bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What We Need for Success: Recommendations and Wishes
Authors: Anderson Peter , Blue Levon , Pham Thu , Saward Melanie
Published: August 2022

Throughout this book, we have shared our experiences of conducting capacity-building workshops and undertaking research about the needs and experiences of Indigenous HDR students in Australia. In total, we heard from 147 participants which included 113 Indigenous HDR students across Australia and 34 supervisors of Indigenous HDR students. The insights received from both Indigenous HDR students and supervisors revealed that there are still opportunities to improve the HDR experience for Indigenous students. Based on our findings, in this chapter, we expand on the recommendations outlined in the Moreton-Robinson et al.’s (Report on Indigenous success in higher degree by research. Prepared for the Australian Government, Department of Education and Training, 2020) report to include new data collected in 2020 from 32 Indigenous HDR students. We hope our recommendations, once acted upon, will have a positive impact on the success of Indigenous HDR students and that the insights shared by the Indigenous HDR candidates we heard from will have meaning and relevance for anyone pursuing a research degree.
The mathematical structure of U-spin amplitude sum rules
Authors: Gavrilova Margarita , Grossman Yuval , Schacht Stefan
Published: August 2022

Abstract

We perform a systematic study of SU(2) flavor amplitude sum rules with particular emphasis on U-spin. This study reveals a rich mathematical structure underlying the sum rules that allows us to formulate an algorithm for deriving all U-spin amplitude sum rules to any order of the symmetry breaking. This novel approach to deriving the sum rules does not require one to explicitly compute the Clebsch-Gordan tables, and allows for simple diagrammatic interpretation. Several examples that demonstrate the application of our novel method to systems that can be probed experimentally are provided.
Classical physics from amplitudes on curved backgrounds
Authors: Adamo Tim , Cristofoli Andrea , Ilderton Anton
Published: August 2022

Abstract

We generalise the Kosower-Maybee-O’Connell (KMOC) formalism relating classical observables and scattering amplitudes to curved backgrounds. We show how to compute the final semiclassical state for a particle moving in a curved background in terms of scattering amplitudes on that background. Two-point amplitudes in this framework correspond to conservative physics with background-dependent memory effects. As an application, we consider plane wave and shock wave backgrounds both in electromagnetism and general relativity. We determine the final semiclassical state, showing it satisfies a notion of double copy on curved backgrounds. We then conclude by computing the impulse of a particle on such backgrounds, deriving exact results and velocity memory effects.
Color decorations of Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity
Authors: Alkalaev Konstantin , Joung Euihun , Yoon Junggi
Published: August 2022

Abstract

We introduce the colored version of Jackiw-Teitelboim (JT) gravity which is the two-dimensional dilaton gravity model with matrix-valued fields. It is straightforwardly formulated in terms of BF action with su(N, N) gauge algebra so that the standard JT gravity is embedded as su(1, 1) ⊂ su(N, N) subsector. We also elaborate on the respective metric formulation which is shown to involve the JT fields plus su(N) non-Abelian fields as well as su(N)-matrix valued metric and dilaton fields. Their interactions are governed by minimal couplings and potential terms of cubic and quartic orders involving derivatives.
Elite female athletes’ experiences of symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction: A systematic review
Authors: Culleton-Quinn Elizabeth , Bø Kari , Fleming Neil , Mockler David , Cusack Cinny , Daly Déirdre
Published: August 2022

Introduction and aims

Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a collection of signs, symptoms and conditions affecting the pelvic floor and urinary incontinence (UI) is the most common type of PFD. Recent systematic reviews have indicated a higher prevalence of UI among female athletes compared to their non-athletic counterparts. To date, no review has been undertaken to investigate female athletes’ experiences of PFD. This review aims to offer insight and understanding, through aggregation, summary, synthesis and interpretation of findings from studies that report elite female athletes’ experiences of symptoms of PFD.

Methods

The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO in August 2020. A systematic search was conducted in Embase, MEDLINE (OVID), Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science for studies published in the English language reporting elite female athletes’ experiences of symptoms of PFD. This review included primary research studies that involved elite female athletes of any age or ethnicity.

Results

Of the 1922 citations retrieved in the search, 32 studies met the methodological criteria for data extraction and analysis. Five main themes emerged: (1) triggers for symptoms of PFD; (2) strategies adopted by athletes to manage/mitigate symptoms of PFD; (3) impact on QOL/daily life; (4) impact on performance; (5) impact on emotions.

Conclusions

The findings of this review suggest a need to further explore the experiences of PFD among elite female athletes and it is suggested that future research should adopt qualitative methods or incorporate a qualitative component.
On extra-special Enriques surfaces
Authors: Martin Gebhard , Mezzedimi Giacomo , Veniani Davide Cesare
Published: August 2022

We refine Cossec and Dolgachev’s classification of extra-special Enriques surfaces, providing a complete and concise proof.
Liver cirrhosis in children – the role of imaging in the diagnostic pathway
Authors: Herrmann Jochen , Petit Philippe , Grabhorn Enke , Lenz Alexander , Jürgens Julian , Franchi-Albella Stéphanie
Published: August 2022

Liver cirrhosis in children is a rare disease with multifactorial causes that are distinct from those in adults. Underlying reasons include cholestatic, viral, autoimmune, hereditary, metabolic and cardiac disorders. Early detection of fibrosis is important as clinical stabilization or even reversal of fibrosis can be achieved in some disorders with adequate treatment. This article focuses on the longitudinal evaluation of children with chronic liver disease with noninvasive imaging tools, which play an important role in detecting cirrhosis, defining underlying causes, grading fibrosis and monitoring patients during follow-up. Ultrasound is the primary imaging modality and it is used in a multiparametric fashion. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are usually applied second line for refined tissue characterization, clarification of nodular lesions and full delineation of abdominal vessels, including portosystemic communications.
Seasonal variation in medico-legal autopsies in Finland—a nationwide analysis of the period 2016–2021
Authors: Oura Petteri
Published: August 2022

Both natural and unnatural mortality have seasonal variation. In spite of the established link between season and mortality, it is unclear whether medico-legal autopsies are subject to similar variation. Building on a nationwide dataset from the years 2016–2021, this short report aimed to analyse whether medico-legal autopsies are subject to seasonal variation in Finland. An electronic information system was queried for the monthly numbers of performed autopsies. Monthly and yearly trends were estimated with Kruskal–Wallis test and linear regression. A total of 50,457 medico-legal autopsies were performed during the 6-year study period. There were on average 29 to 47 autopsies per day, with an estimated annual decline of 1.8% (95% confidence interval 0.7–2.9%) over the study period. Monthly and yearly variation in autopsies was mostly minor and irregular; statistically significant differences were only observed between January and September as well as January and November (p < 0.05). As such, there appears to be little seasonal variation in medico-legal autopsies in Finland. A mild declining trend in the number of autopsies was observed. Future studies are invited to explore patterns of seasonality in other medico-legal systems, for example in those with generally lower autopsy rates than in Finland.
Reliability and acceptance of dreaMS, a software application for people with multiple sclerosis: a feasibility study
Authors: Woelfle Tim , Pless Silvan , Reyes Oscar , Wiencierz Andrea , Feinstein Anthony , Calabrese Pasquale , Gugleta Konstantin , Kappos Ludwig , Lorscheider Johannes , Naegelin Yvonne
Published: August 2022

Background

There is an unmet need for reliable and sensitive measures for better monitoring people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) to detect disease progression early and adapt therapeutic measures accordingly.

Objective

To assess reliability of extracted features and meaningfulness of 11 tests applied through a smartphone application (“dreaMS”).

Methods

PwMS (age 18–70 and EDSS ≤ 6.5) and matched healthy volunteers (HV) were asked to perform tests installed on their smartphone once or twice weekly for 5 weeks. Primary outcomes were test–retest reliability of test features (target: intraclass correlation [ICC] ≥ 0.6 or median coefficient of variation [mCV] < 0.2) and reported meaningfulness of the tests by PwMS. Meaningfulness was self-assessed for each test on a 5-point Likert scale (target: mean score of > 3) and by a structured interview. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04413032.

Results

We included 31 PwMS (21 [68%] female, mean age 43.4 ± 12.0 years, median EDSS 3.0 [range 1.0–6.0]) and 31 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Out of 133 features extracted from 11 tests, 89 met the preset reliability criteria. All 11 tests were perceived as highly meaningful to PwMS.

Conclusion

The dreaMS app reliably assessed features reflecting key functional domains meaningful to PwMS. More studies with longer follow-up are needed to prove validity of these measures as digital biomarkers in PwMS.
Graft failure rate and complications after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty in eyes with pre-existing glaucoma
Authors: Maier Anna-Karina B. , Pilger Daniel , Gundlach Enken , Winterhalter Sibylle , Torun Necip , Dietrich-Ntoukas Tina
Published: August 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the outcome of Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) in eyes with pre-existing glaucoma.

Design

In this retrospective, observational case series we included data of 150 consecutive DMEKs in eyes with pre-existing glaucoma of 150 patients after excluding data of the second treated eye of each patient and of re-DMEKs during follow-up. Cumulative incidences of IOP elevation (IOP > 21 mmHg or ≥ 10 mmHg increase in IOP from preoperative value), post-DMEK glaucoma (need of an additional intervention due to worsening of the IOP), graft rejection, and graft failure rate were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. COX regression analysis was used to evaluate independent risk factors.

Results

The 36-month cumulative incidence of IOP elevation was 53.5% [95 CI 43.5–63.5%] and of post-DMEK glaucoma 36.3% [95 CI 26.3–46.3%]. Graft rejection occurred with a 36-month cumulative incidence of 9.2% [CI 95% 2.3–16.1]. None of the analyzed risk factors increased the risk for the development of graft rejection. The 36-month cumulative incidence of graft failure was 16.6% [CI 95% 8.4–24.8]. Independent risk factors for graft failure were the indication for DMEK “status after graft failure” (n = 16) compared to Fuchs’ dystrophy (n = 74) (p = 0.045, HR 8.511 [CI 95% 1.054–68.756]) and pre-existing filtrating surgery via glaucoma drainage device (GDD) (n = 10) compared to no surgery/iridectomy (n = 109) (p = 0.014, HR 6.273 [CI 95% 1.456–27.031]).

Conclusion

The risks of postoperative complications (IOP elevation, post-DMEK glaucoma, graft rejection, and graft failure) in patients with pre-existing glaucoma are high. In particular, pre-existing filtrating surgery via GDD implantation—but not trabeculectomy—and DMEK after graft failure increase the risk of graft failure.
Immune checkpoint receptor VISTA on immune cells is associated with expression of T-cell exhaustion marker TOX and worse prognosis in renal cell carcinoma with venous tumor thrombus
Authors: Zapała Łukasz , Kunc Michał , Sharma Sumit , Pęksa Rafał , Popęda Marta , Biernat Wojciech , Radziszewski Piotr
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The study aimed to determine the expression of VISTA and TOX within venous tumor thrombus and primary clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and to assess their prognostic value.

Methods

The study enrolled 82 patients with ccRCC and coexisting venous tumor thrombus treated radically from 2012 to 2019 in two tertiary centers. Tissue microarrays were prepared and stained with respective antibodies. The expression of markers was assessed separately on tumor cells (TCs) and/or tumor-associated immune cells (TAICs).

Results

TOX expression was positively correlated with the percentage of VISTA-positive TAICs in venous thrombus (p = 0.011), but not in the primary tumor (p = 0.674). High TOX expression was associated with a higher percentage of PD-L1-positive TAICs in both compartments (p = 0.001, p = 0.011, respectively). Positive expression of VISTA on TAICs was associated with PD-L1 expression on TCs (p = 0.005) and TAICs (p = 0.004) in the primary tumor, and only with PD-L1 on TAICs in thrombus (p = 0.006). The presence of VISTA-positive TAICs in venous thrombus was significantly more common in females (p = 0.034), and positively correlated with metastases (p = 0.028), and tumor necrosis (p = 0.013). The cases with VISTA-positive TAICs in venous tumor thrombi had significantly shorter OS than VISTA-negative cases (p = 0.041).

Conclusion

For the first time, we demonstrated the expression of VISTA- and TOX-positive TAICs in the venous tumor thrombus. We found the association between immune checkpoint receptors and T cell exhaustion markers in both tumor mass and venous thrombus. Finally, we demonstrated that abundance of VISTA-positive TAICs in venous tumor thrombus correlates with worse outcomes in ccRCC.
Implementation of robotic rectal cancer surgery: a cross-sectional nationwide study
Authors: Giesen L. J. X. , Dekker J. W. T. , Verseveld M. , Crolla R. M. P. H. , van der Schelling G. P. , Verhoef C. , Olthof P. B.
Published: August 2022

Aim

An increasing number of centers have implemented a robotic surgical program for rectal cancer. Several randomized controls trials have shown similar oncological and postoperative outcomes compared to standard laparoscopic resections. While introducing a robot rectal resection program seems safe, there are no data regarding implementation on a nationwide scale. Since 2018 robot resections are separately registered in the mandatory Dutch Colorectal Audit. The present study aims to evaluate the trend in the implementation of robotic resections (RR) for rectal cancer relative to laparoscopic rectal resections (LRR) in the Netherlands between 2018 and 2020 and to compare the differences in outcomes between the operative approaches.

Methods

Patients with rectal cancer who underwent surgical resection between 2018 and 2020 were selected from the Dutch Colorectal Audit. The data included patient characteristics, disease characteristics, surgical procedure details, postoperative outcomes. The outcomes included any complication within 90 days after surgery; data were categorized according to surgical approach.

Results

Between 2018 and 2020, 6330 patients were included in the analyses. 1146 patients underwent a RR (18%), 3312 patients a LRR (51%), 526 (8%) an open rectal resection, 641 a TaTME (10%), and 705 had a local resection (11%). The proportion of males and distal tumors was higher in the RR compared to the LRR. Over time, the proportion of robotic procedures increased from 15% (95% confidence intervals (CI) 13–16%) in 2018 to 22% (95% CI 20–24%) in 2020. Conversion rate was lower in the robotic group [4% (95% CI 3–5%) versus 7% (95% CI 6–8%)]. Anastomotic leakage rate was similar with 16%. Defunctioning ileostomies were more common in the RR group [42% (95% CI 38–46%) versus 29% (95% CI 26–31%)].

Conclusion

Rectal resections are increasingly being performed through a robot-assisted approach in the Netherlands. The proportion of males and low rectal cancers was higher in RR compared to LRR. Overall outcomes were comparable, while conversion rate was lower in RR, the proportion of defunctioning ileostomies was higher compared to LRR.
A surrogate merit function developed for structural weight optimization problems
Authors: Sadrekarimi N. , Talatahari S. , Azar B. Farahmand , Gandomi A. H.
Published: August 2022

In this paper, a surrogate merit function (SMF) is proposed to be evaluated instead of the traditional merit functions (i.e., penalized weight of the structure). The standard format of the conventional merit functions needs several expensive trial-and-error tuning processes to enhance optimization convergence quality, retuning for different structural model configurations, and final manual local search in case optimization converges to infeasible vicinity of global optimum. However, on the other hand, SMF has no tunning factor but shows statistically stable performance for different models, converges directly to outstanding feasible points, and shows other superior advantages such as reduced required iterations to achieve convergence. In other words, this new function is a no-hassle one due to its brilliant user-friendly application and robust numerical results. SMF might be a revolutionary step in commercializing design optimization in the real-world construction market.
AquaZoom – eine integrative Methode zur Bewertung des Fischzuchtpotenzials entlang österreichischer Fließgewässer
Authors: Seliger Carina , Haslauer Melanie , Schmutz Stefan , Borgwardt Florian
Published: August 2022

Weltweit ist die Aquakultur der am schnellsten wachsende Sektor in der tierischen Lebensmittelproduktion. Dieser Sektor wird voraussichtlich immer wichtiger werden, um den zukünftigen Nahrungsmittelbedarf zu decken. Im Binnenland Österreich ist der Selbstversorgungsgrad von Fisch mit 6 % insgesamt bzw. 48 % bei Süßwasserfischen eher gering. Um ein nachhaltiges Wachstum des Sektors zu ermöglichen und gleichzeitig negative Auswirkungen auf die verwendeten aquatischen Ökosysteme und andere Nutzungen der Ressource Wasser zu vermeiden, wurde ein räumlicher Analyse-Ansatz zur nachhaltigen Zonierung von Forellenzuchtbetrieben, mit einem Schwerpunkt auf Durchflussanlagen, entwickelt. Dabei wurden 17 land- und 17 gewässerbezogene räumliche Kriterien identifiziert und hinsichtlich ihrer Eignung für die Errichtung eines Forellenzuchtbetriebs klassifiziert. Anschließend wurden die Kriterien in einem integrativen GIS-basierten Modellierungsansatz kombiniert, um eine landesweite und räumlich explizite Zonierung von Eignungsgebieten innerhalb Österreichs vorzunehmen. Von insgesamt 8113 Teileinzugsgebieten (TEZG) mit einer mittleren Größe von 10 km2 wurden so 1295 TEZG als geeignet eingestuft. Für diese TEZG wurde eine potenzielle Produktionsmenge an Fisch abgeschätzt. Mit einer mittleren Produktion von 48,7 t pro Standort könnten in Summe 63.088 t Fisch in Durchflussanlagen österreichweit produziert werden. Die Ergebnisse sollen in weiterer Folge in einem Online-Tool zu Verfügung gestellt werden und so die Entscheidungsfindung von Investoren und Behörden unterstützen. Als Schnittstelle zwischen den unterschiedlichen Anwender:innen kann das Tool dazu beitragen, eine nachhaltige Entwicklung der Aquakultur in Österreich voranzutreiben und Konflikte und Fehlinvestitionen frühzeitig zu vermeiden.
Heuristics for a cash-collection routing problem with a cluster-first route-second approach
Authors: Singh Bismark , Oberfichtner Lena , Ivliev Sergey
Published: August 2022

Motivated by a routing problem faced by banks to enhance their encashment services in the city of Perm, Russia, we solve versions of the traveling salesman problem (TSP) with clustering. To minimize the risk of theft, suppliers seek to operate multiple vehicles and determine an efficient routing; and, a single vehicle serves a set of locations that forms a cluster. This need to form independent clusters—served by distinct vehicles—allows the use of the so-called cluster-first route-second approach. We are especially interested in the use of heuristics that are easily implementable and understandable by practitioners and require only the use of open-source solvers. To this end, we provide a short survey of 13 such heuristics for solving the TSP, five for clustering the set of locations, and three to determine an optimal number of clusters—all using data from Perm. To demonstrate the practicality and efficiency of the heuristics, we further compare our heuristic solutions against the optimal tours. We then provide statistical guarantees on the quality of our solution. All of our anonymized code is publicly available allowing extensions by practitioners, and serves as a decision-analytic framework for both clustering data and solving a TSP.
Boosting the Scalability of Farm-Level Models: Efficient Surrogate Modeling of Compositional Simulation Output
Authors: Troost Christian , Parussis-Krech Julia , Mejaíl Matías , Berger Thomas
Published: August 2022

Surrogate modeling can overcome computational and data-privacy constraints of micro-scale economic models and support their incorporation into large-scale simulations and interactive simulation experiments. We compare four data-driven methods to reproduce the aggregated crop area response simulated by farm-level modeling in response to price variation. We use the isometric log-ratio transformation to accommodate the compositional nature of the output and sequential sampling with stability analysis for efficient model selection. Extreme gradient boosting outperforms multivariate adaptive regressions splines, random forest regression, and classical multinomial-logistic regression and achieves high goodness-of-fit from moderately sized samples. Explicitly including ratio terms between price input variables considerably improved prediction, even for highly automatic machine learning methods that should in principle be able to detect such input variable interaction automatically. The presented methodology provides a solid basis for the use of surrogate modeling to support the incorporation of micro-scale models into large-scale integrated simulations and interactive simulation experiments with stakeholders.
Developing College students’ computational thinking multidimensional test based on Life Story situations
Authors: Kang Chunhua , Liu Na , Zhu Yinrui , Li Feiming , Zeng Pingfei
Published: August 2022

At present, research on computational thinking in universities is gaining interest, and more attention is being paid to the cultivation and teaching of computational thinking. However, there is a lack of computational thinking assessment tools for college students, which makes it difficult to understand the current status and development of their computational thinking. In this study, computational thinking is regarded as the ability to solve practical problems. By analyzing the relevant literature, we identified five dimensions of computational thinking – decomposition, generalization, abstraction, algorithm and evaluation – and described their operational definitions. Referring to the Bebras and the problem situations in Google computational thinking education, we set up a life-based situation that college students are familiar with. Based on the life story situation, we developed a multidimensional assessment for college students’ computational thinking. This assessment tool contains 14 items, all of which are multiple-choice questions, and the structure and quality of the tool are verified by multidimensional item response theory. The results show that the assessment tool has good internal validity and can discriminate different disciplines of college students. The college students’ computational thinking test developed in this study can be used as an effective tool to assess college students’ computational thinking.
Towards 3D characterisation of site-controlled InGaAs pyramidal QDs at the nanoscale
Authors: Holsgrove Kristina M. , O’Reilly Tamsin I. , Varo Simone , Gocalinska Agnieszka , Juska Gediminas , Kepaptsoglou Demie M. , Pelucchi Emanuele , Arredondo Miryam
Published: August 2022

In this work, we report an extensive investigation via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques of InGaAs/GaAs pyramidal quantum dots (PQDs), a unique site-controlled family of quantum emitters that have proven to be excellent sources of single and entangled photons. The most striking features of this system, originating from their peculiar fabrication process, include their inherently 3-dimensional nature and their interconnection to a series of nanostructures that are formed alongside them, such as quantum wells and quantum wires. We present structural and chemical data from cross-sectional and plan view samples of both single and stacked PQDs structures. Our findings identify (i) the shape of the dot, being hexagonal and not triangular as previously assumed, (ii) the chemical distribution at the facets and QD area, displaying clear Indium diffusion, and (iii) a near absence of Aluminium (from the AlAs marker) at the bottom of the growth profile. Our results shed light on previously unreported structural and chemical features of PQDs, which is of extreme relevance for further development of this family of quantum emitters.

Graphical abstract
Discriminative and Affective Processing of Touch: Associations with Severity of Skin-picking
Authors: Schienle Anne , Wabnegger Albert
Published: August 2022

Skin-picking is a common behavior in the general population that generally serves emotion regulation (e.g., reduction of tension). However, recent research suggests it may also be associated with changes in tactile processing sensitivity. Along these lines, the present study examined whether the severity of skin-picking (SOSP) is related to discriminative and affective touch processing. A total of 160 participants (59 males, 101 females, mean age = 31 years) completed two tactile discrimination tests (two-point discrimination, surface texture discrimination), as well as a well-validated affective touch paradigm (delivery of soft/slow touch, which is found to be generally pleasant). A hierarchical regression analysis was carried out to investigate the association between SOSP, age, sex, and indicators of tactile sensitivity. Replicating previous findings, females reported higher SOSP. While the performance in the discrimination tests did not predict SOSP, affective touch processing was associated with SOSP. Participants with high SOSP reported an urge to pick their skin after being softly touched. This seems paradoxical since previous findings have suggested skin-picking may be carried out to manage negative affective states. Our findings add to the literature describing altered sensitivity and responsivity to specific tactile stimuli in individuals with excessive skin-picking.
Thinking Thru Making: Mapping Computational Thinking Practices onto Scientific Reasoning
Authors: Tofel-Grehl Colby , Searle Kristin A. , Ball Douglas
Published: August 2022

This paper shares findings from a teacher designed physics and computing unit that engaged students in learning physics and computing concurrently thru inquiry. Using scientific inquiry skills and practices, students were tasked with assessing the validity of local rollercoaster g-force ratings as posted to the public. Students used computational electronic textile circuits (e-textiles) to engage in “myth busting” amusement park g-force ratings. In doing so, students engaged computing and computational thinking skills in service to answering their scientific inquiry. Findings from this study indicate that physics classes are ideal spaces for engaging in computing’s Big Ideas as laid out by Grover and Pea (Educational Researcher 42, 38–43, 2013) as well as the pillars of computational thinking (Wing, Communications of the ACM 49, 33–35, 2006). However, essential to this dual engagement is a need for computing content to act in service to the better acquisition of physics content within the physics classroom space. Findings indicate that the teachers’ use of e-textiles to integrate physics and computing broadened and deepened student learning by providing affordances for computational thinking within the structure of physical science inquiry.
Soil, climate, and variety impact on quantity and quality of maize root mucilage exudation
Authors: Nazari Meisam , Bilyera Nataliya , Banfield Callum C. , Mason-Jones Kyle , Zarebanadkouki Mohsen , Munene Rosepiah , Dippold Michaela A.
Published: August 2022

Aims

This study investigated the influence of climate and soil on the exudation rate and polysaccharide composition of aerial nodal root mucilage from drought-resistant and drought-susceptible maize varieties.

Methods

Two maize varieties were grown in two different soils (sandy-clay loam Acrisol and loam Luvisol) under simulated climatic conditions of their agroecological zones of origin in Kenya and Germany. The exudation rate of mucilage from the aerial nodal roots was quantified as dry weight per root tip per day and the mucilage was characterized for its polysaccharide composition.

Results

On average, the mucilage exudation rate was 35.8% higher under the Kenyan semi-arid tropical than under the German humid temperate climatic conditions. However, cultivation in the loam Luvisol soil from Germany led to 73.7% higher mucilage exudation rate than cultivation in the sandy-clay loam Acrisol soil from Kenya, plausibly due to its higher microbial biomass and nutrient availability. The drought-resistant Kenyan maize variety exuded 58.2% more mucilage than the drought-susceptible German variety. On average, mucilage polysaccharides were composed of 40.6% galactose, 26.2% fucose, 13.1% mannose, 11% arabinose, 3.5% glucose, 3.2% xylose, 1.3% glucuronic acid, and 1% an unknown uronic acid. Overall, significantly higher proportions of the uronic acids were found in the mucilage of the plants grown in the Kenyan sandy-clay loam soil and under the Kenyan semi-arid tropical climatic conditions.

Conclusions

Maize is able to enhance its mucilage exudation rate under warm climatic conditions and in soils of high microbial activity to mitigate water stress and support the rhizosphere microbiome, respectively.

Graphical abstract
Code Ethnography and the Materiality of Power in Internet Governance
Authors: Rosa Fernanda R.
Published: August 2022

The purpose of this article is to discuss an ethnography of code, specifically code ethnography, a method for examining code as a socio-technical actor, considering its social, political, and economic dynamics in the context of digital infrastructures. While it can be applied to any code, the article presents the results of code ethnography application in the study of internet interconnection dynamics, having the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) as code and two of the largest internet exchange points (IXPs) in the world as points of data collection, DE-CIX Frankfurt, and IX.br São Paulo. The results show inequalities in the flows of information between the global North and the global South and concentration of power at the level of interconnection infrastructure hitherto unknown in the context of the political economy of the internet. Code ethnography is explained in terms of code assemblage, code literacy, and code materiality. It demonstrates the grammar of BGP in context, making its logical and physical dimensions visible in the analysis of the formation ofgiant internet nodesandinfrastructural interdependenciesin the circulation information infrastructure of the internet.
Risk information, investor learning, and informational feedback
Authors: Smith Kevin
Published: August 2022

This paper studies how public information regarding a firm’s riskiness affects investors’ incentives to acquire information about the firm and the firm’s ability to learn decision-useful information from its price. I find that risk information complements investor learning by informing investors of when it is most lucrative to investigate the firm, thereby reducing liquidity. Furthermore, risk information causes the firm’s price to contain more information when the firm’s investment decisions have the greatest impact on its value, thereby improving real efficiency. Extensions of the model suggest that the impact of risk information on real efficiency may deteriorate when the firm’s manager is excessively exposed to idiosyncratic risk, when the firm’s shareholders are excessively averse to such risk, or when the disclosure concerns a “downside risk.” In sum, my analysis suggests that information regarding firms’ expected values and information regarding firms’ risks significantly differ in their effects on the capital market.
A new improved maximal relevance and minimal redundancy method based on feature subset
Authors: Xie Shanshan , Zhang Yan , Lv Danjv , Chen Xu , Lu Jing , Liu Jiang
Published: August 2022

Feature selection plays a very significant role for the success of pattern recognition and data mining. Based on the maximal relevance and minimal redundancy (mRMR) method, combined with feature subset, this paper proposes an improved maximal relevance and minimal redundancy (ImRMR) feature selection method based on feature subset. In ImRMR, the Pearson correlation coefficient and mutual information are first used to measure the relevance of a single feature to the sample category, and a factor is introduced to adjust the weights of the two measurement criteria. And an equal grouping method is exploited to generate candidate feature subsets according to the ranking features. Then, the relevance and redundancy of candidate feature subsets are calculated and the ordered sequence of these feature subsets is gained by incremental search method. Finally, the final optimal feature subset is obtained from these feature subsets by combining the sequence forward search method and the classification learning algorithm. Experiments are conducted on seven datasets. The results show that ImRMR can effectively remove irrelevant and redundant features, which can not only reduce the dimension of sample features and time of model training and prediction, but also improve the classification performance.
Quality Control Metrics to Assess MoS2 Sputtered Films for Tribological Applications
Authors: Babuska Tomas F. , Curry John F. , Dugger Michael T. , Jones Morgan R. , DelRio Frank W. , Lu Ping , Xin Yan , Grejtak Tomas , Chrostowski Robert , Mangolini Filippo , Strandwitz Nicholas C. , Chowdhury Md Istiaque , Doll Gary L. , Krick Brandon A.
Published: August 2022

Pure molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) solid lubricant coatings could attain densities comparable to doped films (and the associated benefits to wear rate and environmental stability) through manipulation of the microstructure via deposition parameters. Unfortunately, pure films can exhibit highly variable microstructures and mechanical properties due to processes that are not controlled during deposition (i.e., batch-to-batch variation). This work focuses on developing a relationship between density, hardness, friction, and wear for pure sputtered MoS2 coatings. Results show that dense films (ρ = 4.5 g/cm3) exhibit a 100 × lower wear rate compared to porous coatings (ρ = 3.04–3.55 g/cm3). The tribological performance of high density pure MoS2 coatings is shown to surpass that of established composite coatings, achieving a wear rate 2 × (k = 5.74 × 10–8 mm3/Nm) lower than composite MoS2/Sb2O3/Au in inert environments.
Mesh selection strategies of the code TOM for Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Mazzia Francesca
Published: August 2022

This paper presents new hybrid mesh selection strategies for boundary value problems implemented in the code TOM. Originally the code was proposed for the numerical solution of stiff or singularly perturbed problems. The code has been now improved with the introduction of three classes of mesh selection strategies, that can be used for different categories of problems. Numerical experiments show that the mesh selection and, in the nonlinear case, the strategy for solving the nonlinear equations are determinant for the good behaviour of a general purpose code. The possibility to choose the mesh selection should be considered for all general purposes codes to make them suitable for wider classes of problems.
All is not lost that is delayed: overconfidence and investment outcomes
Authors: Betzer André , van den Bongard Inga , Schweder Felix , Theissen Erik , Volkmann Christine
Published: August 2022

We use a unique panel data set of private German firms to analyze the relation between managerial overconfidence and investment policy in small and medium-sized firms. We find that overconfident managers invest more, and that this relation is driven by expansion investments. When considering the outcome of investment projects, we find that projects initiated by overconfident managers are less likely to be completed as planned. When we differentiate between three types of non-completion (downsizing, delaying, and abandoning), we find that overconfident managers are more likely to delay, rather than to abandon or downsize a project.
Masculinity, Perceived Vulnerability to COVID-19, and Adoption of Protective Behaviors
Authors: Roccato Michele , Pacilli Maria Giuseppina , Orlando Giovanni , Russo Silvia
Published: August 2022

Epidemiological data show that men and women have similar probabilities of contracting COVID-19. However, men with COVID-19 tend to have more severe outcomes than women. We performed two studies to analyze the associations between gender, adherence to traditional masculinity ideology, perceived vulnerability to COVID-19, and the adoption of protective behaviors against COVID-19. In Study 1 (quota sample of the Italian adult population,N = 1,142), we found no differences between men and women in terms of the perceived probability of contracting COVID-19. However, compared to women, men perceived themselves to be less likely to suffer severe consequences if falling ill. In Study 2 (Italian community sample,N = 305), a moderated mediation model showed that adherence to traditional masculinity ideology moderated the association between being man and the perceived severity of the consequences of COVID-19, which, in turn, showed negative associations with three protective behaviors against COVID-19. The article ends with a discussion of the strengths and limitations of this research.
Review on Metallization Approaches for High-Efficiency Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells
Authors: Zeng Yulian , Peng Chen-Wei , Hong Wei , Wang Shan , Yu Cao , Zou Shuai , Su Xiaodong
Published: August 2022

Crystalline silicon (c-Si) heterojunction (HJT) solar cells are one of the promising technologies for next-generation industrial high-efficiency silicon solar cells, and many efforts in transferring this technology to high-volume manufacturing in the photovoltaic (PV) industry are currently ongoing. Metallization is of vital importance to the PV performance and long-term reliability of HJT solar cells. In this review, we summarize the development status of metallization approaches for high-efficiency HJT solar cells. For conventional screen printing technology, to avoid the degradation of the passivation properties of the amorphous silicon layer, a low-temperature-cured (< 250 ℃) paste and process are needed. This process, in turn, leads to high line/contact resistances and high paste costs. To improve the conductivity of electrodes and reduce the metallization cost, multi-busbar, fine-line printing, and low-temperature-cured silver-coated copper pastes have been developed. In addition, several potential metallization technologies for HJT solar cells, such as the Smart Wire Contacting Technology, pattern transfer printing, inkjet/FlexTrailprinting, and copper electroplating, are discussed in detail. Based on the summary, the potential and challenges of these metallization technologies for HJT solar cells are analyzed.
Vom Ein- zum Vielzeller — Cyanobakterien als Modellsystem
Authors: Taubenheim Claudia , Hammerschmidt Katrin
Published: August 2022

The evolution of multicellularity is an example of an evolutionary transition in individuality (ETI). As in other ETIs, independent units form new reproducing entities — the first step en route to higher complexity. How and why this happens, is not clear. Using cyanobacteria, we study the ETI to multicellularity by combining experimental evolution, phylogenetics, and theory. Our results feature phenotypic plasticity and (functional) differentiation of single cells as a first step of an ETI.
Hourly Wages in Crowdworking: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hornuf Lars , Vrankar Daniel
Published: August 2022

In the past decade, crowdworking on online labor market platforms has become an important source of income for a growing number of people worldwide. This development has led to increasing political and scholarly interest in the wages people can earn on such platforms. This study extends the literature, which is often based on a single platform, region, or category of crowdworking, through a meta-analysis of prevalent hourly wages. After a systematic literature search, the paper considers 22 primary empirical studies, including 105 wages and 76,765 data points from 22 platforms, eight different countries, and 10 years. It is found that, on average, microtasks results in an hourly wage of less than $6. This wage is significantly lower than the mean wage of online freelancers, which is roughly three times higher when not factoring in unpaid work. Hourly wages accounting for unpaid work, such as searching for tasks and communicating with requesters, tend to be significantly lower than wages not considering unpaid work. Legislators and researchers evaluating wages in crowdworking need to be aware of this bias when assessing hourly wages, given that the majority of literature does not account for the effect of unpaid work time on crowdworking wages. To foster the comparability of different research results, the article suggests that scholars consider a wage correction factor to account for unpaid work. Finally, researchers should be aware that remuneration and work processes on crowdworking platforms can systematically affect the data collection method and inclusion of unpaid work.
Joint Application of Biological Techniques for the Remediation of Waste Contaminated with Hydrocarbons
Authors: Alves David , Villar Iria , Mato Salustiano
Published: August 2022

Cleaning the oil industry's fuel storage and management facilities generates high levels of hazardous waste. This research aims to assess the use of biological bioremediation treatments, most commonly used for decontaminating soil, by applying them to hydrocarbon-contaminated waste. Turned pile composting using food-derived sludge as a co-substrate and the necessary proportion of bulking agent enabled the bioremediation of the initial mixture via the succession of microbial populations (PLFAs), with a 70% lower TPH concentration obtained 6 months after the start of the process. Subsequent bioassays using the composted material showed survival rates of over 80% with earthworms (Eisenia andrei) and a larger decrease in TPH in the joint treatment with earthworms and plants (Pennisetum clandestinum). The composting process reduces the concentration of hazardous organic compounds, allowing for the proper development of fauna and flora in the compost by improving the biodegradation rate.

Graphical Abstract
Geochemical evolution of structure-bedding controlled hydrothermal dolomites of the Kinta Valley, Western Malaysia
Authors: Hui P. Xin , Nagarajan R. , Ramkumar Mu. , Ng T. F. , Taib Nur I. , Mathew M. J. , Sautter B. , Siddiqui N. A. , Poppelreiter M. C.
Published: August 2022

Study of secondary dolomitization and documentation of the evolution of basinal fluids and host rock, especially that of fine-grained deepwater carbonate mudstone are of interest toward of reservoir characterization. From this perspective, field characteristics in relation to mineralogy, petrography and geochemistry of the Paleaozoic carbonates of the Kinta Valley, Peninsular Malaysia, were investigated and documented. A total of 33 samples were collected across the various degree of dolomitization and analyzed for their petrographic properties (n = 55), while mineralogical and geochemical compositions (n = 33) were analyzed using XRD, ICP and ICPMS analysis, respectively. These analyses were performed to elucidate the diagenetic events, episodic dolomitization and development of fluid evolution as a function of regional tectono-thermal events during the Permian to Cenozoic. It is interpreted that the host calcareous mudstones (HCMs) were deposited in oxygenated, open marine seawaters. The studied samples retain the original seawater characteristics despite negligible, minor alterations of REE characteristics due to diagenesis and detrital input. Though the concentrations and trends of REEs of the dolomitic facies are modified to a certain extent, their affinities with HCMs are preserved. Enrichments of Mg, Mn, Na and depletion of Sr are linked to the effect of dolomitization under the open system of diagenesis. The redox conditions fluctuated to show distinct, recognizable variations between different dolomite phases. The MREE enrichments with other trace elements such as Mn, Fe and low Sr content indicate the association of diagenetic fluids with deep-circulating crustal hydrothermal fluids. Hydrothermal influence has been recorded along the fractures, which might have originated from the sub-surface litho units and facilitated episodic dolomitization, especially during significant tectono-thermal events. This study affirms that the occurrence, geochemical and mineralogical evolution of the dolomites of the Kinta Valley were controlled by magmatic events, whereas the intensity of replacement dolomitization was controlled by host rock texture, varied bulk chemistry of host rock, circulating fluid and temperature.
Analysis and Prediction of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus by the Ensemble Learning Method
Authors: Wang Xiaojia , Wang Yurong , Zhang Shanshan , Yao Lushi , Xu Sheng
Published: August 2022

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common disease in pregnancy and can cause a series of maternal and infant complications. A new study shows that GDM affects one in six deliveries. Identifying and screening for risk factors for GDM can effectively help intervene and improve the condition of women and their children. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to determine the risk factors for GDM and to use the ensemble learning method to judge whether pregnant women suffer from GDM more accurately. First, this study involves six commonly used machine learning algorithms to analyze the GDM data from the Tianchi competition, selects the risk factors according to the ranking of each model, and uses the Shapley additive interpreter method to determine the importance of the selected risk factors. Second, the combined weighting method was used to analyze and evaluate the risk factors for gestational diabetes and to determine a group of important factors. Lastly, a new integrated light gradient-boosting machine-extreme gradient boosting-gradient boosting tree (LightGBM-Xgboost-GB) learning method is proposed to determine whether pregnant women have gestational diabetes mellitus. We used the gray correlation degree to calculate the weight and used a genetic algorithm for optimization. In terms of prediction accuracy and comprehensive effects, the final model is better than the commonly used machine learning model. The ensemble learning model is comprehensive and flexible and can be used to determine whether pregnant women suffer from GDM. In addition to disease prediction, the model can also be extended for use to many other areas of research.