bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening of depression and anxiety in adolescents with cystic fibrosis and caregivers in Turkey by PHQ‐9 and GAD‐7 questionnaires
Authors: Mursaloğlu H. Hakan , Yılmaz Yeğit Cansu , Ergenekon Almala P. , Gökdemir Yasemin , Eralp Ela E. , Karakoç Fazilet , Nasr Samya Z. , Karadağ Bulent T.
Published: January 2021

Background

Depression and anxiety symptoms in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and their caregivers are 2–3 times higher than in the normal population. This study aims to evaluate the frequency and severity of depression and anxiety symptoms and to determine possible risk factors in CF patients and their mother and/or fathers at Marmara University CF center.

Methods

The study included 132 CF patients who were followed up at our CF center. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD‐7) were used to screen depression and anxiety. The questionnaires were completed by 50 CF patients (aged 12–17 years) and 132 parents of patients (aged 0–17 years).

Results

While moderate to severe depressive symptoms were seen in 26% of patients, 33.7% of mothers and 14.6% of fathers; moderate to severe anxiety were present in 18%, 21.8% and 8.5%, respectively. None of the demographic characteristics was identified as a predictor of depression or anxiety. GAD‐7 scores have shown a higher prevalence of anxiety in mothers of patients with chronic methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (p = .034). Additionally, hospitalization in the last 12 months was significantly correlated with higher PHQ‐9 scores in fathers (p = .043). Analysis of patients' adherence to medical treatment and airway clearance showed higher depression and anxiety in mothers of the nonadherent group (p = .002).

Conclusion

Depression and anxiety were common in CF patients and their parents. These results illustrate the importance of depression/anxiety screening and psychosocial support for the CF patient and their parents.
Outcomes of repeat sweat testing in cystic fibrosis newborn screen positive infants
Authors: Bauer Sarah E. , Wesson Melissa , Oles Sylwia K. , Ren Clement L.
Published: January 2021

Background

Infants with a positive cystic fibrosis (CF) newborn screen, only one identified CFTR mutation (NBS+/1 mut), and an initial intermediate sweat chloride (30–59 mmol/L) should have repeat sweat chloride testing (SCT). However, the outcome of repeat SCT and the relationship between initial sweat Cl and subsequent CF diagnosis have not been reported.

Objective

The objective of this study was to analyze the outcomes of repeat SCT and subsequent CF diagnosis in NBS+/1 mut infants based on their initial sweat chloride concentration.

Methods

We retrospectively identified all infants born in Indiana from 2007 to 2017 with NBS+/1 mut and initial SCT in the intermediate range. For each infant, we recorded the initial and repeat SCT results and/or a final CF diagnosis.

Results

From 2007 through 2017 there were 2822 NBS+/1 mut infants of which 2613 (82%) had at least one SCT result. No infants with an initial SCT of 30–39 mmol/L were subsequently diagnosed with CF. Of the 31 infants with an initial SCT of 40–49 mmol/L, only 1 was subsequently diagnosed with CF. In contrast, 61% of those with SCTs of 50–59 mmol/L were later diagnosed with CF.

Conclusion

These results suggest that infants with a positive NBS for CF and one CFTR mutationwhose initial sweat chloride concentration is 50–59 mmol/L need to be monitored more closely forCF with strong consideration for earlier repeat SCTs and immediate genotyping
Designed leucine‐rich repeat proteins bind two muramyl dipeptide ligands
Authors: Kim Christina S. , Brown Anne M. , Grove Tijana Z. , Etzkorn Felicia A.
Published: January 2021

Designed protein receptors hold diagnostic and therapeutic promise. We now report the design of five consensus leucine‐rich repeat proteins (CLRR4–8) based on the LRR domain of nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain (NOD)‐like receptors involved in the innate immune system. The CLRRs bind muramyl dipeptide (MDP), a bacterial cell wall component, with micromolar affinity. The overall Kd app values ranged from 1.0 to 57 μM as measured by fluorescence quenching experiments. Biphasic fluorescence quenching curves were observed in all CLRRs, with higher affinity Kd1 values ranging from 0.04 to 4.5 μM, and lower affinity Kd2 values ranging from 3.1 to 227 μM. These biphasic binding curves, along with the docking studies of MDP binding to CLRR4, suggest that at least two MDPs bind to each protein. Previously, only single MDP binding was reported. This high‐capacity binding of MDP promises small, soluble, stable CLRR scaffolds as candidates for the future design of pathogen biosensors.
Numerical prediction of tropical cyclogenesis part I: Evaluation of model performance
Authors: Liang Mei , Chan Johnny C. L. , Xu Jianjun , Yamaguchi Munehiko
Published: January 2021

This is a two‐part study investigating the numerical prediction of tropical cyclogenesis. This paper (Part I) presents a comprehensive statistical assessment of the performance of the high‐resolution European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) deterministic forecast in predicting tropical cyclone (TC) genesis over the western North Pacific (WNP) between 2007 and 2018 using The International Grand Global Ensemble (TIGGE) data. Each genesis forecast at each lead time is classified into one of these categories: well predicted (WP), early formation (EF), late formation (LF), or failed prediction (FP). Based on the synoptic patterns at the actual genesis time, the genesis of a particular TC is grouped into one of five flow patterns: monsoon shear line (SL), monsoon confluence region (CR), monsoon gyre (GY), easterly wave (EW), and preexisting tropical cyclone (PTC). Any case that does not fall in one of these patterns is labeled as unclassified flow pattern (UCF). Overall, the prediction skill of SL cases is the highest, followed by CR, GY, and PTC, while the EW and UCF patterns have the lowest skill. No significant improvement in the model performance is found during the 12 years, probably partly because of the low percentage of cases with the SL pattern in the later years. The prediction skills of TC genesis in May, June, September, and October are the highest, while those in July, August, and November are the lowest. TCs that form further to the south are easier to predict in the SL pattern. In Part II, we will examine the model predictions of the dynamic and thermodynamic variables in the WP cases to identify the physical processes responsible for TC genesis.
Prediction of multiple soil fertility parameters using VisNIR spectroscopy and PXRF spectrometry
Authors: Liu Ya , Wang Changkun , Xiao Chenchao , Shang Kun , Zhang Yan , Pan Xianzhang
Published: January 2021

Visible and near‐infrared (VisNIR) spectroscopy and portable X‐ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometry are successful in estimating soil attributes. However, it is still necessary to investigate their performance in estimating soil fertility properties. In this study, for the soil fertility properties of soil organic C (SOC), available N, total P, available P, total K, and available K, the performance of using VisNIR and PXRF individually and combined, three data fusion methods (concatenation, model fusion and model averaging), and two modeling methods was evaluated. The results showed that combining VisNIR and PXRF did not substantially improve the prediction accuracy of SOC, total P, total K and available K. Using VisNIR alone could predict them well, achieving the best prediction in total K (R2= .90, ratio of performance to interquartile distance [RPIQ] = 5.08, and residual prediction deviation [RPD] = 3.13), followed by SOC (R2= .77, RPIQ = 2.05, and RPD = 2.10), total P (R2= .63, RPIQ = 2.35, and RPD = 1.64), and available K (R2= .53, RPIQ = 2.04, and RPD = 1.41). Both available N and available P were poorly estimated by all the methods proposed in this study. Although PXRF alone could predict total P, total K, and available K with acceptable accuracy, it did not perform well on SOC (R2< .32, RPIQ < 1.16, and RPD < 1.19). Hence, for the precision application of organic and NPK fertilizers, VisNIR is supposed to be the optimal way to rapidly obtain soil information.
Probing the Thermal Stability of (3‐Mercaptopropyl)‐trimethoxysilane‐Protected Au25 Clusters by In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Sudheeshkumar Veeranmaril , Soong Charles , Dogel Stas , Scott Robert W. J.
Published: January 2021

High‐surface‐area gold catalysts are promising catalysts for a number of selective oxidation and reduction reactions but typically suffer catalyst deactivation at higher temperatures. The major reason for catalyst deactivation is sintering, which can be triggered via two mechanisms: particle migration and coalescence, and Ostwald ripening. Herein, a direct method to synthesize Au25 clusters stabilized with 3‐mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTS) ligands is discussed. The sintering of Au25(MPTS)18 clusters on mesoporous silica (SBA‐15) is monitored by using an environmental in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique. Results show that agglomeration of smaller particles is accelerated by increased mobility of particles during heat treatment, while growth of immobile particles occurs via diffusion of atomic species from smaller particles. The mobility of the Au clusters can be alleviated by fabricating overlayers of silica around the clusters. The resulting materials show tremendous sinter‐resistance at temperatures up to 650 °C as shown by in situ TEM and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure analysis.
Phylogeny of Anisopappus with species circumscriptions revisited (Asteraceae: Athroismeae)
Authors: Bengtson Annika , Osborne Jo , Anderberg Arne A.
Published: January 2021

Anisopappus (Asteraceae: Athroismeae) is a genus with its main distribution in Africa (one species also in Asia), currently considered to include around 21 species. A molecular phylogenetic study of Anisopappus is presented for the first time, based on plastid (ndhF, trnL‐trnF, trnQ‐rps16) and nuclear (ETS, ITS) data. Anisopappus is confirmed to be monophyletic, and species interrelationships are resolved. The results differ from earlier treatments based on morphology, and the phylogenetic analyses reveal a need for changes in species circumscriptions as compared to those of the most recent treatment. Consequently, many taxa currently treated as synonyms are here shown to represent separate species indicating that the genus includes well over 40 species. Distribution patterns now emerge where several clades are found to consist of species restricted to a particular geographical region. The Anisopappus of Madagascar, many of which were earlier placed in synonymy with species found on the African continent, are here shown to be endemic, and the results reveal a need for further studies of that group.
Qualitative study of the influence of horse‐owner relationship during some key events within a horse's lifetime
Authors: Clough Harriet , Roshier Mandy , England Gary , Burford John , Freeman Sarah
Published: January 2021

Background: There is a lack of research exploring how the horse‐human relationship influences horse owners' decision‐making. The aim of this study was to investigate how an owner's relationship with their horse affects decisions around key events during their horse's lifetime.

Methods: An online survey and semi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted with horse‐owners. The online survey asked horse owners about their experiences of decision‐making and their relationship with their horse and identified interview participants. Two semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 11 horse owners on their experience of purchasing and euthanasia of horses. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and thematic analysis was performed.

Results: There were 938 responses to the online survey. The majority of owners considered their horse to be a member of the family (92.9%, 808/870). The mean amount spent annually on their horse was £9215 (range £324–14,240). Seven themes were identified in the interviews including mismatching of horse and rider; financial, time, welfare and personal obligations involved in horse ownership; shared‐decision making; the horse's quality of life; guilt and responsibility grief surrounding euthanasia decisions.

Conclusion: This study highlighted the strong owner‐horse relationship, the significant obligations involved in horse ownership and the emotional impact of euthanasia decisions.
Cancer and non‐cancer risks in humans exposed to trace elements in drinking water from a crater lake (Bosumtwi/Bosomtwe)
Authors: Amankwaa Gordon , Yin Xifeng , Akyeampong Stephen , Zhang Liming , Huang Weihong , Cao Yunfei , Ni Xiaoni , Gyimah Eric
Published: January 2021

The total and dissolved lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel, chromium, cobalt, and arsenic in 30 water samples collected from Bosomtwe Lake were analyzed. Arsenic bioavailability was also determined using the ARSOlux test system. Except for chromium, their mean values in the study results exceeded the WHO permissible limit for potability. Cancer and non‐cancer effects associated with exposure to dissolved and total metals by a child and an adult via oral and dermal routes were estimated. The hazard quotient (HQ) values obtained (except adult exposure to total arsenic of 1.71 × 1000) were less than unity. Between child and adult, the recorded hazard index (HI) was 0.82 and 1.75, respectively. The HI results indicate that the adult population is at risk for non‐cancer health effects. Arsenic was the element of concern, and it remained biologically available for uptake by target groups. For child and adult, respectively, arsenic contributed 96.39% and 97.29% to HI values. The risk values for cancer in a child and an adult with oral and dermal exposure to dissolved and total arsenic were lower than the USEPA range. Principal component and cluster analysis identified atmospheric deposition, geogenic, and unregulated application of agrochemicals as plausible sources of water pollution in Bosomtwe Lake.

Practitioner points

The hazard quotient (HQ) values obtained for adult exposure to total arsenic was 1.71 × 1000.

Arsenic remained biologically available for uptake by target groups.

The calculated health index (HI) indicated that the adult population is at risk for non‐cancer health effects.

Arsenic contributed 96.39% and 97.29% to HI values for a child and an adult.

Atmospheric deposition, geogenic, and unregulated application of agrochemicals were the plausible sources of water pollution in Bosomtwe Lake.
Administrative Procedures and Processes
Authors: Ziekow Jan
Published: January 2021

A process-oriented approach sees public administration as an interconnection of information, communications, interactions and decisions. It establishes the process organisation that shows the state ‘in action’ and complements the administrative and personnel side of public administration. While the term administrative processes can be understood as a generic term for this procedural side of the administration, according to the German understanding, procedures are processes with which the administration works towards citizens and companies and in which these face the administration with their own rights. Characteristic of these procedures vis-à-vis persons outside the administration is a high degree of juridification by administrative procedure law. The legal status of the citizen vis-à-vis the administration is very strong in Germany. In recent years, also influenced by New Public Management thought, great efforts have been made to optimise the procedural side of public administration. The chapter presents significant tools and approaches of this process thinking.
Administrative Reforms in the Multilevel System: Reshuffling Tasks and Territories
Authors: Kuhlmann Sabine , Bogumil Jörg
Published: January 2021

The chapter analyses recent reforms in the multilevel system of the Länder, specifically territorial, functional and structural reforms, which represent three of the most crucial and closely interconnected reform trajectories at the subnational level. It sheds light on the variety of reform approaches pursued in the different Länder and also highlights some factors that account for these differences. The transfer of state functions to local governments is addressed as well as the restructuring of Länder administrations (e.g. abolishment of the meso level of the Länder administration and of single-purpose state agencies) and the rescaling of territorial boundaries at county and municipal levels, including a brief review of the recently failed (territorial) reforms in Eastern Germany.
Participatory Administration and Co-production
Authors: Grohs Stephan
Published: January 2021

The German administrative system is well known for its time-honoured subsidiarity principle regarding the delivery of social and welfare services, especially at the local level. The public (municipal) sector is only allowed to provide these welfare services if the civil society, welfare organisations and citizens’ initiatives are not able to do it on their own. Against this background, the co-production of public services is deeply rooted in the German administrative culture. However, in more recent times, often prompted by fiscal problems, but also triggered by an increasing demand for more citizen participation, the co-production of services and the involvement of multiple actors have gained increasing importance. Against this backdrop, the chapter outlines these shifts from ‘traditional’ modes of service delivery and decision-making to co-producing features and participatory elements. It also addresses some of the resulting key problems and pitfalls, such as accountability, transparency and legitimacy.
Constitutional State and Public Administration
Authors: Sommermann Karl-Peter
Published: January 2021

German public administration is rooted in the tradition of the Rechtsstaat, which aims at the protection of human dignity and individual freedom by providing rules, principles and institutions that ensure the prevention of arbitrary state action and the protection of individual rights. At supranational and international levels, the principle of the Rechtsstaat has been merging with the common law concept of the rule of law. A dynamic interpretation of the Basic Law (the German constitution) of 1949 by the Federal Constitutional Court has constantly specified and extended the normative scope of the fundamental rights, which are directly binding on the legislative, executive and judicial powers. The constitutional principle of the social state (Sozialstaat) has enhanced not only the dynamic evolution of the law, but also the creation of largely equivalent levels of infrastructure and services in the different territories of the German state.
Human Resource Management in German Public Administration
Authors: Siegel John , Proeller Isabella
Published: January 2021

Human resource management (HRM) reform has not been the focus of attention in Germany despite its obvious relevance for effective policy implementation. Although there is a general trend worldwide towards convergence between public and private HRM strategies and practices, management of the workforce in German public administration still remains largely traditional and bureaucratic. This chapter describes and analyses German practices regarding the central functions and elements of HRM such as planning, recruitment, training and leadership. Furthermore, it explores the importance and contribution of public service motivation, performance-related pay and diversity management in the context of German practices. The chapter concludes by highlighting some of the major paradoxes of German public HRM in light of current challenges, such as demographic change, digital transformation and organisational development capabilities.
Public Management Reforms in Germany: New Steering Model and Financial Management Reforms
Authors: Proeller Isabella , Siegel John
Published: January 2021

This chapter describes the most prominent public management reform trajectories in German public administration over the past decades since unification. In the 1990s, the New Steering Model emerged as a German variant of the NPM. Since the mid-2000s, local governments in Germany have been subjected to a mandatory reform of their budgeting and accounting system known as the New Municipal Financial Management reforms. Both reforms have led to a substantial change in terms of internal decentralisation, customer orientation, transparency in resource use and the financial situation of administrative bodies. But the emerging reform patterns and their impacts have not replaced the dominance of a strong legalist culture with hierarchical, centralised control. However, in the course of the reforms, a citizen-customer perspective, more participation of citizens and limited application of new management instruments have been accommodated within the persisting bureaucratic system.
The Peculiarities of the Social Security Systems (Indirect State Administration)
Authors: Schimanke Dieter
Published: January 2021

The welfare state comprises—besides other parts of social policy—the social security systems which provide insurance cover for the five risks of illness, long-term care, occupational accidents, old age (pension) and unemployment. The social security budgets equate to 17.7% of GDP or some 45% of public budget expenditure. The social security systems have had a unique status in the German public sector since their foundation in the late nineteenth century. On the one hand, as legally independent institutions, they enjoy a certain degree of autonomy and therefore constitute the ‘indirect state administration’. On the other hand, the steering by federal legislation (direct state administration) is quite intensive. However, in implementing this legislation, the institutions are only subject to limited state supervision, which is restricted to legal supervision (Rechtsaufsicht). Moreover, the social security institutions can appeal to the social courts against the orders of the supervising state administration.
The Roles of Universities in Development
Authors: Al-Youbi Abdulrahman Obaid , Zahed Adnan Hamza Mohammad , Nahas Mahmoud Nadim , Hegazy Ahmad Abousree
Published: January 2021

Since the last decades of the twentieth century, most countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, have been seeking to transform their economies from depending on primary natural resources to a knowledge-based one, providing a permanent source for economic growth, and thus achieving sustainable development, and helping in diversifying the national economic framework, and multiplying income and wealth resources of the country other than primary resources, mainly crude oil.
European Most Innovative Universities
Authors: Al-Youbi Abdulrahman Obaid , Zahed Adnan Hamza Mohammad , Nahas Mahmoud Nadim , Hegazy Ahmad Abousree
Published: January 2021

In ranking of 2018 European Most Innovative Universities for the year 2018, Belgian University of KU Leuven topped the list, becoming the first innovative university in Europe for the third year in a row, among the universities that work on the advancement of science, development of modern technologies, and support of industries and markets. It should be noted that this University, established in 1425, offers its programs in Dutch. Then comes Imperial College London in the second place and Cambridge University in the third, maintaining their ranking for the third year in a row. However, the ranks of some other universities have changed in 2017 and 2018 lists.
How Arab Universities Can Be Innovative
Authors: Al-Youbi Abdulrahman Obaid , Zahed Adnan Hamza Mohammad , Nahas Mahmoud Nadim , Hegazy Ahmad Abousree
Published: January 2021

Arab universities, in order for to be among the world’s innovative universities, all the personnel thereof should be informed and educated about the following factors.
Suggestive Site Planning with Conditional GAN and Urban GIS Data
Authors: Tian Runjia
Published: January 2021

In architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design, site planning refers to the organizational process of site layout. A fundamental step for site planning is the design of building layout across the site. This process is hard to automate due to its multi-modal nature: it takes multiple constraints such as street block shape, orientation, program, density, and plantation. The paper proposes a prototypical and extensive framework to generate building footprints as masterplan references for architects, landscape architects, and urban designers by learning from the existing built environment with Artificial Neural Networks. Pix2PixHD Conditional Generative Adversarial Neural Network is used to learn the mapping from a site boundary geometry represented with a pixelized image to that of an image containing building footprint color-coded to various programs. A dataset containing necessary information is collected from open source GIS (Geographic Information System) portals from the city of Boston, wrangled with geospatial analysis libraries in python, trained with the TensorFlow framework. The result is visualized in Rhinoceros and Grasshopper, for generating site plans interactively.
Sensing the Environmental Neighborhoods
Authors: Llaguno-Munitxa Maider , Bou-Zeid Elie
Published: January 2021

Given the benefits of fine mapping of large urban areas affordably, mobile environmental sensing technologies are becoming increasingly popular to complement the traditional stationary weather and air quality sensing stations. However the reliability and accuracy of low-cost mobile urban technologies is often questioned. This paper presents the design of a fast-response, autonomous and affordable Mobile Urban Sensing Technology (MUST) for the acquisition of high spatial resolution environmental data. Only when accurate neighborhood scale environmental data is affordable and accessible for architects, urban planners and policy makers, can design strategies to enhance urban health be effectively implemented. The results of an experimental air quality sensing campaign developed within Princeton University Campus is presented.
Exploration of Campus Layout Based on Generative Adversarial Network
Authors: Liu Yubo , Luo Yihua , Deng Qiaoming , Zhou Xuanxing
Published: January 2021

This paper aims to explore the idea and method of using deep learning with a small amount sample to realize campus layout generation. From the perspective of the architect, we construct two small amount sample campus layout data sets through artificial screening with the preference of the specific architects. These data sets are used to train the ability of Pix2Pix model to automatically generate the campus layout under the condition of the given campus boundary and surrounding roads. Through the analysis of the experimental results, this paper finds that under the premise of effective screening of the collected samples, even using a small amount sample data set for deep learning can achieve a good result.
Artificial Intuitions of Generative Design: An Approach Based on Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Wang Dasong , Snooks Roland
Published: January 2021

This paper proposes a Reinforcement Learning (RL) based design approach that augments existing algorithmic generative processes through the emergence of a form of artificial design intuition. The research presented in the paper is embedded within a highly speculative research project, Artificial Agency, exploring the operation of Machine Learning (ML) in generative design and digital fabrication. After describing the inherent limitations of contemporary generative design processes, the paper compares the three fundamental types of machine learning frameworks in terms of their characteristics and potential impact on generative design. A theoretical framework is defined to demonstrate the methodology of integrating RL with existing generative design procedures, which is further explained with a Random Walk based experimental design example. The paper includes detailed RL definitions as well as critical reflections on its impact and the effects of its implementation. The proposed artificial intuition within this generative approach is currently being further developed through a series of ongoing and proposed research trajectories noted in the conclusion. The ambition of this research is to deepen the integration of intention with machine learning in generative design.
embedGAN: A Method to Embed Images in GAN Latent Space
Authors: Chen Zhijia , Huang Weixin , Luo Ziniu
Published: January 2021

GAN is an efficient generative model. By performing a latent walk in GAN, the generation result can be adjusted. However, the latent walk cannot start from a selected image. The embedGAN is proposed to embed selected images into GAN and remain the generation effect. It contains an embedded network and a generative network. Application cases of residential interior design are given in the article. With advantages of a low computing cost and short training time, embedGAN shows its potential. The embedGAN algorithm framework can be applied to various GANs.
A Generative Material System of Clay Components-The Porosity Language
Authors: Liang Dan
Published: January 2021

Compared with the pre-determined architecture design based on standard elements, the underlying structure of nature is more like a complex system. Porosity language, for example, which is inspired by nature, has been widely applied in the architecture context. Through the analysis of the underlying methodologies of topology in each case, the strategy is to illustrate how clay components can achieve this natural porosity language. With the help of parametric topology, the report will clearly show how the innovative language of clay components is inspired, optimized and applied. As the background of the literature, natural porosity and examples of existing cavity wall made by clay components will be compared and analyzed in Sect. 1. In Sect. 2, Steven Hall’s porous methodology will be considered as the primary topological reference. The parametric iteration topology will be stated explicitly in Sect. 3, which will direct the randomness of porosity form to the balance between structural stability and the aesthetic value. In the last chapter, different architecture applications will be studied through the supporting of micro-climate simulation.
Adaptable Tool-Path Planning Method for 3D Concrete Printing Based on the Mapping Method
Authors: Wan Qian , Wang Li , Ma Guowei
Published: January 2021

3D concrete printing (3DCP) has been successfully and widely applied in the fields of civil structure, infrastructure, architectural decoration etc.,due to its unique advantages of automation and flexibility, and has shown great potential for development. One of the key steps in the execution of 3DCP is the tool-path planning process. However, 3DCP typically utilize the flowable composite materials which changes with time, and it is easy to induce interface joints or filling defects due to uneven path distribution when constructing the irregular-shaped construction. To solve the problem of printing path planning in 3DCP, this paper proposes tool-path planning based on mapping method, which integrates the rheology and necessary continuity of concrete materials into the printing process parameters, improves the mutual adaptability of printing process and material characteristics, improves the continuity of printing, the compactness of filling, and then ensures the stability and durability of printing structure.
Working with Uncertainties: An Adaptive Fabrication Workflow for Bamboo Structures
Authors: Qi Yue , Zhong Ruqing , Kaiser Benjamin , Nguyen Long , Wagner Hans Jakob , Verl Alexander , Menges Achim
Published: January 2021

This paper presents and investigates a cyber-physical fabrication workflow, which can respond to the deviations between built- and designed form in real-time with vision augmentation. We apply this method for large scale structures built from natural bamboo poles. Raw bamboo poles obtain evolutionarily optimized fibrous layouts ideally suitable for lightweight and sustainable building construction. Nevertheless, their intrinsically imprecise geometries pose a challenge for reliable, automated construction processes. Despite recent digital advancements, building with bamboo poles is still a labor-intensive task and restricted to building typologies where accuracy is of minor importance. The integration of structural bamboo poles with other building layers is often limited by tolerance issues at the interfaces, especially for large scale structures where deviations accumulate incrementally. To address these challenges, an adaptive fabrication process is developed, in which existing deviations can be compensated by changing the geometry of subsequent joints to iteratively correct the pose of further elements. A vision-based sensing system is employed to three-dimensionally scan the bamboo elements before and during construction. Computer vision algorithms are used to process and interpret the sensory data. The updated conditions are streamed to the computational model which computes tailor-made bending stiff joint geometries that can then be directly fabricated on-the-fly. In this paper, we contextualize our research and investigate the performance domains of the proposed workflow through initial fabrication tests. Several application scenarios are further proposed for full scale vision-augmented bamboo construction systems.
Recycling Construction Waste Material with the Use of AR
Authors: Parry Caitlyn , Guy Sean
Published: January 2021

This paper aims to present a methodology for reusing and recycling scrap timber from building sites using augmented reality and flexible digital models. The project we present describes a process that enables existing material to be reused and repurposed such that the designed model is updated by the digital inventory of digitised offcuts/waste elements.
A Large-Scale Measurement and Quantitative Analysis Method of Façade Color in the Urban Street Using Deep Learning
Authors: Zhang Jiaxin , Fukuda Tomohiro , Yabuki Nobuyoshi
Published: January 2021

Color planning has become a significant issue in urban development, and an overall cognition of the urban color identities will help to design a better urban environment. However, the previous measurement and analysis methods for the facade color in the urban street are limited to manual collection, which is challenging to carry out on a city scale. Recent emerging dataset street view image and deep learning have revealed the possibility to overcome the previous limits, thus bringing forward a research paradigm shift. In the experimental part, we disassemble the goal into three steps: firstly, capturing the street view images with coordinate information through the API provided by the street view service; then extracting facade images and cleaning up invalid data by using the deep-learning segmentation method; finally, calculating the dominant color based on the data on the Munsell Color System. Results can show whether the color status satisfies the requirements of its urban plan for façade color in the street. This method can help to realize the refined measurement of façade color using open source data, and has good universality in practice.
Conformal correlators as simplex integrals in momentum space
Authors: Bzowski Adam , McFadden Paul , Skenderis Kostas
Published: January 2021

Abstract

We find the general solution of the conformal Ward identities for scalar n-point functions in momentum space and in general dimension. The solution is given in terms of integrals over (n − 1)-simplices in momentum space. The n operators are inserted at the n vertices of the simplex, and the momenta running between any two vertices of the simplex are the integration variables. The integrand involves an arbitrary function of momentum-space cross ratios constructed from the integration variables, while the external momenta enter only via momentum conservation at each vertex. Correlators where the function of cross ratios is a monomial exhibit a remarkable recursive structure where n-point functions are built in terms of (n − 1)-point functions. To illustrate our discussion, we derive the simplex representation of n-point contact Witten diagrams in a holographic conformal field theory. This can be achieved through both a recursive method, as well as an approach based on the star-mesh transformation of electrical circuit theory. The resulting expression for the function of cross ratios involves (n − 2) integrations, which is an improvement (when n > 4) relative to the Mellin representation that involves n(n − 3)/2 integrations.
Bit threads, Einstein’s equations and bulk locality
Authors: Agón Cesar A. , Cáceres Elena , Pedraza Juan F.
Published: January 2021

Abstract

In the context of holography, entanglement entropy can be studied either by i) extremal surfaces or ii) bit threads, i.e., divergenceless vector fields with a norm bound set by the Planck length. In this paper we develop a new method for metric reconstruction based on the latter approach and show the advantages over existing ones. We start by studying general linear perturbations around the vacuum state. Generic thread configurations turn out to encode the information about the metric in a highly nonlocal way, however, we show that for boundary regions with a local modular Hamiltonian there is always a canonical choice for the perturbed thread configurations that exploits bulk locality. To do so, we express the bit thread formalism in terms of differential forms so that it becomes manifestly background independent. We show that the Iyer-Wald formalism provides a natural candidate for a canonical local perturbation, which can be used to recast the problem of metric reconstruction in terms of the inversion of a particular linear differential operator. We examine in detail the inversion problem for the case of spherical regions and give explicit expressions for the inverse operator in this case. Going beyond linear order, we argue that the operator that must be inverted naturally increases in order. However, the inversion can be done recursively at different orders in the perturbation. Finally, we comment on an alternative way of reconstructing the metric non-perturbatively by phrasing the inversion problem as a particular optimization problem.
D = 5 rotating black holes in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity: mass and angular momentum in extremality
Authors: Ma Liang , Li Yue-Zhou , Lü H.
Published: January 2021

Abstract

We consider perturbative solutions in Einstein gravity with higher-derivative extensions and address some subtle issues of taking extremal limit. As a concrete new result, we construct the perturbative rotating black hole in five dimensions with equal angular momenta J and general mass M in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity, up to and including the linear order of the standard Gauss-Bonnet coupling constant α. We obtain the near horizon structure of the near extremal solution, with the blackening factor of the order α. In the extremal limit, the mass-angular momentum relation reduces to $$ M=\frac{3}{2}{\pi}^{\frac{1}{3}}{J}^{\frac{2}{3}}+\pi \alpha $$
M
=

3
2

π

1
3

J

2
3

+
πα
. The positive sign of the α-correction implies that the centrifugal repulsion associated with rotations becomes weaker than the gravitational attraction under the unitary requirement for the Gauss-Bonnet term.
Chiral rings, Futaki invariants, plethystics, and Gröbner bases
Authors: Bao Jiakang , He Yang-Hui , Xiao Yan
Published: January 2021

Abstract

We study chiral rings of 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 supersymmetric gauge theories via the notion of K-stability. We show that when using Hilbert series to perform the computations of Futaki invariants, it is not enough to only include the test symmetry information in the former’s denominator. We discuss a way to modify the numerator so that K-stability can be correctly determined, and a rescaling method is also applied to simplify the calculations involving test configurations. All of these are illustrated with a host of examples, by considering vacuum moduli spaces of various theories. Using Gröbner basis and plethystic techniques, many non-complete intersections can also be addressed, thus expanding the list of known theories in the literature.
System integration for predictive process adjustment and cloud computing-based real-time condition monitoring of vibration sensor signals in automated storage and retrieval systems
Authors: Baek Sujeong
Published: January 2021

As automation and digitalization are being increasingly implemented in industrial applications, manufacturing systems comprising several functions are becoming more complex. Consequently, fault analysis (e.g., fault detection, diagnosis, and prediction) has attracted increased research attention. Investigations involving fault analysis are usually performed using real-time, online, or automated techniques for fault detection or alarming. Conversely, recovery of faulty states to their healthy forms is usually performed manually under offline conditions. However, the development of intelligent systems requires that appropriate feedback be provided automatically, to facilitate faulty-state recovery without the need for manual operator intervention and/or decision-making. To this end, this paper proposes a system integration technique for predictive process adjustment that determines appropriate recovery actions and performs them automatically by analyzing relevant sensor signals pertaining to the current situation of a manufacturing unit via cloud computing and machine learning. The proposed system corresponds to an automated predictive process adjustment module of an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS). The said integrated module collects and analyzes the temperature and vibration signals of a product transporter using an internet-of-things-based programmable logic controller and cloud computing to identify the current states of the ASRS system. Upon detection of faulty states, the control program identifies corresponding process control variables and controls them to recover the system to its previous no-fault state. The proposed system will facilitate automatic prognostics and health management in complex manufacturing systems by providing automatic fault diagnosis and predictive recovery feedback.
Neuronal guidance proteins in cardiovascular inflammation
Authors: Keller Marius , Mirakaj Valbona , Koeppen Michael , Rosenberger Peter
Published: January 2021

Cardiovascular pathologies are often induced by inflammation. The associated changes in the inflammatory response influence vascular endothelial biology; they complicate the extent of ischaemia and reperfusion injury, direct the migration of immune competent cells and activate platelets. The initiation and progression of inflammation is regulated by the classical paradigm through the system of cytokines and chemokines. Therapeutic approaches have previously used this knowledge to control the extent of cardiovascular changes with varying degrees of success. Neuronal guidance proteins (NGPs) have emerged in recent years and have been shown to be significantly involved in the control of tissue inflammation and the mechanisms of immune cell activation. Therefore, proteins of this class might be used in the future as targets to control the extent of inflammation in the cardiovascular system. In this review, we describe the role of NGPs during cardiovascular inflammation and highlight potential therapeutic options that could be explored in the future.
CCN2/CTGF promotor activity in the developing and adult mouse eye
Authors: Dillinger Andrea E. , Kuespert Sabrina , Froemel Franziska , Tamm Ernst R. , Fuchshofer Rudolf
Published: January 2021

CCN2/CTGF is a matricellular protein that is known to enhance transforming growth factor-β signaling and to induce a myofibroblast-like phenotype in a variety of cell types. Here, we investigated Ccn2/Ctgf promotor activity during development and in the adult mouse eye, using CTGFLacZ/+ mice in which the β-galactosidase reporter gene LacZ had been inserted into the open reading frame of Ccn2/Ctgf. Promotor activity was assessed by staining for β-galactosidase activity and by immunolabeling using antibodies against β-galactosidase. Co-immunostaining using antibodies against glutamine synthetase, glial fibrillary acidic protein, choline acetyltransferase, and CD31 was applied to identify specific cell types. Ccn2/Ctgf promotor activity was intense in neural crest-derived cells differentiating to corneal stroma and endothelium, and to the stroma of choroid, iris, ciliary body, and the trabecular meshwork during development. In the adult eye, a persistent and very strong promotor activity was present in the trabecular meshwork outflow pathways. In addition, endothelial cells of Schlemm’s canal, and of retinal and choroidal vessels, retinal astrocytes, Müller glia, and starburst amacrine cells were stained. Very strong promoter activity was seen in the astrocytes of the glial lamina at the optic nerve head. We conclude that CCN2/CTGF signaling is involved in the processes that govern neural crest morphogenesis during ocular development. In the adult eye, CCN2/CTGF likely plays an important role for the trabecular meshwork outflow pathways and the glial lamina of the optic nerve head.
Holographic patient tracking after bed movement for augmented reality neuronavigation using a head-mounted display
Authors: Fick T. , van Doormaal J.A.M. , Hoving E.W. , Regli L. , van Doormaal T.P.C.
Published: January 2021

Background

Holographic neuronavigation has several potential advantages compared to conventional neuronavigation systems. We present the first report of a holographic neuronavigation system with patient-to-image registration and patient tracking with a reference array using an augmented reality head-mounted display (AR-HMD).

Methods

Three patients undergoing an intracranial neurosurgical procedure were included in this pilot study. The relevant anatomy was first segmented in 3D and then uploaded as holographic scene in our custom neuronavigation software. Registration was performed using point-based matching using anatomical landmarks. We measured the fiducial registration error (FRE) as the outcome measure for registration accuracy. A custom-made reference array with QR codes was integrated in the neurosurgical setup and used for patient tracking after bed movement.

Results

Six registrations were performed with a mean FRE of 8.5 mm. Patient tracking was achieved with no visual difference between the registration before and after movement.

Conclusions

This first report shows a proof of principle of intraoperative patient tracking using a standalone holographic neuronavigation system. The navigation accuracy should be further optimized to be clinically applicable. However, it is likely that this technology will be incorporated in future neurosurgical workflows because the system improves spatial anatomical understanding for the surgeon.
Path planning and collision avoidance for autonomous surface vehicles I: a review
Authors: Vagale Anete , Oucheikh Rachid , Bye Robin T. , Osen Ottar L. , Fossen Thor I.
Published: January 2021

Autonomous surface vehicles are gaining increasing attention worldwide due to the potential benefits of improving safety and efficiency. This has raised the interest in developing methods for path planning that can reduce the risk of collisions, groundings, and stranding accidents at sea, as well as costs and time expenditure. In this paper, we review guidance, and more specifically, path planning algorithms of autonomous surface vehicles and their classification. In particular, we highlight vessel autonomy, regulatory framework, guidance, navigation and control components, advances in the industry, and previous reviews in the field. In addition, we analyse the terminology used in the literature and attempt to clarify ambiguities in commonly used terms related to path planning. Finally, we summarise and discuss our findings and highlight the potential need for new regulations for autonomous surface vehicles.