bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantum‐phase transitions in 1D Heisenberg spin systems
Authors: Cheranovskii Vladyslav O. , Slavin Viktor V. , Klein Douglas J.
Published: October 2020

Focusing on novel highly correlated low‐dimensional systems, we investigate a class of quasione‐dimensional systems with an even number of spin‐½ sites per unit cell, for which we find, here, that it does not give a gap in the exact excitation spectrum. The unit cells of these systems are formed by two different structural units, each with an odd number of sites. We find the instability of these systems against the regular oscillations of the interactions between structural units and estimate numerically the corresponding critical exponents for the ground‐state energies. In contrast to the well‐known spin‐Peierls instability, this type of structural instability does not change the symmetry of the above systems. We also present a class of disordered one‐dimensional spin systems formed by different types of structural units with odd numbers of spins to demonstrate a critical behavior similar to a homogeneous spin‐½ chain in the limit of weak interactions between structural units.
Stretch‐Thinking Loops: A New Technique for Scenario Planning
Authors: Brooks Benjamin , Curnin Steven
Published: October 2020

In crisis management, scenario planning is a necessity in our volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world. Strategic planners need to be able to imagine future environments even in the most uncertain conditions. The scale of potential scenarios and associated management suggests that those involved will require innovative planning techniques. To support innovation in strategic planning, we have combined the research on creativity, divergent thinking, and creative constraints to design a method called “Stretch‐Thinking Loops.” This technique uses iterative thinking approaches that identify broad scenarios, the likely consequences, and the potential constraints, and then uses this information to identify new opportunities and innovations to support scenario planning. We report on the development of this technique in the context of crisis management and its application in a collaborative project with an Australian State Government that explored a series of post‐COVID‐19 recovery scenarios for a 12‐month time horizon. The proposed Stretch‐Thinking Loops are not just limited to crisis management but offer all organizations a structured method to enhance their capability to engage in divergent‐thinking for future scenario planning.
Social and environmental development: Fresh concepts and soft measures towards sustainable development
Authors: Farooq Qamar , Hao Jie , Liu Xuan , Xiao Di , Hao Yunhong
Published: October 2020

With the incremental growth in overall world population, environmental related aftermaths of industrial development are becoming challenges for sustainability. In social perspective, poverty eradication is still the biggest global need which is an indispensable prerequisite for sustainable development (SD). As a solution, business organizations in various industries need to do the efforts with zero‐sum competition for a trailblazing initiative of SD in context of social and environmental protection. Based on triple bottom line theory, this paper introduces the terminologies of social and environmental collective protection (SECP) and social and environmental collective development (SECD) by answering the research question as how the nonprofit orientation can be promoted and sustained within the for‐profit businesses. Using textual analytical approach, this research achieves the main objective to highlight the impact of mutual corporate initiatives as a business strategy on social and environmental sustainability. This article finds that social and environmental development depends upon social and environmental protection when it is measured in terms of collective SD goals. In addition to initiating the new terminologies contributing to the literature of SD measures for society and environment, this paper has practical implications for United Nations (UN) for their 2030 vision of social development for SD. Utilization of this paper is not limited till 2030 because it is expected that a broad range of researchers will use our described concepts for scholarly discussions and future empirical studies.
Spectroscopic ellipsometry of SU‐8 photoresist from 190 to 1680 nm (0.740–6.50 eV)
Authors: Major George H. , Chapman Sean C. , Chapman Jeffrey T. , Wheeler Joshua I. , Chatterjee Shiladitya , Cushman Cody V. , Ess Daniel H. , Linford Matthew R.
Published: October 2020

SU‐8 is an important, epoxy‐based, negative photoresist that can create high aspect ratio features. Spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) is a nondestructive analytical technique that can be performed in the open air. In this study, reflection and transmission SE measurement data were combined to model the optical function of SU‐8 photoresist. The data were fit using three different models: (i) a B‐spline model, (ii) a four‐Gaussian oscillator model with an ultraviolet (UV) and an infrared (IR) pole, and (iii) a Cody–Lorentz model with three additional Gaussian oscillators. All three models successfully fit the data, where the B‐spline model showed the lowest mean squared error. In situ SE data were also collected and fitted to follow possible changes in the optical properties of the SU‐8 during its development. Time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) modeling of a complete SU‐8 monomer is qualitatively and quantitatively consistent with the measured optical function.
Early phase dose‐finding trials in virology
Authors: Dehbi Hakim‐Moulay , Lowe David M. , O'Quigley John
Published: October 2020

Little has been published in terms of dose‐finding methodology in virology. Aside from a few papers focusing on HIV, the considerable progress in dose‐finding methodology of the last 25 years has focused almost entirely on oncology. While adverse reactions to cytotoxic drugs may be life threatening, for anti‐viral agents we anticipate something different: side effects that provoke the cessation of treatment. This would correspond to treatment failure. On the other hand, success would not be yes/no but would correspond to a range of responses, from small, no more than say 20% reduction in viral load to the complete elimination of the virus. Less than total success matters since this may allow the patient to achieve immune‐mediated clearance. The motivation for this article is an upcoming dose‐finding trial in chronic norovirus infection. We propose a novel methodology whose goal is twofold: first, to identify the dose that provides the most favorable distribution of treatment outcomes, and, second, to do this in a way that maximizes the treatment benefit for the patients included in the study.
Graphene Oxide Thin Films: Synthesis and Optical Characterization
Authors: Prías Barragán J. J. , Gross K. , Darío Perea José , Killilea Niall , Heiss Wolfgang , Brabec Christoph J. , Calderón H. Ariza , Prieto Pedro
Published: October 2020

The oxidized derivative of graphene named Graphene oxide (GO) are attractive materials as optoelectronic devices due to their optical response in the mid‐infrared wavelength spectral range; however, very large‐scaled synthesis methods and optical characterization are required. Here, GO thin films are fabricated on quartz by implementing simple two‐step pyrolysis processes by using renewable bamboo as source material. The effect of carbonization temperature (TCA) on the compositional, vibrational, and optoelectronic properties of the system are investigated. It was found that as TCA increases, graphite conversion rises, oxygen coverage reduces from 17 % to 4 %, and the band‐gap energy monotonically decreases from 0.30 to 0.11 eV. Theoretical predictions of the energy band‐gap variations with the oxide coverage obtained via density functional theory (DFT) computational simulations agree well with the experimental results, providing evidence of oxygen‐mediated charge‐transport scattering. Interestingly, in the optical response, increased TCA results in a blue‐shift of the absorption and the absorbance spectrum can be correlated with the large size distribution of the graphitic nano‐crystals of the samples. These results suggest that graphene oxide‐bamboo pyroligneous acid (GO) thin films exhibit optoelectronic response useful in developing photodetectors and emitter devices in the mid‐infrared (MIR) spectral range.
Recent Progress on Carbon Nitride and Its Hybrid Photocatalysts for CO2 Reduction
Authors: Liang Jianli , Jiang Zhifeng , Wong Po Keung , Lee Chun-Sing
Published: October 2020

Graphitic carbon nitride as a novel photocatalyst for CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) has attracted many recent efforts on the synthesis and modification for improving efficiency and selectivity. Herein, an overview of fundamental factors and the latest research progress of g‐C3N4‐based photocatalysts for CO2RR is provided. The main strategies of fabrication and modification to obtain g‐C3N4 and g‐C3N4‐based composites with high CO2RR efficiency are summarized. Working mechanisms of each enhancement approach in terms of their effects on electronic band structures, light‐harvesting capability, CO2 adsorption capacity, separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs etc. are explained and discussed. Finally, a brief overview on the challenges and new directions in this field is proposed.
Evaluating system architectures for driving range estimation and charge planning for electric vehicles
Authors: Thorgeirsson Adam Thor , Vaillant Moritz , Scheubner Stefan , Gauterin Frank
Published: October 2020

Due to sparse charging infrastructure and short driving ranges, drivers of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) can experience range anxiety, which is the fear of stranding with an empty battery. To help eliminate range anxiety and make BEVs more attractive for customers, accurate range estimation methods need to be developed. In recent years, many publications have suggested machine learning algorithms as a fitting method to achieve accurate range estimations. However, these algorithms use a large amount of data and have high computational requirements. A traditional placement of the software within a vehicle's electronic control unit could lead to high latencies and thus detrimental to user experience. But since modern vehicles are connected to a backend, where software modules can be implemented, high latencies can be prevented with intelligent distribution of the algorithm parts. On the other hand, communication between vehicle and backend can be slow or expensive. In this article, an intelligent deployment of a range estimation software based on ML is analyzed. We model hardware and software to enable performance evaluation in early stages of the development process. Based on simulations, different system architectures and module placements are then analyzed in terms of latency, network usage, energy usage, and cost. We show that a distributed system with cloud‐based module placement reduces the end‐to‐end latency significantly, when compared with a traditional vehicle‐based placement. Furthermore, we show that network usage is significantly reduced. This intelligent system enables the application of complex, but accurate range estimation with low latencies, resulting in an improved user experience, which enhances the practicality and acceptance of BEVs.
Seismic behavior of precast concrete beam‐column connections with bolt connectors in columns
Authors: Xue Weichen , Bai Haoyang , Dai Lingjie , Hu Xiang , Dubec Miroslav
Published: October 2020

This article investigated four concrete beam‐column connections experimentally, including an interior precast specimen, an exterior precast specimen and two corresponding cast‐in‐place (CIP) specimens. Longitudinal rebars of precast columns were connected by embedded bolt connectors, while longitudinal rebars of precast beams were welded in CIP core areas. These full‐scale beam‐column connections with axial compression ratio 0.5 were tested under reversed cyclic loading to estimate seismic behavior. The results revealed that failure pattern of all specimens was flexural failure which occurred at beam ends near column face. No obvious damage took place in core areas and columns. The hysteresis curves of all specimens were relatively plump, showing relatively good energy dissipation capacity. The difference of bearing capacity between precast specimens and corresponding CIP specimens was not greater than 5%. Displacement ductility of the interior and exterior precast specimens was 3.17 and 2.70, which was about 5.4% lower and 3.4% higher than that of corresponding CIP specimens, respectively. A degenerated four‐linear restoring force model was proposed for the precast beam‐column connections with bolt connectors in columns.
Targeted and untargeted detection of fentanyl analogues and their metabolites in hair by means of UHPLC-QTOF-HRMS
Authors: Salomone Alberto , Di Corcia Daniele , Negri Pierre , Kolia Maria , Amante Eleonora , Gerace Enrico , Vincenti Marco
Published: October 2020

Detection of new psychoactive substances and synthetic opioids is generally performed by means of targeted methods in mass spectrometry, as they generally provide adequate sensitivity and specificity. Unfortunately, new and unexpected compounds are continuously introduced in the illegal market of abused drugs, preventing timely updating of the analytical procedures. Moreover, the investigation of biological matrices is influenced by metabolism and excretion, in turn affecting the chance of past intake detectability. In this scenario, new opportunities are offered by both the non-targeted approaches allowed by modern UHPLC-HRMS instrumentation and the investigation of hair as the matrix of choice to detect long-term exposure to toxicologically relevant substances. In this study, we present a comprehensive and validated workflow that combines the use of UHPLC-QTOF-HRMS instrumentation with a simple hair sample extraction procedure for the detection of a variety of fentanyl analogues and metabolites. A simultaneous targeted and untargeted analysis was applied to 100 real samples taken from opiates users. MS and MS/MS data were collected for each sample. Data acquisition included a TOF-MS high-resolution scan combined with TOF-MS/MS acquisition demonstrating considerable capability to detect expected and unexpected substances even at low concentration levels. The predominant diffusion of fentanyl was confirmed by its detection in 68 hair samples. Other prevalent analogues were furanylfentanyl (28 positive samples) and acetylfentanyl (14 positive samples). Carfentanil, methylfentanyl, and ocfentanil were not found in any of the analyzed samples. Furthermore, the retrospective data analysis based on untargeted acquisition allowed the identification of two fentanyl analogues, namely β-hydroxyfentanyl and methoxyacetylfentanyl, which were not originally included in the panel of targeted analytes.
EANM position paper on article 56 of the Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom (basic safety standards) for nuclear medicine therapy
Authors: Konijnenberg Mark , Herrmann Ken , Kobe Carsten , Verburg Frederik , Hindorf Cecilia , Hustinx Roland , Lassmann Michael
Published: October 2020

Executive Summary

The EC Directive 2013/59/Euratom states in article 56 that exposures of target volumes in nuclear medicine treatments shall be individually planned and their delivery appropriately verified. The Directive also mentions that medical physics experts should always be appropriately involved in those treatments. Although it is obvious that, in nuclear medicine practice, every nuclear medicine physician and physicist should follow national rules and legislation, the EANM considered it necessary to provide guidance on how to interpret the Directive statements for nuclear medicine treatments.

For this purpose, the EANM proposes to distinguish three levels in compliance to the optimization principle in the directive, inspired by the indication of levels in prescribing, recording and reporting of absorbed doses after radiotherapy defined by the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU):

Most nuclear medicine treatments currently applied in Europe are standardized. The minimum requirement for those treatments is ICRU level 1 (“activity-based prescription and patient-averaged dosimetry”), which is defined by administering the activity within 10% of the intended activity, typically according to the package insert or to the respective EANM guidelines, followed by verification of the therapy delivery, if applicable.

Non-standardized treatments are essentially those in developmental phase or approved radiopharmaceuticals being used off-label with significantly (> 25% more than in the label) higher activities. These treatments should comply with ICRU level 2 (“activity-based prescription and patient-specific dosimetry”), which implies recording and reporting of the absorbed dose to organs at risk and optionally the absorbed dose to treatment regions.

The EANM strongly encourages to foster research that eventually leads to treatment planning according to ICRU level 3 (“dosimetry-guided patient-specific prescription and verification”), whenever possible and relevant.

Evidence for superiority of therapy prescription on basis of patient-specific dosimetry has not been obtained. However, the authors believe that a better understanding of therapy dosimetry, i.e. how much and where the energy is delivered, and radiobiology, i.e. radiation-related processes in tissues, are keys to the long-term improvement of our treatments.
Differences in men and women suffering from CRSwNP and AERD in quality of life
Authors: Bartosik Tina J. , Liu David T. , Campion Nicholas J. , Villazala-Merino Sergio , Janik Stefan , Dahm Valerie , Mueller Christian A. , Vyskocil Erich , Stanek Victoria , Quint Tamara , Bangert Christine , Eckl-Dorna Julia , Schneider Sven
Published: October 2020

Purpose

While the overall impact of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) on patients’ health is diverse, many affected individuals have a substantially impaired quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of sex-associated differences specifically in the subgroups of CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) by assessing QoL parameters in women and men separately.

Methods

In a retrospective single-center study, 59 patients with CRSwNP (39 males and 20 females) and 46 patients with AERD (18 males and 28 females) were included. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) evaluating QoL via the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20 German Adapted Version (SNOT-20 GAV) as well as the total polyp score (TPS) were analysed.

Results

There was no significant difference in TPS (p = 0.5550) and total SNOT-20 GAV scores (p = 0.0726) between male or female patients with CRSwNP or AERD. Furthermore, no significant sex differences were found within disease groups regarding the subcategories of the SNOT-20 GAV items.

Conclusion

Thus, quality of life is severely impaired in patients suffering from various forms of CRS regardless of their sex.
Cryptosporidium parvum, Cryptosporidium ryanae, and Cryptosporidium bovis in samples from calves in Austria
Authors: Lichtmannsperger Katharina , Harl Josef , Freudenthaler Katharina , Hinney Barbara , Wittek Thomas , Joachim Anja
Published: October 2020

Fecal samples of 177 calves of up to 180 days of age with diarrhea from 70 farms in Austria were examined to obtain information on the occurrence of Cryptosporidium species. Initially, all samples were examined by phase-contrast microscopy. Cryptosporidium-positive samples (55.4%; n = 98) were screened by gp60 PCR, resulting in 68.4% (n = 67) C. parvum–positive samples. The remaining 31 gp60-PCR-negative and the phase-contrast microscopy negative samples (n = 79) were screened by PCR targeting a 700 bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Sequencing of the PCR products revealed the presence of C. parvum (n = 69), C. ryanae (n = 11), and C. bovis (n = 7). The latter two species have never been described in Austria. C. parvum–positive samples were genotyped at the gp60 gene locus, featuring four subtypes (IIaA15G2R1, IIaA21G2R1, IIaA19G2R1, IIaA14G1R1). The most frequently detected subtype IIaA15G2R1 (n = 52) was present in calves from 30 different farms. IIaA14G1R1 (n = 5) occurred on a single farm, subtype IIaA21G2R1 (n = 4) on two farms, and subtype IIaA19G2R1 (n = 4) on three farms. The results confirm the widespread occurrence of zoonotic C. parvum in diarrheic calves.
Eine Bestandsaufnahme zur Klimakrise inmitten der COVID-19-Pandemie
Authors: Rieder Harald E.
Published: October 2020

Die atmosphärische Konzentration gutgemischter Treibhausgase ist seit 1850 drastisch angestiegen. Hauptursache hierfür ist menschliches Handeln, vor allem die Verbrennung fossiler Energieträger. Die Auswirkung dieser Veränderung der chemischen Zusammensetzung der Erdatmosphäre ist ein positiver Strahlungsantrieb, welcher sich letztendlich in der beobachteten Erderwärmung manifestiert. Die globale Mitteltemperatur hat seit der vorindustriellen Zeit um ca. 1,0 °C zugenommen und bei fortschreitender Emission von Treibhausgasen auf heutigem Niveau droht eine Temperaturzunahme bis 2100 von 3,7 °C bis 4,8 °C über dem Durchschnitt von 1850–1900. Ein derartiger Temperaturanstieg wäre mit fatalen Folgen für viele Ökosysteme und auch uns Menschen verbunden, wie die Sachstandsberichte des Weltklimarats dies eindrücklich darlegen. Aus diesem Grund wurde auf der Pariser-Klimakonferenz beschlossen, die globale Erwärmung auf unter 2 °C, idealerweise auf 1,5 °C gegenüber dem vorindustriellen Niveau zu begrenzen. Um dieses Ziel zu erreichen, sind rasche und drastische Emissionsreduktionen hin zu Netto-Null-Emission spätestens bis 2050 erforderlich. Ein Blick auf die Entwicklung der globalen Treibhausgasemissionen der letzten Jahre und Jahrzehnte zeigt deutlich, wie weit wir von diesem Ziel entfernt sind, steigen die globalen Emissionen doch immer noch an. Auch die im Rahmen der Pariser Klimaziele zugesagten nationalen Emissionsreduktionen sind auf momentanem Stand nicht ausreichend, um das 1,5-°C-Ziel zu erreichen. Es ist nun höchste Zeit, die Anstrengungen deutlich zu erhöhen. Noch ist die Erreichung des 1,5-°C-Ziels möglich, die Zeit, um die erforderlichen Maßnahmen zur Emissionsminderung zu setzen, läuft aber binnen dieses Jahrzehnts ab.
Bremst die Doppik öffentliche Investitionen? Ergebnisse aus drei aktuellen Evaluationsstudien
Authors: Christofzik Désirée I. , Dorn Florian , Gäbler Stefanie , Raffer Christian , Rösel Felix
Published: October 2020

Internationale Organisationen empfehlen nachdrücklich, öffentliche Haushalte von der klassischen kameralen Buchführung auf die doppelte Buchführung (Doppik) umzustellen. Doppische Haushalte sollen den Wertverzehr der öffentlichen Infrastruktur offenlegen und die implizite Verschuldung sichtbar machen. Drei unabhängig voneinander entstandene Studien haben die Wirkung der Doppik am Beispiel deutscher Kommunen evaluiert und kommen zu teils überraschenden Ergebnissen. Doppisch buchende Kommunen veräußern zwar wie erwartet weniger öffentliches Vermögen, sie investieren aber tendenziell auch weniger in neues Vermögen. Diese empirischen Ergebnisse nähren Zweifel, ob die doppelte Buchführung tatsächlich nachhaltigere Haushaltsentscheidungen fördert.
Request of hospital care dropped for TIA but remained stable for stroke during COVID-19 pandemic at a large Italian university hospital
Authors: Balestrino Maurizio , Coccia Alberto , Boffa Alessandra Silvia , Furgani Andrea , Bermano Francesco , Finocchi Cinzia , Bandettini di Poggio Monica Laura , Malfatto Laura , Farinini Daniele , Schenone Angelo
Published: October 2020

Reduced incidence of stroke during COVID-19 pandemic was sometimes reported. While decrease in stroke incidence and fear of patients to go to the hospitals were sometimes invoked to explain this decrease, reduction in urban pollution was also hypothesized as a possible cause. We investigated statistically the incidence of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, and of transient ischemic attacks, at a large Italian tertiary stroke center during the pandemic. We analyzed statistically the number of transient ischemic attacks (TIA), ischemic strokes (IS) and hemorrhagic strokes (HS) between March 8 and May 2, 2020, the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy, and compared them with the identical period of 2019. We also analyzed the concentration of small particulate matter (PM10) in 2019 and 2020, to see if it could account for modified incidence of strokes or TIA. We found a large, significant drop in TIA (− 51%) during the pandemic compared to the same period of 2019. By contrast, the number of HS was identical, and IS showed a not significant − 24% decrease. PM10 concentration, already low in 2019, did not further decrease in 2020. Patients kept seeking hospital care when experiencing permanent neurological symptoms (stroke), but they tended not go to the hospital when their symptoms were transient (TIA). The fact that we did not observe a significant decrease in strokes may be explained by the fact that in our city the concentration of small particulate matter did not change compared to 2019.
The ketogenic diet corrects metabolic hypogonadism and preserves pancreatic ß-cell function in overweight/obese men: a single-arm uncontrolled study
Authors: La Vignera Sandro , Cannarella Rossella , Galvano Fabio , Grillo Agata , Aversa Antonio , Cimino Laura , Magagnini Cristina M. , Mongioì Laura M. , Condorelli Rosita A. , Calogero Aldo E.
Published: October 2020

Background

Overweight and obesity are increasingly spread in our society. Low testosterone levels are often present in these patients, the so-called metabolic hypogonadism, that further alters the metabolic balance in a sort of vicious cycle. Very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD) has been reported to efficiently reduce body weight, glycaemia, and the serum levels of insulin, glycated hemoglobin, but its effects on β-cell function and total testosterone (TT) levels are less clear.

Aim

To evaluate the effects of VLCKD on markers suggested to be predictive of β-cell dysfunction development, such as proinsulin or proinsulin/insulin ratio, and on TT values in a cohort of overweight or obese nondiabetic male patients with metabolic hypogonadism.

Methods

Patients with overweight or obesity and metabolic hypogonadism underwent to VLCKD for 12 weeks. Anthropometric parameters, blood testing for the measurement of glycaemia, insulin, C-peptide, proinsulin, TT, calculation of body-mass index (BMI), and HOMA index were performed before VLCKD and after 12 weeks.

Results

Twenty patients (mean age 49.3 ± 5.2 years) were enrolled. At enrollement all patients presented increased insulin, HOMA index, C-peptide, and proinsulin levels, whereas the proinsulin/insulin ratio was within the normal values. After VLCKD treatment, body weight and BMI significantly decreased, and 14.9 ± 3.9% loss of the initial body weight was achieved. Glycaemia, insulin, HOMA index, C-peptide, and proinsulin significantly decreased compared to pre-VLCKD levels. Serum glycaemia, insulin, C-peptide, and proinsulin levels returned within the normal range in all patients. No difference in the proinsulin/insulin ratio was observed after VLCKD treatment. A mean increase of 218.1 ± 53.9% in serum TT levels was achieved and none of the patients showed TT values falling in the hypogonadal range at the end of the VLCKD treatment.

Conclusions

This is the first study that evaluated the effects of VLCKD on proinsulin, proinsulin/insulin ratio, and TT levels. VLCKD could be safely used to improve β-cell secretory function and insulin-sensitivity, and to rescue overweight and obese patients from β-cell failure and metabolic hypogonadism.
Phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids: different in nature
Authors: Maccarrone Mauro
Published: October 2020

Cannabis is one of the earliest cultivated plants, of which Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica are the most widespread and best characterized species. Their extracts contain (phyto)cannabinoids (pCBs) of therapeutic interest, such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, along with many other compounds, so that there is no “one cannabis” but several mixtures even from the same plant. This complexity is mirrored, or even exceeded, by the complexity of the molecular targets that pCBs find in our body, most of which belong to the so-called “endocannabinoid (eCB) system”. Here, we describe the major pCBs and the main components of the eCB system to appreciate their differences and mutual interactions, as well as the potential of using pCB/eCB-based drugs as novel therapeutics to treat human diseases, both in the central nervous system and at the periphery. Moreover, we address the question of the evolution of pCBs and eCBs, showing that the latter compounds were the first to appear in nature, and that the former substances took a few million years to mimic the three-dimensional structures of the latter, and hence their biological activity in our body.

Graphic abstract
Implicit Attitudes Towards Robots Predict Explicit Attitudes, Semantic Distance Between Robots and Humans, Anthropomorphism, and Prosocial Behavior: From Attitudes to Human–Robot Interaction
Authors: Spatola Nicolas , Wudarczyk Olga A.
Published: October 2020

How people behave towards others relies, to a large extent, on the prior attitudes that they hold towards them. In Human–Robot Interactions, individual attitudes towards robots have mostly been investigated via explicit reports that can be biased by various conscious processes. In the present study, we introduce an implicit measure of attitudes towards robots. The task utilizes the measure of semantic priming to evaluate whether participants consider humans and robots as similar or different. Our results demonstrate a link between implicit semantic distance between humans and robots and explicit attitudes towards robots, explicit semantic distance between robots and humans, perceived robot anthropomorphism, and pro/anti-social behavior towards a robot in a real life, interactive scenario. Specifically, attenuated semantic distance between humans and robots in the implicit task predicted more positive explicit attitudes towards robots, attenuated explicit semantic distance between humans and robots, attribution of an anthropomorphic characteristic, and consequently a future prosocial behavior towards a robot. Crucially, the implicit measure of attitudes towards robots (implicit semantic distance) was a better predictor of a future behavior towards the robot than explicit measure of attitudes towards robots (self-reported attitudes). Cumulatively, the current results emphasize a new approach to measure implicit attitudes towards robots, and offer a starting point for further investigations of implicit processing of robots.
Reducing the harmful effects of noise on the human environment. Sound insulation of industrial skeleton enclosures in the 10–40 kHz frequency range
Authors: Mikulski Witold
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the research is to work out a method for determining the sound insulation of acoustic enclosures for industrial sources emitting noise in the frequency range of 10–40 kHz and apply the method to measure the sound insulation of acoustic enclosures build of different materials.

Methods

The method is developed by appropriate adaptation of techniques applicable currently for sound frequencies of up to 10 kHz. The sound insulation of example enclosures is determined with the use of this newly developed method.

Results

The research results indicate that enclosures (made of polycarbonate, plexiglass, sheet aluminium, sheet steel, plywood, and composite materials) enable reducing the sound pressure level in the environment for the frequency of 10 kHz by 19–25 dB with the reduction increasing to 40–48 dB for the frequency of 40 Hz. The sound insulation of acoustic enclosures with a sound-absorbing material inside reaches about 38 dB for the frequency of 10 kHz and about 63 dB for the frequency of 40 kHz.

Conclusion

Some pieces of equipment installed in the work environment are sources of noise emitted in the 10–40 kHz frequency range with the intensity which can be high enough to be harmful to humans. The most effective technical reduction of the associated risks are acoustic enclosures for such noise sources. The sound pressure level reduction obtained after provision of an enclosure depends on its design (shape, size, material, and thickness of walls) and the noise source frequency spectrum. Realistically available noise reduction values may exceed 60 dB.
Validation of the Perform-FES: a new fear of falling scale for hospitalized geriatric patients
Authors: Ferrer Soler Cecilia , Cuvelier Clémence , Hars Mélany , Herrmann François R. , Charpiot Adrienne , Ducharne Wieczorkiewicz Catherine , Bruyère Olivier , Beaudart Charlotte , Zekry Dina , Gold Gabriel , Trombetti Andrea
Published: October 2020

Background

Fear of falling is highly prevalent in older adults and associated with numerous negative health events. The main objective of this study was to validate a scale to assess fear of falling, based on performance in real situation (Perform-FES), in a hospitalized geriatric population.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 55 patients (mean age: 85.3 years; 58% women) hospitalized in a geriatric hospital in Geneva (Switzerland) were enrolled. The Perform-FES scale was administered to all patients in conjunction with four other fear of falling scales. We determined the floor and ceiling effects, internal consistency, reliability, construct validity, and discriminative power of the Perform-FES scale.

Results

The Perform-FES scale did not demonstrate any significant floor or ceiling effect. It had a good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.78) and an excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.94). Regarding convergent validity, good correlations were shown between the score obtained on the Perform-FES scale and those obtained on other fear of falling scales. Also, the Perform-FES scale was able to discriminate patients with severe functional impairments (area under the ROC curve = 0.81) and had significantly better discriminating performance than other fear of falling scales.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that the Perform-FES scale has good psychometric properties and may be a relevant tool to assess fear of falling in a geriatric hospitalized population. Future research should focus in particular on assessing the sensitivity to change and the predictive value of this scale in longitudinal studies, and its validity in other populations.
A simple PCR-based approach for rapid detection of Ips typographus and Ips duplicatus in the presence of (associated) symbionts and parasites
Authors: Becker Matthias , König Stephan , Hoppe Björn
Published: October 2020

In plant pest diagnosis, Sanger sequencing of marker genes (DNA-barcoding) is the most applied and appropriate method for the identification of insects. Standard PM7/129 of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) includes a number of primers and PCR protocols for diagnosing insect pests. LCO1490 and HCO2198 primers recommended herein were shown to be excellent tools for amplifying a fragment of the COI gene from a vast range of arthropods. The COI barcoding region is available for thousands of arthropod taxa in public databases and ready-to-use for evolutionary studies. However, we found that LCO1490 and HCO2198 primers are not working for bark beetles of genus Ips. The attempt to amplify this gene fragment from an individual organism using the barcoding primers led to DNA amplification of associated wasps and nematodes, which were apparently vectored by the beetle. Thus, new primers for Ips that bind specifically to another (non-barcoding) region of the COI gene were developed in the past years. These primers were successfully applied in phylogenetic analyses of this genus, resulting in the adverse effect that COI-based Ips phylogenies cannot be expanded to higher systematic categories without sequencing the outgroups (as they are not available in databases yet). Here we provide new primers for Ips that differ significantly from DNA sequences of Ips-associated wasps and nematodes and bind to a COI fragment that largely overlaps with the barcoding region proposed in the EPPO standard. Furthermore, using these primers we developed a quick PCR-based test for detecting Ips duplicatus, a quarantine pest currently emerging in many European countries.
Enriching CBT by Neuroscience: Novel Avenues to Achieve Personalized Treatments
Authors: Månsson Kristoffer N T , Lueken Ulrike , Frick Andreas
Published: October 2020

Although cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an established and efficient treatment for a variety of common mental disorders, a considerable number of patients do not respond to treatment or relapse after successful CBT. Recent findings and approaches from neuroscience could pave the way for clinical developments to enhance the outcome of CBT. Herein, we will present how neuroscience can offer novel perspectives to better understand (a) the biological underpinnings of CBT, (b) how we can enrich CBT with neuroscience-informed techniques (augmentation of CBT), and (c) why some patients may respond better to CBT than others (predictors of therapy outcomes), thus paving the way for more personalized and effective treatments. We will introduce some key topics and describe a selection of findings from CBT-related research using tools from neuroscience, with the hope that this will provide clinicians and clinical researchers with a brief and comprehensible overview of the field.
Speed of Thought and Speed of Feet: Examining Perceptual-Cognitive Expertise and Physical Performance in an English Football Academy
Authors: Kelly Adam L. , Wilson Mark R. , Jackson Daniel T. , Turnnidge Jennifer , Williams Craig A.
Published: October 2020

The world’s greatest professional football players are able to execute effective tactical decisions as well as fulfil various physical demands. However, the degree to which both are associated with greater potential in a football academy is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate decision-making skill and physical performance as contributing factors to coach potential rankings in an English football academy. Ninety-eight outfield academy players (Foundation Development Phase [FDP] under-9 to under-11 n = 40; Youth Development Phase [YDP] under-12 to under-16 n = 58) participated in the study. They engaged in 45 film-based simulations at two occlusion phases (e.g., the visual display is cut-off at a precise time during an action), firstly “during” and secondly “post” execution, to examine decision-making skill. Participants also completed four fitness tests to examine physical performance. A classification of “higher-potentials” (top third) and “lower-potentials” (bottom third) were applied through coach rankings. Independent t-tests compared the decision-making and physical performance tests. Higher-potentials made significantly more accurate decisions within the “post” phase within the FDP (P < 0.05) and the “during” phase within the YDP (P < 0.05). Additionally, higher-potentials were significantly faster for the 0–30 m sprint in both the FDP and YDP (P < 0.05), with higher-potentials within the YDP also significantly faster in the 0–10 m sprint (P < 0.05) and jumped significantly higher in the countermovement jump (P < 0.05). These findings indicated that greater football potential may be associated with superior perceptual-cognitive expertise and quicker sprint ability in both academy age phases, with a greater discriminatory function within the older cohort.
Learning and Memory
Authors: Lieberman David A.
Published: October 2020

The first text to integrate behavioral and cognitive approaches to learning and memory, this engaging textbook emphasizes human research, reflecting the field's evolution. Learning and Memory also recognizes the vital contribution of animal research, covering all historically important studies. Written in a lively and conversational style, this second edition encourages students to think critically. One example is its exploration of the Rescorla-Wagner model, the most important theory of conditioning, now further streamlined to improve student comprehension. Another is the addition of critical-thinking questions, which encourage students to evaluate their reactions to the material they've read, and relate findings to their own lives. Research includes an emphasis on practical applications such as treatments for phobias, addictions, and autism; the arguments for and against corporal punishment; whether recovered memories and eyewitness testimony should be believed; and effective techniques for studying. The text concludes with an overview of neural networks and deep learning.
Adaptation of the CarFreeMe driver retirement intervention to provide driving cessation support to older people living with dementia
Authors: Scott Theresa L. , Liddle Jacqueline , Sidhu Raychelle , Mitchell Geoffrey , Beattie Elizabeth , Gustafsson Louise , Pachana Nancy A.
Published: October 2020

Objective:

Driving and stopping driving present challenging issues for older people living with memory problems and the family members supporting them. Changes to driving status impact the individual stopping driving and their family members. CarFreeMe is an existing, effective driving cessation program for older people that may be applicable to older people living with dementia. The purpose of this study was to adapt the program and explore feasibility and key stakeholder perspectives.

Methods:

The Medical Research Council guidelines for conducting research into complex interventions guided the development, acceptability and feasibility piloting. A multidisciplinary approach was taken, and key stakeholders were involved throughout the process. This included an adaptation process, followed by expert reference group feedback and case series pilot study.

Results:

The background research indicated that some key changes were required to meet the needs of people living with dementia. Aspects of the content, language, format and activities were adapted and an additional module was created for family members – whose involvement was identified as important. A more personalized, flexible approach was recommended. The expert reference group [psychologists (n= 2), occupational therapists (n= 3) and dementia behavior consultants (n= 2)] indicated the program was appropriate and needed, and made recommendations for feasibility. Pilot testing with three families indicated acceptability.

Conclusion:

A driving cessation program adapted for use with people living with dementia and their families required some changes to meet the needs and situations based on feedback from key stakeholders. Future studies will evaluate implementation outcomes across a range of settings.
Gamma-ray generation from ultraintense laser-irradiated solid targets with preplasma
Authors: Wang Xiang-Bing , Hu Guang-Yue , Zhang Zhi-Meng , Gu Yu-Qiu , Zhao Bin , Zuo Yang , Zheng Jian
Published: October 2020

In the laser plasma interaction of quantum electrodynamics (QED)-dominated regime, γ-rays are generated due to synchrotron radiation from high-energy electrons traveling in a strong background electromagnetic field. With the aid of 2D particle-in-cell code including QED physics, we investigate the preplasma effect on the γ-ray generation during the interaction between an ultraintense laser pulse and solid targets. We found that with the increasing preplasma scale length, the γ-ray emission is enhanced significantly and finally reaches a steady state. Meanwhile, the γ-ray beam becomes collimated. This shows that, in some cases, the preplasmas will be piled up acting as a plasma mirror in the underdense preplasma region, where the γ-rays are produced by the collision between the forward electrons and the reflected laser fields from the piled plasma. The piled plasma plays the same role as the usual reflection mirror made from a solid target. Thus, a single solid target with proper scale length preplasma can serve as a manufactural and robust γ-ray source.
A rapid review of Irish Traveller mental health and suicide: a psychosocial and anthropological perspective
Authors: McKey S. , Quirke B. , Fitzpatrick P. , Kelleher C. C. , Malone K. M.
Published: October 2020

Introduction:

Irish Travellers are an indigenous ethnic minority (IEM) with poor health outcomes. Whilst they constitute less than 1% of the Irish population, they account for 10% of national young adult male suicide statistics.

Methods:

A rapid review of scientific publications related to mental health and suicide in Irish Travellers was undertaken following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Searches of PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar were performed. Eligibility criteria included: (i) Irish Travellers/Gypsy Travellers; (ii) information on mental health/suicide/self-harm; (iii) psychosocial anthropological perspectives of mental health; (iv) publications in english. Data on studies including design, methods, participants and key findings were extracted using a spreadsheet template.

Results:

From 5160 scientific references over the past 20 years, 19 papers made reference to Traveller mental health, and only 5 papers made specific data-based reference to suicide in Travellers. It was only when we qualified Travellers as being ‘Irish Travellers’ in our scientific review did we detect meaningful references to their existence as an IEM, and their health and well-being. Due to sample sizes and heterogeneity in design, results were synthesised narratively.

Discussion:

This paper draws together strands from the disciplines of psycho/socio/anthropological perspectives to gain deeper insights into mental health and suicide in Irish Travellers. In a knowledge vacuum, it behoves the scientific community to explain the value of scientific research and rigour to both policymakers as well as Travellers, shifting the existing discourse towards new knowledge and understanding around mental health and suicide in Travellers.
Directional prepositions and event endpoint conceptualization: a study ofnaarandrichtingin Dutch
Authors: LIAO YIYUN , DIJKSTRA KATINKA , ZWAAN ROLF A.
Published: October 2020

abstract

Two Dutch directional prepositions (i.e.,naarandrichting) provide a useful paradigm to study endpoint conceptualization. Experiment 1 adopted a sentence comprehension task and confirmed the linguistic proposal that, whennaarwas used in motion event descriptions, participants were more certain that the reference object was the goal of the agent than whenrichtingwas used. Experiment 2 and Experiment 3 used this linguistic pair to test the effect of two factors (i.e., the actor’s goal and the interlocutor’s status) on endpoint conceptualization via language production tasks. We found significant effects of both factors. First, participants chosenaarmore often when there was an inference in the referential situation that the reference object was the actor’s goal than when there was no such inference. Second, participants choserichtingmore often when they were told to describe the referential scenario to a police officer than to a friend. Participants were more cautious with their statements and were less willing to commit themselves to stating the goal of the agent when talking to a police officer than to a friend. The results are discussed in relation to relevant linguistic theories and event theories.