bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient Access Control Permission Decision Engine Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Liu Aodi , Du Xuehui , Wang Na
Published: February 2021

Access control technology is critical to the safe and reliable operation of information systems. However, owing to the massive policy scale and number of access control entities in open distributed information systems, such as big data, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing, existing access control permission decision methods suffer from a performance bottleneck. Consequently, the large access control time overhead affects the normal operation of business services. To overcome the above-mentioned problem, this paper proposes an efficient permission decision engine scheme based on machine learning (EPDE-ML). The proposed scheme converts the attribute-based access control request into a permission decision vector, and the access control permission decision problem is transformed into a binary classification problem that allows or denies access. The random forest algorithm is used to construct a vector decision classifier in order to establish an efficient permission decision engine. Experimental results show that the proposed method can achieve a permission decision accuracy of around 92.6% on a test dataset, and its permission decision efficiency is significantly higher than that of the benchmark method. In addition, its performance improvement becomes more obvious as the scale of policy increases.
Generalized m-Polar Fuzzy Positive Implicative Ideals of BCK-Algebras
Authors: Al-Masarwah Anas , Ahmad Abd Ghafur , Muhiuddin G. , Al-Kadi D.
Published: February 2021

This study focuses on combining the theories of

m

-polar fuzzy sets over

BCK

-algebras and establishing a new framework of

m

-polar fuzzy

BCK

-algebras. In this paper, we define the idea of

m

-polar fuzzy positive implicative ideals in

BCK

-algebras and investigate some related properties. Then, we introduce the concepts of

m

-polar

∈
,
∈
∨
q

-fuzzy positive implicative ideals and

m

-polar

∈
¯

,

∈
¯

∨

q
¯

-fuzzy positive implicative ideals in

BCK

-algebras as a generalization of

m

-polar fuzzy positive implicative ideals. Several properties, examples, and characterization theorems of these concepts are considered.
Discovery of a Novel Lineage Burkholderia cepacia ST 1870 Endophytically Isolated from Medicinal Polygala paniculata Which Shows Potent In Vitro Antileishmanial and Antimicrobial Effects
Authors: de Paula Nogueira Cruz Felipe , Ferreira de Paula Ailton , Nogueira Camila Tita , Marques de Andrade Paulo Henrique , Borges Leonardo Maurici , Lacava Paulo Teixeira , Camargo Ilana L B C , Aníbal Fernanda de Freitas , Paiva de Sousa Cristina
Published: February 2021

In this study, we report the isolation and identification of an endophytic strain of Burkholderia cepacia (COPS strain) associated with Polygala paniculata roots. Polygala plants are rich sources of promising microbiomes, of which the literature reports several pharmacological effects, such as trypanocidal, antinociceptive, anesthetic, anxiolytics, and anticonvulsant activities. B. cepacia COPS belongs to a new sequence type (ST 1870) and harbors a genome estimated in 8.3 Mbp which exhibits the aminoglycosides and beta-lactams resistance genes aph(3′)-IIa and blaTEM-116, respectively. Analysis performed using MLST, average nucleotide identity, and digital DNA-DNA hybridization support its species-level identification and reveals its novel housekeeping genes alleles gyrB, lepA, and phaC. The root endophyte B. cepacia COPS drew our attention from a group of 14 bacterial isolates during the primary screening for being potentially active against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and exhibited the broad-spectrum activity against phytopathogenic fungi. In addition, COPS strain showed production of protease, lipase, and esterase in solid media, and its natural product extract showed potent inhibition against fungal plant pathogens, such as Moniliophthora perniciosa, whose antagonism index (89.32%) exceeded the positive control (74.17%), whereas Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Ceratocystis paradoxa showed high percentages of inhibition (85.53% and 82.69%, respectively). COPS crude extract also significantly inhibited S. epidermidis ATCC 35984, E. faecium ATCC 700221 (MIC values of 32 μg/mL for both), E. faecalis ATCC 29212 (64 μg/mL), and S. aureus ATCC 25923 (128 μg/mL). We observed moderate antagonistic activity against A. baumannii ATCC 19606 and E. coli ATCC 25922 (both at 512 μg/mL), as well as potent cytotoxic effects on Leishmania infantum and Leishmania major promastigote forms with 78.25% and 57.30% inhibition. In conclusion, this study presents for the first time the isolation of an endophytic B. cepacia strain associated with P. paniculata and enough evidence that these plants may be considered a rich source of microbes for the fight against neglected diseases.
Some Algebraic Properties of a Class of Integral Graphs Determined by Their Spectrum
Authors: Liu Jia-Bao , Mirafzal S. Morteza , Zafari Ali
Published: February 2021

Let

Γ
=

V
,
E

be a graph. If all the eigenvalues of the adjacency matrix of the graph

Γ

are integers, then we say that

Γ

is an integral graph. A graph

Γ

is determined by its spectrum if every graph cospectral to it is in fact isomorphic to it. In this paper, we investigate some algebraic properties of the Cayley graph

Γ

=

Cay

ℤ

n

,

S

, where

n
=

p

m

(

p

is a prime integer and

m
∈
ℕ

) and

S
=

a
∈

ℤ

n

|

a
,
n

=
1

. First, we show that

Γ

is an integral graph. Also, we determine the automorphism group of

Γ

. Moreover, we show that

Γ

and

K

v

▽
Γ

are determined by their spectrum.
Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties of Briquette Coal Samples with Different Moisture Content
Authors: Haidong Wang , Yang Tao , Deyue Wang , Xin Sun , Jiahui Gao
Published: February 2021

Coal seam water injection is an important technical method to prevent and control coal and gas outburst and other disasters. Water can soften coal and change its mechanical properties. In order to study the mechanical properties of coal samples with different moisture content, briquette coal samples with five moistures content (4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, and 12%) were selected to carry out triaxial compression tests under different confining pressures (0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 MPa). Then, the mechanical response mechanism of the water-bearing briquette coal was analyzed. The results show that the slope of the linear elastic stage of the stress-strain curve gradually decreases with the increase of moisture content. Water-bearing coal exhibits strain strengthening characteristics under high confining pressure, which transforms the water-bearing coal from brittle to ductile state. The peak stress under different moisture content conditions shows a linear relationship with the confining pressure. The internal friction angle decreases linearly with the increase of moisture content. The cohesion varies parabolically with the increase of moisture content and reaches the maximum value when the moisture content is 8%. The coal body with moisture content between 7% and 9% has a high bonding force, which is beneficial to the consolidation of the coal body. Therefore, ensuring a reasonable moisture content of coal through coal seam injection can provide a basis for preventing coal and gas outburst.
Evaluation of Preemergence Herbicide Programs for Control of Protoporphyrinogen Oxidase-Resistant Amaranthus palmeri in Soybean
Authors: Houston Michael M. , Barber L. Tom , Norsworthy Jason K. , Roberts Trent L.
Published: February 2021

Protoporphyrinogen oxidase- (PPO-) resistant Amaranthus palmeri (S.) Wats. (Palmer amaranth) was confirmed in Arkansas in 2015. Field trials were conducted in Crawfordsville, Gregory, and Marion, Arkansas in 2016, and Crawfordsville and Marion in 2017, assessing PPO-resistant Palmer amaranth control options in Glycine max (L.) Merr. (soybean). Twelve trials consisted of 26 preemergence (PRE) treatments, evaluated for Palmer amaranth control and density reduction at 28 days after treatment (DAT). Treatments that consisted of PPO- or acetolactate synthase- (ALS-) inhibiting herbicides such as flumioxazin (72 g ai ha−1) or sulfentrazone + cloransulam (195 g ha−1 + 25 g ha−1) controlled Palmer amaranth <60%. At 28 DAT, treatments including mixtures of a very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) plus the photosystem II- (PSII-) inhibiting herbicide metribuzin provided increased control over single herbicide sites of action (SOA) or herbicides mixtures to which Palmer amaranth was resistant. Pyroxasulfone + metribuzin (149 g ha−1 + 314 g ha−1) controlled Palmer amaranth 91% control across twelve trials at 28 DAT. S-metolachlor alone did not provide consistent, acceptable control of PPO-resistant Palmer amaranth (55–77%); subsequent research has determined that these populations are resistant to S-metolachlor. A minimum of two effective herbicides should be included in soybean PRE programs for control of PPO-resistant Palmer amaranth.
[Retracted] Identification of Tumor Tissue of Origin with RNA‐Seq Data and Using Gradient Boosting Strategy
Authors: Li Ruixi , Liao Bo , Wang Bo , Dai Chan , Liang Xin , Tian Geng , Wu Fangxiang
Published: February 2021

Background. Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is a type of malignant tumor, which is histologically diagnosed as a metastatic carcinoma while the tissue‐of‐origin cannot be identified. CUP accounts for roughly 5% of all cancers. Traditional treatment for CUP is primarily broad‐spectrum chemotherapy; however, the prognosis is relatively poor. Thus, it is of clinical importance to accurately infer the tissue‐of‐origin of CUP. Methods. We developed a gradient boosting framework to trace tissue‐of‐origin of 20 types of solid tumors. Specifically, we downloaded the expression profiles of 20,501 genes for 7713 samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), which were used as the training data set. The RNA‐seq data of 79 tumor samples from 6 cancer types with known origins were also downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) for an independent data set. Results. 400 genes were selected to train a gradient boosting model for identification of the primary site of the tumor. The overall 10‐fold cross‐validation accuracy of our method was 96.1% across 20 types of cancer, while the accuracy for the independent data set reached 83.5%. Conclusion. Our gradient boosting framework was proven to be accurate in identifying tumor tissue‐of‐origin on both training data and independent testing data, which might be of practical usage.
Observation of the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and the Potential Effect of Promoting Hair Growth Treated with Chinese Herbal BeauTop
Authors: Lee Chien-Ying , Su Chun-Hung , Chiang Chien-Ying , Wu Chun-Nan , Kuan Yu-Hsiang
Published: February 2021

Despite minoxidil and finasteride already being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hair loss, it is important to identify new and innovative treatments for hair loss, such as looking for a solution in Chinese herbal medicine. One such treatment to consider is BeauTop (BT), whose primary ingredients include Panax japonicus (T.Nees), C.A. Mey. (Araliaceae), Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bunge (Fabaceae), Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Apiaceae), Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton (Oleaceae), Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC. (Plantaginaceae), and Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. (Compositae). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether BT can promote hair growth in C57BL/6 mice and to investigate hair coverage, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEFG), and the numbers of hair follicles in growth phase after oral administration. A total of 12 C57BL/6 mice were divided into two groups: control group and treatment group BT. BT was administered orally as an extract at a volume of 0.6 g/kg. The control group was treated with distilled water. Each group was treated once a day for 12 consecutive days. To observe the expression of VEGF distribution, the number of hair follicles and the hair coverage were examined on days 4, 8, and 12. By comparing the treatment group and control group, we found that VEGF in the BT group on day 8 presented with a higher area percentage than the control group (pvalue = 0.003). Hair follicle counting results showed that the BT group was significantly higher than the control group on day 8 (pvalue = 0.031). Furthermore, hair coverage was shown to be significantly increased in the treatment group BT on day 8 (pvalue = 0.013). Taken together, these results suggest that Chinese medicine (BT) possesses the potential effect of promoting hair growth through VEGF expression. VEGF is considered the most important mediator for the process of angiogenesis involved in hair growth development.
Design Optimization and Performance Evaluation of the Open‐Graded Friction Course with Small Particle Size Aggregate
Authors: Fu Hao , Wang Chaohui , Yu GongXin , Chen Qian , Liu Luqing
Published: February 2021

This study aims to optimize the bonding performance between the wearing course and the used pavement or the underlying layer and further improve the service quality and durability of the open‐graded friction course with small particle size aggregate (ultrathin OGFC). The ultrathin OGFC including waterborne epoxy resin emulsified asphalt (WEA) bonding layer and open‐graded asphalt concrete with 9.5 mm nominal maximum aggregate size gradation was optimized. The construction timing of the open‐graded asphalt mixture was determined. The road performance, wear resistance, and interlaminar bonding durability of the ultrathin OGFC were comprehensively evaluated. The results show that, based on the basic properties of the open‐graded asphalt mixture, its asphalt aggregate ratio is recommended to be 5.0–5.5%. Based on interlaminar shear strength, it is recommended that the open‐graded asphalt mixture is paved immediately after WEA bonding material was sprayed, and the bonding layer does not spread aggregate. The WEA containing 20% waterborne epoxy resin (WER) is recommended as bonding layer for the ultrathin OGFC, and the optimized spraying amount is 1 kg/m2. The ultrathin OGFC has good antisliding, drainage, and wear resistance properties. The interlaminar bonding performance, water stability, and durability of WEA bonding layer are obviously better than those of high viscosity asphalt (HVA) and SBS‐modified asphalt. The WEA bonding layer can better resist interlaminar shear failure and improve the service quality and service life of the ultrathin OGFC.
Analyzing the Effect of Intensive and Low-Input Agrotechnical Support for the Physiological, Phenometric, and Yield Parameters of Different Maize Hybrids Using Multivariate Statistical Methods
Authors: Illes A. , Bojtor C. , Szeles A. , Mousavi S. M. N. , Toth B. , Nagy J.
Published: February 2021

Improving nitrogen efficiency is a crucial strategy for developing sustainable agricultural systems that leads to maximum yield in exchange for minimum inputs and nitrogen loss. Three maize hybrids (Zea mays L.) of different maturity classes and length of vegetation period (FAO 400, FAO 490, and FAO 380) were selected and for trials during the 2019 growing season. Three different nitrogen (N) fertilization treatments (0, 120, and 305 kg·N·ha−1) were applied in order to assess variability in yield-related components. The effect of hybrids, fertilizer, and the interaction of the examined hybrids in relation to fertilizer was significant on yield and oil and protein content. Correlation and biplot analysis show that increases in the lipid peroxidation (LP) amount in the plant leaf stages cause a decrease in the oil content of the harvested yield. The activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and LP at the six-leaf stage directly affects the protein content. The amount of APX at the silking stage has a direct and significant effect on starch content. This study showed that the activity of APX at the silking stage has the highest value in all examined hybrids. APX and LP can be controlled with nitrogen fertilization under various environmental circumstances.
Adaptive Fuzzy Cooperative Control for Nonlinear Multiagent Systems with Unknown Control Coefficient and Actuator Fault
Authors: Deng Xin , Liu Xiaoping , Cui Yang , Liu Cungen
Published: February 2021

In this paper, an adaptive fuzzy containment condtrol is considered for nonlinear multiagent systems, in which it contains the unknown control coefficient and actuator fault. The uncertain nonlinear function has been approximated by fuzzy logic system (FLS). The unknown control coefficient and the remaining control rate of actuator fault can be solved by introducing a Nussbaum function. In order to avoid the repeated differentiations of the virtual controllers, first‐order filters are added to the traditional backstepping control method. By designing the maximum norm of ideal adaptive parameters, only one adaptive parameter needs to be adjusted online for each agent itself. An adaptive fuzzy containment controller is constructed through the backstepping control technique and compensating signals. It is demonstrated that all the signals in nonlinear multiagent systems are bounded by designing adaptive fuzzy containment controller, and all followers can converge to the convex hull built by the leaders. The simulation studies can further confirm the effectiveness of the proposed control method in this paper.
Optimization of Modified Yagi-Uda Nanoantenna Arrays Using Adaptive Fuzzy GAPSO
Authors: Santos Pitther N. , Dmitriev Victor , da Costa Karlo Q.
Published: February 2021

This paper presents an optimization of the radiation and absorption characteristics of modified Yagi-Uda (YU) nanoantenna arrays. Four geometries of antennas are considered: conventional YU fed by voltage source and transmission line, and YU with a loop element fed by voltage source and transmission line. The numerical electromagnetic simulations of these nanoantennas were made by the method of moments (MoM). The optimization method used is the adaptive fuzzy GAPSO, which consists of hybridization between genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO), with a fuzzy system employed to adapt the inertial weight

ω

and the acceleration coefficients C1 and C2 of PSO. The optimized results show that the modified YU nanoantennas present better characteristics of gain, directivity, and radiation efficiency than the conventional YU antenna.
Application of 3D Laser Scanning in Underground Station Cavity Clusters
Authors: Pinpin Li , Wenge Qiu , Yunjian Cheng , Feng Lu
Published: February 2021

Given the shortcomings of the tunnel overbreak and underbreak control and primary support sectional area detection such as the single means, large workload, low efficiency, and poor accuracy, the use of three‐dimensional laser technology can solve the above problems. Based on the Badaling Tunnel Great Wall underground station of the Beijing‐Zhangjiakou Railway, the 3D laser scanning technology is used to analyze the distribution of the tunnel overbreak and underbreak and the sectional area of the primary support, compared with the total station measurement results. The results showed that the layout of the scanning measurement station should consider the requirements of scanning accuracy, control the station length and scanning incidence angle, and minimize the scanning station length to reduce the scanning error. The majority of the tunnel section was in overbreak, with the overbreak area ranging from 6.22 m2 to 13.17 m2and the overbreak rate ranging from 0.283 to 0.598, and the area of underbreak was relatively small; no overexceeded headroom was found in the primary support, and the tunnel vault was not overbreak. The primary support clearance value of the vault is 0∼15 mm, the clearance value of the sidewall is 35 mm∼40 mm, and the sidewall needs to be secondary shotcrete. The difference value between the 3D laser scanning measurement data and the total station measurement data is within 3 mm, which is within the error range, indicating the validity and reliability of the 3D laser measurement result.
El concepto de cultura en la ensayística de Georg Simmel
Authors: García Chicote Francisco Manuel
Published: February 2021

This article analyzes Georg Simmel’s concept of culture by reconstructing the genealogy of his theory within its historical, political, and economic context. It examines to what extent Simmel’s ideas on value and division of labor cement his conception of cultural alienation. Finally, it argues that Simmel’s cultural theory is significantly biased by a subjective theory of value, which entails apologetic traits.
Tagebücher und Memoiren deutschsprachiger Immigranten in Brasilien. Zum Selbstbild und zur Wahrnehmung des Anderen
Authors: Broering Izabela Drozdowska
Published: February 2021

After the abolition of slavery in 1888, the Brazilian economy turned towards cheap workforce, which attracted many Middle European settlers, among them German-speaking settlers and refugees seeking better life conditions. This article verifies the perception of “others” and the self-image (including resignifications of self and acculturation) in some mostly unedited diaries and memoirs of German-speaking immigrants in Brazil in 19th and 20th century. Among other topics, the target group and function of each memoir, its construction, and the omitted and disparate representations of topics and events are analyzed.
Förderung der Sprechfertigkeit in DaF: eine qualitative Analyse zur Nutzung von ChatClass
Authors: Marques-Schäfer Gabriela , Rozenfeld Cibele Cecilio de Faria
Published: February 2021

Mit der Entwicklung mobiler Technologien wird die Auswahl an digitalen Tools zum Erlernen einer Fremdsprache immer größer. Jedoch setzen die meisten Angebote einen Schwerpunkt auf das Wortschatzlernen sowie auf die Übung grammatischer Phänomene, sodass die Fertigkeit Sprechen in den aktuellen Angeboten seltener gefördert wird. Um diese Lücke zu füllen, wurde die App ChatClass entwickelt, die im vorliegenden Beitrag empirisch untersucht wird. Während eines Semesters nutzten angehende DaF-Lehrende einer brasilianischen Universität die App, um ihre eigene Sprechfertigkeit zu verbessern. Ergebnisse aus der Studie zeigen, dass die Übungen der hier untersuchten App nicht nur als innovativ betrachtet wurden, sondern sich zudem positiv auf den Lernprozess der Studierenden auswirkten, da sie sowohl das monologische Sprechen förderte als auch einen authentischen mündlichen Lerner-Lerner-Austausch ohne die Interferenz einer Lehrperson ermöglichten. Bemerkenswert ist, dass gerade dieser Austausch die Lernenden dazu motivierte und ermutigte, sich mehr in der Fremdsprache außerhalb des Unterrichts zu äußern.
Zeitgeist: Modelando um projeto editorial com interface digital
Authors: Oliveira Paulo , Ledel Leandro
Published: February 2021

Apresentam-se aqui as linhas-mestres de um modelo para projeto editorial de materiais didáticos destinados ao ensino de alemão em contextos universitários no Brasil. Contemplam-se o ponto de vista editorial, questões técnicas ligadas ao uso de tecnologia digital e uma concepção de ensino-aprendizagem que dê conta de uma justificação teórica do modelo apresentado.
Pathological Angiogenesis Requires Syndecan-4 for Efficient VEGFA-Induced VE-Cadherin Internalization
Authors: De Rossi Giulia , Vähätupa Maria , Cristante Enrico , Arokiasamy Samantha , Liyanage Sidath E. , May Ulrike , Pellinen Laura , Uusitalo-Järvinen Hannele , Bainbridge James W. , Järvinen Tero A.H. , Whiteford James R.
Published: February 2021

Objective:

VEGFA (Vascular endothelial growth factor A) and its receptor VEGFR2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2) drive angiogenesis in several pathologies, including diabetic retinopathy, wet age-related macular degeneration, and cancer. Studies suggest roles for HSPGs (heparan sulfate proteoglycans) in this process, although the nature of this involvement remains elusive. Here, we set to establish the role of the HSPG SDC4 (syndecan-4) in pathological angiogenesis.

Approach and Results:

We report that angiogenesis is impaired in mice null for SDC4 in models of neovascular eye disease and tumor development. Our work demonstrates that SDC4 is the only SDC whose gene expression is upregulated during pathological angiogenesis and is selectively enriched on immature vessels in retinas from diabetic retinopathy patients. Combining in vivo and tissue culture models, we identified SDC4 as a downstream mediator of functional angiogenic responses to VEGFA. We found that SDC4 resides at endothelial cell junctions, interacts with vascular endothelial cadherin, and is required for its internalization in response to VEGFA. Finally, we show that pathological angiogenic responses are inhibited in a model of wet age-related macular degeneration by targeting SDC4.

Conclusions:

We show that SDC4 is a downstream mediator of VEGFA-induced vascular endothelial cadherin internalization during pathological angiogenesis and a potential target for antiangiogenic therapies.
The Pronoun Which Comprehenders Who Process It in Islands Derive a Benefit
Authors: Hammerly Christopher
Published: February 2021

There is ongoing debate about the role that resumptive pronouns play in the processing of islands in intrusive resumption languages such as English. This squib provides evidence that resumptive pronouns facilitate the comprehension of islands in online processing. The results fall in line with filler-gap processing more generally: when fillers are difficult or impossible to keep active, resumption provides support for forming a dependency. This occurs when dependencies span multiple clauses, when memory resources are otherwise taxed, or, as this squib shows, when grammatical constraints such as islands prohibit the use of the active-filler strategy.
Conversation Graph: Data Augmentation, Training, and Evaluation for Non-Deterministic Dialogue Management
Authors: Gritta Milan , Lampouras Gerasimos , Iacobacci Ignacio
Published: February 2021

Task-oriented dialogue systems typically rely on large amounts of high-quality training data or require complex handcrafted rules. However, existing datasets are often limited in size con- sidering the complexity of the dialogues. Additionally, conventional training signal in- ference is not suitable for non-deterministic agent behavior, namely, considering multiple actions as valid in identical dialogue states. We propose the Conversation Graph (ConvGraph), a graph-based representation of dialogues that can be exploited for data augmentation, multi- reference training and evaluation of non- deterministic agents. ConvGraph generates novel dialogue paths to augment data volume and diversity. Intrinsic and extrinsic evaluation across three datasets shows that data augmentation and/or multi-reference training with ConvGraph can improve dialogue success rates by up to 6.4%.
The Meaningful Participation and Complex Capacities of Children in Family Law
Authors: Henderson-Dekort Emmie , Smits Veronica , van Bakel Hedwig
Published: February 2021

This paper explores the connection between articles within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the participation and capacities of children. Though discussed in an abundance of literature, this article aims to analyse conceptually articles relating to the participation of children and expand upon the concept of a child’s capacity. The specific setting of custody and access proceedings will be considered throughout. Four critical articles, 3, 5, 9 and 12, within the Convention, will be examined thoroughly which emphasise the capacities, voices, views and best interests of children. These articles will be adequately considered in order to determine how the provisions actualise the participation of children in custody and access proceedings. A conceptual analysis of the aforementioned articles will be included to discuss concepts, definitions, language and critiques.
A taxonomic revision of Stanjehughesia (Chaetosphaeriaceae, Sordariomycetes), with a novel species S. kaohsiungensis from Taiwan

Authors: HSIEH SUNG-YUAN , GOH TEIK-KHIANG , KUO CHANG-HSIN
Published: February 2021

Stanjehughesia kaohsiungensis sp. nov. is described from decaying wood submerged in freshwater streams from Taoyuan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. The phylogenetic relationship between Stanjehughesia species was sought among representative taxa from related fungal lineages within Sordariomycetes using LSU sequence data. Molecular data revealed the phylogenetic placement of S. kaohsiungensis is within Chaetosphaeriaceae and distinct from Sporidesmiaceae. While the genus is polyphyletic, a synopsis of morphological characters and a taxonomic key for Stanjehughesia species are provided to ease identification.
Free-living bryozoans (Cheilostomatida, Cupuladriidae) from northeastern and northern Brazil
Authors: ALMEIDA ANA C.S. , SOUZA FACELUCIA B.C. , VIEIRA LEANDRO M.
Published: February 2021

Free-living bryozoans, unlike most cheilostomes, live unattached from the substratum on or within soft sedimentary bottoms. Bryozoans of the family Cupuladriidae Lagaaij, 1952 are probably the best-studied free-living representatives. In Brazil, eight species of cupuladriids have been reported to date, including some regarded as species complexes. This paper documents cupuladriid taxa from northeastern and northern Brazil based on the examination of 1236 colonies. Three species previously reported from Brazil are described: Cupuladria monotrema (Busk, 1884), Discoporella gemmulifera Winston & Vieira, 2013 and Discoporella salvadorensis Winston, Vieira & Woollacott, 2014. A new species, Cupuladria minuta n. sp., is erected; it differs from its congeners in having small, flat discoid colonies, with the central area up to the fifth astogenetic generation composed of vicarious avicularia with an auriform opesia, and quadrangular to rectangular basal sectors with 1–6 small openings per sector. Our results suggest that four species previously recorded from Brazil are doubtful—Cupuladria canariensis (Busk, 1859), Cupuladria biporosa Canu & Bassler, 1923, Discoporella umbellata (Defrance, 1923) and Discoporella depressa (Conrad, 1841). Some Brazilian specimens previously assigned to Discoporella umbellata var. conica are re-assigned to D. salvadorensis. The species studied here frequently co-occur on mainly sandy and muddy bottoms at 8–130 m depth, as it is typical of most living populations of cupuladriids. The sedimentation rate, and thus the bottom composition, likely influence the distribution of cupuladriids in Brazil, with Cupuladria species being more common in stabler and coarser sea bottoms than Discoporella species, which tend to be more broadly distributed.
A new species of Tactusa Fibiger, 2010 from Autonomous Region Xizang, China. (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Hypenodinae). Taxonomic study of Micronoctuini. Contribution II
Authors: HAN HUI LIN , KONONENKO VLADIMIR S.
Published: February 2021

A new species of the genus Tactusa Fibiger, 2010, T. motuoensis sp. n. is described from the Autonomous Region Xizang (Tibet), China. Key to the species of the genus Tactusa in China, based on the male genitalia is presented. Eight species of Tactusa referred for China.
Parameterizing Nonpropagating Form Drag over Rough Bathymetry
Authors: Klymak Jody M. , Balwada Dhruv , Garabato Alberto Naveira , Abernathey Ryan
Published: February 2021

Slowly evolving stratified flow over rough topography is subject to substantial drag due to internal motions, but often numerical simulations are carried out at resolutions where this “wave” drag must be parameterized. Here we highlight the importance of internal drag from topography with scales that cannot radiate internal waves, but may be highly nonlinear, and we propose a simple parameterization of this drag that has a minimum of fit parameters compared to existing schemes. The parameterization smoothly transitions from a quadratic drag law () for low Nh/u0 (linear wave dynamics) to a linear drag law () for high Nh/u0 flows (nonlinear blocking and hydraulic dynamics), where N is the stratification, h is the height of the topography, and u0 is the near-bottom velocity; the parameterization does not have a dependence on Coriolis frequency. Simulations carried out in a channel with synthetic bathymetry and steady body forcing indicate that this parameterization accurately predicts drag across a broad range of forcing parameters when the effect of reduced near-bottom mixing is taken into account by reducing the effective height of the topography. The parameterization is also tested in simulations of wind-driven channel flows that generate mesoscale eddy fields, a setup where the downstream transport is sensitive to the bottom drag parameterization and its effect on the eddies. In these simulations, the parameterization replicates the effect of rough bathymetry on the eddies. If extrapolated globally, the subinertial topographic scales can account for 2.7 TW of work done on the low-frequency circulation, an important sink that is redistributed to mixing in the open ocean.
Endometrioma Causing Near-Complete Obstruction of the Sigmoid Colon
Authors: Stevens Kaitlyn , Wasfie Tarik , Haus Carolyn
Published: February 2021

Endometriosis is characterized by extra-uterine endometrial gland and stroma implantation. Intestinal endometriosis is believed to affect about one-third of patients with endometriosis 4 ; 72-95% of patients experience recto-sigmoid involvement. 2 , 3 Occasionally, endometriotic lesions precipitate mass effect or infiltrate the bowel wall, mimicking a neoplasm. In the index case, we evaluated a G0P0 41-year-old perimenopausal female with near obstructing sigmoid endometrioma, clinically presented, investigated, and managed in the lines of sigmoid colon carcinoma. Computed Tomography revealed marked distention of the distal descending and proximal sigmoid colon to the level of a [possible] intraluminal mass. CA-125 was 247.4. Transvaginal ultrasound revealed a heterogeneous irregularity adjacent the left adnexa. Flexible sigmoidoscopy to 12-15 cm was unable to pass liquid or visualize the lumen secondary to extrinsic colonic obstruction. She underwent exploratory laparotomy with sigmoidectomy, oversew of rectal stump, and descending colostomy. Left fallopian tube and ovary were adherent to sigmoid mass, therefore, removed en-bloc. Histopathological report revealed extensive endometriosis involving the muscularis propria and serosal surface of colon and ovary, with fibrinous serosal adhesions of the sigmoid colon. While inconsistent clinical presentation, similar radiographic features, and colonoscopy with other inflammatory or malignant lesions of the bowel makes the preoperative diagnosis challenging, colonic endometriosis is to always be considered as one of the differential diagnoses in reproductive age women with patterned, cyclic gastrointestinal symptoms, and intestinal masses of uncertain etiology or diagnosis.
Device-Independent Discrimination of Falsified Amoxicillin Capsules Using Heterogeneous Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Devices for Training and Testing of a Support Vector Machine
Authors: Hattori Yusuke , Hoshi Yuka , Ichimura Yasunori , Sugiura Yasuo , Otsuka Makoto
Published: February 2021

The objective of this work is to demonstrate the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy for common screening of falsified medicines in the field by means of a device-independent universal discrimination approach. In order to provide a useful discrimination tool to protect people from low-quality medical products, not only is a low-cost and portable screening device necessary, but a reference library is also essential. The authors believe that a device-dependent reference library inhibits near-infrared spectroscopy from becoming a popular screening tool. In this study, to develop a device-independent method, discrimination performance is evaluated using different devices for training and testing. The training data sets for the reference library were prepared using a bench-top Fourier transform near-infrared spectrophotometer, and predictive discrimination was performed using the spectral data by a low-cost and portable wavelength dispersive near-infrared spectrophotometer. A near-infrared spectrum-based support vector machine was used for these purposes, but the screening resulted in low accuracy thought to be caused by the intrinsically device-dependent features of the spectra data. Thus, principal component analysis was performed to collect the proper components to discriminate low-quality products from standard products. The principal component score-based support vector machine was able to produce highly accurate results, identifying falsified products with no false positive cases.
Modal parameters identification of bridge by improved stochastic subspace identification method with Grubbs criterion
Authors: Zhou Yulin , Jiang Xulei , Zhang Mingjin , Zhang Jinxiang , Sun Hao , Li Xin
Published: February 2021

In the wind tunnel test of a long-span bridge model, to ensure that the dynamic characteristics of the model can satisfy the test design requirements, it is particularly important to accurately identify the modal parameters of the model. First, the stochastic subspace identification algorithm was used to analyze the modal parameters of the model in the wind tunnel test; then, Grubbs criterion was introduced to effectively eliminate outliers in the damping ratio matrix. Stochastic subspace identification algorithm with Grubbs criterion improved the accuracy of the modal parameter identification and the ability to determine system matrix order and prevented the modal omissions caused by determining the stable condition of the damping ratio in the stability diagram. Finally, Oujiang Bridge was used as an example to verify the stochastic subspace identification algorithm with Grubbs criterion and compare with the results of the finite element method. The example shows that the improved method can be effectively applied to the modal parameter identification of bridges.
Managing the Versioning Decision over an App’s Lifetime
Authors: Lee Seoungwoo , Zhang Jie , Wedel Michel
Published: February 2021

The authors investigate app publishers’ decisions to offer free, paid, or both versions of an app over an app’s lifetime by taking into account the interplays between the demand for the free and paid versions and publishers’ consideration of future profit streams. Their empirical analyses are based on a comprehensive model of publishers’ versioning decisions calibrated on a data set of 584 top-downloaded apps on Google Play. They find contemporaneous cannibalization but positive intertemporal cross-effects on new users’ demand between the two versions. In addition, the free version’s active user base and in-app purchase and advertising revenues are reduced by the presence of a paid version, but not vice versa. Among the three options, offering the paid version first is the most common optimal launch strategy and applies to 40% of apps in the data. The evolutionary patterns of optimal versioning decisions vary by app category and are related to apps’ abilities to monetize different revenue sources. This study provides insights on how to strategically manage the versioning decision over an app’s lifetime and shows how publishers can make their free version apps more profitable via the deployment or elimination of the paid version.
Serendipity: Chance Encounters in the Marketplace Enhance Consumer Satisfaction
Authors: Kim Aekyoung , Affonso Felipe M. , Laran Juliano , Durante Kristina M.
Published: February 2021

Despite evidence that consumers appreciate freedom of choice, they also enjoy recommendation systems, subscription services, and marketplace encounters that seemingly occur by chance. This article proposes that enjoyment can, in some contexts, be higher than that in contexts involving choice. This occurs as a result of feelings of serendipity that arise when a marketplace encounter is positive, unexpected, and attributed to some degree of chance. A series of studies shows that feelings of serendipity positively influence an array of consumer outcomes, including satisfaction and enjoyment, perceptions of meaningfulness of an experience, likelihood of recommending a company, and likelihood of purchasing additional products from the company. The findings show that strategies based on serendipity are even more effective when consumers perceive that randomness played a role in how an encounter occurred, and not effective when the encounter is negative, the encounter occurs deterministically (i.e., planned by marketers to target consumers), and consumers perceive that they have enough knowledge to make their own choices. Altogether, this research suggests that marketers can influence customer satisfaction by structuring marketplace encounters to appear more serendipitous, as opposed to expected or entirely chosen by the consumer.
Is Music Education in Tune With the Pursuit of Equity? An Examination of Access to Music Education in Michigan’s Schools
Authors: Shaw Ryan D. , Auletto Amy
Published: February 2021

Access to music education in American schools is not guaranteed. Although national studies have demonstrated disparities based on poverty, race, and other markers, these studies miss a necessary level of local detail in describing access. Additionally, studies that exist are based on self-report surveys and prone to nonresponse bias. The purpose of this study was to describe access to music education at the state level. Using Michigan administrative data provided by the state department of education, we describe the state’s population of music educators and examine student access to music education. We found that music teachers differed from nonmusic teachers in a number of ways. We also identified substantial and persistent disparities in access to music education across the state. These findings have important implications for school arts education policy.
Informing reform: The views of legal professionals on the unique aspects of Scottish Law
Authors: Curley Lee John , Munro James , Frumkin Lara A , Turner Jim
Published: February 2021

The unique Scottish legal system stands apart from the better-known Anglo-American legal system, with variations relating to jury size (15 vs. 12), the number of verdicts available (3 vs. 2) and majority size (simple majority vs. unanimous). At present, only a handful of investigations have explored the effects of the Scottish ‘not proven’ verdict on jurors, and only a single study has explored the combined impact of the unique elements of the Scottish legal system on juror and jury decision making. The current study is the first to investigate the views of Scottish legal professionals on the three-verdict system, 15-person jury and simple majority verdict system. The aim of the study is to inform public and political debate, involve legal stakeholders in policy changes and decision making and compare legal professionals’ views with findings from previously conducted juror studies. Seventy-eight legal professionals took part in an online survey which asked for ratings and open responses on their attitudes to the Scottish (a) three-verdict system, (b) 15-person jury and (c) simple majority system. The results highlighted strong positive attitudes towards the ‘not proven’ verdict (particularly in a binary-verdict system of proven and not proven), 15-person juries and both the simple and qualified majority verdict systems. There was minimal support for reform towards an Anglo-American system. Instead, the reforms preferred by the legal professionals would be to require a qualified majority of 12/15 jurors, and to use a binary-verdict system of proven and not proven.
Policing mental illness: Police use of section 136 – Perspectives from police and mental-health nurses
Authors: Wondemaghen Meron
Published: February 2021

Ideological shifts in mental health-care policy such as deinstitutionalisation have meant police have had to make decisions about the care of persons with a mental-health crisis. This study examines how police in five English counties respond to crisis calls when employing the powers afforded in section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983, and the effectiveness of the national Street Triage pilot scheme. Qualitative interviews with 30 police officers and mental-health nurses were collected as data sources. The analysis shows that police have previously struggled with the significant number of crisis calls, whilst also finding mental-health services inadequately sourced, leading to some detentions in police cells as alternatives to health-based places of safety. However, the scheme has made positive changes in alleviating these issues when mental-health nurses are co-located with police, highlighting the need to strengthen their partnership by facilitating the sharing of information, responsibilities and decision making in order to ensure police cells continue to be avoided as alternative places of safety.
Improving undergraduate education in surgical paediatrics using near-peer assisted learning tutorials
Authors: Gracie Dale Jimi , Winter Gillian , Clarke Melanie Clare Caroline
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Near-peer assisted learning (NPAL) has been welcomed in recent years as a favourable method for teaching medical students. It has proven advantages for both the educator and the learner. As such it was identified as an ideal approach for delivering the local curriculum within a paediatric surgical setting. Short duration of placements further suggests that structured tutorials would best guarantee coverage of the student curriculum. Our hypothesis was that the introduction of a structured programme such as this could lead to reduced dependence on senior staff for teaching, increased exposure of junior staff as educators, and increased coverage of the curriculum.

Methods

Curriculum outcomes were identified, and a series of tutorials developed for delivery by juniors within the department. Pre and post intervention questionnaires were given to students rotating through the department.

Results

70 responses were analysed (23 pre; 47 post intervention). Reliance on Consultant teaching dropped 29% and engagement of surgical, GP and foundation trainees in teaching increased by 29%, 43% and 9% respectively. Overall curriculum coverage increased by 12%.

Conclusion

A near-peer assisted tutorial programme is an effective way of increasing coverage of the medical curriculum with benefits for tutors and learners, whilst increasing junior engagement in teaching and reducing burden on Consultants.
Market buoyancy, information transparency and pricing strategy in the Scottish housing market
Authors: Liu Nan
Published: February 2021

In housing markets there is a trade-off between selling time and selling price, with pricing strategy being the balancing act between the two. Motivated by the Home Report scheme in Scotland, this paper investigates the role of information symmetry played in such a trade-off. Empirically, this study tests if sellers’ pricing strategy changes when more information becomes available and whether this, in turn, affects the trade-off between the selling price and selling time. Using housing transaction data of North-East Scotland between 1998Q2 and 2018Q2, the findings show that asking price has converged to the predicted price of the property since the introduction of the Home Report. While information transparency reduces the effect of ‘overpricing’ on selling time, there is little evidence to show that it reduces the impact of pricing strategy on the final selling price in the sealed-bid context.