bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resolvent Estimates for Time-Harmonic Maxwell’s Equations in the Partially Anisotropic Case
Authors: Schippa Robert
Published: February 2022

We prove resolvent estimates in $$L^p$$

L
p

-spaces for time-harmonic Maxwell’s equations in two spatial dimensions and in three dimensions in the partially anisotropic case. In the two-dimensional case the estimates are sharp up to endpoints. We consider anisotropic permittivity and permeability, which are both taken to be time-independent and spatially homogeneous. For the proof we diagonalize time-harmonic Maxwell’s equations to equations involving Half-Laplacians. We apply these estimates to infer a Limiting Absorption Principle in intersections of $$L^p$$

L
p

-spaces and to localize eigenvalues for perturbations by potentials.
Evaluation of occlusal function during orthognathic therapy
Authors: Wiechens Bernhard , Quast Anja , Klenke Daniela , Brockmeyer Phillipp , Schliephake Henning , Meyer-Marcotty Philipp
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Reduced occlusal function is a main characteristic of orthognathic patients. The present study aimed to investigate the extent of therapy-induced functional improvements in occlusal function using a digital diagnostic method.

Methods

This prospective clinical study included 41 orthognathic patients (24 women and 17 men, median age 27.26 ± 8.2 years) and 10 control patients (5 women and 5 men, median age 29.8 ± 13.5 years) with neutral skeletal and dental configurations. The patients were divided into classes I, II and III based on their cephalometry. Digital occlusal registrations in habitual occlusion in an upright sitting position were taken before (T1) and after (T2) therapy using the T‑Scan Novus (Tekscan, South Boston, MA, USA) application.

Results

Class II and III patients showed a significantly less efficient occlusal pattern than the untreated controls regarding total antagonism (p < 0.001), time of occlusion (p = 0.004), occlusal asymmetry (p = 0.001), anterior antagonism (p < 0.001) and posterior antagonism (p < 0.001). After therapy, the occlusal pattern increased in both therapy groups, where class III patients became indistinguishable from the controls, and class II patients differed only in posterior antagonism (p = 0.035).

Conclusions

The digital occlusal registration method proved to be a useful diagnostic tool and provided new insights into therapeutic effects in orthognathic patients. By precisely adjusting the occlusal function, masticatory performance improved significantly.

Clinical relevance

Severe malocclusion leads to a significantly lower masticatory performance for patients, which can be improved by orthognathic therapy and captured by digital occlusal registration.
Remote ischemic postconditioning protects against crush-induced acute kidney injury via down-regulation of apoptosis and senescence
Authors: Jin Heng , Lin Xiaoxi , Liu Ziquan , Wang Jinqiang , Wang Jinxiang , Zhang Yan , Cao Chao , Chai Yanfen , Shou Songtao
Published: February 2022

Background

Acute renal failure due to crush syndrome is one of the leading causes of death in disasters. Ischemic Postconditioning (IPC) is a potentially effective strategy to protect against ischemic reperfusion injury, but a few studies noted its protective effect in crush induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Hence, this study investigated the optimal IPC strategy to prevent crush induced AKI and reveal related cellular mechanisms.

Methods

The right lower extremities of rabbits were constantly compressed for 8 h and then performed five cycles of clamping and releasing the femoral artery and vein before depression using a clip. In terms of the duration of clamping and releasing, the animals were randomly divided into 5 groups, Control, IPC-5sec, IPC-30sec, IPC-1min, and IPC-5min groups; 6 rabbits for each group. Biomarkers of inflammation, renal function, renal tubular injury, and muscular injury, apoptosis, and cellular senescence in kidney were detected.

Results

Six hours after decompression, the levels of Serum Creatine (SCr), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), K+, and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in IPC-1min and IPC-5min groups were lower than Control, with a statistically significant difference. The morphological study of Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) staining demonstrated that 6 h after decompression, IPC-1min can attenuate renal tubular damage renal tubule. Meanwhile, the level of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) in circulation in the IPC-30sec, IPC-1min, and IPC-5min groups was significantly decreased compared with the Control group, 2 h after decompression. On the other hand, the levels of serum Creatine Kinase (CK) and Myoglobin (Mb), and the morphological change of muscular damage detected by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining in IPC-1min-treated group were significantly lower than Control group 6 hours after decompression. Further results of the cellular mechanism showed that the apoptotic markers of Terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) and Caspase3 and the cell senescent markers of senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) and nuclear LAMNB1 have changed significantly in the IPC-1min group, compared with the control group.

Conclusions

Performing 5 cycles of 1-min IPC would be a convenient, time-saving, and effective method to prevent crush-induced AKI by attenuating the release of nephrotoxic substances after decompression and downregulation of the expression of apoptosis and cellular senescence biomarkers.
Exposure to the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol reduces the transport of conjugated bile acids by intestinal Caco-2 cells
Authors: Wang Jingxuan , Bakker Wouter , Zheng Weijia , de Haan Laura , Rietjens Ivonne M. C. M. , Bouwmeester Hans
Published: February 2022

Conjugated bile acids are synthesized in liver and subsequently secreted into the intestinal lumen from which they are actively reabsorbed and transported back to liver. The efficient enterohepatic circulation of conjugated bile acids is important to maintain homeostasis. The mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is a fungal secondary metabolite that contaminates cereal food. Upon human exposure, it can cause intestinal dysfunction. We explored the effects of DON exposure on the intestinal absorption of conjugated bile acids and the expression of bile acid transporters using an in vitro model based on Caco-2 cell layers grown in transwells. Our study shows that the transport rate of taurocholic acid (TCA) is decreased after 48-h pre-exposure of the Caco-2 cells to 2 µM DON, which is a realistic intestinal DON concentration. Exposure to DON downregulates expression of the genes coding for the apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT), the ileal bile acid-binding protein (IBABP) and the organic solute transporter α (OSTα), and it counteracts the agonist activity of Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist GW4064 on these genes. In addition, the transport of ten taurine or glycine-conjugated bile acids in a physiological relevant mixture by the intestinal Caco-2 cell layers was decreased after pre-exposure of the cells to DON, pointing at a potential for DON-mediated accumulation of the conjugated bile acids at the intestinal luminal side. Together the results reveal that DON inhibits intestinal bile acid reabsorption by reducing the expression of bile acid transporters thereby affecting bile acid intestinal kinetics, leading to bile acid malabsorption in the intestine. Our study provides new insights into the hazards of DON exposure.
MR imaging detection of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder: impact of intravenous contrast administration and reader’s experience on diagnostic performance
Authors: Erber Bernd , Hesse Nina , Glaser Christian , Baur-Melnyk Andrea , Goller Sophia , Ricke Jens , Heuck Andreas
Published: February 2022

Objective

Correct identification of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder (ACS) has an important impact on adequate therapy. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of intravenous contrast administration and of reader’s experience on sensitivity and specificity of MRI in diagnosing ACS.

Materials and methods

A total of 180 patients were included in a retrospective study: 60 subjects with at least 4 of 5 clinical signs of adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder and 120 patients with other shoulder diseases who underwent contrast-enhanced MRI. In a first session, only non-enhanced images and in a second session also contrast-enhanced (CE) series were independently evaluated by three radiologists with various levels of professional experience. Readers were blinded to all clinical information and had to rate the shoulder MRIs for absence or presence of adhesive capsulitis. Data analysis included McNemar’s test, t test, and U test (p < .05).

Results

Using non-enhanced MRI, readers achieved a mean sensitivity of 63.9% and a mean specificity of 86.4%. By additional use of CE sequences, the mean sensitivity (85.5%) and the sensitivity for each reader increased significantly (p = .046, p < .01, p < .001, p = .045) while the improvement in mean specificity was not significant. Reader’s experience had a positive effect on sensitivity and specificity, which was in part but not consistently significant.

Conclusion

The addition of CE sequences can significantly increase the sensitivity of MRI in the diagnosis of ACS. Reader’s experience has shown to be another important factor for the diagnostic outcome.
First-line salvage treatment options for germ cell tumor patients failing stage-adapted primary treatment
Authors: Pfister David , Oechsle Karin , Schmidt Stefanie , Busch Jonas , Bokemeyer Carsten , Heidenreich Axel , Heinzelbecker Julia , Ruf Christian , Winter Christian , Zengerling Friedemann , Kliesch Sabine , Albers Peter , Oing Christoph
Published: February 2022

Purpose

In this review, we summarize and discuss contemporary treatment standards and possible selection criteria for decision making after failure of adjuvant or first-line cisplatin-based chemotherapy for primarily localized or metastatic germ cell tumors.

Methods

This work is based on a systematic literature search conducted for the elaboration of the first German clinical practice guideline to identify prospective clinical trials and retrospective comparative studies published between Jan 2010 and Feb 2021. Study end points of interest were progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS), relapse rate (RR), and/or safety.

Results

Relapses of clinical stage I (CS I) patients irrespective of prior adjuvant treatment after orchiectomy are treated stage adapted in accordance for primary metastatic patients. Surgical approaches for sole retroperitoneal relapses are investigated in ongoing clinical trials. The appropriate salvage chemotherapy for metastatic patients progressing or relapsing after first-line cisplatin-based chemotherapy is still a matter of controversy. Conventional cisplatin-based chemotherapy is the international guideline-endorsed standard of care, but based on retrospective data high-dose chemotherapy and subsequent autologous stem cell transplantation may offer a 10–15% survival benefit for all patients. Secondary complete surgical resection of all visible residual masses irrespective of size is paramount for treatment success.

Conclusions

Patients relapsing after definite treatment of locoregional disease are to be treated by stage-adapted first-line standard therapy for metastatic disease. Patients with primary advanced/metastatic disease failing one line of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy should be referred to GCT expert centers. Dose intensity is a matter of ongoing debate, but sequential high-dose chemotherapy seems to improve patients’ survival.
Role of three-dimensional Doppler ultrasonography and leukemia inhibitory factor from endometrial secretion in predicting endometrial receptivity in IVF treatment: a pilot study
Authors: Sini Ivan , Handayani Nining , Harahap Alida , Boediono Arief , Wiweko Budi , Hadisaputra Wachyu , Soebijanto Soegiharto , Aprilliana Tri , Polim Arie A. , Pradana Aryando
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This pilot study aimed to evaluate the potential synergistic role of three-dimensional power Doppler angiography ultrasound and the expression of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) protein in predicting the endometrial receptivity of fresh In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycles.

Materials and methods

This prognostic cohort study involved 29 good prognosis women who underwent fresh IVF cycles with fresh blastocysts transfer. Serial measurements of sub-endometrial parameters including vascularity index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI) were conducted consecutively via power Doppler angiography on the day of oocyte maturation trigger, oocyte retrieval, and blastocyst transfer. Aspiration of endometrial secretion was performed on the day of embryo transfer.

Results

The mean index of VI and VFI on the trigger and oocyte retrieval day and also LIF protein concentration at the window of implantation were significantly higher in clinically pregnant women than that of the non-pregnant women (p < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of VI and VFI was shown to have a powerful predictive value to forecast receptive endometrium on either trigger day (0.788 and 0.813, respectively) or oocyte retrieval day (0.813 and 0.818). Likewise, LIF concentration on the day of embryo transfer was adequate to become a predictor for endometrial receptivity (AUC 0.874). A combination of the VI and VFI on the trigger day and LIF concentration at specific cut-off values (VI > 5.381, VFI > 1.483, LIF 703.5 pg/mL) produced an algorithm with high AUC (0.881) and high specificity (94.4%) for an adequate prediction of non-receptive endometrium.

Conclusion

VI and VFI index assessed on maturation trigger day and the expression of LIF protein concentration at the window of implantation provided sufficient information to predict endometrial receptivity. A large randomized control trial is needed to validate these findings.
Attention modulates incidental memory encoding of human movements
Authors: Chiou Shiau-Chuen
Published: February 2022

Attention has been shown to enhance the processing of task-relevant information while suppressing the processing of task-irrelevant information. However, it is less clear whether this attentional modulation exists when there is an intrinsic dependence between task-relevant and task-irrelevant information, such as the dependence of temporal processing on spatial information. In this study, we used complex whole-body movement sequences to investigate the extent to which the task-irrelevant spatial information (trajectory) is processed when only the temporal information (rhythm) is in focus. Moreover, we examined, if the task-irrelevant spatial information is “co-selected” with the target temporal information as predicted by the intrinsic spatiotemporal dependence, whether task-driven attention that is actively directed to spatial information provides extra benefits. Through a two-phase experiment (an incidental encoding phase followed by a surprise memory test phase), we found that the task-irrelevant spatial information was not only perceived but also encoded in memory, providing further evidence in support of a relatively automatic co-selection of spatial information in temporal processing. Nevertheless, we also found that movements whose trajectories were intentionally attended to during the encoding phase were recognized better in the test phase than those that were not, indicating a further modulation from attention on incidental memory encoding and information processing.
Tiermisshandlungen wegen “baulicher Mängel” in Schlachtbetrieben – eine strafrechtliche Betrachtung
Authors: Hahn Johanna , Kari Ariane
Published: February 2022

In den letzten Jahren häufen sich Aufdeckungen von schweren Tiermisshandlungen durch Schlachthofmitarbeiter.
Grund für diese Taten sind nicht zwingend sadistische Motive, sondern regelmäßig “bauliche
Mängel” – ein aktuelles und weit verbreitetes Problem in deutschen Schlachtbetrieben. Dieser
Zusammenhang wird jedoch in der Öffentlichkeit selten erwähnt. Der Beitrag zeigt auf, wie bauliche
Mängel in Schlachtbetrieben zu Tiermisshandlungen durch Mitarbeiter führen und welche strafrechtlichen
Folgen hieraus für die handelnden Mitarbeiter, den Tierschutzbeauftragten und den Betreiber des Schlachthofs
abzuleiten sind.
Ethical implications of fairness interventions: what might be hidden behind engineering choices?
Authors: Aler Tubella Andrea , Barsotti Flavia , Koçer Rüya Gökhan , Mendez Julian Alfredo
Published: February 2022

The importance of fairness in machine learning models is widely acknowledged, and ongoing academic debate revolves around how to determine the appropriate fairness definition, and how to tackle the trade-off between fairness and model performance. In this paper we argue that besides these concerns, there can be ethical implications behind seemingly purely technical choices in fairness interventions in a typical model development pipeline. As an example we show that the technical choice between in-processing and post-processing is not necessarily value-free and may have serious implications in terms of who will be affected by the specific fairness intervention. The paper reveals how assessing the technical choices in terms of their ethical consequences can contribute to the design of fair models and to the related societal discussions.
OXA-CuS@UiO-66-NH2 as a drug delivery system for Oxaliplatin to colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Gholami Marjan , Hekmat Azadeh , Khazaei Majid , Darroudi Majid
Published: February 2022

In this work, UiO-66-NH2 was used to prepare a new delivery system by incorporating copper sulfide (CuS) into the pores. The CuS nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared to enhance the anticancer effects of Oxaliplatin (OXA) against colorectal cancer. The oxaliplatin was loaded into CuS@UiO-66-NH2. To characterize and investigate their cytotoxicity effects, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, UV-Visible analysis, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and MTT assay were considered to be performed. According to the observations, the cytotoxicity of OXA-CuS@UiO-66-NH2 was greater than that of the OXA alone.
Network-driven positive externalities in clean energy technology production: the case of energy efficiency in the EU residential sector
Authors: Costantini Valeria , Leone Sciabolazza Valerio , Paglialunga Elena
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we propose a model of national innovation production that formalizes the role of trade partnerships as a channel of knowledge spillovers across countries. The model is used to investigate the energy efficiency technological domain in the European Union (EU) using a panel database covering 19 EU countries for the time span 1990–2015. The model is estimated by using a novel empirical strategy which allows to assess the knowledge spillover effects benefiting a country depending on its relative position in the trade network, and correct for common endogeneity concerns. We show that being central in the trade network is a significant determinant of a country’s innovative performance, and that learning-by-exporting mechanisms are responsible for increased innovation performances. We further reveal that neglecting network effects may significantly reduce our understanding of domestic innovation patterns. Finally, we find that the benefits obtained from knowledge diffusion varies with the domestic absorptive capacity and policy mix composition. Our main implication is that policy design informed by network-based case studies could help maximizing the exploitation of positive knowledge spillovers.
The influence of dependability in cloud computing adoption
Authors: Song Chi-hoon , Sohn Young-woo
Published: February 2022

Cloud computing (CC) has many benefits, so its use has spread rapidly, particularly in the business sector. An important consideration in the acceptance of CC is whether the CC system is dependable, and it can differ among industry and service type. However, little research has considered the effect ofdependability(composed ofavailability,reliability,security,maintainability) on CC acceptance. Especially, group comparisons between high IT-intensive (Hi-ITi) and low IT-intensive (Lo-ITi) industries have not been reported, nor have comparisons between software-as-a-service (SaaS) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS)/infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS). This study aims to explore how thedependabilityof CC affects users’ intent to accept it, with focus on how this intent is affected by intensity of IT use (by industry) and by the type of CC service used. To validate the proposed model, this study applied structural equation modeling and conducted multi-group analysis. A total of 230 business managers in South Korea represent the sample for our study. For the full dataset,the threedependabilityattributes (availability,reliability,security) do not affect the usefulness of CC, but do affect the ease of use of CC. The usefulness of CC is a determinant for positive intention to accept CC, whereas the ease of use of CC is not.Maintainabilityis the strongest determinant of CC adoption for the full dataset, and for all individual groups, except those that use SaaS. For Hi-ITi and Lo-ITi industries, results show that managers show no differences in their perceptions of the effect ofdependabilityattributes (availability,reliability,security) on the usefulness and the ease of CC. The absence of such a difference in managers’ perception also applies to the relationship between two core variables of TAM (i.e.,perceived usefulness,perceived ease of use) and behavioral intention to accept CC. For SaaS and PaaS/IaaS, managers have different perceptions ofsecurityon the usefulness of CC, and the effect of the usefulness of CC on the intention to accept CC. The findings can provide academic researchers and industry practitioners with a differentiated and in-depth perspective on the understanding and the spread of CC.
A novel understanding of the nature of epistemic vice
Authors: Kotsonis Alkis
Published: February 2022

My aim in this paper is to present and discuss a novel understanding of the nature of epistemic vice. I highlight that epistemic vice such as excessive curiosity, gossip and excessive inquisitiveness do not obstruct the acquisition, transmission and retention of knowledge and are not characterized by a deficiency of epistemic desires or vicious epistemic motivations. However, I argue that such traits ought to be classified as epistemic vices because the agent who possesses them causes epistemic harm to other agents through those traits’ characteristic activities.

To remedy obstructivism’s inability to account for vices that cause epistemic harm in other ways besides blocking effective epistemic inquiry, I propose an amended version of this theory. I argue that epistemic vices are character traits, attitudes, and ways of thinking that obstruct the acquisition, transmission, and retention of knowledge and/or cause other kinds of epistemic harm. In addition, I propose a modified version of motivationalism that cashes out non-obstructing, excess-motivation vices in terms of motivation simply by acknowledging, and incorporating into theory, excessive epistemic drives and the negative epistemic (and non-epistemic) consequences stemming from them.
Production under uncertainty and choice under uncertainty in the emergence of generalized expected utility theory
Authors: Quiggin John
Published: February 2022

Interest in the foundations of the theory of choice under uncertainty was stimulated by applications of expected utility theory such as the Sandmo model of production under uncertainty. The development of generalized expected utility models raised the question of whether such models could be used in the analysis of applied problems such as those involving production under uncertainty. Finally, the revival of the state-contingent approach led to the recognition of a fundamental duality between choice problems and production problems.
Staring at the Abyss: a neurocognitive grounded agent-based model of collective-risk social dilemma under the threat of environmental disaster
Authors: Liuzzi Danilo , Vié Aymeric
Published: February 2022

Increasingly visible climate change consequences challenge carbon-based economies worldwide. While expert knowledge on climate change percolates through political initiatives and public awareness, its translation into large-scale policy actions appears limited. Climate change consequences unequally target regions, countries and social classes, a vital issue for social cooperation. When facing an imminent ecological collapse, in which conditions can self-interested agents gain environmental awareness and settle on a sustainable path of actions when their knowledge of the imminent collapse is bounded? This cooperation emerges from the interaction between individuals and the interaction of various cognitive processes within individuals. This article develops an agent-based model for this emergence of cooperation enriched with the Agent Zero neurocognitive grounded cognitive architecture. We investigate when agents endowed with deliberative, affective and social modules can settle on actions that safeguard their environment through numerical simulations. Our results show that cooperation on sustainable actions is the strongest when the system is at the edge of collapse. Policy measures that increase the environment’s resilience become internalized by the agents and undermine awareness of the ecological catastrophe. Depending on the cognitive channels activated, agent behaviors and reactions to specific interventions significantly vary. Our analysis suggests that taking different cognitive channels, deliberative, affective, social, and others into account, significantly impact results. The complexity of agent cognition deserves more attention to assess parameter sensitivity in social simulation models.
Photocatalytic Coatings Based on TiOx for Application on Flexible Glass for Photovoltaic Panels
Authors: Wiatrowski Artur , Wojcieszak Damian , Mazur Michał , Kaczmarek Danuta , Domaradzki Jarosław , Kalisz Małgorzata , Kijaszek Wojciech , Pokora Patrycja , Mańkowska Ewa , Lubanska Aneta , Sikora Malwina
Published: February 2022

In this work, the photocatalytic properties of thin films based on titanium oxides for application on flexible glass in photovoltaic panels were presented. Thin films were prepared by gas impulse magnetron sputtering (GIMS), where the gas injection on a target was synchronized in time with the electric pulse supplying the magnetron with the Ti target. The deposition process was carried out under various Ar/O2 atmospheres (with a content of 5–8% O2). The as-deposited TiOx films were non-stoichiometric. The influence of deposition parameters on optical properties, microstructure, hardness, and elastic modulus was examined. In addition, the dependence between the oxygen content in the sputtering atmosphere and the photocatalytic activity of the coatings was examined. The scratch resistance of the coatings and their adhesion to flexible glass were also investigated. It has been shown that the GIMS technique can be used for efficient deposition of non-stoichiometric TiOx coatings on substrates sensitive to the temperature as thin flexible glass and, at the same time, characterized by high adhesion. The TiOx-based semiconductor coatings prepared in this study can be used successfully in transparent electronics and in the construction of modern photovoltaic panels due to their photocatalytic activity, high hardness, and high level of transparency.
By what standard? Speech-related conduct issues in globalised sports
Authors: Bayliss Myles
Published: February 2022

The ban of Uruguayan footballer Edinson Cavani for a post on his Instagram account has been highly controversial. Opinions as to the appropriateness of the ban and associated stance taken by the Football Association have been divided. On one side, groups such as anti-racism campaigners have argued that the ban is justified citing a need to promote a greater understanding of acceptable language and behaviour among international athletes. On the other hand, many Spanish speakers have argued that the Associations’ actions are inconsistent with their stance on inclusivity and understanding, arguing that they failed to consider the cultural and linguistic characteristics unique to South America. This raises an important question for globalised sports: how should words and speech be judged in an international context?
Roadmap zum sichereren Risikomanagement des Umweltschadstoffes „Radon“
Authors: Joachim Serafina , Klingelhöfer Doris , Braun Markus , Brüggmann Dörthe , Groneberg David A. , Quarcoo David
Published: February 2022

Radon ist ein ubiquitär im Erdmantel sowie in der Luft und im Wasser vorkommendes radioaktives Edelgas. Obwohl die mit der Exposition assoziierten Erkrankungen seit dem Mittelalter bekannt waren, ist eine kausale Zuordnung von Agens und Krankheit erst in der Mitte des letzten Jahrhunderts gelungen. Durch die physikalischen Eigenschaften des Gases ist die Prävention darauf ausgerichtet, die Exposition zu minimieren. Eine koordinierte Bemühung der EU, durch einheitliche Regeln die Bevölkerung zu schützen, stellt die Richtlinie 2013/59/EURATOM vom 5. Dezember 2013 dar. Umgesetzt in nationales Recht, sah die deutsche Strahlenschutzgesetzgebung vor, dass am 01.01.2021 die verantwortlichen Bundesländer basierend auf einer Expositionskarte die Gebiete festlegen, in denen der Grenzwert der Aktivitätskonzentration von Radon in der Luft im Jahresmittel 300 Bq/m3 überschreitet. In dieser Arbeit sollen die Fortschritte auf dem Weg zu einem umfassenderen Schutz vor den Gefahren durch Radon für die Bevölkerung in Deutschland dargestellt werden.
Tidal stream to mainstream: mechanical testing of composite tidal stream blades to de-risk operational design life
Authors: Glennon Conor , Finnegan William , Kaufmann Nicholas , Meier Patrick , Jiang Yadong , Starzmann Ralf , Goggins Jamie
Published: February 2022

Tidal energy has seen a surge of interest in recent years with several companies developing technology to harness the power of the world’s oceans where the operational capacity in Europe was over 11 MW in 2020. One such developer is the partnership of SCHOTTEL Hydro (Germany) and Sustainable Marine (UK) who have developed a scalable multi-turbine device equipped with 70 kW turbines and capable of operating in arrays at sites around the world. The technology to harness tidal energy is still at a relatively early stage of development; hence, de-risking of component parts plays a vital role on the road to commercialisation. Despite this, the number of tidal energy blades undergoing test programmes remains small. Two different rotor diameters have been developed for the aforementioned device such that it can be optimised for sites of varying potential. In this paper, a blade from each of the 4.0 m and 6.3 m diameter devices was tested for their responses in natural frequency, static loading and fatigue loading under test standards IEC 62600-3:2020 and DNVGL-ST-0164. Testing saw the survival of a blade in fatigue at a lifetime-equivalent load and the generation of natural frequency, strain and displacement results for both blades. Data generated from the testing as a whole will contribute to the modelling and validation of future tidal blades.
A Novel Lomax Extension with Statistical Properties, Copulas, Different Estimation Methods and Applications
Authors: Aboraya Mohamed , Ali M. Masoom , Yousof Haitham M. , Ibrahim Mohamed
Published: February 2022

A new compound Lomax model is proposed and analyzed. The novel distribution is derived based on compounding the zero truncated Poisson distribution and the exponentiated exponential Lomax distribution. The new density can be “monotonically left skewed,” “monotonically right skewed” and “symmetric” with various useful shapes. The new hazard rate can be “upside down bathtub-increasing,” “bathtub (U-shape),” “monotonically decreasing,” “increasing-constant” and “monotonically increasing.” Relevant statistical properties are derived. We briefly describe different estimation methods, namely the maximum likelihood, Cramér-von-Mises, ordinary least squares, weighted least square, Anderson–Darling, right tail Anderson–Darling and left tail Anderson–Darling. Monte Carlo simulation experiments are performed for comparing the performances of the proposed methods of estimation for both small and large samples. For facilitating the mathematical modeling of the bivariate real data sets, we derive some new corresponding bivariate distributions. Graphical simulation study is performed for assessing the finite sample behavior of the estimators using the maximum likelihood method. Two applications are provided for illustrating the applicability of the new model.
Achieving sustainable low flow using hydropower reservoir for ecological water management in Glomma River Norway
Authors: Olabiwonnu Folakemi Ope , Bakken Tor Haakon , Anthony Bokolo
Published: February 2022

Generally, low flow in rivers occur as a result of extended period of dryness which is likely attributed to drought. Drought is a natural occurrence as an outcome of reduction in precipitation in a region for a long time. Hence, low flow is a growing concern as there are possibilities of more reduced flows in rivers. However, reservoirs can be utilized to mitigate negative effects on the supply of water in dry periods and supply water for other purposes. This study aims at verifying how the low flow condition of Glomma River in Norway has been progressively sustained by hydropower reservoirs. Water Evaluation and Planning Systems (WEAP) software was used for modelling the natural streamflow condition of Glomma River, which is the longest river in Norway, using two unregulated sub-basins within the Glomma catchment. Findings from this study presents that the period between January and March are critical periods in Glomma River. Results show that the values the annual minimum low flow gotten from the three gauges suggest the flow after regulation has increased significantly as opposed to before regulation. The daily average flow is simulated by WEAP to be an average of 100 m3/s during the low flow periods and an average discharge of 350 m3/s during the summer. However, the result indicates that the flow in the summer has reduced by 80% in majority of the years. In addition, Nash Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) for the two sub basins used for this study was 0.9 and 0.76, respectively. Also, the calculation of the coefficient of determination (R2) resulted in 0.85 and 0.78 respectively for the two sub basins. In particular, findings from this study presents evidence on the low flow condition in Glomma River prior to its regulation and how the regulation has sustained the flow.
Single-stranded RNA viruses activate and hijack host apical DNA damage response kinases for efficient viral replication
Authors: Li Pengcheng , Xu Chenchen , Zhang Xiaoyan , Cao Cheng , Wang Xuejuan , Cai Gang
Published: February 2022

The ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and ATM-Rad3-related (ATR) are apical kinases that orchestrate the multifaceted DNA damage response (DDR) to a variety of genotoxic insults and regulate genomic stability. Whether RNA virus also manipulates the host’s DDR machine to facilitate replication is largely unknown. In this study, we revealed that single-stranded RNA virus replication specifically elicits host ATM- and ATR-mediated pathway activation and boosts their expression. The activated ATM and ATR are hijacked to the virus replication factory in the cytoplasm and facilitate viral gene expression and replication. Specific inhibitors targeting ATM and ATR strikingly block the viral proliferation and replication and inhibit expression of virus proteins. Our results reveal a novel, or otherwise noncanonical, conserved function of ATM/ATR outside DDR in promoting the replication of single-stranded RNA virus and provide an important mechanism of host–pathogen interactions.
Mechanisms to Alleviate Over-Generalization in XCS for Continuous-Valued Input Spaces
Authors: Wagner Alexander R. M. , Stein Anthony
Published: February 2022

In the field of rule-based approaches to Machine Learning, the XCS classifier system (XCS) is a well-known representative of the learning classifier systems family. By using a genetic algorithm (GA), the XCS aims at forming rules or so-called classifiers which are as general as possible to achieve an optimal performance level. A too high generalization pressure may lead to over-general classifiers degrading the performance of XCS. To date, no method exists for XCS for real-valued input spaces (XCSR) and XCS for function approximation (XCSF) to handle over-general classifiers ensuring an accurate population. The Absumption mechanism and the Specify operator, both developed for XCS with binary inputs, provide a promising basis for over-generality handling in XCSR and XCSF. This paper introduces adapted versions of Absumption and Specify by proposing different identification and specialization strategies for the application in XCSR and XCSF. To determine their potential, the adapted techniques are evaluated in different classification problems, i.e., common benchmarks and real-world data from the agricultural domain, in a multi-step problem as well as different regression tasks. Our experimental results show that the application of these techniques leads to significant improvements of the accuracy of the generated classifier population in the applied benchmarks, data sets, multi-step problems and regression tasks, especially when they tend to form over-general classifiers. Furthermore, considering the working principle of the proposed techniques, the intended decrease in overall classifier generality can be confirmed.
Second-Order Modal Logic
Authors: Parisi Andrew
Published: February 2022

The dissertation introduces new sequent-calculi for free first- and second-order logic, and a hyper-sequent calculus for modal logics K, D, T, B, S4, and S5; to attain the calculi for the stronger modal logics, only external structural rules need to be added to the calculus for K, while operational and internal structural rules remain the same. Completeness and cut-elimination are proved for all calculi presented.

Philosophically, the dissertation develops an inferentialist, or proof-theoretic, theory of meaning. It takes as a starting point that the sense of a sentence is determined by the rules governing its use. In particular, there are two features of the use of a sentence that jointly determine its sense, the conditions under which it is coherent to assert that sentence and the conditions under which it is coherent to deny that sentence. The dissertation develops a theory of quantification as marking coherent ways a language can be expanded and modality as the means by which we can reflect on the norms governing the assertion and denial conditions of our language. If the view of quantification that is argued for is correct, then there is no tension between second-order quantification and nominalism. In particular, the ontological commitments one can incur through the use of a quantifier depend wholly on the ontological commitments one can incur through the use of atomic sentences. The dissertation concludes by applying the developed theory of meaning to the metaphysical issue of necessitism and contingentism. Two objections to a logic of contingentism are raised and addressed. The resulting logic is shown to meet all the requirement that the dissertation lays out for a theory of meaning for quantifiers and modal operators.

Abstract prepared by Andrew Parisi

E-mail: andrew.p.parisi@gmail.com

URL: https://opencommons.uconn.edu/dissertations/1480/
THE SENSE/REFERENCE DISTINCTION IN CONSTRUCTIVE SEMANTICS
Authors: MARTIN-LÖF PER
Published: February 2022

Editorial Note

This lecture was given by Per Martin-Löf at Leiden University on August 25, 2001 at the invitation by Göran Sundholm to address the topic mentioned in the title and to reflect on Dummett’s earlier effort of almost a decade before (published in this journal). The lecture was part of a three-day conference on Gottlob Frege. Sundholm arranged for the lecture to be recorded and commissioned Bjørn Jespersen to make a transcript. The information in footnote 1, which Sundholm provided, has been independently confirmed by Thomas Ricketts in an email to the author. The present version has been edited by Ansten Klev. Following the displayed text (Int-id) there is a lacuna in the original transcript corresponding to a pause in the recording when the tape was changed. The continuous text of the present version is the result of a few additions to the original transcript suggested by Klev and agreed to by the author.
Compositionality in N + N compounds in Jordanian Arabic and English
Authors: Altakhaineh Abdel Rahman Mitib
Published: February 2022

This article aims to examine to what extent English and Jordanian Arabic (JA) have the same classification of N + N compounds based on their degree of compositionality. It also attempts to propose a universally applicable classification of compositionality in N + N compounds. I suggest a modified version of the degree of compositionality based on previous classifications by Fernando (1996), Dirven and Verspoor (1998), and Kavka (2009). The new classification is based on the semantic contribution of the head and the non-head to the meaning of the whole compound. After I have applied the new scale to the JA data, I argue that English and JA have compounds that exhibit the four degrees of compositionality; namely completely compositional, semi-compositional, semi non-compositional and completely non-compositional. The article concludes with some recommendations for future research.
The Effect of Immersive Training on Emergency Preparedness for Interdisciplinary College Students: A Single Group Pretest, Posttest
Authors: White-Lewis Sharon , Berens Conner , Lighter Joseph S.
Published: February 2022

Objective:

Current standard practice for disaster response training is insufficient to prepare future responders. Interdisciplinary immersive education is necessary for disaster responders to react quickly to the devastating destruction, dangerous situations, and ethical dilemmas, while caring for survivors, families, and communities with limited resources. This study tests the effects of immersive emergency preparedness education on interdisciplinary college students.

Methods:

Thirty-four college students attended a 3-day immersive disaster training event. Interdisciplinary teams were given 6 challenges to adapt and overcome: mass casualty; field hospital triage, treatment, and transportation; water rescue; high building rescue; search and rescue; and a water treatment. A pretest and posttest survey, Emergency Preparedness Information Questionnaire (EPIQ), was administered to all participants.

Results:

Statistically significant improvements in triage, biological agent detection, assessing critical resources, incident command, psychological issues, clinical decision making, and communication (range of P = 0.000–0.003). Improvement in clinical significance resulted in a change from limited knowledge to familiarity with the subject in all cases except isolation, quarantine, and decontamination.

Conclusions:

Preparation and training of health care professionals need to include immersive disaster scenarios that create the experience of fatigue, psychological challenges, and physical stresses.
Extrema of multi-dimensional Gaussian processes over random intervals
Authors: Ji Lanpeng , Peng Xiaofan
Published: February 2022

This paper studies the joint tail asymptotics of extrema of the multi-dimensional Gaussian process over random intervals defined as
$P(u)\;:\!=\; \mathbb{P}\{\cap_{i=1}^n (\sup_{t\in[0,\mathcal{T}_i]} ( X_{i}(t) +c_i t )>a_i u )\}$
,
$u\rightarrow\infty$
, where
$X_i(t)$
,
$t\ge0$
,
$i=1,2,\ldots,n$
, are independent centered Gaussian processes with stationary increments,
$\boldsymbol{\mathcal{T}}=(\mathcal{T}_1, \ldots, \mathcal{T}_n)$
is a regularly varying random vector with positive components, which is independent of the Gaussian processes, and
$c_i\in \mathbb{R}$
,
$a_i>0$
,
$i=1,2,\ldots,n$
. Our result shows that the structure of the asymptotics of P(u) is determined by the signs of the drifts
$c_i$
. We also discuss a relevant multi-dimensional regenerative model and derive the corresponding ruin probability.
The prevalence, molecular characterization and antimicrobial resistance profiling of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from clinical mastitis cases on large dairy farms in China
Authors: Liu Kai , Zhang Limei , Gu Xiaolong , Liu Gang , Liu Yang , Chen Peng , Deng Zhaoju , Gao Jian , Han Bo , Qu Weijie
Published: February 2022

This research communication aims to characterize the prevalence, molecular characterization and antimicrobial resistance profiling of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from clinical mastitis in China. A total of 140 Strep. agalactiae isolates were identified from 12 out of 201 farms in 6 provinces, overall herd prevalence was 18.6% and the MLST analysis showed clonal complexes (CC) 103 and CC 67 were present in these herds with CC 103 predominant, accounting for 97.9%. Isolates were mostly sensitive to the tested antimicrobials: penicillin, ceftiofur, amoxi/clav, cefquinome, and vancomycin (100%), followed by cefalexin (97.9%), oxacillin (96.4%), enrofloxacin (95.7%), erythromycin (89.3%), and clindamycin (88.6%). Only 19.3 and 0.7% of isolates were sensitive to tetracycline and daptomycin, respectively, and sequence type (ST) 103 was most resistant to antimicrobials. In conclusion, CC 103 was the predominant subgroup of bovine mastitis Strep. agalactiae in China, and most antimicrobials apart from tetracycline and daptomycin were effective.
Entanglements in the colony: Jewish–Muslim connected histories in colonial India
Authors: Khan Razak
Published: February 2022

This article examines often ignored ‘minority entanglements’ forged between European Jewish and South Asian Muslim intellectuals in Germany and traces their evolution in colonial India. The article focuses on three individual life histories and situates them within the more extensive Jewish-Muslim intellectual dialogue that resonated in the inter-war period. It brings to light the lives and writings of Josef Horovitz (1874–1931), professor of Arabic at the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College, Aligarh, and a prolific contributor to the journal Islamic Culture published in Hyderabad; Leopold Weiss alias Muhammad Asad (1900–1992) in Islamia College, Lahore, who also served as the editor of Islamic Culture, Hyderabad; and educationist and reform pedagogue Gerda Philipsborn (1895–1943) at the Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. The intellectual dialogue between minority communities, together with the contribution it made both to modern Islamic studies as a discipline and the forging of a new reform pedagogy, allow us to rethink the Jewish and Muslim question as well as the minority response to it through a comparative perspective. The minor history of European Jewish and South Asian Muslim entanglements makes for a rich testimony to the problems and possibilities of studying minorities as the makers of minor cosmopolitan knowledge.
Reading Conflict of the Faculties Politically: A More Creative Exposition of Kant's Argument
Authors: Kellner Alan J.
Published: February 2022

John Zammito attacks Kant for bending over backwards to enlightened autocracy in Part Two of Conflict of the Faculties. Zammito calls for more creative exponents to explain how Kant's supposed advocacy of absolutism could possibly be “best.” This paper answers Zammito's request, explaining how Kant's view can be considered best by reading Kant's argument politically, in three senses of that term: the substance of Kant's argument is political in nature; its mode of argumentation should be read as politics-first, not ethics-first; and in light its publication history, Conflict's very publication should be viewed as a political act in its own right. Resituating the text and its argument shows Kant to be attacking absolutism, not defending it. As a subsidiary aim, the paper interprets the argument of Part Two of Conflict as exhibiting more internal unity than has previously been thought.