bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel approach for characterization of multibeam communication payloads
Authors: Trivedi Jatin , Joshi Siddhant , Vyas Rakesh
Published: July 2022

Communication payload architecture has changed from a conventional single broad beam to a large number of spot beam forms to meet the ever‐increasing data rate demand. Owing to the large telecommunication requirements of the user, current generation satellites are equipped with a large number of transponders/beams. Due to the increased number of payload beams, performance evaluation and validation time increases during all stages of the satellite integration process. Also, satellite testing in thermal–vacuum (TVAC) conditions is hugely cost‐intensive. Under such circumstances, the conventional test setup established for multibeam payload characterization presents limitations and increases overall measurement time. The paper proposes a novel switch matrix (SWM) based architecture for integrated multibeam payload characterization at payload input and output to significantly reduce effective uplink and downlink transmission line chains required for RF characterization without compromising overall measurement accuracy. We have developed a Telecommand and Telemetry (TCTM) simulator system for closed‐loop automated switching of switches in SWM to reduce human intervention and ensure safety aspects of payload. We present the SWM approach for two classes of high throughput satellites (HTS), namely, symmetrical and asymmetrical architectures. The results show that the proposed approach is robust and advantageous in overall RF performance, reduction in the number of interfaces, electromagnetic interference and electromagnetic susceptibility (EMI/EMC) considerations, electrical integrity, and ground test setup complexity compared with conventional characterization philosophy.
Real‐Time Interfacial Nanothermometry Using DNA‐PAINT Microscopy
Authors: Nooteboom Sjoerd W. , Wang Yuyang , Dey Swayandipta , Zijlstra Peter
Published: July 2022

Biofunctionalized nanoparticles are increasingly used in biomedical applications including sensing, targeted delivery, and hyperthermia. However, laser excitation and associated heating of the nanomaterials may alter the structure and interactions of the conjugated biomolecules. Currently no method exists that directly monitors the local temperature near the material's interface where the conjugated biomolecules are. Here, a nanothermometer is reported based on DNA‐mediated points accumulation for imaging nanoscale topography (DNA‐PAINT) microscopy. The temperature dependent kinetics of repeated and reversible DNA interactions provide a direct readout of the local interfacial temperature. The accuracy and precision of the method is demonstrated by measuring the interfacial temperature of many individual gold nanoparticles in parallel, with a precision of 1 K. In agreement with numerical models, large particle‐to‐particle differences in the interfacial temperature are found due to underlying differences in optical and thermal properties. In addition, the reversible DNA interactions enable the tracking of interfacial temperature in real‐time with intervals of a few minutes. This method does not require prior knowledge of the optical and thermal properties of the sample, and therefore opens the window to understanding and controlling interfacial heating in a wide range of nanomaterials.
A Reliable and Precise Protocol for Urea Quantification in Photo/Electrocatalysis
Authors: Li Dong , Xu Ning , Zhao Yunxuan , Zhou Chao , Zhang Li‐Ping , Wu Li‐Zhu , Zhang Tierui
Published: July 2022

To comply with the trend toward green and sustainable development of the fine chemical industry, multitudinous promising technologies (e.g., photocatalysis and electrocatalysis) are beginning to dabble in the green synthesis of fine chemicals, particularly urea synthesis. Whilst numerous advances are made in mechanistic understanding, the low yield reported so far also imposes more stringent requirements on the reliability and anti‐interference of the detection method. Herein, the applicability of frequently used methods for urea quantification is methodically compared. In terms of the experimental results, a precise and methodical protocol for urea quantification or evaluation in photo/electrocatalysis is explored and established, with emphasis on screening quantitative methods under specific conditions and indispensable isotopic tracing experiments. The budding urea photo/electrosynthesis urgently demands a rigorous protocol, including the rapid isotopic identification and evaluation criteria, capable of promoting healthy development in the future.
Bridging the Gap between Single Nanoparticle Imaging and Global Electrochemical Response by Correlative Microscopy Assisted By Machine Vision
Authors: Godeffroy Louis , Lemineur Jean‐François , Shkirskiy Viacheslav , Miranda Vieira Mathias , Noël Jean‐Marc , Kanoufi Frédéric
Published: July 2022

The nanostructuration of an electrochemical interface dictates its micro‐ and macroscopic behavior. It is generally highly complex and often evolves under operating conditions. Electrochemistry at these nanostructurations can be imaged both operando and/or ex situ at the single nanoobject or nanoparticle (NP) level by diverse optical, electron, and local probe microscopy techniques. However, they only probe a tiny random fraction of interfaces that are by essence highly heterogeneous. Given the above background, correlative multimicroscopy strategy coupled to electrochemistry in a droplet cell provides a unique solution to gain mechanistic insights in electrocatalysis. To do so, a general machine‐vision methodology is depicted enabling the automated local identification of various physical and chemical descriptors of NPs (size, composition, activity) obtained from multiple complementary operando and ex situ microscopy imaging of the electrode. These multifarious microscopically probed descriptors for each and all individual NPs are used to reconstruct the global electrochemical response. Herein the methodology unveils the competing processes involved in the electrocatalysis of hydrogen evolution reaction at nickel based NPs, showing that Ni metal activity is comparable to that of platinum.
A location privacy protection method based on cipher‐text retrieval in cloud environment
Authors: Zhang Yongbing , Zhang Qiuyu , Jiang Yilong , Yan Yan
Published: July 2022

In order to improve the efficiency of location query and the effect of privacy protection in cloud environment, a location privacy protection method based on cipher‐text retrieval was proposed. Firstly, the spatial area is divided into several square grids, and the big Morton code of each location is calculated, the spatial area in the grid is divided again, and the small Morton code of each location is calculated. Secondly, the location data is encrypted by the combination of public key encryption and scrambling encryption, and then outsourced to the cloud server. When querying the location data of the interest points, the query request is sent to the data owner. After obtaining the query trapdoor and the private key, the query trapdoor is sent to the location data server for query. On the server side, the interest points in the region are found according to the cipher‐text matching, and the cipher‐text top‐k sorting is implemented. Finally, the cipher‐text query results are decrypted into plaintext by the private key. Experimental results show that the proposed method ensures the location data privacy, and improves query efficiency. At the same time, the balance between privacy protection security and query quality is achieved.
Monitor wind characteristics and wind‐induced responses of a skyscraper during two typhoons
Authors: Cao Jixing , Xiong Haibei , Qin Xiaoming
Published: July 2022

Skyscrapers are wind‐sensitive structures due to their large slenderness ratio and good flexibility. Understanding the wind characteristics and wind‐induced response from the actual data provides first‐hand information for wind resistance design. This paper reports the wind properties and dynamic performance of a 632 m high‐rise building in Shanghai during the passage of typhoons Jongdari and Rumbbia. Field measurements obtained from the structural health monitoring system include acceleration and wind speed. The data analysis of turbulence intensity, turbulence integral length, and gust factor are compared and discussed. For the identification of dynamic characteristics, the stochastic subspace method and enhanced frequency domain decomposition method are employed to identify the modal parameters. Besides, the comfort assessment using peak value and root mean square of accelerations is compared with different standards. Studying the wind characteristics during the passage of typhoons and their impact on high‐rise buildings in a metropolis is expected to gain an insight into the dynamic mechanism of high‐rise buildings and collect a database for wind resistance design in typhoon‐prone regions.
A collection and categorization of open‐source wind and wind power datasets
Authors: Effenberger Nina , Ludwig Nicole
Published: July 2022

Wind power and other forms of renewable energy sources play an ever more important role in the energy supply of today's power grids. Forecasting renewable energy sources has therefore become essential in balancing the power grid. While a lot of focus is placed on new forecasting methods, little attention is given on how to compare, reproduce and transfer the methods to other use cases and data. One reason for this lack of attention is the limited availability of open‐source datasets, as many currently used datasets are non‐disclosed and make reproducibility of research impossible. This unavailability of open‐source datasets is especially prevalent in commercially interesting fields such as wind power forecasting. However, with this paper, we want to enable researchers to compare their methods on publicly available datasets by providing the, to our knowledge, largest up‐to‐date overview of existing open‐source wind power datasets, and a categorization into different groups of datasets that can be used for wind power forecasting. We show that there are publicly available datasets sufficient for wind power forecasting tasks and discuss the different data groups properties to enable researchers to choose appropriate open‐source datasets and compare their methods on them.
Corporate investment prediction using a weighted temporal graph neural network
Authors: Li Jianing , Yao Xin
Published: July 2022

Corporate investment is an important part of corporate financial decision‐making and affects the future profit and value of the corporation. Predicting corporate investment provides great significance for capital market investors to understand the future operation and development of a corporation. Many researchers have studied independent prediction methods. However, individual firms imitate each other's investment in the actual decision‐making process. This phenomenon of investment convergence indicates investment correlation among individual firms, which is ignored in these existing methods. In this article, we first identify key variables in multivariate sequences by our designed two‐way fixed effects model for precise corporate network construction. Then, we propose a weighted temporal graph neural network called weighted temporal graph neural network (WTGNN) for graph learning and investment prediction over the corporate network. WTGNN improves the graph convolution capability by weighted sampling with attention and multivariate time series aggregation. We conducted extensive experiments using real‐world financial reporting data. The results show that WTGNN can achieve excellent graph learning performance and outperforms existing methods in the investment prediction task.

This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Prediction

Technologies > Machine Learning

Application Areas > Business and Industry
The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and implementation of tobacco control policies: Lessons learned from Indonesia and Thailand
Authors: Moeis Faizal Rahmanto , Nurhasana Renny , Rahardi Fandy , Novitasari Danty , Shellasih Ni Made , Inayati  , Murwendah  , Suriyawongpaisal Paibul , Patanavanich Roengrudee , Ratih Suci Puspita
Published: July 2022

The threat that the tobacco epidemic poses to public health underscores the importance of comprehensive tobacco‐related regulation. Despite aiming to reduce the prevalence of smoking, Indonesia still falls short of this goal. In contrast, within the same region, Thailand's achievement in controlling tobacco serves as a potential role model for Indonesia. To understand the issue, we conducted a literature review of the current regulatory framework as well as the implementation of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and MPOWER framework in both countries. The review was supplemented with a Focus Group Discussion and an in‐depth interview with stakeholders in Thailand and Indonesia. This study finds that: (1) Indonesia currently lacks a strong tobacco control policy champion, whereas Thailand has several authorities that focus on the issue; (2) Thailand's tobacco product advertising and promotion and smoking bans are more restrictive compared to Indonesia's policies; and (3) Thailand's policies on tobacco pictorial health warnings, pharmacotherapy, and excise taxes are more extensive than Indonesia's. We recommend that Indonesia ratify the FCTC as the foundation of tobacco control policies while also strengthening and coordinating organizations working on tobacco control, encouraging subnational governments to introduce regulations, and enforce control, as well as improving excise policies to reduce the affordability of tobacco products.
Abschließende Bewertung – Planspiele als eine geeignete didaktische Methode zum Einstieg in das Thema Ressourceneffizienz
Authors: Anstätt Kerstin , Schmidt Mario , Bertagnolli Frank
Published: July 2022

In diesem Kapitel wird der Einsatz von Planspielen als didaktische Methode in der Weiterbildung abschließend bewertet. Die Praxisanwendung der Spiele hat gezeigt, dass Planspiele einen guten Einstieg in das Thema Ressourceneffizienz darstellen und im Spiel wichtige Impulse zur weiteren Umsetzung im Unternehmen gegeben werden können.
RE:GEBÄUDE – das Planspiel zu Energieeffizienz in Verwaltungsgebäuden
Authors: Grund Ernst , Gehrung Katja
Published: July 2022

Das Planspiel RE:GEBÄUDE (Abb. 7.1) vermittelt den Spielern Wissen zur Energierelevanz von Verwaltungsgebäuden. In dem Planspiel werden für die Spieler die Zusammenhänge und Wechselbeziehungen von Energieeinsparungen und gebäudebezogenen Querschnittstechnologien sichtbar. Es wird dabei deutlich, wie wichtig das Einbeziehen aller Beschäftigten im Unternehmen ist. Das haptische Spielbrett ermöglicht es den Spielern, energetische Potenziale zu erleben.

Während des Spiels werden in Teams verschiedene Maßnahmen umgesetzt, welche die Energieeffizienz des Gebäudes verbessern und damit CO2 reduzieren. Dabei lernen die Spieler Zusammenhänge zwischen ökologischen und ökonomischen Potenzialen besser kennen.

Weiterhin wird durch die interaktive Gestaltung des Planspiels die Kommunikations- und Sozialkompetenz aller Spieler gestärkt. Durch das Planspiel werden die Spieler animiert, das vermittelte Wissen in den eigenen Unternehmensalltag zu übertragen.
Lokaltherapeutisches Vorgehen bei Blasen der Haut: Ein Positionspapier der Initiative Chronische Wunden (ICW) e. V.
Authors: Dissemond Joachim , Bültemann Anke , Gerber Veronika , Motzkus Martin , Münter Christian , Erfurt-Berge Cornelia
Published: July 2022

Blasen an der Haut können durch sehr unterschiedliche Krankheitsbilder verursacht werden. Daher handelt es sich hierbei um eine interdisziplinär und interprofessionell relevante Herausforderung. Im klinischen Alltag werden derzeit verschiedene lokaltherapeutische Vorgehensweisen praktiziert. Entweder wird die Blase belassen oder die Blase wird punktiert und das Blasendach wird belassen, alternativ wird das komplette Blasendach abtragen. Jede dieser Vorgehensweisen hat potenzielle Vor- und Nachteile. Es erfolgte die Durchsicht der aktuellen Literatur und Konsensfindung durch die Expert*innen der Initiative Chronische Wunden (ICW) e. V. Folgende Vorgehensweisen werden empfohlen: unkomplizierte Blasen ohne Druckschmerz: Blasen belassen; druckschmerzhafte sowie palmar und plantar lokalisierte Blasen: Blase punktieren und Dach belassen; rupturierte Blasen ohne klinische Infektionszeichen: Reste des Blasendachs belassen; rupturierte Blasen mit klinischen Infektionszeichen: Reste des Blasendachs abtragen; Blasen bei Verbrennungen ab Grad 2a oder bei unklarer Verbrennungstiefe oder bei chemischer Verbrennung: Blasendach abtragen. Anschließend erfolgt jeweils die Anlage eines sterilen Wundverbandes. Beim Auftreten von Blasen an der Haut gibt es nicht die eine richtige lokaltherapeutische Vorgehensweise. Bei der Planung eines Behandlungskonzepts sollte die Genese der Blasen geklärt werden, ggf. sollte eine kausale Behandlung erfolgen. Die Lokaltherapie orientiert sich dann an verschiedenen individuellen Faktoren. Somit kann das gemeinsam mit den Patient*innen gewählte Vorgehen interindividuell sehr unterschiedlich sein.
Integration of biogas systems into a carbon zero and hydrogen economy: a review
Authors: Farghali Mohamed , Osman Ahmed I. , Umetsu Kazutaka , Rooney David W.
Published: July 2022

The Ukraine conflict has put critical pressure on gas supplies and increased the price of fertilisers. As a consequence, biogas has gained remarkable attention as a local source of both gas for energy and biofertiliser for agriculture. Moreover, climate change-related damage incentivises all sectors to decarbonise and integrate sustainable practices. For instance, anaerobic digestion allows decarbonisation and optimal waste management. Incorporating a biogas system in each country would limit global warming to 2 °C. If suitable policies mechanisms are implemented, the biogas industry could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 3.29–4.36 gigatonnes carbon dioxide equivalent, which represent about 10–13% of global emissions. Here, we review the role of the biogas sector in capturing methane and mitigating carbon emissions associated with biogas outputs. Since biogas impurities can cause severe practical difficulties in biogas storing and gas grid delivering systems, we present upgrading technologies that remove or consume the carbon dioxide in raw biogas, to achieve a minimum of 95% methane content. We discuss the role of hydrogen-assisted biological biogas upgrading in carbon sequestration by converting carbon dioxide to biomethane via utilising hydrogen generated primarily through other renewable energy sources such as water electrolysis and photovoltaic solar facilities or wind turbines. This conceptual shift of 'power to gas' allows storing and utilising the excess of energy generated in grids. By converting carbon dioxide produced during anaerobic digestion into additional biomethane, biogas has the potential to meet 53% of the demand for fossil natural gas. We also evaluate the role of digestate from biogas systems in producing biochar, which can be used directly as a biofertiliser or indirectly as a biomethanation enhancement, upgrading, and cleaning material.
New COVID-related results for estimating the shadow economy in the global economy in 2021 and 2022
Authors: Schneider Friedrich
Published: July 2022

Considering the development of the shadow economy of 36 European and OECD countries over the period from 2003 to 2022 and the effect of the Coronavirus pandemic from 2020 onwards, the average size of the shadow economy of 36 European and OECD countries decreased from 16.48% of GDP in 2020 to 16.07% in 2021 (a decline of 0.41 percentage points). Due to a continued (forecasted) economic recovery in 2022, the average shadow economy of these 36 countries will slightly increase to 15.96% of GDP (average of all 36 countries): a very modest reduction of 0.11 percentage points.
HIV and STI Prevention Among Spanish Women Who have Sex with Women: Factors Associated with Dental Dam and Condom Use
Authors: Gil-Llario María Dolores , Morell-Mengual Vicente , García-Barba Marta , Nebot-García Juan E. , Ballester-Arnal Rafael
Published: July 2022

The scientific community has systematically ignored the needs of women who have sex with women (WSW). The invisibilization of romantic and sexual relationships between women has caused a profound lack of knowledge about the impact of HIV and other STIs on this population subgroup. This study aims to analyze the frequency of dental dam and condom use in WSW and identify the variables that explain the use of these two preventive methods. The sample is composed of 327 women aged between 18 and 60 years (M = 27.82; SD = 8.10). The results indicate that only 4.7% of those who practice cunnilingus and 5.2% of those who practice anilingus report “always” using dental dam (systematic use). Condoms are used systematically by 37.1% of those who practice vaginal penetration and 37.8% of those who practice anal penetration. Age, high perceived self-efficacy, and adequate assertive communication skills are variables significantly related to preventive behavior. The severity attributed to HIV and the perceived risk of infection are protective factors regarding dental dam use. For condom use, high levels of internalized homophobia and drug use are risk factors. Future preventive strategies should provide information on preventive strategies to WSW who, for different reasons, are not involved in LGBT contexts or associations and, therefore, do not have access to training activities and mistakenly believe that they are invulnerable as they do not have sexual relations with men.
Advantageous optical characteristics of tantalum vanadium oxide as counter electrode in electrochromic devices
Authors: Gies Mario , Rempel Thomas , Becker Martin , Polity Angelika
Published: July 2022

Smart windows are an important technology in terms of energy saving potential in the building sector due to their ability to control visible light and thermal radiation. The essential component of this type of window glazing is an electrochromic thin film. In addition to the widely established tungsten oxide as the optically active material, in particular the counter electrode offers significant potential for improving the overall device performance. In this study, tantalum vanadium oxide films are prepared by reactive radio-frequency sputtering on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates and optimized in terms of their spectro-electrochemical properties as ion storage layer. We show that an oxide-based tantalum-vanadium alloy is a promising approach to address the open challenges of pure vanadium pentoxide. The coatings exhibit color neutrality in combination with a high transmittance of up to 80% in the as-prepared state and suitable optical transmittance switching. Additionally, we find both a sufficient stability upon cycling and a suitable charge density of about 35 mC cm−2. Thus, the presented oxide-based alloy offers a beneficial performance as an ion storage layer in electrochromic devices.
Raised Serum Markers of T Cell Activation and Exhaustion in Granulomatous-Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease in Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Authors: Fraz Mai Sasaki Aanensen , Michelsen Annika Elisabet , Moe Natasha , Aaløkken Trond Mogens , Macpherson Magnhild Eide , Nordøy Ingvild , Aukrust Pål , Taraldsrud Eli , Holm Are Martin , Ueland Thor , Jørgensen Silje Fjellgård , Fevang Børre
Published: July 2022

Purpose

About 20–30% of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) develop granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) as one of several non-infectious complications to their immunodeficiency. The purpose of this study was to identify biomarkers that could distinguish GLILD from other non-infectious complications in CVID.

Methods

We analyzed serum biomarkers related to inflammation, pulmonary epithelium injury, fibrogenesis, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and compared three subgroups of CVID: GLILD patients (n = 16), patients with other non-infectious complications (n = 37), and patients with infections only (n = 20).

Results

We found that GLILD patients had higher levels of sCD25, sTIM-3, IFN-γ, and TNF, reflecting T cell activation and exhaustion, compared to both CVID patients with other inflammatory complications and CVID with infections only. GLILD patients also had higher levels of SP-D and CC16, proteins related to pulmonary epithelium injury, as well as the ECM remodeling marker MMP-7, than patients with other non-infectious complications.

Conclusion

GLILD patients have elevated serum markers of T cell activation and exhaustion, pulmonary epithelium injury, and ECM remodeling, pointing to potentially important pathways in GLILD pathogenesis, novel targets for therapy, and promising biomarkers for clinical evaluation of these patients.
A vegetation carbon isoscape for Australia built by combining continental-scale field surveys with remote sensing
Authors: Munroe Samantha E. M. , Guerin Greg R. , McInerney Francesca A. , Martín-Forés Irene , Welti Nina , Farrell Mark , Atkins Rachel , Sparrow Ben
Published: July 2022

Context

Maps of C3 and C4 plant abundance and stable carbon isotope values (δ13C) across terrestrial landscapes are valuable tools in ecology to investigate species distribution and carbon exchange. Australia has a predominance of C4-plants, thus monitoring change in C3:C4 cover and δ13C is essential to national management priorities.

Objectives

We applied a novel combination of field surveys and remote sensing data to create maps of C3 and C4 abundance in Australia, and a vegetation δ13C isoscape for the continent.

Methods

We used vegetation and land-use rasters to categorize grid-cells (1 ha) into woody (C3), native herbaceous, and herbaceous cropland (C3 and C4) cover. Field surveys and environmental factors were regressed to predict native C4 herbaceous cover. These layers were combined and a δ13C mixing model was used to calculate site-averaged δ13C values.

Results

Seasonal rainfall, maximum summer temperature, and soil pH were the best predictors of C4 herbaceous cover. Comparisons between predicted and observed values at field sites indicated our approach reliably predicted generalised C3:C4 abundance. Southern Australia, which has cooler temperatures and winter rainfall, was dominated by C3 vegetation and low δ13C values. C4-dominated areas included northern savannahs and grasslands.

Conclusions

Our isoscape approach is distinct because it incorporates remote sensing products that calculate cover beneath the canopy, the influence of local factors, and extensive validation, all of which are critical to accurate predictions. Our models can be used to predict C3:C4 abundance under climate change, which is expected to substantially alter current C3:C4 abundance patterns.
Conspiracy mentality among informal caregivers as a risk factor for caregiver burden, mental health, perceived loneliness and social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings of a representative online study from Germany
Authors: Zwar Larissa , König Hans-Helmut , Hajek André
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyze if and how conspiracy mentality is associated with mental health, burden and perceived social isolation and loneliness of informal caregivers of older individuals with care needs.

Methods

A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants had to be at least 40 years of age and were drawn randomly from the German online panel forsa.omninet and questioned between the 4th and 19th of March 2021. A sample of 489 informal caregivers (relatives and non-relatives supporting individuals aged ≥ 60 years) was questioned. Conspiracy mentality, depressive symptoms, loneliness and social exclusion were measured with validated instruments (e.g., The Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire). Questions referred to the last three months prior to assessment. Multiple linear regression analyses, adjusted for sociodemographic, economic and health factors and indicators of the pandemic, were conducted.

Results

Findings indicate a significant positive association between conspiracy mentality and caregiver burden, loneliness, social exclusion, and depressive symptoms. No gender differences were found for any outcome.

Conclusions

The results indicate that conspiracy mentality could be a risk factor for mental health, perceived social isolation and loneliness, and contribute to increased caregiver burden among informal caregivers of older care recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, informal caregivers could benefit from actions focused on reducing conspiracy mentality during a health crisis, which could improve psychosocial health and wellbeing in this vulnerable group.
A preliminary analysis of the variation in circulating 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentrations in peri-partum spring-calving dairy cows
Authors: Ryan Nicholas J. , Brewer Amy , Chapwanya Aspinas , O’Farrelly Cliona , Williams Erin J. , Evans Alexander C.O. , Beltman Marijke E. , Meade Kieran G.
Published: July 2022

Vitamin D has a well-established role in regulating the intestinal absorption of minerals but its association with immunity has not been extensively explored in livestock. Although an optimal circulating concentration of 30 ng/ml 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) is proposed for immune function, it is unknown if this vitamin D concentration is sufficient, particularly for cows under a pasture-based, spring-calving dairy production system. The objectives of this retrospective analysis were to assess circulating vitamin D concentrations in a total of 843 bio-banked serum samples from Holstein-Friesian dairy cows enrolled from 12 spring-calving, pasture-based dairy farms in Ireland. Mean 25(OH)D concentrations were 36.3 ng/ml at calving, 30.7 ng/ml at 7 days post-partum (DPP), and 38.3 ng/ml at 21 DPP. However, mean concentrations masked significant inter-farm and inter-individual variation (P < 0.05). In fact, the proportion of cows with vitamin D insufficiency of < 30 ng/ml was found to be 33.8%, 55.5% and 19.5% at each time point, respectively. In addition, 25(OH)D concentrations correlated positively with immune cell populations (monocytes and lymphocytes) and negatively with blood urea and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) at 7 DPP. This is the first report of 25(OH)D concentrations in pasture-based peripartum dairy cows and we show a high degree of variation across farms and between individual animals. Sub-optimal concentrations of vitamin D in some post-partum cows may predispose cattle to multiple metabolic or infectious diseases, and therefore further work is now warranted.
Enhanced lithological mapping of Durba-Araba basement blocks, along the eastern margin of the Central Gulf of Suez Rift, Egypt, using Landsat-8 Data
Authors: Seleim Adel M. , Bekiet Mahmoud H. , Hammed Mohamed S.
Published: July 2022

The eastern margin of the central Gulf of Suez rift exposes unique rotated basement blocks of Gabal Durba-Araba. According to geological maps, these blocks are composed of Dokhan volcanic, older, and younger granites cut by basaltic dikes and overlayed by a tilted sedimentary succession of Paleozoic to quaternary. Herein, we propose a workflow of stepwise preprocessing and classification procedures for Landsat-8 (OLI) data verified by control points from previous maps to update and improve lithological discrimination in converging areas that require further field mapping. The workflow applies digital image-processing techniques, including spectral signature analysis, band-ratio transformation, maximum likelihood, and Mahalanobis supervised classifications. The accuracy assessment of the lithological mapping reaches 86.6% and 75.7% for maximum likelihood and Mahalanobis classifications, respectively. By running the Tactical Hyperspectral Operations Resource (THOR) algorithm on the classified images, we could accurately map and modify the lithological boundaries for the following rock units: (1) gneiss-amphibolite-schist, tonalite, and granodiorite at Gabal Araba; (2) granitic gneiss, granodiorite, biotite-muscovite-leucogranite, and riebeckite-syenite-albitite at Gabal Abu Haswa; (3) Dokhan volcanic, granite biotite-muscovite-leucogranite, granites riebeckite-syenite-albitite, Pyroclastic breccia and lava flow, and NW tertiary dike at Gabal Abu Durba.
Carrying Gas Influence and Fabrication Parameters Impact in 3D Manufacturing of In Situ TiN-Ti Composites by Direct Laser Deposition
Authors: de Rojas Candela C. Sánchez , Riquelme A. , Rodrigo P. , Rams J.
Published: July 2022

The difficulty of getting a correct distribution of the reinforcement in the metal matrix and the complexity for achieving a good-metallurgy matrix-reinforcement bonding has limited the development of additive manufacturing of metal matrix composites. This research proposes the use of a reactive atmosphere during the fabrication process to obtain titanium matrix composites reinforced with TiN. The relation between the carrying gas and the process parameters used with the presence of porous and defects, the microstructure, and microhardness has been obtained. Nitrogen was used as the carrying gas of the titanium powder. Under laser irradiation, the particles melt and react with nitrogen, resulting in the formation of a titanium matrix composite highly reinforced with TiN. The composite obtained had a microhardness increase between 50 and 100% in comparison with titanium samples fabricated in the same conditions in an argon atmosphere. Three reaction mechanisms have been proposed to take place in the microstructure, depending on the amount of nitrogen in the titanium particles, and its diffusion in them during the manufacture.

Graphic abstract
Explosion Points and Topology of Julia Sets of Zorich Maps
Authors: Tsantaris Athanasios
Published: July 2022

Zorich maps are higher dimensional analogues of the complex exponential map. For the exponential family$$\lambda e^z$$λez,$$\lambda >0$$λ>0, it is known that for small values of$$\lambda $$λthe Julia set is an uncountable collection of disjoint curves. The same was shown to hold for Zorich maps by Bergweiler and Nicks. In this paper we introduce a topological model for the Julia sets of certain Zorich maps, similar to the so calledstraight brushof Aarts and Oversteegen. As a corollary we show that$$\infty $$∞is anexplosion pointfor the set of endpoints of the Julia sets. Moreover we introduce an object called ahairy surfacewhich is a compactified version of the Julia set of Zorich maps and we show that those objects are not uniquely embedded in$$\mathbb {R}^3$$R3, unlike the corresponding two dimensional objects which are all ambiently homeomorphic.
Excellent cryogenic magnetocaloric properties in heavy rare-earth based HRENiGa2 (HRE = Dy, Ho, or Er) compounds
Authors: Guo Dan , Moreno-Ramírez Luis M. , Law Jia-Yan , Zhang Yikun , Franco Victorino
Published: July 2022

RENiX2 compounds, where RE = rare-earth element and X = p-block element, have been highly regarded for cryogenic magnetocaloric applications. Depending on the elements, they can crystallize in CeNiSi2-type, NdNiGa2-type, or MgCuAl2-type crystal structures, showing different types of magnetic ordering and thus affect their magnetic properties. Regarding the magnetocaloric effect, MgCuAl2-type aluminides show larger values than those of the CeNiSi2-type silicides and the NdNiGa2-type gallides due to the favored ferromagnetic ground state. However, RENiGa2 gallides can crystallize in either NdNiGa2- or MgCuAl2-type structures depending on the RE element. In this work, we select heavy RE (HRE) elements for exploring the microstructure, magnetic ordering and magnetocaloric performance of HRENiGa2 (HRE = Dy, Ho or Er) gallides. They all crystallize in the desired MgCuAl2-type crystal structure which undergoes a second-order transition from ferro- to para-magnetic state with increasing temperature. The maximum isothermal entropy change (∣∆Sisomax∣) values are 6.2, 10.4, and 11.4 J kg−1 K−1 (0–5 T) for DyNiGa2, HoNiGa2, and ErNiGa2, respectively, which are comparable to many recently reported cryogenic magnetocaloric materials. Particularly, the excellent magnetocaloric properties of HoNiGa2 and ErNiGa2 compounds, including their composite, fall in the temperature range that enables them for the in-demand hydrogen liquefaction systems.
Characterisation of sequence–structure–function space in sensor–effector integrators of phytochrome-regulated diguanylate cyclases
Authors: Böhm Cornelia , Gourinchas Geoffrey , Zweytick Sophie , Hujdur Elvira , Reiter Martina , Trstenjak Sara , Sensen Christoph Wilhelm , Winkler Andreas
Published: July 2022

Understanding the relationship between protein sequence, structure and function is one of the fundamental challenges in biochemistry. A direct correlation, however, is often not trivial since protein dynamics also play an important functional role—especially in signal transduction processes. In a subfamily of bacterial light sensors, phytochrome-activated diguanylate cyclases (PadCs), a characteristic coiled-coil linker element connects photoreceptor and output module, playing an essential role in signal integration. Combining phylogenetic analyses with biochemical characterisations, we were able to show that length and composition of this linker determine sensor–effector function and as such are under considerable evolutionary pressure. The linker length, together with the upstream PHY-specific domain, influences the dynamic range of effector activation and can even cause light-induced enzyme inhibition. We demonstrate phylogenetic clustering according to linker length, and the development of new linker lengths as well as new protein function within linker families. The biochemical characterisation of PadC homologs revealed that the functional coupling of PHY dimer interface and linker element defines signal integration and regulation of output functionality. A small subfamily of PadCs, characterised by a linker length breaking the coiled-coil pattern, shows a markedly different behaviour from other homologs. The effect of the central helical spine on PadC function highlights its essential role in signal integration as well as direct regulation of diguanylate cyclase activity. Appreciation of sensor–effector linkers as integrator elements and their coevolution with sensory modules is a further step towards the use of functionally diverse homologs as building blocks for rationally designed optogenetic tools.

Graphical abstract
The Genocide against the Tutsi, and the Rwandan Churches
Authors: Denis Philippe
Published: July 2022

A pioneering study of the role of the Christian churches in the Rwandan genocide of the Tutsi, this is a key work for historians, memory studies scholars, religion scholars and Africanists.
A macroscopic model for immiscible two-phase flow in porous media
Authors: Lasseux Didier , Valdés-Parada Francisco J.
Published: July 2022

This work provides the derivation of a closed macroscopic model for immiscible two-phase, incompressible, Newtonian and isothermal creeping steady flow in a rigid and homogeneous porous medium without considering three-phase contact. The mass and momentum upscaled equations are obtained from the pore-scale Stokes equations, adopting a two-domain approach where the two fluid phases are separated by an interface. The average mass equations result from using the classical volume averaging method. A Green's formula and the adjoint Green's function velocity pair problems are used to obtain the pore-scale velocity solutions that are averaged to obtain the upscaled momentum balance equations. The macroscopic model is based on the assumptions of scale separation and the existence of a periodic representative elementary volume allowing a local description as usually postulated for upscaling. The macroscopic momentum equation in each phase includes the generalized Darcy-like dominant and viscous coupling terms and, importantly, an additional compensation term that accounts for surface tension effects to momentum transfer that is, otherwise, incompletely captured by the Darcy terms. This interfacial term, as well as the dominant and viscous coupling permeability tensors, can be predicted from the solutions of two associated closure problems that coincide with those reported in the literature. The relevance of the compensation term and the upscaled model validity are assessed by comparisons with direct numerical simulations in a model two-dimensional periodic structure. Upscaled model predictions are found to be in excellent agreement with direct numerical simulations.
Short birth interval and associated factors in rural India: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Chowdhury Sourav , Singh Aditya , Kasemi Nuruzzaman , Chakrabarty Mahashweta , Singh Shivani
Published: July 2022

Short Birth Interval (SBI) is one of the main causes of adverse maternal and child health outcomes. A 33-month birth-to-birth interval between two successive live births should be followed to minimize the risk of adverse maternal and child health. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of SBI and the associated factors in rural India. Information on 98,522 rural mothers from the fourth round of National Family Health Survey data was analyzed. Bivariate statistics, logistic regression, Moran’s I, and Cluster and Outlier Analysis have been used to assess the prevalence and spatial pattern of SBI in rural India. Results revealed that about half of the mothers in rural India had experienced SBI. Rural Indian mothers whose child was not alive (OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.63–1.90), were not using any contraceptive methods (OR = 1.42, 95 % CI = 1.37–1.48) and not breastfeeding (OR = 2.73, 95% CI = 2.50–2.97) were more likely to experience SBI. On the other hand, rural mothers from the middle, richer and richest wealth quintiles (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.86–0.97; OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.80–0.92; OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.55–0.66) and of age over 30 years (OR = 0.38., 95% CI = 0.36–0.39) were less likely to experience SBI. Analysis of spatial patterns revealed clear east-west differences in the prevalence of SBI. There was strong clustering of high values of SBI in most districts across the central, northern, western, and southern regions. The study suggests the need to introduce appropriate interventions and programs focused on reducing the prevalence of SBI in rural India.
The Borchardt Hypothesis: A Cliometric Reassessment of Germany’s Debt and Crisis during 1930–1932
Authors: Ho Tai-kuang , Lin Ya-chi , Yeh Kuo-chun
Published: July 2022

This research examines whether an alternative exchange rate policy could have mitigated Germany’s recession from April 1930 to May 1932, when Heinrich Brüning was Reichskanzler of the Weimar Republic. Using an open-economy dynamic model as our analytical framework, we examine the arguments against adopting the devaluation policy. Our counterfactual analysis suggests that a widely held belief—that floating the Reichsmark would have led to high inflation—is unwarranted. Despite Germany’s high foreign debt, floating the Reichsmark would have led tolessof a decline in both real GDP and employment for the country during the Great Depression.
Global China at 20: Why, How and So What?
Authors: Lee Ching Kwan
Published: July 2022

The recent two-decade-long march of “global China” – manifested as outward flows of investment, loans, infrastructure, migrants, media, cultural programmes and international and civil society engagement – has left sweeping but variegated footprints in many parts of the world. From “going out,” officially announced in the year 2000, to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Made in China 2025, and from the developing world to advanced industrialized democracies, state-endorsed campaigns are but tips of a much more momentous iceberg. Numerous Chinese citizens and private corporations have also participated in a global search for employment, business, investment and educational and emigration opportunities. International reactions to the increasingly ubiquitous presence of China and the Chinese people in almost every corner of the world have evolved from a mixture of anxiety and hope to a more explicitly critical backlash. Terms such as “sharp power,” “debt-trap diplomacy” and the “new Cold War” bespeak the West's dominant perception today of China as a threat to be contained.
Intelligenz‍(tests) verstehen und missverstehen
Authors: Sparfeldt Jörn R. , Becker Nicolas , Greiff Samuel , Kersting Martin , König Cornelius J. , Lang Jonas W. B. , Beauducel André
Published: July 2022

Zusammenfassung. Die vorliegende Standortbestimmung zeigt die hohe wissenschaftliche Qualität der Intelligenzforschung und von Intelligenztests. Es werden aber auch mögliche Missverständnisse und Einseitigkeiten der Ergebnisrezeption und -interpretation thematisiert. Im Einzelnen werden (1) die hohe prognostische und kriterienbezogene Validität bei gleichzeitigen Vorbehalten wie teils niedriger Akzeptanz bzw. Augenscheinvalidität, (2) die Darstellung empirischer Befunde aus der Perspektive ausgewählter Theorien sowie (3) die Bedeutung von Umwelteinflüssen und hohen Erblichkeitskoeffizienten eingehender betrachtet. Für jeden dieser Bereiche wird verdeutlicht, dass vor allem Präzision bei der Rezeption und Darstellung von Forschungsergebnissen notwendig ist, um Einseitigkeiten, Missverständnisse und Instrumentalisierungen zu vermeiden. Der vorliegende Beitrag zeigt, dass einiges, was als Problem der Intelligenzforschung und von Intelligenztests kritisiert wird, letztendlich auf die dargestellten Missverständnisse zurückzuführen ist. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird der Unterschied zwischen der qualitativ hochwertigen Intelligenzforschung und Intelligenztestung einerseits sowie den Missverständnissen und Einseitigkeiten bei der Rezeption andererseits herausgearbeitet. Weiterhin werden berechtigte Kritikpunkte an der Intelligenzforschung und an Intelligenztests sowie Forschungsdesiderata benannt.
Optimal Domain Scale for Stochastic Urban Flood Damage Assessment Considering Triple Spatial Uncertainties
Authors: Lv Hong , Wu Zening , Meng Yu , Guan Xinjian , Wang Huiliang , Zhang Xiangyang , Ma Bingyan
Published: July 2022

As a key factor in the flood damage assessment process, the damage ratio is defined as the ratio of the potential damage value to the total risk assets at a certain inundation depth. Spatial variability of flood‐bearing elements caused spatial heterogeneity, local correlation and neighborhood non‐stationarity to the damage ratio. Thus, it is challenging to scientifically and rationally measure the damage ratio. In this study, a modeling framework of stochastic flood damage assessment functions was established to measure triple uncertainties. First, based on the maximum likelihood estimation method, migration data of the flood damage ratio were constructed as the beta distribution by heterogeneous multi‐attribute analogy. Then, the Markov chain Monte Carlo method, combined with a variant sliding window method, is used for sampling to generate spatially distributed samples. In addition, three risk factors were integrated grid by grid to assess flood damage. By taking the Jinshui District of Zhengzhou City in China as an example, economic losses during the 1%, 2%, 5% and 10% annual exceedance probability (AEP) floods were assessed, respectively. The results show that the economic losses showed a significant increasing trend with AEP. The optimal domain scales for industrial, commercial, residential and public service land uses were 19, 14, 25 and 32 m, respectively, and also varied with different AEP floods. The model was effectively verified by simulating and comparing historical data of the “7·20” flood event in Zhengzhou, China. This study aims to provide feasible ideas for uncertainty research of damage assessment methods.