bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of CO2 on the rheology of melts from the Colli Albani Volcanic District (Italy): foidite to phonolite
Authors: Kleest Christin , Webb Sharon L.
Published: October 2021

In this study, the influence of CO2 on the rheology of silica poor and K-rich melts from highly explosive eruptions from the Colli Albani Volcanic District (Italy) (CAVD) is measured for the first time. The investigated melts range from foidite to tephri-phonolite to tephrite from the CAVD to a phonolite from the Vesuvius (Italy) with CO2 concentrations up to 0.50 wt%. Viscosity and calorimetric measurements are performed in the glass transition range Tg between 600 and 780 °C. Although nominally anhydrous, the investigated melts contain H2O concentrations up to 0.23 wt%. The data exhibit a decrease in viscosity of approx. 100.40 Pa s for the phonolitic composition with ~ 0.07 wt% CO2 and a Tg reduced by approx. 14 °C. For the tephritic composition, Tg is approx. 5 °C lower and has a viscosity reduced by 100.25 Pa s for the sample containing ~ 0.5 wt% CO2. Calorimetric measurements of the tephri-phonolite show lowered onset of Tg by approx. 6 °C for the melt with ~ 0.11 wt% CO2 and Tg of the foidite appears not to be influenced by a CO2 concentration of ~ 0.37 wt% CO2. However, these tephri-phonolitic and foiditic melts foamed during calorimetric measurements preventing a reliable measurement. It would appear that most of this overall drop in viscosity is caused by the small amounts of H2O in the melts with CO2 slightly reducing the viscosity or having no effect on viscosity. Additionally, it is shown that the reduction in viscosity decreases with an increasing degree of the depolymerisation for the investigated melts. Consequently, the explosive style of the CAVD eruptions is mainly caused by crystals and bubbles which form and rise during magma storage and ascent which increases the magma viscosity whereas the CO2 in the melt slightly reduces the viscosity.
The impact of the UK COVID-19 pandemic on patient-reported health outcomes after stroke: a retrospective sequential comparison
Authors: Ozkan Hatice , Ambler Gareth , Banerjee Gargi , Chan Edgar , Browning Simone , Mitchell John , Perry Richard , Leff Alex P. , Simister Robert J. , Werring David J. ,   the SIGNaL collaborators, Jager Rolf , Ward Nick , Nachev Parashkev
Published: October 2021

Background and purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic and related social isolation measures are likely to have adverse consequences on community healthcare provision and outcome after acute illnesses treated in hospital, including stroke. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient-reported health outcomes after hospital admission for acute stroke.

Methods

This retrospective study included adults with acute stroke admitted to the University College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Hyperacute Stroke Unit. We included two separate cohorts of consecutively enrolled patients from the same geographical population at two time points: 16th March–16th May 2018 (pre-COVID-19 pandemic); and 16th March–16th May 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic). Patients in both cohorts completed the validated Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System–29 (PROMIS-29 version 2.0) at 30 days after stroke.

Results

We included 205 patients who were alive at 30 days (106 admitted before and 99 admitted during the COVID-19 pandemic), of whom 201/205 (98%) provided patient-reported health outcomes. After adjustment for confounding factors, admission with acute stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic was independently associated with increased anxiety (β = 28.0, p < 0.001), fatigue (β = 9.3, p < 0.001), depression (β = 4.5, p = 0.002), sleep disturbance (β = 2.3, p = 0.018), pain interference (β = 10.8, p < 0.001); and reduced physical function (β = 5.2, p < 0.001) and participation in social roles and activities (β = 6.9, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Compared with the pre-pandemic cohort, patients admitted with acute stroke during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic reported poorer health outcomes at 30 day follow-up in all domains. Stroke service planning for any future pandemic should include measures to mitigate this major adverse impact on patient health.
Population pharmacogenomics: an update on ethnogeographic differences and opportunities for precision public health
Authors: Zhou Yitian , Lauschke Volker M.
Published: October 2021

Both safety and efficacy of medical treatment can vary depending on the ethnogeographic background of the patient. One of the reasons underlying this variability is differences in pharmacogenetic polymorphisms in genes involved in drug disposition, as well as in drug targets. Knowledge and appreciation of these differences is thus essential to optimize population-stratified care. Here, we provide an extensive updated analysis of population pharmacogenomics in ten pharmacokinetic genes (CYP2D6, CYP2C19, DPYD, TPMT, NUDT15 and SLC22A1), drug targets (CFTR) and genes involved in drug hypersensitivity (HLA-A, HLA-B) or drug-induced acute hemolytic anemia (G6PD). Combined, polymorphisms in the analyzed genes affect the pharmacology, efficacy or safety of 141 different drugs and therapeutic regimens. The data reveal pronounced differences in the genetic landscape, complexity and variant frequencies between ethnogeographic groups. Reduced function alleles of CYP2D6, SLC22A1 and CFTR were most prevalent in individuals of European descent, whereas DPYD and TPMT deficiencies were most common in Sub-Saharan Africa. Oceanian populations showed the highest frequencies of CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles while their inferred CYP2D6 activity was among the highest worldwide. Frequencies of HLA-B*15:02 and HLA-B*58:01 were highest across Asia, which has important implications for the risk of severe cutaneous adverse reactions upon treatment with carbamazepine and allopurinol. G6PD deficiencies were most frequent in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia with pronounced differences in variant composition. These variability data provide an important resource to inform cost-effectiveness modeling and guide population-specific genotyping strategies with the goal of optimizing the implementation of precision public health.
Move your virtual body: differences and similarities in brain activation patterns during hand movements in real world and virtual reality
Authors: Kober Silvia Erika , Settgast Volker , Brunnhofer Marlies , Augsdörfer Ursula , Wood Guilherme
Published: October 2021

Virtual reality (VR) is a promising tool for neurological rehabilitation, especially for motor rehabilitation. In the present study, we investigate whether brain activation patterns that are evoked by active movements are comparable when these movements are carried out in reality and in VR. Therefore, 40 healthy adults (20 men, mean age 25.31 years) performed hand movements and viewed these movements in a first-person view in reality, a VR scene showing realistic virtual hands, and a VR scene showing abstract virtual hands, in a randomized order. The VR conditions were presented via an immersive 3D head-mounted display system. EEG activity was assessed over the hand motor areas during and after movement execution. All three conditions led to typical EEG activation patterns over the motor cortex. Hence, brain activation patterns were largely comparable between conditions. However, the VR conditions, especially the abstract VR condition, led to a weaker hemispheric lateralization effect compared to the real-world condition. This indicates that hand models in VR should be realistic to be able to evoke activation patterns in the motor cortex comparable to real-world scenarios.
Use of antipsychotics and long-term risk of parkinsonism
Authors: d’Errico Angelo , Strippoli Elena , Vasta Rosario , Ferrante Gianluigi , Spila Alegiani Stefania , Ricceri Fulvio
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Few epidemiological studies have assessed the risk of parkinsonisms after prolonged use of neuroleptics. We aimed to examine the long-term risk of degenerative parkinsonisms (DP) associated with previous use of neuroleptics.

Methods

All residents in Piedmont, Northern-west Italy, older than 39 years (2,526,319 subjects), were retrospectively followed up from 2013 to 2017. Exposure to neuroleptics was assessed through the regional archive of drug prescriptions. The development of DP was assessed using the regional archives of both drug prescriptions and hospital admissions. We excluded prevalent DP cases at baseline as well as those occurred in the first 18 months (short-term risk). The risk of DP associated with previous use of neuroleptics was examined through Cox regression, using a matched cohort design.

Results

The risk of DP was compared between 63,356 exposed and 316,779 unexposed subjects. A more than threefold higher risk of DP was observed among subjects exposed to antipsychotics, compared to those unexposed (HR = 3.27, 95% CI 3.00–3.57), and was higher for exposure to atypical than typical antipsychotics. The risk decreased after 2 years from therapy cessation but remained significantly elevated (HR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.76–3.21).

Conclusions

These results indicate a high risk of developing DP long time from the start of use and from the cessation for both typical and atypical neuroleptics, suggesting the need of monitoring treated patients even after long-term use and cessation.
Symmetric power functoriality for holomorphic modular forms
Authors: Newton James , Thorne Jack A.
Published: October 2021

Let$f$fbe a cuspidal Hecke eigenform of level 1. We prove the automorphy of the symmetric power lifting$\operatorname{Sym}^{n} f$Symnffor every$n \geq 1$n≥1.

We establish the same result for a more general class of cuspidal Hecke eigenforms, including all those associated to semistable elliptic curves over$\mathbf{Q}$Q.
Migration and non-breeding ecology of the Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens
Authors: Mancuso Kristen A. , Hodges Karen E. , Alexander John D. , Grosselet Manuel , Bezener A. Michael , Morales Luis , Martinez Sarahy C. , Castellanos-Labarcena Jessica , Russello Michael A. , Rockwell Sarah M. , Bieber Matthias E. , Bishop Christine A.
Published: October 2021

Detailed information spanning the full annual cycle is lacking for most songbird populations. We examined breeding, migration, and non-breeding sites for the Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens,chat). We deployed archival GPS tags and light-level geolocators on breeding chats in British Columbia and light-level geolocators in California from 2013 to 2017 to determine migration routes and non-breeding sites. We examined whether chats overwintered in protected areas and characterized the percent of land cover within 1 km. We used a combination of genetics and stable hydrogen isotopes from feathers collected on non-breeding chats in Nayarit, Mexico (2017–2019) and migrating chats in Chiapas, Mexico (2018) and Veracruz, Mexico (2014–2015) to determine subspecies and infer breeding location. Endangered chats in British Columbia followed the Pacific Flyway and spent the non-breeding period in Sinaloa and Nayarit, Mexico. Two out of five chats spent the non-breeding period in protected areas, and the most common landcover type used was tropical or subtropical broadleaf deciduous forest. We found no mixing of eastern and western chats in our Mexico sites, suggesting strong migratory connectivity at the subspecies level. Western chats likely originating from multiple breeding latitudes spent the non-breeding period in Nayarit. Eastern Yellow-breasted Chats likely breeding across various latitudes migrated through Veracruz and Chiapas. Our results provide precise migration routes and non-breeding locations, and describe habitat cover types for chats, notably an endangered population in British Columbia, which may be valuable for habitat protection and conservation efforts.
Central Limit Theorem and Moderate Deviation Principle for McKean-Vlasov SDEs
Authors: Suo Yongqiang , Yuan Chenggui
Published: October 2021

Under a Lipschitz condition on distribution dependent coefficients, the central limit theorem and the moderate deviation principle are obtained for solutions of McKean-Vlasov type stochastic differential equations, which generalize the corresponding results for classical stochastic differential equations to the distribution dependent setting.
Development, scrutiny, and modulation of transient reporter gene assays of the xenobiotic metabolism pathway in zebrafish hepatocytes
Authors: Lungu-Mitea Sebastian , Han Yuxin , Lundqvist Johan
Published: October 2021

The “toxicology in the twenty-first century” paradigm shift demands the development of alternative in vitro test systems. Especially in the field of ecotoxicology, coverage of aquatic species-specific assays is relatively scarce. Transient reporter gene assays could be a quick, economical, and reliable bridging technology. However, the user should be aware of potential pitfalls that are influenced by reporter vector geometry. Here, we report the development of an AhR-responsive transient reporter-gene assay in the permanent zebrafish hepatocytes cell line (ZFL). Additionally, we disclose how viral, constitutive promoters within reporter-gene assay cassettes induce squelching of the primary signal. To counter this, we designed a novel normalization vector, bearing an endogenous zebrafish-derived genomic promoter (zfEF1aPro), which rescues the squelching-delimited system, thus, giving new insights into the modulation of transient reporter systems under xenobiotic stress. Finally, we uncovered how the ubiquitously used ligand BNF promiscuously activates multiple toxicity pathways of the xenobiotic metabolism and cellular stress response in an orchestral manner, presumably leading to a concentration-related inhibition of the AhR/ARNT/XRE-toxicity pathway and non-monotonous concentration–response curves. We named such a multi-level inhibitory mechanism that might mask effects as “maisonette squelching.”

Graphical abstract

A transient reporter gene assay in zebrafish cell lines utilizing endogenous regulatory gene elements shows increased in vitro toxicity testing performance.

Synthetic and constitutive promotors interfere with signal transduction (“squelching”) and might increase cellular stress (cytotoxicity).

The squelching phenomenon might occur on multiple levels (toxicity pathway crosstalk and normalization vector), leading to a complete silencing of the reporter signal.
Children’s Experiences of Stress in Joint Physical Custody
Authors: Augustijn Lara
Published: October 2021

Background

Joint physical custody is a parental care arrangement in which children live roughly an equal amount of time with each parent after family dissolution, residing alternately in each of the two parental households. Because joint physical custody is characterised by fathers’ continued involvement in their children’s lives, this care arrangement is believed to compensate for the negative effects of family dissolution, and to contribute to children’s well-being in post-separation families.

Objective

This study aims to investigate potential differences in the experiences of stress of children living in joint physical custody and sole physical custody arrangements, while considering both the proportion of time the children spend with each of their parents and the number of transitions the children make between the parental households.

Methods

Based on data from the Family Models in Germany (FAMOD) study, a national convenience sample, linear regression models were estimated for 297 children between the ages of 11 and 14.

Results

The statistical analysis suggests that there was no significant association between the physical custody type (sole physical custody vs. joint physical custody) and the children’s levels of stress. In addition, the results revealed that children’s experiences of stress did not depend on how often they moved between their parents’ households.

Conclusions

This study does not corroborate the assumption that joint physical custody has a protective effect on children, but instead suggests that different physical custody arrangements are associated with different stressors that lead to similar levels of stress in children living in different post-separation families.
Natural variability vs forced signal in the 2015–2019 Central American drought
Authors: Pascale Salvatore , Kapnick Sarah B. , Delworth Thomas L. , Hidalgo Hugo G. , Cooke William F.
Published: October 2021

The recent multi-year 2015–2019 drought after a multi-decadal drying trend over Central America raises the question of whether anthropogenic climate change (ACC) played a role in exacerbating these events. While the occurrence of the 2015–2019 drought in Central America has been asserted to be associated with ACC, we lack an assessment of natural vs anthropogenic contributions. Here, we use five different large ensembles—including high-resolution ensembles (i.e., 0.5∘ horizontally)—to estimate the contribution of ACC to the probability of occurrence of the 2015–2019 event and the recent multi-decadal trend. The comparison of ensembles forced with natural and natural plus anthropogenic forcing suggests that the recent 40-year trend is likely associated with internal climate variability. However, the 2015–2019 rainfall deficit has been made more likely by ACC. The synthesis of the results from model ensembles supports the notion of a significant increase, by a factor of four, over the last century for the 2015–2019 meteorological drought to occur because of ACC. All the model results further suggest that, under intermediate and high emission scenarios, the likelihood of similar drought events will continue to increase substantially over the next decades.
Multi-messenger astrophysics with THESEUS in the 2030s
Authors: Ciolfi Riccardo , Stratta Giulia , Branchesi Marica , Gendre Bruce , Grimm Stefan , Harms Jan , Lamb Gavin Paul , Martin-Carrillo Antonio , McCann Ayden , Oganesyan Gor , Palazzi Eliana , Ronchini Samuele , Rossi Andrea , Salafia Om Sharan , Salmon Lana , Ascenzi Stefano , Capone Antonio , Celli Silvia , Dall’Osso Simone , Di Palma Irene , Fasano Michela , Fermani Paolo , Guetta Dafne , Hanlon Lorraine , Howell Eric , Paltani Stephane , Rezzolla Luciano , Vinciguerra Serena , Zegarelli Angela , Amati Lorenzo , Blain Andrew , Bozzo Enrico , Chaty Sylvain , D’Avanzo Paolo , De Pasquale fnmMassimiliano , Dereli-Bégué Hüsne , Ghirlanda Giancarlo , Gomboc Andreja , Götz Diego , Horvath Istvan , Hudec Rene , Izzo Luca , Le Floch Emeric , Li Liang , Longo Francesco , Komossa S. , Kong Albert K. H. , Mereghetti Sandro , Mignani Roberto , Nathanail Antonios , O’Brien Paul T. , Osborne Julian P. , Pe’er Asaf , Piranomonte Silvia , Rosati Piero , Savaglio Sandra , Schüssler Fabian , Sergijenko Olga , Shao Lijing , Tanvir Nial , Turriziani Sara , Urata Yuji , van Putten Maurice , Vergani Susanna , Zane Silvia , Zhang Bing
Published: October 2021

Multi-messenger astrophysics is becoming a major avenue to explore the Universe, with the potential to span a vast range of redshifts. The growing synergies between different probes is opening new frontiers, which promise profound insights into several aspects of fundamental physics and cosmology. In this context, THESEUS will play a central role during the 2030s in detecting and localizing the electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave and neutrino sources that the unprecedented sensitivity of next generation detectors will discover at much higher rates than the present. Here, we review the most important target signals from multi-messenger sources that THESEUS will be able to detect and characterize, discussing detection rate expectations and scientific impact.
Subdomain-based exponential integrators for quantum Liouville-type equations
Authors: Schulz L. , Inci B. , Pech M. , Schulz D.
Published: October 2021

In order to describe quantum mechanical effects, the use of the von-Neumann equation is apparent. In this work, we present a unified numerical framework so that the von-Neumann equation in center-of-mass coordinates leads to a Quantum Liouville-type equation when choosing a suitable basis. In particular, the proposed approach can be related to the conventional Wigner equation when a plane wave basis is used. The drawback of the numerical methods is the high computational cost. Our presented approach is extended to allow reducing the dimension of the basis, which leads to a computationally efficient and accurate subdomain approach. Not only the steady-state behavior is of interest, but also the dynamic behavior. In order to solve the time-dependent case, suitable approximation methods for the time-dependent exponential integrator are necessary. For this purpose, we also investigate approximations of the exponential integrator based on Faber polynomials and Krylov methods. In order to evaluate and justify our approach, various test cases, including a resonant tunnel diode as well as a double-gate field-effect transistor, are investigated and validated for the stationary and the dynamic device behavior.
What Does Good Science-Based Advice to Politics Look Like?
Authors: Carrier Martin
Published: October 2021

I address options for providing scientific policy advice and explore the relation between scientific knowledge and political, economic and moral values. I argue that such nonepistemic values are essential for establishing the significance of questions and the relevance of evidence, while, on the other hand, such social choices are the prerogative of society. This tension can be resolved by recognizing social values and identifying them as separate premises or as commissions while withholding commitment to them, and by elaborating a plurality of policy packages that envisage the implementation of different social goals. There are limits to upholding the value-free ideal in scientific research. But by following the mentioned strategy, science can give useful policy advice by leaving the value-free ideal largely intact. Such scientific restraint avoids the risk of appearing to illegitimately impose values on the public and could make the advice given more trustworthy.
Trends in Health Equity Among Children in the United States, 1997–2018
Authors: Anderson Nathaniel W. , Zimmerman Frederick J.
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Health equity is crucial to population health. To achieve this aim, extensive monitoring efforts beyond traditional disparities research are required. This analysis assesses trends in health equity for children from 1997 to 2018.

Methods

Health equity in a given year is calculated using a previously developed measure as the mean weighted departure of individual health from the best achievable level of health. This criterion is defined as the median health of the most socially privileged identifiable group: white, non-Latinx boys in upper-income households.

Using more than 20 years of data from the National Health Interview Survey, we apply this methodology to six measures of child health: parent-reported health status, school days missed due to illness or injury in the past year, a strength and difficulties questionnaire score, emotional difficulties, a toddler mental health indicator score, and toddler depression. We separately calculate racial/ethnic and income disparities.

Monte Carlo simulation is used to assess whether trends are statistically significant.

Results

Health equity among children increased gradually over the past 2 decades, with five of the six measures demonstrating upward trends. Improvements in health equity are stronger among younger children (age 0–3 and 4–7). Unlike previous work examining adults, both types of disparities narrowed over the study period.

Conclusions for Practice

Progress on health equity requires accountability to an objective metric. This analysis suggests some improvement over the past two decades, although these gains are under threat from potential decreases in government spending on programs affecting children and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sharpness of the Phase Transition for the Orthant Model
Authors: Beekenkamp Thomas
Published: October 2021

The orthant model is a directed percolation model on $\mathbb {Z}^{d}$

ℤ

d

, in which all clusters are infinite. We prove a sharp threshold result for this model: if p is larger than the critical value above which the cluster of 0 is contained in a cone, then the shift from 0 that is required to contain the cluster of 0 in that cone is exponentially small. As a consequence, above this critical threshold, a shape theorem holds for the cluster of 0, as well as ballisticity of the random walk on this cluster.
The Effects of Politician’s Moral Violations on Voters' Moral Emotions
Authors: Walter Annemarie S. , Redlawsk David P.
Published: October 2021

Existing empirical research on voters’ responses to individual politicians’ moral transgressions pays limited attention to moral emotions, although moral emotions are an integral part of voters’ moral judgment. This study looks at U.S. voters’ discrete moral emotional responses to politician’s moral violations and examines how these discrete moral emotional responses are dependent on voters’ own moral principles and the extent to which they identify with a political party. We report on a 5 × 3 between-subjects experiment where 2026 U.S. respondents reacted to politicians’ violations of one of five moral foundations defined by Moral Foundations Theory. We randomly vary which moral foundation is violated and the partisanship of the politician. While voters’ own moral principles somewhat condition moral emotional responses, we find that voters’ moral emotional responses mostly depend on partisan identification. When voters share party identity with a politician committing a moral violation, they respond with less anger, contempt, disgust and shame than when they do not share party identity. The effect is greater among strong partisans. However, we find limited evidence that specific moral emotions are activated by violations of particular moral foundations, thereby challenging Moral Foundations Theory.
End-of-life tire management: a critical review
Authors: Dabic-Miletic Svetlana , Simic Vladimir , Karagoz Selman
Published: October 2021

Environmental and social awareness are the key elements of the sustainable tire industry. End-of-life tire (ELT) waste flow is an important environmental problem worldwide since it produces severe air, water, and soil pollution issues. Significant advancements have been made in ELT management in the last few years. As a result, ELTs should not only be regarded as waste but also as a source of environmentally friendly materials. Besides, sound ELT management has vital importance for circular economy and sustainable development. Over the last decade, ELT management has attracted many researchers and practitioners. Unfortunately, a comprehensive review of the ELT management area is still missing. This study presents the first critical review of the whole ELT management area. It aims to present an extensive content analysis overview of state-of-the-art research, provide its critical analysis, highlight major gaps, and propose the most significant research directions. A total of 151 peer-reviewed studies published in the journals between 2010–2020 are collected, analyzed, categorized, and critically reviewed. This review study redounds comprehensive insights, a valuable source of references, and major opportunities for researchers and practitioners interested in not only ELT material flow but also the whole waste management area.

Graphical abstract
Effect of Mn on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-4Ni Alloy
Authors: Fang Jiao , Dong Xixi , Ji Shouxun
Published: October 2021

The application of aluminum alloys at elevated temperatures has been attractive for decades, and Al-Ni-based alloys have recently been recognized as potential candidates. The effect of Mn on Al-4Ni alloy has been investigated in this work. Addition of Mn transformed the eutectics from Al3Ni/α-Al to Al9(Ni,Mn)2/α-Al phases. Mn also improved the tensile strength at both 25°C and 250°C. The yield strength at 25°C increased from 48 MPa to 92 MPa with 1.87% Mn and then to 117 MPa with 3.77% Mn. At 250°C, the yield strength increased from 35 MPa to 82 MPa with 1.87% Mn and then to 101 MPa with 3.77% Mn. The alloys with Mn also showed less strength loss than Al-4Ni alloy at 250°C. The eutectic Al9(Ni,Mn)2 phase showed good thermal stability. No coarsening was observed after 2000 h at 250°C.
Generation of an Lpar1-EGFP Fusion Knock-in Transgenic Mouse Line
Authors: Rivera Richard , Williams Nyssa A. , Kennedy Grace G. , Sánchez-Pavón Paloma , Chun Jerold
Published: October 2021

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a lysophospholipid that acts as an extracellular signal through the activation of cognate G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). There are six known LPA receptors (LPA1–6). The first such receptor, LPA1, was identified in the embryonic brain and has been studied extensively for gene expression throughout the body, including through studies of receptor-null mice. However, identifying receptor protein expression in situ and in vivo within living cells and tissues has been difficult because of biologically low receptor expression and variable antibody specificity. To visualize native LPA1 receptor expression in situ, we generated a knock-in mouse produced by homologous recombination in murine embryonic stem (ES) cells to replace a wildtype Lpar1 allele with a mutant allele created by in-frame fusion of EGFP to the 4th exon of Lpar1 (Lpar1-EGFP knock-in allele). Homozygous knock-in mice appeared normal and the expected mendelian ratios of knock-in allele transmission were present in females and males. Histological assessments of the fetal and adult central nervous system (CNS) demonstrated expression patterns that were consistent with prior in situ hybridization studies. This new mouse line will be useful for studies of LPA1 in the developing and adult CNS, as well as other tissues, and for receptor assessments in living tissues and disease models.
Breccia interlayer effects on steam-assisted gravity drainage performance: experimental and numerical study
Authors: Zhang Qichen , Kang Xiaodong , Liu Huiqing , Dong Xiaohu , Wang Jian
Published: October 2021

Currently, the reservoir heterogeneity is a serious challenge for developing oil sands with SAGD method. Nexen’s Long Lake SAGD project reported that breccia interlayer was widely distributed in lower and middle part of reservoir, impeding the steam chamber expansion and heated oil drainage. In this paper, two physical experiments were conducted to study the impact of breccia interlayer on development of steam chamber and production performance. Then, a laboratory scale numerical simulation model was established and a history match was conducted based on the 3D experimental results. Finally, the sensitivity analysis of thickness and permeability of breccia layer was performed. The influence mechanism of breccia layer on SAGD performance was analyzed by comparing the temperature profile of steam chamber and production dynamics. The experimental results indicate that the existence of breccia interlayer causes a thinner steam chamber profile and longer time to reach the peak oil rate. And, the ultimate oil recovery reduced 15.8% due to much oil stuck in breccia interlayer areas. The numerical simulation results show that a lower permeability in breccia layer area has a serious adverse impact on oil recovery if the thickness of breccia layer is larger, whereas the effect of permeability on SAGD performance is limited when the breccia layer is thinner. Besides, a thicker breccia layer can increase the time required to reach the peak oil rate, but has a little impact on the ultimate oil recovery.
Plasmon Assisted Highly Efficient Visible Light Catalytic CO2 Reduction Over the Noble Metal Decorated Sr-Incorporated g-C3N4
Authors: Humayun Muhammad , Ullah Habib , Shu Lang , Ao Xiang , Tahir Asif Ali , Wang Chungdong , Luo Wei
Published: October 2021

The photocatalytic performance of g-C3N4 for CO2 conversion is still inadequate by several shortfalls including the instability, insufficient solar light absorption and rapid charge carrier’s recombination rate. To solve these problems, herein, noble metals (Pt and Au) decorated Sr-incorporated g-C3N4 photocatalysts are fabricated via the simple calcination and photo-deposition methods. The Sr-incorporation remarkably reduced the g-C3N4 band gap from 2.7 to 2.54 eV, as evidenced by the UV–visible absorption spectra and the density functional theory results. The CO2 conversion performance of the catalysts was evaluated under visible light irradiation. The Pt/0.15Sr-CN sample produced 48.55 and 74.54 µmol h−1 g−1 of CH4 and CO, respectively. These amounts are far greater than that produced by the Au/0.15Sr-CN, 0.15Sr-CN, and CN samples. A high quantum efficiency of 2.92% is predicted for the Pt/0.15Sr-CN sample. Further, the stability of the photocatalyst is confirmed via the photocatalytic recyclable test. The improved CO2 conversion performance of the catalyst is accredited to the promoted light absorption and remarkably enhanced charge separation via the Sr-incorporated mid gap states and the localized surface plasmon resonance effect induced by noble metal nanoparticles. This work will provide a new approach for promoting the catalytic efficiency of g-C3N4 for efficient solar fuel production.
Integration Analysis of Electric Vehicle Charging Station Equipped with Solar Power Plant to Distribution Network and Protection System Design
Authors: Turan Mehmet Tan , Gökalp Erdin
Published: October 2021

The improvements and implementation of new generation equipment to the conventional grids are increasing along with the increase of the number of renewable energy power plants and smart grid components. The existing grid infrastructure is required to be modified and upgraded as a result of the increasing integration of the renewables and new generation consumers where the availability of the existing networks has to be analyzed for integration as well. In order to keep the grid stable and integrate the renewables to the grid optimally, necessary analyses have to be realized including the investigation of the optimal integration criteria. During the integration phase of the new generation consumers and producers, two ways power flows and variable power production of renewables have to be considered for system design. In this study, analysis for optimal sizing and integration studies are performed for electric vehicle parking lot and solar power plants located on the campus distribution network considering optimal sizing criteria and the aim of stabilization of voltage regulation during day time operation of solar power plant and random charging profile of electric vehicles. The proposed network is equipped with adaptive protection system to ensure stability and the reliability of the distribution network in the concept of smart grid.
Language Teacher Agency
Authors: Tao Jian , Gao Xuesong (Andy)
Published: October 2021

This Element aims to elucidate the concept of language teacher agency by exploring the 'what' question, offering major conceptualisations of agency and explaining how they shape the way we approach teacher agency. The authors then continue with the 'why' question, and elaborate on the reasons that language teacher agency matters, based on a discussion of the varied purposes of teacher agency at multiple levels. They also acknowledge that teacher agency does not operate alone, and discuss how it intersects with such concepts as teacher identity, emotion, belief and knowledge. Based on this, they identify ways to promote teacher agency through making changes to contexts and/or actors. They then introduce the concept of collective agency and propose a multi-layered model based on an illustrative study. The Element ends with a call for a trans-perspective on understanding language teacher agency so as to facilitate the professional development of language teachers.
Case C-66/18
Authors: Nagy Csongor István
Published: October 2021

On October 6, 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) handed down its judgment in Commission v. Hungary. It found that Hungary had violated the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), as well as internal European Union law—specifically the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (EU Charter). The case arose out of Hungary's 2017 amendment to its higher education law. The amendment imposed two novel requirements on foreign universities operating in Hungary. It barred any non-EU university from operating unless its country of origin concluded a specific enabling treaty with Hungary. Moreover, it required that the foreign university actually provide educational services in its country of origin. While framed in general terms, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that the 2017 amendment was aimed at ending the operations of the Central European University (CEU) in Hungary.
Indigenous Communities of the Lhaka Honhat (Our Land) Association v. Argentina
Authors: Tigre Maria Antonia
Published: October 2021

On February 6, 2020, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (Court) declared in Lhaka Honhat Association v. Argentina that Argentina violated Indigenous groups’ rights to communal property, a healthy environment, cultural identity, food, and water. For the first time in a contentious case, the Court analyzed these rights autonomously based on Article 26 of the American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR) and ordered specific restitution measures, including actions to provide access to adequate food and water, and the recovery of forest resources and Indigenous culture. The decision marks a significant milestone for protecting Indigenous peoples’ rights and expanding the autonomous rights to a healthy environment, water, and food, which are now directly justiciable under the Inter-American human rights system.
Understanding the Factors Affecting COVID-19 Mortality in Italy: Does a Relationship Exist With a Sharp Increase in Intensive Care Unit Admissions?
Authors: Lorenzoni Giulia , Azzolina Danila , Acar Aslihan Şentürk , Silvestri Luciano , Berchialla Paola , Gregori Dario
Published: October 2021

Objective:

The present study aims to explore whether a relationship exists between the immediate sharp increase in intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and the mortality rates in Italy.

Methods:

Official epidemiological data on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were employed. The forward lagged (0, 3, 7, 14 days) daily variations in the number of deaths according to the number of days after the outbreak started and the daily increases in ICU admissions were estimated.

Results:

A direct relationship between the sharp increase of ICU admissions and mortality rates has been shown. Furthermore, the analysis of the forward lagged daily variations in the number of deaths showed that an increase in the daily number of ICU admissions resulted in significantly higher mortality after 3, 7, and 14 days. The most pronounced effect was detected after 7 days, with 250 deaths (95% CI: 108.1-392.8) for the highest increase in the ICU admissions, from 100 to 200.

Conclusions:

These results would serve as a warning for the scientific community and the health care decision-makers to prevent a quick and out-of-control saturation of the ICU beds in case of a relapse of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Influences of News and Social Media on Food Insecurity and Hoarding Behavior During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Charilaou Lucy , Vijaykumar Santosh
Published: October 2021

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to examine how sociodemographic variables and frequency of media consumption affect hoarding behavior and food insecurity concerns during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods:

A quantitative, nonexperimental, correlational online survey was administered using a convenience sample of 203 participants from the United Kingdom with no medical issues that affected buying behavior during the pandemic to examine perceptions related to food insecurity, and self-reported food hoarding behavior.

Results:

Younger adults and lower income groups reported higher food insecurity perceptions and hoarding behaviors. Consuming COVID-19 information from websites was significantly associated with food insecurity perceptions, while information from social media was significantly associated with more food hoarding behaviors.

Conclusions:

Younger adults and lower income groups are vulnerable populations from the perspective of food insecurity and hoarding behavior in times of health disasters like pandemics. While social media can play a positively catalytic role during crises, excessive online information and misinformation can contribute negatively to public panic and feelings of insecurity. Implications for disaster preparedness and future research are discussed. The findings suggest that age is the main predictor of food insecurity and hoarding behavior, with younger adults more likely to be affected. They also suggest that people are turning to National Health Service (NHS) websites, which were deemed more trustworthy than social media, to avoid “news fatigue” and avoiding speculation. Suggestions for future research were made, specifically to examine people’s social support during the pandemic to understand its potential link to stockpiling behavior or food insecurity concerns.
Use of Breath Analysis for Diagnosing COVID-19: Opportunities, Challenges, and Considerations for Future Pandemic Responses
Authors: Abumeeiz Mustafa , Elliott Lauren , Olla Phillip
Published: October 2021

Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there is currently a need for accurate, rapid, and easy-to-administer diagnostic tools to help communities manage local outbreaks and assess the spread of disease. The use of artificial intelligence within the domain of breath analysis techniques has shown to have potential in diagnosing a variety of diseases, such as cancer and lung disease, by analyzing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath. This combined with their rapid, easy-to-use, and noninvasive nature makes them a good candidate for use in diagnosing COVID-19 in large scale public health operations. However, there remains issues with their implementation when it comes to the infrastructure currently available to support their use on a broad scale. This includes issues of standardization, and whether or not a characteristic VOC pattern can be identified for COVID-19. Despite these difficulties, breathalyzers offer potential to assist in pandemic responses and their use should be investigated.
Critical Concepts for COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Site Operations
Authors: Goldberg Scott A. , Callaway David , Resnick-Ault Daniel , Mandavia Sujal , Martinez Rodrigo , Bass Michelle , Goralnick Eric
Published: October 2021

Mass vaccination campaigns have been used effectively to limit the impact of communicable disease on public health. However, the scale of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination campaign is unprecedented. Mass vaccination sites consolidate resources and experience into a single entity and are essential to achieving community (“herd”) immunity rapidly, efficiently, and equitably. Health care systems, local and regional public health entities, emergency medical services, and private organizations can rapidly come together to solve problems and achieve success. As medical directors at several mass vaccination sites across the United States, we describe key mass vaccination site concepts, including site selection, operational models, patient flow, inventory management, staffing, technology, reporting, medical oversight, communication, and equity. Lessons learned from experience operating a diverse group of mass vaccination sites will help inform not only sites operating during the current pandemic, but also may serve as a blueprint for future outbreaks of highly infectious communicable disease.
Walking the Past, Acting the Past? Peace March to Srebrenica Commemoration
Authors: Ljubojević Ana
Published: October 2021

This article is based on an ethnographic study carried out during the Nezuk-Potočari Peace March in the framework of Srebrenica genocide commemoration. A more than 100-kilometer procession, attracting each year around 5,000 participants, represents the reverse route of the so-called Death March, the local population’s way of escape from the town of Srebrenica in July 1995. Following theoretical insights from both memory studies and cultural geography, this article’s aim is to analyze mnemonic practices commemorating the Srebrenica genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Moreover, it explores the social processes through which such memory is produced, performed, and maintained. While applying participant observant methodology, I have engaged in conversation with residents and main actors taking part in the Peace March. Finally, the notion of collective memory is approached from the perspective of spatial mobility engagement of people visiting commemorative events and monuments dedicated to the 1990s war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Goodbye Moscow, Hello Brussels”: The City Diplomacy of Chișinău Mayor Dorin Chirtoacă
Authors: Cantir Cristian
Published: October 2021

This article argues that post-Soviet mayors are foreign policy actors that deserve more attention from area studies and foreign policy analysis scholars. Mayors have their own diplomatic preferences and goals – rooted in geopolitical and ethnonationalist views – that they can enact using city hall institutions and networks. They can work either in harmony or in opposition with central authorities by bolstering or compromising the executive’s diplomatic goals and actions. These claims are explored in a case study of the foreign policy of Chișinău mayor Dorin Chirtoacă (2007–2017), whose diplomatic endeavors consolidated the Moldovan capital’s ties with Romania and the European Union and minimized interactions with countries in the former Soviet Union, including Russia. At times, the mayor’s actions abroad ran afoul of central authorities as he created an alternative foreign policy that undermined central foreign policy. The findings suggest that a more extensive investigation of how mayors interact with foreign actors would refine our understanding of foreign policy-making in the former Soviet Union and in Central and Eastern Europe more broadly.
Tectonic evolution of the Caledonian orogeny in Scotland: a review based on the timing of magmatism, metamorphism and deformation
Authors: Searle Michael P.
Published: October 2021

Classic tectonic models for the Caledonian orogeny in Scotland involve Ordovician collision of Laurentia–Midland Valley arc (Grampian orogeny), followed by middle Silurian collision of Laurentia–Baltica (Scandian orogeny) and 500–700 km of sinistral displacement along the Great Glen fault separating the Northern Highlands (Moine Supergroup) from the Grampian Highlands (Dalradian Supergroup). A review of the timing of magmatic and metamorphic rocks across Scotland allows a simpler explanation that fits with a classic Himalayan-style continent–island arc–continent collision. Late Cambrian – Early Ordovician NW-directed ophiolite obduction (Highland Border complex) coincided with the ending of stable continental shelf sedimentation along the eastern margin of Laurentia. Following collision between Laurentia and the Midland Valley arc–microcontinent in Early Ordovician time, crustal thickening and shortening led to almost continuous regional metamorphism from c. 470 to 420 Ma, rather than two discrete ‘orogenies’ (Grampian, Scandian). U–Pb monazite and garnet growth ages indicating prograde metamorphism, and S-type granites related to melting of crustal protoliths are coeval in the Grampian and Northern Highlands terranes. There is no evidence that the Great Glen fault was a terrane boundary, and strike-slip shearing post-dated emplacement of Silurian – Early Devonian granites. Late orogenic alkaline granites (c. 430–405 Ma) in both Moine and Dalradian terranes are not associated with subduction. They are instead closely related to regional alkaline appinite–lamprophyric magmatism resulting from simultaneous melting of lower crust and enriched lithospheric mantle. Caledonian deformation and metamorphism in northern Scotland, with continuous SE-directed subduction, show geometry and time scales that are comparable to the Cenozoic India–Kohistan arc–Asia collisional Himalayan orogeny.