bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Ketene Dithioacetals Generated from 2‐Nitroperchlorobutadiene and Investigation of Their Antibacterial, Antifungal, Anticonvulsant and Antidepressant Activities
Authors: Aydinli Serdar Goksin , Bulut Elif , Deniz Nahide Gulsah , Sayil Cigdem , Komarovska‐Porokhnyavets Olena , Lubenets Vira , Zvarych Viktor , Stasevych Maryna , Nesterkina Mariia , Kravchenko Iryna
Published: June 2022

The ketene dithioacetal 3 generated from 2‐nitroperchlorobutadiene 1 reacted with various heterocyclic amines and aliphatic, aromatic and heterocyclic thiols to produce functionalized new ketene‐N,S,S‐acetals and S,S,S‐acetals 4a–f, 5a–h as heterocyclic dithiolanes. They were separated/purified by chromatographic methods and their exact structure characterization were made clear by spectroscopic methods. These compounds synthesized could act as effective drugs for versatile activity. Evaluation of the antimicrobial effect of the obtained substances determined derivatives 4e and 5h, which have MIC=15.6 μg/mL for the test culture of Mycobacterium luteum bacteria closing to the control drug Vancomycin. The obtained compounds can be proposed as a promising synthetic objects for future molecular design to enhance the antimicrobial action. Ketene dithioacetals 3, 4a, 4b, 4e, 5g (50 mg/kg) exhibited antiseizure effect comparable with reference drug (valproic acid) on the model of pentylenetetrazole‐induced convulsions after single oral administration both at 3 h and 24 h. Furthermore, tested dithioacetals possessed prolonged antidepressant activity in forced swim test (FST) considerable decreasing the duration of immobility time compared to reference drug amitriptyline. This is the first study of the investigation of anticonvulsant and antidepressant activities of ketene dithioacetals.
Peridevice leak: Achilles' heel of left atrial appendage occlusion?
Authors: Cilingiroglu Mehmet , Inanc Ibrahim
Published: June 2022

Key Points

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is the standard of care for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who are not eligible for chronic oral anticoagulation (COA).

Peridevice leak (PDL) remains an unsolved issue.

Further studies are needed to evaluate the real impact of PDL on the long‐term clinical outcomes.
Characterization of quaternary Heusler alloys CoFeYGe (Y = Ti, Cr) with respect to structural, electronic, magnetic, mechanical, and thermoelectric features
Authors: Charifi Zoulikha , Ghellab Torkia , Baaziz Hakim , Soyalp Fethi
Published: June 2022

The electronic, magnetic, elastic, and thermoelectric properties of CoFeYGe (Y = Ti, Cr) quaternary Heusler compounds are studied using DFT simulations. Our calculations show that both CoFeYGe (Y = Ti, Cr) alloys have a Type‐I atomic configuration. CoFeCrGe and CoFeTiGe compounds with band gaps of 0.640 eV and 0.489 eV, respectively, were found to display half‐metallic behavior in the minority spin channels. The total magnetic moment of CoFeCrGe was 3.00 μB, while CoFeTiGe's was 1.00 μB. CoFeTiGe and CoFeCrGe are both mechanically stable in the Y‐Type‐I structure. The surface of E is entirely distorted, demonstrating substantial anisotropy for two compounds. They have a higher anisotropic Young's modulus in the (XY), (XZ), and (YZ) planes. At 900 K, ZT is 0.31706 (0.45308) for CoFeTiGe (CoFeCrGe), corresponding to a carrier concentration of n0 = 20.4581 × 1021 cm−3 (64.5856 × 1021) cm−3. Two ways exist to enhance ZT values of CoFeTiGe and CoFeCrGe to 0.4032 and 0.64149, respectively: A charge carrier concentration of 17.392 × 1021 cm−3 for CoFeTiGe and 59.503 × 1021 cm−3 for CoFeCrGe is obtained. The second similar result is obtained by raising the chemical potential of CoFeTiGe and CoFeCrGe by 0.068 and 0.980 Ryd, respectively. To our knowledge, CoFeCrGe and CoFeTiGe exhibit exceptional spintronic and thermoelectric properties.
Untersuchung der Effektivität einer inversen Wenner‐Schlumberger‐Konfiguration
Authors: Prins Constantin , Schulz Reinhard , Thuro Kurosch
Published: June 2022

Auf der Schwäbischen Albhochfläche, Südwestdeutschland, befindet sich die neue Hochgeschwindigkeitsbahnstrecke von Wendlingen nach Ulm der Deutschen Bahn AG in der Bauausführung. In Ergänzung zu den ausgeführten Erkundungsmaßnahmen der Baufirma (darunter mikrogravimetrische und seismische Verfahren) wurden geoelektrische Messungen in 2,5D (d. h. parallele 2D‐Profile) von der Aushubsohle aus durchgeführt. Ziel war es, die Effektivität einer inversen Wenner‐Schlumberger‐Konfiguration für die geoelektrische Karsthohlraumerkundung in einem stark heterogenen Karstgebiet abzuleiten. Die 2,5D geoelektrische Erkundung lieferte Resistivitätswerte für Mergel und Mergelsteine, einen Kalksteinuntergrund, eine Versturzdoline und einen luftgefüllten Hohlraum. Eine klare Abgrenzung zwischen den Mergeln und Mergelsteinen und dem Kalksteinuntergrund war nur außerhalb des Einflussbereiches der Versturzdoline möglich. Die Versturzdoline konnte nicht exakt von den angrenzenden geologischen Einheiten abgegrenzt werden. Einer von drei luftgefüllten Hohlräumen konnte präzise in seiner Lage und grob in seiner Größe und Form von der 2,5D geoelektrischen Erkundung abgeleitet werden. Die anderen zwei Hohlräume wurden aufgrund ihrer Lage unter einer hochresistiven Anomalie und ihrer vergleichsweise geringen maximalen horizontalen Öffnungsweite von nur 1‐mal dem verwendeten Elektrodenabstand von der Geoelektrik nicht detektiert.
Analyzing environmental heat stress under changing work conditions: A sensor‐based monitoring solution
Authors: Sharma Milap , Suri Narendra Mohan , Kant Suman , Alam Md Sarfaraz
Published: June 2022

Hot stressful work conditions impose subsequent suppressions on workers' wellbeing resulting in heat‐related morbidities, reduced productivity, and economic burden. Heat stress evaluations require costly monitoring tools that may be uneconomical while monitoring multiple locations simultaneously under the targeted workplace, especially in industrially developing countries. With recent technological advancements, sensor‐based intelligence could enable environmental heat stress monitoring at a substantially lesser price than costlier monitoring tools. In the present study, a sensor‐based approach has been utilized to develop a low‐cost data acquisition system involving widely used temperature‐humidity (THu) based indices and environmental sensors for monitoring heat stress parameters under three different work environments (i.e., indoor, outdoor, foundry). Notable variations were observed among respective work environments for the evaluated heat stress parameters. Higher heat exposures were attributable to the foundry and outdoor conditions than indoor. Based on the bivariate correlation analysis, strong associations were observed among respective indices (p < .01). For wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), strong association was observed with modified discomfort index and fighter index of thermal stress (R2 = .979) followed by oxford index (R2 = .973) and discomfort index (R2 = .958). Australian Bureau of Metrology (ABM) WBGT approximation overestimated heat exposure values under the respective environments, indicating the approximated WBGT values monitored using THu sensor units were not wholly reliable. The absence of radiant effects and air velocity is a limiting factor in the present study. However, the proposed prototype could have additional integration capabilities w.r.t several remedial control measures like risk‐based early warning systems, automation controls, and real‐time data monitoring and analysis for multiple locations simultaneously, with potential payoffs like cost‐effectiveness and energy savings.
An optimal statistical feature‐based transformation function for enhancement of retinal images using adaptive enhanced leader particle swarm optimization
Authors: Mahapatra Sakambhari , Agrawal Sanjay
Published: June 2022

Retinal images play a crucial role in the clinical diagnosis and detection of many eye diseases. However, the retinal image is degraded with noise and suffers from low contrast, which makes it difficult to interpret the image precisely and accurately. So retinal image enhancement becomes a vital step before any further processing. Here, a new approach is suggested for fundus image enhancement, where the image is processed in the spatial domain through an optimal statistical feature‐based transformation function (SFTF). The proposed SFTF has four tunable parameters. An optimal set of these parameters is obtained through a newly suggested adaptive enhanced leader particle swarm optimization technique. The suggested method is investigated with freely accessible DRIVE, STARE, and IDRiD databases. The efficiency of the suggested technique is assessed through different validation indices. The results reveal superior performance compared with other popular methods used for vessel enhancement.
One‐pot facile synthesis of Cu‐SAPO‐34 via addition of tetraethylenepentamine and its enhanced catalytic activity in selective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3
Authors: Cao Yue , Chen Boyuan , Dong Yongli , Zhu Yujun , Li Zhibin
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

A series of Cu‐SAPO‐34 samples were prepared with different copper sources and addition of tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) by a one‐pot method, which were applied for selective catalytic reduction of NOx with ammonia (NH3‐SCR).

RESULTS

Various measurements were carried out to investigate the effect of TEPA addition and copper sources used on sample properties. The results indicated that Cu‐SAPO‐34 obtained with the addition of TEPA using copper citrate (Cu‐SAPO‐34‐TC) displayed over 90% NOx conversion at 150–500 °C and excellent H2O and SO2 resistance in NH3‐SCR. This is because the addition of TEPA can control the formation of isolated Cu2+ species located at the junction of D6R in CHA cage, Site (I), which is regarded as a more easily approachable site to adsorbates (NH3 and NO) than others, thus leading to the excellent NH3‐SCR performance. Further study demonstrated that the Cu‐SAPO‐34‐TC catalyst shows much wider temperature window and more hydrothermal stability due to a greater amount of surface isolated Cu2+, fewer Si islands and more Al(IV) species.

CONCLUSIONS

The excellent activity of the Cu‐SAPO‐34‐TC catalyst can be attributed to the addition of TEPA, which is beneficial for controlling the isolated Cu2+ at Site (I) as well as inhibiting the aggregation of CuO species. Various characterizations also confirm that more surface Cu2+ can be produced using copper citrate as copper source. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
General evaluation score for predicting the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with advanced liver fibrosis associated with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 or 2 after direct‐acting antiviral therapy
Authors: Tada Toshifumi , Kurosaki Masayuki , Tamaki Nobuharu , Yasui Yutaka , Mori Nami , Tsuji Keiji , Hasebe Chitomi , Joko Koji , Akahane Takehiro , Furuta Koichiro , Kobashi Haruhiko , Fujii Hideki , Ishii Toru , Marusawa Hiroyuki , Kondo Masahiko , Kojima Yuji , Yoshida Hideo , Uchida Yasushi , Nakamura Shinichiro , Izumi Namiki
Published: June 2022

Background and Aim

To validate a composite predictive model for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with advanced liver fibrosis associated with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) who have received direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) therapy and achieved sustained virologic response (SVR).

Methods

This study included 1258 patients with advanced liver fibrosis associated with HCV genotype 1, 2, or both. General evaluation score (GES), which is based on sex, age, fibrosis stage, albumin, and α‐fetoprotein, was used as a composite predictive model.

Results

There were 645 (51.3%) patients in the low‐risk group, 228 (18.1%) in the intermediate‐risk group, and 385 (30.6%) in the high‐risk group based on GES categories. The 12‐, 36‐, and 60‐month cumulative incidence of HCC was 0.7%, 5.3%, and 13.0%, respectively. Multivariable analysis with Cox proportional hazards models showed that male sex (hazard ratio [HR], 1.863; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.204–2.883), F4 fibrosis stage (HR, 3.199; 95% CI, 1.696–6.036), and albumin (HR, 0.489; 95% CI, 0.288–0.828) are independently associated with HCC development. The incidence of HCC differed significantly by GES‐based risk category (P < 0.001). Cox proportional hazards models showed that, with the low‐risk group as the referent, the HR for HCC development was 1.875 (95% CI, 1.000–3.514) in the intermediate‐risk group and 2.819 (95% CI, 1.716–4.630) in the high‐risk group. GES had better predictive ability for HCC development than fibrosis‐4 index according to time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis.

Conclusion

GES is useful for predicting HCC development in patients with advanced liver fibrosis after SVR.
Effects of an alternative bleaching method for yerba mate leaves on total phenolic content: evaluation and prediction with soft‐computing approaches
Authors: Nomura Vitor Hiroyuki , Moreira Beatriz Godoy Martins , Carniel Anderson Chaves , Pereira Edimir Andrade , Johann Gracielle
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

The effects of an alternative bleaching method on the total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (AA) of yerba mate extracts were evaluated. Traditional bleaching (‘zapeco’) was compared with submerging the leaves in water followed by a hot air oven‐drying process. Seven different approaches, i.e. linear model (LM), response surface model (RSM), Mamdani, Larsen, adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) with the product (Prod) and the minimum (Min) operators, and ANFIS with automatically membership functions (Auto), were employed to compare the TPC of yerba mate extracts based on drying temperature and AA assays.

RESULTS

The results showed that if leaves were bleached followed by drying at higher temperatures, we obtained higher AA and TPC values. For submerging bleaching treatment, RSM model delivered the best accuracy measures with a mean absolute error (MAE), average absolute percentage error (MAPE), and mean squared error (MSE) of 0.128, 0.006, and 0.028, respectively. The ANFIS Auto model was the best for traditional bleaching treatment, with MAE, MAPE, and MSE of 0.490, 0.013, and 0.612, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest a second‐order linear relation between drying temperature, AA assays to TPC, and a high level of relation complexity of drying temperature, AA assays, and TPC. The evaluated soft‐computing approaches have the excellent ability to estimate TPC from bleached leaves. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Cathodic control using cellular automata approach
Authors: Zenkri Mariem , di Caprio Dung , Raouafi Fayçal , Féron Damien
Published: June 2022

We present a stochastic three‐dimensional cellular automata model of aqueous corrosion. We consider the cathodic reaction with dissolved oxygen and different concentrations of the oxidizer. We study the role and the stability of the passive layer and its effect on the kinetics, surface morphology, and roughness of the metallic surface. The model considers balanced spatially separated anodic and cathodic reactions and is capable of illustrating the cathodic control of the corrosion rate. Besides the electrochemical reactions, we take into account ionic diffusion, and acidic/basic neutralization. Results are compared to the aqueous corrosion of Fe in a near‐neutral solution.
Implement high impact practices to increase student engagement, success
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: June 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. — At a virtual session at the annual conference for the Association of American Colleges and Universities, Tracie Clifford, an Instructor and Master Faculty of high impact practices at Chattanooga State Community College, shared how her institution has implemented HIPs and overhauled course design to better meet the needs of student success.
Consider policies, procedures that boost accessibility during global turmoil
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: June 2022

PORTLAND, Ore. — Making admission decisions for students who lack documentation, or whose documentation is not standard, can be a challenge. For international students in particular, the disruption from COVID‐19 went beyond test scores, and events such as wars and natural disasters also lead to documentation irregularities. Some refugees don't even have access to their academic records.
Weight changes in patients with sustained viral suppression switching tenofovir disoproxil fumarate to tenofovir alafenamide
Authors: Schafer Jason J. , Zimmerman Matty , Walshe Ciara , Cerankowski Jesse , Shimada Ayako , Keith Scott W.
Published: June 2022

Objective

Switching from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)‐ to tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)‐containing antiretroviral therapy may negatively influence weight, cholesterol, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. The extent of these changes and their association with TAF remain unclear.

Methods

This retrospective cohort evaluated metabolic changes in virologically suppressed patients with HIV infection who switched from TDF to TAF without switching other antiretroviral therapy medications. Adult patients on TDF and with no HIV viral load values >200 copies/mL for ≥2 years prior to and following a TAF switch were included. Weight and other variables were collected for 2 years before and after the switch. Longitudinal linear mixed‐effects models evaluated changes at 1 and 2 years after the switch.

Results

In the unadjusted analysis, there were increases in weight, BMI, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk scores 2 years after switching to TAF (each p ≤ 0.03). However, only increases in total and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were associated with TAF and were significantly different from expected changes predicted in the adjusted longitudinal models.

Conclusions

Despite observing significant unadjusted metabolic changes after switching to TAF, only changes in cholesterol were associated with TAF and were different from changes expected in time‐trend adjusted models.
Atomistic Modeling of the Electrical Conductivity of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Junctions
Authors: Durrant Thomas R. , El-Sayed Al-Moatasem , Gao David Z. , Rueckes Thomas , Bersuker Gennadi , Shluger Alexander L.
Published: June 2022

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have many interesting properties that make them a focus of research in a wide range of technological applications. In CNT films, the bottleneck in charge transport is typically attributed to higher resistance at CNT junctions, leading to electrical transport characteristics that are quite different from individual CNTs. Previous simulations confirm this; however, a systematic study of transport across junctions is still lacking in the literature. Herein, density functional tight binding (DFTB) theory combined with the nonequilibrium Green's functions (NEGF) method is used to systematically calculate current across a range of CNT junctions. A random sampling approach is used to sample an extensive library of junction structures. The results demonstrate that the conductivity of CNT contacts depends on the overlap area between nanotubes and exponentially on the distances between the carbon atoms of the interacting CNTs. Two models based solely on the atomic positions of carbon atoms within the nanotubes are developed and evaluated: a simple equation using only the smallest C–C separation and a more sophisticated model using the positions of all C atoms. These junction current models can be used to predict transport in larger‐scale simulations where the CNT fabric structure is known.
Can Thailand achieve COVID‐19 herd immunity?
Authors: Jitanan Manatee , Chirasatienpon Tharisara , Tiamjan Rapeeporn , Amnatsatsue Kwanjai , Nguanjairak Rachanon , Miranda Adriana Viola , Lin Xu , Gyeltshen Dawa , Vicerra Paolo Miguel Manalang , Kouwenhoven M. B. N.
Published: June 2022

The COVID‐19 outbreak has had a great impact on the social, economic, and health systems of Thailand. A variety of measures to curb the spread of the disease were implemented since the beginning of the pandemic, including a strict national lockdown protocol. The Thai government aimed to achieve herd immunity through an efficient vaccination programme. Initially, vaccine supply shortage and a lack of vaccine options plagued the health system, but this has since been improved. Continuous monitoring of the situation through research is being carried out to assess the level of immunity among the population whereby the current general recommendation is presently a fourth booster dose for adults. Hurdles towards achieving herd immunity remain. One such issue is the low level of vaccine literacy among those that are unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated. Another obstacle is the sizeable rate of hesitancy towards getting booster doses. Achieving herd immunity in the Thai population would require multilateral cooperation, improved health promotion to target population groups, such as older adults, and a developed distribution system for those with limited access, such as those in the rural areas.
A Two‐Step Thermomechanical Process for Improving High‐Angle Grain Boundary Proportion and Achieving Delamination Toughening in Hot‐Rolled Steel with a Limited Slab‐to‐Plate Ratio
Authors: Wang Hongtao , Tian Yong , Ye Qibin , Kan Liye , Wang Zhaodong , Wang Guodong
Published: June 2022

A two‐step thermomechanical process is utilized to increase high‐angle grain boundary (HAGB) proportion and achieve delamination cracks in hot‐rolled steel produced by a limited slab‐to‐plate ratio. Three plates are austenitized at 900 °C and hot rolled with 65%, 57%, and 50% reduction at 880–800 °C after rolling at 1100–1050 °C followed by water cooling. Water quenching tests are carried out to prove the advantages of the two‐step thermomechanical process. The steels having 69.9–71.8% HAGB proportion and delamination cracks are fabricated with a final thickness of 48 mm and a total rolling reduction ratio of 3.33. The high HAGB proportion is attributed to the abnormally refined prior austenite grain of 18.5 ± 10.5 μm caused by the heating temperature of 900 °C. Thus, 93–129% more effective interfacial area (193–229 mm−1) can be provided than the conventional process (100 mm−1) during rolling below the nonrecrystallization temperature of austenite. Abundant ferrite grains that form and impinge from the different prior austenite grains obtain 33.6–34.5% frequency distribution of the grain boundary misorientation angles, which fall into 20°–47°. The premises of delamination toughening are that the delamination cracks appear at the opposite side of the V‐notch with a reduced number.
Challenge of Residence Time Distribution Curve in Tundish for Continuous Casting of Steel
Authors: Ding Changyou , Lei Hong , Chen Shifu , Zhang Han , Zhao Yan , Zou Zongshu
Published: June 2022

The residence time distribution (RTD) curve is a simple and useful method to analyze the flow behavior in the tundish. In the last decades, analysis result acquirement based on the RTD curve has been applied to design and optimize the flow control devices in a simple bare tundish or a multistrand tundish. There are many factors to affect the acquirement and analysis of the RTD curve, such as the tracer, the measuring technology, and the analysis model. In order to find a solution for the above issues, the latest progress and research status of RTD curve are discussed in the fields of water model, mathematical model, RTD analysis model, and measuring technology. After comparison, the KCl solution is a good tracer, and its tracer concentration and volume can be determined by the dimensionless tracer parameter (Dtp). The extended combined model can be applied to analyze the RTD curve by pulse input of tracer, and the mean residence time is the key parameter to identify the difference in fluid characteristics among the strands.
Mechanism and Application of Reverse Austenitic Transformation in Medium Mn Steels: A Systematic Review
Authors: Guo Qinyi , Hu Bin , Luo Haiwen
Published: June 2022

In this contribution, the nucleation and growth mechanism of austenite during the intercritical annealing (IA) of medium Mn steels (MMSs) are reviewed. The nucleation of austenite can be enhanced due to the introduction of (sub)grain boundaries, dislocations, and carbides before austenitization. Although martensite may transform to austenite in a displacive way during flash heating, austenitic nuclei usually grow with the diffusion and partitioning of solute C/Mn atoms. The latter, however, is still difficult to be modeled because the combined influence of interface dissipation energy, defects, and carbide particles is not well understood and quantified. Next, four recent emerging processing technologies, including prior deformation for generating dislocations, additional tempering for the precipitation of carbides, additional annealing before IA, and flash heating, are also analyzed according to the above‐stated nucleation and growth mechanism. Finally, it is proposed that the targeted austenite grains for improving the mechanical properties of MMS shall be produced by enhancing both nucleation sites and growth kinetics of austenite via the deliberate design of processing routes.
Das Space Cube der SEH Engineering
Authors: Geske Heinz , Kiehn Diethard
Published: June 2022

Auf dem Werksgelände der SEH Engineering GmbH in Hannover ist ein multifunktionales und hochmodernes Bürogebäude entstanden, das eindrucksvoll die nahezu unendlichen Einsatzmöglichkeiten des Werkstoffs Stahl zeigt. Die Aufgabenstellung war kurz und knackig: einen Raum schaffen für ein Klima der Offenheit, wo inspirierendes Denken, Begeisterung und Fokussierung auf die Aufgaben – frei von Mustern – gefördert wird. Ein Bauwerk mit einer klaren Formensprache, dessen Design sich deutlich vom üblichen Bürostandard abhebt. Man spürt förmlich von außen wie von innen: Hier wird gern mit dem Werkstoff Stahl gearbeitet. Durch die sichtbare Stahlstruktur im Inneren entsteht ein Loftcharakter. Der kubusartige Baukörper hat klare Gebäudekanten, die Gebäudehülle lässt sich sehr gut mit dem Werkstoff Holz kombinieren. Große, bodentiefe Verglasungen schaffen eine freundliche und offene Atmosphäre mit ausreichend Tageslicht. Jalousien, die bei Bedarf hinter der Fassade verschwinden, sorgen für einen wirksamen Blend‐ und Sonnenschutz. Auf nur acht Stahlrundstützen ruhend, hat das Gebäude einen schwebenden Charakter, der Raum darunter kann als Parkfläche und für andere Zwecke genutzt werden. Das Gebäude ist ca. 30 m lang, die Breite beträgt im Regelbereich ca. 9 m mit einer Höhe von 10,70 m. Das Space Cube wählt statt Einzelbüros Open‐Space‐Büros, in denen Fachteams zusammen Platz finden, mit offener Raumstruktur, gelockerter Arbeitsatmosphäre und ausgestattet mit modernster Technik.
Toward Deregulated, Smart and Resilient Power Systems with Massive Integration of Renewable Energy in Japan
Authors: Yokoyama Akihiko
Published: June 2022

In Japan, the Goal of Carbon Neutral in 2050 was declared by Prime Minister in October, 2020. In order to achieve the goal, the Japanese government positioned Renewable Energy Source (RES) such as PV and wind power as ‘main power supply resource’ and is expanding its introduction by taking various types of countermeasures to solve the problems induced by massive integration of the RES into the grid. In recent years, the power system was damaged many times by a lot of natural disaster such as strong earthquakes, typhoons and heavy rains. The situation of the Japanese power system is drastically changing due to low demand growth, massive introduction of the RES as well as evolution of the power system reform that is introduction of power markets such as energy spot market, capacity market and balancing market. In this paper, our activities toward deregulated, smart and resilient power systems are presented. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Predictive analytics beyond time series: Predicting series of events extracted from time series data
Authors: Mishra Sambeet , Bordin Chiara , Taharaguchi Kota , Purkayastha Adri
Published: June 2022

Realizing carbon neutral energy generation creates the challenge of accurately predicting time‐series generation data for long‐term capacity planning and for short‐term operational decisions. The key challenges for adopting data‐driven decision‐making, specifically predictive analytics, can be attributed to data volume and velocity. Data volume poses challenges for data storage and retrieval. Data velocity poses challenges for processing the data near real time for operational decisions or for capacity building. This manuscript proposes a novel prediction method to tackle the above two challenges by using an event‐based prediction in place of traditional time series prediction methods. The central concept is to extract meaningful information, denoted by events, from time‐series data and use these events for predictive analysis. These extracted events retain the information required for predictive analytics while significantly reducing the volume of the velocity of data; consequently, a series of events present the information at a glance, effectively enabling data‐driven decision‐making. This method is applied to a data set consisting of six years of historical wind power capacity factor and temperature measurements. Deploying five deep learning models, a comparison is drawn between classical time‐series predictions and series of events predictions based on computational time and several error metrics. The computational analysis results are presented in graphical format and a comparative discussion is drawn on the prediction results. The results indicate that the proposed method obtains the same or better prediction accuracy while significantly reducing computational time and data volume.
Roles of Middle Managers in Agile Project Governance
Authors: Uwadi Maduka , Gregory Peggy , Allison Ian , Sharp Helen
Published: June 2022

Project governance is an important activity in agile software development (ASD) projects for project success. Middle managers are part of the governance structure in ASD projects. Despite the efficacy of project governance and existence of middle managers in agile teams, project governance and middle management in ASD projects are under-researched. This multiple-case study investigates the roles of middle managers in agile project governance activities within two Nigerian ASD projects through the lens of activity theory. We collected data in semi-structured interviews, observations, questionnaires, and company documents. Our findings show that middle managers performed 25 roles related to planning and coordination for project alignment and execution, continuous improvement and organisational change, agile and technical leadership, monitoring, and capability building. We conclude that middle managers are pivotal to project governance practice and the effectual functioning of agile teams in ASD projects. The study will help agile practitioners to better understand the roles of middle managers in agile project governance. Results from this work contribute to the ‘middle management in agile’ debate and offer an alternative view that may change beliefs about middle managers in agile project settings.
Understanding Leadership in Agile Software Development Teams: Who and How?
Authors: Weichbrodt Johann , Kropp Martin , Biddle Robert , Gregory Peggy , Anslow Craig , Bühler Ursina Maria , Mateescu Magdalena , Meier Andreas
Published: June 2022

The principles in the Agile Manifesto, the Scrum Guide and most other approaches to agile software development emphasize self-organizing teams, but rarely address issues of leadership. In this paper we report on a study of the nature of different aspects of leadership in agile teams. We used an established model of leadership, distinguishing transactional and transformational styles, and asked IT professionals a set of questions about the leadership they experience, both from direct supervisors (hierarchical leadership) and from the team itself (shared leadership). We determined correlation measures of these four types of leadership with the extent of agility in the whole organization. Our results show that agility is indeed related to the transformational style, but that the transactional style also plays a part, especially as shared leadership. Furthermore, even in highly agile software development, leadership by direct supervisors still plays an important role. We propose that, as software development becomes more agile, the transactional aspects of leadership may shift away from the leadership dyad between supervisor and employee into the agile team, while transformational leadership is important for both the team and supervisors. We discuss our results in light of applications for both research and practice.
A Case for Data-Driven Agile Transformations: Can Longitudinal Backlog Data Help Guide Organizational Improvement Journeys?
Authors: Boon Gijsbert C. , Stettina Christoph Johann
Published: June 2022

Context: Almost every organization with a strong digital capability has embarked on an agile transformation journey. But do these changes actually deliver on the envisioned transformation goals? What conclusions can we draw from measurements and observations?

Objective: The ambition of this report is to (1) assess whether tooling data can be used to guide a transformation towards improved organizational performance; (2) verify claimed benefits of agile transformations using tooling data in the presented case study.

Method: We measure productivity, time-to-market, and quality as transformation objectives by analyzing longitudinal Jira backlog tooling data within an embedded multiple-unit case study.

Results: By analyzing over 57,000 Jira issues from eight agile release trains over a period of three years, we (1) provide a proof of concept of how tooling data can be used to guide agile transformations; (2) provide empirical evidence on the assessment of transformation objectives over time and organizational layers at FinOrg; and (3) connect measurement results with available literature.

Conclusions: We may conclude that tooling data is a viable addition to guide transformations through identification of improvement opportunities on the set objectives. We connected the case study results to existing literature and identified similarities. We argue that there is a need for a measurement framework and better understanding of the dynamics between measurement and performance.
Regulating AI
Authors: Mantelero Alessandro
Published: June 2022

Although the debate on AI regulation is still fluid at a global level and the European initiatives are in their early stages, three possible approaches to grounding AI regulation on human rights are emerging. One option is a principles-based approach, comprising guiding principles derived from existing binding and non-binding international human rights instruments, which could provide a comprehensive framework for AI. A different approach focuses more narrowly on the impacts of AI on individual rights and their safeguarding through rights-based risk assessment. This is the path followed by the Council of Europe in its ongoing work on AI regulation. Finally, as outlined in the EU proposal, greater emphasis can be placed on managing high-risk applications by focusing on product safety and conformity assessment. Despite the differences between these three models, they all share a core concern with protecting human rights, recognised as a key issue in all of them. However, in these proposals for AI regulation, the emphasis on risk management is not accompanied by effective models for assessing the impact of AI on human rights. Analysis of the current debate therefore confirms that the HRESIA could not only be an effective response to human-rights oriented AI development that also encompasses societal values, but it could also bridge a gap in the current regulatory proposals.
Synthesis: Concept, Methodologies, and Strategies to Address the Nexus in SEPLS
Authors: Nishi Maiko , Subramanian Suneetha M. , Gupta Himangana
Published: June 2022

This chapter synthesises major findings from the eleven case studies presented in the previous chapters, offering policy recommendations arising from the synthesis. It distills key messages to address questions on the following issues: (1) how to conceptualise the nexus between biodiversity, health, and sustainable development in the context of SEPLS management; (2) how to measure, evaluate, and monitor the effectiveness of SEPLS management in regard to securing and improving both ecosystem and human health; and (3) how to address the challenges and seize the opportunities of SEPLS management in minimising trade-offs and maximising synergies between different efforts augmenting both ecosystem and human health, as well as well-being, so as to move towards more sustainable futures. The chapter identifies several policy recommendations to better manage the biodiversity-health-sustainability nexus in SEPLS and facilitate transformative change for sustainable development. It also revisits the concept of the biodiversity-health-sustainability nexus to offer perspectives on the complex interlinkages in the context of managing SEPLS on the ground.
Effective Water Management for Landscape Management in the Siem Reap Catchment, Cambodia
Authors: Jacobson Chris , Smith Jady , Sou Socheath , Nielsen Christian , Hang Peou
Published: June 2022

International awareness of the world-renowned Angkor Wat temple complex has drawn attention to the challenges of climate change, deforestation, and water management in Cambodia. The aim of this chapter is to examine the benefits of enhanced water management provided within Angkor Archaeological Park, and to consider challenges to maintaining those benefits. The Authority for the Protection of the Site and Management of the Region of Angkor (APSARA) designed and in 2014–2018 implemented within the Park a water management project to recharge groundwater supplies, mitigate floods, and provide irrigation. To assess the benefits, we draw on an economic analysis of ecosystem service changes, including interviewing 145 households from across the Park and four experts. To assess challenges to sustaining the benefits, we also interviewed 73 households and conducted 12 focus group discussions in the upper catchment. We used a combination of quantitative analysis (i.e. economic assessment) and qualitative data analysis (e.g. thematic analysis). Our analyses of data from people living in and around the Park showed that improved water management (e.g. reinforcing dykes and storage facilities for groundwater recharge) and investment in economic diversification (e.g. tourism, horticulture, and heritage crops projects) reduced vulnerability of the people to climate hazards. Currently, these benefits are threatened by forest loss in the upper Siem Reap catchment. Our analysis of data from the upper catchment showed that forest loss also resulted in detrimental effects to human health and well-being, and was associated with higher food insecurity. Solutions are suggested to enhance nature-based employment opportunities and promote economic diversification. This would extend the scope of management of this socio-ecological production landscape (SEPL) beyond the Park and ensure its sustainability by improving the health and well-being of the people living in the upper catchment.
Are the Skiing Industry, Globalisation, and Urbanisation of Alpine Landscapes Threatening Human Health and Ecosystem Diversity?
Authors: Fischer Andrea , Adolf Henriette , Bender Oliver
Published: June 2022

The Jamtal Environmental Education Centre is a joint effort of the local communities of Galtür and Ischgl and the Alpinarium museum, dedicated to high mountain livelihoods and landscapes. For this study, we compiled available scientific evidence and personal views in the two communities on the co-evolution of human health and the biodiversity of local ecosystems. Main sources are historical records and maps, chronosequencing in the glacier forefields, and an analysis of contemporary land cover and glacier changes. In both communities, a large part of the area has remained unused since the start of the records in 1857. While the glacier area has shrunk by 70% since then, the forest area has increased as a result of changing land use and climate. Chronosequencing reveals that the glacier forefields are refugia for cold-adapted species under pressure from climate warming. Although land cover has changed, no type of land use recorded in the historical data has disappeared completely. While health services and infrastructure are thought to be sufficient, interviewees saw the largest potential for improvement in today’s lifestyle. Traditional practices involving usage of herbs or food culture, for example related to Gentiana punctata, are still alive and important for the communities.
Analytic and numerical bootstrap for one-matrix model and “unsolvable” two-matrix model
Authors: Kazakov Vladimir , Zheng Zechuan
Published: June 2022

Abstract

We propose the relaxation bootstrap method for the numerical solution of multi-matrix models in the large N limit, developing and improving the recent proposal of H. Lin. It gives rigorous inequalities on the single trace moments of the matrices up to a given “cutoff” order (length) of the moments. The method combines usual loop equations on the moments and the positivity constraint on the correlation matrix of the moments. We have a rigorous proof of applicability of this method in the case of the one-matrix model where the condition of positivity of the saddle point solution appears to be equivalent to the presence of supports of the eigenvalue distribution only on the real axis and only with positive weight. We demonstrate the numerical efficiency of our method by solving the analytically “unsolvable” two-matrix model with tr[A, B]2 interaction and quartic potentials, even for solutions with spontaneously broken discrete symmetry. The region of values for computed moments allowed by inequalities quickly shrinks with the increase of the cutoff, allowing the precision of about 6 digits for generic values of couplings in the case of ℤ2 symmetric solutions. Our numerical data are checked against the known analytic results for particular values of parameters.
“Dendroarchitectonics”: From Santiago Ramón y Cajal to Enrique Ramón-Moliner or vice versa?
Authors: Geser Felix , Haybaeck Johannes , Yilmazer-Hanke Deniz
Published: June 2022

Here, we review the morphological taxonomy of neurons proposed by Enrique Ramón-Moliner in the vertebrate central nervous system based on "dendroarchitectonics" and compare these findings with Santiago Ramón y Cajal's work. Ramón-Moliner distinguished three main groups of nerve cells situated on a spectrum of dendritic configuration in the mammalian central nervous system with decreasing degree of morphological specialization, i.e., idiodendritic, allodendritic, and isodendritic neurons. Leptodendritic neurons would be an even more primitive type, and lophodendritic nerve cells would develop into pyramidal neurons. Using two developmental lines (i.e., telencephalic and rhombencephalic trends), Ramón-Moliner reconstructed the probable course of events in the phylogenetic history that led to the dendroarchitectonic families. While an increasing morphological specialization is associated with the projected phylogenetic development as an abstract "whole," phylogenetically "primitive neurons" such as the reticular formation may be present in later phylogenetic stages, and vice versa, phylogenetical "new arrivals," such as the cortical pyramidal cell, may be found early in phylogeny. Thus, Ramón-Moliner adopted the notion of an in-parallel neuronal development during phylogeny and ontogeny. In contrast, Cajal argued earlier in favor of the idea that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny, focusing on the pyramidal neuron. In ontogeny, the early developmental features show a higher degree of similarity than the comparison of their adult forms. These results corroborate the rejection of the interpretative framework of ontogeny as a simple, speedy repetition of the phylogeny. Understanding morphological findings with the change in their interpretation and the historic underpinnings provide a framework for refined scientific hypotheses.
An Accelerated First-Order Method for Non-convex Optimization on Manifolds
Authors: Criscitiello Christopher , Boumal Nicolas
Published: June 2022

We describe the first gradient methods on Riemannian manifolds to achieve accelerated rates in the non-convex case. Under Lipschitz assumptions on the Riemannian gradient and Hessian of the cost function, these methods find approximate first-order critical points faster than regular gradient descent. A randomized version also finds approximate second-order critical points. Both the algorithms and their analyses build extensively on existing work in the Euclidean case. The basic operation consists in running the Euclidean accelerated gradient descent method (appropriately safe-guarded against non-convexity) in the current tangent space, then moving back to the manifold and repeating. This requires lifting the cost function from the manifold to the tangent space, which can be done for example through the Riemannian exponential map. For this approach to succeed, the lifted cost function (called the pullback) must retain certain Lipschitz properties. As a contribution of independent interest, we prove precise claims to that effect, with explicit constants. Those claims are affected by the Riemannian curvature of the manifold, which in turn affects the worst-case complexity bounds for our optimization algorithms.
Cognitive bias and attitude distortion of a priority decision
Authors: Svenson Ola , Lindholm Öjmyr Torun , Appelbom Sophia , Isohanni Freja
Published: June 2022

The resource saving bias is a cognitive bias describing how resource savings from improvements of high-productivity units are overestimated compared to improvements of less productive units. Motivational reasoning describes how attitudes, here towards private/public health care, distort decisions based on numerical facts. Participants made a choice between two productivity increase options with the goal of saving doctor resources. The options described productivity increases in low-/high-productivity private/public emergency rooms. Jointly, the biases produced 78% incorrect decisions. The cognitive bias was stronger than the motivational bias. Verbal justifications of the decisions revealed elaborations of the problem beyond the information provided, biased integration of quantitative information, change of goal of decision, and motivational attitude biases. Most (83%) of the incorrect decisions were based on (incorrect) mathematical justifications illustrating the resource saving bias. Participants who had better scores on a cognitive test made poorer decisions. Women who gave qualitative justifications to a greater extent than men made more correct decision. After a first decision, participants were informed about the correct decision with a mathematical explanation. Only 6.3% of the participants corrected their decisions after information illustrating facts resistance. This could be explained by psychological sunk cost and coherence theories. Those who made the wrong choice remembered the facts of the problem better than those who made a correct choice.