Monochromatic path crossing exponents and graph connectivity in 2D percolation

We consider the fractal dimensions d_k of the k-connected part of percolation clusters in two dimensions, generalizing the cluster (k=1) and backbone (k=2) dimensions. The codimensions X_k = 2-d_k describe the asymptotic decay of the probabilities P(r,R) ~ (r/R)^{X_k} that an annulus of radii r>1 is traversed by k disjoint paths, all living on the percolation clusters. Using a transfer matrix approach, we obtain numerical results for X_k, k<=6. They are well fitted by the Ansatz X_k = 1/12 k^2 + 1/48 k + (1-k)C, with C = 0.0181+-0.0006.Comment: 3 pages, 2 eps-figure

Algebraic Bethe Ansatz for the FPL^2 model

An exact solution of the model of fully packed loops of two colors on a square lattice has recently been proposed by Dei Cont and Nienhuis using the coordinate Bethe Ansatz approach. We point out here a simpler alternative, in which the transfer matrix is directly identified as a product of R-matrices; this allows to apply the (nested) algebraic Bethe Ansatz, which leads to the same Bethe equations. We comment on some of the applications of this result

Democratic lockdown, forced digitalization and blended participation of young citizens

The lockdowns implemented as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have had profound effects on many areas of society. In this blog, Paul Jacobsen and Professor Dr Norbert Kersting of the Department of Political Science at Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster write about their study on young people’s political participation during the lockdown in Germany. They found that in order to sustain online political participation, it needs to be linked to offline elements

Investing in Well-being: An Analytical Framework

The NZ Treasury is currently engaged in a project to identify cost-effective interventions to improve outcomes for children and young adults in order to maximise the value of government expenditures across the social sector. The central aim of this paper is to provide an empirically-robust framework to compare intervention across a range of social sectors. There are two key components to the framework. The first is a life-course view of child development that emphasises that experiences and influences in childhood can affect well-being throughout life. The second component involves viewing social expenditures as investments addressed at achieving particular outcomes, typically directed at enhancing well-being. The paper presents evidence from a review of the literature on how the process and experiences of childhood have a later impact on wellbeing; how child development and outcomes are influenced by individual, family and communal factors and how risk and resilience can be used to indicate that an individual is at increased or decreased risk of negative outcomes. Case studies of youth suicide, teenage pregnancy, educational underachievement and youth inactivity provide evidence about what interventions work using key empirical findings from the literature.Well-being; social investment; life-course; child development; child and adult outcomes; portfolio; intervention

A Systematic Review of the evidence for Non-surgical weight management for adults with severe obesity : What is cost effective and what are the implications for the Design of health Services?

Acknowledgements The REBALANCE team: REBALANCE Project management team were Elisabet Jacobsen (Health Economics Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK), Dwayne Boyers (Health Economics Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK), David Cooper (Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK), Lise Retat (UK Health Forum +), Paul Aveyard (Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK), Fiona Stewart (Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK), Graeme MacLennan (Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK), Laura Webber (UK Health Forum +) Emily Corbould (UK Health Forum), Benshuai Xu (UK Health Forum), Abbygail Jaccard (UK Health Forum), Bonnie Boyle (Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK), Eilidh Duncan (Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK), Michal Shimonovich (Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK), Cynthia Fraser (Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK) and Lara Kemp (Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK), Zoe Skea (Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, UK), Clare Robertson (Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, UK), Magaly Aceves-Martins (Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, UK), Alison Avenell (Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, UK), Marijn de Bruin (Radboud University Medical Center, IQ Healthcare, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands). We thank the REBALANCE Advisory Group for all their advice and support during this project: Margaret Watson, Lorna Van Lierop, Richard Clarke, Jennifer Logue, Laura Stewart, Richard Welbourn, Jamie Blackshaw and Su Sethi. +Current address HealthLumen, London. Funding This is a substantial update to the systematic review of economic evaluations that was conducted as part of our REBALANCE project. The REBALANCE project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (Project number: 15/09/04). See the HTA Programme website for further project information. The views and opinions expressed therein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Health, or the funders that provide institutional support for the authors of that report. The Health Services Research Unit and Health Economics Research Unit are core funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Enset‐based agricultural systems in Ethiopia: A systematic review of production trends, agronomy, processing and the wider food security applications of a neglected banana relative

Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) is the major starch staple of the Ethiopian Highlands, where its unique attributes enhance the food security of approximately 20 million people and have earned it the title “The Tree Against Hunger”. Yet enset‐based agriculture is virtually unknown outside of its narrow zone of cultivation, despite growing wild across much of East and Southern Africa. Here, we review historical production data to show that the area of land under enset production in Ethiopia has reportedly increased 46% in two decades, whilst yield increased 12‐fold over the same period, making enset the second most produced crop species in Ethiopia—though we critically evaluate potential issues with these data. Furthermore, we address a major challenge in the development and wider cultivation of enset, by reviewing and synthesizing the complex and fragmented agronomic and ethnobotanic knowledge associated with this species; including farming systems, processing methods, products, medicinal uses and cultural importance. Finally, we provide a framework to improve the quality, consistency and comparability of data collected across culturally diverse enset‐based agricultural systems to enhanced sustainable use of this neglected starch staple. In conclusion, we discuss the challenges and opportunities for enset cultivation beyond its restricted distribution, and the regional food security potential it could afford smallholders elsewhere in Southern and East Africa

Design Parameters of Vortex Pumps: A Meta-Analysis of Experimental Studies

Vortex pumps can impel solid-containing fluids and are therefore widely applied, from wastewater transport to the food industry. Despite constant efforts to improve vortex pumps, however, they have remained relatively inefficient compared to conventional centrifugal pumps. To find an optimized design of vortex pumps, this paper provides a systematic analysis on experimental studies that investigated how variations in geometric parameters influence vortex pump characteristics, in particular the pump head, the pressure coefficient and the efficiency for best point operation. To this end, an extensive literature search was conducted, and eighteen articles with 53 primary investigations were identified and meta-integrated. This showed that it is not yet clarified how vortex pumps operate. Two different assumptions of the underlying operating principle of a vortex pump lead to diverging design principles. From the results of this meta-analysis, we deduce recommendations for a more efficient design of a vortex pump and emphasize further aspects on the underlying operating principle of a vortex pump.DFG, 325093850, Open Access Publizieren 2017 - 2018 / Technische Universität Berli

The relationship of psychosocial factors to mammograms, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption among sisters of breast cancer patients

This study examined the relationship of psychosocial factors to health-promoting behaviors in sisters of breast cancer patients. One hundred and twenty sisters of breast cancer patients completed questionnaires assessing response efficacy of mammography screenings, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption on decreasing breast cancer risk, breast cancer worry, involvement in their sister’s cancer care, mammography screenings, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption. Results indicate that greater perceived effectiveness for mammograms was associated with a 67% increase in odds of yearly mammograms. Greater involvement in the patient’s care was associated with a 7% decrease in odds of yearly mammograms. Greater perceived effectiveness for physical activity was significantly related to greater physical activity. There was a trend for greater perceived effectiveness for fruits and vegetables to be associated with consuming more fruits and vegetables. Breast cancer worry was not significantly associated with the outcomes. While perceived effectiveness for a specific health behavior in reducing breast cancer risk was consistently related to engaging in that health behavior, women reported significantly lower perceived effectiveness for physical activity and fruits and vegetables than for mammograms. Making women aware of the health benefits of these behaviors may be important in promoting changes