bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ex-situ biological CO2 methanation using trickle bed reactor: review and recent advances
Authors: Sposob Michal , Wahid Radziah , Fischer Keno
Published: August 2021

Power-to-methane technology is a promising solution to facilitate the use of excess variable renewable energy for biomethane production. In this approach, hydrogen produced via electrolysis is used to upgrade raw biogas, which can be subsequently used as fuel or stored in the gas grid. Ex-situ biomethanation is an emerging technology that could potentially replace conventional energy-intensive biogas upgrading methods and allow CO2 utilization for biomethane production. This work provides a comprehensive overview on the current status of ex-situ biomethanation with particular attention to trickle bed reactor. The review includes description of ex-situ biomethanation and summarizes previous works on this topic. The key elements related to operational conditions, efficiency, and microbiology of ex-situ biomethanation using trickle bed reactor are described here. Additionally, the review highlights the technical and economic issues that have to be addressed for future development and large-scale implementation of ex-situ biomethanation.
Das schwarze Loch der „Nicht-Nachhaltigkeit“. Eine kritische Auseinandersetzung mit Ingolfur Blühdorns Forschungsansatz
Authors: Brand Karl-Werner
Published: August 2021

Ingolfur Blühdorn hat in den vergangenen Jahren in vielen kritischen Beiträgen die These vertreten, dass wir uns entgegen den „naiven Hoffnungserzählungen“ der transformativen Nachhaltigkeitsforschung in einem strukturell geschlossenen System der „nachhaltigen Nicht-Nachhaltigkeit“ bewegen. Sein Forschungsinteresse zielt auf die Klärung der Frage, warum sich dieses System der „Nicht-Nachhaltigkeit“ trotz des gestiegenen Umweltbewusstseins und aller Nachhaltigkeitsaktivitäten über Jahrzehnte hinweg so stabil halten konnte und welche politischen Konsequenzen sich daraus ergeben. Der für ihn zentrale Erklärungsfaktor ist dabei – als Nebenfolge sozio-kultureller Modernisierungsdynamiken – die Radikalisierung von Selbstverwirklichungsansprüchen, die konsumtive, nicht-nachhaltige Identitäten und Lebensstile zu unverhandelbaren Voraussetzungen demokratischer Politik werden lassen. Das führe zwangsläufig zur Transformation der Demokratie in ein „postdemokratisches“ Instrument der Verschärfung von Ungleichheit und Exklusion, was aber durch „simulative Nachhaltigkeitspraktiken“ und „Praktiken der Selbstillusionierung“ überdeckt werde. Der Beitrag rekonstruiert die zentralen Argumentationsschritte dieses Ansatzes und diskutiert seine zentralen Annahmen, insbesondere die der „Emanzipation zweiter Ordnung“ und der „postdemokratischen Wende“. Diese Annahmen erweisen sich, so das Ergebnis dieser Diskussion, sowohl historisch wie theoretisch als unhaltbar. Damit führt auch Blühdorns Versuch, die Widersprüchlichkeiten und Blockaden von Nachhaltigkeitstransformationen zu begreifen, ins Leere. Die Frage ist, was sich aus dem Scheitern dieses Ansatzes lernen lässt und welche Desiderate der sozialwissenschaftlichen Nachhaltigkeits- und Transformationsforschung sich daraus ergeben.
Mixed Neuroendocrine/Non-neuroendocrine Neoplasm (MiNEN) of the Ovary Arising from Endometriosis: Molecular Pathology Analysis in Support of a Pathogenetic Paradigm
Authors: Maragliano Roberta , Libera Laura , Carnevali Ileana , Pensotti Valeria , De Vecchi Giovanna , Testa Margherita , Amaglio Cristina , Leoni Eleonora , Formenti Giorgio , Sessa Fausto , Furlan Daniela , Uccella Silvia
Published: August 2021

Primary ovarian neuroendocrine neoplasms (Ov-NENs) are infrequent and mainly represented by well-differentiated forms (neuroendocrine tumors — NETs — or carcinoids). Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (Ov-NECs) are exceedingly rare and only few cases have been reported in the literature. A subset of Ov-NECs are admixed with non-neuroendocrine carcinomas, as it occurs in other female genital organs, as well (mostly endometrium and uterine cervix), and may be assimilated to mixed neuroendocrine/non-neuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNENs) described in digestive and extra-digestive sites. Here, we present a case of large cell Ov-NEC admixed with an endometrioid carcinoma of the ovary, arising in the context of ovarian endometriosis, associated with a uterine endometrial atypical hyperplasia (EAH). We performed targeted next-generation sequencing analysis, along with a comprehensive immunohistochemical study and FISH analysis for TP53 locus, separately on the four morphologically distinct lesions (Ov-NEC, endometrioid carcinoma, endometriosis, and EAH). The results of our study identified molecular alterations of cancer-related genes (PIK3CA, CTNNB1, TP53, RB1, ARID1A, and p16), which were present with an increasing gradient from preneoplastic lesions to malignant proliferations, both neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine components. In conclusion, our findings underscored that the two neoplastic components of this Ov-MiNEN share a substantially identical molecular profile and they progress from a preexisting ovarian endometriotic lesion, in a patient with a coexisting preneoplastic proliferation of the endometrium, genotypically and phenotypically related to the ovarian neoplasm. Moreover, this study supports the inclusion of MiNEN in the spectrum ovarian and, possibly, of all gynecological NENs, among which they are currently not classified.
Plant Regeneration from Unpollinated Ovules of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) on Growing Media with Different Carbohydrates
Authors: Tomaszewska-Sowa Magdalena , Keutgen Anna J.
Published: August 2021

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is referred to as a strategic species due to its exceptional economic and functional importance. Sugar beet is cultivated in order to provide material for sugar production as it is the world’s second source after sugar cane. However, in this species, the regeneration of haploid shoots is difficult in comparison to other cultures or isolated microspores. Haploid plants of sugar beet can be derived from in vitro culture mostly via gynogenesis. Therefore, the aim of this research has been to increase the effectiveness of shoot formation from unpollinated sugar beet ovules by optimising the regeneration technique via induced gynogenesis. Various types and concentrations of chosen carbohydrates in media were evaluated. The Murashige and Skoog medium containing 4.4 μmol/L of 6-benzylaminopurine was solidified by 0.7% of agar and enriched with either sucrose (0.06 mol/L or 0.09 mol/L), glucose (0.09 mol/L), fructose (0.09 mol/L), maltose (0.09 mol/L) or with a combination of sucrose (0.04 mol/L) and mannitol (0.04 mol/L) or with sucrose (0.04 mol/L) and fructose (0.04 mol/L). The control medium contained 0.09 mol/L sucrose without any cytokinins. Of all the analysed media, the best for shoot regeneration turned out to be the media with 4.4 µmol/L 6-benzylaminopurine, solidified with 0.7% agar, additionally containing 0.09 mol/L glucose or 0.06 mol/L sucrose. On those media, over three-fold more shoots compared with the control medium were produced.
The indigenous settlement of Monte Iato (western Sicily): an ethnoarchaeometric approach for outlining local Archaic ceramic productions
Authors: Montana G. , Polito A. M. , Kistler E. , Mohr M. , Spatafora F.
Published: August 2021

An ethnoarchaeometric approach has been followed to identify the textural and compositional characteristics of the ceramic pastes produced in ancient Iaitas/Ietas, an indigenous site located in western Sicily on Monte Iato, a few tens of kilometres from Palermo. This approach was primarily motivated by the lack of discovered Archaic kilns or production sites/workshops and the inability to identify reference groups. Raw clays were sampled in the territory of San Cipirello and San Giuseppe Iato (today’s municipalities both sited on the northern slopes of Monte Iato), together with representative historic tiles and bricks locally produced until fairly recently. Grain-size analysis and experimental firings were performed on the clay samples. A significant number of archaeological ceramic samples (incised and painted indigenous pottery dating back to the seventh–fifth centuries BCE) from stratigraphic excavations on Monte Iato, and hypothesized as local productions on a stylistic-morphological basis, was carefully selected for archaeometric analysis. This set of samples (90 in total, comprising raw clays, historic tiles/bricks and archaeological ceramics) underwent a combined chemical and mineralogical-petrographic analysis to identify any possible compositional matching. This approach enabled the identification of minero-petrographic and chemical markers pertinent to the indigenous Archaic pottery produced at Monte Iato, although no evidence of coeval ceramic kilns has been found so far. Local raw clay sources have been documented and some significant points of the chaîne opératoire adopted in antiquity have been noted (clay mixing and tempering practices). Attesting Monte Iato as a centre of ceramic production and defining both the microscopic fabric and the average composition of local pastes open up new perspectives in the complex issue concerning the production and regional circulation of incised and painted indigenous ceramics in Archaic Sicily.
Weighted Choquard Equation Perturbed with Weighted Nonlocal Term
Authors: Singh Gurpreet
Published: August 2021

We investigate the following problem $$\begin{aligned} -\mathrm{div}(v(x)|\nabla u|^{m-2}\nabla u)+V(x)|u|^{m-2}u= \left( |x|^{-\theta }*\frac{|u|^{b}}{|x|^{\alpha }}\right) \frac{|u|^{b-2}}{|x|^{\alpha }}u+\lambda \left( |x|^{-\gamma }*\frac{|u|^{c}}{|x|^{\beta }}\right) \frac{|u|^{c-2}}{|x|^{\beta }}u \quad \text { in }{\mathbb {R}}^{N}, \end{aligned}$$

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. Here, we are concerned with the existence of groundstate solutions and least energy sign-changing solutions and that will be done by using the minimization techniques on the associated Nehari manifold and the Nehari nodal set respectively.
Dodecyl Mercaptan Functionalized Copper Mesh for Water Repellence and Oil-water Separation
Authors: Tian Yanling , Feng Jiekai , Cai Zexin , Chao Jiaqi , Zhang Dawei , Cui Yuxiao , Chen Faze
Published: August 2021

Reckless discharge of industrial wastewater and domestic sewage as well as frequent leakage of crude oil have caused serious environmental problems and posed severe threat to human survival. Various nature inspired superhy-drophobic surfaces have been successfully applied in oily water remediation. However, further improvements are still urgently needed for practical application in terms of facile synthesis process and long-term durability towards harsh environment. Herein, we propose a simple one-step dodecyl mercaptan functionalization method to fabricate Super-hydrophobic-Superoleophilic Copper Mesh (SSCM). The prepared SSCM possesses excellent water repellence and oil affinity, enabling it to successfully separate various oil-water mixtures with high separation efficiency (e.g., > 99% for hexadecane-water mixture). The SSCM retains high separating ability when hot water and strong corrosive aqueous solutions are used to simulate oil-water mixtures, indicating remarkable chemical durability of the dodecyl mercaptan functionalized copper mesh. Additionally, the efficiency can be well maintained during 50 cycles of separation, and the water repellence is even stable after storage in air for 120 days, demonstrating the reusability and long-term stability of the SSCM. Furthermore, the functionalized mesh also shows good mechanical robustness towards abrasion by sandpaper, and oil-water separation efficiency of > 96% can be obtained after 10 cycles of abrasion. The reported one-step dodecyl mercaptan functionalization could be a simple method for increasing the water repellence of copper mesh, and thereby be a great candidate for treating large-scale oily wastewater in harsh environments.
Review of Recent Progress in Robotic Knee Prosthesis Related Techniques: Structure, Actuation and Control
Authors: Sun Yuanxi , Tang Hao , Tang Yuntao , Zheng Jia , Dong Dianbiao , Chen Xiaohong , Liu Fuqiang , Bai Long , Ge Wenjie , Xin Liming , Pu Huayan , Peng Yan , Luo Jun
Published: August 2021

As the essential technology of human-robotics interactive wearable devices, the robotic knee prosthesis can provide above-knee amputations with functional knee compensations to realize their physical and psychological social regression. With the development of mechanical and mechatronic science and technology, the fully active knee prosthesis that can provide subjects with actuating torques has demonstrated a better wearing performance in slope walking and stair ascent when compared with the passive and the semi-active ones. Additionally, with intelligent human-robotics control strategies and algorithms, the wearing effect of the knee prosthesis has been greatly enhanced in terms of stance stability and swing mobility. Therefore, to help readers to obtain an overview of recent progress in robotic knee prosthesis, this paper systematically categorized knee prostheses according to their integrated functions and introduced related research in the past ten years (2010–2020) regarding (1) mechanical design, including uniaxial, four-bar, and multi-bar knee structures, (2) actuating technology, including rigid and elastic actuation, and (3) control method, including mode identification, motion prediction, and automatic control. Quantitative and qualitative analysis and comparison of robotic knee prosthesis-related techniques are conducted. The development trends are concluded as follows: (1) bionic and lightweight structures with better mechanical performance, (2) bionic elastic actuation with energy-saving effect, (3) artificial intelligence-based bionic prosthetic control. Besides, challenges and innovative insights of customized lightweight bionic knee joint structure, highly efficient compact bionic actuation, and personalized daily multi-mode gait adaptation are also discussed in-depth to facilitate the future development of the robotic knee prosthesis.
Mechatronic Design of a Robot for Upper Limb Rehabilitation at Home
Authors: Curcio Elio Matteo , Carbone Giuseppe
Published: August 2021

This paper addresses the design of a novel bionic robotic device for upper limb rehabilitation tasks at home. The main goal of the design process has been to obtain a rehabilitation device, which can be easily portable and can be managed remotely by a professional therapist. This allows to treat people also in regions that are not easily reachable with a significant cost reduction. Other potential benefits can be envisaged, for instance, in the possibility to keep social distancing while allowing rehabilitation treatments even during a pandemic spread. Specific attention has been devoted to design the main mechatronic components by developing specific kinematics and dynamics models. The design process includes the implementation of a specific control hardware and software. Preliminary experimental tests are reported to show the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed design solution.
Influence of nickel doping on MnO2 nanoflowers as electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Worku Ababay Ketema , Ayele Delele Worku , Habtu Nigus Gabbiye
Published: August 2021

Doping is promising strategy for the alteration of nanomaterials to enhance their optical, electrical, and catalytic activities. The development of electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) with excellent activity, low cost and durability is essential for the large-scale utilization of energy storage devices such as batteries. In this study, MnO2 and Ni-doped MnO2 nanowires were prepared through a simple co-perception technique. The influence of nickel concentration on electrochemical performance was studied using linear sweep voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry. The morphological, thermal, structural, and optical properties  of MnO2 and Ni-doped MnO2 nanowires were examined by SEM, ICP-OES, FT-IR, XRD, UV–Vis, BET and TGA/DTA. Morphological analyses showed that pure MnO2 and Ni-doped MnO2 had flower-like and nanowire structures, respectively. The XRD study confirmed the phase transformation from ε to α and β phases of MnO2 due to the dopant. It was also noted from the XRD studies that the crystallite sizes of pure MnO2 and Ni-doped MnO2 were in the range of 2.25–6.6 nm. The band gaps of MnO2 and 0.125 M Ni-doped MnO2 nanoparticles were estimated to be 2.78 and 1.74 eV, correspondingly, which can be seen from UV–Vis. FTIR spectroscopy was used to determine the presence of functional groups and M–O bonds (M = Mn, Ni). The TGA/TDA examination showed that Ni-doping in MnO2 led to an improvement in its thermal properties. The cyclic voltammetry  results exhibited that Ni-doped MnO2 nanowires have remarkable catalytic performance for ORR in 0.1 M KOH alkaline conditions. This work contributes to the facile preparation of highly active and durable catalysts with improved catalytic performance mainly due to the predominance of nickel.

Article Highlights

MnO2 and Ni-doped MnO2 nanowires were synthesized via a facile co-perception approach.

Nickel doping in MnO2 induces the formation of wire-like nanostructures.

Nickel doping enhances the electrochemical activity and thermal stability of MnO2 nanoflowers.

The addition of nickel into MnO2 promoted the catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction.

A higher catalytic activity was achieved in 0.125 M Ni-MnO2 nanowires.

Graphic abstract
Does homeopathy reduce the cost of conventional drug prescribing?
Authors: Jain Asha
Published: August 2021

There is little research on cost–effectiveness of homeopathy in General Practice. This study aimed to compare the costs of homeopathic prescribing with conventional drugs prescribing. Data were collected for 4 years on all patients who were treated homeopathically. Costs of homeopathic remedies and costs of conventional drugs which otherwise would be prescribed for these patients was calculated for the total duration of treatment. Savings were calculated. One hundred patients were included in the study. Average cost savings per patient was £60.40. The majority of patients had improved and most did not report any side-effects. The limitations of this study are that it is based on one GP's work, with a small number of patients so definite and generalisable conclusions cannot be drawn. Moreover, calculated costs in this study are based on drugs only, it does not take into account doctor's time, special investigations and time off sick. Future work needs to be carried out to include all of these points for a comprehensive economic analysis.
Democratic Deconsolidation in Southeast Asia
Authors: Mietzner Marcus
Published: August 2021

Since the mid-2000s, the quality of democracy around the world has been in decline, and Southeast Asia is no exception. This Element analyzes the extent, patterns and drivers of democratic deconsolidation in the three Southeast Asian countries that boast the longest history of electoral democracy in the region: Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. While the exact deconsolidation outcomes differ, all three nations have witnessed similar trends of democratic erosion. In each case, long-standing democratic deficiencies (such as clientelism, politicized security forces and non-democratic enclaves) have persisted; rising wealth inequality has triggered political oligarchization and subsequent populist responses embedded in identity politics; and ambitious middle classes have opted for non-democratic alternatives to safeguard their material advancement. As a result, all three polities have descended from their democratic peaks between the late 1980s and early 2000s, with few signs pointing to a return to previous democratization paths.
Environmentalism and Global International Society
Authors: Falkner Robert
Published: August 2021

Environmentalism and Global International Society reveals how environmental values and ideas have transformed the normative structure of international relations. Falkner argues that environmental stewardship has become a universally accepted fundamental norm, or primary institution, of global international society. He traces the history of environmentalism's rise from a loose set of ideas originating in the nineteenth century to a globally applicable norm in the twentieth century, which has come to redefine international legitimacy and states' global responsibilities. He shows how this deep norm change came about as a result of the interplay between non-state and state actors, and how the new environmental norm has interacted with the existing primary institutions of global international society, most notably sovereignty and territoriality, diplomacy, international law, and the market. This book shifts the attention from the presentist focus in the study of global environmental politics to the longue durée of global norm change in the greening of international relations.
COVID-19 pandemic: insights into molecular mechanisms leading to sex-based differences in patient outcomes
Authors: Kumar Ashutosh , Narayan Ravi K. , Kulandhasamy Maheswari , Prasoon Pranav , Kumari Chiman , Kumar Sujeet , Pareek Vikas , Sesham Kishore , Shekhawat Prakash S. , Kant Kamla , Kumar Santosh
Published: August 2021

Recent epidemiological studies analysing sex-disaggregated patient data of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) across the world revealed a distinct sex bias in the disease morbidity as well as the mortality – both being higher for the men. Similar antecedents have been known for the previous viral infections, including from coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and middle-east respiratory syndrome (MERS). A sound understanding of molecular mechanisms leading to the biological sex bias in the survival outcomes of the patients in relation to COVID-19 will act as an essential requisite for developing a sex-differentiated approach for therapeutic management of this disease. Recent studies which have explored molecular mechanism(s) behind sex-based differences in COVID-19 pathogenesis are scarce; however, existing evidence, for other respiratory viral infections, viz. SARS, MERS and influenza, provides important clues in this regard. In attempt to consolidate the available knowledge on this issue, we conducted a systematic review of the existing empirical knowledge and recent experimental studies following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The qualitative analysis of the collected data unravelled multiple molecular mechanisms, such as evolutionary and genetic/epigenetic factors, sex-linkage of viral host cell entry receptor and immune response genes, sex hormone and gut microbiome-mediated immune-modulation, as the possible key reasons for the sex-based differences in patient outcomes in COVID-19.
Partial C*-dynamics and Rokhlin dimension
Authors: ABADIE FERNANDO , GARDELLA EUSEBIO , GEFFEN SHIRLY
Published: August 2021

We develop the notion of the Rokhlin dimension for partial actions of finite groups, extending the well-established theory for global systems. The partial setting exhibits phenomena that cannot be expected for global actions, usually stemming from the fact that virtually all averaging arguments for finite group actions completely break down for partial systems. For example, fixed point algebras and crossed products are not in general Morita equivalent, and there is in general no local approximation of the crossed product$A\rtimes G$by matrices overA. Using decomposition arguments for partial actions of finite groups, we show that a number of structural properties are preserved by formation of crossed products, including finite stable rank, finite nuclear dimension, and absorption of a strongly self-absorbing$C^*$-algebra. Some of our results are new even in the global case.

We also study the Rokhlin dimension of globalizable actions: while in general it differs from the Rokhlin dimension of its globalization, we show that they agree if the coefficient algebra is unital. For topological partial actions on spaces of finite covering dimension, we show that finiteness of the Rokhlin dimension is equivalent to freeness, thus providing a large class of examples to which our theory applies.
Greenland ice-sheet wide glacier classification based on two distinct seasonal ice velocity behaviors
Authors: Vijay Saurabh , King Michalea D. , Howat Ian M. , Solgaard Anne M. , Khan Shfaqat Abbas , Noël Brice
Published: August 2021

Greenland glaciers exhibit variable seasonal velocity signals that may reflect differences in subglacial hydrology. Here, we conduct a first GrIS-wide glacier classification based on seasonal velocity patterns derived from 2017 Sentinel-1 radar data. Our classification focuses on two distinct seasonal ice velocity patterns, with the first (type-2 from Moon and others, 2014) showing periods of both speedup and slowdown during the melt season, and the second (type-3) instead showing a longer period of slowdown from elevated velocities in the winter and spring. We analyze 221 glaciers in 2017 and show that 48 exhibit type-2 behavior, and 72 exhibit type-3 behavior. We extend the classification to 2018 and 2019 and find that while the glaciers meeting each criterion vary year to year, type-2 is consistently more common in the northern regions and type-3 is more common in the south. Our results highlight the varied impact of meltwater on subglacial drainage systems and glacier flow in Greenland.
Revolution or Rejection?
Authors: Cavadini John
Published: August 2021

Mark S. Massa’s The Structure of Theological Revolutions: How the Fight Over Birth Control Transformed American Catholicism is a study on two levels. On one level, it is a study of the responses of select American moral theologians to Pope Paul VI’s 1968 encyclical on contraception, Humanae vitae (hereafter, HV). On another level, it is a second-order reflection on these theological responses, using them as data, as it were, for a theory about how theology changes or does not change over time. The book certainly succeeds on the first level. I am not sure, however, that that success translates easily to the second level. To the extent that it is possible, I would like to work with these levels successively, even if, for Massa, the two are accomplished simultaneously, since the narration of the “brilliance” (passim) of the individuals treated is tied to the narration of how each of them radically broke with the paradigm of natural law that Massa claims is enshrined in HV.
Barbaric Women: Race and the Colonization of Gender in Interwar Egypt
Authors: Takla Nefertiti
Published: August 2021

This article analyzes the sensationalized media coverage of a serial murder case during the Egyptian revolution of the early interwar era. Despite conflicting evidence, the media blamed the murders on two sisters from southern Egypt named Raya and Sakina. Through a close reading of Egyptian editorials and news reports, I argue that middle-class nationalists constructed Raya and Sakina as barbaric women who threatened to pull the nation back in time in order to legitimize their claim to power. Borrowing from Ann Stoler's analysis of the relationship between race and sexuality and Maria Lugones's concept of the modern/colonial gender system, this article maintains that race was as central to nationalist conceptions of female barbarism as gender, sexuality, and class. The enduring depiction of Raya and Sakina as the quintessential barbaric Egyptian women symbolizes the way in which the modern woman was constructed at the intersection of race and sexuality.
Multi-trait selection index and cluster analyses in Angus cattle
Authors: Fernandes G. M. , Savegnago R. P. , Freitas L. A. , El Faro L. , Roso V. M. , de Paz C. C. P.
Published: August 2021

In breeding programmes, the genetic selection process is based on the prediction of animal breeding values, and its results may vary according to the employed selection method. The current study developed an economic selection index for animals of the Angus breed; performed cluster analyses using the breeding values in order to evaluate the genetic profile of the animals candidates to selection, and compared the obtained results between the economic selection index and the cluster analyses. The evaluated traits included weaning weight, 18-month weight, scrotal circumference, fat thickness and ribeye area. Economic values were obtained using bioeconomic modelling, simulating a complete cycle production system of beef cattle breeds in Brazil, and the selection objective were the weaning rate and slaughter weight. The chosen selection index was composed of all of the traits used as selection criteria for the simulated production system. During the cluster analyses, the population was divided into two to four groups, in which the groupings containing potential animals were assessed. The animals of the grouping which was used for comparison with the selection index were identified, and most of the bulls that were included in the index were among the best in the analysed group. These results suggest that the cluster analyses can be used as a tool for the selection of animals to be used as parents for future generations.
Condensed tannins extracted from Quebracho affect the fermentation profile, nutritional quality and in vitro gas production of pornunça (Manihot spp.) silages
Authors: Carvalho D. T. Q. , Lucena A. R. F. , Nascimento T. V. C. , Moura L. M. L. , Marcelino P. D. R. , Queiroz M. A. À. , Moraes S. A. , Gois G. C. , Menezes D. R.
Published: August 2021

The objective was to evaluate the fermentation profile, in vitro gas production and nutritional quality of pornunça (Manihot spp.) silages containing levels of condensed tannin (CT; 0, 4, 8 and 12% on dry matter (DM) basis), at five opening times (0, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 56 days). A completely randomized design in a 4 × 5 factorial arrangement was adopted, with four replications, totalling 80 experimental silos. The pH and NH3-N analyses were performed at all opening times of the silos. The other analyses were performed only with silages opened at 56 days of storage. There was an interaction effect between CT levels and silo opening times for pH and NH3-N. Tannin levels in pornunça silages after 56 days ensiling increased the pH and DM and reduced crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). There was a quadratic effect for NH3-N, acetic acid, butyric acid, gas losses, dry matter recovery (DMR), hemicellulose and acid detergent fibre. Inclusion of 4 and 8% CT in pornunça silage promotes a rapid decline in pH, being within the acceptable limit for adequate fermentation at 3 days of ensiling. Silages with 4% CT establish the pH at 28 days of opening the silos, with reduced NH3-N. Silages with 4% CT present higher concentrations of acetic and butyric acids and greater DMR. Inclusion of CT in pornunça silage after 56 days ensiling increases DM and reduces CP and NDF, directly affecting the in vitro degradability and reducing gas production.
Determination of a standard site for the measurement of bone
mineral density of the human calcaneus
Authors: BURSTON B. , McNALLY D. S. , NICHOLSON H. D.
Published: August 2021

Ultrasound of the calcaneus may be used as a cheap, ionising radiation-free
and easy to use indicator of
skeletal status, and hence of osteoporotic fracture risk. At present ultrasound
is not widely used as it suffers
from high precision errors. As ultrasound parameters are determined in
part by bone mineral density
(BMD), an increase in the accuracy and precision of BMD measurements should
reduce the precision error
associated with ultrasound measurements. The aim of this study was to define
an anatomical site on the
calcaneus at which accurate and precise measurements of BMD can be made.
Ten dry calcanei and 10
cadaveric feet were scanned using a DXA scanner; 9 anatomically defined
regions
(1 cm2) were selected in
the posterior part of the calcaneus for analysis. The centre of region
1 was positioned halfway along the line
joining the anterior border of the calcaneal tubercle and the peak of the
posterior superior tubercle, and the
remaining 8 regions were placed around this central area. The BMD in these
9 regions was compared with
the whole bone BMD and the variability of BMD within each of the 9 regions
was measured. The
reproducibility of the technique was assessed by taking 10 repeated measurements
of 2 bone and 2 cadaveric
specimens, each specimen being removed and repositioned between measurements.
Region 1 was found to be
the most representative of total BMD in cadaveric feet. This region also
showed the least variability of
BMD and consistently gave the lowest coefficients of variation in the reproducibility
study both in the bone
and the cadaveric specimens. This region is hence the most suitable site
on the calcaneus for measuring
absolute values of and changes in BMD. The surface position of region 1
was found to be consistently 5/9
along the line at 45° to the vertical, from the lateral malleolus to
the heel. The identification of the surface
location of region 1 relative to anatomical landmarks of the foot has enabled
the same anatomical site to be
measured in all subjects. This allows meaningful intersubject comparisons
to be made. Preliminary data
suggest that precision errors using ultrasound are also reduced when measurements
are taken at this region
of the calcaneus. The reduction in the precision error of ultrasound assessment
of skeletal status may
provide a cheap and safe way to identify individuals at risk from osteoporotic
fracture.
Morphological and histochemical variations of mucous and
oxynticopeptic cells in the stomach of the seps, Chalcides
chalcides
Authors: FERRI DOMENICO , LIQUORI GIUSEPPA ESTERINA , SCILLITANI GIOVANNI
Published: August 2021

Mucous and oxynticopeptic cells in the gastric mucosa of the seps,
Chalcides chalcides (Linnaeus, 1758) were
examined by standard histochemical staining methods and by lectin histochemistry.
The epithelial mucous
cells lining the surface of the stomach and the mucous cells of the fundic
glands elaborated mainly neutral
glycoproteins with β(1,4)GlcNAc oligomers, GalNAc glycosidic residues
and Galβ1,3GalNAc terminal
sequences. The mucous cells of the fundic glands were stained specifically
with the Paradoxical Con A
method. The mucosecreting cells of the pyloric glands produced neutral
glycoproteins, with β(1,4)GlcNAc
oligomers, GalNAc residues and Galβ1,3GalNAc terminal sequences. Terminal
L-fucose bound to the
penultimate GlcNAc residues, and/or difucosylated oligosaccharides
were also present. The pyloric glands
did not stain with the Paradoxical Con A procedure. The morphology of the
oxynticopeptic cells changes
from the oral to the aboral region of the fundic mucosa. In the oral fundic
tract the oxynticopeptic cells
showed cytoplasm filled with zymogen granules, while in the aboral fundic
region these cells contained few
zymogen granules and showed cytoplasm full of empty vesicles, typical of
the acid secreting cells. A
secretion gradient of proteolytic enzymes and hydrochloric acid along the
fundic mucosa of the seps can be
hypothesised.
Histological and immunohistological investigation of lymphoid
tissue in the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)
Authors: CONNOLLY J. H. , CANFIELD P. J. , McCLURE S. J. , WHITTINGTON R. J.
Published: August 2021

The gross and histological appearance and the distribution of T and B lymphocytes and plasma cells are
described for lymphoid tissues obtained from 15 platypuses. The spleen was bilobed and surrounded by a
thick capsule of collagen, elastic fibres and little smooth muscle. White pulp was prominent and included
germinal centres and periarterial lymphoid sheaths. Red pulp contained haematopoietic tissue. A thin
lobulated thymus was located within the mediastinum overlying the heart. The cortex of lobules consisted of
dense aggregates of small and medium lymphocytes, scattered macrophages and few reticular epithelial cells.
In the medulla, Hassall's corpuscles were numerous, lymphocytes were small and less abundant, and
reticular cells were more abundant than in the cortex. Lymphoid nodules scattered throughout loose
connective tissue in cervical, pharyngeal, thoracic, mesenteric and pelvic sites measured 790±370 μm
(mean±S.D., n = 39) in diameter, the larger of which could be observed macroscopically. These consisted of
single primary or secondary follicles supported by a framework of reticular fibres. Macrophages were
common in the germinal centres. The platypus had a full range of gut-associated lymphoid tissue. No tonsils
were observed macroscopically but histologically they consisted of submucosal follicles and intraepithelial
lymphocytes. Peyer's patches were not observed macroscopically but histologically they consisted of several
prominent submucosal secondary follicles in the antimesenteric wall of the intestine. Caecal lymphoid tissue
consisted of numerous secondary follicles in the submucosa and densely packed lymphocytes in the lamina
propria. Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue was not observed macroscopically but was identified in 7 of 11
platypus lungs assessed histologically. Lymphoid cells were present as primary follicles associated with
bronchi, as aggregates adjacent to blood vessels and as intraepithelial lymphocytes. The distribution of T
lymphocytes, identified with antihuman CD3 and CD5, and B lymphocytes and plasma cells, identified with
antihuman CD79a and CD79b and antiplatypus immunoglobulin, within lymphoid tissues in the platypus
was similar to that described in therian mammals except for an apparent relative paucity of B lymphocytes.
This study establishes that the platypus has a well-developed lymphoid system which is comparable in
histological structure to that in therian mammals. It also confirms the distinctiveness of its peripheral
lymphoid tissue, namely lymphoid nodules. Platypus lymphoid tissue has all the essential cell types, namely
T and B lymphocytes and plasma cells, to mount an effective immune response against foreign antigens.
Dynamic risk prewarning in ship encounter process considering domain violation
Authors: Qin Tingrong , Ma Guoliang , Li Dongyang , Zhou Xinjie , He Xingjie , Chen Weijiong
Published: August 2021

A ship's perception of risk is an important basis for collision avoidance. To improve such perception, several risk measurement parameters on the ship domain are determined, including the approach factor, the time to domain violation (TDV) and the possible collision domain. Then, a risk hierarchy prewarning (RHP) model based on the violation detection of a ship domain is proposed, in which a two-level alarm scheme is adopted accordingly. A low-intensity alarm will be activated by reaching the minimum approach factor and the TDV threshold, and a high-intensity alarm will be activated by the factor of the possible collision domain and the TDV threshold. Subsequently, a novel guard zone in ARPA radar utilising the RHP model has been developed to establish a ship's risk perception system for officers on watch at sea. The model proposed in this paper can not only enhance the veracity of risk assessment around our own ship, but also be used as a decision support system for collision avoidance.
A discussion on the minimum required number of tests in two common pooling test methods for SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Cheng C. H. , Chow C. L. , Chow W. K.
Published: August 2021

Pooling of samples in detecting the presence of virus is an effective and efficient strategy in screening carriers in a large population with low infection rate, leading to reduction in cost and time. There are a number of pooling test methods, some being simple and others being complicated. In such pooling tests, the most important parameter to decide is the pool or group size, which can be optimised mathematically. Two pooling methods are relatively simple. The minimum numbers required in these two tests for a population with known infection rate are discussed and compared. Results are useful for identifying asymptomatic carriers in a short time and in implementing health codes systems.
Update on: high but slightly declining COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and reasons for vaccine acceptance, Finland April to December 2020
Authors: Hammer Charlotte C. , Cristea Veronica , Dub Timothee , Sivelä Jonas
Published: August 2021

We update our previous insights into COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Finland. Vaccine acceptance increased from 64% (November/December 2020) to 74% (April 2021). However, there was a group of participants that were preferring to wait to get vaccinated ranging from 6% of over-64-years-olds to 29% of under-30-years-olds. The previously identified enablers convenience (below-50-years-olds), worry about severe disease and protection for oneself (above-50-years-olds) were no longer significantly associated with increased vaccine acceptance. Understanding barriers and enablers behind vaccine acceptance is decisive in ensuring a successful implementation of COVID-19 vaccination programs, which will be key to ending the pandemic.
The quality of systematic reviews and other synthesis in the time of COVID-19
Authors: Baumeister A. , Corrin T. , Abid H. , Young K. M. , Ayache D. , Waddell L.
Published: August 2021

COVID-19 research has been produced at an unprecedented rate and managing what is currently known is in part being accomplished through synthesis research. Here we evaluated how the need to rapidly produce syntheses has impacted the quality of the synthesis research. Thus, we sought to identify, evaluate and map the synthesis research on COVID-19 published up to 10 July 2020. A COVID-19 literature database was created using pre-specified COVID-19 search algorithms carried out in eight databases. We identified 863 citations considered to be synthesis research for evaluation in this project. Four-hundred and thirty-nine reviews were fully assessed with A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR-2) and rated as very low-quality (n = 145), low-quality (n = 80), medium-quality (n = 208) and high-quality (n = 151). The quality of these reviews fell short of what is expected for synthesis research with key domains being left out of the typical methodology. The increase in risk of bias due to non-adherence to systematic review methodology is unknown and prevents the reader from assessing the validity of the review. The responsibility to assure the quality is held by both producers and publishers of synthesis research and our findings indicate there is a need to equip readers with the expertise to evaluate the review conduct before using it for decision-making purposes.
Examining changes to food and beverage availability and marketing in a low-income community after the opening of a new supermarket
Authors: Singleton Chelsea R , Li Yu , Zenk Shannon N , Powell Lisa M
Published: August 2021

Objective:

In 2016, a Whole Foods Market© opened in the Englewood community of Chicago, IL – a predominately low-income African American community. This study aimed to examine changes to food and beverage availability and marketing in Englewood’s existing food stores after the opening of this supermarket.

Design:

Quasi-experimental study.

Setting:

Two low-income African American communities in Chicago, IL.

Participants:

Fieldworkers audited all small grocery and limited service stores (e.g. convenience stores, liquor stores and dollar/discount stores) located within one-square mile of the new supermarket and a one-square mile area of a demographically comparable community that also lacked a supermarket. Stores were audited before (2016) and after (2017 and 2018) the supermarket opened.

Results:

Of the 78 stores audited at baseline, 71·8 % were limited service stores and 85·9 % accepted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Overall, the availability of healthy food and beverage options in nearby small stores was low at baseline and both follow-up periods. Difference-in-difference regression models revealed a significant increase in: (1) the percentage of stores in the intervention community (i.e. Englewood) offering regular cheese and promoting salty snacks at check-out from 2016 to 2017; and (2) the percentage of stores in the comparison community with interior store promotions for other sweetened beverages from 2016 to 2018.

Conclusions:

Minimal changes in food and beverage availability and marketing occurred 1 and 2 years after the opening of a new supermarket. However, the wide range of staple food items offered by the supermarket expanded healthy food retail in Chicago’s Englewood community.
Mental models and institutional inertia
Authors: Rosenbaum Eckehard
Published: August 2021

Institutional inertia as one of the underlying reasons for hysteresis is often ascribed to external factors such as the distribution of wealth and income. Complementing these findings, the paper focuses on important internal factors, which render institutions stable and which prevent fast institutional changes, namely the role of mental models. Their importance is derived from the analysis of an important set of institutions, which can be described as enabling rules. Such rules enable actors to do certain things, such as speaking a language or playing chess. In doing so, enabling rules arguably require complementary mental models, which contain not only knowledge about the rules and the context in which they are applied, but also about how to apply the rules successfully. An important implication of this conceptualisation is that institutions and their representation are interdependent and mutually stabilising.
A review on microstrip patch antenna parameters of different geometry and bandwidth enhancement techniques
Authors: Mishra Brijesh , Verma Ramesh Kumar , Yashwanth N , Singh Rakesh Kumar
Published: August 2021

This paper presents a comprehensive review of symmetrically shaped antennas in terms of antenna size, dielectric materials, resonating band, peak gain, radiation pattern, simulating tools, and their applications. In this article, flower shape, leaf shape, tree shape, fan shape, Pi shape, butterfly shape, bat shape, wearable, multiband, monopole, and fractal antennas are discussed. Further, a survey of previously reported bandwidth enhancement techniques of microstrip patch antenna like introduction of thick and lower permittivity substrate, multilayer substrate, parasitic elements, slots and notches, shorting wall, shorting pin, defected ground structure, metamaterial-based split ring resonator structure, fractal geometry, and composite right-hand/left-handed transmission line approach is presented. The physics of these techniques has been discussed in detail which is supported by circuit theory model approach.