bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphology, Luminescence, and Optical Properties of Tb‐ and Li‐Codoped ZnO Elongated Nano‐ and Microstructures
Authors: Pavón Fernando , Ariza Rocío , Urbieta Ana , Fernández Paloma
Published: February 2022

A variety of morphologies of ZnO elongated nano‐ and microstructures doped with Li and Tb are obtained by a vapor–solid method. The amount of Tb incorporated depends on the morphology which is controlled by the amount of Li in the initial mixture and the growth conditions. X‐ray diffraction and Raman experiments show the good crystalline quality of the samples. A small quantity of Tb3+ ions seems to be present in the structures, as both cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence suggest. The intensity of the ZnO and Tb3+ intrashell emission bands is strongly influenced by the amount of Li due to the different positions that it can occupy in the ZnO lattice. This fact leads to variations in the defect structure that change the concentration of native defects and the rare earth surroundings. The elongated structures also show waveguiding behavior and Fabry–Perot optical resonant modes with good quality factor.
Understanding Microscopic Properties of Light‐Emitting Diodes from Macroscopic Characterization: Ideality Factor, S‐parameter, and Internal Quantum Efficiency
Authors: Shin Dong-Soo , Shim Jong-In
Published: February 2022

Herein, how the macroscopic characterizations can be utilized to extract information on the defect level and crystal quality of the epitaxial layers of the light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) is presented. After review of the current–voltage (I–V) and light output power–current (L–I) characteristics, actual examples are utilized to show how different defect levels in the devices are reflected in macroscopic characteristics including the internal quantum efficiency (IQE). We show that the ideality factor from the I–V and the S‐parameter from the L–I can serve as useful guides to denote the dominance of the radiative recombination in the active region of the device. The minimum ideality factor is proposed as a possible figure of merit for the defect level of the epitaxial layers of the device and shown to be correlated with the maximum IQE value.
Composite optimization with coupling constraints via dual proximal gradient method with applications to asynchronous networks
Authors: Wang Jianzheng , Hu Guoqiang
Published: February 2022

In this article, we consider solving a composite optimization problem with affine coupling constraints in a multi‐agent network based on proximal gradient method. In this problem, all the agents jointly minimize the sum of individual cost functions composed of smooth and possibly non‐smooth parts. To this end, we derive the dual problem by the concept of Fenchel conjugate, which gives rise to the dual proximal gradient (DPG) algorithm by allowing for the asymmetric individual interpretations of the coupling constraints. Then, an asynchronous DPG (Asyn‐DPG) algorithm is proposed for the asynchronous networks with heterogeneous step‐sizes and communication delays. For both the two algorithms, if the non‐smooth parts of the objective functions are simple‐structured, we only need to update dual variables by some simple operations, accounting for the reduction of the overall computational complexity. Analytical convergence rate of the proposed algorithms is derived and their efficacy is verified by solving a social welfare optimization problem of electricity market in the numerical simulation.
Monitoring invasive alien macroinvertebrate species with environmental DNA
Authors: Blackman Rosetta C. , Brantschen Jeanine , Walser Jean‐Claude , Wüthrich Remo , Altermatt Florian
Published: February 2022

Regular monitoring of ecosystems can be used for the early detection of invasive alien species (IAS), and provide information for management and preventing them from becoming established or advancing into new areas. Current methods of monitoring freshwater systems for IAS can be both financially costly and time‐consuming, with routine monitoring often carried out at low intensity and at only a small number of sites. In this study, we evaluate how environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding for monitoring freshwater macroinvertebrate IAS compares to traditional kick‐net sampling as part of a national (Switzerland) and a catchment monitoring programme. Kick‐net sampling was more fruitful for the detection of several well‐known target macroinvertebrate IAS. However, eDNA samples proved complementary for the detection of IAS that belong to species often being unnoticed by traditional sampling due to methodological or taxonomic reasons. Specifically, the invasive jellyfish Craspedacusta sowerbii, hardly detectable using classic kick‐net sampling, was found to be widespread in both the national and the catchment‐scale monitoring with the eDNA method only. Our study shows that IAS detection using eDNA is easily implemented in both national‐ and catchment‐scale monitoring campaigns. However, successful detection of target IAS is still highly dependent on primer choice, species' biology, and availability of adequate markers. Specifically, multiple markers should be considered for detecting IAS from several different taxonomic groups, such as those under the ‘freshwater macroinvertebrate’ umbrella term. While eDNA is still developing in terms of these fundamental methodological requirements, surveillance for both target and non‐target IAS using eDNA is likely to increase efficiency in early detection of IAS in freshwater systems.
Teachers' ability to diagnose and deal with alternative student conceptions of evolution
Authors: Hartelt Tim , Martens Helge , Minkley Nina
Published: February 2022

Students possess alternative conceptions of many science topics, and these conceptions can act as obstacles for learning scientific concepts. In the field of biology education, students' alternative conceptions of evolution have been widely investigated. However, there is little research on how teachers diagnose and deal with these alternative conceptions, although these abilities are a crucial part of teachers' pedagogical content knowledge. Additionally, little is known about how these abilities are connected to professional experience and content knowledge. Thus, our study investigated how (prospective) biology teachers at various points in their teaching careers diagnosed and reported dealing with alternative conceptions. Therefore, 182 preservice biology teachers, biology teachers in practical training, and in‐service biology teachers were surveyed using a questionnaire. The participants were confronted with students' explanations of evolutionary phenomena, most of them based on common student conceptions, such as anthropomorphism, teleology, and essentialism. These student conceptions are rooted in cognitive biases and are common in evolutionary and other contexts. We found that the participants diagnosed only approximately half of the alternative conceptions, with the in‐service teachers diagnosing significantly more of the alternative conceptions than the preservice teachers. Furthermore, the analyses revealed a variety of ways to deal with student conceptions. The in‐service teachers more often suggested scientifically correct approaches that address student conceptions, whereas the preservice teachers more often did not respond or responded incorrectly. Moreover, the ability to diagnose and deal with alternative conceptions correlated with teachers' content knowledge regarding the topic of evolution and their acceptance of evolution.
SO2F2‐Promoted Dehydroxylative Fluorination of Alcohols
Authors: Zhang Guofu , Wang Huimin , Wu Wenliang , Fan Qiankun , Ding Chengrong
Published: February 2022

Reported here is the development of a novel, mild and practical protocol for the SO2F2‐promoted dehydroxylative fluorination of readily available alcohols. The advantages of this protocol include an inexpensive and available reagent, and operational simplicity. This method enables the transformation of many kinds of primary, secondary and tertiary (hetero) arene alcohols into the corresponding fluorides and tolerates a range of functional groups. And the reactions occur smoothly to give the desired products in moderate to high yields. And a tentative mechanism was proposed involving formation and elimination of key intermediate, sulfonyl ester.
Driving Forces Sorted In Situ Size‐Increasing Strategy for Enhanced Tumor Imaging and Therapy
Authors: Wang Yue , Zhen Wenyao , Jiang Xiue , Li Jinghong
Published: February 2022

Nanoparticles (NPs) with diverse functionalities are widely used in tumor diagnostic and therapeutic. However, the therapeutic efficiency is unsatisfactory because of the limited penetration depth as well as short retention time in a solid tumor, resulting in the inaccessibility of NPs and low tumor treatment efficiency. Therefore, it is of extreme vital significance to design NPs for simultaneously realizing deep penetration and long retention. Considering that the smaller‐sized NPs may penetrate deeply in tumor and large‐sized NPs show enhanced retention, many kinds of in situ size‐increasing strategies of NPs have recently been developed for precise tumor imaging and therapy. In this review, the recent progress of stimuli‐induced size increasing of NPs in vivo according to the driving forces inducing the aggregation of the smaller entity into bigger one with ordered or unordered structures in disease sites is summarized. The biomedical applications of the size‐increasing strategy in the field of tumor imaging and therapeutics are introduced. Finally, the potential challenges underlying this strategy are briefly listed and its possible future clinical transformation directions are envisioned.
Leaf mold compost reduces waste, improves soil and microbial properties, and increases tomato productivity
Authors: Richardville Kyle , Egel Dan , Flachs Andrew , Jaiswal Amit , Perkins Dan , Thompson Aaron , Hoagland Lori
Published: February 2022

Soils in urban settings are often degraded, which can prevent growers from optimizing the health and productivity of their crops. In this study, we investigated whether amending soil with a locally made leaf‐mold compost could (a) improve soil chemical and biological properties, (b) increase survival of a microbial inoculant with plant growth promoting and disease suppressive capabilities, and (c) enhance the yield and quality of a tomato crop. Results were promising, with dramatically greater concentrations of active soil organic matter (SOM) and marketable fruit in plots receiving the amendment in both years of the study. Foliar disease severity was also lower in compost‐amended plots in the second year of the trial. Inoculating tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) transplants with Trichoderma harzianum T‐22 reduced deaths that are due to transplant stress in one of the cultivars evaluated, and the compost supported greater populations of this microbe in soil demonstrating that it is possible to enhance the efficacy of beneficial microbial inoculants in field settings using targeted practices. These results indicate that urban farmers can improve the productivity of their farms by amending soils with leaf mold compost, which will help ensure the long‐term sustainability of urban farming initiatives. However, all composts should be tested to ensure they do not contain toxic levels of heavy metals or pathogens, and farmers should avoid overapplication since this can reduce crop health and lead to environmental challenges.
Persistent chemicals found in otters
Authors: Mills Georgina
Published: February 2022

New research has detected the presence of toxic substances in otters in England and Wales, prompting concern about environmental contamination. Georgina Mills reports.
Climate change and phenology
Authors: Inouye David W.
Published: February 2022

Climate change is a defining element of the current ecological landscape, with consequences ranging from global to local environments. One of the first indices of the ecological impact of the ongoing environmental changes was measurement of their effects on phenology, the seasonal timing of recurring annual events such as the beginning of the growing season, timing of flowering, and breeding seasons of animals. Research has moved beyond simple descriptions of these temporal changes to investigations of their root causes, impacts, and consequences at both ecological and evolutionary time scales. This changing landscape, environmental, ecological, and evolutionary, makes this an exciting, albeit sometimes depressing, time to be a scientist.

This article is categorized under:

Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Observed Impacts of Climate Change

Climate, Ecology, and Conservation > Observed Ecological Changes
Environmental Stress in Military Settings
Authors: Sullivan-Kwantes Wendy , Cramer Matthew , Bouak Fethi , Goodman Leonard
Published: February 2022

During military training and operations, exposure to extremes of noise, temperature, humidity, pressure, or acceleration can induce levels of physiological strain that degrade cognitive and physical capabilities, threaten health and safety, and affect behavior and performance. The overarching purpose of this chapter is to discuss the impact of environmental stress on military personnel. Because each of the aforementioned stressors induces disparate effects, each section addresses a unique stressor in terms of (i) the nature of the threat, (ii) physiological and biomedical effects, (iii) the impact on performance, and (iv) management strategies. The evolution of next-generation wearable biosensors, smart performance algorithms, and scientifically based operational training methods including stress inoculation exposure that will contribute to improved training, adaptation, and tolerance to these operational stresses is discussed.
Toroidal and elliptic quiver BPS algebras and beyond
Authors: Galakhov Dmitry , Li Wei , Yamazaki Masahito
Published: February 2022

Abstract

The quiver Yangian, an infinite-dimensional algebra introduced recently in [1], is the algebra underlying BPS state counting problems for toric Calabi-Yau three-folds. We introduce trigonometric and elliptic analogues of quiver Yangians, which we call toroidal quiver algebras and elliptic quiver algebras, respectively. We construct the representations of the shifted toroidal and elliptic algebras in terms of the statistical model of crystal melting. We also derive the algebras and their representations from equivariant localization of three-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supersymmetric quiver gauge theories, and their dimensionally-reduced counterparts. The analysis of supersymmetric gauge theories suggests that there exist even richer classes of algebras associated with higher-genus Riemann surfaces and generalized cohomology theories.
Bootstrap bounds on closed hyperbolic manifolds
Authors: Bonifacio James
Published: February 2022

Abstract

The eigenvalues of the Laplace-Beltrami operator and the integrals of products of eigenfunctions must satisfy certain consistency conditions on compact Riemannian manifolds. These consistency conditions are derived by using spectral decompositions to write quadruple overlap integrals in terms of products of triple overlap integrals in multiple ways. In this paper, we show how these consistency conditions imply bounds on the Laplacian eigenvalues and triple overlap integrals of closed hyperbolic manifolds, in analogy to the conformal bootstrap bounds on conformal field theories. We find an upper bound on the gap between two consecutive nonzero eigenvalues of the Laplace-Beltrami operator in terms of the smaller eigenvalue, an upper bound on the smallest eigenvalue of the rough Laplacian on symmetric, transverse-traceless, rank-2 tensors, and bounds on integrals of products of eigenfunctions and eigentensors. Our strongest bounds involve numerically solving semidefinite programs and are presented as exclusion plots. We also prove the analytic boundλi+1≤ 1/2 + 3λi+$$ \sqrt{\lambda_i^2+2{\lambda}_i+1/4} $$λi2+2λi+1/4for consecutive nonzero eigenvalues of the Laplace-Beltrami operator on closed orientable hyperbolic surfaces. We give examples of genus-2 surfaces that nearly saturate some of these bounds. To derive the consistency conditions, we make use of a transverse-traceless decomposition for symmetric tensors of arbitrary rank.
Non-decoupling new particles
Authors: Banta Ian , Cohen Timothy , Craig Nathaniel , Lu Xiaochuan , Sutherland Dave
Published: February 2022

Abstract

We initiate the study of a new class of beyond the Standard Model states that we call “Loryons.” They have the defining characteristic of being non-decoupling, in the sense that their physical mass is dominated by a contribution from the vacuum expectation value of the Higgs boson. The stakes are high: the discovery of a Loryon would tell us that electroweak symmetry must be non-linearly realized in the effective field theory of the Standard Model. Loryons have their masses bounded from above by perturbative unitarity considerations and thus define a finite parameter space for exploration. After providing a complete catalog of Loryon representations under mild assumptions, we turn to examining the constraints on the parameter space from Higgs couplings measurements, precision electroweak tests, and direct collider searches. We show that most fermionic candidates are already ruled out (with some notable exceptions), while much of the scalar Loryon parameter space is still wide open for discovery.
Coupled Domain-Boundary Variational Formulations for Hodge–Helmholtz Operators
Authors: Schulz Erick , Hiptmair Ralf
Published: February 2022

We couple the mixed variational problem for the generalized Hodge–Helmholtz or Hodge–Laplace equation posed on a bounded 3D Lipschitz domain with the first-kind boundary integral equations arising from the latter when constant coefficients are assumed in the unbounded complement. Recently developed Calderón projectors for the relevant boundary integral operators are used to perform a symmetric coupling. We prove stability of the coupled problem away from resonant frequencies by establishing a generalized Gårding inequality (T-coercivity). The resulting system of equations describes the scattering of monochromatic electromagnetic waves at a bounded inhomogeneous isotropic body possibly having a “rough” surface. The low-frequency robustness of the potential formulation of Maxwell’s equations makes this model a promising starting point for Galerkin discretization.
On simultaneous linearization of certain commuting nearly integrable diffeomorphisms of the cylinder
Authors: Chen Qinbo , Damjanović Danijela , Petković Boris
Published: February 2022

Let $$\mathcal {F}$$
F
and $$\mathcal {K}$$
K
be commuting $$C^\infty $$

C
∞

diffeomorphisms of the cylinder $$\mathbb {T}\times \mathbb {R}$$

T
×
R

that are, respectively, close to $$\mathcal {F}_0 (x, y)=(x+\omega (y), y)$$

F
0

(
x
,
y
)

=

(
x
+
ω

(
y
)

,
y
)

and $$T_\alpha (x, y)=(x+\alpha , y)$$

T
α

(
x
,
y
)

=

(
x
+
α
,
y
)

, where $$\omega (y)$$

ω
(
y
)

is non-degenerate and $$\alpha $$
α
is Diophantine. Using the KAM iterative scheme for the group action we show that $$\mathcal {F}$$
F
and $$\mathcal {K}$$
K
are simultaneously $$C^\infty $$

C
∞

-linearizable if $$\mathcal {F}$$
F
has the intersection property (including the exact symplectic maps) and $$\mathcal {K}$$
K
satisfies a semi-conjugacy condition. We also provide examples showing necessity of these conditions. As a consequence, we get local rigidity of certain class of $$\mathbb {Z}^2$$

Z

2

-actions on the cylinder, generated by commuting twist maps.
Light contamination in stable isotope-labelled internal peptide standards is frequent and a potential source of false discovery and quantitation error in proteomics
Authors: Salek Mogjiborahman , Förster Jonas D. , Lehmann Wolf-Dieter , Riemer Angelika B.
Published: February 2022

In mass spectrometry-based proteomics, heavy internal standards are used to validate target peptide detections and to calibrate peptide quantitation. Here, we report light contamination present in heavy labelled synthetic peptides of high isotopic enrichment. Application of such peptides as assay-internal standards potentially compromises the detection and quantitation especially of low abundant cellular peptides. Therefore, it is important to adopt guidelines to prevent false-positive identifications of endogenous light peptides as well as errors in their quantitation from biological samples.
Loss of luminal carbonic anhydrase XIV results in decreased biliary bicarbonate output, liver fibrosis, and cholangiocyte proliferation in mice
Authors: Zhou Zhenzhen , Qian Jiajie , Kini Archana , Riederer Brigitte , Römermann Dorothee , Gros Gerolf , Seidler Ursula
Published: February 2022

Carbonic anhydrase XIV (Car14) is highly expressed in the hepatocyte, with predominance in the canalicular membrane and its active site in the extracellular milieu. The aim of this study is to determine the physiological relevance of Car14 for biliary fluid and acid/base output, as well as its role in the maintenance of hepatocellular and cholangiocyte integrity. The common bile duct of anesthetized car14−/− and car14+/+ mice was cannulated and hepatic HCO3− output was measured by microtitration and bile flow gravimetrically before and during stimulation with intravenously applied tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA). Morphological alterations and hepatic damage were assessed histologically and immunohistochemically in liver tissue from 3- to 52-week-old car14−/− and car14+/+ mice, and gene and/or protein expression was measured for pro-inflammatory cytokines, fibrosis, and cholangiocyte markers. Biliary basal and more so TUDCA-stimulated HCO3− output were significantly reduced in car14−/− mice of all age groups, whereas bile flow and hepatic and ductular morphology were normal at young age. Car14−/− mice developed fibrotic and proliferative changes in the small bile ducts at advanced age, which was accompanied by a reduction in bile flow, and an upregulation of hepatic cytokeratin 19 mRNA and protein expression. Membrane-bound Car14 is essential for biliary HCO3− output, and its loss results in gradual development of small bile duct disease and hepatic fibrosis. Bile flow is not compromised in young adulthood, suggesting that Car14-deficient mice may be a model to study the protective role of biliary canalicular HCO3− against luminal noxi to the cholangiocyte.
Pararectus approach to the AO B2.2 pelvic fracture: early functional and radiological outcomes
Authors: Yu Yi-Hsun , Liu Chang-Heng , Hsu Yung-Heng , Chou Ying-Chao , Chen I-Jung
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The pararectus approach is used to treat acetabular fractures; however, it remains unclear whether it can be used to treat pelvic fractures. This study aimed to examine the outcomes of patients with a pelvic ring fracture treated with this approach.

Methods

Seven patients with AO B2.2 pelvic fractures treated with the pararectus approach were included. Patients’ pain was assessed pre- and postoperatively with a numerical rating scale. Radiological evaluations included inlet and outlet ratios and pelvic symmetry. Functional outcomes, including Merle d’Aubigné and Majeed scores, were also recorded for 12 months.

Results

One patient experienced obturator nerve neuropraxia. Pain scores ranged from 2.3–8.0 to 2.0–3.1 points before and after surgery, respectively. Radiological findings revealed satisfactory outcomes. The maximal gap of the affected ilium reduced from 8.6–20.2 to 0–3.4 mm, from 6.8–17.9 to 0–4.4 mm, and from 3.7–20.3 to 0–3.2 mm in the axial, sagittal, and coronal views, respectively. Based on multiple evaluations, functional outcomes were improved for all patients.

Conclusion

The pararectus approach can be used safely and satisfactorily to treat AO B 2.2 pelvic fractures.
Variation in inhibitory control does not influence social rank, foraging efficiency, or risk taking, in red junglefowl females
Authors: Garnham Laura Clare , Boddington Robert , Løvlie Hanne
Published: February 2022

Individual variation in cognition, seen in many taxa, is not well understood, despite its potential evolutionary consequences. Inhibitory control is an aspect of cognition which differs between individuals. However, how selection could act on this variation remains unclear. First, individual consistency over time of behaviours affected by inhibitory control, and how these behaviours relate to each other, is not well understood. Second, consequences in ecologically relevant contexts of variation in behaviours affected by  inhibitory control, are scarcely investigated. Therefore, we explored the temporal consistency and inter-relatedness of two behaviours influenced by inhibitory control (impulsive action and persistence) and how these link to social rank, foraging efficiency, and risk taking in adult female red junglefowl (Gallus gallus). We measured impulsive action in a detour test, and persistence in both a detour test and a foraging test. Impulsive action and persistence, measured in a detour test, were moderately consistent over time, and positively correlated. This implies that selection could act on inhibitory control via these behaviours, and selection on one behaviour could affect the other. However, we found no evidence of links between inhibitory control and social rank, foraging efficiency, or risk taking. This implies that selection may not act on inhibitory control via these measures, and that, in general, there may be a lack of strong selection on inhibitory control. This, in turn, could help explain individual variation in this aspect of cognition. Future research should explore the specificity of when inhibitory control has implications for individuals, and continue to investigate how variation in cognitive traits influences how individuals behave in contexts with potential evolutionary implications.
Composite global indicators from survey data: the Global Economic Barometers
Authors: Abberger Klaus , Graff Michael , Müller Oliver , Sturm Jan-Egbert
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a coincident and a leading composite monthly indicator for the world business cycle—the Global Economic Barometers. Both target the world’s output growth rate and consist of economic tendency surveys results from many countries around the world. The calculation of these indicators comprises two main stages. The first consists of a variable selection procedure, in which a pre-set correlation threshold and the targeted leads to the reference series are used as selection criteria. In the second stage, the selected variables are combined and transformed into the respective composite indicators, computed as the first partial least squares factor with the reference series as response variable. We analyse the characteristics of the two new indicators in a pseudo real-time setting and demonstrate that both are useful additions to the small number of indicators for the global business cycle published so far. Finally, yet importantly, the Barometers were quick to plunge in the beginning of March 2020 and have since then given a reliable real-time reflection of the economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The multi-depot k-traveling repairman problem
Authors: Bruni Maria Elena , Khodaparasti Sara , Martínez-Salazar Iris , Nucamendi-Guillén Samuel
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we study the multi-depot k-traveling repairman problem. This problem extends the traditional traveling repairman problem to the multi-depot case. Its objective, similar to the single depot variant, is the minimization of the sum of the arrival times to customers. We propose two distinct formulations to model the problem, obtained on layered graphs. In order to find feasible solutions for the largest instances, we propose a hybrid genetic algorithm where initial solutions are built using a splitting heuristic and a local search is embedded into the genetic algorithm. The efficiency of the mathematical formulations and of the solution approach are investigated through computational experiments. The proposed models are scalable enough to solve instances up to 240 customers.
Is economic history changing its nature? Evidence from top journals
Authors: Cioni Martina , Federico Giovanni , Vasta Michelangelo
Published: February 2022

A recent stream of literature argues that economic history is expanding its aim of looking for the historical roots of current outcomes (persistence studies) and that it is increasingly integrating with economics. This paper tests these claims with a new database of about 2500 articles published from 2001 to 2018 in the top five economic history journals and in eight leading economics journals. Our results do not confirm this optimistic narrative. Despite a growing interest by economists, economic history and a fortiori persistence studies are still marginal in economics journals. Furthermore, substantial differences between articles in the two groups of outlets are visible. Only a few authors have published in both economics and economic history journals. Publishing in the top five economics journals yields more citations than in top-field journals, but this is not necessarily true for other prestigious economics journals.
Animal Feed from Microalgae Grown on Biogas Digestate as Sustainable Alternative to Imported Soybean Meal
Authors: Elshamy Mohamed , Rösch Christine
Published: February 2022

This work investigates microalgae’s potential to reduce North-Western Europe environmental burden from excess nitrogen polluting groundwater and provide an environmental replacement for current animal feed. Algae uptake nutrients from nutrient-rich digestate from biogas plants and turn them into high-value feedstock, which can substitute soybean meal imported from overseas and avoid deforestation of rainforests. Life cycle assessments were conducted based on novel and original data from engineers in academia and industry, acquired through pilot-scale research facilities in the UK, France, and Belgium. The findings of this study highlight the environmental impacts of three different technologies with varying scales of production. Mixotrophic algal feed production shows higher productivities and fewer energy demands than the phototrophic systems. Still, the process is less favourable due to higher impacts on human health and ecosystems than imported soybean meal, whereas the impact on resources is more negligible. Sensitive analysis indicates that further technological development, increased productivities, and renewable energy use can improve the environmental competitiveness of algal feedstock. Since this process is a promising solution for making feedstock out of excess nutrients and having an alternative source for imported soybean meal with a comparable, efforts to realize these improvements and successfully upscaling algal feedstock production in combination with biogas plants are justified and can improve the environmental footprint of algal biomass production.
Gruppenweite Vergütungsstruktur und Governance
Authors: Böffel Lukas
Published: February 2022

Vergütungssysteme in Versicherungsgruppen stellen Wissenschaft und Praxis vor Herausforderungen. So erweisen sich die Rechtsgrundlagen, auf denen das Vergütungsrecht aufbaut, als defizitär. Es ist unklar, ob Art. 275 Solvency II-VO wirksam ist und inwiefern die Vergütung als Teil der allgemeinen Governance-Anforderungen oder des Risikomanagements angesehen werden kann. Zudem bestehen Zweifel, ob Art. 275 Solvency II-VO auf Gruppenebene entsprechend anwendbar ist. Hierfür kommt es darauf an, inwiefern die Vorschrift von Art. 246 Abs. 1 Solvency II-RL erfasst wird. Diese Überlegungen werden durch eine vergleichende Analyse des bankaufsichtsrechtlichen Vergütungssystems flankiert. Darauf aufbauend fragt sich, wie der Vorstand des Mutterunternehmens eine gruppenweite Vergütungsstruktur umsetzen soll, da diese aufsichtsrechtliche Verpflichtung nicht von aufsichtsrechtlichen Durchsetzungsbefugnissen begleitet wird. Das schreibt das Versicherungskonzernrecht als Umsetzungsregime für das Vergütungssystem pars pro toto auf die Agenda.
Ground motion characteristics and their cumulative impacts to burst risks in underground coal mines
Authors: Wang Changbin , Si Guangyao , Zhang Chengguo , Cao Anye , Canbulat Ismet
Published: February 2022

Ground motions resulting from seismic waves are one of the main factors to trigger coal burst hazards in underground mines. Ground motion induced dynamic impacts may apply to the highly stressed coal/rock mass and initiate dynamic failure. Although ground motion analysis has been widely used in burst-prone hard rock mines for designing support systems, there are only few studies focusing on the understanding ground motion characteristics in coal mines and their relationship with the coal burst damage. Therefore, based on nine-months seismic monitoring in a case study coal mine, this paper conducted a thorough analysis on quantifying ground motions to roadways in both far-field and near-field zones and correlating strong ground motions to actual coal burst damage. The results showed that most far-field ground motions were insignificant, which were less likely to initiate coal burst damage. However, with the same energy levels and hypocentral distances, the seismic events in coal mines can produce higher far-field ground motions than those in hard rock mines. Compared with the far-field ground motions, the near-field ground motions had much higher intensities. The strong dynamic impacts induced by the near-field ground motions may trigger dynamic failure in coal or rock mass when it is already critically stressed. An index called the number of high ground motions (NHGM) was developed to link ground motions with burst risks in roadways. The roadway zone that had experienced a long history of intensive ground motions, indicated by a higher degree of NHGM, were more likely to expect coal bursts in the future.

Article highlights

Quantify ground motions to roadways in both far-field and near-field zones in underground coal mines.

Demonstrate the relationship between ground motion intensity and coal burst damage.

Develop a method to forecast potential burst damage zones in roadways based on historical ground motions.
Higher topological complexity of hyperbolic groups
Authors: Hughes Sam , Li Kevin
Published: February 2022

We prove for non-elementary torsion-free hyperbolic groups $$\Gamma $$
Γ
and all $$r\ge 2$$

r
≥
2

that the higher topological complexity $${\textsf {TC}}_r(\Gamma )$$

TC
r

(
Γ
)

is equal to $$r\cdot \mathrm {cd}(\Gamma )$$

r
·
cd
(
Γ
)

. In particular, hyperbolic groups satisfy the rationality conjecture on the $${\textsf {TC}}$$
TC
-generating function, giving an affirmative answer to a question of Farber and Oprea. More generally, we show that the same conclusions hold for certain toral relatively hyperbolic groups.
A trial to convert a polymer FDM 3D printer to handle clay materials
Authors: Chaari Mohamed Zied , Abdelfatah Mohamed , Loreno Christopher
Published: February 2022

The research aims to show the ability to convert the Fused Deposition Modeling 3D printer to be compatible with the clay mixture after modifying the structure, setting up Cura software, and changing the print head technology. This solution provides research teams and scientists with opportunities in several ways (manufacture patch antenna substrate, dielectric automobile sensors, and ceramic dielectric aerospace technology). Additive manufacturing allows the production of many intricate shapes with ceramics, which is difficult with a traditional method. This paper used WASP ceramic slurry as raw material for Liquid Deposition Modeling (LDM) of various samples using the Archimedes screw and air pressure dispensing technique (a two-step process). LDM is a low-cost and straightforward technology appropriate for the clay prototype scale. Different clay-built shapes have been produced with water-to-clay ratios ranging from 0.57 to 0.69. The effect of the nozzle size in printing experiment tests is demonstrated. The experiment tested the print head (extruder) mechanism, the properties of the materials suitable for the putty, and how the wet slurry material is extruded from the nozzle. The optimum air pressure and slicing configuration for efficient printing are provided. Samples were stress-tested after they were dried for 24 h at average laboratory temperature and then exposed to 1000$$^\circ $$

∘

for 1 h.
Policy Dialogue: Teaching Environmentalism on a Warming Planet
Authors: Baker Zeke , Gehlbach Hunter
Published: February 2022

As the world reckons with the existential threat posed by climate change, the US remains deeply divided about the need for action. The solution to this problem, many have argued, begins with teaching environmentalism in primary and secondary schools and fostering receptivity to environmental issues and environmental science among the next generation. This strategy, of course, comes with its own set of challenges. Where does climate change fit in the school curriculum? What can teachers do in their classrooms to mitigate the influence of partisan politics? How can an abstract global phenomenon be made real at the local level? If K-12 education has a role to play in the broader project of environmental conservation, such questions need to be answered.

For this Policy Dialogue, the HEQ editors asked Zeke Baker and Hunter Gehlbach to explore the challenges and opportunities inherent in educating the next generation about climate change, drawing on analogues from the past and scholarship from the present to help us better understand the future. Gehlbach is a professor and vice dean at the Johns Hopkins University School of Education. Thanks to a mid-career fellowship from the Spencer Foundation, much of his research focus has shifted toward investigating how social psychological approaches might improve environmental education. Baker is an assistant professor of sociology at Sonoma State University. His research explores the development and use of climate science, especially insofar as climate knowledge is embedded in social relationships of power.

HEQ Policy Dialogues are, by design, intended to promote an informal, free exchange of ideas between scholars. At the end of the exchange, we offer references for readers who wish to follow up on sources relevant to the discussion.
The “School Question” in an Imperial Context: Education and Religion during and following the Occupations of Cuba and Puerto Rico
Authors: Jarvinen Lisa
Published: February 2022

The United States occupations of Cuba and Puerto Rico following the War of 1898 instituted immediate reforms to the educational systems of the islands. The imposition of public school systems modeled on those of the United States and a concurrent wave of Protestant schools established by American missionaries are well-known features of the imperialist project. Yet American reforms were shaped by what was known in the nineteenth century as “the school question,” or the controversy over the appropriate relationship between schooling, religion, and the government that had pitted the Protestant majority against Catholics and resulted in a consensus that religious-affiliated education should be permitted but relegated to the private sphere. The implementation of this consensus as the basis of occupation policy in Cuba and Puerto Rico, majority Catholic societies, contributed to the significant growth of a system of private Catholic schools and sparked debate about the relationship between religion, education, and nationalism. In an imperial context, “the school question” led to political polarization in the face of persistent US hegemony.
Perinatal mental health service development across the UK – many achievements, growing challenges
Authors: Cantwell Roch
Published: February 2022

Perinatal mental health service development had early beginnings in the UK, and there has been rapid expansion over the past decade. As individual nations address need in their own jurisdictions, differences in service models and priorities have emerged. Innovative opportunities for addressing maternal and infant mental health needs must be balanced against the demands brought about by societal change and the COVID-19 pandemic. With such significant change, there is a unique opportunity for services and service planners to share good practice and learn from others’ successes and challenges.
“I’m Not Sure What to Believe”: Media Distrust and Opinion Formation during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: TERNULLO STEPHANIE
Published: February 2022

Social scientists have documented rapid polarization in public opinion about COVID-19 policies. Such polarization is somewhat unsurprising given experimental studies that show opinions on novel issues can diverge quickly in the presence of partisan frames. In this paper I describe a different process that operates alongside polarization: not centrism but a lack of opinion formation. Drawing on four rounds of in-depth interviews with 86 Midwesterners, conducted between June 2019 and November 2020, I take an inductive approach to understanding variation in the processes by which people gathered and interpreted information about COVID-19. I find that those with universal distrust in all media struggled to adjudicate between conflicting interpretations of reality, particularly if they also had low political knowledge. The result was that they felt little confidence in any opinions they formed. These findings suggest that deteriorating trust in media is an important and understudied factor shaping trajectories of opinion formation.
Buying Brokers
Authors: Hicken Allen , Aspinall Edward , Weiss Meredith L. , Muhtadi Burhanuddin
Published: February 2022

Studies of electoral clientelism—the contingent exchange of material benefits for electoral support—frequently presume the presence of strong parties. Parties facilitate monitoring and enforcement of vote buying and allow brokers to identify core voters for turnout buying. Where money fuels campaigns but elections center around candidates, not parties, how do candidates pitch electoral handouts? The authors analyze candidates’ distribution of cash during an Indonesian election. Drawing upon varied data, including surveys of voters and brokers, candidates’ cash-distribution lists, and focus-group discussions, they find heavy spending but little evidence of vote buying or turnout buying. Instead, candidates buy brokers. With little loyalty or party brand to draw on, candidates seek to establish credibility with well-networked brokers, who then protect their turf with token payments for their own presumed bloc of voters. The authors find little evidence of monitoring of either voter or broker behavior, which is consistent with their argument that these payments are noncontingent.
Government Policies, New Voter Coalitions, and the Emergence of Ethnic Dimension in Party Systems
Authors: Mor Maayan
Published: February 2022

Conventional theories of ethnic politics argue that political entrepreneurs form ethnic parties where there is ethnic diversity. Yet empirical research finds that diversity is a weak predictor for the success of ethnic parties. When does ethnicity become a major element of party competition? Scholars have explained the emergence of an ethnic dimension in party systems as the result of institutions, mass organizations, and elite initiatives. But these factors can evolve in response to an emerging ethnic coalition of voters. The author advances a new theory: ethnic cleavages emerge when voters seek to form a parliamentary opposition to government policies that create grievances along ethnic identities. The theory is tested on rare cases of government policies in Prussia between 1848 and 1874 that aggrieved Catholics but were not based on existing policies or initiated by entrepreneurs to encourage ethnic competition. Using process tracing, case comparisons, and statistical analysis of electoral returns, the author shows that Catholics voted together when aggrieved by policies, regardless of the actions of political entrepreneurs. In contrast, when policies were neutral to Catholics, the Catholic party dissolved.
What They Talk About When They Talk About Homelessness: Discourse and Knowledge Culture as a Barrier to Integrated Policy Initiatives
Authors: FLÅTO MAJA
Published: February 2022

Integrated government initiatives have become a common approach following the institutional fragmentation of New Public Management reforms. Complex societal issues require equally complex solutions, which sectorial units of government cannot attend to alone. However, integrated policy initiatives are prone to a range of obstacles. Using a study of policymaking aimed at homelessness in Norway as a case, this paper discusses how sectorial-shared knowledge creates barriers to a common view of policy problems and solutions. Engaging theories of governmental fragmentation, coordination, discourse, and epistemic cultures enable an exploration of how the involved policy sectors understand and address homelessness. The findings indicate that all policy sectors seem to recognise their responsibility within a social welfare frame, but despite having cooperated for several years, embeddedness in sectorial discourse and epistemic culture causes differing problem definitions. Established terms and categories within homelessness policies are filled with content according to epistemic embeddedness, thereby contributing to obscure the differences, rather than integrate the policy initiatives.
Comparing Rubin and Pearl’s causal modelling frameworks: a commentary on Markus (2021)
Authors: Weinberger Naftali
Published: February 2022

Markus (2021) argues that the causal modelling frameworks of Pearl and Rubin are not ‘strongly equivalent’, in the sense of saying ‘the same thing in different ways’. Here I rebut Markus’ arguments against strong equivalence. The differences between the frameworks are best illuminated not by appeal to their causal semantics, but rather reflect pragmatic modelling choices.
Rebellion, Sovereignty, and Islamic Law in the Ottoman Age of Revolutions
Authors: Smiley Will
Published: February 2022

This article traces how Ottoman interpretations and uses of Islamic law adapted to deal with non-Muslim rebellions between roughly 1769 and 1830. Drawing on Ottoman fatwas (legal opinions), bureaucratic registers, sultanic decrees, and chronicles, as well as British diplomatic records, it argues that the Ottoman state actively reinterpreted its commitment to the Islamic legal tradition in order to forge the law of rebellion into a weapon against both foreign and domestic enemies. The Ottomans first used declarations of rebellion to mobilize military forces against its imperial rivals, then to discourage and suppress domestic dissent, and finally to deny rebels’ sovereignty under international law. In doing so, the Sublime Porte effectively redefined sovereignty by interleaving Islamic and international concepts. The article places this development in global context, arguing that it resembled legal moves made by Atlantic states as they dealt with the Age of Revolutions. At the same time, this story shows how the Ottoman state’s commitment to Islamic law, and its employment of officially authorized scholars to interpret that law, could both license and constrain state policy. The Islamic legal tradition was flexible, but also meaningful. Interpretation occurred at different levels, and was done by different actors. While the state had significant latitude, it faced limits arising from the substance of the law and the process of interpretation itself.
Percutaneous tricuspid valve implantation: an alternative in critically ill patients
Authors: Lafuente-Romero Alvaro , Balbacid Domingo Enrique José , Abelleira Pardeiro Cesar
Published: February 2022

Tricuspid valvulopathy has gained a lot of attention in recent years, especially due to the advances in percutaneous management. CHD can present with primary or secondary malfunction of the tricuspid valve, often not addressed due to high surgical risk after several interventions. We present two cases of adults with complex congenital heart malformations and borderline clinical situations who successfully underwent percutaneous tricuspid replacement.