bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mean-Field Limits: From Particle Descriptions to Macroscopic Equations
Authors: Carrillo José A. , Choi Young-Pil
Published: June 2021

We rigorously derive pressureless Euler-type equations with nonlocal dissipative terms in velocity and aggregation equations with nonlocal velocity fields from Newton-type particle descriptions of swarming models with alignment interactions. Crucially, we make use of a discrete version of a modulated kinetic energy together with the bounded Lipschitz distance for measures in order to control terms in its time derivative due to the nonlocal interactions.
Large extracellular vesicles in the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation—the missing link?
Authors: Zietzer Andreas , Al-Kassou Baravan , Jamme Paul , Rolfes Verena , Steffen Eva , Bulic Marko , Hosen Mohammed Rabiul , Goody Philip Roger , Tiyerili Vedat , Zimmer Sebastian , Schrickel Jan Wilko , Sedaghat Alexander , Franklin Bernardo S. , Werner Nikos , Nickenig Georg , Jansen Felix
Published: June 2021

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent arrhythmic disease in humans, which leads to thrombus formation in the left atrial appendage and stroke through peripheral embolization. Depending on their origin, large extracellular vesicles (lEVs) can exert pro-coagulant functions. In the present study, we investigated how different types of AF influence the levels of large EV subtypes in three distinct atrial localizations. Blood samples were collected from the right and left atrium and the left atrial appendage of 58 patients. 49% of the patients had permanent AF, 34% had non-permanent AF, and 17% had no history of AF. Flow cytometric analysis of the origin of the lEVs showed that the proportion of platelet-derived lEVs in the left atrial appendage was significantly higher in permanent AF patients compared to non-permanent AF. When we grouped patients according to their current heart rhythm, we also detected significantly higher levels of platelet-derived lEVs in the left atrial appendage (LAA) in patients with atrial fibrillation. In vitro studies revealed, that platelet activation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leads to higher levels of miR-222-3p and miR-223-3p in platelet-derived lEVs. Treatment with lEVs from LPS- or thrombin-activated platelets reduces the migration of endothelial cells in vitro. These results suggest that permanent atrial fibrillation is associated with increased levels of platelet-derived lEVs in the LAA, which are potentially involved in LAA thrombus formation.
A1- and A2 beta-casein on health-related outcomes: a scoping review of animal studies
Authors: Kuellenberg de Gaudry Daniela , Lohner Szimonetta , Bischoff Karin , Schmucker Christine , Hoerrlein Simone , Roeger Christine , Schwingshackl Lukas , Meerpohl Joerg J.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Food-derived bioactive peptides may influence important physiological functions. An important example is beta-casomorphins, which are opioid peptides derived from A1 beta-casein in bovine milk and have been associated to be risk factors for non-communicable diseases in humans. A1 and A2 beta-casein are different with respect to the release of bioactive peptides, in particular BCM-7. However, evidence from human studies is limited and could be complemented with evidence derived from animal studies. We conducted a scoping review to identify animal studies investigating the effects of A1 beta-casein or BCM-7 compared to A2 beta-casein or any other intervention on health-related outcomes.

Methods

We systematically searched for relevant studies in two electronic databases (Medline, Embase; last search performed March 2020). Two reviewers independently undertook study selection and data extraction of included references. Results were summarized tabularly and narratively.

Results

We included 42 studies investigating various animal models, including rats, mice, rabbits, and dogs. Six studies investigated health-related outcomes of A1- vs. A2 milk, while most studies (n = 36) reported on physiological properties (e.g., analgesic effect) of BCM-7 as an opioid peptide. Included studies were extremely heterogeneous in terms of the study population, type of intervention and dose, and type of outcome measures.

Conclusions

Only a few studies comparing the effects of A1- and A2 milk were identified. More studies addressing this research question in animal models are needed to provide essential information to inform research gaps. Results from future studies could eventually complement research for humans, particularly when the body of evidence remains uncertain as is the case in the A1- and A2 milk debate.
An ontological metamodel for cyber-physical system safety, security, and resilience coengineering
Authors: Bakirtzis Georgios , Sherburne Tim , Adams Stephen , Horowitz Barry M. , Beling Peter A. , Fleming Cody H.
Published: June 2021

Cyber-physical systems are complex systems that require the integration of diverse software, firmware, and hardware to be practical and useful. This increased complexity is impacting the management of models necessary for designing cyber-physical systems that are able to take into account a number of “-ilities”, such that they are safe and secure and ultimately resilient to disruption of service. We propose an ontological metamodel for system design that augments an already existing industry metamodel to capture the relationships between various model elements (requirements, interfaces, physical, and functional) and safety, security, and resilient considerations. Employing this metamodel leads to more cohesive and structured modeling efforts with an overall increase in scalability, usability, and unification of already existing models. In turn, this leads to a mission-oriented perspective in designing security defenses and resilience mechanisms to combat undesirable behaviors. We illustrate this metamodel in an open-source GraphQL implementation, which can interface with a number of modeling languages. We support our proposed metamodel with a detailed demonstration using an oil and gas pipeline model.
Trade agreements and international technology transfer
Authors: Martínez-Zarzoso Inmaculada , Chelala Santiago
Published: June 2021

This is the first paper that analyzes for a global sample of countries how trade agreements that include technology-related provisions impact exports of goods, and how this impact differs depending on the technology content of the goods. It includes estimations of a structural gravity model for a panel of 176 countries over the period 1995–2015. The model differentiates between provisions relating technology transfer, technical cooperation, research and development, and patents and intellectual property rights. It also estimates the differences in these effects depending on whether the trade flow in question is between countries with similar or different levels of development. The main results indicate that regional trade agreements (RTAs) that contain technology provisions generate a significantly higher volume of trade than RTAs that do not, after controlling for the depth of the RTAs. For countries that ratify RTAs that include such provisions, it is exports of technology-intensive goods that increase the most. Trade agreements including such provisions have a heterogeneous effect that varies by income level of the trading partners and depends on the extent to which the RTA incorporates other provisions.
Wild geladas (Theropithecus gelada) in crops—more than in pasture areas—reduce aggression and affiliation
Authors: Caselli Marta , Zanoli Anna , Dagradi Carlo , Gallo Alessandro , Yazezew Dereje , Tadesse Abebe , Capasso Michele , Ianniello Davide , Rinaldi Laura , Palagi Elisabetta , Norscia Ivan
Published: June 2021

Human–primate interfaces are expanding and, despite recent studies on primates from peri-urban environments, little research exists on the impact of agriculture and/or pasture areas on primate social behavior and health. We assessed how crop/pasture areas potentially alter social behavior and health of wild geladas (Theropithecus gelada) frequenting the unprotected area of Kundi (Ethiopia). We predicted that compared to pasture areas, crop areas (i) would be more challenging for geladas (prediction 1) and (ii) would have a greater impact on both aggressive and affiliative behavior, by reducing grooming time and enhancing competition (prediction 2). During January–May 2019 and December 2019–February 2020, we collected data (via scan, focal animal sampling, and video analyses) on direct human disturbance, external signs of pathologies and social behavior of 140 individuals from 14 one-male units and two all-male units. Animals experienced the highest level of human disturbance in crop areas (in line with prediction 1). Individuals from the groups preferentially frequenting crop areas showed the highest prevalence of external signs of pathologies consistent with chemical and biological contamination (alopecia/abnormally swollen parts). We collected 48 fecal samples. Samples from frequent crop users contained the highest rates of parasitic elements/gram (egg/larva/oocyst/cyst) from Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, a parasite common in human settlements of the Amhara region. In crop areas, subjects spent less time grooming but engaged in lower rates of intense aggression (in partial agreement with prediction 2). We speculate that the reduction in social behavior may be a tactic adopted by geladas to minimize the likelihood of detection and maximize food intake while foraging in crops.
Viral Prevalence in Wild Serval Population is Driven by Season and Sex
Authors: Loock Daan J. E. , Rendón-Franco Emilio , Williams Samual T. , van Niekerk Johan , Swanepoel Lourens H.
Published: June 2021

One of the key factors influencing the population dynamics of threatened species such as felids is disease, but long-term studies of the factors influencing seroprevalence of wild felids are extremely rare, hindering conservation efforts. We set out to determine seroprevalence of six viral diseases (feline panleukopenia virus, feline leukemia virus, feline coronavirus, feline calicivirus, feline herpes virus, and feline immunodeficiency virus) among a population of serval (Leptailurus serval) with an extremely high density in South Africa. We captured 55 individuals over four years and screened blood samples for antibodies to each virus. We found that seroprevalence were high (ranging from 30.0% positive for a single virus to 1.8% positive for up to five viruses) and that seroprevalence was influenced by season and sex, but not body condition. We suggest further monitoring of this population and recommend that long-term studies are conducted for serval and other felids to determine whether these trends are representative on a broader scale.
The triple-deck stage of marginal separation
Authors: Braun Stefan , Scheichl Stefan , Kuzdas Dominik
Published: June 2021

The method of matched asymptotic expansions is applied to the investigation of transitional separation bubbles. The problem-specific Reynolds number is assumed to be large and acts as the primary perturbation parameter. Four subsequent stages can be identified as playing key roles in the characterization of the incipient laminar–turbulent transition process: due to the action of an adverse pressure gradient, a classical laminar boundary layer is forced to separate marginally (I). Taking into account viscous–inviscid interaction then enables the description of localized, predominantly steady, reverse flow regions (II). However, certain conditions (e.g. imposed perturbations) may lead to a finite-time breakdown of the underlying reduced set of equations. The ensuing consideration of even shorter spatio-temporal scales results in the flow being governed by another triple-deck interaction. This model is capable of both resolving the finite-time singularity and reproducing the spike formation (III) that, as known from experimental observations and direct numerical simulations, sets in prior to vortex shedding at the rear of the bubble. Usually, the triple-deck stage again terminates in the form of a finite-time blow-up. The study of this event gives rise to a noninteracting Euler–Prandtl stage (IV) associated with unsteady separation, where the vortex wind-up and shedding process takes place. The focus of the present paper lies on the triple-deck stage III and is twofold: firstly, a comprehensive numerical investigation based on a Chebyshev collocation method is presented. Secondly, a composite asymptotic model for the regularization of the ill-posed Cauchy problem is developed.
Optimal control of the Sabatier process in microchannel reactors
Authors: Blauth Sebastian , Leithäuser Christian , Pinnau René
Published: June 2021

We consider the optimization of a chemical microchannel reactor by means of PDE-constrained optimization techniques, using the example of the Sabatier reaction. To model the chemically reacting flow in the microchannels, we introduce a three- and a one-dimensional model. As these are given by strongly coupled and highly nonlinear systems of partial differential equations (PDEs), we present our software package cashocs which implements the adjoint approach and facilitates the numerical solution of the subsequent optimization problems. We solve a parameter identification problem numerically to determine necessary kinetic parameters for the models from experimental data given in the literature. The obtained results show excellent agreement to the measurements. Finally, we present two optimization problems for optimizing the reactor’s product yield. First, we use a tracking-type cost functional to maximize the reactant conversion, keep the flow rate of the reactor fixed, and use its wall temperature as optimization variable. Second, we consider the wall temperature and the inlet gas velocity as optimization variables, use an objective functional for maximizing the flow rate in the reactor, and ensure the quality of the product by means of a state constraint. The results obtained from solving these problems numerically show great potential for improving the design of the microreactor.
Thermophysics Analysis of Office Buildings with a Temperature–Humidity Coupling Strategy Under Hot-Arid Climatic Conditions
Authors: Bensafi Mohammed , Ameur Houari , Kaid Noureddine , Hoseinzadeh Siamak , Memon Saim , Garcia Davide Astiaso
Published: June 2021

This study investigates the determining parameters of thermal comfort of office in an arid hot-arid environment of Bechar, located in the northwestern region of Algeria, in which the vertical walls of the room and the roof are subjected to solar irradiations and the floor is considered to be adiabatic. The solar flux is calculated by the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) method. The predicted results are validated against the experimental results of the meteorological station of the ENERGARID research laboratory at the University of Bechar (Algeria). The characteristics of the ambient air flow are performed by using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software (Fluent). The flow fields, thermal fields, and humidity are investigated. An elaborated computer program (with Delphi language) is utilized to evaluate the temperature–humidity coupling as the most essential factors of the thermal comfort. A significant impact of dynamic temperatures and humidity on thermal comfort has been observed, especially in this hot-arid environment. Besides, a considerable effect of the flow velocity has been remarked. From the obtained results and to provide the best thermal comfort in such arid regions, the range of air velocity inside the building is recommended to be between 0.2 m·s−1 and 0.3 m·s−1.
Optimal Space Trajectories with Multiple Coast Arcs Using Modified Equinoctial Elements
Authors: Pontani Mauro
Published: June 2021

The detection of optimal trajectories with multiple coast arcs represents a significant and challenging problem of practical relevance in space mission analysis. Two such types of optimal paths are analyzed in this study: (a) minimum-time low-thrust trajectories with eclipse intervals and (b) minimum-fuel finite-thrust paths. Modified equinoctial elements are used to describe the orbit dynamics. Problem (a) is formulated as a multiple-arc optimization problem, and additional, specific multipoint necessary conditions for optimality are derived. These yield the jump conditions for the costate variables at the transitions from light to shadow (and vice versa). A sequential solution methodology capable of enforcing all the multipoint conditions is proposed and successfully applied in an illustrative numerical example. Unlike several preceding researches, no regularization or averaging is required to make tractable and solve the problem. Moreover, this work revisits problem (b), formulated as a single-arc optimization problem, while emphasizing the substantial analytical differences between minimum-fuel paths and problem (a). This study also proves the existence and provides the derivation of the closed-form expressions for the costate variables (associated with equinoctial elements) along optimal coast arcs.
An early warning system for wave-driven coastal flooding at Imperial Beach, CA
Authors: Merrifield Mark A. , Johnson Mele , Guza R. T. , Fiedler Julia W. , Young Adam P. , Henderson Cassandra S. , Lange Athina M. Z. , O’Reilly William C. , Ludka Bonnie C. , Okihiro Michele , Gallien Timu , Pappas Kyle , Engeman Laura , Behrens James , Terrill Eric
Published: June 2021

Waves overtop berms and seawalls along the shoreline of Imperial Beach (IB), CA when energetic winter swell and high tide coincide. These intermittent, few-hour long events flood low-lying areas and pose a growing inundation risk as sea levels rise. To support city flood response and management, an IB flood warning system was developed. Total water level (TWL) forecasts combine predictions of tides and sea-level anomalies with wave runup estimates based on incident wave forecasts and the nonlinear wave model SWASH. In contrast to widely used empirical runup formulas that rely on significant wave height and peak period, and use only a foreshore slope for bathymetry, the SWASH model incorporates spectral incident wave forcing and uses the cross-shore depth profile. TWL forecasts using a SWASH emulator demonstrate skill several days in advance. Observations set TWL thresholds for minor and moderate flooding. The specific wave and water level conditions that lead to flooding, and key contributors to TWL uncertainty, are identified. TWL forecast skill is reduced by errors in the incident wave forecast and the one-dimensional runup model, and lack of information of variable beach morphology (e.g., protective sand berms can erode during storms). Model errors are largest for the most extreme events. Without mitigation, projected sea-level rise will substantially increase the duration and severity of street flooding. Application of the warning system approach to other locations requires incident wave hindcasts and forecasts, numerical simulation of the runup associated with local storms and beach morphology, and model calibration with flood observations.
Do Colleges Perform the Same Following Developmental Education Reform? The Case of Florida’s Senate Bill 1720
Authors: Hu Xinye , Hu Shouping
Published: June 2021

Developmental education (DE) reform took place among the 28 Florida College System (FCS) institutions in 2014. In this study, we examine how cohort-based passing rates in college-level English and math courses changed at different colleges for pre- and post-policy period and explore what institutional characteristics were related with various institutional trajectories of cohort-based course passing rates in the post-policy period. Employing longitudinal data analysis, we found that colleges performed similarly regarding cohort-based passing rates in both college-level English and combined math courses before DE reform and had a similar elevation in the cohort-based English course passing rates when DE reform took place in 2014. However, colleges experienced different change patterns in the years following DE reform. Specifically, colleges located in rural areas and with more White students experienced relatively lower college-level English passing rates in the post-policy period than their counterparts. Different colleges had slight differences in the trajectory of college-level math passing rates by cohort after SB 1720 in 2014, but institutional characteristics in this study did not adequately capture inter-institutional differences.
From Shared Enaction to Intrinsic Value. How Enactivism Contributes to Environmental Ethics
Authors: Werner Konrad , Kiełkowicz-Werner Magdalena
Published: June 2021

Two major philosophical movements have sought to fundamentally rethink the relationship between humans and their environment(s): environmental ethics and enactivism. Surprisingly, they virtually never refer to or seek inspiration from each other. The goal of this analysis is to bridge the gap. Our main purpose, then, is to address, from the enactivist angle, the conceptual backbone of environmental ethics, namely the concept of intrinsic value. We argue that intrinsic value does indeed exist, yet its "intrinsicality" does not boil down to being independent of the interests and needs of humans. Rather, it is brought forth by what we callshared enactionof an axiological domain. The latter is built upon such core posits of enactivism as autonomy, enaction, participatory sense-making as well as the most recent concept of loving as knowing proposed by Hanne De Jaegher.
Effects of thermal treatments on characteristics and morphological variations in the deposits of urea-SCR systems
Authors: Prabhu S Sadashiva , Natesan Kapilan , Nayak Nagaraj Shivappa
Published: June 2021

Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems are employed by automobile manufacturers for the abatement of environmental pollutants like oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emitted from exhaust gases of diesel engines. In SCR, the urea-water solution (UWS) is injected to exhaust gases in the form of a spray to generate the reducing agent NH3. Deposit formation at lower temperatures is a major concern with this technology. The deposits not only create backpressure but also leak NH3 to the environment as they deplete. It is very important to know the depletion characteristics of deposits formed at lower temperatures in order to assess the NH3 leakage to the environment when the engine exhaust gases attain higher temperatures. In the present work, deposits formed at a low-temperature range of 150–200°C for continuous run along with UWS injection were investigated. Additionally, they were aged at 300°C in the absence of UWS to check the variation in characteristics with the rise of temperature. By gravimetric analysis, it is inferred that the deposits formed at higher pre-age temperatures are less prone to depletion as the temperature increases. The elemental analysis using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) indicates slight variation in carbon, nitrogen and oxygen compositions for all the pre-age conditions. As an extended study, the byproducts at pre-age and post-age conditions were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD). The compounds like cyanuric acid (CYA) and biuret were not observed when pre-age samples were aged at 300°C. Instead, the compounds like ammelide, ammeline, triuret and melamine were observed. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) study revealed morphological changes in both pre-age and post-age samples. Further, the crystallinity variations were also observed for the changes in the heating cycles during deposit formation. The gravimetric analysis of deposits in pre-age and post-age conditions helps in predicting the amount of deposits for transient load cycles.
Staphylococci and fecal bacteria as bioaerosol components in animal housing facilities in the Zoological Garden in Chorzów
Authors: Grzyb Jacek , Pawlak Krzysztof
Published: June 2021

Zoos are places open for a large number of visitors, adults and children, who can admire exotic as well as indigenous animal species. The premises for animals may contain pathogenic microbes, including those exhibiting antibiotic resistance. It poses a threat to people remaining within the zoo premises, both for animal keepers who meet animals on a daily basis and visitors who infrequently have contact with animals. There are almost no studies concerning the presence on the concentration of airborne bacteria, especially staphylococci and fecal bacteria in animal shelters in the zoo. There is no data about antibiotic resistance of staphylococci in these places. The results will enable to determine the scale of the threat that indicator bacteria from the bioaerosol pose to human health within zoo premises. This study conducted in rooms for 5 animals group (giraffes, camels, elephants, kangaroos, and Colobinae (species of monkey)) in the Silesian Zoological Garden in Chorzów (Poland). The bioaerosol samples were collected using a six-stage Andersen cascade impactor to assess the concentrations and size distribution of airborne bacteria. Staphylococci were isolated from bioaerosol and tested for antibiotic resistance. In our study, the highest contamination of staphylococci and fecal bacteria was recorded in rooms for camels and elephants, and the lowest in rooms for Colobinae. At least 2/3 of bacteria in bioaerosol constituted respirable fraction that migrates into the lower respiratory tract of the people. In investigated animal rooms, the greatest bacteria contribution was recorded for bioaerosol fraction sized 1.1–3.3μm. Bacterial concentrations were particularly strong in spring and autumn, what is related to shedding fur by animals. Among the isolated staphylococci which most often occurred were Staphylococcus succinus, S. sciuri, and S. vitulinus. The highest antibiotic resistance was noted in the case of Staphylococcus epidermidis, while the lowest for S. xylosus. In addition to standard cleaning of animal rooms, periodic disinfection should be considered. Cleaning should be carried out wet, which should reduce dust, and thus the concentrations of bacteria in the air of animal enclosures.
Geheimnisse in der Supervision von Psychotherapeut/innen in Ausbildung und Motive dafür
Authors: De Luca Anna-Lorena
Published: June 2021

Geheimnisse sind omnipräsent: 97 % der Menschen haben mindestens ein Geheimnis, von dem niemand weiß. Die allgemeine Geheimnisforschung hat in den letzten Jahren zugenommen, fehlt aber noch im Supervisionsbereich. In einer anonymisierten Online-Befragung von Psychotherapeut/innen in Ausbildung (PiA) zeigte sich: Die häufigsten Geheimnisse in der Supervision sind, dass die Supervision keine Hilfe ist, die PiAs sich nicht ernst genommen fühlen und dass sich die Konzeptionen von PiAs von denen ihrer Supervisor/innen unterscheiden. Die häufigsten Motive für Geheimhaltung sind Scham, Bedenken um das eigene Ansehen und Selbstschutz. Supervisor/innen sollten vor allem offen, wertschätzend und vertrauensvoll sein, damit ihnen Geheimnisse anvertraut werden.
Wer kann, der coacht: Ein Instrument zur Messung interpersoneller Coach-Fähigkeiten
Authors: Müller Alessa Antonia , Möller Heidi
Published: June 2021

Es wird ein aus der Psychotherapieforschung stammendes, an Coaching adaptiertes Ratingmanual zur Messung interpersoneller Fähigkeiten vorgestellt. Es wurden Ratings für 18 Audioaufnahmen von dyadischen Coachingsitzungen von neun Coaches-in-Weiterbildung erstellt, die zu Beginn der Weiterbildung und ein Jahr später durchgeführt wurden. Das interpersonelle Verhalten und die Entwicklung der Kompetenzen von zwei Coaches-in-Weiterbildung werden exemplarisch dargestellt. Die Autorinnen ziehen das Fazit, dass sich das Instrument dazu eignet, objektive, valide und reliable Bewertungen der interpersonellen Kompetenzen von Coaches zu erstellen. Es wird ein Ausblick auf die praktische Relevanz in Weiterbildung und Coachingpraxis und zukünftige Forschung gegeben.
Human Q Fever on the Guiana Shield and Brazil: Recent Findings and Remaining Questions
Authors: Epelboin Loïc , Eldin Carole , Thill Pauline , de Santi Vincent Pommier , Abboud Philippe , Walter Gaëlle , Melzani Alessia , Letertre-Gibert Paule , Perez Lucas , Demar Magalie , Boutrou Mathilde , Fernandes Jorlan , Cermeño Julman Rosiris , Panizo Maria Mercedes , Vreden Stephen GS , Djossou Félix , Beillard Emmanuel , de Waard Jacobus H. , de Lemos Elba Regina Sampaio
Published: June 2021

Purpose of Review

In this review, we report on the state of knowledge about human Q fever in Brazil and on the Guiana Shield, an Amazonian region located in northeastern South America. There is a contrast between French Guiana, where the incidence of this disease is the highest in the world, and other countries where this disease is practically non-existent.

Recent Findings

Recent findings are essentially in French Guiana where a unique strain MST17 has been identified; it is probably more virulent than those usually found with a particularly marked pulmonary tropism, a mysterious animal reservoir, a geographical distribution that raises questions.

Q fever is a bacterial zoonosis due to Coxiella burnetii that has been reported worldwide. On the Guiana Shield, a region mostly covered by Amazonian forest, which encompasses the Venezuelan State of Bolivar, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and the Brazilian State of Amapá, the situation is very heterogeneous. While French Guiana is the region reporting the highest incidence of this disease in the world, with a single infecting clone (MST 117) and a unique epidemiological cycle, it has hardly ever been reported in other countries in the region. This absence of cases raises many questions and is probably due to massive under-diagnosis. Studies should estimate comprehensively the true burden of this disease in the region.
Time-Resolved Force Measurements to Determine Positioning Tolerances for Impulse-Based Indentations
Authors: Valentino Tobias , Höhmann Marian , Schünemann Kevin , Wentzler Jonas , Wünderlich Tim , Radel Tim , Vollertsen Frank
Published: June 2021

High-throughput experimentation methods determine characteristic values, which are correlated with material properties by means of mathematical models. Here, an indentation method based on laser-induced shock waves is presented, which predicts the material properties, such as hardness and tensile strength, by the induced plastic deformation in the substrate material. The shock wave pushes a spherical indenter inside a substrate material. For reproducible indentations, the applied load is of importance. To compare different processes and process parameters, the measured plastic deformation is normalized by the applied load. However, eccentric irradiation leads to altered beam profiles on the surface of spherical indenters and the angle of incidence is changed. Thus, the influence of eccentric irradiation is studied with an adapted time-resolved force measurement setup to determine the required positioning tolerances. The spherical indenter is placed inside a cylindrical pressure cell to increase the laser-induced shock pressure. From the validated time-resolved force measurement method we derive that deviations from the indentation forces are acceptable, when the lateral deviation of the beam center, which depends only on the alignment of the setup, does not exceed ± 0.4 mm. A vertical displacement from the focus position between -3.0 mm and + 2.0 mm still leads to acceptable deviations from the indentation force.
Discrete element model for general polyhedra
Authors: Neto Alfredo Gay , Wriggers Peter
Published: June 2021

We present a version of the Discrete Element Method considering the particles as rigid polyhedra. The Principle of Virtual Work is employed as basis for a multibody dynamics model. Each particle surface is split into sub-regions, which are tracked for contact with other sub-regions of neighboring particles. Contact interactions are modeled pointwise, considering vertex-face, edge-edge, vertex-edge and vertex-vertex interactions. General polyhedra with triangular faces are considered as particles, permitting multiple pointwise interactions which are automatically detected along the model evolution. We propose a combined interface law composed of a penalty and a barrier approach, to fulfill the contact constraints. Numerical examples demonstrate that the model can handle normal and frictional contact effects in a robust manner. These include simulations of convex and non-convex particles, showing the potential of applicability to materials with complex shaped particles such as sand and railway ballast.
Why and how should we promote home dialysis for patients with end-stage kidney disease during and after the coronavirus 2019 disease pandemic? A French perspective
Authors: Rostoker Guy , Issad Belkacem , Fessi Hafedh , Massy Ziad A.
Published: June 2021

The health crisis induced by the pandemic of coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) has had a major impact on dialysis patients in France. The incidence of infection with acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic was 3.3% among dialysis patients—13 times higher than in the general population. The corresponding mortality rate was high, reaching 21%. As of 19th April, 2021, the cumulative prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in French dialysis patients was 14%. Convergent scientific data from France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Canada show that home dialysis reduces the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection by a factor of at least two. Unfortunately, home dialysis in France is not sufficiently developed: the proportion of dialysis patients being treated at home is only 7%. The obstacles to the provision of home care for patients with end-stage kidney disease in France include (i) an unfavourable pricing policy for home haemodialysis and nurse visits for assisted peritoneal dialysis (PD), (ii) insufficient training in home dialysis for nephrologists, (iii) the small number of administrative authorizations for home dialysis programs, and (iv) a lack of structured, objective information on renal replacement therapies for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). We propose a number of pragmatic initiatives that could be simultaneously enacted to improve the situation in three areas: (i) the provision of objective information on renal replacement therapies for patients with advanced CKD, (ii) wider authorization of home dialysis networks and (iii) price increases in favour of home dialysis procedures.
Functionalized Materials as a Versatile Platform for Enzyme Immobilization in Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Kołodziejczak-Radzimska Agnieszka , Nghiem Long D. , Jesionowski Teofil
Published: June 2021

Purpose of Review

Untreated wastewater discharge can significantly and negatively impact the state of the environment. Rapid industrialization and economic development have directly contributed to land and water pollution resulting from the application of many chemicals such as organic dyes, pharmaceuticals, and industrial reagents. The removal of these chemicals before effluent discharge is crucial for environmental protection. This review aims to explore the importance of functionalized materials in the preparation of biocatalytic systems and consider their application in eliminating water pollutants.

Recent Findings

Wastewater treatment methods can be classified into three groups: (i) chemical (e.g., chemical oxidation and ozonation), (ii) physical (e.g., membrane separation and ion exchange), and (iii) biological processes. Biological treatment is the most widely used method due to its cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness. In particular, the use of immobilized enzymes has recently become more attractive as a result of scientific progress in advanced material synthesis. The selection of an appropriate support plays an important role in the preparation of such biologically active systems. Recent studies have demonstrated the use of various materials for enzyme immobilization in the purification of water.

This review identifies and discusses different biocatalytic systems used in the enzymatic degradation of various water pollutants. Materials functionalized by specific groups can serve as good support matrices for enzyme immobilization, providing chemical and thermal stability to support catalytic reactions. Enzymatic biocatalysis converts the pollutants into simpler products, which are usually less toxic than their parents. Due to immobilization, the enzyme can be used over multiple cycles to reduce the cost of wastewater treatment. Future studies in this field should focus on developing new platforms for enzyme immobilization in order to improve degradation efficiency.
A hybrid ant colony algorithm based on multiple strategies for the vehicle routing problem with time windows
Authors: Wu Hongguang , Gao Yuelin , Wang Wanting , Zhang Ziyu
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we propose a vehicle routing problem with time windows (TWVRP). In this problem, we consider a hard time constraint that the fleet can only serve customers within a specific time window. To solve this problem, a hybrid ant colony (HACO) algorithm is proposed based on ant colony algorithm and mutation operation. The HACO algorithm proposed has three innovations: the first is to update pheromones with a new method; the second is the introduction of adaptive parameters; and the third is to add the mutation operation. A famous Solomon instance is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. Experimental results show that HACO algorithm is effective against solving the problem of vehicle routing with time windows. Besides, the proposed algorithm also has practical implications for vehicle routing problem and the results show that it is applicable and effective in practical problems.
Labour Market Regulation and Youth Unemployment in the EU-28
Authors: Liotti Giorgio
Published: June 2021

The rise of youth unemployment has been one of the most serious problems which policymakers have had to deal with over the last two decades. Neoclassical economic theory suggests that the deregulation (i.e. higher flexibility) of the labour market stimulates firms to hire young people and—therefore—reduces youth unemployment. The aim of this study is to empirically test the validity of this hypothesis, analysing data on youth unemployment and labour market regulation index (LMRI) for 28 European countries in the period between 2000 and 2018. The empirical results—using two different econometric techniques (time and fixed effects that allows to take into account the presence of heterogeneity of countries in the model and pooling mean group (PMG) estimator providing results about the short and long run relationship between LMRI and youth unemployment)—do not provide evidence in support of the neoclassical hypothesis. In particular, the effect of higher flexibility of the labour market is negative and statistically significant (at 1%) only when a dummy variable for the Eastern country group is included in the model. Vice-versa, the paper shows that higher economic growth and higher investment in active labour market policy represent the key variables to reduce the youth unemployment. In conclusion, the paper raises many doubts that the introduction of flexibility measures in itself can represent a useful tool to counteract the increase of youth unemployment in Europe.
Design Engineering, Synthesis Protocols, and Energy Applications of MOF-Derived Electrocatalysts
Authors: Radwan Amr , Jin Huihui , He Daping , Mu Shichun
Published: June 2021

The core reactions for fuel cells, rechargeable metal–air batteries, and hydrogen fuel production are the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which are heavily dependent on the efficiency of electrocatalysts. Enormous attempts have previously been devoted in non-noble electrocatalysts born out of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for ORR, OER, and HER applications, due to the following advantageous reasons: (i) The significant porosity eases the electrolyte diffusion; (ii) the supreme catalyst–electrolyte contact area enhances the diffusion efficiency; and (iii) the electronic conductivity can be extensively increased owing to the unique construction block subunits for MOFs-derived electrocatalysis. Herein, the recent progress of MOFs-derived electrocatalysts including synthesis protocols, design engineering, DFT calculations roles, and energy applications is discussed and reviewed. It can be concluded that the elevated ORR, OER, and HER performances are attributed to an advantageously well-designed high-porosity structure, significant surface area, and plentiful active centers. Furthermore, the perspectives of MOF-derived electrocatalysts for the ORR, OER, and HER are presented.
Constructing Race and Ethnicity: “It Has to Do with Where You Are”
Authors: Carney Nikita
Published: June 2021

Drawing from the lived experiences of Haitian women in Boston and Montreal, this study illustrates how ethnography can augment understandings of race and place in demography by complementing quantitative analyses, showing how race is constructed across place through daily micro-interactions. Building on the work of demographers who examine how race shifts over time and place, this article challenges the practice of engaging with race as a fixed or static category to consider how race is constructed across place, highlighting the nuances of race that are sometimes lost in quantitative studies. The multi-sited ethnographic methodology employed in this study is uniquely suited to uncovering the specificities of race and place. The findings reveal that Haitian women experience race differently in Montreal and in Boston, based largely on the historical context of each place. Haitians in Boston experienced intraracial tensions with African Americans, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s, that shaped their experiences of race and place, while Haitians in Montreal at the same time experienced Blackness that was closely tied with xenophobia in the French Canadian context. The Haitian women in this study experienced race, place, gender, ethnicity, and class simultaneously, necessitating an intersectional approach to understanding the effects of race in and on their daily lives.
Correction to: Effects of Maruca vitrata multi-nucleopolyhedrovirus and neem oil, Azadirachta indica Juss on the eggs of the cowpea pod borer, Maruca vitrata Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)
Authors: Traoré F. , Waongo A. , Ba M. N. , Dabiré C. , Sanon A. , Tamò M. , Pittendrigh B. R.
Published: June 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-021-00548-x
Honesty‐Humility and unethical behavior in adolescents: The mediating role of moral disengagement and the moderating role of system justification☆
Authors: Guo Zhen , Li Wenqi , Yang Ying , Kou Yu
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Honesty‐Humility represents the tendency to be fair, genuine, and cooperative in social interactions. Although previous evidence has demonstrated that Honesty‐Humility is related to decreased unethical behavior, little is known about the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relationship, especially among adolescents. Based on social cognitive theory and system justification theory, the present study aims to examine the mediating role of moral disengagement and the moderating role of system justification in the relationship between Honesty‐Humility and unethical behavior among Chinese adolescents.

Methods

A large sample of Chinese adolescents (N = 2,576, 47% boys; Mage = 17.00 years, SD = 1.07) was recruited from four senior high schools. The participants completed questionnaires regarding Honesty‐Humility, moral disengagement, system justification, and unethical behavior.

Results

The findings suggested that Honesty‐Humility was negatively associated with adolescents’ unethical behavior, and moral disengagement partially mediated this negative association. Furthermore, system justification moderated the mediation model. Specifically, the negative relationships between Honesty‐Humility and moral disengagement/unethical behavior were stronger among adolescents who perceive the society as fair.

Conclusion

These findings advance the understanding of when and how Honesty‐Humility prevents adolescents from unethical behavior. The theoretical and practical implications of the current study as well as future research directions are discussed.
Negotiating medical services in the Madras Presidency: the subordinate perspectives (1882–1935)
Authors: Chakraborty Arnab
Published: June 2021

The historiography of western medicine in colonial India has predominantly been analysed from the perspectives of the elite services – the Indian Medical Service (IMS) and their recruits. Unfortunately, perceiving colonial medical practices through the lens of the IMS has remained inadequate to provide a nuanced understanding of the role played by Indians in the semi-urban and rural areas of colonial India. This article examines the contributions of local administration and the role played by the recruits of the Subordinate Medical Service. This article uses the Madras Presidency as its case study and focusses on the medical subordinates who were pivotal in establishing a western medical tradition in the region. This will shift the urban-centric focus and examine mostly the rural parts of the presidency, in particular, the district hospitals and dispensaries located in the districts,taluksand villages. The article analyses the transformation in the Madras medical administration from the late nineteenth century until 1935 to argue how subordinates were the ones controlling the local medical services, and thus pulling the strings of health administration in the presidency. This will also demonstrate the uniqueness of Madras and how it disseminated western medical care with an active participation and involvement of the local residents.
A Preliminary Test of the Impact of De-Globalization on MNC Performance
Authors: Peretz Hilla , Morley Michael J.
Published: June 2021

We offer a preliminary examination of whether national and organizational level contexts amplify or reduce the effects of de-globalization on the performance of MNCs. Theoretically, we borrow ideas from both event system theory and institutional fit to propose a model explicating key dimensions of the relationship between de-globalization, national and organizational context, and MNC performance. We then test our ideas using data assembled from 283 MNCs in 20 countries. We find that while de-globalization has a negative effect on MNC performance, national and organizational level contextual endowments do moderate this relationship. We discuss some implications of our findings and highlight attendant limitations.
Who Not What: The Logic of China's Information Control Strategy
Authors: Gallagher Mary , Miller Blake
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we examine how the Chinese state controls social media. While social media companies are responsible for censoring their platforms, they also selectively report certain users to the government. This article focuses on understanding the logic behind media platforms’ decisions to report users or content to the government. We find that content is less relevant than commonly thought. Information control efforts often focus on who is posting rather than on what they are posting. The state permits open discussion and debate on social media while controlling and managing influential social forces that may challenge the party-state's hegemonic position. We build on Schurmann's “ideology and organization,” emphasizing the Party's goals of embedding itself in all social structures and limiting the ability of non-Party individuals, networks or groups to carve out a separate space for leadership and social status. In the virtual public sphere, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to apply these principles to co-opt, repress and limit the reach of influential non-Party “thought leaders.” We find evidence to support this logic through qualitative and quantitative analysis of leaked censorship documents from a social media company and government documents on information control.