bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pure and Sm doped CeO2 Nanoparticles: An insight into the Room Temperature Ferromagnetism and Photocatalytic Dye Degradation
Authors: Joseph Anit , Ayyappan Aneesh , Subair Thoufeeq , Pandibayal Manikanta , Nair Swapna , Ramany Revathy , Raama Varma Manoj , Thomas Senoy
Published: May 2023

CeO2 nanoparticles (7–28 nm) and Sm‐doped (5, 10, 15, and 20 %) CeO2 nanoparticles are synthesized using a simple chemical precipitation technique. The defects are studied using Raman spectroscopy, and the presence of defects as oxygen vacancies is verified using the longitudinal optical mode. The optical band gap is determined using UV‐Vis spectroscopy. The reduction in the optical band gap with increasing particle size might be related to quantum confinement, which causes localized states to form due to oxygen vacancies when Ce4+ is reduced to Ce3+. An increase in band gap is observed with increasing Sm concentration, and the optical band gap is smaller than pure CeO2. The electronic structure is investigated using the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) method, which studied the contributions of each ionic state, namely Ce3+ and Ce4+. Room temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) is observed for doped as well as undoped samples. The saturation magnetization for 28 nm pure CeO2 NPs is obtained as Ms=5.6*10−4 emu/g, whereas for Sm‐doped samples, we found an increased value of 3.5*10−2 emu/g. The samples are scrutinized for UV‐irradiated photocatalytic dye degradation. The origin of RTFM behaviour and efficient photocatalytic activity are from oxygen vacancies at the lattice sites.
On Route to Diverse Nitrogen‐Bridged Polyhetero‐cycles with an N(acyl), N(aryl)‐acetal Core
Authors: Morlacci Valerio , Caruso Tonino , Chiarini Marco , Marsicano Vincenzo , Arcadi Antonio , Palombi Laura
Published: May 2023

An expeditious assembling of fused poly‐heterocyclic structures having a N(Acyl), N(aryl)‐Acetal core has been accomplished by cascade reaction of ortho‐functionalized anilines with 2‐formylbenzonitrile and subsequent intramolecular N‐amidic cyclization on different electrophilic carbons. The syntheses have been finalized using both cathodically‐initiated and conventional base‐catalyzed methods and comparing the two approaches in terms of substrate/product scope, efficiency, energy‐saving and sustainability in general.
Hsp70‐Targeting and Size‐Tunable Nanoparticles Combine with PD‐1 Checkpoint Blockade to Treat Glioma
Authors: Xie Rou , Wang Yufan , Tong Fan , Yang Wenqin , Lei Ting , Du Yufan , Wang Xiaorong , Yang Zixiao , Gong Tao , Shevtsov Maxim , Gao Huile
Published: May 2023

Invasive glioma usually disrupts the integrity of the blood‐brain barrier (BBB), making the delivery of nanodrugs across the BBB possible, but sufficient targeting ability is still avidly needed to improve drug accumulation in glioma. Membrane‐bound heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is expressed on the membrane of glioma cells rather than adjacent normal cells, therefore it can serve as a specific glioma target. Meanwhile, prolonging the retention in tumors is important for active‐targeting nanoparticles to overcome receptor‐binding barriers. Herein, the Hsp70‐targeting and acid‐triggered self‐assembled gold nanoparticles (D‐A‐DA/TPP) are proposed to realize selective delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) to glioma. In the weakly acidic glioma matrix, D‐A‐DA/TPP formed aggregates to prolong retention, improve receptor‐binding efficiency and facilitate acid‐responsive DOX release. DOX accumulation in glioma induced immunogenic cell death (ICD) to promote antigen presentation. Meanwhile, combination with the PD‐1 checkpoint blockade further activate T cells and provokes robust anti‐tumor immunity. The results showed that D‐A‐DA/TPP can induce more glioma apoptosis. Furthermore, in vivo studies indicated D‐A‐DA/TPP plus PD‐1 checkpoint blockade significantly improved median survival time. This study offeres a potential nanocarrier combining size‐tunable strategy with active targeting ability to increase drug enrichment in glioma and synergizes with PD‐1 checkpoint blockade to achieve chemo‐immunotherapy.
A Porous Perovskite Nanofiber with Reinforced Aerophobicity for High‐Performance Anion Exchange Membrane Water Splitting
Authors: Li Lu , Zheng Zhilin , Li Jiaxing , Mu Yongbiao , Wang Yameng , Huang Zebing , Xiao Yiping , Huang Haitao , Wang Shuai , Chen Gao , Zeng Lin
Published: May 2023

Perovskite oxides stand out as emerging oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts on account of their effective electrocatalytic performance and low costs. Nevertheless, perovskite oxides suffer from severe bubble overpotential and inhibited electrochemical performance in large current densities due to their small specific surface areas and structural compactness. Herein, the study highlights the electrospun nickel‐substituted La0.5Sr0.5FeO3‐δ (LSF) porous perovskite nanofibers, that is, La0.5Sr0.5Fe1‐xNixO3‐δ (denoted as ES‐LSFN‐x, x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5), as high‐performance OER electrocatalysts. The most effective La0.5Sr0.5Fe0.5Ni0.5O3‐δ (ES‐LSFN‐0.5) nanofibers suggest a larger specific surface area, higher porosity, and faster mass transfer than the counterpart sample prepared by conventional sol–gel method (SG‐LSFN‐0.5), showing notably increased geometric and intrinsic activities. The bubble visualization results demonstrate that the enriched and nano‐sized porosity of ES‐LSFN‐0.5 enables reinforced aerophobicity and rapid detachment of oxygen bubbles, thereby reducing the bubble overpotential and enhancing the electrochemical performance. As a result, the ES‐LSFN‐0.5‐based anion exchange membrane water electrolysis delivers a superior stability of 100 h while the SG‐LSFN‐0.5 counterpart degrades rapidly within 20 h under a current density of 100 mA cm−2. The results highlight the advantage of porous electrocatalysts in optimizing the performance of large current density water electrolysis devices by reducing the bubble overpotential.
A 3‐Fluoropyridine Manipulating the Aggregation and Fibril Network of Donor Polymers for Eco‐Friendly Solution‐Processed Versatile Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Jeon Sung Jae , Yang Nam Gyu , Kim Ji Youn , Kim Ye Chan , Lee Hyoung Seok , Moon Doo Kyung
Published: May 2023

The development of eco‐friendly solvent‐processed organic solar cells (OSCs) suitable for industrial‐scale production should be now considered the imperative research. Herein, asymmetric 3‐fluoropyridine (FPy) unit is used to control the aggregation and fibril network of polymer blends. Notably, terpolymer PM6(FPy = 0.2) incorporating 20% FPy in a well‐known donor polymer poly[(2,6‐(4,8‐bis(5‐(2‐ethylhexyl‐3‐fluoro)thiophen‐2‐yl)‐benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b’]dithiophene))‐alt‐(5,5‐(1’,3’‐di‐2‐thienyl‐5’,7’‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)benzo[1’,2’‐c:4’,5’‐c’]dithiophene‐4,8‐dione)] (PM6) can reduce the regioregularity of the polymer backbone and endow them with much‐enhanced solubility in eco‐friendly solvents. Accordingly, the excellent adaptability for fabricating versatile devices based on PM6(FPy = 0.2) by toluene processing is demonstrated. The resulting OSCs exhibit a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 16.1% (17.0% by processed with chloroform) and low batch‐to‐batch variation. Moreover, by controlling the donor‐to‐acceptor weight ratio at 0.5:1.0 and 0.25:1.0, semi‐transparent OSCs (ST‐OSCs) yield significant light utilization efficiencies of 3.61% and 3.67%, respectively. For large‐area (1.0 cm2) indoor OSC (I‐OSC), a high PCE of 20.6% is achieved with an appropriate energy loss of 0.61 eV under a warm white light‐emitting diode (3,000 K) with the illumination of 958 lux. Finally, the long‐term stability of the devices is evaluated by investigating their structure–performance–stability relationship. This work provides an effective approach to realizing eco‐friendly, efficient, and stable OSCs/ST‐OSCs/I‐OSCs.
Accelerated Stress Testing of Perovskite Photovoltaic Modules: Differentiating Degradation Modes with Electroluminescence Imaging
Authors: Schall Jackson W. , Glaws Andrew , Doumon Nutifafa Y. , Silverman Timothy J. , Owen-Bellini Michael , Terwilliger Kent , Uddin Md Aslam , Rana Prem , Berry Joseph J. , Huang Jinsong , Schelhas Laura T. , Kern Dana B.
Published: May 2023

Herein, electroluminescence (EL) and thermal imaging are used to examine p–i–n metal halide perovskite (MHP) photovoltaic (PV) mini‐modules (MA0.6FA0.4PbI3, 20 cells, 78 cm2) before and after indoor‐accelerated stress testing or outdoor deployment. Distinct spatial patterns in the EL images emerge, which depend on the external stress conditions experienced by the mini‐module. Imaging results highlight a distribution of dark speckle features that dominate after UV stress, attributed to widespread interfacial contact degradation. Lateral intensity gradients across cells dominate after thermal cycling (TC) stress, attributed to current crowding near scribe defects. While current–voltage analysis alone does not give full insight on the degradation process, this study shows that distinct degradation modes can be further defined by multimodal electro‐optical imaging (i.e., EL combined with photoluminescence and dark lock‐in thermography). Neither UV exposure nor TC‐accelerated stress testing alone replicates the same degradation signatures observed after outdoor deployment, suggesting that multiple degradation modes occur under concurrent stressors outdoors. Spatial characterization of degradation modes in MHP PV mini‐modules before and after accelerated stress testing lays the groundwork for developing targeted accelerated stress testing procedures through comparison with outdoor aging.
Finite element modeling of reinforced concrete beams posttensioned with supplemental unbonded near surface mounted nickel‐titanium‐niobium shape memory alloy wire reinforcement
Authors: Sinha Arkabrata , Tatar Jovan
Published: May 2023

A novel posttensioning technique using nickel‐titanium‐niobium (NiTiNb) shape memory alloy (SMA) wires for the repair of reinforced concrete beams was evaluated numerically. A finite element model of a reinforced concrete beam was developed within a damage mechanics framework to simulate concrete cracking and subsequent posttensioning. The predicted yield and ultimate moment capacities of the simulated posttensioned beams were up to 14% less than the corresponding experimental results. Cumulative discrepancies in the assumed material models led to the conservative model results. The effects of concrete tensile damage, SMA reinforcement ratio, SMA‐concrete interaction (bonded vs. unbonded), and the effective prestress on the service and ultimate behavior of the posttensioned beam were evaluated. Partial loss of prestress in the SMA due to elastic shortening of the concrete was insignificant (<3%) because of the relatively low elastic modulus of the SMA. Increasing the SMA reinforcement ratio by three times increased the yield moment of the posttensioned beam by 99%. Reducing the effective SMA prestress to 80% of the initial prestress to account for the possible losses resulted in a decrease in the yield moment by up to 7.8%.
Identifying the critical skillset of top crime scene examiners: Why this matters and why agencies should develop top performers
Authors: Kelty Sally F. , Ribaux Olivier , Robertson James
Published: May 2023

Processing a crime scene is complex. When scenes are processed well, higher quality specimens can be detected and collected. Inadequately managed scenes increase risk of ineffective investigations and poorer justice outcomes. Government reports from around the world have stated that some crime scene examiners outperform their peers. If processing a crime scene is vital for optimal outcomes, then who should we employ, and train, for this complex and challenging role? What skills do they need? In 2010, the seminal work into the technical and non‐technical skills of top crime scene examiners commenced in Australia. This team used empirical techniques from occupational psychology and business management to identify a cluster of 7 key cognitive, social, leadership skills, and technical/scientific knowledge to develop a profile of top crime scene performers. This work was published in a series of papers between 2012 and 2017. In 2023, the original work was combined with current international empirical findings to build a robust, comprehensive, and more generalizable picture of the holistic skillset of top crime scene examiners. The rationale for developing a skillset is to assist forensic agencies to create targeted recruitment procedures and inform the content of early career training programs for their crime scene teams. With recruitment and training done well, organizations are better placed to attract, develop, and retain personnel with potential to excel in complex roles. When top examiners attend scenes, it is possible the risk of poorer justice outcomes arising from crime scene work could be reduced.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Science in Action/Crime Scene Investigation > Crime Scene Examination

Forensic Science in Action/Crime Scene Investigation > Education and Formation

Forensic Science in Action/Crime Scene Investigation > From Traces to Intelligence and Evidence
Critical Habitats and Biodiversity: Inventory, Thresholds and Governance
Authors: Rogers Alex D. , Aburto-Oropeza Octavio , Appeltans Ward , Assis Jorge , Ballance Lisa T. , Cury Philippe , Duarte Carlos , Favoretto Fabio , Kumagai Joy , Lovelock Catherine , Miloslavich Patricia , Niamir Aidin , Obura David , O’Leary Bethan C. , Reygondeau Gabriel , Roberts Callum , Sadovy Yvonne , Sutton Tracey , Tittensor Derek , Velarde Enriqueta
Published: May 2023

Marine habitats are extremely valuable in many ways (e.g., economically, culturally or for subsistence) and provide many necessary services for humans (Costanza et al. 1997, 2014). Despite their importance, coastal and oceanic habitats are increasingly threatened by fishing, climate change, oil and gas exploration, pollution and coastal development (Jackson et al. 2001; Halpern et al. 2008, 2019; Heery et al. 2017; Harris 2020). Habitat degradation and loss from these threats are not uniformly distributed and are cumulative with poorly understood interactions between pressures (Halpern et al. 2008). Despite the enormous impacts humans have had on marine ecosystems in the global ocean over the past 50 years, they tend to appear not as the complete extinction of individual species (Dulvy et al. 2003) but rather as changes in ecosystem composition and in the relative abundance and ecological status of individual species, along with more regional or local extirpations (Worm and Tittensor 2011). A species need not become globally extinct to radically alter the composition of the ecosystem (‘ecological extinction’), disappear from the local environment (‘local extinction’) or become commercially non-viable (‘commercial extinction’). Biodiversity loss is a globally significant symptom of unsustainable exploitation of Earth’s natural environment and a major threat to the ecosystem services on which we, and future generations, depend.
The Human Relationship with Our Ocean Planet
Authors: Allison Edward H. , Kurien John , Ota Yoshitaka , Adhuri Dedi S. , Bavinck J. Maarten , Cisneros-Montemayor Andrés , Fabinyi Michael , Jentoft Svein , Lau Sallie , Mallory Tabitha Grace , Olukoju Ayodeji , Putten Ingrid van , Stacey Natasha , Voyer Michelle , Weeratunge Nireka
Published: May 2023

People across the world have diverse economic, sociolegal, institutional, social and cultural relationships with the ocean—both its littoral zones and the open sea spaces through which people have traditionally navigated, migrated, fished, traded, played and sought solace, spiritual enlightenment, adventure, material enrichment, social identity, cultural expression, artistic inspiration or good health. These relationships are reflected in formal and informal institutions (polices, laws, social norms) that regulate many of these activities, including those that regulate access to resources. These institutions represent a series of prior claims and rights to the use and enjoyment of the ocean by coastal and maritime societies.
Coastal Development: Resilience, Restoration and Infrastructure Requirements
Authors: Steven Andy , Addo Kwasi Appeaning , Llewellyn Ghislaine , Ca Vu Thanh , Boateng Isaac , Bustamante Rodrigo , Doropoulos Christopher , Gillies Chris , Hemer Mark , Lopes Priscila , Kairo James , Rahman Munsur , Ravaoarinorotsihoarana Lalao Aigrette , Saunders Megan , Sumaila U. Rashid , Sidik Frida , Teh Louise , Vanderklift Mat , Vozzo Maria
Published: May 2023

More than 200 countries have a coastline, and this forms the basis for their claims to territorial waters and exclusive economic zones (EEZs). Globally, about 40% of the world’s population live within the “near coastal zone”—the area below an elevation of 100 metres (m) and closer than 100 kilometres (km) from the coast (Kummu et al. 2016). The vast majority of resources for current and emerging sectors that comprise the “ocean— or blue—economy” are concentrated along coastal areas within these EEZs and must operate within a complex, multiple-use and often space-constrained context. The near coastal zone is also where the majority of many coastal nations’ commercial, residential, transport and national defence infrastructure is situated, and it is the backbone to domestic and international supply chains that deliver the marine goods and services upon which we increasingly rely.
Advocacy in Constrained Settings. Rethinking Contextuality
Authors: van Wessel Margit
Published: May 2023

Practical guidance on advocacy in the context of development commonly relates to the contexts in which it is set. However, context is relevant beyond the aspects usually addressed, most importantly the presence of a liberal state that has authority and competence to make and enforce policy decisions. To lay bare and reflect on these assumptions for advocacy research and practice, the chapter turns to advocacy manuals for practitioners in the development field. To illustrate and substantiate the problematic nature of the assumptions underlying practitioner guidance, the chapter provides insights from research into civil society advocacy in settings where the condition of the liberal state is not met: authoritarian/hybrid and fragile contexts. A discussion of findings from this research, and a reflection considering them, lead to the identification of a set of considerations for advocacy research and practice in the development sector regarding contextuality: CSO roles, advocacy capacities, strategies, and risk management.
The Changing Amazonian Civic Space: Where Soy Meets Resistance
Authors: Pegler Lee , de Senna Juliana Rodrigues , Galhera Katiuscia Moreno , Gayoso da Costa Solange Maria , Theodoor Hazeu Marcel
Published: May 2023

This chapter tells the story of how communities in the Amazon are being affected and are resisting the soy Global Value Chain in recent years. By analyzing how different sets of groups (indigenous, ribeirinho, quilombolas, fisherman) are affected by capital and state in the regions of the Lower Tapajós and the Lower Tocantins, this chapter investigates the role of Convention 169 of the International Labour Organization in their resistance. The framework in which capital and state advances in traditional territories is the Arco Norte, a mega infrastructure of road, railroad, and ports being built for the outflow of soy. Despite the huge imbalance of power in each context, to the detriment of traditional communities, this chapter shows that building overarching (international) coalitions and having rights internationally recognized can help the struggles of traditional communities to guarantee their lands, their identities, and their rights.
Local Civil Society Initiatives for Peacebuilding in North-East Congo
Authors: Gaynor Niamh
Published: May 2023

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the site of one of the most egregious conflicts in modern times. Ituri, a richly endowed province in the North-East, has endured some of the bloodiest fighting and gravest atrocities since conflict first erupted there in 1999. Drawing on fieldwork conducted with community groups, local civil society organisations (CSOs) and local political authorities in the province, in this chapter I explore the successes and limitations of local civil society peacebuilding efforts in the region. I argue that local actions need to be accompanied and supported by national and global actions which, acting in support to and in solidarity with local communities, challenge and address the globalised political economy of conflict. This means (re)politicising interventions and engaging with the global actors engaged in resource extraction, as well as working in greater cooperation with local actors in land reform, service provision and resource management.
Repertoires of the Possible: Citizen Action in Challenging Settings
Authors: Anderson Colin , Gaventa John
Published: May 2023

How do citizens organise and act to make claims against and contend with authorities in places where formal democracy is undermined by authoritarian histories and practices? What do these actions add up to? In this article, we draw on five years of research from the Action for Empowerment and Accountability research programme, which focused on four such contexts; Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria and Pakistan. Adopting what we term a ‘citizen-eye’ view of social and political action we distinguish between the dynamics and expressions of citizen action that are more visible and those that are more hidden. Doing so shows a number of critical constraints that citizens must contend with. Despite these constraints, a range of more and less visible forms of action are clear. While the most obvious outcomes don’t suggest major shifts in the status quo, we argue that those less visible could be important seeds for change.
Spaces for Peace: Women’s Agency in Mitrovica, Kosovo
Authors: Silva Huxter Cíntia
Published: May 2023

This chapter explores and develops the notion of spaces for peace in the context of women’s cooperation in post-conflict Mitrovica. It argues that understanding women’s cooperative activities as spaces for peace highlights women’s voices and agency in the constrained context of Mitrovica—a divided city where, since the end of the Kosovo conflict, ethnic/national boundaries and patriarchy have had a profound effect on everyday life. The chapter focuses on three particular actions—learning/training together, working together and travelling together—which are viewed as women’s responses to Mitrovica’s constrained context, and explores how these actions contribute to peace and peacebuilding in the city. It concludes by suggesting that viewing women’s cooperative activities as spaces for peace can be the first step to transforming the ways in which women’s empowerment initiatives are viewed, conceptualised and delivered in post-conflict contexts around the world.
Values and Targets of Hope
Authors: Krafft Andreas M. , Slezackova Alena , Marujo Helena Águeda , Flores-Lucas Valle
Published: May 2023

The current chapter is dedicated to evaluate the first element of the proposed hope concept, examining the role of human values in the general perception of hope and in the adoption of significant targets of hope across different cultures. The study employed the value model of Shalom Schwartz and elaborated conceptual connections to the phenomenon of hope. Based on data collected with the Hope Barometer in November 2018 (N = 5832) in German and French speaking Switzerland, Spain, Portugal and the Czech Republic, this study analyzes the commonalities and possible cultural differences in the levels of perceived hope, in individual hope targets, and in the effects of particular human value orientations on hope. Our findings indicate that hope is not determined by the wealth of a nation (e.g., in terms of GDP) but by personal and collective characteristics, to a certain extent influenced by basic human values. The results disclose the almost universal significance of self-transcendence and openness to change, as well as the relevance of tradition and achievement in relation to a hopeful attitude and to central prosocial and altruistic targets of hope. Beyond common features across cultures, this study reveals subtle cultural differences worth to be further investigated in future studies.
Hope and Mental Health Among Czech and Polish Adults in a Macrosocial Perspective and Religiosity Context
Authors: Slezackova Alena , Stecz Patryk , Millova Katarina
Published: May 2023

Czechia and Poland underwent a significant sociopolitical change following the fall of communism in the 1980s. Despite having a lot in common (i.e., culture, language), the two significantly differ in other areas, such as religiosity. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the role of hope in the context of depression and anxiety, positive mental health, and loneliness and to explore age- and religion-related differences between their citizens.

The sample consisted of 526 Czech and 481 Polish adults. The 2019 Hope Barometer questionnaire included measures of satisfaction with the past year and expectations for the upcoming year, perceived and dispositional hope, anxiety and depression, positive mental health, and loneliness.

All respondents were most satisfied with their personal lives and shared a generally low level of optimism about their national politics. However, significant differences were observed in positive and negative indicators of mental health, where Czechs obtained generally higher positive indicators than Poles. Compared to both older generations, the youngest respondents in both countries reported lower levels of perceived hope, positive mental health, and satisfaction with the climate and environment, and greater loneliness, anxiety, and depression; they also reported more pessimistic expectations for the national economy. However, regardless of cultural background, religious participants showed higher levels of perceived hope. Both samples demonstrated similar patterns in predictors of positive mental health, as found by regression analysis. Perceived hope and dispositional hope positively predicted mental health, while negative emotivity and loneliness predicted mental health negatively.

These results are discussed within a broader framework of life experiences on the micro- and macrolevel in the context of Central European countries that recently underwent macrosocial transitions.
The summating potential polarity encodes the ear health condition
Authors: Hakizimana Pierre
Published: May 2023

The summating potential (SP), the DC potential which, along with the AC response, is produced when the hair cells convert the vibrational mechanical energy of sound into electrical signals, is the most enigmatic of the cochlear potentials because its polarity and function have remained elusive for more than seven decades. Despite the tremendous socioeconomic consequences of noise-induced hearing loss and the profound physiological importance of understanding how loud noise exposure impairs the hair cell receptor activation, the relationship between the SP and noise-induced hearing impairment remains poorly characterized. Here, I show that in normally hearing ears, the SP polarity is positive and its amplitude relative to the AC response grows exponentially across frequencies, and becomes negative and decreases exponentially across frequencies following noise-induced hearing injury. Since the SP is thought to be generated by K+ outflow down the gradient through the hair cell basolateral K+ channels, the SP polarity switch to negative values is consistent with a noise-induced shift in the operating point of the hair cells.
“We Witches.” Knowledge Wars, Experience and Spirituality in the Women’s Movement During the 1970s
Authors: Kwaschik Anne
Published: May 2023

During the 1970s, feminist activists reappropriated the figure of the witch in various ways as a symbol of alterity, political radicalism, feminist revolt or victimhood, or the presentation of subversive (healing or bodily) knowledge. The article investigates these witch constructions with a focus on its experiential foundations drawing on appropriations in Western Germany within a larger transatlantic history. First, it provides a brief overview of witch discourses in the 1970s, highlighting radical feminist, health-political and artistic milieus, based on representative Western European journals and movement literature. The article emphasizes the variety of witch images and its epistemic foci, showing that however different these approaches may appear, they all created women’s alterity. Second, the article examines alternative practices of knowledge production, focusing on health guides and advice literature, as well as on approaches to experience in consciousness-raising groups. This section demonstrates how witch discourses both enabled the movement’s knowledge empowerment, but were also part of complex boundary work within the milieus, such as in the debates about the relationship between experiential knowledge and theory. The last section shows how closely and in what ways spiritualist approaches were linked to this boundary work. The article argues that feminist milieus constituted themselves within the framework of feminist epistemologies against and within established knowledge cultures, thereby drawing further boundaries within the movement. In analyzing the “evidence of experience” (Scott) produced by witch discourses its overarching aim is to demonstrate that their historical relevance initially laid in its standpoint-creating character.
Movement kinematic and postural control differences when performing a visuomotor skill in real and virtual environments
Authors: Brock K. , Vine S. J. , Ross J. M. , Trevarthen M. , Harris D. J.
Published: May 2023

Immersive technologies, like virtual and mixed reality, pose a novel challenge for our sensorimotor systems as they deliver simulated sensory inputs that may not match those of the natural environment. These include reduced fields of view, missing or inaccurate haptic information, and distortions of 3D space; differences that may impact the control of motor actions. For instance, reach-to-grasp movements without end-point haptic feedback are characterised by slower and more exaggerated movements. A general uncertainty about sensory input may also induce a more conscious form of movement control. We tested whether a more complex skill like golf putting was also characterized by more consciously controlled movement. In a repeated-measures design, kinematics of the putter swing and postural control were compared between (i) real-world putting, (ii) VR putting, and (iii) VR putting with haptic feedback from a real ball (i.e., mixed reality). Differences in putter swing were observed both between the real world and VR, and between VR conditions with and without haptic information. Further, clear differences in postural control emerged between real and virtual putting, with both VR conditions characterised by larger postural movements, which were more regular and less complex, suggesting a more conscious form of balance control. Conversely, participants actually reported less conscious awareness of their movements in VR. These findings highlight how fundamental movement differences may exist between virtual and natural environments, which may pose challenges for transfer of learning within applications to motor rehabilitation and sport.
Tonotopic Ca2+ dynamics and sound processing in auditory interneurons of the bush-cricket Mecopoda elongata
Authors: Bayley T. , Hedwig B.
Published: May 2023

Two auditory neurons, TN-1 and ON-1, in the bush-cricket, Mecopoda elongata, have large dendritic arborisations which receive excitatory synaptic inputs from tonotopically organised axonal terminals of auditory afferents in the prothoracic ganglion. By combining intracellular microelectrode recording with calcium imaging we demonstrate that the dendrites of both neurons show a clear Ca2+ signal in response to broad-frequency species-specific chirps. Due to the organisation of the afferents frequency specific auditory activation should lead to local Ca2+ increases in their dendrites. In response to 20 ms sound pulses the dendrites of both neurons showed tonotopically organised Ca2+ increases. In ON-1 we found no evidence for a tonotopic organisation of the Ca2+ signal related to axonal spike activity or for a Ca2+ response related to contralateral inhibition. The tonotopic organisation of the afferents may facilitate frequency-specific adaptation in these auditory neurons through localised Ca2+ increases in their dendrites. By combining 10 and 40 kHz test pulses and adaptation series, we provide evidence for frequency-specific adaptation in TN-1 and ON-1. By reversible deactivating of the auditory afferents and removing contralateral inhibition, we show that in ON-1 spike activity and Ca2+ responses increased but frequency-specific adaptation was not evident.
Establishment of a multiplex PCR-CE assay for the simultaneous and rapid analysis of age markers for Calliphora vicina pupae
Authors: Hartmann Katharina , Bamberg Malte , Seum Sandra , Amendt Jens , Verhoff Marcel A. , Zehner Richard
Published: May 2023

Insects, especially blow flies, are forensically relevant to determine the minimal postmortem interval (PMImin), based on the fact that they are usually the first colonisers of a body. By estimating the age of immature blow flies, interferences can be made about the time since death. Whilst morphological parameters are valuable for age estimation of blow fly larvae, gene expression profiling is more applicable for blow fly pupae. Here, the age-dependent changes in the gene expression levels during the development are analysed. 28 temperature-independent markers have already been described for the age estimation of pupae of the forensically important blow fly Calliphora vicina and are analysed by RT-qPCR. To allow simultaneous analysis of these age markers, a multiplex assay was developed in the present study. After reverse transcription, the markers are analysed simultaneously in an endpoint PCR and subsequently separated by capillary electrophoresis (CE). This method is highly attractive due to its quick and easy procedure and interpretation. The present age prediction tool was adapted and validated. The multiplex PCR assay reproduced the same expression profiles as the RT-qPCR assay based on the same markers. The statistical evaluation shows that the new assay has a lower precision but a better trueness for age determination compared to the RT-qPCR assay. Since the new assay is also qualified to estimate the age of C. vicina pupae and is practical, cost-effective and, even more importantly, time-saving, it is attractive for use in forensic casework.
Molecular characterization of Schellackia parasites in an urban population of sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) from Berlin, Germany
Authors: Veith Ylva , Wende Anna Luiza , Matuschewski Kai , Schaer Juliane , Müller Katja , Bannert Brigitte
Published: May 2023

Lizards are hosts of several taxa of unicellular parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa, including Karyolysus, Schellackia, Lankesterella, and Hepatozoon. Parasite prevalence and the impact of infections on lizard biology remain largely unexplored. In this study, blood parasite infections were investigated in sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) from Berlin, Germany. Eighty-three individuals were investigated, and the detected blood parasites were identified as Schellackia sp. The combination of microscopic and molecular screening revealed a prevalence of 14.5%. Parasitemia values were low and most infections were subpatent. Phylogenetic analysis recovered a close relationship of the Schellackia parasites of this study with Schellackia sp. parasites of different Lacerta and Podarcis lizard species from Spain. Monitoring of Schellackia parasite infections in free-ranging lizards contributes to a better understanding of the distribution, diversity, and phylogenetic relationships of the neglected parasite taxon.
Loose building blocks in the edifice of electrochemistry in a historical perspective and their impact on the teaching
Authors: Inzelt György
Published: May 2023

There have been several misinterpretations even in the course of the establishment of the fundamental laws and ideas of electrochemistry. Despite the contemporary and further critics, these poor ideas (loose building blocks) have survived for more than a century, and unfortunately, those still appear in books and papers. The origin and the aftermath of several important problems will be analyzed in this paper. At the same time, the present thinking and recommendations will also be summarized. Moreover, some terms, which usually cause problems in teaching, will also be discussed.
A cooperation experiment with white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar)
Authors: Kopsch Nora T. , Geissmann Thomas
Published: May 2023

Cooperative behaviors among individuals of numerous species play a crucial role in social interactions. There is a special interest in investigating the occurrence of cooperation among apes because this knowledge could also shed light on evolutionary processes and help us understand the origin and development of cooperation in humans and primates in general. Gibbons are phylogenetically intermediate between the great apes and monkeys, and therefore represent a unique opportunity for comparisons. The aim of the present study was to discover whether or not white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) show cooperative behaviors. In order to test for the respective behaviors, the gibbons were presented with a commonly used experimental cooperative rope-pulling task. The gibbons in this study did not exhibit cooperative behaviors during the problem-solving task. However, prior training procedures could not be fully completed, hence this project constitutes only the onset of exploring cooperative behaviors in gibbons. Additional behavioral observations revealed that the gibbons spent significantly more time “out of arm’s reach to everyone”, suggesting that they are less often involved in social interactions, than other, more cooperative primates.
Assessing soil C stock and C to N ratio of soil organic matter under mixed pine-beech forests at different scales
Authors: Getino-Álvarez Marina , San-Martin Roberto , Pretzsch Hans , Pach Maciej , Bravo Felipe , Turrión María-Belén
Published: May 2023

Healthy soils are the second C sink on Earth, and this sink could last for hundreds or even thousands of years as stable soil organic matter (SOM). Forest soils, in particular, have the potential to store significant amounts of C, however, the amount of C sequestered and the carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio of soil organic matter (SOM) depend on the vegetation influencing the soil. In the last decades, mixed stands have aroused great interest among the scientific community, but it is still necessary to intensify research on its effect on soils and their C storage capacity. In this study, we assess soil C sequestration potential in soil and litter of mixed and pure stands of Scots pine and beech (Pinus sylvestris–Fagus sylvatica). Three triplets (9 forest plots), two located in Southern Poland and one in Southern Germany were studied. A total of 40 circular subplots of 5 m radius were selected within the triplets, covering a wide range of species mixture, and soil and litter were sampled. Data were analyzed at two scales (plot-level and microsite-level) to determine which option is more appropriate when studying the mixing effect on SOM. Cstock in forest floor ranged between 2.5 and 11.1 Mg C ha−1and in mineral soil between 39.6 and 337.8 Mg ha−1. According to our findings, the percentage of species mixture primarily impacted the forest floor rather than the mineral soil. On the forest floor, stands with 25–50% pine in the mixture were found to have a C/N ratio between 20 and 30, which indicates an equilibrium state between mineralization and immobilization. In the mineral soil, total organic C was the only variable affected by mixture percentage (p < 0.1). Finally, microsite-level scale proved to be the most appropriate when studying tree stand composition effect on SOM, as the plot-level scale diluted or masked some effects.
Heat in German cities: a study on existing and planned measures to protect human health
Authors: Hannemann Laura , Janson Debora , Grewe Henny Annette , Blättner Beate , Mücke Hans-Guido
Published: May 2023

Aim

Extreme heat events caused by climate change continue to increase in frequency, duration, and intensity. People living in cities in particular are exposed to heat as a result of the urban heat island effect. Although negative effects can be mitigated by heat health action plans (HHAPs), it remains unknown how many German cities have implemented such plans or other measures to reduce the health risks from heat. Therefore, this study surveyed the status of planned or published HHAPs and measures in German cities.

Subject and methods

Approximately 10% of German cities with the greatest population density were sampled for the study (n = 70 cities). A frequency analysis of city concepts and city webpages was conducted to determine whether cities have already introduced concepts for climate adaptation, climate protection or an HHAP, and which measures are planned in detail.

Results

Fifty-one cities have implemented measures to protect health from heat events. Forty-one cities integrated such measures into concepts, and only one city formulated an HHAP. Large cities in particular published measures. Long-term measures proved most common, for example, improved building envelope insulation and urban greening. Other than advice on individual behavior, hardly any acute heat health measures are being taken.

Conclusion

Public health authorities can play an active role in communicating the health risks of heat and implementing HHAPs. To this end, the health risks of climate change need to be addressed consistently by all policy fields in Germany. There is also a need for further research in the evaluation of measures and HHAPs.
Planting trees in livestock landscapes to protect soil and water also delivers carbon sequestration
Authors: Iñamagua-Uyaguari Juan Pablo , Fitton Nuala , Smith Pete
Published: May 2023

Ecuador has committed to climate change mitigation by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from anthropogenic activities, including livestock production. This sector can also contribute to mitigation by increasing carbon sequestration and storage capacity through increasing tree coverage. Although feasible, tree cover expansion would require agricultural land, creating a conflict with food production, thus appropriate areas need to be selected, and the impacts on livestock production quantified. Following water protection legislation and soil protection guidelines, we use a combination of measurements on 100 farms with land cover datasets to identify suitable areas for increasing tree coverage in livestock landscapes. Land cover classification was performed in 2 km areas around 100 livestock farms in the coastal and Amazon regions in Ecuador. Riparian zones were identified following legislation and steepland pastures identified from a slope map. Pasture in riparian areas or steeplands (slope > 15%) were considered suitable for increasing tree coverage by restoration or silvopastoral systems (SPS). The impact of forest/silvopastoral on biomass production was quantified. Overall, 855 km of rivers were studied, between 1–18% of riparian areas were classified as pastures, whilst from the 85992 ha included in the land cover classification, 41668 ha were identified as steepland, 1–28% of steepland was covered by pastures. We estimate that steepland pasture conversion into forest could offset 1.8–10% of Ecuador’s annual GHG emissions from the agricultural sector, but its impacts could represent a decrease > 50% of pasture biomass production at landscape level. Transformation of riparian and steepland pastures into SPS, could deliver important carbon sequestration, with a reduction in pasture biomass production of less than 20%.
Exposure Risks and Potential Control Measures for a Fire Behavior Lab Training Structure: Part A—Fire Dynamics and Thermal Risk
Authors: Stakes Keith , Willi Joseph M. , Chaffer Ryan , Madrzykowski Daniel , Horn Gavin P.
Published: May 2023

National Fire Protection Association standard 1403 provides the fire service with guidance for conducting effective live fire training with the goal of minimizing health and safety hazards. The document provides guidelines for materials to be included in the training fuel package, but the fire service has raised questions about the use of specific types of wood products for this purpose. In this study, the fire dynamics generated when utilizing five different Class A materials that have been historically employed as training fuels [low density wood fiberboard, oriented strand board (OSB), pallets, particle board, plywood] in a single compartment fire training structure (Fire Behavior Lab) were characterized. A specific focus was placed on understanding the thermal and visual environment created for firefighters located at typical locations for instructors (front and rear of structure) and students (middle of the structure). The pallet fuel package required the longest time to transition through the six ventilation cycles while the OSB fuel package was the quickest. Additionally, the most consistent fire dynamics were demonstrated with the OSB fuel followed by particle board and plywood, while fiberboard and pallets resulted in less repeatable flashover or rollover demonstration. The OSB fuel package resulted in the highest peak heat fluxes and pallets resulted in the lowest. The most severe exposures were measured at the front instructor location. To control thermal risks when conducting training in the Fire Behavior Lab structure, instructors and students should orient themselves as low as possible in the observation area and behind the interior baffle when possible. Considering the high radiant exposures for the front instructor location, providing a local shield and reducing the time in the training structure can also reduce risk for thermal injury or personal protective equipment damage. Overall, different fuels can impact thermal exposures to firefighters, but varying fuels also affects the consistency of the fire dynamics being presented to the firefighting students.
Self-improving situation awareness for human–robot-collaboration using intelligent Digital Twin
Authors: Müller Manuel , Ruppert Tamás , Jazdi Nasser , Weyrich Michael
Published: May 2023

The situation awareness, especially for collaborative robots, plays a crucial role when humans and machines work together in a human-centered, dynamic environment. Only when the humans understands how well the robot is aware of its environment can they build trust and delegate tasks that the robot can complete successfully. However, the state of situation awareness has not yet been described for collaborative robots. Furthermore, the improvement of situation awareness is now only described for humans but not for robots. In this paper, the authors propose a metric to measure the state of situation awareness. Furthermore, the models are adapted to the collaborative robot domain to systematically improve the situation awareness. The proposed metric and the improvement process of the situation awareness are evaluated using the mobile robot platform Robotino. The authors conduct extensive experiments and present the results in this paper to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The results are compared with the existing research on the situation awareness, highlighting the advantages of our approach. Therefore, the approach is expected to significantly improve the performance of cobots in human–robot collaboration and enhance the communication and understanding between humans and machines.