bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fibrous Bundles in Biomorph Systems: Surface‐Specific Growth and Interaction with Microposts
Authors: Knoll Pamela , D'Silva Denvert S. , Adeoye Damilola I. , Roper Michael G. , Steinbock Oliver
Published: January 2021

Biomorphs are polycrystalline assemblies that form when barium, silicate, and carbonate ions react in basic solutions. Their micrometer‐scale morphologies include leaf‐like sheets, helices, and cones, while their nanoscale architecture is based on co‐aligned witherite nanorods. We report a biomorph shape that resembles hair strands that smoothly curl into spirals or twisting fiber ribbons. They can thicken through continuous fractal‐like branching or abrupt events in which fibers split simultaneously. Raman and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy as well as optical polarization microscopy reveal that their composition is very similar to classical biomorphs. They are most abundant in the absence of glass substrates and at high pH values. However, if a glass surface is covered by a thin SU‐8 resin layer, their growth is observed and photolithographically produced SU‐8 posts serve as nucleation sites. The hair‐like structures can detach resin posts from the glass surface and reposition them due to continued growth at the hair‐resin interface. Collisions of growing biomorph sheets with SU‐8 posts result in overgrowth or a sheet‐to‐hair transition.
Family Company Direction Case
Authors: Maier Christoph
Published: January 2021

Two brothers founded the sport retail shop “Outdoor Champions.” The company strived on their exquisite personal expertise and hands-on business skills. After reaching retirement age, they faced a company direction and succession challenge typical of family businesses. They resolved it in a simple, authentic and unconventional way.
University Direction Case
Authors: Eklund Mehtap Aldogan
Published: January 2021

This chapter contributes to the university governance literature by analysing the living case of a foundation university. The case is supported by the agency and stakeholder theory and the shared university governance models, such as Academic-Business-Corporate (ABC) of University Governance and the Integrated New University Governance (reversed KISS framework).
Refinement and modularity of immortal dyons
Authors: Alexandrov Sergei , Nampuri Suresh
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Extending recent results in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 string compactifications, we propose that the holomorphic anomaly equation satisfied by the modular completions of the generating functions of refined BPS indices has a universal structure independent of the number $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
of supersymmetries. We show that this equation allows to recover all known results about modularity (under SL(2, ℤ) duality group) of BPS states in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 string theory. In particular, we reproduce the holomorphic anomaly characterizing the mock modular behavior of quarter-BPS dyons and generalize it to the case of non-trivial torsion invariant.
Antiplane shear of an asymmetric sandwich plate
Authors: Kaplunov Julius , Prikazchikova Ludmila , Alkinidri Mohammed
Published: January 2021

An asymmetric three-layered laminate with prescribed stresses along the faces is considered. The outer layers are assumed to be much stiffer than the inner one. The focus is on long-wave low-frequency anti-plane shear. Asymptotic analysis of the original dispersion relation reveals a low-frequency harmonic supporting a slow quasi-static (or static at the limit) decay along with near cut-off wave propagation. In spite of asymmetry of the problem, the leading order shortened polynomial dispersion relation factorises into two simpler ones corresponding to the fundamental mode and the aforementioned harmonic. The associated 1D equations of motion derived in the paper are also split into two second-order operators in line with the factorisation of the shortened dispersion relation. Asymptotically justified boundary conditions are established using the Saint-Venant’s principle modified by taking into account the high-contrast properties of the laminate.
Complete scalar-flat Kähler metrics on affine algebraic manifolds
Authors: Aoi Takahiro
Published: January 2021

Let $$(X,L_{X})$$

(
X
,

L
X

)

be an n-dimensional polarized manifold. Let D be a smooth hypersurface defined by a holomorphic section of $$L_{X}$$

L
X

. We prove that if D has a constant positive scalar curvature Kähler metric, $$X {\setminus } D$$

X
\
D

admits a complete scalar-flat Kähler metric, under the following three conditions: (i) $$n \ge 6$$

n
≥
6

and there is no nonzero holomorphic vector field on X vanishing on D, (ii) the average of a scalar curvature on D denoted by $${\hat{S}}_{D}$$

S
^

D

satisfies the inequality $$0< 3 {\hat{S}}_{D} < n(n-1)$$

0
<
3

S
^

D

<
n

(
n
-
1
)

, (iii) there are positive integers $$l(>n),m$$

l
(
>
n
)
,
m

such that the line bundle $$K_{X}^{-l} \otimes L_{X}^{m}$$

K

X

-
l

⊗

L

X

m

is very ample and the ratio m/l is sufficiently small.
Ivabradine use in pregnant women—treatment indications and pregnancy outcome: an evaluation of the German Embryotox database
Authors: Hoeltzenbein Maria , Lehmann Marie-Louise , Beck Evelin , Dathe Katarina , Schaefer Christof
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Ivabradine has been approved for the treatment of chronic heart failure and chronic stable angina pectoris in Europe. Based on adverse outcomes of reproductive animal studies and the lack of human data, ivabradine is considered contraindicated during pregnancy. The aim of this observational study is to analyse ivabradine use before and during pregnancy.

Methods

We evaluated all ivabradine-related requests to the German Embryotox Institute from 2007 to 2019. Exposed pregnancies were analysed as to their outcome.

Results

Off-label use for supraventricular tachycardia was frequent in women of childbearing age. Of 38 prospectively ascertained pregnancies with ivabradine exposure and completed follow-up, 32 resulted in live births, 3 in spontaneous abortions, and 3 were electively terminated. One neonate presented with major birth defects (atrial septal defect and cleft palate). In 33/38 patients, ivabradine was discontinued after confirmation of pregnancy without cardiac deterioration and 5/38 women continued ivabradine throughout pregnancy. In addition, there were 3 retrospectively reported pregnancies including one major birth defect (tracheal atresia).

Conclusion

This case series represents the largest cohort of ivabradine-exposed pregnancies, published so far. According to our findings, ivabradine appears not to be a major teratogen. However, established drugs of choice with strong evidence of low risk for the unborn should be preferred in women planning pregnancy. After inadvertent exposure during pregnancy or lack of treatment alternatives, fetal ultrasound for structural anomalies and growth restriction is recommended. In addition, close monitoring is necessary in pregnant women with supraventricular arrhythmias or cardiac disease.
Early autologous and allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for adult patients with acute B and T cell precursor neoplasms: a 12-year single center experience
Authors: Steiner Normann , Brunelli L. , Hetzenauer G. , Lindner B. , Göbel G. , Rudzki J. , Peschel I. , Nevinny-Stickel M. , Nussbaumer W. , Mayer W. , Loacker L. , Kircher B. , Gunsilius E. , Wolf D. , Nachbaur D.
Published: January 2021

Adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (ALL/LBL) is a rare and heterogeneous malignancy characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of B or T cell precursor cells. Here, we retrospectively analyzed the outcome of early autologous stem cell transplantation in standard-risk patients in first complete remission (n=24) and of allogeneic transplantation in high and highest risk, and relapsed/refractory patients (n=35). The 10-year overall survival after autologous transplantation was 45%. The 10-year overall survival after allogeneic transplantation was 58%. The cumulative incidence of relapse was 29% after allogeneic and 67% after autologous transplantation. The cumulative incidence of non-relapse mortality was 0% after autologous and 12% after allogeneic transplantation. This retrospective single center analysis in a limited number of standard-risk patients clearly demonstrates that early autologous transplantation in first complete remission leads to an acceptable long-term outcome with a short overall treatment duration of less than 6 months compared with more than 2 years with conventional chemotherapy. More sensitive and standardized methods to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) will further help to identify those patients more accurately who are most likely to benefit from such a short and intensive treatment strategy (i.e., MRD negative standard-risk patients) or those who require early targeted therapy (e.g., blinatumomab) in case of MRD positivity. Early allogeneic transplantation results in long-term survival/cure in nearly two-thirds of all high and highest risk, and relapsed/refractory patients.
Estimating the extent of glioblastoma invasion
Authors: Engwer Christian , Wenske Michael
Published: January 2021

Glioblastoma Multiforme is a malignant brain tumor with poor prognosis. There have been numerous attempts to model the invasion of tumorous glioma cells via partial differential equations in the form of advection–diffusion–reaction equations. The patient-wise parametrization of these models, and their validation via experimental data has been found to be difficult, as time sequence measurements are mostly missing. Also the clinical interest lies in the actual (invisible) tumor extent for a particular MRI/DTI scan and not in a predictive estimate. Therefore we propose a stationalized approach to estimate the extent of glioblastoma (GBM) invasion at the time of a given MRI/DTI scan. The underlying dynamics can be derived from an instationary GBM model, falling into the wide class of advection-diffusion-reaction equations. The stationalization is introduced via an analytic solution of the Fisher-KPP equation, the simplest model in the considered model class. We investigate the applicability in 1D and 2D, in the presence of inhomogeneous diffusion coefficients and on a real 3D DTI-dataset.
Prognostic value of albumin to globulin ratio in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Quhal Fahad , Pradere Benjamin , Laukhtina Ekaterina , Sari Motlagh Reza , Mostafaei Hadi , Mori Keiichiro , Schuettfort Victor M. , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Rouprêt Morgan , Enikeev Dmitry , Rink Michael , Abufaraj Mohammad , Shariat Shahrokh F.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To investigate the prognostic value of preoperative serum albumin to globulin ratio (AGR) in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) treated with transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB) with or without intravesical therapy (IVT).

Materials and methods

We retrospectively reviewed 1,096 consecutive patients with NMIBC. Levels of albumin and globulin were obtained before TURB and used to calculate the preoperative AGR level. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the prognostic effect of preoperative AGR on oncologic outcomes. Subgroup analyses were performed in patients based on the European Association of Urology (EAU) risk groups for NMIBC.

Results

Low AGR levels were observed in 389 (35.5%) patients. The median follow-up was 63.7 months (IQR 25.3–111). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, low AGR was associated with increased risk of progression to muscle-invasive BCa (MIBC) (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.22–2.68, P = 0.003). The addition of AGR only minimally improved the discrimination ability of a base model that included established clinicopathologic features (C-index = 0.7354 vs. C-index = 0.7162). Low preoperative AGR was not significantly associated with the risk of disease recurrence (P = 0.31). In subgroup analyses based on patients’ EAU risk groups, low preoperative AGR was not associated with recurrence-free survival (RFS) (P = 0.59) or progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.22) in any of the risk groups. Additionally, in patients treated with Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) for intermediate- or high-risk NMIBC, low AGR failed to predict disease recurrence or progression.

Conclusion

Preoperative serum AGR levels independently predicted the risk of disease progression in patients with NMIBC. However, it was not found to be associated with either RFS or PFS in NMIBC patients based on their EAU risk group. This marker seems to have a limited role in NMIBC at the present time. However, further research is needed to investigate this marker in combination with other systemic inflammatory markers to help improve prediction in this heterogeneous group of patients.
The potential association between a new angiogenic marker fractalkine and a placental vascularization in preeclampsia
Authors: Szewczyk Grzegorz , Pyzlak Michał , Pankiewicz Katarzyna , Szczerba Ewa , Stangret Aleksandra , Szukiewicz Dariusz , Skoda Marta , Bierła Joanna , Cukrowska Bożena , Fijałkowska Anna
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Impaired angiogenesis is one of the most common findings in preeclamptic placentas. A new angiogenetic role of fractalkine (CX3CL1) is recently recognized apart from inflammatory activity. In this study, a link between CX3CL1 and the development of placental vasculature in preeclampsia was examined.

Methods

The study comprised 52 women allocated to Group 1 (normotensive, n = 23) and Group 2 (preeclampsia, n = 29). In each group Doppler parameters, serum levels of CX3CL1, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), and placental growth factor (PlGF) were assessed between 30 and 32 week of pregnancy. After the delivery, placental samples were taken and the vascularization and expression of CX3CR1 receptor were assessed after immunostaining.

Results

CX3CL1 and sFlt-1 serum levels were significantly higher levels in Group 2 vs Group 1, while PlGF serum levels was significantly lower in Group 2. Lower cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) was observed in Group 2. The vascular/extravascular tissue index (V/EVTI) was significantly lower in Group 2, while compared to Group 1, with the lowest value in the fetus growth restriction (FGR) subgroup (0.18 ± 0.02; 0.24 ± 0.03; 0.16 ± 0.02, respectively). The expression of examined CX3CR1 was higher in Group 2, while compared to Group 1, reaching the highest values in FGR subgroup. There was a moderate negative correlation between birth weight, V/EVTI and CX3CL1 serum level and CX3CR1 placental expression in the group of pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia.

Conclusion

The significant underdevelopment of placental vascular network in preeclampsia is associated with the change in the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 system, especially in FGR complicated pregnancies.
Reduced ribosomal DNA transcription in the prefrontal cortex of suicide victims: consistence of new molecular RT-qPCR findings with previous morphometric data from AgNOR-stained pyramidal neurons
Authors: Krzyżanowska Marta , Rębała Krzysztof , Steiner Johann , Kaliszan Michał , Pieśniak Dorota , Karnecki Karol , Wiergowski Marek , Brisch Ralf , Braun Katharina , Jankowski Zbigniew , Kosmowska Monika , Chociej Joanna , Gos Tomasz
Published: January 2021

Prefrontal cortical regions play a key role in behavioural regulation, which is profoundly disturbed in suicide. The study was carried out on frozen cortical samples from the anterior cingulate cortex (dorsal and ventral parts, ACd and ACv), the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and the dorsolateral cortex (DLC) obtained from 20 suicide completers (predominantly violent) with unknown psychiatric diagnosis and 21 non-suicidal controls. The relative level of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) as a marker of the transcriptional activity of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was evaluated bilaterally in prefrontal regions mentioned above (i.e. in eight regions of interest, ROIs) by reverse transcription and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The overall statistical analysis revealed a decrease in rDNA activity in suicide victims versus controls, particularly in male subjects. Further ROI-specific post hoc analyses revealed a significant decrease in this activity in suicides compared to non-suicides in five ROIs. This effect was accentuated in the ACv, where it was observed bilaterally. Our findings suggest that decreased rDNA transcription in the prefrontal cortex plays an important role in suicide pathogenesis and corresponds with our previous morphometric analyses of AgNOR-stained neurons.
The Bayesian Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered model for the outbreak of COVID-19 on the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship
Authors: Lai Chao-Chih , Hsu Chen-Yang , Jen Hsiao-Hsuan , Yen Amy Ming-Fang , Chan Chang-Chuan , Chen Hsiu-Hsi
Published: January 2021

The outbreak of COVID-19 on the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship provides an unprecedented opportunity to estimate its original transmissibility with basic reproductive number (R0) and the effectiveness of containment measures. We developed an ordinary differential equation-based Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovery (SEIR) model with Bayesian underpinning to estimate the main parameter of R0 determined by transmission coefficients, incubation period, and the recovery rate. Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation method was used to tackle the parameters of uncertainty resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 given a small cohort of the cruise ship. The extended stratified SEIR model was also proposed to elucidate the heterogeneity of transmission route by the level of deck with passengers and crews. With the application of the overall model, R0 was estimated as high as 5.70 (95% credible interval: 4.23–7.79). The entire epidemic period without containment measurements was approximately 47 days and reached the peak one month later after the index case. The partial containment measure reduced 63% (95% credible interval: 60–66%) infected passengers. With the deck-specific SEIR model, the heterogeneity of R0 estimates by each deck was noted. The estimated R0 figures were 5.18 for passengers (5–14 deck), mainly from the within-deck transmission, and 2.46 for crews (2–4 deck), mainly from the between-deck transmission. Modelling the dynamic of COVID-19 on the cruise ship not only provides an insight into timely evacuation and early isolation and quarantine but also elucidates the relative contributions of different transmission modes on the cruise ship though the deck-stratified SEIR model.
Efficient and effective training of sparse recurrent neural networks
Authors: Liu Shiwei , Ni’mah Iftitahu , Menkovski Vlado , Mocanu Decebal Constantin , Pechenizkiy Mykola
Published: January 2021

Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) have achieved state-of-the-art performances on various applications. However, RNNs are prone to be memory-bandwidth limited in practical applications and need both long periods of training and inference time. The aforementioned problems are at odds with training and deploying RNNs on resource-limited devices where the memory and floating-point operations (FLOPs) budget are strictly constrained. To address this problem, conventional model compression techniques usually focus on reducing inference costs, operating on a costly pre-trained model. Recently, dynamic sparse training has been proposed to accelerate the training process by directly training sparse neural networks from scratch. However, previous sparse training techniques are mainly designed for convolutional neural networks and multi-layer perceptron. In this paper, we introduce a method to train intrinsically sparse RNN models with a fixed number of parameters and floating-point operations (FLOPs) during training. We demonstrate state-of-the-art sparse performance with long short-term memory and recurrent highway networks on widely used tasks, language modeling, and text classification. We simply use the results to advocate that, contrary to the general belief that training a sparse neural network from scratch leads to worse performance than dense networks, sparse training with adaptive connectivity can usually achieve better performance than dense models for RNNs.
Differences in perceived intra-oral dryness in various dry-mouth patients as determined using the Regional Oral Dryness Inventory
Authors: Assy Z. , Bots C. P. , Arisoy H. Z. , Gülveren S. S. , Bikker F. J. , Brand H. S.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Recently, it was shown that the Regional Oral Dryness Inventory (RODI) could determine differences in dry-mouth perception at different intra-oral locations. The main aim of this study was to determine whether the RODI might help to discriminate between various causes of oral dryness in dry-mouth patients. The second aim was to ascertain whether the RODI could become an additional diagnostic tool in dry-mouth patients.

Materials and methods

Data were collected retrospectively from patients who visited a specialized saliva clinic. Salivary flow rates, Xerostomia Inventory scores, and RODI scores were extracted from the medical records. Patients were stratified into subgroups according to their health status.

Results

Five hundred twenty-eight patients participated in this study (mean age of 59.6 ± 16.0 years; 68.4% female). Specific patient groups differed with regard to the region of the mouth they experienced as the most and least dry. The posterior palate was the area perceived as most dry by controls and Sjögren patients. In patients using limited or multiple medications, it was the anterior tongue. RODI scores also differed significantly among dry-mouth patient groups: whereas controls and patients using limited medication had the lowest RODI scores and experienced less intra-oral dryness, Sjögren patients had the highest RODI scores.

Conclusion

Our use of the RODI questionnaire showed that perceived intra-oral dryness differed between the various dry-mouth patients.

Clinical relevance

The RODI can be a valuable clinical diagnostic tool in dry-mouth diagnostics, in which it can be used to discriminate between the various causes of oral dryness in patients.
A Real Chance for the Transatlantic Partnership on Climate Policy
Authors: Kemfert Claudia
Published: January 2021

The new transatlantic partnership can be the cornerstone of this change: real climate protection without false truths and hidden smoke bombs, but a shift to a full supply of renewable energies.
Effects of improved pigeonpea fallows on biological and physical soil properties and their relationship with maize yield
Authors: Musokwa Misheck , Mafongoya Paramu L.
Published: January 2021

Declining soil properties have triggered lower maize yields among smallholder famers in South Africa. Legume trees such as pigeonpea can be used as improved fallows to replenish degraded soils. The objectives of the study were to: (1) examine the effects of improved pigeonpea fallows on enhancing biological, physical soil properties and maize yield responses and (2), analyze the relationship of maize grain yield to biological and physical soil properties after improved pigeonpea fallows at Wartburg, South Africa. Pigeonpea fallows were established in 2015/16 season and terminated in 2017 and subsequently maize was planted. A randomized complete block design replicated three times was used with five treatments: continuous sole maize without fertilizer (T1), natural fallow then maize (T2), pigeonpea + grass—pigeonpea then maize (T3), maize + pigeonpea—pigeonpea then maize (T4), two-year pigeonpea fallow then maize (T5). Improved pigeonpea fallows increased maize yields through improvement in soil macrofauna species abundance, richness and diversity, aggregate stability, infiltration rate. Pigeonpea fallows increased maize yield by 3.2 times than continuous maize without fertilizer. The maize grain yield (3787 kg ha−1), was the highest on two-year pigeonpea fallows while continuous maize without fertilizer had the least (993 kg ha−1). There was a significant positive correlation between soil macrofauna indices and physical soil properties to maize yields. Smallholders who have limited access to fertilizers can sustainably use improved fallows to restore degraded soils to achieve higher maize yields in South Africa.
Entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi to control Hyalesthes obsoletus (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cixiidae)
Authors: Moussa Abdelhameed , Maixner Michael , Stephan Dietrich , Santoiemma Giacomo , Passera Alessandro , Mori Nicola , Quaglino Fabio
Published: January 2021

Hyalesthes obsoletus Signoret (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha: Cixiidae) is a univoltine, polyphagous planthopper that completes its life cycle, including the subterranean nymph cryptic stage, on herbaceous weeds. In vineyards, it can transmit ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’, an obligate parasitic bacterium associated with bois noir (BN) disease of grapevine, from its host plants to grapevine when occasionally feeding on the latter. The main disease management strategies are based on vector(s) control. Insecticide treatments on grapevine canopy are completely inefficient on H. obsoletus, due to its life cycle. Consequently, control of this planthopper focuses on the nymphs living on the roots of their host plants. Such practices, based on herbicide application and/or weed management, can reduce vector density in the vineyard but can impact the environment or may not be applicable, highlighting the necessity for alternative strategies. In this study, the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs; Steinernema carpocapsae, S. feltiae, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) and fungi (EPFs; Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Isaria fumosorosea, Lecanicillium muscarium) against H. obsoletus nymphs (EPNs) and adults (EPNs and EPFs) was assessed under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The majority of examined EPNs and EPFs were able to kill H. obsoletus exhibiting a range of effectiveness. S. carpocapsae (among EPNs) and I. fumosorosea (among EPFs) were found to be the most effective biocontrol agents in all trials carried out. Advantages and limitations of such promising biocontrol agents were discussed. Ecological competency and conditions that can impede or enhance the EPNs and EPFs performance should be investigated to optimize their performance under field conditions.
How much carbon can be added to soil by sorption?
Authors: Abramoff Rose Z. , Georgiou Katerina , Guenet Bertrand , Torn Margaret S. , Huang Yuanyuan , Zhang Haicheng , Feng Wenting , Jagadamma Sindhu , Kaiser Klaus , Kothawala Dolly , Mayes Melanie A. , Ciais Philippe
Published: January 2021

Quantifying the upper limit of stable soil carbon storage is essential for guiding policies to increase soil carbon storage. One pool of carbon considered particularly stable across climate zones and soil types is formed when dissolved organic carbon sorbs to minerals. We quantified, for the first time, the potential of mineral soils to sorb additional dissolved organic carbon (DOC) for six soil orders. We compiled 402 laboratory sorption experiments to estimate the additional DOC sorption potential, that is the potential of excess DOC sorption in addition to the existing background level already sorbed in each soil sample. We estimated this potential using gridded climate and soil geochemical variables within a machine learning model. We find that mid- and low-latitude soils and subsoils have a greater capacity to store DOC by sorption compared to high-latitude soils and topsoils. The global additional DOC sorption potential for six soil orders is estimated to be 107 $$\pm$$
±
13 Pg C to 1 m depth. If this potential was realized, it would represent a 7% increase in the existing total carbon stock.
Constraining the Likely Technological Niches of Late Middle Pleistocene Hominins with Homo naledi as Case Study
Authors: Dusseldorp Gerrit L. , Lombard Marlize
Published: January 2021

We develop a framework to differentiate the technological niches of co-existing hominin species by reviewing some theoretical biases influential in thinking about techno-behaviours of extinct hominins, such as a teleological bias in discussing technological evolution. We suggest that some stone-tool classification systems underestimate technological variability, while overestimating the complexity of the behaviours most commonly represented. To model the likely technological niches of extinct populations, we combine ecological principles (i.e. competitive exclusion) with physical anthropology and the archaeological record. We test the framework by applying it to the co-existence of Homo naledi and Homo sapiens during the late Middle Pleistocene in southern Africa. Based on our analysis, we suggest that tool use was probably not an essential part of H. naledi’s niche, but that technology occasionally provided caloric benefits. In contrast, tool use was a structural part of the H. sapiens way of life. We provide reasoning for our interpretation that the latter population is associated with more sophisticated reduction strategies and the development of prepared core technology. The method also has applicability to cases such as the co-existence of different toolmakers during the Earlier Stone Age (ESA) in East Africa and the co-existence of Neanderthals and H. sapiens in Eurasia.
Gaining insights into organizational communication dynamics through the analysis of implicit and explicit communication
Authors: Müller-Frommeyer Lena C. , Kauffeld Simone
Published: January 2021

This report in the journal Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. Zeitschrift für Angewandte Organisationspsychologie aims at presenting how the analysis of implicit and explicit communication in organizational interaction can advance our insights into and implications for these interactions for research and science. Communication is a central process in modern organizations. Especially recurring forms of interaction in organizations (e.g., meetings or appraisal interviews) are of great importance for personal and organizational success. In these interactions, the communication between the interacting organizational members has a decisive impact on the interactions’ course and outcomes (e.g., satisfaction with the interaction, performance during the interaction). Therefore, the aim of this paper is to present two aspects of communication that are empirically shown to contribute to successful outcomes of organizational interactions. Based on a practical problem, we illustrate the analysis and implications of (1) implicitcommunication (that is, the use and coordination of unconsciously used function words such as pronouns, articles, or prepositions) and (2) explicitcommunication (that is, the overarching meaning of a statement). To further illustrate the practical relevance of both communication behaviors, we present empirical insights and their implications for practice. Taking a glance at the future, possible combinations of these communication behaviors, the resulting avenues for future research, and the importance of a strengthened cooperation between research and practice to gain more naturalistic insights into organizational communication dynamics are discussed.
Correction to: Valuing genebanks
Authors: Smale Melinda , Jamora Nelissa
Published: January 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-021-01144-0
Mediävistische Lingolitologie am Beispiel fremdsprachiger Ortsnamen bei Wolfram von Eschenbach
Authors: Busch Nathanael
Published: January 2021

Wolfram von Eschenbach greift für die Namenbildung auf verschiedene Quellen zurück und passt sie an das deutsche Phoneminventar an. Anhand dieses Beispiels wird nach den Bedingungen von Schnittstellen zwischen Literaturwissenschaft und Linguistik gefragt. Obschon die Mediävistik sich stets mit Sprache und Literatur zugleich auseinandersetzt, bleibt die Beschäftigung meist institutionell, personell und thematisch vereinzelt. Für eine gegenseitige Wahrnehmung wäre es hilfreich, bei der Formulierung von Ergebnissen und Erkenntnisinteressen ein breiteres Fachpublikum im Auge zu behalten.
Hall current effects on a magnetic nanofluid layer under temperature gradient
Authors: Bishnoi Jaimala , Kumar Shubham , Singh Reema
Published: January 2021

In the Bénard convection governed nanofluid confined between two horizontal infinite free-free boundaries, the effect of Hall current is investigated when it is subjected to the constant vertical magnetic field. The Buongiorno mathematical model for hydromagnetic flow with Hall currents has been considered. The Brownian motion effects and thermophoresis of nanoparticles have been included in the energy equation. A realistic boundary condition based on zero nanoparticle mass flux at the walls is incorporated for the analysis. The impacts of Brownian motion, convective heat transfer, thermophoresis of nanoparticles and zero mass flux conditions are also deliberated through the behaviour of the related parameters. The parameters representing the model incorporate the consequences of newly introduced physically realistic boundary conditions and Hall currents. For comprehensive physical interpretation the embedded parameters have been plotted and deliberated graphically. It is found that Hall current is responsible to enhances the instability of the system and sets the convection earlier. A rigorous comparison has been made with the existing results. The results are shown graphically and verified numerically.
Correction to: Enhancing soil water holding capacity and provision of a potassium source via optimization of the pyrolysis of bamboo biochar
Authors: Hien Tran Thi Thu , Tsubota Toshiki , Taniguchi Tomoyuki , Shinogi Yoshiyuki
Published: January 2021

The article “Enhancing soil water holding capacity and provision of a potassium source via optimization of the pyrolysis of bamboo biochar”.
Middle-Class African American English
Authors: Weldon Tracey L.
Published: January 2021

African American English (AAE) is a major area of research in linguistics, but until now, work has primarily been focused on AAE as it is spoken amongst the working classes. From its historical development to its contemporary context, this is the first full-length overview of the use and evaluation of AAE by middle class speakers, giving voice to this relatively neglected segment of the African American speech community. Weldon offers a unique first-person account of middle class AAE, and highlights distinguishing elements such as codeswitching, camouflaged feature usage, Standard AAE, and talking/sounding 'Black' vs. 'Proper'. Readers can hear authentic excerpts and audio prompts of the language described through a wide range of audio files, which can be accessed directly from the book's page using QR technology or through the book's online Resource Tab. Engaging and accessible, it will help students and researchers gain a broader understanding of both the African American speech community and the AAE continuum.
Refugee Children and the Emotional Cost of Internationalism in Interwar Britain
Authors: Dawson Sandra Trudgen
Published: January 2021

This article explores the complexity surrounding the politics and emotions of internationalism and humanitarian work in interwar Britain by using as a lens the public and official responses to assisting “refugee children.” Analysis of British responses to refugee emergencies after the First World War, the Spanish Civil War, and the Nazi persecution of Jews and other minorities suggests that attitudes shifted dramatically between the arrival of Basque child refugees in May 1937 and the Kindertransports in late 1938. Charities and refugee committees, many of them faith-based, had to negotiate the spaces between nation, ideology, and emotion to successfully raise funds for refugees. All appeals were to “save” children, and yet the responses and the amounts raised were vastly different. Campaigns to support almost four thousand Basque children proved politically polarizing and bureaucratic. In contrast, the immediate and widespread response to fund-raising to bring ten thousand children to Britain in 1938 suggests that a significant change in attitudes and fund-raising practices had taken place in a short time. Unlike the political divisions that hampered support for the Basque children, Britons from all walks of life appeared by 1938 to embrace the emotional and financial cost of internationalism in a way they had not only a year before.
Geodetic mass balance of Abramov Glacier from 1975 to 2015
Authors: Denzinger Florian , Machguth Horst , Barandun Martina , Berthier Etienne , Girod Luc , Kronenberg Marlene , Usubaliev Ryskul , Hoelzle Martin
Published: January 2021

Multi-decadal mass loss estimates are available for few glaciers of Central Asia. On Abramov Glacier (Pamir-Alay, Kyrgyzstan), comprehensive long-term glaciological measurements have been carried out from 1968 to 1999 and re-initiated in 2011. A climatological interpretation of this benchmark glacier in Central Asia requires bridging the gap between historical and renewed measurements. This is achieved here by computing the geodetic mass balance from 1975 to 2015 using previously unreleased Soviet aerial imagery and Pléaides stereo-imagery. During 1975–2015, Abramov Glacier lost 2.2 km2 (8.2%) of its area. The mean annual thickness change was − 0.43 ± 0.14 m a−1 for the period 1975–2015, corresponding to a volume change of − 0.45 ± 0.15 km3. The average specific geodetic mass balance amounts to − 0.38 ± 0.12 m w.e. a−1. The 1975–2015 glacier mass loss lies within the range of glaciological and geodetic mass-balance estimates that were previously published for disparate and shorter time intervals since 1968. This study covers a much longer time period than earlier geodetic estimates and demonstrates the capacity to geodetically constrain glacier change at high spatial resolution in Central Asia using historic aerial imagery and Structure from Motion techniques. Therefore, it could serve as a benchmark for future studies of regional mass change.
Food addiction symptoms and metabolic changes in children and adolescents with the double burden of malnutrition
Authors: de Moraes Rúbia Cartaxo Squizato , Sawaya Ana Lydia , Vieira Anne Caroline Alves , Pereira Joicy Karla Grangeiro , de Brito Alves José Luiz , de Luna Freire Micaelle Oliveira , Filgueiras Andrea Rocha , Martins Vinícius José Baccin
Published: January 2021

The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) has been described in many low-/middle-income countries. We investigated food addiction, thyroid hormones, leptin, the lipid/glucose profile and body composition in DBM children/adolescents. Subjects were allocated into groups according to nutritional status: control (C, n 28), weight excess (WE, n 23) and DBM (WE plus mild stunting, n 22). Both the DBM and WE groups showed higher mean insulin concentrations than the control (DBM = 57·95 (95 % CI 47·88, 70·14) pmol/l, WE = 74·41 (95 % CI 61·72, 89·80) pmol/l, C = 40·03 (95 % CI 34·04, 47·83) pmol/l, P < 0·001). WE and DBM showed more food addiction symptoms than the control (3·11 (95 % CI 2·33, 3·89), 3·41 (95 % CI 2·61, 4·20) and 1·66 (95 % CI 0·95, 2·37)). In DBM individuals, addiction symptoms were correlated with higher body fat and higher insulin and leptin levels. These data provide preliminary evidence consistent with the suggestion that DBM individuals have a persistent desire to eat, but further studies are required to confirm these results in a larger study. These hormonal changes and high body fat contribute to the development of diabetes in long term.
NOTE TO LUCAN, BELLVM CIVILE 1.599–604
Authors: Barrière Florian
Published: January 2021

The Bellum ciuile has been the subject of three major editions in the past thirty years, attributable to D.R. Shackleton Bailey, R. Badalì and G. Luck. The existence of these three works highlights the resurgence of sustained interest surrounding Lucan as of the 1970s, with the publication of two significant works, Lucan: An Introduction by F. Ahl and the collective volume of Entretiens à la fondation Hardt, yet it also demonstrates the difficulty in establishing the text of the Pharsalia.
Rethinking Democracy: Mexico in Historical Perspective
Authors: DAVIS DIANE E. , BRACHET-MÁRQUEZ VIVIANE
Published: January 2021

Since Robert Dahl's seminal writings on democracy more than two decades ago, interest in the topic has emerged again, especially among scholars analyzing democratic transitions. Great strides have been made in revealing the uncertain nature of these transitions (O'Donnell et al. 1986; Malloy and Seligson 1987; Diamond, Linz, and Lipset 1989; Hakim and Lowenthal 1991; O'Donnell 1994), in methodologically analyzing them as contested and “crafted” rather than spontaneous (Di Palma 1990), and in documenting the class and social forces that make democratic outcomes more likely (Rueschemeyer, Stephens, and Stephens 1992; see also Moore 1966). Despite these advances, there has been little change in our theoretical understanding of democracy. As Bruce Cumings has perceptively noted, recent studies of democratic transition have “given way to atheoretical and idiosyncratic explanations of more or less successful democratic ‘openings’” in which little time is spent elaborating “the decision rule for saying this person is hard-line or soft-line, that system is ‘liberalized autocracy’ instead of ‘limited democracy,’” or for defining democracy itself. If scholars do bring theory into their writings “through the back door of the obscure but telling footnote,” he observes, “rather than advancing their own conception of democracy, [they] uniformly define democracy by reference to Robert Dahl's Polyarchy, a classic pluralist account of the North American system” (Cumings 1989:15–17).
Why did Henry Dunster Reject Infant Baptism? Circumcision and the Covenant of Grace in the Seventeenth-Century Transatlantic Reformed Community
Authors: MACFARLANE KIRSTEN
Published: January 2021

In 1653 Henry Dunster, Harvard's first President, refused to baptise his fourth child, initiating a controversy that would end in his resignation from the Harvard presidency in October 1654. This article offers an explanation for Dunster's rejection of infant baptism by re-examining the causes behind the spread of antipaedobaptism across 1640s England and New England, attributing special significance to the Anglophone reception of continental European covenant theology. Supporting this account, it presents an annotated edition of a previously unknown item in Dunster's correspondence, a letter sent to him by a concerned onlooker just months after his heterodoxy became public.
The association between the reflux symptoms index and nasal symptoms among patients with non-allergic rhinitis
Authors: Hamizan A W , Choo Y Y , Loh P V , Abd Talib N F , Mohd Ramli M F , Zahedi F D , Husain S
Published: January 2021

Background

Laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms assessed with the reflux symptom index can overlap with non-allergic rhinitis symptoms. This study aims to explore the association between the reflux symptom index and nasal symptoms in non-allergic rhinitis patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on consecutive adults with non-allergic rhinitis. The reflux symptom index (score of more than 13 = laryngopharyngeal reflux) and nasal symptoms (categorised as mild (total score of 0–3), moderate (4–7) or severe (8–12)) were assessed.

Results

The study included 227 participants (aged 58.64 ± 12.39 years, 59.5 per cent female). The reflux symptom index scores increased with total nasal symptom scores (mild vs moderate vs severe, 8.61 ± 6.27 vs 12.94 ± 7.4 vs 16.40 ± 8.10; p < 0.01). Logistic regression indicated that laryngopharyngeal reflux is more likely in patients with severe nose block (odds ratio 5.47 (95 per cent confidence interval = 2.16–13.87); p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms are associated with nasal symptom severity, and nasal symptoms should be primarily treated. Those with predominant nose block and laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms are more likely to have laryngopharyngeal reflux.
Towards ecological and social impact through collaborative governance of a seascape of marine protected areas in Honduras
Authors: Steadman Daniel
Published: January 2021

Protecting marine biodiversity and ensuring sustainable use through a seascape approach is becoming increasingly widespread in response to the ecological, social and institutional challenges of scaling ocean management. A seascape approach means clustering spatial management measures (marine protected areas) based around the principles of ecological connectivity, and developing or enhancing collaborative governance networks of relevant stakeholders (managers, community groups, non-governmental organizations) based around the principles of social connectivity. As with other large-scale approaches to marine management, there is minimal evidence of long-term impact in seascapes. This study uses a theory-based, participatory impact evaluation to assess perceived changes attributed to the Atlántida seascape in Honduras (initiated in 2015), encompassing three well-established marine protected areas and the non-legally managed waters between them. Using an adapted most significant change method, 15 interviews with a representative subset of seascape stakeholders yielded 165 stories of change, the majority (88%) of which were positive. Enhanced social capital, associated with cross-sectoral collaboration, inter-site conflict resolution and shared learning, was the most consistently expressed thematic change (32% of stories). Although most stories were expressed as activity- or output-related changes, a small proportion (18%) were causally linked to broader outcomes or impact around increased fish and flagship species abundance as well as interconnected well-being benefits for people. Although minimal (and occasionally attributed to prior initiatives that were enhanced by the seascape approach), this impact evidence tentatively links seascapes to recent related research around the effectiveness of appropriately scaled, ecosystem-based and collaboratively governed marine management that balances strict protection with sustainable use.
Low-dimensional representations of finite orthogonal groups
Authors: MAGAARD KAY , MALLE GUNTER
Published: January 2021

We determine the smallest irreducible Brauer characters for finite quasi-simple orthogonal type groups in non-defining characteristic. Under some restrictions on the characteristic we also prove a gap result showing that the next larger irreducible Brauer characters have a degree roughly the square of those of the smallest non-trivial characters.
Maternity and Morality in Puebla's Nineteenth-Century Infanticide Trials
Authors: Jaffary Nora E.
Published: January 2021

The criminal trials of twenty-seven women processed for the crimes of abortion and infanticide in the state of Puebla, Mexico during the nineteenth century reveal both community and state perspectives about contemporary notions of gender, motherhood, and honor. This paper argues that while there was an increase in both denunciations and convictions for these crimes in the nineteenth century, women's peers acted as reluctant participants in their incrimination. Both local and higher court justices convicted women more frequently for abortion and infanticide than they had done in the colonial era, but nonetheless sentenced them with considerable leniency. Some of the explanation for their leniency lay in court officials' view that indigenous women, who constituted a considerable percentage of the defendants, were too “rustic” or “ignorant” to be held responsible for their actions. The cases also reveal, however, that courts and communities shared the view that any means–including committing violent crimes or hiding pregnancies–justified the ends of protecting plebeian women's reputation of sexual honor.