bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gendered Vulnerability to Climate Change Impacts in Selected Counties in Kenya
Authors: Nzengya Daniel M. , Maguta John K.
Published: March 2021

Extreme climate change events such as frequent and prolonged droughts or floods associated with climate change can be very disruptive to peoples’ livelihoods particularly in rural settings, where people rely on the immediate environment for livelihood. Shocks in the people’s livelihoods can trigger diverse responses that include migration as a coping or adaption strategy. Migration takes many forms depending on the context and resources availability. Very few studies in Kenya have used qualitative analysis to bring up women’s voices in relation to gender, climate change, and migration, especially along hydrological gradient. This chapter presents results of qualitative research conducted from 58 participants in 2018 in three counties in Kenya, namely, Kiambu County, Machakos, and Makueni. The study sought to examine gender perceptions related to climate-induced migration, that is: whether climate change is perceived to be affecting women’s livelihood differently from that of men; examine in what ways experiences of climate induced migration differed for men and women; explore perceptions on the county government efforts to cope with climate-induced migration; and examine perceptions of the role of nongovernmental agencies in helping citizens cope with climate change. From the results obtained on ways in which climate change affected women livelihoods more than men had four themes: (1) women exerted more strain in domestic chores, child/family care, and in the farm labor; (2) women also experienced more time demands. The sources of water and firewood were getting more scarce leading to women travel long distances in search to fetch water and firewood; (3) reduced farm yields, hence inadequate food supply; and (4) the effects of time and strain demands on women was a contributory factor to women poor health and domestic conflicts. Several measures that the county government could take to assist women to cope with climate change-induced migration had five themes which include the following: (1) developing climate change mitigations, and reducing deforestation; (2) increasing water harvesting and storage; (3) develop smart agriculture through the use of drought-resistant crops and drought mitigation education; (4) encourage diversification of livelihoods; and finally (5) providing humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable populations such as orphans and the very poor. Thirdly, the measures mentioned that NGO’s could take to assist rural communities to cope with climate change-induced migration did not vary significantly from those mentioned for county government, except probably for a new theme of increasing advocacy for climate adaption policies.
Detecting scaling in phase transitions on the truncated Heisenberg algebra
Authors: Prekrat Dragan , Todorović-Vasović Kristina Neli , Ranković Dragana
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We construct and analyze a phase diagram of a self-interacting matrix field coupled to curvature of the non-commutative truncated Heisenberg space. The model reduces to the renormalizable Grosse-Wulkenhaar model in an infinite matrix size limit and exhibits a purely non-commutative non-uniformly ordered phase. Particular attention is given to scaling of model’s parameters. We additionally provide the infinite matrix size limit for the disordered to ordered phase transition line.
Correction to: New closed-loop insulin systems
Authors: Boughton Charlotte K. , Hovorka Roman
Published: March 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s00125-021-05443-1
Secular polar motion observed by GRACE
Authors: Seo Ki-Weon , Kim Jae-Seung , Youm Kookhyoun , Chen Jianli , Wilson Clark R.
Published: March 2021

A long-term drift in polar motion (PM) has been observed for more than a century, and Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA) has been understood as an important cause. However, observed PM includes contributions from other sources, including contemporary climate change and perhaps others associated with Earth’s interior dynamics. It has been difficult to separate these effects, because there is considerable scatter among GIA models concerning predicted PM rates. Here we develop a new method to estimate GIA PM using data from the GRACE mission. Changes in GRACE degree 2, order 1 spherical harmonic coefficients are due both to GIA and contemporary surface mass load changes. We estimate the surface mass load contribution to degree 2, order 1 coefficients using GRACE data, relying on higher-degree GRACE coefficients that are dominantly affected by surface loads. Then the GIA PM trend is obtained from the difference between observed PM trend (which includes effects from GIA and surface mass loads) and the estimated PM trend mostly associated with surface mass loads. A previous estimate of the GIA PM trend from PM observations for the period 1900–1978 is toward 79.90° W at a speed of 3.53 mas/year (10.91 cm/year). Our new estimate for the GIA trend is in a direction of 61.77° W at a speed of 2.18 mas/year (6.74 cm/year), similar to the observed PM trend during the early twentieth century. This is consistent with the view that the early twentieth-century trend was dominated by GIA and that more recently there is an increasing contribution from contemporary surface mass load redistribution associated with climate change. Our GIA PM also agrees with the linear mean pole during 1900–2017. Contributions from other solid Earth process such as mantle convection would also produce a linear trend in PM and could be included in our GIA estimate.
Visual search in neurodevelopmental disorders: evidence towards a continuum of impairment
Authors: Canu Daniela , Ioannou Chara , Müller Katarina , Martin Berthold , Fleischhaker Christian , Biscaldi Monica , Beauducel André , Smyrnis Nikolaos , van Elst Ludger Tebartz , Klein Christoph
Published: March 2021

Disorders with neurodevelopmental aetiology such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Schizophrenia share commonalities at many levels of investigation despite phenotypic differences. Evidence of genetic overlap has led to the concept of a continuum of neurodevelopmental impairment along which these disorders can be positioned in aetiological, pathophysiological and developmental features. This concept requires their simultaneous comparison at different levels, which has not been accomplished so far. Given that cognitive impairments are core to the pathophysiology of these disorders, we provide for the first time differentiated head-to-head comparisons in a complex cognitive function, visual search, decomposing the task with eye movement-based process analyses. N = 103 late-adolescents with schizophrenia, ADHD, ASD and healthy controls took a serial visual search task, while their eye movements were recorded. Patients with schizophrenia presented the greatest level of impairment across different phases of search, followed by patients with ADHD, who shared with patients with schizophrenia elevated intra-subject variability in the pre-search stage. ASD was the least impaired group, but similar to schizophrenia in post-search processes and to schizophrenia and ADHD in pre-search processes and fixation duration while scanning the items. Importantly, the profiles of deviancy from controls were highly correlated between all three clinical groups, in line with the continuum idea. Findings suggest the existence of one common neurodevelopmental continuum of performance for the three disorders, while quantitative differences appear in the level of impairment. Given the relevance of cognitive impairments in these three disorders, we argue in favour of overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms.
Usability of SCADA as predictive maintenance for wind turbines
Authors: Roscher Björn , Schelenz Ralf
Published: March 2021

Wind energy is an essential source of renewable energy. However, to compete with conventional energy sources, energy needs to be produced at low costs. An ideal situation would be to have no costly, unscheduled maintenance, preferably. Currently, O&M are half of the yearly expenses. The O&M costs are kept low by scheduled and reactive maintenance. An alternative is predictive maintenance. This method aims to act before any critical and costly repair is required. Additionally, the component is used to its full potential. However, such a strategy requires a damage indication, similar to one provided by a condition monitoring system (CMS). This paper investigates if Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) can be used as a damage indicator and CMS. Since 2006, every wind turbine is obliged to use such a SCADA-system. SCADA records a 10-minute average, maximum, minimum, and standard deviation of multiple technical information channels. Analytics can use those data to determine the normal behavior and a prediction model of the wind turbine. The authors investigated statistical and data mining methods to predict main bearing faults. The methods indicated a defect of up to 6 months before its maintenance.
Separation of Rare Earth Elements (REE) by Ion Interaction Chromatography (IIC) Using Diglycolic Acid (ODA) as a Complexing Agent
Authors: Dybczyński Rajmund S. , Kulisa Krzysztof
Published: March 2021

The possibility of rare earth elements (REE) separation by ion interaction chromatography (IIC) employing their complexes with diglycolic acid (ODA) in anion exchange mode has been studied theoretically and experimentally. Calculations, assuming that only trivalent complex is significantly uptaken by the stationary phase, indicated that at at pH 4–6, the retention in the lanthanide series should increase from La to the Tb–Dy–Ho region with yttrium showing apparent atomic number (App.At.No.) of 67½ and then decrease with further increase of atomic number. Chromatographic experiments in the system: Column: Eternity C18—mobile phase 5 mM ODA/8.6 mM TBAOH/0.6 mM HNO3; pH 4.60 confirmed theoretically predictions. It was found that scandium at pH ≥ 4.0 elutes in front of the whole REE group but at low pH enters the region of light lanthanides. The non-monotonical change of affinity of the REE with the increase of atomic number results in quite unusual order of elution of REE namely: Sc < La < Ce < Lu < Pr < Yb < Nd < Tm < Sm < Eu < Er≈Y < Gd < Ho < Tb≈Dy.
A new meta-module design for efficient reconfiguration of modular robots
Authors: Parada Irene , Sacristán Vera , Silveira Rodrigo I.
Published: March 2021

We propose a new meta-module design for two important classes of modular robots. The new meta-modules are three-dimensional, robust and compact, improving on the previously proposed ones. One of them applies to so-called edge-hinged modular robot units, such as M-TRAN, SuperBot, SMORES, UBot, PolyBot and CKBot, while the other one applies to so-called central-point-hinged modular robot units, which include Molecubes and Roombots. The new meta-modules use the rotational degrees of freedom of these two types of robot units in order to expand and contract, as to double or halve their length in each of the two directions of its three dimensions, therefore simulating the capabilities of Crystalline and Telecube robots. Furthermore, in the edge-hinged case we prove that the novel meta-module can also perform the scrunch, relax and transfer moves that are necessary in any tunneling-based reconfiguration algorithm for expanding/contracting modular robots such as Crystalline and Telecube. This implies that the use of meta-meta-modules is unnecessary, and that currently existing efficient reconfiguration algorithms can be applied to a much larger set of modular robots than initially intended. We also prove that the size of the new meta-modules is optimal and cannot be further reduced.
Women’s attitude towards umbilical cord blood banking in Poland
Authors: Pisula Agata , Sienicka Agnieszka , Stachyra Karolina , Kacperczyk-Bartnik Joanna , Bartnik Paweł , Dobrowolska-Redo Agnieszka , Romejko-Wolniewicz Ewa
Published: March 2021

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is considered as a valuable potential source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. A process of collecting and storing UCB in the immediate period after the birth is called UCB banking. The study was conducted in order to determine women’s knowledge, awareness, preferences and attitude towards UCB banking in Poland, considering the sociodemographic and obstetric factors. A cross-sectional, self-administered, online questionnaire-based study including mostly multiple choice questions concerning attitude and awareness regarding UCB banking was conducted entirely online among Facebook female users in Poland. A total of 1077 participants correctly completed the survey. Most participants (n = 911, 84.6%) were aware of the possibility of UCB banking. Social media were considered as the main source of information (47.5%). However, the participants mostly indicated the doctor as their preferred source of reliable information (86.8%). The majority of women (61.8%) assessed their level of knowledge of UCB banking as still insufficient. Among the participants who supported UCB banking (70%), the following reasons were considered as the most vital: potential possibility of helping their child (93.9%) and helping other relatives (64.4%). More than half of the respondents (66.9%), who have not stored and are not willing to store their children’s UCB, indicated the high cost of UCB banking as the main reason of this decision. The knowledge and awareness of UCB storage and banking possibilities amongst women in Poland could be improved. The professional medical personnel should be a source of reliable information.
Genetic variation and response to selection for storage root dry matter and associated traits in a population of yam bean (Pachyrhizus spp.) interspecies crosses
Authors: Agaba Rolland , Rubaihayo Patrick , Tukamuhabwa Phinehas , Mwanga Robert O. M. , Tumwegamire Silver , Ndirigwe Jean , Heider Bettina , Grüneberg Wolfgang
Published: March 2021

The goal of yam bean improvement in Africa is to develop superior high yielding and high dry matter cultivars that are preferred for adoption. In this study, the estimates of variance components, heritability and response to selection were studied in F3 yam bean families selected from interspecies crosses targeting improvement of storage root dry matter and associated traits. Breeding populations were generated using North Carolina II (NC II) mating design involving high dry matter P. tuberosus chuin cultivar, low dry matter P. ahipa and the high yielding P. erosus yam beans. The progenies were advanced through selfing from F1 to F2 population and then exposed to selection at 10% selection intensity to obtain 83 high dry matter lines. The selected lines were evaluated in an F3 trial using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) Namulonge, in Central Uganda. The results revealed significant (P < 0.001) genetic variation for storage root dry matter (RDM), storage root fresh yield (RFY), storage root dry yield (RDY), vine yield (VNY), fresh biomass yield (FBY), harvest index (HI), starch (STA) and protein (PRO) content. High genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were obtained for VNY, RDY, FBY, RFY, RDM and STA. Narrow sense heritability was higher than 0.5 and response to selection was 15.5 to 33.1 for RDM, RFY, RDY, VNY, FBY and STA, indicating rapid genetic progress is achievable and early generation selection would be effective to improve these traits. Significant (P < 0.01) positive genetic correlations were observed between RDM, RDY, RFY, VNY, FBY and STA ranging from 0.422 to 0.963 implying that simultaneous improvement of these traits is possible in the current yam bean populations.
Values-Based and Global Systemically Important Banks: Their Stability and the Impact of Regulatory Changes After the Financial Crisis on it
Authors: Schäfer Theresa , Utz Sebastian
Published: March 2021

We study the financial stability of Values-Based Banks (VBBs) and Global Systemically Important Banks (GSIBs), and how regulatory changes in the aftermath of the financial crisis affected bank stability. These two types of banks allow contrasting an environmental and social impact banking approach to a conventional one. VBBs exhibit significantly higher financial stability before and during the financial crisis. However, regulatory changes in the aftermath of the financial crisis requiring higher capital buffer, have significantly affected GSIBs and rendered the difference in stability levels insignificant.
Prenatal Androgen Effects as a Proximate Mechanism Underpinning Variation in Social Behavior Among Female Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Howlett Caroline , Wheeler Brandon C.
Published: March 2021

While the role of ecological factors in shaping primate social systems has been a central focus for decades, less attention has been given to phylogenetic relationships and the potential role of underlying proximate mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between one such proximate mechanism, prenatal androgen effects (PAEs), and aspects of social behavior in female nonhuman primates using the 2D:4D ratio as a proxy for PAEs and phylogenetically controlled methods. In general, female 2D:4D ratios were highest in monogamous species (low inferred PAEs) and lowest in polygynandrous and polygynous species (high inferred PAEs). 2D:4D ratios also varied with the form of polygyny/polygynandry, potentially with regard to the need for competitive over cooperative behaviors and the intensity of female reproductive competition. Species characterized by female dominance had lower 2D:4D ratios than species characterized by male dominance or codominance. There were no significant relationships between 2D:4D ratio and either degree of frugivory or group size. Relationships between 2D:4D ratios and the directional consistency index and 2D:4D ratios and rates of female–female agonism were also nonsignificant although sample sizes for both of these variables were small. Female social relationships are a manifestation of complex competitive and cooperative behaviors and the results suggest that PAEs may act as a proximate mechanism underlying the expression of certain aspects of behavior in female primates in ways that are adaptive to their social system.
Local education authority’s quality management within a coupled school system: Strategies, actions, and tensions
Authors: Håkansson Jan , Adolfsson Carl-Henrik
Published: March 2021

International policy trends point to an increased focus on student achievement, teaching quality, and school outcomes. Attention to Swedish students’ poor academic achievement over the past two decades has resulted in an increased emphasis on the responsibility of municipalities and schools to create a better educational atmosphere through building quality control systems at the local level. The purpose of this study is to contribute in-depth knowledge of not only how local education authorities (LEAs) support and control schools through quality management systems but also how these local governance strategies are conditioned and obtain legitimacy in relation to the national governance of schools. Based on interviews with LEA actors in one large municipality in Sweden, as well as observations of meetings within the quality management system, this paper uses an organizational theory to explore what appears to be important in a LEA quality management system and the tensions between the state, the municipality, and the school. The results show that the LEAs’ quality management system is based on three specific strategies: (a) data use, (b) leadership, and (c) different forms of dialogues, which, in turn, contribute to relatively close system connections. The exception is the LEAs’ ability to sustainably contribute to equity in outcomes and quality, where different tensions become clear. There is some support for the LEAs’ potential to contribute to stability and coherence in relation to national governance and to the local schools.
On the Qualitative Behavior of a Class of Generalized Liénard Planar Systems
Authors: Villari Gabriele , Zanolin Fabio
Published: March 2021

We study the problem of existence/nonexistence of limit cycles for a class of Liénard generalized differential systems in which, differently from the most investigated case, the function F depends not only on x but also on the y-variable. In this framework, some new results are presented, starting from a case study which, actually, already exhibits the most significant properties. In particular, the so-called “superlinear case” presents some new phenomena of escaping orbits which will be discussed in detail.
Integrated reporting quality and BoD characteristics: an empirical analysis
Authors: Songini Lucrezia , Pistoni Anna , Tettamanzi Patrizia , Fratini Fabrizio , Minutiello Valentina
Published: March 2021

The amount of literature on IR has grown over the last few years, but while particular attention has been paid to the variables that can play a role in IR adoption, IR quality and its determinants are still the subject of debate. The main determinants of IR quality outlined by the literature are firm size, industry, national context, firm performance, assurance, and to a lesser extent, corporate governance and company ownership structure. However, previous studies have usually reached conflicting results, thus not providing shared conclusions.

This paper aims to understand the impact of the Board of Directors’ features on IR quality, evaluated in terms of the degree of compliance between IR content and the guidelines suggested in the IR framework presented by IIRC. The Board’s characteristics considered are size, composition and diversity with regard to board members’ gender, age and level of education.

53 companies were taken into consideration from 2013 to 2016 for a total number of 212 integrated reports. Five research hypotheses were developed. Research findings highlight that IR quality is positively associated with the level of education of board members, and negatively with the presence of women. Moreover, among control variables, profitability (positive relation) and leverage (negative relation) are relevant determinants. Our research findings support the idea that the “quality” of the board members matters more than their “quantity” in increasing IR quality, and that diversityinthe board is more relevant than diversityofthe board.
Comment on ,,On the integrability of 2D Hamiltonian systems with variable Gaussian curvature” by A. A. Elmandouh
Authors: Szumiński Wojciech , Maciejewski Andrzej J.
Published: March 2021

In the paper [1], the author formulates in Theorem 2 necessary conditions for integrability of a certain class of Hamiltonian systems with non-constant Gaussian curvature, which depends on local coordinates. We give a counterexample to show that this theorem is not correct in general. This contradiction is explained in some extent. However, the main result of this note is our theorem that gives new simple and easy to check necessary conditions to integrability of the system considered in [1]. We present several examples, which show that the obtained conditions are effective. Moreover, we justify that our criterion can be extended to wider class of systems, which are given by non-meromorphic Hamiltonian functions.
Mammary gland adipocytes in lactation cycle, obesity and breast cancer
Authors: Colleluori Georgia , Perugini Jessica , Barbatelli Giorgio , Cinti Saverio
Published: March 2021

The mammary gland (MG) is an exocrine gland present in female mammals responsible for the production and secretion of milk during the process of lactation. It is mainly composed by epithelial cells and adipocytes. Among the features that make the MG unique there are 1) its highly plastic properties displayed during pregnancy, lactation and involution (all steps belonging to the lactation cycle) and 2) its requirement to grow in close association with adipocytes which are absolutely necessary to ensure MG’s proper development at puberty and remodeling during the lactation cycle. Although MG adipocytes play such a critical role for the gland development, most of the studies have focused on its epithelial component only, leaving the role of the neighboring adipocytes largely unexplored. In this review we aim to describe evidences regarding MG’s adipocytes role and properties in physiologic conditions (gland development and lactation cycle), obesity and breast cancer, emphasizing the existing gaps in the literature which deserve further investigation.
Understanding procrastination: A case of a study skills course
Authors: Hailikari T. , Katajavuori N. , Asikainen H.
Published: March 2021

Procrastination is consistently viewed as problematic to academic success and students’ general well-being. There are prevailing questions regarding the underlying and maintaining mechanisms of procrastination which are yet to be learnt. The aim of the present study was to combine different ways to explain procrastination and explore how students’ time and effort management skills, psychological flexibility and academic self-efficacy are connected to procrastination as they have been commonly addressed separately in previous studies. The data were collected from 135 students who participated in a voluntary time management and well-being course in autumn 2019. The results showed that students’ ability to organize their time and effort has the strongest association with procrastination out of the variables included in the study. Psychological flexibility also has a strong individual role in explaining procrastination along with time and effort management skills. Surprisingly, academic self-efficacy did not have a direct association with procrastination. Interestingly, our findings further suggest that time and effort management and psychological flexibility are closely related and appear to go hand in hand and, thus, both need to be considered when the aim is to reduce procrastination. The implications of the findings are further discussed.
Investigation of the Tribological Performances of Graphene and WS2 Nanosheets as Additives for Perfluoroalkylpolyethers Under Simulated Space Environment
Authors: Ren Jia , Gong Kuiliang , Zhao Gaiqing , Lou Wenjing , Wu Xinhu , Wang Xiaobo
Published: March 2021

The tribological performances of perfluoroalkylpolyethers (PFPE) with graphene (Gr), WS2, and the mixture of Gr and WS2 (Gr + WS2) before and after ultraviolet (UV), atomic oxygen (AO), and proton (Pr) irradiations were investigated. The composition and structure of PFPE, Gr, WS2, and Gr + WS2 were also analyzed to understand the effects of irradiation on the tribological behaviors of PFPE with additives. The results indicated that serious deterioration and degradation of PFPE took place and Gr was transformed to amorphous carbon after Pr irradiation, and surface oxidation of WS2 occurred under the irradiations of AO and Pr. Moreover, compared to PFPE and PFPE additized with Gr and WS2, PFPE with the addition of Gr + WS2 exhibited excellent friction and wear reduction before and after UV and AO irradiations.

Graphical Abstract
Advanced strategies for development of vaccines against human bacterial pathogens
Authors: Sharma Abhinay , Sanduja Pooja , Anand Aparna , Mahajan Pooja , Guzman Carlos A. , Yadav Puja , Awasthi Amit , Hanski Emanuel , Dua Meenakshi , Johri Atul Kumar
Published: March 2021

Infectious diseases are one of the main grounds of death and disabilities in human beings globally. Lack of effective treatment and immunization for many deadly infectious diseases and emerging drug resistance in pathogens underlines the need to either develop new vaccines or sufficiently improve the effectiveness of currently available drugs and vaccines. In this review, we discuss the application of advanced tools like bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics and associated techniques for a rational vaccine design.
Determinants of green growth in developed and developing countries
Authors: Tawiah Vincent , Zakari Abdulrasheed , Adedoyin Festus Fatai
Published: March 2021

Considering the need for environmental sustainability while ensuring economic growth and development by 2030, this study uses data on 123 developed and developing countries to examine factors that influence green growth. The empirical results show that economic development positively influences green growth. However, trade openness is detrimental to green growth. Regarding energy-related factors, we find energy consumption negatively affecting green growth, but renewable energy consumption significantly improves green growth. In further analysis, we find that the influence of these factors differs between developed and developing countries. The result implies that countries at a different development level will require different strategies in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in 2030. The results are robust to alternative identification strategies such as the System Generalised Method of Movement, which accounts for potential endogeneity.
Alcohol Use among Swedish Patients with Stress-Induced Exhaustion Disorder, and Its Relation to Anxiety, Depression, and Health-Related Quality of Life
Authors: Grossi G. , Jeding K. , Söderström M. , Perski A. , Alföldi P. , Osika W.
Published: March 2021

Harmful drinking may be a cause and an effect of psychological distress, and compromises the effects of treatment for psychiatric conditions. There is a paucity of studies investigating patterns of alcohol consumption among patients with stress-induced exhaustion disorder (SED). The aims of this investigation were (1) to assess the prevalence of self-rated hazardous drinking in a sample of 808 Swedish patients with SED (mean age 43 ± 9 years, 84% women), and (2) to investigate differences in sociodemographic variables, psychological symptoms, health-related quality of life, and sleep variables between patients with different drinking patterns The design was cross-sectional and data were collected with questionnaires at pre-treatment. Twelve percent of female and 13% of male patients reported Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) scores indicating hazardous drinking. Female patients with hazardous drinking reported higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower mental wellbeing, than other women. Female patients reporting no drinking reported poorer physical function and more pain, than other women. No differences were seen between male patients with different drinking patterns. Although patients with SED report a lower frequency of harmful drinking than other psychiatric samples, alcohol consumption needs to be addressed in the assessment and treatment of this condition.
Acute severe ulcerative colitis: management advice for internal medicine and emergency physicians
Authors: Rosiou Konstantina , Selinger Christian Philipp
Published: March 2021

Acute severe ulcerative colitis is a medical emergency that warrants in-patient management. This is best served within a multidisciplinary team setting in specialised centres or with expert consultation. Intravenous corticosteroids remain the cornerstone in the management of ASUC and should be initiated promptly, along with general management measures and close monitoring of patients. Unfortunately, one-third of patients will fail to respond to steroids. Response to intravenous corticosteroid therapy needs to be assessed on the third day and rescue therapies, including cyclosporine and infliximab, should be offered to patients not responding. Choice of rescue therapy depends on experience, drug availability and factors associated with each individual patient, such as comorbidities, previous medications or contra-indications to therapy. Patients who have not responded within 7 days to rescue therapy must be considered for surgery. Surgery is a treatment option in ASUC and should not be delayed in cases of failure of medical therapy, because such delays increase surgical morbidity and mortality. This review summarises the current management of acute severe ulcerative colitis and discusses potential future developments.
Conceptualizing Motives for Migration: a Typology of Italian Migrants in the Athens Area
Authors: Delli Paoli Angela , Maddaloni Domenico
Published: March 2021

Migration flows from a southern European country to another one have received scarce attention so far. This is especially true for Italians migrating to Greece or, more specifically, the Athens area. Thus, there are limited insights as to the reasons why Italians are leaving and why they have been choosing Greece as their destination. This paper looks at their motives for migrating and their destination choice in order to understand the diversity of migratory trajectories through a typology. In order to do this, we carried out in-depth interviews to Italians living, both permanently and temporarily, in the Athens area, employing snowball sampling. As a result, we have identified 5 types of Italian immigrants in Athens:Mediterranean,nomadic,work, entrepreneurial, andmarriage migrants.Mediterraneanmigrants are driven by the typically Mediterranean character of climate, landscape, food, and culture in their deliberate choice of Athens.Nomadicmigrants have casually chosen Athens to satisfy their need of continuous physical mobility and multiple moorings as a defining aspect of their identity.Workmigrants are motivated by the search of a job regardless of the place and work content.Entrepreneurialmigrants are motivated by a vocation for a professional career in Athens. Finally, formarriagemigrants, the choice of Athens is a consequence of a couple choice and shared life projects.
Reductive Conversion of Biomass-Derived Furancarboxylic Acids with Retention of Carboxylic Acid Moiety
Authors: Nakagawa Yoshinao , Yabushita Mizuho , Tomishige Keiichi
Published: March 2021

Catalytic reduction systems of 2-furancarboxylic acid (FCA) and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) with H2 without reduction of the carboxyl groups are reviewed. FCA and FDCA are produced from furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural which are important platform chemicals in biomass conversions. Furan ring hydrogenation to tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acid (THFCA) and tetrahydrofuran-2,5-dicarboxylic acid (THFDCA) easily proceeds over Pd catalysts. Hydrogenolysis of one C–O bond in the furan ring produces 5-hydroxyvaleric acid (5-HVA) and 2-hydroxyadipic acid. 2-Hydroxyvaleric acid is not produced in the reported systems. 5-HVA can be produced as the lactone form (δ-valerolactone; DVL) or as the esters depending on the solvent. These reactions proceed over Pt catalysts with good yields (~ 70%) at optimized conditions. Hydrogenolysis of two C–O bonds in the furan ring produces valeric acid and adipic acid, the latter of which is a very important chemical in industry and its production from biomass is of high importance. Adipic acid from FDCA can be produced directly over Pt-MoOx catalyst, indirectly via hydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation as one-pot reaction using the combination of Pt and acid catalysts such as Pt/niobium oxide, or indirectly via two-step reaction composed of hydrogenation catalyzed by Pd and hydrodeoxygenation catalyzed by iodide ion in acidic conditions. Only the two-step method can give good yield of adipic acid at present.
Groups satisfying the minimal condition on subgroups which are not transitively normal
Authors: de Giovanni F. , Kurdachenko L. A. , Russo A.
Published: March 2021

A subgroupXof a groupGis calledtransitively normalifXis normal in any subgroup YofGsuch that$$X\le Y$$X≤YandXis subnormal inY. Thus all subgroups of a groupGare transitively normal if and only if normality is a transitive relation in every subgroup ofG(i.e.Gis a$$\overline{T}$$T¯-group). It is proved that a groupGwith no infinite simple sections satisfies the minimal condition on subgroups that are not transitively normal if and only if either Gis Černikov or a$${\overline{T}}$$T¯-group.
Commercialization of Aframomum spp. in Africa: a Systematic Review of Literature and Supporting Botanical Vouchers
Authors: Knippers Ronja Hermiene Maria , Gallois Sandrine , van Andel Tinde
Published: March 2021

Aframomum (Zingiberaceae) is a genus of plants native to tropical Africa that are sold on African markets as spices and traditional medicine. Not all species of Aframomum are equally abundant or widespread, and no overview exists of the specific species traded or the quality of the species identifications in publications referencing the sale of Aframomum. Through a systematic literature review, we show that 14 species of Aframomum are sold in 15 African countries. The majority of the studies were done in Nigeria and Cameroon and A. melegueta was the most frequently reported species in trade. A. kayserianum was the only commercialized species with confirmed conservation issues. Our literature review shows extensive knowledge gaps regarding the commercialization of Aframomum in Africa. Most studies did not include herbarium vouchers, or only used market-sourced plant material, which impedes the possibilities for species verifications. Additionally, most East African countries were devoid of relevant research. These gaps can be bridged by future research in East Africa and voucher collection from living material. Information on the conservation status of traded Aframomum species can be obtained by population studies on wild resources and documenting local domestication efforts, as the cultivation of marketed species tends to relieve the pressure from wild resources.
Storm of Cardiovascular Markers After LPS Administration in Human Volunteers
Authors: Resl Michael , Heinzl Matthias Wolfgang , Klammer Carmen , Egger Margot , Feldbauer Roland , Pohlhammer Johannes , Dieplinger Benjamin , Clodi Martin
Published: March 2021

Acute infections are associated with an elevated cardiovascular risk. However, little is known about the interactions of acute inflammatory responses and the cardiovascular system. We therefore aimed to evaluate effects of acute inflammatory stimuli mediated by LPS administration on a set of 89 cardiovascular biomarkers. A single-blinded, placebo-controlled cross-over study using the human endotoxin model was performed. Ten healthy men were administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or placebo on two different study days after an overnight fast. Eighty-nine different cardiovascular biomarkers were measured repetitively over 48 h. Out of 89 cardiovascular biomarkers, 54 markers were significantly influenced by LPS infusion. The observed biomarker response to inflammation was more pronounced and complex than anticipated. In conclusion, our data show that the cardiovascular system is under enormous distress in response to experimental low-dose inflammation in humans, as demonstrated by a significant effect on 54 of the 89 biomarkers tested.
Analysis of urban heat island characteristics and mitigation strategies for eight arid and semi-arid gulf region cities
Authors: Abulibdeh Ammar
Published: March 2021

The aim of the study is, therefore, to analyze the formation of the UHIs in eight different cities in arid and semi-arid regions. The analysis is based on land cover (LC) classification (urban, green, and bare areas). The study found that bare areas had the highest mean LST values compared to the urban and green areas. The results show that the difference in temperatures between the bare areas and the urban areas ranges between 1 and 2 °C, between the bare areas and green areas ranges between 1 and 7 °C, and between the urban areas and green areas ranges between 1 and 5 °C. Furthermore, the LST values varied for each of the LULC categories, and hence some areas in the three categories had lower or higher LST values than in other categories. Hence, one category may not always have the highest LST value compared to other categories. The outcomes of this study may, therefore, have critical implications for urban planners who seek to mitigate UHI effects in arid and semi-arid urban areas.
Stakeholder Engagement in Adoption, Implementation, and Sustainment of an Evidence-Based Intervention to Increase Mammography Adherence Among Low-Income Women
Authors: Holcomb Jennifer , Ferguson Gayla M. , Sun Jiali , Walton Gretchen H. , Highfield Linda
Published: March 2021

Multi-level organizational stakeholder engagement plays an important role across the research process in a clinical setting. Stakeholders provide organizational specific adaptions in evidence-based interventions to ensure effective adoption, implementation, and sustainability. Stakeholder engagement strategies involve building mutual trust, providing clear communication, and seeking feedback. Using constructs from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and The International Association for Public Participation spectrum, a conceptual framework was created to guide stakeholder engagement in an evidence-based intervention to increase mammography appointment adherence in underserved and low-income women. A document review was used to explore the alignment of the conceptual framework with intervention activities and stakeholder engagement strategies. The results indicate an alignment with the conceptual framework constructs and a real-world application of stakeholder engagement in a mammography evidence-based intervention. The conceptual framework and stakeholder engagement strategies can be applied across a range of community-based cancer programs and interventions, organizations, and clinical settings.
Characteristics of taste dysfunction in COVID-19 subjects coming from two different countries
Authors: Pendolino Alfonso Luca , Ottaviano Giancarlo , Scarpa Bruno , Cattelan Annamaria , Andrews Julie A. , Andrews Peter J.
Published: March 2021

Taste dysfunction (TD) has been recognised, together with olfactory dysfunction, as a key presenting symptom of COVID-19. The capability to recognise flavours, flavour intensities and aroma characteristics can be highly variable within the same population, as well as potentially diverse between culturally different populations. The aims of this study are to evaluate whether a difference in the types of TD presentation amongst COVID-19 positive subjects can be demonstrated and whether a difference exists between populations of different cultures.
Provisioning forest and conservation science with high-resolution maps of potential distribution of major European tree species under climate change
Authors: Chakraborty Debojyoti , Móricz Norbert , Rasztovits Ervin , Dobor Laura , Schueler Silvio
Published: March 2021

•Key message

We developed a dataset of the potential distribution of seven ecologically and economically important tree species of Europe in terms of their climatic suitability with an ensemble approach while accounting for uncertainty due to model algorithms. The dataset was documented following the ODMAP protocol to ensure reproducibility. Our maps are input data in a decision support tool “SusSelect” which predicts the vulnerability of forest trees in climate change and recommends adapted planting material. Dataset access is athttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3686918. Associated metadata are available athttps://metadata-afs.nancy.inra.fr/geonetwork/srv/fre/catalog.search#/metadata/fe79a36d-6db8-4a87-8a9f-c72a572b87e8.
Characterization of mixed and monospecific stands of Scots pine and Maritime pine: soil profile, physiography, climate and vegetation cover data
Authors: Lόpez-Marcos Daphne , Turriόn María-Belén , Bravo Felipe , Martínez-Ruiz Carolina
Published: March 2021

• Key message

This document provides valuable environmental information about a triplets’ essay of Scots pine and Maritime pine in Spain. The dataset characterizes the soil profile (physicochemical parameters of organic and mineral horizons), climate, physiography, understory and overstory. Dataset access is athttps://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4384530and associated metadata is available athttps://metadata-afs.nancy.inra.fr/geonetwork/srv/fre/catalog.search#/metadata/21cca830-daf9-4913-9b5b-a185d77943d5
Targeted Sub-Attomole Cancer Biomarker Detection Based on Phase Singularity 2D Nanomaterial-Enhanced Plasmonic Biosensor
Authors: Wang Yuye , Zeng Shuwen , Crunteanu Aurelian , Xie Zhenming , Humbert Georges , Ma Libo , Wei Yuanyuan , Brunel Aude , Bessette Barbara , Orlianges Jean-Christophe , Lalloué Fabrice , Schmidt Oliver G. , Yu Nanfang , Ho Ho-Pui
Published: March 2021

Highlights

A zero-reflection-induced phase singularity is achieved through precisely controlling the resonance characteristics using two-dimensional nanomaterials.

An atomically thin nano-layer having a high absorption coefficient is exploited to enhance the zero-reflection dip, which has led to the subsequent phase singularity and thus a giant lateral position shift.

We have improved the detection limit of low molecular weight molecules by more than three orders of magnitude compared to current state-of-art nanomaterial-enhanced plasmonic sensors.

Detection of small cancer biomarkers with low molecular weight and a low concentration range has always been challenging yet urgent in many clinical applications such as diagnosing early-stage cancer, monitoring treatment and detecting relapse. Here, a highly enhanced plasmonic biosensor that can overcome this challenge is developed using atomically thin two-dimensional phase change nanomaterial. By precisely engineering the configuration with atomically thin materials, the phase singularity has been successfully achieved with a significantly enhanced lateral position shift effect. Based on our knowledge, it is the first experimental demonstration of a lateral position signal change > 340 μm at a sensing interface from all optical techniques. With this enhanced plasmonic effect, the detection limit has been experimentally demonstrated to be 10–15 mol L−1 for TNF-α cancer marker, which has been found in various human diseases including inflammatory diseases and different kinds of cancer. The as-reported novel integration of atomically thin Ge2Sb2Te5 with plasmonic substrate, which results in a phase singularity and thus a giant lateral position shift, enables the detection of cancer markers with low molecular weight at femtomolar level. These results will definitely hold promising potential in biomedical application and clinical diagnostics.
On the sum of positive divisors functions
Authors: Erban Radek , Van Gorder Robert A.
Published: March 2021

Properties of divisor functions $$\sigma _k(n)$$

σ
k

(
n
)

, defined as sums of k-th powers of all divisors of n, are studied through the analysis of Ramanujan’s differential equations. This system of three differential equations is singular at $$x=0$$

x
=
0

. Solution techniques suitable to tackle this singularity are developed and the problem is transformed into an analysis of a dynamical system. Number theoretical consequences of the presented dynamical system analysis are then discussed, including recursive formulas for divisor functions.
Polynomization of the Chern–Fu–Tang conjecture
Authors: Heim Bernhard , Neuhauser Markus
Published: March 2021

Bessenrodt and Ono’s work on additive and multiplicative properties of the partition function and DeSalvo and Pak’s paper on the log-concavity of the partition function have generated many beautiful theorems and conjectures. In January 2020, the first author gave a lecture at the MPIM in Bonn on a conjecture of Chern–Fu–Tang, and presented an extension (joint work with Neuhauser) involving polynomials. Partial results have been announced. Bringmann, Kane, Rolen, and Tripp provided complete proof of the Chern–Fu–Tang conjecture, following advice from Ono to utilize a recently provided exact formula for the fractional partition functions. They also proved a large proportion of Heim–Neuhauser’s conjecture, which is the polynomization of Chern–Fu–Tang’s conjecture. We prove several cases, not covered by Bringmann et. al. Finally, we lay out a general approach for proving the conjecture.