bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrical Treeing Breakdown Characteristics of Epoxy/Spherical Boron Nitride with Card‐House Structure Composites
Authors: Murakami Yoshinobu , Noda Takeshi , Kawashima Tomohiro , Hozumi Naohiro
Published: October 2021

A spherical boron nitride with a card‐house structure (sBNch) was developed to enhance the filler's thermal property. To develop a thermal conductive insulating composite material with higher thermal conductive and acceptable electrical breakdown strength, an epoxy (EP)/an sBNch composite was produced. The treeing breakdown voltage of the composite using a needle‐rod electrode and the thermal conductivity were measured. The treeing breakdown voltage of EP/sBNch composite with the sBNch content of 50 wt% was higher than that of EP without the sBNch. The protrusion on the surface of the sBNch increases the effective distance between the electrodes. The thermal conductivity of EP/sBNch composite with the sBNch content of 50 wt% was higher than that of EP. From these results, the sBNch is considered a strong candidate filler of a thermally conductive composite. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in two cats during the second wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic in France
Authors: Fritz Matthieu , Nesi Nicolas , Denolly Solène , Boson Bertrand , Legros Vincent , Rosolen Serge G. , Briend‐Marchal Alexandra , Ar Gouilh Meriadeg , Leroy Eric M.
Published: October 2021

Although there are several reports in the literature of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in cats, few SARS‐CoV‐2 sequences from infected cats have been published. In this study, SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was evaluated in two cats by clinical observation, molecular biology (qPCR and NGS), and serology (microsphere immunoassay and seroneutralization). Following the observation of symptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in two cats, infection status was confirmed by RT‐qPCR and, in one cat, serological analysis for antibodies against N‐protein and S‐protein, as well as neutralizing antibodies. Comparative analysis of five SARS‐CoV‐2 sequence fragments obtained from one of the cats showed that this infection was not with one of the three recently emerged variants of SARS‐CoV‐2. This study provides additional information on the clinical, molecular, and serological aspects of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in cats.
Discovery of behavioral patterns in online social commerce practice
Authors: Jia Xiaoyun , Wang Ruili , Liu James H. , Jiang Chuntao
Published: October 2021

Discovery of behavioral patterns in online social commerce practice becomes important in this digital era. In this article, we propose a systematic approach to behavioral pattern discovery, and apply it in an emerging online social commerce venue: live streaming. We investigate behavioral patterns in gifting encouragement in live streaming to understand online social commerce practice. Our proposed approach is based on multiple triangulation, including data source triangulation (i.e., streamers, viewers, and actual behavior) and data collection method triangulation (i.e., interviews, focus groups, and observations). Through multiple triangulation, four behavioral patterns of gifting encouragement are discovered: (i) requesting a certain gift for providing a particular service, (ii) creating a raffle, (iii) eliciting competition between individuals, and (iv) eliciting competition between groups. This research reveals the special behavioral patterns in live streaming, and thus increases our knowledge of social commerce practices. This research provides a systematic approach to discover online behavioral patterns, and provides practical implications in live streaming platforms, especially in marketing and platform design.

This article is categorized under:

Application Areas > Business and Industry
Future Skills für die Welt von morgen: Das Future-Skills-Triple-Helix-Modell der Handlungsfähigkeit in emergenten Praxiskontexten
Authors: Ehlers Ulf-Daniel
Published: October 2021

In einer Welt im immer schnelleren Wandel ist die Diskussion um Future Skills eine der aktuellsten in der Bildungsforschung. Dabei wird die Diskussion um Future Skills schon lange geführt (angefangen mit Studien zu Graduate Attributes), ist oft ungreifbar wegen konzeptioneller Unklarheit darüber, was Skills eigentlich sind, und bezieht sich oft nur verkürzt auf digitale Future Skills. Die hier dargestellte Forschung basiert auf einem fundierten empirischen Ansatz, den multimethodischen angelegten, mehrteiligen NextSkills-Studien. Die Intention des Projekts besteht darin, die Nachfrage nach spezifischen Future Skills näher zu erforschen und diese dann im zweiten Schritt auch bildungstheoretisch zu fundieren. Diese Future Skills werden durch das „Future-Skills-Triple-Helix-Modell der Handlungsfähigkeit in emergenten Praxiskontexten“ eingeordnet. Im Einzelnen handelt es sich um Skills, wie beispielsweise Ambiguitätskompetenz, ethische Kompetenz, Selbstkompetenz und anderes.
Die digitale Zukunft des Lernens und Lehrens mit Remote-Laboren
Authors: Ortelt Tobias R. , Terkowsky Claudius , Schwandt Andrea , Winzker Marco , Pfeiffer Anke , Uckelmann Dieter , Hawlitschek Anja , Zug Sebastian , Henke Karsten , Nau Johannes , May Dominik
Published: October 2021

Der Einsatz von Remote-Laboren in ingenieurwissenschaftlichen Studiengängen ermöglicht Studierenden an einigen Hochschulen die ortsunabhängige Nutzung von Laboren, Maschinen und Robotern. Remote-Labore eignen sich in besonderer Weise dafür, den digitalisierungsbedingten Anforderungen und dem Qualifikationsbedarf aus Wirtschaft und Industrie zu begegnen. Die Onlinebedienung von Laboren bietet viele Ansatzpunkte für den Erwerb digitaler Kompetenzen, wie beispielsweise das Sammeln und Analysieren von Big Data, das Entwickeln geeigneter Schnittstellen für den Onlinezugriff oder den korrekten Einsatz zur Verfügung stehender softwarebasierter Messtechnik. Auch während der Coronapandemie im Sommersemester 2020, als der reguläre Zugang zu Laboren aufgrund der Kontaktbeschränkungen nicht erlaubt war, ermöglichten Remote-Labore den Studierenden praktische Erfahrungen. Jedoch stellen nicht nur die didaktischen, sondern auch die technischen und organisatorischen Aspekte ingenieurwissenschaftliche Studiengänge bei der Umsetzung von Remote-Laboren vor anspruchsvolle Aufgaben. Der nachfolgende Beitrag greift diese Aspekte auf und beschreibt anhand ausgewählter Beispiele, wie die Umsetzung und Integration von Remote-Laboren in Studium und Lehre gelingen kann, aber auch welche Herausforderungen nach wie vor bestehen.
On the p-adic Beilinson conjecture and the equivariant Tamagawa number conjecture
Authors: Nickel Andreas
Published: October 2021

LetE/Kbe a finite Galois extension of totally real number fields with Galois groupG. Letpbe an odd prime and let$$r>1$$r>1be an odd integer. Thep-adic Beilinson conjecture relates the values at$$s=r$$s=rofp-adic ArtinL-functions attached to the irreducible characters ofGto those of corresponding complex ArtinL-functions. We show that this conjecture, the equivariant Iwasawa main conjecture and a conjecture of Schneider imply the ‘p-part’ of the equivariant Tamagawa number conjecture for the pair$$(h^0(\mathrm {Spec}(E))(r), \mathbb {Z}[G])$$(h0(Spec(E))(r),Z[G]). If$$r>1$$r>1is even we obtain a similar result for Galois CM-extensions after restriction to ‘minus parts’.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for the characterization of Vaccinium myrtillus L. bilberries of the Baltic–Nordic regions
Authors: Traksele Lina , Snitka Valentinas
Published: October 2021

In this study, an investigation of the wild bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) of the different Baltic–Nordic regions using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) combined with principal component analysis (PCA) is presented. The bilberries were collected in Lithuania, Latvia, Finland and Norway. The set of the SERS spectra of the berry extracts (pH ~ 4) were recorded on the silver nanoparticles based SERS substrates. The SERS spectra of the extracts were acquired using 532 nm laser as an excitation source. The morphology of the SERS substrates was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the presence of the silver nanoparticles was confirmed by the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The enhancement factor (EF) of the silver SERS substrates was found to be 105. It has been shown that a strong fluorescence background, associated with the phenolic compounds found in bilberries, can be subtracted due to the fluorescence-quenching properties of the silver nanoparticles. Therefore, an application of the SERS technique allowed to observe the characteristic peaks of the bilberries and the PCA tool enabled to evaluate the spectral variation across the entire SERS data set. The results presented in this paper show that the SERS technique coupled with PCA chemometric analysis might serve as a complementary method that allows to identify the country of origin of the bilberries based on the spectral differences.
Harmonization of summaries of product characteristics (SmPCs) of drugs with the same active ingredients: an evaluation of SmPCs of the most frequently prescribed active substances
Authors: Gahr Maximilian , Connemann Bernhard J. , Muche Rainer , Zeiss René , Wolf Almuth
Published: October 2021

Purpose

In aut-idem or generic substitution, discrepancies between summaries of product characteristics (SmPCs) referring to the same active substance (AS) may cause difficulties regarding informed consent and medical liability. The qualitative and quantitative characteristics of such discrepancies are insufficiently studied, impeding harmonization of same-substance SmPCs and compromising safe drug treatment.

Methods

SmPCs of the one hundred most frequently prescribed ASs in Germany were analyzed for discrepancies in the presentation of indications (Inds) and contraindications (CInds). Inclusion and exclusion criteria of drugs/SmPCs were chosen according to the standards of the aut-idem substitution in Germany.

Results

According to the study protocol, we identified 1486 drugs, of which 1426 SmPCs could be obtained. 41% respectively 65% of the ASs had same-substance SmPCs that differed from the respective reference SmPC in the number of listed Inds respectively CInds. The number of listed Inds/CInds varied considerably between same-substance SmPCs with maximum ranges in Inds of 7 in amoxicillin, and in CInds of 11 in lisinopril. Many ASs had large proportions (> 50%) of associated same-substance SmPCs that differed from the respective reference SmPC. A considerable proportion of ASs had same-substance SmPCs with formal and content-related differences other than the discrepancy in the number of Inds/CInds.

Conclusion

This evaluation of same-substance SmPCs shows a clear lack of harmonization of same-substance SmPCs. Considering that generic substitution has become the rule and that physicians usually do not know which drug the patient receives in the pharmacy, these discrepancies raise several questions, that require a separate legal evaluation.
Patients with no preoperative back pain have the best outcome after lumbar disc herniation surgery
Authors: Sigmundsson Freyr Gauti , Joelson Anders , Strömqvist Fredrik
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Most patients with lumbar disc herniations requiring surgery have concomitant back pain. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the outcome of surgery for lumbar disc herniations in patients with no preoperative back pain (NBP) compared to those reporting low back pain (LBP).

Methods

15,418 patients surgically treated due to LDH with primary discectomy from 1998 until 2020 were included in the study. Self-reported low back pain assessed with a numerical rating scale (NRS) was used to dichotomize the patients in two groups, patients without preoperative back pain (NBP, NRS = 0, n = 1333, 9%) and patients with preoperative low back pain (LBP, NRS > 0, n = 14,085, 91%). Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) collected preoperatively and one-year postoperatively were used to evaluate differences in outcomes between the groups.

Results

At the one-year follow-up, 89% of the patients in the NBP group were completely pain free or much better compared with 76% in the LBP group. Significant improvement regarding leg pain was seen in all measured PROMs in both groups oneyear after surgery. In the NBP group, 13% reported clinically significant back pain (NRS difference greater than Minimally Clinical Important Difference (MICD)) at the one-year follow-up.

Conclusions

Patients without preoperative back pain are good candidates for LDH surgery. 13% of patients without preoperative back pain develop clinically significant back pain one-year after surgery.
Cyclone Komen’s aftermath: Local knowledge shows how poverty and inequalities fuel climate risk in western Myanmar
Authors: Kmoch Laura , Palm Matilda , Persson Ulf Martin , Jepsen Martin Rudbeck
Published: October 2021

Cyclones and other extreme events exert increasing pressure on South-East Asia’s societies and put smallholder farmers at risk. Here, we draw on participatory causal-diagramming workshops, interviews and survey data, to provide contextually grounded knowledge about rural communities’ exposure and vulnerability to climate-related hazards in western Myanmar. By tracing how the 2015 cyclone Komen led to a prolonged humanitarian disaster, we show that climate-related risks in this area arise from the complex interplay of households’ pre-existing vulnerabilities, persistent farming challenges, extensive disasters and cascading effects, which disparately affect lowland and upland communities. The different household strata’s dissimilar vulnerabilities vis-à-vis Komen’s impacts were rooted in the distinct exposure of their production systems to landslides and floods. Pre-existing land-access barriers, land-degradation processes, climatic stressors, agricultural pests and diseases, and chronic lack of assets and food insecurity further mediated households’ vulnerability. Relief interventions did not stop the disaster’s escalation, although this could have been achieved with early technical and material assistance to address the cyclone’s impacts on farmers’ land. Targeted aid for households facing imminent food insecurity or debt crisis could have lessened engagement in precarious coping strategies and distress migration. A diversification of households’ livelihood and land-use practices and increased redundancies of critical assets and infrastructure could help to mitigate future cyclone-triggered disasters. By demonstrating the strengths of local knowledge approaches in untangling the complex interplay of extreme events with households’ everyday vulnerabilities and agricultural land-use practices, we make a case for more contextually grounded disaster risk and climate adaptation research.
Voluntary corporate climate initiatives and regulatory threat
Authors: Ilić Dragan , Mollet Janick Christian
Published: October 2021

Does participation in voluntary environmental initiatives affect firm value? We take a closer look at the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) and the Climate Leaders (CL), two US initiatives to curb carbon emissions that were operating during a decisive regulatory event. In 2009 the Waxman-Markey Bill surprisingly passed the House of Representatives and brought the US economy a big step closer to a nationwideCO2emission trading system. With an event study we assess how the stock market valued membership in the initiatives when the likelihood ofCO2regulation unexpectedly increased. Our findings suggest that only membership in the market-based CCX was considered beneficial for a mandated carbon market. This is consistent with research that equity-based regulation through financial markets can help economies favor clean industries over dirty ones. We interpret the empirical results in a simple model. Adding earlier market reactions to the firms’ membership announcements, the model implies that the market had been betting on a mandatory emission trading system all along.
Economic costs of cigarette smoking among adolescents in Nigeria
Authors: Olumide Adesola O. , Shmueli Amir , Adebayo Emmanuel S. , Omotade Olayemi O.
Published: October 2021

Background

Cigarette smoking is an established cause of preventable death and often initiated during adolescence. We estimated the short- and long-term costs of cigarette smoking among currently smoking adolescents in Nigeria.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey among adolescents in Oyo state, Nigeria and a review of mortality records of patients managed for lung cancer in a tertiary facility in Ibadan, Nigeria were conducted. Short-term costs estimated were: (a) average weekly costs of purchasing cigarettes by currently smoking adolescents, and (b) costs of managing at least an episode of chronic cough occurring within 12 months of the survey. Long-term costs were limited to: (a) life-time expenditure on purchasing cigarettes, and (b) direct medical and non-medical (transportation) costs of managing lung cancer. Long-term costs were first projected to the approximate year when the adolescents (mean age:16.0 ± 1.8 years) might be diagnosed with lung cancer based on the average age at presentation with symptoms of lung cancer obtained from the records (59.8 years), and then discounted to 2020 prices. This was estimated as 44 years from the base year (2020). Costs were reported in 2020 prices in Nigerian Naira (NGN) and US dollar (USD) equivalent using the Central Bank of Nigeria, June 2020 exchange rate of USD 1: NGN 360.50.

Results

Approximately 3.8% of the adolescents were current cigarette smokers. Average weekly expenditure on cigarettes was NGN 306.82 ± 5.74 (USD 0.85 ± 0.02). About 26% had experienced at least an episode of chronic cough which cost them an average of NGN 1226.81 ± 6.18 (USD 3.40 ± 0.02) to manage. Total future costs of cigarette smoking in 2020 prices for the 43 adolescents who were current smokers in the event that they develop lung cancer were approximately NGN 175.7 million (USD 487.3 thousand), NGN 871.8 million (USD 2.4 million) and NGN 4.6 trillion (USD 12.7 million) at assumed annual inflation rates of 10%, 15%, and 20% respectively and discount rate of 4.25%.

Conclusion

The estimated economic costs of smoking were very high. Efforts to prevent smoking initiation among adolescents in our study area should be intensified. Interventions to subsidize the medical cost of health-related consequences of cigarette smoking are also required, especially as treatment costs are currently largely borne out-of-pocket.
Evaluating tree growth factors into species-specific functional soil maps for improved agroforestry system efficiency
Authors: Jiang Zhuo-Dong , Owens Phillip R. , Ashworth Amanda J. , Fuentes Bryan A. , Thomas Andrew L. , Sauer Thomas J. , Wang Qiu-Bing
Published: October 2021

Agroforestry systems play an important role in sustainable agroecosystems. However, accurately and adequately quantifying the relationships between environmental factors and tree growth in these systems are still lacking. Objectives of this study were to quantify environmental factors affecting growth of four tree species and to develop functional soil maps (FSM) for each species in an agroforestry site. The diameter at breast height, absolute growth rate (AGR), and neighborhood competition index of 259 trees from four species (northern red oak [Quercus rubra], pecan [Carya illinoinensis], cottonwood [Populus deltoides], and sycamore [Platanus occidentalis]) were determined. A total of 51 topsoil samples were collected and analyzed, and 12 terrain attributes were derived from the digital elevation model. The relationships between AGR, soil, topography, and tree size were analyzed using Spearman correlation. Based on correlation analysis, FSM for each species were generated using the k-means cluster method by overlaying correlated soil and terrain attribute maps. Results showed tree size and terrain attributes were driving factors affecting tree growth rate relative to soil properties. The spatial variations in AGR among functional units were statistically compared within tree species and the areas with larger AGR were identified by the FSM. This study demonstrated that FSM could delineate areas with different AGR for the oak, cottonwood, and sycamore trees. The AGR of pecan trees did not vary among functional units. The generated FSM may allow land managers to more precisely establish and manage agroforestry systems.
Examining the Impact of the Golden Compass Clinical Care Program for Older People with HIV: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Tan Judy Y. , Greene Meredith , Blat Cinthia , Albers Autumn , Grochowski Janet , Oskarsson Jon , Shiels Mary , Hsue Priscilla , Havlir Diane , Gandhi Monica , Myers Janet
Published: October 2021

The combined burden of geriatric conditions, comorbidities, and HIV requires a model of HIV care that offers a comprehensive clinical approach with people 50 years or older with HIV. Golden Compass is an outpatient, multidisciplinary HIV-geriatrics program with an onsite HIV geriatrician, cardiologist, pharmacist, and social worker, offering specialist referrals, care navigation, and classes on improving functional status and cognition. Participants (13 patients and 11 primary care providers) were recruited using a non-probability sampling method to participate in semi-structured interviews on the perceived impact of Golden Compass on care delivered to older people with HIV. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and framework analysis used to analyze the transcripts. The perceived impacts of Golden Compass by patients and providers were organized by the Compass points (Northern: Heart and Mind, Eastern: Bones and Strength, Southern: Navigation and Network, Western: Dental, Hearing, and Vision). Overall, patients valued the focus on functional health and whole-person care, leading to greater trust in the ability of providers. Providers gained new skills through the geriatrics, cardiology and/or pharmacist consultations. The HIV-geriatrics specialty approach of Golden Compass improved functional ability and quality of life for older adults with HIV. Few integrated care programs for older people with HIV have been evaluated. This study adds to the limited literature demonstrating high patient and provider satisfaction with a HIV-care model that incorporated principles of geriatric medicine emphasizing a comprehensive approach to sustaining functional ability and improving quality of life.
Bandgaps and vibration isolation of local resonance sandwich-like plate with simply supported overhanging beam
Authors: Qiang Chenxu , Hao Yuxin , Zhang Wei , Li Jinqiang , Yang Shaowu , Cao Yuteng
Published: October 2021

The concept of local resonance phononic crystals proposed in recent years provides a new chance for theoretical and technical breakthroughs in the structural vibration reduction. In this paper, a novel sandwich-like plate model with local resonator to acquire specific low-frequency bandgaps is proposed. The core layer of the present local resonator is composed by the simply supported overhanging beam, linear spring and mass block, and well connected with the upper and lower surface panels. The simply supported overhanging beam is free at right end, and an additional linear spring is added at the left end. The wave equation is established based on the Hamilton principle, and the bending wave bandgap is further obtained. The theoretical results are verified by the COMSOL finite element software. The bandgaps and vibration characteristics of the local resonance sandwich-like plate are studied in detail. The factors which could have effects on the bandgap characteristics, such as the structural damping, mass of vibrator, position of vibrator, bending stiffness of the beam, and the boundary conditions of the sandwich-like plates, are analyzed. The result shows that the stopband is determined by the natural frequency of the resonator, the mass ratio of the resonator, and the surface panel. It shows that the width of bandgap is greatly affected by the damping ratio of the resonator. Finally, it can also be found that the boundary conditions can affect the isolation efficiency.
Cognitive Variables in Social Anxiety Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Network Analysis
Authors: Vogel Felix , Reichert Julian , Hartmann Daniela , Schwenck Christina
Published: October 2021

Clark and Wells’ prominent model of social anxiety disorder (SAD) assumes that cognitive variables such as negative expectations or dysfunctional cognitions play a central role in the symptomatology of SAD. In contrast to adults, it is less clear how well the cognitive model can be applied to children and adolescents. A network analysis with seven nodes was conducted to explore the importance of cognitive variables and their interaction with symptoms of SAD based on N = 205 children and adolescents (8–18 years, M = 11.54 years). Cognitive variables had a high but differential impact within the positively connected network of SAD. Dysfunctional cognitions were most strongly connected within the network. Dysfunctional cognitions, as predicted by Clark and Wells’ model, seem to act as a hub affecting several symptoms. The association between negative expectations and avoidance indicates that negative expectations may particularly contribute to the maintenance of SAD.
Assessing Resources in a Population of Hemodialysis Patients: A New Approach to Improve Quality of Care
Authors: Bellier-Teichmann Tanja , Antonini Matteo , Delmas Philippe
Published: October 2021

Hemodialysis patients constitute a vulnerable population. Their health needs are considerable and they often present psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Empirical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of positive psychology interventions to enhance the well-being of patients and alleviate their depressive symptoms. One such intervention consists in identifying and mobilizing patient resources to activate their recovery. An intervention of the sort was implemented in Switzerland with hemodialysis nurses using AERES, a novel self-assessment instrument. AERES covers 31 domains under three dimensions: personal characteristics/qualities, hobbies/passions, and social/environmental resources. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore hemodialysis nurse perceptions of the use of this instrument. Sixteen hemodialysis nurses were recruited in six hospitals in French-speaking Switzerland and interviewed after delivering the intervention. A consensual qualitative research method was used to analyze the data. Results showed that the resources instrument was easy to administer and beneficial to patients and health professionals. Patient wellbeing became the top priority for the nurses and new interventions centered on patient resources were undertaken. Quality of patient care was improved. Nurses perceived this positive psychology instrument as a means of creating a positive relationship with patients and supporting them emotionally. Assessing the resources of this vulnerable population can provide health professionals with a powerful tool to understand patient intact resources, which can be used to alleviate symptoms and foster wellbeing.
A role-game laboratory experiment on the influence of country prospects reports on investment decisions in two artificial organizational settings
Authors: Castellani Marco , Alengoz Linda , Casnici Niccolò , Squazzoni Flaminio
Published: October 2021

This paper investigates how reports concerning a given country’s prospects affect investment decisions in two stylized, artificial organizational settings. We designed a role-game laboratory experiment, where subjects were asked to make investment decisions for two types of fictitious companies from the same country. We found that when available reports included positive country prospects, subjects strategized more on investments regardless of the characteristics of their organization. When reports included negative prospects, however, certain organizational peculiarities influenced the subjects’ interpretations, with decision-makers opting for more prudent plans when managing a more traditional company. Cognitive maps of decision makers showed that subjects considered investment strategies as a means to fulfil a company’s role expectations regarding appropriate decisions. Notwithstanding all caveats due to the artificial and simplified nature of our experimental setting, our findings indicate the need for more research on the effect of reports and prospect analysis on strategic decisions of companies, especially when business prospects are uncertain.
Status and determinants of other gainful activities by farmers in mountainous rural regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Authors: Shahzad Muhammad Abid , Ahmed Vaqar , Fischer Christian
Published: October 2021

Non-farm income sources are important for livelihood sustenance, especially in the mountainous regions of developing countries. To implement effective policies to improve economic development, policymakers need insights at the grassroots level. Yet, there is a lack of empirical evidence in the context of Pakistan. This study examines the current situation and the factors influencing the decision by farmers to engage in other gainful activities (OGAs) such as farm diversification and off-farm work in the northern mountainous regions of Pakistan. The study is based on quantitative survey data obtained from 459 farm managers and qualitative data from 24 key informants from five different districts in Gilgit-Baltistan. Utilizing a logistic regression model, a statistical analysis is conducted on farmer and farm characteristics to investigate the probability of farm managers to engage in OGAs. The survey results show that around 71% of farm managers are engaged in OGAs (with 24% in farm diversification, 61% in offfarm work and 15% in both). The share of female farm managers is 51% in farm diversification while male farm managers dominate off-farm activities (69%). The most prevalent types of farm diversification are the processing of farm products and tourism-related farm work, while the main off-farm activities are setting up grocery stores outside the farm, having salaried jobs or engaging in other non-agricultural business. There are significant differences between farmers with and without OGAs particularly regarding farmer characteristics, agricultural income and some other variables. The logit model results show that farmer characteristics mainly determine off-farm work activities while farm (and other) characteristics mostly explain farm diversification. These findings suggest that OGAs primarily exist as livelihood strategies. Farm diversification is linked with the long-term sustenance of agricultural activities while off-farm work is predominantly driven by economic needs. Both types of OGAs require specific support policies while attention needs to be given not to threaten regional food supply.
Toward coherent O-band data center interconnects
Authors: Seiler Pascal M. , Georgieva Galina , Winzer Georg , Peczek Anna , Voigt Karsten , Lischke Stefan , Fatemi Adel , Zimmermann Lars
Published: October 2021

Upcoming generations of coherent intra/inter data center interconnects currently lack a clear path toward a reduction of cost and power consumption, which are the driving factors for these data links. In this work, the tradeoffs associated with a transition from coherent C-band to O-band silicon photonics are addressed and evaluated. The discussion includes the fundamental components of coherent data links, namely the optical components, fiber link and transceivers. As a major component of these links, a monolithic silicon photonic BiCMOS O-band coherent receiver is evaluated for its potential performance and compared to an analogous C-band device.
The Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) program and its modifications: a narrative review
Authors: Hezel Natalie , Körbi Carlotta , Wolf Melissa , Adams Michael , Jansen Carl-Philipp , Labudek Sarah , Wolf-Belala Nacera , Kramer-Gmeiner Franziska , Nerz Corinna , Schwenk Michael
Published: October 2021

Lifestyle-integrated exercise is a promising approach to increase adherence levels of older adults compared to structured exercise programs as it saves time and effort and supports older adults in preventing falls and functional decline. The Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) program embodies this approach by integrating physical activity, balance, and strength activities into daily tasks of community-dwelling older adults aged 70+. A randomized controlled trial shows strong effectiveness of the original, resource-intensive one-on-one format of the LiFE program in terms of reducing falls, improving motor performance, and increasing physical activity. The positive effects of the original LiFE program have yet stimulated adaptions to group-based and information and communications technology-based formats, to younger seniors, for multicomponent interventions, and to populations with disabilities which resulted in 16 known studies about LiFE modifications. Evidence for the effectiveness of specific LiFE modifications exists for four programs, while seven adaptions are in the feasibility stage and one is still in the early development phase. A decade of existing LiFE research is summarized in this narrative review that, to the best of our knowledge, does not exist until now. The aim of this article is (1) to provide an overview of the number of LiFE modifications and their specifications, (2) to describe the current evidence regarding feasibility and effectiveness, and (3) to present challenges and potential of the different LiFE modifications. All adaptions of the LiFE program embody the benefits of the lifestyle-integrated approach and enable an enhancement of the successful LiFE concept.
Evaluating different energized fracturing fluids using an integrated equation-of-state compositional hydraulic fracturing and reservoir simulator
Authors: Zheng Shuang , Sharma Mukul M.
Published: October 2021

Horizontal wells are often drilled and hydraulically fractured in tight reservoirs to produce hydrocarbons or heat. Different fracturing fluids such as slick water, gas, foam, gel, or a combination can be used with slick water being the most common fracturing fluid. In this paper, we study the impacts of different fracturing fluids on fractured well productivity using an in-house integrated hydraulic fracturing and reservoir simulator with an equation-of-state compositional model. We analyzed the fracture geometry, stress interference, proppant placement, and the subsequent well productivity using different fracturing fluids. The results clearly show that different fracturing fluids result in very different fracture shape, sand distribution, and water and hydrocarbon production. By conducting fracturing and production simulations in one simulator, we ensure that no physics and data loss occurs due to data migration between two different software packages for hydraulic fracturing and reservoir simulation. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that a single integrated equation-of-state compositional hydraulic fracturing and reservoir simulator has been presented and applied for well lifecycle simulation.
High-resolution monitoring of VFA dynamics reveals process failure and exponential decrease of biogas production
Authors: Maurus Kerstin , Kremmeter Nicola , Ahmed Sharif , Kazda Marian
Published: October 2021

The future of biogas production will be characterized by on-demand provision to compensate the unpredictability of solar and wind power. Such biogas production through feedstock management is a promising possibility but requires close monitoring. The dynamics of volatile fatty acid (VFA) formation and further degradation to methane production are of special interest when providing high portions of fast degradable carbohydrates. Their fast degradability can impair process stability. The correlation of VFA loading and the biogas process was tested in four anaerobic continuously stirred tank reactors supplied with maize silage hourly and with sugar beet silage twice a day at a 12-h interval. The reactors differed in the amount of sugar beet silage and thus in total organic loading rate from 2.0 to 3.5 kgVS m−3 day−1. The VFA concentrations increased immediately after each input of sugar beet silage but levelled down until the next feeding period. At the highest organic loading rate, successive VFA accumulation escalated after 25 days (50 feeding periods) at 3.5 kgVS m−3 day−1, causing process failure with propionic acid concentrations exceeding 3500 mg L−1. The data revealed a strong negative exponential relationship between VFA concentrations and biogas and methane yields, respectively. High-resolution monitoring showed the instant dynamics of VFA production after intermittent sugar beet silage supply and the cumulative impact during increasing process disturbance.
Study on Mechanisms of Photon-Induced Material Removal on Silicon at Atomic and Close-to-Atomic Scale
Authors: Wang Peizhi , Wang Jinshi , Fang Fengzhou
Published: October 2021

This paper presents a new approach for material removal on silicon at atomic and close-to-atomic scale assisted by photons. The corresponding mechanisms are also investigated. The proposed approach consists of two sequential steps: surface modification and photon irradiation. The back bonds of silicon atoms are first weakened by the chemisorption of chlorine and then broken by photon energy, leading to the desorption of chlorinated silicon. The mechanisms of photon-induced desorption of chlorinated silicon, i.e., SiCl2 and SiCl, are explained by two models: the Menzel–Gomer–Redhead (MGR) and Antoniewicz models. The desorption probability associated with the two models is numerically calculated by solving the Liouville–von Neumann equations for open quantum systems. The calculation accuracy is verified by comparison with the results in literatures in the case of the NO/Pt (111) system. The calculation method is then applied to the cases of SiCl2/Si and SiCl/Si systems. The results show that the value of desorption probability first increases dramatically and then saturates to a stable value within hundreds of femtoseconds after excitation. The desorption probability shows a super-linear dependence on the lifetime of excited states.
Darf der Staat von Migrant*innen fordern, sich zu integrieren?
Authors: Gutmann Tobias
Published: October 2021

In diesem Aufsatz gehe ich der Frage nach, ob der Staat von Migrant*innen fordern darf, sich zu integrieren. Nach einer Erläuterung des Begriffs „Integration“ und der verschiedenen Dimensionen der Integration werde ich ein Argument vorstellen, das zeigt, dass sich auf Grundlage des politischen Liberalismus eine staatliche Forderung nach politischer Partizipation von Migrant*innen begründen lässt. Diese Forderung beruht auf Gerechtigkeits- sowie demokratietheoretischen Überlegungen. Weil die politische Partizipation zugleich eine gewisse strukturelle, soziale und identifikative Integration der Migrant*innen voraussetzt, erstreckt sich die Forderung auch auf diese Voraussetzungen. Da sich die entsprechende Forderung gleichermaßen an Migrant*innen als auch an Einheimische richtet, entgeht die hier vorgestellte Argumentation dem Vorwurf, auf einem bloß partikularen Interesse der einheimischen Bevölkerung zu beruhen, dass sich die Migrant*innen der bzw. einer nationalen Kultur anpassen mögen. Zuletzt diskutiere ich einen Einwand, der sich gegen eine der Prämissen meiner Argumentation richtet. Dieser lautet, dass ein liberaler Staat keinen Einfluss auf die Haltungen und Überzeugungen seiner Bürger*innen nehmen darf. Ich verteidige die Behauptung, dass es auch im liberalen Staat legitim ist, die Bürger*innen zur Demokratie zu erziehen.
Sociology for sustainability science
Authors: Longo Stefano B. , Isgren Ellinor , Clark Brett , Jorgenson Andrew K. , Jerneck Anne , Olsson Lennart , Kelly Orla M. , Harnesk David , York Richard
Published: October 2021

Sociological insights are often underutilized in sustainability science. To further strengthen its commitment to interdisciplinary problem-driven, solutions-oriented research, sustainability science can better incorporate fundamental sociological conceptions into its core. We highlight four aspects of sociological thought that we consider crucial for advancing sustainability science research: (1) social construction and critical realism, (2) structure and agency, (3) historical specificity, and (4) collective action. We draw on examples from sociology to support a dynamic understanding of how social relations interact with the bio-geo-physical world. This necessary integration of sociological insights, we argue, is critical to generate comprehensive assessments of the causes and consequences of human-induced environmental change, and tend to be overlooked or oversimplified within the field of sustainability science. Beyond that, it can stimulate the development and implementation of viable solutions to sustainability challenges.
Organisational resilience in the COVID-19: A case study from China
Authors: Yang Hangsheng , Tang Min , Chao Xiangrui , Li Pu
Published: October 2021

The sudden outbreak of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) sparked widespread concern about organisational resilience in the management domain. The resources, operations and practices of organisational resilience have to be considered in particular contexts at different stages and in relation to numerous inputs, processes and outputs. Selected as one example, the preparation, response and development of a retail supermarket's management and operations in China is examined through an empirical case study. Supply chain and digital construction, improvisational ability, system management and corporate social responsibility all played a positive role in this organisation's response to the outbreak of COVID-19 (2019–2020) in the Chinese management context. Organisational resilience is reflected in the case study organisation's self-interested and altruistic policies and practices. The case provides valuable insights on efficacious management practices for organisational resilience building in the retail industry.
Variaciones en el comportamiento mortuorio durante la caída del imperio inca en el Pucará de Tilcara (Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy): Aportes desde la entomología forense y la bioantropología
Authors: Otero Clarisa , Centeno Néstor , Fuchs Maria Laura , Gheggi Maria Soledad , Seldes Verónica , Knudson Kelly J.
Published: October 2021

En los Andes surandinos, las prácticas funerarias incluyeron una diversidad de actos rituales en torno a los restos de los difuntos que iban más allá de la preparación del cuerpo y el lugar de depósito. El desarrollo y las características de estos actos dependían principalmente de la condición social que tenían los muertos en vida. En el Pucará de Tilcara, definido como capital de la provincia incaica de Omaguaca, se detectan una amplia variedad de formas de inhumación, pero en este trabajo abordamos el caso de un contexto mortuorio de una mujer, cuya muerte se estima ocurrió hacia el final del período Incaico o inicios de la época Hispano-Indígena. Análisis interdisciplinarios del contexto arqueológico y, particularmente, los estudios entomológicos de la fauna cadavérica y bioantropológicos permitieron determinar que esta mujer estuvo expuesta antes de quedar sepultada por procesos naturales. Proponemos que esta exposición ocurrió en el marco del culto a los ancestros difundido por todo el imperio, y sirvió para remarcar su estatus social. El acompañamiento mortuorio y los análisis de estroncio sugieren que la mujer formó parte de un grupo de elite oriundo de otra región del Tawantinsuyu, que pudo trasladarse y asentarse en la Quebrada durante la caída del Imperio inca, buscando refugio ante la inminente envestida española.
A Far-Reaching Parental Love? Co-Governance of Intergenerational Succession and Innovation Activities in Chinese Family Firms
Authors: Zhu Zhenduo , Kang Yuanfei
Published: October 2021

Motivated by the research gap on intergenerational succession dynamics of family firms, this study examines the effects of initiating intergenerational succession on firms' innovation activities. We propose that initiation of intra-family succession can result in founder–successor co-governance that represents a strategic transition to the succession and incorporates the two conflicting yet complementary directions of change and continuity. Grounded in the theory of altruism, we suggest that co-governance will positively affect firms' innovation activities and that this positive link is contingent on the idiosyncratic intra-family relationships of kinship type, age difference, and gender difference between the founder and the successor. Furthermore, we posit that co-governance will lead to a flow of resources to low risk, rather than more inventive but higher risk, innovations. Based on the unbalanced panel data of 4,694 firm-year observations in our sample from listed Chinese family firms during the 2006–2015 period, empirical analysis supports our hypotheses and confirms that when examining family firms' innovation, there is a need to take the heterogeneity of the intra-family governance structure more fully into consideration.
Free quotients of fundamental groups of smooth quasi-projective varieties
Authors: Cogolludo Jose I. , Libgober Anatoly
Published: October 2021

We study the fundamental groups of the complements to curves on simply connected surfaces, admitting non-abelian free groups as their quotients. We show that given a subset of the Néron–Severi group of such a surface, there are only finitely many classes of equisingular isotopy of curves with irreducible components belonging to this subset for which the fundamental groups of the complement admit surjections onto a free group of a given sufficiently large rank. Examples of subsets of the Néron–Severi group are given with infinitely many isotopy classes of curves with irreducible components from such a subset and fundamental groups of the complements admitting surjections on a free group only of a small rank.
Inferior turbinate reduction: comparing post-operative bleeding between different surgical techniques
Authors: Levy E , Ronen O , Sela E , Layos E , Eisenbach N , Ibrahim N , Dror AA , Daoud A , Marshak T
Published: October 2021

Objective

Post-operative bleeding is one of the most common and severe complications of turbinate surgery. This study compared post-operative bleeding following partial turbinectomy, submucosal turbinate reduction and endoscopic turbinoplasty.

Methods

Post-operative bleeding was assessed in patients who underwent inferior turbinate intervention by partial turbinectomy, submucosal turbinate reduction or endoscopic turbinoplasty between January 2016 and November 2017 and had completed at least one month of follow up.

Results

Of 1035 patients who underwent inferior turbinate surgery during the study period, 751 were included. Of these, 56 (7.5 per cent) presented to the emergency room with post-operative bleeding; 31 (8.4 per cent) had undergone partial turbinectomy, 19 (10.7 per cent) had undergone submucosal turbinate reduction and 6 (3.0 per cent) had undergone endoscopic turbinoplasty. The odds ratio of requiring an intervention to control bleeding was significantly lower in the endoscopic turbinoplasty group than in the submucosal turbinate reduction group (odds ratio = 3.26, 95 per cent confidence interval = 1.02–10.43).

Conclusion

Endoscopic turbinoplasty had the lowest rate of post-operative bleeding and the lowest rate of patients requiring intervention.