bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A hierarchical cosimulation algorithm integrated with an acceptance–rejection method for the geostatistical modeling of variables with inequality constraints
Authors: Madani Nasser , Abulkhair Sultan
Published: July 2020

This work addresses the problem of the cosimulation of cross-correlated variables with inequality constraints. A hierarchical sequential Gaussian cosimulation algorithm is proposed to address this problem, based on establishing a multicollocated cokriging paradigm; the integration of this algorithm with the acceptance–rejection sampling technique entails that the simulated values first reproduce the bivariate inequality constraint between the variables and then reproduce the original statistical parameters, such as the global distribution and variogram. In addition, a robust regression analysis is developed to derive the coefficients of the linear function that introduces the desired inequality constraint. The proposed algorithm is applied to cosimulate Silica and Iron in an Iron deposit, where the two variables exhibit different marginal distributions and a sharp inequality constraint in the bivariate relation. To investigate the benefits of the proposed approach, the Silica and Iron are cosimulated by other cosimulation algorithms, and the results are compared. It is shown that conventional cosimulation approaches are not able to take into account and reproduce the linearity constraint characteristics, which are part of the nature of the dataset. In contrast, the proposed hierarchical cosimulation algorithm perfectly reproduces these complex characteristics and is more suited to the actual dataset.
“SPOCU”: scaled polynomial constant unit activation function
Authors: Kiseľák Jozef , Lu Ying , Švihra Ján , Szépe Peter , Stehlík Milan
Published: July 2020

We address the following problem: given a set of complex images or a large database, the numerical and computational complexity and quality of approximation for neural network may drastically differ from one activation function to another. A general novel methodology, scaled polynomial constant unit activation function “SPOCU,” is introduced and shown to work satisfactorily on a variety of problems. Moreover, we show that SPOCU can overcome already introduced activation functions with good properties, e.g., SELU and ReLU, on generic problems. In order to explain the good properties of SPOCU, we provide several theoretical and practical motivations, including tissue growth model and memristive cellular nonlinear networks. We also provide estimation strategy for SPOCU parameters and its relation to generation of random type of Sierpinski carpet, related to the [pppq] model. One of the attractive properties of SPOCU is its genuine normalization of the output of layers. We illustrate SPOCU methodology on cancer discrimination, including mammary and prostate cancer and data from Wisconsin Diagnostic Breast Cancer dataset. Moreover, we compared SPOCU with SELU and ReLU on large dataset MNIST, which justifies usefulness of SPOCU by its very good performance.
Occurrence and management of postoperative pneumocephalus using the semi-sitting position in vestibular schwannoma surgery
Authors: Machetanz Kathrin , Leuze Felix , Mounts Kristin , Trakolis Leonidas , Gugel Isabel , Grimm Florian , Tatagiba Marcos , Naros Georgios
Published: July 2020

Background

The semi-sitting position in neurosurgical procedures is still under debate due to possible complications such as venous air embolism (VAE) or postoperative pneumocephalus (PP). Studies reporting a high frequency of the latter raise the question about the clinical relevance (i.e., the incidence of tension pneumocephalus) and the efficacy of a treatment by an air replacement procedure.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled 540 patients harboring vestibular schwannomas who underwent posterior fossa surgery in a supine (n = 111) or semi-sitting (n = 429) position. The extent of the PP was evaluated by voxel-based volumetry (VBV) and related to clinical predictive factors (i.e., age, gender, position, duration of surgery, and tumor size).

Results

PP with a mean volume of 32 ± 33 ml (range: 0–179.1 ml) was detected in 517/540 (96%) patients. The semi-sitting position was associated with a significantly higher PP volume than the supine position (40.3 ± 33.0 ml [0–179.1] and 0.8 ± 1.4 [0–10.2], p < 0.001). Tension pneumocephalus was observed in only 14/429 (3.3%) of the semi-sitting cases, while no tension pneumocephalus occurred in the supine position. Positive predictors for PP were higher age, male gender, and longer surgery duration, while large (T4) tumor size was established as a negative predictor. Air exchange via a twist-drill was only necessary in 14 cases with an intracranial air volume > 60 ml. Air replacement procedures did not add any complications or prolong the ICU stay.

Conclusion

Although pneumocephalus is frequently observed following posterior fossa surgery in semi-sitting position, relevant clinical symptoms (i.e., a tension pneumocephalus) occur in only very few cases. These cases are well-treated by an air evacuation procedure. This study indicates that the risk of postoperative pneumocephalus is not a contraindication for semi-sitting positioning.
Using the five to fifteen-collateral informant questionnaire for retrospective assessment of childhood symptoms in adults with and without autism or ADHD
Authors: Hirvikoski Tatja , Lajic S. , Jokinen J. , Renhorn E. , Trillingsgaard A. , Kadesjö B. , Gillberg C. , Borg J. ,   The F. T. F. working group
Published: July 2020

Due to lack of previous studies, we aimed at evaluating the use of the Five to Fifteen (FTF) questionnaire in adults with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) and in controls without NDD. The NDD group consisted of adults with autism spectrum disorder ASD (n = 183) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (n = 174) without intellectual disability, recruited from a tertiary outpatient clinic. A web survey was used to collect data from general population adult control group without NDD (n = 738). The participants were retrospectively rated by their parents regarding childhood symptoms, using five to fifteen-collateral informant questionnaire (FTF-CIQ). Adults with NDD had higher FTF-CIQ domain and subdomain scores than controls, and displayed similar test profiles as children with corresponding diagnosis in previous studies. Based on the FTF-CIQ domain scores, 84.2% of the study participants (93% of the controls; 64% of the adults with NDD) were correctly classified in a logistic regression analysis. Likewise, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis on FTF-CIQ total sum score indicated that a cut-off value of 20.50 correctly classified 90% of the controls and 67% of the clinical cases, whilst a cut-off value of 30.50 correctly classified 84% of the controls and 77% of the clinical cases. The factor analysis revealed three underlying components: learning difficulties, cognitive and executive functions; social skills and emotional/behavioural symptoms; as well as motor and perceptual skills. Whilst not designed as a diagnostic instrument, the FTF-CIQ may be useful for providing information on childhood symptoms and associated difficulties in individuals assessed for NDD as adults.
Impact of mainstream classroom setting on attention of children with autism spectrum disorder: an eye-tracking study
Authors: Banire Bilikis , Al Thani Dena , Qaraqe Marwa , Mansoor Bilal , Makki Mustapha
Published: July 2020

It has long been reported that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit attention difficulties while learning. They tend to focus on irrelevant information and can easily be distracted. As a result, they are often confined to a one-to-one teaching environment, with fewer distractions and social interactions than would be present in a mainstream educational setting. In recent years, inclusive mainstream schools have been growing in popularity due to government policies on equality rights. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate attentional patterns of children with ASD in mainstream schools. This study aims to explore the attentional behaviors of children with ASD in a virtual reality simulated classroom. We analyzed four eye-gaze behaviors and performance scores of 45 children: children with ASD (ASD n = 20) and typically developing children (TD n = 25) when performing attention tasks. The gaze behaviors included time to first fixate (TTFF), first fixation duration (FFD), average fixation duration (AFD) and the sum of fixation count (SFC) on fourteen areas of interest (AOIs) in the classroom. Our results showed that children with ASD exhibit similar gaze behaviors to TD children, but with significantly lower performance scores and SFC on the target AOI. These findings showed that classroom settings can influence attentional patterns and the academic performance of children with ASD. Further studies are needed on different modalities for supporting the attention of children with ASD in a mainstream setting.
Assessment of barrier location effect on debris flow based on smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) simulation on 3D terrains
Authors: Choi Shin-Kyu , Park Joon-Young , Lee Deuk-Hwan , Lee Seung-Rae , Kim Yun-Tae , Kwon Tae-Hyuk
Published: July 2020

Debris flows are one of the perilous landslide-related hazards due to their fast flow velocity, large impact force, and long runout, in association with poor predictability. Debris-flow barriers that can minimize the energy of debris flows have been widely constructed to mitigate potential damages. However, the interactions between debris flows and barriers remain poorly understood, which hampers the optimal barrier installation against debris flows. Therefore, this study examined the effect of barrier locations, in particular source-to-barrier distance, on velocity and volume of debris flows via the numerical approach based on smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH). A debris-flow event was simulated on a 3D terrain, in which a closed-type barrier was numerically created at predetermined locations along a debris-flow channel, varying the source-to-barrier distance from the initiation point. In all cases, the closed-type barrier significantly reduced the velocity and volume of the debris flows, compared to the cases without a barrier. When the initial volume of source debris was small, or when the flow path was short, the barriers effectively blocked the debris flow regardless of the source-to-barrier distance. However, with a long flow path, installation of the barrier closer to the initiation location appeared more effective by preventing the debris volume from growing by entrainment. Our results contribute to a better understanding of how source-to-barrier distance influences debris-flow behavior, and show that the methodology presented herein can be further used to determine optimum and efficient designs for debris-flow barriers.
“It’s going to be hard you know…” Teachers’ perceived role in widening access to medicine
Authors: Alexander Kirsty , Nicholson Sandra , Cleland Jennifer
Published: July 2020

Medical schools worldwide undertake widening access (WA) initiatives (e.g. pipeline, outreach and academic enrichment programmes) to support pupils from high schools which do not traditionally send high numbers of applicants to medicine. UK literature indicates that pupils in these schools feel that their teachers are ill-equipped, cautious or even discouraging towards their aspiration and/or application to medicine. This study aimed to explore teachers’ perspectives and practices to include their voice in discussions and consider how medical schools might best engage with them to facilitate WA. Interviews were conducted with high school teachers in three UK regions, working in schools targeted by WA initiatives. Data were analysed thematically using template analysis, using a largely data-driven approach. Findings showed that although medicine was largely seen as a prestigious and worthwhile career, teachers held reservations about advocating this above other choices. Teachers saw it as their role to encourage pupils to educate themselves about medicine, but to ultimately allow pupils to make their own decisions. Their attitudes were influenced by material constraints in their schools, and the perception of daunting, long and emotionally difficult admissions requirements, with low chances of success. Medical schools may wish to work with teachers to understand their hesitations and help them develop the mindset required to advocate a challenging and unfamiliar career, emphasising that this encouragement can further the shared goal of empowering and preparing pupils to feel capable of choosing medicine. Reciprocally, medical schools should ensure pupils have fair opportunities for access, should they choose to apply.
Valproic acid upregulates the expression of the p75NTR/sortilin receptor complex to induce neuronal apoptosis
Authors: Dedoni Simona , Marras Luisa , Olianas Maria C. , Ingianni Angela , Onali Pierluigi
Published: July 2020

The antiepileptic and mood stabilizer agent valproic acid (VPA) has been shown to exert anti-tumour effects and to cause neuronal damage in the developing brain through mechanisms not completely understood. In the present study we show that prolonged exposure of SH-SY5Y and LAN-1 human neuroblastoma cells to clinically relevant concentrations of VPA caused a marked induction of the protein and transcript levels of the common neurotrophin receptor p75NTR and its co-receptor sortilin, two promoters of apoptotic cell death in response to proneurotrophins. VPA induction of p75NTR and sortilin was associated with an increase in plasma membrane expression of the receptor proteins and was mimicked by cell treatment with several histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. VPA and HDAC1 knockdown decreased the level of EZH2, a core component of the polycomb repressive complex 2, and upregulated the transcription factor CASZ1, a positive regulator of p75NTR. CASZ1 knockdown attenuated VPA-induced p75NTR overexpression. Cell treatment with VPA favoured proNGF-induced p75NTR/sortilin interaction and the exposure to proNGF enhanced JNK activation and apoptotic cell death elicited by VPA. Depletion of p75NTR or addition of the sortilin agonist neurotensin to block proNGF/sortilin interaction reduced the apoptotic response to VPA and proNGF. Exposure of mouse cerebellar granule cells to VPA upregulated p75NTR and sortilin and induced apoptosis which was enhanced by proNGF. These results indicate that VPA upregulates p75NTR apoptotic cell signalling through an epigenetic mechanism involving HDAC inhibition and suggest that this effect may contribute to the anti-neuroblastoma and neurotoxic effects of VPA.
Parental Reasoning on Choosing the Mobile Preschool: Enabling Sustainable Development or Adjusting to a Neoliberal Society?
Authors: Ojala Maria , Ekman Ladru Danielle , Gustafson Katarina
Published: July 2020

Due to the emergence of new forms of preschools and parents’ increased freedom of choice regarding early childhood education, more research on parental preschool preferences is needed. Although preschool offers a seedbed for the development of knowledge and competencies, this development matures through interaction with parents. Therefore, parental expectations and wishes are very likely to affect children’s learning. The mobile preschool is a new form of educational practice in Sweden where children travel by bus to different places for play and learning. This form of preschool can potentially lay a foundation for social and ecological sustainability because children learn to meet diverse people, explore different places, and spend time in nature. We interviewed 15 parents of children in a mobile preschool, most from a middle-class background. The main aim was to explore how these parents explain their choice of this type of preschool. Another aim was to identify desirable competencies that the parents think their children will achieve through the mobile preschool. Six themes related to preschool choice were identified; of these themes, “being out in nature” and “enlarging the children’s reality” were the most prominent. Two clusters of competencies were distinguished: care- and cooperation-oriented competencies, and freedom- and independence-oriented competencies. After analyzing these results in relation to two current educational discourses—education for sustainable development and entrepreneurship in a neoliberal society—we show how parents participate in reproducing these discourses. These findings add novel and important knowledge to the field of early childhood educational practices concerning parental choice and preferences.
The Self-Regulation-View in Writing-to-Learn: Using Journal Writing to Optimize Cognitive Load in Self-Regulated Learning
Authors: Nückles Matthias , Roelle Julian , Glogger-Frey Inga , Waldeyer Julia , Renkl Alexander
Published: July 2020

We propose the self-regulation view in writing-to-learn as a promising theoretical perspective that draws on models of self-regulated learning theory and cognitive load theory. According to this theoretical perspective, writing has the potential to scaffold self-regulated learning due to the cognitive offloading written text generally offers as an external representation and memory aid, and due to the offloading, that specifically results from the genre-free principle in journal writing. However, to enable learners to optimally exploit this learning opportunity, the journal writing needs to be instructionally supported. Accordingly, we have set up a research program—the Freiburg Self-Regulated-Journal-Writing Approach—in which we developed and tested different instructional support methods to foster learning outcomes by optimizing cognitive load during self-regulated learning by journal writing. We will highlight the main insights of our research program which are synthesized from 16 experimental and 4 correlative studies published in 16 original papers. Accordingly, we present results on (1) the effects of prompting germane processing in journal writing, (2) the effects of providing worked examples and metacognitive information to support students in effectively exploiting prompted journal writing for self-regulated learning, (3) the effects of adapting and fading guidance in line with learners’ expertise in self-regulated learning, and (4) the effects of journal writing on learning motivation and motivation to write. The article closes with a discussion of several avenues of how the Freiburg Self-Regulated-Journal-Writing Approach can be developed further to advance research that integrates self-regulated learning with cognitive load theory.
Silicon recycling through rice residue management does not prevent silicon depletion in paddy rice cultivation
Authors: Hughes Harold James , Hung Dao Trong , Sauer Daniela
Published: July 2020

Silicon (Si) is known to help plants mitigate environmental stresses and nutrient deficits. In some regions, the limited plant-available Si in soils can have detrimental effects on yields. Crop residue recycling is used to maintain the amount of plant-available Si in soils. However, the effect of crop residue management practices on Si availability to plants remains largely understudied. Here, we study the effects of three different rice residue management practices on Si-depleted rice fields in northern Vietnam. These management practices were (1) the direct incorporation of rice residues into soils, (2) burning in the field, and (3) use as fodder for animals, followed by composting of the obtained manure, and subsequent application to the field. We analyzed different Si reservoirs in soils and the content of plant-Si under these different practices. Our results show correlations between plant Si content and the different soil Si reservoirs, in particular with Si trapped in soil organic material (SiOrg; R2 = 0.68, n = 18, p < 10–4). However, we found no significant difference between the three residue management practices with respect to plant-available Si in soils and to the content of plant-Si. Moreover, our data suggest that strongly Si-depleted rice-cultivation systems proportionally lose Si through grain harvesting twice as fast as less Si-depleted systems because of the enhanced relative Si accumulation in grain. This loss cannot be mitigated by the recycling of rice residues, which suggests that the recycling of rice residues has only a limited effect in extremely Si-depleted rice-cultivation systems.
Students’ Digital Media Self-Efficacy and Its Importance for Higher Education Institutions: Development and Validation of a Survey Instrument
Authors: Pumptow Marina , Brahm Taiga
Published: July 2020

Although digital media are in general very common, their role in academic settings and their relevance for academic achievement are not satisfactorily explored. A research gap that is particularly apparent during the corona crisis in 2020 when university processes in many countries are suddenly almost completely digitalised. Research suggests a link between students’ diversity, in particular, their socio-economic background, academic self-efficacy expectations, study-related attitudes, and academic achievement. However, previous empirical studies on digital media at universities predominantly describe different types of media usage patterns but little is revealed about the students’ study-related attitudes and performance. The present study aims at developing a survey instrument to explore the relationship of individual, contextual as well as social background factors concerning academic achievement, with a special focus on academic and digital media self-efficacy expectations (DMSE). For this purpose, a new scale for DMSE has been constructed, based on existing psychological research. After pre-testing the instrument in 2017, data was collected at four German universities in summer 2018 (n = 2039). Validity and reliability are shown and the instrument appears suitable for further research in order to explore the interplay of student learning and digital media use in higher education, integrating the institutional and social context.
Cognitive Dissonance in Technology Adoption: A Study of Smart Home Users
Authors: Marikyan Davit , Papagiannidis Savvas , Alamanos Eleftherios
Published: July 2020

This study aims to address a research gap related to the outcomes of the use of technology when the performance falls short of initial expectations, and the coping mechanisms that users may deploy in such circumstances. By adopting Cognitive Dissonance Theory, the objectives of the study are a) to examine how dissonance, caused by the negative disconfirmation of expectations, may translate into a positive outcome and b) study how negative emotions, such as anger, guilt and regret, determine the selection of the mechanism to reduce dissonance. The theorised model was tested using a cross-sectional research design and a sample of 387 smart home users. The focus on smart home users fitted the objectives of the study due to the high expectations that users form and the challenges that the utilisation of technology sometimes causes. The collected data was analysed using structural equation modelling. Findings indicate that post-disconfirmation dissonance induces feelings of anger, guilt and regret, correlating with dissonance reduction mechanisms, which in turn have a distinctive effect on satisfaction and wellbeing. The findings of the study contribute to the discussion on expectation-disconfirmation and cognitive dissonance, by illustrating the interrelationship between emotional, cognitive and behavioural factors following the evaluation of technology performance and confirming that negative disconfirmation may result in satisfaction.
On the Lyapunov Exponents for a Class of Circle Diffeomorphisms Driven by Expanding Circle Endomorphisms
Authors: Bjerklöv Kristian
Published: July 2020

We consider skew-product maps on $$\mathbb {T}^2$$

T

2

of the form $$F(x,y)=(bx,x+g(y))$$

F
(
x
,
y
)
=
(
b
x
,
x
+
g
(
y
)
)

where $$g:\mathbb {T}\rightarrow \mathbb {T}$$

g
:
T
→
T

is an orientation-preserving $$C^2$$

C
2

-diffeomorphism and $$b\ge 2$$

b
≥
2

is an integer. We show that the fibred (upper and lower) Lyapunov exponent of almost every point (x, y) is as close to $$\int _\mathbb {T}\log (g'(\eta ))d\eta $$

∫
T

log

(

g
′

(
η
)

)

d
η

as we like, provided that b is large enough.
Efficacy of Psychological Interventions on Depression Anxiety and Somatization in Migrants: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Sambucini Daniela , Aceto Paola , Begotaraj Edvaldo , Lai Carlo
Published: July 2020

Many studies reveal the effectiveness of different psychological interventions on the adult refugees reporting mental health distress. Aim of this metanalysis was to test the efficacy of different psychological treatments on the depressive, anxiety and somatization symptoms on refugees and asylum seekers. Fifty-two studies, since 1997 to 2019, were included in the systematic review and 27 of those were included in the metanalysis. Studies providing a pre and post treatment methodological design were included. All treatments reported significant effects on the three outcomes. Qualitative observations showed a probability to have a significant pre-post treatment effects on trials with outcome of depression (56%), anxiety (44%), and somatization (42%). Cognitive behavioral treatment resulted the most effective treatment. The status of refugee compared to the status of asylum seeker seems to have a great effect on the effectiveness of the treatment.
Nonzero-Sum Stochastic Differential Games Between an Impulse Controller and a Stopper
Authors: Campi Luciano , De Santis Davide
Published: July 2020

We study a two-player nonzero-sum stochastic differential game, where one player controls the state variable via additive impulses, while the other player can stop the game at any time. The main goal of this work is to characterize Nash equilibria through a verification theorem, which identifies a new system of quasivariational inequalities, whose solution gives equilibrium payoffs with the correspondent strategies. Moreover, we apply the verification theorem to a game with a one-dimensional state variable, evolving as a scaled Brownian motion, and with linear payoff and costs for both players. Two types of Nash equilibrium are fully characterized, i.e. semi-explicit expressions for the equilibrium strategies and associated payoffs are provided. Both equilibria are of threshold type: in one equilibrium players’ intervention are not simultaneous, while in the other one the first player induces her competitor to stop the game. Finally, we provide some numerical results describing the qualitative properties of both types of equilibrium.
Robotisation of the manufacturing industries in the EU: Convergence or divergence?
Authors: Jungmittag Andre
Published: July 2020

This paper investigates whether convergence or divergence of robot densities in the manufacturing industries of 24 EU countries occurred over the period from 1995 to 2015. An answer to this question permits immediate conclusions with regard to the success of convergence of labour productivities within the manufacturing industries of the EU, since it is expected that the use of robots will contribute to the growth of labour productivity. The empirical analysis is based on the robot data of the International Federation of Robotics and uses the convergence testing approach proposed by Rodrik (Q J Econ 128(1):165–204, 2013). Taking all results together, empirical evidence points to non-convergence of robot densities for a first period from 1995 to 2005, while there is relatively fast conditional as well as unconditional convergence for the second period from 2005 to 2015.
Bifurcations in an economic growth model with a distributed time delay transformed to ODE
Authors: Guerrini Luca , Krawiec Adam , Szydłowski Marek
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we consider a model of economic growth with a distributed time-delay investment function, where the time-delay parameter is a mean time delay of the gamma distribution. Using the linear chain trick technique, we transform the delay differential equation system into an equivalent one of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Since we are dealing with weak and strong kernels, our system will be reduced to a three- and four-dimensional ODE system, respectively. The occurrence of Hopf bifurcation is investigated with respect to the following two parameters: time-delay parameter and rate of growth parameter. Sufficient criteria on the existence and stability of a limit cycle solution through the Hopf bifurcation are presented in case of time-delay parameter. Numerical studies with the Dana and Malgrange investment function show the emergence of two Hopf bifurcations with respect to the rate growth parameter. In this case, we have been able to detect the existence of stable long-period cycles in the economy. According to the time-delay and adjustment speed parameters, the range of admissible values of the rate of growth parameter breaks down into three intervals. First, we have stable focus, then the limit cycle and finally again the stable solution with two Hopf bifurcations. Such behavior appears for some middle interval of the admissible range of values of the rate of growth parameter.
Comparative evaluation of powertrain concepts through an eco-impact optimization framework with real driving data
Authors: Esser Arved , Eichenlaub Tobias , Schleiffer Jean-Eric , Jardin Philippe , Rinderknecht Stephan
Published: July 2020

The assessment of the ecological impact of different powertrain concepts is of increasing relevance considering the enormous efforts necessary to limit the global warming effect due to the man-made climate change. Within this contribution, we adopt existing methods for the optimization of electric and hybrid electric powertrains using a vehicle simulation environment and derive a method to identify the ecological potential of different powertrain concepts for a set of technological parameters in the reference year 2030. By optimizing the parametrization for each powertrain concept and by adapting the respective operating behaviour specifically to minimize the ecological impact, a reliable and unbiased comparison is enabled. We use our optimization environment with the Real Ecological Impact as objective function to compare different powertrain concepts on driving profiles that are based on real driving data recorded in Germany. Despite the fact that all of the considered driving profiles contain trips of similar length, their respective optimized powertrain concepts are different. Plug-In Hybrid vehicles achieve the greatest potential for long-range capable vehicles and are least sensitive to different driving profiles.
Is Canada really an education superpower? The impact of non-participation on results from PISA 2015
Authors: Anders Jake , Has Silvan , Jerrim John , Shure Nikki , Zieger Laura
Published: July 2020

The purpose of large-scale international assessments is to compare educational achievement across countries. For such cross-national comparisons to be meaningful, the participating students must be representative of the target population. In this paper, we consider whether this is the case for Canada, a country widely recognised as high performing in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Our analysis illustrates how the PISA 2015 sample for Canada only covers around half of the 15-year-old population, compared to over 90% in countries like Finland, Estonia, Japan and South Korea. We discuss how this emerges from differences in how children with special educational needs are defined and rules for their inclusion in the study, variation in school participation rates and the comparatively high rates of pupils’ absence in Canada during the PISA study. The paper concludes by investigating how Canada’s PISA 2015 rank would change under different assumptions about how the non-participating students would have performed were they to have taken the PISA test.
Correction to: Learning the effects of psychotropic drugs during pregnancy using real‑world safety data: a paradigm shift toward modern pharmacovigilance
Authors: Lupattelli Angela , Spigset Olav , Nordeng Hedvig
Published: July 2020

The article Learning the effects of psychotropic drugs during pregnancy using real‑world safety data: a paradigm shift toward modern pharmacovigilance, written by Angela Lupattelli · Olav Spigset · Hedvig Nordeng, was originally published Online First without Open Access
Quantitative imaging of sodium concentrations in soil-root systems using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Authors: Perelman Adi , Lazarovitch Naftali , Vanderborght Jan , Pohlmeier Andreas
Published: July 2020

Aims

Demonstrating the potential of MRI as a 3D, non-invasive and continuous measurement technique to map Na+concentration distributions in soil and around roots.

Methods

Dissolved NaCl in soil and soil-plant systems was mapped by 3D23Na-MRI. The lower limit of detectability in saturated and unsaturated porous media was evaluated, followed by evaporation experiments to test the quantification. Finally, Na+enrichment around tomato roots, irrigated with saline solution under low/high transpiration rates (LT, HT), was imaged in parallel to the root system,.

Results

A spin echo pulse sequence allowed the quantitative mapping of the volume concentration of NaCl in sandy porous medium. Evaporation experiments showed slight enrichment in the top surface layer, plus uniform temporal enrichment in the deeper layers. In the tomato experiments, enrichment was more distinct under HT than under LT. Concentration-distance correlation curves revealed thin enrichment zones ranging a few mm around the roots.

Conclusions

MRI can map Na+non-invasively in 3D at relevant concentrations for root activity. Visualizing water content, roots and Na+on the same scale is possible, despite limitations of different scanning times and resolution. This opens a route for further quantitative investigations of salt enrichment processes in soil and soil-plant systems.
Socio-spatial Disparities and the Crisis: Swimming Pools as a Proxy of Class Segregation in Athens
Authors: Carlucci Margherita , Vinci Sabato , Ricciardo Lamonica Giuseppe , Salvati Luca
Published: July 2020

Initially considered a ‘luxury’ good and now becoming a more popular and diffused landmark, the spatial distribution of residential swimming pools reflects the socio-spatial structure in Mediterranean cities, offering a kaleidoscopic overview of class segregation and economic disparities. The present study hypothesizes that economic downturns, resulting in alternative phases of social polarization and mixing, affect the spatial distribution of pools. To verify this assumption, the spatial distribution of pools in Athens, Greece—a city with evident social disparities and largely affected by the great recession—was analysed during the most recent expansion and recession. Results shed light on the spatial linkage between pool density, class segregation and dispersed urban expansion in a context of rising income disparities. The spatial distribution of swimming pools became increasingly polarized in the Athens’ metropolitan region. The spread of residential pools in wealthier districts suggests how recession has consolidated disparities between rich and poor neighbourhoods. Based on the empirical findings of this study, pools can be considered a proxy of increased socio-spatial disparities reflecting class segregation and economic polarization at the local scale.
Multi-route human health risk assessment from trihalomethanes in drinking and non-drinking water in Abadan, Iran
Authors: Kujlu Raheleh , Mahdavianpour Mostafa , Ghanbari Farshid
Published: July 2020

Natural organic matter reacted with chlorine used for disinfection, and finally, trihalomethanes (THMs) are formatted. The main purpose of this study was to determine four THM concentrations and human health cancer risk and non-cancer risk assessment from exposure through oral ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation for males and females in Abadan. Two sampling sites were selected, and five samples before and after treatment by two different water treatment systems (RO and ion exchange) were collected every week. Results showed that total THM concentrations before and after treatment by RO were 98.1 and 8.88 μg/L, and ion exchange ranged between 101.9 and 14.96 μg/L, respectively, that before treatment was upper than the maximum of 80 mg/L recommended by USEPA. Inhalation was the primary route of exposure by around 80–90% of cancer risk. Total cancer risk was higher than the USEPA acceptable limit of 10−6 via three exposure routes. Oral route has the higher hazard index values than dermal ways.
Monitoring System of tourist traffic (MSTT) for tourists monitoring in mid-mountain national park, SW Poland
Authors: Rogowski Mateusz
Published: July 2020

National parks are highly valuable natural areas and have the potential to attract a large number of visitors. The number of visitors at national parks is systematically increasing, often exceeding Tourism Carrying Capacity (TCC) of trails. This situation requires adjusting the number of park visitors to adapt to sustainable management systems of visitor flow, thus preventing or counteracting overtourism. The aim of the study is to propose a comprehensive method for tourists monitoring in mid-mountain national park presented on the example of the Stołowe Mountains National Park (SMNP) in Poland, called as Monitoring System of tourist traffic (MSTT). The study describes six stages procedure of tourists Monitoring System creation and application as an optimal measurement technique. The MSTT enabled a multidimensional analysis of tourist traffic in SMNP. With the help of 39 pyroelectric sensors and surveys data spatio-temporal characteristic of visitor flow was obtained. The data generated in MSTT included hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and annual reports, taking into account the direction of traffic measuring both directions: entries (IN), exits (OUT) and passages (IN+OUT). The results from pyroelectric sensors were supplemented with field surveys, where visitor’s motivations, preferences, and behaviours were determined. In 2017 a total of 871,344 visitors were recorded in SMNP what causes one of the most popular national parks in Poland. The SMNP is a suitable destination for short breaks leisure visits in wilderness. In order to sustain MSTT methodology in the long-run the set of guidelines together with the workload estimates were presented. In the future, the MSTT can be further developed, including monitoring of climbing, cycling, cross-country skiing, car traffic and illegal tourism assessment. The MSTT can be considered as a useful tool for tourism management in mid-mountain national parks throughout the entire calendar year.
Tissue and Stem Cell Sourced Extracellular Vesicle Communications with Microglia
Authors: Spellicy Samantha E. , Stice Steven L.
Published: July 2020

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nano- to micro- sized vesicles released from cells, have garnered attention in recent years for their role in intercellular communication. Specifically, EVs from various cell sources including stem cells, have shown to have an exacerbatory or therapeutic effect in the content of pro- and anti-inflammatory environments through their interaction with immune recipient cells. This review aims to the coalescence information surrounding EVs derived from various sources and their interaction with microglia in neutral, anti, and pro- inflammatory environments. Overall, in homeostatic environments, EVs from many CNS lineages have been shown to have specific interactions with recipient microglia. In complex inflammatory environments, such as the tumor micro-environment (TME), EVs have been shown to further influence immune dampening through transition of microglia to a more M2-like phenotype. While not advantageous in the TME, this effect can be harnessed therapeutically in proinflammatory neurological conditions such as stroke, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. EVs derived from various stem cell and non-stem cell derived sources were found to attenuate proinflammatory responses in microglia in in vitro and in vivo models of these conditions. EVs loaded with anti-inflammatory therapeutics furthered this anti-inflammatory effect on recipient microglia.
Prospective evaluation of an anti-cancer drugs management programme in a dedicated oral therapy center (DICTO programme)
Authors: Deluche Elise , Darbas Tiffany , Bourcier Kevin , Montangon Loic , Bayard Geraldine , Caille Evelyne , Querrioux Julie , Suchaud Chantal , Zabaleta Sonia , Chaput Sabine , Le Brun-Ly Valerie , Pestre Julia , Venat Laurence , Thuillier Frédéric , Nevado Elodie , Maillan Gaelle , Jost Jeremy , Leobon Sophie , Tubiana-Mathieu Nicole , Lavau-Denes Sandrine
Published: July 2020

Oral therapies have highly modified cancer patient management and changed hospital practises. We introduce a specific Oral Therapy Centre and retrospectively review information prospectively recorded by co-ordination nurses (CNs) (the DICTO programme). We describe the roles played by CNs in the management of oral cancer therapies at Limoges Dupuytren Hospital between May 2015 and June 2018. All cancers, irrespective of stage or whether oral general chemotherapy or targeted therapy was prescribed, are included. We followed up 287 patients of median age 67 years (range 26–89 years). Of these, 76% had metastases and 44% were on first-line therapy. The vast majority (88%) of their first CN contacts occurred just after physician consultation and lasted an average of 60 min. As part of follow-up, the CNs made 2719 calls (average 10 min) to patients to educate them and to verify compliance and drug tolerance. They also received 833 calls from patients (70%) or their relatives or health professionals (30%) seeking advice on management of side effects. In addition to the initial appointments, 1069 non-scheduled follow-up visits were made to assess side effects (49.2%). The CNs devoted 5 h to each patient over 3 months of treatment (i.e. 25 min/day) and, also organised scheduled hospitalisations in the department of oncology for 51% of patients. We show the interest and real-life work in a specific oral therapy centre within oncology department with the role of CNs to facilitate the global health care of the patients.
Neuroendocrine breast carcinoma: a rare but challenging entity
Authors: Trevisi Elena , La Salvia Anna , Daniele Lorenzo , Brizzi Maria Pia , De Rosa Giovanni , Scagliotti Giorgio V. , Di Maio Massimo
Published: July 2020

Breast carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation, also known as neuroendocrine breast carcinoma (NEBC), includes a heterogeneous group of rare tumors, which account for 2–5% of all invasive breast carcinomas. Because of their low incidence, most of the current limited knowledge of these tumors derives from anecdotal case reports or small retrospective series. The diagnosis of NEBC is based on the presence of morphological features similar to gastrointestinal and lung NETs and neuroendocrine markers. NEBCs are usually hormone receptors positive and HER2 negative, but despite this luminal phenotype, most recent studies suggested that NEBC could be associated with worse prognosis compared to invasive breast cancer without neuroendocrine differentiation. Due to its rarity and lack of randomized data, there is little evidence to guide the choice of treatment, so NEBC is currently treated as any invasive breast carcinoma not-otherwise specified. Recently, attempts to molecularly characterize NEBC have been made, in order to provide new targets for a more personalized treatment of this uncommon entity.
Consequences of barriers and changing seasonality on population dynamics and harvest of migratory ungulates
Authors: Van Moorter Bram , Engen Steinar , Fryxell John M. , Panzacchi Manuela , Nilsen Erlend B. , Mysterud Atle
Published: July 2020

Many animal populations providing ecosystem services, including harvest, live in seasonal environments and migrate between seasonally distinct ranges. Unfortunately, two major sources of human-induced global change threaten these populations: climate change and anthropogenic barriers. Anthropogenic infrastructure developments present a global threat to animal migrations through increased migration mortality or behavioral avoidance. Climate change alters the seasonal and spatial dynamics of resources and therefore the effects of migration on population performance. We formulated a population model with ideal-free migration to investigate changes in population size and harvest yield due to barriers and seasonal dynamics. The model predicted an increasing proportion of migrants when the difference between areas in seasonality or carrying capacity increased. Both migration cost and behavioral avoidance of barriers substantially reduced population size and harvest yields. Not surprisingly, the negative effects of barriers were largest when the population benefited most from migration. Despite the overall decline in harvest yield from a migratory population due to barriers, barriers could result in locally increased yield from the resident population following reduced competition from migrants. Our approach and results enhance the understanding of how global warming and infrastructure development worldwide may change population dynamics and harvest offtake affecting livelihoods and rural economies.
Production and planned in-orbit qualification of a function-integrated, additive manufactured satellite sandwich structure with embedded automotive electronics
Authors: Echsel M. , Springer P. , Hümbert S.
Published: July 2020

As part of the Integrated Research Platform for Affordable Satellites project, the German Aerospace Center, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation and the Institute for Space Systems at the University of Stuttgart are investigating new ways of manufacturing satellites more cost-effectively in the future. One of the investigated approaches is a new way of producing structural stalleite elements to save weight, volume and, therefore, costs. This publication presents a functional integrated satellite structure that combines the potentials of additive manufacturing of thermoplastics and miniaturized automotive electronics. The structures’ base is a sandwich with a printed core in which both, the wire harness and automotive micro-electromechanical systems sensors for position and thermal control are integrated. The partial aspects of additive manufacturing and the use of modern automotive electronics were investigated and assesed. In addition, an in-orbit experiment will be presented to evaluate the structure under real conditions.