bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of pH and zeta potential of Pickering stabilizing magnetite nanoparticles on the features of magnetized polystyrene microspheres
Authors: Abd El‐Mageed Ahmed I. A. , Shalan Ahmed Esmail , Mohamed Lamiaa A. , Essawy Hisham A. , Taha Fouad , Dyab Amro K. F.
Published: November 2020

Styrene as a monomer was emulsified in water using several magnetite nanoparticles concentration and pH values. Emulsified styrene drops were used as templates for polymerization, in presence of water soluble free radical initiator, and formation of composite particles. Styrene template drops stabilization was verified by light as well as scanning electron microscopy imaging, which ensured the participation of the particles in building up a mechanical barrier to stop oil drops coalescence. Furthermore, the produced polystyrene composites were strongly attracted to an external magnet. The difference in particles size as a function of pH was elucidated using zeta potential measurements, which indicated dominance of pH on the hydrophilicity of the particles and consequently the extent of emulsification, which in turn affected the size of the obtained microspheres. Under some circumstances, capsules were formed instead of particles. Thereby, it can be concluded that the magnetic microspheres are optimally formed at pH 2.3 independently of the magnetite content used.
Synthesis methods of organic two‐dimensional materials
Authors: Zhang Na , Wang Taisheng
Published: November 2020

Among various two‐dimensional (2D) materials, organic 2D polymers have attracted much attention, owing to their specific properties, such as lightweight, good flexibility, adjustable structure, and high adaptability. In recent years, more and more scientists have devoted to the research on their structural design, synthesis, characterization, and potential properties. However, in contrast to traditional one‐dimensional (1D) and three‐dimensional (3D) network macromolecules, the synthesis of 2D structures presents a challenge to polymer chemists, because polymerization usually takes place in a spatially random manner in solution‐phase synthesis. In this review, we will focus on the synthesis methods of organic 2D materials, which have played a pivotal role since the beginning of the development of this field. We will highlight the representative examples according to the different types of polymers, including supramolecular organic 2D layers and covalent organic 2D polymers, and identify possible future research directions.
Intergenerational solidarity, proximity to parents when moving to independence, and returns to the parental home
Authors: Gillespie Brian Joseph , Lei Lei
Published: November 2020

Research on leaving home among young adults has mainly focused on the timing of departures rather than the distance that young adults move when they leave the parental home and establish independent households. We draw on data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) Transition to Adulthood Supplement (TAS) (2005–2015) and the Geospatial Match Files to examine the relationship between intergenerational solidarity and the distance of young adults' first independent household. We also examine whether intergenerational proximity is associated with the likelihood of returning home. The results indicate that young adults from high SES families tend to move farther, while those who have children and a close relationship with their mothers tend to stay nearby. Living far from the parental home deters home returning only for young adults who do not have a close relationship with their mothers.
The future growth and spatial shift of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, 2016–2051
Authors: Taylor Andrew , Wilson Tom , Temple Jeromey , Kelaher Margaret , Eades Sandra
Published: November 2020

The Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population more than doubled in size between 1996 and 2016. Growth was highest in urban areas and lower in rural and remote areas. An important contributor to growth was identification change, whereby individuals report their Aboriginal status differently over time. Official population projections in Australia currently do not incorporate this phenomenon, leading to underestimation of future populations which affects policies, targets and planning for demand‐based services. We outline a new projection model to improve subnational estimates of future regional population growth by endogenizing identification change and Aboriginal/non‐Aboriginal childbearing. Results suggest that growth will be higher than currently projected, especially in urban‐dominated regions in New South Wales and Queensland where identification change is projected to account for more than 50% of growth. There will also be considerable population ageing, which has implications for services and policies relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Eruca sativa Mill. seed extract promotes anti‐obesity and hypoglycemic effects in mice fed with a high‐fat diet
Authors: Piragine Eugenia , Flori Lorenzo , Di Cesare Mannelli Lorenzo , Ghelardini Carla , Pagnotta Eleonora , Matteo Roberto , Lazzeri Luca , Martelli Alma , Miragliotta Vincenzo , Pirone Andrea , Testai Lara , Calderone Vincenzo
Published: November 2020

Obesity is currently considered a major source of morbidity, with dramatic complications on health status and life expectancy. Several studies demonstrated the positive effects of Brassicaceae vegetables on obesity and related diseases, partially attributing these beneficial properties to glucosinolates and their derivatives isothiocyanates. Recently, isothiocyanates have been described as a hydrogen sulfide (H2S)‐releasing moiety, suggesting that H2S may be at least in part responsible for the beneficial effects of Brassicaceae. In this work, the metabolic effects of an extract obtained from Eruca sativa Mill. seeds (E.S., Brassicaceae), containing high levels of glucoerucin, were evaluated in an experimental model of obesity. Male balb/c mice were fed for 10 weeks with standard (Std) diet or high fat (HF) diet supplemented with E.S. E.S. significantly contained the body weight gain in this obesity model, improving also glucose homeostasis. Interestingly, lower values of white adipose tissue mass and a significant reduction of adipocytes size were also observed. Moreover, E.S. enhanced the adipocytes metabolism, improving the citrate synthase activity and reduced triglyceride levels in mice fed with HF diet. Taken together, these results suggest that E.S. is endowed with an interesting translational and nutraceutical value in the prevention of metabolic disorders, suggesting that H2S could be a key player.
Ag2S‐CdS p‐n Nanojunction‐Enhanced Photocatalytic Oxidation of Alcohols to Aldehydes
Authors: Dong Yueyue , Su Yanling , Hu Yanfang , Li Haixia , Xie Wei
Published: November 2020

Selective oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes under mild conditions is important for the synthesis of high‐value‐added organic intermediates but still very challenging. For most of the thermal and photocatalytic systems, noble metal catalysts or harsh reaction conditions are required. Herein, the synthesis and use of Ag2S‐CdS p‐n nanojunctions as an efficient photocatalyst for selective oxidation of a series of aromatic alcohols to their corresponding aldehydes is reported. High quantum efficiencies (59.6% and 36.9% under 380 and 420 nm, respectively) are achieved in air atmosphere at room temperature. Photoluminescence and photo‐electrochemical tests show that the excellent performance is mainly due to the p‐n junction‐enhanced charge separation and transfer for the activation of both O2 (in air) and substrates. This study demonstrates the potential of p‐n junction in photocatalytic synthesis under mild conditions.
Understanding the Memory Window Overestimation of 2D Materials Based Floating Gate Type Memory Devices by Measuring Floating Gate Voltage
Authors: Sasaki Taro , Ueno Keiji , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Nishimura Tomonori , Nagashio Kosuke
Published: November 2020

The memory window of floating gate (FG) type non‐volatile memory (NVM) devices is a fundamental figure of merit used not only to evaluate the performance, such as retention and endurance, but also to discuss the feasibility of advanced functional memory devices. However, the memory window of 2D materials based NVM devices is historically determined from round sweep transfer curves, while that of conventional Si NVM devices is determined from high and low threshold voltages (Vths), which are measured by single sweep transfer curves. Here, it is elucidated that the memory window of 2D NVM devices determined from round sweep transfer curves is overestimated compared with that determined from single sweep transfer curves. The floating gate voltage measurement proposed in this study clarifies that the Vths in round sweep are controlled not only by the number of charges stored in floating gate but also by capacitive coupling between floating gate and back gate. The present finding on the overestimation of memory window enables to appropriately evaluate the potential of 2D NVM devices.
Thin‐film solid‐phase microextraction of fluoxetine using a novel sorbent prepared by direct decoration of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks on the surface of polyacrylonitrile electrospun nanofibers
Authors: Aghakhani Ali , Ghanbari Ali , Asl Ali Haghighi , Khanlarkhani Ali
Published: November 2020

In this study, the decoration of nanostructured sorbent on polyacrylonitrile electrospun nanofibers, as a novel modification method was used for fabricating sportive thin films. Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks were directly grown on the surface of polyacrylonitrile nanofibers and for the first time applied for thin‐film solid‐phase microextraction of fluoxetine. The extraction efficiency of the novel thin film was compared with that of electrospun nanofibers modified with a common method of doping nanoparticles into nanofibers. The decorated nanofibers revealed 30 times higher surface area and four times higher extraction efficiency than doped nanofibers for the extraction of fluoxetine. The effective parameters on the efficiency of fluoxetine extraction and desorption were optimized using one factor‐at‐a‐time method. Under the optimum condition, limits of detection and quantification were 0.5 and 2 ng/mL, respectively. The linear dynamic range of the developed method was 2–2500 ng/mL (R2 = 0.997). The relative standard deviation of the method was <14.2%. The absolute recovery was 45%, while the relative recoveries were 77.3–97.5%. The developed method was an easy, simple, and sensitive method for the determination of fluoxetine in the environmental and biological samples.
Characterization of coatings on metallic nanoparticles by surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for environmental purposes
Authors: Amininejad Sayed , Ivleva Natalia P. , Baumann Thomas
Published: November 2020

The increasing production and use of engineered inorganic nanoparticles (EINPs) escalate the risk for their unintended release into the environment. Coating of nanoparticles like natural organic matter (NOM) plays an important role in the stability, toxicity, and transport of nanoparticles. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been proven to be a promising method to detect and characterize the coating on noble metal nanoparticles. Here, we report on the synthesis of core‐shell Au–Ag nanoparticles (NPs) with a high SERS enhancement factor to study the exchange and competition of different coating agents with different binding abilities to simulate the release of NPs into a receiving environment with a number of potential coating agents. Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRNOM), 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid (4‐MBA), and 4‐mercaptopyridine (4‐MPy) were selected molecules for the experiments. The SERS experimental setup parameters such as aggregation size, laser excitation wavelength, and laser power were optimized before further experiments were conducted. It was shown that 4‐MPy has a higher binding affinity than SRNOM and 4‐MBA through the presence of simultaneous S and N atoms, which leads to dominating the coating process when two coating agents are present in the media at the same time. In addition, it was observed that 4‐MPy and 4‐MBA can replace the SRNOM coating on Au–Ag NPs.
The Brothers Čapek at the Gate: R.U.R. and The Insect Play
Authors: Pilný Ondřej
Published: November 2020

The chapter examines two important but hitherto largely neglected productions of famous European dramas at Dublin’s Gate Theatre, R.U.R. (1929, revived 1931) and The Insect Play (1943) by the brothers Čapek, which it attempts to reconstruct insofar as the available documentary evidence allows. In the process, it discusses the complicated textual history of the English versions produced by the Gate and compares their staging by Hilton Edwards and Micheál mac Liammóir with the celebrated original productions in Czechoslovakia. Finally, the reception of the respective productions is juxtaposed, with points of convergence being teased out and the differences brought about by the respective theatrical and political contexts being elucidated.
Controversies in the Use of MIGS
Authors: Durr Georges M. , Marolo Paola , Fea Antonio , Ahmed Iqbal Ike K.
Published: November 2020

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) has fulfilled an unmet need in the management of glaucoma. This chapter highlights some controversial issues regarding the use of MIGS in clinical practice, including (1) whether there is sufficient evidence to advocate combining MIGS with cataract surgery over cataract surgery alone, (2) the merits and drawbacks of different approaches to trabecular bypass and canal-based MIGS procedures, (3) the effect of MIGS on endothelial cell loss, (4) suprachoroidal MIGS devices and whether there is still a role for these procedures, and (5) a comparison between subconjunctival MIGS and trabeculectomy. Several questions are still left unanswered and hopefully, further research and more clinical experience with these new technologies will help improve surgical outcomes for patients.
A vanishing theorem for T-branes
Authors: Marchesano Fernando , Moraru Ruxandra , Savelli Raffaele
Published: November 2020

Abstract

We consider regular polystable Higgs pairs (E, ϕ) on compact complex manifolds. We show that a non-trivial Higgs field ϕ ∈ H0(End(E) ⊗ KS) restricts the Ricci curvature of the manifold, generalising previous results in the literature. In particular ϕ must vanish for positive Ricci curvature, while for trivial canonical bundle it must be proportional to the identity. For Kähler surfaces, our results provide a new vanishing theorem for solutions to the Vafa-Witten equations. Moreover they constrain supersymmetric 7-brane configurations in F-theory, giving obstructions to the existence of T-branes, i.e. solutions with [ϕ, ϕ†] ≠ 0. When non-trivial Higgs fields are allowed, we give a general characterisation of their structure in terms of vector bundle data, which we then illustrate in explicit examples.
Degrees and rationality of characters in the principal block of $$A_n$$
Authors: Giannelli Eugenio , Meini Elena
Published: November 2020

Given two primes p and q, we study degrees and rationality of irreducible characters in the principal p-block of $${\mathfrak {S}}_n$$

S
n

and $${\mathfrak {A}}_n$$

A
n

, the symmetric and alternating groups. In particular, we show that such a block always admits an irreducible character of degree divisible by q. This extends and generalizes a recent result of Giannelli–Malle–Vallejo.
Regulation of peroxisomal trafficking and distribution
Authors: Covill-Cooke Christian , Toncheva Viktoriya S. , Kittler Josef T.
Published: November 2020

Peroxisomes are organelles that perform a wide range of essential metabolic processes. To ensure that peroxisomes are optimally positioned in the cell, they must be transported by both long- and short-range trafficking events in response to cellular needs. Here, we review our current understanding of the mechanisms by which the cytoskeleton and organelle contact sites alter peroxisomal distribution. Though the focus of the review is peroxisomal transport in mammalian cells, findings from flies and fungi are used for comparison and to inform the gaps in our understanding. Attention is given to the apparent overlap in regulatory mechanisms for mitochondrial and peroxisomal trafficking, along with the recently discovered role of the mitochondrial Rho-GTPases, Miro, in peroxisomal dynamics. Moreover, we outline and discuss the known pathological and pharmacological conditions that perturb peroxisomal positioning. We conclude by highlighting several gaps in our current knowledge and suggest future directions that require attention.
The impact of cochlear implant microphone settings on the binaural hearing of experienced cochlear implant users with single-sided deafness
Authors: Kurz Anja , Zanzinger Maren , Hagen Rudolf , Rak Kristen
Published: November 2020

Objective

Cochlear implantation has become a well-accepted treatment option for people with single-sided deafness (SSD) and has become a clinical standard in many countries. A cochlear implant (CI) is the only device which restores binaural hearing. The effect of microphone directionality (MD) settings has been investigated in other CI indication groups, but its impact on speech perception in noise has not been established in CI users with SSD. The focus of this investigation was, therefore, to assess binaural hearing effects using different MD settings in CI users with SSD.

Methods

Twenty-nine experienced CI users with SSD were recruited to determine speech reception thresholds with varying target and noise sources to define binaural effects (head shadow, squelch, summation, and spatial release from masking), sound localization, and sound quality using the SSQ12 and HISQUI19 questionnaires. Outcome measures included the MD settings “natural”, “adaptive”, and “omnidirectional”.

Results

The 29 participants involved in the study were divided into two groups: 11 SONNET users and 18 OPUS 2/RONDO users. In both groups, a significant head shadow effect of 7.4–9.2 dB was achieved with the CI. The MD setting “adaptive” provided a significant head shadow effect of 9.2 dB, a squelch effect of 0.9 dB, and spatial release from masking of 7.6 dB in the SONNET group. No significant summation effect could be determined in either group with CI. Outcomes with the omnidirectional setting were not significantly different between groups. For both groups, localization improved significantly when the CI was activated and was best when the omnidirectional setting was used. The groups’ sound quality scores did not significantly differ.

Conclusions

Adaptive directional microphone settings improve speech perception and binaural hearing abilities in CI users with SSD. Binaural effect measures are valuable to quantify the benefit of CI use, especially in this indication group.
Perfluorocarbon-based oxygen carriers: from physics to physiology
Authors: Jägers Johannes , Wrobeln Anna , Ferenz Katja B.
Published: November 2020

Developing biocompatible, synthetic oxygen carriers is a consistently challenging task that researchers have been pursuing for decades. Perfluorocarbons (PFC) are fascinating compounds with a huge capacity to dissolve gases, where the respiratory gases are of special interest for current investigations. Although largely chemically and biologically inert, pure PFCs are not suitable for injection into the vascular system. Extensive research created stable PFC nano-emulsions that avoid (i) fast clearance from the blood and (ii) long organ retention time, which leads to undesired transient side effects. PFC-based oxygen carriers (PFOCs) show a variety of application fields, which are worthwhile to investigate. To understand the difficulties that challenge researchers in creating formulations for clinical applications, this review provides the physical background of PFCs’ properties and then illuminates the reasons for instabilities of PFC emulsions. By linking the unique properties of PFCs and PFOCs to physiology, it elaborates on the response, processing and dysregulation, which the body experiences through intravascular PFOCs. Thereby the reader will receive a scientific and easily comprehensible overview why PFOCs are precious tools for so many diverse application areas from cancer therapeutics to blood substitutes up to organ preservation and diving disease.
Cryptosporidium infections in sheep farms from Italy
Authors: Dessì G. , Tamponi C. , Varcasia A. , Sanna G. , Pipia A. P. , Carta S. , Salis F. , Díaz P. , Scala A.
Published: November 2020

Cryptosporidiosis is recognized as being a significant cause of gastrointestinal illness due to its wide range of vertebrate hosts, including humans. Infection with Cryptosporidium spp. is especially common in young domestic ruminants (calves, lambs and goat kids) and has been associated with economic losses worldwide. In contrast to cattle, to date, detailed studies on Cryptosporidium infections in sheep from Europe are still limited; thus, their importance as reservoirs of Cryptosporidium species with implications on animal and public health still needs to be clarified. This study evaluates the prevalence and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp. in sheep farms in Italy. A total of 915 individual faecal samples divided into three different animal categories were collected from 61 sheep farms. Each sample was examined by microscopy of faecal smears stained by modified Ziehl-Neelsen and by biomolecular techniques. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 10.1% of the animals examined and in 34.4% of the farms. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was significantly higher (χ2 = 51.854; P < 0.001) in diarrhoeic samples than in pasty or normal faeces. Genotype analyses showed the presence of two Cryptosporidium species: C. parvum and C. ubiquitum. Subtyping analysis of C. parvum isolates revealed the presence of subtypes IIa15G2R1 and IIdA20G1 and of subtype XIIa for C. ubiquitum. These findings have public health implications since both Cryptosporidium species identified are considered zoonotic, and C. parvum is the second-most common Cryptosporidium species infecting humans. Our data reveal that lambs, especially those excreting diarrhoeic faeces, may be important reservoirs of Cryptosporidium. We also highlight the need to establish adequate control and monitoring programmes for the control of this infection in sheep farms primarily through coprological monitoring.
Plant invasion impacts on fungal community structure and function depend on soil warming and nitrogen enrichment
Authors: Anthony M. A. , Stinson K. A. , Moore J. A. M. , Frey S. D.
Published: November 2020

The impacts of invasive species on biodiversity may be mitigated or exacerbated by abiotic environmental changes. Invasive plants can restructure soil fungal communities with important implications for native biodiversity and nutrient cycling, yet fungal responses to invasion may depend on numerous anthropogenic stressors. In this study, we experimentally invaded a long-term soil warming and simulated nitrogen deposition experiment with the widespread invasive plantAlliaria petiolata(garlic mustard) and tested the responses of soil fungal communities to invasion, abiotic factors, and their interaction. We focused on the phytotoxic garlic mustard because it suppresses native mycorrhizae across forests of North America. We found that invasion in combination with warming, but not under ambient conditions or elevated nitrogen, significantly reduced soil fungal biomass and ectomycorrhizal relative abundances and increased relative abundances of general soil saprotrophs and fungal genes encoding for hydrolytic enzymes. These results suggest that warming potentially exacerbates fungal responses to plant invasion. Soils collected from uninvaded and invaded plots across eight forests spanning a 4 °C temperature gradient further demonstrated that the magnitude of fungal responses to invasion was positively correlated with mean annual temperature. Our study is one of the first empirical tests to show that the impacts of invasion on fungal communities depends on additional anthropogenic pressures and were greater in concert with warming than under elevated nitrogen or ambient conditions.
An automated assessment method for integrated circuit chip detachment from printed circuit board by multistep binarization and template matching of X-ray transmission images
Authors: Ueda Takao , Oki Tatsuya , Koyanaka Shigeki
Published: November 2020

Given the increase in digital product waste, demand for recycling of printed circuit boards (PCBs) is increasing. Precious and minor metals are often well concentrated in integrated circuit (IC) chips, especially in PCBs; hence, IC chips are primary targets for recycling. The technology for the non-destructive detachment of IC chips from PCBs is increasing in sophistication; however, the effectiveness of IC chip detachment is currently assessed manually and visually. In the present study, an automated IC chip detachment assessment method was developed, which combines multistep binarization and template matching of X-ray transmission images of crushed PCBs. To validate the method, five types of mechanically crushed PCBs from mobile phones were examined, and the developed method successfully assessed the IC chip detachment rate, with an average error rate of only 2.2% compared to visual assessment.
Dictionary adaptation and variational mode decomposition for gyroscope signal enhancement
Authors: Brzostowski Krzysztof , Świa̧tek Jerzy
Published: November 2020

The paper proposes an approach to signal denoising based on a combination of Variational Mode Decomposition with the Split Augmented Lagrangian Shrinkage Algorithm.

In our research, we found that the proposed approach gives a great improvement of denoising gyroscopic signals. In turn, the results for the synthetic signals are not straightforward. For the bumps synthetic signals, the proposed algorithm gives the best results for different levels of signal degradation. While for the Doppler and blocks synthetic signals the reference methods give better results. However, for heavisine test signal the proposed algorithm gives better results in almost all cases.

A weak point of the presented algorithm is its time complexity. The proposed approach is based on the Split Augmented Lagrangian Shrinkage Algorithm, which is the iterative optimization method since the time of computation strongly depends on the number of iterations.

The presented results show that the proposed approach gives a great improvement in signal denoising and it is a promising direction of future research.
Allelopathy is pervasive in invasive plants
Authors: Kalisz Susan , Kivlin Stephanie N. , Bialic-Murphy Lalasia
Published: November 2020

Invasive species utilize a wide array of trait strategies to establish in novel ecosystems. Among these traits is the capacity to produce allelopathic compounds that can directly inhibit neighboring native plants or indirectly suppress native plants via disruption of beneficial belowground microbial mutualisms, or altered soil resources. Despite the well-known prevalence of allelopathy among plant taxa, the pervasiveness of allelopathy among invasive plants is unknown. Here we demonstrate that the majority of the 524 invasive plant species in our database produce allelochemicals with the potential to negatively affect native plant performance. Moreover, allelopathy is widespread across the plant phylogeny, suggesting that allelopathy could have a large impact on native species across the globe. Allelopathic impacts of invasive species are often thought to be present in only a few plant clades (e.g., Brassicaceae). Yet our analysis shows that allelopathy is present in 72% of the 113 plant families surveyed, suggesting that this ubiquitous mechanism of invasion deserves more attention as invasion rates increase across the globe.
Evaluation of the ITER Real-Time Framework for Data Acquisition and Processing from Pulsed Gigasample Digitizers
Authors: Kadziela M. , Jablonski B. , Perek P. , Makowski D.
Published: November 2020

Plasma diagnostics systems are becoming progressively more advanced. Contemporarily, researchers strive to achieve longer plasma pulses, and therefore, appropriate hardware is required. Analogue-to-Digital Converters are applied for data acquisition in many plasma diagnostic systems. Some diagnostic systems need data acquisition with gigahertz sampling frequency. However, gigasample digitizers working in continuous mode generate an enormous stream of data that requires suitable, high-performance processing systems. This becomes even more complicated and expensive for complex multi-channel systems. Nonetheless, numerous plasma diagnostic systems operate in a pulse mode. Thomson scattering (TS) diagnostics is a good example of a multi-channel system that does not require continuous data acquisition. Taking this into consideration, the authors decided to evaluate the CAEN DT5742 gigasample digitizer as a more cost-effective solution that would utilize the pulsed nature of the TS diagnostic system. The paper presents a complete data acquisition and processing system dedicated for plasma diagnostics based on the ITER real-time framework (RTF). Integration of RTF with real hardware is discussed. The authors of the paper have developed software including RTF function block for the CAEN DT5742 digitizer, example data processing algorithms, data archiving and publishing for plasma control system.
An improved rainfall-threshold approach for robust prediction and warning of flood and flash flood hazards
Authors: Ramos Filho Geraldo Moura , Coelho Victor Hugo Rabelo , Freitas Emerson da Silva , Xuan Yunqing , Almeida Cristiano das Neves
Published: November 2020

This paper presents an improved method of using threshold of peak rainfall intensity for robust flood/flash flood evaluation and warnings in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The improvements involve the use of two tolerance levels and the delineating of an intermediate threshold by incorporating an exponential curve that relates rainfall intensity and Antecedent Precipitation Index (API). The application of the tolerance levels presents an average increase of 14% in the Probability of Detection (POD) of flood and flash flood occurrences above the upper threshold. Moreover, a considerable exclusion (63%) of non-occurrences of floods and flash floods in between the two thresholds significantly reduce the number of false alarms. The intermediate threshold using the exponential curves also exhibits improvements for almost all time steps of both hydrological hazards, with the best results found for floods correlating 8-h peak intensity and 8 days API, with POD and Positive Predictive Value (PPV) values equal to 81% and 82%, respectively. This study provides strong indications that the new proposed rainfall threshold-based approach can help reduce the uncertainties in predicting the occurrences of floods and flash floods.
Ockham on Memory and Double Intentionality
Authors: Perler Dominik
Published: November 2020

Ockham developed two theories to explain the intentionality of memory: one theory that takes previously perceived things to be the objects of memory, and another that takes one’s own earlier acts of perceiving to be the objects of memory. This paper examines both theories, paying particular attention to the reasons that motivated Ockham to give up the first theory in favor of the second. It argues that the second theory is to be understood as a theory of double intentionality. At the core of this theory is the thesis that one directly remembers one’s own acts, and indirectly also the objects of these acts. The paper analyzes the cognitive mechanism that makes this double intentionality possible and examines the causal account that Ockham gave for explaining the emergence of acts of remembering. It emphasizes that he accepted nothing more than a causal chain of acts and habits, thereby offering an ontologically parsimonious theory of memory.
Statistical Analysis of the Flexural Strength of Free-Standing Flame-Sprayed Alumina Coatings Prior and After Thermal Shock
Authors: Neumann Marc , Gehre Patrick , Hubálková Jana , Zielke Henry , Abendroth Martin , Aneziris Christos G.
Published: November 2020

The impact of thermal shock upon the scatter of flexural strength data of free-standing thin flame-sprayed Al2O3 coatings was examined. As published in the literature, thermally sprayed ceramic systems exhibit superior thermal shock resistance and against this background, the statistical evaluation of strength data prior and after the thermal shock was intensified. Thus, the Weibull parameters m and σ0 were compared before and after thermal shock from 1000 °C to room temperature. The flexural strength was determined utilising the ball-on-three-balls method. Although the general scale of the Weibull modulus m was rather low (< 6), considerable differences were shown after thermal shocking as the Weibull modulus decreased by a factor of about 3.
Dutch cardiology residents and the COVID-19 pandemic: Every little thing counts in a crisis
Authors:   the Junior Board (Juniorkamer) of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology (NVVC), Berger W. R. , Baggen V. , Vorselaars V. M. M. , van der Heijden A. C. , van Hout G. P. J. , Kapel G. F. L. , Woudstra P.
Published: November 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed healthcare systems worldwide, and a large part of regular cardiology care came to a quick halt. A Dutch nationwide survey showed that 41% of cardiology residents suspended their training and worked at COVID-19 cohort units for up to 3 months. With tremendous flexibility, on-call schedules were altered and additional training was provided in order for residents to be directly available where needed most. These unprecedented times have taught them important lessons on crisis management. The momentum is used to incorporate novel tools for patient care. Moreover, their experience of pandemic and crisis management has provided future cardiologists with unique skills. This crisis will not be wasted; however, several challenges have to be overcome in the near future including, but not limited to, a second pandemic wave, a difficult labour market due to an economic recession, and limitations in educational opportunities.
Carbon dioxide sequestration in underground formations: review of experimental, modeling, and field studies
Authors: Kalam Shams , Olayiwola Teslim , Al-Rubaii Mohammed M. , Amaechi Benedict I. , Jamal Mohammad S. , Awotunde Abeeb A.
Published: November 2020

Carbon dioxide has gradually found widespread usage in the field of science and engineering while various efforts have focused on ways to combat the menace resulting from the release of this compound in the atmosphere. A major approach to combating this release is by storage in various geological formations ranging from depleted reservoir types such as saline aquifers to other carbon sinks. In this research study, we reviewed the experimental, modeling, and field studies related to the underground storage of CO2. A considerable amount of research has been conducted in simulating and modeling CO2 sequestration in the subsurface. This review highlights some of the latest contributions. Additionally, the impact of CO2 sequestration on its surroundings due to chemical reactions, adsorption, capillarity, hysteresis, and wettability were reviewed. Some major challenges associated with CO2 injection have also been highlighted. Finally, this work presents a brief history of selected field scale projects such as Sleipner, Weyburn, In Salah, Otway Basin, Snøhvit, Alberta, Boundary Dam, Cranfield, and Ketzin. Thus, this study provides a guide of the CO2 storage process from the perspectives of experimental, modelling, and existing field studies.
Semantic Technologies for Situation Awareness
Authors: Baader Franz , Borgwardt Stefan , Koopmann Patrick , Thost Veronika , Turhan Anni-Yasmin
Published: November 2020

The project “Semantic Technologies for Situation Awareness” was concerned with detecting certain critical situations from data obtained by observing a complex hard- and software system, in order to trigger actions that allow this system to save energy. The general idea was to formalize situations as ontology-mediated queries, but in order to express the relevant situations, both the employed ontology language and the query language had to be extended. In this paper we sketch the general approach and then concentrate on reporting the formal results obtained for reasoning in these extensions, but do not describe the application that triggered these extensions in detail.
Social Vulnerability Factors and Reported Post-Disaster Needs in the Aftermath of Hurricane Florence
Authors: Crowley Julia
Published: November 2020

This research examines the relationship between social vulnerability factors and reported needs following Hurricane Florence. Weighted least squares regression models were used to identify predictor variables for valid registrations that reported needs pertaining to emergencies, food, and shelter. Data consisted of zip codes in North Carolina and South Carolina that received individual assistance for Hurricane Florence (N = 406). The results suggest that when controlling for event-specific factors and flood mitigation factors, the proportions of the population that is female, the population over 65, the population aged 5 and under, the population older than 5 years not speaking English, and the minority population were all predictors of the per capita reported emergency needs. When controlling for the same variables, the proportions of the population over the age of 25 with a Bachelor’s degree, the female population, the population aged 5 and under, the population above 5 years old that does not speak English, and the minority population were all predictors of the per capita reported food needs. With the same variables controlled for, three variables—the proportions of the population over 65, the population aged 5 and under, and the non-English-speaking population above 5 years of age—were all predictors of the per capita reported shelter needs. The results suggest that more attention should be given to these vulnerable populations in the pre-disaster planning process.
Radicalization Prevention by Means of Strengthening Social and Civic Competences
Authors: Sklad Marcin , Park Eri , van Venrooij Iris , Pickard Abigail , Wignand Jantine
Published: November 2020

This study evaluates the effects and reception of the Universal Curriculum Against Radicalization in Europe: an intervention aimed at preventing radicalization trough fostering social and civic competences and disrupting mechanisms involved in radicalization. A total of 191 Dutch secondary school students received the curriculum. The effects were assessed by contrasting the intervention and comparison groups. The curriculum was positively received by both teachers and students. Participants in the intervention group improved significantly more than the comparison group on the majority of measured outcomes: mindfulness, conflict resolution, assertiveness, (multiple) identity awareness, political self-efficacy, awareness of group pressure, critical open-mindedness, and perspective taking. Results suggest that the UCARE curriculum fosters skills and competences indicated to have preventive potential against radicalization.
Towards digital automation flexibility in large-scale timber construction: integrative robotic prefabrication and co-design of the BUGA Wood Pavilion
Authors: Wagner Hans Jakob , Alvarez Martin , Groenewolt Abel , Menges Achim
Published: November 2020

This paper discusses the digital automation workflows and co-design methods that made possible the comprehensive robotic prefabrication of the BUGA Wood Pavilion—a large-scale production case study of robotic timber construction. Latest research in architectural robotics often focuses on the advancement of singular aspects of integrated digital fabrication and computational design techniques. Few researchers discuss how a multitude of different robotic processes can come together into seamless, collaborative robotic fabrication workflows and how a high level of interaction within larger teams of computational design and robotic fabrication experts can be achieved. It will be increasingly important to discuss suitable methods for the management of robotics and computational design in construction for the successful implementation of robotic fabrication systems in the context of the industry. We present here how a co-design approach enabled the organization of computational design decisions in reciprocal feedback with the fabrication planning, simulation and robotic code generation. We demonstrate how this approach can implement direct and curated reciprocal feedback between all planning domains—paving the way for fast-paced integrative project development. Furthermore, we discuss how the modularization of computational routines simplify the management and computational control of complex robotic construction efforts on a per-project basis and open the door for the flexible reutilization of developed digital technologies across projects and building systems.
August 2020 Interim EuGMS guidance to prepare European Long-Term Care Facilities for COVID-19
Authors: Blain Hubert , Rolland Yves , Schols Jos M. G. A. , Cherubini Antonio , Miot Stéphanie , O’Neill Desmond , Martin Finbarr C. , Guérin Olivier , Gavazzi Gaëtan , Bousquet Jean , Petrovic Mirko , Gordon Adam L. , Benetos Athanase
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS) is launching a second interim guidance whose aim is to prevent the entrance and spread of COVID-19 into long-term care facilities (LTCFs).

Methods

The EuGMS gathered experts to propose a guide of measures to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in LTCFs. It is based on the specific features of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in LTCFs, residents’ needs, and on experiences conducted in the field.

Results

Asymptomatic COVID-19 residents and staff members contribute substantially to the dissemination of COVID-19 infection in LTCFs. An infection prevention and control focal point should be set up in every LTCF for (1) supervising infection prevention and control measures aimed at keeping COVID-19 out of LTCFs, (2) RT-PCR testing of residents, staff members, and visitors with COVID-19 symptoms, even atypical, and (3) isolating subjects either infected or in contact with infected subjects. When a first LCTF resident or staff member is infected, a facility-wide RT-PCR test–retest strategy should be implemented for detecting all SARS-CoV-2 carriers. Testing should continue until no new COVID-19 cases are identified. The isolation of residents should be limited as much as possible and associated with measures aiming at limiting its negative effects on their mental and somatic health status.

Conclusions

An early recognition of symptoms compatible with COVID-19 may help to diagnose COVID-19 residents and staff more promptly. Subsequently, an earlier testing for SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic and asymptomatic LTCF staff and residents will enable the implementation of appropriate infection prevention and control. The negative effects of social isolation in residents should be limited as much as possible.
Social Objects, Response-Dependence, and Realism
Authors: PASSINSKY ASYA
Published: November 2020

There is a widespread sentiment that social objects such as nation-states, borders, and pieces of money are just figments of our collective imagination and not really ‘out there’ in the world. Call this the ‘antirealist intuition’. Eliminativist, reductive materialist, and immaterialist views of social objects can all make sense of the antirealist intuition, in one way or another. But these views face serious difficulties. A promising alternative view is nonreductive materialism. Yet it is unclear whether and how nonreductive materialists can make sense of the antirealist intuition. I develop a version of nonreductive materialism that is able to meet this explanatory demand. The central idea is that social objects are materially constituted, response-dependent objects. I go on to offer an independent argument in favor of this response-dependent view of social objects. I then suggest that a proponent of this view can appeal to the response-dependent nature of social objects to explain, or explain away, the antirealist intuition.
Feeling, Knowledge, Self-Preservation: Audre Lorde's Oppositional Agency and Some Implications for Ethics
Authors: WARD CALEB
Published: November 2020

Throughout her work, Audre Lorde maintains that her self-preservation in the face of oppression depends on acting from the recognition and valorization of her feelings as a deep source of knowledge. This claim, taken as a portrayal of agency, poses challenges to standard positions in ethics, epistemology, and moral psychology. This article examines the oppositional agency articulated by Lorde's thought, locating feeling, poetry, and the power she calls ‘the erotic’ within her avowed project of self-preservation. It then explores the implications of taking seriously Lorde's account, particularly for theorists examining ethics and epistemology under nonideal social conditions. For situations of sexual intimacy, for example, Lorde's account unsettles prevailing assumptions about the role of consent in responsibility between sexual partners. I argue that obligations to solicit consent and respect refusal are not sufficient to acknowledge the value of agency in intimate encounters when agency is oppositional in the way Lorde describes.
Evidence-driven policy-making using heterogeneous data sources—The case of a controlled parking system in Thessaloniki
Authors: Papazoglou Chalikias Anastasios , Tsampoulatidis Ioannis , Tsalakanidou Filareti , Nikolopoulos Spiros , Kompatsiaris Ioannis , Komninos Nicos , Doudouliakis Konstantinos , Papastergios Georgios , Papafilis Petros , Karkaletsi Sophia , Chatzis Charalampos
Published: November 2020

Policy-making in local public administrations is still largely based on intuition rather than being backed up by data and evidence. The goal of this work is to introduce the methodology and software tools for contributing toward transforming the existing intuition-based paradigm of policy-making into an evidence-driven approach enabled by heterogeneous sources of data already available in the city. More specifically, methods for data collection, efficient data storage, and data analysis are implemented to measure the economic activity, assess the environmental impact and evaluate the social consequences of certain policy decisions. Subsequently, the extracted pieces of evidence are used to inform, advise, monitor, evaluate, and revise the decisions made by policy planners. Our contribution in this work is on outlining and deploying an easily extendable system architecture to harmonize and analyze heterogeneous data sources in ways that are found to be useful for policy-makers. For evaluating this architecture, we examine the case of a controlled parking system in the city of Thessaloniki and try to optimize its operation by balancing effectively between economic growth, environmental protection, and citizen satisfaction.
Unstable pressure and u-equilibrium states for partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms
Authors: HU HUYI , WU WEISHENG , ZHU YUJUN
Published: November 2020

Unstable pressure and u-equilibrium states are introduced and investigated for a partially hyperbolic diffeomorphism f. We define the unstable pressure

$P^{u}(f, \varphi )$
of f at a continuous function

$\varphi $
via the dynamics of f on local unstable leaves. A variational principle for unstable pressure

$P^{u}(f, \varphi )$
, which states that

$P^{u}(f, \varphi )$
is the supremum of the sum of the unstable entropy and the integral of

$\varphi $
taken over all invariant measures, is obtained. U-equilibrium states at which the supremum in the variational principle attains and their relation to Gibbs u-states are studied. Differentiability properties of unstable pressure, such as tangent functionals, Gateaux differentiability and Fréchet differentiability and their relations to u-equilibrium states, are also considered.