bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between individual alpha peak frequency and attentional performance in a multiple object tracking task among ice-hockey players
Authors: Zhang Yanhui , Lu Yingzhi , Wang Dandan , Zhou Chenglin , Xu Chang
Published: May 2021

Individual alpha peak frequency (IAPF), the discrete frequency with the highest power value in the alpha oscillation range of the electroencephalogram, is a stable neurophysiological marker and is closely associated with various cognitive functions, including aspects of attention and working memory. However, the relationship between IAPF and attentional performance as well as the effects of engaging attention on IAPF are unknow. Here, we examined whether IAPF values were associated with attentional performance by evaluating accuracy during the performance of a multiple object tracking (MOT) task, a well-established paradigm for investigating goal-driven attention in dynamic environments, and whether engagement in the task affected IAPF values. In total, 18 elite players and 20 intermediate players completed the study. Resting electroencephalogram recordings were obtained for 120 s while players kept their eyes open and an additional 120 s while players’ eyes were closed, before and again after performing the MOT task. Tracking accuracy in the MOT task and IAPF values before and after the MOT task were analyzed. As expected, tracking accuracies were higher in elite players than in intermediate-level players. Baseline IAPF values were significantly and positively correlated with the accuracy of target tracking in the MOT task. IAPF values were higher in elite than intermediate players in both the eyes open and closed conditions and both before and after MOT task performance. Interindividual IAPF values did not differ before and after the MOT task. These findings indicate that IAPF is a stable marker, without intraindividual changes associated with engagement in the MOT task. Elite players had higher IAPF values and exhibited more accurate MOT performance than intermediate-level players; thus, baseline IAPF values may be useful to predict attentional performance in the MOT task among athletes.
Salt stress and salt shock differently affect DNA methylation in salt-responsive genes in sugar beet and its wild, halophytic ancestor
Authors: Skorupa Monika , Szczepanek Joanna , Mazur Justyna , Domagalski Krzysztof , Tretyn Andrzej , Tyburski Jarosław
Published: May 2021

Here we determined the impact of salt shock and salt stress on the level of DNA methylation in selected CpG islands localized in promoters or first exons of sixteen salt-responsive genes in beets. Two subspecies differing in salt tolerance were subjected for analysis, a moderately salt-tolerant sugar beetBeta vulgaris ssp.vulgariscv. Huzar and a halophytic beet,Beta vulgaris ssp.maritima. The CpG island methylation status was determined. All target sequences were hyper- or hypomethylated under salt shock and/or salt stress in one or both beet subspecies. It was revealed that the genomic regions analyzed were highly methylated in both, the salt treated plants and untreated controls. Methylation of the target sequences changed in a salt-dependent manner, being affected by either one or both treatments. Under both shock and stress, the hypomethylation was a predominant response in sugar beet. InBeta vulgaris ssp.maritima, the hypermethylation occurred with higher frequency than hypomethylation, especially under salt stress and in the promoter-located CpG sites. Conversely, the hypomethylation of the promoter-located CpG sites predominated in sugar beet plants subjected to salt stress. This findings suggest that DNA methylation may be involved in salt-tolerance and transcriptomic response to salinity in beets.
Identification and analysis of urban functional area in Hangzhou based on OSM and POI data
Authors: Wang Ziyi , Ma Debin , Sun Dongqi , Zhang Jingxiang
Published: May 2021

The accurate identification of urban functional areas is of great significance for optimizing urban spatial structure, rationally allocating spatial elements, and promoting the sustainable development of the city. This paper proposes a method to precisely identify urban functional areas by coupling Open Street Map (OSM) and Point of Interest (POI) data. It takes the central urban area of Hangzhou as a case study to analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of the functional areas. The results show that: (1) The central urban areas of Hangzhou are divided into 21 functional areas (6 single functional areas, 14 mixed functional areas and 1 comprehensive functional area). (2) The single functional areas and the mixed functional areas show the geographical distribution characteristics of the looping stratification, which means “Core-periphery” differentiation is obvious, and the comprehensive functional area is relatively scattered. (3) The mixed degree of regional function with ecological function and production function is low while comprehensive functional areas are usually associated with higher potential and vitality. (4) The identification results are in great agreement with the actual situation of Hangzhou central urban area, and the method is feasible. Therefore, this paper can provide a reference for urban development planning and management.
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio associated with an increased risk of mortality in patients with critical limb ischemia
Authors: Su Min-I. , Liu Cheng-Wei
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Association of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with mortality has not been comprehensively explored in critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients. We investigated the association between the NLR and clinical outcomes in CLI.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively enrolled consecutive CLI patients between 1/1/2013 and 12/31/2018. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined NLR cutoffs for 1-year in-hospital, all-cause and cardiac-related mortality; major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs); and major adverse limb events (MALEs).

Results

Among 195 patients (age, 74.0 years, SD: 11.5; 51.8% male; body mass index, 23.4 kg/m2, SD: 4.2), 14.4% exhibited acute limb ischemia. After 1 year, patients with NLR>8 had higher in-hospital mortality (21.1% vs. 3.6%, P<0.001), all-cause mortality (54.4% vs. 13.8%, P<0.001), cardiac-related mortality (28.1% vs. 6.5%, P<0.001), MACE (29.8% vs. 13.0%, P = 0.008), and MALE (28.1% vs. 13.0%, P = 0.021) rates than those with NLR<8. In multivariate logistic regression, NLR≥8 was significantly associated with all-cause (P<0.001) and cardiac-related (adjusted HR: 5.286, 95% CI: 2.075–13.47, P<0.001) mortality, and NLR≥6 was significantly associated with MALEs (adjusted HR: 2.804, 95% CI: 1.292–6.088, P = 0.009). Each increase in the NLR was associated with increases in all-cause (adjusted HR: 1.028, 95% CI: 1.008–1.049, P = 0.007) and cardiac-related (adjusted HR:1.027, 95% CI: 0.998–1.057, P = 0.073) mortality but not in-hospital mortality or MACEs.

Conclusion

CLI patients with high NLRs had significantly higher risks of 1-year all-cause and cardiac-related mortality and MALEs. The NLR can be used for prognostic prediction in these patients.
Abnormal center of mass feedback responses during balance: A potential biomarker of falls in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: McKay J. Lucas , Lang Kimberly C. , Bong Sistania M. , Hackney Madeleine E. , Factor Stewart A. , Ting Lena H.
Published: May 2021

Although Parkinson disease (PD) causes profound balance impairments, we know very little about how PD impacts the sensorimotor networks we rely on for automatically maintaining balance control. In young healthy people and animals, muscles are activated in a precise temporal and spatial organization when the center of body mass (CoM) is unexpectedly moved that is largely automatic and determined by feedback of CoM motion. Here, we show that PD alters the sensitivity of the sensorimotor feedback transformation. Importantly, sensorimotor feedback transformations for balance in PD remain temporally precise, but become spatially diffuse by recruiting additional muscle activity in antagonist muscles during balance responses. The abnormal antagonist muscle activity remains precisely time-locked to sensorimotor feedback signals encoding undesirable motion of the body in space. Further, among people with PD, the sensitivity of abnormal antagonist muscle activity to CoM motion varies directly with the number of recent falls. Our work shows that in people with PD, sensorimotor feedback transformations for balance are intact but disinhibited in antagonist muscles, likely contributing to balance deficits and falls.
Comparison of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen stocks between farmland treated with three and six years level soil bund and adjacent farmland without conservation measure: In the case of southwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Hailu Leta , Betemariyam Mulugeta
Published: May 2021

This study was conducted to examine and compare the status of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks between farmlands treated with level soil bund (LSB) of three and six years and adjacent farmland without conservation measure (control) at Somodo Watershed. Soil samples were collected from farmland treated with LSB-3 years, LSB-6 years and control using randomized complete block design. A total of 108 composite soil samples (3 treatments * 6 replications * 3 bund zones * 2 depths (0–20 and 20–40 cm) were collected for analysis and determination of the Organic Carbon fraction (OC) and Nitrogen fraction (N). OC was determined using Walkley and Black method while N was determined using the Kjeldahl digestion, distillation and titration method. The result indicated that farmland treated with LSB-6 years has insignificantly higher SOC (98.43±11.55 Mg ha-1) and TN (9.37±1.10 Mg ha-1) stock than control SOC (93.01±13.51 Mg ha-1) and TN (9.28±1.60 Mg ha-1) stock. Likely, farmland treated with LSB-6 years has insignificantly higher SOC and TN stock than farmland treated with LSB-3 years SOC (96.61±11.45 Mg ha-1) stock. With respect to the age of LSB, farmland treated with LSB-6 years accumulated more SOC stock (5.83%) than control. This study revealed that the age of LSB conservation measures has a critical role in enhancing soil fertility through maintaining and sequestering SOC and TN.
Time in blood glucose range 70 to 180 mg/dL and survival rate in critically ill patients: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Naraba Hiromu , Goto Tadahiro , Shirakawa Toru , Sonoo Tomohiro , Kanda Naoki , Nakano Hidehiko , Takahashi Yuji , Hashimoto Hideki , Nakamura Kensuke
Published: May 2021

Background

While time in targeted blood glucose range (TIR) 70–140 mg/dL is a known factor associated with mortality in critically ill patients, it remains unclear whether TIR is associated with 28-day mortality under the glycemic control with a less tight target glucose range of 70–180 mg/dL. We aimed to examine whether TIR 70–180 mg/dL was associated with 28-day mortality.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study using data from a tertiary care center in Japan collected from January 2016 through October 2019. We included adult patients (aged ≥20 years) admitted to the ICU. We excluded patients 1) with diabetic ketoacidosis patients, 2) discharged within 48 hours, 3) with repeated ICU admissions. We calculated TIR 70–180 mg/dL using the measured blood glucose values (≥3 times per day). The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. We examined the association between TIR and 28-day mortality using a logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models with a stratification by glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of 6.5%. Additionally, we repeated the analyses using the TIR category to assess the optimal TIR. For the sensitivity analysis, we repeated the primary analysis using TIR during the first three days from ICU admission.

Results

Of 1,230 patients, the median age was 72 years, 65% were male, and 250 patients (20%) had HbA1c ≥6.5% on admission. In patients with HbA1c <6.5%, TIR <80% was associated with an increased risk of 28-day mortality, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.88 (95%CI: 1.36–2.61). Likewise, when using 10% incremental TIR as a categorical variable, lower TIR was associated with a worse 28-day mortality compared with TIR ≥90% (e.g., adjusted OR of TIR <60%, 3.62 [95%CI 2.36–5.53]). Similar associations were found in the analyses using Cox proportional hazards model and using TIR during the first three days. By contrast, in patients with HbA1c ≥6.5%, there was no consistent association of TIR with 28-day mortality.

Conclusions

We found that lower TIR 70–180 mg/dL was associated with a higher 28-day mortality in critically ill patients with HbA1c <6.5%, whereas there was no consistent association in patients with HbA1c ≥6.5%.
Epitope-targeting platform for broadly protective influenza vaccines
Authors: Zeigler David F. , Gage Emily , Clegg Christopher H.
Published: May 2021

Seasonal influenza vaccines are often ineffective because they elicit strain-specific antibody responses to mutation-prone sites on the hemagglutinin (HA) head. Vaccines that provide long-lasting immunity to conserved epitopes are needed. Recently, we reported a nanoparticle-based vaccine platform produced by solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) for targeting linear and helical protein-based epitopes. Here, we illustrate its potential for building broadly protective influenza vaccines. Targeting known epitopes in the HA stem, neuraminidase (NA) active site, and M2 ectodomain (M2e) conferred 50–75% survival against 5LD50influenza B and H1N1 challenge; combining stem and M2e antigens increased survival to 90%. Additionally, protein sequence and structural information were employed in tandem to identify alternative epitopes that stimulate greater protection; we report three novel HA and NA sites that are highly conserved in type B viruses. One new target in the HA stem stimulated 100% survival, highlighting the value of this simple epitope discovery strategy. A candidate influenza B vaccine targeting two adjacent HA stem sites led to >104-fold reduction in pulmonary viral load. These studies describe a compelling platform for building vaccines that target conserved influenza epitopes.
Global antibiotic dosing strategies in hospitalised children: Characterising variation and implications for harmonisation of international guidelines
Authors: Clements Michelle N. , Russell Neal , Bielicki Julia A. , Ellis Sally , Gastine Silke , Hsia Yingfen , Standing Joseph F. , Walker A. Sarah , Sharland Mike
Published: May 2021

Background

Paediatric global antibiotic guidelines are inconsistent, most likely due to the limited pharmacokinetic and efficacy data in this population. We investigated factors underlying variation in antibiotic dosing using data from five global point prevalence surveys.

Methods & findings

Data from 3,367 doses of the 16 most frequent intravenous antibiotics administered to children 1 month–12 years across 23 countries were analysed. For each antibiotic, we identified standard doses given as either weight-based doses (in mg/kg/day) or fixed daily doses (in mg/day), and investigated the pattern of dosing using each strategy. Factors underlying observed variation in weight-based doses were investigated using linear mixed effects models. Weight-based dosing (in mg/kg/day) clustered around a small number of peaks, and all antibiotics had 1–3 standard weight-based doses used in 5%-48% of doses. Dosing strategy was more often weight-based than fixed daily dosing for all antibiotics apart from teicoplanin, which had approximately equal proportions of dosing attributable to each strategy. No strong consistent patterns emerged to explain the historical variation in actual weight-based doses used apart from higher dosing seen in central nervous system infections, and lower in skin and soft tissue infections compared to lower respiratory tract infections. Higher dosing was noted in the Americas compared to the European region.

Conclusions

Antibiotic dosing in children clusters around a small number of doses, although variation remains. There is a clear opportunity for the clinical, scientific and public health communities to consolidate behind a consistent set of global antibiotic dosing guidelines to harmonise current practice and prioritise future research.
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Seattle, Washington: October 2019–April 2020
Authors: McCulloch Denise J. , Jackson Michael L. , Hughes James P. , Lester Sandra , Mills Lisa , Freeman Brandi , Rasheed Mohammad Ata Ur , Thornburg Natalie J. , Chu Helen Y.
Published: May 2021

Background

The first US case of SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected on January 20, 2020. However, some serology studies suggest SARS-CoV-2 may have been present in the United States prior to that, as early as December 2019. The extent of domestic COVID-19 detection prior to 2020 has not been well-characterized.

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody among healthcare users in the greater Seattle, Washington area from October 2019 through early April 2020.

Study design

We tested residual samples from 766 Seattle-area adults for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies utilizing an ELISA against prefusion-stabilized Spike (S) protein.

Results

No antibody-positive samples were found between October 2, 2019 and March 13, 2020. Prevalence rose to 1.2% in late March and early April 2020.

Conclusions

The absence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody-positive samples in October 2019 through mid-March, 2020, provides evidence against widespread circulation of COVID-19 among healthcare users in the Seattle area during that time. A small proportion of this metropolitan-area cohort had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 by spring of 2020.
Multi-scale U-like network with attention mechanism for automatic pancreas segmentation
Authors: Yan Yingjing , Zhang Defu
Published: May 2021

In recent years, the rapid development of deep neural networks has made great progress in automatic organ segmentation from abdominal CT scans. However, automatic segmentation for small organs (e.g., the pancreas) is still a challenging task. As an inconspicuous and small organ in the abdomen, the pancreas has a high degree of anatomical variability and is indistinguishable from the surrounding organs and tissues, which usually leads to a very vague boundary. Therefore, the accuracy of pancreatic segmentation is sometimes below satisfaction. In this paper, we propose a 2.5D U-net with an attention mechanism. The proposed network includes 2D convolutional layers and 3D convolutional layers, which means that it requires less computational resources than 3D segmentation models while it can capture more spatial information along the third dimension than 2D segmentation models. Then We use a cascaded framework to increase the accuracy of segmentation results. We evaluate our network on the NIH pancreas dataset and measure the segmentation accuracy by the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC). Experimental results demonstrate a better performance compared with state-of-the-art methods.
Undiagnosed hypertension and associated factors among bank workers in Bahir Dar City, Northwest, Ethiopia, 2020. A cross-sectional study
Authors: Dejenie Mekdes , Kerie Sitotaw , Reba Kidist
Published: May 2021

Background

Undiagnosed hypertension is defined as individuals who were hypertensive but did not report having been told by a health professional that they have hypertension. It is an important risk factor for development of chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Despite those problems and benefits of finding individuals with undiagnosed hypertension to prevent its outcomes, no enough investigations have been done regarding the prevalence and associated factors of undiagnosed hypertension. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and its associated factors among bank workers in Ethiopia.

Methods

An institutional based cross-sectional study was held at Bahir Dar city bank workers. The simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Self-administered structured questionnaire and physical measurement were used to collect data. The data were entered into EPI data 3.1 versions and exported to SPSS version 23.0 statistical software for further analysis. In order to decide the association between independent and dependent variables; multivariate logistic regression analysis was implemented. A P-value of < 0.05 was used as the criterion for statistical significance and OR with 95% confidence interval was used to indicate the strength of association.

Result

In this study from a total of 524 participants 513 were completed the questionnaire correctly, which gives a response rate of 97.9%. The overall prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension among bank workers was 24.8% with (95% CI 21.1–28.5). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that age 35–44 [AOR = 2.56, 95% CI: (1.60–4.09)], being male [AOR = 3.61, 95% CI: (1.84–7.05)], having moderate knowledge [AOR = 3.81, 95% CI: (2.29–6.34)], having poor knowledge [AOR = 6.19, 95% CI: (3.07-)12.48], and being physically inactivity [AOR = 2.91, 95% CI: (1.26–6.76)] were variables significantly associated with undiagnosed hypertension.

Conclusion

The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension among bank workers in Bahir Dar city was found to be high. An age group of 35–44 years, being male, having moderate and poor knowledge and being physically inactivity was the variables that were significantly associated with undiagnosed hypertension. Therefore, creating awareness, frequent screening and implementation of an appropriate intervention for this vulnerable group is important.
Corporate social responsibility in luxury hotels in Cusco (Peru) to benefit indigenous communities
Authors: Sotomayor Sandra , Ventes Natalia , Gronau Werner
Published: May 2021

Responsible tourism encompasses the protection and conservation of the natural and cultural heritage considered tourism resources, including traditional local communities. However, concerns among the hospitality industry favour the environmental dimension, while the sociocultural dimension still needs more attention. The present case study focuses on the ways in which luxury hotels, in the context of Cusco (Peru, South America), benefit the indigenous Quechua communities, located among the region, through corporate social responsibility (CSR) actions. Interviews with hotel representatives revealed a rather heterogeneous understanding among them regarding CSR-related concepts. However, in general, a growing interest and commitment in promoting actions to help the surrounding communities were noted. While various approaches towards the creation of community benefits were described, there was consensus regarding the perceived main challenge of working with communities being the time that it takes to build a strong relationship with community members due to initial sociocultural barriers. Main actions developed by these hotels included providing education, training, health and sanitation projects; prioritizing local fair-trade suppliers when available and of quality; and supporting local entrepreneurs. In addition, all hotels engaged in philanthropic activities. The study’s insight regarding hotels’ CSR activities demonstrates the diverse ways that the hospitality sector can contribute to the betterment of society.
Defining guidelines for ditch depth in drained Scots pine dominated peatland forests
Authors: Hökkä Hannu , Laurén Ari , Stenberg Leena , Launiainen Samuli , Leppä Kersti , Nieminen Mika
Published: May 2021

We used a process-based hydrological model SUSI to improve guidelines for ditch network maintenance (DNM) operations on drained peatland forests. SUSI takes daily weather data, ditch depth, strip width, peat properties, and forest stand characteristics as input and calculates daily water table depth (WTD) at different distances from ditch. The study focuses on Scots pine ( L.) dominated stands which are the most common subjects of DNM. Based on a literature survey, and consideration of the tradeoffs between forest growth and detrimental environmental impacts, long term median JulyâAugust WTD of 0.35 m was chosen as a target WTD. The results showed that ditch depths required to reach such WTD depends strongly on climatic locations, stand volume, ditch spacing, and peat thickness and type. In typical ditch cleaning areas in Finland with parallel ditches placed about 40 m apart and tree stand volumes exceeding 45 m ha, 0.3â0.8 m deep ditches were generally sufficient to lower WTD to the targeted depth of 0.35 m. These are significantly shallower ditch depths than generally recommended in operational forestry. The main collector ditch should be naturally somewhat deeper to permit water outflow. Our study brings a firmer basis on environmentally sound forestry on drained peatlands.Pinus sylvestris3â1
Representations of Global Civility
Authors: Klement Sascha R.
Published: May 2021

Perhaps unexpectedly, English travel writing during the long eighteenth century reveals a discourse of global civility. By bringing together representations of the then already familiar Ottoman Empire and the largely unknown South Pacific, Sascha Klement adopts a uniquely global perspective and demonstrates how cross-cultural encounters were framed by Enlightenment philosophy, global interconnections, and even-handed exchanges across cultural divides. In so doing, this book shows that both travel and travel-writing from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries were much more complex and multi-layered than reductive Eurocentric histories often suggest.
Vom starken zum weichen Atomstaat
Authors: Brunnengräber Achim
Published: May 2021

Vor bald einem halben Jahrhundert zeichnete der Zukunftsforscher Robert Jungk ein komplexes und dystopisches Bild des aufkommenden Nuklearzeitalters. Viele seiner Vorhersagen stellten sich als erstaunlich realistisch heraus. Andere traten - auch aufgrund gesellschaftlicher Anstrengungen, Dystopien zu verhindern - nurteilweise ein. Elemente des von Jungk beschriebenen Atomstaates lassen sich im Umgang mit den nuklearen Hinterlassenschaften in Deutschland auch heute noch finden. Der Wunsch, wir hätten die aufschlussreichen Gedanken Jungks zur Atomkraft früher ernst genommen, lässt sich deshalb schnell in die Erkenntnis übersetzen, dass es sich auch heute noch lohnt, seine Gedanken als Schablone für die Analyse der deutschen Atompolitik zu nutzen. Der vorliegende Beitrag nimmt vor diesem Hintergrund eine »jungksche« Bestandsaufnahme des bundesrepublikanischen Atomstaates vor und vertritt die These, dass dieser inzwischen ein »weicher Atomstaat« bzw. ein »weicher Endlagerstaat« geworden ist; die von Jungk thematisierte (formelle) Allianzzwischen dem Staat und den EVU wurde durch jahrzehntelange (informelle) zivilgesellschaftliche Kritik zermürbt. Die Lektüre des Klassikers macht klar, dass wir den Pfad von Jungks »technologischer Hölle« noch nicht verlassen haben; die neuerlich gestartete Suche nach einem Endlagerstandort weist aber in eine hoffnungsvollere Richtung.
Pfadabhängigkeiten in der Endlagerpolitik
Authors: Isidoro Losada Ana María
Published: May 2021

Ana María Isidoro Losada befasst sich in diesem Beitrag mit der Relevanz von Pfadabhängigkeiten in der Endlagerpolitik. Das Konzept der Pfadabhängigkeiten stellt einen fruchtbaren Ansatz für die Analyse der Entsorgungspolitik von hochradioaktiven Abfällen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland dar. Die Ge-schichte des Umgangs mit Atommüll ist, so die hier verwendete Arbeitshypothese, durch spezifische (inter-)nationale Pfadabhängigkeiten geprägt. Dennoch deuten punktuelle Ereignisse undProzesse in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten auf kontextbedingte Pfadbrechungen und nationale Besonderheiten hin. Der Beitrag liefert weiterführende Einsichten hinsichtlich der Frage, inwieweit der Umgang mit der Endlagerung hochradioaktiver Abfälle sowie das gegenwärtige Standortauswahlverfahren durch Pfadabhängigkeiten geprägt ist und was sich daraus lernen lässt. Es wird analysiert, inwieweit die Genese des gegenwärtigen Endlagerkonzeptes durch sich (international)verändernde technische Grundannahmen, aber auch politisch-ökonomische Schwerpunktsetzungen bzw.-verlagerungen in der Vergangenheit mitgeprägt wurde. Darüber hinaus wird postuliert, dass auch die jeweiligen gesellschaftspolitischen Auseinandersetzungen und Erwartungen im Umgang mit hochradioaktiven Abfällen die jeweilige Endlagerpolitik mitbeeinflussten. Abschließend werden Voraussetzungen am Beispiel der Entsorgung hochradioaktiver Abfälle abgeleitet, die er-füllt sein müssen, um künftig Pfadkreationen für das Standortauswahlverfahren, aber auch dieEntsorgungsoptionen politisch gestalten zu können.
Der socio-technical divide im Endlagerdiskurs
Authors: Sieveking Jan , Brunnengräber Achim
Published: May 2021

Die Verwendung bestimmter Begriffe oder die Zuschreibung von Bedeutungen in sie verrät viel über die Diskursteilnehmer*innen: gegen Atomkraft oder für Kernenergie? Der jahrzehntealte und konfliktreiche Diskurs über dieses Thema und insbesondere über die Endlagerung ist geprägt von konkurrierenden Bezeichnungen und Bedeutungen. Diskurstheoretiker*innen verschiedenster Traditionen messen Begriffen in Diskursen besondere Bedeutung bei. Diskursteilnehmer*innen und -koalitionen entscheiden sich bewusst ob sie Müll, Abfall oder Reststoff sagen, wenn sie von abgebrannten Brennelementen sprechen. Auch das Endlager als »Lösung« für nukleare Hinterlassenschaften konkurriert noch mit anderen Begriffen. Gleichzeitig wird die weiße Landkarte sehr unterschiedlich bewertet. Diese Begriffe erzählen uns viel über das im Endlagerdiskurs implizit Gesagte - aber auch das, was unerwähnt bleibt und jenseits der Grenzen des Diskurses liegt. Die begriffsanalytische Auseinandersetzung mit den genannten Begriffen wird durch eine kritische diskurstheoretische Reflexion verortet und ergänzt.
Skateparks
Authors: Kilberth Veith
Published: May 2021

Der Bau von öffentlichen Skateparks hat Hochkonjunktur. Doch wie lassen sich diese auf Jahrzehnte angelegten Bauvorhaben für dynamische Bewegungspraktiken, wie Skateboarding, nachhaltig attraktiv gestalten? Die öffentlichen Mittel sollen einerseits möglichst vielen potentiellen Nutzer*innen zugutekommen, andererseits soll der jugendlichen Kernzielgruppe eine Alternative zur freien Nutzung des städtischen Raums angeboten werden. Veith Kilberth beschreibt konkrete Lösungsvorschläge für diese Herausforderungen bei der Planung von Räumen für Skateboarding.
Über die praktischen Bedingungen von Forschung zwischen Theorie und Praxis, Wissenschaften und Künsten / On the Practical Conditions of Research between Theory and Practice, the Sciences and the Arts
Authors: Haas Maximilian
Published: May 2021

Ausgehend vom pragmatistischen Forschungsbegriff der Science and Technology Studies und den praxisorientierten Beiträgen des Bandes wird hier die Frage nach der Relationalität künstlerischer und theoretischer Wissensformen institutionenpraktisch reflektiert. Dabei kommen die Bedingungen des Ererbens und Erfindens von Forschungsgegenständen und -verfahren durch Institutionen ebenso in den Blick wie marginale Diskursräume, die die Wirksamkeit instituierender Praktiken von der Grenze der Institutionen her artikulieren. Das epistemologische Verhältnis von Wissenschaften und Künsten wird so praxeologisch perspektiviert.
Konvergenz der Zukünfte: Über widerständige Ästhetiken, imaginative Gegengeschichten und Institutionen als Beziehungsweisen
Authors: Adamczak Bini , Sternfeld Nora
Published: May 2021

Die Kulturwissenschaftlerin, Kunstvermittlerin und Kuratorin Nora Sternfeld geht in ihren jüngeren Arbeiten der Frage nach, wie die Institution des Museums auf radikaldemokratische Weise (neu) gedacht und praktiziert werden kann, um als ein Ort der Vermittlung zu fungieren, an dem wir etwas „voneinander lernen können, das es noch nicht gibt». Die Künstlerin und Philosophin Bini Adamczak hat mit ihrem letzten Buch »Beziehungsweise Revolution. 1917, 1968 und kommende« einen relationalen Revolutionsbegriff konturiert, der das Denken der Revolution vom Ereignisfetisch löst, um diese als einen dauerhaften Prozess zu begreifen. In beiden Perspektiven werden soziale Beziehungen im Hinblick auf ihre konstitutive raumzeitliche Ausdehnung betrachtet und in beiden spielt die Ästhetik als Mittel der Imagination und als Medium historischer und zukünftiger Konflikte eine besondere Rolle. Ein Dialog über relationale Praktiken, das Wissen der Künste und ihre Institutionen.
Translation: A Relational Practice
Authors: Haas Annika , Apter Emily
Published: May 2021

This exchange explores the question of what a relational understanding of translation might be. It starts with the assumption that translation is a practice in which human and nonhuman agents ceaselessly engage in a process of relating mediated by nonrelation. Jean-Luc Nancy characterizes this paradoxical condition as the »without relation of relation.« His dilation on the notion of rapport (relationality, relationship, report), alongside notions of untranslatability in philosophy, contribute to our understanding of translation as a relational nonrelation. What is at stake are concepts and syntactic or idiomatic constructs that defy equivalency across languages. These so-called »untranslatables« define nonrelation relationally and point to strategies and workarounds created in the face of unbridgeable leaps and lapses. The problem of untranslatability straddles genres: film, journalism, human-computer interaction and art, among others. In this exchange, the poetics (and politics) of non-relation are given full thrush in the context of transmedial relational practices.
»Wir machen Stoff«
Authors: Donath Peter , Szegfü Annette
Published: May 2021

Die Textil- und Bekleidungsindustrie war nach Kriegsende die größte Konsumgüterbranche und die erste Industrie, die ihre Produktion in Länder mit niedrigen Lohn- und Sozialstandards verlagerte. Trotz dieser Herausforderungen organisierte die Gewerkschaft Textil-Bekleidung über 49 Jahre hinweg erfolgreich ihre mehrheitlich weiblichen Beschäftigten. Peter Donath und Annette Szegfü dokumentieren erstmals, wie es der Gewerkschaft unter schwierigen wirtschaftlichen Bedingungen gelang, Tarifverträge mit eigenen Akzenten durchzusetzen und gleichzeitig zur anerkannten Sprecherin ›ihrer‹ Branchen zu werden.
Compact Wideband Microstrip Patch Antenna Design for Breast Cancer Detection
Authors: Singh Rakesh , Narang Naina , Singh Dharmendra , Gupta Manoj
Published: May 2021

The current breast cancer detection techniques are mostly invasive and suffer from high cost, high false rate and inefficacy in early detection. These limitations can be subdued by development of non-invasive microwave detection system whose performance is predominantly dependent on the antenna used in the system. The designing of a compact wideband antenna and matching its impedance with breast phantom is a challenging task. In this paper, we have designed a compact antenna matched with the breast phantom operating in wideband frequency from 1 to 6 GHz capable to detect the dielectric (or impedance) contrast of the benign and malignant tissue. The impedance of the antenna is matched to a cubically shaped breast phantom and a very small tumor (volume=1 cm3). The antenna is tuned to the possible range of electrical properties of breast phantom and tumour (permittivity ranging from 10 to 20 and conductivity from 1.5 to 2.5 S/m). The return loss (S11), E-field distribution and specific absorption rate (SAR) are simulated. The operating band of antenna placed near the phantom without tumor was found to be (1.11-5.47)GHz and with tumor inside phantom is (1.29-5.50)GHz. Results also show that the SAR of the antenna is within the safety limit.
Phase transformation, Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Behavior of 304L Austenitic Stainless Steel Rolled at Room and Cryo Temperatures
Authors: Singh Rahul , Yadav Surya Deo , Sahoo Biraj Kumar , Chowdhury Sandip Ghosh , Kumar Abhishek
Published: May 2021

The present work investigates the effect of rolling (90% thickness reduction) on phase transformation, mechanical properties, and corrosion behaviour of 304L-austenitic stainless steel through cryorolling and room temperature rolling. The processed steel sheets were characterised through X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The analysis of XRD patterns, EBSD scan, and vibrating sample magnetometer results confirmed the transformation of the austenitic phase to the martensitic phase during rolling. Cryorolling resulted in improved tensile strength and microhardness of 1808 MPa and 538 VHN, respectively, as compared to 1566 MPa and 504 VHN for room temperature rolling. The enhancement in properties of cryorolled steel is attributed to its higher dislocation density compared to room temperature rolled steel. The corrosion behaviour was assessed via linear polarisation corrosion tests. Corrosion resistance was found to decrease with increasing rolling reduction in both room temperature rolled and cryorolled specimens.
Design and Simulation of Extended Interaction Cavities for a Ka band Multi beam Klystron
Authors: Maity S. , Kumar M.S. , Koley C. , Pal D. , Bandyopadhyay A.K.
Published: May 2021

This article reports about the design approach, electromagnetic simulation and analysis results of high-frequency ladder-type input, output, and intermediate RF cavaties for Ka-band multi-beam extended interaction klystron. Several parameters of the cavity, such as quality factor, shunt impedance, etc., have been investigated by the assistance of electromagnetic software CST microwave studio.
Цифровые компетенции россиян и работа на самоизоляции во время пандемии COVID-19
Authors: Давыдов Сергей Геннадьевич
Published: May 2021

Массовый переход россиян на удаленную работу во время пандемии COVID-19 стал возможен благодаря достигнутому уровню цифровых компетенций, ключевой составляющей цифровой грамотности. Статья основана на материалах измерения самооценки цифровых компетенций взрослого населения России, совместно проведенного в конце апреля 2020 г. ВЦИОМ и «Социал Бизнес Групп». Предложена классификация цифровых компетенций, востребованных как в повседневных, так и в профессиональных практиках. Выделены четыре квартиля цифровых компетенций в зависимости от уровня самооценки их наличия в анализируемой аудитории, а также четыре кластера россиян в зависимости от уровня адаптированности к цифровой среде.
Synthetische Kennfelder für die Energieverbrauchssimulation von Kraftfahrzeugen
Authors: Kaiser Alexander
Published: May 2021

Durch ein reales Kennfeld werden die nichtlinearen Input-Output-Beziehungen eines Verbrennungsmotors (Verbrauch – Leistung) abgebildet, sodass damit in einem Simulationsmodell der tatsächliche Verbrauch exakt berechenbar ist. In diesem Beitrag wird der alternative Einsatz eines synthetischen Kennfelds für den Fall beschrieben, dass das reale Kennfeld nicht zur Verfügung steht, aber der Durchschnittsverbrauch (Liter/km) eines Fahrzeugs bekannt ist. Damit dieser auch als Simulationsergebnis ermittelt wird, müssen verschiedene Parameter des synthetischen Kennfelds zuvor kalibriert werden. Hierzu wird ein neues Verfahren im Hauptteil des Beitrags vorgestellt.
Multivariate radial symmetry of copula functions: finite sample comparison in the i.i.d case
Authors: Billio Monica , Frattarolo Lorenzo , Guégan Dominique
Published: May 2021

Given a d-dimensional random vector X = (X
1, . . ., X

d
), if the standard uniform vector U obtained by the component-wise probability integral transform (PIT) of X has the same distribution of its point reflection through the center of the unit hypercube, then X is said to have copula radial symmetry. We generalize to higher dimensions the bivariate test introduced in [11], using three different possibilities for estimating copula derivatives under the null. In a comprehensive simulation study, we assess the finite-sample properties of the resulting tests, comparing them with the finite-sample performance of the multivariate competitors introduced in [17] and [1].
On the dynamics and control of a new fractional difference chaotic map
Authors: Bendoukha Samir
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we propose and study a fractional Caputo-difference map based on the 2D generalized Hénon map. By means of numerical methods, we use phase plots and bifurcation diagrams to investigate the rich dynamics of the proposed map. A 1D synchronization controller is proposed similar to that of Pecora and Carrol, whereby we assume knowledge of one of the two states at the slave and replicate the second state. The stability theory of fractional discrete systems is used to guarantee the asymptotic convergence of the proposed controller and numerical simulations are employed to confirm the findings.
On Decontextualization and Recontextualization in East Asian Cultural Interactions: Some Methodological Reflections
Authors: Chun-chieh Huang
Published: May 2021

In the history of cultural interaction in East Asia, decontextualization and recontextualization can readily be observed in the exchanges of texts, people, and ideas among the different regions. When a text, person, or idea is transmitted from its home country into another country, it is first decontextualized and then recontextualized into the new cultural environment. These processes of decontextualization and recontextualization I refer to as “a contextual turn.” The present paper discusses methodological problems involved in the study of decontextualization and recontextualization. Section 1 introduces the paper. Section 2 then clarifies that “East Asia” is not an abstract term ranging over the countries of China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, but rather refers to the dynamic, real process of concrete cultural interactions among these living cultures. On the dramatic stage of these interactions, China plays the role of the significant other to the many other actors. China is certainly not the sole conductor of the symphony of East Asia. Section 3 shows that the methodology of the history of ideas can be used when studying the phenomena of decontextualization. But one can easily become ensnared in what I call “the blind spot of textualism.” Section 4 provides an analytic discussion of an effective methodology for studying recontextualization that involves looking at the concrete exchange of texts, people, and ideas against a specific historical background, and then highlighting the subjective emotions of the intermediate agents in these cultural exchanges as the agents navigate the processes of decontextualization and recontextualization. This paper concludes by stressing that East Asian cultural interactions are dynamic processes and not static structures. Therefore, in our study of the history of cultural interactions in East Asia, we must seek a dynamic equilibrium between textualism and contextualism, as well as between fact and value or emotion.
The equivalent parameter conditions for constructing multiple integral half-discrete Hilbert-type inequalities with a class of nonhomogeneous kernels and their applications
Authors: He Bing , Hong Yong , Chen Qiang
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we establish equivalent parameter conditions for the validity of multiple integral half-discrete Hilbert-type inequalities with the nonhomogeneous kernel

G

(

n

λ

1

∥
x

∥

m
,
ρ

λ

2

)

G\left({n}^{{\lambda }_{1}}\parallel x{\parallel }_{m,\rho }^{{\lambda }_{2}}\hspace{-0.16em})

(

λ

1

λ

2

>
0

{\lambda }_{1}{\lambda }_{2}\gt 0

) and obtain best constant factors of the inequalities in specific cases. In addition, we also discuss their applications in operator theory.
Photon recycling in perovskite solar cells and its impact on device design
Authors: Raja Waseem , De Bastiani Michele , Allen Thomas G. , Aydin Erkan , Razzaq Arsalan , Rehman Atteq ur , Ugur Esma , Babayigit Aslihan , Subbiah Anand S. , Isikgor Furkan H. , De Wolf Stefaan
Published: May 2021

Metal halide perovskites have emerged in recent years as promising photovoltaic materials due to their excellent optical and electrical properties, enabling perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with certified power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) greater than 25%. Provided radiative recombination is the dominant recombination mechanism, photon recycling – the process of reabsorption (and re-emission) of photons that result from radiative recombination – can be utilized to further enhance the PCE toward the Shockley–Queisser (S-Q) theoretical limit. Geometrical optics can be exploited for the intentional trapping of such re-emitted photons within the device, to enhance the PCE. However, this scheme reaches its fundamental diffraction limits at the submicron scale. Therefore, introducing photonic nanostructures offer attractive solutions to manipulate and trap light at the nanoscale via light coupling into guided modes, as well as localized surface plasmon and surface plasmon polariton modes. This review focuses on light-trapping schemes for efficient photon recycling in PSCs. First, we summarize the working principles of photon recycling, which is followed by a review of essential requirements to make this process efficient. We then survey photon recycling in state-of-the-art PSCs and propose design strategies to invoke light-trapping to effectively exploit photon recycling in PSCs. Finally, we formulate a future outlook and discuss new research directions in the context of photon recycling.
The Expansion of Peer-to-Peer Lending
Authors: Havrylchyk Olena , Mariotto Carlotta , Rahim Talal , Verdier Marianne
Published: May 2021

We use data from the two leading US platforms, Prosper and Lending Club, to explore the drivers of the growing consumer demand for peer-to-peer (P2P) credit. Despite the online nature of new entrants, we rely on the spatial autoregressive model because spatial effects play an important role. Our findings suggest that the initial growth of P2P lending was spurred by the global financial crisis, but its growth after 2011 occurred in counties that were underserved by bank branches. The growth of P2P lending is slower in counties with high bank concentration and this factor is the most robust, stable over time and economically important in our study. Counties with lower population density, lower share of educated and young people experience lower growth of P2P lending, consistent with the hypothesis that learning costs deter the entry of new entrants.
Unfulfilled Justice
Authors: Nguyen Tu Phuong
Published: May 2021

Through a case study of workers’ protests to demand owed wages and social insurance benefits after foreign management had suddenly fled the country, this article discusses the moral and legal dynamics of labor dispute resolution in Vietnam. It examines the local government’s use of extralegal measures, which combine a tactical deployment of the law and moral responsibility, in brokering a resolution. The article argues that these measures, while aimed at addressing the legal challenges of supporting affected workers in the event of these so-called “cicada practices,” are limited in satisfying workers’ demands for justice as workers struggle to claim their legal rights and overcome their precariousness.