bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The evolution of Materials Acceleration Platforms: toward the laboratory of the future with AMANDA
Authors: Wagner Jerrit , Berger Christian G. , Du Xiaoyan , Stubhan Tobias , Hauch Jens A. , Brabec Christoph J.
Published: July 2021

The development of complex functional materials poses a multi-objective optimization problem in a large multi-dimensional parameter space. Solving it requires reproducible, user-independent laboratory work and intelligent preselection of experiments. However, experimental materials science is a field where manual routines are still predominant, although other domains like pharmacy or chemistry have long used robotics and automation. As the number of publications on Materials Acceleration Platforms (MAPs) increases steadily, we review selected systems and fit them into the stages of a general material development process to examine the evolution of MAPs. Subsequently, we present our approach to laboratory automation in materials science. We introduce AMANDA (Autonomous Materials and Device Application Platform - www.amanda-platform.com), a generic platform for distributed materials research comprising a self-developed software backbone and several MAPs. One of them, LineOne (L1), is specifically designed to produce and characterize solution-processed thin-film devices like organic solar cells (OSC). It is designed to perform precise closed-loop screenings of up to 272 device variations per day yet allows further upscaling. Each individual solar cell is fully characterized, and all process steps are comprehensively documented. We want to demonstrate the capabilities of AMANDA L1 with OSCs based on PM6:Y6 with 13.7% efficiency when processed in air. Further, we discuss challenges and opportunities of highly automated research platforms and elaborate on the future integration of additional techniques, methods and algorithms in order to advance to fully autonomous self-optimizing systems—a paradigm shift in functional materials development leading to the laboratory of the future.
Ex vivo evaluation of a multilayered sealant patch for watertight dural closure: cranial and spinal models
Authors: Kinaci A. , van Thoor S. , Redegeld S. , Tooren M. , van Doormaal T. P. C.
Published: July 2021

Cerebrospinal fluid leakage is a frequent complication after cranial and spinal surgery. To prevent this complication and seal the dura watertight, we developed Liqoseal, a dural sealant patch comprising a watertight polyesterurethane layer and an adhesive layer consisting of poly(DL-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) copolymer and multiarmed N-hydroxylsuccinimide functionalized polyethylene glycol. We compared acute burst pressure and resistance to physiological conditions for 72 h of Liqoseal, Adherus, Duraseal, Tachosil, and Tisseel using computer-assisted models and fresh porcine dura. The mean acute burst pressure of Liqoseal in the cranial model (145 ± 39 mmHg) was higher than that of Adherus (87 ± 47 mmHg), Duraseal (51 ± 42 mmHg) and Tachosil (71 ± 16 mmHg). Under physiological conditions, cranial model resistance test results showed that 2 of 3 Liqoseal sealants maintained dural attachment during 72 hours as opposed to 3 of 3 for Adherus and Duraseal and 0 of 3 for Tachosil. The mean burst pressure of Liqoseal in the spinal model (233 ± 81 mmHg) was higher than that of Tachosil (123 ± 63 mmHg) and Tisseel (23 ± 16 mmHg). Under physiological conditions, spinal model resistance test results showed that 2 of 3 Liqoseal sealants maintained dural attachment for 72 hours as opposed to 3 of 3 for Adherus and 0 of 3 for Duraseal and Tachosil. This novel study showed that Liqoseal is capable of achieving a strong watertight seal over a dural defect in ex vivo models.
Reliability of the ASA Physical Status Classification System in Predicting Surgical Morbidity: a Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Li Gen , Walco Jeremy P. , Mueller Dorothee A. , Wanderer Jonathan P. , Freundlich Robert E.
Published: July 2021

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification System has been used to assess pre-anesthesia comorbid conditions for over 60 years. However, the ASA Physical Status Classification System has been criticized for its subjective nature. In this study, we aimed to assess the correlation between the ASA physical status assignment and more objective measures of overall illness.
This is a single medical center, retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent surgery between November 2, 2017 and April 22, 2020. A multivariable ordinal logistic regression model was developed to examine the relationship between the ASA physical status and Elixhauser comorbidity groups. A secondary analysis was then conducted to evaluate the capability of the model to predict 30-day postoperative mortality.
A total of 56,820 cases meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed. Twenty-seven Elixhauser comorbidities were independently associated with ASA physical status. Older patient (adjusted odds ratio, 1.39 [per 10 years of age]; 95% CI 1.37 to 1.41), male patient (adjusted odds ratio, 1.24; 95% CI 1.20 to 1.29), higher body weight (adjusted odds ratio, 1.08 [per 10 kg]; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.09), and ASA emergency status (adjusted odds ratio, 2.11; 95% CI 2.00 to 2.23) were also independently associated with higher ASA physical status assignments. Furthermore, the model derived from the primary analysis was a better predictor of 30-day mortality than the models including either single ASA physical status or comorbidity indices in isolation (p < 0.001).
We found significant correlation between ASA physical status and 27 of the 31 Elixhauser comorbidities, as well other demographic characteristics. This demonstrates the reliability of ASA scoring and its potential ability to predict postoperative outcomes. Additionally, compared to ASA physical status and individual comorbidity indices, the derived model offered better predictive power in terms of short-term postoperative mortality.
Systemic exposure following intravitreal administration of therapeutic agents: an integrated pharmacokinetic approach. 1. THR-149
Authors: Vanhove Marc , Noppen Bernard , Wagner Jean-Marc , Van Bergen Tine , Barbeaux Philippe , Stitt Alan W.
Published: July 2021

Intravitreal (IVT) injection of pharmacological agents is an established and widely used procedure for the treatment of many posterior segment of the eye diseases. IVT injections permit drugs to reach high concentrations in the retina whilst limiting systemic exposure. Beyond the risk of secondary complications such as intraocular infection, the potential of systemic adverse events cannot be neglected. Therefore, a detailed understanding of the rules governing systemic exposure following IVT drug administration remains a prerequisite for the evaluation and development of new pharmacological agents intended for eye delivery. We present here a novel mathematical model to describe and predict circulating drug levels following IVT in the rabbit eye, a species which is widely used for drug delivery, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic studies. The mathematical expression was derived from a pharmacokinetic model that assumes the existence of a compartment between the vitreous humor compartment itself and the systemic compartment. We show that the model accurately describes circulating levels of THR-149, a plasma kallikrein inhibitor in development for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. We hypothesize that the model based on the rabbit eye has broader relevance to the human eye and can be used to analyze systemic exposure of a variety of drugs delivered in the eye.
Discreet Signs of the Supreme Idea: On Certain Transcendent Categories in Russian and Soviet Constitutional Law
Authors: Sadowski Jakub
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this article is to analyse world-view and mythological expressions in Russian and Soviet Constitutional acts that implicitly or explicitly refer to any kind of idea legitimising the shape of the state, its political system or the nature of political power. The object of the argument will be exclusively such provisions of fundamental laws which: (1) having neither a purely regulatory nor a purely programmatic character, model mental representations of the world of the legal text by reference to ‘situationally transcendent’ ideas in Mannheim’s sense (i.e. ideas which refer to a reality different from the perceived one; those that sketch visions alternative to it); (2) justify the content of the legal provision by means of such imagery, without being part of the preamble or any different integral part of the Constitution, characterised by a different ontology of the text; (3) justify the content of provisions linked to political power and/or the nature of the state. The materials of the analysis are: Fundamental Laws of the Russian Empire of 1906, the Constitutional texts of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics of 1924, 1936 and 1977, and the current Constitution of the Russian Federation. Consecutive Constitutions of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic are also referred to. The analysed formulations, legally irrelevant in a conventional reading of a legal text, participate in the semiosis of both the provisions that contain them and the entire texts of the fundamental laws. In this way, the Constitutions incorporate into their complex of meanings either religious expressions, mythologised ideological figures or figures of historical memory associated with collective identity.
Legitimacy of Authority and Protest Actions in Response to Collective Disadvantages
Authors: Blondé Jérôme , Iacoviello Vincenzo , Lampropoulos Dimitrios , Vétois Matthieu , Falomir Pichastor Juan Manuel
Published: July 2021

A wealth of evidence has demonstrated that individuals’ participation in collective actions largely derives from perceived group disadvantages. In the present research, we hypothesized that engagement in protest activities can be attenuated if the disadvantages originate from legitimate figures of authority. Across three experiments based on vignettes describing a hypothetical work setting (totalN = 670), we found consistent support for this prediction. In Study 1, we showed that intention to participate in a protest movement in reaction to an unfavourable distribution of outcomes was lower when legitimacy of the group’s authority was high (vs. low). In addition, a reduction in anger was found to play a mediating role. Studies 2 and 3 further demonstrated that these effects only occurred when participants were confronted with a relatively low disadvantage (as opposed to a high disadvantage). In an attempt to identify underlying mechanisms, Study 3 emphasized the moral implications that lie behind responses to high (vs. low) disadvantageous decisions and that shape resistance processes. Taken together, these findings call for more consideration for the role of group authorities in the comprehension of collective action tendencies and give insights to better understand how and when authority legitimacy can serve to perpetuate social disparities and hinders the fight against injustices.
Group (epistemic) competence
Authors: Pino Dani
Published: July 2021

In this paper, I present an account of group competence that is explicitly framed for cases of epistemic performances. According to it, we must consider group epistemic competence as the group agents’ capacity to produce knowledge, and not the result of the summation of its individual members’ competences to produce knowledge. Additionally, I contend that group competence must be understood in terms of group normative status. To introduce my view, I present Jesper Kallestrup’s (Synthese 1–19, 2016) denial that group competence involves anything over and beyond the aggregation of individual competences. I have divided my response into two parts. First, I compare two conceptions of competence from Ernest Sosa’s reliabilist virtue epistemology (Sosa in Philos Stud 142:5–15, 2009; Philos Perspect 24:465–475, 2010a; Knowing full well, Princeton University Press, 2010b; Judgment & agency, Oxford University Press, 2015; Epistemology, Princeton University Press, 2017; in: Silva-Filho, Tateo (eds), Thinking about oneself: The place and value of reflection in philosophy and psychology, Springer, 2019) and David Löwenstein’s (Know-how as competence. A Rylean responsibilist account, Vittorio Klostermann, 2017) account of know-how. Second, I take the results from this comparison and apply them to the issue of group know-how, by the hand of Orestis Palermos and Deborah Tollefsen’s twofold approach to the topic (Palermos and Tollefsen, in: Carter, Clark, Kallestrup, Palermos, Pritchard (eds) Socially extended epistemology, Oxford University Press, 2018). Finally, I return to Kallestrup’s denial to make my point in favour of the conception of genuine group competence as the group normative status to achieve success.
Approaching deterministic and probabilistic truth: a unified account
Authors: Cevolani Gustavo , Festa Roberto
Published: July 2021

The basic problem of a theory of truth approximation is defining when a theory is “close to the truth” about some relevant domain. Existing accounts of truthlikeness or verisimilitude address this problem, but are usually limited to the problem of approaching a “deterministic” truth by means of deterministic theories. A general theory of truth approximation, however, should arguably cover also cases where either the relevant theories, or “the truth”, or both, are “probabilistic” in nature. As a step forward in this direction, we first present a general characterization of both deterministic and probabilistic truth approximation; then, we introduce a new account of verisimilitude which provides a simple formal framework to deal with such issue in a unified way. The connections of our account with some other proposals in the literature are also briefly discussed.
Classification Maps for TDS Concentrations in the GIS Along Euphrates River, Iraq
Authors: Chabuk Ali , Hammood Zahraa Ali , Al-Ansari Nadhir , Abed Salwan Ali , Laue Jan
Published: July 2021

Iraq currently undergoing the problem of water shortage, although Iraq has two Rivers (Euphrates and Tigris) pass throughout most of its areas, and they have represented a major source of water supply. In the current research, to evaluate the quality of the Euphrates river in Iraq based on the values of total dissolved salts (TDS), the TDS concentrations were collected from sixteen sections along the river in the three succeeding years (2011, 2012, and 2013). The evaluation of the river was done depending on the classification of (W.H.O. (World Health Organization). (2003). Total Dissolved Salts in Drinking-water: Background document for development of W.H.O. Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland). of rivers for drinking uses. Inverse Distance Weighting Technique (IDWT) as a tool in the GIS was employed to establish the maps of the river that using interpolation/prediction for the TDS concentrations to each selected year and the average values of TDS for these 3 years. Based on the five categories of rivers’ classification of the TDS concentrations according to the (W.H.O. (World Health Organization). (2003). Total Dissolved Salts in Drinking-water: Background document for development of W.H.O. Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland), the Euphrates river was classified, and the maps of classification for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 and the average values for 3 years were created. The average values for 3 years of TDS along the Euphrates river indicated that the sections from SC-1 to SC-4 as moderate-water-quality-Category-3, the sections from SC-5 to SC-10 as poor-water-quality-Category-4, while the sections between SC-11 to SC-16 as very poor-water-quality-Category-5. The interpolation maps showed that the Euphrates river in Iraq was ranged from moderate water quality (Category-3) to very poor water quality (Category-5).
Können einzelsprachliche Interventionen sprachenübergreifende Effekte haben? Wie die schulische Majoritätssprache Herkunftssprachen fördern kann
Authors: Marx Nicole , Steinhoff Torsten
Published: July 2021

Vom herkunftssprachlichen Unterricht wird häufig nicht nur erwartet, dass er herkunfts- und plurilinguale Kompetenzen fördert, sondern auch, dass er der Förderung von Deutschkompetenzen dient. Für den Großteil der Schüler*innen, die zu Hause kein oder nicht nur Deutsch sprechen, erscheint diese Annahme problematisch. Denn sie sind in Deutschland eingeschult worden und erwerben bildungssprachliche Kompetenzen primär auf Deutsch. Diese Einsicht wurde zum Anlass für eine longitudinale Studie in 6. Klassen zu der Frage genommen, wie sich im Schreibunterricht Interventionen in deutscher Sprache auf das Schreiben in türkischer Sprache auswirken und welche sprachenübergreifenden Zusammenhänge dabei zwischen der Textqualität und den Textrevisionen bestehen. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass Teilkompetenzen des Schreibens nicht an Einzelsprachen gebunden, sondern transversal, d. h. in mehreren Sprachen nutzbar sind, und dass Schreibkompetenzen von der schulischen Majoritätssprache in die Herkunftssprache transferiert werden können. Daraus schlussfolgern wir, dass ein sprachenübergreifender Schreibunterricht transversale Teilkompetenzen fokussieren sollte.
A new three-step method for using inverse propensity weighting with latent class analysis
Authors: Clouth F. J. , Pauws S. , Mols F. , Vermunt J. K.
Published: July 2021

Bias-adjusted three-step latent class analysis (LCA) is widely popular to relate covariates to class membership. However, if the causal effect of a treatment on class membership is of interest and only observational data is available, causal inference techniques such as inverse propensity weighting (IPW) need to be used. In this article, we extend the bias-adjusted three-step LCA to incorporate IPW. This approach separates the estimation of the measurement model from the estimation of the treatment effect using IPW only for the later step. Compared to previous methods, this solves several conceptual issues and more easily facilitates model selection and the use of multiple imputation. This new approach, implemented in the software Latent GOLD, is evaluated in a simulation study and its use is illustrated using data of prostate cancer patients.
Land cover classification in a mixed forest-grassland ecosystem using LResU-net and UAV imagery
Authors: Zhang Chong , Zhang Li , Zhang Bessie Y. J. , Sun Jingqian , Dong Shikui , Wang Xueyan , Li Yaxin , Xu Jian , Chu Wenkai , Dong Yanwei , Wang Pei
Published: July 2021

Using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) paired with image semantic segmentation to classify land cover within natural vegetation can promote the development of forest and grassland field. Semantic segmentation normally excels in medical and building classification, but its usefulness in mixed forest-grassland ecosystems in semi-arid to semi-humid climates is unknown. This study proposes a new semantic segmentation network of LResU-net in which residual convolution unit (RCU) and loop convolution unit (LCU) are added to the U-net framework to classify images of different land covers generated by UAV high resolution. The selected model enhanced classification accuracy by increasing gradient mapping via RCU and modifying the size of convolution layers via LCU as well as reducing convolution kernels. To achieve this objective, a group of orthophotos were taken at an altitude of 260 m for testing in a natural forest-grassland ecosystem of Keyouqianqi, Inner Mongolia, China, and compared the results with those of three other network models (U-net, ResU-net and LU-net). The results show that both the highest kappa coefficient (0.86) and the highest overall accuracy (93.7%) resulted from LResU-net, and the value of most land covers provided by the producer’s and user’s accuracy generated in LResU-net exceeded 0.85. The pixel-area ratio approach was used to calculate the real areas of 10 different land covers where grasslands were 67.3%. The analysis of the effect of RCU and LCU on the model training performance indicates that the time of each epoch was shortened from U-net (358 s) to LResU-net (282 s). In addition, in order to classify areas that are not distinguishable, unclassified areas were defined and their impact on classification. LResU-net generated significantly more accurate results than the other three models and was regarded as the most appropriate approach to classify land cover in mixed forest-grassland ecosystems.
Fear of progression in parents of childhood cancer survivors: prevalence and associated factors
Authors: Peikert Mona L. , Inhestern Laura , Krauth Konstantin A. , Escherich Gabriele , Rutkowski Stefan , Kandels Daniela , Schiekiera Louis J. , Bergelt Corinna
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Recent research demonstrated that fear of progression (FoP) is a major burden for adult cancer survivors. However, knowledge on FoP in parents of childhood cancer survivors is scarce. This study aimed to determine the proportion of parents who show dysfunctional levels of FoP, to investigate gender differences, and to examine factors associated with FoP in mothers and fathers.

Methods

Five hundred sixteen parents of pediatric cancer survivors (aged 0–17 years at diagnosis of leukemia or central nervous system (CNS) tumor) were consecutively recruited after the end of intensive cancer treatment. We conducted hierarchical multiple regression analyses for mothers and fathers and integrated parent-, patient-, and family-related factors in the models.

Results

Significantly more mothers (54%) than fathers (41%) suffered from dysfunctional levels of FoP. Maternal FoP was significantly associated with depression, a medical coping style, a child diagnosed with a CNS tumor in comparison to leukemia, and lower family functioning (adjusted R2 = .30, p < .001). Paternal FoP was significantly associated with a lower level of education, depression, a family coping style, a child diagnosed with a CNS tumor in comparison to leukemia, and fewer siblings (adjusted R2 = .48, p < .001).

Conclusions

FoP represents a great burden for parents of pediatric cancer survivors. We identified associated factors of parental FoP. Some of these factors can be targeted by health care professionals within psychosocial interventions and others can provide an indication for an increased risk for higher levels of FoP.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Psychosocial support targeting FoP in parents of childhood cancer survivors is highly indicated.
Development of a Pressure Control System According to Paste Rheology for Ultrasound Processing in Industrial Olive Oil Extraction
Authors: Tamborrino Antonia , Romaniello Roberto , Perone Claudio , Moujahed Hazar , Leone Alessandro
Published: July 2021

Recent research has demonstrated how ultrasound can benefit the industrial processing of olive paste before oil extraction. However, the absence of a device for controlling pressure inside the sonication cell is a major hindrance to its application. To address this problem, a pneumatic device with a programmable logic controller was implemented to automatically adjust pressure in the sonication cell according to a preset value: its functionality was tested in industrial oil extraction. An experiment was conducted to compare device performance when applied to olive batches with different solid/liquid ratios and differing rheology. The control system adjusted the flow section of the valve at the outlet of the sonication cell and the mass flow rate of the feed pump in order to maintain the pressure preset by the operator. Results indicate that the pressure was 3.0 ± 0.2 bar, 3.5 ± 0.2 bar, and 4.0 ± 0.2 bar when the set point was 3.0 bar, 3.5 bar, and 4.0 bar, respectively: there was thus no significant difference between controlled and set values. This indicates that the device is able to control pressure inside the sonication cell with a maximum deviation of 0.2 bar. In this case, the sonication intensity was stabilized at 135 W/cm2, 150 W/cm2, and 165 W/cm2 at 3.0 bar, 3.5 bar, and 4.0 bar, respectively. This study presents an advancement in ultrasound applications for industrial olive oil extraction: optimal pressure control in the sonication cell.
Effect of TiO2 on Selected Pathogenic and Opportunistic Intestinal Bacteria
Authors: Baranowska-Wójcik Ewa , Szwajgier Dominik , Gustaw Klaudia
Published: July 2021

Food-grade titanium dioxide (TiO2) containing a nanoparticle fraction (TiO2NPs-nanoparticles) is widely used as a food additive (E171 in the EU). In recent years, questions concerning its effect on the gastrointestinal microbiota have been raised. In the present study, we examined interactions between bacteria and TiO2. The study involved six pathogenic/opportunistic bacterial strains and four different-sized TiO2types: three types of food-grade E171 compounds and TiO2NPs (21 nm). Each bacterial strain was exposed to four concentrations of TiO2(60, 150, 300, and 600 mg/L TiO2). The differences in the growth of the analyzed strains, caused by the type and concentration of TiO2, were observed. The growth of a majority of the strains was shown to be inhibited after exposure to 300 and 600 mg/L of the food-grade E171 and TiO2NPs.
Rise and Fall of Therapeutic Hypothermia in Low-Resource Settings: Lessons from the HELIX Trial
Authors: Krishnan Vaisakh , Kumar Vijay , Shankaran Seetha , Thayyil Sudhin
Published: July 2021

In the past decade, therapeutic hypothermia using a variety of low-cost devices has been widely implemented in India and other low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) without adequate evidence of either safety or efficacy. The recently reported data from the world’s largest cooling trial (HELIX - hypothermia for encephalopathy in low- and middle-income countries) in LMIC provides definitive evidence of harm of cooling therapy with increase in mortality (number to harm 9) and lack of neuroprotection. Although the HELIX participating centers were highly selected tertiary neonatal intensive care units in South Asia with facilities for invasive ventilation, cardiovascular support, and 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the trial used state-of-the-art automated servo-controlled cooling devices, a therapy that is harmful under such optimal conditions cannot be safe in low-resource settings that cannot even afford servo-controlled cooling devices.

The HELIX trial has set a new benchmark for conducting high quality randomized controlled trials in terms of research governance, consent, ethics, follow-up rates, and involvement of parents. The standard care for neonatal encephalopathy in LMIC should remain normothermia, with close attention to prevention of hyperthermia. There is no role for therapeutic hypothermia in LMIC as the efficacy of hypothermia is dependent on the population, and not merely on the level of neonatal intensive care facilities. Future research should explore timings and origins of brain injury and prevention of brain injury in LMIC, with a strong emphasis on academic research capacity building and patient and public engagement.
Validation and comparison of turbulence models for predicting wakes of vertical axis wind turbines
Authors: Barnes Andrew , Marshall-Cross Daniel , Hughes Ben Richard
Published: July 2021

Vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) array design requires adequate modelling of the turbine wakes to model the flow throughout the array and, therefore, the power output of turbines in the array. This paper investigates how accurately different turbulence models using 2D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations can estimate near and far wakes of VAWTs to determine an approach towards accurate modelling for array design. Three experiments from the literature are chosen as baselines for validation, with these experiments representing the near to far wake of the turbine. Five URANS turbulence models were chosen due to their common and potential usage for VAWT CFD: models k–ω SST, k–ω SST LRN, k–ω SSTI, transition SST, and k–kl–ω. In addition, the lifting line-free vortex wake (LLFWV) model was tested as an alternative to CFD for the far turbine wake where it was appropriate for use. The results for turbulent kinetic energy and vorticity were compared for the first experiment, whilst streamwise and cross-stream velocity were used for the other two experiments. It was found that none of the turbulence models tested or LLFVW produced adequate estimations within the methodology tested, however, transition SST produced the closest estimations. Further adjustments to the methodology are required to improve accuracy due to their large impact on results including use of 3D CFD, adjustment of surface roughness, and inlet flow characteristics.
A continuous switching contact model for virtual environment based teleoperation
Authors: Fu Yongqing , Wu Baibo , Lin Weiyang
Published: July 2021

Virtual environment (VE), as the proxy of slave contact environment, is the most promising technology to solve the time-delay problems in teleoperation. The accuracy of the predicted force depends not only on the reliability of the contact model but also on the estimation algorithm’s adaptability. A new contact model is proposed to be applicable in various materials, which includes both the Kelvin–Voigt model (KVM) and Hunt–Crossley model (HCM). An extra parameter is set in the model to express the capacity of continuous switching between KVM and HCM, whose rationality is proved based on the energy loss. The energy loss is proportional to a power of impact velocity, and the exponent is bounded at [2,3], which exactly lies between KVM and HCM. Furthermore, to estimate the parameters with a single-stage method, the nonlinear model is linearized approximatively with logarithm function and polynomials. Then, the recursive least squares (RLS) algorithm combining forgetting factor and self-perturbing action is designed to identify the four parameters online. Finally, the model’s continuous switching is verified with ideal simulation, and the model parameters are continuously changed without jumpy switch error. In the experiment, sponge, foam, and human hand represent the complex contact materials of the slave environment where the predicted force is shown to follow the real contact force with enough accuracy. Therefore, the virtual model can be considered the substitution of slave contact environment so that the feedback force in master can be calculated in real-time.
All-Climate Aluminum-Ion Batteries Based on Binder-Free MOF-Derived FeS2@C/CNT Cathode
Authors: Hu Yuxiang , Huang Hongjiao , Yu Deshuang , Wang Xinyi , Li Linlin , Hu Han , Zhu Xiaobo , Peng Shengjie , Wang Lianzhou
Published: July 2021

Aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) are promising next-generation batteries systems because of their features of low cost and abundant aluminum resource. However, the inferior rate capacity and poor all-climate performance, especially the decayed capacity under low temperature, are still critical challenges toward high-specific-capacity AIBs. Herein, we report a binder-free and freestanding metal–organic framework-derived FeS2@C/carbon nanotube (FeS2@C/CNT) as a novel all-climate cathode in AIBs working under a wide temperature window between −25 and 50 °C with exceptional flexibility. The resultant cathode not only drastically suppresses the side reaction and volumetric expansion with high capacity and long-term stability but also greatly enhances the kinetic process in AIBs with remarkable rate capacity (above 151 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1) at room temperature. More importantly, to break the bottleneck of the inherently low capacity in graphitic material-based all-climate AIBs, the new hierarchical conductive composite FeS2@C/CNT highly promotes the all-climate performance and delivers as high as 117 mAh g−1 capacity even under −25 °C. The well-designed metal sulfide electrode with remarkable performance paves a new way toward all-climate and flexible AIBs.
Wittgenstein's Philosophy of Mathematics
Authors: Floyd Juliet
Published: July 2021

For Wittgenstein mathematics is a human activity characterizing ways of seeing conceptual possibilities and empirical situations, proof and logical methods central to its progress. Sentences exhibit differing 'aspects', or dimensions of meaning, projecting mathematical 'realities'. Mathematics is an activity of constructing standpoints on equalities and differences of these. Wittgenstein's Later Philosophy of Mathematics (1934–1951) grew from his Early (1912–1921) and Middle (1929–33) philosophies, a dialectical path reconstructed here partly as a response to the limitative results of Gödel and Turing.
Reimagine to Revitalise
Authors: Mani Charulatha
Published: July 2021

How can the classical Karnatik music of South India illuminate performers' and researchers' understanding of the art music of seventeenth-century Italy, and specifically Monteverdi's operas? Both art forms attach great value to the skill of vocal ornamentation, and by exploring the singer's practice moving between them, this Element reveals how intercultural approaches can enable the reconsideration of the history of Western music from a global perspective. Using methods from historical and comparative musicology, theory and practice-based research, Charulatha Mani analyses vocal ornamentation and technique and arrives at an innovative approach to studying musics from the past. Musical practice, the author argues, is an enactment of hybridity and the artistic product of plurality. Specifically, in early modern Europe the fluid movement of musicians from the East paved the way to a plurality of musical cultures. This finding holds deep implications for diversity in and decolonisation of current music performance and education.
Jurisdictional Exceptionalisms
Authors: Emon Anver M. , Khaliq Urfan
Published: July 2021

Jurisdictional Exceptionalisms examines the legal issues associated with a parent's forced removal of their children to reside in another country following relationship dissolution or divorce. Through an analysis of Public and Private International Laws, and Islamic law - historical and as implemented in contemporary Muslim Family Law States - the authors uncover distinct legal lexicons that centre children's interests in premodern Islamic legal doctrines, modern State practice, and multilateral conventions on children. While legal advocates and policy makers pursue global solutions to parental child abduction, this volume identifies fundamental obstacles, including the absence of shared understandings of jurisdiction. By examining the relevant law and practice, the study exposes the polarised politics embedded in the technical legal rules on jurisdiction. Presenting a new, innovative method in comparative legal history, the book examines the beliefs, values, histories, doctrines, institutions and practices of legal systems presumed to be in conflict with one another.
Quantum Atom Optics
Authors: Byrnes Tim , Ilo-Okeke Ebubechukwu O.
Published: July 2021

The rapid development of quantum technologies has driven a revolution in related research areas such as quantum computation and communication, and quantum materials. The first prototypes of functional quantum devices are beginning to appear, frequently created using ensembles of atoms, which allow the observation of sensitive, quantum effects, and have important applications in quantum simulation and matter wave interferometry. This modern text offers a self-contained introduction to the fundamentals of quantum atom optics and atomic many-body matter wave systems. Assuming a familiarity with undergraduate quantum mechanics, this book will be accessible for graduate students and early career researchers moving into this important new field. A detailed description of the underlying theory of quantum atom optics is given, before development of the key, quantum, technological applications, such as atom interferometry, quantum simulation, quantum metrology, and quantum computing.
Diminishing returns, increasing risks: Impact of antibiotic duration of therapy on respiratory bacterial isolates in hospitalized patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic
Authors: Li Catherine , Chapin Ryan W. , Mercuro Nicholas J. , Yen Christina F. , Gold Howard S. , Lee Matthew S. L. , McCoy Christopher
Published: July 2021

In 829 hospital encounters for patients with COVID-19, 73.2% included orders for antibiotics; however, only 1.8% had respiratory cultures during the first 3 hospital days isolating bacteria. Case–control analysis of 30 patients and 96 controls found that each antibiotic day increased the risk of isolating multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) in respiratory cultures by 6.5%.
On the derivation of the wave kinetic equation for NLS
Authors: Deng Yu , Hani Zaher
Published: July 2021

A fundamental question in wave turbulence theory is to understand how the wave kinetic equation describes the long-time dynamics of its associated nonlinear dispersive equation. Formal derivations in the physics literature, dating back to the work of Peierls in 1928, suggest that such a kinetic description should hold (for well-prepared random data) at a largekinetic time scale$T_{\mathrm {kin}} \gg 1$and in a limiting regime where the sizeLof the domain goes to infinity and the strength$\alpha $of the nonlinearity goes to$0$(weak nonlinearity). For the cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation,$T_{\mathrm {kin}}=O\left (\alpha ^{-2}\right )$and$\alpha $is related to the conserved mass$\lambda $of the solution via$\alpha =\lambda ^2 L^{-d}$.

In this paper, we study the rigorous justification of this monumental statement and show that the answer seems to depend on the particularscaling lawin which the$(\alpha , L)$limit is taken, in a spirit similar to how the Boltzmann–Grad scaling law is imposed in the derivation of Boltzmann’s equation. In particular, there appear to betwofavourable scaling laws: when$\alpha $approaches$0$like$L^{-\varepsilon +}$or like$L^{-1-\frac {\varepsilon }{2}+}$(for arbitrary small$\varepsilon $), we exhibit the wave kinetic equation up to time scales$O(T_{\mathrm {kin}}L^{-\varepsilon })$, by showing that the relevant Feynman-diagram expansions converge absolutely (as a sum over paired trees). For the other scaling laws, we justify the onset of the kinetic description at time scales$T_*\ll T_{\mathrm {kin}}$and identify specific interactions that become very large for times beyond$T_*$. In particular, the relevant tree expansion diverges absolutely there. In light of those interactions, extending the kinetic description beyond$T_*$toward$T_{\mathrm {kin}}$for such scaling laws seems to require new methods and ideas.
Jaguar Firms: Tropic Dwellers, Camouflage Masters, and Solitary Predators
Authors: Velez-Ocampo Juan , Gonzalez-Perez Maria Alejandra , Sin Kit I
Published: July 2021

Within the last two decades, the international expansion of Latin American companies has undergone remarkable growth. This phenomenon has attracted scholarly attention, however, most of the available research is focused on companies that have already engaged in foreign direct investment (FDI), meanwhile, Latin American firms in pre-FDI stages remain mostly understudied. This article uses an explanatory case study design to analyze the corporate reputation and decision-making process related to international expansion of a set of ten Latin American companies. Both archival and primary data were used in the individual and cross-case analyses stages for 22 months. Our study identifies and establishes analytical generalizations when examining and contrasting the findings with the previously revised theoretical frameworks. More specifically, we identified that these companies exhibit similarities with the behavior of Jaguars, the Latin American wild feline; especially because of (i) their preference to remain in their regional market to exploit current capabilities and advantages, and eventually enter developed markets to upgrade capabilities and surpass strong competitors at home; (ii) their strategies to disguise their country of origin and lack of experience when operating internationally; and (iii) their solitary behavior and reluctance to engage in partnerships and/or strategic alliances unless they have a specific interest in building legitimacy and enhancing reputation.
The cause of the appearance or disappearance of the Rieger-type periodicity in the northern and southern hemispheres of the sun
Authors: Xiang N. B. , Zhao X. H. , Li F. Y.
Published: July 2021

We use a continuous wavelet transform to analyse the daily hemispheric sunspot area data from the Greenwich Royal Observatory during cycles 12–24 and then study the cause of the appearance or disappearance of the Rieger-type periodicity in the northern and southern hemispheres during a certain cycle. The Rieger-type periodicity in the northern and southern hemispheres should be developed independently in the two hemispheres. This periodicity in the northern hemisphere is generally anti-correlated with the long-term variations in the mean solar cycle strength of hemispheric activity, but the correlation of the two parameters in the southern hemisphere shows a weak correlation. The appearance or disappearance of Rieger-type periodicity in the northern and southern hemispheres during a certain solar cycle is not directly correlated with their corresponding hemispheric mean activity strength but should be related to the strength of the hemispheric activity during sunspot maximum times, which hints the Rieger-type periodicity is more related to temporal evolution of toroidal magnetic field. The Rieger-type periodicity in the two hemispheres disappears in those solar cycles with relatively weak hemispheric activity during sunspot maximum times. The reason for the disappearance of this periodicity may be due to the combined influence of relatively weak toroidal magnetic fields and torsional oscillations, the differential rotation parameters vary through the solar cycle and may not remain more or less unchanged during some time, which does not permit the strong growth of magnetic Rossby waves.
Does More Equality for Women Mean Less War? Rethinking Sex and Gender Inequality and Political Violence
Authors: Cohen Dara Kay , Karim Sabrina M.
Published: July 2021

Recent world events, such as the rise of hypermasculine authoritarian leaders, have shown the importance of both sex and gender for understanding international politics. However, quantitative researchers of conflict have long relegated the study of sex and gender inequality as a cause of war to a specialized group of scholars, despite overwhelming evidence that the connections are profound and consequential. In this review essay, we demonstrate the tremendous progress made in this field by analyzing a wave of research that examines the relationships between sex and gender inequality and war. We divide this work into theories that emphasize strategy versus those that analyze structures. In addition, we focus on two aspects of this research agenda—specifying mechanisms that link sex and gender inequality to war, and leveraging data at multiple levels of analysis—to outline fruitful pathways forward for the broader international security research agenda. Ultimately, we argue that the study of the nexus of sex and gender inequality and war will enliven theoretical debates, illuminate new hypotheses, and enrich the policy discourse with robust evidence.
Effect of sex and genotype of the host on the anthelmintic efficacy of albendazole microcrystals, in the CBi-IGE Trichinella infection murine model
Authors: Codina Ana V. , Priotti Josefina , Leonardi Darío , Vasconi María D. , Lamas María C. , Hinrichsen Lucila I.
Published: July 2021

Albendazole (ABZ) is an anthelmintic pharmaceutical commonly used in the treatment of nematode infections. It is a Class II drug poorly water-soluble, with very low bioavailability, a feature particularly limiting to treat the trichinellosis chronic phase. Microcrystals obtained by controlled precipitation using hydroxyethyl cellulose and chitosan have previously been shown to improve ABZ biopharmaceutical properties. This investigation aimed to test the systems' in vivo efficacy in the CBi-IGE murine model of Trichinella spiralis infection in the infection's different phases and parasite’ stages. Treatment in the enteral phase led to a 90% decrease in the larval muscle load, probably due to its effect on T. spiralis female fecundity. Both microcrystal systems given in the migratory phase halved muscle load in males, a response not observed in females. The chitosan-based microcrystals proved to be the best when administered in the chronic phase of the infection – an increased proportion of L1 dead larvae was found compared to controls, except in CBi+-treated females. Males and females from the highly susceptible CBi+ line presented a significantly different treatment response in this phase. In vivo efficacy depended on the host genotype and sex and was related to the parasite cycle stage in which the formulations were administered.
A cline of enregisterment and its erasure: Intersections of ideology and technology in minority-language news
Authors: Graber Kathryn E.
Published: July 2021

Audiences often ascribe monolithic linguistic authority to news media institutions, viewing journalists as the bearers of language standards. Yet media are in fact heteroglossic, with journalists across different media platforms negotiating competing practical demands and different understandings of the social purposes and possibilities of their work. This article examines a case of hyperideologized minority-language media to show how the interplay of deep-seated language ideologies, the local sociohistorical context of media, and the material, technological affordances of different platforms produces a cline of enregisterment. It focuses on media produced in Buryat, a Mongolic language of southeastern Siberia whose speakers are shifting to Russian. Comparing journalists’ linguistic practices and audiences’ interpretations across the coexisting media platforms of newspapers, radio, and television shows how media enregisterment and, in turn, the enregisterment of a standard literary language occur along a cline that is shaped by the intersections of ideology with technology. (Media, language ideology, enregisterment, standardization, purism, materiality, Russia, Russian, Buryat)*
Developmental differences in perceptual anticipation underlie different sensitivities to coarticulatory dynamics
Authors: KRÜGER Stella , NOIRAY Aude
Published: July 2021

Anticipatory coarticulation is an indispensable feature of speech dynamics contributing to spoken language fluency. Research has shown that children speak with greater degrees of vowel anticipatory coarticulation than adults – that is, greater vocalic influence on previous segments. The present study examined how developmental differences in anticipatory coarticulation transfer to the perceptual domain.

Using a gating paradigm, we tested 29 seven-year-olds and 93 German adult listeners with sequences produced by child and adult speakers, hence corresponding to low versus high vocalic anticipatory coarticulation degrees. First, children predicted vowel targets less successfully than adults. Second, greater perceptual accuracy was found for low compared to highly coarticulated speech. We propose that variations in coarticulation degrees reflect perceptually important differences in information dynamics and that listeners are more sensitive to fast changes in information than to a large amount of vocalic information spread across long segmental spans.