bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Could you be BVA's future President?
Authors: Findon Amelia
Published: December 2022

BVA director of policy and governance Amelia Findon invites nominations for candidates to join BVA's Officer team.
Ring‐necked pheasant nest site selection in a landscape with high adoption of fall‐seeded cover crops
Authors: Shirley Taylor R. , Janke Adam K.
Published: December 2022

Grasslands provide important nesting cover for ring‐necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), but they have been largely reduced with intensification of row‐cropping systems, resulting in population declines for pheasants and other grassland birds across the U.S. Row‐crop intensification and landscape homogenization has had negative impacts on environmental health, and agronomic practices such as fall‐seeded cover crops seek to ameliorate some of the environmental issues. Whether fall‐seeded cover crops provide additional benefits to wildlife, such as creating nesting cover for pheasants, remains unknown. We used radio telemetry and nest searches in 365, 0.4‐ha² plots during summer of 2019 and 2020 in 3 cover types including fall‐seeded cover crops, native warm season grasses, and cool season grasses to examine nest site selection by pheasants in the agricultural dominated landscape of Washington County, Iowa. We examined nest site selection at 3 spatial scales based on cover type and specific vegetation attributes to understand factors influencing nest site selection. Highest nest densities were found in native warm season grass (0.59 nests/ha, 95% CI = 0.41–0.86), while pheasants nested at low densities in cool season grass fields (0.03 nests/ha, 95% CI = 0.00–0.21) and cover crop fields (0.03 nests/ha, 95% CI = 0.01–0.12). Most nest‐site selection occurred at the landscape level (second order) and patch level (third order) and was influenced by percent litter cover (second order) and visual obstruction or vegetation density (third order). Our findings suggest that cover crops may make minor improvements in nesting cover availability but are unlikely to replicate the needs for nesting cover provided by perennial grasslands in working landscapes and thus have little potential to reverse long‐term population declines.
The Role of Construct Specification Equations and Entropy in the Measurement of Memory
Authors: Melin Jeanette , Pendrill Leslie R.
Published: December 2022

Memory ability, together with many other constructs related to disability and quality of life, is of growing interest in the social sciences, psychology and in health care examinations. This chapter will focus on two elements aiming at understanding, predicting, measuring and quality-assuring constructs with examples from memory measurements: (i) explicit methods for testing theories of the measurement mechanism and establishment of metrological standards and (ii) substantive theories explaining the constructs themselves. Building on entropy as a principal explanatory variable, analogous to its use in thermodynamics and information theory, we demonstrate how more fit-for-purpose and valid memory measurements can be enabled. Firstly, memory task difficulty, extracted from a Rasch psychometric analysis of memory measurements of experimental data such as from the European NeuroMET project, can be explained with a construct specification equation (CSE). Based on that understanding, the CSE can facilitate the establishment of objective and scalable units through the generation of novel certified reference “materials” for metrological traceability and comparability. These formulations of CSEs can also guide how best to compose new memory metrics, through a judicious choice of items from various legacy tests guided by entropy-based equivalence, which opens up opportunities for formulating new, less onerous but more sensitive and representative tests. Finally, we propose and demonstrate how to formulate CSEs for person ability, correlated statistically and clinically with sets of biomarkers, that can be a means of providing diagnostic information to enhance clinical decisions and targeted interventions.
What Is Research, and Why Do People Do It?
Authors: Hiebert James , Cai Jinfa , Hwang Stephen , Morris Anne K , Hohensee Charles
Published: December 2022

Abstractspiepr Abs1

Every day people do research as they gather information to learn about something of interest. In the scientific world, however, research means something different than simply gathering information. Scientific research is characterized by its careful planning and observing, by its relentless efforts to understand and explain, and by its commitment to learn from everyone else seriously engaged in research. We call this kind of research scientific inquiry and define it as “formulating, testing, and revising hypotheses.” By “hypotheses” we do not mean the hypotheses you encounter in statistics courses. We mean predictions about what you expect to find and rationales for why you made these predictions. Throughout this and the remaining chapters we make clear that the process of scientific inquiry applies to all kinds of research studies and data, both qualitative and quantitative.
How Do You Formulate (Important) Hypotheses?
Authors: Hiebert James , Cai Jinfa , Hwang Stephen , Morris Anne K , Hohensee Charles
Published: December 2022

Building on the ideas in Chap. 1, we describe formulating, testing, and revising hypotheses as a continuing cycle of clarifying what you want to study, making predictions about what you might find together with developing your reasons for these predictions, imagining tests of these predictions, revising your predictions and rationales, and so on. Many resources feed this process, including reading what others have found about similar phenomena, talking with colleagues, conducting pilot studies, and writing drafts as you revise your thinking. Although you might think you cannot predict what you will find, it is always possible—with enough reading and conversations and pilot studies—to make some good guesses. And, once you guess what you will find and write out the reasons for these guesses you are on your way to scientific inquiry. As you refine your hypotheses, you can assess their research importance by asking how connected they are to problems your research community really wants to solve.
Knowledge Integration and Open Social Innovation for Sustainable Development
Authors: Soda Osamu
Published: December 2022

This chapter will consider Goal 11. In particular, Target 11.2 focuses on Inclusive and Sustainable Urbanization. By 2030, it aims to enhance the capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management. Target 4.7 in SDGs Goal 4 is Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship, which educates people about sustainable lifestyles, global citizenship, and the contribution that culture makes to sustainable development. However, the outcomes of education require a long time. Education changes people’s minds, local cultures, and socioeconomic systems. This process requires knowledge integration from diverse sectors, especially for historically accumulated knowledge. It is necessary to develop new theoretical and practical skills for building local context. The case study describes several good practices in Japan.
Rural Development in Japan
Authors: Ochiai Mototsugu
Published: December 2022

In this chapter, I will give an overview of the development of rural areas in Japan and then refer to the problems that they currently face, such as the weakening of the community, deterioration of the management function of the local environment, deterioration of the function of agricultural producers, damage caused by wildlife birds and beasts, and response to climate change and disasters. Thereafter, I shall discuss the rebuilding of communities through exchanges with cities, establishing next-generation agriculture by utilizing information and communication technology (ICT), developing renewable energy by utilizing local resources, and establishing new connections that complement each other’s roles within the region, as necessary, for sustainable rural development in the future. Hence, this chapter is related to all 17 goals because it describes the sustainable development of rural areas and, in particular, contributes to the “Sustainable Cities and Communities” of SDG 11.
Ecology and Sustainable Development in Japan
Authors: Kurokawa Satoshi
Published: December 2022

This chapter fits Goal 15 of the SDGs and analyzes the protection and sustainable use of territorial ecosystems in Japan, focusing on sustainable agricultureand forestry. The beautiful natural landscape and pristine nature in Japan are protected in nature parks. After the Earth Summit in 1992, the government committed to protecting socio-ecological landscapes referred to as “satoyama.” They include farmland, pastureland, and forests for logging. They are deteriorating because the population of farmers and forestry workers is declining and aging. The Natural Parks Act introduced a scheme to ensure that environmental NGOs maintain these areas on behalf of the farmers and forest workers. Modernization of agriculture has caused the loss of biodiversity in farmlands. Restoration projects have been implemented to restore biodiversity in rural areas. To reduce farmland abandonment, the government grants subsidies to help encourage eco-friendly agriculture. The government is encouraging active farmers to scale-up agricultural management to be competitive in the marketplace. Solar sharing is one way to help farmers. Ecologically sustainable development is thus interwoven with social and economic factors.
Mainstreaming Flora Conservation Strategies into the Mitigation Hierarchy to Strengthen Environmental Impact Assessment
Authors: Fernandes Taís Nogueira , dos Santos Fernando Marino Gomes , Gontijo Flávio Dayrell , da Silva Filho João Alves , Castilho Alexandre Franco , Sánchez Luis Enrique
Published: December 2022

The application of the mitigation hierarchy (MH) to mining projects is challenging in situations of locational overlap between endemic flora and mineral deposits. We review flora surveys conducted in connection with the environmental impact assessment of several iron ore mining projects in an area of high degree of endemism in Eastern Amazon to discuss the practical implications of anticipating conservation strategies. Desktop studies and secondary data review were conducted to guide field searches to determine the distribution of endemic flora, resulting in 45 out of 46 endemic plant species having their known distribution extended to new areas. A framework for positioning flora conservation strategies in the MH is presented. Specific habitat requirements and scarce knowledge about endangered and endemic flora species are a conservation obstacle, since essential information to define species conservation strategies may be lacking. We show that anticipating conservation strategies can minimize time-lag uncertainties related to restoration success and biodiversity offsets. The more effort is placed in the preventative steps of the MH, the smaller the time-lag between impact (biodiversity losses) and conservation outcomes (biodiversity gains), decreasing uncertainties and reducing risks to biodiversity.
Fluorescence Cholangiography Using Indocyanine Green Improves the Identification of Biliary Structures During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: D'Acapito Fabrizio , Cucchetti Alessandro , Solaini Leonardo , Serenari Matteo , Framarini Massimo , Ercolani Giorgio
Published: December 2022

Background

This cross‐sectional survey aimed to determine whether fluorescence cholangiography using indocyanine green (ICG‐FC) can improve the detection of the cystic duct and the main bile duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Methods

The survey was distributed to 214 surgeons (residents/faculties) in 2021. The confidence in the identification of the cystic duct and of the main bile duct was elicited on a 10‐point Likert scale before/after the use of ICG‐FC. This was repeated for three LCs ranging from a procedure deemed easy to a LC for acute cholecystitis.

Results

There were 149 responses. ICG‐FC increased the responders’ confidence in identifying the cystic duct, raising the median value from 6 (IQR, 5–8) with white light up to 9 (IQR, 9–10) with ICG‐FC (paired p < 0.001). This increase was even more evident when identifying the main bile duct, where the median confidence value increased from 5 (IQR, 4–7) with white light to 9 (IQR, 8–10) with the use of ICG‐FC (p < 0.001). ICG‐FC significantly increased the detection of residents of the main bile duct in case of intermediate difficulty LCs and in LCs for acute cholecystitis.

Conclusions

The results support that the use of near‐infrared imaging can ameliorate detection of biliary structures, especially of the main bile duct and this was particularly true for young surgeons and in more complex situations.
Iterative 3D modeling of thermal effects in end-pumped continuous-wave HO3+:YAG lasers
Authors: Rupp Marius , Eichhorn Marc , Kieleck Christelle
Published: December 2022

We present a highly accurate model for end-pumped continuous-wave $$\hbox {Ho}^{3+}$$

Ho

3
+

:YAG laser resonators, based on a vectorial beam propagation method (BPM) algorithm. Thermal effects in the laser crystal like thermal lensing and stress birefringence are taken into consideration. The implementation of these effects is based on an iterative method, which updates the temperature and displacement in the crystal at specific roundtrip intervals. An experimental $$\hbox {Ho}^{3+}$$

Ho

3
+

:YAG resonator cavity in continuous wave operation is used to validate the model. At higher pump powers, the resonator reaches its stability limit and shows beam distortions, which is well replicated with the presented model.
Identification of low and very high-risk patients with non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma by improved clinico-molecular stratification of the HIT2000 and I-HIT-MED cohorts
Authors: Mynarek Martin , Obrecht Denise , Sill Martin , Sturm Dominik , Kloth-Stachnau Katja , Selt Florian , Ecker Jonas , von Hoff Katja , Juhnke Björn-Ole , Goschzik Tobias , Pietsch Torsten , Bockmayr Michael , Kool Marcel , von Deimling Andreas , Witt Olaf , Schüller Ulrich , Benesch Martin , Gerber Nicolas U. , Sahm Felix , Jones David T. W. , Korshunov Andrey , Pfister Stefan M. , Rutkowski Stefan , Milde Till
Published: December 2022

Molecular groups of medulloblastoma (MB) are well established. Novel risk stratification parameters include Group 3/4 (non-WNT/non-SHH) methylation subgroups I–VIII or whole-chromosomal aberration (WCA) phenotypes. This study investigates the integration of clinical and molecular parameters to improve risk stratification of non-WNT/non-SHH MB. Non-WNT/non-SHH MB from the HIT2000 study and the HIT-MED registries were selected based on availability of DNA-methylation profiling data. MYC or MYCN amplification and WCA of chromosomes 7, 8, and 11 were inferred from methylation array-based copy number profiles. In total, 403 non-WNT/non-SHH MB were identified, 346/403 (86%) had a methylation class family Group 3/4 methylation score (classifier v11b6) ≥ 0.9, and 294/346 (73%) were included in the risk stratification modeling based on Group 3 or 4 score (v11b6) ≥ 0.8 and subgroup I–VIII score (mb_g34) ≥ 0.8. Group 3 MB (5y-PFS, survival estimation ± standard deviation: 41.4 ± 4.6%; 5y-OS: 48.8 ± 5.0%) showed poorer survival compared to Group 4 (5y-PFS: 68.2 ± 3.7%; 5y-OS: 84.8 ± 2.8%). Subgroups II (5y-PFS: 27.6 ± 8.2%) and III (5y-PFS: 37.5 ± 7.9%) showed the poorest and subgroup VI (5y-PFS: 76.6 ± 7.9%), VII (5y-PFS: 75.9 ± 7.2%), and VIII (5y-PFS: 66.6 ± 5.8%) the best survival. Multivariate analysis revealed subgroup in combination with WCA phenotype to best predict risk of progression and death. The integration of clinical (age, M and R status) and molecular (MYC/N, subgroup, WCA phenotype) variables identified a low-risk stratum with a 5y-PFS of 94 ± 5.7 and a very high-risk stratum with a 5y-PFS of 29 ± 6.1%. Validation in an international MB cohort confirmed the combined stratification scheme with 82.1 ± 6.0% 5y-PFS in the low and 47.5 ± 4.1% in very high-risk groups, and outperformed the clinical model. These newly identified clinico-molecular low-risk and very high-risk strata, accounting for 6%, and 21% of non-WNT/non-SHH MB patients, respectively, may improve future treatment stratification.
Biomechanical behavior of posterior metal-free cantilever fixed dental prostheses: effect of material and retainer design
Authors: Kasem Ammar T. , Elsherbiny Abdallah Ahmed , Abo-Madina Manal , Tribst João Paulo M. , Al-Zordk Walid
Published: December 2022

Objective

To study the fracture resistance and stress distribution pattern of translucent zirconia and fiber-reinforced composite cantilever resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RPFDPs) with two retainer designs.

Materials and methods

Forty human mandibular molars were divided into two groups according to the retainer design. The restorations included a premolar pontic and 2 retainer designs: (D1) inlay ring retainer and (D2) lingual coverage retainer. Each main group was then divided according to the material used (n = 10): zirconia (Z) or fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) (F). Restorations were cemented using dual polymerizing adhesive luting resin. All specimens were thermo-cycled (5–55 °C for 10,000 cycles), then subjected to dynamic loading (50 N, 240,000, and 1.6 Hz) and fracture resistance test. The finite element analysis includes the two models of retainer designs used in the in vitro test. Modified von Mises stress values on enamel, dentin, luting resin, and restorations were examined when the restorations failed.

Results

A significantly higher failure load was recorded for zirconia groups (505.00 ± 61.50 and 548.00 ± 75.63 N for D1Z and D2Z, respectively) than for FRC groups (345.00 ± 42.33 and 375.10 ± 53.62 N for D1F and D2F, respectively) (P = 0.001). With regard to failure mode, D2 showed a more favorable failure pattern than D1. Model D2 resulted in lower stresses in tooth structure than model D1, and zirconia transmitted more stresses to the tooth structure than FRC.

Conclusions

The lingual coverage retainer (D2) enhanced the biomechanical performance of the restoration/tooth complex. Considering the failure mode and tooth stress, FRC is a promising treatment option when constructing a cantilever RPFDP.

Clinical relevance

Dentists should be aware of the biomechanical behavior during the selection of the material and for the replacement of a single missing mandibular premolar tooth with minimally invasive RBFDP.
Präklinische Notfallthorakotomie in der Berliner Notfallrettung – Darstellung der Umsetzung im Land Berlin und Diskussion erster Erkenntnisse
Authors: Malysch Tom , Breuer Florian , Wolff Justus , Poloczek Stefan , Dahmen Janosch
Published: December 2022

Im Jahr 2015 fand das Thema „traumatisch bedingter Herz-Kreislauf-Stillstand“ erstmalig Einzug in die aktualisierten Reanimationsleitlinien des European Resuscitation Council. Neben dem speziell anzuwendenden Maßnahmenbündel mit Atemwegsmanagement, Therapie der Hypovolämie, externer Blutungskontrolle und beidseitiger Thoraxentlastung sollte auch eine Notfallthorakotomie bei geeigneten Patienten erwogen werden. Um dieses Vorgehen systematisch in der Berliner Notfallrettung zu etablieren und standardisieren, hat die Ärztliche Leitung Rettungsdienst der Berliner Feuerwehr verschiedene Maßnahmen unternommen, um die optimale Ausnutzung der Schlüsselfaktoren Expertise, „elapsed time“, Equipment und „environment“ sicherzustellen. Dabei konnten im Laufe der ersten 2,5 Jahre auch bereits wichtige Erfahrungen aus der neuen Versorgungsstruktur dieser schwerstverletzten Patienten gewonnen werden.
Students’ interests for personalized learning: an analysis guide
Authors: Solari Mariana , Vizquerra María Isabel , Engel Anna
Published: December 2022

The lack of alignment between, on the one hand, what schools seek to teach and, on the other, the students’ interests and learning objectives is leading to increasing numbers of students who are unable to derive meaning from school activities. Personalized learning strategies represent one of the most powerful ways to help students attribute meaning and personal value to their learning. This paper has two interrelated objectives. The first is to present a guide to the analysis of educational practices that work with and from students’ interests. This tool makes it possible to identify the potential of practices to reinforce and promote the meaning and personal value that students attach to their school learning. The guide is structured around three large blocks (personalization strategies, conceptions of interests, and design and development of practices), which describe the dimensions, subdimensions, questions, and levels for the analysis. The second objective is to illustrate use of the guide by analyzing two practices designed and implemented in primary school classrooms, characterized by a focus on students’ learning interests. The paper concludes by highlighting the main contributions of the guide presented, identifying some limitations, and pointing to future lines of research.
Descriptive DNA barcoding of Argas (Persicargas) arboreus and Argas (Persicargas) persicus ticks (Ixodida: Argasidae) infesting birds in Egypt
Authors: Ghallab Enas H. , Yousery Ayat , Shaalan Mona G.
Published: December 2022

Argas ticks are primary parasites of birds with veterinary importance. Nevertheless, these ticks have received little attention regarding molecular identification studies. DNA barcoding is a powerful technique for identifying tick species besides traditional morphological identification. The present work is a first effort to divulge DNA sequences of Argas (Persicargas) arboreus from Egypt and worldwide. We used cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) from A. arboreus infesting herons, and from the fowl tick Argas (Persicargas) persicus. Our results pointed out another success for the Folmer primers that are widely used in DNA barcoding, permitting the discrimination of morphologically similar A. arboreus and A. persicus.
First insular population of the critically endangered Cistus heterophyllus subsp. carthaginensis on Cabrera Archipelago National Park (Balearic Islands, Spain)
Authors: Cardona Carles , Capó Miquel
Published: December 2022

Cistus heterophyllus subsp. carthaginensis is considered one of the most endangered plants of Spain and has been object to many conservation programs and research projects. Until now, only two small spots were located in Europe: a population of one self-incompatible specimen was found in Valencia and another small population in Cartagena, disturbed by human impact and hybridization with close-relatives. Therefore, the conservation of this taxon has been one of the most defeating issues in the current plant conservation strategies of the Mediterranean workgroups. In this study, we report, describe and cense a new population of this taxon located at the furthest accessible area of the isle of Cabrera Gran in Cabrera Archipelago National Park. The population contains 59 individuals of C. heterophyllus subsp. carthaginensis, the most abundant known population of this species, with a high representation of young individuals (83%). However, some threats are currently compromising the stability of this population: the presence of Cistus albidus in surrounding areas is producing hybrids (Cistus × clausonii) and the high abundance of rats and rabbits is affecting the population recruitment. For this reason, urgent conservation actions must be designed to protect and enhance this population. Overall, this new finding offers new insights on the distribution and conservation strategies of this species.
Evaluating earthquake-induced widespread slope failure hazards using an AHP-GIS combination
Authors: Kohno Masanori , Higuchi Yuki , Ono Yusuke
Published: December 2022

Landslides and slope failures are often caused by earthquakes. This study proposes a method to map earthquake-induced slope failure hazards that uses the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and a geographic information system (GIS) for four districts where many slope failures were induced by earthquakes (the 2018 Hokkaido Eastern Iburi, 2016 Kumamoto, 2008 Iwate-Miyagi Nairiku, and 2004 Mid Niigata Prefecture earthquakes). The assessment system, which was based on the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience landslide distribution maps, was analyzed using the methods of previously published. We considered the relationships between the earthquake-induced slope failure distributions and landslide hazard factors (elevation, slope angle, slope type, catchment degree, geology, and vegetation). These relationships were utilized for pairwise comparisons of the factors in the AHP analysis. The slope angle, slope type, and catchment degree exerted the highest effects on the slope failure distribution in the four districts. The four earthquake-induced slope failure distributions were highly consistent with the slope failure hazard rank. These results provide a practical method for evaluating earthquake-induced slope-failure hazards.
Since Albert and Whetten: the dissemination of Albert and Whetten’s conceptualization of organizational identity
Authors: Knorr Karin , Hein-Pensel Franziska
Published: December 2022

Since the seminal work of Albert and Whetten, the organizational identity concept has become ubiquitous and highly relevant in various fields. This study systematically reviews how Albert and Whetten’s concept of organizational identity has been disseminated in different research areas. It employs quantitative (topic modeling) and qualitative text analysis, as well as a network analysis to examine a sample of 1,041 papers published between 1985 and mid-2022 that cite Albert and Whetten’s seminal work. Using this method of systematic literature analysis, the current study investigates the criteria of the basic definition and hypotheses mentioned in their work that contribute to its increasing significance, and those with the potential to become substantial aspects of future organizational identity research. Accordingly, Albert and Whetten’s conceptualization of organizational identity is often partially adopted in the literature. Thus, this study contributes to organizational identity research by unveiling further research questions on the evolving character of organizational identity, research methodology, and quantitative operationalization, on the basis of Albert and Whetten’s organizational identity conceptualization.
Body mass index–based predictions and personalized clinical strategies for colorectal cancer in the context of PPPM
Authors: Gu Yun-Jia , Chen Li-Ming , Gu Mu-En , Xu Hong-Xiao , Li Jing , Wu Lu-Yi
Published: December 2022

Currently colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer worldwide. Body mass index (BMI) is frequently used in CRC screening and risk assessment to quantitatively evaluate weight. However, the impact of BMI on clinical strategies for CRC has received little attention. Within the framework of the predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (3PM/PPPM), we hypothesized that BMI stratification would affect the primary, secondary, and tertiary care options for CRC and we conducted a critical evidence-based review. BMI dynamically influences CRC outcomes, which helps avoiding adverse treatment effects. The outcome of surgical and radiation treatment is adversely affected by overweight (BMI ≥ 30) or underweight (BMI < 20). A number of interventions, such as enhanced recovery after surgery and robotic surgery, can be applied to CRC at all levels of BMI. BMI-controlling modalities such as exercise, diet control, nutritional therapy, and medications may be potentially beneficial for patients with CRC. Patients with overweight are advised to lose weight through diet, medication, and physical activity while patients suffering of underweight require more focus on nutrition. BMI assists patients with CRC in better managing their weight, which decreases the incidence of adverse prognostic events during treatment. BMI is accessible, noninvasive, and highly predictive of clinical outcomes in CRC. The cost–benefit of the PPPM paradigm in developing countries can be advanced, and the clinical benefit for patients can be improved with the promotion of BMI-based clinical strategy models for CRC.
Born this way: the effect of an unexpected child benefit at birth on longer-term educational outcomes
Authors: Sánchez-Coll Sergi
Published: December 2022

Aiming to boost fertility rates, in 2007 the Spanish government implemented a universal €2500 baby bonus paid to mothers giving birth or adopting a child, leading to a short-lived increase in births. In this study, I measure the causal impact that the transfer had on the language and mathematical competencies of the children of eligible mothers at the end of primary school in the Catalonia region. I do so by taking advantage of how the policy was announced, leading to a sharp regression discontinuity design and a difference-in-discontinuities specification. The subsidy did not improve student achievement at age 12, since in the preferred diff-in-disc specification using the pooled sample of schools we can rule out grade improvements greater than 0.1 standard deviation units with 95% confidence. While some effects in the subsample of boys in disadvantaged schools are large in magnitude, of roughly 0.2–0.41 standard deviation units representing a 4–11% improvement from the average test score, they do not reach statistical significance and are likely caused by the high variability in test scores both before and after the policy implementation rather than by the subsidy itself, as suggested by robustness tests.
Dynamic modeling and infinite-dimensional observer-based control for manipulation of flexible beam by a multi-link robot
Authors: Liu Shuyang , Li Yuanchun
Published: December 2022

This paper concerns an infinite-dimensional observer for manipulation of flexible beam by a rigid arm robot. The complex dynamic of the system is described by distributed parameter model in terms of ordinary differential equations and partial differential equation. A novel infinite-dimensional observer is proposed to estimate the vibration information of the flexible object. In addition, an observer-based independent joint controller is designed to achieve the position control and vibration suppression, which do not need end-point boundary control. The semigroup theory and LaSalle’s invariance principle are adopted to prove the asymptotic stability of the robot system. The efficiency of the observers and the proposed control strategy are demonstrated by numerical simulations.
Efficient combination graph model based on conditional random field for online multi-object tracking
Authors: Zhang Junwen , Zhang Xiaolong , Zhu Ziqi , Deng Chunhua
Published: December 2022

The joint detection and re-identification (re-ID) strategy shares network features of detection and re-ID, sacrifices the complex probability graph model pairing strategy, and consolidates a two-stage video tracking process into a one-stage, making the multi-object tracking process simple, fast, and accurate. In dense scenes, identified transfer is a major challenge for joint detection and re-ID. To this end, a probability graph model suitable for joint detection and re-ID is presented. The proposed model abandons the idea of matching candidate detections with historical detections in a classical probability graph, uses a scheme to calculate the degree of matching between candidate detections and historical trajectories, and transforms task of ID matching in re-ID process into an energy minimization problem of a conditional random field (CRF). However, the solution space of general CRF is complex and requires an iterative search. To achieve efficient online tracking, the original CRF problem is approximately transformed into a combination of multiple CRF problems with closed-form solutions. Moreover, the proposed algorithm has been applied in practical applications using an edge-cloud model that maintains the balance between performance and efficiency. Extensive experiments on the well-known MOTchallenge benchmark demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed algorithm.
Sampling Procedure, Characterization, and Quantitative Analyses of Industrial Aluminum White Dross
Authors: Solem Cathrine Kyung Won , Deledda Stefano , Tranell Gabriella , Aune Ragnhild E.
Published: December 2022

Up to 10% of all metallic aluminum (Al) produced is lost due to dross generation during production. It also causes an environmental problem due to hazardous waste generation following treatment, as well as toxic gas generation when in contact with water/humidity. As a result, it is desirable to identify the parameters contributing to the generation of the Al white dross mixture. In view of this, a sampling procedure for collecting representative dross samples directly from the casthouse holding furnace has been developed together with a methodology for analyzing and evaluating the results. XRD was used for phase/chemical composition analyses of sieved dross samples, and both ring milling and cryomilling were used during sample preparation. Cryomilling proved to be the superior method allowing dross fractions < 1.25 and 1.25–4.5 mm to be pulverized. The fractions were analyzed and revealed that the sampling location inside the furnace plays a vital role as the injection of primary-produced Al into the furnace influences the dross characteristics. From Location 1 (closest to the injection point) to Location 4 (furthest away from the injection point), the metallic Al content in the dross decreased simultaneously as the oxide content increased. The results also confirmed that the larger size fraction had a higher metallic Al concentration, which correlates well with literature findings. By adopting a methodical sampling procedure followed by consistent routines for sample preparation, characterization, and analyses, process operations can be studied and thereby potentially used to minimize the loss of Al due to dross formation.

Graphical Abstract
Prioritizing vaccination based on analysis of community networks
Authors: Klise Katherine , Beyeler Walt , Acquesta Erin , Thelen Haedi , Makvandi Monear , Finley Patrick
Published: December 2022

Many countries that had early access to COVID-19 vaccines implemented vaccination strategies that prioritized health care workers and the elderly. As barriers to access eased, vaccine prioritization strategies have been relaxed. However, these strategies are still an important tool for decision makers to manage new variants, plan for future booster shots, or stage mass vaccinations. This paper explores the impact of vaccine prioritization strategies using networks that represent communities with different demographics and connectivity. The impact of vaccination is compared to non-medical intervention to reduce transmission. Several sources of uncertainty are considered, including vaccine willingness and mask effectiveness. This paper finds that while prioritization strategies can have a large impact on reducing deaths and peak hospitalization, selecting the best strategy depends on community characteristics and the desired objective. Additionally, in some cases random vaccination performs as well as more targeted prioritization strategies. Understanding these trade-offs is important when planning vaccine distribution.
Towards a guide for developers and novice researchers on human-centered design of the take-over request—Combining user experience and human factors
Authors: Lindner Alisa , Stoll Tanja
Published: December 2022

With major developments in road traffic, especially automated and connected driving, new challenges in designing human-vehicle interaction arise. Human Factors is a field of research that analyzes the interaction between humans and systems to reduce error and increase productivity, safety and comfort. Related to that, User Experience (UX) Design is based on the human-centered design process and the principle of considering human needs throughout the development cycle. We highlight similarities and differences and discuss how the combination of these two disciplines can help developers facing one of the urgent challenges in automated driving: the design of take-over scenarios from automated to manual driving. To address this question, we present an exemplary process flow that combines elements of Human Factors and UX Design in order to develop safe and pleasant to use solutions. In this context, relevant theoretical models and practical methods are discussed.

Practical Relevance: This paper aims to guide an interdisciplinary development team through the design of the take-over scenario using the human-centered design process (ISO 2019): Phase (0) problem statement; (1 & 2) understand the context of use and identify user requirements; (3) formulate meaningful How-might-we questions and generate ideas; and (4) collect user feedback to evaluate the designed solution. This article provides starting points for both researchers in academia as well as developers in the industry and contributes to the lively discourse about the self-image of human-centered design and corresponding disciplines.
Der bildungssprachliche Texthandlungstyp Beschreiben im Sachunterricht der Grundschule – eine Analyse elaborierter Texte
Authors: Fornol Sarah L. , Wildemann Anja
Published: December 2022

Die Sprachhandlung des Beschreibens wird als zentral für das Lernen im Sachunterricht angesehen. Im Sinne des Konzepts der Textprozeduren stellt sie einen Texthandlungstyp dar, auf den u. a. beim Verfassen von Vorgangsbeschreibungen zurückgegriffen wird. Durch die Realisierung von Handlungsschemata des Texthandlungstyps Beschreiben wird es möglich, Anforderungen von Sachtexten (wie z. B. einer entpersonalisierten Ausdrucksweise) zu entsprechen und damit bildungssprachliche Funktionen (wie z. B. Verallgemeinerung) zu realisieren. Das Beschreiben stellt somit eine bildungssprachliche Textprozedur dar. Der Beitrag geht der Frage nach, welche Handlungsschemata dem Texthandlungstyp Beschreiben zugeordnet werden können. Dafür werden 18 Texte von Lernenden der dritten Jahrgangsstufe aus dem Fach Sachunterricht zu drei Themen inhaltsanalytisch untersucht. Grundlage für die Analyse ist ein im Rahmen einer Pilotierung entwickeltes Kriterienraster.
Dynamic performance verification of the Rędziński Bridge using portable camera-based vibration monitoring systems
Authors: Bocian Mateusz , Nikitas Nikolaos , Kalybek Maksat , Kużawa Mieszko , Hawryszków Paweł , Bień Jan , Onysyk Jerzy , Biliszczuk Jan
Published: December 2022

The assessment of dynamic performance of large-scale bridges typically relies on the deployment of wired instrumentation systems requiring direct contact with the tested structures. This can obstruct their operation and create unnecessary risks to the involved personnel and equipment. These problems can be readily avoided by using non-contact instrumentation systems. However, the cost of off-the-shelf commercial products often prevents their wide adoption in engineering practice. To this end, the dynamic performance of the biggest one-pylon cable-stayed bridge in Poland is investigated based on data from a consumer-grade digital camera and open access image-processing algorithms. The quality of these data is benchmarked against data obtained from conventional wired accelerometers and a high-end commercial optical motion capture system. Operational modal analysis is conducted to extract modal damping, which has a potential to serve as an indicator of structural health. The dynamic properties of the bridge are evaluated against the results obtained during a proof loading exercise undertaken prior to the bridge opening. It is shown that a vibration monitoring system based on consumer-grade digital camera can indeed provide an economically viable alternative to monitoring the complex time-evolving dynamic behaviour patterns of large-scale bridges.
Observing actions in global games
Authors: Grafenhofer Dominik , Kuhle Wolfgang
Published: December 2022

We study Bayesian coordination games where agents receive noisy private information over the game’s payoffs, and over each others’ actions. If private information over actions is of low quality, equilibrium uniqueness obtains in a manner similar to a global games setting. On the contrary, if private information over actions (and thus over the game’s payoff coefficient) is precise, agents can coordinate on multiple equilibria. We argue that our results apply to phenomena such as bank-runs, currency crises, recessions, or riots and revolutions, where agents monitor each other closely.
The Witches of St Osyth
Authors: Gibson Marion
Published: December 2022

An emotive, haunting story of a community torn apart, the Essex witch accusations and trial of 1581-2 are, taken together, one of the pivotal instances of that malign and destructive wave of misogynistic persecution which periodically broke over early modern England. Yet, for all their importance in the overall study of witchcraft, the so-called witches of St Osyth have largely been overlooked by scholars. Marion Gibson now sets right that neglect. Using fresh archival sources – and investigating not just the village itself, but also its neighbouring Elizabethan hamlets and habitations – the author offers revelatory new insights into the sixteen women and one man accused of sorcery while asking wider, provocative questions about the way history is recollected and interpreted. Combining landscape detective work, a reconstruction of lost spaces and authoritative readings of crucial documents, Gibson skilfully unlocks the poignant personal histories of those denied the chance to speak for themselves.
The State and Land Records Modernisation
Authors: Nayak Pradeep
Published: December 2022

Today, when land records management is regarded as one of the indices of a nation’s developmental status, India is in the midst of its land records modernisation programme which is the world’s largest e-governance exercise and India’s first successful e-governance implementation for the common man. This book studies the land records modernisation programme in India and how it has modernised management of land records, minimised the scope of land disputes, enhanced transparency in the land records maintenance system, and facilitated moving towards guaranteed conclusive titles to immovable properties in the country. By looking at the progress of initiatives in the states of Karnataka and Odisha, this book argues that the computerisation of the land records programme cannot be understood or implemented in isolation from the specific political and economic context of the reform process.
Conflicting Conceptions of Hate Speech in the ECtHR’s Case Law
Authors: Sottiaux Stefan
Published: December 2022

This article argues that the ECtHR uses two conflicting tests to assess the same types of hate speech. This results in legal uncertainty at best, and arbitrariness and double standards at worst. To remedy the present situation, I propose a two-track strategy. To begin with, the Court should abandon its “bad tendency” approach, a test prone to abuse by governments to silence political dissent under the guise of fighting hate speech, for a set of uniform criteria to assess hate speech-restrictions, in line with its current incitement approach. In addition, however, to compensate for the loss of protection against severe forms of vilification which do not meet the incitement-criteria, the Court should formulate a new category of unprotected speech, to be defined as intentional intimidation or harassment.
Ministerial Decision on the Trips Agreement (WTO)
Authors: Rutschman Ana Santos
Published: December 2022

On June 17, 2022, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference issued a “Draft Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS Agreement,” addressing the requirements established in Articles 31 and 39.3 of the TRIPS Agreement in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Decision provides several clarifications regarding the process by which member countries may “authorize the use of the subject matter of a patent” without the consent of the right holder for the purposes of “production and supply of COVID-19 vaccines.” The decision provides guidance to countries considering the use of legal mechanisms, particularly compulsory licenses, to transfer vaccine technology with the goal of increasing the number of doses of COVID-19 vaccine available to underserved populations, especially in lower-income countries.
Evolution of nonlinear perturbations for a fluid flow with a free boundary. Exact results
Authors: Karabut E.A. , Zhuravleva E.N. , Zubarev N.M. , Zubareva O.V.
Published: December 2022

The problem of a plane unsteady potential flow of an ideal incompressible fluid bounded by free boundary segments with a constant pressure and by solid walls moving in accordance with a known law is considered. External forces are absent, and capillary forces are neglected. An approach to constructing exact solutions for this type of problem is proposed. The corresponding solutions can be treated as nonlinear perturbations of a certain base flow. As an example of the application of this approach, nonlinear perturbations in a known problem of a fluid flow with a linear velocity field in the region bounded by a straight-line free boundary and parallel approaching or receding solid walls are considered. It is demonstrated that perturbations grow, which leads to variants of the formation of singularities on the free surface of the fluid within a finite time: formation of droplets, bubbles or cusps. A solution describing the collapse of a bubble in a fluid layer bounded by two approaching solid walls has also been found and studied. Thus, a new method of studying nonlinear stability of complicated unsteady fluid flows with combined boundary conditions is proposed and tested.
Ranking de recursos y dieta óptima en desiertos nordpatagónicos
Authors: Corbat Mercedes , Gil Adolfo F. , Bettinger Robert L. , Neme Gustavo A. , Zangrando Atilio Francisco
Published: December 2022

La jerarquización de recursos constituye uno de los procedimientos más empleados para evaluar la subsistencia de los cazadores-recolectores en el pasado. Para el Centro Occidente Argentino (COA) esta jerarquización se fundaba en el tamaño corporal de las presas. Aquí incorporamos datos sobre los costos de manejo, generando el primer ordenamiento de recursos para la región que contempla los elementos requeridos por los modelos de optimización (Kcal/tiempo post-encuentro). Luego del guanaco (Lama guanicoe) —presa de mayor rendimiento— este ranking situó en segundo y tercer lugar a los huevos de Rheidae y los armadillos (Dasypodidae), respectivamente, resaltando la importancia de presas tradicionalmente consideradas de bajo rendimiento. Siguiendo la teoría de aprovisionamiento óptimo, elaboramos el modelo de amplitud de dieta (MAD) para los desiertos más representativos de Nordpatagonia: el de Monte y el patagónico. En este último, la mayor disponibilidad de guanacos tornó menos ventajosa la incorporación de nuevos ítems a la dieta. Para el Monte, la dieta óptima se amplió, incluyendo recursos menores como ciertos peces (i.e.,Percichthys trucha). En definitiva, el MAD permitió reinterpretar tendencias temporales en la subsistencia humana, sosteniendo una ampliación en el espectro de recursos explotados hacia el Holoceno tardío en el COA. En general, las expectativas del MAD son confirmadas con el registro zooarqueológico regional.