bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photoluminescent Carbon Quantum Dots: Synthetic Approaches and Photophysical Properties
Authors: Hagiwara Kenta , Horikoshi Satoshi , Serpone Nick
Published: April 2021

A number of synthetic methodologies and applications of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have been reported since they were first discovered nearly two decades ago. Unlike metal‐based or semiconductor‐based (e. g., metal chalcogenides) quantum dots (MSQDs), CQDs have the unique feature of being prepared through a variety of synthetic protocols, which are typically understood from considerations of reaction models and photoluminescence mechanisms. Consequently, this brief review article describes quantum dots, in general, and CQDs, in particular, from various viewpoints: (i) their definition, (ii) their photophysical properties, and (iii) the superiority of CQDs over MSQDs. Where possible, comparisons are made between CQDs and MSQDs. First, however, the review begins with a general brief description of quantum dots (QDs) as nanomaterials (sizes≤10 nm), followed by a short description of MSQDs and CQDs. Described subsequently are the various top‐down and bottom‐up approaches to synthesize CQDs followed by their distinctive photophysical properties (emission spectra; quantum yields, Φs).
Probing Multiconfigurational States by Spectroscopy: The Cerium XAS L3‐edge Puzzle
Authors: Sergentu Dumitru‐Claudiu , Booth Corwin H. , Autschbach Jochen
Published: April 2021

Invited for the cover of this issue are Prof. Jochen Autschbach and Dr. Dumitru‐Claudiu Sergentu of State University of New York at Buffalo, and Dr. Corwin H. Booth of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The image depicts high‐energy X‐ray beams as lightnings probing Ce at the L3 edge in the iconic covalent‐bonded Ce(C8H8)2 and in CeO2. The mountain peaks in the background represent the double‐peaked L3 edges. The peaks turn out to be intuitively interpreted in terms of localized orbitals and hence metal oxidation states. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202100145.
Development of Non‐Hydrolysable Oligosaccharide Activity‐Based Inactivators for Endoglycanases: A Case Study on α‐1,6 Mannanases
Authors: Schröder Sybrin P. , Offen Wendy A. , Males Alexandra , Jin Yi , de Boer Casper , Enotarpi Jacopo , Marino Laura , van der Marel Gijsbert A. , Florea Bogdan I. , Codée Jeroen D. C. , Overkleeft Herman S. , Davies Gideon J.
Published: April 2021

There is a vast genomic resource for enzymes active on carbohydrates. Lagging far behind, however, are functional chemical tools for the rapid characterization of carbohydrate‐active enzymes. Activity‐based probes (ABPs) offer one chemical solution to these issues with ABPs based upon cyclophellitol epoxide and aziridine covalent and irreversible inhibitors representing a potent and widespread approach. Such inhibitors for enzymes active on polysaccharides are potentially limited by the requirement for several glycosidic bonds, themselves substrates for the enzyme targets. Here, it is shown that non‐hydrolysable trisaccharide can be synthesized and applied even to enzymes with challenging subsite requirements. It was found that incorporation of carbasugar moieties, which was accomplished by cuprate‐assisted regioselective trans‐diaxial epoxide opening of carba‐mannal synthesised for this purpose, yields inactivators that act as powerful activity‐based inhibitors for α‐1,6 endo‐mannanases. 3‐D structures at 1.35–1.47 Å resolutions confirm the design rationale and binding to the enzymatic nucleophile. Carbasugar oligosaccharide cyclophellitols offer a powerful new approach for the design of robust endoglycosidase inhibitors, while the synthesis procedures presented here should allow adaptation towards activity‐based endoglycosidase probes as well as configurational isosteres targeting other endoglycosidase families.
Longitudinal intravital imaging nerve degeneration and sprouting in the toes of spared nerve injured mice
Authors: Yeh Han‐Yuan , Lee Jye‐Chang , Chi Han‐Hsiung , Chen Chih‐Cheng , Liu Qin , Yen Chen‐Tung
Published: April 2021

Neuropathic pain is pain caused by damage to the somatosensory nervous system. Both degenerating injured nerves and neighboring sprouting nerves can contribute to neuropathic pain. However, the mesoscale changes in cutaneous nerve fibers over time after the loss of the parent nerve has not been investigated in detail. In this study, we followed the changes in nerve fibers longitudinally in the toe tips of mice that had undergone spared nerve injury (SNI). Nav1.8‐tdTomato, Thy1‐GFP and MrgD‐GFP mice were used to observe the small and large cutaneous nerve fibers. We found that peripheral nerve plexuses degenerated within 3 days of nerve injury, and free nerve endings in the epidermis degenerated within 2 days. The timing of degeneration paralleled the initiation of mechanical hypersensitivity. We also found that some of the Nav1.8‐positive nerve plexuses and free nerve endings in the fifth toe survived, and sprouting occurred mostly from 7 to 28 days. The timing of the sprouting of nerve fibers in the fifth toe paralleled the maintenance phase of mechanical hypersensitivity. Our results support the hypotheses that both injured and intact nerve fibers participate in neuropathic pain, and that, specifically, nerve degeneration is related to the initiation of evoked pain and nerve sprouting is related to the maintenance of evoked pain.
Dual Vacancies Confined in Nickel Phosphosulfide Nanosheets Enabling Robust Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Tong Yun , Chen Pengzuo , Chen Lu , Cui Xinjiang
Published: April 2021

Exploring highly efficient electrocatalysts for both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of great significance for addressing energy and environmental crises. Vacancy engineering has been regarded as a promising way to optimize the catalytic activity of electrocatalysts. Herein, we put forward a conceptually new dual Ni,S vacancy engineering on 2D NiPS3 nanosheet (denoted as V−NiPS3) by a simple ball‐milling treatment with ultrasonication. This material presents an ideal model for exploring the role of dual vacancies in improving the catalytic activity for overall water splitting. Structural analyses make clear that the formation of dual Ni,S vacancies regulates the electronic structure and catalytic active sites of NiPS3 nanosheet, leading to the superior HER/OER performance. Smaller overpotentials of 124 mV and 290 mV can be achieved at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 for HER and OER, respectively. The OER performance of V−NiPS3 is the best value among all state‐of‐the‐art NiPS3 catalysts. In addition, the assembled two‐electrode cell incorporating V−NiPS3 exhibits enhanced catalytic performance with a low cell voltage of 1.60 V at 10 mA cm−2. This work offers a promising avenue to improve the electrocatalytic performance of the catalysts by engineering dual vacancies for large‐scale water splitting.
Capitulation of mitigation techniques of packet drop attacks in MANET to foreground nuances and ascertain trends
Authors: Singh Sandeep , Bhasin Anshu , Kalia Anshul
Published: April 2021

MANET is a kind of wireless ad hoc networks, in which mobile nodes operate in dynamic, distributed, and cooperative environment. Open nature of MANET makes it vulnerable to various kinds of attacks. Of these, the most severe are the packet drop attacks such as Blackhole attack, Cooperative Blackhole, and Grayhole attacks. The malicious nodes drop the packets as these packets are routed through them in accordance with the malefic strategy of the particular packet drop attack, which adversely affects the network performance. A substantial amount of research papers focus on dealing with packet drop attacks in the last few years, but security is still an impending issue. In this paper, we have presented the systematic review of the literature of last 6 years on all variants of packet drop attacks. We have classified these techniques into four categories, namely, mathematical based, monitoring based, network dependent, and amalgamation based which are further sub divided into 12 categories. These papers are categorized in a well‐defined structure to bring out their contribution, to underline the left‐out things, and to foreground the emerging issues for future research. Detailed observations are recorded following a panoptic study in order to identify and divulge more eligible and effective mitigation techniques in a particular environment.
Reusable Catalysts for Hydroformylation‐Based Reactions
Authors: Rodrigues Fábio M. S. , Carrilho Rui M. B. , Pereira Mariette M.
Published: April 2021

Catalytic hydroformylation is an important reaction, widely studied by academics and applied in the chemical industry, and it is a paradigmatic example of a chemical reaction that is aligned with most of the Green Chemistry principles. In the last years, the global requirement for more sustainable chemical processes has boosted the development of more active, selective, and reusable hydroformylation catalysts. In this review, we highlight the most recent advances regarding the creation and expansion of reusable catalysts for hydroformylation and sequential processes that use hydroformylation as central reaction. The most relevant strategies for immobilization of hydroformylation catalysts are discussed, along with a critical analysis of their application in synthesis, based on catalytic activity, selectivity, and reusability.
Stepwise Introduction of Flexibility into Aromatic Dicarboxylates Forming Uranyl Ion Coordination Polymers: a Comparison of 2‐Carboxyphenylacetate and 1,2‐Phenylenediacetate
Authors: Thuéry Pierre , Harrowfield Jack
Published: April 2021

2‐Carboxyphenylacetate (cpa2−) and 1,2‐phenylenediacetate (1,2‐pda2−) have been reacted with uranyl cations under solvo‐hydrothermal conditions to generate six homo‐ or heterometallic complexes. Both [UO2(cpa)] (1) and [UO2(cpa)(phen)] (2), where phen is 1,10‐phenanthroline, crystallize as monoperiodic coordination polymers. [Ni(bipy)3][(UO2)2(cpa)3]⋅2.5H2O (3), is a diperiodic network with the hcb topology, in which the hexagonal cells distort to accommodate the counterions. [UO2(cpa)2Ni(R,S‐Me6cyclam)] (4) crystallizes as a heterometallic diperiodic network in which uranyl dicarboxylate chains are assembled by bridging NiII cations. While [dmaepH2][(UO2)2(1,2‐pda)3]⋅3H2O (5), where dmaep is 1,4‐bis(2′‐dimethylaminoethyl)piperazine, is a diperiodic hcb network, [QH]2[(UO2)2(1,2‐pda)3]⋅3CH3CN (6), where Q is quinuclidine, is the first example of a triperiodic framework in the uranyl–phenylenediacetate family, its topological type being bto. The complex involving the related ligand 1,4‐phenylenediacetate (1,4‐pda2–), [QH]2[(UO2)2(1,4‐pda)3]⋅2CH3CN (7), is a daisy‐chain‐like monoperiodic polymer. These and previously reported results are discussed in terms of ligand flexibility and ability to form large chelate rings.
Amino−Organolithium Compounds and their Aggregation for the Synthesis of Amino−Organoaluminium Compounds
Authors: Bodach Alexander , Ortmeyer Jochen , Herrmann Bastian , Felderhoff Michael
Published: April 2021

Here, we present a thorough structural study of small, easily accessible amino−organolithium compounds with bridging phenyl and naphthyl moieties. Their crystal structures most likely represent their aggregation as tetramers and dimers in both hydrocarbon and ethereal solvents. These amino−organolithium compounds were further used to generate their corresponding aluminium compounds as a model system. Their crystal structures are reported too. All structures are discussed with a focus on the different steric demands and bridging moieties. Additionally, the crystal structures of neophyllithium and decomposition products of some of the compounds mentioned above are reported. This study provides additional data for the future design and synthesis of amine stabilised organolithium and ‐aluminium compounds.
[Ag]2[B12Cl12] as a Catalyst in PhICl2 Mediated Chlorination**
Authors: Poynder Tiffany B. , Houston Sevan D. , Dutton Jason L.
Published: April 2021

The weakly coordinating dianion [B12Cl12]2− originates from a family of carboranes typically reserved for application in coordination chemistry. Herein, we show that its readily accessible Ag(I) salt, [Ag]2[B12Cl12], can be used as a catalyst in the PhICl2 mediated chlorination of arenes, alkenes, and alkynes. The promising activity displayed by [Ag]2[B12Cl12] over a variety of commercially available Ag(I) sources merits its incorporation to the toolkit of commonly screened silver catalysts in synthesis.
Comparison of streamflow recession between plantations and native forests in small catchments in Central‐Southern Chile
Authors: Balocchi Francisco , Flores Neftali , Arumí José Luis , Iroumé Andrés , White Don A. , Silberstein Richard P. , Ramírez de Arellano Pablo
Published: April 2021

In central Chile, many communities rely on water obtained from small catchments in the coastal mountains. Water security for these communities is most vulnerable during the summer dry season and, from 2010 to 2017, rainfall during the dry season was between 20% and 40% below the long‐term average. The rate of decrease in stream flow after a rainfall event is a good measure of the risk of flow decreasing below a critical threshold. This risk of low flow can be quantified using a recession coefficient (α) that is the slope of an exponential decay function relating flow to time since rainfall. A mathematical model was used to estimate the recession coefficient (α) for 142 rainstorm events (64 in summer; 78 in winter) in eight monitored catchments between 2008 and 2017. These catchments all have a similar geology and extend from 35 to 39 degrees of latitude south in the coastal range of south‐central Chile. A hierarchical cluster analysis was used to test for differences between the mean value of α for different regions and forest types in winter and summer. The value of α did not differ (p < 0.05) between catchments in winter. Some differences were observed during summer and these were attributed to morphological differences between catchments and, in the northernmost catchments, the effect of land cover (native forest and plantation). Moreover, α for catchments with native forest was similar to those with pine plantations, although there was no difference (p < 0.05) between these and Eucalyptus plantations. The recession constant is a well‐established method for understanding the effect of climate and disturbance on low flows and baseflows and can enhance local and regional analyses of hydrological processes. Understanding the recession of flow after rainfall in small headwater catchments, especially during summer, is vital for water resources management in areas where the establishment of plantations has occurred in a drying climate.
An efficient and eco‐friendly route to prepare graphene nanosheet and its effect on the flammability of polypropylene composites
Authors: Tang Wufei , Wang Hao , Yang Qian , Liu Fang , Dessie Wubliker , Luo Xiaofang , Peng Cun , Zhang Sheng , Shi Keren , Sun Wenxiang , Qin Zuodong , Gu Xiaoyu
Published: April 2021

A rapid, green, and cost‐effective route for the preparation of graphene nanosheets (GRNs) from their layered bulks by the ultrasonic together with mechanical grinding was reported. The whole exfoliation process of synthesizing GRNs lasted just 2 hours without involvement of any acid solvent or other organic solvents; only one kind of waste biomass as adhesive could be used. The structure and morphology of GRNs were characterized and then was then introduced into polypropylene by melt blending, and the cone calorimetry test results indicated that the presence of GRNs could enhance the flame retardancy of PP composite.
Azimuthal Anisotropy of Rhombohedral (Corundum Phase) Heterostructures
Authors: Grundmann Marius , Lorenz Michael
Published: April 2021

The corundum structure is rhombohedral/trigonal and thus has lower symmetry than the well‐investigated hexagonal crystals such as wurtzite GaN‐ and ZnO‐based materials. By investigating the growth of α‐phase alloy thin films on various orientations of Al2O3 substrates, the anisotropy around the [00.1]‐axis is investigated. In particular, the pseudomorphic growth on the r plane (01.2) and (10.2) plane substrates is compared. The findings agree with elasticity theory. Also, different growth kinetics are found on these two planes in terms of growth rate and preferential cation incorporation.
Progressive mean control chart is not a special case of an exponentially weighted moving average control chart
Authors: Zafar Raja Fawad , Khoo Michael B. C. , Saha Sajal , Chong Zhi Lin
Published: April 2021

The progressive mean (PM) statistic is based on a simple idea of accumulating information of each subgroup by calculating the average progressively. Its weighting structure is based on a subgroup number that changes arithmetically, which makes the PM chart unique and efficient compared with the existing classical memory control charts. In a recent article (see reference 1), it was claimed that the PM chart is a special case of the exponentially weighted moving average (EMWA) chart. In this article, it is shown that even though the PM statistic can be written in the form of an EWMA statistic, the variance of the PM statistic is different from that of the EWMA statistic. Consequently, the limits of the PM chart are different from that of the EWMA chart. Therefore, it is found that the PM chart is not a special case of the EWMA chart; hence, the claim in reference 1 is incorrect. Furthermore, it is pointed out in this paper that no adaptive property in the weighting parameter of the PM statistic exists, further contradicting the claim in reference 1.
Indefinite multiple Lyapunov functions ofpth moment input‐to‐state stability andpth moment integral input‐to‐state stability for the nonlinear time‐varying stochastic systems with Markovian switching
Authors: Liu Qian , He Yong , Ning Chongyang
Published: April 2021

Thepth moment input‐to‐state stability and thepth moment integral input‐to‐state stability of stochastic systems with Markovian switching are investigated in this article. Sufficient conditions are provided by indefinite multiple Lyapunov functions (iMLFs) with a time‐varying sojourn time condition. These criteria quantify the stability of each individual subsystem with time‐varying infinitesimal generator of Lyapunov function, which allows infinitesimal generators to be positive in some intervals. An integral form of the sojourn time is introduced to replace the switch count process, which proposes a relaxed switching constraint. Uniformly asymptotic stability and uniformly exponential stability conditions with iMLFs are also presented. Some comparisons are given through theoretical derivations to show the advantages of the proposed results. Finally, two numerical examples verify the effectiveness and the advantages of the presented results.
Informing the Science of Reading: Students’ Awareness of Sentence‐Level Information Is Important for Reading Comprehension
Authors: MacKay Elizabeth , Lynch Elise , Sorenson Duncan Tamara , Deacon S.Hélène
Published: April 2021

The reading wars were fought over the importance of sentence‐ versus word‐level information to students’ reading. As the field considers new debates on the science of reading, we argue here that sustained empirical inquiry into the role of sentence‐level information in students’ reading skill is needed. These investigations could be particularly useful in identifying ways to support reading comprehension. In this article, we review theories pointing to this possibility, as well as key pieces of available empirical evidence. We also identify crucial gaps in knowledge, as the field must assess the mechanisms by which this relation functions, which will inform instruction, and potential changes in this relation across development and across aspects of this skill. Advancement in each of these areas will lead to a comprehensive understanding of the relation between sentence‐level skills and reading comprehension, which can inform effective instruction in the classroom.
Optimized Photoactivatable Lipid Nanoparticles Enable Red Light Triggered Drug Release
Authors: Chander Nisha , Morstein Johannes , Bolten Jan S. , Shemet Andrej , Cullis Pieter R. , Trauner Dirk , Witzigmann Dominik
Published: April 2021

Encapsulation of small molecule drugs in long‐circulating lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) can reduce toxic side effects and enhance accumulation at tumor sites. A fundamental problem, however, is the slow release of encapsulated drugs from these liposomal systems at the disease site resulting in limited therapeutic benefit. Methods to trigger release at specific sites are highly warranted. Here, it is demonstrated that incorporation of ultraviolet (UV‐A) or red‐light photoswitchable‐phosphatidylcholine analogs (AzoPC and redAzoPC) in conventional LNPs generates photoactivatable LNPs (paLNPs) having comparable structural integrity, drug loading capacity, and size distribution to the parent DSPC‐cholesterol liposomes. It is shown that 65–70% drug release (doxorubicin) can be induced from these systems by irradiation with pulsed light based on trans‐to‐cis azobenzene isomerization. In vitro it is confirmed that paLNPs are non‐toxic in the dark but convey cytotoxicity upon irradiation in a human cancer cell line. In vivo studies in zebrafish embryos demonstrate prolonged blood circulation and extravasation of paLNPs comparable to clinically approved formulations, with enhanced drug release following irradiation with pulsed light. Conclusively, paLNPs closely mimic the properties of clinically approved LNPs with the added benefit of light‐induced drug release making them promising candidates for clinical development.
Switching transients caused by vacuum circuit breakers in collection grids of offshore wind farms
Authors: Tao Jiayuan , Yang Qing , Zheng Xuena , He Yanxiao , Wang Ruixue , Lv Hefei , Zhang Jie
Published: April 2021

In this study, transients that can occur in the collection grids of offshore wind farms were investigated. On the basis of the multiple prestrike and reignition model that can reflect the actual operation of a vacuum circuit breaker (VCB), a switching transient simulation model of a typical offshore wind farm was built. The developed model included a VCB, a transformer, a cable, and an arrester. Issues concerning the closing time, length of the feeder, and topology of the collection grid were discussed. Results showed that the relationship between overvoltage amplitude and closing time was approximately sinusoidal and the maximum value was obtained when the closing time was near the peak of the power source. In addition, the overvoltage at the end of a feeder terminal was the largest among all of the transformer overvoltages of the same feeder. The overvoltage of the main transformer and that of the transformer located at the end of a feeder decreased slowly with the increase in feeder length during the closing of VCB. However, these overvoltages were positively related to feeder length during the opening of VCB. The star topology was superior to the other topologies in terms of coping with the overvoltage caused by switching transients. The effectiveness of a suppression measure, namely, installation of a resistance‐capacitor filter, was also verified.
Synergistic solvent extraction of neodymium form nitric acid medium using Cyanex 302 and D2EHPA
Authors: Allahkarami Ebrahim , Rezai Bahram , Bozorgmehr Mohsen , Adib Saeed
Published: April 2021

In this research, a binary mixture of Cyanex 302 (bis‐2,4,4 trimethylpentyl monothiophosphinic acid) and D2EHPA (di‐2‐ethylhexyl phosphoric acid) in kerosene was used for extracting neodymium from nitric acid medium. The different variables affecting the extraction of Nd(III) such as contact time, solution acidity, extractant concentration, and temperature were investigated. Stripping of neodymium ions from the loaded organic phase using HCl, HNO3, and H2SO4 for the re‐extraction of neodymium was also carried out. Results indicated that the most efficient reagent for the stripping of neodymium was nitric acid. The extraction reaction of neodymium with the synergistic mixture was determined using graphical method to be NdH5A2B6. The organo‐metallic complex containing neodymium was examined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR). The values of stoichiometric coefficients and thermodynamic parameters were calculated for this mixture. The extraction was an endothermic process, and the thermodynamic functions, ΔH and ΔS were determined to be 10.532 kJ/mol and −123.681 j/mol °K, respectively for the system under study. The Cyanex 302+D2EHPA system not only increased the extraction efficiency of neodymium but also improved the selectivity significantly. The separation factor of neodymium and praseodymium suggested that this mixture would be of practical value in the separation of neodymium.
Social Inclusion, Participation and Citizenship in Contexts of Neoliberalism: Examples of Adult Education Policy and Practice with Young People in the UK, The Netherlands and Ireland
Authors: Huegler Nathalie , Kersh Natasha
Published: April 2021

This chapter focuses on contexts where public discourses regarding the education of young adults have been dominated by socio-economic perspectives, with a focus on the role of employment-related learning, skills and chances and with active participation in the labour market as a key concern for policy makers. A focus on ‘employability’ alone has been linked to narrow conceptualisations of participation, inclusion and citizenship, arising in the context of discourse shifts through neoliberalism which emphasise workfare over welfare and responsibilities over rights. A key critique of such contexts is that the focus moves from addressing barriers to participation to framing social inclusion predominantly as related to expectations of ‘activation’ and sometimes, assimilation. Key target groups for discourses of activation include young people not in education, employment or training (‘NEET’), while in- and exclusion of migrant and ethnic minority young people are often framed within the complex and contradictory interplay between discourses of assimilation and experiences of discrimination. These developments influence the field of adult education aimed at young people vulnerable to social exclusion. An alternative discourse to ‘activation’ is the promotion of young people’s skills and capabilities that enables them to engage in forms of citizenship activism, challenging structural barriers that lead to exclusion. Our chapter considers selected examples from EduMAP research in the UK, the Netherlands and Ireland which indicate that as well as framing the participation of young people as discourses of ‘activation’, adult education can also enable and facilitate skills related to more activist forms of citizenship participation.
Funeral Reforms in Taiwan: Insights on Change from a Discourse Analytic Perspective
Authors: Weber Urs
Published: April 2021

This chapter examines how Taiwan’s written media justified the state’s introduction of funeral reforms in the second half of the twentieth century. Situating this case study within the broader sociopolitical context of contemporary Taiwan, it illustrates how discourse analysis can be used as a tool for studying change. The state-led reforms induced changes in a field in which religious rituals play an important role, as state authorities operated with priorities differing from ritual practice. Instead, they were concerned with measures for land saving and popularized practices such as cremation or natural burials. The discourse analysis reveals that the justifications brought forward for reforms appeared with a high degree of consistency starting from the late 1970s in Taiwanese press articles. Following Michel Foucault’s understanding of discursive formations, four sub-formations can be distinguished, which all have in common that they are aimed at problematizing ritual practices prevalent at funerals. These sub-formations consisted of considerations concerning the quantitative limits of available cemetery land for graves, arguments referring to the economic advantages of cremation, articulations of the ideal of green cemeteries designed in a park-like fashion, and a critique of geomancy in labeling it superstitious. The discursive voices emerging in the sub-formations were state and local authorities, as well as experts and journalists commenting on reform measures. These priorities and justifications for reforms appeared to be incompatible with religious funeral rituals and are analyzed as changes in terms of a secularization process of Taiwan’s funerary practice. An important finding is that the secular reform measures were, to a large extent, inspired by similar reforms in other regions in the world, and are as such part of a global pattern.
The Process of Focusing
Authors: Jeannet Jean-Pierre , Volery Thierry , Bergmann Heiko , Amstutz Cornelia
Published: April 2021

Describing the achieved focus of a company is one thing, but finding how companies arrived at their given focus through an analysis of their focus journey offers an important aspect of understanding the practices adopted by the researched companies. Without that understanding, the experience does not become transferable to other settings. Many of the companies analyzed found their eventually adopted focus only after years of experience, or some form of trial and error. In the process, companies also engaged in divesting other parts of their business to create the needed resources to expand into the chosen focus. The chapter also introduces the concept of multiple layers of focus, as many firms employ more than one focus practice to combine into a single approach. The chapter ends with lessons from the focus journeys of the researched companies.
Role of Swiss Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
Authors: Jeannet Jean-Pierre , Volery Thierry , Bergmann Heiko , Amstutz Cornelia
Published: April 2021

This chapter will strike the reader as being quite different than the previous chapters and analyses. This is deliberate and placed toward the end of the book in order to provide some additional perspective to the previous analysis. Describing the background of the founders and entrepreneurs behind the 36 researched companies, pulling together details about the practices that brought these companies to market leadership in their chosen segments, and putting the spotlight on the respective governance practices risked missing an important point: To what extent were these entrepreneurial practices freely chosen by individual entrepreneurs and to what extent were they influenced by the Swiss entrepreneurship ecosystem?
KYBURZ Small Electric Vehicles: A Case Study in Successful Deployment
Authors: Wilhelm Erik , Hahn Wilfried , Kyburz Martin
Published: April 2021

This paper is written from the perspective of a Swiss OEM which has been active in the small electric vehicle (SEV) market since 1991 and has put over 22,000 SEVs on the road around the world. KYBURZ Switzerland AG identified several important niche markets for SEVs and today sells vehicles to improve the mobility of senior citizens (e.g. KYBURZ Plus), to increase the efficiency of postal and logistics companies (e.g., KYBURZ DXP), and to imbue drivers with passion for electric vehicles (e.g., KYBURZ eRod). Most KYBURZ vehicles are currently homologated in the category L2e, L6e, or L7e. The company has also developed a Fleet Management product which gives its customers detailed insights into the performance of their electric as well as conventionally powered vehicles. Anonymized datasets from this Fleet Management system will be drawn upon in this paper to examine questions regarding their application, i.e., environmental and economic aspects. The unique feature which the authors from KYBURZ bring with this paper is that all their investigations are performed with real data gained from the field experience. The primary focus of this paper is on last-mile mobility services for postal organizations which help to increase efficiency and meet sustainability goals.
The Labour Market Needs Them, But We Don’t Want Them to Stay for Good: The Conundrum of Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers’ Integration in Italy
Authors: Chiaromonte William , Federico Veronica
Published: April 2021

Italy is a very complex case of migration management and of foreign workers’ integration in the labour market. Both have developed in the grip of structural national limits, due to the economic and social structure of the country, but also to its political culture and legal framework. Work is certainly among the most effective instruments for ensuring the effective integration of foreigners into the social fabric of the host country. However, the chapter discusses the many obstacles that hinder the full integration of foreigners into the Italian labour market, especially when they do not have a residence permit for work reasons but are beneficiaries of international and humanitarian protection. Since access to work for beneficiaries of international and humanitarian protection is still very complicated, there is a strong risk that the progressive reduction in the number of permits granted for work reasons and the simultaneous increase in the number of those granted for protection will slow down the process of integration through work. Furthermore, particularly long and complicated administrative recruitment procedures would require a comprehensive review of the legislation to become instruments of social and economic integration and not of marginalization. Against this backdrop, the chapter highlights how the law may abdicate from its empowering purpose to become a concrete barrier for the full enjoyment of newcomers fundamental rights.
Migrant Integration and the Role of the EU
Authors: Gropas Ruby
Published: April 2021

This chapter first takes a look at the drivers that led to an EU framework for the integration of legally residing TCNs. It then traces the development of the most important instruments from the Treaty of Amsterdam to the Juncker Commission (2014–2019), which declared migration management and the need for effective migrant integration policies as being among the top political priorities for the EU (Juncker 2014; COM(2015) 240). It examines the Union’s legislative framework in the field of migration, as well as its wider toolbox elaborated to contribute to immigrant integration. The chapter concludes with a discussion of some of the most important challenges that hinder fair and effective integration in the EU.
Governing Through Rituals: Regulatory Ritualism in Czech Migration and Integration Policy
Authors: Čada Karel , Hoření Karina
Published: April 2021

The Czech Republic has become the target of immigration over only the last three decades; currently, migrants compose 4.5% of the population. Governments in the previous decade have supported the vision of short-term labour migration, and foreigners face many administrative obstacles given the difficult legislation. We employ the concept of regulatory ritualism to grasp the distinctive features of the Czech system. Following Power (The audit society. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1997) and Braithwaite (Regulatory capitalism: how it works, ideas for making it work better. Edward Elgar, Cheltenham/Northampton, 2008), we see regulation as a ritualised practice that comforts the public and cements the dominant normative order of migration policy. In this chapter, we introduce the historical and political context of migration policy, its institutional design, the Act on Residence of Foreign Nationals in the Czech Republic, the position of foreigners in Czech labour law, Czech integration policy and the consequences of recent institutional design for migrants. The main barriers of integration are difficult administration, poor knowledge of the language and precarious working conditions. Regulatory ritualism, a result of chaotic and unsystematic legislative work, is characterized by losing focus on achieving the goals or outcomes themselves, it establishes a climate of mutual distrust among those actors involved and places obstacles to collaboration between public authorities and migrants themselves.
Nonmarital Fertility in Europe and North-America: What Is the Role of Parental SES and Own SES?
Authors: Koops Judith C.
Published: April 2021

Previous research has shown that parental as well as own socio-economic status (SES) influence nonmarital fertility. This chapter examines to what extent the effect of parental SES on partner status at first birth is mediated through own SES. Data from the Generations and Gender Survey, British Understanding Society Survey, Dutch Survey on Family Formation, American National Survey on Family Growth, and Canadian General Social Survey are used to examine 16 national contexts. In the majority of countries, the effect of parental SES on the likelihood of having a first birth in cohabitation and in marriage is partly explained by the intergenerational transmission of SES. A direct effect of parental SES is found in Canada, USA, Norway, Bulgaria, Estonia, Georgia, and Romania. The effect of parental SES on the likelihood of having a first birth while being single and in marriage is partly explained by the intergenerational transmission of SES. In the USA, Austria, and Norway, a direct effect of parental SES was also found. The results suggest that in addition to the intergenerational transmission of SES, differences in family aid may influence the transition to adulthood. It is also possible that parental SES influences the motivation and ability to prevent pregnancies.
‘The Risk Involved is Inappreciable… and the Gain Exceptional’: Child Migration to Australia and Empire Settlement Policy, 1913–1939
Authors: Lynch Gordon
Published: April 2021

This chapter examines the development of UK child migration to Australia in the inter-war period. Following the opening of Kingsley Fairbridge’s experimental farm school for child migrants at Pinjarra in 1913, the 1920s and 1930s saw a gradual increase in the number of voluntary societies involved in this work and of residential institutions in Australia receiving child migrants. The growth of these programmes in the wider context of the UK Government’s assisted migration policies is discussed. During the 1930s, the global financial depression weakened governmental support for assisted migration, and greater caution emerged within the UK Government about the value of some planned migration schemes. Nevertheless, by 1939, child migration to Australia was seen by UK policy-makers as a small but important part of the attempt to strengthen ties with Britain’s Dominions and to make more efficient use of their collective human and material resources.
Feature-Based Modelling of Laryngoscope Blades for Customized Applications
Authors: Calì Michele , Pascoletti Giulia , Aldieri Alessandra , Terzini Mara , Catapano Gerardo , Zanetti Elisabetta M.
Published: April 2021

Laryngoscopes are used as diagnostic devices for throat inspection or as an aid to intubation. Their blade must be geometrically compatible with patients’ anatomy to provide a good view to doctors with minimal discomfort to patients. For this reason, this paper was aimed to investigate the feasibility of producing customized blades.

The customizable blade model was developed following a feature-based approach with eight morphological parameters. The thickness of such a blade was determined through numerical simulations of ISO certification tests, where the finite element mesh was obtained by morphing a ‘standard’ mesh.

The following procedure was applied: the model was built from the selected parameters; the blade was tested in silico; finally, the blade was produced by additive manufacturing with an innovative biodegradable material (Hemp Bio-Plastic® -HBP-) claimed to feature superior mechanical properties. The procedure evidenced that the mechanical properties of current biodegradable materials are unsuitable for the application unless the certification norm is revised, as it is expected.
Generative Design for Additively Manufactured Textiles in Orthopaedic Applications
Authors: Ricotta V. , Campbell R. Ian , Ingrassia T. , Nigrelli V.
Published: April 2021

The aim of this work is to implement a new process for the design and production of orthopaedic devices to realize entirely by Additive Manufacturing (AM). In particular, a generative algorithm for parametric modelling of flexible structures to use in orthopaedic devices has been developed. The developed modelling algorithm has been applied to a case study based on the design and production of a customized elbow orthosis made by Selective Laser Sintering. The results obtained have demonstrated that the developed algorithm overcomes many drawbacks typical of traditional CAD modelling approaches. FEM simulations have been also performed to validate the design of the orthosis. The new modelling algorithm allows designers to model flexible structures with no deformations or mismatches and to create parametric CAD models to use for the production of orthopaedic devices through AM technologies.
Investigating Students’ Perception on the Outcomes of Technical Drawing University Courses
Authors: Motyl Barbara , Filippi Stefano , Baronio Gabriele , Speranza Domenico
Published: April 2021

This paper presents the results of a survey carried out with students enrolled in the first two years of the BS in Engineering at three Italian university locations. The study is part of a wider range of methods, tools and aids for the improvement of teaching and learning of technical drawing at university level developed by the University of Brescia, Udine, and Cassino and Southern Lazio. In particular, this work analyses the results of questionnaires related to the basic technical drawing outcomes, taking inspiration from previous research work in this field. What emerges is a positive picture that shows students’ interest in 3D CAD modeling topics such as part or assembly construction, but also their interest in more traditional subjects like sketching and dimensioning.
Parametric Cost Modelling for Investment Casting
Authors: Mandolini Marco , Campi Federico , Favi Claudio , Cicconi Paolo , Germani Michele , Raffaeli Roberto
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a parametric cost model for estimating the raw material cost of components realized employing the investment casting process. The model is built using sensitivity analysis and regression methods on data generated by an analytic cost model previously developed and validated by the same authors. This is the first attempt of developing a parametric cost model for investment casting based on activity-based costing. The proposed cost model accounts component volume, material density and material price. The error in estimating the raw material cost for components whose volume is within the common range of investment casting is around 11%.
Optimization of Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems Configuration: A Literature Review
Authors: Sabioni Rachel Campos , Daaboul Joanna , Le Duigou Julien
Published: April 2021

Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems (RMS) have gained importance in the current context of increasing high variety demand, Mass Customization (MC) and market instability, due to their ability of being quickly modified to adjust their production capacity to attain sudden fluctuations in market demands as well as to accommodate operations of new products. RMS can be configured at system and machine levels. Many papers have described the RMS configuration as combinatorial optimization problems and proposed several techniques to optimize them in terms of different responses of interest. This paper presents a literature review that seeks to understand how RMS configuration has been addressed in terms of configuration level, optimization problem modelling and techniques applied to solve it. This work aims to assist researchers working on RMS configuration to identify trends and new research opportunities.
Instantons, symmetries and anomalies in five dimensions
Authors: Genolini Pietro Benetti , Tizzano Luigi
Published: April 2021

Abstract

All five-dimensional non-abelian gauge theories have a U(1)I global symmetry associated with instantonic particles. We describe an obstruction to coupling U(1)I to a classical background gauge field that occurs whenever the theory has a one-form center symmetry. This is a finite-order mixed ’t Hooft anomaly between the two symmetries. We also show that a similar obstruction takes place in gauge theories with fundamental matter by studying twisted bundles for the ordinary flavor symmetry. We explore some general dynamical properties of the candidate phases implied by the anomaly. Finally, we apply our results to supersymmetric gauge theories in five dimensions and analyze the symmetry enhancement patterns occurring at their conjectured RG fixed points.
Modular zero modes and sewing the states of QFT
Authors: Lashkari Nima
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We point out an important difference between continuum relativistic quantum field theory (QFT) and lattice models with dramatic consequences for the theory of multi-partite entanglement. On a lattice given a collection of density matrices ρ(1), ρ(2), ⋯, ρ(n) there is no guarantee that there exists an n-partite pure state |Ω〉12⋯n that reduces to these marginals. The state |Ω〉12⋯n exists only if the eigenvalues of the density matrices ρ(i) satisfy certain polygon inequalities. We show that in QFT, as opposed to lattice systems, splitting the space into n non-overlapping regions any collection of local states ω(1), ω(2), ⋯ ω(n) come from the restriction of a global pure state. The reason is that rotating any local state ω(i) by unitary Ui localized in the ith region we come arbitrarily close to any other local state ψ(i). We construct explicit examples of such local unitaries using the cocycle.
Chern-Simons gravity dual of BCFT
Authors: Takayanagi Tadashi , Uetoko Takahiro
Published: April 2021

Abstract

In this paper we provide a Chern-Simons gravity dual of a two dimensional conformal field theory on a manifold with boundaries, so called boundary conformal field theory (BCFT). We determine the correct boundary action on the end of the world brane in the Chern-Simons gauge theory. This reproduces known results of the AdS/BCFT for the Einstein gravity. We also give a prescription of calculating holographic entanglement entropy by employing Wilson lines which extend from the AdS boundary to the end of the world brane. We also discuss a higher spin extension of our formulation.
Remarks on a melonic field theory with cubic interaction
Authors: Benedetti Dario , Delporte Nicolas
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We revisit the Amit-Roginsky (AR) model in the light of recent studies on Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev (SYK) and tensor models, with which it shares some important features. It is a model of N scalar fields transforming in an N-dimensional irreducible representation of SO(3). The most relevant (in renormalization group sense) invariant interaction is cubic in the fields and mediated by a Wigner 3jm symbol. The latter can be viewed as a particular rank-3 tensor coupling, thus highlighting the similarity to the SYK model, in which the tensor coupling is however random and of even rank. As in the SYK and tensor models, in the large-N limit the perturbative expansion is dominated by melonic diagrams. The lack of randomness, and the rapidly growing number of invariants that can be built with n fields, makes the AR model somewhat closer to tensor models. We review the results from the old work of Amit and Roginsky with the hindsight of recent developments, correcting and completing some of their statements, in particular concerning the spectrum of the operator product expansion of two fundamental fields. For 5.74 < d < 6 the fixed-point theory defines a real CFT, while for smaller d complex dimensions appear, after a merging of the lowest dimension with its shadow. We also introduce and study a long-range version of the model, for which the cubic interaction is exactly marginal at large N , and we find a real and unitary CFT for any d < 6, both for real and imaginary coupling constant, up to some critical coupling.