bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Software assistants in software engineering: A systematic mapping study
Authors: Savary‐Leblanc Maxime , Burgueño Lola , Cabot Jordi , Le Pallec Xavier , Gérard Sébastien
Published: December 2022

The increasing essential complexity of software systems makes current software engineering methods and practices fall short in many occasions. Software assistants have the ability to help humans achieve a variety of tasks, including the development of software. Such assistants, which show human‐like competences such as autonomy and intelligence, help software engineers do their job by empowering them with new knowledge. This article investigates the research efforts that have been conducted on the creation of assistants for software design, construction and maintenance paying special attention to the user‐assistant interactions. To this end, we followed the standard systematic mapping study method to identify and classify relevant works in the state of the art. Out of the 7580 articles resulting from the automatic search, we identified 112 primary studies that present works which qualify as software assistants. We provide all the resources needed to reproduce our study. We report on the trends and goals of the assistants, the tasks they perform, how they interact with users, the technologies and mechanisms they exploit to embed intelligence and provide knowledge, and their level of automation. We propose a classification of software assistants based on interactions and present an analysis of the different automation patterns. As outcomes of our study, we provide a classification of software assistants dealing with the design, construction and maintenance phases of software development, we discuss the results, identify open lines of work and challenges and call for new innovative and rigorous research efforts in this field.
Basis for calculation the residual mechanical properties of corroding bars
Authors: Andrade Carmen , Oller Sergio , Trujillo Francisco‐Javier Perez
Published: December 2022

Corrosion of steel reinforcement is known to affect the residual bearing capacity of the structure. The loss of metal supposes a decrease of the sectional area of the reinforcing bar, either homogeneously distributed or concentrated in some zones. The morphology of the corroded area is a critical issue because while the uniform loss is influencing the steel strength, when it is localized also the ductility is reduced due the local stress concentration. There are previous publications showing the impact of corrosion on some mechanical aspects of the steel as on the ductility, the strength or the elastic modulus, but still we lack of a comprehensive framework of all types of corrosion. In this work a classification is made of the types of damages for better assessing their consequences. Further, through application of basic classical mechanics are given expressions to calculate the “corrosion factor” related to the yield strength, the ultimate strength, the elastic modulus and the elongation (ductility). Finally, through fracture mechanics and an energetic approach are given the expressions for the critical stress intensity factor and the “apparent” residual section “loss” of the corroded steel bars.
Effect of concrete edge distance on the hysteretic response of roof joint
Authors: Cui Yao , Manzoor Mir Majaid , Liu Hongtao , Yamada Satoshi
Published: December 2022

Roof joint connects the upper roof structure to the lower RC columns in large‐span structures. However, during several earthquakes, concrete edge failure of roof joint observed in several previous earthquakes shows potential collapse damage of the large‐span structures. This paper presents an experimental and numerical study on the performance of roof joints under quasi‐static cyclic loading. The effects of concrete edge distance of anchor rods and using horizontally slotted holes in the base plate were investigated and discussed by means of ultimate shear resistances, failure modes, hysteretic responses, anchor strains, and stirrup strains. It was found that concrete edge failure was prone to occur if the edge distance was taken as per current design practice. However, with the use of slotted holes in the base plate, the concrete edge failure could be suppressed due to the sliding between the base plate and the mortar layer. A refined theoretical model was proposed to evaluate the ultimate shear resistance and predict the failure mode. Finite Element Models (FEMs) were also developed to verify the proposed theoretical model in terms of the ultimate shear resistance and the failure mode under both monotonic and cyclic loading.
Lanthanide Complexes (Ln=La, Nd, Dy) of Octaethyl propane‐1,1,3,3‐tetrayltetrakis(phosphonate): Multidentate Binding Competing with Monodentate DMSO Complexes
Authors: Koehne Ingo , Pietschnig Rudolf
Published: December 2022

The preparation of lanthanide nitrate complexes [Ln(NO3)3{L}]n (Ln3+=La, Nd, Dy) supported by the octaethyl propane‐1,1,3,3‐tetrayltetrakis(phosphonate) (L) chelate ligand platform is presented. Re‐crystallization of these compounds from DMSO/THF led to a complete replacement of the multidentate phosphonate ester ligand and the formation of exclusively DMSO‐supported lanthanide nitrate species [Ln(NO3)3(DMSO)4]. The relative basicity of a model phosphonate ester vs. DMSO is explored with theoretical means, pointing out the relevance of solvation in this case in line with the experimentally observed exchange process. The optical properties of the dysprosium(III) derivatives are examined in the visible region indicating a significantly higher quantum yield for its tetraphosphonic ester complex than for the DMSO coordinated analog.
Reindeer Husbandry in the Circumpolar North
Authors: Mathiesen Svein Disch
Published: December 2022

Reindeer husbandry is the primary livelihood for over 24 Indigenous peoples. Reindeer herding culture and civilization are unique in the Arctic; today, however, they no longer form the foundation for economies of the Indigenous peoples in some Circumpolar regions. Modern reindeer husbandry is experiencing challenges such as climate change, loss of pastures, loss of languages and cultures, and opportunities through new technologies. This chapter introduces reindeer husbandry, Indigenous leadership, traditional knowledge, and adapting capacity discussed further in this volume.
Framing Adaptation to Rapid Change in the Arctic
Authors: Tonkopeeva Marina , Corell Robert W. , Maynard Nancy G. , Turi Ellen Inga , Eira Inger Marie Gaup , Oskal Anders , Mathiesen Svein Disch
Published: December 2022

A safe operating space for Indigenous reindeer herders in the Circumpolar North must be the main priority for the governance of the Arctic and sub-Arctic territories in times of rapid changes on reindeer pastures. It also includes establishing reindeer herders’ adaptive capacity to these changes. Anthropogenic impact on the earth system has reached a scale where it is no longer possible to exclude abrupt global environmental change. Indigenous reindeer herders’ sustainability implies adaptive capacity that allows reindeer herders to operate safely. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change highlights that the protection of grazing lands represents the most important adaptive strategy for reindeer herders under climate change. While the Arctic is rapidly integrating into the global economy, reindeer herders must face multiple socio-economic conditions and effects of assimilation past and present. This chapter addresses adaptation perspectives important for the future of reindeer husbandry and frames adaptation to rapid change for reindeer husbandry via Indigenous perspectives, insights, and knowledge.
Research and Practice of TCP Protocol Optimization in Mobile Internet
Authors: Lan Shizhan , Ma Lifang , Huang Jing
Published: December 2022

This paper analyzes the problems of traditional TCP protocol in the wireless network environment and proposes a scheme based on performance-enhancing agents, which is more suitable for the actual situation of current wireless core networks. TCP application optimization was employed to enhance congestion control. Based on the automatic learning mechanism of network path features, this paper proposes herein the dynamic algorithm ZetaTCP. In practice, the performance enhancement agent based on ZetaTCP In practice, the performance enhancement proxy based on ZetaTCP was verified and achieves good results in LTE networks. In practice, the performance enhancement proxy based on ZetaTCP was verified and achieved good results in the LTE network.
Research on the Recognition of Internet Buzzword Features Based on Transformer
Authors: Xu Dawei , She Yijie , Tan Zhonghua , Li Ruiguang , Zhao Jian
Published: December 2022

Accurate identification of Internet buzzwords plays an important role in positive Internet opinion guidance. A Transformer-based Internet buzzword feature recognition system was designed to address this problem. The traditional way of crawling data has been improved, a real-time crawling module has been added, and an Internet buzzword corpus has been constructed by itself. The traditional way of crawling data has been improved, a real-time crawling module has been added, and an Internet buzzword corpus has been constructed by itself. Traditional machine learning models suffer from gradient disappearance and gradient explosion, the Transformer model, with its parallel computing and self-attentive mechanism, is a good solution to these problems, and its bi-directional connection allows the parameters of the context to be updated uniformly, thus allowing better aggregation of information and solving the problem of scattered contextual information. Transformation of the position-encoded part of the Transformer model starts with a relative position representation (RPR). It compensates for its inability to obtain relative location information. The experimental results show that the improved Transformer model can achieve an accuracy rate of 90.1%, a recall rate of 92.13%, and an F1 value of 91.16% in recognizing Internet buzzwords.
Considerations on Evaluation of Practical Cloud Data Protection
Authors: Mei Rui , Yan Han-Bing , He Yongqiang , Wang Qinqin , Zhu Shengqiang , Wen Weiping
Published: December 2022

With the continuous growth of enterprises’ digital transformation, business-driven cloud computing has seen tremendous growth. The security community has proposed a large body of technical mechanisms, operational processes, and practical solutions to achieve cloud security. In addition, diverse jurisdictions also present regulatory requirements on data protection to mitigate possible risks, for instance, unauthorized access, data leakage, sensitive information and privacy disclosure. In view of this, several practical standards, frameworks, and best practices in the industry are proposed to evaluate and improve the protection level of cloud data. However, few evaluation models can conduct a comprehensive quantitative evaluation for cloud data protection that includes security, privacy, and even ethical considerations. In this paper, we first make a comprehensive review of cloud data security and privacy issues, especially also including ethical concerns that we consider as a type of specific risks caused by human factors, which refers to acting honorably, honestly, justly, and legally, due diligence, and due care. Then, we propose a novel evaluation model for cloud data protection that can quantitatively assess the protection level. Finally, based on the parallel evaluation between manual assessment by experts and our evaluation model, results show that our evaluation model is consistent with the manual evaluation conclusion.
Anomaly Detection of E-commerce Econnoisseur Based on User Behavior
Authors: Long Yangyu , Zhao Wei , Yang Jilong , Deng Jincheng , Liu Fangming
Published: December 2022

Econnoisseur refers to users who obtain high returns from the Internet at low cost. It is of great significance for platform to identify econnoisseur to reduce unnecessary losses. At present, econnoisseur is mainly intercepted by rules. This method will fail when the new get the best deal method appears, and there is a certain lag. This paper identifies the econnoisseur from Knownsec Security Intelligence Brain’s e-commerce website visitors. First of all, it is found that the precision and recall of the Isolation Forest are better than the Local Outlier Factor and DBSCAN in econnoisseur detection. Secondly, we merged the similar URLs visited by users with Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM), then use the merged data in Isolation Forest Model. It is found that the improved Isolation Forest model based on BiLSTM can further improve the detection ability. Practical case studies showed that this method has certain validity and reference for the detection of econnoisseur.
CMPD: Context-Based Malicious Parameter Detection for APIs
Authors: Zhao Zhangjie , Zhang Lin , Zhang Xing , Wang Ying , Qin Yi
Published: December 2022

The Application Program Interface (API) plays an important role as the channel for data interaction between programs, while the widespread use of APIs has brought security risks that cannot be ignored. The adversary can perform various Web attacks, including SQL Injection and Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), by tampering with the parameters of API. Efficient detection of parameter tampering attacks for API is critical to ensure the system is running in the expected condition, further avoiding data leakage and property loss. Previous works always utilize the rule-based method or simple learning-based method to detect parameter tampering attacks. However, they ignore the contextual information of the API tokens and thus have a poor performance. In this paper, we propose the Context-based Malicious Parameter Detection (CMPD) framework to detect the parameter tampering attacks for APIs. We use a neural network language model to learn the distribution of the parameters, parameter names, and URLs and then use a tree model to detect the malicious query based on the high dimensional API embedding. Experiments show that CMPD outperforms all baseline, including rule-based method, Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Autoencoder, on CSIC 2010 dataset with $$F_1$$

F
1

value reaching 0.971. CMPD can also achieve a 0.895 $$F_1$$

F
1

value when training data is reduced to 20% and can achieve a 0.910 $$F_1$$

F
1

value when negative examples are reduced to 1%.
No evidence exists on outcomes of non-operative management in patients with femoroacetabular impingement and concomitant Tönnis Grade 2 or more hip osteoarthritis: a scoping review
Authors: Andronic Octavian , Claydon-Mueller Leica Sarah , Cubberley Rachael , Karczewski Daniel , Lu Victor , Khanduja Vikas
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this scoping review was to assess the outcomes of all the non-operative modalities of management for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and concomitant osteoarthritis (OA) Tönnis Grade 2 or more.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed was performed from inception to December 1st 2021 for literature on outcomes of non-operative management strategies for young adults with symptomatic FAI using the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Cohorts investigating FAI and concomitant hip OA Tönnis Grade 2 or more were considered eligible. Studies not written in English or German, below level 4 evidence, and reviews were excluded. A secondary analysis for FAI without OA stratification was conducted after the initial screening to allow identification of available non-operative interventions.

Results

No study reported outcomes separately for non-operative management of FAI with Tönnis Grade 2 OA or more and as such, did not fulfil the inclusion criteria.

A secondary analysis included 24 studies that reported on outcomes for non-operative interventions for FAI irrespective of the degree of degeneration. Three studies investigated the efficacy of hyaluronic acid injection, 5 reports investigated corticosteroid injections, 2 studies evaluated the outcomes of hip bracing and 16 studies included a physiotherapy programme. Associations between the aforementioned interventions were analysed.

There is level I evidence supporting the efficacy of activity modification and hip-specific physiotherapy for FAI and mild OA. Core-strengthening exercises are prevalent amongst successful regimens in the literature. Contradictory evidence questions the efficacy of hip bracing even for short-term outcomes. Corticosteroid injections have mostly failed in intention-to treat analyses but may be valuable in delaying the need for surgery; further studies are warranted. Reports on outcomes following hyaluronic acid injections are contradictory.

Conclusion

No evidence exists on outcomes following non-operative management of FAI with concomitant Tönnis Grade 2 or more OA of the hip. Further studies are required and should explore the non-operative interventions that were employed for FAI and milder OA. There is strong evidence for a hip-specific physiotherapy program including activity modification and core strengthening exercises. Adjunct interventions such as corticosteroid injections and NSAID consumption may be valuable in delaying the need for surgery.

Level of evidence

Level IV.
Comparison of Conservative Treatment and Surgery Treatment for Acute Scaphoid Fracture: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Chen Shao , Zhang Caihua , Jiang Bo , Mi Yunfeng , Zhu Yingchun , Jia Xuewen
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This meta‐analysis aimed to investigate the effectiveness of conservative and surgical treatments of scaphoid fracture.

Methods

The literature databases of Pubmed, Cochrane library, and Embase were searched in March 2022. This work extracted the data based on healing time, grip strength, range of wrist motion, nonunion, time before returning to work, and complications (including persistent pain, malunion of the fracture, wound infection, scar sensitivity, hypertrophic scar, and implant‐related complications). Stata 14.0 software was used for statistical analysis.

Results

Twelve RCTs studies met our inclusion criteria. The surgical group had a shorter healing‐time and time before returning to work than the conservative group. In addition, the surgical group had significantly better grip strength and range of wrist motion than the conservative group (P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between nonunion (P = 0.538) and complications (P = 0.661) between the two groups.

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis showed that surgical treatment of scaphoid fracture achieved better grip strength and range of wrist motion, and had a lower healing time and time before returning to work than the conservative treatment. The two treatments had similar results in nonunion and complications. Further RCTs were required for the research.
Dietary profiling of physical frailty in older age phenotypes using a machine learning approach: the Salus in Apulia Study
Authors: De Nucci Sara , Zupo Roberta , Donghia Rossella , Castellana Fabio , Lofù Domenico , Aresta Simona , Guerra Vito , Bortone Ilaria , Lampignano Luisa , De Pergola Giovanni , Lozupone Madia , Tatoli Rossella , Sborgia Giancarlo , Tirelli Sarah , Panza Francesco , Di Noia Tommaso , Sardone Rodolfo
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Growing awareness of the biological and clinical value of nutrition in frailty settings calls for further efforts to investigate dietary gaps to act sooner to achieve focused management of aging populations. We cross-sectionally examined the eating habits of an older Mediterranean population to profile dietary features most associated with physical frailty.

Methods

Clinical and physical examination, routine biomarkers, medical history, and anthropometry were analyzed in 1502 older adults (65 +). CHS criteria were applied to classify physical frailty, and a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire to assess diet. The population was subdivided by physical frailty status (frail or non-frail). Raw and adjusted logistic regression models were applied to three clusters of dietary variables (food groups, macronutrients, and micronutrients), previously selected by a LASSO approach to better predict diet-related frailty determinants.

Results

A lower consumption of wine (OR 0.998, 95% CI 0.997–0.999) and coffee (OR 0.994, 95% CI 0.989–0.999), as well as a cluster of macro and micronutrients led by PUFAs (OR 0.939, 95% CI 0.896–0.991), zinc (OR 0.977, 95% CI 0.952–0.998), and coumarins (OR 0.631, 95% CI 0.431–0.971), was predictive of non-frailty, but higher legumes intake (OR 1.005, 95%CI 1.000–1.009) of physical frailty, regardless of age, gender, and education level.

Conclusions

Higher consumption of coffee and wine, as well as PUFAs, zinc, and coumarins, as opposed to legumes, may work well in protecting against a physical frailty profile of aging in a Mediterranean setting. Longitudinal investigations are needed to better understand the causal potential of diet as a modifiable contributor to frailty during aging.
Glucose-to-lactate ratio and neurodevelopment in infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: an observational study
Authors: Galderisi Alfonso , Tordin Mattia , Suppiej Agnese , Cainelli Elisa , Baraldi Eugenio , Trevisanuto Daniele
Published: December 2022

We aimed to assess the glucose and lactate kinetics during therapeutic hypothermia (TH) in infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and its relationship with longitudinal neurodevelopment. We measured glucose and lactate concentrations before TH and on days 2 and 3 in infants with mild, moderate, and severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). Neurodevelopment was assessed at 2 years. Participants were grouped according to the neurodevelopmental outcome into favorable (FO) or unfavorable (UFO). Eighty-eight infants were evaluated at follow-up, 34 for the FO and 54 for the UFO group. Severe hypo- (< 2.6 mmol/L) and hyperglycemia (> 10 mmol/L) occurred in 18% and 36% from the FO and UFO groups, respectively. Glucose-to-lactate ratio on day 1 was the strongest predictor of unfavorable metabolic outcome (OR 3.27 $$\pm$$
±
1.81, p = 0.032) when adjusted for other clinical and metabolic variables, including Sarnat score.

Conclusion: Glucose-to-lactate ratio on day 1 may represent a new risk marker for infants with HIE undergoing TH.

What is Known:• Glucose and lactate are key metabolic fuels during neonatal hypoglycemia. This suggests that their concentrations may influence the neurodevelopmental outcome of neonates experiencing hypoxic-hischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

What is New:• We describe the relative availbility of glucose and lactate before and during theraputic hypothermia in neonates with HIE.
Assessment of predictors of early postoperative complications after primary robotically assisted Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a multicenter, retrospective cohort study
Authors: Iranmanesh Pouya , Shah Shinil K. , Chevallay Mickael , Toso Christian , Mönig Stefan P. , Hagen Monika E. , Wilson Erik B. , Jung Minoa K.
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Background

Robotic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RRYGB) is performed in an increasing number of bariatric centers worldwide. Previous studies have identified a number of demographic and clinical variables as predictors of postoperative complications after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). Some authors have suggested better early postoperative outcomes after RRYGB compared to LRYGB. The objective of the present study was to assess potential predictors of early postoperative complications after RRYGB.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of two prospective databases containing patients who underwent RRYGB between 2006 and 2019 at two high volumes, accredited bariatric centers was performed. Primary outcome was rate of 30 day postoperative complications. Relevant demographic, clinical and biological variables were entered in a multivariate, logistic regression analysis to identify potential predictors.

Results

Data of 1276 patients were analyzed, including 958 female and 318 male patients. Rates of overall and severe 30 day complications were 12.5% (160/1276) and 3.9% (50/1276), respectively. Rate of 30 day reoperations was 1.6% (21/1276). The overall gastrointestinal leak rate was 0.2% (3/1276). Among various demographic, clinical and biological variables, male sex and ASA score >2 were significantly correlated with an increased risk of 30 day complication rates on multivariate analysis (OR 1.68 and 1.67, p=0.005 and 0.005, respectively).

Conclusion

This study identified male sex and ASA score >2 as independent predictors of early postoperative complications after RRYGB. These data suggest a potentially different risk profile in terms of early postoperative complications after RRYGB compared to LYRGB. The robotic approach might have a benefit for patients traditionally considered to be at higher risk of complications after LRYGB, such as those with BMI >50. The present study was however not designed to assess this hypothesis and larger, prospective studies are necessary to confirm these results.
Distorted probability operator for dynamic portfolio optimization in times of socio-economic crisis
Authors: Uğurlu Kerem , Brzeczek Tomasz
Published: December 2022

A robust optimal control of discrete time Markov chains with finite terminalTand bounded costs or wealth using probability distortion is studied. The time inconsistency of these distortion operators and hence its lack of dynamic programming are discussed. Due to that, dynamic versions of these operators are introduced, and its availability for dynamic programming is demonstrated. Based on dynamic programming algorithm, existence of the optimal policy is justified and an application of the theory to portfolio optimization along with a numerical study is also presented.
Large-scale study of web accessibility metrics
Authors: Martins Beatriz , Duarte Carlos
Published: December 2022

Evaluating the accessibility of web resources is usually done by checking the conformance of the resource against a standard or set of guidelines (e.g., the WCAG 2.1). The result of the evaluation will indicate what guidelines are respected (or not) by the resource. While it might hint at the accessibility level of web resources, often it will be complicated to compare the level of accessibility of different resources or of different versions of the same resource from evaluation reports. Web accessibility metrics synthesize the accessibility level of a web resource into a quantifiable value. The fact that there is a wide number of accessibility metrics, makes it challenging to choose which ones to use. In this paper, we explore the relationship between web accessibility metrics. For that purpose, we investigated eleven web accessibility metrics. The metrics were computed from automated accessibility evaluations obtained using QualWeb. A set of around three million web pages were evaluated. By computing the metrics over this sample of nearly three million web pages, it was possible to identify groups of metrics that offer similar results. Our analysis shows that there are metrics that behave similarly, which, when deciding what metrics to use, assists in picking the metric that is less resource intensive or for which it might be easier to collect the inputs.
Combining 2D and 3D Characterization Techniques for Determining Effects of HIP Rejuvenation After Fatigue Testing of SX Microstructures
Authors: Dennstedt A. , Lopez-Galilea I. , Ruttert B. , Theisen W. , Bartsch M.
Published: December 2022

A hot isostatic pressing rejuvenation heat treatment is applied to a CMSX-4 type SX superalloy after it has been subjected to a low-cycle fatigue test to rupture. The evolution of microstructural defects, such as pores and cracks which are present after fatigue, has been tracked in 3D by X-ray tomography before and after rejuvenation. From the rejuvenated specimen, series of metallographic cross sections were prepared and investigated by scanning electron microscopy for getting complementary 2D information at high resolution. The micrographs were stitched to a panorama which was then matched into the 3D representation of the specimen volume. By combining 3D and 2D data, statistical volume-related quantities were achieved, while detailed characteristics have been assigned to individual defects present in the 2D panorama micrograph. This technique is in general appropriate for length-scale bridging microstructural investigations. Results of the performed investigations concerning the rejuvenation effect on the microstructure are presented and discussed.
An In-Situ Formed Tunneling Layer Enriches the Options of Anode for Efficient and Stable Regular Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Lin Xuesong , Wang Yanbo , Su Hongzhen , Qin Zhenzhen , Zhang Ziyang , Chen Mengjiong , Yang Min , Zhao Yan , Liu Xiao , Shen Xiangqian , Han Liyuan
Published: December 2022

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are taking steps to commercialization. However, the halogen-reactive anode with high cost becomes a stumbling block. Here, the halogen migration in PSCs is utilized to in situ generate a uniform tunneling layer between the hole transport materials and anodes, which enriches the options of anodes by breaking the Schottky barrier, enabling the regular PSCs with both high efficiency and stability. Specifically, the regular PSC that uses silver iodide as the tunneling layer and copper as the anode obtains a champion power conversion efficiency of 23.24% (certified 22.74%) with an aperture area of 1.04 cm2. The devices are stable, maintaining 98.6% of the initial efficiency after 500 h of operation at the maximum power point with continuous 1 sun illumination. PSCs with different tunneling layers and anodes are fabricated, which confirm the generality of the strategy.
One crisis among many: Russia’s war in Ukraine and its implications for the MENA region
Authors: Süß Clara-Auguste , Weipert-Fenner Irene
Published: December 2022

Beyond the most immediate and devastating effects being felt by the local populace, the war in Ukraine is also having severe repercussions in other world regions, particularly the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where we find significant effects on domestic and regional politics. This contribution discusses conflict potential along these two dimensions and how they are interrelated, including with global politics. First, the effects of the war were quickly felt at the domestic level via rising prices and shortages of (subsidized) staples. A deteriorating economic situation is heating existing societal conflicts that had led to waves of mass uprisings in the MENA over the last decade, which are very likely to re-appear in the near future. We discuss recent developments in light of existing knowledge about the nexus between socioeconomic grievances and (non-)violent mobilization. Second, we reflect on changes to regional and global politics and their impact on conflicts in the region. The EU’s sudden need for alternative oil and gas suppliers has improved the strategic position of Gulf countries, also vis-à-vis Iran in the rivalry over regional hegemony. This shift empowers such authoritarian regimes that support other autocracies as well as conflict parties in civil wars in the region. Instead of allying with either the West or Russia, the ruling elites’ relationship with global powers remains opportunistic. Cooperation with Russia and China might very well aggravate political grievances rather than remedy structural socioeconomic shortcomings—both of which will continue to fuel preexisting lines of conflict in the region.
Pb(II) adsorption by biochar from co-pyrolysis of corn stalks and alkali-fused fly ash
Authors: Yun Xiaotong , Ma Yan , Zheng Hao , Zhang Yaru , Cui Biying , Xing Baoshan
Published: December 2022

Numerous studies have reported the potential of silica as a biochar (BC) modifier. However, despite its high silica content, fly ash is rarely used for BC modification. Herein, modified BCs were produced by co-pyrolysis of corn stalks with alkali-fused fly ash (AFFA) at 200 and 600 °C (denoted as AFFA/BC). The Pb(II) adsorption mechanism and adsorption performance were investigated. The AFFA/BC had larger specific surface areas than the pure BC samples (2.54–137 vs. 0.50 m2 g−1) owing to their stable carbon structure. The Pb(II) adsorption capacity of AFFA/BC in water was approximately 6% higher than that of BC owing to the increased cation (Na+) exchange and new bonding sites, such as C–O and Si–O. AFFA/BC exhibited good Pb(II) adsorption performance in high-concentration simulated wastewater (pH 4–6), with a maximum adsorption capacity of 110.29 mg g−1. The Pb(II) adsorption mechanism was in accordance with the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. At 25 °C and pH 5, the theoretical Pb(II) adsorption capacities of AFFA200/BC and AFFA600/BC were 201.66 and 186.81 mg g−1, respectively, compared to 145.98 mg g−1  of BC. Physical adsorption, precipitation, cation exchange, and complexation were identified as the main Pb(II) adsorption mechanisms through X-ray photoelectron spectrometry.

Graphical Abstract
Jetting onset on a liquid surface accelerated past a submerged cylinder
Authors: Martín Pardo Rubert , Barua Niloy , Lisak Daphné , Nedić Jovan
Published: December 2022

A novel experiment is presented to study the initial disturbances on a free surface due to the constant acceleration of liquid around a submerged obstacle. The surface response to different obstacle sizes, initial surface heights and fluid velocities is measured using high-speed videography. Perturbations observed on the surface are classified into either jetting or gravity waves by measuring the steepness of growing liquid columns. A classification phase map between these two regimes is obtained and compared with analytical results by Martín Pardo and Nedić (2021). The agreement between decision boundaries is good for high Froude numbers (high fluid velocities) but deteriorates at lower velocities, where viscosity and surface tension effects (not considered in the analytical model) have a greater predominance. The surface profile and perturbation amplitude measured in experiments are also compared against this analytical model. In all cases, the model accurately predicts the corresponding experimental results at the beginning of the motion, but the prediction error increases with time. It is also observed that faster moving surfaces that lead to the onset of jetting have greater prediction accuracies and longer validity times of the predictions.
Climate Justice for Future Generations (Order of the First Senate) (BVerfG)
Authors: Kirchner Stefan
Published: December 2022

Climate change is an urgent global challenge, and human rights-based climate justice litigation is increasingly used in efforts to force executives and legislators to take action to limit the effects of anthropogenic climate change. These effects are already felt around the world—for example, in the form of droughts, rising sea levels, and more frequent extreme weather events. Among the most important pollutants that accelerate climate change is CO2. As a highly industrialised nation, Germany contributes about 2 percent of global CO2 emissions, although it only is home to around 1 percent of the Earth's population. In recent years, German companies have faced litigation over their contributions to human-made climate change. The decision by Germany's Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht) that is presented here is to be seen in the context of the current trend of human rights-based climate justice litigation in domestic and international courts. It can be considered the German counterpart to the landmark Urgenda case that was decided by the Dutch Supreme Court in 2019.
The interaction of longitudinal vortex pairs with a turbulent boundary layer
Authors: Mole Andrew , Skillen Alex , Revell Alistair
Published: December 2022

In this study, we demonstrate an efficient approach to investigating the interaction of vortex pairs on a turbulent boundary layer. Our aim is to assess how vortex characteristics impact the downstream flow. Wall-modelled large eddy simulations are used together with an inlet defined by a Batchelor vortex model superimposed on a turbulent boundary layer profile, generated using synthetic turbulence and a precursor Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes calculation. This set-up allows for the efficient testing of multiple configurations whilst providing adequate resolution of outer boundary layer and the vortex–vortex interactions. After validating the methodology, we report a set of simulations for both co- and counter-rotating vortex pairs at different separations and asymmetric strengths. The separation distance between the vortices was found to have a significant effect upon the merging of the vortices. Asymmetric strength vortex pairs, analogous to vortex generators in yaw, demonstrate performance independent of flow direction for small angles. Detailed analysis of this flow provides insight into turbulence generation mechanisms and Reynolds stress anisotropy – valuable reference data for the development of lower-order models. Skin-friction enhancement is shown to be more effective for counter-rotating vortex pairs than co-rotating pairs of the same strength and spacing. Additionally, a wider spacing between the initial vortex positions results in a faster rise in the skin-friction coefficient.
Portfolio management under drawdown constraint in discrete-time financial markets
Authors: Hernández-Bustos Diego , Hernández-Hernández Daniel
Published: December 2022

Considering a representative agent in the market, we study the long-term optimal investment problem in a discrete-time financial market, introducing a set of restrictions in the admissible strategies. The drawdown constraints limit the size of possible losses of the portfolio and impose a floor-based performance measure. The optimal growth rate is characterized, and under suitable hypotheses it is proved that an optimal strategy exists. The approach to solving this problem is based on dynamic programming techniques and a fixed point argument adapted from the theory of Markov decision processes.
On extremes of random clusters and marked renewal cluster processes
Authors: Basrak Bojan , Milinčević Nikolina , Žugec Petra
Published: December 2022

This article describes the limiting distribution of the extremes of observations that arrive in clusters. We start by studying the tail behaviour of an individual cluster, and then we apply the developed theory to determine the limiting distribution of
$\max\{X_j\,:\, j=0,\ldots, K(t)\}$
, where K(t) is the number of independent and identically distributed observations
$(X_j)$
arriving up to the time t according to a general marked renewal cluster process. The results are illustrated in the context of some commonly used Poisson cluster models such as the marked Hawkes process.
Pastoreo y caza en las economías corporativas del Río Grande de San Juan, Andes circumpuneños (800-1450 dC)
Authors: Maryañski Juan M. , Nielsen Axel E.
Published: December 2022

En este trabajo discutimos la evolución de las economías de pastoreo y caza en el Río Grande de San Juan entre los 800 y 1450 dC, período caracterizado por la agregación demográfica, la integración de comunidades y el aumento de la complejidad social. A partir del análisis de un amplio cuerpo de datos arqueofaunísticos, evaluamos la validez para esta región de hipótesis previas sobre la organización de las economías circumpuneñas. Los resultados muestran la persistencia de estrategias de producción pastoril diversificadas que aprovecharon la llama como proveedora de carne y animal de carga, y la intensificación de la caza de vicuñas. Estas estrategias se sustentaron en la gestión de territorios ecológicamente diversificados y en la capacidad para movilizar fuerza de trabajo a escala supradoméstica, características distintivas de las economías corporativas que emergieron en la Circumpuna a comienzos del segundo milenio de nuestra era.
Economic Integration and Obsidian Consumption in the Late Postclassic Period K'iche’ Region
Authors: Horowitz Rachel A.
Published: December 2022

Although much research has been conducted on the Late Postclassic period Maya, there has been relatively less study of the role of economic activities in political management during this period. Many such studies focused on obsidian analysis and technology as proxies for trade and exchange. This article builds on that research, using a legacy collection of obsidian implements collected during archaeological surveys in the 1970s to examine Late Postclassic period (AD 1200–1524) economic networks in the K'iche’ region. Obsidian collections from the site of Q'umarkaj and the surrounding region were examined through technological and geochemical analyses. I find that during the Late Postclassic period, K'iche’ elites had more access to nonlocal obsidian sources than did non-elites, but that access to locally available sources was managed through independent and diverse acquisition networks. Thus, the K'iche’ elite were not dependent on local economies as a main source of political power.
Symmetry via the moving plane method for a class of quasilinear elliptic problems involving the Hardy potential
Authors: Chirillo Giusy , Montoro Luigi , Muglia Luigi , Sciunzi Berardino
Published: December 2022

We consider positive solutions to a class of quasilinear elliptic problems involving the Hardy potential under zero Dirichlet boundary condition. Via moving plane method, proving a weak comparison principle, we prove symmetry and monotonicity properties for the solutions defined on strictly convex symmetric domains.
Pressure live loads and the variational derivation of linear elasticity
Authors: Mora Maria Giovanna , Riva Filippo
Published: December 2022

The rigorous derivation of linear elasticity from finite elasticity by means of $\Gamma$-convergence is a well-known result, which has been extended to different models also beyond the elastic regime. However, in these results the applied forces are usually assumed to be dead loads, that is, their density in the reference configuration is independent of the actual deformation. In this paper we begin a study of the variational derivation of linear elasticity in the presence of live loads. We consider a pure traction problem for a nonlinearly elastic body subject to a pressure live load and we compute its linearization for small pressure by $\Gamma$-convergence. We allow for a weakly coercive elastic energy density and we prove strong convergence of minimizers.
On the oscillation of certain second-order linear differential equations
Authors: Zhang Yueyang
Published: December 2022

This paper consists of three parts: First, letting $b_1(z)$, $b_2(z)$, $p_1(z)$ and $p_2(z)$ be nonzero polynomials such that $p_1(z)$ and $p_2(z)$ have the same degree $k\geq 1$ and distinct leading coefficients $1$ and $\alpha$, respectively, we solve entire solutions of the Tumura–Clunie type differential equation $f^{n}+P(z,\,f)=b_1(z)e^{p_1(z)}+b_2(z)e^{p_2(z)}$, where $n\geq 2$ is an integer, $P(z,\,f)$ is a differential polynomial in $f$ of degree $\leq n-1$ with coefficients having polynomial growth. Second, we study the oscillation of the second-order differential equation $f''-[b_1(z)e^{p_1(z)}+b_2(z)e^{p_2(z)}]f=0$ and prove that $\alpha =[2(m+1)-1]/[2(m+1)]$ for some integer $m\geq 0$ if this equation admits a nontrivial solution such that $\lambda (f)<\infty$. This partially answers a question of Ishizaki. Finally, letting $b_2\not =0$ and $b_3$ be constants and $l$ and $s$ be relatively prime integers such that $l> s\geq 1$, we prove that $l=2$ if the equation $f''-(e^{lz}+b_2e^{sz}+b_3)f=0$ admits two linearly independent solutions $f_1$ and $f_2$ such that $\max \{\lambda (f_1),\,\lambda (f_2)\}<\infty$. In particular, we precisely characterize all solutions such that $\lambda (f)<\infty$ when $l=2$ and $l=4$.
Determinants of Capital Structure: An Expanded Assessment
Authors: Fukui Toshinori , Mitton Todd , Schonlau Robert
Published: December 2022

Using a standardized methodology, we empirically evaluate 55 proposed determinants of capital structure in terms of statistical significance, economic significance, and identification. We find that robust and economically important determinants of debt ratios are relatively few in number. Nevertheless, because each determinant relates to one of five market imperfections—taxes, distress costs, information asymmetry, agency costs, or supply frictions—we draw conclusions from the evidence as a whole regarding the explanatory power of different capital structure theories. We find greater support for pecking order theory and supply-related theories, with less support for traditional tradeoff theory and agency theory.
Distinct acoustic properties pattern differently in a sound change in progress in Hong Kong Cantonese
Authors: Culnan John M. , Yiu Suki S.Y.
Published: December 2022

Previous work on Hong Kong Cantonese has reported evidence of an incomplete neutralization between the labialized velar /kʷ/ and plain velar /k/, where both may be produced as a plain velar [k] before /ɔ/, although non-neutralized forms are also produced to some extent for some speakers (Bauer 1982, Zee 1999, To, Mcleod & Cheung 2015). The present study examines this phenomenon acoustically, and evaluates to what extent the properties of labialization are present in the neutralizing environment. Fourteen native speakers of Hong Kong Cantonese were recorded in a production experiment; these recordings were analyzed by examining formant values, duration, and rise time of intensity for vowels following target segments. Results reveal that while many acoustic differences between /kʷ/ and /k/ are maintained in the neutralizing environment, these speakers neutralize F3 and duration measures. Patterns of variation furthermore suggest that speakers utilize these acoustic properties differently, indicating greater degrees of (incomplete) neutralization for some speakers than others.
Comparative analysis of the mitochondrial genome of Dermacentor steini from different regions in China
Authors: Yang Huijuan , Chen Ting , Dong Wenge
Published: December 2022

Ticks are a group of blood-sucking ectoparasites that play an important role in human health and livestock production development as vectors of zoonotic diseases. The phylogenetic tree of single genes cannot accurately reflect the true kinship between species. Based on the complete mitochondrial genome analysis one can help to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships among species. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of Dermacentor steini (isolate Longyan) was sequenced and compared with the mitochondrial genes of 3 other Chinese isolates (Nanchang, Jinhua and Yingtan). In Dermacentor steini 4 isolates had identical or similar mitochondrial genome lengths and an overall variation of 0.76% between sequences. All nucleotide compositions showed a distinct AT preference. The most common initiation and stop codons were ATG and TAA, respectively. Fewer base mismatches were found in the tRNA gene of D. steini (isolate Longyan), and the vicinity of the control region and tRNA gene was a hot rearrangement region of the genus Dermacentor. Maximum likelihood trees and Bayesian trees indicate that D. steini is most closely related to Dermacentor auratus. The results enrich the mitochondrial genomic data of species in the genus Dermacentor and provide novel insights for further studies on the phylogeographic classification and molecular evolution of ticks.