bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Petiole length reduction is an indicator of waterlogging stress for Trifolium subterraneum ssp. yanninicum
Authors: Enkhbat Gereltsetseg , Ryan Megan H. , Nichols Phillip G. H. , Foster Kevin J. , Inukai Yoshiaki , Erskine William
Published: April 2022

Background and aims

The pasture legumeTrifolium subterraneumssp.yanninicumexhibits waterlogging tolerance. This study investigates diversity for waterlogging tolerance within ssp.yanninicum. We tested the hypotheses that (1) variation for waterlogging tolerance exists within ssp.yanninicumand (2) is related to phenotypic and growth trait differences, which (3) reflect eco-geographic variables at site of origin.

Methods

Twenty-eight diverse ssp.yanninicumecotypes collected from the Mediterranean region and four cultivars were grown in a controlled environment glasshouse. Seedling traits were measured at 14 and 21 days after sowing. Waterlogged and free-draining (control) treatments were then imposed for 28 days. Relative distance and multivariate plasticity indices were calculated.

Results

Under waterlogging, shoot (87–108% of controls) and root (80–116% of controls) relative growth rates (RGRs) differed significantly among ssp.yanninicum. Waterlogging tolerance, as assessed by shoot RGR, had strong positive correlations with root RGR (r = 0.86;P < 0.001), petiole length (r = 0.59;P < 0.001) and leaf size (r = 0.55;P < 0.01) under waterlogging. The proportion of biomass as leaf increased under waterlogging, due to leaf size being maintained (mean 102% of controls), but petiole length decreased (mean 84% of controls). Petiole length was the most plastic trait. Seed size, seedling traits, maturity duration and eco-geographic variables at site of origin were not related to waterlogging tolerance.

Conclusions

Wide variation in waterlogging tolerance exists within ssp.yanninicum. Petiole length reduction, an easy-to-measure and non-destructive indicator, could be used as a preliminary selection tool when screening large numbers of ssp.yanninicumfor waterlogging tolerance in a breeding program.
Characteristics of the written compositions of Spanish children with dyslexia and their relationship with spelling difficulties
Authors: Afonso Olivia , Carbajo Marina , Martínez-García Cristina , Suárez-Coalla Paz
Published: April 2022

Previous work in English has found that the spelling difficulties of children with dyslexia affect the overall quality attributed to their written compositions. The aim of this study was to investigate whether different processes related to transcription, translation and ideas proposing/planning are affected in developmental dyslexia and to what extent potential deficits are associated to poor spelling. Compositions handwritten by Spanish-speaking children with and without dyslexia aged 9–12 years-old (n = 42) were compared on measures of productivity, spelling accuracy, legibility, lexical diversity, punctuation, sentence structure and grammar, organisation, ideas quality, and readability. Children with dyslexia performed worse in spelling, lexical diversity, syntax and grammar and ideas quality. Interestingly, in the group with dyslexia spelling accuracy contributed to lexical diversity, while lexical diversity was the only significant predictor of syntax and grammar, organisation and ideas quality. This pattern of results was absent in typically developing children. This evidence suggests that spelling difficulties reduce the lexical diversity of the texts of children with dyslexia, which may affect the activity of the translator and the proposer, diminishing the perceived quality of their written compositions.
Revealing Gender Double Standards in the Parenthood Norm Depends on Question Order
Authors: de La Rochebrochard Elise , Rozée Virginie
Published: April 2022

Becoming a parent has been described as a dominant social norm, especially for women. Though some research has indicated changes toward more flexible gendered parenthood norms, methodological issues may be masking the continued presence of a gender double standard. In line with the condition for activation of double standards, we postulated that endorsement of the parenthood norm would vary depending on the response context. Our aim was to analyze the parenthood norm for women and for men taking into account the response context in a quantitative survey. In a French nationally-representative sample, more than 4,000 female and male adults were asked whether a woman/man can have a fulfilled life without having children in two questions presented in a random order. Based on the literature on question-order effects, the answer to the first question should be influenced by the participant’s personal background (e.g., gender, parental status), i.e., the personal background context, whereas the question asked second should be influenced by the comparison with the first question, i.e. the social relational context. In the personal background context, the own-gender parenthood norm was endorsed more strongly than the other-gender parenthood norm by both female and male participants. In contrast, in the social relational context, the parenthood norm for women was endorsed more strongly than the parenthood norm for men by both female and male participants. Our results showed a strong gender double standard observed only in the comparative context and illustrates the need to use appropriate survey methodology to examine the presence of gendered social norms.
Effect of Biofumigation on Population Densities of Pratylenchus spp. and Verticillium spp. and Potato Yield in Eastern Canada
Authors: Chen Dahu , Zebarth Bernie J. , Goyer Claudia , Comeau Louis-Pierre , Nahar Kamrun , Dixon Tom
Published: April 2022

Biofumigation has been proposed as an alternative to soil fumigation to manage soil-borne diseases including potato early dying disease complex (PED). This study examined the potential of using brown mustard (Mustard juncea) biofumigation to manage PED under rain-fed potato production in New Brunswick, Canada in two trials between 2017 and 2020 in comparison with chloropicrin fumigation and a conventional barley rotation. Biofumigation increased yield in one trial, but not in a second trial where the potato crop experienced severe drought, whereas chloropicrin fumigation increased yield in both trials. Biofumigation was effective in suppressing root-lesion nematode (RLN, Pratylenchus spp.) counts in both trials, but was ineffective in suppressing V. dahliae population density. Chloropicrin fumigation was effective in suppressing RLN counts and V. dahliae population density only in the hill where injected, but the effect was short-lived as the population density of V. dahliae in the hill increased to the level of the control in one potato growing season. Biofumigation may be an alternative to chloropicrin fumigation in managing PED, particularly in fields with high RLN population but relatively low Verticillium population density. However, neither biofumigation nor fumigation used alone may be sustainable in the short-term potato rotations commonly used in New Brunswick, and additional beneficial practices are required to sustain productivity in the long-term.
Development of acoustic computer simulation for performance spaces: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Chao , Kang Jian
Published: April 2022

This article aims to review the development of acoustic computer simulation for performance spaces. The databases of Web of Science and Scopus were searched for peer-reviewed journal articles published in English between 1960 and 2021, using the keywords for “simulation”, “acoustic”, “performance space”, “measure”, and their synonyms. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) the searched article should be focused on the field of room acoustics (reviews were excluded); (2) a computer simulation algorithm should be used; (3) it should be clearly stated that the simulated object is a performance space; and (4) acoustic measurements should be used for comparison with the simulation. Finally, twenty studies were included. A standardised data extraction form was used to collect the modelling information, software/algorithm, indicators for comparison, and other information. The results revealed that the most used acoustic indicators were early decay time (EDT), reverberation time (T30), strength (G), and definition (D50). The accuracy of these indicators differed greatly. For non-iterative simulation, the simulation accuracies of most indicators were outside their respective just noticeable differences. Although a larger sample size was required for further validation, simulations of T30, EDT, and D50 all showed an increase in accuracy with increasing time from 1979 to 2020, except for G. In terms of frequency, the simulation was generally less accurate at lower frequencies, which occurred at T30, G, D50 and T20. However, EDT accuracy did not exhibit significant frequency sensitivity. The prediction accuracy of inter-aural cross-correlation coefficients (IACC) was even higher at low frequencies than it was at high frequencies. The average value of most indicators showed a clear systematic deviation from zero, providing hints for future algorithm improvements. Limitations and the risks of bias in this review were discussed. Finally, various types of benchmark tests were suggested for various comparison goals.
Increasing formability in hole-flanging through the use of punch rotation based on temperature and strain rate dependent forming limit curves
Authors: Besong Lemopi Isidore , Buhl Johannes , Bambach Markus
Published: April 2022

Conventional hole-flanging by stamping is characterized by low formability. It is common knowledge that formability can be improved by forming at high temperatures. High-speed punch rotation is introduced to conventional hole-flanging to use frictional heat to improve and control formability. Thermomechanical finite element (FE) simulations of conventional hole-flanging and hole-flanging with punch rotation are used to determine the effects of punch rotation on the process temperature. Hot tensile tests were conducted to find the effects of temperature and strain rate on the forming limit of the blank. The Marciniak–Kuczynski (M–K) forming limit model is used to estimate temperature and strain-rate dependent forming limits of the material. Hole flanging experiments were conducted at different punch speeds and feeds to determine process windows that maximize formability. A maximum hole expansion ratio (HER) of 4 was obtained in hole-flanging with punch rotation compared to 1.48 in conventional hole-flanging experiments. In theory, a rise in blank temperature to 400 °C in hole-flanging with punch rotation enhances the HER by 30% based on the FE simulations. However, experiments of hole-flanging with punch rotation reveal a 170% increase in formability. The difference in formability between the experiments and FE simulations is attributed to the influence of high-speed deformation, in-plane shear and non-proportional loading paths. To control formability in hole-flanging with high-speed punch rotation, it seems sufficient to establish a closed-loop control of the process with a pre-defined temperature profile.
Partitioning of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) from Coal to Coal Fly Ash in Different Thermal Power Stations (TPSs) of India
Authors: Maity Sudip , Choudhary Akshay K Singh , Kumar Santosh , Gupta Pavan K.
Published: April 2022

Rare earth elements (REEs) have been a topic of profound interest for several decades especially in the present age of electronic and digital revolution. India has the world’s richest beach sands with REEs, yet it imports some strategic REEs to fulfil its demand. It’s high time to explore alternative sources to meet its demand and coal ash from Thermal Power Stations (TPS) can be a very good alternative resource. In the present study, coal and coal fly ash (CFA) from seven Indian TPSs have been evaluated for estimation of REEs and variations in minerals compositions. Mineralogy of the samples is estimated using X-Ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Coal samples mostly consist of quartz and kaolinite however phase transformations of minerals occurred due to high temperature treatment during combustion. CFA mostly contains quartz and mullite. REEs have been determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) and considerable occurrence of any specific REE is not observed. Among the studied TPSs, Pr has the highest concentration among REEs in ash, reaching up to 63 ppm. The Outlook Coefficient (Cout) of REEs is in the range of 0.3 - 4.5 and 0.1 - 1.2 for coal and CFA respectively. In this research paper, Enrichment Coefficient (Δe) has been introduced to see the enrichment of REE in CFA with respect to the mother coal and a graph of Δe vs glassy phase has been plotted to observe the partitioning of REEs. Occurrence of Light REEs is more prominent than Heavy REEs.
Gold Mineralisation in Pahardia – Rungikocha Area, West Singhbhum District, Jharkhand, India
Authors: Misra P. S. , Kisku S. R.
Published: April 2022

Pahardia-Rungikocha area lies at the south-western end of the north Singhbhum mobile belt (NSMB). The terrain of NSMB is known for gold occurrences. Systematic exploration by the authors have established significant resource (0.48 million tonnes ) with appreciable grade (3.43 g/t) of gold, for the first time. This has added to the National Mineral Inventory on gold and the area has now been granted mining lease.
Unraveling Depositional Mode and Provenance of Kopili Formation, Northeast India
Authors: Mout Joya Moni , Sarmah Ranjan Kumar
Published: April 2022

The Kopili Formation of North Cachar Hills, NE India has been studied to unravel its depositional mode and provenance. For this, a study of grain size distribution and heavy mineral assemblage of representative sandstone samples of the Kopili Formation was undertaken. Further, the published information on the Kopili Formation occurring in the adjacent areas was compiled. The Grain size study reveals that the Kopili sandstones are mostly bimodal and polymodal, fine-grained sands mixed with medium grained sands, moderately well sorted to poorly sorted, coarse skewed to near-symmetrical, and platykurtic to extremely leptokurtic. The Passega CM (C= one percentile and M= Median) pattern discloses saltation and suspension as the dominant transporting modes of the studied sandstones. Linear discriminant function (LDF) analysis reveals that the Kopili sandstones were deposited in beach and agitated shallow marine environment. The heavy mineral assemblage represented by zircon, tourmaline, rutile, garnet, chlorite clinopyroxene, staurolite, and opaque indicates mixed provenance (silicic igneous and metamorphic) for the Kopili sandstones. The zircon-tourmaline-rutile (ZTR) maturity index ranging from 31.03 to 88.41 (average 64.49%) discloses immature to sub-mature nature of the Kopili sandstones. Based on the study it is inferred that the Kopili sediments are of mixed provenance and deposited broadly in marine environment.
Mineralogy, Organic Richness and Macerated Microbial Studies of the Rohtasgarh Shales in the Vindhyan Basin, India: Implications for Gas Generation Potential
Authors: Bhan Uday , Boruah Annapurna , Maurya Deepak Sing , Rai S. K. , Singh Veeru Kant , Goswami Lalit
Published: April 2022

The Proterozoic black shales of Rohtas Subgroup in Vindhyan basin are analyzed to assess their hydrocarbon generation potential. A total of 50 core samples of shales and limestones were collected from borehole core of Rohtasgarh limestone in Amehta mine, Vindhyan basin located in Katni district, Madhya Pradesh. The petrographic analysis, X-Ray diffraction, rock eval pyrolysis and maceral studies were carried out on separated black shales from the carbonates. The study presents that the Rohtas Subgroup of Semri Group consists of greyish to black limestone, greyish to greyish black shales, calcareous shales, silicified shales, pyritic shales and dark black shales alterations with limestones. XRD study reveals the presence of quartz (23.4%), plagioclase feldspar (21.9%), siderite (10.9%), aragonite (2.93%), calcite(1.9%), hematite (4.23%), illite (1.27%), kaolinite (3.2%), pyrite (3.86%), dolomite (8.2%), chlorite (2.43%), gypsum (4.02%), albite (3.4%), potassium feldspar (1.9%) in the samples, where smectite is dominating clay and feldspar in the form of potassium and plagioclase feldspar is the chief constituent among the detrital framework grains. The total organic content (TOC) of the shale units ranges from 0.22 wt. % to 1.08 wt.%, whereas hydrogen index (HI) ranges from 11 to 90 mg HC/g TOC, oxygen index (OI) ranges from 1.08 to 31.82 mg CO2/gTOC, Tmax ranges from 431 to 525°C, production index (PI) ranges from 0.11-1.0. Unstructured organic matters are extracted through maceration techniques, which infer thermal maturity stages of the shales. The dark brown to black in colour of the studied palynomorphs extracted from the Rohtasgarh shales inferred strong thermal alternation of the source rock over geological time. High thermal alteration index (TAI) of Rohtasgarh shales (3.5) suggests the presence of post maturated organic matters with gas prone type III & IV kerogen. The organic richness, kerogen type, thermal maturity of Rohtasgarh limestone in the study area signify poor to fair hydrocarbon generation potential.
Improvement of Psoriasis Using Oral Probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K-12: a Case–Control 24-Month Longitudinal Study
Authors: Zangrilli Arianna , Diluvio Laura , Di Stadio Arianna , Di Girolamo Stefano
Published: April 2022

Psoriasis is a common chronic skin disease, associated with an important physical and physiological involvement for any age. There is a strong link between psoriasis and streptococcal infection, particularly that of the tonsils. There are many therapies to treat psoriasis including topical, systemic, and biologic agents but these treatments are not free from side effects. Streptococcus salivarius K-12 is an oral probiotic product useful for the prophylaxis and treatment of tonsillar infections in children and adults, now tested here for the first time for control of psoriasis. Our retrospective analysis was conducted on 198 patients affected by mild to moderate psoriasis: 100 patients were first treated for 90 days with Streptococcus salivarius K-12, while 98 did not receive any probiotics and were the control group. The patients treated with S. salivarius K-12 exhibited a significant improvement of their psoriasis from the baseline condition: 83.7% patients treated achieved a 100% improvement of the PASI score at 24 weeks and efficacy continued to improve with longer treatment, maintaining same result also during follow-up observation. In all patients, the treatment was well tolerated, and no adverse events have been observed. Our data show that oral preparations containing Streptococcus salivarius may provide a beneficial option for the prevention and cure of pediatric and adult psoriasis.
A critical review on optimization parameters and techniques for gas pipeline operation profitability
Authors: Arya Adarsh Kumar
Published: April 2022

Pipelines have traditionally been recognized as the most cost-effective and safe mode for transporting natural gas. However, since a tremendous amount of gas is transported through pipelines, a massive investment is required to construct and operate pipeline networks. The oil-and-gas sector has embraced pipeline optimization because of its potential to cut down pipeline costs significantly. However, the inclusion of several variables, single or multiple goals, and intricate linear–nonlinear equality and inequality constraints make pipeline optimization a significant challenge.In recent years, the natural gas industry has experienced a surge in pipeline optimization parameters and techniques to lower the pipeline cost. Numerous researchers have previously focused on developing effective algorithmic modifications to enhance certain search capabilities. However, very few review papers have been published, despite being critical for engineering solution providers. The paper tries to fill this gap by detailing the many gas pipeline optimization parameters, fourteen in our case, tuned to obtain the most outstanding pipeline operating advantages. In addition, the six most widely accepted pipeline optimization techniques, viz. Ant colony, Genetic algorithm, Differential evolution, Particle swarm, Simulated annealing, and Whale optimization algorithms, are also detailed. Furthermore, the potential solution approach for pipeline optimization problems is addressed to supplement the application. The findings of this study intend to enhance the understanding of the methodology, techniques, and advantages of implementing optimization to the pipeline industry, allowing for maximum operational benefits in a period of diminishing fossil fuel supplies.
Seismic inversion as a reliable technique to anticipating of porosity and facies delineation, a case study on Asmari Formation in Hendijan field, southwest part of Iran
Authors: Abdolahi Aziz , Chehrazi Ali , Kadkhodaie Ali , Babasafari Amir Abbas
Published: April 2022

Porosity and facies are two main properties of rock which control the reservoir quality and have significant role in petroleum exploration and production. Well and seismic data are the most prevalent information for reservoir characterization. Well information such as logs prepare adequate vertical resolution but leave a large distance between the wells. In comparison, three-dimensional seismic data can prepare more detailed reservoir characterization in the inter-well space. Generally, seismic data are an efficient tool for identification of reservoir structure; however, such data usable in reservoir characterization. Therefore, these two types of information were incorporated in order to obtain reservoir properties including porosity and facies in the study area. Using Multimin algorithm, petrophysical analysis was carried out for estimation of reservoir porosity. Then, an accurate post-stack inversion was accomplished to obtain the acoustic impedance volume. The results showed that the Ghar sandstone is characterized by a lower acoustic impedance compared to the high acoustic impedance Asmari Formation. Because of a relationship between acoustic impedance and reservoir properties (i.e., porosity), porosity cube calculation was performed by artificial neural network method which is a popular approach for parameter estimation in petroleum exploration. The consequences showed a good agreement between log based and seismic inversion-derived porosity. The inversion results and well logs cross-plots analyses illustrated that the Ghar member considered as a high quality zone with porosity 22 to 32 percent and the Asmari dolomite shows a low quality interval characters with porosity 1 to 6 percent. The findings of this study can help for better understanding of reservoir quality (especially porous Ghar member delineation) by lithology discrimination in the analysis of identification reservoirs and finding productive well location in Hendijan field.
Micromechanical Force Measurement of Clotted Blood Particle Cohesion: Understanding Thromboembolic Aggregation Mechanisms
Authors: McKenzie Angus J. , Doyle Barry J. , Aman Zachary M.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Arterial shear forces may promote the embolization of clotted blood from the surface of thrombi, displacing particles that may occlude vasculature, with increased risk of physiological complications and mortality. Thromboemboli may also collide in vivo to form metastable aggregates that increase vessel occlusion likelihood.

Methods

A micromechanical force (MMF) apparatus was modified for aqueous applications to study clot-liquid interfacial phenomena between clotted porcine blood particles suspended in modified continuous phases. The MMF measurement is based on visual observation of particle-particle separation, where Hooke’s Law is applied to calculate separation force. This technique has previously been deployed to study solid–fluid interfacial phenomena in oil and gas pipelines, providing fundamental insight to cohesive and adhesive properties between solids in multiphase flow systems.

Results

This manuscript introduces distributed inter-particle separation force properties as a function of governing physio-chemical parameters; pre-load (contact) force, contact time, and bulk phase chemical modification. In each experimental campaign, the hysteresis and distributed force properties were analysed, to derive insight as to the governing mechanism of cohesion between particles. Porcine serum, porcine albumin and pharmaceutical agents (alteplase, tranexamic acid and hydrolysed aspirin) reduced the measurement by an order of magnitude from the baseline measurement—the apparatus provides a platform to study how surface-active chemistries impact the solid–fluid interface.

Conclusion

These results provide new insight to potential mechanisms of macroscopic thromboembolic aggregation via particles cohering in the vascular system—data that can be directly applied to computational simulations to predict particle fate, better informing the mechanistic developments of embolic occlusion.
Safe implementation of hand held steerable laparoscopic instruments: a survey among EAES surgeons
Authors: Hardon S. F. , Rahimi A. M. , Postema R. R. , Willuth E. , Mintz Y. , Arezzo A. , Dankelman J. , Nickel F. , Horeman T. ,   the EAES Technology Committee Study Group, Baldari L. , Boni L. , Chand M. , Ficuciello F. , Fuchs H. , Horeman T. , Inaki N. , Jimenez-Rodrigues R. , Kim Y. W. , Manfredi L. , Marconi S. , Mascagni P. , Perretta S. , Schijven M. , Mylonas G. , Myśliwiec P. , Nickel F. , Petz W. , Sagiv C. , Sánchez-Margallo J. A. , Sánchez-Margallo F.
Published: April 2022

The complexity of handheld steerable laparoscopic instruments (SLI) may impair the learning curve compared to conventional instruments when first utilized. This study aimed to provide the current state of interest in the use of SLI, the current use of these in daily practice and the type of training which is conducted before using SLI in the operating room (OR) on real patients. An online survey was distributed by European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) Executive Office to all active members, between January 4th and February 3rd, 2020. The survey consisted of 14 questions regarding the usage and training of steerable laparoscopic instruments. A total of 83 members responded, coming from 33 different countries. Twenty three percent of the respondents using SLI, were using the instruments routinely and of these 21% had not received any formal training in advance of using the instruments in real patients. Of all responding EAES members, 41% considered the instruments to potentially compromise patient safety due to their complexity, learning curve and the inexperience of the surgeons. The respondents reported the three most important aspects of a possible steerable laparoscopic instruments training curriculum to be: hands-on training, safe tissue handling and suturing practice. Finally, a major part of the respondents consider force/pressure feedback data to be of significant importance for implementation of training and assessment of safe laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Training and assessment of skills regarding safe implementation of steerable laparoscopic instruments is lacking. The respondents stressed the need for specific hands-on training during which feedback and assessment of skills should be guaranteed before operating on real patients.
Cellulose Nanopaper: Fabrication, Functionalization, and Applications
Authors: Liu Wei , Liu Kun , Du Haishun , Zheng Ting , Zhang Ning , Xu Ting , Pang Bo , Zhang Xinyu , Si Chuanling , Zhang Kai
Published: April 2022

Cellulose nanopaper has shown great potential in diverse fields including optoelectronic devices, food packaging, biomedical application, and so forth, owing to their various advantages such as good flexibility, tunable light transmittance, high thermal stability, low thermal expansion coefficient, and superior mechanical properties. Herein, recent progress on the fabrication and applications of cellulose nanopaper is summarized and discussed based on the analyses of the latest studies. We begin with a brief introduction of the three types of nanocellulose: cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibrils and bacterial cellulose, recapitulating their differences in preparation and properties. Then, the main preparation methods of cellulose nanopaper including filtration method and casting method as well as the newly developed technology are systematically elaborated and compared. Furthermore, the advanced applications of cellulose nanopaper including energy storage, electronic devices, water treatment, and high-performance packaging materials were highlighted. Finally, the prospects and ongoing challenges of cellulose nanopaper were summarized.
Analysis of the simultaneous adsorption mechanism of ammonium and phosphate on magnesium-modified biochar and the slow release effect of fertiliser
Authors: He Qingshan , Li Xiufen , Ren Yueping
Published: April 2022

To decrease the eutrophication caused by nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in water, magnesium-modified corn stalk biochar (MgB) was prepared under the synergistic impact of the multi-pyrolysis temperatures and Mg2+ contents for the co-adsorption of ammonium (NH4+-N) and phosphate (PO43−). The co-adsorption mechanism, slow-release performance and plant application of MgB were systematically studied. The results showed that pyrolysis temperatures (350–650 °C) and Mg2+(0–3.6 g/L) contents not only altered the physicochemical properties of biochar, but also significantly affected the adsorption efficacy of MgB. The adsorption of NH4+-N and PO43− was in accordance with Langmuir–Freundlich and pseudo-second-order kinetic models (Qmax = 37.72 and 73.29 mg/g, respectively). Based on the characteristics, adsorption kinetics and isotherms results, the adsorption mechanism was determined and found to mainly involve struvite precipitation, ion exchange, and surface precipitation or electrostatic attraction. Compared with the leaching performance of chemical fertilizers (CF), after adsorption of NH4+-N and PO43− (MgB-A), MgB had a more stable pH and lower conductivity. Leaching of NH4+-N and PO43− by MgB-A was controlled by both the diffusion mechanism and the dissolution rate of struvite and Mg-P. The excellent long-term slow-release performance and abundant Mg2+ of MgB-A promoted the growth of Zea mays L. and Lolium perenne L. Overall, this study suggested that MgB could realize a win–win outcome of struvite biochar-based fertiliser production and wastewater treatment.
Current advances on the photocatalytic degradation of fluoroquinolones: photoreaction mechanism and environmental application
Authors: Pretali Luca , Fasani Elisa , Sturini Michela
Published: April 2022

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is one of the most studied and promising techniques for degradation of contaminants of emerging concern, especially pharmaceuticals, and it represents a potential application in wastewater treatment of recalcitrant pollutants, such as fluoroquinolones, which are almost not abated by standard WWTPs. Although photodegradation partially contributes to alleviate their accumulation into the aquatic systems, heterogeneous photocatalysis assures complete sequestration and mineralization of FQs and their photoproducts and offers many advantages with respect to the other advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). The present brief review summarizes the most recent studies regarding the development and application of novel photocatalytic materials to the removal of FQs from contaminated waters. The collected data are arranged relating the mechanistic aspects to specific catalysts’ properties, such as adsorption capacity, easy recovery, and reusability, especially under actual conditions.

Graphical Abstract
Les études médiévales après le tournant global
Authors: Ertl Thomas , Oschema Klaus
Published: April 2022

Les études médiévales après le tournant global

Cette contribution cherche à évaluer l’influence du « tournant global » sur les études médiévales, et notamment sur le Moyen Âge européen. Développer des perspectives globales pour la période prémoderne constitue un véritable défi. Tout d’abord, la notion même de « Moyen Âge » est un concept eurocentrique dont application à des contextes non européens peut être critiquée. Ensuite, si l’observation de contacts et de réseaux d’échanges de grande envergure a ouvert de considérables voies de recherche en histoire prémoderne, l’importance quantitative de ces contacts reste difficile à évaluer. Enfin, il existe une tension permanente entre différentes visions de la fonction de l’histoire (médiévale) dans la société. Malgré ces problèmes, les récentes contributions au « Moyen Âge global » ont ouvert de nouvelles approches à des phénomènes qui sont tout aussi pertinents pour les études médiévales européennes. Si le tournant global ne remodèle pas entièrement l’histoire de l’Europe médiévale, il ajoute certainement des nuances importantes et de nouvelles perspectives à de nombreux sujets qui non seulement résonnent avec les intérêts actuels, mais ont longtemps été une préoccupation de l’histoire médiévale européenne, comme la migration, le commerce et la religion. En dépit des difficultés et des défis (méthodologiques, linguistiques, etc.) qu’il pose, le tournant global a le potentiel de contribuer au développement de nouvelles approches thématiques ainsi que de nouvelles formes de coopération dans le domaine des études médiévales.
Migrations et tournant global de l’histoire européenne
Authors: Buettner Elizabeth
Published: April 2022

Migrations et tournant global de l’histoire européenne

Le tournant global est au cœur de l’étude des nombreuses histoires migratoires de l’Europe – qu’il s’agisse de migrations extra-, intra- ou infra-européennes – et inclut les espaces transatlantiques, impériaux et post-impériaux ainsi que d’autres arènes mondiales. Bénéficiant d’un grand nombre de travaux novateurs souvent centrés sur des histoires au niveau macro, cet article prône un cadrage plus serré portant sur les interprétations et les expériences individuelles. Ce faisant, il soutient que les historiens peuvent ouvrir des perspectives nuancées, qui risquent cependant d’être submergées au sein d’études où, paradoxalement, les migrants réels se trouvent supplantés en raison de l’accent mis sur les phénomènes migratoires globaux. Focalisé sur la fin de l’ère contemporaine, l’article retrace les dimensions globales de deux vies s’étendant sur près de deux siècles afin de soulever des questions plus larges, notamment sur la race et l’ethnicité. Jacob A. Riis (1849-1914) et Gérald Bloncourt (1926-2018) étaient d’éminents photographes documentaires qui partageaient un profond engagement pour la réforme sociale et l’amélioration des conditions de vie de la classe ouvrière. Ils ont tous deux enregistré des histoires de migration via leurs appareils photographiques et leurs écrits, permettant ainsi une analyse des représentations multimédias issues d’une même source. Le fait qu’ils soient eux-mêmes issus de la migration (Riis a quitté le Danemark pour les États-Unis, et Bloncourt Haïti pour la France métropolitaine) donne une résonance particulière aux images et aux textes qu’ils ont produits. Leurs propres origines et leurs vies mobiles se sont avérées cruciales pour leurs interprétations des flux de personnes plus larges qui ont relié l’Europe à différents contextes mondiaux – et qui continuent de le faire aujourd’hui.
Predicting years with extremely low gross primary production from daily weather data using Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Marcolongo Aris , Vladymyrov Mykhailo , Lienert Sebastian , Peleg Nadav , Haug Sigve , Zscheischler Jakob
Published: April 2022

Understanding the meteorological drivers of extreme impacts in social or environmental systems is important to better quantify current and project future climate risks. Impacts are typically an aggregated response to many different interacting drivers at various temporal scales, rendering such driver identification a challenging task. Machine learning–based approaches, such as deep neural networks, may be able to address this task but require large training datasets. Here, we explore the ability of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to predict years with extremely low gross primary production (GPP) from daily weather data in three different vegetation types. To circumvent data limitations in observations, we simulate 100,000 years of daily weather with a weather generator for three different geographical sites and subsequently simulate vegetation dynamics with a complex vegetation model. For each resulting vegetation distribution, we then train two different CNNs to classify daily weather data (temperature, precipitation, and radiation) into years with extremely low GPP and normal years. Overall, prediction accuracy is very good if the monthly or yearly GPP values are used as an intermediate training target (area under the precision-recall curve AUC

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0.9). The best prediction accuracy is found in tropical forests, with temperate grasslands and boreal forests leading to comparable results. Prediction accuracy is strongly reduced when binary classification is used directly. Furthermore, using daily GPP during training does not improve the predictive power. We conclude that CNNs are able to predict extreme impacts from complex meteorological drivers if sufficient data are available.
Interacción humano-camélido en la Puna de Atacama (área surandina): Caza y demografía humana desde el arte rupestre
Authors: Yacobaccio Hugo D. , Gallardo Francisco , Sepúlveda Marcela
Published: April 2022

En este trabajo presentamos un análisis zooarqueológico de las relaciones humano-camélido durante el Holoceno en la Puna de Atacama (norte de Chile y Noroeste argentino) a través del estudio de composiciones rupestres interpretadas como escenas de caza durante el lapso entre 9700 y 2500 aP. Estas representaciones aluden a interacciones sociales y a un imaginario visual que vincula humanos y camélidos en un mismo acontecimiento. Planteamos que el estudio de estas manifestaciones pintadas puede aportar evidencia sustancial sobre las características de la caza comunal, la demografía de los cazadores recolectores y los primeros pastores del área surandina. Así, hemos podido identificar con el análisis del arte rupestre, tanto eventos de caza llevada a cabo por grupos locales, como así también cazas colectivas o comunales efectuadas por grupos agregados de población dentro de un ciclo anual o de agregaciones poblacionales extraordinarias. Esto representa un cálculo demográfico efectuado por primera vez a partir de las escenas de caza del arte rupestre.
Why So Little Strategic Voting in India?
Authors: HEATH OLIVER , ZIEGFELD ADAM
Published: April 2022

Strategic voting is thought to underlie Duverger’s Law and lead to two-party outcomes in single-member district plurality (SMDP) systems. We examine the extent of strategic voting in the world’s most populous democracy, India, where frequent exceptions to Duverger’s Law have long puzzled political scientists. Using an original voter survey from the 2017 Uttar Pradesh state election, we find extremely low rates of strategic voting. Why? We show that the vast majority of respondents believe that their preferred party is likely to win in their constituency. For most voters, their partisan preferences overwhelmingly predict their beliefs about which party will win. Their election forecasts correspond to objective electoral outcomes only with respect to parties that they like less.
Power Sharing and Authoritarian Stability: How Rebel Regimes Solve the Guardianship Dilemma
Authors: MENG ANNE , PAINE JACK
Published: April 2022

Regimes founded in rebellion are, typically, extremely durable. We propose that this stability is founded upon peaceful power sharing between the rebel regime leader and military elites. Amid long and intense fighting, rebel leaders must delegate control to top military commanders because doing so helps them to win battles. After seizing power, power-sharing deals between former combatants are highly credible due to their history of interactions, which mitigates the guardianship dilemma. Elsewhere, a persistent internal security dilemma often undermines power-sharing deals. Using originally collected data on African regimes from 1960 to 2017, we establish that rebel regimes break down seldomly compared with other authoritarian regimes and they experience fewer coups. Regarding the mechanism, rebel regimes more frequently share power with military elites by appointing a Minister of Defense. These Ministers are typically high-ranking members of the rebellion, which reflects the regime’s replacement of the state military with their own.
Enhanced-efficiency nitrogen fertilizer boosts cauliflower productivity and farmers’ income: Multi-location and multi-year field trials across Nepal
Authors: Pandit Naba Raj , Gaihre Yam Kanta , Gautam Shriniwas , Maharjan Shashish , Vista Shree Prasad , Choudhary Dyutiman
Published: April 2022

Enhanced-efficiency nitrogen (N) fertilizers (EENFs) such as slow-release polymer-coated urea (PCU) and deep placement of urea briquettes (UBs) improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by reducing N losses and increasing nitrogen uptake by plants. Multilocation field trials (81) with cauliflower were conducted across two agroecological regions covering seven districts during two crop-growing seasons between 2018 and 2020 to assess the potential of three EENFs, i.e., PCU, sulphur-coated urea (SCU) and UB for increasing curd yields, agronomic NUE (AEN) and economic benefits over conventional urea (CU). Results were compared with farmers’ current nutrient management practice (FP): applying CU at 58.5 kg N ha−1(ranging from 33 to 88 kg N ha−1). The N rates in three EENF treatments were 33% lower (100 kg N ha−1), considering their higher N use efficiency, than for CU (150 kg N ha−1). We hypothesize that EENFs produce similar or even higher yields compared with CU. For both years, all three EENFs resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) higher curd yields than CU (36.7 ± 1.1 t ha−1). PCU, SCU and UB increased yields by 21, 21 and 24% over those for CU. The yield increment was much higher (PCU, 44%; SCU, 43%; UB, 46%) than for FP. Similarly, PCU, SCU and UB increased the partial factor productivity of N (PFPN) by 91, 90 and 94% and the AENby 133, 129 and 138%, respectively, compared with CU. The gross margins of all three EENFs were similar: an average 25% more than with CU and 51% more than with FP. These results suggest that EENFs could help increase productivity and farmer income while considerably reducing N input, compared to use of CU. The government of Nepal should promote these EENFs by removing barriers to access for the associated fertilizers and foster their use through extension.
Impact of improved agricultural extension approaches on technology adoption: Evidence from a randomised controlled trial in rural Tunisia
Authors: Dhehibi Boubaker , Dhraief Mohamed Zied , Ruediger Udo , Frija Aymen , Werner Jutta , Straussberger Liza , Rischkowsky Barbara
Published: April 2022

Low and slow adoption of innovative technologies among smallholder farmers in Tunisia is a key agricultural development problem partly related to the existing technology transfer approach used in the country. The objective of this study is to analyse how to design innovative technology transfer strategies more effective in terms of increasing female and male farmers’ adoption of an improved barley variety, ‘Kounouz’, for small ruminant nutrition. A randomised controlled trial method was used with farmers in Tunisia to implement four extension treatments and to evaluate their effects on adoption of Kounouz. Difference-in-difference estimates showed that intensive agricultural trainings can significantly improve adoption of Kounouz. Technical trainings combined with economic and organisational training and female empowerment courses resulted in a higher adoption rate. This finding has important policy implications, because it suggests that ensuring more widespread and equitable adoption of improved technologies may not require changes in the research system, but rather introduction measures that ensure better access for women to gender-sensitive extension programmes given their positive impacts on technology adoption of the household.
Hmong women's rights and the Communist Party of Thailand
Authors: Baird Ian , Yangcheepsutjarit Urai
Published: April 2022

Between 1967 and 1969, thousands of Hmong in northern Thailand became aligned with the Communist Party of Thailand (CPT) and resided in mountainous strongholds near the border with Laos in Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phetchabun, and Phitsanulok provinces, and in Tak province near the border with Burma. They stayed in these strongholds until the early 1980s, when the CPT fell apart. During the CPT period, some important transformations in Hmong gender relations occurred, especially relative to the traditional strongly male-dominated society. We describe the most important changes, as reported by Hmong women. The legacy of the CPT period remains today. However, there has been some reversion to pre-CPT patriarchal practices. Some Hmong women feel nostalgic about the rights they enjoyed during the CPT period, although the leadership of the CPT was male dominated, and despite the fact that some progress has been made, for example, in convincing clan leaders to allow divorced women to return to their birth clans. This study applies a feminist geography and social memory theoretical framework to examine Hmong women's life stories about their time with the CPT.
Accumulations and Cascades: Burmese Elephants and the Ecological Impact of British Imperialism
Authors: Saha Jonathan
Published: April 2022

What effect did British imperialism in Myanmar have on frogs? And, given that the lives of these small amphibian creatures were rarely ever recorded or preserved in archival collections, how might we find out? Sceptical readers may also wish to take a step back and ask, why should historians even care about their lives? These are unusual questions for a historian to confront, but they are occasioned by the deepening conversation between ecology and history. This paper delves into the ecological impact of colonial rule in Myanmar through the lives of Burmese elephants and the creatures that they lived alongside. In it I argue that the concepts of ‘accumulation’ and ‘cascade’ are useful for enabling historians to apprehend the full extent of the impact of imperialism on the lives of animals.
Fibroblast growth factor-2 promotes in vitro activation of cat primordial follicles
Authors: Müller M.C. , Monte A.P.O. , Lins T.L.B.G. , Macedo T.J.S. , Barros V.R.P. , Ferreira V.C. , Baraúna D. , Santos C.R.O. , Silva A.R. , Matos M.H.T.
Published: April 2022

This study evaluated the effect of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) on the morphology, primordial follicle activation and growth after in vitro culture of domestic cat ovarian tissue. Ovaries (n = 12) from prepubertal domestic cats were collected and fragmented. One fragment was ﬁxed for histological analysis (fresh control). The remaining fragments were incubated in control medium alone or with 10, 50 or 100 ng/ml FGF-2 for 7 days. After in vitro culture, the following endpoints were analyzed: morphology, activation by counting primordial and developing follicles, and growth (follicle and oocyte diameters). Treatment with 100 ng/ml FGF-2 maintained (P > 0.05) the percentage of normal follicles similar to fresh control. Follicle survival was greater (P < 0.05) after culture in 100 ng/ml FGF-2 than in 50 ng/ml FGF-2. The percentage of primordial follicles decreased (P < 0.05) and the percentage of developing follicles increased (P < 0.05) in all treatments compared with fresh tissue. The proportion of developing follicles increased (P < 0.05) in tissues incubated with 100 ng/ml FGF-2 compared with control medium and other FGF-2 concentrations. Furthermore, culture in 10 or 100 ng/ml FGF-2 resulted in increased (P < 0.05) follicle and oocyte diameters compared with fresh tissues and MEM+. In conclusion, FGF-2 at 100 ng/ml maintains follicle survival and promotes the in vitro activation and growth of cat primordial follicles.