bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leukocyte-derived ratios are associated with late-life any type dementia: a cross-sectional analysis of the Mugello study
Authors: Lombardi Gemma , Paganelli Roberto , Abate Michele , Ireland Alex , Molino-Lova Raffaele , Sorbi Sandro , Macchi Claudio , Pellegrino Raffaello , Di Iorio Angelo , Cecchi Francesca
Published: October 2021

Immunosenescence, vascular aging, and brain aging, all characterized by elevated levels of inflammatory markers, are thought to share a common pathogenetic pathway: inflamm-aging. Retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the Mugello study (Tuscany, Italy), a representative Italian cohort of free-living nonagenarians. to assess the association between specific peripheral inflammation markers derived from white blood cell counts, and the diagnosis of dementia. All the variables of interest were reported for 411 subjects (110 males and 301 females) out of 475 enrolled in the study. Anamnestic dementia diagnosis was obtained from clinical certificate and confirmed by a General Practitioner, whereas leukocyte ratios were directly calculated from white blood cell counts. Body mass index and comorbidities were considered potential confounders. Diagnosis of any type dementia was certified in 73 cases (17.8%). Subjects affected by dementia were older, more frequently reported a previous stroke, had lower body mass index, and lower Mini-Mental-State-Examination score. Moreover, they had a higher lymphocyte count and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio compared to the non-demented nonagenarians. We found that higher levels of lymphocyte counts are cross-sectionally associated with a clinical diagnosis of dementia. Furthermore, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio is directly associated with any type of dementia, independently of age, sex, lymphocyte count, and comorbidities. Lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio may be considered a marker of immunological changes in the brain of dementia patients; moreover, it is low-cost, and easily available, thus enabling comparisons among different studies and populations, although the timeline and the extent of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio role in dementia development must be further investigated.
Assessment of Toxic Metals (Al, Cd, Pb) and Trace Elements (B, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Li, Zn, Ni, Sr, V) in the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) from the Canary Islands (Spain)
Authors: Rodríguez-Álvarez María , Paz Soraya , Hardisson Arturo , González-Weller Dailos , Rubio Carmen , Gutiérrez Ángel J.
Published: October 2021

The monitoring of trace elements and toxic metals in apical predators of the trophic chain provides data on the degree of contamination in ecosystems. The common kestrel is one of the most interesting raptors in this respect in the Canary Islands; therefore, the study of the levels of trace elements and toxic metals in this species is of much scientific value. The content of trace elements and toxic metals (B, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Li, Zn, Ni, Sr, V, Al, Cd, Pb) was determined in the liver, muscle, and feathers of 200 specimens of common kestrel carcasses (Falco tinnunculus canariensis) from Tenerife. Cr (0.82 ± 2.62 mg/kg), Cu (11.82 ± 7.77 mg/kg), and Zn (198.47 ± 520.80 mg/kg) are the trace elements that stand out in the feather samples; this may be due to their affinity for the pigments that give them their coloring. Li was noteworthy in the liver samples (8.470 ± 5.702 mg/kg). Pb stood out in the feathers (4.353 ± 20.645 mg/kg) > muscle (0.148 ± 0.095 mg/kg) > liver (0.187 ± 0.133 mg/kg). The presence of metals in feathers correlates with recent exposure and reflects environmental contamination. When using raptor feathers as indicators of metal contamination, it is important to know what the levels of each metal signify. The analysis of the different tissues and organs of raptors, such as the common kestrel, provides valuable information on the degree of environmental contamination of the ecosystem in which it lives. Gender was not an influencing factor in this study.
Maternal n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Enriched Diet Commands Fatty Acid Composition in Postnatal Brain and Protects from Neonatal Arterial Focal Stroke
Authors: Chumak Tetyana , Lecuyer Matthieu J. , Nilsson Anders K. , Faustino Joel , Ardalan Maryam , Svedin Pernilla , Sjöbom Ulrika , Ek Joakim , Obenaus Andre , Vexler Zinaida S. , Mallard Carina
Published: October 2021

The fetus is strongly dependent on nutrients from the mother, including polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). In adult animals, n-3 PUFA ameliorates stroke-mediated brain injury, but the modulatory effects of different PUFA content in maternal diet on focal arterial stroke in neonates are unknown. This study explored effects of maternal n-3 or n-6 enriched PUFA diets on neonatal stroke outcomes. Pregnant mice were assigned three isocaloric diets until offspring reached postnatal day (P) 10–13: standard, long-chain n-3 PUFA (n-3) or n-6 PUFA (n-6) enriched. Fatty acid profiles in plasma and brain of mothers and pups were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and cytokines/chemokines by multiplex protein analysis. Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) was induced in P9-10 pups and cytokine and chemokine accumulation, caspase-3 and calpain-dependent spectrin cleavage and brain infarct volume were analyzed. The n-3 diet uniquely altered brain lipid profile in naïve pups. In contrast, cytokine and chemokine levels did not differ between n-3 and n-6 diet in naïve pups. tMCAO triggered accumulation of inflammatory cytokines and caspase-3-dependent and -independent cell death in ischemic-reperfused regions in pups regardless of diet, but magnitude of neuroinflammation and caspase-3 activation were attenuated in pups on n-3 diet, leading to protection against neonatal stroke. In conclusion, maternal/postnatal n-3 enriched diet markedly rearranges neonatal brain lipid composition and modulates the response to ischemia. While standard diet is sufficient to maintain low levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines under physiological conditions, n-3 PUFA enriched diet, but not standard diet, attenuates increases of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in ischemic-reperfused regions and protects from neonatal stroke.

Graphic Abstract
Comprehensive investigation of low salinity waterflooding in carbonate reservoirs
Authors: Snosy M. Fouad , Abu El Ela Mahmoud , El-Banbi Ahmed , Sayyouh Helmy
Published: October 2021

Waterflooding has been practiced as a secondary recovery mechanism for many years with no regard to the composition of the injected brine. However, in the last decade, there has been an interest to understand the impact of the injected water composition and the low salinity waterflooding (LSWF) in oil recovery. LSWF has been investigated through various laboratory tests as a promising method for improving oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs. These experiments showed diverse mechanisms and results. In this study, a comprehensive review and analysis for results of more than 300 carbonate core flood experiments from published work were performed to investigate the effects of several parameters (injected water, oil, and rock properties along with the temperature) on oil recovery from carbonate rock. The analysis of the results showed that the water composition is the key parameter for successful waterflooding (WF) projects in the carbonate rocks. However, the salinity value of the injected water seems to have a negligible effect on oil recovery in both secondary and tertiary recovery stages. The study indicated that waterflooding with optimum water composition can improve oil recovery up to 30% of the original oil in place. In addition, the investigation showed that changing water salinity from LSWF to high salinity waterflooding can lead to an incremental oil recovery of up to 18% in the tertiary recovery stage. It was evident that applying the optimum composition in the secondary recovery stage is more effective than applying it in the tertiary recovery stage. Furthermore, the key parameters of the injected water and rock properties in secondary and tertiary recovery stages were studied using Fractional Factorial Design. The results revealed that the concentrations of Mg2+, Na+, K+, and Cl− in the injected water are the greatest influence parameters in the secondary recovery stage. However, the most dominant parameters in the tertiary recovery stage are the rock minerals and the concentration of K+, HCO3−, and SO42− in the injected water. In addition, it appears that the anhydrite percentage in the carbonate reservoirs may be an effective parameter in the tertiary WF. Also, there are no clear relations between the incremental oil recovery and the oil properties (total acid number or total base number) in both secondary and tertiary recovery stages. In addition, the results of the analysis showed an incremental oil recovery in all ranges of the studied flooding temperatures. The findings of this study can help to establish guidelines for screening and designing optimum salinity and composition for WF projects in carbonate reservoirs.
Trifolium subterraneum cover cropping enhances soil fertility and weed seedbank dynamics in a Mediterranean apricot orchard
Authors: Scavo Aurelio , Restuccia Alessia , Abbate Cristina , Lombardo Sara , Fontanazza Stefania , Pandino Gaetano , Anastasi Umberto , Mauromicale Giovanni
Published: October 2021

The soils of Mediterranean semiarid environments are commonly characterized by low levels of organic matter and mineral elements, as well as severe weed infestations, which, taken together, cause an intensive use of auxiliary inputs (tillage, fertilizers, herbicides). Although cover crops are recognized to sustainably improve soil health, the impact of Trifolium subterraneum L. cover cropping needs specific attention. This research investigates for the first time the effects over 4 years of T. subterraneum and spontaneous flora cover crops, after either incorporating their dead mulches into the soil or leaving them on the soil surface, on soil organic matter (SOM), macroelements, mineral nitrogen, microelements, and weed seedbank dynamics as indicators of soil quality in an apricot orchard. Compared to a conventional management control, the T. subterraneum cover crop with the burying of dead mulch into the soil increased the amount of SOM (+ 15%), ammoniacal (+ 194%) and nitric (+ 308%) nitrogen, assimilable P2O5 (+ 5%), exchangeable K2O (+ 14%), exchangeable Na (+ 32%), exchangeable K (+ 16%), Fe (+ 15%), Mn (+ 28%), Zn (+ 36%), and Cu (+ 24%), while it decreased the weed seedbank size (‒ 54%) and enhanced weed biodiversity. These findings suggest that T. subterraneum cover cropping may be an environment-friendly tool to enhance soil quality and limit auxiliary input supply in Mediterranean orchards.
Increased risk of death in COVID-19 hospital admissions during the second wave as compared to the first epidemic wave: a prospective, single-centre cohort study in London, UK
Authors: Cusinato Martina , Gates Jessica , Jajbhay Danyal , Planche Timothy , Ong Yee Ean
Published: October 2021

Background

The second coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic wave in the UK progressed aggressively and was characterised by the emergence and circulation of variant of concern alpha (VOC 202012/01). The impact of this variant on in-hospital COVID-19-specific mortality has not been widely studied. We aimed to compare mortality, clinical characteristics, and management of COVID-19 patients across epidemic waves to better understand the progression of the epidemic at a hospital level and support resource planning.

Methods

We conducted an analytical, dynamic cohort study in a large hospital in South London. We included all adults (≥ 18 years) with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) who required hospital admission to COVID-19-specific wards between January 2020 and March 2021 (n = 2701). Outcome was COVID-19-specific in-hospital mortality ascertained through Medical Certificate Cause of Death.

Results

In the second wave, the number of COVID-19 admissions doubled, and the crude mortality rate dropped 25% (1.66 versus 2.23 per 100 person-days in second and first wave, respectively). After accounting for age, sex, dexamethasone, oxygen requirements, symptoms at admission and Charlson Comorbidity Index, mortality hazard ratio associated with COVID-19 admissions was 1.62 (95% CI 1.26, 2.08) times higher in the second wave.

Conclusions

Although crude mortality rates dropped during the second wave, the multivariable analysis suggests a higher underlying risk of death for COVID-19 admissions in the second wave. These findings are ecologically correlated with an increased circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern 202012/1 (alpha). Availability of improved management, particularly dexamethasone, was important in reducing risk of death.
Implementation Science for Managers and Healthcare Organizations Responding to Emergencies
Authors: Øvretveit John , Ohrling Mikael
Published: October 2021

The purpose of the article is to illustrate how implementation science concepts and methods can be applied by researchers and implementers to understand and assist emergency management in a large primary and community healthcare organization. The article refers to a single-case implementation action evaluation of an emergency management system in a healthcare organization. It describes the methods used in this study and findings to explain how a joint healthcare and university research team were able to use the science and methods both to help implementation and contribute to science. We report two sets of findings. First, findings about implementation of emergency management to illustrate how the investigation adapted implementation science and concepts to achieve the objectives evaluation. We discovered that implementation science provides useful concepts to understand contextual factors and adds to knowledge about organizational change and emergency management in the uncertain and evolving situation we encountered. The second set of findings are the strengths and limitations of both implementation science and the action evaluation methods we used to achieve the dual objectives of practical help with implementation and to contribute to science. The article uses the first implementation action evaluation study of the response of large public primary and community healthcare organization to a pandemic to illustrate how implementation science can be applied. This type of study was able to improve implementation of the response as well as contribute to scientific knowledge about emergency healthcare management and organization.
Profiles of teacher–child interaction quality in groups of 3-year-old children in Quebec and France
Authors: Roy-Vallières Maude , Bigras Nathalie , Charron Annie , Bouchard Caroline , Gagné Andréanne , Dessus Philippe
Published: October 2021

Theory and studies support that educational quality may differ according to socio-political context even in states with similar cultures. Based on a secondary analysis of data, this study aims at identifying latent profiles of adult–child interaction quality in groups of three-year-old children in Quebec’s (Canada) early childhood centers and France’s kindergarten classrooms using the CLASS Pre-K. This study also aims to explore existing associations between identified profiles, socio-political contexts, and structural characteristics (staff qualifications, ages, group size). Latent profile analyses showed four interaction quality profiles, namely a high-quality profile (HQ), a medium–high-quality profile (MHQ), a medium quality profile (MQ), and a medium–low-quality profile (MLQ). The scores of the three CLASS Pre-K domains associated with identified profiles show a higher average interaction quality in Quebec compared with France, suggesting a more favorable sociocultural context for interaction quality in Quebec. As for characteristics of structural quality, analyses suggest that the group size variable is significantly associated with scores of interaction quality, with the HQ and the MHQ profiles showing a significantly lower group size than the MQ and MLQ profiles. Age is also significantly associated with profiles, exhibiting a general trend of younger participants found in higher quality profiles. Courses of action to enhance French policies are discussed.
Climate change adaptation networks for small and medium-sized cities
Authors: Häußler Simone , Haupt Wolfgang
Published: October 2021

Cities are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Many larger cities have identified the potential impacts of different climate change adaptation scenarios. However, their smaller and medium-sized counterparts are often not able to address climate risks effectively due to a lack of necessary resources. Since a large number of cities worldwide are indeed small and medium-sized, this lack of preparedness represents a crucial weakness in global response systems. A promising approach to tackling this issue is to establish regional municipal networks. Yet, how might a regional network for small and medium-sized cities be systematically designed and further developed? Focussing on the German federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, we have explored this question by applying a participatory action research approach. As part of our research, we established a regional network framework for small and medium-sized cities. The framework supports small and medium-sized cities in identifying key regional actors, while taking local and regional contextual factors into account. Based on our findings, we suggest that other small and medium sized cities follow these steps: develop the knowledge base; build the network; and transfer and consolidate knowledge.
The Role of Predator Removal by Fishing on Ocean Carbon Dynamics
Authors: Stafford Richard , Boakes Zach , Hall Alice E. , Jones Georgia C. A.
Published: October 2021

Total ocean carbon exceeds 40,000 GT either dissolved in the water column or buried in ocean sediments, and the ocean continues to sequester carbon from the atmosphere. Selective removal of predatory fish through extractive fishing alters the community structure of the ocean. This altered community results in increased biomass of more productive, low trophic level fish, higher overall fish respiration rates and lower carbon sequestration rates from fish, despite possible decreases in total fish biomass. High-pressure fishing on high trophic level fish, a globally occurring phenomenon, may result in as much as a 19% increase in respiration from fish communities overall. This increase in respiration will reduce sequestration rates and could prove highly significant in global carbon budgets. Preliminary estimates suggest a loss of sequestration equating to around 90Mt C.year−1 (~ 10% of total ocean sequestration or ~ 1% of anthropogenic fossil fuel emissions per year). Ultimately, to reduce these carbon emissions, fishing needs to be carbon optimised, alongside other fisheries management outcomes, which may mean that fewer higher trophic level fish are removed. This study highlights the potential magnitude of fishing on ocean carbon dynamics and presents the key uncertainties (including understanding the effects of fishing on zoo- and phytoplankton communities) we need to urgently research to accurately quantify the effects and model future fishing practices.

Graphical Abstract
Dyslexia in Higher Education
Authors: Abbott-Jones Amanda T.
Published: October 2021

People can best help dyslexic students once they understand dyslexia's association with anxiety and effective coping strategies, both cognitively and emotionally. By highlighting the perspectives of dyslexic students, this book evidences the prevalence of anxiety in dyslexic communities. The shared experience from a range of dyslexic learners pinpoints best practice models and helps combat the isolation felt by many with learning difficulties. The author targets academic areas where students struggle, offering techniques to overcome these barriers. Such obstacles are not always due to cognitive factors but may be associated with negative experiences, leading to fear and uncertainty. Recounting these sticking points through student voices, rather than from a staff viewpoint, enables readers to find meaningful solutions to dyslexia-related problems. Through this dynamic methodology, the book shows researchers and practitioners how to understand dyslexic needs on an emotional level, while presenting dyslexic readers with practical coping methods.
Brittany and the Atlantic Archipelago, 450–1200
Authors: Brett Caroline , Edmonds Fiona , Russell Paul
Published: October 2021

How did Brittany get its name and its British-Celtic language in the centuries after the collapse of the Western Roman Empire? Beginning in the ninth century, scholars have proposed a succession of theories about Breton origins, influenced by the changing relationships between Brittany, its Continental neighbours, and the 'Atlantic Archipelago' during and after the Viking age and the Norman Conquest. However, due to limited records, the history of medieval Brittany remains a relatively neglected area of research. In this new volume, the authors draw on specialised research in the history of language and literature, archaeology, and the cult of saints, to tease apart the layers of myth and historical record. Brittany retained a distinctive character within the typical 'medieval' forces of kingship, lordship, and ecclesiastical hierarchy. The early history of Brittany is richly fascinating, and this new investigation offers a fresh perspective on the region and early medieval Europe in general.
Relative rotor phasing for multicopter vibratory load minimisation
Authors: Niemiec R. , Gandhi F. , Kopyt N.
Published: October 2021

This study focuses on vibration reduction for quadcopters and octocopters with elastic, two-bladed, fixed-speed, variable-pitch rotors through the use of relative rotor phasing. The study defines phase modes such as a pitch phase mode with relative phasing between the front and aft rotors, a roll phase mode with relative phasing between the left and right rotors, and a differential phase mode with relative phasing between the clockwise and counter-clockwise spinning rotors for both the quadcopter and the octocopter, as well as additional higher harmonic phase modes for the octocopter. Parametric studies on individual phase modes indicate that, for the quadcopter in forward flight, the pitch and roll phase modes can almost entirely eliminate the 2/rev vibratory forces (at the aircraft level), but the 2/rev vibratory moments cannot be minimised at the same time. By simultaneously using multiple phase modes, a Pareto front can be generated and a solution selected based on the relative emphasis on force or moment vibration reduction. For the octocopter, it was observed that individual higher harmonic modes (specifically the 2cor 2smodes) could almost entirely eliminate both the 2/rev vibratory forces and moments, simultaneously. Compared with vibration levels in forward flight that might, on average, be expected if the rotors were randomly phased, a 62% reduction of a composite vibration index can be achieved on a quadcopter, and complete elimination of vibration was achievable on an octocopter, with appropriate rotor phasing.
Externalists Should Be Sense-Datum Theorists
Authors: DUNCAN MATT
Published: October 2021

One increasingly popular view in the philosophy of perception isexternalismabout sensible qualities, according to which sensible qualities such as colors, smells, tastes, and textures are features, not of our minds, but of mind-independent, external objects in the world. The primary motivation for this view is that perceptual experience seems to betransparent—that is, when we attend to sensible qualities, it seems like what we are attending to are features of external objects, not our own minds. Most (if not all) externalists are either naïve realists or externalist representationalists. However, in this article, I argue that those who are moved by the primary motivation for externalism should instead be sense-datum theorists, for externalists’ primary motivation supports the sense-datum theory, not their actually favored views. I argue that externalists should focus on different motivations, get new ones, or become sense-datum theorists.
The short-term effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines among healthcare workers: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis
Authors: Marra Alexandre R. , Kobayashi Takaaki , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Alsuhaibani Mohammed , Tofaneto Bruna Marques , Bariani Luigi Makowski , de Amorim Auler Mariana , Salinas Jorge L. , Edmond Michael B. , Pinho João Renato Rebello , Rizzo Luiz Vicente , Schweizer Marin L.
Published: October 2021

Objective:

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at risk of COVID-19 due to high levels of SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Thus, effective vaccines are needed. We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on COVID-19 short-term vaccine effectiveness among HCWs.

Methods:

We searched PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, and Web of Science from December 2019 to June 11, 2021, for studies evaluating vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 among HCWs. To meta-analyze the extracted data, we calculated the pooled diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) for COVID-19 between vaccinated and unvaccinated HCWs. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated as 100% × (1 − DOR). We also performed a stratified analysis for vaccine effectiveness by vaccination status: 1 dose and 2 doses of the vaccine.

Results:

We included 13 studies, including 173,742 HCWs evaluated for vaccine effectiveness in the meta-analysis. The vast majority (99.9%) of HCWs were vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. The pooled DOR for symptomatic COVID-19 among vaccinated HCWs was 0.072 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.028–0.184) with an estimated vaccine effectiveness of 92.8% (95% CI, 81.6%–97.2%). In stratified analyses, the estimated vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 among HCWs who had received 1 dose of vaccine was 82.1% (95% CI, 46.1%–94.1%) and the vaccine effectiveness among HCWs who had received 2 doses was 93.5% (95% CI, 82.5%–97.6%).

Conclusions:

The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are highly effective against symptomatic COVID-19, even with 1 dose. More observational studies are needed to evaluate the vaccine effectiveness of other COVID-19 vaccines, COVID-19 breakthrough after vaccination, and vaccine efficacy against new variants.
Post-Neoliberalism and External Financial Liberalization: Comparing Left-Wing and Right-Wing Populism
Authors: Perfeito da Silva Pedro
Published: October 2021

This article aims to discuss to what extent populist parties with opposite ideological backgrounds have differed in their policies towards inherited external financial liberalization (EFL). Building upon a comparative case study centred on Argentina under Kirchnerism (2003–15) and Hungary under Viktor Orbán (since 2010), I conclude that both experiences led to a partial EFL reversal. However, reflecting their opposite ideological underpinnings, each subtype of populism opted to restrict a different dimension of EFL. Argentina's left-wing populism re-regulated cross-border capital flows, harming financial operators, foreign investors and primary exporters through capital controls and export surrenders. These interventionist capital account regulations were needed to shield expansionary macroeconomic policies that attended the interests of subordinate socioeconomic strata, fuelling the tension with financial markets and domestic economic elites. Conversely, Hungary's right-wing populism focused on the ownership structure of the banking sector, aiming to redistribute assets from foreign to domestic private banks and improve the credit conditions for native capitalists. In this case, even when resorting to macroeconomic heterodoxy, the maintenance of fiscal balance and price stability retained support from both foreign investors and domestic business groups, mitigating tensions derived from financial nationalism.
Velocity gradient statistics in turbulent shear flow: an extension of Kolmogorov's local equilibrium theory
Authors: Kaneda Yukio , Yamamoto Yoshinobu
Published: October 2021

This paper presents an extension of Kolmogorov's local similarity hypotheses of turbulence to include the influence of mean shear on the statistics of the fluctuating velocity in the dissipation range of turbulent shear flow. According to the extension, the moments of the fluctuating velocity gradients are determined by the local mean rate of the turbulent energy dissipation$\left \langle \epsilon \right \rangle$per unit mass, kinematic viscosity$\nu$and parameter$\gamma \equiv S (\nu /\left \langle \epsilon \right \rangle )^{1/2}$, provided that$\gamma$is small in an appropriate sense, where$S$is an appropriate norm of the local gradients of the mean flow. The statistics of the moments are nearly isotropic for sufficiently small$\gamma$, and the anisotropy of moments decreases approximately in proportion to$\gamma$. This paper also presents a report on the second-order moments of the fluctuating velocity gradients in direct numerical simulations (DNSs) of turbulent channel flow (TCF) with the friction Reynolds number$Re_\tau$up to$\approx 8000$. In the TCF, there is a range$y$where$\gamma$scales approximately$\propto y^ {-1/2}$, and the anisotropy of the moments of the gradients decreases with$y$nearly in proportion to$y^ {-1/2}$, where$y$is the distance from the wall. The theoretical conjectures proposed in the first part are in good agreement with the DNS results.
Cross-Domain Topic Classification for Political Texts
Authors: Osnabrügge Moritz , Ash Elliott , Morelli Massimo
Published: October 2021

We introduce and assess the use of supervised learning in cross-domain topic classification. In this approach, an algorithm learns to classify topics in a labeled source corpus and then extrapolates topics in an unlabeled target corpus from another domain. The ability to use existing training data makes this method significantly more efficient than within-domain supervised learning. It also has three advantages over unsupervised topic models: the method can be more specifically targeted to a research question and the resulting topics are easier to validate and interpret. We demonstrate the method using the case of labeled party platforms (source corpus) and unlabeled parliamentary speeches (target corpus). In addition to the standard within-domain error metrics, we further validate the cross-domain performance by labeling a subset of target-corpus documents. We find that the classifier accurately assigns topics in the parliamentary speeches, although accuracy varies substantially by topic. We also propose tools diagnosing cross-domain classification. To illustrate the usefulness of the method, we present two case studies on how electoral rules and the gender of parliamentarians influence the choice of speech topics.
The effect of cranberry supplementation on Helicobacter pylori eradication in H. pylori positive subjects: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Nikbazm Ronak , Rahimi Zahra , Moradi Yousef , Alipour Meysam , Shidfar Farzad
Published: October 2021

Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections. Cranberry has been suggested for H. pylori eradication. We aimed to conduct the first meta-analysis to summarise current evidence on effects of cranberry supplementation on H. pylori eradication in H. pylori positive subjects. We searched the online databases up to December 2020. Four randomised clinical trials (RCT) were included with human subjects, investigating the effect of cranberry on H. pylori eradication. The pooled results were expressed as the OR with 95 % CI. Based on five effect sizes with a total sample size of 1935 individuals, we found that according to the OR, there was a positive effect of cranberry supplementation on H. pylori eradication, increasing the chance of H. pylori eradication by 1·27 times, but this relationship was not statistically significant (overall OR: 1·27; 95 % CI 0·63, 2·58). The results also indicated the moderate between-study heterogeneity (I2 = 63·40 %; P = 0·03) of the studies. However, there were no significant differences in some subgroup analyses in the duration of treatment, the duration of follow-up and the Jadad score. Our findings revealed that although cranberry had a positive effect on H. pylori eradication in adults, this effect was not statistically significant. Due to the small number of included studies and moderate heterogeneities, the potential of cranberry supplementation on H. pylori eradication should be validated in large, multicentre and well-designed RCT in the future.
Impediments to expropriation. Peasant property rights in medieval England and Marcher Wales
Authors: Schofield Phillipp R.
Published: October 2021

In this paper, an attempt will be made to discuss the likely context for pre-plague indications of expropriation and its limits. There is plentiful evidence of an active land market in medieval villages by the end of the thirteenth century, and most likely for some time earlier. Fluctuation in the rate of buying and selling coincided with difficult harvest years and suggests a link between impecunious peasant sellers and wealthier peasant buyers. There is also some association between the selling of land and pre-existing indebtedness. In a period of partial commercial and market development, the extent to which exchange of land or of moveables proceeded to a significant structural redistribution of land and resources was constrained, and even in those parts of the country where an early peasant land market was well-established, significant adjustment is not evident. Instead, impediments to expropriation, such as seigneurial control of peasant land and limited capacity for extensive capital accumulation, acted as constraints on significant accumulation and redistribution. That said, there is limited suggestion in our sources of a redistribution of property rights associable with inequality of dealing and the advantage of wealthier landholders and creditors. In exploring this last point, particular use is made of the court records for the Welsh marcher lordship of Dyffryn Clwyd.
Democracy and the Preparation and Conduct of War
Authors: Crawford Neta C.
Published: October 2021

In Ethics, Security, and the War-Machine, Ned Dobos highlights several negative consequences the preparation for war has for individuals and states. But he misses what I consider perhaps the most significant consequence of military mobilization for states, especially democracies: how war and the preparation for it affect deliberative politics. While many argue that all states, including democracies, require strong militaries—and there is some evidence that long wars can build democracies and states—I focus on the other effects of militarization and war on democratic states. War and militarism are antipodal to democracy and undermine it. Their normative bases are conflicting—democracy takes force off the table, whereas force is legitimate in war. Thus, while militarism and militarization can sometimes yield liberalization and the expansion of civil rights, they are arguably more likely to undermine democratic norms and practices.
Immune status affects the clinical features and outcomes of adult patients with respiratory adenovirus infection
Authors: Zhao Handan , Zhou Minghan , Zheng Qing , Lang Guanjing , Xu Lijun
Published: October 2021

The differences in the clinical features and outcomes of respiratory adenovirus infection (RAI) between immunocompetent and immunocompromised adult patients remain unclear. Thirty-nine adult RAI patients, including 28 (71.8%) immunocompetent patients and 11 (28.2%) immunocompromised patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. Demographic characteristics, symptoms, laboratory tests, radiographic findings, therapies and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. We found fever (94.9%), cough (66.7%) and sputum production (56.4%) were the most frequent symptoms. Compared with immunocompetent RAI patients, the immunocompromised RAI patients were more likely to experience anaemia (g/l; 90.8 ± 24.0 vs 134.3 ± 14.6, P < 0.001), thrombocytopaenia ( × 109/l; 116.9 ± 92.7 vs 178.4 ± 74.6, P = 0.037), hypoalbuminaemia (g/l; 29.6 ± 5.5 vs 36.9 ± 5.2, P < 0.001), hyponatraemia (mmol/l; 134.8 ± 5.6 vs 138.5 ± 3.9, P = 0.026) and low levels of cholinesterase (U/l; 2650.5 ± 1467.4 vs 5892.8 ± 1875.1, P < 0.001). Chest computed tomography (CT) scans indicated that lung infiltrate was the most common finding (64.1%). Immunocompromised patients had a higher likelihood of bilateral lung involvement (72.7%) and lower lobe involvement (81.8%) of both lungs. The hospitalized mortality rate was 27.3% in immunocompromised RAI patients, but no death occurred among immunocompetent RAI patients (P = 0.018). Our data suggested immunocompromised RAI patients had worse laboratory test results, more bilateral lung and lower lobe involvement and higher in-hospital mortality compared with immunocompetent RAI patients.
El Niño‐Related Vertical Mixing Enhancement Under the Winter Mixed Layer at Western Subarctic North Pacific Station K2
Authors: Nagano Akira , Wakita Masahide , Fujiki Tetsuichi , Uchida Hiroshi
Published: October 2021

We conducted a current velocity and hydrographic time series observation in the upper ocean by deploying a mooring buoy at station K2 (N, E) from July 2015 to June 2019 to understand the physical conditions that affect the acidification of the winter mixed layer (ML) water in the western subarctic North Pacific. Disturbances with substantial current velocity shear were excited by the wind changes remotely related to the 2015/2016 and 2018/2019 El Niño events. The density stratification beneath the ML was also weakened in winter, particularly the El Niño years. Based on the bulk Richardson number mixing scheme, we found that the El Niño‐related strengthening of the current velocity shear enhanced the vertical diffusivity beneath the winter ML driven by the near‐inertial current velocity variation. The weakening of the density stratification is ineffective in enhancing the vertical diffusivity. It is suggested that the El Niño‐related large vertical mixing accelerates the acidification of the winter ML water through the enhancement of the entrainment of the deep water that is rich in dissolved inorganic carbon.
Assessment to China's Recent Emission Pattern Shifts
Authors: Guan Yuru , Shan Yuli , Huang Qi , Chen Huilin , Wang Dan , Hubacek Klaus
Published: October 2021

Energy and emission data are crucial to climate change research and mitigation efforts. The accuracy of energy statistics is essential for mitigation strategies and evaluating the performance of low carbon energy transition efforts. This study provides the most up‐to‐date emission inventories for China and its provinces for 2018 and 2019. We also update the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission inventories of China and 30 provinces since 2012 based on the newly revised energy statistics. The inventories are compiled in a combined accounting approach of scope 1 (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change territorial emissions from 17 types of fossil fuel combustion and cement production by 47 socioeconomic sectors) and scope 2 (emissions from purchased electricity and heat consumption). The most recent energy revision led to an increase in reported national CO2 emissions by an average of 0.3% from 2014 to 2017. The results show that data revisions raised China's carbon intensity mitigation baseline (in 2005) by 5.1%–10.8% and thus made it more challenging to fulfill the mitigation pledges. However, the 2020 carbon intensity mitigation target was achieved ahead of schedule in 2018. A preliminary estimate of China's national emissions for 2020 shows that the COVID‐19 pandemic and lockdown was not able to offset China's annual increase in CO2 emissions. These emissions inventories provide an improved evidence base for China's policies toward net‐zero emissions.
The Magnitude of IMF By Influences the Magnetotail Response to Solar Wind Forcing
Authors: Holappa Lauri , Reistad Jone Peter , Ohma Anders , Gabrielse Christine , Sur Dibyendu
Published: October 2021

The dynamics of substorms are known to be dominated by the North‐South () component of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF), which is the most important driver of the dayside reconnection. Even though the dawn‐dusk () component is also known to play a role in substorm dynamics, its effects are not yet fully understood. In this paper we study how IMF modulates the onset latitude, strength and occurrence frequency of substorms as well as the isotropic boundary (IB) latitude of energetic protons. We show that the substorm onset latitude and the IB latitude are about one degree lower for large magnitude ( nT) than for small . In contrast, the substorm occurrence frequency is larger for small . We suggest that the magnetotail is more stable during large , requiring the magnetotail lobes (and hence the polar cap) to contain more flux to initiate a substorm compared to the situation when is small.
Phase‐Field Simulation of Hydraulic Fracturing by CO2, Water and Nitrogen in 2D and Comparison With Laboratory Data
Authors: Feng Yixuan , Haugen Kjetil , Firoozabadi Abbas
Published: October 2021

Hydraulic fracturing of tight subsurface formations has mainly been conducted using water. Waterless hydraulic fracturing by CO2 may have advantages over fracturing by water. The challenge has been numerical simulation of the process. In this work, we conduct a comprehensive study on 2D hydraulic fracturing simulation by water, CO2, and nitrogen. The simulations are based on the phase‐field; the results are compared with the lab data. We first present advances in simulation of fluid exchange between the fractures and the rock matrix. The conventional nodal‐based finite element method may give rise to unphysical negative pressure around the tip and fracture notch. We demonstrate that the mixed hybrid finite element method gives non‐negative pressure distribution. Next, we examine the effect of inertial term on fracture configuration and observe branching by CO2 under dynamic formulation with a low critical energy release rate. Lastly, we find from our simulations that in shale rocks, the critical energy release rate is the lowest for CO2, followed by nitrogen, and then water. Consequently, CO2 provides the highest fracture surface area and fracture intensity. In a sandstone sample we find nitrogen has a lower energy release rate than water. As a result, the fracture surface area is higher for nitrogen than water. Our simulation results confirm that the phase‐field method may incorporate fluid‐rock surface free energy without the need for various parameter adjustments.
Comparing the Influence of Global Warming and Urban Anthropogenic Heat on Extreme Precipitation in Urbanized Pearl River Delta Area Based on Dynamical Downscaling
Authors: Fung Kwun Yip , Tam Chi‐Yung , Lee Tsz Cheung , Wang Ziqian
Published: October 2021

This study compares the impacts of global warming and intense urban anthropogenic heat (AH) on extreme hourly precipitation over the Pearl River Delta (PRD) megacity, located in coastal South China. Using the cloud‐resolving Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model coupled with the single‐layer urban canopy model (SLUCM), three downscaling experiments were carried out: the first (second) having zero (300 W/m2) as diurnal maximum AH values prescribed over PRD urban grids, under the current climate conditions. The third experiment with diurnal maximum AH of 300 W/m2 under future projected climate representative concentration pathway (RCP) 8.5. Boundary conditions were derived from PRD extreme rainfall episodes, identified from the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Earth System Model (GFDL‐ESM2M) historical and RCP8.5 runs. Global warming forcing leads to ∼20% to more than 100% increase in the probability of hourly precipitation with the magnitude of 20–100 mm/hr over urban locations. The enhancements from intense AH forcing were similar. However, two forcings have distinct signatures in modulating the thermodynamic environment. Warming due to AH is limited to the lowest 1 km above ground, while global warming warms up the whole troposphere. Intense AH results in enhanced convective available potential energy (CAPE) and reduced convective inhibition (CIN) within the megacity, allowing convection to be triggered more easily and with more vigor. On the other hand, global warming enhances CAPE and CIN, over both urban and rural areas. Our results highlight the different mechanisms of AH and global warming in exacerbating extreme urban rainfall, despite the similar impacts on the rainfall intensity.
Characteristics and Scaling of the Stable Marine Internal Boundary Layer
Authors: Jiang Qingfang , Wang Qing
Published: October 2021

The characteristics of a stable internal boundary layer (SIBL) offshore of Duck, North Carolina documented during CASPER‐EAST have been examined using surface layer‐resolving large eddy simulations. Under the influence of steady offshore winds, a SIBL develops over the coastal waters with its depth growing with the offshore advection time (TA) as ∼. The SIBL includes an internal equilibrium layer above the surface where the heat and momentum fluxes linearly decrease with height and a transition layer aloft. The offshore area can be partitioned into three distinct zones, namely, a nearshore zone (NSZ, TA < Td/3), an intermediate offshore zone (IOZ, Td/3 < TA < Td), and a far‐offshore zone (FOZ, TA > Td), where Td is the vertically‐averaged turbulent dissipation time. The advection of turbulence from land plays a significant role in the momentum and scalar budgets over the NSZ. Consequently, the Monin‐Obukhov similarity theory (MOST) becomes invalid, and local similarity theory is applicable only above the SIBL in the NSZ. In the IOZ, the advection of turbulence from land is less important but still non‐negligible. As a result, while the dimensionless standard deviations of winds and potential temperature converge toward the MOST curves, the dimensionless gradients are smaller than their counterparts in the FOZ. In the FOZ, the advection from land becomes negligible, and MOST is applicable throughout the constant flux layer. Over the IOZ and the FOZ, LST works reasonably well within the SIBL.
Nonlocal Population Sources Triggering Dinoflagellate Blooms in the Changjiang Estuary and Adjacent Seas: A Modeling Study
Authors: Xu Lingjing , Yang Dezhou , Yu Rencheng , Feng Xingru , Gao Guandong , Cui Xuan , Bai Tao , Yin Baoshu
Published: October 2021

Dinoflagellates frequently cause harmful, large‐scale spring algal blooms in the Changjiang Estuary and adjacent seas of China. However, the population source of some dinoflagellates in this area remains unknown. We deployed an adjoint model and a coupled physical‐biological model to explore the possible nonlocal dinoflagellate population sources to the Changjiang Estuary and adjacent seas. Our simulation results revealed that the Taiwan Strait and the area east of Taiwan are two nonlocal source regions of May dinoflagellate blooms in the study area. Under different hydrodynamic and biochemical conditions, dinoflagellates from the Taiwan Strait directly triggered dinoflagellate blooms from south to north along the coast of China. Dinoflagellates from the area east of Taiwan first concentrated and bred in the offshore temperature frontal area and then spread southwestward, triggering dinoflagellate blooms along the Zhejiang coast. Due to the different influence mechanisms, it took longer for the initial dinoflagellate population in the Taiwan Strait to exert the same impact on dinoflagellate blooms in the study area as that from the area east of Taiwan. Moreover, the density and appearance time of the initial dinoflagellate population in the Taiwan Strait affected their biomass and bloom range in the study area. Even a small initial dinoflagellate population east of Taiwan could trigger a bloom in the study area. This study suggests the target domains for finding nonlocal dinoflagellate cysts and provides a strategy to predict dinoflagellate blooms in the Changjiang Estuary adjacent area by monitoring dinoflagellate biomass in the nonlocal source regions.