bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adult body growth and reproductive investment vary markedly within and across Atlantic and Pacific herring: a meta-analysis and review of 26 stocks
Authors: dos Santos Schmidt Thassya C. , Hay Doug E. , Sundby Svein , Devine Jennifer A. , Óskarsson Guðmundur J. , Slotte Aril , Wuenschel Mark J. , Lajus Dmitry , Johannessen Arne , van Damme Cindy J. G. , Bucholtz Rikke H. , Kjesbu Olav S.
Published: June 2021

Life-history traits of Pacific (Clupea pallasii) and Atlantic (Clupea harengus) herring, comprising both local and oceanic stocks subdivided into summer-autumn and spring spawners, were extensively reviewed. The main parameters investigated were body growth, condition, and reproductive investment. Body size of Pacific herring increased with increasing latitude. This pattern was inconsistent for Atlantic herring. Pacific and local Norwegian herring showed comparable body conditions, whereas oceanic Atlantic herring generally appeared stouter. Among Atlantic herring, summer and autumn spawners produced many small eggs compared to spring spawners, which had fewer but larger eggs—findings agreeing with statements given several decades ago. The 26 herring stocks we analysed, when combined across distant waters, showed clear evidence of a trade-off between fecundity and egg size. The size-specific individual variation, often ignored, was substantial. Additional information on biometrics clarified that oceanic stocks were generally larger and had longer life spans than local herring stocks, probably related to their longer feeding migrations. Body condition was only weakly, positively related to assumingly in situ annual temperatures (0–30 m depth). Contrarily, body growth (cm × y−1), taken as an integrator of ambient environmental conditions, closely reflected the extent of investment in reproduction. Overall, Pacific and local Norwegian herring tended to cluster based on morphometric and reproductive features, whereas oceanic Atlantic herring clustered separately. Our work underlines that herring stocks are uniquely adapted to their habitats in terms of trade-offs between fecundity and egg size whereas reproductive investment mimics the productivity of the water in question.
A Life-Course View on Ageing Consumers: Old-Age Trajectories and Gender Differences
Authors: Pannhorst Matthias , Dost Florian
Published: June 2021

This study presents a dynamic, model-based view of consumers’ ageing developments, focused on gender differences, to uncover the pathways and socioeconomic transitions that female and male consumers take through old age. The analysis of longitudinal survey data spanning 15 years uses a latent Markov dynamic cluster model with transitions over time. The resulting life courses allow an exploration of lifestyle-related changes in multiple consumer well-being variables beyond age 50. Substantial well-being differences appear in the ageing paths of men and women. In both cases, a dominant chronological sequence through old age is complemented by less common transitions, rarely associated with advanced age. Although the model does not use chronological age as an independent variable, it outperforms purely agebased, or age- cohort-, and period-based models in predicting old-age consumer wellbeing. These results highlight the importance of considering within-cohort diversity when modelling the accompaniments of old age: while some older consumers enjoy active lifestyles, others of similar age succumb to depression and loneliness, rendering age an insufficient predictor of well-being states. In the future, the presented model could be matched with other, even cross-sectional, consumer survey data to help predict various dynamics in the ageing consumer population.
Is Chain Affiliation a Strategic Asset or Constraint in Emerging Economies? Competitive Strategies and Performance in the Russian Hotel Industry
Authors: Karhunen Päivi , Ledyaeva Svetlana
Published: June 2021

The purpose of the paper is to find out how chain affiliation, an important strategic choice and a key determinant for hotel performance, influences the strategy-performance nexus in the emerging economy context. It combines the resource- and institution-based views to investigate how chain affiliation moderates the relationship between competitive strategy and performance. This is done by distinguishing between market-based strategies based on differentiation or cost leadership, and non-market strategies that manifest in institutional advantage. The empirical analysis draws from original survey data on 162 hotels located in the Russian cities Moscow and St. Petersburg. The paper finds that first, in emerging economies the competitive edge of chain-affiliated hotels largely arises from market-based advantage, but only in terms of cost advantage. The finding that differentiation advantage is not an important factor of performance for chain-affiliated hotels suggests that firm-level resources derived from chain affiliation would not transform into competitive advantage in the emerging economy context. Second, it is found that institutional advantage is more important determinant of performance for independent hotels, demonstrating the importance of local knowledge and relationships for firms in emerging economies. This finding also suggests that chain affiliation might be rather a strategic constraint than asset for creating superior performance via institutional advantages in the emerging economy context.
“I have to do things differently now, but I make it work”—young childhood cancer survivors’ experiences of self-management in everyday living
Authors: Larsen Marie H. , Larsen Elna H. , Ruud Ellen , Mellblom Anneli , Helland Sunniva , Lie Hanne Cathrine
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Living with late effects can affect young childhood cancer survivors’ (CCSs) self-management (SM) abilities. In this study, we explored different approaches to SM of everyday life by young CCS.

Methods

This is a sub-study of a larger study on Physical Activity among Childhood Cancer Survivors (the PACCS study). We conducted individual interviews with 22 CCS aged 9 to 18 years who were at least 1 year off-treatment. An hybrid inductive-decductive thematic analysis was used.

Results

Three main themes were identified: (1) managing everyday life with fatigue, (2) building self-management competence, and (3) cancer survivor as part of identity. Late effects, especially fatigue, contributed to a perceived ability gap compared to peers, limiting participation in everyday activities. CCS developed new SM skills to overcome such challenges and pushed themselves physically and mentally to master and balance activities and rest to regain energy. CCS changed activities, adapted their expectations, or legitimized their apparent lack of SM skills to regain a sense of self-efficacy. Managing the impact of cancer on relationships with family and friends also required use of SM strategies.

Conclusions

The findings expand our currently limited knowledge of young CCS and SM skills they develop to manage everyday life after treatment completion. These, combined with ongoing support from family and peers, “make it work”.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

The perspectives of young CCS illustrate their SM skills and support needs beyond transitioning off-treatment. Conceptualizing this within follow-up care may contribute to a feeling of mastery and increased satisfaction among CCS.
Adrenal Rests in the Uro-genital Tract of an Adult Population
Authors: Falco Enrico Costantino , Daniele Lorenzo , Metovic Jasna , Bollito Enrico , De Rosa Giovanni , Volante Marco , Papotti Mauro
Published: June 2021

Ectopic adrenal rests are a rare condition which can be found in various sites, generally in the retroperitoneum or pelvis along the path of gonadal descent. Their real prevalence is unknown. Males are more commonly affected, at least in the pediatric age. Adrenal rests are usually clinically silent and incidentally found in surgical samples, mostly in the pediatric population, and rarely in adults. With the aim of increasing knowledge and estimating the prevalence of ectopic adrenocortical tissue in the adult population, 44 adrenal rests in the urogenital tract of 40 adults are described. These represent approximately 0.07% of the total number of urogenital and gynecological surgeries performed in the 22 considered years. Adrenal rests were identified in the spermatic cord (10 males) and in paraovarian, parasalpingeal, or infundibulopelvic ligament locations (30 females). All but one was incidental findings. One case regarded an adrenocortical carcinoma arisen in adrenal rests. A literature review of adrenal ectopia in the urogenital tract of adults identified 57 reported cases from 53 patients, with similar clinicopathological features as those of our series, with the exception of a lower incidence of parasalpingeal locations. Despite their limited clinical implications, awareness of ectopic adrenal rests is essential also in adults for at least two reasons: (a) to correctly identify sources of adrenocortical hormone production in case of adrenal insufficiency or hormonal imbalance and (b) to avoid misinterpretations in the diagnostic workup of renal cell carcinoma, adrenocortical tumors, and rare gonadal neoplasms, including Sertoli/Leydig cell tumors.
Making the most of expert knowledge to analyse archaeological data: a case study on Parthian and Sasanian glazed pottery
Authors: Wood Jonathan R. , Greenacre Michael
Published: June 2021

Chemical compositional data sets of archaeological artefacts are often analysed using standard statistical procedures. Adopting a different approach, we examine the major element oxides found in Parthian and Sasanian glazed pottery by identifying statistically important ratios of oxides in conjunction with the expert knowledge of the archaeological scientist during, rather than after, the identification process. This results in meaningful ratios, both statistically and archaeologically, which help identify the recipes and production practices used by Mesopotamian glass and glaze producers. The application of logratio analysis to interrogate the chronological groups suggests that the silica sources used for glazes were significantly purer in later periods and exhibited less variation. Comparing the expert-assisted selection of ratios derived from a legacy data set to the ratios from compositional data of Parthian glazed pottery recovered at the early 3rd century CE Roman military outpost of Ain Sinu in northern Iraq supports the hypothesis that there was a shift to more standardised recipes in the production of glass used for glazes. If this translates to a centralised glass-making industry, it would suggest that there are, as yet, undiscovered glass production centres, potentially in areas associated with increased urbanisation in southern Mesopotamia around the time of the Parthian–Sasanian transition.
Optimal patchings for consecutive ones matrices
Authors: Pfetsch Marc E. , Rinaldi Giovanni , Ventura Paolo
Published: June 2021

We study a variant of the weighted consecutive ones property problem. Here, a 0/1-matrix is given with a cost associated to each of its entries and one has to find a minimum cost set of zero entries to be turned to ones in order to make the matrix have the consecutive ones property for rows. We investigate polyhedral and combinatorial properties of the problem and we exploit them in a branch-and-cut algorithm. In particular, we devise preprocessing rules and investigate variants of “local cuts”. We test the resulting algorithm on a number of instances, and we report on these computational experiments.
VICTORIA: VIrtual neck Curve and True Ostium Reconstruction of Intracranial Aneurysms
Authors: Berg Philipp , Behrendt Benjamin , Voß Samuel , Beuing Oliver , Neyazi Belal , Sandalcioglu Ibrahim Erol , Preim Bernhard , Saalfeld Sylvia
Published: June 2021

Purpose

For the status evaluation of intracranial aneurysms (IAs), morphological and hemodynamic parameters can provide valuable information. For their extraction, a separation of the aneurysm sac from its parent vessel is required that yields the neck curve and the ostium. However, manual and subjective neck curve and ostium definitions might lead to inaccurate IA assessments.

Methods

The research project VICTORIA was initiated, allowing users to interactively define the neck curve of five segmented IA models using a web application. The submitted results were qualitatively and quantitatively compared to identify the minimum, median and maximum aneurysm surface area. Finally, image-based blood flow simulations were carried out to assess the effect of variable neck curve definitions on relevant flow- and shear-related parameters.

Results

In total, 55 participants (20 physicians) from 18 countries participated in VICTORIA. For relatively simple aneurysms, a good agreement with respect to the neck curve definition was found. However, differences among the participants increased with increasing complexity of the aneurysm. Furthermore, it was observed that the majority of participants excluded any small arteries occurring in the vicinity of an aneurysm. This can lead to non-negligible deviations among the flow- and shear-related parameters, which need to be carefully evaluated, if quantitative analysis is desired. Finally, no differences between participants with medical and non-medical background could be observed.

Conclusions

VICTORIAs findings reveal the complexity of aneurysm neck curve definition, especially for bifurcation aneurysms. Standardization appears to be mandatory for future sac-vessel-separations. For hemodynamic simulations a careful neck curve definition is crucial to avoid inaccuracies during the quantitative flow analysis.
α-C(sp3)-H Arylation of Cyclic Carbonyl Compounds
Authors: Wang Mei , Wang Wei , Li Dashan , Wang Wen-Jing , Zhan Rui , Shao Li-Dong
Published: June 2021

α-C(sp3)-H arylation is an important type of C-H functionalization. Various biologically significant natural products, chemical intermediates, and drugs have been effectively prepared via C-H functionalization. Cyclic carbonyl compounds comprise of cyclic ketones, enones, lactones, and lactams. The α-C(sp3)-H arylation of these compounds have been exhibited high efficiency in forming C(sp3)-C(sp2) bonds, played a crucial role in organic synthesis, and attracted majority of interests from organic and medicinal communities. This review focused on the most significant advances including methods, mechanism, and applications in total synthesis of natural products in the field of α-C(sp3)-H arylations of cyclic carbonyl compounds in recent years.
Ambient fabrication of perovskite solar cells through delay-deposition technique
Authors: Fahsyar Puteri Nor Aznie , Ahmad Ludin Norasikin , Ramli Noor Fadhilah , Noh Mohamad Firdaus Mohamad , Yunus Rozan Mohamad , Sepeai Suhaila , Ibrahim Mohd Adib , Teridi Mohd Asri , Sopian Kamaruzzaman
Published: June 2021

The establishment of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) in terms of their power-conversion efficiency (PCE) over silicon-based solar cells is undeniable. The state-of-art of easy device fabrications of PSCs has enabled them to rapidly gain a place in third-generation photovoltaic technology. Numerous obstacles remain to be addressed in device efficiency and stability. Low performance owing to easily degraded surface and deterioration of perovskite film quality resulting from humidity are issues that often arise. This work explored a new approach to producing high-quality perovskite films prepared under high relative humidity (RH = 40%–50%). In particular, the ubiquitous 4-tert-butylpyridine (tBp) was introduced into lead iodide (PbI2) precursor as an additive, and the films were fabricated using a two-step deposition method followed by a delay-deposition technique of methylammonium iodide (MAI). High crystallinity and controlled nucleation of MAI were needed, and this approach revealed the significance of time control to ensure high-quality films with large grain size, high crystallography, wide coverage on substrate, and precise and evenly coupled MAI molecules to PbI2 films. Compared with the two-step method without time delay, a noticeable improvement in PCE from 3.2 to 8.3% was achieved for the sample prepared with 15 s time delay. This finding was primarily due to the significant enhancement in the open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, and fill factor of the device. This strategy can effectively improve the morphology and crystallinity of perovskite films, as well as reduce the recombination of photogenerated carriers and increase of current density of devices, thereby achieving improved photovoltaic performance.
Quantum-assisted associative adversarial network: applying quantum annealing in deep learning
Authors: Wilson Max , Vandal Thomas , Hogg Tad , Rieffel Eleanor G.
Published: June 2021

Generative models have the capacity to model and generate new examples from a dataset and have an increasingly diverse set of applications driven by commercial and academic interest. In this work, we present an algorithm for learning a latent variable generative model via generative adversarial learning where the canonical uniform noise input is replaced by samples from a graphical model. This graphical model is learned by a Boltzmann machine which learns low-dimensional feature representation of data extracted by the discriminator. A quantum processor can be used to sample from the model to train the Boltzmann machine. This novel hybrid quantum-classical algorithm joins a growing family of algorithms that use a quantum processor sampling subroutine in deep learning, and provides a scalable framework to test the advantages of quantum-assisted learning. For the latent space model, fully connected, symmetric bipartite and Chimera graph topologies are compared on a reduced stochastically binarized MNIST dataset, for both classical and quantum sampling methods. The quantum-assisted associative adversarial network successfully learns a generative model of the MNIST dataset for all topologies. Evaluated using the Fréchet inception distance and inception score, the quantum and classical versions of the algorithm are found to have equivalent performance for learning an implicit generative model of the MNIST dataset. Classical sampling is used to demonstrate the algorithm on the LSUN bedrooms dataset, indicating scalability to larger and color datasets. Though the quantum processor used here is a quantum annealer, the algorithm is general enough such that any quantum processor, such as gate model quantum computers, may be substituted as a sampler.
Study on the effects of the different polar group of EPA-enriched phospholipids on the proliferation and apoptosis in 95D cells
Authors: Guo Yao , Zhao Qin , Tian Yingying , Liu Yuanyuan , Yan Ziyi , Xue Changhu , Wang Jingfeng
Published: June 2021

EPA-enriched phosphatidylcholine (EPA-PC) and EPA-enriched phosphatidylethanolamine (EPA-PE) are newly identified marine phospholipids. The polar group of phospholipids is known to influence EPA-phospholipid activity. However, the differences in anti-tumor effects between EPA-PC and EPA-PE have not been reported. In this study, we evaluated the effects of two forms of EPA on the proliferation and apoptosis in the lung-cancer cell line 95D as well as possible molecular mechanisms. Our results showed that EPA-PC effectively inhibited proliferative activity and promoted apoptosis of 95D cells in a dose-dependent manner, while EPA-PE had no effect on cell proliferation, although it slightly promoted apoptosis. Western blot results showed that EPA-PC and EPA-PE upregulated the expression of PPARγ, RXRα, and PTEN, and downregulated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Furthermore, EPA-PC and EPA-PE induced the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene, Bax, and reduced the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene, Bcl-xl. Additionally, EPA-PC and EPA-PE promoted the release of cytochrome c and activated the apoptotic enzyme-cleaved caspase-3. These data suggest that the anti-tumor effect of EPA-phospholipids may be exerted via a PPARγ-related mechanism. EPA-PC was more efficacious as compared to EPA-PE, which might be due to the different polar groups of phospholipids.
Staying despite riverbank erosion: evidence of coastal Bangladesh
Authors: Mallick Afroza , Mallick Bishawjit
Published: June 2021

Riverbank erosion often compels affected people to migrate from their respective communities. However, there are still many who do not leave the affected region. The research focuses on this particular group of non-migrant populations living in the erosion-prone Ramdaspur village of Bhola district in Bangladesh, to explore how erosion influences (non-)migration decision. We interviewed households from the study village. More than half the respondents reported that, even though they are continuously being hit by erosion, they are unwilling to move away because of the community support they receive from staying in the village. The rest of the respondents who choose to remain, do so because of financial reasons. Therefore, this study proposes a need for a holistic approach in future adaptation planning for the riverbank erosion-prone areas of Bangladesh to support the non-migrants in the communities.
Helping the Surgeon Recover: Peer-to-Peer Coaching after Bile Duct Injury
Authors: Zhu Alice , Deng Shirley , Greene Brittany , Tsang Melanie , Palter Vanessa N. , Jayaraman Shiva
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND:

Bile duct injury sustained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and can be a devastating complication for a general surgeon. We introduce a novel, individualized surgical coaching program for surgeons who recently injured a bile duct in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We aim to explore the perception of coaching among these surgeons and to assess surgeons' experiences in the coaching program.

STUDY DESIGN:

Six general surgeons who injured a bile duct at an emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy participated in a 1-on-1 coaching session with a hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon. The session focused on debriefing the index case with video feedback, and discussion of strategies for safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The pilot program ran from March to November 2020. Exit interviews were then conducted. Themes covering perception of surgical training, perception of complications, and experience in the coaching program were explored.

RESULTS:

Surgeons were generally accepting of the coaching program, especially when the goals aligned with their self-identified areas of development. One-on-1 sessions with a local expert in the area, and the use of video feedback created a unique and interactive coaching opportunity. Peer coaching was identified as a valuable resource in helping surgeons regain confidence and maintain well-being after a bile duct injury. Maintaining a collegial, nonjudgmental relationship is critical in establishing positive coaching experiences.

CONCLUSIONS:

An individualized surgical coaching program creates a unique opportunity for professional development and may help promote safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Surgeon Volume and Risk of Reoperation after Laparoscopic Primary Ventral Hernia Repair: A Nationwide Register-Based Study
Authors: Christophersen Camilla , Fonnes Siv , Baker Jason Joe , Andresen Kristoffer , Rosenberg Jacob
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND:

Repairs of primary ventral hernias are common procedures but are associated with high recurrence rates. Therefore, it is important to investigate risk factors for recurrence to optimize current treatments. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of annual surgeon volume on the risk of reoperation for recurrence after primary ventral hernia repair.

STUDY DESIGN:

We conducted a nationwide register-based study with data from the Danish Ventral Hernia Database and the Danish Patient Safety Authority's Online Register linked via surgeons’ authorization identification. We included patients 18 years and older, undergoing umbilical or epigastric hernia repair between 2011 and 2020. Annual surgeon volume was categorized into ≤ 9, 10 to 19, 20 to 29, and ≥ 30 cases. Patients were followed until reoperation, death, emigration, or end of the study period.

RESULTS:

We included 7,868 patients who underwent laparoscopic (n = 1,529 [19%]), open mesh (n = 4,138 [53%]), or open nonmesh (n = 2,201 [28%]) repair. There was an increased risk of reoperation after laparoscopic umbilical or epigastric hernia repair for surgeons with ≤ 9 (hazard ratio 6.57; p = 0.008), 10 to 19 (hazard ratio 6.58; p = 0.011), and 20 to 29 (hazard ratio 13.59; p = 0.001) compared with ≥ 30 cases/y. There were no differences in risk of reoperation after open mesh and open nonmesh repair in relation to annual surgeon volume.

CONCLUSIONS:

There was a significantly higher risk of reoperation after laparoscopic primary ventral hernia repair performed by lower-volume surgeons compared with high-volume surgeons. Additional research investigating how sufficient surgical training and supervision are ensured is indicated to reduce risk of reoperation after primary ventral hernia repair.
Genomic Sequencing and Insight into Clinical Heterogeneity and Prognostic Pathway Genes in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Kawaguchi Yoshikuni , Kopetz Scott , Kwong Lawrence , Xiao Lianchun , Morris Jeffrey S. , Tran Cao Hop S. , Tzeng Ching-Wei D. , Chun Yun Shin , Lee Jeffrey E. , Vauthey Jean-Nicolas
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND:

An understanding of signaling pathways has not been fully incorporated into prognostication and therapeutic options. We evaluated the hypothesis that information about cancer-related signaling pathways can improve prognostic stratification and explain some of the clinical heterogeneity in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

STUDY DESIGN:

We analyzed prognostic relevance of signaling pathways in patients undergoing resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) from 2004–2017, and clinical actionability of gene alterations in 7 signaling pathways: p53, Wnt, RTK-RAS, PI3K, TGFβ, Notch, and cell cycle. To assess the wide applicability, the results were validated in an external retrospective cohort including patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer.

RESULTS:

Of 579 patients, the numbers of patients with pathway alterations were as follows: p53, n = 420 (72.5%); Wnt, 340 (58.7%); RTK-RAS, 333 (57.5%); PI3K, 110 (19.0%); TGFβ, 65 (11.2%); Notch, 41 (7.1%); and cell cycle, 15 (2.6%). More than 80% of alterations in each pathway occurred in a single predominant gene TP53, APC, KRAS, PIK3CA, FBXW7, and RB1 in p53, Wnt, RTK-RAS, PI3K, Notch, and cell cycle pathways, respectively. Alterations of 4 pathways (p53, RTK-RAS, TGFβ, and Notch) and corresponding predominant genes (TP53, RAS/BRAF, SMAD4, and FBXW7) were significantly associated with worse overall survival (OS), and alterations of Wnt pathway (APC) were associated with better OS in the median follow-up duration of 3.8 years. Similarly, in the external cohort, alterations of p53 (TP53) and RTK-RAS (RAS/BRAF) were significantly associated with worse OS, whereas alteration of Wnt (APC) was associated with better OS in the median follow-up duration of 2.6 years.

CONCLUSIONS:

Genomic sequencing provides insights into clinical heterogeneity and permits finer prognostic stratification in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.
A super-convergent thin-walled 3D beam element for analysis of laminated composite structures with arbitrary cross-section
Authors: Talele M. , van Tooren M. , Elham A.
Published: June 2021

An efficient, fully coupled beam model is developed to analyse laminated composite thin-walled structures with arbitrary cross-sections. The Euler–Lagrangian equations are derived from the kinematic relationships for a One-Dimensional (1D) beam representing Three-Dimensional (3D) deformations that take into account the cross-sectional stiffness of the composite structure. The formulation of the cross-sectional stiffness includes all the deformation effects and related elastic couplings. To circumvent the problem of shear locking, exact solutions to the approximating Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) are obtained symbolically instead of by numerical integration. The developed locking-free composite beam element results in an exact stiffness matrix and has super-convergent characteristics. The beam model is tested for different types of layup, and the results are validated by comparison with experimental results from literature.
Soft Law Engagements and Hard Law Preferences: Comparing EU Lobbying Positions between UN Global Compact Signatory Firms and Other Interest Group Types
Authors: van den Broek Onna
Published: June 2021

Although corporate social responsibility (CSR) has gone “mainstream,” the relationship between CSR and corporate political activities (CPA) has received little scholarly attention. This is problematic because firms potentially have a more sizable impact through their lobbying activities for socially and environmentally beneficial (or unbeneficial) public policies than through their own operations. This paper investigates if, and how, UN Global Compact signatory firms differ in their policy preferences on key EU proposals compared to other interest groups. To capture state-of-the-art data on firms’ policy preferences, I draw from the INTEREURO database, which includes firms’ lobbying positions on forty-three directives and twenty-seven regulations covering 112 public policy issues in the European Union. Statistical results show that Global Compact signatory firms significantly lobby for stricter regulation than non-signatory firms and industry associations, however, their positions are still lower than nonbusiness groups. These results are similar across various public policy issues and suggest that the regulatory preferences of firms’ participating in soft law CSR initiatives are more aligned with stakeholders' interests. This paper contributes to public policy literature exploring the relationship between hard and soft law as well as literature studying the political representation of divergent interest.
Particularism for Generalists: A Rossian Business Ethic
Authors: Drake J.
Published: June 2021

A standard framework for business ethics views the inquiry as an application of major ethical theories to specific issues in business. As these theories are largely presented as being principled, the exercise therefore becomes one of applying general principles to business situations. Many adopting this standard approach have thus resisted the implementation of the most prominent development in ethical theory in recent history: that of particularism. In this article, I argue that particularist thinking has much to offer to business ethics and that standard resistance to particularist business ethics is based largely on misunderstandings. I do so by illustrating how the harbinger of particularism, W. D. Ross, countenances the practical wisdom of particularist ethics while being 1) invulnerable to standard objections to particularist business ethics and 2) compatible with the generalism of the standard approach. The Rossian business ethic is therefore one that the standard approach should be eager to include.
Factors Related to Self-Reported Distress Experienced by Physicians During Their First COVID-19 Triage Decisions
Authors: Chou Francisca L. , Abramson David , DiMaggio Charles , Hoven Christina W. , Susser Ezra , Andrews Howard F. , Chihuri Stanford , Lang Barbara H. , Ryan Megan , Herman Daniel , Susser Ida , Mascayano Franco , Li Guohua
Published: June 2021

Objective:

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with distress experienced by physicians during their first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) triage decisions.

Methods:

An online survey was administered to physicians licensed in New York State.

Results:

Of the 164 physicians studied, 20.7% experienced severe distress during their first COVID-19 triage decisions. The mean distress score was not significantly different between physicians who received just-in-time training and those who did not (6.0 ± 2.7 vs 6.2 ± 2.8;P= 0.550) and between physicians who received clinical guidelines and those who did not (6.0 ± 2.9 vs 6.2 ± 2.7;P= 0.820). Substantially increased odds of severe distress were found in physicians who reported that their first COVID-19 triage decisions were inconsistent with their core values (adjusted odds ratio, 6.33; 95% confidence interval, 2.03-19.76) and who reported having insufficient skills and expertise (adjusted odds ratio 2.99, 95% confidence interval 0.91-9.87).

Conclusion:

Approximately 1 in 5 physicians in New York experienced severe distress during their first COVID-19 triage decisions. Physicians with insufficient skills and expertise, and core values misaligned to triage decisions are at heightened risk of experiencing severe distress. Just-in-time training and clinical guidelines do not appear to alleviate distress experienced by physicians during their first COVID-19 triage decisions.
Food Insecurity and Affecting Factors in Households With Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bulucu Büyüksoy Gizem Deniz , Çatıker Aslıhan , Özdil Kamuran
Published: June 2021

Objective:

The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of food insecurity and affecting factors in households with children in Turkey during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional study. The participants were recruited by the snowball sampling method, and the data were collected by means of a link sent to their smartphones through their social media accounts. This study included 211 households with at least 1 child.

Results:

The study revealed that 21.8% households had food insecurity that was not at the hunger threshold. The monthly income of 80.6% of the households was below the poverty line and monthly income decreased in more than half of the households during the pandemic. Food insecurity increased 2.5 times when the households comprised workers or self-employed individuals (odds ratio [OR] = 2.529; P = 0.002), increased 3 times when the monthly income of the households decreased (OR = 3.131; P = 0.000), and increased 2 times when total monthly income of the household fell below poverty line during the pandemic (OR = 2.001; P = 0.049).

Conclusions:

It is determined that nearly half the households have food insecurity and that the pandemic poses a risk in terms of food security. We recommend that public health studies should be planned to ensure accessibility to healthy foods.
More on zeros and approximation of the Ising partition function
Authors: Barvinok Alexander , Barvinok Nicholas
Published: June 2021

We consider the problem of computing the partition function

$\sum _x e^{f(x)}$

, where

$f: \{-1, 1\}^n \longrightarrow {\mathbb R}$

is a quadratic or cubic polynomial on the Boolean cube

$\{-1, 1\}^n$

. In the case of a quadratic polynomial f, we show that the partition function can be approximated within relative error

$0 < \epsilon < 1$

in quasi-polynomial

$n^{O(\ln n - \ln \epsilon )}$

time if the Lipschitz constant of the non-linear part of f with respect to the

$\ell ^1$

metric on the Boolean cube does not exceed

$1-\delta $

, for any

$\delta>0$

, fixed in advance. For a cubic polynomial f, we get the same result under a somewhat stronger condition. We apply the method of polynomial interpolation, for which we prove that

$\sum _x e^{\tilde {f}(x)} \ne 0$

for complex-valued polynomials

$\tilde {f}$

in a neighborhood of a real-valued f satisfying the above mentioned conditions. The bounds are asymptotically optimal. Results on the zero-free region are interpreted as the absence of a phase transition in the Lee–Yang sense in the corresponding Ising model. The novel feature of the bounds is that they control the total interaction of each vertex but not every single interaction of sets of vertices.
Populism in Europe: An Illiberal Democratic Response to Undemocratic Liberalism (TheGovernment and Opposition/Leonard Schapiro Lecture 2019)
Authors: Mudde Cas
Published: June 2021

In this lecture, I lay out my approach to populism, which falls within the now dominant ‘ideational approach’ of populism, discuss the complex relationship between populism and politics, and identify some of the main causes of the ongoing ‘populist Zeitgeist’. My main arguments are: (1) while populism is related to (real and perceived) ‘crises’, these so-called ‘crises’ are often catalysts rather than prime causes of the rise of populism; (2) populism is essentially an illiberal democratic response to undemocratic liberalism; and (3) populism can only be overcome by more rather than less liberal democracy. I illustrate my arguments on the basis of the recent rise of populism in Europe, but believe they also largely hold true beyond that specific regional and temporal context.
Modeling of three-dimensional exciplex pumped fluid Cs vapor laser with transverse and longitudinal gas flow
Authors: Su Chenyi , Xu Xingqi , Huang Jinghua , Pan Bailiang
Published: June 2021

Considering the thermodynamical fluid mechanics in the gain medium and laser kinetic processes, a three-dimensional theoretical model of an exciplex-pumped Cs vapor laser with longitudinal and transverse gas flow is established. The slope efficiency of laser calculated by the model shows good agreement with the experimental data. The comprehensive three-dimensional distribution of temperature and particle density of Cs is depicted. The influence of pump intensity, wall temperature, and fluid velocity on the laser output performance is also simulated and analyzed in detail, suggesting that a higher wall temperature can guarantee a higher output laser power while causing a more significant heat accumulation in the cell. Compared with longitudinal gas flow, the transverse flow can improve the output laser power by effectively removing the generated heat accumulation and alleviating the temperature gradient in the cell.
“Nobody's Children”? Political Responses to the Homecoming of First World War Veterans in Northern and Southern Ireland, 1918–1929
Authors: Destenay Emmanuel
Published: June 2021

At the time when Irish veterans of the Great War were being demobilized, Ireland was in a period of profound social, political, and cultural change that was irreversibly transforming the island. Armistice and the veterans’ relief at having survived the conflict and being back with family could not eclipse the overwhelming political climate they met on their homecoming. This article draws on the 1929 Report by the Committee on Claims of British Ex-servicemen, commissioned by the Irish Free State to investigate whether Irish veterans were discriminated against by the Southern Irish and British authorities. The research also makes use of a range of underexploited primary sources: the Liaison and Evacuation Papers in the Military Archives in Dublin, the collection of minutes of the Irish Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Land Trust in the National Archives in London, and original material from the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland and the National Archives of Ireland relating to economic programs for veterans. A comparative approach of to the respective demobilizations of veterans in Northern and Southern Ireland in the 1920s reveals that disparities in formal recognition of their sacrifice and in special provision for housing and employment significantly and painfully complicated their repatriation.
Effect of nutrition behaviour change communication delivered through radio on mothers’ nutritional knowledge, child feeding practices and growth
Authors: Saaka Mahama , Wemah Khadija , Kizito Fred , Hoeschle-Zeledon Irmgard
Published: June 2021

Childhood undernutrition coupled with poor feeding practices continues to be public health problems in many parts of the world and efforts to address them remain elusive. We tested the hypothesis that women who are exposed to radio health/nutrition education will demonstrate greater nutrition and health knowledge, positive attitudes towards preventive health and better dietary diversity practices for improved child growth. We used a two-arm, quasi-experimental, non-equivalent comparison group design with pre- and post-test observations to evaluate the intervention. The study population comprised 712 mothers with children aged 6–36 months who were randomly selected from five intervention districts and one comparison district in Northern Ghana. Difference-in-difference (DID) analysis was performed to assess study outcomes. After 12-month implementation of intervention activities, the minimum dietary diversity and the minimum acceptable diet improved significantly (DID 9⋅7 percentage points, P 0⋅014 and DID 12⋅1 percentage points, P 0⋅001, respectively) in the intervention study group, compared with the comparison group. Mothers in the intervention communities had a nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes and practices score that was significantly higher than their colleagues in the comparison communities (DID 0⋅646, P < 0⋅001). The intervention did not have significant effects on the nutritional status as measured by height-for-age Z-score or weight-for-height Z-score. The data provide evidence that health and nutrition education using radio drama significantly increased health-/nutrition-related knowledge but had little effect on nutritional status.
Kidnappings by the ’Ndrangheta: characteristics, institutional countermeasures and turning points
Authors: Barbieri Cristina , Mete Vittorio
Published: June 2021

This article examines kidnappings for ransom by the ’Ndrangheta in Italy from the more measured perspective that the passage of time allows. To investigate the importance and characteristics of this phenomenon, we analyse a new database compiled from various sources. We put forward an explanation of the way that the kidnapping era ended that derives both from statistical analysis of the 654 instances surveyed and from a case study (the abduction of Cesare Casella). Within this analysis, we award significant weight to the changing political context and to two particular factors: the crime's politicisation under new electoral pressure, and the behaviour of law enforcement agencies. The two factors often regarded as the principal explanations for the end of kidnapping, legislation on the freezing of assets and the appeal of the drugs trade, are treated here as simply aspects of the overall picture. The disappearance of this criminal practice seems to have followed a hiatus in relationships and a reciprocal show of strength. Although the repertoire of state threats, notably military action and prison sentences, was substantial, the political value of victims’ lives and the weakness of the government were powerful weapons for the final cohort of kidnappers.
Does Public Diplomacy Sway Foreign Public Opinion? Identifying the Effect of High-Level Visits
Authors: GOLDSMITH BENJAMIN E. , HORIUCHI YUSAKU , MATUSH KELLY
Published: June 2021

Although many governments invest significant resources in public-diplomacy campaigns, there is little well-identified evidence of these efforts’ effectiveness. We examine the effects of a major type of public diplomacy: high-level visits by national leaders to other countries. We combine a dataset of the international travels of 15 leaders from 9 countries over 11 years, with worldwide surveys administered in 38 host countries. By comparing 32,456 respondents interviewed just before or just after the first day of each visit, we show that visiting leaders can increase public approval among foreign citizens. The effects do not fade away immediately and are particularly large when public-diplomacy activities are reported by the news media. In most cases, military capability differentials between visiting and host countries do not appear to confer an advantage in the influence of public diplomacy. These findings suggest that public diplomacy has the potential to shape global affairs through soft power.
Topelia Nimisiana, a New Epiphytic Lichen Species From
Italy
Authors: Tretiach M. , Vězda A.
Published: June 2021

Topelia nimisiana Tretiach & Vězda is
described from old Quercus pedunculata bark in
Castelporziano, near Rome (Italy). It is characterized by a hymenium
inspersed by numerous oil droplets, by immersed, perithecioid ascomata and
by a continuous, dark green thallus.
“A New Ethnology”: The Legal Expansion of Whiteness under Early Jim Crow
Authors: Pollak Benjamin H.
Published: June 2021

The segregation laws known as “Jim Crow” are often understood as legislative efforts to promote White supremacy by shielding White southerners from contact with other races. This was not the case, however. By analyzing early railway segregation laws–in particular, the 1890 Louisiana law that was challenged in Plessy v. Ferguson–this article shows that the first post-Reconstruction segregations laws used an expansive definition of the “white race” as everyone who was not Black. In short, White purity and separation were the pretext, not the purpose, of early Jim Crow laws. Instead, the structure of legal segregation was initially determined by White, Democratic legislators' efforts to isolate and subjugate Black Americans by reinstating the racial logic of slavery, which had divided the world into Black people and everyone else. To achieve this end, White supremacist lawmakers framed laws that strategically integrated “white” train cars, all the while claiming the laws did the opposite.
Do Creoles conform to typological patterns? Habitual marking in Palenquero
Authors: Smith Hiram L.
Published: June 2021

It is widely debated whether creole languages form a typological class; however, crosslinguistic generalizations from functional typology are seldom tested in creoles. Typological studies report a strong crosslinguistic tendency for asymmetries in habitual grammatical expressions across the present and past temporal reference domains (Bybee, 1994:245–8; Bybee, Perkins, & Pagliuca, 1994:151–60). This study analyzes two linguistic variants, preverbal asé and zero, which compete for habitual marking in Palenquero Creole (Colombia). I ask here: To what degree does the linguistic patterning of these forms conform to the crosslinguistic tendency? Results show that, despite Palenquero having widely cited creole features (e.g., preverbal markers and bare verb stems), the asymmetrical expression, distribution, and relative ordering of forms in the variable contexts closely align with crosslinguistic predictions for habituals, thus giving convincing evidence of typological markedness and not a Creole Prototype.
An Acquisition Parameter Study for Machine-Learning-Enabled Electron Backscatter Diffraction
Authors: Kaufmann Kevin , Vecchio Kenneth S.
Published: June 2021

Methods within the domain of artificial intelligence are gaining traction for solving a range of materials science objectives, notably the use of deep neural networks for computer vision for the analysis of electron diffraction patterns. An important component of deploying these models is an understanding of the performance as experimental diffraction conditions are varied. This knowledge can inspire confidence in the classifications over a range of operating conditions and identify where performance is degraded. Elucidating the relative impact of each parameter will suggest the most important parameters to vary during the collection of future training data. Knowing which data collection efforts to prioritize is of concern given the time required to collect or simulate vast libraries of diffraction patterns for a wide variety of materials without considering varying any parameters. In this work, five parameters, frame averaging, detector tilt, sample-to-detector distance, accelerating voltage, and pattern resolution, essential to electron diffraction are individually varied during the collection of electron backscatter diffraction patterns to explore the effect on the classifications produced by a deep neural network trained from diffraction patterns captured using a fixed set of parameters. The model is shown to be resilient to nearly all the individual changes examined here.