bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mathematical Modelling on Extinction of Metallized Composite Solid Propellant Under a Sudden Drop in Pressure
Authors: Yu. Krainov Alexey , Poryazov Vasiliy A. , Krainov Dmitry A.
Published: August 2021

This paper presents a physico‐mathematical combustion model of the metallized composite solid propellant (MCSP), which takes into account the chemical reactions in the condensed and gas phases. The model describes convection and diffusion of the propellant components in the two‐phase flow over the fuel surface and combustion of the aluminium particles emitted from the fuel. The constructed model provides the opportunity to calculate the fuel combustion rate under the constant and variable pressure. The obtained calculation results of the MCSP combustion rate using the model are in good agreement with the known experimental data. The manuscript also provides data on the modelling of the MCSP extinction under the sudden pressure change. According to the conducted numerical simulations, the value of the pressure drop, leading to the fuel extinction, depends on the mass fraction of the aluminium powder in the fuel composition and its dispersion. With an increase in the mass fraction of the aluminium powder and/or a decrease in the size of the aluminium particles emitting from the fuel surface, the extinction process occurs at a greater value and under a higher rate of the pressure drop. The numerical simulation has also shown that the addition of the aluminium powder to the composition of the propellant increases the combustion stability under the sudden drop in pressure over the combustion surface.
Heterogeneity in treatment effects across diverse populations
Authors: Nugent Bridget M. , Madabushi Rajanikanth , Buch Barbara , Peiris Vasum , Crentsil Victor , Miller Virginia M. , Bull Jonca , R. Jenkins Marjorie
Published: August 2021

Differences in patient characteristics, including age, sex, and race influence the safety and effectiveness of drugs, biologic products, and medical devices. Here we provide a summary of the topics discussed during the opening panel at the 2018 Johns Hopkins Center for Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation symposium on Assessing and Communicating Heterogeneity of Treatment Effects for Patient Subpopulations: Challenges and Opportunities. The goal of this session was to provide a brief overview of FDA‐regulated therapeutics, including drugs, biologics and medical devices, and some of the major sources of heterogeneity of treatment effects (HTE) related to patient demographics, such as age, sex and race. The panel discussed the US Food and Drug Administration's role in reviewing and regulating drugs, devices, and biologic products and the challenges associated with ensuring that diverse patient populations benefit from these therapeutics. Ultimately, ensuring diverse demographic inclusion in clinical trials, and designing basic and clinical research studies to account for the intended patient population's age, sex, race, and genetic factors among other characteristics, will lead to better, safer therapies for diverse patient populations.
Lessons learned from 20 years of molecular biological tools in petroleum hydrocarbon remediation
Authors: Taggart Dora M. , Clark Kate
Published: August 2021

Stakeholders of petroleum hydrocarbon‐contaminated (PHC) sites aim to meet remediation goals cost‐effectively. But contaminated sites are typically complex, and when inefficient remediation strategies are implemented, time and money are wasted. Various strategies can be implemented for site remediation and almost all at some point involve a biological component. Therefore, during site characterization, seeing the complete picture by obtaining multiple lines of evidence—chemistry (concentrations of contaminants and daughter products), geochemistry (redox status, electron acceptors, electron donors), microbiology (species and their genes for catalyzing biodegradation of reactions, i.e., functional genes), and the contaminant degradation ongoing at baseline (stable isotope methods)—is critically important for selecting the best remediation strategy. Additionally, molecular biological evidence is important for monitoring treatment progress and informing decisions to retreat, change treatments, or transition to monitored natural attenuation.
Comparison of Cornell sprinkle infiltrometer and double‐ring infiltrometer methods for measuring steady infiltration rate
Authors: Lewis John , Amoozegar Aziz , McLaughlin Richard A. , Heitman Joshua L.
Published: August 2021

Infiltration rate measurements are used to assess soil health and develop land management practices to address runoff from precipitation and irrigation. Differences in observed infiltration rates determined by available methods can be attributed to both the technique and soil property differences. The primary objective of this study was to compare two methods for measuring steady infiltration rate: the Cornell sprinkle infiltrometer (single‐ring) method (CSI), and the double‐ring infiltrometer method (DRI). Measurements were made at four sites using four replications of 13 sets of conditions (52 total paired measurements). The relationship between CSI and DRI measurements was significant (p < .001) and strong (R2 = .71). For 8 of 13 conditions, there was no difference between CSI and DRI steady infiltration rates. Variability in measurements was high (CVs ranged from 0.04 to 1.18) but similar for both methods. Both CSI and DRI results were strongly related to saturated hydraulic conductivity of the surface soil layer determined using a laboratory constant head method on intact soil cores. Overall, results suggest that estimates of steady infiltration rate determined by the CSI and standard DRI methods are comparable.
Detecting Single Molecule Deoxyribonucleic Acid in a Cell Using a Three‐Dimensionally Integrated Nanopore
Authors: Tsutsui Makusu , Yokota Kazumichi , Arima Akihide , Washio Takashi , Baba Yoshinobu , Kawai Tomoji
Published: August 2021

Amplification‐free genome analysis can revolutionize biology and medicine by uncovering genetic variations among individuals. Here, the authors report on a 3D‐integrated nanopore for electrolysis to in situ detection of single‐molecule DNA in a cell by ionic current measurements. It consists of a SiO2 multipore sheet and a SiNx nanopore membrane stacked vertically on a Si wafer. Single cell lysis is demonstrated by 106 V m−1‐level electrostatic field focused at the multinanopore. The intracellular molecules are then directly detected as they move through a sensing zone, wherein the authors find telegraphic current signatures reflecting folding degrees of freedom of the millimeter‐long polynucleotides threaded through the SiNx nanopore. The present device concept may enable on‐chip single‐molecule sequencing to multi‐omics analyses at a single‐cell level.
Exploiting dijet resonance searches for flavor physics
Authors: Bordone Marzia , Greljo Admir , Marzocca David
Published: August 2021

Abstract

In this work, we reinterpret ATLAS and CMS dijet resonance searches to set robust constraints on all hypothetical tree-level scalar and vector mediators with masses up to 5 TeV, assuming a diquark or a quark-antiquark coupling with an arbitrary flavor composition. To illustrate the application of these general results, we quantify the permissible size of new physics in $$ {\overline{B}}_q\to {D}_q^{\left(\ast \right)+}\left\{\pi, K\right\} $$

B
¯

q

→

D
q

∗

+

π
K

consistent with the absence of signal in dijet resonance searches. Along the way, we perform a full SMEFT analysis of the aforementioned non-leptonic B meson decays at leading-order in αs. Our findings uncover a pressing tension between the new physics explanations of recently reported anomalies in these decays and the dijet resonant searches. The high-pT constraints are crucial to drain the parameter space consistent with the low-pT flavor physics data.
Chern-Simons invariants from ensemble averages
Authors: Ashwinkumar Meer , Dodelson Matthew , Kidambi Abhiram , Leedom Jacob M. , Yamazaki Masahito
Published: August 2021

Abstract

We discuss ensemble averages of two-dimensional conformal field theories associated with an arbitrary indefinite lattice with integral quadratic formQ. We provide evidence that the holographic dual after the ensemble average is the three-dimensional Abelian Chern-Simons theory with kinetic term determined byQ. The resulting partition function can be written as a modular form, expressed as a sum over the partition functions of Chern-Simons theories on lens spaces. For odd lattices, the dual bulk theory is a spin Chern-Simons theory, and we identify several novel phenomena in this case. We also discuss the holographic duality prior to averaging in terms of Maxwell-Chern-Simons theories.
Holographic quantum tasks with input and output regions
Authors: May Alex
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Quantum tasks are quantum computations with inputs and outputs occurring at specified spacetime locations. Considering such tasks in the context of AdS/CFT has led to novel constraints relating bulk geometry and boundary entanglement. In this article we consider tasks where inputs and outputs are encoded into extended spacetime regions, rather than the points previously considered. We show that this leads to stronger constraints than have been derived in the point based setting. In particular we improve the connected wedge theorem, appearing earlier in arXiv:1912.05649, by finding a larger bulk region whose existence implies large boundary correlation. As well, we show how considering extended input and output regions leads to non-trivial statements in Poincaré-AdS2+1, a setting where the point-based connected wedge theorem is always trivial.
Sleep disorders in people with type 2 diabetes and associated health outcomes: a review of the literature
Authors: Schipper Samantha B. J. , Van Veen Maaike M. , Elders Petra J. M. , van Straten Annemieke , Van Der Werf Ysbrand D. , Knutson Kristen L. , Rutters Femke
Published: August 2021

Sleep disorders are linked to development of type 2 diabetes and increase the risk of developing diabetes complications. Treating sleep disorders might therefore play an important role in the prevention of diabetes progression. However, the detection and treatment of sleep disorders are not part of standardised care for people with type 2 diabetes. To highlight the importance of sleep disorders in people with type 2 diabetes, we provide a review of the literature on the prevalence of sleep disorders in type 2 diabetes and the association between sleep disorders and health outcomes, such as glycaemic control, microvascular and macrovascular complications, depression, mortality and quality of life. Additionally, we examine the extent to which treating sleep disorders in people with type 2 diabetes improves these health outcomes. We performed a literature search in PubMed from inception until January 2021, using search terms for sleep disorders, type 2 diabetes, prevalence, treatment and health outcomes. Both observational and experimental studies were included in the review. We found that insomnia (39% [95% CI 34, 44]), obstructive sleep apnoea (55–86%) and restless legs syndrome (8–45%) were more prevalent in people with type 2 diabetes, compared with the general population. No studies reported prevalence rates for circadian rhythm sleep–wake disorders, central disorders of hypersomnolence or parasomnias. Additionally, several cross-sectional and prospective studies showed that sleep disorders negatively affect health outcomes in at least one diabetes domain, especially glycaemic control. For example, insomnia is associated with increased HbA1c levels (2.51 mmol/mol [95% CI 1.1, 4.4]; 0.23% [95% CI 0.1, 0.4]). Finally, randomised controlled trials that investigate the effect of treating sleep disorders in people with type 2 diabetes are scarce, based on a small number of participants and sometimes inconclusive. Conventional therapies such as weight loss, sleep education and cognitive behavioural therapy seem to be effective in improving sleep and health outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes. We conclude that sleep disorders are highly prevalent in people with type 2 diabetes, negatively affecting health outcomes. Since treatment of the sleep disorder could prevent diabetes progression, efforts should be made to diagnose and treat sleep disorders in type 2 diabetes in order to ultimately improve health and therefore quality of life.

Graphical abstract
Complication after Aquafilling® gel-mediated augmentation mammoplasty—galactocele formation in a lactating woman: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Loesch Julie Marie , Eniste Yasemin-Sibel , Dedes Konstantin J. , Frauchiger-Heuer Heike
Published: August 2021

Augmentation mammoplasty using hydrogel fillers such as polyacrylamide gel (PAAG) or Aquafilling® has been performed commonly in some countries as an alternative to breast augmentation with saline or silicone implants. However, the safety of this procedure remains controversial, and many complications associated with the use of large-volume hydrogel injection have been reported in recent years. We present the case of a 33-year-old woman with a history of bilateral Aquafilling® injection augmentation mammoplasty who presented with an enlarged left breast while breastfeeding. Based on the clinical presentation and ultrasound findings, the patient underwent surgical incision as abscess formation caused by infection of the filler material could not be ruled out with certainty. Surgery revealed a galactocele with drainage of large amounts of milky fluid. Remaining filler material was removed as thoroughly as possible, and vacuum assisted wound dressing was performed. Galactocele formation in lactating women is a known complication after injection of hydrogel. Hence, it is important to be familiar with this uncommon but possibly severe complication in order to make an accurate diagnosis and initiate adequate treatment. To that end, it is recommended that patients who underwent Aquafilling® injection for breast augmentation should avoid lactation and that women intending to breastfeed should not undergo augmentation mammoplasty with injection of Aquafilling®.

Level of Evidence: Level V, risk / prognostic study
Characterising cognitive heterogeneity in individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis: a cluster analysis with clinical and functional outcome prediction
Authors: Haining Kate , Gajwani Ruchika , Gross Joachim , Gumley Andrew I. , Ince Robin A. A. , Lawrie Stephen M. , Schultze-Lutter Frauke , Schwannauer Matthias , Uhlhaas Peter J.
Published: August 2021

Schizophrenia is characterised by cognitive impairments that are already present during early stages, including in the clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR-P) state and first-episode psychosis (FEP). Moreover, data suggest the presence of distinct cognitive subtypes during early-stage psychosis, with evidence for spared vs. impaired cognitive profiles that may be differentially associated with symptomatic and functional outcomes. Using cluster analysis, we sought to determine whether cognitive subgroups were associated with clinical and functional outcomes in CHR-P individuals. Data were available for 146 CHR-P participants of whom 122 completed a 6- and/or 12-month follow-up; 15 FEP participants; 47 participants not fulfilling CHR-P criteria (CHR-Ns); and 53 healthy controls (HCs). We performed hierarchical cluster analysis on principal components derived from neurocognitive and social cognitive measures. Within the CHR-P group, clusters were compared on clinical and functional variables and examined for associations with global functioning, persistent attenuated psychotic symptoms and transition to psychosis. Two discrete cognitive subgroups emerged across all participants: 45.9% of CHR-P individuals were cognitively impaired compared to 93.3% of FEP, 29.8% of CHR-N and 30.2% of HC participants. Cognitively impaired CHR-P participants also had significantly poorer functioning at baseline and follow-up than their cognitively spared counterparts. Specifically, cluster membership predicted functional but not clinical outcome. Our findings support the existence of distinct cognitive subgroups in CHR-P individuals that are associated with functional outcomes, with implications for early intervention and the understanding of underlying developmental processes.
Interpretation of vaccine associated neurological adverse events: a methodological and historical review
Authors: Cauchi Marija , Ball Harriet , Ben-Shlomo Yoav , Robertson Neil
Published: August 2021

As a result of significant recent scientific investment, the range of vaccines available for COVID-19 prevention continues to expand and uptake is increasing globally. Although initial trial safety data have been generally reassuring, a number of adverse events, including vaccine induced thrombosis and thrombocytopenia (VITT), have come to light which have the potential to undermine the success of the vaccination program. However, it can be difficult to interpret available data and put these into context and to communicate this effectively. In this review, we discuss contemporary methodologies employed to investigate possible associations between vaccination and adverse neurological outcomes and why determining causality can be challenging. We demonstrate these issues by discussing relevant historical exemplars and explore the relevance for the current pandemic and vaccination program. We also discuss challenges in understanding and communicating such risks to clinicians and the general population within the context of the ‘infodemic’ facilitated by the Internet and other media.
Severe hospital-acquired hyponatremia in acutely ill children receiving moderately hypotonic fluids
Authors: Lehtiranta Saara , Honkila Minna , Kallio Merja , Halt Kimmo , Paalanne Niko , Pokka Tytti , Tapiainen Terhi
Published: August 2021

Background

Hypotonic fluids have been associated with hospital-acquired hyponatremia. The incidence of life-threatening severe hyponatremia associated with hypotonic fluids has not been evaluated.

Methods

This was a population-based cohort study of 46,518 acutely ill children 15 years of age or under who visited the pediatric emergency department (ED) at Oulu University Hospital, Finland, between 2007 and 2017. We retrieved all electrolyte measurements from the comprehensive electronic laboratory system and reviewed medical records for all patients with severe hyponatremia.

Results

The overall occurrence of severe hyponatremia (serum sodium < 125 mmol/L) was found in 27 out of 46,518 acutely ill children (0.06%, 95% confidence interval 0.04–0.08%). After admission, severe hyponatremia developed in seven of 6,984 children receiving moderately hypotonic fluid therapy (0.1%, 95% confidence interval 0.04–0.2%), usually within 8 h of admission. All children who developed severe hyponatremia during hospitalization were severely ill.

Conclusion

In this register-based cohort study of children presenting to the ED, severe hyponatremia developed in one of 998 acutely ill children receiving moderately hypotonic fluid therapy.

Graphical abstract

A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information
Surgical management of anterior clinoidal meningiomas: consensus statement on behalf of the EANS skull base section
Authors: Starnoni D. , Tuleasca C. , Giammattei L. , Cossu G. , Bruneau M. , Berhouma M. , Cornelius J. F. , Cavallo L. , Froelich S. , Jouanneau E. , Meling T. R. , Paraskevopoulos D. , Schroeder H. , Tatagiba M. , Zazpe I. , Sufianov A. , Sughrue M. E. , Chacko Ari G. , Benes V. , González-Lopez P. , Roche Pierre-Hugues , Levivier Marc , Messerer Mahmoud , Daniel Roy T.
Published: August 2021

Background

The optimal management of clinoidal meningiomas (CMs) continues to be debated.

Methods

We constituted a task force comprising the members of the EANS skull base committee along with international experts to derive recommendations for the management of these tumors. The data from the literature along with contemporary practice patterns were discussed within the task force to generate consensual recommendations.

Results and conclusion

This article represents the consensus opinion of the task force regarding pre-operative evaluations, patient’s counselling, surgical classification, and optimal surgical strategy. Although this analysis yielded only Class B evidence and expert opinions, it should guide practitioners in the management of patients with clinoidal meningiomas and might form the basis for future clinical trials.
Goal-driven active learning
Authors: Bougie Nicolas , Ichise Ryutaro
Published: August 2021

Deep reinforcement learning methods have achieved significant successes in complex decision-making problems. In fact, they traditionally rely on well-designed extrinsic rewards, which limits their applicability to many real-world tasks where rewards are naturally sparse. While cloning behaviors provided by an expert is a promising approach to the exploration problem, learning from a fixed set of demonstrations may be impracticable due to lack of state coverage or distribution mismatch—when the learner’s goal deviates from the demonstrated behaviors. Besides, we are interested in learning how to reach a wide range of goals from the same set of demonstrations. In this work we propose a novel goal-conditioned method that leverages very small sets of goal-driven demonstrations to massively accelerate the learning process. Crucially, we introduce the concept of active goal-driven demonstrations to query the demonstrator only in hard-to-learn and uncertain regions of the state space. We further present a strategy for prioritizing sampling of goals where the disagreement between the expert and the policy is maximized. We evaluate our method on a variety of benchmark environments from the Mujoco domain. Experimental results show that our method outperforms prior imitation learning approaches in most of the tasks in terms of exploration efficiency and average scores.
Unilateral Blinking: Insights from Stereo-EEG and Tractography
Authors: Kaufmann Elisabeth , Bartkiewicz Joanna , Fearns Nicholas , Ernst Katharina , Vollmar Christian , Noachtar Soheyl
Published: August 2021

To study the neuroanatomical correlate of involuntary unilateral blinking in humans, using the example of patients with focal epilepsy. Patients with drug resistant focal epilepsy undergoing presurgical evaluation with stereotactically implanted EEG-electrodes (sEEG) were recruited from the local epilepsy monitoring unit. Only patients showing ictal unilateral blinking or unilateral blinking elicited by direct electrical stimulation were included (n = 16). MRI and CT data were used for visualization of the electrode positions. In two patients, probabilistic tractography with seeding from the respective electrodes was additionally performed. Three main findings were made: (1) involuntary unilateral blinking was associated with activation of the anterior temporal region, (2) tractography showed widespread projections to the ipsilateral frontal, pericentral, occipital, limbic and cerebellar regions and (3) blinking was observed predominantly in female patients with temporal lobe epilepsies. Unilateral blinking was found to be associated with an ipsilateral activation of the anterior temporal region. We suggest that the identified network is not part of the primary blinking control but might have modulating influence on ipsilateral blinking by integrating contextual information.
Plasma membrane glycosphingolipid signaling: a turning point
Authors: Chiricozzi Elena
Published: August 2021

Plasma membrane interaction is highly recognized as an essential step to start the intracellular events in response to extracellular stimuli. The ways in which these interactions take place are less clear and detailed. Over the last decade my research has focused on developing the understanding of the glycosphingolipids-protein interaction that occurs at cell surface. By using chemical synthesis and biochemical approaches we have characterized some fundamental interactions that are key events both in the immune response and in the maintenance of neuronal homeostasis. In particular, for the first time it has been demonstrated that a glycolipid, present on the outer side of the membrane, the long-chain lactosylceramide, is able to directly modulate a cytosolic protein. But the real conceptual change was the demonstration that the GM1 oligosaccharide chain is able, alone, to replicate numerous functions of GM1 ganglioside and to directly interact with plasma membrane receptors by activating specific cellular signaling. In this conceptual shift, the development and application of multidisciplinary techniques in the field of biochemistry, from chemical synthesis to bioinformatic analysis, as well as discussions with several national and international colleagues have played a key role.
A Class of Well-Balanced Algorithms for Relativistic Fluids on a Schwarzschild Background
Authors: LeFloch Philippe G. , Parés Carlos , Pimentel-García Ernesto
Published: August 2021

For the evolution of a compressible fluid in spherical symmetry on a Schwarzschild curved background, we design a class of well-balanced numerical algorithms up to third-order accuracy. We treat both the relativistic Burgers–Schwarzschild model and the relativistic Euler–Schwarzschild model and take advantage of the explicit or implicit forms available for the stationary solutions of these models. Our schemes follow the finite volume methodology and preserve the stationary solutions. Importantly, they allow us to investigate the global asymptotic behavior of such flows and determine the asymptotic behavior of the mass density and velocity field of the fluid.
Resource allocation in the Covid-19 health crisis: are Covid-19 preventive measures consistent with the Rule of Rescue?
Authors: März Julian W. , Holm Søren , Schlander Michael
Published: August 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a health crisis of a scale unprecedented in post-war Europe. In response, a large amount of healthcare resources have been redirected to Covid-19 preventive measures, for instance population-wide vaccination campaigns, large-scale SARS-CoV-2 testing, and the large-scale distribution of protective equipment (e.g., N95 respirators) to high-risk groups and hospitals and nursing homes. Despite the importance of these measures in epidemiological and economic terms, health economists and medical ethicists have been relatively silent about the ethical rationales underlying the large-scale allocation of healthcare resources to these measures. The present paper seeks to encourage this debate by demonstrating how the resource allocation to Covid-19 preventive measures can be understood through the paradigm of the Rule of Rescue, without claiming that the Rule of Rescue is the sole rationale of resource allocation in the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Itô formulas for jump processes
Authors: Gyöngy István , Wu Sizhou
Published: August 2021

A well-known Itô formula for finite-dimensional processes, given in terms of stochastic integrals with respect to Wiener processes and Poisson random measures, is revisited and is revised. The revised formula, which corresponds to the classical Itô formula for semimartingales with jumps, is then used to obtain a generalisation of an important infinite-dimensional Itô formula for continuous semimartingales from Krylov (Probab Theory Relat Fields 147:583–605, 2010) to a class of $$L_p$$

L
p

-valued jump processes. This generalisation is motivated by applications in the theory of stochastic PDEs.
Detection Capability Verification and Performance Test for the High Resolution Imaging Camera of China’s Tianwen-1 Mission
Authors: Yan Wei , Liu Jianjun , Ren Xin , Li Chunlai , Fu Qiang , Wang Dong , Dong Jihong , Zhang Xiaoxia , Chen Wangli , Tan Xu , Huang Hai , Cao Zhirui , Yan Dejie , Ji Qi , Wu Fanlu
Published: August 2021

High-resolution optical cameras have always been important scientific payloads in Mars exploration missions, which can obtain detailed images of Martian surface for the study of geomorphology, topography and geological structure. At present, there are still many challenges for Mars high-resolution images in terms of global coverage, stereo coverage (especially for colour images), and data processing methods. High Resolution Imaging Camera (HiRIC) is a high-quality, multi-mode, multi-functional, multi-spectral remote sensing camera that is suitable for the deep space developed for China’s first Mars Exploration Mission (Tianwen-1), which was successfully launched in July 2020. Here we design special experiments based on the in-orbit detection conditions of Tianwen-1 mission to comprehensively verify the detection capability and the performance of HiRIC, from the aspects of image motion compensation effect, focusing effect, image compression quality, and data preprocessing accuracy. The results showed that the performance status of HiRIC meets the requirements of obtaining high resolution images on the Martian surface. Furthermore, proposals for HiRIC in-orbit imaging strategy and data processing are discussed to ensure the acquisition of high-quality HiRIC images, which is expected to serve as a powerful complementation to the current Mars high-resolution images.
Ethnic discrimination in secondary education: Does the solution lie in multicultural education and the ethnic school composition?
Authors: D’hondt Fanny , Maene Charlotte , Vervaet Roselien , Van Houtte Mieke , Stevens Peter A. J.
Published: August 2021

Ethnic discrimination is a serious problem in education. Previous quantitative research is predominately focused on the consequences of ethnic discrimination. Very little is known, however, about the characteristics of the school context that influence the initial experience of ethnic discrimination. This knowledge is essential to support schools in how to organize in a way that diminishes the likelihood of adolescents being discriminated against. This study examines the relationship between multicultural education and perceived ethnic discrimination, and the moderating role of the ethnic composition of the student population. Multicultural education is a broad concept. The focus lies on the three main actors: multicultural policy from the perspective of the principal, multicultural teaching from the perception of the teacher and students’ perception of multicultural teaching. The results of a multilevel analysis on a large-scale dataset (N = 2715 students, 38 schools) collected in secondary education in Belgium show that students of ethnic Belgian descent are more likely to report ethnic discrimination by peers if the school applies a more multicultural policy or if the school has a high concentration of students with an other-than-Belgian background. Students with an other-than-Belgian background are more likely to report ethnic discrimination by teachers if the school applies a more multicultural policy. If students perceive that their teachers pay attention to multicultural education, they are less likely to report ethnic discrimination by teachers, but more by peers. The ethnic composition is not directly related to perceived ethnic discrimination, nor does it play a moderating role.
Clinical Trials Based on Mesenchymal Stromal Cells are Exponentially Increasing: Where are We in Recent Years?
Authors: Galderisi Umberto , Peluso Gianfranco , Di Bernardo Giovanni
Published: August 2021

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), present in the stromal component of several tissues, include multipotent stem cells, progenitors, and differentiated cells. MSCs have quickly attracted considerable attention in the clinical field for their regenerative properties and their ability to promote tissue homeostasis following injury. In recent years, MSCs mainly isolated from bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord—have been utilized in hundreds of clinical trials for the treatment of various diseases. However, in addition to some successes, MSC-based therapies have experienced several failures. The number of new trials with MSCs is exponentially growing; still, complete results are only available for a limited number of trials. This dearth does not help prevent potentially inefficacious and unnecessary clinical trials. Results from unsuccessful studies may be useful in planning new therapeutic approaches to improve clinical outcomes. In order to bolster critical analysis of trial results, we reviewed the state of art of MSC clinical trials that have been published in the last six years. Most of the 416 published trials evaluated MSCs’ effectiveness in treating cardiovascular diseases, GvHD, and brain and neurological disorders, although some trials sought to treat immune system diseases and wounds and to restore tissue. We also report some unorthodox clinical trials that include unusual studies.

Graphical abstract
Caution, “normal” BMI: health risks associated with potentially masked individual underweight—EPMA Position Paper 2021
Authors: Golubnitschaja Olga , Liskova Alena , Koklesova Lenka , Samec Marek , Biringer Kamil , Büsselberg Dietrich , Podbielska Halina , Kunin Anatolij A. , Evsevyeva Maria E. , Shapira Niva , Paul Friedemann , Erb Carl , Dietrich Detlef E. , Felbel Dieter , Karabatsiakis Alexander , Bubnov Rostyslav , Polivka Jiri , Polivka Jiri , Birkenbihl Colin , Fröhlich Holger , Hofmann-Apitius Martin , Kubatka Peter
Published: August 2021

An increasing interest in a healthy lifestyle raises questions about optimal body weight. Evidently, it should be clearly discriminated between the standardised “normal” body weight and individually optimal weight. To this end, the basic principle of personalised medicine “one size does not fit all” has to be applied. Contextually, “normal” but e.g. borderline body mass index might be optimal for one person but apparently suboptimal for another one strongly depending on the individual genetic predisposition, geographic origin, cultural and nutritional habits and relevant lifestyle parameters—all included into comprehensive individual patient profile. Even if only slightly deviant, both overweight and underweight are acknowledged risk factors for a shifted metabolism which, if being not optimised, may strongly contribute to the development and progression of severe pathologies. Development of innovative screening programmes is essential to promote population health by application of health risks assessment, individualised patient profiling and multi-parametric analysis, further used for cost-effective targeted prevention and treatments tailored to the person. The following healthcare areas are considered to be potentially strongly benefiting from the above proposed measures: suboptimal health conditions, sports medicine, stress overload and associated complications, planned pregnancies, periodontal health and dentistry, sleep medicine, eye health and disorders, inflammatory disorders, healing and pain management, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancers, psychiatric and neurologic disorders, stroke of known and unknown aetiology, improved individual and population outcomes under pandemic conditions such as COVID-19. In a long-term way, a significantly improved healthcare economy is one of benefits of the proposed paradigm shift from reactive to Predictive, Preventive and Personalised Medicine (PPPM/3PM). A tight collaboration between all stakeholders including scientific community, healthcare givers, patient organisations, policy-makers and educators is essential for the smooth implementation of 3PM concepts in daily practice.
Reservoir Formation Damage; Reasons and Mitigation: A Case Study of the Cambrian–Ordovician Nubian ‘C’ Sandstone Gas and Oil Reservoir from the Gulf of Suez Rift Basin
Authors: Radwan Ahmed E. , Wood David A. , Abudeif A. M. , Attia M. M. , Mahmoud M. , Kassem Ahmed A. , Kania Maciej
Published: August 2021

Reservoir formation damage is a major problem that the oil and gas industry has to mitigate in order to maintain the oil and gas supply. A case study is presented that identifies the impacts of formation damage and their causes in the Nubian ‘C’ hydrocarbon reservoir within Sidki field located in the Southern Gulf of Suez, Egypt. In addition, a formation damage mitigation program was designed and implemented involving an effective stimulation treatment for each well experiencing reservoir damage. The data available for this study include core analysis to provide rock mineralogy and lithology; analysis of production fluid data; water chemistry; drilling fluid composition; perforations and well completion details; workover operations; and stimulation history. The diagnosis of formation damage based on the integrated assessment of the available data is associated with several benefits, (1) The integration of the data available helps provide a robust analysis of formation damage causes and in establishing suitable remediation actions, (2) Workover fluid is confirmed as the primary cause of reservoir damage in the studied well, (3) Several reservoir damage mechanisms were identified including water blockage, solids and filtrate invasion, fluid/rock interaction (deflocculation of kaolinite clay), salinity shock and/or high-sulfate content of the invaded fluid, (4) Irrespective of the potential causes of formation damage, the primary objective of a gas production company is to mitigate its effects and the integrated dataset helps to design appropriate and effective stimulation treatments to overcome formation damage, and (5) In gas reservoirs, especially low permeability ones, extra precautions are necessary to avoid potential reservoir damage due to workover fluid invasion.
Approximating delta invariants in the sense of plt complements
Authors: Zhou Chuyu
Published: August 2021

We show that delta invariant of a log Fano pair can be approximated by lc places of plt complements if it is no greater than one. Under the assumption that delta invariant (no greater than one) of a log Fano pair can be approximated by lc places of bounded plt complements, we show the existence of divisorial valuation computing delta invariant of this log Fano pair.
Why Can An Idea Be Like Nothing But Another Idea? A Conceptual Interpretation of Berkeley's Likeness Principle
Authors: WEST PETER
Published: August 2021

Berkeley's likeness principle is the claim that ‘an idea can be like nothing but an idea’. The likeness principle is intended to undermine representationalism: the view (that Berkeley attributes to thinkers like Descartes and Locke) that all human knowledge is mediated by ideas in the mind that represent material objects. Yet, Berkeley appears to leave the likeness principle unargued for. This has led to several attempts to explain why Berkeley accepts it. In contrast to metaphysical and epistemological interpretations available in the literature, in this essay I defend a conceptual interpretation. I argue that Berkeley accepts the likeness principle on the basis of (1) his commitment to the transparency of ideas and (2) his account of resemblance, which he sets out in his works on vision. Thus, I provide an explanation for Berkeley's reasons for accepting the likeness principle that, appropriately, focuses on his views concerning ideas and likeness.
Disaster Risk Management Plans in Colombia: General Guidelines for Their Development
Authors: Díaz-Tamayo Alejandra María
Published: August 2021

Over the years, Colombia has faced disaster situations that have generated changes in risk management models. These situations have brought suffering, destruction, and loss of human life, but have also served as lessons to develop procedures aimed at minimizing the risks caused by the presence of hazards. The objective of this article is to provide general evidence-based guidelines for formulating disaster risk management plans for each of the 3 action processes: risk awareness, risk reduction, and disaster management in Colombia. These plans can be achieved by preparing responses to different emergencies, which arise from threats in each of the possible scenarios, and are adverse events that alter the normal functioning of entities and communities. The implementation of these prevention strategies will allow communities to respond effectively to emergencies and recover rapidly in the face of adversity.
The rise of China between Global IR and area studies: an agenda for cooperation
Authors: Dian Matteo
Published: August 2021

East Asia is increasingly at the centre of debates among International Relations (IR) scholars. China's political, economic, and military ascendency is increasingly considered as a crucial test case for main approaches to IR. Despite this renewed attention, mainstream theories employed to analyse contemporary Asia are still remarkably Euro-centric. A wave of studies has argued in favour of a broad ‘decolonization’ of theoretical concepts used to analyse East Asia as well as other regions. These efforts have produced several distinct research agendas. Firstly, critical and post-colonial theorists have worked on the par destruens, highlighting the inherent Euro-centrism of many IR concepts and theories. Secondly, scholars such as Buzan and Acharya have promoted the idea of Global IR, seeking to advance a ‘non-Western’ and non-Euro-centric research agenda. This agenda has found fertile ground especially in China, where several scholars have tried to promote a Chinese School of IR. This article has three main purposes. Firstly, it briefly explores the issue of Eurocentrism in IR studies dedicated to East Asia. Secondly, it maps the theoretical debates aimed at overcoming it, looking in particular at the ‘Global IR’ research programme and the so-called Chinese School. Finally, it sketches a few other possible avenues of research for a very much needed cooperation between Global IR and area studies.
The smooth, spire-bearing brachiopods after the terminal Ordovician extinction through lower Llandovery in the central Oslo region, Norway
Authors: Baarli B. Gudveig
Published: August 2021

Strata of the Solvik Formation in the central Oslo region (upper Hirnantian to upper Aeronian) are rich in atrypides that elucidate the evolution of this group. A few athyridide brachiopods are also present. Eleven taxa of smooth spire-bearers are described taxonomically using fossils and peels. Among these occur one new genus,Eisaella, and five new species:Eisaella uniplicata,Thulatrypa huangi,T.vikenensis, ?Becscia pentagona, andShelvothyris bivittata. Atrypides make up 30% (24 genera) of the total brachiopod genera in the Solvik Formation, more than one third of the known global atrypide fauna during that interval. Most are members of the family Lissatrypidae, illustrating the evolution of this group from upper Hirnantian and lower Silurian strata. These show close affinity to each other attesting to ongoing radiation. The new genusEisaellais a likely ancestor ofLissatrypa, whileMeifodiadisplays a gradual evolution through the formation. Atrypides were most diverse at the base and top of the Solvik Formation due to heterogony in environments and water depth, but were less diverse in the comparatively constant environmental setting of the late Rhuddanian time. The basal assemblages with few atrypides from shallow facies may be compared to the shallow Cathay Fauna of China. Most of the abundant Norwegian atrypide fauna is found in deeper water with few comparable faunas known globally. The Oslo region may have served as a center for the evolution and spread of atrypides immediately following the end-Ordovician glacial drawdown in sea level.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/508dba95-5501-403d-9a4d-deeb324847c9
Determination of factors affecting milk yield, composition and udder morphometry of Hair and cross-bred dairy goats in a semi-intensive system
Authors: Erduran Hakan , Dag Birol
Published: August 2021

In this Research Communication we report milk yield, milk composition and udder morphometry of Hair, Alpine × Hair F1 (AHF1), and Saanen × Hair F1 (SHF1) cross-bred goat genotypes managed in a semi-intensive system. The SHF1 genotype had significantly higher lactation milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, and electrical conductivity than other genotypes, whilst AHF1 was intermediate. The milk fat, protein, lactose, solids-non-fat and total solids contents as well as pH and density of the Hair goat milk were significantly higher than the corresponding values of the cross-bred genotypes. The highest correlation amongst udder characteristics and production was between lactation milk yield and udder volume (P < 0.01; r = from 0.63 to 0.77). The results of this study suggest that crossbreeding can have a positive effect on the milk production characteristics of local goats, thereby reducing the pressure on the ecosystem, and suggest that udder measurements, especially volume, can be a helpful tool for estimating milk yield.
Reproductive characteristics of Ratabulus diversidens and Ambiserrula jugosa (Pisces: Platycephalidae) from continental shelf waters of south-eastern Australia
Authors: Barnes Lachlan M. , Gray Charles A. , Williamson Jane E.
Published: August 2021

The reproductive characteristics of co-occurring freespine flathead, Ratabulus diversidens, and mud flathead, Ambiserrula jugosa, that interact with fisheries across continental shelf waters of eastern Australia were examined. Samples were collected across three depth strata and two locations on a monthly basis over two years. Males of both species matured younger and at smaller total lengths (TL) than females. Estimated TL and age (years) at maturity (L50 and A50, respectively) of R. diversidens also varied between locations, but differences were not related to differential growth. Although some mature individuals of both species occurred year-round, they were most prevalent and gonadosomatic indices greatest, between the austral spring and autumn. Mature R. diversidens almost exclusively occurred in deeper offshore waters, whereas the opposite was evident for A. jugosa. Both species displayed asynchronous oocyte development, and were thus considered capable of spawning more than once throughout each spawning season. Potential batch fecundity was positively related to TL for R. diversidens, but not A. jugosa, possibly due to the small size of the latter species. The sex ratios for R. diversidens varied between locations and length categories, and like A. jugosa the larger categories were skewed towards females, a result of divergent growth between sexes. Macroscopic and microscopic evidence indicated both species were gonochoristic. The data provide new information for fisheries management consideration and contribute to the data-poor international knowledge base of platycephalid biology.
The Force Field Model applied to a Music Education teacher training framework in a South African context
Authors: De Villiers Ronel
Published: August 2021

South African Higher Education Institution (HEI) Music Education (MusEd) lecturers’ perspectives regarding the contextual, institutional, biographical and programmatic forces that stem from the theoretical framework Samuel’s (2008) Force Field Model (FFM) were explored. The study was approached from an interpretivist paradigm and conceptually drew qualitative data generated from eight case studies to gain an in-depth understanding of the push and pull factors that influence professional practices. The major findings of the study indicated that lecturers should embrace transformation principles to decolonise the national curriculum. Biographic viewpoints have to be modified from a singular Western Classical viewpoint to integrate African Indigenous perspectives. To teach MusEd, elements and activities from diverse cultures as well as teach student teachers from diverse cultural backgrounds result in MusEd as a change agent to develop social cohesion between multicultural communities. Theoretical knowledge integrated with practical activities where the focus changes from achieving an individualistic perfect end product to the continuing process of ‘musicking’ together are proposed. The lecturers as facilitators, therefore, focus on a student-centred philosophy to guide student teachers’ development in MusEd. Insights gained from this study propose a future cosmopolitan teacher training framework.