältige Planung und Vorbereitung, qualifizierte Begleitung des Lernprozesses durch geschulte Lernbegleiter_innen sowie ausreichende zeitliche Ressourcen bei allen Beteiligten.
Assessing the Rotation and Segmentation of the Porcupine Bank, Irish Atlantic Margin, During Oblique Rifting Using Deformable Plate Reconstruction
Authors: Yang Pei , Welford J. Kim , King Michael T.
Published: November 2021

Published plate reconstructions have provided insights regarding the formation of the North Atlantic, in which the motion of the Porcupine Bank, on the Irish Atlantic margin, underlain by orogenic pre‐rift crustal basement terranes, is investigated and restored. Previous reconstructions of the Porcupine Bank mainly relied on potential field data rather than seismic constraints and failed to reveal the role of inherited crustal terranes during rifting and subsequent crustal deformation. In this study, five deformable plate tectonic models with distinct structural inheritance trends are established in GPlates by adjusting a previously published restoration model for the North Atlantic. For each model, driving factors such as the inclusion of the Orphan Knoll, the Flemish Cap poles of rotation, and the motion of the eastern border of the Porcupine Basin are also considered. To assess the validity of deformable plate models, crustal thickness estimates obtained from gravity inversion and seismic data modeling are compared with those calculated via deformable plate models. The preferred deformable plate model proposes the subdivision of the Porcupine Bank into four blocks with each block experiencing poly‐phased rotation and shearing prior to the final continental breakup, implying strong inheritance and segmentation of the Porcupine Bank and Porcupine Basin. The reconstructed paleo‐positions of the Flemish Cap and Porcupine Bank within deformable regions reveal evolving conjugate relationships during rifting, which are assessed using regional seismic transects from both margins. Finally, extensional obliquity between both margins is quantitatively restored, showing time‐variant orientations due to the rotation and shearing of associated continental blocks.
Water Wisdom: The Indigenous Scientists Walking In Two Worlds
Authors: Palmer Jane
Published: November 2021

Meet the international researchers who draw on both academic training and cultural experience to help Indigenous communities protect water, restore ecosystems, and sustain traditional resources.
Spatial Damped Anomaly Persistence of the Sea Ice Edge as a Benchmark for Dynamical Forecast Systems
Authors: Niraula Bimochan , Goessling Helge F.
Published: November 2021

Accelerated loss of the sea‐ice cover and increased human activities in the Arctic emphasize the need for skillful prediction of sea‐ice conditions at subseasonal to seasonal (S2S) timescales. To assess the quality of predictions, dynamical forecast systems can be benchmarked against reference forecasts based on present and past observations of the ice edge. However, the simplest types of reference forecasts—persistence of the present state and climatology—do not exploit the observations optimally and thus lead to an overestimation of forecast skill. For spatial objects such as the ice‐edge location, the development of damped‐persistence forecasts that combine persistence and climatology in a meaningful way poses a challenge. We have developed a probabilistic reference forecast method that combines the climatologically derived probability of ice presence with initial anomalies of the ice‐edge location, both derived from satellite sea‐ice concentration data. No other observations, such as sea‐surface temperature or sea‐ice thickness, are used. We have tested and optimized the method based on minimization of the Spatial Probability Score. The resulting Spatial Damped Anomaly Persistence forecasts clearly outperform both simple persistence and climatology at subseasonal timescales. The benchmark is about as skillful as the best‐performing dynamical forecast system in the S2S database. Despite using only sea‐ice concentration observations, the method provides a challenging benchmark to assess the added value of dynamical forecast systems.