bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth of N‐Polar Aluminum Nitride on Vicinal Sapphire Substrates and Aluminum Nitride Bulk Substrates
Authors: Isono Tatsuya , Ito Tadatoshi , Sakamoto Ryota , Yao Yongzhao , Ishikawa Yukari , Okada Narihito , Tadatomo Kazuyuki
Published: February 2020

Herein, nitrogen‐polar (N‐polar, (000‐1)) aluminum nitride (AlN) is grown on sapphire substrates with various misorientation angles through metal‐organic vapor phase epitaxy. Moreover, the effect of the sapphire substrates’ misorientation angle on the surface flatness and the crystal quality of N‐polar AlN is studied. The results demonstrate that the surface flatness of the AlN layer improves as the misorientation angle of the sapphire substrates increases. Further, the root mean square of the AlN layer significantly improves to a maximum of 1 nm, in the range of the misorientation angles between 2° and 4°, as compared with the misorientation angle of 0.2° of a conventional substrate. No deterioration in crystallinity is confirmed when an AlN layer is grown on an N‐polar AlN substrate under the same growth conditions as those for the sapphire substrates.
Distant Spin Correlations in Quantum Spin Liquid on the Honeycomb Lattice
Authors: Geng Hao , Fan Zhuo , Jie Quan-lin
Published: February 2020

Embedding spins in a line shape (line embedding) with cluster density matrix embedding theory (CDMET) is used to study distant spin correlations and entanglement entropy in the quantum spin liquid (QSL) of the spin‐1/2 J1–J2–J3 Heisenberg model on the honeycomb lattice. It is found that, in the QSL, the reduced density matrix of two distantly separated spins is close to the direct product of the two reduced density matrices, which respectively belong to these two spins. This means that the spin correlations between these two distantly separated spins are vanishing. The QSL has short‐range Néel‐like order but loses long‐range orders. The spin expectation values in the QSL are very small. Distant spin correlations, which are sensitive to phase transitions, indicate that the QSL is isotropic. The QSL has a highly entangled ground state.
A case‐study of a tropical low over northern Australia
Authors: Zhu Hongyan , Smith Roger K.
Published: February 2020

We examine in some detail a low that intensified over land near the northern coast of Western Australia in January 2015. The study is based on European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) analyses as well as two cloud‐permitting, six‐day, limited‐area forecasts using the UK Met Office Unified Model (UM) with 4 km horizontalgrid spacing. In one of the UM forecasts, the latent heat fluxes were suppressed over the land so as to assess the importance of soil moisture on the intensification of the low. We show that the UM forecasts perform well using the ECMWF analyses as “truth", suggesting that the forecasts can be used to learn about the details of storm behaviour. Analyses of the forecasts support the results of previous studies showing that the intensification of the low over land can be interpreted in terms of the rotating‐convection paradigm for intensification articulated in recent studies. The forecasts indicate also that high soil moisture or special soil types are not essential to vortex intensification over land, at least in a monsoonal environment.
The solvent effect on a styryl‐bodipy derivative functioning as an AND molecular logic gate
Authors: Tzeli Demeter , Petsalakis Ioannis D. , Theodorakopoulos Giannoula
Published: February 2020

We study via DFT and TDDFT calculations the photophysical processes of a styryl‐bodipy derivative, (1), of its monometallic complexes 1‐M
2+ (M = Ca, Zn, and Hg), and its trimetallic complex (2) unprotonated, protonated and complexed with water molecules in water solvent and in acidic conditions. The main targets of this study are to gain information regarding published reports on fluorophore species mentioning that fluorescent switching results from trace water, to study how 1 behaves in water solvent which is a common used solvent for molecular logic gates (MLG), and how it behaves in acidic conditions. We conclude that in water solvent, as in acetonitrile solvent (which was found before both theoretically and experimentally) there will be a quenching of emission spectra in 1 and 1‐M
2+ and a retaining of emission in 2. However, contrary to acetonitrile solvent, in water, a weak peak will be observed for 1 and 1‐M
2+, due to a small ratio of reversible protonation, showing that in acetonitrile 1 acts as a better MLG candidate than in water solvent. On the other hand, in acidic conditions all five species will emit and as a result, 1 will not be an AND MLG, showing that the selection of the solvent conditions is crucial for a species to act as an MLG candidate. Finally, we conclude that the retaining of emission is accomplished by the simultaneous tetrahedral geometry of all three aniline N atoms.
Formation‐containment control of networked collision‐free Lagrangian systems
Authors: Li Dongyu , Sam Ge Shuzhi , Ma Guangfu , He Wei , Mei Jie , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2020

The distributed formation‐containment (DFC) problem under a directed graph is addressed for networked Euler‐Lagrange systems. First, using a leader‐follower framework, the DFC problem is properly defined. For the leaders and the followers, respectively, a DFC control law is next proposed without using velocity information. Based on the artificial potential function, all the agents can achieve the control objective satisfactorily while avoiding collisions with others as well as the obstacles in the environment. By the Lyapunov stability theory, the boundedness of the error signals is guaranteed. Simulations are finally given to show the feasibility of this approach.
A Method Suitable for Predicting the Crystal Densities of Cyclic Organic Fluorides
Authors: Wang Guixiang , Zhang Wenjing , Liu Yan , Gao Pin , Gong Xuedong
Published: February 2020

Crystal density is a basic and important parameter for predicting the detonation performance of explosives. In this study, the densities of 35 cyclic organic fluorides, a kind of compounds with wide applications, are investigated using three density functionals (B3LYP, B3PW91, M06‐2X) and six basis sets (such as 6–31G*, 6–31+G* and 6–31G**) via two approaches (A and B). Compared with the experimental results, the calculated densities by various methods are all overestimated. However, the densities obtained by M06‐2X/6‐31G* via the approach A show a good linear correlation with the experimental values, therefore, they can be systematically corrected using the correlation equation to reproduce the experimental crystal densities satisfactorily. In addition, the effects of various groups (−NO2, −CH2−, −CF(NO2)2, −CNF2(NO2)2, −CF3, −SF5, and −NF2) on the densities of organic fluorides, which is helpful for the design of new fluorine‐containing molecules in terms of requirement, have also been discussed.
Online Estimation Method for Permanent Magnet Temperature of High‐Density Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Authors: Shi Wei , Zhou Xuan
Published: February 2020

Since it can be difficult to directly estimate the temperature of permanent magnets (PM) in high‐density permanent magnet motor rotors, this paper proposes a method based on lumped parameter thermal networks (LPTN) for online estimation of PM temperature. Firstly, a parameter model is established that contains a four‐node thermal network model and a loss model. For the online estimation, an extended Kalman filter algorithm with fading factor is used to dynamically update the thermal network parameter model in order to estimate the PM temperature. The simulation and experimental results show that the parameter model can quickly converge to a value that is close to the true value. Therefore, this online estimation method for PM temperature can accurately monitor the PM temperature online without increasing the required motor hardware; thus not affecting the motor operation. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Change office culture through positive interactions
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: February 2020

DALLAS — Staff members in the Registrar's Office often interact with students when they're already upset. The staff members’ reaction is often negative. “We have to practice doing that differently,” said Erin Seheult, Director of University Records at Loma Linda University. She and several of her staff members spoke at a session at the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers Strategic Enrollment Management Conference about how to change the culture of the Registrar's Office by building relationships and encouraging positive interactions.
Cybersecurity in Health Care
Authors: Weber Karsten , Kleine Nadine
Published: February 2020

Ethical questions have always been crucial in health care; the rapid dissemination of ICT makes some of those questions even more pressing and also raises new ones. One of these new questions is cybersecurity in relation to ethics in health care. In order to more closely examine this issue, this chapter introduces Beauchamp and Childress’ four principles of biomedical ethics as well as additional ethical values and technical aims of relevance for health care. Based on this, two case studies—implantable medical devices and electronic Health Card—are presented, which illustrate potential conflicts between ethical values and technical aims as well as between ethical values themselves. It becomes apparent that these conflicts cannot be eliminated in general but must be reconsidered on a case-by-case basis. An ethical debate on cybersecurity regarding the design and implementation of new (digital) technologies in health care is essential.
Ethical and Unethical Hacking
Authors: Jaquet-Chiffelle David-Olivier , Loi Michele
Published: February 2020

The goal of this chapter is to provide a conceptual analysis of ethical hacking, comprising history, common usage and the attempt to provide a systematic classification that is both compatible with common usage and normatively adequate. Subsequently, the article identifies a tension between common usage and a normatively adequate nomenclature. ‘Ethical hackers’ are often identified with hackers that abide to a code of ethics privileging business-friendly values. However, there is no guarantee that respecting such values is always compatible with the all-things-considered morally best act. It is recognised, however, that in terms of assessment, it may be quite difficult to determine who is an ethical hacker in the ‘all things considered’ sense, while society may agree more easily on the determination of who is one in the ‘business-friendly’ limited sense. The article concludes by suggesting a pragmatic best-practice approach for characterising ethical hacking, which reaches beyond business-friendly values and helps in the taking of decisions that are respectful of the hackers’ individual ethics in morally debatable, grey zones.
A fragmentation-based study of heavy quark production
Authors: Ridolfi Giovanni , Ubiali Maria , Zaro Marco
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Processes involving heavy quarks are a crucial component of the LHC physics program, both by themselves and as backgrounds for Higgs physics and new physics searches. In this work, we critically reconsider the validity of the widely-adopted approximation in which heavy quarks are generated at the matrix-element level, with special emphasis on the impact of the collinear logarithms associated with final-state heavy quark and gluon splittings. Our study, based on a perturbative fragmentation-function approach, explicitly shows that neglecting the resummation of collinear logarithms may yield inaccurate predictions, in particular when observables exclusive in the heavy quark degrees of freedom are considered. Our findings motivate the use of schemes which encompass the resummation of final-state collinear logarithms.
Fine mapping and gene cloning in the post-NGS era: advances and prospects
Authors: Jaganathan Deepa , Bohra Abhishek , Thudi Mahendar , Varshney Rajeev K.
Published: February 2020

Improvement in traits of agronomic importance is the top breeding priority of crop improvement programs. Majority of these agronomic traits show complex quantitative inheritance. Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) followed by fine mapping QTLs and cloning of candidate genes/QTLs is central to trait analysis. Advances in genomic technologies revolutionized our understanding of genetics of complex traits, and genomic regions associated with traits were employed in marker-assisted breeding or cloning of QTLs/genes. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have enabled genome-wide methodologies for the development of ultra-high-density genetic linkage maps in different crops, thus allowing placement of candidate loci within few kbs in genomes. In this review, we compare the marker systems used for fine mapping and QTL cloning in the pre- and post-NGS era. We then discuss how different NGS platforms in combination with advanced experimental designs have improved trait analysis and fine mapping. We opine that efficient genotyping/sequencing assays may circumvent the need for cumbersome procedures that were earlier used for fine mapping. A deeper understanding of the trait architectures of agricultural significance will be crucial to accelerate crop improvement.
Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics in patients with histopathologically proven fibrous dysplasia—a systematic review
Authors: Kinnunen Anna-Reetta , Sironen Reijo , Sipola Petri
Published: February 2020

Objective

To examine the demographics, lesion location, and characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with histopathologically proven fibrous dysplasia (FD).

Materials and methods

A systematic literature search of the MRI findings in patients with histologically proven FD was performed. Altogether, 76 articles with 136 patients were evaluated.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 35.0 + − 18.5 years (range 1 month–75 years). Fifty-eight of the cases were females, 51 males, and in 27 gender was not defined. The most common locations were craniofacial (n = 55 (40%)), long bones (n = 31 (23%)), and spine (n = 24 (18%)). The monostotic form of FD was the most common. Signal intensities (SI) on T1-weighted images were predominantly hypointense (n = 46 (37%)). The SI was highly variable on T2-weighted images with hyperintensity being most common (n = 22 (18%)). Contrast enhancement was found in 75 (55%) FD patients. Secondary aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) and malignant transformation in patients without prior radiotherapy was found in some patients.

Conclusion

Current knowledge of the MRI findings in patients with FD is based mainly on case reports. SI in patients with FD is variable and contrast enhancement is common. FD may explain etiology of spinal bone tumor in some patients. FD with malignant transformation should be considered also in patients without prior radiotherapy. Further studies are needed to clarify if FD displays specific characteristics allowing it to be distinguished from other bone tumors.
Optimal allocation of defibrillator drones in mountainous regions
Authors: Wankmüller Christian , Truden Christian , Korzen Christopher , Hungerländer Philipp , Kolesnik Ewald , Reiner Gerald
Published: February 2020

Responding to emergencies in Alpine terrain is quite challenging as air ambulances and mountain rescue services are often confronted with logistics challenges and adverse weather conditions that extend the response times required to provide life-saving support. Among other medical emergencies, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the most time-sensitive event that requires the quick provision of medical treatment including cardiopulmonary resuscitation and electric shocks by automated external defibrillators (AED). An emerging technology called unmanned aerial vehicles (or drones) is regarded to support mountain rescuers in overcoming the time criticality of these emergencies by reducing the time span between SCA and early defibrillation. A drone that is equipped with a portable AED can fly from a base station to the patient’s site where a bystander receives it and starts treatment. This paper considers such a response system and proposes an integer linear program to determine the optimal allocation of drone base stations in a given geographical region. In detail, the developed model follows the objectives to minimize the number of used drones and to minimize the average travel times of defibrillator drones responding to SCA patients. In an example of application, under consideration of historical helicopter response times, the authors test the developed model and demonstrate the capability of drones to speed up the delivery of AEDs to SCA patients. Results indicate that time spans between SCA and early defibrillation can be reduced by the optimal allocation of drone base stations in a given geographical region, thus increasing the survival rate of SCA patients.
Versorgungsrealität der stationären vasoaktiven Therapie mit Prostazyklinderivaten bei Patienten mit akralen Durchblutungsstörungen bei systemischer Sklerose in Deutschland
Authors: Juche A. , Siegert E. , Mueller-Ladner U. , Riemekasten G. , Günther C. , Kötter I. , Henes J. , Blank N. , Voll R. E. , Ehrchen J. , Schmalzing M. , Susok L. , Schmeiser T. , Sunderkoetter C. , Distler J. , Worm M. , Kreuter A. , Horváth O. N. , Schön M. P. , Korsten P. , Zeidler G. , Pfeiffer C. , Krieg T. , Hunzelmann N. , Moinzadeh P.
Published: February 2020

Hintergrund

Das Raynaud-Phänomen und die damit häufig einhergehenden digitalen Ulzerationen stellen für Patienten mit systemischer Sklerose (Sklerodermie [SSc]) ein frühes und sehr belastendes Symptom mit bedeutenden Einschränkungen der Arbeitsfähigkeit und Lebensqualität dar. Der Einsatz vasoaktiver Medikamente (insbesondere intravenöser Prostazyklinderivate) soll helfen, das Risiko hypoxischer Gewebeschäden bis hin zum Verlust der Finger zu reduzieren.

Methoden

Um Aufschluss über die aktuelle Versorgung von Patienten mit Prostazyklinderivaten im klinischen Alltag in Deutschland zu erhalten, führten wir eine Umfrage unter den im Deutschen Netzwerk für systemische Sklerodermie (DNSS) zusammengeschlossenen Kliniken durch. Zusätzlich erfolgte eine separate Patientenbefragung über die Sklerodermie Selbsthilfe e. V., die sich nur auf die Symptome „Raynaud-Phänomen“ und „Digitale Ulzera“ und den Einsatz intravenöser Prostazyklinderivate bezog.

Ergebnisse

Von den befragten 433 Patienten gaben 56 % an, dass sie bereits aufgrund ihrer Erkrankung und Symptome mit Prostazyklinderivaten behandelt wurden. Insgesamt 61 % erhielten die Therapie aufgrund starker Raynaud-Symptomatik und 39 % aufgrund digitaler Ulzerationen. Die meisten Befragten erfuhren durch die Therapie nicht nur eine Verbesserung des Raynaud-Phänomens und der digitalen Ulzera, sondern auch eine wesentliche Verbesserung von Einschränkungen im Alltag. Sie gaben zudem an, wesentlich weniger fremde Hilfe in Anspruch genommen sowie wesentlich weniger Fehlzeiten bei der Arbeit gehabt zu haben.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Patienten empfanden durchweg einen positiven Effekt der Therapie mit Prostazyklinderivaten auf das Raynaud-Phänomen, ihre digitalen Ulzerationen, Schmerzen und Alltagseinschränkung und fühlten sich durch die stationäre Therapie gut und sicher betreut. Diese positiven Effekte in der Patientenwahrnehmung sind eine eindrückliche Stütze und bestätigen nachdrücklich die auf europäischer und internationaler Ebene erarbeiteten Therapieempfehlungen.
Modellprojekt zur interdisziplinären universitären Lehre – Studierende der Medizin und der Psychologie lernen erstmals gemeinsam
Authors: Hasseli R. , Pfeiffer S. , Kappesser J. , Hermann C. , Richter-Bastian K. , Sattler T. , Tschernatsch M. , Hoffmann U. , Müller-Ladner U. , Lange U.
Published: February 2020

Eine interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit ist in der medizinischen Versorgung chronisch erkrankter Patienten mit komplexen Erkrankungen erforderlich. Vor allem im Bereich der internistischen Rheumatologie ist eine interdisziplinäre Arbeit unerlässlich, um die komplexen somatischen und psychosozialen Aspekte einer chronischen Erkrankung zu berücksichtigen. Dennoch werden die Aspekte der interprofessionellen Arbeit im Studium der Medizin und Psychologie unzureichend thematisiert. Aus diesem Grund wurde ein Modellprojekt zur interdisziplinären universitären Lehre konzipiert, welches beide Fächer miteinander vereint. Die Veranstaltung wurde im Wintersemester 2019/20 erstmalig durchgeführt und stieß bei den Teilnehmer*innen auf positive Resonanz. Das Hauptziel der Veranstaltung ist die Implementierung interprofessioneller Arbeit in die Ausbildung des medizinischen Personals. Zusätzlich konnte das Fach der internistischen Rheumatologie den Studierenden nähergebracht werden.
Erarbeitung der Grundlagen für eine Prüfapparatur zur Bestimmung der Flammengeschwindigkeit in Staub/Luft-Gemischen
Authors: Hüttenbrenner Katja , Kern Hannes , Raupenstrauch Harald
Published: February 2020

Damit die produzierende Industrie der Gefahr von Bränden und Explosionen entgegenwirken kann, ist neben vorbeugenden Maßnahmen zur Explosionsverhinderung die Auslegung von Sicherheitseinrichtungen essentiell. Ein Ansatz hierfür sind strömungsmechanische Berechnungsverfahren, mit deren Hilfe der Produktionsprozess berechnet werden kann und so genau auf diese spezifisch abgestimmten Sicherheitsmaßnahmen gesetzt werden können. Am Lehrstuhl für Thermoprozesstechnik an der Montanuniversität Leoben werden schon seit einiger Zeit im Bereich Modellbildung und Simulation Berechnungsmodelle entwickelt, um Staub- und Gasexplosionen auf Grundlage der sicherheitstechnischen Kenngrößen simulieren zu können. Diese Modelle müssen nach der Entwicklung mit Realwerten verglichen werden. Ziel der durchgeführten Arbeit war die Untersuchung der Flammenausbreitung in einem brennbaren Staub/Luft-Gemisch mit und ohne Inertstoffzumischung und die Betrachtung der durchgeführten Laborversuche mit berechneten Simulationsergebnissen dieser.
Life-swap: how discussions around personal data can motivate desire for change
Authors: Fleck Rowanne , Cecchinato Marta E. , Cox Anna L. , Harrison Daniel , Marshall Paul , Na Jea Hoo , Skatova Anya
Published: February 2020

Personal informatics technologies support the collection of and reflection on personal data, but enabling people to learn from and act on this data is still an on-going challenge. Sharing and discussing data is one way people can learn from it, but as yet, little research explores how peer discourses around data can shape understandings and promote action. We ran 3 workshops with 5-week follow-ups, giving 18 people the opportunity to swap their data and discuss it with another person. We found that these workshops helped them to recontextualise and to better understand their data, identify new strategies for changing their behaviour and motivated people to commit to changes in the future. These findings have implications for how personal informatics tools could help people identify opportunities for change and feel motivated to try out new strategies.
Teachers’ Coordination of Dialogic and Authoritative Discourses Promoting Specific Goals in Socioscientific Issue-Based Teaching
Authors: Bossér Ulrika , Lindahl Mats
Published: February 2020

The integration of socioscientific issues (SSI) into science teaching requires that teachers manage classroom discussions in which various perspectives are considered and students’ contributions are recognized. The present study aimed to provide knowledge of how classroom discussions on SSI can be structured and implemented to pursue specific teaching purposes. In this study, two secondary science teachers’ employment of communicative approaches during four discussions on SSI was analysed. In the studied context, communicative approaches can be described as involving various or only a single perspective on SSI and as being either interactive or non-interactive. The results elucidate how teachers can make purposeful use of different communicative approaches to facilitate students’ decision-making while promoting complexity in their reasoning. The results also show how teachers can promote cumulativity, in terms of their recognition of students’ contributions to discussions. It is proposed that teachers can use the concept of communicative approaches as an analytical tool to reflect on and develop aspects of teaching practice in relation to the goals that they wish to achieve.
Entomopathogenic fungi: unconventional applications
Authors: Litwin Anna , Nowak Monika , Różalska Sylwia
Published: February 2020

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are microorganisms that cause fatal diseases of arthropods. The infection process involves several stages that consist of direct contact of the fungus with the surface of the cuticle of the attacked insect. The factors that determine the effectiveness of the infection process include lytic enzymes, secondary metabolites, and adhesins produced by EPF. Because of their high insecticidal effectiveness, these fungi are commonly used as biopesticides in organic farming. As the environment and farmlands are contaminated with many compounds of anthropogenic origin (e.g., pesticides), the effects of these toxic compounds on EPF and the mechanisms that affect their survival in such a toxic environment have been studied in recent years. This review presents information on the capacity of EPF to remove toxic contaminants, including alkylphenols, organotin compounds, synthetic estrogens, pesticides and hydrocarbons. Moreover, these fungi produce numerous secondary metabolites that can be potentially used in medicine or as antimicrobial agents. Despite their huge potential in biocontrol processes, the use of EPF has been underestimated due to a lack of knowledge on their abilities. In our work, we have presented the available data on the possibilities of the additional and unconventional use of these microorganisms.
Single Anastomosis Duodenal Switch: 1-Year Outcomes
Authors: Cottam Daniel , Roslin Mitchell , Enochs Paul , Metz Matthew , Portenier Dana , Smith Dennis
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Single-anastomosis duodenal switch has been suggested to be an effective bariatric procedure that offers excellent weight loss and by lengthening the common channel the potential to reduce micronutrient deficiencies.

Purpose

To evaluate the weight loss, comorbidity resolution and the 1-year nutritional outcomes of the single-anastomosis duodenal switch (SADS) procedure.

Setting

Multiple US Hospitals.

Methods

From October 2014 to January 2017, 120 patients were enrolled at six sites across the USA and underwent the SADS procedure. Weight loss, comorbidities, quality of life, and adverse events were followed post-procedure for 12 months.

Results

At 1, 6, and 12 months, 98.3%, 85.5%, and 77.1% of the patients were available for assessment, respectively. At 12 months, patients showed significantly reduced body mass index when compared to baseline (46.8 ± 5.8 vs 29.8 ± 4.4, P < 0.001 respectively). Sixty-five patients had type 2 diabetes at baseline; however, 11 patients lost to follow-up. Of the available data (54 patients), 96.3% of the patients had a resolution of type 2 diabetes by 12 months with a mean A1C reduction from 7.8 ± 1.6 to 5.3 ± 0.7. Additionally, there were reductions in hyperlipidemia, sleep apnea, and hypertension at 12 months. Patient gastroesophageal reflux disease satisfaction and quality of life (SF-36) scores were significantly higher at 12 months post-procedure (P < 0.001 in all cases) while 12-month protein levels remained at normal values. There were abnormalities of parathyroid hormone and vitamin D at 1 year with all other nutritional markers being not significantly different at 1 year from baseline. There were 10, IIIb, or greater complications according to the Clavien-Dindo scoring system during the study period, not all of which were related to the surgery.

Conclusions

SADS is a highly efficacious weight loss procedure with significant comorbidity reduction at 1 year. At 1 year, complications and vitamin and mineral deficits appear to be consistent with other malabsorption operations. Long-term follow-up is needed, especially around complications and vitamin deficiencies.
Junge Intensivtäter als besondere Herausforderung für Jugendstrafvollzug und Sozialtherapie
Authors: Hausam Joscha , Seewald Katharina , Mannert Anna Louise , Dahle Klaus-Peter
Published: February 2020

Von den Strafverfolgungsbehörden werden Jugendliche und Heranwachsende als Intensivtäter (IT) registriert, die in der Vergangenheit nicht nur wiederholt, sondern auch mit schweren Gewaltdelikten strafrechtlich in Erscheinung getreten sind und bei denen die Gefahr einer sich verfestigenden kriminellen Karriere besteht. Der vorliegende Beitrag befasst sich mit der Erreichbarkeit junger IT durch die kriminalpräventiven Maßnahmen des Jugendstrafvollzuges. In einer Vollerhebung der sozialtherapeutischen Abteilung (n = 191) und einer parallelisierten Vergleichsstichprobe (n = 43) des Berliner Jugendstrafvollzuges wurde jeweils etwa die Hälfte der Strafgefangenen als IT identifiziert. Die jungen IT wiesen vielfältige soziale und kriminogene Risiko- und Belastungsfaktoren auf und zeigten mehr Verhaltensauffälligkeiten im Vollzug. Zudem ergaben sich Hinweise für eine ausgeprägtere Zugehörigkeit der IT zur organisierten Kriminalität. Die Untersuchung des zukünftigen Legalverhaltens ergab, dass IT im Vergleich zu Nicht-IT häufiger (60 % vs. 31 %) und schneller nach ihrer Entlassung (1,2 Jahre vs. 1,8 Jahre) mit einem gewalttätigen Delikt polizeilich in Erscheinung treten. Ein Einfluss der SothA-Behandlung auf das Legalverhalten der IT konnte für nichtgewalttätige Delikte nachgewiesen werden. Weiterführende Analysen weisen auf einen Zusammenhang zwischen einer Zugehörigkeit zur organisierten Kriminalität und gewalttätigen sowie nichtgewalttätigen Delikten nach Entlassung hin. Die vorliegende Studie zeigt verschiedene Herausforderungen im Umgang mit jungen IT auf und gibt dabei wichtige Anhaltspunkte für die Ausgestaltung entsprechender Maßnahmen des Jugendstrafvollzugs entlang der besonderen kriminogenen Bedürfnisse dieser Subgruppe.
Removal of methylene blue dye from aqueous solution by nonliving lichen (Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf.), as a novel biosorbent
Authors: Koyuncu Hülya , Kul Ali Rıza
Published: February 2020

The use of lichens is insufficient in industry. To the best of our knowledge, there is no study on the use of lichens in the removal of dyes from aqueous media. The aim of this study is to draw attention to the biosorption capabilities of lichens which are natural, renewable and inexpensive sources, and to investigate the usability of nonliving lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf. (LPF) in methylene blue (MB) dye removal from aqueous solution. With the green chemistry approach, no chemical treatment was applied to the LPF and it was used as a natural biosorbent for the biosorption. The LPF samples were prepared and characterized and performed batch mode biosorption experiments studying the effect of various parameters on MB biosorption. The experimental data were fitted with four different kinetic models (pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Elovich model and intra-particle diffusion) which were evaluated for their validity. Identification of the biosorption mechanism of MB onto the LPF was performed by isotherm studies via three isotherm models [Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R)], and the parameters of each model were determined. It was concluded that the biosorption rate and yield were high, the type of biosorption of MB onto the LPF was defined as chemical biosorption, and the surface of the LPF was decided energetically heterogeneous. The results indicate that the LPF biomass can be attractive options for MB dye removal from aqueous media.
Comparing Wizard of Oz & Observational Studies for Conversational IR Evaluation
Authors: Elsweiler David , Frummet Alexander , Harvey Morgan
Published: February 2020

Systematic and repeatable measurement of information systems via test collections, the Cranfield model, has been the mainstay of Information Retrieval since the 1960s. However, this may not be appropriate for newer, more interactive systems, such as Conversational Search agents. Such systems rely on Machine Learning technologies, which are not yet sufficiently advanced to permit true human-like dialogues, and so research can be enabled by simulation via human agents.

In this work we compare dialogues obtained from two studies with the same context, assistance in the kitchen, but with different experimental setups, allowing us to learn about and evaluate conversational IR systems. We discover that users adapt their behaviour when they think they are interacting with a system and that human-like conversations in one of the studies were unpredictable to an extent we did not expect. Our results have implications for the development of new studies in this area and, ultimately, the design of future conversational agents.
Two-dimensional SEM image-based analysis of coal porosity and its pore structure
Authors: Zou Guangui , She Jiasheng , Peng Suping , Yin Quanchun , Liu Hongbin , Che Yuyan
Published: February 2020

A quantitative analysis of the porosity, pore size distribution, and fractal dimensions of pores is significant for studying the pore structure characteristics of coal. This study utilized 12 anthracite coal samples from the Sihe mining area to explore the pore structure characteristics of the coal therein. Hundred randomly selected points on each sliced coal sample were imaged via scanning electron microscopy, and a total of 1200 images were used for the analysis. The porosity and fractal dimensions of the coal samples were analyzed via digital image processing and box-counting dimension methods. This method is characterized by extensive graphical analysis, and the results are based on statistical methods. These were also used to analyze the structural and development characteristics of the microscopic pores in the coal. The results reveal that the surface porosity obtained via digital image processing was 16.11% lower than that measured experimentally. The fractal dimension and porosity of the pore surface were fitted to a natural logarithmic curve. The rate of change in the pore fractal dimension depends on the porosity such that, to some degree, a greater porosity is associated with more complex pore structures, a higher degree of micropore development, and improved pore connectivity.
Education for sustainable development in the senior Earth and Environmental Science syllabus in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Tomas Louisa , Mills Reece , Rigano Donna , Sandhu Maryam
Published: February 2020

In Queensland, Australia, a new senior Earth and Environmental Science (EES) syllabus has been approved for first implementation in 2019. Given the natural alignment between EES and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), this study employs document analysis to investigate the extent to which the intended curriculum reflects the tenets of ESD. An exploratory content analysis examined the frequency of keywords to identify any prominent sustainability themes that might underpin the syllabus, while a curriculum key guided a deeper analysis according to four tenets of ESD: Learning content; Pedagogy and learning environments; Societal transformation; and Learning outcomes. These analyses found that the ESD tenets reflected in the syllabus is limited chiefly to sustainability learning content, while broader notions of ESD, like the promotion of transformative learning, are marginalised or absent. Instead, the syllabus reflects a technical orientation to curriculum, underpinned by a neoliberal agenda. It is argued that the Queensland EES syllabus represents a missed opportunity to engage students with ESD. In a policy climate where achievement and accountability dominate educational discourse, there is an inherent risk that ESD will fall by the wayside, given it is not prioritised in the intended curriculum. Implications for curriculum development are also discussed.
Fuzzy uncertainty analysis and reliability assessment of aeroelastic aircraft wings
Authors: Rezaei M. , Fazelzadeh S.A. , Mazidi A. , Friswell M.I. , Khodaparast H.H.
Published: February 2020

In the present study, fuzzy uncertainty and reliability analysis of aeroelastic aircraft wings are investigated. The uncertain air speed and structural parameters are represented by fuzzy triangular membership functions. These uncertainties are propagated through the wing model using a fuzzy interval approach, and the uncertain flutter speed is obtained as a fuzzy variable. Further, the reliability of the wing flutter is based on the interference area in the pyramid shape defined by the fuzzy flutter speed and air speed. The ratio between the safe region volume and the total volume of the pyramid gives the reliability value. Two different examples are considered—a typical wing section, and a clean wing—and the results are given for various wind speed conditions. The results show that the approach considered is a low-cost but suitable method to estimate the reliability of the wing flutter speed in the presence of uncertainties.
Argument and case linking of Polish Experiencers
Authors: Bondaruk Anna
Published: February 2020

This article aims to test whether the Theta System of Reinhart (1996, 2000, 2001, 2002) can account for the puzzles associated with psychological verbs in Polish. The first puzzle, called argument linking, relates to the mapping of the Experiencer onto a subject or an object position. The second puzzle, referred to as case linking, concerns the fact that Experiencers may be marked for different cases in the same sentence position. The analysis of Object Experiencer (OE)/Subject Experiencer (SE) alternations in Polish carried out in this article demonstrates that the predictions of the Theta System about Experiencer argument linking are borne out by the Polish data. SE alternants of eventive OE verbs in Polish show unergative properties, which directly follows from the mechanisms of the Theta System. However, the Theta System faces problems when confronted with dyadic OE verbs with dative Experiencers. The model predicts that dative Experiencers are merged internally, as a part of an unaccusative structure. This prediction is untenable for Polish, because dative Experiencers of dyadic predicates show some characteristics of external arguments, and hence must merge externally. Consequently, the conclusion drawn is that the Theta System can provide solutions to some, but not all, of the argument and case-linking puzzles associated with Polish Experiencers.
The Necessity for Alternative Legal Pathways: The Best Practice of Humanitarian Corridors Opened by Private Sponsors in Italy
Authors: Ricci Carola
Published: February 2020

The scope of this Article is to understand to what extent a recent and fruitful private initiative sponsoring a safe alternative legal pathway spread from Italy, called “humanitarian corridors,” may in the future become a general and uniform alternative model for all the European Union States. Such a practice—which currently represents an exceptional route for vulnerable migrants to enter the country without harm after a security screening and to be materially supported by the same sponsors in the crucial initial phase of integration—is at present restricted to a relatively small number of beneficiaries, but it could potentially be extended to other States.

In order to achieve this goal, it is argued that the present model should be slightly adjusted—especially with regard to the actual reference to Article 25 of the Visa Code as its legal basis. The latter seems difficult to be formally maintained after the much criticized 2017 judgment X and X v. Belgium, in which the Court of Justice of the European Union conferred to Member States a wide margin of discretion when requested to grant humanitarian visas by vulnerable people exposed to serious irreversible harm. Against this background, clear obligations to grant humanitarian visas to vulnerable people at risk already exist. This obligation stems from international law—both general and conventional—and constitutes the adequate legal basis both for States and civil society to act in a “multi-stakeholder alliance” to find solutions to the challenges and opportunities deriving from international migration, as indicated in the Global Compact for Migration.
Patient to healthcare personnel transmission of MRSA in the non–intensive care unit setting
Authors: Nadimpalli Gita , O’Hara Lyndsay M. , Pineles Lisa , Lebherz Karly , Johnson J. Kristie , Calfee David P. , Miller Loren G. , Morgan Daniel J. , Harris Anthony D.
Published: February 2020

The transmission rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to gloves or gowns of healthcare personnel (HCP) caring for MRSA patients in a non–intensive care unit setting was 5.4%. Contamination rates were higher among HCP performing direct patient care and when patients had detectable MRSA on their body. These findings may inform risk-based contact precautions.
The impact of an electronic medical record nudge on reducing testing for hospital-onset Clostridioides difficile infection
Authors: Howard-Anderson Jessica R. , Sexton Mary Elizabeth , Robichaux Chad , Wiley Zanthia , Varkey Jay B. , Suchindran Sujit , Albrecht Benjamin , Ashley Jones K. , Fridkin Scott K. , Jacob Jesse T.
Published: February 2020

Objective:

To determine the effect of an electronic medical record (EMR) nudge at reducing total and inappropriate orders testing for hospital-onset Clostridioides difficile infection (HO-CDI).

Design:

An interrupted time series analysis of HO-CDI orders 2 years before and 2 years after the implementation of an EMR intervention designed to reduce inappropriate HO-CDI testing. Orders for C. difficile testing were considered inappropriate if the patient had received a laxative or stool softener in the previous 24 hours.

Setting:

Four hospitals in an academic healthcare network.

Patients:

All patients with a C. difficile order after hospital day 3.

Intervention:

Orders for C. difficile testing in patients administered a laxative or stool softener in <24 hours triggered an EMR alert defaulting to cancellation of the order (“nudge”).

Results:

Of the 17,694 HO-CDI orders, 7% were inappropriate (8% prentervention vs 6% postintervention; P < .001). Monthly HO-CDI orders decreased by 21% postintervention (level-change rate ratio [RR], 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73–0.86), and the rate continued to decrease (postintervention trend change RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98–1.00). The intervention was not associated with a level change in inappropriate HO-CDI orders (RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.61–1.05), but the postintervention inappropriate order rate decreased over time (RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.93–0.97).

Conclusion:

An EMR nudge to minimize inappropriate ordering for C. difficile was effective at reducing HO-CDI orders, and likely contributed to decreasing the inappropriate HO-CDI order rate after the intervention.
Seasonal variation in vitamin D status, bone health and athletic performance in competitive university student athletes: a longitudinal study
Authors: Wilson-Barnes Saskia L. , Hunt Julie E. A. , Williams Emma L. , Allison Sarah J. , Wild James J. , Wainwright Joe , Lanham-New Susan A. , Manders Ralph J. F.
Published: February 2020

Vitamin D deficiency has been commonly reported in elite athletes, but the vitamin D status of UK university athletes in different training environments remains unknown. The present study aimed to determine any seasonal changes in vitamin D status among indoor and outdoor athletes, and whether there was any relationship between vitamin D status and indices of physical performance and bone health. A group of forty-seven university athletes (indoor n 22, outdoor n 25) were tested during autumn and spring for serum vitamin D status, bone health and physical performance parameters. Blood samples were analysed for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (s-25(OH)D) status. Peak isometric knee extensor torque using an isokinetic dynamometer and jump height was assessed using an Optojump. Aerobic capacity was estimated using the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans measured radial bone mineral density. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate parametric/non-parametric testing depending on the normality of the data. s-25(OH)D significantly fell between autumn (52·8 (sd 22·0) nmol/l) and spring (31·0 (sd 16·5) nmol/l; P < 0·001). In spring, 34 % of participants were considered to be vitamin D deficient (<25 nmol/l) according to the revised 2016 UK guidelines. These data suggest that UK university athletes are at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Thus, further research is warranted to investigate the concomitant effects of low vitamin D status on health and performance outcomes in university athletes residing at northern latitudes.
Reimagining the American Landscape: Queer Topographics in Nina Berman'sHomeland
Authors: CLARK CHRISTOPHER W.
Published: February 2020

This article argues that Nina Berman'sHomeland(2008) is a rearticulation of the US domestic landscape following 9/11. The book excavates and shapes cultural memory through image and text by examining how parts of the country responded to the 2001 events. Considering howHomelandcaptures what I callqueer topographicsof US culture, I suggest that the spaces of the everyday are mediated by Berman's framing and use of “narrative” essays, disrupting the heteronormativity of a populist rhetoric that seeks to exclude difference.Homelandultimately offers viewers the opportunity to further redefine the US landscape through queerness.
Artificial light improves escapement of fish from a trawl net
Authors: Southworth Lucy K. , Ratcliffe Frances C. , Bloor Isobel S. M. , Emmerson Jack , Watson Dan , Beard David , Kaiser Michel J.
Published: February 2020

The elimination of unwanted catch in mixed species fisheries is technically challenging given the complexity of fish behaviour within nets. Most approaches to date have employed technologies that modify the nets themselves or use physical sorting grids within the gear. There is currently increasing interest in the use of artificial light to either deter fish from entering the net, or to enhance their escapement from within the net. Here, we evaluated the differences in catch retained in a standard otter trawl, relative to the same gear fitted with a square mesh panel, or a square mesh panel fitted with LEDs. We found that the selectivity of the gear differed depending on water depth. When using a square mesh panel in shallow depths of 29–40 m the unwanted bycatch of whiting and haddock was reduced by 86% and 58% respectively. In deep, darker water (45–95 m), no change in catch was observed in the square-mesh panel treatment, however when LEDs were added to the square-mesh panel, haddock and flatfish catches were reduced by 47% and 25% respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential to improve the performance of bycatch reduction devices through the addition of light devices to enhance selectivity. The results also highlight species-specific and site-specific differences in the performance of bycatch reduction devices, and hence a more adaptive approach to reduce bycatch is probably required to maximize performance.