bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical channel model to characterize turbulence‐induced fluctuations in the underwater wireless optical communication links
Authors: Singh Mandeep , Singh Maninder Lal , Kaur Hardeep , Singh Gill Harpuneet , Priyanka  , Kaur Sehajpal
Published: July 2022

Underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) turns out to be a primary sought alternative to wireless technology, which can provide high data rate, enormous bandwidth, and low deployment cost and resolve the crowded radio frequency band issues. The performance of the UWOC link is significantly affected by the turbulent ocean environment. In this paper, the different turbulence scenarios such as salinity gradients, temperature gradients, and air bubbles are considered to model the turbulent nature of the ocean environment experimentally. These turbulent conditions induce severe intensity fluctuations in the received optical signal. These intensity fluctuations are modeled stochastically, and a novel turbulence channel model is proposed, which excellently fitted with the experimental data. The conformity of the proposed model is validated by performing a goodness of fit test in terms ofR2and root mean square error (RMSE) coefficients. The results show that for all the considered turbulent scenarios, the Gaussian mixture model better approximates the experimental observations than the Weibull distribution. As the strength of the turbulence increases, the chances of link outage and the probability of bit errors increase. At a flow rate of 4 L/min, the bit error rate (BER) of 10−20, 10−14, and 10−10is recorded under clear water, salinity, and temperature gradient channel conditions, respectively. It is observed that the air bubbles have a significant impact on the propagating optical beam in comparison to temperature and salinity‐induced turbulence. Moreover, a close agreement between the proposed model and the experimental data is also observed, which makes the proposed model more appropriate to describe the turbulent ocean environment.
Subsidy accessibility drives asymmetric food web responses
Authors: Gutgesell Marie , McMeans Bailey C. , Guzzo Matthew M. , de Groot Valesca , Fisk Aaron T. , Johnson Timothy B. , McCann Kevin S.
Published: July 2022

Global change is fundamentally altering flows of natural and anthropogenic subsidies across space and time. After a pointed call for research on subsidies in the 1990s, an industry of empirical work has documented the ubiquitous role subsidies play in ecosystem structure, stability, and function. Here, we argue that physical constraints (e.g., water temperature) and species traits can govern a species' accessibility to resource subsidies, which has been largely overlooked in the subsidy literature. We examined the input of a high‐quality, point‐source anthropogenic subsidy (aquaculture feed) into a recipient freshwater lake food web. Using a combined bio‐tracer approach, we detect a gradient in accessibility of the anthropogenic subsidy within the surrounding food web driven by the thermal preferences of three constituent species, effectively rewiring the recipient lake food web. Because aquaculture is predicted to increase significantly in coming decades to support growing human populations, and global change is altering temperature regimes, then this form of food web alteration may be expected to occur frequently. We argue that subsidy accessibility is a key characteristic of recipient food web interactions that must be considered when trying to understand the impacts of subsidies on ecosystem stability and function under continued global change.
Does raising retirement age lead to a healthier transition to retirement? Evidence from the U.S. Social Security Amendments of 1983
Authors: Ci Zhaoxue
Published: July 2022

Governments are under pressure to raise the retirement age in response to an aging population and low fertility rates. However, the literature has not reached a consistent conclusion on the health effects of extending working lives. Furthermore, while most studies have concentrated on post‐retirement health consequences, the health outcomes during the transition from work to retirement have been overlooked. Therefore, this article focuses on the transition period — the time between the early benefit age and full retirement age. Exploiting the increase in retirement age introduced by the U.S. Social Security Amendments of 1983, the difference‐in‐difference estimation finds that the reform successfully encouraged more people to work longer and claim benefits later, whilst having no adverse influence on health during the transition period. This paper infers that the desirable impacts of the 1983 amendments could be partly attributed to the adequate preparation time the reform left to the public.
Hepatic retinoic acid receptor alpha mediates all‐trans retinoic acid's effect on diet‐induced hepatosteatosis
Authors: Cassim Bawa Fathima N. , Xu Yanyong , Gopoju Raja , Plonski Noel‐Marie , Shiyab Amy , Hu Shuwei , Chen Shaoru , Zhu Yingdong , Jadhav Kavita , Kasumov Takhar , Zhang Yanqiao
Published: July 2022

All‐trans retinoic acid (AtRA) is an active metabolite of vitamin A that influences many biological processes in development, differentiation, and metabolism. AtRA functions through activation of retinoid acid receptors (RARs). AtRA is shown to ameliorate hepatic steatosis, but the underlying mechanism is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the role of hepatocyte RAR alpha (RARα) in mediating the effect of AtRA on hepatosteatosis in mice. Hepatocyte‐specific Rarα

−/−
(L‐Rarα

−/−
) mice and their control mice were fed a chow diet, high‐fat diet (HFD), or a high‐fat/cholesterol/fructose (HFCF) diet. Some of the mice were also treated with AtRA. Loss of hepatocyte RARα‐induced hepatosteatosis in chow‐fed aged mice and HFD‐fed mice. AtRA prevented and reversed HFCF diet–induced obesity and hepatosteatosis in the control mice but not in L‐Rarα

−/−
mice. Furthermore, AtRA reduced hepatocyte fatty acid uptake and lipid droplet formation, dependent on hepatocyte RARα. Our data suggest that hepatocyte RARα plays an important role in preventing hepatosteatosis and mediates AtRA's effects on diet‐induced hepatosteatosis.
Evaluation of classification ability of logistic regression model on SERS data of miRNAs
Authors: Zeng Xiaojun , Liu Yu , Liu Wei , Yuan Changjing , Luo Xizi , Xie Fengxin , Chen Xueping , de la Chapelle Marc Lamy , Tian Huiyan , Yang Xiang , Fu Weiling
Published: July 2022

Logistic regression (LR) is a supervised multiple linear regression model, which uses linear weighted calculation for input to obtain weight coefficients of model. The surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technology greatly enhances the Raman signal of analyte. LR model was used to analyze the data of seven types of pancreatic cancer‐related miRNAs obtained from commercial SERS substrate. The classification ability of the model on such data was observed under the configurations of different key parameters (classification mode, regularization method and loss function optimization way), and the effect of the two types of data formats were also evaluated. The results showed that though LR model used to classify this data did not perform well as expected, miRNA‐191 and miRNA‐4306 still had high recalls (sensitivity), which laid a theoretical foundation for the purpose of using LR model to identify these two miRNAs to jointly diagnose of pancreatic cancer at miRNA level.
Polycaprolactone/chlorinated bioglass scaffolds doped with Mg and Li ions: Morphological, physicochemical, and biological analysis
Authors: Kukulka Elisa Camargo , de Souza Joyce Rodrigues , de Araújo Juliani Carolini Ribeiro , de Vasconcellos Luana Marotta Reis , Campos Tiago Moreira Bastos , Thim Gilmar Patricínio , Borges Alexandre Luiz Souto
Published: July 2022

The objective was to synthesize and characterize fine polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers associated with a new 58S bioglass obtained by the precipitated sol–gel route, produced by the electrospinning process in order to incorporate therapeutic ions (Mg and Li). In PCL/acetone solutions were added 7% pure bioglass, bioglass doped with Mg(NO3)2 and Li2CO3 and were subjected to electrospinning process. The fibers obtained were characterized morphologically, chemically and biologically. The results showed the presence of fine fibers at the nanometric scale and with diameters ranging from 0.67 to 1.92 μm among groups. Groups containing bioglass showed particles both inside and on the surface of the fibers. The components of the polymer, bioglass and therapeutic ions were present in the fibers produced. The produced fibers showed cell viability and induced the formation of mineralization nodules. It was observed the applicability of that methodology in making an improved biomaterial, which adds the osteoinductive properties of the bioglass to PCL and to those of therapeutic ions, applicable to guided bone regeneration.
Acute skeletal muscle loss in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection contributes to poor clinical outcomes in COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Attaway Amy , Welch Nicole , Dasarathy Dhweeja , Amaya‐Hughley Jocelyn , Bellar Annette , Biehl Michelle , Dugar Siddharth , Engelen Marielle P.K.J. , Zein Joe , Dasarathy Srinivasan
Published: July 2022

Background

Chronic disease causes skeletal muscle loss that contributes to morbidity and mortality. There are limited data on the impact of dynamic muscle loss on clinical outcomes in COVID‐19. We hypothesized that acute COVID‐19‐related muscle loss (acute sarcopenia) is associated with adverse outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of a prospective clinical registry of COVID‐19 patients was performed in consecutive hospitalized patients with acute COVID‐19 (n = 95) and compared with non‐COVID‐19 controls (n = 19) with two temporally unique CT scans. Pectoralis muscle (PM), erector spinae muscle (ESM) and 30 day standardized per cent change in cross sectional muscle area were quantified. Primary outcomes included mortality and need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Multivariate linear and logistic regression were performed. Cox proportional hazard ratios were generated for ICU admission or mortality for the per cent muscle loss standardized to 30 days.

Results

The COVID‐19 CT scan cohort (n = 95) had an average age of 63.3 ± 14.3 years, comorbidities including COPD (28.4%) and diabetes mellitus (42.1%), and was predominantly Caucasian (64.9%). The proportion of those admitted to the ICU was 54.7%, with 10.5% requiring tracheostomy and overall mortality 16.8%. Median duration between CT scans was 32 days (IQR: 16–63 days). Significant reductions in median per cent loss was noted for PM (−2.64% loss [IQR: −0.28, −5.47] in COVID‐19 vs. −0.06 loss [IQR: −0.01, −0.28] in non‐COVID‐19 CT controls, P < 0.001) and ESM (−1.86% loss [IQR: −0.28, −5.47] in COVID‐19 vs. −0.06 loss [IQR: −0.02, −0.11]) in non‐COVID‐19 CT controls, P < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis of per cent loss in PM was significantly associated with mortality (−10.8% loss [95% CI: −21.5 to −0.19]) and ICU admission (−11.1% loss [95% CI: −19.4 to −2.67]), and not significant for ESM. Cox proportional hazard ratios demonstrated greater association with ICU admission (adj HR 2.01 [95% CI: 1.14–3.55]) and mortality (adj HR 5.30 [95% CI: 1.19–23.6]) for those with significant per cent loss in PM, and greater association with ICU admission (adj HR 8.22 [95% CI: 1.11–61.04]) but not mortality (adj HR 2.20 [95% CI: 0.70–6.97]) for those with significant per cent loss in ESM.

Conclusions

In a well‐characterized cohort of 95 hospitalized patients with acute COVID‐19 and two temporally distinct CT scans, acute sarcopenia, determined by standardized reductions in PM and ESM, was associated with worse clinical outcomes. These data lay the foundation for evaluating dynamic muscle loss as a predictor of clinical outcomes and targeting acute sarcopenia to improve clinical outcomes for COVID‐19.
Descriptive analysis of seizures and comorbidities associated with fragile X syndrome
Authors: Albizua Igor , Charen Krista , Shubeck Lisa , Talboy Amy , Berry‐Kravis Elizabeth , Kaufmann Walter E. , Stallworth Jennifer L. , Drazba Katy T. , Erickson Craig A. , Sweeney John A. , Tartaglia Nicole , Warren Steven F. , Hagerman Randi , Sherman Stephanie L. , Warren Stephen T. , Jin Peng , Allen Emily G.
Published: July 2022

Background

Fragile X syndrome is characterized by a myriad of physical features, behavioral features, and medical problems. Commonly found behavioral features are hyperactivity, anxiety, socialization difficulties, and ASD. There is also a higher incidence than in the general population of strabismus, otitis media, and mitral valve prolapse. In addition, one of the most common medical problems associated with FXS is an increased risk of seizures. A subset of individuals carrying the full mutation of the FMR1 gene and diagnosed with fragile X syndrome (FXS) are reported to experience seizures, mostly during the first 10 years of their life span.

Methods

As part of a larger project to identify genetic variants that modify the risk of seizures, we collected clinical information from 49 carriers with FXS who experienced seizures and 46 without seizures. We compared seizure type and comorbid conditions based on the source of data as well as family history of seizures.

Results

We found that the concordance of seizure types observed by parents and medical specialists varied by type of seizure. The most common comorbid condition among those with seizures was autism spectrum disorder (47% per medical records vs. 33% per parent report compared with 19% among those without seizures per parent report); the frequency of other comorbid conditions did not differ among groups. We found a slightly higher frequency of family members who experienced seizures among the seizure group compared with the nonseizure group.

Conclusion

This study confirms previously reported features of seizures in FXS, supports additional genetic factors, and highlights the importance of information sources, altogether contributing to a better understanding of seizures in FXS.
Intermittent control for synchronization of hybrid multi‐weighted complex networks with reaction‐diffusion effects
Authors: Guo Beibei , Xiao Yu
Published: July 2022

In this paper, exponential synchronization for hybrid multi‐weighted complex networks is studied via aperiodically intermittent control. Different from previous work, both Markov jump and reaction‐diffusion effects are simultaneously considered into multi‐weighted complex networks. By employing network split technique, graph theory, and Lyapunov method, several synchronization criteria are derived. These criteria show the effects of multiple weights, Markov jump, and reaction‐diffusion on exponential synchronization. Furthermore, an application to Cohen–Grossberg neural networks is conducted, and the corresponding synchronization criterion is given. Finally, some numerical simulations are presented to show the effectiveness of the obtained theoretical results.
Beyond guidelines: A qualitative clinical stakeholder study of optimal management of anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation
Authors: Dunphy Emma , Button Kate , Murray Elizabeth , Hamilton Fiona L.
Published: July 2022

Aims

This study gathered expert perspectives in the management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rehabilitation to explore current practice, variations in care and optimal management strategies.

Materials and methods

This was a qualitative semi‐structured interview study. The participants' experiences were considered in terms of their roles as employees, managers, clinicians and professional gatekeepers. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeons. Participants were included if they had a proven record in clinical management or research involving ACL patients. Persons were excluded if they could not speak English. Interviews were conducted in person, via skype or over the phone at a time convenient to the participant. Data was analysed using a framework analysis and critical realist approach.

Results

Results included 24 interviews that were conducted with 19 physiotherapists and 5 surgeons. Themes of variation in current care and optimal care were explored including subthemes of patient centred practice, evidence based medicine, resources, self‐management, multidisciplinary teamwork, training and expertise were explored. Participant's perceptions of current care were that it was a location ‘lottery’ that significantly varied for patients across the UK.

Conclusions

Stakeholders identified that optimal management should be patient centred and incorporate adequate equipment, specific training for physiotherapists and a closely communicating multidisciplinary team. Research is needed to explore cost effective models of optimal rehabilitation that include return to sport strategies.
Nurses' perceptions of career ladder systems, job satisfaction and turnover intention: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ahn Young Seon , Choi Jeong Sil
Published: July 2022

Aim

This study aimed to compare nurses' perceptions of career ladder systems, job satisfaction and turnover intention in small‐ and medium‐sized hospitals with and without a career ladder system.

Design

A cross‐sectional, correlational, descriptive study was conducted.

Methods

Data were collected using self‐report surveys from 130–144 participants in small‐ and medium‐sized hospitals with and without a career ladder system, respectively. The data were collected from July 1, 2019‐July 31, 2019.

Results

The perception of the career ladder system was positively correlated with job satisfaction in hospitals with and without a career ladder system but negatively correlated with turnover intention in those with a career ladder system only. A positive perception of the system is associated with increased job satisfaction and lowered turnover intention. Hospitals should implement a career ladder system and improve nurses' perception by addressing the specific categories identified in this study.
Solitary central osteoma of the mandible with unusual clinicoradiological presentations: A case report and literature review
Authors: Chan Nyein Nyein , Yamazaki Manabu , Sakuma Hidenobu , Hayashi Takafumi , Kobayashi Tadaharu , Tanuma Jun‐ichi
Published: July 2022

Background

Central osteoma of the jaw is a rare benign neoplasm presenting as bone expansion and a well‐defined radiopaque mass with impacted or displaced teeth.

Case Presentation

An irregular mandibular molar resorption was discovered in a 57‐year‐old Japanese woman. Because radiographic features showed a resorbed root occupied by a cancellous bone mass, internal or external resorption and fibro‐osseous lesions were suspected. Histologically, the resected mass was composed of a compact and cancellous bone with fatty marrow and was diagnosed as central osteoma.

Conclusion

Central osteomas can have diverse presentations and need to be differentiated from odontogenic and fibro‐osseous lesions.
Molecular dynamics simulation on performance modulation of graphene‐modified polyethylene during friction process
Authors: Li Shifan , Dong Conglin , Yuan Chengqing , Bai Xiuqin
Published: July 2022

Molecular dynamics simulation is an effective method to evaluate material properties at the early stage of material design, which can accurately guide the design of new materials and shorten the material development cycle. Therefore, in this study, the changes of tribological and mechanical properties of graphene reinforced polyethylene (PE) composites during friction process were simulated by molecular dynamics. The analysis results showed that the graphene induced the formation of a transfer film consisting of PE molecular chains at the friction interface, thereby reducing the interaction between the friction pair and the composites and preventing numerous molecular chains from collecting at the friction interface. Meanwhile, the graphene enhanced the free‐volume fraction to strengthen the mechanical properties of the composites‐thereby producing high‐performance composites. Thus, an appropriate graphene content could notably reduce both the coefficient of friction and wear rate of PE, and reinforce the polymer's tribological and mechanical properties. By adding 2 wt.% of graphene, the mechanical properties of the composite were significantly improved, while the coefficient of friction decreased by 29.6% and the wear rate decreased by 89.9% compared to that of pure PE, and presented the best strengthening effect. This knowledge will be useful for future designing and developing composite polymer materials with excellent tribological and mechanical properties used for key moving components.
Interlayer interaction characteristics of multi‐layered plain woven glass fabric in hemisphere forming
Authors: Mei Ming , He Yujia , Wei Kai , Yang Xujing
Published: July 2022

Characterizing the interlayer interaction is beneficial to mitigate the manufacturing defects in the multi‐layered fabric forming of composite. However, the interlayer interactions including the force and sliding distance, and their effects on the defect generation have not been reported yet. Here, the monolayer and multi‐layered fabric hemisphere forming were conducted by experiments. Firstly, the forming force and deformation modes at different hemisphere regions are confirmed in the monolayer fabric forming as a reference. Then, in the multi‐layered forming, the interlayer interaction is confirmed to still exist in the configuration with the same ply orientations, whereas the forming force, forming force rate, and interlayer sliding are smaller than that in the configuration with different ply orientations. In addition, with the increase of layer number, the extent of interlayer interaction is improved, which intensifies the defect from the out of plane yarn buckling to the macro wrinkle in the tensile direction. Especially, it is revealed that the tensile direction of lower layer should be avoided under the shear direction of upper layer to reduce the interlayer sliding. These results obtained here provide an important reference to the multi‐layered plain woven fabric forming.
A Bayesian piecewise exponential phase II design for monitoring a time‐to‐event endpoint
Authors: Qing Yun , Thall Peter F. , Yuan Ying
Published: July 2022

A robust Bayesian design is presented for a single‐arm phase II trial with an early stopping rule to monitor a time to event endpoint. The assumed model is a piecewise exponential distribution with non‐informative gamma priors on the hazard parameters in subintervals of a fixed follow up interval. As an additional comparator, we also define and evaluate a version of the design based on an assumed Weibull distribution. Except for the assumed models, the piecewise exponential and Weibull model based designs are identical to an established design that assumes an exponential event time distribution with an inverse gamma prior on the mean event time. The three designs are compared by simulation under several log‐logistic and Weibull distributions having different shape parameters, and for different monitoring schedules. The simulations show that, compared to the exponential inverse gamma model based design, the piecewise exponential design has substantially better performance, with much higher probabilities of correctly stopping the trial early, and shorter and less variable trial duration, when the assumed median event time is unacceptably low. Compared to the Weibull model based design, the piecewise exponential design does a much better job of maintaining small incorrect stopping probabilities in cases where the true median survival time is desirably large.
A prospectus for thickness dependent electronic properties of two‐dimensional metals using density functional theory calculation
Authors: Sangolkar Akanksha Ashok , Agrawal Rubi , Pawar Ravinder
Published: July 2022

The properties of elemental metals have long been known, but the effect of two dimensionality on their electronic properties remain unclear. Scrutiny of the facet and thickness dependent electronic properties of ultrathin two‐dimensional (2D) metal layers is therefore of profound interest. Herein, an attention has been devoted to investigate the electronic properties of one to four atom thick layers of 45 elemental metal along (100), (110), (001)/(111) facets using density functional theory calculations. The result unveils that except 2D buckled honeycomb (bHC) Bi all other metals retain their conducting behavior in layered form. However, the band opening was observed in 2D bHC Na and K upon using HSE06 method. It is interesting to mention that the Dirac cone was observed in the electronic band structure of bHC Rb and Cs. The calculated WF value for monolayers substantially varies when compared with their corresponding multilayer and bulk.
Which types of instruction inwriting‐to‐learnlead to insight and topic knowledge in different disciplines? A review of empirical studies
Authors: van Dijk Aartje , van Gelderen Amos , Kuiken Folkert
Published: July 2022

This review examines which types of instruction in writing‐to‐learn lead to effects on insight and topic knowledge in different disciplines, in grades 5–12 and in higher education. Forty‐three empirical studies have been selected to answer this question. Four types of instruction are distinguished. Three of them are based on hypotheses proposed by Klein (1999) about the cognitive processes involved in writing‐to‐learn: Forward Search, Genre Writing and Backward Search. The fourth type, Planning Only, arises from the literature reviewed. Results of the studies show that about two thirds of the (quasi) experimental studies lead to positive effects on insight and topic knowledge for the four types of instruction. However, given the small number of experimental studies conducted, no firm conclusions can be drawn for three types of instruction. For the remaining type of instruction, Genre Writing, a larger number of studies provide positive evidence. Suggestions for future research are discussed.

Context and implications

Rationale for this study

It is known that instruction is needed for promoting learning by writing. The question is which specific types of instruction can be used for inciting the writing‐to‐learn process.

Why the new findings matter

The finding that the four types of instruction, especially Genre Writing, may promote learning, can serve as a reference for judging or formulating instruction.

Implications for educational researchers and policy makers

The outcome may be interesting for education, because it entails that one from four types of instruction, that is, Genre Writing, shows the largest positive effects. Subject teachers often are hesitant to use writing‐to‐learn in their teaching practice, therefore the findings may provide clearness about how to instruct it. They can use Genre Writing instruction for composing writing tasks and select the preferred content of this instruction. The authors indicate mechanisms underlying the process of writing‐to‐learn that may be stimulated by instruction. For researchers it can be interesting to study these mechanisms, for instance in think‐aloud studies.
Targeted maximum likelihood estimation of causal effects with interference: A simulation study
Authors: Zivich Paul N. , Hudgens Michael G. , Brookhart Maurice A. , Moody James , Weber David J. , Aiello Allison E.
Published: July 2022

Interference, the dependency of an individual's potential outcome on the exposure of other individuals, is a common occurrence in medicine and public health. Recently, targeted maximum likelihood estimation (TMLE) has been extended to settings of interference, including in the context of estimation of the mean of an outcome under a specified distribution of exposure, referred to as a policy. This paper summarizes how TMLE for independent data is extended to general interference (network‐TMLE). An extensive simulation study is presented of network‐TMLE, consisting of four data generating mechanisms (unit‐treatment effect only, spillover effects only, unit‐treatment and spillover effects, infection transmission) in networks of varying structures. Simulations show that network‐TMLE performs well across scenarios with interference, but issues manifest when policies are not well‐supported by the observed data, potentially leading to poor confidence interval coverage. Guidance for practical application, freely available software, and areas of future work are provided.
Translingual‐identity‐as‐pedagogy: Problematizing monolingually oriented “native‐nonnative” identity constructions through critical dialogues inEAPclassrooms
Authors: Jain Rashi
Published: July 2022

College programs in English for academic purposes (EAP) continue to use deficit “native/nonnative” labels despite a well established academic discourse (Yazan & Rudolph, 2018) that successfully critiques these constructs as being counter to the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion espoused by most higher education institutions. There is a need, therefore, to create spaces within EAP classrooms for students to problematize these constructs, and to provide them with alternative more equitable identity options, as exemplified in the research presented here. The practitioner‐research study focuses on how an EAP instructor fostered critical dialogues in the classroom around “native‐nonnative” identities by drawing upon her own translingual‐identity‐as‐pedagogy. Applying a pluralistic practitioner‐research design and integrating appropriate ethical research generation and collection methods (Jain, 2013, 2014), the researcher coded classroom data using adapted grounded theory and then employed critical and sociocultural lenses to interpret the data. The analyses revealed that by fostering critical dialogue and drawing upon her own translingual identity in her pedagogy (Jain et al., 2021a), the author was able to create opportunities for students to deconstruct the prescriptive “native/nonnative” labels and move beyond their initial over‐simplistic assumptions to a more nuanced understanding of the constructs.
Mozambique’s Voluntary Local Review: SDG Localization, Decentralization, and the Role of Local Governments and Associations
Authors: Laíce Pedro , Croese Sylvia
Published: July 2022

The National Association of Mozambican Municipalities (ANAMM) has been undertaking a series of activities since 2016 that aim to raise awareness of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among its members. These activities have contributed to increased ownership of the SDGs at the municipal level, the start of the incorporation of the SDGs in local planning processes, and the completion of the country’s first Voluntary Local Review (VLR) in 2020, with contributions from 16 out of the country’s 53 municipalities. This chapter draws on the experience of ANAMM to highlight the opportunities and challenges for SDG localization in urban Africa. The case of Mozambique shows that while the SDGs are high on the central government’s agenda, municipalities lack the resources and capacity to fully contribute to meeting the SDGs as a result of uneven levels of decentralization. Nevertheless, the VLR revealed high levels of local awareness and diverse examples of initiatives and good practices that can be built on in order to strengthen and support SDG implementation at the local level.
SDG Localization in African Cities: The Crucible of the 2030 Agenda
Authors: Parnell Susan
Published: July 2022

African cities are the crucible of SDG implementation, as they have the most to gain from advancing sustainability aspirations. Unsurprisingly therefore, some of the most interesting examples of SDG localization and implementation are now emerging from cities and towns from Cairo to Cape Town. This conclusion reflects on the contributions in this book and distills their learnings about sustainable practice and thought when viewed from the urban African frontier. The collection offers a range of local African experiences to nuance the way forward on the road to global sustainable development based on local ownership and adaptation of the 2030 Agenda to local priorities. As such, one of the most positive things the SDG process has made legible is the extent to which Africa matters in the overall urban conversation. If cities matter to sustainability, African cities matter more than most to our collective chances of realizing the SDGs globally.
Global Norms, African Contexts: A Framework for Localizing SDGs in Cities
Authors: Buyana Kareem , Walubwa J. Jacqueline A. , Mukwaya Paul , Sseviiri Hakim , Byarugaba Disan , Nakyagaba Gloria Nsangi
Published: July 2022

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out a normative agenda that offers opportunity for cities to steer profound change globally. But if cities are to play an effective role in localizing the 2030 Agenda, there is a need for systematic engagement with the conundrums presented by the normative dimensions of the SDGs. We argue that African cities offer unique contextual insights into the linkages and overlaps among SDG norms, due to their immensely diverse nature and historically distinct drivers of urbanization. Set against African urban realities, the chapter presents an analytical framework that construes the linkages between global normative statements and local SDG meanings as mainstream and counter-mainstream interpretations. The framework was built by exploring alternative ways of localizing SDGs, through a transdisciplinary waste-to-energy research project in Kampala, Uganda. Based on the locally experienced tensions within the SDGs, we argue for a flexible approach to localization.
Data and the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals in Africa: The Case of SDG 11 in Lagos and Accra
Authors: Elias Peter , de Albuquerque João Porto
Published: July 2022

This chapter examines the critical role of data for the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa, with a specific focus on SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) in Lagos and Accra. The chapter argues that while the importance of digital technologies and data for the implementation of the SDGs has been acknowledged, data inequality remains a fundamental challenge. This inequality reflects existing global socio-spatial inequalities. If not carefully considered, these can be perpetuated even further. The chapter builds on results of the ongoing research project, SCiLeD: Standardizing City-Level Data-Gathering for Achieving SDG 11 in Africa, to examine the concrete processes, challenges, and opportunities available for African cities to implement data innovations aimed at localizing SDG 11. It draws on lessons learned and provides future directions based on how the SCiLeD project applied a transdisciplinary research approach for co-designing and co-producing knowledge. This approach allowed for the generation of data that is disaggregated to the neighborhood level, involving community mappers and profilers to reflect and respond to local needs and realities, thereby illustrating its transformative influence and potential toward achieving SDG 11 in African cities by 2030.
Improved indirect limits on charm and bottom quark EDMs
Authors: Ema Yohei , Gao Ting , Pospelov Maxim
Published: July 2022

Abstract

We derive indirect limits on the charm and bottom quark electric dipole moments (EDMs) from paramagnetic AMO and neutron EDM experiments. The charm and bottom quark EDMs generate CP-odd photon-gluon operators and light quark EDMs at the c- and b-quark mass thresholds. These CP-odd operators induce the CP-odd semi-leptonic operator CS and the neutron EDM below the QCD scale that are probed by the paramagnetic and neutron EDM experiments, respectively. The bound from CS is |dc| < 1.3 × 10−20e cm for the charm quark and |db| < 7.6 × 10−19e cm for the bottom quark, with its uncertainty estimated as 10 %. The neutron EDM provides a stronger bound, |dc| < 6 × 10−22e cm and |db| < 2 × 10−20e cm, though with a larger hadronic uncertainty.
A cost-effective device and methodology to compute aquifer transmissivity and piezometry from free-flowing artesian wells
Authors: Toulier Alix , Lachassagne Patrick , Hendrayana Heru , Fadillah Arif , Jourde Hervé
Published: July 2022

Artesian aquifers offer interesting opportunities for water supply by providing a low-vulnerability groundwater resource that is easily abstracted without any installation of pumps or power supply costs. However, hydraulic tests are challenging to perform, notably where the piezometric head is above ground level with free-flowing wells not equipped with valves and open for years. This paper describes a low-cost, easy to reproduce and adaptable device, the free-flowing artesian well device (FFAWD), which is mainly designed with a set of PVC tubes equipped with a pressure probe and a valve. This device is used to perform hydraulic tests on free-flowing artesian wells, to measure the piezometric head of the aquifer and to compute its transmissivity. The practical use of the FFAWD is described and a method is proposed to compute the piezometric head and the transmissivity of the aquifer from this data set (free-flowing well discharge and pressure increase measurements) with any adapted analytical solution, using the Houpeurt-Pouchan method. Artefacts such as post-production effects, surge effects, and the impact of a leaky well are identified to avoid any misinterpretation. The FFAWD was applied to the volcano-sedimentary artesian plain of Pasuruan (Indonesia). The advantages and limitations of using the device, along with the interpretation methodology, are also discussed.
Undergraduate paramedic students and interpersonal communication development: a scoping review
Authors: Mangan Jennifer , Rae John , Anderson Judith , Jones Donovan
Published: July 2022

The objective of this review is to examine the current literature related to interpersonal communication skill development within undergraduate paramedicine. Interpersonal communication is a vital paramedic skill, with evidence demonstrating it leads to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction and reduces medical errors. Interpersonal communication is a core capability set by paramedicine regulatory bodies, and it is the responsibility of accredited universities to ensure graduates are ready for industry and possess all required skills and attributes. In order to be included in this scoping review, all articles were required to meet a pre-determined ‘population, concept, context’ (PCC) framework. The population was undergraduate paramedic students within the context of their undergraduate paramedicine programs, and the concept was interpersonal communication education/teaching/training. In June 2021, a search was conducted using CINAHL, Medline, Emcare and ERIC. The articles had to be written in English and published between 2011 and 2021 and non-research sources were excluded. 176 articles were identified in this search and after screening for duplicates and relevancy, 15 articles were found to be eligible. The literature highlighted 4 key themes, including graduate perception of ‘work readiness’, and a variety of learning experiences including alternative work integrated learning (WIL), interactions with specific patient groups and professional learning experiences. The literature demonstrated that interpersonal communication skills are fostered through human interactions, WIL and simulation, within undergraduate paramedicine programs. Findings from the literature review indicate that practising communication through human interactions, afford an increase in confidence, awareness of ability and empathy, and an increased awareness of preconceived biases. Intraprofessional and interprofessional simulation teaching methods demonstrate the potential to build students confidence in communication and awareness of what is required to function well in a team.
Differences in hydrological impacts using regional climate model and nested convection-permitting model data
Authors: Kay Alison
Published: July 2022

Assessing the potential impacts of climate change on river flows is critically important for adaptation. Data from global or nested regional climate models (GCMs/RCMs) are frequently used to drive hydrological models, but now there are also very high-resolution convection-permitting models (CPMs). Here, data from the first CPM climate ensemble for the UK, along with the RCM ensemble within which the CPM is nested, are used to drive a grid-based hydrological model. The performance for simulating baseline (1981–2000) river flows is compared between the RCM and the CPM, and the projections of future changes in seasonal mean flows and peak flows are compared across Britain (1981–2000 to 2061–2080). The baseline performance assessment shows that (before bias correction) the CPM generally performs better than the RCM, and bias correction of precipitation makes both the RCM and CPM perform more similarly to use of observation-based driving data. The analysis of future changes in flows shows that the CPM almost always gives higher flow changes than the RCM. If reliable, these differences in flow projections suggest that adaptation planning for high flows based on use of regional data may be insufficient, although planning for low flows may be slightly over-cautious. However, the availability of CPM data only for one RCM/GCM is a limitation for use in adaptation as it under-samples the uncertainty range. There are significant challenges to the wider application of CPM ensembles, including the high computational and data storage demands.
Supermeasured: Violating Bell-Statistical Independence Without Violating Physical Statistical Independence
Authors: Hance Jonte R. , Hossenfelder Sabine , Palmer Tim N.
Published: July 2022

Bell’s theorem is often said to imply that quantum mechanics violates local causality, and that local causality cannot be restored with a hidden-variables theory. This however is only correct if the hidden-variables theory fulfils an assumption called Statistical Independence. Violations of Statistical Independence are commonly interpreted as correlations between the measurement settings and the hidden variables (which determine the measurement outcomes). Such correlations have been discarded as “fine-tuning” or a “conspiracy”. We here point out that the common interpretation is at best physically ambiguous and at worst incorrect. The problem with the common interpretation is that Statistical Independence might be violated because of a non-trivial measure in state space, a possibility we propose to call “supermeasured”. We use Invariant Set Theory as an example of a supermeasured theory that violates the Statistical Independence assumption in Bell’s theorem without requiring correlations between hidden variables and measurement settings (physical statistical independence).
The Prevalence of Problem Gambling and Gambling Disorder Among Homeless People: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis
Authors: Deutscher Karl , Gutwinski Stefan , Bermpohl Felix , Bowden-Jones Henrietta , Fazel Seena , Schreiter Stefanie
Published: July 2022

Gambling problems are often associated with homelessness and linked to elevated psychiatric morbidity and homelessness chronicity. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on prevalence rates of problem gambling (PG) and gambling disorder (GD) in homeless people. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched databases Medline, Embase and PsycINFO from inception of databases to 4th may 2021. We included studies reporting prevalence estimates on clinical gambling problems in representative samples of homeless people based on standardized diagnostics. Risk of bias was assessed. A random effects meta-analysis was performed, and subgroup analyses based on methodological characteristics of primary studies were conducted. We identified eight studies from five countries, reporting information on 1938 participants. Prevalence rates of clinically significant PG and GD ranged from 11.3 to 31.3%. There was evidence for substantial heterogeneity with I2 = 86% (95% CI 63–97%). A subgroup of four low risk of bias studies displayed a significantly lower results ranging from 11.3 to 23.6%. Additionally, high rates of subclinical problem gambling were reported (11.6–56.4%). At least one in ten homeless persons experiences clinically significant PG or GD. Social support and health care services for the homeless should address this problem by implementing models for early detection and treatment.
Traits influence reptile responses to fire in a fragmented agricultural landscape
Authors: Lazzari J. , Sato C. F. , Driscoll D. A.
Published: July 2022

Context

Habitat loss and fragmentation can interact with other threats, including altered fire regimes, and responses to these effects can be mediated by functional traits.

Objectives

To determine how richness and abundance of reptile trait groups respond to habitat fragmentation, patch isolation and fire.

Methods

We surveyed reptiles in 30 sites over 3 years. Sites in remnant patches in farmland were adjacent to a conservation park with either recently burnt or long-unburnt habitat. The remnant patches were stratified by distance from the reserve. Sites were spatially paired, and we experimentally burnt one of each pair in farmland. Trait groups included size, reproduction, habitat position, diet, and activity period.

Results

None of the trait groups benefited from experimental burns, while the burns reduced abundance of viviparous, small, and above-ground species. Species richness was lower in isolated sites than in sites close to the conservation park, while generalist trait groups appeared unaffected by patch isolation. Large-sized reptiles had higher abundance in remnants. There was not more rapid colonisation of burnt sites near recently burnt conservation park. Instead, low initial abundance may have been caused by fire in combination with drought, with high rainfall during the study allowing recovery and spill-over into adjacent remnants.

Conclusions

Landscape structure appears to interact with natural fires, restoration burns and longer-term climatic trends to influence the abundance and distribution of reptiles. Traits mediate responses, enabling us to formulate a set of testable mechanistic hypotheses, which illustrates a pathway to generalisation and prediction.
Self-supported porous heterostructure WC/WO3−x ceramic electrode for hydrogen evolution reaction in acidic and alkaline media
Authors: Wang Feihong , Dong Binbin , Wang Junwei , Ke Nianwang , Tan Chuntian , Huang Anding , Wu Yutong , Hao Luyuan , Yin Liangjun , Xu Xin , Xian Yuxi , Agathopoulos Simeon
Published: July 2022

Tungsten carbide (WC)-based materials are widely considered as the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) process catalysts due to their “Pt-like” electronic structure. Nonetheless, traditional powder electrodes have a high cost, and display problems related to the process itself and the poor stability over operation time. This paper presented a self-supported asymmetric porous ceramic electrode with WO3−x whiskers formed in situ on the walls of the finger-like holes and membrane surface, which was prepared by combining phase inversion tape-casting, pressureless sintering, and thermal treatment in a CO2 atmosphere. The optimized ceramic electrode displayed good catalytic HER activity and outstanding stability at high current densities. More specifically, it demonstrated the lowest overpotentials of 107 and 123 mV and the lowest Tafel slopes of 59.3 and 72.4 mV·dec−1 at 10 mA·cm−2 in acidic and alkaline media, respectively. This superior performance was ascribed to the structure of the ceramic membrane and the charge transfer efficiency, which was favored by the in situ developed WC/WO3−x heterostructure and the oxygen vacancies.