bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Explosion mitigation of methane‐air mixture in combined application of inert gas and ABC dry powders in a closed compartment
Authors: Li Manhou , Xu Jingchao , Li Quan , Wang Changjian , Wang Baozhen , Jiang Jiacheng
Published: October 2019

The explosion is one of the most serious safety incidents occurring in the application of the gas methane in industrial process. The new developments in attenuating the destruction and environmental hazard of this explosion are conducted using the combined inert gas and ABC dry powder. The explosive characteristic parameters including flame configuration, velocity of flame propagation, explosion pressure, and pressure rising rate are quantified and revealed. The difference of explosion mitigation effect of ordinary and ultra‐fine ABC dry powders are examined based upon the specific surface area and the settling velocity. As the concentration of ordinary or ultra‐fine ABC dry powder increases, the explosion pressure initially increases and decreases afterwards, indicating that there is an optimal mass concentration of explosion mitigation for both powders. The effect of ignition delay time on the explosion mitigation of ultra‐fine ABC dry powder is characterized on the basis of the turbulent lever and the dry powder particle settling state. Moreover, the mechanisms of explosion mitigation with CO2 and the ultra‐fine ABC dry powder are fully revealed both on the physical and chemical properties. The present research provides basic data and theoretical guidance for prevention and controlling of gas explosion accidents.
Is the skin an important exposure route for workers during cyanogen fumigation?
Authors: Gaskin Sharyn , Thredgold Leigh , Pisaniello Dino , Logan Michael , Baxter Christina
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

Cyanogen is a toxic flammable gas used as a fumigant in numerous industries. Occupational exposure to cyanogen can occur during its production and use. The most serious human health risk from exposure to cyanogen is via the respiratory system. However, there is also potential for skin exposure in many workplace situations. The extent of skin absorption under occupational exposure scenarios has not been directly assessed. Understanding skin uptake potential may inform risk assessment and exposure control measures.

RESULTS

We describe an in vitro experimental system using human epidermis and dynamic atmosphere exposure to cyanogen to mimic potential workplace exposures. The influence of clothing and ventilation on skin permeation outcomes were also assessed. No evidence of transdermal permeation was found at 100 or 1000 ppm exposures, while permeation of 0.99 ± 0.38 μg cm−2 was observed after 60 min exposure to 10 000 ppm. Fabric on skin and skin ventilation had no additional influence on transdermal permeation compared with naked skin, but fabric provided a reservoir for potential secondary exposures.

CONCLUSION

Results show dermal uptake following cyanogen exposure is possible, but only at very high atmospheric concentrations (10 000 ppm after >15 min exposure). Importantly, this could have implications for fumigant applicators who may only be wearing personal respiratory protection. These empirical data may be used in conjunction with other relevant toxicological information in determining whether a Skin Notation is warranted for Workplace Exposure Standard setting. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Dealing with the pressure of glaucoma management
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: October 2019

Despite the availability of numerous treatments, glaucoma is still one of the leading causes of blindness in the UK. This article examines some of the factors that might be responsible, including poor compliance with eye drops and pressure on ophthalmology services, and discusses how these problems might be overcome.
A comprehensive guide to the management of anaemia
Authors: Boyce Sara
Published: October 2019

A systematic approach to evaluation and investigation is key to the successful management of anaemia. This article examines the classification of anaemia, its underlying causes and clinical manifestations, and the range of treatments available.
Impact of the Avastin case on prescribing medicines off‐label
Authors: Haughey Sharon
Published: October 2019

In 2018, the High Court ruled that CCGs can prescribe bevacizumab (Avastin) off‐label for wet age‐related macular degeneration (wet AMD). This article discusses the background to the case and its wider implications for drug licensing and clinical practice.
Monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of plaque psoriasis
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: October 2019

There is now a wide range of monoclonal antibody therapies to choose from for the treatment of severe plaque psoriasis. This article examines their mechanisms of action, place in therapy, efficacy and safety.
Andexanet to reverse apixaban or rivaroxaban anticoagulation
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: October 2019

Andexanet alfa (Ondexxya) is the first licensed antidote to the direct factor Xa inhibitors apixaban or rivaroxaban, for use when reversal of anticoagulation is needed due to life‐threatening or uncontrolled bleeding. This article summarises its indications, efficacy and safety.
Integrable Quasivertical GaN U‐Shaped Trench‐Gate Metal‐Oxide‐Semiconductor Field‐Effect Transistors for Power and Optoelectronic Integrated Circuits
Authors: Guo Zhibo , Hitchcock Collin , Karlicek Robert F. , Piao Guanxi , Yano Yoshiki , Koseki Shuuichi , Tabuchi Toshiya , Matsumoto Koh , Bulsara Mayank , Chow T. Paul
Published: October 2019

Integrable, hexagonal‐cell, high‐voltage, quasivertical GaN power U‐shaped trench‐gate metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors (UMOSFETs) fabricated in the n+/p/n−/n+ GaN epilayers on sapphire substrates are experimentally demonstrated for the first time. Hexagonal cells, with pitch ranging from 11 to 20 μm, are used to obtain identical m‐plane sidewalls for gate and drain trenches. Metallization compatible with light‐emitting diode (LED) optoelectronic integration is used. The dependence of device performance on different parameters is systematically studied and analyzed. The lowest Ron,sp of 23 mΩ cm2 and highest drain saturation current of 295 A cm−2 are obtained by measuring an 11 μm cell‐pitch UMOSFET. The breakdown voltage of an open‐cell design variation (208 V) is higher than that of a closed‐cell design variation (89 V), whereas the closed‐cell design exhibits a lower off‐state leakage current of 1.4 × 10−5 A cm−2. A hexagonal‐cell specific on‐state resistance Rcell,sp of 8.5 mΩ cm2 and buried n+ layer sheet resistance RBL,□ of 223 Ω □−1 are extracted by applying a 2D resistance network model to UMOSFETs of varying sizes.
A Molecule‐Based Single‐Photon Source Applied in Quantum Radiometry
Authors: Lombardi Pietro , Trapuzzano Marco , Colautti Maja , Margheri Giancarlo , Degiovanni Ivo Pietro , López Marco , Kück Stefan , Toninelli Costanza
Published: October 2019

Single‐photon sources (SPSs) based on quantum emitters hold promise in quantum radiometry as metrology standard for photon fluxes at the low light level. Ideally this requires control over the photon flux in a wide dynamic range, sub‐Poissonian photon statistics, and narrow‐band emission spectrum. In this work, a monochromatic SPS based on an organic dye molecule is presented, whose photon flux is traceably measured to be adjustable between 144 000 and 1320 000 photons per second at a wavelength of (785.6 ± 0.1) nm, corresponding to an optical radiant flux between 36.5 and 334 fW. The high purity of the single‐photon stream is verified, with a second‐order autocorrelation function at zero time delay below 0.1 throughout the whole range. Such molecule‐based SPS is hence used for the calibration of a single‐photon avalanche detector against a low‐noise analog photodiode traceable to the primary standard for optical radiant flux (i.e., the cryogenic radiometer). Due to the narrow bandwidth of the source, corrections to the detector efficiency arising from the spectral power distribution are negligible. With this major advantage, the developed device may finally realize a low‐photon‐flux standard source for quantum radiometry.
Finding cliques using few probes
Authors: Feige Uriel , Gamarnik David , Neeman Joe , Rácz Miklós Z. , Tetali Prasad
Published: October 2019

Consider algorithms with unbounded computation time that probe the entries of the adjacency matrix of an n vertex graph, and need to output a clique. We show that if the input graph is drawn at random from (and hence is likely to have a clique of size roughly ), then for every δ<2 and constant ℓ, there is an α<2 (that may depend on δ and ℓ) such that no algorithm that makes nδ probes in ℓ rounds is likely (over the choice of the random graph) to output a clique of size larger than .
Noninferiority testing for matched‐pair ordinal data with misclassification
Authors: Han Yuanyuan , Lu Zhao‐Hua , Poon Wai‐Yin
Published: October 2019

New treatments that are noninferior or equivalent to—but not necessarily superior to—the reference treatment may still be beneficial to patients because they have fewer side effects, are more convenient, take less time, or cost less. The noninferiority test is widely used in medical research to provide guidance in such situation. In addition, categorical variables are frequently encountered in medical research, such as in studies involving patient‐reported outcomes. In this paper, we develop a noninferiority testing procedure for correlated ordinal categorical variables based on a paired design with a latent normal distribution approach. Misclassification is frequently encountered in the collection of ordinal categorical data; therefore, we further extend the procedure to account for misclassification using information in the partially validated data. Simulation studies are conducted to investigate the accuracy of the estimates, the type I error rates, and the power of the proposed procedure. Finally, we analyze one substantive example to demonstrate the utility of the proposed approach.
A first look at blockchain‐based decentralized applications
Authors: Wu Kaidong , Ma Yun , Huang Gang , Liu Xuanzhe
Published: October 2019

With the increasing popularity of blockchain technologies in recent years, blockchain‐based decentralized applications (DApps for short in this paper) have been rapidly developed and widely adopted in many areas, being a hot topic in both academia and industry. Despite of the importance of DApps, we still have quite little understanding of DApps along with its ecosystem. To bridge the knowledge gap, this paper presents the first comprehensive empirical study of blockchain‐based DApps to date, based on an extensive dataset of 995 Ethereum DApps and 29,846,075 transaction logs over them. We make a descriptive analysis of the popularity of DApps, summarize the patterns of how DApps use smart contracts to access the underlying blockchain, and explore the worth‐addressing issues of deploying and operating DApps. Based on the findings, we propose some implications for DApp users to select proper DApps, for DApp developers to improve the efficiency of DApps, and for blockchain vendors to enhance the support of DApps.
BCEdge: Blockchain‐based resource management in D2D‐assisted mobile edge computing
Authors: Zhou Ao , Sun Qibo , Li Jinglin
Published: October 2019

In recent decades, newly emerging mobile applications and services are becoming increasingly resource hungry and computation intensive. Portable size mobile devices fall short in providing such services. Cloud computing has been a core computation technology to provide visualized resources in a scalable way for mobile services. However, the unpredictable network transmission latency makes cloud computing not efficient enough for time‐sensitive mobile services, which requires major changes in underlying computing platform. Mobile edge computing is widely known as one of the novel technologies has emerged in recent years to address this issue. For being impractical to construct huge edge cloud in network edge, edge clouds can still be overloaded in rush time. Offloading to near‐user facilities using device‐to‐device (D2D) or other technologies becomes an augmentation approach. However, how to manage the facilities/resources effectively become a new issue. In this paper, we proposed a resource management scheme named BCEdge based on blockchain in D2D‐assisted mobile edge computing. BCEdge is a reliable scheme that operates in a distributed way to relieve the load of edge clouds. We illustrate the advantages and technical details of BCEdge using flow charts and interaction charts. The experiment results validate the effectiveness of our scheme. Finally, we discuss the possible future extensions.
Complex system governance: Concept, utility, and challenges
Authors: Keating Charles B. , Katina Polinpapilinho F.
Published: October 2019

Complex system governance (CSG) is an emerging field focused on design, execution, and evolution of (meta)system functions that produce control, communications, coordination, and integration of a complex system. Ultimately, CSG explains system performance, prospects for continued system viability (existence), and future system sustainability. This paper explores three primary perspectives for CSG. First, following a brief introduction, a CSG overview is provided. Three underlying fields (systems theory, management cybernetics, and system governance), the derived model for CSG, and essential distinctions of CSG are developed. Second, the role and nature of CSG pathologies as aberrations from normal or healthy system conditions are developed. Pathologies are grounded in systems theory, and requisite variety is used to explain pathologies in complex system design, execution, or development impacting system performance. Third, challenges for balanced evolution of the CSG field are suggested. The paper concludes with suggestion for simultaneous development of science, engineering, and practice for CSG.
Prediction of Tempcore Rebar Strength Using a Thermomechanical Simulator with a Designed Hollow Specimen
Authors: Park Chun Su , Van Tyne Chester J. , Lee Seok-Jae , Lee Taekyung , Kim Ji Hoon , Moon Young Hoon
Published: October 2019

In the Tempcore process, reinforcing bars are produced by short and intensive cooling. This rapid quenching converts the surface layer of a steel bar to a hardened structure. The exact simulation of the Tempcore process by a thermomechanical system is difficult to achieve because its cooling capacity is generally not sufficient to follow the Tempcore cooling rate. Therefore, herein, a hollow specimen is designed to increase the cooling rate. A series of thermomechanical tests following predetermined cooling curves provided by the thermal model is performed. The measured hardness of the thermomechanical‐tested specimen is used to predict the tensile strength of a Tempcore rebar based on the rule of mixture. The results show that the prediction of the strength of a Tempcore rebar by tailored cooling with a hollow cylindrical specimen is feasible with a high degree of reliability.
Durability analysis of the maritime infrastructure for the Monaco Sea extension
Authors: Crémona Christian , Jeusset Matthieu , Vallée Christophe , Zouhny Basma
Published: October 2019

The construction of an artificial peninsula extending the Monaco territory is destined to create an urban area of 6 ha. The preliminary works started end 2016, with the full completion of the maritime infrastructure by the end of 2020 and the delivery of the first buildings from 2022. The project requires the prefabrication of 18 caissons, which will constitute the maritime infrastructure of the extension at sea. Located at Marseille (200 km away from Monaco), the prefabrication of the caissons has been carried out by means of a floating structure (“caissonnier”) measuring 56 m long, 50 m wide, and 27 m high. During to the construction process, the caissons' rafts and the walls will be exposed to chlorides at early ages (5 days for rafts and 3 days for walls). The client's requirement was to implement a performance‐based durability design approach for all the concrete works of the maritime infrastructure. This approach implies to justify a 100‐years lifetime. The paper presents the methodology used to deploy a performance‐based design approach on this project. In particular, it details how the durability criteria have been set up in connection with the fib Bulletin 34 probabilistic models in order to target the 100‐years lifetime, but also the provisions (increased concrete cover, protective coating) for controlling chloride ingress at early age. In addition, the paper provides special attention in order to explain how the durability criteria are checked during the concrete production phase by the work site and the ready‐mix supplier.
Behavior of RC flat slabs with shear bolts under reversed horizontal cyclic loading
Authors: Almeida André F. O. , Ramos António P. , Lúcio Válter , Marreiros Rui
Published: October 2019

An experimental work on reinforced concrete flat slab specimens to test the efficiency of postinstalled bolts, as punching shear reinforcement in resisting vertical and cyclic horizontal loads, was conducted and is presented in this paper. The test protocol consisted in increasing horizontal drifts combined with constant vertical load until failure. Two different detailing solutions for the shear reinforcement were considered, one using a radial distribution around the column and another using a cross distribution, being the results compared with a previously tested reference specimen. The dimensions of the specimens were 4.25 x 1.85 x 0.15 m3. The test setup used for these tests was developed by the research team and simulates the boundary conditions with already recognized good results. Postinstalled steel bolts were proven to be an efficient solution for strengthening of existing structures, improving the structural behavior, and the punching resistance.
Can English Learner Teacher Effectiveness Be Observed? Validation of an EL‐Modified Framework for Teaching
Authors: Coady Maria , Miller M. David , Jing Zeyuan , Heffington Deon , Lopez Mark , Olszewska Aleksandra , De Jong Ester , Yilmaz Tuba , Ankeny Raisa
Published: October 2019

Across the United States, school districts have adopted various methods to capture what effective teachers do to facilitate student learning. Some of these methods include peer lesson studies where teachers co‐plan and co‐evaluate their work, examining student standardized tests scores to align teachers with student learning outcomes, and using a teacher observation protocol to examine in‐class instructional practices and evaluate teachers. These methods have been used across the teaching profession with generalized student populations. The Danielson Group Framework for Teaching (FFT) is one observation protocol that has been used throughout the United States as a tool to examine teacher effectiveness in the context of teacher evaluations (Campbell & Ronfeldt, 2018, American Educational Research Journal, 55, 1233). In its traditional form, the FFT protocol does not capture the specialized work of teachers of English learner (EL) students in mainstream inclusive classrooms. This article examines the modification and validation of an EL‐modified FFT observation protocol across two of the four domains of the FFT. Findings demonstrate that the EL‐modified FFT instrument is both valid and reliable as an observation tool for teachers of EL students in mainstream inclusive classrooms.
Novel analytical methods to study the fate of mycotoxins during thermal food processing
Authors: Stadler David , Berthiller Franz , Suman Michele , Schuhmacher Rainer , Krska Rudolf
Published: October 2019

Food processing can lead to a reduction of contaminants, such as mycotoxins. However, for food processing operations where thermal energy is employed, it is often not clear whether a reduction of mycotoxins also results in a mitigation of the toxicological impact. This is often due to the reason that the formed degradation products are not characterized and data on their toxicity is scarce. From the perspective of an analytical chemist, the elucidation of the fate of a contaminant in a complex food matrix is extremely challenging. An overview of the analytical approaches is given here, and the application and limitations are exemplified based on cases that can be found in recent literature. As most studies rely on targeted analysis, it is not clear whether the predetermined set of compounds differs from the degradation products that are actually formed during food processing. Although untargeted analysis allows for the elucidation of the complete spectrum of degradation products, only one such study is available so far. Further pitfalls include insufficient precision, natural contamination with masked forms of mycotoxins and interferences that are caused by the food matrix. One topic that is of paramount importance for both targeted and untargeted approaches is the availability of reference standards to identity and quantity the formed degradation products. Our vision is that more studies need to be published that characterize the formed degradation products, collect data on their toxicity and thereby complete the knowledge about the mycotoxin mitigating effect during food processing.
Correlation of 25-hydroxy vitamin D level with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in term healthy newborn
Authors: Bhat Jehangir Allam , Sheikh Sajad Ahmad , Ara Roshan
Published: October 2019

Background:

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is one of the common entities that lead to frequent hospital admission of newborn. There are many risk factors that, when present, can lead to increased chances of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. It is essential to identify these risk factors that are involved in the increased incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia because its incidence can be decreased by modifying them.

Objective:

To compare and determine any correlation of 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels of newborn and their mothers with the serum bilirubin level of newborn.

Methodology:

This was a case–control study conducted in a tertiary care hospital on 100 newborn who were divided into two groups (50 in each group) on the basis of their serum bilirubin level on the 5th day of life. Newborns having serum bilirubin levels in the physiological range were included in the control group, and newborns having serum bilirubin levels out of the physiological range and who needed treatment were included in the case group. The blood samples of both newborns and their mothers were collected on the 5th day and sent to the laboratory for serum bilirubin and 25-hydroxy vitamin D estimation.

Results:

The mean serum vitamin D level of cases was found to be lower than that of controls in both newborn and their mothers. A statistically significant difference was noted only between the vitamin D level of newborn but not in mothers when cases and controls were compared. Negative, statistically insignificant correlation was seen between vitamin D level and serum bilirubin in cases and controls. However, correlation of the vitamin D level of cases and their serum bilirubin was statistically significant, with a correlation coefficient of −0.335 and a p value of 0.0172.

Conclusion:

Term healthy newborn having hyperbilirubinemia, with serum bilirubin levels out of the physiological range, have significantly low vitamin D levels and show a statistically negatively correlation with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (which is out of the physiological range). Thus, decreased vitamin D can be included in the list of risk factors for neonatal jaundice.
Determinants of voting results in Poland in the 2015 parliamentary elections. Analysis of spatial differences
Authors: Grabowski Wojciech
Published: October 2019

This paper analyses spatial differences in the voting results in Poland in the 2015 parliamentary elections. Eleven clusters defining different support profiles are determined using the two most popular stopping rules. Parameters of the multinomial logit model are estimated and determinants of Polish communes' membership in specific clusters are identified. The results of the estimation indicate that economic, sociodemographic and location variables strongly determined the Poles' electoral preferences. However, historical and cultural factors turned out to be the most important determinants.
Time Course of Hoist Operations by the Search and Rescue Helicopter Service in Southeast Norway
Authors: Samdal Martin , Eiding Helge , Markengbakken Lars , Røislien Jo , Rehn Marius , Sandberg Mårten
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Optimal dispatch of emergency medical services relies on accurate time estimates of the various prehospital stages. Hoist rescue work time intervals performed by the search and rescue (SAR) helicopter service in Norway have not been studied to date. We aimed to describe the epidemiologic, operational, and medical aspects of the SAR service in southeast Norway. To complement the prehospital timeline, we performed simulated hoist operations.

Methods

We reviewed time and patient descriptors and medical interventions in hoist operations performed at a SAR base over 5 y. In addition, a simulation study measuring hoist rescue time intervals was performed. Data are presented as mean ± SD, except National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) scores, which are presented as modes.

Results

There were 148 hoist operations performed during the study period, involving 180 patients. Time to take-off was 13 ± 7 min. There were 88 patients (49%) who were injured; 53 (29%) had a medical condition, and 39 (22%) were evacuees. The mode of the NACA score was 3. Forty-five patients (25%) had an NACA score of 4 to 6. Medical interventions were performed on 77 patients (43%) in 73 operations (49%). Nine patients (5%) were endotracheally intubated, and 1 thoracostomy was performed. The simulated rescuer access time was 4 ± 2 min, the simulated anesthesiologist access time was 6 ± 2 min, and the simulated hoist extrication time was 13 ± 2 min.

Conclusions

Hoist rescue was performed in 10% (n=148) of the SAR operations. New information about hoist extrication time intervals can improve rescue helicopter dispatch accuracy.
You Can Handle It: 3D Printing for Museums
Authors: Cooper Catriona
Published: October 2019

OVERVIEW

3D printing is a rapidly developing technology that has been championed as a revolutionary tool for the museums and heritage sector. Prints can provide innovative and engaging haptic experiences with objects in collections that cannot be handled, akin to craft replicas that have traditionally been employed. Large museums now regularly commission prints, yet evidence for the success of their deployment is largely anecdotal. This review considers how 3D prints have been utilized in museum contexts, with a focus on their successes and weaknesses as tools for public engagement.
The Fabric of Empire in a Native World: An Analysis of Trade Cloth Recovered from Eighteenth-Century Otstonwakin
Authors: Levine Mary Ann
Published: October 2019

The residents of Otstonwakin, an eighteenth-century multinational Native American village in Pennsylvania, were involved in extensive trade networks that resulted in the incorporation, modification, and selective adoption of a variety of European-manufactured goods and technologies. Although Native Americans in the fur trade era like those at Otstonwakin negotiated the exchange of a wide array of commodities including alcohol, firearms, iron tools, and brass kettles, the most commonly traded commodity was cloth. Despite its role as a cornerstone commodity, colonial trade cloth has received considerably less scholarly attention than more durable objects largely because very few textiles have survived into the twenty-first century. This article reports on a rare find, a preserved European textile from Otstonwakin's burial ground recovered in the 1930s and hitherto unanalyzed. By analyzing the fabric fragments, sewing thread, and lace with metallic thread, I explore the material and social negotiation of colonial identity on the Pennsylvania frontier.
ACTUARIAL APPLICATIONS OF WORD EMBEDDING MODELS
Authors: Lee Gee Y , Manski Scott , Maiti Tapabrata
Published: October 2019

In insurance analytics, textual descriptions of claims are often discarded, because traditional empirical analyses require numeric descriptor variables. This paper demonstrates how textual data can be easily used in insurance analytics. Using the concept of word similarities, we illustrate how to extract variables from text and incorporate them into claims analyses using standard generalized linear model or generalized additive regression model. This procedure is applied to the Wisconsin Local Government Property Insurance Fund (LGPIF) data, in order to demonstrate how insurance claims management and risk mitigation procedures can be improved. We illustrate two applications. First, we show how the claims classification problem can be solved using textual information. Second, we analyze the relationship between risk metrics and the probability of large losses. We obtain good results for both applications, where short textual descriptions of insurance claims are used for the extraction of features.
CSP and governance in emerging and developing country firms: Of mirrors and substitutes
Authors: Barkemeyer Ralf , Salignac Fanny , Argade Padmaja
Published: October 2019

A recent debate in the international CSR literature has focused on the question whether CSR serves as a mirror or a substitute of country-level governance. Advocates of the mirror view highlight the role of country level institutions to drive corporate social performance (CSP) levels, whereas proponents of the substitute view find companies to become more active in light of governance gaps. We contribute to this debate by moving the focus to a sample of 264 emerging economy and developing country companies and by comparing the relationship between country-level governance and CSP based on three different CSP dimensions, namely, emissions, human rights, and community performance. Whilst we find corporate emissions performance and human rights performance to align more closely with the mirror view, there is some indication that corporate community performance—possibly traced back to the longstanding tradition of corporate philanthropy in non-Western contexts—instead acts as a substitute to fill institutional voids. We discuss implications of our findings for research and policymakers.
Kant on the Continuity of Alterations
Authors: Jankowiak Tim
Published: October 2019

The metaphysical “Law of Continuity of Alterations” (“LCA”) says that whenever an object alters from one state to another, it passes through a continuum of intermediate states. Kant treated LCA as a transcendental law of understanding. The primary purpose of the paper is to reconstruct and evaluate Kant’s three arguments for LCA. All three are found to be inadequate. However, a secondary goal of the paper is to show that LCA would have more naturally been construed as a regulative principle of reason (rather than a law of understanding). I conclude with some remarks about how this could work.
Soil characteristics drive Ficaria verna abundance and reproductive output
Authors: Kermack Justin P. , Rauschert Emily S. J.
Published: October 2019

Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna Huds.), an invasive plant from Europe, is becoming widespread in river valleys throughout the northeastern United States and the Pacific Northwest. Its high rate of asexual bulbil and tuber production creates dense infestations threatening native spring ephemerals. Ficaria verna abundance and reproductive output (seeds, bulbils, and tubers) were examined in invaded transects spanning a disturbance gradient away from a river. Site characteristics (photosynthetically active radiation [PAR], soil pH, moisture, texture, and nutrients) were quantified to examine their roles in plant abundance and reproduction. A larger-scale study examined random transects not specifically chosen based on F. verna infestations. Soil characteristics and slope were hypothesized to drive F. verna abundance and reproduction; we also hypothesized that reproductive output and biomass would be highest at intermediate distances from rivers, where disturbances are infrequent. Ficaria verna abundance and reproductive output varied considerably by site; soil characteristics, rather than landscape placement, appeared to drive plant abundance and reproduction. Lower percent sand was associated with significantly higher F. verna stem density and bulbil and tuber production. CEC was significantly negatively related to F. verna biomass and tuber counts. In the larger-scale survey, slope and PAR were significantly negatively related to F. verna presence and percent cover, respectively. Overall, these findings suggest that soil texture and slope can help explain higher abundance and reproductive outputs. However, reproductive output and biomass were not significantly greater at intermediate distances, contrary to expectations. We did not observe any seed production in any of the plots, although we did see a few plants with seeds outside our study area in the second year, demonstrating a near-complete reliance on asexual reproduction in these populations. This study expands on the current limited understanding of F. verna and can help management by identifying areas likely to support dense infestations.
The Middle Draa Project (Morocco): results from the survey and trial excavations 2015–18
Authors: Mattingly David J. , Bokbot Youssef , Sterry Martin
Published: October 2019

The Middle Draa Project (2015–18) is a pioneering survey of the archaeology of a c.200 km long valley at the northern edge of the Moroccan Sahara. Combining mapping from satellite imagery, field survey and trial excavation, the project has established a new baseline for the region's archaeological heritage. This paper concentrates on the main results in relation to the Protohistoric (Iron Age) phase, when the first steps towards sedentarisation and oasis agriculture appear to have been taken.
EAMENA training in the use of satellite remote sensing and digital technologies in heritage management: Libya and Tunisia workshops 2017–2019
Authors: Hobson Matthew S.
Published: October 2019

This article provides a brief summary of the aims, methods and results of a programme of training carried out by the EAMENA project in partnership with the Tunisian Institut National du Patrimoine and the Libyan Department of Antiquities. The focus was on the use of freely available satellite imagery for archaeological site identification and monitoring, on compiling and maintaining spatial databases - including the on-the-ground location of sites with the use of a GPS - and on the observation of patterns of preservation and threat within Geographical Information Systems to inform heritage management decisions at both regional and national levels. Three pairs of workshops took place in Tunis in 2017, 2018 and 2019, with interim support being given to participants by a Training Manager and Research Assistant based at the University of Leicester. The work was part of a larger scheme offered to heritage professionals across the Middle East and North Africa by the EAMENA project thanks to a grant received from the Cultural Protection Fund. In general this training has been very well received. Not only has it successfully achieved the propagation of desirable and much needed skills within partner institutions, it has also raised awareness of issues affecting the protection of cultural heritage within the broader community.
Pottery and trade at Euesperides in Cyrenaica: an overview
Authors: Zimi Eleni , Göransson K. , Swift K.
Published: October 2019

The excavations conducted at Euesperides between 1999 and 2007 under the auspices of the Society for Libyan Studies, London, and the Department of Antiquities, Libya, and jointly directed by Paul Bennet and Andrew Wilson, brought to light private houses and a building complex, industrial areas related to purple dye production and part of the city's fortification wall. Among the finds was a highly significant body of local, regional and imported pottery (from the Greek and Punic world, Cyprus, Italy and elsewhere), dated between the last quarter of the seventh and the middle of the third century BC, when the city was abandoned.

This archaeological project adopted an innovative approach to the study of pottery from the site, based on the total quantification of the coarse, fine wares and transport amphorae. This was supplemented by a targeted programme of petrographic analysis to shed light on production centres and thus questions about the trade and the economy of ancient Euesperides. The pottery study by K. Göransson, K. Swift and E. Zimi demonstrated that although the city gradually developed a significant industry of ceramics, it relied heavily on imports to cover its needs and that imported pottery reached Euesperides’ sheltered harbour either directly from the supplying regions or most often through complex maritime networks in the Mediterranean which changed over time.

Cooking pots from Aegina and the Punic world, mortaria, bowls, jugs and table amphorae from Corinth as well as transport amphorae from various centres containing olive oil, wine, processed meat and fish were transported to the city from Greece, Italy/Sicily, Cyprus and elsewhere. The so-called amphorae B formed the majority, while Corinthian, Aegean (Thasian, Mendean, Knidian, etc.), Greco-Italic and Punic were adequatly represented. Regarding fine wares, East Greek, Laconian and Corinthian are common until the end of the sixth century; Attic black-glazed, and to a lesser extend, black-figure and red-figure pots dominate the assemblages between the fifth and the mid-third centuries BC, while Corinthian, Italian/Sicilian and Punic seem to have been following the commodities flow at Euesperides from the fourth century BC onwards. Finally, Cyrenaican pottery and transport amphorae have been also identified at Euesperides implying a considerable volume of inter-regional trade.
A multi-proxy study of changing environmental conditions in a Younger Dryas sequence in southwestern Manitoba, Canada, and evidence for an extraterrestrial event
Authors: Teller James , Boyd Matthew , LeCompte Malcolm , Kennett James , West Allen , Telka Alice , Diaz Aura , Adedeji Victor , Batchelor Dale , Mooney Charles , Garcia Roberto
Published: October 2019

Multi-proxy analyses of a sequence spanning the Younger Dryas (YD) in the Glacial Lake Hind basin of Manitoba provides insight into regional paleohydrology and paleovegetation of meltwater rivers and lakes spanning >4000 yr; the sequence is controlled by 25 new accelerator mass spectrometry ages. This lake, dammed by the Laurentide Ice Sheet, overflowed into Lake Agassiz. The pre-YD interval records rapid sedimentation from meltwaters that headed in proglacial lakes in the Canadian Prairies that are known to have been catastrophically released when ice or sediment barriers were breached. Pollen in this phase is dominated by pre-Quaternary forms eroded from Paleocene bedrock. At the onset of the YD at ~12.8 cal ka, the sudden appearance of concentrations of nanodiamonds, high-temperature magnetic spherules, platinum, and iridium provide evidence of an extraterrestrial (ET) event that others have identified at more than 40 sites in North America. Major changes in oceans and climate, and the catastrophic outflow of nearby Lake Agassiz at the onset of the YD, may be related. Lower water levels and a reduction of Souris River inflow to Lake Hind followed, which are reflected by more clayey and organic-rich sediments and a decrease in pre-Quaternary palynomorphs. This may have resulted from the deepening of river valleys caused by the release of meltwater triggered by the ET event. Wetlands then began to develop, leading to peat deposition from 12.3 to 11 cal ka. This was followed by a fluvial episode depositing sand and then by increased Holocene aridity that resulted in accumulation of a thick sequence of dune sands. A dry woodland environment with a mix of conifers (especially Picea and Larix) and deciduous trees (especially Populus and Quercus) covered the uplands from ~13 to 10 cal ka.
Postglacial sedimentation in the White Sea (northwestern Russia) reconstructed by integrated microfossil and geochemical data
Authors: Budko Dmitry F. , Demina Liudmila L. , Novichkova Ekaterina A. , Polyakova Yelena I. , Kravchishina Marina D. , Melenevsky Vasily N.
Published: October 2019

The White Sea being connected with the Arctic Ocean via the Barents Sea has an influence on its water temperature/salinity structures and biological processes and thus has an indirect impact on the Eurasian climate system. In this work, we have managed to find a correspondence between the climate fluctuation in the Holocene and changes in the geochemical and microfossil properties in the sediment core of the White Sea. For the first time, the element speciation in the sediment core covering about 10,000 cal yr BP period was investigated. The cooling periods (the early Holocene and the Subboreal stage) were characterized by a trend of increase in Si, Al, and Ti contents and Ti/Al ratios, which reflect lithogenous contribution, and decrease in geochemically labile forms of trace elements. A significant increase in the content of organic-bound trace elements and biogenic components (Сorg, BSi, and chlorin) was observed during periods of Holocene climatic optimums. The evident relationship between the metal speciation and indicators of the sedimentation paleoenvironment is observed at the stage of the active phase of early diagenesis after the slowing down of the biogeochemical processes. Down-core decrease in the Mn oxyhydroxide content exhibited a weakening of diagenesis processes at the ~130–150 cm depth.
ON A CONJECTURE ON THE PERMUTATION CHARACTERS OF FINITE PRIMITIVE GROUPS
Authors: SPIGA PABLO
Published: October 2019

Let$G$be a finite group with two primitive permutation representations on the sets$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}_{1}$and$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}_{2}$and let$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}_{1}$and$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}_{2}$be the corresponding permutation characters. We consider the case in which the set of fixed-point-free elements of$G$on$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}_{1}$coincides with the set of fixed-point-free elements of$G$on$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}_{2}$, that is, for every$g\in G$,$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}_{1}(g)=0$if and only if$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}_{2}(g)=0$. We have conjectured in Spiga [‘Permutation characters and fixed-point-free elements in permutation groups’,J. Algebra299(1) (2006), 1–7] that under this hypothesis either$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}_{1}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}_{2}$or one of$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}_{1}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}_{2}$and$\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}_{2}-\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}_{1}$is a genuine character. In this paper we give evidence towards the veracity of this conjecture when the socle of$G$is a sporadic simple group or an alternating group. In particular, the conjecture is reduced to the case of almost simple groups of Lie type.
EL MUNDO EN UNA NUEZ: DE CALCUTA Y CANTÓN A BUENOS AIRES EN UNA ÉPOCA DE GUERRA. LA INTRODUCCIÓN DE EFECTOS ASIÁTICOS EN LOS MERCADOS SURAMERICANOS, 1805–1807
Authors: Ibarra Antonio
Published: October 2019

This article explores the impact of Asian goods in the Rio de la Plata area through the navigation course of two frigates of the Royal Company of Phillipines, forced by the maritime conflict between the Spanish and British Empires, dock in the Southern estuary. Examining the value and traits of the shipment and the details of the ‘comercio de pacotilla’, this study analyzes the distribution of the goods from China, Philippines and in particular, India, in the port basin, the hinterland of the Viceroyalty, and its connections to the Alto Peruvian space, the trans-Andean region, and the Littoral way to Paraguay. This episode enables an understanding of the distribution of goods, as well as a more detailed recognition of the actors of this traffic and a renewed evaluation of the role of the company in the global market of Asian goods.
Chinese Outbound Investment in Australia: From State Control to Entrepreneurship
Authors: Li Wei , Hendrischke Hans
Published: October 2019

This article contributes to our understanding of Chinese corporate expansion into developed economies by using Australia as a case study of how, in the 2010s, Chinese firms began transiting from government-driven resource investment to entrepreneurial expansion in new industries and markets. We contextualize this process by demonstrating how changing market demand and institutional evolutions at home and in the host country created new motivations for Chinese investors. In particular, the decline of active government control in China over the overseas operations of Chinese firms and the more business-oriented regulatory regime in Australia empowered local subsidiaries of Chinese firms to become more entrepreneurial and explorative in their attempts to compensate for their lack of competitiveness and weak organizational capabilities. Consequently, Chinese firms brought their domestic experience and modus operandi to the Australian host market and collectively adapted and deployed dynamic capabilities such as the use of network linkages, experiential learning and corporate reconfiguration. We find that this transfer of capabilities was facilitated by the co-evolution of the Chinese and Australian institutional and market environments and has maintained Australia's position as one of the major recipient countries of Chinese outbound investment, opening the Australian economy to ongoing expansion and disruption.
Reshaping the Policy Arena: How the Agro-Export Policy Network Propelled Brazil within Global Agricultural Governance
Authors: Søndergaard Niels , Dias da Silva Ricardo
Published: October 2019

The article analyzes how Brazil has become an increasingly active voice for liberalization within global spheres of agricultural governance. With the focus on domestic institutional developments, we identify the gradual materialization of an agro-export policy network consisting of public and private actors. We conduct a periodization of the overarching phases of the policy network's development, from its incipient formation during the Uruguay Round to a high degree of organizational refinement in the new millennium. Through analysis of its external linkages, internal structure, and the distribution of resources, we examine how this network became an absolutely central factor in spurring the offensive orientation and assertive engagement of Brazil within the global agricultural policy arena. We thereby provide a domestically rooted explanation for the rise of Brazil as a central agricultural ‘player’, with the focus on the collective agency capacity of public and private stakeholders.