bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitigation measures preventing floods from landslide dams: analysis of pre- and post-hydrologic conditions upstream a seismic-induced landslide dam in Central Italy
Authors: Cencetti Corrado , Di Matteo Lucio
Published: August 2022

The design of engineering measures during emergency phases is crucial in mitigating the river flow impacts on landslide dams, avoiding dam breaks and related downstream flooding. Man-made hydraulic facilities represent a possible mitigation strategy for reducing the occurrence of dam breaching by diverting river inflow. Semi-empirical equations published in the literature may help define the landslide dam evolution and design the discharge to be diverted into the hydraulic works assuring the dam's stability. These approaches need to be carefully validated with case studies, an important step in evaluating the accuracy of predictive models. The work presents and discusses the pre- and post-seismic hydrologic conditions along the Nera River gorge focusing on the role of the pre-existing anthropic works in mitigating the impact of river discharge on the Sasso Pizzuto landslide dam triggered by the October 30, 2016 earthquake (Central Italy). Considering historical data, the upper part of the river catchment has experienced the highest discharge values during the landslide dam lifetime. The discriminant analysis approach of the hydro-geomorphometric characteristics supported the definition of the critical peak flow, avoiding the dam's instability. Thanks to an upstream hydropower bypass, about 80% of the river discharge increase have been diverted into an underground pipeline built in 1928 to feed the Preci hydroelectric plant (located a few kilometers downstream of the landslide dam). The discriminant analysis model, developed in the literature on other landslides worldwide, had a good performance in managing the upstream river discharge of Sasso Pizzuto dam, expanding its validity on other landslide dams.
A novel diagnostic model for insulinoma
Authors: Wang Feng , Yang Zhe , Chen XiuBing , Peng Yiling , Jiang HaiXing , Qin ShanYu
Published: August 2022

The aim is to describe a simple and feasible model for the diagnosis of insulinoma. This retrospective study enrolled 37 patients with insulinoma and 44 patients with hypoglycemia not due to insulinoma at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University. General demographic and clinical characteristics; hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin and C-peptide concentrations; and the results of 2-h oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were recorded, and a logistic regression model predictive of insulinoma was determined. Body mass index (BMI), HbA1c concentration, 0-h C-peptide concentration, and 0-h and 1-h plasma glucose concentrations (P < 0.05 each) were independently associated with insulinoma. A regression prediction model was established through multivariate logistics regression analysis: Logit p = 7.399+(0.310 × BMI) − (1.851 × HbA1c) − (1.467 × 0-h plasma glucose) + (1.963 × 0-h C-peptide) − (0.612 × 1-h plasma glucose). Using this index to draw a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the area under the curve (AUC) was found to be 0.957. The optimal cut-off value was − 0.17, which had a sensitivity of 89.2% and a specificity of 86.4%. Logit P ≥ − 0.17 can be used as a diagnostic marker for predicting insulinoma in patients with hypoglycemia.
Assessing vulnerability to soil erosion based on fuzzy best worse multi-criteria decision-making method
Authors: Meshram Sarita Gajbhiye , Hasan Mohd Abul , Meshram Chandrashekhar , Ilderomi Ali Reza , Tirivarombo Sithabile , Islam Saiful
Published: August 2022

Soil wearing away or erosion is a chief agent of land loss in agricultural land and is regarded worldwide as a serious environmental hazard. This study performed watershed prioritization using morphometric parameters based on fuzzy best worse method (F-BWM) and GIS integration for Gusru Watershed, India. This study prioritizes sub-watersheds of the study area from viewpoint of soil erosion using five major parameters i.e., stream frequency (Fs), relative relief (Rr), length of overland flow (Lo), relief ratio (Rh) and drainage density (Dd). Fuzzy based Best Worse Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (F-BWM) Method was used to assigning weights to used criteria and combining them to achieve erosion susceptibility for each sub-watershed. Results showed that sub-watersheds 9, 14, and 5 were most susceptible to soil erosion and sub-watershed 3 was the least from the viewpoint of soil erosion ranking.
Improving the visualization of rainfall trends using various innovative trend methodologies with time–frequency-based methods
Authors: Zerouali Bilel , Elbeltagi Ahmed , Al-Ansari Nadhir , Abda Zaki , Chettih Mohamed , Santos Celso Augusto Guimarães , Boukhari Sofiane , Araibia Ahmed Salah
Published: August 2022

In this paper, the Innovative Trend Methodology (ITM) and their inspired approaches, i.e., Double (D-ITM) and Triple (T-ITM), were combined with Hilbert Huang transform (HHT) time frequency-based method. The new hybrid methods (i.e., ITM-HHT, D-ITM-HHT, and T-ITM-HHT) were proposed and compared to the DWT-based methods in order to recommend the best method. Three total annual rainfall time series from 1920 to 2011 were selected from three hydrological basins in Northern Algeria. The new combined models (ITM-HHT, D-ITM-HHT, and T-ITM-HHT) revealed that the 1950–1975 period has significant wet episodes followed by a long-term drought observed in the western region of Northern Algeria, while Northeastern Algeria presented a wet period since 2001. The proposed approaches successfully detected, in a visible manner, hidden trends presented in the signals, which proves that the removal of some modes of variability from the original rainfall signals can increase the accuracy of the used approaches.
Role of the preferential flow at rock–soil interface in the water leaking process in near-surface fissures filled with soils in the karst rock desertification area
Authors: Liu Tingting , Peng Xudong , Dai Quanhou , Xu Shengbing
Published: August 2022

Soil preferential flow infiltrating rapidly through the rock–soil interface is an important hydrological process in karst rocky desertification area. However, how does the water leakage in the near-surface fissures, especially those filled with soil, proceed? The role of preferential flow at rock–soil interface of those fissures on water leakage process still puzzles us. The goal of this study was to reveal the role of soil preferential flow at the rock–soil interface in the process of water leaking of near-surface fissures. Five typical types of near-surface fissures were selected in an area experiencing severe rocky desertification in Guizhou Province, China. Dye tracer testing was applied, combined with digital image processing techniques. The results indicated that the rock–soil interface flow on both sides of the fissures is the most important preferential flow form in the fissures in karst area. The dyed area ratio of preferential flow varied from 0.12 to 0.48 in the rock + soil profiles, from 0.06 to 0.37 in the soil profiles, and between 0.02 and 0.16 in the rock–soil interface. The rock–soil interface is the smallest in terms of both their variation range of dyed area ratio and preferential flow patterns compared with soil and rock–soil profiles. The soil preferential flow in near-surface fissures mainly occurs in the soil depth range of 0–20 cm. The preferential flow path is mainly affected by the rock–soil interface on both sides and can pass through the clay layer with poor permeability. However, the soil depth of the dyed part was more than 50 cm. The soil preferential flow at the rock–soil interface is the main form of rapid downward leakage of water in near-surface fissures in the karst rocky desertification area, which can flow to the bottom of clay layer with poor permeability.
Administration of some probiotic strains in the rearing water enhances the water quality, performance, body chemical analysis, antioxidant and immune responses of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus
Authors: Naiel Mohammed A. E. , Abdelghany Mohamed F. , Khames Doaa K. , Abd El-hameed Samah A. A. , Mansour Enas M. G. , El-Nadi Ali S. M. , Shoukry Adel A.
Published: August 2022

The performance, efficiency of consumed feed, body chemical composition, survival rate, antioxidant and immunity parameters of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in probiotic-treated water were studied. Two hundred apparently healthy Nile tilapia (20 ± 0.3 g) juveniles were reared for 70 days in five different treatments, with five replications as the control group (clean water) and four test groups with two probiotics strains (Bacillus toyonensisandGeobacillus stearothermophilus) at two different levels (1 or 2 × 105 CFU ml−1) applied in rearing water. Fish reared in water supplemented withG. stearothermophilusat low level demonstrated significantly enhanced (p < 0.05) growth performances in terms of final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), daily weight gain (DWG), specific growth rate (SGR), and relative growth rate (RGR) compared to the control group. In the same context, supplied fish rearing water a lower amount ofG. stearothermophilus(GS1) remarkedly reduced feed conversion ratio values when compared to the control group. In contrary, all other feed efficiency parameters increased significantly whenG. stearothermophilus(GS1) water was added at low amount in the compartment with the untreated group. Moreover, probiotic water additives significantly reduced the range and median levels of unionized ammonia (NH3) in water when compared to the untreated group. According to the findings of the body chemical composition, treated tilapia water with a high level ofB. toyonensishad significantly higher crude protein and fat levels, as well as lower ash levels, than the control group.When compared to the control group, probiotic-water supplementation significantly improved oxidative status and immunological activity at all bacterial dosage levels, with the fish group enriched with a high level ofG. stearothermophilusrecording the maximum values of both antioxidant and immune activity.Finally, results reveal that water treated withB. toyonensisorG. stearothermophilusas a probiotic promoted Nile tilapia growth and health status, and this technology may be applied to stimulate tilapia productivity in culture farms.
Numerical simulation of flow on circular crested stepped spillway
Authors: Parsaie Abbas , Shareef Saleh Jaafer Suleiman , Haghiabi Amir Hamzeh , Irzooki Raad Hoobi , Khalaf Rasul M.
Published: August 2022

The spillways are one of the most important hydraulic structures used in river engineering, dam construction, irrigation, and drainage engineering projects. Recently, a new type of such spillways with a circular crest has been proposed. In this paper, the hydraulic properties of the circular crested stepped spillway (CCSS) including flow pattern, distribution of velocity on the crest and pressure, turbulence intensity, discharge coefficient ($${C}_{d}$$

C
d

) and energy dissipation ratio (EDR) were investigated numerically. To model the free surface of flow the volume of fluid technique, and for modeling the turbulence of flow, k − ε (RNG) was utilized. Results declared that there is a good agreement between the laboratory observations and numerical simulation. The $${C}_{d}$$

C
d

of the CCSS changes between 0.9 and 1.4 considering the range of relative upstream head ($${h}_{up}/R$$

h

up

/
R

) between 0.33 m and 2.67. The observation of the flow streamlines showed that they are tangential to the curvature of the crest and there is no separation of the flow from the crest. Examination of the pressure distribution on the CCSS model shows that just downstream part of the crest, the pressure is partially negative. Of course, the same partial negative pressure is observed on the edge of the steps. The steps increase the maximum intensity turbulence by 50%. The CCSS can dissipate the energy of flow between 90 and 30%, and in the skimming flow regime, the portion of each step in the energy dissipation regardless of their position is almost identical.
Realizing the potential of metallic iron for the mitigation of toxics: flee or adapt?
Authors: Konadu-Amoah Bernard , Hu Rui , Cao Viet , Tao Ran , Yang Huichen , Ndé-Tchoupé Arnaud Igor , Gwenzi Willis , Ruppert Hans , Noubactep Chicgoua
Published: August 2022

Metallic iron (Fe0) has been increasingly used to remove toxics from water over the past three decades. However, the idea that metallic iron (Fe0) is not an environmental reducing agent has been vigorously refuted. Researchers presenting their findings in a scientific journal have to accept the burden of proving that their argument has any validity. This 30-year-lasting discussion within the Fe0 remediation community is alien to electro-chemists, as it is a century-old knowledge. Nevertheless, the peer-reviewed literature on “remediation using Fe0” seems to be dominated by evaluators thinking that Fe0 is a reducing agent. This communication challenges the view that Fe0 donates any electron to any dissolved species. The sole goal is to reconcile a proven efficient technology with its scientific roots and enable the design of better Fe0 remediation systems.
Investigation of fire risk zones using heat–humidity time series data and vegetation
Authors: Rabiei Javad , Khademi Mahboube Sadat , Bagherpour Sahar , Ebadi Negin , Karimi Akram , Ostad-Ali-Askari Kaveh
Published: August 2022

Forest fires destroy these areas and have devastating and harmful socio-economic and environmental effects. One of the methods of preventing and managing the hazards created in the field of forest fires is to determine the range of fire risk. The purpose of this study is to determine the high-risk areas of fire in the forests of Golestan province using remote sensing data and field information. For this purpose, the data of MODIS satellite during the years 2005 to 2020 for the middle of November to mid-February, which is the peak of the fire occurrence, were prepared. (NDVI) vegetation index, (NDMI) plant moisture stress index and (LST) land surface temperature were extracted as a 15-year average in these months. Then, using precipitation data from meteorological stations, precipitation index (SPI) was calculated as an average to estimate the amount of drought for the mentioned years. By combining the mentioned indices, the areas with fire risk were extracted. Then, previous fire reference data were used to validate the obtained results of the study. The results of fire potential map evaluation showed that about 6.39% of the area has very high potential, indicating that about 65.78% of fire risk points have been located in this area and about 56.32% of the area is in moderate-fire-risk position, encompassing about 23.16% of the areas with fire risk. Finally, a low-risk zone encompassing 36.34% of the area, which about 11.06% of the high-fire-risk areas are located in this area. Also, the indices of NDMI, NDVI, SPI and LST precipitation have a degree of correlation of 74. 58%, 60.1%, 47.11% and 41. 02% with the map of fire points, respectively.
An integrated source rock potential, sequence stratigraphy, and petroleum geology of (Agbada-Akata) sediment succession, Niger delta: application of well logs aided by 3D seismic and basin modeling
Authors: Diab A. I. , Sanuade Oluseun , Radwan Ahmed E.
Published: August 2022

We investigated the source rock potential, sequence stratigraphy, and characterized hydrocarbon reservoirs at Otumara field, Niger delta, using integrated 3D seismic, wireline log analysis, and basin modeling. The burial history and thermal maturity were modeled, the reservoirs were delineated, and the petrophysical parameters were also estimated from the wireline logs. The Passey “ΔLog R” method for estimating the preliminary evaluations of the total organic carbon (TOC) from integrating sonic, neutron, and density with resistivity has been used. The results indicate that the primary source rock of hydrocarbons is the Upper Akata Formation, despite a higher TOC percentage in the Agbada Formation. Based on sequence stratigraphy analysis, TA4, TB1, TB2, and TB3 second-order supercycles were obtained in the studied well TD46. The results also revealed that the field has two large net pays with high-quality reservoir facies: a deltaic slope fan at the upper shoreface and a river mouth sandbar at the lower shoreface. Furthermore, the reservoirs were faulted by a series of growing faults that faulted the basin slope. The reservoir facies are characterized by an average of 18% porosity, 1200 mD permeability, 16% volume of shale, and high hydrocarbon saturation of about 85%. Finally, the petroleum system elements have been defined for improved hydrocarbon exploration. In the absence of complete or partial core samples, this case study emphasizes the importance of using wireline logs to estimate organic richness and investigate sequence stratigraphy in clastic sediments.
The potential of offshore Nile Delta Basin natural gas reserves: a case study of Messinian reservoir in Baltim field
Authors: Sarhan Mohammad Abdelfattah
Published: August 2022

The offshore part of the Nile Delta Basin (NDB) is a prolific provenance for gas exploration. The present study aims to perform a geophysical evaluation for the Messinian Abu Madi sandstones along the Messinian paleo-valley in Baltim field as a case study. The seismic interpretation step exposed that the Abu Madi incised valley displays NNW-SSE trend with width ranges from 5 to 8 km and a length of 32 km. The petrophysical appraisal for five drilled wells (BE-2, BE-3, BE-5, BN-1 and BN-2) in Baltim Field has been performed. The findings of this assessment revealed that the most promising intervals in the studied wells have gross-thicknesses vary between 25 and 49 m; net pay thicknesses range within 15 m and 38.5 m; net/gross ratio of 0.54–0.90; effective porosity of 15–40%; shale volume is less than 20; and water saturation ranges between 25 and 50%. Such notably talented and converging values of these parameters across the examined zones reflects the relative homogeneity and lateral continuity of the Abu Madi reservoir across the inspected paleo-valley. The results of this study can help for a better understanding of the petrophysical characteristics for the Messinian reservoir over the offshore NDB. Therefore, the Messinian sandstones could exhibit possible targets for future gas exploration over the offshore NDB together with the Pliocene sandy levels, which represent the main and the recent discoveries of gas accumulations.
Pediatric Sialendoscopy
Authors: Brodie Kara D. , Czechowicz Josephine A. , Rosbe Kristina W.
Published: August 2022

Purpose of Review

To describe the pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of sialadenitis as well as the indications for and outcomes of sialendoscopy in the pediatric population.

Recent Findings

Pediatric sialadenitis makes up a small proportion of all salivary gland disease. Acute viral sialadenitis and juvenile recurrent parotitis are the most common forms of the condition. Juvenile recurrent parotitis is thought to be multifactorial in etiology with infectious, behavioral, autoimmune, and structural contributions. Review of the current literature supports a potential benefit from sialendoscopy for children with recurrent acute or chronic sialadenitis. Sialendoscopy can provide both diagnostic and therapeutic benefits with very low associated risks. The most common sialendoscopy findings include intraductal sludge or debris, sialoliths, and ductal strictures.

In the select pediatric population, sialendoscopy is a safe and effective procedure with associated decreased rates of recurrent acute sialadenitis including juvenile recurrent parotitis.
Variability in the quality of pollen grains in oat amphiploids and their parental species
Authors: Tomaszewska Paulina , Kosina Romuald
Published: August 2022

The pollen analysis has become an important technique to evaluate the use of selectively breeding crops, including the three most important grasses to human nutrition. This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive potential of oat species and their hybrid progeny (amphiploids) during three consecutive vegetation seasons. Correlation and regression analyses were used to describe the morphotypes and viability of pollen grains, while numerical taxonomy methods were applied to analyse the relationships between taxa. The results indicated a difference in the size of pollen grains between the growing seasons, but a stable association between the taxa. The viability of pollen grains showed no correlation with pollen length. In the ordination space, amphiploids and parental species were well discriminated. Amphiploids and parental species were characterised by a positive correlation between the pollen size and the level of ploidy; however, along the respective regression line, the amphiploids were located among species with a high level of ploidy. Developmental anomalies of pollen grains were more frequent in amphiploids, with few pollen grains being chromosomally imbalanced, and the formation of micrograins was the most common event. Multiporate pollens being of multiple-spindle mother cells origin can be equivalents of four monoporate microspores. A strong correlation was observed between the frequencies of multiporate grains and micropollens. In the ordination space, monoporate types (species) were discriminated from multiporate types (amphiploids). High viability of pollen in amphiploids proved their genomic/chromosomal stabilisation across many generations of reproduction.
Fragility analysis for vehicle derailment on railway bridges under earthquakes
Authors: Jin Zhibin , Liu Weizhan
Published: August 2022

With the rapid development of high-speed railways around the globe, the safety of vehicles running on bridges during earthquakes has been paid more attention to. In the design of railway bridges, in addition to ensuring the safety of the bridge structure in earthquake, the vehicle safety should also be ensured. Previous studies have focused on the detailed analysis of vehicle derailment on bridges, proposing complex numerical algorithms for wheel–rail contact analysis as well as for parametric analysis, but they are inconvenient for designers. Intensity measure (IM) used in performance-based earthquake engineering is introduced in this study. A method to evaluate the vehicle safety on bridges under earthquakes is proposed with respect to the optimal IM. Then, the vehicle derailment case of the Kumamoto earthquake in Japan verifies the decoupling method of vehicle–bridge interaction model. In the assessment of vehicle derailments, eight IMs are systematically compared: the IMs of bridge deck motion are generally better than those of ground motion; the variation coefficient of spectral intensity of the bridge deck is the smallest at different frequencies. Finally, the derailment fragility cloud map is presented to evaluate the vehicle safety on bridges during earthquakes.
A Multifunctional Anti-Proton Electrolyte for High-Rate and Super-Stable Aqueous Zn-Vanadium Oxide Battery
Authors: Chen Yangwu , Ma Dingtao , Ouyang Kefeng , Yang Ming , Shen Sicheng , Wang Yanyi , Mi Hongwei , Sun Lingna , He Chuanxin , Zhang Peixin
Published: August 2022

Large volumetric expansion of cathode hosts and sluggish transport kinetics in the cathode–electrolyte interface, as well as dendrite growth and hydrogen evolution at Zn anode side are considered as the system problems that cause the electrochemical failure of aqueous Zn-vanadium oxide battery. In this work, a multifunctional anti-proton electrolyte was proposed to synchronously solve all those issues. Theoretical and experimental studies confirm that PEG 400 additive can regulate the Zn2+ solvation structure and inhibit the ionization of free water molecules of the electrolyte. Then, smaller lattice expansion of vanadium oxide hosts and less associated by-product formation can be realized by using such electrolyte. Besides, such electrolyte is also beneficial to guide the uniform Zn deposition and suppress the side reaction of hydrogen evolution. Owing to the integrated synergetic modification, a high-rate and ultrastable aqueous Zn-V2O3/C battery can be constructed, which can remain a specific capacity of 222.8 mAh g−1 after 6000 cycles at 5 A g−1, and 121.8 mAh g−1 even after 18,000 cycles at 20 A g−1, respectively. Such “all-in-one” solution based on the electrolyte design provides a new strategy for developing high-performance aqueous Zn-ion battery.
Quantum Dots Compete at the Acme of MXene Family for the Optimal Catalysis
Authors: Liu Yuhua , Zhang Wei , Zheng Weitao
Published: August 2022

It is well known that two-dimensional (2D) MXene-derived quantum dots (MQDs) inherit the excellent physicochemical properties of the parental MXenes, as a Chinese proverb says, “Indigo blue is extracted from the indigo plant, but is bluer than the plant it comes from.” Therefore, 0D QDs harvest larger surface-to-volume ratio, outstanding optical properties, and vigorous quantum confinement effect. Currently, MQDs trigger enormous research enthusiasm as an emerging star of functional materials applied to physics, chemistry, biology, energy conversion, and storage. Since the surface properties of small-sized MQDs include the type of surface functional groups, the functionalized surface directly determines their performance. As the Nobel Laureate Wolfgang Pauli says, “God made the bulk, but the surface was invented by the devil,” and it is just on the basis of the abundant surface functional groups, there is lots of space to be thereof excavated from MQDs. We are witnessing such excellence and even more promising to be expected. Nowadays, MQDs have been widely applied to catalysis, whereas the related reviews are rarely reported. Herein, we provide a state-of-the-art overview of MQDs in catalysis over the past five years, ranging from the origin and development of MQDs, synthetic routes of MQDs, and functionalized MQDs to advanced characterization techniques. To explore the diversity of catalytic application and perspectives of MQDs, our review will stimulate more efforts toward the synthesis of optimal MQDs and thereof designing high-performance MQDs-based catalysts.
Vertical Alignment of Anisotropic Fillers Assisted by Expansion Flow in Polymer Composites
Authors: Niu Hongyu , Guo Haichang , Kang Lei , Ren Liucheng , Lv Ruicong , Bai Shulin
Published: August 2022

Orientation control of anisotropic one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) materials in solutions is of great importance in many fields ranging from structural materials design, the thermal management, to energy storage. Achieving fine control of vertical alignment of anisotropic fillers (such as graphene, boron nitride (BN), and carbon fiber) remains challenging. This work presents a universal and scalable method for constructing vertically aligned structures of anisotropic fillers in composites assisted by the expansion flow (using 2D BN platelets as a proof-of-concept). BN platelets in the silicone gel strip are oriented in a curved shape that includes vertical alignment in the central area and horizontal alignment close to strip surfaces. Due to the vertical orientation of BN in the central area of strips, a through-plane thermal conductivity as high as 5.65 W m−1 K−1 was obtained, which can be further improved to 6.54 W m−1 K−1 by combining BN and pitch-based carbon fibers. The expansion-flow-assisted alignment can be extended to the manufacture of a variety of polymer composites filled with 1D and 2D materials, which can find wide applications in batteries, electronics, and energy storage devices.
Intimate Pride: a Tri-Nation Study on Associations between Positive Minority Identity Aspects and Relationship Quality in Sexual Minorities from German-Speaking Countries
Authors: Siegel Magdalena , Randall Ashley K. , Lannutti Pamela J. , Fischer Melanie S. , Gandhi Yuvamathi , Lukas Raphaela , Meuwly Nathalie , Rosta-Filep Orsolya , van Stein Katharina , Ditzen Beate , Martos Tamás , Schneckenreiter Carmen , Totenhagen Casey J. , Zemp Martina
Published: August 2022

Investigations into the intimate relationships of sexual minorities are proliferating, but often adopt a deficit-oriented and US-centered perspective. In this tri-nation online study with sexual minority participants from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland (N = 571), we (i) assessed the construct validity of the German version of a well-known measure for positive minority identity aspects (the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Positive Identity Measure; LGB-PIM), and (ii) explored associations between these aspects (self-awareness, authenticity, community, capacity for intimacy, and social justice) and self-reported relationship quality. Model fit of the German version of the LGB-PIM was deemed acceptable. Higher levels of positive minority identity aspects showed small to moderate associations with higher levels of relationship quality in bivariate analyses, but only capacity for intimacy was linked to relationship quality in higher-order models (controlling for country, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, relationship length, and psychological distress). Results remained robust in several sensitivity analyses. Our results highlight the differential role of positive identity aspects for relationship functioning, with capacity for intimacy as a fruitful leverage point for therapeutic work.
Understanding the romanization spreading on historical interregional networks in Northern Tunisia
Authors: Kostré Margarita , Sunkara Vikram , Schütte Christof , Conrad Nataša Djurdjevac
Published: August 2022

Spreading processes are important drivers of change in social systems. To understand the mechanisms of spreading it is fundamental to have information about the underlying contact network and the dynamical parameters of the process. However, in many real-wold examples, this information is not known and needs to be inferred from data. State-of-the-art spreading inference methods have mostly been applied to modern social systems, as they rely on availability of very detailed data. In this paper we study the inference challenges for historical spreading processes, for which only very fragmented information is available. To cope with this problem, we extend existing network models by formulating a model on a mesoscale with temporal spreading rate. Furthermore, we formulate the respective parameter inference problem for the extended model. We apply our approach to the romanization process of Northern Tunisia, a scarce dataset, and study properties of the inferred time-evolving interregional networks. As a result, we show that (1) optimal solutions consist of very different network structures and spreading rate functions; and that (2) these diverse solutions produce very similar spreading patterns. Finally, we discuss how inferred dominant interregional connections are related to available archaeological traces. Historical networks resulting from our approach can help understanding complex processes of cultural change in ancient times.
Copper-Based Catalysts for Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction to Multicarbon Products
Authors: Chang Fangfang , Xiao Meiling , Miao Ruifang , Liu Yongpeng , Ren Mengyun , Jia Zhichao , Han Dandan , Yuan Yang , Bai Zhengyu , Yang Lin
Published: August 2022

Electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide into fuel and chemicals with added value represents an appealing approach to reduce the greenhouse effect and realize a carbon-neutral cycle, which has great potential in mitigating global warming and effectively storing renewable energy. The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) usually involves multiproton coupling and multielectron transfer in aqueous electrolytes to form multicarbon products (C2+ products), but it competes with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which results in intrinsically sluggish kinetics and a complex reaction mechanism and places higher requirements on the design of catalysts. In this review, the advantages of electrochemical CO2 reduction are briefly introduced, and then, different categories of Cu-based catalysts, including monometallic Cu catalysts, bimetallic catalysts, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) along with MOF-derived catalysts and other catalysts, are summarized in terms of their synthesis method and conversion of CO2 to C2+ products in aqueous solution. The catalytic mechanisms of these catalysts are subsequently discussed for rational design of more efficient catalysts. In response to the mechanisms, several material strategies to enhance the catalytic behaviors are proposed, including surface facet engineering, interface engineering, utilization of strong metal-support interactions and surface modification. Based on the above strategies, challenges and prospects are proposed for the future development of CO2RR catalysts for industrial applications.

Graphical Abstract
Development and validation of a five-level developmental model for new graduate employees
Authors: Goda Yoshiko , Sudo Kentaro
Published: August 2022

The aim of this research was to create a developmental model for new graduate employees according to improvements in their performance. The model’s scope covered the period when employees take part in apprenticeship training after graduation from college or university. The process of developing and validating the model referred to the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction’s competency development model as a framework and involved six steps. This research analyzed 111 freshly graduated recruits who had recently been hired by a leading travel company in Japan. The final model includes five apprenticeship levels, namely beginning, elementary, intermediate, advanced, and end of apprenticeship, with criteria for performance in planning and implementation. To validate the model, three transitions in the developmental levels over six months in 2017 and nine months in 2020 were examined using the model’s performance criteria. The results show that the transitions for the three companies reflect the characteristics of their new graduate employees. This indicates that the proposed model may be valid for determining the development levels of new graduate recruits and can have a certain level of discriminative power. This model can serve as a helpful tool for planning on-the-job and off-the-job training to support new employee development, comprehending their current development levels, and providing a guideline for the next step for further development.
A comprehensive review of planning, modeling, optimization, and control of distributed energy systems
Authors: Hao Junhong , Yang Yongping , Xu Chao , Du Xiaoze
Published: August 2022

Distributed energy system, a decentralized low-carbon energy system arranged at the customer side, is characterized by multi-energy complementarity, multi-energy flow synergy, multi-process coupling, and multi-temporal scales (n-M characteristics). This review provides a systematic and comprehensive summary and presents the current research on distributed energy systems in three dimensions: system planning and evaluation, modeling and optimization, and operation and control. Under the regional environmental, resource, and policy constraints, planning distributed energy systems should fully integrate technical, economic, environmental, and social factors and consider device characteristics, system architecture, and source-load uncertainties. Further, this review presents four modeling perspectives for optimizing and analyzing distributed energy systems, including energy hub, thermodynamics, heat current, and data-driven. The system’s optimal operation and scheduling strategies, disturbance analysis, and related control methods are also discussed from the power system and thermal system, respectively. In all, more research is required for distributed energy systems based on an integrated energy perspective in optimal system structure, hybrid modeling approaches, data-driven system state estimation, cross-system disturbance spread, and multi-subject interaction control.
Structure-oriented conversions of plastics to carbon nanomaterials
Authors: Ren Shiying , Xu Xin , Hu Kunsheng , Tian Wenjie , Duan Xiaoguang , Yi Jiabao , Wang Shaobin
Published: August 2022

The accumulation of waste plastics has caused serious environmental issues due to their unbiodegradable nature and hazardous additives. Converting waste plastics to different carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) is a promising approach to minimize plastic pollution and realize advanced manufacturing of CNMs. The reported plastic-derived carbons include carbon filaments (i.e. carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers), graphene, carbon nanosheets, carbon sphere, and porous carbon. In this review, we present the influences of different intrinsic structures of plastics on the pyrolysis intermediates. We also reveal that non-charring plastics are prone to being pyrolyzed into light hydrocarbons while charring plastics are prone to being pyrolyzed into aromatics. Subsequently, light hydrocarbons favor to form graphite while aromatics are inclined to form amorphous carbon during the carbon formation process. In addition, the conversion tendency of different plastics into various morphologies of carbon is concluded. We also discuss other impact factors during the transformation process, including catalysts, temperature, processing duration and templates, and reveal how to obtain different morphological CNMs from plastics. Finally, current technology limitations and perspectives are presented to provide future research directions in effective plastic conversion and advanced CNM synthesis.
Food Insecurity May be an Independent Risk Factor Associated With Erectile Dysfunction in the United States: Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data
Authors: Wang Wei , Chen Jiawei , Peng Liao , Gao Xiaoshuai , Lin Lede , Xiong Yang , Zhang Fuxun , Ma Yucheng , Qin Feng , Yuan Jiuhong
Published: August 2022

Introduction

While food insecurity is a global public health problem associated with obesity, diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart disease, literature regarding the relationship between food insecurity and erectile dysfunction (ED) is scarce.

Aim

We aimed to determine the associations between food insecurity and ED in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Methods

Data was extracted from 3,891 participants (aged ≥ 20 years) with ED in the 2001–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with sampling weights was conducted to evaluate the associations.

Main outcome measure

Food security was assessed utilizing the Household Food Security Module. A single-question self-report from the Massachusetts Male Aging Study was utilized to evaluate ED status.

Results

Approximately 10.2% of individuals had food insecurity. Food insecurity was significantly associated with ED after full adjustment (odds ratio [OR] 1.56; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.16–2.09; P = .003). Men with very low food insecurity had 59% higher risks of ED compared with those having high food security (OR 1.59; 95% CI 1.13–2.27; P = .006). Moreover, the associations were stronger in the old people (age ≥ 60) (OR 2.15; 95% CI 1.26–3.66; P = .004).

Conclusions

Food insecurity might be associated with higher risks of developing ED.
Climate Change Adaptation in The Gambia: The Role of Kanyeleng Communication and Performance
Authors: McConnell Bonnie B. , Jallow Sheikh Omar
Published: August 2022

Traditional communicators known askanyelenghave increasingly taken on roles in climate change adaptation in The Gambia. Drawing on ethnographic research conducted from 2018 to 2019, McConnell and Jallow show that kanyeleng performers contribute to disseminating information about climate change adaptation while also creating the social conditions necessary for citizens to hear and respond effectively to that information. Understandings of climate change in The Gambia intersect with broader concerns about loss of traditional and religious values. Through their performances, kanyeleng work as mediators to resolve tensions associated with climate change adaptation and integrate Indigenous environmental knowledge and climate science.
Rates of ecological knowledge learning in Pemba, Tanzania: Implications for childhood evolution
Authors: Pretelli Ilaria , Borgerhoff Mulder Monique , McElreath Richard
Published: August 2022

Humans live in diverse, complex niches where survival and reproduction are conditional on the acquisition of knowledge. Humans also have long childhoods, spending more than a decade before they become net producers. Whether the time needed to learn has been a selective force in the evolution of long human childhood is unclear, because there is little comparative data on the growth of ecological knowledge throughout childhood. We measured ecological knowledge at different ages in Pemba, Zanzibar (Tanzania), interviewing 93 children and teenagers between 4 and 26 years. We developed Bayesian latent-trait models to estimate individual knowledge and its association with age, activities, household family structure and education. In the studied population, children learn during the whole pre-reproductive period, but at varying rates, with the fastest increases in young children. Sex differences appear during middle childhood and are mediated by participation in different activities. In addition to providing a detailed empirical investigation of the relationship between knowledge acquisition and childhood, this study develops and documents computational improvements to the modelling of knowledge development.
Performing (during) the Coronavirus Crisis: The Italian Populist Radical Right between National Opposition and Subnational Government
Authors: Pirro Andrea L.P.
Published: August 2022

The first year of COVID-19 confirmed the standing of the populist radical right in Italy. While sitting in opposition at the national level, Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy and Matteo Salvini's League shared common criticism of the Conte II government but experienced diverging trajectories in terms of popularity. The first had enjoyed growing support since the 2018 general election, whereas the second lost out after leaving the government coalition in 2019. These changes can be partly attributed to the different agency of their leaderships. Looking at the League's performance at the helm of key regions affected by the pandemic, moreover, its governors elaborated different responses to the crisis, which ostensibly reflect the varying allegiances and visions animating the internal life of the party. Overall and collectively considered, the Italian populist radical right broke even during the first year of COVID-19, but the crisis exposed the first cracks in Salvini's leadership.
Particle subgrid stress models for large Stokes numbers in particle-laden turbulence
Authors: Fukada T. , Takeuchi S. , Kajishima T.
Published: August 2022

For the Stokes number based on the Kolmogorov time scale

${St}_K$

up to

$O(10^{2})$

, the particle subgrid stress (particle stress) in the volume-average framework is studied by comparing the fluid residual stress, the particle Smagorinsky model and the particle scale-similarity model. To obtain the numerical database of the particle-laden turbulence, two-way coupling direct numerical simulation is carried out with isotropic and anisotropic forcing conditions. As the particle stress is related to the local flow structure, which is not reflected by

${St}_K$

, a new Stokes number

${St}_R$

is introduced to extract the effect of the intensity of the fluid velocity fluctuation in the averaging volume. The degrees of agreement of the principal axes (eigenvectors) of the particle stress models to those of the fully resolved particle stress are regarded as functions of

${St}_R$

regardless of the averaging volume size. The fluid residual stress model shows the highest degree of agreement over a small

${St}_R$

range for both of the forcing cases, and similar predominance is also observed for the correlation coefficient reflecting the magnitude of the particle stress. The effects of

${St}_R$

,

${St}_K$

, the averaging volume size and the Reynolds number on the model coefficients are investigated based on the intensities of the deviatoric and isotropic parts of the fully resolved particle stress and its models. The Stokes number

${St}_R$

is found to be an essential factor to determine the model coefficients, as each effect is extracted reasonably by fixing

${St}_R$

.
Vitamin B12 and gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Xue , Du Yushan , Xia Shuangbo , Li Zhiwen , Liu Jufen
Published: August 2022

The relationship between vitamin B12 and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains controversial. To comprehensively evaluate the relationship between vitamin B12 and GDM, and to provide more information on GDM prevention, this study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of vitamin B12 and GDM. As of September 22, 2021, 304 articles were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases, of which 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results presented there was no association between maternal vitamin B12 concentration during the first trimester with GDM, however, low vitamin B12 concentration in the second or third trimester of pregnancy was related to an increased risk of GDM. Compared with the non-GDM group, the vitamin B12 concentration in the GDM group was remarkably decreased (MD: –10·79; 95%CI: –21·37, –0·21), and vitamin B12 deficiency increased the risk for GDM (OR: 1·59; 95%CI: 1·10, 2·29). These effects were more significant among Asians. In addition, an increased ratio of high folate to low vitamin B12 in serum also increased the risk of GDM (OR: 1·87; 95% CI: 1·46, 2·41). These results suggest that more vitamin B12 may need to be provided during pregnancy.
A gradualist view of word meaning in language acquisition and language use
Authors: CLARK EVE V.
Published: August 2022

For both children and adults, communicating with each other effectively depends on having enough knowledge about particular entities, actions, or relations to understand and produce the words being used. Speakers draw on conventional meanings shared with their interlocutors, but do they share every detail of word meaning? They need not have identical, or fully specified, representations for the meanings of all the terms they make use of. Rather, they need only have representedenoughabout the meanings of the words used by another speaker to understand what is intended in context on a particular occasion. Reliance on partial meanings is common in both children and adults. More detailed, shared, representations of word meanings for a domain depend on acquiring additional knowledge about that domain and its contents.
Daoism and Ming rulership: on the authenticity of Jiajing's preface to theScripture of the Three Offices
Authors: Schachter Bony
Published: August 2022

This article examines Jiajing's (Zhu Houcong 朱厚熜, 1507–67) preface to theScripture of the Three Offices(Sanguan jing三官經, hereafter,Scripture). The first section discusses the provenance of Jiajing's preface, and shows that the preface is preserved in theExplanation(Sanguan jing zhujie三官經註解), an unstudied edition of theScriptureproduced in 1876. The second section offers a comparison between theExplanationand Ming editions of theScripture. Relying on this comparison, the third section examines the role of Jiajing in the text's editorial history. Three aspects of the imperial preface support its authenticity: its description of Jiajing's lost imperial edition; its stance on local religious narratives; and its connection with Jiajing's early scholarly and political concerns. In examining the authenticity of Jiajing's preface, the article discusses the role of Daoist resources in shaping Ming imperial discourses on rulership.