bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introducing Tree-Based-Regression Models for Prediction of Hard Rock TBM Performance with Consideration of Rock Type
Authors: Salimi Alireza , Rostami Jamal , Moormann Christian , Hassanpour Jafar
Published: May 2022

Prediction of machine performance is a fundamental step for planning, cost estimation/control and selection of the machine type when using a tunnel boring machine (TBM). Penetration rate (PR) and machine utilization (U) are the two principal measures of TBM performance for evaluating the feasibility of using a machine in a given ground condition. However, despite the widespread use of TBMs and established track records, accurate estimation of machine performance could still be a challenge, particularly in complex geological conditions. Since different types of rocks have varied texture (cementation and grain size), and respond differently to cutting forces in the TBM tunnelling, incorporating the effects of rock type in performance prediction models can improve the accuracy of the estimates. The aim of this study was to develop models for predicting penetration rate of hard rock TBMs in different types of rock based on field penetration index (FPI), using multivariable regression analysis and machine learning algorithm, including classification and regression tree (CART). The proposed models offer estimated FPIs in different rock types, rock strength, and rock mass properties in the form of graphs (diagrams), which can be used to estimate TBM penetration rate. The proposed models have been developed based on the analysis of a comprehensive database of TBM performance in various rock types and offers more accurate estimates of machine performance by incorporating many of the key parameters available in typical geotechnical reports and contract documents. The models also exhibit sensitivity to rock mass parameters for predicting the penetration rate.
Effects of sulphur amino acids on the size and structure of microbial communities of aerobic granular sludge bioreactors
Authors: Rosa-Masegosa Aurora , Perez-Bou Lizandra , Muñoz-Palazon Barbara , Monteoliva-García Antonio , Gonzalez-Martinez Alejandro , Gonzalez-Lopez Jesus , Correa-Galeote David
Published: May 2022

Granular activated sludge has been described as a promising tool in treating wastewater. However, the effect of high concentrations of sulphur amino acids, cysteine and methionine, in the evolution, development and stability of AGS-SBRs (aerobic granular sludge in sequential batch reactors) and their microbial communities is not well-established. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate microbial communities' size, structure and dynamics in two AGS-SBRs fed with two different concentrations of amino acids (50 and 100 mg L−1 of both amino acids). In addition, the impact of the higher level of amino acids was also determined under an acclimatization or shock strategy. While N removal efficiency decreased with amino acids, the removal of the organic matter was generally satisfactory. Moreover, the abrupt presence of both amino acids reduced even further the removal performance of N, whereas under progressive adaptation, the removal yield was higher. Besides, excellent removal rates of cysteine and methionine elimination were found, in all stages below 80% of the influent values. Generally considered, the addition of amino acids weakly impacts the microbial communities' total abundances. On the contrary, the presence of amino acids sharply modulated the dominant bacterial structures. Furthermore, the highest amino acid concentration under the shock strategy resulted in a severe change in the structure of the microbial community. Acidovorax, Flavobacterium, Methylophilus, Stenotrophomonas and Thauera stood out as the prominent bacteria to cope with the high presence of cysteine and methionine. Hence, the AGS-SBR technology is valuable for treating influents enriched in sulphur Aa inclusively when a shock strategy was used.
Particle number conservation and block structures in matrix product states
Authors: Bachmayr Markus , Götte Michael , Pfeffer Max
Published: May 2022

The eigenvectors of the particle number operator in second quantization are characterized by the block sparsity of their matrix product state representations. This is shown to generalize to other classes of operators. Imposing block sparsity yields a scheme for conserving the particle number that is commonly used in applications in physics. Operations on such block structures, their rank truncation, and implications for numerical algorithms are discussed. Explicit and rank-reduced matrix product operator representations of one- and two-particle operators are constructed that operate only on the non-zero blocks of matrix product states.
True infection or contamination in patients with positive Cutibacterium blood cultures—a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Boman Jolin , Nilson Bo , Sunnerhagen Torgny , Rasmussen Magnus
Published: May 2022

Cutibacterium is a genus often considered a contaminant when present in blood cultures, but it can also cause severe infections, especially related to implanted foreign materials. We investigated the incidence and features of patients with true Cutibacterium infection. Patients with positive Cutibacterium blood cultures between the years 2015–2020 in southern Sweden were identified through microbiology records and medical records were studied retrospectively. Cutibacterium isolates were species determined using MALDI-TOF MS. Patients were classified as having true infection or contamination according to a definition considering both clinical and microbiological features and these groups were compared. A total of 313 episodes of positive Cutibacterium blood cultures were identified in 312 patients. Of these, 49 (16%, corresponding to an incidence of 6 cases per million inhabitants per year) were classified as true infections. The most common species was Cutibacterium acnes (87%), and the majority were elderly men with comorbidities. Patients with true Cutibacterium infection often had an unknown focus of infection (n = 21) or a focus in the respiratory tract (n = 18). We identified one episode of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt infection, three episodes of aortic stent-graft infection, and one episode of infective endocarditis. Two patients, where Cutibacterium was isolated at the site of infection, had only one positive blood culture. The finding of positive Cutibacterium blood cultures should not always be considered contamination. Definitions of true Cutibacterium bacteremia with a demand that more than one blood culture must be positive may miss true infections.
Asymptotic Behavior of $3D$ Unstable Structures Made of Beams
Authors: Griso Georges , Khilkova Larysa , Orlik Julia
Published: May 2022

In our previous papers (Griso et al. in J. Elast. 141:181–225, 2020; J. Elast., 2021,https://doi.org/10.1007/s10659-021-09816-w), we considered thick periodic structures (first paper) and thin stable periodic structures (second paper) made of small cylinders (length of order$\varepsilon $εand cross-sections of radius$r$r). In the first paper$r=\kappa \varepsilon $r=κεwith$\kappa $κa fixed constant,$\varepsilon \to 0$ε→0, while in the second$\varepsilon \to 0$ε→0and${r/ \varepsilon }\to 0$r/ε→0. In this paper, our aim is to give the asymptotic behavior of thin periodic unstable structures, when$\varepsilon \to 0$ε→0,${r/ \varepsilon }\to 0$r/ε→0and$\varepsilon ^{2}/ r\to 0$ε2/r→0.

Our analysis is again based on decompositions of displacements. As for stable periodic structures, Korn type inequalities are proved. Several classes of unstable and auxetic structures are introduced. The unfolding and limit homogenized problems are really different of those obtained for the thin stable periodic structures. The limit homogenized operators are anisotropic, the spaces containing the macroscopic limit displacements depend on the periodicity cells. It was not the case in the two previous studies. Some examples are given.
Genomic identification and phenotypic evaluation of yield traits and bacterial wilt resistance in high oleic peanut breeding lines developed by marker assisted backcrossing
Authors: Fang Yuanjin , Liu Hua , Zhang Zhongxin , Qi Feiyan , Chen Qingzheng , Liu Haidong , Wan Liyun , Wang Xiao , Tian Mengdi , Lv Dengyu , Sun Ziqi , Dong Wenzhao , Huang Bingyan , Zhang Xinyou
Published: May 2022

The peanut rich in oleic acid in seed oil, also known as high oleic peanut, renders its products superior in human healthy diet, long shelf life and high oxidative stability in food and oil processing. High oleic peanut varieties in China are derived from a handful of high oleic donors with limited genetic background. Improvement of high oleic peanut cultivars by integrating key target traits is crucial for both food security and germplasm enhancement. Several superior high oleic peanut lines have been developed by marker assisted backcrossing in our breeding program. The objective of present study is to characterize bacterial wilt disease resistance and yield related traits in these novel peanut lines. The two-year disease nursery survival rates were used as an indicator for bacterial wilt resistance, and the diagnostic markers identified by QTL mapping were used for molecular verification. Genetic background of high oleic peanut lines was estimated by 40 K genotyping by target sequencing (GBTS) SNP panel. Preliminary and regional yield tests were performed for selected breeding lines in 2021. As a result, an elite high oleic peanut accession Yuhua183 was identified, inheriting the superior characteristics of its recurrent parent such as resistance to bacterial wilt, high shelling percentage and early maturity. The development of Yuhua183 broadened the genetic background of high oleic peanut germplasm, providing valuable genetic resources for peanut breeding and further utilization.
Reversing Kia Motors Head Unit to discover and exploit software vulnerabilities
Authors: Costantino Gianpiero , Matteucci Ilaria
Published: May 2022

Modern vehicles resemble four-wheels computers connected to the Internet via their In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) systems. As with PCs in the past, cars, being connected to the Internet can be potentially vulnerable. The IVI system of a car is part of the intra-vehicle network and can be the entry-point of offensive cybersecurity attacks. The intra-vehicle network, based on the CAN protocol, is vulnerable by design: messages are exchanged in clear. Thus, the uncontrolled access to the CAN bus may have serious impact on the vehicle itself and its passengers. In this paper, we present a vulnerability assessment, through a reverse engineering process, of Kia vehicles IVI system. In particular, we focused on reverse engineer the Kia IVI system to discover vulnerabilities that may allow an attacker to compromise the IVI functionalities and inject CAN frames into the CAN bus to alter the behaviour of (part of) the vehicle. By reverse engineering the IVI, we identified four important vulnerabilities that affect all Kia vehicles that embed the studied IVI. Finally, we show how an attacker can easily control the IVI and inject CAN bus frames by means of a Metasploit module that we wrote.
Exploring the multidimensional relationships between social media support, social confidence, perceived media credibility and life attitude during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Pan Xiaoquan , Luo Yiqun
Published: May 2022

Previous literature mainly focuses on the impact of social media support on social trust, emotional effect and life attitude, and affirmed the social governance value of social media support. However, the multidimensional relationship between social media support and social confidence, perceived media credibility and life attitude during the COVID-19 pandemic is an important, yet less explored, research issue. The present research aimed to fill in this gap by a survey of 1343 participants who are permanent residents aged 18 and above in a city through WeChat social networking platform. The results showed that: (1) social media support exerted direct influence on social confidence, perceived media credibility and life attitude; (2) perceived media credibility positively influenced social confidence; (3) social media support not only directly promoted social confidence, but also indirectly influenced social confidence through public’s perceived media credibility. These findings suggested that strengthening social media support during the COVID-19 pandemic is not only helpful to reconstitute the public’s confidence in prevailing against the pandemic, but also is able to help promote the diversification of the power of public network autonomy. This study highlighted social media support as an effective path to improve the ability of social governance.
Ipsilateral and contralateral warnings: effects on decision-making and eye movements in near-collision scenarios
Authors: de Winter Joost , Hu Jimmy , Petermeijer Bastiaan
Published: May 2022

Cars are increasingly capable of providing drivers with warnings and advice. However, whether drivers should be provided with ipsilateral warnings (signaling the direction to steer towards) or contralateral warnings (signaling the direction to avoid) is inconclusive. Furthermore, how auditory warnings and visual information from the driving environment together contribute to drivers’ responses is relatively unexplored. In this study, 34 participants were presented with animated video clips of traffic situations on a three-lane road, while their eye movements were recorded with an eye-tracker. The videos ended with a near collision in front after 1, 3, or 6 s, while either the left or the right lane was safe to swerve into. Participants were instructed to make safe lane-change decisions by pressing the left or right arrow key. Upon the start of each video, participants heard a warning: Go Left/Right (ipsilateral), Danger Left/Right (contralateral), and nondirectional beeps (Baseline), emitted from the spatially corresponding left and right speakers. The results showed no significant differences in response times and accuracy between ipsilateral and contralateral warnings, although participants rated ipsilateral warnings as more satisfactory. Ipsilateral and contralateral warnings both improved response times in situations in which the left/right hazard was not yet manifest or was poorly visible. Participants fixated on salient and relevant vehicles as quickly as 220 ms after the trial started, with no significant differences between the audio types. In conclusion, directional warnings can aid in making a correct left/right evasive decision while not affecting the visual attention distribution.
The critical fractional Ambrosetti–Prodi problem
Authors: Ambrosio Vincenzo , Isernia Teresa
Published: May 2022

In this paper we focus on the following nonlocal problem with critical growth: $$\begin{aligned} \left\{ \begin{array}{ll} (-\Delta )^{s} u = \lambda u + u_{+}^{2^{*}_{s}-1} + f(x) &{} \text{ in } \Omega ,\\ u=0 &{} \text{ in } \mathbb {R}^{N}\setminus \Omega , \end{array} \right. \end{aligned}$$

(
-
Δ
)

s

u
=
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+

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+

2
s

∗

-
1

+
f

(
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)

in

Ω
,

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=
0

in

R

N

\
Ω
,

where $$s\in (0, 1)$$

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∈
(
0
,
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)

, $$N>2s$$

N
>
2
s

, $$\Omega \subset \mathbb {R}^{N}$$

Ω
⊂

R

N

is a smooth bounded domain, $$\lambda >0$$

λ
>
0

, $$(-\Delta )^{s}$$

(
-
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)

s

is the fractional Laplacian, $$f= te_{1}+h$$

f
=
t

e
1

+
h

where $$t\in \mathbb {R}$$

t
∈
R

, $$e_{1}$$

e
1

is the first eigenfunction of $$(-\Delta )^{s}$$

(
-
Δ
)

s

with homogeneous Dirichlet boundary datum, and $$h\in L^{\infty }(\Omega )$$

h
∈

L
∞

(
Ω
)

is such that $$\int _{\Omega } h e_{1}\, dx=0$$

∫
Ω

h

e
1

d
x
=
0

. According to the interaction of the nonlinear term with the spectrum of $$(-\Delta )^{s}$$

(
-
Δ
)

s

, we establish some existence and multiplicity results for the above problem by means of variational methods.
Assessing the Activity of Antimicrobial Peptides Against Common Marine Bacteria Located in Rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis) Cultures
Authors: Woods Chelsea , Woolley Lindsey , Partridge Gavin , Chen Mengqi , Haney Evan F. , Hancock Robert E. W. , Buller Nicky , Currie Andrew
Published: May 2022

Rotifers are used as the first feed for marine fish larvae and are grown in large cultures that have high loads of organic matter and heterotrophic bacteria; these bacteria are passed on to the developing fish larvae and can potentially lead to bacterial infections. A modified minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) protocol for antimicrobial peptides was used to determine the potency of ten antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in artificial seawater relevant to a rotifer culture (salinity of 25‰) against common marine pathogens. All of the AMPs had antimicrobial activity against the bacterial isolates when the salt concentration was approximately zero. However, in high salt concentrations, the majority of the AMPs had an MIC value greater than 65 µg mL−1 in artificial seawater (25‰). The only exceptions were 2009 (32.5 µg mL−1) and 3002 (32.5 µg mL−1) against Vibrio rotiferianus and Tenacibaculum discolor, respectively. The selected synthetic AMPs were not effective at reducing the bacterial load in brackish salt concentrations of a typical commercial rotifer culture (25‰).
Prognostic implications of PPL expression in ovarian cancer
Authors: Hua Tian , Zhao Bei-bei , Fan Shao-bei , Zhao Cai-fen , Kong Yun-hong , Tian Rui-qing , Zhang Bao-ying
Published: May 2022

Periplakin (PPL) is a main member in plakin family, which plays important role in cellular adhesion complexes supporting and cytoskeletal integrity supplying. PPL was reported to be a potential biomarker candidate for several types of cancers. However, the biological functions and underlying mechanisms of PPL in ovarian cancer (OV) remain unclear. In the present study, we used GEPIA 2, Human Protein Atlas, Oncomine, LinkedOmics, Kaplan–Meier Plotter, STRING, CytoHubba plug-in and TIMER to determine the associations among PPL expression, prognosis, and immune cell infiltration in OV. RT-qPCR and IHC analysis were conducted to validated the role of PPL in an independent OV cohort. Compared with the normal ovary tissues, the levels of PPL mRNA and protein expression were both obviously higher in OV tumors from multiple datasets (P < 0.05), and a poor survival was observed to be strongly correlated with high PPL expression (P < 0.05). Moreover, the results were further validated by RT-qPCR and IHC analysis in an independent OV cohort. A gene-clinical nomogram was constructed, including PPL mRNA expression and clinical factors in TCGA. Functional network analysis suggested that PPL participates in the important pathways like Wnt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway. Ten hub genes (LAMC2, PXN, LAMA3, LAMB3, LAMA5, ITGA3, TLN1, ACTN4, ACTN1, and ITGB4) were identified to be positively associated with PPL. Furthermore, PPL expression was negatively correlated with infiltrating levels of CD4+ T cell, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. In conclusion, PPL may be an unfavorable prognostic biomarker candidate in OV, which was also correlated with immune infiltrating and function in immunotherapy response.
Loss of complexity from larval towards adult nervous systems in Chaetopteridae (Chaetopteriformia, Annelida) unveils evolutionary patterns in Annelida
Authors: Helm Conrad , Schwarze Gudrun , Beckers Patrick
Published: May 2022

Chaetopteridae — the parchment worms — comprise a group of early branching annelids with a scarcely investigated neuroanatomy and neurogenesis. Due to their phylogenetic position in the annelid tree, studying them is nevertheless inevitable for our understanding of character evolution in segmented worms. Therefore, we investigated several adult und larval chaetopterids using a broad set of morphological methods — including serial azan-stained histological sections as well as ultrastructural and immunohistochemical approaches. Our investigations shows that the chaetopterid nervous system consists of a medullary and intraepidermal anterior brain without major commissures and only one neuron type. Nuchal organs and complex cup-shaped eyes are absent in adult specimens. The developmental investigations reveal an antero-posterior origin of the larval nervous system, which is in line with previous investigations and supports this character as being plesiomorphic at least for Annelida. Furthermore, the reduction of neuronal complexity during ontogenesis hints towards the necessity of developmental examinations to understand the evolutionary scenarios behind nervous system diversity not only in annelid taxa. Our detailed investigations will help to deepen our knowledge in terms of annelid character evolution and will build up a basis for further detailed examinations dealing with this fascinating group of segmented worms.
Minimally invasive video-assisted parathyroidectomy (MIVAP) versus conventional parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism: a retrospective multicenter study
Authors: Snopok Iurii , Viebahn Richard , Walz Martin , Zgoura Panagiota , Alesina Pier Francesco
Published: May 2022

To compare minimally invasive video-assisted parathyroidectomy (MIVAP) versus conventional surgery for renal hyperparathyroidism (rHPT). Between 2006 and 2020, 53 patients underwent MIVAP and 182 underwent conventional parathyroidectomy for rHPT at the Kliniken Essen-Mitte and Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, respectively. Two propensity score-matched groups were retrospectively analyzed: the MIVAP group (VG; n = 53) and the conventional group (CG; n = 53). To assess long-term results, the patients were questioned prospectively (VG; n = 17, and CG; n = 26). The VG had a smaller incision (2.8 vs. 4.8 cm), shorter operation duration (81.0 vs. 13.9 min), and shorter duration of stay (2.4 vs. 5.7 days) (p < 0.0001) but a smaller drop in parathyroid hormone (PTH) postoperatively (81.3 vs. 85.5%. p = 0.022) than the CG. The conversion rate was 9.4% (n = 5). The VG had better Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS) scores (10.8 vs. 11.7 p = 0.001) but worse SF-12 health survey scores (38.7 vs. 45.8 for physical health and 46.7 vs. 53.4 for mental health) (p < 0.0001). The PTH level at follow-up was higher in the VG (162.7 vs. 59.1 ng/l, p < 0.0001). There were no differences in morbidity, number of removed parathyroid glands, disease persistence, late rHPT relapse and need for repeat surgery between groups. MIVAP was superior to conventional parathyroidectomy regarding aesthetic outcomes and cost effectiveness. Conventional surgery showed better control of PTH levels and health scores on follow-up than MIVAP, without any impact on rHPT relapse and need for repeat surgery.

Trail registration number and date of registration: DRKS00022545 on 14.12.2020.

Graphical abstract
Evaluating nanobiomaterial-induced DNA strand breaks using the alkaline comet assay
Authors: Tutty Melissa Anne , Vella Gabriele , Vennemann Antje , Wiemann Martin , Prina-Mello Adriele
Published: May 2022

Due to their unique chemical and physical properties, nanobiomaterials (NBMs) are extensively studied for applications in medicine and drug delivery. Despite these exciting properties, their small sizes also make them susceptible to toxicity. Whilst nanomaterial immunotoxicity and cytotoxicity are studied in great depth, there is still limited data on their potential genotoxicity or ability to cause DNA damage. In the past years, new medical device regulations, which came into place in 2020, were developed, which require the assessment of long-term NBM exposure; therefore, in recent years, increased attention is being paid to genotoxicity screening of these materials. In this article, and through an interlaboratory comparison (ILC) study conducted within the Horizon 2020 REFINE project, we assess five different NBM formulations, each with different uses, namely, a bio-persistent gold nanoparticle (AuNP), an IR-780 dye-loaded liposome which is used in deep tissue imaging (LipImage™815), an unloaded PACA polymeric nanoparticle used as a drug delivery system (PACA), and two loaded PACA NBMs, i.e. the cabazitaxel drug-loaded PACA (CBZ-PACA) and the NR668 dye-loaded PACA (NR668 PACA) for their potential to cause DNA strand breaks using the alkaline comet assay and discuss the current state of genotoxicity testing for nanomaterials. We have found through our interlaboratory comparison that the alkaline comet assay can be suitably applied to the pre-clinical assessment of NBMs, as a reproducible and repeatable methodology for assessing NBM-induced DNA damage.

Graphical abstract

Workflow for assessing the applicability of the alkaline comet assay to determine nanobiomaterial (NBM)-induced DNA strand breaks, through an interlaboratory comparison study (ILC)
Indigenous institutional theory: a new theoretical framework and methodological tool
Authors: Coates Stacey Kim , Trudgett Michelle , Page Susan
Published: May 2022

This paper introduces and provides comprehensive detail of a new theoretical framework termed ‘Indigenous Institutional Theory’. In doing so, the paper discusses ‘Western’ and ‘Indigenous’ methodological practices and examines two existing theories that influence the newly developed framework; Indigenous Standpoint Theory (Nakata in Disciplining the savages, savaging the disciplines, Aboriginal Studies Press, Chicago, 2007) and Institutional Theory. Illustrating a conceptual framework for Indigenous inquiry, the framework acknowledges the Indigenous perspective, with the intention of offering a new lens in which the Indigenous experience within institutions can be interpreted and analysed. It is anticipated that the framework will be utilised in the future research by Indigenous scholars as a powerful explanatory tool when examining a variety of organisational phenomena in modern society. While the theoretical framework articulated in this paper has initially been designed for an Indigenous research project, the framework can be adapted and utilised when examining the standpoint of minority groups within Western institutions and addressing the diversity gap in leadership. As such, the paper is also relevant to organisational and leadership scholars investigating ways in which discriminatory (e.g. gendered and racialised) structures are created and culturally challenged within Western institutions.
‘But we’re not a multicultural school!’: locating intercultural relations and reimagining intercultural education as an act of ‘coming-to-terms-with our routes’
Authors: Davies Tanya
Published: May 2022

Learning to live in a superdiverse world might be heralded as one of the great social challenges of our time. In the last decade, intercultural education has been posed as one way to foster intercultural capabilities in young people that can contribute towards learning to live well with cultural difference. As the diaspora in Australia—and elsewhere—expands, developing intercultural understanding is seen as a priority. Despite the directives of official policy and curriculum, enacting intercultural education in meaningful ways is complex and fraught. This paper reports on an Australian ethnography at a predominantly ‘white’ school that examined the way productions of cultural difference across school spaces complicate teachers’ intercultural work. This paper considers how intercultural understanding might move beyond celebrations of multiculturalism, arguing that ‘coming-to-terms with our routes’ necessarily prefigures intercultural understanding and provides opportunity for an intercultural education beyond a celebration of multiculturalism.
Technology and aesthetics in school excellence policies: the case of Through Growth to Achievement
Authors: Norman Pat
Published: May 2022

Global policy development in schooling often looks to solutions that embrace technology and articulate a ‘what works’ approach to practice. This paper takes as a case study the Australian Government’sThrough Growth to Achievementreport on achieving school excellence. It analyses the report through the lens of ‘sublimes’, which provide insight into the way certain policy rhetoric can become reified.Through Growth to Achievementemphasises technological solutions which align with and reify an aesthetic notion of good teaching that draws on the ‘what works’ literature. This analysis argues that certain assumptions about technology, teacher practice and the ‘evidence’ for good policy are based on these reifications. A sublimes analysis makes these unspoken assumptions explicit and reveals the way they reinforce globalised policy approaches and foreclose others.
One-step modification method of a superhydrophobic surface for excellent antibacterial capability
Authors: Lan Ling , Di Yue-lan , Wang Hai-dou , Huang Yan-fei , Zhu Li-na , Li Xu-hang
Published: May 2022

In this study, micro/nanostructures are fabricated on the surface of 3Cr13 stainless steel via laser etching, and a superhydrophobic coating with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is prepared by utilizing the reduction-adsorption properties of polydopamine (PDA). We investigate the effect of soaking time from the “one-step method” on the reduction of nano-Ag, surface wettability, and antibacterial properties. Scanning electron microscopy is performed to analyze the distribution of nano-Ag on the surface, whereas X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy are used to analyze the crystal structures and chemical compositions of different surfaces. Samples deposited with PDA on their surface are soaked in a 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane water-alcohol solution containing AgNO3 for 3 h. Subsequently, a “one-step method” is used to prepare low-adhesion superhydrophobic surfaces containing AgNPs. As immersion progresses, more AgNPs are deposited onto the surface. Compared with the polished surface, the samples prepared via the “one-step method” show significant antibacterial properties against both gram-negative Escherichia coli and gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. The antibacterial properties of the surface improve as immersion progresses.
Label Placement Challenges in City Wayfinding Map Production—Identification and Possible Solutions
Authors: Harrie Lars , Oucheikh Rachid , Nilsson Åsa , Oxenstierna Andreas , Cederholm Pontus , Wei Lai , Richter Kai-Florian , Olsson Perola
Published: May 2022

Map label placement is an important task in map production, which needs to be automated since it is tedious and requires a significant amount of manual work. In this paper, we identify five cartographic labeling situations that present challenges by causing intensive manual work in map production of city wayfinding maps, e.g., label placement in high density areas, utilizing true label geometries in automated methods, and creating a good relationship between text labels and icons. We evaluate these challenges in an open source map labeling tool (QGIS), provide results from a preliminary study, and discuss if there are other techniques that could be applicable to solving these challenges. These techniques are based on quantified cartographic rules or on machine learning. We focus on deep learning for which we provide several examples of techniques from other application domains that might have a potential in map label placement. The aim of the paper is to explore those techniques and to recommend future practical studies for each of the identified five challenges in map production. We believe that targeting the revealed challenges using the proposed solutions will significantly raise the automation level for producing city wayfinding maps, thus, having a real, measurable impact on production time and costs.
Menopause und Lunge
Authors: Baumgartner Sabrina , Triebner Kai
Published: May 2022

Unsere Lungenfunktion steht in engem Zusammenhang mit der Morbidität, Mortalität und der Lebensqualität überhaupt. Mit der zunehmenden Lebenserwartung ist die Aufrechterhaltung der Lungenfunktion ein wichtiger Puzzlestein in Hinblick auf gesundes Altern. Postmenopausal wird die altersabhängige Abnahme der Lungenfunktion beschleunigt. Das Verhindern einer übermäßigen Abnahme der Lungenfunktion bei postmenopausalen Frauen (altersbedingte Abnahme der Lungenfunktion, menopausal bedingte Abnahme der Lungenfunktion) hat in den vergangenen Jahren zunehmend präventives Interesse erweckt.
Suicidal behavior in a migrant majority population and impact on trends during the early Covid-19 period: a cross sectional study in Qatar
Authors: AlAbdulla Majid , Reagu Shuja Mohd , Hassan Mohamed H. M. O. , Elhassan Nahid M. , Sayed Sagda , Makki Ibrahim , Elzain Marwa , Wadoo Ovais , Kumar Rajeev
Published: May 2022

Background

Qatar is a high-income country with 90% of the population being economic migrants from low income countries. Due to this unique population composition, it has been suggested that Qatar may not follow suicide trends of high-income countries. Additionally, there is paucity of information on suicidal trends and rates due to social and cultural reasons. The Covid-19 pandemic has additionally impacted mental health of migrants differently form native Qataris.

Objectives

This study explores suicidal behavior trends among individuals attending the main Emergency Department in the state of Qatar for mental health emergencies. The study also compared these trends for pre-pandemic period to early post pandemic period.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of individuals attending the main emergency department of the country from 1st December 2019 to 30th June 2020 was carried out using a composite data collection form. This identified 799 individuals presenting with mental health emergencies. Suicidal behaviors, relevant sociodemographic data, along with factors known to be associated with suicidal behaviors were collected for this group.

Results

24.9% (n = 199) of the sample presented with suicidal behaviors. Younger age (31.16 ± 9.497), current hopelessness (70; 54.7%), history of suicidal thoughts (50; 47.2%), history of suicidal attempts (43; 34.7%), history of self-harm thoughts (35; 39.3%), history of self-harm attempts (41; 37.6%) were highly significantly associated with suicidal behavior (p < 0.01). Qataris formed 27% of the group presenting with suicidal behaviors although they constitute only around 10% of the population. There was no significant change in the rate of presenting with suicidal behaviors during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Conclusions

This study reports an annual incidence of suicidal behaviors in Qatar lower than that has been previously reported. The authors surmise that this may be due to improved availability and early intervention of mental health services and decreased stigma around mental health.
Big Data and the Welfare State
Authors: Iversen Torben , Rehm Philipp
Published: May 2022

A core principle of the welfare state is that everyone pays taxes or contributions in exchange for universal insurance against social risks such as sickness, old age, unemployment, and plain bad luck. This solidarity principle assumes that everyone is a member of a single national insurance pool, and it is commonly explained by poor and asymmetric information, which undermines markets and creates the perception that we are all in the same boat. Living in the midst of an information revolution, this is no longer a satisfactory approach. This book explores, theoretically and empirically, the consequences of 'big data' for the politics of social protection. Torben Iversen and Philipp Rehm argue that more and better data polarize preferences over public insurance and often segment social insurance into smaller, more homogenous, and less redistributive pools, using cases studies of health and unemployment insurance and statistical analyses of life insurance, credit markets, and public opinion.
Alexander Paterson, Prison Reformer
Authors: Potter Harry
Published: May 2022

The first biography of the prison reformer Alexander Paterson (1884-1947).
Estimating Volumes of Coastal Shell Midden Sites Using Geometric Solids
Authors: Gustas Robert H. , McKechnie Iain , Mackie Quentin , Darimont Chris
Published: May 2022

Coastal shell midden deposits are a quintessential component of the archaeological record on the Pacific Northwest Coast. Despite their importance in informing the cultural and environmental histories of Indigenous peoples, research on shell middens has largely not sought to address the physical extent of these cultural deposits, which requires estimating shape, depth, and volume. Here, we present a new scalable geospatial model, designed to work with legacy survey data, for estimating midden volumes based on applying a regular geometric solid to sites with known extent and depth. We evaluate the accuracy of this technique using percussion core, total station, and lidar data from eight sites in Tseshaht territory on western Vancouver Island and three sites on the north coast of British Columbia (Canada). As part of the evaluation process of our results, we calculate uncertainty using subsurface core depth data and then compare generalized and modeled midden volume estimates. We demonstrate an accurate general model applied at the regional scale across a systematically surveyed landscape. This work presents the first landscape-scale measure of midden extents and volume within our study area, with relevance to historical ecology and settlement patterns.
Transition boundaries and an order-to-chaos map for the flow field past a flapping foil
Authors: Majumdar Dipanjan , Bose Chandan , Sarkar Sunetra
Published: May 2022

The present study focuses on identifying dynamical transition boundaries and presents an order-to-chaos map for the unsteady flow field of a flapping foil in the low Reynolds number regime. The effect of an extensive parametric space, covering a large number of kinematic conditions, has been investigated. It is shown that the conventional non-dimensional parameters cannot effectively capture the changes in the flow field due to the variations in the relevant kinematic parameters and are unable to demarcate the dynamical transition boundaries. Two new non-dimensional measures – maximum effective angle of attack and a leading-edge amplitude-based Strouhal number – are proposed here, which can capture the physical effect of the parametric variations on the wake dynamics. The study proposes generalised transition boundaries and an order-to-chaos map through a transitional regime in terms of these two newly proposed parameters. Published data from the existing literature have also been tested to verify the proposed transition model. It is seen that despite the wide variety of the parametric combinations, the dynamical states from both the new and the published data corroborate well the proposed boundaries, giving credibility to the order-to-chaos map.
Combustion and flame position impacts on shear layer dynamics in a reacting jet in cross-flow
Authors: Nair Vedanth , Sirignano Matthew , Emerson Benjamin L. , Lieuwen Timothy C.
Published: May 2022

This study experimentally investigates reacting jets in cross-flow (RJICF), considering flame/shear layer offset, momentum flux ratio (

$J$

) and density ratio (

$S$

) effects. These results demonstrate that non-reacting JICF and RJICF can exhibit very similar or completely different dynamics and controlling physics, depending upon streamwise and radial flame location. Consistent with prior measurements of Getsinger et al. (Exp. Fluids, vol. 53 (3), 2012, pp. 783–801), spatial amplification rates of shear layer vortex (SLV) structures increased with decreasing

$S$

for non-reacting cases. Similar

$S$

dependencies exist for reacting cases in which the flame lay outside the jet shear layer, whose flow topology is also quite similar to non-reacting cases, albeit with reduced SLV growth rates. However, although the reacting cases have lower growth rates, these SLV structures ultimately reach approximately the same peak strength as in the non-reacting cases. Finally, the SLV decay rate in both non-reacting and reacting cases was found to similarly scale inversely with the initial SLV growth rate. As such, primarily inertial mechanisms govern SLV growth and decay for reacting cases where the flame lies outside the shear layer. In contrast, very different behaviour is exhibited by reacting cases where the flame lies inside the shear layer, where the locally increased viscosity exerts significant influences. In these reacting cases, SLV roll-up is completely suppressed and the entire jet column undulates over a long length scale relative to the jet diameter. As such, the relative roles of inertial and viscous mechanisms in controlling combustion influences on the SLV dynamics, changes markedly with shear layer–flame offset.
Mapping Out the Landscape: A Multi-dimensional Approach to Behavioral Innovation
Authors: Brown Rachael L.
Published: May 2022

Transformations in the “behavioral innovativeness” of species—broadly, the capacity to generate new or novel behaviors—have been associated with significant evolutionary shifts in cognition by both philosophers and scientists. Whilst intuitively and theoretically appealing, this assumption lacks strong empirical support. One barrier is the absence of a good measure of behavioral innovation. This paper offers a solution to this problem by breaking down innovation into its components and presenting a novel multi-dimensional framework for characterising and comparing putative cases of behavioral innovation.
Philosophy in Science: Some Personal Reflections
Authors: Sober Elliott
Published: May 2022

The task of Philosophy in Science (PinS) is to use philosophical tools to help solve scientific problems. This article describes how I stumbled into this line of work and then addressed several topics in philosophy of biology—units of selection, cladistic parsimony, robustness and trade-offs in model building, adaptationism, and evidence for common ancestry—often in collaboration with scientists. I conclude by offering advice for would-be PinS practitioners.
Trust of Science as a Public Collective Good
Authors: Slater Matthew H. , Scholfield Emily R.
Published: May 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic and global climate change crisis remind us that widespread trust in the products of the scientific enterprise is vital to the health and safety of the global community. Insofar as appropriate responses to these (and other) crises require us to trust that enterprise, cultivating a healthier trust relationship between science and the public may be considered as a collective public good. While it might appear that scientists can contribute to this good by taking more initiative to communicate their work to public audiences, we raise a concern about unintended consequences of an individualistic approach to such communication.
Gazelle–livestock interactions and impact of water resource development in the Ouadi Rimé–Ouadi Achim Reserve, Chad
Authors: Wacher Tim , Amin Rajan , Newby John , Hatcha Mahamat Hassan , Abeye Krazidi , Ali Habib , Zeubobe Bourtchiakbé Sadock , Ndoassal Banlongar Felix
Published: May 2022

The Ouadi Rimé–Ouadi Achim Reserve (Réserve de l'Ouadi Rimé–Ouadi Achim) in central Chad supports large numbers of livestock and rare antelopes, and is the site of ongoing reintroductions of the scimitar-horned oryxOryx dammahand addaxAddax nasomaculatus. We present results of surveys conducted during 2011–2019 to examine patterns of relative abundance and distribution of dorcas gazellesGazella dorcas, dama gazellesNanger damaand livestock in relation to each other and to water sources in a 3,500 km2area in the centre of the Reserve. Dorcas gazelles numbered 7,700–18,000, moving extensively across the area. Livestock varied between c. 2,000 and 68,000 tropical livestock units across surveys, with density doubling in the wet season. Dorcas gazelle distribution was negatively associated with livestock, and livestock density was positively associated with artificial water sources. Dorcas gazelle densities were positively associated with locations where there had been wild fires in the 6 months prior to a survey. Dama gazelles were encountered only 13 times, insufficient to estimate their population size reliably. Opportunistic observations suggest dama gazelles avoid livestock and burnt ground. Our findings highlight the importance of the Reserve. We recommend the designation of a large, well-managed conservation priority zone in the Reserve's core area in which no further development of water resources is permitted. Management of livestock numbers within this zone at or below current levels is essential to integrate national goals for both biodiversity conservation and pastoralism development.
Place, history and incarnation: On the subjective aspects of christology
Authors: McGrath Alister
Published: May 2022

This article engages Thomas F. Torrance's landmark work,Space, Time and Incarnation(1969), suggesting that his approach needs amplification in the light of recent studies emphasising the importance of the affective aspects of theology. The alternative framework of ‘place, history, and incarnation’ is proposed as a means of safeguarding the important subjective aspects of the incarnation, and the theological task of interpreting its significance. The article makes use of Simeon Zahl's account of ‘affective salience’ in developing this richer account of the significance of the incarnation.
‘The whole church is here listening’: Tracing thesensus fideliumin public discourse in the early church
Authors: Meeks Charles
Published: May 2022

This essay forms the basis for the case that contemporary application of the concept of thesensus fideliumas a vehicle for transmitting accurate doctrine relies primarily on shifts in power structures in the first several centuries of the church. By investigating two documents depicting public theological dialogues in the presence of both clergy and laity, Origen'sDialogue with Heraclidesfrom the third century and theDialogue of Heraclianfrom the fourth century, I argue that the intersection of a widening gap between lay and clergy with a shrinking importance in public theological debate served actually to relocate thesensus fideliumfrom the efforts of powerful clergy into the lived churchly practices of the laity.
Conservation management and termites: a case study from central Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa)
Authors: Silué Kolotchèlèma Simon , Koné N’golo Abdoulaye , Konaté Souleymane , Roisin Yves , Korb Judith
Published: May 2022

Termites are essential components of tropical ecosystems, in which they provide fundamental ecosystem services, such as decomposition of dead plant material, fostering of soil mineralization and provisioning of new microhabitats. We investigated the termite communities of four habitats in two protected areas in West Africa, which differ in management effectiveness: the strictly protected Lamto Reserve (LR) and the Marahoué National Park (MNP), which suffers from anthropogenic disturbance despite its protection status. We tested the effect of disturbance on species composition, richness and abundance as well as on functional (feeding type) composition. The effect of disturbance was clearly visible in the termite communities. Compared to the LR, the MNP had less termite species overall and in all habitats except the shrub savannah. Also the abundance of termites was generally reduced and a decrease of soil feeders recorded. The latter is well-known to be sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance in forests. Comparing our results with other studies, we were able to identify suitable bioindicators of ecosystem health for West-African savannahs. Furthermore, we discuss the potential consequences of anthropogenic disturbance on ecosystem services provided by termites.