bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of the age and bodyweight at first calving with the reproductive and productive performance in one herd of Holstein dairy heifers in Japan
Authors: Kusaka Hiromi , Yamazaki Takeshi , Sakaguchi Minoru
Published: September 2022

Background

Reducing the age at first calving (AFC) in dairy heifers may decrease replacement costs, while the acceleration of body growth could affect milk productivity. A lower bodyweight (BW) at first calving may increase calving problems and compromise the subsequent reproductive performance.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study aimed to investigate the effect of AFC and BW prior to calving on milk productivity, the incidence of calving problems (difficult calving and stillbirth) and reproductive performance during the first lactation. Multivariate analysis was conducted using a total of 203 calving records from 1999 to 2012 for one herd of Holstein heifers. The AFC was categorised as young, moderate, old and very old (<22.5, 22.5 to <24.0, 24.0 to <25.5, ≥25.5 months) and the heifer BW before first calving was grouped into low, moderate, high and very high (≤625, 626–654, 655–683, ≥684 kg), respectively.

Results

The incidence of difficult calving and the prevalence of stillbirth were significantly higher in the animals with low BW compared with the heifers with moderate and high BW. Even so, there was no adverse impact on reproductive performance. There was a significant association between the lifetime daily milk yield and AFC; the highest mean value for yield was recorded for the heifers in the young AFC group, which was significantly different from heifers in the moderate and old age groups.

Conclusions

In this experimental herd, a reduction in AFC could increase the profitability during the first lactation.
Gravitational wave and CMB probes of axion kination
Authors: Co Raymond T. , Dunsky David , Fernandez Nicolas , Ghalsasi Akshay , Hall Lawrence J. , Harigaya Keisuke , Shelton Jessie
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Rotations of an axion field in field space provide a natural origin for an era of kination domination, where the energy density is dominated by the kinetic term of the axion field, preceded by an early era of matter domination. Remarkably, no entropy is produced at the end of matter domination and hence these eras of matter and kination domination may occur even after Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. We derive constraints on these eras from both the cosmic microwave background and Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. We investigate how this cosmological scenario affects the spectrum of possible primordial gravitational waves and find that the spectrum features a triangular peak. We discuss how future observations of gravitational waves can probe the viable parameter space, including regions that produce axion dark matter by the kinetic misalignment mechanism or the baryon asymmetry by axiogenesis. For QCD axion dark matter produced by the kinetic misalignment mechanism, a modification to the inflationary gravitational wave spectrum occurs above 0.01 Hz and, for high values of the energy scale of inflation, the prospects for discovery are good. We briefly comment on implications for structure formation of the universe.
Lagebild Bevölkerungsverhalten für ein effektives Krisenmanagement
Authors: Schopp Nathalie , Schüler Charline , Tondorf Volker , Schüller Lynn
Published: September 2022

Wie elementar sozialwissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse für die Krisenbewältigung sind, hat besonders die Coronavirus-Pandemie gezeigt, in der das Bevölkerungsverhalten ein zentraler Dreh- und Angelpunkt für den gesamten Krisenverlauf war und ist. Derzeit wird das Wissen zum Bevölkerungsverhalten in Lagebildern häufig nicht berücksichtigt und kann daher durch Krisenstäbe nicht in ausreichendem Maße genutzt werden.

Dies soll das Projekt „Lagebild Bevölkerungsverhalten für ein effektives staatliches Krisenmanagement (LB BevV)“ ändern, welches im Referat Psychosoziales Krisenmanagement im Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe (BBK) angesiedelt ist. Dieses Projekt bildet den Fokus dieses Artikels. Ein strategisches Ziel des Projekts ist es, Wissen zum Bevölkerungsverhalten stärker in das staatliche Krisenmanagement zu integrieren. Damit einhergehend gilt es, die differenzierte Einbeziehung der Bevölkerung für die Bewältigung von Krisen und Katastrophen zu standardisieren. Darüber hinaus kann mithilfe des Lagebilds Bevölkerungsverhalten staatliches Handeln die Bewältigungskompetenzen von Betroffenen besser unterstützen, weil so z. B. die Bedarfe, Bedürfnisse und Ressourcen der Bevölkerung aufgezeigt werden können. Dadurch können staatliche Maßnahmen gezielt angepasst werden.

Innerhalb des Projekts LB BevV sind weitere BBK-geförderte Forschungsprojekte angesiedelt mit dem Ziel, den menschzentrierten Bevölkerungsschutz mithilfe von wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen zu stärken. Die Ergebnisse der Forschungsprojekte fließen in das Projekt LB BevV mit ein. Das Lagebild wurde in einer Testphase alle 2 Wochen auf Basis von Daten und Erkenntnissen aus öffentlich zugänglichen Studien erstellt und verschiedenen Bedarfsträgern zur Verfügung gestellt.
Derotational distal femoral osteotomy for patients with recurrent patellar instability and increased femoral antetorsion improves knee function and adequately treats both torsional and valgus malalignment
Authors: Hinz Maximilian , Cotic Matthias , Diermeier Theresa , Imhoff Florian B. , Feuerriegel Georg C. , Woertler Klaus , Themessl Alexander , Imhoff Andreas B. , Achtnich Andrea
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate the functional and radiological outcome following derotational distal femoral osteotomy (D-DFO) in patients with high-grade patellofemoral instability (PFI) and an associated increased femoral antetorsion (FA). It was hypothesized that D-DFO would lead to a good functional and radiological outcome, and that both torsional and coronal malalignment could be normalized.

Methods

Patients that underwent D-DFO between 06/2011 and 12/2018 for high-grade PFI with an increased FA (> 20°) were included. Patient-reported outcome measures (Visual Analog Scale [VAS] for pain, Kujala score, Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee form [IKDC], and Tegner Activity Scale [TAS]) were evaluated pre- and minimum 24 months postoperatively. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lower extremity and weight-bearing whole-leg anteroposterior radiographs were conducted pre- and postoperatively. The change in FA, coronal limb alignment, and PROMs were tested for statistical significance.

Results

In total, 27 patients (30 knees) were included. The D-DFO aimed to only correct FA (Group 1) or to additionally perform a varization (Group 2) in 14 cases each. In the remaining two cases, double-level osteotomies were performed to correct additional tibial deformities. In 25 cases (83.3%), concomitant procedures also addressing patellofemoral instability were performed. At follow-up (38.0 months [25–75% interquartile range 31.8–52.5 months]), a significant reduction in pain (VAS for pain: 2.0 [1.0–5.0] vs. 0 [0–1.0], p < 0.05), significant improvement in knee function (Kujala Score: 55.6 ± SD 13.6 vs. 80.3 ± 16.7, p < 0.05; Lysholm Score: 58.6 ± 17.4 vs. 79.5 ± 16.6, p < 0.05; IKDC: 54.6 ± 18.7 vs. 74.1 ± 15.0, p < 0.05), and an increase in sporting activity (TAS: 3.0 [3.0–4.0] vs. 4.0 [3.0–5.0], p = n.s.) were reported. Femoral antetorsion was significantly reduced (28.2 ± 6.4° vs. 13.6 ± 5.2°, p < 0.05). A significant varization was observed in Group 2 (2.4 ± 1.2° valgus vs. 0.3 ± 2.4° valgus; p < 0.05). In one case, patellar redislocation occurred 70 months postoperatively.

Conclusion

In patients with PFI and an associated increased FA, D-DFO achieved a significant reduction in pain, an improvement of subjective knee function, as well as an adequate correction of torsional and coronal alignment.

Level of evidence

Retrospective case series, Level IV.
Excessive femoral torsion is not associated with patellofemoral pain or instability if TKA is functionally aligned and the patella denervated
Authors: Flury Andreas , Hoch Armando , Cirigliano Gabriele , Hodel Sandro , Kühne Nathalie , Zimmermann Stefan M. , Vlachopoulos Lazaros , Fucentese Sandro F.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Recent data suggest that individual morphologic factors should be respected to restore preoperative patellofemoral alignment and thus reduce the likelihood of anterior knee pain. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of excessive femoral torsion (FT) on clinical outcome of TKA.

Methods

Patients who underwent TKA and complete preoperative radiographic evaluation including a long-leg radiograph and CT scan were included. 51 patients showed increased FT of > 20° and were matched for age/sex to 51 controls (FT < 20°). Thirteen patients were lost to follow-up. Thirty-eight matched pairs were compared after a 2 year follow-up clinically (Kujala and patellofemoral score for TKA) and radiographically (FT, frontal leg axis, TT-TG, patellar thickness, patellar tilt, and lateral displacement of patella). Functional alignment of TKA was performed (hybrid-technique). All patellae were denervated but no patella was resurfaced.

Results

There was no significant difference between clinical scores two years after surgery between patients with normal and excessive FT (n.s.). Kujala score was 64.3 ± 16.7 versus 64.8 ± 14.4 (n.s.), and patellofemoral score for TKA was 74.3 ± 21 versus 78.5 ± 20.7 (n.s.) for increased FT group and control group, respectively. There was no correlation between preoperative FT and clinical scores. Other radiographic parameters were similar between both groups. No correlations between clinical outcomes and preoperative/postoperative frontal leg axis or total leg axis correction were found (n.s.).

Conclusion

If the leg axis deformity is corrected to a roughly neutral alignment during cemented TKA, including patellar denervation, then excessive FT was not associated with patellofemoral pain or instability.

Level of evidence.

Prospective comparative study, level II.
In situ monitoring of build height during powder-based laser metal deposition
Authors: Ye Jiayu , Alam Nazmul , Vargas-Uscategui Alejandro , Patel Milan , Bab-Hadiashar Alireza , Hoseinnezhad Reza , Cole Ivan
Published: September 2022

A powder-based laser metal deposition (LMD) system can fabricate customised three-dimensional (3D) parts, layer by layer, based upon a computer-aided design (CAD) model. However, the deposition will not always feature the expected geometry due to excessive heat input and inconsistent powder flow. Due to the layer-by-layer nature of LMD, geometrical error in one layer is compounded in all following layers and may result in a build failure. Thus, it is critical to monitor online the track and layer height. This study developed an in situ monitoring system integrating a webcam and a narrow bandpass filter. The laser/powder defocus distance was extracted from the melt pool images, and the track/layer height was calculated from the laser/powder defocusing distance and preprogrammed layer spacing. The presented approach does not need additional illumination sources and is a nonintrusive online method. Therefore, it is a potential precursor to a feedback build height control system. It also can be used for measuring omnidirectional height, i.e. height in different build directions relative to the substrate, which has been tested by fabricating two thin-wall structures with customised shapes. These online-measured height data were successfully validated against dimensional measurements from an offline 3D scanner, thus demonstrating the online system’s potential utility in a feedback control system for ensuring acceptable part geometrical accuracy.
On degenerating finite element tetrahedral partitions
Authors: Korotov Sergey , Křížek Michal , Kučera Václav
Published: September 2022

Degenerating tetrahedral partitions show up quite often in modern finite element analysis. Actually the commonly used maximum angle condition allows some types of element degeneracies. Also, mesh generators and various adaptive procedures may easily produce degenerating mesh elements. Finally, complicated forms of computational domains (e.g. along with a priori known solution layers, etc) may demand the usage of elements of various degenerating shapes. In this paper, we show that the maximum angle condition presents a threshold property in interpolation theory, as the interpolation error may grow (or at least does not decay) if this condition is violated (which does not necessarily imply that FEM error grows). We also demonstrate that the popular red refinements, if done inappropriately, may lead to degenerating partitions which break the maximum angle condition. Finally, we prove that not all tetrahedral elements from a family of tetrahedral partitions are badly shaped when the discretization parameter tends to zero.
On compensation for wave-induced roll in dynamic positioning control
Authors: Nordvik Kristoffer , Johansen Tor A.
Published: September 2022

Dynamic positioning (DP) for station-keeping control keeps the position and heading of the vessel constant regardless of environmental disturbances from wind, waves and currents. If the point of interest on the vessel has a significant vertical offset, it will be influenced also by the roll, pitch and heave motions. Although such motions are usually neglected in DP control, there is an opportunity to also influence these since thrusters will not only influence the horizontal plane motion of a vessel, but also generate roll and pitch moments. In this paper, we formulate the problem of DP control when explicitly considering the first-order wave-induced roll motion and thruster roll moment. It is shown that the control performance can be significantly improved when the DP system’s point of interest, and the location of the thrusters, have a significant vertical offset compared to the vertical position of the center of rotation. The proposed control algorithm is demonstrated in a realistic simulation of a relatively small ship during launch-and-recovery of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) where the DP’s point of interest is at the lower end of the launch-and-recovery-system (LARS) that extends below the keel of the ship. It is shown that the positioning performance can be improved with 20–45$$\%$$
%
reduced error, depending on the sea state.
Flächenziele für die Windenergie: Wie zielführend ist das neue Wind-an-Land-Gesetz?
Authors: Reutter Felix , Geiger Charlotte , Lehmann Paul , Meier Jan-Niklas , Tafarte Philip
Published: September 2022

Die Ausbauziele für die Windenergie an Land sind von der Bundesregierung für die kommenden Jahre zuletzt mehr als verdreifacht worden. Gleichzeitig stockt aber seit einigen Jahren der tatsächliche Ausbau der Windenergie in Deutschland. Wesentlicher Hemmschuh für den Ausbau ist, dass zu wenige Flächen für Windenergieanlagen ausgewiesen werden. Um dieses Problem zu lösen, ist nun das Wind-an-Land-Gesetz verabschiedet worden. Dieses gibt den Bundesländern Flächenziele vor, damit bundesweit insgesamt 2 % der Landesfläche für Windenergie ausgewiesen werden. Ein Schritt in die richtige Richtung. Es bleibt aber zweifelhaft, ob das angelegte Zeit-Mengen-Gerüst konform mit den Windenergie-Ausbauzielen des Bundes ist.
Parität zwischen Vakanzen und Arbeitslosen am deutschen Arbeitsmarkt fast erreicht
Authors: Kubis Alexander
Published: September 2022

With 1.9 million vacancies available to 2.3 million registered unemployed persons, parity in the German labour market has almost been achieved. Such parity however may produce labour shortages that go far beyond small bottlenecks, which are limited to particular regions and industries. In the short term, labour demand may be curtailed by temporary risks such as an energy crisis. In the medium term however, projections indicate that demographic change will significantly reduce the labour supply. Maintaining the current high level of economic activity therefore requires an all-out effort to raise the potential supply of skilled workers. (Re-)training and further education are but two elements of such an effort that work by also reducing the skill-based mismatch that has risen from ecological and technological change.
Landslide activity detection based on Sentinel-1 PSI datasets of the Ground Motion Service Germany—the Trittenheim case study
Authors: Kalia Andre Cahyadi
Published: September 2022

Spaceborne interferometric synthetic aperture radar has been proven to be able to monitor slow deforming landslides with mm-precision. Continental- and nationwide-scale Sentinel-1 PSI (persistent scatterer interferometry) datasets with millions of deformation time series are publicly available, e.g., via the European Ground Motion Service or the Ground Motion Service Germany. This creates the possibility for an increased routine use of PSI for landslide applications. However, the use of PSI datasets is often done by visual inspection. The huge amount of measurements makes visual inspection, subjective, time-consuming, and error prone due to outliers. This study demonstrates how spatial and temporal patterns of the PSI velocity and time series can be detected in a semi-automatic way to improve objective information extraction. Therefore, two landslides, namely, Trittenheim and Piesport landslides, in Germany are analyzed using Sentinel-1 PSI datasets from the Ground Motion Service Germany. The post-processing technique semi-automatically detects spatial clusters of deforming PS with a maximum LoS velocity of 18 and 7 mm/a in Trittenheim and Piesport landslides, respectively. Furthermore, a correlation and time-lag between the surface deformation and a potential triggering factor is found. Results show that an increase in climatic water balance accelerates landslide deformation at the investigated locations. Results are verified by a second independent Sentinel-1 PSI dataset from the Ground Motion Service Germany.
Managing buyer experience in a buyer–supplier relationship in MSMEs and SMEs
Authors: Kumar Prashant , Kushwaha Amit Kumar , Kar Arpan Kumar , Dwivedi Yogesh K. , Rana Nripendra P
Published: September 2022

Monitoring buyer experience provides competitive advantages for suppliers as buyers explore the market before reaching a salesperson. Still, not many B2B suppliers monitor their buyers’ expectations throughout their procurement journey, especially in MSMEs and SMEs. In addition, the inductive research on evaluating buyer experience in buyer–supplier relationships is minimal, leaving an unexplored research area. This study explores antecedents of buyer experience during the buyer–supplier relationship in MSMEs and SMEs. Further, we investigate the nature of the influence of extracted precursors on the buyer experience. Firstly, we obtain the possible antecedents from the literature on buyer–supplier experience and supplier selection criteria. We also establish hypotheses based on transaction cost theory, resource-based view (RBV), and information processing view. Secondly, we employ an investigation based on the social media analytics-based approach to uncover the antecedents of buyer experience and their nature of influence on MSMEs and SME suppliers. We found that buyer experience is influenced by sustainable orientation, management capabilities (such as crisis management and process innovation), and suppliers’ technology capabilities (digital readiness, big data analytical capability).
Second-order productivity, second-order payoffs, and the Owen value
Authors: Casajus André , Tido Takeng Rodrigue
Published: September 2022

We introduce the concepts of the components’ second-order productivities in cooperative games with transferable utility (TU games) with a coalition structure (CS games) and of the components’ second-order payoffs for one-point solutions for CS games as generalizations of the players’ second-order productivities in TU games and of the players’ second-order payoffs for one-point solutions for TU games (Casajus in Discrete Appl Math 304:212–219, 2021). The players’ second-order productivities are conceptualized as second-order marginal contributions, that is, how one player affects another player’s marginal contributions to coalitions containing neither of them by entering these coalitions. The players’ second-order payoffs are conceptualized as the effect of one player leaving the game on the payoff of another player. Analogously, the components’ second-order productivities are conceptualized as their second-order productivities in the game between components; the components’ second-order payoffs are conceptualized as their second-order payoffs in the game between components. We show that the Owen value is the unique efficient one-point solution for CS games that reflects the players’ and the components’ second-order productivities in terms of their second-order payoffs.
Determinants of victory in Esports - StarCraft II
Authors: Białecki Andrzej , Gajewski Jan , Białecki Piotr , Phatak Ashwin , Memmert Daniel
Published: September 2022

Esports offer a unique opportunity to conduct human performance studies, as they use modern hardware and software as an operation platform. Insights on gameplay and underlying processes may push the development of new and optimal practice methods. The aim of this study was to investigate performance indicators from in-game data to predict the outcome of the matches in StarCraft II: Legacy of The Void.

Data from 6509 games (game records) provided by 5 players at the level of Master or GrandMaster were used. The distribution of analyzed players concerning the preferred in-game race was as follows: “Protoss” (n = 3), “Zerg” (n = 1), “Terran” (n = 1). Each game record contained data for both the winner and the loser. In total, 3719 game records and 9 performance indicators were obtained after applying the inclusion criteria.

Logistic regression with 5-fold cross-validation was performed to predict the game outcome. The model was able to discriminate the game outcome (won, lost) with an out-of-sample accuracy of 0.728 ± 0.021. The performance indicators which showed the strongest effect in predicting the game outcome were “minerals lost army” [p-value< 0.001, std_odds_ratio: 0.069], “minerals killed army” [p-value< 0.001, std_odds_ratio: 6.446], “minerals used current army” [p-value< 0.001, std_odds_ratio: 4.081], and “minerals killed economy” [p-value< 0.001, std_odds_ratio: 2.896]. It seems evident that winner optimized interaction with an opponent by keeping his/her own army intact while inflicting damage to the opponent’s army or economy. In conclusion, the effective use of the army, based on optimizing the ratio between units lost and units killed, may be significant in predicting the game outcome.
Electromagnetic mode matching in a Wilson basis: optical fiber connections with a gap
Authors: Floris Sander J. , de Hon Bastiaan P. , van Beurden Martijn C. , Bolhaar T.
Published: September 2022

On the basis of two optical fibers with an optional lateral and longitudinal displacement in a homogeneous background medium, we describe a general full-vectorial Wilson-basis discretized mode-matching method that evaluates the converged electromagnetic fields after all resonances in the possible gap cavity have settled. Wilson basis functions feature strong localization in both the spatial and the spectral domain, which allows for efficient modal electromagnetic field expansions, adequate truncation of field propagation operators, and sparse translation operators, which in turn allow to make ad hoc electromagnetic field-matching operators. For physical contact connections between single-mode fibers with a mode-field diameter mismatch, we obtain attenuation curves that are right between those obtained from approximation methods that either effectively match the electric field or the magnetic field under the assumption of a vanishing reflection. For fibers separated by a growing gap, constructive and destructive interference patterns in the cavity are computed by the successive application of Love’s equivalence principle and the propagation operator. By leveraging the physical width of the Wilson basis functions and the stepsize of the propagation operator, the initial operators may be reused in solving the interface problem for other wavelengths. For multi-mode fiber connections, we provide attenuation curves on a modal electromagnetic field level, as well as for overfilled and core-confined target encircled-flux compliant launches. A comparison to geometrical-optics based approaches shows attenuation differences in the order of several hundredth of a dB, and although that is small, it is significant for modern connection attenuation specifications. In the final example of connections between regular and trench-assisted multi-mode fibers, we notice that the relative change in the cumulative near-field power distribution can be significant, despite a marginally small attenuation. The influence of a core diameter and/or numerical aperture mismatch can be examined with a deliberate lateral misalignment.
Attitudes on languages, identities and politics at the Ukrainian Black Sea coast in 2020/21
Authors: Zeller Jan Patrick
Published: September 2022

This study deals with attitudes and opinions of the population on the Ukrainian Black Sea coast in 2020/2021, a good year before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The basis is a sociological survey conducted in the regions of Odesa, Mykolajiv and Kherson with 1,200 respondents. These regions are a clear target of the Russian offensive against Ukraine, on the grounds of an alleged ideological and linguistic affinity of these areas with Russia. The attitudes and opinions sought in the study cover three domains: firstly, attitudes and opinions on language policy, secondly, on Ukrainian autonomy and identity and the role played by languages in this context, and thirdly, Ukraine’s geopolitical orientation. Respondents were grouped according to their “ethnic/national” self-identification and language preferences, and a comparison was made. Overall, the attitudes of the respondents showed a clear identification with Ukraine and the Ukrainian language and a skepticism towards the Russian state, but by no means a hostile attitude towards the Russian language. A picture emerges that clearly contradicts Russian propaganda and also puts into perspective the difference between southern Ukraine and the center and the west, which has often been emphasized in the past.
Distributed Electro-Mechanical Coupling Effects in a Dielectric Elastomer Membrane Array
Authors: Neu J. , Croce S. , Willian T. , Hubertus J. , Schultes G. , Seelecke S. , Rizzello G.
Published: September 2022

Background

Dielectric elastomer (DE) transducers permit to effectively develop large-deformation, energy-efficient, and compliant mechatronic devices. By arranging many DE elements in an array-like configuration, a soft actuator/sensor system capable of cooperative features can be obtained. When many DE elements are densely packed onto a common elastic membrane, spatial coupling effects introduce electro-mechanical interactions among neighbors, which strongly affect the system actuation and sensing performance. To effectively design cooperative DE systems, those coupling effects must be systematically characterized and understood first.

Objective

As a first step towards the development of complex cooperative DE systems, in this work we present a systematic characterization of the spatial electro-mechanical interactions in a 1-by-3 array of silicone DEs. More specifically, we investigate how the force and capacitance characteristics of each DE in the array change when its neighbors are subject to different types of mechanical or electrical loads. Force and capacitance are chosen for this investigation, since those quantities are directly tied to the DE actuation and sensing behaviors, respectively.

Methods

An electro-mechanical characterization procedure is implemented through a novel experimental setup, which is specifically developed for testing soft DE arrays. The setup allows to investigate how the force and capacitance characteristics of each DE are affected by static deformations and/or electrical voltages applied to its nearby elements. Different combinations of electro-mechanical loads and DE neighbors are considered in an extensive experimental campaign.

Results

The conducted investigation shows the existence of strong electro-mechanical coupling effects among the different array elements. The interaction intensity depends on multiple parameters, such as the distance between active DEs or the amount of deformation/voltage applied to the neighbors, and provides essential information for the design of array actuators. In some cases, such coupling effects may lead to changes in force up to 9% compared to the reference configuration. A further coupling is also observed in the DE capacitive response, and opens up the possibility of implementing advanced and/or distributed self-sensing strategies in future applications.

Conclusion

By means of the conducted experiments, we clearly show that the actuation and sensing characteristics of each DE in the array are strongly influenced by the electro-mechanical loading state of its neighbors. The coupling effects may significantly affect the overall cooperative system performance, if not properly accounted for during the design. In future works, the obtained results will allow developing cooperative DE systems which are robust to, and possibly take advantage of, such spatial coupling effects.
Structuring lessons as an aspect of pre-service teachers’ planning competence: A scaling-up analysis
Authors: Krepf Matthias , König Johannes
Published: September 2022

Lesson planning is an essential part of teachers’ daily work. In this study, we focus onstructuringas an aspect of lesson planning, which generally can be defined as a clear, recognizable organization of instruction into individual phases and segments in which the teacher gradually builds up the complexity of the knowledge to be acquired and ensures a smooth flow of instruction through appropriate sequencing. In a previous study (Krepf and König in press), we conceived structuring as an aspect of lesson planning. To test the validity and reliability of this study’s findings, a scaling-up study was conducted to determine whether structuring as an aspect of planning could be modelled reliably using a different and larger sample. In this study, 310 written lesson plans created by pre-service teachers during induction (172 at T1 [first lesson plan]; 138 at T2 [last lesson plan/state examination]) from North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and Berlin derived from thePlanvoLL‑Dproject (König et al. 2020a, 2020b) comprised the study’s data. The lesson plans were evaluated through content analysis using deductively formed categories. Afterward, the coding was quantified and analyzed using item response theory (IRT) scaling. The results indicated that two subscales could be separated in terms of content: a “contextualization” scale and a “phasing” scale. Furthermore, three explication levels could be distinguished. Measures of lesson structure planning increased during induction significantly with practical relevance. This study contributes to the research on modelling and measuring pre-service teachers’ planning competence.
Recycling warning! Reconfiguring the toxic politics of a circular economy
Authors: Johansson Nils
Published: September 2022

The ambition to retain products and materials for as long as possible in a circular economy may dilute, disperse and accumulate hazardous substances. However, in addition to exemptions for circulated products, the regulatory regime targets only a small percentage of all hazardous substances. This emerging problem is just one of many examples why the focus needs to shift from the win–win potential of a circular economy towards a reflexive consideration of tensions, trade-offs and policy conflicts between increased circulation and other topical issues, such as, in this case, reduced dispersion of hazardous substances.
The mediation role of shame proneness in the association between perceived parenting and the severity of addictive behaviors: risk or protective factor?
Authors: Veneziani Giorgio , Ciacchella Chiara , Campedelli Virginia , Lai Carlo
Published: September 2022

Adverse early interactions with parents deeply affect the socio-emotional development of an individual, leading to feelings of inferiority and negatively influencing the development of self-conscious emotions, such as shame. Moreover, dysfunctional parenting was found in the histories of people suffering from substance and behavioral addictions. In this context, there is currently no agreement in the literature regarding the role of shame proneness on the severity of the addiction. The present study aimed to evaluate the mediating (risk or protective) role of the two shame dimensions (withdrawal action tendencies and negative self-evaluation) in the association between dysfunctional parenting and the severity of addiction, testing two structural equation models (SEMs; for substance and behavioral addiction respectively). An online survey recruiting 710 Italian young adults was administered using the Measure of Parental Styles, the Guilt and Shame Proneness Scale, and the brief Screener for Substance and Behavioral Addiction. The SEMs confirmed the predictive role of dysfunctional parenting on the severity of the addiction. Moreover, two dimensions of shame mediated the association in opposite ways. The withdrawal action tendencies positively mediated the association between dysfunctional parenting and the severity of substance and behavioral addiction, potentially acting as a risk factor. Negative self-evaluation negatively mediated the association between dysfunctional parenting and the severity of substance addiction, playing a potential protective role. In a therapeutic context, the findings emphasized the importance of evaluating the different dimensions of shame experiences among addicted individuals and assessing the strategies used to withdraw from these experiences.
Food security under water scarcity: a comparative analysis of Egypt and Jordan
Authors: Christoforidou Maria , Borghuis Gerlo , Seijger Chris , van Halsema Gerardo E. , Hellegers Petra
Published: September 2022

Although there seems enough water available for our global food needs, there are large areas with growing water scarcity. Food security in these water scarce areas cannot be met through self-sufficiency. The only option is to become more dependent on food imports which is increasingly risky due to volatility in production and food prices. Before 2008, declining food prices and increasing global cereal production favoured the food import strategy. The 2008 world food crisis represented a shock to this strategy and renewed attention was paid to the self-sufficiency strategy. The aim of this paper is to compare the food security strategies of Egypt and Jordan, two water-stressed, increasingly populated, oil-poor countries, pre and post 2008, by means of a food-water analytical framework using FAOSTAT data. Findings show that Egypt and Jordan have many similarities in their food security situation as both are highly dependent on food imports (Egypt 50%, Jordan 95%), and both have a reduced capacity to absorb future price increases. As food imports are inevitable under the water scarce context of Egypt and Jordan, it is important to focus on how to cope with volatilities. Our analysis shows that Jordan has better absorbed the costs of rising food imports than Egypt and that Egypt is trapped by its high domestic cereal production. Having revealed the limited options available to water-scarce countries for food security, we discuss the potential of grain reserves to cope with future price hikes and production shocks.
Stepping Stones Along Urban Coastlines—Improving Habitat Connectivity for Aquatic Fauna with Constructed Floating Wetlands
Authors: Karstens Svenja , Dorow Malte , Bochert Ralf , Stybel Nardine , Schernewski Gerald , Mühl Martina
Published: September 2022

Urban development along coastlines is accompanied by habitat fragmentation and loss of habitat connectivity, particularly affecting the habitat and nursery function of estuarine areas for migratory marine species. Constructed floating wetlands, deployed as ‘stepping stones’ along urban coastlines where natural wetlands are missing, offer the potential to partially replace lost ecosystem services. Originally developed for wastewater treatment, constructed floating wetlands are now used to improve landscape aesthetics or create habitats for aquatic fauna and birds. This study presents a toolkit to identify appropriate sites for stepping stones using open source data and open source software alone. The toolkit was used to identify 85 potential installation sites along the German Baltic Sea coast, a large proportion of which are located in protected areas offering synergies with nature conservation measures. Though the sites are often located in protected areas, the field investigation revealed that natural vegetation is largely absent from the estuaries near urban areas. Constructed floating wetlands can never replace ‘core areas’ in ecological networks, but they can serve as stepping stones improving habitat connectivity, especially for diadromous fish species such as the threatened European eel. To ensure not only structural connectivity, but also functional connectivity, restoration efforts at the land-sea interface must be holistic and include adequate hydrologic connectivity.
Comparing Executive Functioning in the School Readiness of Hungarian and Kenyan Preschoolers
Authors: Amukune Stephen , Józsa Gabriella , Józsa Krisztián
Published: September 2022

Cross-national comparisons represent an avenue for investigating milestones achieved by one region that can help improve standards in another country. This study compares the development of executive functioning in Hungarian and Kenyan preschoolers as they prepare for school readiness. The study's cross-sectional design entailed sampling preschoolers from Hungary (n = 187) and Kenya (n = 420) aged between 4 and 8 years nested in 35 classrooms. Preschool class teachers rated the children's executive functioning using the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI). The two-factor structure of the CHEXI demonstrated a strong measurement invariance for the two countries, Hungary and Kenya. Significant gender differences were noted on both subscales in the Hungarian sample but not in the Kenyan preschoolers. Additionally, no differences were found in the executive functioning of boys from both countries. However, the girls exhibited variances in the inhibition subscale. Contrary to expectations, no linear mixed effects were observed for country or the interactions between age and country apropos difficulties related to inhibition and total executive functioning except for working memory. Better working memory skills noted in the Hungarian sample were attributed to a superior preschool education system.
Magnetically responsive nanoplatform targeting circRNA circ_0058051 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma progression
Authors: You Song , Luo Zijin , Cheng Niangmei , Wu Ming , Lai Yongping , Wang Fei , Zheng Xiaoyuan , Wang Yingchao , Liu Xiaolong , Liu Jingfeng , Zhao Bixing
Published: September 2022

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of highly stable and closed-loop noncoding RNA that are involved in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, little is known about the therapeutic role of circRNAs in HCC. We found that high circ_0058051 expression was negatively correlated with the prognosis of HCC patients. Circ_0058051 knockdown attenuated the proliferation and colony formation, meanwhile inhibited migration of HCC cells. Circ_0058051 may be used as a target for HCC gene therapy. We synthesized a novel small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery system, PEG-PCL-PEI-C14-SPIONs (PPPCSs), based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs). PPPCSs protected the siRNA of circ_0058051 from degradation in serum and effectively delivered siRNA into SMMC-7721 cells. Meanwhile, intravenous injection of the PPPCSs/siRNA complex could inhibit tumor growth in the subcutaneous tumor model. In addition, the nanocomposite is not toxic to the organs of nude mice. The above results show that PPPCSs/si-circ_0058051 complex may provide a novel and promising method of HCC treatment.

Graphical abstract
The Effect of Natural Hazard Damage on Manufacturing Value Added and the Impact of Spatiotemporal Data Variations on the Results
Authors: Thomas Douglas , Helgeson Jennifer
Published: September 2022

This study examined the effect of natural hazards on manufacturing industry value added and the sensitivity of the results from changes to spatiotemporal resolution of the data. We measured the negative effects of hazards, rather than the net effect. Three models were developed with varying spatiotemporal units for the continental United States: annual/county units; annual/state units; and quarterly/state units. Three simulations were run using each model to estimate the negative effect of damage from all natural hazards on value added across spatiotemporal scales. Finally, an investment analysis was conducted to examine the return from public investments in hazard resilience. The results do not demonstrate that, locally, natural hazards reduce value added. However, the evidence suggests that natural hazards in the upstream supply chain have statistically significant impact when modeled at the annual/county scale and at the quarterly/state scale. Neither local nor supply chain hazards have a statistically significant effect when modeled at the annual/state scale, suggesting that broader spatiotemporal units may obscure the true downstream effects of natural hazards. The investment analysis, utilizing model results, suggests that an investment of USD 100 billion or less is economical if it results in a reduction in losses of 10% or more.
Educational inequality and COVID-19: Who takes advantage of summer schools and other remedial measures?
Authors: Postlbauer Alexandra , Helm Christoph , Große Cornelia S.
Published: September 2022

In spring 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a global crisis with far-reaching effects, not least on education. Since the beginning of the pandemic, its impact on learning losses and increasing educational inequality has been widely discussed. While empirical evidence of rising educational inequality and learning loss is steadily growing, at the same time little is known about the families who are interested in remedial measures like summer schools to bridge the negative effects of the pandemic and school closures. The present study addresses this lack of research by providing an initial examination of the empirical evidence of mechanisms underlying parental choice of remedial measures. We take a closer look on which parents are particularly attracted by remedial measures by using cross-sectional data from a parent survey (N = 3590 parents) in Austria. The findings, illustrated via a series of latent mediation models, indicate that parents’ intention to use remedial measures is predicted by parents’ attitudes towards the implementation of remedial measures, parents’ assessment of their child’s learning engagement and of the quality of distance learning during school closures. Moreover, the intention to use remedial measures is significantly influenced by the family’s socioeconomic status.
Growth trajectories of wild Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis) determined from parallel laser photogrammetry
Authors: Anzà Simone , Berghänel Andreas , Ostner Julia , Schülke Oliver
Published: September 2022

Socioecological factors are associated with life-history patterns and growth trajectories among primates. Under certain conditions, selection may favor a temporal decoupling of growth and major life-history events such as sexual maturation or natal dispersal. Yet, empirical tests of these associations in wild populations remain scarce owing to the lack of non-invasive methods to capture growth trajectories. In this study, we first compared two non-invasive methods of digital photogrammetry. Then, we used parallel laser photogrammetry to investigate forearm growth of wild Assamese macaque males and females in their natural habitat at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand to test life-history and socio-ecological hypotheses. Across 48 males and 44 females, we estimated growth trajectories and pseudo-velocity curves by applying quadratic plateau models and non-parametric LOESS regressions. We assessed the development of sexual dimorphism by comparing the sexes at five different ages. Females had completed 96% of their growth at the age at first birth (5.9 years) and ceased growing at 7.1 years of age. Males, in contrast, grew until well after their average age of natal dispersal: they reached 81% of their size at the age of natal dispersal (4.0 years), and ceased growing only at 9.0 years of age, much later than females. Sexual dimorphism in forearm length was driven by an extended growth period in males, which is expected for males dispersing between multimale and multifemale groups and not facing the risk of being ousted by other larger males. Our results contradict the neonatal investment hypothesis that predicts a desynchronization of investment in growth and reproduction only in female baboons, but not other papionins producing cheaper neonates. Furthermore, male Assamese macaques do not delay natal dispersal until they are fully grown, in accordance with predictions of the male-career-framework for species with low to medium level of direct competition.
“We Are Not Truly Friendly Faces”: Primary Health Care Doctors’ Reflections on Sexual History Taking in North West Province
Authors: Pretorius Deidré , Mlambo Motlatso G. , Couper Ian D.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Doctors experience barriers in consultations that compromise engaging with patients on sensitive topics and impede history taking for sexual dysfunction.

Aim

The aim of the study was to identify barriers to and facilitators of sexual history taking that primary care doctors experience during consultations involving patients with chronic illnesses.

Methods

This qualitative study formed part of a grounded theory study and represents individual interviews with 20 primary care doctors working in the rural North West Province, South Africa. The doctors were interviewed on the barriers and facilitators of sexual history taking they experienced during 151 recorded consultations with patients at risk of sexual dysfunction. Interviews were transcribed and line-by-line verbatim coding was done. A thematic analysis was performed using MaxQDA 2018 software for qualitative research. The study complied with COREQ requirements.

Outcome

Doctors’ reflections on sexual history taking.

Results

Three themes identifying barriers to sexual history taking emerged, namely personal and health system limitations, presuppositions and assumptions, and socio-cultural barriers. The fourth theme that emerged was the patient-doctor relationship as a facilitator of sexual history taking. Doctors experienced personal limitations such as a lack of training and not thinking about taking a history for sexual dysfunction. Consultations were compromised by too many competing priorities and socio-cultural differences between doctors and patients. The doctors believed that the patients had to take the responsibility to initiate the discussion on sexual challenges. Competencies mentioned that could improve the patient-doctor relationship to promote sexual history taking, include rapport building and cultural sensitivity.

Clinical implications

Doctors do not provide holistic patient care at primary health care settings if they do not screen for sexual dysfunction.

Strength and limitations

The strength in this study is that recall bias was limited as interviews took place in a real-world setting, which was the context of clinical care. As this is a qualitative study, results will apply to primary care in rural settings in South Africa.

Conclusion

Doctors need a socio-cognitive paradigm shift in terms of knowledge and awareness of sexual dysfunction in patients with chronic illness.