bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphological traits of drought tolerant horse gram germplasm: classification through machine learning
Authors: Amal Thomas Cheeran , Thottathil Asif T , Veerakumari Kumarasamy P , Rakkiyappan Rajan , Vasanth Krishnan
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.) is an underutilized pulse crop with good drought resistance traits. It is a rich source of protein. Conventional breeding methods for high yielding and abiotic stress tolerant germplasm are hampered by the scarcity of morphological data sets. Thus, horse gram cultivars considered for this study is classified based on prevailing growth factors showing homogenous genotype in various agro ecological zones. Nowadays, several machine learning (ML) methods are used in the field of plant phenotyping.

RESULTS

We adopted unsupervised learning techniques from the K‐means clustering algorithm to analyze important morphological traits: plant shoot length, total plant height, flowering percentage, number of pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per plant, and seed length variants between germplasm. Unsupervised clustering revealed that 20 germplasm accessions were grouped in four clusters in which high‐yielding traits were predominantly observed in cluster 2.

CONCLUSION

These findings could guide ML‐based classification to characterize suitable germplasms on the basis of high‐yielding varieties for different agro‐ecological zones. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Cardiac synchronization and arrhythmia during irreversible electroporation
Authors: O'Neill Conor H. , Martin Robert C. G.
Published: June 2020

Background and Objectives

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a nonthermal electrical tumor ablative strategy for unresectable tumors. IRE is relatively safe around critical structures but may induce cardiac arrhythmia when its delivery is not synchronized to the cardiac cycle. We performed a systematic literature review to determine rates of arrhythmia when IRE was utilized with or without cardiac synchronization.

Methods

An online literature search was conducted with additional hand selection of articles. Data were extracted and pooled analyses were performed.

Results

Twelve articles were included in analysis. IRE was performed for 481 patients; 46% hepatic tumors (n = 223), 36% pancreatic lesions (n = 168), and multiple other locations including prostate. Synchronization was performed on 422 patients. Arrhythmias were noted in 3.7% of cases (n = 18/481); cardiac synchronization: 1.2% (n = 5/422) vs unsynchronized: 22.0% (n = 13/59), P < .0001. These events occurred in every organ except the prostate.

Conclusions

IRE remains a potent technology for unresectable tumors, but arrhythmia is a clinical concern. This literature review confirms that cardiac gating should be used in all cases outside of prostate to prevent this potentially serious adverse event.
Ultralow Crosslinked Microgel Brings Ultrahigh Catalytic Efficiency
Authors: Wang Jinghong , Liu Yuping , Li Xiang , Luo Yan , Zheng Lifang , Hu Jun , Chen Gaojian , Chen Hong
Published: June 2020

Microgel nanoreactors maintain the stability of metallic nanoparticles and regulate their catalytic activity. However, limited by the synthetic method, the recycling ability and long‐lasting stability of microgel nanoreactors are challenged. Herein, a brand‐new nanoparticle carrier, ultralow crosslinked poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐b‐methacrylic acid) (P(NIPAm‐b‐MAA)) microgel, is synthesized based on the reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization method and the self‐crosslinking mechanism of PNIPAm. This carrier enables the easy preparation, low cost, long‐lasting stability, and high catalytic efficiency of nanoreactors. As far as it is known, the catalytic reduction rates of several dye models used in this work are the highest ones in similar systems. In addition, the presence of the MAA block leads to the agglomeration and dispersion of the microgels under different pH conditions, thus realizing rapid recycling of the nanoreactors. This novel carrier has great potential for a wide range of applications in catalysis.
Nonreceptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (NRPTPs) gene family associates with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in a Chinese hepatitis B virus‐related subjects
Authors: Shen Na , Wang Peng , Li Ying , Zhu Yaowu , Gong Yajie , Zhong Rong , Lu Yanjun , Cheng Liming
Published: June 2020

Nonreceptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (NRPTPs) are reported to be associated with several human cancers, but their roles in hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. Here, we integrated bioinformatics tools, population association analyses, and biological assays to systematically screen for potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the 17 NRPTPs genes and evaluate the effects of candidate SNPs on the risk of HCC or persistent HBV infection. A total of 790 HBV‐related HCC cases and 1454 cancer‐free controls were enrolled. Controls included 711 HBV persistent carriers and 743 spontaneously recovered subjects. Results demonstrated that PTPN4 rs9308777 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06‐1.49, P = .009) and PTPN12 rs350050 (OR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.10‐1.45, P = .001), were significantly associated with HCC risk, but not with persistent HBV infection risk. The cumulative risk effect of these two SNPs was more significantly increased the susceptibility to HCC (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.14‐1.41, P = 2.40 × 10−5). Subsequent biological assays further revealed the potential pathogenesis that PTPN4 rs9308777 might decrease the gene expression, and PTPN12 rs3750050 might promote cell proliferation by attenuating PTPN12's inhibitory activity on EGFR/ERK pathway. In summary, our integrative study highlights that PTPN4 and PTPN12 are significantly associated with HBV‐related HCC risk, but do not influence persistent HBV infection. These findings shed light on the importance of the synergistic effects of regulatory and missense variants on the risk for HCC, and provide data to support personalized cancer medicine in the future.
Flame retardancy and smoke suppression of molybdenum trioxide doped magnesium hydrate in flexible polyvinyl chloride
Authors: Dang Li , Lv Zhihui , Du Xinliu , Tang Delin , Zhao Yuntian , Zhu Donghai , Xu Shiai
Published: June 2020

In this paper, an effective flame retardant consisting of hierarchical magnesium hydrate (MH) nanosheets doped with molybdenum trioxide nanoparticles (MO@MH) was successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal process. Then, MO@MH, MH, and MH/MO were respectively incorporated into flexible polyvinyl chloride (fPVC) to prepare a series of composites via melt blending. The results of limiting oxygen index (LOI), UL‐94, and cone calorimetry test showed that MO@MH exhibited better flame retardancy and smoke suppression than MH and MH/MO due to the synergistic effect of MO and MH, and the hierarchical structure of MO@MH. With the addition of 20 phr MO@MH, LOI value of fPVC was increased from 23.9% to 33.8% , and UL‐94 reached V0 rating. The peak heat release rate, total heat release, peak smoke production rate, and total smoke production were decreased to 143.0 kW/m2, 44.9 MJ/m2, 0.0093 m2/s and 29.4 m2, respectively. The thermogravimetric analysis results suggested that MO@MH greatly promoted the dehydrochlorination of fPVC at lower temperature, so that more compact and continuous char residues were formed. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results indicated that MO@MH can prevent chain scission and oxidation of fPVC carbonaceous backbone, and as a result less smoke was released.
N2O emissions from plants are reduced under photosynthetic activity
Authors: Schützenmeister Klaus , Meurer Katharina H. E. , Gronwald Marco , Hartmann Antonia B. D. , Gansert Dirk , Jungkunst Hermann F.
Published: June 2020

New plant functions in the exchange of greenhouse gases between ecosystems and atmosphere have recently been discovered. We tested whether photosynthetic activity has an effect on N2O emission rates from incubated plant–soil systems.

Two laboratory experiments were performed. One to unravel possible effect of photosynthetic activity on the net N2O ecosystem exchange for two species (beech and ash saplings). The other to account for possible effects from rhizosphere and aboveground plant parts separately (ash sapling only).

Total N2O emissions from both plant and plant–soil systems were significantly lower under light than in darkness (31%–65%). The photosynthetic effect only applied to the aboveground plant parts.

Underlying processes have now to be unraveled to improve our understanding of ecosystem functioning. This will improve modeling and budgeting of greenhouse gas exchanges between ecosystems and the atmosphere.
Pulmonary disease burden in Hispanic and non‐Hispanic children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Chen Laura , Gong Jacqueline , Matta Esther , Morrone Kerry , Manwani Deepa , Rastogi Deepa , De Aliva
Published: June 2020

Rationale

Pulmonary complications are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Research in SCD has predominantly been conducted on African‐Americans, and the disease burden of SCD in other races and ethnicities, including Hispanic patients, is not well characterized.

Objective

To compare pulmonary disease burden between Hispanic and non‐Hispanic ethnic groups among children with SCD.

Methods

In a retrospective chart review on 566 SCD patients followed at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, NY, we compared the pulmonary disease burden and disease management in Hispanic patients to their non‐Hispanic counterparts. We also compared the contribution of demographic and clinical variables to acute chest syndrome (ACS), vaso‐occlusive crisis (VOC), and hospitalizations for SCD related complications between the two ethnic groups.

Results

Hispanic patients had a greater proportion of ACS, and had lower forced expiratory volume (FEV1), forced vital capacity, and vital capacity, compared to non‐Hispanics. Hispanic patients were more likely to be evaluated in pulmonary clinic and to be on inhaled corticosteroids, short‐acting β agonizts, and leukotriene receptor antagonists. In addition, Hispanic children were more likely to be on hydroxyurea, and receive exchange transfusions. However, the association of asthma with the proportion of ACS did not differ between Hispanics and non‐Hispanics.

Conclusion

Hispanic children with SCD had differences in their pulmonary function profile and received more pulmonary evaluations than non‐Hispanic children.
Structure of cytochrome b5 unique to tardigrades
Authors: Fukuda Yohta , Kim JeeEun , Inoue Tsuyoshi
Published: June 2020

Cytochrome b5 is an essential electron transfer protein, which is ubiquitously found in living systems and involved in wide variety of biological processes. Tardigrades (also known as water bears), some of which are famous for desiccation resistance, have many proteins unique to them. Here, we report spectroscopic and structural characterization of a cytochrome b5 like protein from one of the desiccation‐tolerant tardigrades, Ramazzottius varieornatus strain YOKOZUNA‐1 (RvCytb5). A 1.4 Å resolution crystal structure revealed that RvCytb5 is a new cytochrome b5 protein specific to tardigrades.
New reliability modeling methods for structural systems with hybrid uncertainty
Authors: Zhao Yongsheng , Wu Hongchao , Yang Congbin , Liu Zhifeng , Cheng Qiang
Published: June 2020

The present study investigates the hybrid reliability modeling of structures in which the inputs contain both random variables and interval variables. Hybrid uncertainty is divided into three categories, including random variables mixed with random variables, interval variables mixed with interval variable, and random variables mixed with interval variables. In order to perform the reliability analysis of structural systems, first, the Bayes method is proposed in the present study to obtain distribution parameters of random variables. Moreover, the self‐sample method is introduced to obtain the interval boundaries based on the least available measuring data. Then, the reliability models are established for three situations and the reliability indices are defined and derived accordingly. The abovementioned three types of reliability indices outline the general situation of structural systems. Finally, the specific calculation process is described in details through different examples. Furthermore, the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method is discussed by comparing the results obtained from the Monte Carlo simulation and those of other methods. The obtained results indicate that the performance of the proposed model in solving reliability modeling problems is better.
Hydrogen bond interactions of hydrated aluminum nitrate with PVDF, PVDF‐TrFE, and PVDF‐HFP: A density functional theory‐based illustration
Authors: Sarkar Ranjini , Kundu Tarun Kumar
Published: June 2020

Hydrogen bond (HB) interaction is the main driving factor for the nucleation of electroactive β phase within the nonpolar pristine polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its copolymers when the hydrated nitrate salts act as additives. The current work elaborates a density functional theory‐based analysis on the HB interactions within aluminum nitrate nonahydrate‐added polyvinylidene fluoride [PVDF/Al(NO3)3∙9H2O], polyvinylidene fluoride‐trifluoro ethylene [PVDF‐TrFE/Al(NO3)3∙9H2O], and polyvinylidene fluoride‐hexafluoro propylene [PVDF‐HFP/Al(NO3)3∙9H2O] composite systems. Polar properties of α (TGTG′) and β (TTTT) phases of the homopolymer and copolymer chains have been compared. Coordination chemistry and formation energies of two stable isomers of Al(NO3)3∙9H2O have been described. Interactions within the polymer/salt complexes have been simulated considering both the salt isomers added to α‐ and β‐tetramer chains of PVDF, PVDF‐TrFE, and PVDF‐HFP. An integral equation formalism polarizable continuum model has been used to replicate the effects of n,n‐dimethyl formamide solvent. HB interaction phenomenon has been described on the basis of electron density difference, interaction energy calculations, symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory, natural bond orbital, Bader's quantum theory of atoms in molecules, delocalization indices, and reduced density gradient analyses. Simulated infra red (IR) and Raman spectra identified the simultaneous presence of CH⋯O (mostly improper) and OH⋯F (mostly proper) HBs between the salt molecule and polymer chains. Correlations among different HB descriptors have been demonstrated to compare the proper and improper nature of the bonds. This research explored some ambiguities in the conventional HB properties, which may be attributed to very low hyperconjugation energies associated with the bonds.
Heterostructured Redox‐Active V2O5/SnO2 Oxide Nanocatalyst for Aqueous‐Phase Oxidation of Furfural to Renewable Maleic Acid
Authors: Malibo Petrus M. , Makgwane Peter R. , Baker Priscilla G.
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we report on the synthesis of heterostructured V2O5/SnO2 nanocatalysts with varying vanadium metal loadings of 5–30 wt %. The catalytic performance of the designed catalysts was evaluated in the oxidation reaction of furfural to maleic acid using hydrogen peroxide. The synthesis method afforded highly dispersed nanosized VOx species with predominant exposed V5+ and V4+ on SnO2 oxide. Such structural interface developments of the heterostructured V2O5/SnO2 catalyst resulted into modified electronic structure; phase compositions and textural properties of the individual V and Sn metal oxides with respect to varying V‐metal loadings, which lead to improved catalytic performances. Under optimized reaction conditions, a 60 % yield of maleic acid was achieved in furfural oxidation reaction. Based on characterization results, the high surface area and low V‐metal loading (∼9.3 wt % vanadium) presented the most redox active V2O5/SnO2 catalyst. At low V‐metal loadings the catalyst is populated with the presence of VOx monomeric and polymeric species which are proposed to induce the highly active vanadium sites. This was confirmed for the most active catalyst to possess vanadium with the predominant V4+ state and superoxide oxygen. The catalytic performance showed by V2O5/SnO2 present a solid catalyst derived from earth‐abundant and cheap metals for the catalytic oxidation upgrade of biomass typical furfural to important value‐added maleic acid intermediate chemical.
Platform governance matters: How platform gatekeeping affects knowledge sharing among complementors
Authors: Zhang Yuchen , Li Jingjing , Tong Tony W.
Published: June 2020

Research Summary

Orchestrating complementors' value creation activities is critical to platform owners but is challenging. Emerging literature on platform governance suggests that platform access control can shape complementors' contributions to platforms. We extend this literature by using the coopetition framework from strategic management to examine the relationship between platform gatekeeping, a prominent policy for governing platform access, and knowledge sharing among complementors. Exploiting the iOS 7 jailbreak as an exogenous shock to Apple's gatekeeping policy and tracing iOS and Android app developers' knowledge sharing activity on an online forum, we find causal evidence that a lapse in gatekeeping reduces knowledge sharing among iOS app developers. Further, this effect is mitigated among developers with greater knowledge complexity but magnified among those with greater knowledge routineness.

Managerial Summary

Platform owners can use governance policies, such as gatekeeping, to control complementors' platform access and shape their value creation activities. This study examines how platform access control affects the interactions among complementors in the form of knowledge sharing. We find that iOS app developers share knowledge less frequently after a lapse in Apple's gatekeeping policy, suggesting that strict platform access control can facilitate complementors' interactions with one another. Further, the decrease in knowledge sharing is more pronounced among app developers with routine knowledge and less so among those with complex knowledge, indicating that complementors' characteristics also matter. This study highlights the value of understanding the impact of the design and deployment of platform governance policies on complementors' interactions and value creation activities more generally.
Effect of different fibers (steel fibers, glass fibers, and carbon fibers) on mechanical properties of reactive powder concrete
Authors: Raza Syed Safdar , Qureshi Liaqat Ali , Ali Babar , Raza Ali , Khan Mudasser Muneer
Published: June 2020

In the present study, reactive powder concrete (RPC) was investigated with three different types of single fibers that is, steel fiber (SF), glass fiber (GF), and carbon fiber (CF). Moreover, the effect of hybrid SF‐GF, GF‐CF, and CF‐SF on RPC was also investigated. In case of both single and hybrid fiber‐reinforced RPCs, a constant volume fraction of 2% fiber was used. A plain RPC was also produced that served as a reference/control mix. Studied parameters include compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, peak strains in compression, compression toughness, total energy absorbed in compression, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength. Results showed that among single fiber‐reinforced RPCs, CF‐RPC performed better than both SF‐ and GF‐RPC in compression. Whereas, single SF‐RPC performed better than GF‐ and CF‐RPC in splitting tensile and flexural strength, single SF‐RPC showed significant softening response compared with single CF and GF‐RPC. CF‐RPC showed comparable performance to that of the SF‐RPC in both tensile and flexural strength. But CF‐RPC showed lower toughness than SF‐RPC. Hybridization of 1%SF and 1%CF yielded maximum overall mechanical performance among both single and hybrid fiber RPCs. Maximum attribution (17–38%) of fibers was toward flexural strength compared to other strength properties.
Improving Gravity Estimation Accuracy for the GT-2A Airborne Gravimeter Using Spline-Based Gravity Models
Authors: Vyazmin Vadim S. , Bolotin Yuri V. , Smirnov Anton O.
Published: June 2020

In this article, we propose a technique for processing airborne gravimetry measurements at repeat drape lines. To model gravity along a line, we use cubic B-splines. The unknown parameters of the model (the spline coefficients) are to be estimated from the measurements. In order to take into account dependance of gravity on position, the same set of the spline coefficients is assumed for gravity modeling at each repeat line. Gravity estimation is performed with the Kalman filter. The spline coefficients are included in the state vector of the filter as unknown constants. The developed estimation algorithm was tested using measurements of the GT-2A gravimeter collected at repeat drape lines. The gravity estimates obtained with the use of B-splines are more accurate compared with those obtained with the standard technique, in which gravity is modeled as a stochastic process in the time domain.
The Practice of Whole Person-Centred Healthcare
Authors: Broom Brian
Published: June 2020

In this text, clinical immunologist and psychotherapist Brian Broom draws attention to the fact that as patients we are all persons, and more than that. We are persons-in-relationship. Any therapy that reduces us to a more limited view of persons, such as objects to be technologically manipulated, is going to have serious limitations, if not in many cases be profoundly inadequate. Broom provides an account of the emergence in New Zealand of a non-dualistic, whole person-centred form of clinical practice, particularly in relation to the treament of physical disease of all kinds. He translates into clinical reality the dispositionalist call for a more holistic understanding of the causes of health and illness, as presented in Part I. The original move towards whole person-centredness in New Zealand was stimulated by the phenomenological recognition of physical diseases emerging in close association with the person’s significant life events and meanings. Most challenging, and yet most stimulating, was the appearance of symbolic disorders, which drove the theoretical struggle towards a unitive view of persons. The resulting non-dual assumptions concerning the personhood of patients and their illnesses mean that clinicians have a multidimensional, multifactorial and multicausal attitude to their work with people. It turns out that from a clinician’s perspective the work is impossible unless there is, firstly, a clear habitual non-dual framework and, secondly, the clinician acquires listening skills based in deeply relational principles. This combination is profoundly meaningful and helpful to many patients and appears to drive the healing processes.
Above and Beyond Statistical Evidence. Why Stories Matter for Clinical Decisions and Shared Decision Making
Authors: Low Matthew
Published: June 2020

Physiotherapist Matthew Low is specialised in treating patients with musculoskeletal disabilities and uses dispositionalism as a framework in his clinical work. Low has developed and put into practice a clinical approach, following the dispositionalist theory, based on a ‘clinical alliance’ between patient and healthcare professional, who together try to make sense of the patient’s situation. This happens through the co-construction of a narrative, where the causal complexity of the patient’s experience is modelled using the dispositionalist vector model. In this chapter, Low translates into clinical reality several of the philosophical issues presented in Part I. First, he shows the necessity of considering the totality of causal evidence, including the qualitative and intrinsic propensities of the single patient at hand. Second, he demonstrates how patient narratives should be considered causal evidence and shows that evidence from population trials is just one piece of the puzzle for understanding causality in the single case. Low further reflects on the importance of moving past the biomedical and the bio-psychosocial models, that fail to honour the stories the patient tells or the full experience of persistent pain and how it affects (and is affected by) every aspect of one’s life. Taking the patients’ narrative seriously and working together with them on a long-term plan are essential tools when it comes to treating persistent pain.
Latin American Transnational Political Engagement: Steering Civic Movements and Cultural Repertoires from the Global City of Brussels
Authors: Lara-Guerrero Larisa , Vivas-Romero María
Published: June 2020

Migrants are active civic agents participating in transnational social movements. They create, transform, and exploit transnational networks to engage in political movements in both their homeland and the hostland. In this chapter, we demonstrate that migrants accumulate political and cultural knowledge, symbols, emotions of hope, nostalgia, and political practices as a result of their emigration experience. Using empirical examples of Latin American migrants living in Brussels, we argue that social remittances shape the way migrants: (1) develop their political and cultural repertoires of contention; (2) constitute their social identities and networks influencing their political behavior; and (3) embody the ideologies, ideas, and norms of their homeland, while being influenced by the multiple cities in which they have lived. We conclude that Latin American migrants have managed to develop and sustain transnational fields of social and political mobilization to defend their politi-cal struggles and ideals from Brussels itself.
The Trans-European Mobilization of “Generation Identity”
Authors: Nissen Anita
Published: June 2020

This contribution explores the transnational mobilization of the European new right youth movement Generation Identity (GI). Employing frame analysis on GI’s transnational protest events in the period 2015–2017, the chapter explores how the GI activists produce bases for collective action through the construction and assignment of protagonist and antagonist identities. GI premises the term “identity” on an ethno-pluralist understanding of society, which implies a wish for an ethnic segregation of the world’s population, and a nostalgic yearning for a time of European ethnic homogeneity. The movement thus hopes for a “future return” of a European continent free from non-European, especially Muslim, “others”, which should be achieved by battling today’s Universalist, multicultural, and egalitarian principles, together with mass-immigration and so-called “Islamization”. An analysis of the movement’s collective action frames during the European refugee crisis reveals that the GI groups create a protagonist identity around the notion of a “fighting community,” forming a symbolic European bulwark against their antagonists, i.e. the “invading” Muslim immigrants, and the European actors, who permit their residence on the continent. On the other hand, the antagonist identity construction revolves around portraying the pro-migrant actors and Western European governments as the villains, who act against the interests of the autochthonous European population. At the same time, by pointing to the negative consequences of particularly Muslim third country immigration, and questioning the migrants and refugees’ residence claims, GI is pursuing the overall ambition of returning Europe to its imaginary ethnically homogeneous roots.
Globalisation, Education and Policy Reforms
Authors: Zajda Joseph
Published: June 2020

The topic of globalisation and education reform has assumed immense importance in the discourse and policies of many bodies and agencies across the international arena. An increasing number of countries and governments have concluded that globalisation, education and policy research approach to learning and teaching should be instituted and deployed as one of the main lines of attack on some of the major problems needing to be addressed in the future. The policy documents and statements of the UNESCO, OECD, the European Parliament, the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation Forum (APEC) reveal a commitment to globalisation and education reforms. There are other regional alliances that are grappling differently with issues of anti-globalisation trends of Brexit, in the Global South and in developing and underdeveloped nations also.
The National Concept of Education Quality
Authors: Yuan Zhenguo
Published: June 2020

Education quality has long been debated by education philosophers as what education is good (Burbules 2004). In the global practices, many countries have engaged in exploring how to make learners acquire good education. In the Education Policy Outlook 2015 published by OECD (2015), about 16% of education reform measures by the OECD member countries focused on education quality and equity.
Changes in Educational Institutions in China: 1978–2020
Authors: Fan Guorui
Published: June 2020

This chapter reviews key historical documents and reform events and outlines China’s educational reform and development in the macro context of 40 years of social, political, and economic changes. Professor Elizabeth J. Perry (2014) noted the significance of studying contemporary China from the Reform and Opening-up in the field comparative politics and public policy, which marked the beginning of “a new era of developing socialism with Chinese characteristics” (Xi 2017). This chapter focuses on the process of education institutional changes and innovation and identifies the educational reform and opening-up as a predominant narrative, aiming at breaking through the obstacles of existing institutional structures and promoting sustainable development of education. A key challenge to reforming education institution lies in how to solve the Chinese governance dilemma of loosening control in chaos or tightening control in suffocation (“Yifang Jiuluan, Yishou Jiusi” “一放就乱 一收就死”). Solutions are suggested as exploring appropriate tensions among education institutional factors and stimulating the vitality of educational elements and institutions under appropriate tensions.
A minimal model for neutral naturalness and pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone dark matter
Authors: Ahmed Aqeel , Najjari Saereh , Verhaaren Christopher B.
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We outline a scenario where both the Higgs and a complex scalar dark matter candidate arise as the pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone bosons of breaking a global SO(7) symmetry to SO(6). The novelty of our construction is that the symmetry partners of the Standard Model top-quark are charged under a hidden color group and not the usual SU(3)
c
. Consequently, the scale of spontaneous symmetry breaking and the masses of the top partners can be significantly lower than those with colored top partners. Taking these scales to be lower at once makes the model more natural and also reduces the induced non-derivative coupling between the Higgs and the dark matter. Indeed, natural realizations of this construction describe simple thermal WIMP dark matter which is stable under a global U(1)
D
symmetry. We show how the Large Hadron Collider along with current and next generation dark matter experiments will explore the most natural manifestations of this framework.
Asymptotic flux compactifications and the swampland
Authors: Grimm Thomas W. , Li Chongchuo , Valenzuela Irene
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We initiate the systematic study of flux scalar potentials and their vacua by using asymptotic Hodge theory. To begin with, we consider F-theory compactifications on Calabi-Yau fourfolds with four-form flux. We argue that a classification of all scalar potentials can be performed when focusing on regions in the field space in which one or several fields are large and close to a boundary. To exemplify the constraints on such asymptotic flux compactifications, we explicitly determine this classification for situations in which two complex structure moduli are taken to be large. Our classification captures, for example, the weak string coupling limit and the large complex structure limit. We then show that none of these scalar potentials admits de Sitter critical points at parametric control, formulating a new no-go theorem valid beyond weak string coupling. We also check that the recently proposed asymptotic de Sitter conjecture is satisfied near any infinite distance boundary. Extending this strategy further, we generally identify the type of fluxes that induce an infinite series of Anti-de Sitter critical points, thereby generalizing the well-known Type IIA settings. Finally, we argue that also the large field dynamics of any axion in complex structure moduli space is universally constrained. Displacing such an axion by large field values will generally lead to severe backreaction effects destabilizing other directions.
An entropy current for dynamical black holes in four-derivative theories of gravity
Authors: Bhattacharya Jyotirmoy , Bhattacharyya Sayantani , Dinda Anirban , Kundu Nilay
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We propose an entropy current for dynamical black holes in a theory with arbitrary four derivative corrections to Einstein’s gravity, linearized around a stationary black hole. The Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet theory is a special case of the class of theories that we consider. Within our approximation, our construction allows us to write down a completely local version of the second law of black hole thermodynamics, in the presence of the higher derivative corrections considered here. This ultra-local, stronger form of the second law is a generalization of a weaker form, applicable to the total entropy, integrated over a compact ‘time-slice’ of the horizon, a proof of which has been recently presented in [1]. We also provide a general algorithm to construct the entropy current for the four derivative theories, which may be straightforwardly generalized to arbitrary higher deriva- tive corrections to Einstein’s gravity. This algorithm highlights the possible ambiguities in defining the entropy current.
Versorgung von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Typ-1-Diabetes: Lösungen für technische und psychosoziale Herausforderungen
Authors: Raile Klemens , Boss Karina , Braune Katarina , Heinrich-Rohr Michaela
Published: June 2020

Diabetes mellitus Typ 1 ist die häufigste endokrinologische Erkrankung bei Kindern und Jugendlichen unter 15 Jahren. Eine Heilungsperspektive bezüglich der Autoimmunreaktion gegen die insulinbildenden Betazellen ist weiterhin nicht in Sicht. Dennoch konnte durch technische Innovationsschübe bei Glukosesensoren, Insulinpumpen und Steuerungsalgorithmen innerhalb der letzten Jahre die Stoffwechselkontrolle optimiert werden. Diese Entwicklungen führen zusammen mit individuellen Diabetesschulungen und psychosozialer Unterstützung zu einer deutlichen Verbesserung der Versorgung.

In diesem Übersichtsartikel wird die aktuelle Versorgungssituation von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Typ-1-Diabetes sowie ihren Eltern dargestellt. In Deutschland ist die multidisziplinäre, spezialisierte Versorgung durch Teams aus Kinder- und Jugenddiabetolog*innen, Diabetesberater*innen, Sozialarbeiter*innen und Kinder- und Jugendpsychotherapeut*innen seit vielen Jahren etabliert und führt zu einer im internationalen Vergleich sehr guten Versorgungsqualität. Fokussiert werden die Diabetesschulung mit dem Schwerpunkt, das Selbstmanagement optimal zu unterstützen, die psychosoziale Begleitung und Intervention sowie die Inklusion in Schulen und Kindertagesstätten. Wir gehen außerdem auf neue soziale Entwicklungen der Diabetes-Online-Community ein. Ein aktuelles Beispiel ist die patientenbetriebene Bewegung „Do-It-Yourself Artificial Pancreas System“ (DIY-APS), die als Open-Source-Projekt mittlerweile Innovationsgeber auch für Medizinproduktehersteller ist. Zum Schluss beleuchten wir die damit verbundenen Chancen, aber auch die Verschiebung der klassischen Arzt-Patienten-Rollen.
Evaluation der Durchgangsarztberichte in der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung – Methodik und Ergebnisse eines Peer-Review-Verfahrens
Authors: Szczotkowski D. , Neik C. , Polak U. , Wittwer M. , Kohlmann T.
Published: June 2020

Hintergrund

Durch eine bundesweite Beurteilung von Durchgangsarzt(D)-Berichten sollte die Dokumentationsqualität im Durchgangsarztverfahren der Deutschen Gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung (DGUV) systematisch erfasst werden. Peer-Review-Verfahren sind bewährte Instrumente zur Sicherung der Prozessqualität.

Material und Methoden

Für eingeschlossene D‑Ärzte wurden zufällig 30 D-Berichte mit besonderer Heilbehandlung aus dem Jahr 2017 ausgewählt, anonymisiert und webbasiert von einem zufällig zugeteilten Beurteiler (Peer) mit einer Checkliste bewertet. Diese umfasste 9 Beurteilungskategorien mit dichotomem Antwortformat (Mangel/kein Mangel). Zur Gesamteinschätzung wurde für jeden D‑Bericht eine Gesamtnote („sehr gut“ bis „ungenügend“) vergeben.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt bewerteten 82 Peers 30.384 D‑Berichte. Jeder dritte D‑Bericht wies keine Mängel auf. Die häufigsten Mängel waren in der Beurteilungskategorie „Angaben zum Unfall“ zu beobachten. Die durchschnittliche Gesamtnote betrug 2,6, wobei es auf der Ebene der evaluierten D‑Ärzte deutliche Qualitätsunterschiede gab (beste: 1,5; schlechteste: 4,1). Alle evaluierten D‑Ärzte erhielten individuelle Qualitätsberichte, in denen die Kernergebnisse beschrieben wurden.

Schlussfolgerung

Das erste bundesweite Peer-Review der DGUV konnte sich als praktikables und valides Qualitätssicherungsverfahren für D‑Berichte bewähren. Die Qualität der Berichte kann allgemein als gut eingeschätzt werden. Die DGUV plant, das Verfahren unter Berücksichtigung weiterer D‑Arzt-Gruppen zu wiederholen.
Development of certified reference materials for the determination of cadmium and acrylamide in cocoa
Authors: Recknagel Sebastian , Koch Matthias , Köppen Robert , Buttler Sabine , Penk Sibylle , Mauch Tatjana , Sommerfeld Thomas , Witt Angelika
Published: June 2020

Since 1 January 2019 a maximum content of 0.6 mg kg−1 cadmium (Cd) in cocoa powder sold to the final consumer or as an ingredient in sweetened cocoa powder sold to the final consumer (drinking chocolate) is set by the Commission Regulation (EU) No. 488/2014. Monitoring compliance with the specified limit value requires analytical measuring methods and reference materials for quality control. However, suitable certified reference materials intended for quality assurance and quality control purposes are still lacking. Therefore, three cocoa reference materials (ERM®-BD513, ERM®-514 and ERM®-515) were developed according to the requirements of ISO 17034 and the recommendations of ISO Guide 35. The whole process of reference material development, including material preparation, assessment of homogeneity and stability, characterisation and value assignment is presented. The assignment of the certified mass fractions was based upon an interlaboratory comparison study involving 19 expert laboratories for Cd and 12 laboratories for acrylamide. The certified mass fractions and expanded uncertainties (k = 2) of the reference materials were (0.181 ± 0.009) mg kg−1 Cd (ERM®-BD513), (0.541 ± 0.024) mg kg−1 Cd (ERM®-BD514) and (0.690 ± 0.029) mg kg−1 Cd (ERM®-BD515). Acrylamide contents are given for information.
Risk factors for failed closed reduction in dislocated developmental dysplastic hips
Authors: Walter Sebastian Gottfried , Endler Christoph Hans-Jürgen , Remig Anna Christina , Luetkens Julian A. , Bornemann Rahel , Placzek Richard
Published: June 2020

Aim of the study

The present study aimed to identify risk factors for unsuccessful CR.

Introduction

Closed reduction (CR) represents the gold standard for treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), but to a minor percentage, it fails to reduce dysplastic hips successfully.

Methods

Seventy-three dysplastic hips underwent closed reduction and post-interventional MRI of the pelvis. MRIs were evaluated for successful reduction of the hip, volumes of femoral heads, and acetabular diameter. Initial treatment results were correlated to AC angles at two years of follow-up. Contralateral, healthy hips served as control.

Results

Out of 73 instable, dysplastic hips, there were nine cases of CR failure. These cases showed significantly increased femoral head volumes (p = 0.002) and a significantly (p = 0.02) larger ratio of femoral head volume to acetabular opening area. There was no significant difference (p = 0.15) in acetabular diameter between both groups. At two years of follow-up, AC angles were significantly (p = 0.003) larger and pathologic in cases of CR failure.

Conclusion

Exclusive enlargement of the femoral head is a risk factor for unsuccessful reduction and its ratio to the acetabular opening surface is predictive for CR success in DDH.
Operative Case Volume Minimums Necessary for Surgical Training Throughout Rural Africa
Authors: Parker Robert K. , Topazian Hillary M. , Parker Andrea S. , Mwachiro Michael M. , Strain Shinji , White Russell E. , Thelander Keir , Riviello Robert
Published: June 2020

Background

Resident operative case volumes are an important aspect of surgical education, and minimums are required in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) programs. Minimum operative case volumes for training do not exist in rural Africa. Our objective was to determine the optimal minimum operative case volume necessary for general surgery training in rural Africa.

Methods

A cross‐sectional census electronic survey was conducted among faculty (N = 24) and graduates (N = 56) of Pan‐African Academy of Christian Surgeons training programs. Three equally weighted exposures (median minimum case volume suggested by participants, operative experience of prior graduates, and comparisons with ACGME minimums), adjusted from responses to targeted questions, were utilized to construct an optimal minimum operative case volume for training.

Results

Sixty‐four surgeons were contacted and 40 (13 faculty, 24 graduates, and 3 graduates who became faculty) participated. All participants thought operative case minimums were necessary, and the majority (98%) felt current training adequately prepared surgeons for their setting. Constructed optimal case volumes included 1000 major cases with fewer required cases than ACGME in abdomen, breast, thoracic, vascular, endoscopy, and laparoscopy and more required cases than ACGME for alimentary tract, endocrine, operative trauma, skin and soft tissue, pediatric, and plastic surgery. Other categories (gynecology, orthopedics, and urology) were deemed necessary for surgical training, with regional differences. Prior graduates satisfied the overall, but not category‐specific, proposed minimums.

Conclusions

The surveyed surgeons highlighted the need for diverse surgical training with minimum exposures. They described increased need for cases reflecting regional variations with a desire for more experience in categories less common at their institutions.
How Can We Predict the Recovery from Pitch Lowering After Thyroidectomy?
Authors: Kim Sang‐Yeon , Park Jun‐Ook , Bae Ja‐Seong , Lee So‐Hee , Hwang Yeon‐Shin , Shim Mi‐Ran , Park Young‐Hak , Sun Dong‐Il
Published: June 2020

Background

Some of patients are suffered from pitch lowering of voice after thyroidectomy. We sought to identify factors predictive of a recovery from lowered pitch voice after thyroid surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 133 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy to treat papillary carcinoma between January 2012 and February 2013. Of these, we enrolled 78 who exhibited a lower‐pitched voice (SFF fall > 12 Hz) at 2 weeks post‐operatively than pre‐operatively and investigated pitch recovery after 3 months. We subclassified patients into recovery and non‐recovery groups and compared videostroboscopic findings, acoustic voice data, and thyroidectomy‐related voice questionnaire scores pre‐operatively and 2, 8, and 12 weeks post‐operatively.

Results

Vocal cord asymmetry on videostroboscopic examination at 2 weeks post‐operatively (odds ratio 19.056, p = 0.001*) was more frequent in the non‐recovery group. In acoustic analysis, mean pre‐operative SFF was higher in the non‐recovery group than the recovery group (190.9 ±  27.5 and 180.9 ±  24.6 Hz, respectively; p = 0.030*). Also, a reduction in the SFF of > 19.6 Hz, at 2 weeks post‐operatively versus pre‐operatively, predicted non‐recovery of pitch‐lowering in patients with reduced SFF within post‐operative 3 months, with 72.0% sensitivity and 71.2% specificity. After 6 months of follow‐up, no patient who exhibited an SFF fall > 19.6 Hz recovered to within 10 Hz of the pre‐operative value.

Conclusion

A reduction in the speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) > 19.6 Hz at 2 weeks post‐operatively predicted persisting lowering of voice pitch after thyroidectomy among those with lower‐pitched voices after surgery. Pre‐operative high SFF and post‐operative stroboscopic findings including vocal cord asymmetry at 2 weeks post‐operatively also predicted persisting lowering of voice pitch for 3 months.
Cut, overlap and locate: a deep learning approach for the 3D localization of particles in astigmatic optical setups
Authors: Franchini Simon , Krevor Samuel
Published: June 2020

Astigmatic optical systems encode the depth location of spherical objects in the defocus blur of their images. This allows the simultaneous imaging of 3D positions of a large number of such objects, which can act as tracer particles in the study of fluid flows. The challenge lies in decoding the depth information, as defocused particle images might be overlapping or have low maximum intensity values. Current methods are not able to simultaneously detect and locate overlapping and low-intensity particle images. In addition, their cost of computation increases with particle image density. We show how semi-synthetic images of defocused particle images with proximate center point positions can be employed to train an end-to-end trainable particle image detector. This allows for the detection of low-intensity and overlapping particle images in a single pass of an image through a neural network. We present a thorough evaluation of the uncertainty of the method for the application of particles in fluid flow measurements. We achieve a similar error in the depth predictions to previous algorithms for non-overlapping particle images. In the case of neighboring particle images, the location error increases with decreasing particle image center distances and peaks when particle image centers share the same location. When dealing with actual measurement images, the location error increases by approximately a factor of two when particle images share the same center point locations. The trained model detects low-intensity particle images close to the visibility limit and covers 91.4% of the depth range of a human annotator. For the employed experimental arrangement, this increased the depth range along which particle images can be detected by 67% over a previously employed thresholding detection method (Franchini et al. in Adv Water Resour 124:1–8, 2019).

Graphic abstract