bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Existence and uniqueness of periodic solution to second‐order impulsive differential equations
Authors: Wen Qian , Ren Lulu , Liu Rui
Published: November 2022

In this paper, existence and uniqueness of periodic solutions of second‐order semilinear impulsive differential equations are obtained. Some sufficient conditions that guarantee the existence of periodic solutions to second‐order linear nonhomogeneous impulsive differential equations are obtained. In addition, by using the appropriate fixed theorem and the theory of coincidence degree, some conditions ensuring the existence and uniqueness of periodic solution to second‐order semilinear impulsive differential systems are derived. Finally, some examples are provided to illustrate the availability of our results.
The Genetic Composition of Wild Steelhead Based on Spatial Proximity to a Hatchery
Authors: Bowersox Brett J. , Hargrove John S. , Copeland Timothy , Campbell Matthew R.
Published: November 2022

Management of hatchery and wild stocks of steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss within the same watershed requires careful consideration when management objectives include the use of the hatchery stock to meet fishery objectives while maintaining the genetic integrity of coexisting wild stocks. This scenario can be further complicated when management objectives for the hatchery stock include supplementation of natural production. The lower Clearwater River in Idaho provided an ideal location to evaluate hatchery steelhead genetic influence within a drainage with separate wild steelhead and supplementation management emphasis areas. We collected 813 genetic samples from wild juvenile steelhead from two sample years in 10 tributaries to the lower Clearwater River to explore genetic structure and assess hatchery influence. Overall, levels of genetic diversity of wild groups were comparable with those observed elsewhere in the Snake River basin. Estimates of effective population size of sample tributaries ranged from 22 to 198 spawners, with a median of 84. All but two tributaries had >50 spawners, and evidence of natural gene flow from other stocks was observed. Results of the study display three zones of hatchery influence in the lower Clearwater River: (1) no influence in lower tributaries with wild steelhead emphasis, (2) moderate influence in wild steelhead tributaries in close proximity to the hatchery facility, and (3) significant influence in hatchery-supplementation tributaries. Interestingly, a number of wild steelhead reporting groups from elsewhere in the Snake River basin were observed in the assignments of study fish, suggesting movement of wild steelhead among larger drainage areas. Techniques outlined in this study can be used to monitor future hatchery influence in the Clearwater River drainage, track historic versus contemporary genetic influence in the drainage, and apply to other watersheds with hatchery and wild steelhead management objectives.
Fibromyalgia and nonfibromyalgia chronic pain: Differences in psychological characteristics and treatment outcomes
Authors: Salaberria Karmele , Ruiz‐Iriondo María , Pérez‐Fernández José I. , Barandiarán Aitziber , Iruin Alvaro
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study was to explore differential psychological profiles among patients with chronic pain with and without fibromyalgia, and to determine the results of the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for pain. Thirty patients with chronic pain and 60 patients with fibromyalgia were referred to 10 weekly sessions of CBT in a general hospital and were evaluated in pain‐related variables, psychopathological symptoms, coping strategies, resilience, and quality of life. The program was implemented in specific groups for patients with fibromyalgia and nonfibromyalgia chronic pain. After the intervention, patients with fibromyalgia showed higher levels of psychopathology, rated their health status as poorer, and presented larger amplification of symptoms, higher levels of somatization, a more ruminating style of thinking and greater distress. Patients without fibromyalgia achieved better therapeutic results in both pain intensity (d = 0.39 vs. d = 0.12) and psychopathological distress (d = 0.77 vs. d = 0.11) compared to patients with fibromyalgia. Therefore, differential profiles and limited therapeutic results in fibromyalgia patients suggest the need to outline differentiated treatments and include other therapeutic strategies.
Analysis of polyamide and fluoropolymer backsheets: Degradation and insulation failure in field‐aged photovoltaic modules
Authors: Pascual Julio , García Miguel , Marcos Javier , Marroyo Luis
Published: November 2022

Durability of photovoltaic (PV) modules is of great concern not only from the point of view of cost‐effectiveness but also from the point of view of safety and sustainability. The backsheet of a PV module is one of the most critical parts of the PV module from the point of view of protection and also one of the most important sources of PV modules' failure; hence, it is of great importance to understand its different forms of failure. In this paper we analyze the case of an 8‐MW PV plant, which had suffered a rapid degradation of their PV modules' backsheets. The case is especially relevant as all the PV modules are from the same model and manufacturer but with different backsheet materials (polyamide and fluoropolymer) and different times of exposure: on one hand, all PV modules originally installed in the plant (i.e., 6 years under operation when tested), and also, extra modules that had been stored indoors for replacement and had been mounted in the plant for less than 1 year when tested, serving as reference modules. In this paper we present the signs of degradation of these PV modules after different times of exposure under real operation using different on‐field and laboratory tests. We propose different techniques for rapid diagnosis of backsheet degradation so that the problem can be detected at a very early stage, before it results in major energy losses or in safety issues.
A perspective on redox‐switchable ring‐opening polymerization
Authors: Shawver Nicholas M. , Doerr Alicia M. , Long Brian K.
Published: November 2022

A polymer's properties and functionality are directly related to the constituent monomers from which it was synthesized, the order in which these monomers are assembled, and the degree to which monomers are enchained. Furthermore, a standing challenge in the field of polymer synthesis is to provide temporal polymerization control that can be leveraged to access a variety of advanced polymer architectures. Though many polymer classes are attractive for various applications, polyesters have drawn considerable recent interest due to the potential of these materials to provide biodegradable alternatives to other, often petroleum derived, polymeric materials that create concerning, long‐term environmental impacts. Many of these biodegradable polyesters can be produced via the transition‐metal catalyzed ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic ester and cyclic ether monomers. Through researchers' quest to access precise and well‐defined polyesters via ring‐opening polymerization, an intriguing class of stimuli‐responsive catalysts have emerged. More specifically, catalyst systems have been developed in which their electronic nature may be modulated via either ligand‐based or active metal site‐based redox‐switchability. These redox‐switchable catalysts have been shown to exhibit altered chemoselectivity and kinetic modulation as a function of catalyst redox‐state. Herein, we will discuss the beginnings, select recent advancements, and an outlook on the field of redox‐switchable ring‐opening polymerizations.
Mechanisms and management of drug‐induced QT prolongation
Authors: Parsons Graham
Published: November 2022

Many drugs are associated with QT prolongation and certain patient factors can increase this effect, leading to a significant risk of arrhythmias. This article describes the drug and patient factors that can lead to QT prolongation and discusses how the risks can be reduced.
New guidance on the diagnosis and management of gout
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: November 2022

Acute flares of gout can cause severe pain and the condition is associated with long‐term complications, but current management is often suboptimal. The new NICE guideline (NG219) aims to optimise outcomes for patients with gout by improving its diagnosis and acute and long‐term management.
Faricimab for treating wet AMD and diabetic macular oedema
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: November 2022

Faricimab (Vabysmo) is a bispecific antibody against angiopoietin‐2 and VEGF‐A for the treatment of adults with wet age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) and visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema. This article discusses its administration, clinical trial outcomes and place in therapy.
Improving hospital smoking cessation services
Authors: Dowden Angela
Published: November 2022

The NHS Long Term Plan recognised the importance of providing smoking cessation services to inpatient smokers, but the level of treatment currently being offered in hospitals often falls short of guidelines. This article describes some of the projects and models of care that are helping to improve UK stop‐smoking services in hospital and on transfer to the community.
Electron density and its reduced density gradient in the study of π–π interactions
Authors: Morales‐Pumarino Daniela , Barquera‐Lozada José E.
Published: November 2022

interactions are unique dispersive interactions that are important for biological systems and materials, but the study of this interaction is not trivial. It is well‐known that density functional theory (DFT) does not describe these interactions correctly and only with empirical dispersion corrections, it produces accurate energies. Moreover, little is known about the error in the electron density (). Non‐Covalent Interaction method (NCI) has been used to analyze stacking from the electron density. However, for these interactions, the information that can be extracted with this method is quite limited. We compare the DFT and CCSD intermolecular . The correlation between both densities is close to one, but DFT underestimates its value. To evaluate, if the strength of the interaction can be qualitatively inferred from density related scalar fields, we study the correlation between these fields ( multiplied by the sign of the second eigenvalue of its hessian, , the laplacian of , , the virial field, , the Lagrangian, , and the Hamiltonian, , kinetic energy density) and the interaction energy. Surprisingly, all the scalar fields have a better correlation with the energy than . This quantity is normally plotted over the reduced density gradient (RDG) isosurface in the NCI method to get an insight of intermolecular interactions, but the other scalar fields give a better picture of the energetic nature of interactions. Moreover, we show that cannot be used as an indicator of repulsive interactions (positive values), because for the studied systems, the more energetic the interaction is, the more positive .
Deprotonation of trinitrotoluene by dichloromethane in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Son Chae Eun , Choi Sung‐Seen
Published: November 2022

Rationale

Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and its derivatives are found in the environment. Depending on the analysis conditions, TNT may be detected as a deprotonated molecule or a molecular ion through atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI). Dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) is used as an extraction solvent for TNT from environmental samples and as an ionizing agent to generate chlorinated species. APCI mass spectra of TNT dissolved in CH2Cl2 revealed the presence of only the [TNT − H]− ion. This phenomenon was investigated by reactions with the CH2Cl2‐related reactant ions.

Methods

TNT in CH2Cl2 was ionized through APCI, and CH2Cl2 and acetone were used as the eluent. The vaporizing temperature was varied from 200 to 350°C. TNT‐related ions and reactant ions were analyzed. Detection limits for TNT were determined under different conditions. Energy‐minimized structures of the product ions were used to interpret the analysis results.

Results

Significant [TNT − H]− ion was observed, but the [TNT + Cl]− and TNT•− ions were not detected. The [HCl + Cl]− and [3acetone + Cl]− ions were detected as reactant ions when using CH2Cl2 and acetone as eluent, respectively. Other potential reactant ions such as CH2Cl2•− and [CH2Cl2 + Cl]− were not observed. The detection limit improved as the vaporizing temperature increased. The favorability of [TNT − H]− formation was explained on the basis of the heats of reactions.

Conclusions

The [TNT − H]− ion was primarily produced by the deprotonation reaction between CH2Cl2•− and neutral TNT. This reaction was determined to be significantly exothermic. CH2Cl2 can be helpful for the analysis of TNT in environmental samples through APCI mass spectrometry.
How searching against multiple libraries can lead to biased results in GC/MS‐based metabolomics
Authors: Samokhin Andrey S. , Matyushin Dmitriy D.
Published: November 2022

Rationale

Databases of electron ionization mass spectra are often used in GC/MS‐based untargeted metabolomics analysis. The results of the library search depend on several factors, such as the size and quality of the database, and the library search algorithm. We found out that the list of considered m/z values is another important parameter. Unfortunately, this information is not usually specified by software developers and it is hidden from the end user.

Methods

We created synthetic data sets and figured out how several popular software products (AMDIS, ChromaTOF, MS Search, and Xcalibur) select the list of m/z values for the library search. Moreover, we considered data sets of real mass spectra (presented in both the NIST and FiehnLib libraries) and compared the library search results obtained within different software products. All programs under consideration use the NIST MS Search binaries to perform the library search using the Identity algorithm.

Results

We found that AMDIS and ChromaTOF can give biased library search results under particular conditions. In untargeted metabolomics, this can happen when NIST and FiehnLib libraries are used simultaneously, the scan range of the instrument is less than 85, and the correct answer is present only in the FiehnLib library.

Conclusions

The main reason for biased results is that the information about the scan range is not stored in the metadata of library records. As a result, in the case of AMDIS and ChromaTOF software, some unrecorded peaks are considered as missing during the library search, the respective compound is penalized, and the correct answer falls outside the top five or even top 10 hits. At the same time, the default algorithm for selecting the list of considered m/z values implemented in MS Search is free from such unexpected behavior.
Randomized algorithms for tensor response regression
Authors: Cheng Zhe , Xu Xiangjian , Song Zihao , Zhao Weihua
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we consider the estimation algorithm of tensor response on vector covariate regression model. Based on projection theory of tensor and the idea of randomized algorithm for tensor decomposition, three new algorithms named SHOLRR, RHOLRR and RSHOLRR are proposed under the low‐rank Tucker decomposition and some theoretical analyses for two randomized algorithms are also provided. To explore the nonlinear relationship between tensor response and vector covariate, we develop the KRSHOLRR algorithm based on kernel trick and RSHOLRR algorithm. Our proposed algorithms can not only guarantee high estimation accuracy but also have the advantage of fast computing speed, especially for higher‐order tensor response. Through extensive synthesized data analyses and applications to two real datasets, we demonstrate the outperformance of our proposed algorithms over the stat‐of‐art.
Comparing and combining data from immune assays based on left‐censored multivariate normal model assuming common assay differences across settings
Authors: Huang Ying , Huang Yunda
Published: November 2022

In vaccine research towards the prevention of infectious diseases, immune response biomarkers serve as an important tool for comparing and ranking vaccine candidates based on their immunogenicity and predicted protective effect. However, analyses of immune response outcomes can be complicated by differences across assays when immune response data are acquired from multiple groups/laboratories. Motivated by a real‐world problem to accommodate the use of two different neutralization assays in COVID‐19 vaccine trials, we propose methods based on left‐censored multivariate normal model assuming common assay differences across settings, to adjust for differences between assays with respect to measurement error and the lower limit of detection. Our proposed methods integrate external paired‐sample data with bridging assumptions to achieve two objectives, both using pooled data acquired from different assays: (i) comparing immunogenicity between vaccine regimens, and (ii) evaluating correlates of risk. In simulation studies, for the first objective, our method leads to unbiased calibrated assay mean with good coverage of bootstrap confidence interval, as well as valid test for immunogenicity comparison, while the alternative method assuming constant calibration model between assays leads to biased estimate of assay mean with undercoverage problem and invalid test with inflated type‐I error; for the second objective, in the presence of noticeable left‐censoring rate, our proposed method can drastically outperform the existing method that ignores left‐censoring, in terms of reduced bias and improved precision. We apply the proposed methods to SARS‐CoV‐2 spike‐pseudotyped virus neutralization assay data generated in vaccine and convalescent samples by two different laboratories.
Double robust estimation of optimal partially adaptive treatment strategies: An application to breast cancer treatment using hormonal therapy
Authors: Talbot Denis , Moodie Erica E.M. , Diorio Caroline
Published: November 2022

Precision medicine aims to tailor treatment decisions according to patients' characteristics. G‐estimation and dynamic weighted ordinary least squares are double robust methods to identify optimal adaptive treatment strategies. It is underappreciated that they require modeling all existing treatment‐confounder interactions to be consistent. Identifying optimal partially adaptive treatment strategies that tailor treatments according to only a few covariates, ignoring some interactions, may be preferable in practice. Building on G‐estimation and dWOLS, we propose estimators of such partially adaptive strategies and demonstrate their double robustness. We investigate these estimators in a simulation study. Using data maintained by the Centre des Maladies du Sein, we estimate a partially adaptive treatment strategy for tailoring hormonal therapy use in breast cancer patients. R software implementing our estimators is provided.
Ultrasound‐Responsive Microneedles Eradicate Deep‐Layered Wound Biofilm Based on TiO2 Crystal Phase Engineering
Authors: Ouyang Qunle , Zeng Yuxuan , Yu Yi , Tan Lei , Liu Xiangmei , Zheng Yufeng , Wu Shuilin
Published: November 2022

Wound biofilm infection has an inherent resistance to antibiotics, requiring physical debridement combined with chemical reagents or antibiotics in clinical treatment, but it is invasive and may exist as incomplete debridement. So, a new type of noninvasive and efficient treatment is needed to address this problem. Here, the crystal phase engineering of TiO2 is presented to explore the sonocatalytic properties of TiO2 nanoparticles with different phases, and find that the anatase‐brookite TiO2 (AB) has the best antibacterial efficiency of 99.94% against S. aureus under 15 min of ultrasound (US) irradiation. The type II homojunction of AB not only enhances the adsorption and decreases the activation energy of O2, respectively, but also has a great interfacial charge transfer efficiency under US, which can produce more reactive oxygen species than other types of TiO2. The microneedles (MN) penetrate the biofilm in wound tissue and quickly disperse the loaded AB into the biofilm because the ultrasonic cavitation accelerates the dissolution of microneedles, which non‐invasively and efficiently eradicates the deep‐layered biofilm under US. This work explores the relationship between the phase composition of TiO2 and sonocatalytic property for the first time, and provides a new treatment strategy for wound biofilm infection through US‐assisted microneedles therapy.
Strain Gradient Programming in 3D Fibrous Hydrogels to Direct Graded Cell Alignment
Authors: Kolel Avraham , Ergaz Bar , Goren Shahar , Tchaicheeyan Oren , Lesman Ayelet
Published: November 2022

Biological tissues experience various stretch gradients which act as mechanical signaling from the extracellular environment to cells. These mechanical stimuli are sensed by cells, triggering essential signaling cascades regulating cell migration, differentiation, and tissue remodeling. In most previous studies, a simple, uniform stretch to 2D elastic substrates has been applied to analyze the response of living cells. However, induction of nonuniform strains in controlled gradients, particularly in biomimetic 3D hydrogels, has proven challenging. In this study, 3D fibrin hydrogels of manipulated geometry are stretched by a silicone carrier to impose programmable strain gradients along different chosen axes. The resulting strain gradients are analyzed and compared to finite element simulations. Experimentally, the programmed strain gradients result in similar gradient patterns in fiber alignment within the gels. Additionally, temporal changes in the orientation of fibroblast cells embedded in the stretched fibrin gels correlate to the strain and fiber alignment gradients. The experimental and simulation data demonstrate the ability to custom‐design mechanical gradients in 3D biological hydrogels and to control cell alignment patterns. It provides a new technology for mechanobiology and tissue engineering studies.
2D/1D MoS2/TiO2 Heterostructure Photocatalyst with a Switchable CO2 Reduction Product
Authors: Hezam Abdo , Alkanad Khaled , Bajiri Mohammed Abdullah , Strunk Jennifer , Takahashi Keisuke , Drmosh Qasem Ahmed , Al‐Zaqri Nabil , Krishnappagowda Lokanath Neratur
Published: November 2022

Regulating the transfer pathway of charge carriers in heterostructure photocatalysts is of great importance for selective CO2 photoreduction. Herein, the charge transfer pathway and in turn the redox potential succeeded to regulate in 2D MoS2/1D TiO2 heterostructure by varying the light wavelength range. Several in situ measurements and experiments confirm that charge transfer follows either an S‐scheme mechanism under simulated solar irradiation or a heterojunction approach under visible light illumination, elucidating the switchable property of the MoS2/TiO2 heterostructure. Replacing the simulated sunlight irradiation with the visible light illumination switches the photocatalytic CO2 reduction product from CO to CH4. 13CO2 isotope labeling confirms that CO2 is the source of carbon for CH4 and CO products. The photoelectrochemical H2 generation further supports the switching property of MoS2/TiO2. Unlike previous studies, density functional theory calculations are used to investigate the band structure of Van der Waals MoS2/TiO2 S scheme after contact, allowing to propose accurate charge transfer pathways, in which the theoretical results are well matched with the experimental results. This work opens the opportunity to develop photocatalysts with switchable charge transport and tunable redox potential for selective artificial photosynthesis.
Creating law on states’ registered sex offender registries, Part 3
Authors: Rainsberger Richard
Published: November 2022

By now I hope you have looked at your state's sex offender registry, or better yet, reviewed several states’ registries. These websites do provide consistent information on registered sex offenders (RSOs). However, obtaining that information on each website is somewhat different.
Cornell's Lisa M. Clark: Longtime official recognized for her leadership during COVID‐19
Authors: D'Orio Wayne
Published: November 2022

When COVID‐19 shut down Cornell in 2020, like many colleges across the country, officials had to reinvent how they were able to help students. Suddenly, Lisa M. Clark, the school's Deputy University Registrar, found herself working at home with a Zoom screen full of other officials she had never interacted with before.
Novel catalysts with multivalence copper for organic pollutants removal from wastewater with excellent selectivity and stability in Fenton‐like process under neutral pH conditions
Authors: Li Haitao , Liu Xiang , Chen Xueli , Chen Yonglin , Li Yuping , Motkuri Radha Kishan , Dai Zhongde , Kumar Abhishek , Fang Tian , Shen Jian
Published: November 2022

Fenton‐like reaction has been widely used for organics degradation. However, most Fenton‐like reaction works at low pH range (pH < 4) with uncontrollable selectivity of hydroxyl radicals from H2O2 activation, and unsatisfied catalyst stability, which is compromised advanced oxidation performance for water/wastewater treatments. In this work, to solve the drawbacks, novel copper catalysts were fabricated via hydrogen reduction/calcination of Cu2+‐supported Al/MCM‐41 with precisely controllable copper valence state. Compared with catalysts with monovalence copper (i.e., CuO, Cu, and Cu2+), the obtained catalysts with multivalence copper present higher selectivity, excellent stability towards •OH radical pathways, and outperformance in pCBA degradation efficiency at neutral state. In addition, the fabricated catalysts also exhibited excellent phenol removal efficiency (75.5%) and H2O2 utilization efficiency (47.9%) within neutral environment. Moreover, the degradation efficiency of phenol approaches to 100% within only 2 h. The catalyst also shows good stability for organic pollutants removal, which shows good potential in catalytic oxidation for phenolic compounds‐containing wastewater in Fenton‐like reaction, especially under neutral pH conditions.

Practitioner Points

Multivalence copper presents great potentials for organic compounds removal at neutral condition.

Multivalence copper shows higher selectivity toward •OH and good stability at neutral condition.

Multivalence copper exhibiters outperformed phenol removal efficiency at neutral condition.
Frequency and Wavelength
Authors: Keller Reto B.
Published: November 2022

Understanding the relationship between frequency f [Hz] and wavelength λ [m] is fundamental for a professional EMC design engineer. This chapter introduces the term wavelength λ and explains how the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave depends on the cable insulation or PCB material.
Applications of Remote Sensing in Kuwait
Authors: Al Jassar Hala , Petrov Peter , Al Hemoud Ali , Al-Enezi Abdullah , Alsaleh Abeer
Published: November 2022

Satellite Remote Sensing can provide a valuable source of information in different applications and is considered an important tool for disaster management and support for decision-making in the state of Kuwait. This is especially valid for the cloudless atmosphere of Arabia. In this chapter, some examples related to geology ideas are presented. The application of satellite remote sensing techniques using both passive and active sensors is presented over Kuwait desert and marine. This includes academic studies of soil moisture, land subsidence, and operational monitoring of recent flash floods, dust storms, and oil spills detected by optical and SAR instruments from various space satellite platforms over the territory of the state of Kuwait. Operational monitoring of dust storms, especially sever jets from Iraq was performed with MODIS NASA/Terra and Aqua instruments, the oil pollution in the Northern Gulf oil fields was very effectively detected by Sentinel SAR-C instrument of Copernicus/ESA, and some rain floods in urban areas in winter were analyzed by high-resolution instruments of Pleiades.
Medikamenteninteraktion zwischen Ceftriaxon und Theodrenalin/Cafedrin
Authors: Werzer Christina , Schäfer Simon , Hofmann-Kiefer Klaus
Published: November 2022

Intravenöse Medikamenteninteraktionen finden im Bereich der Intensivmedizin immer größere Beachtung, da dort eine Vielzahl von Medikamenten über eine begrenzte Anzahl an i.v.-Zugängen appliziert werden muss; doch treten sie auch im Routinebetrieb im OP auf. Der folgende Fallbericht soll die Aufmerksamkeit auf die Medikamentenkombination Theodrenalin/Cafedrin mit verschiedenen Antibiotika lenken.
Tipping points ahead? How laypeople respond to linear versus nonlinear climate change predictions
Authors: Formanski Felix J. , Pein Marcel M. , Loschelder David D. , Engler John-Oliver , Husen Onno , Majer Johann M.
Published: November 2022

We investigate whether communication strategies that portray climate change as a nonlinear phenomenon provoke increases in laypeople’s climate change risk perceptions. In a high-powered, preregistered online experiment, participants were exposed to linear or nonlinear predictions of future temperature increases that would be expected if global greenhouse gas emissions were not reduced. We hypothesized that the type of climate change portrayal would impact perceptions of qualitative risk characteristics (catastrophic potential, controllability of consequences) which would, in turn, affect laypeople’s holistic risk perceptions. The results of the study indicate that the type of climate change portrayal did not affect perceptions of risk or other social-cognitive variables such as efficacy beliefs. While participants who were exposed to a nonlinear portrayal of climate change perceived abrupt changes in the climate system as more likely, they did not perceive the consequences of climate change as less controllable or more catastrophic. Notably, however, participants who had been exposed to a linear or nonlinear portrayal of climate change were willing to donate more money to environmental organizations than participants who had not been presented with a climate-related message. Limitations of the present study and directions for future research are discussed.
Analyzing research outcomes and spillovers at a US nanotechnology user facility
Authors: Pelaez Sergio , Youtie Jan , Shapira Philip
Published: November 2022

This paper maps research outcomes and identifies spillover effects at a US University Research Center (URC) that offers user facilities for nanotechnology research. We use scientometric and network science approaches to analyze measures of topical orientation, productivity, impact, and collaboration applied to URC-related Web of Science abstract publications records. A focus is on the analysis of spillover effects on external organizations (i.e., non-affiliated users). Our findings suggest the URC’s network relies on external organizations acting as brokers, to provide access to the facilities to other external organizations. Analysis of heterophily indicates that collaboration among internal and external organizations is enhanced by the facilities, while articles written by a mix of co-authors affiliated with internal and external organizations are likely to be more cited. These results provide insights on how URCs with user facilities can create conditions for diverse collaboration and greater research impact.
A national survey of clubs medical provision and facilities in BUCS American Football 2019–2020
Authors: Travis Eleanor Louise , Scott-Bell Andrea , Thornton Claire
Published: November 2022

Background

British American Football (BAF) is a developing sport in the UK, with keen growth in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) league. Participation in BAF carries risks and so to facilitate safe participation medical care services must be evaluated.

Aims

To evaluate medical provision in BUCS American Football in the 2019–2020 season.

Methods

An online survey tool was used to collect data from BUCS BAF teams in the 2019–2020 season. Thirty-one teams (from across England, Wales and Scotland) responded to questions on facilities, provision and procedures.

Results

Almost 42% of teams had a regular team first aider who attended home games each week. Only 61.5% attended away games and 7.7% attended team training. Access to a first aider was not dependent upon division. Home games were more likely to be risk assessed and have an emergency action plan compared to away games. The majority of teams had access to automated external defibrillator (AED) within 100 m of the pitch, yet only 29% of staff were trained to use them. Almost 84% of teams reported carrying a designated fully charged phone (with signal). Prominent qualitative themes indicated were cost/funding as barriers to hiring qualified medical staff, lack of institutional support, unreliability of medical provision and inadequate facilities/preparation for games.

Conclusions

These findings provide key information on the status of medical provision, facilities and protocols in BUCS BAF. Data reveals a lack of consistent medical personnel, particularly at training and away games, and training in emergency care.
Virtual Reality Pornography: a Review of Health-Related Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Evans Leighton
Published: November 2022

Purpose of Review

Virtual reality (VR) pornography is a relatively new medium for the experience of pornography. In juxtaposition with traditional modes of experiencing pornography, such as two-dimensional (2D) displays, VR promises a new experience of pornography for the user. VR can offer the feeling of ‘being there’: an increased sense of immersion and presence in a mediated experience thanks to the sensory affordances of the medium. In an effective VR environment, the user is immersed in the experience itself, feeling an embodied presence in the world presented to them and able to interact with the environment and others in the environment in ways that cannot be achieved in other media. In terms of pornography, this is potentially revolutionary. The user can be embodied in one of the performers and experience a unique perspective. Alternatively, there are interfaces that will allow for the performer and viewer to physically interact with one another and experience physical arousal from the actions of the other at a distance. The possibilities of VR pornography are therefore related to the intensity of experience, the changing relationship with the performers and others in pornographic media, and the possibility of new, embodied experiences of arousal utilising networked, embodied technologies. This research review assesses to what extent research on VR pornography has supported these possibilities, affordances, and developments.

Recent Findings

23 articles were included in the present review. Findings demonstrate some increases in arousal and empathy in using VR pornography. However, further empirical evidence for these findings is still needed. In addition, teledildonic technology is lacking empirical research and the effects of the use of this technology in conjunction with VR requires research.

Collectively, the results underscore the notion that VR improves immersion and presence for subjects, and this can translate to increased sexual desire, empathy for performers in pornography, and sexual anxiety in watching pornography. This is a field in infancy, and the initial results of empirical work suggest that VR can intensify some key aspects of the experience of pornography. Theoretical reflections on VR pornography indicate many areas that require further empirical research.
New Developments in Gambling Marketing: the Rise of Social Media Ads and Its Effect on Youth
Authors: Rossi Raffaello , Nairn Agnes
Published: November 2022

Purpose of Review

Propelled by the rise of online and social media, gambling marketing has developed extremely fast, moving far beyond traditional techniques. Policy makers need to ensure that children and young people are protected in this space but it is hard for empirical research to keep pace with industry developments. This article aims to provide some direction to policymakers and the scientific community, by reviewing what literature there is on social media gambling marketing and its effects on children.

Recent Findings

Research suggests that exposure to social media gambling advertising is high in volume and reach; that gambling ads are more appealing to young people than to adults; and that advertising portrays gambling as a harmless and fun activity with few warnings of potential health dangers. Most gambling brands’ followers on social media are under 25 years old and current regulations are not entirely fit for purpose.

Social media gambling ads are booming with high rates of exposure to children and young persons. Paid-for ads target specific young people (with tempting but complex financial incentives), whilst organic ads thrive by being shared across youth user networks. The effects on children and young people are worrisome. Gambling accounts are using content marketing, in particular, to create humorous and seemingly harmless posts to target young people who have not fully developed advertising recognition skills. As regulators struggle to keep up, there are concerns that young people are particularly influenced by these ads, and may be lured into gambling.
Truncated variable algorithm using DUS-neutrosophic Weibull distribution
Authors: Aslam Muhammad
Published: November 2022

The existing truncated variable method to generate random variate cannot be applied when indeterminacy is presented in either the parameters or observations. This paper addresses the truncated variable simulation under the indeterminate environment. The truncated variable simulation method will be introduced using the DUS-neutrosophic Weibull distribution. The algorithm to generate random variate will be presented and applied in random variate generation. Extensive simulation tables for various values of indeterminacy and truncated variables are presented. The proposed study for other neutrosophic statistical distribution can be extended as future research.
“It Takes A Decent Amount of Courage”: The State of Civics Education in Social Work Programs in Germany
Authors: Kachel Matthias
Published: November 2022

There is an ongoing debate in German Social Work theory about whether Social Work is, can be, or should be a political profession. There are three opinions among scholars that answer either with a wholehearted “yes,” a skeptic “yes, but…,” and a resounding “no.” And even when the answer is yes, political activity of Social Workers is often described as “Einmischung,” which can be translated as “interference” or “meddling,” thus undermining the crucial role that Social Workers play in the welfare state. This debate affects not only academic discourse but also the education of Social Workers throughout Germany. There seem to be as many different approaches as there are schools of Social Work to teaching — or not teaching — civics and political skills to Social Work students — thus, political knowledge and interest, practical skills, preparation, and the ability to speak politically can differ dramatically among Social Workers — which, in turn, influences the ability and willingness for political action. This is also reflected in the low numbers of German Social Workers that are organized in unions. For my doctoral thesis, I have compared ten different Social Work curricula at as many Schools of Social Work in Germany. My goal was to find out whether and how future Social Workers are receiving — or are at least able to receive — training for political situations and political work, and whether the skills taught are those needed in practice. In the course of working on my dissertation, I let students of Social Work and Social Workers discuss my findings about “their” study program in focus groups and at the same time asked if the skills taught on paper are also the ones taught in reality — and whether they are the ones needed in practice. I wish to present my findings in this article.
EEG-based spatial elements optimisation design method
Authors: Zhang Zihuan , Li Zao , Guo Zhe
Published: November 2022

In the field of digital design, a recent hot topic is the study of the interaction between spatial environment design and human factors. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and eye tracking can be used as quantitative analysis methods for architectural space evaluation; however, conclusions from existing studies on improving the quality of spatial environments based on human factors tend to remain qualitative. In order to realise the quantitative optimisation design of spatial elements from human physiological data, this research used the digital space optimisation method and perceptual evaluation research. In this way, it established an optimisation method for built space elements in real-time using human psychological indicators. Firstly, this method used the specific indicators of the Meditation value and Attention value in the human EEG signal, taking the ThinkGear AM (TGAM) module as the optimisation objective, the architectural space colour and the window size as the optimisation object, and the multi-objective genetic algorithm as the optimisation tool. Secondly, this research combined virtual reality scenarios and parametric linkage models to realise this optimisation method to establish a tool platform and workflow. Thirdly, this study took the optimisation of a typical living space as an example and recruited 50 volunteers to participate in an optimisation experiment. The results indicated that with the iterative optimisation of the multi-objective genetic algorithm, the specific EEG index decreases significantly and the standard deviation of the in-dex fluctuates and decreases during the iterative process, which further indicates that the optimisation method established in this study with the specific EEG index as the optimisation objective is effective and feasible. In addition, this study laid the foundation for more EEG indicators and more complex spatial element opti-misation research in the future.
Partner choice does not predict prosociality across countries
Authors: Claessens Scott , Kyritsis Thanos
Published: November 2022

Why does human prosociality vary around the world? Evolutionary models and laboratory experiments suggest that possibilities for partner choice (i.e. the ability to leave unprofitable relationships and strike up new ones) should promote cooperation across human societies. Leveraging the Global Preferences Survey (n = 27,125; 27 countries) and the World Values Survey (n = 54,728; 32 countries), we test this theory by estimating the associations between relational mobility, a socioecological measure of partner choice, and a wide variety of prosocial attitudes and behaviours, including impersonal altruism, reciprocity, trust, collective action and moral judgements of antisocial behaviour. Contrary to our pre-registered predictions, we found little evidence that partner choice is related to prosociality across countries. After controlling for shared causes of relational mobility and prosociality – environmental harshness, subsistence style and geographic and linguistic proximity – we found that only altruism and trust in people from another religion are positively related to relational mobility. We did not find positive relationships between relational mobility and reciprocity, generalised trust, collective action or moral judgements. These findings challenge evolutionary theories of human cooperation which emphasise partner choice as a key explanatory mechanism, and highlight the need to generalise models and experiments to global samples.
Dirac-type results for tilings and coverings in ordered graphs
Authors: Freschi Andrea , Treglown Andrew
Published: November 2022

A recent paper of Balogh, Li and Treglown [3] initiated the study of Dirac-type problems for ordered graphs. In this paper, we prove a number of results in this area. In particular, we determine asymptotically the minimum degree threshold for forcing

(i)

a perfect H-tiling in an ordered graph, for any fixed ordered graph H of interval chromatic number at least

$3$

;

(ii)

an H-tiling in an ordered graph G covering a fixed proportion of the vertices of G (for any fixed ordered graph H);

(iii)

an H-cover in an ordered graph (for any fixed ordered graph H).

The first two of these results resolve questions of Balogh, Li and Treglown, whilst (iii) resolves a question of Falgas-Ravry. Note that (i) combined with a result from [3] completely determines the asymptotic minimum degree threshold for forcing a perfect H-tiling. Additionally, we prove a result that, combined with a theorem of Balogh, Li and Treglown, asymptotically determines the minimum degree threshold for forcing an almost perfect H-tiling in an ordered graph (for any fixed ordered graph H). Our work therefore provides ordered graph analogues of the seminal tiling theorems of Kühn and Osthus [Combinatorica 2009] and of Komlós [Combinatorica 2000]. Each of our results exhibits some curious, and perhaps unexpected, behaviour. Our solution to (i) makes use of a novel absorbing argument.
COUNTABLE LENGTH EVERYWHERE CLUB UNIFORMIZATION
Authors: CHAN WILLIAM , JACKSON STEPHEN , TRANG NAM
Published: November 2022

Assume
$\mathsf {ZF} + \mathsf {AD}$
and all sets of reals are Suslin. Let
$\Gamma $
be a pointclass closed under
$\wedge $
,
$\vee $
,
$\forall ^{\mathbb {R}}$
, continuous substitution, and has the scale property. Let
$\kappa = \delta (\Gamma )$
be the supremum of the length of prewellorderings on
$\mathbb {R}$
which belong to
$\Delta = \Gamma \cap \check \Gamma $
. Let
$\mathsf {club}$
denote the collection of club subsets of
$\kappa $
. Then the countable length everywhere club uniformization holds for
$\kappa $
: For every relation
$R \subseteq {}^{<{\omega _1}}\kappa \times \mathsf {club}$
with the property that for all
$\ell \in {}^{<{\omega _1}}\kappa $
and clubs
$C \subseteq D \subseteq \kappa $
,
$R(\ell ,D)$
implies
$R(\ell ,C)$
, there is a uniformization function
$\Lambda : \mathrm {dom}(R) \rightarrow \mathsf {club}$
with the property that for all
$\ell \in \mathrm {dom}(R)$
,
$R(\ell ,\Lambda (\ell ))$
. In particular, under these assumptions, for all
$n \in \omega $
,
$\boldsymbol {\delta }^1_{2n + 1}$
satisfies the countable length everywhere club uniformization.
Certificate of Title: A Discussion of Contemporary Challenges to the Protection of Land Interests in Uganda
Authors: Nakayi Rose
Published: November 2022

Certificates of title are a feature of the Torrens system of land registration which originated in Australia and which operates in Uganda. The system confers primary responsibility to register title, and guarantee its security, upon the state. A certificate of title is indefeasible and conclusive evidence of ownership, except in cases of fraud by the registered proprietor. This article uses a doctrinal legal research approach to analyse the legal framework on certificates of title, citing court decisions to give an interpretive lens to the law. It finds that the almost century-old system remains immature and its actualization is hampered by the socio-political context of Uganda. Certificates of title are a feature of a capitalist order and produce unfavourable outcomes, including fraud through double titling, illegal entries in the register and spurious caveats. Government needs to address the socio-political and administrative challenges inhibiting the evolution and practical application of the Torrens system in Uganda.