bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of AlXGa1−XN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistor Structures with Mercury Probe Capacitance–Voltage and Current–Voltage
Authors: Tucker Eric , Ramos Frank , Frey Samuel , Hillard Robert J. , Horváth Péter , Zsákai Gyula , Márton Attila
Published: December 2021

Characterization of high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) structures is important for predicting device behavior, monitoring and developing processes, and improving performance. Multifrequency capacitance–voltage (CV) and direct current–voltage (IV) methods are applied with a mercury probe to assess the HEMT with and without capping layers to monitor critical parameters such as pinch‐off voltage, two‐dimensional electron gas (2DEG) sheet charge, GaN carrier density profile, AlGaN thickness, and dielectric constant and properties of the top capping layer.
Vertical‐Pillar Ferroelectric Field‐Effect‐Transistor Memory
Authors: Lee Sangho , Kim Giuk , Kim Taeho , Eom Taehyong , Jeon Sanghun
Published: December 2021

In recent years, following trends in developing semiconductors, extensive research has been conducted to develop a hafnia‐based ferroelectric field effect transistor (FeFET) memory. However, its fundamental endurance limitation, which stems from early degradation of the gate insulator, has been a major obstacle to the development of FeFETs, with no clear solution despite attempting various approaches to high‐speed and high‐reliability FeFETs. Herein, a novel metal–ferroelectric–metal–insulator–semiconductor FeFET with vertical‐pillar channel and metal–ferroelectric–metal capacitor (VP‐FeFET) that can adjust the capacitance ratio between the ferroelectric film and gate insulator by modulating the channel height is proposed. The optimized VP‐FeFET exhibits a significantly reduced electric field (≤1.5 MV cm−1) through the gate insulator, resulting in a substantially enhanced FeFET endurance. Furthermore, the proposed FeFET achieved a large memory window of ≈5 V and a high program/erase speed of ≈100 ns. These merits are achieved without increasing the footprint of the FeFET device. This approach to high‐performance FeFET can be applied extensively to next‐generation nonvolatile memory devices.
Ternary association reactions of H3O+, NO+ and O2+• with N2, O2, CO2 and H2O; implications for selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry analyses of air and breath
Authors: Smith David , Španěl Patrik
Published: December 2021

Rationale

The reactions of the reagent ions used for trace gas analysis in selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT‐MS), R+, viz. H3O+, NO+ and O2+, with the major gases in air and breath samples, M, viz. N2, O2, CO2 and H2O, are investigated. These reactions are seen to form weakly‐bound adduct ions, R+M, by ternary association reactions that must not be mistaken for genuine volatile organic compound (VOC) analyte ions.

Methods

The ternary association rate coefficients mediated by helium (He) carrier gas atoms, k3a, have been determined for all combinations of R+ and M, which form R+M adduct ions ranging in m/z from 47 (H3O+N2) to 76 (O2+•CO2). This was achieved by adding variable amounts of M (up to 0.5 mbar pressure) into the He carrier gas (pressure of 1.33 mbar) in a SIFT‐MS flow tube at 300 K. Parabolic curvature was observed on some of the semi‐logarithmic decay curves that allowed the rate coefficients mediated by M molecules, k3b, to be estimated.

Results

Values of k3a were found to range from 1 × 10−31 cm6 s−1 to 5 × 10−29 cm6 s−1, which form mass spectral R+M “ghost peaks” of significant strength when analysing VOCs at parts‐per‐billion concentrations. It was seen that the R+M adduct ions (except when M is H2O) react with H2O molecules by ligand switching forming the readily recognised monohydrates of the initial reagent cations R+H2O. Whilst this ligand switching diminishes the R+M adduct ghost peaks, it does not eliminate them entirely.

Conclusions

The significance of these adduct ions for trace gas analysis by SIFT‐MS in the low m/z region is alluded to, and some examples are given of m/z spectral overlaps of the R+M and R+H2O adduct cations with analyte cations of VOCs formed by analysis of complex media like exhaled breath, warning that ghost peaks will be enhanced using nitrogen carrier gas in SIFT‐MS.
Fractional cycle decompositions in hypergraphs
Authors: Joos Felix , Kühn Marcus
Published: December 2021

We prove that for any integer and , there is an integer
such that any k‐uniform hypergraph on n vertices with minimum codegree at least has a fractional decomposition into (tight) cycles of length (‐cycles for short) whenever and n is large in terms of . This is essentially tight. This immediately yields also approximate integral decompositions for these hypergraphs into ‐cycles. Moreover, for graphs this even guarantees integral decompositions into ‐cycles and solves a problem posed by Glock, Kühn, and Osthus. For our proof, we introduce a new method for finding a set of ‐cycles such that every edge is contained in roughly the same number of ‐cycles from this set by exploiting that certain Markov chains are rapidly mixing.
Efficient and Stable All‐Inorganic CsPbIBr2 Perovskite Solar Cells Enabled by Dynamic Vacuum‐Assisted Low‐Temperature Engineering
Authors: Huang Junyi , He Shenghua , Zhang Wenzhi , Saparbaev Aziz , Wang Yi , Gao Yueyue , Shang Luwen , Dong Guohua , Nurumbetova Lobar , Yue Gentian , Tu Yongguang
Published: December 2021

Among all‐inorganic perovskite photoactive materials, CsPbIBr2 demonstrates the most balanced trade‐off between optical bandgap and phase stability. However, the poor quality and high‐temperature engineering of CsPbIBr2 film hinder the further optimization of derived perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a simple dynamic vacuum‐assisted low‐temperature engineering (merely 140 °C) is proposed to prepare high‐quality CsPbIBr2 film (VALT‐CsPbIBr2 film). Compared to HT‐CsPbIBr2 film processed via conventionally high temperature (280 °C), VALT‐CsPbIBr2 film presents higher crystallinity and more full coverage consisting of larger grains and fewer grain boundaries, which results in intensified light‐harvesting capability, reduced defects, and extended charge carrier lifetime. Benefiting from those improved merits, VALT‐CsPbIBr2 PSCs show lower trap‐state densities, more proficient charge dynamics, and larger built‐in potential than HT‐CsPbIBr2 PSCs. Consequently, VALT‐CsPbIBr2 PSCs deliver a higher efficiency of 11.01% accompanied by a large open‐circuit voltage of 1.289 V and a remarkable fill factor of 75.31%, being highly impressive among those reported CsPbIBr2 PSCs. By contrast, the efficiency of HT‐CsPbIBr2 PSCs is only 9.00%. Moreover, VALT‐CsPbIBr2 PSCs present stronger endurance against heat and moisture than HT‐CsPbIBr2 PSCs. Herein, a feasible avenue to fabricate efficient yet stable all‐inorganic PSCs via low‐temperature engineering is provided.
Ivermectin accelerates autophagic death of glioma cells by inhibiting glycolysis through blocking GLUT4 mediated JAK/STAT signaling pathway activation
Authors: Feng Yi , Wang Jubo , Cai Bing , Bai Ximin , Zhu Yiru
Published: December 2021

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the regulatory effect of ivermectin (IVM) on energy metabolism in glioma progression, and provide a reference for the treatment of glioma.

Methods

Glioma cells were treated with IVM to measure cell viability, autophagy marker protein expression, ATP content, glucose uptake, pyruvate content, and expression of key enzymes of glycolysis. Glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) or siGLUT4 was transfected in IVM treated U87 cells to investigate the effect of GLUT4 on cellular glycolysis and autophagy. The JAK2 inhibitor AZD‐1480 was introduced to explore the specific mechanism by which IVM regulates glycolysis and autophagy. Rat models of glioma xenograft were constructed and treated with 10 mg/kg IVM to observe tumor growth and examine the expression levels of GLUT4 and autophagy marker proteins in tumor tissues.

Results

IVM inhibited glioma cell survival and promoted cell death. IVM promoted LC3‐II protein expression and inhibited p62/SQSTM1 protein expression in glioma cells. IVM decreased adenosine‐triphosphate (ATP) and pyruvate content, promoted glucose uptake, and reduced HK2 and PFK1 protein expression in U87 cells. IVM inhibited GLUT4 protein expression, and overexpression of GLUT4 promoted glycolysis and inhibited autophagic cell death in U87 cells. IVM inhibited glycolysis by blocking GLUT4 mediated the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway activation. IVM inhibited tumor growth in vivo, decreased the protein expression of GLUT4, JAK2, HK2, and PFK1 in tumor tissues, decreased the phosphorylation levels of STAT3/STAT5, and promoted the expression of autophagy marker proteins.

Conclusions

IVM accelerates autophagic death of glioma cells by inhibiting glycolysis through blocking GLUT4 mediated JAK/STAT signaling pathway activation.
Critical role for uricase and xanthine dehydrogenase in soybean nitrogen fixation and nodule development
Authors: Nguyen Cuong X. , Dohnalkova Alice , Hancock C. Nathan , Kirk Kendall R. , Stacey Gary , Stacey Minviluz G.
Published: December 2021

De novo purine biosynthesis is required for the incorporation of fixed nitrogen in ureide exporting nodules, as formed on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] roots. However, in many cases, the enzymes involved in this pathway have been deduced strictly from genome annotations with little direct genetic evidence, such as mutant studies, to confirm their biochemical function or importance to nodule development. While efforts to develop large mutant collections of soybean are underway, research on this plant is still hampered by the inability to obtain mutations in any specific gene of interest. Using a forward genetic approach, as well as CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing via Agrobacterium rhizogenes‐mediated hairy root transformation, we identified and characterized the role of GmUOX (Uricase) and GmXDH (Xanthine Dehydrogenase) in nitrogen fixation and nodule development in soybean. The gmuox knockout soybean mutants displayed nitrogen deficiency chlorosis and early nodule senescence, as exemplified by the reduced nitrogenase (acetylene reduction) activity in nodules, the internal greenish‐white internal appearance of nodules, and diminished leghemoglobin production. In addition, gmuox1 nodules showed collapsed infected cells with degraded cytoplasm, aggregated bacteroids with no discernable symbiosome membranes, and increased formation of poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate granules. Similarly, knockout gmxdh mutant nodules, generated with the CRISPR/Cas9 system, also exhibited early nodule senescence. These genetic studies confirm the critical role of the de novo purine metabolisms pathway not only in the incorporation of fixed nitrogen but also in the successful development of a functional, nitrogen‐fixing nodule. Furthermore, these studies demonstrate the great utility of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for studying root‐associated gene traits when coupled with hairy root transformation.
Ag2VO2PO4 Nanorods: Synthesis, Characterization, Photoactivity and Antibacterial activity
Authors: Kammara Vaishnavi , Venkataswamy Perala , Angineni Rani , Hima Bindu G. , Velpula Suresh , Rupula Karuna , Vithal M.
Published: December 2021

Silver‐containing materials have been the source of attraction due to their excellent optical and photocatalytic properties. Silver vanadium phosphate, Ag2VO2PO4, (hereafter abbreviated as AVP) in nanorods form was synthesized by hydrothermal method at 220 °C for 24 h and characterized by PXRD, FT‐IR, 31P MAS NMR, SEM‐EDS, TEM‐SAED, N2 adsorption‐desorption, UV‐Vis DRS and XPS techniques. It was crystallized in the monoclinic crystal lattice with space group C2/m and the crystal structure consists of layers of edge‐sharing VO6 octahedra and PO4 tetrahedra. The Ag2VO2PO4 nanorods have shown the photocatalytic property against the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye. The degradation of RhB by AVP after 180 min of visible light irradiation was 45 %. The photocatalytic activity of this material was explained by its visible light absorption, which makes it a promising photocatalyst for use in solar photocatalysis and with a good photocatalytic rate. A mechanism for photodegradation of RhB dye was proposed based on scavenger experiments. It was noticed that .OH radicals are actively participating in the degradation of RhB followed by holes while the role of O2.− radicals is negligible. Antibacterial activity of this material was studied over gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram‐negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.
Issues Facing the Birth Parents and Their Implications for Open Adoption
Authors: Ward Harriet , Moggach Lynne , Tregeagle Susan , Trivedi Helen
Published: December 2021

The 210 children in the full cohort came from 142 families. Their birth parents’ circumstances provide a context for evaluating adoption outcomes. The chapter explores data collected from the children’s case files and records presented to the court at the time the order was made. Parents demonstrated a high incidence of factors known to be associated with recurrent child abuse: 31% of mothers had experienced abuse in their own childhoods; 45% were known to statutory child welfare services before their child’s birth, and 29% had already experienced the permanent removal of a child. Almost all parents struggled with complex factors including mental health problems, substance misuse, unstable relationships and domestic abuse that placed their children at risk of harm; for some parents, cognitive impairment was an exacerbating factor. About 10% of birth parents had died, and 23% of mothers and 60% of fathers had already lost contact with children before the adoption placement.
Post-adoption Contact and Relationships with Birth Family Members
Authors: Ward Harriet , Moggach Lynne , Tregeagle Susan , Trivedi Helen
Published: December 2021

The chapter draws on data collected through responses to an online survey concerning 93 adoptees (44% of the cohort), completed on average 18 years after placement, and interviews focusing on 24 adult adoptees. Face-to-face post-adoption contact was a legal requirement. After placement with adoptive families, 93% of adoptees had contact with birth family members; at follow-up, 56% still saw at least one member of their birth family; 69% of both adoptees and adoptive parents thought contact was ultimately beneficial. There was minimal evidence of contact with birth parents destabilising placements. However, it introduced a ‘painful transparency’ for all parties and could be problematic. Over time, contact supported children’s identity needs by incorporating knowledge of their antecedents and could mitigate their difficulties with attachment, separation and loss. It forced all parties to engage with one another and helped adoptees achieve closure.
Sustainable Corporate Responsibility
Authors: Ditlev-Simonsen Caroline D.
Published: December 2021

In this chapter, I begin by reflecting on the origins and historical context of terms related to sustainability and business, including but not limited to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Corporate Citizenship, and so on. I discuss what they mean, their purpose and limitations. I explore different, multilateral initiatives and frameworks pertaining to sustainability, in particular ones adopted by UN member states and how these apply to businesses. The role of corporate involvement and contribution, moving from a reactive to proactive sustainability engagement, is addressed. The responsibility of corporations from a philosophical perspective including key ethical schools of thoughts is also addressed.
Strategy to Approach Sustainability in Companies: A Step by Step Model
Authors: Ditlev-Simonsen Caroline D.
Published: December 2021

This chapter presents a five-step strategy for approaching sustainability in a corporation. It emphasizes the importance of anchoring the approach in top management and integrating it throughout the company; getting an overview of the current situation via mapping social and environmental impact, benchmarking relative to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and a framework for a materiality assessment. The chapter continues on how to develop a sustainability plan, test among key stakeholders, launching, communicating, and implementing the plan, and finally, reporting on progress. This chapter includes practical advice on progress as well as concrete examples based on experience.
Weapons of Mass Destruction—Conceptual and Ethical Issues with Regard to terrorism
Authors: Feltes Jonas
Published: December 2021

The concept of WMD is part of numerous national laws and is the core of one of the most important treaties of the United Nations (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in Convention on the prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons and on their destruction, 1992; United Nation Office of Disarmament Affairs in The convention on the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons and on their destruction, 1975). Yet, the definition of what should be considered a WMD is far from established and subject to controversial debates. Academics, policymakers, and legislators have been introducing a variety of partly conflicting conceptualizations of WMD into scientific debates, public discourse, and legislations over the last eight decades.
“No Cracks, no Blind Spots, no Gaps”: Technologically-Enabled “Preventative” Counterterrorism and Mass Repression in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Clarke Michael
Published: December 2021

The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is now the site of the largest mass repression of an ethnic and/or religious minority in the world today. Researchers estimate that since 2016 over one million people (mostly ethnic Uyghurs) have been detained without trial in the XUAR in a system of “re-education” camps. Outside of the camps, the region’s Turkic Muslim population are subjected to a dense network of hi-tech surveillance systems, checkpoints, and interpersonal monitoring which severely limit all forms of personal freedom penetrating society to the granular level. This chapter argues that the erection of this “carceral state” has been propelled by a “preventative” counterterrorism that has incorporated key practices (e.g. greater reliance on new surveillance technologies) and discourses (e.g. Islamaphobia) of the “global war on terrorism” with the ideology of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in pursuit of the negation of the very possibility of “terrorism”. As such the contemporary situation in the XUAR represents not only the mass repression of an ethnic and religious minority by an authoritarian regime but also an example of the dystopian potentialities of ostensibly “neutral” technologies.
Theorien und Modelle zur Entstehung von Aufmerksamkeit in der Wissenschaft
Authors: Gravert Andreas
Published: December 2021

Dieses Kapitel folgt der Frage, welche Ansätze zur Erklärung der Entstehung von Aufmerksamkeit in der Wissenschaft bereits existieren. In den Blick geraten dabei insbesondere Makro-Beschreibungen und -Erklärungen für das Aufkommen und Abklingen der fachgemeinschaftlichen Beschäftigung mit bestimmten Theorien, Methoden, Schulen oder wissenschaftlichen Modeerscheinungen. Hierfür werden vier Theoriestränge voneinander abgegrenzt, erläutert und auf Schnittmengen mit der Fragestellung dieser Arbeit geprüft: Zunächst wird mit dem „Paradigmenwechsel“ nach Kuhn eine der bis heute einflussreichsten wissenschaftssoziologischen Theorien zur Erklärung wissenschaftlicher Transformationen dargelegt. Eine wesentliche Grundlage Kuhns stellen Flecks „Denkkollektive“ dar, in deren Tradition Theorien zur Entstehung „Epistemischer Gemeinschaften“ zu sehen sind. Mit „theory groups“ und „invisible colleges“ werden zwei auf den Lehrstuhl von De Solla Price zurückgehende Theorien zur Diffusion wissenschaftlicher Schulen vorgestellt. Schließlich werden die normativen Diskussionen unterschiedlichster Fachrichtungen zu „Modeerscheinungen“ oder „fashions“ in der Wissenschaft gesammelt und in einen Zusammenhang gebracht.
Struktur und Mechanismen der Wissenschaft
Authors: Gravert Andreas
Published: December 2021

In diesem Kapitel werden wissenschaftssoziologische Erkenntnisse zur Funktionsweise der Wissenschaft dargelegt und diskutiert. Die Erkenntnisse werden vor dem Hintergrund der Fragestellung – ‚Wie entstehen Themen in der Wissenschaft?‘ – aufgearbeitet. Die Beschaffenheit des institutionellen Rahmens bzw. die personenunabhängigen Regeln und Normen des sozialen Systems der Wissenschaft werden dabei als Erklärungsmoment anvisiert. Im Verständnis der Arbeit resultieren wissenschaftliche Themenkarrieren aus den aggregierten (bewussten und unbewussten) Entscheidungen der einzelnen Mitglieder einer Fachgemeinschaft hinsichtlich der Wahl ihrer Forschungsthemen über einen Zeitverlauf. In der Konsequenz lautet die auf die Akteur*innenebene heruntergebrochene Fragestellung: ‚Wie wählen wissenschaftliche Akteur*innen ein Thema?‘. Im Rückbezug auf das zu erklärende Makrophänomen ergibt sich schließlich die Frage: ‚Wie lassen sich Veränderungen der aggregierten Entscheidungen wissenschaftlicher Akteur*innen hinsichtlich ihrer Themenwahl erklären?‘. Dieser Frage folgend verläuft die Darstellung der Struktur und Dynamik der Wissenschaft in drei Abschnitten vom Allgemeinen zum Konkreten. Zunächst werden die Besonderheiten der Wissenschaft sowie deren Einbettung in die gesellschaftliche Umwelt anhand einer differenzierungstheoretischen Sichtweise in den Blick genommen (Kp. 4.1). In dem darauf folgenden Kapitel (4.2) werden Strukturen der inneren Differenzierung der Wissenschaft dargestellt sowie die Mechanismen wissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisproduktion aufgearbeitet. Abschließend werden die drei zentralen Einflussgrößen des institutionellen Kontextes der Wissenschaft – die formale Koordination, die Allokation von Reputation und die Allokation von materiellen Ressourcen – sowie deren Zusammenspiel erläutert (Kp. 4.3).
Das Thema Klimawandel in der Planungswissenschaft
Authors: Gravert Andreas
Published: December 2021

In diesem Kapitel wird das zweite von zwei Fallbeispielen, die Entstehung des Themas Klimawandel, empirisch untersucht. Im Bereich der Raumplanung bzw. auch der Planungswissenschaft, wird unter dem Begriff Klimawandel in der Regel die aktuelle Klimaerwärmung vor dem Hintergrund ihrer Raumbedeutsamkeit verhandelt. Dies umfasst nicht nur die Auswirkungen des Raumes auf den Klimawandel durch die Emission von Treibhausgasen, sondern (mittlerweile) auch die Auswirkungen des prognostizierten und bereits eintretenden Klimawandels auf den Raum und den Umgang damit. Bei der Untersuchung kommen qualitative Methoden (Literaturauswertung, leitfadengestützte Interviews) sowie quantitative Methoden (Netzwerkanalyse, deskriptive Statistik) zum Einsatz. Die Schilderung erfolgt anhand der bereits dargelegten Phasenheuristik mit einer Latenzphase 1980-2006 (Kp. 8.1), einer Durchbruchphase im Jahr 2007 (Kp. 8.2), einer Fokusphase 2008-2012 (Kp. 8.3) und einer Normalisierungsphase 2013-2014 (Kp. 8.4). Eine umfassende quantitative Gesamtbetrachtung der Themenkarriere Klimawandel wird in Abschnitt 8.5 vorgenommen. Abschließend wird ein Kapitel 8.6 ein Zwischenfazit gezogen.
Einleitung
Authors: Schrader Sonja Maria
Published: December 2021

In diesem Open-Access-Buch geht es um das Zusammenspiel von Humankapitalausstattung und Wettbewerbsfähigkeit. Mit einer vielperspektivischen Analyse werden zunächst Zielkonflikte herausgearbeitet, die sich durch steigende Erwerbsumfänge von Müttern und ihren zunehmend institutionell betreuten Kleinkindern ergeben. Auf Basis wirtschaftswissenschaftlicher und psychologischer Ansätze wird das Caregiving-In-Modell entwickelt, anhand dessen das Entstehen externer Effekte abgeleitet wird. Aus der Bewertung der deutschen Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie hinsichtlich der gewonnenen Erkenntnisse begründen sich abschließend Handlungsempfehlungen, die einen diskursiven Beitrag für Entscheidungsträger in Politik und Wirtschaft leisten.
Zusammenfassung
Authors: Schrader Sonja Maria
Published: December 2021

Die Rückkehr in den Beruf nach der Geburt eines Kindes und die damit verbundene Nutzung von institutioneller Fremdbetreuung hat für viele Mütter und ihre Kleinkinder tagtäglich praktische Relevanz. Da sich die Befunde der Auswirkungen des geänderten Betreuungssettings auf die Kompetenzen der Kinder inkonsistent darstellten und in Deutschland bislang kaum untersucht wurden, hat sich die vorliegende Arbeit mit der Analyse dieser Themenstellung befasst.
Molekularpathologie in der Behandlung des Lungenkarzinoms – interdisziplinärer Blick auf die thoraxchirurgische Bedeutung
Authors: Krämer Sebastian , Wirtz Hubert
Published: December 2021

Die Therapie des Lungenkarzinoms wurde in den letzten Jahren zunehmend durch die Etablierung tumorspezifisch zielgerichteter Pharmaka und immunmodulatorischer Ansätze ergänzt und hat dadurch rasant an Komplexität gewonnen. Bessere Überlebensdaten und Erkenntnisse über andere Nebenwirkungensspektren und Rezidivcharakteristika begleiten diese Entwicklung. Dem Kliniker verlangt diese Entwicklung eine stete Wachsamkeit in der Stratifizierung der Behandlungsoptionen ab. Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die klinisch aktuell relevanten Ansätze der „targeted therapies“ in der Behandlung des Lungenkarzinoms und stellt Verbindungen zur Thoraxchirurgie dar. Mit der Darstellung der Optionen einer zielgerichteter Therapie wird beantwortet, welche Rolle sie in der adjuvanten Therapie bei nachgewiesener Mutation des Epidermal-growth-factor-Rezeptors (EGFR) spielen, wann eine Salvage-Operation infrage kommt und wie durch die „targeted therapies“ in Einzelfällen ein kuratives Therapiekonzept erarbeitet werden kann. Jedes Lungenkarzinom verlangt ab dem frühestmöglichen Zeitpunkt in der Diagnosefindung nach einer molekularen Analyse auf therapierelevante Mutationsmuster. Interdisziplinäre Konzepte können individualisiert das Langzeitüberleben des Patienten gewährleisten.
Near infra-red fluorescence identification of the thoracic duct to prevent chyle leaks during oesophagectomy
Authors: Barnes Thomas G. , MacGregor Thomas , Sgromo Bruno , Maynard Nicholas D. , Gillies Richard S.
Published: December 2021

Background

Chyle leaks following oesophagectomy are a frustrating complication of surgery with considerable morbidity. The use of near infra-red (NIR) fluorescence in surgery is an emerging technology and the use of fluorescence to identify the thoracic duct has been demonstrated in animal work and early human case reports. This study evaluated the use mesenteric and enteral administration of indocyanine green (ICG) in humans to identify the thoracic duct during oesophagectomy.

Methods

Patients undergoing oesophagectomy were recruited to the study. Administration of ICG via an enteral route or mesenteric injection was evaluated. Fluorescence was assessed using a NIR fluorescence enabled laparoscope system with a visual scoring system and signal to background ratios. Visualisation of the thoracic duct under white light and NIR fluorescence was compared as well as any identification of active chyle leak. Patients were followed up post-operatively for adverse events and chyle leak.

Results

20 patients received ICG and were included in the study. The enteral route failed to fluoresce the thoracic duct. Mesenteric injection (17 patients) identified the thoracic duct under fluorescence prior to white light in 70% of patients with a mean signal to background ratio of 5.35. In 6 participants, a possible active chyle leak was identified under fluorescence with 4 showing active chyle leak from what was identified as the thoracic duct.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that ICG administration via mesenteric injection can highlight the thoracic duct during oesophagectomy and may be a potential technology to reduce chyle leak following surgery.

Clinical trial registration

Clinical trials.gov (NCT03292757).
Der Einsatz von Sprach- und Videotelefonie in der Psychotherapie als Chance und Herausforderung: Eine Querschnitterhebung zu zwei Erhebungszeitpunkten
Authors: Korunka Christian , Höfner Claudia , Straßer Magdalena , Hochgerner Markus , Mantl Gerd
Published: December 2021

Die Video-Psychotherapie, als eine Form der internetgestützten Psychotherapie, hat sich in den letzten Jahrzehnten langsam verbreitet. Die im letzten Jahrzehnt veröffentlichten Reviews und erste Meta-Analysen zeigen die Möglichkeiten dieser digitalisierten Form der Psychotherapie auf. Die Covid-19 Pandemie und die Anforderungen der Lockdowns haben diese Entwicklung rasch beschleunigt.

Diese Studie systematisiert die Erfahrungen österreichischer Psychotherapeut_innen mit Video-Psychotherapie im ersten Jahr der Pandemie, indem sie einen Querschnitt zu zwei Erhebungszeitpunkten abbildet. Im ersten Lockdown nahmen 743, im zweiten Lockdown 212 Psychotherapeut_innen an der Studie teil. Inhaltsanalytische Auswertungen zeichnen ein differenziertes Bild der Möglichkeiten und Grenzen von Video-Psychotherapie, und auch eine intensive Lernerfahrung im ersten Jahr der Pandemie. Die Ergebnisse werden vor dem Hintergrund der vier therapeutischen Strömungen diskutiert, Grenzen und Möglichkeiten dieser Form der Psychotherapie differenziert aufgezeigt.
Mixing ReaxFF parameters for transition metal oxides using force-matching method
Authors: Włodarczyk Adam , Uchroński Mariusz , Podsiadły-Paszkowska Agata , Irek Joanna , Szyja Bartłomiej M.
Published: December 2021

We present the development of the method for the refitting the ReaxFF parameters for a system consisting of the mixed transition metal oxides. We have tested several methods allowing to calculate the differences between the vectors of the forces acting on atoms obtained from the reference DFT simulation and the parameters-dependent ReaxFF. We conclude that the footrule method yields the best parameters among the investigated options. We then validate the parameters using the system consisting of the hematite supported (TiO2)n clusters. The results indicate the refitted parameters allow to obtain acceptable geometries of the clusters upon MD simulation on the ReaxFF level, and despite the short timescale lead to the stable structures.
Decision space robustness for multi-objective integer linear programming
Authors: Stiglmayr Michael , Figueira José Rui , Klamroth Kathrin , Paquete Luís , Schulze Britta
Published: December 2021

In this article we introduce robustness measures in the context of multi-objective integer linear programming problems. The proposed measures are in line with the concept of decision robustness, which considers the uncertainty with respect to the implementation of a specific solution. An efficient solution is considered to be decision robust if many solutions in its neighborhood are efficient as well. This rather new area of research differs from robustness concepts dealing with imperfect knowledge of data parameters. Our approach implies a two-phase procedure, where in the first phase the set of all efficient solutions is computed, and in the second phase the neighborhood of each one of the solutions is determined. The indicators we propose are based on the knowledge of these neighborhoods. We discuss consistency properties for the indicators, present some numerical evaluations for specific problem classes and show potential fields of application.
Rubidium measured by XRF as a predictor of soil particle size in limestone and siliceous parent materials
Authors: Croffie Maame E. T. , Williams Paul N. , Fenton Owen , Fenelon Anna , Daly Karen
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Information about particle size distribution (PSD) and soil texture is essential for understanding soil drainage, porosity, nutrient availability, and trafficability. The sieve-pipette/gravimetric method traditionally used for particle size analysis is labour-intensive and resource-intensive. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry may provide a rapid alternative. The study’s aim was to examine the use of XRF for rapid determination of PSD in Irish soils.

Methods

Soils (n = 355) from existing archives in Ireland were analysed with a benchtop energy-dispersive XRF (EDXRF). Correlation and regression analyses were determined to compare Rb, Fe, Al, and Si concentrations to % clay, % silt, and % sand. Also, linear regression models were developed to compare % clay, % sand, and % silt measured by the gravimetric method to values predicted by EDXRF.

Results

The relationship between element concentration and PSD was dependent on parent material. Rb, Al, and Fe showed a significant (p < 0.05) correlation (r > 0.50) with % clay and % sand in soils derived from limestone and siliceous stone parent materials. Rb was the best predictor for % clay (R2 = 0.49, RMSE = 10.20) in soils derived from limestone and siliceous stone-derived soils.

Conclusion

Geochemistry and clay mineralogy of the soils’ parent material strongly influenced the EDXRF’s ability to predict particle size. The EDXRF could predict % clay in soils from parent materials which weather easily, but the opposite was true for soils with parent material recalcitrant to weathering. In conclusion, this study has shown that the EDXRF can screen % clay in soils derived from limestone and siliceous stone parent materials.
Crop Cycle Length Determines Optimal Transplanting Date for Seedlings from Hybrid True Potato Seeds
Authors: van Dijk Luuk C. M. , Kacheyo Olivia C. , de Vries Michiel E. , Lommen Willemien J. M. , Struik Paul C.
Published: December 2021

The technology of hybrid breeding in diploid potatoes creates opportunities to design novel and improved cultivation systems based on hybrid true potato seeds. A promising cultivation pathway to produce seed or ware tubers is by transplanting greenhouse-raised seedlings into the field. This study explored the effects of transplanting date and seedling age on tuber yield, using greenhouse-raised seedlings. Field trials with experimental hybrid genotypes were conducted in three consecutive years. In 2017 and 2018, 4- and 6-week-old seedlings were transplanted at four dates: March, April, May and June. In 2019, transplanting dates included April, May and June and seedling age was 5 weeks. In 2018, the March planting experienced severe frost during the initial field period resulting in crop failure. In 2017 and 2019, plants could withstand shorter and less severe frost events. Seedling age did not significantly affect tuber parameters. Transplanting in June resulted in lower marketable yield (> 28 mm) compared with earlier transplanting dates when crops were harvested in September. At full crop senescence, no differences in marketable yield were observed. The optimal transplanting window, taking into account weather-related risks, is approximately between early April and end May. For some genotypes, crop cycle length was observed to be a more important yield-determining factor than transplanting date.
A note on overrelaxation in the Sinkhorn algorithm
Authors: Lehmann Tobias , von Renesse Max-K. , Sambale Alexander , Uschmajew André
Published: December 2021

We derive an a priori parameter range for overrelaxation of the Sinkhorn algorithm, which guarantees global convergence and a strictly faster asymptotic local convergence. Guided by the spectral analysis of the linearized problem we pursue a zero cost procedure to choose a near optimal relaxation parameter.
A stacked generalization ensemble model for optimization and prediction of the gas well rate of penetration: a case study in Xinjiang
Authors: Liu Naipeng , Gao Hui , Zhao Zhen , Hu Yule , Duan Longchen
Published: December 2021

In gas drilling operations, the rate of penetration (ROP) parameter has an important influence on drilling costs. Prediction of ROP can optimize the drilling operational parameters and reduce its overall cost. To predict ROP with satisfactory precision, a stacked generalization ensemble model is developed in this paper. Drilling data were collected from a shale gas survey well in Xinjiang, northwestern China. First, Pearson correlation analysis is used for feature selection. Then, a Savitzky-Golay smoothing filter is used to reduce noise in the dataset. In the next stage, we propose a stacked generalization ensemble model that combines six machine learning models: support vector regression (SVR), extremely randomized trees (ET), random forest (RF), gradient boosting machine (GB), light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM) and extreme gradient boosting (XGB). The stacked model generates meta-data from the five models (SVR, ET, RF, GB, LightGBM) to compute ROP predictions using an XGB model. Then, the leave-one-out method is used to verify modeling performance. The performance of the stacked model is better than each single model, with R2 = 0.9568 and root mean square error = 0.4853 m/h achieved on the testing dataset. Hence, the proposed approach will be useful in optimizing gas drilling. Finally, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is used to optimize the relevant ROP parameters.
Positive Polynomials and Boundary Interpolation with Finite Blaschke Products
Authors: Kalmykov Sergei , Nagy Béla
Published: December 2021

The famous Jones–Ruscheweyh theorem states that n distinct points on the unit circle can be mapped to n arbitrary points on the unit circle by a Blaschke product of degree at most $$n-1$$

n
-
1

. In this paper, we provide a new proof using real algebraic techniques. First, the interpolation conditions are rewritten into complex equations. These complex equations are transformed into a system of polynomial equations with real coefficients. This step leads to a “geometric representation” of Blaschke products. Then another set of transformations is applied to reveal some structure of the equations. Finally, the following two fundamental tools are used: a Positivstellensatz by Prestel and Delzell describing positive polynomials on compact semialgebraic sets using Archimedean module of length N. The other tool is a representation of positive polynomials in a specific form due to Berr and Wörmann. This, combined with a careful calculation of leading terms of occurring polynomials finishes the proof.
HEPiX Benchmarking Solution for WLCG Computing Resources
Authors: Giordano Domenico , Alef Manfred , Atzori Luca , Barbet Jean-Michel , Datskova Olga , Girone Maria , Hollowell Christopher , Javurkova Martina , Maganza Riccardo , Medeiros Miguel F. , Michelotto Michele , Rinaldi Lorenzo , Sciabà Andrea , Sobie Randall J. , Southwick David , Sullivan Tristan , Valassi Andrea
Published: December 2021

The HEPiX Benchmarking Working Group has developed a framework to benchmark the performance of a computational server using the software applications of the High Energy Physics (HEP) community. This framework consists of two main components, named HEP-Workloads and HEPscore. HEP-Workloads is a collection of standalone production applications provided by a number of HEP experiments. HEPscore is designed to run HEP-Workloads and provide an overall measurement that is representative of the computing power of a system. HEPscore is able to measure the performance of systems with different processor architectures and accelerators. The framework is completed by the HEP Benchmark Suite that simplifies the process of executing HEPscore and other benchmarks such as HEP-SPEC06, SPEC CPU 2017, and DB12. This paper describes the motivation, the design choices, and the results achieved by the HEPiX Benchmarking Working group. A perspective on future plans is also presented.
Simulation model of natural gas supply chain in a function of costs optimization: the case of Croatia
Authors: Šebalj Dario
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this study is to develop a natural gas simulation model for costs optimization. The main focus of the model is on the transmission system since its imbalance leads to the penalties which must be paid by the suppliers. The total nominated amount of natural gas (the gas injected into the transmission system) must be consumed (withdrawn from the system) in order for the system to be in balance. In practice, this is not the case since it is very hard to accurately predict the future hourly consumption (in order to make a nomination) and certain deviations appear which leads to the imbalance. However, this problem could be solved by introducing a special electromotor valve which would be placed at the beginning of the distribution system and control the accumulation of the system. To test this solution, a simulation model was created using Arena Simulation tool. Data for the simulation model are collected by the natural gas distributor and consist of natural gas consumption and nomination values for one measuring-reduction station on the hourly basis. Thus, the final dataset includes 8.754 records. The separate As-Is and To-Be models for seven (summer) months were made and the results were compared. The simulation experiment shows that the positive rebalancing energy would be reduced by 32%, and the negative one by 34%. The created model can serve as a good initial step for the analysis of the justification of investment in the implementation of a technical solution that would manage the accumulation of the distribution system.
External factors that affect the photoplethysmography waveforms
Authors: Pi Irene , Pi Isleen , Wu Wei
Published: December 2021

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is a simple and inexpensive technology used in many smart devices to monitor cardiovascular health. The PPG sensors use LED lights to penetrate into the bloodstream to detect the different blood volume changes in the tissue through skin contact by sensing the amount of light that hits the sensor. Typically, the data are displayed on a graph and it forms the pulse waveform. The information from the produced pulse waveform can be useful in calculating measurements that help monitor cardiovascular health, such as blood pressure. With many more people beginning to monitor their health status on their smart devices, it is extremely important that the PPG signal is accurate. Designing a simple experiment with standard laboratory equipment and commercial sensors, we wanted to find how external factors influence the results. In this study, it was found that external factors, touch force and temperature, can have a large impact on the resulting waveform, so the effects of those factors need to be considered in order for the information to become more reliable.
Exploring Young Offenders’ Conceptions of Meaningful Employment
Authors: Oswald Rebecca Jayne
Published: December 2021

Experiencing meaningfulness at work is important for employee engagement, individual performance, and personal fulfilment. However, research surrounding meaningful employment has predominantly focused upon the experiences of well-educated, adult professionals. To expand theoretical understanding of this concept, this paper investigates perceptions of meaningful employment among youths from Northern England (aged 16–18) with a history of involvement in crime. Interviews demonstrate that young offenders’ criteria for ‘meaningful work’ differ from existing research and is influenced by their self-concept and inherent values as youths from chaotic and impoverished backgrounds. This highlights the subjectivity of this concept. Nonetheless, the findings also indicate that there are instances where work itself makes a broader contribution in discovering meaning, and therefore, certain organisational practices are experienced as meaningful by both young offenders and adult professionals. Thus, this study demonstrates the importance of surveying diverse populations to reach a more comprehensive understanding of meaningful employment.
The metropolitan and the Theban silk industry: a hypothetical reconstruction
Authors: Wu Gang
Published: December 2021

Many theories have been proposed to explain the success of the Theban silk industry from the twelfth century onward. To contribute to this discussion in the context of recent research developments, this article explores the Theban metropolitan's hypothetical contribution to the industry through the case study of John Kaloktenes, who initiated a series of projects during his tenure (before 1166–c.1190). The analysis of three of these projects suggests that they might have been designed to support the industry. Thus, this article proposes the working hypothesis that Thebes's industrial success might have benefited substantially from the local metropolitan's active promotion.
On particle separation from turbulent particle plumes in a cross-flow
Authors: James Cara B.G. , Mingotti Nicola , Woods Andrew W.
Published: December 2021

We present new experiments of particle-driven turbulent plumes issuing from a constant source of dense particle-laden fluid, with buoyancy flux,

$B$

, in a uniform horizontal current,

$u$

. Experiments show that a turbulent, well-mixed plume develops, in which the downward vertical speed

$w$

decreases with depth

$z$

according to

$w = 0.76 (B/uz)^{1/2}$

while the horizontal speed rapidly asymptotes to the current speed

$u$

, provided that the Stokes settling speed of the particles

$v<0.92 w$

. For

$v > 0.92 w$

, the particles separate from the plume fluid, and their depth

$z$

increases according to the simple sedimentation trajectory

$\textrm {d}z/{\textrm {d}\kern0.7pt x} = v/u$

. As the particles sediment, they form clusters of particles, which lead to fluctuations in the particle load with position, but do not appear to change the time-average sedimentation speed. We explore the impact of these results for deep-sea mining, in which the fate of the plume water as well as the particles is key for assessing potential environmental impacts.
Relationship between pineal gland, sleep and melatonin in fibromyalgia women: a magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Leon-Llamas Juan Luis , Villafaina Santos , Murillo-Garcia Alvaro , Rohlfs Domínguez Paloma , Gusi Narcis
Published: December 2021

A total of 80% of fibromyalgia (FM) population have reported poor sleep. In this regard, the pineal gland, involved in circadian rhythm processes as a key neuroendocrine organ which mainly synthesises and secretes melatonin, has never been studied before in this population. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the parenchyma pineal volume and its relation to sleep hours, sleep quality index and melatonin level at night. A total of 50 participants, 30 women with FM and 20 healthy control women underwent cranial magnetic resonance imaging. The total pineal volume, cyst pineal volume and parenchyma pineal volume were manually calculated in cubic millimetres. Also, the total pineal volume was estimated using Hasehawa method. Parenchyma pineal volume was significantly correlated with sleep hours (p-value = 0.041) and nocturnal melatonin level (p-value = 0.027). Moreover, there was also a non-significant correlation between parenchyma pineal volume and sleep quality index (p-value = 0.055). Furthermore, a mean parenchyma pineal volume of 102.00 (41.46) mm³ was observed, with a prevalence of 29.60% cyst in FM group. This is the first study that has reported pineal gland volumes, cyst prevalence and correlative relationships between parenchyma pineal volume and sleep hours and melatonin levels in women with FM.