bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact
Authors: Jonker Jan , Faber Niels
Published: July 2021

This chapter unpacks the Impact building block. It seeks to determine the impact that your business model will have on the broader social, ecological, economic, and material environment. We think it is important to clarify the short- and long-term effects of your business model. Framing and defining this building block is often challenging. It can be defined in a general sense, but can also be focused on specific stakeholders, a raw material, or a specific context or a relevant combination of indicators. Indicators are also increasingly linked to measuring and reporting methods. We offer various methods to test the set of indicators and link them to reporting standards. Keep a keen eye on the practical feasibility, as well as the costs involved in measuring and reporting. Identifying proper and useful indicators and measuring and monitoring them are easier said than done. Whatever you do, stick to the motto Keep it Simple.
Epilogue
Authors: Jonker Jan , Faber Niels
Published: July 2021

We live in a time of social transition. Everywhere in society, cracks are appearing. The only answer to these developments is to organize in radically different ways, saying goodbye to the present linear economy. That is what transition is all about. The search for new forms of value creation and the triple transition necessitates different business models. In turn this implies behavioural change, which may be the biggest challenge and greatest barrier to achieving a transition to a sustainable, circular, and inclusive economy. This book deliberately does not address the issue of change and transition. That would require yet another book. But to finish off we provide an overview of the obstacles and challenges of creating fundamental change. We say goodbye by providing you with the six elements of a successful business model. The key message of this last chapter is that mainstreaming sustainable business models is by no means a given, but over time will become the new normal.
Business Model Archetypes
Authors: Jonker Jan , Faber Niels
Published: July 2021

The BMT provides the building blocks to develop a logic for a business model. In such a model the nature of value creation, how value creation is organized, and how transactions are taking shape are operationalized so that they meet the proposition. Practice shows that at present business models aimed at capturing multiple value creation can be divided into three major categories: (1) platform business models, (2) community-based (or collective) business models, and (3) circular business models. The three archetypes differ mainly in the way in which they create value, as well as the objective, the mechanism through which value creation takes place, and the infrastructural and technological requirements. When using the BMT, it is useful to consider at an early stage which business model archetype is dominant in the realization of the intended value proposition. Choosing a business model archetype might look straightforward, but it can be quite a tricky task.
Attending to the External Environment to Identify Potential Opportunities
Authors: Shepherd Dean A. , Patzelt Holger
Published: July 2021

Building on a recent study (Shepherd et al. in Strategic Management Journal 38:626–644, 2017), this chapter highlights the importance of noticingopportunities as an initial step toward new venture creation. Unsurprisingly, there has been considerable interest in the processes of allocating attention to notice potential opportunities arising from changes in the external environment. We know a great deal about the role of top-down (i.e., based on knowledge and experience) processes of allocating attention to the environment in forming opportunity beliefs worthy of entrepreneurial action. However, in this chapter, we illustrate how bottom-up processes, whereby environmental changes capture entrepreneurs’ attention, shape opportunity identification. Building on the notion of guided attention, we detail an attention model of forming opportunity beliefs for entrepreneurial action that includes both top-down and bottom-up processes for allocating attention. This chapter explains how entrepreneurs can allocate their transient attention to identify potential opportunities from environmental changes. This chapter also describes how allocating sustained entrepreneurial attention influences belief formation about radicaland incremental opportunities requiring entrepreneurial action.
Einleitung
Authors: Nentwich Julia C. , Vogt Franziska
Published: July 2021

Das von den beiden Herausgeberinnen dieses Bands von 2010 bis 2014 geleitete Forschungsprojekt „Puppenstuben, Bauecken und Waldtage: (Un)doing Gender in der Kinderkrippe“ wurde vom Schweizerischen Nationalfonds im Rahmen des Nationalen Forschungsprogramms „Gleichstellung der Geschlechter“ (NFP 60) gefördert. Im hier vorliegenden Band wird ein Überblick über die Ergebnisse des Forschungsprojekts gegeben und insbesondere die verschiedenen empirischen Herausforderungen, doing und undoing gender zu untersuchen aufzeigt. (Un)doing gender in der Kita wird aus vielfältigen theoretischen Verständnissen und mit unterschiedlichen analytischen Zugängen empirisch analysiert.
(Un)doing gender empirisch erforschen
Authors: Nentwich Julia C. , Vogt Franziska
Published: July 2021

Sozialkonstruktivistische Konzeptionen von Geschlecht haben seit über 30 Jahren Konjunktur. Der von West & Zimmerman bereits 1987 geprägte Begriffdoing genderhat Geschlecht konsequent in der Interaktion verortet und aus dem Individuum herausgeholt. Wir zeichnen in diesem Kapitel die konzeptionellen Entwicklungen vomdoinghin zumundoinggenderin den Debatten nach und arbeiten die spezifischen empirisch-analytischen Herausforderungen heraus. Wir legen dar, inwieweit es sich bei Kindertagesstätten um vergeschlechtlichte Organisationen handelt und stellen das Forschungsdesign und insbesondere die zur Datenerhebung verwendeten Methoden und Techniken näher vor.
Doing und undoing gender in Interaktionen: Analyse der videogestützten Beobachtung
Authors: Vogt Franziska
Published: July 2021

Die Interaktion zwischen Kinderbetreuenden und Kindern ist wesentliches Qualitätsmerkmal für Betreuung und Bildung in Institutionen der frühen Kindheit. Entsprechend fokussieren Weiterbildungen darauf, Wege der Professionalisierung zu finden, um die Interaktionsqualität zu verbessern. Beobachtungsstudien zur Interaktion im Kita-Alltag zeigen, dass in Interaktionen zwischen Kinderbetreuenden und Kindern Geschlechtsstereotype verstärkt werden. Für die Analyse der Interaktionen schlagen wir vor, die Konzepte des doing und undoing gender mit Dramatisierung und Dethematisierung zu kombinieren und auf der Mikroebene des Interaktionsverlaufs systematisch anzuwenden. Die Analyse der Interaktionen zwischen Kinderbetreuenden und Kindern basiert auf dem Verständnis von Geschlecht als einer fluiden kulturellen Ressource, die in Interaktionen episodisch konstruiert wird (Hirschauer 1994; Deutsch 2007; Nentwich & Kelan 2014) und derer sich Kinder und Betreuende situationsabhängig bedienen oder auch nicht.
Explicit perturbations to the stabilizer τ = i of modular $$ {A}_5^{\prime } $$ symmetry and leptonic CP violation
Authors: Wang Xin , Zhou Shun
Published: July 2021

Abstract

In a class of neutrino mass models with modular flavor symmetries, it has been observed that CP symmetry is preserved at the fixed point (or stabilizer) of the modulus parameter τ = i, whereas significant CP violation emerges within the neighbourhood of this stabilizer. In this paper, we first construct a viable model with the modular $$ {A}_5^{\prime } $$

A
5
′

symmetry, and explore the phenomenological implications for lepton masses and flavor mixing. Then, we introduce explicit perturbations to the stabilizer at τ = i, and present both numerical and analytical results to understand why a small deviation from the stabilizer leads to large CP violation. As low-energy observables are very sensitive to the perturbations to model parameters, we further demonstrate that the renormalization-group running effects play an important role in confronting theoretical predictions at the high-energy scale with experimental measurements at the low-energy scale.
Muon g − 2 in gauge mediation without SUSY CP problem
Authors: Ibe Masahiro , Kobayashi Shin , Nakayama Yuhei , Shirai Satoshi
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We discuss gauge mediated supersymmetry breaking models which explain the observed muon anomalous magnetic moment and the Higgs boson mass simultaneously. The successful explanation requires the messenger sector which violates the relation motivated by the grand unification theory (GUT). The naive violation of the GUT relation, however, ends up with the CP problem. We propose a model in which the phases of the gaugino masses are aligned despite the violation of the GUT relation. We also consider a model which generates the μ-term and the additional Higgs soft masses squared without causing CP violation. As a result, we find a successful model which explains the muon anomalous magnetic moment and the Higgs boson mass. The model is also free from the CP, flavor-changing neutral current and the lepton flavor violation problems caused by the subdominant gravity mediation effects. The lightest supersymmetric particles are gravitino/goldstini and the next-to-lightest ones are the Wino/Higgsinos in the typical parameter space. We also study the LHC constraints.
Entanglement wedge cross section inequalities from replicated geometries
Authors: Bao Ning , Chatwin-Davies Aidan , Remmen Grant N.
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We generalize the constructions for the multipartite reflected entropy in order to construct spacetimes capable of representing multipartite entanglement wedge cross sections of differing party number as Ryu-Takayanagi surfaces on a single replicated geometry. We devise a general algorithm for such constructions for arbitrary party number and demonstrate how such methods can be used to derive novel inequalities constraining mulipartite entanglement wedge cross sections.
N3LO gravitational spin-orbit coupling at order G4
Authors: Levi Michèle , McLeod Andrew J. , von Hippel Matthew
Published: July 2021

Abstract

In this paper we derive for the first time the N3LO gravitational spin-orbit coupling at order G4 in the post-Newtonian (PN) approximation within the effective field theory (EFT) of gravitating spinning objects. This represents the first computation in a spinning sector involving three-loop integration. We provide a comprehensive account of the topologies in the worldline picture for the computation at order G4. Our computation makes use of the publicly-available EFTofPNG code, which is extended using loop-integration techniques from particle amplitudes. We provide the results for each of the Feynman diagrams in this sector. The three-loop graphs in the worldline picture give rise to new features in the spinning sector, including divergent terms and logarithms from dimensional regularization, as well as transcendental numbers, all of which survive in the final result of the topologies at this order. This result enters at the 4.5PN order for maximally-rotating compact objects, and together with previous work in this line, paves the way for the completion of this PN accuracy.
Gravitational tests of electroweak relaxation
Authors: Barducci Daniele , Bertuzzo Enrico , Tupia Martín Arteaga
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We consider a scenario in which the electroweak scale is stabilized via the relaxion mechanism during inflation, focussing on the case in which the back-reaction potential is generated by the confinement of new strongly interacting vector-like fermions. If the reheating temperature is sufficiently high to cause the deconfinement of the new strong interactions, the back-reaction barrier then disappears and the Universe undergoes a second relaxation phase. This phase stops when the temperature drops sufficiently for the back-reaction to form again. We identify the regions of parameter space in which the second relaxation phase does not spoil the successful stabilization of the electroweak scale. In addition, the generation of the back-reaction potential that ends the second relaxation phase can be associated to a strong first order phase transition. We then study when such transition can generate a gravitational wave signal in the range of detectability of future interferometer experiments.
TMD fragmentation functions at N3LO
Authors: Ebert Markus A. , Mistlberger Bernhard , Vita Gherardo
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We compute the unpolarized quark and gluon transverse-momentum dependent fragmentation functions (TMDFFs) at next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (N3LO) in perturbative QCD. The calculation is based on a relation between the TMDFF and the limit of the semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering cross section where all final-state radiation becomes collinear to the detected hadron. The required cross section is obtained by analytically continuing our recent computation of the Drell-Yan and Higgs boson production cross section at N3LO expanded around the limit of all final-state radiation becoming collinear to one of the initial states. Our results agree with a recent independent calculation by Luo et al.
Role of thermal field in entanglement harvesting between two accelerated Unruh-DeWitt detectors
Authors: Barman Dipankar , Barman Subhajit , Majhi Bibhas Ranjan
Published: July 2021

Abstract

We investigate the effects of field temperature T(f) on the entanglement harvesting between two uniformly accelerated detectors. For their parallel motion, the thermal nature of fields does not produce any entanglement, and therefore, the outcome is the same as the non-thermal situation. On the contrary, T(f) affects entanglement harvesting when the detectors are in anti-parallel motion, i.e., when detectors A and B are in the right and left Rindler wedges, respectively. While for T(f) = 0 entanglement harvesting is possible for all values of A’s acceleration aA, in the presence of temperature, it is possible only within a narrow range of aA. In (1 + 1) dimensions, the range starts from specific values and extends to infinity, and as we increase T(f), the minimum required value of aA for entanglement harvesting increases. Moreover, above a critical value aA = ac harvesting increases as we increase T(f), which is just opposite to the accelerations below it. There are several critical values in (1 + 3) dimensions when they are in different accelerations. Contrary to the single range in (1 + 1) dimensions, here harvesting is possible within several discrete ranges of aA. Interestingly, for equal accelerations, one has a single critical point, with nature quite similar to (1 + 1) dimensional results. We also discuss the dependence of mutual information among these detectors on aA and T(f).
The relationship between common mental disorders (CMDs), food insecurity and domestic violence in pregnant women during the COVID-19 lockdown in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Abrahams Zulfa , Boisits Sonet , Schneider Marguerite , Prince Martin , Lund Crick
Published: July 2021

Purpose

We aimed to explore the relationship between common mental disorders (CMDs), food insecurity and experiences of domestic violence among pregnant women attending public sector midwife obstetric units and basic antenatal care clinics in Cape Town during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Methods

Perinatal women, attending 14 healthcare facilities in Cape Town, were enrolled in the study during baseline data collection before the COVID-19 lockdown. During the lockdown period, fieldworkers telephonically contacted the perinatal women who were enrolled in the study and had provided contact details. The following data were collected from those who consented to the study: socio-demographic information, mental health assessment, food insecurity status and experiences of domestic violence. Poisson regression was used to model the associations of a number of risk factors with the occurrence of CMDs.

Results

Of the 2149 women enrolled in the ASSET study, 885 consented to telephonic interviews. We found that 12.5% of women had probable CMDs and 43% were severely food insecure. Psychological distress increased significantly during the lockdown period, compared to before the COVID-19 outbreak. Using multivariate Poisson regression modelling, we showed that the risk of CMDs was increased in women who were severely food insecure or who experienced psychological or sexual abuse.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence of the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on the mental health status of perinatal women living in low-resource settings in Cape Town and highlights how a crisis such as the COVID-19 lockdown amplifies the psycho-social risk factors associated with CMDs in perinatal women.
Sensorimotor debilities in digital cultures
Authors: Penny Simon
Published: July 2021

This paper reflects on the qualities of living and learning in digital cultures, the design of digital technologies and the philosophical history that has informed that design. It takes as its critical perspective the field of embodied cognition as it has developed over the last three decades, in concert with emerging neurophysiology and neurocognitive research. From this perspective the paper considers cognitive, neurological and physiological effects that are increasingly becoming noticed in user populations, especially young populations. I call this class of conditions ‘sensorimotor debility’, to distinguish it from other psychological, social, cultural and political symptoms associated with computer, internet and social media use.
Strong positivity for quantum theta bases of quantum cluster algebras
Authors: Davison Ben , Mandel Travis
Published: July 2021

We construct “quantum theta bases,” extending the set of quantum cluster monomials, for various versions of skew-symmetric quantum cluster algebras. These bases consist precisely of the indecomposable universally positive elements of the algebras they generate, and the structure constants for their multiplication are Laurent polynomials in the quantum parameter with non-negative integer coefficients, proving the quantum strong cluster positivity conjecture for these algebras. The classical limits recover the theta bases considered by Gross–Hacking–Keel–Kontsevich (J Am Math Soc 31(2):497–608, 2018). Our approach combines the scattering diagram techniques used in loc. cit. with the Donaldson–Thomas theory of quivers.
Nilpotency and periodic points in non-uniform cellular automata
Authors: Kamilya Supreeti , Kari Jarkko
Published: July 2021

Nilpotent cellular automata have the simplest possible dynamics: all initial configurations lead in bounded time into the unique fixed point of the system. We investigate nilpotency in the setup of one-dimensional non-uniform cellular automata (NUCA) where different cells may use different local rules. There are infinitely many cells in NUCA but only a finite number of different local rules. Changing the distribution of the local rules in the system may drastically change the dynamics. We prove that if the available local rules are such that every periodic distribution of the rules leads to nilpotent behavior then so do also all eventually periodic distributions. However, in some cases there may be non-periodic distributions that are not nilpotent even if all periodic distributions are nilpotent. We demonstrate such a possibility using aperiodic Wang tile sets. We also investigate temporally periodic points in NUCA. In contrast to classical uniform cellular automata, there are NUCA—even reversible equicontinuous ones—that do not have any temporally periodic points. We prove the undecidability of this property: there is no algorithm to determine if a NUCA with a given finite distribution of local rules has a periodic point.
Correction to: Natural brominated phenoxyphenols kill persistent and biofilm-incorporated cells of MRSA and other pathogenic bacteria
Authors: van Geelen Lasse , Kaschani Farnusch , Sazzadeh Shabnam S. , Adeniyi Emmanuel T. , Meier Dieter , Proksch Peter , Pfeffer Klaus , Kaiser Markus , Ioerger Thomas R. , Kalscheuer Rainer
Published: July 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s00253-021-11409-5
Simultaneous completion and spatiotemporal grouping of corrupted motion tracks
Authors: Agudo Antonio , Lepetit Vincent , Moreno-Noguer Francesc
Published: July 2021

Given an unordered list of 2D or 3D point trajectories corrupted by noise and partial observations, in this paper we introduce a framework to simultaneously recover the incomplete motion tracks and group the points into spatially and temporally coherent clusters. This advances existing work, which only addresses partial problems and without considering a unified and unsupervised solution. We cast this problem as a matrix completion one, in which point tracks are arranged into a matrix with the missing entries set as zeros. In order to perform the double clustering, the measurement matrix is assumed to be drawn from a dual union of spatiotemporal subspaces. The bases and the dimensionality for these subspaces, the affinity matrices used to encode the temporal and spatial clusters to which each point belongs, and the non-visible tracks, are then jointly estimated via augmented Lagrange multipliers in polynomial time. A thorough evaluation on incomplete motion tracks for multiple-object typologies shows that the accuracy of the matrix we recover compares favorably to that obtained with existing low-rank matrix completion methods, specially under noisy measurements. In addition, besides recovering the incomplete tracks, the point trajectories are directly grouped into different object instances, and a number of semantically meaningful temporal primitive actions are automatically discovered.
Assessment of acetabular chondral damage and labral pathologies via direct MR arthrography: specialization matters
Authors: Zimmerer A. , Schneider MM. , Tramountanis K. , Janz V. , Miehlke W. , Wassilew GI. , Sobau C.
Published: July 2021

Aims

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of investigators from different specialities (radiologists and orthopaedic surgeons) with varying levels of experience of 1.5 T direct magnetic resonance arthrography (dMRA) against intraoperative findings in patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS).

Methods

A total of 272 patients were evaluated with dMRA and subsequent hip arthroscopy. The dMRA images were evaluated independently by two non-hip-arthroscopy-trained orthopaedic surgeons, two fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists, and two hip-arthroscopy-trained orthopaedic surgeons. The radiological diagnoses were compared with the intraoperative findings.

Results

Hip arthroscopy revealed labral pathologies in 218 (79%) and acetabular chondral lesions in 190 (69%) hips. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy for evaluating the acetabular labral pathologies were 79%, 18%, 79%, 18%, and 66% (non-hip-arthroscopy trained orthopaedic surgeons), 83%, 36%, 83%, 36%, and 74% (fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists), and 88%, 53%, 88%, 54% and 81% (hip-arthroscopy trained orthopaedic surgeons). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of dMRA for assessing the acetabular chondral damage were 81%, 36%, 71%, 50%, and 66% (non-hip-arthroscopy trained orthopaedic surgeons), 84%, 38%, 75%, 52%, and 70% (fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists), and 91%, 51%, 81%, 73%, and 79% (hip-arthroscopy trained orthopaedic surgeons). The hip-arthroscopy trained orthopaedic surgeons displayed the highest percentage of correctly diagnosed labral pathologies and acetabular chondral lesions, which is significantly higher than the other two investigator groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The accuracy of dMRA on detecting labral pathologies or acetabular chondral lesions depends on the examiner and its level of experience in hip arthroscopy. The highest values are found for the hip-arthroscopy-trained orthopaedic surgeons.

Level of evidence

Retrospective cohort study; III.
Physical activity, physical self-perception and depression symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder: a mediation analysis
Authors: Görgülü Esra , Bieber Miriam , Engeroff Tobias , Zabel Kirsten , Etyemez Semra , Prvulovic David , Reif Andreas , Oertel Viola
Published: July 2021

Physical inactivity is discussed as one of the most detrimental influences for lifestyle-related medical complications such as obesity, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and premature mortality in in- and outpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD). In contrast, intervention studies indicate that moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) might reduce complications and depression symptoms itself. Self-reported data on depression [Beck-Depression-Inventory-II (BDI-II)], general habitual well-being (FAHW), self-esteem and physical self-perception (FAHW, MSWS) were administrated in a cross-sectional study with 76 in- and outpatients with MDD. MVPA was documented using ActiGraph wGT3X + ® accelerometers and fitness was measured using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Subgroups were built according to activity level (low PA defined as MVPA < 30 min/day, moderate PA defined as MVPA 30–45 min/day, high PA defined as MVPA > 45 min/day). Statistical analysis was performed using a Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis test, Spearman correlation and mediation analysis. BDI-II scores and MVPA values of in- and outpatients were comparable, but fitness differed between the two groups. Analysis of the outpatient group showed a negative correlation between BDI-II and MVPA. No association of inpatient MVPA and psychopathology was found. General habitual well-being and self-esteem mediated the relationship between outpatient MVPA and BDI-II. The level of depression determined by the BDI-II score was significantly higher in the outpatient low- and moderate PA subgroups compared to outpatients with high PA. Fitness showed no association to depression symptoms or well-being. To ameliorate depressive symptoms of MDD outpatients, intervention strategies should promote habitual MVPA and exercise exceeding the duration recommended for general health (≥ 30 min/day). Further studies need to investigate sufficient MVPA strategies to impact MDD symptoms in inpatient settings. Exercise effects seem to be driven by changes of well-being rather than increased physical fitness.
Deep learning and fuzzy logic to implement a hybrid wind turbine pitch control
Authors: Sierra-Garcia J. Enrique , Santos Matilde
Published: July 2021

This work focuses on the control of the pitch angle of wind turbines. This is not an easy task due to the nonlinearity, the complex dynamics, and the coupling between the variables of these renewable energy systems. This control is even harder for floating offshore wind turbines, as they are subjected to extreme weather conditions and the disturbances of the waves. To solve it, we propose a hybrid system that combines fuzzy logic and deep learning. Deep learning techniques are used to estimate the current wind and to forecast the future wind. Estimation and forecasting are combined to obtain the effective wind which feeds the fuzzy controller. Simulation results show how including the effective wind improves the performance of the intelligent controller for different disturbances. For low and medium wind speeds, an improvement of 21% is obtained respect to the PID controller, and 7% respect to the standard fuzzy controller. In addition, an intensive analysis has been carried out on the influence of the deep learning configuration parameters in the training of the hybrid control system. It is shown how increasing the number of hidden units improves the training. However, increasing the number of cells while keeping the total number of hidden units decelerates the training.
Slowly resorbable biosynthetic mesh: 2-year results in VHWG grade 3 hernia repair
Authors: Van Rooijen M. M. J. , Tollens T. , Jørgensen L. N. , de Vries Reilingh T. S. , Piessen G. , Köckerling F. , Miserez M. , Windsor A. C. J. , Berrevoet F. , Fortelny R. H. , Dousset B. , Woeste G. , van Westreenen H. L. , Gossetti F. , Lange J. F. , Tetteroo G. W. M. , Koch A. , Jeekel J.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Information on the long-term performance of biosynthetic meshes is scarce. This study analyses the performance of biosynthetic mesh (Phasix™) over 24 months.

Methods

A prospective, international European multi-center trial is described. Adult patients with a Ventral Hernia Working Group (VHWG) grade 3 incisional hernia larger than 10 cm2, scheduled for elective repair, were included. Biosynthetic mesh was placed in sublay position. Short-term outcomes included 3-month surgical site occurrences (SSO), and long-term outcomes comprised hernia recurrence, reoperation, and quality of life assessments until 24 months.

Results

Eighty-four patients were treated with biosynthetic mesh. Twenty-two patients (26.2%) developed 34 SSOs, of which 32 occurred within 3 months (primary endpoint). Eight patients (11.0%) developed a hernia recurrence. In 13 patients (15.5%), 14 reoperations took place, of which 6 were performed for hernia recurrence (42.9%), 3 for mesh infection (21.4%), and in 7 of which the mesh was explanted (50%). Compared to baseline, quality of life outcomes showed no significant difference after 24 months. Despite theoretical resorption, 10.7% of patients reported presence of mesh sensation in daily life 24 months after surgery.

Conclusion

After 2 years of follow-up, hernia repair with biosynthetic mesh shows manageable SSO rates and favorable recurrence rates in VHWG grade 3 patients. No statistically significant improvement in quality of life or reduction of pain was observed. Few patients report lasting presence of mesh sensation. Results of biosynthetic mesh after longer periods of follow-up on recurrences and remodeling will provide further valuable information to make clear recommendations.

Trial registration

Registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02720042), March 25, 2016.
Digitaler Euro: Funktionsweise und kritische Würdigung
Authors: Thießen Friedrich
Published: July 2021

Im Oktober 2020 veröffentlichte die EZB das Grundlagenpapier zum digitalen Euro. Es enthält Vorschläge für die Konstruktion der neuen Geldform. Das digitale Geld wird in zwei Formen vorkommen: einer Kontoform und einer Form als Inhaberinstrument. Im Frühjahr 2021 führte die EZB eine Befragung bei Privatpersonen und Unternehmen zu diesen Vorschlägen durch, deren Ergebnisse im April 2021 veröffentlicht wurden. Die Konstruktionsvorschläge des digitalen Geldes entspechen noch nicht in allen Punkten den gewünschten Funktionalitäten sowie den Aktivitäten von Wettbewerbssystemen.
Bundesbeteiligung an den Kosten der Unterkunft — ein „pragmatischer“ Transfer
Authors: Boettcher Florian , Freier Ronny , Geißler René
Published: July 2021

Die Beteiligung des Bundes an den Kosten der Unterbringung und Heizung (KdU) erfolgt seit der Einführung des SGB II 2005 mit dem Ziel, die Kommunen finanziell zu entlasten. Seitdem wurde die Bundesbeteiligung in Höhe, Struktur, Berechnung und Zweck beständig verändert. Der Beitrag zeigt, wie sich dieser Transfer im Zeitablauf entwickelt hat, aus welchen Komponenten er heute besteht und welche Kritikpunkte sich um die KdU ergeben. Die Autoren schlussfolgern, dass die Bundesbeteiligung vereinfacht werden sollte, indem regionale Privilegien auslaufen und sachfremde Leistungen auf anderen Wegen finanziert werden.
Exploring the attitudes and experiences of adolescents with type 1 diabetes towards transition of care
Authors: D’Sa Saskia , Foley Deirdre J. , Hennigan Kerrie , Kelly-Conroy Maria , Quinn Anne , Norris Mary , Dunne Therese , Moloney Yvonne , Fitzpatrick Sarah , Noctor Eoin , Neylon Orla M. , O’Gorman C. S.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Transition from adolescence to adult care is very challenging for most patients. Without appropriate appointments and education, adolescents can get lost to follow up within one-year of transitioning to adult care (Mistry et al. Diabet Med 32(7):881–885, 2015). Loss to follow-up can increase risks of adverse short and long term diabetes-related complications, with healthcare contacts mainly limited to crisis-based management (Iversen et al. Scand J Caring Sci 33(3):723–730, 2019).

Aims

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patient’s perspective of the process of transition from paediatric to adult-based diabetes services in the Mid-West Region of Ireland.

Methods

We implemented a new transition clinic at University Hospital Limerick with the collaboration of paediatric and adult endocrinology teams. Eighteen patients opted to attend the clinic, but only 17 patients consented to participate in a qualitative assessment study and completed questionnaires before and after the transition clinic.

Results and conclusion

In terms of medical management, patients had a good understanding of hypoglycaemia and insulin dose adjustment principles, but were least comfortable with carbohydrate counting. Patients self-ranked their knowledge on driving and sexual health with a diagnosis of diabetes as poor, in comparison to understanding effects of alcohol and smoking on diabetes. Overall, a majority of the respondents felt more confident in moving to adult-care after attending the transition clinic.
Assessing the storage potential of Australian rainforest seeds: a decision-making key to aid rapid conservation
Authors: Sommerville K. D. , Errington G. , Newby Z-J. , Liyanage G. S. , Offord C. A.
Published: July 2021

Seed banking of rainforest species is hindered by lack of knowledge as to which species are tolerant of desiccation and freezing. We assessed 313 Australian rainforest species for seed banking suitability by comparing the germination percentage of fresh seeds to seeds dried at 15% RH and seeds stored at −20 °C after drying. We then compared desiccation responses to environmental, habit, fruit and seed characteristics to identify the most useful predictors of desiccation sensitivity. Of 162 species with ≥ 50% initial germination, 22% were sensitive to desiccation, 64% were tolerant and 10% were partially tolerant; the responses of 4% were uncertain. Of 107 desiccation tolerant species tested for response to freezing, 24% were freezing sensitive or short-lived in storage at −20 °C. Median values for fresh seed moisture content (SMC), oven dry weight (DW) and the likelihood of desiccation sensitivity (PD-S) were significantly greater for desiccation sensitive than desiccation tolerant seeds. Ninety-four to 97% of seeds with SMC < 29%, DW < 20 mg orPD-S < 0.01 were desiccation tolerant. Ordinal logistic regression of desiccation response against environmental, habit, fruit and seed characteristics indicated that the likelihood of desiccation sensitivity was significantly increased by a tree habit, fleshy fruit, increasing fresh SMC and increasingPD-S. The responses observed in this study were combined with earlier studies to develop a simple decision key to aid prediction of desiccation responses in untested rainforest species.
Convex optimization with an interpolation-based projection and its application to deep learning
Authors: Akrour Riad , Atamna Asma , Peters Jan
Published: July 2021

Convex optimizers have known many applications as differentiable layers within deep neural architectures. One application of these convex layers is to project points into a convex set. However, both forward and backward passes of these convex layers are significantly more expensive to compute than those of a typical neural network. We investigate in this paper whether an inexact, but cheaper projection, can drive a descent algorithm to an optimum. Specifically, we propose an interpolation-based projection that is computationally cheap and easy to compute given a convex, domain defining, function. We then propose an optimization algorithm that follows the gradient of the composition of the objective and the projection and prove its convergence for linear objectives and arbitrary convex and Lipschitz domain defining inequality constraints. In addition to the theoretical contributions, we demonstrate empirically the practical interest of the interpolation projection when used in conjunction with neural networks in a reinforcement learning and a supervised learning setting.
Normal form approach in the motion planning of space robots: a case study
Authors: Tchoń Krzysztof , Zadarnowska Katarzyna
Published: July 2021

We examine applicability of normal forms of non-holonomic robotic systems to the problem of motion planning. A case study is analyzed of a planar, free-floating space robot consisting of a mobile base equipped with an on-board manipulator. It is assumed that during the robot’s motion its conserved angular momentum is zero. The motion planning problem is first solved at velocity level, and then torques at the joints are found as a solution of an inverse dynamics problem. A novelty of this paper lies in using the chained normal form of the robot’s dynamics and corresponding feedback transformations for motion planning at the velocity level. Two basic cases are studied, depending on the position of mounting point of the on-board manipulator. Comprehensive computational results are presented, and compared with the results provided by the Endogenous Configuration Space Approach. Advantages and limitations of applying normal forms for robot motion planning are discussed.
The influence of high-temperature oxidation on the phase distribution of metal substrate in duplex stainless steel
Authors: Matsumoto Minami , Kimura Ken , Sugiura Natsuko
Published: July 2021

Duplex stainless steels (DSSs), which consist of ferrite and austenite phases, are widely used owing to their high strength and good corrosion resistance. However, the oxidation behavior of DSSs is extremely complicated because they have dual phases. In this study, changes in the scale and the metal substrate during oxidation were investigated. UNS S32101 (Fe-21.5%Cr–5%Mn–1.5%Ni–0.3%Mo–0.22%N), which is a typical type of DSS, was annealed at 1473 K for up to 36 ks in air. The microstructure of UNS S32101 consisted of austenite/ferrite phases, the ratio of which was 50:50 at room temperature. After oxidation, Cr, Mn-oxide formed predominantly. The metal substrate beneath the scale changed mostly to ferrite. In the same region, depletion of Mn and N concentrations resulted. The decrease in Mn was due to the formation of Cr, Mn-oxide. In addition, it was revealed that N content of the metal substrate decreased due to the formation of N2 gas along with the depletion of Mn. It was assumed that the decrease in Mn and N, which are austenite-stabilized elements, led to an increase in ferrite in the depletion area of Mn and N. From this result, it was expected that the compositional changes in the Mn/N depletion area were caused by the oxidation of steel.
The actorness of the President of the Republic in Italian foreign policy: a quantitative narrative analysis of two case studies (1999–2013)
Authors: Tebaldi Mauro , Calaresu Marco , Purpura Alberto
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we address the topic of policy actorness in Italian foreign policy to characterize the understudied role of the President of the Italian Republic (PoR). We apply quantitative narrative analysis (QNA) as the methodological tool of our study, answering two research questions to which the academic literature has so far produced limited responses: (a) whether the PoR can be considered a relevant actor in Italian foreign policy and (b) which factors can affect the Italian PoR’s relevance in foreign policy. Considering the Italian PoR’s Diary as the unit of analysis and source of data, we study the two crucial cases of Ciampi’s presidency (1999–2006) and Napolitano’s first presidency (2006–2013). QNA allows us to quantify and compare, while maintaining an actor-centred approach, the relations of the two PoRs with the most relevant actors in foreign policy. The results of our analyses highlight the relevance of the Italian PoR figure, identifying the main areas of influence of the Italian head of state and their changes over time. We conclude providing a few hypotheses to interpret the outcomes of our analyses on the PoR’s role in Italian foreign policy.
Agricultural and non-agricultural directions of bio-based sewage sludge valorization by chemical conditioning
Authors: Izydorczyk Grzegorz , Mikula Katarzyna , Skrzypczak Dawid , Trzaska Krzystof , Moustakas Konstantinos , Witek-Krowiak Anna , Chojnacka Katarzyna
Published: July 2021

This literature review outlines the most important—agricultural and non-agricultural—types of sewage sludge management. The potential of waste sludge protein hydrolysates obtained by chemical sludge conditioning was reported. The discussed areas include acidic and alkaline hydrolysis, lime conditioning, polyelectrolyte dewatering and other supporting techniques such as ultrasounds, microwave or thermal methods. The legislative aspects related to the indication of the development method and admission to various applications based on specified criteria were discussed. Particular attention was devoted to the legally regulated content of toxic elements: cadmium, lead, nickel, mercury, chromium and microelements that may be toxic: copper and zinc. Various methods of extracting valuable proteins from sewage sludge have been proposed: chemical, physical and enzymatic. While developing the process concept, you need to consider extraction efficiency (time, temperature, humidity, pH), drainage efficiency of post-extraction residues and directions of their management. The final process optimization is crucial. Despite the development of assumptions for various technologies, excess sewage sludge remains a big problem for sewage treatment plants. The high costs of enzymatic hydrolysis, thermal hydrolysis and ultrasonic methods and the need for a neutralizing agent in acid solubilization limit the rapid implementation of these processes in industrial practice.

Graphical abstract
Numerical Modeling of Bond Formation in Polymer Surface Metallization Using Cold Spray
Authors: Heydari Astaraee Asghar , Colombo Chiara , Bagherifard Sara
Published: July 2021

Surface metallization of polymeric materials using cold spray technology has gained increasing attention in the past decade. Experimental studies have evidenced multiple challenges of this process regarding continuity and homogeneity of the metallic deposits on polymer substrates. Modeling and simulation tools could be very helpful to assess the efficiency of different strategies suggested for improved deposition at a considerably reduced cost; nevertheless, the efforts to use numerical modeling in this sector have been less successful. Here, we develop a detailed finite element model for the cold spray deposition of metal particles on polymeric substrates to shed light on the underlying deposition mechanisms. The simulation results are compared with the literature experiments to establish the effectiveness of the proposed model. The developed model is able to capture the key phenomena involved in the deposition mechanism particularly the particle and substrate mechanical interlocking and substrate local melting. It is shown that a particle velocity threshold value should be exceeded to achieve an effective mechanical interlocking. The substate thermal domain and melting as well as the effects of particle velocity and size on deformation and particle anchorage are discussed.
Interregional Inventor Mobility in the Russian Federation as Evidenced by European Patent Data
Authors: Perret Jens K.
Published: July 2021

The transmission of knowledge between different entities is a central part of the concept of the national innovation system introduced by Lundvall. As knowledge in general, and tacit knowledge specifically, is a statistically rather intangible concept, alternative concepts need to be implemented to account for it. This study uses the idea of inventor mobility to account for tacit knowledge transmissions across the regions of the Russian Federation. In particular, the combination of the results of both ideas is used to account for purely inventor-based knowledge flows. These flows are quantified, and it is shown that basic economic indicators like the quality of the regional research system and the regional income levels are suitable in describing the intensity of knowledge flows.
3D Seed-Germination-Like MXene with In Situ Growing CNTs/Ni Heterojunction for Enhanced Microwave Absorption via Polarization and Magnetization
Authors: Li Xiao , You Wenbin , Xu Chunyang , Wang Lei , Yang Liting , Li Yuesheng , Che Renchao
Published: July 2021

Highlights

Benefiting from the possible “seed-germination” effect, the “seeds” Ni2+ grow into “buds” Ni nanoparticles and “stem” carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from the enlarged “soil” of MXene skeleton.

Compared with the traditional magnetic agglomeration, the MXene-CNTs/Ni hybrids exhibit the highly spatial dispersed magnetic architecture.

3D MXene-CNTs/Ni composites hold excellent microwave absorption performance (−56.4 dB at only 2.4 mm).

Abstract

Ti3C2Tx MXene is widely regarded as a potential microwave absorber due to its dielectric multi-layered structure. However, missing magnetic loss capability of pure MXene leads to the unmatched electromagnetic parameters and unsatisfied impedance matching condition. Herein, with the inspiration from dielectric-magnetic synergy, this obstruction is solved by fabricating magnetic CNTs/Ni hetero-structure decorated MXene substrate via a facile in situ induced growth method. Ni2+ ions are successfully attached on the surface and interlamination of each MXene unit by intensive electrostatic adsorption. Benefiting from the possible “seed-germination” effect, the “seeds” Ni2+ grow into “buds” Ni nanoparticles and “stem” carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from the enlarged “soil” of MXene skeleton. Due to the improved impedance matching condition, the MXene-CNTs/Ni hybrid holds a superior microwave absorption performance of − 56.4 dB at only 2.4 mm thickness. Such a distinctive 3D architecture endows the hybrids: (i) a large-scale 3D magnetic coupling network in each dielectric unit that leading to the enhanced magnetic loss capability, (ii) a massive multi-heterojunction interface structure that resulting in the reinforced polarization loss capability, confirmed by the off-axis electron holography. These outstanding results provide novel ideas for developing magnetic MXene-based absorbers.
Describing the impacts of COVID-19 on the labor market in Japan until June 2020
Authors: Fukai Taiyo , Ichimura Hidehiko , Kawata Keisuke
Published: July 2021

The Labor Force Survey, a large-scale government statistics, and the causal forest algorithm are used to estimate the group average treatment effect of the COVID-19 on the employment status for each month from January to June 2020. We find that (1) because of the seasonality in employment status at monthly level, whether we use January 2020 as the base month for comparison, as done in most of the studies or whether we use the same month last year as the base comparison group makes a large difference; (2) whether we include those who are absent from work among the employed or not makes a large difference in the measure of the impact of COVID-19 and its changes; (3) if we use the employment measure which does not include those who are absent from work among the employed, 25–30% among the employed are adversely affected and that 10% of the employed experienced more than 10% decline in employment probability in April, 2020; (4) those who are the most affected by the COVID-19 are those who are unemployed or work part-time in the hotel and restaurant industry and service occupations; (5) in addition, younger and female respondents are more affected than are older and male respondents; and (6) we observe no clear differences in the impacts of COVID-19 with respect to living location, education status, and firm size among the most affected.