bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Solid Solution Eu1–xSrxAuIn
Authors: Klenner Steffen , Bönnighausen Judith , Pöttgen Rainer
Published: February 2021

EuAuIn and SrAuIn (TiNiSi type structure, space group Pnma) form a complete solid solution Eu1–xSrxAuIn. Samples with x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.8 were prepared by melting of the elements in sealed tantalum ampoules followed by slow cooling. The samples were characterized through Guinier powder patterns. The X‐ray data confirm Vegard type behavior. The crystal structures of Eu0.8Sr0.2AuIn and Eu0.5Sr0.5Au1.02In0.98 were refined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data in order to confirm the Eu/Sr site occupancies. Temperature‐dependent magnetic susceptibility data confirm divalent europium. The Néel temperature linearly drops from 21.0 K for EuAuIn and long‐range magnetic ordering is still present in the x = 0.8 sample with TN = 4.1 K. Low‐field measurements indicate two successive magnetic ordering temperatures for all samples, resulting from a complex interplay of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions, similar to the tetrelides EuMgX (X = Si, Ge, Sn). 151Eu Mössbauer spectra confirm the divalent ground state and show complex magnetic hyperfine field splitting at 6 K.
Nonuniform dependence of the R‐b‐family system in Besov spaces
Authors: Holmes John , Thompson Ryan C. , Tiğlay Feride
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we consider a generalized rotation b‐family system (R‐b‐family system) which models the evolution of equatorial water waves. Based on local well‐posedness results and lifespan estimates, we establish sharpness of continuity on the data‐to‐solution map by showing that it is not uniformly continuous from to . The proof of nonuniform dependence is based upon approximate solutions and Littlewood‐Paley decomposition theory.
Correction to: Statistical Population Genomics
Authors: Dutheil Julien Y.
Published: February 2021

Chapter 2, “Processing and Analyzing Multiple Genomes Alignments with MafFilter,” was previously published without including the Electronic Supplementary Material. This has now been included in the revised version of this book.
Hominin Footprints in Caves from Romanian Carpathians
Authors: Onac Bogdan P. , Veres Daniel S. , Stringer Chris
Published: February 2021

The Romanian karst hosts numerous caves and shelters that over time provided remarkable archaeological and anthropological vestiges. Altogether they show that humans must have entered caves in Romania at least as early as 170,000 years ago. However, ancient human footprints are very rare in the fossil record of East-Central Europe, with only two known locations in the Apuseni Mountains of western Romania. Vârtop Cave site originally preserved three fossil footprints made about 67,800 years ago by a Homo neanderthalensis, whereas Ciur Izbuc Cave was probably home of early H. sapiens that left almost 400 footprints (interspersed with spoors of cave bears), which were indirectly dated to be younger than ~36,500 years.
Prehistoric Speleological Exploration in the Cave of Aldène in Cesseras (Hérault, France): Human Footprint Paths and Lighting Management
Authors: Galant Philippe , Ambert† Paul , Colomer† Albert
Published: February 2021

Aldène Cave is a system of 9 km of extent, on four hydrogeological levels. Within the first two fossil levels, which comprise more than half of the system, many archaeological remains have been discovered. They represent a continuum of more than 350,000 years of human history. On the second level, we find the Paul Ambert gallery, discovered in 1948 by the Abbé Dominique Cathala. This gallery contains many human traces, with footprints and marks of torches that were brought into the cave. A recent geomorphological study of these elements concerned registration and systematic analysis of the lighting marks, as well as an initial determination of the footprints. This work confirmed the contemporaneousness and functional link of these archaeological remains. Lighting management could be determined precisely with the traces on the walls and the remains discovered on the floor in connection with the footprints. These data, investigated with a spatial approach in relation to the cave network, clarify the prehistoric passages and allow an interpretation of the behaviour of visitors. All elements together form the picture of a family at a speleological investigation, which is attributed to the Mesolithic.
Steps from History
Authors: Ashton Nick
Published: February 2021

Human footprints were discovered at Happisburgh, UK, in 2013. This paper describes their discovery and the difficulties of recording such enigmatic remains in a coastal environment. The geological and environmental context in which they were found is given, together with the evidence of the dating of the site to either 850,000 or 950,000 years ago. The implications of how humans coped with long, cold winters of northern Europe is discussed; the evidence of a family group indicates that seasonal migration is highly unlikely, leaving the possibilities of either physiological adaptations, such as functional body hair, or the use of technologies such as shelter, clothing and fire. The second part of the paper shows the various ways in which the footprints have reached wide and diverse audiences through media reports, exhibitions and books. They show the powerful messages that footprints can generate through the ideas and emotions that they provoke and the immediacy of their connection with the deep past.
Advancing Joint Design and Operation of Water Resources Systems Under Uncertainty
Authors: Bertoni Federica
Published: February 2021

Globally, many countries are actively seeking to maximize the hydropower potential of major river basins, yielding proposals for constructing approximately 3,700 major dams in the near future. The planning of new water reservoir systems raises several major challenges that must be conjunctively accounted for within the system design phase, in order to design efficient yet sustainable infrastructures able to satisfy multiple water needs and perform well under a wide range of external future changes. This contribution aims at advancing the current planning and operation of water reservoir systems, focusing on the coupling of dam sizing and operation design in order to thoroughly capture their interdependencies also with respect to uncertainty in the main external drivers.
Inductorless Frequency Synthesizers for Low-Cost Wireless
Authors: Santiccioli Alessio
Published: February 2021

The quest for ubiquitous wireless connectivity, drives an increasing demand for compact and efficient means of frequency generation. Conventional synthesizer options, however, generally trade one requirement for the other, achieving either excellent levels of efficiency by leveraging LC-oscillators, or a very compact area by relying on ring-oscillators. This chapter describes a recently introduced class of inductorless frequency synthesizers, based on the periodic realignment of a ring-oscillator, that have the potential to break this tradeoff. After analyzing their jitter-power product, the conditions that ensure optimum performance are derived and a novel digital-to-time converter range-reduction technique is introduced, to enable low-jitter and low-power fractional-N frequency synthesis. A prototype, which implements the proposed design guidelines and techniques, has been fabricated in 65 nm CMOS. It occupies a core area of 0:0275 mm$$^{2}$$

2

and covers the 1:6-to-3:0 GHz range, achieving an absolute rms jitter (integrated from 30 kHz-to-30 MHz) of 397 fs at 2:5 mW power. With a corresponding jitter-power figure-of-merit of −244 dB in the fractional-N mode, the prototype outperforms prior state-of-the-art inductorless frequency synthesizers.
Preplay Communication in Multi-Player Sequential Games: An Overview of Recent Results
Authors: Celli Andrea
Published: February 2021

The computational study of game-theoretic solution concepts is fundamental to describe the optimal behavior of rational agents interacting in a strategic setting, and to predict the most likely outcome of a game. Equilibrium computation techniques have been applied to numerous real-world problems. Among other applications, they are the key building block of the best poker-playing AI agents [5, 6, 27], and have been applied to physical and cybersecurity problems (see, e.g., [18, 20, 21, 30–32]).
LHC Experiments
Authors: Frühwirth Rudolf , Strandlie Are
Published: February 2021

The chapter gives an overview of the track and vertex reconstruction methods of the LHC experiments that were used in production during Run 2 of the LHC, which ended in autumn of 2018.
Secondary Vertex Reconstruction
Authors: Frühwirth Rudolf , Strandlie Are
Published: February 2021

The chapter reviews methods for the search for secondary vertices. Four types of secondary vertices are discussed in detail: decays of short-lived particles, decays of long-lived particles, photon conversions, and hadronic interactions in the detector material.
Using IEA International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) Data: Northern Lights on ICCS
Authors: Biseth Heidi , Hoskins Bryony , Huang Lihong
Published: February 2021

This chapter introduces the Nordic context of civic and citizenship education in schools including reviews of previous results and research on IEA’s International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS). By discussing the issues relevant to democratic citizenship education that are of central significance in the four Nordic countries, this chapter argues for new cross-country comparative analyses of ICCS data based on themes typically engaging Nordic scholars, including students’ understandings of citizenship, school principals’ understandings of the priorities of citizenship education, digital citizenship education, environmental citizenship education, and inequalities and citizenship education. Furthermore, this chapter provides a layout of the volume through positioning the five analytical chapters across contesting the understanding of civic engagement and democratic dispositions in Nordic democracies.
Socioeconomic Inequalities in Civic Learning in Nordic Schools: Identifying the Potential of In-School Civic Participation for Disadvantaged Students
Authors: Hoskins Bryony , Huang Lihong , Arensmeier Cecilia
Published: February 2021

This chapter provides an analysis of the complex role of Nordic schools in both enhancing and reducing socioeconomic inequalities in civic competences. A multilevel analysis method was used to examine the IEA International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) 2009 and 2016 data of all four Nordic countries. The results show that unequal access to civic learning (in-school civic participation and open classroom climate) exist in all Nordic countries. We found differences in access within schools in which students with more advantages experienced greater opportunities to participate. Additionally, we found differences between schools. Those schools that had an intake with a higher proportion of socioeconomically advantaged students tended to provide more civic learning opportunities and open classroom climates. Inequalities in access to civic learning activities manifested itself in different ways in schools across the Nordic countries. There is some evidence that this happens more regularly in Sweden than Finland, though Norway recorded the highest levels of unequal access inside schools, and no Nordic country provides equal access to all the forms of civic learning we studied. At the same time, however, there were forms of civic learning in Nordic schools that were found to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in civic competences. The results showed that when disadvantaged students gained access to civic learning, they mostly appeared to benefit either the same or more from the experience than their more advantaged peers. A unique contribution of this chapter to the field of citizenship education is that we found that in-school civic participation can compensate for a disadvantaged background for developing future electoral participation and civic knowledge in students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Internes Crowdsourcing in Unternehmen
Authors: Wedel Marco , Ulbrich Hannah , Pohlisch Jakob , Göll Edgar , Uhl André , Iskender Neslihan , Polzehl Tim , Schröter Welf , Porth Florian
Published: February 2021

Die grundlegende Idee von internem Crowdsourcing (IC) ist, den innerbetrieblichen Wissensaustausch und die Interaktion im Unternehmen zu mobilisieren und zu stärken. Das Lösen von Problemstellungen durch bereichs- und fachübergreifendes Denken und kollaborative Handlungskompetenzen für die Zusammenarbeit sowohl zwischen den Beschäftigten untereinander als auch zwischen Unternehmensführung und Beschäftigten soll mit dem Verfahren auf direkte Weise gefördert werden. Vorhandenes explizites, aber vor allem auch personengebundenes implizites Fach- und Erfahrungswissen kann durch die Anwendung von internem Crowdsourcing schnell im Unternehmen abgerufen und für die Entwicklung von Lösungen, Prozessen und Entscheidungen genutzt werden. Insbesondere durch das niedrigschwellige Erproben neuer Kommunikations- und Kollaborationsmöglichkeiten kann internes Crowdsourcing einen wichtigen Beitrag zu einer veränderten, arbeitnehmerfreundlichen und agileren Unternehmenskultur für die digitalisierte Arbeitswelt leisten.
Erreichbarkeitsmanagement im Unternehmen
Authors: Grießhaber Daniel , Laufs Uwe , Maucher Johannes , Miedzianowski Nadine , Saternus Zofia , Staab Katharina
Published: February 2021

Durch die Verbreitung von Smartphones und Laptops sind viele Arbeitnehmer ständig erreichbar und in der Lage, ortsunabhängig zu arbeiten. Dies führt zu dem Problem, dass die Grenze zwischen Freizeit und Arbeit verschwimmt und dass für viele Arbeitnehmer unterbrechungsfreie Regenerationsphasen zur Seltenheit werden. Das Forschungsprojekt SANDRA verfolgt den Ansatz des Erreichbarkeitsmanagements, wobei die ständige Erreichbarkeit sowohl durch organisatorische Maßnahmen als auch durch eine technische Lösung, einen Erreichbarkeitsassistenten für Smartphones, zurückgedrängt werden soll. Im Projekt wurden interdisziplinär Stakeholder-Präferenzen in Interviews sowie einer Breitenbefragung erhoben. Das Projekt wurde rechtswissenschaftlich begleitet, wobei rechtliche Empfehlungen in die Entwicklung der Maßnahmen einflossen. Die Maßnahmen wurden in zwei Anwenderunternehmen erprobt und werden in der Evaluation per HRV-basierter Stressmessung auf ihre Wirksamkeit überprüft.
Digitalisierung der Arbeitssicherheit auf Baustellen
Authors: Teizer Jochen , König Markus , Herrmann Thomas , Jelonek Markus , Embers Stephan , Kazanci Caner , Bükrü Samed , Golovina Olga , Quirke Ian , Glasner Edgar , Daum Oliver , Richter Jens , Hanff Jochen , Kikidi Eleni , Hecker Daniel , Vollstädt Raimo , Bücken Wolfgang
Published: February 2021

Zusammefassung

Die digitale Transformation der Bauindustrie ist bereits in vollem Gang. Für die Planung und Umsetzung des Arbeitsschutzes in Bauprojekten werden die digitalen Möglichkeiten aktuell noch nicht konsequent genutzt. DigiRAB entwickelt smarte Prozesse und Technologien für das sichere Arbeiten auf Baustellen. Hierzu gehören (1) digitales Planen der Arbeitssicherheit, (2) pro-aktives Warnen, Melden und Auswerten von Beinahe-Unfällen in Echtzeit und (3) personalisiertes Schulen und Lernen in der Gefahrenerkennung.
Gestaltung und Integration erfahrungsbasierter Assistenzsysteme in der Stahlindustrie
Authors: Haase Tina , Dick Michael , Gerhardt Mareike , Termath Wilhelm , Nakhosteen Benjamin , Werkhausen Marie , Wellmann Wilhelm , Tenbergen Kevin , Holtmann Michael , Tse Kok-Zin , Berens Tobias , Kolbe Georg , Wischniewski Sascha , Mehler Lisa , Kirschbaum Thomas
Published: February 2021

Die Einführung von digitalen Assistenzsystemen erfordert eine Verschränkung auf den Ebenen Mensch-Technik-Organisation. Im Rahmen des Beitrages werden entlang der Anwendungsszenarien aus dem Projekt StahlAssist die entwickelten Lösungen sowie Forschungsergebnisse zusammengefasst und reflektiert. Die Gestaltungs- und Einführungsprozesse trafen bei den Anwendungspartnern unter anderem auf heterogene Rahmenbedingungen sowie Voraussetzungen, die insbesondere für die erfolgreiche Integration neuer Methoden und Technologien wertvolle Erkenntnisse liefern.
Effective field theory analysis of dark matter-standard model interactions with spin one mediators
Authors: Fortuna Fabiola , Roig Pablo , Wudka José
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We analyze interactions between dark matter and standard model particles with spin one mediators in an effective field theory framework. In this paper, we are considering dark particles masses in the range from a few MeV to the mass of the Z boson. We use bounds from different experiments: Z invisible decay width, relic density, direct detection experiments, and indirect detection limits from the search of gamma-ray emissions and positron fluxes. We obtain solutions corresponding to operators with antisymmetric tensor mediators that fulfill all those requirements within our approach.
Functional prescription for EFT matching
Authors: Cohen Timothy , Lu Xiaochuan , Zhang Zhengkang
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We simplify the one-loop functional matching formalism to develop a streamlined prescription. The functional approach is conceptually appealing: all calculations are performed within the UV theory at the matching scale, and no prior determination of an Effective Field Theory (EFT) operator basis is required. Our prescription accommodates any relativistic UV theory that contains generic interactions (including derivative couplings) among scalar, fermion, and vector fields. As an example application, we match the singlet scalar extended Standard Model (SM) onto SMEFT.
Thermodynamically stable asymptotically flat hairy black holes with a dilaton potential: the general case
Authors: Astefanesei Dumitru , Blázquez-Salcedo Jose Luis , Gómez Francisco , Rojas Raúl
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We extend the analysis, initiated in [1], of the thermodynamic stability of four-dimensional asymptotically flat hairy black holes by considering a general class of exact solutions in Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton theory with a non-trivial dilaton potential. We find that, regardless of the values of the parameters of the theory, there always exists a sub-class of hairy black holes that are thermodynamically stable and have the extremal limit well defined. This generic feature that makes the equilibrium configurations locally stable should be related to the properties of the dilaton potential that is decaying towards the spatial infinity, but behaves as a box close to the horizon. We prove that these thermodynamically stable solutions are also dynamically stable under spherically symmetric perturbations.
Blei im Trinkwasser – ein altes Problem, eine neue EU-Richtlinie
Authors: Döhla Manuel , Jaensch Andreas , Döhla Christin , Voigt Alexander , Exner Martin , Färber Harald
Published: February 2021

Hintergrund

Bleirohre wurden lange Zeit in Trinkwasserinstallationen verbaut, erst seit 1973 wird von ihrer Verwendung in Neubauten dringend abgeraten; dennoch finden sie sich noch in alten Gebäuden. Bleihaltige Legierungen werden daneben bis heute in Bauteilen wie Armaturen verwendet. So resultiert eine vermeidbare Belastung des Trinkwassers. Die gesundheitliche Bedeutung dieser Belastung wird mit einer Senkung des derzeit geltenden Grenzwertes von 10 µg/l auf 5 µg/l durch die 2020 verabschiedete neue EU-Trinkwasserrichtlinie gewürdigt. Diese sieht eine Übergangsfrist von 15 Jahren vor.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die Relevanz eines strengeren Grenzwertes für Blei im Trinkwasser soll anhand der Ergebnisse von Routineanalysen bewertet werden sowie notwendige Public-Health-Maßnahmen zur Expositionsprophylaxe vulnerabler Gruppen sollen formuliert werden.

Material und Methoden

Es wurde eine retrospektive Analyse von Routineproben aus der Stadt Bonn durchgeführt, die ein akkreditiertes Trinkwasserlabor in den Jahren 1997–2019 untersucht hatte.

Ergebnisse

Es konnten 16.060 Proben analysiert werden. 75,36 % dieser Proben waren unterhalb der quantitativen Bestimmungsgrenze. Der Median der quantifizierbaren Proben lag in jedem betrachteten Jahr oberhalb des zukünftigen Grenzwertes für Blei im Trinkwasser. Es konnte kein Effekt der letzten Übergangsfrist von 10 Jahren (2003–2013) festgestellt werden.

Diskussion

Auch wenn keine systematischen Untersuchungen zur Bleibelastung in deutschen Kommunen vorliegen, ist die Thematik von hoher Aktualität. Bleiexposition durch Trinkwasserinstallationen ist ein vollständig vermeidbares Gesundheitsrisiko, dass jedoch nur bei konsequenter Durchsetzung der geltenden Regeln durch die Gesundheitsbehörden reguliert werden kann. Diese sind hierzu personell, materiell und finanziell ausreichend auszustatten.
On the ultradifferentiable normalization
Authors: Wu Hao , Xu Xingdong , Zhang Dongfeng
Published: February 2021

We show the theory of the formal ultradifferentiable normalization. The tools utilized here are KAM methods and Contraction Mapping Principle in the Banach space fixed with weighted norms.
Cyberknife® hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (CK-hSRS) as salvage treatment for brain metastases
Authors: Telentschak Sergej , Ruess Daniel , Grau Stefan , Goldbrunner Roland , von Spreckelsen Niklas , Jablonska Karolina , Treuer Harald , Kocher Martin , Ruge Maximilian
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The introduction of hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (hSRS) extended the treatment modalities beyond the well-established single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery and fractionated radiotherapy. Here, we report the efficacy and side effects of hSRS using Cyberknife® (CK-hSRS) for the treatment of patients with critical brain metastases (BM) and a very poor prognosis. We discuss our experience in light of current literature.

Methods

All patients who underwent CK-hSRS over 3 years were retrospectively included. We applied a surface dose of 27 Gy in 3 fractions. Rates of local control (LC), systemic progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan–Meier method. Treatment-related complications were rated using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE).

Results

We analyzed 34 patients with 75 BM. 53% of the patients had a large tumor, tumor location was eloquent in 32%, and deep seated in 15%. 36% of tumors were recurrent after previous irradiation. The median Karnofsky Performance Status was 65%.

The actuarial rates of LC at 3, 6, and 12 months were 98%, 98%, and 78.6%, respectively.

Three, 6, and 12 months PFS was 38%, 32%, and 15%, and OS was 65%, 47%, and 28%, respectively. Median OS was significantly associated with higher KPS, which was the only significant factor for survival. Complications CTCAE grade 1–3 were observed in 12%.

Conclusion

Our radiation schedule showed a reasonable treatment effectiveness and tolerance. Representing an optimal salvage treatment for critical BM in patients with a very poor prognosis and clinical performance state, CK-hSRS may close the gap between surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, conventional radiotherapy, and palliative care.
Safety, efficacy, and acceptability of ADV7103 during 24 months of treatment: an open-label study in pediatric and adult patients with distal renal tubular acidosis
Authors: Bertholet-Thomas Aurélia , Guittet Catherine , Manso-Silván Maria A. , Joukoff Sophie , Navas-Serrano Victor , Baudouin Véronique , Cailliez Mathilde , Di Maio Massimo , Gillion-Boyer Olivia , Golubovic Emilija , Harambat Jérôme , Knebelmann Bertrand , Nobili François , Novo Robert , Podracka Ludmila , Roussey-Kesler Gwenaëlle , Granier Luc-André
Published: February 2021

Background

A new prolonged-release formulation of potassium citrate and potassium bicarbonate, ADV7103, has been shown to improve metabolic control, palatability, and gastrointestinal safety in patients with distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) when compared to standard of care (SoC) treatments. The present work evaluates safety and efficacy of ADV7103 during 24 months.

Methods

Thirty pediatric and adult patients were included in an open-label extension study after a phase II/III trial. Safety and tolerability were assessed. Plasma bicarbonate and potassium levels, as well as urine parameters, were evaluated over time. Acceptability, adherence, and quality of life were also assessed. The evolution of clinical consequences of dRTA in the cohort was explored.

Results

There were 104 adverse events (AEs) reported, but only 9 gastrointestinal events observed in five patients (17%) were considered to be related to ADV7103 treatment. There were no AEs leading to treatment discontinuation. Plasma bicarbonate and potassium levels were in the normal ranges at the different visits, respectively, in 69–86% and 83–93% of patients. Overall adherence rates were ≥ 75% throughout the whole study in 79% patients. An average improvement of quality of life of 89% was reported at 24 months of study.

Conclusions

Common AEs concerned metabolism and gastrointestinal disorders; the former being related to the disease. Less than half of the gastrointestinal AEs were related to ADV7103 treatment and they were mostly mild in severity. Metabolic parameters were maintained in the normal ranges in most patients. Patient satisfaction was high and adherence to treatment was good and remained stable.

Trial registration number

Registered as EudraCT 2013-003828-36 on the 3rd of September 2013.

Graphical Abstract
Funnel control of nonlinear systems
Authors: Berger Thomas , Ilchmann Achim , Ryan Eugene P.
Published: February 2021

Tracking of reference signals is addressed in the context of a class of nonlinear controlled systems modelled byr-th-order functional differential equations, encompassinginter aliasystems with unknown “control direction” and dead-zone input effects. A control structure is developed which ensures that, for every member of the underlying system class and every admissible reference signal, the tracking error evolves in a prescribed funnel chosen to reflect transient and asymptotic accuracy objectives. Two fundamental properties underpin the system class: bounded-input bounded-output stable internal dynamics, and a high-gain property (an antecedent of which is the concept of sign-definite high-frequency gain in the context of linear systems).
A comparative study of dentinal tubule penetration and the retreatability of EndoSequence BC Sealer HiFlow, iRoot SP, and AH Plus with different obturation techniques
Authors: Yang Ruiqi , Tian Jun , Huang Xiangya , Lei Shuxiang , Cai Yanling , Xu Zhezhen , Wei Xi
Published: February 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate dentinal tubule penetration and the retreatability of EndoSequence BC Sealer HiFlow (HiFlow), iRoot SP, and AH Plus when using the single-cone (SC) or continuous wave condensation (CWC) technique.

Materials and methods

Sixty-five single-rooted teeth were instrumented and randomly divided into 5 groups: group 1, AH Plus/CWC; group 2, iRoot SP/CWC; group 3, iRoot SP/SC; group 4, HiFlow/CWC; and group 5, HiFlow/SC. The ability to re-establish patency during endodontic retreatment was recorded, as was the time taken to reach the working length. Dentinal tubule penetration and remaining debris after retreatment were evaluated by confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn’s multiple comparisons test (α = 0.05).

Results

The HiFlow/CWC and iRoot SP/CWC groups required more time to reach the working length than groups that underwent the SC technique regardless of the sealer used (P < .05). The HiFlow/CWC group showed a significantly higher percentage of sealer penetration area than that of the iRoot SP/SC at 4 mm from the apex (P < .05) and penetrated deeper into dentinal tubules than iRoot SP/SC at both 8-mm and 12-mm levels (P < .05). Moreover, the HiFlow/CWC and HiFlow/SC groups demonstrated less remaining sealer along the canal wall than AH Plus/CWC group at 4-mm level (P < .05).

Conclusions

HiFlow/CWC technique showed better performance in dentinal tubule penetration than that of iRoot SP/SC. Both HiFlow and iRoot SP combined with CWC technique groups required more retreatment time than the other groups. Furthermore, using HiFlow with either the CWC or SC technique left less remaining sealer at 4-mm level than using AH Plus with the CWC technique during retreatment.

Clinical relevance

With favorable performance in dentinal tubule penetration and retreatability in endodontic retreatment, the combined use of EndoSequence BC Sealer HiFlow with the recommended continuous wave condensation technique may be a worthwhile choice in root canal treatment.
Central venous pressure swing outperforms diaphragm ultrasound as a measure of inspiratory effort during pressure support ventilation in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Lassola Sergio , Miori Sara , Sanna Andrea , Cucino Alberto , Magnoni Sandra , Umbrello Michele
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The COVID-19-related shortage of ICU beds magnified the need of tools to properly titrate the ventilator assistance. We investigated whether bedside-available indices such as the ultrasonographic changes in diaphragm thickening ratio (TR) and the tidal swing in central venous pressure (ΔCVP) are reliable estimates of inspiratory effort, assessed as the tidal swing in esophageal pressure (ΔPes).

Methods

Prospective, observational clinical investigation in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care Hospital. Fourteen critically-ill patients were enrolled (age 64 ± 7 years, BMI 29 ± 4 kg/m2), after 6 [3; 9] days from onset of assisted ventilation. A three-level pressure support trial was performed, at 10 (PS10), 5 (PS5) and 0 cmH2O (PS0). In each step, the esophageal and central venous pressure tidal swing were recorded, as well as diaphragm ultrasound.

Results

The reduction of pressure support was associated with an increased respiratory rate and a reduced tidal volume, while minute ventilation was unchanged. ΔPes significantly increased with reducing support (5 [3; 8] vs. 8 [14; 13] vs. 12 [6; 16] cmH2O, p < 0.0001), as did the diaphragm TR (9.2 ± 6.1 vs. 17.6 ± 7.2 vs. 28.0 ± 10.0%, p < 0.0001) and the ΔCVP (4 [3; 7] vs. 8 [5; 9] vs. 10 [7; 11] cmH2O, p < 0.0001). ΔCVP was significantly associated with ΔPes (R2 = 0.810, p < 0.001), as was diaphragm TR, albeit with a lower coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.399, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In patients with COVID-19-associated respiratory failure undergoing assisted mechanical ventilation, ΔCVP is a better estimate of inspiratory effort than diaphragm ultrasound.
A theoretical analysis of the value added intellectual coefficient (VAIC)
Authors: Marzo Giuseppe
Published: February 2021

This paper offers a critical assessment of the value added intellectual coefficient (VAIC) through the analysis of the coherence of the definitions of and semantic relationships among the theoretical constructs at the heart of the model. Some of the criticisms detected here refer to inconsistencies of the VAIC with the most consolidated concepts developed by the Intellectual Capital (IC) literature as well as to the constructs internal to the model and generated by the misalignment of Pulic’s theoretical assumptions with the way they have been translated into the mathematical model. Other criticisms derive from the time mismatch in the relationship among the variables constituting the three ratios and from the ambiguous meanings of human capital efficiency and structural capital efficiency. Implications for both researchers and managers are discussed.
The current and potential role of community pharmacy in asset-based approaches to health and wellbeing: a qualitative study
Authors: Astbury Jayne , Schafheutle Ellen , Brown Jane , Cutts Christopher
Published: February 2021

Background Asset-based approaches seek to positively mobilise the strengths, capabilities, and resources of individuals and communities. To date, limited consideration has been given to the potential value of this approach in relation to community pharmacy practice, yet this is important and timely given community pharmacy’s expanding role and contribution to public health initiatives. Objectives This qualitative study aimed to explore the current and potential role of community pharmacy in asset-based approaches. Methods Fifteen semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with community pharmacists and project leads, and public health policy and strategic leads in the UK. Transcripts were analysed using simultaneous inductive open and deductive coding using an applied Theory of Change as an illustrative lens. Results The shift towards patient-facing roles in community pharmacy was felt to offer expanded relational opportunities to engage and collaborate with individuals, communities, and other stakeholders. However, only a small number of respondents described examples of systemic asset-based working within the pharmacy sector. The adoption of asset-based approaches was challenged or enabled by several factors including the availability of protected time/resources, workplace and organisational culture/values, strategic leadership, commissioning, and funding arrangements. Conclusions The study provides valuable insights into the potential for community pharmacy, a previously unconsidered sector, to further adopt and contribute to asset-based approaches and play a more central role in the improvement of public health and reduction of health inequalities.
Latent heterogeneity to evaluate the effect of human capital on world technology frontier
Authors: Mastromarco Camilla , Simar Léopold
Published: February 2021

Although human capital has been recognized as playing important role in spurring productivity growth, its empirical effect remains ambiguous due to the possibility of latent heterogeneity. To reveal the impact of this important driver of economic growth, we propose an alternative empirical methodology, robust frontier in non parametric location-scale models for accommodating simultaneously the problem of model specification uncertainty, latent heterogeneity and cross-section dependence in modelling technical efficiency. We estimate a nonparametric frontier model to define the world technology frontier of 40 countries over the period 1970–2007. Conditional versions of the frontier enables us to investigate the effect of external factors on the production process. One of these factors will allow to measure the openness of the economy of the country and the second will be this latent factor of heterogeneity linked to the absorptive capability and hence to human capital of the country. We have to adjust the methodology to take into account the panel structure of our data set, i.e., handling the time dimension and the cross-sectional dependence affecting the process. Our findings prove that human capital plays an important role in accelerating the technological catch-up (increase in the efficiency) but not on the technological changes (shifts in the frontier). This result seems to confirm the theoretical hypothesis that countries benefit from new technology (technological catch-up) only when they have the ability to exploit it, hence only when they have high level of absorptive capability.
Overexpression of the pitaya phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase gene (HpPEAMT) enhanced simulated drought stress in tobacco
Authors: Wang Ai-Hua , Yang Lan , Yao Xin-Zhuan , Wen Xiao-Peng
Published: February 2021

Phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEAMTase) catalyzes the methylation of phosphoethanolamine to produce phosphocholine and plays an important role in the abiotic stress response. Although the PEAMT genes has been isolated from many species other than pitaya, its role in the drought stress response has not yet been fully elucidated. In the present study, we isolated a 1485 bp cDNA fragment of HpPEAMT from pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus). Phylogenetic analysis showed that, during its evolution, HpPEAMT has shown a high degree of amino acid sequence similarity with the orthologous genes in Chenopodiaceae species. To further investigate the function of HpPEAMT, we generated transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing HpPEAMT, and the transgenic plants accumulated significantly more glycine betaine (GB) than did the wild type (WT). Drought tolerance trials indicated that, compared with those of the wild-type (WT) plants, the roots of the transgenic plants showed higher drought tolerance ability and exhibited improved drought tolerance. Further analysis revealed that overexpression of HpPEAM in Nicotiana tabacum resulted in upregulation of transcript levels of GB biosynthesis-related genes (NiBADH, NiCMO and NiSDC) in the leaves. Furthermore, compared with the wild-type plants, the transgenic tobacco plants displayed a significantly lower malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and higher activities of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) antioxidant enzymes under drought stress. Taken together, our results suggested that HpPEAMT enhanced the drought tolerance of transgenic tobacco.
Student Perspectives on Learning Experiences in a Higher Education Active Blended Learning Context
Authors: Armellini Alejandro , Teixeira Antunes Virgínia , Howe Robert
Published: February 2021

This article focuses on university students’ perceptions of their learning and social experiences in the context of an institution-wide pedagogic shift to Active Blended Learning (ABL). It explores students’ perceived enablers and barriers to learning in the new environment. Thematic analysis was conducted on data collected through focus groups involving 60 students. Three key categories emerged: (1) learning experiences, (2) social experiences and (3) support provision. Findings suggest that quality learning experiences are necessary but not sufficient to provide a quality overall student experience. Tutors play a key role in both. Staff-student partnerships are central to promote learner engagement and a sense of belonging. Students value, above all, regular synchronous and asynchronous interaction with peers, tutors and content, enabled by sound pedagogic design and the appropriate deployment of digital technologies. Employability-focused activities that explicitly link theory and practice are regarded as an essential ingredient in learning and assessment. Students view support as a holistic term that integrates academic and pastoral aspects.
Designing learning environments to promote academic literacy in mathematics in multilingual secondary mathematics classrooms
Authors: Zahner William , Calleros Ernesto Daniel , Pelaez Kevin
Published: February 2021

Emerging multilingual students can develop the dimensions of Academic Literacy in Mathematics (ALM) in classroom discussions. But, there is a need for empirically-validated principles for fostering such discussions. This research used ALM as a framework to create a unit of instruction on linear rates of change for ninth grade mathematics in which multilingual students benefit from discussions. Project-specific design principles are presented along with qualitative analysis of classroom discussions from each phase of the project. The results illustrate how discussions in the redesigned lessons contributed to developing the interrelated dimensions of ALM among multilingual learners. The work concludes with a discussion of how the project-specific design principles can serve as a framework for fostering discussions in other multilingual secondary mathematics learning environments.
Traditional Male Role Norms, Social Support, and Symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Among Male Polish Police Officers
Authors: Sitko-Dominik Magdalena Maja , Jakubowski Tomasz Daniel
Published: February 2021

Police officers’ work involves the exposition to traumatogenic stimuli. The aim of the research is to investigate potential associations between post-traumatic stress disorder and the traditional masculinity norms and social support. Three questionnaires were used: the Impact of Event Scale-Revised adapted by Juczyński and Ogińska-Bulik (2009), the Social Relations Scale (Skarżyńska 2002), and the Male Role Norms Scale translated by the authors of this paper. The sample comprised 111 male active service members of the Polish Police. The analysis shows statistically significant, mildly negative associations between post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology variables and social relations/support (− .312 to − .386), and mild-to-moderate positive associations between the traditional male role norms and post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology variables (.361–.506). The intergroup differences between the police officers that probably meet the PTSD criteria and those that do not meet the criteria were mainly observed in complying with the traditional masculinity norms, in which the police officers with probable post-traumatic stress disorder had higher results than those without it; the reverse was observed in the case of social relations/support. Traditional masculinity norms, length of service, number of types of traumatic events, social relations/support, and age have proved to be significant independent predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder (β = − .38–β = .49). However, in the multivariate regression, only social status norms, age, social relations/support, and number of types of traumatic events proved to be significant predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder (β = − 26 to .40), accounting for 45% of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
Research on the reform of management system of higher vocational education in China based on personality standard
Authors: Ling Ying , Chung Soo Jin , Wang Liwen
Published: February 2021

With the rapid development of Higher Vocational Education in China, the main objective is to improve the quality of Higher Vocational Education in an all-round way. For a long time, higher vocational education has been using the knowledge-based education mode of general higher education or secondary vocational education. Until the early 1990s, the ability-based education model was gradually introduced. The understanding and research of higher vocational education should not be confined to the interior of education. Many policies and measures to accelerate development have been introduced, and the scale of vocational education has been expanding in recent years. Higher vocational education in China has become an important part of higher education. It is an important type of higher education and a high level of vocational education. In order to cultivate the sound personality of students in higher vocational colleges, it is necessary to establish a personality-based education model. Realize the innovation of talent training mode and the quality improvement of personnel training. Meeting the new normal of the innovation-driven society, the demand for high-quality technical skills is required. It is a major practical problem facing the current construction of a modern vocational education system.
Additionality of government guaranteed loans for SMEs in Israel
Authors: H. Rubin Tzameret , Ben-Aharon Nir
Published: February 2021

The study examines the Israeli Government Loans for SMEs in 2015. Our findings are based on three surveys. A business survey of 384 businesses that were granted a Government loan, a business survey of 99 businesses that were granted loans but decided not to take them and a survey of 50 loan consultants who advised those businesses about their eligibility and the Terms and Conditions of the loans. We tested Loan Adjusted Additionality and Loan Baseline Additionality and found that 53% of loans taken from the Government Loans Foundation (GLF) are additional loans. SMEs would not have taken a loan, or any part of one, if not for the Government Loans Foundation Scheme. Our contribution to the literature is by including Indirect Additionality, demonstrating the importance of the GLF Scheme, not only by assisting SMEs in their financial planning and growth but also, by signalling early stage business resilience, reducing the risks for commercial banks through regulated, financial due diligence. This outcome expands the pool of SMEs which have access to free market loans and has the potential to improve their survival rate, thus fostering economic growth.
Improved Dust Detection over East Asia Using Geostationary Satellite Data
Authors: Shin Yu-Rim , Sohn Eun-Ha , Park Ki-Hong , Ryu Geun-Hyeok , Lee Soobong , Lee Seon-Young , Park Na-Yeon
Published: February 2021

This paper presents an improved algorithm, based on the D*-parameter, for dust detection over the East Asian region using brightness temperature differences (BTDs) between the infrared channels of the Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI) onboard Himawari-8. The developed algorithm defines a dust index in the form of the ratio of BTDs: BTD between the 10.4 μm and 12.4 μm channels (BTD10.4–12.4) to that between the 8.6 μm and 10.4 μm channels (BTD8.6–10.4). To identify dust with this index, threshold values were determined empirically. A masking technique using the BTD8.6–10.4 was utilized in the dust index to mitigate the problem of detecting clear-sky deserts and fog over the ocean as dust. BTD8.6–10.4 was analyzed for dust, clear-sky desert, and fog over the ocean cases during 2017 and 2018 with this method. Fog over the ocean and clear-sky desert were distinguished by the criteria of BTD8.6–10.4 > −1.1 K and BTD8.6–10.4 > −1 K, respectively. Based on these thresholds, the influence of fog over the ocean and clear-sky desert was filtered out. The results showed that the dust area was qualitatively consistent with RGB images and ground observation data. Comparison with the AERONET aerosol optical depth (AOD) demonstrated that the D*-parameter was exponentially proportional to AOD, and the correlation coefficient between them was approximately 0.6. The improved Asian Dust detection algorithm can be applied to the monitoring of dust dispersion and movement and also serve as a quantitative indicator of Asian Dust.
Towards Strong AI
Authors: Butz Martin V.
Published: February 2021

Strong AI—artificial intelligence that is in all respects at least as intelligent as humans—is still out of reach. Current AI lacks common sense, that is, it is not able to infer, understand, or explain the hidden processes, forces, and causes behind data. Main stream machine learning research on deep artificial neural networks (ANNs) may even be characterized as being behavioristic. In contrast, various sources of evidence from cognitive science suggest that human brains engage in the active development of compositional generative predictive models (CGPMs) from their self-generated sensorimotor experiences. Guided by evolutionarily-shaped inductive learning and information processing biases, they exhibit the tendency to organize the gathered experiences into event-predictive encodings. Meanwhile, they infer and optimize behavior and attention by means of both epistemic- and homeostasis-oriented drives. I argue that AI research should set a stronger focus on learning CGPMs of the hidden causes that lead to the registered observations. Endowed with suitable information-processing biases, AI may develop that will be able to explain the reality it is confronted with, reason about it, and find adaptive solutions, making it Strong AI. Seeing that such Strong AI can be equipped with a mental capacity and computational resources that exceed those of humans, the resulting system may have the potential to guide our knowledge, technology, and policies into sustainable directions. Clearly, though, Strong AI may also be used to manipulate us even more. Thus, it will be on us to put good, far-reaching and long-term, homeostasis-oriented purpose into these machines.