bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilizing leadership assessment tools in graduate education
Authors: Pierre Darren E. , Okstad Jonathan
Published: September 2021

With the growing need to provide leadership development opportunities for graduate and professional students, this article discusses how to integrate leadership assessment and inventories within graduate and professional education. The DiSC personality test, insights discovery assessment, Myers–Briggs type indicator, and CliftonStrengths will be reviewed and described as tools to foster leadership identity development. Additionally, this article will discuss the need to connect these tools with existing theoretical frameworks.
Preparing young adults to become public sector leaders
Authors: James Nancy F.
Published: September 2021

This article highlights the need for leader development for young professionals as early as possible in the college experience, particularly for those who will work in the public sector. The public sector has typically not provided the level of leadership training, education, and development often afforded new leaders in the private sector. This article provides insight into four assessments (Benchmarks for Managers, Workplace Big 5, Six Domains Leadership Survey, and Skillscope) that are suited for assessing leadership in the public sector and implications for preparing young adults to take on leadership roles in this sector.
Hypochlorous Acid Activating MB‐O to Release Methylene Blue for Photodegrading of Aβ Aggregates
Authors: Bao Xinlu , Yao Yusi , Xu Yunze , Shen Yang , Lv Guanglei , Zhao Dian , Li Chunxia
Published: September 2021

Amyloid‐β (Aβ) aggregates are one of biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is well known that Aβ aggregates display neurotoxicty or cytotoxicity to neurons. Thus, degrading Aβ aggregates is crucial for exploring the treatment of AD. Moreover, the excessive production of HOCl in the AD brain is an important feature of the disease. Herein, a novel compound MB‐O based on methylene blue (MB) skeleton was designed and synthesized. The probe MB‐O can specifically react with HOCl, releasing the fluorophore MB with strong fluorescence intensity increase. More importantly, the released MB is capable of degrading Aβ aggregates under red light irradiation.
Intelligence in Military Missions: Between Theory and Practice
Authors: Rietjens Sebastiaan
Published: September 2021

Intelligence is the primary mechanism that military organizations use to generate understanding and its main purpose is to provide information to decision-makers such as commanders that may help illuminate their decision options. This chapter assesses the role of intelligence in military missions, more specifically the counterinsurgency and stabilizations missions that took place in, for example, former Yugoslavia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Mali.

The chapter starts by addressing the changing and increasingly complex nature of many of the conflicts from the 1990s onwards. It explores how this has influenced the use of intelligence and presents two distinct schools of thought. The first school of thought, referred to as Jominian intelligence, tries to unravel the operational environment in a systematic way and regards the intelligence challenges as a series of problems with definite solutions. The second school of thought, referred to as Clausewitzian intelligence, argues that the goal of intelligence is to assess uncertainty and reach a deliberate judgment.

The main body of the chapter then analyzes the intelligence process and identifies several of the main intelligence issues within military missions. The intelligence process starts with the direction phase in which policy makers, military commanders, or planners state their needs, often referred to as information requirements. Several issues complicate such direction, including (1) the comprehensive focus of many current military missions, (2) their abstract and ambiguous strategic objectives and expectations, and (3) the military’s unfamiliarity with the area of operations.

In the second phase of the intelligence process, the necessary information is collected. In addition to consulting their archives and databases, military units often have a plethora of means, both technical and human, available to collect information. Cross-cultural competencies are of crucial importance, in particular, during the collection phase.

The third phase of the intelligence process, labeled processing, turns raw data into intelligence. During the processing phase, the data are analyzed in order to gain understanding or insight. This exceeds the registration of events, but includes understanding the meaning of these events as well as their importance.

The fourth and final phase is dissemination of intelligence. Here, the relationship between the producers and consumers of intelligence during military missions is explored. This includes the reasons why consumers sometimes do not fully accept the intelligence they receive.

The chapter concludes with an agenda for research on military intelligence. It calls, for example, for a more eclectic author base; multidisciplinary as well as comparative research; increased attention to oversight, ethics, and open source intelligence; and more emphasis on intelligence within the navy, special forces, and constabulary forces.
Explaining multistability: postphenomenology and affordances of technologies
Authors: de Boer Bas
Published: September 2021

A central issue in postphenomenology is how to explain the multistability of technologies: how can it be that specific technologies can be used for a wide variety of purposes (the “multi”), while not for all purposes (the “stability”)? For example, a table can be used for the purpose of sleeping, having dinner at, or even for staging a fencing match, but not for baking a cake. One explanation offered in the literature is that the (material) design of a technology puts constraints on the purposes for which technologies can be used. In this paper, I argue that such an explanation—while partly correct—fails to address the role of the environment in which human beings operate in putting constraints on technology use. I suggest that James Gibson’s affordance theory helps highlighting how stabilities in technology use arise in the interaction between human being and environment. Building on more recent approaches in affordance theory, I suggest that the environment can be conceptualized as a “rich landscape of affordances” that solicits certain actions, which are not just cued by the environment’s material structure, but also by the normativity present in the form of life in which a human being participates. I briefly contrast the approach to affordances developed in this paper with how Klenk (2020) and Tollon (2021) have conceptualized the “affordance character” of technological artifacts, and highlight how a focus on the situated nature of affordances augments these earlier conceptualizations.
An optimization-based design approach for a novel self-adjuster using shear thickening fluid
Authors: Nagy-György P. , Bene J. G. , Hős C. J.
Published: September 2021

Recently, the increasingly strict safety and emission regulations in the automotive industry drove the interest towards automatic length compensating devices, e.g., hydraulic lash adjusters (lower emission) and slack adjuster in brake systems (faster brake response). These devices have two crucial requirements: (a) be stiff during high load, while (b) be flexible in the released state to compensate for environmental effects such as wear and temperature difference. This study aims to use the advantageous properties of shear thickening fluids to develop a less complicated, cost-efficient design. The proposed design is modeled by a system of ordinary differential equations in which the effect of the non-Newtonian fluid flow is taken into account with a novel, simplified, semi-analytical flow rate-pressure drop relationship suitable for handling arbitrary rheology. The adjuster’s dimensions are determined with a multi-objective genetic algorithm based on the coupled solid-fluid mechanical model for six different shear thickening rheologies. The accuracy of the simplified flow model is verified by means of steady-state and transient CFD simulations for the optimal candidates. We have found that the dominating parameters of such devices are (a) the shear thickening region of the fluid rheology and (b) the gap sizes, while the piston diameters and the zero viscosity or the critical shear rate of the fluid have less effect. Based on the results, we give guidelines to design similar-length compensating devices.
Physicochemical tools for studying virus interactions with targeted cell membranes in a molecular and spatiotemporally resolved context
Authors: Bally Marta , Block Stephan , Höök Fredrik , Larson Göran , Parveen Nagma , Rydell Gustaf E.
Published: September 2021

The objective of this critical review is to provide an overview of how emerging bioanalytical techniques are expanding our understanding of the complex physicochemical nature of virus interactions with host cell surfaces. Herein, selected model viruses representing both non-enveloped (simian virus 40 and human norovirus) and enveloped (influenza A virus, human herpes simplex virus, and human immunodeficiency virus type 1) viruses are highlighted. The technologies covered utilize a wide range of cell membrane mimics, from supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) containing a single purified host membrane component to SLBs derived from the plasma membrane of a target cell, which can be compared with live-cell experiments to better understand the role of individual interaction pairs in virus attachment and entry. These platforms are used to quantify binding strengths, residence times, diffusion characteristics, and binding kinetics down to the single virus particle and single receptor, and even to provide assessments of multivalent interactions. The technologies covered herein are surface plasmon resonance (SPR), quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), dynamic force spectroscopy (DFS), total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy combined with equilibrium fluctuation analysis (EFA) and single particle tracking (SPT), and finally confocal microscopy using multi-labeling techniques to visualize entry of individual virus particles in live cells. Considering the growing scientific and societal needs for untangling, and interfering with, the complex mechanisms of virus binding and entry, we hope that this review will stimulate the community to implement these emerging tools and strategies in conjunction with more traditional methods. The gained knowledge will not only contribute to a better understanding of the virus biology, but may also facilitate the design of effective inhibitors to block virus entry.
Two experts and a newbie: [18F]PARPi vs [18F]FTT vs [18F]FPyPARP—a comparison of PARP imaging agents
Authors: Stotz Sophie , Kinzler Johannes , Nies Anne T. , Schwab Matthias , Maurer Andreas
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Imaging of PARP expression has emerged as valuable strategy for prediction of tumor malignancy. While [18F]PARPi and [18F]FTT are already in clinical translation, both suffer from mainly hepatobiliary clearance hampering their use for detection of abdominal lesions, e.g., liver metastases. Our novel radiotracer [18F]FPyPARP aims to bridge this gap with a higher renal clearance and an easily translatable synthesis route for potential clinical application.

Methods

We developed a less lipophilic variant of [18F]PARPi by exchange of the fluorobenzoyl residue with a fluoronicotinoyl group and automated the radiosyntheses of the three radiotracers. We then conducted a comparative side-by-side study of [18F]PARPi, [18F]FPyPARP, and [18F]FTT in NOD.CB17-Prkdcscid/J mice bearing HCC1937 xenografts to assess xenograft uptake and pharmacokinetics focusing on excretion pathways.

Results

Together with decent uptake of all three radiotracers in the xenografts (tumor-to-blood ratios 3.41 ± 0.83, 3.99 ± 0.99, and 2.46 ± 0.35, respectively, for [18F]PARPi, [18F]FPyPARP, and [18F]FTT), a partial shift from hepatobiliary to renal clearance of [18F]FPyPARP was observed, whereas [18F]PARPi and [18F]FTT show almost exclusive hepatobiliary clearance.

Conclusion

These findings imply that [18F]FPyPARP is an alternative to [18F]PARPi and [18F]FTT for PET imaging of PARP enzymes.
Involvement of the auxin–cytokinin homeostasis in adventitious root formation of rose cuttings as affected by their nodal position in the stock plant
Authors: Otiende Millicent A. , Fricke Klaus , Nyabundi Julius O. , Ngamau Kamau , Hajirezaei Mohammad R. , Druege Uwe
Published: September 2021

Main conclusion

Enhanced levels of indole-3-acetic and raised auxin to cytokinin ratios in the stem base contribute to the positive acropetal gradient in rooting capacity of leafy single-node stem cuttings of rose.

Cuttings excised from different nodal positions in stock plants can differ in subsequent adventitious root formation. We investigated the involvement of the auxin–cytokinin balance in position-affected rooting of Rosa hybrida. Leafy single-node stem cuttings of two rose cultivars were excised from top versus bottom positions. Concentrations of IAA and cytokinins were monitored in the bud region and the stem base during 8 days after planting using chromatography–MS/MS technology. The effects of nodal position and external supply of indole-butyric acid on rooting were analyzed. Most cytokinins increased particularly in the bud region and peaked at day two before the bud break was recorded. IAA increased in both tissues between day one and day eight. Top versus bottom cuttings revealed higher levels of isopentenyladenosine (IPR) in both tissues as well as higher concentrations of IAA and a higher ratio of IAA to cytokinins particularly in the stem base. The dynamic of hormones and correlation analysis indicated that the higher IPR contributed to the enhanced IAA in the bud region which served as auxin source for the auxin homeostasis in the stem base, where IAA determined the auxin–cytokinin balance. Bottom versus top cuttings produced lower numbers and lengths of roots, whereas this deficit was counterbalanced by auxin application. Further considering other studies of rose, it is concluded that cytokinin-, sucrose- and zinc-dependent auxin biosynthesis in the outgrowing buds is an important factor that contributes to the enhanced IAA levels and auxin/cytokinin ratios in the stem base of apical cuttings, promoting root induction.
Changing the landscape of cybersecurity education in the EU: Will the new approach produce the required cybersecurity skills?
Authors: Blažič Borka Jerman
Published: September 2021

Recruiting, retaining, and maintaining sufficient numbers of cybersecurity professionals in the workplace is a constant battle, not only for the technical side of cybersecurity, but also for the overlooked area of non-technical, managerial-related jobs in the cyber sector. The problem is the lack of cybersecurity skills in the European labour force. This paper presents the results of a study carried out with the aim to identify how much the cybersecurity education system within the high-level educational institutions and the industrial sector meets the needs for graduate students to gain the required cybersecurity skills. The method applied in the study is based on data collected from surveys carried out by the European competence centres on cybersecurity and the European Cybersecurity organisation. The problem of common educational program accreditation in Europe is highlighted and discussed. The actions undertaken to improve the education in both sectors are described and the emerging educational landscape is commented. The main cybersecurity knowledge specified by the industrial needs is presented in the form of five knowledge pillars. The study’s findings show that there are missing topics in high-level institution’s cybersecurity programs and that that there is a need to re-shape the content of the courses provided by the professional education providers.
Assessment of the adequacy of mobile applications for disaster reduction
Authors: Navarro de Corcuera Lucía , Barbero-Barrera María del Mar , Campos Hidalgo Ana , Recio Martínez Jorge
Published: September 2021

Natural events continue to take a heavy toll on human lives. Added to this are the challenge of dynamic at-risk settings, uncertainty, and increasing threats, which demand holistic, flexible, and quickly adaptable solutions. In this context, mobile applications are strongly emerging as communication tools that can assist in disaster reduction. Yet, these have not been sufficiently evaluated. In view of this, the aim of this research is to evaluate the adequacy of mobile applications in disaster risk reduction in reference to some of the deadliest natural events. To this purpose, a two-part methodology is developed. Firstly, a random sample of applications is evaluated and contrasted with the literature. Secondly, the viability of mobile applications is determined based on the Digital Application Potential Index proposed by the authors, cross-referenced in Geographical Information Systems with the WorldRiskIndex. The results show that most mobile applications limit their coverage range to only one stage of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and one type of hazard event, failing to address systemic risk and hampering the scale-up of humanitarian response. For these to become adequate and wide-reaching, strong policies to promote reliability, transparency, and citizen empowerment would be required. The policies establishing the use of mobile applications as a viable tool for DRM must consider reducing the prices of internet connectivity while increasing educational levels, on top of language translation. At this point, the adoption of mobile applications is unable to ensure DRM communication, especially in countries with higher-risk levels, requiring these to be complemented with auxiliary tools.

Graphic abstract
An extension of the proximal point algorithm beyond convexity
Authors: Grad Sorin-Mihai , Lara Felipe
Published: September 2021

We introduce and investigate a new generalized convexity notion for functions called prox-convexity. The proximity operator of such a function is single-valued and firmly nonexpansive. We provide examples of (strongly) quasiconvex, weakly convex, and DC (difference of convex) functions that are prox-convex, however none of these classes fully contains the one of prox-convex functions or is included into it. We show that the classical proximal point algorithm remains convergent when the convexity of the proper lower semicontinuous function to be minimized is relaxed to prox-convexity.
Rare fatty acids and lipids in plant oilseeds: occurrence and bioactivity
Authors: Avato P. , Tava A.
Published: September 2021

Lipids are biomolecules which are present in plants as general metabolites with different functions such as structural, protective and also as storage material. Plants produce a high number of different fatty acids: the most common structural types are long linear hydrocarbon chains, saturated or unsaturated with an even number of carbon atoms. In addition, plants accumulate rare fatty acids with reference to their occurrence and to their structures such as number and arrangement of unsaturated bonds, chain branches, type of functional groups, cyclic structures and halogenation. Their presence is limited in plant leaves, roots or stems, while they are mostly found as components of storage seed oils. The present review aims to describe the structural features of selected unusual rare fatty acids occurring in plants, their bioactivity and applications as pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and non-food industrial products. Cyanolipids, a group of rare natural lipids containing a cyanogenic group in the molecule and only found in seed oils of a few plant species are also commented.
Decline in body size and female fraction in the grass snake (Natrix natrix, Linnaeus 1758) population after 40 years (Southern Poland)
Authors: Bury Stanisław , Zając Bartłomiej , Okarma Henryk , Kolanek Aleksandra
Published: September 2021

Depletion of free-living populations is often associated with changes in fitness-related traits, e.g., body size. Ongoing decrease in body size has been reported in most vertebrates, but reptiles remain understudied. Moreover, sexual size dimorphism, commonly observed in reptiles, indicates that environmental pressures on body size may appear sex-specific. This can also result in shifts in sex ratio, an aspect even less studied. We investigated body size and sex ratio in population of grass snake (Natrix natrix) surveyed over 40 years ago in comparison with the current state. We found that both sexes express similar magnitude in body size decline. The current sex ratio does not deviate from 1:1, while in the past, females outnumbered males. The observed changes are likely an outcome of several non-mutually exclusive factors. In the studied area, an increase in road traffic and human presence and a drop in prey availability have been documented. Both factors may exert higher pressure on larger individuals, particularly females, due to their high costs of reproduction. It is recorded here that increase in ambient temperatures and summer duration may additionally enhance the mortality risk and resource requirements. Shifts in body size and sex ratio can catalyze further declines in abundance and reproductive potential of the population.
Förderung der psychischen Gesundheit von geflüchteten Menschen
Authors: Perplies Clara , Biddle Louise , Benson-Martin Janine , Joggerst Brigitte , Bozorgmehr Kayvan
Published: September 2021

Hintergrund

Geflüchtete Menschen sind vielfältigen psychosozialen Belastungen ausgesetzt. Zur Förderung ihrer psychischen Gesundheit werden u. a. Peer-Ansätze verfolgt. Wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse zu den Voraussetzungen einer erfolgreichen Implementierung entsprechender Ansätze für geflüchtete Menschen in Deutschland liegen bisher jedoch kaum vor.

Ziel

Ziel ist es, Erkenntnisse über die Sichtweisen geflüchteter Menschen auf einen gruppenbasierten Peer-Ansatz der Psychoedukation und psychosozialen Stabilisierung („Mind-Spring“) in einem kommunalen Setting zu erlangen sowie Barrieren und fördernde Faktoren der Inanspruchnahme zu identifizieren.

Methoden

Nach Einführung des Ansatzes in einer Region Baden-Württembergs wurden acht leitfadengestützte Interviews mit zwei Peer-Trainern und sechs geflüchteten Menschen, die als potenzielle Teilnehmer*innen adressiert worden waren, durchgeführt. Die Interviews wurden aufgezeichnet, transkribiert und inhaltsanalytisch ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Die Teilnahme an der psychosozialen Intervention beruht auf heterogenen Bedarfen und Nutzenerwartungen. Eine aufsuchende, personalisierte Ansprache, sprachliche Verständigungsmöglichkeit und wohnortnahe Durchführung werden als fördernd erlebt. Hemmend wirken sich Faktoren wie die Sorge vor Stigmatisierung und fehlendes Vertrauen in Durchführende und andere Teilnehmende aus.

Schlussfolgerung

Bei der Implementierung von psychosozialen Interventionen für geflüchtete Menschen sind eine niedrigschwellige Organisation und Orientierung an den Bedarfen und Nutzenerwartungen von geflüchteten Menschen zu beachten. Die Akzeptanz wird durch ein ausgewogenes Verhältnis von Peer- und Otherness sowie die Anbindung an professionelle Versorgungsstrukturen unterstützt.
Periodic solutions for nonresonant parabolic equations on $${\mathbb {R}}^N$$ with Kato–Rellich type potentials
Authors: Ćwiszewski Aleksander , Łukasiak Renata
Published: September 2021

A criterion for the existence of T-periodic solutions of nonautonomous parabolic equation $$u_t = \Delta u + V(x)u + f(t,x,u)$$

u
t

=
Δ
u
+
V

(
x
)

u
+
f

(
t
,
x
,
u
)

, $$x\in {\mathbb {R}}^N$$

x
∈

R

N

, $$t>0$$

t
>
0

, where V is Kato–Rellich type potential and f diminishes at infinity, will be provided. It is proved that, under the nonresonance assumption, i.e. $${\mathrm {Ker}} (\Delta + V)=\{0\}$$

Ker
(
Δ
+
V
)
=
{
0
}

, the equation admits a T-periodic solution. Moreover, in case there is a trivial branch of solutions, i.e. $$f(t,x,0)=0$$

f
(
t
,
x
,
0
)
=
0

, there exists a nontrivial solution provided the total multiplicities of positive eigenvalues of $$\Delta +V$$

Δ
+
V

and $$\Delta + V + f_0$$

Δ
+
V
+

f
0

, where $$f_0$$

f
0

is the partial derivative $$f_u(\cdot ,\cdot ,0)$$

f
u

(
·
,
·
,
0
)

of f, are different mod 2.
Synthesis of ultrathin rhenium disulfide nanoribbons using nano test tubes
Authors: Norman Luke T. , Biskupek Johannes , Rance Graham A. , Stoppiello Craig T. , Kaiser Ute , Khlobystov Andrei N.
Published: September 2021

The synthesis of ultrathin rhenium disulfide (ReS2) nanoribbons within single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) has been established. Dirhenium decacarbonyl complex is encapsulated into the SWNTs to provide a source of confined rhenium atoms, which readily react with iodine to form discrete nm-sized clusters of rhenium iodide [Re6I14]2− embedded in the nanotubes. The final step of the synthesis is accomplished by admitting hydrogen sulfide gas into nano test tubes, yielding twisted nanoribbons of rhenium disulfide encapsulated in carbon nanotubes, ReS2@SWNTs. The width, structure, and composition of rhenium disulfide nanoribbons are strictly controlled by the extreme confinement of the host-SWNT. A holistic analytical approach combining complementary imaging and analysis methods is used at each synthetic step to elucidate the structure and composition of the guest material and reveal the role of the SWNT contributing towards the electronic interactions with encapsulated inorganic structures. As ReS2 nanoribbons are expected to retain the electronic properties of the bulk material, such as direct bandgap, the low dimensional form of this material can be of interest for use in nanoscale electronic devices.
Modeling the forest dynamics of the Sierra Nevada under climate change using SORTIE-ND
Authors: Moran Emily V. , Vannest Nikole , Aubry-Kientz Mélaine
Published: September 2021

Key message

Model simulation results suggest that forests in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California will tend to increase in density and basal area in the absence of fire over the next century, and that climate change will favor increases in drought-tolerant species.

Context

Climate change is projected to intensify the natural summer drought period for Mediterranean-climate forests. Such changes may increase tree mortality, change species interactions and composition, and impact ecosystem services.

Aims

To parameterize SORTIE-ND, an individual-based, spatially explicit forest model, for forests in the Sierra Nevada, and to model forest responses to climate change.

Methods

We use 3 downscaled GCM projections (RCP 8.5) to project forest dynamics for 7 sites at different elevations.

Results

Basal area and stem density tended to increase in the absence of fire. Climate change effects differed by species, with more drought-tolerant species such as Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi A.Murray bis) and black oak (Quercus kelloggii Newb.) exhibiting increases in basal area and/or density.

Conclusion

Increasing forest density may favor carbon sequestration but could increase the risk of high-severity fires. Future analyses should include improved parameterization of reproduction and interactions of disturbance with climate effects.
Surface Oxygen Injection in Tin Disulfide Nanosheets for Efficient CO2 Electroreduction to Formate and Syngas
Authors: Chen Tao , Liu Tong , Ding Tao , Pang Beibei , Wang Lan , Liu Xiaokang , Shen Xinyi , Wang Sicong , Wu Dan , Liu Dong , Cao Linlin , Luo Qiquan , Zhang Wei , Zhu Wenkun , Yao Tao
Published: September 2021

Surface chemistry modification represents a promising strategy to tailor the adsorption and activation of reaction intermediates for enhancing activity. Herein, we designed a surface oxygen-injection strategy to tune the electronic structure of SnS2 nanosheets, which showed effectively enhanced electrocatalytic activity and selectivity of CO2 reduction to formate and syngas (CO and H2). The oxygen-injection SnS2 nanosheets exhibit a remarkable Faradaic efficiency of 91.6% for carbonaceous products with a current density of 24.1 mA cm−2 at −0.9 V vs RHE, including 83.2% for formate production and 16.5% for syngas with the CO/H2 ratio of 1:1. By operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy, we unravel the in situ surface oxygen doping into the matrix during reaction, thereby optimizing the Sn local electronic states. Operando synchrotron radiation infrared spectroscopy along with theoretical calculations further reveals that the surface oxygen doping facilitated the CO2 activation and enhanced the affinity for HCOO* species. This result demonstrates the potential strategy of surface oxygen injection for the rational design of advanced catalysts for CO2 electroreduction.
Impact of COVID-19 on digital medical education: compatibility of digital teaching and examinations with integrity and ethical principles
Authors: Egarter Saskia , Mutschler Anna , Brass Konstantin
Published: September 2021

The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic in 2020 has had a lasting impact on all areas of personal life. However, the political, economic, legal and healthcare system, as well as the education system have also experienced the effects. Universities had to face new challenges and requirements in teaching and examinations as quickly as possible in order to be able to guarantee high-quality education for their students.

This study aims to examine how the German-speaking medical faculties of the Umbrella Consortium of Assessment Network (UCAN) have dealt with the challenges but also the opportunities that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic created in medical education and whether digitalisation has been driven forward as a result. In an initial online-survey we focused our questions on the current teaching situation with regard to digitised teaching content, the support or establishment of adequate framework conditions by the medical faculties and IT facilities and also the execution of examinations during the summer semester 2020.

Between August and September 2020, a total of 88 examiners, educators, dean of study and/or technical admins from 32 partner faculties took part in the survey. Students were not included in our survey. Most respondents stated that a switch to a digital semester had worked, the use of e-learning increased compared to previous semesters and that most courses could be converted, with the exception of practical courses, which were largely cancelled. The respondents also indicated that most examinations could still be taken, with the exception of practical examination formats, like Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). However, in the case of face-to-face examinations, strict distance and hygiene conditions had to be obeyed or there had to be a switch to distance-online examinations, which raised many open issues such as equal opportunities of students (technical equipment, internet access, premises) and attempts at deception (third-party help with the exam, mutual exchange between students, web search).

In conclusion, we identified several issues regarding the rapid transition to a digital semester due to COVID-19 which were categorised into the following topics: Face-to-face teaching could not take place, (2) know-how of educators, (3) integrity aspects, (4) technical aspects, (5) additional personnel required, (6) additional time and effort required for implementation of digital teaching. Our study shows that a switch to digital teaching and distance online examinations is feasible, but many problems were encountered concerning academic integrity and basic ethical principles still need to be solved. In order to investigate whether above mentioned issued could be solved one year after the transition to a digital semester, we conducted a second survey in which the 32 initially surveyed institutions were questioned again.
A morphological history of urban centers in Qingdao
Authors: Wang Haofeng , Rao Xiaojun
Published: September 2021

This study applies space syntax methodology and investigates the centrality process of four centers in Qingdao, China, which grow from old settlements during successive phases of urban growth. The aim is to increase the understanding of how urban form can generate and sustain centers as well as embed them in, or distinguish them from their context that has been built up in a rather complex geographic region. Results reveal the development of these centers and the associated different scales of accessibility are related to both pre-urban road network of the city and the local grid conditions of those settlements from which a center has grown. The overall condition of the city frames the global structure of the city and renders those settlements with potentials for movement-engaged activities. The local grid structure set by metric and topo-geometric properties influences the actual concentration patterns of social economic activities and determines the range and strength of a center in the city. The study suggests that the morphological structure of the city may be historical in nature, in the sense that old settlements are not simply “absorbed” by urban growth, but can sustain or even function as a center given proper spatial environment.
A Tale of a Tub and Other Works
Authors: Swift Jonathan
Published: September 2021

This volume contains the three works which together make up Jonathan Swift's early satiric and intellectual masterpiece, A Tale of a Tub: the Tale itself, The Battel of the Books, and The Mechanical Operation of the Spirit. Incorporating much new knowledge, this 2010 edition provides the first full scholarly treatment of this important work for fifty years. The introduction discusses publication, composition, and authorship; sources, analogues and generic models; reception; and religious, scientific and literary contexts (including the ancients and moderns controversy). Detailed explanatory notes address many previously unexplained issues in this famously rich and difficult work. Texts have been fully collated and edited according to modern principles and are accompanied with a textual introduction and full textual apparatus. Illustrations include title pages, the eight engravings from the fifth edition, and original designs for these engravings. Extensive associated contemporary materials, including Edmund Curll's Key and William Wotton's Observations, are provided.
The Hippodrome of Constantinople
Authors: Akyürek Engin
Published: September 2021

The Hippodrome of Constantinople was constructed in the fourth century AD, by the Roman Emperor Constantine I, in his new capital. Throughout Byzantine history the Hippodrome served as a ceremonial, sportive and recreational center of the city; in the early period, it was used mainly as an arena for very popular, competitive, and occasionally violent chariot races, while the Middle Ages witnessed the imperial ceremonies coming to the fore gradually, although the races continued. The ceremonial and recreational role of the Hippodrome somehow continued during the Ottoman period. Being the oldest structure in the city, the Hippodrome has witnessed exciting chariot races, ceremonies glorifying victorious emperors as well as the charioteers, and the riots that shook the imperial authority. Today, looking to the remnants of the Hippodrome, one can imagine the glorious past of the site.
Are agricultural support policies harmful to the environment? Evidence from Japanese farm-level policy simulation
Authors: Sasaki Hiroki , Katayama Naoki , Okubo Satoru
Published: September 2021

This study presents the environmental impacts of agricultural policy instruments as evidence from anex-antefarm-level policy simulation model in Japan. Simulations did indicate that all types of agri-environmental payments achieved the environmental benefit for the land studied. Conversely, market price support does not inevitably increase nitrogen runoff or greenhouse gas emissions at any time since paddy fields themselves have the function of purifying water pollution and work as a biodiversity nursery. The direction and magnitude of the policy impacts are an empirical matter that should be considered carefully at a local level.
Conditional mean dimension
Authors: LIANG BINGBING
Published: September 2021

We introduce some notions of conditional mean dimension for a factor map between two topological dynamical systems and discuss their properties. With the help of these notions, we obtain an inequality to estimate the mean dimension of an extension system. The conditional mean dimension for G-extensions is computed. We also exhibit some applications in dynamical embedding problems.
Assessing the performance and accuracy of invasive plant habitat suitability models in detecting new observations in Wisconsin
Authors: Jorgensen Niels , Renz Mark
Published: September 2021

Land managers require tools that improve understanding of suitable habitat for invasive plants and that can be incorporated into survey efforts to improve efficiency. Habitat suitability models (HSMs) contain attributes that can meet these requirements, but it is not known how well they perform, as they are rarely field-tested for accuracy. We developed ensemble HSMs in the state of Wisconsin for 15 species using five algorithms (boosted regression trees, generalized linear models, multivariate regression splines, MaxEnt, and random forests), evaluated performance, determined variables that drive suitability, and tested accuracy. All models had good model performance during the development phase (Area Under the Curve [AUC] > 0.7 and True Skills Statistic [TSS] > 0.4). While variable importance and directionality was species specific, the most important predictor variables across all of the species’ models were mean winter minimum temperatures, total summer precipitation, and tree canopy cover. Post model development, we obtained 5,005 new occurrence records from community science observations for all 15 focal species to test the models’ abilities to accurately predict results. Using a correct classification rate of 80%, just 8 of the 15 species correctly predicted suitable habitat (α ≤ 0.05). Exploratory analyses found the number of reporters of these new data and the total number of new occurrences reported per species contributed to increasing correct classification. Results suggest that while some models perform well on evaluation metrics, relying on these metrics alone is not sufficient and can lead to errors when utilized for surveying. We recommend any model should be tested for accuracy in the field before use to avoid this potential issue.
Simulated trampling by cattle negatively impacts invasive yellow-flag iris (Iris pseudacorus) when submerged
Authors: Stoneburner Alex L. , Meiman Paul J. , Ocheltree Troy W. , Nissen Scott J. , Bradfield Scott J.
Published: September 2021

Yellow-flag iris (Iris pseudacorus L.) is a nonnative, invasive wetland plant that disrupts riparian ecosystem processes and is widely distributed across the United States and Canada. Due to its physiological and morphological characteristics, I. pseudacorus has the capacity to exclude native vegetation and form extensive monocultures in both lotic and lentic wetland systems. Methods commonly used to manage I. pseudacorus include manual (e.g., hand pulling, digging) and mechanical (e.g., mowing) treatments for small populations and herbicide applications for larger populations; however, herbicide applications near water may be prohibited due to label restrictions. The objective of this research was to evaluate cattle trampling as a nonchemical method to reduce I. pseudacorus in riparian habitats. A greenhouse study was conducted to investigate the effects of inundation and two different timings of simulated trampling on I. pseudacorus density, height, and soluble sugar concentrations in the rhizomes. A complementary field demonstration was established on a ranch in northwestern Nebraska to evaluate cattle trampling effects on I. pseudacorus density and height after two consecutive years. Simulated cattle trampling in the greenhouse had no effect on I. pseudacorus density or height of non-inundated samples. However, combining trampling with inundation reduced I. pseudacorus density from a median of 10 I. pseudacorus per pot to 0 I. pseudacorus per pot and median height from 0.35 m to 0 m by the conclusion of the study. Additionally, the field demonstration resulted in reductions of both density and height of I. pseudacorus after two consecutive years (72% and 67% reduction, respectively). Soluble sugar concentrations were not impacted by any treatment.
Guarding the Shoreline: Oyster Farming, Salt Production, and Fishing Along the South China Coast (1667–1978)
Authors: Watson James L.
Published: September 2021

This article explores the shoreline industries (oysters, salt, fish, lime) that emerged along the Laufaushan coast in Hong Kong's New Territories, in the period 1667 to 1978. The shoreline in question was controlled by a local security force, staffed by young men from a nearby lineage. The study draws on ethnographic research carried out by the author and local documents (of village and government origin) gathered on site.
Gap resonance from linear to quartic wave excitation and the structure of nonlinear transfer functions
Authors: Zhao W. , Taylor P.H. , Wolgamot H.A. , Eatock Taylor R.
Published: September 2021

Resonant response of water waves in a narrow gap, with the interaction of multiple highly resonant modes, is an interesting hydrodynamic phenomenon with practical applications. Gap resonances between two identical fixed rectangular boxes are experimentally investigated for unidirectional waves with broadside incidence. We show that gap resonances can be driven through both linear wave excitation and nonlinear processes, i.e. frequency doubling, tripling and quadrupling – apparently new observations. It is striking that the time histories of the gap resonances excited through different nonlinear interactions are remarkably similar to each other. It seems likely that the nonlinear sum-frequency transfer functions for gap resonances depend strongly on the output frequency sum of the interacting linear components, but only weakly on the frequency difference. In terms of their structure in multiple frequency space (at second order the bi-frequency plane for two components), these transfer functions must then have a near-flat form in the direction(s) perpendicular to the leading diagonal. This is supported by our potential flow calculations of the quadratic transfer functions (QTFs). It is therefore convenient to approximate the QTF matrix as ‘flat’ in the direction perpendicular to the leading diagonal. This approximation is justified through experimental data that includes viscous damping. It is too complex, if not impossible, to calculate the full cubic or quartic transfer functions as direct evidence. However, the experimental analysis does provide some support for the near-flat structure being applicable to transfer functions above second order. The flat form approximation greatly reduces lengthy calculations of the high-order transfer functions.
Crown formation from a cavitating bubble close to a free surface
Authors: Saade Youssef , Jalaal Maziyar , Prosperetti Andrea , Lohse Detlef
Published: September 2021

A rapidly growing bubble close to a free surface induces jetting: a central jet protruding outwards and a crown surrounding it at later stages. While the formation mechanism of the central jet is known and documented, that of the crown remains unsettled. We perform axisymmetric simulations of the problem using the free software program BASILISK, where a finite-volume compressible solver has been implemented, which uses a geometric volume-of-fluid (VoF) method for the tracking of the interface. We show that the mechanism of crown formation is a combination of a pressure distortion over the curved interface, inducing flow focusing, and of a flow reversal, caused by the second expansion of the toroidal bubble that drives the crown. The work culminates in a parametric study with the Weber number, the Reynolds number, the pressure ratio and the dimensionless bubble distance to the free surface as control parameters. Their effects on both the central jet and the crown are explored. For high Weber numbers, we observe the formation of weaker ‘secondary crowns’, highly correlated with the third oscillation cycle of the bubble.
The influence of front strength on the development and equilibration of symmetric instability. Part 2. Nonlinear evolution
Authors: Wienkers A.F. , Thomas L.N. , Taylor J.R.
Published: September 2021

In Part 1 (Wienkers, Thomas & Taylor, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 926, 2021, A6), we described the theory for linear growth and weakly nonlinear saturation of symmetric instability (SI) in the Eady model representing a broad frontal zone. There, we found that both the fraction of the balanced thermal wind mixed down by SI and the primary source of energy are strongly dependent on the front strength, defined as the ratio of the horizontal buoyancy gradient to the square of the Coriolis frequency. Strong fronts with steep isopycnals develop a flavour of SI we call ‘slantwise inertial instability’ by extracting kinetic energy from the background flow and rapidly mixing down the thermal wind profile. In contrast, weak fronts extract more potential energy from the background density profile, which results in ‘slantwise convection.’ Here, we extend the theory from Part 1 using nonlinear numerical simulations to focus on the adjustment of the front following saturation of SI. We find that the details of adjustment and amplitude of the induced inertial oscillations depend on the front strength. While weak fronts develop narrow frontlets and excite small-amplitude vertically sheared inertial oscillations, stronger fronts generate large inertial oscillations and produce bore-like gravity currents that propagate along the top and bottom boundaries. The turbulent dissipation rate in these strong fronts is large, highly intermittent and intensifies during periods of weak stratification. We describe each of these mechanisms and energy pathways as the front evolves towards the final adjusted state, and in particular focus on the effect of varying the dimensionless front strength.
A macroscopic two-length-scale model for natural convection in porous media driven by a species-concentration gradient
Authors: Gasow Stefan , Kuznetsov Andrey V. , Avila Marc , Jin Yan
Published: September 2021

The modelling of natural convection in porous media is receiving increased interest due to its significance in environmental and engineering problems. State-of-the-art simulations are based on the classic macroscopic Darcy–Oberbeck–Boussinesq (DOB) equations, which are widely accepted to capture the underlying physics of convection in porous media provided the Darcy number,

$Da$

, is small. In this paper we analyse and extend the recent pore-resolved direct numerical simulations (DNS) of Gasow et al. (J. Fluid Mech, vol. 891, 2020, p. A25) and show that the macroscopic diffusion, which is neglected in DOB, is of the same order (with respect to

$Da$

) as the buoyancy force and the Darcy drag. Consequently, the macroscopic diffusion must be modelled even if the value of

$Da$

is small. We propose a ‘two-length-scale diffusion’ model, in which the effect of the pore scale on the momentum transport is approximated with a macroscopic diffusion term. This term is determined by both the macroscopic length scale and the pore scale. It includes a transport coefficient that solely depends on the pore-scale geometry. Simulations of our model render a more accurate Sherwood number, root mean square (r.m.s.) of the mass concentration and r.m.s. of the velocity than simulations that employ the DOB equations. In particular, we find that the Sherwood number

$Sh$

increases with decreasing porosity and with increasing Schmidt number

$(Sc)$

. In addition, for high values of

$Ra$

and high porosities,

$Sh$

scales nonlinearly. These trends agree with the DNS, but are not captured in the DOB simulations.