bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glomus tympanicum removal using transcanal endoscopic assisted surgery: An experience with six cases
Authors: Sahoo Pradipt Ranjan , Sahu Monalisa , Khan Imran Wasfi , Samantaray Kabikanta
Published: July 2023

Objective

To evaluate an endoscopic approach in the management of glomus tumor, and also to investigate and evaluate its appropriateness and feasibility.

Methods

Glomus tumors, also known as paragangliomas, are benign primary tumors of the middle ear. The advent of endoscopic ear surgery has provided new dimensions to the management of this highly vascular tumor. Retrospective analysis of six patients of glomus tympanicum, operated between July 2014 and June 2019, with modified Fisch classification Type A and B1, who were managed by a retroauricular transcanal endoscopic approach. Preoperative and postoperative analysis was done for these patients.

Results

The chief complaint was pulsatile tinnitus, which disappeared in five cases and reduced in severity in one of them. Hearing was improved with reduction in air‐bone gap in all the cases. No major complications or recurrence were observed in any of the patients after 12 months of follow‐up.

Conclusion

This endoscopic approach serves as a safe and reliable technique for tumor removal. It thus provides postoperative comfort for most of the patients.
Lithium‐Filled Skutterudites by Intercalation at Ambient‐Temperature
Authors: Prado‐Gonjal Jesús , Vaqueiro Paz , Kowalczyk Radoslaw M. , Smith Ronald I. , Powell Anthony V.
Published: July 2023

The incorporation of lithium as a filler species in Co1‐2xFexNixSb3 skutterudites was accomplished by intercalation at 60 °C, using n‐BuLi as a reducing agent. Solid state 7Li NMR and ICP‐MS analysis confirm the presence of lithium in the product phases and provide an estimate of the lithium content. The maximum uptake of lithium increases as cobalt is progressively substituted by an equimolar mixture of iron and nickel. Difference Fourier maps, calculated during Rietveld structure refinement using powder neutron diffraction data, locate the lithium cations at the 2a (0,0,0) sites within the cavities of the skutterudite framework. The intercalation of lithium results in reductions in thermal conductivity of up to 47 %, indicative of phonon glass electron crystal (PGEC) type behaviour. Charge transfer from lithium to the framework that accompanies intercalation results in a substantial decrease in electrical resistivity in lithiated phases and a more metal‐like temperature dependence. The increased carrier concentration also decreases the Seebeck coefficient, with the consequence that modest increases in the figure of merit occur, despite the reduced thermal conductivity.
K2BaSi4: Zintl Concept in Position Space
Authors: Sichevych Olga , Akselrud Lev , Böhme Bodo , Bobnar Matej , Baitinger Michael , Wagner Frank R. , Grin Yuri
Published: July 2023

The Zintl phase K2BaSi4 has been synthesized from the mixture of precursors KSi and BaSi2. The crystal structure of K2BaSi4 was elucidated from X‐ray powder diffraction data: Pearson symbol oP28, space group Pbcm, a=9.4950(1), b=9.2392(1), c=9.9025(1) Å. The main building block of the crystal structure are tetrahedral anions Si44–. Analysis of chemical bonding for K2BaSi4 and its chemical analogs – molecular H4Si4 and solid state K4Si4 employing the electron localizability approach reveals the basic agreement with the Zintl model in terms of number of basins for Si−Si bonds and lone pairs at Si atoms, as well as the charge transfer direction. The populations of the bond and ‘lone‐pair’ basins agree with the Zintl count for molecular species and deviate strongly for the solids, in particular, while the ‘lone‐pair’ basins are over‐populated, the bond basins are essentially under‐populated. The topology of the calculated electron density and electron‐localizability indicator is very sensitive toward the interatomic distances and angles in the Si44− anion.
Identification of force loadings on the inner circumference of a finite‐length elastic cylinder
Authors: Postolaki Lesya , Tokovyy Yuriy
Published: July 2023

An inverse problem is solved for identifying unknown force loadings on the inner surface of a finite‐length hollow cylinder using the variational method of homogeneous solutions. The problem is considered within the axisymmetric formulation, and the radial and axial displacements of the outer surface of the cylinder are used as the auxiliary data for solving the inverse problem. The accessible surfaces of the cylinder (the end‐faces and the outer surface) are assumed to be free of force loading. By making use of the variational method of homogeneous solutions, the problem is reduced to an infinite system of linear algebraic equations. The solution is verified numerically and its stability with respect to small errors in the input data is analyzed.
The Golem Horn Solver
Authors: Blicha Martin , Britikov Konstantin , Sharygina Natasha
Published: July 2023

The logical framework of Constrained Horn Clauses (CHC) models verification tasks from a variety of domains, ranging from verification of safety properties in transition systems to modular verification of programs with procedures. In this work we present Golem, a flexible and efficient solver for satisfiability of CHC over linear real and integer arithmetic. Golem provides flexibility with modular architecture and multiple back-end model-checking algorithms, as well as efficiency with tight integration with the underlying SMT solver. This paper describes the architecture of Golem and its back-end engines, which include our recently introduced model-checking algorithm TPA for deep exploration. The description is complemented by extensive evaluation, demonstrating the competitive nature of the solver.
Monitoring Algorithmic Fairness
Authors: Henzinger Thomas A. , Karimi Mahyar , Kueffner Konstantin , Mallik Kaushik
Published: July 2023

Machine-learned systems are in widespread use for making decisions about humans, and it is important that they are fair, i.e., not biased against individuals based on sensitive attributes. We present runtime verification of algorithmic fairness for systems whose models are unknown, but are assumed to have a Markov chain structure. We introduce a specification language that can model many common algorithmic fairness properties, such as demographic parity, equal opportunity, and social burden. We build monitors that observe a long sequence of events as generated by a given system, and output, after each observation, a quantitative estimate of how fair or biased the system was on that run until that point in time. The estimate is proven to be correct modulo a variable error bound and a given confidence level, where the error bound gets tighter as the observed sequence gets longer. Our monitors are of two types, and use, respectively, frequentist and Bayesian statistical inference techniques. While the frequentist monitors compute estimates that are objectively correct with respect to the ground truth, the Bayesian monitors compute estimates that are correct subject to a given prior belief about the system’s model. Using a prototype implementation, we show how we can monitor if a bank is fair in giving loans to applicants from different social backgrounds, and if a college is fair in admitting students while maintaining a reasonable financial burden on the society. Although they exhibit different theoretical complexities in certain cases, in our experiments, both frequentist and Bayesian monitors took less than a millisecond to update their verdicts after each observation.
Local Search for Solving Satisfiability of Polynomial Formulas
Authors: Li Haokun , Xia Bican , Zhao Tianqi
Published: July 2023

Satisfiability Modulo the Theory of Nonlinear Real Arithmetic, SMT(NRA) for short, concerns the satisfiability of polynomial formulas, which are quantifier-free Boolean combinations of polynomial equations and inequalities with integer coefficients and real variables. In this paper, we propose a local search algorithm for a special subclass of SMT(NRA), where all constraints are strict inequalities. An important fact is that, given a polynomial formula with n variables, the zero level set of the polynomials in the formula decomposes the n-dimensional real space into finitely many components (cells) and every polynomial has constant sign in each cell. The key point of our algorithm is a new operation based on real root isolation, called cell-jump, which updates the current assignment along a given direction such that the assignment can ‘jump’ from one cell to another. One cell-jump may adjust the values of several variables while traditional local search operations, such as flip for SAT and critical move for SMT(LIA), only change that of one variable. We also design a two-level operation selection to balance the success rate and efficiency. Furthermore, our algorithm can be easily generalized to a wider subclass of SMT(NRA) where polynomial equations linear with respect to some variable are allowed. Experiments show the algorithm is competitive with state-of-the-art SMT solvers, and performs particularly well on those formulas with high-degree polynomials.
Vitamin D status modulates innate immune responses and metabolomic profiles following acute prolonged cycling
Authors: Jones Arwel W. , Mironas Adrian , Mur Luis A. J. , Beckmann Manfred , Thatcher Rhys , Davison Glen
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The influence of vitamin D status on exercise-induced immune dysfunction remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin D status (circulating 25(OH)D) on innate immune responses and metabolomic profiles to prolonged exercise.

Methods

Twenty three healthy, recreationally active males (age 25 ± 7 years; maximal oxygen uptake [$${\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_{{2}}$$

V
˙

O

2

max] 56 ± 9 mL·kg−1·min−1), classified as being deficient (n = 7) or non-deficient n = 16) according to plasma concentrations of 25(OH)D, completed 2.5 h of cycling at 15% Δ (~ 55–60% $${\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_{{2}}$$

V
˙

O

2

max). Venous blood and unstimulated saliva samples were obtained before and after exercise.

Results

Participants with deficient plasma 25(OH)D on average had lower total lymphocyte count (mean difference [95% confidence interval], 0.5 cells × 109 L [0.1, 0.9]), p = 0.013) and greater neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (1.3 cells × 109 L, [0.1, 2.5], p = 0.033). The deficient group experienced reductions from pre-exercise to 1 h post-exercise (− 43% [− 70, − 15], p = 0.003) in bacterial stimulated elastase in blood neutrophils compared to non-deficient participants (1% [− 20, 21], p = 1.000) Multivariate analyses of plasma metabolomic profiles showed a clear separation of participants according to vitamin D status. Prominent sources of variation between groups were purine/pyrimidine catabolites, inflammatory markers (linoleic acid pathway), lactate and tyrosine/adrenaline.

Conclusion

These findings provide evidence of the influence of vitamin D status on exercise-induced changes in parameters of innate immune defence and metabolomic signatures such as markers of inflammation and metabolic stress.
„Rohstoffpark Enns“
Authors: Bernegger Kurt , Mlinar Christian , Lugmayr Helmut , Mayer Gerhard
Published: July 2023

Der „Rohstoffpark Enns“ ist ein Industriestandort der Fa. Bernegger aus Molln. Im Endzustand umfasst dieser neben allgemeiner Infrastruktur (Bahnanschluss, zentrale Abwasserbehandlung etc.) auf 20 ha sieben Abfallbehandlungsanlagen. Der Zweck dieser Anlagen besteht in der Maximierung rückgewinnbarer Wertstoffe (Metalle, Kunststoffe, mineralische Rohstoffe) als Ersatz für Primärmaterial, der Erzeugung von grüner Energie (Wärme für 7000 und Strom für 15.000 Haushalte) und der Minimierung von zu deponierenden Rückständen.

Folgende zentrale Anlagen des Rohstoffpark Enns sind aktuell in Umsetzung:

● eine Kunststoffsortieranlage (Kooperation ARA, Grüner Punkt und Bernegger) in welcher 100.000 t/a Leichtverpackungen („Gelber-Sack-Materialien“) mittels 38 Nahinfrarot-Sortiergeräten zur wertstofflichen Verwertung aufbereitet werden.

● eine seit 2006 bestehende Shredder-Rückstands-Aufbereitungsanlage (SRA) zur Gewinnung von Kunststoffen und Metallen aus Rückständen v. a. aus der Schrottaufbereitung. Dies erfolgt mittels Zerkleinerung, Klassierung und einer Vielzahl von unterschiedlichen Sortierungsschritten.

● eine 2024 in Betrieb gehende Thermische Metallgewinnung zur Rückgewinnung von Metallen v. a. aus den feinkörnigen, gering metallhaltigen und sehr stark verwachsenen Rückständen der SRA. Bei diesem Herstellungsprozess kommt ein von der Fa. Bernegger – gemeinsam mit der Fa. Küttner und mit Unterstützung von der Montanuniversität Leoben und der RWTH Aachen – über mehrere Jahre entwickeltes pyrometallurgisches Verfahren zum Einsatz. Damit wird neben Schwarzkupfer auch ein mineralisches Bindemittel und zinkhältiger Staub erzeugt sowie gleichzeitig durch den autothermen Prozess, Strom und Dampf produziert.
Effective network intrusion detection using stacking-based ensemble approach
Authors: Ali Muhammad , Haque Mansoor-ul- , Durad Muhammad Hanif , Usman Anila , Mohsin Syed Muhammad , Mujlid Hana , Maple Carsten
Published: July 2023

The increasing demand for communication between networked devices connected either through an intranet or the internet increases the need for a reliable and accurate network defense mechanism. Network intrusion detection systems (NIDSs), which are used to detect malicious or anomalous network traffic, are an integral part of network defense. This research aims to address some of the issues faced by anomaly-based network intrusion detection systems. In this research, we first identify some limitations of the legacy NIDS datasets, including a recent CICIDS2017 dataset, which lead us to develop our novel dataset, CIPMAIDS2023-1. Then, we propose a stacking-based ensemble approach that outperforms the overall state of the art for NIDS. Various attack scenarios were implemented along with benign user traffic on the network topology created using graphical network simulator-3 (GNS-3). Key flow features are extracted usingcicflowmeterfor each attack and are evaluated to analyze their behavior. Several different machine learning approaches are applied to the features extracted from the traffic data, and their performance is compared. The results show that the stacking-based ensemble approach is the most promising and achieves the highest weighted F1-score of 98.24%.
Relegation-free closed-form perturbation theory and the domain of secular motions in the restricted three-body problem
Authors: Rossi Mattia , Efthymiopoulos Christos
Published: July 2023

We propose a closed-form (i.e., without expansion in the orbital eccentricities) scheme for computations in perturbation theory in the restricted three-body problem (R3BP) when the massless particle is in an orbit exterior to the one of the primary perturber. Starting with a multipole expansion of the barycentric (Jacobi-reduced) Hamiltonian, we carry out a sequence of normalizations in Delaunay variables by Lie series, leading to a secular Hamiltonian model without use of relegation. To this end, we introduce a book-keeping analogous to the one proposed in Cavallari and Efthymiopoulos (Celest Mech Dyn Astron 134(2):1–36, 2022) for test particle orbits interior to the one of the primary perturber, but here adapted, instead, to the case of exterior orbits. We give numerical examples of the performance of the method in both the planar circular and the spatial elliptic restricted three-body problem, for parameters pertinent to the Sun-Jupiter system. In particular, we demonstrate the method’s accuracy in terms of reproducibility of the orbital elements’ variations far from mean-motion resonances. As a basic outcome of the method, we show how, using as criterion the size of the series’ remainder, we reach to obtain an accurate semi-analytical estimate of the boundary (in the space of orbital elements) where the secular Hamiltonian model arrived at after eliminating the particle’s fast degree of freedom provides a valid approximation of the true dynamics.
Addressing Emotions and Beliefs for Vulnerable Jobseekers with Virtual Reality
Authors: McGivney Eileen , Forshaw Tessa , Medeiros Rodrigo , Sun Mingyue , Grotzer Tina
Published: July 2023

Virtual reality (VR) technologies have been shown to impact the affective and motivational dimensions of learning, for example increasing learners’ enjoyment, confidence, and self-efficacy beliefs. While VR is increasingly being used for workforce development, research on these dimensions of learning in authentic workforce development contexts remains thin. This mixed-method case study addressed the need for more research on VR’s affordances for engaging affective dimensions of learning. We investigated the impact of a job interview VR simulation on the emotions, confidence, and self-efficacy beliefs of jobseekers who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. By observing the implementation of this application in an authentic workforce development context, we also addressed questions about how VR use and facilitation vary among participants. We find compelling evidence that a VR job interview simulation tailored to the experiences of people impacted by the criminal justice system can alleviate some of the emotional toll the job search takes on this vulnerable population, but we did not find evidence of changes in their self-efficacy beliefs. We discuss ways participants described the simulation as authentic practice, and how its facilitation and use varied, emphasizing the importance of VR design as a tool within a broader instructional context.
A study on how environmental issues are discussed in social studies textbooks
Authors: Şeker Mustafa
Published: July 2023

Environmental education should be sustainable. For a peaceful and happy world, each country is expected to see the environment as common heritage and to bring this sensitivity to the students in the education processes. Social Studies course is a course that aims to educate students to be effective, sensitive to living together, and have a perception of common heritage within the framework of global citizenship. For the environmental sensitivity to be more effective, the education process is bound to carry out very important tasks. Students can be supported to gain awareness of environment through educational programs, textbooks, teaching strategies, methods, and techniques from an early age on and throughout their education. The aim of this study is to investigate what kind of educational process the students in Turkey, which has an important geopolitical position in the world, go through in the social studies course, which bears the responsibility of conveying universal principles. In our study, the mixed method was used and it was investigated whether the environmental issues are discussed in social studies textbooks in accordance with the developmental levels of the students. In the research process, teachers' opinions as well as the textbooks were examined. As a result of the research, it has been understood that social studies textbooks do not primarily handle the environmental issues efficiently and that children are not trained well enough to gain environmental sensitivity.
Simultaneous eating algorithm and greedy algorithm in assignment problems
Authors: Zhan Ping
Published: July 2023

The simultaneous eating algorithm (SEA) and probabilistic serial (PS) mechanism are well known for allocating a set of divisible or indivisible goods to agents with ordinal preferences. The PS mechanism is SEA at the same eating speed. The prominent property of SEA is ordinal efficiency. Recently, we extended the PS mechanism (EPS) from a fixed quota of each good to a variable varying in a polytope constrained by submodular functions. In this article, we further generalized some results on SEA. After formalizing the extended ESA (ESEA), we show that it can be characterized by ordinal efficiency. We established a stronger summation optimization than the Pareto type of ordinal efficiency by an introduced weight vector. The weights in the summation optimization coincide with agents’ preferences at the acyclic positive values of an allocation. Hence, the order of goods selected to eat in ESEA is exactly the one chosen in the execution of the well-known greedy algorithm.
Can Deep CNNs Avoid Infinite Regress/Circularity in Content Constitution?
Authors: Lopes Jesse
Published: July 2023

The representations of deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are formed from generalizing similarities and abstracting from differences in the manner of the empiricist theory of abstraction (Buckner, Synthese 195:5339–5372, 2018). The empiricist theory of abstraction is well understood to entail infinite regress and circularity in content constitution (Husserl, Logical Investigations. Routledge, 2001). This paper argues these entailments hold a fortiori for deep CNNs. Two theses result: deep CNNs require supplementation by Quine’s “apparatus of identity and quantification” in order to (1) achieve concepts, and (2) represent objects, as opposed to “half-entities” corresponding to similarity amalgams (Quine, Quintessence, Cambridge, 2004, p. 107). Similarity amalgams are also called “approximate meaning[s]” (Marcus & Davis, Rebooting AI, Pantheon, 2019, p. 132). Although Husserl inferred the “complete abandonment of the empiricist theory of abstraction” (a fortiori deep CNNs) due to the infinite regress and circularity arguments examined in this paper, I argue that the statistical learning of deep CNNs may be incorporated into a Fodorian hybrid account that supports Quine’s “sortal predicates, negation, plurals, identity, pronouns, and quantifiers” which are representationally necessary to overcome the regress/circularity in content constitution and achieve objective (as opposed to similarity-subjective) representation (Burge, Origins of Objectivity. Oxford, 2010, p. 238). I base myself initially on Yoshimi’s (New Frontiers in Psychology, 2011) attempt to explain Husserlian phenomenology with neural networks but depart from him due to the arguments and consequently propose a two-system view which converges with Weiskopf’s proposal (“Observational Concepts.” The Conceptual Mind. MIT, 2015. 223–248).
Being one of us: we-identities and self-categorization theory
Authors: León Felipe
Published: July 2023

One way to theorize about we-identities—the identities that individual subjects have as ‘one of us’—is in terms of the uniformity, interchangeability, and prototypicality of group members. The social-psychological theory of self-categorization epitomizes this approach, which has strongly influenced contemporary phenomenological research on the we. This paper argues that this approach has one important and largely overlooked limitation: the we-identities tied to close personal relationships—exemplified by long-term friendships and romantic partnerships—are based on patterns of interpersonal interaction and integration through which individuals tend to grasp their non-substitutability and complementarity. This limitation suggests that another approach is needed to tackle the we-identities characteristic of close personal relationships. I outline such an approach, by combining resources from classical phenomenology and ongoing research on the socially extended mind.
Immigrants’ political engagement: gender differences in political attitudes and behaviours among immigrants in Italy
Authors: Gatti Rosa , Buonomo Alessio , Strozza Salvatore
Published: July 2023

Despite the relevance of the gender dimension of immigration, political engagement of migrant women has rarely been the focus of scholarly research. This article tries to fill this gap. Using secondary data from the “Condizione e integrazione sociale dei cittadini stranieri” [Social Condition and Integration of Foreign Citizens] survey carried out by the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) in 2011–2012, we analysed the factors that at an individual level spur or inhibit migrants’ political engagement in Italy in terms of gender differences. We decided to use political interest and political participation separately as dependent dichotomous variables in logistic models that consider structural, situational, migratory, and group-related variables as independent factors. From our analysis, some relevant differences emerged both in terms of gender and in terms of political attitudes and behaviours. Our results confirm the existence of a gender gap in political engagement among migrants in Italy: migrant women are always less likely to be engaged in politics compared to men, both in terms of interest and participation. After controlling for some characteristics, this gap never disappears completely. Our results also suggest that there are some notable differences in the determinants of political engagement. Indeed, family workload inhibits the probability of political engagement only for migrant women. Furthermore, our results cast light on the crucial role of social capital in spurring political engagement for both women and men, thus contributing to reducing the gender gap.
Unusual class of polynomials related to partitions
Authors: Żmija Błażej
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we study, for a given arithmetic function f, the sequence of polynomials $$(P_{n}^{f}(t))_{n=0}^{\infty }$$

(

P

n

f

(
t
)

)

n
=
0

∞

, defined by the recurrence $$\begin{aligned} \left\{ \begin{array}{ll} P_{0}^{f}(x)=1, &{} \\ P_{1}^{f}(x)=x, &{} \\ P_{n}^{f}(x)=\frac{x}{n}\sum _{k=1}^{n}f(k)P_{n-k}^{f}(x), &{} n\ge 2. \end{array}\right. \end{aligned}$$

P

0

f

(
x
)

=
1
,

P

1

f

(
x
)

=
x
,

P

n

f

(
x
)

=

x
n

∑

k
=
1

n

f

(
k
)

P

n
-
k

f

(
x
)

,

n
≥
2
.

Using the ideas from the paper by Heim, Luca, and Neuhauser, we prove, under some assumptions on $$P_{n}^{f}(t)$$

P

n

f

(
t
)

for $$1\le n\le 10$$

1
≤
n
≤
10

, that no root of unity can be a root of any polynomial $$P_{n}^{f}(t)$$

P

n

f

(
t
)

for $$n\in {\mathbb {N}}$$

n
∈
N

. Then we specify the result to some functions f related to colored partitions.
An assessment of India's multiple national social protection schemes in improving nutrition and health
Authors: Narayanan Sudha , Naraparaju Karthikeya , Gerber Nicolas
Published: July 2023

This paper examines whether the combined participation in workfare and food grain subsidy programmes in India impacts the nutritional and health status of women and children, using body mass index (BMI) and short-term morbidity as indicators. Based on a nationally representative panel data survey conducted in 2005 and 2012, we estimate the participants’ average treatment effects by applying a semi-parametric differences-in-differences (DID) approach on the full sample and a regression-based DID approach on a matched sample. We find that simultaneous participation in these programmes lowers women’s morbidity by at least 25%, but women’s BMI increases only in states implementing those programmes well. For children, there is no robust evidence of impacts. Our results suggest that various social protection programmes can operate synergistically and deliver positive impacts on children and women’s nutrition or health, even though this is not their main objective. However, the effects are heterogeneous and confirm that the nutrition and health benefits, reached through a combination of the two social protection programmes, are mediated by intrahousehold dynamics. Synergistic and mediating effects must be considered in future efforts to upscale social protection in the Global South in order to deliver simultaneous progress across the Sustainable Development Goals.
Increasing the Value of XAI for Users: A Psychological Perspective
Authors: Hoffman Robert R. , Miller Timothy , Klein Gary , Mueller Shane T. , Clancey William J.
Published: July 2023

This paper summarizes the psychological insights and related design challenges that have emerged in the field of Explainable AI (XAI). This summary is organized as a set of principles, some of which have recently been instantiated in XAI research. The primary aspects of implementation to which the principles refer are the design and evaluation stages of XAI system development, that is, principles concerning the design of explanations and the design of experiments for evaluating the performance of XAI systems. The principles can serve as guidance, to ensure that AI systems are human-centered and effectively assist people in solving difficult problems.
High Responsivity and Ultra-Low Detection Limits in Nonlinear a-Si:H p-i-n Photodiodes Enabled by Photogating
Authors: Bablich Andreas , Müller Maurice , Bornemann Rainer , Nachtigal Andreas , Haring Bolívar Peter
Published: July 2023

Photodetectors operating at the wavelength in the visible spectrum are key components in high-performance optoelectronic systems. In this work, massive nonlinearities in amorphous silicon p-i-n photodiodes enabled by the photogating are presented, resulting in responsivities up to 744 mA/W at blue wavelengths. The detectors exhibit significant responsivity gains at optical modulation frequencies exceeding MHz and a more than 60-fold enhanced spectral response compared to the non-gated state. The detection limits down to 10.4 nW/mm2 and mean signal-to-noise ratio enhancements of 8.5 dB are demonstrated by illuminating the sensor with an additional 6.6 µW/mm2 red wavelength. Electro-optical simulations verify photocarrier modulation due to defect-induced field screening to be the origin of such high responsivity gains. The experimental results validate the theory and enable the development of commercially viable and complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) compatible high responsivity photodetectors operating in the visible range for low-light level imaging and detection.
Effects of coumaphos on locomotor activities of different honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) subspecies and ecotypes
Authors: Arslan Okan Can , Erdem Babür , Somel Mehmet , GIRAY Tugrul , Kence Meral
Published: July 2023

The effects of acute sublethal doses of coumaphos, an acaricide used against Varroa destructor infestation in beekeeping, on the locomotor activities of four native honeybee subspecies of Türkiye including two ecotypes (Carniolan honeybee -A. m. carnica, Syrian honeybee -A. m. syriaca, Caucasian honeybee- A. m. caucasica, and Muğla and Yığılca ecotypes of Anatolian honeybee A. m. anatoliaca) were investigated using an individual locomotor activity monitoring system. Analysis of locomotor activity data in the first 12-h, last 12-h, and 24-h time periods showed that bees from caucasica and carnica subspecies were not affected by coumaphos at all three acute doses (1, 2, and 5 μg coumaphos in 10 μl sucrose syrup for each bee). In contrast, bees from A. m. syriaca subspecies showed significantly elevated locomotor activity levels at 2 and 5 μg coumaphos doses within the first 12 h. Bees from both Muğla and Yığılca ecotypes of anatoliaca subspecies also showed elevated locomotor activity levels at 5 μg coumaphos dose but the magnitude of increase was lower in these ecotypes compared to that seen in syriaca subspecies in the first 12-h period. In general, increasing doses of coumaphos resulted in increased locomotor activity (locomotor activity), with differences in sensitivity across honeybee populations. Possible mechanisms underlying this variance and suggestions for further studies are discussed.
Temperature Sensors Manufactured from Edible Materials Intended for Oral Cavity Operation
Authors: Stojanović Goran M. , Radovanović Milan , Kojić Sanja , Milić Lazar , Simić Mitar , Kojić Tijana , Duval Raphael Georges , Vukmirović Jelena , Petrović Bojan
Published: July 2023

Following the circular economy concept, all areas of science, including electronics, require individual approach. The green electronics approach implies processing natural based materials for development of electronic components even for single use, so that waste does not exist. This paper describes the production of thermistors from 3 different types of edible materials, their testing in laboratory conditions, as well as the application for measuring the temperature in the human oral cavity. To make the thermistor, three types of natural materials were used (carrageenan, polyvinyl alcohol and apple pomace-based). After fabrication, materials were poured into molds. Aluminium foil contacts were placed so that the electrical characterization of the materials could be performed. Several parameters were measured: resistance (R), impedance (Z) and the phase angle (θ) as a function of frequency. In order to determine whether the thermistors have a positive or negative temperature coefficient and to determine their sensitivity, measurements were conducted at three different temperatures: 25 ℃ (room temperature), 37 ℃ (human body temperature), and 50 ℃. The thermistors demonstrated negative temperature coefficient behaviour. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the apple pomace-based thermistor can successfully measure healthy volunteer's temperature.

Graphical Abstract
Lernen im Kontext von Arbeit – Empirische Einsichten als Ausgangspunkt für pädagogische Konzeptentwicklung
Authors: Hof Christiane , Hartmann Jacqueline , Herrnbrodt Rebecca , Müller Tamara , Saam Julia , Ulrich Naheela , Vellenzer Josephine
Published: July 2023

Der gegenwärtige Wandel in der Arbeitswelt führt auch zu neuen Anforderungen an die Kompetenzen und damit an das Lernen der Menschen. Neben der Gestaltung formaler Weiterbildungen rücken zunehmend Formen arbeitsintegrierter Lernunterstützung in den Fokus der Erwachsenenbildung. Der vorliegende Beitrag nimmt diese Situationsdiagnose zum Anlass, um Möglichkeiten aufzuzeigen, das Lernen im Arbeitskontext empirisch fundiert weiterzuentwickeln. Als Grundlage dient eine explorative Studie, in der erwerbstätige Personen nach Lernherausforderungen und deren Bewältigung gefragt wurden. Die so gewonnenen Einsichten wurden systematisiert zu aufgabenbezogenen, sozialen, personenbezogenen und organisationalen Herausforderungen. Durch diese Systematisierung sowie die Rekonstruktion individuell genutzter Formen des Lernens konnten Maßnahmen zur pädagogischen Unterstützung von arbeitsbezogenem Lernen konzipiert werden. Darüber hinaus verweisen die empirischen Einblicke in die Allgegenwart des Lernens im Kontext von Arbeit auf die Notwendigkeit, das Augenmerk nicht nur funktional auf die Bewältigung von Arbeitsaufgaben zu richten, sondern die Einzelnen auch auf ihren je individuellen Lernwegen zu unterstützen.
AssistML: an approach to manage, recommend and reuse ML solutions
Authors: Villanueva Zacarias Alejandro Gabriel , Reimann Peter , Weber Christian , Mitschang Bernhard
Published: July 2023

The adoption of machine learning (ML) in organizations is characterized by the use of multiple ML software components. When building ML systems out of these software components, citizen data scientists face practical requirements which go beyond the known challenges of ML, e. g.,  data engineering or parameter optimization. They are expected to quickly identify ML system options that strike a suitable trade-off across multiple performance criteria. These options also need to be understandable for non-technical users. Addressing these practical requirements represents a problem for citizen data scientists with limited ML experience. This calls for a concept to help them identify suitable ML software combinations. Related work, e. g.,  AutoML systems, are not responsive enough or cannot balance different performance criteria. This paper explains how AssistML, a novel concept to recommend ML solutions, i. e.,  software systems with ML models, can be used as an alternative for predictive use cases. Our concept collects and preprocesses metadata of existing ML solutions to quickly identify the ML solutions that can be reused in a new use case. We implement AssistML  and evaluate it with two exemplary use cases. Results show that AssistML can recommend ML solutions in line with users’ performance preferences in seconds. Compared to AutoML, AssistML offers citizen data scientists simpler, intuitively explained ML solutions in considerably less time. Moreover, these solutions perform similarly or even better than AutoML models.
Organisationale Sozialisationstaktiken und deren Zusammenhang mit Rollenklarheit und Arbeitszufriedenheit
Authors: Grabmair Marlene , Kovacs Carrie
Published: July 2023

Die Fluktuation von Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeitern kann hohe Kosten für Unternehmen verursachen. Durch passende Sozialisationsmaßnahmen kann jedoch bereits am Beginn eines neuen Arbeitsverhältnisses die Grundlage geschaffen werden, solche Fluktuation zu vermindern. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es, Sozialisationstaktiken im Zuge der organisationalen Sozialisation zu identifizieren und ihren Zusammenhang mit Rollenklarheit und Arbeitszufriedenheit zu analysieren. Eine Online-Erhebung unter insgesamt 166 kürzlich eingestellten IT-Mitarbeitenden lässt auf einen starken Zusammenhang zwischen institutionalisierter Sozialisation und Rollenklarheit sowie Arbeitszufriedenheit schließen. Trotz der COVID-19 Pandemie setzten Unternehmen unterschiedlichste Onboarding-Maßnahmen im Rahmen dieser Sozialisation ein. Besonders Maßnahmen zur sozialen Integration wurden dabei von Mitarbeitenden als hilfreich empfunden. Allgemein sprechen die Ergebnisse dafür, dass Mitarbeitende in dynamischen, digitalisierten Arbeitsplätzen stark von strukturierenden Sozialisationstaktiken profitieren können.

Praktische Relevanz Gelingt es einer Organisation, effektives Onboarding und dadurch eine positive organisationale Sozialisation anzustoßen, kann sie potenziell nicht nur Fluktuation, sondern eine Reihe negativer organisationalen Entwicklungen vorbeugen. Für Unternehmen ist eine erfolgreiche Sozialisation von neuen Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeitern daher von großem Interesse. Diese Arbeit kann Unternehmen dabei unterstützen eine effektive Sozialisation herbeizuführen.
Self-Powered Airflow Sensor Based on Energy Harvesting of Ventilation Air in Buildings
Authors: Chung Moon Hyun , Yoo Seunghwan , Jung Woo-Nam , Jeong Hakgeun , Yoo Kyung-Hwa
Published: July 2023

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems account for one-third of the total energy consumption in office buildings. The use of airflow measurements to control the operation of HVAC systems can reduce energy consumption; thus, a sensor capable of monitoring airflow in a duct system is critical. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can be utilized as self-powered sensors in airflow-driven TENGs (ATENGs) as self-powered sensors. By employing ferroelectric materials and surface modifications, the surface charges of TENGs can be increased. In this study, fibrous-mat TENGs were prepared using ferroelectric materials consisting of poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE) and polyamide 11 (nylon-11). And these materials were subsequently investigated. Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) was added to PVDF-TrFE to enhance the ferroelectric crystalline phase. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that this incorporation affects the β phase. In addition, the surface of nylon-11 was modified using the electrospray technique for post-treatment, thereby improving the interfacial adhesion between the fibers. These materials were then utilized in fibrous-mat ATENGs (FM-ATENGs) to demonstrate their practical application. The FM-ATENGs can be effectively used in an Arduino airflow-check sensor, showcasing their potential for application in HVAC systems, to enhance airflow control and energy efficiency.

Graphical Abstract
Principles for Good Practice in the Conduct of Non-interventional Studies: The View of Industry Researchers
Authors: Acha Virginia , Barefoot Bart , Juarez Garcia Ariadna , Lehner Valerie , Monno Raffaella , Sandler Susan , Spooner Almath , Verpillat Patrice
Published: July 2023

This reflection paper presents a consolidated view of EFPIA on the need for principles for good practice in the generation and use of non-interventional studies (NIS), including overarching principles such as the registration of hypothesis evaluating treatment effect (HETE) studies. We first define NIS and the important adjacencies to clinical trials and relationship with real-world evidence (RWE). We then outline the principles for good practice with respect to appropriate research design, study protocol, fit-for-purpose variables and data quality, analytical methods, bias reduction, transparency in conduct and use, privacy management and ethics review. We conclude with recommendations for action for the research community to promote trust and credibility in the use of NIS.
Quantitative Evaluation of the Influence of Posterior Malleolus Fracture and Fixation on the Rotational Stability of the Ankle
Authors: Li Yongqi , Zhou Haichao , Xia Jiang , Li Bing , Zhao Youguang , He Wenbao , Li Zhendong , Yang Yunfeng
Published: July 2023

Background

This study aimed to analyze quantitative correlation between the posterior malleolus fracture and fixation and the rotational stability of the ankle and to explore supplementary surgical indications for posterior malleolus fracture.

Methods

Twenty fresh frozen cadaver specimens were selected and dissected. Based on the tibial insertion of the ligament complex, the model for the supination external rotation stage 3 ankle fracture with a posterior malleolar fragment and syndesmosis diastasis was created. The area threshold of the posterior tibial insertion of posterior malleolus fracture was biomechanically assessed and the difference of the antirotating ability stiffness of the ankle between simple posterior malleolus fixation and simple syndesmotic fixation was analyzed statistically.

Results

The tibial insertion of posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament and inferior transverse tibiofibular ligament complex was relatively broad, and its width decreased as the distance from the joint line increased. Biomechanical analysis showed that: the threshold of posterior area of posterior malleolus fracture was 1/4S; posterior malleolus fixation provided better rotational stability than syndesmotic fixation (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The surgical indications for posterior malleolus fracture should consider simultaneously the restoration of the axial and rotational stability of the ankle. Simple posterior malleolus fracture fixation is recommended when the syndesmosis is unstable and the area ratio of posterior tibial insertion of posterior malleolus fracture is greater than or equal to 1/4. Syndesmotic fixation is proposed to restore and maintain the rotational stability of the ankle when the syndesmosis is unstable and the area ratio is less than 1/4. Regardless of the area ratio, the surgical indication only depends on the impact of the posterior malleolus fracture on the axial stability of tibiotalar joint, the involved articular surface area, and the displacement degree of posterior malleolus fragment, when the syndesmosis is stable.
Is the standardized antibiotic administration ratio (SAAR) ready for prime time?
Authors: Guo Yi , Ashley Elizabeth Dodds
Published: July 2023

The standardized antibiotic administration ratio (SAAR) enables comparison of antibiotic use (AU) within and between hospitals and identifies target locations and antimicrobials for stewardship interventions. Thousands of institutions have already been submitting AU to the National Healthcare Safety Network. We highlight the benefits and meaningful utilization of SAAR in conjunction with antimicrobial stewardship interventions to improve antimicrobial prescribing in the clinical setting.
Uncovering potential bias in engineering design: a comparative review of bias research in medicine
Authors: Agyemang Malena , Andreae Doertha A. , McComb Christopher
Published: July 2023

Engineering design research has focused on developing and refining methods and evaluating design education in design education, design research and design in practice. One important aspect that is not thoroughly investigated is the influence of bias on design within these spaces of design. Bias is known to impact the interpretation of information, decision-making and practices in all areas. These factors are vital in engineering design education, practice and research, emphasizing the importance of investigating bias. The first goal of this study is to highlight and synthesize existing bias research in design education, research and practice. The second goal is to identify areas where bias may be under-researched or under-reported in design. To achieve these goals, a comparative analysis is performed against a comparable field: medicine. Many parallels exist between both fields. Patient–provider and designer–end-user relationships are comparable. Medical education is comparable to design education with the cooperative, inquiry-based and integrated learning pedagogy approaches. Lastly, physicians and design engineers both solve cognitively complex systems-oriented problems. Leveraging research on bias in medicine enables us to highlight gaps in engineering design. Recommendations are made to help design researchers address these gaps.
Expanding measures: Random walks and rigidity on homogeneous spaces
Authors: Prohaska Roland , Sert Cagri , Shi Ronggang
Published: July 2023

Let G be a real Lie group,

$\Lambda <G$

a lattice and

$H\leqslant G$

a connected semisimple subgroup without compact factors and with finite center. We define the notion of H-expanding measures

$\mu $

on H and, applying recent work of Eskin–Lindenstrauss, prove that

$\mu $

-stationary probability measures on

$G/\Lambda $

are homogeneous. Transferring a construction by Benoist–Quint and drawing on ideas of Eskin–Mirzakhani–Mohammadi, we construct Lyapunov/Margulis functions to show that H-expanding random walks on

$G/\Lambda $

satisfy a recurrence condition and that homogeneous subspaces are repelling. Combined with a countability result, this allows us to prove equidistribution of trajectories in

$G/\Lambda $

for H-expanding random walks and to obtain orbit closure descriptions. Finally, elaborating on an idea of Simmons–Weiss, we deduce Birkhoff genericity of a class of measures with respect to some diagonal flows and extend their applications to Diophantine approximation on similarity fractals to a nonconformal and weighted setting.
The eleventh cohomology group of
Authors: Canning Samir , Larson Hannah , Payne Sam
Published: July 2023

We prove that the rational cohomology group$H^{11}(\overline {\mathcal {M}}_{g,n})$vanishes unless$g = 1$and$n \geq 11$. We show furthermore that$H^k(\overline {\mathcal {M}}_{g,n})$is pure Hodge–Tate for all even$k \leq 12$and deduce that$\# \overline {\mathcal {M}}_{g,n}(\mathbb {F}_q)$is surprisingly well approximated by a polynomial inq. In addition, we use$H^{11}(\overline {\mathcal {M}}_{1,11})$and its image under Gysin push-forward for tautological maps to produce many new examples of moduli spaces of stable curves with nonvanishing odd cohomology and nontautological algebraic cycle classes in Chow cohomology.
The Textbook Masturbator: A Renegotiated Discourse in Official Swedish Sex-Education Guidelines and Textbooks, circa 1945–2000
Authors: Prytz Sara Backman
Published: July 2023

The educational mission of most western schools today includes the nurturing of children’s sexual upbringing, which many scholars see as a way of controlling their sexuality and forming them into “sexual citizens.” This article examines how official Swedish school guidelines and textbooks have mediated sexuality norms through education on masturbation. The professional discourse on masturbation started to change during the first half of the twentieth century, when masturbation shifted from being perceived as something harmful to something accepted as natural and harmless. This article focuses on a period following that shift in opinion: circa 1945-2000. The analysis shows that boys’ sexuality during this time received more attention than girls’, and a strong new norm about sex contributed to masturbation taking on less importance than heterosexual intercourse within a relationship. This article shows how state-controlled curricula have created norms about gender and sexuality, thus contributing to the development of a sexual citizenship.