bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The use of perlite in civil engineering applications
Authors: Maxineasa S G , Isopescu D N , Lupu M L , Baciu I-R , Pruna L , Somacescu C
Published: May 2022

In the last years, research applications in the construction sector have taken a different turn due to rapid urbanization and the necessity to protect the environment and create a balance between the natural and built environments. Taking into account the fact that the thermal efficiency of buildings has an important influence over the environmental performances of the construction sector, the civil engineering specialists have tried to develop and use different new solutions in order to improve this essential building characteristic. Thus, different new materials have been used with the goal of reducing the overall thermal transmittance of the envelope elements and of the total energy consumption needed for heating and cooling. Perlite is one of the materials that have been considered for developing new energy efficient construction applications. The main goal of the present paper is to present all the relevant solutions that have been developed and used in the construction sector that consider perlite as a component part. The present study is the first part of a more extensive research program that takes under evaluation the possibility of using perlite as a thermal insulating material for different constructions.
Study on the corrosion and frost - thaw behavior of the concretes with polystyrene granules
Authors: Panţiru A , Cădere C , Diaconu L I , Bărbuţă M , Rujanu M , Diaconu A C
Published: May 2022

The study was conducted in the Laboratories of the Faculty of Civil engineering and Building Services, department of Concrete, Materials, Technology and Management, Technical University “Gheorghe Asachi” from Iassy. The main objective of the experimental research from this paper is the analysis of some types of concretes prepared with polystyrene granules and fly ash, aiming to obtain a material which is corresponding to the structural requirements, to be energetically efficient and to be ecological. Using these components, the durability characteristics (frost - thaw and corrosion), the influence of the polystyrene granules on the environment and the mode in which the materials properties are maintained in time under environmental factors, were experimentally determined. The concretes were prepared with polystyrene granules and fly ash from CET Holboca Iassy, Romania. The fly ash was utilized in proportion of 10% and 20% from the cement amount and the polystyrene granules replaced some sorts of the natural aggregate. The types of concretes are CPOL1, CPOL2, CPOL3 and CPOL4.
The impact of building occupant habits on heating energy consumption: a case study
Authors: Petre S G , Isopescu D N , Pruteanu M
Published: May 2022

The effort to reduce the consumption generated by the use of buildings is one of the important objectives of today’s global society, involving authorities that regulate the energy performance of buildings, manufacturers of materials, specialists involved in the design and last but not least the occupants of buildings. The habits of the occupants of buildings regarding the indoor comfort temperature have a direct influence on the amount of energy consumed. The paper aims to highlight whether the results expected by applying the values recommended in the regulations are in line with the occupant’s habits. Based on a case study, the energy requirement for heating was assessed using different indoor temperatures, which were established in relation to the temperatures monitored in situ. The inside temperature values were monitored in three buildings, located in the third climatic zone of Romania. The article presents the results of the case study, emphasizing that indoor temperature control and monitoring are of high importance in the desired expectations for energy performance of buildings, to meet the sustainability objectives. Knowing the mutual influence between energy consumption and thermal comfort demands, building designers can find solutions to achieve energy conservation goals.
Research on design method of human resource system test case in construction enterprise
Authors: Ping Z , Yueyong W , Fangjing D , Xin G
Published: May 2022

In the process of human resource system test design in construction enterprises, various test design methods are often used, such as equivalence class division, boundary value analysis, causal graph, error inference and so on. How to choose the correct test design method is related to the rationality of test case design and high efficiency of test execution. Therefore, the selection of appropriate test design method plays a vital role in use case design. In this paper, the basic use of equivalence class partition and boundary value analysis and their relationship are briefly described. It is hoped that it can be used for reference in the study of human resource system test cases in construction enterprises.
Research on basic principle and calibration experiment of fiber bragg grating sensor
Authors: Xing S Y , Wang Q , Liu A X
Published: May 2022

Fiber bragg grating has the advantages of simple structure, light weight, small volume, low energy consumption, high sensitivity and measurement accuracy, and is widely used in the field of structural health monitoring. the structure and basic principle of fiber bragg grating sensor are introduced. the change of temperature, stress and other parameters will lead to the change of reflection center wavelength. The strain and temperature sensitivity coefficients of Fiber Bragg Grating sensors with different wavelengths are obtained. The fiber Bragg grating strain sensor is developed, and the calibration experiment of the sensor is carried out. The loading equipment is the loading tester. The linearity of the Fiber Bragg Grating sensor is good, and it has a good prospect of engineering civil application.
Study on the temperature field of stone processed by diamond tools
Authors: Yang Z , Qu Z Q , Mu R B , Ji K Y , Zhao M
Published: May 2022

The experiments were designed by testing methods and orthogonal single factor experimental design. XK5032C CNC milling machine, the equipment to achieve X-axis, Y-axis and 3-axis Z direction of the automatic feed, spindle cooling method using water-cooled. In different processing parameters (spindle speed, depth of cut and feed rate), measurement of the surface temperature of diamond tools. In the testing experiment result analysis, we conclude, the depth of cutting is the biggest influence on the surface temperature. From the orthogonal experiment data analysis, we found that, the temperature was reduced with spindle rotation but opposite with two other factors. By linear regression analysis. We get the best cutting results by choosing a large spindle rotation and a small feed rate.
Experimental and simulated investigation of microdischarge characteristics in a pin-to-pin dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor
Authors: HE Junwen , PENG Bangfa , JIANG Nan , SHANG Kefeng , LU Na , LI Jie , WU Yan
Published: May 2022

Both experimental and simulated studies of microdischarge (MD) are carried out in a dielectric barrier discharge with a pin-to-pin gap of 3.5 mm, ignited by a sinusoidal voltage with a peak voltage of 10 kV and a driving frequency of 5 kHz. Statistical results have shown that the probability of the single current pulse in the positive half-period (HP) reaches 73.6% under these conditions. Experimental results show that great luminous intensity is concentrated on the dielectric surface and the tip of the metal electrode. A 1D plasma fluid model is implemented by coupling the species continuity equations, electron energy density equations, Poisson equation, and Helmholtz equations to analyze the MD dynamics on the microscale. The simulated results are in good qualitative agreement with the experimental results. The simulated results show that the MD dynamics can be divided into three phases: the Townsend phase, the streamer propagation phase, and the discharge decay phase. During the streamer propagation phase, the electric field and electron density increase with the streamer propagation from the anode to the cathode, and their maximal values reach 625.48 Td and 2.31 × 1019 m−3, as well as 790.13 Td and 3.58 × 1019 m−3 in the positive and negative HP, respectively. Furthermore, a transient glow-like discharge is detected around the anode during the same period of streamer propagation. The formation of transient glow-like discharge is attributed to electrons drifting back to the anode, which is driven by the residual voltage in the air gap.
Intravenous immunoglobulin induces IgG internalization by tolerogenic myeloid dendritic cells that secrete IL-10 and expand Fc-specific regulatory T cells
Authors: Hsieh Li-En , Song Jaeyoon , Tremoulet Adriana H , Burns Jane C , Franco Alessandra
Published: May 2022

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is used as an immunomodulatory agent in many inflammatory conditions including Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome-Children (MIS-C) and Kawasaki disease (KD). However, the exact mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory action are incompletely characterized. Here, we show that in KD, a pediatric acute vasculitis that affects the coronary arteries, IVIG induces a repertoire of natural Treg that recognize immunodominant peptides in the Fc heavy chain constant region. To address which antigen-presenting cell (APC) populations present Fc peptides to Treg, we studied the uptake of IgG by innate cells in subacute KD patients 2 weeks after IVIG and in children 1.6–14 years after KD. Healthy adults served as controls. IgG at high concentrations was internalized predominantly by two myeloid dendritic cell (DC) lineages, CD14+ cDC2 and ILT-4+ CD4+ tmDC mostly through Fcγ receptor (R) II and to a lesser extent FcγRIII. Following IgG internalization, these two DC lineages secreted IL-10 and presented processed Fc peptides to Treg. The validation of IVIG function in expanding Fc-specific Treg presented by CD14+ cDC2 and ILT-4+ CD4+ tmDC was addressed in a small cohort of patients with MIS-C. Taken together, these results suggest a novel immune regulatory function of IgG in activating tolerogenic innate cells and expanding Treg, which reveals an important anti-inflammatory mechanism of action of IVIG.
Evolving spectrum but persistent high mortality of COVID-19 among patients on kidney replacement therapy in the vaccine era: the Spanish COVID-19 KRT Registry
Authors: Quiroga Borja , Ortiz Alberto , Cabezas-Reina Carlos Jesús , Ruiz Fuentes María Carmen , Jiménez Verónica López , Larrondo Sofía Zárraga , Toapanta Néstor , Gómez María Molina , de Sequera Patricia , Sánchez-Álvarez Emilio ,   the Spanish COVID-19 KRT Registry collaborative group
Published: May 2022

Background

Kidney replacement therapy (KRT) conferred a high risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related mortality early in the pandemic. We evaluate the presentation, treatment and outcomes of COVID-19 in patients on KRT over time during the pandemic.

Methods

This registry-based study involved 6080 dialysis and kidney transplant (KT) patients with COVID-19, representing roughly 10% of total Spanish KRT patients. Epidemiology, comorbidity, infection, vaccine status and treatment data were recorded, and predictors of hospital admission, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality were evaluated.

Results

Vaccine introduction decreased the number of COVID-19 cases from 1747 to 280 per wave. Of 3856 (64%) COVID-19 KRT patients admitted to the hospital, 1481/3856 (38%) were admitted during the first of six waves. Independent predictors for admission included KT and the first wave. During follow-up, 1207 patients (21%) died, 500/1207 (41%) during the first wave. Among vaccinated patients, mortality was 19%, mostly affecting KT recipients. Overall, independent predictors for mortality were older age, disease severity (lymphopaenia, pneumonia) and ICU rejection. Among patient factors, older age, male sex, diabetes, KT and no angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) were independent predictors of death. In KT recipients, individual immunosuppressants were independent predictors of death. Over time, patient characteristics evolved and in later pandemic waves, COVID-19 was mainly diagnosed in vaccinated KT recipients; in the few unvaccinated dialysis patients, ICU admissions increased and mortality decreased (28% for the first wave and 16–22% thereafter).

Conclusions

The clinical presentation and outcomes of COVID-19 during the first wave no longer represent COVID-19 in KRT patients, as the pandemic has become centred around vaccinated KT recipients. Vaccines lowered the incidence of diagnosed COVID-19 and mortality. However, mortality remains high despite increased access to ICU care.
Health surveillance indicators for diet and physical activity: what is available in European data sets for policy evaluation?
Authors: Stanley Isobel , Neumann-Podczaska Agnieszka , Wieczorowska-Tobis Katarzyna , Mensink Gert B M , Rosas Lina Garnica , Do Stefanie , Abu Omar Karim , Woods Catherine , Ahrens Wolfgang , Hebestreit Antje , Murrin Celine ,   the PEN Consortium
Published: May 2022

Background

Policies targeting diet and physical activity have the potential to improve health and well-being at a population level. However, the impact of these policies in Europe is currently unknown. Based on existing data, as well as on a needs assessment, we derived a catalogue of indicators that can be employed to evaluate such policies. These indicators may also inform the further development and harmonization of surveillance systems.

Methods

Forty EU experts agreed on a list of key indicators and ranked their priority for future surveillance. We mapped these indicators onto variables provided by ongoing European surveillance systems. Using a Likert scale (well matched, somewhat matched, poorly matched, unmatched), we assessed the suitability of these variables as measures for the indicators.

Results

Key indicators included behaviour outcome indicators relating to diet (n = 72) and physical activity and sedentary behaviour (n = 67) as well as upstream determinants of these behaviours. It was possible to map 72% of diet indicators and 86% of physical activity and sedentary behaviour indicators onto at least one variable in an ongoing surveillance system.

Conclusions

Current monitoring and surveillance systems focus mainly on measuring ‘downstream’ indicators, while gaps exist in policy and environmental level data in dimensions such as inequality, funding and resources and governance.
Hybrid fitness effects modify fixation probabilities of introgressed alleles
Authors: Pfennig Aaron , Lachance Joseph
Published: May 2022

Hybridization is a common occurrence in natural populations, and introgression is a major source of genetic variation. Despite the evolutionary importance of adaptive introgression, classical population genetics theory does not take into account hybrid fitness effects. Specifically, heterosis (i.e. hybrid vigor) and Dobzhansky–Muller incompatibilities influence the fates of introgressed alleles. Here, we explicitly account for polygenic, unlinked hybrid fitness effects when tracking a rare introgressed marker allele. These hybrid fitness effects quickly decay over time due to repeated backcrossing, enabling a separation-of-timescales approach. Using diffusion and branching process theory in combination with computer simulations, we formalize the intuition behind how hybrid fitness effects affect introgressed alleles. We find that hybrid fitness effects can significantly hinder or boost the fixation probability of introgressed alleles, depending on the relative strength of heterosis and Dobzhansky–Muller incompatibilities effects. We show that the inclusion of a correction factor (α, representing the compounded effects of hybrid fitness effects over time) into classic population genetics theory yields accurate fixation probabilities. Despite having a strong impact on the probability of fixation, hybrid fitness effects only subtly change the distribution of fitness effects of introgressed alleles that reach fixation. Although strong Dobzhansky–Muller incompatibility effects may expedite the loss of introgressed alleles, fixation times are largely unchanged by hybrid fitness effects.
Evaluating the power and limitations of genome-wide association studies in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Widmayer Samuel J , Evans Kathryn S , Zdraljevic Stefan , Andersen Erik C
Published: May 2022

Quantitative genetics in Caenorhabditis elegans seeks to identify naturally segregating genetic variants that underlie complex traits. Genome-wide association studies scan the genome for individual genetic variants that are significantly correlated with phenotypic variation in a population, or quantitative trait loci. Genome-wide association studies are a popular choice for quantitative genetic analyses because the quantitative trait loci that are discovered segregate in natural populations. Despite numerous successful mapping experiments, the empirical performance of genome-wide association study has not, to date, been formally evaluated in C. elegans. We developed an open-source genome-wide association study pipeline called NemaScan and used a simulation-based approach to provide benchmarks of mapping performance in collections of wild C. elegans strains. Simulated trait heritability and complexity determined the spectrum of quantitative trait loci detected by genome-wide association studies. Power to detect smaller-effect quantitative trait loci increased with the number of strains sampled from the C. elegans Natural Diversity Resource. Population structure was a major driver of variation in mapping performance, with populations shaped by recent selection exhibiting significantly lower false discovery rates than populations composed of more divergent strains. We also recapitulated previous genome-wide association studies of experimentally validated quantitative trait variants. Our simulation-based evaluation of performance provides the community with critical context to pursue quantitative genetic studies using the C. elegans Natural Diversity Resource to elucidate the genetic basis of complex traits in C. elegans natural populations.
Time-adjusted average Mayo endoscopic score predicts the risk of disease extent progression in distal ulcerative colitis patients
Authors: Wan Jian , Wang Xuan , Zhang Yujie , Xue Xianmin , Jia Hui , Wang Min , Liang Jie , Wu Kaichun
Published: May 2022

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic lifelong disease. The disease extent of UC can progress over time. This study aimed to assess whether cumulative inflammatory burden (CIB) is associated with disease extension in distal UC (proctitis [E1] and left-sided colitis [E2]) patients, and to develop a quantified indicator of CIB.

Methods

In this retrospective study based on a prospective registry, distal UC patients receiving colonoscopies in Xijing Hospital (Xi’an, China) from January 2000 to May 2019 were studied. We developed a new score, namely the time-adjusted average Mayo endoscopic score (TA-MES), calculated as dividing the sum of the cumulative average MES over a period of surveillance time by the length of the endoscopic examination interval, to quantify the CIB. Cox regression was used to identify other potential risk factors.

Results

A total of 295 UC patients were followed for 1,487.02 patient-years. Among them, 140 patients (47.5%) experienced disease extension. Multivariate analysis showed that the TA-MES was significantly associated with disease extension in E1 (hazard ratio [HR], 2.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58–5.33, P = 0.001) and E2 (HR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.16–3.09, P = 0.011) patients. Other risk factors included hemoglobin of <90 g/L and appendiceal skip inflammation; the protective factors included age, E2 at diagnosis, former smoking, and 5-aminosalicylic acid dose. Otherwise, MES at diagnosis, maximal MES, and mean MES failed to estimate the risk of disease extension.

Conclusion

TA-MES is a good quantified indicator of CIB and is independently associated with increased disease extension in distal UC patients. Whether the dynamic multiple scoring system could be used as a risk factor in other chronic relapsing–remitting diseases is a direction for future research.
Ongoing transposition in cell culture reveals the phylogeny of diverse Drosophila S2 sublines
Authors: Han Shunhua , Dias Guilherme B , Basting Preston J , Nelson Michael G , Patel Sanjai , Marzo Mar , Bergman Casey M
Published: May 2022

Cultured cells are widely used in molecular biology despite poor understanding of how cell line genomes change in vitro over time. Previous work has shown that Drosophila cultured cells have a higher transposable element content than whole flies, but whether this increase in transposable element content resulted from an initial burst of transposition during cell line establishment or ongoing transposition in cell culture remains unclear. Here, we sequenced the genomes of 25 sublines of Drosophila S2 cells and show that transposable element insertions provide abundant markers for the phylogenetic reconstruction of diverse sublines in a model animal cell culture system. DNA copy number evolution across S2 sublines revealed dramatically different patterns of genome organization that support the overall evolutionary history reconstructed using transposable element insertions. Analysis of transposable element insertion site occupancy and ancestral states support a model of ongoing transposition dominated by episodic activity of a small number of retrotransposon families. Our work demonstrates that substantial genome evolution occurs during long-term Drosophila cell culture, which may impact the reproducibility of experiments that do not control for subline identity.
Participating in Cultural Life via Augmented Reality on Cultural Goods: What Role for Copyright?
Authors: Sappa Cristiana
Published: May 2022

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology enabling the overlap of digital images with those from the real world. This technology can have a wide range of applications, including in the cultural heritage sector. AR initiatives can be implemented by cultural heritage institutes (CHIs) for educational and research purposes, but also by third parties as (complementary) commercial practices. When AR is applied to cultural goods, this can be referred to as the ‘exploitation’ of such goods. These goods often embed works of art which may fall under the protection of an Intellectual Property Right (IPR). This paper focuses on the importance of AR experiences when applied to cultural goods and explains why it is a suitable tool for a comprehensive and consistent achievement of the CHIs’ missions and, more broadly, for economic, cultural and social growth, as well as for a better implementation of the legal right of participation in cultural life. The analysis studies this from an IPR perspective and explains how copyright interferes with the development of AR applications. The work does not deal with the protection of AR outcomes as such. It discusses when and what challenges are raised for both moral rights and economic rights when data and images are communicated to the public via AR applications. Anyone that intends to develop AR needs to own economic rights. When rights are owned, if AR is developed by a public sector body or a CHI, rules on public sector information may also apply and facilitate the initiative. If the IPRs are not owned by the AR developer, the latter should request a license, probably via Collective Management Organizations, unless exceptions and limitations can provide for a solution. Thus, exceptions and limitations are one of the main focuses of this work.
Pharmacist’s role in immune-related adverse events management: real-world incidence and risk evaluation from immunotherapy
Authors: Meanwatthana J , Chantarasap P , Chuatrisorn I , Wiriya T , Jitawatanarat P
Published: May 2022

Objectives

The challenge of using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is the immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Nonetheless, there is scarce evidence regarding the irAEs in Thailand. The primary aims of this study are to assess the incidence as well as risk factors of irAEs among cancer patients in Wattanosoth hospital.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional retrospective chart review for the 3-year period (2017–2019). Data were collected after initiating the approved ICIs and patients were then followed for 12 months. The outcomes included incidences of irAEs, adverse events management, and tumor objective response. Bivariate analysis was performed for factors that might be associated with irAEs occurrences.

Results

Data from 91 patients was collected. There was a 49.5% overall irAEs incidence. The most frequent irAE to occur affected the endocrine system (29.85%). In addition, we identified that odds ratios of irAEs development increased in patients who had four or more ICI cycles or had a serum creatinine level higher than 1.2 mg/dl, (OR: 1.75; 95% CI 1.1611:2.6256, P = 0.0074) and (OR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.0628:2.3574; P = 0.0238), respectively. The emergence of irAEs may be a sign of tumor objective responses (OR: 1.79; 95% CI 1.0035:3.1889; P = 0.0486).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that irAEs are common in patients treated with ICIs. In addition, our study identifies that number of cycles and serum creatinine influence the development of irAEs. Hence, prompt recognition and an adequate monitoring plan should be cautiously taken into consideration.
Braided Quantum Groups and Their Bosonizations in the C*-Algebraic Framework
Authors: Roy Sutanu
Published: May 2022

We present a general theory of braided quantum groups in the ${\textrm {C}^*}$-algebraic framework using the language of multiplicative unitaries. Starting with a manageable multiplicative unitary in the representation category of the quantum codouble of a regular quantum group $\mathbb {G}$ we construct a braided ${\textrm {C}^*}$-quantum group over $\mathbb {G}$ as a ${\textrm {C}^*}$-bialgebra in the monoidal category of the $\mathbb {G}$-Yetter–Drinfeld ${\textrm {C}^*}$-algebras. Furthermore, we establish a one-to-one correspondence between braided ${\textrm {C}^*}$-quantum groups and ${\textrm {C}^*}$-quantum groups with a projection. Consequently, we generalise the bosonization construction for braided Hopf-algebras of Radford and Majid to braided ${\textrm {C}^*}$-quantum groups. Several examples are discussed. In particular, we show that the complex quantum plane admits a braided ${\textrm {C}^*}$-quantum group structure over the circle group ${\mathbb {T}}$ and identify its bosonization with the simplified quantum $\textrm {E}(2)$ group.
A Phase 1/2 Study of a Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prefusion F Vaccine With and Without Adjuvant in Healthy Older Adults
Authors: Baber James , Arya Mark , Moodley Yuben , Jaques Anna , Jiang Qin , Swanson Kena A , Cooper David , Maddur Mohan S , Loschko Jakob , Gurtman Alejandra , Jansen Kathrin U , Gruber William C , Dormitzer Philip R , Schmoele-Thoma Beate
Published: May 2022

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of disease in older adults. We evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of a stabilized RSV prefusion F subunit (RSVpreF) vaccine candidate with/without adjuvant in adults aged 65–85 years.

Methods

Primary cohort participants were equally randomized to 1 of 7 RSVpreF formulations: 60 µg with either Al(OH)3 or CpG/Al(OH)3, 120 µg with either Al(OH)3 or CpG/Al(OH)3, 240 µg with either Al(OH)3 or CpG/Al(OH)3, 240 µg unadjuvanted, or placebo, administered concomitantly with high-dose seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine (SIIV). Participants in the month 0,2 cohort were randomized to RSVpreF 240 µg with CpG/Al(OH)3 or placebo, administered at months 0 and 2.

Results

All RSVpreF vaccine candidates elicited robust and persistent serum neutralizing responses when administered alone or with SIIV. There was no notable difference in neutralizing response between the formulations, including those containing CpG. In the month 0,2 cohort, there was no booster effect of dose 2. SIIV responses were similar or slightly lower with concomitant administration of RSVpreF. Most systemic and local reactions were mild and more frequent after RSVpreF than placebo.

Conclusions

RSVpreF formulations were well tolerated and elicited robust neutralizing responses in older adults; however, CpG/Al(OH)3 did not further enhance responses.

Clinical Trials Registration. NCT03572062.
When Do International Organizations Engage in Agency Slack? A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of United Nations Institutions
Authors: Heldt Eugénia C , Mello Patrick A , Novoselova Anna , Serrano Oswald Omar Ramon
Published: May 2022

The extensive delegation of power to international organizations (IOs) has been accompanied by occasional agency slack. While prior studies suggest that IOs’ propensity for agency slack may be rooted in their organizational characteristics, this has rarely been explored empirically. To address this lacuna, in this article we propose a conceptualization and measurement of agency slack and develop a framework of organizational characteristics. Our empirical analysis applies qualitative comparative analysis to assess the conditions under which agency slack occurs across sixteen United Nations institutions. We complement the cross-case analysis with two case illustrations. Our results document the empirical existence of two paths to agency slack, providing confirmatory evidence for our theoretical expectations. Path 1 combines staffing rules that are favorable for the agent with wide access to third parties. Path 2 entails the combination of favorable staffing rules with extensive delegation of authority and a vague organizational mandate.
All Peacekeeping is Local: Measuring Subnational Variation in Peacekeeping Effectiveness
Authors: Reeder Bryce W , Hendricks Michael , Goldring Edward
Published: May 2022

Understanding whether peacekeepers reduce fatalities at the local level is an important question. We can have increased confidence in peacekeepers’ capabilities by testing whether deaths decrease in the locations where peacekeepers are present. However, commonly used modeling techniques cannot easily test peacekeepers’ local effectiveness. Coefficients from methods such as linear regression, logit, and count models provide average estimates of peacekeepers’ effects on violence. We argue that a solution lies in geographically weighted regression (GWR). GWR can more clearly reveal subnational spatial heterogeneity in peacekeepers’ (in)effectiveness at reducing violence. We conduct an illustrative test of our argument using data on the Democratic Republic of the Congo between 2001 and 2014 and replicate an existing study to show that GWR can also help resolve seemingly contradictory findings of whether peacekeepers are better at reducing violence by government or rebel actors. The article contains important implications for how scholars can more accurately measure peacekeeping effectiveness.
Improving young pig welfare on-farm: The Five Domains Model
Authors: Johnson Anna K , Rault Jean-Loup , Marchant Jeremy N , Baxter Emma M , O’Driscoll Keelin
Published: May 2022

Considering welfare through the “neonatal and nursery pig perspective” is an exciting approach and one that resonates with consumers. Overlaying this with the Five Domains Model, as we suggest in this review, points to practical on-farm improvements that provide each pig the opportunity to experience positive mental states. The Five Domains Model is broken into physical and functional states, which include Domain 1: Nutrition, Domain 2: Physical Environment, Domain 3: Health, and Domain 4: Behavioral Interaction, and Domain 5: Mental State. The Five Domains Model can build on the breadth and depth of swine welfare science to highlight opportunities to improve welfare on-farm. In Domain 1, management of increasingly large litters is considered, with examples of sow vs. artificial rearing, colostrum quality and quantity, and creep feed management strategies. Efforts can result in positive mental states such as feeling full and content and the ability to experience the pleasure of drinking and food tastes and smells. Domain 2 considers space complexity and access to key resources, along with thermal and physical amenities, to promote feelings of physical comfort. Domain 3 considers pig health in three broads, yet inter-linking categories 1) congenital and hereditary health, 2) environmental pathogen load, and 3) colostrum quality and quantity, and its effect on the microbiome. Improvements can result in a pig that displays vitality and feels healthy. Domain 4 provides the pig opportunities to express its rich behavioral repertoire, specifically positive social interactions, play, and exploration. These efforts can result in pigs feeling calm, safe, comfortable, having companionship, engaged, interested, and rewarded. In conclusion, using the Five Domains Model can highlight numerous opportunities to improve current and future housing and management through the “neonatal and nursery pig perspective” with a focus on inducing positive mental states that can result in improved quality of life and welfare state.
There and Back Again: Bleed from Extraordinary Experiences
Authors: Orazi Davide C , van Laer Tom
Published: May 2022

From reenactments to pilgrimages, extraordinary experiences engage consumers with frames and roles that govern their actions for the duration of the experience. Exploring such extraordinary frames and roles, however, can make the act of returning to everyday life more difficult, a process prior research leaves implicit. The present ethnography of live action role-playing explains how consumers return from extraordinary experiences and how this process differs depending on consumers’ subjectivity. The emic term “bleed” captures the trace that extraordinary frames and roles leave in everyday life. The subjective tension between the extraordinary and the ordinary intensifies bleed. Consumers returning from the same experience can thus suffer different bleed intensities, charting four trajectories of return that differ in their potential for transformation: absent, compensatory, cathartic, and delayed. These findings lead to a transformative recursive process model of bleed that offers new insights into whether, how, and why consumers return transformed from extraordinary experiences with broader implications for experiential consumption and marketing.
Giant focal nodular hyperplasia with a background of hepatic steatosis in a 14-year-old boy
Authors: Fleming Andrew M , Duffy Caitlyn , Gartrell Jessica , McCarville M Beth , Langham Max R , Ruiz Robert E , Santiago Teresa , Murphy Andrew J
Published: May 2022

Giant focal nodular hyperplasia (GFNH) is rarely seen in children, presenting complex diagnostic and management considerations. Pathognomonic radiographic findings can be absent in this population, and the nuances of pathologic examination are critical. We present a child with a GFNH involving the right side of the liver arising in the background of hepatic steatosis. The details of the diagnosis and therapeutic decisions involved in his treatment are discussed.
The Qɘltu Dialect of Al-Dōr
Authors: Hassan Qasim
Published: May 2022

The aim of this paper is to explore, for the first time, the qǝltu dialect spoken in the western part of the town of Al-Dor. Still to this day, this dialect remains very poorly studied and has generally been mentioned only in passing in the literature on Iraqi Arabic dialectology. The data used here are from a fieldwork trip to the town in 2018 where I was able to interview locals about their own dialect.
A WHIM origin for the soft excess emission in the Coma cluster
Authors: Bonamente Massimiliano , Mirakhor Mohammad , Lieu Richard , Walker Stephen
Published: May 2022

This paper provides a new analysis of ROSAT observations of the Coma cluster, to determine the amount of soft X-ray radiation in excess of the contribution from the hot intracluster medium (ICM). The re-analysis is made possible by a high-resolution study of the hot ICM with the XMM–Newton and Planck telescopes out to the cluster’s virial radius. The analysis confirms the original findings of a strong excess of soft X-ray radiation, which is likely to be of thermal origin. We find quantitative agreement between the detected soft excess and the physical characteristics of warm–hot intergalactic medium (WHIM) filaments seen in hydrodynamical simulations. We conclude that the most plausible explanation for the soft excess is the presence of ∼10 Mpc long filaments at log T(K) ≃ 6, with a baryon overdensity of ∼300, converging towards the Coma cluster. This interpretation therefore provides support for the identification of the missing low-redshift baryons with WHIM filaments, as predicted by numerical simulations.
Collisional Charging in the Low Pressure Range of Protoplanetary Disks
Authors: Becker T , Steinpilz T , Teiser J , Wurm G
Published: May 2022

In recent years, collisional charging has been proposed to promote the growth of pebbles in early phases of planet formation. Ambient pressure in protoplanetary disks spans a wide range from below 10−9 mbar up to way beyond mbar. Yet, experiments on collisional charging of same material surfaces have only been conducted under Earth atmospheric pressure, Martian pressure and more generally down to 10−2 mbar thus far. This work presents first pressure dependent charge measurements of same material collisions between 10−8 and 103 mbar. Strong charging occurs down to the lowest pressure. In detail, our observations show a strong similarity to the pressure dependence of the breakdown voltage between two electrodes and we suggest that breakdown also determines the maximum charge on colliding grains in protoplanetary disks. We conclude that collisional charging can occur in all parts of protoplanetary disks relevant for planet formation.
Tidal dynamo in solar-like close binary stars
Authors: Wei Xing
Published: May 2022

Thermal convection is commonly believed to be the energy source of stellar or planetary dynamo. In this short paper we provide another possibility, namely large-scale tidal flow. In close binary stars, say, solar-like stars with orbital period at 2 or 3 days, large-scale tidal flow is comparable to or even stronger than convective flow, and it can induce magnetic dynamo action. Based on dynamo equation and tidal theory we estimate the magnetic energy induced by large-scale tidal flow, which is proportional to the cube of orbital frequency. Our estimation can be tested by the future spectropolarimetric observations and numerical simulations for close binary stars.
CATANA: an online modelling environment for proteins and nucleic acid nanostructures
Authors: Kuťák David , Melo Lucas , Schroeder Fabian , Jelic-Matošević Zoe , Mutter Natalie , Bertoša Branimir , Barišić Ivan
Published: May 2022

In the last decade, significant advances have been made towards the rational design of proteins, DNA, and other organic nanostructures. The emerging possibility to precisely engineer molecular structures resulted in a wide range of new applications in fields such as biotechnology or medicine. The complexity and size of the artificial molecular systems as well as the number of interactions are greatly increasing and are manifesting the need for computational design support. In addition, a new generation of AI-based structure prediction tools provides researchers with completely new possibilities to generate recombinant proteins and functionalized DNA nanostructures. In this study, we present Catana, a web-based modelling environment suited for proteins and DNA nanostructures. User-friendly features were developed to create and modify recombinant fusion proteins, predict protein structures based on the amino acid sequence, and manipulate DNA origami structures. Moreover, Catana was jointly developed with the novel Unified Nanotechnology Format (UNF). Therefore, it employs a state-of-the-art coarse-grained data model, that is compatible with other established and upcoming applications. A particular focus was put on an effortless data export to allow even inexperienced users to perform in silico evaluations of their designs by means of molecular dynamics simulations. Catana is freely available at http://catana.ait.ac.at/.
FUNAGE-Pro: comprehensive web server for gene set enrichment analysis of prokaryotes
Authors: de Jong Anne , Kuipers Oscar P , Kok Jan
Published: May 2022

Recent advances in the field of high throughput (meta-)transcriptomics and proteomics call for easy and rapid methods enabling to explore not only single genes or proteins but also extended biological systems. Gene set enrichment analysis is commonly used to find relations in a set of genes and helps to uncover the biological meaning in results derived from high-throughput data. The basis for gene set enrichment analysis is a solid functional classification of genes. Here, we describe a comprehensive database containing multiple functional classifications of genes of all (>55 000) publicly available complete bacterial genomes. In addition to the most common functional classes such as COG and GO, also KEGG, InterPro, PFAM, eggnog and operon classes are supported. As classification data for features is often not available, we offer fast annotation and classification of proteins in any newly sequenced bacterial genome. The web server FUNAGE-Pro enables fast functional analysis on single gene sets, multiple experiments, time series data, clusters, and gene network modules for any prokaryote species or strain. FUNAGE-Pro is freely available at http://funagepro.molgenrug.nl.
Schizophrenia Polygenic Risk and Experiences of Childhood Adversity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Woolway Grace E , Smart Sophie E , Lynham Amy J , Lloyd Jennifer L , Owen Michael J , Jones Ian R , Walters James T R , Legge Sophie E
Published: May 2022

Background and Hypothesis

Schizophrenia has been robustly associated with multiple genetic and environmental risk factors. Childhood adversity is one of the most widely replicated environmental risk factors for schizophrenia, but it is unclear if schizophrenia genetic risk alleles contribute to this association.

Study Design

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we assessed the evidence for gene-environment correlation (genes influence likelihood of environmental exposure) between schizophrenia polygenic risk score (PRS) and reported childhood adversity. We also assessed the evidence for a gene-environment interaction (genes influence sensitivity to environmental exposure) in relation to the outcome of schizophrenia and/or psychosis. This study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020182812). Following PRISMA guidelines, a search for relevant literature was conducted using Cochrane, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus databases until February 2022. All studies that examined the association between schizophrenia PRS and childhood adversity were included.

Study Results

Seventeen of 650 identified studies met the inclusion criteria and were assessed against the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for quality. The meta-analysis found evidence for gene-environment correlation between schizophrenia PRS and childhood adversity (r = .02; 95% CI = 0.01, 0.03; P = .001), but the effect was small and therefore likely to explain only a small proportion of the association between childhood adversity and psychosis. The 4 studies that investigated a gene-environment interaction between schizophrenia PRS and childhood adversity in increasing risk of psychosis reported inconsistent results.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that a gene-environment correlation could explain a small proportion of the relationship between reported childhood adversity and psychosis.
Birth of the Mexican Problem: Oil in Mexico, U.S. Social Sciences, and Transnational Labor, 1917–1920
Authors: Maiorana Juliette
Published: May 2022

Birth of the Mexican Problem is a historian’s version of a postcolonial analysis. I use the narrative history and research materials of one of the earliest think tanks in U.S. history to show how and why Mexico was made legible to U.S. audiences. Not just a response to early twentieth-century Mexican migration, the so-called Mexican problem was also deeply tied to U.S. capitalists’ economic interests in Mexico. I argue for the centrality of ties between big business, academics, and government in constructing ideas about Mexico and Mexican transnational labor. The story begins with an oilman named Edward Doheny.
COVID-19, “A Gift and a Curse” in Unsettling Times
Authors: Anakwe Adaobi , Majee Wilson , BeLue Rhonda
Published: May 2022

The objectives of this study were to rapidly explore the perceptions of female-headed African American families on “stressors,” “stress reactions,” and “opportunities” amid the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown mandates. Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with 9 African American women in a rural Midwestern (US) community, who were single parents/grandparents and cared for at least one child/grandchild aged 5 to 17 years. A thematic analytical approach was used to review, code, and analyze phone interview transcripts. Coding schemes were developed through an interactive iterative process. Three main themes emerged—pandemic as a curse, de-stressors and coping mechanisms, and the pandemic as a gift. Most participants reported increased stress for themselves and their children and adopted several coping strategies. However, for most mothers, COVID-19 was paradoxical because it also provided opportunities for families to bond despite these stressors. Public health actions such as social and physical distancing infringe on personal freedoms and can have negative effects on the health of those affected. There is a need to proactively address important areas such as health education and economic and social support to mitigate common sociopsychological effects of a pandemic.
Social and Demographic Disparities in the Severity of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children
Authors: Savorgnan Fabio , Acosta Sebastian , Alali Alexander , Moreira Axel , Annapragada Ananth , Rusin Craig G. , Flores Saul , Loomba Rohit S. , Moreira Alvaro
Published: May 2022

Social constructs are known risk factors for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. A review of 206 patients demonstrated that children who were non-Hispanic Black, over the age of 12 years or living in a disadvantaged neighborhood associated with severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (intensive care unit admission, intubation and/or vasopressor use).
Traumatic Stress and Depression Risk Screening at an ACS Verified Trauma Center
Authors: Petrucci Christina M. , Villaseñor Sally , Brown Wendi G. , Peters Rosalind M.
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND:

Physiological trauma that requires admission to an emergency department may result in psychological distress. As many as 20%–40% of civilians who experience trauma develop traumatic stress disorders and depression postinjury. Yet, less than 10% of trauma centers implement screening for traumatic stress and depression risk.

OBJECTIVE:

This project aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a traumatic stress and depression risk screening policy.

METHODS:

Twelve trauma advanced practice providers implemented the newly developed traumatic stress and depression risk screening policy at an American College of Surgeons verified Level II trauma center. Trauma patients admitted for greater than 24 hr, 14 years of age or older, with a Glasgow Coma Scale score greater than 13 were eligible for screening using the Injured Trauma Survivor Screen.

RESULTS:

During the 6-week data collection period, 114 trauma patients presented to the emergency department. Of those, 82 (72%) met inclusion criteria, 77 (94%) eligible trauma patients were screened, and seven (9%) patients screened positive. Patients not eligible for screening were discharged within 24 hr or were too confused to answer questions. An evaluation survey revealed that the advanced practice providers thought that the screening policy was easy to use, feasible, not very time-consuming, and should be continued in the future.

CONCLUSION:

This project demonstrated the ease and effectiveness of implementing a traumatic stress and depression risk screening policy and that only minor changes are needed to make it sustainable.