bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decarbonization Possibilities for Affordable Timber Houses. An LCA Comparison of Business as Usual and Circular Strategies
Authors: Passarelli Rafael Novais
Published: May 2024

To better understand the full impact of building materials and buildings over their lifetime and beyond, Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) studies have been an area of interest and a growing body of knowledge. Moreover, recent studies emphasize the critical importance of the end-of-life (EoL) scenario, particularly for wood-based construction, and highlight its potential for further decarbonization through circular strategies. However, there is a significant knowledge gap in the LCA literature regarding mitigation strategies specific to affordable housing options, despite the urgent and undeniable need for these typologies worldwide. This study contributes to filling this gap by conducting a materials-level, whole-building LCA of a prototype affordable single-family house built in 2020 using a business-as-usual wood-frame construction method. Besides the conventional as-built scenario, this study developed five hypothetical scenarios that evaluated the influence of different EoL options (recycling or energy recovery), enhanced circular strategies (reduce and reuse), and substitution of non-renewable materials with circular materials for insulation (wood fiber) and finishing (clay plaster), with the aim of identifying further opportunities and limitations for decarbonizing such a typology and construction method. The results of this study consistently indicated that the order of priority should be to (1) ensure appropriate end-of-life for metals and wood-based materials. (2) Replace non-renewable materials with renewable wood or earth-based materials. (3) Improve material reuse and construction waste diversion rates. The results of the study could support decision-making processes for the design and construction of low-impact affordable single-family homes and the development and implementation of affordable housing policies and regulations.
Possible Utilization of Used Precast Building Elements Through Consideration of Concrete Carbonation Degree
Authors: Radonjanin Vlastimir , Malešev Mirjana , Lukić Ivan , Šupić Slobodan , Laban Mirjana , Bukvić Olivera
Published: May 2024

Significant changes in the strategic goals of the construction sector at the global level have been visible in recent years. By implementing the fundamental principles of sustainable development and circular economy, the modern construction industry tries to contribute to a healthier environment by reducing CO2 emissions, minimizing waste landfills, and preserving non-renewable natural resources. The possibilities of reusing prefabricated concrete elements of existing buildings instead of their traditional recycling on a material level or disposing of them in landfills are analyzed in this paper. Special attention in the research was placed on the carbonation of prefabricated reinforced concrete elements of buildings, as it is one of the most frequent processes that accelerate the deterioration of RC structures. Long-term carbonation processes inevitably result in reinforcement corrosion and accompanying damage to the concrete cover, therefore some constrains for the further use of prefabricated RC building elements must be precisely defined. In this study, the potential use of prefab RC building elements was determined by calculating the depth of carbonation while taking into account the age of buildings and environmental conditions (relative air humidity, position of prefab element). Depending on the thickness of the carbonized concrete and the type and intensity of damage to the reinforcement and concrete, various variants for further use of the dismantled prefabricated RC building elements were proposed (reuse without restrictions, use in the interior of new buildings, use in less demanding facilities, reuse after application of a protective coating, replacement of the protective cover and reuse etc.).
Utilising BIM on LCC to Enhance the Sustainability of Saudi Residential Projects Through Simulation. A Case Study at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alasmari Esam , Martinez-Vazquez Pedro , Baniotopoulos Charalampos
Published: May 2024

There is a growing emphasis in current global construction sector for the incorporating of sustainability ideas into design and construction practices. This present paper investigates the considerable impact of using Building Information Modelling (BIM) techniques to address sustainability and financial concerns in a residential project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). We propose to further embedding BIM 3D modelling and the development of alternative design scenarios for optimising Life Cycle Cost (LCC) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Four scenarios are assessed using Green Building Studio (GBS) for whole-building analysis, and specific design units are assessed using One Click LCA, which is integrated into Revit. The significance of the study relies on merging of BIM and LCC to improve the sustainability of residential developments at the KSA. It also intends to optimise resource efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and increase cost-effectiveness throughout the whole life cycle of residential structures by using simulation approaches. The findings will benefit industry stakeholders by encouraging sustainable practises that inform decision-making processes in the context of Saudi residential development.
Designing Musical Instruments and Room Acoustics with Acoustic Metamaterials
Authors: Bader Rolf , Kontopidis Patrick
Published: May 2024

Mechanical musical instruments have less timbre variability than electronic instruments. Extended playing techniques and more sophisticated acoustic instrument designs have recently appeared. We suggest acoustic metamaterials as a new way to extend the timbre of mechanical instruments beyond their present sound capabilities. In this chapter, we present three examples of acoustic metamaterials: (1) a one-dimensional string, (2) a labyrinth sphere, and (3) a two-dimensional membrane. The string is covered with additional masses, which leads to a dispersion relation of the harmonic overtones in the sound spectrum. The resulting sound still has a detectable pitch but is very different from a regular string on a mechanical instrument. The labyrinth sphere has a clear band-gap damping and can be used in loudspeakers, musical instruments, or room acoustics due to its small size. A circle of masses is attached to the membrane, leading to a cloaking behaviour of vibrations from within the circle to outside and vice versa. Again, the resulting sound is considerably different from a regular drum and leads to increased variability of musical articulations. Using a microphone array, laser interferometry, impedance tube, and high-speed video recordings with subpixel tracking, the vibrations on the string and the membrane are investigated and discussed in relation to new instrument designs.
Exploring Musical Agents with Embodied Perspectives
Authors: Erdem Çağrı
Published: May 2024

This chapter presents a retrospective of five interactive systems I have developed focusing on how machines can respond to body movement in music performance. In particular, I have been interested in understanding more about how humans and non-human entities can share musical control and agency. First, I give an overview of my musical and aesthetic background in experimental music practice and a less conventional approach to sound and music control. Then follows a presentation of embodiment and music cognition theories that informed the techniques and methods I employed while developing these systems. Then comes the retrospective section structured around five projects. Biostomp explores the unintentionality of body signals when used for music interaction. Vrengt demonstrates musical possibilities of sonic microinteraction and shared control. RAW seeks unconventional control through chaos and automation. Playing in the “air” employs deep learning to map muscle exertions to the sound of an “air” instrument. The audiovisual instrument CAVI uses generative modeling to automate live sound processing and investigates the varying sense of agency. These projects show how an artistic–scientific approach can diversify artistic repertoires of musical artificial intelligence through embodied cognition.
Sound Design and the Theory of Self-augmented Interactions
Authors: Leman Marc
Published: May 2024

In the past decades, musicology has been evolving at a pace that matches new developments in technology. Underneath this development, a new theory of music emerged, embracing interaction states as a model for understanding how music can be empowering. In the present chapter, sound design is considered from the viewpoint of interaction states, using caregiver–infant communication as a challenging domain of application. Sound design components of interest are identified, as well as human capacities for dealing with them in terms of empowerment. These are related to the concepts of self-augmented interaction and biofeedback-based sound design.
Kollaborativ, phasenübergreifend und digital
Authors: Trapp Anne , Wernicke Anne
Published: May 2024

Die Community of Practice Inklusionssensible Lehrer*innenbildung im Projekt BiLinked setzt sich mit der Frage auseinander, welche Kompetenzen (zukünftige) Lehrkräfte benötigen, um Schüler:innen dabei unterstützen zu können, in einer digitalen Gesellschaft als mündige Bürger:innen zu agieren. Im Rahmen des Seminars Inklusionssensibler Unterricht in einer digitalen Welt planen Studierende gemeinsam mit Fachdidaktiker:innen und Lehrkräften in sogenannten Tridems Unterricht, in dem Digitalität in Form von Inhalten, -materialien und/oder -methoden eine Rolle spielt. Der Beitrag umreißt das Seminarkonzept sowie die Arbeit in den Tridems und benennt aktuelle Herausforderungen, die sich aus der phasenverbindenden Kollaboration ergeben.
A feedback component that leverages counterfactual explanations for smart learning support
Authors: Günther Sebastian A. , Haag Felix , Hopf Konstantin , Handschuh Philipp , Klose Maria , Staake Thorsten
Published: May 2024

The growing prevalence of digital learning in higher education is accompanied by challenges regarding students’ self-regulated learning. While there is a plethora of behavioral interventions that aim at supporting students’ self-regulated learning, they often do not consider the heterogeneity of students in their intervention design. This paper presents a novel feedback intervention that leverages the potential of machine learning and counterfactual explanations for providing personalized feedback to support students’ learning. Ultimately, this approach could automatically adapt to different courses and thereby empower scalable and effective feedback.
Smart Success
Authors: Lutz Lukas
Published: May 2024

Studienberatung und andere Unterstützungsstrukturen für Studierende sind wichtig, um Studienabbruch zu verhindern und Studienerfolg zu fördern. Häufig nutzen Studierende diese Angebote jedoch nicht. Digitale Tools können dabei helfen, Studienberatung und andere Unterstützungsstrukturen sichtbar zu machen und Studierende zu ihrer Nutzung zu motivieren. In diesem Artikel werden zwei digitale Tools vorgestellt, die zu diesem Zweck an der Hochschule Osnabrück entwickelt wurden.
Lernen 4.0 für pflegerische Berufsgruppen
Authors: Vogel Jann Niklas , Treseler Stina-Katharina , Schulze Melanie , Stenzel Frauke , Heitmann-Möller André , Tschupke Sandra , Hasseler Martina
Published: May 2024

Digitale Anwendungen bieten vielfältige Potenziale, um die pflegeberufliche Arbeit effektiver zu gestalten. Für den Umgang mit digitalen Tools werden zusätzliche Kompetenzen benötigt. Allerdings fehlen Aus-, Fort- und Weiterbildungsangebote, um entsprechende Kompetenzen zu vermitteln. Das Projekt „T-Nugd – Telenursing – Nursing goes digital“ entwickelt, erprobt und evaluiert ein wissenschaftliches Weiterbildungsangebot für Pflegefachpersonen im Bereich der Telepflege/Telemedizin. Neben der Vermittlung von Fachwissen soll T-Nugd dazu beitragen, dass Pflegefachpersonen digitale Kompetenzen erwerben, damit sie die digitale Transition der beruflichen Pflege aktiv mitgestalten können. Im folgenden Beitrag werden die Konzeption und Ergebnisse des Weiterbildungsangebotes dargestellt.
Lehrvideos und virtuelle Lernumgebungen in der Studieneingangsphase: Anforderungen und Wirkungen im Grenzbereich Schule, Hochschule und Gesellschaft
Authors: Burdinski Dirk
Published: May 2024

In Schule, Hochschule und Gesellschaft gewinnen digitale Bildungsmaterialien an Bedeutung. Im Studieneingangsbereich chemischer Studiengänge wächst gleichzeitig der Bedarf, Erstsemestern mit zunehmend diversen Bildungshintergründen ein individuell nutzbares Selbstlernangebot zur Verfügung zu stellen, um ihnen eine realistische Einschätzung relevanter Handlungsfelder ihres Studiums zu ermöglichen und den Studieneinstieg zu erleichtern. Mit offenen Plattformen, wie YouTube, können solche Angebote über die eigentliche Zielgruppe hinaus bis in die Gesellschaft wirken. Zudem bieten virtuelle Lernwelten neue Möglichkeiten, Wissenschaft erlebbar zu machen. Damit können Unsicherheiten insbesondere im Studieneingangsbereich abgebaut und eine inhaltgetriebene Lernmotivation gefördert werden.
Analytic bootstrap for magnetic impurities
Authors: Bianchi Lorenzo , Bonomi Davide , de Sabbata Elia , Gimenez-Grau Aleix
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We study the O(3) critical model and the free theory of a scalar triplet in the presence of a magnetic impurity. We use analytic bootstrap techniques to extract results in the ε-expansion. First, we extend by one order in perturbation theory the computation of the beta function for the defect coupling in the free theory. Then, we analyze in detail the low-lying spectrum of defect operators, focusing on their perturbative realization when the defect is constructed as a path-ordered exponential. After this, we consider two different bulk two-point functions and we compute them using the defect dispersion relation. For a free bulk theory, we are able to fix the form of the correlator at all orders in ε. In particular, taking ε → 1, we can show that in d = 3 one does not have a consistent and non-trivial defect CFT. For an interacting bulk, we compute the correlator up to second order in ε. Expanding these results in the bulk and defect block expansions, we are able to extract an infinite set of defect CFT data. We discuss low-spin ambiguities that affect every result computed through the dispersion relation and we use a combination of consistency conditions and explicit diagrammatic calculations to fix this ambiguity.
One-loop integrals from volumes of orthoschemes
Authors: Ren Lecheng , Spradlin Marcus , Vergu Cristian , Volovich Anastasia
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Recently in arXiv:2012.05599 Rudenko presented a formula for the volume of hyperbolic orthoschemes in terms of alternating polylogarithms. We use this result to provide an explicit analytic result for the one-loop scalar n-gon Feynman integral in n dimensions, for even n, with massless or massive internal and external edges. Furthermore, we evaluate the general six-dimensional hexagon integral in terms of classical polylogarithms.
Unraveling wage inequality: tangible and intangible assets, globalization and labor market regulations
Authors: Gravina Antonio Francesco , Foster-McGregor Neil
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we study the asymmetric effects of different types of capital-embodied technological change, as proxied by tangible and intangible assets, on relative wages (high- to medium-skilled, high- to low-skilled and medium- to low-skilled workers), relying upon the technology-skill complementarity and polarization of the labor force frameworks. We also consider two additional major channels that contribute to shaping wage differentials: globalization (in terms of trade openness and global value chains participation) and labor market institutions. The empirical analysis is carried out using a panel dataset comprising 17 mostly advanced European economies and 5 industries, with annual observations spanning the period 2008–2017. Our findings suggest that software and databases—as a proxy for intangible technologies—exert downward pressure on low-skilled wages, while robotics is associated with a polarization of the wage distribution at the expense of middle-skilled labor. Additionally, less-skilled workers’ relative wages are negatively affected by trade openness and global value chain participation, but positively influenced by sector-specific labor market regulations.
Rabinowitz Floer homology for prequantization bundles and Floer Gysin sequence
Authors: Bae Joonghyun , Kang Jungsoo , Kim Sungho
Published: May 2024

LetYbe a prequantization bundle over a closed spherically monotone symplectic manifold$$\Sigma $$Σ. Adapting an idea due to Diogo and Lisi, we study a split version of Rabinowitz Floer homology forYin the following two settings. First,$$\Sigma $$Σis a symplectic hyperplane section of a closed symplectic manifoldXsatisfying a certain monotonicity condition; in this case,$$X {{\setminus }} \Sigma $$X\Σis a Liouville filling ofY. Second, the minimal Chern number of$$\Sigma $$Σis greater than one, which is the case where the Rabinowitz Floer homology of the symplectization$$\mathbb {R} \times Y$$R×Yis defined. In both cases, we construct a Gysin-type exact sequence connecting the Rabinowitz Floer homology of$$X{\setminus }\Sigma $$X\Σor$$\mathbb {R} \times Y$$R×Yand the quantum homology of$$\Sigma $$Σ. As applications, we discuss the invertibility of a symplectic hyperplane section class in quantum homology, the isotopy problem for fibered Dehn twists, the orderability problem for prequantization bundles, and the existence of translated points. We also provide computational results based on the exact sequence that we construct.
Interior estimates for the virtual element method
Authors: Bertoluzza Silvia , Pennacchio Micol , Prada Daniele
Published: May 2024

We analyze the local accuracy of the virtual element method. More precisely, we prove an error bound similar to the one holding for the finite element method, namely, that the local $$H^1$$

H
1

error in a interior subdomain is bounded by a term behaving like the best approximation allowed by the local smoothness of the solution in a larger interior subdomain plus the global error measured in a negative norm.
The effect of earthquake on fibromyalgia: a comparison of patients on medication and without medication
Authors: Ozturk Gulsah Yasa , Arat Neval Bozok , Ozdemir Asena Ayca , Bashan Ibrahim , Kocyigit Burhan Fatih
Published: May 2024

Introduction / objectives

Stressful events like earthquakes might worsen the symptoms of fibromyalgia, although the influence of medications on these consequences is yet uncertain. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of an earthquake on the symptoms of fibromyalgia and evaluate the impacts of medications used to treat fibromyalgia on the clinical picture.

Method

Ninety-five fibromyalgia patients were enrolled in a comparative study and divided into two groups: medication and non-medication. Three subcategories of medication groups were established: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and gabapentinoid drugs (GDs). Before and after the earthquake, clinical evaluations were conducted using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Jenkins Sleep Rating Scale (JSS). Statistical analyses were conducted to compare the scores before and after the earthquake and evaluate the differences between the groups.

Results

Statistically significant increases were observed in FIQ, HADS-anxiety, HADS-depression, and JSS scores in the medication and non-medication groups before and after the earthquake comparisons (p < 0.05). Non-medication group reported significantly higher post-earthquake changes in FIQ, HADS-anxiety, HADS-depression, and JSS compared to the medication group (p < 0.05). While HADS-anxiety, HADS-depression, and JSS changes after the earthquake differed according to the drug subgroups (p < 0.05), no statistically significant difference was observed in FIQ values (p > 0.05). The highest scores were detected in the GD subgroup.

Conclusions

This study highlights the substantial impact of earthquakes on fibromyalgia patients. Medication use may assist in reducing the detrimental effects of stresses like earthquakes on fibromyalgia symptomatology. Future research with larger sample sizes and more extended follow-up periods is needed to explain these findings and optimize treatment regimens for fibromyalgia patients experiencing significant stressors.
pH Stabilized NH4+-Fed Nutrition Promotes Higher B Uptake and Plant Growth in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) by the Upregulation of B Transporters
Authors: Chowdhury Md. Shah Newaz , Hossain Md. Sazzad , Sagervanshi Amit , Pitann Britta , Mühling Karl H.
Published: May 2024

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is a major oilseed crop with high boron (B) requirements. In hydroponic cultivation, B uptake is highly responsive to the media conditions (e.g., pH). Different N sources, such as NH4+ and NO3−, directly affect the media pH. To date, the underlying mechanisms, the role of the buffering at constant N-sources by separating the effects of pH and/or sources of N-form, for the uptake of B remain indistinct under hydroponic cultivation, particularly in rapeseed. Two identical experiments were conducted using (NH4)2SO4 and Ca(NO3)2 as sole N-sources each set were subjected to four treatments viz. non-buffered, buffered pH 5.0, 6.0, and 7.0 at low (1 µM) and high (100 µM) B for 5 days. The novelty of this study demonstrates that NH4+-fed plants prefer buffered pH (6 and 7) for promoting higher plant growth, which was in line with the B concentration, while NO3−-fed plants were not influenced. These aforesaid findings were further supported by the upregulation of BnaNIP5;1 and BnaBOR1;2 in the root and higher expression of BnaNIP5;1 in shoots with buffered pH in NH4+-fed plants. According to our findings, in NH4+-based buffering, B transport channel protein BnaNIP5;1 (through diffusion) facilitated B uptake and distribution from root to shoot while BnaBOR1;2 mediated active uptake of B was in root under low supply of B. In a nutshell, pH buffering in hydroponics is very important in NH4+-based but not in NO3−-based nutrition for the uptake of boron and growth of the rapeseed plants.
Low-intensity vestibular noise stimulation improves postural symptoms in progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Wuehr Max , Peto Daniela , Fietzek Urban M. , Katzdobler Sabrina , Nübling Georg , Zaganjori Mirlind , Brendel Matthias , Levin Johannes , Höglinger Günter U. , Zwergal Andreas
Published: May 2024

Background

Postural imbalance and falls are an early disabling symptom in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) of multifactorial origin that may involve abnormal vestibulospinal reflexes. Low-intensity noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) is a non-invasive treatment to normalize deficient vestibular function and attenuate imbalance in Parkinson’s disease. The presumed therapeutic mode of nGVS is stochastic resonance (SR), a mechanism by which weak sensory noise stimulation can enhance sensory information processing.

Objective

To examine potential treatment effects of nGVS on postural instability in 16 patients with PSP with a clinically probable and [18F]PI-2620 tau-PET-positive PSP.

Methods

Effects of nGVS of varying intensity (0–0.7 mA) on body sway were examined, while patients were standing with eyes closed on a posturographic force plate. We assumed a bell-shaped response curve with maximal sway reductions at intermediate nGVS intensities to be indicative of SR. An established SR-curve model was fitted on individual patient outcomes and three experienced human raters had to judge whether responses to nGVS were consistent with the exhibition of SR.

Results

We found nGVS-induced reductions of body sway compatible with SR in 9 patients (56%) with optimal improvements of 31 ± 10%. In eight patients (50%), nGVS-induced sway reductions exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (improvement: 34 ± 5%), indicative of strong SR.

Conclusion

nGVS yielded clinically relevant reductions in body sway compatible with the exhibition of SR in vestibular sensorimotor pathways in at least half of the assessed patients. Non-invasive vestibular noise stimulation may be thus a well-tolerated treatment strategy to ameliorate postural symptoms in PSP.
Early postoperative beta-blockers are associated with improved cardiac output after late complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Maitre Guillaume , Schaffner Damien , Lava Sebastiano A. G. , Perez Marie-Hélène , Di Bernardo Stefano
Published: May 2024

Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease. For decades, our institution has cared for humanitarian patients with late presentation of tetralogy of Fallot. They are characterized by severe right ventricular hypertrophy with consecutive diastolic dysfunction, increasing the risk of postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS). By right ventricular restrictive physiology, we hypothesized that patients receiving early postoperative beta-blockers (within 48 h after cardiopulmonary bypass) may have better diastolic function and cardiac output. This is a retrospective cohort study in a single-center tertiary pediatric intensive care unit. We included > 1-year-old humanitarian patients with a confirmed diagnosis of tetralogy of Fallot undergoing a complete surgical repair between 2005 and 2019. We measured demographic data, preoperative echocardiographic and cardiac catheterization measures, postoperative mean heart rate, vasoactive-inotropic scores, LCOS scores, length of stay, and mechanical ventilation duration. One hundred sixty-five patients met the inclusion criteria. Fifty-nine patients (36%) received early postoperative beta-blockers, associated with a lower mean heart rate, higher vasoactive-inotropic scores, and lower LCOS scores during the first 48 h following cardiopulmonary bypass. There was no significant difference in lengths of stay and ventilation.

    Conclusion: Early postoperative beta-blockers lower the prevalence of postoperative LCOS at the expense of a higher need for vasoactive drugs without any consequence on length of stay and ventilation duration. This approach may benefit the specific population of children undergoing a late complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

What is Known:• Prevalence of low cardiac output syndrome is high following a late complete surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

What is New:• Early postoperative beta-blockade is associated with lower heart rate, prolonged relaxation time, and lower prevalence of low cardiac output syndrome.• Negative chronotropic agents like beta-blockers may benefit selected patients undergoing a late complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot, who are numerous in low-income countries.
Tailoring the wrap: intraoperative functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) during hiatal hernia repair
Authors: Alkhatib Hemasat , Haas AJ , Kara Ali M. , Lai Clara , Feria Alejandro , Bardaro Sergio , Dorsey Amelia , El-Hayek Kevin
Published: May 2024

Introduction

The introduction of the functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) has provided objective, real-time feedback on the geometric variations with each component of a hiatal hernia repair (HHR). The utility of this technology in altering intraoperative decision-making has been scarcely reported. Herein, we report a single-center series of intraoperative FLIP during HHR.

Methods

A retrospective review of electronic medical records between 2020 and 2022 was conducted and all patients undergoing non-recurrent HHR with FLIP were queried. Patient and hernia characteristics, intraoperative FLIP values and changes in decision-making, as well as early post-operative outcomes were reported. Both diameter and distensibility index (DI) were measured at 40 ml and 50 ml balloon inflation after hiatal dissection, after hiatal closure, and after fundoplication when indicated.

Results

Thirty-three patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 62 ± 14 years and mean BMI was 28 ± 6 kg/m2. The majority (53%) were type I hiatal hernias. The largest drop in DI occurred after hiatal closure, with minimal change seen after fundoplication (mean DI of 4.3 ± 2. after completion of HH dissection, vs 2.7 ± 1.2 after hiatal closure and 2.3 ± 1 after fundoplication when performed). In 13 (39%) of cases, FLIP values directly impacted intraoperative decision-making. Fundoplication was deferred in 4/13 (31%) patients, the wrap was loosened in 2/13 (15%); the type of fundoplication was altered to achieve adequate anti-reflux values in 2/13 (15%) patients, and in 1/13 (3%) the wrap was tightened.

Conclusion

FLIP measurements can be used intraoperatively to guide decision-making and alter management plan based on objective values. Long-term outcomes and further prospective studies are required to better delineate the value of this technology.
Ultrasound analysis of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles in edentulous patients rehabilitated with full-arch fixed implant-supported prostheses
Authors: Alkaya Bahar , Duyan Yüksel Hazal , Evlice Burcu , Özcan Mustafa , Türer Onur Uçak , İşler Sıla Çağrı , Haytaç Mehmet Cenk
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Total tooth loss is common in the aging population resulting in insufficient chewing function with subsequent weakening of the masticatory muscles. The study aims to evaluate the changes in thicknesses of the masseter and anterior temporal muscle in edentulous patients following the reconstruction of implant-supported fixed prostheses and compare them with the dentate individuals.

Materials and methods

The study was designed as a prospective, single-center, controlled clinical trial. A total of 60 participants were included in the present study. The patients were divided into two groups; Group I (Test Group): 30 edentulous patients who received implant-supported fixed prostheses, Group II (Control Group): 30 dentate individuals of an age and sex-matched group. Ultrasonography was used to measure the cross-sectional thickness of the left and right musculus masseter and anterior temporalis immediately after the cementation of the prosthetic rehabilitation (T1), on the 1st (T2) and 6th (T3) months after rehabilitation and at a single time point in the control group.

Results

The results showed that there were significant comparison differences in muscle thickness at the baseline measurements between groups while at the end of the 6th month, these differences were not significant. The muscle thicknesses of both the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles increased significantly at T2 and T3 compared to T1 in the test group. The asymmetry index between the left and right muscles in the test group and the asymmetry differences between groups also decreased significantly at the end of the 6th month.

Conclusion

The implant-supported fixed prostheses significantly increase the thicknesses of the masseter and anterior temporal muscle together with a decrease in the asymmetry between the left and right muscles. At six months, implant-treated patients showed similar muscle thicknesses compared to dentate individuals.

Clinical relevance

The findings suggest that implant-supported fixed prostheses can improve the masticatory function and facial symmetry of edentulous patients.
An ensemble-based data assimilation system for forecasting variability of the Northwestern Pacific ocean
Authors: Miyazawa Yasumasa , Yaremchuk Max , Varlamov Sergey M. , Miyama Toru , Chang Yu-Lin K. , Hayashida Hakase
Published: May 2024

An adjoint-free four-dimensional variational (a4dVar) data assimilation (DA) is implemented in an operational ocean forecast system based on an eddy-resolving ocean general circulation model for the Northwestern Pacific. Validation of the system against independent observations demonstrates that fitting the model to time-dependent satellite altimetry during a 10-day DA window leads to substantial skill improvements in the succeeding 60-day hindcast. The a4dVar corrects representation of the Kuroshio path variation south of Japan by adjusting the dynamical balance between amplitude/wavelength of the meander and flow advection. A larger ensemble spread tends to reduce the skill in representing the observed sea surface height anomaly, suggesting that it is possible to use the ensemble information for quantifying the forecast error. The ensemble information is also utilized for modification of the background error covariance (BEC), which improves the accuracy of temperature and salinity distributions. The modified BEC yields the skill decline of the Kuroshio path variation during the 60-day hindcast period, and the ensemble sensitivity analysis shows that changes in the dynamical balance caused by the ensemble BEC result in such skill deterioration.
An MCDA composite index of bank stability using CAMELS ratios and shannon entropy
Authors: Boubaker Sabri , Ngo Thanh , Samitas Aristeidis , Tripe David
Published: May 2024

This study uses the multi-criteria decision-analysis (MCDA) approach to construct a composite performance index (CPI) directly from the CAMELS financial ratios. The CPI has several promising characteristics, such as (i) being an absolute measure of performance that allows for adding or removing data without affecting the existing scores; (ii) employing CAMELS ratios directly in its calculation without the need for normalization or imputation of positive values; (iii) employing the dynamic weighting system of data envelopment analysis (DEA); (iv) providing more robust insights on the Vietnamese banking system under the Shannon entropy approach; and (v) can be an alternative measure of bank stability, compared to the CAMELS ratings and z-scores. Based on a rich dataset of 45 Vietnamese banks spanning from 2002 to 2020, our findings suggest that the proposed CPI could offer an overall view consistent with other approaches for measuring banking sector performance and stability and identifying specific strengths and weaknesses of banks.
Utilizing digital technologies for rapid damage assessment and reconnaissance: the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş-Türkiye earthquakes (Mw 7.7 and Mw 7.6)
Authors: Ersoz Ahmet Bahaddin , Pekcan Onur , Altun Murat , Teke Turker , Aydogmus Ozgur
Published: May 2024

This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the rapid damage assessment and reconnaissance efforts following the devastating earthquakes on February 6, 2023, in Türkiye. It specifically focuses on implementing the SiteEye Disaster Plugin, an additional component of SiteEye software developed by i4 Company engineers and Middle East Technical University researchers. This tool played a critical role in managing and analyzing a massive dataset comprising over 28,000 images and videos. The research highlights the plugin’s innovative features, such as offline data collection, georeferenced-based layering, and an integrated damage classification system, significantly improving earthquake impact assessments’ accuracy and efficiency. It also underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration involving national and international teams and the role of open data in disaster management. The findings demonstrate how digital technologies can transform the field of disaster response, offering new approaches for rapid assessment and effective management in the aftermath of seismic events. This research contributes valuable insights into enhancing disaster preparedness and response strategies, particularly in earthquake-prone areas.
Assessing landscape-level effects of permanent grassland management and landscape configuration on open-land butterflies based on national monitoring data
Authors: Kasiske Toni , Dauber Jens , Dieker Petra , Harpke Alexander , Klimek Sebastian , Kühn Elisabeth , Levers Christian , Schwieder Marcel , Settele Josef , Musche Martin
Published: May 2024

Halting and reversing the ongoing insect decline requires in-depth knowledge on key drivers. Due to their sensitivity to habitat quality, butterflies are valuable indicators for grassland management intensity, including mowing. However, most studies examining mowing regime impacts on butterflies are limited to small spatial extents. Here, we tested the potential of citizen science butterfly monitoring data for assessing landscape-level effects of mowing regimes (number of mowing events and timing of the first event) and edge density (density of boundaries between different land-cover types) on butterfly richness, abundance, and community composition. We used generalised linear mixed-effects models to relate nationwide data from the German Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (DEBMS) to high-resolution satellite imagery on mowing events in permanent grasslands (grasslands excluded from crop rotation). As butterfly transects may not consistently be located within grasslands, we ran our models for different thresholds from 0 to 50%, representing increasing shares of the transect route situated within permanent grasslands (10% intervals). We did not find significant associations between mowing regimes and butterflies when focussing on species richness and abundance of all species inhabiting open land. However, we found strong positive associations of delayed mowing with the abundance of grassland specialists with increasing grassland shares per transect. Further, we found negative associations of delayed mowing with the annual number of generations and of more frequent mowing with the abundance of specialists, depending on the share of grassland per transect. Edge density had a positive association with species richness and abundance of species inhabiting open land, as well as abundance of grassland indicator species and grassland specialists in landscapes with a low grassland share per transect. Our findings underscore the importance of low-intensity managed permanent grasslands at the landscape scale for specialised butterflies. Additionally, we highlight the importance of a high density of boundaries for open-land and specialised butterflies, particularly in landscapes with highly fragmented permanent grasslands. To improve future analyses of grassland management impacts, we recommend expanding DEBMS monitoring sites to cover a larger grassland management intensity gradient and to place more transects within grasslands.
Notes on universality in short intervals and exponential shifts
Authors: Andersson Johan , Garunkštis Ramūnas , Kačinskaitė Roma , Nakai Keita , Pańkowski Łukasz , Sourmelidis Athanasios , Steuding Rasa , Steuding Jörn , Wananiyakul Saeree
Published: May 2024

We improve a recent universality theorem for the Riemann zeta-function in short intervals due to Antanas Laurinčikas with respect to the length of these intervals. Moreover, we prove that the shifts can even have exponential growth. This research was initiated by two questions proposed by Laurinčikas in a problem session of a recent workshop on universality.
Horticultural additives influence peat biogeochemistry and increase short-term CO2 production from peat
Authors: Sharma Bidhya , Moore Tim R. , Knorr Klaus-Holger , Teickner Henning , Douglas Peter M. J. , Roulet Nigel T.
Published: May 2024

Aims

Peat is used as a major ingredient of growing media in horticulture. Peat extracted from bogs can be acidic and low in nutrient availability and is therefore mixed with liming agents, nutrients, surfactants, perlite and so on. This study aims to estimate the rates at which raw peat and the modified peat (‘growing media’) decompose to release carbon dioxide (CO2), to estimate the release of carbon (C) from liming agents and to estimate how peat biogeochemistry is changed.

Methods

We obtained 28 and 24 samples of raw peat and 24 growing media from four peat extraction companies in Canada. Growing media were treated with horticultural additives. We incubated the samples under laboratory conditions, measuring CO2 production, tracer using $${\updelta }^{13}{\text{C}}$$

δ

13

C

-$${{\text{CO}}}_{2}$$

CO
2

, pH, C, nitrogen (N) content and humification indices (HIs) from infrared technology called Fourier transform-mid infrared (FT-MIR).

Results

C:N ratio, pH, dissolved organic carbon, bulk density and C content differed significantly (P < 0.05) between raw peats and growing media. There was more than a doubling of total $${{\text{CO}}}_{2}$$

CO
2

production from growing media compared to raw peat. HIs show higher values for the growing media, which could result from spectral band shifts in the growing media because of increased cation availability. $${\updelta }^{13}{\text{C}}$$

δ

13

C

-$${{\text{CO}}}_{2}$$

CO
2

as a tracer showed an average 22% of the total $${{\text{CO}}}_{2}$$

CO
2

production orginated from added carbonate materials.

Conclusion

Our results provide the rates (0.15 ± 0.017mgCO2-Cg−1d−1) at which horticultural peat decomposes and on the source of emitted $${{\text{CO}}}_{2}$$

CO
2

. This will improve current estimates CO2 emissions from horticultural peat.
How consistent are measures of financial liberalization in assessing its impact on bank cost efficiency? A cross–country empirical analysis
Authors: De Vita Glauco , Tanna Sailesh , Luo Yun
Published: May 2024

Using a sample of commercial bank–year observations covering 104 countries over the 1999–2017 period, we consider five contemporary de jure and de facto indicators of financial liberalization to provide a comparative assessment of their impact on bank cost efficiency. With the sole exception of one de jure index, all other financial liberalization measures consistently indicate an improvement in cost efficiency. We also compare the effects before and after the 2007 global financial crisis, which instigated a policy shift from deregulation to prudential re–regulation. We find that prudential re–regulation did not detrimentally affect bank cost efficiency. Our results for the main financial liberalization measures hold irrespective of countries’ stage of economic development and prove robust to re–estimations based on a single-country efficiency frontier for the US, alternative model specifications and methodologies that account for endogeneity and cross section dependence. The key policy implication from our findings is that prudential policies aimed at fostering stability and less bank risk–taking, can be pursued without any risks of hindering financial intermediation and lowering bank cost efficiency.
Teachers’ engagement in online professional development—The interplay of online professional development quality and teacher motivation
Authors: Fütterer Tim , Richter Eric , Richter Dirk
Published: May 2024

Effective online teacher professional development (OPD) is crucial to support teachers. The effectiveness of OPD depends on teachers’ engagement. According to offer-use models, teachers’ engagement in OPD relates to the OPD quality and teachers’ motivation to learn. However, whereas OPD activities have increased in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, findings on the importance of OPD quality and teachers’ motivation to learn for teachers’ engagement in OPD are scarce. We analyzed data fromN = 593 teachers participating in 61 OPD courses. The predictive power of perceived OPD quality (i.e., clarity and structure, practical relevance, cognitive activation, and collaboration) and teachers’ motivation to learn for their behavioral, affective, and cognitive engagement during OPD were examined using structural equation modeling. We used latent moderated structural equations to gain insights into the interaction effects between OPD quality and teachers’ motivation. Our findings indicate that OPD quality positively predicted teachers’ OPD engagement. When controlling for OPD quality, teachers’ motivation to learn also predicted teachers’ behavioral and cognitive engagement but not their affective engagement. The findings on the interactions between OPD quality and teachers’ motivation demonstrated that for the different facets of teachers’ OPD engagement, different OPD quality characteristics could compensate for low teacher motivation to learn. For instance, for behavioral engagement, opportunities for collaboration can compensate for low motivation. Implications for practice (e.g., ensuring high-quality OPD) and future directions in research (e.g., conducting longitudinal studies) in the field of OPD are discussed.
Preoperative executive functioning impairments in patients with a meningioma: does a frontal location matter?
Authors: Beele Paul , Boelders Sander M. , Rutten Geert-Jan M. , de Baene Wouter , Gehring Karin
Published: May 2024

Patients with meningiomas frequently exhibit impairments in executive functioning. There are few studies specifically examining the role of frontal meningioma localization in executive functioning impairments. This study examines whether frontally located meningiomas are specifically associated with executive functioning impairments in a large sample of meningioma patients before treatment, using an axis-wise and lobe-based approach to meningioma localization. We retrospectively examined cognitive performances in 353 patients with frontal, frontally-involved and non-frontal meningiomas on a battery of tests including tests of executive functioning. We applied an axis-based approach to meningioma location, in addition to qualitative lobe-based localization. We examined the association between meningioma coordinates on an anterior-posterior axis and continuous cognitive performance scores in univariate correlations and linear regression analyses. We also examined the association between meningioma coordinates on an anterior-posterior axis with cognitive impairments in multivariable logistic regression analyses. Meningioma position on the anterior-posterior axis was only univariately associated with mean performance on the Stroop test Interference ratio and Symbol Digit Coding task. There was no (multivariable) association with impairments on tests of executive or non-executive domains. Increased odds of impairment on executive functioning tasks were associated with left-localization (Verbal Fluency) and larger meningioma volumes (Shifting Attention). We did not find a specific relation between a frontal meningioma location and executive functioning impairments, which may be explained by widespread organization of executive functioning throughout the brain, diffuse cognitive effects of the mass of meningiomas, functional reorganization due to neuroplasticity, or functional involvement of less-anteriorly located frontal areas.