bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole‐brain quantitative CEST MRI at 7T using parallel transmission methods and correction
Authors: Liebert Andrzej , Tkotz Katharina , Herrler Jürgen , Linz Peter , Mennecke Angelika , German Alex , Liebig Patrick , Gumbrecht Rene , Schmidt Manuel , Doerfler Arnd , Uder Michael , Zaiss Moritz , Nagel Armin M.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To enable whole‐brain quantitative CEST MRI at ultra‐high magnetic field strengths (B0 ≥ 7T) within short acquisition times.

Methods

Multiple interleaved mode saturation (MIMOSA) was combined with fast online‐customized (FOCUS) parallel transmission (pTx) excitation pulses and correction to achieve homogenous whole‐brain coverage. Examinations of 13 volunteers were performed on a 7T MRI system with 3 different types of pulse sequences: (1) saturation in circular polarized (CP) mode and CP mode readout, (2) MIMOSA and CP readout, and (3) MIMOSA and FOCUS readout. For comparison, the inverse magnetic transfer ratio metric for relayed nuclear Overhauser effect and amide proton transfer were calculated. To investigate the number of required acquisitions for a good correction, 4 volunteers were measured with 6 different B1 amplitudes. Finally, time point repeatability was investigated for 6 volunteers.

Results

MIMOSA FOCUS sequence using correction, with both single and multiple points, reduced inhomogeneity of the CEST contrasts around the occipital lobe and cerebellum. Results indicate that the most stable inter‐subject coefficient of variation was achieved using the MIMOSA FOCUS sequence. Time point repeatability of MIMOSA FOCUS with single‐point correction showed a maximum coefficient of variation below 8% for 3 measurements in a single volunteer.

Conclusion

A combination of MIMOSA FOCUS with a single‐point correction can be used to achieve quantitative CEST measurements at ultra‐high magnetic field strengths. Compared to previous correction methods, acquisition time can be reduced as additional scans required for correction can be omitted.
Measurement of cellular‐interstitial water exchange time in tumors based on diffusion‐time‐dependent diffusional kurtosis imaging
Authors: Zhang Jin , Lemberskiy Gregory , Moy Linda , Fieremans Els , Novikov Dmitry S. , Kim Sungheon Gene
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To assess the feasibility of using diffusion‐time‐dependent diffusional kurtosis imaging (tDKI) to measure cellular‐interstitial water exchange time (τex) in tumors, both in animals and in humans.

Methods

Preclinical tDKI studies at 7 T were performed with the GL261 glioma model and the 4T1 mammary tumor model injected into the mouse brain. Clinical studies were performed at 3 T with women who had biopsy‐proven invasive ductal carcinoma. tDKI measurement was conducted using a diffusion‐weighted STEAM pulse sequence with multiple diffusion times (20‐800 ms) at a fixed echo time, while keeping the b‐values the same (0‐3000 s/mm2) by adjusting the diffusion gradient strength. The tDKI data at each diffusion time t were used for a weighted linear least‐squares fit method to estimate the diffusion‐time‐dependent diffusivity, D(t), and diffusional kurtosis, K(t).

Results

Both preclinical and clinical studies showed that, when diffusion time t ≥ 200 ms, D(t) did not have a noticeable change while K(t) decreased monotonically with increasing diffusion time in tumors and t ≥ 100 ms for the cortical ribbon of the mouse brain. The estimated τex averaged median and interquartile range (IQR) of GL261 and 4T1 tumors were 93 (IQR = 89) ms and 68 (78) ms, respectively. For the cortical ribbon, the estimated τex averaged median and IQR were 41 (34) ms for C57BL/6 and 30 (17) ms for BALB/c. For invasive ductal carcinoma, the estimated τex median and IQR of the two breast cancers were 70 (94) and 106 (92) ms.

Conclusion

The results of this proof‐of‐concept study substantiate the feasibility of using tDKI to measure cellular‐interstitial water exchange time without using an exogenous contrast agent.
Influence of portal vein occlusion on portal flow and liver elasticity in an animal model
Authors: Chatelin Simon , Pop Raoul , Giraudeau Céline , Ambarki Khalid , Jin Ning , Séverac François , Breton Elodie , Vappou Jonathan
Published: February 2021

Hepatic fibrosis causes an increase in liver stiffness, a parameter measured by elastography and widely used as a diagnosis method. The concomitant presence of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) implies a change in hepatic portal inflow that could also affect liver elasticity. The main objective of this study is to determine the extent to which the presence of portal occlusion can affect the mechanical properties of the liver and potentially lead to misdiagnosis of fibrosis and hepatic cirrhosis by elastography. Portal vein occlusion was generated by insertion and inflation of a balloon catheter in the portal vein of four swines. The portal flow parameters peak flow (PF) and peak velocity magnitude (PVM) and liver mechanical properties (shear modulus) were then investigated using 4D‐flow MRI and MR elastography, respectively, for progressive obstructions of the portal vein. Experimental results indicate that the reduction of the intrahepatic venous blood flow (PF/PVM decreases of 29.3%/8.5%, 51.0%/32.3% and 83.3%/53.6%, respectively) measured with 50%, 80% and 100% obstruction of the portal vein section results in a decrease of liver stiffness by 0.8% ± 0.1%, 7.7% ± 0.4% and 12.3% ± 0.9%, respectively. While this vascular mechanism does not have sufficient influence on the elasticity of the liver to modify the diagnosis of severe fibrosis or cirrhosis (F4 METAVIR grade), it may be sufficient to attenuate the increase in stiffness due to moderate fibrosis (F2‐F3 METAVIR grades) and consequently lead to false‐negative diagnoses with elastography in the presence of PVT.
The nurses’ occupational stress components and outcomes, findings from an integrative review
Authors: Okuhara Mihoka , Sato Kana , Kodama Yoshimi
Published: February 2021

Aim

To identify, evaluate and summarize the components, factors and outcomes of nurses’ occupational stress published between 2009–2019.

Design

Integrative literature review.

Methods

A literature search was conducted on PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases for articles published in English, between 2009–2019.

Results

The review included 132 studies. Most studies were conducted in the Confucian Asia and Anglo countries, but a growing number of studies were done in other countries. Almost all studies used a quantitative design, and changes in the use of scales indicated an increasing attention to career‐related components. Factors were categorized into sociodemographic, work environment and personal resources. Sociodemographic factors were inconsistent across countries. Outcomes were categorized into health status, capability, affective and behavioural responses to work, and organizational performance with generally consistent results. Model validation studies showed the non‐linear or non‐direct associations between stress and outcomes.
Diagnostics of care about environment: A systematic review through nursing taxonomies
Authors: González Aguña Alexandra , Fernández Batalla Marta , Monsalvo San Macario Enrique , Sarrión Bravo Juan Antonio , Jiménez Rodríguez María Lourdes , Santamaría García José María
Published: February 2021

Aim

To analyse the representation of the environment in nursing diagnostic taxonomies.

Design

Systematic scoping review through nursing taxonomies.

Methods

The first phase identified nursing diagnostic taxonomies by systematic review. The diagnoses were associated with the environment by analysis of terms into the diagnosis label and definition. Data analysis was quantitative with frequency measurements. The second phase mapped the identified diagnoses to establish equivalences using analysis by terms in the diagnostic labels. Finally, the findings obtained in the first phase were compared with the OMAHA System.

Results

The bibliographic search identified 112 studies and 16 standardized languages for diagnoses. NANDA‐I and ICNP were the most frequent taxonomies; ATIC, the most recent; and OMAHA, the oldest. 2,062 diagnoses from four diagnostic taxonomies were analysed, and 361 associations corresponding to 352 environmental diagnoses were identified. All taxonomies included the environment but with different weight relative to the interpersonal and geopolitical category.
Electrical resistivity monitoring of an earthslide with electrodes located outside the unstable zone (Pont‐Bourquin landslide, Swiss Alps)
Authors: Bièvre Grégory , Jongmans Denis , Lebourg Thomas , Carrière Simon
Published: February 2021

In the past decade, passive seismic methods have shown the possibility to detect significant changes in surface wave velocity up to several days prior to landslide failure, even with sensors located outside the unstable zone. Electrical resistivity tomography has also long been used to monitor hydrological changes in landslides. However, the displacement of electrodes relative to each other during landslide movement induces a modification of the geometric factors and, hence, of the apparent resistivity. The first objective of this work is to evaluate the possibility of monitoring the Pont‐Bourquin landslide (Swiss Alps) with electrodes located outside the unstable zone. The second objective is to monitor both seismic velocity and electrical resistivity to get insights into the evolution with time of mechanical and hydrological parameters, respectively. The sliding mass was first imaged in three dimensions to produce a resistivity starting model for the further inversion of time‐lapse data. Daily time series (235 days from February to November 2015) showed that changes are detected but cannot be spatially localized, in agreement with numerical simulation results. At the seasonal scale, resistivity and seismic time series are positively correlated with temperature and suggest a control by superficial water content. On the scale of a few days, geophysical parameters are negatively correlated with precipitation and suggest rapid infiltration of water into the ground. Although laboratory experiments show that no change in resistivity occurs during fluidization, and since no flow occurred during the monitoring period the evolution of resistivity during a flow event remains an open question.
An emerging role for cellular crosstalk in the cancer stem cell niche
Authors: Oshimori Naoki , Guo Yifei , Taniguchi Sachiko
Published: February 2021

Although cumulative genetic and epigenetic changes in cancer cells are correlated with tumor malignancy, accumulating evidence supports that tumor cell‐extrinsic mechanisms play an essential role in driving tumor progression. The tissue architecture surrounding tumor cells evolves during disease progression and becomes a significant barrier to cancer treatments. The functional traits of the tumor microenvironment (TME), either tumor suppressive or supportive, are defined by the distribution of various stromal cells and their sequential and reciprocal cellular interactions. Recent studies have uncovered a significant heterogeneity in stromal cells and identified specific subpopulations correlated with clinical outcomes, providing novel insights into the complex TME system that drives tumor progression and therapy resistance. Moreover, a small population of tumor cells with tumor‐initiating and drug‐resistant capabilities, cancer stem cells (CSCs), is maintained by the specialized TME, the so‐called CSC niche. The crosstalk between CSCs and niche cells is an attractive avenue for identifying the vulnerability of difficult‐to‐treat cancers. Here, we review the recent advance in understanding TME biology and its impact on CSCs. We then focus on a newly identified niche signaling loop by which CSCs promote malignant progression and drug resistance of squamous cell carcinoma. The CSC niche is a promising research field that needs more attention and could facilitate the development of durable cancer treatment. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relatıonship bullying in adolescent period with family functionalities and child behaviors
Authors: Bozan Kezban , Evgi̇n Derya , Gördeles Beşer Nalan
Published: February 2021

This descriptive study determined the relationship of peer bullying in the early adolescent period to family functions and children's behavior. The cohort for the research consisted of 320 students and parents who were selected by a simple random method from a middle school. The data were collected using the student and parent questionnaires, Traditional Peer Bullying Scale, Family Assessment Scale, and Assessment of Child and Adolescent Behavior Scale. In evaluating the data: descriptive statistics, Χ
2, Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis tests, and Spearman correlation analysis were used. It has been determined that verbal and physical bullying was high in the older age group (p < 0.05), in seventh‐grade students (p < 0.05), and that those who do not like school tend to bully others at a higher rate (p < 0.001). Students who were separated from their parents, who witnessed the violence among the family members, and who stated that the violence was applied by family members were more frequent in the bullying cycle (p < 0.05). There was a high‐level positive relationship between the anxiety/depression subscale and social problems subscale (p < 0.001). This study confirms that peer bullying is a problem that is highly correlated with family functionalities and child behaviors.
Health‐related quality of life of caregivers of children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Al Baroudi Sahar , Collaco Joseph M. , Nies Melanie K. , Rice Jessica L. , Jelin Eric B.
Published: February 2021

Objective

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a congenital defect associated with significant mortality and morbidity. We sought to assess the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) for caregivers of infants/children with CDH and determine risk factors for poorer HRQoL.

Methods

Families were recruited from a CDH‐specific outpatient clinic and HRQoL was assessed by a validated HRQoL instrument (PedsQLTM Family Impact Module) at several time points. Mixed models were used to identify demographic and clinical factors associated with worse HRQoL for caregivers.

Results

A total of 29 subjects were recruited at a mean age of 2.4 ± 2.3 years. In terms of defect size, 6.9% had a Type A, 37.9% a Type B, 31.0% a Type C, and 24.1% a Type D. The mean HRQoL score at the first encounter was 67.6 ± 18.3; scores are reported from 0 to 100 with higher scores representing the higher reported quality of life. Lower median household incomes (p = .021) and use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (p = .013) were associated with poorer HRQoL scores. The presence of respiratory symptoms decreased HRQoL for caregivers, including daytime symptoms (p < .001) and nighttime symptoms (p < .001). While emergency department visits were not associated with a decrease in HRQoL, hospital admissions (p = .002), and reoperations for CDH (p < .001) were.

Conclusion

Our study found a reduced quality of life associated with socioeconomic factors and severity of ongoing disease. Further study is needed to confirm these findings and identify strategies for aiding families cope with the chronicity of this congenital disease.
Crop rotation enhances soybean yields and soil health indicators
Authors: Agomoh Ikechukwu V. , Drury Craig F. , Yang Xueming , Phillips Lori A. , Reynolds W. Daniel
Published: February 2021

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is known to contribute to soil N reserves when grown in rotation with other high‐value crops such as corn (Zea mays L.) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). However, continuous soybean and “short” soybean rotations (e.g., corn–soybean, wheat–soybean) may cause declining soybean yields and degrading soil health over time. In this long‐term field study, we determined crop rotation effects on soybean yield and soil health indicators for a cool, humid, clay loam soil in southwestern Ontario. The study used nine soybean rotations, which included continuous soybean (S), corn–soybean (C–S), corn–soybean–soybean (C–S–S), and six rotations where winter wheat (WW) was grown with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) (+RC) and without underseeded red clover (i.e., winter wheat–soybean [WW–S, WW+RC–S], corn–soybean–winter wheat [C–S–WW, C–S–WW+RC], and winter wheat–soybean–soybean [WW–S–S, WW+RC–S–S]). Ten soil health indicators during the first and second soybean phase of each rotation were measured in 2018, whereas soybean yield was measured from 2002 to 2018. Soybean yields in 2‐ and 3‐yr rotations were 39–44% and 48–52% greater, respectively, relative to continuous soybean excluding the rotations with 2 of 3 yr of soybean (C–S–S, WW–S–S, WW+RC–S–S), which were only 22–35% greater than continuous soybean. Partial least squares regression indicated that inorganic N, particulate organic matter N, particulate organic matter C, potentially mineralizable N, total C, soil respiration rate, and water extractable organic soil C were the most important soil health indicators, explaining 34% of the total variation in soybean yields. It was concluded that soybean grown in 3‐yr rotations with corn and winter wheat produced the largest soybean yields and the greatest positive impacts on soil health indicators likely owing to cereal crops enhancing C inputs into soil.
Applications of MOFs as Luminescent Sensors for Environmental Pollutants
Authors: Yang Guo‐Li , Jiang Xiao‐Lei , Xu Hang , Zhao Bin
Published: February 2021

The environmental pollution has become a serious issue because the pollutants can cause permanent damage to the DNA, nervous system, and circulating system, resulting in various incurable diseases, such as organ failure, malformation, angiocardiopathy, and cancer. The effective detection of environmental pollutants is urgently needed to keep them far away from daily life. Among the reported pollutant sensors, luminescent metal–organic frameworks (LMOFs) with tunable structures have attracted remarkable attention to detect the pollutants because of their excellent selectivity, sensitivity, and recyclability. Although lots of metal–organic framework (MOF)‐based luminescent sensors have been summarized and discussed in previous reviews, the detection of environmental pollutants, especially radioactive ions and heavy metal ions, still have not been systematically presented. Here, the sensing mechanisms and construction principles of luminescent MOFs are discussed, and the state‐of‐the‐art MOF‐based luminescent sensors of environmental pollutants, including pesticides, antibiotics, explosives, VOCs, toxic gas, toxic small molecules, radioactive ions, and heavy metal ions are highlighted. This comprehensive review may further guide the development of luminescent MOFs and promote their practical applications for sensing environmental pollutants.
Stay‐at‐home orders were issued earlier in economically unfree states
Authors: McCannon Bryan C. , Hall Joshua C.
Published: February 2021

Stay‐at‐home orders curtailed the individual liberty of those across the United States. Governors of some states moved swiftly to impose the lockdowns. Others delayed and a few even refused to implement these policies. We explore common narratives of what determines the speed of implementation, namely partisanship and virus exposure. While correlation exists, we show that the most consistent explanation for the speed of the implementation of these orders is the state's economic freedom. It was the economically unfree states that issued stay‐at‐home orders earlier.
Theoretical Insights into the Limitation of Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting Performance of VIA Group Elements Doped Polymeric Carbon Nitride: A Density Functional Theory Calculation Predicting Solar‐to‐Hydrogen Efficiency
Authors: Wang Yiqing , Zhao Daming , Deng Hao , Li Mingtao , Chen Jie , Shen Shaohua
Published: February 2021

Polymeric carbon nitride (p‐C3N4) is thermodynamically feasible for photocatalytic overall water splitting. Element doping is proved effective in enhancing the photocatalytic performance of p‐C3N4. The effect of doping is usually interpreted from the angle of electronic structures by first‐principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations. However, the information on electronic structures is insufficient for understanding and predicting the ultimate criterion of solar‐to‐hydrogen (STH) efficiency. Herein, a DFT calculation method is provided to investigate and predict the STH of VIA group elements doped p‐C3N4 by calculating the efficiencies of both light absorption and carrier utilization. Particularly, significant efforts are made to calculate the energy barriers for the surface hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) to determine the carrier utilization efficiency. Moreover, the chemisorption energies of the reactant intermediates are calculated to quantify the intermediates affinity for HER and OER on the surface. Among the VIA elements, oxygen is discovered as the most effective dopant in promoting the STH because oxygen‐doped p‐C3N4 has the lowest energy barriers for OER and the largest chemisorption energy for intermediates absorption. The calculation results highlight the importance of the surface reaction properties for efficient photocatalytic overall water splitting.
Evolution of Joint Warfare
Authors: Lucas Edward R. , Crosbie Thomas A.
Published: February 2021

The ability to employ force across the physical warfighting domains of air, land, maritime, and space is essential in contemporary conflict. In NATO doctrine, the term “joint operations” refers to military actions “in which elements of at least two services participate.” While doctrinal definitions differ slightly across Western militaries, the basic premise remains that “jointness” in military operations entails significant action in at least two of the physical warfighting domains. This chapter provides an overview of joint warfare, beginning with a brief discussion of its development over the past century. It then turns its attention to the development of joint doctrine and the joint functions. It concludes with a brief discussion of what some military theorists see as the next iteration of joint warfighting: multi-domain operations (MDO).
Identify, Search and Monitor by Tracks: Elements of Analysis of Pastoral Know-How in Saharan-Sahelian Societies
Authors: Gagnol Laurent
Published: February 2021

This article deals with the knowledge and skills related to tracks in the sand among nomadic and semi-nomadic populations with a predominantly pastoral focus in the Sahara and Sahel. Identifying a sought-after individual, interpreting the associated clues, catching up with it by following the trail – all this is an essentially pastoral know-how. The punctual examination of the footprint aims at identifying the individual who produced it, and the search for clues associated with the footprint enables the tracker to discern other elements interpreting more generally the behaviour of this individual in movement. Through the understanding of the spatial and temporal context, linear tracking of footprints, by implementing a hodological strategy, makes it possible to catch up with the individual in question. Furthermore, this chapter discusses the power structures between the men who are in charge of tracking as well as the confirmation, assurance or subversion of the social order it implies. Finally, the permanence and transformation of this common and essential know-how in the process of becoming sedentary are analysed.
An Echo from a Footprint: A Step Too Far
Authors: Webb Steve
Published: February 2021

Rarely in archaeology do we see the flesh and blood of ancient people living their lives? In Australia, a unique archaeological site discovered in 2006 allowed us to do just that as people went about their daily lives during the last glacial maximum. The site is a palaeofilm of men, women and children, walking, running and meandering across a wet area that was obviously special to them. While hundreds of footprints displayed this unusual but moving life tapestry, details of their behaviour and other marks they left behind were difficult or impossible to interpret. Moreover, were some of the marks made by humans or just artefacts of nature? Perhaps we were not making the right interpretation and not picking up clues to the everyday life of these people as well as we might. We required interpretative skills we did not have. To help us we needed to partner with people who had such skills. Pintubi people from Central Australia were asked to help, and they were some of the last people contacted by White Australia in the early 1960s. They had the vital skills of tracking, skills that had kept them alive in the harsh Tanami and Gibson deserts of Central Australia. It was possible that they would be able to apply those skills in reaching out to their ancient Dreamtime ancestors. They also brought that Dreamtime to us.
Reproduce to Understand: Experimental Approach Based on Footprints in Cussac Cave (Southwestern France)
Authors: Ledoux Lysianna , Berillon Gilles , Fourment Nathalie , Jaubert Jacques
Published: February 2021

The morphology of a track depends on many factors that must be considered when interpreting it. An experimental approach is often required to understand the influence of each of these factors, both at the time of the track formation and after its formation. These aspects, which are fairly well documented for tracks found in open-air settings, are much more limited for those found in karst settings. Although caves are stable environments enabling the preservation of archaeological remains, many taphonomical processes can alter the grounds and the walls. Based on the observations made on footprints found in Cussac Cave (Dordogne region of southwestern France), this study focuses on one of these natural phenomena and tests the impact of flooding episodes and the resulting clay deposits on the track’s morphology and topography. Our experiments show that although the general morphology of footprints and some details such as digits are preserved, their topography is altered by successive flooding episodes and clay deposits. The loss of definition of the footprints due to flooding episodes can also lead to misinterpretation. This work sheds new light on the Cussac footprints, while the further development of such experiments will allow us to improve our results and apply them to other settings and sites.
Frozen in the Ashes
Authors: Cherin Marco , Barili Angelo , Boschian Giovanni , Ichumbaki Elgidius B. , Iurino Dawid A. , Masao Fidelis T. , Menconero Sofia , Moggi Cecchi Jacopo , Sarmati Susanna , Santopuoli Nicola , Manzi Giorgio
Published: February 2021

Fossil footprints are very useful palaeontological tools. Their features can help to identify their makers and also to infer biological as well as behavioural information. Nearly all the hominin tracks discovered so far are attributed to species of the genus Homo. The only exception is represented by the trackways found in the late 1970s at Laetoli, which are thought to have been made by three Australopithecus afarensis individuals about 3.66 million years ago. We have unearthed and described the footprints of two more individuals at Laetoli, who were moving on the same surface, in the same direction, and probably in the same timespan as the three found in the 1970s, apparently all belonging to a single herd of bipedal hominins walking from south to north. The estimated stature of one of the new individuals (about 1.65 m) exceeds those previously published for Au. afarensis. This evidence supports the existence of marked morphological variation within the species. Considering the bipedal footprints found at Laetoli as a whole, we can hypothesize that the tallest individual may have been the dominant male, the others smaller females and juveniles. Thus, considerable differences may have existed between sexes in these human ancestors, similar to modern gorillas.
Leadership Games: Multiple Followers, Multiple Leaders, and Perfection
Authors: Marchesi Alberto
Published: February 2021

Over the last years,algorithmic game theoryhas received growing interest in AI, as it allows to tackle complex real-world scenarios involving multiple artificial agents engaged in a competitive interaction. These settings call for rational agents endowed with the capability of reasoning strategically, which is achieved by exploitingequilibriumconcepts from game theory.
Allowing a Real Collaboration Between Humans and Robots
Authors: Casalino Andrea
Published: February 2021

Robotics researchers are spending many efforts in developing methodologies and techniques that allow robots to work side by side with humans, with the aim of improving the manufacturing processes. Such a level of interaction does not require just the safe coexistence in a common space, which is something completely achieved by the current state of the art. In scenarios like co-assemblies, humans and robots have to execute alternating tasks, with the aim of realizing a set of possible finite products. This requires the robots to adapt, synchronize and actively cooperate with the humans. This work will show that this goal can be reached by providing the cobots with three main abilities: recognizing the human behaviour, predicting the human actions and optimally planning the robotic ones.
Traffic Management in Networks with Programmable Data Planes
Authors: Sanvito Davide
Published: February 2021

This brief includes a summary of the Ph.D. thesis entitled “Traffic management in networks with programmable data planes” and supervised by Prof. Antonio Capone. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) enables the configuration and operation of communications networks through open software programming interfaces providing an unprecedented flexibility in their dynamic reconfiguration and management. The thesis analyses the opportunities for traffic management provided by the SDN paradigm at different levels. Starting from the programmability at the control plane, we have designed a Traffic Engineering framework operating on the global view offered on top of the controller to proactively configure the network according to traffic measurements while limiting the number of reconfigurations. In order to deal with unexpected conditions such as network failures and congestion, the above centralized, global and proactive approach has been complemented by reactive and distributed approaches based on advanced stateful programmable data planes which enable a self-adaptation according to partial local information yielding to a more prompt and scalable reaction. All the solutions presented in the thesis have been evaluated with software prototypes based on research-oriented or production-ready open-source tools. Some of the extensions developed for these tools have been integrated as official open-source contributions.
Event Reconstruction
Authors: Frühwirth Rudolf , Strandlie Are
Published: February 2021

The chapter gives an outline of the event reconstruction chain of a typical large experiment, from the trigger to the physics object reconstruction. The concept of the trigger is illustrated by two examples, CMS and LHCb, followed by a discussion of track reconstruction and its stages: hit generation, local reconstruction, and global reconstruction. The section on vertex reconstruction introduces a classification of vertices and sets the scene for the dedicated chapters on vertex finding and vertex fitting. The chapter concludes with some remarks on particle identification and reconstruction of physics objects such as electrons, muons, photons, jets,τleptons, and missing energy.
Vertex Finding
Authors: Frühwirth Rudolf , Strandlie Are
Published: February 2021

Vertex finding is the search for clusters of tracks that originate at the same point in space. The chapter discusses a variety of methods for finding primary vertices, first in one and then in three dimensions. Details are given on model-based clustering, the EM algorithm and clustering by deterministic annealing in 1D, and greedy clustering, iterated estimators, topological vertex finding, and a vertex finder based on medical imaging in 3D.
Modelle ressourcenorientierter und effektiver Führung digitaler Projekt- und Teamarbeit – vLead
Authors: Antoni Conny H. , Latniak Erich , Hellert Ulrike
Published: February 2021

Das Projekt vLead untersuchte Belastungen und Ressourcen digitaler Projekt- und Teamarbeit für Führungskräfte, Beschäftigte und Unternehmen und wie Kompetenzen, Innovations- und Leistungsfähigkeit, Gesundheit und Work-Life -Balance gefördert werden können. Hierzu wurden Instrumente ressourcenorientierter und effektiver Führung digitaler Projekt- und Teamarbeit partizipativ entwickelt und erprobt. Mit den online Tools OrgaCheck und TeamCheck, dem Screeningfragebogen für operative Führungskräfte, sowie dem Handbuch Kompass – Zeit und Vertrauen liegen erprobte Instrumente zur Analyse der Situation und zur Ableitung konkreter Maßnahmen zur Förderung der digitalen Zusammenarbeit und Führung auf Unternehmens-, Team- und individueller Ebene vor, mit zahlreichen und vielfältigen praktischen Handlungsempfehlungen, Checklisten, sowie Umsetzungsbeispielen. Das online Tool IdeaCheck unterstützt, angelehnt an das Stage-Gate-Konzept in der Produktentwicklung, Innovationsprozesse im Unternehmen.
Einfach mal anders gucken?!
Authors: Borg Anna , Buschmeyer Achim , Digmayer Claas , Hahn Cornelia , Jakobs Eva-Maria , Kluge Johanna , Reinartz Jonathan , Westerbarkey Jan , Ziefle Martina
Published: February 2021

Der Beitrag beschreibt einen ganzheitlichen Ansatz für die digitale Transformation unter Einbezug der Kulturperspektive in kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen, die den Anforderungen einer Industrie 4.0 gerecht wird. Das vorgestellte Vorgehen, die SiTra4.0-Roadmap, ist das wesentliche Ergebnis des Forschungsprojekts “Nachhaltige Sicherheitskultur als Transformationsansatz für Industrie 4.0 in KMU” (SiTra4.0). Beschrieben werden zunächst die einzelnen Schritte der Roadmap und deren Einsatz in der Praxis. Der Beitrag schließt mit einem Ausblick auf fortlaufende Forschungsarbeiten sowie dem Arbeitskreis für Sicherheit in Industrie 4.0.
Arbeits- und prozessorientierte Digitalisierung
Authors: Held Gabriele , Schlink Beate , Bahlow Jörg , Kötter Wolfgang , Roth Sebastian , Bendel Alexander , Latniak Erich , Lennings Frank , Terstegen Sebastian
Published: February 2021

Das Forschungs- und Entwicklungsprojekt „APRODI – Arbeits- und prozessorientierte Digitalisierung in Industrieunternehmen“ setzte sich zum Ziel, neue Wege der Gestaltung von betrieblichen Informationsräumen und IT-unterstützten Arbeitssystemen zu erproben. Dabei sollten die jeweilige Ausgangssituation und Kultur des Unternehmens, vorhandene und bewährte technische Systeme und die Voraussetzungen, Möglichkeiten und Interessen der Mitarbeitende gleichermaßen berücksichtigt werden. Grundlegend war die Orientierung an einem soziotechnischen Systemverständnis. Die Erkenntnisse aus dem Projekt, empfehlenswerte Vorgehensweisen und Instrumente zur Gestaltung von betrieblichen Digitalisierungsprozessen stehen anderen Unternehmen in einer Toolbox zur Verfügung.
Social Business in der Praxis
Authors: Zinke-Wehlmann Christian , Friedrich Julia , Wölke Mandy , Römer Vanita
Published: February 2021

Das Ziel des Verbundprojektes SB:Digital war es, die Potenziale sozialer Netzwerke, Medien und Technologien zur Gestaltung guter digitaler Arbeit innerhalb von Unternehmen und Wertschöpfungspartnerschaften zu untersuchen. Neben wissenschaftlich konzeptuellen Arbeiten, stand dabei die Realisierung von vier Pilotanwendungen im Fokus. Der vorliegende Beitrag dient dazu, die aus der Implementierung der Pilotprojekte gewonnenen Erkenntnisse aufzuarbeiten, indem die zuvor im jeweiligen Projekt formulierten Ziele einem “Realitätscheck” unterzogen werden. Diese Lehren aus der Implementierung sollen insbesondere Praktikern die Möglichkeit zu geben, sich bereits in einem frühen Stadium der eigenen Social Business-Transformation etwaige Barrieren bewusst zu machen und darauf reagieren zu können.
Auswirkungen der Digitalisierung auf die Arbeit im Dienstleistungssektor am Beispiel der Steuerberatung
Authors: Moukouli Virginia , Nerdinger Friedemann W. , Görs Philipp K. , Koevel Arne , Traum Anne , Zimmer Marco , Ziehmer Halina
Published: February 2021

Der Beitrag zu KODIMA untersucht einerseits, inwiefern sich die Befunde der bisher betrachteten arbeitspsychologischen Analysen bei Steuerberatungsunternehmen auf andere wissensintensive Dienstleistungsbranchen übertragen lassen. Dabei sind zentrale Fragestellungen der Untersuchung, wie sich die Digitalisierung auf wissensintensive Dienstleistungsbranchen auswirkt, welche Auswirkungen die Digitalisierung auf die Arbeit in der Branche hat und wie sich die Digitalisierung auf die Tätigkeiten der Beschäftigten auswirkt. Deutlich wird, dass die auf die Steuerberatungsbranche fokussierten KODIMA-Befunde nicht ohne weiteres auf andere Branchen übertragen werden können. Außerdem werden die Ergebnisse der organisations- und führungstheoretischen Analysen präsentiert, die zeigen, dass Digitalisierung von den Führungskräften als komplexer Prozess konsequent gedacht werden muss, der auch die Perspektive der Beschäftigten berücksichtigt.
Gestaltung der Arbeit mit Kollaborationsplattformen
Authors: Hardwig Thomas , Klötzer Stefan , Mönch Alfred , Reißmann Tobias , Schulz Carsten , Weißmann Marliese
Published: February 2021

Kollaborationsplattformen ermöglichen die orts- und zeitunabhängige Zusammenarbeit. In CollaboTeam wurden betriebliche Einsatzmöglichkeiten erprobt und Empfehlungen entwickelt. Der Beitrag präsentiert Erfahrungen der Verbundpartner und ein Modell zur Arbeit mit Kollaborationsplattformen, das (1) umschreibt, wie Unternehmen strategische Ziele für die Plattform-Nutzung formulieren; wie sie (2) in einer Analyse der Passung von „people-task-technology“ den Handlungsbedarf für die Arbeitsgestaltung identifizieren und (3) daraus Handlungsbedarf für sechs Gestaltungsfelder entwickeln: Lernen/Entwicklung, Führung/Betreuung, Technik/Räume, Anpassung/Change, Werte/Kultur, Zusammenarbeit/Regeln. Zentral für die Arbeitsgestaltung sind iterative Lern-, Weiterentwicklungs- und Aushandlungsprozesse zwischen Akteuren. Die damit verbundenen Herausforderungen können nur mit einem auf diese Prozesse ausgerichteten sozio-technischen Ansatz der Arbeitsgestaltung bewältigt werden.
Energy-energy correlation in hadronic Higgs decays: analytic results and phenomenology at NLO
Authors: Gao Jun , Shtabovenko Vladyslav , Yang Tong-Zhi
Published: February 2021

Abstract

In this work we complete the investigation of the recently introduced energy-energy correlation (EEC) function in hadronic Higgs decays at next-to-leading order (NLO) in fixed-order perturbation theory in the limit of vanishing light quark masses. The full analytic NLO result for the previously unknown EEC in the H → $$ q\overline{q} $$
q

q
¯

+ X channel is given in terms of classical polylogarithms and cross-checked against a numerical calculation. In addition to that, we discuss further corrections to predictions of the Higgs EEC event shape variable, including quark mass corrections, effects of parton shower and hadronization. We also estimate the statistical error on the measurements of the Higgs EEC at future Higgs factories and compare with the current perturbative uncertainty.
Xenon-1T excess as a possible signal of a sub-GeV hidden sector dark matter
Authors: Aboubrahim Amin , Klasen Michael , Nath Pran
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We present a particle physics model to explain the observed enhancement in the Xenon-1T data at an electron recoil energy of 2.5 keV. The model is based on a U(1) extension of the Standard Model where the dark sector consists of two essentially mass degenerate Dirac fermions in the sub-GeV region with a small mass splitting interacting with a dark photon. The dark photon is unstable and decays before the big bang nucleosynthesis, which leads to the dark matter constituted of two essentially mass degenerate Dirac fermions. The Xenon-1T excess is computed via the inelastic exothermic scattering of the heavier dark fermion from a bound electron in xenon to the lighter dark fermion producing the observed excess events in the recoil electron energy. The model can be tested with further data from Xenon-1T and in future experiments such as SuperCDMS.
Erratum zu: Therapie der intraoperativen Hypotonie mit Cafedrin/Theodrenalin vs. Ephedrin. Ergebnisse der HYPOTENS-Studie, einer prospektiven, nationalen, multizentrischen, nicht-interventionellen Untersuchung bei Patienten, die eine Vollnarkose erhalten
Authors: Eberhart L. , Geldner G. , Kowark A. , Zucker T.-P. , Kreuer S. , Przemeck M. , Huljic S. , Koch T. , Keller T. , Weber S. , Kranke P. ,   the HYPOTENS study group
Published: February 2021

Ein Erratum zu dieser Publikation wurde veröffentlicht: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00101-020-00877-5
The acute effects of alcohol on state rumination in the laboratory
Authors: Mollaahmetoglu O. Merve , Palmer Edward , Maschauer Emily , Nolan Melissa C. , Stevens Tobias , Carlyle Molly , Hardy Lorna , Watkins Edward R. , Morgan Celia J. A.
Published: February 2021

Rationale

Rumination is a repetitive, negative, self-focused thinking style associated with various forms of psychopathology. Recent studies suggest that rumination increases craving for alcohol and predicts harmful drinking and alcohol-related problems. However, the acute effects of alcohol on rumination have not been previously studied. It is proposed that alcohol may reduce ruminative thinking through decreasing negative mood.

Objectives

In the present study, we aimed to test the previously unexplored effects of acute alcohol consumption on rumination in a hazardous drinking population.

Methods

We conducted a randomised placebo-controlled laboratory study to examine the effect of low (0.4 g kg−1) and high doses (0.8 g kg−1) of alcohol on state rumination compared to placebo. Participants completed a rumination induction task prior to receiving drinks. We then measured state rumination and mood at repeated time points; 30 min, 60 min and 90 min post-drinks consumption.

Results

We found a significant decrease in state rumination in the low-dose alcohol group compared to placebo at 30 min post-alcohol consumption, but no difference was observed between the high-dose alcohol and placebo groups. Mediation analysis provided evidence for an indirect effect of alcohol on state rumination through concurrent changes in negative mood.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that acute alcohol consumption can regulate negative mood and concurrently rumination, providing preliminary evidence for the role of rumination in alcohol use disorders. Rumination may be a treatment target in alcohol use disorders.
We Asked the Experts: The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Recommendations for Content and Implementation Adaptations
Authors: Panda Nikhil , Etheridge James C. , Singh Takshveer , Sonnay Yves , Molina George , Burian Barbara K. , Capo‐Chichi Nina , Cauley Christy E. , de Beer David A. H. , Derbew Miliard , Dias Roger D. , Fearon Mary C. , Feyssa Mekdes Daba , Hagen Kathryn , Kumar Manoj , Mammo Tihitena Negussie , Mariano Edward R. , Merry Alan , Mushayandebvu Barbara , Nabukenya Mary T. , Shah Milind , Spruce Lisa , Weiser Thomas G. , Brindle Mary E.
Published: February 2021

Background

As surgical systems are forced to adapt and respond to new challenges, so should the patient safety tools within those systems. We sought to determine how the WHO SSC might best be adapted during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

18 Panelists from five continents and multiple clinical specialties participated in a three‐round modified Delphi technique to identify potential recommendations, assess agreement with proposed recommendations and address items not meeting consensus.

Results

From an initial 29 recommendations identified in the first round, 12 were identified for inclusion in the second round. After discussion of recommendations without consensus for inclusion or exclusion, four additional recommendations were added for an eventual 16 recommendations. Nine of these recommendations were related to checklist content, while seven recommendations were related to implementation.

Conclusions

This multinational panel has identified 16 recommendations for sites looking to use the surgical safety checklist during the COVID‐19 pandemic. These recommendations provide an example of how the SSC can adapt to meet urgent and emerging needs of surgical systems by targeting important processes and encouraging critical discussions.
Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Phage SaGU1 that Infects Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates from Patients with Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Shimamori Yuzuki , Pramono Ajeng K. , Kitao Tomoe , Suzuki Tohru , Aizawa Shin-ichi , Kubori Tomoko , Nagai Hiroki , Takeda Shigeki , Ando Hiroki
Published: February 2021

The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, which colonizes healthy human skin, may cause diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (AD). Treatment for such AD cases involves antibiotic use; however, alternate treatments are preferred owing to the development of antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to characterize the novel bacteriophage SaGU1 as a potential agent for phage therapy to treat S. aureus infections. SaGU1 that infects S. aureus strains previously isolated from the skin of patients with AD was screened from sewage samples in Gifu, Japan. Its genome was sequenced and analyzed using bioinformatics tools, and the morphology, lytic activity, stability, and host range of the phage were determined. The SaGU1 genome was 140,909 bp with an average GC content of 30.2%. The viral chromosome contained 225 putative protein-coding genes and four tRNA genes, carrying neither toxic nor antibiotic resistance genes. Electron microscopy analysis revealed that SaGU1 belongs to the Myoviridae family. Stability tests showed that SaGU1 was heat-stable under physiological and acidic conditions. Host range testing revealed that SaGU1 can infect a broad range of S. aureus clinical isolates present on the skin of AD patients, whereas it did not kill strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis, which are symbiotic resident bacteria on human skin. Hence, our data suggest that SaGU1 is a potential candidate for developing a phage therapy to treat AD caused by pathogenic S. aureus.
Forkhead transcription factor Fkh1: insights into functional regulatory domains crucial for recruitment of Sin3 histone deacetylase complex
Authors: Aref Rasha , Sanad Marwa N. M. E. , Schüller Hans-Joachim
Published: February 2021

Transcription factors are inextricably linked with histone deacetylases leading to compact chromatin. The Forkhead transcription factor Fkh1 is mainly a negative transcriptional regulator which affects cell cycle control, silencing of mating-type cassettes and induction of pseudohyphal growth in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Markedly, Fkh1 impinges chromatin architecture by recruiting large regulatory complexes. Implication of Fkh1 with transcriptional corepressor complexes remains largely unexplored. In this work we show that Fkh1 directly recruits corepressors Sin3 and Tup1 (but not Cyc8), providing evidence for its influence on epigenetic regulation. We also identified the specific domain of Fkh1 mediating Sin3 recruitment and substantiated that amino acids 51–125 of Fkh1 bind PAH2 of Sin3. Importantly, this part of Fkh1 overlaps with its Forkhead-associated domain (FHA). To analyse this domain in more detail, selected amino acids were replaced by alanine, revealing that hydrophobic amino acids L74 and I78 are important for Fkh1-Sin3 binding. In addition, we could prove Fkh1 recruitment to promoters of cell cycle genes CLB2 and SWI5. Notably, Sin3 is also recruited to these promoters but only in the presence of functional Fkh1. Our results disclose that recruitment of Sin3 to Fkh1 requires precisely positioned Fkh1/Sin3 binding sites which provide an extended view on the genetic control of cell cycle genes CLB2 and SWI5 and the mechanism of transcriptional repression by modulation of chromatin architecture at the G2/M transition.