bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capillary hysteresis and gravity segregation in two phase flow through porous media
Authors: Mitra K. , van Duijn C. J.
Published: November 2021

We study the gravity driven flow of two fluid phases in a one dimensional homogeneous porous column when history dependence of the pressure difference between the phases (capillary pressure) is taken into account. In the hyperbolic limit, solutions of such systems satisfy the Buckley-Leverett equation with a non-monotone flux function. However, solutions for the hysteretic case do not converge to the classical solutions in the hyperbolic limit in a wide range of situations. In particular, with Riemann data as initial condition, stationary shocks become possible in addition to classical components such as shocks, rarefaction waves and constant states. We derive an admissibility criterion for the stationary shocks and outline all admissible shocks. Depending on the capillary pressure functions, flux function and the Riemann data, two cases are identified a priori for which the solution consists of a stationary shock. In the first case, the shock remains at the point where the initial condition is discontinuous. In the second case, the solution is frozen in time in at least one semi-infinite half. The predictions are verified using numerical results.
The concept of social dignity as a yardstick to delimit ethical use of robotic assistance in the care of older persons
Authors: Felber Nadine Andrea , Pageau Félix , McLean Athena , Wangmo Tenzin
Published: November 2021

With robots being introduced into caregiving, particularly for older persons, various ethical concerns are raised. Among them is the fear of replacing human caregiving. While ethical concepts like well-being, autonomy, and capabilities are often used to discuss these concerns, this paper brings forth the concept of social dignity to further develop guidelines concerning the use of robots in caregiving. By social dignity, we mean that a person’s perceived dignity changes in response to certain interactions and experiences with other persons. In this paper, we will first present the concept of social dignity, and then identify a niche where robots can be used in caregiving in an ethical manner. Specifically, we will argue that, because some activities of daily living are performed in solitude to maintain dignity, a care recipient will usually prefer robotic assistance instead of human assistance for these activities. Secondly, we will describe how other philosophical concepts, which have been commonly used to judge robotic assistance in caregiving for the elderly so far, such as well-being, autonomy, and capabilities, are less useful in determining whether robotic assistance in caregiving is ethically problematic or not. To conclude, we will argue that social dignity offers an advantage to the other concepts, as it allows to ask the most pressing questions in caregiving.
Responsible nudging for social good: new healthcare skills for AI-driven digital personal assistants
Authors: Capasso Marianna , Umbrello Steven
Published: November 2021

Traditional medical practices and relationships are changing given the widespread adoption of AI-driven technologies across the various domains of health and healthcare. In many cases, these new technologies are not specific to the field of healthcare. Still, they are existent, ubiquitous, and commercially available systems upskilled to integrate these novel care practices. Given the widespread adoption, coupled with the dramatic changes in practices, new ethical and social issues emerge due to how these systems nudge users into making decisions and changing behaviours. This article discusses how these AI-driven systems pose particular ethical challenges with regards to nudging. To confront these issues, the value sensitive design (VSD) approach is adopted as a principled methodology that designers can adopt to design these systems to avoid harming and contribute to the social good. The AI for Social Good (AI4SG) factors are adopted as the norms constraining maleficence. In contrast, higher-order values specific to AI, such as those from the EU High-Level Expert Group on AI and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, are adopted as the values to be promoted as much as possible in design. The use case of Amazon Alexa's Healthcare Skills is used to illustrate this design approach. It provides an exemplar of how designers and engineers can begin to orientate their design programs of these technologies towards the social good.
Grade retention and school entry age in Spain: a structural problem
Authors: Jerrim John , Lopez-Agudo Luis Alejandro , Marcenaro-Gutierrez Oscar David
Published: November 2021

Grade retention has been the focus of the education debate in Spain for decades. On average, more than 30% of students have repeated at least one grade before they finish (or dropout from) their compulsory studies. The present research provides new evidence on this issue by investigating the influence of Spain’s school entry age upon students’ grade retention. Using data from 15-year-old students who participated in the PISA 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015 assessments, we implement a regression discontinuity analysis. Our key finding is that students who were born late in the year (younger students) are more likely to repeat a grade. Yet, once they reach secondary education, the disadvantage they suffer due to their younger school starting age seems to disappear. Hence, the key reason why younger students have lower PISA scores than older students in Spain is due to their increased likelihood of repeating a grade, rather than being due to their relative age per se. To avoid these artificial disadvantages of younger students and unfair retention, we suggest that policymakers inform families about this school entry issue and also make the school entry law more flexible. This would facilitate parents of younger children to choose whether to delay their children’s school enrolment or not.
Gradient Estimates for a Weighted Γ-nonlinear Parabolic Equation Coupled with a Super Perelman-Ricci Flow and Implications
Authors: Taheri Ali
Published: November 2021

This article studies a nonlinear parabolic equation on a complete weighted manifold where the metric and potential evolve under a super Perelman-Ricci flow. It derives elliptic gradient estimates of local and global types for the positive solutions and exploits some of their implications notably to a general Liouville type theorem, parabolic Harnack inequalities and classes of Hamilton type dimension-free gradient estimates. Some examples and special cases are discussed for illustration.
Coproduction of place and knowledge for ecology with the city
Authors: Pickett Steward T. A. , Cadenasso Mary L. , Rademacher Anne M.
Published: November 2021

Ecology with the city is a transdisciplinary pursuit, combining the work of researchers, policy makers, managers, and residents to advance equity and sustainability. This undertaking may be facilitated by understanding the parallels in two kinds of coproduction. First, is how urban systems themselves are places that are jointly constituted or coproduced by biophysical and social processes. Second, is how sustainable planning and policies also join human concerns with biophysical structures and processes. Seeking connections between coproduction of place and the coproduction of knowledge may help improve how urban ecology engages with diverse communities and urban interests in service of sustainability.
DÉPORVIDA: a character strengths positive intervention among young soccer players
Authors: Tomé-Lourido David , Flórez-Domínguez Elkin Andrés , Fraga-García Laura , Salanova Marisa , Sors Fabrizio , Murgia Mauro
Published: November 2021

In recent years, various intervention programs have been developed to enhance the quality of life of young athletes. This is particularly important for those who live in residences of professional clubs, far from their families. In this regard, we designed a positive psychology intervention program called “DÉPORVIDA”, aimed at enhancing character strengths. To assess the efficacy of this 8-week intervention, we tested 28 young soccer players from a Spanish professional club. The intervention program used a strength-based approach from the values in action (VIA) model, and was conducted by club employees with formal academic education. Data were analysed using a set of 2 × 2 (intervention × time) mixed design ANOVAs. Results revealed different trends for the intervention and the control groups participants for seasonal performance satisfaction and percentage of time feeling happy/unhappy, highlighting consistent changes in the desired direction. Overall, the results indicate that the DÉPORVIDA program is a useful tool to promote positive development in young athletes.
From sustainability to thrivability: A novel framework for entrepreneurial ecosystems
Authors: Moggi Sara , Pierce Paul , Bernardi Nicole
Published: November 2021

The present research proposes a theoretical framework for a thrivable entrepreneurial ecosystem in which thrivability is a novel entrepreneurship approach that embeds a comprehensive view in which sustainability is ‘the way to walk’ rather than the goal to reach. A thrivable entrepreneurial ecosystem aims to create prosperity through ecosystem resource (re)generation and transformation to define long-term economic goals. The framework is applied here to address the grand challenge of sustainable development in wineries. A local wine ecosystem in Italy is employed as a case study supported by mix-method-based, in-depth data collection (survey and interview). Results from the study support the idea that organizations can collaborate in a thrivable entrepreneurial ecosystem as a unique entity respectful of nature, driving economic viability of both firms and territories by improving quality of life, and caring for natural resources and local communities. This novel entrepreneurial approach may represent a turning point for facing increasingly grand business challenges.
What’s Really Wrong with Fining Crimes? On the Hard Treatment of Criminal Monetary Fines
Authors: Coca-Vila Ivó
Published: November 2021

Among the advocates of expressive theories of punishment, there is a strong consensus that monetary fines cannot convey the message of censure that is required to punish serious crimes or crimes against the person (e.g., rape). Money is considered an inappropriate symbol to express condemnation. In this article, I argue that this sentiment is correct, although not for the reasons suggested by advocates of expressivism. The monetary day-fine should not be understood as a simple deprivation of money, but as a punishment that reduces the offender’s capacity to consume for a certain period of time. Conceived in this manner, I argue that it is perfectly suitable to convey censure. However, the practical impossibility of ensuring that the person who pays the fine is the same person who has been convicted of the offense seriously undermines the acceptability of the monetary fine as an instrument of censure. Minimizing the risk of the fine’s hard treatment being transferred to third parties is a necessary condition for the monetary fine to be considered a viable alternative to lengthy prison sentences.
Further tests of the scarcity and luxury hypotheses in dispositional greed: Evidence from two large-scale Dutch and American samples
Authors: Hoyer Karlijn , Zeelenberg Marcel , Breugelmans Seger M.
Published: November 2021

A recent, large-scale study among Chinese adolescents found that childhood socioeconomic status (CSES) was positively related to dispositional greed (i.e., the “luxury hypothesis”), instead of negatively related (i.e., the “scarcity hypothesis”; Liu et al., 2019c). This relationship was found for only-children, not for children with siblings. The generalizability of these findings may be limited, due to China’s one-child policy and socioeconomic policies which may have led to fewer differences in wealth. We replicated this research in two other cultural contexts that represent markedly different socioeconomic policies in order to test its generalizability: the Netherlands (Study 1, N = 2367, 51.3% female, Mage = 54.06, SD = 17.90), and the USA (Study 2, N = 999, 50.1% female, Mage = 33.44, SD = 12.28). Hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted to test the association between CSES and greed. We mostly replicated the findings by Liu et al. (2019c): CSES was positively related to greed in both studies (“luxury hypothesis”) and there was a moderating effect of siblings in Study 1, but not in Study 2. Implications for theories on greed as well as future research on the association between CSES and greed are discussed.
Big Five personality trait differences between students from different majors aspiring to the teaching profession
Authors: Hartmann Florian G. , Ertl Bernhard
Published: November 2021

Person-Environment fit theories claim that students choose their academic path according to their personality. In this regard, teacher candidates are of special interest. On the one hand, they all make the same choice to enroll in a teacher education program. On the other hand, they make different choices with respect to the subjects they are going to teach. If the Person-Environment fit approach also applies to the selection regarding teacher candidates’ subject areas, teacher candidates from different majors might have different personality traits and as a result, different starting conditions for becoming a successful teacher. Such differences need to be taken into account by teacher education in order to create programs that allow teacher candidates from different majors to equally succeed. Therefore, the current study investigates to what extent personality group differences across majors occur within the population of teacher candidates. Using data from a large-scale study, the Big Five personality traits of 1735 female and 565 male teacher candidates were analyzed, with teacher candidates compared to male (n = 1122) and female (n = 1570) students who studied the same major but who did not intend to become teachers. Unlike previous studies, academic majors were not grouped into few broad categories, but eight different majors were distinguished. The results indicate that teacher candidates are more extraverted than their non-teaching counterparts. In addition, personality trait differences between teacher candidates from different majors could be observed. The results are discussed as they relate to the recruitment and training of future teachers.
Serial change in perfusion–metabolism mismatch after coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Morishima Motoko , Kiriyama Tomonari , Miyagi Yasuo , Otsuka Toshiaki , Fukushima Yoshimitsu , Kumita Shin-ichiro , Ishii Yosuke
Published: November 2021

Objective

Myocardial ischemia is known to suppress fatty acid metabolism and favor glucose metabolism. However, changes in myocardial metabolism after coronary revascularization are not fully elucidated.

Methods

Thirty-eight patients with coronary artery disease were retrospectively enrolled. These patients had undergone stress perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and 123I-BMIPP SPECT in both the short-term (6.4 ± 4.7 months) and mid-term (29.9 ± 7.2 months) after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. Tracer uptake was graded using a 17-segment, 5-point scoring model. Serial changes in SRS (summed rest score), SDS (summed difference score), the BMIPP score (total defect score of BMIPP), and the mismatch score (BMIPP score–SRS) were evaluated. In addition, persistent perfusion–metabolism mismatch (PM) was defined as mismatch score minus SDS of 3 or more during the mid-term postoperative period. The clinical parameters associated with PM were examined.

Results

From short- to mid-term postoperative period, the extent of infarcted myocardium (SRS) did not change significantly (7.8 ± 8.0 to 7.1 ± 7.0, P = 0.117). The extent of ischemic myocardium (SDS), the BMIPP score and the mismatch score, which reflects perfusion–metabolism mismatch, were significantly improved (2.0 ± 2.8 to 0.7 ± 1.0, P = 0.010; 12.2 ± 9.0 to 9.5 ± 7.9, P < 0.001; 4.4 ± 3.7 to 2.5 ± 2.6, P < 0.001; respectively). Remarkably, perfusion–metabolism mismatch persisted in 13 patients (34%) even in the mid-term postoperative period. eGFR and SYNTAX score were independent predictors of persistent perfusion–metabolic mismatch in multivariable analysis (OR = 0.951, 95% CI 0.898–0.985, P = 0.010 and OR = 1.126, 95% CI 1.011–1.254, P = 0.031, respectively). The mismatch score both in the short- and mid-term significantly correlated with SYNTAX score (r = 0.400 and r = 0.472, respectively).

Conclusions

Fatty acid metabolism disturbance improved from short- to mid-term postoperative period in patients with successful reperfusion by coronary artery bypass grafting. However, in patients with severe atherosclerosis, impaired fatty acid metabolism was sustained until the mid-term postoperative period, even though ischemia had resolved.
Stopping-power ratio of mouthpiece materials for charged-particle therapy in head and neck cancer
Authors: Ikawa Hiroaki , Inaniwa Taku , Koto Masashi , Bhattacharyya Tapesh , Kaneko Takashi , Takiyama Hirotoshi , Shinoto Makoto , Yamada Shigeru , Tsuji Hiroshi
Published: November 2021

In this study, the stopping-power ratios (SPRs) of mouthpiece materials were measured and the errors in the predicted SPRs based on conversion table values were further investigated. The SPRs of the five mouthpiece materials were predicted from their computed tomography (CT) numbers using a calibrated conversion table. Independently, the SPRs of the materials were measured from the Bragg peak shift of a carbon-ion beam passing through the materials. The errors in the SPRs of the materials were determined as the difference between the predicted and measured values. The measured SPRs (errors) of the Nipoflex 710™ and Bioplast™ ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymers (EVAs) were 0.997 (0.023) and 0.982 (0.007), respectively. The SPRs of the vinyl silicon impression material, light-curable resin, and bis-acrylic resin were 1.517 (0.134), 1.161 (0.068), and 1.26 (0.101), respectively. Among the five tested materials, the EVAs had the lowest SPR errors, indicating the highest human-tissue equivalency.
Spatiotemporal Variability in Environmental Conditions Influences the Performance and Behavior of Juvenile Steelhead in a Coastal California Lagoon
Authors: Bond Rosealea M. , Kiernan Joseph D. , Osterback Ann-Marie K. , Kern Cynthia H. , Hay Alexander E. , Meko Joshua M. , Daniels Miles E. , Perez Jeffrey M.
Published: November 2021

In California (USA), seasonal lagoons provide important oversummer rearing habitat for juvenile steelhead trout (anadromous Oncorhynchus mykiss). However, key water quality parameters such as temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration can periodically approach or exceed the physiological tolerances of steelhead during the protracted dry season. A field study employing distributed temperature sensing technology, water quality monitoring, habitat mapping, and mark-recapture sampling was conducted to examine how shifting environmental conditions affected the performance and behavior of juvenile steelhead in the Scott Creek estuary/lagoon (Santa Cruz County). Abiotic conditions were driven by episodic inputs of seawater to the typically freshwater lagoon. During midsummer, the water column was vertically stratified which reduced suitable lagoon rearing habitat by approximately 40%. Nevertheless, steelhead abundance, growth, and condition factor were high during the summer and decreased in autumn following lagoon destratification and cooling. Unlike previous work, this study identified limited emigration from the lagoon to riverine habitat during the summer. Instead, juvenile steelhead exhibited crepuscular movement patterns within the lagoon, with peaks in upstream (to upper lagoon habitat) and downstream (to lower lagoon habitat) movement occurring at dawn and dusk, respectively. This study underscores that habitat complexity and connectivity are critical for juvenile steelhead production and persistence and provides insight into steelhead habitat use and behavior in seasonal lagoons.
Seismic Structure of the Crust and Lithospheric Mantle of the Indian Shield: A Review
Authors: Kumar Prakash , Mandal Biswajit , Kumar M. Ravi
Published: November 2021

The article reviews the history and accomplishments of CSIR-NGRI over the past 60 years, related to elucidating the seismic structure of the crust and lithospheric mantle of the Indian shield. Extensive investigations have been carried out in diverse geological and tectonic provinces of India, employing seismic reflection, refraction/wide-angle reflection and passive seismology to decipher (a) the evolution of the Indian plate through geological time, (b) hazard and its mitigation and (c) accumulation and disposition of natural resources. These endeavours entailed the application and development of state-of-the-art methodologies. Synthesis of the results from active and passive seismology reveals that the thickness of the crust varies between 28 and 65 km in the Kachchh and Aravalli regions respectively, consistent with their evolutionary histories. The thickest crust is observed in the western Dharwar craton (WDC) and the shallowest lies in the west coast. The crust in the shield region is mostly thicker, while it is thin beneath the rift zones. Results from coincident reflection and wide-angle seismic reflection studies broadly suggest a three-layered crust with magmatic underplating. Interestingly, the seismic sections traversing the Aravalli fold belt, central Indian suture zone, Dharwar craton and Southern Granulite Terrain (SGT) depict paleo-collision and subduction environments. The diverse character of the Moho, crustal fabrics and structure in different geological provinces indicate that contrasting tectonic environments might have influenced their evolution and support the hypothesis that plate tectonic processes were operative since Neoarchean.

The thickness of the lithosphere estimated from receiver functions varies from 80 to 140 km. An undulation in the Lithosphere Asthenosphere Boundary reveals evidence for a flexure on a regional scale, owing to the continental collision of the Indian and Asian plates. However, the lithospheric thickness derived from surface wave dispersion studies is somewhat larger, ranging from 100 to 250 km, with some body wave tomographic studies suggesting it to be ~400 km, in consonance with the concept of Tectosphere. The thickness values derived from both the methods agree at a few locales such as the Eastern Dharwar Craton, SGT, Cambay, Singhbhum and western DVP. However, a broad disagreement prevails in WDC and northern part of the Indian shield where surface wave tomography reveals the thickness of lithosphere to be 140 to 200 km.
Constraining Plate Motion and Crustal Deformation from GNSS Measurements: CSIR-NGRI Contribution
Authors: Rajewar S.K. , Lakshmi Ch. Mohana , Mohanty Aditya , Pandey Dwijendra N. , Pandey Anshuman , Chaurasia Anurag , Pandey Ananya , Rao V. Rajeswar , Naidu M.S. , Kumar Amit , Mondal Saroj K , Yadav Rajeev K , Catherine J.K. , Giri R.K. , Gahalaut V.K.
Published: November 2021

Geodetic studies of crustal deformation using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS, earlier commonly referred to as Global Positioning System, GPS) measurements at CSIR-NGRI started in 1995 with the installation of a permanent GNSS station at CSIR-NGRI Hyderabad which later became an International GNSS Service (IGS) site. The CSIR-NGRI started expanding its GNSS networks after 2003 with more focussed studies through installation in the NE India, Himalayan arc, Andaman subduction zone, stable and failed rift regions of India plate. In each instance, these measurements helped in unravelling the geodynamics of the region and seismic hazard assessment, e.g., the discovery of a plate boundary fault in the Indo-Burmese wedge, rate and mode of strain accumulation and its spatial variation in the Garhwal-Kumaun and Kashmir region of the Himalayan arc, the influence of non-tectonic deformation on tectonic deformation in the Himalayan arc, nature of crustal deformation through earthquake cycle in the Andaman Sumatra subduction zone, and localised deformation in the intraplate region and across the paleo rift regions. Besides these, GNSS measurements initiated in the Antarctica region have helped in understanding the plate motion and influence of seasonal variations on deformation. Another important by-product of the GNSS observations is the capabilities of these observations in understanding the ionospheric variations due to earthquake processes and also due to solar eclipse. We summarize these outcomes in this article.
Heat Flow Studies in India: An Update
Authors: Ray Labani
Published: November 2021

The geothermal study in India was initiated in 1962 and in the last six decades it grew in concurrence with the international programmes of geothermal study on several fronts, such as, characterizing heat flow for the major geological units; measuring the thermal conductivity of crustal rocks at ambient and elevated temperatures; arriving at the best mathematical model of thermal conductivity from modal mineralogy; calculating radiogenic heat production for the major rock formations; modeling crustal and sub-crustal thermal structure for the stable regions; calculating mantle temperature constrained with seismic velocities and mantle xenoliths; assessing geothermal energy potential regions and using geothermal observations to estimate past climate changes.

Systematic heat flow, thermal conductivity, heat production, and thermal modelling carried out during this period of time led to the refinement of classical thermal models of the continental crust, i.e., from linear-step-exponential heat production model based on linear relationship, to realistic heat production models based on regional geology and regional crustal structure from geophysical studies. In many cases, such studies have also helped in the exploration of geothermal energy potential regions, geo-engineering works and deciphering past climate changes.

Future research goals include to study (i) crustal and upper mantle thermal structure in the unexplored geological provinces, active tectonic zones, sedimentary basins, and hot spring areas of the Indian sub-continent, (ii) thermal structure in the adjoining oceanic regions, occurrence of potential geothermal energy resources, (iii) thermal properties of rocks at elevated temperature and their implications in refining lithospheric thermal model, (iv) linkage between geothermal and meteorological records for past climate change.
Geochemical Studies in India: CSIR-NGRI Contributions
Authors: Mohan M. Ram , Sarma D. Srinivasa , Khanna Tarun C. , Satyanarayanan M. , Krishna A. Keshav
Published: November 2021

The Indian Shield, composed of diversified rock types, formed at different ages, emplaced in varied tectonic environments, is a natural laboratory for the geoscientific community. Multi-disciplinary studies involving tools like field geology, petrography, geophysics and geochemistry can better probe the Earth’s interior at a higher resolution. The Geochemistry Division, equipped with state-of-the-art analytical facilities such as XRF, SEM-EDS, MC-TIMS and LA-HR-ICP-MS, has made pioneering contributions to better understand the evolutionary history of the Indian Shield. This excerpt provides a glimpse of the research activities carried out by the Geochemistry Group during the last 55 years. Significant contributions include (1) geodynamics and crustal evolution of the Indian Plate in terms of nucleation, accretion and amalgamation of the three Protocontinents: Dharwar, Aravalli and Singhbhum; (2) geological and geochemical studies on the evidence for early life; and (3) deciphering the depositional environment and provenance of clastic sediments of the Dharwar Craton. Besides southern India, focused research studies in Bastar, Singhbhum and Bundelkhand cratons, Eastern Ghat Mobile Belt, Central Indian Tectonic Zone, Andaman Islands and Antarctica have yielded significant results that were published in recognised peer-reviewed National and International Journals. In addition to fundamental research, the Geochemistry Group has actively collaborated with industries like Hutti Gold Mines Limited (Hutti), Hindustan Zinc Limited (Udaipur) and National Mineral Development Corporation (Hyderabad) for the exploration of base metals and gold in different parts of the country. The analytical facilities created and developed by the Group are currently helping scores of researchers and students from a host of R&D organisations/ universities across the country and even a few organisations abroad in pursuing world-class geochemical and environmental research.
Geophysical Instrumentation at CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute
Authors: Satyanarayana H. V. S. , Vasudevan G.
Published: November 2021

At times when there was hardly any commercial equipment available for important field investigations and no other Institute in India was engaged in the development activity of Geophysical instruments, CSIR-NGRI has taken an important and challenging initiative of design and development of Geophysical instruments in early 1960’s. A wide variety of geophysical instruments was designed and manufactured for field use and successfully demonstrated their usage in different field investigations across different parts of the country. After the successful demonstration of these instruments, they were produced on batch scale at the Institute, to meet the immediate requirements of research, teaching and survey organizations and subsequently the know-how for few instruments were transferred to commercial firms.

This paper is a review of few of the important development activities of Geophysical instruments carried at CSIR- National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) such as Resistivity meter, Seismic refraction timer, Proton Precession Magnetometer (PPM), Time domain Electro Magnetic System (GS-100), Flux Gate Magnetometer, Magnetic susceptibility meter, Metal detector, Pulsed Transient Airborne E.M System, Rubidium Vapour Magnetometer, Magneto telluric sounding System, EM Enslin unit, Salinity meter, Automatic water level and quality meter, Borehole logger etc. Another important work is the development of technique and a device for measurement of spectral induced polarization response using Pseudo Random Binary Sequence (PRBS) current source, Multi electrode SP Measurement System.
Sustainable Irrigation and Economic Development through Community Participated Managed Aquifer Recharge in Water Scarce Regions of Telangana State - A Case Study
Authors: Nandan M. J. , Surinaidu L. , Kumar S. Dinesh
Published: November 2021

Groundwater is the primary source for agriculture based income in the rural areas of Telangana state, South India, especially in the scanty rainfall regions. Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) can augment rainfall recharge, and it is successful at many locations across India. The present study is one of the case study, where CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) successfully implemented MAR through community participation which has led to a paradigm shift in agriculture based income in three villages situated in Chotuppal Mandal, Telangana. A percolation tank has been constructed by local people considering scientific inputs from CSIR-NGRI. Due to the percolation tank recharge, deeper groundwater levels have come close to the ground surface. The improved groundwater conditions have led to the expansion of irrigated areas, rural economic development and reduced energy consumption. This study has demonstrated that MAR such as percolation tanks at suitable locations can improve the groundwater and socio-economic conditions in water scarce regions.
Advances in Geo-Time Series Modelling
Authors: Tiwari R.K. , Rekapalli Rajesh
Published: November 2021

Recent advances in geo-time series modelling are briefly presented. These progressive developments and imminent applications in the data-driven research have come across three main categories of investigation efforts (i) Classical to recent advances in spectral analyses and their applications on some very significant geophysical/geological time series. Specially, applications of modern multi-taper methods of spectral analysis (MTM) and singular spectral analysis (SSA) techniques based filtering are discussed. Applications on 3D seismic reflection data de-noising using multi-channel SSA along with significant results are demonstrated. (ii) Methods of nonlinear time series analyses and physical concept of fractal and chaos are enumerated and relevance of chaos in complex geophysical and geological time series modelling are discussed (iii) The upcoming field of research in Machine learning (ML) based artificial neural network (ANN) and Deep Learning (DL) along with pertinent applications on variety of geophysical data, such well-log, ground water, gravity, seismic / seismological data etc., are presented and discussed.
Rheological characterization of potassium carbonate deep eutectic solvent (DES) based drilling mud
Authors: Rasool Muhammad Hammad , Zamir Asif , Elraies Khaled A. , Ahmad Maqsood , Ayoub Muhammad , Abbas Muhammad Adeem , Ali Imtiaz
Published: November 2021

Different additives are added in the drilling mud to increase its efficiency in terms of its rheology and filtration properties. Recently, the application of ionic liquids (ILs) has been exploited by various investigators as a drilling additive for improving the mud rheology. The more recent studies have shown that imidazolium-based ionic liquids (the most used class of ionic liquids in drilling fluids) are toxic. Moreover, the advancement in green chemistry has put a big question mark on the greener nature of ionic liquids because they are non-biodegradable and generally very expensive. Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are the non-toxic and cheaper alternative of ionic liquids possessing the same qualities as of ILs. In our previous work, we used potassium carbonate and glycerol-based DES as a drilling fluid additive. We found that DES has successfully improved the mud rheology and filtration properties of the mud. In this current study, various characterizations have been conducted to understand the underlying mechanism behind DES as a rheology modifier. The characterization shows the improvement in rheology is due to the intercalation of DES between alumino-silicate layers and interaction of DES with clay which alters edge to face orientation of sodium bentonite and ultimately its dispersion behaviour. The addition of DES decreases average grain size and disperses the clay particles in mud slurry which reduce the overall permeability and porosity of the filter cake thus improving the filtration behaviour of the mud. Moreover, the behaviour of DES based mud is modelled at 25 °C and 100 °C which shows DES-based mud follows Herschel–Buckley model and exhibits shear thinning behaviour even at elevated temperature.
Monitoring a changing Arctic: Recent advancements in the study of sea ice microbial communities
Authors: Campbell Karley , Matero Ilkka , Bellas Christopher , Turpin-Jelfs Thomas , Anhaus Philipp , Graeve Martin , Fripiat Francois , Tranter Martyn , Landy Jack Christopher , Sanchez-Baracaldo Patricia , Leu Eva , Katlein Christian , Mundy C. J , Rysgaard Søren , Tedesco Letizia , Haas Christian , Nicolaus Marcel
Published: November 2021

Sea ice continues to decline across many regions of the Arctic, with remaining ice becoming increasingly younger and more dynamic. These changes alter the habitats of microbial life that live within the sea ice, which support healthy functioning of the marine ecosystem and provision of resources for human-consumption, in addition to influencing biogeochemical cycles (e.g. air–sea CO2 exchange). With the susceptibility of sea ice ecosystems to climate change, there is a pressing need to fill knowledge gaps surrounding sea ice habitats and their microbial communities. Of fundamental importance to this goal is the development of new methodologies that permit effective study of them. Based on outcomes from the DiatomARCTIC project, this paper integrates existing knowledge with case studies to provide insight on how to best document sea ice microbial communities, which contributes to the sustainable use and protection of Arctic marine and coastal ecosystems in a time of environmental change.
Mortality by socio-economic class and its impact on the retirement schemes: how to render the systems fairer?
Authors: Jijiie Anca , Alonso-García Jennifer , Arnold Séverine
Published: November 2021

Many OECD countries have addressed the issue of increased longevity by mainly increasing the retirement age. However, this kind of reforms may lead to substantial transfers from those with shorter lifespans to those that will live longer than the average, as they do not necessarily take into account the socio-economic differences in mortality. The contribution of our paper is therefore twofold. Firstly, we illustrate how both a Defined Benefit and a Notional Defined Contribution pay-as-you-go scheme can put the lower social economic classes at a disadvantage, when compared to the actuarially fair pensions. In contrast to that, higher classes experience a gain. This is due to the fact that mortality rates per socio-economic class are not considered by either scheme. Consequently, we propose a model that determines the parameters for each scheme and class which would render the pensions fairer even when no socio-economic mortality differences are considered.
Age, COVID-19-like symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity profiles after the first wave of the pandemic in France
Authors: Carrat Fabrice , Lapidus Nathanael , Ninove Laetitia , Blanché Hélène , Rahib Delphine , Saba Villarroel Paola Mariela , Touvier Mathilde , Severi Gianluca , Zins Marie , Deleuze Jean-François , de Lamballerie Xavier ,   for the SAPRIS-SERO study group, Carrat Fabrice , Ancel Pierre-Yves , Charles Marie-Aline , Severi Gianluca , Touvier Mathilde , Zins Marie , Bajos Nathalie , Jusot Florence , Martin Claude , Meyer Laurence , Pailhé Ariane , Rouquette Alexandra , Spire Alexis , Kab Sofiane , Renuy Adeline , Le-Got Stephane , Ribet Celine , Wiernik Emmanuel , Goldberg Marcel , Artaud Fanny , Gerbouin-Rérolle Pascale , Enguix Mélody , Laplanche Camille , Gomes-Rima Roselyn , Hoang Lyan , Correia Emmanuelle , Barry Alpha Amadou , Senina Nadège , Allegre Julien , Szabo de Edelenyi Fabien , Druesne-Pecollo Nathalie , Esseddik Younes , Hercberg Serge , Benhammou Valérie , Ritmi Anass , Marchand Laetitia , Zaros Cecile , Lordmi Elodie , Candea Adriana , de Visme Sophie , Simeon Thierry , Thierry Xavier , Geay Bertrand , Dufourg Marie-Noelle , Milcent Karen , Rahib Delphine , Lydie Nathalie , Lusivika-Nzinga Clovis , Pannetier Gregory , Lapidus Nathanael , Goderel Isabelle , Dorival Céline , Nicol Jérôme , Lai Cindy , Belhadji Liza , Esperou Hélène , Couffin-Cadiergues Sandrine , Gagliolo Jean-Marie , Blanché Hélène , Sébaoun Jean-Marc , Beaudoin Jean-Christophe , Gressin Laetitia , Morel Valérie , Ouili Ouissam , Deleuze Jean-François , Ninove Laetitia , Priet Stéphane , Saba Villarroel Paola Mariela , Fourié Toscane , Ali Souand Mohamed , Amroun Abdenour , Seston Morgan , Ayhan Nazli , Pastorino Boris , de Lamballerie Xavier
Published: November 2021

Background

The interplay between age and symptoms intensity on antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection has not been studied in a general population setting.

Methods

We explored the serologic profile of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after the first wave of the pandemic, by assessing IgG against the spike protein (ELISA-S), IgG against the nucleocapsid protein (ELISA-NP) and neutralizing antibodies (SN) in 82,126 adults from a French population-based multi-cohort study.

Results

ELISA-S positivity was increased in 30- to 49-year-old adults (8.5%) compared to other age groups (5.6% in 20- to 29-year-olds, 2.8% in ≥ 50-year-olds). In the 3681 ELISA-S positive participants, ELISA-NP and SN positivity exhibited a U-shaped relationship with age, with a lower rate in 30- to 49-year-old adults, and was strongly associated with COVID-19-like symptoms.

Conclusion

Our study confirms the independent role of age and symptoms on the serologic profile of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, but the non-linear relationship with age deserves further investigation.
Investigation of CO Deactivation of Passive NOx Adsorption on La Promoted Pd/BEA
Authors: Ilmasani Rojin Feizie , Ho Phuoc Hoang , Wang Aiyong , Yao Dawei , Creaser Derek , Olsson Louise
Published: November 2021

Passive NOx adsorption (PNA) is a method, in which NOx can be stored at low temperatures and released at higher temperatures where the urea decomposition is functional during selective catalytic reduction (i.e., above 180–200 °C). We have studied the promotion of Pd/BEA with La as a PNA in the presence of high CO concentration. Both the reference and promoted samples exhibited a significant loss of NOx adsorption/desorption capacity after multiple cycles using 4000 ppm CO. However, already after 5 cycles, 99% of the NOx released between 200 and 400 °C was lost for Pd/BEA, compared to only 64% for Pd-La/BEA, which thereafter was stable. XPS and O2-TPD clearly showed that the Pd species were influenced by La. The PNA deactivation in the presence of CO could be related to Pd reduction followed by migration and the formation of more PdOx clusters, as observed by O2-TPD analysis. Interestingly, significantly more PdOx clusters formed on Pd/BEA after 10 cycles compared to Pd-La/BEA.
Discrepancy in photosynthetic responses of the red alga Pyropia yezoensis to dehydration stresses under exposure to desiccation, high salinity, and high mannitol concentration
Authors: Du Guoying , Li Xiaojiao , Wang Junhao , Che Shuai , Zhong Xuefeng , Mao Yunxiang
Published: November 2021

Macroalgae that inhabit intertidal zones are exposed to the air for several hours during low tide and must endure desiccation and high variations in temperature, light intensity, and salinity. Pyropia yezoensis (Rhodophyta, Bangiales), a typical intertidal red macroalga that is commercially cultivated in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, was investigated under different dehydration stresses of desiccation, high salinity, and high mannitol concentration. Using chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, photosynthetic activities of P. yezoensis thalli were analyzed using six parameters derived from quenching curves and rapid light curves. A distinct discrepancy was revealed in photosynthetic responses to different dehydration stresses. Dehydration caused by exposure to air resulted in rapid decreases in photosynthetic activities, which were always lower than two other stresses at the same water loss (WL) level. High salinity only reduced photosynthesis significantly at its maximum WL of 40% but maintained a relatively stable maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) (Fv/Fm). High mannitol concentration induced maximum WL of 20% for a longer time (60 min) than the other two treatments and caused no adverse influences on the six parameters at different WL except for a significant decrease in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) at 20% WL. Illustrated by chlorophyll fluorescence images, severe spatial heterogeneities were induced by desiccation with lower values in the upper parts than the middle or basal parts of the thalli. The NPQ and rETRmax (maximum relative electron transport rate) demonstrated clear distinctions for evaluating photosynthetic responses, indicating their sensitivity and applicability. The findings of this study indicated that the natural dehydration of exposure to air results in stronger and more heterogeneous effects than those of high salinity or high mannitol concentration.
Global governance and inter-organizational relationships in the nuclear safety sector
Authors: Kjøndal Kjerstin L.
Published: November 2021

In response to global challenges the interconnectedness between different organizations is seen as the sine qua non, and one of the most important aspects of the organizational environment is cooperation and conflicts between organizations. This paper aims at contributing to an emerging ‘inter-organizational turn’ in world politics by studying the relationship between the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the paper suggests that inter-organizational cooperation and conflict are based on flows of information, trust, resource dependencies, and how responsibilities and roles are divided between organizations. Moreover, the paper indicates that organization type and organization size are important to understand patterns of cooperation and conflicts between organizations operating at the global level, and the paper also suggests that organizational birthmarks are important to understand why tensions are triggered.
ASER: Animal Sex Reversal Database
Authors: Li Yangyang , Chen Zonggui , Liu Hairong , Li Qiming , Lin Xing , Ji Shuhui , Li Rui , Li Shaopeng , Fan Weiliang , Zhao Haiping , Zhu Zuoyan , Hu Wei , Zhou Yu , Luo Daji
Published: November 2021

Sex reversal, representing extraordinary sexual plasticity during the life cycle, not only triggers reproduction in animals but also affects reproductive and endocrine system-related diseases and cancers in humans. Sex reversal has been broadly reported in animals; however, an integrated resource hub of sex reversal information is still lacking. Here, we constructed a comprehensive database named ASER (Animal Sex Reversal) by integrating sex reversal-related data of 18 species from teleostei to mammalia. We systematically collected 40,018 published papers and mined the sex reversal-associated genes (SRGs), including their regulatory networks, from 1611 core papers. We annotated homologous genes and computed conservation scores for whole genomes across the 18 species. Furthermore, we collected available RNA-seq datasets and investigated the expression dynamics of SRGs during sex reversal or sex determination processes. In addition, we manually annotated 550 in situ hybridization (ISH), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) images of SRGs from the literature and described their spatial expression in the gonads. Collectively, ASER provides a unique and integrated resource for researchers to query and reuse organized data to explore the mechanisms and applications of SRGs in animal breeding and human health. The ASER database is publicly available at http://aser.ihb.ac.cn/.