bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FrpA is the outer membrane piscibactin transporter in Vibrio anguillarum: structural elements in synthetic piscibactin analogues required for transport
Authors: Lages Marta A. , de la Fuente M. Carmen , Ageitos Lucía , Martínez-Matamoros Diana , Rodríguez Jaime , Balado Miguel , Jiménez Carlos , Lemos Manuel L.
Published: November 2021

Piscibactin (Pcb) is a labile siderophore widespread among Vibrionaceae. Its production is a major virulence factor of some fish pathogens such as Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida and Vibrio anguillarum. Although FrpA was previously suggested as the putative outer membrane transporter (OMT) for ferri-piscibactin, its role in piscibactin uptake was never demonstrated. In this work, we generated mutants of V. anguillarum defective in FrpA and analyzed their ability to use piscibactin as iron source. The results showed that inactivation of frpA completely disables piscibactin utilization, and the original phenotype could be restored by gene complementation, confirming that FrpA is the OMT that mediates ferri-Pcb uptake. Additionally, the ability of several Pcb thiazole analogues, with different configurations at positions 9, 10, and 13, to be internalized through FrpA, was evaluated measuring their ability to promote growth under iron deficiency of several indicator strains. The results showed that while those analogues with a thiazole ring maintain almost the same activity as Pcb, the maintenance of the hydroxyl group present in natural piscibactin configuration at position C-13 is crucial for Fe3+ chelation and, in consequence, for the recognition of the ferri-siderophore by the cognate OMT. All these findings allowed us to propose a Pcb analogue as a good candidate to vectorize antimicrobial compounds, through the Trojan horse strategy, to develop novel compounds against bacterial fish diseases.

Graphical abstract
Orthodontic bonding to silicate ceramics: impact of different pretreatment methods on shear bond strength between ceramic restorations and ceramic brackets
Authors: Jungbauer Rebecca , Kirschneck Christian , Hammer Christian M. , Proff Peter , Edelhoff Daniel , Stawarczyk Bogna
Published: November 2021

Objective

The study aims to investigate the shear bond strength (SBS) between silicate ceramic restorations and ceramic brackets after different pretreatments and aging methods.

Material and methods

Leucite (LEU) and lithium disilicate (LiSi) specimens were pretreated with (i) 4% hydrofluoric acid + silane (HF), (ii) Monobond Etch&Prime (MEP), (iii) silicatization + silane (CoJet), and (iv) SiC grinder + silane (SiC). Molars etched (phosphoric acid) and conditioned acted as comparison group. SBS was measured after 24 h (distilled water, 37 °C), 500 × thermocycling (5/55 °C), and 90 days (distilled water, 37 °C). Data was analyzed using Shapiro–Wilk, Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn’s post hoc test and Bonferroni correction, Mann–Whitney U, and Chi2 test (p < 0.05). The adhesive remnant index (ARI) was determined.

Results

LEU pretreated with MEP showed lower SBS than pretreated with HF, CoJet, or SiC. LiSi pretreated with MEP resulted in lower initial SBS than pretreated with HF or SiC. After thermocycling, pretreatment using MEP led to lower SBS than with CoJet. Within LiSi group, after 90 days, the pretreatment using SiC resulted in lowest SBS values. After HF and MEP pretreatment, LEU showed lower initial SBS than LiSi. After 90 days of water storage, within specimens pretreated using CoJet or SiC showed LEU higher SBS than LiSi. Enamel presented higher or comparable SBS values to LEU and LiSi. With exception of MEP pretreatment, ARI 3 was predominantly observed, regardless the substrate, pretreatment, and aging level.

Conclusions

MEP pretreatment presented the lowest SBS values, regardless the silicate ceramic and aging level. Further research is necessary.

Clinical relevance

There is no need for intraoral application of HF for orthodontic treatment.
Central nervous system ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma with IRF4/DUSP22 rearrangement
Authors: Magaki Shino , Satyadev Radha , Chen Zesheng , Yung Kathryn S. , Vinters Harry V. , Kinney Marsha C. , Said Jonathan W.
Published: November 2021

Anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCL) are mature T-cell neoplasms, approximately half of which harbor rearrangements of theALKgene that confer a good prognosis. Recent studies have demonstrated that a significant proportion of ALK-negative ALCLs demonstrate rearrangements of theIRF4/DUSP22locus that also are typically associated with a favorable prognosis. ALCL with primary involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) is extremely rare. We report what may be the first case of ALK-negative ALCL withIRF4/DUSP22rearrangement involving the brain in a 55-year-old man. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated signal abnormalities in the periventricular region, corpus callosum and cingulate gyrus. Biopsy revealed a diffuse parenchymal and angiocentric infiltrate of CD30-positive cells that showedIRF4/DUSP22rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridization. We also review the clinical and pathologic features of primary CNS ALK-negative ALCLs in the literature and highlight the need for awareness of this entity to optimize appropriate management.
Strain Comparison in Rats Differentiates Strain-Specific from More General Correlates of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
Authors: Koch L. , Gaese B. H. , Nowotny Manuela
Published: November 2021

Experiments in rodent animal models help to reveal the characteristics and underlying mechanisms of pathologies related to hearing loss such as tinnitus or hyperacusis. However, a reliable understanding is still lacking. Here, four different rat strains (Sprague Dawley, Wistar, Long Evans, and Lister Hooded) underwent comparative analysis of electrophysiological (auditory brainstem responses, ABRs) and behavioral measures after noise trauma induction to differentiate between strain-dependent trauma effects and more consistent changes across strains, such as frequency dependence or systematic temporal changes. Several hearing- and trauma-related characteristics were clearly strain-dependent. Lister Hooded rats had especially high hearing thresholds and were unable to detect a silent gap in continuous background noise but displayed the highest startle amplitudes. After noise exposure, ABR thresholds revealed a strain-dependent pattern of recovery. ABR waveforms varied in detail among rat strains, and the difference was most prominent at later peaks arising approximately 3.7 ms after stimulus onset. However, changes in ABR waveforms after trauma were small compared to consistent strain-dependent differences between individual waveform components. At the behavioral level, startle-based gap-prepulse inhibition (gap-PPI) was used to evaluate the occurrence and characteristics of tinnitus after noise exposure. A loss of gap-PPI was found in 33% of Wistar, 50% of Sprague Dawley, and 75% of Long Evans rats. Across strains, the most consistent characteristic was a frequency-specific pattern of the loss of gap-PPI, with the highest rates at approximately one octave above trauma. An additional range exhibiting loss of gap-PPI directly below trauma frequency was revealed in Sprague Dawley and Long Evans rats. Further research should focus on these frequency ranges when investigating the underlying mechanisms of tinnitus induction.
Heavy metal recovery from the fine fraction of solid waste incineration bottom ash by wet density separation
Authors: Pienkoß Fabian , Abis Marco , Bruno Martina , Grönholm Raul , Hoppe Michel , Kuchta Kerstin , Fiore Silvia , Simon Franz-Georg
Published: November 2021

This work is aimed at exploring the recovery of heavy metals from the fine fraction of solid waste incineration bottom ash. For this study, wet-discharged bottom ash fine-fraction samples from full-scale treatment plants in Germany and Sweden were analyzed. The potential for the recovery of heavy metal compounds was investigated through wet density-separation with a shaking table. The feed materials were processed without any pre-treatment and the optimum processing conditions were determined by means of design of experiments. Tilt angle and stroke frequency were identified as the most relevant parameters, and the optimum settings were − 7.5° and 266 rpm, respectively. The obtained balanced copper enrichments (and yields) were 4.4 (41%), 6.2 (28%) and 2.4 (23%). A maximum copper enrichment of 14.5 with 2% yield was achieved, providing a concentrate containing 35.9 wt.% relevant heavy metal elements. This included 26.3 wt.% iron, 4.3 wt.% zinc and 3.8 wt.% copper. In conclusion, density separation with shaking tables can recover heavy metals from bottom ash fine fractions. Medium levels of heavy metal enrichment (e.g., for Cu 2.7–4.4) and yield (Cu: 26–41%) can be reached simultaneously. However, the separation performance also depends on the individual bottom ash sample.
Flache Erfahrungskurvenprofile von ausländischen Beschäftigten in Deutschland
Authors: Brunow Stephan , Jost Oskar
Published: November 2021

Dieser Beitrag widmet sich der Entlohnungsstruktur von ausländischen und deutschen sozialversicherungspflichtig Vollzeitbeschäftigten und zielt auf die Lohnzuwächse durch die Aneignung von zusätzlicher Erfahrung auf dem deutschen Arbeitsmarkt. Bisherige Erkenntnisse für Deutschland deuten darauf hin, dass Arbeitsmarkterfahrung bei Ausländern im Vergleich zu deutschen Beschäftigten zu keinen oder nur geringen Lohnzuwächsen führt. Wir identifizieren und diskutieren Ursachen und Erklärungen für diese flacheren Erfahrungskurvenprofile, was insbesondere vor dem Hintergrund der Einkommensungleichheit zwischen beiden Gruppen relevant ist.
Steuerzuschuss für die Pflegeversicherung
Authors: Neusius Thomas
Published: November 2021

Die Pflegeversicherung steht unter finanziellem Druck: In den vergangenen Jahren wurden die Leistungen durch mehrere Reformen erheblich ausgeweitet. Die Leistungsausweitung zeigte sowohl bei der sozialen als auch bei der privaten Pflegeversicherung Folgen. Bei der sozialen Pflegeversicherung war die Finanzierung teilweise unzureichend, und der demografische Wandel erzeugt wegen des Umlageverfahrens spürbaren Druck. Die private Pflegeversicherung musste bereits erhebliche Prämienanpassungen durchführen, die durch das niedrige Zinsniveau verstärkt wurden. Um die Beitragsbelastung der Angestellten zu begrenzen, die überwiegend in der sozialen Pflegeversicherung abgesichert sind, sollen zukünftig Steuermittel an die soziale Pflegeversicherung fließen. Dies wirft eine Reihe von Fragen zur Rechtfertigung dieses Transfers und seiner Wirkung auf das Nebeneinander von sozialer und privater Pflegeversicherung auf.
Preparation and Evaluation of the Polyethylene Film Deposited With a Multilayer Graphene Membrane for Tensile Properties
Authors: Li Ji , Qiu Jiawen , Chen Xiaogang , Ergoktas Muhammed Said , Kocabas Coskun
Published: November 2021

This study aims to improve the tensile properties of the polyethylene film deposited with a multilayer graphene membrane, in order to establish the understanding of the influence of the methane to hydrogen ratio on the tensile properties of the multilayer graphene membrane. Multilayer graphene membranes were prepared using the chemical vapor deposition method. Four types of multilayer graphene membranes were prepared with different ratios of methane to hydrogen before depositing a membrane on the polyethylene film. Experiments showed that the tensile strength of the polyethylene films with multilayer graphene deposition increased 7 times and the Young’s modulus 5 times more than that of pure polyethylene films, when the ratio of methane to hydrogen was set to 35/100 sccm. A compromise between hydrogen and methane mixture is required to achieve uniform growth of graphene. Insufficient hydrogen cannot activate the surface bound carbon that is necessary for continuous growth. Continuous and well-defined multilayer graphene was synthesized when the ratio of methane to hydrogen reached up a proper value.
Correction to: The perception of emotional cues by children in artificial background noise
Authors: Parada-Cabaleiro Emilia , Batliner Anton , Baird Alice , Schuller Björn
Published: November 2021

The article ‘The perception of emotional cues by children in artifcial background noise’, written by Emilia Parada-Cabaleiro, Anton Batliner, Alice Baird and Björn Schuller, was originally published Online First without Open Access. After publication in volume 23, issue 1, page 169–182 it has been decided to make the article an Open Access publication. Therefore, the copyright of the article has been changed to © The Author(s) 2020 and the article is forthwith distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution.
Novel insulation panels development from multilayered coir short and long fiber reinforced phenol formaldehyde polymeric biocomposites
Authors: Hasan K. M. Faridul , Horváth Péter György , Kóczán Zsófia , Le Duong Hung Anh , Bak Miklós , Bejó László , Alpár Tibor
Published: November 2021

This study investigated about the developments of insulation panels from multilayered coir long and short fiber reinforced phenol formaldehyde polymeric (PF) resin. The lengths of coir long fibers (CLF) were within 3 mm, whereas the short fibers (CSF) ranged from 0.1 mm to 1.25 mm. Four composite panels of 360, 680, 800, and 1000 kg/m3densities were developed by employing hot pressing technology. The thermal conductivity, microstructural, mechanical, and physical properties of the composite panels were investigated. Perceived thermal conductivity values ranged within 0.046280 (0.000494) to 0.062400 (0.001146) Wm‒1 k‒1of the composites demonstrating superior insulation properties. Moreover, the current study also found that mechanical and thermal properties showed improvement with the increase of density. Low-density fiberboards had the lowest performances compared to high-density composite panels, with the exception of the 1000 kg/m3density, in which fiber agglomeration occurred. Furthermore, all the developed composite panels display superior potentiality for use as effective insulation materials. The FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) analysis also shows an efficient bonding between the cellulosic coir materials and PF resin. The overall characteristics of the composite panels, especially medium fiberboard, show prominent potential for industrial production units by fulfilling the consumer requirements.
A stochastic approach to handle resource constraints as knapsack problems in ensemble pruning
Authors: Hajdu András , Terdik György , Tiba Attila , Tomán Henrietta
Published: November 2021

Ensemble-based methods are highly popular approaches that increase the accuracy of a decision by aggregating the opinions of individual voters. The common point is to maximize accuracy; however, a natural limitation occurs if incremental costs are also assigned to the individual voters. Consequently, we investigate creating ensembles under an additional constraint on the total cost of the members. This task can be formulated as a knapsack problem, where the energy is the ensemble accuracy formed by some aggregation rules. However, the generally applied aggregation rules lead to a nonseparable energy function, which takes the common solution tools—such as dynamic programming—out of action. We introduce a novel stochastic approach that considers the energy as the joint probability function of the member accuracies. This type of knowledge can be efficiently incorporated in a stochastic search process as a stopping rule, since we have the information on the expected accuracy or, alternatively, the probability of finding more accurate ensembles. Experimental analyses of the created ensembles of pattern classifiers and object detectors confirm the efficiency of our approach over other pruning ones. Moreover, we propose a novel stochastic search method that better fits the energy, which can be incorporated in other stochastic strategies as well.
Mothers’ Sexual Identity and Children’s Health
Authors: Mollborn Stefanie , Limburg Aubrey , Everett Bethany G.
Published: November 2021

Sexual minority women face a plethora of structural, socioeconomic, and interpersonal disadvantages and stressors. Research has established negative associations between women’s sexual minority identities and both their own health and their infants’ birth outcomes. Yet a separate body of scholarship has documented similarities in the development and well-being of children living with same-sex couples relative to those living with similarly situated different-sex couples. This study sought to reconcile these literatures by examining the association between maternal sexual identity and child health at ages 5–18 using a US sample from the full population of children of sexual minority women, including those who identify as mostly heterosexual, bisexual, or lesbian, regardless of partner sex or gender. Analyses using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 8978) followed women longitudinally and examined several measures of their children’s health, including general health and specific developmental and physical health conditions. Analyses found that children of mostly heterosexual and bisexual women experienced health disadvantages relative to children of heterosexual women, whereas the few children of lesbian women in our sample evidenced a mixture of advantages and disadvantages. These findings underscore that to understand sexual orientation disparities and the intergenerational transmission of health, it is important to incorporate broad measurement of sexual orientation that can capture variation in family forms and in sexual minority identities.
Friend or foe? Co-opetition and entrepreneurial networking
Authors: Jost Peter-J.
Published: November 2021

We study the formation of an entrepreneurial network in an environment, in which entrepreneurs who are contesting with each other for the development of a new venture have the possibility to collaborate. On the one hand, such bilateral knowledge collaborations are beneficial because they allow the integration of external knowledge. On the other hand, external knowledge collaborations reduce an entrepreneur’s incentive to invest in her internal knowledge. We analyze this trade-off and show that if the knowledge transfer between collaborating partners is complete, the only stable entrepreneurial network is one with exactly one collaboration of each entrepreneur. If, however, knowledge transfers are only partial, entrepreneurial networking becomes more important and entrepreneurs form more knowledge collaborations. Moreover, internal or external knowledge spillovers reduce the incentives to form knowledge collaboration. These results have several practical implication for entrepreneurs and managers of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their pursuit to better understand factors that influence knowledge collaborations with competitors and to devise their co-opetition strategy.
Novel microscope-based visual display and nasopharyngeal registration for auditory brainstem implantation: a feasibility study in an ex vivo model
Authors: Regodić Milovan , Freyschlag Christian F. , Kerschbaumer Johannes , Galijašević Malik , Hörmann Romed , Freysinger Wolfgang
Published: November 2021

Purpose

An auditory brainstem implant (ABI) represents an alternative for patients with profound hearing loss who are constrained from receiving a cochlear implant. The positioning of the ABI electrode influences the patient’s auditory capacity and, therefore, quality of life and is challenging even with available intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring. This work aims to provide and assess the feasibility of visual-spatial assistance for ABI positioning.

Methods

The pose of the forceps instrument that grasps the electrode was electromagnetically navigated and interactively projected in the eyepieces of a surgical microscope with respect to a target point. Intraoperative navigation was established with an experimental technique for automated nasopharyngeal patient registration. Two ABI procedures were completed in a human specimen head.

Results

An intraoperative usability study demonstrated lower localization error when using the proposed visual display versus standard cross-sectional views. The postoperative evaluations of the preclinical study showed that the center of the electrode was misplaced to the planned position by 1.58 mm and 3.16 mm for the left and the right ear procedure, respectively.

Conclusion

The results indicate the potential to enhance intraoperative feedback during ABI positioning with the presented system. Further improvements consider estimating the pose of the electrode itself to allow for better orientation during placement.
Study on the Characteristics of Intestinal Flora Composition in Gastric Cancer Patients and Healthy People in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Zhang Zilong , Zhu Linghong , Ma Yanqing , Wang Bo , Ci Caihong , Zhang Jingni , Zhou Yunsong , Dou Chunjiang , Gu Qiaoling , An Yan , Lan Yongmei , Zhao Jin
Published: November 2021

The aim of this study is to compare and analyze the structure and diversity of intestinal flora between gastric cancer patients and healthy people in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and to explore the characteristics of the intestinal flora composition in gastric cancer patients in the plateau area, and to determine the possible correlation between the intestinal flora and gastric cancer. Fresh feces from 22 cases of gastric cancer patients diagnosed in a tertiary hospital in Qinghai Province and 30 cases of healthy people during the same period were collected. The 52 subjects were undergone for 16S rDNA gene sequencing of intestinal bacteria to analyze and compare the diversity and compositional characteristics of intestinal flora. Analysis of the diversity of intestinal flora between the gastric cancer group and the healthy group was based on the Chao1 index of species richness, Shannon diversity index, and Simpson index. It showed that the gastric cancer group had no statistically difference from the healthy group (P > 0.05). In the Venn diagram, the number of OTU units shared by the gastric cancer group and the healthy group is 6997, and the number of unique OTU units in the healthy group is 2282, while the number of OTU units in the gastric cancer group is 896 and the difference is statistically significant (χ2 = 495.829), P < 0.000). Analysis of the composition and abundance distribution of intestinal flora showed that at the phylum level, there is no significant deference in abundance between the healthy group of Bacteroides and Firmicutes compared with the gastric cancer group (P > 0.05). However, there is a statistically significant difference in abundance between the healthy groups of Proteobacteria compared with the gastric cancer group (P < 0.05). At the genus level, the gastric cancer group of Prevotella_9 is significantly different from the healthy group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the gastric cancer group of Streptococcus and Lactobacillus are significantly different from the healthy group (P < 0.001). There are differences in the composition and abundance of intestinal flora between patients with gastric cancer and healthy people in plateau areas, suggesting that Proteobacteria, Prevotella_9, Streptococcus, and Lactobacillus have increased in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and becoming one of the factors related to the incidence of gastric cancer in the region.
The endemic plant species of Mt Kupe, Cameroon with a new Critically Endangered cloud-forest tree species, Vepris zapfackii (Rutaceae)
Authors: Cheek Martin , Onana Jean Michel
Published: November 2021

We revise and update the records of strict and near-endemic species of Mt Kupe, Cameroon respectively from 31 strict endemics in 2004, to 25 today, and with near-endemic species 30, unchanged in number but with turnover. The changes result from new collections, discoveries and taxonomic changes in the last 16 years. While 15 of the provisionally named putative endemic species have now been formally published, a further 18 have not. The majority of the 30 near-endemic species (18) are shared with the adjacent Bakossi Mts, far exceeding the numbers shared with the more distant Mt Etinde-Mt Cameroon, Rumpi Hills and Ebo forest areas (sharing three near-endemic species each with Mt Kupe). We test the hypothesis that a further one of the provisionally named putative Mt Kupe species,Veprissp. 1 from submontane forest near the summit, is indeed new to science. We compare it morphologically with the two other bicarpellate high altitude Cameroon Highland tree speciesV. montisbambutensisOnana andV. baliCheek, concluding that it is a new undescribed species here named asVepris zapfackii. The new species is illustrated and its conservation status assessed as Critically Endangered using the 2012 IUCN standard, due to habitat clearance from agricultural pressures at its sole location which is unprotected.Vepris zapfackiiandV. baliappear unique in African trifoliolate species of the genus in having opposite leaves.Vepris zapfackiidiffers in having hairy petiolules and midribs and petiolules with the blade decurrent distally, narrowing towards a winged-canaliculate base (vs glabrous and petiolule long, terete), and sparsely golden hairy pistillodes and a glabrous calyx (vs densely black hairy pistillodes, and sepals hairy).
Application of polyaniline nanofibers for the construction of nitrate all-solid-state ion-selective electrodes
Authors: Pietrzak Karolina , Wardak Cecylia , Malinowski Szymon
Published: November 2021

The application of polyaniline nanofibers doped with chloride and nitrate ions (PANINFs-Cl and PANINFs-NO3) in potentiometry was described. Both kinds of nanofibers were used as an ion-to-electron transducer in ion-selective electrodes with solid contact (SCISEs). Extensive research on the properties of the nanofibers themselves (SEM, UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR) and the constructed electrodes (potentiometric methods, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) has been carried out. Basic analytical parameters of electrodes containing various nanofibers contents in the ion-selective membrane and with nanofibers as an intermediate layer were determined. It was found that application of PANI nanofibers resulted in improvement of electrode performance (among others, better stability and reversibility of the electrode potential). The obtained sensors were characterized by a high slope of the calibration curve, a wide measuring range and a fast response time. Moreover, they were insensitive to change of redox potential, as well as light and the presence of oxygen in the solution, what is important from a practical point of view. They were also successfully used for nitrate determination in real environmental samples.
The Impact of Augmented Reality Techniques on Cartographic Visualization
Authors: Dickmann Frank , Keil Julian , Dickmann Paula L. , Edler Dennis
Published: November 2021

Augmented reality (AR) is playing an increasingly important role in a variety of everyday application scenarios. Users are not completely disconnected from the current sensory influences of reality. They are merely confronted with additional virtual objects that are projected into reality. This allows users to obtain additional spatial information, which makes this technology interesting for cartographic applications (e.g. navigation). The dynamic positioning of the superimposed image in the scene being viewed is crucial for the generation of AR elements displayed correctly in terms of perspective. Understanding these technical basics is an important prerequisite for the cartographic use of augmented reality. The different techniques influence the visualization and the perception of AR elements in 3D space. This article highlights important visualization properties of current augmented reality techniques.
On a Maximum Eigenvalue of Third-Order Pairwise Comparison Matrix in Analytic Hierarchy Process and Convergence of Newton’s Method
Authors: Shiraishi Shunsuke , Obata Tsuneshi
Published: November 2021

Nowadays, the analytic hierarchy process is an established method of multiple criteria decision making in the field of Operations Research. Pairwise comparison matrix plays a crucial role in the analytic hierarchy process. The principal (maximum magnitude) eigenvalue of the pairwise comparison matrix can be utilized for measuring the consistency of the decision maker’s judgment. The simple transformation of the maximum magnitude eigenvalue is known to be Saaty’s consistency index. In this short note, we shed light on the characteristic polynomial of a pairwise comparison matrix of third order. We will show that the only real-number root of the characteristic equation is the maximum magnitude eigenvalue of the third-order pairwise comparison matrix. The unique real-number root appears in the area where it is greater than 3, which is equal to the order of the matrix. By applying usual Newton’s method to the characteristic polynomial of the third-order pairwise comparison matrix, we see that the sequence generated from the initial value of 3 always converges to the maximum magnitude eigenvalue.
A Comparison between Memetic Algorithm and Genetic Algorithm for an Integrated Logistics Network with Flexible Delivery Path
Authors: Behmanesh Elham , Pannek Jürgen
Published: November 2021

The distribution/allocation problem is known as one of the most comprehensive strategic decision. In real-world cases, it is impossible to solve a distribution/allocation problem in traditional ways with acceptable time. Hence researchers develop efficient non-traditional techniques for the large-term operation of the whole supply chain. These techniques provide near optimal solutions particularly for large-scale test problems. This paper presents an integrated supply chain model which is flexible in the delivery path. As the solution methodology, we apply a memetic algorithm with a neighborhood search mechanism and novelty in population presentation method called “extended random path direct encoding method.” To illustrate the performance of the proposed memetic algorithm, LINGO optimization software serves as comparison basis for small size problems. In large-size cases that we are dealing with in real world, a classical genetic algorithm as the second metaheuristic algorithm is considered to compare the results and show the efficiency of the memetic algorithm.
Genome-wide association study (GWAS) of leaf wax components of apple
Authors: Cao Fuguo , Li Zhongxing , Jiang Lijuan , Liu Chen , Qian Qian , Yang Feng , Ma Fengwang , Guan Qingmei
Published: November 2021

The wax layer of apple leaves plays an important role in improving stress resistance, but relatively little is known about the mechanisms of wax synthesis and transport in apple leaves. In this study, 17 wax components, including alcohols, alkanes, fatty acids and terpenes, were analyzed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS) from the leaves of 123 apple germplasms. Whole-genome sequencing of these apple accessions yielded 5.9 million high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 17 wax components and identified several genes related to wax synthesis and transport, including MdSHN1 (SHINE1), MdLTP4 (LIPID TRANSFER PROTEIN4), MdWSD1 (WAX ESTER SYNTHASE/ACYL-COA DIAC-YLGLYCEROL ACYLTRANSFERASE1), MdRDR1 (RNA-DEPENDENT RNA POLYMERASE1), MdACBP6 (ACYL-COA-BINDING PROTEIN6), MdNLE (NOTCHLESS) and MdABCG21 (ATP-BINDING CASSETTE G21). Moreover, we identified some prominent SNPs that may affect gene expression and protein function. These results provide insights into mechanisms of wax synthesis and transport in apple leaves and broaden the genetic resources and basis for facilitating resistance breeding.
“Can I Just be a Human?” Reading Lgbtq+ Youths’ Civics Talk-as-Text
Authors: Wargo Jon M.
Published: November 2021

Thinking at the axes of homonationalism, civic education, and queer-inclusive social studies, this article complicates the uneven relationships between lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) exclusion and belonging. Arguing that more attention should be paid to how Genders and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) spaces may function to render particular imaginaries of the queer civic subject, and the U.S. queer civic subject in particular, more viable than others, I extend both the conceptual and methodological directions of out-of-school social studies research to underscore how equity – as a concept – becomes connotative of particular types of civic action and life. Highlighting how LGBTQ + youths’ talk can be discursively read and traced as a pedagogical text, I emphasize how a ‘good’ queer citizenry, and indeed a ‘good’ queer life, is one that follows the logics of cis-hetero-patriarchy and American exceptionalism. In so doing, I document the rhetorical reification and discursive production of queer complicity and community.
Machine Learning Fundamentals
Authors: Jiang Hui
Published: November 2021

This lucid, accessible introduction to supervised machine learning presents core concepts in a focused and logical way that is easy for beginners to follow. The author assumes basic calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics but no prior exposure to machine learning. Coverage includes widely used traditional methods such as SVMs, boosted trees, HMMs, and LDAs, plus popular deep learning methods such as convolution neural nets, attention, transformers, and GANs. Organized in a coherent presentation framework that emphasizes the big picture, the text introduces each method clearly and concisely “from scratch” based on the fundamentals. All methods and algorithms are described by a clean and consistent style, with a minimum of unnecessary detail. Numerous case studies and concrete examples demonstrate how the methods can be applied in a variety of contexts.
Bayesian Hierarchical Models for Measuring Varietal Improvement in Tobacco Yield and Quality
Authors: Ramsey A. Ford , Rejesus Roderick M.
Published: November 2021

We measure the economic impact of varietal improvement and technological change in flue-cured tobacco across quantity (e.g., yield) and quality dimensions under a voluntary quality constraint. Since 1961, flue-cured tobacco breeders in the United States have been subject to the Minimum Standards Program that sets limits on acceptable quality characteristics for commercial tobacco varieties. We implement a Bayesian hierarchical model to measure the contribution of breeding efforts to changes in tobacco yields and quality between 1954 and 2017. The Bayesian model addresses limited data for varieties in the trials and allows easy generation of the necessary parameters of economic interest.
Dispersion in doublet-type flows through highly anisotropic porous formations
Authors: Severino Gerardo
Published: November 2021

Steady doublet-type flow takes place in a porous formation, where the log-transform

$Y = \ln K$

of the spatially variable hydraulic conductivity

$K$

is regarded as a stationary random field of two-point autocorrelation

$\rho _Y$

. A passive solute is injected at the source in the porous formation and we aim to quantify the resulting dispersion process between the two lines by means of spatial moments. The latter depend on the distance

$\ell$

between the lines, the variance

$\sigma ^2_Y$

of

$Y$

and the (anisotropy) ratio

$\lambda$

between the vertical and the horizontal integral scales of

$Y$

. A simple (analytical) solution to this difficult problem is obtained by adopting a few simplifying assumptions: (i) a perturbative solution, which regards

$\sigma ^2_Y$

as a small parameter, of the velocity field is sought; (ii) pore-scale dispersion is neglected; and (iii) we deal with a highly anisotropic formation (

$\lambda \lesssim 0.1$

). We focus on the longitudinal spatial moment, as it is of most importance for the dispersion mechanism. A general expression is derived in terms of a single quadrature, which can be straightforwardly carried out once the shape of

$\rho _Y$

is specified. Results permit one to grasp the main features of the dispersion processes as well as to assess the difference with similar mechanisms observed in other non-uniform flows. In particular, the dispersion in a doublet-type flow is observed to be larger than that generated by a single line. This effect is explained by noting that the advective velocity in a doublet, unlike that in source/line flows, is rapidly increasing in the far field owing to the presence there of the singularity. From the standpoint of the applications, it is shown that the solution pertaining to

$\lambda \to 0$

(stratified formation) provides an upper bound for the dispersion mechanism. Such a bound can be used as a conservative limit when, in a remediation procedure, one has to select the strength as well as the distance

$\ell$

of the doublet. Finally, the present study lends itself as a valuable tool for aquifer tests and to validate more involved numerical codes accounting for complex boundary conditions.
Equilibrium tilt of slippery elliptical rods in creeping simple shear
Authors: Crowdy Darren G.
Published: November 2021

It is shown that shape anisotropy and intrinsic surface slip lead to equilibrium tilt of slippery particles in a creeping simple shear flow, even for nearly shape-isotropic particles with a cross-section that is close to circular provided the Navier-slip length is sufficiently large. We study a rigid particle with an elliptical cross-section, and of infinite extent in the vorticity direction, in simple shear. A Navier-slip boundary condition is imposed on its surface. When a Navier-slip length parameter

$\lambda$

is infinite, an analytical solution is derived for the Stokes flow around a particle tilting in equilibrium at an angle

$(1/2)\cos ^{-1}((1-k)/(1+k))$

to the flow direction where

$0 \le k \le 1$

is the ratio of the semi-minor to semi-major axes of its elliptical cross-section. A regular perturbation analysis about this analytical solution is then performed for small values of

$1/\lambda$

and a numerical continuation method implemented for larger values. It is found that an equilibrium continues to exist for any anisotropic particle

$k < 1$

provided

$\lambda \ge \lambda _{crit}(k)$

where

$\lambda _{crit}(k)$

is a critical Navier-slip length parameter determined here. As the case

$k \to 1$

of a circular cross-section is approached, it is found that

$\lambda _{crit}(k) \to \infty$

, so the range of Navier-slip lengths allowing equilibrium tilt shrinks as shape anistropy is lost. Novel theoretical connections with equilibria for constant-pressure gas bubbles with surface tension are also pointed out.
Discovery of argon in air-hydrate crystals in a deep ice core using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
Authors: Uchida Tsutomu , Shigeyama Wataru , Oyabu Ikumi , Goto-Azuma Kumiko , Nakazawa Fumio , Homma Tomoyuki , Kawamura Kenji , Dahl-Jensen Dorthe
Published: November 2021

Tiny samples of ancient atmosphere in air bubbles within ice cores contain argon (Ar), which can be used to reconstruct past temperature changes. At a sufficient depth, the air bubbles are compressed by the overburden pressure under low temperature and transform into air-hydrate crystals. While the oxygen (O2) and nitrogen (N2) molecules have indeed been identified in the air-hydrate crystals with Raman spectroscopy, direct observational knowledge of the distribution of Ar at depth within ice sheet and its enclathration has been lacking. In this study, we applied scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to five air-hydrate crystals in the Greenland NEEM ice core, finding them to contain Ar and N. Given that Ar cannot be detected by Raman spectroscopy, the method commonly used for O2 and N2, the SEM-EDS measurement method may become increasingly useful for measuring inert gases in deep ice cores.
The termite genus Glyptotermes (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) in Miocene amber from Ethiopia
Authors: Bouju Valentine , Jouault Corentin , Perrichot Vincent
Published: November 2021

A new species of drywood termite (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) is described from a nearly complete alate specimen preserved in early Miocene Ethiopian amber. Glyptotermes abyssinicus new species is distinguished by its U-shaped head with 12-segmented antennae, the ocelli separated from the eye margin, the right mandible with an obtuse angle between the apical and first marginal teeth, the left mandible with an obtuse angle between the apical and first + second marginal teeth, and the wing venation. This is the first termite reported from Ethiopian amber, and the fourth Miocene species of the extant genus Glyptotermes Froggatt, 1897, together with species previously described from diatomites of China and amber from the Dominican Republic. As the oldest report of the genus known from Africa, G. abyssinicus n. sp. constitutes an interesting new record for the biogeographical history of the kalotermitid lineage.

UUID: http://zoobank.org/7670b045-fb31-4809-8116-4d14c4dd275b
Large deviation principles of 2D stochastic Navier–Stokes equations with Lévy noises
Authors: Wang Huaqiao
Published: November 2021

Taking the consideration of two-dimensional stochastic Navier–Stokes equations with multiplicative Lévy noises, where the noises intensities are related to the viscosity, a large deviation principle is established by using the weak convergence method skillfully, when the viscosity converges to 0. Due to the appearance of the jumps, it is difficult to close the energy estimates and obtain the desired convergence. Hence, one cannot simply use the weak convergence approach. To overcome the difficulty, one introduces special norms for new arguments and more careful analysis.
Variation of the winter mid-latitude Westerlies in the Northern Hemisphere during the Holocene revealed by aeolian deposits in the southern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Gao Fuyuan , Yang Junhuai , Wang Shuyuan , Wang Youjun , Li Kaiming , Wang Fei , Ling Zhiyong , Xia Dunsheng
Published: November 2021

The mid-latitude Westerlies (MLW) are one of the most important atmospheric circulation systems in the Northern Hemisphere, exerting a huge influence on the climate of the region downwind, and thus on vegetation, water resources, and human wellbeing. However, the seasonal variation of the MLW during the Holocene is not yet been fully understood, especially when its contribution is the most important. Here, we used end-member (EM) modeling analysis of the grain-size distributions of a high-altitude aeolian sedimentary sequence (4452 m a.s.l.) from the Yarlung Zangbo River valley in the southern Tibetan Plateau to reveal variations in the winter MLW during the Holocene. Analysis of seasonal differences in modern atmospheric circulation suggests that the southern Tibetan Plateau was heavily influenced by the mid-latitude Westerlies at the 400, 500, and 600 hPa levels in winter, while it was seldom influenced at these levels in summer. Four grain-size end-members are identified, representing distinct aerodynamic environments, of which EM1 (modal grain size 8.1 μm) can be used as a proxy of the winter MLW. A reconstruction of the variation of the winter MLW during the Holocene based on EM1 revealed that a weaker winter MLW occurred during the Early to Middle Holocene, and a stronger winter MLW during the Middle to Late Holocene. Overall, we suggest that this change in the winter MLW was closely related to the insolation/temperature/pressure gradient between low and high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere.
Contributions of Abstract Extratextual Talk and Interactive Style to Preschoolers’ Vocabulary Development
Authors: MUHINYI Amber , ROWLAND Caroline F.
Published: November 2021

Caregiver abstract talk during shared reading predicts preschool-age children’s vocabulary development. However, previous research has focused on level of abstraction with less consideration of the style of extratextual talk. Here, we investigated the relation between these two dimensions of extratextual talk, and their contributions to variance in children’s vocabulary skills. Caregiver level of abstraction was associated with an interactive reading style. Controlling for socioeconomic status and child age, high interactivity predicted children’s concurrent vocabulary skills whereas abstraction did not. Controlling for earlier vocabulary skills, neither dimension of the extratextual talk predicted later vocabulary. Theoretical and practical relevance are discussed.
Socio-political context as determinant of childhood maltreatment: a population-based study among women and men in East and West Germany
Authors: Ulke C. , Fleischer T. , Muehlan H. , Altweck L. , Hahm S. , Glaesmer H. , Fegert J.M. , Zenger M. , Grabe H.J. , Schmidt S. , Beutel M.E. , Schomerus G. , Brähler E. , Speerforck S.
Published: November 2021

Aim

Being subjected to childhood maltreatment has devastating long-term adverse effects and is a major risk factor for mental health problems in adult life. There is empirical support that socio-political factors can be risk factors for childhood maltreatment. Here we examine whether socio-political context predicts self-rated childhood maltreatment in a sample of the German population.

Methods

Data were drawn from surveys of representative samples of the East and West German population, including participants born 1980 or earlier (5836 participants; 3146 women). Childhood maltreatment was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Screener, the German short screening version of the childhood trauma questionnaire. To examine whether socio-political context is a predictor of childhood maltreatment in women and men, we conducted logistic regression analyses.

Results

We found that in women, socio-political context (West Germany) significantly predicted childhood maltreatment (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 1.7 [1.2–2.5], 1.6 [1.1–2.3], 2.5 [1.6–4.1] and 1.8 [1.3–2.5] for emotional neglect, and emotional, physical and sexual violence, respectively). In men, the socio-political context (West Germany) was a predictor of physical and sexual violence (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 1.8 [1.2–2.7] and 2.5 [1.4–4.5]), respectively. Concerning emotional neglect and violence, socio-political context was not a significant predictor in men. The examination of differential item functioning revealed that our results could not be attributed to differential response behaviour between East and West Germans caused by item bias.

Conclusions

The results suggest that socio-political context is an important determinant to consider when examining childhood maltreatment. Future research should continue to focus on risk and protective factors at the societal level, such as legal frameworks addressing gender equality and child protection laws, to create further evidence for population-wide prevention strategies ensuring safe, nurturing and thriving environments for children and families.
Model of Inspiring Media
Authors: Oliver Mary Beth , Raney Arthur A. , Bartsch Anne , Janicke-Bowles Sophie , Appel Markus , Dale Katherine
Published: November 2021

Abstract. Scholars have increasingly explored the ways that media content can touch, move, and inspire audiences, leading to numerous beneficial outcomes including increased feelings of connectedness to and heightened motivations for doing good for others. Although this line of inquiry is relatively new, sufficient evidence and patterns of results have emerged such that a clearer picture of the inspiring media experience is coming into focus. This article has two primary goals. First, we seek to synthesize the existing research into a working and evolving model of inspiring media experiences reflecting five interrelated and symbiotic elements: exposure, message factors, responses, outcomes, and personal/situational factors. The model also identifies theoretical mechanisms underlying the previously observed positive effects. Secondly, the article explores situations in which, and precipitating factors present, when these hoped-for outcomes either fail to materialize or result in negative or maladaptive responses and outcomes. Ultimately, the model is proposed as a heuristic roadmap for future scholarship and as an invitation for critique and collaboration in the emerging field of positive media psychology.