bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The division of Ireland and its foes: The centenary of resistance to partition
Authors: Castan Pinos Jaume , McCall Cathal
Published: January 2021

Critics of partition argue that it contributes to the perpetuation, rather than the amelioration, of territorial conflict. This paper engages with the theoretical debates on partition, focusing on the particular and illustrative case of Ireland. The island has been partitioned into two polities for a century. Opposition to the partition of Ireland has existed from the outset to the contemporary Brexit context. The argument is that while hostility to partition has experienced different forms, namely, political and violent and different degrees of intensity, there is a historical continuum of contestation against partition in Ireland. While the territorial issue was calmed by the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, Brexit has reanimated the border question, providing political momentum for those who aim to challenge the territorial status quo.
JMJ17–WRKY40 and HY5–ABI5 modules regulate the expression of ABA‐responsive genes in Arabidopsis
Authors: Wang Tian‐Jing , Huang Shuangzhan , Zhang Ai , Guo Peng , Liu Yutong , Xu Chunming , Cong Weixuan , Liu Bao , Xu Zheng‐Yi
Published: January 2021

Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a crucial role in the adaptation of young seedlings to environmental stresses. However, the role of epigenetic components and core transcriptional machineries in the effect of ABA on seed germination and seedling growth remain unclear.

Here, we show that a histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) demethylase, JMJ17, regulates the expression of ABA‐responsive genes during seed germination and seedling growth. Using comparative interactomics, WRKY40, a central transcriptional repressor in ABA signaling, was shown to interact with JMJ17. WRKY40 facilitates the recruitment of JMJ17 to the ABI5 chromatin, which removes gene activation marks (H3K4me3) from the ABI5 chromatin, thereby repressing its expression.

Additionally, WRKY40 represses the transcriptional activation activity of HY5, which can activate ABI5 expression by directly binding to its promoter. An increase in ABA concentrations decreases the affinity of WRKY40 for the ABI5 promoter. Thus, WRKY40 and JMJ17 are released from the ABI5 chromatin, activating HY5. The accumulated ABI5 protein further shows heteromeric interaction with HY5, and thus synergistically activates its own expression.

Our findings reveal a novel transcriptional switch, composed of JMJ17–WRKY40 and HY5–ABI5 modules, which regulates the ABA response during seed germination and seedling development in Arabidopsis.
A novel fully immersive virtual reality environment for upper extremity rehabilitation in patients with stroke
Authors: Mekbib Destaw B. , Debeli Dereje Kebebew , Zhang Li , Fang Shan , Shao Yuling , Yang Wei , Han Jiawei , Jiang Hongjie , Zhu Junming , Zhao Zhiyong , Cheng Ruidong , Ye Xiangming , Zhang Jianmin , Xu Dongrong
Published: January 2021

Given the rising incidence of stroke, several technology‐driven methods for rehabilitation have recently been developed. Virtual reality (VR) is a promising therapeutic technology among them. We recently developed a neuroscientifically grounded VR system to aid recovery of motor function poststroke. The developed system provides unilateral and bilateral upper extremity (UE) training in a fully immersive virtual environment that may stimulate and activate mirror neurons (MNs) in the brain necessary for UE rehabilitation. Twenty‐three participants were randomized to a VR group (n = 12) to receive VR intervention (8 h within 2 weeks) plus 8‐h occupational therapy (OT) or a control group (n = 11) to receive time‐matched OT alone. Treatment effects on motor recovery and cortical reorganization were investigated using the Barthel Index (BI), Fugl‐Meyer Upper Extremity (FM‐UE), and resting‐state fMRI. Both groups significantly improved BI (P< 0.05), reflecting the recovery of UE motor function. The VR group revealed significant improvements on FM‐UE scores (P< 0.05) than the control group. Neural activity increased after the intervention, particularly in the brain areas implicating MNs, such as in the primary motor cortex. Overall, results suggested that using a neuroscientifically grounded VR system might offer additional benefits for UE rehabilitation in patients receiving OT.
Uncovering Regimes in Out of Sample Forecast Errors from Predictive Regressions*
Authors: Emiliano Da Silva Neto Anibal , Gonzalo Jesús , Pitarakis Jean‐Yves
Published: January 2021

We introduce a set of test statistics for assessing the presence of regimes in out of sample forecast errors produced by recursively estimated linear predictive regressions that can accommodate multiple highly persistent predictors. Our test statistics are designed to be robust to the chosen starting window size and are shown to be both consistent and locally powerful. Their limiting null distributions are also free of nuisance parameters and hence robust to the degree of persistence of the predictors. Our methods are subsequently applied to the predictability of the value premium whose dynamics are shown to be characterized by state dependence.
A novel prognostic score based on systemic inflammatory biomarkers for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhuang Zhaocheng , Li Yanfen , Hong Yihong , Chen Lin , Qian Jiawen , Lin Jing , Chen Qing , Qiu Yu , Lin Lisong , Shi Bin , Pan Lizhen , Zheng Xiaoyan , Wang Jing , Liu Fengqiong , He Baochang , Chen Fa
Published: January 2021

Objective

To explore the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory biomarkers (albumin/globulin ratio [AGR], neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio [NLR], and platelet/lymphocyte ratio [PLR]) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and further develop a novel prognostic score (AGR‐NLR).

Methods

A large‐scale prospective study enrolling 792 eligible patients from December 2002 to June 2018 was carried out at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. Three multivariate Cox regression models were performed to assess the association of overall survival (OS) with systemic inflammatory biomarkers, quantified by Akaike information criterion (AIC). Then, a novel AGR‐NLR score was established and incorporated into a prognostic nomogram.

Results

In the univariate analysis, the increased AGR was associated with a reduced risk of death. Conversely, the higher NLR and PLR, the worse the OS. In the multivariate Cox regression models, AGR and NLR were stably independent prognostic indicators in all models, with Model 2 showing a lowest AIC (AGR: HR = 0.56, 95%CI: 0.41–0.78; NLR: HR = 1.80, 95%CI: 1.07–3.04). Then, a novel AGR‐NLR score was established, which showed a more excellent performance than either AGR or NLR alone (area under curve [AUC]: 0.589, 0.559, and 0.556, respectively). The C‐index of the nomogram based on AGR‐NLR was superior to that of traditional TNM staging system (C‐index: 0.658 versus. 0.596, p < .001). Similar results were also showed by decision curve analysis, indicating the nomogram had more positive net benefit compared to TNM staging system.

Conclusion

The novel AGR‐NLR score is strongly associated with outcome in patients with OSCC and could be serve as a useful tool to accurately predict the OS of OSCC patients.
Perioperative hypersensitivity reactions during childhood and outcomes of subsequent anesthesia
Authors: Karaatmaca Betul , Sahiner Umit Murat , Sekerel Bulent Enis , Soyer Ozge
Published: January 2021

Background

Pediatric perioperative hypersensitivity reactions are rare, and possibly life‐threatening. Identification of precise etiology is crucial to circumvent future re‐exposures.

Aims

We aim to evaluate the clinical features and triggers of perioperative hypersensitivity reactions in children, and determine the outcomes of subsequent general anesthesia.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed with patients who underwent skin testing for general anesthesia between 2007 and 2019. We noted demographic features and skin tests (neuromuscular blocking agents, induction agents, and antibiotics). We also recorded specific immunoglobulin Es or provocation results of drugs or substances (latex, chlorhexidine, and ethylene oxide) that patients were exposed to antecedent to the reaction. Telephone interviews were performed to determine the current status of the participants and reconsider subsequent anesthesia.

Results

We enrolled 50 children (58% male) with a suspected perioperative hypersensitivity reaction. The median age was 6.67 (4.4‐11.5) years, and the median time between the reaction, and skin tests was 4 (1‐36) months. The most common potential causative agents were neuromuscular blocking agents (n = 8), midazolam (n = 3), ketamine (n = 2), and propofol (n = 1). Three children exhibited hypersensitivity to more than one general anesthetics, and three patients were allergic to latex. Thirty‐one patients received subsequent anesthesia, and only one patient had a hypersensitivity reaction. A previous history multiple of general anesthesia administration (≥2) increased the risk of reaction to neuromuscular blocking agents.

Conclusion

Data on perioperative hypersensitivity reactions during childhood are rare due to limited diagnostic procedures. Different preference of general anesthetics may change the causative agent. Meticulous evaluation is necessary to safely administer subsequent anesthesia.
The 5′‐upstream region of WRKY18 transcription factor from banana is a stress‐inducible promoter with strong expression in guard cells
Authors: Tak Himanshu , Negi Sanjana , Ganapathi Thumballi R.
Published: January 2021

Increasing crop productivity in an ever‐changing environmental scenario is a major challenge for maintaining the food supply worldwide. Generation of crops having broad‐spectrum pathogen resistance with the ability to cope with water scarcity is the only solution to feed the expanding world population. Stomatal closure has implications on pathogen colonization and drought tolerance. Recent studies have provided novel insights into networks involved in stomatal closure which is being used in biotechnological applications for improving crop endurance. Despite that genetic engineering of stomata requires guard cell preferred or specific regulatory regions to avoid undesirable side effects. In the present study, we describe the 5′‐upstream regulatory region of the WRKY18 transcription factor of banana and functionally analyzed its stress meditated activation and strong guard cell preferred activity. Expression of MusaWRKY18 is augmented in leaves of banana cultivars Karibale Monthan, Rasthali and Grand Nain under multiple stress conditions suggesting its role in stress responses of banana plants. Transgenic tobacco lines harboring PMusaWRKY18‐β‐D‐glucuronidase (GUS) were regenerated and GUS staining demonstrated substantial GUS expression in guard cells which corroborates with multiple Dof1 binding cis‐elements in PMusaWRKY18. Fluorescent β‐galactosidase assay demonstrated the stress‐mediated strong induction profiles of PMusaWRKY18 at different time points in transgenic tobacco lines exposed to drought, high‐salinity, cold, and applications of abscisic acid, salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate, and ethephon. This study sheds novel insights into guard cell preferred expression of WRKY genes under stress and confirm the utility of PMusaWRKY18 for exploring guard cell functions and guard cell engineering.
Political Representation as Interpretation: A Contribution to Deliberative Constitutionalism
Authors: Bello Hutt Donald
Published: January 2021

This article analogises political representation to legal interpretation. It then applies the analogy to the hitherto neglected question of what political representation means for deliberative constitutionalism. The upshot is a conception of deliberative constitutionalism that, while uncompromisingly grounded in the reasoned expression of the preferences of a polity's constituents through deliberative democratic institutional innovations, mandates representatives to translate those preferences into general and abstract constitutional law. It thus enhances the deliberative contribution of citizens in the determination of constitutional meaning, while preserving the value of representative institutions.
Freshwater pearl culture in Mexico: historic context, present status and future perspectives
Authors: Saucedo Pedro E. , Acosta‐Salmón Héctor , McLaurin‐Moreno Douglas , Castillo‐Domínguez Alfonso , Melgar‐Valdés Carolina E. , Mazón‐Suástegui José M.
Published: January 2021

We revise the historic context of freshwater pearl culture in Asia, updating the present situation and perspectives of this activity in Mexico, and, possibly, in some Latin American countries. The review is based on the results of ten years of research conducted in southeast Mexico (state of Tabasco) to firstly determine the demography of freshwater mussel stocks and, based on this information, identify a target species with a higher potential for pearl farming: the fatmucket mussel Psoronaias crocodilorum. The main advances relative to the seeding technique for keshi pearl production and composite technique for half‐pearl (mabe) production are detailed and placed under perspective with China, as today's greatest producer of freshwater pearls. After ten years, several cohorts of keshi and mabe pearls have been produced, representing the first of their kind in Latin America. Although the yield and quality of these pearls has gradually been improved, some aspects of the keshi technique (preparation and seeding of the donor's mantle into the host's mantle) still require further optimisation. To promote social development, one of the goals of the project included the involvement of local communities in the manufacture and selling of handcrafts made from the shell. The other goal was to share the main outcomes derived from the keshi and mabe techniques with academics, producers, and government authorities through a series of training workshops aimed to create awareness in the local communities for the potential of freshwater pearl culture in Tabasco as an aquaculture‐based, environmentally friendly and viable model for socioeconomic development.
Evaluating the rainwater killifish (Lucania parva) as an indicator of Everglades restoration
Authors: Serafy Joseph E. , Zink Ian C. , Shideler Geoffrey S. , Liehr Gladys A. , Browder Joan A. , Jobert Herve , Lirman Diego
Published: January 2021

Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) objectives include the return of more natural salinity regimes to the bays and estuaries of southern Florida (U.S.A.). We examined for spatiotemporal patterns in rainwater killifish (Lucania parva) density and size with emphasis on relations with salinity, salinity variation, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), temperature, and depth. Using linear quantile mixed models (LQMM) and cluster analyses, we analyzed 18 consecutive wet‐dry seasons (9 years) of enclosure trap data from 44 fixed stations along mainland shoreline of southern Biscayne Bay, Florida. The LQMM results suggested that SAV was the strongest influencing, and (potentially) most limiting, habitat variable on killifish density, and that decreases in mean salinity and salinity variation may result in higher killifish densities in our study domain. Killifish size‐habitat relationships were few. Cluster analysis of stations, based on killifish densities across time, failed to reveal clear spatial fish density gradients, consistent density hot‐spots, or grouping according to median habitat conditions. However, cluster analysis of seasons, based on killifish densities across space, indicated that high densities were associated with the wet season and low densities with the dry, although this depended on year. Our analyses suggest that realization of lower salinities and lower salinity variation in our study domain, if they are not accompanied by SAV decreases, may enhance killifish populations and/or their role as prey. Owing to its high stress ‐tolerance and extreme variability in density, L. parva is not an ideal indicator species of CERP‐modified salinity conditions, but warrants tracking as restoration activities ensue.
Drinking Water Consumption Patterns among Private Well Users in Ontario: Implications for Exposure Assessment of Waterborne Infection
Authors: Lavallee Sarah , Latchmore Tessa , Hynds Paul D. , Brown R. Stephen , Schuster‐Wallace Corinne , Anderson Sarah Dickson‐ , Majury Anna
Published: January 2021

Understanding the water consumption patterns within a specific population informs development of increasingly accurate, spatially specific exposure and/or risk assessment of waterborne infection. The current study examined the consumption patterns of private well users in Ontario while considering potentially influential underlying sociodemographics, household characteristics, and experiential factors. A province‐wide online survey was circulated between May and August 2018 (n = 1,162). Overall, 81.5% of respondents reported daily well water consumption (i.e., tap water). Results indicate a mean daily well water consumption rate of 1,132 mL/day (SD = 649 mL/day) among well water consumers. Gender was significantly associated with well water consumption, with higher consumption rates found among female respondents. The experience of acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) symptoms or diagnosis in the past 12 months did not impact the volume of water consumed, suggesting that experiencing previous AGI does not decrease consumption volumes, and therefore exposure over time. Significantly higher rates of well water consumption were found among respondents who reported previous testing or ongoing water treatment. Approximately 45.5% of survey respondents who stated that they do not consume well water selected bottled water as their primary household drinking water supply. Bottled water consumption was also not associated with previous AGI experiences. Findings will inform future quantitative microbial risk assessments associated with private well water use by providing spatially and demographically specific estimates of well water consumption.
Correlates of oral health fatalism in caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Hammersmith Kimberly J. , Harlan Taylor A. , Fenning Rachel M. , Chan James , Stephenson Kevin G. , Macklin Eric A. , Casamassimo Paul S. , Townsend Janice A. , Butter Eric M. , Steinberg‐Epstein Robin B.
Published: January 2021

Aims

To study correlates of oral health fatalism (OHF) in caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Methods and results

This exploratory analysis used baseline data from 118 Medicaid‐eligible families of children with ASD in a multi‐site randomized clinical trial of a parent training intervention supporting home oral hygiene and dental visits. About half (46%) of caregivers agreed with the statement “most children eventually develop dental cavities,” endorsing OHF. Hispanic caregivers more strongly endorsed OHF than non‐Hispanics (cumulative odds ratio = 2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2‐4.7,P = .014). Caregivers living alone with children less strongly endorsed OHF than caregivers cohabitating with other adults (cumulative odds ratio = 0.39, 95% CI 0.17‐0.86,P = .019). Multivariable analysis maintained significance of ethnicity (P = .030) but not living situation (P = .052). Additional analyses included demographics, parenting beliefs, and children's oral hygiene and oral health status.

Conclusion

About half the caregivers endorsed OHF, with Hispanic caregivers more strongly endorsing OHF. OHF was not significantly associated with oral health behaviors or status, consistent with emerging literature suggesting fatalism is not necessarily linked to health behavior. Further exploration of OHF correlates in families of children with ASD is needed; ethnicity, living situation, child age, and caries status are of interest.
A scoping review on dental clinic accessibility for people using wheelchairs
Authors: Makansi Nora , Blaizot Alessandra , Vergnes Jean‐Noel , Morris Martin , Rousseau Jacqueline , Bedos Christophe
Published: January 2021

Aims

We aimed to explore the scientific literature on accessible dental clinics for wheelchair users. More specifically, we sought out literature addressing how the human environment and physical space shape the dental services of accessible dental clinics.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review (May 2019) in Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Avery index of architectural Periodicals (3994 articles). We followed Arksey and O'Malley's recommended procedures; after screening, we retained 17 articles. We performed a critical appraisal, followed by thematic content analyses of extracted data.

Results

The articles originated mainly from the United States and United Kingdom. Only three reported original research. We illustrated the results within a three‐step dental care pathway cycle. In each step, the interaction between accessibility of the physical and human environments (ie, the layout/design of the clinic and the attitudes and skills of the dental professional, respectively) contributed to the overall accessibility. We also found that empirical evidence on clinics’ accessibility was lacking: many articles resorted to broad “one size fits all” recommendations and fragmented information on accessibility. Finally, the voice of wheelchair users was missing.

Conclusion

There are knowledge gaps in terms of dental clinics' accessibility. We thus invite researchers to conduct original studies with dental professionals, wheelchair users, and their caregivers.
Democratic Competition for Rank, Cooperation, and Deception in Small Groups
Authors: Benard Stephen , Barclay Pat
Published: January 2021

Objective

Stratified groups face at least two obstacles in solving collective action problems and producing public goods. Individuals face temptation to free ride, and high‐ranking group members face incentives to protect their position at the group's expense. We introduce democratic competition for rank as a solution to the problem of cooperation in groups. We argue that democratic competition for high rank creates incentives for cooperation that are absent in nondemocratic groups.

Methods

In a small‐group behavioral experiment, we contrast groups in which individuals compete for a valuable high‐ranking position through democratic elections with groups in which individuals compete for high rank in resource‐based competitions. Groups faceda fluctuating external threat, and group members could invest resources in manipulating the apparent (but not actual) level of this threat.

Results

We find that democratic groups reward high contributors by electing them to the high‐ranking position at greater rates than low contributors. We also find evidence that individuals in democratic groups contribute more to the public good than individuals in nondemocratic groups. However, high‐ranking individuals in democratic groups exaggerate threats to the group at similar rates to high‐ranking individuals in nondemocratic groups.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that democratic competition increases public goods production and overall group efficiency, but does not eliminate—and may exacerbate—individuals' tendency to deceive their peers
Innovation in Financing Energy‐Efficient and Renewable Energy Upgrades: An Evaluation of Property Assessed Clean Energy for California Residences
Authors: Winecoff Ruth , Graff Michelle
Published: January 2021

Objective

We examine whether Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs, an innovative financing mechanism using municipal bonds to finance the up‐front cost of household energy conservation projects, reduced conventional energy purchases by residential customers and increased energy generated through residential solar panel and fuel cell installations.

Methods

Using data on municipal bond issuances, electricity and natural gas purchases, and self‐generated energy, we use a difference‐in‐differences design to estimate the effect of PACE bonds issued in California between 2009 and 2017 on purchases and self‐generation.

Results

We find more residential energy self‐generation in counties with PACE programs. Results are inconclusive for conventional energy purchases, suggesting a possible rebound effect.

Conclusion

While innovative financing mechanisms facilitate access to otherwise prohibitively expensive technologies, governments must consider that behavioral responses may result in lower efficacy than desired and should consider pairing financing tools with instruments that concurrently promote reduced energy consumption.
Nitrous oxide emissions from cassava fields amended with organic and inorganic fertilizers
Authors: Chirinda Ngonidzashe , Trujillo Catalina , Loaiza Sandra , Salazar Sandra , Luna Jorge , Tong Encinas Liz Alexandra , Becerra López Lavalle Luis Augusto , Tran Thierry
Published: January 2021

Cassava production requires nitrogen (N) inputs to drive processes such as protein synthesis. Nevertheless, N not taken up by cassava roots is subjected to microbial transformation resulting in nitrous oxide (N2O) production, a potent greenhouse gas. The temporal dynamics of soil N is partially influenced by the N source (i.e., organic or inorganic fertilizer) and the synchrony between N supply and demand. This study, which was conducted in Colombia on soils with high organic carbon and phosphorus contents, aimed at monitoring N2O emissions from cassava plots fertilized with organic (49.8 kg N ha‐1 year‐1) or inorganic fertilizers (22.7 kg N ha‐1 year‐1). Although the organic fertilizer (vermicompost) contained more than double the amount of N, cumulative N2O emissions from organic cassava production (1.28 kg N2O‐N ha‐1) were lower than those from inorganic fertilizer‐based cassava production (1.74 kg N2O‐N ha‐1) system. This finding indicates that, if crop yields can be maintained, there is potential to reduce cassava production's environmental impact through organic fertilization on highly fertile soils. However, a transition to organic fertilization depends on the availability of sufficient amounts of organic fertilizers at the farm level. The N2O emissions in this study were higher than those predicted using the default IPCC emission factor, which confirmed the relevance of using country or regional specific emissions factors.
Early plant height: A defining factor for yields of silage maize with contrasting phosphorus supply
Authors: Pedersen Ingeborg Frøsig , Christensen Julie Therese , Sørensen Peter , Christensen Bent T. , Holton Rubæk Gitte
Published: January 2021

Silage maize (Zea mays L.) is an important crop for forage on Northwestern European dairy cattle farms. We examined the effect of readily available soil phosphorus (P) on early maize growth and linked in‐season height growth to final harvest yield using field plots with contrasting P supply in a one‐year study embedded in a long‐term experiment. Water‐extractable P (Pw) was used as a proxy for readily available P in soil. Plant height, dry matter (DM) accumulation, P and nitrogen (N) uptakes were determined eight times from the two‐leaf stage until final whole‐crop harvest and fitted to logistic growth models. The models revealed that the final yield was significantly related to the time required to reach the maximum rate of height growth (occurring from 330 to 485 accumulated growing degree units, GDU), but not the time required to reach the maximum rate of DM accumulation (occurring from 561 to 649 GDU). Furthermore, plant height at the four‐leaf stage and onwards was significantly related to the final harvest yield. Soil Pw linked closely to height growth parameters; higher levels of Pw gave earlier peaks in height growth. For this light sandy loam with a wide gradient in P content, we conclude that suboptimal P supply postpones height growth and reduces final yields. A sufficient P supply links to an early rapid increase in plant height and forms the potential for optimum nutrient uptake and high forage yields. Thus, early‐season plant height may serve as a simple morphometric indicator for final yields.
HLA‐A*11:382N, a novel HLA‐A null allele identified by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Cheranev Valery , Loginova Maria , Jankevic Tatjana , Rebrikov Denis , Korostin Dmitriy
Published: January 2021

The new allele HLA‐A*11:382N showed one nucleotide difference with HLA‐A*11:01:01:01 at codon 254 (nonsense mutation).
Summit atmospheres: Aviation diplomacy and virtual infrastructures of politics
Authors: Lin Weiqiang
Published: January 2021

This paper examines the role of affective atmospheres in “doing” politics in diplomacy. By offering a thick exegesis of the ways in which these moods practically unfold at two International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation summits, the paper shows how affective atmospheres have a potent steering effect on (geo)politics, constituting the virtual infrastructures of its conduct. While geographers have recently begun paying attention to the salience of affective atmospheres in diplomacy, current approaches still tend to treat them – if at all – as situational productions at specific sites. Engaging in ethnographic immersions in two ICAO summits, the paper offers an intimate reading of international‐relations‐in‐action, across multivalent atmospheric experiences and transects. In particular, it highlights two modes of atmospheric conditioning in aviation diplomacy: one, the intermingling of work and play across time and, two, the overlap of various affective captures across space. The paper advocates a fuller appreciation of the contingency and adaptive nature of (geo)politics in its atmospheric productions. It also highlights the influence that these virtual infrastructures can have on decision‐making in diplomacy.
Cutting red tape for trade in services
Authors: Kern Milena , Paetzold Jörg , Winner Hannes
Published: January 2021

Trade in services is often hampered by domestic administrative barriers, even when countries are members of the same regional trade agreement. We exploit a large reform in the European Union (the EU Service Directive) aimed at reducing such administrative hurdles in cross‐border service provision to estimate its effects on service trade. We employ a triple‐difference strategy and a Poisson pseudo‐maximum‐likelihood panel approach to estimate gravity equations with multiple fixed effects. On average, the reform increased intra‐EU trade in targeted services between a lower bound of 29% and an upper bound of 67%, translating into an overall welfare increase between 0.39% and 1.32% for the member states. This effect of the reform on service trade is corroborated by several robustness and sensitivity checks. Besides the cross‐border trade creation effect, we show that there is trade diversion at the cost of domestic flows. Furthermore, a disaggregated analysis reveals significant differences between countries and service sectors.
Trade facilitation in the presence of non‐independent impediments
Authors: Choi Horag , Mancuso Julio , Tombazos Christis G.
Published: January 2021

With the virtual disappearance of tariffs, domestic export time delays have emerged as what is arguably the next most significant obstacle to trade. This may explain recent initiatives to combat delays independently of other trade transaction costs by a variety of regional and international organisations, including the WTO. Such initiatives have resulted in important reductions in export time delays in forty per cent of developing countries. In this paper, we propose a novel mechanism by which reductions in delays induce governments to respond by increasing the export fees that they charge exporters. We test this prediction empirically and use a difference gravity approach to investigate the joint impact of both delays and export fees on the flow of trade. Our results support the hypothesis of endogenous export fees which suggests that policies targeting delays in isolation are, at least ex ante, suboptimal. Our findings further show that for exporters of low‐value and time‐insensitive goods, such as many developing countries, export fees are at least as significant an impediment to exports as delays.
The effects of domestic labour mobility on trade agreements: Empirical evidence
Authors: Jestrab Ross
Published: January 2021

This paper examines the empirical relationship between trade agreements and domestic labour mobility. The domestic‐commitment motive from Maggi and Rodriguez‐Clare (American Economic Review, 97, 2007, 1374) and standard trade models with labour frictions predict that trade liberalisation should occur when labour is more mobile. I find support for this prediction. Using regional trade agreements (RTAs) covering 56 countries in 2015, I show labour mobility is a strong predictor of trade liberalisation. The probability of an RTA increases when the country pair's average domestic labour market is less rigid. When the average labour mobility increases by 1 standard deviation from the mean, the probability of an RTA increases by 14–26%. These results are also consistent with the bound tariffs negotiated under the World Trade Organization, where less rigid labour markets are associated with lower bound tariffs.
Evaluation of reticulocyte hemoglobin content (RETIC‐HGB) for the diagnosis of iron‐limited erythropoiesis in cats
Authors: Keiner Miriam , Fuchs Jannika , Bauer Natali , Moritz Andreas
Published: January 2021

Background

Decreased reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) (Siemens ADVIA 2120) reflects iron‐limited erythropoiesis (ILE). RETIC‐HGB (IDEXX ProCyte Dx) is a novel marker of ILE for veterinary use.

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate reference intervals (RIs) and the utility of RETIC‐HGB and CHr in the diagnosis of feline ILE.

Materials and Methods

RIs were established in 59 healthy cats. Intra‐assay coefficients of variation (CVs) and correlations between RETIC‐HGB and CHr were assessed. Two hundred and seventy‐five cats were classified as having ILE or not based on low plasma iron or low transferrin saturation along with anemia and/or altered RBC indices. CHr, RETIC‐HGB, and serum amyloid A (SAA) were compared between the groups. The sensitivity and specificity of RETIC‐HGB and CHr to diagnose ILE were analyzed to determine the RI lower limits.

Results

RIs for RETIC‐HGB and CHr were 12.5‐18.0 and 14.0‐19.9 pg, respectively. The CV was 3% for both variables. RETIC‐HGB and CHr were moderately correlated (rs = 0.59) with a bias of −1.2 picograms (pgs). Twenty of the 275 cats were classified as having ILE. Compared with non‐ILE cats, ILE cats had significantly lower median RETIC‐HGB (14.3 vs 15.2 pg, P = .0046) and mean CHr (14.7 vs 16.5 pg, P < .0001) values and significantly increased median SAA (44.6 vs 2.3 µg/dl, P < .0001) values. Using the lower RI limits resulted in a low sensitivity and relatively high specificity to diagnose ILE in cats.

Conclusions

ILE was characterized by decreased CHr and RETIC‐HGB; however, sensitivity was low. The moderate correlation between RETIC‐HGB and CHr is likely due to species differences and different methodology.
Venom immunotherapy for Hymenoptera allergy in a dog
Authors: Rostaher Ana , Mueller Ralf S , Meile Lena , Favrot Claude , Fischer Nina Maria
Published: January 2021

A 1.5‐year‐old male castrated dog was presented in anaphylactic shock after suffering an apparent bee sting. Immunotherapy with bee venom was initiated based upon history, skin testing and serological testing for allergen‐specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E. The dog was maintained on venom immunotherapy for five years and showed no signs of adverse effects from therapy or from repeated bee stings.
The design of a bench‐scale adsorbent column based on nanoclay‐loaded electrospun fiber membrane for the removal of arsenic in wastewater
Authors: Dela Peña Eden May B. , Araño Khryslyn , Dela Cruz Michael Leo , de Yro Persia Ada , Diaz Leslie Joy L.
Published: January 2021

This study presents a bench‐scale study on the dynamic removal of arsenic from wastewater by an adsorption membrane consisting of a polycaprolactone matrix with iron‐intercalated montmorillonite filler. A 2K factorial design of experiment was employed to study the effect of different adsorption parameters; namely, flow rate, initial influent concentration, and thickness of adsorbent sheets on breakthrough time. Longer breakthrough times were associated with low flow rates, low initial influent concentrations, and thick nanofiber membrane. The bed depth service time (BDST) approach was used to model adsorption kinetics. An empirical equation for predicting service time of the adsorbent membrane was obtained and was used to design the bench‐scale column. The performance of the adsorption column was accurately predicted by the BDST model. This practical, nanocomposite‐based adsorption column offers a promising alternative wastewater treatment for addressing arsenic contamination in water.
Phylogenetic relationships among cryptic species of the Phyllotis xanthopygus complex (Rodentia, Cricetidae)
Authors: Ojeda Agustina A. , Teta Pablo , Pablo Jayat J. , Lanzone Cecilia , Cornejo Paula , Novillo Agustina , Ojeda Ricardo A.
Published: January 2021

The leaf‐eared mouse, Phyllotis xanthopygus (Waterhouse 1837) is a widely distributed sigmodontine rodent in South America, with populations ranging from central Peru to southern Argentina and Chile. Previous morphological and molecular contributions have suggested that P. xanthopygus represents a species complex. In order to characterize and disclose this cryptic species complex, we perform a molecular genetic/phylogenetic analysis of representative samples across its geographical distribution. Phylogenetic analyses were based on sequences of cytochrome‐b gene (801 base pairs; n = 114 specimens) and analysed by maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches. We also employed a Bayesian implementation of the Poisson tree processes (bPTP) as a unilocus species delimitation method. Results from our phylogenetic analyses retrieve eight well‐supported clades. Five of these clades belong to populations known as P. xanthopygus s.l., which were paraphyletic to the closely related species P. bonariensis, P. caprinus, and P. limatus, displaying strong genetic divergences (>8%). The (bPTP) analyses recovered ten species within P. xanthopygus s.l. plus related forms (i.e. P. bonariensis, P. caprinus, and P. limatus). Our results, coupled with chromosomal and morphological evidences, support the recognition of these clades at the species level and provide a new framework to characterize the leaf‐eared mice complex. Our study highlights the importance of integrative approaches in disentangling the biodiversity of Neotropical rodents.
Sound Work
Authors: Impett Jonathan
Published: January 2021

The practices and perception of music creation have evolved with the cultural, social and technological contexts of music and musicians. But musical authorship, in its many technical and aesthetic modes, remains an important component of music culture. Musicians are increasingly called on to share their experience in writing. However, cultural imperatives to account for composition as knowledge production and to make claims for its uniqueness inhibit the development of discourse in both expert and public spheres. Internet pioneer Philip Agre observed a discourse deficit in artificial intelligence research and proposed a critical technical practice, a single disciplinary field with “one foot planted in the craft work of design and the other foot planted in the reflexive work of critique. … A critical technical practice rethinks its own premises, re-evaluates its own methods, and reconsiders its own concepts as a routine part of its daily work.” This volume considers the potential for critical technical practice in the evolving situation of composition across a wide range of current practices. In seeking to tell more honest, useful stories of composition, it hopes to contribute to a new discourse around the creation of music.
Fake news in oorlogstijd
Authors: Yammine Bruno
Published: January 2021

Tijdens de Eerste Wereldoorlog probeerde de Duitse bezetter België intern te splijten. Dat gebeurde door het voeren van een Flamenpolitik, een beleid dat erop gericht was de Vlamingen of in elk geval de Vlaamse beweging in het harnas te jagen tegen België. Dat lukte, want een klein deel Vlaamsgezinden, de zogenaamde activisten, collaboreerde inderdaad. Vanaf de zomer van 1914 zou Berlijn in het bezette land op de Vlaamse beweging inbeuken door een grootscheepse propagandacampagne. De Duitse diensten, gesteund door hun Oostenrijkse bondgenoten, maakten daarbij vooral gebruik van vlugschriften en de geschreven pers, niet alleen in België maar ook in het neutrale Nederland. In de zomer van 1915 was het activisme een feit: een anti-Belgisch Vlaams-nationalisme, waarvan de gevolgen tot op heden voelbaar zijn, had het daglicht gezien. De propaganda die eraan ten grondslag lag was zó vernuftig en ingenieus dat ze niet alleen tijdgenoten overtuigde, maar zelfs meer dan een eeuw later nog steeds historici misleidt. Het is een mooi staaltje van “fake news” avant la lettre.
John Philoponus on Physical Place
Authors: Papachristou Ioannis
Published: January 2021

This book examines the place of physical bodies, a major topic of natural philosophy that has occupied philosophers since antiquity. Aristotle’s conceptions of place (topos) and the void (kenon), as expounded in the Physics, were systematically repudiated by John Philoponus (ca. 485-570) in his philosophical commentary on that work. The primary philosophical concern of the present study is the in-depth investigation of the concept of place established by Philoponus, putting forward the claim that the latter offers satisfactory solutions to problems raised by Aristotle and the Aristotelian tradition regarding the nature of place. Philoponus’ account proposes a specific physical model of how physical bodies exist and move in place, and regards place as an intrinsic reality of the physical cosmos. Due to exactly this model, his account may be considered as strictly pertaining to the study of physics, thereby constituting a remarkable episode in the history of philosophy and science.
The Baum–Connes conjecture localised at the unit element of a discrete group
Authors: Antonini Paolo , Azzali Sara , Skandalis Georges
Published: January 2021

We construct a Baum–Connes assembly map localised at the unit element of a discrete group$\Gamma$. This morphism, called$\mu _\tau$, is defined in$KK$-theory with coefficients in$\mathbb {R}$by means of the action of the idempotent$[\tau ]\in KK_{\mathbin {{\mathbb {R}}}}^\Gamma (\mathbb {C},\mathbb {C})$canonically associated to the group trace of$\Gamma$. We show that the corresponding$\tau$-Baum–Connes conjecture is weaker than the classical version, but still implies the strong Novikov conjecture. The right-hand side of$\mu _\tau$is functorial with respect to the group$\Gamma$.
Comparative Study on Static Characteristics of Double-Pad Inwardly and Outwardly Pumping Water-Lubricated Spiral-Groove Thrust Bearings
Authors: Zhang Shaowen , Jiang Shuyun
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this technical brief is to investigate comparatively the static characteristics of the double-pad inwardly pumping and outwardly pumping water-lubricated spiral-groove thrust bearings (SGTBs). Firstly, a thermo-hydrodynamic lubrication model including the cavitating, centrifugal, and turbulent effects is established for the double-pad water-lubricated SGTB operating at a high-speed condition. Subsequently, the film thickness and volume flowrate are verified by an experimental study for the high-speed water-lubricated SGTBs. Finally, the effects of the operating conditions and configuration parameters on the static characteristics of the double-pad inwardly pumping and outwardly pumping SGTBs are analyzed systematically. The simulated results show that when the radius ratio exceeds 0.7, the outwardly pumping SGTB can perform better than the inwardly pumping version, with good axial load capacity, higher resistance to tilting and always positive radial flowrate.
Numerical Investigation of Erosive Wear of a Centrifugal Slurry Pump Due to Solid–Liquid Flow
Authors: Tarodiya Rahul , Gandhi Bhupendra K.
Published: January 2021

Centrifugal slurry pump designed for handling solid–liquid flow experiences performance reduction and shorter service life due to uneven localized erosive wear of the wetted parts. In this work, three-dimensional (3D) unsteady numerical modeling of a centrifugal slurry pump with Eulerian–Lagrangian approach coupled to the erosion model has been performed to predict the erosive wear of the pump components namely, casing and impeller. The erosion model developed to predict the erosion of the pump components of high chromium white cast iron (HCWCI) is employed, and the erosion rate distribution along the complete length and width of the casing and impeller blade surfaces namely, pressure side, suction side, front shroud, and back shroud, is determined. The numerical results showed good agreement with the experimentally measured erosion of the pump casing. It has been found that the erosion of the casing and impeller is non-uniform along the length and width. The zone of higher erosion is at the centerline and the back side of the casing, whereas, for the impeller, it is on the pressure side near the leading edge. The variation in the operating flowrate and particle size greatly influenced the material removal rate and the zone of higher erosion for the casing and impeller blade surfaces.
Numerical Investigation on Heat Transfer and Oxidation Deposition of Aviation Fuel in a Rotatory U-Channel
Authors: Zheng Zekun , Pei Xinyan , Yan Siqian , Hou Lingyun
Published: January 2021

Liquid-fuel regenerative cooling is a promising turbine cooling technology. We developed a numerical model of heat transfer coupled with oxidation deposition in a rotatory channel for regenerative cooling applications. Source terms for the centrifugal and Coriolis forces caused by rotation were added to the momentum equations and turbulent transport equations. A kinetic model for the thermal oxidation and deposition of supercritical hydrocarbon fuel was used to predict the oxidation deposition process. Coupled fluid–solid simulations of the heat transfer and oxidation deposition of hydrocarbon fuel in a U-shaped channel at five rotation numbers showed that the rotation improves convective heat transfer in the cooling channel and prevents the occurrence of a heat transfer deterioration zone. The average deposition rate in the channel decreased with increasing rotation number. In the centrifugal section of the rotatory channel, the Coriolis force caused the temperatures of the leading wall to be higher than those of the trailing wall, but the differences became smaller and nearly disappeared in the elbow and centripetal sections. The deposition rate on the leading wall was higher than that on the trailing wall in the straight centrifugal channel. In the bending section, the oxidation deposits were more prone to form on the inner edge than on the outer edge.
Data-Driven Method for Response Control of Nonlinear Random Dynamical Systems
Authors: Tian Yanping , Jin Xiaoling , Wu Lingling , Yang Ying , Wang Yong , Huang Zhilong
Published: January 2021

The response control of nonlinear random dynamical systems is an important but also difficult subject in scientific and industrial fields. This work merges the decomposition technique of feedback control and the data-driven identification method of stationary response probability density, converts the constrained functional extreme value problem associated with optimal control to an unconstrained optimization problem of multivariable function, and determines the optimal coefficients of preselected control terms by an optimization algorithm. This data-driven method avoids the difficulty of solving the stochastic dynamic programming equation or forward–backward stochastic differential equations encountered in classical control theories, the miss of the conservative mechanism in the nonlinear stochastic optimal control strategy, and the difficulty of judging the integrability and resonance of the controlled Hamiltonian systems encountered in the direct-control method. The application and efficacy of the data-driven method are illustrated by the random response control problems of the Duffing oscillator, van der Pol system, and a two degrees-of-freedom nonlinear system.