bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mobility Patterns During COVID-19 Travel Restrictions in Nairobi Urban Informal Settlements: Who Is Leaving Home and Why
Authors: Pinchoff Jessie , Kraus-Perrotta Cara , Austrian Karen , Tidwell James B. , Abuya Timothy , Mwanga Daniel , Kangwana Beth , Ochako Rhoune , Muluve Eva , Mbushi Faith , Nzioki Mercy , Ngo Thoai D.
Published: February 2021

Nairobi’s urban slums are ill equipped to prevent spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) due to high population density, multigenerational families in poorly ventilated informal housing, and poor sanitation. Physical distancing policies, curfews, and a citywide lockdown were implemented in March and April 2020 resulting in sharp decreases in movement across the city. However, most people cannot afford to stay home completely (e.g., leaving daily to fetch water). If still employed, they may need to travel longer distances for work, potentially exposing them COVID-19 or contributing to its spread. We conducted a household survey across five urban slums to describe factors associated with mobility in the previous 24 h. A total of 1695 adults were interviewed, 63% female. Of these, most reported neighborhood mobility within their informal settlement (54%), 19% stayed home completely, and 27% reported long-distance mobility outside their informal settlement, mainly for work. In adjusted multinomial regression models, women were 58% more likely than men to stay home (relative risk ratio (RRR): 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16, 2.14) and women were 60% less likely than men to report citywide mobility (RRR: 0.40; 95% CI 0.31, 0.52). Individuals in the wealthiest quintile, particularly younger women, were most likely to not leave home at all. Those who reported citywide travel were less likely to have lost employment (RRR: 0.49; 95% CI 0.38, 0.65) and were less likely to avoid public transportation (RRR: 0.30; 95% CI 0.23, 0.39). Employment and job hunting were the main reasons for traveling outside of the slum; less than 20% report other reasons. Our findings suggest that slum residents who retain their employment are traveling larger distances across Nairobi, using public transportation, and are more likely to be male; this travel may put them at higher risk of COVID-19 infection but is necessary to maintain income. Steps to protect workers from COVID-19 both in the workplace and while in transit (including masks, hand sanitizer stations, and reduced capacity on public transportation) are critical as economic insecurity in the city increases due to COVID-19 mitigation measures. Workers must be able to commute and maintain employment to not be driven further into poverty. Additionally, to protect the majority of individuals who are only travelling locally within their settlement, mitigation measures such as making masks and handwashing stations accessible within informal settlements must also be implemented, with special attention to the burden placed on women.
Does Proof of Concept Trump All? RRI Dilemmas in Research Practices
Authors: Borch Anita , Throne-Holst Harald
Published: February 2021

Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is described as a new way of doing science that brings science closer to society. Based on a qualitatively oriented case study, this article supports previous research indicating that researchers face a variety of ethical problems and dilemmas when implementing RRI for the first time. These include difficulties with anticipating and controlling future impacts, an asymmetry of power between project partners and an elusive understanding of the RRI concept. The researchers’ challenges were rooted in conventional research ethics and could be boiled down to one core dilemma: If RRI had been applied from the very beginning of the project period, the chance of realising proof of concept within the scheduled time may decrease. The researchers’ solution to this dilemma was to prioritize proof of concept and postpone RRI activities to later stages of the project. If RRI is expected to live up to its ambition of representing a new way of doing science, more effort is needed at the political level to facilitate change.
TraMiner: Vision-Based Analysis of Locomotion Traces for Cognitive Assessment in Smart-Homes
Authors: Zolfaghari Samaneh , Khodabandehloo Elham , Riboni Daniele
Published: February 2021

The rapid increase in the senior population is posing serious challenges to national healthcare systems. Hence, innovative tools are needed to early detect health issues, including cognitive decline. Several clinical studies show that it is possible to identify cognitive impairment based on the locomotion patterns of the elderly. In this work, we investigate the use of sensor data and deep learning to recognize those patterns in instrumented smart-homes. In order to get rid of the noise introduced by indoor constraints and activity execution, we introduce novel visual feature extraction methods for locomotion data. Our solution relies on locomotion trace segmentation, image-based extraction of salient features from locomotion segments, and vision-based deep learning. We carried out extensive experiments with a large dataset acquired in a smart-home test bed from 153 seniors, including people with cognitive diseases. Results show that our system can accurately recognize the cognitive status of the senior, reaching a macro-$$F_1$$

F
1

score of 0.873 for the three categories that we target: cognitive health, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. Moreover, an experimental comparison shows that our system outperforms state-of-the-art methods.
The specialized thoracic skeletomuscular system of the myrmecophile Claviger testaceus (Pselaphinae, Staphylinidae, Coleoptera)
Authors: Luo Xiao-Zhu , Jałoszyński Paweł , Stoessel Alexander , Beutel Rolf Georg
Published: February 2021

External and internal structures of the thorax of the myrmecophile beetleClaviger testaceus(Clavigeritae, Pselaphinae) were examined and documented with state-of-the-art visualization techniques. Following a general trend in the omaliine lineage (Staphylinidae), the skeletal elements of the pro- and pterothorax inClavigerreach a maximum degree of compactness, with largely reduced inter- and intrasegmental sutures and skeletal elements linked with the flight apparatus. The musculature, especially metathoracic direct and indirect flight muscles, also shows a high degree of reduction. Two forms of wings were found among individuals ofC. testaceus, both non-functional and representing an advanced stage of reduction. However, that wing vestiges are still present and the metanotum, only slightly reduced, suggests that loss of flight in this species is likely the result of a young evolutionary process. Several structures are linked with myrmecophilous habits: small body size facilitates transportation of beetles by ant workers and makes it easier to move inside nest tunnels; the remarkably compact body and mechanically robust appendages make the beetles less vulnerable to attacks by ant mandibles; the improved elytral interlocking mechanism and unusually expanded epipleura enhance the protection of vulnerable dorsal parts of the pterothorax and anterior abdomen; and glands associated with trichomes on the posterolateral elytral angle produce secretions attractive for ants. Various modifications of the thorax and anterior abdomen lead to an optimization of intimate associations with ants. The morphological syndrome enabling these beetles to cope with life in ant colonies evolved in several steps. This is suggested by an increasing solidification of the thoracic skeleton in related non-myrmecophilous groups and also by less modified related clavigerites;for instance, ant-associated tropical species are still able to fly.
Algebraic aspects of hypergeometric differential equations
Authors: Reichelt Thomas , Schulze Mathias , Sevenheck Christian , Walther Uli
Published: February 2021

We review some classical and modern aspects of hypergeometric differential equations, including A-hypergeometric systems of Gel$$'$$

′

fand, Graev, Kapranov and Zelevinsky. Some recent advances in this theory, such as Euler–Koszul homology, rank jump phenomena, irregularity questions and Hodge theoretic aspects are discussed with more details. We also give some applications of the theory of hypergeometric systems to toric mirror symmetry.
Morphological and biochemical changes in the pancreas associated with acute systemic hypoxia
Authors: Morioka Fumiya , Tani Naoto , Ikeda Tomoya , Hirokawa Tatsuya , Ikeda Kei , Shida Alissa , Aoki Yayoi , Ishikawa Takaki
Published: February 2021

This study aimed to investigate the changes associated with acute systemic hypoxia in the endocrine system, particularly in pancreatic tissues. The investigation was based on macroscopic, pathohistological, biochemical, and molecular biological findings in cell lines and human cadavers. The results showed that cases of death due to asphyxia more frequently showed severe subcapsular/interstitial hemorrhage versus the other causes of death. Histological examination showed that asphyxia cases were associated with severe morphological changes. Although measured insulin levels in the asphyxia were higher compared to other causes of death, no differences were noted for the glucagon and amylase levels with regard to the cause of death. Increased blood insulin levels were not associated with macro- and micromorphological changes, and did not show any association with glucose or cortisol levels. The experiment conducted under hypoxic conditions in cultured cells demonstrated that insulin mRNA expression and insulin protein levels peaked at 10 min after hypoxia exposure. However, there were no changes in either the amylase mRNA or protein levels. Corticosterone level peaked at 120 min after exposure to hypoxic conditions. Overall, acute systemic hypoxic conditions can directly affect the mechanisms involved in pancreatic insulin secretion.
Wheat yield gaps across smallholder farming systems in Ethiopia
Authors: Silva João Vasco , Reidsma Pytrik , Baudron Frédéric , Jaleta Moti , Tesfaye Kindie , van Ittersum Martin K.
Published: February 2021

Wheat yields in Ethiopia need to increase considerably to reduce import dependency and keep up with the expected increase in population and dietary changes. Despite the yield progress observed in recent years, wheat yield gaps remain large. Here, we decompose wheat yield gaps in Ethiopia into efficiency, resource, and technology yield gaps and relate those yield gaps to broader farm(ing) systems aspects. To do so, stochastic frontier analysis was applied to a nationally representative panel dataset covering the Meher seasons of 2009 and 2013 and crop modelling was used to simulate the water-limited yield (Yw) in the same years. Farming systems analysis was conducted to describe crop area shares and the availability of land, labour, and capital in contrasting administrative zones. Wheat yield in farmers’ fields averaged 1.9 t ha− 1 corresponding to ca. 20% of Yw. Most of the yield gap was attributed to the technology yield gap (> 50% of Yw) but narrowing efficiency (ca. 10% of Yw) and resource yield gaps (ca. 15% of Yw) with current technologies can nearly double actual yields and contribute to achieve wheat self-sufficiency in Ethiopia. There were small differences in the relative contribution of the intermediate yield gaps to the overall yield gap across agro-ecological zones, administrative zones, and farming systems. At farm level, oxen ownership was positively associated with the wheat cultivated area in zones with relatively large cultivated areas per household (West Arsi and North Showa) while no relationship was found between oxen ownership and the amount of inputs used per hectare of wheat in the zones studied. This is the first thorough yield gap decomposition for wheat in Ethiopia and our results suggest government policies aiming to increase wheat production should prioritise accessibility and affordability of inputs and dissemination of technologies that allow for precise use of these inputs.
Halloysite nanotubes filled with salicylic acid and sodium diclofenac: effects of vacuum pumping on loading and release properties
Authors: Lisuzzo Lorenzo , Cavallaro Giuseppe , Milioto Stefana , Lazzara Giuseppe
Published: February 2021

In this work, we investigated the effects of the vacuum pumping on both the loading efficiencies and the release kinetics of halloysite nanotubes filled with drug molecules dissolved in ethanol. As model drugs, salicylic acid and sodium diclofenac were selected. For comparison, the loading of the drug molecules was conducted on platy kaolinite to explore the key role of the hollow tubular morphology on the filling mechanism of halloysite. The effects of the pressure conditions used in the loading protocol were interpreted and discussed on the basis of the thermodynamic results provided by Knudsen thermogravimetry, which demonstrated the ethanol confinement inside the halloysite cavity. Several techniques (TEM, FTIR spectroscopy, DLS and $$\zeta$$
ζ
-potential experiments) were employed to characterize the drug filled nanoclays. Besides, release kinetics of the drugs were studied and interpreted according to the loading mechanism. This work represents a further step for the development of nanotubular carriers with tunable release feature based on the loading protocol and drug localization into the carrier.

Graphic abstract

The filling efficiency of halloysite nanotubes is enhanced by the reduction of the pressure conditions used in the loading protocol.
New Breakthroughs for Liver Transplantation of Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: McMillan Robert R. , Saharia Ashish , Abdelrahim Maen , Ghobrial R. Mark
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Liver transplantation (LT) has gained ground as a treatment for cholangiocarcinoma. LT has achieved an established role as curative treatment for unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma (hCCA), and there are emerging data supporting its use in select patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). This review explores the current frontiers and future directions of LT for CCA.

Recent Findings

Results of retrospective studies support randomized trials of LT for resectable hCCA. Select patients with iCCA who have small tumors or favorable disease biology, as demonstrated by response to neoadjuvant therapy, have long-term survival after LT. Discoveries in the biology of iCCA show patients with FGFR and other genetic abnormalities have improved outcomes and may benefit from targeted therapies.

The outcomes of LT for CCA support its increased utilization. Policies should be considered to increase accessibility of donor organs for patients with iCCA.
Medical toolkit organisms and Covid-19
Authors: Stegmann Ulrich E.
Published: February 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic has intensified interest in animals with superior antiviral defences. I argue that the role of such animals in biomedical research contrasts with the role of disease models.
Stability analysis of genetic regulatory networks via a linear parameterization approach
Authors: Xiao Shasha , Wang Zhanshan
Published: February 2021

This paper investigates the problem of finite-time stability (FTS) for a class of delayed genetic regulatory networks with reaction-diffusion terms. In order to fully utilize the system information, a linear parameterization method is proposed. Firstly, by applying the Lagrange’s mean-value theorem, the linear parameterization method is applied to transform the nonlinear system into a linear one with time-varying bounded uncertain terms. Secondly, a new generalized convex combination lemma is proposed to dispose the relationship of bounded uncertainties with respect to their boundaries. Thirdly, sufficient conditions are established to ensure the FTS by resorting to Lyapunov Krasovskii theory, convex combination technique, Jensen’s inequality, linear matrix inequality, etc. Finally, the simulation verifications indicate the validity of the theoretical results.
Adaptive dynamic programming enhanced admittance control for robots with environment interaction and actuator saturation
Authors: Zhan Hong , Huang Dianye , Yang Chenguang
Published: February 2021

This paper focuses on the optimal tracking control problem for robot systems with environment interaction and actuator saturation. A control scheme combined with admittance adaptation and adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) is developed. The unknown environment is modelled as a linear system and admittance controller is derived to achieve compliant behaviour of the robot. In the ADP framework, the cost function is defined with non-quadratic form and the critic network is designed with radial basis function neural network which introduces to obtain an approximate optimal control of the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation, which guarantees the optimal trajectory tracking. The system stability is analysed by Lyapunov theorem and simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
Feeding strategies for small-scale rearing black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) as organic waste recycler
Authors: Dzepe Daniel , Nana Paulin , Kuietche Hervé Mube , Kimpara Janaina Mitsue , Magatsing Ornela , Tchuinkam Timoléon , Djouaka Rousseau
Published: February 2021

Processing organic waste using black soldier fly (BSF)-based technology offers a promising alternative for sustainable organic waste management and urban sanitation. This study was conducted to assess the influence of feeding strategies on the efficacy of BSF larvae to recycle organic wastes into value products. Fruit waste and chicken manure were used as organic waste samples while commercial chicken feed was used as a control, and were processed for 15 days in circular plastic containers (Ø 30 × 12 cm) with 50; 100; 150; and 200 mg/larva/day continuous and batch feeding diets, using 500 four-day-old larvae per diet, repeated four times. Larval survival rates were not significantly affected by the feeding strategies. However, average larval biomass of 83.69 ± 13.04 g and 82.46 ± 08.52 g was achieved for the continuous and batch feeding strategies, respectively, under favorable conditions. Larval feed reduction rates ranged from 24.65 ± 03.48% to 72.78 ± 01.48% and 24.52 ± 0.27% to 72.25 ± 12.13% with continuous and batch feeding strategies, respectively, and were significantly affected by the different daily diets. On the other hand, the bioconversion rates ranged from 13.34 ± 0.26% to 50.82 ± 02.27%, and the highest values were observed with the continuous feeding diets. This study confirms the efficacy of BSF larvae to thrive in different organic substrates and shows that the continuous feeding strategy can be better and enhance a sustainable small-scale organic waste management.
Degradation of Malachite green using heterogeneous nanophotocatalysts (NiO/TiO2, CuO/TiO2) under solar and microwave irradiation
Authors: Djebbari Chafia , zouaoui Emna , Ammouchi Nesrine , Nakib Chafika , Zouied Daoiya , Dob Karima
Published: February 2021

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is an advanced oxidation process (AOP). This technique is used to degrade a wide range of pollutants in water. In this study, photocatalytic oxidation and mineralization of malachite green in an aqueous suspension containing nickel-based catalysts and copper supported on TiO2 prepared by wet diffusional impregnation was studied using two sources of irradiation: solar and microwave. Photodegradation kinetics were studied according to several parameters, such as catalyst type, dye concentration, photocatalyst mass and microwave power. The results showed that the photodegradation of malachite green is faster in the presence of CuO/TiO2 catalyst than NiO/TiO2 catalyst than TiO2. Dye degradation by microwave irradiation is faster than that by solar irradiation.
Design and simulation of a high-performance Cd-free Cu2SnSe3 solar cells with SnS electron-blocking hole transport layer and TiO2 electron transport layer by SCAPS-1D
Authors: Rahman M. Atowar
Published: February 2021

This article presents numerical investigations of the novel (Ni/SnS/Cu2SnSe3/TiO2/ITO/Al) heterostructure of Cu2SnSe3 based solar cell using SCAPS-1D simulator. Purpose of this research is to explore the influence of SnS hole transport layer (HTL) and TiO2 electron transport layer (ETL) on the performance of the proposed cell. Based on the proposed device architecture, effects of thickness and carrier concentration of absorber layer, SnS HTL, TiO2 ETL, absorber layer defect density, operating temperature and back-contact metal work function (BMWF) are studied to improve the cell performance. Our initial simulation results show that if SnS HTL is not introduced, the efficiency of standard Cu2SnSe3 cell is 1.66%, which is well agreed with the reported experimental results in literature. However, by using SnS and TiO2 as HTL and ETL, respectively and optimizing the cell parameters, a simulated efficiency of up to 27% can be achieved. For Cu2SnSe3 absorber layer, 5 × 1017 cm−3 and 1500 nm are the optimal values of carrier concentration and thickness, respectively. On the other hand, the BMWF is estimated to be greater than 5.2 eV for optimum cell performance. Results of this contribution can provide constructive research avenues for thin-films photovoltaic industry to fabricate cost-effective, high-efficiency and cadmium-free Cu2SnSe3-based solar cells.
Membrane-based crystalliser achieves zero liquid discharge without using evaporation
Authors: Atkinson Simon
Published: February 2021

Saltworks Technologies Inc has developed a system that achieves zero liquid discharge without relying on evaporation. The Canadian firm says that its membrane-based crystalliser has the potential to help companies both save energy and reduce costs. Here, we briefly explain how this system works.
Editorial
Authors: Barrett Steve
Published: February 2021

Commercial vehicles are becoming a key early market for fuel cells, ranging from light commercial vehicles (vans) to light- and heavy-duty trucks.
Positive Body Image Workbook
Authors: Wood-Barcalow Nichole , Tylka Tracy , Judge Casey
Published: February 2021

This clear and easy-to-use workbook provides clinicians, clients, and those interested in self-improvement with a practical guide to understanding and improving body image through the latest research findings and clinical tools. The key components of positive body image, such as embodiment, body appreciation, self-care, intuitive eating, social comparison, and body talk, are all covered, with reliable assessments and guidelines for applications accompanying each topic. An array of assignments are also included for clients and readers to complete based on their values, needs and interests to provide positive body image. Clinicians will appreciate the practical treatment planning sections (including talking points for sessions, goals and objectives) to assist in clinical interventions. Additionally, a specific chapter is devoted to how clinicians can prepare themselves both professionally and personally for body image work. Access to downloadable assignments available at: www.cambridge.org/PBIW
Democratic Crisis and Global Constitutional Law
Authors: Thornhill Christopher
Published: February 2021

Democratic Crisis and Global Constitutional Law explains the current weakness of democratic polities by examining antinomies in constitutional democracy and its theoretical foundations. This book argues that democracy is usually analysed in a theoretical lens that is not adequately sensitive to its historical origins. The author proposes a new sociological framework for understanding democracy and its constitutional preconditions, stressing the linkage between classical patterns of democratic citizenship and military processes and arguing that democratic stability at the national level relies on the formation of robust normative systems at the international level. On this basis, he argues that democracy is frequently exposed to crisis because the normative terms in which it is promoted and justified tend to simplify its nature. These terms create a legitimising space in which anti-democratic movements, typically with a populist emphasis, can take shape and flourish.
The Fourth Ordeal
Authors: Willi Victor J.
Published: February 2021

The Fourth Ordeal tells the history of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt from the late 1960s until 2018. Based on over 140 first-hand interviews with leaders, rank-and-file members and dissidents, as well as a wide range of original written sources, the story traces the Brotherhood's re-emergence and rise following the collapse of Nasser's Arab nationalism, all the way to its short-lived experiment with power and the subsequent period of imprisonment, persecution and exile. Unique in terms of its source base, this book provides readers with unprecedented insight into the Brotherhood's internal politics during fifty years of its history.
Divine Interiors
Authors: Moormann Eric
Published: February 2021

Divine Interiors is an investigation into the decoration of Greek and Roman temples with wall paintings. Mighty marble facades, sculptures and paintings played an important role in relation to these monuments. While the official temples, which were connected to the city or state, usually had a simple but solemn appearance, the more popular buildings were true multi-color expressions of religiosity. Scenes from the life of the revered deity, supporters and practitioners of the cult, or of plants and animals could carry visitors of the shrines away to different worlds. It is also striking to find in the vast Greco-Roman world that there are many similarities between often widely separated temples. The wall paintings were characterized by stylistic and taste changes, but they had the same look everywhere. Besides using archeological remains, this book also uses the texts of antiquity, whose descriptions of the monuments provide additional information. Amsterdam Archaeological Studies is a series devoted to the study of past human societies from the prehistory up into modern times, primarily based on the study of archaeological remains. The series will include excavation reports of modern fieldwork; studies of categories of material culture; and synthesising studies with broader images of past societies, thereby contributing to the theoretical and methodological debates in archaeology.
Sovereign Violence
Authors: Choe Steve
Published: February 2021

South Korea is home to one of the most vibrant film industries in the world today, producing movies for a strong domestic market that are also drawing the attention of audiences worldwide. This book presents a comprehensive analysis of some of the most well-known and incendiary South Korean films of the millennial decade from nine major directors. Building his analysis on contemporary film theory and philosophy, as well as interviews and other primary sources, Steve Choe makes a case that these often violent films pose urgent ethical dilemmas central to life in the age of neoliberal globalization.
The Global City Debate Reconsidered
Authors: van der Waal Jeroen
Published: February 2021

The idea of the "global city," which focuses on globalisation's impact on the social, financial, and political reality of cities in advanced economies, has become widely influential in the decades since its introduction-and yet the major issues in the "global city debate" remain unresolved. This book provides a systematic overview of the debate and competing theoretical notions, as well as an argument for the need to test the framework's empirical validity before the unresolved questions can be fruitfully addressed. By testing data from the Netherlands in the 1990s and 2000s, the author demonstrates the value of rigorous empirical scrutiny while offering fresh insights for the global city debate as a whole.
Identifying the function of methylated genes in Alzheimer’s disease to determine epigenetic signatures: a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Rahman Md Rezanur , Islam Tania , Gov Esra , Quinn Julian M.W. , Moni Mohammad Ali
Published: February 2021

Gene methylation is one means of controlling tissue gene expression, but it is unknown what pathways influencing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are controlled this way. We compared normal and AD brain tissue data for gene expression (mRNAs) and gene methylation profiling. We identified methylated differentially expressed genes (MDEGs). Protein-protein interaction (PPI) of the MDEGs showed 18 hypermethylated low-expressed genes (Hyper-LGs) involved in cell signaling and metabolism; also 10 hypomethylated highly expressed (Hypo-HGs) were involved in regulation of transcription and development. Molecular pathways enriched in Hyper-LGs included neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathways. Hypo-HGs were notably enriched in pathways including hippo signaling. PPI analysis also identified both Hyper-LGs and Hypo-HGs, as hub proteins. Our analysis of AD datasets identified Hyper-LGs, Hypo-HGs, and transcription factors linked to these genes. These pathways, which may participate in Alzheimer’s disease development, may be affected by treatments that influence gene methylation patterns.
Rationale and process for N95 respirator sanitation and reuse in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic
Authors: Golladay Gregory J. , Leslie Kevin A. , Zuelzer Wilhelm A. , Cassano Anthony D. , Plauny Joshua J. , Daniels Frank E. , Bearman Gonzalo , Kates Stephen L.
Published: February 2021

Objective:

The novel severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and is notable for being highly contagious and potentially lethal; and SARS-CoV-2 is mainly spread by droplet transmission. The US healthcare system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenged by a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), especially N95 respirators. Restricted use, reuse, and sanitation of PPE have been widely adopted to provide protection for frontline healthcare workers caring for often critically ill and highly contagious patients. Here, we describe our validated process for N95 respirator sanitation.

Design:

Process development, validation, and implementation.

Setting:

Level 1, urban, academic, medical center.

Methods:

A multidisciplinary team developed a novel evidence-based process for N95 respirator reprocessing and sanitation using ultraviolet (UV) light. Dose measurement, structural integrity, moisture content, particle filtration, fit testing, and environmental testing were performed for both quality control and validation of the process.

Results:

The process achieved UV light dosing for sanitation while maintaining the functional and structural integrity of the N95 respirators, with a daily potential throughput capacity of ∼12,000 masks. This process has supported our health system to provide respiratory PPE to all frontline team members.

Conclusions:

This novel method of N95 respirator sanitation can safely enable reuse of the N95 respirators essential for healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19. Our high-throughput process can extend local supplies of this critical PPE until the national supply is replenished.
LIBERAL TAIWAN VERSUS ILLIBERAL SOUTH KOREA: THE DIVERGENT PATHS OF ELECTION CAMPAIGN REGULATION
Authors: You Jong-sung , Lin Jiun-Da
Published: February 2021

South Korea and Taiwan have developed very different sets of election campaign regulations. While both countries had highly restrictive campaign rules during the authoritarian era, they have diverged since democratic transition. South Korea still imposes numerous restrictions on campaigning activities, but Taiwan has removed most of the restrictions. We explore the causes of these divergent trajectories through comparative historical process tracing, focusing on critical junctures and path dependence. We find that incumbency advantage and containment of new opposition parties were the primary objectives of introducing stringent regulations under the authoritarian regimes in both countries. The key difference was that, during the democratic transition, legislators affiliated with the opposition parties as well as the ruling party in South Korea enjoyed the incumbency advantage but that opposition forces in Taiwan did not. As a result, the opposition in Taiwan fought for liberalization of campaign regulations, but the South Korean opposition did not.
Counterpedagogy, Sovereignty, and Migration at the European Court of Human Rights
Authors: Greenberg Jessica
Published: February 2021

What happens to gains in human rights protections if states learn how to use international human rights courts to evade future scrutiny? This article centers onHirsi Jamaa v. Italy, a landmark 2012 migration case at the European Court of Human Rights. Rights advocates characterized the case as a legal victory for migrants. Subsequent shifts in Italian bordering and policing on the high seas demonstrate unintended consequences of this litigation. While Italy implemented the judgment, compliance went hand in hand with state efforts to undermine rights protections in practice. Italy carved out new areas of discretion among maritime police, human rights advocates, and migrants on the high seas. Ultimately, assessing the impact of case law requires looking not only at judgments and at execution. It requires attention to subsequent policy environments and policing efforts that may violate the spirit, if not the letter, of human rights obligations.
GRADED TWISTED CALABI–YAU ALGEBRAS ARE GENERALIZED ARTIN–SCHELTER REGULAR
Authors: REYES MANUEL L. , ROGALSKI DANIEL
Published: February 2021

This is a general study of twisted Calabi–Yau algebras that are
$\mathbb {N}$
-graded and locally finite-dimensional, with the following major results. We prove that a locally finite graded algebra is twisted Calabi–Yau if and only if it is separable modulo its graded radical and satisfies one of several suitable generalizations of the Artin–Schelter regularity property, adapted from the work of Martinez-Villa as well as Minamoto and Mori. We characterize twisted Calabi–Yau algebras of dimension 0 as separable k-algebras, and we similarly characterize graded twisted Calabi–Yau algebras of dimension 1 as tensor algebras of certain invertible bimodules over separable algebras. Finally, we prove that a graded twisted Calabi–Yau algebra of dimension 2 is noetherian if and only if it has finite GK dimension.
Defining whole-grain foods – does it change estimations of intakes and associations with CVD risk factors: an Australian and Swedish perspective
Authors: Kissock Katrina R. , Warensjö Lemming Eva , Axelsson Cecilia , Neale Elizabeth P. , Beck Eleanor J.
Published: February 2021

Historically, there are inconsistencies in the calculation of whole-grain intake, particularly through use of highly variable whole-grain food definitions. The current study aimed to determine the impact of using a whole-grain food definition on whole-grain intake estimation in Australian and Swedish national cohorts and investigate impacts on apparent associations with CVD risk factors. This utilised the Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2011–2012, the Swedish Riksmaten adults 2010–2011 and relevant food composition databases. Whole-grain intakes and associations with CVD risk factors were determined based on consumption of foods complying with the Healthgrain definition (≥30 % whole grain (dry weight), more whole than refined grain and meeting accepted standards for ‘healthy foods’ based on local regulations) and compared with absolute whole-grain intake. Compliance of whole-grain containing foods with the Healthgrain definition was low in both Sweden (twenty-nine of 155 foods) and Australia (214 of 609 foods). Significant mean differences of up to 24·6 g/10 MJ per d of whole-grain intake were highlighted using Swedish data. Despite these large differences, application of a whole-grain food definition altered very few associations with CVD risk factors, specifically, changes with body weight and blood glucose associations in Australian adults where a whole-grain food definition was applied, and some anthropometric measures in Swedish data where a high percentage of whole-grain content was included. Use of whole-grain food definitions appears to have limited impact on measuring whole-grain health benefits but may have greater relevance in public health messaging.
Does sex composition of offspring relate to fertility in urban areas? The case of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Authors: Bougma Moussa , Adjiwanou Vissého , Kobiané Jean-François
Published: February 2021

With the onset of the demographic transition in sub-Saharan Africa, couples’ desired number of children and the sex composition of offspring may become conflicted, with potential effects on future fertility. While intuitively expected, this effect has not been observed in studies in sub-Saharan Africa, where the level of fertility is higher than in other African regions. In this study, the hypothesis of a conflicted situation was examined by assessing the effect of sex composition of offspring on women’s intentions regarding additional children and their use of modern contraceptives. A mixed-method analysis was performed using quantitative data regarding 2567 women aged 35–49 years drawn from a 2012 Demtrend retrospective longitudinal population survey, supplemented by qualitative data collected through 23 in-depth interviews of men and women in Ouagadougou. Results showed that the absence of one sex (boy or girl) in the existing offspring was associated with additional demand for children and lower contraceptive use. These results suggest that a desire for a combination of both girls and boys may be the driving factor contributing to larger family size; that is, continued fertility may not be determined by son preference, but rather by overall composition of offspring, when existing children are all girls or all boys. This could explain the stalling of the fertility decline observed in recent years in Ouagadougou.
‘HE SAW WHAT HE WANTED TO SEE’: REPUTATION, JEALOUSY, AND THE LAW. THE UXORICIDE OF GISELDA ZANOLO
Authors: Delmedico Sara
Published: February 2021

Drawing on articles published in the Corriere della Sera, Il Popolo d'Italia and La Stampa, this study examines a case of uxoricide that occurred in 1923, focusing on the way in which the murderer and his lawyers were able to convince both the general public and the jury that the murderer's jealous nature was a mental illness, leading to him avoiding a prison sentence. The victim, the murderer's wife, was depicted as a physically attractive woman of dubious sexual reputation. Such characteristics were deemed to have triggered her husband's jealousy, thus rendering her culpable, the agent of her own homicide. In place of a picture of uxoricide in revenge for tarnished honour, the murderer portrayed himself as the powerless victim of love and jealousy. Through a close analysis of the strategy adopted by the defendant's lawyers, this article shows how centuries-old gendered stereotypes and ideas of respectability affected the law in action and permeated early twentieth-century Italian society.
The gendered politics of researching military policy in the age of the ‘knowledge economy’
Authors: Catignani Sergio , Basham Victoria M.
Published: February 2021

This article explores our experiences of conducting feminist interpretive research on the British Army Reserves. The project, which examined the everyday work-Army-life balance challenges that reservists face, and the roles of their partners/spouses in enabling them to fulfil their military commitments, is an example of a potential contribution to the so-called ‘knowledge economy’, where publicly funded research has come to be seen as ‘functional’ for political, military, economic, and social advancement. As feminist interpretive researchers examining an institution that prizes masculinist and functionalist methodologies, instrumentalised knowledge production, and highly formalised ethics approval processes, we faced multiple challenges to how we were able to conduct our research, who we were able to access, and what we were able to say. We show how military assumptions about what constitutes proper ‘research’, bolstered by knowledge economy logics, reinforces gendered power relationships that keep hidden the significant roles women (in our case, the partners/spouses of reservists) play in state security. Accordingly, we argue that the functionalist and masculinist logics interpretive researchers face in the age of the knowledge economy help more in sustaining orthodox modes of knowledge production about militaries and security, and in reinforcing gendered power relations, than they do in advancing knowledge.
Global Leadership in Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Care: “Coding our way to improved care: an interview with Rodney C. G. Franklin, MBBS, MD, FRCP, FRCPCH”
Authors: Tretter Justin T. , Jacobs Jeffrey P.
Published: February 2021

Dr Rodney Franklin is the focus of our third in a planned series of interviews in Cardiology in the Young entitled, “Global Leadership in Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Care.” Dr Franklin was born in London, England, spending the early part of his childhood in the United States of America before coming back to England. He then attended University College London Medical School and University College Hospital in London, England, graduating in 1979. Dr Franklin would then go on to complete his general and neonatal paediatrics training in 1983 at Northwick Park Hospital and University College Hospital in London, England, followed by completing his paediatric cardiology training in 1989 at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London, England. During this training, he additionally would hold the position of British Heart Foundation Junior Research Fellow from 1987 to 1989. Dr Franklin would then complete his training in 1990 as a Senior Registrar and subsequent Consultant in Paediatric and Fetal Cardiology at Wilhelmina Sick Children’s Hospital in Utrecht, the Netherlands. He subsequently obtained his research doctorate at University of London in 1997, consisting of a retrospective audit of 428 infants with functionally univentricular hearts.

Dr Franklin has spent his entire career as a Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist at the Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, being appointed in 1991. He additionally holds honorary Consultant Paediatric Cardiology positions at Hillingdon Hospital, Northwick Park Hospital, and Lister Hospital in the United Kingdom, and Honorary Senior Lecturer at Imperial College, London. He has been the Clinical Lead of the National Congenital Heart Disease Audit (2013–2020), which promotes data collection within specialist paediatric centres. Dr Franklin has been a leading figure in the efforts towards creating international, pan European, and national coding systems within the multidisciplinary field of congenital cardiac care. These initiatives include but are not limited to the development and maintenance of The International Paediatric & Congenital Cardiac Code and the related International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision for CHD and related acquired terms and definitions. This article presents our interview with Dr Franklin, an interview that covers his experience in developing these important coding systems and consensus nomenclature to both improve communication and the outcomes of patients. We additionally discuss his experience in the development and implementation of strategies to assess the quality of paediatric and congenital cardiac care and publicly report outcomes.
Applications of metamaterial sensors: a review
Authors: Prakash Divya , Gupta Nisha
Published: February 2021

Sensors based on metamaterial absorbers are very promising when it comes to high sensitivity and quality factor, cost, and ease of fabrication. The absorbers could be used to sense physical parameters such as temperature, pressure, density as well as they could be used for determining electromagnetic properties of materials and their characterization. In this work, an attempt has been made to explore the various possible applications of these sensors. Metamaterial-based sensors are very popular for its diverse applications in areas such as biomedical, chemical industry, food quality testing, agriculture. Split-ring resonators with various shapes and topologies are the most frequently used structures where the sensing principle is based on electromagnetic interaction of the material under test with the resonator. Overcoming the design challenges using metamaterial sensors involving several constraints such as cost, compactness, reusability, ease in fabrication, and robustness is also addressed.
A wide stopband multilayer substrate integrated waveguide bandpass filter with suppression of higher-order mode coupling
Authors: Tang Cong , Cheng Fei , Gu Chao
Published: February 2021

This paper presents a compact multilayer substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) bandpass filter with wide stopband. The square SIW cavity resonators in multilayer substrates are horizontally and vertically coupled with magnetic coupling. By properly designing the coupling structure, the couplings between the higher-order resonant modes can be suppressed. Compared with the conventional single-layer SIW filters, the proposed multilayer SIW filter also exhibits a compact size. To verify the design concept, a double-layered SIW filter is fabricated and measured. The measured results agree well with the simulations. The measured results show that the upper stopband of the filter is extended to 2.73 times of the center frequency 8.02 GHz.
Respiratory viral infections during pregnancy: effects of SARS-CoV-2 and other related viruses over the offspring
Authors: Riedel Claudia , Rivera Juan Carlos , Canedo-Marroquín Gisela , Kalergis Alexis M. , Opazo Ma. Cecilia
Published: February 2021

Little is known about the consequences of viral infection for pregnant woman or for the fetus. This issue became important with the appearance of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The infection with SARS-CoV-2 causes a respiratory syndrome known as COVID-19. The fast spreading around the world and the fact that without a treatment or vaccine humans are completely exposed, converts emerging viral diseases in a significant risk for pregnant women and their infants. At this time, during SARS-CoV-2 pandemics pregnant women are not considered as a risk population and little is known about the effects of viral infections over the offspring although the amount of emerging evidence showing detrimental effects for the mother and the fetus. This issue highlights the importance to understand the effects of viral infections during pregnancy. In this work, we analyze the effects of viral infections, like SARS-CoV-2 and other related viruses during pregnancy over the mother and the consequences for the offspring.
Fine Structure of the Breakthrough Phase of the Attachment Process in a Natural Lightning Flash
Authors: Jiang Rubin , Srivastava Abhay , Qie Xiushu , Yuan Shanfeng , Zhang Hongbo , Sun Zhuling , Wang Dongfang , Wang Caixia , Lv Guanlin , Li Zongxiang
Published: February 2021

A lightning flash striking a 325‐m tower was captured using a high‐speed camera operated at 380 kfps and the characteristics of breakthrough phase (BTP) were recorded in two consecutive frames. The fine time‐resolved images indicate that the common streamer zone (CSZ) formed when the bright tips of negative and positive leaders were ≥23 m apart from each other. During BTP, both the negative and positive leaders extended their channels with enhanced luminosity and the gap between them was shortened to 16 m in the frame prior to return stroke. A space leader‐like luminous segment was found within the route of leader connection. This route is inferred to have already been determined at the initial formation of CSZ, by the interconnected streamers of approaching leaders. The dominant growth of this route is interpreted as a new scenario for the conversion of a high‐impedance CSZ to a hot plasma channel during BTP.
Student-Led Diversity Audits: A Strategy for Change
Authors: Fernando Benjamin
Published: February 2021

A group at the University of Oxford designed a new way to identify and present solutions to faculty that address inequities in the school’s Department of Earth Sciences.