bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Federal Ministerial Bureaucracy, the Legislative Process and Better Regulation
Authors: Kuhlmann Sabine , Veit Sylvia
Published: January 2021

Over the last decades, Better Regulation has become a major reform topic at the federal and—in some cases—also at the Länder level. Although the debate about improving regulatory quality and reducing unnecessary burdens created by bureaucracy and red tape date back to the 1960s and 1970s, the introduction by law in 2006 of a new independent institutionalised body for regulatory control at the federal level of government has brought a new quality to the discourse and practice of Better Regulation in Germany. This chapter introduces the basic features of the legislative process at the federal level in Germany, addresses the issue of Better Regulation and outlines the role of the National Regulatory Control Council (Nationaler Normenkontrollrat—NKR) as a ‘watchdog’ for compliance costs, red tape and regulatory impacts.
The Federal Administration of Interior Affairs
Authors: von Knobloch Hans-Heinrich
Published: January 2021

According to the Basic Law, the Länder are in principle responsible for public administration, regardless of whether state or federal law is being enforced.

The Basic Law has set a narrow framework for the federal administration. The obligations and options of the federal administration are defined in full. However, superior federal authorities responsible for the entire federal territory may be established by law passed with the consent of the Bundesrat for matters for which the Federation has the power to legislate. Intermediate and lower authorities may also be established if urgently needed. The chapter demonstrates this setting by the prominent example of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community (BMI).
Methodology for Measuring Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Agricultural Soils Using Non-isotopic Techniques
Authors: Zaman M. , Kleineidam K. , Bakken L. , Berendt J. , Bracken C. , Butterbach-Bahl K. , Cai Z. , Chang S. X. , Clough T. , Dawar K. , Ding W. X. , Dörsch P. , dos Reis Martins M. , Eckhardt C. , Fiedler S. , Frosch T. , Goopy J. , Görres C.-M. , Gupta A. , Henjes S. , Hofmann M. E. G. , Horn M. A. , Jahangir M. M. R. , Jansen-Willems A. , Lenhart K. , Heng L. , Lewicka-Szczebak D. , Lucic G. , Merbold L. , Mohn J. , Molstad L. , Moser G. , Murphy P. , Sanz-Cobena A. , Šimek M. , Urquiaga S. , Well R. , Wrage-Mönnig N. , Zaman S. , Zhang J. , Müller C.
Published: January 2021

Several approaches exist for measuring greenhouse gases (GHGs), mainly CO2, N2O, and CH4, from soil surfaces. The principle methods that are used to measure GHG from agricultural sites are chamber-based techniques. Both open and closed chamber techniques are in use; however, the majority of field applications use closed chambers. The advantages and disadvantages of different chamber techniques and the principal steps of operation are described. An important part of determining the quality of the flux measurements is the storage and the transportation of the gas samples from the field to the laboratory where the analyses are carried out. Traditionally, analyses of GHGs are carried out via gas chromatographs (GCs). In recent years, optical analysers are becoming increasingly available; these are user-friendly machines and they provide a cost-effective alternative to GCs. Another technique which is still under development, but provides a potentially superior method, is Raman spectroscopy. Not only the GHGs, but also N2, can potentially be analysed if the precision of these techniques is increased in future development. An important part of this chapter deals with the analyses of the gas concentrations, the calculation of fluxes, and the required safety measures. Since non-upland agricultural lands (i.e. flooded paddy soils) are steadily increasing, a section is devoted to the specificities of GHG measurements in these ecosystems. Specialised techniques are also required for GHG measurements in aquatic systems (i.e. rivers), which are often affected by the transfer of nutrients from agricultural fields and therefore are an important indirect source of emission of GHGs. A simple, robust, and more precise methodof ammonia (NH3) emission measurement is also described.
Automated Laboratory and Field Techniques to Determine Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Authors: Zaman M. , Kleineidam K. , Bakken L. , Berendt J. , Bracken C. , Butterbach-Bahl K. , Cai Z. , Chang S. X. , Clough T. , Dawar K. , Ding W. X. , Dörsch P. , dos Reis Martins M. , Eckhardt C. , Fiedler S. , Frosch T. , Goopy J. , Görres C.-M. , Gupta A. , Henjes S. , Hofmann M. E. G. , Horn M. A. , Jahangir M. M. R. , Jansen-Willems A. , Lenhart K. , Heng L. , Lewicka-Szczebak D. , Lucic G. , Merbold L. , Mohn J. , Molstad L. , Moser G. , Murphy P. , Sanz-Cobena A. , Šimek M. , Urquiaga S. , Well R. , Wrage-Mönnig N. , Zaman S. , Zhang J. , Müller C.
Published: January 2021

Methods and techniques are described for automated measurements of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in both the laboratory and the field. Robotic systems are currently available to measure the entire range of gases evolved from soils including dinitrogen (N2). These systems usually work on an exchange of the atmospheric N2with helium (He) so that N2 fluxes can be determined. Laboratory systems are often used in microbiology to determine kinetic response reactions via the dynamics of all gaseous N species such as nitric oxide (NO), nitrous oxide (N2O), and N2. Latest He incubation techniques also take plants into account, in order to study the effect of plant–soil interactions on GHGsand N2 production. The advantage of automated in-field techniques is that GHG emission rates can be determined at a high temporal resolution. This allows, for instance, to determine diurnal response reactions (e.g. with temperature) and GHG dynamics over longer time periods.
Direct and Indirect Effects of Soil Fauna, Fungi and Plants on Greenhouse Gas Fluxes
Authors: Zaman M. , Kleineidam K. , Bakken L. , Berendt J. , Bracken C. , Butterbach-Bahl K. , Cai Z. , Chang S. X. , Clough T. , Dawar K. , Ding W. X. , Dörsch P. , dos Reis Martins M. , Eckhardt C. , Fiedler S. , Frosch T. , Goopy J. , Görres C.-M. , Gupta A. , Henjes S. , Hofmann M. E. G. , Horn M. A. , Jahangir M. M. R. , Jansen-Willems A. , Lenhart K. , Heng L. , Lewicka-Szczebak D. , Lucic G. , Merbold L. , Mohn J. , Molstad L. , Moser G. , Murphy P. , Sanz-Cobena A. , Šimek M. , Urquiaga S. , Well R. , Wrage-Mönnig N. , Zaman S. , Zhang J. , Müller C.
Published: January 2021

Soils harbour diverse soil faunaand a wide range of soil microorganisms. These fauna and microorganisms directly contribute to soil greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes via their respiratory and metabolic activities and indirectly by changing the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils through bioturbation, fragmentation and redistribution of plant residues, defecation, soil aggregate formation, herbivory, and grazing on microorganisms and fungi. Based on recent results, the methods and results found in relation to fauna as well as from fungi and plants are presented. The approaches are outlined, and the significance of these hitherto ignored fluxes is discussed.
Isotopic Techniques to Measure N2O, N2 and Their Sources
Authors: Zaman M. , Kleineidam K. , Bakken L. , Berendt J. , Bracken C. , Butterbach-Bahl K. , Cai Z. , Chang S. X. , Clough T. , Dawar K. , Ding W. X. , Dörsch P. , dos Reis Martins M. , Eckhardt C. , Fiedler S. , Frosch T. , Goopy J. , Görres C.-M. , Gupta A. , Henjes S. , Hofmann M. E. G. , Horn M. A. , Jahangir M. M. R. , Jansen-Willems A. , Lenhart K. , Heng L. , Lewicka-Szczebak D. , Lucic G. , Merbold L. , Mohn J. , Molstad L. , Moser G. , Murphy P. , Sanz-Cobena A. , Šimek M. , Urquiaga S. , Well R. , Wrage-Mönnig N. , Zaman S. , Zhang J. , Müller C.
Published: January 2021

GHGemissions are usually the result of several simultaneous processes. Furthermore, some gases such as N2 are very difficult to quantify and require special techniques. Therefore, in this chapter, the focus is on stable isotopemethods. Both natural abundance techniques and enrichment techniques are used. Especially in the last decade, a number of methodological advances have been made. Thus, this chapter provides an overview and description of a number of current state-of-the-art techniques, especially techniques using the stable isotope15N. Basic principles and recent advances of the 15N gasflux method are presented to quantify N2 fluxes, but also the latest isotopologue and isotopomermethods to identify pathways for N2O production. The second part of the chapter is devoted to 15N tracing techniques, the theoretical background and recent methodological advances. A range of different methods is presented from analytical to numerical tools to identify and quantify pathway-specific N2O emissions. While this chapter is chiefly concerned with gaseous N emissions, a lot of the techniques can also be applied to other gases such as methane (CH4), as outlined in Sect. 5.3.
Most Innovative Asia-Pacific Universities
Authors: Al-Youbi Abdulrahman Obaid , Zahed Adnan Hamza Mohammad , Nahas Mahmoud Nadim , Hegazy Ahmad Abousree
Published: January 2021

Despite of the political instability in South Korea, there are strong and solid relations between universities and industry. These relations continue to lead economic growth and technical innovation in this country. This is the conclusion reached by Reuters in the third annual classification of Asian and Pacific universities, working on achieving progress in sciences and creating new technologies [29]. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, currently known as KAIST, is ranked the first for the third year in a row. Historically speaking, KAIST is the oldest Korean university dedicated for research, sciences, and engineering. It has three branch campuses in the following cities: Daejeon, Seoul, and Busan. The university produces a large number of innovations and applies for more patents than the other 75 universities on the list. In addition, researchers all over the world cite highly the research and patents of this university.
Decision Science for Future Earth: A Conceptual Framework
Authors: Yahara Tetsukazu , Tanaka Wataru , Inoue Yukako , Lee Jounghun , Qian Kun , Javadi Firouzeh , Onda Nariaki , Yokota Fumihiko , Eguchi Kumi , Nishikitani Mariko , Kikuchi Kimiyo , Kawasaki Nobuyoshi , Jeong Yukyong , Ide Jun’ichiro , Ota Tetsuji , Fujiwara Takahiro , Hosoya Tadatsugu , Kano Yuichi , Sugimoto Megumi , Ahmed Ashir , Shimatani Yukihiro , Tokunaga Shota , Nagahama Ai , Hiramatsu Michikazu , Murakami Takahiro
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this chapter is to review progress in our understanding of human behavior and decision-making relevant to future earth research agenda, and propose Decision Science as a hub of knowledge networks connecting disciplinary and interdisciplinary sciences with the practice of problem-solving. This review is composed of four sections. First, we describe the conceptual framework of “decision science for a sustainable society” and argue that evolutionary biology of the human nature is key to construct this framework. Second, we review how our group decision-making often fails due to various cognitive biases and argue that participatory approaches of co-design and co-production do not guarantee reasonable decision-making. Third, we review success stories of problem-solving in local communities and consider how we can connect those successes in local communities to successful national and global decision-making. Fourth, learning from both failures and successes, we argue that the adaptive learning of society is a process enabling us to transform our society toward a sustainable future. We review some positive global trends toward sustainability and consider the cognitive processes and behavioral mechanisms behind those trends that would provide clues for finding successful ways to transform our society.
Conflict of Legitimacy Over Tropical Forest Lands: Lessons for Collaboration from the Case of Industrial Tree Plantation in Indonesia
Authors: Fujiwara Takahiro , Onda Nariaki
Published: January 2021

Industrial Tree Plantation (ITP) in Indonesia has been controversial due to its significant environmental, economic, and social impacts and the severe conflicts among stakeholders. Therefore, it is crucially important to discuss the fundamental structure of the conflicts to promote going forward. We introduce the concept of “legitimacy” and discuss the (1) inequality of the landholding structure and (2) legal pluralism established by historical circumstances as the fundamental structure of the conflicts. Our discussions present some key lessons in promoting collaboration among stakeholders. The first lesson is that the degree of interest and priority for problems differs among stakeholders. Therefore, an understanding of these differences is the first step toward collaboration. The second lesson is about the importance of considering history. Awareness of the problem, interpretation of the historical facts, and evaluation of other stakeholders by a certain stakeholder change over time. Therefore, to start a collaboration, it is necessary to build a consensus among stakeholders as a time point to go back to in order to discuss the problem. The third lesson is that a procedure for data presentation agreeable among stakeholders as independent, neutral, and fair is essential for their collaborations. Especially in cases where conflicts among stakeholders are intensive, it appears that confidence in and interpretation of presented data are different for each stakeholder. Therefore, data presentation agreeable to all stakeholders is essential to promote their collaborations. Unlike conventional scientific research, scientists are required to uphold various values existing in society to collaborate with stakeholders in transdisciplinary research of Future Earth.
Environmental Concerns of the Pulp and Paper Industry: Focusing on Household and Sanitary Paper Products
Authors: Qian Kun
Published: January 2021

The category of household and sanitary products is the most important category in the paper industry, because it is related to people’s daily lives all around the world. This category is seeing a rapid increase in consumption, while consumption in other categories, such as printing or writing paper, is presently declining. China is the largest manufacturer, as well as the largest consumer of household and sanitary paper. Nowadays, environmental consciousness and concerns are rising in China and have started to influence customers’ behavior in selecting and using paper products. In the present study, surveys were conducted of the paper industry, the retail market for paper, and end consumers of paper. The relationship between new challenges of the paper industry and consumers’ environmental concerns has been investigated and reported.
Contribution of Community-Based Ecotourism to Forest Conservation and Local Livelihoods
Authors: Ota Tetsuji , Lonn Pichdara , Mizoue Nobuya
Published: January 2021

Tropical forests significantly contribute to local livelihoods as well as global carbon storage and biodiversity conservation. Therefore, a strategy that harmonizes a better quality of life for local people with tropical forest conservation is required. In Community-based ecotourism (CBET), the local community participates in related economic activities. In this chapter, we summarize our current studies that quantified the contribution of CBET to the income and livelihoods of local people and forest conservation. We selected the Chambok CBET site in Cambodia for our case study. First, we quantified the effectiveness of CBET in forest conservation by analyzing forest cover change with published maps created from satellite images. Second, we evaluated the contribution of CBET to household income and livelihood changes through a household survey using a questionnaire. Analysis of the forest cover change maps revealed that deforestation had significantly decreased inside the CBET area as compared to outside it, although the reduction was not enough to stop net deforestation. The survey revealed that the total monthly income of CBET member households and non-CBET households was not significantly different. It also showed that the community members felt the livelihood change after the implementation of CBET. However, this change may have been caused by general socioeconomic changes in Cambodia. We conclude that CBET effectively contributed to forest conservation but in a limited capacity to household income.
Machinic Phylum and Architecture
Authors: Radman Andrej
Published: January 2021

The chapter draws on the anti-substantivist and anti-hylomorphic legacy of two significant Deleuze and Guattari’s interlocutors: Raymond Ruyer and Gilbert Simondon. Ruyer vehemently opposed the logic of mechanicism without regressing to (active) vitalism. His masterpieceNeofinalism, yet to be fully appreciated in architectural circles, is an ode to multiplicity or ‘absolute form’. The title is to be read as a challenge to the hegemony of the step-by-step causation and partes-extra-partes mereology. According to Ruyer, non-locality is the key, not only to the question of subjectivity, but to the problem of life itself. Simondon too shies away from the metaphysics of presence. For him, the process of individuation cannot be grasped on the basis of the fully formed individual. In other words, the knowledge of individuationisthe individuation of knowledge. Simondon’s highest ambition inOn the Mode of Existence of Technical Objectswas to integrate culture and technics (tekhne). The conviction that culture need not be antagonistic to technology is particularly pertinent to the ecologies of architecture. In the second half of the chapter, the affordance theory meets contemporary neurosciences.
A Performance-Based Urban Block Generative Design Using Deep Reinforcement Learning and Computer Vision
Authors: Han Zhen , Yan Wei , Liu Gang
Published: January 2021

In recent years, generative design methods are widely used to guide urban or architectural design. Some performance-based generative design methods also combine simulation and optimization algorithms to obtain optimal solutions. In this paper, a performance-based automatic generative design method was proposed to incorporate deep reinforcement learning (DRL) and computer vision for urban planning through a case study to generate an urban block based on its direct sunlight hours, solar heat gains as well as the aesthetics of the layout. The method was tested on the redesign of an old industrial district located in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China. A DRL agent - deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) agent - was trained to guide the generation of the schemes. The agent arranges one building in the site at one time in a training episode according to the observation. Rhino/Grasshopper and a computer vision algorithm, Hough Transform, were used to evaluate the performance and aesthetics, respectively. After about 150 h of training, the proposed method generated 2179 satisfactory design solutions. Episode 1936 which had the highest reward has been chosen as the final solution after manual adjustment. The test results have proven that the method is a potentially effective way for assisting urban design.
The Development of ‘Agent-Based Parametric Semiology’ as Design Research Program
Authors: Duan Xuexin
Published: January 2021

A new framework, agenda and practice is called for to address the challenges and opportunities architecture must confront in the age of our computationally empowered Post-Fordist network society. This paper introduces the research agenda of ‘agent-based parametric semiology’, and explains the necessity of introducing a new tool, agent-based life-process modelling, as part of the design process, in order to cope with the new complexity and dynamism of architecture’s social functionality. The paper reviews the development of this design research program over the last 10 years. Finally, the paper describes current efforts to move from the illustrative use of life-process modelling to a scientifically grounded quantitative analysis and generative design optimization.
Machine Learning Aided 2D-3D Architectural Form Finding at High Resolution
Authors: Zhang Hang , Huang Ye
Published: January 2021

In the past few years, more architects and engineers start thinking about the application of machine learning algorithms in the architectural design field such as building facades generation or floor plans generation, etc. However, due to the relatively slow development of 3D machine learning algorithms, 3D architecture form exploration through machine learning is still a difficult issue for architects. As a result, most of these applications are confined to the level of 2D. Based on the state-of-the-art 2D image generation algorithm, also the method of spatial sequence rules, this article proposes a brand-new strategy of encoding, decoding, and form generation between 2D drawings and 3D models, which we name 2D-3D Form Encoding WorkFlow. This method could provide some innovative design possibilities that generate the latent 3D forms between several different architectural styles. Benefited from the 2D network advantages and the image amplification network nested outside the benchmark network, we have significantly expanded the resolution of training results when compared with the existing form-finding algorithm and related achievements in recent years.
Research on Architectural Form Optimization Method Based on Environmental Performance-Driven Design
Authors: Song Jinghua , Sun Sirui
Published: January 2021

In the context of contemporary environment and society, the architectural form optimization based on Environmental performance-driven design is a method by using environmental performance data to optimize the architectural form. Its value lies in dealing with the interaction between architecture and environment, and developing architecture with environmental sustainability. This thesis summarizes the similarities and differences between performance-driven form design and traditional bionic form design. The traditional bionic design separates the bionic object from its complex living environment, and its simple imitation tends to fall into the local rather than the global optimum. However, performance-driven design is different from bionic design. It advocates environmental factors as a driving factor rather than a confrontational factor. It is a systematic global optimal method for studying architectural form. This paper puts forward the specific architectural form optimization simulation process based on the performance-driven thought. Taking the multilayer parking building design of the riparian zone on the south bank of Chongqing as an example, the parametric design method is used to obtain architectural optimization form adapted to the environment.
Machine Learning for Fabrication of Graded Knitted Membranes
Authors: Sinke Yuliya , Gatz Sebastian , Tamke Martin , Ramsgaard Thomsen Mette
Published: January 2021

This paper examines the use of machine learning in creating digitally integrated design-to-fabrication workflows. As computational design allows for new methods of material specification and fabrication, it enables direct functional grading of material at high detail thereby tuning the design performance in response to performance criteria. However, the generation of fabrication data is often cumbersome and relies on in-depth knowledge of the fabrication processes. Parametric models that set up for automatic detailing of incremental changes, unfortunately, do not accommodate the larger topological changes to the material set up. The paper presents the speculative case studyKnitVault. Based on earlier research projectsIsoropiaandOmbre, the study examines the use of machine learning to train models for fabrication data generation in response to desired performance criteria.KnitVaultdemonstrates and validates methods for shortcutting parametric interfacing and explores how the trained model can be employed in design cases that exceed the topology of the training examples.
On-Site BIM-Enabled Augmented Reality for Construction
Authors: Chernick Adam , Morse Christopher , London Steve , Li Tim , Ménard David , Cerone John , Pasquarelli Gregg
Published: January 2021

We describe a prototype system for communicating building information and models directly to on-site general contractors and subcontractors. The system, developed by SHoP Architects, consists of a workflow of pre-processing information within Revit, post-processing information outside of Revit, combining data flows inside of a custom application built on top of Unity Reflect, and delivering the information through a mobile application on site with an intuitive user interface. This system incorporates augmented reality in combination with a dashboard of documentation views categorized by building element.
Apophysenschäden im Sport
Authors: Neubauer Markus , Nehrer Stefan
Published: January 2021

Die Zahl an Jugendlichen und Kindern im Spitzen- oder hochintensiven Breitensport ist – bezogen auf Industrienationen – im Steigen begriffen. Hochintensives Training kann Überlastungen durch die vermehrte Zugwirkung besonders auf Sehnen- und Muskelinsertionsstellen bedingen. Apophysen als Ossifikationskerne in Sehnen- und Muskelinsertionen sind bei Heranwachsenden besonders vulnerabel für überlastungsbedingte Pathologien. Zentrale Maßnahmen in der Prävention sind eine systematische Trainingsplanung und die Vermeidung mechanischer Überbeanspruchung im Wachstumsalter. Eine exakte Bildgebung ermöglicht die Diagnose von Frühstadien apophysärer Strukturschäden, die in dieser Phase durch Trainingspause und konservative Maßnahmen geheilt werden können.
Phosphorylated Tau protein in the myenteric plexus of the ileum and colon of normothermic rats and during synthetic torpor
Authors: Chiocchetti R , Hitrec T , Giancola F , Sadeghinezhad J , Squarcio F , Galiazzo G , Piscitiello E , De Silva M , Cerri M , Amici R , Luppi M
Published: January 2021

Tau protein is of primary importance for neuronal homeostasis and when hyperphosphorylated (PP-Tau), it tends to aggregate in neurofibrillary tangles, as is the case with tauopathies, a class of neurodegenerative disorders. Reversible PP-Tau accumulation occurs in the brain of hibernating rodents and it was recently observed in rats (a non-hibernator) during synthetic torpor (ST), a pharmacological-induced torpor-like condition. To date, the expression of PP-Tau in the rat enteric nervous system (ENS) is still unknown. The present study immunohistochemically investigates the PP-Tau expression in the myenteric plexus of the ileum and colon of normothermic rats (CTRL) and during ST, focusing on the two major subclasses of enteric neurons, i.e., cholinergic and nitrergic.

Results showed that both groups of rats expressed PP-Tau, with a significantly increased percentage of PP-Tau immunoreactive (IR) neurons in ST vs. CTRL. In all rats, the majority of PP-Tau-IR neurons were cholinergic. In ST rats, the percentage of PP-Tau-IR neurons expressing a nitrergic phenotype increased, although with no significant differences between groups. In addition, the ileum of ST rats showed a significant decrease in the percentage of nitrergic neurons. In conclusion, our findings suggest an adaptive response of ENS to very low core body temperatures, with changes involving PP-tau expression in enteric neurons, especially the ileal nitrergic subpopulation. In addition, the high presence of PP-Tau in cholinergic neurons, specifically, is very interesting and deserves further investigation. Altogether, these data strengthen the hypothesis of a common cellular mechanism triggered by ST, natural hibernation and tauopathies occurring in ENS neurons.
Comparison of nine different commercially available molecular assays for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA
Authors:   for the Bavarian SARS-CoV-2-Public Health Laboratory Team, Eberle Ute , Wimmer Clara , Huber Ingrid , Neubauer-Juric Antonie , Valenza Giuseppe , Ackermann Nikolaus , Sing Andreas
Published: January 2021

To face the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for fast and reliable diagnostic assays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 is immense. We describe our laboratory experiences evaluating nine commercially available real-time RT-PCR assays. We found that assays differed considerably in performance and validation before routine use is mandatory.
Fenchel Duality Theory and a Primal-Dual Algorithm on Riemannian Manifolds
Authors: Bergmann Ronny , Herzog Roland , Silva Louzeiro Maurício , Tenbrinck Daniel , Vidal-Núñez José
Published: January 2021

This paper introduces a new notion of a Fenchel conjugate, which generalizes the classical Fenchel conjugation to functions defined on Riemannian manifolds. We investigate its properties, e.g., the Fenchel–Young inequality and the characterization of the convex subdifferential using the analogue of the Fenchel–Moreau Theorem. These properties of the Fenchel conjugate are employed to derive a Riemannian primal-dual optimization algorithm and to prove its convergence for the case of Hadamard manifolds under appropriate assumptions. Numerical results illustrate the performance of the algorithm, which competes with the recently derived Douglas–Rachford algorithm on manifolds of nonpositive curvature. Furthermore, we show numerically that our novel algorithm may even converge on manifolds of positive curvature.
Coastal ocean acidification and nitrogen loading facilitate invasions of the non-indigenous red macroalga, Dasysiphonia japonica
Authors: Young Craig S. , Gobler Christopher J.
Published: January 2021

Coastal ecosystems are prone to multiple anthropogenic and natural stressors including eutrophication, acidification, and invasive species. While the growth of some macroalgae can be promoted by excessive nutrient loading and/or elevatedpCO2, responses differ among species and ecosystems. Native to the western Pacific Ocean, the filamentous, turf-forming rhodophyte,Dasysiphonia japonica,appeared in estuaries of the northeastern Atlantic Ocean during the 1980s and the northwestern Atlantic Ocean during the late 2000s. Here, we report on the southernmost expansion of theD. japonicain North America and the effects of elevated nutrients and elevatedpCO2on the growth ofD. japonicaover an annual cycle in Long Island, New York, USA. Growth limitation of the macroalga varied seasonally. During winter and spring, when water temperatures were < 15 °C, growth was significantly enhanced by elevatedpCO2(p < 0.05). During summer and fall, when the water temperature was 15–24 °C, growth was significantly higher under elevated nutrient treatments (p < 0.05). When temperatures reached 28 °C, the macroalga grew poorly and was unaffected by nutrients orpCO2. The δ13C content of regional populations ofD. japonicawas −30‰, indicating the macroalga is an obligate CO2-user. This result, coupled with significantly increased growth under elevatedpCO2when temperatures were < 15 °C, indicates this macroalga is carbon-limited during colder months, when in situpCO2was significantly lower in Long Island estuaries compared to warmer months when estuaries are enriched in metabolically derived CO2. The δ15N content of this macroalga (9‰) indicated it utilized wastewater-derived N and its N limitation during warmer months coincided with lower concentrations of dissolved inorganic N in the water column. Given the stimulatory effect of nutrients on this macroalga and that eutrophication can promote seasonally elevatedpCO2, this study suggests that eutrophic estuaries subject to peak annual temperatures < 28 °C may be particularly vulnerable to future invasions ofD. japonicaas ocean acidification intensifies. Conversely, nutrient reductions would serve as a management approach that would make coastal regions more resilient to invasions by this macroalga.
Genetic worth of multiple sets of cowpea breeding lines destined for advanced yield testing
Authors: Ongom Patrick Obia , Fatokun Christian , Togola Abou , Oyebode Oluwaseye Gideon , Ahmad Mansur Sani , Jockson Ishaya Daniel , Bala Garba , Boukar Ousmane
Published: January 2021

The objective of this study was to determine genetic potentials in eight sets of cowpea lines for grain yield (GY), hundred seed weight (HSDWT) and days to 50% flowering (DT50FL). A total of 614 F6 genotypes constituting the sets, grouped by maturity, were evaluated across two locations in Northern Nigeria, in an alpha lattice design, two replications each. Data were recorded on GY, HSDWT and DT50FL.Variance components, genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), and genetic advance (GA) were used to decode the magnitude of genetic variance within and among sets. Genetic usefulness (Up) which depends on mean and variance to score the genetic merits in historically bi-parental populations was applied to groups of breeding lines with mixed parentage. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to depict contribution of traits to observed variations. GY and DT50FL explained the variance within and between sets respectively. Genotypes were significantly different, although genotype-by-location and set-by-location interaction effects were also prominent. Genetic variance (δ2G) and GCV were high for GY in Prelim2 (δ2G = 45,897; GCV = 19.58%), HSDWT in Prelim11 (δ2G = 7.137; GCV = 17.07%) and DT50F in Prelim5 (δ2G = 4.54; GCV = 4.4%). Heritability varied among sets for GY (H = 0.21 to 0.57), HSDWT (H = 0.76 to 0.93) and DT50FL (H = 0.20 to 0.81). GA and percentage GA (GAPM) were high for GY in Prelim2 (GAPM = 24.59%; GA = 269.05Kg/ha), HSDWT in Prelim11 (GAPM = 28.54%; GA = 4.47 g), and DT50F in Prelim10 (GAPM = 6.49%; GA = 3.01 days). These sets also registered high values of genetic usefulness, suggesting potential application in non-full sib populations. These approaches can be used during preliminary performance tests to reinforce decisions in extracting promising lines and choose among defined groups of lines.
Large Deviation Properties of the Empirical Measure of a Metastable Small Noise Diffusion
Authors: Dupuis Paul , Wu Guo-Jhen
Published: January 2021

The aim of this paper is to develop tractable large deviation approximations for the empirical measure of a small noise diffusion. The starting point is the Freidlin–Wentzell theory, which shows how to approximate via a large deviation principle the invariant distribution of such a diffusion. The rate function of the invariant measure is formulated in terms of quasipotentials, quantities that measure the difficulty of a transition from the neighborhood of one metastable set to another. The theory provides an intuitive and useful approximation for the invariant measure, and along the way many useful related results (e.g., transition rates between metastable states) are also developed. With the specific goal of design of Monte Carlo schemes in mind, we prove large deviation limits for integrals with respect to the empirical measure, where the process is considered over a time interval whose length grows as the noise decreases to zero. In particular, we show how the first and second moments of these integrals can be expressed in terms of quasipotentials. When the dynamics of the process depend on parameters, these approximations can be used for algorithm design, and applications of this sort will appear elsewhere. The use of a small noise limit is well motivated, since in this limit good sampling of the state space becomes most challenging. The proof exploits a regenerative structure, and a number of new techniques are needed to turn large deviation estimates over a regenerative cycle into estimates for the empirical measure and its moments.
Innovation drivers of external competitiveness in the great recession
Authors: Brancati Emanuele , Brancati Raffaele , Guarascio Dario , Zanfei Antonello
Published: January 2021

This paper explores the main drivers of firms’ external competitiveness in times of crisis. We focus on the aftermath of the Great Recession (2008–2015) and present evidence based on a comprehensive survey of Italian companies (the MET dataset). Overall, our results highlight not only the strict correlation between internationalization and innovative activities but also a positive change of attitude of Italian firms towards these strategies. We show that, while structural factors play a key role for external competitiveness, other critical aspects trigger superior performances, especially strategic profiles, technological capabilities, and proactive behaviors such as innovativeness and R&D investment. Importantly, we document disproportionate effects of innovation for smaller and less productive companies. This points at dynamic strategies as a potential tool to fill the gap between larger/more productive companies and the set of less structured firms, a segment representing an ideal target for policy measures.
Rethinking SME default prediction: a systematic literature review and future perspectives
Authors: Ciampi Francesco , Giannozzi Alessandro , Marzi Giacomo , Altman Edward I.
Published: January 2021

Over the last dozen years, the topic of small and medium enterprise (SME) default prediction has developed into a relevant research domain that has grown for important reasons exponentially across multiple disciplines, including finance, management, accounting, and statistics. Motivated by the enormous toll on SMEs caused by the 2007–2009 global financial crisis as well as the recent COVID-19 crisis and the consequent need to develop new SME default predictors, this paper provides a systematic literature review, based on a statistical, bibliometric analysis, of over 100 peer-reviewed articles published on SME default prediction modelling over a 34-year period, 1986 to 2019. We identified, analysed and reviewed five streams of research and suggest a set of future research avenues to help scholars and practitioners address the new challenges and emerging issues in a changing economic environment.
The research agenda proposes some new innovative approaches to capture and exploit new data sources using modern analytical techniques, like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and macro-data inputs, with the aim of providing enhanced predictive results.
System or Process? A Meta-theoretical Reflection on the Nature of the Firm
Authors: Valentinov Vladislav
Published: January 2021

The paper revisits the fundamental question of the nature of the firm by contrasting two philosophic worldviews suggested by process philosophy and the Luhmannian systems theory. Whereas the former worldview takes reality to be internally related, the latter ones underscores the tendency of social systems, such as firms, to disregard much of this interrelatedness. The productive tension between these worldviews suggests that the firm provides a context where systemic imperatives meet the rich concrete reality of human life. The role of the firm is to house those aspects of this reality that are too organic to be accommodated by the abstract “language of prices” corresponding, in institutional economics terms, to the reliance on market governance. The major examples of these aspects explored in the paper are dynamic capabilities and business ethics, both of which hold the potential to improve the firm’s sustainability, both economic and social. The proposed contrast between the process-philosophic and systems-theoretic worldviews thus illuminates not only the nature of the firm but also the managerial relevance of corporate sustainability instruments.
A non-targeted LC–MS metabolic profiling of pregnancy: longitudinal evidence from healthy and pre-eclamptic pregnancies
Authors:   The FINNPEC Core Investigator Group, Jääskeläinen Tiina , Kärkkäinen Olli , Jokkala Jenna , Klåvus Anton , Heinonen Seppo , Auriola Seppo , Lehtonen Marko , Hanhineva Kati , Laivuori Hannele
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Maternal metabolism changes substantially during pregnancy. However, few studies have used metabolomics technologies to characterize changes across gestation.

Objectives and methods

We applied liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) based non-targeted metabolomics to determine whether the metabolic profile of serum differs throughout the pregnancy between pre-eclamptic and healthy women in the FINNPEC (Finnish Genetics of Preeclampsia Consortium) Study. Serum samples were available from early and late pregnancy.

Results

Progression of pregnancy had large-scale effects to the serum metabolite profile. Altogether 50 identified metabolites increased and 49 metabolites decreased when samples of early pregnancy were compared to samples of late pregnancy. The metabolic signatures of pregnancy were largely shared in pre-eclamptic and healthy women, only urea, monoacylglyceride 18:1 and glycerophosphocholine were identified to be increased in the pre-eclamptic women when compared to healthy controls.

Conclusions

Our study highlights the need of large-scale longitudinal metabolomic studies in non-complicated pregnancies before more detailed understanding of metabolism in adverse outcomes could be provided. Our findings are one of the first steps for a broader metabolic understanding of the physiological changes caused by pregnancy per se.
CO2 embodied in trade: trends and fossil fuel drivers
Authors: Weber Sylvain , Gerlagh Reyer , Mathys Nicole A. , Moran Daniel
Published: January 2021

The amount of CO2 embodied in trade has substantially increased over the last decades. We contribute to understanding the reasons for this evolution by studying the trends and some drivers of the carbon intensity of trade over the period 1995–2009 in 41 countries and 35 sectors. Our empirical analysis relies on the World Input-Output Database (WIOD) to compute embodied carbon emissions. Our main findings are the following. First, average emission intensity of traded goods is higher than average emission intensity of final demand. Second, relatively “dirty” countries tend to specialize in emission-intensive sectors. Third, the share of goods produced in emission-intensive countries is rising. Finally, we find that coal abundance (measured as fuel rent and controlling for reverse causality) leads both to a specialization in “dirty” sectors and to an increase in emissions per output when controlling for sector structure, which amounts to a fossil fuel endowment effect. These findings suggest trade liberalization may increase global emissions and therefore highlight the importance of considering trade when designing CO2 reduction strategies.
COVID-19-Pandemie und politische Institutionen
Authors: Kersting Norbert
Published: January 2021

Die Covid-19-Pandemie führte zu massiven Einschränkungen und Beeinträchtigung der politischen Öffentlichkeit. Die Befragung von über 1500 Ratsmitgliedern in Nordrhein-Westfalen zeigte, dass auf lokaler Ebene Gemeinderäte nur eingeschränkt arbeiten konnten. Nach einem vollständigen Lockdown im März 2020 übernahmen häufig kommunale Haupt- und Finanzausschüsse die Arbeit der Gemeinderäte. In einigen Kommunen tagten die Räte in halber Besetzung. In dieser „Stunde der Exekutive“ konnten viele Kommissionen und Ausschüsse, aber auch Veranstaltungen von zivilgesellschaftlichen Organisationen gar nicht stattfinden. Im Vorfeld der Kommunalwahlen im September 2020 kam es zu Problemen bei der Registrierung von Parteien. Es mangelte insbesondere an räumlicher wie auch digitaler Infrastruktur. Mit angepassten und abgemilderten Corona-Schutzverordnungen sowie besonderen Regelungen im Rahmen der Kommunalwahl in Nordrhein-Westfalen wurde der Prozess der Registrierung etwas erleichtert und die Fristen um wenige Tage erweitert. Im Wahlkampf hatten insbesondere neue, kleinere Parteien sowie neue Kandidaten Probleme sich darzustellen und somit häufig Nachteile gegenüber den Amtsinhabern. Straßen-Wahlkampf, Podiumsdiskussionen und Tür-zu-Tür-Kampagnen fanden nur sehr begrenzt statt. Im Rahmen der „Zwangsdigitalisierung“ lag insbesondere bei den etablierten Parteien erstmalig ein deutlicher Schwerpunkt auf den digitalen Kanälen. Ein Verschieben der Wahl wurde vor allem durch die Ratsmitglieder der Kleinparteien eingefordert. Eine vollständige Briefwahl wurde mehrheitlich in allen Parteien abgelehnt.
Sex differences in associations of fine particulate matter with non-accidental deaths: an ecological time-series study
Authors: Xia Tian , Fang Fang , Montgomery Scott , Fang Bo , Wang Chunfang , Cao Yang
Published: January 2021

Sex differences in the impact of exposure to air pollution have been reported previously and epidemiological studies indicate that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) effects on nonaccidental death are modified by sex; however, the results are not conclusive. To introduce a new method incorporating the monotone nonlinear relationship between PM2.5 and deaths to reveal the sex difference in the relationship, we illustrated the use of the constrained generalized additive model (CGAM) to investigate the sex difference in the effects of PM2.5 on nonaccidental deaths in Shanghai, China. Information on daily non-accidental deaths, air pollution, meteorological data, and smoking prevalence between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2014 was obtained in Shanghai. The CGAM was used to assess the association of interaction between sex and daily PM2.5 concentrations with daily nonaccidental deaths, adjusting for weather type and smoking rate. A 2-week lag analysis was conducted as a sensitivity analysis. During the study period, the total number of non-accidental deaths in Shanghai was 336,379, with a daily mean of 163 deaths and 144 deaths for men and women, respectively. The average daily concentration of PM2.5 in Shanghai was 55.0 μg/m3 during the same time period. Women showed a lower risk for non-accidental death (risk ratio (RR) = 0.892, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.802–0.993). Compared with men, the risk for nonaccidental death in relation to increasing PM2.5 concentration was smaller in women (RR = 0.998, 95% CI: 0.996–1.000, per 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration. The difference is consistent during the two lag weeks and more obvious when adjusting for the interaction between PM2.5 concentration and smoking prevalence. The effects of PM2.5 on daily nonaccidental death are different between men and women in Shanghai, China, and women tend to have a lower risk. The underlying mechanisms of the sex difference of PM2.5 effects on death need further investigation. The method displayed in the manuscript can be used for other environmental stressors as well.