bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning health systems: A review of key topic areas and bibliometric trends
Authors: Pomare Chiara , Mahmoud Zeyad , Vedovi Alex , Ellis Louise A. , Knaggs Gilbert , Smith Carolynn L. , Zurynski Yvonne , Braithwaite Jeffrey
Published: March 2021

Introduction

The emergent field of learning health systems (LHSs) has been rapidly evolving as the concept continues to be embraced by researchers, managers, and clinicians. This paper reports on a scoping review and bibliometric analysis of the LHS literature to identify key topic areas and examine the influence and spread of recent research.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review of LHS literature published between January 2016 and May 2020. The authors extracted publication data (eg, journal, country, authors, citation count, keywords) and reviewed full‐texts to identify: type of study (empirical, non‐empirical, or review), degree of focus (general or specific), and the reference used when defining LHSs.

Results

A total of 272 publications were included in this review. Almost two thirds (65.1%) of the included articles were non‐empirical and over two‐thirds (68.4%) were from authors in the United States. More than half of the publications focused on specific areas, for example: oncology, cardiovascular care, and genomic medicine. Other key topic areas included: ethics, research, quality improvement, and electronic health records. We identified that definitions of the LHS concept are converging; however, many papers focused on data platforms and analytical processes rather than organisational and behavioural factors to support change and learning activities.

Conclusions

The literature on LHSs remains largely theoretical with definitions of LHSs focusing on technical processes to reuse data collected during the clinical process and embedding analysed data back into the system. A shift in the literature to empirical LHS studies with consideration of organisational and human factors is warranted.
Facile and Eco‐Friendly Fabrication of Multifunctional Melamine Sponge for Labeled Cr(VI) Removal and Highly Efficient Oil/Water Separation
Authors: Wang Shuxian , Chi Hong , Sun Haixin , Zhang Guocheng
Published: March 2021

Fabrication of multifunctional adsorbent of single‐phase material is quite challenging and meaningful for water treatment. In this work, a polyaminosiloxane functionalized melamine sponge is used to remove both heavy metal ions and oil from water. Benefiting from its porous structure, superhydrophobic surface, and abundant amino groups on the surface, the sponge shows excellent performance in Cr(VI) removal and oil/water separation. Notably, the sponge exhibits fluorescent detection function for Cr(VI) owing to the packing of Schiff‐base bonds, facilitating the adsorption process to be monitored in real time. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) is 252.82 mg g−1 with good selectivity. In addition to the excellent Cr(VI) removal performance, its superhydrophobic nature allows it to adsorb 92.42 times the weight of oil and realize 99.97% oil/water separation efficiency. This trifunctional cost‐effective adsorption material shows great potential for large‐scale water purification application.
Analysis of multiple ecological compensation strategies for transboundary pollution control in a river basin
Authors: Yi Yongxi , Yang Min , Fu Chunyan
Published: March 2021

Considering a basin composed of multiple upstream and downstream regions with the pollution occurring across regional boundaries, a Stackelberg game model is developed to investigate the multiple ecological compensation strategies for transboundary pollution control. The results show that (1) under the equilibrium strategy of ecological compensation all regions obtain a Pareto improvement result. (2) Ecological compensation results in an increase in total abatement investment. In particular, a very interesting result is that (3) rising abatement costs in a region compensate more for its upstream regions, whereas its downstream regions do not compensate more for it.
Quantitative anatomy mimicking slice phantoms
Authors: Gopalan Karthik , Tamir Jonathan I. , Arias Ana C. , Lustig Michael
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To present a reproducible methodology for building an anatomy mimicking phantom with targeted T1 and T2 contrast for use in quantitative magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods

We propose a reproducible method for creating high‐resolution, quantitative slice phantoms. The phantoms are created using gels with different concentrations of NiCl2 and MnCl2 to achieve targeted T1 and T2 values. We describe a calibration method for accurately targeting anatomically realistic relaxation pairs. In addition, we developed a method of fabricating slice phantoms by extruding 3D printed walls on acrylic sheets. These procedures are combined to create a physical analog of the Brainweb digital phantom.

Results

With our method, we are able to target specific T1/T2 values with less than 10% error. Additionally, our slice phantoms look realistic since their geometries are derived from anatomical data.

Conclusion

Standardized and accurate tools for validating new techniques across sequences, platforms, and different imaging sites are important. Anatomy mimicking, multi‐contrast phantoms designed with our procedures could be used for evaluating, testing, and verifying model‐based methods.
Psychosocial aftercare of adolescent and young adult cancer survivors in Germany: Awareness, utilisation, satisfaction and associated factors
Authors: Sender Annekathrin , Friedrich Michael , Leuteritz Katja , Stuckenberg Erik , Richter Diana , Stöbel‐Richter Yve , Lordick Florian , Geue Kristina
Published: March 2021

Aim

This study systematically assesses the awareness of, utilisation of and satisfaction with psychosocial care for adolescents and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors in aftercare.

Methods

Survivors between 18 and 39 years were surveyed in aftercare. Awareness of, utilisation of and satisfaction with psychological counselling (PC), social‐legal counselling (SLC) and other psychosocial care (OPC) were measured using self‐developed questionnaires. Multivariate analyses were conducted to determine factors correlated with awareness and use of psychosocial care.

Results

Five hundred and fourteen survivors participated; the mean age at diagnosis was 29.6 years (SD = 6.14). 54% of cancer survivors were aware of PC, 45% of SLC and 24% of OPC. Those who possessed knowledge about these services used it to a considerable extent (63%–74%), and the majority (66%–75%) was highly satisfied. No common factors could be found that increase the likelihood of being aware of these three services (R2 = 0.028–0.138). Female gender (OR = 2.08–2.18) and high anxiety (OR = 1.19–1.38) were identified as common factors that increase the likelihood of utilising psychosocial services (R2 = 0.160–0.395).

Conclusion

AYA who are aware of psychosocial services in aftercare are motivated to use them and express high satisfaction with use. For the utilisation of psychosocial services, anxiety and female gender can be identified as common factors. The visibility of psychosocial services for aftercare should be increased given the high number of unaware AYA survivors. The active and repeated addressing of psychosocial issues and regular provision of information (e.g., written guides on survivorship) by caregivers should be made a standard of care for AYA cancer survivors.
Predicting lipid and ligand binding sites in TRPV1 channel by molecular dynamics simulation and machine learning
Authors: Zheng Wenjun , Wen Han
Published: March 2021

As a key cellular sensor, the TRPV1 channel undergoes a gating transition from a closed state to an open state in response to many physical and chemical stimuli. This transition is regulated by small‐molecule ligands including lipids and various agonists/antagonists, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain obscure. Thanks to recent revolution in cryo‐electron microscopy, a growing list of new structures of TRPV1 and other TRPV channels have been solved in complex with various ligands including lipids. Toward elucidating how ligand binding correlates with TRPV1 gating, we have performed extensive molecular dynamics simulations (with cumulative time of 20 μs), starting from high‐resolution structures of TRPV1 in both the closed and open states. By comparing between the open and closed state ensembles, we have identified state‐dependent binding sites for small‐molecule ligands in general and lipids in particular. We further use machine learning to predict top ligand‐binding sites as important features to classify the closed vs open states. The predicted binding sites are thoroughly validated by matching homologous sites in all structures of TRPV channels bound to lipids and other ligands, and with previous functional/mutational studies of ligand binding in TRPV1. Taken together, this study has integrated rich structural, dynamic, and functional data to inform future design of small‐molecular drugs targeting TRPV1.
Power and sample size forGEEanalysis of incomplete paired outcomes in 2 × 2 crossover trials
Authors: Tang Yongqiang
Published: March 2021

The 2 × 2 crossover trial uses subjects as their own control to reduce the intersubject variability in the treatment comparison, and typically requires fewer subjects than a parallel design. The generalized estimating equations (GEE) methodology has been commonly used to analyze incomplete discrete outcomes from crossover trials. We propose a unified approach to the power and sample size determination for the WaldZ‐test andt‐test from GEE analysis of paired binary, ordinal and count outcomes in crossover trials. The proposed method allows misspecification of the variance and correlation of the outcomes, missing outcomes, and adjustment for the period effect. We demonstrate that misspecification of the working variance and correlation functions leads to no or minimal efficiency loss in GEE analysis of paired outcomes. In general, GEE requires the assumption of missing completely at random. For bivariate binary outcomes, we show by simulation that the GEE estimate is asymptotically unbiased or only minimally biased, and the proposed sample size method is suitable under missing at random (MAR) if the working correlation is correctly specified. The performance of the proposed method is illustrated with several numerical examples. Adaption of the method to other paired outcomes is discussed.
A new automated method for high‐throughput carbon and hydrogen isotope analysis of gaseous and dissolved methane at atmospheric concentrations
Authors: Smith Andrew C. , Welsh Steve , Atkinson Helen , Harris David , Leng Melanie J.
Published: March 2021

Rationale

The dual isotope ratio analysis, carbon (δ13C value) and hydrogen (δ2H value), of methane (CH4) is a valuable tracer tool within a range of areas of scientific investigation, not least wetland ecology, microbiology, CH4 source identification and the tracing of geological leakages of thermogenic CH4 in groundwater. Traditional methods of collecting, purification, separating and analysing CH4 for δ13C and δ2H determination are, however, very time consuming, involving offline manual extractions.

Methods

Here we describe a new gas chromatography, pyrolysis/combustion, isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) system for the automated analysis of either dissolved or gaseous CH4 down to ambient atmospheric concentrations (2.0 ppm). Sample introduction is via a traditional XYZ autosampler, allowing either helium (He) purging of gas or sparging of water from a range of suitable, airtight bottles.

Results

The system routinely achieves precision of <0.3‰ for δ13C values and <3.0‰ for δ2H values, based on long‐term replicate analysis of an in‐house CH4/He mix standard (BGS‐1), corrected to two externally calibrated reference gases at near atmospheric concentrations of methane. Depending upon CH4 concentration and therefore bottle size, the system runs between 21 (140‐mL bottle) and 200 samples (12‐mL exetainer) in an unattended run overnight.

Conclusions

This represents the first commercially available IRMS system for dual δ13C and δ2H analysis of methane at atmospheric concentrations and a step forward for the routine (and high‐volume) analysis of CH4 in environmental studies.
Linear matrix inequality‐based solution for memory static output‐feedback control of discrete‐time linear systems affected by time‐varying parameters
Authors: Palma Jonathan M. , Morais Cecília F. , Oliveira Ricardo C. L. F.
Published: March 2021

This article investigates the problem of designing static output‐feedback controllers for linear parameter‐varying (LPV) discrete‐time systems through the enrichment of the system dynamics. For this purpose, the past values of the measured outputs are included in the control law. Differently from the previous methods from the literature addressing memory control, a locally convergent iterative procedure based on linear matrix inequalities is proposed to solve the problem. As the main novelty, the procedure deals with the control gains as optimization variables of the problem (no change of variables is necessary), addressing state‐ and output‐feedback in the same way, and allowing to cope with magnitude or structural constraints (such as decentralization) without introducing extra conservativeness. Numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness of the method, providing in general less conservative stabilization results than the existing methods when dealing with LPV systems.
A discretization approach to sampled‐data stabilization of networked systems with successive packet losses
Authors: Hu Zhipei , Zhang Jin , Deng Feiqi , Fan Zhun , Qiu Li
Published: March 2021

This article is concerned with the stabilization problem for a class of networked systems subject to successive packet losses. Different from the input delay approach used in some existing literature, the continuous‐time system under consideration is first converted into a discrete‐time stochastic system with system matrices subject to stochastic characteristic. In order to deal with the difficulties in the calculations of mathematical expectations of both matrix exponential and integral of matrix exponential function, the upper bound of successive packet losses and packet drop rate are assumed to be known and then the probabilities of the number of successive packet losses taking each value in a bounded set are calculated. Based on this, stability criteria are derived by recurring to the law of total expectation, which guarantee the exponential mean‐square stability of resulting closed‐loop discrete‐time stochastic system with a prescribed H∞ performance. Moreover, a controller design procedure is then proposed. Finally, to verify the analysis results and testify the effectiveness and applicability of the designed algorithm, a numerical simulation example is given.
Optimal planning of adaptive two‐stage designs
Authors: Pilz Maximilian , Kunzmann Kevin , Herrmann Carolin , Rauch Geraldine , Kieser Meinhard
Published: March 2021

Adaptive designs are playing an increasingly important role in the planning of clinical trials. While there exists various research on the optimal determination of a two‐stage design, non‐optimal versions still are frequently applied in clinical research. In this article, we strive to motivate the application of optimal adaptive designs and give guidance on how to determine them. It is demonstrated that optimizing a trial design with respect to particular objective criteria can have a substantial benefit over the application of conventional adaptive sample size recalculation rules. Furthermore, we show that in many practical situations, optimal group‐sequential designs show an almost negligible performance loss compared to optimal adaptive designs. Finally, we illustrate how optimal designs can be tailored to specific operational requirements by customizing the underlying optimization problem.
[Cu15(PPh3)6(PET)13]2+: a Copper Nanocluster with Crystallization Enhanced Photoluminescence
Authors: Nematulloev Saidkhodzha , Huang Ren‐Wu , Yin Jun , Shkurenko Aleksander , Dong Chunwei , Ghosh Atanu , Alamer Badriah , Naphade Rounak , Hedhili Mohamed Nejib , Maity Partha , Eddaoudi Mohamed , Mohammed Omar F. , Bakr Osman M.
Published: March 2021

Due to their atomically precise structure, photoluminescent copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs) have emerged as promising materials in both fundamental studies and technological applications, such as bio‐imaging, cell labeling, phototherapy, and photo‐activated catalysis. In this work, a facile strategy is reported for the synthesis of a novel Cu NCs coprotected by thiolate and phosphine ligands, formulated as [Cu15(PPh3)6(PET)13]2+, which exhibits bright emission in the near‐infrared (NIR) region (≈720 nm) and crystallization‐induced emission enhancement (CIEE) phenomenon. Single crystal X‐ray crystallography shows that the NC possesses an extraordinary distorted trigonal antiprismatic Cu6 core and a, unique among metal clusters, “tri‐blade fan”‐like structure. An in‐depth structural investigation of the ligand shell combined with density functional theory calculations reveal that the extended CH···π and π‐π intermolecular ligand interactions significantly restrict the intramolecular rotations and vibrations and, thus, are a major reason for the CIEE phenomena. This study provides a strategy for the controllable synthesis of structurally defined Cu NCs with NIR luminescence, which enables essential insights into the origins of their optical properties.
Facet‐Dependent Strain Determination in Electrochemically Synthetized Platinum Model Catalytic Nanoparticles
Authors: Carnis Jérôme , Gao Lu , Fernández Sara , Chahine Gilbert , Schülli Tobias U. , Labat Stéphane , Hensen Emiel J. M. , Thomas Olivier , Hofmann Jan P. , Richard Marie‐Ingrid
Published: March 2021

Studying model nanoparticles is one approach to better understand the structural evolution of a catalyst during reactions. These nanoparticles feature well‐defined faceting, offering the possibility to extract structural information as a function of facet orientation and compare it to theoretical simulations. Using Bragg Coherent X‐ray Diffraction Imaging, the uniformity of electrochemically synthesized model catalysts is studied, here high‐index faceted tetrahexahedral (THH) platinum nanoparticles at ambient conditions. 3D images of an individual nanoparticle are obtained, assessing not only its shape but also the specific components of the displacement and strain fields both at the surface of the nanocrystal and inside. The study reveals structural diversity of shapes and defects, and shows that the THH platinum nanoparticles present strain build‐up close to facets and edges. A facet recognition algorithm is further applied to the imaged nanoparticles and provides facet‐dependent structural information for all measured nanoparticles. In the context of strain engineering for model catalysts, this study provides insight into the shape‐controlled synthesis of platinum nanoparticles with high‐index facets.
A Simple Dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrol‐Rhodanine Molecular Third Component Enables Over 16.7% Efficiency and Stable Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Hongtao , Yang Linqiang , Lin Po‐Chen , Chueh Chu‐Chen , Liu Xin , Qu Shenya , Guang Shun , Yu Jiangsheng , Tang Weihua
Published: March 2021

Organic solar cells (OSCs) can achieve greatly improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) by incorporating suitable additives in active layers. Their structure design often faces the challenge of operation generality for more binary blends. Herein, a simple dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]pyrrole‐rhodanine molecule (DR8) featuring high compatibility with polymer donor PM6 is developed as a cost‐effective third component. By employing classic ITIC‐like ITC6‐4Cl and Y6 as model nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) in PM6‐based binary blends, DR8 added PM6:ITC6‐4Cl blends exhibit significantly promoted energy transfer and exciton dissociation. The PM6:ITC6‐4Cl:DR8 (1:1:0.1, weight ratio) OSCs contribute an exciting PCE of 14.94% in comparison to host binary devices (13.52%), while PM6:Y6:DR8 (1:1.2:0.1) blends enable 16.73% PCE with all simultaneously improved photovoltaic parameters. To the best of the knowledge, this performance is among the best for ternary OSCs with simple small molecular third components in the literature. More importantly, DR8‐added ternary OSCs exhibit much improved device stability against thermal aging and light soaking over binary ones. This work provides new insight on the design of efficient third components for OSCs.
Correlating Catalyst Design and Discharged Product to Reduce Overpotential in Li‐CO2 Batteries
Authors: Li Jiantao , Dai Alvin , Amine Khalil , Lu Jun
Published: March 2021

Li‐CO2 batteries with dual efficacy for greenhouse gas CO2 sequestration and high energy output have been regarded as a promising electrochemical energy storage technology. However, battery feasibility has been hampered by inferior electrochemical performance due to large overpotentials and low cyclability primarily caused by the difficult decomposition of ultra‐stable Li2CO3 during charge. The use of cathode catalysts has been highlighted as a promising solution and catalyst properties, as well as the nature of discharge products, are closely correlated with electrochemical performance. Here, the catalyst design strategies that include active site enrichment, electrical transport enhancement, and mass transfer improvement are summarized. Catalyst effects on product decomposition are then subsequently introduced, while product geometry and chemical composition will be explored, with an emphasis on the formation/decomposition of Li2C2O4 instead of Li2CO3. Building on previous research, future directions that facilitate improvements in catalyst design are put forward to reinforce the fundamental development of Li‐CO2 batteries.
Novice teachers’ use of pedagogical language knowledge to humanize language and literacy development
Authors: Kidwell Tabitha , Peercy Megan Madigan , Tigert Johanna , Fredricks Daisy
Published: March 2021

This study examined how novice teachers of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) apply their pedagogical language knowledge (PLK). The authors frame PLK as an essential contributor to teachers’ ability to support multilingual students’ language and literacy development, which in turn contributes to the enactment of humanizing pedagogies, because language and literacy skills enable engagement with meaningful content and full participation in schooling and society. Data sources include lesson observations and interviews with 11 ESOL teachers over the course of 3 years. Participants were observed drawing on their PLK to offer humanizing support for the language and literacy development of multilingual students through the following instructional practices: responding to common developmental language needs; promoting vocabulary development; prioritizing receptive and productive skills at the word, sentence, and discourse levels; and using students’ home language knowledge as a resource. The researchers share data that reveals how participants’ PLK informed their use of these instructional practices. These concrete examples offer a deeper understanding of how all teachers could develop and apply PLK to inform their enactment of humanizing pedagogies with multilingual students.
MBP‐activated autoimmunity plays a role in arsenic‐induced peripheral neuropathy and the potential protective effect of mecobalamin
Authors: He Qican , Chen Bingzhi , Chen Shaoyi , Zhang Muyang , Duan Lidan , Feng Xiangling , Chen Jihua , Zhou Lezhou , Chen Lv , Duan Yanying
Published: March 2021

Intake excessive arsenic (As) is related to the occurrence of peripheral neuropathy. However, both the underlying mechanism and the preventive approach remain largely unknown. In the present study, As treatment significantly decreased the mechanical withdrawal threshold and increased the titer of anti‐myelin basic protein antibody in rats, accompanied with damaged BNB. The levels of inflammatory cytokines and proteolytic enzymes were also significantly upregulated. However, administration of MeCbl in As‐treated rats significantly reversed the decline in hindfoot mechanical withdrawal threshold, as well as BNB failure and sciatic nerve inflammation. Repeated As treatment in athymic nude mice indicated that sciatic nerve inflammation and mechanical hyperalgesia were T cell‐dependent. These data implicated that MBP‐activated autoimmunity and the related neuroinflammation probably contributed to As‐induced mechanical hyperalgesia and MeCbl exerted a protective role probably via maintenance the integrity of BNB and inhibition of neuroinflammation.
Chemical methods for measuring RNA expression with metabolic labeling
Authors: Singha Monika , Spitalny Leslie , Nguyen Kim , Vandewalle Abigail , Spitale Robert C.
Published: March 2021

Tracking the expression of RNA in a cell‐specific manner is a major challenge in basic and disease research. Herein we outline the current state of employing chemical approaches for cell‐specific RNA expression studies. We define the utility of metabolic labels for tracking RNA synthesis, the approaches for characterizing metabolic incorporation and enrichment of labeled RNAs, and finally outline how these approaches have been used to study biological systems by providing mechanistic insights into transcriptional dynamics. Further efforts on this front will be the continued development of novel chemical handles for RNA enrichment and profiling as well as innovative approaches to control cell‐specific incorporation of chemically modified metabolic probes. These advancements in RNA metabolic labeling techniques permit sensitive detection of RNA expression dynamics within relatively small subsets of cells in living tissues and organisms that are critical to performing complex developmental and pathological processes.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Methods > RNA Analyses in Cells

RNA Evolution and Genomics > Ribonomics

RNA Structure and Dynamics > RNA Structure, Dynamics and Chemistry
Enhanced Fluorescence of La3+, Gd3+ doped EuW10 for Temperature sensing performance
Authors: Yin Y. T. , Guo X. , He C. C. , Sun J. , Li X. , Zhou C. , Su Z. M. , Khakhinov V.
Published: March 2021

Using the luminescent properties of temperature‐sensitive paints (TSPs) to monitor temperature is a new type of temperature measurement technology. Herein, Na9[EuW10O36](EuW10) molecules were doped with non‐fluorescent rare earth metal ions (La3+ and Gd3+) to prepare Na9[EuxLa1‐xW10O36](EuxLa1‐xW10) and Na9[EuxGd1‐xW10O36](EuxGd1‐xW10) probe molecules. The doping of non‐fluorescent rare earth metal ions (La3+ and Gd3+) will not change the structure of the parent EuW10. As the relative content of La3+ ions increasing, the luminescent intensity of the EuxLa1‐xW10 series decreases non‐monotonically; as the relative content of Gd3+ ions increasing, the luminescent intensity of EuxGd1‐xW10 series decreases monotonically. Subsequently, EuxLa1‐xW10 and EuxGd1‐xW10 as probe molecules were added into methyl methacrylate (MMA) to obtain temperature‐sensitive paints via polymerization process. In the range of 50 °C to 100 °C, the maximum relative sensitivity of temperature‐sensitive paints EuW10/PMMA, Eu0.9La0.1W10/PMMA and Eu0.7Gd0.3W10/PMMA can reach 1.27 % °C−1, 1.43 % °C−1, 1.42 % °C−1, respectively. This study indicates that the temperature sensing characteristics can be enhanced by doping EuW10 with non‐fluorescent rare earth ions (La3+, Gd3+), which can be promising materials used in more areas with high‐precision temperature measurements.
Spermatic profile of captive giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla): Knowing more to preserve better
Authors: Mendonça Marco Antonio Carstens , Nichi Marcílio , Teixeira Rodrigo Hidalgo Friciello , Braga Fabrício Rassy , Simões Renata , Losano João Diego de Agostini , Jorge‐Neto Pedro Nacib , Pizzutto Cristiane Schilbach
Published: March 2021

The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is being threatened by natural habitat destruction and fragmentation, illegal hunting and road kills. In this context, the generation of basic information on the reproductive parameters of this species is vital, aiming to improve reproductive management via, amongst others, assisted reproductive technologies. This study aimed to describe the morphological and functional features of semen collected from captive giant anteaters. Electroejaculation was performed in 13 animals housed in zoos located in São Paulo state, Brazil. Semen samples were collected from 13 animals in 16 procedures. Samples were evaluated for volume, motility, vigor, pH, concentration, sperm morphology, and functional tests. The following mean values were obtained: volume 1.28 ± 0.27 mL; motility 28.3 ± 6.2%; vigor 2.4 ± 0.25; concentration 129.4 ± 36.1 × 106 sperm/mL; pH 7.4 ± 0.2. Total acrosome, head, midpiece, and tail sperm abnormalities were 3.2 ± 0.8%, 25.4 ± 3.6%, 20.7 ± 3.2%, and 14.7 ± 2.6%, respectively. Intact acrosome was found in 83.7 ± 3.1% and intact membrane in 81.1 ± 4.0% of all samples collected. Mitochondrial activity was 66.4 ± 6.0% (Class I), 18.7 ± 2.9% (Class II), 8.0 ± 2.0% (Class III), 3.9 ± 1.0% (Class IV), and 3.0 ± 0.9% (Class V). Sperm DNA fragmentation rate was 13.2 ± 3.7%. These results indicated that electroejaculation is a feasible method for semen collection in giant anteaters, allowing a more detailed description of the semen in this species.
Urban Advantage? Sustainable Consumption and Ontological Cityism Across the Urban Hierarchy
Authors: Lerpold Lin , Sjöberg Örjan
Published: March 2021

Urban areas are often, and not without reason, portrayed as an opportunity to reduce environmental impacts: more effective use of land, better opportunities for the provision of public transport and less need on a per capita basis for investment in physical infrastructure. This is also the message of the literature on urban scaling. The very nature of the agglomeration economies that allow for economising on natural resources may, however, result in higher levels of per capita consumption. A major reason is that high density often translates into higher costs of space, in turn encouraging the concentration of high(er) productivity activities in major cities. As a result, spatial sorting occurs (e.g. with respect to educational attainment and incomes) and with it potentially also a differentiation of consumption patterns. In consequence, not just size and density, but also position in the urban hierarchy may need to be taken into account in assessing sustainability outcomes. To grasp the issue of urban sustainability, however, intra-urban differentiation too, will have to be considered in tandem with the inter-urban issues of boundary drawing for measurement—what we call “ontological cityism”. This is especially so if the focus shifts from the environmental to the social dimensions of sustainability, and if the trade-offs across the three pillars of sustainability are to be understood.
Urban Advantage? Sustainability Trade-Offs Across and Within the Intra-Urban Space
Authors: Lerpold Lin , Sjöberg Örjan , Tang Wing-Shing
Published: March 2021

“Sustainable cities” as a singular concept may very well be a utopian vision impossible to realise in a broader sense. In this chapter, we review the literature on urban sustainability highlighting the complexities and trade-offs between and within the 3 Es—ecology, economy and equality. In particular, we focus here on the intra-urban dimensions of density, mobility, the built environment and housing, lifestyle trends and gentrification along with social sustainability issues of crime, homelessness and community. While gains from increased size and density can be had, there are also many outcomes that depend on urban morphology and the consequences of spatial sorting. Positive outcomes generated by density and efficiency may be offset by, for instance, less sustainable construction materials or increased income inequality. In particular, rebound effects are often overlooked. Hence, it often becomes an empirical issue whether the potential for sustainability gains materialise. Furthermore, as assessed from a more holistic 3 Es’ view, where social sustainability is as important as environmental sustainability, the potential of a “sustainable city” may be a victim of trade-offs that are difficult to resolve.
Correction to: Evaluation and Validation
Authors: Marwedel Peter
Published: March 2021

The updated online version of this chapter can be found at
X-Ray Sources at Large-Scale Facilities
Authors: Willmott Philip R.
Published: March 2021

High-brilliance X-ray sources are powerful probes to investigate the properties of matter down to the sub-angstrom scale and on time scales that can extend below a femtosecond. In this chapter, an introductory overview of the physics behind storage ring-based synchrotrons and linear accelerator-based X-ray free-electron lasers is presented, while the properties of the radiation they produce are explained.
Electronic Structure Theory for X-Ray Absorption and Photoemission Spectroscopy
Authors: Krüger Peter
Published: March 2021

The principles of X-ray absorption and photoemission spectroscopy calculations are introduced and the basics of electronic structure theory, including the Hartree–Fock approximation, density functional theory, its time-dependent version and quasiparticle theory are reviewed on an elementary level. Emphasis is put on polarization effects and the role played by electron correlation.
X-ray Dichroisms in Spherical Tensor and Green’s Function Formalism
Authors: Elnaggar Hebatalla , Glatzel Pieter , Retegan Marius , Brouder Christian , Juhin Amélie
Published: March 2021

In this book chapter, our goal is to provide experimentalists and theoreticians with an accessible approach to the measurement or calculation of X-ray dichroisms in X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). We start by presenting the key ideas of different calculation methods such as density functional theory (DFT) and ligand-field multiplet (LFM) theory and discuss the pros and cons for each approach. The second part of the chapter is dedicated to the expansion of the XAS cross section using spherical tensors for electric dipole and quadrupole transitions. This expansion enables to identify a set of linearly independent spectra that represent the smallest number of measurements (or calculations) to be performed on a sample, in order to extract all spectroscopic information. Examples of the different dichroic effects which can be expected depending on the type of transitions and on the symmetry of the system are then given.
p-Wave Superconductivity and d-Vector Representation
Authors: Brison Jean-Pascal
Published: March 2021

Since the mid-80s, new classes of superconductors have been discovered in which the origin of superconductivity cannot be attributed to the electron–ion interactions at the heart of conventional superconductivity. Most of these unconventional superconductors are strongly correlated electron systems, and identifying (or even more difficult, predicting) the precise superconducting state has been, and sometimes remains, an actual challenge. However, in most cases, it has been demonstrated that in these materials the spin state of the Cooper pairs is a singlet state, often associated with a ‘d-wave’ or ‘$$s +/-$$

s
+
/
-

’ orbital state. For a few systems, a spin-triplet state is strongly suspected, like in superfluid $$^3$$

3

He; this leads to a much more complex superconducting order parameter. This was long supposed to be the case for the d-electron system Sr$$_2$$

2

RuO$$_4$$

4

, and is very likely realized in some uranium-based (f-electron) ‘heavy fermions’ like UPt$$_3$$

3

(with multiple superconducting phases) or UGe$$_2$$

2

(with coexisting ferromagnetic order). Beyond the interest for these materials, p-wave superconductivity is presently quite fashionable for its topological properties and the prediction that it could host Majorana-like low energy excitations, seen as a route towards robust (topologically protected) qubits. The aim of these notes is to make students and experimentalists more familiar with the d-vector representation used to describe p-wave (spin triplet) superconductivity. The interest of this formalism will be illustrated on some systems where p-wave superconductivity is the prime suspect.
To Solve the Coronavirus Crisis: Click Here
Authors: Keymolen Esther
Published: March 2021

Human beings are technical beings. From the clothes we wear to the spaceships we fire into the sky, all these technologies are developed with the aim to protect ourselves, improve ourselves, and control the fickle world in which we live. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that when hit with one of the biggest health crises of the last century, all over the world, governments have turned to technology to contain this life-threatening event. Most of these proposed—or already developed—technological solutions are data-driven.

Just as the turn to technology to solve this crisis does not come as a surprise, neither does the protest it has caused. Critical citizens and civil rights organizations worry about the possibility of personal data being shared with private parties, about governments ending up using the collected information against citizens, and they fear an overall loss of privacy and freedom if these applications became widely used. Overall, they suspect that what is introduced as a temporary instrument to counter this crisis will have long-lasting effects on society.
Crisis Information Management: From Technological Potential to Societal Impact
Authors: Meesters Kenny
Published: March 2021

Every day we are making decisions, both in our personal and professional lives. These decisions range from choices regarding our mode of transport to our daily grocery shopping, and from investment decisions to choices about marketing strategies. Today, for each of these decisions, we can rely on a wide range of information sources and tools to aid us in these decision-making processes. Spurred on by technical developments and economic incentives, information has become a common commodity in our society.  

When confronted with a crisis, we find ourselves in an unexpected and unknown situation in which quick action is needed to remedy the situation or prevent escalation. In such cases, information plays a vital role, for example, in assessing our options and reducing uncertainty. Information allows decision makers to assess the situation, evaluate alternatives, and coordinate efforts between different stakeholders, for example. The phrase “information saves lives,” commonly uttered in crisis responses, exemplifies this importance. Neverheless, existing approaches to getting information may no longer be sufficient, reliable, or even accessible. A crisis therefore requires all stakeholders, from formal responders to affected citzens, to quickly re-design their information flows using an effective organization of people, technology, processes, and sources.
Values and Principles as Cornerstones of a Renewed Normal
Authors: Prins Corien
Published: March 2021

The effects of the outbreak of the coronavirus on our health, our economy, and our societies are being seen and felt around the planet. In countless ways, our society and familiar customs are being disrupted and challenged. In this light, we frequently hear that we are simply going to have to learn to live with this “new normal” and a socially distanced economy. And certainly, as long as no vaccine or treatment is available, this seems inevitable. But once a vaccine or treatment is available: What are the changes that remain in place and to what extent will our society have reinvented itself?
A New Democratic Norm(al)? Political Legitimacy Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Reeskens Tim , Muis Quita
Published: March 2021

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has granted national governments far-reaching political powers to implement drastic non-pharmaceutical interventions to curtail the spread of the virus. For these measures to be effective, governments should be granted widespread political legitimacy. This is established when populations’ expectations from governments are in line with public support for these governments. In this chapter, we investigate changes in political legitimacy during the coronavirus crisis in the Netherlands. Amidst of the pandemic, we collected unique, representative data among LISS-panel respondents that supplemented the European Values Study 2017. We demonstrate that the Dutch public (temporarily) lowered their democratic aspirations thereby longing for strong leadership while simultaneously increasing their trust in the incumbent Government, which, combined, resulted in more political legitimacy. Because of an outspoken period effect, expectations are, however, that this legitimacy will not be long-lived in the new common.
Do Not Pass Up the Opportunity!
Authors: Adams Maurice
Published: March 2021

A much-cited article on the website “Inside Higher ED” outlines fifteen scenarios for higher education in the coming period (Malony and Kim, www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/blogs/learning-innovation/15-fall-scenarios; 2020). The continuum ranges from education completely back to normal to education completely at a distance. Full return to normal is not on the horizon; full distance education is possible but not optimal for most educational programs; and somewhere in between is quite a challenge. However, it is striking that the continuum focuses entirely on official educational activities and that there is no attention for informal educational activities: a neglect that is reflected in the current discussions about the future of our education. This chapter is about this neglect and the proposition is that the coronavirus crisis offers significant opportunities for a “new educational common” at Tilburg University in this respect.
Internet Access as an Essential Social Good
Authors: Archer Alfred , Wildman Nathan
Published: March 2021

During the coronavirus crisis, educational activities and nearly all social contact with friends and family were conducted via online communication tools. Such tools can only be used effectively if an individual has suitable internet access. Thankfully, the Netherlands is one of the EU leaders when it comes to Next Generation Access (NGA) coverage, with 98% of Dutch households having access to these high-speed connections; this is well above the USA (94%) and EU (87%) averages. However, this still means that nearly 344,000 individuals living in the Netherlands lack a strong internet connection. Here, we contend that the coronavirus crisis, and especially the associated lockdown wherein individuals were strongly encouraged to not leave their homes, has made it clear that high-speed internet access is a necessary good for modern social living.
COVID-19 and the Secular Theodicy: On Social Distancing, the Death of God and the Book of Job
Authors: Bosman Frank , van Wieringen Archibald
Published: March 2021

In times of great distress, like in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic, people look for relief from the existential threat by searching for some kind of interpretation of the crisis. Some people will look for scapegoats to put the blame on, while others will search for ways by which the crisis can also be perceived as something beneficial.

As far as the COVID-19 pandemic goes, earlier this year, media and politicians pointed towards China, where the pandemic started, or to Italy, from where the virus spread over the European continent.

Since the beginning of the crisis, we have also been flooded with gurus, motivational speakers, and mindfulness coaches who stimulate us to view the new common as an unexpected but much needed “reboot” of our day-to-day life.

Intriguingly enough, these two individual and collective coping strategies are very familiar to those who are acquainted with the Christian philosophical and theological traditions. When confronted with the apparent paradox between the idea of an omnipotent and omnibenevolent deity on the one hand and the experience of everyday pain and suffering on the other hand, Christians have sought for ways to find a satisfactory solution. This is known as theodicy. As the Roman and Christian philosopher Boethius summarized the problem: si Deus, unde malum? “If God exists, wherefrom evil?”
Experiences of People with an Intellectual Disability, Their Relatives, and Support Staff with COVID-19: The Value of Vital Supportive Relationships
Authors: Embregts Petri
Published: March 2021

The major impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent measures on the lives of people with an intellectual disability, their relatives, care professionals in general, and supportive networks in particular is beyond doubt. Due to their cognitive impairment, people with an intellectual disability rely on relatives and care professionals for lifelong and life-wide care and support. Various COVID-19 measures had profound implications for collaborations within these necessary supportive relationships, such as prohibitions in receiving visiting relatives and the closure of work and day-care activities of people with an intellectual disability. However, the current crisis boosts creativity with respect to the development and valorization of knowledge towards a new common, in which vulnerable people, such as persons with an intellectual disability, will be empowered in such way they attain full societal participation.
Cultural Diversity, Ecodiversity, and Music Education
Authors: Bates Vincent C. , Shevock Daniel J. , Prest Anita
Published: March 2021

Diversity discourses in music education tend toward anthropocentrism, focusing on human cultures, identities, and institutions. In this chapter, we broaden conceptualizations of diversity in music education to include relationships between music, education, andecology: understood as interactions among organisms and the physical environment. Diversity in music education can be realized by attending to the ongoing interrelationships of local geography, ecology, and culture, all of which contribute dynamically to local music practices. We situate our analysis within specific Indigenous North American cultures (e.g., Western Apache, Nuu-chah-nulth, Stó:lō, and Syilx) and associated perspectives and philosophies to shed light on the multiple forms of reciprocity that undergird diversity. Indigenous knowledge, in combination with new materialism and political ecology discourses, can help us come back down to earth in ways of being and becoming that are ecologically sustainable, preserving the ecodiversity that exists and grows in place, forging egalitarian relationships and a sense of communal responsibility, fostering reverence for ancestors along with nonhuman lives and topographies, and cultivating musical practices that are one with our respective ecosystems.
From a Different Place to a Third Space: Rethinking International Student Pedagogy in the Western Conservatoire
Authors: Ford Biranda
Published: March 2021

Conservatoires in the West are now made up of a significant body of international students who come to study the Western canon of classical music. With the canon arising in the same milieu as Enlightenment notions of shared humanity, historically, many have argued that this music has a wide, cross-cultural appeal. Though such tropes of classical music still exist, they also have the potential today to act as awkward anachronisms, markers of elitism, whiteness and cultural hegemony. This chapter starts from the perspective that the considerable economic contribution of international students to host institutions risks reproducing colonial relations if their pedagogical experiences are not thought through carefully. Looking to postcolonial theory to make sense of the dynamics at play, key concepts from Homi Bhabha are used as a lens to view the conservatoire. It is argued that international students are marginalized through stereotyping and positioned ‘in need’ of a Western education, even with attempts to bring their cultural experience of learning into account. I advocate that the conservatoire must move beyond its attempts to contain the effects of cultural diversity and instead harness the potential for self-renewal that comes from embracing cultural difference in a third space.