bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
β‐Amyrin ameliorates diabetic nephropathy in mice and regulates the miR‐181b‐5p/HMGB2 axis in high glucose‐stimulated HK‐2 cells
Authors: Xu Wenhua , Zhang Hongwu , Zhang Qinfeng , Xu Jialan
Published: December 2021

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a diabetic complication that can cause renal failure. β‐amyrin has been identified to possess anti‐diabetic property. This study was designed to evaluate the potential role of β‐amyrin in DN and its underlying mechanism. Streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice were used as the in vivo model, and high glucose (HG)‐stimulated human proximal tubular HK‐2 cells were utilized as the in vitro model. Renal histological changes in mice were assessed by hematoxylin–eosin and periodic acid‐Schiff staining. HK‐2 cell viability and apoptosis were detected by Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. β‐amyrin was found to ameliorate kidney injury in DN mice and suppressed inflammatory response as well as apoptosis of HG‐stimulated HK‐2 cells. miR‐181‐5p expression in murine renal tissues and HK‐2 cells was detected by in situ hybridization (ISH) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). MiR‐181b‐5p, a previously identified target for diabetic kidney disease, was downregulated in renal tissues and HG stimulated HK‐2 cells, and β‐amyrin induced the upregulation of miR‐181b‐5p. Binding relationship between miR‐181b‐5p and high mobility group box 2 (HMGB2) was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. MiR‐181b‐5p bound to 3′ untranslated region of HMGB2 to suppress its expression. As shown by immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence staining, HMGB2 was upregulated in the in vivo and in vitro models of DN, and β‐amyrin induced the downregulation of HMGB2. Moreover, HMGB2 overexpression neutralized the suppressive effects of miR‐181b‐5p elevation on the inflammatory response and apoptosis of HG‐treated HK‐2 cells. Overall, β‐amyrin ameliorates DN in mice and suppresses inflammatory response and apoptosis of HG‐stimulated HK‐2 cells via the miR‐181b‐5p/HMGB2 axis.
Culture, Religion, and Corruption/Prosperity (A), (B), (C), (1), (2)
Authors: García Portilla Jason
Published: December 2021

This chapter characterises the relations between culture, religion, and corruption/prosperity. It advances the explanations of the prosperity–religion nexus from the perspective of cultural attributes (e.g. trust, individualism,familialism) by comparing Roman Catholic and Protestant theologies.

Protestant denominations have mostly relinquished their founding principles, while “Rome never changes” as per the Italian saying. Despite the progress after Vatican II, Roman Catholicism has not markedly altered its beliefs and practices or its institutional founding principles (i.e. Canon Law) since medieval times. The political repercussions of an ecumenism in “Rome terms” are beyond its theological or religious implications.

Liberation theology urged the Latin American Roman Church to break away from its imperialist origins and favouritism for landlords, industrialists, and power elites. However, liberation theology never became the mainstream or hegemonic Catholic theology in Latin America.

Distinct Protestant theologies and organisational forms have led to distinct outcomes. New forms of Protestantism (i.e. Pentecostalism) placing less emphasis on education are less likely to have a positive social impact than previous (historical) Protestant versions. Some Protestant denominations still adhere to intertextual historicist biblical interpretation and hold the belief that the papacy continues to be “Satan’s synagogue” today.

The heavily criticised Prosperity Gospel (PG) movement has syncretic roots in Pentecostalism, New Thought, and African American religion, and is composed mainly of the middle classes and blacks.

While syncretism has been a natural process in all religions, Jews and historical Protestants have tended to be more anti-syncretic given their Scriptural base of beliefs. In turn, the importance of traditions, in Roman Catholicism for instance, has led to include more non-orthodox rituals in its practice.
Environment/Geography and Prosperity/Transparency (E), (4), (7)
Authors: García Portilla Jason
Published: December 2021

This chapter discusses the influence of the environment and geography on prosperity and corruption and reviews some leading empirical works.

A direct and robust empirical relationship exists between the environment/geography and the prosperity of nations. For instance, countries located in the inter-tropical or equatorial zone tend to be poorer than those located in temperate zones. Seasonal dynamics lead ecosystems and societies to accumulate and manage more resources, while equatorial species and people tend to consume the available resources immediately rather than storing, accumulating, and reinvesting the excess capital.

An abundance of natural resources (i.e. fuels and minerals) tends to generate conditions for rent-seeking and corruption. Venezuela, Nigeria, or Arab countries are examples of countries located on the equator characterised by an abundance of natural resources and by high levels of corruption.
Methodology
Authors: García Portilla Jason
Published: December 2021

This study applied a comprehensive methodological framework consisting of different epistemological approaches (Mixed Methods). The correlational (quantitative) part established the interrelations between the investigated variables, while the Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) further inferred causal relations for 65 countries in Europe and the Americas. The qualitative part used Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to examine four case studies (Switzerland, Uruguay, Cuba, and Colombia).

The regression analysis of this study quantitatively explores the relations among factors/variables (macro). QCA adds causality considerations and bridges quantitative relations and qualitative analysis (meso). The four case studies are purely qualitative (micro).
Component 2 (Meso): Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA)
Authors: García Portilla Jason
Published: December 2021

This chapter contains the meso component (Qualitative Comparative Analysis, QCA). It discusses the QCA research model, the QCA methodology, and the analysis of the QCA results.

QCA is used to analyse both quantitative and qualitative data, thus enabling causal inferences. However, QCA is not a statistical technique that focuses on the likelihood of the relations among variables. Instead, it is a method based on Boolean logic, rooted in set theory, and founded on the notions of sufficiency, the necessity of conditions, and conjunctural causation.

QCA results indicate, among others, that for high competitiveness, high EPI suffices if Concordats with the Vatican are low and if the Roman Catholic and Orthodox population is low. No State Religion positively affects competitiveness. Having Concordats with the Vatican negatively influences competitiveness. Additionally, factors like German, English, and Scandinavian legal origin help to increase competitiveness.

Oppositely, QCA results for high corruption indicate that Concordats in combination with Roman Catholic religion adherence increase corruption. Orthodox religion has a similar negative effect. Most countries with high corruption are of French legal origin and have high Concordats. This trend is robust.

Colombia and Switzerland (the two extreme cases) exhibited several consistent QCA results. The other two cases (Cuba and Uruguay) only revealed one or two consistent outcomes.
b) Uruguay: Extreme Positive Case Study (Latin America)
Authors: García Portilla Jason
Published: December 2021

Secularisation and religiosity in Uruguay are closer to Western European levels than to Latin American averages. The idea of medieval “Christendom” inherited from Hispanic times became obsolete and residual in Uruguay already during the nineteenth century (which is early compared to the rest of Latin America).

Uruguay closely followed thelaïcitémodel of the French Revolution without ever completely replicating it. This process resulted in the widespread secularisation of institutional fields, displaced religion to the domestic sphere, and guaranteed the freedom of consciousness and religion.

In Uruguay, as well as in Switzerland, Protestantism has played a crucial role along with liberalism in introducing anti-clericalism (and religious freedom) in its constitution and therefore also in its institutions. Protestantism, then, has played a decisive role in shaping the trajectory of democracy, human capital, ethics, transparency, secularisation, and social progress.
Research Setting
Authors: García Portilla Jason
Published: December 2021

How does Protestantism influence competitiveness and transparency compared to Roman Catholicism in Europe and the Americas? This book answers the research question by applying a “Mixed Methods approach to Grounded Theory” (MM-GT). This chapter expands on the research aims, research question, hypotheses, and research model in this study. The research model synthesises understanding and serves as a rationale for the entire book. The model exhibits the main exogenous theoretical determinants of corruption and prosperity, which are tested empirically.
d) Colombia: Extreme Negative Case Study
Authors: García Portilla Jason
Published: December 2021

The vital role of Roman Catholicism in establishing the social, political, institutional, and religious status quo in Colombia is plainly evident and well-documented. Since the Middle Ages, no other country has enforced such a complete integration of church and state (ideal medieval Christendom), as reflected in Colombia’s Concordat. In Colombia, liberal attempts failed repeatedly and resulted in violent conflicts in which the Roman Catholic Church-State closed ranks with conservatives and imposed a corporatist medieval-like state. The largely successful project pursued by the Roman Church-State in Colombia (so-called Christilandia) consists of three pillars: (1) political (a confessional state); (2) economic (a corporatist state); and (3) cultural (a Catholic and conservative “Hispanicism”).

In the 1991 Constitution, Protestantism allied itself with liberal forces. This alliance made it possible to finally introduce religious freedom, among others, by removing most of the contentious articles from the Concordat (nevertheless, the Concordat remains valid, as does institutional corporatism). In spite of these reforms, the Colombian government is still required to pay a fee to the Roman See. Religious instruction in public schools according to the Roman Church Magisterium for Catholics also remains firmly in place. Colombia remains one of the most inequitable and dangerous countries in the world.
Other Considerations
Authors: García Portilla Jason
Published: December 2021

This chapter examines further considerations derived from the research.

Institutional factors related to religion exert a stronger structural and long-term influence on prosperity (competitiveness and corruption) than the cultural influence of religion (adherents).

Prosperity and educational differences between Protestants (higher) and Roman Catholics (lower) are still evident in Germany and Switzerland. Such differences are even more prominent comparing national levels (cross-country) throughout Europe and the Americas.

Thousands of years of hegemony characterise the Roman Catholic Church as a global political-religious institution. The associated corruption in all the countries under its influence may well be related to the corrupt fruits for which “we shall know them” in the parable of Jesus (King James Bible, 1769, Matthew 7:15–23). Among others, these fruits have also been the abuse scandals, maintenance of ignorance, and persecution of God’s Word, in the name of Jesus Christ.

The results of this study open up various avenues for future research. The QCA evidence generated here allows further analysis of every country in Europe and the Americas. Future research might also continue to apply the vast amount of information collected and already codified in this study.
Diagnosing Corruption and Prosperity in Europe and the Americas (A)
Authors: García Portilla Jason
Published: December 2021

This chapter surveys prosperity and transparency in Europe and the Americas and shows, roughly, that historically Protestant countries perform higher than Roman Catholic ones. Sections 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 diagnose prosperity in Europe and the Americas based on three indicators, respectively: Corruption (CPI), Social Progress (SPI), and Competitiveness (GCI).
Conditions (Predictor Variables): Theories Explaining Prosperity Differences (B), (C), (D), (E)
Authors: García Portilla Jason
Published: December 2021

This chapter defines the conditions elements of the research model in this study (Fig. 2.1). Therefore, Sects. 5.1–5.7 refer to some influential theories that have sought to explain differences in prosperity between countries from diverse disciplinary perspectives. Potential prosperity factors/theories can be clustered into three groups: (1) cultural and religious values; (2) institutions and economic growth; (3) environment and geography. Each of these distinct theories may contain “a grain of truth” about understanding prosperity imbalances between countries. Ideally, prosperity theories should be complementary instead of competing explanations. For example, geography and environmental theories explain how seasonal lands can provide a society and its economy better conditions to prosper. Institutional theory helps explain how institutions model social prosperity by perpetuating equality loops or by concentrating wealth. Cultural theory contributes to the understanding of the influence of cultural variables, such as religious beliefs and values, on prosperity. Yet, the relations among environment/geography, culture, institutions, and prosperity are highly complex and involve massive historical dynamics which would normally far exceed the scope of empirical research.
Prosperity and Religion (A), (B), (1)
Authors: García Portilla Jason
Published: December 2021

This chapter discusses the prosperity–religion link and reviews some prominent empirical studies refuting and confirming Weber’s thesis and balancing the evidence gathered. It also emphasises the importance of seriously considering the institutional (and hegemonic) influence of religion in addition to the cultural influence (of religious adherents). The historical institutional influence of religion has been the crucial factor with regard to prosperity/transparency (more than the current proportion of adherents).

The relationships of prosperity vis-à-vis religion as a predictor (independent) variable (e.g. Weber) or as a criterion (dependent) variable (e.g. Marx) reinforce each other and produced a vast body of theories and empirical studies. In the first causal arrow, Weber’s explanations and findings in The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism has attracted much criticism over the last century. The debate remains polarised.

The second causal arrow (religion as a dependent variable vis-à-vis prosperity) resulted in, among others, secularisation theories focusing on either the supply or demand-side of religion. The theory of existential security is an influential model that empirically focuses on the variations of the demand-side and revises the secularisation theory.
Institutions, Corruption/Prosperity, and Religion (A), (B), (D), (1), (3), (6)
Authors: García Portilla Jason
Published: December 2021

This chapter characterises the relations between religion, institutions, and the transparency–prosperity nexus. It explains how economic prosperity, democracy, and transparency are part of a feedback loop that constitutes a single phenomenon. More importantly, this chapter deepens the institutional analysis by concentrating on the particular historical influence of religion on the different legal traditions in Europe and the Americas. It is the cornerstone of Part 3 and, as such, of the entire book.

The Reformation brought forth a wide range of modern institutions. Among these, education and democracy are the most crucial ones for ensuring prosperity/transparency outcomes. Likewise, Protestantism has impacted the secularisation of the state in Protestant countries (and also in Roman Catholics, albeit to a lesser, more indirect extent). Protestantism fosters horizontal power relations and secular-rational attitudes towards authority. Thus, such egalitarian and secular attitudes are linked to greater transparency and prosperity.

The Lutheran German Revolution formed the basis of the various later Protestant, dissenting revolutions and legal traditions (i.e. British and American). Some of its concepts (e.g. separation of state functions from the church; state-sponsored education) permeate all modern legal systems to this day and ended the monopoly of Roman canon law.

Regardless of the advances made by Roman Catholicism in the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II: 1962–1965), corporatist ideologies remain prevalent, mostly in Latin America. But while Roman Catholic discourse has shifted, the institutional inertia persists and maintains the hierarchical status quo and longstanding feudal structures.
Education, Religion, and Corruption/Prosperity (A), (B), (C), (1), (2)
Authors: García Portilla Jason
Published: December 2021

This chapter demonstrates the influential association of Protestantism and prosperity by explaining its historical focus on education and human capital building.

Historically (and statistically), one key mechanism driving prosperity/transparency has been the Protestant emphasis on literacy so as to promote reading and understanding the Bible among wider circles (Becker & Woessmann, 2009). This contrasted starkly with the Roman Catholic practice of reciting parts of the Gospel in Latin scholarly language to mostly illiterate peasants (Androne, 2014). The teaching of God’s Word in vernacular languages created linguistic and methodical skills (i.e. exegetical understanding) that proved valuable beyond the religious realm. This practice also led to the accumulation of human capital, and thereby opened and perpetuated an important educational (and hence prosperity) gap between Protestants and Roman Catholics over time.

As part of the Catholic Counter-Reformation, the Jesuits have competed with Protestant education but attaching less importance to the Scriptures in their schooling. Some South American areas influenced by Jesuit missions exhibit 10–15% higher human capital and income than the surrounding Catholic populations. Yet, Jesuit instruction has been largely elitist and far less encompassing than Protestant educational coverage and accomplishment.
Canonical analysis of new non-relativistic string action and uniform light-cone gauge formulation
Authors: Klusoň J.
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We perform canonical analysis of new non-relativistic string action that was found recently in [32]. We also discuss its gauge fixed form.
Bilateral vestibulopathy patients’ perspectives on vestibular implant treatment: a qualitative study
Authors: van Stiphout Lisa , Lucieer Florence , Guinand Nils , Pérez Fornos Angélica , van de Berg Maurice , Van Rompaey Vincent , Widdershoven Josine , Kingma Herman , Joore Manuela , van de Berg Raymond
Published: December 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore expectations of patients with bilateral vestibulopathy regarding vestibular implant treatment. This could advance the definition of recommendations for future core outcome sets of vestibular implantation and help to determine on which characteristics of bilateral vestibulopathy future vestibular implant research should focus.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 50 patients diagnosed with bilateral vestibulopathy at Maastricht UMC + . Interviews followed a semi-structured interview guide and were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were analyzed thematically by two independent researchers. A consensus meeting took place to produce a joint interpretation for greater dimensionality and to confirm key themes.

Results

Overall, patient expectations centralized around three key themes: (physical) symptom reduction, functions and activities, and quality of life. These themes appeared to be interrelated. Patient expectations focused on the activity walking (in a straight line), reducing the symptom oscillopsia and being able to live the life they had before bilateral vestibulopathy developed. In general, patients indicated to be satisfied with small improvements.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that patient expectations regarding a vestibular implant focus on three key themes: symptom reduction, functions and activities, and quality of life. These themes closely match the functional improvements shown in recent vestibular implantation research. The results of this study provide a clear guideline from the patient perspective on which characteristics of bilateral vestibulopathy, future vestibular implant research should focus.

Trial registration

NL52768.068.15/METC
Deep brain stimulation for movement disorder treatment: exploring frequency-dependent efficacy in a computational network model
Authors: Spiliotis Konstantinos , Starke Jens , Franz Denise , Richter Angelika , Köhling Rüdiger
Published: December 2021

A large-scale computational model of the basal ganglia network and thalamus is proposed to describe movement disorders and treatment effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS). The model of this complex network considers three areas of the basal ganglia region: the subthalamic nucleus (STN) as target area of DBS, the globus pallidus, both pars externa and pars interna (GPe-GPi), and the thalamus. Parkinsonian conditions are simulated by assuming reduced dopaminergic input and corresponding pronounced inhibitory or disinhibited projections to GPe and GPi. Macroscopic quantities are derived which correlate closely to thalamic responses and hence motor programme fidelity. It can be demonstrated that depending on different levels of striatal projections to the GPe and GPi, the dynamics of these macroscopic quantities (synchronisation index, mean synaptic activity and response efficacy) switch from normal to Parkinsonian conditions. Simulating DBS of the STN affects the dynamics of the entire network, increasing the thalamic activity to levels close to normal, while differing from both normal and Parkinsonian dynamics. Using the mentioned macroscopic quantities, the model proposes optimal DBS frequency ranges above 130 Hz.
Analysis of the paraspinal muscle morphology of the lumbar spine using a convolutional neural network (CNN)
Authors: Baur David , Bieck Richard , Berger Johann , Neumann Juliane , Henkelmann Jeanette , Neumuth Thomas , Heyde Christoph-E. , Voelker Anna
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This single-center study aimed to develop a convolutional neural network to segment multiple consecutive axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) slices of the lumbar spinal muscles of patients with lower back pain and automatically classify fatty muscle degeneration.

Methods

We developed a fully connected deep convolutional neural network (CNN) with a pre-trained U-Net model trained on a dataset of 3,650 axial T2-weighted MRI images from 100 patients with lower back pain. We included all qualities of MRI; the exclusion criteria were fractures, tumors, infection, or spine implants. The training was performed using k-fold cross-validation (k = 10), and performance was evaluated using the dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and cross-sectional area error (CSA error). For clinical correlation, we used a simplified Goutallier classification (SGC) system with three classes.

Results

The mean DSC was high for overall muscle (0.91) and muscle tissue segmentation (0.83) but showed deficiencies in fatty tissue segmentation (0.51). The CSA error was small for the overall muscle area of 8.42%, and fatty tissue segmentation showed a high mean CSA error of 40.74%. The SGC classification was correctly predicted in 75% of the patients.

Conclusion

Our fully connected CNN segmented overall muscle and muscle tissue with high precision and recall, as well as good DSC values. The mean predicted SGC values of all available patient axial slices showed promising results. With an overall Error of 25%, further development is needed for clinical implementation. Larger datasets and training of other model architectures are required to segment fatty tissue more accurately.
Do postoperative complications correlate to chronic pain following inguinal hernia repair? A prospective cohort study from the Swedish Hernia Register
Authors: Olsson A. , Sandblom G. , Franneby U. , Sondén A. , Gunnarsson U. , Dahlstrand U.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To analyse if postoperative complications constitute a predictor for the risk of developing long-term groin pain.

Methods

Population-based prospective cohort study of 30,659 patients operated for inguinal hernia 2015–2017 included in the Swedish Hernia Register. Registered post-operative complications were categorised into hematomas, surgical site infections, seromas, urinary tract complications, and acute post-operative pain. A questionnaire enquiring about groin pain was distributed to all patients 1 year after surgery. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to find any association between postoperative complications and reported level of pain 1 year after surgery.

Results

The response rate was 64.5%. In total 19,773 eligible participants responded to the questionnaire, whereof 73.4% had undergone open anterior mesh repair and 26.6% had undergone endo-laparoscopic mesh repair.

Registered postoperative complications were: 750 hematomas (2.3%), 516 surgical site infections (1.6%), 395 seromas (1.2%), 1216 urinary tract complications (3.7%), and 520 hernia repairs with acute post-operative pain (1.6%).

Among patients who had undergone open anterior mesh repair, an association between persistent pain and hematomas (OR 2.03, CI 1.30–3.18), surgical site infections (OR 2.18, CI 1.27–3.73) and acute post-operative pain (OR 7.46, CI 4.02–13.87) was seen. Analysis of patients with endo-laparoscopic repair showed an association between persistent pain and acute post-operative pain (OR 9.35, CI 3.18–27.48).

Conclusion

Acute postoperative pain was a strong predictor for persistent pain following both open anterior and endo-laparoscopic hernia repair. Surgical site infection and hematoma were predictors for persistent pain following open anterior hernia repair, although the rate of reported postoperative complications was low.
Carbon Border Adjustment and Other Trade Policy Approaches for Climate Protection
Authors: Kolev Galina
Published: December 2021

The idea of a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) is crucial to level the playing field between domestic producers and foreign suppliers of carbon-intensive products.
Green Hydrogen in Europe: Do Strategies Meet Expectations?
Authors: Wolf André , Zander Nils
Published: December 2021

Against the backdrop of the EU’s more ambitious climate targets, the technology of green hydrogen production has gained increasing importance in national plans to implement the energy transition.
The Loss of Raw Material Criticality: Implications of the Collapse of Saudi Arabian Oil Exports
Authors: Blum Ulrich , Zhong Jiarui
Published: December 2021

Raw material criticality has played an important role in geostrategic thinking, especially since the crisis surrounding the price and supply of rare earths at the beginning of the 2010s. However, once dependency and strategic importance grow too strong, substitution efforts will take place that could reduce or even eradicate the previous criticality. Critical resources rarely become obsolete very quickly. However, this could happen in the case of crude oil because climate policy is forcing defossilisation, but also because artificial scarcity is falling as a result of geostrategic rivalries that are causing oversupply. This article analyses this process and the possible consequences using Saudi Arabia as an example. The development of a green hydrogen industry has potential, but it should not be overestimated in view of the absorption capacity of the economy.
Gradient nonlinearity correction in liver DWI using motion-compensated diffusion encoding waveforms
Authors: McTavish Sean , Van Anh T. , Peeters Johannes M. , Weiss Kilian , Makowski Marcus R. , Braren Rickmer F. , Karampinos Dimitrios C.
Published: December 2021

Objective 

To experimentally characterize the effectiveness of a gradient nonlinearity correction method in removing ADC bias for different motion-compensated diffusion encoding waveforms.

Methods

The diffusion encoding waveforms used were the standard monopolar Stejskal–Tanner pulsed gradient spin echo (pgse) waveform, the symmetric bipolar velocity-compensated waveform (sym-vc), the asymmetric bipolar velocity-compensated waveform (asym-vc) and the asymmetric bipolar partial velocity-compensated waveform (asym-pvc). The effectiveness of the gradient nonlinearity correction method using the spherical harmonic expansion of the gradient coil field was tested with the aforementioned waveforms in a phantom and in four healthy subjects.

Results

The gradient nonlinearity correction method reduced the ADC bias in the phantom experiments for all used waveforms. The range of the ADC values over a distance of ± 67.2 mm from isocenter reduced from 1.29 × 10–4 to 0.32 × 10–4 mm2/s for pgse, 1.04 × 10–4 to 0.22 × 10–4 mm2/s for sym-vc, 1.22 × 10–4 to 0.24 × 10–4 mm2/s for asym-vc and 1.07 × 10–4 to 0.11 × 10–4 mm2/s for asym-pvc. The in vivo results showed that ADC overestimation due to motion or bright vessels can be increased even further by the gradient nonlinearity correction.

Conclusion

The investigated gradient nonlinearity correction method can be used effectively with various motion-compensated diffusion encoding waveforms. In coronal liver DWI, ADC errors caused by motion and residual vessel signal can be increased even further by the gradient nonlinearity correction.
Humidity influence on mechanics of paper materials: joint numerical and experimental study on fiber and fiber network scale
Authors: Lin Binbin , Auernhammer Julia , Schäfer Jan-Lukas , Meckel Tobias , Stark Robert , Biesalski Markus , Xu Bai-Xiang
Published: December 2021

Paper materials are well-known to be hydrophilic unless chemical and mechanical processing treatments are undertaken. The relative humidity impacts the fiber elasticity, the interfiber joint behavior and the failure mechanism. In this work, we present a comprehensive experimental and computational study on mechanical properties of the fiber and the fiber network under humidity influence. The manually extracted cellulose fiber is exposed to different levels of humidity, and then mechanically characterized using atomic force microscopy, which delivers the humidity dependent longitudinal Young’s modulus. We describe the relation and calibrate the data into an exponential function, and the obtained relationship allows calculation of fiber elastic modulus at any humidity level. Moreover, by using confoncal laser scanning microscopy, the coefficient of hygroscopic expansion of the fibers is determined. We further present a finite element model to simulate the deformation and the failure of the fiber network. The model includes the fiber anisotropy and the hygroscopic expansion using the experimentally determined constants, and further considers interfiber behavior and debonding by using a humidity dependent cohesive zone interface model. Simulations on exemplary fiber network samples are performed to demonstrate the influence of different aspects including relative humidity and fiber-fiber bonding parameters on the mechanical features, such as force-elongation curve, strength and extensibility. Finally, we provide computational insights for interfiber bond damage pattern with respect to different humidity level as further outlook.
Pathways to student engagement: beyond triggers and mechanisms at the engagement interface
Authors: Trowler Vicki , Allan Robert L. , Bryk Jaroslaw , Din Rukhsana R.
Published: December 2021

This paper, while conceptual in nature, is informed by both research and practice. Exploring the “engagement interface” as the site for student engagement (SE), we offer a conceptual contribution in engaging with the Kahu and Nelson (2018) model by bringing in a fuller understanding of SE grounded in the higher education context rather than being uncritically transplanted from a compulsory education context. This involves consideration of the multiple facets of SE as well as the dynamic, shifting and multilocal nature of the construct. The paper then proceeds to enhance the details of the model, grounding them in a finer-grained reading of the literature and relating educational constructs to the model’s proposed “mechanisms” in a conceptually substantiated way. This further extends Kahu and Nelson’s aim of illuminating the “black box” of SE. Our third contribution is to practice by proposing tactics: informed by the literature, we invite practitioners to consider ways in which they can increase the likelihood of facilitating engagement with, and by, students more constructively.
Measuring Parental Involvement in Dual-Earner Qatari Families
Authors: Lari Noora , Al-Emadi Noor
Published: December 2021

Parental involvement in dual-earner families is a subject that has been widely studied in the literature in Western contexts. Less attention, however, has been allocated to the challenges that dual-earner families encounter in raising children in Arab Gulf states. This paper study aims to address the following questions: To what extent are dual-earner families involved in their children’s lives? What are the gender differences in parental involvement? This paper employed the 2017 survey data of working Qatari males and females to measure their parental involvement and engagement in family time and childcare. The results highlighted parental factors, work characteristics and social supports as key factors determining the degree of parental involvement. The results also showed the gender differences in parental involvement scores, which comprise several factors, including work demands and time spent with children. Taken together, our findings provide insights allowing suggestions for mechanisms that could generate foundational parental welfare policies for dual-earner families in Qatar and the wider Arab Gulf Region as a whole. Further contributions to this research domain could include studies encompassing a wider scope of geographical locations within the Arab Gulf states using robust experimental investigations.
Wet chemical development of CuO/GO nanocomposites: its augmented antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancerous activity
Authors: Biswas Kunal , Mohanta Yugal Kishore , Mishra Awdhesh Kumar , Al-Sehemi Abdullah G. , Pannipara Mehboobali , Sett Avik , Bratovcic Amra , De Debashis , Prasad Panda Bibhu , Kumar Avula Satya , Mohanta Tapan Kumar , Al-Harrasi Ahmed
Published: December 2021

This study employed a bottom-up technique to synthesize copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles over hydrophilic graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets. The CuO/GO nanocomposite has been prepared using two selected precursors of copper nitrate and citric acid with an intermittent mixing of GO solutions. The synthesized Nanocomposites were characterized using different biophysical techniques like FT-IR, NMR, FE-SEM, and HR-TEM analyses. FT-IR analyses confirm the nanocomposites’ successful formation, which is evident from the functional groups of C=C, C-O, and Cu-C stretching vibrations. Morphological analyses reveal the depositions of CuO nanoparticles over the planar rough GO sheets, which has been elucidated from the FE-SEM and HR-TEM analyses supported by respective EDAX analyses. The antimicrobial activities have been evident from the surface roughness and damages seen from the FE-SEM analyses. The CuO/GO sheets were tested against Gram-positive (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). It is evident that the intrinsic antibacterial activity of CuO/GO sheets, when combined in equal proportions, elicited a robust antibacterial activity when tested over Gram –ve representative bacteria Escherichia coli. The antioxidant behaviour of synthesized CuO/GO nanocomposite was evaluated by scavenging the free radicals of DPPH and ABTS. Moreover, the cytotoxic activity was also studied against epidermoid carcinoma cell line A-431. A brief mathematical formulation has been proposed in this study to uncover the possibilities of using the nanocomposites as potential drug candidates in theranostic applications in disease treatment and diagnosis. This study would help uncover the electronic properties that play in the nano-scaled system at the material-bio interface, which would aid in designing a sensitive nano-electromechanical device bearing both the therapeutic and diagnostic attributes heralding a new horizon in the health care systems.
Beyond the Mean: A Flexible Framework for Studying Causal Effects Using Linear Models
Authors: Gische Christian , Voelkle Manuel C.
Published: December 2021

Graph-based causal models are a flexible tool for causal inference from observational data. In this paper, we develop a comprehensive framework to define, identify, and estimate a broad class of causal quantities in linearly parametrized graph-based models. The proposed method extends the literature, which mainly focuses on causal effects on the mean level and the variance of an outcome variable. For example, we show how to compute the probability that an outcome variable realizes within a target range of values given an intervention, a causal quantity we refer to as the probability of treatment success. We link graph-based causal quantities defined via the do-operator to parameters of the model implied distribution of the observed variables using so-called causal effect functions. Based on these causal effect functions, we propose estimators for causal quantities and show that these estimators are consistent and converge at a rate of <mml:math xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:mnf="http://cambridge.org/core/manifest" xmlns:cup="http://contentservices.cambridge.org" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:m="http://cambridge.org/core/metadata" xmlns:core="http://cambridge.org/core" xmlns:c="http://cambridge.org/core/content">N-1/2\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$N^{-1/2}$$\end{document} under standard assumptions. Thus, causal quantities can be estimated based on sample sizes that are typically available in the social and behavioral sciences. In case of maximum likelihood estimation, the estimators are asymptotically efficient. We illustrate the proposed method with an example based on empirical data, placing special emphasis on the difference between the interventional and conditional distribution.
Service Users’ Decision-Making During Transition to Long-Term Care: Social Workers’ and Older People’s Perspectives
Authors: Wamara Charles Kiiza , Naumiuk Agnieszka
Published: December 2021

As the world’s population rapidly ages, older people are increasingly placed in long-term care institutions. Although this global trend is supposed to protect older people, it is unclear whether they have any voice in decisions about such placements. The aim of this paper is to report a qualitative study into whether and to what degree social workers involve older people in these decisions. The study employed in-depth semi-structured interviews, focused group discussion, sociograms, and the daily and weekly schedules of 17 respondents (7 social workers and 10 older people in long-term care) in Warsaw, Poland. The findings show that social workers did involve older people, but only in minor decisions after their placement to help them adapt to the new situation. This practice seems to be attributable to neoliberal and managerial tendencies in the policy guidelines that social workers must follow in performing inherently relational tasks. The paper concludes by outlining the implications of these findings for social work.
Clusia falcata (Clusiaceae), an endangered species with exceptionally narrow leaves endemic to Chiapas, Mexico
Authors: Luján Manuel , Cacho N. Ivalú , Pérez-Farrera Miguel Ángel , Hammel Barry
Published: December 2021

Clusia falcata (Clusiaceae), a new species from Chiapas, Mexico, is described and illustrated. This new taxon is distinctive for its leaves, among the narrowest of all known species, having lanceolate to oblong laminas that are mostly 10 – 15 × 2 – 2.5 cm. The flowers have a quadrangular perianth with succulent petals, and a non-resiniferous androecium and gynoecium. Staminate flowers have a quadrangular androphore bearing 18 – 24 short stamens. Pistillate flowers have 4 pairs of staminodia, with each pair born on an androphore. The species is endemic to montane forests of the Northern and Eastern highlands of Chiapas in Mexico and is currently considered to be endangered.
Application of a non-ionic bio-surfactant instead of chemical additives for prevention of the permeability impairment of a swelling sandstone oil reservoir
Authors: Razzaghi-Koolaee Farnam , Zargar Ghasem , Soltani Soulgani Bahram , Mehrabianfar Parviz
Published: December 2021

Formation damage is a general term, which refers to any process that reduces the production or injectivity of an oil well. Clay swelling formation damage, due to incompatible fluid invasion, is a common problem in the petroleum industry. In this research, the effect of Acanthophyllum root extract (ACRE), a bio-based surfactant, on the reduction in reservoir permeability impairment has been studied. Some static tests were applied to investigate the chemical interaction between the surfactant and montmorillonite (Mt), including Mt sedimentation test, Free swelling index (FSI) test, Zeta potential tests, particle size measurement, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Experiments were followed by coreflood and micromodel tests to verify their effect on preventing permeability reduction and pore plugging in porous media. According to the results, Mt dispersion is unstable in the presence of ACRE solution. ACRE can reduce the FSI from 233.3 (totally hydrated Mt) to 94.3%, representing the reduction in hydration potential. The zeta potential of Mt in ACRE aqueous solution moves toward the lowest magnitude, implying that the water molecules surrounding the Mt particles are unstable. Particle size measurement and SEM analysis proved simultaneously that ACRE solution sustains Mt particles flocculated and prevents delamination. The thermal stability of the ACRE was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and it showed a suitable resistance to the temperature rise. Eventually, coreflood and micromodel tests revealed that ACRE has a high performance in lowering the permeability impairment and pore plugging. All in all, ACRE showed high potential in preventing Mt swelling and, therefore, formation damage in clay-bearing sandstones.
Panel Associations Between Newly Dead, Healed, Recovered, and Confirmed Cases During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Guan Ming
Published: December 2021

Background

Currently, the knowledge of associations among newly recovered cases (NR), newly healed cases (NH), newly confirmed cases (NC), and newly dead cases (ND) can help to monitor, evaluate, predict, control, and curb the spreading of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to explore the panel associations of ND, NH, and NR with NC.

Methods

Data from China Data Lab in Harvard Dataverse with China (January 15, 2020 to January 14, 2021), the United States of America (the USA, January 21, 2020 to April 5, 2021), and the World (January 22, 2020 to March 20, 2021) had been analyzed. The main variables included in the present analysis were ND, NH, NR, and NC. Pooled regression, stacked within-transformed linear regression, quantile regression for panel data, random-effects negative binomial regression, and random-effects Poisson regression were conducted to reflect the associations of ND, NH, and NR with NC. Event study analyses were performed to explore how the key events influenced NC.

Results

Descriptive analyses showed that mean value of ND/NC ratio regarding China was more than those regarding the USA and the World. The results from tentative analysis reported the significant relationships among ND, NH, NR, and NC regarding China, the USA, and the World. Panel regressions confirmed associations of ND, NH, and NR with NC regarding China, the USA, and the World. Panel event study showed that key events influenced NC regarding USA and the World more greatly than that regarding China.

Conclusion

The findings in this study confirmed the panel associations of ND, NH, and NR with NC in the three datasets. The efficiencies of various control strategies of COVID-19 pandemic across the globe were compared by the regression outcomes. Future direction of research work could explore the influencing mechanisms of the panel associations.
Design of a Low‐Cost Electrical Resistivity Meter for Near Surface Surveys
Authors: de la Vega M. , Bongiovanni M. V. , Grünhut V.
Published: December 2021

A programmable automated electrical resistivity meter was designed and constructed. The device was created to perform near surface studies, particularly for archaeogeophysical target characterization. Real field and laboratory model studies can be performed changing the current input of the device. The equipment consists of two independent devices, each one with its own microcontroller platform. They are interconnected through serial data transfer protocol. The first device, works as a resistivity meter where the ABMN electrode positions are programmed and permits the interaction with the user. The second one, connects the current and voltage channels to the programmed electrode positions. A physical model and field measurements were performed with different electrode configurations such as Dipole‐Dipole, Werner‐Schlumberger and Wenner γ112 in order to verify the performance of the automated electrical resistivity meter. The measurements give mean relative standard deviation values between 0.6% and 5.5% and data inversion convergence between 1.3% and 7.2%. Even though this open source and low cost electrical resistivity meter was design primarily for archaeogeophysical studies, it could be adapted to other geophysical issues such as contamination plumes detection and characterization, tunnel detection, etc.
Isotopic Elucidation of Microbial Nitrogen Transformations in Forest Soils
Authors: Xu Shi‐Qi , Liu Xue‐Yan , Sun Zhong‐Cong , Hu Chao‐Chen , Wanek Wolfgang , Koba Keisuke
Published: December 2021

Soil nitrogen (N) transformations between labile N forms (extractable organic N [EON], ammonium [NH4+], and nitrate [NO3−]) regulate soil N availability. However, it has long been difficult to quantify the transformations of total soil organic and labile N forms in soils, which has left large uncertainties in evaluating atmospheric N deposition effects on soil N dynamics. Based on concentrations and natural abundances of N isotopes of soil organic N, EON, NH4+, and NO3− across 11 forests with variant N deposition levels, we established a quantitative isotopic framework to estimate the fractions of soil N depolymerization (fD), mineralization (fM), nitrification (fN), and of NO3− losses (fL) via denitrification and leaching. Based on the fractions, the gross production and storage of corresponding soil labile N were estimated for forests of China and Japan. We found that fD, fM, and fN increased, while fL decreased with the increase of N deposition among the study forests. And the contribution of denitrification (relative to the NO3− leaching) to total NO3− losses also increased with increasing N deposition. Our method provides new and straightforward insights into the present soil N transformations and allows to evaluate the soil N status. These findings are useful for modeling forest N cycles under different N deposition regimes.