bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drawing at the Nanoscale through Macroscopic Movement
Authors: Xu Chao , Liu Hong , Yang Shikuan
Published: April 2022

Nanopatterns are important for applications in various nanodevice fields. Existing nanopatterning techniques mainly directly manufacture the nanopatterns through various lithographic methods, which usually are laborious, time‐consuming, and need expensive equipment. Here, an extremely simple drawing at the nanoscale (DAN) concept to indirectly fabricate rational nanopatterns through controlling the macroscopic movement of the substrate , is demonstrated. The structure of the nanopatterns is completely determined by and can be shrunk by millions of times from the moving track of the substrate. Multiple surface nanopatterns of different materials with accurately tailorable relative positions can be simply stacked together by moving the substrate by macroscopic distances during different DAN processes. In combination with sophisticated lithographic methods, the DAN method is anticipated to enable substantial advances in nanofabrication.
A Near‐Process 2D Heat‐Transfer Model for Continuous Slab Casting of Steel
Authors: Bernhard Michael , Santos Gabriel , Preuler Lukas , Taferner Matthias , Wieser Gerhard , Laschinger Julian , Ilie Sergiu , Bernhard Christian
Published: April 2022

Market requirements on steel products with the highest surface and internal quality demand stimulate a systematic control of the steel solidification behavior during continuous casting (CC). Computational process modeling is increasingly applied to optimize casting practices and calibrate the soft reduction to guarantee the required product quality. Here in this study, an overview of m2CAST as a “development platform” for the CC process is presented. This platform consists of a numerical heat‐transfer model, considers results of laboratory experiments in the calculations, for example, thermal analysis and nozzle measuring stand (NMS), and provides the option to use relevant process data. Two case studies on a continuous slab caster at voestalpine Stahl Linz GmbH are investigated. In doing so, thermal boundary conditions obtained by the NMS are implemented, and the simulation trials are validated with temperature measurements of the dragged thermocouple method installed during the casting process. The temperature distribution over the strand width is measured additionally with two pyrometers placed in the straightening zone. Excellent agreement between the calculated strand surface temperature and the measured temperature is obtained. Furthermore, the relevance of considering the roller‐bearing areas in defining the boundary conditions is presented to accurately predict the shape of the crater end.
Novel Bidirectional Voltage Equalizer Based on Double Output Dual Switch Flyback Circuit
Authors: Liu Jinzhen , Liu Shuo , Xiong Hui
Published: April 2022

Voltage inconsistency occurs during charging and discharging of battery pack in series which affects its capacity and life if no measures are taken. A bidirectional equalizer based on dual switch flyback transformer is presented for making the voltage of lithium battery pack consistent efficiently. First, the transformer is taken as the carrier of energy transfer, and the forward and reverse working principle of the equalization circuit is analyzed. Second, according to the different direction of energy transfer, the corresponding equilibrium strategy is designed. Whether to stop equalization is judged by the maximum voltage difference between cells. Finally, a set of platforms containing 12 battery cells are built to perform equalization experiments. The results show that maximum voltage difference between the cells are less than 30 mV after the equalization which proved the feasibility of the proposed scheme. Compared with the existing mainstream equilibrium structures, the structure proposed in this paper has faster equilibrium speed and higher efficiency. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Retrospective analysis of 302 ovine dystocia cases presented to a veterinary hospital with particular attention to uterine torsion
Authors: Balasopoulou Viktoria , Zablotski Yury , Zerbe Holm , Voigt Katja
Published: April 2022

Background

Dystocia is common in sheep, and foetal causes are predominant. Among maternal causes, insufficient cervical dilatation is the most frequent problem. Uterine torsion has been considered rare by many authors.

Objectives

This study was conducted to investigate causes of dystocia in sheep presented for veterinary attention, and particular focus was set on the description of uterine torsion and analysis of potentially predisposing factors for this condition.

Methods

Clinical records of 302 sheep treated for dystocia were evaluated retrospectively. Known and proposed risk factors for uterine torsion in cattle were analysed regarding their potential importance in sheep. These included lamb birth weights, ewe age, parity, season, nutrition, breed type, litter size and husbandry.

Results

Maternal causes of dystocia accounted for 67.2% (203/302) of the presented cases. Of these, insufficient cervical dilatation (121/203, 59.6%) was the most frequent diagnosis. Another substantial proportion of maternal causes (60/203, 29.6%) was identified as uterine torsion. Husbandry, breed type and litter size showed significance in univariate analyses, with lower odds for meat breeds (OR 0.22; p < 0.001), twin‐ (OR 0.49; p = 0.020) or multiple‐bearing ewes (OR 0.19; p = 0.013) and higher odds for fully housed animals (OR 17.87; p < 0.001). Year‐round housing was identified as the most influential factor in a subsequent multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Uterine torsion was identified as a relevant cause of dystocia in our case load. The condition is likely to be underdiagnosed in sheep, and increased farmer and veterinary awareness is necessary to ensure adequate treatment of affected animals and to prevent unnecessary suffering.
Beaver: The North American freshwater climate action plan
Authors: Jordan Chris E. , Fairfax Emily
Published: April 2022

Rivers and streams, when fully connected to their floodplains, are naturally resilient systems that are increasingly part of the conversation on nature‐based climate solutions. Reconnecting waterways to their floodplains improves water quality and quantity, supports biodiversity and sensitive species conservation, increases flood, drought and fire resiliency, and bolsters carbon sequestration. But, while the importance of river restoration is clear, beaver‐based restoration—for example, strategic coexistence, relocation, and mimicry—remains an underutilized strategy despite ample data demonstrating its efficacy. Climate‐driven disturbances are actively pushing streams into increasingly degraded states, and the window of opportunity for restoration will not stay open forever. Therefore, now is the perfect time to apply the science of beaver‐based low‐tech process‐based stream restoration to support building climate resilience across the landscape. Not every stream will be a good candidate for beaver‐based restoration, but we have the tools to know which ones are. Let us use them.

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Hydrological Processes

Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness
Measuring a moving target: Techniques for engineering leadership evaluation and assessment
Authors: Novoselich Brian J. , Knight David B.
Published: April 2022

This article provides engineering educators with a comprehensive overview of engineering leadership assessment and evaluation for undergraduate engineering students to help instigate positive change for the future of the field.
Case study #1: The Citadel
Authors: Plumblee Jeffery , Greenburg David
Published: April 2022

This case study explores a graduate program for working professionals that integrates technical leadership and project management, preparing students to earn their Project Management Professional certification.
Assessment of malignancy and PSMA expression of uncertain bone foci in [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT for prostate cancer—a single-centre experience of PET-guided biopsies
Authors: Vollnberg Bernd , Alberts Ian , Genitsch Vera , Rominger Axel , Afshar-Oromieh Ali
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Uncertain focal bone uptake (UBU) with intensive radiopharmaceutical avidity are frequently observed in patients undergoing [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT for the detection of prostate cancer (PC). Such foci can pose diagnostic conundrums and risk incorrect staging. The aim of this short communication is to share the results of PET-guided biopsies of such foci.

Methods

A retrospective analysis revealed 10 patients who were referred to our department for PET-guided biopsy of UBU visible in a previous [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT. [18F]-PSMA-1007 PET-guided biopsy was conducted for 11 PSMA-avid bone foci in these 10 patients. The biopsy materials were analysed for tissue typing, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed for prostate-specific-membrane-antigen (PSMA) expression. The scans were analysed by two experienced physicians in a consensus read for clinical characteristics and radiopharmaceutical uptake of foci.

Results

One out of 11 (9.1%) of the foci biopsied was confirmed as bone metastasis of PC with intense PSMA-expression, while 10/11 (90.9%) foci were revealed to be unremarkable bone tissue without evidence of PSMA expression at IHC. Amongst all bone foci assessed by biopsy, eight were visually classified as being at high risk of malignancy in the PET/CT (SUVmean 12.0 ± 8.1; SUVmax 18.8 ± 13.1), three as equivocal (SUVmean 4.6 ± 2.1; SUVmax 7.2 ± 3.0) and zero as low risk. No UBU had any CT correlate.

Conclusions

This cohort biopsy revealed that a small but relevant number of UBU are true metastases. For those confirmed as benign, no PSMA expression at IHC was observed, suggesting a non-PSMA mediated cause for intensive [18F]PSMA-1007 uptake of which the reason remains unclear. Readers must interpret such foci with caution in order to reduce the risk of erroneous staging and subsequent treatment. PET-guided biopsy, particularly in the absence of morphological changes in the CT, can be a useful method to clarify such foci.
To share or not to share vector registers?
Authors: Pietrzyk Johannes , Krause Alexander , Habich Dirk , Lehner Wolfgang
Published: April 2022

Query execution techniques in database systems constantly adapt to novel hardware features to achieve high query performance, in particular for analytical queries. In recent years, vectorization based on the Single Instruction Multiple Data parallel paradigm has been established as a state-of-the-art approach to increase single-query performance. However, since concurrent analytical queries running in parallel often access the same columns and perform a same set of vectorized operations, data accesses and computations among different queries may be executed redundantly. Various techniques have already been proposed to avoid such redundancy, ranging from concurrent scans via the construction of materialized views to applying multiple query optimization techniques. Continuing this line of research, we investigate the opportunity of sharing vector registers for concurrently running queries in analytical scenarios in this paper. In particular, our novel sharing approach relies on processing data elements of different queries together within a single vector register. As we are going to show, sharing vector registers to optimize the execution of concurrent analytical queries can be very beneficial in single-threaded as well as multi-thread environments. Therefore, we demonstrate the feasibility and applicability of such a novel work sharing strategy and thus open up a wide spectrum of future research opportunities.
The duration and severity of the allergenic pollen season in Istanbul, and the role of meteorological factors
Authors: Zemmer Franziska , Dahl Åslög , Galán Carmen
Published: April 2022

Information on the allergenic pollen season provides insight on the state of the environment of a region and facilitates allergy symptom management. We present a retrospective analysis of the duration and severity of the allergenic pollen season and the role of meteorological factors in Istanbul, Turkey. Aerobiological sampling from January 2013 to June 2016, pollen identification and counting followed current standard methodology. Pollen seasons were defined according to 95% of the Annual Pollen Integral (APIn) and the season start date was compared with the first day of 5 day consecutive non-zero records. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were created to study the effect of meteorological factors on flowering. The main pollen contributors were taxa of temperate and Mediterranean climates, and neophytic Ambrosia. Cupressaceae, Poaceae, Pinaceae, Quercus and Ambrosia had the greatest relative abundance. The pollen season defined on 95% of the APIn was adequate for our location with total APIns around 10.000 pollen*day*m−3. Woody taxa had generally shorter seasons than herbaceous taxa. In trees, we see precipitation as the main limiting factor for assimilate production prior to anthesis. A severe tree pollen season in 2016 suggests intense synchronous flowering across taxa and populations triggered by favourable water supply in the preceding year. GAM models can explain the effect of weather on pollen concentrations during anthesis. Under the climatic conditions over the study period, temperature had a negative effect on spring flowering trees, and a positive one on summer flowering weeds. Humidity, atmospheric pressure and precipitation had a negative effect on weeds. Our findings contribute to environmental and allergological knowledge in southern Europe and Turkey with relevancy in the assessment of impacts of climate change and the management of allergic disease.
Counterfactual explanations and how to find them: literature review and benchmarking
Authors: Guidotti Riccardo
Published: April 2022

Interpretable machine learning aims at unveiling the reasons behind predictions returned by uninterpretable classifiers. One of the most valuable types of explanation consists of counterfactuals. A counterfactual explanation reveals what should have been different in an instance to observe a diverse outcome. For instance, a bank customer asks for a loan that is rejected. The counterfactual explanation consists of what should have been different for the customer in order to have the loan accepted. Recently, there has been an explosion of proposals for counterfactual explainers. The aim of this work is to survey the most recent explainers returning counterfactual explanations. We categorize explainers based on the approach adopted to return the counterfactuals, and we label them according to characteristics of the method and properties of the counterfactuals returned. In addition, we visually compare the explanations, and we report quantitative benchmarking assessing minimality, actionability, stability, diversity, discriminative power, and running time. The results make evident that the current state of the art does not provide a counterfactual explainer able to guarantee all these properties simultaneously.
Water quality and trophic status of Lake Mariut in Egypt and its drainage water after 8-year diversion
Authors: Shaaban Nashwa A.
Published: April 2022

Water resource management and lake rehabilitation are global interest, to overcome the acute water scarcity facing most urban areas, especially in developing countries. Lake Mariut (LM) is an Egyptian lake that lies south of the Mediterranean Sea, and its management had a great interest in Alexandria’s future development and as a part of the environmental sustainability of the Mediterranean basin. LM consists of 4 major basins, namely, main (MB), northwest (NWB), southwest (SWB), and fishery (FB). The MB has deteriorated as it consistently received (sewage and industrial) wastewaters till 2010. This was the date of diversion of the polluting sources as a rehabilitation step. The present work is made after elapsing 8 years from the diversion and aims at monitoring and assessing the status of the water quality not only of MB but also for the other 3 basins too. This was carried out twice, one in cold winter and the other in warm summer. The parameters studied were physico-chemical including water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen/hydrogen sulfide (DO/H2S), salinity, and chlorophyll a besides nutrient salts (nitrogen, N and phosphorus, P compounds). The results revealed that the waters of both MB and SWB basins were depleted in DO to a level difficult to sustain fish life and showed elevated levels of most nutrient salts. Trophically, all the studied basins were in eutrophic-hypereutrophic condition. As a result of pollution source diversion away from MB to be discharged in the downstream part of Umum Drain (UD), the levels of TN and TP entering Mex Bay through UD were slightly higher than the permissible limit and lower than dangerous loading. The applying of principle component analysis (PCA)-based classification approach, for obtaining the WQI on the current study, revealed that the FB, NWB, and SWB2000 showed a relatively good water quality when compared with MB. The depletion in the vital DO is catastrophic and needs urgent solution/s. One of the proposed solutions is the dredging of bottom spoiled organic-rich sediments. This and other suggested solutions are, however, discussed, evaluated, and presented.
A feature extraction method for person re-identification based on a two-branch CNN
Authors: Yang Bo , Shan Yao , Peng Rui , Li Jian , Chen Shaohui , Li Linlin
Published: April 2022

A two-branch convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture for feature extraction in person re-identification (re-ID) based on video surveillance is proposed. Highly discriminative person features are obtained by extracting both global and local features. Moreover, an adaptive triplet loss function based on the original triplet loss function is proposed and is used in the network training process, resulting in a significantly improved learning efficiency. The experimental results on open datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The epistemology of thought experiments without exceptionalist ingredients
Authors: Irikefe Paul O.
Published: April 2022

This paper argues for two interrelated claims. The first is that the most innovative contribution of Timothy Williamson, Herman Cappelen, and Max Deutsch (a.k.a., the intuition deniers) in the debate about the epistemology of thought experiments is not the denial of intuition and the claim of the irrelevance of experimental philosophy but the claim of epistemological continuity and the rejection of philosophical exceptionalism. The second is that a better way of implementing the claim of epistemological continuity is not Deutsch and Cappelen’s argument view or Williamson’s folk psychological view (i.e., off-line simulation). This is so because while the argument view makes the basis of the relevant classificational judgement evidentially too demanding; the folk psychological view makes it too weak and error-prone to count as an adequate explanation. Drawing from a certain reading of Aristotle’sNichomachean Ethicsthat flowers in Miranda Fricker and John McDowell, I argue for the reason-responsiveness view. Like the extant views, the reason-responsiveness view vindicates the claim of epistemological continuity. But unlike the extant views, it does not share those problematic features. Further, I show that the reason-responsiveness view offers a way for champions of the claim of epistemological continuity to resist Avner Baz’s objection to the claim of epistemological continuity and his objection to the philosophical use of thought experiments while taking on board some attractive elements of his view.
Fern and lycophyte niche displacement under predicted climate change in Honduras
Authors: Pie Marcio R. , Batke Sven P. , Reyes-Chávez Johan , Dallimore Thom
Published: April 2022

Ferns and lycophytes are excellent model organisms to investigate the effect of climate change on species niches, due to their high sensitivity to changes in temperature and precipitation. In Honduras, this species group is particularly diverse with over 713 known taxa. However, we currently lack a quantitative assessment of the impact that changes in climate might have on these species. This study aimed (1) to explore the structure of the available climatic conditions across the entire country; (2) to determine the extent to which the available climatic space is occupied by different fern and lycophyte species; and (3) to assess which regions of climatic space will be most affected according to scenarios of climate change. We analyzed a newly developed database of herbarium fern records (n = 11,791) and used ordination models to compare the climatic niche of all Honduran fern and lycophyte taxa under present and future climates. We found that species were distributed throughout most of the available climatic space. Under RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 projections 128 to 391 species will have their average niche positions outside of the predicted available climatic space by the years 2049–2099. Particularly affected will be species that grow in low temperature and high precipitation areas, which represent high altitude parks, such as Celaque National Park. Epiphytes showed smaller variance in their climatic niches than terrestrial species. However, terrestrial species showed higher loss in climate space (e.g., 82.9% vs. 17.1% for RCP8.5) and are more likely to be at risk in the future. In general, Honduras is expected to become drier, with more extreme events of severe drought. Considering that ferns are particularly sensitive to changes in climate, if tested in the future, they could be used as a proxy for other Honduran plant taxa.
Spatial confinement effects of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy at reduced air pressures
Authors: Hao Zhongqi , Deng Zhiwei , Liu Li , Shi Jiulin , He Xingdao
Published: April 2022

Spatial confinement is a simple and cost-effective method for enhancing signal intensity and improving the detection sensitivity of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). However, the spatial confinement effects of LIBS under different pressures remains a question to be studied, because the pressure of the ambient gas has a significant influence on the temporal and spatial evolution of plasma. In this study, spatial confinement effects of LIBS under a series of reduced air pressures were investigated experimentally, and the plasma characteristics under different air pressures were studied. The results show that the reduced air pressure can lead to both earlier onset and weakening of the enhancement effect of the spatial confinement on the LIBS line intensity. When the air pressure drops to 0.1 kPa, the enhancement effect of the emission intensity no longer comes from the compression of the reflected shock wave on the plasma, but from the cavity’s restriction of the plasma expansion space. In conclusion, the enhancement effect of spatial confinement technology on the LIBS is still effective when the pressure is reduced, which further expands the research and application field of spatial confinement technology.

Graphical abstract
Correction to: Response of wheat to combined application of nitrogen and phosphorus along with compost
Authors: Kabato Wogene , Ergudo Tagesse , Mutum Lamnganbi , Janda Tibor , Molnár Zoltán
Published: April 2022

Due to unfortunate oversight author names have been misspelt.
The numbers of fungi: contributions from traditional taxonomic studies and challenges of metabarcoding
Authors: Phukhamsakda Chayanard , Nilsson Rolf Henrik , Bhunjun Chitrabhanu S. , de Farias Antonio Roberto Gomes , Sun Ya-Ru , Wijesinghe Subodini N. , Raza Mubashar , Bao Dan-Feng , Lu Li , Tibpromma Saowaluck , Dong Wei , Tennakoon Danushka S. , Tian Xing-Guo , Xiong Yin-Ru , Karunarathna Samantha C. , Cai Lei , Luo Zong-Long , Wang Yong , Manawasinghe Ishara S. , Camporesi Erio , Kirk Paul M. , Promputtha Itthayakorn , Kuo Chang-Hsin , Su Hong-Yan , Doilom Mingkwan , Li Yu , Fu Yong-Ping , Hyde Kevin D.
Published: April 2022

The global diversity of fungi has been estimated using several different approaches. There is somewhere between 2–11 million estimated species, but the number of formally described taxa is around 150,000, a tiny fraction of the total. In this paper, we examine 12 ascomycete genera as case studies to establish trends in fungal species descriptions, and introduce new species in each genus. To highlight the importance of traditional morpho-molecular methods in publishing new species, we introduce novel taxa in 12 genera that are considered to have low species discovery. We discuss whether the species are likely to be rare or due to a lack of extensive sampling and classification. The genera are Apiospora, Bambusicola, Beltrania, Capronia, Distoseptispora, Endocalyx, Neocatenulostroma, Neodeightonia, Paraconiothyrium, Peroneutypa, Phaeoacremonium and Vanakripa. We discuss host-specificity in selected genera and compare the number of species epithets in each genus with the number of ITS (barcode) sequences deposited in GenBank and UNITE. We furthermore discuss the relationship between the divergence times of these genera with those of their hosts. We hypothesize whether there might be more species in these genera and discuss hosts and habitats that should be investigated for novel species discovery.
Fractionation of sugar beet pulp polysaccharides into component sugars and pre-feasibility analysis for further valorisation
Authors: Glaser Sara Jonsdottir , Abdelaziz Omar Y. , Demoitié Corentin , Galbe Mats , Pyo Sang-Hyun , Jensen John P. , Hatti-Kaul Rajni
Published: April 2022

Sugar beet pulp (SBP) is a by-product formed in large amounts during the production of refined sugar and is currently used as a low-cost feed for livestock. The dry SBP comprises largely three polysaccharides (75–85%), cellulose, hemicellulose and pectin, whose component sugars constitute potential valuable feedstock for producing building blocks for chemicals and materials. In the present study, a simple and integrated process for the fractionation of SBP polysaccharides into streams enriched with corresponding sugars is developed. Initial screening of several pectinase preparations (from Novozymes) for the treatment of dry SBP (at initial pH 4.0, 50 °C) showed Pectinase ME to release the maximum amount of galacturonic acid (GalU) along with high amounts of arabinose (Ara). On the other hand, subjecting the SBP to acid hydrolysis using 0.64 M sulphuric acid at 80 °C was relatively selective in solubilising mainly Ara (71.3% of the initial content), and the subsequent treatment with Pectinase ME solubilised 68.5% of the initial GalU content. Treatment of the residual solid fraction with cellulases released 81.9% of the original glucose content. Size-exclusion chromatography revealed the presence of oligomers ranging from dimers to pentamers in the acid and pectinase hydrolysates. Mass-balance based process analysis of 1000 kgdry/h SBP biorefinery using the three-stage fractionation of sugars and further valorization to arabitol, mucic acid and levulinic acid, respectively, indicated the potential economic feasibility and value addition of SBP, which is currently sold at 200 US$/t as animal feed. Recycling of water and catalysts would be important for reducing waste generation and improving environmental performance.
Identification and quantification of valuable platform chemicals in aqueous product streams from a preliminary study of a large pilot-scale steam explosion of woody biomass using quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Ghoreishi Solmaz , Løhre Camilla , Hermundsgård Dag Helge , Molnes Joakim Lindgaard , Tanase-Opedal Mihaela , Brusletto Rune , Barth Tanja
Published: April 2022

Steam explosion breaks down the polymeric matrix and enables the recovery of valuable compounds from lignocellulosic feedstock. In the steam explosion process, biomass is treated with high-pressure steam which subsequently generates large quantities of a condensed aqueous liquid (process effluent) and a filtered aqueous liquid (filtrate) that contain furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, 5-methylfurfural, methanol, and acetic acid as major constituents. This study addresses the identification and quantification of value-added chemicals in the aqueous product streams using quantitative analytical nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy with water suppression. This work reports a screening study for two different types of sawdust (Norway spruce and birch) at two different scales (4 L and 10 L reactors) using different reaction temperatures (190–223 °C) and corresponding pressures (13–24 bar), with and without the addition of SO2 gas. The duration of all experiments was 8 min. The process effluents contained acetic acid, methanol, formic acid, 5-methylfurfural, and furfural. Acetic acid (0.5 g/kg dry input biomass) and furfural (1.0 g/kg dry input biomass) were more abundant than methanol, formic acid, and 5-methylfurfural for both feedstocks. The addition of SO2 increased the furfural yields, indicating more efficient hydrolysis of hemicelluloses under acidic conditions. Filtrate samples also contained 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, with the highest concentrations (5.7–6.0 g/kg dry input biomass) in the filtrates from spruce. The different feedstocks and steam explosion temperatures strongly influenced the overall yields of the target compounds, in some cases tripling the concentrations. The results can be used to improve the profit margins in a pellets and chemicals biorefinery, as demonstrated in the ArbaOne pellets plant.
Hilbert series of parallelogram polyominoes
Authors: Qureshi Ayesha Asloob , Rinaldo Giancarlo , Romeo Francesco
Published: April 2022

We present a conjecture about the reduced Hilbert series of the coordinate ring of a simple polyomino in terms of particular arrangements of non-attacking rooks that can be placed on the polyomino. By using a computational approach, we prove that the above conjecture holds for all simple polyominoes up to rank 11. In addition, we prove that the conjecture holds true for the class of parallelogram polyominoes, by looking at those as simple planar distributive lattices. Finally, we give a combinatorial interpretation of the Gorensteinness of parallelogram polyominoes.
Work Overload and Addictive Social Media Use: A Relationship with Depression Symptoms and Life Satisfaction
Authors: Brailovskaia Julia , Frahsek Marc , Margraf Jürgen
Published: April 2022

Work overload is highly related to mental health issues. Online social media are often used to escape the feelings of overload. In the current study, 291 employees from various job sectors completed an online survey related to work overload, addictive social media use (SMU), and mental health (i.e., depression symptoms, life satisfaction). Work overload was significantly positively associated with addictive SMU (r = 0.209, p < 0.001) and depression symptoms (r = 0.190, p < 0.001). The relationship between work overload and life satisfaction was significantly negative (r = −0.175, p < 0.001). Moreover, addictive SMU significantly mediated the association between work overload and depression symptoms (total effect: p = 0.002, direct effect: p = 0.052), and the association between work overload and life satisfaction (total effect: p = 0.006, direct effect: p = 0.064). The present result reveals that high work overload could foster addictive SMU that could impact employees’ mental health. Therefore, the attention of employees and employers should be attracted to the potential negative consequences of intensive SMU. The integration of measures such as a temporary “social media detox” and enhanced physical activity in the policy of various organizations could be an important step to protect employees’ mental health and to maintain their productivity.
Beyond transparency: architectural application of robotically fabricated polychromatic float glass
Authors: Giesecke Rena , Clemente Rémy , Mitropoulou Ioanna , Skevaki Eleni , Peterhans Christian Thiago , Dillenburger Benjamin
Published: April 2022

This research investigates robotically fabricated polychromatic float glass for architectural applications. Polychromatic glass elements usually require labor-intensive processes or are limited to film applications of secondary materials onto the glass. Previous research employs computer numerical control (CNC) based multi-channel granule deposition to manufacture polychromatic relief glass; however, it is limited in motion, channel control, and design space. To expand the design and fabrication space for the manufacture of mono-material polychromatic glass elements, this paper presents further advancements using a UR robotic arm with an advanced multi-channel dispenser, linear and curved-paths granule deposition, customized color pattern design approaches, and a computational tool for the prediction and rendering of outcomes. A large-scale demonstrator serves as a case study for upscaling. Robotic multi-channel deposition and tailored computational design tools are employed to facilitate a full-scale installation consisting of eighteen large glass panels. Novel optical properties include locally varying color, opacity, and texture filter light and view. The resulting product constructs sublime architectural experiences through light refraction, reflection, color, opacity - beyond mere transparency.
International approaches to writing instruction: a comparison of curriculum in Australia and the USA
Authors: Zammit Katina , Rhodes Joan , Milby Tammy
Published: April 2022

Being literate empowers individuals to be active citizens and enhances individuals self-esteem, self-confidence, and independence. In today’s society, literacy requires much more than alphabetic knowledge. Curriculum documents provide content knowledge for teachers to refer to as they assess and plan for the learning needs of their students. However, they also have embedded within them particular views on what is to be taught and how to teach writing. In this paper, we analyse how the teaching and learning of writing is represented in the official (intended) English curriculum standards of the USA, the state of Virginia, and Australia, in New South Wales. Using content analysis, we analysed the standards for the approach/es explicitly or implicitly embedded in the writing standards. We found that a skills-based approach was the dominant discourse in both US and Australian intended curricula. A process approach was present much more in the Virginia standards than NSW, while a genre approach was more prominent in NSW curricula than Virginia. The creative and critical approaches were less present in both countries. We acknowledge that the enacted curriculum may differ to that of the intended official curriculum as teachers bring their own interpretations to the official curriculum documents.
Progress and remaining challenges in comprehensive gastric cancer treatment
Authors: Miao Zhi-Feng , Chen Hanyu , Wang Zhen-Ning , Ji Jia-Fu , Liang Han , Xu Hui-Mian , Wang Jiping
Published: April 2022

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer among all cancer fields and currently the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths both in men and women worldwide. Additionally, the incidence and mortality of GC significantly varies due to different eating habits and environmental and genetic factors in different areas. Remarkably, with the development of techniques and surgical equipment along with newly emerging drugs and therapeutics, the 5-year survival for GC patients has increased and the death rate has decreased. In this perspective, based on current therapies in GC field around the world, we present a systematic discussion about the state of advanced clinical treatments including surgical resection, systemic chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy and enhanced recovery after surgery. Although challenges remain which require further study and investigation, in this review, we mainly focus on the promising clinical treatment strategies in GC to date.
Private Lending in an Alpine Region during the Eighteenth Century: A Family of Merchant-Bankers and Their Credit Network
Authors: Lorandini Cinzia , Odella Francesca
Published: April 2022

The literature on early modern credit markets emphasizes both the social embeddedness of credit relationships and the role of notaries. To enhance our understanding of how credit markets functioned in a “less-developed” economy, we investigate the local lending activities of a merchant-banker family that operated at the intersection of formal and informal credit. A combination of economic rationality and social motivations in lending decisions emerges. The credit network of this family firm provides a portrait of the social structure of the local community, where the central position of a few trusted notaries and members of the business and political elite highlights the prevalence of relationships of power and favor over impersonal market exchange. The predominance of informal credit reveals a preference for loans made outside of notarial circuits. Nonetheless, notaries were crucial in lending to borrowers of lower social status and with weak ties, thus helping the liquidity of these merchants to “trickle down” into local society.
Dried chicory root improves bowel function, benefits intestinal microbial trophic chains and increases faecal and circulating short chain fatty acids in subjects at risk for type 2 diabetes
Authors: Puhlmann Marie-Luise , Jokela Roosa , van Dongen Katja Catharina Wilhelmina , Bui Thi Phuong Nam , Hangelbroek Roland Willem Jan van , Smidt Hauke , de Vos Willem Meindert , Feskens Edith Johanna Maria
Published: April 2022

We investigated the impact of dried chicory root in a randomised, placebo-controlled trial with 55 subjects at risk for type 2 diabetes on bowel function, gut microbiota and its products, and glucose homeostasis. The treatment increased stool softness (+1.1 ± 0.3 units; p = 0.034) and frequency (+0.6 ± 0.2 defecations/day; p < 0.001), strongly modulated gut microbiota composition (7 % variation; p = 0.001), and dramatically increased relative levels (3-4-fold) of Anaerostipes and Bifidobacterium spp., in a dose-dependent, reversible manner. A synthetic community, including selected members of these genera and a Bacteroides strain, generated a butyrogenic trophic chain from the product. Faecal acetate, propionate and butyrate increased by 25.8 % (+13.0 ± 6.3 mmol/kg; p = 0.023) as did their fasting circulating levels by 15.7 % (+7.7 ± 3.9 μM; p = 0.057). In the treatment group the glycaemic coefficient of variation decreased from 21.3 ± 0.94 to 18.3 ± 0.84 % (p = 0.004), whereas fasting glucose and HOMA-ir decreased in subjects with low baseline Blautia levels (−0.3 ± 0.1 mmol/L fasting glucose; p = 0.0187; −0.14 ± 0.1 HOMA-ir; p = 0.045). Dried chicory root intake rapidly and reversibly affects bowel function, benefits butyrogenic trophic chains, and promotes glycaemic control.
Policy Dialogue: The War over How History Is Taught
Authors: Jamnah Donnalie , Zimmerman Jonathan
Published: April 2022

Conflict over the curriculum is nothing new in American public education, which has never been insulated from the culture wars. In the past few years, conflict over the teaching of race has torn through history and social studies classrooms, inciting the most serious fight over America's past since the last “history war” in the 1990s. At issue in the current conflict are debates over what schools should teach K-12 students about the history of race and racism in the United States. The chief flashpoint in this fight has been the New York Times’s 1619 Project, led by journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, which seeks to retell the story of America's founding through the lens of racial inequality. Pushback on the 1619 Project has included the Trump administration's 1776 Commission, which produced a series of proposals seeking to ban 1619-aligned curricula and oppose critical race theory.

For this policy dialogue, the HEQ editors asked Donnalie Jamnah and Jonathan Zimmerman to discuss the latest round of history wars in K-12 public education, exploring the extent to which the past helps us understand the troubled present, as well as what the future might hold. Donnalie Jamnah is the K-12 Partnerships Manager for the education team at the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. In that role, she manages several programs including the 1619 Educator Network. Prior to joining the Pulitzer Center, she worked as a classroom teacher and instructional coach. Zimmerman is a past president of the History of Education Society and the Judy and Howard Berkowitz Professor in Education at the University of Pennsylvania. His work examines how education practices and policies have developed over time, and the myths that often cloud our understanding of teaching and learning. He is the author of nine books, including Whose America? Culture Wars in the Public Schools (2002), which the University of Chicago Press will release in a revised twentieth-anniversary edition in 2022.

HEQ policy dialogues are, by design, intended to promote an informal, free exchange of ideas between scholars. At the end of the exchange, we offer a list of references for readers who wish to follow up on sources relevant to the discussion.
Rainbow reflection and broadband energy absorption of water waves by graded arrays of vertical barriers
Authors: Wilks Ben , Montiel Fabien , Wakes Sarah
Published: April 2022

The rainbow reflection effect describes the broadband spatial separation of wave spectral components caused by a spatially graded array of resonators. Although mainly studied in optics and acoustics, this phenomenon has recently been demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally for water waves travelling through an array of vertical cylinders. The scattering of two-dimensional linear water waves by an array of vertical, surface-piercing barriers is considered here, in which both the submergence and spacing between the barriers are spatially graded. The rainbow reflection effect arises naturally as wave energy temporarily becomes amplified at different locations depending on frequency. Band diagram calculations are used to demonstrate that this is a consequence of the wave gradually slowing down throughout the array. The wave/barriers scattering problem is then augmented by positioning heave-restricted, rectangular floating bodies equipped with a linear damping mechanism between each adjacent pair of barriers. A solution to the resulting boundary value problem is obtained using an integral equation/Galerkin method. Using constrained optimisation, passive rainbow absorbers are designed that achieve near-perfect absorption (i) over a discrete set of frequencies and (ii) over an octave. This suggests potential applications of rainbow absorbers in the design of smart coastal technologies.
STRUCTURAL HIGHNESS NOTIONS
Authors: CALVERT WESLEY , FRANKLIN JOHANNA N. Y. , TURETSKY DAN
Published: April 2022

We introduce several highness notions on degrees related to the problem of computing isomorphisms between structures, provided that isomorphisms exist. We consider variants along axes of uniformity, inclusion of negative information, and several other problems related to computing isomorphisms. These other problems include Scott analysis (in the form of back-and-forth relations), jump hierarchies, and computing descending sequences in linear orders.
Virtual reality (VR) therapy for patients with psychosis: satisfaction and side effects
Authors: Freeman Daniel , Rosebrock Laina , Waite Felicity , Loe Bao Sheng , Kabir Thomas , Petit Ariane , Dudley Robert , Chapman Kate , Morrison Anthony , O'Regan Eileen , Aynsworth Charlotte , Jones Julia , Murphy Elizabeth , Powling Rosie , Peel Heather , Walker Harry , Byrne Rory , Freeman Jason , Rovira Aitor , Galal Ushma , Yu Ly-Mee , Clark David M. , Lambe Sinéad
Published: April 2022

Background

Automated virtual reality therapies are being developed to increase access to psychological interventions. We assessed the experience with one such therapy of patients diagnosed with psychosis, including satisfaction, side effects, and positive experiences of access to the technology. We tested whether side effects affected therapy.

Methods

In a clinical trial 122 patients diagnosed with psychosis completed baseline measures of psychiatric symptoms, received gameChange VR therapy, and then completed a satisfaction questionnaire, the Oxford-VR Side Effects Checklist, and outcome measures.

Results

79 (65.8%) patients were very satisfied with VR therapy, 37 (30.8%) were mostly satisfied, 3 (2.5%) were indifferent/mildly dissatisfied, and 1 (0.8%) person was quite dissatisfied. The most common side effects were: difficulties concentrating because of thinking about what might be happening in the room (n = 17, 14.2%); lasting headache (n = 10, 8.3%); and the headset causing feelings of panic (n = 9, 7.4%). Side effects formed three factors: difficulties concentrating when wearing a headset, feelings of panic using VR, and worries following VR. The occurrence of side effects was not associated with number of VR sessions, therapy outcomes, or psychiatric symptoms. Difficulties concentrating in VR were associated with slightly lower satisfaction. VR therapy provision and engagement made patients feel: proud (n = 99, 81.8%); valued (n = 97, 80.2%); and optimistic (n = 96, 79.3%).

Conclusions

Patients with psychosis were generally very positive towards the VR therapy, valued having the opportunity to try the technology, and experienced few adverse effects. Side effects did not significantly impact VR therapy. Patient experience of VR is likely to facilitate widespread adoption.
Transferability of a EUnetHTA relative effectiveness assessment to low- and middle-income countries setting
Authors: Padmasawitri T. I. Armina , Fuady Ahmad
Published: April 2022

In 2020, European Network for Health Technology Assessment (EUnetHTA) published a relative effectiveness analysis (REA) of Pretomanid in combination with Bedaquiline and Linezolid for the treatment of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) or treatment-intolerant or nonresponsive multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) (REA PTJA14). This REA may have a significant value for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) outside Europe, particularly those with a high burden of drug-resistant TB. This commentary focuses on whether the REA PTJA14 can be transferred and to what extent a REA can be translated to LMICs context outside Europe. We found that the assessments on the clinical effectiveness and risks of bias reported in REA PTJA14 are useful for LMICs outside Europe. The highly standardized management of TB will support the applicability of the REA to LMICs outside of Europe. Transferring this REA can reduce workload and efficiently use limited resources to conduct health technology assessment (HTA). However, the transfer should consider several critical issues, including variations in health system delivery and clinical practice and setting-specific constraints. In the TB context, the differences in the current standard treatment for XDR or nonresponsive MDR TB, resources availability for drug-resistant TB management, and how healthcare is delivered in the countries can complicate the applicability of the REA PTJA14. Given that LMICs have limitations in doing HTA, it is now critical to develop standard guidelines for transferring REA or other HTA results from high-income countries or other LMICs to maximize the benefits of the REA for LMICs outside Europe.