bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Programmable Inchworm-Inspired Soft Robot Powered by a Rotating Magnetic Field
Authors: Shen Honglin , Cai Shuxiang , Wang Zhen , Yuan Zheng , Yu Haibo , Yang Wenguang
Published: November 2022

With the growing demand for miniaturized workspaces, the demand for microrobots has been increasing in robotics research. Compared to traditional rigid robots, soft robots have better robustness and safety. With a flexible structure, soft robots can undergo large deformations and achieve a variety of motion states. Researchers are working to design and fabricate flexible robots based on biomimetic principles, using magnetic fields for cable-free actuation. In this study, we propose an inchworm-shaped soft robot driven by a magnetic field. First, a robot is designed and fabricated and force analysis is performed. Then, factors affecting the soft robot’s motion speed are examined, including the spacing between the magnets and the strength and frequency of the magnetic field. On this basis, the motion characteristics of the robot in different shapes are explored, and its motion modes such as climbing are experimentally investigated. The results show that the motion of the robot can be controlled in a two-dimensional plane, and its movement speed can be controlled by adjusting the strength of the magnetic field and other factors. Our proposed soft robot is expected to find extensive applications in various fields.
The economy-security conundrum in American grand strategy: foreign economic policy toward China from Obama to Biden
Authors: Leoni Zeno
Published: November 2022

This article argues that in a Janus-faced Liberal International Order, American grand strategy faces an economy-security conundrum. Tensions between transnational economic networks and national security concerns require different administrations to square a balance between important yet competing interests. This conundrum is especially challenging for Washington, D.C., when dealing with China. Indeed, while the Chinese and the American economies are interdependent, China continues to rise, with revisionist demands, and outside of the US-led system of alliances. The economy-security conundrum is managed by different presidents who pursue similar long-term objectives but through different approaches, leading to both strategic continuity and policy changes between one administration and the next. Former US President Barack Obama’s Trans-Pacific Partnership, subsequent President Donald Trump’s trade war, and President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better World (B3W)—most recently rebranded as Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII)—are indeed different policies, but all are aimed at either compelling China to abide the free-market rule of law or to separate from the West, especially regarding strategic and future industries.
FinTech’s rapid growth and its effect on the banking sector
Authors: Basdekis Charalampos , Christopoulos Apostolos , Katsampoxakis Ioannis , Vlachou Aikaterini
Published: November 2022

FinTech is a New Financial Technology, which provides financial services through innovative information and communication technologies. It is widely accepted that 4th industrial revolution, has affected tremendously the living and working conditions of the societies. The convergence between advanced technologies, entrepreneurship becomes more complex and remarkably computerized. Within such significant changes it is rather expected that banking, has been one of the most challenged sectors. New players like FinTech and Big Tech companies try to capitalize the circumstances, by promoting new consumer patterns to gain market shares. The purpose of this study is to investigate the rapid expansion of FinTech and to evaluate its impact on the Greek banking system. This topic becomes very important nowadays as the number of FinTech companies, which compete with traditional banks on financial products and services, are increasing constantly as digital technology develops. In our study we apply a questionnaire method mainly with closed questions to collect data from the main players. To do this, we use two questionnaires each one for a different sample. The first sample consists of the consumers for financial products and services in the Greek banking sector and the second sample consists of the employees in the Greek banking sector. According to the results, customers of all ages seem to trust the traditional banks more than FinTech companies whereas the level of mobile transactions separately for each consumer, depends on age and education. From the answers of the consumers, it is clear that security is on the top of their worries for using financial services by FinTech companies. On the other hand, the second questionnaire with bank employees shows clearly that educational level is a critical factor for their readiness and response to new technologies.
A Process Approach to Product Repair from the Perspective of the Individual
Authors: Svensson-Hoglund Sahra , Russell Jennifer D. , Richter Jessika Luth
Published: November 2022

Product repair plays an important role in the realisation of a circular economy (CE) and sustainable consumption, yet little is known about what repair entails for individual product owners or users, particularly in a realised CE. This paper proposes a comprehensive approach by conceptualising repair as a multi-stage, cyclical process, shaped by previous experiences and, in turn, impacting future repairs. Moreover, we acknowledge and consider that the repair experience is determined by both internal (to the individual) and external (environmental) factors, which overlap in the individual’s interpretation of the process, primarily as perceived cost vs. benefits. Using a literature review, the role of the individual and key factors influencing the repair experience are discerned and organised according to their relevance within the process. This comprehensive perspective of the repair experience of individuals generated a wide range of insights, including the existence of general vs. specific factors and the prevalence of themes in the repair process. Implications for the upscaling of repair and future research are suggested.
A systematic framework for the complex system engineering of city data governance
Authors: Guo Chen , Zhu Dongwen , Ding Yi , Liu Hao , Zhao Yingying
Published: November 2022

The importance of data governance in the information age has become a deep consensus among all sectors. Under this context, data-driven urban governance has also become a key requirement for city development. However, as smart city and digital government continuously make progress, the utilization of urban data is still far from true intelligence, and no theoretical research on city data governance can fully guide the concrete implementation of engineering practice. In view of this, this paper proposes a systematic framework for the complex system engineering of urban data governance. We deconstruct urban data governance into a series of basic elements and discuss the key problems in urban data governance engineering regarding three dimensions, i.e., data quality, value and security. In view of the complexity of engineering projects, we establish the systematic framework of urban data governance from four levels, i.e., cognitive, methodological, technical and practical, and demonstrated the application in real practice with a case study on data-based epidemic prevention and control project in Shenzhen. The framework is proposed aiming to break through the key common difficulties in the practice of urban data governance engineering, provide systematic and operable solutions, and finally achieve the set goals.
Optimisation design of turbofan engine using infrared stealth technology
Authors: Chen M. , Chen H. , Zhang H. , Luo J.
Published: November 2022

To obtain the optimal solution for the performance of the turbofan engine using infrared stealth technology, an engine mathematical model with a backward infrared radiation intensity calculation module was established. The effects of infrared suppression measures on the performance of turbofan engines were analysed. Based on the multi-objective particle swarm optimisation (MOPSO) algorithm, the optimal solution for the performance in the cruise state of the reference engine refitted with the infrared radiation suppression module was obtained; Further, through the multiple design points (MDPs) concept, the thermal cycle optimisation design of the turbofan engine was carried out. The results show that the integrated fully shielded guiding strut (IFSGS) with air film cooling had the ideal infrared suppression effect. Compared with the reference engine refitted with infrared radiation suppression module, the engine after cycle optimisation design could obtain better infrared stealth performance.
PolicyCLOUD: A prototype of a cloud serverless ecosystem for policy analytics
Authors: Biran Ofer , Feder Oshrit , Moatti Yosef , Kiourtis Athanasios , Kyriazis Dimosthenis , Manias George , Mavrogiorgou Argyro , Sgouros Nikitas M. , T. Barata Martim , Oldani Isabella , Sanguino María A. , Kranas Pavlos , Baroni Samuele
Published: November 2022

We present PolicyCLOUD: a prototype for an extensible serverless cloud-based system that supports evidence-based elaboration and analysis of policies. PolicyCLOUD allows flexible exploitation and management of policy-relevant dataflows, by enabling the practitioner to register datasets and specify a sequence of transformations and/or information extraction through registered ingest functions. Once a possibly transformed dataset has been ingested, additional insights can be retrieved by further applying registered analytic functions to it. PolicyCLOUD was built as an extensible framework toward the creation of an analytic ecosystem. As of now, we have developed several essential ingest and analytic functions that are built-in within the framework. They include data cleaning, enhanced interoperability, and sentiment analysis generic functions; in addition, a trend analysis function is being created as a new built-in function. PolicyCLOUD has also the ability to tap on the analytic capabilities of external tools; we demonstrate this with a social dynamics tool implemented in conjunction with PolicyCLOUD, and describe how this stand-alone tool can be integrated with the PolicyCLOUD platform to enrich it with policy modeling, design and simulation capabilities. Furthermore, PolicyCLOUD is supported by a tailor-made legal and ethical framework derived from privacy/data protection best practices and existing standards at the EU level, which regulates the usage and dissemination of datasets and analytic functions throughout its policy-relevant dataflows. The article describes and evaluates the application of PolicyCLOUD to four families of pilots that cover a wide range of policy scenarios.
Virtual sensing in an onshore wind turbine tower using a Gaussian process latent force model
Authors: Bilbao Joaquin , Lourens Eliz-Mari , Schulze Andreas , Ziegler Lisa
Published: November 2022

Wind turbine towers are subjected to highly varying internal loads, characterized by large uncertainty. The uncertainty stems from many factors, including what the actual wind fields experienced over time will be, modeling uncertainties given the various operational states of the turbine with and without controller interaction, the influence of aerodynamic damping, and so forth. To monitor the true experienced loading and assess the fatigue, strain sensors can be installed at fatigue-critical locations on the turbine structure. A more cost-effective and practical solution is to predict the strain response of the structure based only on a number of acceleration measurements. In this contribution, an approach is followed where the dynamic strains in an existing onshore wind turbine tower are predicted using a Gaussian process latent force model. By employing this model, both the applied dynamic loading and strain response are estimated based on the acceleration data. The predicted dynamic strains are validated using strain gauges installed near the bottom of the tower. Fatigue is subsequently assessed by comparing the damage equivalent loads calculated with the predicted as opposed to the measured strains. The results confirm the usefulness of the method for continuous tracking of fatigue life consumption in onshore wind turbine towers.
Escape components of McMullen maps
Authors: QIU WEIYUAN , ROESCH PASCALE , WANG YUEYANG
Published: November 2022

We consider the McMullen maps$f_{\unicode{x3bb} }(z)=z^{n}+\unicode{x3bb} z^{-n}$with$\unicode{x3bb} \in \mathbb {C}^{*}$and$n \geq 3$. We prove that the closures of escape hyperbolic components are pairwise disjoint and the boundaries of all bounded escape components (the McMullen domain and Sierpiński holes) are quasi-circles with Hausdorff dimension strictly between$1$and$2$.
Reorganisation of turbulence by large and spanwise-varying riblets
Authors: Endrikat S. , Newton R. , Modesti D. , García-Mayoral R. , Hutchins N. , Chung D.
Published: November 2022

We study the flow above non-optimal riblets, specifically large drag-increasing and two-scale trapezoidal riblets. In order to reach large Reynolds numbers and large scale separation while retaining access to flow details, we employ a combination of boundary-layer hot-wire measurements and direct numerical simulation (DNS) in minimal-span channels. Although the outer Reynolds numbers differ, we observe fair agreement between experiments and DNS at matched viscous–friction-scaled riblet spacings

$s^+$

in the overlapping physical and spectral regions, providing confidence that both data sets are valid. We find that hot-wire velocity spectra above very large riblets with

$s^+ \gtrsim 60$

are depleted of near-wall energy at scales that are (much) greater than

$s$

. Large-scale energy likely bypasses the turbulence cascade and is transferred directly to secondary flows of size

$s$

, which we observe to grow in strength with increasing riblet size. Furthermore, the present very large riblets reduce the von Kármán constant

$\kappa$

of the spanwise uniform mean velocity in a logarithmic layer and, thus, reduce the accuracy of the roughness-function concept, which we link to the near-wall damping of large flow structures. Half-height riblets in the groove, which we use as a model of imperfectly repeated (spanwise-varying) riblets, impede in-groove turbulence. We show how to scale the drag optimum of imperfectly repeated riblets based on representative measurements of the true geometry by solving inexpensive Poisson equations.
Effects of rotor–rotor interaction on the wake characteristics of twin rotors in axial descent
Authors: Chae Seokbong , Lee Seungcheol , Kim Jooha
Published: November 2022

In this study, the effects of rotor–rotor interaction on wake characteristics were investigated experimentally for a twin-rotor configuration in axial descent. The wake velocities were measured at descent rates (descent speed/induced velocity at the rotor disk during hover) from 0.87 to 1.52, and the rotor–rotor interaction strength was controlled by adjusting the distance between the rotor tips. As the descent rate increased, the wake of the isolated rotor gradually entered the vortex ring state (VRS), where the flow established an extensive recirculation zone. Correlation analysis was performed to distinguish the rotor wake between tubular and VRS topologies. The flow states for the isolated rotor were classified into pre-VRS, incipient VRS, and fully developed VRS, depending on the probability of vortex ring formation. The results reveal that the effects of rotor–rotor interaction on the wake characteristics of twin rotors differ depending on the descent rate, distance between rotor tips, and wake region. In the outer region, the flow state of the rotor wake remains consistent with that of the isolated rotor, irrespective of the distance between rotor tips. Conversely, the strong rotor–rotor interaction changes the flow state in the inner region by disrupting the vortex ring structure, intensifying the wake asymmetry about the rotational axis. The thrust measurements show that under the VRS, as the two rotors get closer, the thrust coefficient increases until vortex ring disruption occurs, and then decreases after the vortex ring is disrupted.
Boundary-confined waves in a librating cube
Authors: Lopez Juan M. , Shen Jie , Welfert Bruno D. , Wu Ke
Published: November 2022

When a fluid-filled cube rotating rapidly about an axis passing through two opposite vertices is subjected to harmonic modulations of its rotation rate (librations) at a modulation frequency that is

$2/\sqrt {3}$

times the mean rotation frequency, all walls of the cube have critical reflection slopes. As such, all inertial wave beams emitted from edges and vertices of the cube in response to the librations are trapped in thin oscillatory boundary layers for forcing amplitudes (Rossby numbers) below a critical value which depends on the Ekman number (ratio of rotation to viscous time scales). How the resulting oscillatory boundary layer flow, referred to as a boundary-confined wave, depends on Ekman and Rossby numbers is examined in detail over several decades. Of particular interest is how the mean flow grows with increasing forcing amplitude, leading to instability resulting from nonlinear interactions between the mean flow and waves in the oscillatory boundary layers, injecting intense small-scale structures throughout the cube.
It's a matter of time! CEO turnover and corporate turnarounds in Italy
Authors: Dallocchio Maurizio , Caputo Andrea , Tron Alberto , Colantoni Federico
Published: November 2022

This paper examines whether CEO turnover affects company performance and the optimal time for CEO renewal during a turnaround process. Results, derived from data collected from Italian companies, highlight the necessity of introducing the new CEO before beginning an insolvency procedure. A later appointment can reduce his/her impact, probably due to the difficulty of managing negotiations with the creditors. Moreover, we show a positive and significant relationship between CEO turnover and the likelihood of a bankrupt firm re-emerging from an insolvency procedure. The analysis was based on the traditional logit model and more modern approaches like the random forest and the AdaBoost models, combined with the SHAP technique. Overall, our findings provide valuable insight for all company stakeholders, whose interests are significantly impacted by its default.
AXIOMATIZABILITY OF PROPOSITIONALLY QUANTIFIED MODAL LOGICS ON RELATIONAL FRAMES
Authors: FRITZ PETER
Published: November 2022

Propositional modal logic over relational frames is naturally extended with propositional quantifiers by letting them range over arbitrary sets of worlds of the relevant frame. This is also known as second-order propositional modal logic. The propositionally quantified modal logic of a class of relational frames is often not axiomatizable, although there are known exceptions, most notably the case of frames validating the strong modal logic
$\mathrm {S5}$
. Here, we develop new general methods with which many of the open questions in this area can be answered. We illustrate the usefulness of these methods by applying them to a range of examples, which provide a detailed picture of which normal modal logics define classes of relational frames whose propositionally quantified modal logic is axiomatizable. We also apply these methods to establish new results in the multimodal case.
Abnormal methylation in the NDUFA13 gene promoter of breast cancer cells breaks the cooperative DNA recognition by transcription factors
Authors: Hörberg Johanna , Hallbäck Björn , Moreau Kevin , Reymer Anna
Published: November 2022

Selective DNA binding by transcription factors (TFs) is crucial for the correct regulation of DNA transcription. In healthy cells, promoters of active genes are hypomethylated. A single CpG methylation within a TF response element (RE) may change the binding preferences of the protein, thus causing the dysregulation of transcription programs. Here, we investigate a molecular mechanism driving the downregulation of the NDUFA13 gene, due to hypermethylation, which is associated with multiple cancers. Using bioinformatic analyses of breast cancer cell line MCF7, we identify a hypermethylated region containing the binding sites of two TFs dimers, CEBPB and E2F1-DP1, located 130 b.p. from the gene transcription start site. All-atom extended MD simulations of wild type and methylated DNA alone and in complex with either one or both TFs dimers provide mechanistic insights into the cooperative asymmetric binding order of the two dimers; the CEBPB binding should occur first to facilitate the E2F1-DP1–DNA association. The CpG methylation within the E2F1-DP1 RE and the linker decrease the cooperativity effects and renders the E2F1-DP1 binding site less recognizable by the TF dimer. Taken together, the identified CpG methylation site may contribute to the downregulation of the NDUFA13 gene.
ACHILLES REVOLUTIONARY? HOMER, ILIAD 1.191
Authors: Strauss Clay Jenny
Published: November 2022

At the climax of the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon in the Iliad, Achilles ponders whether to kill the king (1.191). The first half of the line, however, has received little attention, but the various interpretations that have been put forth have been unconvincing. This article proposes an interpretation that reveals an Achilles at least momentarily contemplating fomenting a revolt on the part of the army against Agamemnon's authority.
Assessing the synergistic impacts of poultry manure and biochar on nutrient-depleted sand and sandy loam soil properties and sweet potato growth and yield
Authors: Agbede Taiwo Michael , Oyewumi Adefemi , Adekiya Aruna Olasekan , Adebiyi Ojo Timothy Vincent , Abisuwa Thomas Adebayo , Ijigbade Justin Orimisan , Ogundipe Catherine Temitope , Oladele Segun O. , Olaogun Opeyemi , Eifediyi Ehiokhilen Kevin
Published: November 2022

Poultry manure (PM) has been shown to boost crop productivity. However, little is known about its favorable interactions with wood biochar (B) on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) growth and yield, and soil qualities. Hence, a 2-year field trial was conducted in the southwest Nigeria at two locations (Owo – site A and Obasooto – site B) to co-apply PM and wood B as soil amendments to boost sweet potato productivity and soil quality. The experiment consisted of a 3 × 4 factorial layout with three replications. PM and B significantly reduced soil bulk density and improved porosity and moisture content with their rate of application when compared to the control. As PM and B applications increased from 0 to 10.0 t ha−1 and 0 to 30.0 t ha−1, respectively, soil chemical properties and sweet potato growth and tuber yield increased. Co-application of 10.0 t ha−1 PM and 30.0 t ha−1 B increased tuber yield by 220% compared to treatments without PM or B. Significant synergistic interactions between PM and B were observed for all parameters. In comparison with other treatments, co-applying PM and B to sweet potato soils is a viable sustainable option for increasing sweet potato productivity and soil sustainability.
Planktonic foraminifera document palaeoceanographic changes across the middle Cenomanian carbon-isotope excursion MCE 1: new evidence from the UK chalk
Authors: Petrizzo Maria Rose , Gale Andy S
Published: November 2022

Planktonic foraminifera were studied at Lydden Spout, near Folkestone (southeast England, UK), the reference section of the middle Cenomanian Event 1 (MCE 1) characterized by a prominent double-peak δ13C excursion of 1 ‰ identified in different ocean basins and considered a global event. Biostratigraphic and quantitative analysis of planktonic foraminifera are correlated to the δ13C perturbation, to the positive δ18O shifts identified within MCE 1 and to the occurrence of Boreal macrofossils (the bivalvesChlamys arlesiensisandOxytoma seminudum, and the belemnitePraectinocamax primus). Variations in abundance and species richness of planktonic foraminifera and the inferred palaeoecological preferences of taxa permit the identification of distinct palaeoenvironmental settings across MCE 1. The stratigraphic interval corresponding to MCE 1 is characterized by the absence of oligotrophic rotaliporids, and by the evolutionary appearance of meso-eutrophic dicarinellids and ofMuricohedbergella portsdownensis, a cold-water species that occurs at the same level as the Boreal macrofossils. These observations indicate a palaeoceanographic scenario characterized by reduced stratification of surface waters and absence/disruption of the thermocline in a dominantly eutrophic regime during MCE 1. Evidence provided by planktonic foraminifera, Boreal macrofossils and δ18O records documented for the late Cenomanian Plenus Cold Event (PCE) at Eastbourne (UK) reveal similarities that confirm the periodic inflow of cold Boreal seawater originating in the Norwegian Sea as previously postulated to explain the occurrence of Boreal fauna in the Anglo-Paris Basin. The southerly extension of this water mass may be related to the reorganization of circulation driven by the long eccentricity cycle.
Women's Activism in the British Anti-Apartheid Movement, 1986–1994
Authors: Law Kate
Published: November 2022

Laying the groundwork for a new way to think through the history of British anti-apartheid activity, this article examines the liminal space between anti-racist and feminist activity through a case-study of Leeds Women Against Apartheid. Founded in 1986, LWAA were comprised of a dedicated nucleus of activists, and were concerned with imbuing international solidarity with a tangible meaning. To LWAA, solidarity had a quantifiable basis that could be articulated through the collection of material aid and the raising of funds. The first attempt to ‘gender’ the history of the British Anti-Apartheid Movement, this article argues for the importance of reconceptualizing women's activism, whilst also reflecting on the ‘value’ ascribed to their political engagement. As the example of LWAA shows, by organizing from an ‘autonomous outside position’, the group did so as a prosaic reaction to the realities of working with a masculinist movement. Furthermore, as is shown, while the movement may have been united by a commitment to anti-racism, matters of sexual equality were certainly understood as secondary, and were seen – on both the national and local level – as an unwanted interpolation. In a broader sense then, the article also reflects on the ‘problem’ of gender in progressive social movements.
Thermal ion kinetic effects and Landau damping in fishbone modes
Authors: Liu Chang , Jardin Stephen C. , Bao Jian , Gorelenkov Nikolai , Brennan Dylan P. , Yang James , Podesta Mario
Published: November 2022

The kinetic–magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) hybrid simulation approach for macroscopic instabilities in plasmas can be extended to include the kinetic effects of both thermal ions and energetic ions. The new coupling scheme includes synchronization of the density and parallel velocity between thermal ions and MHD, in addition to pressure coupling, to ensure the quasineutrality condition and avoid numerical errors. The new approach has been implemented in the kinetic-MHD code M3D-C1-K, and was used to study the thermal ion kinetic effects and Landau damping in fishbone modes in both DIII-D and NSTX. It is found that the thermal ion kinetic effects can cause an increase of the frequencies of the non-resonant

$n=1$

fishbone modes driven by energetic particles for

$q_\mathrm {min}>1$

, and Landau damping can provide additional stabilization effects. A nonlinear simulation for

$n=1$

fishbone mode in NSTX is also performed, and the perturbation on magnetic flux surfaces and the transport of energetic particles are calculated.
Expert or advocate? The role(s) of the expert witness when rap is on trial
Authors: Nielson Erik
Published: November 2022

This paper considers the role of the rap music expert in criminal cases involving the use of rap as evidence. In addition to describing ways that an expert can help the defence challenge the use of rap, both before and during trial, it also offers strategies for intervening beyond the criminal justice system. These strategies may require an expert to balance the roles of objective observer on the one hand and criminal justice advocate on the other, but whatever the risks or challenges associated with this balancing act, this paper argues that doing so opens up important avenues for intervention and impact that can more effectively end the racially motivated and unjust practice of ‘rap on trial’.
State responsibility in relation to military applications of artificial intelligence
Authors: Boutin Bérénice
Published: November 2022

This article explores the conditions and modalities under which a state can incur responsibility in relation to violations of international law involving military applications of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. While the question of how to attribute and allocate responsibility for wrongful conduct is one of the central contemporary challenges of AI, the perspective of state responsibility under international law remains relatively underexplored. Moreover, most scholarly and policy debates have focused on questions raised by autonomous weapons systems (AWS), without paying significant attention to issues raised by other potential applications of AI in the military domain. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of state responsibility in relation to military AI. It discusses state responsibility for the wrongful use of AI-enabled military technologies and the question of attribution of conduct, as well as state responsibility prior to deployment, for failure to ensure compliance of AI systems with international law at the stages of development or acquisition. Further, it analyses derived state responsibility, which may arise in relation to the conduct of other states or private actors.
Regionalism as development: The Lomé Conventions I and II (1975–1985)
Authors: Sakr Rafael Lima
Published: November 2022

Lomé Conventions I (1975) and II (1979) were the first regional trade agreements (RTAs) between the European Community (EC) and the group of postcolonial countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP). Specialized scholarship offers rich analyses of those Conventions; however, little is known about the role of law and lawyers in their making, and their relevance for present-day debates about RTAs.

This article advances existing knowledge in two ways. First, it historicizes the more visible role of law in constituting Lomé as a legal regime for governing EC-ACP regionalism. It then argues that the Conventions were distinct from existing RTAs due to their unique centrality on social and economic development; and from present-day RTAs, because they were conceived not simply as instrumental to but also as constitutive of development.

Second, by historicizing the less visible role of law and lawyers in the Lomé regime, the article identifies that a specialist conception of South-North RTAs was refined to govern which ideas, projects, norms, and institutions were applicable to Lomé. This distinct conception – called the development framework – was critical in creating the conditions of possibility for decision-makers negotiate, interpret, and manage the Conventions.

Those findings challenge conventional wisdom on two grounds. They suggest that Lomé was unique not for embodying a new model but for consolidating the development framework’s dominance. They contest present-day understanding of RTAs as textual manifestations of a universal concept by demonstrating the existence of competing conceptions, which express distinct notions of RTAs’ purpose, content, and form.
On random walks and switched random walks on homogeneous spaces
Authors: Moreno Elvira , Velasco Mauricio
Published: November 2022

We prove new mixing rate estimates for the random walks on homogeneous spaces determined by a probability distribution on a finite group$G$. We introduce the switched random walk determined by a finite set of probability distributions on$G$, prove that its long-term behaviour is determined by the Fourier joint spectral radius of the distributions, and give Hermitian sum-of-squares algorithms for the effective estimation of this quantity.
Prehospital Preparedness for Major Incidents in Sweden: A National Survey with Focus on Mass-Casualty Incidents
Authors: Agri Joakim , Söderin Louise , Hammarberg Elsa , Lennquist-Montán Kristina , Montán Carl
Published: November 2022

Introduction:

Major incidents (MIs) put great demands on the medical response to effectively organize and redistribute resources and personnel, in prehospital care as well as hospital care, and coordinating functions. Studies indicate that regular training and well-established contingency plans are vital for the medical response to MIs. Previous assessments have concluded that Swedish disaster preparedness requires improved organization and coordination. There is currently no method to easily follow-up the preparedness work of the prehospital medical response organizations for MIs in Sweden.

Problem:

The aim of the study was to assess qualifications and training requirements for central individual roles, to examine frequency and focus of training and simulation, as well as to examine current regional routines for MIs in Sweden. The aim was also to identify, to evaluate, and to investigate areas for improvement in prehospital health care preparedness for MIs in Sweden.

Methods:

Descriptive comparative study of Sweden’s prehospital organization, planning, education, and training for MIs through a web-based survey sent to all 21 regions in Sweden. The survey included 64 questions and was based on national legislation and guidelines for preparedness and previous investigations of real MIs.

Results:

A total of 37 answers to the survey were collected representing 17/21 regions (80.9%) from which Regional Management Individuals (RMIs) were selected from 15 regions and used as representative primary responses. The initial routines regarding alarm and establishment of management functions were mainly in-line with national guidelines. Staffing and qualification requirements for certain leadership roles differed substantially between regions. The requirements for the health care staff’s knowledge of the contingency plan were generally low and routines for follow-up were often lacking. The frequency of exercises in certain areas were deficient.

Conclusions:

The results of the study showed several potential areas for improvement within the prehospital emergency medical preparedness for MIs in Sweden. Methodology and adherence of national guidelines for medical response preparedness differ between regions in Sweden, which motivates recurring assessments. It is possible to use a well-prepared questionnaire study to follow-up and to examine parts of the regional prehospital preparedness work and organization for MIs.
Musical Messaging: The Social and Anti-Social Affordances of WhatsApp in the Football Culture of the Latin American Southern Cone
Authors: ACHONDO LUIS
Published: November 2022

Argentine, Chilean, and Uruguayan hinchas (soccer or football supporters) cheer for their teams primarily through contrafacta of popular music. Until recently, chants were mainly composed in stadiums and other physical spaces of fan socialization. However, the increasing dominance of the messaging app WhatsApp has altered these sociomusical relations. Drawing on ethnographic work, I argue that the messaging app has fostered both sociality and anti-sociality within and between fanbases. Hinchas employ its creative affordances to digitally decentre creativity from individuals through the distribution of inventive tasks between different people. However, WhatsApp also contributes to football violence by intimately spreading hate memes, aggressive chants, and videos of torture, among other forms of violent media. In illustrating that the messaging app can immerse and infect subjects in both productive and destructive relationalities, this article ultimately underscores the social and anti-social potentialities of viral media and digital technologies.
“I'mpossible”: Some challenges of implementing international law in the area of humanitarian affairs for persons with disabilities
Authors: Maltez Mar
Published: November 2022

Persons with disabilities are entitled to certain protections under international law, including in the context of armed conflict. These individuals are especially vulnerable in a crisis situation. Too often, when emergency humanitarian relief is provided, these protections are afforded inadequately or not at all, due to personal prejudice, lack of resources or training, or because there is no systemic requirement to do so. This paper uses a narrative-based approach to illustrate typical lived experiences of persons with disabilities both as workers in the area of humanitarian relief, and recipients thereof. It illustrates the challenges and inadequacies of a system that fails to recognize the rights that should be provided to those with physical and/or neurodevelopmental differences. It highlights the discrepancy between legal rights and actual provision of service and the different needs of those with disabilities in the circumstance of armed conflict. The article points to specific areas of failure, and the need for an inclusive approach in programming.
Formative assessment and key competences for a conscious recovery after COVID-19: an Action-Research at a school in Italy to enhance reflection starting from mistakes
Authors: Canfarotta Daniela , Lojacono Carla
Published: November 2022

The study presents the results of an Action-Research project carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic with Italian teachers of primary, lower and upper secondary schools, interested in monitoring the activity of students in that difficult situation. The purposes of this study were: (a) to demonstrate that the involvement of teachers in the creation of metacognitive tools promotes the use of formative assessment at school; (b) to verify to what extent the use of a metacognitive form makes students more aware of the mistakes made during the test. The results were: (a) teachers showed great enthusiasm in adapting the metacognitive form to their school subject; (b) students pointed out high percentages of appreciation of the form; what is more, a group of students improved in identifying the typology of errors and understood more clearly what they should study in a better way to correct their mistakes; another group noted that their awareness of their strengths in study method had grown; finally, one group highlighted that the skills used during the completion of the form were also useful in other areas of their daily life, not only at school. Both teachers and students appreciated the online version of the tool: the pie charts created automatically by the system, by displaying percentages over typologies of errors made, provided immediate feedback, motivating students more and more. The study shows how much reflection on mistakes can be a source of growth.
Stormtime Ring Current Heating of the Ionosphere and Plasmasphere
Authors: Krall J. , Fok M.‐C. , Huba J. D. , Glocer A.
Published: November 2022

The energy deposition from ring current ions into the high density “cold” plasma of the ionosphere and plasmasphere is analyzed, based on a Comprehensive Inner Magnetosphere‐Ionosphere simulation of the 2015 October 7 storm. In addition, the Naval Research Laboratory Sami3 is Also a Model of the Ionosphere ionosphere/plasmasphere code is used to simulate the effect of Coulomb‐collision heating of plasmasphere and ionosphere electrons by ring current ions. We find that, during stormtime peaks in the Dst index, energy is deposited at altitudes as low as 100 km. Heating along the entirety of any given field line, both in the ionosphere and plasmasphere, contributes to increased temperatures in the ionosphere F layer and inner magnetosphere and to subsequent cold O+ outflows. However, relative to the heating of the plasmasphere, the direct heating of the ionosphere by ring current ions produces only small effects. Qualitative model‐data agreement on the N+/O+ density ratio is consistent with the hypothesis that these outflows are driven by thermal forcing.
Diagnostic Analysis of the Physical Processes Underlying the Long‐Duration O/N2 Depletion During the Recovery Phase of the 8 June 2019 Geomagnetic Storm
Authors: Yu Tingting , Wang Wenbin , Ren Zhipeng , Cai Xuguang , Liu Libo , He Maosheng , Pedatella Nicholas , Zhai Changzhi
Published: November 2022

A thermospheric O and N2 column density ratio (∑O/N2) depletion with long‐duration (>16 hr) was observed by the Global‐scale Observations of the Limb and Disk at the Atlantic longitudes (75W–20W) and middle latitudes (20N–50N) during the recovery phase of the 8 June 2019 geomagnetic storm. The National Center for Atmospheric Research Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM) simulations reproduced the ∑O/N2 depletion patterns with a similar magnitude, and indicated that the composition recovery at middle latitudes began several hours after the beginning of the recovery phase of the geomagnetic storm. The TIEGCM simulations enable quantitative analysis of the physical mechanisms driving the middle‐latitude composition changes during the storm recovery phase. This analysis indicates that vertical advection and molecular diffusion dominated the initial recovery of composition perturbations at middle latitudes. Horizontal advection was also a main driver in the initial recovery of composition, but its contribution decreased rapidly. In the late recovery phase, the composition recovery was mainly determined by horizontal advection. In comparison, vertical advection and molecular diffusion played a much less important role.
Statistical Analysis of Aquifer Hydraulic Properties by a Continuous Pumping Tomography Test: Application to the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site
Authors: Cheng Kan Bun , Dagan Gedeon , Barrash Warren , Cardiff Michael , Rabinovich Avinoam
Published: November 2022

Characterizing aquifer heterogeneity is paramount for accurate flow and transport modeling. In this work, we present a new approach for statistical analysis of hydraulic properties in continuous pumping tomography tests of a phreatic aquifer. The method entails determining equivalent hydraulic conductivity (Keq), specific storage (Ss,eq), and specific yield (Sy,eq) at many locations in the field and then calculating statistical moments of the equivalent properties, assuming they are random space variables. Equivalent properties are defined as the ones pertinent to a homogeneous aquifer for which the head time dependent signal fits the one observed in the pumping test. Calculation is carried out in a novel approach, by matching measured head data to two separate semianalytical solutions considering two time periods, early and late. We apply this approach to the Boise Hydrogeophysical Research Site and find that the equivalent property spatial averages decrease with horizontal distance from the pumping well and appear to stabilize at sufficiently large distances, in line with existing theory for Keq. The squared coefficient of variation shows similar behavior, with values indicating a weakly heterogeneous aquifer. Furthermore, estimated values for Keq, Ss,eq, and Sy,eq are in agreement with literature values for the site.
Mitochondrial citrate accumulation drives alveolar epithelial cell necroptosis in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury
Authors: Yang Hui-Hui , Jiang Hui-Ling , Tao Jia-Hao , Zhang Chen-Yu , Xiong Jian-Bing , Yang Jin-Tong , Liu Yu-Biao , Zhong Wen-Jing , Guan Xin-Xin , Duan Jia-Xi , Zhang Yan-Feng , Liu Shao-Kun , Jiang Jian-Xin , Zhou Yong , Guan Cha-Xiang
Published: November 2022

Necroptosis is the major cause of death in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) during acute lung injury (ALI). Here, we report a previously unrecognized mechanism for necroptosis. We found an accumulation of mitochondrial citrate (citratemt) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated AECs because of the downregulation of Idh3α and citrate carrier (CIC, also known as Slc25a1). shRNA- or inhibitor–mediated inhibition of Idh3α and Slc25a1 induced citratemt accumulation and necroptosis in vitro. Mice with AEC-specific Idh3α and Slc25a1 deficiency exhibited exacerbated lung injury and AEC necroptosis. Interestingly, the overexpression of Idh3α and Slc25a1 decreased citratemt levels and rescued AECs from necroptosis. Mechanistically, citratemt accumulation induced mitochondrial fission and excessive mitophagy in AECs. Furthermore, citratemt directly interacted with FUN14 domain-containing protein 1 (FUNDC1) and promoted the interaction of FUNDC1 with dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1), leading to excessive mitophagy-mediated necroptosis and thereby initiating and promoting ALI. Importantly, necroptosis induced by citratemt accumulation was inhibited in FUNDC1-knockout AECs. We show that citratemt accumulation is a novel target for protection against ALI involving necroptosis.
Anlotinib enhances the antitumor immunity of radiotherapy by activating cGAS/STING in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Han Dong , Zhang Jiajia , Bao Yawei , Liu Lei , Wang Ping , Qian Dong
Published: November 2022

Radiation resistance and unsatisfactory efficacy of radioimmunotherapy are important barriers to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. The impacts of anlotinib on radiation and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in NSCLC remain to be resolved. Here, we find anlotinib enhances radiosensitivity, and further increases radiotherapy-stimulated CD8+ T cell infiltration and activation via triggering cGAS/STING pathway. Moreover, anlotinib shows significant effects on radioimmunotherapy (radiotherapy plus anti-PD-L1). The addition of anlotinib alleviates CD8+ T cell exhaustion, promotes the cytotoxicity and proliferation of CD8+ T cells, and boosts immune memory activation. Our work reveals the crucial role of anlotinib in antitumor immunity, and provides preclinical evidence for the application of anlotinib combined with radioimmunotherapy in NSCLC treatment.
Protein painting reveals pervasive remodeling of conserved proteostasis machinery in response to pharmacological stimuli
Authors: Cox Dezerae , Ormsby Angelique R. , Reid Gavin E. , Hatters Danny M.
Published: November 2022

The correct spatio-temporal organization of the proteome is essential for cellular homeostasis. However, a detailed mechanistic understanding of this organization and how it is altered in response to external stimuli in the intact cellular environment is as-yet unrealized. ‘Protein painting methods provide a means to address this gap in knowledge by monitoring the conformational status of proteins within cells at the proteome-wide scale. Here, we demonstrate the ability of a protein painting method employing tetraphenylethene maleimide (TPE-MI) to reveal proteome network remodeling in whole cells in response to a cohort of commonly used pharmacological stimuli of varying specificity. We report specific, albeit heterogeneous, responses to individual stimuli that coalesce on a conserved set of core cellular machineries. This work expands our understanding of proteome conformational remodeling in response to cellular stimuli, and provides a blueprint for assessing how these conformational changes may contribute to disorders characterized by proteostasis imbalance.