bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NDOLA‐2, a high‐yielding, open‐pollinated conventional spring type canola in North Dakota
Authors: Rahman Mukhlesur , Mendoza Luis E. Río , Anderson James V. , Berhow Mark , Roy Jayanta , Eriksmoen Eric , Miller Meridith , Pradhan Gautam , Rickertsen John , Ostlie Mike , Hanson Bryan
Published: December 2021

NDOLA‐2 (Reg. no. GP‐9, PI 698655) is an open‐pollinated, non–genetically modified, spring‐type canola (Brassica napus L.) developed at North Dakota State University (NDSU) and approved for specialty release by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. NDOLA‐2 was tested as experimental line NDC‐E16198 from 2017 to 2020 (16 location‐years) in NDSU canola breeding nurseries and in 2019 and 2020 (8 location‐years) in North Dakota Canola Variety Trials (ND‐CVTs). NDOLA‐2 has been identified as a germplasm with higher seed yield potential and disease tolerance. NDOLA‐2 had 5.5% higher seed yield and 2.1% lower oil contents compared with those of commercial hybrid checks in NDSU canola breeding trials. Also, NDOLA‐2 had 5.4% higher seed yield and 1.6% lower oil content over the means of commercial cultivars/hybrids in ND‐CVTs. It has been identified as resistant to blackleg disease (Pathogenicity Group 4) and Sclerotinia stem rot disease of canola. NDOLA‐2 flowers within 44 d from seeding, has a flowering period that lasts 22 d, and reaches maturity within 93 d from seeding with plants that are 103 cm tall. It is resistant to lodging, with a score of 2.1 out of 9, and has an overall breeder score of 8.0, where the trial mean score for all locations was 7.7.
Induced and Inversed Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Achiral Thioflavin T Assembled on Peptide Fibril
Authors: Li Meijun , Liu Minghua , Sha Yinlin
Published: December 2021

Chiroptical inversion of amyloid fibrils is a novel phenomenon and is of fundamental importance; however, the underlying structural basis remains poorly understood. Here, the co‐assembly of Thioflavin T (ThT) with T1 amyloid fibril and the induced supramolecular chirality is investigated by induced circular dichroism (ICD) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL), followed by direct morphological helicity observation of the fibril by an atomic force microscope (AFM). ThT exhibits negative ICD and CPL when assembled on the left‐handed T1 fibril. Interestingly, when ThT dynamically interacts with the T1 fibril, the left‐handed fibril partially converts into right‐handed, accompanied with the inversion of CD and CPL signals. These results indicate that the morphological helicity of template fibril cannot be arbitrarily distinguished by the sign of chiroptical spectra of the dye/peptide assemblies.
Introduction: Peri-Urban Water Security in South Asia
Authors: Narain Vishal , Roth Dik
Published: December 2021

This chapter sets the context for the analysis of water security in peri-urban South Asia. Urbanization has been a key demographic trend globally as well as in South Asia, in the recent past and increasingly also in the future. While cities are often seen as engines of economic growth and development, and are associated with economies of scale, efficiency and sustainability, much urban growth occurs through the appropriation and reallocation of land and water from their peripheries. This creates patterns of deprivation for resource-dependent peri-urban and rural communities, as well as increasingly severe environmental problems, such as the over-extraction of groundwater and water pollution. This chapter first introduces the various perspectives, themes and cases presented in the book chapters. It then discusses urbanization and the peri-urban more specifically, introducing two contrasting views — ecological modernization and political ecology — and introduces the concept of water security. Referring to the examples from the book, the chapter then gives an overview of some of its key themes: the role of material infrastructure; property transformations and the declining commons; socially differentiated access to water; intervening in the peri-urban; and the role of conflict and cooperation.
Digging Deeper: Deep Wells, Bore-Wells and Water Tankers in Peri-Urban Hyderabad
Authors: Lim Nathaniel Dylan , Das Diganta
Published: December 2021

Hyderabad in India is a rapidly growing city and a popular global hub of high-tech and information technology industries. With its aspiration to be a global destination for transnational companies and engine of economic growth for the twenty-first century, it is rapidly urbanizing and expanding outward with intense infrastructure development. With this rapid expansion, the city increasingly witnesses water insecurity, especially in its peri-urban areas. To supply the high-tech and aspirational pockets of Hyderabad, water has been piped and sourced from far-away reservoirs, deep wells, and borewells, as well as through water tankers that collected water from the surrounding peri-urban areas. These unsustainable practices have led to groundwater shortages and severe water insecurity for the ordinary residents living at the edge of the city. Through a grounded understanding based on ethnographic fieldwork, this chapter delves into the everyday experiences of water insecurity in peri-urban Hyderabad. The chapter discusses the context of vulnerability and ways of coping in relation to water insecurity in peri-urban communities. It seeks to give a micro- and nuanced view of rural-urban relationships around water in Hyderabad, in a context of water-related conflicts, privatization and (piped) connections between the urban and peri-urban localities.
Interventions to Strengthen Institutional Capacity for Peri-Urban Water Management in South Asia
Authors: Gomes Sharlene L.
Published: December 2021

Institutions, defined as social rules which guide decision-making, are an important feature of peri-urban water governance. Peri-urban institutions structure the access to and management of water resources during rural-to-urban transitions. However, peri-urban areas are dynamic in nature and heterogeneous in composition. This generates challenges for the effectiveness of institutional arrangements. Peri-urban spaces of South Asian cities like Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Khulna demonstrate the various ways in which institutional arrangements influence issues of water insecurity, conflicts, and crises in the urbanisation process. This chapter explores this important dimension and demonstrates ways to intervene in the institutional context of water resources in such transitional settings. Two types of interventions to build institutional capacity are presented. First, the Approach for Participatory Institutional Analysis (APIA), is designed to help peri-urban actors frame problems through an institutional lens and offers skills to navigate the solution space. The second approach, Transformative Pathways, facilitates efforts to cope with the uncertain and dynamic nature of urban transitions. Based on the adaptation pathways approach, it helps peri-urban actors work from their existing situation and design pathways towards more sustainable and resilient futures. Practical applications of these approaches in South Asia offer insights on how to intervene institutionally in water problems during rural-urban transitions.
Introduction
Authors: Bijak Jakub
Published: December 2021

Population processes, including migration, are complex and uncertain. We begin this book by providing a rationale for building Bayesian agent-based models for population phenomena, specifically in the context of migration, which is one of the most uncertain and complex demographic processes. The main objectives of the book are to pursue methodological advancement in demography and migration studies through combining agent-based modelling with empirical data, Bayesian statistical inference, appropriate computational techniques, and psychological experiments in a streamlined modelling process, with the overarching aim to contribute to furthering the model-based research agenda in demography and broader social sciences. In this introductory chapter, we also offer an overview of the structure of this book, and present various ways in which different audiences can approach the contents, depending on their background and needs.
Conclusions: Towards a Bayesian Modelling Process
Authors: Bijak Jakub , Smith Peter W. F.
Published: December 2021

In the concluding chapter we summarise the theoretical, methodological and practical outcomes of the model-based process of scientific enquiry presented in the book, against the wider background of recent developments in demography and population studies. We offer a critical self-reflection on further potential and on limitations of Bayesian model-based approaches, alongside the lessons learned from the modelling exercise discussed throughout this book. As concluding thoughts, we suggest potential ways forward for statistically-embedded model-based computational social studies, including an assessment of the future viability of the wider model-based research programme, and its possible contributions to policy and decision making.
Mixed network calculus
Authors: Zenkevich Yegor
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We show how to combine higgsed topological vertices introduced in [7] with conventional refined topological vertices. We demonstrate that the extended formalism describes very general interacting D5-NS5-D3 brane systems. In particular, we introduce new types of intertwining operators of Ding-Iohara-Miki algebra between different types of Fock representations corresponding to the crossings of NS5 and D5 branes. As a byproduct we obtain an algebraic description of the Hanany-Witten brane creation effect, give an efficient recipe to compute the brane factors in 3d$$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 and $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 quiver gauge theories and demonstrate how 3d S-duality appears in our setup.
Impact of prescription isodose level and collimator selection on dose homogeneity and plan quality in robotic radiosurgery
Authors: Hellerbach Alexandra , Eichner Markus , Rueß Daniel , Luyken Klaus , Hoevels Mauritius , Judge Michael , Baues Christian , Ruge Maximilian , Kocher Martin , Treuer Harald
Published: December 2021

Purpose

In stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), prescription isodoses and resulting dose homogeneities vary widely across different platforms and clinical entities. Our goal was to investigate the physical limitations of generating dose distributions with an intended level of homogeneity in robotic SRS.

Methods

Treatment plans for non-isocentric irradiation of 4 spherical phantom targets (volume 0.27–7.70 ml) and 4 clinical targets (volume 0.50–5.70 ml) were calculated using Sequential (phantom) or VOLOTM (clinical) optimizers (Accuray, Sunnyvale, CA, USA). Dose conformity, volume of 12 Gy isodose (V12Gy) as a measure for dose gradient, and treatment time were recorded for different prescribed isodose levels (PILs) and collimator settings. In addition, isocentric irradiation of phantom targets was examined, with dose homogeneity modified by using different collimator sizes.

Results

Dose conformity was generally high (nCI ≤ 1.25) and varied little with PIL. For all targets and collimator sets, V12Gy was highest for PIL ≥ 80% and lowest for PIL ≤ 65%. The impact of PIL on V12Gy was highest for isocentric irradiation and lowest for clinical targets (VOLOTM optimization). The variability of V12Gy as a function of collimator selection was significantly higher than that of PIL. V12Gy and treatment time were negatively correlated. Plans utilizing a single collimator with a diameter in the range of 70–80% of the target diameter were fastest, but showed the strongest dependence on PIL.

Conclusion

Inhomogeneous dose distributions with PIL ≤ 70% can be used to minimize dose to normal tissue. PIL ≥ 90% is associated with a marked and significant increase in off-target dose exposure. Careful selection of collimators during planning is even more important.
Role of diabetes in collateral status assessed in CT perfusion–derived dynamic CTA in anterior circulation stroke
Authors: Scheidecker Emilia , Pereira-Zimmermann Benjamin , Potreck Arne , Vollherbst Dominik F. , Möhlenbruch Markus A. , Gumbinger Christoph , Bendszus Martin , Herweh Christian , Seker Fatih
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Diabetes is associated with vascular dysfunction potentially impairing collateral recruitment in acute ischemic stroke. This retrospective study aimed at analyzing the impact of diabetes on collateralization assessed on dynamic CTA.

Methods

Collaterals were retrospectively assessed on CT perfusion–derived dynamic CTA according to the mCTA score by Menon in a cohort of patients with an acute occlusion of the M1 segment or carotid T. The extent of collateral circulation was related to the history of diabetes and to admission blood glucose and HbA1c levels.

Results

Two hundred thirty-nine patients were included. The mCTA collateral score was similar in patients with diabetes (median 3, interquartile range 3–4) and without diabetes (median 4, interquartile range 3–4) (P = 0.823). Diabetes was similarly frequent in patients with good (18.8%), intermediate (16.1%), and poor collaterals (16.0%) (P = 0.355). HbA1c was non-significantly higher in patients with poor collaterals (6.3 ± 1.5) compared to patients with intermediate (6.0 ± 0.9) and good collaterals (5.8 ± 0.9) (P = 0.061). Blood glucose levels were significantly higher in patients with poor compared to good collaterals (mean 141.6 vs. 121.8 mg/dl, P = 0.045). However, there was no significant difference between good and intermediate collaterals (mean 121.8 vs. 129.5 mg/dl, P = 0.161) as well as between intermediate and poor collaterals (129.5 vs. 141.6 mg/dl, P = 0.161).

Conclusion

There was no statistically significant difference among patients with good, intermediate, and poor collaterals regarding the presence of diabetes or HbA1c level on admission. However, stroke patients with poor collaterals tend to have higher blood glucose and HbA1c levels.
Evaluation of diagnostic factors used to refer children with constipation for rectal biopsies
Authors: Jaroy Emilie G. , Emblem Ragnhild , Reims Henrik M. , Mai The Tien , Risa Gabriel T. , Ougland Rune
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Children with constipation and suspected Hirschsprung’s disease are referred for rectal biopsy. Since this is an invasive procedure, appropriate indications should be applied to minimize the number of “unnecessary” biopsies.

Methods

We reviewed all constipated children who underwent a rectal biopsy to diagnose a possible Hirschsprung’s disease at a tertiary referral hospital over a 6-year period (2013–2018). We registered clinical and demographic factors in these children and conducted correlation and multivariate regression analysis to evaluate the relation between these factors and a diagnosis of Hirschsprung’s disease.

Results

We identified 225 children, aged 0–17 years. In total, Hirschsprung’s disease was diagnosed in only 49/225 (22%). Among the 49 children with Hirschsprung’s disease, 29 (59%) were diagnosed in the neonatal period. Among girls, HD was confirmed in only 10/101 (10%) children, and only 1 of these 10 girls was older than 6 months at the time of the biopsy. The following factors correlated significantly with Hirschsprung’s disease diagnosis in children older than 1 month: “male sex”, “failure to thrive”, “gross abdominal distention plus vomiting” and “fulfils the Rome 4 criteria for functional constipation”.

Conclusion

In children referred for rectal biopsy, the factors most indicative of Hirschsprung’s disease were “male sex”, “failure to thrive”, “gross abdominal distention plus vomiting” and “fulfils the Rome 4 criteria for functional constipation”. Notably, the prevalence of Hirschsprung’s disease decreased with the increasing age of the children. Girls referred for a biopsy rarely had Hirschsprung’s disease, especially those older than 1 month.
Mycorrhizal symbiosis changes host nitrogen source use
Authors: Savolainen Tiina , Kytöviita Minna-Maarit
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The ecological importance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in plant acquisition of inorganic and organic sources of nitrogen (N) is not clear. To improve understanding of the plant N nutrition ecology, we tested the effect of intraspecific competition and AMF in plant N source use in growth and N acquisition.

Methods

Solidago virgaurea was grown in microcosms in a fully factorial experiment under greenhouse conditions. The factors tested were intraspecific competition between seedlings and adult plants (yes, no), N source (NH4, glycine) and AMF (inoculated with Glomus hoi, not inoculated).

Results

When grown separately, non-mycorrhizal seedling growth was highest when grown with ammonium, but non-mycorrhizal adults grew best with glycine as the sole N source. Mycorrhizal symbiosis with Glomus hoi evened out this initial niche partitioning in terms of differences in N source use and all mycorrhizal plants grew best with ammonium. Competition shaped plant benefit from mycorrhizal symbiosis depending on the N source. Competition reduced mycorrhizal growth benefit in glycine-grown seedlings, but not in adults. Plant performance did not show uniform relationship with δ15N, but δ15N was affected by life stage, competition and mycorrhiza.

Conclusions

Plant competition and AMF shape plant N source use. Plant and AMF benefit of the symbiosis depend on the N source.
Trends in Metal-Based Composite Biomaterials for Hard Tissue Applications
Authors: Nayak Gargi Shankar , Carradò Adele , Masson Patrick , Pourroy Geneviève , Mouillard Flavien , Migonney Véronique , Falentin-Daudre Céline , Pereira Caroline , Palkowski Heinz
Published: December 2021

The world of biomaterials has been continuously evolving. Where in the past only mono-material implants were used, the growth in technology and collaboration between researchers from different sectors has led to a tremendous improvement in implant industry. Nowadays, composite materials are one of the leading research areas for biomedical applications. When we look toward hard tissue applications, metal-based composites seem to be desirable candidates. Metals provide the mechanical and physical properties needed for load-bearing applications, which when merged with beneficial properties of bioceramics/polymers can help in the creation of remarkable bioactive as well biodegradable implants. Keeping this in mind, this review will focus on various production routes of metal-based composite materials for hard tissue applications. Where possible, the pros and cons of the techniques have been provided.
The Legality of a Jewish State
Authors: Quigley John
Published: December 2021

In The Legality of a Jewish State, the author traces the diplomatic history that led to the partition of Palestine in 1948 and the creation of Israel as a state. He argues that the fate of Palestine was not determined on the basis of principle, but by the failure of legality. In focusing on the lawyer-diplomats who pressed for and against a Jewish state at the United Nations, he offers an explanation of the effort in 1947-48 by Arab states at the UN to gain a legal opinion from the International Court of Justice about partition and the declaration of a Jewish state. Their arguments at that time may surprise a twenty-first-century reader, touching on issues that are still at the heart of the contemporary conflict in the Middle East.
Popular Opera in Eighteenth-Century France
Authors: Charlton David
Published: December 2021

This is the first book for a century to explore the development of French opera with spoken dialogue from its beginnings. Musical comedy in this form came in different styles and formed a distinct genre of opera, whose history has been obscured by neglect. Its songs were performed in private homes, where operas themselves were also given. The subject-matter was far wider in scope than is normally thought, with news stories and political themes finding their way onto the popular stage. In this book, David Charlton describes the comedic and musical nature of eighteenth-century popular French opera, considering topics such as Gherardi's theatre, Fair Theatre and the 'musico-dramatic art' created in the mid-eighteenth century. Performance practices, singers, audience experiences and theatre staging are included, as well as a pioneering account of the formation of a core of 'canonical' popular works.
Finiteness properties of the category of mod p representations of
Authors: Paškūnas Vytautas , Tung Shen-Ning
Published: December 2021

We establish the Bernstein-centre type of results for the category of mod p representations of

$\operatorname {\mathrm {GL}}_2 (\mathbb {Q}_p)$

. We treat all the remaining open cases, which occur when p is

$2$

or

$3$

. Our arguments carry over for all primes p. This allows us to remove the restrictions on the residual representation at p in Lue Pan’s recent proof of the Fontaine–Mazur conjecture for Hodge–Tate representations of

$\operatorname {\mathrm {Gal}}(\overline {\mathbb Q}/\mathbb {Q})$

with equal Hodge–Tate weights.
The Fight for a Public University in Boston: Making a Public-Private Educational System
Authors: Groeger Cristina Viviana
Published: December 2021

This article explores the conflict between US public and private higher educational institutions by tracing the long struggle for a public university in Boston between 1890 and 1980. This history reveals how the competitive relationship between public and private institutions was central to the formation of each sector, while also complicating a clear dichotomy between the two. Educational innovations such as state scholarships, teacher-training initiatives, university extension courses, and junior colleges are also recast in this story as strategies to limit, rather than expand, the public sector. Finally, this history should prompt a reinterpretation of the current neoliberal moment. Rather than view contemporary budget cuts and public-private partnerships as novel historical departures of the late twentieth century, they appear in this Massachusetts story as a return to a political landscape long hostile to public higher education.
The global impact on mental health almost 2 years into the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gavin Blanaid , Lyne John , McNicholas Fiona
Published: December 2021

Approaching 2 years into a global pandemic, it is timely to reflect on how COVID-19 has impacted the mental health of the global population. With research continuing apace, a clearer picture should crystallise in time. COVID-19 has undoubtedly had some impact on population mental health, although the severity and duration of this impact remain less clear. The exceptional period of COVID-19 has provided a unique prism through which we can observe and consider societal mental health. This is a momentous time to be involved in mental health research as we strive to understand the mental health needs of the population and advocate for adequate resourcing to deliver quality mental healthcare in the post-pandemic period.
Spray dispersion regimes following atomization in a turbulent co-axial gas jet
Authors: Huck P.D. , Osuna-Orozco R. , Machicoane N. , Aliseda A.
Published: December 2021

A canonical co-axial round-jet two-fluid atomizer where atomization occurs over a wide range of momentum ratios:

$M=1.9 - 376.4$

is studied. The near field of the spray, where the droplet formation process takes place, is characterized and linked to droplet dispersion in the far field of the jet. Counterintuitively, our results indicate that in the low-momentum regime, increasing the momentum in the gas phase leads to less droplet dispersion. A critical momentum ratio of the order of

$M_c=50$

, that separates this regime from a high-momentum one with less dispersion, is found in both the near and far fields. A phenomenological model is proposed that determines the susceptibility of droplets to disperse beyond the nominal extent of the gas phase based on a critical Stokes number,

$St=\tau _p/T_E=1.9$

, formulated based on the local Eulerian large scale eddy turnover time,

$T_E$

, and the droplets’ response time,

$\tau _p$

. A two-dimensional phase space summarizes the extent of these different regimes in the context of spray characteristics found in the literature.
A New Witness to the Fayyūmic Version of First Corinthians (P.MorganLib. 265). Part I: Notes on Codicology, Language, Provenance and Date
Authors: Miroshnikov Ivan
Published: December 2021

This is the first part of a two-part article focused on a fragmentary parchment codex, whose three extant leaves, designated in Leo Depuydt's catalogue as P.MorganLib. 265, are housed at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York. These fragments bear witness to 1 Cor 2.12–3.18; 7.16–30; 15.3–30 in the ‘classical’ variety of Fayyūmic Coptic (dialect F5). Most of these verses have been hitherto unattested in Fayyūmic and thus allow us to attain better insight into the history and text of the Coptic Bible. In the first part of this article, I discuss the codicology of P.MorganLib. 265, its linguistic features, provenance and date.
On Citing the Sahidic Version of Hebrews: Theoretical Reflections and Examples from Textual Practice
Authors: Malik Peter
Published: December 2021

The Sahidic Coptic is one of the earliest and most important versions of the New Testament. Thus, it is essential that its witness be related to the Greek tradition with adequate methodological precision. This article attempts to pave the way for such an undertaking in the Epistle to the Hebrews, a New Testament book which, currently, lacks a major critical edition of its Greek text or an edition of its Sahidic version. Firstly, the present study offers methodological reflections on citing the Sahidic version, with a particular focus on transmissional, editorial, linguistic and translation-technical issues. And secondly, a selection of the most significant variant units in Hebrews is examined with a view to relating the Sahidic evidence to the Greek variant spectrum at each point.
Depressive symptoms and neuroticism-related traits are the main factors associated with wellbeing independent of the history of lifetime depression in the UK Biobank
Authors: Fabbri Chiara , Mutz Julian , Lewis Cathryn M. , Serretti Alessandro
Published: December 2021

Background

Wellbeing has a fundamental role in determining life expectancy and major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the main modulating factors of wellbeing. This study evaluated the modulators of wellbeing in individuals with lifetime recurrent MDD (RMDD), single-episode MDD (SMDD) and no MDD in the UK Biobank.

Methods

Scores of happiness, meaningful life and satisfaction about functioning were condensed in a functioning-wellbeing score (FWS). We evaluated depression and anxiety characteristics, neuroticism-related traits, physical diseases, lifestyle and polygenic risk scores (PRSs) of psychiatric disorders. Other than individual predictors, we estimated the cumulative contribution to FWS of each group of predictors. We tested the indirect role of neuroticism on FWS through the modulation of depression manifestations using a mediation analysis.

Results

We identified 47 966, 21 117 and 207 423 individuals with lifetime RMDD, SMDD and no MDD, respectively. Depression symptoms and personality showed the largest impact on FWS (variance explained ~20%), particularly self-harm, worthlessness feelings during the worst depression, chronic depression, loneliness and neuroticism. Personality played a stronger role in SMDD. Anxiety characteristics showed a higher effect in SMDD and no MDD groups. Neuroticism played indirect effects through specific depressive symptoms that modulated FWS. Physical diseases and lifestyle explained only 4–5% of FWS variance. The PRS of MDD showed the largest effect on FWS compared to other PRSs.

Conclusions

This was the first study to comprehensively evaluate the predictors of wellbeing in relation to the history of MDD. The identified variables are important to identify individuals at risk and promote wellbeing.
The comprehension of relative clauses in Mandarin Children with suspected specific language impairment
Authors: YU Haopeng , WANG Haiyan , HE Xiaowei
Published: December 2021

This paper investigates the comprehension of Relative Clauses (RCs) in 15 Mandarin children with suspected Specific Language Impairment (SLI) (aged between 4; 5 and 6; 0) and 29 typically developing (TD) controls. Results from a Character Picture Matching Task indicate that (i) the subject RC was better understood than the object RC in children with SLI, but there was no asymmetry in the comprehension of the two RCs in TD children; (ii) the performance of children with SLI was significantly worse than that of their TD peers; (iii) children with SLI were prone to committing thematic role reversal errors and middle errors. In order to overcome the shortcomings of previous accounts, we therefore put forward the Edge Feature Underspecification Hypothesis, which can not only explain the asymmetry of comprehension seen in children with SLI but also shed light on the nature of errors committed by them in the task.
Leaping over the Dragon's Gate: The “Air Silk Road” between Henan Province and Luxembourg
Authors: Rabe Wiebke , Kostka Genia
Published: December 2021

This article traces the process behind the implementation of the “Air Silk Road,” a cargo flight connection between Luxembourg and Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province. Its origins lie in economic competition between Henan and its neighbouring provinces, dating back a decade before the official announcement of the Air Silk Road in 2017. Provincial and municipal governments in Henan displayed opportunistic risk-taking behaviour in persistently pushing for the development of Zhengzhou's airport economy, but only timing and coincidence allowed the province to gain a foothold in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). With findings drawn from fieldwork in China between 2019 and 2020, we contribute to an understanding of the implementation of the BRI, the underlying rationale and the challenges inland provinces face in integrating into the world economy.
Adamakopoulos and Others v. Cyprus: “Massive” Problems Concerning a Mass Claims Proceeding in Investment Treaty Arbitration?
Authors: HUANG Keer
Published: December 2021

The Adamakopoulos and Others v. Cyprus Decision is noteworthy because it provides a blueprint for mass claims proceedings in investment treaty arbitration, justifying the possibility of addressing investment claims en masse in the future. This case comment reviews the background to the dispute, addresses the majority decision on the mass claims, and comments on the Tribunal's reasoning regarding the non-requirement of additional consent to mass claims arbitration, the homogeneity of the claims, and procedural flexibility.
Twins with Craniosynostosis: An Unidentified Variant/Twin Research: Kangaroo Care for Premature Twins; Developmental Delay in MZ Twins; Osteosarcoma in One Identical Twin; Controversies in Twin Pregnancy Management/Media Reports: Twin and Triplet Olympians; Twin’s Rescue from a Crocodile; Twin Pandas in Japan; Twin Surrogacy; Identical Twins in Pennsylvania
Authors: Segal Nancy L.
Published: December 2021

Craniosynostosis involves the early closure of one or more joints connecting the bones of an infant’s skull. A case of young monozygotic (MZ) male twins with an unidentified variant of this condition is described, followed by a summary of relevant published reports. This overview is followed by descriptions of a kangaroo care program for premature twins, developmental delay in an MZ twin pair, osteosarcoma in one MZ twin and controversial issues in the management of multiple pregnancies. Media reports of twin and triplet Olympic athletes, a twin’s rescue from a crocodile, the birth of twin pandas in Japan, a case of twin surrogacy and the birth of identical triplets are also presented.
Distanzlernen während der COVID-19 Pandemie
Authors: Jungmann Tanja , Heinschke Franziska , Federkeil Lisa , Testa Tabea , Klapproth Florian
Published: December 2021

Zusammenfassung. Die COVID-19-bedingten Schulschließungen stellten viele Eltern vor die Herausforderung, das Lernen und Unterrichten ihrer Kinder von zu Hause aus zu organisieren. Diese Situation kann bereits vorhandene Risikolagen im Familiensystem verschärfen, bei guter Bewältigung aber auch zu Resilienz führen. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden deutschlandweiten Online-Befragung wurden das Stressempfinden der Eltern, die investierte Zeit pro Tag in das Distanzlernen, die Copingstrategien und wahrgenommene Hindernisse für das Lernen von zu Hause erfasst. Insgesamt nahmen N = 1340 Eltern an der Befragung teil. Diese berichteten von einer mittleren bis hohen Stressbelastung während der Schulschließungen, wobei die Mütter signifikant höhere Werte als die Väter angaben. Es wurden mehr funktionale als dysfunktionale Copingstrategien verwendet. Als Hindernisse für das Lernen von zu Hause wurden die Motivation des Kindes, die eigene zeitliche Organisation sowie die Organisation seitens der Schule bzw. der Lehrkräfte genannt. Die Sicht der Eltern auf die Schule bzw. die Lehrkräfte blieb überwiegend unverändert. Da sich eher Eltern mit hohem sozioökonomischen Status an der Befragung beteiligten, sind die Ergebnisse nicht repräsentativ. Die Befunde werden vor dem Hintergrund familien- und bildungspolitischer Aspekte, wie der Verteilung der Sorgearbeit sowie der Elternpartizipation, diskutiert.
Scientists Plan a Home Away from Home for Mars Samples
Authors: Benningfield Damond
Published: December 2021

The core tubes being collected by the Perseverance rover won’t arrive for years, but NASA and the European Space Agency are outlining needs for a facility to assess their safety and store and distribute them.
Block Tectonics Across Western Tibet and Multi‐Millennial Recurrence of Great Earthquakes on the Karakax Fault
Authors: Li H. , Chevalier M. L. , Tapponnier P. , Pan J. , Van der Woerd J. , Mériaux A. S. , Ryerson F. J. , Peltzer G. , Sun Z. , Si J. , Pei J. , Xu X.
Published: December 2021

Fault slip rates are critical to quantify continental deformation. Those along the Karakax fault (northwestern Altyn Tagh Fault: ATF) have been debated, even though it is one of Tibet's most outstanding active faults. At Taersa, using LiDAR measurements of terrace and fan riser offsets (∼6 to ∼500 m) and10Be/26Al dating of alluvial surfaces (<210 ka), we obtain a late Quaternary slip rate of ∼2.5 ± 0.5 mm/yr. This doubles the ∼2.6 ± 0.5 mm/yr rate time span found to the east and west. We interpret the ∼150 km‐long, free‐faced rupture along the fault to be that of theM∼ 7.6 event felt in Hotan in 1882. Characteristic slip (∼6 m) during four large earthquakes since ∼10 ka implies a ∼2500 ± 500 years return time. A ∼3 mm/yr rate is consistent with the ∼80 km offset of the Karakax river since uplift of the West Kunlun range and sediment deposition in the Tarim foreland accelerated, ∼24 Ma ago. The faster slip rate (∼10.5 mm/yr) on the central ATF matches the sum of those along the reactivated West Tibetan terrane boundaries (Karakax and Longmu‐Gozha Co faults) at the Uzatagh triple junction (∼36°N, 83°E). The abrupt termination and altitude drop of the Karakorum range where the Longmu Co and Karakorum faults meet (Angmong junction), also reflect triple junction kinematics. Such localized changes account for the rise of the Karakorum and West Kunlun ranges and support lithospheric block tectonics rather than diffusely distributed deformation.
Malaria protection due to sickle haemoglobin depends on parasite genotype
Authors: Band Gavin , Leffler Ellen M. , Jallow Muminatou , Sisay-Joof Fatoumatta , Ndila Carolyne M. , Macharia Alexander W. , Hubbart Christina , Jeffreys Anna E. , Rowlands Kate , Nguyen Thuy , Gonçalves Sónia , Ariani Cristina V. , Stalker Jim , Pearson Richard D. , Amato Roberto , Drury Eleanor , Sirugo Giorgio , d’Alessandro Umberto , Bojang Kalifa A. , Marsh Kevin , Peshu Norbert , Saelens Joseph W. , Diakité Mahamadou , Taylor Steve M. , Conway David J. , Williams Thomas N. , Rockett Kirk A. , Kwiatkowski Dominic P.
Published: December 2021

Host genetic factors can confer resistance against malaria1, raising the question of whether this has led to evolutionary adaptation of parasite populations. Here we searched for association between candidate host and parasite genetic variants in 3,346 Gambian and Kenyan children with severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. We identified a strong association between sickle haemoglobin (HbS) in the host and three regions of the parasite genome, which is not explained by population structure or other covariates, and which is replicated in additional samples. The HbS-associated alleles include nonsynonymous variants in the gene for the acyl-CoA synthetase family member2–4PfACS8 on chromosome 2, in a second region of chromosome 2, and in a region containing structural variation on chromosome 11. The alleles are in strong linkage disequilibrium and have frequencies that covary with the frequency of HbS across populations, in particular being much more common in Africa than other parts of the world. The estimated protective effect of HbS against severe malaria, as determined by comparison of cases with population controls, varies greatly according to the parasite genotype at these three loci. These findings open up a new avenue of enquiry into the biological and epidemiological significance of the HbS-associated polymorphisms in the parasite genome and the evolutionary forces that have led to their high frequency and strong linkage disequilibrium in African P. falciparum populations.
Estimation of COVID-19 recovery and decease periods in Canada using delay model
Authors: Paul Subhendu , Lorin Emmanuel
Published: December 2021

We derive a novel model escorted by large scale compartments, based on a set of coupled delay differential equations with extensive delays, in order to estimate the incubation, recovery and decease periods of COVID-19, and more generally any infectious disease. This is possible thanks to some optimization algorithms applied to publicly available database of confirmed corona cases, recovered cases and death toll. In this purpose, we separate (1) the total cases into 14 groups corresponding to 14 incubation periods, (2) the recovered cases into 406 groups corresponding to a combination of incubation and recovery periods, and (3) the death toll into 406 groups corresponding to a combination of incubation and decease periods. In this paper, we focus on recovery and decease periods and their correlation with the incubation period. The estimated mean recovery period we obtain is 22.14 days (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 22.00–22.27), and the 90th percentile is 28.91 days (95% CI 28.71–29.13), which is in agreement with statistical supported studies. The bimodal gamma distribution reveals that there are two groups of recovered individuals with a short recovery period, mean 21.02 days (95% CI 20.92–21.12), and a long recovery period, mean 38.88 days (95% CI 38.61–39.15). Our study shows that the characteristic of the decease period and the recovery period are alike. From the bivariate analysis, we observe a high probability domain for recovered individuals with respect to incubation and recovery periods. A similar domain is obtained for deaths analyzing bivariate distribution of incubation and decease periods.
The prevalence of unintended pregnancy and its association with HIV status among pregnant women in South Africa, a national antenatal survey, 2019
Authors: Woldesenbet Selamawit , Kufa Tendesayi , Lombard Carl , Manda Samuel , Morof Diane , Cheyip Mireille , Ayalew Kassahun , Puren Adrian
Published: December 2021

To describe the prevalence of unintended pregnancy and its association with HIV status among pregnant women in South Africa. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October and mid-November 2019 among pregnant women aged 15–49 years in 1589 selected public antenatal care facilities. Pregnancy intention was assessed using two questions from the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy. Survey logistic regression examined factors associated with unintended pregnancy. Among 34,946 participants, 51.6% had an unintended pregnancy. On multivariable analysis, the odds of unintended pregnancy was higher among women who knew their HIV-positive status before pregnancy but initiated treatment after the first antenatal visit (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.5 [95% confidence interval (CI):1.2–1.8]), women who initiated treatment before pregnancy (aOR, 1.3 [95% CI:1.2–1.3]), and women with a new HIV diagnosis during pregnancy (aOR, 1.2 [95% CI:1.1–1.3]) compared to HIV-negative women. Women who were single, in a non-cohabiting or a cohabiting relationship, and young women (15–24 years) had significantly higher risk of unintended pregnancy compared to married women and women aged 30–49 years, respectively. A comprehensive approach, including regular assessment of HIV clients’ pregnancy intention, and adolescent and youth-friendly reproductive health services could help prevent unintended pregnancy.
Predicting deleterious missense genetic variants via integrative supervised nonnegative matrix tri-factorization
Authors: Arani Asieh Amousoltani , Sehhati Mohammadreza , Tabatabaiefar Mohammad Amin
Published: December 2021

Among an assortment of genetic variations, Missense are major ones which a small subset of them may led to the upset of the protein function and ultimately end in human diseases. Various machine learning methods were declared to differentiate deleterious and benign missense variants by means of a large number of features, including structure, sequence, interaction networks, gene disease associations as well as phenotypes. However, development of a reliable and accurate algorithm for merging heterogeneous information is highly needed as it could be captured all information of complex interactions on network that genes participate in. In this study we proposed a new method based on the non-negative matrix tri-factorization clustering method. We outlined two versions of the proposed method: two-source and three-source algorithms. Two-source algorithm aggregates individual deleteriousness prediction methods and PPI network, and three-source algorithm incorporates gene disease associations into the other sources already mentioned. Four benchmark datasets were employed for internally and externally validation of both algorithms of our predictor. The results at all datasets confirmed that, our method outperforms most state of the art variant prediction tools. Two key features of our variant effect prediction method are worth mentioning. Firstly, despite the fact that the incorporation of gene disease information at three-source algorithm can improve prediction performance by comparison with two-source algorithm, our method did not hinder by type 2 circularity error unlike some recent ensemble-based prediction methods. Type 2 circularity error occurs when the predictor annotates variants on the basis of the genes located on. Secondly, the performance of our predictor is superior over other ensemble-based methods for variants positioned on genes in which we do not have enough information about their pathogenicity.
Retrospective study of the differences in patient characteristics and revenue between male and female surgeons in Taiwan
Authors: Cheng Weiming , Lin Shu-Yi , Fan Yu-Hua , Chen Sheng-Wen
Published: December 2021

Surgery is traditionally a male-dominated field, and gender differences exist despite the growing numbers of female surgeons. A handful of studies have evaluated the condition in Asian societies. We aimed to examine the difference between female and male surgeons in urology, general surgery, and gynecology by analyzing a nationwide, population-based database. We identified surgeons with a clinical experience of six to thirteen years between 1995 to 2013 from the National Health Insurance Research Database. We collected patient numbers and revenue per month in outpatient and inpatient care, as well as monthly numbers of surgeries conducted by female and male surgeons in urology, general surgery, and gynecology, for analysis. Original student’s t-test and wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare the differences between female and male surgeons, and p values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Female urologists and general surgeons had a significantly higher ratio of female patients in Taiwan. Female urologists had patient numbers, revenues, and numbers of surgeries comparable to male urologists. In contrast, female general surgeons had significantly less involvement in outpatient and inpatient care and had low monthly revenues. Female general surgeons contradictorily performed more oncological surgeries per month than males. However, the difference in numbers of oncological surgeries was not significant after excluding breast cancer surgeries. Female gynecologists had a similar amount of outpatients and outpatient revenue but significantly less inpatient care and numbers of surgeries per month. A gender-based gap exists among surgeons in Taiwan. The gap between females and males appeared narrower in urology than in general surgery and gynecology. Management of diseases related to female sex organs, including breast, were more common among female surgeons. Efforts should be made to decrease gender stereotypes, to ensure that patients receive the best care regardless of the sex of the surgeons.
Self-enhanced photoelectrochemical sensor based on a Schottky heterostructure organic electron donor matrix
Authors: Chen Min , Guo Jiang , Mo Fangjing , Meng Hui , Yu Wangqing , Fu Yingzi
Published: December 2021

A self-enhanced photoelectrochemical copper ion sensor was constructed using an organic electron donor matrix with a Schottky heterostructure prepared from dopamine and single walled carbon nanohorns.
A novel bifunctional catalyst for overall water electrolysis: nano IrxMn(1−x)Oy hybrids with L12-IrMn3 phase
Authors: Ren Zhandong , Wang Yanyan , Jiang Hucheng , Jiang Hongwei , Tian Miaojie , Liu Ye , Han Juanjuan , Fang Hua , Zhu Yuchan
Published: December 2021

Nano IrxMn(1−x)Oy hybrids with L12-IrMn3 phase as a novel bifunctional catalyst with ultra-low Ir loading for overall water electrolysis in an acidic solution.
Single photon double and triple ionization of allene
Authors: Ideböhn Veronica , Sterling Alistair J. , Wallner Måns , Olsson Emelie , Squibb Richard J. , Miniotaite Ugne , Forsmalm Emma , Forsmalm Malin , Stranges Stefano , Dyke John M. , Duarte Fernanda , Eland John H. D. , Feifel Raimund
Published: December 2021

Single photon double and triple ionization of allene is investigated using multi-particle coincidence spectroscopies. Key findings comprise supporting evidence for a previously proposed roaming mechanism in H3+ formation by double ionization.
Strikingly high amount of tricin-lignin observed from vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) aerial roots
Authors: Li Mi , Pu Yunqiao , Meng Xianzhi , Chen Fang , Dixon Richard A. , Ragauskas Arthur J.
Published: December 2021

The aerial roots of vanilla plant contain an strikingly high level of tricin in lignin (29.1 mg g−1). It will be a noteworthy feedstock for value-added chemicals and commodities to advance plant bioengineering and lignin valorization.
A low-dimensional N-rich coordination polymer as an effective fluorescence sensor for 2,4,6-trinitrophenol detection in an aqueous medium
Authors: Han Xu , Tong Jialin , Ding Guanyu , Sun Chunyi , Wang Xinlong , Su Zhongmin , Sun Jing , Wen Li-Li , Shan Guo-Gang
Published: December 2021

Stable one-dimensional coordination polymer is used as a highly selective sensor for the detection of TNP.