bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co‐development of an integrated assessment framework to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of selected nature‐based water treatment technologies in Sri Lanka, The Philippines, and Vietnam
Authors: Jegatheesan Veeriah , Pachova Nevelina , Velasco Perlie , Mowjood Mohamed Ismail Mohammed , Weragoda Sujithra Kaushaliya , Makehelwala Madhubhashini , Trang Ngo Thuy Diem , Dang Bao‐Trong , Tran Cong‐Sac , Vo Thi‐Kim‐Quyen , Trang Nguyen Thi Thu , Pham Huy , Devanadera Ma. Catriona , Torrens Antonina , Bui Xuan‐Thanh , Nguyen Phuoc‐Dan , Lecciones Amy , Jinadasa Kristhombu Baduge Shameen Nishantha
Published: November 2022

Water quality is a critical challenge in Asia in the context of growing industrialization, urbanization, and climate change. Nature‐based solutions (NbS) could play an important role in reducing urban water pollution, while generating multiple co‐benefits that could make cities more liveable and resilient. In this regard, a number of pilot and demonstration projects have been set up to explore their potential across cities in Asia. Their effectiveness and impacts, however, have not been adequately documented, thus how they can be sustained, replicated and up‐scaled remain poorly understood. This study aims to contribute to addressing this challenge by co‐developing an integrated assessment framework and employing it to understand how existing evaluations of NbS in the region can be improved. It focuses specifically on a set of nature‐based solutions that have been employed for water treatment across six cities in Southeast Asia (two in each Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Vietnam), namely, floating wetlands, constructed wetlands and maturation ponds. The study also suggests specific methodologies for capturing a set of core indicators considered relevant for assessing the effectiveness and capturing the multi‐faceted impacts of the examined NbS.
Effect of salt solution treatment on impurity removal: A case study on phosphogypsum
Authors: Avşar Cemre , Ertunç Suna
Published: November 2022

This study gives a brief demonstration of impurity removal efficiency upon salt solution treatment of phosphogypsum (PG). The experimental set up has been designed according to a multi‐variable Box–Behnken Design (BBD) with stirring time, solid: liquid (PG:salt solution) ratio and temperature as the conducted in various salt solutions. PG sample has been treated with sea water, 5% NaCl and 10% NaCl solutions according to the BBD matrix. Fluoride (F), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni) amounts in the PG sample have been measured upon pre‐ and post‐treatment with salt solutions. Among other operating conditions, temperature has been the dominant factor on fluoride removal efficiency, and responses for the factors determined in the experiment runs indicated that a significant correlation could be established between temperature and fluoride removal, sea water being the most efficient salt solution. Higher copper, manganese, and nickel removal efficiencies have been observed in single salt NaCl solution systems however no significant correlation could be established between factors. Results indicate that pre‐treatment of PG located near coastal regions with sea water can be a cost‐effective approach and applicable on industrial scale when fluoride removal is of importance.
Prioritizing Purposeful and Playful Language Learning in Pre‐K
Authors: Hadley Elizabeth Burke , Newman Katherine Mackay
Published: November 2022

Using play to meet specific learning goals in pre‐k can be challenging. In this article, we discuss why play is an essential activity for pre‐k learning. We share some research on the importance of supporting unconstrained, trifecta skills like oral language in the context of child‐centered, playful activities. We explain the importance of teacher scaffolding during play to meet specific language learning goals. Finally, we give practical strategies for planning and implementing play activities that will make a difference for children's language growth.
Engineering metal‐phenolic networks for enhancing cancer therapy by tumor microenvironment modulation
Authors: Xie Lisi , Li Jie , Wang Leyu , Dai Yunlu
Published: November 2022

The complicated tumor microenvironment (TME) is featured by low pH values, high redox status, and hypoxia, which greatly supports the genesis, development, and metastasis of tumors, leading to drug resistance and clinical failure. Moreover, a lot of immunosuppressive cells infiltrate in such TME, resulting in depressing immunotherapy. Therefore, the development of TME‐responsive nanoplatforms has shown great significance in enhancing cancer therapeutics. Metal‐phenolic networks (MPNs)‐based nanosystems, which self‐assemble via coordination of phenolic materials and metal ions, have emerged as excellent TME theranostic nanoplatforms. MPNs have unique properties including fast preparation, tunable morphologies, pH response, and biocompatibility. Besides, functionalization and surface modification can endow MPNs with specific functions for application requirements. Here, the representative engineering strategies of various polyphenols are first introduced, followed by the introduction of the engineering mechanisms of polyphenolic nanosystems, fabrication, and distinct properties of MPNs. Then, their advances in TME modulation are highlighted, such as antiangiogenesis, hypoxia relief, combination therapy sensitization, and immunosuppressive TME reversion. Finally, we will discuss the challenges and future perspectives of MPNs‐based nanosystems for enhancing cancer therapy.

This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
Featuring the Hall effect and variable thermal conductivity on magnetized hybrid nanoliquid flow for three distinct shapes of nanoparticles: A comparative study
Authors: Nandi Susmay , Kumbhakar Bidyasagar , Roy Nepal Chandra
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this work is to capture the circumstances of variable thermal conductivity and the Hall effect on the three‐dimensional rotating flow of hybrid nanofluid towards a bidirectional stretching sheet. The hybrid nanofluid is made by suspending nanometer‐sized copper (Cu) and alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles in the base liquid water (H2O). The sheet is immersed in a Darcy porous medium. The flow is induced by both stretching of the sheet and thermal buoyancy force due to free convection. Further, nonlinear thermal radiation, frictional and Joule heating are prevalent in the temperature field. The surface boundary also imposes two constraints, namely velocity slip and convective heating. Another aspect of this analysis is to examine the impact of different shapes of copper and alumina nanoparticles on temperature distribution. For that, three variants, namely, spherical, blade, and lamina of nanoparticles shape, are considered. The resulting nonlinear differential equations are tackled by using Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg and secant methods‐based shooting technique. A detailed discussion on the physical impacts of various relevant parameters over velocity, temperature, local skin friction coefficients and Nusselt number is carried out with the help of graphs. Primary and secondary velocities of the hybrid nanofluid are accelerated for growing values of Hall current parameter, whereas the reverse trend is noticed w.r.t. velocity slip and suction parameters. Moreover, the hybrid nanofluid temperature profile has a direct relation with viscous dissipation and thermal radiation parameters. This research may have important applications in high‐ and low‐temperature operations, paints, space technologies, medications, cosmetics, conductive coatings, and so forth.
Haptics as an Interaction Modality
Authors: Hatzfeld Christian , Kern Thorsten A.
Published: November 2022

This chapter focuses on the biological and behavioural basics of the haptic modality. On the one side, several concepts for describing interaction are presented in Sect. 2.2, on the other side, the physiological and psychophysical basis of haptic perception is discussed in Sect. 2.1. The goal of this chapter is to provide a common basis to describe interactions and to convey a basic understanding of perception and the description by psychophysical parameters. Both aspects are relevant for the formal description of the purpose of a haptic system and the derivation of requirements, further explained in Chap. 5. Several conclusions arising from the description of perception and interaction are given in Sect. 2.4.
Shift symmetries for p-forms and mixed symmetry fields on (A)dS
Authors: Hinterbichler Kurt
Published: November 2022

Abstract

Massive fields on (anti) de Sitter space realize extended shift symmetries at particular values of their masses. We find these symmetries for all bosonic p-forms and mixed symmetry fields, in arbitrary spacetime dimension. These shift symmetric fields correspond to the missing longitudinal modes of mixed symmetry partially massless fields where the top row of the Young tableau is activated.
PanScales parton showers for hadron collisions: formulation and fixed-order studies
Authors: van Beekveld Melissa , Ferrario Ravasio Silvia , Salam Gavin P. , Soto-Ontoso Alba , Soyez Gregory , Verheyen Rob
Published: November 2022

Abstract

We formulate PanScales parton showers for hadron collisions so as to achieve next-to-leading logarithmic (NLL) accuracy across a broad set of observables. We do so specifically for colour singlet production. Relative to the existing PanScales final-state showers, the main new question is that of how to redistribute momentum imbalances from initial-state branching across the remainder of the event. We present tests of the showers at fixed order, including the treatment of full colour for soft-collinear emissions and of spin correlations in both the soft and collinear domains. We also include comparisons to a formulation of a standard dipole shower, the current leading-logarithmic state of the art. A forthcoming companion paper [1] will explore all-order tests of the new showers.
Black tunnels and hammocks
Authors: Biggs William D. , Santos Jorge E.
Published: November 2022

Abstract

We construct the holographic duals to a large N, strongly coupled $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super Yang-Mills conformal field theory defined on a four-dimensional de Sitter-Schwarzschild background. There are two distinct five-dimensional bulk solutions. One, named the black tunnel, is static and possesses two disconnected horizons. The other, the black hammock, contains only one horizon in the bulk. The hammock horizon is not a Killing horizon, and hence possesses interesting properties, such as non-vanishing expansion and shear, as well as allowing classical flow along it. The DeTurck method was used in order to attain the black tunnel solutions, whilst the black hammocks were found in Bondi-Sachs gauge.
Evaluation of three extraction methods for the isolation of PAHs from recycled paperboard materials intended for food contact applications
Authors: Parigoridi Ioanna-Efpraxia , Tsoumani Eleftheria , Akrida-Demertzi Konstantoula , Demertzis Panagiotis G.
Published: November 2022

The present work is part of a comprehensive study aiming to identify and quantify an array of harmful contaminants at very low concentrations in recycled paperboard materials intended for food contact applications. In this initial study, three commonly used extraction techniques were optimized and tested for their efficacy and accuracy in isolating 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from three commercially available food packaging materials made from recycled paperboard. The techniques were Soxtec extraction (SE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME), followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. The recoveries of all three methods were rather satisfactory; 10 out of 13 substances were recovered at rates between 70 and 124% using the SE method, 8 out of 13 substances were recovered at rates between 50 and 134% using the UAE method, and finally, 8 out of 13 substances were recovered at rates between 70 and 105% using the HS-SPME method. Regarding accuracy, the HS-SPME method gave the best results at 125 μg kg−1, as 7 out of 13 concentration values were within acceptable limits, while only five and four concentration values were within limits for the UAE and SE methods, respectively. Furthermore, the results of both the calculated RSD and HorRat values indicated that HS-SPME is more accurate for extracting PAHs than the other two methods.
Microneedling combined with botulinum toxin-A versus microneedling combined with platelet-rich plasma in treatment of atrophic acne scars: a comparative split face study
Authors: Albalat Waleed , Ghonemy Soheir , Saleh Ayat , Elradi Mona
Published: November 2022

Background

Atrophic post-acne scarring constitutes a troublesome cosmetic concern for both patients and dermatologists. Old and new therapies as well as combinations are being introduced to achieve a satisfactory response. Microneedling has been used either alone or under different combinations for its treatment. The aim was to compare its combination with topical platelet-rich plasma versus its combination with topical Botulinum Toxin-A.

Methods

30 subjects with different types and grades of atrophic post-acne scars completed the study. Right side of the face was treated with microneedling and platelet-rich plasma while the left side was treated microneedling and Botulinum toxin-A. Response was assessed using two different scales. Patient satisfaction and pain were also assessed.

Results

Regarding response to therapy and according to the quartile grading scale, there was no statistically significant difference between the two sides where (23.4% & 13.3%) of the right and left sides, respectively, had an excellent response. Regarding the difference in the qualitative global scarring grading system before and after treatment, there was a highly statistically significant improvement on both sides with higher improvement on the right side than left side but in a non-statistically significant way.

Conclusions

Both combinations present efficacious options for treating acne scars with comparable efficacy.

Trial registration

Registered and approved prospectively by the ethical review board of the faculty of medicine, Zagazig University.
Incidence of melancholic depression by age of onset and gender in the Lundby population, 1947–1997
Authors: Nöbbelin Linnéa , Bogren Mats , Mattisson Cecilia , Brådvik Louise
Published: November 2022

Whether melancholic depression is a distinct syndrome or not has long been debated. There are few studies providing information about the epidemiology of melancholic depression. In this study, we investigate the incidence rates, overall as well as by gender and age of onset of melancholic depression according to Taylor and Fink and corresponding DSM–IV disorders: major depressive disorder (MDD) with melancholic specifier, MDD with psychotic features, MDD with postpartum debut and bipolar depression in the Lundby population. Incidence rates with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The incidence rate of melancholic depression was 0.48 (CI 0.36–0.61) per 1000 person-years under risk. The rates of the corresponding DSM-IV disorders were as follows: MDD with melancholic specifier 0.38 (CI 0.27–0.49), MDD with psychotic features 0.13 (CI 0.07–0.21), MDD with postpartum debut 0.02 (CI 0.00–0.06) and bipolar depression 0.04 (CI 0.01–0.10). Females had a significantly higher incidence rate, with a peak in age group 40–49, in melancholic depression according to Taylor and Fink and MDD with melancholic specifier. There was no gender difference in incidence rates of MDD with psychotic features or bipolar depression. The diagnoses were set in retrospect and the number of subjects with MDD with postpartum debut and bipolar depression was low. Incidence of melancholia was low in the Lundby Study. There was a female preponderance to become melancholically depressed in line with research on undifferentiated depression.
Environmental stress, minority status, and local poverty: risk factors for mental health in Berlin’s inner city
Authors: Darabi Debora , Kluge Ulrike , Penka Simone , Mundt Adrian P. , Schouler-Ocak Meryam , Butler Jeffrey , Liu Shuyan , Heinz Andreas , Rapp Michael A.
Published: November 2022

This study examines whether climate change-associated environmental stressors, including air and noise pollution, local heat levels, as well as a lack of surrounding greenspace, mediate the effects of local poverty on mental health, using the 28-item General Health Questionnaire. We recruited 478 adults who were representative of eleven of Berlin’s inner-city neighborhoods. The relationship of individual-level variables, neighborhood-level sociodemographic and environmental data from the Berlin Senate (Department for Urban Development, Building and Housing) to mental health was assessed in a multilevel model using SPSS. We found that neither local exposure to environmental stressors, nor available greenspace as a protective factor, mediated the effects of local poverty on variance in mental health (all p values > 0.2). However, surrounding greenspace (r = -0.24, p < 0.001), nitrogen dioxide levels (r = 0.10, p < 0.05), noise pollution (rho = 0.15, p < 0.01), and particle pollution (r = 0.12, p < 0.001) were associated with local poverty, which, more strongly than individual factors, accounted for variance in mental health (β = 0.47, p < 0.001). Our analysis indicates that the effects of local poverty on mental health are not mediated by environmental factors. Instead, local poverty was associated with both an increased mental health burden and the exposure to climate-related environmental stressors.
Outcome and characteristics of patients with adult grade 4 diffuse gliomas changing sites of treatment
Authors: Forster Marie-Therese , Hug Marion , Geissler Maximilian , Voss Martin , Weber Katharina , Hoelter Maya Christina , Seifert Volker , Czabanka Marcus , Steinbach Joachim P.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

With increasing patient self-empowerment and participation in decision making, we hypothesized that patients with adult-type diffuse gliomas, CNS WHO grade 4 who change sites of treatment differ from patients being entirely treated in one neuro-oncological center.

Methods

Prospectively collected data from all diffuse glioma grade 4 patients who underwent treatment in our neuro-oncological center between 2012 and 2018 were retrospectively examined for differences between patients having initially been diagnosed and/or treated elsewhere (External Group) and patients having entirely been treated in our neuro-oncological center (Internal Group). Additionally, a matched-pair analysis was performed to adjust for possible confounders.

Results

A total of 616 patients was analyzed. Patients from the External Group (n = 78) were significantly younger, more frequently suffered from IDH-mutant astrocytoma grade 4, had a greater extent of tumor resection, more frequently underwent adjuvant therapy and experienced longer overall survival (all p < 0.001). However, after matching these patients to patients of the Internal Group considering IDH mutations, extent of resection, adjuvant therapy, age and gender, no difference in patients’ overall survival was observed anymore.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrates that mobile diffuse glioma grade 4 patients stand out from a comprehensive diffuse glioma grade 4 patient cohort due to their favorable prognostic characteristics. However, changing treatment sites did not result in survival benefit over similar patients being entirely taken care of within one neuro-oncological institution. These results underline the importance of treatment and molecular markers in glioma disease for patients’ self-empowerment, including changing treatment sites according to patients’ needs and wishes.
Clinical, diagnostic and epidemiological implications of Hepatozoon spp., Babesia spp. and Leishmania infantum infection in cats and dogs in a Mediterranean periurban setting
Authors: Ortuño María , Bernal Ana , Nachum-Biala Yaarit , Muñoz Clara , Risueño José , Ortiz Juana , Baneth Gad , Berriatua Eduardo
Published: November 2022

Hepatozoon spp., Babesia spp. and Leishmania infantum are common parasites of dogs in Mediterranean countries and are less frequent in cats, particularly Babesia spp. and L. infantum. Moreover, there is limited information on coinfections between these parasites and on L. infantum’s distribution in blood, skin and lymphoid tissue in cats. We used PCR and DNA sequencing to investigate the prevalence of these parasites and the aetiology of Hepatozoon spp. and Babesia spp., in blood, skin, spleen and lymph node samples from up to 212 stray cats and 82 abandoned dogs in southeast Spain. All except 2 dogs were healthy; instead, 112 cats had clinical signs. The estimated PCR prevalences (95% confidence interval) were 25% (19–31%) Hepatozoon felis in cats, 13% (6–21%) Hepatozoon canis in dogs, 1% (0–4%) Babesia vogeli in dogs, 0% Babesia spp. in cats and 21% (15–26%) and 44% (33–55%) L. infantum in cats and dogs, respectively, and infections were not associated with each other. Leishmania infantum prevalence in lymphoid tissue was significantly higher in dogs than in cats (p < 0.001), and dogs had higher parasite loads than cats (p = 0.012). Moreover, L. infantum prevalence was significantly higher in the skin and lymphoid tissue compared to blood in infected, asymptomatic animals but it was similar in cats with clinical signs, which also had higher parasite loads compared to infected, asymptomatic cats (p < 0.05). The study highlights significant differences between sympatric dogs and cats with respect to the parasite infections investigated, as well as the need to examine both lymphoid tissue and skin samples to maximise the sensitivity of L. infantum infection diagnosis.
Mosco convergence of Sobolev spaces and Sobolev inequalities for nonsmooth domains
Authors: Fornoni Matteo , Rondi Luca
Published: November 2022

We find extremely general classes of nonsmooth open sets which guarantee Mosco convergence for corresponding Sobolev spaces and the validity of Sobolev inequalities with a uniform constant. An important feature of our results is that the conditions we impose on the open sets for Mosco convergence and for the Sobolev inequalities are of the same nature, therefore it is easy to check when both are satisfied. Our analysis is motivated, in particular, by the study of the stability of the direct acoustic scattering problem with respect to the scatterer, which we also discuss. Concerning Mosco convergence in dimension 3 or higher, our result extends all those previously known in the literature. Concerning Sobolev inequalities, our approach seems to be new and considerably simplifies the conditions previously required for the stability of acoustic direct scattering problems.
A critical Moser type inequality with loss of compactness due to infinitesimal shocks
Authors: do Ó João Marcos , Ruf Bernhard , Ubilla Pedro
Published: November 2022

We consider a one-dimensional integral inequality of Moser type: set $$\begin{aligned} \quad J_c(v) = \int _{0}^1 {\textrm{e}}^{c(s) v^2(s)} ds \quad \quad \hbox { and consider } \quad \quad \sup _{ \{\int _0^1 |v'|^2 = 1, v(0) = 0\}} J_c(v) \end{aligned}$$

J
c

(
v
)

=

∫

0

1

e

c

(
s
)

v
2

(
s
)

d
s

and consider

sup

{

∫
0
1

|

v
′

|
2

=
1
,
v

(
0
)

=
0
}

J
c

(
v
)

We show that the supremum remains finite up to the optimal coefficient $$c_1(s) = \frac{1}{s}(\log \frac{\textrm{e}}{s} + \log \log \frac{\textrm{e}}{s})\,$$

c
1

(
s
)

=

1
s

(
log

e
s

+
log
log

e
s

)

. Indeed, for $$c_\gamma = \frac{1}{s}(\log \frac{\textrm{e}}{s} + \gamma \log \log \frac{\textrm{e}}{s})$$

c
γ

=

1
s

(
log

e
s

+
γ
log
log

e
s

)

, with $$\gamma > 1$$

γ
>
1

, the supremum is infinite. For $$c_1$$

c
1

the inequality is critical with loss of compactness: the functional $$J_{c_1}$$

J

c
1

fails to be weakly continuous along the infinitesimal Moser sequence $$w_n(t):= t{\sqrt{n}}\ (0 \le t \le \frac{1}{n})\; \ w_n(t) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{n}} \ (\frac{1}{n} \le t \le 1)$$

w
n

(
t
)

:
=
t

n

(
0
≤
t
≤

1
n

)

w
n

(
t
)

=

1

n

(

1
n

≤
t
≤
1
)

. Since $$w'(t) = \sqrt{n}\ (0 \le t \le \frac{1}{n})$$

w
′

(
t
)

=

n

(
0
≤
t
≤

1
n

)

, one may say that $$w_n$$

w
n

develops an infinitesimal shock at the origin.
Can a robot be an expert? The social meaning of skill and its expression through the prospect of autonomous AgTech
Authors: Legun Katharine , Burch Karly Ann , Klerkx Laurens
Published: November 2022

Artificial intelligence and robotics have increasingly been adopted in agri-food systems—from milking robots to self-driving tractors. New projects extend these technologies in an effort to automate skilled work that has previously been considered dependent on human expertise due to its complexity. In this paper, we draw on qualitative research carried out with farm managers on apple orchards and winegrape vineyards in Aotearoa New Zealand. We investigate how agricultural managers’ perceptions of future agricultural automation relates to their approach to expertise, or the degree to which they think specialised skills and knowledge are required to perform agricultural work on their orchards and vineyards. Our research generates two insights: the perceived potential for work to be automated is related to the degree to which it is seen to require technical or embodied expertise, with technical expertise being more automatable; and, while embodied expertise is perceived to be more difficult to automate, it is sometimes  attributed more exclusively to those in positions of power, such that embodied expertise can be highly valued while the majority of embodied work is viewed as non-expert and thus automatable. Our analysis illustrates that a robot can be an expert when expertise is technical. It also shows variability in the conceptualization of skilled or unskilled work, and that those conceptualizations can set the stage for the future effects of new technologies. This generates new insights into the conditions under which automation might reproduce existing inequalities in agriculture, and also raises new questions about responsibility in the context of automation.
How does inward foreign direct investment shape emerging market firm invention patenting tendency? Evidence from China
Authors: Gao Renfei , Sammartino André
Published: November 2022

Inward foreign direct investment (IFDI) carries critical implications for local firms, especially in the context of emerging markets, such as China. Scholars typically suggest that IFDI benefits local firms’ innovation through knowledge spillovers. Our study reveals a downside of such spillovers by articulating the negative influence of IFDI on local firms’ tendencies towards invention patenting (vis-a-vis utility model patenting) within their overall patenting. We further identify two contingency effects to help substantiate the mechanisms underlying the negative effect of IFDI on local firms’ invention patenting tendency. Using panel data on Chinese manufacturing firms during 2000–2010, we find that although industry-level IFDI intensity increases local firms’ total patent applications, it decreases the proportion of invention patents within total applications. This negative effect of IFDI is amplified by industry technology orientation and industry competitive intensity. Our study offers more fine-grained insights into the linkage between IFDI and local innovation by illustrating how local firms balance different types of patents in response to IFDI spillovers.
Including biological diversity in natural capital accounts for marine biodiversity conservation and human well-being
Authors: Luisetti Tiziana , Schratzberger Michaela
Published: November 2022

Natural capital (NC) accounts measure and value the benefits that ecosystems provide to humans. Marine biodiversity supports human well-being directly by providing a source of food (e.g. wild fish), and indirectly by providing employment (e.g. fisheries, and tourism) and recreation (e.g. diving). The inclusion of the marine environment in NC accounting is relatively new. Central to the NC framework, biodiversity is one of the most challenging aspects to account for. Here, we consider the potential for marine biodiversity to be included in NC accounts, and explain why this is in line with current policy directions towards achieving sustainability and well-being. We present a set of potential indicators that could be used to assess ecosystem extent and ecosystem condition through their biodiversity, and inform policies aimed to improve sustainability and human well-being. We conclude that including biological indicators in NC accounts will help to consider marine biodiversity conservation and economic activities in blue spaces as complementary components of well-being. NC accounts can facilitate decision-making by showing, in few interconnected tables, trends in the provision of biodiversity in a specific area and for specific ecosystems. This makes potential trade-offs between ecosystems, ecosystem services, and economic activities more apparent.
Prioritising species for monitoring in a South African protected area and the Red List for plants
Authors: Cowell Carly R. , Lughadha Eimear Nic , Anderson Pippin M. L. , Leão Tarciso , Williams Jenny , Annecke Wendy A.
Published: November 2022

Protected areas (PA) in biodiversity hotspots face the challenge of monitoring large numbers of locally rare and threatened plant species at times with limited budgets. Prioritising species according to their local extinction risk could help PA managers to decide which species to monitor. However, there is often very little information available on the species occurrence and extinction risk in the PA. Because of this, PA managers often rely on the national or global Red List for prioritising species at the PA level. Here, we evaluate the effectiveness of using the Red List for species prioritisation and examine the robustness of extinction probability equations for 74 fynbos species in Table Mountain National Park (TMNP). We conducted in-field surveys to verify the persistence of subpopulations previously recorded, following a detection protocol adapted for rare and cryptic plant species. We found that most targeted species were extant within TMNP but with a substantially reduced number of subpopulations. Twenty-six species only had one or two subpopulations remaining. Critically Endangered (CR) species lost on average 4 subpopulations more than Least Concern (LC) species. However, species persistence in TMNP was largely independent of their Red List status. Half of the species represented by just one or two subpopulations were listed as LC. This work shows that prioritising monitoring according to the Red List status is not appropriate at the scale of the individual PA. We suggest that more in-field data and monitoring is required to prevent extinctions occurring in PAs.
Reproductive biology and population structure of the endangered shrub Grevillea bedggoodiana (Proteaceae)
Authors: Wawrzyczek Stanislaw , Holmes Gareth D. , Hoebee Susan E.
Published: November 2022

Narrowly endemic species are particularly vulnerable to catastrophic events. Compared to widespread species, they may also be less capable of adapting to shifts in environmental pressures as a result of specialisation on a narrow range of local condition and limited ability to disperse. However, life-history traits, such as preferential outcrossing and high fecundity can maintain genetic diversity and evolutionary potential, and boost species resilience. The endangered Grevillea bedggoodiana (Enfield Grevillea) is an understorey shrub restricted to an area of ca. 150 km2 in south-eastern Australia with a legacy of large-scale anthropogenic disturbance. Prior to this study little was known about its biology and population structure. Here, its breeding system was assessed through a controlled pollination experiment at one of its central populations, and eight populations were sampled for genetic analysis with microsatellite markers. The species was found to be preferentially outcrossing, with no evidence of pollination limitation. In most populations, allelic richness, observed heterozygosity and gene diversity were high (Ar: 3.8–6.3; Ho: 0.45–0.65, He: 0.60 − 0.75). However, the inbreeding coefficients were significant in at least four populations, ranging from Fi -0.061 to 0.259 despite high outcrossing rates. Estimated reproductive rates varied among sampled populations but were independent of gene diversity and inbreeding. Despite its small geographic range, the species’ populations showed moderate differentiation (AMOVA: FST = 0.123), which was largely attributable to isolation by distance. We interpret these results as suggesting that G. bedggoodiana is reproductively healthy and has maintained high levels of genetic diversity despite recent disturbance.
Reducing Anhedonia in Major Depressive Disorder with Future Event Specificity Training (FEST): A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hallford D. J. , Rusanov D. , Yeow J. J. E. , Austin D. W. , D’Argembeau A. , Fuller-Tyszkiewicz M. , Raes F.
Published: November 2022

Background

Improving future thinking, such as characteristics of specificity, detail, and use of mental imagery, may be one means to reduce anhedonia, particularly in a Major Depressive Episode (MDE) in which future thinking is impaired. The current study aimed to test this using a validated program, Future Event Specificity Training (FEST).

Methods

Participants (N = 177; 80.8% women; M age = 43.7, SD = 11.8) with a current depressive episode with anhedonia and high symptom severity were randomized to FEST or no FEST. Future thinking, anhedonia-related variables, and other clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline, one- and three-month follow-up.

Results

Relative to the control group, FEST was associated with significantly improved future thinking characteristics, a reduced likelihood of anhedonia (35.1% vs. 61.1%, p = .015), improvements on other anhedonia-related variables such as anticipatory (d = 0.63, p = .004) and anticipated pleasure for future events (d = 0.77, p < .001), and desirable clinical outcomes such as less people meeting criteria for an MDE (37.8% vs. 64.8%, p = .011), higher behavioural activation (d = 0.71, p = .001) and improved global functioning (d = 0.52, p = .017). Changes in future thinking were found to mediate the effect of FEST on anhedonia.

Conclusion

The quality of future thinking can be enhanced in Major Depression, and this leads to a substantially reduced likelihood of anhedonia, other significant clinical effects, and functional gains.
Maritime inventory routing with transshipment: the case of Yamal LNG
Authors: Li Mingyu , Fagerholt Kjetil , Schütz Peter
Published: November 2022

The LNG-ADP problem is a tactical planning problem for creating an annual delivery program (ADP) for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer. An ADP specifies the departure dates of the LNG carriers as well as the delivery dates at the different customers for a period of 12–18 months. The problem can be formulated as maritime inventory routing problem, as it is an important requirement to plan the deliveries such that inventory levels are kept within minimum and maximum limits at the customers as well as the LNG production facility. Inspired by the case of Yamal LNG, we propose a novel discrete-time formulation for the LNG-ADP problem with transshipment and intermediate storage. Our formulation also allows for waiting at the unloading ports. The problem is solved using a rolling horizon heuristic (RHH) for a case based on the Yamal LNG project. We study the impact of different RHH configurations on run time and solution quality. The results show that using a central period that is shorter than the forecast period provides the best objective function, whereas a central period that is longer than the forecast period improves run time. We also explore the effect of allowing waiting at the unloading ports. Waiting does not necessarily improve the objective function value, despite increasing the solution space. However, we observe a reduction in run time for instances where waiting is allowed.
Parental Resilience and Quality of Life in Children with Developmental Disabilities in Indonesia: The Role of Protective Factors
Authors: Widyawati Yapina , Scholte R.H.J , Kleemans Tijs , Otten Roy
Published: November 2022

The severity of physical, cognitive, and social-emotional challenges in children with developmental disabilities significantly impacts their quality of life. One of the most consistent factors that play a role in the quality of life for children with a developmental disability is parental resilience. Previous research has identified several factors that influence parental resilience. However, this research is limited to Western countries. Little is known about the role of these factors in relation to parental resilience in Asian societies. The present study investigates the longitudinal associations between potential protective factors (fewer stressors, adaptive appraisal, social support, and compensating experiences) and parental resilience and quality of life in Indonesian families with children with developmental disabilities. A three-wave longitudinal design was used to test the indirect link between protective factors, family resilience, and quality of life. Wave one was composed of 497 families, out of which 224 and 209 families participated in waves two (1-year follow-up) and three (2-year follow-up), respectively. The Inventory of Family Protective Factors (IFPP), the Parenting Resilience Elements and the Quality of Life of children scales were used to assess the main concepts. The longitudinal connections between protective variables, parental resilience, and children’s quality of life were tested using cross-lagged path analysis. The results showed that all protective factors predicted parental resilience, and parental resilience predicted the quality of life of children with developmental disabilities.
An Offenders-Offenses Shared Component Spatial Model for Identifying Shared and Specific Hotspots of Offenders and Offenses: A Case Study of Juvenile Delinquents and Violent Crimes in the Greater Toronto Area
Authors: Law Jane , Abdullah Abu Yousuf Md
Published: November 2022

Objectives

We attempted to apply the Bayesian shared component spatial modeling (SCSM) for the identification of hotspots from two (offenders and offenses) instead of one (offenders or offenses) variables and developed three risk surfaces for (1) common or shared by both offenders and offenses; (2) specific to offenders, and (3) specific to offenses.

Methods

We applied SCSM to examine the joint spatial distributions of juvenile delinquents (offenders) and violent crime (offenses) in the York Region of the Greater Toronto Area at the dissemination area level. The spatial autocorrelation, overdispersion, and latent covariates were adjusted by spatially structured and unstructured random effect terms in the model. We mapped the posterior means of the estimated shared and specific risks for identifying the three risk surfaces and types of hotspots.

Results

Results suggest that about 50% and 25% of the relative risks of juvenile delinquents and violent crimes, respectively, could be explained by the shared component of offenders and offenses. The spatially structured terms attributed to 48% and 24% of total variations of the delinquents and violent crimes, respectively. Contrastingly, the unstructured random covariates influenced 3% of total variations of the juvenile delinquents and 51% for violent crimes.

Conclusions

The Bayesian SCSM presented in this study identifies shared and specific hotspots of juvenile delinquents and violent crime. The method can be applied to other kinds of offenders and offenses and provide new insights into the clusters of high risks that are due to both offenders and offenses or due to offenders or offenses only.
Increased durability of sol–gel derived MgF2 antireflective coatings capped by vapor deposition
Authors: Steenhusen Sönke , Scherg Gerd-Peter , Löbmann Peer
Published: November 2022

Porous MgF2 antireflective λ/4 films were prepared by sol–gel processing and coated with an additional top layer by electron beam evaporation. Scanning Electron Microscopy was applied to characterize the microstructure of the bilayer assembly. It can be shown that the top layer has a protective effect in terms of abrasion resistance and reduced solubility in water. In a second step the thickness of the two film systems has been matched to achieve optimum antireflection properties.
Bench-scale fuel fire test for materials of rechargeable energy storage system housings
Authors: Höhne Carl-Christoph , Gettwert Volker , Frank Fabian , Kilian Sascha , Menrath Andreas
Published: November 2022

The fire behaviour of electric vehicles (EVs) differs from that of vehicles with combustion engines. Especially the rechargeable energy storage system (REESS) requires special fire protection measures. The fire behaviour of materials for REESS housings plays an important role in the fire resistance of such systems. Full-scale fire resistance tests like gasoline pool fire tests on complete REESS according to the UNECE-R100-8E standard are mandatory for EVs. However, these tests are not applicable for materials used for REESS housings in the material and process development state, due to the high material demand and production costs of the REESS. Standard tests like the limiting oxygen index test, UL94-V test or cone calorimeter test are insufficient to analyse the fire behaviour of thermoplastic and thermoset materials in a gasoline pool fire. This paper describes a bench-scale fuel fire test including several test criteria to evaluate materials for REESS housings on a laboratory scale. This bench-scale fire test is demonstrated on two case studies: fibre-reinforced thermoset plates and thermoplastic sandwich structures.
Geographically Optimal Similarity
Authors: Song Yongze
Published: November 2022

Understanding geographical characteristics of distribution patterns and spatial association is essential for spatial statistical inference such as factor exploration and spatial prediction. The geographical similarity principle was recently developed to explain the association between geographical variables. It describes the comprehensive degree of approximation of a geographical structure instead of explicit relationships between variables. However, there are still challenges for geographical similarity-based methods. For instance, all samples are used for prediction, leading to increased calculation burden and reduced prediction accuracy due to the noise and unrelated data in large spatial data sets. This study develops a geographically optimal similarity (GOS) model for accurate and reliable spatial prediction based on the geographical similarity principle. In GOS, the geographical configurations are first characterized, and similarities between unknown and known observation locations are assessed. Next, an optimal threshold is determined to select a small number of observations with optimal similarities for the prediction at each unknown location. Finally, a reliable uncertainty assessment approach is developed to assess and map uncertainties of GOS predictions. A new R package “geosimilarity” is developed to conduct GOS models. In this study, GOS is implemented in predicting spatial distributions of trace elements in a mining region in Australia. Results show that GOS can use a small number of observations to derive more accurate and reliable spatial predictions than linear regression and basic configuration similarity models. In addition, pattern characteristics of predictions can be improved by GOS by eliminating the phenomenon wherein predictions are clustered near mean values and contain striped textures. Therefore, GOS demonstrates greater potential for implementing the geographical similarity principle in spatial predictions by bringing information from samples with relatively high similarities at any location across space for more accurate and effective predictions in broader fields and practice.
Faure’s new social contract fifty years later: Promises and evolutions
Authors: Locatelli Rita
Published: November 2022

The International Commission on the Development of Education set up by UNESCO in 1971 was chaired by Edgar Faure. The conceptualisation of a new social contract in his work between the 1960s and 1970s had a strong influence on the final report prepared by this commission. Published in 1972, Learning to be: The world of education today and tomorrow is commonly known as the Faure report. Although not explicitly mentioned in the report, the idea of a new social contract provided a political framework for re-establishing the particular relationship between education and society, based on a strong belief in an educational democracy which considered citizens as real agents of change. Fifty years after the publication of the Faure report, another report commissioned by UNESCO, on the Futures of Education, has taken up the idea of the social contract, conceiving it as a means to transform education to harness greater cooperation towards more sustainable futures. However, while the understanding of the social contract elaborated by Faure translated into a clear vision of the emancipatory function of education for the fulfilment of individuals within democratic societies, the political discussion on the relationship among the institutions that should govern the new social contract for education presented in the Futures of Education report appears less explicit. This article discusses the extent to which the principles underpinning the new social contract for education, especially the notion of education as a common good, provide the political framing of a new social contract for education. It examines the relevance of the political discussion of the relationship between education and society elaborated in the Faure report fifty years ago with regard to the formulation of a new social contract for education.
Green production of titanium dioxide nanometric particles through electrolytic anodic dissolution of titanium metal
Authors: Shaarawy Hassan H. , Hussein Hala S. , Hussien Nabila H. , Al Bazedi Ghada A. , Hawash Salwa I.
Published: November 2022

Nanometric titanium derivatives such as hydroxide and dioxide compounds have a great attention because they are significant industrial material of commercial importance and applications in photocatalyst, semiconductors, and wastewater treatment. The present investigation gives the results of anodic dissolution preparation of titanium hydroxide nanometric particles followed by calcination for complete conversion to nanometric titanium dioxide product. The optimum conditions for the anodic dissolution of titanium metal were pH 4, C.D. 65 mA/cm2, 25 °C, 150 rpm, electrode gap distance 3 cm, and NaCl 3 g/l for electrolysis time 240 min and thermally calcinated at 600 °C for 240 min., to reach complete conversion to anatase titanium dioxide nanopowder of main particles size of 77 nm with major percentage of 70%. Chemical and physical characterizations were carried out for evaluation of the obtained products including transmission electron microscope, EDX, XRD, and the scanning advanced electronic diffraction pattern. Preliminary economic indicators were calculated to show that the capital cost of the plant is $1.613 million, with annual operating cost of $0.915 million which means the required investment is $2.528 million. The operating cost for the production of nanometric anatase TiO2 is $30.5/kg with depreciation excluding the land price.