bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Humanistic school science: Research, policy, politics and classrooms
Authors: Aikenhead Glen S.
Published: October 2022

This article establishes a rational, feasible, and necessary conclusion to reform high school science content into an equitable experience for its wide diversity of students' self‐identities. Research indicates that 85% of graduates would not normally have enrolled in any science course unless required. Their values are more aligned with their everyday world and/or the world of the humanities, to varying degrees. The 15% had already fulfilled their science prerequisite for postsecondary science‐related programs, to varying degrees. The article's conclusion rests mainly on historical and economic evidence, respectively: (1) The Sputnik crisis that instilled public fear and anxiety about the perceived technological gap between the United States and Soviet Union. This led to reforming high school science and implementing National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (2) The on‐growing climate‐change crisis for which the smart international money is increasingly investing in sustainable businesses and industries, which catalyze a shift in public values from the current “profit society” to a “sustainable society.” The article's rationale connects the two historical events. Over the past 30 years, the nature of normal science has evolved into post‐normal science. Today the public square also includes: (a) an international assessment project that receives a negative validity audit in this article; (b) a vocal small minority within the 85%, proud of their antiscience self‐identities and their leaders' hostile behavior (a problem to ameliorate by a reformed sustainable science education); and (c) instances of small‐scale, suitable reform examples developed over the last 70 years, often referred to as humanistic school science.
Application of New Magnetic Graphene Oxide‐Porphyrin Nanoparticles for Synthesis of Pyridines and Pyrimidines via Anomeric‐Based Oxidation
Authors: Dashteh Mohammad , Baghery Saeed , Zolfigol Mohammad Ali , Khazaei Ardeshir , Khajevand Masuood
Published: October 2022

Herein joining of poly graphene oxide‐porphyrin to magnetic nanoparticles {poly Fe3O4@SiO2@(CH2)3‐GO‐[PTTA‐NH−Ni] MNPs} was occurred. The synthesized catalyst was characterized by several techniques such as FT‐IR, CHN elemental analysis, EDX, WDX elemental maps, TGA, DTG, DTA, XRD, FE‐SEM, TEM, BET, BJH, VSM, and ICP‐AES. The described magnetic nanoparticles were employed as a benign catalyst for the expedient synthesis of 5‐amino‐7‐aryl‐2‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydrothiazolo[4,5‐b] pyridine‐6‐carbonitriles via anomeric‐based oxidation mechanistic pathway. Target molecules were prepared through a four‐component reaction of 2,4‐thiazolidinedione, aldehydes, malononitrile, and ammonium acetate under solvent‐free conditions at 75 °C. Also, the application of the presented catalyst was investigated under the same reaction conditions for the synthesis of 5,7‐diaryl‐4,7‐dihydro‐[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines through the three‐component reaction of aldehydes, acetophenones, and 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole.
Probing N‐Alkoxy Effects in Domino Reactions of α‐Bromoacetamide Derivatives Towards Functionalized γ‐Lactams
Authors: Champetter Philippe , Alahyen Ismail , Taillier Catherine , Brière Jean‐François , Dalla Vincent , Oudeyer Sylvain , Comesse Sébastien
Published: October 2022

The main objective of the present work is to better delineate the positive impact of N‐alkoxy versus N‐alkyl moieties in domino reactions. The key role of the metallic counterion of the basic reagent via a templating effect has been established, giving an insight over the superiority of N‐alkoxy α‐bromoacetamides compared to their N‐alkyl analogues. The former demonstrated enhanced reactivity and efficiency, thus requiring milder conditions and leading to a wider scope of γ‐lactams in good to excellent yields ranging from 67 to 98%. Overall, this study contributes to the emerging point of view that N‐alkoxy nitrogenated compounds are useful building blocks with powerful but still under‐developed synthetic potential, in particular in domino reactions.
The State of Diversity in Computer Science in 2022
Authors: Bjørn Pernille , Menendez-Blanco Maria , Borsotti Valeria
Published: October 2022

‘Datalogy’ (or computer science) is the academic foundation and practice that determines how digital technologies are designed, developed, and introduced into peoples’ lives. Digital technologies shape society, life, and work and influence how people think and act with technology in all aspects of life. In a democracy it is vital that the people who create technology mirror the society’s diversity, to ensure that new digital technologies do not constrain people’s agency but enable people to act and take part in society. Today, in 2022, diversity and inclusion is one of the main challenges for computer science as a field and profession in Western countries such as Denmark and the USA (Frieze and Quesenberry 2019; Borsotti and Bjørn 2022), and studies have shown that computer science will not reach gender parity in this century (Holman et al. 2018) without interventions directed at change.
Equity & Inclusion
Authors: Bjørn Pernille , Menendez-Blanco Maria , Borsotti Valeria
Published: October 2022

When beginning our research on equity, diversity, and inclusion under the umbrella of FemTech.dk research, we engaged with new literature, theory, and analytical approaches from research on equity and inclusion – research we did not know prior to FemTech.dk but which has been fundamental to our activities. In this chapter, we introduce the theoretical vocabulary we have learned as we entered this research space. Our purpose is to provide a short introduction to the most important concepts we found essential and relevant for our purpose of exploring diversity in computer science and to give readers a quick introduction to the most important concepts, which they then can use to initiate equity work in their institutions.
Online Path Planning in a Multi-agent-Controlled Manufacturing System
Authors: Ramasamy Sudha , Bennulf Mattias , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Hammar Samuel , Danielsson Fredrik
Published: October 2022

In recent years the manufacturing sectors are migrating from mass production to mass customization. To be able to achieve mass customization, manufacturing systems are expected to be more flexible to accommodate the different customizations. The industries which are using the traditional and dedicated manufacturing systems are expensive to realize this transition. One promising approach to achieve flexibility in their production is called Plug & Produce concept which can be realized using multi-agent-based controllers. In multi-agent systems, parts and resources are usually distributed logically, and they communicate with each other and act as autonomous agents to achieve the manufacturing goals. During the manufacturing process, an agent representing a robot can request a path for transportation from one location to another location. To address this transportation facility, this paper presents the result of a futuristic approach for an online path planning algorithm directly implemented as an agent in a multi-agent system. Here, the agent systems can generate collision-free paths automatically and autonomously. The parts and resources can be configured with a multi-agent system in the manufacturing process with minimal human intervention and production downtime, thereby achieving the customization and flexibility in the production process needed.
Detachable, Low-Cost Tool Holder for Grippers in Human-Robot Interaction
Authors: Schmidbauer Christina , Küffner-McCauley Hans , Schlund Sebastian , Ophoven Marcus , Clemenz Christian
Published: October 2022

To hand over more than just pick & place tasks to an industrial collaborative robotic arm with a two-jaw gripper, the gripper must first be removed, and a new tool mounted. This tool change requires either human assistance or an expensive tool changer. The tools applied to the end-effector are often highly expensive and software system interfaces between different tools and robots are seldom available. Therefore, a holder was developed that allows the robot to pick up and operate a tool, such as an electric screwdriver, without having to demount the two-jaw gripper. Instead, the gripper’s functionality is used to activate and deactivate the tool fixed to the holder. This paper presents the state-of-the-art of the underlying problem as well as the development process including simulations, the patented design, and the low-cost production of the tool holder. This detachable, low-cost tool holder enables a flexibilization of human-robot processes in manufacturing.
A Conceptual Framework of a Digital-Twin for a Circular Meat Supply Chain
Authors: Valero M. R. , Hicks B. J. , Nassehi A.
Published: October 2022

Every year more than 900 million tonnes of food is wasted, contributing to almost 10% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing food waste has been identified as essential to tackle the current climate crisis, and links to several UN’s sustainable development goals. This is especially critical for energy and resource-intensive food products like meat, whose consumption is predicted to reach an historical maximum by 2030. Whilst wastage occurs at all stages of the supply chain, tractable data about the journey of food from production to consumer remains largely hidden or unrecorded. Powered by the latest advances in sensing like smart food packaging and digital technologies such as Big Data and IoT, Digital Twins offer a valuable opportunity to monitor and control meat products and processes across the whole supply chain, enabling food waste to be reduced and by-products reintegrated into the supply chain. This paper proposes a new framework for a Digital Twin that integrates key technological enablers across different areas of the meat supply chain towards with the goal of a “zero-waste”, circular meat supply chain.
A Survey of Smart Manufacturing for High-Mix Low-Volume Production in Defense and Aerospace Industries
Authors: Tahmina Tanjida , Garcia Mauro , Geng Zhaohui , Bidanda Bopaya
Published: October 2022

Defense and aerospace industries usually possess unique high-mix low-volume production characteristics. This uniqueness generally calls for prohibitive production costs and long production lead-time. One of the major trends in advanced, smart manufacturing is to be more responsive and better readiness while ensuring the same or higher production quality and lower cost. This study reviews the state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies to solve these issues and previews two levels of flexibility, i.e., system and process, that could potentially reduce the costs while increasing the production volume in such a scenario. The main contribution of the work includes an assessment of the current solutions for HMLV scenarios, especially within the defense of aerospace sectors, and a survey of the current and potential future practices focusing on smart production process planning and flexible assembly plan driven by emerging techniques.
Manufacturing Process Optimization via Digital Twins: Definitions and Limitations
Authors: Papacharalampopoulos Alexios , Stavropoulos Panagiotis
Published: October 2022

Manufacturing process real-time optimization has been one of the main digital twins’ operations. It is of utmost importance to the processes, since it enables the feedback of a digital twin towards the real world. However, it is quite difficult to be implemented, since it requires modelling of the process, adaptivity of both the model and the process, real-time communication and link to other functionalities. Under the framework of formalizing such activities, the current work attempts to categorize the types of manufacturing process real-time optimization and show their limitations. For the sake of simplicity, generic process models are adopted and then the requirements for the process control are given, driving the aforementioned definitions. Specific numerical examples are used to illustrate the definitions, while the latter presented herein span all categories of real-time optimization as well as all manufacturing performance indicators. Finally, both mathematically and physics-wise, the limitations are discussed.
Generation of an Intermediate Workpiece for Planning of Machining Operations
Authors: Šormaz Dušan , Campos Anibal Careaga , Arumugam Jaikumar
Published: October 2022

Digital twins in manufacturing plays a key factor for the digital transformation. A necessary component of any digital twin in manufacturing is a geometric model of a workpiece as it is processed through steps. DT requires solid 3d models, machining features, and information regarding machines, tools, and its constraints such as initial setup, machining direction, etc. The objective of this paper is to generate alternate feature interpretations to identify geometric constraints, machine and tool requirements, and stock materials to generate flexible manufacturing plans that fit a defined criterion. In this study we propose using the IMPlanner system to retrieve a 3d model from a CAD software, read its geometric features and convert them into possible machining features. This information along with information from the database of stock materials, tools, machines, and tolerances, the system generates several feature interpretations, thus offering a more flexible manufacturing plan.
High Precision Fabrication of an Innovative Fiber-Optic Displacement Sensor
Authors: Elrawashdeh Zeina , Revel Philippe , Prelle Christine , Lamarque Frédéric
Published: October 2022

This study presents the high precision fabrication technique, employed to manufacture a 3D conical grating, used as the reflector element, for a fiber-optic displacement sensor. To get high performance in terms of the surface quality, as well as a dimensional precision, the surface of the reflector must be a polished-mirror surface. To do so, a high precision turning machine along with aluminum alloy were the technical choices made. Two prototypes with different geometric dimensions, have been fabricated using the same machining strategy. Single crystal diamond tool was chosen, to obtain high surface roughness. The followed machining procedure was divided into two main parts; the first part achieves several cuts, to get the desired dimensions, and the last cut is deduced to get the desired nanometric roughness. Good results have been obtained, which validates the followed machining procedure.
Deep Anomaly Detection for Endoscopic Inspection of Cast Iron Parts
Authors: Schmedemann Ole , Miotke Maximilian , Kähler Falko , Schüppstuhl Thorsten
Published: October 2022

Detecting anomalies in image data plays a key role in automated industrial quality control. For this purpose, machine learning methods have proven useful for image processing tasks. However, supervised machine learning methods are highly dependent on the data with which they have been trained. In industrial environments data of defective samples are rare. In addition, the available data are often biased towards specific types, shapes, sizes, and locations of defects. On the contrary, one-class classification (OCC) methods can solely be trained with normal data which are usually easy to obtain in large quantities. In this work we evaluate the applicability of advanced OCC methods for an industrial inspection task. Convolutional Autoencoders and Generative Adversarial Networks are applied and compared with Convolutional Neural Networks. As an industrial use case we investigate the endoscopic inspection of cast iron parts. For the use case a dataset was created. Results show that both GAN and autoencoder-based OCC methods are suitable for detecting defective images in our industrial use case and perform on par with supervised learning methods when few data are available.
Kritische Betrachtung
Authors: Lorenz Sandro
Published: October 2022

Methodisch ist festzuhalten, dass mit der erreichten Fallzahl von 621 eingeschlossenen Patienten die notwendige statistische Power erreicht wurde, um auch geringe Effektstärken detektieren zu können. Bei der ermittelten post-hoc Effektstärke für die Patientenzufriedenheit wäre schon eine Fallzahl von 210 ausreichend gewesen. Der Modus der Datenerhebung mit Hilfe eines anonymen Fragebogens sollte Verzerrungen durch den Einfluss der sozialen Erwünschtheit bestmöglich begrenzen.
Interacting conformal scalar in a wedge
Authors: Bissi Agnese , Dey Parijat , Sisti Jacopo , Söderberg Alexander
Published: October 2022

Abstract

We study a class of two-point functions in a conformal field theory near a wedge. This is a set-up with two boundaries intersecting at an angle θ. We compute it as a solution to the Dyson-Schwinger equation of motion for a quartic interaction in the d = 4 − ϵ bulk and on one of the boundaries in d = 3 − ϵ, up to order (ϵ). We have extracted the anomalous dimensions from such correlators, which we complemented with Feynman diagrams computations.
Upper bounds of holographic entanglement entropy growth rate for thermofield double states
Authors: Li Ze , Yang Run-Qiu
Published: October 2022

Abstract

We studied the upper bounds of the holographic entanglement entropy growth rate for thermofield double (TFD) states. By comparing the cases of vacuum AdS and charged AdS black holes, we conjecture: for all static planar or spherically symmetric asymptotically Schwarzschild-AdS black holes of same mass density or entropy density, the vacuum AdS black hole gives the maximum entanglement entropy growth rate. We gave proofs by assuming dominant energy condition. We also considered the AdS black hole spacetime with real scalar fields case, where the scalar fields violate the dominant energy condition and the bulk geometry is not asymptotically Schwarzschild-AdS. Numerical results show that this case vacuum black hole still has maximal growth rate if we fixed entropy. However, in the case of fixed energy, vacuum case has maximal growth rate of entanglement entropy only under standard quantization scheme.
Multi-component dark sectors: symmetries, asymmetries and conversions
Authors: Bas i Beneito Arnau , Herrero-García Juan , Vatsyayan Drona
Published: October 2022

Abstract

We study the relic abundance of several stable particles from a generic dark sector, including the possible presence of dark asymmetries. After discussing the different possibilities for stabilising multi-component dark matter, we analyse the final relic abundance of the symmetric and asymmetric dark matter components, paying special attention to the role of the unavoidable conversions between dark matter states. We find an exponential dependence of the asymmetries of the heavier components on annihilations and conversions. We conclude that having similar symmetric and asymmetric components is a natural outcome in many scenarios of multi-component dark matter. This has novel phenomenological implications, which we briefly discuss.
Drift diffusion equations with fractional diffusion on compact Lie groups
Authors: Cardona Duván , Delgado Julio , Ruzhansky Michael
Published: October 2022

In this work we investigate the well-posed for diffusion equations associated to subelliptic pseudo-differential operators on compact Lie groups. The diffusion by strongly elliptic operators is considered as a special case and in particular the fractional diffusion with respect to the Laplacian. The general case is studied within the Hörmander classes associated to a sub-Riemannian structure on the group (encoded by a Hörmander system of vector fields). Applications to diffusion equations for fractional sub-Laplacians, fractional powers of more general subelliptic operators and the corresponding quasi-geostrophic model with drift D are investigated. Examples on $$\text {SU}(2)$$

SU
(
2
)

for diffusion problems with fractional diffusion are analysed.
Investigating the causal relationships between excess adiposity and cardiometabolic health in men and women
Authors: Mutie Pascal M. , Pomares-Millan Hugo , Atabaki-Pasdar Naeimeh , Coral Daniel , Fitipaldi Hugo , Tsereteli Neli , Tajes Juan Fernandez , Franks Paul W. , Giordano Giuseppe N.
Published: October 2022

Aims/hypothesis

Excess adiposity is differentially associated with increased risk of cardiometabolic disease in men and women, according to observational studies. Causal inference studies largely assume a linear relationship between BMI and cardiometabolic outcomes, which may not be the case. In this study, we investigated the shapes of the causal relationships between BMI and cardiometabolic diseases and risk factors. We further investigated sex differences within the causal framework.

Methods

To assess causal relationships between BMI and the outcomes, we used two-stage least-squares Mendelian randomisation (MR), with a polygenic risk score for BMI as the instrumental variable. To elucidate the shapes of the causal relationships, we used a non-linear MR fractional polynomial method, and used piecewise MR to investigate threshold relationships and confirm the shapes.

Results

BMI was associated with type 2 diabetes (OR 3.10; 95% CI 2.73, 3.53), hypertension (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.44, 1.62) and coronary artery disease (OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.08, 1.33), but not chronic kidney disease (OR 1.08; 95% CI 0.67, 1.72) or stroke (OR 1.08; 95% CI 0.92, 1.28). For cardiometabolic risk factors, BMI was positively associated with glucose, HbA1c, triacylglycerol levels and both systolic and diastolic BP. BMI had an inverse causal relationship with total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol. The data suggest a non-linear causal relationship between BMI and blood glucose levels, HbA1c and lipid fractions (p<0.001), more strongly in men than women. The piecewise MR results were consistent with the fractional polynomial results. The causal effect of BMI on coronary artery disease, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol was different in men and women, but this sex difference was only significant for LDL-cholesterol after controlling for multiple testing (p<0.001). Further, the causal effect of BMI on coronary artery disease varied by menopause status in women.

Conclusions/interpretation

We describe the shapes of causal effects of BMI on cardiometabolic diseases and risk factors, and report sex differences in the causal effects of BMI on LDL-cholesterol. We found evidence of non-linearity in the causal effect of BMI on diseases and risk factor biomarkers. Reducing excess adiposity is highly beneficial for health, but there is greater need to consider biological sex in the management of adiposity.

Graphical abstract
Documenting occupational sorting by gender in the UK across three cohorts: does a grand convergence rely on societal movements?
Authors: Lekfuangfu Warn N. , Lordan Grace
Published: October 2022

We consider the extent to which temporal shifts have been responsible for an increased tendency for females to sort into traditionally male roles over time, versus childhood factors. Drawing on three cohort studies, which follow individuals born in the UK in 1958, 1970 and 2000, we compare the shift in the tendency of females in these cohorts to sort into traditionally male roles compared to males, to the combined effect of a large set of childhood variables. For all three cohorts, we find strong evidence of sorting along gendered lines, which has decreased over time, yet there is no erosion of the gender gap in the tendency to sort into occupations with the highest share of males. Within the cohort, we find little evidence that childhood variables change the tendency for females of either the average or highest ability to sort substantively differently. Our work is highly suggestive that temporal shifts are what matter in determining the differential gendered sorting patterns we have seen over the last number of decades, and also those that remain today. These temporal changes include attitudinal changes, technology advances, policy changes and economic shifts.
An inhibitor of BRD4, GNE987, inhibits the growth of glioblastoma cells by targeting C-Myc and S100A16
Authors: Ma Liya , Li Gen , Yang Tianquan , Zhang Li , Wang Xinxin , Xu Xiaowen , Ni Hong
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Among children, glioblastomas (GBMs) are a relatively common type of brain tumor. BRD4 expression was elevated in GBM and negatively correlated with the prognosis of glioma. We investigated the anti-GBM effects of a novel BRD4 inhibitor GNE987.

Methods

We evaluated the anti-tumor effect of GNE987 in vitro and in vivo by Western blot, CCK8, flow cytometry detection, clone formation, the size of xenografts, and Ki67 immunohistochemical staining, and combined ChIP-seq with RNA-seq techniques to find its anti-tumor mechanism.

Results

In vitro experiments showed that GNE987 significantly degraded BRD4, inhibited the proliferation of GBM cells, blocked the cell cycle, and induced apoptosis. Similarly, in vivo experiments, GNE987 also inhibited GBM growth as seen from the size of xenografts and Ki67 immunohistochemical staining. Based on Western blotting, GNE987 can significantly reduce the protein level of C-Myc; meanwhile, we combined ChIP-seq with RNA-seq techniques to confirm that GNE987 downregulated the transcription of S100A16 by disturbing H3K27Ac. Furthermore, we validated that S100A16 is indispensable in GBM growth.

Conclusion

GNE987 may be effective against GBM that targets C-Myc expression and influences S100A16 transcription through downregulation of BRD4.
An Almost Optimal Bound on the Number of Intersections of Two Simple Polygons
Authors: Ackerman Eyal , Keszegh Balázs , Rote Günter
Published: October 2022

What is the maximum number of intersections of the boundaries of a simple m-gon and a simple n-gon? This is a basic question in combinatorial geometry, and the answer is easy if at least one of m and n is even: If both m and n are even, then every pair of sides may cross and so the answer is mn. If exactly one polygon, say the n-gon, has an odd number of sides, it can intersect each side of the m-gon polygon at most $$n-1$$

n
-
1

times; hence there are at most $$mn-m$$

m
n
-
m

intersections. It is not hard to construct examples that meet these bounds. If both m and n are odd, the best known construction has $$mn-(m+n)+3$$

m
n
-
(
m
+
n
)
+
3

intersections, and it is conjectured that this is the maximum. However, the best known upper bound is only $$mn-(m + \lceil {n}/{6} \rceil )$$

m
n
-
(
m
+
⌈
n
/
6
⌉
)

, for $$m \ge n$$

m
≥
n

. We prove a new upper bound of $$mn-(m+n)+C$$

m
n
-
(
m
+
n
)
+
C

for some constant C, which is optimal apart from the value of C.
What Does It Mean to Be Responsive to a Partner’s Sexual Needs? Toward a Definition of Sexual Need Responsiveness
Authors: Vowels Laura M. , Roos Carla A. , Mehulić Jasmina , O’Dean Siobhan M. , Sánchez-Hernández M. Dolores
Published: October 2022

Being responsive to a partner’s sexual needs in relationships (i.e., sexual need responsiveness) is associated with higher sexual and relationship satisfaction. Previous research has focused on researcher-led definitions of sexual need responsiveness. The purpose of the present study was to develop a participant-informed definition of sexual need responsiveness. A total of 305 individuals responded to five open-ended questions concerning the definition and behaviors pertaining to sexual need responsiveness. The content analysis results showed that the most common elements in participants’ definition included listening to and accommodating each other's sexual needs and wishes whenever possible, while respecting both partners’ safety and boundaries. Both verbal and non-verbal communication in various forms was used to express and share needs with partners and participants often evaluated responsiveness in terms of their sexual satisfaction. The results provide a participant-informed definition of sexual need responsiveness and can be used to inform research and clinical practice.
Government effectiveness and inequality in Italian regions
Authors: Barra Cristian , Papaccio Anna , Ruggiero Nazzareno
Published: October 2022

Using regional data for Italy over the 2004–2019 period, this paper investigates the relationship between government effectiveness and inequality. For our empirical purposes, ordinary least squares, instrumental variable (IV) and generalized methods of moments regressions have been employed. Our evidence indicates that improved government effectiveness has some role in reducing inequality in the most developed regions of the North, but has no effect in both the Centre and in the peripheral Southern regions.
Getting real about pretense
Authors: Hutto Daniel
Published: October 2022

This paper argues that radical enactivism (RE) offers a framework with the required nuance needed for understanding of the full range of the various forms of pretense. In particular, its multi-storey account of cognition, which holds that psychological attitudes can be both contentless and contentful, enables it to appropriately account for both the most basic and most advanced varieties of pretense. By comparison with other existing accounts of pretense, RE is shown to avoid the pitfalls of representationalist theories while also allowing us to combine the best elements of the praxeological enactivist (Weichold & Rucińska, 2021) and Langland-Hassan’s (2020, 2021) proposals about pretense, while avoiding their key shortcomings.
An analysis of energy efficiency of the Pearl River Delta of China based on super-efficiency SBM model and Malmquist index
Authors: Liu Boyu
Published: October 2022

With the rapid growth rate of China’s economy, the extensive pattern of economic growth of “high energy consumption and low output” has magnified the constraints of energy issues on China’s economic development and environmental protection, which highlights the importance of improving energy efficiency. As one of the three major economic zones in China, the Pearl River Delta region also faces high energy consumption and pollution emissions while developing at a high speed. Hence, improving the energy efficiency of the Pearl River Delta region is needed, as it not only is conducive to driving its development of the surrounding green economy, but also promotes the subsequent sustainable economic development. However, there are few literatures on the calculation and analysis of energy efficiency in the Pearl River Delta, and lacking a systematic analysis of input–output index system of energy efficiency measurement. Therefore, this paper calculates the energy efficiencies and the Malmquist indexes based on the panel data of the nine cities in the Pearl River Delta from 2005 to 2019 through super-efficiency SBM model and Malmquist index method by using MAXDEA and MATLAB software. The result illustrates that all regions in the Pearl River Delta except Guangzhou and Shenzhen show obvious energy inefficiency, which is mainly caused by the imbalance between technical efficiency and scale efficiency. Based on the calculation results, this paper gives some relevant suggestions for the further approach of energy reform in the Pearl River Delta according to the calculation results.
Blended-eLearning Impact on Health Worker Stigma Toward Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Psychoactive Substance Users
Authors: Clair Veronic , Rossa-Roccor Verena , Mutiso Victoria , Rieder Sasha , Musau Abednego , Frank Erica , Ndetei David
Published: October 2022

This study evaluated factors affecting the completion of blended-eLearning courses for health workers and their effect on stigma. The two courses covered the screening and management of harmful alcohol, tobacco, and other substance consumption in a lower-middle-income country setting. The courses included reading, self-reflection exercises, and skills practice on communication and stigma. The Anti-Stigma Intervention-Stigma Evaluation Survey was modified to measure stigma related to alcohol, tobacco, or other substances. Changes in stigma score pre- and post-training period were assessed using pairedt-tests. Of the 123 health workers who registered, 99 completed the pre- and post-training surveys, including 56 who completed the course and 43 who did not. Stigma levels decreased significantly after the training period, especially for those who completed the courses. These findings indicate that blended-eLearning courses can contribute to stigma reduction and are an effective way to deliver continuing education, including in a lower-middle-income country setting.
The Effect of Systemic Racism and Homophobia on Police Enforcement and Sexual and Emotional Violence among Sex Workers in East London: Findings from a Cohort Study
Authors: Platt Lucy , Bowen Raven , Grenfell Pippa , Stuart Rachel , Sarker M. D. , Hill Kathleen , Walker Josephine , Javarez Xavier , Henham Carolyn , Mtetwa Sibongile , Hargreaves James , Boily M.-C. , Vickerman Peter , Hernandez Paz , Elmes Jocelyn
Published: October 2022

There is extensive qualitative evidence of violence and enforcement impacting sex workers who are ethnically or racially minoritized, and gender or sexual minority sex workers, but there is little quantitative evidence. Baseline and follow-up data were collected among 288 sex workers of diverse genders (cis/transgender women and men and non-binary people) in London (2018–2019). Interviewer-administered and self-completed questionnaires included reports of rape, emotional violence, and (un)lawful police encounters. We used generalized estimating equation models (Stata vs 16.1) to measure associations between (i) ethnic/racial identity (Black, Asian, mixed or multiple vs White) and recent (6 months) or past police enforcement and (ii) ethnic/racial and sexual identity (lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) vs. heterosexual) with recent rape and emotional violence (there was insufficient data to examine  the association with transgender/non-binary identities). Ethnically/racially minoritized sex workers (26.4%) reported more police encounters partly due to increased representation in street settings (51.4% vs 30.7% off-street, p = 0.002). After accounting for street setting, ethnically/racially minoritized sex workers had higher odds of recent arrest (adjusted odds ratio 2.8, 95% CI 1.3–5.8), past imprisonment (aOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1–5.0), police extortion (aOR 3.3, 95% CI 1.4–7.8), and rape (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.1–11.5). LGB-identifying sex workers (55.4%) were more vulnerable to rape (aOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1–5.2) and emotional violence. Sex workers identifying as ethnically/racially minoritized (aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0–4.5), LGB (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0–4.0), or who use drugs (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.8) were more likely to have experienced emotional violence than white-identifying, heterosexual or those who did not use drugs. Experience of any recent police enforcement was associated with increased odds of rape (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.3–8.4) and emotional violence (aOR 4.9, 95% CI 1.8–13.0). Findings show how police enforcement disproportionately targets ethnically/racially minoritized sex workers and contributes to increased risk of rape and emotional violence, which is elevated among sexual and ethnically/racially minoritized workers.
Flexibility for intergenerational justice in climate resilience decision-making: an application on sea-level rise in the Netherlands
Authors: Teodoro Jose D. , Doorn N. , Kwakkel J. , Comes T.
Published: October 2022

To adapt to a changing climate, decision-makers design, evaluate, and implement measures that have an implication of justice on citizens in the present and well into the future. Decision-makers are often required to make decisions without certainty of the consequences and understanding their effects on intergenerational justice. Thus, managing the impacts of climate change requires novel decision-aiding approaches that consider climate impacts’ temporal and spatial heterogeneity and the uncertainty in climate predictions, preferences, and values. We reviewed the literature on the extent to which principles of intergenerational justice—conservation of options and resources for future generations—have been integrated to traditional approaches in climate resilience decision-making. We explore the extent to which flexibility, i.e., the conservation and expansion of options in subsequent decision periods, can contribute to upholding the principles of intergenerational justice under uncertainty. We illustrate the approach in the case of the Delta Programme in the Netherlands, a complex system designed to protect against sea-level rise (SLR). Designing adaptation strategies to SLR with flexibility as a core concept brings significant advantages in circumstances of uncertainty. The conservation of options in flexible pathways, in this case, contributes to the principles of intergenerational justice. Our civilization’s long-term sustainability and survival may depend on the extent to which individuals can see beyond their gains and toward the gains of the collective society at an intergenerational scale.
Critical HR capabilities in agile organisations a cross-case analysis in swiss SMEs
Authors: Mollet Léonie S. , Kaudela-Baum Stephanie
Published: October 2022

The current agile management literature is missing insight about the challenges agile organisations face regarding human resource management (HRM/HR) – and how they may overcome them. Based on an exploratory case study design, we investigate the managerial challenges in seven pioneering companies, all of them medium-sized firms (SME) from the IT sector in Switzerland. The majority of the qualitative data gathered stems from interviews, that was coded along emerging themes. The results are divided into three sections: a proposed (1) typology for Business Agilists, (2) general challenges and (3) emergent agile HR capabilities. Following the proposition of agile HR as a distributed capability, we discuss several theoretical and practical implications. In essence, particular attention is to be placed on a cultural fit between employees and the agile working environment, which demands individuals to be highly self-reliant and autonomous. This entails the need for a flexible support structure to grow employees’ skills accordingly. The conclusion emphasises addressing the shared responsibility for HR work and the corresponding broad capability development of different role holders, resulting in the suggestion to replace the term HR with people management as a more inclusive bracket for integrative HR, culture and leadership work in agile organisations.
Soziale Arbeit im Kontext End-of-Life Care
Authors: Schütte-Bäumner Christian , Klomann Verena
Published: October 2022

Der Beitrag arbeitet das Potenzial der Sozialen Arbeit im Kontext End-of-Life Care und für die Begleitung in der letzten Lebensphase heraus, identifiziert charakteristische Herausforderungen und zeigt die Notwendigkeit einer professionstheoretischen Fundierung und Verortung für diesen Handlungsbereich auf. Er führt zudem in den Schwerpunkt ein.
Multi-isotopic study of the earliest mediaeval inhabitants of Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, Spain)
Authors: Pérez-Ramallo Patxi , Grandal-d´Anglade Aurora , Organista Elia , Santos Elena , Chivall David , Rodríguez-Varela Ricardo , Götherström Anders , Etxeberria Francisco , Ilgner Jana , Fernandes Ricardo , Arsuaga Juan Luis , Le Roux Petrus , Higham Tom , Beaumont Julia , Koon Hannah , Roberts Patrick
Published: October 2022

Santiago de Compostela is, together with Rome and Jerusalem, one of the three main pilgrimage and religious centres for Catholicism. The belief that the remains of St James the Great, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, is buried there has stimulated, since their reported discovery in the 9th century AD, a significant flow of people from across the European continent and beyond. Little is known about the practical experiences of people living within the city during its rise to prominence, however. Here, for the first time, we combine multi-isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N, δ18Oap, δ13Capand87Sr/86Sr) and radiocarbon dating (14C) of human remains discovered at the crypt of the Cathedral of Santiago to directly study changes in diet and mobility during the first three centuries of Santiago’s emergence as an urban centre (9th–12th centuries AD). Together with assessment of the existing archaeological data, our radiocarbon chronology broadly confirms historical tradition regarding the first occupation of the site. Isotopic analyses reveal that the foundation of the religious site attracted migrants from the wider region of the northwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula, and possibly from further afield. Stable isotope analysis of collagen, together with information on tomb typology and location, indicates that the inhabitants of the city experienced increasing socioeconomic diversity as it became wealthier as the hub of a wide network of pilgrimage. Our research represents the potential of multidisciplinary analyses to reveal insights into the origins and impacts of the emergence of early pilgrimage centres on the diets and status of communities within Christian mediaeval Europe and beyond.
Semiresorbable biologic hybrid meshes for ventral abdominal hernia repair in potentially contaminated settings: lower risk of recurrence
Authors: Goetz Markus , Jurczyk Maria , Junger Henrik , Schlitt Hans J. , Brunner Stefan M. , Brennfleck Frank W.
Published: October 2022

In case of potential contamination, implantation of synthetic meshes in hernia and abdominal wall surgery is problematic due to a higher risk of mesh infection. As an alternative, a variety of different biologic meshes have been used. However, relevant data comparing outcome after implantation of these meshes are lacking. Between January 2012 and October 2021, biologic meshes were used for reconstruction of the abdominal wall in 71 patients with preoperative or intraoperative abdominal contamination. In this retrospective study, semiresorbable biologic hybrid meshes (BHM) and completely resorbable meshes (CRM) were compared and analyzed using a Castor EDC database. In 28 patients, semiresorbable biologic hybrid meshes were used; in 43 patients, completely resorbable meshes were used. Both groups showed no difference in age, gender, BMI, operation duration, hernia size and Charlson comorbidity index. The risk degree of surgical-site occurrences was graded according to the Ventral Hernia Working Group (VHWG) classification, and the median value was 3 (range 2–4) in the BHM group and 3 (range 2–4) in the CRM group. Hernia recurrence within 24 months after hernia repair was significantly lower in the BHM group (3.6% vs. 28.9%; p = 0.03), while postoperative complication rate, with respect to seromas in need of therapy (61.4% vs. 55.5%, p = 0.43) and operative revision (28.6% vs. 16.3%, p = 0.22) was not different in either group. Biologic hybrid meshes can be used safely in case of possible contamination. BHM seems to reduce the risk of hernia recurrence compared to completely resorbable biologic meshes, but this has to be investigated further.
Bilateral upper eyelid swelling (Hoagland sign) in Epstein–Barr infectious mononucleosis: prospective experience
Authors: Bronz Gabriel , Zanetti Benedetto P. E. S. M. , Bianchetti Mario G. , Milani Gregorio P. , Lava Sebastiano A. G. , Neuhaus Thomas J. , Witschi Anne , Kottanattu Lisa
Published: October 2022

Background

The typical presentation of Epstein–Barr virus infectious mononucleosis includes fever, pharyngitis, measles-like rash, jaundice, and enlarged lymph nodes, liver, or spleen. A painless bilateral swelling of the upper eyelid, sometimes with drooping of the lateral aspect, may also occur. This sign, referred to as Hoagland sign, is not or only marginally mentioned in reviews and textbooks.

Methods

Between 2019 and 2021, two of us evaluated all subjects with a positive acute Epstein–Barr virus serology for the typical signs of mononucleosis and for the possible existence of the Hoagland sign.

Results

During the mentioned period, the diagnosis of mononucleosis was made in 26 (14 females and 12 males) subjects aged from 9.0 to 33 years. The initial presentation included fever in 24, enlarged cervical lymph nodes in 23, pharyngitis in 21, a palpable liver in 7, a palpable spleen in 7, jaundice in 2, and a measles-like rash in 2 cases. The Hoagland sign was noted in 14 cases. Patients with and without Hoagland sign did not significantly differ with respect to age and sex.

Conclusions

The Hoagland sign is an easily identifiable clinical sign that is common and likely helpful early in the course of Epstein–Barr virus infectious mononucleosis. There is a need to expand awareness of this sign among physicians.
Managing Post-traumatic Olfactory Disorders
Authors: Konstantinidis Iordanis
Published: October 2022

Purpose of Review

This study aims to summarize and critically review recent literature on management of post-traumatic olfactory dysfunction (PTOD) with emphasis on the diagnostic procedure and treatment options.

Recent Findings

Magnetic resonance imaging and olfactory testing are the basis of the diagnostic procedure. Time of diagnosis is critical as the most improvement occurs within the first year after trauma. Olfactory training and oral steroids seem to be a relatively evidence-based therapeutic option but with non-optimal results. Surgery has a limited place in the management of PTOD. Promising future options could be the development of olfactory implants and transplantation of olfactory epithelium or stem cells.

PTOD management is challenging as it has several pathogenetic mechanisms and relatively poor prognosis. Patients with olfactory impairment and head trauma have diminished quality of life, and increased risk for harmful events and development of depression. Thus, clinicians should not only focus to therapeutic options but equally to appropriate counseling to their patients in order to decrease risks of personal injury and improve their daily life.
Investigations on influencing the microstructure of additively manufactured Co-Cr alloys to improve subsequent machining conditions
Authors: Eissel Antonia , Engelking Lorenz , Treutler Kai , Schroepfer Dirk , Wesling Volker , Kannengiesser Thomas
Published: October 2022

Co-Cr alloys are frequently used for highly stressed components, especially in turbine and plant construction, due to their high resistance to thermal and mechanical stress, as well as to corrosive and abrasive loads. Furthermore, they are classified as difficult-to-cut materials because of their high strength and toughness as well as their low thermal conductivity. However, for Co, an increased cost and supply risk can be observed in recent years. Therefore, additive manufacturing (AM) offers significant economic advantages due to higher material efficiency regarding repair, modification, and manufacturing of such components. Concerning inhomogeneity and anisotropy of the microstructure and properties as well as manufacturing-related stresses, a lot of knowledge is still necessary for the economic use of additive welding processes in SMEs. In addition, subsequent machining, particularly contour milling, is essential to generate the required complex contours and surfaces. Hence, additive and machining manufacturing processes need to be coordinated in a complementary way, especially due to additional challenges arising in milling of heterogeneous hard-to-cut microstructures. Recently, it has been shown that modern, hybrid cutting processes, such as ultrasonic-assisted milling (US), can improve the cutting situation. In this investigation, the Co-Cr initial alloy is additionally modified with Ti and Zr up to 1 wt% with the aim to enhance the homogeneity of the microstructure and, thus, the machinability. Hence the investigation includes finish milling tests of the AM components and the comparison of US and conventional machining. Both the modifications and the ultrasonic assistance exhibit a significant effect on the machining situation; for example US causes a higher surface integrity of the finish milled surfaces compared to conventional milling.