bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental and numerical studies on the lateral performance of concrete sandwich walls
Authors: Xu Gang , Li Aiqun
Published: January 2020

A series of quasi‐static tests was presented to study the lateral behavior of concrete sandwich walls and the precast concrete sandwich walls; the finite element analysis (FEA) models were built for numerical simulation of the specimens, and the parameters affecting the seismic performance of sandwich walls, and the precast sandwich walls were also analyzed based on the FEA models. The results show that the shear failure occurs in regular squat shear wall; the setting of the foam plate effectively reduces the stiffness and load capacity, and the reasonable design of sandwich region is conducive to the seismic performance. The responses obtained by the FEA models match well with the experimental results. The stiffness and load capacity of sandwich wall are increased, but the ductility is reduced when the axial load is increased; the deformation capacity can be greatly improved by increasing the aspect ratio but at the cost of load capacity and stiffness; the reasonable match of load capacity, stiffness, and ductility can be achieved by maintaining the appropriate length and thickness of the foam plate. The greater the friction force of CAF in the vertical seam of precast sandwich wall, the greater the load capacity and initial stiffness and the stronger the integrity of the jointed wall. When the strength of SRS in the horizontal seam is small, the concrete sandwich wall basically maintains elasticity; the deformation is mainly concentrated on SRS; when the strength of SRS is too large, SRS do not yield or the yield displacement is large, and the load capacity is mainly affected by the concrete sandwich wall.
Preserving the coupled atmosphere–ocean feedback in initializations of decadal climate predictions
Authors: Brune Sebastian , Baehr Johanna
Published: January 2020

On interannual to decadal time scales, memory in the Earth's climate system resides to a large extent in the slowly varying heat content of the ocean, which responds to fast atmospheric variability and in turn sets the frame for large‐scale atmospheric circulation patterns. This large‐scale coupled atmosphere–ocean feedback is generally well represented in today's Earth system models. This may fundamentally change when data assimilation is used to bring such models close to an observed state to initialize interannual to decadal climate predictions. Here, we review how the large‐scale coupled atmosphere–ocean feedback is preserved in common approaches to construct such initial conditions, with the focus on the initialized ocean state. In a set of decadal prediction experiments, ranging from an initialization of atmospheric variability only to full‐field nudging of both atmosphere and ocean, we evaluate the variability and predictability of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, of the Atlantic multidecadal variability and North Atlantic subpolar gyre sea surface temperatures. We argue that the quality of initial conditions for decadal predictions should not purely be assessed by their closeness to observations, but also by the closeness of their respective predictions to observations. This prediction quality may depend on the representation of the simulated large‐scale atmosphere–ocean feedback.

This article is categorized under:

Climate Models and Modeling > Knowledge Generation with Models
Analysis of shape data: From landmarks to elastic curves
Authors: Bharath Karthik , Kurtek Sebastian
Published: January 2020

Proliferation of high‐resolution imaging data in recent years has led to substantial improvements in the two popular approaches for analyzing shapes of data objects based on landmarks and/or continuous curves. We provide an expository account of elastic shape analysis of parametric planar curves representing shapes of two‐dimensional (2D) objects by discussing its differences, and its commonalities, to the landmark‐based approach. Particular attention is accorded to the role of reparameterization of a curve, which in addition to rotation, scaling and translation, represents an important shape‐preserving transformation of a curve. The transition to the curve‐based approach moves the mathematical setting of shape analysis from finite‐dimensional non‐Euclidean spaces to infinite‐dimensional ones. We discuss some of the challenges associated with the infinite‐dimensionality of the shape space, and illustrate the use of geometry‐based methods in the computation of intrinsic statistical summaries and in the definition of statistical models on a 2D imaging dataset consisting of mouse vertebrae. We conclude with an overview of the current state‐of‐the‐art in the field.

This article is categorized under:

 

Image and Spatial Data < Data: Types and Structure

Computational Mathematics < Applications of Computational Statistics
Benefits of Head‐starting for Blanding's Turtle Size Distributions and Recruitment
Authors: Thompson Daniel , Glowacki Gary , Ludwig Daniel , Reklau Rachel , Kuhns Andrew R. , Golba Callie Klatt , King Richard
Published: January 2020

Head‐starting is a widely used turtle conservation measure but its effectiveness is incompletely known. We evaluated the success of 2 long‐term Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) head‐starting programs in northeastern Illinois, USA, focusing on the effect that head‐starting has on turtle population body‐size distributions and whether head‐started turtles are successfully recruited as reproductive adults. From 1994 to 2017, we collected and incubated eggs from wild females and reared hatchlings for release back into 2 source populations in DuPage and Lake counties, Illinois. Releases occurred annually for 21‐ and 11‐year spans (~1,400 and 800 releases, respectively). We found that head‐starting resulted in significant shifts in Blanding's turtle population body‐size distributions. Prior to intervention, size distributions were strongly skewed toward large adults at both sites, a pattern sometimes interpreted as arising from elevated egg and hatchling mortality and a lack of juvenile recruitment. Currently, population body‐size distributions include a wide range of juvenile and adult size turtles. Importantly, head‐starts have begun reproducing in the 21‐year program and are approaching adult size in the 11‐year program. Blanding's turtle head‐starting shows promise for increasing recruitment in existing populations while threat mitigation is implemented. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Imaging glioma biology: spatial comparison of amino acid PET, amide proton transfer, and perfusion-weighted MRI in newly diagnosed gliomas
Authors: Schön S. , Cabello J. , Liesche-Starnecker F. , Molina-Romero M. , Eichinger P. , Metz M. , Karimov I. , Preibisch C. , Keupp J. , Hock A. , Meyer B. , Weber W. , Zimmer C. , Pyka T. , Yakushev I. , Gempt J. , Wiestler B.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Imaging glioma biology holds great promise to unravel the complex nature of these tumors. Besides well-established imaging techniques such O-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-l-tyrosine (FET)-PET and dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion imaging, amide proton transfer–weighted (APTw) imaging has emerged as a promising novel MR technique. In this study, we aimed to better understand the relation between these imaging biomarkers and how well they capture cellularity and vascularity in newly diagnosed gliomas.

Methods

Preoperative MRI and FET-PET data of 46 patients (31 glioblastoma and 15 lower-grade glioma) were segmented into contrast-enhancing and FLAIR-hyperintense areas. Using established cutoffs, we calculated hot-spot volumes (HSV) and their spatial overlap. We further investigated APTw and CBV values in FET-HSV. In a subset of 10 glioblastoma patients, we compared cellularity and vascularization in 34 stereotactically targeted biopsies with imaging.

Results

In glioblastomas, the largest HSV was found for APTw, followed by PET and CBV (p < 0.05). In lower-grade gliomas, APTw–HSV was clearly lower than in glioblastomas. The spatial overlap of HSV was highest between APTw and FET in both tumor entities and regions. APTw correlated significantly with cellularity, similar to FET, while the association with vascularity was more pronounced in CBV and FET.

Conclusions

We found a relevant spatial overlap in glioblastomas between hotspots of APTw and FET both in contrast-enhancing and FLAIR-hyperintense tumor. As suggested by earlier studies, APTw was lower in lower-grade gliomas compared with glioblastomas. APTw meaningfully contributes to biological imaging of gliomas.
High expression of ID1 in monocytes is strongly associated with phenotypic and functional MDSC markers in advanced melanoma
Authors: Melief Jeroen , Pico de Coaña Yago , Maas Roeltje , Fennemann Felix-Lennart , Wolodarski Maria , Hansson Johan , Kiessling Rolf
Published: January 2020

The efficacy of immunotherapies for malignant melanoma is severely hampered by local and systemic immunosuppression mediated by myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). Inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID1) is a transcriptional regulator that was shown to be centrally involved in the induction of immunosuppressive properties in myeloid cells in mice, while it was overexpressed in CD11b+cells in the blood of late-stage melanoma patients. Therefore, we comprehensively assessed ID1 expression in PBMC from stage III and IV melanoma patients, and studied ID1 regulation in models for human monocyte differentiation towards monocyte-derived dendritic cells. A highly significant elevation of ID1 was observed in CD33+CD11b+CD14+HLA-DRlowmonocytic MDSC in the blood of melanoma patients compared to their HLA-DRhighcounterparts, while expression of ID1 correlated positively with established MDSC markers S100A8/9 and iNOS. Moreover, expression of ID1 in monocytes significantly decreased in PBMC samples taken after surgical removal of melanoma metastases, compared to those taken before surgery. Finally, maturation of monocyte-derived DC coincided with a significant downregulation of ID1. Together, these data indicate that increased ID1 expression is strongly associated with expression of phenotypic and immunosuppressive markers of monocytic MDSC, while downregulation is associated with a more immunogenic myeloid phenotype. As such, ID1 may be an additional phenotypic marker for monocytic MDSC. Investigation of ID1 as a pharmacodynamic biomarker or its use as a target for modulating MDSC is warranted.
Laparoscopic transperitoneal and retroperitoneal adrenalectomy: a 20-year, single-institution experience with an analysis of the learning curve and tumor size [lap transper and retroper adrenalectomy]
Authors: Ottlakan Aurel , Paszt Attila , Simonka Zsolt , Abraham Szabolcs , Borda Bernadett , Vas Marton , Teleky Bela , Balogh Adam , Lazar Gyorgy
Published: January 2020

Background

The superiority of laparoscopic transperitoneal (TP) versus retroperitoneal (RP) adrenalectomy is an ongoing debate.

Methods

Data from 163 patients (TP: n = 135; RP: n = 28) undergoing minimally invasive adrenalectomy were analyzed. Both operative [intraoperative blood loss, previous abdominal surgery, conversion rate, operative time and tumor size] and perioperative [BMI (body mass index), ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) score, time of hospitalization, time of oral intake, histology and postoperative complications] parameters were compared. Both the learning curve (LC) and tumor size were analyzed.

Results

We found significant differences in the mean operative time (p = 0.019) and rate of previous abdominal surgery (p = 0.038) in favor of TP. Significantly larger tumors were removed with TP (p = 0.018). Conversion rates showed no significant difference (p = 0.257). Also, no significant differences were noted for time of hospitalization, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative complications. In terms of the LC, we saw significant differences in previous abdominal surgery (p = 0.015), conversion rate (p = 0.011) and operative time (p = 0.023) in favor of TP. Large (LT) and extra-large tumors (ELT) were involved in 47 lesions (LT: 40 vs. ELT: 7), with a mean tumor size of 71.85 and 141.57 mm, respectively. Mean intraoperative blood loss was 64.47 ml vs. 71.85 ml, time of hospitalization was 5.10 vs. 4.57 days and mean operative time was 76.52 vs. 79.28 min for LT and ELT, respectively.

Conclusion

A shorter operative time and lower conversion rate in favor of TP were noted during the learning curve. TP proved to be more effective in the removal of large-, extra-large and malignant lesions. The RP approach was feasible for smaller, benign lesions, with a more prolonged learning curve.
Objective assessment of surgical operative performance by observational clinical human reliability analysis (OCHRA): a systematic review
Authors: Tang Benjie , Cuschieri Alfred
Published: January 2020

Background

Both morbidity and mortality data (MMD) and learning curves (LCs) do not provide information on the nature of intraoperative errors and their mechanisms when these adversely impact on patient outcome. OCHRA was developed specifically to address the unmet surgical need for an objective assessment technique of the quality of technical execution of operations at individual operator level. The aim of this systematic review was to review of OCHRA as a method of objective assessment of surgical operative performance.

Methods

Systematic review based on searching 4 databases for articles published from January 1998 to January 2019. The review complies with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and includes original publications on surgical task performance based on technical errors during operations across several surgical specialties.

Results

Only 26 published studies met the search criteria, indicating that the uptake of OCHRA during the study period has been low. In 31% of reported studies, the operations were performed by fully qualified consultant/attending surgeons and by surgical trainees in 69% in approved training programs. OCHRA identified 7869 consequential errors (CE) during the conduct of 719 clinical operations (mean = 11 CEs). It also identified ‘hazard zones’ of operations and proficiency–gain curves (P-GCs) that confirm attainment of persistent competent execution of specific operations by individual trainee surgeons. P-GCs are both surgeon and operation specific.

Conclusions

Increased OCHRA use has the potential to improve patient outcome after surgery, but this is a contingent progress towards automatic assessment of unedited videos of operations. The low uptake of OCHRA is attributed to its labor-intensive nature involving human factors (cognitive engineering) expertise. Aside from faster and more objective peer-based assessment, this development should accelerate increased clinical uptake and use of the technique in both routine surgical practice and surgical training.
Educational step-by-step surgical video about operative technique in robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD) at University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC): 17 steps standardized technique—Lessons learned since the first worldwide RPD performed in the year 2001
Authors: Giulianotti Pier Cristoforo , Mangano Alberto , Bustos Roberto E. , Fernandes Eduardo , Masrur Mario A. , Valle Valentina , Gangemi Antonio , Bianco Francesco M.
Published: January 2020

Background

RPD (Robotic pancreatoduodenectomy) was first performed by P. C. Giulianotti in 2001 (Arch Surg 138(7):777–784, 2003). Since then, the complexity and lack of technique standardization has slowed down its widespread utilization. RPD has been increasingly adopted worldwide and in few centres is the preferred apporached approach by certain surgeons. Some large retrospective series are available and data seem to indicate that RPD is safe/feasible, and a valid alternative to the classic open Whipple. Our group has recently described a standardized 17 steps approach to RPD (Giulianotti et al. Surg Endosc 32(10): 4329–4336, 2018). Herin, we present an educational step-by-step surgical video with short technical/operative description to visually exemplify the RPD 17 steps technique.

Methods

The current project has been approved by our local Institutional Review Board (IRB). We edited a step-by-step video guidance of our RPD standardized technique. The data/video images were collected from a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database (IRB approved). The narration and the images describe hands-on operative “tips and tricks” to facilitate the learning/teaching/evaluation process.

Results

Each of the 17 surgical steps is visually represented and explained to help the in-depth understanding of the relevant surgical anatomy and the specific operative technique.

Conclusions

Educational videos descriptions like the one herein presented are a valid learning/teaching tool to implement standardized surgical approaches. Standardization is a crucial component of the learning curve. This approach can create more objective and reproducible data which might be more reliably assessed/compared across institutions and by different surgeons. Promising results are arising from several centers about RPD. However, RPD as gold standard-approach is still a matter of debate. Randomized-controlled studies (RCT) are required to better validate the precise role of RPD.
An internet-based survey exploring the awareness of febrile neutropenia in patients with malignant lymphoma
Authors: Takamatsu Yasushi , Yoshida Isao , Yoshida Minoru
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is associated with infection-related mortality and a reduction of relative dose intensity during chemotherapy of malignant lymphoma. To prevent deaths and recover the attenuated efficacy of chemotherapies caused by FN, guidelines for the management of FN are published. The aim of this study is to clarify the degree to how much patients understand the FN.

Methods

An internet-based survey was employed to investigate the awareness of FN in Japanese patients who had received chemotherapies for malignant lymphoma.

Results

A total of 105 subjects were enrolled, of whom 64 (61.0%) received ambulatory treatment and 41 (39.0%) received primarily inpatient services. Sixty-four (61.0%) remembered receiving explanations of FN and 61 (95.3%) understood FN very well or almost well. Respondents who reported understanding received explanations from multiple medical staff that were similar to those from single medical staff. A total of 31 (29.5%) experienced FN and 17 of them developed FN at home. Only 8 (47.1%) visited or made contact with their hospitals within 3 h after onset at home.

Conclusions

Explanatory procedures need to be addressed, since subjects’ levels of understanding were not proportionate to the number of elucidators. Although medical professionals made preliminary explanations, in fact, no more than half of those respondents who developed FN at home had made contact to their hospitals immediately. In conclusion, these results suggest that medical professionals should make more effort to lead patients to an understanding of the proper correspondences in case of FN onset.
Glucosinolate Abundance and Composition in Brassicaceae Influence Sequestration in a Specialist Flea Beetle
Authors: Yang Zhi-Ling , Kunert Grit , Sporer Theresa , Körnig Johannes , Beran Franziska
Published: January 2020

The horseradish flea beetlePhyllotreta armoraciaeexclusively feeds on Brassicaceae, which contain glucosinolates as characteristic defense compounds. Although glucosinolates are usually degraded by plant enzymes (myrosinases) to toxic isothiocyanates after ingestion,P. armoraciaebeetles sequester glucosinolates. Between and within brassicaceous plants, the glucosinolate content and composition can differ drastically. But how do these factors influence sequestration inP. armoraciae? To address this question, we performed a five-day feeding experiment with threeArabidopsis thalianalines that differ four-fold in glucosinolate content and the composition of aliphatic and indolic glucosinolates. We quantified the amounts of ingested, sequestered, and excreted glucosinolates, and analyzed the changes in glucosinolate levels and composition in beetles before and after feeding onArabidopsis.P. armoraciaeaccumulated almost all ingested glucosinolate types. However, some glucosinolates were accumulated more efficiently than others, and selected glucosinolates were modified by the beetles. The uptake of new glucosinolates correlated with a decrease in the level of stored glucosinolates so that the total glucosinolate content remained stable at around 35 nmol/mg beetle fresh weight. Beetles excreted previously stored as well as ingested glucosinolates fromArabidopsis, which suggests thatP. armoraciaeregulate their endogenous glucosinolate level by excretion. The metabolic fate of ingested glucosinolates, i.e. the proportions of sequestered and excreted glucosinolates, depended on glucosinolate type, content, and composition in the food plant. Overall,P. armoraciaesequestered and excreted up to 41% and 31% of the total ingested aliphatic and indolic glucosinolates fromArabidopsis, respectively. In summary, we show that glucosinolate variability in Brassicaceae influences the composition but not the level of sequestered glucosinolates inP. armoraciaebeetles.
Mean platelet volume-to-lymphocyte ratio: a novel biomarker associated with overall survival in patients with nonmetastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma treated with nephrectomy
Authors: Życzkowski Marcin , Kaletka Zbigniew , Rajwa Pawel , Rempega Grzegorz , Stelmach Paweł , Bogacki Rafał , Łach-Wojnarowicz Olga , Paradysz Ewa
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Renal cell carcinoma is a highly aggressive malignancy that causes significant morbidity and mortality. The rising number of newly diagnosed renal tumors results in a great need to search for new preoperative markers to evaluate the course of the disease and to help select patients who would benefit the most from additional postoperative care. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic value of mean platelet volume-to-lymphocyte ratio (MPVLR) in patients undergoing nephrectomy for nonmetastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Materials and methods

A total number of 344 patients with proven nonmetastatic ccRCC treated with radical or partial nephrectomy at our institution between January 2003 and December 2012 were included in our analysis. Based on the optimal cut-off value of MPVLR, which was determined by the receiver operating characteristic curve, our study population was divided into two groups, with low and high MPVLR. Differences in overall survival between groups were compared using the Kaplan–Meier method with log-rank testing. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was applied to perform univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

Study subjects with high MPVLR were older and had more advanced tumors. Tumor necrosis and higher TNM stages were also more prevalent in this group of patients. Mortality in patients with high MPVLR was significantly higher than in patients with low MPVLR. In the multivariate analysis, after adjustment for pathological and clinical covariates, high MPVLR (≥ 3.61) was independently associated with higher long-term overall mortality in nonmetastatic ccRCC patients.

Conclusion

MPVLR is an easily obtainable prognostic marker for overall survival in nonmetastatic ccRCC patients treated with nephrectomy.
Non-isothermal Phase-Field Modeling of Heat–Melt–Microstructure-Coupled Processes During Powder Bed Fusion
Authors: Yang Yangyiwei , Kühn Patrick , Yi Min , Egger Herbet , Xu Bai-Xiang
Published: January 2020

Modeling and simulation of powder bed fusion (PBF) remain a great challenge due to the sophisticated and interactive nature of underlying physics.
A unified scenario considering interactions among the heat transfer, melt flow dynamics and microstructure evolution (noted as “heat–melt–microstructure-coupled processes”) is therefore essential for a thermodynamically consistent description and thus reliable microstructure prediction. In contrast to the state of the art, where either individual aspects are considered or the thermal history is taken as input from separate numerical scheme, we propose in this work a unified non-isothermal phase-field model for the heat–melt–microstructure-coupled processes during PBF.
Simulations on a stainless steel 316L powder bed demonstrate that the model can reproduce well-observed features, but also help to discover new in-process phenomena and reveal the mechanism of the defect formation.
Based on massive simulation results, we also present the densification map with respect to beam power and scan speed, and have classified the regions of the parameter combination by the distinct resultant morphology.
Reduced Influence of apoE on Aβ43 Aggregation and Reduced Vascular Aβ43 Toxicity as Compared with Aβ40 and Aβ42
Authors: Jäkel Lieke , Biemans Elisanne A.L.M. , Klijn Catharina J.M. , Kuiperij H. Bea , Verbeek Marcel M.
Published: January 2020

The amyloid-β 43 (Aβ43) peptide has been shown to be abundantly expressed in Alzheimer’s disease plaques, whereas only relatively low levels have been demonstrated in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). To better understand this discrepant distribution, we studied various biochemical properties of Aβ43, in comparison with Aβ40 and Aβ42. We assessed the interaction of Aβ43 with the three apoE isoforms (apoE2, apoE3, and apoE4) using SDS-PAGE/Western blotting and ELISA, aggregation propensity using thioflavin T assays, and cytotoxicity towards cerebrovascular cells using MTT assays. We found that Aβ43 did not differ from Aβ42 in its interaction with apoE, whereas Aβ40 had a significantly lower degree of interaction with apoE. At a molar ratio of 1:100 (apoE:Aβ), all apoE isoforms were comparably capable of inhibiting aggregation of Aβ40 and Aβ42, but not Aβ43. All Aβ variants had a concentration-dependent negative effect on metabolic activity of cerebrovascular cells. However, the degree of this effect differed for the three Aβ isoforms (Aβ40 > Aβ42 > Aβ43), with Aβ43 being the least cytotoxic peptide towards cerebrovascular cells. We conclude that Aβ43 has different biochemical characteristics compared with Aβ40 and Aβ42. Aggregation of Aβ43 is not inhibited by apoE, in contrast to the aggregation of Aβ40 and Aβ42. Furthermore, cerebrovascular cells are less sensitive towards Aβ43, compared with Aβ40 and Aβ42. In contrast, Aβ43 neither differed from Aβ42 in its aggregation propensity (in the absence of apoE) nor in its apoE-binding capacity. Altogether, our findings may provide an explanation for the lower levels of Aβ43 accumulation in cerebral vessel walls.
Determination of Free Tryptophan in Beer Samples by Capillary Isotachophoretic Method
Authors: Jastrzębska Aneta , Kowalska Sylwia , Szłyk Edward
Published: January 2020

Tryptophan is essential amino acid and precursor for many neurotramsmiters that must be obtained from dietary proteins. However, its free form is easily absorbed and could increase the availability of this amino acid to the brain. Because of free tryptophan interaction with human health simple, eco-friendliness and low-cost method of determination are still needed. In this study, new and simple procedure for free tryptophan determination using capillary isotachophoresis is discussed. The method validation pointed good linearity, satisfactory selectivity, accuracy (recoveries varied from 98.4 to 100.1%), intra- and inter-day precision (coefficent of variation was < 5% for each standard solution and < 6% for real samples) and no matrix effect. The proposed procedure was successfully applied to analyse free tryptophan in beer samples and found contents varied from not detected to 40.74 ± 0.27 mg L−1. The obtained results were compared with chromatographic determination after derivatization with 2-chloro-1,3-dinitro-5-(trifluoromethyl)benzene and pointed better selectivity and accuracy of isotachophoretic procedure with similar precision. Due to the simplicity and flexibility, the proposed procedure is suitable for tryptophan analysis in complex matrices.
Identifying local differences with fused-MCP: an apartment rental market case study on geographical segmentation detection
Authors: Inoue Ryo , Ishiyama Rihoko , Sugiura Ayako
Published: January 2020

As the variety and quality of spatial data increase in recent times, the potential to analyze local characteristics based on spatial data is getting stronger. Previous spatial analysis methods structuralize the spatial autocorrelation of data by the distances between data observation points and the contiguity of the data-observed regions. It is significant for the estimation of global characteristics of spatial data. However, these approaches are not suitable for identifying local differences from the data since they assume a smooth spatial autocorrelation structure. Generalized fused lasso, which can detect local differences in spatial data, has been proposed in machine learning studies. Its limitation is that the estimated parameters are biased toward zero; however, methods that overcome the limitation have also been proposed. Fused-MCP is one of those methods and is expected to be useful in spatial analyses. This study applies fused-MCP to spatial analyses. As an example of spatial analyses based on fused-MCP, this study analyzes the structure of geographical segmentation of the real estate market in central Tokyo. Fused-MCP is utilized to extract areas where the valuation standard is the same. The results reveal that the geographical segmentation displays hierarchal patterns. Specifically, the market is divided by municipalities, railway lines and stations, and neighborhoods. The case study confirmed the applicability of fused-MCP to spatial analyses.
Rapid Fabrication of Bio-inspired Antireflection Film Replicating From Cicada Wings
Authors: Wang Ze , Li Bo , Feng Xiaoming , Jiao Zhibin , Zhang Junqiu , Niu Shichao , Han Zhiwu , Ren Luquan
Published: January 2020

Inspired by cicada wings, a flexible film with self-cleaning and broadband antireflection properties was fabricated with a rapid, straightforward and cost-effective method. The cicada wing was selected as the original template, and a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) negative replica was obtained by evaporation solvent process. The original template was directly peeled off. Subsequently, the polydi-methylsiloxane (PDMS) was spread in the as-prepared PMMA negative replica. After curing and peeling processes, the PDMS positive replica was manufactured successfully. The morphologies and performances of cicada wings were perfectly inherited by the PDMS positive replica. What is more, the excellent optical property of cicada wing was investigated experimentally and theoretically. Compared with flat PDMS film, the average reflectivity of structural PDMS film was reduced from 9% to 3.5% in the wavelength range of 500 nm–900 nm. These excellent antireflection properties of bio-inspired antireflection film can be attributed to the nanostructures which achieve a gradient refractive index between air and the materials, and the mechanism of the antireflection properties was revealed via effective medium theory. Besides, the bio-inspired broadband antireflective film exhibited superhydrophobic property after the surface treatment (a 152.1°water contact angle), and it also displayed satisfactory flexibility. This work provided a universal method to fabricate the exquisite biological structures, realizing the transfer of structure and function. Moreover, the multifunctional antireflection film exhibited the potential value for applications in optical communications, flexible display screens, and anti-dazzle glasses.
Inklusiver Sachunterricht zwischen Kind- und Materialorientierung – Mediennutzung und Motive der Medienauswahl im Fokus einer explorativen Lehrkräftebefragung
Authors: Schroeder René
Published: January 2020

Der vorliegende Beitrag referiert empirische Befunde einer zweiphasigen Lehrkräftebefragung zur Sachunterrichtpraxis in Nordrhein-Westfalen. Der Fokus der dargestellten Ergebnisse liegt hierbei auf der Mediennutzung sowie den damit verbundenen Motiven zur Medienauswahl der Lehrkräfte im inklusiven Sachunterricht. Die vorliegenden Daten wurden im Rahmen eines integrierten Mixed-Methods-Designs, bestehend aus einer teilstandardisierten Fragebogenerhebung (n = 80) sowie vertiefenden Experteninterviews (n = 10) mit einer Teilstichprobe der zuvor befragten Sachunterrichtslehrkräfte, gewonnen. Ergebnisse aus der statistischen wie auch qualitativ-inhaltsanalytischen Auswertung der quantitativen und qualitativen Daten werden mit Schwerpunkt auf die Mediennutzung sowie möglichen Einflussfaktoren hierauf analysiert und interpretiert. Dies geschieht vor dem Hintergrund der besonderen Bedeutung, die einem vielfältigen und differenzierten Medien- und Materialangebote für ein Kind orientiertes Lernen aus Perspektive einer inklusiven Sachunterrichtdidaktik zugeschrieben wird. Ebenso wird reflektiert, inwieweit sich eine aus bereits vorliegenden Studien erkennbare Materialorientierung von Sachunterrichtlehrkräften, bei der didaktisch-methodische Entscheidungen durch verfügbare Medien und Materialien determiniert werden, auch in den eigenen Befunden widerspiegelt. Im Ausblick werden mögliche Schlussfolgerungen für einen inklusiven Sachunterricht hinsichtlich zukünftiger fachdidaktischer Forschung zu barrierefreien Lehr-Lernmaterialien abgeleitet.
Effects of using curriculum-based measurement (CBM) for progress monitoring in reading and an additive reading instruction in second classes
Authors: Anderson Sven , Jungjohann Jana , Gebhardt Markus
Published: January 2020

In this study, poor readers in second school year were selected from three schools (n = 32). Their reading skills were surveyed weekly using a CBM instrument over one school semester. Furthermore, they were supported by a five-week reading fluency instruction. The majority of students increased their weekly learning growth in regular teaching and in the phase with the additive instruction. The weekly learning growth was higher in the phase with the additive instruction in reading syllables (b = 0.69), reading words (b = 0.44) and reading comprehension at sentence level (b = 0.45) than without (reading syllables: b = 0.49; reading words: b = 0.18; reading comprehension: b = 0.30). Based on the results of this study, the benefit of CBM for adaptive reading instruction will be discussed.
Foundations of Data Science
Authors: Blum Avrim , Hopcroft John , Kannan Ravindran
Published: January 2020

This book provides an introduction to the mathematical and algorithmic foundations of data science, including machine learning, high-dimensional geometry, and analysis of large networks. Topics include the counterintuitive nature of data in high dimensions, important linear algebraic techniques such as singular value decomposition, the theory of random walks and Markov chains, the fundamentals of and important algorithms for machine learning, algorithms and analysis for clustering, probabilistic models for large networks, representation learning including topic modelling and non-negative matrix factorization, wavelets and compressed sensing. Important probabilistic techniques are developed including the law of large numbers, tail inequalities, analysis of random projections, generalization guarantees in machine learning, and moment methods for analysis of phase transitions in large random graphs. Additionally, important structural and complexity measures are discussed such as matrix norms and VC-dimension. This book is suitable for both undergraduate and graduate courses in the design and analysis of algorithms for data.
Prosecutor v. Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir, Judgment in the Jordan Referral re Al-Bashir Appeal
Authors: Mudukuti Angela
Published: January 2020

In 2009, the International Criminal Court (ICC) stepped into uncharted waters as it issued its first arrest warrant for a sitting head of state, then President of Sudan Omar Al-Bashir. Following the UN Security Council's referral of the situation in the Darfur region of Sudan to the ICC, Al-Bashir was charged by the Court with war crimes and crimes against humanity, and in 2010, he was also charged with genocide. As a consequence, all of the states parties to the Rome Statute had a duty to arrest Al-Bashir. Several states have nonetheless failed to arrest him during country visits, allowing Al-Bashir to evade the ICC. This has given rise to a number of cases before the ICC Chambers, including this Appeals Chamber judgment regarding the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Legitimacy, Authority, and Performance: Contemporary Anxieties of International Courts and Tribunals
Authors: Romano Cesare P.R.
Published: January 2020

This review essay examines four edited volumes released in 2018 that address questions concerning the “legitimacy,” “authority,” and “performance” of international courts and tribunals (ICs). Each of the four volumes has a somewhat different focus.
The glass plates of Ludwig Bickell: Invaluable sources for art history and the history of photography, for conservation and cultural studies
Authors: Fessel Sonja
Published: January 2020

The photography collection of the German documentation centre for art history, Deutsches Dokumentationszentrum für Kunstgeschichte – Bildarchiv Foto Marburg (DDK), comprises more than 2.8 million objects. These include roughly 500,000 glass negatives, of which nearly 3,000 were made by the first Hessian state conservator Ludwig Bickell between 1870 and 1901. These early glass plates show a large number of retouchings and traces of their production and usage. This makes them rich sources for photographic and art historical or cultural historical research as well as conservation studies.
Understanding Infidelity Forgiveness: An Application of Implicit Theories of Relationships
Authors: Thompson Ashley E. , Capesius Dallas , Kulibert Danica , Doyle Randi A.
Published: January 2020

Two studies were conducted to identify variables associated with hypothetical infidelity forgiveness and promote forgiveness by manipulating implicit theories of relationships (ITRs; destiny/growth beliefs). Study 1 assessed the relationship between the type of behaviour, sex of the forgiver, ITRs and infidelity forgiveness. Study 2 investigated the causal relationship between ITRs and infidelity forgiveness (including attachment insecurity as a moderator). Results revealed that male participants forgave a partner's infidelity to a greater extent than female participants and that solitary behaviours were rated as most forgivable, followed by emotional/affectionate and technology/online behaviours, and sexual/explicit behaviours as least forgivable. Male participants (not female participants) induced to endorse growth beliefs forgave a partner's emotional/affectionate and solitary infidelity to a greater extent than those induced to endorse destiny beliefs; attachment insecurity moderated this relationship. These results have important implications for researchers and practitioners working with couples in distress.
Penicillium commune affects textural properties and water distribution of hard and extra-hard cheeses
Authors: Jurado Miguel , Vicente Carlos Javier
Published: January 2020

We analyzed the effects of growth of Penicillium commune, one of the most frequent fungal species associated with cheese, on the water diffusion and texture of hard and extra-hard cheeses. A total of 36 hard cheese blocks and 36 extra-hard cheese blocks were manufactured, salted at different levels (0.5, 1.25 and 2% w/w), and assigned to different treatments (control and inoculated). Cheese texture was analyzed using a penetration needle probe at 2 and 5 weeks after ripening. Firmness, defined as the maximum force detected in the penetration probe, was higher in both hard and extra-hard inoculated cheese blocks compared with the control. In addition, the presence of fungal growth on cheese rind increased the total work of penetration (a measure of resistance to probe penetration), but only in extra-hard cheeses, suggesting that the moisture of cheese might be affecting the growth capacities and performance of P. commune. The change in textural properties of cheeses was linked to desiccation of the upper 0.5-cm rind layer mediated by P. commune.
Digenean Holostephanus (Trematoda: Digenea: Cyathocotylidae) metacercariae in common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) muscle: zoonotic potential and sensitivity to physico-chemical treatments
Authors: Sándor D. , Gyöngy M. , Nyeste K. , Czeglédi I. , Székely C. , Buchmann K. , Cech G.
Published: January 2020

Metacercariae of various species within the genus Holostephanus Szidat, 1936 (Trematoda: Digenea: Cyathocotylidae) occur in muscles of both farmed and wild fish, including common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758). The life cycle includes a snail as first intermediate host, fish as second intermediate host and birds or mammals as final hosts. We studied the zoonotic potential and the viability of Holostephanus metacercariae from common carp following exposure to various physical and chemical treatments. Muscle tissue samples of common carp specimens from a fish farm in the north-eastern part of Hungary were examined and metacercariae recovered. The zoonotic potential was evaluated experimentally by using small mammals as models (albino mice, n = 2; and Syrian hamsters, n = 4) infected per os with Holostephanus cysts. Parallelly, Metagonimus metacercariae were used as positive controls. We could not confirm the zoonotic potential of Holostephanus metacercariae as they did not survive in the mammalian intestine whereas Metagonimus metacercariae developed to the adult stage. We assessed the viability of metacercariae isolated from common carp specimens during exposure to different physical treatments (temperatures of −18°C, +20°C, +40°C and +60°C) and chemical agents (5% and 10% acetic acid and 10% sodium chloride (NaCl)). Metacercariae lost viability by freezing at −18°C (2 h), heating at 60°C (20 min), incubation in 5% and 10% acetic acid (5 min) and 10% NaCl (2 h). These methods served as models to investigate the effectiveness of food preparation techniques (such as cold and hot smoking, freezing, salting and pickling) on the survival of metacercariae.
Enhancement of laser-driven ion acceleration in non-periodic nanostructured targets
Authors: Ferri J. , Thiele I. , Siminos E. , Gremillet L. , Smetanina E. , Dmitriev A. , Cantono G. , Wahlström C.-G. , Fülöp T.
Published: January 2020

Using particle-in-cell simulations, we demonstrate an improvement of the target-normal-sheath acceleration (TNSA) of protons in non-periodically nanostructured targets with micron-scale thickness. Compared to standard flat foils, an increase in the proton cutoff energy by up to a factor of two is observed in foils coated with nanocones or perforated with nanoholes. The latter nano-perforated foils yield the highest enhancement, which we show to be robust over a broad range of foil thicknesses and hole diameters. The improvement of TNSA performance results from more efficient hot-electron generation, caused by a more complex laser–electron interaction geometry and increased effective interaction area and duration. We show that TNSA is optimized for a nanohole distribution of relatively low areal density and that is not required to be periodic, thus relaxing the manufacturing constraints.
People and jaguars: new insights into the role of social factors in an old conflict
Authors: Caruso Flavia , Perovic Pablo G. , Tálamo Andrés , Trigo Carolina B. , Andrade-Díaz María S. , Marás Gustavo A. , Saravia Diego , Sillero-Zubiri Claudio , Altrichter Mariana
Published: January 2020

Throughout its range in Latin America, the jaguar Panthera onca is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, and by conflict as a result of coexistence with people. This Near Threatened species is a top predator, and is often illegally hunted. Understanding people's attitudes and perceptions and the factors that could influence them is crucial for the conservation of this species. In this study we assess how knowledge, attitudes and perceptions among people in northern Argentina regarding jaguars vary depending on their level of education, age and occupation. We interviewed 810 people living in and around 10 protected areas in northern Argentina. Positive perceptions and attitudes towards the jaguar were associated with economic benefits that people may receive from the species’ presence, such as income from tourism. Unexpectedly, higher levels of formal education were not associated with more positive attitudes and perceptions. Negative attitudes and perceptions towards the species were determined by fear; people see jaguars as a threat to their lives. This study shows that the socio-economic factors that affect the level of tolerance towards jaguars are not related only to economic losses. Our findings provide information for the design, implementation and evaluation of jaguar conservation projects in Argentina.
Temporal characterization of laser-induced plasma of tungsten in air
Authors: Mal Eshita , Junjuri Rajendhar , Gundawar Manoj Kumar , Khare Alika
Published: January 2020

In this manuscript, the time-resolved laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) on tungsten target in air and the coexistence of LTE among atoms and ions as well as the fulfillment of optically thin plasma condition are reported. The laser-induced plasma (LIP) of tungsten is generated by focusing the second harmonic of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser of pulse width ~7 ns and repetition rate of 1 Hz on the tungsten target. The temporal evolution of LIP of tungsten is recorded at four different incident laser fluences of 60, 120, 180, and 270 J/cm2. The several atomic and singly ionized lines of tungsten are identified in LIP. For the estimation of plasma temperature via the Boltzmann plot, the transitions at 430.7, 449.4, 468.0, 484.3, 505.3, and 524.2 nm of Atomic transition of tungsten (WI) and that of the ionic transitions, First Ionic transition of Tungsten (WII) at 251.0, 272.9, and 357.2 nm are selected. The electron density is estimated using the Stark-broadened profile of WI line at 430.2 nm. The McWhirter criteria for the local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) condition is verified in present experimental conditions as well as the relaxation time and diffusion length are estimated to take into account the transient and inhomogeneous nature of the plasma. The optically thin plasma condition is studied by assessing the experimental intensity ratio of atomic lines and compared with that of the theoretical intensity ratio (branching ratio). The signal to noise ratio (SNR) is also obtained as a function of time with respect to laser pulse and incident laser fluence. All these observations indicate that the spectra should be recorded within the temporal window of 1–3.5 µs with respect to laser pulse where the plasma can be treated as optically thin as well as under LTE simultaneously along with the large SNR.