bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comprehensive method to design and assess mixed reality simulations
Authors: Brunzini Agnese , Papetti Alessandra , Messi Daniele , Germani Michele
Published: February 2022

The scientific literature highlights how Mixed Reality (MR) simulations allow obtaining several benefits in healthcare education. Simulation-based training, boosted by MR, offers an exciting and immersive learning experience that helps health professionals to acquire knowledge and skills, without exposing patients to unnecessary risks. High engagement, informational overload, and unfamiliarity with virtual elements could expose students to cognitive overload and acute stress. The implementation of effective simulation design strategies able to preserve the psychological safety of learners and the investigation of the impacts and effects of simulations are two open challenges to be faced. In this context, the present study proposes a method to design a medical simulation and evaluate its effectiveness, with the final aim to achieve the learning outcomes and do not compromise the students' psychological safety. The method has been applied in the design and development of an MR application to simulate the rachicentesis procedure for diagnostic purposes in adults. The MR application has been tested by involving twenty students of the 6th year of Medicine and Surgery of Università Politecnica delle Marche. Multiple measurement techniques such as self-report, physiological indices, and observer ratings of performance, cognitive and emotional states of learners have been implemented to improve the rigour of the study. Also, a user-experience analysis has been accomplished to discriminate between two different devices: Vox Gear Plus® and Microsoft Hololens®. To compare the results with a reference, students performed the simulation also without using the MR application. The use of MR resulted in increased stress measured by physiological parameters without a high increase in perceived workload. It satisfies the objective to enhance the realism of the simulation without generating cognitive overload, which favours productive learning. The user experience (UX) has found greater benefits in involvement, immersion, and realism; however, it has emphasized the technological limitations of devices such as obstruction, loss of depth (Vox Gear Plus), and narrow FOV (Microsoft Hololens).
‘It’s a life-changing point for me’: critical consciousness, collective empowerment and global awareness as activist identity change in ‘popular education’
Authors: Jay Sarah , Adshead Maura , Ryklief Sahra
Published: February 2022

The Youth Global Awareness Programme (YGAP) is a 2-week residential ‘popular education’ programme for young, diverse, international, labour movement activists, run by the International Federation of Workers Education Associations in Cape Town, South Africa. In this mixed method study (N= 47), we draw on the Social Identity Approach to Education and Learning. We propose that the participatory, peer-to-peer learning during YGAP leads to activist identity change, where critical consciousness, collective empowerment and global awareness develop as group norms. The first longitudinal questionnaire study found significant increases in activist identity and critical consciousness, which predicted increased collective empowerment. In the second focus group study, data were analysed with reflexive thematic analysis and two themes provide compelling evidence of learning during YGAP as identity change processes. Participants’ commonalities and differences enhanced activist identities with global awareness. Simultaneously, new knowledge, passion, hope and connection to a global activist community created collective empowerment.
Uncertainty quantification of landslide runout motion considering soil interdependent anisotropy and fabric orientation
Authors: Ma Guotao , Rezania Mohammad , Mousavi Nezhad Mohaddeseh , Hu Xiewen
Published: February 2022

Natural soils often exhibit an anisotropic fabric pattern as a result of soil deposition, weathering, or filling. This paper aims to investigate the effect of soil interdependent anisotropy and fabric orientation on runout motions of landslides and evaluate the most critical fabric orientation for the post-failure behavior. The shear strength properties of soil deposit (i.e., cohesion $$c$$
c
and friction angle $$\varphi$$
φ
) are modeled as negatively cross correlated bivariate random fields. The results reveal that the spatial variability and the negative cross-correlation of $$c$$
c
and $$\varphi$$
φ
notably influence the post-failure behavior. In addition, the rotation of soil layer orientation significantly affects the runout motion. Based on the analyses, the deposition orientation of $${30}^{^\circ }$$

30

∘

is identified to produce the highest mean value and standard deviation of the runout distance. The findings from this study highlight the importance of considering the orientation of soil stratification, rather than only the magnitude of shear strength, in assessing the post-failure behavior of a landslide.
The winter, the summer and the summer dream of artificial intelligence in law
Authors: Francesconi Enrico
Published: February 2022

This paper reflects my address as IAAIL president at ICAIL 2021. It is aimed to give my vision of the status of the AI and Law discipline, and possible future perspectives. In this respect, I go through different seasons of AI research (of AI and Law in particular): from the Winter of AI, namely a period of mistrust in AI (throughout the eighties until early nineties), to the Summer of AI, namely the current period of great interest in the discipline with lots of expectations. One of the results of the first decades of AI research is that “intelligence requires knowledge”. Since its inception the Web proved to be an extraordinary vehicle for knowledge creation and sharing, therefore it’s not a surprise if the evolution of AI has followed the evolution of the Web. I argue that a bottom-up approach, in terms of machine/deep learning and NLP to extract knowledge from raw data, combined with a top-down approach, in terms of legal knowledge representation and models for legal reasoning and argumentation, may represent a promotion for the development of the Semantic Web, as well as of AI systems. Finally, I provide my insight in the potential of AI development, which takes into account technological opportunities and theoretical limits.
Home mortgage discrimination and incidence of triple-negative and Luminal A breast cancer among non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White females in California, 2006–2015
Authors: Michaels Eli K. , Canchola Alison J. , Beyer Kirsten M. M. , Zhou Yuhong , Shariff-Marco Salma , Gomez Scarlett L.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

In the United States, Black females are burdened by more aggressive subtypes and increased mortality from breast cancer compared to non-Hispanic (NH) White females. Institutional racism may contribute to these inequities. We aimed to characterize the association between home mortgage discrimination, a novel measure of institutional racism, and incidence of Luminal A and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtypes among NH Black and NH White females in California metropolitan areas.

Methods

We merged data from the California Cancer Registry on females aged 20 + diagnosed with primary invasive breast cancer between 2006 and 2015 with a census tract-level index of home mortgage lending bias measuring the odds of mortgage loan denial for Black versus White applicants, generated from the 2007–2013 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act database. Poisson regression estimated cross-sectional associations of census tract-level racial bias in mortgage lending with race/ethnicity- and Luminal A and TNBC-specific incidence rate ratios, adjusting for neighborhood confounders.

Results

We identified n = 102,853 cases of Luminal A and n = 15,528 cases of TNBC over the study period. Compared to NH Whites, NH Black females had higher rates of TNBC, lower rates of Luminal A breast cancer, and lived in census tracts with less racial bias in home mortgage lending. There was no evidence of association between neighborhood racial bias in mortgage lending at the time of diagnosis and either subtype among either racial/ethnic group.

Conclusion

Future research should incorporate residential history data with measures of institutional racism to improve estimation and inform policy interventions.
First and second transscleral cyclophotocoagulation treatments provide similar intraocular pressure-lowering efficacy in patients with refractory glaucoma
Authors: Bernardi Enrico , Töteberg-Harms Marc
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study is to address the safety and effectiveness of a second continuous-wave transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (CW-TSCPC) treatment by comparing its outcome against a first CW-TSCPC treatment in the same patients with refractory glaucoma.

Methods

Twenty-one eyes with either primary or secondary glaucoma received a second CW-TSCPC laser session ≥ 3 months after the first treatment. Intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and number of topical or oral ophthalmic pressure-reducing medications were registered at every time point up to the last follow-up at 3 months. A complete slit-lamp examination was conducted to record for complications or other abnormal ocular findings. Success was defined as IOP between 6 and 21 mmHg and > 20% reduction in IOP with or without anti-glaucoma medications.

Results

At 3 months follow-up of the first CW-TSCPC treatment, a 24.8% decrease in IOP was observed, whereas a 45.6% IOP decrease was observed 3 months post the second CW-TSCPC treatment. Visual acuity did not decrease, and no major complications were observed post either treatment within the follow-up period. Time to failure was 79.5 ± 24.6 and 77.1 ± 29.4, respectively (P = 0.955). No serious complications were observed.

Conclusion

A second CW-TSCPC treatment proved to be a safe and effective treatment option when the first CW-TSCPC treatment was insufficient in maintaining the desired IOP level for a prolonged time (mean time between both sessions 6.4 ± 8.0 months).
Effect of Children’s Autism Spectrum Disorder Severity on Family Strain and Sleep Quality: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey in the U.S.
Authors: Durán-Pacheco Gonzalo , Silkey Mariabeth , Johnson Michelle , Liu Chuang , Clinch Susanne , Law Kiely , Loss Georg
Published: February 2022

To better understand the impact of children’s autism spectrum disorder (ASD) severity on families, we evaluated pathways through which ASD severity affected child sleep quality, caregiver strain, and caregiver sleep quality. In a cross-sectional analysis through the U.S.-wide Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge (SPARK) cohort. Participants were caregivers of dependents with ASD aged 3–17 years (N = 3150). We found that increased severity strongly affects caregiver strain and child sleep quality. Child sleep quality was a minor mediator of increasing caregiver strain. Caregiver sleep quality depended on ASD severity only through child sleep quality and caregiver strain. Interventions aimed at improving child sleep quality or reducing caregiver strain could positively impact families of children with ASD.
The $$\Phi _3^4$$ Measure Has Sub-Gaussian Tails
Authors: Hairer Martin , Steele Rhys
Published: February 2022

We provide a very simple argument showing that the $$\Phi ^4_3$$

Φ
3
4

measure does have quartic exponential tails, as expected from its formal expression. This shows that the corresponding moment problem is well-posed and provides a simple path to observing non-Gaussianity of the measure.
Vanishing of Drude Weight in Interacting Fermions on $${\mathbb Z}^d$$ with Quasi-Periodic Disorder
Authors: Mastropietro Vieri
Published: February 2022

We consider a fermionic many body system in $${\mathbb Z}^d$$

Z

d

with a short range interaction and quasi-periodic disorder. In the strong disorder regime and assuming a Diophantine condition on the frequencies and on the chemical potential, we prove at $$T=0$$

T
=
0

the exponential decay of the correlations and the vanishing of the Drude weight, signaling non-metallic behavior in the ground state. The proof combines Ward Identities, Renormalization Group and KAM Lindstedt series methods.
Spiritual Counseling During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy: a Qualitative Study
Authors: Marchica Barbara , Rosellini Francesco , Iacona Erika , Wieser Michael Alexander , Testoni Ines
Published: February 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has created profound upheavals in today’s society, accompanied by psychological effects. The discomfort experienced during the pandemic accompanied by the increased availability of time has offered many people the chance to reconnect with their spiritual dimension, which is considered a vital resource in managing the stress produced by the perception of risk to their health. This study addresses the motivations that led research participants to choose to receive spiritual support via a 10-week training. The work also explores the changes perceived by the participants as they overcame the difficulties resulting from the pandemic. The research involved nine people between the ages of 19 and 59 who took part in an online experience focused on the spiritual dimension. Almost all the participants came from an area in Northern Italy most affected by the pandemic. A qualitative research design was used, with semistructured interviews designed to understand participants’ views on the topic under investigation. The areas that emerged from the interviews concerned the motivations that led the participants to choose a spiritual support process, the role of spirituality in daily life, and the changes participants experienced after the conclusion of the experience related to managing the stress caused by the pandemic. In agreement with the existing literature, the results show that spiritual support can be useful in counteracting the negative effects of the pandemic, producing improvements in the quality of life.
Facing Muscular Dystrophy During Covid-19 Pandemic: The Role of Support Associations and Spirituality
Authors: Palazzo Lorenza , Pompele Sara , Rossi Marta , Rossi Gabriella , Spinoglio Simona , Testoni Ines
Published: February 2022

Several researches in scientific literature analyze the theme of Muscular Dystrophy (MD), As well as many others focus on the theme of the Covid-19 pandemic; however, there is a rather limited number of studies that analyse how the pandemic has affected the life of people suffering from MD, especially during the time of the first lockdown in the spring of 2020. The present study has applied a qualitative research design with the aim to investigate how patients with MD have lived the social restrictions imposed for the contagion containment and whether the assistance of associations for their support has contributed to make the participants feel closer or more distant from the spiritual dimension. The analysis involved 12 participants, and they were presented with a semi-structured interview. The data obtained from the interviews have been analysed through a thematic analysis from which 4 thematic areas have emerged: (1) the impact of the pandemic on an emotional level; (2) the illness management and the role of family; (3) the role of the associations; (4) aspects related to spirituality. The crucial role that the closeness of family and the activities promoted remotely by the associations for patients’ support has emerged, since they have allowed the participants to feel united by something beyond, to discover new aspects of themselves, to give more value to Life and to move closer to their spiritual dimension.
Local environmental quality and heterogeneity in an OLG agent-based model with spatial externalities
Authors: Caravaggio Andrea , Sodini Mauro
Published: February 2022

Most of the theoretical contributions on the relationship between economy and environment assume the environment as a good distributed homogeneously among agents. The aim of this work is to relax this hypothesis and to consider that the environment can have a local character even if conditioned through externalities by the choices made at the global level. In this article, we adapt the classical framework introduced in John and Pecchenino (Econ J 104(427):1393–1410, 1994) to analyze the dynamic relationship between environment and economic process, and we propose an OLG agent-based model where each agent perceives her own level of environmental quality determined by her own decisions, and by the decisions of those living around her. Despite the attention devoted to local environmental aspects, network externalities (determined through the scheme of Moore neighborhoods) play a fundamental role in defining environmental dynamics and they may induce the emergence of cyclical dynamics. The occurrence of oscillations in the local environmental quality is partially mitigated by the presence of heterogeneity in individuals’ preferences. Finally, when a centralized planner is introduced, the dynamics converge to stationary values regardless of the assumption on heterogeneity of agents.
An Insight into the Gelatinization Properties Influencing the Modified Starches Used in Food Industry: A review
Authors: Chakraborty Ishita , N Pooja , Mal Sib Sankar , Paul Uttam C. , Rahman Md. Hafizur , Mazumder Nirmal
Published: February 2022

Native starch is subjected to various forms of modification to improve its structural, mechanical, and thermal properties for wider applications in the food industry. Physical, chemical, and dual modifications have a substantial effect on the gelatinization properties of starch. Consequently, this review explores and compares the different methods of starch modification applicable in the food industry and their effect on the gelatinization properties such as onset temperature (To), peak gelatinization temperature (Tp), end set temperature (Tc), and gelatinization enthalpy (ΔH), studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Chemical modifications including acetylation and acid hydrolysis decrease the gelatinization temperature of starch whereas cross-linking and oxidation result in increased gelatinization temperatures. Common physical modifications such as heat moisture treatment and annealing also increase the gelatinization temperature. The gelatinization properties of modified starch can be applied for the improvement of food products such as ready-to-eat, easily heated or frozen food, or food products with longer shelf life.
Bourgain–Brezis–Mironescu Approach in Metric Spaces with Euclidean Tangents
Authors: Górny Wojciech
Published: February 2022

In the setting of metric measure spaces satisfying the doubling condition and the (1, p)-Poincaré inequality, we prove a metric analogue of the Bourgain–Brezis–Mironescu formula for functions in the Sobolev space $$W^{1,p}(X,d,\nu )$$

W

1
,
p

(
X
,
d
,
ν
)

, under the assumption that for $$\nu $$
ν
-a.e. point the tangent space in the Gromov–Hausdorff sense is Euclidean with fixed dimension N.
Evaluation of the importance of ionic and osmotic components of salt stress on the photosynthetic efficiency of epiphytic lichens
Authors: Chowaniec Karolina , Rola Kaja
Published: February 2022

Salt stress can significantly disrupt the functioning of lichens which are self-sufficient symbiotic organisms inhabiting various severe environments. The aim was to test the effect of salt and sucrose on the photosynthetic efficiency of two selected epiphytic lichens inhabiting the interior of the land. Firstly, we compared the effect of salt and sucrose solutions of different concentrations. Secondly, the effect of salt and sucrose solutions with identical osmotic pressures was compared. The results showed that short-term salt stress leads to a significant reduction of FV/FM, greater changes in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and OJIP transients compared to the osmotic effects induced by sucrose. This proved that the negative impact of salt stress is associated primarily with ionic effects. The most symptomatic effect of the ionic stress was a significant reduction of the utilisation of trapped energy in electron transport and thereby down-regulation of electron transfer. Since lichens are resistant to a temporary lack of water, ionic stress could have more serious consequences than osmotic stress itself. Hypogymnia physodes was more sensitive to salt stress than Pseudevernia furfuracea, but the reduction of photosynthetic efficiency was not permanent since after 24 h FV/FM returned to the level characteristic for healthy lichens. Nevertheless, repeated exposure to salt may reduce the vitality of lichens growing along communication routes sprinkled with salt in the winter season. Finally, the changes in certain JIP-test parameters were stronger than FV/FM, thus they could be better indicators of salt stress in lichens.
Long-term physical, mental and social health effects of COVID-19 in the pediatric population: a scoping review
Authors: Borel Madeline , Xie Luyu , Kapera Olivia , Mihalcea Adrian , Kahn Jeffrey , Messiah Sarah E.
Published: February 2022

Background

The majority of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptom presentations in adults and children appear to run their course within a couple of weeks. However, a subgroup of adults has started to emerge with effects lasting several months or more after initial infection, which raises questions about the long-term physical, mental and social health effects of COVID-19 in the pediatric population. The purpose of this review was to determine these impacts well into the second year of the pandemic.

Methods

A search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Cochrane between 11/1/2019 and 9/1/2021. Search inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) COVID-19 illness and symptoms in children; (2) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in children; (3) English language; and (4) human studies only.

Results

The few studies that have documented long-term physical symptoms in children show that fatigue, difficulty in concentrating (brain fog), sleep disturbances, and sensory problems are the most reported outcomes. Most studies examining the impact of COVID-19 in pediatric populations have focused on initial clinical presentation, and symptoms, which are similar to those in adult populations. In addition, COVID-19 has had a moderate impact on children and adolescents’ social environment, which may exacerbate current and future physiological, psychological, behavioral, and academic outcomes.

Conclusions

There are limited studies reporting long physical symptoms of COVID-19 in the pediatric population. However, pediatric COVID-19 cases are underreported due to low rates of testing and symptomatic infection, which calls for more longitudinal studies. Children who have experienced COVID-19 illness should be monitored for long physiological, psychological, behavioral, and academic outcomes.
Why food insecurity persists in sub-Saharan Africa: A review of existing evidence
Authors: Bjornlund Vibeke , Bjornlund Henning , van Rooyen André
Published: February 2022

This article is the third in a series of historical reviews on sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), exploring why agricultural production and irrigation schemes are underperforming, and how this contributes to high levels of food insecurity. The expression ‘food security’ emerged in 1974 following the Sahel and Darfur famines. Despite SSA being a net agricultural exporter, food insecurity has persisted and is increasing. This is largely a legacy of the export-oriented colonial agricultural production systems, which procured scarce fertile land, water and labour to meet the needs of industries and consumers in the Global North. Colonialism also undermined the social contract between traditional leaders and communities, which had been instrumental in managing food scarcity in earlier times. Post-independence, agricultural policies remained focused on exports and neglected critical research and investment: integrating food productions systems into the domestic economy; developing supply chains and associated market, storage and value-adding infrastructure; and introducing appropriate technologies. As a result, Africa is the only region in the world where increased export production caused a decline in per capita food production. African nations should be extracted from the debt accrued due to poor colonial investments, World Bank lending practices, and global currency and interest fluctuations, which have crippled their capacity to support agriculture and improve livelihoods and food security. Farming needs to be profitable, which includes farmers being connected to domestic supply chains and market signals, local value-adding, and post-harvest storage. This will create jobs and increase income earning capacity, which is the key to households’ food security.
The Effects of Digital Technology on Opportunity Recognition
Authors: Kreuzer Thomas , Lindenthal Anna-Katharina , Oberländer Anna Maria , Röglinger Maximilian
Published: February 2022

Recognizing opportunities enabled by digital technology (DT) has become a competitive necessity in today’s digital world. However, opportunity recognition is a major challenge given the influence of DT, which not only disperses agency across various actors, but also blurs boundaries between customers, companies, products, and industries. As a result, traditional entrepreneurship knowledge needs to be rethought and the effects of DT on opportunity recognition need to be better understood. Drawing from opportunity recognition theory – as one of the central theories in the entrepreneurship domain – this study builds on a structured literature review to identify and explain three direct as well as three transitive effects of DT on opportunity recognition. These effects have been validated with real-world cases as well as interviews with academics and practitioners. In sum, this study contributes to descriptive and explanatory knowledge on the evolution from traditional to digital entrepreneurship. As a theory for explaining, the findings extend opportunity recognition theory by illuminating how and why DT influences opportunity recognition. This supports research and practice in investigating and managing opportunities more effectively.
University-Industry Technology Transfer in India: a Plausible Model Based on Success Stories from the USA, Japan, and Israel
Authors: Ravi Ramya , Janodia Manthan D.
Published: February 2022

Patenting and technology commercialization activities are rapidly gaining momentum in Indian academia. Currently, there is paucity of data suggesting technology commercialization activities among Indian academia. This study aims to examine issues regarding technology commercialization among Indian academics. The objectives of this study are to (1) understand the policy implications of university-industry technology transfer and (2) propose a conceptual model for technology transfer suitable for Indian scenario. The data included for our analysis is drawn from our previous study of 25 Indian Universities. The orientation of the paper is as follows: “Literature Review” is subdivided into two sub-sections — “Policies Implemented for Leveraging Successful Academic Research Commercialization in the USA, Japan, and Israel” and “University Research Commercialization — Case Studies of Universities in the USA, Japan, and Israel” are presented. “Methodology” deals with the methodology used for the study. “Discussion” is further subdivided into three sections — “Analysis and Comparisons of Policy Implications on University-Industry Technology Transfer,” “Practice of Academic Technology Transfer in Indian Universities/Institutes,” and “Conceptual Model Recommended for University-Industry Tech Commercialization in India.” “Conclusion” concludes the topic. The current practices of academia-industry knowledge commercialization in India are limited, and the paper is an attempt to propose a suitable model to encourage commercialization activities by Indian universities.
Another Hole in the Wall? Evaluating the Legality of Egypt’s 2017 Airstrikes Against Non-State Targets in Libya Under the Jus ad Bellum
Authors: Birkett Daley J.
Published: February 2022

In May 2017, the Egyptian armed forces conducted airstrikes against non-State targets in the neighbouring State of Libya in response to a series of attacks perpetrated against groups of Coptic Christians on Egyptian territory, killings later claimed by the self-styled Islamic State. In justifying its use of armed force, resort to which is generally impermissible in international law, Egypt purports to rely upon two exceptions to this general rule, namely: (i) authorisation on the part of the United Nations Security Council; and (ii) self-defence, while also invoking the doctrine of military assistance on request (or intervention by invitation). This article tests the legality of Egypt’s airstrikes—which have yet to be subjected to scholarly attention—in light of the three foregoing justifications. In so doing, the article evaluates the implications of this use of force for thejus ad bellum, particularly the law regulating resort to force by way of response to an armed attack for which not another State, but a non-State actor, is responsible.
Recovery of Metals from Mine Wastes: The Effect of Biochar–Fe Composites in the Immobilization of Arsenic
Authors: Álvarez M. L. , Gascó G. , Rodíguez-Pacheco R. , Paz-Ferreiro J. , Méndez A.
Published: February 2022

Mine wastes are a major environmental problem of main mines activities. However, in recent years, related to the circular economy strategy, some of these wastes have been considered as secondary source of raw materials. Generally, metal’s content show low concentrations and their recovery made the development of cheap and sustainable technologies necessary. The main objective of the present research is to study the potential recovery of zinc from one mine waste (MW) originated in an old zinc/lead mine exploitation. Two biochar–Fe composites (BM–Fe and HM–Fe) were used as catalysts in the leaching of zinc and copper. Biochars were obtained by pyrolysis of pruning waste (BM–Fe) or hydrochar from pruning waste (HM–Fe), impregnated with 5 wt% ferric sulfate. The use of the two biochars did not improve the amount of zinc recovered, but was able to reduce, significantly, the arsenic leaching, promoting its immobilization in the final residue.

Graphical Abstract
Technical Comparison of Commercially Available Trams and Review of Standardization Frame and Design Principles
Authors: Megna Gianluca , Bracciali Andrea
Published: February 2022

Tram manufacturers have different ways of approaching the design of low-floor trams with compact and reliable running gears, and therefore several tram architectures can still be found. A complete standardization of trams is nearly impossible, and technical innovations can be more easily introduced if compared to conventional railway vehicles, but the trend towards large-scale standardization based on vehicle “platforms” can be seen in recent years. However, the current “standard” tram architecture, which includes only non-pivoting bogies, is not able to solve some typical problems of tram operations, such as high wheel and rail wear and high-pitched tonal noise (squeal) in sharp curves, which are described in the present paper. This research analyses the tram market with the aim of describing the state of the art of currently available products and comparing their main technical parameters. The analysis is based on information available from the literatures (journals, web) where data about the vehicles can be found, while a new designation code (tram architecture designation, TAD for short) is specifically introduced for easier identification of the different tram architectures. Even if the complete low floor is still one of the main requested features, several solutions combining pivoting and non-pivoting bogies are commercially available, showing a tendency to give more relevance to running quality performance with respect to the recent past.
Top k Optimal Sequenced Route Query with POI Preferences
Authors: Zhu Huaijie , Li Wenbin , Liu Wei , Yin Jian , Xu Jianliang
Published: February 2022

The optimal sequenced route (OSR) query, as a popular problem in route planning for smart cities, searches for a minimum-distance route passing through several POIs in a specific order from a starting position. In reality, POIs are usually rated, which helps users in making decisions. Existing OSR queries neglect the fact that the POIs in the same category could have different scores, which may affect users’ route choices. In this paper, we study a novel variant of OSR query, namely Rating Constrained Optimal Sequenced Route query (RCOSR), in which the rating score of each POI in the optimal sequenced route should exceed the query threshold. To efficiently process RCOSR queries, we first extend the existing TD-OSR algorithm to propose a baseline method, called MTDOSR. To tackle the shortcomings of MTDOSR, we try to design a new RCOSR algorithm, namely Optimal Subroute Expansion (OSE) Algorithm. To enhance the OSE algorithm, we propose a Reference Node Inverted Index (RNII) to accelerate the distance computation of POI pairs in OSE and quickly retrieve the POIs of each category. To make full use of the OSE and RNII, we further propose a new efficient RCOSR algorithm, called Recurrent Optimal Subroute Expansion (ROSE), which recurrently utilizes OSE to compute the current optimal route as the guiding path and update the distance of POI pairs to guide the expansion. Then, we extend our techniques to handle a variation of RCOSR query, namely RCkOSR query. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm significantly outperforms the existing approaches.
Panoramic Insights into Microevolution and Macroevolution of a Prevotella Copri-Containing Lineage in Primate Guts
Authors: Li Hao , Meier-Kolthoff Jan P. , Hu Canxin , Wang Zhongjie , Zhu Jun , Zheng Wei , Tian Yun , Guo Feng
Published: February 2022

Prevotella copri and its related taxa are widely detected in mammalian gut microbiomes and have been linked with an enterotype in humans. However, their microevolution and macroevolution among hosts are poorly characterized. In this study, extensively collected marker genes and genomes were analyzed to trace their evolutionary history, host specificity, and biogeographic distribution. Investigations based on marker genes and genomes suggest that a P. copri-containing lineage (PCL) harbors diverse species in higher primates. Firstly, P. copri in the human gut consisted of multiple groups exhibiting high genomic divergence and conspicuous but non-strict biogeographic patterns. Most African strains with high genomic divergence from other strains were phylogenetically located at the root of the species, indicating the co-evolutionary history of P. copri and Homo sapiens. Secondly, although long-term co-evolution between PCL and higher primates was revealed, sporadic signals of co-speciation and extensive host jumping of PCL members were suggested among higher primates. Metagenomic and phylogenetic analyses indicated that P. copri and other PCL species found in domesticated mammals had been recently transmitted from humans. Thirdly, strong evidence was found on the extensively horizontal transfer of genes (e.g., genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes) among sympatric P. copri groups and PCL species in the same primate host. Our study provides panoramic insights into the combined effects of vertical and horizontal transmission, as well as potential niche adaptation, on the microevolutionary and macroevolutionary history for an enterotype-representative lineage.
Forging Leninism in China
Authors: Fewsmith Joseph
Published: February 2022

Forging Leninism in China is a re-examination of the events of the Chinese revolution and the transformation of the Chinese Communist Party from the years 1927 to 1934. Describing the transformation of the party as 'the forging of Leninism', Joseph Fewsmith offers a clear analysis of the development of the party. Drawing on supporting statements of party leaders and a wealth of historical material, he demonstrates how the Chinese Communist Party reshaped itself to become far more violent, more hierarchical, and more militarized during this time. He highlights the role of local educated youth in organizing the Chinese revolution, arguing that it was these local organizations, rather than Mao, who introduced Marxism into the countryside. Fewsmith presents a vivid story of local social history and conflict between Mao's revolutionaries and local Communists.
The Economics of Digital Shopping in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Grabiwoda Barbara , Mróz Bogdan
Published: February 2022

Transformations caused by increasing virtual connectivity reach all business touchpoints, but the surge towards digital technologies is not distributed evenly across European markets, with the Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) region showing the strongest diversity of digital adoption levels. This Element outlines the characteristics of CEE digital markets, along with an additional contextual layer investigating online consumer behaviors. In-depth analysis of the similarities and differences in the region will allow the pace of ongoing digitization to be traced. The authors' objective in delivering this Element is to analyze the opportunities presented by the digital economy in CEE and to provide an actionable outlook for the e-commerce potential within the region's markets. Observations are based on in-depth analysis of dependencies between globalization of consumer behaviors and ongoing barriers to digital adoption caused by both economic and geo-political limitations.
A Perspective on Late Iron Age Women in the Iberian Northern Meseta
Authors: Liceras-Garrido Raquel
Published: February 2022

The Late Iron Age has traditionally been portrayed as an age of swords, Celtic-patterned shields, and bronze cauldrons, a time of warfare, banquets, and raids, mostly starring male warriors. But what do we know about the rest of the population, especially women? Is it possible, based on the same data, to uncover an alternative narrative that includes women? This article focuses on the northern Meseta of Iberia, an area with a long research tradition, in which women are almost invisible in accounts of the Iron Age. Drawing on a range of archaeological and textual evidence, this study brings the roles of women to the forefront, offering a critique of traditional research discourses and a discussion on how Iron Age societies worked from a gender-inclusive perspective.
Mass, momentum and energy partitioning in unsteady fragmentation
Authors: Wang Y. , Bourouiba L.
Published: February 2022

Upon drop impact on a surface of comparable size to that of the drop, a sheet is produced that evolves freely in the air, bounded by a rim from which ligaments and droplets are continuously shed. This process is a canonical example of unsteady sheet fragmentation. The sheet dynamics is coupled with continuous ligament and drop shedding (Wang & Bourouiba,J. Fluid Mech., vol. 848, 2018b, 946–967; Wang & Bourouiba,J. Fluid Mech., vol. 910, 2021b, A39) and is governed by a nonlinear non-Galilean Taylor–Culick law (Wang & Bourouiba, 2022 (in press)). Here, we report the results of a combined theoretical and experimental study of the partition and temporal evolution of mass, momentum and energy in each part of the system composed of sheet, rim, ligaments and drops. We elucidate and derive analytical predictions, without fitting parameters, of the temporal evolution of the fractions of volume/mass, momentum and energy in each sub-part of the system: from sheet, to rim to fluid shed. We show that their temporal evolution and partitioning are independent of impact conditions. Interestingly this implies, for example, that the fraction of initial drop volume shed from an impacting drop is independent of the initial energy (or Weber number) of impact. We validate our predictions against precise measurements. Finally, we show that the partition laws for this unsteady fragmentation system are robust to changes of fluid properties (viscosity, surface tension and density). We provide the ranges of validity of our partition law on a Weber–Reynolds numbers regime map.
Transient growth analysis of hypersonic flow over an elliptic cone
Authors: Quintanilha Helio , Paredes Pedro , Hanifi Ardeshir , Theofilis Vassilis
Published: February 2022

Non-modal linear stability analysis results are presented for hypersonic flow over an elliptic cone with an aspect ratio of two at zero angle of attack, completing earlier modal instability analysis of flow around the same geometry. The theoretical framework to perform transient growth analysis of compressible flows on a generalized two-dimensional frame of reference is developed for the first time and is then applied to solve the initial-value problem governing non-modal linear instability on planes perpendicular to the cone axis, taken at successive streamwise locations along the elliptic cone. Parameter ranges examined here are chosen so as to model flight of the Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation 5 (HIFiRE-5) test geometry at altitudes of 21 km and 33 km, corresponding to Mach numbers 7.45 and 8.05 and unit Reynolds numbers

$Re' = 1.07\times 10^7$

and

$1.89\times 10^6$

, respectively. Results obtained indicate that the significance of the non-modal growth for laminar–turbulent transition increases with increasing flight altitude (decreasing Reynolds number). At a given set of flow parameters, transient growth is stronger in the vicinity of the tip of the cone and in azimuthal locations away from both of the minor (centreline) and major (attachment line) axes of the cone. Linear optimal disturbances calculated at conditions of maximal transient growth are found to peak in the crossflow region of the elliptic cone. These structures are elongated along the streamwise spatial direction, while being periodic along the spanwise direction with periodicity lengths of the same order of magnitude as the well-known structures identified as crossflow vortices in both experiments and simulations.
Tips and traps for behavioural animal experimentation
Authors: Arjmand Shokouh , Wegener Gregers , Landau Anne M. , Eskelund Amanda
Published: February 2022

Behavioural animal experimentation is an inseparable part of research trying to understand the biological underpinnings of human behaviour, diseases and disorders. Working with animals comes with great responsibility to achieve reliable and reproducible results of highest scientific quality. In a simple step-by-step fashion, we highlight some common issues that may occur along the path to conducting behavioural animal experimentations and posit some solutions and grounds to ensure the excellence of work done in this research area while aspiring to improve conditions for laboratory animals. It entails topics of study design, animal and experimenter welfare, experimental considerations and frequentist biostatistics. At the end, we direct to some guidelines and manuals that may prove valuable to researchers in this field. Our ten simple tips and traps are meant for students who are learning about important concepts for the first time; graduates whose statistics training all too often has neglected the concept of power in experimental design; and researches who would like a light-hearted refresher on these topics. With this perspective, we hope that you will avoid falling into traps and find answers to what you always wanted to know about conducting behavioural animal experimentation.
Early-time searches for coherent radio emission from short GRBs with the Murchison Widefield Array
Authors: Tian J. , Anderson G. E. , Hancock P. J. , Miller-Jones J. C. A. , Sokolowski M. , Rowlinson A. , Williams A. , Morgan J. , Hurley-Walker N. , Kaplan D. L. , Murphy Tara , Tingay S. J. , Johnston-Hollitt M. , Bannister K. W. , Bell M. E. , Meyers B. W.
Published: February 2022

Many short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) originate from binary neutron star mergers, and there are several theories that predict the production of coherent, prompt radio signals either prior, during, or shortly following the merger, as well as persistent pulsar-like emission from the spin-down of a magnetar remnant. Here we present a low frequency (170–200 MHz) search for coherent radio emission associated with nine short GRBs detected by theSwiftand/orFermisatellites using the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) rapid-response observing mode. The MWA began observing these events within 30–60 s of their high-energy detection, enabling us to capture any dispersion delayed signals emitted by short GRBs for a typical range of redshifts. We conducted transient searches at the GRB positions on timescales of 5 s, 30 s, and 2 min, resulting in the most constraining flux density limits on any associated transient of 0.42, 0.29, and 0.084 Jy, respectively. We also searched for dispersed signals at a temporal and spectral resolution of 0.5 s and 1.28 MHz, but none were detected. However, the fluence limit of 80–100 Jy ms derived for GRB 190627A is the most stringent to date for a short GRB. Assuming the formation of a stable magnetar for this GRB, we compared the fluence and persistent emission limits to short GRB coherent emission models, placing constraints on key parameters including the radio emission efficiency of the nearly merged neutron stars ($\epsilon_r\lesssim10^{-4}$), the fraction of magnetic energy in the GRB jet ($\epsilon_B\lesssim2\times10^{-4}$), and the radio emission efficiency of the magnetar remnant ($\epsilon_r\lesssim10^{-3}$). Comparing the limits derived for our full GRB sample (along with those in the literature) to the same emission models, we demonstrate that our fluence limits only place weak constraints on the prompt emission predicted from the interaction between the relativistic GRB jet and the interstellar medium for a subset of magnetar parameters. However, the 30-min flux density limits were sensitive enough to theoretically detect the persistent radio emission from magnetar remnants up to a redshift of$z\sim0.6$. Our non-detection of this emission could imply that some GRBs in the sample were not genuinely short or did not result from a binary neutron star merger, the GRBs were at high redshifts, these mergers formed atypical magnetars, the radiation beams of the magnetar remnants were pointing away from Earth, or the majority did not form magnetars but rather collapse directly into black holes.