bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface functionalization of low-cost textile-based microfluidics for manipulation of electrophoretic selectivity of charged analytes
Authors: Khan Jawairia Umar , Sayyar Sepidar , Jin Dayong , Paull Brett , Innis Peter C.
Published: October 2022

Textile-based microfluidics offer new opportunities for developing low-cost, open surface-assessable analytical systems for the electrophoretic analysis of complex chemical and biological matrixes. In contrast to electrophoretic fluidic transport in typical chip-based enclosed capillaries where direct access to the sample zone during analysis is a real challenge. Herein, we demonstrate that electrophoretic selectivity could be easily manipulated on these inverted low-cost bespoke textile substrates via a simple surface-functionalization to manipulate, redirect, extract, and characterize charged analytes. This simple approach enables significant improvement in the electrophoretic separation and isotachophoretic (ITP) preconcentration of charged solutes at the surface of open surface-accessible 3D textile constructs. In this work, polyester 3D braided structures have been developed using the conventional braiding technique and used as the electrophoretic substrates, which were modified by dip-coating with polycationic polymers such as chitosan and polyethyleneimine (PEIn). The surface functionalization resulted in the modulation of the electroosmotic flow (EOF) and electrophoretic mobilities of the charged solutes with respect to the unmodified substrates. Chitosan outperformed PEIn in terms of efficient electrophoretic separation and isotachophoretic stacking of an anionic solute. However, PEIn modification resulted in significant suppression of the EOF over a broad range of pH values from 3 to 9 and exhibited fast EOF at acidic pH compared to controlled polyester, which could be promising for the analysis of basic proteins. These findings suggest a great potential for the development of affordable surface-accessible textile-based analytical devices for controlling the specific migration, direction, analysis time, and separation and preconcentration of charged analytes.

Graphical abstract
Constructing agri-food for finance: startups, venture capital and food future imaginaries
Authors: Sippel Sarah Ruth , Dolinga Moritz
Published: October 2022

Over the past decade, investments in agricultural and food technology startups have grown to previously unknown dimensions. Mushrooming agri-food tech startups that promise to solve critical issues in the agri-food system through technological innovation are increasingly perceived as an attractive new investment opportunity for venture capitalists and investors. This paper investigates how digital agri-food technologies are narrated, constructed, and promoted for financial investment. Through qualitative content analysis of agri-food tech industry reports, articles, and commentaries we trace the logic, rationales, and narratives of this most recent investment rush, and reveal its immanent techno-finance fixes. We conceptualize the agri-food imaginaries produced within the agri-food tech discourse as financialized imaginaries, and argue that they are specifically tailored to construct, incentivize, and legitimize this new agri-food tech space for financial investment. In their attempt to raise money from investors, venture capital firms further fuel this development by discursively creating an ‘agri-food tech investment rush’—similar to the land and gold rushes of the past. Investments in agri-food tech startups, however, are presented to investors as both a profitable investment opportunity as well as a moral obligation, allowing for food production to cope with neo-malthusian and environmental threats. This paper contributes to our understanding of digitization as a socio-technical project, which includes the active envisioning and promotion of desirable agri-food futures.
Metabolic and physical function are improved with lifelong 15% calorie restriction in aging male mice
Authors: Peters Emily C. , Safayan Luke , Marx Tyler J. , Ngu Emily , Vasileva Anastasiia , Zappia India , Powell William H. , Duca Frank A. , Stern Jennifer H.
Published: October 2022

Chronic calorie restriction (CR) results in lengthened lifespan and reduced disease risk. Many previous studies have implemented 30–40% calorie restriction to investigate these benefits. The goal of our study was to investigate the effects of calorie restriction, beginning at 4 months of age, on metabolic and physical changes induced by aging. Male C57BL/6NCrl calorie restricted and ad libitum fed control mice were obtained from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and studied at 10, 18, 26, and 28 months of age to better understand the metabolic changes that occur in response to CR in middle age and advanced age. Food intake was measured in ad libitum fed controls to assess the true degree of CR (15%) in these mice. We found that 15% CR decreased body mass and liver triglyceride content, improved oral glucose clearance, and increased all limb grip strength in 10- and 18-month-old mice. Glucose clearance in ad libitum fed 26- and 28-month-old mice is enhanced relative to younger mice but was not further improved by CR. CR decreased basal insulin concentrations in all age groups and improved insulin sensitivity and rotarod time to fall in 28-month-old mice. The results of our study demonstrate that even a modest reduction (15%) in caloric intake may improve metabolic and physical health. Thus, moderate calorie restriction may be a dietary intervention to promote healthy aging with improved likelihood for adherence in human populations.
Radiotherapy for meningiomas
Authors: Chen William C. , Perlow Haley K. , Choudhury Abrar , Nguyen Minh P. , Mirchia Kanish , Youngblood Mark W. , Lucas Calixto-Hope G. , Palmer Joshua D. , Magill Stephen T. , Raleigh David R.
Published: October 2022

Meningiomas are the most common primary central nervous system neoplasm. Despite promising recent progress in elucidating the genomic landscape and underlying biology of these histologically, molecularly, and clinically diverse tumors, the mainstays of meningioma treatment remain maximal safe resection and radiation therapy. The aim of this review of meningioma radiotherapy is to provide a concise summary of the history, current evidence, and future for application of radiotherapy in meningioma treatment.
The Lonely Afterlives of Early English Queens
Authors: Firth Matthew , Schilling Cassandra
Published: October 2022

Queens were important figures within the court communities of pre-Norman England, their status defined by their relationship to the king, whether as queen-consort, queen-mother, queen-regent, or queen-dowager. These were positions with an attendant degree of prestige and authority, but a vulnerability to the vicissitudes of the king’s fortunes. Often this would lead to periods of exile from the court community. Such exiled queens could find refuge on their own lands or other communities, such as abbeys and foreign courts. This removal from the centre of power allowed the king to minimise or control any vestigial queenly status or authority, and guard against the exiled queen becoming a locus for alternative political factions. These queens-in-exile form the focus of this article, which seeks to establish not only the patterns and contexts that allowed such social isolation to occur, but queens’ emotional responses to it. Here there are four interlinked concepts: social isolation (exile), emotional isolation (loneliness), social loneliness (the absence of community), and emotional loneliness (the absence of a close individual). These are observable across the experiences of an array of literary and historical pre-Norman queens, fromBeowulfandElenethrough to royal women, such as Æthelflæd (d. 918), Eadgifu (d.c.966), and Emma of Normandy (d. 1052). Through the analysis of such experiences, it is possible to construct cultural perspectives on the exercise of queenly authority, on queenly vulnerability, and on queenly affect.
Qualitative development of the PROMIS Profile v1.0-Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS) 28
Authors: Kaiser Karen , Fox Rina S. , Perschon Chelsea , Vera-Llonch Montserrat , Alonso Jordi , Cubells Laia , Cella David
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by high triglyceride levels, significant disease burden, and negative impacts on health-related quality of life. This project aimed to create a PROMIS-based patient-reported outcome measure that represents valid and important concerns for patients with FCS.

Methods

We reviewed the literature and data from a previous qualitative study of FCS to identify key FCS symptoms and impacts, which were mapped to PROMIS domains to create a pool of eligible items. Candidate items were reduced per expert feedback and patients with FCS completed cognitive interviews to confirm content validity and measure content.

Results

Literature and qualitative data review identified ten key symptoms and 12 key impacts of FCS, including abdominal pain, fatigue, difficulty thinking, and worry about pancreatitis attacks. We identified 96 items primarily from PROMIS, supplemented with items from the Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders™ (Neuro-QoL™) and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) measurement systems. This pool was reduced to 32 candidate items, which were assessed via cognitive interviews with eight participants with FCS. Cognitive interview results and additional expert feedback led to the removal of four items and finalization of the PROMIS Profile v1.0—familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) 28.

Conclusions

The PROMIS Profile v1.0—familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) 28 provides strong content validity for assessing quality of life among patients with FCS. The benefits of PROMIS, including norm-referenced mean values for each measure, will facilitate comparison of patients with FCS to other clinical populations.
Dynamic urban evaluation routing protocol for enhanced vehicle ad hoc networks
Authors: Ali Zainab H. , Zaki John F. , El-Rashidy Nora
Published: October 2022

Recently, a crucial need has grown for improving data communication for the application of roads and ad hoc networks. That is, to provide reliable and operational efficiency in data delivery and throughput. Due to the fast fragmentation and dynamic network behavior, there is an increasing demand to reach reliability in data transmission. Furthermore, the various features and the manifold of dynamic topologies in the vehicular ad hoc network raise the need to redesign the routing strategy. Thus, ensuring efficient and reliable data delivery. This paper aims to introduce a Software architecture for Road Network. The architecture is based on fog computing and aims to improve the overall performance in vehicular networks. The proposed architecture is a new routing design for the urban system to accomplish low energy consumption and operational efficiency in data delivery. The integration between the software-defined networks and fog computing platform in the proposed architecture aids to address the high rate of data transmission. Historically, this high rate negatively affected network capacity and power consumption. To prove the effectiveness of the proposed architecture, it is compared with five state-of-art algorithms published in high impact journals. The proposed architecture performance is tested based on four metrics namely packet delivery ratio, network throughput, power consumption, and routing overhead. The experimental results indicate that a 50–60% improvement in both power consumption and packet delivery ratio, while a 60–65% enhancement in network throughput and routing overhead, respectively.
Low-Temperature NOx Reduction by H2 on Mo-Promoted Pt/ZrO2 Catalysts in Lean Exhaust Gases
Authors: Schröder D. , Kureti S.
Published: October 2022

This article aims to improve the low-temperature H2-deNOxperformance of the active Pt/ZrO2catalyst using MoOxas a promoter. For this purpose, a systematic series of Pt/ZrO2samples were prepared with a Pt content of 0.25 wt% and Mo loads from 0 to 10 wt%. The samples were physico-chemically characterized by means of powder X-ray diffraction, N2physisorption, temperature-programmed desorption of CO and NH3, Raman spectroscopy and diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy using NH3as probe molecule, while the H2-deNOxefficiency was investigated in a lean synthetic exhaust. The Pt/ZrO2catalyst with a Mo load of 3 wt% showed the best performance, including H2-deNOxbetween 80 °C and 150 °C, a maximum NOxconversion of 90% and N2selectivity up to 78%. Isolated MoOxspecies predominately present at Mo loads below 4 wt% were found to act as structural promoter by stabilizing the BET surface area, while also providing smaller Pt particles and more active Pt sites, respectively. By contrast, the aggregated Mo oxide moieties found at higher Mo loads exhibit a clearly weaker promotional effect. The structure–activity-selectivity correlations also suggest that the promoter additionally enables a SCR-related mechanistic pathway to be followed, including the spill-over of NHxspecies from the Pt sites to strong Lewis acid sites in the case of highly dispersed MoOxentities followed by reaction with NOx.
Establishment and development of ornamental grasses on green roofs and living walls
Authors: Suárez-Cáceres Gina Patricia , Mejía-Sampedro Diana Karen , Fernández-Cañero Rafael , Loges Vivian , Pérez-Urrestarazu Luis
Published: October 2022

Ornamental grasses are often used in gardens to improve biodiversity and as additional aesthetical resources. However, their use in green roofs (GR) and living walls (LW) is not so widespread and it has not been studied extensively. The aim of this work is to assess the performance of seven grass species (Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’,Acorus gramineus,Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Fails’,Carex flagellifera ‘Bronzita’,Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’,Uncinia rubra ‘Everflame’andMiscanthus sinensis) for their use in GR and LW. The growth of the plants was evaluated (i.e. biomass production, dimensions), as well as their visual quality and survival.C. flagelliferaandC. oshimensisshowed coverage levels greater than 75% and good visual quality, whileA. gramineusreached 55–60%.I. cylindricaandM. sinensisshowed coverages slightly below 50% in the LW, however, both performed well in the GR, though with a lower visual quality.U. rubradid not develop well, reaching the lowest coverage (below 45%) but maintaining a high visual quality.S. tenuissimaalso attained low coverage in the LW and presented high mortality, especially in the GR. In LW,C. oshimensisstood out in flowering, whileS. tenuissimashowed the highest flowering rate in GR. The species should be selected considering their characteristics and performance in order to achieve a correct appearance and development. Interspecific interactions are especially important in LW, as species with upward growth should be placed above species with fallen leaves, not below.
Teachers’ role in digitalizing education: an umbrella review
Authors: Wohlfart Olivia , Wagner Ingo
Published: October 2022

As teachers are central to digitalizing education, we summarize 40 years of research on their role in that process within a systematic umbrella review that includes 23 systematic reviews with a total of 1062 primary studies focusing technology integration and aspects of digital literacy. Our findings highlight the international acceptance of the TPACK framework as well as the need for a clear concept of digital literacy. It is unique that we identify and discuss parallels in developing teachers’ digital literacy and integrating digital technologies in the teaching profession as well as barriers to those goals. We conclude by suggesting future directions for research and describing the implications for schools, teacher education, and institutions providing professional development to in-service teachers.
Hydromechanical state of soil fluidisation: a microscale perspective
Authors: Haq Shay , Indraratna Buddhima , Nguyen Thanh T. , Rujikiatkamjorn Cholachat
Published: October 2022

This paper investigates soil fluidisation at the microscale using the discrete element method (DEM) in combination with the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). Numerical simulations were carried out at varying hydraulic gradients across the granular assembly of soil. The development of local hydraulic gradients, the contact distribution, and the associated fabric changes were investigated. Microscale findings suggest that a critical hydromechanical state inducing fluid-like instability of a granular assembly can be defined by a substantial increase in grain slip associated with a rapid reduction in interparticle contacts. Based on these results, a new micromechanical criterion is proposed to characterise the transformation of granular soil from a hydromechanically stable to an unstable state. The constraint ratio (ratio of the number of constraints to the number of degrees of freedom) is introduced to portray the relative slippage between particles and the loss of interparticle contacts within the granular fabric. Its magnitude of unity corresponds to the condition of zero effective stress, representing the critical hydromechanical state. In practical terms, the results of this study reflect the phenomenon of subgrade mud pumping that occurs in railways when heavy-haul trains pass through at certain axle loads and speeds.
Feasibility of the Use of Gas Phase Inhibition of Hydrogen Embrittlement in Gas Transmission Pipelines Carrying Hydrogen: A Review
Authors: Atrens Andrej , Gray Evan , Venezuela Jeffrey , Hoschke Joshua , Roethig Maximilian
Published: October 2022

This review paper introduces a research project that seeks to quantify oxygen inhibition of gaseous hydrogen embrittlement with possible application for gas transmission pipelines transporting hydrogen. And it summarizes the compelling laboratory evidence that oxygen may inhibit gaseous hydrogen embrittlement. Quantification of oxygen inhibition of gaseous hydrogen embrittlement is needed to allow evaluation of this approach to the inhibition of hydrogen embrittlement in gas transmission pipelines. The experimental approach is explained as the quantification of the amount of hydrogen entering the steel from gas mixtures containing hydrogen using a purpose-built gas phase permeation cell.
Modelling and simulation of lightweight hollow pins as a substitution for solid shear pins used for assembly joints in aerospace applications
Authors: Hiremath Shivashankar , Chiniwar Dundesh S. , Singh Zorawar , Behera Ajit , Saxena Kuldeep K. , Vishwanatha H. M.
Published: October 2022

Shear pins are generally used as a mechanical safeguard in assembly operations. They are considered sacrificial members which undergo early fracture to safeguard the other components in the assembly. Currently, solid shear pins are used and technically such pins add to the total weight of an assembly. Weight savings is one of the best contributions that can help the design of components to reduce weight and cost wise. In this regard, hollow shear pins can be a suitable alternative. However, there exists a minimum literature on the use of hollow shear pins in assemblies. The current work presents the theoretical and computational analysis of an industrially used solid shear pin that is modified as a hollow pin. Extensive modeling and simulation of the hollow pins are carried out to check the feasibility of replacing the solid shear pins with hollow shear pins. Due to the profound effect of the notch which changes stress concentration, it appears that weight savings using hollow notched pins possibly are not feasible while the hollow un-notched pins are beneficial. The industrial applicability of the hollow pins can be considered as beneficial components primarily towards functionality. In addition to the weight saving, they can also act as channels for passing wires and other similar entities of an assembly.
Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure Estimated Using the SHSES Scale, and Feature Tracking Computed Tomography-Derived Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Gać Paweł , Martuszewski Adrian , Paluszkiewicz Patrycja , Poręba Małgorzata , Mazur Grzegorz , Poręba Rafał
Published: October 2022

Aim of the study was to assess the relationship between environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and computed tomography-derived left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) in patients with arterial hypertension. 103 non-smokers with AH were included in the study (age 67.73 ± 8.84 years). ETS exposure was assessed with the Second-Hand Smoke Exposure Scale (SHSES). LV GLS was measured on computed tomography using feature tracking technology. In accordance with SHSES scale patients were divided into subgroups: subgroup A—no ETS exposure, subgroup B—low ETS exposure, subgroup C—medium ETS exposure, and subgroup D—high ETS exposure. Peak of LV GLS was statistically significantly lower in subgroup D than in subgroup A. There was a negative correlation between the exposure to ETS expressed by the SHSES scale and peak of LV GLS (r = − 0.35,p < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that higher SHSES score, higher age, left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, and higher CAD-RADS are independent risk factors for lower peak of LV GLS values. On the contrary, the effective blood pressure control appeared to be independent protecting factor against lower peak of LV GLS values. In summary, there is an unfavorable weak relationship between ETS exposure estimated using the SHSES scale and LV GLS in hypertensive patients.
Dark current modeling of thick perovskite X-ray detectors
Authors: Zhao Shan , Du Xinyuan , Pang Jincong , Wu Haodi , Song Zihao , Zheng Zhiping , Xu Ling , Tang Jiang , Niu Guangda
Published: October 2022

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have demonstrated excellent performances in detection of X-rays and gamma-rays. Most studies focus on improving the sensitivity of single-pixel MHP detectors. However, little work pays attention to the dark current, which is crucial for the back-end circuit integration. Herein, the requirement of dark current is quantitatively evaluated as low as 10−9 A/cm2 for X-ray imagers integrated on pixel circuits. Moreover, through the semiconductor device analysis and simulation, we reveal that the main current compositions of thick perovskite X-ray detectors are the thermionic-emission current (JT) and the generation-recombination current (Jg-r). The typical observed failures of p–n junctions in thick detectors are caused by the high generation-recombination current due to the band mismatch and interface defects. This work provides a deep insight into the design of high sensitivity and low dark current perovskite X-ray detectors.

Graphical Abstract
“It’s Important to Think of Pepper as a Teaching Aid or Resource External to the Classroom”: A Social Robot in a School for Autistic Children
Authors: Lemaignan Séverin , Newbutt Nigel , Rice Louis , Daly Joe
Published: October 2022

For a period of 3 weeks in June 2021, we embedded a social robot (Softbank Pepper) in a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school for autistic children. The robot’s behaviours and integration into the school were co-designed with the children and teachers, with a focus on improving the well-being of the pupils. Using a mix-method approach, we studied the robot’s adoption over the course of the study, and the impact of the robot’s presence on the children well-being and the school ecosystem. We found that the robot successfully integrated within the school; it fostered and maintained a steady level of interactions (330 interactions, 16 h of continuous use over 3 weeks) with a small yet meaningful group of children with a positive impact on their well-being; and it led to a nuanced conversation with the students and school staff about the role and impact of such a social technology in a SEN school.
Benefits of Blue Carbon Stocks in a Coastal Jazan Ecosystem Undergoing Land Use Change
Authors: El-Hamid Hazem T. Abd , Eid Ebrahem M. , El-Morsy Mohamed H.E. , Osman Hanan E.M. , Keshta Amr E.
Published: October 2022

Coastal ecosystems are characterized by high content of soil carbon storage; however, they experience severe land conversions in the past decades. The current study aims to examine how different land use/land cover (LU/LC) impact carbon stock in coastal ecosystem along Jazan coast, Saudi Arabia. In this study, impacts of LU/LC on carbon stocks in the coastal zone of Jazan, Saudi Arabia in 2009, 2013, and 2021 were assessed. Also, the LU/LC dynamics were evaluated using data provided by the land use dynamic model. The carbon stocks were modelled based on LU/LC using the InVEST program. Our study results showed that the decrease in mangroves from 2013 to 2021 reflects the high atmospheric emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2). Also, the increase in built-up areas might negatively impact total carbon stock. The estimated carbon stocks for the coastal zone of Jazan biome were 7279027.42 Mg C in 2009 (1Mg = 106 g). It decreased to 2827817.84 Mg C in 2013, with a total loss of − 4450675.40 Mg C, and an average of annual loss of − 1,112,669 Mg C in the study period with net value of − 461240790.53 US$. On the other hand, the total estimated carbon stock was increased from 2013 to 2021 with a 3772968.31 Mg C in 2021 (a total gain 944840.87 Mg C). Based on the current findings, we recommend that land-use-policy makers and environmental government agencies should implement conservation policies to reduce land use change at Jazan coastal ecosystems.
Income Taxation of Privately Informed Agents by a Leviathan Government
Authors: Wirl Franz
Published: October 2022

This paper addresses how a Leviathan government taxes income if the earning potential is private information. This complements the normative analyses in the tradition of Mirrlees (1971). Taxes increase with respect to earning (potential and actual since taxation lowers observed earnings). However, accounting for the agent’s private information, average taxes (tax per income) decline for efficient types with zero marginal tax at the top. This conclusion is robust against alternative assumptions: a convex efficiency, i.e., high types are disproportionately more productive; an optimistic prior (i.e., high types are more likely), which, surprisingly, lowers the earnings of all types; and a government concerned about the welfare of its people.
The association of care satisfaction and COVID-19 contact restrictions with quality of life in long-term care homes residents in Germany: a cross-sectional study
Authors: von der Warth Rieka , Brühmann Boris A. , Farin-Glattacker Erik
Published: October 2022

Background

Quality of life (QoL) is a widely recognised outcome in residents of long-term care homes. However, little is known about the impact of care satisfaction on QoL. The aim of this study was to assess the association between care satisfaction and QoL in residents of long-term care homes. Additionally, we were able to assess the impact of the Covid-19 contact restrictions on QoL.

Methods

We applied a cross-sectional study in N = 40 long-term care homes in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. Using regression models, we analysed the association between QoL (operationalised through the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment—Old Module [WHOQOL-OLD]) and self-rated nursing care satisfaction. The date on which the questionnaire was completed was used to calculate whether the completion was prior the emergence of the Covid-19 contact restrictions. Further potential confounders were included in the analysis.

Results

N = 419 residents of long-term care homes participated. Explained variance of QoL was low in our models at 2 to 16%. Self-rated nursing care satisfaction was the strongest predictor of QoL and positively linked to the following subdimensions of QoL: autonomy; past, present and future activities; social participation; intimacy. The Covid-19 contact restrictions were negatively linked to social participation.

Conclusion

Nursing care satisfaction was associated with QoL in residents of long-term care homes. Future research should focus on the direction of the association and different aspects of nursing care satisfaction with QoL. Furthermore, we showed the impact of contact restriction during the Covid-19 lockdown on social participation.

Trial Registration

WHO UTN: U1111–1196-6611; DRKS-ID: DRKS00012703 (Date of Registration in DRKS: 2017/08/23).
The second demographic transition in Japan: a review of the evidence
Authors: Raymo James M.
Published: October 2022

Despite a half century of below-replacement fertility, Japan is typically not included in discussions and evaluations of the second demographic transition (SDT), a widely referenced framework for understanding family changes and attitudinal shifts associated with very low fertility. I address this limitation by drawing upon a range of published research and data sources to provide an empirical basis for thinking about how the Japanese experience does or does not conform to the general patterns of behavioral and attitudinal change associated with the SDT in the West. From this evidence, it seems clear that the prototypical pattern of family change in Northern and Western Europe has only partially emerged in Japan. The same is true of attitudes, particularly those related to gender. Consistent with depictions of the SDT in Europe, Japan has experienced substantial delays in marriage and childbearing along with notable increases in non-marital cohabitation and divorce. However, non-marital childbearing has remained at negligibly low levels and cohabiting unions have not emerged as an alternative to marriage. Attitudinal data show that endorsement of conventional family patterns and gender roles has declined, but remains at higher levels than in most SDT countries. Taken as a whole, these data describe a distinctive path to very low fertility in which universal forces of social and family change interact with strong normative expectations of two-parent families characterized by a clear gender division of labor.
Automated water recycle (AWR) method for dust removal from rooftop photovoltaic (PV) at Johor, Malaysia
Authors: Islam Syed Zahurul , Izzati Nur Syahirah , Abdullah Mohd Noor , Kamarudin Muhammad Saufi , Omar Rosli , Uddin Jasim
Published: October 2022

Wet dust on the Photovoltaic (PV) surface is a persistent problem that is merely considered for rooftop based PV cleaning under a high humid climate like Malaysia. This paper proposes an Automated Water Recycle (AWR) method encompassing a water recycling unit for rooftop PV cleaning with the aim to enhance the electrical performance. This study makes a major contribution by developing a new model to correlate output power ($$P_{out}$$

P

out

) and dust-fall factor. For model validation, we conducted an experiment of taking one set of Monocrystalline PV (mono) on a $$340\frac{W}{m^{2}}$$

340

W

m
2

of medium luminance day. One mono module was cleaned by AWR - pressurized water sprayed through 11 small holes over its front surface, while the other module was left with no-cleaning. The dust-contaminated water was filtered and collected back to the tank for recycling process. The water loss per cleaning cycle was achieved 0.32%, which was normalized to net loss of 28.8% at a frequency of 1 cycle/day for 90 days of operation. We observed that $$P_{out}$$

P

out

of no-cleaning PV was decreased by 29.44% than that of AWR method. From this experimental data also, a unique and more accurate model is created for $$P_{out}$$

P

out

prediction, which is much simpler compared to multivariables equation. Our investigation offers important insights into the accuracy of this regression model demonstrated by $$R^{2}=0.744$$

R
2

=
0.744

or a strong negative quadratic relationship between $$P_{out}$$

P

out

and dust-fall. The cleaning of PV modules is expected to save significant energy to reduce the payback period.

Article Highlights

An automated water recycle method for cleaning dust-fall in rooftop photovoltaic module is proposed.

Both simulation and experimental models are developed to predict output power of the photovoltaic module.

Proposed method can produce 24.40% more output power than a no-cleaning system with a mere water loss of 0.32%/cycle.
A step-by-step approach to patients leaving against medical advice (AMA) in the emergency department
Authors: Trépanier Gabrielle , Laguë Guylaine , Dorimain Marie Victoria
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Patients leaving against medical advice (AMA) can be distressing for emergency physicians trying to navigate the medical, social, psychological, and legal ramifications of the situation in a fast-paced and chaotic environment. To guide physicians in fulfilling their obligation of care, we aimed to synthesize the best approaches to patients leaving AMA.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review across various fields of work, research context and methodology to synthesize the most relevant strategies for emergency physicians attending patients leaving AMA. We searched Medline, CINAHL, PSYCHO Legal Source, PsycINFO, PsycEXTRA, Psychological and Behavioural Sciences collection, SocIndex and Scopus. Search strategies included controlled vocabulary (i.e., MESH) and keywords relevant to the subject chosen by a team of four people, including two specialized librarians.

Results

The literature review included 34 relevant papers about approaches to patients leaving AMA: 8 case presentations, 4 ethical case analyses, 10 legal letters, 4 reviews and 8 original studies. The main identified strategies were prioritizing a patient-centered approach, proposing alternative discharge and reducing harm while properly documenting the encounter.

Conclusion

A systematic approach to patients leaving AMA could help improve patient care, support physicians and decrease stigmatization of this population. We advocate that emergency physicians should receive training on how to approach patients leaving AMA to limit the impact on this vulnerable population.
Chemical compositions, fatty acid profiles and selected contaminants in commercial potato and corn chips sold in the Tunisian market
Authors: Benkhoud Haifa , Mrabet Yassine , Nasraoui Nadia , Bellazreg Wided , Daly Faten , Chaabane Najet , Hosni Karim
Published: October 2022

In the last decades, the snack food market is experiencing an important expansion due to the new fast-paced life-style associated with modernization. Crispy snacks, or chips are the most popular snack around the world, nevertheless, their overconsumption is related to the incidence of many diseases. Subsequently, this work aimed to study the chemical composition of 13 brands of potato and corn chips available in the Tunisian market. The investigation was based on: the determination of their chemical, mineral, and fatty acid composition; an evaluation of their lipid quality indices; and a chromatographic analysis of pesticides, aromatic hydrocarbons and acrylamide content. The results showed that the chips samples were of a high carbohydrate and fat content of up to 64.54% and 42.98%, respectively, versus a low protein and mineral composition. The fatty acid profiling showed that saturated fatty acids represent more than 39% for the majority of samples. A poor lipid quality was also observed through their low unsaturated fatty acids /saturated Fatty Acids ratios, with a mean value of 2.24 and their high atherogenic and thrombogenic indices that reached 1.69 and 2.23 respectively. While the analysis of pesticide residues and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons showed that all compounds were below the maximum allowed levels, the acrylamide analysis highlighted contamination in all the samples tested, with some values exceeding the allowed threshold. In conclusion, it can be suggested that the crisps sold in the Tunisian market are of a poor nutritional quality and they are potentially unsafe for human consumption.
Factors governing the adoption of artificial intelligence in healthcare providers
Authors: Davenport Thomas H. , Glaser John P.
Published: October 2022

Artificial intelligence applications are prevalent in the research lab and in startups, but relatively few have found their way into healthcare provider organizations. Adoption of AI innovations in consumer and business domains is typically much faster. While such delays are frustrating to those who believe in the potential of AI to transform healthcare, they are largely inherent in the structure and function of provider organizations. This article reviews the factors that govern adoption and explains why adoption has taken place at a slow pace. Research sources for the article include interviews with provider executives, healthcare IT professors and consultants, and AI vendor executives. The article considers differential speed of adoption in clinical vs. administrative applications, regulatory approval issues, reimbursement and return on investments in healthcare AI, data sources and integration with electronic health record systems, the need for clinical education, issues involving fit with clinical workflows, and ethical considerations. It concludes with a discussion of how provider organizations can successfully plan for organizational deployment.
PlantCADB: A Comprehensive Plant Chromatin Accessibility Database
Authors: Ding Ke , Sun Shanwen , Luo Yang , Long Chaoyue , Zhai Jingwen , Zhai Yixiao , Wang Guohua
Published: October 2022

Chromatin accessibility landscapes are essential for detecting regulatory elements, illustrating the corresponding regulatory networks, and, ultimately, understanding the molecular basis underlying key biological processes. With the advancement of sequencing technologies, a large volume of chromatin accessibility data has been accumulated and integrated for humans and other mammals. These data have greatly advanced the study of disease pathogenesis, cancer survival prognosis, and tissue development. To advance the understanding of molecular mechanisms regulating plant key traits and biological processes, we developed a comprehensive plant chromatin accessibility database (PlantCADB) from 649 samples of 37 species. These samples are abiotic stress-related (such as heat, cold, drought, and salt; 159 samples), development-related (232 samples), and/or tissue-specific (376 samples). Overall, 18,339,426 accessible chromatin regions (ACRs) were compiled. These ACRs were annotated with genomic information, associated genes, transcription factor footprint, motif, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Additionally, PlantCADB provides various tools to visualize ACRs and corresponding annotations. It thus forms an integrated, annotated, and analyzed plant-related chromatin accessibility resource, which can aid in better understanding genetic regulatory networks underlying development, important traits, stress adaptations, and evolution. PlantCADB is freely available at https://bioinfor.nefu.edu.cn/PlantCADB/.
Observational and clinical evidence that plant-based nutrition reduces dietary acid load
Authors: Storz Maximilian A. , Ronco Alvaro L. , Hannibal Luciana
Published: October 2022

Contemporary diets in Western countries are largely acid-inducing and deficient in potassium alkali salts, resulting in low-grade metabolic acidosis. The chronic consumption of acidogenic diets abundant in animal-based foods (meats, dairy, cheese and eggs) poses a substantial challenge to the human body's buffering capacities and chronic retention of acid wherein the progressive loss of bicarbonate stores can cause cellular and tissue damage. An elevated dietary acid load (DAL) has been associated with systemic inflammation and other adverse metabolic conditions. In this narrative review, we examine DAL quantification methods and index observational and clinical evidence on the role of plant-based diets, chiefly vegetarian and vegan, in reducing DAL. Quantitation of protein and amino acid composition and of intake of alkalising organic potassium salts and magnesium show that plant-based diets are most effective at reducing DAL. Results from clinical studies and recommendations in the form of expert committee opinions suggest that for a number of common illnesses, wherein metabolic acidosis is a contributing factor, the regular inclusion of plant-based foods offers measurable benefits for disease prevention and management. Based on available evidence, dietary shifts toward plant-based nutrition effectively reduces dietary-induced, low-grade metabolic acidosis.
INFLATION DIFFERENTIALS AMONG EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION COUNTRIES: AN EMPIRICAL EVALUATION WITH STRUCTURAL BREAKS
Authors: Stylianou Tasos
Published: October 2022

Inflation rates and their convergence within Euro area have been a major concern, since well before the advent of the single currency. Inflation differentials are a normal phenomenon in any monetary union and even in long-established monetary unions. The aim of this research is to examine the main factors of inflation differentials in the Euro-zone for the period 1999–2018. Our empirical estimates appear to suggest that a one-percentage-point increase in the positive output gap typically leads to an increase of about 20 basis points in the inflation rate of EMU countries. We also find three structural breaks, in 2004, 2008 and in 2010. Since the monetary policy of the European Central Bank is geared at maintaining low and stable inflation, the productivity growth should be increased, and the real effective exchange rates should be decreased and become more homogeneous among EMU. Therefore, countries’ inflation differentials may become less persistent.
Journeymen Migration and Settlement in Eighteenth-century Holland
Authors: Groot Piet , Schalk Ruben
Published: October 2022

Many crafts in premodern Europe depended on migratory journeymen. Little is known about these workers, or how craft guilds and urban authorities affected their movement. By employing novel data on thousands of journeymen from different crafts and cities in Holland, we provide the first systematic overview of journeymen migration and settlement patterns in The Dutch Republic. We find that migration and settlement patterns differed significantly by occupational sector, marital status, and skill level. The stance of urban authorities towards migrants significantly affected settlement patterns as well. This interrelation of group-level characteristics, craft guilds, and urban regulation demonstrates the significance of examining these elements in tandem.
Self-Respect Paternalism
Authors: Midtgaard Søren Flinch
Published: October 2022

According to the influential disrespect account of what paternalism is, and why it is wrong, paternalism involves an anti-egalitarian, disrespectful attitude on the part of the paternalist: X (the paternalist) assumes an attitude of superiority when interfering in Y's matters for Y's good. Pace this account, the article argues that an important, although somewhat overlooked, form of paternalism is not, all things considered, insulting. This form of paternalism focusses on people's occasional lack of appropriate self-respect or their failure to see themselves as equals or to stand vis-à-vis others as such.
Fair Evaluation of Orientation‐Averaging Techniques in Light‐Scattering Simulations: Comment on “Evaluation of Higher‐Order Quadrature Schemes in Improving Computational Efficiency for Orientation‐Averaged Single‐Scattering Properties of Nonspherical Ice Particles” by Fenni et al
Authors: Yurkin Maxim A.
Published: October 2022

In a recent paper Fenni et al. (2021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020jd034172) compared the code MIDAS, based on the direct solution of the volume‐integral equation combined with advanced cubatures for orientation averaging, to the code DDSCAT, a state‐of‐the‐art implementation of the discrete dipole approximation. This comment highlights methodological issues in this comparison and shows that the quantitative claims of Fenni et al. (2021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020jd034172), related to superiority of MIDAS over DDSCAT, are based on very specific test cases with respect to particle symmetries or initial orientation, as well as to the selected scattering quantity of interest. Thus, these claims are not expected to hold for other similar particles. Moreover, the detailed discussion of these issues is relevant for all light‐scattering simulation methods, except those allowing analytical orientation averaging. Thus, the comment constructs general guidelines for fair evaluation of orientation‐averaging techniques in a wide range of light‐scattering methods and computer codes.
Melting and Refreezing in an Ice Shelf Basal Channel at the Grounding Line of the Kamb Ice Stream, West Antarctica
Authors: Whiteford A. , Horgan H. J. , Leong W. J. , Forbes M.
Published: October 2022

Ice shelves buttress ice streams and glaciers, slowing the rate at which they flow into the ocean. When this buttressing is reduced, either through increased melt or calving, the increased discharge of grounded ice upstream contributes to sea level rise. The thickness, strength, and stability of ice shelves can be influenced by channels in the ice base. Here, we focus on a subglacially sourced basal channel which is observed to have melted up to 50% of the ice shelf thickness. The channel extends 6 km upstream of the previously estimated grounding line of the stagnant Kamb Ice Stream. Using a combination of ground–based observations and remote sensing, we find that the channel is growing upstream over time. Over–snow radar surveying images the shape of the channel, constrains a steep inception, and shows that not all of the basal shape is manifest at the surface. Modern surface lowering at the upstream head of the channel is interpreted as a region of focused melt where a subglacial outlet meets the ocean cavity. We estimate this basal melt to be at least 35 m/a in a narrow (200 m × 1.5 km) zone. Downstream from the melt region, repeat phase sensitive radar observations reveal accretion contributing to the growth of a ledge on the true–right side of the channel. We conclude that the channel is likely formed by a retreating subglacial outlet which enhances basal melt episodically.
The Freshwater Balance of the Adriatic Sea: A Sensitivity Study
Authors: Vodopivec Martin , Zaimi Klodian , Peliz Álvaro J.
Published: October 2022

The Adriatic Sea is a narrow semi‐enclosed basin with considerable freshwater inflow, connected to the saltier Mediterranean Sea through a narrow strait. The northern and central parts of the basin are characterized by a shallow shelf, while the southern part features a pit exceeding 1,200 m in depth. We conducted a series of modeling experiments over a 16‐year period (2000–2015) using different runoff configurations and different sources of atmospheric forcing to investigate the sensitivity of the Adriatic Sea circulation and hydrology to freshwater balance and heat loss. Our results show that the shelf salinity and the salinity of the surface layers in the southern Adriatic are part of a self‐amplifying loop involving dense water formation, water exchange with the Mediterranean Sea, and salty water intrusions to the shelf. Therefore, the characteristics of the basin and the water circulation are highly sensitive to the freshwater budget and heat losses. River discharge is subject to large interannual variations and is poorly known for many of the Adriatic freshwater sources. To improve the accuracy of the freshwater budget, we created a new climatology for three Albanian rivers and modulated the monthly climatological discharge in accordance with the rivers Po and Isonzo (Soča). Evaporation, precipitation, and heat losses vary strongly among the available atmospheric reanalyses and we show that the choice of atmospheric forcing has a substantial impact on the hydrology and circulation of the Adriatic Sea.