bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electronically coupled layered double hydroxide/MXene quantum dot metallic hybrids for high‐performance flexible zinc–air batteries
Authors: Han Xiaotong , Li Nannan , Xiong Peixun , Jung Min Gyu , Kang Yingbo , Dou Qingyun , Liu Qing , Lee Jin Yong , Park Ho Seok
Published: June 2021

Precise control of the local electronic structure and properties of electrocatalysts is important for enhancing the multifunctionality and durability of electrocatalysts and for correlating the structure/chemistry with the catalytic properties. Herein, we report electronically coupled metallic hybrids of NiFe layered double hydroxide nanosheet/Ti3C2 MXene quantum dots deposited on a nitrogen‐doped graphene surface (LDH/MQD/NG) for high‐performance flexible Zn–air batteries (ZABs). As verified from the Mott–Schottky and Nyquist plots, as well as spectroscopic, electrochemical, and computational analyses, the electronic and chemical coupling of LDH/MQD/NG modulates the local electronic and surface structure of the active LDH to provide metallic conductivity and abundant active sites, leading to significantly improved bifunctional activity and electrocatalytic kinetics. The rechargeable ZABs with LDH/MQD/NG hybrids are superior to the previous LDH‐based ZABs, demonstrating a high power density (113.8 mW cm−2) and excellent cycle stability (150 h at 5 mA cm−2). Moreover, the corresponding quasi solid‐state ZABs are completely flexible and practical, affording a high power density of 57.6 mW cm−2 even in the bent state, and in real‐life operation of tandem cells for powering various electronic devices.

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Flame retardancy effect of phosphorus graphite nanoplatelets on ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer: Physical blending versus chemical modification
Authors: Moradkhani Ghane , Fasihi Mohammad , Brison Loic , Laoutid Fouad , Vahabi Henri , Saeb Mohammad Reza
Published: June 2021

A novel modified exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (GNP‐g‐APP), resulting from grafting ammonium polyphosphate (APP) on exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) was prepared and evaluated as flame retardant for ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). The effect of modification on the thermal stability and flame retardancy of EVA was discussed. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UL‐94, pyrolysis combustion flow calorimeter (PCFC), and mass loss calorimeter (MLC) analyses were employed for the evaluation of the thermal stability and flame retardancy of composites. The introduction of 20 wt.% GNP‐g‐APP into EVA resulted in significant enhancement in flame retardant properties with respect to the system containing physical mixture of GNP and APP. The former blend exhibited 57% decrease in the peak of heat release rate (pHRR), and 35% reduction in the total heat release (THR) than the latter one in MLC test. Thus, pHRR was decreased from 940 kW.m−2 for neat EVA to 403 kW.m−2 for EVA containing GNP‐g‐APP. V0 rating (auto‐extinguishable behavior) was also observed in UL 94 chemically modified sample. According to the present study, chemical modification of GNP with APP is more effective than a physical mixing of GNP and APP in improving the flame retardant properties of EVA.
Introduction
Authors: Danielsson Kristina , Selander Staffan
Published: June 2021

Working with texts in deliberate ways is a foundation for supporting students’ subject learning, and their potential to demonstrate their knowledge in the subject. Therefore, it is central for all teachers to understand how texts work, and at the same time to be able to support their students’ competencies regarding how texts are designed and how to make meaning through texts.
Working with Multimodal Texts in Education
Authors: Danielsson Kristina , Selander Staffan
Published: June 2021

The insight that different texts and genres make different demands.
Language
Authors: Danielsson Kristina , Selander Staffan
Published: June 2021

In Sweden, English is a language with high status, and digitization in particular has made English easily available so that many children learn English outside of school, what is called ‘extramural English’ (Sundqvist and Sylvén 2016), through commercials, music, and different digital media, including online games, YouTube clips, etc.
Achievements and Impact of the Big Data Value Public-Private Partnership: The Story so Far
Authors: García Robles Ana , Zillner Sonja , Gerteis Wolfgang , Cattaneo Gabriella , Metzger Andreas , Alonso Daniel , Barbero Martina , Menasalvas Ernestina , Curry Edward
Published: June 2021

The European contractual Public-Private Partnership on Big Data Value (BDV PPP) has played a central role in the implementation of the revised Digital Single Market strategy, contributing to multiple pillars, including “Digitising European Industry”, “Digital Skills”, “Building the European Data Economy” and “Developing a European Data Infrastructure”. The BDV PPP and the Big Data Value Association have also played a pivotal role in the European Artificial Intelligence and Data Strategies launched by the European Commission in 2018. This chapter provides an overview and an in-depth analysis of the impact of the PPP by mid-2019, with a focus on the achievements and the overall impact since the launch of the PPP.
A Reference Model for Big Data Technologies
Authors: Curry Edward , Metzger Andreas , Berre Arne J. , Monzón Andrés , Boggio-Marzet Alessandra
Published: June 2021

The Big Data Value (BDV) Reference Model has been developed with input from technical experts and stakeholders along the whole big data value chain. The BDV Reference Model may serve as a common reference framework to locate big data technologies on the overall IT stack. It addresses the main technical concerns and aspects to be considered for big data value systems. The BDV Reference Model enables the mapping of existing and future data technologies within a common framework. Within this chapter, we detail the reference model in more detail and show how it can be used to manage a portfolio of research and innovation projects.
A Best Practice Framework for Centres of Excellence in Big Data and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Curry Edward , Osagie Edo , Pavlopoulou Niki , Salwala Dhaval , Ojo Adegboyega
Published: June 2021

This chapter presents a best practice framework for the operation of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Centres of Excellence (BDAI CoE). The goal of the framework is to foster collaboration and share best practices among existing centres and support the establishment of new Centres of Excellence (CoEs) within Europe. The framework was developed following a phased design science process, starting from a literature review to create an initial framework which was enhanced with the findings of a multi-case study of existing successful CoEs. Each case study involved an in-depth analysis and a series of in-depth interviews with leadership personnel of existing CoEs.

The resulting best practice framework models a CoE using open systems theory that comprises input (environment), transformation (CoE) and output (impact). The framework conceptualises the internal operation of the CoE as a set of high-level capabilities including strategy, governance, structure, funding, and people and culture. The core capabilities of the CoE include business development, collaboration, research support services, technical infrastructure, experimentation/demonstration platforms, Intellectual Property (IP) and data protection, education and public engagement, policy outreach, technology and knowledge transfer, and performance and impact assessment. In this chapter we describe the best practice framework for CoEs in big data and AI, including objectives, environment, strategic and operational capabilities, and impact. The chapter outlines how the framework can be used by a CoE to support its strategic direction and operational decisions over time, and how a new CoE can use it in the start-up phase. Based on the analysis of the case studies, the chapter explores the critical success factors of a CoE as defined by a survey of CoE managers. Finally, the chapter concludes with a summary.
Tort Law and Human Rights
Authors: Wagner Gerhard
Published: June 2021

The article explores the relationship between tort law and human rights. It explains the potential inherent in holding corporations liable in tort for human rights violations along the supply chain, such as the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh. On a theoretical level, it devises a legal framework of tort liability that is optimal from the standpoint of social welfare. Such an optimal liability system would make manufacturers internalise the full cost of production, including harm caused to workers, third parties and the environment. In contrast, the present global liability situation is characterised by legal fragmentation and enforcement deficits. These factors provide the explanation for the large-scale externalisation of production risks we witness today, leading to an inflated global demand. In principle, tort law is well suited to offer a remedy, as the interests protected by human rights and national tort law broadly overlap. Furthermore, the duty of care which is the core requirement for shifting losses to others via tort law is a flexible concept that may even be stretched to accommodate cross-border human rights policies. The new French “devoir de vigilance,” or human rights due diligence, as well the UK Supreme Court’s recent jurisprudence, aim to tap this potential. On the other hand, the article raises doubt in relation to the adverse economic incentives and market shifts if such duties are imposed selectively, i.e. only in some jurisdictions, but not in others. After all, private international law often stands in the way of a global application of national tort law. Finally, alternative mechanisms of enforcement are assessed and examined with a view to their comparative effectiveness. This analysis casts doubt on the usefulness of tort law as a means to further the human rights cause.
After the Ali Enterprises Fire: Occupational Safety and Health and Workers’ Organising—A Conversation with Zehra Khan About Current and Future Struggles
Authors: Shahab Palvasha
Published: June 2021

Zehra Khan is a prominent labour activist and journalist who has been working in Karachi, Pakistan, for more than a decade. She is the founder and General Secretary of the Home Based Women Workers Federation of Pakistan (HBWWF). She also works closely with the National Trade Union Federation (NTUF). In this interview, she speaks to Palvasha Shahab about current and future struggles in regards to working conditions in Pakistan.
The Land of Mourning: A Conversation with Adeela Suleman
Authors: Shahab Palvasha
Published: June 2021

Adeela Suleman is a globally celebrated artist and sculptor. She was front and centre of the artists’ response to the Ali Enterprises Factory Fire of 2012. Under her leadership, the Vasl Artists’ Association sent out a call for submissions to artists across Pakistan and the overwhelming response was curated in the form of the exhibition titled: ‘Awaaz Baldia Factory Inferno: Artists Respond’ which was hosted by the Arts Council of Pakistan in February 2013. Her monument dedicated to those who lost their lives in the fire was also part of the one year anniversary of the fire has been placed at the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER). She also facilitated several international collaborations and artists intending to engage with the fire. Palvasha Shahab sat down with her to explore her thoughts about the role that art and artists play in the face of calamities and social injustices, her relationship to Karachi and her own response to the fire.
Composing effective prediction at five points
Authors: Carrasco John Joseph M. , Rodina Laurentiu , Zekioğlu Suna
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Color-kinematics duality in the adjoint has proven key to the relationship between gauge and gravity theory scattering amplitude predictions. In recent work, we demonstrated that at four-point tree-level, a small number of color-dual EFT building blocks could encode all higher-derivative single-trace massless corrections to gauge and gravity theories compatible with adjoint double-copy. One critical aspect was the trivialization of building higher-derivative color-weights — indeed, it is the mixing of kinematics with non-adjoint-type color-weights (like the permutation-invariant d4) which permits description via adjoint double-copy. Here we find that such ideas clarify the predictions of local five-point higher-dimensional operators as well. We demonstrate how a single scalar building block can be combined with color structures to build higher-derivative color factors that generate, through double copy, the amplitudes associated with higher-derivative gauge-theory operators. These may then be suitably mapped, through another double-copy, to higher-derivative corrections in gravity.
Non-Riemannian gravity actions from double field theory
Authors: Gallegos A. D. , Gürsoy U. , Verma S. , Zinnato N.
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Non-Riemannian gravitational theories suggest alternative avenues to understand properties of quantum gravity and provide a concrete setting to study condensed matter systems with non-relativistic symmetry. Derivation of an action principle for these theories generally proved challenging for various reasons. In this technical note, we employ the formulation of double field theory to construct actions for a variety of such theories. This formulation helps removing ambiguities in the corresponding equations of motion. In particular, we embed Torsional Newton-Cartan gravity, Carrollian gravity and String Newton-Cartan gravity in double field theory, derive their actions and compare with the previously obtained results in literature.
Hydrodynamic dispersion relations at finite coupling
Authors: Grozdanov Sašo , Starinets Andrei O. , Tadić Petar
Published: June 2021

Abstract

By using holographic methods, the radii of convergence of the hydrodynamic shear and sound dispersion relations were previously computed in the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory at infinite ’t Hooft coupling and infinite number of colours. Here, we extend this analysis to the domain of large but finite ’t Hooft coupling. To leading order in the perturbative expansion, we find that the radii grow with increasing inverse coupling, contrary to naive expectations. However, when the equations of motion are solved using a qualitative non-perturbative resummation, the dependence on the coupling becomes piecewise continuous and the initial growth is followed by a decrease. The piecewise nature of the dependence is related to the dynamics of branch point singularities of the energy-momentum tensor finite-temperature two-point functions in the complex plane of spatial momentum squared. We repeat the study using the Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity as a model where the equations can be solved fully non-perturbatively, and find the expected decrease of the radii of convergence with the effective inverse coupling which is also piecewise continuous. Finally, we provide arguments in favour of the non-perturbative approach and show that the presence of non-perturbative modes in the quasinormal spectrum can be indirectly inferred from the analysis of perturbative critical points.
Translabial ultrasound: a non-invasive technique for assessing “technical errors” after TOT failure
Authors: Illiano Ester , Trama Francesco , Li Marzi Vincenzo , Mancini Vito , Carrieri Giuseppe , Ruvolo Claudia Collà , Califano Gianluigi , Fabi Consuelo , Brancorsini Stefano , Costantini Elisabetta
Published: June 2021

Introduction and hypothesis

The aims of this study were to evaluate by transperineal ultrasound if there were ultrasound-detectable changes over time in the dynamic behavior of the sling in patients who underwent transobturator tape (TOT), and to evaluate if dynamic translabial ultrasonography recognized factors that may be associated with failed surgery.

Methods

This was a single-center prospective study. We included women who underwent “out-in” TOT for stress urinary incontinence (SUI). A dynamic translabial ultrasound was performed 6 months post-surgery and again at the last visit. The objective cure for SUI was defined as the absence of urine leakage during the stress test. We evaluated the bladder neck mobility at rest and during Valsalva; the position of the mesh along the urethra; the concordance of urethral movement with the sling during Valsalva; the symmetry of the lateral arms of the sling during straining; and the presence or absence of bladder neck funneling.

Results

From December 2012 to February 2016, 80 consecutive patients were included. Six months after surgery, incontinent women compared with continent women had the sling in a proximal or distal position, that moved discordantly with the urethra (p < 0.0001), with asymmetry arm and bladder neck funneling (p < 0.0001). Continent patients had a significant improvement of urethrocele grade both at rest (p = 0.036) and during Valsalva (p = 0.045).

Conclusions

Technical and positioning errors can lead to the failure of anti-incontinence surgical treatment. Translabial ultrasound allows the correct positioning of the sling to be evaluated and any errors that need to be analyzed in order to then solve the failure.
Optimal Homogenization Rates in Stochastic Homogenization of Nonlinear Uniformly Elliptic Equations and Systems
Authors: Fischer Julian , Neukamm Stefan
Published: June 2021

We derive optimal-order homogenization rates for random nonlinear elliptic PDEs with monotone nonlinearity in the uniformly elliptic case. More precisely, for a random monotone operator on$$\mathbb {R}^d$$Rdwith stationary law (that is spatially homogeneous statistics) and fast decay of correlations on scales larger than the microscale$$\varepsilon >0$$ε>0, we establish homogenization error estimates of the order$$\varepsilon $$εin case$$d\geqq 3$$d≧3, and of the order$$\varepsilon |\log \varepsilon |^{1/2}$$ε|logε|1/2in case$$d=2$$d=2. Previous results in nonlinear stochastic homogenization have been limited to a small algebraic rate of convergence$$\varepsilon ^\delta $$εδ. We also establish error estimates for the approximation of the homogenized operator by the method of representative volumes of the order$$(L/\varepsilon )^{-d/2}$$(L/ε)-d/2for a representative volume of sizeL. Our results also hold in the case of systems for which a (small-scale)$$C^{1,\alpha }$$C1,αregularity theory is available.
Development of a method for assessing the accumulation and metabolization of antidepressant drugs in zebrafish (Danio rerio) eleutheroembryos
Authors: Molina-Fernández Noemí , Rainieri Sandra , Muñoz-Olivas Riansares , de Oro-Carretero Paloma , Sanz-Landaluze Jon
Published: June 2021

Antidepressant drugs are widely used for the treatment of common mental or other psychiatric disorders such as depression, which affect about 121 million people worldwide. This widespread use has contributed to the input of these pharmaceuticals and their metabolites into the environment. The aim of this work was to develop an analytical method to quantify the most widely used antidepressant drugs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), and their main metabolites in the environment. For this, a new and reliable miniaturized extraction method based on dispersive SPE cleanup procedure for extraction of SSRI followed by derivatization with n-heptafluorobutyrylimidazole, and detection by GC-MS was developed. The methodology, including a first-order one-compartment model, was then applied to a bioconcentration study in zebrafish (Danio rerio) eleutheroembryos. The results showed low bioaccumulation of these compounds; however, a biotransformation evidence of the parent compounds into their metabolites was observed after 6 h of exposure. These results indicate the need to integrate metabolic transformation rates to fully model and understand the bioaccumulation patterns of SSRI and their metabolites.
Ability to detect potentially inappropriate prescribing in older patients: comparative analysis between PIM-Check and STOPP/STARTv2
Authors: Farhat Akram , Panchaud Alice , Al-Hajje Amal , Lang Pierre-Olivier , Csajka Chantal
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) is a source of preventable adverse drug events. The objective of this study was a comparative analysis (quantitative and qualitative) between two tools used to detect PIP, PIM-Check and STOPP/START.

Methods

First, a qualitative analysis (QAC) was conducted to evaluate the concordance between the criteria, which constitute PIM-Check and the gold standard STOPP/START. Second, a retrospective comparative and observational study was performed on the list of treatment at the admission of 50 older patients hospitalized in an acute geriatric ward of a university hospital in Switzerland in 2016 using both tools.

Results

The QAC has shown that 50% (57 criteria) of STOPP/START criteria are fully or partially concordant with those of PIM-Check. The retrospective study was performed on 50 patients aged 87 years, suffering from 5 co-morbidities (min–max 1–11) and treated by of 8 drugs (min–max 2–16), as medians. The prevalence of the detected PIP was 80% by PIM-Check and 90% by STOPP/START. Medication review shows that 4.2 PIP per patient were detected by PIM-Check and 3.5 PIP by STOPP/START among which 1.9 PIP was commonly detected by both tools, as means. PIM-Check detected more PIP related to cardiology, angiology, nephrology, and endocrinology in older patients but missed the PIP related to geriatric syndromes (e.g., fall, dementia, Alzheimer) detected by STOPP/START.

Conclusions

By using PIM-Check in geriatric settings, some PIP will not be detected. It is considered as a limitation for this tool in this frail population but brings a certain complementarity in other areas of therapy not covered by STOPP/START.
Risk factors for adverse events induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Suazo-Zepeda E. , Bokern M. , Vinke P. C. , Hiltermann T. J. N. , de Bock G. H. , Sidorenkov G.
Published: June 2021

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can cause serious immune-related adverse events (irAEs). This study aimed to identify risk factors for all types of irAEs induced by ICIs in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), by systematic review and meta-analyses.

Methods

A systematic search was performed in Pubmed, Embase and Web of Science by two independent reviewers. Studies were selected that included patients with NSCLC and evaluated characteristics of patients with and without irAEs induced by ICIs. Quality and risk of bias of the selected studies were assessed. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs) for risk factors of developing all type of irAEs, and separately for pneumonitis, interstitial lung disease and severe irAEs. With the objective of exploring sources of heterogeneity, stratified analyses were performed by quality and region.

Results

25 studies met the inclusion criteria. In total, the data of 6696 patients were pooled. 33 different risk factors for irAEs were reported. irAEs of interest were reported for 1653 (25%) of the patients. Risk factors related to the development of irAEs were: C-reactive protein, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), use of PD-1 inhibitor, high PD-L1 expression, an active or former smoking status, ground glass attenuation, and a better treatment response.

Conclusion

The identified risk factors for the development of these irAEs are mostly related to the alteration of the immune system, proinflammatory states and loss of immunological self-tolerance. Patients identified as having a higher risk for irAEs should be monitored more closely.
Intraoperative Neural Monitoring for Early Vocal Cord Function Assessment After Thyroid Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Kim Do Hyun , Kim Sung Won , Hwang Se Hwan
Published: June 2021

Objective This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracies of various forms of intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM) in terms of predicting vocal cord palsy after thyroidectomy. Methods Two authors independently reviewed the six databases (PubMed, the Cochrane database, Embase, the Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar) from their dates of inception to March 2021. Intraoperative electromyographic neuromonitoring (IONM) was compared with laryngoscopic detection (the reference method). True‐positive, true‐negative, false‐positive, and false‐negative data were extracted from each study. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies ver. 2 tool. Results Twenty‐seven prospective or retrospective studies were included. The diagnostic odds ratio for IONM was 152.9623 ([95% confidence interval [75.4249; 310.2085]. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.966. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value were 0.8219 ([0.6862; 0.9069]), 0.9783 ([0.9659; 0.9863]), 0.9943 ([0.9880; 0.9973]), and 0.5523 ([0.4458; 0.6542]), respectively. The correlation between sensitivity and false‐positive rate was 0.200, indicating the absence of heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis showed that the diagnostic accuracies of the continuous IONM was higher than those of intermittent IONM, and recent publications (> 2011) was higher than early publication (< 2010). Conclusions As the technology and knowledge of IONM have been accumulated and progressed over the past decades, the predictive value of IONM in postoperative vocal cord palsy has also improved. Moreover, the advances of continuous IONM technology could make a breakthrough in vocal cord evaluation after thyroid surgery.
Robust and Resource-Efficient Identification of Two Hidden Layer Neural Networks
Authors: Fornasier Massimo , Klock Timo , Rauchensteiner Michael
Published: June 2021

We address the structure identification and the uniform approximation of two fully nonlinear layer neural networks of the type$$f(x)=1^T h(B^T g(A^T x))$$f(x)=1Th(BTg(ATx))on$$\mathbb R^d$$Rd, where$$g=(g_1,\dots , g_{m_0})$$g=(g1,⋯,gm0),$$h=(h_1,\dots , h_{m_1})$$h=(h1,⋯,hm1),$$A=(a_1|\dots |a_{m_0}) \in \mathbb R^{d \times m_0}$$A=(a1|⋯|am0)∈Rd×m0and$$B=(b_1|\dots |b_{m_1}) \in \mathbb R^{m_0 \times m_1}$$B=(b1|⋯|bm1)∈Rm0×m1, from a small number of query samples. The solution of the case of two hidden layers presented in this paper is crucial as it can be further generalized to deeper neural networks. We approach the problem by sampling actively finite difference approximations to Hessians of the network. Gathering several approximate Hessians allows reliably to approximate the matrix subspace$$\mathcal W$$Wspanned by symmetric tensors$$a_1 \otimes a_1,\dots ,a_{m_0}\otimes a_{m_0}$$a1⊗a1,⋯,am0⊗am0formed by weights of the first layer together with the entangled symmetric tensors$$v_1 \otimes v_1 ,\dots ,v_{m_1}\otimes v_{m_1}$$v1⊗v1,⋯,vm1⊗vm1, formed by suitable combinations of the weights of the first and second layer as$$v_\ell =A G_0 b_\ell /\Vert A G_0 b_\ell \Vert _2$$vℓ=AG0bℓ/‖AG0bℓ‖2,$$\ell \in [m_1]$$ℓ∈[m1], for a diagonal matrix$$G_0$$G0depending on the activation functions of the first layer. The identification of the 1-rank symmetric tensors within$$\mathcal W$$Wis then performed by the solution of a robust nonlinear program, maximizing the spectral norm of the competitors constrained over the unit Frobenius sphere. We provide guarantees of stable recovery under a posteriori verifiable conditions. Once the 1-rank symmetric tensors$$\{a_i \otimes a_i, i\in [m_0]\}\cup \{v_\ell \otimes v_\ell , \ell \in [m_1] \}$${ai⊗ai,i∈[m0]}∪{vℓ⊗vℓ,ℓ∈[m1]}are computed, we address their correct attribution to the first or second layer ($$a_i$$ai’s are attributed to the first layer). The attribution to the layers is currently based on a semi-heuristic reasoning, but it shows clear potential of reliable execution. Having the correct attribution of the$$a_i,v_\ell $$ai,vℓto the respective layers and the consequent de-parametrization of the network, by using a suitably adapted gradient descent iteration, it is possible to estimate, up to intrinsic symmetries, the shifts of the activations functions of the first layer and compute exactly the matrix$$G_0$$G0. Eventually, from the vectors$$v_\ell =A G_0 b_\ell /\Vert A G_0 b_\ell \Vert _2$$vℓ=AG0bℓ/‖AG0bℓ‖2’s and$$a_i$$ai’s one can disentangle the weights$$b_\ell $$bℓ’s, by simple algebraic manipulations. Our method of identification of the weights of the network is fully constructive, with quantifiable sample complexity and therefore contributes to dwindle the black box nature of the network training phase. We corroborate our theoretical results by extensive numerical experiments, which confirm the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed algorithmic pipeline.
Do patients’ resilience and subjective illness representation predict the outcome of a routine inpatient treatment program of major depressive disorder?
Authors: Marschollek Laura , Bonnet Udo
Published: June 2021

Adopting a personalized medicine approach beyond genetic/epigenetic profiling within psychiatric diagnostic and treatment is challenging. For the first time, we studied the influence of two patient resources (resilience and illness representation) on the success of an inpatient treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Using a 5-week observational real-world-study, the treatment- success was measured by the difference between the subjective depression- severity (according to the German short form of Beck’s Depression-Inventory) at baseline (i.e., days four to six post-admission) and study- endpoint. In the intention-to-treat sample (n = 60, 47.3 ± 12.8 years old; 58% females), the patients’ illness representation [measured by the “Krankheitskonzeptskala” (KK)] did not predict their treatment- success. The KK-dimension ‘trust-in-doctors’ was associated with resilience but not with the treatment-success. Albeit, the patients’ resilience (determined by Resilience- Scale, 11-item-version (RS-11)) negatively predicted their positive treatment- success (b = − 0.09, p = 0.017, f2 = 0.11). This influence of resilience on treatment- success was completely mediated by the baseline-depression- severity. This means, patients with low resilience reported high baseline-depression- levels which predicted a significant positive treatment- success. And, patients with high resilience reported low baseline-depression-levels which predicted no relevant or even negative inpatient treatment-success. The latter “high-resilience”- group (n = 27) was especially interesting. Remarkably, these patients appeared to have experienced within the first four-to-six inpatient treatment-days an “early sudden gain” against their considerable MDD- burden that initially had led to their admission. Thus, a stronger resilience might serve as a proxy of the development of an early MDD-relief as well as of lower baseline-depression- levels. Further studies are warranted to support the value of a patient’s resilience to predict his treatment response and inpatient treatment duration.
Online Node- and Edge-Deletion Problems with Advice
Authors: Chen Li-Hsuan , Hung Ling-Ju , Lotze Henri , Rossmanith Peter
Published: June 2021

In online edge- and node-deletion problems the input arrives node by node and an algorithm has to delete nodes or edges in order to keep the input graph in a given graph class $$\Pi $$
Π
at all times. We consider only hereditary properties $$\Pi $$
Π
, for which optimal online algorithms exist and which can be characterized by a set of forbidden subgraphs $${{\mathcal{F}}}$$
F
and analyze the advice complexity of getting an optimal solution. We give almost tight bounds on the Delayed Connected$${{\mathcal{F}}}$$
F
-Node-Deletion Problem, where all graphs of the family $${\mathcal{F}}$$
F
have to be connected and almost tight lower and upper bounds for the Delayed$$H$$
H
-Node-Deletion Problem, where there is one forbidden induced subgraph H that may be connected or not. For the Delayed$$H$$
H
-Node-Deletion Problem the advice complexity is basically an easy function of the size of the biggest component in H. Additionally, we give tight bounds on the Delayed Connected$${\mathcal{F}}$$
F
-Edge-Deletion Problem, where we have an arbitrary number of forbidden connected graphs. For the latter result we present an algorithm that computes the advice complexity directly from $${\mathcal{F}}$$
F
. We give a separate analysis for the Delayed Connected$$H$$
H
-Edge-Deletion Problem, which is less general but admits a bound that is easier to compute.
Tuning Dunaliella tertiolecta for Enhanced Antioxidant Production by Modification of Culture Conditions
Authors: Roy Uttam K. , Nielsen Birthe V. , Milledge John J.
Published: June 2021

Microalgae, a popular source of food and bioactive compounds, accumulate antioxidants in response to culture condition stresses. Using a factorial design (3 × 3), the effect of light, temperature, and nitrogen level on chlorophyll and carotenoids, total protein, total phenolic, ascorbate and glutathione content, and enzyme (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD)) activities in Dunaliella tertiolecta was studied. Data were analysed using Design of Experiments (DoE), and recommendations are made for optimum cultivation conditions to achieve the highest antioxidant content (phenolics, ascorbate and glutathione) or enzyme (CAT, SOD, and POD) activities. This is the first study to apply three levels of three factors during cultivation to tune Dunaliella tertiolecta for optimal antioxidant production.
On the correlation between outcome indicators and the structure and process indicators used to proxy them in public health care reporting
Authors: Salampessy Benjamin H. , Portrait France R. M. , van der Hijden Eric , Klink Ab , Koolman Xander
Published: June 2021

Hospital quality indicators provide valuable insights for quality improvement, empower patients to choose providers, and have become a cornerstone of value-based payment. As outcome indicators are cumbersome and expensive to measure, many health systems have relied on proxy indicators, such as structure and process indicators. In this paper, we assess the extent to which publicly reported structure and process indicators are correlated with outcome indicators, to determine if these provide useful signals to inform the public about the outcomes. Quality indicators for three conditions (breast and colorectal cancer, and hip replacement surgery) for Dutch hospitals (2011–2018) were collected. Structure and process indicators were compared to condition-specific outcome indicators and in-hospital mortality ratios in a between-hospital comparison (cross-sectional and between-effects models) and in within-hospital comparison (fixed-effects models). Systematic association could not be observed for any of the models. Both positive and negative signs were observed where negative associations were to be expected. Despite sufficient statistical power, the share of significant correlations was small [mean share: 13.2% (cross-sectional); 26.3% (between-effects); 13.2% (fixed-effects)]. These findings persisted in stratified analyses by type of hospital and in models using a multivariate approach. We conclude that, in the context of compulsory public reporting, structure and process indicators are not correlated with outcome indicators, neither in between-hospital comparisons nor in within-hospital comparisons. While structure and process indicators remain valuable for internal quality improvement, they are unsuitable as signals for informing the public about hospital differences in health outcomes.
Prevalence of Sexual Aggression Victimization and Perpetration in a German University Student Sample
Authors: Krahé Barbara , Schuster Isabell , Tomaszewska Paulina
Published: June 2021

This study examined the prevalence of sexual aggression perpetration and victimization in a sample of 1,172 students (755 female, 417 male) from four universities in Germany. All participants were asked about both victimization by, and perpetration of, sexual aggression since the age of 14 years, using the Sexual Aggression and Victimization Scale (SAV-S). Prevalence rates were established for different coercive strategies, sexual acts, and victim–perpetrator relationships. Both same-sex and opposite-sex victim–perpetrator constellations were examined. The overall victimization rate was 62.1% for women and 37.5% for men. The overall perpetration rate was 17.7% for men and 9.4% for women. Prevalence rates of both victimization and perpetration were higher for participants who had sexual contacts with both opposite-sex and same-sex partners than for participants with exclusively opposite-sex partners. Significant overlap was found between victim and perpetrator status for men and women as well as for participants with only opposite-sex and both opposite-sex and same-sex partners. A disparity between (higher) victimization and (lower) perpetration reports was found for both men and women, suggesting a general underreporting of perpetration rather than a gendered explanation in terms of social desirability or the perception of consent cues. The findings are placed in the international research literature on the prevalence of sexual aggression before and after the #metoo campaign, and their implications for prevention efforts are discussed.
Investigating the sensitivity of Venturia inaequalis isolates to difenoconazole and pyraclostrobin in apple orchards in China
Authors: Li Xiancheng , Li Haiyuan , Yu Zhen , Gao Liqiang , Yang Jiarong
Published: June 2021

The resistance level of 90 single lesion conidial isolates of Venturia inaequalis collected from multiple commercial orchards in Shaanxi and Gansu Provinces and Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China to the demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicide difenoconazole and quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicide pyraclostrobin was examined. The EC50 values of the 90 isolates to difenoconazole and pyraclostrobin ranged from 0.143 to 6.735 μg/mL and 0.084 to 2.026 μg/mL, respectively. Among the isolates, 19 had resistance, 66 had reduced sensitivity, and five had sensitivity to difenoconazole; eight had resistance, 81 had reduced sensitivity, and one had sensitivity to pyraclostrobin. Although a weak correlation between difenoconazole and pyraclostrobin was detected, four isolates were identified as resistant to difenoconazole and pyraclostrobin. However, isolates with practical resistance were not found widely in our study and were only sporadic in a few places, indicating that at present, difenoconazole and pyraclostrobin are still safe for disease management in the apple-growing areas of Shaanxi, Gansu and Xinjiang. However, the risk of fungicide resistance should be managed with caution, and yearly monitoring of resistance development is necessary.
Gamma ray burst studies with THESEUS
Authors: Ghirlanda G. , Salvaterra R. , Toffano M. , Ronchini S. , Guidorzi C. , Oganesyan G. , Ascenzi S. , Bernardini M. G. , Camisasca A. E. , Mereghetti S. , Nava L. , Ravasio M. E. , Branchesi M. , Castro-Tirado A. , Amati L. , Blain A. , Bozzo E. , O’Brien P. , Götz D. , Le Floch E. , Osborne J. P. , Rosati P. , Stratta G. , Tanvir N. , Bogomazov A. I. , D’Avanzo P. , Hafizi M. , Mandhai S. , Melandri A. , Peer A. , Topinka M. , Vergani S. D. , Zane S.
Published: June 2021

Gamma-ray Bursts (GRBs) are the most powerful transients in the Universe, over–shining for a few seconds all other γ-ray sky sources. Their emission is produced within narrowly collimated relativistic jets launched after the core–collapse of massive stars or the merger of compact binaries. THESEUS will open a new window for the use of GRBs as cosmological tools by securing a statistically significant sample of high-z GRBs, as well as by providing a large number of GRBs at low–intermediate redshifts extending the current samples to low luminosities. The wide energy band and unprecedented sensitivity of the Soft X-ray Imager (SXI) and X-Gamma rays Imaging Spectrometer (XGIS) instruments provide us a new route to unveil the nature of the prompt emission. For the first time, a full characterisation of the prompt emission spectrum from 0.3 keV to 10 MeV with unprecedented large count statistics will be possible revealing the signatures of synchrotron emission. SXI spectra, extending down to 0.3 keV, will constrain the local metal absorption and, for the brightest events, the progenitors’ ejecta composition. Investigation of the nature of the internal energy dissipation mechanisms will be obtained through the systematic study with XGIS of the sub-second variability unexplored so far over such a wide energy range. THESEUS will follow the spectral evolution of the prompt emission down to the soft X–ray band during the early steep decay and through the plateau phase with the unique ability of extending above 10 keV the spectral study of these early afterglow emission phases.
An empirical study of derivative-free-optimization algorithms for targeted black-box attacks in deep neural networks
Authors: Ughi Giuseppe , Abrol Vinayak , Tanner Jared
Published: June 2021

We perform a comprehensive study on the performance of derivative free optimization (DFO) algorithms for the generation of targeted black-box adversarial attacks on Deep Neural Network (DNN) classifiers assuming the perturbation energy is bounded by an $$\ell _\infty$$

ℓ
∞

constraint and the number of queries to the network is limited. This paper considers four pre-existing state-of-the-art DFO-based algorithms along with a further developed algorithm built on BOBYQA, a model-based DFO method. We compare these algorithms in a variety of settings according to the fraction of images that they successfully misclassify given a maximum number of queries to the DNN. The experiments disclose how the likelihood of finding an adversarial example depends on both the algorithm used and the setting of the attack; algorithms limiting the search of adversarial example to the vertices of the $$\ell ^\infty$$

ℓ
∞

constraint work particularly well without structural defenses, while the presented BOBYQA based algorithm works better for especially small perturbation energies. This variance in performance highlights the importance of new algorithms being compared to the state-of-the-art in a variety of settings, and the effectiveness of adversarial defenses being tested using as wide a range of algorithms as possible.
Psychological impact and implementation of preventative measures in hemodialysis centers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a provincial questionnaire survey in China
Authors: Chen Yuanhan , Wu Yanhua , Hu Penghua , Fu Xia , Liu Shuangxin , Song Li , Dong Wei , Yu Xueqing , Liang Xinling
Published: June 2021

Objectives

This study investigated the psychological status of patients and staff, and the implementation of preventative measures in hemodialysis centers in Guangdong province, China, during the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods

An electronic questionnaire survey was carried out anonymously between March 28 and April 3, 2020. All of the 516 hemodialysis centers registered in Guangdong province were invited to participate in the survey. The questionnaires were designed to investigate the psychological status of hemodialysis patients and general staff members (doctors, nurses, technicians, and other staff), and to address the implementation of preventative measures for administrators (directors or head nurses) of the hemodialysis centers.

Results

A total of 1782 patients, 3400 staff, and 420 administrators voluntarily participated in this survey. Patients living in rural areas reported a higher incidence of severe anxiety compared to those living in other areas (in rural areas, towns, and cities, the incidence rate was 17.0%, 9.0%, and 8.9%, respectively, P < 0.001). Medical staff were less likely to worry about being infected than non-medical staff (13.1% vs 30.3%, respectively, P < 0.001). With respect to the implementation of preventative measures, hemodialysis centers in general hospitals outperformed stand-alone blood purification centers, while tertiary hospitals outperformed hospitals of other levels. However, restrictions regarding the admission of non-resident patients were lower in tertiary hospitals than in other hospitals. In this situation, only one patient imported from Hubei province was diagnosed with COVID-19.

Conclusions

COVID-19 did not significantly affect the psychological status of most patients and medical staff members. Due to the implementation of comprehensive preventative measures, there were no cluster outbreaks of COVID-19 in hemodialysis centers. This provincial-level survey may provide referential guidance for other countries and regions that are experiencing a similar pandemic.
Das Kompetenz-Reflexions-Inventar (KRI) – Konstruktion und erste psychometrische Überprüfung eines Messinstrumentes
Authors: Kauffeld Simone
Published: June 2021

Dieser Beitrag der Zeitschrift „Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation.“ (GIO) beschäftigt sich mit dem Kompetenz-Reflexions-Inventar (KRI), welches das Selbstkonzept beruflicher Handlungskompetenz erfasst. Der Fragebogen besteht aus 80 Items, die in 20 min beantwortet werden können. Mit Hilfe von separaten Faktorenanalysen (N = 156) konnten für die Fachkompetenz die Skalen Konzeptionelles Denken, Kenntnis der Organisation und Abläufe, Problemerkennung, Entwicklung von Lösungen, für die Methodenkompetenz die Skalen Moderation und Präsentation, Planung, Reflexivität, Umgang mit IKT (Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologie) und Technik, Konzentration, Aufgabenverteilung, für die Sozialkompetenz die Skalen Positionierung des eigenen Standpunktes, Motivation von Anderen, Akzeptanz und Anerkennung, Kontaktaufbau und -pflege, Rücksichtnahme und Besonnenheit und für die Selbstkompetenz die Skalen Mitwirkung, Verantwortungsübernahme und Initiative, Veränderungsinteresse sowie Selbstmanagement identifiziert und an einer zweiten Stichprobe weitgehend bestätigt werden (N = 368). Konfirmatorische Faktorenanalysen ergaben darüber hinaus Hinweise für eine Einteilung der 19 Skalen beruflicher Handlungskompetenz in die vier Facetten Fach‑, Methoden‑, Sozial- und Selbstkompetenz. Als Validitätshinweise können die moderaten bis mittleren positiven Zusammenhänge der Kompetenzskalen und -facetten zum (1) beruflichen Erfolg, (2) dem Brutto-Jahres-Einkommen, (3) zur Zufriedenheit im Beruf sowie (4) den lernrelevanten Merkmalen der Arbeitsaufgabe interpretiert werden. Die Veränderungssensitivität des KRI bei Trainingsmaßnahmen konnte in zwei Teilstichproben nachgewiesen werden. Zusammenfassend ermöglicht das KRI, das hinsichtlich zentraler Gütekriterien an Berufstätigen überprüft wurde, die standardisierte und ökonomische Erfassung des Selbstkonzepts beruflicher Kompetenz.
Effect of Coupled Torsional and Transverse Vibrations of the Marine Propulsion Shaft System
Authors: Halilbeşe Akile Neşe , Zhang Cong , Özsoysal Osman Azmi
Published: June 2021

In this study, the coupled torsional–transverse vibration of a propeller shaft system owing to the misalignment caused by the shaft rotation was investigated. The proposed numerical model is based on the modified version of the Jeffcott rotor model. The equation of motion describing the harmonic vibrations of the system was obtained using the Euler–Lagrange equations for the associated energy functional. Experiments considering different rotation speeds and axial loads acting on the propulsion shaft system were performed to verify the numerical model. The effects of system parameters such as shaft length and diameter, stiffness and damping coefficients, and cross-section eccentricity were also studied. The cross-section eccentricity increased the displacement response, yet coupled vibrations were not initially observed. With the increase in the eccentricity, the interaction between two vibration modes became apparent, and the agreement between numerical predictions and experimental measurements improved. Given the results, the modified version of the Jeffcott rotor model can represent the coupled torsional–transverse vibration of propulsion shaft systems.