bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acceleration spectrum analysis of hyperbolic tangent package under random excitation
Authors: Yang Song‐Ping , Wang Zhi‐Wei
Published: June 2021

Many packaging cushion materials follow the hyperbolic tangent type of constitutive relation, so a hyperbolic tangent stiffness non‐linearity was derived to describe the stiffness property of the package. Transport package was modelled as the single degree of freedom (SDOF) of hyperbolic tangent spring–mass–damping (SMD) system. The displacement and velocity responses of the system were obtained by Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov (FPK) equation. Based on the kinematic equation and integral transforming, the approximate analytic solution of the acceleration response power spectral density (PSD) of the hyperbolic tangent package was established for the first time, and the influences of system non‐linearities on the acceleration response PSD were investigated. Validation experiment with a complete packaged computer was carried out to verify the proposed approach. Non‐linearity of the stiffness influenced the acceleration response PSD through the effect of parameter γ and statistical moment mi0. The frequency corresponding to acceleration response peak was determined by the damping correlation coefficient α and parameter γ, which was determined by system characteristic parameter β, frequency parameter ω0 and statistical moment mi0. The proposed approach can be used to predict the acceleration response PSD of transport package, and the analysis has important value for packaging optimization design.
Assessing the effects of calculated inaction on national responses to the COVID‐19 crisis
Authors: Zahariadis Nikolaos , Ceccoli Stephen , Petridou Evangelia
Published: June 2021

How does calculated inaction affect subsequent responses to the COVID‐19 crisis? We argue that when governments employ calculated inaction during crises, they are more likely to manipulate the technical (scientific) aspects of national responses and highlight symbolic politics, each in the name of projecting power and strengthening the regime's governing authority. Using theoretical insight from McConnell and 't Hart's policy inaction typology, we investigate sense‐making and crisis response narratives in China and Greece. We conclude with implications for policymaking and the crisis management literature.
Differentially private distributed online learning over time‐varying digraphs via dual averaging
Authors: Han Dongyu , Liu Kun , Lin Yeming , Xia Yuanqing
Published: June 2021

This article investigates a distributed online learning problem with privacy preservation, in which the learning nodes in a distributed network aims to minimize the sum of local loss functions over time horizon . Based on the push‐sum protocol and the Laplace mechanism, we propose a differentially private distributed dual averaging algorithm for constrained distributed online learning problem over time‐varying digraphs. It is shown that the expectation of the regret of our algorithm achieves a sublinear rate of . Furthermore, we provide an analysis of differential privacy, which reveals a tradeoff between the accuracy and the privacy level of our algorithm. Finally, numerical examples are presented to validate the effectiveness of the algorithm.
A joint method to quantify source contributions of heavy metals to ecological and human health risks in oasis farmland soil
Authors: Tian Jing , Guan Qingyu , Shao Wenyan , Liu Zhan , Ma Yunrui , Li Huichun , Sun Yunfan
Published: June 2021

Source identification and risk assessment of heavy metals are ongoing hot topics in current research, but few studies have been performed on the linkage mechanism between them. In the past, the amount of heavy metals discharged was the identification criterion for high‐risk source but failed to consider different toxicity of heavy metals in the risk level of each pollution source. Therefore, it is impossible to accurately determine high‐risk pollution source. For this situation, this study introduced a risk assessment model based on the source apportionment model, which can quantitatively analyze the source‐based risk. Meanwhile, pollution assessment indexes and a risk assessment model were applied to evaluate the levels of pollution and risk of heavy metals, showing that lead (Pb) caused relatively serious pollution and arsenic (As) generated the highest ecological risk and noncarcinogenic risk. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) model identified and quantified the sources of heavy metals (coal‐related activities source, mixed source of mining and traffic emissions, industrial activity source, agricultural source related to the application of agrochemicals) with the corresponding contributions of 42, 30, 26, and 2%, respectively. Then PMF was combined with potential ecological risk index and human health risk assessment model to quantify the risk from pollution sources, indicating that the coal‐related activities source was the largest pollution source (31–36%) that caused human health risks, while the mixed source of mining and transportation emissions posed the greatest threat (29%) to the ecosystem health. Therefore, both sources should be identified as the priority pollution sources.
A Bayesian multiple imputation approach to bivariate functional data with missing components
Authors: Jang Jeong Hoon , Manatunga Amita K. , Chang Changgee , Long Qi
Published: June 2021

Existing missing data methods for functional data mainly focus on reconstructing missing measurements along a single function—a univariate functional data setting. Motivated by a renal study, we focus on a bivariate functional data setting, where each sampling unit is a collection of two distinct component functions, one of which may be missing. Specifically, we propose a Bayesian multiple imputation approach based on a bivariate functional latent factor model that exploits the joint changing patterns of the component functions to allow accurate and stable imputation of one component given the other. We further extend the framework to address multilevel bivariate functional data with missing components by modeling and exploiting inter‐component and intra‐subject correlations. We develop a Gibbs sampling algorithm that simultaneously generates multiple imputations of missing component functions and posterior samples of model parameters. For multilevel bivariate functional data, a partially collapsed Gibbs sampler is implemented to improve computational efficiency. Our simulation study demonstrates that our methods outperform other competing methods for imputing missing components of bivariate functional data under various designs and missingness rates. The motivating renal study aims to investigate the distribution and pharmacokinetic properties of baseline and post‐furosemide renogram curves that provide further insights into the underlying mechanism of renal obstruction, with post‐furosemide renogram curves missing for some subjects. We apply the proposed methods to impute missing post‐furosemide renogram curves and obtain more refined insights.
Outcomes of Patients with Chronic Plaque Psoriasis and Hidradenitis Suppurativa on Biologic Therapy During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A UK Dermatology Tertiary Centre Experience
Authors: Khan S. , Karponis D. , Wali G.
Published: June 2021

Retrospective review data from 183 patients with psoriasis and/or hidradenitis suppurativa from a UK tertiary dermatology centre, suggests biologic therapy does not confer a significant increased risk of contracting severe Covid-19 in this cohort. This is in line with a growing body of evidence which indicates that it is safe to continue using biologic therapies during the pandemic.
Controllable Synthesis of Wafer‐Scale Graphene Films: Challenges, Status, and Perspectives
Authors: Jiang Bei , Wang Shiwei , Sun Jingyu , Liu Zhongfan
Published: June 2021

The availability of high‐quality, large‐scale, and single‐crystal wafer‐scale graphene films is fundamental for key device applications in the field of electronics, optics, and sensors. Synthesis determines the future: unleashing the full potentials of such emerging materials relies heavily upon their tailored synthesis in a scalable fashion, which is by no means an easy task to date. This review covers the state‐of‐the‐art progress in the synthesis of wafer‐scale graphene films by virtue of chemical vapor deposition (CVD), with a focus on main challenges and present status. Particularly, prevailing synthetic strategies are highlighted on a basis of the discussion in the reaction kinetics and gas‐phase dynamics during CVD process. Perspectives with respect to key opportunities and promising research directions are proposed to guide the future development of wafer‐scale graphene films.
Aqueous MnV2O6‐Zn Battery with High Operating Voltage and Energy Density
Authors: Wu Yan , Zhu Zhaohua , Li Yifan , Shen Dong , Chen Lina , Kang Tianxing , Lin Xiaohang , Tong Zhongqiu , Wang Hui , Lee Chun‐sing
Published: June 2021

Aqueous Zn ion batteries (AZIBs), featuring low cost, long‐term cycling stability, and superior safety are promising for applications in advanced energy storage devices. However, they still suffer from unsatisfactory energy density and operating voltage, which are closely related to cathode materials used. Herein, the use of monoclinic MnV2O6 (MVO) is reported, which can be activated for high‐capacity Zn ions storage by electrochemically oxidizing part of the Mn2+ to Mn3+ or Mn4+ while the remaining Mn2+ ions act as binders/pillars to hold the layer structure of MVO and maintain its integrity during charging/discharging process. Moreover, after introducing carbon nanotubes (CNT), the MVO:CNT composite not only provides robust 3D Zn‐ion diffusion channels but also shows enhanced structural integrity. As a result, a MVO:CNT cathode delivers a high midpoint voltage (1.38 V after 3000 cycles at 2 A g−1) and a high energy density of 597.9 W h kg−1. Moreover, DFT analyses clearly illustrate stepwise Zn ion insertion into the MnV2O6 lattice, and ex‐situ analyses results further verify the highly structural reversibility of the MnV2O6 cathode upon extended cycling, demonstrating the good potential of MnV2O6 for the establishment of viable aqueous Zn ion battery systems.
CsPbX3‐ITO (X = Cl, Br, I) Nano‐Heterojunctions: Voltage Tuned Positive to Negative Photoresponse
Authors: He Qiqian , Chen Gaoyu , Wang Yongkai , Liu Xiaoyu , Xu Danting , Xu Xiangxing , Liu Ying , Bao Jianchun , Wang Xun
Published: June 2021

All‐Inorganic perovskite CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) quantum dots (QDs) have attracted tremendous attention in the past few years for their appealing performance in optoelectronic applications. Major properties of CsPbX3 QDs include the positive photoconductivity (PPC) and the defect tolerance of the in‐band trap states. Here it is reported that when hybridizing CsPbX3 QDs with indium tin oxide (ITO) nanocrystals to form CsPbX3‐ITO nano‐heterojunctions (NHJs), a voltage tuned photoresponse—from PPC to negative photoconductivity (NPC) transform—is achieved in lateral drain‐source structured ITO/CsPbX3‐ITO‐NHJs/ITO devices. A model combining exciton, charge separation, transport, and most critical the voltage driven electron filling of the in‐band trap states with drain–source voltage (VDS) above a threshold, is proposed to understand this unusual PPC‐NPC transform mechanism, which is different from that of any known nanomaterial system. This finding exhibits potentials for developing devices such as photodetectors, optoelectronic switches, and memories.
Income inequality and housing prices in the very long‐run
Authors: Hailemariam Abebe , Awaworyi Churchill Sefa , Smyth Russell , Baako Kingsley Tetteh
Published: June 2021

We examine the relationship between income inequality and house prices for a panel of 17 OECD countries over the period 1870 to 2015. Our identification strategy takes advantage of exogenous variation in culturally weighted communist influence to instrument for within‐country variations in income inequality. Controlling for endogeneity, time, and country fixed effects, our results suggest that an increase in income inequality has a significant negative effect on real house prices. This finding is robust to the use of both the Gini coefficient and top income share as measures of income inequality and the use of absolute and relative income inequality measures, as well as a range of other robustness checks. We examine crime as a mechanism through which income inequality influences housing prices and find that the theft rate is a channel via which higher income inequality contributes to lower house prices.
Rosselichnidae ifam. nov.: burrows with concentric, spiral or eccentric lamination
Authors: Knaust Dirk
Published: June 2021

Burrows with a thick concentric, spiral or eccentric lamination are common constituents of Phanerozoic marine deposits and have been described under different names for more than 150 years. Ambiguous original diagnoses, questionable type specimens and morphological transitions between end members have led to a rather unstable ichnotaxonomy and varying indistinct definitions. This situation, in turn, hinders an application of these ichnotaxa in facies interpretations, and in palaeoenvironmental and evolutionary reconstructions. A revision of this group of trace fossils, collectively assembled under the new ichnofamily Rosselichnidae, aims for its consolidation. It includes the ichnogenera Rosselia Dahmer, Cylindrichnus Toots in Howard, Patagonichnus Olivero & López Cabrera, Artichnus Zhang et al., Lamellaecylindrica Knaust and Bromlichnus Vallon et al., together containing 15 ichnospecies. Burrow morphology, orientation, branching and type of lamination are used as ichnotaxobases. Artichnus serialis isp. nov. is erected, whereas Rosselia erecta (Torell), Rosselia prolifera (Fournier et al.) and Lamellaecylindrica ludwigae (Schlirf) are new combinations. Rosselia erecta is installed as the ichnospecies name for forms that historically have been assigned to Monocraterion isp. A review of established interpretations of potential producers and their ethology of ichnotaxa included in Rosselichnidae reveals that polychaetes and holothurians with a suspension‐ and deposit‐feeding behaviour are best equipped to produce such burrows. The stratigraphic record of Rosselia spans the entire Phanerozoic, whereas the other ichnogenera mainly occur in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic.
Mechanistic analysis of bladder cancer suppression by brassicasterol in a rat model of N‐butyl‐N‐(4‐hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine‐induced bladder cancer
Authors: Ikarashi Nobutomo , Ono Tetsuya , Hoshino Motohiro , Toda Takahiro , Yazawa Yasuharu , Sugiyama Kiyoshi
Published: June 2021

Aim

We previously clarified that the herbal medicine Polyporus Sclerotium, a constituent of Choreito, has an inhibitory effect on bladder carcinogenesis and that ergosterol is the active ingredient. In addition, we showed that this action of ergosterol may be caused by the metabolite brassicasterol. Here, we aimed to elucidate the detailed molecular mechanism by which brassicasterol inhibits bladder carcinogenesis.

Methods

A rat model of bladder cancer was established by feeding rats N‐butyl‐N‐(4‐hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BHBN) and sodium saccharin (SS). After intraperitoneal administration of brassicasterol to rats, the mRNA expression levels of cell cycle‐related genes (cyclin D1, c‐fos, and c‐jun), inflammation‐related genes (cyclooxygenase‐2; COX‐2), and androgen signal‐related genes (5α‐reductase type 1; 5α‐R1, 5α‐reductase type 2; 5α‐R2, and the androgen receptor; AR) in bladder epithelial cells were analyzed.

Results

Brassicasterol significantly suppressed bladder carcinogenesis induced by BHBN and SS. The mRNA expression levels of cyclin D1 in bladder epithelial cells were significantly higher in the carcinogenesis group than in the control group. Additionally, the expression levels of c‐fos and c‐jun, constituents of the transcription factor activator protein‐1 (AP‐1) upstream of cyclin D1, were significantly increased in the carcinogenesis group compared with the control group. Moreover, the expression levels of COX‐2, 5α‐R1, 5α‐R2, and AR were significantly higher in the carcinogenesis group. In contrast, in rats treated with brassicasterol, the increases in the expression levels of these molecules were significantly suppressed.

Conclusion

We clarified that brassicasterol suppresses bladder carcinogenesis by acting on cell cycle‐related signaling, inflammation‐related signaling, and androgen signaling via multiple mechanisms.
Review answers to COVID‐19, dual enrollment questions
Authors: Rainsberger Richard
Published: June 2021

One of my English professors said once about factual writing that “the more you write, the more questions you may get.” And so it is with my FERPA Doc columns. No matter how hard I've tried to cover a subject, there always seems to be something I've left out, or space didn't allow for a more expansive explanation.
Gadolinium spin dilution in the solid solution Gd1–xYxAuMg – gradual decrease of the Néel temperature
Authors: Reimann Maximilian Kai , Pöttgen Rainer
Published: June 2021

The intermetallic compounds GdAuMg and YAuMg form a continuous solid solution Gd1–xYxAuMg. Samples inx=0.1 steps were synthesized from the elements in sealed tantalum ampoules in an induction furnace. Phase purity of the samples was checked by powder X‐ray diffraction. The structures of two members of the solid solution were refined from single crystal X‐ray diffractometer data: ZrNiAl type,P2m,a=756.16(6),c=413.06(4) pm,wR2=0.0402, 328F2values, 16 variables for Gd0.80(2)Y0.20(2)AuMg anda=754.82(7),c=411.24(4) pm,wR2=0.0292, 325F2values, 16 variables for Gd0.37(1)Y0.63(1)AuMg. Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility studies show a continuous decrease of the Néel temperature fromTN=81.1(1) K (GdAuMg) to 3.5(1) K (Gd0.1Y0.9AuMg). With increasingxin Gd1–xYxAuMg the saturation magnetization increases, with a maximal value of 6.44(1) μBGd atom−1for Gd0.1Y0.9AuMg at 3 K. The dilution of the gadolinium substructure with yttrium pushes the magnetization isotherms close to Brillouin type behavior (free Gd3+).
Data Science Technologies in Economics and Finance: A Gentle Walk-In
Authors: Barbaglia Luca , Consoli Sergio , Manzan Sebastiano , Reforgiato Recupero Diego , Saisana Michaela , Tiozzo Pezzoli Luca
Published: June 2021

This chapter is an introduction to the use of data science technologies in the fields of economics and finance. The recent explosion in computation and information technology in the past decade has made available vast amounts of data in various domains, which has been referred to as Big Data. In economics and finance, in particular, tapping into these data brings research and business closer together, as data generated in ordinary economic activity can be used towards effective and personalized models. In this context, the recent use of data science technologies for economics and finance provides mutual benefits to both scientists and professionals, improving forecasting and nowcasting for several kinds of applications. This chapter introduces the subject through underlying technical challenges such as data handling and protection, modeling, integration, and interpretation. It also outlines some of the common issues in economic modeling with data science technologies and surveys the relevant big data management and analytics solutions, motivating the use of data science methods in economics and finance.
Do the Hype of the Benefits from Using New Data Science Tools Extend to Forecasting Extremely Volatile Assets?
Authors: Lehrer Steven F. , Xie Tian , Yi Guanxi
Published: June 2021

This chapter first provides an illustration of the benefits of using machine learning for forecasting relative to traditional econometric strategies. We consider the short-term volatility of the Bitcoin market by realized volatility observations. Our analysis highlights the importance of accounting for nonlinearities to explain the gains of machine learning algorithms and examines the robustness of our findings to the selection of hyperparameters. This provides an illustration of how different machine learning estimators improve the development of forecast models by relaxing the functional form assumptions that are made explicit when writing up an econometric model. Our second contribution is to illustrate how deep learning can be used to measure market-level sentiment from a 10% random sample of Twitter users. This sentiment variable significantly improves forecast accuracy for every econometric estimator and machine algorithm considered in our forecasting application. This provides an illustration of the benefits of new tools from the natural language processing literature at creating variables that can improve the accuracy of forecasting models.
Opening the Black Box: Machine Learning Interpretability and Inference Tools with an Application to Economic Forecasting
Authors: Buckmann Marcus , Joseph Andreas , Robertson Helena
Published: June 2021

We present a comprehensive comparative case study for the use of machine learning models for macroeconomics forecasting. We find that machine learning models mostly outperform conventional econometric approaches in forecasting changes in US unemployment on a 1-year horizon. To address the black box critique of machine learning models, we apply and compare two variables attribution methods: permutation importance and Shapley values. While the aggregate information derived from both approaches is broadly in line, Shapley values offer several advantages, such as the discovery of unknown functional forms in the data generating process and the ability to perform statistical inference. The latter is achieved by the Shapley regression framework, which allows for the evaluation and communication of machine learning models akin to that of linear models.
Classifying Counterparty Sector in EMIR Data
Authors: Lenoci Francesca D. , Letizia Elisa
Published: June 2021

The data collected under the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (“EMIR data”) provide authorities with voluminous transaction-by-transaction details on derivatives but their use poses numerous challenges. To overcome one major challenge, this chapter draws from eight different data sources and develops a greedy algorithm to obtain a new counterparty sector classification. We classify counterparties’ sector for 96% of the notional value of outstanding contracts in the euro area derivatives market. Our classification is also detailed, comprehensive, and well suited for the analysis of the derivatives market, which we illustrate in four case studies. Overall, we show that our algorithm can become a key building block for a wide range of research- and policy-oriented studies with EMIR data.
Sentiment Analysis of Financial News: Mechanics and Statistics
Authors: Arratia Argimiro , Avalos Gustavo , Cabaña Alejandra , Duarte-López Ariel , Renedo-Mirambell Martí
Published: June 2021

This chapter describes the basic mechanics for building a forecasting model that uses as input sentiment indicators derived from textual data. In addition, as we focus our target of predictions on financial time series, we present a set of stylized empirical facts describing the statistical properties of lexicon-based sentiment indicators extracted from news on financial markets. Examples of these modeling methods and statistical hypothesis tests are provided on real data. The general goal is to provide guidelines for financial practitioners for the proper construction and interpretation of their own time-dependent numerical information representing public perception toward companies, stocks’ prices, and financial markets in general.
Wrestling with the Inner Demons of Contemporary Life: A Brief Overview of Psychoanalytic Thought
Authors: Mitroff Ian I. , Kilmann Ralph H.
Published: June 2021

We begin our examination of Enlightened Leadership by exploring a number of Psychoanalytically based theories, in particular with regard to what they have to teach us about the human condition. Thus, we briefly examine some of the key concepts and ideas of Melanie Klein, Sigmund Freud, Donald Winnicott, Eric Berne, and John Bowlby. One of the major benefits is that they illuminate important aspects of the Coronavirus that are difficult to ascertain otherwise. For one, each provides a different take on the enormous stress we are experiencing as a result of the Virus. They also reinforce the absolute necessity of following the dictates of reputable scientific experts and science itself if we are to stand any hope at all in dealing with the Virus.
The Choice Is Between Mental Health and Mental Illness
Authors: Mitroff Ian I. , Kilmann Ralph H.
Published: June 2021

Even though the 2020 election has been decided, the issues underlying it will be around for a long time. For this reason, we return once again to the topic of Leadership and examine it from the standpoint of a different perspective on Mental Health.
The Coronavirus: A Jungian Analysis
Authors: Mitroff Ian I. , Kilmann Ralph H.
Published: June 2021

Since we’ve talked repeatedly about the importance of Systems Thinking, we want to examine the Coronavirus from a different form. It brings out different aspects of the Virus that along with the Psychodynamic theories we examined in Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-71764-3_1 are difficult to ascertain without it.
Heuristics and Meta-heuristics for Coping with Messes
Authors: Mitroff Ian I. , Kilmann Ralph H.
Published: June 2021

Given the importance of Wicked Messes, we need to say more about ways of dealing with them. In a series of publications, we and our colleagues have developed a number of Heuristics for Coping with Messes. If the underlying conditions are met, there is every reason to believe that they will accomplish their intended job. Nonetheless, they are only Heuristics, i.e., approximate rules of thumb. As such, they do not guarantee that we’ll be able to cope successfully with a Mess. Worst of all, they can even backfire such that instead of making Messes more manageable, they can make them worse, thus producing the exact opposite of what’s intended. Still, they’re all that we have. Nonetheless, by not looking at their potential downsides, the inescapable conclusion is that some of the most important aspects of Messes have not been given the serious consideration they demand.
Changing the Culture of Policing: A Moral Imperative!
Authors: Mitroff Ian I. , Kilmann Ralph H.
Published: June 2021

We want to turn to another major crisis that demands our serious attention. Not only is it important in its own right, but it reveals other important factors that bear on the nature of complex messy Systems.
Benefits and Challenges of Adopting SAFe - An Empirical Survey
Authors: Putta Abheeshta , Uludağ Ömer , Paasivaara Maria , Hong Shun-Long
Published: June 2021

During the last two decades, turbulent business environments tempted firms to adopt agile methods to cope with the ever-changing customer demands. The success of agile methods in small and co-located teams inspired companies to apply them to large-scale endeavors. Agile scaling frameworks, such as the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), have been proposed by practitioners to scale agile practices to large projects and enterprises. Companies are increasingly taking these frameworks into use. However, the number of quantitative empirical studies assessing the benefits and challenges of adopting the agile scaling frameworks is still limited. This paper starts filling in this gap by presenting the results from a survey of 100 industry participants around the world on their perception of the benefits and challenges of adopting the SAFe framework. Our results show that the SAFe adoption improves transparency, as well as collaboration and dependency management between agile teams. The most commonly mentioned challenges of the SAFe adoption are organizational politics, difficulties in establishing an agile mindset, change resistance, and team formation challenges.
Comparing Participants’ Brainwaves During Solo, Pair, and Mob Programming
Authors: Shiraishi Makoto , Washizaki Hironori , Saito Daisuke , Fukazawa Yoshiaki
Published: June 2021

Participants’ feelings and impressions utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) and the effectiveness of code are compared for different types of programming sessions. EEG information is obtained as an alternate viewpoint during three programming sessions (solo, pair, and mob programming). MindWave Mobile 2 (brainwave detector) is equipped to collect the attention levels, meditation levels, and EEG brainwaves. These data are utilized to distinguish efficiencies, weaknesses, and points of interest by programming session. The results provide preliminary information to distinguish between the three sessions, but further studies are necessary to make firm conclusions. Additionally, alternative methods or systems are required to analyze the collected data.
UX Work in Software Start-Ups: Challenges from the Current State of Practice
Authors: Silveira Sofia A. M. , Choma Joelma , Pereira Roberto , Guerra Eduardo M. , Zaina Luciana A. M.
Published: June 2021

Software start-ups develop innovative software products working with disruptive technologies in time pressure and market-driven environment. Recently, User eXperience (UX) has become a hot topic that interests software teams of start-ups. However, software and UX professionals have struggled to match UX practices into the development activities, partially because of the lack of resources in the start-ups. This paper investigates how software start-ups handle UX activities during software development and how relevant UX is to these companies’ professionals. To achieve our aim, we surveyed 88 professionals who take part in software teams in star-ups, analyzing the responses using descriptive and statistical methods. Our results reveal that regardless of having or not a UX position in the start-up, UX practices are spread in different software development phases and not fitting into them. Results also show although professionals consider UX relevant and recognize important skills to perform UX activities, some obstacles hinder the effective use of UX in software start-ups. From the survey results, we identified a set of challenges to be overcome in consolidating the UX work in software start-ups. By diagnosing the UX state-of-practice in start-up scenarios and identifying such challenges, our work contributes to provides relevant insights to further academic and practical studies in this field.
Setting the Scope for a New Agile Assessment Model: Results of an Empirical Study
Authors: Tuncel Doruk , Körner Christian , Plösch Reinhold
Published: June 2021

Agile software development methods have been increasingly adopted by many organizations at different organizational levels. Whether named agile adoption, agile transition, agile transformation, digital transformation or new ways of working, the success of embracing this change process mostly remains uncertain. This is primarily because there are many ways of evaluating success. Based on the existing agile assessment models, we developed a model of principles with associated practice clusters that serves as a core for a new agile assessment model that is capable of assessing agile organizations at different scale. Towards our ultimate goal to establish a lightweight, context-sensitive agile maturity model, we validated our initial findings in an expert interview study to identify improvement points, and ensure the at hand model’s applicability, coherence and relevance. The results of the interview study show that the structure as well as the content of our assessment model fits with the experts’ expectations and experience.
A Differentially Private Hybrid Approach to Traffic Monitoring
Authors: Rocha Rogério V. M. , Libório Pedro P. , Kupwade Patil Harsh , Aranha Diego F.
Published: June 2021

In recent years, privacy research has been gaining ground in vehicular communication technologies. Collecting data from connected vehicles presents a range of opportunities for industry and government to perform data analytics. Although many researchers have explored some privacy solutions for vehicular communications, the conditions to deploy them are still maturing, especially when it comes to privacy for sensitive data aggregation analysis. In this work, we propose a hybrid solution combining the original differential privacy framework with an instance-based additive noise technique. The results show that for typical instances we obtain a significant reduction in outliers. As far as we know, our paper is the first detailed experimental evaluation of differentially private techniques applied to traffic monitoring. The validation of the proposed solution was performed through extensive simulations in typical traffic scenarios using real data.
Searching for Z′ bosons at the P2 experiment
Authors: Dev P. S. Bhupal , Rodejohann Werner , Xu Xun-Jie , Zhang Yongchao
Published: June 2021

Abstract

The P2 experiment aims at high-precision measurements of the parity-violating asymmetry in elastic electron-proton and electron-12C scatterings with longitudinally polarized electrons. We discuss here the sensitivity of P2 to new physics mediated by an additional neutral gauge boson Z′ of a new U(1)′ gauge symmetry. If the charge assignment of the U(1)′ is chiral, i.e., left- and right-handed fermions have different charges under U(1)′, additional parity-violation is induced directly. On the other hand, if the U(1)′ has a non-chiral charge assignment, additional parity-violation can be induced via mass or kinetic Z-Z′ mixing. By comparing the P2 sensitivity to existing constraints, we show that in both cases P2 has discovery potential over a wide range of Z′ mass. In particular, for chiral models, the P2 experiment can probe gauge couplings at the order of 10−5 when the Z′ boson is light, and heavy Z′ bosons up to 79 (90) TeV in the proton (12C) mode. For non-chiral models with mass mixing, the P2 experiment is sensitive to mass mixing angles smaller than roughly 10−4, depending on model details and gauge coupling magnitude.
Gauged double field theory as an L∞ algebra
Authors: Lescano Eric , Mayo Martín
Published: June 2021

Abstract

L∞ algebras describe the underlying algebraic structure of many consistent classical field theories. In this work we analyze the algebraic structure of Gauged Double Field Theory in the generalized flux formalism. The symmetry transformations consist of a generalized deformed Lie derivative and double Lorentz transformations. We obtain all the non-trivial products in a closed form considering a generalized Kerr-Schild ansatz for the generalized frame and we include a linear perturbation for the generalized dilaton. The off-shell structure can be cast in an L3 algebra and when one considers dynamics the former is exactly promoted to an L4 algebra. The present computations show the fully algebraic structure of the fundamental charged heterotic string and the $$ {L}_3^{\mathrm{gauge}} $$

L
3
gauge

structure of (Bosonic) Enhanced Double Field Theory.
Fast and sensitive method for phosphorus determination in dairy products
Authors: Gliszczyńska-Świgło Anna , Rybicka Iga
Published: June 2021

The spectrophotometric molybdenum blue method for phosphorus determination was adapted to a multiwell plate format. The method was sensitive and allowed for the simultaneous determination of phosphorus in many samples. It was cheap and eco-friendly due to application of small volumes of reagents and, therefore, it meets the requirements for “green” or sustainable chemistry. The method’s limit of detection (LOD) is 0.37 μg/mL and its limit of quantification (LOQ) is 1.13 μg/mL. Its linearity is up to 30 μg of phosphorus/mL. The method was applied for the determination of phosphorus in 65 dairy products (yogurts, yogurt drinks, buttermilks, kefirs and homogenized cheeses) of strawberry, peach, forest fruits, vanilla and other flavours. The phosphorus content was 143–226 mg/100 g in flavoured yogurts, 78–204 mg/100 g in yogurt drinks, 89–218 mg/100 g in kefirs, around 195 mg/100 g in buttermilks, and 165–277 mg/100 g in homogenized cheeses. The presented method can be used in the routine quantitative analysis of the total phosphorus content in dairy products.
Adaptive aspects of impulsivity and interactions with effects of catecholaminergic agents in the 5-choice serial reaction time task: implications for ADHD
Authors: Toschi Chiara , Hervig Mona El-Sayed , Moazen Parisa , Parker Maximilian G. , Dalley Jeffrey W. , Gether Ulrik , Robbins Trevor W.
Published: June 2021

Background

Work in humans has shown that impulsivity can be advantageous in certain settings. However, evidence for so-called functional impulsivity is lacking in experimental animals.

Aims

This study investigated the contexts in which high impulsive (HI) rats show an advantage in performance compared with mid- (MI) and low impulsive (LI) rats. We also assessed the effects of dopaminergic and noradrenergic agents to investigate underlying neurotransmitter mechanisms.

Methods

We tested rats on a variable inter-trial interval (ITI) version of the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT). Rats received systemic injections of methylphenidate (MPH, 1 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg), atomoxetine (ATO, 0.3 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg), amphetamine (AMPH, 0.2 mg/kg), the alpha-2a adrenoceptor antagonist atipamezole (ATI, 0.3 mg/kg) and the alpha-1 adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine (PHEN, 1 mg/kg) prior to behavioural testing.

Results

Unlike LI rats, HI rats exhibited superior performance, earning more reinforcers, on short ITI trials, when the task required rapid responding. MPH, AMPH and ATI improved performance on short ITI trials and increased impulsivity in long ITI trials, recapitulating the behavioural profile of HI. In contrast, ATO and PHEN impaired performance on short ITI trials and decreased impulsivity, thus mimicking the behavioural profile of LI rats. The effects of ATO were greater on MI rats and LI rats.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that impulsivity can be advantageous when rapid focusing and actions are required, an effect that may depend on increased dopamine neurotransmission. Conversely, activation of the noradrenergic system, with ATO and PHEN, led to a general inhibition of responding.
Correction to: Cortical activation abnormalities in bipolar and schizophrenia patients in a combined oddball–incongruence paradigm
Authors: Rauer Lisa , Trost Sarah , Petrovic Aleksandra , Gruber Oliver
Published: June 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-021-01276-6
SPINE20 A global advocacy group promoting evidence-based spine care of value
Authors: AlEissa Sami I. , Tamai Koji , Konbaz Faisal , Alturkistany Ahmed , Blattert Thomas R. , Chhabra Harvinder S. , Costanzo Giuseppe , Dohring Edward J. , Kandziora Frank , Kothe Ralph , Misaggi Bernardo , Muehlbauer Eric J. , Pereira Paulo , Rajasekaran Shanmuganathan , Sullivan William J. , Truumees Eeric , Alqahtani Yahya , Alsobayel Hana I. , Franke Joerg , Teli Marco G. A. , Wang Jeffrey C. , Al-Hazzaa Hazzaa M. , Alosaimi Majed Nasser , Berven Sigurd , Brayda-Bruno Marco , Briggs Andrew M. , Busari Jamiu O. , Caserta Antonello-Valerio , Côté Pierre , Crostelli Marco , Fehlings Michael G. , Gunzburg Robert , Haddadin Sami , Ihm Joseph , Hilibrand Alan S. , Luca Andrea , Osvaldo Mazza , Pigott Tim , Rothenfluh Dominique A. , Ruosi Carlo , Salmi Louis-Rachid , Shetty Ajoy P. , Singh Kern , Vaccaro Alexander R. , Wong David A. , Zileli Mehmet , Nordin Margareta
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) Studies have estimated that low back pain is one of the costliest ailments worldwide. Subsequent to GBD publications, leadership of the four largest global spine societies agreed to form SPINE20. This article introduces the concept of SPINE20, the recommendations, and the future of this global advocacy group linked to G20 annual summits.

Methods

The founders of SPINE20 advocacy group coordinated with G20 Saudi Arabia to conduct the SPINE20 summit in 2020. The summit was intended to promote evidence-based recommendations to use the most reliable information from high-level research. Eight areas of importance to mitigate spine disorders were identified through a voting process of the participating societies. Twelve recommendations were discussed and vetted.

Results

The areas of immediate concern were “Aging spine,” “Future of spine care,” “Spinal cord injuries,” “Children and adolescent spine,” “Spine-related disability,” “Spine Educational Standards,” “Patient safety,” and “Burden on economy.” Twelve recommendations were created and endorsed by 31/33 spine societies and 2 journals globally during a vetted process through the SPINE20.org website and during the virtual inaugural meeting November 10–11, 2020 held from the G20 platform.

Conclusions

This is the first time that international spine societies have joined to support actions to mitigate the burden of spine disorders across the globe. SPINE20 seeks to change awareness and treatment of spine pain by supporting local projects that implement value-based practices with healthcare policies that are culturally sensitive based on scientific evidence.
Free amino acid contents of selected Ethiopian plant and fungi species: a search for alternative natural free amino acid sources for cosmeceutical applications
Authors: Kahsay Birhanu Nigusse , Ziegler Jörg , Imming Peter , Gebre-Mariam Tsige , Neubert Reinhard H. H. , Moeller Lucie
Published: June 2021

Free amino acids (FAAs), the major constituents of the natural moisturizing factor (NMF), are very important for maintaining the moisture balance of human skin and their deficiency results in dry skin conditions. There is a great interest in the identification and use of nature-based sources of these molecules for such cosmeceutical applications. The objective of the present study was, therefore, to investigate the FAA contents of selected Ethiopian plant and fungi species; and select the best sources so as to use them for the stated purpose. About 59 different plant species and oyster mushroom were included in the study and the concentrations of 27 FAAs were analyzed. Each sample was collected, lyophilized, extracted using aqueous solvent, derivatized with Fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl chloride (Fmoc-Cl) prior to solid-phase extraction and quantified using Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometric (LC-ESI–MS/MS) system. All the 27 FAAs were detected in most of the samples. The dominant FAAs that are part of the NMF were found at sufficiently high concentration in the mushroom and some of the plants. This indicates that FAAs that could be included in the preparations for the management of dry skin condition can be obtained from a single natural resource and the use of these resources for the specified purpose have both economic and therapeutic advantage in addition to fulfilling customer needs.
Pivotal Response Treatment with and without robot-assistance for children with autism: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: van den Berk-Smeekens Iris , de Korte Manon W. P. , van Dongen-Boomsma Martine , Oosterling Iris J. , den Boer Jenny C. , Barakova Emilia I. , Lourens Tino , Glennon Jeffrey C. , Staal Wouter G. , Buitelaar Jan K.
Published: June 2021

Pivotal response treatment (PRT) is a promising intervention focused on improving social communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Since robots potentially appeal to children with ASD and may contribute to their motivation for social interaction, this exploratory randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted comparing PRT (PRT and robot-assisted PRT) with treatment-as-usual (TAU). Seventy-three children (PRT: n = 25; PRT + robot: n = 25; TAU: n = 23) with ASD, aged 3–8 years were assessed at baseline, after 10 and 20 weeks of intervention, and at 3-month follow-up. There were no significant group differences on parent- and teacher-rated general social-communicative skills and blindly rated global functioning directly after treatment. However, at follow-up largest gains were observed in robot-assisted PRT compared to other groups. These results suggest that robot-assistance may contribute to intervention efficacy for children with ASD when using game scenarios for robot-child interaction during multiple sessions combined with motivational components of PRT. This trial is registered at https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/4487; NL4487/NTR4712 (2014-08-01).
Value-based pricing for advanced therapy medicinal products: emerging affordability solutions
Authors: Gonçalves Elisabete
Published: June 2021

The emergence of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), a disruptive class of health technologies, is generating important challenges in terms of value assessment and their high prices introduce critical access and affordability concerns. The aim of this article is to analyze the challenges of traditional value assessment and price and reimbursement methods in the evaluation of ATMPs and to characterize the current and prospective financing solutions that may ensure patient access and affordability for these health technologies. Standard Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is not designed for ATMPs, and may delay access to these health technologies, thus a broader concept of value is required. As a consequence, value-based pricing methodologies have been gaining terrain to cope with the specific challenges of ATMPs. The pricing and reimbursement framework should ensure the balance between encouragements to innovation and maximization of value for money for payers, through the attribution of a fair price to new health technologies. Early scientific advice by regulatory and HTA bodies to developers is key, as it will contribute to diminish the perspective gap between developers, regulators and payers. The high efficacy/high price dynamic of many advanced therapies will demand novel financing models, both in the EU and US. Managed entry agreements (MEA), with financing being conditional to the submission of additional evidence, associated with methods of leased payments, may offer effective strategies to address the uncertainties caused by the evidence gap associated with ATMPs, ensuring affordable and sustained access.