bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indirect System Condition Monitoring Using Online Bayesian Changepoint Detection
Authors: Tochev Emil , Pfifer Harald , Ratchev Svetan
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a method for online vibration analysis and a simple test bench analogue for the solder pumping system in an industrial wave-soldering machine at a Siemens factory. A common machine fault is caused by solder build-up within the pipes of the machine. This leads to a pressure drop in the system, which is replicated in the test bench by restricting the flow of water using a gate valve. The pump’s vibrational response is recorded using an accelerometer. The captured data is passed through an online Bayesian Changepoint Detection algorithm, adapted from existing literature, to detect the point at which the change in flow rate affects the pump, and thus the PCB assembly capability of the machine. This information can be used to trigger machine maintenance operations, or to isolate the vibrational response indicative of the machine fault.
Das Gutachten als Evasionsmanöver. Hugo Loetschers unzuverlässig erzählter Roman Abwässer (1963) und die schweizerische Neutralitätspolitik
Authors: Lambrecht Tobias
Published: April 2021

Hugo Loetschers Debütroman Abwässer (1963) wurde von der bisherigen Forschung nicht angemessen als unzuverlässig erzählter Text rezipiert. Dabei betrifft bei näherer Betrachtung genau dieser Aspekt das zentrale Thema des Textes: Die Rolle der Schweiz und ihrer sogenannten Neutralitätspolitik während und nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg sowie die zur Zeit der Abfassung systematische Unterdrückung ihrer Aufarbeitung durch die schweizerische Regierung. Eine genaue Analyse erweist den Text nicht als Haltungsempfehlung eines allgemeinen Humanismus, sondern als Ausdruck einer moralischen Verunsicherung, als Aufarbeitungs- und Selbstbeschreibungsversuch eines Landes, das nach dem unversehrten Überstehen des Zweiten Weltkriegs im Ost-West-Konflikt überhaupt erst eine tragfähige Basis für seine moralische Positionierung finden muss.
Rätselhafte Artefakte. Leo Perutz und das unzuverlässige Erzählen
Authors: Müller Hans-Harald
Published: April 2021

Nach einem knappen Rückblick auf die Begriffsgeschichte des unzuverlässigen Erzählens wird das Romanwerk von Leo Perutz im Hinblick auf Vorkommen und spezifische Verwendungen des unzuverlässigen Erzählens untersucht. Auffällig ist in diesem Kontext, dass Perutz seit 1933 keinen Gebrauch mehr von dieser Erzählkonzeption macht. Die Hypothese, dass dieser Sachverhalt auf eine – in der deutschen Literaturgeschichte des 20. Jahrhunderts oft konstatierte – ‚Abschwächung der Moderne‘ seit Ende der 1920er Jahre zurückzuführen ist, lässt sich jedoch nicht erhärten. Beim gegenwärtigen Stand der Forschung kann das unzuverlässige Erzählen weder einer spezifischen poetischen Konzeption noch einer begrenzten literarhistorischen Epochen zugeordnet werden.
Unzuverlässiges Erzählen und Life-Writing. Zwei konfligierende Konzepte in Vladimir Nabokovs The Real Life of Sebastian Knight und Thomas Manns Doktor Faustus
Authors: Klimek Sonja
Published: April 2021

Die beiden im Exil entstandenen Romane „The Real Life of Sebastian Knight“ (1941) von Vladimir Nabokov und „Doktor Faustus“ (1947) von Thomas Mann sind zwei fiktionale Texte über das Schreiben nicht-fiktionaler Künstler-Biographien. Da die fiktiven Biographen-Figuren selbst keine Künstler sind, wird in beiden Romanen der Blick von außen auf die künstlerische Kreativität dargestellt. Auf der Werkebene werden diese Versuche, einen anderen Menschen in seinem Gewordensein aus seiner Lebensgeschichte heraus zu verstehen, aber immer wieder mit den Mitteln der Groteske als unzulänglich bloßgestellt, nicht zuletzt durch die Lächerlichkeit ihrer den Prämissen und Strukturmerkmalen der anti-modernen Romanbiographien der 1920er und 1930er verpflichteten Erzähler-Figuren. Nabokovs besonders selbstreferentieller Roman ist ein Text über die Unmöglichkeit, einen anderen Menschen zu verstehen, indem man sein Leben erzählend rekonstruiert, was durch einen nicht offen unzuverlässigen, aber dennoch höchst zweifelhaften Ich-Erzähler narrativ gestaltet wird. Mann dagegen nutzt einen offen unzuverlässigen Erzähler, um einen Meinungsvorschlag zur Diskussion zu stellen, ohne dass Mann sich selbst als Autor zu dieser Position bekennen müsste. Beide Romane verfügen über die erzählerischen Traditionen der Romantik und bringen somit letztlich ihre Interpreten in die Position, in ihren Verstehensakten nun auch selbst Position zu beziehen, ob das Verstehen eines Künstlers – hier nicht seines Lebens, sondern eines seiner Werke – möglich sei.
,Fieberhafte Steigerung‘. Zur Zuverlässigkeit des Erzählers in Thomas Manns Doktor Faustus (1947)
Authors: Kindt Tom
Published: April 2021

Der Beitrag rekonstruiert und problematisiert grundlegende Spielarten der verbreiteten These, dass Serenus Zeitblom, der fiktive Narrator in Thomas Manns „Doktor Faustus“, ein unzuverlässiger Erzähler ist. Die Abwägungen gelangen im Wesentlichen zu den folgenden drei Einschätzungen: 1) Aus der Ironisierung Zeitbloms im Werkzusammenhang lässt sich nicht auf seine Unzuverlässigkeit schließen. 2) Trotz wachsender Fabulierlust während des Erzählens legt er einen mimetisch zuverlässigen Bericht vor. 3) Trotz eines nach und nach geschärften Urteilsvermögens präsentiert er eine – in besonderer Weise – axiologisch unzuverlässige Erzählung.
Zuverlässiges und unzuverlässiges Erzählen in Friedrich Dürrenmatts Kriminalromanen (1952–1958)
Authors: Spörl Uwe
Published: April 2021

Der Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit Friedrich Dürrenmatts KriminalromanenDer Richter und sein Henker,Der VerdachtundDas Versprechen.Er vertritt die These, dass der erste und der letzte dieser Romane unzuverlässig erzählt werden, beide mimetisch und täuschend unzuverlässig,Der Richter und sein Henkerheterodiegetisch bzw. erzählerlos,Das Versprechenhomodiegetisch. Die These wird nach einer Bestimmung von unzuverlässigem Erzählen in Kriminalliteratur begründet und für beide Romane belegt. Sie wird darüber hinaus eingesetzt, um die Frage der Gattungszuordnung der beiden Texte als Kriminal- bzw. Antikriminalromane zu klären, und sie wird mit der gattungsübergreifenden Poetik Dürrenmatts in den fünfziger Jahren korreliert. Abschließend wird geklärt, warum der zweite der drei Romane,Der Verdacht,ohne unzuverlässiges Erzählen operiert.
Wer bin ich – und was kann ich dagegen tun? Fiktionale Wahrheit und mimetisch unzuverlässiges Erzählen in Max Frischs Stiller (1954)
Authors: Lindblom Victor
Published: April 2021

Am Beispiel des Romans Stiller von Max Frisch wird im Beitrag die These plausibel gemacht, dass mimetisch unzuverlässiges Erzählen zu einer Aufspaltung einer fiktiven Welt in mehrere – potenziell unterschiedlich stark autorisierte – fiktive Welten führt. Dieser Auffassung zufolge wird durch das unzuverlässige Erzählen des Protagonisten der Roman in eine Stiller-Fiktion und in eine White-Fiktion unterteilt. Beide fiktive Welten bestehen demnach aus fiktionalen Wahrheiten, jedoch wird die Stiller-Fiktion durch den Autor stärker autorisiert als die White-Fiktion. Diese Erzählkonzeption verlangt nach einer Interpretation des Romans aus zwei Perspektiven, die im Identitätsproblem ihren gemeinsamen Kern haben: In derselben Weise wie Stiller nicht Whites Identität annehmen kann, kann White nicht Stillers Identität annehmen.
„nicht mehr zu erzählen gewusst als unzuverlässige unsichere Gerüchte“ Zu den Grenzen unzuverlässigen Erzählens in Uwe Johnsons Mutmassungen über Jakob (1959)
Authors: Onasch Paul
Published: April 2021

Im Aufsatz wird die Frage diskutiert, inwiefern der Erzähler in Uwe Johnsons erstveröffentlichtem Roman Mutmassungen über Jakob den Versuch, die Hintergründe zum Tod der Titelfigur Jakob Abs zu rekonstruieren, auf narratologisch unzuverlässige Weise arrangiert. Ausgehend von Simone Elisabeth Langs These, dass „der Befund zur mimetischen Zuverlässigkeit des Erzählers positiv“ ausfalle, sich das Erzählen im Roman aber „am Rande des Spektrums der erzählerischen Zuverlässigkeit“ bewege (Lang 2016, S. 223), werden Textstellen untersucht, in denen der Erzähler scheinbar auf das Bewusstsein der zu Beginn der Erzählung bereits verstorbenen Titelfigur zurückgreifen kann. Während es sich bei diesen Passagen eindeutig nicht, wie von Lang angenommen, um unmarkierte Wiederholungen von Figurentext im Erzählerbericht handelt (vgl. Lang 2016, S. 219 f.), bleibt aufgrund des artifiziellen Charakters einiger Bewusstseinswiedergaben offen, inwieweit diese womöglich als szenische Vergegenwärtigung des Erzählers gestaltet sind (vgl. Müller 2005, S. 272). Zweifellos nimmt Johnson damit eine mimetische Unzuverlässigkeit in Kauf, spielt bei genauerer Betrachtung mit ihr (vgl. Lang 2016, S. 223), um den poetologischen Anspruch an einen Erzähler zu demaskieren, eine konsistente (Erzähl-)‚Wahrheit‘ präsentieren zu müssen.
„… aber es könnte ebensogut anders sein“. Modernistisches Erzählen um 1960, zum Beispiel Peter Weiss
Authors: Beise Arnd
Published: April 2021

Um 1960 konstatierte die Literaturkritik eine „Krise des Erzählens“. Viele Autoren reagierten darauf mit modernistischen Erzählweisen, bei denen der traditionell zuverlässige Erzähler verabschiedet wird. Besonders weit ging Peter Weiss (1916–1982), dessen erzählerische Experimente ihm den Ruf einbrachten, „ein“ oder „der Meister der deutschen Prosa“ zu sein. Das Konzept des „unzuverlässigen Erzählers“ wird in dem Aufsatz zunächst am Beispiel der Romane „Der Schatten des Körpers des Kutschers“ (1960) und „Fluchtpunkt“ (1962) überprüft. Am Beispiel des „Gesprächs der drei Gehenden“ (1963), über dessen in permanenter Wandlung befindliche fiktive Welt keine verlässlichen Aussagen verfügbar sind, wird gezeigt, dass in einem bestimmten Spektrum der modernistischen Erzählkunst die Frage nach der Zuverlässigkeit oder Unzuverlässigkeit des Erzählers nicht mehr sinnvoll zu stellen ist.
What Is an Organizational Strategic Decision?
Authors: Yu Xiu-bao
Published: April 2021

Based on military strategies, the chapter details the three elements of strategy, which represents an integrated decision-making on three core questions concerning a company’s development. First, is the decision on determining long-term development goals; second is that on identifying key development problems and main challenges; third is that on formulating guiding principles for solutions to the main challenges, making it an interdependent whole indispensable to each other. In other words, an overall strategy decision is composed of three sub-decisions, which are related and are matched with the three core elements of the strategy concept.
Knowing Yourself and Knowing the Others
Authors: Yu Xiu-bao
Published: April 2021

This chapter introduces the basic information for the need of strategic decision-making, including internal key information of the organization, external information. Strategic decision makers are required to conduct analysis and have a deep understanding of the industry trend and of the organization resources and capabilities.
Evaluation of Strategy Based on the Three Elements
Authors: Yu Xiu-bao
Published: April 2021

The implementation of each strategic decision involves investment of a large amount of capital, human resources and managerial efforts. An incorrect decision often means the failure of an investment. Risks of strategic decisions can be reduced if we can re-examine or identify whether the strategic decisions that have been made are consistent with the actual situation of the company and with the external environment and industry development. Based on the basic principles of strategic decision-making presented in this book, this chapter puts forward the basic logic and thinking of the evaluation of strategic decision-making from the standpoint of the three elements of strategy.
A mean value formula for the variational p-Laplacian
Authors: Teso Félix del , Lindgren Erik
Published: April 2021

We prove a new asymptotic mean value formula for the p-Laplace operator,
$$\begin{aligned} \Delta _pu=\text{ div }(|\nabla u|^{p-2}\nabla u), \quad 1<p<\infty \end{aligned}$$

Δ
p

u
=

div

(
|
∇
u
|

p
-
2

∇
u
)
,

1
<
p
<
∞

valid in the viscosity sense. In the plane, and for a certain range of p, the mean value formula holds in the pointwise sense. We also study the existence, uniqueness and convergence of the related dynamic programming principle.
Clinical pharmacology strategies in supporting drug development and approval of antibody–drug conjugates in oncology
Authors: Liu Stephanie N. , Li Chunze
Published: April 2021

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are important molecular entities in the treatment of cancer. These conjugates combine the target specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the potent anti-cancer activity of small-molecule therapeutics. The complex structure of ADCs poses unique challenges to characterize the drug’s pharmacokinetics (PKs) and pharmacodynamics (PDs) since it requires a quantitative understanding of the PK and PD properties of multiple different molecular species (e.g., ADC conjugate, total antibody and unconjugated cytotoxic drug). As a result, clinical pharmacology strategy of an ADC is rather unique and dependent on the linker/cytotoxic drug technology, heterogeneity of the ADC, PK and safety/efficacy profile of the specific ADC in clinical development. In this review, we summarize the clinical pharmacology strategies in supporting development and approval of ADCs using the approved ADCs as specific examples to illustrate the customized approach to clinical pharmacology assessments in their clinical development.
Evolutionary bet-hedging in structured populations
Authors: Overton Christopher E. , Sharkey Kieran J.
Published: April 2021

As ecosystems evolve, species can become extinct due to fluctuations in the environment. This leads to the evolutionary adaption known as bet-hedging, where species hedge against these fluctuations to reduce their likelihood of extinction. Environmental variation can be either within or between generations. Previous work has shown that selection for bet-hedging against within-generational variation should not occur in large populations. However, this work has been limited by assumptions of well-mixed populations, whereas real populations usually have some degree of structure. Using the framework of evolutionary graph theory, we show that through adding competition structure to the population, within-generational variation can have a significant impact on the evolutionary process for any population size. This complements research using subdivided populations, which suggests that within-generational variation is important when local population sizes are small. Together, these conclusions provide evidence to support observations by some ecologists that are contrary to the widely held view that only between-generational environmental variation has an impact on natural selection. This provides theoretical justification for further empirical study into this largely unexplored area.
Minimally-invasive mitral valve repair of symmetric and asymmetric Barlow´s disease
Authors: Faerber Gloria , Tkebuchava Sophie , Diab Mahmoud , Schulze Christian , Bauer Michael , Doenst Torsten
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Barlow´s disease represents a wide spectrum of mitral valve pathologies associated with regurgitation (MR), excess leaflet tissue, and prolapse. Repair strategies range from complex repairs with annuloplasty plus neochords through resection to annuloplasty-only. The latter requires symmetric prolapse patterns and central regurgitant jets. We aimed to assess repair success and durability, survival, and intraoperative outcomes with symmetric and asymmetric Barlow’s disease.

Methods

Between 09/10 and 03/20, 103 patients (of 1939 with mitral valve surgery) presented with Barlow´s disease. All received surgery through mini-thoracotomy with annuloplasty plus neochords (n = 71) or annuloplasty-only (n = 31). One valve was replaced for endocarditis (repair rate: 99%).

Results

Annuloplasty-only patients were older (64 ± 16 vs. 55 ± 11 years, p = 0.008) and presented with higher risk (EuroSCORE II: 4.2 ± 4.9 vs. 1.6 ± 1.7, p = 0.007). Annuloplasty-only patients had shorter cross-clamp times (53 ± 18 min vs. 76 ± 23 min, p < 0.001) and received more tricuspid annuloplasty (15.5% vs. 48.4%, p < 0.001). Operating times were similar (170 ± 41 min vs. 164 ± 35, p = 0.455). In three patients, annuloplasty-only caused intraoperative systolic anterior motion (SAM), which was fully resolved by neochords to the posterior leaflet. There were no conversions to sternotomy or deaths at 30-days. Three patients required reoperation for recurrent MR (at 25 days, 2.8 and 7.8 years). At the latest follow-up, there was no MR in 81.4%, mild in 14.7%, and moderate in 2.9%. Three patients died due to non-cardiac reasons. Surviving patients report the absence of relevant symptoms.

Conclusions

Minimally-invasive Barlow’s repair is safe with good durability. Annuloplasty-only may be a simple solution for complex but symmetric pathologies. However, it may carry an increased risk of intraoperative SAM.
The diagnostic value of the neurological examination in coma of unknown etiology
Authors: Schmidt Wolf U. , Lutz M. , Ploner C. J. , Braun M.
Published: April 2021

Background

Identifying the cause of non-traumatic coma in the emergency department is challenging. The clinical neurological examination is the most readily available tool to detect focal neurological deficits as indicators for cerebral causes of coma. Previously proposed clinical pathways have granted the interpretation of clinical findings a pivotal role in the diagnostic work-up. We aimed to identify the actual diagnostic reliability of the neurological examination with regard to identifying acute brain damage.

Methods

Eight hundred and fifty-three patients with coma of unknown etiology (CUE) were examined neurologically in the emergency department following a predefined routine. Coma-explaining pathologies were identified retrospectively and grouped into primary brain pathology with proof of acute brain damage and other causes without proof of acute structural pathology. Sensitivity, specificity and percentage of correct predictions of different examination protocols were calculated using contingency tables and binary logistic regression models.

Results

The full neurological examination was 74% sensitive and 60% specific to detect acute structural brain damage underlying CUE. Sensitivity and specificity were higher in non-sedated patients (87/61%) compared to sedated patients (64%/59%). A shortened four-item examination protocol focusing on pupils, gaze and pyramidal tract signs was only slightly less sensitive (67%) and more specific (65%).

Conclusions

Due to limited diagnostic reliability of the physical examination, the absence of focal neurological signs in acutely comatose patients should not defer from a complete work-up including brain imaging. In an emergency, a concise neurological examination should thus serve as one part of a multimodal diagnostic approach to CUE.
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair after previous transabdominal prostatectomy
Authors: Dewulf M. , Aspeslagh L. , Nachtergaele F. , Pletinckx P. , Muysoms F.
Published: April 2021

Background

Transabdominal prostatectomy results in scarring of the retropubic space and this might complicate subsequent preperitoneal dissection and mesh placement during minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair. Therefore, it suggested that an open anterior technique should be used rather than a minimally invasive posterior technique in these patients.

Methods

In this single-center study, a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was performed. All patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair after previous transabdominal prostatectomy were included in this analysis, and the feasibility, safety, and short-term outcomes of open and robotic-assisted laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair were compared.

Results

From 907 inguinal hernia operations performed between March 2015 and March 2020, 45 patients met the inclusion criteria. As the number of patients treated with conventional laparoscopy was very low (n = 2), their data were excluded from statistical analysis. An open anterior repair with mesh (Lichtenstein) was performed in 21 patients and a robotic-assisted laparoscopic posterior transabdominal repair (rTAPP) in 22. Patient characteristics between groups were comparable. A transurethral urinary catheter was placed during surgery in 17 patients, most often in the laparoscopic cases (15/22, 68.2%). In the rTAPP group, a higher proportion of patients was treated for a bilateral inguinal hernia (50%, vs 19% in the Lichtenstein group). There were no intraoperative complications and no conversions from laparoscopy to open surgery. No statistically significant differences between both groups were observed in the outcome parameters. At 4 weeks follow-up, more patients who underwent rTAPP had an asymptomatic seroma (22.7% vs 5% in the Lichtenstein group) and two patients were treated postoperatively for a urinary tract infection (4.7%).

Conclusion

A robotic-assisted laparoscopic approach to inguinal hernia after previous transabdominal prostatectomy seems safe and feasible and might offer specific advantages in the treatment of bilateral inguinal hernia repairs.
Influence of physical activity on periodontal health in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A blinded, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Wernicke K. , Grischke J. , Stiesch M. , Zeissler S. , Krüger K. , Bauer P. , Hillebrecht A. , Eberhard J.
Published: April 2021

Objectives

The aim was to investigate the effect of physical activity on periodontal health and HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) over a period of 6 months.

Materials and methods

Thirty-seven patients with non-insulin-dependent T2DM were included in the study. The intervention group (n=20) performed physical activity over a period of 6 months. The control group (n=17) did not receive any intervention. Baseline and final examinations included dental parameters and concentrations of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP).

Results

Physical activity showed a positive effect on periodontal health. Both the BOP (p= 0.005) and the severity of periodontitis (p= 0.001) were significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group. Furthermore, HbA1c levels were reduced (p= 0.010) significantly in the intervention group while hsCRP levels significantly increased in the control group (p= 0.04).

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this randomized, controlled trial, physical activity over a period of 6 months is a health-promoting measure for patients with T2DM and improves both periodontal health and HbA1c concentrations.
Impact of a defunctioning ileostomy and time to stoma closure on bowel function after low anterior resection for rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Vogel I. , Reeves N. , Tanis P. J. , Bemelman W. A. , Torkington J. , Hompes R. , Cornish J. A.
Published: April 2021

Background

Impaired bowel function after low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer is a frequent problem with a major impact on quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a defunctioning ileostomy, and time to ileostomy closure on bowel function after LAR for rectal cancer.

Methods

We performed a systematic review based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. Comprehensive literature searches were conducted using PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases for articles published from 1989 up to August 2019. Analysis was performed using Review Manager (version 5.3) using a random-effects model.

Results

The search yielded 11 studies (1400 patients) that reported on functional outcome after LAR with at least 1 year follow-up, except for one study. Five scales were used: the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) score, the Wexner score, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre Bowel Function Instrument, the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scale, and the Hallbook questionnaire. Based on seven studies, major LARS occurred more often in the ileostomy group (OR 2.84, 95% CI, 1.70–4.75, p < 0.0001: I2 = 60%, X2 = 0.02). Based on six studies, a longer time to stoma closure increased the risk of major LARS with a mean difference in time to closure of 2.39 months (95% CI, 1.28–3.51, p < 0.0001: I2 = 21%, X2 = 0.28) in the major vs. no LARS group. Other scoring systems could not be pooled, but presence of an ileostomy predicted poorer bowel function except with the Hallbook questionnaire.

Conclusions

The risk of developing major LARS seems higher with a defunctioning ileostomy. A prolonged time to ileostomy closure seems to reinforce the negative effect on bowel function; therefore, early reversal should be an important part of the patient pathway.
Cacao, copoazu and macambo: Exploring Theobroma diversity in smallholder agroforestry systems of the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Lagneaux Elisabeth , Andreotti Federico , Neher Charlotte M.
Published: April 2021

Over the past decades, the general trend towards shade reduction and intensification of cacao management has led to biodiversity losses. In the Peruvian Amazon, the regional government is heavily promoting crop conversion to shift from regionally marketed foods towards cacao (Theobroma cacao) and copoazu (Theobroma grandiflorum). While this shift is already visibly impacting the farming landscape and the lives of many smallholder farmers, little is known about the reasons that drive farmers to choose certain types of Theobroma species or cacao varieties over others. In this paper, we addressed how cacao farmers perceive and manage specific and varietal Theobroma diversity. We interviewed cacao farmers (n = 20) during a seed-exchange fair and adapted a version of the four-square analysis to explore which Theobromas are currently adopted by farmers and why. The native cacao variety (cacao chuncho) was the one cultivated by most farmers, followed by the more industrial clonal varieties. The source of seeds and seedlings for the most cultivated varieties was a mix of donations by public institutions (for clonal varieties) and informal exchange among farmers (mainly for native and criollo varieties, and species i.e. macambo (Theobroma bicolor) and cacauillo (Theobroma speciosum)). The cacao varieties incentivized by public institutions were the least desired for future investment. The motivations for farmers to plant Theobromas was mainly based on the perceived current and potential market, but their desire to invest in a given species or variety was also based on pest resistance, traditional use, farm diversification and taste. Copoazu and CCN cacao varieties are produced by many households in large areas, while macambo, cacauillo and the cacao varieties TSH and porcelana are produced by few households in small areas. Our study suggests that agroforestry systems that include alternative Theobroma species are multi-strata and more diverse than cacao-based systems. It highlights the risks of agrobiodiversity loss associated with the promotion of industrial cacao varieties, and the importance of seed and seedling access for the development of diverse farming systems. We recommend the expansion of local seed-sharing networks and the extension of public cacao-donation campaigns to neglected and underutilized Theobromas with socio-economic and environmental benefits, in order to make the local farming systems more diverse and resilient.
A Refined Propensity Account for GRW Theory
Authors: Lorenzetti Lorenzo
Published: April 2021

Spontaneous collapse theories of quantum mechanics turn the usual Schrödinger equation into a stochastic dynamical law. In particular, in this paper I will focus on the GRW theory. Two philosophical issues that can be raised about GRW concern (a) theontologyof the theory, in particular the nature of the wave function and its role within the theory, and (b) the interpretation of theobjective probabilitiesinvolved in the dynamics of the theory. During the last years, it has been claimed that we can take advantage of dispositional properties in order to develop an ontology for GRW theory, and also in order to ground the objective probabilities which are postulated by it. However, in this paper I will argue that the dispositional interpretations which have been discussed in the literature so far are either flawed or—at best—incomplete. If we want to endorse a dispositional interpretation of GRW theory we thus need an extended account which specifies the precise nature of those properties and which makes also clear how they can correctly ground all the probabilities postulated by the theory. Thus, after having introduced several different kinds of probabilistic dispositions, I will try to fill the gap in the literature by proposing a novel and complete dispositional account of GRW, based on what I callspontaneous weighted multi-track propensities.I claim that such an account can satisfy both of our desiderata.
Conditional Learning Deficits in Children with ADHD can be Reduced Through Reward Optimization and Response-Specific Reinforcement
Authors: De Meyer Hasse , Tripp Gail , Beckers Tom , van der Oord Saskia
Published: April 2021

When children with ADHD are presented with behavioral choices, they struggle more than Typically Developing [TD] children to take into account contextual information necessary for making adaptive choices. The challenge presented by this type of behavioral decision making can be operationalized as a Conditional Discrimination Learning [CDL] task. We previously showed that CDL is impaired in children with ADHD. The present study explores whether this impairment can be remediated by increasing reward for correct responding or by reinforcing correct conditional choice behavior with situationally specific outcomes (Differential Outcomes). An arbitrary Delayed Matching-To-Sample [aDMTS] procedure was used, in which children had to learn to select the correct response given the sample stimulus presented (CDL). We compared children with ADHD (N = 45) and TD children (N = 49) on a baseline aDMTS task and sequentially adapted the aDMTS task so that correct choice behavior was rewarded with a more potent reinforcer (reward manipulation) or with sample-specific (and hence response-specific) reinforcers (Differential Outcomes manipulation). At baseline, children with ADHD performed significantly worse than TD children. Both manipulations (reward optimization and Differential Outcomes) improved performance in the ADHD group, resulting in a similar level of performance to the TD group. Increasing the reward value or the response-specificity of reinforcement enhances Conditional Discrimination Learning in children with ADHD. These behavioral techniques may be effective in promoting the learning of adaptive behavioral choices in children with ADHD.
Real-Time FPGA Implementation of Parallel Connected Component Labelling for a 4K Video Stream
Authors: Kowalczyk Marcin , Ciarach Piotr , Przewlocka-Rus Dominika , Szolc Hubert , Kryjak Tomasz
Published: April 2021

In this paper, a hardware implementation in reconfigurable logic of a single-pass connected component labelling (CCL) and connected component analysis (CCA) module is presented. The main novelty of the design is the support of a video stream in 2 and 4 pixel per clock format (2 and 4 ppc) and real-time processing of 4K/UHD video stream (3840 x 2160 pixels) at 60 frames per second. We discuss several approaches to the issue and present in detail the selected ones. The proposed module was verified in an exemplary application – skin colour areas segmentation – on the ZCU 102 and ZCU 104 evaluation boards equipped with Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC devices.
The pricing of green bonds: external reviews and the shades of green
Authors: Dorfleitner Gregor , Utz Sebastian , Zhang Rongxin
Published: April 2021

We investigate the asset pricing implications of the greenness of bonds. To estimate a green-pricing effect, we determine the ‘green bond premium’ as the difference between the yields of matched conventional and green-labeled bonds. On a cross-sectional average, green bonds experience a statistically significant positive premium. This premium increases with external greenness evaluations, i.e., investors accept premiums of up to 5 basis points for bonds with a substantial environmental agenda. This external validation effect, which is strongest for bonds that are rated dark-green, may offset not incurring information costs, as this effect decreases with increasing age of bonds.
Correction to: Effects of complete replacement of fish oil with plant oil mixtures and algal meal on growth performance and fatty acid composition in juvenile yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata
Authors: Fukada Haruhisa , Kitagima Renato , Shinagawa Junpei , Morino Haruka , Masumoto Toshiro
Published: April 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-021-01503-y
Correction to: Prevention of hypermelanosis by rearing Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in net‑lined tanks
Authors: Mizutani Koei , Yamada Toshiyuki , Suzuki Keita W. , Masuda Reiji , Nakata Kuniaki , Tagawa Masatomo
Published: April 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-021-01504-x
Spatiotemporal distribution of Flavobacterium psychrophilum and ayu Plecoglossus altivelis in rivers revealed by environmental DNA analysis
Authors: Tenma Hinako , Tsunekawa Koki , Fujiyoshi Riho , Takai Hajime , Hirose Masae , Masai Nanami , Sumi Kosuke , Takihana Yuta , Yanagisawa Sogen , Tsuchida Kota , Ohara Kenichi , Jo Toshiaki , Takagi Masaki , Ota Akiko , Iwata Hiroyoshi , Yaoi Yuichi , Minamoto Toshifumi
Published: April 2021

Outbreaks of bacterial cold-water disease (BCWD), caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum, are widespread in Japan, especially among ayu Plecoglossus altivelis. There are few investigations of F. psychrophilum in river water, and its seasonal distribution has not been clarified. We aimed to identify the spatiotemporal dynamics of F. psychrophilum and ayu to provide information that is useful for establishing a countermeasure for BCWD. Quantitative analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) was used to clarify the year-round dynamics of ayu and F. psychrophilum. We sampled river water from the Nagara and Ibi rivers in Japan, and conducted monthly water sampling and eDNA quantification. Changes in the eDNA concentration of ayu were consistent with the known life histories of the fish. There was a strong negative correlation between the eDNA concentration of F. psychrophilum and water temperature, suggesting a strong dependence of F. psychrophilum dynamics in the river on water temperature. Furthermore, relatively high eDNA concentrations were recorded for both organisms in early summer and fall, suggesting that ayu is infected with F. psychrophilum during these seasons when experiencing up- and downmigration, respectively.
A multidimensional analysis of marine capture fisheries in China’s coastal provinces
Authors: Ding Qi , Shan Xiujuan , Jin Xianshi , Gorfine Harry
Published: April 2021

China (herein referred as China’s mainland, and excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) is the largest contributor to global seafood production. While China’s marine fisheries have been extensively documented, there is a gap in systematically quantifying production of its marine fisheries and the different challenges confronting them at the provincial level. We addressed this gap in spatial detail by providing a review that compares and contrasts the exploitation history of China’s fisheries at both the national and provincial levels based on official statistical data. We expanded upon this to explore aspects of bio-socio-economic challenges faced by the country’s 11 fishing provinces. Our analysis suggested that significant increases in domestic marine catches in China have been accompanied by escalating fishing power, which has had differential impacts at the provincial scale. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) sharply declined at both the national and provincial scales, and many traditionally targeted demersal fish stocks showed clear downward trends in terms of catches. The 11 fishing provinces in China can be grouped into four clusters with distinct biological, social, and economic attributes. Targeted measures are recommended accordingly when implementing fisheries management measures for each specific fishing province in order to deliver an overall improvement in the sustainability of China’s marine fisheries.
Admission and Survival Trends in Hedgehogs Admitted to RSPCA Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres
Authors: Burroughes Nicolette Dowler , Dowler Jonathan , Burroughes Guy
Published: April 2021

The hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) population is in decline in the UK and they are the most frequently admitted mammal to British Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres (WRCs). Whilst successful, UK rehabilitation is time-consuming and expensive and few large-scale studies into UK WRC admission and survival rates have been published in the last decade. This paper examines admission and survival trends in 19,577 hedgehogs admitted to Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals centres over a 13 year period (2005–2017) to gauge the state of Britain’s hedgehogs in WRCs and to gain indirect insight into the wild population. During the studied period, admissions more than doubled. Admission weights were greater in later than early litter juveniles. The survival improved 26% overall, and 33% in juveniles. Twenty two percent of animals died or were euthanased within 48 h of admission. Kaplan–Meier analysis gave survivor functions of 0.78 at 2 days, 0.66 at 10 days, 0.62 at 20 days, and 0.53 at 80 days. Survival was independent of admission weight in each age category. In particular, survival was greater in early litter juveniles than in adults or late litter juveniles; and across the breeding season diminished in juveniles and increased in adults. These data suggest factors impacting hedgehog survival have remained stable despite population decrease; that care methods have improved; and that late litters are more vulnerable than early. For WRCs this reaffirms that current methods are successful, but that further resources could be directed towards late litters.
The Iris Effect: A Review
Authors: Lindzen Richard S. , Choi Yong-Sang
Published: April 2021

This study reviews the research of the past 20-years on the role of anvil cirrus in the Earth’s climate – research initiated by Lindzen et al. (Bull. Am. Meteor. Soc. 82:417-432, 2001). The original study suggested that the anvil cirrus would shrink with warming, which was estimated to induce longwave cooling for the Earth. This is referred to as the iris effect since the areal change hypothetically resembles the light control by the human eye’s iris. If the effect is strong enough, it exerts a significant negative climate feedback which stabilizes tropical temperatures and limits climate sensitivity. Initial responses to Lindzen et al. (Bull. Am. Meteor. Soc. 82:417-432, 2001) denied the existence and effectiveness of the iris effect. Assessment of the debatable issues in these responses will be presented later in this review paper. At this point, the strong areal reduction of cirrus with warming appears very clearly in both climate models and satellite observations. Current studies found that the iris effect may not only come from the decreased cirrus outflow due to increased precipitation efficiency, but also from concentration of cumulus cores over warmer areas (the so-called aggregation effect). Yet, different opinions remain as to the radiative effect of cirrus clouds participating in the iris effect. For the iris effect to be most important, it must involve cirrus clouds that are not as opaque for visible radiation as they are for infrared radiation. However, current climate models often simulate cirrus clouds that are opaque in both visible and infrared radiation. This issue requires thorough examination as it seems to be opposed to conventional wisdom based on explicit observations. This paper was written in the hope of stimulating more effort to carefully evaluate these important issues.
Illusionism about Phenomenal Consciousness: Explaining the Illusion
Authors: Shabasson Daniel
Published: April 2021

According to illusionism, phenomenal consciousness is an introspective illusion. The illusion problem (Frankish 2016) is to explain the cause of the illusion, or why we are powerfully disposed to judge—erroneously—that we are phenomenally conscious. I propose a theory to solve the illusion problem. I argue that on the basis of three hypotheses about the mind—which I call introspective opacity, the infallibility intuition, and the justification constraint—we can explain our disposition, on introspection, to draw erroneous unconscious inferences about our sensory states. Being subject to the illusion of phenomenal consciousness consists in having this disposition. I explain our ‘problem intuitions’ about consciousness (Chalmers 2018)—that our sensory states bear phenomenal properties that are qualitatively like something with which we are directly acquainted that is ineffable, atomic, intrinsic (non-relational), private, and non-physical. I also address the illusion meta-problem (Kammerer 2019a), which is to explain why illusionism seems especially counterintuitive.
An Italian survey on the use of T-tube in liver transplantation: old habits die hard!
Authors: Pravisani Riccardo , De Simone Paolo , Patrono Damiano , Lauterio Andrea , Cescon Matteo , Gringeri Enrico , Colledan Michele , Di Benedetto Fabrizio , di Francesco Fabrizio , Antonelli Barbara , Manzia Tommaso Maria , Carraro Amedeo , Vivarelli Marco , Regalia Enrico , Vennarecci Giovanni , Guglielmo Nicola , Cesaretti Manuela , Avolio Alfonso Wolfango , Valentini Maria Filippa , Lai Quirino , Baccarani Umberto
Published: April 2021

There is enough clinical evidence that a T-tube use in biliary reconstruction at adult liver transplantation (LT) does not significantly modify the risk of biliary stricture/leak, and it may even sustain infective and metabolic complications. Thus, the policy on T-tube use has been globally changing, with progressive application of more restrictive selection criteria. However, there are no currently standardized indications in such change, and many LT Centers rely only on own experience and routine. A nation-wide survey was conducted among all the 20 Italian adult LT Centers to investigate the current policy on T-tube use. It was found that 20% of Centers completely discontinued the T-tube use, while 25% Centers used it routinely in all LT cases. The remaining 55% of Centers applied a selective policy, based on criteria of technical complexity of biliary reconstruction (72.7%), followed by low-quality graft (63.6%) and high-risk recipient (36.4%). A T-tube use > 50% of annual caseload was not associated with high-volume Center status (> 70 LT per year), an active pediatric or living-donor transplant program, or use of DCD grafts. Only 10/20 (50%) Centers identified T-tube as a potential risk factor for complications other than biliary stricture/leak. In these cases, the suspected pathogenic mechanism comprised bacterial colonization (70%), malabsorption (70%), interruption of the entero-hepatic bile-acid cycle (50%), biliary inflammation due to an indwelling catheter (40%) and gut microbiota changes (40%). In conclusion, the prevalence of T-tube use among the Italian LT Centers is still relatively high, compared to the European trend (33%), and the potential detrimental effect of T-tube, beyond biliary stricture/leak, seems to be somehow underestimated.
Comparison of aspiration with sclerotherapy and laparoscopic deroofing for the treatment of symptomatic simple renal cysts: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Maugeri Andrea , Fanciulli Gabriele , Barchitta Martina , Agodi Antonella , Basile Guido
Published: April 2021

There are currently several strategies for the treatment of symptomatic simple renal cysts, such as aspiration with sclerosants and laparoscopic deroofing. However, no clear indication exists for choosing between them. Here, we carried out a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies, which compared symptomatic and radiological success between aspiration with sclerotherapy and laparoscopic deroofing. Results were reported as relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) using laparoscopic deroofing as control group. The symptomatic and radiological successes were evaluated by 6 and 3 studies, respectively. Notably, aspiration with sclerotherapy was associated with higher risk of failure than laparoscopic deroofing (RR = 2.82; 95% CI = 1.84–4.31 for symptomatic failure; RR = 8.31; 95% CI = 4.22–16.38 for radiological failure). On the other hand, however, aspiration with sclerotherapy was associated with less frequent complications, shorter treatment duration and post-treatment hospital stay, and lower costs. Thus, our work underlines benefits and drawbacks of each intervention, raising the need for further studies to design guidelines for the management of simple renal cysts.
Analytical studies on deposition and entrainment present in the Venturi nozzle two-phase flow
Authors: Dolna Oktawia , Mikielewicz Jarosław , Rolka Paulina
Published: April 2021

The syngas purification is a basic problem in the gas production process through the biomass gasification. This issue is important due to the use of the Venturi scrubbers in the syngas cleaning process. As it is commonly known, syngas is an alternative for the coal and using syngas instead of the coal leads to ‘clean energy’ generation. The paper concerns the analytical research studies on two-phase fluid flow pattern in Venturi’s throat. The uniform coverage of Venturi’s cross-section with small droplets plays a significant role in the dust particles collection and chemicals removal as Venturi’s cleaning efficiency mostly depends on this operation parameter. Therefore, the analysis of the two-phase fluid flow with respect to a droplet deposition and entrainment was carried out. Based on these research studies, it is possible to determine the variation of the liquid superficial velocity in the core of the flow and within the liquid wall film, the length at which the droplet entrainment starts to occur, the liquid fraction variation with Venturi’s throat length and diameter. The obtained analytical model, which is introduced in the paper, was validated with the use of the experimental data available in the literature.
Investigating the effect of materials and structures for negative pressure ventilators suitable for pandemic situation
Authors: Abughanam Nada , Gaben Shahd Sameer Mohammed , Chowdhury Muhammad E. H. , Khandakar Amith
Published: April 2021

The onset of the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused shortages in mechanical ventilators (MVs) essential for the intensive care unit (ICU) in the hospitals. The increasing crisis prompted the investigation of ventilators which is low cost and offers lower health complications. Many researchers are revisiting the use of negative pressure ventilators (NPVs), due to the cost and complications of positive pressure ventilators (PPVs). This paper summarizes the evolution of the MVs, highlighting the limitations of popular positive and negative pressure ventilators and how NPV can be a cost-effective and lower health complication solution. This paper also provides a detailed investigation of the structure and material for the patient enclosure that can be used for a cost-effective NPV system using ANSYS simulations. The simulation results can confirm the selection and also help in developing a low cost while based on readily available materials. This can help the manufacturer to develop low-cost NPV and reduce the pressure on the healthcare system for any pandemic situation similar to COVID-19.