bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of the All Wales Covid-19 Risk Assessment tool in Practice
Authors: Singhal Archit , Abraham Alan R , Singhal Parag , Raje Dhananjaye , Singhal Keshav
Published: January 2022

Background:
The All-Wales Covid-19 Risk Assessment tool (WRA) was developed to support managers in undertaking individual risk assessments for employees in public facing work settings, and put in place appropriate mitigation. Although a tool for all employees, it’s development was prompted in part by the observation that Covid-19 was disproportionately affecting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) employees, particularly those in health and social care settings.  This simple, self-administered tool estimates an individual’s risk of severe Covid-19 disease by scoring  personal risk factors, based on those previously identified in the emerging literature. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of this tool, by measuring concordance between an individual respondants self perceived risk and the risk indicated by the tool in a sample of healthcare professionals.
Methods:
The WRA was distributed amongst BAME healthcare professionals around Wales, UK with additional questions  to understand participant concordance with the risk stratification from the tool. Statistical analyses were applied to establish the degree of concordance. The initial survey was followed by a more widespread survey across Wales where the sample size of the respondents was 3728
Results:
A total of 136 participants responses were included in the analyses. The majority of participants were below 50 years of age (median age, range), male,  and of BAME ethnicity. The weighted kappa coefficient indicated significant concordance between the tool outcome and respondent’s self perceived risk (k=) . Younger respondents considered themselves at lower risk, which was correctly predicted by the tool. The association between risk tool outcome and self-perceived risk was not affected by participant characteristic.
Of the larger Welsh cohort of 3728 respondents, 93.8% felt that the tool correctly identified their risk and was in concordance with their own risk perception.     
Conclusions:
There was a high level of concordance between the tool user's self-perceived risk and risk assessment tool outcome.  Where there was disagreement, self-perception of risk was lower than that of the tool, indicating a more precautionary approach taken by the tool. The high concordance provides user confidence that the All Wales Covid-19 risk assessment tool is likely to provide a correct risk stratification and mitigation strategies in this occupational group.
An Eccentric Brown Dwarf Eclipsing an M dwarf
Authors: Cañas Caleb I. , Mahadevan Suvrath , Bender Chad F. , Salazar Rivera Noah Isaac , Monson Andrew , Beard Corey , Lubin Jack , Robertson Paul , Gupta Arvind F. , Cochran William D. , Fredrick Connor , Hearty Fred , Jones Sinclaire , Kanodia Shubham , Lin Andrea S. J. , Ninan Joe P. , Ramsey Lawrence W. , Schwab Christian , Stefánsson Guđmundur
Published: January 2022

We report the discovery of an M = 67 ± 2M
J brown dwarf transiting the early M dwarf TOI-2119 on an eccentric orbit (e = 0.3362 ± 0.0005) at an orbital period of 7.200861 ± 0.000005 days. We confirm the brown dwarf nature of the transiting companion using a combination of ground-based and space-based photometry and high-precision velocimetry from the Habitable-zone Planet Finder. Detection of the secondary eclipse with TESS photometry enables a precise determination of the eccentricity and reveals the brown dwarf has a brightness temperature of 2100 ± 80 K, a value which is consistent with an early L dwarf. TOI-2119 is one of the most eccentric known brown dwarfs with P < 10 days, possibly due to the long circularization timescales for an object orbiting an M dwarf. We assess the prospects for determining the obliquity of the host star to probe formation scenarios and the possibility of additional companions in the system using Gaia EDR3 and our radial velocities.
An Integrative Analysis of the HD 219134 Planetary System and the Inner solar system: Extending DYNAMITE with Enhanced Orbital Dynamical Stability Criteria
Authors: Dietrich Jeremy , Apai Dániel , Malhotra Renu
Published: January 2022

Planetary architectures remain unexplored for the vast majority of exoplanetary systems, even among the closest ones, with potentially hundreds of planets still “hidden” from our knowledge. Dynamite is a powerful software package that can predict the presence and properties of these yet-undiscovered planets. We have significantly expanded the integrative capabilities of Dynamite, which now allows for (i) planets of unknown inclinations alongside planets of known inclinations, (ii) population statistics and model distributions for the eccentricity of planetary orbits, and (iii) three different dynamical stability criteria. We demonstrate the new capabilities with a study of the HD 219134 exoplanet system consisting of four confirmed planets and two likely candidates, where five of the likely planets and candiates are Neptune-sized or below with orbital periods less than 100 days. By integrating the known data for the HD 219134 planetary system with contextual and statistical exoplanet population information, we tested different system architecture hypotheses to determine their likely dynamical stability. Our results provide support for the planet candidates, and we predict at least two additional planets in this system. We also deploy Dynamite on analogs of the inner solar system by excluding Venus or Earth from the input parameters to test Dynamite's predictive power. Our analysis finds that the system remains stable while also recovering the excluded planets, demonstrating the increasing capability of Dynamite to accurately and precisely model the parameters of additional planets in multiplanet systems.
Direction-dependent Corrections in Polarimetric Radio Imaging. III. A-to-Z Solver—Modeling the Full Jones Antenna Aperture Illumination Pattern
Authors: Sekhar Srikrishna , Jagannathan Preshanth , Kirk Brian , Bhatnagar Sanjay , Taylor Russ
Published: January 2022

In this third paper of a series describing direction-dependent corrections for polarimetric radio imaging, we present the the A-to-Z solver methodology to model the full Jones antenna aperture illumination pattern (AIP) using Zernike polynomials. In order to achieve accurate, thermal noise-limited imaging with modern radio interferometers, it is necessary to correct for the instrumental effects of the antenna primary beam (PB) as a function of time, frequency, and polarization. The algorithm employs the orthonormal, circular Zernike polynomial basis to model the full Jones AIP response, which is obtained by a Fourier transform of corresponding antenna holography measurements. These full Jones models are then used to reconstruct the full Mueller AIP response of an antenna, in principle accounting for all the off-axis frequency-dependent leakage effects of the PB. The A-to-Z solver is general enough to accommodate any interferometer for which holographic measurements exist, and we have successfully modeled the AIP of the VLA, MeerKAT, and ALMA as a demonstration of its versatility. We show that our models capture the PB morphology to high accuracy within the first two side lobes, and show the viability of full Mueller gridding and deconvolution for any telescope given high-quality holographic measurements.
An Analytic Model for the Subgalactic Matter Power Spectrum in Fuzzy Dark Matter Halos
Authors: Kawai Hiroki , Oguri Masamune , Amruth Alfred , Broadhurst Tom , Lim Jeremy
Published: January 2022

Fuzzy dark matter (FDM), a scalar particle coupled to the gravitational field without self-interaction, whose mass range is m ∼ 10−24–10−20 eV, is one of the promising alternative dark matter candidates to cold dark matter. The quantum interference pattern, which is a unique structure of FDM, can be seen in halos in cosmological FDM simulations. In this paper, we first provide an analytic model of the subgalactic matter power spectrum originating from quantum clumps in FDM halos, in which the density distribution of the FDM is expressed by a superposition of quantum clumps whose size corresponds to the de Broglie wavelength of the FDM. These clumps are assumed to be distributed randomly, such that the ensemble average density follows a halo profile such as the Navarro–Frenk–White profile. We then compare the convergence power spectrum projected along the line of sight around the Einstein radius, which is converted from the subgalactic matter power spectrum, to that measured in the strong lens system SDSS J0252 + 0039. While we find that the current observation provides no useful constraint on the FDM mass, we show that future deep, high spatial resolution observations of strong lens systems can tightly constrain FDM with a mass around 10−22 eV.
Comparison of Long-term Stereoacuity Improvement Between Patients With Initial Subnormal Stereopsis and Nil Stereopsis in Refractive Accommodative Esotropia
Authors: Mohan Kanwar , Sharma Suresh Kumar
Published: January 2022

Purpose:

To compare improvement in long-term stereoacuity between patients with refractive accommodative esotropia (RAET) with initial subnormal stereopsis (between 120 and 1,980 arcsec of stereoacuity) and nil stereopsis.

Methods:

The medical records of patients 4 years and older who had RAET with initial subnormal stereopsis and nil stereopsis and a minimum follow-up period of 5 years were retrospectively reviewed. Improvement in stereoacuity at the last follow-up visit and the factors that could influence it were compared between the initial subnormal stereopsis and the nil stereopsis groups.

Results:

A total of 79 patients (mean age: 6.3 ± 1.9 years) were included: 31 patients with initial subnormal stereopsis and 48 patients with nil stereopsis. The mean follow-up time was 11.7 ± 1.8 years (range: 5 to 21 years). At the last follow-up visit, a statistically significantly greater number of patients with initial subnormal stereopsis demonstrated improvement in stereoacuity and also achieved 60 arcsec of stereoacuity compared with those with nil stereopsis. Age at onset, duration of esodeviation, mean hyperopia, amblyopia, anisometropia, and follow-up duration were not significantly different between the initial subnormal stereopsis and the nil stereopsis groups. The initial mean near and distance deviations with hyperopic correction were significantly smaller in patients with initial subnormal stereopsis. A significantly greater number of patients with initial sub-normal stereopsis had fusion at distance.

Conclusions:

Patients with RAET with initial subnormal stereopsis have greater chances of stereoacuity improvement and recovery of 60 arcsec of stereoacuity than those with nil stereopsis. Patients who initially have nil stereopsis may develop normal stereoacuity. Smaller initial deviations with hyperopic correction and fusion at distance indicate a favorable prognosis for stereoacuity improvement.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2022;59(4):248–253.]
On the critical Schrödinger-Poisson system with $ p $-Laplacian
Authors: Du Yao , Su Jiabao , Wang Cong
Published: January 2022

In this paper we consider the critical quasilinear Schrödinger-Poisson system

   \begin{document}$ \begin{eqnarray*} \left \{\begin{array}{ll} -\Delta_p u+|u|^{p-2}u+\mu\phi |u|^{p-2}u = \lambda|u|^{q-2}u+|u|^{p^*-2}u,&\mathrm{in} \ \mathbb{R}^3,\\ -\Delta \phi = |u|^p, &\mathrm{in}\ \mathbb{R}^3, \end{array} \right. \end{eqnarray*} $\end{document}

where \begin{document}$ \frac{3}{2}
, \begin{document}$ \Delta_p u = \hbox{div}(|\nabla u|^{p-2}\nabla u) $\end{document}, \begin{document}$ p<q
 and \begin{document}$ \mu,\lambda>0 $\end{document}. Based upon the variational approach, the ground state solutions and the nontrivial solutions are obtained depending on the parameters \begin{document}$ q $\end{document}, \begin{document}$ \mu $\end{document} and \begin{document}$ \lambda $\end{document}.
Schauder type estimates for degenerate Kolmogorov equations with Dini continuous coefficients
Authors: Polidoro Sergio , Rebucci Annalaura , Stroffolini Bianca
Published: January 2022

We study the regularity properties of the second order linear operator in \begin{document}$ {{\mathbb {R}}}^{N+1} $\end{document}:

   \begin{document}$ \begin{equation*} \mathscr{L} u : = \sum\limits_{j,k = 1}^{m} a_{jk}\partial_{x_j x_k}^2 u + \sum\limits_{j,k = 1}^{N} b_{jk}x_k \partial_{x_j} u - \partial_t u, \end{equation*} $\end{document}

where \begin{document}$ A = \left( a_{jk} \right)_{j,k = 1, \dots, m}, B = \left( b_{jk} \right)_{j,k = 1, \dots, N} $\end{document} are real valued matrices with constant coefficients, with \begin{document}$ A $\end{document} symmetric and strictly positive. We prove that, if the operator \begin{document}$ {\mathscr{L}} $\end{document} satisfies Hörmander's hypoellipticity condition, and \begin{document}$ f $\end{document} is a Dini continuous function, then the second order derivatives of the solution \begin{document}$ u $\end{document} to the equation \begin{document}$ {\mathscr{L}} u = f $\end{document} are Dini continuous functions as well. We also consider the case of Dini continuous coefficients \begin{document}$ a_{jk} $\end{document}'s. A key step in our proof is a Taylor formula for classical solutions to \begin{document}$ {\mathscr{L}} u = f $\end{document} that we establish under minimal regularity assumptions on \begin{document}$ u $\end{document}.
Well-posedness of initial value problem of Hirota-Satsuma system in low regularity Sobolev space
Authors: Zhao Xiangqing ,   Department of Mathematics, Suqian University, Suqian 223800, China, Lv Zhiwei
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we study the initial value problem of Hirota-Satsuma system:

   \begin{document}$ \begin{equation} \notag \left\{ \begin{array}{ll} u_t-\alpha(u_{xxx}+6uu_x) = 2\beta vv_x, & \ x\in {\mathbb{R}}, \ t\ge 0, \\ v_t+v_{xxx}+3uv_x = 0, & x\in {\mathbb{R}}, \ t\ge 0, \\ u(0, x) = \phi(x), \; \; v(0, x) = \psi(x), & x\in {\mathbb{R}}, \end{array} \right. \end{equation} $\end{document}

where $ \alpha\in {\mathbb{R}} $, $ \beta\in {\mathbb{R}} $; $ u = u(x, t) $, $ v = v(x, t) $ are real functions. Aided by Fourier restrict norm method, we show that $ \forall s > -\frac 18 $ initial value problem (0.1) is locally well-posed in $ H^s({\mathbb{R}})\times H^{s+1}({\mathbb{R}}) $ which improved the results of [7].
Platforma 3
Authors: Kuhar Lea , Petrevski Dragan , Zalar Vita , Cvar Nina , Germek Magdalena , Jan Matija , Kusterle Jernej , Manzoni Dino , Rose Rebecca , Tomšič Neja
Published: January 2022

Platforma 3 is a scientific publication in which the students of the Postgraduate school ZRC SAZU present their completed and ongoing research. The edited volume combines contributions from various fields of humanities and social sciences, arising from a wide range of research topics.
Current and Future Developments in Heritage Studies: From “Retrotopia” to “Prospective”
Authors: Fournier Laurent Sébastien
Published: January 2022

In the article, the author starts from the different approaches between heritage studies on the one hand and disciplinary heritage approaches on the other hand to consider current and future developments in the field of intangible cultural heritage. In the play between critical studies and broader studies, there are risks of regression as well as opportunities for progress. To underpin his analysis, he refers to his experience of development processes in the field of cultural heritage and to some recent research in France on the institutional functioning of UNESCO in the field of intangible cultural heritage. He then focuses on the notions of “retrotopia” (Bauman, 2017) and “prospective” (Godet, 2004), which seem to him to be suitable for triggering a fundamental anthropological reflection on the future of cultural heritage research. At the end, he draws some conclusions about the possibilities of progress – or, conversely, regression – in intangible cultural heritage.
Just As Planned: Bayesianism, Externalism, and Plan Coherence
Authors: Zendejas Medina Pablo
Published: January 2022

Two of the most influential arguments for Bayesian updating ("Conditionalization") -- Hilary Greaves' and David Wallace's Accuracy Argument and David Lewis' Diachronic Dutch Book Argument-- turn out to impose a strong and surprising limitation on rational uncertainty: that one can never be rationally uncertain of what one's evidence is. Many philosophers ("externalists") reject that claim, and now seem to face a difficult choice: either to endorse the arguments and give up Externalism, or to reject the arguments and lose some of the best justifications of Bayesianism. The author argues that the key to resolving this conflict lies in recognizing that both arguments are plan-based, in that they argue for Conditionalization by first arguing that one should planto conditionalize. With this in view, we can identify the culprit common to both arguments: for an externalist, they misconceive the requirement to carry out a plan made at an earlier time. They should therefore not persuade us to reject Externalism. Furthermore, rethinking the nature of this requirement allows us to give two new arguments for Conditionalization that do not rule out rational uncertainty about one's evidence and that can thus serve as common ground in the debate between externalists and their opponents.
Why the Evolution of Heritable Symbiosis Neither Enhances Nor Diminishes the Fitness of a Symbiont
Authors: Stencel Adrian
Published: January 2022

One of the current problems in microbiology concerns the understanding of fitness in host-symbiont systems. A great deal of research and conceptual work has analysed how the host benefits from such associations; however, very little of this work has attempted to take the microbial perspective. Nevertheless, some scientists have argued that we should conduct more comparative studies of both microorganisms that interact with a host and their free-living counterparts in order to determine whether or not symbiosis is beneficial for these microorganisms. In this paper, by means of analysing heritable symbiosis as a case study, I intend to provide a different perspective on this subject. Mainly, I argue that asking how the fitness of a given microorganism was changed during the evolution of heritable symbiosis may be theoretically unjustified at both the early and late stages of this process. The reason for this, I argue, is that, during the evolution of heritable symbiosis, the fitness of a microorganism becomes incommensurable with that of its free-living counterparts because their contexts become radically different; therefore, comparing their fitness makes little sense. My analysis is driven by the use of the ecological concept of fitness; accordingly, my conclusions are bound to this specific interpretation of fitness.
Fibreglass Reinforced Composites
Authors: Machowicz-Musiał Weronika
Published: January 2022

L’usage de produits en fibre de verre en restauration et les produits disponibles pouvant être utilisés pour goujons dans des sculptures en bois sont explorés. L'expérience s'est appuyée sur des tests comparatifs de capacité de charge des goujons en bois et en fibre de verre. Les résultats de cette étude pilote n'ont pas permis d'affirmer l'avantage des joints en fibre de verre testés par rapport au bois, mais ils ont ouvert le champ des recherches à poursuivre.
Classe inversée en sciences de la vie et de la Terre. Des difficultés spécifiques au dispositif ?
Authors: Brederode Marion van
Published: January 2022

Cet article étudie la mise en œuvre d’un dispositif de classe inversée par une enseignante dans le cadre d’un enseignement sur la digestion chimique des aliments chez l’être humain en classe de cinquième. Une séance a été filmée, les productions des élèves et les supports de travail collectés, les interactions entre les élèves, qui travaillent en groupes, enregistrés et transcrits, puis des entretiens semi-directifs d’auto-confrontation aux traces de leur activité ont été menés avec l’enseignante et les élèves. L’analyse de ce corpus est cadrée par des appuis théoriques empruntés à la sociologie des apprentissages scolaires et à la didactique, notamment la didactique des sciences de la vie et de la Terre. Elle montre que la pratique ici définie par l’enseignante comme « classe inversée » ne résout pas, malgré son intention de le faire, certains des obstacles auquel l’enseignement traditionnel est confronté. D’une part, le choix de la capsule et son articulation avec les autres éléments du cours relèvent de questionnements autour des supports pédagogiques, dont il convient d’étudier les effets (éventuellement perturbateurs) sur les apprentissages des élèves. D’autre part, le recours au travail de groupe est pensé par l’enseignante comme lui donnant la possibilité de pouvoir superviser le travail de ses élèves en classe. Or, l’analyse montre que cette visée n’est pas vraiment atteinte : d’abord, du fait d’une inégale articulation de la modalité avec les savoirs visés, et ensuite, du fait des difficultés, pour l’enseignante, à repérer, et au moment propice, les malentendus que certains élèves développent à propos des visées du travail.
Quels outils d’aide à la réussite pour quels profils d’apprenants dans un MOOC hybride ?
Authors: Boumazguida Karim , Temperman Gaëtan , Lièvre Bruno De
Published: January 2022

Dans cette contribution, nous nous intéressons à la performance des inscrits dans un MOOC hybride élaboré en Belgique francophone. Pour ce faire, nous analysons les traces d’apprentissage des apprenants recueillies dans le MOOC. Nous évaluons leur progression entre un pré-test et un post-test et analysons les différentes variables (visionnage de vidéos, échanges sur les outils communicationnels, participation aux quiz, etc.) liées au processus d’apprentissage susceptibles d’influencer celui-ci. Si globalement les apprenants ont progressé, nos résultats ne nous ont pas permis d’identifier de facteurs spécifiques expliquant leur niveau de maîtrise. Nos analyses de catégorisation nous ont toutefois permis de dégager trois profils distincts d’apprenants selon leur utilisation autonome des ressources proposées dans le MOOC hybride et leurs performances : les « non-engagés », les « engagés modérés » et les « peu engagés communicants ».
Les représentations des étudiants tuteurs en masso-kinésithérapie sur le dispositif de tutorat entre pairs
Authors: Dabo Cédric , Connac Sylvain
Published: January 2022

Le tutorat entre pairs est un dispositif d’aide entre étudiants présent dans différents cursus. Cette recherche se focalise sur le tutorat entre étudiants dans le domaine de la masso-kinésithérapie (MK). Celui-ci est basé sur le volontariat des étudiants tuteurs en MK. L’objectif de cette étude est de comprendre quelles sont les représentations du tutorat chez l’étudiant tuteur en MK. Une méthodologie basée sur une approche phénoménologique par triangulation a été mise en place. Des entretiens semi-directifs d’étudiants tuteurs et d’étudiants tutorés ont été réalisés, et des lettres de motivation d’étudiants tuteurs, leur ayant permis de candidater pour devenir tuteur, ont été analysées. Les résultats de cette étude permettent de constater que les étudiants tuteurs en MK se représentent le tutorat comme un dispositif aux multiples fonctions : dispositif d’aide, dispositif d’enseignement, dispositif de révision, dispositif relationnel privilégié et dispositif d’échange de services. Ces représentations conduisent à distinguer le tutorat entre étudiants d’autres dispositifs d’aide ou d’accompagnement tels le monitorat, le mentorat, le compagnonnage et le parrainage. Enfin cette étude permet de souligner les caractéristiques essentielles et les intentions pédagogiques premières du tutorat entre pairs.
Une intervention en clinique de l’activité à visée transformative : apports pour la conception d’une formation de formatrices et formateurs libanais
Authors: Moussay Sylvie , Abourjeili Suzanne Abdul-Reda
Published: January 2022

Historiquement ancrée dans la culture des réformes successives dans le champ de l’éducation, la question de la formation continue des formatrices et formateurs libanais demeure centrale malgré les efforts consentis par le ministère de l’éducation et de l’enseignement supérieur. Inscrite dans ce contexte d’une volonté au changement et en réponse à une commande du Centre de recherche et de développement pédagogiques libanais, l’intervention-recherche en clinique de l’activité visait le développement de l’activité des formateurs d’enseignants par la médiation des outils de l’analyse de l’activité. L’analyse des données d’entretien d’autoconfrontation et des échanges collectifs donne lieu à des résultats tangibles sur le développement de l’activité des formateurs et les transformations concrètes reprises au cours des échanges entre pairs et responsables de centres de formation. Les résultats de l’intervention mettent en discussion la question de l’usage de l’analyse de l’activité pour la conception d’une formation de formateurs.
Tendances et évolution des recherches sur la classe inversée en Chine et dans le monde
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhang Mengqi
Published: January 2022

La classe inversée, apparue dans le système scolaire et universitaire chinois en 2011, y a reçu un bon accueil. Cet article présente, à partir d’une étude bibliométrique, les grandes tendances de la recherche anglophone et sinophone sur la question, entre 2010 et 2020. Il s’agit d’abord, dans ces travaux scientifiques, de décrire les éléments innovants : pour ce qui est des outils, recours aux technologies numériques, supports multimédias ; pour ce qui est de la pédagogie, centration sur les apprenants, apprentissage par l’activité, souvent coopérative, distinction entre tâches de bas niveau, réalisées avant le cours, et tâches de haut niveau, notamment de résolution de problèmes, réalisées pendant le cours. Une partie des recherches recensées évaluent, au moyen de méthodes diverses, les effets sur les apprentissages et les performances scolaires, la construction de l’autonomie, les capacités de réflexion critique et de travail en équipe. L’article montre aussi comment les travaux scientifiques sur la question croisent différentes disciplines de recherche, quelles sont les spécificités selon les domaines abordés, et les grandes tendances des évolutions récentes, notamment en Chine : étude des caractéristiques locales et de la diversification des formes d’inversion, mais aussi attention portée aux limites de ces pédagogies et relativisation de leur caractère innovant.
The Contribution of Tourism to Peacebuilding Processes
Authors: Teixeira Ana Margarida , Lopes Paula Duarte
Published: January 2022

The concern for environmental protection within an increasingly globalised international system has led to the planning of Transfrontier Conservation Areas, among which Peace Parks aim to achieve or maintain peace across borders. Based on the growing importance that tourism practice has for the sustainability of Peace Parks, this chapter reflects on how the tourism activity developed within Peace Parks can contribute to peacebuilding processes. This dynamic is addressed by analysing a case study, focused on the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. It shows that tourism has the potential to positively contribute to sustainability, creating better living conditions for the local population and, consequently, promoting the achievement of peace. However, it also shows that tourism may have the opposite effect if national interests dominate, if there is insufficient consultation of local communities' interests or if sensitive border and land-use issues are not overcome.
Is the COVID-19 Pandemic Shifting the Social-Business Paradigm?
Authors: Paz-Gil Iria , Prado Román Alberto , Prado Román Miguel
Published: January 2022

Crises show all the aspects that surround a society, demonstrating whether society is equal to the demands or not. The current COVID-19 pandemic is creating a challenge for all market agents, be they politicians, entrepreneurs, or individuals, where the difficulties are presented every day from different perspectives: social, economic, educational. Therefore, both companies and individuals are implementing numerous solidarity strategies to help society and combat the effects of the health crisis. The question contemplated in this research is if this is the beginning of a new social-business paradigm, in which the results do not take precedence over the social aspects around the business market. And it is in this framework where this research focuses on studying this paradigm shift, analysing the future impact that these solidarity measures of companies will have on society, and therefore on consumer behaviour.
Sustainable Procurement to Enhance Organizational Performance in Supply Chain Management
Authors: Sánchez-Flores Rebeca B , Cruz-Sotelo Samantha E. , Ojeda-Benitez Sara , Navarro-Gonzalez Carlos R.
Published: January 2022

The purpose of this chapter is to present an overview of current research on sustainable procurement identifying practices and case studies in supply chain that have been said to improve its performance from a global perspective. As an introduction, this chapter describes the importance of sustainability in supply chain, driving the discussion into the procurement process. Theoretical perspectives used in sustainable supply chain literature are presented, focusing on procurement management and the three dimensions of sustainability. The chapter discusses current procurement practices as a source of competitive advantage. It also highlights techniques, tools, and methodologies from research case studies, and presents sustainable procurement practices as a driver of performance improvement. Finally, this chapter provides further research directions and confirms sustainable procurement as a key process to performance enhancement in supply chain management, and as a source for global business improvement and competitive advantage achievement.
The Crystal Structure Analysis of Silver Nanowires Using Rietveld Method for Optoelectronic Application
Authors: Junaidi  , Afrilaini Lina , Manurung Posman , Sembiring Simon , Triyana Kuwat , Hadi Sutopo
Published: January 2022

In this study, the synthesis and analysis of the crystal structure of silver nanowires (AgNWs) have been performed using the polyol method. In this research, materials used as the main raw material were silver nitrate (AgNO3). Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) was used as a capping agent and stabilizer, and Iron (III) Chloride (FeCl3) for controlling the shape and size of AgNWs. AgNWs were synthesized using two different solvents i.e., ethylene glycol (EG) and propylene glycol (PG). The crystal structure of AgNWs was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) with a scanning 2θ in the range of 20° to 90°. Furthermore, the structure and electron diffraction patterns were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The XRD pattern of the AgNW sample also has five diffraction peaks, these five diffraction peaks were identified at 38.24°, 44.42°, 64.54°, 77.52°, and 81.68° representing lattice constants (111), (200), (220), (311), and (222), respectively. Based on the results of the calculation of lattice constant values of AgNWs-EG and AgNWs-PG were 4.084 Å. The TEM images of AgNWs-EG have a diameter of 84 to 133 nm, corresponding to the SEM calculation data having a diameter of 109 ± 22 nm. AgNWs-PG has a diameter of 84 to 264 nm. The study results revealed that the results of the characterization performed are interconnected. The XRD characterization results revealed that both samples were crystal-indexed. AgNWs-PG has a larger crystal size than AgNWs-EG.
Chitosan Polymeric Nanoparticles as a Carrier of Thymbra spicata Hydroalcoholic Extract: Effect on Growth Parameters in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Ghanbary Keyvan , Firouzbakhsh Farid , Arkan Elham , Mojarrab Mehdi
Published: January 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effect of using chitosan polymeric nanoparticles (CNPs) on improving the efficiency of hydroalcoholic extract of Thymbra spicata (TS) on the growth parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed with the experimental diets containing different levels of TS extract with and without CNPs. Thymbra spicata loaded chitosan polymeric nanoparticles (TSCNPs) were prepared by ionic gelation methods in the presence of sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). The fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) of TSCNPs showed that the strong peaks due to hydroxyl groups (OH) and alcohol and amine (NH) were shifted to 3427 cm−1, and peak wide has expanded due to increased hydrogen bonds. The FT-IR results were proved the interaction of CNPs and TS extract. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging showed a spherical shape, smooth and homogeneous structure for nanoparticles. In zetasizer results, nanoparticles size average, poly dispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), and zeta average (d.nm) were 86.1 nm, 0.21, 31.3 mV, and 83.3, respectively. In energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) results, the major compounds of TSCNPs included C, O, Al, Cl, Mg, K, and Ca. At the UV-Visible spectrum, the absorption of TS extract based on the absorption of flavonoids was observed at 430 nm. Obtained results showed that the encapsulation efficiency (EE) of the nanoparticles was 94.1%. In vitro, a gradual and acidic dependent period of 120 h was observed in TS release conditions. After eight weeks of feeding, the addition of 400 mg kg-1 diet of TSCNPs resulted in significant improvement in the final weight, final length, specific growth rate (SGR), and survival (S) (P < 0.05). This research suggests that loading Thymbra spicata hydroalcoholic extracts on chitosan polymeric nanoparticles increased the efficiency of plant extract compared to extract pure form and improved the growth performance in rainbow trout.
Does Plasma Treatment Effective for Surface Modification of Polymer? An Overview of Treatment Effect on Adhesive and Tribological Properties
Authors: Purnomo  , Arti Dwi Windu Kinanti , Setyarini Putu Hadi , Irawan R.M Bagus , Subri Muhammad
Published: January 2022

Surface modification with plasma has been widely applied to polymeric materials. This treatment is intended to improve the surface properties of the polymer including its wettability and adhesiveness. The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the literature on the surface treatment of polymers with plasma, which focuses on the effects of adhesive and surface tribology properties. The related surface properties are also reviewed in order to strengthen the review of adhesive properties and tribology. Various types of plasma treatments that have been reviewed reported that plasma can be effectively used to improve surface properties, especially adhesive and tribological properties. On a small surface treatment has been developed plasma jet treatment which has been widely applied in biomedical applications.
The parasitoid complex of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), in Canada: impact and status
Authors: Mason Peter G. , Dancau Tina , Abram Paul K. , Noronha Christine , Dixon Peggy L. , Parsons Carolyn K. , Bahar M.H. , Bennett Andrew M.R. , Fernández-Triana José , Brauner Andrea M. , Clarke Peggy , Thiessen Jason , Gillespie David R. , Haye Tim
Published: January 2022

Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), a globally important pest of Brassicaceae crops, migrates into all provinces of Canada annually. Life tables were used to determine the mortality levels contributed by the parasitoid complexes associated with diamondback moth in British Columbia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and insular Newfoundland. Overall, diamondback moth populations showed high generational mortality (> 90%) in all provinces, although parasitism levels were generally low. The net reproductive rate of increase in diamondback moth was less than 1.0 (populations declined) in both years in British Columbia and in each of two years in Newfoundland and Ontario, but it was greater than 1.0 in all three years in Prince Edward Island. Lower parasitism levels were found in Prince Edward Island (3.0–6.3%) compared with other provinces (8.4–17.6%, except one year in British Columbia). Diadegma insulare was the main larval parasitoid found; it was present in all provinces. Microplitis plutellae was present in all provinces except British Columbia. Oomyzus sokolowskii was found in British Columbia and Ontario. The parasitoid community documented from sentinel sampling was less diverse than that found through destructive sampling. Hypotheses are provided to explain the presence of major parasitoids. Increasing larval parasitism would have the largest effect on diamondback moth population growth in Canada.
I problemi etici dell'eutanasia nell'Enciclica Evangelium Vitae
Authors: Miranda Gonzalo
Published: January 2022

Nel difficile ma necessario dialogo della Chiesa con la cultura predominante sul problema dell'eutanasia il primo compito è quello di chiarire il concetto. L'enciclica di Giovanni Paolo II presenta una definizione incentrata su un elemento che è essenziale per il giudizio etico: la volontà di chi agisce di procurare la morte di chi soffre, sia attraverso un'azione sia attraverso un'omissione. Un secondo problema importante è quello del giudizio etico sul suicidio, dal punto di vista oggettivo, come libero annientamento di se stesso. Sia dal punto di vista religioso che sulla base della comprensione razionale della persona come un bene per sé e per gli altri del quale non si è assolutamente padroni, si può capire che il decidere e tentare la propria morte è in sé un'azione irragionevole, e cioè immorale. Proprio per questo, l'eutanasia è anche irragionevole e immorale: non si deve collaborare a quella "sconfitta esistenziale" che è la decisione di farla finita con la propria vita. L'Autore riflette poi sul concetto di "dignità della vita" e di "morte degna", sottolineando che chi proclama il diritto alla morte degna di un malato terminale o cronico lo fa sulla base della comprensione implicita della dignità della vita di quella persona, anche se a parole dice che quella non è più una vita degna. Aiutare a morire degnamente la persona che soffre significa soprattutto aiutarla a morire in modo umano, vale a dire nella matura accettazione della propria condizione umana e nello sforzo di dare un senso alla propria sofferenza, mentre si tenta nei modi possibili e leciti di alleviarne la sofferenza, sia fisica che psicologica e spirituale. L'eliminazione della persona, con un'azione od una omissione, è indegna della persona che viene eliminata e di quella che realizza quella azione, anche se mossa da un senso di (malintesa) pietà.
EUS-guided versus percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography biliary drainage for obstructed distal malignant biliary strictures in patients who have failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Authors: Hayat Umar , Bakker Caitlin , Dirweesh Ahmed , Khan Mohammed Y. , Adler Douglas G. , Okut Hayrettin , Leul Noel , Bilal Mohammad , Siddiqui Ali A.
Published: January 2022

EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography biliary drainage (PTC) are the two alternate methods for biliary decompression in cases where ERCP fails. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to compare the efficacy and safety of endoscopic and percutaneous biliary drainage for malignant biliary obstruction in patients with failed ERCP. A total of ten studies were included, fulfilling the inclusion criteria, including four retrospective studies and six randomized controlled trials. We compared the technical and clinical success rates and the acute, delayed, and total adverse events of EUS-BD with PTC. The odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. There was no difference between technical (OR: 0.47 [95% CI: 0.20–1.07]; P = 0.27) and clinical (OR: 2.24 [95% CI: 1.10–4.55]; P = 0.51) success rates between EUS-PD and PTC groups. Procedural adverse events (OR: 0.17 [95% CI: 0.09–0.31]; P = 0.03) and total adverse events (OR: 0.09 [95% CI: 0.02–0.38]; P < 0.01) were significantly different between the two groups; however, delayed adverse events were nonsignificantly different (OR: 0.73 [95% CI: 0.34–1.57]; P = 0.97). This meta-analysis indicates that endoscopic biliary drainage (EUS-BD) is equally effective but safer in terms of acute and total adverse events than percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTC) for biliary decompression in patients with malignant biliary strictures who have failed an ERCP.
Adverse events associated with AXIOS stents
Authors: Ramai Daryl , Facciorusso Antonio , DeLuca Matthew , Barakat Monique , Adler Douglas G.
Published: January 2022

Background and Objectives:

The AXIOS stent is indicated for transgastric or transduodenal drainage of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts and symptomatic walled off necrosis. The AXIOS stent functions as a conduit which allows solid and liquid pancreatic fluid collections (PFC) contents to pass into the luminal GI tract and also allows the passage of standard and therapeutic endoscopes into the PFC to perform endoscopic debridement. We aim to investigate the number and type of complications associated with AXIOS stents.

Materials and Methods:

We analyzed postmarketing surveillance data from the Food and Drug Administration Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database January 2016 to February 2021.

Results:

During the study period, approximately 588 reports with 579 device issues and 250 patient complications were identified. Most device complications were due to stent positioning problems or stent malpositioning (n = 206; 35.6%), followed by stent migration (n = 72; 12.4%), premature deployment (n = 61; 10.5%), material integrity (n = 56; 9.6%), deployment failure (n = 47; 8.1%), and difficulty removing the stent (n = 45; 7.7%). The most reported patient adverse events were hemorrhage/bleeding (n = 81; 32.4%), perforation (n = 26; 10.4%), pain (n = 22; 8.8%), unspecified infection (n = 20; 8.0%), and death (n = 17; 6.8%).

Conclusions:

Findings from the MAUDE database highlight patient and device complications which endoscopists should be aware of before AXIOS stent placement.
Quasi-regular Sasakian and K-contact structures on Smale–Barden manifolds
Authors: Cañas Alejandro , Muñoz Vicente , Schütt Matthias , Tralle A.
Published: January 2022

Smale–Barden manifolds are simply-connected closed

5

-manifolds. It is an important and difficult question to decide when a Smale–Barden manifold admits a Sasakian or a K-contact structure. The known constructions of Sasakian and K-contact structures are obtained mainly by two techniques. These are either links (Boyer and Galicki), or semi-regular Seifert fibrations over smooth orbifolds (Kollár). Recently, the second named author of this article started the systematic development of quasi-regular Seifert fibrations, that is, over orbifolds which are not necessarily smooth. The present work is devoted to several applications of this theory. First, we develop constructions of a Smale–Barden manifold admitting a quasi-regular Sasakian structure but not a semi-regular K-contact structure. Second, we determine all Smale–Barden manifolds that admit a null Sasakian structure. Finally, we show a counterexample in the realm of cyclic Kähler orbifolds to the algebro-geometric conjecture by Muñoz, Rojo and Tralle that claims that for an algebraic surface with

b_1=0

and

b_2>1

there cannot be

b_2

smooth disjoint complex curves of genus

g>0

spanning the (rational) homology.
Expression of cathepsin S and its inhibitor stefin A in sinonasal inverted papilloma
Authors: Huang C.-C. , Lee T.-J. , Chang P.-H. , Lee Y.-S. , Chuang C.-C. , Jhang Y.-J. , Chen Y.-W. , Chen C.-W. , Fu C.-H. , Tsai C.-N.
Published: January 2022

Background: Dysregulation of cysteinyl cathepsins and their inhibitors, cystatins (stefins), were implied in progression of tumorgenesis; nevertheless, their role in sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) is still unrecognized. Methods: The differential expression of cathepsins and stefins in IP and normal tissues were revealed by data of human Affymetrix U133A gene chips, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Results: Among the cathepsins and stefins family, expression of cathepsin S and stefin A were most differentially expressed (down- and up-regulated, respectively) in IP tissue as compared with normal tissues. Their expression levels were validated by real-time PCR, which showed the expression level of cathepsin S was significantly down-regulated, whereas the expression of stefin A was significantly up-regulated in IP tissue compared to normal sinus mucosa. Using immunohistochemistry, expression of cathepsin S was observed in stromal and epithelial area macrophages of normal sinus mucosa, but no obvious expression of cathepsin S was found in IP tissue. In contrast, over-expression of stefin A was present in nearly all layers of the proliferative squamous cells of IP, but expression of stefin A was only detected in a scattered area of normal sinus mucosa. Conclusion: Down-regulation of cathepsin S and up-regulation of its endogenous inhibitor, stefin A, were found in IP tissues as compared with their expression level in normal sinus mucosa tissues. The biological significance of inverse expression of both stefin A and cathepsin S in sinonasal IP need further investigation in the future.
Transitional cell tumours of the lacrimal drainage apparatus
Authors: Eweiss A.Z. , Lund V.J. , Jay A. , Rose G.
Published: January 2022

Background: Tumours of the lacrimal drainage apparatus (LDA) are very rare, but can be life-threatening. Seventy percent of lacrimal sac tumours are of epithelial origin, and transitional cell tumours represent an interesting sub-group of these epithelial tumours. Methods: A retrospective review of cases of LDA transitional cell tumours co-managed at the Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. Results: Twenty cases of transitional cell tumours of the LDA were identified, comprising 10 transitional cell papillomas (TCPs) and 10 transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs). All cases were resected through a modified lateral rhinotomy approach. Limited resection of orbital fat with preservation of orbital functions was required for 2 cases of TCC. Fractionated external beam radiotherapy was administered in 7 cases of TCC. The mean follow up was 80 months (range 11 months-16 years). Recurrences were detected in 4 cases, which were managed by further surgery. Two cases have been lost to follow-up, but the 18 other patients are currently alive and disease free. Conclusion: A favourable outcome can be achieved with transitional cell tumours of the LDA when an optimum management plan is followed.
A novel technique for mitomycin-c application in frontal sinus surgery
Authors: Konstantinidis I. , Chatziavramidis A. , Constantinidis J.
Published: January 2022

Objective: Local application of mitomycin-c (MMC) seems to be effective in reducing adhesions and stenosis after FESS. However this is not clearly seen in frontal sinusotomy. This study assesses the effectiveness of local MMC in the frontal ostium using a foamy material (otowick) and compared with cottonoids. Methods: Forty-seven patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps enrolled in this study. Two subgroups were studied: one with MMC application in one nostril using cottonoids and a second with MMC injected in an otowick. In all patients MMC was applied twice, intraoperatively and 4 weeks later. In both groups normal saline was applied to the other nostril on the same material with the MMC side. Six months postoperatively all patients were assessed endoscopically by a clinician blinded to the MMC side. Results: Overall, MMC application was more effective than normal saline in both groups. Otowick use presented favorable initial results especially in primary cases regarding ostium patency, and need for revision surgery. The use of MMC cottonoids did not show any benefit in primary cases. Conclusion: The described technique seems to be effective in maintaining frontal ostium patency as it provides a more precise and deeper drug delivery to this area.