bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial intelligence and the fifth phase of political risk management: An application to regulatory expropriation
Authors: Hemphill Thomas A. , Kelley Keith J.
Published: June 2021

Using the context of regulatory expropriation, this article extends political risk management theories, forecasting methodologies (employing artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics), and human intelligence evaluation tools useful for multinational enterprise executives in their planning and decision‐making responsibilities. The article identifies three key areas where artificial intelligence will specifically assist managers in analyzing and mitigating risks: (a) earlier identification of risks, (b) precision in risk assessment, and (c) identification of unknown unknown risk correlations. These three categories also represent how artificial intelligence and its application to political risk assessment will evolve in the fifth phase of political risk management, and why it is of particular relevance to risks such as regulatory expropriation. Using the example of an oil exploration joint venture between Russian TNK and BP, and reflecting political and public policy indicators of regulatory expropriation, this political risk management framework and its hypothetical development are illustrated.
Perceived export performance: The invisible part of the iceberg
Authors: Sadeghi Arash , Chetty Sylvie , Rose Elizabeth L.
Published: June 2021

This study offers a more fine‐grained view of perceived export performance (EP) and map out the key aspects of this phenomenon from the perspective of SME managers. Particularly, we explore the differences in managers' practices and their perceptions about underlying aspects of EP, including level of analysis, type of performance, mode of assessment, criteria, time frames, and frames of references. Furthermore, we explore some of the key reasons for variations in EP assessment practices. This study adopts an inductive approach based on semistructured interviews with 20 exporting SMEs in New Zealand. We observed that firms exhibit distinctive behavior in their EP assessment depending on their type of ownership, stage of internationalization, and perceived psychic distance toward target markets. We challenge the assumption that a single, universal EP evaluation model can be used for SMEs and suggest that the appropriate conceptualization of EP should be dictated by each firm's strategic orientation.
WebMO: Web‐based computational chemistry calculations in education and research
Authors: Polik William F. , Schmidt J. R.
Published: June 2021

WebMO is a web‐based interface for all major quantum chemistry programs. WebMO uses a server–client architecture that installs on a single server or cluster computer and provides access to state‐of‐the‐art computational chemistry programs from a standard web browser. The web interface provides a 3‐D molecular editor, pre‐defined calculations types, job submission and monitoring, visualization of results, and user management tools. Barriers to using state‐of‐the‐art computational chemistry in teaching and research are minimized through WebMO's universal accessibility, its intuitive and uniform interface to all programs, no software to install on client computers, and support for multiple users with a single instance. Applications of WebMO throughout the undergraduate curriculum are provided. The extensible open‐architecture design allows for collaboration among educators, researchers, quantum chemistry program developers, and the WebMO interface developers.

This article is categorized under:

Computer and Information Science > Visualization

Electronic Structure Theory > Ab Initio Electronic Structure Methods

Software > Quantum Chemistry
Sweden's coronavirus strategy: The Public Health Agency and the sites of controversy
Authors: Pashakhanlou Arash Heydarian
Published: June 2021

In contrast to the vast majority of Western countries, Sweden left large segments of the society open instead of imposing a lockdown to combat the spread of the coronavirus. As a result, the Swedish COVID‐19 measures, largely devised by its expert agency on health, garnered widespread international attention. Despite the global interest in the corona strategy of the Public Health Agency of Sweden (PHAS), there are currently no systematic studies on their COVID‐19 policy. The present investigation focuses on the controversies that have characterized PHAS' work with reference to risk assessments, facemasks, voluntarism, testing, and the protection of the elderly during the pandemic. Overall, this inquiry demonstrates that PHAS' risk assessments were initially overly optimistic and their facemask recommendations in conflict with large segments of the scientific community for an extensive period. Yet, their voluntary measures worked moderately well. In their testing, PHAS did not manage to deliver on their promises in time, whereas several measures implemented to protect the elderly were deemed inadequate and late.
Oxidation of Sulphur Dioxide using Micro‐ and Nanoparticles of various Iron Oxides
Authors: Reichelt Lydia , Hippmann Sebastian , Brichkin Vyacheslav Nikolayevich , Bertau Martin
Published: June 2021

Sulphuric acid is the chemical with highest production rates in the world. At present, it is mainly synthesized using vanadium pentoxide as catalyst, which determines the applied production process particularly in terms of gas pre‐treatment and heat management. For processes, which cannot be run with vanadium pentoxide, alternative catalysts are required to make different SO2 qualities accessible to sulphuric acid production. Ferric oxides are a very promising alternative, since they combine higher thermal with improved chemical stability. Within this study, various ferric oxides were examined with regard to conversion rates and structural changes during application. Effects of crystal structure, particle size as well as thermal treatment and the influence of precipitation conditions were studied. Although conversion rates are very promising, it has become apparent, though, that these materials cannot compete with vanadium pentoxide in terms of conversion rate as well as long‐time stability, yet. Nevertheless, from the results of this study, it is clear that high potential lies in focused catalyst optimisation.
Water-Specific Imaging
Authors: Nakanishi Tomoko M.
Published: June 2021

Our first target was water, namely, how to obtain a water-specific image nondestructively. Using a neutron beam, we could visualize water-specific images of plants, including roots and flowers, which were never shown before. Each image suggested the plant-specific activity related to water.

We briefly present how to acquire the image and what kind of water image is taken by neutron beam irradiation. We present a variety of plant samples, such as flowers, seeds, and wood disks. It was noted that neutrons could visualize the roots imbedded in soil without uprooting. When a spatial image of the root imbedded in soil was created from many projection images, the water profile around the root was analyzed. Then, fundamental questions were raised, such as whether plants are absorbing water solution or water vapor from the soil, because there was always a space adjacent to the root surface and hardly any water solution was visualized there. The roots are in constant motion during growth, known as circumnutation, and it is natural that the root tip is always pushing the soil aside to produce space for the root to grow. If the roots are absorbing water vapor, then the next question is about metals. Are the roots absorbing metal vapor? Since we tended to employ water culture to study the physiological activity of plants, the physiological study of the plants growing in soil was somewhat neglected. Later, when we could develop a system to visualize the movement of element absorption in a plant, there was a clear difference in element absorption between water culture and soil culture.
Element-Specific Distribution in a Plant
Authors: Nakanishi Tomoko M.
Published: June 2021

For the first stage of the study of the elements, the distribution of the element within the plant tissue was presented employing neutron activation analysis (NAA). Since NAA allows nondestructive analysis of the elements in the sample, this is the only method to measure the absolute amount of elements in the sample.

The results showed that the element-specific profile varied throughout the whole plant, and this distribution tendency remained similar throughout development. There were many junctions of element-specific concentrations between the tissues, suggesting barriers to the movement of the elements. Generally, heavy elements tended to accumulate in roots, except for Mn and Cr. Of the elements measured, Ca and Mg showed changes in concentration with the circadian rhythm. Since the amount of the element in a plant reflects the features of the soil where the plant grows, multielement analysis of the plant could specify the site of the agricultural products produced.

Before addressing the development of a real-time RI imaging system (RRIS), the production of RIs for essential elements for plant nutrition, 28Mg and 42K, is presented. The reason why concentrating on RIs is because when we examine the history of plant research, physiological research on the elements without available radioisotopes has not been well developed. For example, the boron (B) transporter was recently found and the study of B in plants is far behind compared to the other elements.

Therefore, we developed a preparation method for elements whose available RIs were not previously employed in plant research, 28Mg and 42K. They are the radioisotopes we prepared and a root absorption study using 28Mg as a tracer is presented as an example. It was found that the orientation of Mg transfer was different according to the site of the root where Mg was absorbed. The specific role of Mg has not yet been clarified by florescent imaging because the overwhelming amount of Ca makes it difficult to distinguish Mg and Ca.
Muon g − 2 anomaly in anomaly mediation
Authors: Yin Wen
Published: June 2021

Abstract

The long-standing muon g − 2 anomaly has been confirmed recently at the Fermilab. The combined discrepancy from Fermilab and Brookhaven results shows a difference from the theory at a significance of 4.2 σ. In addition, the LHC has updated the lower mass bound of a pure wino. In this letter, we study to what extent the g − 2 can be explained in anomaly mediation scenarios, where the pure wino is the dominant dark matter component. To this end, we derive some model-independent constraints on the particle spectra and g − 2. We find that the g − 2 explanation at the 1σ level is driven into a corner if the higgsino threshold correction is suppressed. On the contrary, if the threshold correction is sizable, the g − 2 can be explained. In the whole viable parameter region, the gluino mass is at most 2 − 4 TeV, the bino mass is at most 2 TeV, and the wino dark matter mass is at most 1 − 2 TeV. If the muon g − 2 anomaly is explained in the anomaly mediation scenarios, colliders and indirect search for the dark matter may find further pieces of evidence in the near future. Possible UV models for the large threshold corrections are discussed.
Meniscectomy is still a frequent orthopedic procedure: a pending need for education on the meniscus treatment possibilities
Authors: Bąkowski Paweł , Bąkowska-Żywicka Kamilla , Ciemniewska-Gorzela Kinga , Piontek Tomasz
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current status of education of polish surgeons in the subject of meniscus repair possibilities. The analysis of the possible correlations between the number of knee arthroscopy procedures performed by polish surgeons and their decision whether to remove or to repair the damaged meniscus has been performed.

Methods

Two-hundred and five registered orthopedic surgeons took part in surveys. The questionnaire contained the description of 20 patients with different types of meniscus damage and three questions concerning the experience in knee arthroscopy (two questions) and a choice of the treatment method (one question). Comparisons were made between knee arthroscopy experts (> 100 arthroscopies performed per year) and non-experts (≤ 100 cases).

Results

The questionnaire was completed by 194 knee surgeons from Poland with different levels in knee arthroscopy experience. For most cases, experts and non-experts agreed on the meniscus treatment method. Statistically significant differences in the recommended treatment between experts and non-experts were observed in 4 cases, where experts decided to repair the damage rather than to perform the meniscectomy.

Conclusions

Meniscectomy remains a frequent orthopedic procedure, despite meniscal sparing having been advocated for several decades now and despite the existence of meniscus repair technique which gives good clinical outcomes—augmentation of the damaged meniscus with a collagen membrane. Polish surgeons still need education on the meniscus treatment possibilities.

Level of evidence

V.
The Bone Cartilage Interface and Osteoarthritis
Authors: Boyde Alan
Published: June 2021

This review describes results obtained with tissue from prior studies of equine and human osteoarthritis (OA). The main methods considered are scanning electron microscopy, novel methods in light microscopy and X-ray Micro-tomography. The same samples have been re-utilised in several ways. The tissues described are hyaline articular cartilage (HAC; or substitutes), with its deep layer, articular calcified cartilage (ACC), whose deep surface is resorbed in cutting cone events to allow the deposition of subchondral bone (SCB). Multiple tidemarks are normal. Turnover at the osteochondral (ACC-HAC-SCB) junction is downregulated by overload exercise, conversely, during rest periods. Consequent lack of support predisposes to microfracture of the ACC-SCB plate, in the resorption-related repair phase of which the plate is further undermined to form sink holes. The following characteristics contribute to the OA scenario: penetrating resorption canals and local loss of ACC; cracking of ACC and SCB; sealing of cracks with High-Density Mineral Infill (HDMI); extrusion of HDMI into HAC to form High-Density Mineral Protrusions (HDMP) in HAC which may fragment and contribute to its destruction; SCB marrow space infilling and densification with (at first) woven bone; disruption, fibrillation and loss of HAC; eburnation; repair with abnormal tissues including fibrocartilage and woven bone; attachment of Sharpey fibres to SCB trabeculae and adipocyte-moulded extensions to trabeculae (excrescences).
Quality of life in atopic dermatitis in Asian countries: a systematic review
Authors: Huang Jinghui , Choo Yue Jia , Smith Helen Elizabeth , Apfelbacher Christian
Published: June 2021

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition which impacts psychological wellbeing and social relationships. There have been studies of AD’s impact on quality of life (QoL) in Western countries, but these findings cannot be directly extrapolated to Asian populations with genetic, environmental and cultural differences. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the literature pertaining to QoL impairment in AD in East and Southeast Asia to characterize the impact of AD on patients and their families, and to identify the factors affecting the degree of QoL impairment. A search of English language papers was conducted on MEDLINE, EMBASE, PSYCInfo, Global Health and Web of Science. Observational studies measuring QoL using single or multi-item instruments in people with self-reported or physician diagnosed atopic dermatitis were included. 27 studies from 29 articles were included and synthesized. There is data documenting QoL impairment in AD sufferers and their families, across a wide range of Asian countries, healthcare settings and ages. Aspects of QoL impacted to a greater extent included symptoms of itch, feelings of embarrassment, and sleep disturbance. Severity of disease affects the degree of impairment of QoL, but there is no apparent link between QoL impairment and patient demographic factors, or other medical factors such as age at diagnosis or duration of illness. Our findings also highlighted the need for clinicians to actively explore the impact of patient’s symptoms, especially in an Asian context where healthcare communications are traditionally doctor-centric.
Novel and flexible ultrasound simulation with smartphones and tablets in fetal echocardiography
Authors: Hartmann Tim Johannes , Friebe-Hoffmann Ulrike , de Gregorio Nikolaus , de Gregorio Amelie , Lato Christiane , Hüner Beate , Friedel Thomas , Janni Wolfgang , Lato Krisztian
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Evaluation of a novel ultrasound-simulation-app for training fetal echocardiography as a possible useful addition for students, residents and specialist doctors. Furthermore, comparison to a conventional learning-method with special attention on orientation and recognition of physiological structures.

Methods

Prospective two-arm study with the participation of 226 clinical students. 108 students were given an extract from a textbook on fetal echocardiography (PDF-group, n = 108) for 30 min to study. 118 students were able to use the new ultrasound-simulator-app (Simulator-group, n = 118) to learn for 30 min. The knowledge of the students was examined both before and after the learning-period by having them identify sonographic structures in videos using single-choice selection.

Results

There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding age (p = 0.87), gender (p = 0.28), and the number of previously performed ultrasound-examinations (p = 0.45). In the Simulator-group, there was a significantly higher learning effect regarding the proportion of students with an increase of correct answers in the video test examination (p = 0.005). At the end of learning, the students in the Simulator-group needed significantly less time to display the structures in the app’s simulation (median initially 10.9 s vs. 6.8 s at the end; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The novel ultrasound-simulation-app seems to be a useful addition and improvement to ultrasound training. Previous difficulties such as simultaneously having patients, ultrasound-machines, and professors at disposal can thus be avoided. This means that another important step towards remote learning can be taken, which has been proven increasingly essential lately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Characterisation of an artesian groundwater system in the Valle de Iglesia in the Central Andes of Argentina
Authors: Hinzer Ilka , Altherr Manuel , Christiansen Rodolfo , Schreuer Jürgen , Wohnlich Stefan
Published: June 2021

Despite its location in the “Arid Diagonal” of South America, the Valle de Iglesia contains a number of artesian springs, the most important of which are the Baños Pismanta thermal springs, which release water at ~ 45 °C. Despite the scarcity of water resources in the Valle de Iglesia, there have been few attempts to study these springs in any detail. In this study, > 50 springs are described, each characterised by small volcano-like mud structures up to 15 m tall. Hydrogeological and hydrochemical analyses of the groundwater system in the Valle de Iglesia were performed to improve our understanding of the subsurface water flow and of the connections between the subsurface water and the associated systems of faults and springs. Site measurements were made, and the concentrations of the main ions and trace elements were also determined by laboratory analysis of water samples. The samples obtained from the spring were rich in Na–HCO3–SO4 and Na–SO4–HCO3, but the surface water samples from the Agua Negra River were rich in Ca–SO4–HCO3. The temperature of the springs was in the range 20–45 °C. Both the temperatures and the ionic ratios are compatible with the presence of a deep hydraulic circulation system. The oxidation of sulphide minerals nearby the magmatic rocks and volcanic edifices causes the mobilisation of arsenic, which accumulates in the groundwater due to the low annual rainfall. The concentrations of arsenic in the spring water samples were therefore higher than the current limit set by the World Health Organisation, meaning that the water is not suitable for human consumption.
Modelling stakeholder satisfaction for conflict resolution in wildlife management: a case of wolf population in Sweden
Authors: Lin Huayi , Żebrowski Piotr , Fath Brian D. , Liljenström Hans , Rovenskaya Elena
Published: June 2021

The Swedish wolf population has rebounded from near extinction in the 1960s to around 365 individuals in 2020, after the implementation of the Hunting Act (jaktlagen) in 1966. This recent increase in the wolf population has evoked a serious divide between “pro-wolf” and “anti-wolf” Swedish citizens. Despite the continuous efforts by the Swedish government to reconcile this antagonism, the conflicts are persistent with a sign of impasse. In this paper, we present a modelling tool, which can bring transparent and “structured dialogue to the opposing positions.” This approach includes a stylized framework for quantitative modelling of stakeholders’ satisfaction levels regarding their preferred size of the wildlife population in question, based on the concept ofsatisfaction functions. We argue that this framework may contribute to conflict resolution by bringing a common understanding among stakeholders, facilitate a societal discourse, and potentially help to assess likely support for conservation policies. We present a showcase application of this modeling tool in the context of the conflict over the Swedish wolf conservation policies. The model is informed using a thorough literature review as well as interviews, which identified relevant stakeholder groups and respective drivers of their attitudes towards wolves.
In Vivo Targeting of the Neurovascular Unit: Challenges and Advancements
Authors: Naranjo Oandy , Osborne Olivia , Torices Silvia , Toborek Michal
Published: June 2021

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is essential for the homeostasis of the central nervous system (CNS). Functions of the BBB are performed by the neurovascular unit (NVU), which consists of endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, microglia, basement membrane, and neurons. NVU cells interact closely and together are responsible for neurovascular coupling, BBB integrity, and transendothelial fluid transport. Studies have shown that NVU dysfunction is implicated in several acute and chronic neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. The mechanisms of NVU disruption remain poorly understood, partially due to difficulties in selective targeting of NVU cells. In this review, we discuss the relative merits of available protein markers and drivers of the NVU along with recent advancements that have been made in the field to increase efficiency and specificity of NVU research.
“Throwing salt on wounds”: Covid-19 and a curriculum of embodiment
Authors: Kasamali Zahra
Published: June 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic certainly amplifies the extent to which curriculum is adaptable, responsive, and proactive. These vulnerabilities, while daunting, can perhaps be welcomed as an invitation to reposition curricular priorities. Covid-19 reveals that an overreliance on the “curriculum as planned” and a continued absence of “the forgetful curriculum” will no longer suffice. The fragility of life and the sources that make life and living possible are often left out of curricular and policy imaginings. This article seeks guidance from Maulana Rumi’s story “The Graduate and the Boatman” and poem “One Task” to guide a possible reframing of a curriculum that remembers embodied knowledge and the ecological sources that unite all life forms. Embodied knowledge and ecological philosophies may offer ways to refocus curricula that can help youth to turn inward, courageously contemplate the difficult questions of life, and understand that unprecedented circumstances can be generative.
Bayesian Analysis of Anova and Mixed Models on the Log-Transformed Response Variable
Authors: Gardini Aldo , Trivisano Carlo , Fabrizi Enrico
Published: June 2021

The analysis of variance, and mixed models in general, are popular tools for analyzing experimental data in psychology. Bayesian inference for these models is gaining popularity as it allows to easily handle complex experimental designs and data dependence structures. When working on the log of the response variable, the use of standard priors for the variance parameters can create inferential problems and namely the non-existence of posterior moments of parameters and predictive distributions in the original scale of the data. The use of the generalized inverse Gaussian distributions with a careful choice of the hyper-parameters is proposed as a general purpose option for priors on variance parameters. Theoretical and simulations results motivate the proposal. A software package that implements the analysis is also discussed. As the log-transformation of the response variable is often applied when modelling response times, an empirical data analysis in this field is reported.
The standard addition method and its validation in forensic toxicology
Authors: Hasegawa Koutaro , Minakata Kayoko , Suzuki Masasko , Suzuki Osamu
Published: June 2021

Purpose

In the quantitative forensic toxicological analyses using instruments, major methods to be employed are conventional matrix-matched calibration method (MMCM). However, nowadays, the needs for using the standard addition methods (SAM) are increasing. In spite of this situation, there are no reports of the guidelines for the validations of SAM. In this review, the principle, how to perform it, advantages, disadvantages, reported application data, and the details of validation procedures for the SAM are described.

Methods

Various databases such as SciFinder, Google and Google Scholar were utilized to collect relevant reports referring to the SAM. The long experiences of our research group on the SAM were also included in this review.

Results

Although the experimental procedures for the SAM are much more laborious than those of the MMCM, the SAM is essential to quantify target xenobiotic(s) in special matrices such as human solid tissues or biles, which remarkably interfere with the usual quantitative analyses. The validation methods for the SAM have been also proposed for the cases in the absence of the blank matrices.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first presentation of detailed SAM procedure and its validation, which will facilitate the use of the SAM in forensic toxicology. Especially for its validation, new simple methods have been proposed.
Gambling and COVID-19: Initial Findings from a UK Sample
Authors: Sharman Steve , Roberts Amanda , Bowden-Jones Henrietta , Strang John
Published: June 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK Government placed society on ‘lockdown’, altering the gambling landscape. This study sought to capture the immediate lockdown-enforced changes in gambling behaviour. UK adults (n = 1028) were recruited online. Gambling behaviour (frequency and weekly expenditure, perceived increase/decrease) was measured using a survey-specific questionnaire. Analyses compared gambling behaviour as a function of pre-lockdown gambling status, measured by the Brief Problem Gambling Scale. In the whole sample, gambling participation decreased between pre- and during-lockdown. Both gambling frequency and weekly expenditure decreased during the first month of lockdown overall, but, the most engaged gamblers did not show a change in gambling behaviour, despite the decrease in opportunity and availability. Individuals whose financial circumstances were negatively affected by lockdown were more likely to perceive an increase in gambling than those whose financial circumstances were not negatively affected. Findings reflect short-term behaviour change; it will be crucial to examine, at future release of lockdown, if behaviour returns to pre-lockdown patterns, or whether new behavioural patterns persist.
Isolating Patterns in Open Reaction–Diffusion Systems
Authors: Krause Andrew L. , Klika Václav , Maini Philip K. , Headon Denis , Gaffney Eamonn A.
Published: June 2021

Realistic examples of reaction–diffusion phenomena governing spatial and spatiotemporal pattern formation are rarely isolated systems, either chemically or thermodynamically. However, even formulations of ‘open’ reaction–diffusion systems often neglect the role of domain boundaries. Most idealizations of closed reaction–diffusion systems employ no-flux boundary conditions, and often patterns will form up to, or along, these boundaries. Motivated by boundaries of patterning fields related to the emergence of spatial form in embryonic development, we propose a set of mixed boundary conditions for a two-species reaction–diffusion system which forms inhomogeneous solutions away from the boundary of the domain for a variety of different reaction kinetics, with a prescribed uniform state near the boundary. We show that these boundary conditions can be derived from a larger heterogeneous field, indicating that these conditions can arise naturally if cell signalling or other properties of the medium vary in space. We explain the basic mechanisms behind this pattern localization and demonstrate that it can capture a large range of localized patterning in one, two, and three dimensions and that this framework can be applied to systems involving more than two species. Furthermore, the boundary conditions proposed lead to more symmetrical patterns on the interior of the domain and plausibly capture more realistic boundaries in developmental systems. Finally, we show that these isolated patterns are more robust to fluctuations in initial conditions and that they allow intriguing possibilities of pattern selection via geometry, distinct from known selection mechanisms.
Morphological and physiological plasticity response to low nitrogen stress in black cottonwood (Populus deltoides Marsh.)
Authors: Chen Cun , Chu Yanguang , Huang Qinjun , Ding Changjun , Zhang Weixi , Li Bo , Zhang Jing , Su Xiaohua
Published: June 2021

It is important to evaluate nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen tolerance of trees in order to improve their productivity. In this study, both were evaluated for 338 Populus deltoides genotypes from six provenances. The plants were cultured under normal nitrogen (750 μM NH4NO3) and low nitrogen (5 μM NH4NO3) conditions for 3 months. Growth, chlorophyll content and glutamine synthetase activity of each genotype were measured. Under low nitrogen, heights, ground diameter, leaf area, leaf and root biomass, and chlorophyll contents were significantly lower than those under normal nitrogen level. Correlation analysis showed that nutrient distribution changed under different nitrogen treatments. There was a negative correlation between leaf traits and root biomass under normal nitrogen level, however, the correlation became positive in low nitrogen treatment. Moreover, with the decrease of nitrogen level, the negative correlation between leaf morphology and chlorophyll levels became weakened. The growth of the genotypes under the two treatments was evaluated by combining principal component analysis with a fuzzy mathematical membership function; the results showed that leaf traits accounted for a large proportion of the variation in the evaluation model. According to the results of comprehensive evaluation of plants under the two treatments, the 338 P. deltoides genotypes could be divided into nine categories, with wide genotypic diversity in nitrogen use efficiency and low nitrogen tolerance. As a result, 26 N-efficient genotypes and 24 N-inefficient genotypes were selected. By comparative analysis of their morphological and physiological traits under the two treatments, leaf traits could be significant indicators for nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen tolerance, which is of considerable significance for breeding poplar varieties with high nitrogen use efficiencies.
Does social capital influence purpose in life and life satisfaction among Japanese health-literate professionals?
Authors: Hirooka Nobutaka , Kusano Takeru , Kinoshita Shunsuke , Aoyagi Ryutaro , Saito Kohei , Nakamoto Hidetomo
Published: June 2021

A strong sense of purpose and satisfaction in life is associated with multiple health benefits. There is also evidence to suggest that social capital predicts better health indicators. While both social capital and purpose and satisfaction in life direct better health, the relationship between social capital and purpose and satisfaction in life in terms of health, remains unclear. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on Japanese health management professionals (N = 4820). We analyzed the cohort’s demographics and reported changes in social capital (social engagement and trust), purpose in life, and life satisfaction using self-reported questionnaires and the Ikigai-9 scale. The cohort was categorized into group 1 (neither changes), group 2 (one changes), and group 3 (both change), based on the number of changes reported in social capital. Purpose in life and life satisfaction scores were then compared among the three groups. The purpose in life score (SD [standard deviation]) for groups 1, 2, and 3 was 30.7 (6.0), 32.5 (5.6), and 35.6 (5.2), respectively. Life satisfaction scores (SD) for groups 1, 2 and 3 were 3.35 (0.8), 3.67 (0.8), and 4.26 (0.7), respectively. We found a statistically significant difference in purpose and satisfaction in life among the three groups (F(2) = 361.4, p < 0.001 and F(2) = 703.9, p < 0.001). Social capital was associated with purpose and satisfaction in life among health-literate professionals. Strengthening social capital may increase individual purpose and satisfaction in life and ultimately yield better health.
Regularity in Sobolev and Besov Spaces for Parabolic Problems on Domains of Polyhedral Type
Authors: Dahlke Stephan , Schneider Cornelia
Published: June 2021

This paper is concerned with the regularity of solutions to linear and nonlinear evolution equations extending our findings in Dahlke and Schneider (Anal Appl 17(2):235–291, 2019, Thms. 4.5, 4.9, 4.12, 4.14) to domains of polyhedral type. In particular, we study the smoothness in the specific scale$$\ B^r_{\tau ,\tau }, \ \frac{1}{\tau }=\frac{r}{d}+\frac{1}{p}\ $$Bτ,τr,1τ=rd+1pof Besov spaces. The regularity in these spaces determines the approximation order that can be achieved by adaptive and other nonlinear approximation schemes. We show that for all cases under consideration the Besov regularity is high enough to justify the use of adaptive algorithms.
A Socio-ecological Imperative for Broadening Participation in Coastal and Estuarine Research and Management
Authors: Harris L.A. , Grayson T. , Neckles H.A. , Emrich C.T. , Lewis K.A. , Grimes K.W. , Williamson S. , Garza C. , Whitcraft C.R. , Pollack J. Beseres , Talley D.M. , Fertig B. , Palinkas C.M. , Park S. , Vaudrey J.M.P. , Fitzgerald A.M. , Quispe J.
Published: June 2021

For most of the scientific disciplines associated with coastal and estuarine research, workforce representation does not match the demographics of communities we serve, especially for Black, Hispanic or Latino, and Indigenous peoples. This essay provides an overview of this inequity and identifies how a scientific society can catalyze representational, structural, and interactional diversity to achieve greater inclusion. Needed changes go beyond representational diversity and require an intentional commitment to build capacity through inclusivity and community engagement by supporting anti-racist policies and actions. We want to realize a sense of belonging on the part of scientists in society at large and enable research pursuits through a lens of social justice in service of coastal communities. Minimally, this framework offers an avenue for increased recruitment of individuals from more diverse racial and ethnic identities. More broadly, the mechanisms described here aim to create a culture in scientific societies in which social justice, driven by anti-racist actions, produces systemic change in how members of scientific societies approach, discuss, and address issues of inequity. We have written this essay for members of the coastal and marine science community who are interested in change. We aim to call in new voices, allies, and champions to this work.
Revisiting the flux tube spectrum of 3d SU(2) lattice gauge theory
Authors: Brandt Bastian B.
Published: June 2021

We perform a high-precision measurement of the spectrum of the flux tube in three-dimensional$${\text {SU}}(2)$$SU(2)gauge theory at multiple lattice spacings. We compare the results at large$$q\bar{q}$$qq¯separationsRto the spectrum predicted by the effective string theory, including the leading-order boundary term with a nonuniversal coefficient. We find qualitative agreement with the predictions from the leading-order Nambu–Goto string theory down to small values ofR, while, at the same time, observing the predicted splitting of the second excited state due to the boundary term. On fine lattices and at largeR, we observe slight deviations from the EST predictions for the first excited state.
The effect of cassava and wheat starches complexation with selected fatty acids on their functional properties
Authors: Królikowska Karolina , Pietrzyk Sławomir , Pustkowiak Henryk , Wolak Kinga
Published: June 2021

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of selected fatty acids: palmitic, stearic or oleic on functional properties of cassava and wheat starches. Effectiveness of complexation procedure was evaluated by determination of complexing index, lipids content and fatty acid composition. Native starches and their complexes with fatty acids were analyzed for water binding capacity and solubility in water, in vitro digestibility, pasting characteristic and rheological properties. On the basis of the obtained results it was found that values of complexing index values for both starches complexed with oleic acid were remarkably higher than those determined in palmitic or stearic counterparts. Starches complexation with fatty acids resulted in a significant increase in the percentage share of used fatty acid in total fatty acid composition. Presence of oleic acid in cassava starch significantly limited its water binding capacity and solubility in water. Complexation with all fatty acids used in the study resulted in an increase in final viscosity and rheological stability of cassava starch pastes. Wheat starch complexes with fatty acids were characterised by higher pasting temperatures as compared to non-complexed counterpart, with the greatest effect observed for starch–oleic acid complex. In most cases complexation of starches with fatty acids contribute to an increase in contents of resistant starch fraction. Analysis of rheological model parameters revealed that procedure of oleic acid complexation increased by twice the values of consistency coefficient, and significantly decreased flow index of both wheat and cassava starches.
Irreducibility of limits of Galois representations of Saito–Kurokawa type
Authors: Berger Tobias , Klosin Krzysztof
Published: June 2021

We prove (under certain assumptions) the irreducibility of the limit $$\sigma _2$$

σ
2

of a sequence of irreducible essentially self-dual Galois representations $$\sigma _k: G_{{\mathbf {Q}}} \rightarrow {{\,\mathrm{GL}\,}}_4(\overline{{\mathbf {Q}}}_p)$$

σ
k

:

G
Q

→

GL

4

(

Q
¯

p

)

(as k approaches 2 in a p-adic sense) which mod p reduce (after semi-simplifying) to $$1 \oplus \rho \oplus \chi $$

1
⊕
ρ
⊕
χ

with $$\rho $$
ρ
irreducible, two-dimensional of determinant $$\chi $$
χ
, where $$\chi $$
χ
is the mod p cyclotomic character. More precisely, we assume that $$\sigma _k$$

σ
k

are crystalline (with a particular choice of weights) and Siegel-ordinary at p. Such representations arise in the study of p-adic families of Siegel modular forms and properties of their limits as $$k\rightarrow 2$$

k
→
2

appear to be important in the context of the Paramodular Conjecture. The result is deduced from the finiteness of two Selmer groups whose order is controlled by p-adic L-values of an elliptic modular form (giving rise to $$\rho $$
ρ
) which we assume are non-zero.
Compatibility as guiding principle for ergonomics work design and preventive occupational health and safety
Authors: Strasser Helmut
Published: June 2021

Mutual adaptation and inter-changeability of system elements are very important prerequisites for machines, technical devices and products. Similar to that technical compatibility which can be achieved by standards and regulations, optimum design of human-oriented workplaces or a man-machine system cannot be attained without, e.g., a compatible arrangement of connected displays and controls. Over and above those stimulus/response relations, all technical elements and interfaces have to be designed in such a way that they do not exceed human capacity in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. Compatibility between the properties of the human organism on the one hand, and the adaptable technical components of a work system on the other hand, offers a great potential of preventive measures. Examples of ergonomically designed working tools show that compatibility is capable of reducing the prevalence of occupational diseases and repetitive strain injuries as well as leading to lower physiological cost in such a way that the same output results from a lower demand of human resources or even a higher performance will be attained. Compatibility also supports the quick perception and transmission of information in a man-machine system, and as a result of lower requirements for decoding during information processing, spare mental capacity may enhance occupational safety. In the field of software, compatibility also helps to avoid psychological frustration. All in all, the center core competency, which reflects the major significant function of the ergonomist in work design, consists in determining the compatibility of human capacity and planned or existing demands of work. In order to provide efficient working tools and working conditions as well as to be successful in occupational health and safety, ergonomics and industrial engineering in the future are expected to pay more attention to the rules of compatibility. Applied in an appropriate way, these rules may convince people that ergonomics can be a powerful means for reducing prevalence of occupational diseases and complaints, and has a positive effect on overall system performance. Besides presenting examples of work design according to the principle of compatibility, also methods will be shown which enable the assessment of the ergonomic quality of hand-held tools and computer input devices.
Sulfate-Based Fertilizers Regulate Nutrient Uptake, Photosynthetic Gas Exchange, and Enzymatic Antioxidants to Increase Sunflower Growth and Yield Under Drought Stress
Authors: Shafiq Bilal Ahamid , Nawaz Fahim , Majeed Sadia , Aurangzaib Muhammad , Al Mamun Abdullah , Ahsan Muhammad , Ahmad Khawaja Shafique , Shehzad Muhammad Asif , Ali Muqarrab , Hashim Sarfraz , Tanveer ul Haq
Published: June 2021

The challenging impact of drought to agricultural productivity requires the adoption of mitigation strategies with a better understanding of underlying mechanisms responsible for drought tolerance. The present study aimed at investigating the effects of sulfur-based fertilizers on mitigation of drought stress in sunflower. Sulfate-containing fertilizers, viz., ammonium sulfate, zinc sulfate, magnesium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and gypsum, were initially evaluated at two different rates (10 and 20 mg kg−1 soil equivalent to 20 and 40 kg ha−1, respectively) for nutrient uptake and growth-promoting traits in sunflower seedlings (cv. Hysun-33). The best performing fertilizer (gypsum) was then selected to evaluate the response of sunflower under drought stress imposed at flowering stage for three weeks (25–30% water holding capacity). Results indicated significant amelioration of drought stress with higher activity of photosynthetic apparatus, upregulation of antioxidative enzymes, and increased achene yield by gypsum application. In comparison to control, gypsum-treated plants (20 mg kg−1 soil) exhibited higher water status (32%), leaf photosynthetic rate (29%), transpiration rate (67%), and stomatal conductance (118%) under drought stress. The antioxidant enzyme activities of catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were also increased by 67%, 62%, and 126%, respectively, resulting in higher achene yield (19%) under water-deficit conditions. This study indicates that the application of sulfur-based fertilizers (gypsum) can be used to induce drought tolerance and obtain high sunflower yields under drought stress, and furthermore, it is a cost-effective strategy resulting in high benefit–cost ratio with respect to no gypsum application.
Lone Wolf Race Warriors and White Genocide
Authors: Gardell Mattias
Published: June 2021

When Brenton Tarrant live-streamed his massacre of fifty-one Muslims in Christchurch, New Zealand, in March 2019, he was but one in a series of lone-acting white men committing violent crime to further the radical white nationalist aim to save the white race from extinction and establish a white ethnostate. From where did white nationalists get the notion of an ongoing white genocide? Why should 'resistance' against a perceived invasion of 'white' territory be launched by individual 'lone wolves' massacring noncombatants they have no prior relation to? How could slaughtering children be construed as a heroic act that a perpetrator wants to broadcast to the world? Based on a unique collection of interviews with lone wolves, their victims, and their supporters, and a close reading of lone wolf, fascist, and radical nationalist material and communication, this Element provides solid answers to these and adjacent questions of importance.
Monotheism, Intolerance, and the Path to Pluralistic Politics
Authors: Haw Christopher A.
Published: June 2021

Discussions of monotheism often consider its bigotry toward other gods as a source of conflict, or emphasize its universality as a source of peaceful tolerance. Both approaches, however, ignore the combined danger and liberation in monotheism's 'intolerance.' In this volume, Christopher Haw reframes this important argument. He demonstrates the value of rejecting paradigms of inclusivity in favor of an agonistic pluralism and intolerance of absolutism. Haw proposes a model that retains liberal, pluralistic principles while acknowledging their limitations, and he relates them to theologies latent in political ideas. His volume offers a nuanced, evolutionary, and historical understanding of the biblical tradition's emergence and its political consequences with respect to violence. It suggests how we can mediate impasses between liberal and conservative views in culture wars; between liberal inclusivity and conservative decisionism; and, on the religious front, between apologetics for exclusive monotheism and critiques of its intolerance.
Gregory Haimovsky
Authors: Silverman Marissa
Published: June 2021

In the bleak cage of the Soviet Union, a brilliant pianist, inspired by the music of Olivier Messiaen, survived and triumphed. This is his story, told partly in his own words.