bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing the EPIC Richards submodel for simulating soil water dynamics under different bottom boundary conditions
Authors: Longo Matteo , Jones Curtis Dinnen , Izaurralde Roberto César , Cabrera Miguel L. , Dal Ferro Nicola , Morari Francesco
Published: July 2021

Most biogeochemical models simulate water dynamics using the tipping bucket approach, which has been often found to be too simplistic to represent vadose zone dynamics adequately under shallow groundwater conditions. Recently, a solution to the Richards equation using the Mualem–van Genuchten model (Rich‐vGM) has been added into the EPIC (Environmental Policy Integrated Climate) model to address this shortfall. Its performance was tested using lysimeters operating under free drainage (FD) and at a shallow water table (60‐ [WT60] and 120‐cm depth [WT120]). Model accuracy was also compared with the upgraded tipping bucket‐based method implemented into EPIC (the variable saturation hydraulic conductivity method [VSHC]). Soil water content (SWC) data were split into calibration and validation subsets. Model evaluation also included annual evapotranspiration (ET), percolation (PRK), and upward water movements to assess underlying soil water balance factors. The submodels provided accurate and similar results upon comparison with SWC measures under FD (Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient [NSE] = 0.26 and 0.61 using VSHC and Rich‐vGM, respectively). The Rich‐vGM model accurately reproduced observed SWC and ET (e.g., NSE = 0.70 and percentage bias [PBIAS] = −3.7% for WT120, respectively) although it slightly overestimated PRK (PBIAS = 47.8%, on average). Instead, VSHC proved unable to correctly simulate shallow groundwater conditions (e.g., NSE = −1.85 for WT60 SWC). Under shallow groundwater conditions, the Rich‐vGM method is recommended, despite the additional data required and the need to define the bottom boundary conditions according to water table fluctuations. In conclusion, the Richards solver introduced and tested in EPIC improved the model's ability to represent complex biophysical and biogeochemical processes in terrestrial ecosystems associated with the hydrological balance.
Endotoxin contamination of engineered nanomaterials: Overcoming the hurdles associated with endotoxin testing
Authors: Hannon Gary , Prina‐Mello Adriele
Published: July 2021

Nanomaterials are highly susceptible to endotoxin contamination due their large surface‐to‐volume ratios and endotoxins propensity to associate readily to hydrophobic and cationic surfaces. Additionally, the stability of endotoxin ensures it cannot be removed efficiently through conventional sterilization techniques such as autoclaving and ionizing radiation. In recent times, the true significance of this hurdle has come to light with multiple reports from the United States Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory, in particular, along with our own experiences of endotoxin testing from multiple Horizon 2020‐funded projects which highlight the importance of this issue for the clinical translation of nanomaterials. Herein, we provide an overview on the topic of endotoxin contamination of nanomaterials intended for biomedical applications.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Regulatory and Policy Issues in Nanomedicine
Synthesis and properties of phosphate cancrinite (PO4‐CAN) a synthetic counterpart of depmeierite
Authors: Buhl J.‐Ch. , Petrov V.
Published: July 2021

Phosphate cancrinite (PO4‐CAN) has been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions at 473 K using kaolin, sodium orthophosphate‐dodecahydrate and strong alkaline conditions (8 M NaOH solution). Cancrinite crystals of rod‐like habit and maximum lengths up to 2 μm were observed and characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDXS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MAS NMR) of the nucleus 31P, thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) and heating experiments under open conditions in a furnace were additionally performed. The empirical formula Na8[SiAlO4]6(PO4)0.58(CO3)0.13(H2O)4.6 was calculated from EDXS analyses and TG data under consideration of a minor carbonate content, detected by FTIR spectroscopy. PO4‐CAN is stable up to 800 °C before thermal destruction rapidly occurs at 825 °C. The final product of TG analyses at 1000 °C is a mixture of a nepheline‐like phase and the phosphate content of the initial cancrinite sample. XRD and FTIR results of the synthesis product are in good agreement with literature data of the rare mineral depmeierite.
Hierarchical structure of physical Yukawa couplings from matter field Kähler metric
Authors: Ishiguro Keiya , Kobayashi Tatsuo , Otsuka Hajime
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We study the impacts of matter field Kähler metric on physical Yukawa couplings in string compactifications. Since the Kähler metric is non-trivial in general, the kinetic mixing of matter fields opens a new avenue for realizing a hierarchical structure of physical Yukawa couplings, even when holomorphic Yukawa couplings have the trivial structure. The hierarchical Yukawa couplings are demonstrated by couplings of pure untwisted modes on toroidal orbifolds and their resolutions in the context of heterotic string theory with standard embedding. Also, we study the hierarchical couplings among untwisted and twisted modes on resolved orbifolds.
Holography abhors visible trapped surfaces
Authors: Engelhardt Netta , Folkestad Åsmund
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We prove that consistency of the holographic dictionary implies a hallmark prediction of the weak cosmic censorship conjecture: that in classical gravity, trapped surfaces lie behind event horizons. In particular, the existence of a trapped surface implies the existence of an event horizon, and that furthermore this event horizon must be outside of the trapped surface. More precisely, we show that the formation of event horizons outside of a strong gravity region is a direct consequence of causal wedge inclusion, which is required by entanglement wedge reconstruction. We make few assumptions beyond the absence of evaporating singularities in strictly classical gravity. We comment on the implication that spacetimes with naked trapped surfaces do not admit a holographic dual, note a possible application to holographic complexity, and speculate on the dual CFT interpretation of a trapped surface.
Modular origin of mass hierarchy: Froggatt-Nielsen like mechanism
Authors: Kuranaga Hitomi , Ohki Hiroshi , Uemura Shohei
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We study Froggatt-Nielsen (FN) like flavor models with modular symmetry. The FN mechanism is a convincing solution to the flavor puzzle in the quark sector. The FN mechanism requires an extra U(1) gauge symmetry which is broken at high energies. Alternatively, in the framework of modular symmetry the modular weights can play the role of the FN charges of the extra U(1) symmetry. Based on the FN-like mechanism with modular symmetry we present new flavor models for the quark sector. Assuming that the three generations have a common representation under the modular symmetry, our models simply reproduce the FN-like Yukawa matrices. We also show that the realistic mass hierarchy and mixing angles, which are related to each other through the modular parameters and a scalar vev, can be realized in models with several finite modular groups (and their double covering groups) without unnatural hierarchical parameters.
Radiative neutrino masses, lepton flavor mixing and muon g − 2 in a leptoquark model
Authors: Zhang Di
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We propose a leptoquark model with two scalar leptoquarks $$ {S}_1\left(\overline{3},1,\frac{1}{3}\right) $$

S
1

3
¯

1

1
3

and $$ {\tilde{R}}_2\left(3,2,\frac{1}{6}\right) $$

R
˜

2

3
2

1
6

to give a combined explanation of neutrino masses, lepton flavor mixing and the anomaly of muon g − 2, satisfying the constraints from the radiative decays of charged leptons. The neutrino masses are generated via one-loop corrections resulting from a mixing between S1 and $$ {\tilde{R}}_2 $$

R
˜

2

. With a set of specific textures for the leptoquark Yukawa coupling matrices, the neutrino mass matrix possesses an approximate μ-τ reflection symmetry with (Mν)ee = 0 only in favor of the normal neutrino mass ordering. We show that this model can successfully explain the anomaly of muon g − 2 and current experimental neutrino oscillation data under the constraints from the radiative decays of charged leptons.
Higher-derivative heterotic Double Field Theory and classical double copy
Authors: Lescano Eric , Rodríguez Jesús A.
Published: July 2021

Abstract

The generalized Kerr-Schild ansatz (GKSA) is a powerful tool for constructing exact solutions in Double Field Theory (DFT). In this paper we focus in the heterotic formulation of DFT, considering up to four-derivative terms in the action principle, while the field content is perturbed by the GKSA. We study the inclusion of the generalized version of the Green-Schwarz mechanism to this setup, in order to reproduce the low energy effective heterotic supergravity upon parametrization. This formalism reproduces higher-derivative heterotic background solutions where the metric tensor and Kalb-Ramond field are perturbed by a pair of null vectors. Next we study higher-derivative contributions to the classical double copy structure. After a suitable identification of the null vectors with a pair of U(1) gauge fields, the dynamics is given by a pair of Maxwell equations plus higher derivative corrections in agreement with the KLT relation.
A Penrose limit for type IIB AdS6 solutions
Authors: Gutperle Michael , Klein Nicholas
Published: July 2021

Abstract

In this paper a Penrose limit is constructed for type IIB AdS6× S2× Σ supergravity solutions. These solutions are dual to five dimensional SCFTs related to (p,q) five brane webs, which can often be described in terms of long quiver gauge theories. The null geodesic from which the Penrose limit is constructed is localized at a unique point on the two dimensional Riemann surface Σ, where the AdS6 and S2 metric factors are extremal. The resulting pp-wave spacetime takes a universal form. The world sheet action of the Green-Schwarz string is quadratic in the light cone gauge and the spectrum of string excitations is obtained.
Correction to: From Jean Leray to the millennium problem: the Navier–Stokes equations
Authors: Farwig Reinhard
Published: July 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s00028-020-00645-3
Simultaneous quantification of trimethylamine N-oxide, trimethylamine, choline, betaine, creatinine, and propionyl-, acetyl-, and l-carnitine in clinical and food samples using HILIC-LC-MS
Authors: Hefni Mohammed E , Bergström Maria , Lennqvist Torbjörn , Fagerström Cecilia , Witthöft Cornelia M
Published: July 2021

Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a microbiome-derived metabolite from the metabolism of choline, betaine, and carnitines, is associated to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. A method suitable for routine quantification of TMAO and its precursors (trimethylamine (TMA), choline, betaine, creatinine, and propionyl-, acetyl-, and l-carnitine) in clinical and food samples has been developed based on LC-MS. TMA was successfully derivatized using iodoacetonitrile, and no cross-reactions with TMAO or the other methylamines were detected. Extraction from clinical samples (plasma and urine) was performed after protein precipitation using acetonitrile:methanol. For food samples (meatballs and eggs), water extraction was shown to be sufficient, but acid hydrolysis was required to release bound choline before extraction. Baseline separation of the methylamines was achieved using a neutral HILIC column and a mobile phase consisting of 25 mmol/L ammonium formate in water:ACN (30:70). Quantification was performed by MS using external calibration and isotopic labelled internal standards. The assay proved suitable for both clinical and food samples and was linear from ≈ 0.1 up to 200 μmol/L for all methylamines except for TMA and TMAO, which were linear up to 100 μmol/L. Recoveries were 91–107% in clinical samples and 76–98% in food samples. The interday (n=8, four duplicate analysis) CVs were below 9% for all metabolites in clinical and food samples. The method was applied successfully to determine the methylamine concentrations in plasma and urine from the subjects participating in an intervention trial (n=10) to determine the effect of animal food ingestion on methylamine concentrations.

Graphical abstract
Combined simulation and optimization framework for irrigation scheduling in agriculture fields
Authors: Fontanet Mireia , Fernàndez-Garcia Daniel , Rodrigo Gema , Ferrer Francesc , Villar Josep Maria
Published: July 2021

In the context of growing evidence of climate change and the fact that agriculture uses about 70% of all the water available for irrigation in semi-arid areas, there is an increasing probability of water scarcity scenarios. Water irrigation optimization is, therefore, one of the main goals of researchers and stakeholders involved in irrigated agriculture. Irrigation scheduling is often conducted based on simple water requirement calculations without accounting for the strong link between water movement in the root zone, soil–water–crop productivity and irrigation expenses. In this work, we present a combined simulation and optimization framework aimed at estimating irrigation parameters that maximize the crop net margin. The simulation component couples the movement of water in a variably saturated porous media driven by irrigation with crop water uptake and crop yields. The optimization component assures maximum gain with minimum cost of crop production during a growing season. An application of the method demonstrates that an optimal solution exists and substantially differs from traditional methods. In contrast to traditional methods, results show that the optimal irrigation scheduling solution prevents water logging and provides a more constant value of water content during the entire growing season within the root zone. As a result, in this case, the crop net margin cost exhibits a substantial increase with respect to the traditional method. The optimal irrigation scheduling solution is also shown to strongly depend on the particular soil hydraulic properties of the given field site.
Comorbidities, substance abuse, weight and age are independent risk factors for postoperative complications following operation for proximal humerus fractures: a retrospective analysis of 1109 patients
Authors: Henkelmann Ralf , Theopold Jan , Kitsche Jonas , Link Paul-Vincent , Mende Meinhard , Hepp Pierre
Published: July 2021

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the influence of epidemiologic parameters on complications that needed operative revision of operatively treated proximal humerus fractures.

Methods

We performed a retrospective single-center study in a level 1 trauma center. We included all patients with operatively treated proximal humerus fractures from January 1 2005 to December 31 2015. We characterized our cohort and subgroup using descriptive statistics. The primary outcome was postoperative complications. For this purpose, postoperative complications were defined in advance, an operative revision was necessary on a general rule. The secondary outcome was a model of the risk factors for complications created with multiple logistic regression.

Results

We included 1109 patients. The average age was 67.2 years (± 16.4), and 71.4% of the fractures occurred in women. A total of 644 patients (58.1%) had between one to three comorbidities, and 27.8% had four or more. The fracture morphology was as follows: 3 part 41.8%, 4 part 26.9%, 2 part 24.3%, and dislocation fracture 6.7%. Complications occurred in 150 patients (13.5%). The number of comorbidities [odds ratio (OR) 2.85, p < 0.01], body weight (OR 1.15, p = 0.02), and substance abuse (OR 1.82, p = 0.04) significantly correlated with the risk of complications. We achieved a sensitivity of 48% and a specificity of 74% for the variables body weight, substance abuse, age, and comorbidities

Conclusion

The epidemiologic parameters, comorbidities, substance abuse, weight, and age are independent risk factors for complications. If these factors are present, one can predict a postoperative complication requiring surgical revision with low sensitivity and moderate specificity. Therefore, concerning the high number of multi-morbid patients with proximal humerus fractures, an increased postoperative complication rate can be expected.

Level of evidence

Level of evidence IV
Informationen zu bipolaren Störungen und Darstellungen in Film und Literatur
Authors: Erfurth Andreas , Michael Nikolaus , Roestel Cornelia , Sachs Gabriele
Published: July 2021

Hiermit veröffentlicht psychopraxis.neuropraxis die dritte Tranche eines Psychoedukationsprogramms mit 8 Modulen. Vorgestellt wird eine offene Stunde, in der für das Konzept von Selbsthilfegruppen geworben wird und Anregungen zu Büchern mit Informationen gegeben werden, auch zu Darstellungen affektiver Störungen in Literatur und Film. In einem weiteren Modul lernen die Teilnehmer die retrospektive Life-Chart kennen. Durch die Verknüpfung von retrospektiver mit prospektiver Life-Chart entsteht eine lückenlose Erfassung des Verlaufes und seiner Determinanten durch die bipolare Person.
Effects of provider incentives on dental X-raying in NHS Scotland: what happens if patients switch providers?
Authors: Kalmus Olivier , Chalkley Martin , Listl Stefan
Published: July 2021

Background

In many market settings individuals are encouraged to switch health care providers as a means of ensuring more competition. Switching may have a potentially undesirable side effect of increasing unnecessary treatment. Focusing on the most common source of medical radiation (dental X-rays), the purpose of this study was to assess whether, upon switching dentist, X-ray exposure increases depending on the type of provider payment.

Methods

The analysis used longitudinal data from 2005 to 2016 covering a 5% random sample of the Scottish adult population covered by the National Health Service (NHS). Multiple fixed-effects panel regression analyses were employed to determine the correlation of provider remuneration with patients’ likelihood of receiving an X-ray upon switching to a new dentist other things equal. A broad set of covariates including a patient’s copayment status was controlled for.

Results

Upon switching to a dentist who was paid fee-for-service, patients had a by 9.6%-points (95% CI 7.4–11.8%) higher probability of receiving an X-ray, compared to switching to a salaried dentist. Results were robust when accounting for patient exemption status, as well as unobserved patient and dentist characteristics.

Conclusions

In comparison to staying with the same dentist, patients may be exposed to substantially more X-rays upon switching to a dentist who is paid fee-for-service. There may need to be better guidance and regulation to protect the health of those who have to switch provider due to moving and greater caution in advocating voluntary switching.
Learning Interaction Kernels in Stochastic Systems of Interacting Particles from Multiple Trajectories
Authors: Lu Fei , Maggioni Mauro , Tang Sui
Published: July 2021

We consider stochastic systems of interacting particles or agents, with dynamics determined by an interaction kernel, which only depends on pairwise distances. We study the problem of inferring this interaction kernel from observations of the positions of the particles, in either continuous or discrete time, along multiple independent trajectories. We introduce a nonparametric inference approach to this inverse problem, based on a regularized maximum likelihood estimator constrained to suitable hypothesis spaces adaptive to data. We show that a coercivity condition enables us to control the condition number of this problem and prove the consistency of our estimator, and that in fact it converges at a near-optimal learning rate, equal to the min–max rate of one-dimensional nonparametric regression. In particular, this rate is independent of the dimension of the state space, which is typically very high. We also analyze the discretization errors in the case of discrete-time observations, showing that it is of order 1/2 in terms of the time spacings between observations. This term, when large, dominates the sampling error and the approximation error, preventing convergence of the estimator. Finally, we exhibit an efficient parallel algorithm to construct the estimator from data, and we demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm with numerical tests on prototype systems including stochastic opinion dynamics and a Lennard-Jones model.
Serum caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 fragment as a prognostic biomarker in hematological patients with febrile neutropenia
Authors: Intke Carina , Korpelainen Sini , Lappalainen Marika , Vänskä Matti , Hämäläinen Sari , Pulkki Kari , Jantunen Esa , Juutilainen Auni , Purhonen Anna-Kaisa
Published: July 2021

The study aim was to determine the benefit of the measurement of serum caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) fragment as a prognostic marker of febrile neutropenia (FN) in hematological patients. The study population consisted of 86 consecutive patients with FN who received intensive chemotherapy for hematological malignancy at the adult hematology ward of Kuopio University Hospital. Twenty-three patients (27%) had acute myeloid leukemia, and 63 patients (73%) were autologous stem cell transplant recipients. Serum caspase-cleaved CK-18 fragment M30, C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) were measured at the onset of FN (d0), on day 1 (d1), and on day 2 (d2). Eight patients (9%) developed severe sepsis, including three patients with septic shock. Eighteen patients (21%) had a blood culture-positive infection. Serum CK-18 fragment peaked on the first day after fever onset in patients with severe sepsis. Higher CK-18 level was associated with severe sepsis, intensive care unit treatment, and fatal outcome, but not with blood culture positivity. In ROC curve analysis, d1 serum CK-18 fragment predicted severe sepsis with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.767, CRP with an AUC of 0.764, and PCT with an AUC of 0.731. On d2, the best predictive capacity was observed for CRP with an AUC of 0.832. The optimal cutoff of caspase-cleaved CK-18 fragment M30 for predicting severe sepsis was 205 U/L on d1. In hematological patients, serum CK-18 fragment was found to be a potential prognostic marker of severe sepsis at early stages of FN.
Klinische Charakteristika und Lebensqualität beim Dravet-Syndrom: Ergebnisse der deutschen Kohorte des „Dravet syndrome caregiver survey“ (DISCUSS)
Authors: Strzelczyk A. , Lagae L. , Kurlemann G. , Flege S. , Bast T. , Polster T. , Pringsheim M. , von Spiczak S. , Hipp P. , Schubert-Bast S.
Published: July 2021

Hintergrund

Das Dravet-Syndrom (DS) ist ein seltenes, in der frühen Kindheit beginnendes, therapierefraktäres Epilepsiesyndrom, das mit einer hohen Morbidität und Mortalität verbunden ist.

Fragestellung

Ziele der Querschnittsstudie „Dravet syndrome caregiver survey“ (DISCUSS) sind die Identifizierung und Beschreibung der Faktoren, die einen Einfluss auf die Krankheitslast von Patienten mit DS und ihre Betreuer haben können. Die Ergebnisse der deutschen Kohorte werden vorgestellt.

Material und Methoden

Die Datenerhebung erfolgte durch eine anonyme Befragung von Eltern. Die Ergebnisse wurden für die verschiedenen Altersgruppen statistisch ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Der Fragebogen wurde von 68 Eltern der DS-Patienten mit einem durchschnittlichen Alter von 10 Jahren (Median: 9, Spanne: 1–26) ausgefüllt. Nur 3 Patienten (4,4 %) waren in den letzten 3 Monaten anfallsfrei. Insgesamt hatten 97 % der Patienten, die älter als 5 Jahre waren (n = 45), mindestens eine Komorbidität. Die zum Befragungszeitpunkt am häufigsten eingenommenen Antiepileptika waren Valproat, Kaliumbromid, Stiripentol, Clobazam und Topiramat. In der Vergangenheit wurden Natriumkanalblocker, Phenobarbital und Levetiracetam eingesetzt, aktuell fanden diese Antiepileptika nur selten Verwendung. Die Lebensqualität der Patienten war niedriger als die der Allgemeinbevölkerung. Die Erkrankung eines Familienmitglieds mit DS beeinflusst Eltern und Geschwister in hohem Maße.

Diskussion

Trotz individueller Kombinationstherapien sind die meisten Patienten mit DS nicht anfallsfrei. Insgesamt hat sich der Einsatz von beim DS wenig wirksamer Medikamente und der kontraindizierten Natriumkanalblocker zugunsten von wirksameren Medikamenten verschoben. Neue Therapie- und Versorgungskonzepte sind notwendig, um die Versorgung der Patienten mit DS zu verbessern und Eltern und Geschwister zu entlasten.
Non-intrusive data-driven ROM framework for hemodynamics problems
Authors: Girfoglio M. , Scandurra L. , Ballarin F. , Infantino G. , Nicolo F. , Montalto A. , Rozza G. , Scrofani R. , Comisso M. , Musumeci F.
Published: July 2021

Reduced order modeling (ROM) techniques are numerical methods that approximate the solution of parametric partial differential equation (PED) by properly combining the high-fidelity solutions of the problem obtained for several configurations, i.e. for several properly chosen values of the physical/geometrical parameters characterizing the problem. By starting from a database of high-fidelity solutions related to a certain values of the parameters, we apply the proper orthogonal decomposition with interpolation (PODI) and then reconstruct the variables of interest for new values of the parameters, i.e. different values from the ones included in the database. Furthermore, we present a preliminary web application through which one can run the ROM with a very user-friendly approach, without the need of having expertise in the numerical analysis and scientific computing field. The case study we have chosen to test the efficiency of our algorithm is represented by the aortic blood flow pattern in presence of a left ventricular (LVAD) assist device when varying the pump flow rate.
A topological extension of movement primitives for curvature modulation and sampling of robot motion
Authors: Colomé Adrià , Torras Carme
Published: July 2021

This paper proposes to enrich robot motion data with trajectory curvature information. To do so, we use an approximate implementation of a topological feature namedwrithe, which measures the curling of a closed curve around itself, and its analog feature for two closed curves, namely thelinking number. Despite these features have been established for closed curves, their definition allows for a discrete calculation that is well-defined for non-closed curves and can thus provide information about how much a robot trajectory is curling around a line in space. Such lines can be predefined by a user, observed by vision or, in our case, inferred as virtual lines in space around which the robot motion is curling. We use these topological features to augment the data of a trajectory encapsulated as a Movement Primitive (MP). We propose a method to determine how many virtual segments best characterize a trajectory and then find such segments. This results in a generative model that permits modulating curvature to generate new samples, while still staying within the dataset distribution and being able to adapt to contextual variables.
Contrasting wolf responses to different paved roads and traffic volume levels
Authors: Dennehy Emma , Llaneza Luis , López-Bao José Vicente
Published: July 2021

In some regions of the world, large carnivores, such as wolves, persist in landscapes with dense networks of paved roads. However, beyond the general impacts of roads on wildlife, we still lack information on carnivore responses to different types of roads and traffic volume levels. Using wolves in NW Spain as a case study, we show how wolves respond differently to paved road classes depending on road size, speed limit and traffic volume. All wolves evaluated (25 GPS collared wolves) crossed paved roads. Overall, during 3,915 sampling days, we recorded 29,859 wolf crossings. Wolf crossings of all paved road classes were recorded at a mean rate of 0.022 crossings/day/km (95% CI 0.016–0.027). Wolves crossed low speed and low traffic volume roads more frequently, and more often during the night, in order to lessen the chances of encountering traffic. We found mortality to be highest on roads with high speed and high traffic volume. How wolves interact with paved roads should be considered in landscape planning strategies in order to guarantee wolf long-term persistence in human-dominated landscapes. In our case, our results support an increasing focus on primary roads (class II) to identify segments of these roads where road mitigation efforts should be prioritised. Our study also highlights the importance of considering paved road classes when studying the impact of roads on wildlife.
Biodiversity conservation in climate change driven transient communities
Authors: Schippers Peter , Abarca Euridice Leyequien , Verboom Jana , Wamelink G. W. Wieger , Vos Claire C. , de Boer Willem F. , Harvey Jeffrey A. , Essens Tijl , Grashof-Bokdam Carla J. , WallisDeVries Michiel F. , Cobben Marleen M. P.
Published: July 2021

Species responding differently to climate change form ‘transient communities’, communities with constantly changing species composition due to colonization and extinction events. Our goal is to disentangle the mechanisms of response to climate change for terrestrial species in these transient communities and explore the consequences for biodiversity conservation. We review spatial escape and local adaptation of species dealing with climate change from evolutionary and ecological perspectives. From these we derive species vulnerability and management options to mitigate effects of climate change. From the perspective of transient communities, conservation management should scale up static single species approaches and focus on community dynamics and species interdependency, while considering species vulnerability and their importance for the community. Spatially explicit and frequent monitoring is vital for assessing the change in communities and distribution of species. We review management options such as: increasing connectivity and landscape resilience, assisted colonization, and species protection priority in the context of transient communities.
Exploring the relationship between students' learning satisfaction and self-efficacy during the emergency transition to remote learning amid the coronavirus pandemic: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Aldhahi Monira I. , Alqahtani Abdulfattah S. , Baattaiah Baian A. , Al-Mohammed Huda I.
Published: July 2021

The overarching objective of this study was to assess learning satisfaction among students and to determine whether online-learning self-efficacy was associated with online learning satisfaction during the emergency transition to remote learning. This cross-sectional study involved a survey distributed to 22 Saudi Arabian universities. The survey used in this study consisted of an online learning self-efficacy (OLSE) questionnaire and an electronic learning (e-learning) satisfaction questionnaire. A total of 1,226 respondents voluntarily participated in and completed the survey. Students in medical fields made up 289 (23.6%). A Kruskal–Wallis H test and a chi-square test were used to compare the student’s satisfaction based on the educational variables. Spearman’s correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the association between self-efficacy and satisfaction. The findings revealed degrees of satisfaction ranging between high satisfaction and dissatisfaction. The majority of students (51%) expressed high satisfaction, and 599 students (49%) reported experiencing a low level of satisfaction with e-learning. A comparison of groups with low and high satisfaction scores revealed a significant difference in the OLSE. High satisfaction was positively correlated with the OLSE domains: time management, technology, and learning. The OLSE regression analysis model significantly predicted satisfaction. It showed that the model, corrected for education level and grade point average of the students, significantly predicted e-learning satisfaction (F = 8.04, R2 = 0.59, p = .004). The study concluded that students’ satisfaction with the e-learning experience is influenced by e-learning self-efficacy. The study’s findings lead to the practical implications and identify the need to improve the remote learning, time management and technology self-efficacy to enhance students’ satisfaction.
Theory and Implementation of Coupled Port-Hamiltonian Continuum and Lumped Parameter Models
Authors: Argus Finbar J. , Bradley Chris P. , Hunter Peter J.
Published: July 2021

A continuous Galerkin finite element method that allows mixed boundary conditions without the need for Lagrange multipliers or user-defined parameters is developed. A mixed coupling of Lagrange and Raviart-Thomas basis functions are used. The method is proven to have a Hamiltonian-conserving spatial discretisation and a symplectic time discretisation. The energy residual is therefore guaranteed to be bounded for general problems and exactly conserved for linear problems. The linear 2D wave equation is discretised and modelled by making use of a port-Hamiltonian framework. This model is verified against an analytic solution and shown to have standard order of convergence for the temporal and spatial discretisation. The error growth over time is shown to grow linearly for this symplectic method, which agrees with theoretical results. A modal analysis is performed which verifies that the eigenvalues of the model accurately converge to the exact eigenvalues, as the mesh is refined. The port-Hamiltonian framework allows boundary coupling with bond-graph or, more generally, lumped parameter models, therefore unifying the two fields of lumped parameter modelling and continuum modelling of Hamiltonian systems. The wave domain discretisation is shown to be equivalent to a coupling of canonical port-Hamiltonian forms. This feature allows the model to have mixed boundary conditions as well as to have mixed causality interconnections with other port-Hamiltonian models. A model of the 2D wave equation is coupled, in a monolithic manner, with a lumped parameter model of an electromechanical linear actuator. The combined model is also verified to conserve energy exactly.
Enhanced coverage by integrating site interdependencies in capacitated EMS location models
Authors: Grot Matthias , Becker Tristan , Steenweg Pia Mareike , Werners Brigitte
Published: July 2021

In order to allocate limited resources in emergency medical services (EMS) networks, mathematical models are used to select sites and their capacities. Many existing standard models are based on simplifying assumptions, including site independency and a similar system-wide busyness of ambulances. In practice, when a site is busy, a call is forwarded to another site. Thus, the busyness of each site depends not only on the rate of calls in the surrounding area, but also on interactions with other facilities. If the demand varies across the urban area, assuming an average system-wide server busy fraction may lead to an overestimation of the actual coverage. We show that site interdependencies can be integrated into the well-known Maximum Expected Covering Location Problem (MEXCLP) by introducing an upper bound for the busyness of each site. We apply our new mathematical formulation to the case of a local EMS provider. To evaluate the solution quality, we use a discrete event simulation based on anonymized real-world call data. Results of our simulation-optimization approach indicate that the coverage can be improved in most cases by taking site interdependencies into account, leading to an improved ambulance allocation and a faster emergency care.
Lignin from termite frass: a sustainable source for anticorrosive applications
Authors: Kulkarni Prateek , Ponnappa Charitha B. , Doshi Partha , Rao Padmalatha , Balaji Seetharaman
Published: July 2021

The present study reports a sustainable source of lignin, from termite frass. Lignin was extracted using Klason’s method and subjected to polarization studies to check the inhibition efficiency and measured the electrochemical performance of the coated sample on the carbon steel using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The anticorrosive property was determined in a simulated corrosive environment (0.1 M NaOH and 0.5 M NaOH). The morphological analysis of the surface of both bare metal and the lignin-coated ones, before and after exposure to the corrosive environment, was recorded using atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX). The lignin showed maximum inhibition efficiency at 600 ppm in 0.5 M NaOH solution. Moreover, the lignin coated on carbon steel exhibited about 70% corrosion inhibition efficiency as recorded by potentiodynamic polarization studies and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The AFM and SEM analyses further corroborated the protection of the metal surface from corrosion when coated with lignin. Hence, the study suggests lignin from termite frass as a sustainable biological source suitable for anticorrosive applications.

Graphic abstract
Enhancing properties of PC/PA blends via compatibilization of olefin-maleic-anhydride copolymer based additives in masterbatch form
Authors: Kovács T. , Simon-Stőger L. , Heller B. , Varga Cs.
Published: July 2021

Polymer blending has been a simple and efficient way for designing and controlling the performance of polymeric materials using easily available types. Both polycarbonate and polyamide have excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability but their disadvantages such as limited chemical or water resistance can be eliminate by tailoring them. Main difficulties in processing of PC/PA blends are the poor compatibility and high moisture adsorption capacity of the two raw materials complicating processing and also deteriorating mechanical properties of the products. Compatibilizing additives such as olefin-maleic-anhydride copolymer based compounds used in the experimental work can help to overcome the abovementioned difficulties. To determine the processing conditions of the raw materials several drying temperatures have been tested and thermal degradation has been examined by FT-IR spectroscopy. Experimental compatibilizing additives based on an olefin-maleic-anhydride copolymer have been investigated to enhance mechanical properties of the blends prepared by extrusion moulding. Mechanical, rheological, SEM and FT-IR measurements have been performed and at least one additive has been found to be efficient in improving selected properties.
Insectivorous songbirds as early indicators of future defoliation by spruce budworm
Authors: Germain Marion , Kneeshaw Daniel , De Grandpré Louis , Desrochers Mélanie , James Patrick M. A. , Vepakomma Udayalakshmi , Poulin Jean-François , Villard Marc-André
Published: July 2021

Context

Although the spatiotemporal dynamics of spruce budworm outbreaks have been intensively studied, forecasting outbreaks remains challenging. During outbreaks, budworm-linked warblers (Tennessee, Cape May, and bay-breasted warbler) show a strong positive response to increases in spruce budworm, but little is known about the relative timing of these responses.

Objectives

We hypothesized that these warblers could be used as sentinels of future defoliation of budworm host trees. We examined the timing and magnitude of the relationships between defoliation by spruce budworm and changes in the probability of presence of warblers to determine whether they responded to budworm infestation before local defoliation being observed by standard detection methods.

Methods

We modelled this relationship using large-scale point count surveys of songbirds and maps of cumulative time-lagged defoliation over multiple spatial scales (2–30 km radius around sampling points) in Quebec, Canada.

Results

All three warbler species responded positively to defoliation at each spatial scale considered, but the timing of their response differed. Maximum probability of presence of Tennessee and Cape May warbler coincided with observations of local defoliation, or provided a one year warning, making them of little use to guide early interventions. In contrast, the probability of presence of bay-breasted warbler consistently increased 3–4 years before defoliation was detectable.

Conclusions

Early detection is a critical step in the management of spruce budworm outbreaks and rapid increases in the probability of presence of bay-breasted warbler could be used to identify future epicenters and target ground-based local sampling of spruce budworm.
Make applied phenomenology what it needs to be: an interdisciplinary research program
Authors: Burch Matthew
Published: July 2021

Once a marginal affair, applied phenomenology is now a vast and vibrant movement. With great success, however, comes great criticism, and critics have been harsh, accusing applied phenomenology’s practitioners of everything from spewing nonsense to assailing down-to-earth researchers with gratuitous jargon. In this article, I reconstruct the most damning criticisms as a dilemma: Either applied phenomenology merely describes experience, in which case it offers nothing distinctive, or it involves the kind of analysis characteristic of classical phenomenology, in which case it’s only of interest to a small number of philosophers; either way, we should explore the experiential dimension by other means. Notwithstanding the enormous body of research in applied phenomenology, few authors have tried to explain what makes it an independent intellectual enterprise distinct from pure phenomenology, and none has defused this dilemma. Here I try my hand at both. After considering eight major approaches to applied phenomenology that fail to defuse the dilemma, I propose an approach that, I argue, does the job, one that understands applied phenomenology as a research program that brings the phenomenological method and the resources of at least one other discipline to bear on problems beyond the scope of any monodisciplinary approach.
Evidence for generalized quantifier semantics in the interpretation of the English neuter singular pronoun
Authors: Elbourne Paul
Published: July 2021

The English pronounitcan anaphorically take on the meaning of a salient generalized quantifier when it occurs in subject position followed by an elided Verb Phrase and (optionally) a VP-level operator. The extent to which theories of pronoun interpretation will have to be altered to take account of this finding will depend on whether the phenomenon is unique to English or part of a crosslinguistic pattern.
The Six Ages of the World and Biblical Genealogy in Anglo-Saxon Encyclopaedic Notes
Authors: Gallagher John Joseph
Published: July 2021

In the early medieval period, history was commonly organised into six epochs lasting roughly one thousand years each, according to certain calculations of the world’s age. The idea of the six ages emerged from and was consolidated by allegorical interpretations of the Hexameron in which the material endurance of the world was thought to mirror the initial length of its Creation. This historical schematisation enjoyed widespread currency in Anglo-Saxon England, even after Bede had proved that the world was not, in fact, approaching 6,000 years. This article analyses how thetoposof the six ages is used and adapted within a hitherto understudied group of related encyclopaedic notes in three Anglo-Saxon manuscripts. How these texts relate to and differ from the wider corpus of encyclopaedic texts on this subject is also charted. The following study investigates the ways in which encyclopaedic texts on the six ages were adapted, expanded and transmitted, and the religious and political motivations driving such changes. This article offers the first in-depth analysis of this particular group of texts, foregrounding the sophistication of micro-texts that explain the six ages. Overall, this study emphasises the pedagogical, theological and historiographical applications of this concept in early medieval English thought.
Machine Learning, Architectural Styles and Property Values
Authors: Lindenthal Thies , Johnson Erik B.
Published: July 2021

This paper couples a traditional hedonic model with architectural style classifications from human experts and machine learning (ML) enabled classifiers to estimate sales price premia over architectural styles, both at the building and the neighborhood-level. We find statistically and economically significant price differences for houses from distinct architectural styles across an array of specifications and modeling assumptions. Comparisons between classifications from ML models and human experts illustrate the conditions under which ML classifiers may perform at least as reliable as human experts in mass appraisal models. Hedonic estimates illustrate that the impact of architectural style on price is attenuated by properties with less well-defined styles and we find no evidence for differential price effects ofRevivalorContemporaryarchitecture for new construction.
Differentiated Entry or “Me-Too” Entry in Bertrand and Cournot Oligopoly
Authors: Brander James A. , Spencer Barbara J.
Published: July 2021

When would an oligopolistic entrant imitate an incumbent’s product (“me-too” entry), rather than horizontally differentiate? We allow an entrant's product choice to vary endogenously with the cost of product differentiation. Such endogenity of product differentiation significantly affects the comparison of Bertrand and Cournot duopoly. We find that if Bertrand entry occurs, products are differentiated, whereas there is a substantial region in which Cournot entry involves a homogenous product. Bertrand prices may be higher than Cournot prices; and, if product differentiation costs are low enough to induce Cournot differentiated entry, then Bertrand industry profit equals or exceeds Cournot industry profit.
Efficacy of two commercial synthetic pyrethroids (cypermethrin and deltamethrin) on Amblyomma variegatum and Rhipicephalus microplus strains of the south-western region of Burkina Faso
Authors: Ouedraogo Achille S. , Zannou Olivier M. , Biguezoton Abel S. , Patrick Kouassi Yao , Belem Adrien M. G. , Farougou Souaibou , Oosthuizen Marinda , Saegerman Claude , Lempereur Laetitia
Published: July 2021

Since 2011, period of the livestock invasion by the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus in Burkina Faso (BF), tick-control problems were exacerbated. Based on farmer’s reports, most commonly used commercial acaricides were found to be ineffective in Western South part of the country. To investigate the occurrence and extent of such acaricidal ineffectiveness, we performed the standardized larval packet test (LPT) with commercial deltamethrin (vectocid) and cypermethrin (cypertop), on two cattle tick species, the native Amblyomma variegatum and the invasive R. microplus. The resistance ratios (RR) were computed with susceptible Hounde strain of Rhipicephalus geigyi as reference. The R. microplus population showed resistance to the two acaricides tested with the highest lethal concentration (LC) values, and different resistance ratios higher than 4 (deltamethrin: RR50 = 28.18 and RR90 = 32.41; cypermethrin: RR50 = 8.79 and RR90 = 23.15). In the contrary, A. variegatum population was found to be highly susceptible to acaricides tested with low lethal concentrations and resistance ratio values (deltamethrin: RR50 = 0.5 and RR90 = 0.48; cypermethrin: RR50 = 0.68 and RR90 = 0.79). These data demonstrate high synthetic pyrethroid resistance in R. microplus strain, leading to conclude that the acaricide ineffectiveness in tick populations control remains a concern in BF.