bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating seroconversion rates accounting for repeated infections by approximate Bayesian computation
Authors: Teunis Peter F. M. , Wang Yuke , Aiemjoy Kristen , Kretzschmar Mirjam , Aerts Marc
Published: September 2023

This study presents a novel approach for inferring the incidence of infections by employing a quantitative model of the serum antibody response. Current methodologies often overlook the cumulative effect of an individual's infection history, making it challenging to obtain a marginal distribution for antibody concentrations. Our proposed approach leverages approximate Bayesian computation to simulate cross‐sectional antibody responses and compare these to observed data, factoring in the impact of repeated infections. We then assess the empirical distribution functions of the simulated and observed antibody data utilizing Kolmogorov deviance, thereby incorporating a goodness‐of‐fit check. This new method not only matches the computational efficiency of preceding likelihood‐based analyses but also facilitates the joint estimation of antibody noise parameters. The results affirm that the predictions generated by our within‐host model closely align with the observed distributions from cross‐sectional samples of a well‐characterized population. Our findings mirror those of likelihood‐based methodologies in scenarios of low infection pressure, such as the transmission of pertussis in Europe. However, our simulations reveal that in settings of higher infection pressure, likelihood‐based approaches tend to underestimate the force of infection. Thus, our novel methodology presents significant advancements in estimating infection incidence, thereby enhancing our understanding of disease dynamics in the field of epidemiology.
Defective Potassium Poly(Heptazine Imide) Preventing Spin Delocalization and Hole Transfer Deactivation for Efficient Solar Energy Conversion and Storage
Authors: Chueh Li‐Che , Lin Tzu‐Jen , Lee Hao‐Cheng , Wu Jih‐Jen
Published: September 2023

Anti‐site defective potassium poly(heptazine imide) (KPHI) with the central nitrogen atoms partially replaced by graphitic carbon atoms in the flawed heptazine rings is prepared by direct ionothermal treatment of the rationally designed supramolecular complex in KSCN salt molten. Compared to the KPHIs without the anti‐site defect, the anti‐site defective KPHI demonstrates significantly improved photocatalytic and dark photocatalytic performances for H2 evolution reaction (HER). In the presence of the hole scavenger, the anti‐site defective KPHI exhibits superior photocatalytic stability for HER lasting 20 h, whereas the deactivation is observed from the ordinary KHPIs after 3 h HER. Moreover, the H2 yield in the dark by the stored photoelectrons in the anti‐site defective KPHI increases by more than an order of magnitude. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the anti‐site defective unit in KPHI not only prevents spin delocalization but also inhibits the deactivation of hole transfer, which are beneficial to photoelectron storage and photocatalytic activity. The findings in this study provide insight into the photophysical and catalytic properties of KPHI, which conclude a strategy to improve the performances for solar energy conversion and storage by incorporating intrinsic anti‐site defects in KPHI.
Controlled Synthesis of SnO2 Nanostructures as Alloy Anode via Restricted Potential Toward Building High‐Performance Dual‐Ion Batteries with Graphite Cathode
Authors: Jayan Parvathy , Anjali Anil , Park Sangho , Lee Yun‐Sung , Aravindan Vanchiappan
Published: September 2023

Dual‐ion batteries (DIBs) are considered one of the promising energy storage devices in which graphite serves as a bi‐functional electrode, i.e., anode and cathode in the aprotic organic solvents. Unlike conventional lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), DIBs reversibly store the cations and anions in the anode and cathodes during redox reactions, respectively. The electrolyte is a source for both cations and anions, so the choice of electrolyte plays a vital role. In the present work, the synthesis of SnO2 nanostructures is reported as a possible alternative for graphite anode, and the Li‐storage performance is optimized in half‐cell (Li/SnO2) assembly with varying amounts of conductive additive (acetylene black) and limited working potential (1 V vs Li). Finally, a DIB using recovered graphite (RG) fabricated from spent LIB as a cathode and SnO2 nanostructures as an anode under balanced loading conditions. Prior to the fabrication, both electrodes are pre‐cycled to eliminate irreversibility. An in‐situ impedance study has been employed to validate the passivation layer formation during the charge‐discharge process. The high‐performance SnO2/RG‐based DIB delivered a maximum discharge capacity of 380 mAh g−1. The electrochemical performance of DIB has been assessed by varying temperature conditions to evaluate their suitability in different climatic conditions.
The Marriage of Hydrazone‐Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks and MXene Enables Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Ma Chenyu , He Haiyan , Qin Jinlong , Luo Lang , Lan Yue , Zhang Jian , Yang Lu , Jiang Quanguo , Huang Huajie
Published: September 2023

Electrochemical water splitting is long regarded as a green and feasible pathway to realize the scalable hydrogen production, while the overall hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) efficiency is largely dependent on the electrocatalytic ability of the cathode catalysts. Herein, the in situ growth of hydrazone‐linked covalent organic framework (COF‐42) nanocrystals with a unique nanoflower‐shaped morphology on 2D ultrathin Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets (COF/Ti3C2Tx) is achieved through a convenient and robust stereoassembly strategy. Strikingly, the marriage of COF‐42 and Ti3C2Tx nanosheets not only offers multiscale porous channels for the fast transportation of electrolyte and electrons, but also enables the full exposure and activation of numerous catalytically active centers. As a consequence, the optimized COF/Ti3C2Tx nanoarchitecture displays exceptional HER properties in terms of a very low onset potential of 19 mV, a small Tafel slope of 50 mV dec−1 as well as reliable long‐term durability, which are comparable to those of commercial Pt/C catalyst. Density functional theory calculations further disclose that the rational combination of COF‐42 with Ti3C2Tx provides more diversified active positions with appropriate ΔGH values, thus leading to a boosted hydrogen generation rate.
Application of Metathesis Protocols to the Stereocontrolled Synthesis of some Functionalized β‐Amino Esters and Azaheterocycles
Authors: Semghouli Anas , Nonn Melinda , Remete Attila M. , Fustero Santos , Kiss Loránd
Published: September 2023

In this account our aim was to give an insight into the application of metathesis protocols (ROM, RCM, RCEYM, CM, RRM) for the synthesis of various azaheterocyclic frameworks. Due to the high biological potential and importance in peptide chemistry and drug design of β‐amino acids our intention is to give a highlight on the synthetic procedures and transformation of these class of compounds with the above‐mentioned metathesis strategies with emphasis on selectivity, stereocontrol, substrate‐directing effect or functional group tolerance.
The Distinction Between Public Financial Management and Internal Control (PFM/IC) and Public Financial Administration and Internal Control (PFA/IC)
Authors: Hepworth Noel
Published: September 2023

All countries will have in place before they introduce PFM/IC some form of internal control arrangements designed to ensure that budgetary and financial control exists. These arrangements can be summarised in the term public financial administration and internal control (PFA/IC). The quality of these arrangements varies considerably between countries. Before introducing PFM/IC an appreciation of the differences between PFM/IC and PFA/IC needs to be fully recognised and not least the difference in the managerial implications. In addition, the quality of the existing PFA/IC should be assessed because that quality provides the foundation for the implementation of PFM/IC. If that quality is poor, as evidenced by weak financial and budgetary control and often with extensive corruption, introducing PFM/IC is the wrong reform and what should occur is the strengthening of PFA/IC. This chapter explains in detail the differences between PFA/IC and PFM/IC.
The Responsibilities of the Top Operational Management Official in Public Organisations for the Implementation and Quality Control of PFM/IC
Authors: Hepworth Noel
Published: September 2023

In many developing and transitional economy countries there is a degree of confusion about who is responsible for what at the top of the organisation. In a ministry is it the minister who is responsible for the quality of operational management as well as for the development of policy and the strategy for the implementation of that policy or is it the top appointed official? Indeed in some countries there is no single top appointed official. This chapter explains that with the introduction of PFM/IC the organisational structure of a public organisation has to clarify the different responsibilities of elected and appointed officials. A clear leadership role has to exist to secure effective implementation of PFM/IC. The chapter explains that with the implementation of PFM/IC such is the range of operational management responsibilities that falls upon the top appointed official that it would be virtually impossible for an elected official to satisfactorily undertake all those responsibilities. It also compares the role of the top appointed official operating in a pre-PFM/IC environment with that applying in a post PFM/IC environment. An important feature of PFM/IC is the development of good corporate governance arrangements and the responsibility for securing the quality of corporate governance lies with the top appointed official.
The Role of the Head of Finance and the Finance Department in Line Ministries and Other Public Organisations with the Application of PFM/IC
Authors: Hepworth Noel
Published: September 2023

PFM/IC has a major impact upon the role and responsibilities of the head of finance. The role extends well beyond that of bookkeeper and financial adviser. An important element of the role is to create a financially aware management and to act as the key financial adviser to management. This will require the extension of the head’s technical skills. The head of finance should also be concerned with the longer run financial resilience of the organisation and should be prepared to challenge any proposals, whether made by operational management or policy makers which might undermine that resilience. The head should also be prepared to challenge proposals which did not conform with any ministry of finance rules, for example, returns on capital investment. A key relationship of the head of finance would be with the top operational management official, the state secretary or equivalent. The head should be a member of the top management team, where one exists, of the organisation.
Development and Modernization Under Socialism and After: An Introduction
Authors: Günther Jutta , Jajeśniak-Quast Dagmara , Ludwig Udo , Wagener Hans-Jürgen
Published: September 2023

The German Democratic Republic (GDR) was the most developed economy under state socialism. After World War II, this system had been introduced in Eastern Central Europe (ECE) under Soviet rule, and it collapsed throughout the region in 1989–90. It had not fulfilled the high expectations concerning development and modernization. In the twentieth century, modernization was pursued along two roads, the liberal and the collectivist. What prevented the latter from succeeding?

Prominent features of the system stood in the way of typical modernization trends, such as the organizational, functional, and international division of labor. Extensive unbalanced growth (industrialization)—imperative for the Soviet Union in its early years—was less urgent for the higher developed societies of ECE. They would have needed continuous structural change, specialization, and innovation to keep up with the West. But they were unable to rid themselves from the fetters of the Soviet system.

The lack of innovation may be seen as major deficiency of the state socialist system. Traditionally, East German science and engineering enjoyed a high reputation and were further promoted in the socialist period. The problem was to get new products and processes adopted to production due to bureaucratic red tape in planning, a monopolistic industry structure, and low risk-taking of the firm managers. The entrepreneurial habitus lay dormant under the cover of socialism. After the system collapse, it had to be resuscitated in the transition period.
When Backwardness Became an Advantage: Professional Stays Abroad in the West as Midwife of the Transformation in Poland
Authors: Jajeśniak-Quast Dagmara
Published: September 2023

Socialist Poland was one of the few countries in the Eastern Bloc that was able to make targeted use of professional and scientific exchange programmes with the West. Thanks to Poland’s membership since the founding of the UN and the country’s qualification as a “developing country”, Poland was able to build on the programmes and grants of international organisations, above all the Technical Bureau of the United Nations and the foundations much more than, for example, the GDR or Czechoslovakia. Thus, in the case of Poland, Gerschenkron’s theory of the “advantage of backwardness” can be used to explain the transformation process. In the process of system transformation, the role of professional stays abroad by Polish experts and scientists in the West, since the late 1960s, should not be underestimated. Thanks to a liberal travel policy, the experts from Poland had an enormous advantage over the other countries in the Eastern Bloc. Many of those experts formed the post-communist elite after 1989—the “midwifes” of the transformation.
Empathy and the Importance of Affectivity
Authors: Camassa Manuel
Published: September 2023

This chapter argues that empathy is the basic emotional mechanism we use to understand others and that is always in place. The idea that we are guided by an objective attitude in interpersonal relationships is confuted and, on the opposite, it is illustrated how empathy makes visible the notion of import in the moral field and calls for a participatory attitude. The case of death penalty is examined to provide an explanation for the transformative power of empathy regarding our understanding of moral values.
Overcoming Empathy’s Judgemental Biases
Authors: Camassa Manuel
Published: September 2023

In ‘Overcoming Empathy’s Judgemental Biases’ is the topic of the supposed biases empathy inherently has which is scrutinised in depth. In particular, it is shown that many of the biases attributed to empathy are in fact prejudices already present in the subject and which are not caused by empathy. Quite on the opposite, they can affect it. Examples from the literature, together with psychological and philosophical studies, are here discussed in order to demonstrate how empathy can help to overcome our prejudices, make us more receptive, disclose a world of values, and develop important ethical capabilities such as representative thinking.
Empathy and Moral Development
Authors: Camassa Manuel
Published: September 2023

This chapter addresses the issue of whether empathy is a necessary feature for the development of morality. Scholars who deny this role usually tend to stress the importance of imitation and role models to the detriment of empathy. However, in this chapter, it is shown not only that imitation without empathy cannot suffice for the development of a healthy, reflected, and adult morality, but also that the psychological mechanism of imitation based on role models depends on empathy as well to work correctly. In particular, empathy seems fundamental to learn moral rules.
The Development of Mathematical Thinking in Young Children’s Play: The Role of Communicative Tools
Authors: van Oers Bert
Published: September 2023

In this article I will summarize some of the main findings over the past three decades of a research program on emergent mathematical thinking in young children. The program is based on a cultural-historical activity theory perspective (CHAT), and focused mainly on identifying the productive conditions that may promote mathematical thinking in young children (4–8 years old). After clarifying briefly the methodological starting points of the research program, and explaining some theory-based tenets, I will list a number of productive conditions (play format, schematizing, narrative competence and intertextuality) that empirically turned out to be positive in promoting meaningful mathematical thinking in young children, especially elaborating the importance of communicative tools that help children to exchange their meanings regarding mathematical objects (like number, numerosity, quantity, relations and changes).
Play Responsive Assessment of Children’s Mathematical Proficiencies in Norwegian Kindergarten
Authors: Rinvold Reinert A. , Skorpen Leif Bjørn
Published: September 2023

This article focuses on kindergarten teachers’ assessment of mathematical proficiencies in Norwegian kindergartens from the perspective of cultural historical activity theory. We discuss how children’s involvement and freedom of change depend on the way proficiencies are observed by kindergarten teachers using an observation scheme developed for this purpose. Mathematical proficiencies are found either to be observed by adult extensions of children’s play or in daily life activities, or activities organized for the purpose of observation. The concepts responsiveness to cultural meaning and play-responsive assessment are introduced and related to the concept play-responsive teaching.
Supporting One-Year-Olds’ Digital Locating: The Mediating Role of the Apps and the Teacher
Authors: Christiansen Silje Fyllingsnes
Published: September 2023

Although there is some research on how very young children engage in mathematical activities, little is known about how teachers facilitate this engagement through digital tools. In this paper, the relationship between digital apps, kindergarten teachers’ facilitation and 18-month-old children’s mathematical engagement is explored. Artefact-centric activity theory was used to analyse video recordings of children and a kindergarten teacher engaging with three digital apps. The results show how children engaged with the mathematical activity of locating and that the teacher facilitated their engagement by following the children’s interests and adding verbal and body language to what the children did on the tablet they were using. The apps’ design supported the opportunities that the teachers had to facilitate children’s engagement with aspects of locating, to different degrees. The results provide information about the kinds of apps that could support the youngest children’s mathematical engagement, and how kindergarten teachers can facilitate young children’s digital explorations of locating.
Mathematical and Computational Thinking in Children’s Problem Solving with Robots
Authors: Meaney Tamsin , Severina Elena , Gustavsen Monica , Hoven Camilla S. , Larsen Sofie B.
Published: September 2023

Programmable robots are now found in many early childhood centres. However, little research has considered how young children’s problem solving may link computational thinking to mathematical understandings. While most research about robots in kindergarten is from intervention studies to improve children’s computational thinking, in this study we observed two children solving tasks with a robot in a naturalistic setting. We identified when the children had a problem that they could not immediately solve, by looking for signs of uncertainty, for example by putting their hand to their mouth, stopping and/or looking up at the teacher. By analysing the children’s problem solving of those problems, alongside a teacher, we were able to identify how aspects of computational thinking were connected to mathematical understanding. In particular, number understandings, such as the difference between ordinal and cardinal counting and early addition, seemed important for solving problems related to sequencing, decomposition and debugging. The children’s developing understanding about counting may have contributed to the children’s uncertainty about programming the robot.
Young Students’ Choice of Representation When Solving a Problem-Solving Task on Combinatorics
Authors: Palmér Hanna , van Bommel Jorryt
Published: September 2023

This paper is about the representations young students use when they are working on a problem-solving task on combinatorics. Results from previous studies on young students and combinatorics have shown connections between the representations used and the extent to which students solved the task. Based on these previous results, young students in this study were interviewed about their choice of representation. In this paper, the rationales expressed by the students are connected to the representation and stage of systematization shown in their documentation. The results indicate that difficulties in representing the context of the problem-solving task may force some of the students to work with a representation on a level of abstraction not suitable for them. Working with representations at an unsuitable level of abstraction may in turn influence how the students manage to complete the problem-solving task.
Discontinuities of free theories on AdS2
Authors: David Justin R. , Gava Edi , Gupta Rajesh Kumar , Narain K. S.
Published: September 2023

Abstract

The partition functions of free bosons as well as fermions onAdS2are not smooth as a function of their masses. For free bosons, the partition function onAdS2is not smooth when the mass saturates the Breitenlohner-Freedman bound. We show that the expectation value of the scalar bilinear onAdS2exhibits a kink at the BF bound and the change in slope of the expectation value with respect to the mass is proportional to the inverse radius ofAdS2. For free fermions, when the mass vanishes the partition function exhibits a kink. We show that expectation value of the fermion bilinear is discontinuous and the jump in the expectation value is proportional to the inverse radius ofAdS2. We then show the supersymmetric actions of the chiral multiplet onAdS2×S1and the hypermultiplet onAdS2×S2demonstrate these features. The supersymmetric backgrounds are such that as the ratio of the radius ofAdS2toS1orS2is dialled, the partition functions as well as expectation of bilinears are not smooth for each Kaluza-Klein mode onS1orS2. Our observation is relevant for evaluating one-loop partition function in the near horizon geometry of extremal black holes.
Neumann boundary condition for Abelian BPS vortices
Authors: Manton N. S. , Zhao Boan
Published: September 2023

Abstract

We study abelian BPS vortices on a surface S with boundary, which satisfy the Neumann boundary condition on the norm of the scalar field, or equivalently, that the current along the boundary vanishes. These vortices have quantised magnetic flux and quantised energy. Existence of such vortices is manifest when S is the quotient by a reflection of a smooth surface without boundary, for example a hemisphere. The N-vortex moduli space then admits an interesting stratification, depending on the number of vortices in the interior of S and the number of half-vortices on the boundary.
Classification of momentum proper exact Hamiltonian group actions and the equivariant Eliashberg cotangent bundle conjecture
Authors: Ziltener Fabian
Published: September 2023

Let G be a compact and connected Lie group. The Hamiltonian G-model functor maps the category of symplectic representations of closed subgroups of G to the category of exact Hamiltonian G-actions. Based on previous joint work with Y. Karshon, the restriction of this functor to the momentum proper subcategory on either side induces a bijection between the sets of isomorphism classes. This classifies all momentum proper exact Hamiltonian G-actions (of arbitrary complexity). As an extreme case, we obtain a version of the Eliashberg cotangent bundle conjecture for transitive smooth actions. As another extreme case, the momentum proper Hamiltonian G-actions on contractible manifolds are exactly the symplectic G-representations, up to isomorphism.
Verwendung von forensischer Zahnmedizin zur Identitätsfeststellung. Eine Befragung auf Ebene der Länderpolizei
Authors: Bjelopavlovic Monika , Badt Franziska , Lehmann Karl Martin , Petrowski Katja
Published: September 2023

Hintergrund

In Deutschland liegt die Identifizierung unbekannter Toter in der Zuständigkeit der Polizei. Gemäß INTERPOL-Standards werden primäre (DNA, Fingerabdrücke, Zähne) und sekundäre Merkmale (z. B. Tätowierungen) untersucht. Die forensische Zahnmedizin wird als effiziente Methode bereits international eingesetzt. In dieser Studie soll auf Länderebene in Deutschland die Vorgehensweise der Polizei analysiert werden. Untersucht werden angewandte Methoden bei der Identifizierung, die Rolle der forensischen Zahnmedizin, die Zusammenarbeit mit Zahnärzt*innen und mögliche Optimierungsansätze.

Methoden

Mittels eines digitalen Fragebogens sollten in allen Bundesländern für Funde unbekannter Toter zuständige Polizeibeamt*innen zu Identifizierungsmethoden und speziell zur Anwendung forensischer Zahnmedizin befragt werden.

Ergebnisse

85 Sachbearbeiter*innen aus mind. 11 Bundesländern nahmen an der Befragung teil. Die Vorgehensweise stellte sich als dienststellenspezifisch heraus. In 72,6 % der Fälle werden bei der Identifizierung verschiedene Merkmale kombiniert, am häufigsten DNA mit Zahnstatus (37,1 %). Die DNA-Analyse wird am häufigsten verwendet. 62,9 % der Befragten stimmten zu, dass die zahnärztliche Identifizierung „oft“ angewendet wird. Der Anteil der Identifizierungen mittels Zahnstatus wird auf 1,6–8,1 % geschätzt. Für die forensische Zahnmedizin haben 19,4 % eine feste Ansprechperson. Eine digitale Plattform, um Zahnmediziner*innen zu kontaktieren, schätzten 56,5 % als hilfreich ein.

Diskussion

Die forensische Zahnmedizin steht aktuell noch hinter der DNA-Analyse zurück, was sich durch die zunehmende Digitalisierung ändern könnte, wenn z. B. Ante-mortem-Daten zuverlässiger zur Verfügung stehen und Plattformen für den interdisziplinären Austausch geschaffen werden.
The impact of smoking status on trust in general practitioners: a nationwide survey of smokers and ex-smokers
Authors: Kasiviswanathan Karthika , Enticott Joanne , Madawala Sanduni , Selamoglu Melis , Sturgiss Elizabeth , Barton Christopher
Published: September 2023

Background

Trust is important to therapeutic relationships, influences patients’ motivation to seek care, cooperate during clinical examinations, adhere to treatment, return for follow-up, and facilitates exchange of health information. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of smoking status on patients’ trust in GPs, and how trust is related to willingness to act on advice to quit smoking.

Methods

A nationwide, online, cross-sectional survey was conducted among Australian smokers and ex-smokers aged 35 years and older. Participants were asked to rate their trust in GPs on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 describes “you don’t trust GPs” and 10 describes “you trust GPs completely”. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were used to test hypotheses.

Results

Responses from 886 respondents were analysed. Mean age was 60 years (± 9.5) and most were current smokers (69%). Trust scores were comparable for both smokers and ex-smokers (mean 7.6 (± 2.4)), but 39.4% were classified as having low trust (score < 8). Anticipated stigma was negatively associated with level of trust in GPs. Communication experience was positively associated with level of trust in GPs. Higher level of trust in GPs was associated with acceptance of advice to quit smoking.

Conclusion

Smokers and ex-smokers with higher levels of trust in their GPs reported more positive communication, and felt GPs advised them to quit smoking in a way that motivated them to quit. GP awareness with regard to anticipated stigma and experiences of communication amongst patients with a smoking history could improve provision of smoking cessation advice for this group.
Working with care leavers and young people still in care: ethical issues in the co-development of a participatory recordkeeping app
Authors: Williams Peter , Shepherd Elizabeth , Sexton Anna , Lomas Elizabeth
Published: September 2023

An important element of social research is the ethical treatment of research participants. This paper outlines the ethical issues pertaining to a study (MIRRA: Memory-Identity-Rights in Records-Access) that developed a ‘participatory recordkeeping system specification’ for young people in care. The research team worked with members of the cohort themselves (aged 13–17 years) and care-experienced adults. It discusses in general terms the various elements that require ethical consideration, such as informed consent, anonymity, avoiding harm, and needing to benefit the participants and their peers. It goes on to describe how such issues were approached by the team. The particular ethical measures required for the young and ‘cared-for’ participants are explored. These included the need to work through, first, an adult gatekeeper—a representative of each care organisation approached—and then, within the organisation, a social worker or care-giver. This greatly limited recruitment, as these adults often vetoed contact with the young people themselves. A checklist is outlined, derived from the ‘Gillick Test of Competence’ to assess capacity to give ‘informed consent’, for willing gatekeepers/carers to consider. The article then addresses how the Participant Information Sheets were developed for the young cohort, emphasising the need to do this by consulting appropriate professionals, published guidelines and the potential participants themselves. After considering the possible risks and benefits to participants, the paper concludes by suggesting that ethical issues around recruitment and participation of this cohort are complex and require much additional bureaucracy, patience and flexibility—but can be immensely rewarding.
Epoxidation of Light Olefin Mixtures with Hydrogen Peroxide on TS-1 Catalyst
Authors: Alvear Matias , Fortunato Michele , Eränen Kari , Lehtonen Juha , Rautiainen Sari , Di Serio Martino , Russo Vincenzo , Salmi Tapio
Published: September 2023

The direct epoxidation of mixed ethene and propene feedstocks using hydrogen peroxide over a titanium silicalite (TS-1) catalyst was investigated within a continuous trickle bed reactor operating in laboratory scale. Methanol was employed as the reaction solvent. This study aimed to streamline the epoxidation process by obviating the need for prior separation of alkenes, thereby enhancing process efficiency. An extensive array of operational parameters was explored in a trickle bed reactor, encompassing experimental parameters such as temperature, total pressure, hydrogen peroxide concentration, liquid flow rate, and gas composition. In contrast to prior investigations involving separate ethene and propene epoxidation, this study revealed a reduction in epoxide selectivity. The principal by-products observed were methoxy species, formed through the interaction between the epoxide and methanol, resulting in a ring-opening reaction. The influence of water on this ring-opening process was negligible. Notably, the tunability of the system was demonstrated, highlighting low temperature and elevated partial ethene pressure as pivotal factors for augmentingthe epoxide selectivity. The findings suggest that binary olefin mixtures exhibit diminished selectivity but improved stability. This behavior is potentially linked to the olefin solubility in methanol, or alterations in the surface species concentrations, typically associated with catalyst activity variations. These insights offer a valuable foundation for understanding and optimizing the direct epoxidation of mixed ethene and propene feedstock.

Graphical Abstract
Private and public co-operation in preventing and addressing corporate crime: the case of labour trafficking in the Finnish construction industry
Authors: Davies Jon , Malik Hanna Maria , Jokinen Anniina , Haapasaari Saara
Published: September 2023

Numerous corporate and state processes have long underpinned harms related to human trafficking and exploitation. A consequence of these processes has been a growing interest in how public and private sector organisations co-operate to address key challenges, including accountability for alleged exploitation. The purpose of this article is to examine these public-private sector dynamics in the Finnish construction industry, with a particular emphasis on how stakeholders respond to challenges associated with human trafficking, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and the ‘grey economy’. The core argument developed is that despite a strong regulatory framework in Finnish construction, significant aspects of corporate compliance rely on companies’ voluntary efforts, whereby public sector authorities can have competing views of solutions to address trafficking and exploitation. This paper contributes to existing discussions within white-collar and corporate crime on the dynamics of CSR, and how these apply to the broader context of the grey economy.
Habitat niche dynamics of the sicklefin redhorse: a southern Appalachian Mountain habitat specialist
Authors: Favrot Scott D. , Kwak Thomas J.
Published: September 2023

Historically, suckers (Catostomidae) have been largely neglected in conservation efforts. Due to pervasive lotic habitat degradation and loss throughout North America, sucker habitat knowledge is urgently needed for conservation. The sicklefin redhorse (Moxostoma sp.) is an undescribed, imperiled sucker, endemic to a small geographic range in the southern Appalachian Mountains (USA). We described adult sicklefin redhorse seasonal and spawning microhabitat suitability, quantified spawning substrate composition, identified seasonal and spawning habitat niches (i.e., macrohabitats), and characterized foraging habitat. We combined radiotelemetry and visual observations of Hiwassee River basin adult sicklefin redhorses during March–January (2006–2008) to address our objectives. Sicklefin redhorses occupied seasonal and spawning microhabitats non-randomly, and we developed season- and spawning-specific habitat suitability criteria (HSC) using a Bayesian approach. Adult sicklefin redhorses occupied habitats with swift midchannel currents, moderate depths, and coarse substrates supporting hornleaf riverweed (Podostemum ceratophyllum). In contrast, suitable spawning sites were located in near-bank shallow depths, slow currents, over intermediate-sized substrates near cover, but free of riverweed. Annually, principal component analyses indicated that sheet and run macrohabitats were predominantly occupied, while pocket-water riffles near depositional, edgewater zones provided spawning sites. Spawning substrate composition was predominantly small cobble (40.9%) and very coarse gravel (21.3%), but fines (3.0%) were also prevalent within interstitial spaces. Mean Fredle index was 28.2, indicating spawning substrate permeability at half potential. Annually, bedrock covered with hornleaf riverweed was the dominant foraging substrate. Our adult sicklefin redhorse annual, seasonal, and spawning HSCs, multivariate habitat niche characterizations, spawning substrate analyses, and foraging habitat descriptions can guide habitat conservation and restoration throughout the species’ geographic range.
The effects of heterogeneity on solute transport in porous media: anomalous dispersion
Authors: Butler Adam J. , Sahu Chunendra K. , Bickle Michael J. , Neufeld Jerome A.
Published: September 2023

Mixing of solute in sub-surface flows, for example in the leakage of contaminants into groundwater, is quantified by a dispersion coefficient that depends on the dispersivity of the medium and the transport velocity. Many previous models of solute transport data have assumed Fickian behaviour with constant dispersivity, but found that the inferred dispersivity increases with the distance from the point of injection. This approach assumes that the dispersion on either side of the advective front is symmetric and that the concentration there is close to half of the injected value. However, field data show consistent asymmetry about the advective front. Here, motivated by experimental data and a fractal interpretation of porous media, we consider a simplified heterogeneous medium described by a dispersivity with a power-law dependence on the downstream distance from the source and explore the nature of the asymmetry obtained in the solute transport. In a heterogeneous medium of this type, we show that asymmetry in solute transport gradually increases with the increase in heterogeneity or fractal dimension, and the concentration at the advective front becomes increasingly different from 50% of that at the inlet. In particular, for a sufficiently heterogeneous medium, the concentration profiles at late-time approach a non-trivial steady solution and, as a result, the concentration at a downstream location will never reach that at the inlet. By fitting the Fickian solution to our results, we are able to connect the parameters from our model to those found from experimental data, providing a more physically grounded approach for interpreting them.
The dimensions of approaches to teaching in higher education: a new analysis of teaching profiles
Authors: Postareff Liisa , Lahdenperä Juulia , Hailikari Telle , Parpala Anna
Published: September 2023

The exploration of higher education (HE) teachers’ approaches to teaching has mainly been done using quantitative instruments which have been criticised for being too narrow in examining the dimensions of teaching. Higher education approaches to teaching (HEAT) inventory is a recently developed instrument to capture the dimensions of HE teaching more broadly. Moreover, teacher self-efficacy has been shown to be an important element influencing approaches to teaching, but still, the research on it has been scarce. The aims of the study are thus (1) to validate the HEAT inventory and (2) to explore what kind of individual teaching profiles can be identified among higher education teachers and their relation to teachers’ self-efficacy. The results showed that HEAT is a valid instrument to measure various dimensions of approaches to teaching and that several profiles of approaches to teaching can emerge among HE teachers. These profiles also differ in terms of teachers’ self-efficacy.
Lower Bounds for QCDCL via Formula Gauge
Authors: Böhm Benjamin , Beyersdorff Olaf
Published: September 2023

QCDCL is one of the main algorithmic paradigms for solving quantified Boolean formulas (QBF). We design a new technique to show lower bounds for the running time in QCDCL algorithms. For this we model QCDCL by concisely defined proof systems and identify a new width measure for formulas, which we call gauge. We show that for a large class of QBFs, large (e.g. linear) gauge implies exponential lower bounds for QCDCL proof size. We illustrate our technique by computing the gauge for a number of sample QBFs, thereby providing new exponential lower bounds for QCDCL. Our technique is the first bespoke lower bound technique for QCDCL.
Rituximab Monotherapy Is Effective as First-Line Treatment for Granulomatous Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease (GLILD) in CVID Patients
Authors: Tessarin Giulio , Baronio Manuela , Gazzurelli Luisa , Rossi Stefano , Chiarini Marco , Moratto Daniele , Giliani Silvia Clara , Bondioni Maria Pia , Badolato Raffaele , Lougaris Vassilios
Published: September 2023

Granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) represents a fatal immune dysregulatory complication in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Evidence-based diagnostic guidelines are lacking, and GLILD treatment consists in immunosuppressive drugs; nonetheless, therapeutical strategies are heterogeneous and essentially based on experts’ opinions and data from small case series or case reports.

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of first-line Rituximab monotherapy for CVID-related GLILD, by assessing symptoms and quality of life alterations, immunological parameters, pulmonary function tests, and lung computed tomography.

All six GLILD patients received Rituximab infusions as a first-line treatment. Rituximab was administered at 375 mg/m2 monthly for six infusions followed by maintenance every 3 months; none of the patients experienced severe adverse events. Symptom burden and quality of life significantly improved in treated patients compared to a control group of CVID patients without GLILD. Rituximab treatment indirectly caused a trend toward reduced T-cell activation and exhaustion markers sCD25 and sTIM-3. Lung function improved in treated patients, with statistically significant increases in TLC and DLCO. Lung CT scan findings expressed by means of Baumann scoring system displayed a reduction in the entire cohort.

In conclusion, first-line monotherapy with Rituximab displayed high efficacy in disease remission in all treated patients, with improvement of symptoms and amelioration of quality of life, as well as restoration of PFTs and lung CT scan findings.
A Unifying Framework for Sparsity-Constrained Optimization
Authors: Lapucci Matteo , Levato Tommaso , Rinaldi Francesco , Sciandrone Marco
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we consider the optimization problem of minimizing a continuously differentiable function subject to both convex constraints and sparsity constraints. By exploiting a mixed-integer reformulation from the literature, we define a necessary optimality condition based on a tailored neighborhood that allows to take into account potential changes of the support set. We then propose an algorithmic framework to tackle the considered class of problems and prove its convergence to points satisfying the newly introduced concept of stationarity. We further show that, by suitably choosing the neighborhood, other well-known optimality conditions from the literature can be recovered at the limit points of the sequence produced by the algorithm. Finally, we analyze the computational impact of the neighborhood size within our framework and in the comparison with some state-of-the-art algorithms, namely, the Penalty Decomposition method and the Greedy Sparse-Simplex method. The algorithms have been tested using a benchmark related to sparse logistic regression problems.
Production rates of cosmogenic nuclides in extraterrestrial material using GEANT4 software
Authors: Čechvala Patrik , Breier Róbert , Masarik Jozef
Published: September 2023

We present a model for the calculation of the production rates of cosmogenic nuclides in extraterrestrial material. The model is based on the Monte Carlo simulation software Geant4. Using this software an application simulating the irradiation of the spherical body with predefined chemical composition by galactic cosmic-ray protons was developed. The fluxes of secondary neutrons and protons generated within the body of the sample are calculated. These are further used for the calculation of the production rates for cosmogenic nuclides. The plausibility of the presented model was tested in case of the well-studied meteoritic sample Knyahinya for which the production rates of cosmogenic nuclides were previously measured and also calculated using MCNP simulation software. The production rates for 3He, 10Be, 21Ne, 22Ne, 26Al, 36Cl, 38Ar, 39Ar, 41Ca and 53Mn have been calculated in Knyahinya meteorite and for 10Be, 26Al and 36Cl in Apollo 17 sample 73,002.
Pulsed laser crystallization of sol-gel derived cerium oxide thin films
Authors: Colusso Elena , Basso Maria , Carraro Chiara , Cesaroni Caterina , Di Russo Enrico , Guglielmi Massimo , Napolitani Enrico , Martucci Alessandro
Published: September 2023

Cerium oxide sol-gel-derived thin films were crystallized by pulsed excimer laser annealing (ELA). X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman Spectroscopy (RS), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) were employed to analyze the effect of laser fluence and number of pulses on the structural and morphological properties of the irradiated films. XRD and RS results, supported by thermal simulations, confirmed crystallization into cubic cerium oxide starting from 40 mJcm−2. SEM micrographs showed that an increased number of pulses induced the formation of porous and complex nanostructured surfaces, different from the morphology obtained on thermally annealed films. Finally, water contact angle measurements revealed that the films showed a characteristic hydrophobic “petal effect”.

Graphical Abstract
Bifurcations in a new two-cell spiking map: a numerical and experimental study
Authors: Buscarino Arturo , Famoso Carlo , Fortuna Luigi
Published: September 2023

In this paper, a new nonlinear discrete-time map is presented. The map is based on a second-order dynamics that, despite the limited number of parameters, is able to produce a rich dynamical behavior, including the onset of spiking trends. This latter case will be particularly emphasized, since it allows to consider the introduced system as a novel discrete-time model for spiking neurons. The study is performed by using a numerical bifurcation approach. Moreover, the possibility to obtain a spiking behavior using noise is also shown. The implementation of the map using advanced microcontroller units and the obtained experimental results are discussed.
Current Account Adjustment of the Euro Area in the 2010s: Causes and Policies
Authors: Pasch Sandra , Tervala Juha
Published: September 2023

In the early 2000s, several countries in the euro area (EA), mostly in the South, experienced an increase in current account deficits, while Northern countries saw an increase in current account surpluses. During the euro crisis, the South transitioned from a current account deficit to a surplus, while the North's surplus widened, thereby increasing the EA's overall current account surplus. To analyze the causes of the current account adjustment in the EA during the 2010s and to identify economic policies that reduce external imbalances, we employ a New Keynesian DSGE model with three regions (the North of the EA, the South of the EA, and the rest of the world). Our analysis reveals that the EA's expansionary monetary policy, fiscal consolidation, and lackluster productivity performance explain a significant portion of the current account adjustment. Furthermore, we find that the fiscal revaluation and expansion of the North would have limited effects on external imbalances.
A scoring rule and global inaccuracy measure for contingent varying importance
Authors: Janda Pavel
Published: September 2023

Levinstein recently presented a challenge to accuracy-first epistemology. He claims that there is no strictly proper, truth-directed, additive, and differentiable scoring rule that recognises the contingency of varying importance, i.e., the fact that an agent might value the inaccuracy of her credences differently at different possible worlds. In my response, I will argue that accuracy-first epistemology can capture the contingency of varying importance while maintaining its commitment to additivity, propriety, truth-directedness, and differentiability. I will construct a scoring rule — a weighted scoring rule — and a global inaccuracy measure that has all four required properties and recognises the contingency of varying importance. I will show that Levinstein’s and my results coexist without contradicting each other