bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of hazardous wastewater generated from metal finishing and electro‐coating industry via self‐coagulation: Case study
Authors: Abou‐Elela Sohair I. , Fawzy Mariam E. , El‐Shafai Saber A.
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study is to find out a sustainable and cost‐effective solution to manage hazardous shock loads from metal finishing and electro‐coating industry. Results indicated that the main sources of hazardous wastewater are coming from batch chemical cleaning of degreasing basin (CCDB) (pH 13) and contains very hazardous chemicals, batch chemical cleaning of phosphating basin (CCPB) (pH 1.03) and contains high concentrations of iron (2300 mg/L) and zinc (2400 mg/L) and degreasing basin contents (DBC). Different treatment approaches were investigated. Results indicated that mixing CCDB with CCPB at their actual discharge allowed to form a self‐coagulant of metal hydroxide which was utilized to treat the (DBC) followed by sedimentation. Removal efficiency of COD (87%), TSS (94%), and oil and grease (92%) were achieved. To compare the efficiency of this treatment approach, conventional chemical coagulation of DBC was carried out using FeCl3 but the amount was very high. In conclusion, results proved the advantage of using self‐coagulation to treat DBC since it eliminates the use of external chemicals and provides an integrated solution for the three main sources of hazardous pollutants.

Practitioner points

The manuscript provide an innovative and sustainable solution to the shock loads of hazardous wastewater generated from metal finishing and E‐coating industry by utilizing iron‐rich wastewater from chemical cleaning of phosphating basin and alkaline wastewater from chemical cleaning of degreasing basin to produce metal hydroxide.

The metal hydroxide was cost‐effective and technically effectively than external coagulant in treating highly polluted degreasing basin content at due discharge time.

Iron‐rich wastewater could be used to produce self‐coagulant of iron hydroxide.

Mixing iron rich wastewater and alkaline wastewater produce iron hydroxide.

Iron hydroxide is cost‐effective in treating hazardous wastewater of degreasing basin.
Synthesis of NHC Complexes with an N‐(2‐Oxopropyl) Group
Authors: Hervé Alexandre , Jahnke Mareike C. , Hahn F. Ekkehardt
Published: March 2021

The unsymmetrically N,N’‐substituted NHC precursor N‐(2‐oxopropyl),N’‐picolylbenzimidazolium chloride (H‐1)Cl, featuring an N‐protecting group has been prepared. Reaction of (H‐1)Cl with Ag2O followed by transmetallation of the NHC to [MCl2(Cp*)]2 (M=Rh, Ir) yielded complexes [MCl(Cp*)(κ2‐1)]Cl (M=Rh, [2]Cl; M=Ir, [3]Cl) with a chelating coordinated CNHC
Npyridine ligand. Anion exchange gave complexes [2]BF4 (M=Rh) and [3]BF4 (M=Ir). Transmetallation of the NHC ligand from silver(I) to gold(I) gave the mononuclear complex [AuCl(1)] [4] bearing a monodentate, N‐picoly funtionalized NHC ligand. Complex [4] reacts with AgBF4 to yield the dinuclear complex [5](BF4)2 featuring two bridging μ2‐CNHC
Npyridine ligands. The molecular structures of [2]BF4 ⋅ CH2Cl2 and [3]BF4 ⋅ CH2Cl2 have been determined by X‐ray diffraction studies.
Social Support
Authors: Drageset Jorunn
Published: March 2021

Social support by our social network proves to be important for our health. The opposite of good social support is loneliness. First and foremost, it seems that social support includes emotional support, belonging in a social community, being valued, practical help, and information and guidance. Social support represents a vital salutogenic resource for individuals’ mental health.

This chapter explains the concept of social support in relation with other concepts of specific relevance, such as coping and quality of life. In a health-promoting perspective, this chapter presents the concept of social support and its theoretical basis. A brief description of questionnaires assessing social support is provided, as well as a brief summary of evidence demonstrating the salutogenic potential of social support, both as a preventive and a health-promoting resource.
Self-Efficacy in a Nursing Context
Authors: Shorey Shefaly , Lopez Violeta
Published: March 2021

Self-efficacy is one of the most ubiquitous term found in social, psychological, counselling, education, clinical and health literatures. The purpose of this chapter is to describe and evaluate self-efficacy theory and the studies most relevant to the nursing context. This chapter provides an overview of the development of self-efficacy theory, its five components and the role of self-efficacy in promoting emotional and behavioural changes in a person’s life with health problems. This chapter also discusses the role of self-efficacy in nursing interventions by providing examples of studies conducted in health promotion in patients and academic performance of nursing students.
Health Promotion Among Families Having a Newborn Baby
Authors: Shorey Shefaly
Published: March 2021

Pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period are the stressful transition periods to parenthood. With medicalization of perinatal period, parents feel left out and less confident in their parenthood journey, which may pose serious threats to the family dynamics. Salutogenesis theory offers the potential to influence a shift away from negative health outlooks and outcomes, medicalization of childbirth, toward health promotion and positive well-being focus for maternity care services design and delivery in the future.
Health Promotion and Self-Management Among Patients with Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Jiang Ying , Wang Wenru
Published: March 2021

Heart failure is a chronic and complex clinical syndrome. It is one of the common causes of hospitalization and readmission among the older population. Patient self-management is essential to maintaining health and avoiding disruption of life caused by frequent hospitalizations. However, many patients lack self-care skills. This chapter provides a review on evidence for the importance of self-management and strategies to educate patients and promote self-care while living with the limitations on physical function.
The Ethics of Health Promotion: From Public Health to Health Care
Authors: Solberg Berge
Published: March 2021

Health promotion is often been associated with altering social arrangement in order to improve the health of citizens—the domain of public health. Ethical aspects of health promotion then is generally discussed in terms of a public health ethics. In this chapter, I start out with some classical ethical and political dilemmas of health promotion in public health before I move into the ethics of health promotion in health care. I argue that empowerment, better than any other value, may serve as the ethical foundation for health promotion in health care. I further claim that empowerment may serve as the ethical bridge between health promotion in health care and health promotion in public health.
Hope: A Health Promotion Resource
Authors: Rustøen Tone
Published: March 2021

Hope is a phenomenon many nurses and patients are concerned about. One of the reasons for this interest may be that many patients today live with chronic illnesses, and hope is something positive and focuses on the future and opportunities. Hope is a way of feeling, thinking, and influencing one’s behavior. The way we view our health and health-related challenges are assumed to impact on hope. Hope is forward-looking, realistic, and multidimensional. It is a resource for health and health-promoting processes and can be considered a salutogenic resource and construct. This chapter highlights what hope means during illness, what research has so far been concerned with, how hope can be assessed, and how nurses can strengthen hope in patients.
Ist-Situation der Landnutzung in Deutschland
Authors: Hoymann Jana , Baum Sarah , Elsasser Peter , Dechow Rene , Gutsch Martin , Fick Johanna
Published: March 2021

Die für die Landnutzung in Deutschland prägenden politischen, agrar- und forstökonomischen sowie gesellschaftlichen Rahmenbedingungen werden aufgezeigt. Nach einer Beschreibung der Flächennutzung wird ein Überblick über die Treibhausgas-Emissionen in Deutschland gegeben, um die sektoralen landnutzungsinduzierten Treibhausgas-Emissionen einzuordnen.
Gesellschaftliche Bewertung der Landnutzungsstrategien
Authors: Elsasser Peter , Grabski-Kieron Ulrike , Hellmich Meike , Hirschfeld Jesko , Raabe Mathias , Rajmis Sandra , Sagebiel Julian , Siebert Rosemaire , Steinführer Annett , Steinhäußer Reimund , Weller Priska
Published: March 2021

Das Konzept der Ökosystemleistungen wird genutzt, um die verschiedenen Effekte von Landnutzungsänderungen systematisch zu erfassen und monetär zu bewerten. Eine Bewertung der in Kapitel 4 erarbeiteten Maßnahmen und Strategien der Landnutzung erfolgt auf der Grundlage der Ergebnisse einer umfangreichen Befragung im Rahmen einer erweiterten Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse. Die Bewertung erfolgt für landwirtschaftliche sowie für forstwirtschaftliche Ökosystemleistungen. Darüber hinaus wurden die Rahmensetzungen des Umwelt- und Planungsrechts, die Anreizsetzungen verschiedener Förderpolitiken sowie die Einflüsse privater und öffentlicher Akteure und Institutionen untersucht. Es wurden Möglichkeiten aufgezeigt, diese Regelungs- und Steuerungssysteme der Landnutzung anzupassen und weiterzuentwickeln, um den Herausforderungen des Klimaschutzes und der Klimaanpassung sektorspezifisch und sektorübergreifend begegnen zu können. Mit Landnutzung befasste gesellschaftliche Akteure wurden im Forschungsprozess, für die Validierung von Zwischenergebnissen und die Praxisrelevanz der zu erzielenden Ergebnisse kontinuierlich im Projekt beteiligt. Die Ergebnisse dieses Prozesses, die Beteiligung und inhaltlichen Anregungen der Stakeholder werden dargestellt und methodische Fragen reflektiert.
Zusammenfassende Schlussbetrachtung
Authors: Gömann Horst , Fick Johanna
Published: March 2021

Die Integration eines verstärkten Klimaschutzes in die Landnutzung verursacht mehr oder minder ausgeprägte Nutzungskonflikte. Die Ergebnisse der modell-gestützten Maßnahmenwirkungsanalysen sowie die Darstellung, Einordnung und gesellschaftliche Bewertung dieser Nutzungskonflikte geben Anhaltspunkte zur Einschätzung der jeweiligen Einsparpotenziale für Treibhausgas-Emissionen und den damit verbundenen Kosten, die wichtige Faktoren für die Bewertung von Maßnahmen und Maßnahmenbündeln (Strategien) sind. Die wesentlichen Ergebnisse und Empfehlungen für die Sektoren Siedlung und Verkehr sowie Landwirtschaft werden zusammengeführt, eingeordnet und bewertet.
Aufgabenstellung
Authors: Kladroba Andreas , Buchmann Tobias , Friz Katharina , Lange Marcel , Wolf Patrick
Published: March 2021

Nicht nur unterschiedliche Interessenlagen bezüglich einer Messung von FuE und Innovation geben einen kleinen Vorgeschmack auf die Komplexität des Themas. Auch die Fragestellungen können extrem unterschiedlich sein. Dieses Kapitel beschreibt Interessenlagen und Fragestellungen und führt in das Thema ein.
Betriebliche Einflussfaktoren auf Forschung und Entwicklung sowie Innovation
Authors: Kladroba Andreas , Buchmann Tobias , Friz Katharina , Lange Marcel , Wolf Patrick
Published: March 2021

In diesem Kapitel wird die Frage behandelt, welche Einflussfaktoren ein Unternehmen dazu bewegen, Forschung zu betreiben oder eben auch nicht In Form von Steckbriefen werden die wichtigsten Eigenschaften beschrieben, wobei die Steckbriefe die Ansätze des Frascati- und des Oslo-Handbuchs aufgreifen.
Indikatorensets
Authors: Kladroba Andreas , Buchmann Tobias , Friz Katharina , Lange Marcel , Wolf Patrick
Published: March 2021

Aufgrund der Komplexität des Themas bietet es sich an, eine multidimensionale Betrachtung durchzuführen und verschiedene Kriterien zu berücksichtigen. Deshalb werden in diesem Kapitel Indikatorensets betrachtet und deren wichtigste Eigenschaften und Anwendungsgebiete in Form von Steckbriefen beschrieben.
Publikationen
Authors: Kladroba Andreas , Buchmann Tobias , Friz Katharina , Lange Marcel , Wolf Patrick
Published: March 2021

In diesem Kapitel wird das Zählen von Veröffentlichungen in unterschiedlichen Formen als Indikator für die Quantität wissenschaftlicher Leistungen herangezogen. In Form von Steckbriefen werden die wichtigsten Eigenschaften und Anwendungsgebiete der Indikatoren beschrieben.
Patente
Authors: Kladroba Andreas , Buchmann Tobias , Friz Katharina , Lange Marcel , Wolf Patrick
Published: March 2021

Dieses Kapitel zieht Patente als Indikator für den FuE-Output heran. Sie messen den Erfolg des FuE-Prozesses und sind daher sowohl quantitativ als auch qualitativ interpretierbar. Allerdings sind sie aufgrund der zwingenden wirtschaftlichen Verwertbarkeit eher für den Unternehmenssektor relevant. Hochschulen und Forschungsinstitute melden zwar in Einzelfällen auch Patente an, allerdings ist hier der Anteil der noch nicht ökonomisch verwertbaren Grundlagenforschung sehr viel höher als bei den Unternehmen. In Form von Steckbriefen werden die wichtigsten Eigenschaften und Anwendungsgebiete der Indikatoren beschrieben.
The exact WKB for cosmological particle production
Authors: Enomoto Seishi , Matsuda Tomohiro
Published: March 2021

Abstract

The Bogoliubov transformation in cosmological particle production can be explained by the Stokes phenomena of the corresponding ordinary differential equation. The calculation becomes very simple as far as the solution is described by a special function. Otherwise, the calculation requires more tactics, where the Exact WKB (EWKB) may be a powerful tool. Using the EWKB, we discuss cosmological particle production focusing on the effect of more general interaction and classical scattering. The classical scattering appears when the corresponding scattering problem of the Schrödinger equation develops classical turning points on the trajectory. The higher process of fermionic preheating is also discussed using the Landau-Zener model.
Plate fixation of the anterior pelvic ring in patients with fragility fractures of the pelvis
Authors: Herteleer Michiel , Boudissa Mehdi , Hofmann Alexander , Wagner Daniel , Rommens Pol Maria
Published: March 2021

Introduction

In fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP), fractures of the posterior pelvic ring are nearly always combined with fractures of the anterior pelvic ring. When a surgical stabilization of the posterior pelvis is performed, a stabilization of the anterior pelvis is recommended as well. In this study, we aim at finding out whether conventional plate osteosynthesis is a valid option in patients with osteoporotic bone.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively reviewed medical charts and radiographs of all patients with a FFP, who underwent a plate osteosynthesis of the anterior pelvic ring between 2009 and 2019. Patient demographics, fracture characteristics, properties of the osteosynthesis, complications and revision surgeries were documented. Single plate osteosynthesis (SPO) at the pelvic brim was compared with double plate osteosynthesis (DPO) with one plate at the pelvic brim and one plate anteriorly. We hypothesized that the number and severity of screw loosening (SL) or plate breakage in DPO are lower than in SPO.

Results

48 patients with a mean age of 76.8 years were reviewed. In 37 cases, SPO was performed, in 11 cases DPO. Eight out of 11 DPO were performed in patients with FFP type III or FFP type IV. We performed significantly more DPO when the instability was located at the level of the pubic symphysis (p = 0.025). More patients with a chronic FFP (surgery more than one month after diagnosis) were treated with DPO (p = 0.07). Infra-acetabular screws were more often inserted in DPO (p = 0.056). Screw loosening (SL) was seen in the superior plate in 45% of patients. There was no SL in the anterior plate. There was SL in 19 of 37 patients with SPO and in 3 of 11 patients with DPO (p = 0.16). SL was localized near to the pubic symphysis in 19 of 22 patients after SPO and in all three patients after DPO. There was no SL in DPO within the first month postoperatively. We performed revision osteosynthesis in six patients (6/48), all belonged to the SPO group (6/37). The presence of a bone defect, unilateral or bilateral anterior pelvic ring fracture, post-operative weight-bearing restrictions, osteosynthesis of the posterior pelvic ring, and the presence of infra- or supra-acetabular screws did not significantly influence screw loosening in SPO or DPO.

Conclusion

There is a high rate of SL in plate fixation of the anterior pelvic ring in FFP. In the vast majority, SL is located near to the pubic symphysis. DPO is associated with a lower rate of SL, less severe SL and a later onset of SL. Revision surgery is less likely in DPO. In FFP, we recommend DPO instead of SPO for fixation of fractures of the anterior pelvic ring, which are located in or near to the pubic symphysis.
OctylPhenol (OP) Alone and in Combination with NonylPhenol (NP) Alters the Structure and the Function of Thyroid Gland of the Lizard Podarcis siculus
Authors: Sciarrillo Rosaria , Di Lorenzo Mariana , Valiante Salvatore , Rosati Luigi , De Falco Maria
Published: March 2021

Different environmental contaminants disturb the thyroid system at many levels. AlkylPhenols (APs), by-products of microbial degradation of AlkylPhenol Polyethoxylates (APEOs), constitute an important class of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), the two most often used environmental APs being 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) and 4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects on the thyroid gland of the bioindicator Podarcis siculus of OP alone and in combination with NP. We used radioimmunoassay to determine their effects on plasma 3,3′,5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3), 3,3′,5,5′-L-thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) levels in adult male lizards. We also investigated the impacts of AP treatments on hepatic 5′ORD (type II) deiodinase and hepatic content of T3 and T4. After OP and OP + NP administration, TRH levels increased, whereas TSH, T3, and T4 levels decreased. Lizards treated with OP and OP + NP had a higher concentration of T3 in the liver and 5′ORD (type II) activity, whereas T4 concentrations were lower than that observed in the control group. Moreover, histological examination showed that the volume of the thyroid follicles became smaller in treated lizards suggesting that that thyroid follicular epithelial cells were not functionally active following treatment. This data collectively suggest a severe interference with hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid axis and a systemic imbalance of thyroid hormones.

Graphic Abstract
Re-appraisal of the obesity paradox in heart failure: a meta-analysis of individual data
Authors: Marcks Nick , Aimo Alberto , Januzzi James L. , Vergaro Giuseppe , Clerico Aldo , Latini Roberto , Meessen Jennifer , Anand Inder S. , Cohn Jay N. , Gravning Jørgen , Ueland Thor , Bayes-Genis Antoni , Lupón Josep , de Boer Rudolf A. , Yoshihisa Akiomi , Takeishi Yasuchika , Egstrup Michael , Gustafsson Ida , Gaggin Hanna K. , Eggers Kai M. , Huber Kurt , Tentzeris Ioannis , Ripoli Andrea , Passino Claudio , Sanders-van Wijk Sandra , Emdin Michele , Brunner-La Rocca Hans-Peter
Published: March 2021

Background

Higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with better outcome compared with normal weight in patients with HF and other chronic diseases. It remains uncertain whether the apparent protective role of obesity relates to the absence of comorbidities. Therefore, we investigated the effect of BMI on outcome in younger patients without co-morbidities as compared to older patients with co-morbidities in a large heart failure (HF) population.

Methods

In an individual patient data analysis from pooled cohorts, 5,819 patients with chronic HF and data available on BMI, co-morbidities and outcome were analysed. Patients were divided into four groups based on BMI (i.e. ≤ 18.5 kg/m2, 18.5–25.0 kg/m2; 25.0–30.0 kg/m2; 30.0 kg/m2). Primary endpoints included all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization-free survival.

Results

Mean age was 65 ± 12 years, with a majority of males (78%), ischaemic HF and HF with reduced ejection fraction. Frequency of all-cause mortality or HF hospitalization was significantly worse in the lowest two BMI groups as compared to the other two groups; however, this effect was only seen in patients older than 75 years or having at least one relevant co-morbidity, and not in younger patients with HF only. After including medications and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin concentrations into the model, the prognostic impact of BMI was largely absent even in the elderly group with co-morbidity.

Conclusions

The present study suggests that obesity is a marker of less advanced disease, but does not have an independent protective effect in patients with chronic HF.

Graphic abstract

Categories of BMI are only predictive of poor outcome in patients aged > 75 years or with at least one co-morbidity (bottom), but not in those aged < 75 years without co-morbidities (top). The prognostic effect largely disappears in multivariable analyses even for the former group. These findings question the protective effect of obesity in chronic heart failure (HF).
A smooth dynamic network model for patent collaboration data
Authors: Bauer Verena , Harhoff Dietmar , Kauermann Göran
Published: March 2021

The development and application of models, which take the evolution of network dynamics into account, are receiving increasing attention. We contribute to this field and focus on a profile likelihood approach to model time-stamped event data for a large-scale dynamic network. We investigate the collaboration of inventors using EU patent data. As event we consider the submission of a joint patent and we explore the driving forces for collaboration between inventors. We propose a flexible semiparametric model, which includes external and internal covariates, where the latter are built from the network history.
Short-term geomorphological evolution of the Poggio Baldi landslide upper scarp via 3D change detection
Authors: Mazzanti Paolo , Caporossi Paolo , Brunetti Alessandro , Mohammadi Francesco Ismail , Bozzano Francesca
Published: March 2021

On 19 March 2010, a 4 million m3 landslide occurred at Poggio Baldi, a small village in the Santa Sofia municipality, central Apennines (Forlì-Cesena, Italy). The landslide caused severe damages to some homes and obstructed both the SS310 national road and the Bidente river. The Poggio Baldi landslide arose in the “Marnoso-Arenacea Romagnola” formation composed of a pelitic-arenaceous turbiditic sequence. The landslide was classified as a rotational landslide, evolving into a partially confined flow-like landslide and causing the reactivation of the deposit of a previous landslide that took place in 1914. This paper reports a study of the phenomena currently occurring on the 100-m high main scarp of this landslide complex. The aim of the study was to assess ground changes that occurred on the upper scarp from 2015 to 2018 and to infer a preliminary evolutionary model capable of supporting short-term landslide scenarios. For this purpose, multi-station terrestrial laser scanner surveys were performed in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Additionally, an unmanned aerial vehicle three-dimensional photogrammetric survey was carried out in 2016. Analyses of the three-dimensional digital models of the main scarp made it possible to carry out several exhaustive multi-temporal investigations and to derive a detailed three-dimensional change detection scheme for it. The results showed an active geomorphological evolution of the rock scarp area due to frequent rockfalls and topples (of the order of a few m3), with significant local volume changes (a few thousand m3/year) and with potential implications for the long-term evolution of the entire slope.
Adsorption for efficient low carbon hydrogen production: part 2—Cyclic experiments and model predictions
Authors: Streb Anne , Mazzotti Marco
Published: March 2021

Hydrogen as clean energy carrier is expected to play a key role in future low-carbon energy systems. In this paper, we demonstrate a new technology for coupling fossil-fuel based hydrogen production with carbon capture and storage (CCS): the integration of CO2 capture and H2 purification in a single vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) cycle. An eight step VPSA cycle is tested in a two-column lab-pilot for a ternary CO2–H2–CH4 stream representative of shifted steam methane reformer (SMR) syngas, while using commercial zeolite 13X as adsorbent. The cycle can co-purify CO2 and H2, thus reaching H2 purities up to 99.96%, CO2 purities up to 98.9%, CO2 recoveries up to 94.3% and H2 recoveries up to 81%. The key decision variables for adjusting the separation performance to reach the required targets are the heavy purge (HP) duration, the feed duration, the evacuation pressure and the flow rate of the light purge (LP). In contrast to that, the separation performance is rather insensitive towards small changes in feed composition and in HP inlet composition. Comparing the experimental results with simulation results shows that the model for describing multi-component adsorption is critical in determining the predictive capabilities of the column model. Here, the real adsorbed solution theory (RAST) is necessary to describe all experiments well, whereas neither extended isotherms nor the ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) can reproduce all effects observed experimentally.
Promotion of knowledge transfer and retention in year 2 medical students using an online training exercise
Authors: Rosby Lucy V. , Schmidt Henk G. , Tan Gerald J. S. , Low-Beer Naomi , Mamede Silvia , Zwaan Laura , Rotgans Jerome I.
Published: March 2021

It was recently shown that novice medical students could be trained to demonstrate the speed-to-diagnosis and diagnostic accuracy typical of System-1-type reasoning. However, the effectiveness of this training can only be fully evaluated when considering the extent to which knowledge transfer and long-term retention occur as a result, the former of which is known to be notoriously difficult to achieve. This study aimed to investigate whether knowledge learned during an online training exercise for chest X-ray diagnosis promoted either knowledge transfer or retention, or both. Second year medical students were presented with, and trained to recognise the features of four chest X-ray conditions. Subsequently, they were shown the four trained-for cases again as well as different representations of the same conditions varying in the number of common elements and asked to provide a diagnosis, to test for near-transfer (four cases) and far-transfer (four cases) of knowledge. They were also shown four completely new conditions to diagnose. Two weeks later they were asked to diagnose the 16 aforementioned cases again to assess for knowledge retention. Dependent variables were diagnostic accuracy and time-to-diagnosis. Thirty-six students volunteered. Trained-for cases were diagnosed most accurately and with most speed (mean score = 3.75/4, mean time = 4.95 s). When assessing knowledge transfer, participants were able to diagnose near-transfer cases more accurately (mean score = 2.08/4, mean time = 15.77 s) than far-transfer cases (mean score = 1.31/4, mean time = 18.80 s), which showed similar results to those conditions previously unseen (mean score = 0.72/4, mean time = 19.46 s). Retention tests showed a similar pattern but accuracy scores were lower overall. This study demonstrates that it is possible to successfully promote knowledge transfer and retention in Year 2 medical students, using an online training exercise involving diagnosis of chest X-rays, and is one of the few studies to provide evidence of actual knowledge transfer.
A systematic literature review on state-of-the-art deep learning methods for process prediction
Authors: Neu Dominic A. , Lahann Johannes , Fettke Peter
Published: March 2021

Process mining enables the reconstruction and evaluation of business processes based on digital traces in IT systems. An increasingly important technique in this context is process prediction. Given a sequence of events of an ongoing trace, process prediction allows forecasting upcoming events or performance measurements. In recent years, multiple process prediction approaches have been proposed, applying different data processing schemes and prediction algorithms. This study focuses on deep learning algorithms since they seem to outperform their machine learning alternatives consistently. Whilst having a common learning algorithm, they use different data preprocessing techniques, implement a variety of network topologies and focus on various goals such as outcome prediction, time prediction or control-flow prediction. Additionally, the set of log-data, evaluation metrics and baselines used by the authors diverge, making the results hard to compare. This paper attempts to synthesise the advantages and disadvantages of the procedural decisions in these approaches by conducting a systematic literature review.
Normal forms for the Laplace resonance
Authors: Pucacco Giuseppe
Published: March 2021

We describe a comprehensive model for systems locked in the Laplace resonance. The framework is based on the simplest possible dynamical structure provided by the Keplerian problem perturbed by the resonant coupling truncated at second order in the eccentricities. The reduced Hamiltonian, constructed by a transformation to resonant coordinates, is then submitted to a suitable ordering of the terms and to the study of its equilibria. Henceforth, resonant normal forms are computed. The main result is the identification of two different classes of equilibria. In the first class, only one kind of stable equilibrium is present: the paradigmatic case is that of the Galilean system. In the second class, three kinds of stable equilibria are possible and at least one of them is characterised by a high value of the forced eccentricity for the ‘first planet’: here, the paradigmatic case is the exo-planetary system GJ-876, in which the combination of libration centres admits triple conjunctions otherwise not possible in the Galilean case. The normal form obtained by averaging with respect to the free eccentricity oscillations describes the libration of the Laplace argument for arbitrary amplitudes and allows us to determine the libration width of the resonance. The agreement of the analytic predictions with the numerical integration of the toy models is very good.
Closed-loop and congestion control of the global carbon-climate system
Authors: Sierra Carlos A. , Metzler Holger , Müller Markus , Kaiser Eurika
Published: March 2021

The global carbon-climate system is a complex dynamical system with multiple feedbacks among components, and to steer this system away from dangerous climate change, it may not be enough to prescribe action according to long-term scenarios of fossil fuel emissions. We introduce here concepts from control theory, a branch of applied mathematics that is effective at steering complex dynamical systems to desired states, and distinguish between open- and closed-loop control. We attempt (1) to show that current scientific work on carbon-climate feedbacks and climate policy more closely resembles the conceptual model of open- than closed-loop control, (2) to introduce a mathematical generalization of the carbon-climate system as a compartmental dynamical system that can facilitate the formal treatment of the closed-loop control problem, and (3) to formulate carbon-climate control as a congestion control problem, discussing important concepts such as observability and controllability. We also show that most previous discussions on climate change mitigation and policy development have relied on an implicit assumption of open-loop control that does not consider frequent corrections due to deviations of goals from observations. Using a reduced complexity model, we illustrate that the problem of managing the global carbon cycle can be abstracted as a network congestion problem, accounting for nonlinear behavior and feedback from a global carbon monitoring system. As opposed to scenarios, the goal of closed-loop control is to develop rules for continuously steering the global carbon-climate system away from dangerous climate change.
Real-world prospective analysis of treatment patterns in durvalumab maintenance after chemoradiotherapy in unresectable, locally advanced NSCLC patients
Authors: Taugner Julian , Käsmann Lukas , Eze Chukwuka , Rühle Alexander , Tufman Amanda , Reinmuth Niels , Duell Thomas , Belka Claus , Manapov Farkhad
Published: March 2021

The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate the clinical use and real-world efficacy of durvalumab maintenance treatment after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in unresectable stage, locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). All consecutive patients with unresectable, locally advanced NSCLC and PD-L1 expression (≥1%) treated after October 2018 were included. Regular follow up, including physical examination, PET/CT and/or contrast-enhanced CT-Thorax/Abdomen were performed every three months after CRT. Descriptive treatment pattern analyses, including reasons of discontinuation and salvage treatment, were undertaken. Statistics were calculated from the last day of thoracic irradiation (TRT). Twenty-six patients were included. Median follow up achieved 20.6 months (range: 1.9–30.6). Durvalumab was initiated after a median of 25 (range: 13–103) days after completion of CRT. In median 14 (range: 2–24) cycles of durvalumab were applied within 6.4 (range 1–12.7) months. Six patients (23%) are still in treatment and seven (27%) have completed treatment with 24 cycles. Maintenance treatment was discontinued in 13 (50%) patients: 4 (15%) patients developed grade 3 pneumonitis according to CTCAE v5 after a median of 3.9 (range: 0.5–11.6) months and 7 (range: 2–17) cycles of durvalumab. Four (15%) patients developed grade 2 skin toxicity. One (4%) patient has discontinued treatment due to incompliance. Six and 12- month progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 82% and 62%, median PFS was not reached. No case of hyperprogression was documented. Eight (31%) patients have relapsed during maintenance treatment after a median of 4.8 (range: 2.2–11.3) months and 11 (range: 6–17) durvalumab cycles. Two patients (9%) developed a local-regional recurrence after 14 and 17 cycles of durvalumab. Extracranial distant metastases and brain metastases as first site of failure were detected in 4 (15%) and 2 (8%) patients, respectively. Three (13%) patients presented with symptomatic relapse. Our prospective study confirmed a favourable safety profile of durvalumab maintenance treatment after completion of CRT in unresectable stage, locally advanced NSCLC in a real-world setting. In a median follow-up time of 20.6 months, durvalumab was discontinued in 27% of all patients due to progressive disease. All patients with progressive disease were eligible for second-line treatment.
Political institutions and health expenditure
Authors: Blum Johannes , Dorn Florian , Heuer Axel
Published: March 2021

We examine how political institutions influence health expenditure by using a panel of 151 developing and developed countries for the years 2000 to 2015 and four measures of democracy. Our pooled OLS analysis shows that democracies have 20–30% higher government health expenditure relative to GDP than their autocratic counterparts. An instrumental variable approach which exploits the regional diffusion of democracy confirms the positive effect of democracy on government health expenditure. Panel fixed effects and event study models also suggest a positive within-country effect of democratization on government health expenditure within a short period after regime transition. Democratic rule, however, does not turn out to significantly influence private health expenditure compared to autocracies. We conclude that democracies may care more for their citizens and strive to decrease inequalities in the access to health care.
Synthesis and stability of quasicrystalline phase in Al-Cu-Fe-Si mechanically alloyed powders
Authors: Mitka Mikołaj , Góral Anna , Lityńska-Dobrzyńska Lidia
Published: March 2021

The effect of Si addition on a quasicrystalline phase formation in Al-Cu-Fe-Si alloys prepared by mechanical alloying has been investigated using X-ray diffraction and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Two compositions containing 10 at.% of Si were selected to verify the influence of the e/a ratio on a sequence of phase formation during milling: Al58.5Cu18Fe13.5Si10 (e/a = 1.98) and Al53.5Cu19.5Fe17Si10 (e/a = 1.75). A quasicrystalline icosahedral phase (i-phase) was found in both alloys after 10 h of milling in the form of nano-quasicrystallites with the size of 10–20 nm. Addition of Si stabilized the quasicrystalline phase being dominant after prolonged milling time, contrary to the reference ternary Al65Cu20Fe15 powder, which apart of the quasicrystalline phase contained the cubic β-Al(Cu, Fe) phase. Thermal stability of the quasicrystalline phase in the powders milled for 10 h was examined after annealing at 800 °C for 4 h. The i-phase was preserved partially in Al53.5Cu19.5Fe17Si10 and reference Al65Cu20Fe15 powders (both with a ratio e/a = 1.75), which coexisted with β-Al(Cu, Fe) and Al13Fe4 phase or α-Al55Si7Cu25.5Fe12 and Al2Fe3Si3 phases in Al65Cu20Fe15 and Al53.5Cu19.5Fe17Si10, respectively. For the Al58.5Cu18Fe13.5Si10 powders (e/a = 1.98), the annealing led to complete transformation of the i-phase to the cubic α-Al55Si7Cu25.5Fe12.5 approximant, forming crystallites with a size of 100–300 nm.

Graphical abstract
Protective effect of syringic acid via restoring cells biomechanics and organelle structure in human lens epithelial cells
Authors: Yang Rong , Li Xue , Mei Jie , Wan Wencheng , Huang Xinduo , Yang Qiaohong , Wei Xiaoyong
Published: March 2021

We have previously reported that syringic acid (SA) extracted from D. aurantiacum var. denneanum (kerr) may be used to prevent diabetic cataract (DC). However, the underlying mechanisms through which SA prevents DC in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) remained unclear. In the present study, we employed single-molecule optics technologies, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) and Raman spectroscopy, to monitor the effect of SA on HLECs biomechanics and organelle structure in real-time. TEM suggested that SA improved the ultrastructure of HLECs with regard to nuclear chromatin condensation and reducing mitochondrial swelling and degeneration, which may aid in the maintenance of HLECs integrity in the presence of glucose. AFM revealed a reduced surface roughness and stiffness following SA treatment, suggesting an improved viscoelasticity of HELCs. Raman spectrometry and LSCM further revealed that these changes were related to a modification of cell liquidity and cytoskeletal structure by SA. Taken together, these results provide insights into the effects of SA on the biomechanics of HLECs and further strengthen the evidence for its potential use as a novel therapeutic strategy for DC prevention.
Mesh Quality Preserving Shape Optimization Using Nonlinear Extension Operators
Authors: Onyshkevych Sofiya , Siebenborn Martin
Published: March 2021

In this article, we propose a shape optimization algorithm which is able to handle large deformations while maintaining a high level of mesh quality. Based on the method of mappings, we introduce a nonlinear extension operator, which links a boundary control to domain deformations, ensuring admissibility of resulting shapes. The major focus is on comparisons between well-established approaches involving linear-elliptic operators for the extension and the effect of additional nonlinear advection on the set of reachable shapes. It is moreover discussed how the computational complexity of the proposed algorithm can be reduced. The benefit of the nonlinearity in the extension operator is substantiated by several numerical test cases of stationary, incompressible Navier–Stokes flows in 2d and 3d.
Idea Technology and Ideology
Authors: Schwartz Barry
Published: March 2021

Although we are accustomed to thinking about technology as involving things—objects and processes—derived from scientific discoveries, science also creates a technology of ideas, ways of thinking both about the world and about human beings. And unlike “thing technology,” “idea technology” can have powerful effects even when the ideas are false. This paper discusses false idea technology, or ideology, and suggests mechanisms by which it can have effects on both individuals and societies. It discusses neuroscience as the “next frontier” of ideology that may change our conceptions of human nature.
QoS monitoring in real-time streaming overlays based on lock-free data structures
Authors: Tommasi Franco , De Luca Valerio , Melle Catiuscia
Published: March 2021

Peer-to-peer streaming is a well-known technology for the large-scale distribution of real-time audio/video contents. Delay requirements are very strict in interactive real-time scenarios (such as synchronous distance learning), where playback lag should be of the order of seconds. Playback continuity is another key aspect in these cases: in presence of peer churning and network congestion, a peer-to-peer overlay should quickly rearrange connections among receiving nodes to avoid freezing phenomena that may compromise audio/video understanding. For this reason, we designed a QoS monitoring algorithm that quickly detects broken or congested links: each receiving node is able to independently decide whether it should switch to a secondary sending node, called “fallback node”. The architecture takes advantage of a multithreaded design based on lock-free data structures, which improve the performance by avoiding synchronization among threads. We will show the good responsiveness of the proposed approach on machines with different computational capabilities: measured times prove both departures of nodes and QoS degradations are promptly detected and clients can quickly restore a stream reception. According to PSNR and SSIM, two well-known full-reference video quality metrics, QoE remains acceptable on receiving nodes of our resilient overlay also in presence of swap procedures.
Language Subjects: Placing Derrida’s Monolingualism in Global Education
Authors: Williams Emma
Published: March 2021

Derrida’s autobiographical and philosophical text Monolingualism of the Other; or, the Prosthesis of Origin is a partial recounting of his own childhood and upbringing in Algeria at a time when it was a colony of France. It is on one level a reflection on matters related to colonialism, and especially on the effects of the imposition of colonial language upon schooling and wider practices of education and coming into the world. Yet Derrida’s text also opens onto structural questions about estrangement, unsettledness and Unheimlichkeit such as they pertain to and characterise life in language more generally. This paper puts Derrida’s Monolingualism of the Other into relation with contemporary discussions of multilingualism and language learning in the context of the global education agenda. The result, as we shall see, is the destabilising of assumptions that underpin multilingualism and the global education agenda and foreclose their democratic and ethical aims. At the same time, as we shall also see, Derrida’s text opens ways in which the education of language subjects can be reconstructed in relation to a new conception of ethics and the humanities.
Teachers’ perceived time pressure, emotional exhaustion and the role of social support from the school principal
Authors: Maas Jasper , Schoch Simone , Scholz Urte , Rackow Pamela , Schüler Julia , Wegner Mirko , Keller Roger
Published: March 2021

Many teachers experience high levels of work-related strain due to time pressure, which over time can lead to various health problems, such as emotional exhaustion. However, there is growing evidence that this could be a reciprocal effect. Moreover, it is known that perceived social support can buffer the negative effects of stress, such as time pressure, on health outcomes. Less is known about buffering effects of received social support. Based on longitudinal data of n = 1071 Swiss primary and secondary school teachers over the course of one school year, the present study examined the reciprocal relationship between teachers’ perceived time pressure and emotional exhaustion and whether received social support from the school principal buffers this relationship. Results of a random intercept cross-lagged panel model show a strong relationship between teachers’ perceived time pressure and emotional exhaustion at the between-person level, but no effects at the within-person level. Further, received social support was directly related to less perceived time pressure and less emotional exhaustion. The results showed neither evidence for reciprocal effects between perceived time pressure and emotional exhaustion nor for a buffering effect of received social support from the school principal. Concluding, present findings indicate that the receipt of social support from the school principal is a central job resource that beneficially relates to teachers’ experience of time pressure and emotional exhaustion.
Associations of social and emotional competencies, academic efficacy beliefs, and emotional distress among students in lower secondary school
Authors: Vestad Lene , Bru Edvin , Virtanen Tuomo E. , Stallard Paul N.
Published: March 2021

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate how perceived social-emotional competencies (SECs), relationship skills, emotional regulation, and the ability to structure schoolwork at school and at home were associated with academic efficacy belief (AEB) and emotional distress among 1142 Norwegian eighth-grade students. The students answered an Internet-based questionnaire during school hours. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the paths of associations. In the structural model, AEB was treated as an intermediate variable predicted by the other SECs and as a predictor of emotional distress. Perceived relationship skills, emotional regulation, and the ability to structure schoolwork showed moderate to strong associations with AEB. AEB showed a strong association with emotional distress, whereas relationship skills and emotional regulation showed a moderately strong association with emotional distress. The results suggest that all SECs play a role in AEB, whereas high AEB, good perceived ability for emotional regulation, and relationship skills are linked to less emotional distress. Good perceived relationship skills, emotional regulation, and structuring of schoolwork were more strongly related to less emotional distress among females. Moreover, emotional regulation and structuring of schoolwork were more strongly associated with AEB for females. These findings may indicate that these SECs may be more essential to emotional well-being among female adolescent students.