bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid PV Systems and Colocalization of Charging and Filling Stations for Electrification of Road Transport Sector
Authors: Fagerström Jonathan , Kvalbein Lisa , Danebergs Janis , Uberg Nærland Tine , Øgaard Mari , Aamodt Espegren Kari
Published: January 2022

Electrification of the road transport sector likely includes both battery electric (BEV) and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). Integration of energy carriers is described as a route forward for efficient integration of renewable energy. The objective of this work is to determine cost‐efficiency improvements with co‐localization of BEV and FCEV stations, and how this impacts optimal sizing of the photovoltaic (PV) production and battery storage. Grid‐connected co‐localized charging/filling stations, situated north of Oslo, Norway, are modeled in HOMER Pro and HOMER Grid. PV production is modeled using PVsyst and a snow loss model to analyze the effect of snow shading on PV production. Demand data for BEV and FCEV are synthesized based on historical traffic data (year 2015–2019) to represent three different cases of BEV/FCEV distribution. Results indicate that co‐localization, i.e., the integration of energy carriers for BEV and FCEV, leads to a marginal cost‐efficiency improvement of 0.1–1.4%, depending on BEV/FCEV distribution and cost assumptions. Co‐localization shows greater benefits for the integration of locally produced renewable power. Due to co‐localization, the cost‐optimal PV capacity is either increased or PV power export is reduced. Stationary batteries are also observed to cost‐efficiently perform peak shaving in a future scenario.
Progress and Challenges of SnO2 Electron Transport Layer for Perovskite Solar Cells: A Critical Review
Authors: Uddin Ashraf , Yi Haimang
Published: January 2022

Organic inorganic halide perovskites have drawn great attention in the past decade, due to their superior photovoltaic performance with an efficiency over 25%. For planar heterojunction structure perovskite solar cells (PSCs) tin oxide based electron transport layers (ETLs) have become one of the most suitable candidates to replace titanium oxide to make flexible devices because of their low‐temperature processing. The deposition techniques of SnO2 can be categorized into chemical deposition, such as sol‐gel, chemical bathing or atomic layer deposition, and physical deposition, such as thermal evaporation or sputtering. Depending on the deposition technique, defects, and morphology in the SnO2 layer may vary drastically, leading to poor performance of PSCs. In this review, we have provided a comprehensive picture of the recent progress and challenges of different SnO2 ETL deposition techniques and the performance of PSC devices. The additional modifications on SnO2 mentioned in this article are also effective ways to eliminate the intrinsic defects in the film. The drawbacks and benefits of SnO2 ETLs and the corresponding actions for this are also discussed. We hope this review will help with the comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the property of SnO2 and its structure of ETLs to enhance PSCs' performance.
Einsatz von Zwillingsträgerhilfsbrücken im Zuge einer Notmaßnahme zur Querung der BAB 40
Authors: Kosky Tobias , Zillinger Wulf , Shahnazian Ali , Ay Yasemin , Stranghöner Natalie , Afzali Nariman , Makevičius Lukas , Ungermann Dieter , Kalameya Jens
Published: January 2022

Am 17. September 2020 ist ein Tanklaster auf der Autobahn A 40 zwischen Duisburg und Mülheim unterhalb von Eisenbahnüberführungen der DB AG vollständig ausgebrannt. Ein Teil der fünf Brückentragwerke wurde durch die extreme Temperaturentwicklung derart stark beschädigt, dass die Trag‐ und Verkehrssicherheit nicht mehr bestand und in Folge die betroffenen Strecken der DB AG gesperrt werden mussten. Durch die sofort begonnene technische Bearbeitung der Ersatzneubauten und die schnellen bahninternen und behördlichen Genehmigungen konnten der Neubau der Widerlager und des Mittelpfeilers, die Montage der Hilfsbrücken und die Errichtung des Gleiskörpers innerhalb kürzester Zeit durchgeführt werden. Die Wiederinbetriebnahme der gesperrten Strecken erfolgte bereits am 28. Dezember 2020 (Bauwerk 3) und am 6. September 2021 (Bauwerke 2, 4). Nur durch die Verwendung von Zwillingsträgerhilfsbrücken des Typs ZH26 aus dem Bestand der DB AG konnte der kurzfristige Ersatz der havarierten Brücken realisiert werden. Die gesamte Baumaßnahme wird nachfolgend beschrieben. Es werden die Hilfsbrückensysteme der DB AG und ihre Anwendungsgrenzen vorgestellt. Die Verlegung von zwei hintereinanderliegenden Hilfsbrücken als Hilfsbrückenkette und die Verwendung als Dauerbehelf bedingen bahninterne Genehmigungsverfahren. Die dazu erforderlichen Nachweise und die zum Nachweis der Ermüdungssicherheit erforderliche gutachterliche Stellungnahme zur Dauerhaftigkeit der Schraubenverbindungen werden beschrieben.
Precise modification of poly(aryl ether ketone sulfone) proton exchange membranes with positively charged bismuth oxide clusters for high proton conduction performance
Authors: Yin Yi‐Zhuo , Zhang Zhen‐Guo , He Wen‐Wen , Xu Jing‐Mei , Jiang Feng‐Yu , Han Xu , Di Wan‐Ting , Wang Zhe , Ma Shengqian
Published: January 2022

In the field of proton exchange membranes (PEMs), it is still a great challenge to explore new Nafion alternatives, maintaining the high proton conductivity and lowering the cost of practical application. In this work, a series of low sulfonated poly(aryl ether ketone sulfone) (SPAEKS) membranes hybridized by [Bi6O5(OH)3]2(NO3)10·6H2O (H6Bi12O16) have been successfully fabricated. When the doping amount of H6Bi12O16 reaches 5 wt%, the DS15‐Bi12‐5 showing the best proton conductive ability and mechanical properties. The proton conductivity can achieve 72.8 mS·cm−1 at 80°C and the tensile strength can reach 43.57 MPa. Confirmed by experimental data and activation energy (Ea) calculations, the existence of Bi cluster makes more hydrogen bonds, providing additional proton hopping sites and offers more proton transport vehicles, leading to a high proton conduction performance. This work proved that polyoxometalates (POMs) can replace the role of sulfonate groups in SPAEKS to a certain extent and work out the defects of high sulfonation, making a remarkable contribution to the practical application of low sulfonated SPAEKS.
Development of a Learning Support System for Blood Sampling Techniques Using a Magnetic Motion Capture System
Authors: Saito Masachika , Kikuchi Yukiko , Kudo Yukiko , Sasaki Makiko , Mitobe Kazutaka
Published: January 2022

Blood sampling requires a particularly dexterous technique; the existing training system is not sufficient for students to acquire satisfactory skills by the time they graduate. Hence, we have developed a learning support system for blood sampling techniques that can present the difference in the angle between a teacher's syringe and surface of patient's skin while blood sampling and angle between a student's syringe and the surface of skin in real time. In this system, students can learn blood sampling techniques by imitating a teacher's motions presented by computer graphics and moving their own syringe until the displayed angle difference becomes zero. This system is useful for learning to insert syringes at the same angle as the teacher. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Anticancer potential of corilagin on T24 and TSGH 8301 bladder cancer cells via the activation of apoptosis by the suppression of NF‐κB‐induced P13K/Akt signaling pathway
Authors: Yu Xiaodong , Wu Tao , Liao Bo , Du Zhongbo , Zhu Pingyu
Published: January 2022

Bladder cancer (BC) is a primary source of malignancy‐associated death, and the mortality rate is high due to its prevalence of metastasis. Corilagin (CLG), a bioactive constituent of numerous medicinal plants, exerts assorted pharmacological actions comprising anti‐cancer, apoptotic, anti‐inflammatory, and hepatoprotective. CLG possesses a substantial anti‐tumor prospective and less noxiousness in normal cells in vitro. However, the molecular mechanisms of CLG on BC cells are not studied well. The current research explored the molecular process intricate in the anticancer and anti‐proliferative actions of CLG on the relocation of BC cells T24 and TSGH 8301. The cytotoxicity, apoptosis, adhesion, and migration of CLG on BC cells T24 and TSGH 8301 were evaluated by MTT assay, DAPI, Rh‐123, cell adhesion, and cell migration assay. The results point out that CLG inhibits the viability, adhesion, movement, incursion, and inflammation, whereas persuades BC cells apoptosis in a concentration‐dependent mode. Besides, CLG treated with T24 and TSGH‐8301 cells subdue inflammatory and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. CLG is accomplished of impeding BC cell migration, invasion, and metastasis through the repression of the NF‐κB mediated P13K/Akt signaling. Our findings offer a unique vision into the demonstration of the anti‐cancer potential of CLG on BC cells.
Cover Image
Authors: Huser Raphaël , Wadsworth Jennifer L.
Published: January 2022

The cover image is based on the Advance Review Advances in statistical modeling of spatial extremes by Raphaël Huser and Jennifer L. Wadsworth., https://doi.org/10.1002/wics.1537.

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Exploring the geometry of supersymmetric double field theory
Authors: Butter Daniel
Published: January 2022

Abstract

The geometry of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 supersymmetric double field theory is revisited in superspace. In order to maintain the constraints on the torsion tensor, the local tangent space group of O(D) × O(D) must be expanded to include a tower of higher dimension generators. These include a generator in the irreducible hook representation of the Lorentz group, which gauges the shift symmetry (or ambiguity) of the spin connection. This gauging is possible even in the purely bosonic theory, where it leads to a Lorentz curvature whose only non-vanishing pieces are the physical ones: the generalized Einstein tensor and the generalized scalar curvature. A relation to the super-Maxwell∞ algebra is proposed. The superspace Bianchi identities are solved up through dimension two, and the component supersymmetry transformations and equations of motion are explicitly (re)derived.
Breakdown of hydrodynamics from holographic pole collision
Authors: Liu Yan , Wu Xin-Meng
Published: January 2022

Abstract

We study the breakdown of diffusive hydrodynamics in holographic systems dual to neutral dilatonic black holes with extremal near horizon geometries conformal to AdS2 × R2. We find that at low temperatures by tuning the effective gauge coupling constant in the infra-red, the lowest non-hydrodynamic mode, which collides with the charge diffusive mode and sets the scales at which diffusive hydrodynamics breaks down, could be either an infra-red mode or a slow mode, resulting in different scaling behaviors of the local equilibrium scales. We confirm that the upper bound for the charge diffusion constant is always satisfied using the velocity and timescale of local equilibration from the pole collision. We also examine the breakdown of hydrodynamics at general temperature and find that the convergence radius has nontrivial dependence on temperature, in addition to the effective gauge coupling constant.
The growing threat of light pollution to ground-based observatories
Authors: Green Richard F. , Luginbuhl Christian B. , Wainscoat Richard J. , Duriscoe Dan
Published: January 2022

Human activity is rapidly increasing the negative impact of artificial skyglow at even the most remote professional observatory sites. Assessment of the actual impact requires an understanding of the propagation as a function of source spectral energy distribution. The higher blue content of light-emitting diodes being widely used as replacement for sodium discharge lamps has greater impact closer to the source, and less impact for more distant mountain-top sites. All-sky cameras with moderate angular resolution provide data and metrics sufficient to model and remove celestial contributions and provide measures of artificial light contribution. The natural skyglow is significantly affected by solar activity, which must be accounted for in determining secular trends in the artificial component. With the availability of the New World Atlas of the Artificial Sky Brightness, a direct comparison is made of the modeled artificial contribution to the sites with the largest aperture telescopes, noting the possible systematic errors in individual cases. Population growth of the nearest urban centers allows a prediction of the change in that brightness over a decade. All site protections are effected primarily by national or regional regulation. A collection of worldwide regulations shows that most are leveraged off environmental protection statutes, while in the U.S., they are largely based on land-use zones. Particular examples are presented in more detail for Flagstaff, Arizona, and the Island of Hawai’i. The latest rapidly growing threat is that of reflected sunlight from large constellations of satellites in low-earth orbit. A snapshot is provided of that rapidly changing situation. In all cases, astronomers must become very proactive in educating the public about the cultural value of visual or naked eye astronomy as well as the science and the need for access to a dark night sky for astronomical research.
Bilateral anterior compartment syndrome secondary to psychogenic polydipsia
Authors: Hughes William , McCormack Neill , Cattigan Claire , Thomas Damon , Goldie Stephen J.
Published: January 2022

Compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency requiring urgent release of the muscular compartments to prevent ischaemia and tissue death. Unusual presentation patterns or aetiological factors may be confusing, delaying the diagnosis and prompt management. We report a rare case of bilateral anterior compartment syndrome, secondary to psychogenic polydipsia. Compartment pressures were measured using a manometer. The patient was expedited to theatre for exploration. A literature review was performed to search for similar cases. In our case, a 42-year-old male presented confused and agitated with bilateral lower limb pain unresponsive to opiates. He had a past medical history of schizophrenia with psychogenic polydipsia, consuming 10 L of cola soft drink per day prior to presentation. Blood tests showed sodium of 112 mmol/L and a peak creatinine kinase of 13,417 U/L. On examination, he had tense and swollen bilateral anterior legs; posterior calves were soft. Left and right anterior compartment pressures were measured at 60 mmHg and 90 mmHg respectively (normal limit < 30 mmHg). At operation, bilateral fasciotomies of the anterior compartments were performed and bulging muscles were found. Reported cases similar to this resulted in permanent disability due to delays in recognising the diagnosis. Follow-up of this patient showed return of normal sensation and movement of the muscles of the anterior compartment. Hyponatraemia as a result of psychogenic polydipsia is well recognised, but isolated anterior compartment syndrome is a rare complication of hyponatraemia. This case report highlights the need to consider non-traumatic causes of compartment syndrome.

Level of evidence: Level V, Diagnostic study
Spatial distribution of the protist community in the southern part of the Okhotsk Sea off Hokkaido during summer
Authors: Hamao Yusuke , Matsuno Kohei , Mitani Yoko , Yamaguchi Atsushi
Published: January 2022

The southern part of the Okhotsk Sea off Hokkaido has rich fishery resources supported by high primary production. The phytoplankton community has been described by several studies based on size-fractionated chlorophyllaconcentration and primary production; however, the details of the species composition of nano- and micro-protist communities have not been well investigated. We evaluated the spatial distribution and relationship with hydrography of nano- and micro-protist communities in the southern region of the Okhotsk Sea off Hokkaido during the summer of 2019. Forty-two species of diatoms from 19 genera, dinoflagellates from 7 genera, tintinnid ciliates, oligotrich ciliates, and 1 genus of silicoflagellates were identified. Their spatial distribution showed distinct differences among the taxa. Cluster analysis based on the protist cell density identified six groups with geographically well-distinguished distributions. Diatom-dominant communities were distributed in the Cold Water Belt and Soya warm current along the coastal area of Hokkaido. Nanoflagellate-dominated communities were distributed in the offshore area. Some harmful species of diatoms (Pseudonitzschia pseudodelicatissima) and dinoflagellates (Alexandriumspp.) were dominant in the Cold Water Belt off Wakkanai. We suggest that the upwelling of cold water could increase the abundance of harmful species, with immanent negative impacts on marine ecosystems or fishery resources. In summary, the species composition and abundance of the summer protist community was strongly related to different water masses in the southern part of the Okhotsk Sea off Hokkaido.
Abraham Model Descriptors for Melatonin; Prediction of Solution, Biological and Thermodynamic Properties
Authors: Liu Xiangli , Abraham Michael H. , Acree William E.
Published: January 2022

Literature solubilities have been used to obtain properties or descriptors of melatonin. These indicate the chemical nature of melatonin: it is dipolar and has moderate hydrogen bond acidity and hydrogen bond basicity. The descriptors can be combined with equations that we have previously constructed to estimate water–solvent partition coefficients and solubilities in a huge number of organic solvents. In the same way, a range of biological properties can be estimated. These include blood–tissue partitions, water–skin partition and permeability through skin.
Characterization, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity properties of novel biomediated nanosized-silver by Egyptian Streptomyces roseolus for safe antimicrobial applications
Authors: Elnady Asmaa , Sorour Noha M. , Abbas Rateb N.
Published: January 2022

Multi-drug resistant bacteria are not effectively managed with current treatments, making it a serious global problem. Therefore, there is an essential need for finding new antimicrobial agents. In this regard, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) have been projected as a new generation of antimicrobial agents. Ag-NPs were biomediated by Egyptian Streptomyces roseolus for the first time, which was molecularly identified using 16S rRNA sequencing under accession no. MT071505. Biosynthesized Ag-NPs were characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, FTIR, and DLS. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of different bioactive functional groups, such as N–H, C–H, C–O–C, C–NH2, and C=O acting as bioreducing/stabilizing agents for Ag-NPs. Ag-NPs exhibited antimicrobial activity against some multi-drug resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. MBC of Ag-NPs against Listeria monocytogenes and Klebsiella pneumonia were 0.195 and 0.048 mg/mL, respectively, with a tolerance level of 2 confirming its biocidal effect. SEM imaging of Ag-NPs-treated L. monocytogenes and K. pneumonia showed shrunk destroyed cells after 6 h of treatment. Biosynthesized Ag-NPs exhibited IC50 of < 0.3 and 8.21 mg/mL, on normal Human Skin Fibroblast, and Blood Lymphocytes, respectively. IC50 values were significantly higher than its MBC values, with no harmful cytotoxic effect, thus can be safely applied at its biocidal concentration. For biosafety purposes, the genotoxicity of biosynthesized Ag-NPs was assessed using Comet assay for the first time on Blood Lymphocytes, with zero-tail and 100% head intensity indicating non-genotoxic effect. An ecofriendly biomediated synthesis of Ag-NPs was described with easy scale-up, non-toxic by-products, so, it can be recommended as a powerful-safe antimicrobial agent.

Graphical abstract
Physical and chemical properties of dust in the Pre-Aral region of Uzbekistan
Authors: Bazarbayev Rustam , Zhou Biao , Allaniyazov Atabek , Zeng Guanggen , Mamedov Damir , Ivanitskaya Evgenia , Wei Qingzhu , Qian Hongqiang , Yakubov Komiljon , Ghali Mohsen , Karazhanov Smagul
Published: January 2022

The aim of this work is study of physical and chemical properties of dust of the Pre-Aral region of Uzbekistan such as Karakalpakstan and Khorezm that are located near the three deserts such as the Aralkum, Karakum, and Kyzylkum. The dust particles fell on glass have been collected in Karakalpakstan and Khorezm and studied systematically by employing wide range of methods. Particle volume vs size distribution has been measured with maximum around 600 nm and ~ 10 µm. The major and minor constituent materials present in the dust have been studied systematically by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray diffraction, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. Main characteristic absorption bands corresponding to Si–O, Si–O-Si bonding in quartz and Fe–O bonds in hematite Fe2O3 have been identified by infrared and Raman spectroscopy. Quartz, hematite, lime, corundum, magnesia, and several other trace minerals have been identified in the dust particles. X-ray diffraction peaks corresponding to quartz, hematite, and corundum are sharp and are found to be more crystalline with some level of disorder. Analysis of the particle size and crystallinity on human being has been performed: disordered or crystalline quartz can create the lung disease; the particles in the size of 0.5–0.7 µm may produce diseases such as chronic silicosis, silicosis, and silica tuberculosis whereas hematite might create lung disease. Dust particles worsen optical transmittance of glass of the panels.

Graphical abstract
The Impact of Domestic CSR on the Internationalisation of Emerging-Market Multinational Enterprises: Evidence from India
Authors: Shirodkar Vikrant , Shete Namita
Published: January 2022

Emerging-market multinational enterprises (EMNEs) are, on the one hand, investing in both developed and developing countries aggressively. On the other hand, they are facing greater pressures from their home and host countries to operate in a socially responsible manner. In this paper, combining institutional theory with strategic perspectives on corporate social responsibility (CSR), we argue that EMNEs spending on CSR more intensively in their domestic context are likely to have a greater scope of internationalisation. We also argue that this effect decreases for government-owned EMNEs and increases when EMNEs target developed host markets or institutionally stronger emerging markets. Our data used to test our hypotheses are based on a sample of 686 Indian firms. Our findings provide support for most of our arguments, and we contribute to a greater understanding of the relationship between CSR and internationalisation.
Prospective Observational Study on the Prevalence and Diagnostic Value of General Practitioners’ Gut Feelings for Cancer and Serious Diseases
Authors: Oliva-Fanlo Bernardino , March Sebastià , Gadea-Ruiz Cristina , Stolper Erik , Esteva Magdalena ,   On behalf of the CORap group
Published: January 2022

Background

General practitioners (GPs) have recognized the presence of gut feelings in their diagnostic process. However, little is known about the frequency or determinants of gut feelings or the diagnostic value of gut feelings for cancer and other serious diseases.

Objective

To assess the prevalence of gut feelings in general practice, examine their determinants and impact on patient management, and measure their diagnostic value for cancer and other serious diseases.

Design

This prospective observational study was performed using the Gut Feelings Questionnaire (GFQ).

Participants

Participants included 155 GPs and 1487 of their patients, from four Spanish provinces.

Main Measures

Sociodemographic data from patients and GPs; the reasoning style of GPs; the characteristics of the consultation; the presence and kind of gut feeling; the patient’s subsequent contacts with the health system; and new cancer and serious disease diagnoses reported at 2 and 6 months post-consultation.

Key Results

GPs experienced a gut feeling during 97% of the consultations: a sense of reassurance in 75% of consultations and a sense of alarm in 22% of consultations. A sense of alarm was felt at higher frequency given an older patient, the presence of at least one cancer-associated symptom, or a non-urban setting. GPs took diagnostic action more frequently after a sense of alarm. After 2 months, the sense of alarm had a sensitivity of 59% for cancer and other serious diseases (95% CI 47–71), a specificity of 79% (95% CI 77–82), a positive predictive value of 12% (95% CI 9–16), and a negative predictive value of 98% (95% CI 86–98).

Conclusions

Gut feelings are consistently present in primary care medicine, and they play a substantial role in a GP’s clinical reasoning and timely diagnosis of serious disease. The sense of alarm must be taken seriously and used to support diagnostic evaluation in patients with a new reason for encounter.
Functional Results after First- and Second-Generation Temporary Implantable Nitinol Device (TIND) for BPH: A Narrative Review of the Literature
Authors: De Cillis S. , Amparore D. , Volpi G. , Checcucci E. , Cattaneo G. , Meziere J. , Sica M. , Granato S. , Verri P. , Manfredi M. , Fiori C. , Porpiglia F.
Published: January 2022

Purpose of review

In the last decades, new promising technologies for the treatment of BPH-related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) have been widely experienced in clinical practice, with the aim of offering fewer complications but similar functional outcomes compared with the gold standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Among these so-called minimally invasive approaches, transurethral implantation of first- and second-generation temporary implantable nitinol device (TIND and iTIND, respectively) (Medi-Tate; Medi-Tate Ltd., Or Akiva, Israel) has been included by the European Association of Urology (EAU) Guidelines as one of the available alternative treatments to TURP. In the present paper, we conducted a systematic review of the current literature on TIND and iTIND implantation focusing on functional outcomes. Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were queried for relevant Literature in May 2021.

Recent findings

Data regarding the use of temporary implantable nitinol device for BPH are still very limited, with only seven studies currently available in Literature. All the studies report that both TIND and iTIND procedures are safe, effective, and well tolerated. Moreover, such treatments seem to not affect patient’s sexual and ejaculatory functions.

Current clinical evidence suggests that temporary implantation of first- and second-generation temporary implantable nitinol devices are valid options for the minimally invasive surgical treatment of BPH-related LUTS. Further studies are required in order to confirm the functional results, especially over a long-term follow up.
Auditory perceptual assessment of voices: Examining perceptual ratings as a function of voice experience
Authors: Merrill Julia
Published: January 2022

Understanding voice usage is vital to our understanding of human interaction. What is known about the auditory perceptual evaluation of voices comes mainly from studies of voice professionals, who evaluate operatic/lyrical singing in specific contexts. This is surprising as recordings of singing voices from different musical styles are an omnipresent phenomenon, evoking reactions in listeners with various levels of expertise. Understanding how untrained listeners perceive and describe voices will open up new research possibilities and enhance vocal communication between listeners. Here three studies with a mixed-methods approach aimed at: (1) evaluating the ability of untrained listeners to describe voices, and (2) determining what auditory features were most salient in participants’ discrimination of voices. In an interview (N = 20) and a questionnaire study (N = 48), free voice descriptions by untrained listeners of 23 singing voices primarily from popular music were compared with terms used by voice professionals, revealing that participants were able to describe voices using vocal characteristics from essential categories indicating sound quality, pitch changes, articulation, and variability in expression. Nine items were derived and used in an online survey for the evaluation of six voices by trained and untrained listeners in a German (N = 216) and an English (N = 50) sample, revealing that neither language nor expertise affected the assessment of the singers. A discriminant analysis showed that roughness and tension were important features for voice discrimination. The measurement of vocal expression created in the current study will be informative for studying voice perception and evaluation more generally.
On attribute importance measure and its application to supplier selection
Authors: Sun Xiaowen , Sun Limin
Published: January 2022

Rough set theory is a powerful mathematical technique of decision making, which can be exploited to feature selection and rule induction from uncertain and ambiguous data. Generally, the attribute significance degree is one of the fundamental metrics used to measure the contained information of each attribute. However, in the most existing rough based methods, some attributes share the identical or zero significance degrees, that cannot reflect the situations in the realistic scenarios. We are then motivated to improve the attribute significance degree of rough set, based on the new attribute significance degree of rough set, a new method of supplier evaluation and selection is presented, it solves the problems existing in current research and verifies the scientific nature and effectiveness of the method with a case.
Subthalamic deep brain stimulation versus best medical treatment: a 12-year follow-up
Authors: de Noordhout Alain Maertens , Mouchamps Micheline , Remacle Jean-Michel , Delstanche Stéphanie , Bonhomme Vincent , Gonce Michel
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Electrical stimulation of the sub-thalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) is well established to alleviate motor fluctuations in advanced Parkinson’s disease but little is known about its very long-term efficacy.

Methods

We followed over 12 years 15 parkinsonian patients having undergone STN-DBS and compared them to a matched group of 14 patients with best medical drug therapy. All had been considered as good candidates for surgery. They were allocated to each group depending on their own decision.

Results

After 12 years, mortality rates were similar in both groups. In the DBS group, best “on” UPDRS III scores (on medications, on stimulation) remained significantly better and dyskinesia shorter and weaker than in the drug-treated group (on medication only). Yet, looking at independent life and quality of life (QoL) evaluated with PDQ39, no significant difference could be observed between groups at the end of follow-up, probably due to development of dopa- and stimulation-resistant motor and non-motor symptoms like falls, freezing, dementia, apathy and depression, the latter two more frequent in the DBS group.

Conclusion

Drug- and DBS-resistant symptoms and signs occur more often after long disease evolution and in elder patients. It might be why differences in QoL between both groups no longer existed after twelve years as, compared to other studies, our patients were older at inclusion.
A culture model for the assessment of phenylalanine neurotoxicity in phenylketonuria
Authors: Kylies Julian , Brunne Bianka , Rune Gabriele M.
Published: January 2022

Objective

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is caused by a specific mutation of the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene. The deficiency of PAH results in high phenylalanine levels (Phe), low tyrosine levels (Tyr), and reduced catecholamine neurotransmitters. The majority of PKU patients, if untreated, develop severe mental retardation. The specific contribution of high Phe and low Tyr levels in mental retardation is largely unknown. In this study, we used organic hippocampal slice cultures in an optimized medium as an adequate culture model to decipher the precise role of high Phe and low Tyr levels on synaptic and glial integrity in PKU. The hippocampus is closely related to learning and memory and reduced catecholamine neurotransmitter levels can be neglected since these neurotransmitters do not derive from the hippocampus. Cultures exposed to physiological concentrations of Phe were compared with cultures exposed to doses of Phe/Tyr, as in the cerebral fluid of PKU patients.

Methods

Using capillary western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, followed by quantitative image analysis, we tested the expression of various pre- and postsynaptic proteins (PSD95, synaptopodin, SNAP25, synaptophysin), glial cell markers (GFAP, Iba1, P2Y12, CD68, C3b), and the morphology of glial cells.

Results

We found a downregulation of the postsynaptic protein PSD95 and the presynaptic protein SNAP25 in the presence of high/low Phe/Tyr levels after 3 weeks, which, then however, recovered after 6 weeks in culture. Furthermore, no change in the expression pattern of glial proteins was observed.

Conclusion

Our results show that high Phe levels/low Tyr levels alone are unlikely to substantially contribute to mental retardation in PKU. The direct neurotoxic potency of high Phe/low Tyr concentrations is almost negligible since the effects are transient. The transient character in the presence of unchanged levels of high Phe/low Tyr points to a role of reduced catecholamine derivate neurotransmitters, rather than of high Phe/low Tyr levels in PKU.
The Case of Ireland
Authors: Stafford James
Published: January 2022

The late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries have long been seen as a foundational period for modern Irish political traditions such as nationalism, republicanism and unionism. The Case of Ireland offers a fresh account of Ireland's neglected role in European debates about commerce and empire in what was a global era of war and revolution. Drawing on a broad range of writings from merchants, agrarian improvers, philosophers, politicians and revolutionaries across Europe, this book shows how Ireland became a field of conflict and projection between rival visions of politics in commercial society, associated with the warring empires of Britain and France. It offers a new perspective on the crisis and transformation of the British Empire at the end of the eighteenth century, and restores Ireland to its rightful place at the centre of European intellectual history.
Autoimmune Encephalitis and Related Disorders of the Nervous System
Authors: Dalmau Josep , Graus Francesc
Published: January 2022

Autoimmune encephalitis, diseases where the immune system attacks the brain, have become a fast-moving field of study in recent years. The authors, Drs Josep Dalmau and Francesc Graus, have played pivotal roles in the discovery of these diseases. Here, they provide a comprehensive clinical guide to the differential diagnosis of these disorders, illustrated with over 200 figures, 30 videos and numerous clinical vignettes, many from their own practice. Clinical descriptions are straightforward, emphasizing distinctive diagnostic clues for each disease. The strengths and weaknesses of diagnostic tests and clinical criteria are discussed extensively, as well as the best evidence supporting the use of available treatments. There is an up-to-date description of immunological triggers and comorbidities, and well-illustrated and clearly summarized pathogenic mechanisms and disease models. Gain full HTML access of the whole book, including supplementary videos, via a scratch-off code inside the cover.
Ecology in Action
Authors: Singer Fred D.
Published: January 2022

Taking a fresh approach to integrating key concepts and research processes, this undergraduate textbook encourages students to develop an understanding of how ecologists raise and answer real-world questions. Four unique chapters describe the development and evolution of different research programs in each of ecology's core areas, showing students that research is undertaken by real people who are profoundly influenced by their social and political environments. Beginning with a case study to capture student interest, each chapter emphasizes the linkage between observations, ideas, questions, hypotheses, predictions, results, and conclusions. Discussion questions, integrated within the text, encourage active participation, and a range of end-of-chapter questions reinforce knowledge and encourage application of analytical and critical thinking skills to real ecological questions. Students are asked to analyze and interpret real data, with support from online tutorials demonstrating the R programming language for statistical analysis.
A deep-sea foraminiferal assemblage scattered through the late Cenozoic of Antarctic Peninsula and its biostratigraphic and biogeographic implications
Authors: Badaró Victor C.S. , Petri Setembrino
Published: January 2022

Our knowledge of the foraminiferal fossil record of Antarctica is notoriously patchy but still offers us an overview of its Cenozoic faunas. Few occurrences have been reported for the continent, with deep-sea assemblages described mainly for its eastern portion. Here we describe 21 taxa of large agglutinated foraminifers from the Miocene Hobbs Glacier Formation and the Plio-Pleistocene Weddell Sea Formation on Seymour Island, West Antarctica, including the giganticAmmodiscus vastusnew species. Most of them consist of genera or species typical of deep-sea agglutinated assemblages. All specimens are completely filled and partially covered by lithified micrite. This, along with the postfill fragmentation of some tests, indicates their re-elaboration from older deposits. Because all of these foraminifers share the same taphonomic features and most of them represent taxa associated with deep-sea settings, they probably represent a flysch-type assemblage from an unknown deposit that was eroded and had its microfossils scattered through post-Paleogene sediments. A Paleocene age for this putative assemblage is indicated by the presence ofReticulophragmiun garcilassoi(Frizzell, 1943), a Paleocene index fossil, and by its association with the Cretaceous–PaleoceneAmmodiscus pennyiCushman and Jarvis, 1928. If taken as a coherent foraminiferal assemblage, it represents one of the few deep-sea assemblages known for West Antarctica, and the first flysch-type assemblage recognized for the Antarctic Cenozoic. In addition, it would show that the Paleocene foraminiferal communities of the West Antarctica's deep-sea floor were more like their Pacific counterparts than their Atlantic equivalents.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/0d281489-c0c6-47b4-9884-f820806485b7
Nutraceutical and preservative potential of Acacia mearnsii and Acacia dealbata leaves for ruminant production and product quality enhancement
Authors: Uushona T. , Chikwanha O. C. , Tayengwa T. , Katiyatiya C. L. F. , Strydom P. E. , Mapiye C.
Published: January 2022

Seasonality and species are key aspects of the abiotic and biotic environment, respectively, that influence nutrient, phytochemical and antioxidant profiles of invasive alien plants leaf-meals. The current study investigated the effects of season on nutrient, amino acid, fatty acid, mineral, bioactive polyphenolic composition and antioxidant activity of Acacia mearnsii and A. dealbata leaf-meals. Overall, A. mearnsii leaf-meal harvested in the hot-dry-season had greater crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent soluble fibre, 24 and 48 h in vitro neutral detergent fibre digestibility, macro-mineral contents, individual polyphenols, C18:1n9 and C18:2n6 compared to other leaf-meals. Regardless of the season, A. mearnsii leaf-meals had greater amino acid concentrations than A. dealbata leaf-meals. Hot-dry-season leaf-meals had a greater concentration of total flavonoids than the leaf-meals in the cool-wet-season irrespective of species. Antioxidant potency composite of the Acacia leaf-meals was in the order of A. dealbata × hot-dry-season > A. mearnsii × hot-dry-season > A. mearnsii × cool-wet-season > A. dealbata × cool-wet-season. The findings suggested that A. mearnsii leaf-meal harvested in the hot-dry-season has superior nutritional and polyphenolic profiles, which could support its use as a nutraceutical and preservative for the enhancement of ruminant production and product quality compared to other leaf meals.
Older adults’ mental health information preferences: a call for more balanced information to empower older adults’ mental health help-seeking
Authors: Reynolds Kristin A. , Mackenzie Corey S. , Medved Maria , Dudok Stephanie , Koven Lesley
Published: January 2022

A small minority of older adults seek psychological help when they need it. Barriers to mental health service use among older adults include low mental health literacy and reduced opportunities for shared decision-making in health care. There is a gap in the literature examining the mental health information preferences of older adults. The objectives of this study were to describe the information preferences and predictors of preferences among older adults. In total, 229 adults aged 50 years and older in central Canada responded to a questionnaire investigating socio-demographic, psycho-social and health-related characteristics, as well as mental health information preferences. Descriptive analysis quantified participants’ ratings of information preferences and hierarchical linear regression analysis determined predictors of their preferences. Older adults rated all mental health content items as very important. Most participants preferred detailed information (two to six pages) on all treatment options (psychological, pharmacological, combined and self-help). Older adults significantly preferred discussion with a heath-care provider and written information, in comparison to other formats. Older adults also significantly preferred to consult family, friends and heath-care professionals over other sources. Socio-demographic and psycho-social characteristics accounted for some of the variance in predicting older adults’ information preferences. Findings highlight older adults’ desire to be involved in decisions concerning mental health supports. Providing balanced information concerning mental health treatment may increase empowerment in mental health help-seeking.
Re-imagining the Making of Climate Law and Policy in Citizens’ Assemblies
Authors: Duvic-Paoli Leslie-Anne
Published: January 2022

In recent years, climate citizens’ assemblies – randomly selected representative citizens gathered to make policy recommendations on greenhouse gas emissions targets – have gained in popularity as a potential innovative solution to the failure of governments to design and adopt ambitious climate change laws and policies. This article appraises the process and outcomes of three climate citizens’ assemblies held at the national level – in Ireland, France and the United Kingdom – and evaluates their contributions to the making of climate law and policy. In doing so, it first looks at whether citizens’ assemblies have the ability to improve the substance of climate law and suggests that they face difficulties in providing an integrated, holistic response to the climate problem. It then explores how citizens’ assemblies have fed into subsequent legislative processes to show their positive influence and draws lessons for our understanding of the role of citizens’ assemblies in climate lawmaking.
„Warum soll ich das lernen?“
Authors: Bußmann Katharina , Schünemann Sebastian
Published: January 2022

Zusammenfassung. Lernwiderstände sind Folge von unangemessener Lernanforderungen, die Lehrende an Schüler_innen richten. Vor allem Leistungsüberprüfungen und Leistungsdruck können Widerstände beim Lernen hervorrufen. Das kann zu negativen Emotionen wie Frustration und Hilflosigkeit beim Lernen führen. Außerdem erleben die Auszubildenden das Lernen als Zwang. Um diesen Problemen beizukommen ist es wichtig, sich die Relevanz von Lernbegründungen bewusst zu machen, damit Lernen als etwas positives wahrgenommen wird.
Hall Nature Ahead of Dipolarization Fronts in the Earth's Magnetotail: A Statistical Study for MMS Data
Authors: Wang Lei , Huang Can , Du Aimin , Ge Yasong
Published: January 2022

Dipolarization Front (DF) is an Alfvenic boundary, separating the hot and tenuous plasma of magnetic reconnection downstream from the cold and dense ambient plasma sheet. Numerous studies have shown that the electric field at the front is mainly balanced by the Hall term. Charged particles are efficiently accelerated within the front and pile‐up regions. However, the current system and associated particle dynamics in the front–plasma sheet interaction region ahead of the DF remain not well understood. Utilizing data from the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, we statistically investigate this region based on 70 DF events. Bipolar By is observed ahead of the DF, which results from earthward deflected ions and quasi‐parallel/antiparallel electrons in the interaction region. Moreover, thermal electrons and ions above 4 keV are the main carriers of the current system. Our research reveals the Hall nature ahead of the DF.
Super Dual Auroral Radar Network Expansion and Its Influence on the Derived Ionospheric Convection Pattern
Authors: Walach M.‐T. , Grocott A. , Staples F. , Thomas E. G.
Published: January 2022

The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) was built to study ionospheric convection and has in recent years been expanded geographically. Alongside software developments, this has resulted in many different versions of the convection maps data set being available. Using data from 2012 to 2018, we produce five different versions of the widely used convection maps, using limited backscatter ranges, background models and the exclusion/inclusion of data from specific radar groups such as the StormDARN radars. This enables us to simulate how much information was missing from older SuperDARN research. We study changes in the Heppner‐Maynard boundary (HMB), the cross polar cap potential (CPCP), the number of backscatter echoes (n) and the χ2/n statistic which is a measure of the global agreement between the measured and fitted velocities. We find that the CPCP is reduced when the PolarDARN radars are introduced, but then increases again when the StormDARN radars are added. When the background model is changed from the RG96 model, to the most recent TS18 model, the CPCP tends to decrease for lower values, but tends to increase for higher values. When comparing to geomagnetic indices, we find that there is on average a linear relationship between the HMB and the geomagnetic indices, as well as n, which breaks when the HMB is located at latitudes below ∼50° due to the low observational density. Whilst n is important in constraining the maps (maps with n > 400 data points are unlikely to differ), it is insufficient as the sole measure of quality.
Meteorological Conditions Favorable for Strong Anthropogenic Aerosol Impacts on Clouds
Authors: Trofimov Heido , Post Piia , Gryspeerdt Edward , Toll Velle
Published: January 2022

Ship‐track‐like polluted cloud tracks provide a direct way to study aerosol‐cloud interactions. Here, we study environmental conditions favorable for pollution tracks' formation. We study polluted cloud tracks forming downwind of localized anthropogenic air pollution hot spots of Norilsk and Cherepovets in Russia and Thompson in Canada. Polluted cloud tracks form on 20%–37% of days with liquid‐phase clouds. The large‐scale atmospheric circulation largely determines the occurrence of track‐favoring conditions. Tracks tend to form in clean and thin clouds under stable and dry conditions that are more often associated with anticyclonic large‐scale flow in the studied locations.