bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agro-ecological Lower Midland Zones IV and V in Kenya Using GIS and Remote Sensing for Climate-Smart Crop Management
Authors: Manzi Hilda , Gweyi-Onyango Joseph P.
Published: January 2021

Food production in Kenya and Africa in recent past has experienced vagaries of weather fluctuations which ultimately have affected crop yield. Farming in Kenya is localized in specific Agro-ecological zones, hence understanding crop growth responses in particular regions is crucial in planning and management for purposes of accelerating adoption. A number of strategies for adoption and adaptation to changing weather patterns have been deployed yet only limited challenges have been partially addressed or managed. This chapter examines previous methods used in classifying agro-ecological zones and further provides additional insightful parameters that can be adopted to enable farmers understand and adapt better to the current variable and unpredictable cropping seasons. The chapter scrutinizes past and current documented information on agro-ecological zonal valuations coupled with the use of earth observation components such as air temperature at surface, land surface temperature, evapotranspiration, soil, temperature, and soil and moisture content in order to better understand and effectively respond to new phenomena occurring as a result of climate change in the marginal agricultural areas. Significant variations in precipitation, ambient temperature, soil moisture content, and soil temperature become evident when earth observation data are used in evaluation of agro-ecological lower midland zones IV and V. The said variations cut across areas within the agro-ecological zones that have been allocated similar characteristics when assigning cropping seasons. The chapter summarizes the outcomes of various streams of contributions that have reported significant shifts or changes in rainfall and temperature patterns across Kenya and wider Eastern Africa region. The chapter highlights the need for re-evaluation of the agro-ecological zones based on the recent earth observation datasets in their diversity. The research emphasizes the use of multiple climate and soil-related parameters in understanding climate change in the other marginal areas of Kenya.
M-theory cosmology, octonions, error correcting codes
Authors: Gunaydin Murat , Kallosh Renata , Linde Andrei , Yamada Yusuke
Published: January 2021

Abstract

We study M-theory compactified on twisted 7-tori with G2-holonomy. The effective 4d supergravity has 7 chiral multiplets, each with a unit logarithmic Kähler potential. We propose octonion, Fano plane based superpotentials, codifying the error correcting Hamming (4, 7) code. The corresponding 7-moduli models have Minkowski vacua with one flat direction. We also propose superpotentials based on octonions/error correcting codes for Minkowski vacua models with two flat directions. We update phenomenological α-attractor models of inflation with 3α = 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 1, based on inflation along these flat directions. These inflationary models reproduce the benchmark targets for detecting B-modes, predicting 7 different values of $$ r=12\alpha /{N}_e^2 $$
r
=
12
α
/

N
e
2

in the range 10−2 ≳ r ≳ 10−3, to be explored by future cosmological observations.
Sparticle spectroscopy and dark matter in a U(1)B−L extension of MSSM
Authors: Ahmed Waqas , Raza Shabbar , Shafi Qaisar , Un Cem Salih , Zhu Bin
Published: January 2021

Abstract

We consider a class of SUSY models in which the MSSM gauge group is supplemented with a gauged U(1)B−Lsymmetry and a global U(1)Rsymmetry. This extension introduces only electrically neutral states, and the new SUSY partners effectively double the number of states in the neutralino sector that now includes a blino (fromB − L) and singlino from a gauge singlet superfield. If the DM density is saturated by a LSP neutralino, the model yields quite a rich phenomenology depending on the DM composition. The LSP relic density constraint provides a lower bound on the stop and gluino masses of about 3 TeV and 4 TeV respectively, which is testable in the near future collider experiments such as HL-LHC. The chargino mass lies between 0.24 TeV and about 2.0 TeV, which can be tested based on the allowed decay channels. We also find$$ {m}_{\tilde{\tau}1}\gtrsim $$mτ˜1≳500 GeV, and$$ {m}_{\tilde{e}},{m}_{\tilde{\mu}},{m}_{{\tilde{v}}^{S,P}}\gtrsim $$me˜,mμ˜,mv˜S,P≳1 TeV. We identify chargino-neutralino coannihilation processes in the mass region 0.24 TeV$$ \lesssim {m}_{{\tilde{\upchi}}_1^0}\approx {m}_{{\tilde{\upchi}}_1^{\pm }}\lesssim $$≲mχ˜10≈mχ˜1±≲1.5 TeV, and also coannihilation processes involving stau, selectron, smuon and sneutrinos for masses around 1 TeV. In addition,A2resonance solutions are found around 1 TeV, andH2andH3resonance solutions are also shown around 0.5 TeV and 1 TeV . Some of theA2resonance solutions with tanβ≳ 20 may be tested by theA/H → τ+τ−LHC searches.. While the relic density constraint excludes the bino-like DM, it is still possible to realize higgsino, singlino and blino-like DM for various mass scales. We show that all these solutions will be tested in future direct detection experiments such as LUX-Zeplin and Xenon-nT.
Opening the 1 Hz axion window
Authors: Marsh David J. E. , Yin Wen
Published: January 2021

Abstract

An axion-like particle (ALP) with mass mϕ ∼ 10−15 eV oscillates with frequency ∼1 Hz. This mass scale lies in an open window of astrophysical constraints, and appears naturally as a consequence of grand unification (GUT) in string/M-theory. However, with a GUT-scale decay constant such an ALP overcloses the Universe, and cannot solve the strong CP problem. In this paper, we present a two axion model in which the 1 Hz ALP constitutes the entirety of the dark matter (DM) while the QCD axion solves the strong CP problem but contributes negligibly to the DM relic density. The mechanism to achieve the correct relic densities relies on low-scale inflation (mϕ ≲ Hinf ≲ 1 MeV), and we present explicit realisations of such a model. The scale in the axion potential leading to the 1 Hz axion generates a value for the strong CP phase which oscillates around $$ {\overline{\theta}}_{\mathrm{QCD}}\sim {10}^{-12} $$

θ
¯

QCD

∼

10

−
12

, within reach of the proton storage ring electric dipole moment experiment. The 1 Hz axion is also in reach of near future laboratory and astrophysical searches.
Boosting GWs in supersolid inflation
Authors: Celoria Marco , Comelli Denis , Pilo Luigi , Rollo Rocco
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Inflation driven by a generic self-gravitating medium is an interesting alternative to study the impact of spontaneous spacetime symmetry breaking during a quasi de-Sitter phase, in particular the 4-dimensional diffeomorphism invariance of GR is spontaneously broken down toI SO(3). The effective description is based on four scalar fields that describe the excitations of a supersolid. There are two phonon-like propagating scalar degrees of freedom that mix non-trivially both at early and late times and, after exiting the horizon, give rise to non-trivial correlations among the different scalar power spectra. The non-linear structure of the theory allows a secondary gravitational waves production during inflation, efficient enough to saturate the present experimental bound and with a blue-tilted spectral index.
Patterns of care for prostate cancer radiotherapy—results from a survey among German-speaking radiation oncologists
Authors: Vogel Marco M. E. , Dewes Sabrina , Sage Eva K. , Devecka Michal , Gschwend Jürgen E. , Schiller Kilian , Combs Stephanie E.
Published: January 2021

Background

Emerging moderately hypofractionated and ultra-hypofractionated schemes for radiotherapy (RT) of prostate cancer (PC) have resulted in various treatment options. The aim of this survey was to evaluate recent patterns of care of German-speaking radiation oncologists for RT of PC.

Methods

We developed an online survey which we distributed via e‑mail to all registered members of the German Society of Radiation Oncology (DEGRO). The survey was completed by 109 participants between March 3 and April 3, 2020. For evaluation of radiation dose, we used the equivalent dose at fractionation of 2 Gy with α/β = 1.5 Gy, equivalent dose (EQD2 [1.5 Gy]).

Results

Median EQD2(1.5 Gy) for definitive RT of the prostate is 77.60 Gy (range: 64.49–84.00) with median single doses (SD) of 2.00 Gy (range: 1.80–3.00), while for postoperative RT of the prostate bed, median EQD2(1.5 Gy) is 66.00 Gy (range: 60.00–74.00) with median SD of 2.00 Gy (range: 1.80–2.00). For definitive RT, the pelvic lymph nodes (LNs) are treated in case of suspect findings in imaging (82.6%) and/or according to risk formulas/tables (78.0%). In the postoperative setting, 78.9% use imaging and 78.0% use the postoperative tumor stage for LN irradiation. In the definitive and postoperative situation, LNs are irradiated with a median EQD2(1.5 Gy) of 47.52 Gy with a range of 42.43–66.00 and 41.76–62.79, respectively.

Conclusion

German-speaking radiation oncologists’ patterns of care for patients with PC are mainly in line with the published data and treatment recommendation guidelines. However, dose prescription is highly heterogenous for RT of the prostate/prostate bed, while the dose to the pelvic LNs is mainly consistent.
Benchmarking of the quantification approaches for the non-targeted screening of micropollutants and their transformation products in groundwater
Authors: Kruve Anneli , Kiefer Karin , Hollender Juliane
Published: January 2021

A wide range of micropollutants can be monitored with non-targeted screening; however, the quantification of the newly discovered compounds is challenging. Transformation products (TPs) are especially problematic because analytical standards are rarely available. Here, we compared three quantification approaches for non-target compounds that do not require the availability of analytical standards. The comparison is based on a unique set of concentration data for 341 compounds, mainly pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and their TPs in 31 groundwater samples from Switzerland. The best accuracy was observed with the predicted ionization efficiency-based quantification, the mean error of concentration prediction for the groundwater samples was a factor of 1.8, and all of the 74 micropollutants detected in the groundwater were quantified with an error less than a factor of 10. The quantification of TPs with the parent compounds had significantly lower accuracy (mean error of a factor of 3.8) and could only be applied to a fraction of the detected compounds, while the mean performance (mean error of a factor of 3.2) of the closest eluting standard approach was similar to the parent compound approach.
Patient Outcomes Following Emergency Bowel Resection for Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the Impact of Surgical Subspecialisation in the North of England: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: MacFarlane H. , Baldock T. E. , McLean R. C. , Brown L. R.
Published: January 2021

Background

Management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has changed considerably over recent years, which has coincided with increased subspecialisation amongst general surgeons. This study evaluated the demographics and outcomes of patients with IBD undergoing bowel resection and assessed for the potential impact of surgical subspecialisation.

Methods

Patient demographic, operative and outcome data were collected for patients undergoing a bowel resection secondary to IBD, admitted acutely to NHS trusts in the North of England between 2002 and 2016. The primary outcome of interest was 30‐day post‐operative mortality, with secondary outcomes: length of stay, stoma and anastomosis rates.

Results

A total of 913 patients were included in the study cohort. A reduction in the number of resections was noted over time (2002–2006: 361 vs. 2012–2016: 262). No change was observed for 30‐day mortality over the study period (3.9%, p = 0.233). Length of stay was also unchanged (p = 0.949). Laparoscopic surgery was increasingly utilised (0.6% vs. 17.2%, p < 0.001) in recent years, and by colorectal subspecialists (p = 0.003). More patients were managed by a colorectal consultant latterly (2002–2006: 45.4% vs. 2012–2016: 63.7%, p < 0.001). There was no difference between colorectal and other subspecialists in mortality (p = 0.156), length of stay (p = 0.201), stoma (p = 0.629) or anastomosis (p = 0.659) rates, including following multivariable adjustment.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated a significant reduction in the number of resections over time, increased utilisation of a laparoscopic approach and a shift towards the care of IBD surgical patients being by a colorectal subspecialist. However, these changes do not correspond with improved surgical outcomes.
Laparoscopic Versus Open Re‐operations Within 30 Days After Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery: a Retrospective Comparative Study
Authors: Deretti Sona , Mongelli Francesco , Staccini Giulia , Murgante Nicole , Majno‐Hurst Pietro , Christoforidis Dimitri
Published: January 2021

Background

Re‐operations within 30 days after lower gastrointestinal tract surgery are associated to high morbidity and mortality. Laparoscopic approach has been reported as feasible and safe in selected patients, but comparative data to laparotomy are scarce. The aim of this study was to review our experience in laparoscopic re‐operations and compare it to laparotomy.

Methods

From January 2012 to December 2016, patients undergoing a re‐operation within one month after lower gastrointestinal tract surgery were included and divided into laparoscopy and laparotomy groups. The primary endpoint was successful re‐operation, defined as recovery without any of the following: conversion to laparotomy, need of further invasive treatments or death. Secondary outcomes were the length of hospital stay and 30‐day morbidity and mortality. Demographic, clinical and surgical characteristics were collected and analyzed.

Results

Out of 114 patients who underwent a re‐operation, 71 met the inclusion criteria. Thirty (42%) patients underwent laparoscopy and 41 (58%) laparotomy. Thirty (42%) patients were male and median age was 72.0 years‐old. The initial operation was elective in 24 (34%) patients, and 50% of the initial operations were colorectal resections in both groups. Multivariate analyses showed that type of approach did not affect the re‐operation success rate. Laparotomy was an independent predictor of prolonged hospital stay (OR 3.582, 95%CI 1.191–10.776, p = 0.023) and mortality (OR 13.123, 95%CI 1.301–131.579, p = 0.029).

Conclusions

Re‐operations within 30 days after lower gastrointestinal tract surgery may be safe in selected patients, as effective as laparotomy, and associated with shorter hospital stay and lower mortality rates.
Functional properties of insect olfactory receptors: ionotropic receptors and odorant receptors
Authors: Wicher Dieter , Miazzi Fabio
Published: January 2021

The majority of insect olfactory receptors belong to two distinct protein families, the ionotropic receptors (IRs), which are related to the ionotropic glutamate receptor family, and the odorant receptors (ORs), which evolved from the gustatory receptor family. Both receptor types assemble to heteromeric ligand-gated cation channels composed of odor-specific receptor proteins and co-receptor proteins. We here present in short the current view on evolution, function, and regulation of IRs and ORs. Special attention is given on how their functional properties can meet the environmental and ecological challenges an insect has to face.
Ethische Herausforderungen in der forensischen Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie. Eine qualitative Beobachtungsstudie und ein Instrument zur Früherkennung und Frühintervention
Authors: Schürmann Jan , Mühleck Mara , Perler Christian , Schmeck Klaus , Reiter-Theil Stella
Published: January 2021

Die forensische Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie steht in einem komplexen Spannungsfeld medizinischer, rechtlicher und sozialer Anforderungen. Die ethischen Herausforderungen, die sich daraus für den stationären Maßnahmenvollzug ergeben, sind bisher kaum untersucht, spezifische Hilfestellungen für Behandelnde fehlen. Diese Studie hat zum Ziel, ethische Themenfelder und Probleme in diesem Bereich zu identifizieren und ein Instrument zur Früherkennung und -intervention ethischer Probleme im Klinikalltag zu entwickeln. Methode: Eine systematische Literaturrecherche sowie eine Beobachtungstudie in der Jugendforensik der Universitären Psychiatrischen Kliniken Basel werden durchgeführt. Die Beobachtungsdaten werden mittels qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet. Das Instrument wird auf der Basis der Resultate nach einer neuen Methode entwickelt. In der Literaturrecherche wurden 14 valide Publikationen identifiziert, die hauptsächlich ethische Probleme der Gerichtspsychiatrie thematisieren wie professionelle Rollenkonflikte, ethische Probleme der Diagnostik und Begutachtung oder der Umgang mit vertraulichen Informationen. Empirische oder empirisch-normative Studien fehlen. In der Beobachtungsstudie wurden 24 ethische Themen und spezifische Probleme identifiziert, besonders häufig sind ethische Fragen zu Moralkompetenzen der Jugendlichen, zur Behandlungsqualität, zum Umgang mit Regeln und Sanktionen und zur Freiheits- und Privatsphäre. Das Instrument zur Früherkennung und -intervention ethischer Probleme (FIEP) enthält die vier Kernelemente Risikofaktoren, Indikatoren, Interventionsplanung und Entscheidungsfindung. Der Maßnahmenvollzug der forensischen Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie offenbart ein breites Spektrum ethischer Themen mit spezifischen ethischen Problemen, welche in der Literatur bisher nur unzureichend untersucht sind. Das hier entwickelte Instrument FIEP unterstützt Behandelnde dabei, ethische Probleme frühzeitig zu erkennen und effizient zu bearbeiten.
Voltammetric sensor based on long alkyl chain tetraalkylammonium ionic liquids comprising ascorbate anion for determination of nitrite
Authors: Rębiś Tomasz , Niemczak Michał , Płócienniczak Patrycja , Pernak Juliusz , Milczarek Grzegorz
Published: January 2021

An electrochemical sensor was fabricated utilizing ionic liquids possessing cations with long alkyl chains such as trimethyl octadecylammonium and behenyl trimethylammonium and ascorbate anion. The ionic liquids were drop-coated onto the electrode. Thin modifying layers were prepared. Cyclic voltammetric investigations revealed electrostatic interactions between the electrochemical probes and the modified surface, proving that a positive charge was established at the film surface. Hence, negatively charged species such as nitrite can be pre-concentrated on the surface of presented modified electrodes. The fabricated electrodes have been used as a voltammetric sensor for nitrite. Due to the electrostatic accumulation properties of long alkyl cation, the assay exhibits a remarkable improvement in the voltammetric response toward nitrite oxidation. The influence of pH on the electrode response was thoroughly investigated, and the mechanism of the electrode was established. The developed sensor showed a linear electrochemical response in the range 1.0–50 μM with a detection limit of 0.1 μM. The electrode revealed good storage stability, reproducibility, and anti-interference ability. The determination of nitrite performed in curing salts brought satisfactory results.

Graphical abstract
Effects of flowable liners on the shrinkage vectors of bulk-fill composites
Authors: Kaisarly Dalia , Meierhofer D. , El Gezawi M. , Rösch P. , Kunzelmann K.H.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

This investigation evaluated the effect of flowable liners beneath a composite restoration applied via different methods on the pattern of shrinkage vectors.

Methods

Forty molars were divided into five groups (n = 8), and cylindrical cavities were prepared and bonded with a self-etch adhesive (AdheSe). Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill (TBF) was used as the filling material in all cavities. The flowable liners Tetric EvoFlow Bulk Fill (TEF) and SDR were used to line the cavity floor. In gp1-TBF, the flowable composite was not used. TEF was applied in a thin layer in gp2-fl/TEF + TBF and gp3-fl/TEF + TBFincremental. Two flowable composites with a layer thickness of 2 mm were compared in gp4-fl/TEF + TBF and gp5-fl/SDR + TBF. TEF and SDR were mixed with radiolucent glass beads, while air bubbles inherently present in TBF served as markers. Each material application was scanned twice by micro-computed tomography before and after light curing. Scans were subjected to image segmentation for calculation of the shrinkage vectors.

Results

The absence of a flowable liner resulted in the greatest shrinkage vectors. A thin flowable liner (gp2-fl/TEF + TBFbulk) resulted in larger overall shrinkage vectors for the whole restoration than a thick flowable liner (gp4-fl/TEF + TBF). A thin flowable liner and incremental application (gp3-fl/TEF + TBFincremental) yielded the smallest shrinkage vectors. SDR yielded slightly smaller shrinkage vectors for the whole restoration than that observed in gp4-fl/TEF + TBF.

Conclusions

Thick flowable liner layers had a more pronounced stress-relieving effect than thin layers regardless of the flowable liner type.

Clinical relevance

It is recommended to apply a flowable liner (thin or thick) beneath bulk-fill composites, preferably incrementally.
Systematic review of brain arteriovenous malformation grading systems evaluating microsurgical treatment recommendation
Authors: Grüter Basil E. , Sun Wenhua , Fierstra Jorn , Regli Luca , Germans Menno R.
Published: January 2021

When evaluating brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs) for microsurgical resection, the natural history of bAVM rupture must be balanced against the perioperative risks. It is therefore adamant to have a reliable surgical grading system, balancing these important factors. This study systematically reviews the literature in order to identify and assess the quality of grading systems with regard to microsurgical bAVM treatment. A systematic literature review was performed to provide an overview of all available bAVM grading systems relevant for microsurgical treatment evaluation and to assess the most comprehensive grading system specifically for each subgroup of bAVM (i.e., unruptured, ruptured, and posterior fossa). Screening of 865 papers revealed thirteen grading systems for bAVM microsurgical risk stratification. Among them, two systems were specifically developed for ruptured bAVM and one specifically for posterior fossa bAVM. With one system being fundamentally different for supratentorial bAVM, the remaining nine systems used the same parameters: “size,” “eloquence,” “venous drainage,” “arterial feeders,” “age,” “nidus compactness,” and “hemorrhagic presentation”. This study provides a comprehensive overview of all available bAVM grading systems relevant for surgical risk stratification. Furthermore, in the absence of a universal system appropriate to score all bAVMs, a workflow for selection of the best applicable scoring system in accordance with bAVM subgroups is presented.
Minimally invasive pancreatic surgery—will robotic surgery be the future?
Authors: Dittrich Luca , Biebl Matthias , Malinka Thomas , Knoop Michael , Pratschke Johann
Published: January 2021

Due to the complexity of the procedures and the texture of the organ itself, pancreatic surgery remains a challenge in the field of visceral surgery. During the past decade, a minimally invasive approach to pancreatic surgery has gained distribution in clinical routine, extending from left-sided procedures to pancreatic head resections. While a laparoscopic approach has proven beneficial for many patients with left-sided pancreatic pathologies, the complex reconstruction in pancreas head resections remains worrisome with the laparoscopic approach. The robotic technique was established to overcome such technical constraints while preserving the advantages of the laparoscopic approach. Even though robotic systems are still in development, especially in pancreatoduodenectomy, the current literature demonstrates the feasibility of this approach and stable clinical and oncological outcomes compared to the open technique, albeit only under the condition of such operations being performed by specialist teams in a high-volume setting (>20 robotic pancreaticoduodenectomies per year). The aim of this review is to analyze the current evidence regarding a minimally invasive approach to pancreatic surgery and to review the potential of a robotic approach. Presently, there is still a scarcity of sound evidence and long-term oncological data regarding the role of minimally invasive and robotic pancreatic surgery in the literature, especially in the setting of pancreaticoduodenectomy.
An integrated fuzzy intuitionistic sustainability assessment framework for manufacturing supply chain: a study of UK based firms
Authors: Choudhary Alok , De Arijit , Ahmed Karim , Shankar Ravi
Published: January 2021

The increasing importance of sustainability has put pressure on organisations to assess their supply chain sustainability performance, which requires a holistic set of key performance indicators (KPIs) related to strategic, tactical and operational decision making of firms. This paper presents a comprehensive set of KPIs for sustainable supply chain management using a mixed method approach including analysing data from the literature survey, content analysis of sustainability reports of manufacturing firms and expert interviews. A 3-level hierarchical model is developed by classifying the identified KPIs into key sustainability dimensions as well as key supply chain decision-making areas including strategic, tactical and operational. A novel multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) based sustainability assessment framework is proposed. The proposed framework integrates value focussed thinking (VFT), intuitionistic fuzzy (IF) Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and IF Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) methods. The novelty of the research lies in (1) using a rigorous mixed method approach for KPIs identification and industrial validation (2) the development of a novel integrated intuitionistic sustainability assessment framework for decision making and (3) the innovative application of the proposed framework and associated methodologies in the context not explored before. The practical data on the performance ratings of various KPIs were obtained from the experts and a novel intuitionistic fuzzy TOPSIS was applied to benchmark the organisations for their sustainability performance. Furthermore, the case study shows the applicability of the proposed framework to evaluate and identify the problem areas of the organisations and yield guidance on KPIs by recognising the most significant areas requiring improvement. This research contributes to the practical implication by providing an innovative sustainability assessment framework for supply chain managers to evaluate and manage sustainability performance by making informed decisions related to KPIs.
Leader and Organizational Behavioral Integrity and Follower Behavioral Outcomes: The Role of Identification Processes
Authors: Ete Ziya , Epitropaki Olga , Zhou Qin , Graham Les
Published: January 2021

This paper investigates the concept of behavioral integrity from three important foci in organizational settings: i.e., leader, organization, and follower. Drawing from theories of behavioral integrity, social learning, and social identity, we examine the effects of leader and organizational behavioral integrity on follower behavioral integrity and organizational citizenship behavior via follower identification with leader and with organization, respectively. To test our hypotheses, we used data from three studies. Studies 1 and 2 were online experiments (N = 211 andN = 200, respectively) in which behavioral integrity was manipulated in written scenarios to explore the proposed causal relationships. Study 3 was a multisource field study that tested a mediation model using matched data collected from 280 employees and their co-workers from a Fire and Rescue Service in the United Kingdom. The findings provide partial support for our hypothesized model and highlight the importance of examining multiple foci of behavioral integrity as well as the role of follower identification as key mediating mechanisms of the relationship between leader and organizational behavioral integrity and follower behavioral outcomes. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Cellulose and its derivatives: towards biomedical applications
Authors: Seddiqi Hadi , Oliaei Erfan , Honarkar Hengameh , Jin Jianfeng , Geonzon Lester C. , Bacabac Rommel G. , Klein-Nulend Jenneke
Published: January 2021

Cellulose is the most abundant polysaccharide on Earth. It can be obtained from a vast number of sources,e.g.cell walls of wood and plants, some species of bacteria, and algae, as well as tunicates, which are the only known cellulose-containing animals. This inherent abundance naturally paves the way for discovering new applications for this versatile material. This review provides an extensive survey on cellulose and its derivatives, their structural and biochemical properties, with an overview of applications in tissue engineering, wound dressing, and drug delivery systems. Based on the available means of selecting the physical features, dimensions, and shapes, cellulose exists in the morphological forms of fiber, microfibril/nanofibril, and micro/nanocrystalline cellulose. These different cellulosic particle types arise due to the inherent diversity among the source of organic materials or due to the specific conditions of biosynthesis and processing that determine the consequent geometry and dimension of cellulosic particles. These different cellulosic particles, as building blocks, produce materials of different microstructures and properties, which are needed for numerous biomedical applications. Despite having great potential for applications in various fields, the extensive use of cellulose has been mainly limited to industrial use, with less early interest towards the biomedical field. Therefore, this review highlights recent developments in the preparation methods of cellulose and its derivatives that create novel properties benefiting appropriate biomedical applications.
An exploratory study on confusion in code reviews
Authors: Ebert Felipe , Castor Fernando , Novielli Nicole , Serebrenik Alexander
Published: January 2021

Context

Code review is a widely used technique of systematic examination of code changes which aims at increasing software quality. Code reviews provide several benefits for the project, including finding bugs, knowledge transfer, and assurance of adherence to project guidelines and coding style. However, code reviews have a major cost: they can delay the merge of the code change, and thus, impact the overall development process. This cost can be even higher if developers do not understand something, i.e., when developers faceconfusionduring the code review.

Objective

This paper studies the phenomenon ofconfusionin code reviews. Understanding confusion is an important starting point to help reducing the cost of code reviews and enhance the effectiveness of this practice, and hence, improve the development process.

Method

We conducted two complementary studies. The first one aimed at identifying the reasons for confusion in code reviews, its impacts, and the coping strategies developers use to deal with it. Then, we surveyed developers to identify the most frequently experienced reasons for confusion, and conducted a systematic mapping study of solutions proposed for those reasons in the scientific literature.

Results

From the first study, we build a framework with 30 reasons for confusion, 14 impacts, and 13 coping strategies. The results of the systematic mapping study shows 38 articles addressing the most frequent reasons for confusion. From those articles, we found 13 different solutions for confusion proposed in the literature, and five impacts were established related to the most frequent reasons for confusion.

Conclusions

Based on the solutions identified in the mapping study, or the lack of them, we propose an actionable guideline for developers on how to cope with confusion during code reviews; we also make several suggestions how tool builders can support code reviews. Additionally, we propose a research agenda for researchers studying code reviews.
Are perception and adaptation to climate variability and change of cowpea growers in Mali gender differentiated?
Authors: Diarra Fatimata Bintou , Ouédraogo Mathieu , Zougmoré Robert B. , Partey Samuel Tetteh , Houessionon Prosper , Mensah Amos
Published: January 2021

Understanding the gender dimension of climate change perception and choice of adaptation strategies is crucial for policy recommendations that foster the development and integration of gender-responsive climate-smart agricultural interventions into agricultural development programs. This study determined the differences in the perception and choice of adaptation strategies between men and women farmers in Cinzana in the Segou region of Mali. The study used questionnaire interviews involving 260 farmers (49% women) and focus group discussions for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multinomial logit model to understand the determinants of the level of adoption of adaptation strategies. The results showed that, irrespective of gender, majority of farmers perceived climate change as extended period of droughts, shortened duration of rains, increased frequency of strong winds and increased day and night temperatures. While climate change perception was similar between men and women, choice of adaptation strategies differed significantly in most instances. Women farmers were generally low adopters of crop and varieties-related strategies, soil and water conservation technics (contour farming, use of organic manure), etc., compare to men. Notably, being the household head, age and the availability of free labor were found to positively increased farmers’ probability of adopting many adaptation strategies. The study recommends improving women’s access and control of production resources (land, labor) as means to improving their adoption of adaptation strategies.
Data Ethics Decision Aid (DEDA): a dialogical framework for ethical inquiry of AI and data projects in the Netherlands
Authors: Franzke Aline Shakti , Muis Iris , Schäfer Mirko Tobias
Published: January 2021

This contribution discusses the development of the Data Ethics Decision Aid (DEDA), a framework for reviewing government data projects that considers their social impact, the embedded values and the government’s responsibilities in times of data-driven public management. Drawing from distinct qualitative research approaches, the DEDA framework was developed in an iterative process (2016–2018) and has since then been applied by various Dutch municipalities, the Association of Dutch Municipalities, and the Ministry of General Affairs (NL). We present the DEDA framework as an effective process to moderate case-deliberation and advance the development of responsible data practices. In addition, by thoroughly documenting the deliberation process, the DEDA framework establishes accountability. First, this paper sheds light on the necessity for data ethical case deliberation. Second, it describes the prototypes, the final design of the framework, and its evaluation. After a comparison with other frameworks, and a discussion of the findings, the paper concludes by arguing that the DEDA framework is a useful process for ethical evaluation of data projects for public management and an effective tool for creating awareness of ethical issues in data practices.
PI3K/AKT signaling drives titanium-induced angiogenic stimulus
Authors: Martins Bruna Rodrigues , Pinto Thais Silva , da Costa Fernandes Célio Junior , Bezerra Fábio , Zambuzzi Willian Fernando
Published: January 2021

Although osseointegration and clinical success of titanium (Ti)-implanted materials depend on neovascularization in the reactional peri-implant tissue, very little has been achieved considering the Ti-molecules release on the behavior of endothelial cells. To address this issue, we challenged endothelial cells (HUVECs) with Ti-enriched medium obtained from two types of commercial titanium surfaces [presenting or not dual-acid etching (DAE)] up to 72 h to allow molecular machinery analysis. Our data show that the Ti-enriched medium provokes significant stimulus of angiogenesis-related machinery in endothelial cells by upexpressing VEGFR1, VEGFR2, VEGF, eNOS, and iNOS genes, while the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was also significantly enhanced. As PI3K/AKT signaling was related to angiogenesis in response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), we addressed the importance of PI3K/Akt upon Ti-enriched medium responses by concomitantly treating the cells with wortmannin, a well-known PI3K inhibitor. Wortmannin suppressed the angiogenic factors, because VEGF, VEGFR1, and eNOS genes were downregulated in those cells, highlighting the importance of PI3K/AKT signaling on driving angiogenic phenotype and angiogenesis performance within the peri-implant tissue reaction. In conjunction, these data reinforce that titanium-implantable devices modify the metabolism of surrounding cells, such as endothelial cells, probably coupling osteogenesis and angiogenesis processes in peri-implant tissue and then contributing to successfully osseointegration of biomedical titanium-based devices.
Use of morphological and contextual cues in children’s lexical inferencing in L1 and L2
Authors: Raudszus Henriette , Segers Eliane , Verhoeven Ludo
Published: January 2021

In an experimental design, we investigated how fifth-grade readers use morphological and contextual information to infer the meaning of unknown words, and to what extent this is related to their cognitive and linguistic skills. A group of 166 fifth-grade Dutch children (59 L1, 107 L2) performed a lexical inferencing task in which the availability of morphological and contextual information was manipulated. Readers used both morphological and contextual information in lexical inferencing. Good decoding skill was related to more use of morphological information. Reading comprehension skill was associated with the use of morphological and contextual cues. L1 and L2 readers did not differ with respect to the use of morphological information. L2 readers used contextual information less in their inferences than L1 readers did. This difference was driven by L2 readers with weak vocabulary. The use of contextual information was especially high in L1 readers with good reading comprehension skills, and especially low in L2 readers with low vocabulary. Results indicate that to access morphological information, decoding is crucial, whereas for contextual inferencing, a minimum of linguistic competence is needed, which makes it more challenging for L2 readers.
Intervening Agency and Civilian Liability
Authors: Frowe Helen
Published: January 2021

Adam Hosein has recently proposed that a sufficient degree of intervening agency between a person’s contribution to an unjust lethal threat and the posing of that threat can exempt the contributor from liability to defensive killing. Hosein suggests that this will exempt most civilians from liability to lethal defence even if they contribute to unjust killings. I argue that intervening agency does not bear on a person’s responsibility for a threat, and does not exempt her from liability to defensive killing.
Traditional and new ways in competence management: Application of HR analytics in competence management
Authors: Karwehl Laura Johanna , Kauffeld Simone
Published: January 2021

This article within the magazine Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO) provides an overview of established and new ways in competence management, with a focus on the HR Analytics approach. Competence management has come a long way. Since the beginning of competence research in the 1970’s technological progress and altering competence demands among employees have drastically reshaped the landscape of employment. Handling complexity and large amounts of information has become essential in order to keep up with developments of today’s world. The globalised competition has fostered an increasingly intense ‘War for Talents’ under volatile circumstances. How can an organisation develop an anticipative competence strategy if there are so many variables regarding the future? Since digitalization and the evolving field of big data and predictive analytics enable new ways of information processing, new concepts for human resources management are required. The most prominent approach nowadays is a company-specific competence model that is derived from the organisational strategy. Employees are developed with regard to the competence strategy—even though it might turn out as too rigid to react flexibly to changing environmental conditions in a steadily faster global competition. We state that this process can be extended by a data-driven approach in order to support HR departments and achieve an improved rate of correct assessments for future HR developmental measures.
The Krein–von Neumann Extension for Schrödinger Operators on Metric Graphs
Authors: Muller Jacob , Rohleder Jonathan
Published: January 2021

The Krein–von Neumann extension is studied for Schrödinger operators on metric graphs. Among other things, its vertex conditions are expressed explicitly, and its relation to other self-adjoint vertex conditions (e.g. continuity-Kirchhoff) is explored. A variational characterisation for its positive eigenvalues is obtained. Based on this, the behaviour of its eigenvalues under perturbations of the metric graph is investigated, and so-called surgery principles are established. Moreover, isoperimetric eigenvalue inequalities are obtained.
The cotangent complex and Thom spectra
Authors: Rasekh Nima , Stonek Bruno
Published: January 2021

The cotangent complex of a map of commutative rings is a central object in deformation theory. Since the 1990s, it has been generalized to the homotopical setting of $$E_\infty $$

E
∞

-ring spectra in various ways. In this work we first establish, in the context of $$\infty $$
∞
-categories and using Goodwillie’s calculus of functors, that various definitions of the cotangent complex of a map of $$E_\infty $$

E
∞

-ring spectra that exist in the literature are equivalent. We then turn our attention to a specific example. Let R be an $$E_\infty $$

E
∞

-ring spectrum and $$\mathrm {Pic}(R)$$

Pic
(
R
)

denote its Picard $$E_\infty $$

E
∞

-group. Let Mf denote the Thom $$E_\infty $$

E
∞

-R-algebra of a map of $$E_\infty $$

E
∞

-groups $$f:G\rightarrow \mathrm {Pic}(R)$$

f
:
G
→
Pic
(
R
)

; examples of Mf are given by various flavors of cobordism spectra. We prove that the cotangent complex of $$R\rightarrow Mf$$

R
→
M
f

is equivalent to the smash product of Mf and the connective spectrum associated to G.
Why is Complexity Science valuable for reaching the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda?
Authors: Gentili Pier Luigi
Published: January 2021

The goals and targets included in the 2030 Agenda compiled by the United Nations want to stimulate action in areas of critical importance for humanity and the Earth. These goals and targets regard everyone on Earth from both the health and economic and social perspectives. Reaching these goals means to deal with Complex Systems. Therefore, Complexity Science is undoubtedly valuable. However, it needs to extend its scope and focus on some specific objectives. This article proposes a development of Complexity Science that will bring benefits for achieving the United Nations’ aims. It presents a list of the features shared by all the Complex Systems involved in the 2030 Agenda. It shows the reasons why there are certain limitations in the prediction of Complex Systems’ behaviors. It highlights that such limitations raise ethical issues whenever new technologies interfere with the dynamics of Complex Systems, such as human beings and the environment. Finally, new methodological approaches and promising research lines to face Complexity Challenges included in the 2030 Agenda are put forward.
Research and design of data communication subsystem of urban rail transit CBTC system
Authors: Huang Cong , Huang Ying
Published: January 2021

With the intensive development of urban rail transit in China, urban rail transit has increasingly become the preferred mode of transportation for citizens due to its convenience and speed. The design and construction of an efficient and highly reliable urban rail transit system has become an urgent requirement for urban rail transit construction. This article mainly introduces the research and design of the data communication subsystem of the urban rail transit CBTC system, and intends to provide some ideas and directions for studying the data communication subsystem of the urban rail transit CBTC system. This article uses a variety of methods, such as consulting literature and information research on trademark system suppliers. The development status of CBTC system and data communication subsystem is analyzed, and the importance of data communication subsystem and the necessity of the entire CBTC system are analyzed. The experimental results of this article show that in the design, development and application engineering of the CBTC system, the DCS subsystem accounts for 55%, the system is complex, and the environment is changeable, occupying an important position. When the DCS has a problem, it may cause drive failure, affect normal functions, cause greater losses, and even cause huge safety accidents. Therefore, the reasonable, reliable and safe design of the DCS subsystem is of great significance.
Omega-3 nutraceuticals, climate change and threats to the environment: The cases of Antarctic krill and Calanus finmarchicus
Authors: Prado-Cabrero Alfonso , Nolan John M.
Published: January 2021

The nutraceutical market for EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is promoting fishing forEuphasia superba(Antarctic krill) in the Southern Ocean andCalanus finmarchicusin Norwegian waters. This industry argues that these species are underexploited, but they are essential in their ecosystems, and climate change is altering their geographical distribution. In this perspective, we advocate the cessation of fishing for these species to produce nutraceuticals with EPA and DHA. We argue that this is possible because, contrary to what this industry promotes, the benefits of these fatty acids only seem significant to specific population groups, and not for the general population. Next, we explain that this is desirable because there is evidence that these fisheries may interact with the impact of climate change. Greener sources of EPA and DHA are already available on the market, and their reasonable use would ease pressure on the Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems.