bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved mechanical properties of the graphene oxide modified bamboo‐fiber‐reinforced polypropylene composites
Authors: Wang Qianting , Zhang Yu , Liang Weikang , Wang Jianjie , Chen Youxin
Published: June 2020

Improving the interfacial compatibility of plant fibers and polymer matrices still is an ongoing challenge in the application of natural fiber/polymer composites. In this study, the graphene oxide (GO) was grafted onto alkali‐treated bamboo fiber (ABF) surfaces, and then a GO‐ABF/polypropylene (PP) composite was prepared using a mini‐injection molding technique. The chemical properties of the GO‐ABF surface, as well as the mechanical properties of the GO‐ABF/PP composite, were studied systematically. The results showed that the GO sheets were successfully grafted on the surface of ABF, and the hydrogen bond interaction occurred between the GO and the ABF. Compared with the untreated bamboo fiber (UBF)/PP composite, the tensile strength and flexural strength of the 0.1GO‐ABF/PP composite were increased by 12.6% and 23.7%, respectively, due to the enhancement of the interfacial binding force between GO‐ABF and the PP matrix. These results indicate that GO possesses great potential for improving the mechanical properties of GO‐ABF/PP composite. It can provide a reference basis for the feasibility of using GO in the natural fiber/polymer composites.
What we know so far about Coronavirus Disease 2019 in children: A meta‐analysis of 551 laboratory‐confirmed cases
Authors: Zhang Linjie , Peres Tyele G. , Silva Marcus V. F. , Camargos Paulo
Published: June 2020

Aim

To summarize what we know so far about coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) in children.

Method

We searched PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online, and Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information from 1 January 2020 to 4 May 2020. We selected randomized trials, observational studies, case series or case reports, and research letters of children ages birth to 18 years with laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19. We conducted random‐effects meta‐analyses to calculate the weighted mean prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI) or the weighted average means and 95% CI.

Result

Forty‐six articles reporting 551 cases of COVID‐19 in children (aged 1 day‐17.5 years) were included. Eighty‐seven percent (95% CI: 77%‐95%) of patients had household exposure to COVID‐19. The most common symptoms and signs were fever (53%, 95% CI: 45%‐61%), cough (39%, 95% CI: 30%‐47%), and sore throat/pharyngeal erythema (14%, 95% CI: 4%‐28%); however, 18% (95% CI: 11%‐27%) of cases were asymptomatic. The most common radiographic and computed tomography (CT) findings were patchy consolidations (33%, 95% CI: 23%‐43%) and ground glass opacities (28%, 95% CI: 18%‐39%), but 36% (95% CI: 28%‐45%) of patients had normal CT images. Antiviral agents were given to 74% of patients (95% CI: 52%‐92%). Six patients, all with major underlying medical conditions, needed invasive mechanical ventilation, and one of them died.

Conclusion

Previously healthy children with COVID‐19 have mild symptoms. The diagnosis is generally suspected from history of household exposure to COVID‐19 case. Children with COVID‐19 and major underlying condition are more likely to have severe/critical disease and poor prognosis, even death.
Classifying wetland‐related land cover types and habitats using fine‐scale lidar metrics derived from country‐wide Airborne Laser Scanning
Authors: Koma Zsófia , Seijmonsbergen Arie C. , Kissling W. Daniel
Published: June 2020

Mapping 3D vegetation structure in wetlands is important for conservation and monitoring. Openly accessible country‐wide Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data—using light detection and ranging (lidar) technology—are increasingly becoming available and allow us to quantify 3D vegetation structures at fine resolution and across broad spatial extents. Here, we develop a new, open‐source workflow for classifying wetland‐related land cover types and habitats using fine‐scale lidar metrics derived from country‐wide ALS data. We developed a case study in the Netherlands with a workflow consisting of four routines: (1) pre‐processing of ALS data, (2) calculation of lidar metrics (i.e. 31 features representing cover, 3D shape, vertical variability, horizontal variability and height of vegetation as well as microtopography), (3) assessing feature importance of lidar metrics for classifying wetland habitats, and (4) applying a Random Forest algorithm for mapping and prediction. We used an expert‐based vegetation map for annotation and generated 100, 500 and 1000 annotation points for each class. Using a three‐level hierarchical approach, we differentiated at level 1 planar surfaces (e.g. roads and agricultural fields) from wetland vegetation with 82% mean overall accuracy, using predominantly height and horizontal variability metrics. At level 2, we classified wetland vegetation into four land cover types (forest, grassland, reedbeds, shrubs) with 71% mean overall accuracy, using lidar metrics related to vegetation height and horizontal and vertical variability. At level 3, we differentiated two types of land reed as well as water reed with 78% mean overall accuracy, using predominantly vertical variability metrics. Our results demonstrate that lidar metrics (related to vegetation height, cover, vertical and horizontal variability) derived from country‐wide ALS data can differentiate land cover types and habitats within wetlands at high resolution. Given appropriate annotation data, our workflow can be up‐scaled to a country‐wide extent to allow the comprehensive mapping and monitoring of wetlands at national scales.
Keeping mass tourism destinations sustainable via urban design: The case of Benidorm
Authors: Nolasco‐Cirugeda Almudena , Martí Pablo , Ponce Gabino
Published: June 2020

The city of Benidorm is the most renowned mass tourism destination on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. It has been recently acknowledged as a sustainable urban development to support the mass‐tourism industry; however, Benidorm had received strong criticism during many years, mainly because of its striking urban image. The aim of this paper is to showcase the relevant role of sustainable urban design for the development of an effective coastal tourism product. To this end, the specific conditions, facts, and regulations that have led to the current urban design of Benidorm city are presented; and, the key singular urban features of its urban plan contributing to the sustainability of this singular urban model are analyzed. The results suggest that the land occupation strategy, the design of outdoor spaces, and the diverse leisure and accommodation offer, have a favorable impact on the optimization of the city resources, creating a successful tourist destination.
Free‐Standing Crystalline@Amorphous Core–Shell Nanoarrays for Efficient Energy Storage
Authors: Fu Shuting , Chen Jian , Wang Xuxu , He Qiao , Tong Shengfu , Wu Mingmei
Published: June 2020

Structures comprising high capacity active material are highly desirable in the development of advanced electrodes for energy storage devices. However, the structure degradation of such material still remains a challenge. The construction of amorphous and crystalline heterostructure appears to be a novel and effectual strategy to figure out the problem, owing to the distinct properties of the amorphous protective layer. Herein, crystalline‐Co3O4@amorphous‐TiO2 core–shell nanoarrays directly grown on the carbon cloth substrate are rationally designed to construct the free‐standing electrode. In the unique structure, the 3D porous nanoarrays provide increased availability of electrochemical active sites, and the array with a unique heterostructure of crystalline Co3O4 core and amorphous TiO2 shell exhibits intriguing synergistic properties. Besides, the amorphous TiO2 protective layer shows elastic behavior to mitigate the volume effect of Co3O4. Benefiting from these structural advantages, the as‐prepared free‐standing electrode exhibits superior lithium storage properties, including high coulombic efficiency, outstanding cyclic stability, and rate capability. Pouch cells with high flexibility are also fabricated and show remarkable electrochemical performances, holding great potential for flexible electronic devices in the future.
Dual pH‐Induced Reversible Self‐Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles by Surface Functionalization with Zwitterionic Ligands
Authors: He Huibin , Ostwaldt Jan‐Erik , Hirschhäuser Christoph , Schmuck Carsten , Niemeyer Jochen
Published: June 2020

The dual pH‐induced reversible self‐assembly (PIRSA) of Au‐nanoparticles (Au NPs) is reported, based on their decoration with the self‐complementary guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole carboxylate zwitterion (GCPZ). The assembly of such functionalized Au NPs is found at neutral pH, based on supramolecular pairing of the GCPZ groups. The resulting self‐assembled system can be switched back to the disassembled state by addition of base or acid. Two predominant effects that contribute to the dual‐PIRSA of Au NPs are identified, namely the ionic hydrogen bonding between the GCPZ groups, but also a strong hydrophobic effect. The contribution of each interaction is depending on the concentration of GCPZ on NPs, which allows to control the self‐assembly state over a wide range of different water/solvent ratios.
Influence of the Thermodynamic and Kinetic Control of Self‐Assembly on the Microstructure Evolution of Silk‐Elastin‐Like Recombinamer Hydrogels
Authors: Ibáñez‐Fonseca Arturo , Orbanic Doriana , Arias Francisco Javier , Alonso Matilde , Zeugolis Dimitrios I. , Rodríguez‐Cabello José Carlos
Published: June 2020

Complex recombinant biomaterials that merge the self‐assembling properties of different (poly)peptides provide a powerful tool for the achievement of specific structures, such as hydrogel networks, by tuning the thermodynamics and kinetics of the system through a tailored molecular design. In this work, elastin‐like (EL) and silk‐like (SL) polypeptides are combined to obtain a silk‐elastin‐like recombinamer (SELR) with dual self‐assembly. First, EL domains force the molecule to undergo a phase transition above a precise temperature, which is driven by entropy and occurs very fast. Then, SL motifs interact through the slow formation of β‐sheets, stabilized by H‐bonds, creating an energy barrier that opposes phase separation. Both events lead to the development of a dynamic microstructure that evolves over time (until a pore size of 49.9 ± 12.7 µm) and to a delayed hydrogel formation (obtained after 2.6 h). Eventually, the network is arrested due to an increase in β‐sheet secondary structures (up to 71.8 ± 0.8%) within SL motifs. This gives a high bond strength that prevents the complete segregation of the SELR from water, which results in a fixed metastable microarchitecture. These porous hydrogels are preliminarily tested as biomimetic niches for the isolation of cells in 3D cultures.
CuCo2S4–rGO Microflowers: First‐Principle Calculation and Application in Energy Storage
Authors: Wu Lin , Sun Li , Li Xiaowei , Zhang Qiuyu , Zhang Yuanxing , Gu Jialin , Wang Ke , Zhang Yihe
Published: June 2020

This paper demonstrates the ability of a CuCo2S4–reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite to perform robust electrochemical performances applying to supercapacitors (SCs) and lithium ion batteries (LIBs). The first‐principle calculation based on density functional theory is conducted to study the electronic property of CuCo2O4 and CuCo2S4 and provide a theoretical basis for this work. Then, the 3D spinel‐structured CuCo2O4 and CuCo2S4 microflowers are synthesized and compared as electrodes for both SCs and LIBs. The CuCo2S4 microflowers can provide a larger specific surface area, which enlarges the contact area between the electrode material and the electrolyte and contributes to high‐efficiency electrochemical reactions. The reduced graphene oxides are coated on the CuCo2S4 microflowers, therefore effectively increasing the conductivity, and further absorbing the stress produced in the reaction process. As an electrode of a symmetric supercapacitor, the optimized CuCo2S4–rGO composite exhibits an energy density of 16.07 Wh kg−1 and a maximum power density of 3600 W kg−1. Moreover, the CuCo2S4–rGO composite can also be used as an anode for lithium ion batteries, exhibiting a reversible capacity of 1050 mAh g−1 after 140 cycles at the current density of 200 mA g−1. The galvanostatic intermittence titration techniques also reveal superior Li‐ion diffusion behavior of the CuCo2S4–rGO composite during redox reactions.
Bismuthene Metallurgy: Transformation of Bismuth Particles to Ultrahigh‐Aspect‐Ratio 2D Microsheets
Authors: Beladi‐Mousavi Seyyed Mohsen , Ying Yulong , Plutnar Jan , Pumera Martin
Published: June 2020

Ultrathin bismuth exhibits promising performance for topological insulators due to its narrow band gap and intrinsic strong spin–orbit coupling, as well as for energy‐related applications because of its electronic and mechanical properties. However, large‐scale production of 2D sheets via liquid‐phase exfoliation as an established large‐scale method is restricted by the strong interaction between bismuth layers. Here, a sonication method is utilized to produce ultrahigh‐aspect‐ratio bismuthene microsheets. The studies on the mechanism excludes the exfoliation of the layered bulk bismuth and formation of the microsheets is attributed to the melting of spherical particles (r = 1.5 µm) at a high temperature—generated under the ultrasonic tip—followed by a recrystallization step producing uniformly‐shaped ultrathin microsheets (A = 0.5–2 µm2, t: ≈2 nm). Notably, although the preparation is performed in oxygenated aqueous solution, the sheets are not oxidized, and they are stable under ambient conditions for at least 1 month. The microsheets are used to construct a vapor sensor using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as detection technique. The device is highly selective, and it shows long‐term stability. Overall, this project exhibits a reproducible method for large‐scale preparation of ultrathin bismuthene microsheets in a benign environment, demonstrating opportunities to realize devices based on bismuthene.
Selecting best predictors from large software repositories for highly accurate software effort estimation
Authors: Tariq Sidra , Usman Muhammad , Fong Alvis C.M.
Published: June 2020

Accurate prediction of software effort is important for planning, scheduling, and allocating resources. However, software effort estimation has been a challenging task. Although numerous estimation models have been proposed, few achieve anything close to accurate prediction of software development effort. To achieve optimal results, machine learning techniques have recently been employed for predicting software development effort using relatively large software repositories. However, some issues remain unresolved, and this paper aims to address the following issues. First, feature selection methods often neglected the information rich variables present in the dataset. Second, selection of important features was done through statistical methods, which lack domain knowledge. Third, missing values in the data that significantly influence the prediction outcome was not efficiently handled. Fourth, majority of the literature neglected advanced evaluation measures, which thoroughly evaluate the ability of learning models to produce accurate results. To address the above issues, a machine learning‐based model has been proposed in this paper, which not only allows effective preprocessing of data but also provides highly accurate prediction results with minimum error rate. The purpose is to best identify attributes (predictors) from large software repositories that are most influential in the estimation of effort. In addition, we apply MMRE for better performance analysis.
Role of Energy Offset in Nonradiative Voltage Loss in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Saito Toshiharu , Natsuda Shin-ichiro , Imakita Kenta , Tamai Yasunari , Ohkita Hideo
Published: June 2020

The voltage loss incurred by nonradiative charge recombination should be reduced to further improve the power conversion efficiency of organic solar cells (OSCs). This work discusses the nonradiative voltage loss in OSCs with systematically controlled energy offset between optical bandgap and charge transfer (CT) states. It is demonstrated that the nonradiative voltage loss is a function of the energy offset; it drops sharply with decreasing energy offset. By measuring the quantum yields of electroluminescence from OSCs and decay kinetics of CT states, it is found that the radiative decay rate of CT states becomes larger when the energy offset is negligible compared with those in conventional OSCs with sufficient energy offset. This behavior is rationalized by hybridization between CT and local excited states, resulting in a considerable enhancement of the oscillator strength of CT states. Based on a trend observed in this study, the precise mechanism by which the energy offset affects the nonradiative voltage loss is discussed.
Optimal preventive maintenance for wind turbines considering the effects of wind speed
Authors: Zheng Rui , Zhou Yifan , Zhang Yingzhi
Published: June 2020

This paper presents a preventive maintenance policy for wind turbines considering three effects of wind speed: accelerating hazard rate, restricting maintenance implementation, and affecting downtime cost. The effect on the hazard rate is described by a proportional hazards model. The restriction on maintenance actions results in the elongation of maintenance duration. The downtime cost is evaluated based on the power output curve model. Three failure types (i.e., catastrophic failure, critical failure, and minor failure) and multiple maintenance actions (i.e., preventive and corrective replacements, preventive and corrective general repairs, and minimal repair) are integrated into the policy. The objective is to determine the optimal maintenance policy that minimizes the long‐run average cost rate. The optimization problem is formulated and solved in the semi‐Markov decision process (SMDP) framework. A practical example is provided to illustrate the proposed method. The comparison with other policies shows the superiority of the proposed policy as well as the significance of the three effects of wind speed in maintenance decision‐making.
A Large‐Scale Experiment to Evaluate Control of Invasive Muskrats
Authors: Bos Daan , van Loon E. Emiel , Klop Erik , Ydenberg Ron
Published: June 2020

The muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) is an invasive species in Europe. The extensive waterways of the Netherlands provide ideal habitat for muskrats, and a large population established itself after arrival in 1941. A control program was put into effect immediately because muskrat burrowing can compromise the integrity of dikes and, hence, poses a significant public safety risk. The current (2015) annual catch of approximately 89,000 individuals is equivalent to approximately 0.30 muskrats/km of waterway, well above the national objective in spite of decades of effort. The control program is expensive (€35 M annually) and contested by animal rights groups. These factors created the need for a careful evaluation of the full range of control possibilities, from ‘no control’ to ‘extermination.’ As part of this, we experimentally evaluated the validity of a previously published correlation (based on historical data) between catch and effort. We raised or lowered removal effort (2013–2016) in a stratified random sample of 117 5‐km × 5‐km ‘atlas squares’ from the national grid. We found that catch‐per‐unit effort (CPUE) decreased after effort was increased, and rose after effort was decreased, by amounts slightly greater than expected based on the correlational data, though confidence intervals enclose zero. As anticipated, CPUE varied consistently and strongly between seasons. The biggest (and unanticipated) effects were those of the catch in the preceding 3 years (‘history’), and surrounding area (‘neighborhood’). Our experiment confirms estimates of intensity of control required to lower muskrat populations. These results will help with more effective allocation of control effort, and better‐informed evaluation of the economic costs of various control options. © 2020 The Authors. Wildlife Society Bulletin published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.
Radioactivity and Risk Assessment with Uncertainty Treatment for Analysis of Black Sand Minerals
Authors: Abdel‐Rahman Mohamed A. E. , Sabry Mohy , Khattab Mahmoud R. , El‐Taher Atef , El‐Mongy Sayed A.
Published: June 2020

Precise radiological analysis of environmental, ores, nuclear materials and minerals samples is of great value for monitoring and surveillance objectives. The information deduced from the analysis can be used to identify the origin and nature of the accompanied activities. This work focuses on analysis of some black sand ore samples to identify and quantify their radioisotopes and potential risk. The analysis can provide useful information about the environmental transport mechanism and about the sources of radionuclides in the studied area; Rashid city coast, Egypt. To achieve this target, a Non‐destructive gamma spectrometer (NDGS) was used to trace and amount the radioisotopes types and activities. The efficiency was calculated with uncertainty treatment. The specific activity with uncertainty assessment of 238U, 232Th decay series and 40K of these samples were varied from 72.2 to 252.4 with average value 111 ± 25 Bq·kg–1, 94.2 to 579.8 with average value 140 ± 22 Bq·kg–1 and 427.9 to 527.5 with average value 475 ± 36 Bq·kg–1 respectively. The mineralogical signature of the analyzed samples (XRD) indicates that the samples are mainly composed of ilmenite, zircon, rutile, sphene and monazite. The potential risk assay shows that the hazard parameters of these samples; the Absorbed Gamma Dose Rate (AGDR), Gamma Activity Index (Iγ), Annual Effective Dose Rate Equivalent (AEDRE), Radium equivalent, External and Internal Hazard Index (Hex and Hin) are of specific characteristics. The total absorbed gamma dose rate and the annual effective dose due these samples were found to be with average values 158 ± 24 (nGy/h) and 195 ± 29 (μSv/y) which are higher than the world average value of 59 nGy/h and 70 μSv/y respectively. The results obtained are important to establish baseline levels to detect any upcoming changes due to any activities. It can be observed that the studied area has elevated thorium and uranium content. The relatively high dose rate will be considered as a spa for the physical therapy such as treatment of some skin diseases and rheumatoid.
Reactions in Anhydrous Liquid Ammonia: Syntheses and Crystal Structures of [M(NH3)8]I2 (M = Eu, Yb) with Bicapped Trigonal‐Prismatic Octaammine Lanthanoid(II) Cations
Authors: Rudel Stefan S. , Graubner Tim , Karttunen Antti J. , Kraus Florian
Published: June 2020

The compounds [M(NH3)8]I2 (M = Eu, Yb) were obtained from reactions in anhydrous liquid ammonia solutions as side products. They were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and found to be isotypic to the compounds [Ca(NH3)8]X2 (X = Cl, Br, I). The coordination sphere of the lanthanoid(II) cations is not square‐antiprismatic but much better described as bicapped trigonal‐prismatic. In contrast, quantum‐chemical gas‐phase calculations show the square‐antiprismatic coordination polyhedron (point group S8) to be energetically favored over the bicapped trigonal prism and the latter is not even a true local minimum. Obviously, hydrogen bonding and eventually other weak interactions have an impact on the observed bicapped trigonal‐prismatic coordination sphere of the [M(NH3)8]2+ cations in the solid state.
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Poverty Measurement, Epistemic Injustices and Social Activism
Authors: Beck Valentin , Hahn Henning , Lepenies Robert
Published: June 2020

As we enter the 2020s, global poverty is still a grave and persistent problem. Alleviating and eradicating poverty within and across the world’s societies requires a thorough understanding of its nature and extent. Although economists still standardly measure absolute and relative poverty in monetary terms, a consensus is emerging that poverty is a socially relational problem involving deprivations in multiple dimensions, including health, standard of living, education and political participation. The anthology Dimensions of Poverty advances the interdisciplinary debate on multidimensional poverty, and features contributions from leading international experts and early career researchers (including from the Global South). This introductory chapter gives an overview of formative debates, central concepts and key findings. While monetary poverty measures are still dominant in public and academic debate, their explanatory power has been drawn into question. We discuss relevant criticisms before outlining the normative concepts that can inform both multidimensional poverty and monetary measures, including basic capabilities, basic needs and social primary goods. Next, we introduce several influential multidimensional poverty indices, including the Human Development Index and the Multidimensional Poverty Index. The anthology shows in detail how such measures can be improved, from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. It shows that there are different methods of poverty research that require further investigation, including participatory studies, (value) surveys, public consensus building, the constitutional approach, and financial diaries. Finally, we show that there is an ongoing problem of epistemic asymmetries in global poverty research, and discuss responsibility for addressing poverty, including the responsibilities of academics. The remainder of the chapter is dedicated to a more detailed preview of the volume’s 20 contributions, which are assembled along the following five themes: (I) poverty as a social relation; (II) epistemic injustices in poverty research; (III) the social context of poverty; (IV) measuring multidimensional poverty; and (V) country cases.
History Education in Japan: An Account of Domestic Policy Controversies Over the Past War
Authors: Shibata Masako
Published: June 2020

This chapter deals with a number of important themes of history education, including perceptions of the nation, the notions of collective memory, state policy for education and the interrelationships of these themes. Within this thematic framework, it looks at controversies over the policies of the Ministry of Education for history education in Japan regarding the Battle of Okinawa (March–June 1945) in World War II (WWII), in which the war-time Japanese are remembered as both aggressors and victims. It also explores the geneses of the controversies, trailing the political and social positioning of Okinawa in the process of Japan becoming a modern state from the late nineteenth century.
Revisiting the Fabrications of PISA
Authors: Carvalho Luís Miguel
Published: June 2020

Since the beginning of the current century, the acronym PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) seems to pervade the multiple contexts where the education systems and their governing are subjected to debate. The presence of this Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) international large-scale assessment in national spaces has diverse manifestations, such as supporting “analyses and rationales” for the discussion of specific issues, or being used as a “source” for secondary studies or as “learning opportunity” for the development of accountability policies (Lawn and Grek 2012). So far, PISA became a central element of a universe of knowledge, which, paraphrasing Lindblad and Popkewitz (2004: xx–xxi), ensures that expert-based education policies can lead each nation into the so-called knowledge society. The chapter addresses this umbilical relation between governing and expert knowledge by examining the meanings and processes that sustain PISA contemporary status of indispensable resource for the imagination and scrutiny of educational issues and policies.

Based on the revision of a previous article on the organizational and cognitive dimensions of PISA (Carvalho. Eur Educ Res J 11(2):172–188, 2012), and on the posterior works on the uses of PISA in national and supranational contexts (Carvalho and Costa. Discour Stud Cult Polit Educ 36(5):638–646, 2015; Carvalho and Costa. A European politics of education? Routledge, London, 53–72, 2016; Carvalho et al. Eur J Educ 52(2):154–166, 2017) and on the intensification and sophistication of PISA’s association with the policy processes (Carvalho. Organized—and organizing—mutual surveillance. Plenary presentation at the Seminar “Education governance and international assessments”, ESRC series on ‘The Potentials, Politics and Practices of International Assessments. University of Edinburgh, 2014; Carvalho. Educação & Sociedade 37(136): 669–683, 2016), the chapter focuses on the fabrications, that is the fictions and the making (Popkewitz. Educational knowledge. State University of New York Press, Albany, 3–27, 2000a, Popkewitz. Educational Researcher 29(1):17–29, 2000b) that support the projection of PISA as a central element for thinking-acting education policies.
A Comparativistic Narrative of Expertise: International Large-Scale Assessments as the Encyclopaedia of Educational Knowledge
Authors: Pettersson Daniel
Published: June 2020

In this chapter, Lyotard’s notion serves as an intellectual framing of how a specific reasoning (cf. Hacking, Studies in History and Philosophy of Science 23(1):1–20, 1992a) develops within the educational sciences that eventually leads to the construction of international large-scale assessments (ILSA) and how this reasoning gains legitimacy within both science and policy embedded in a larger societal frame of meritocracy. To this end, this chapter historicizes some of the historical trajectories facilitating the construction of the first truly comparative assessment based on a positivistic inspired aggregation of numbered data. This first IEA (the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement) study was eventually followed by a multitude of different ILSA. In this, special attention is given to five important trajectories necessary for ILSA to occupy their present role in today’s meritocratic system: (1) how the scientific revolution changed and framed epistemological beliefs, (2) how the role of experts and expertism (Popkewitz, Paradigm and ideology in educational research, London and New York, 1984) changed, (3) how the introduction of statistics facilitated new ways of demonstrating the world and ‘reality’, (4) how the long-forgotten work by the French empiricist Marc-Antoine Jullien was used for a longer and legitimate history of a special branch of comparative education and (5) how the governing of matter and minds has changed over time. All these trajectories are important for an understanding of how ILSA became intelligible in a meritocratic context.
Educational Technology as School Reform: Using Actor-Network Theory to Understand Recent Latin American Educational Policies
Authors: Dussel Inés
Published: June 2020

Latin America has experienced, in the last 10 years, a wave of massive programs of educational technology that were framed as global strategies for school reform. I would like to problematize the opposition between digital media and schooling and look at how they become connected in the reform network that is taking place in these technology-driven reform programs. My approach is grounded on Actor-Network-Theory, a historical and political sociology of educational reform, and an anthropological and materialist view of local practices. In this chapter, I analyze the rhetoric and the strategies of one-netbook-per-child national programs in Latin America, particularly of Conectar Igualdad from Argentina, using documental sources and data records from fieldwork in schools. I study these programs as networks that bring new actors and dynamics into educational systems, and on new discursive configurations around educational change that are simultaneously global and local, imbued with particular inflections and orientations.
Education Governance and School Autonomy: The Progressive Reform of K–12 School in China
Authors: Fan Guorui , Zhang Lin
Published: June 2020

Education governance and school autonomy are a pair of mutually linked concepts that have involved various relationships, including the relationship between schools and the government and society and the complex relationship between the schools’ administration (including the school leaders, teachers, and other staff) and the students and even their parents. The essence of education governance is to build a modern school system that operates in compliance with the law, with autonomy, and under democratic supervision and engages other stakeholders in the society. At the core of the concept lies two goals: the first is to free schools from their overdependence on the government and to achieve autonomy; the second is to gradually realize shared governance that involves the full involvement of stakeholders such as teachers, students, and parents, as well as professional educational organizations, and consequently to highlight the agency of schools, increase the level of professionalism in their operations, and better meet the students’ educational needs and facilitate their development (Chu 2004: 63).
The Modernization of Higher Education
Authors: Sui Yifan
Published: June 2020

In 2015, Education 2030: Incheon Declaration stipulated a new comprehensive goal of ensuring quality education that is inclusive and equitable for all and life-long learning opportunity by 2030. The following Framework of Education 2030 reiterated this vision, suggesting ten specific goals and strategies for action (UNESCO 2015). In response, China’s Position Paper on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda issued by the Chinese government in 2016 proposed to “deepen the progress of modernizing education” (Pan and Li 2016).
Japanese Educational Policy and the Curriculum of Holistic Development
Authors: Tsuneyoshi Ryoko
Published: June 2020

Japanese primary and secondary education, alongside their counterparts in other East Asian societies, is often cited as high-achieving (OECD 2010). It has continued to show strong results in international tests such as IEA’s Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD’s) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in strategic areas, and Japan-originated educational models have been emulated abroad, the most famous being the Japanese model of “lesson study” (jyugyo kenkyu). Lesson study is seen as a bottom-up method of teacher learning in which teachers open up their lessons to others, and teacher discussion is held on how to understand and improve the learning of students. Lesson study now has its worldwide organization and is practiced in various forms in many countries.
Two-loop radiative jet function for exclusive B-meson and Higgs decays
Authors: Liu Ze Long , Neubert Matthias
Published: June 2020

Abstract

The rare radiative B-meson decay

$$ {B}^{-}\to \gamma {\mathrm{\ell}}^{-}\overline{v} $$

B
−

→
γ

ℓ
−

v
¯

and the radiative Higgs-boson decay h → γγ mediated by light-quark loops both receive large logarithmic corrections in QCD, which can be resummed using factorization theorems derived in soft-collinear effective theory. In these factorization theorems the same radiative jet function appears, which is a central object in the study of factorization beyond the leading order in scale ratios. We calculate this function at two-loop order both in momentum space and in a dual space, where its renormalization-group evolution takes on a simpler form. We also derive the two-loop anomalous dimension of the jet function and present the exact solution to its evolution equation at two-loop order. Another important outcome of our analysis is the explicit form of the two-loop anomalous dimension of the B-meson light-cone distribution amplitude in momentum space.
Chiral perturbation theory for nonzero chiral imbalance
Authors: Espriu D. , Nicola A. Gómez , Vioque-Rodríguez A.
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We construct the most general low-energy effective lagrangian including local parity violating terms parametrized by an axial chemical potential or chiral imbalance μ
5, up to

$$ \mathcal{O}\left({p}^4\right) $$

O

p
4

order in the chiral expansion for two light flavours. For that purpose, we work within the Chiral Perturbation Theory framework where only pseudo-NGB fields are included, following the external source method. The

$$ \mathcal{O}\left({p}^2\right) $$

O

p
2

lagrangian is only modified by constant terms, while the

$$ \mathcal{O}\left({p}^4\right) $$

O

p
4

one includes new terms proportional to

$$ {\mu}_5^2 $$

μ
5
2

and new low-energy constants (LEC), which are renormalized and related to particular observables. In particular, we analyze the corrections to the pion dispersion relation and observables related to the vacuum energy density, namely the light quark condensate, the chiral and topological susceptibilities and the chiral charge density, providing numerical determinations of the new LEC when possible. In particular, we explore the dependence of the chiral restoration temperature T

c
with μ
5. An increasing T

c
(μ
5) is consistent with our fits to lattice data of the ChPT-based expressions. Although lattice uncertainties are still large and translate into the new LEC determination, a consistent physical description of those observables emerges from our present work, providing a theoretically robust model-independent framework for further study of physical systems where parity-breaking effects may be relevant, such as heavy-ion collisions.
CP violation in three-body B decays: a model ansatz
Authors: Mannel Thomas , Olschewsky Kevin , Vos K. Keri
Published: June 2020

Abstract

The mechanism of CP violation remains one of the puzzles in particle physics. Key to understanding this phenomenon are nonleptonic B decays, especially multibody decays which exhibit large CP asymmetries in various regions of phase space. A full QCD- based theoretical description of these decays is still missing, requiring the use of models to fit the data. In this paper, we suggest a model ansatz which reflects the underlying physics and the known mechanism of CP violation via the CKM matrix. In addition, since CP violation is driven by the interference between amplitudes with and without valence charm quarks, we argue that the opening of the open-charm threshold may play an important role in generating CP violation in the high invariant mass region. We present a natural extension of the isobar model to incorporate these effects. We suggest an analysis of nonleptonic three-body B decay data including this extension, which would be interesting as it may give new hints to the sources of CP violation both at low and high invariant mass.
Simple dietary advice targeting five urinary parameters reduces urinary supersaturation in idiopathic calcium oxalate stone formers
Authors: Sromicki Juri , Hess Bernhard
Published: June 2020

Among 208 kidney stone patients referred within 2 years, 75 patients (66 men, nine women) with truly idiopathic calcium oxalate stones (ICSF) were recruited. Dietary advice (DA) aimed at (1) urine dilution, (2) reduced crystallization promotion (lowering oxalate), and (3) increased crystallization inhibition (increasing citrate). We recommended higher intakes of fluid and calcium with meals/snacks (reducing intestinal oxalate absorption) as well as increased alkali and reduced meat protein (acid) for increasing urinary citrate. The intended effects of DA were elevations in urine volume, calcium (U-Ca) and citrate (U-Cit) as well as reductions in oxalate (U-Ox) and uric acid (U-UA). We retrospectively calculated an adherence score (AS), awarding + 1 point for parameters altered in the intended direction and − 1 point for opposite changes. Calcium oxalate supersaturation (CaOx-SS) was calculated using Tiselius’ AP(CaOx) index EQ. DA induced changes (all p < 0.0001) in urine volume (2057 ± 79 vs. 2573 ± 71 ml/day) and U-Ca (5.49 ± 0.24 vs. 7.98 ± 0.38 mmol/day) as well as in U-Ox (0.34 ± 0.01 vs. 0.26 ± 0.01 mmol/day) and U-UA (3.48 ± 0.12 vs. 3.13 ± 0.10 mmol/day). U-Cit only tendentially increased (3.07 ± 0.17 vs. 3.36 ± 0.23 mmol/day, p = 0.06). DA induced a 21.5% drop in AP(CaOx) index, from 0.93 ± 0.05 to 0.73 ± 0.05 (p = 0.0005). Decreases in CaOx-SS correlated with AS (R = 0.448, p < 0.0005), and highest AS (+ 5) always indicated lowering of CaOx-SS. Thus, simple DA can reduce CaOx-SS which may be monitored by AS.
Effects of low-dose milk protein supplementation following low-to-moderate intensity exercise training on muscle mass in healthy older adults: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Nakayama Kyosuke , Saito Yuri , Sanbongi Chiaki , Murata Koichiro , Urashima Tadasu
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine whether long-term ingestion of low-dose milk protein supplementation causes a greater increase in muscle mass and strength of older adults during low-to-moderate intensity exercise training intervention than isocaloric carbohydrate.

Methods

In a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled design, 122 healthy older adults (60–84 year) received either an acidified milk protein drink containing 10 g of milk protein (MILK; n = 61) or an isocaloric placebo drink (PLA; n = 61) daily throughout 6 months of body weight and medicine ball exercise training. Measurements before and after the intervention included body composition, physical performance and blood biochemistry.

Results

Lean body mass significantly increased in the MILK group (+ 0.54 kg, p < 0.001), but did not change in the PLA group (− 0.10 kg, p = 0.534). The increases in the MILK group were significantly greater than in the PLA group (p = 0.004). Fat mass (− 0.77 kg) and plasma uric acid levels (− 0.3 mg/dL) significantly decreased only in the MILK group (p < 0.001), with a significant group difference (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). Most of the physical performance tests significantly improved in both groups, but no group differences were found.

Conclusion

We conclude that low-dose milk protein supplementation (10 g of protein/day) combined with low-to-moderate intensity exercise training is associated with increased muscle mass, but not improved physical performance compared to carbohydrate combined with exercise in healthy older adults. This study was registered in the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000032189).
Assessing the spreading potential of an undetected case of COVID-19 in orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Schneider K. N. , Correa-Martínez C. L. , Gosheger G. , Rickert C. , Schorn D. , Mellmann A. , Schwierzeck V. , Kampmeier S.
Published: June 2020

Background

With the novel coronavirus-induced disease (COVID-19), there is the fear of nosocomial infections and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmissions to healthcare workers (HCW). We report the case of a 64-year-old male patient who underwent explantation of a shoulder prosthesis due to a periprosthetic infection. He was tested SARS-CoV-2 positive 7 days after admission to the orthopaedic department following strict infection control measures, routinely including screening all patients for multi-drug-resistant organism (MDRO) colonization upon admission. Aim of our study is to report on the spreading potential of SARS-CoV-2 in a healthcare setting if standard contact precautions and infection control measures have been established.

Methods

All HCW with exposure to the patient from day of admission until confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were identified and underwent oropharyngeal swab testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 by real-time RT-PCR.

Results

Sixty-six HCW were identified: nine orthopaedic surgeons, four anaesthesiologists, 25 orthopaedic nurses, five nurse anesthetists, eight scrub nurses, five nursing students, two medical assistants and seven service employees. Fourteen HCW (21%) showed clinical symptoms compatible with a SARS-CoV-2 infection: cough (n = 4), sore throat (n = 3), nasal congestion (n = 3), dyspnea (n = 2), fever (n = 1), headache and myalgia (n = 1). SARS-CoV-2 was not detected in any of the 66 HCW.

Conclusion

Hygienic measures and contact precautions, aimed at preventing the spread of MRDO, may have helped to prevent a SARS-CoV-2 transmission to HCW—despite high-risk exposure during intubation, surgical treatment and general care.

Level of evidence

IV, case series.
Enhanced production of β-alanine through co-expressing two different subtypes of l-aspartate-α-decarboxylase
Authors: Wang Lei , Piao Xiaoyu , Cui Shumei , Hu Meirong , Tao Yong
Published: June 2020

β-Alanine (β-Ala) is an important intermediate with numerous applications in food and feed additives, pharmaceuticals, polymeric materials, and electroplating industries. Its biological production routes that employ l-aspartate-α-decarboxylase (ADC) as the key enzyme are attractive. In this study, we developed an efficient and environmentally safe method for β-Ala production by co-expressing two different subtypes of ADC. A bacterial ADC from Bacillus subtilis (BSADC) and an insect ADC from Tribolium castaneum (TCADC) use pyruvoyl and pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP) as cofactor, respectively. 3050 mM (271.5 g/L) β-Ala was achieved from l-aspartic acid by using the whole-cell biocatalyst co-expressing BSADC and TCADC, corresponding to a conversion rate of 92.4%. Meanwhile, one-pot synthesis of β-Ala from fumaric acid through using a tri-enzyme cascade route with two different subtypes of ADC and l-aspartase (AspA) from Escherichia coli was established. 2250 mM (200.3 g/L) β-Ala was obtained from fumaric acid with a conversion rate of 90.0%. This work proposes a novel strategy that improves β-Ala production in the decarboxylation pathway of l-aspartic acid.