bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Magnesium Doping on Voltage Decay of Nickel‐Rich Cathode Materials
Authors: Khan Muhammad I. , Zubair Muhammad , Bibi Nadia , Aziz Fiza , Mateen Abdul , Ali Hazrat , Ahmad Pervaiz , Khan Yaqoob , Tufail Muhammad K. , Hassan Ali
Published: December 2021

Structural degradation is the main challenge of Nickel‐rich cathodes, leading to capacity and voltage fading, especially at high cut‐off voltages. Herein, LiNi0.94‐xCo0.06MgxO2 (x=0, 0.01, 0.02) samples have been prepared by high‐temperature solid‐state reaction method. The effects of Mg doping on its crystalline structure, and electrochemical performance have been studied by various characterizations analysis. We notice that Mg doping can not only tighten the structure/interface stability of the cathode, but also accelerates the Li+ diffusion, thereby significantly achieving its high voltage/cycle stability. High‐voltage (4.5 V) electrochemical results show that Mg‐doped LiNi0.94Co0.06O2 (1 % Mg) can achieve a high reversible capacity of 217.5 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C, high cycle retention rate of 80.5 % after 100 cycles at 0.2 C, inhibits average voltage decay, suppress resistance rise and boosted rate performance. Our work provides a solid strategy for improving the structure and voltage decay of nickel‐rich cathode materials for future high‐energy lithium‐ion batteries.
Electrocatalytic Water Splitting: From Harsh and Mild Conditions to Natural Seawater
Authors: Xiao Xue , Yang Lijun , Sun Wenping , Chen Yu , Yu Hai , Li Kangkang , Jia Baohua , Zhang Lei , Ma Tianyi
Published: December 2021

Electrocatalytic water splitting is regarded as the most effective pathway to generate green energy—hydrogen—which is considered as one of the most promising clean energy solutions to the world's energy crisis and climate change mitigation. Although electrocatalytic water splitting has been proposed for decades, large‐scale industrial hydrogen production is hindered by high electricity cost, capital investment, and electrolysis media. Harsh conditions (strong acid/alkaline) are widely used in electrocatalytic mechanism studies, and excellent catalytic activities and efficiencies have been achieved. However, the practical application of electrocatalytic water splitting in harsh conditions encounters several obstacles, such as corrosion issues, catalyst stability, and membrane technical difficulties. Thus, the research on water splitting in mild conditions (neutral/near neutral), even in natural seawater, has aroused increasing attention. However, the mechanism in mild conditions or natural seawater is not clear. Herein, different conditions in electrocatalytic water splitting are reviewed and the effects and proposed mechanisms in the three conditions are summarized. Then, a comparison of the reaction process and the effects of the ions in different electrolytes are presented. Finally, the challenges and opportunities associated with direct electrocatalytic natural seawater splitting and the perspective are presented to promote the progress of hydrogen production by water splitting.
Intaglio Contact Printing of Versatile Carbon Nanotube Composites and Its Applications for Miniaturizing High‐Performance Devices
Authors: Joo Seokwon , Lee Chae‐Eun , Kang Jeongmin , Seo Soonmin , Song Yoon‐Kyu , Kim Ju‐Hyung
Published: December 2021

Composites based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising patternable materials that can be engineered to incorporate the outstanding properties of CNTs into various applications via printing technologies. However, conventional printing methods for CNTs require further improvement to overcome the major drawbacks that limit the patterning resolution and target substrate. Herein, an intaglio contact printing method based on a CNT/paraffin composite is presented for realizing highly precise CNT network patterns without restrictions on the substrate. In this method, the CNT/paraffin composite can be patterned with a high resolution (<10 µm) and neatly transferred onto various substrates with a wide range of surface energies, including human skin. The patterned composite exhibits high durability against structural deformations, and structural damage caused by fatigue accumulation can be cured in a few seconds. In addition, miniaturized sensing and energy‐harvesting applications are demonstrated with high performances. The present method facilitates the rapid fabrication of highly precise interdigitated electrodes via one‐step printing, enabling high‐performance operation and miniaturization of the devices. It is anticipated that these results will not only spur the further development of various applications of CNTs but also contribute to advances in soft lithography methods applicable to many fields of science and engineering.
Intelligentes Temperaturmanagement von modernen Scrollpumpen
Authors: Becker Jonas , Schopphoff Andreas , Bader Florian
Published: December 2021

Die trockenlaufenden Scrollpumpen sind prädestiniert für Prozesse, die ölfreie Pumpvorgänge verlangen, und dort ein adäquater Ersatz für die verbreiteten Drehschieberpumpen, denen sie im Saugvermögen nicht nachstehen. Die dafür erforderliche Trockendichtung ist jedoch fortschreitendem Verschleiß ausgesetzt, für den vor allem die Temperaturverhältnisse in der Pumpe eine große Rolle spielen. Um diese zu optimieren, wurde mittels Finite‐Elemente‐Methode (FEM) das Temperaturfeld in der Pumpe für drei Betriebszustände und unterschiedliche Konstruktionsvarianten berechnet und durch Temperaturmessungen innerhalb der Pumpe validiert. Stellen mit dem höchsten thermisch bedingten Verschleiß konnten so ausgemacht und eine intelligente Lüfter‐Steuerung basierend auf den Temperaturmesswerten eines Sensors in Verbindung mit der Leistungsaufnahme des Motors erarbeitet werden. Durch um 15 % reduzierte Betriebstemperaturen werden die Wartungsintervalle verlängert und höhere Leistungen bei höheren Ansaugdrücken erzielt. Zugleich erhöht eine Redundanz der gemessenen Betriebsparameter die Betriebssicherheit.
Use of Small, Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Mist Nets to Capture Ring‐Necked Pheasants
Authors: Shirley Taylor R. , Janke Adam K.
Published: December 2021

Ring‐necked pheasants are notoriously difficult to capture in landscapes where food is readily available and they are unlikely to be attracted to baited traps. We describe a novel capture method to facilitate capture and radio‐marking of pheasants through the use of a small quadcopter unmanned aircraft system (UAS), thermal imaging camera, and mist nets. Our technique involved a 2‐person crew dropping a horizontal mist net over pheasants detected by a second 2‐person crew operating the UAS. The thermal imaging camera on the UAS revealed the location of the pheasant at nocturnal roost sites in grasslands and the UAS crew directed the net crew to the pheasant with 2‐way radios. On 16 trap nights comprising 1,100 minutes of UAS flight, we captured 21 pheasants including 16 females, each of which was outfitted with a radio‐transmitter. All radio‐marked pheasants survived a 21‐day post‐capture period (n = 12) or survived until transmitter failure during the 21‐day period (n = 4). Our technique offers a new method to facilitate capture of ring‐necked pheasants and perhaps other upland‐roosting birds in landscapes where traditional capture techniques such as night‐lighting or baited funnel traps may not be effective. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Epistemic Activism in the United States: Examining Meetings Across the Silos of Civil Society
Authors: Sandler Jen
Published: December 2021

The realm of civic action is far from unified; studies of civil society have often been likewise divided by discipline, organizational form, and orientation to dominant institutions. In this article, I suggest the critical concept of epistemic activism, which involves both making truth(s) and making them matter, as a way to think across these divides. I argue that researchers may be able to engage with a much broader range of civic projects by using ethnographic methods to examine the knowledge practices of these projects, specifically through attention to the meetings where project actors come together in time and space. In this article, I demonstrate this approach through ethnographic attention to the meeting practices of two quite different projects: a large civic reform coalition whose meetings reveal a politics of epistemic unity, and a place-based immigrant-led justice movement whose meetings enact a politics of listening.
Seeding a New World: Lessons from the FeesMustFall Movement for the Advancement of Social Justice
Authors: Habib Adam
Published: December 2021

The author interrogates the empirical experience of #FeesMustFall—which is extensively detailed in the book Rebels & Rage from which this article flows—with a view to understanding social movements and in turn enhancing the effectiveness of social justice struggles in the future. He discusses the value of social mobilization in effecting change, but demonstrates that this is only sustainable if the protest is structured within certain strategic and ethical parameters. He then proceeds to interrogate the issues of violence, the framing of the struggle and outcomes, the decision-making processes associated with the protest, and the importance of ethical conduct by leaders and activists. He concludes by underscoring the legitimacy of the social justice struggles but insists that these have to be more effectively conducted if they are to culminate in the establishment of a more humane social order.
Civil Society as an Agent of Change
Authors: Strachwitz Rupert Graf
Published: December 2021

The covid-19 crisis is the tip of an iceberg. In actual fact, the crisis goes much deeper. It comprises a crisis of democracy, of the nation state, and of capitalism. We are in the middle of an iconic turn and face challenges of an unprecedented scale. It seems inconceivable to tackle any of these challenges without involving societal actors wherever they are. Civil society has proven to be an important agent of change, and has a lot to bring to the table. Yet, knowledge of civil society is underdeveloped, and the state and the private sector hesitate to introduce a level playing field that would enable civil society to act in the sense that Habermas (and others) describe as deliberative democracy to mean the participative process needed to move an agenda by debate prior to taking decisions.
The Geography of Giving in the Philanthropic Field
Authors: Glückler Johannes , Suarsana Laura
Published: December 2021

Drawing on the neo-institutional notion of organizational fields, we propose the concept of the philanthropic field to conceptualize the geography of giving and the interrelations of benevolent activities across the domains of private, public, and civic sectors. Empirically, we adopt a multi-method approach, including a media analysis of reported acts of giving in the German region of Heilbronn-Franconia, a social network analysis of its regional philanthropic relations, and qualitative interviews with representatives of non-profit organizations, corporations, and public as well as private intermediaries. Based on our analysis, we conclude that the philanthropic field is constituted by diverse actors from all sectors of society who engage in specialization, division of labor, and collaboration. Moreover, practices of giving spread across geographical scales, though the majority of activity concentrates on the local and regional level. We conclude by discussing the potentials and limits of our approach as a means to gain insights into local fields of philanthropy and benevolent action across societal sectors.
Alligators in the Living Room: Terror and Horror in the Capitalocene
Authors: Höglund Johan
Published: December 2021

Because the violence that accompanies climate change has not yet drowned cities or created lasting destruction in the Global North, it looms in this region as a dark, yet still largely unrealized, Gothic prophesy. By contrast, poor communities in the Global South have long experienced the climate crisis as an immanent and palpable horror that destroys lives and communities. This chapter explores how Gothic horror disturbs this division by describing how the crisis brings horror also to privileged people in the Global North. Through a reading of the filmCrawl(2019), the chapter shows how Gothic casts the Anthropocene as an immanent horror that touches all social strata, thus making it possible to imagine continued climate change as having a universally detrimental impact.
The Boundaries of Cognition and Decision Making
Authors: Prike Toby , Higham Philip A. , Bijak Jakub
Published: December 2021

This chapter outlines the role that individual-level empirical evidence gathered from psychological experiments and surveys can play in informing agent-based models, and the model-based approach more broadly. To begin with, we provide an overview of the way that this empirical evidence can be used to inform agent-based models. Additionally, we provide three detailed exemplars that outline the development and implementation of experiments conducted to inform an agent-based model of asylum migration, as well as how such data can be used. There is also an extended discussion of important considerations and potential limitations when conducting laboratory or online experiments and surveys, followed by a brief introduction to exciting new developments in experimental methodology, such as gamification and virtual reality, that have the potential to address some of these limitations and open the door to promising and potentially very fruitful new avenues of research.
Agent-Based Modelling and Simulation with Domain-Specific Languages
Authors: Reinhardt Oliver , Warnke Tom , Uhrmacher Adelinde M.
Published: December 2021

Conducting simulation studies within a model-based framework is a complex process, in which many different concerns must be considered. Central tasks include the specification of the simulation model, the execution of simulation runs, the conduction of systematic simulation experiments, and the management and documentation of the model’s context. In this chapter, we look into how these concerns can be separated and handled by applying domain-specific languages (DSLs), that is, languages that are tailored to specific tasks in a specific application domain. We demonstrate and discuss the features of the approach by using the modelling language ML3, the experiment specification language SESSL, and PROV, a graph-based standard to describe the provenance information underlying the multi-stage process of model development.
Introduction
Authors: Odiyo John Ogony , Bikam Peter Bitta , Makungo Rachel
Published: December 2021

This book provides policy framework on “towards a Green Economy in the Transport Sector” draws inspiration from the UNEP report on Green Economy Modeling (2014), which focused on South Africa with respect to Transport, Natural Resource Management, Agriculture, and Energy sectors. This is because in the last 10 years natural resources, environmental risks and ecological issues have come to the attention of the international community because the subject is fundamentally important for overarching sustainable growth. It is important to note that environmental problems such as greenhouse gas emissions and climate change in different regions of the world including South Africa result in significant problems. However, the challenges can provide an opportunity to do things differently. Further to this in 2010, South Africa hosted the Green Economy Summit to set up the stage for the formulation of a Green Economy Plan. In line with this, the choice for a New Growth Path (NGP) was formulated and it was aimed at creating new green jobs in their thousands by 2020. It was in this context that the NGP policy framework on green economy in the transport sector was envisaged to respond to the request by Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) to assess potential opportunities and policy levers to inform a green economy in the transport sector. The findings from the desktop research, the stakeholder workshop and the field survey reports form the basis from which the policy framework recommendations in this report were made.
Skills and Knowledge Transfer for Transitioning into the Green Economy
Authors: Odiyo John Ogony , Musyoki Agnes , Makungo Rachel
Published: December 2021

This chapter aimed at identifying skills required for transitioning into green economy in the transport sector, preferred careers and institutions, challenges that could hinder transition to green economy in transport sector in addition to suggesting policy recommendations in case study carried out Limpopo Province. Case studies are required to provide insight into the nature of the current situation with respect to transition to green economy in the transport sector and providing knowledge and evidence on skills required transition to green transport. The study followed a qualitative and exploratory methodology involving administering questionnaire to purposively selected participants and stakeholder workshop aimed at discussing and debating on required knowledge and skills for transition to green economy in Limpopo Province, identifying challenges and policy recommendations. A total of twenty questionnaires were completed while 56 delegates from different departments and organisations participated in the workshop. A wide range of specific skills needs within technical, management skills and knowledge on techniques and skills on innovation and management for change categories, in the transport sector and their value chains were identified. Many of the skills required in the transport sector correspond to those required for the general green economy indicating that the transport sector will also benefit through implementation of the green economy in all sectors in the province. Most people chose environmental science as the most suitable career to follow in ensuring green economy. The respondents recognized the importance of mainstreaming the green economy at all levels of study. Challenges that could hinder transition to green economy include inadequate training and awareness programs, lack of existing skills directly related to the green economy at work places and inadequate funding for skills development in the green economy. Some of the policy recommendations include green growth capacity building for public administrators and policy makers, knowledge and skills transfer to be identified following the value chain based on the jobs required for each mode of green transport, development of methodology to mainstream green economy in all work places, mainstreaming green economy at all education levels, government to fund policy and legislation, and research and innovation related to green transport.
Regulatory Frameworks, Policies, Norms and Standards
Authors: Chakwizira James
Published: December 2021

This chapter provides a review of policies, strategies, and regulations in the transport sector. The narrative plays out in terms of outlining national, provincial, and local application dimensions and impacts of transport using green transport lenses. The different application scales for transport policies, strategies and regulations as enunciated through different spheres of government constitutes the main thread of the discussion. In any case, the impact and outcomes of government and non-governmental transport intervention are discussed from a green transport perspective. Complementary to this, the role and scope for norms and standards in promoting green transport policy, innovation and activities is outlined. A thematic approach is used in unpacking green transport issues with respect to transport in Limpopo province. The analysis is anchored within the green transport systems theory of innovation framework.
Knowledge Management Framework for Cloud Federation
Authors: Mellaoui Wahiba , Posso Richard , Gebrealif Yodit , Bock Erik , Altmann Jörn , Yoon Hyenyoung
Published: December 2021

A cloud federation (CF) is an alliance of cloud service providers (CSPs) working together to overcome scalability and portability barriers. However, there are some business challenges (e.g., lack of trust, lack of schemes for revenue sharing, and lack of schemes for resource sharing) and technological challenges (e.g., missing schemes for resource provisioning, lack of coordinated resource management, and little load balancing), causing instability in CFs. As CF alliances pursue strategic goals, they require intensive knowledge sharing. In fact, practitioners have confirmed a positive impact of knowledge management on stability and success of strategic alliances (SA). According to the literature, SAs may also face learning issues such as non–controlled information revelation or unbalanced dissemination of core competencies. These findings pose challenges about the nature of the knowledge and how to share it within a CF. Nonetheless, there is only scarce literature on KM in CF. Thus, the purpose of the paper is to propose a KM framework for CFs with the aim of strengthening stability and potential CF commercialization.
AI Technologies and Motives for AI Adoption by Countries and Firms: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Kabalisa Rene , Altmann Jörn
Published: December 2021

In this era of digital revolution, artificial intelligence stands to be one of the emerging technologies to revolutionize the way we live, work, or communicate. While everyone is fighting to lead in this technology, their readiness differs and adoption challenges arise in many sectors. These competitions also result in various economic impacts on countries, firms, and individuals. This paper uses a systematic literature review to analyze the existing economic impact of AI adoption and the technology used. Overall, this paper presents clear evidence that AI adoption has a large effect on an economy. Findings of this research help researchers and practitioners to identify important economic impacts of adopting AI, identify directions for future research, and set policies that need to be put in place.
R-parity violation axiogenesis
Authors: Co Raymond T. , Harigaya Keisuke , Johnson Zachary , Pierce Aaron
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We show that the rotation of the QCD axion field, aided by B−L violation from supersymmetric R-parity violating couplings, can yield the observed baryon abundance. Strong sphaleron processes transfer the angular momentum of the axion field into a quark chiral asymmetry, which R-parity violating couplings convert to the baryon asymmetry of the Universe. We focus on the case of dimensionless R-parity violating couplings with textures motivated by grand unified theories and comment on more general scenarios. The axion decay constant and mass spectrum of supersymmetric particles are constrained by Big Bang nucleosynthesis, proton decay from the R-parity violation, and successful thermalization of the Peccei-Quinn symmetry breaking field. Axion dark matter may be produced by the axion rotation via the kinetic misalignment mechanism for axion decay constants below 1010 GeV, or by the conventional misalignment mechanism for 1011-12 GeV. The viable parameter region can be probed by proton decay and axion searches. This scenario may also have connections with collider experiments, including searches for long-lived particles, and observations of gravitational waves.
Positivity and geometric function theory constraints on pion scattering
Authors: Zahed Ahmadullah
Published: December 2021

Abstract

This paper presents the fascinating correspondence between the geometric function theory and the scattering amplitudes with O(N) global symmetry. A crucial ingredient to show such correspondence is a fully crossing symmetric dispersion relation in the z-variable, rather than the fixed channel dispersion relation. We have written down fully crossing symmetric dispersion relation for O(N) model in z-variable for three independent combinations of isospin amplitudes. We have presented three independent sum rules or locality constraints for the O(N) model arising from the fully crossing symmetric dispersion relations. We have derived three sets of positivity conditions. We have obtained two-sided bounds on Taylor coefficients of physical Pion amplitudes around the crossing symmetric point (for example, π+π−→ π0π0) applying the positivity conditions and the Bieberbach-Rogosinski inequalities from geometric function theory.
Axion fragmentation on the lattice
Authors: Morgante Enrico , Ratzinger Wolfram , Sato Ryosuke , Stefanek Ben A.
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We analyze the phenomenon of axion fragmentation when an axion field rolls over many oscillations of a periodic potential. This is particularly relevant for the case of relaxion, in which fragmentation provides the necessary energy dissipation to stop the field evolution. We compare the results of a linear analysis with the ones obtained from a classical lattice simulation, finding an agreement in the stopping time of the zero mode between the two within an $$ \mathcal{O}(1) $$
O

1

difference. We finally speculate on the generation of bubbles with different VEVs of the axion field, and discuss their cosmological consequences.
Null Kähler Geometry and Isomonodromic Deformations
Authors: Dunajski Maciej
Published: December 2021

We construct the normal forms of null-Kähler metrics: pseudo-Riemannian metrics admitting a compatible parallel nilpotent endomorphism of the tangent bundle. Such metrics are examples of non-Riemannian holonomy reduction, and (in the complexified setting) appear on the space of Bridgeland stability conditions on a Calabi–Yau threefold. Using twistor methods we show that, in dimension four—where there is a connection with dispersionless integrability—the cohomogeneity-one anti-self-dual null-Kähler metrics are generically characterised by solutions to Painlevé I or Painlevé II ODEs.
Mathematical indices for the influence of risk factors on the lethality of a disease
Authors: Martínez Ricardo , Sánchez-Soriano Joaquín
Published: December 2021

We develop a theoretical model to measure the relative relevance of different pathologies of the lethality of a disease in society. This approach allows a ranking of diseases to be determined, which can assist in establishing priorities for vaccination campaigns or prevention strategies. Among all possible measurements, we identify three families of rules that satisfy a combination of relevant properties:neutrality,irrelevance, and one of threecompositionconcepts. One of these families includes, for instance, the Shapley value of the associated cooperative game. The other two families also include simple and intuitive indices. As an illustration, we measure the relative relevance of several pathologies in lethality due to COVID-19.
Enabling the sustainable space era by developing the infrastructure for a space economy
Authors: Anglada-Escudé Guillem
Published: December 2021

The world is changing fast, and so is the space sector. Planning for large scientific experiments two decades ahead may no longer be the most sensible approach. I develop the argument that large science experiments are becoming comparable to terrestrial civil infrastructures in terms of cost. As a result, these should incorporate plans for a return on investment (or impact, not necessarily economic), require a different approach for inter-division coordination within the European Space Agency (ESA), and a broader participation of all society stakeholders (civil society representatives, and the broader public). Defining which experiments will be relevant two decades ahead adds rigidity and quenches creativity to the development of cutting edge science and technology. This is likely to discourage both senior and earlier career professionals into supporting such long-term (and often precarious) plans. A more sensible strategy would be increasing the rate of smaller well understood experiments, engage more society sectors in the development of a truly space-bound infrastructure, and formulate a strategy more in tune with the challenges faced by our society and planet. We argue that such strategy would lead to equally large -even larger- scale experiments in the same time-scale, while providing economic returns and a common sense of purpose. A basic but aggressive road map is outlined.
Could the DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interview Hold Therapeutic Potential? Suggestions for Further Exploration and Adaptation Within a Framework of Therapeutic Assessment
Authors: Strand Mattias , Bäärnhielm Sofie
Published: December 2021

The Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI), included in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is a person-centered instrument for systematically appraising the impact of cultural factors in psychiatric assessment. A number of key areas in the future development of the CFI have been identified in order to ensure further clinical uptake. In this paper, we suggest that applying a Therapeutic Assessment (TA) approach in using the CFI—i.e., framing the interview in a way that gives primacy to its self-transformative potential by explicitly focusing on those issues that are seen as the most urgent, relevant, and meaningful by the patient—could prove helpful in alleviating patients’ suffering beyond what is achieved by merely collecting relevant cultural information that may inform diagnosis and subsequent treatment interventions. The TA methodology has been designed as a collaborative approach to psychological assessment in which the assessment procedure itself is meant to induce therapeutic change. This is achieved by explicitly focusing on the particular questions and queries that patients have about themselves with respect to their mental health problems or psychosocial well-being; these questions are then allowed to guide the assessment process and the interpretation of the findings. We suggest a number of potential modifications to the related Outline for Cultural Formulation and to the CFI content that could strengthen a TA-inspired focus. With this paper, we do not claim to offer a definitive integration of the TA approach in using the CFI but hope to further the discussion of a therapeutic potential of the instrument.
Determination of the mud weight window, optimum drilling trajectory, and wellbore stability using geomechanical parameters in one of the Iranian hydrocarbon reservoirs
Authors: Hoseinpour Masoud , Riahi Mohammad Ali
Published: December 2021

The challenges behind this research were encountered while drilling into the Ilam, Mauddud, Gurpi, and Mishrif Formations, where severe drilling instability-related issues were observed across the weaker formations above the reservoir intervals. In this paper, geomechanical parameters were carried out to determine optimum mud weight windows and safe drilling deviation trajectories using the geomechanical parameters. We propose a workflow to determine the equivalent mud window (EMW) that resulted in 11.18–12.61 ppg which is suitable for Gurpi formation and 9.36–13.13 ppg for Ilam and Mishrif Formations, respectively. To estimate safe drilling trajectories, the Poisson’s ratio, Young’s modulus, and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) parameters were determined. These parameters illustrate an optimum drilling trajectory angle of 45° (Azimuth 277°) for the Ilam to Mauddud Formations and less than 35° for the Gurpi Formation. Our analysis reveals that maximum horizontal stress and Poisson’s ratio have the most impact on determining the optimum drilling mud weight windows and safe drilling deviation trajectories. On the contrary, vertical stress and Young’s modulus have minimum impact on drilling mud weight windows and safe drilling deviation trajectories. This study can be used as a reference for the optimal mud weight window to overcome drilling instability issues in future wellbore planning in the study.
A Brief Review on Aerodynamic Performance of Wingtip Slots and Research Prospect
Authors: Liu Dan , Song Bifeng , Yang Wenqing , Yang Xiaojun , Xue Dong , Lang Xinyu
Published: December 2021

Wingtip slots, where the outer primary feathers of birds split and spread vertically, are regarded as an evolved favorable feature that could effectively improve their aerodynamic performance. They have inspired many to perform experiments and simulations as well as to relate their results to aircraft design. This paper aims to provide guidance for the research on the aerodynamic mechanism of wingtip slots. Following a review of previous wingtip slot research, four imperfections are put forward: vacancies in research content, inconsistencies in research conclusions, limitations of early research methods, and shortage of the aerodynamic mechanism analysis. On this basis, further explorations and expansion of the influence factors for steady state are needed; more attention should be poured into the application of flow field integration method to decompose drag, and evaluation of variation in induced drag seems a more rational choice. Geometric and kinematic parameters of wingtip slot structure in the unsteady state, as well as the flexibility of wingtips, should be taken into account. As for the aerodynamic mechanism of wingtip slots, the emphasis can be placed on the study of the formation, development, and evolution of wingtip vortices on slotted wings. Besides, some research strategies and feasibility analyses are proposed for each part of the research.
Premature Ejaculation Among Internet Users Living in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Comparison Between the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) and Patient-Reported Latency Time and Perception
Authors: dos Reis Margareth de Mello Ferreira , Barros Eduardo Augusto Corrêa , Monteiro Leonardo , Pazeto Cristiano Linck , Baccaglini Willy , Glina Sidney
Published: December 2021

Background

Premature ejaculation (PE) prevalence can vary according to different definitions, assessment methods and populational demographics and culture.

Aims

To investigate the differences between men classified as having “probable PE” (PEDT≥11), “possible PE” (PEDT = 9 or 10) or “no PE” (PEDT≤8) according to the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) criteria in regard to sociodemographic characteristics, and sexual and relational behavior. To assess the agreement of prevalence of PE according to 3 assessment methods: (i) the ejaculation latency time (ELT) according to the participant's memory; (ii) PEDT and (iii) a direct question about the self-perception of ejaculation as being normal, too early (premature) or retarded.

Methods

In this web-based cross-sectional study, men aged ≥ 18 years living in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil, responded anonymously to an online survey. We used multinomial regression to estimate the association between PE according PEDT criteria and other features and the kappa coefficient to estimate agreement between the assessment methods.

Outcomes

Association between PEDT-PE, sociodemographic characteristics and sexual and relational behaviors; agreement between PEDT, ELT and self-perception of PE.

Results

Obesity, trying to hold back ejaculation, short or nonexistent foreplay and age <30 years were associated with PEDT ≥11. Men who considered that latency was shorter for oral, anal and vaginal sex than for masturbation were more likely to have probable PE according to PEDT. Possible PE (PEDT scores 9/10) was associated with trying to hold back ejaculation and considering time for ejaculation shorter for vaginal sex. There was fair agreement between assessments (kappa 0.39; CI:0.28 –0.42; P < .001).

Conclusion

PE prevalence varies according to instruments and cut-offs used, with fair agreement between them. This finding shows that the methods evaluate different aspects of the EP syndrome and they must be combined to allow the discrimination between the different types of PE and treatments. Clinical approaches should consider the sexual behavior and relationship of the patient and their distress.
Factors at multiple scales influence the composition of terricolous lichen communities in temperate semi-arid sandy grasslands
Authors: Veres Katalin , Csintalan Zsolt , Kovács Bence , Farkas Edit
Published: December 2021

Inland dune ecosystems are rich in terricolous lichen species. However, these communities are sensitive to human activities, both locally and globally. Since terricolous lichens have a dominant role in semi-arid sandy grasslands, it is important to explore the composition of their communities and the environmental factors affecting them. We studied the structure of the terricolous lichen assemblages of calcareous grassland in an inland duneland ecosystem by comparing the lichen communities of arid and humid dune sides on two sites with different disturbance histories. Microcoenological data were collected according to the Braun-Blanquet method. Environmental variables include the cover of bare soil, moss, litter, herb cover and height of herbs. We investigated the relationship of these variables and the presence and absence data of terricolous lichen species to sites and dune side. We found that the site had a significant effect on species richness that might reflect the different types and severity of previous disturbance events at the studied sites. On a smaller, ‘dune’ scale, in general lower herb cover and height and a higher moss cover were characteristic of arid dune sides. Most of the frequent species were negatively affected by higher moss cover. Some lichen species were more abundant (e.g. Cladonia furcata) or found only (e.g. Xanthoparmelia subdiffluens, Gyalolechia fulgens) on arid dune sides, while others preferred (e.g. C. pyxidata) or occurred only on (e.g. Peltigera species, C. rei) humid sides. It was observed that the impact of the dune side on several variables differed between sites. The diverse microhabitat types, microclimate and landscape structure, results in species-rich and valuable terricolous lichen communities forming in inland dune ecosystems.
Ramalina arsenii, an additional new species in the R. pollinaria group in Western Europe
Authors: Sérusiaux Emmanuël , van den Boom Pieter , Magain Nicolas
Published: December 2021

Ramalina arsenii sp. nov. belongs to the R. pollinaria group and is easily recognized by its ITS barcode and several micro-morphological characters that are diagnostic in a European context: small size, less than 3 cm long; soralia developing on the underside of lobe apices; absence of excavate depressions on the lower side. Its ecological niche (i.e. rock outcrops and especially underhangs of slightly calcareous rocks, at low and mid altitudes) is also unique. Ramalina arsenii is frequent and locally abundant in France (Alps, Cantal) and Switzerland (western Alps), and is also known from Germany and the Spanish side of the Pyrenees.
Inner-city possibilities: using place and space to facilitate inter-ethnic dating and romance in 1960s–1980s Leicester
Authors: Bishop Sue Zeleny
Published: December 2021

Applying a spatial lens to the oral histories of heterosexual women who had intercultural romantic relationships in Leicester from the 1960s to the 1980s provides an alternative perspective on their experiences. This article examines these women's movements into and around the inner city, eliciting discussion about the concept of ‘safe’ places and spaces and the factors that determined the transient nature of these spaces. It illustrates opportunities created for intercultural mixing, away from familial gaze and public hostility. Utilizing such spaces to develop and sustain their relationships reveals a previously unacknowledged female agency that also enabled an ‘everyday multiculturalism’ in the British city.
Myokardinfarkt bei einem Sportler
Authors: Hasslacher Sebastian , Wichmann Christine , Meyer Matthias R. , Kurz David , Eberli Franz
Published: December 2021

Zusammenfassung. Wir berichten über einen Myokardinfarkt aufgrund eines koronaren Thrombus bei einem ansonsten gesunden und sportlichen Mann, welcher in zeitlichem Zusammenhang mit Cannabiskonsum stand. Cannabis ist ein seltener Trigger des akuten Myokardinfarktes und wird oftmals als kardiovaskulärer Risikofaktor verkannt. Aufgrund der zunehmenden Legalisierung häufen sich Fallberichte über Cannabis-induzierte Myokardinfarkte insbesondere bei jungen Menschen. Verschiedene pathophysiologische Mechanismen wurden postuliert und sind Gegenstand der aktuellen Forschung.
The Internal Structure of Mercury's Core Inferred From Magnetic Observations
Authors: Wardinski I. , Amit H. , Langlais B. , Thébault E.
Published: December 2021

Previous models of Mercury's core magnetic field based on high altitude data from first MESSENGER flybys revealed an axisymmetric structure of the field. Here, we use low altitude MESSENGER data covering the entire mission period to construct spherical harmonic models based on various spatial norms. Although we find a dominantly axisymmetric field, our models nevertheless include detectable deviations from axisymmetry. These non‐axisymmetric features appear at high latitudes, resembling intense geomagnetic flux patches at Earth's core‐mantle boundary. Based on this core field morphology, we then attempt to infer Mercury's internal structure. More specifically, assuming that Mercury's high‐latitude non‐axisymmetric features are concentrated by downwellings at the edge of the planet's inner core tangent cylinder, and accounting for the presence of a stably stratified layer at the top of Mercury's core, we establish a relation between the inner core size and the thickness of the stratified layer. Considering plausible ranges, we propose that Mercury's inner core size is about 500–660 km, which corresponds to a stratified layer thickness of 880–500 km, respectively.
Sustainable Use of Groundwater May Dramatically Reduce Irrigated Production of Maize, Soybean, and Wheat
Authors: Lopez Jose R. , Winter Jonathan M. , Elliott Joshua , Ruane Alex C. , Porter Cheryl , Hoogenboom Gerrit , Anderson Martha , Hain Christopher
Published: December 2021

Groundwater extraction in the United States (US) is unsustainable, making it essential to understand the impacts of limited water use on irrigated agriculture. To improve this understanding, we integrated a gridded crop model with satellite observations, recharge estimates, and water survey data to assess the effects of sustainable groundwater withdrawals on US irrigated agricultural production. The gridded crop model agrees with satellite‐based estimates of evapotranspiration (R2 = 0.68), as well as survey data from the United States Department of Agriculture (R2 = 0.82–0.94 for county‐level production and 0.37–0.54 for county‐level yield). Using the optimistic assumption that groundwater extraction equals effective aquifer recharge rate, we find that sustainable groundwater use decreases US irrigated production of maize, soybean, and winter wheat by 20%, 6%, and 25%, respectively. Using a more conservative assumption of groundwater availability, US irrigated production of maize, soybean, and winter wheat decreases by 45%, 37%, and 36%, respectively. The wide range of simulated losses is driven by considerable uncertainty in surface water and groundwater interactions, as well as accounting for the many aspects of sustainability. Our results demonstrate the vulnerability of US irrigated agriculture to unsustainable groundwater pumping, highlighting the difficulty of expanding or even maintaining irrigated food production in the face of climate change, population growth, and shifting dietary demands. These findings are based on reducing pumping by fallowing irrigated farmland; however, alternate pumping reduction strategies or technological advances in crop genetics and irrigation could produce different results.
Rethinking aerobic exercise intensity prescription in adults with spinal cord injury: time to end the use of “moderate to vigorous” intensity?
Authors: Hutchinson Michael J. , Goosey-Tolfrey Victoria L.
Published: December 2021

Study design

Cohort study.

Objectives

To investigate and critique different methods for aerobic exercise intensity prescription in adults with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting

University laboratory in Loughborough, UK.

Methods

Trained athletes were split into those with paraplegia (PARA; n = 47), tetraplegia (TETRA; n = 20) or alternate health condition (NON-SCI; n = 67). Participants completed a submaximal step test with 3 min stages, followed by graded exercise test to exhaustion. Handcycling, arm crank ergometry or wheelchair propulsion were performed depending on the sport of the participant. Oxygen uptake (V̇O2), heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration ([BLa]) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) on Borg’s RPE scale were measured throughout. Lactate thresholds were identified according to log-V̇O2 plotted against log-[BLa] (LT1) and 1.5 mmol L−1 greater than LT1 (LT2). These were used to demarcate moderate (LT1, < LT2) and severe (>LT2) exercise intensity domains.

Results

Associations between percentage of peak V̇O2 (%V̇O2peak) and HR (%HRpeak) with RPE differed between PARA and TETRA. At LT1 and LT2, %V̇O2peak and %HRpeak were significantly greater in TETRA compared to PARA and NON-SCI (P < 0.05). The variation in %V̇O2peak and %HRpeak at lactate thresholds resulted in large variability in the domain distribution at fixed %V̇O2peak and %HRpeak.

Conclusions

Fixed %V̇O2peak and %HRpeak should not be used for aerobic exercise intensity prescription in adults with SCI as the method does not lead to uniform exercise intensity domain distribution.
FDI-6 inhibits the expression and function of FOXM1 to sensitize BRCA-proficient triple-negative breast cancer cells to Olaparib by regulating cell cycle progression and DNA damage repair
Authors: Wang Shu-Ping , Wu Shi-Qi , Huang Shi-Hui , Tang Yi-Xuan , Meng Liu-Qiong , Liu Feng , Zhu Qi-Hua , Xu Yun-Gen
Published: December 2021

Inducing homologous-recombination (HR) deficiency is an effective strategy to broaden the indications of PARP inhibitors in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Herein, we find that repression of the oncogenic transcription factor FOXM1 using FOXM1 shRNA or FOXM1 inhibitor FDI-6 can sensitize BRCA-proficient TNBC to PARP inhibitor Olaparib in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic studies show that Olaparib causes adaptive resistance by arresting the cell cycle at S and G2/M phases for HR repair, increasing the expression of CDK6, CCND1, CDK1, CCNA1, CCNB1, and CDC25B to promote cell cycle progression, and inducing the overexpression of FOXM1, PARP1/2, BRCA1/2, and Rad51 to activate precise repair of damaged DNA. FDI-6 inhibits the expression of FOXM1, PARP1/2, and genes involved in cell cycle control and DNA damage repair to sensitize TNBC cells to Olaparib by blocking cell cycle progression and DNA damage repair. Simultaneously targeting FOXM1 and PARP1/2 is an innovative therapy for more patients with TNBC.
Fish predators control outbreaks of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
Authors: Kroon Frederieke J. , Barneche Diego R. , Emslie Michael J.
Published: December 2021

Outbreaks of corallivorous Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (CoTS, Acanthaster spp.) have caused persistent and widespread loss of coral cover across Indo-Pacific coral reefs. The potential drivers of these outbreaks have been debated for more than 50 years, hindering effective management to limit their destructive impacts. Here, we show that fish biomass removal through commercial and recreational fisheries may be a major driver of CoTS population outbreaks. CoTS densities increase systematically with increasing fish biomass removal, including for known CoTS predators. Moreover, the biomass of fish species and families that influence CoTS densities are 1.4 to 2.1-fold higher on reefs within no-take marine reserves, while CoTS densities are 2.8-fold higher on reefs that are open to fishing, indicating the applicability of fisheries-based management to prevent CoTS outbreaks. Designing targeted fisheries management with consideration of CoTS population dynamics may offer a tangible and promising contribution to effectively reduce the detrimental impacts of CoTS outbreaks across the Indo-Pacific.