bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Graphene Aerogel Supported Fe−Co Selenide Nanocubes as Binder‐Free Anodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Yihan , Zhou Hu , Xiao Jinghao , Yuan Aihua
Published: November 2020

Metal selenides as anode materials of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) has received considerable attention recently. In order to boost the electronic conductivity and alleviate the volume change of electrode materials upon the cycles, a facile strategy is employed in this work, where Prussian blue analogue (PBA) nanocubes are encapsulated into three‐dimensional (3D) network of graphene aerogel (GA), followed by a high‐temperature selenization treatment to isolate the composite of FeCoSe2@GA. The composite can be directly employed as free‐standing anode materials of LIBs. Studies reveal that the FeCoSe2@GA electrode demonstrates an intriguing cycle stability and rate capability with a specific capacity of ∼500 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 100 cycles. The outstanding lithium‐storage properties can be attributed to the 3D porous feature as well as the strong confinement effect of GA for FeCoSe2 particles, which provides a large number of ion‐exchange channels, and prevents the severe agglomeration and large volume expansion of active particles during the charge/discharge process.
Device Information
Authors: Reinders James , Ashbaugh Ben , Brodman James , Kinsner Michael , Pennycook John , Tian Xinmin
Published: November 2020

Chapter 10.1007/978-1-4842-5574-2_2 introduced us to the mechanisms that direct work to a particular device—controlling where code executes. In this chapter, we explore how to adapt to the devices that are present at runtime.
Practical Tips
Authors: Reinders James , Ashbaugh Ben , Brodman James , Kinsner Michael , Pennycook John , Tian Xinmin
Published: November 2020

This chapter is home to a number of pieces of useful information, practical tips, advice, and techniques that have proven useful when programming SYCL and using DPC++. None of these topics are covered exhaustively, so the intent is to raise awareness and encourage learning more as needed.
Programming for GPUs
Authors: Reinders James , Ashbaugh Ben , Brodman James , Kinsner Michael , Pennycook John , Tian Xinmin
Published: November 2020

Over the last few decades, Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) have evolved from specialized hardware devices capable of drawing images on a screen to general-purpose devices capable of executing complex parallel kernels. Nowadays, nearly every computer includes a GPU alongside a traditional CPU, and many programs may be accelerated by offloading part of a parallel algorithm from the CPU to the GPU.
Programming for CPUs
Authors: Reinders James , Ashbaugh Ben , Brodman James , Kinsner Michael , Pennycook John , Tian Xinmin
Published: November 2020

Kernel programming originally became popular as a way to program GPUs. As kernel programming is generalized, it is important to understand how our style of programming affects the mapping of our code to a CPU.
Programming for FPGAs
Authors: Reinders James , Ashbaugh Ben , Brodman James , Kinsner Michael , Pennycook John , Tian Xinmin
Published: November 2020

Kernel-based programming originally became popular as a way to access GPUs. Since it has now been generalized across many types of accelerators, it is important to understand how our style of programming affects the mapping of code to an FPGA as well.
Where Code Executes
Authors: Reinders James , Ashbaugh Ben , Brodman James , Kinsner Michael , Pennycook John , Tian Xinmin
Published: November 2020

KEYWORDS to INDEX: Host, device, queue, submit, device selector, host device, asynchronous task graph
Data Management
Authors: Reinders James , Ashbaugh Ben , Brodman James , Kinsner Michael , Pennycook John , Tian Xinmin
Published: November 2020

We supercomputer architects often lament that we need to “feed the beast.” The phrase “feed the beast” refers to the “beast” of a computer we create when we use lots of parallelism, and feeding data to it becomes a key challenge to solve.
Expressing Parallelism
Authors: Reinders James , Ashbaugh Ben , Brodman James , Kinsner Michael , Pennycook John , Tian Xinmin
Published: November 2020

Now we can put together our first collection of puzzle pieces. We already know how to place code (Chapter 10.1007/978-1-4842-5574-2_2) and data (Chapter 10.1007/978-1-4842-5574-2_3) on a device—all we must do now is engage in the art of deciding what to do with it. To that end, we now shift to fill in a few things that we have conveniently left out or glossed over so far. This chapter marks the transition from simple teaching examples toward real-world parallel code and expands upon details of the code samples we have casually shown in prior chapters.
Buffers
Authors: Reinders James , Ashbaugh Ben , Brodman James , Kinsner Michael , Pennycook John , Tian Xinmin
Published: November 2020

In this chapter, we will learn about the buffer abstraction. We learned about Unified Shared Memory (USM), the pointer-based strategy for data management, in the previous chapter. USM forces us to think about where memory lives and what should be accessible where. The buffer abstraction is a higher-level model that hides this from the programmer. Buffers simply represent data, and it becomes the job of the runtime to manage how the data is stored and moved in memory.
Communication and Synchronization
Authors: Reinders James , Ashbaugh Ben , Brodman James , Kinsner Michael , Pennycook John , Tian Xinmin
Published: November 2020

In Chapter 10.1007/978-1-4842-5574-2_4, we discussed ways to express parallelism, either using basic data-parallel kernels, explicit ND-range kernels, or hierarchical parallel kernels. We discussed how basic data-parallel kernels apply the same operation to every piece of data independently. We also discussed how explicit ND-range kernels and hierarchical parallel kernels divide the execution range into work-groups of work-items.
One-Dimensional Propagation
Authors: Garrett Steven L.
Published: November 2020

Having already invested in understanding both the equation of state and the hydrodynamic equations, only straightforward algebraic manipulations will be required to derive the wave equation, justify its solutions, calculate the speed of sound in fluids, and derive the expressions for acoustic intensity and the acoustic kinetic and potential energy densities of sound waves. The “machinery” developed to describe waves on strings will be sufficient to describe one-dimensional sound propagation in fluids, even though the waves on the string were transverse and the one-dimensional waves in fluids are longitudinal. These results are combined with the thermal and viscous penetration depths to calculate the frequencies and quality factors in standing wave resonators. The coupling of those resonators to loudspeakers will be examined. The introduction of reciprocal transducers that are linear, passive, and reversible will allow absolute calibration of transducers using only electrical measurements (i.e., currents and voltages) by the reciprocity method, if the acoustic impedance that couples the source and receiver is calculable. Reflection and transmission at junctions between multiple ducts and other networks will be calculated and applied to the design of filters. The behavior of waves propagating through horns will provide useful impedance matching but introduce a low-frequency cut-off.
Radiation and Scattering
Authors: Garrett Steven L.
Published: November 2020

At this point, we have made a rather extensive investigation into the sounds that excite Helmholtz resonators as well as the departures from equilibrium that propagate as plane waves through uniform or inhomogeneous media. We have not, as yet, dealt with how those sounds are actually produced in fluids. Our experience tells us that sound can be generated by vibrating objects (e.g., loudspeaker cones, stringed musical instruments, drums, bells), by modulated or unstable flows (e.g., jet engine exhaust, whistles, fog horns, speech), by electrical discharges in the atmosphere (i.e., thunder), or by optical absorption (e.g., modulated laser beams). In this chapter, we will develop the perspective and tools that will be used for the calculation of the radiation efficiency of various sources and combinations of sources, like the sound reinforcement system shown in Fig. 12.1.
Nonlinear Acoustics
Authors: Garrett Steven L.
Published: November 2020

A fundamental assumption of linear acoustics is that the presence of a wave does not have an influence on the properties of the medium through which it propagates. By extension, the assumption of linearity also means that a waveform is stable since any individual wave does not interact with itself. Small modifications in the sound speed due to wave-induced fluid convection (particle velocity) and to the wave’s effect on sound speed through the equation of state can lead to effects that could not be predicted within the limitations imposed by the assumption of linearity. Although a wave’s influence on the propagation speed may be small, those effects are cumulative and create distortion that can produce shocks. These are nonlinear effects because the magnitude of the nonlinearity’s influence is related to the square of an individual wave’s amplitude (self-interaction) or the product of the amplitudes of two interacting waves (intermodulation distortion). In addition, the time-average of an acoustically induced disturbance may not be zero. Sound waves can exert forces that are sufficient to levitate solid objects against gravity. The stability of such levitation forces will also be examined along with their relation to resonance frequency shifts created by the position of the levitated object.
The Dog That Did Not Bark: Why Has Sierra Leone Not Returned to War After Peacekeepers Left?
Authors: Adebajo Adekeye
Published: November 2020

This chapter sets out to solve the mystery of why Sierra Leone has remained relatively stable 14 years after peacekeepers left the country in 2006, and 18 years after the end of a devastating 11-year civil war in which an estimated 70,000 people died. In doing so, Sierra Leone has defied the fate of so many fragile and conflict-prone states: it has not returned to war, as do more than half of all countries within only five years of a peace settlement. This despite myriad socio-economic challenges, of the kind that often leads to a recurrence of violence and unrest. In investigating this mystery, the chapter highlights how domestic, subregional, and external actors muddled through and improvised one of the rare peacebuilding success stories in Africa.
Introduction: The Implementation of the New Global History in China
Authors: Perez-Garcia Manuel
Published: November 2020

Global History with Chinese Characteristics is the result of reflection and observation upon the meaning of global history in China during the last decade, where historians have made big efforts in redefining old and new narratives.
The Mandate of Heaven, the Rule of the Emperor: Self-Sufficiency of the Middle Kingdom
Authors: Perez-Garcia Manuel
Published: November 2020

This chapter pays special attention to the analysis of the state administrative capacity of late Ming and Qing China by exploring the reforms introduced from the late sixteenth century up to 1796 regarding tax collection. Institutional constraints will be further explored through the rooted mandarinate system and despotic rule of the emperor and officials who fostered the multiplication of institutions, mainly during the expansion to western provinces throughout the Qing dynasty
Silver, Rogues, and Trade Networks: Sangleyes and Manila Galleons Connecting the Spanish Empire and Qing China
Authors: Perez-Garcia Manuel
Published: November 2020

This chapter examines the structure of trade in the South China Sea region through an analysis of merchant networks operating in this geographical area. Trade networks were long-distance partnerships that changed over time after the early arrival of Spanish and European missionaries to the Philippines, Macao, and Canton
Tödliches Dieulafoy-Ulkus
Authors: Hagen M. , Varchmin-Schultheiss K.
Published: November 2020

Nach einem Schlaganfall wurde ein 51 Jahre alter Mann in eine Rehaklinik verlegt. Gemäß klinischen Angaben soll sich dort eine Sepsis entwickelt haben. Aufgrund eines plötzlichen Bewusstseinsverlustes wurde der Patient umgehend in die nächstgelegene Klinik verbracht, wo er trotz umgehender Behandlung verstarb. Da die Ehefrau Vorwürfe gegen das Personal der Rehaklinik erhob, wurde eine rechtsmedizinische Obduktion in Auftrag gegeben.

Im Rahmen der Obduktion fielen große Mengen flüssigen Blutes im Magen sowie im oberen Gastrointestinaltrakt auf, sodass bereits autoptisch ein inneres Verbluten als Todesursache definiert wurde. Als Blutungsquelle kam ein makromorphologisch auffälliges, eröffnetes Gefäß im Magenfundus in Betracht. Die sichere Diagnose eines tödlichen Dieulafoy-Ulkus konnte jedoch erst nach histologischer Begutachtung erfolgen. Definierend für diesen Befund ist eine kaliberpersistente Arterie in der Submukosa ohne pathologische Veränderungen. Bei sicherer Diagnose kann dieser Befund einen plötzlichen Tod aus natürlicher Ursache darstellen. Da das Ulkus im gesamten gastrointestinalen Trakt vorkommen kann, ist bei relevantem Blutverlust und unklarer Blutungsquelle neben der genauen Inspektion eine histologische Aufarbeitung möglicher Blutungsquellen unerlässlich. Damit die Kriterien eines Dieulafoy-Ulkus beurteilt werden können, sollte neben einer HE(Hämatoxylin-Eosin)-Färbung mindestens eine EvG(Elastica-van-Gieson)-Färbung durchgeführt werden. Nur dann können alternative Entstehungsmöglichkeiten ausgeschlossen werden, welche aus forensischer Sicht möglicherweise hätten verhindert werden können.
Sensorimotor delays in tracking may be compensated by negative feedback control of motion-extrapolated position
Authors: Parker Maximilian G. , Weightman Andrew P. , Tyson Sarah F. , Abbott Bruce , Mansell Warren
Published: November 2020

Sensorimotor delays dictate that humans act on outdated perceptual information. As a result, continuous manual tracking of an unpredictable target incurs significant response delays. However, no such delays are observed for repeating targets such as the sinusoids. Findings of this kind have led researchers to claim that the nervous system constructs predictive, probabilistic models of the world. However, a more parsimonious explanation is that visual perception of a moving target position is systematically biased by its velocity. The resultant extrapolated position could be compared with the cursor position and the difference canceled by negative feedback control, compensating sensorimotor delays. The current study tested whether a position extrapolation model fit human tracking of sinusoid (predictable) and pseudorandom (less predictable) targets better than the non-biased position control model, Twenty-eight participants tracked these targets and the two computational models were fit to the data at 60 fixed loop delay values (simulating sensorimotor delays). We observed that pseudorandom targets were tracked with a significantly greater phase delay than sinusoid targets. For sinusoid targets, the position extrapolation model simulated tracking results more accurately for loop delays longer than 120 ms, thereby confirming its ability to compensate for sensorimotor delays. However, for pseudorandom targets, this advantage arose only after 300 ms, indicating that velocity information is unlikely to be exploited in this way during the tracking of less predictable targets. We conclude that negative feedback control of position is a parsimonious model for tracking pseudorandom targets and that negative feedback control of extrapolated position is a parsimonious model for tracking sinusoidal targets.
Envisioning the Future of Mosaic Landscapes: Actor Perceptions in a Mixed Cocoa/Oil-Palm Area in Ghana
Authors: Asubonteng Kwabena O. , Ros-Tonen Mirjam A. F. , Baud Isa , Pfeffer Karin
Published: November 2020

The future and benefits of mosaic landscapes have been a source of scientific and societal concern due to increasing population growth, climate change, urbanization, and expanding agricultural commodities. There is a growing call for integrated landscape approaches in which landscape actors discuss trade-offs between different land uses with a view to reaching a negotiated decision on the allocation of land uses. Yet, the operationalization of such approaches is still in its infancy, and integrated methodologies to visualize actors’ landscape visions are still scarce. This study therefore presents a participatory spatial scenario-building methodology that uncovers local perceptions of landscape dynamics and needed actions in a mixed cocoa-oil-palm landscape in Ghana’s Eastern Region. The methodology visualizes landscape actors’ perceived plausible changes and desired future landscapes, and is designed to trigger discussions on actions needed to achieve these desired futures. Findings show that farmers and institutional actors are aware of their landscapes with future preferences coming close to actual landscape composition and spatial configuration, and that—contrary to common assumptions—only those in the oil-palm-dominated landscape who already experienced the drawbacks of increasing landscape homogenization desire a mosaic landscape. The paper concludes that the collective mapping process makes actors aware of challenges at landscape level and increases farmers’ negotiation power through active engagement in the process and visualization of their knowledge and visions. Application of the methodology requires dedicated funding, political will, and capacity to apply it as an ongoing process, as well as monitoring feedback loops.
‘Sugarcoating’ 2-deoxyglucose: mechanisms that suppress its toxic effects
Authors: Schmidt Martin C. , O’Donnell Allyson F.
Published: November 2020

Yeast and cancer cells are metabolically similar as they use fermentation of glucose as a primary means of generating energy. Reliance on glucose fermentation makes both of these cell types highly sensitive to the toxic glucose analog, 2-deoxyglucose. Here we review the cellular and metabolic pathways that play a role in 2-deoxyglucose sensitivity and discuss how the modifications to these pathways result in acquisition of 2-deoxyglucose resistance. Insights gained from genetic and proteomic studies in yeast provide new ideas for the design of combinatorial therapies for cancer treatment.
Learning benefits of live surgery and semi-live surgery in urology—informing the debate with results from the International Meeting of Reconstructive Urology (IMORU) VIII
Authors: Schuettfort Victor M. , Ludwig Tim A. , Marks Phillip , Vetterlein Malte W. , Maurer Valentin , Fuehner Constantin , Janisch Florian , Soave Armin , Rink Michael , Riechardt Silke , Engel Oliver , Fisch Margit , Dahlem Roland , Meyer Christian P.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

To analyze the perceived learning opportunities of participants of the International Meeting on Reconstructive Urology (IMORU) VIII for both live surgery demonstrations (LSD) and semi-live surgery demonstrations (SLSD). Safety and educational efficacy of LSD and SLSD at live surgery events (LSE) have been debated extensively, however, objective data comparing learning benefits are missing.

Methods

We conducted a detailed survey, which employed the Kirkpatrick model, a well-established assessment method of training models, to investigate participants preferences as well as the learning benefit of LSE. Furthermore, we employed an audience response system and the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS), a well-established assessment method of surgery skills, to let our participants rate the perceived learning opportunity of LSD and SLSD.

Results

Of 229 participants at the IMORU VIII, 39.7% returned our questionnaires. 90% stated that they prefer LSD. On all levels of Kirkpatrick’s training evaluation model, the IMORU received high ratings, suggesting a high learning benefit. For the assessment of OSATS, a total of 23 surgical cases were evaluable. For all six utilized items, LSD scored significantly better ratings than SLSD.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that there is still a rationale for LSD, as participants attributed a statistically significant higher learning benefit to LSD over SLDS. Evaluation of the survey showed that for LSE such as the IMORU VIII, a high learning benefit can be expected. Considering that most of our participants are active surgeons with high caseloads, their opinion on the educational value of LSE is of high relevance.
A spider in motion: facets of sensory guidance
Authors: Barth Friedrich G.
Published: November 2020

Spiders show a broad range of motions in addition to walking and running with their eight coordinated legs taking them towards their resources and away from danger. The usefulness of all these motions depends on the ability to control and adjust them to changing environmental conditions. A remarkable wealth of sensory receptors guarantees the necessary guidance. Many facets of such guidance have emerged from neuroethological research on the wandering spiderCupiennius saleiand its allies, although sensori-motor control was not the main focus of this work. The present review may serve as a springboard for future studies aiming towards a more complete understanding of the spider’s control of its different types of motion. Among the topics shortly addressed are the involvement of lyriform slit sensilla in path integration, muscle reflexes in the walking legs, the monitoring of joint movement, the neuromuscular control of body raising, the generation of vibratory courtship signals, the sensory guidance of the jump to flying prey and the triggering of spiderling dispersal behavior. Finally, the interaction of sensors on different legs in oriented turning behavior and that of the sensory systems for substrate vibration and medium flow are addressed.
Optimal Polynomial Prediction Measures and Extremal Polynomial Growth
Authors: Bos L. , Levenberg N. , Ortega-Cerdà J.
Published: November 2020

We show that the problem of finding the measure supported on a compact set $$K\subset \mathbb {C}$$

K
⊂
C

such that the variance of the least squares predictor by polynomials of degree at most n at a point $$z_0\in \mathbb {C}^d\backslash K$$

z
0

∈

C

d

\
K

is a minimum is equivalent to the problem of finding the polynomial of degree at most n,  bounded by 1 on K,  with extremal growth at $$z_0.$$

z
0

.

We use this to find the polynomials of extremal growth for $$[-1,1]\subset \mathbb {C}$$

[
-
1
,
1
]
⊂
C

at a purely imaginary point. The related problem on the extremal growth of real polynomials was studied by Erdős (Bull Am Math Soc 53:1169–1176, 1947).
An advanced meta-learner based on artificial electric field algorithm optimized stacking ensemble techniques for enhancing prediction accuracy of soil shear strength
Authors: Cao Minh-Tu , Hoang Nhat-Duc , Nhu Viet Ha , Bui Dieu Tien
Published: November 2020

Shear strength is a crucial property of soils regarded as its intrinsic capacity to resist failure when forces act on the soil mass. This study proposes an advanced meta-leaner to discern the shear strength property and generate a reliable estimation of the ultimate shear strength of the soil. The proposed model is named as metaheuristic-optimized meta-ensemble learning model (MOMEM) and aims at helping geotechnical engineers accurately predict the parameter of interest. The MOMEM was established with the integration of the artificial electric field algorithm (AEFA) to dynamically blend the radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) and multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). In the framework of forming MOMEM, the AEFA consistently monitor the learning phases of the RBFNN and MARS in mining soil shear strength property through optimizing their controlling parameters, including neuron number, Gaussian spread, regularization coefficient, and kernel function parameter. Simultaneously, RBFNN and MARS are stacked via a linear combination method with dynamic weights optimized by the AEFA metaheuristic. The one-tailttest on 20 running times affirmed that with the greatest mean and standard deviation of RMSE (mean = 0.035 kg/cm2; Std. = 0.005 kg/cm2), MAE (mean = 0.026 kg/cm2; Std. = 0.004 kg/cm2), MAPE (mean = 7.9%; Std. = 1.72%), andR2(mean = 0.826; Std. = 0.055), the MOMEM is significantly superior to other artificial intelligence-based methods. These analytical results indicate that MOMEM is an innovative tool for accurate calculating soil shear strength; thus, it provides geotechnical engineers with reliable figures to significantly increase soil-related engineering design.
Neurological updates: neurological complications of CAR-T therapy
Authors: Tallantyre Emma C. , Evans Nia A. , Parry-Jones Jack , Morgan Matt P. G. , Jones Ceri H. , Ingram Wendy
Published: November 2020

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing T cells now offer an effective treatment option for people with previously refractory B cell malignancies and are under development for a wide range of other tumours. However, neurological toxicity is a common complication of CAR-T cell therapy, seen in over 50% of recipients in some cohorts. Since 2018, the term immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) has been used to describe and grade neurotoxicity seen after CAR-T cells and other similar therapies. ICANS following CAR-T therapy is usually self-limiting but can necessitate admission to the intensive care unit and is rarely fatal. As CAR-T therapies enter routine clinical practice, it is important for neurologists to be aware of the nature of neurological complications. Here, we summarise the clinical manifestations, mechanisms, investigations and recommended treatment of CAR-T-related neurotoxicity, focusing on the licensed CD19 products.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on an interdisciplinary endoscopy unit in a German “hotspot” area: a single center experience
Authors: Wichmann Dörte , Atique Naushad Bijoy , Stüker Dietmar , Fusco Stefano , Schempf Ulrike , Grottenthaler Julia M. , Böckeler Michael , Thiel Christian , Zender Lars , Königsrainer Alfred , Malek Nisar P. , Werner Christoph R.
Published: November 2020

Background and study aims

Since December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has posed a pandemic threat to global health and has challenged health care system in all affected countries.

Patients and methods

This is a combined study including a descriptive part about the changes in the daily work routine of an Interdisciplinary Endoscopic Unit (IEU) and a prospective analysis of patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 who required endoscopic interventions. Conclusively, we present the finding of a point-prevalence analysis in the staff of the IEU.

Results

We present effects of the COVID-19-related restructuring of processes in our interdisciplinary endoscopy unit (IEU) with respect to cancelation of examinations, relocation of staff to other departments, impact of SARS-CoV-2 on medical staff of the IEU, and supply of protective clothing. Additionally, we analyzed the cohort of COVID-19 patients: Sixteen endoscopic interventions were done in ten patients. In all patients with confirmed infection with SARS-CoV-2, emergency endoscopies were required for relevant bleeding situations. Re-endoscopies were required only in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Conclusions

The restructuring of processes in the IEU was feasible in short time, effective, and can also be applied broadly at least in developed countries [Garbe et al. in Gastroenterology 159:778–780, 2020; Repici A, Pace F, Gabbiadini R, Colombo M, Hassan C, Dinelli M, Group IG-CW, Maselli R, Spadaccini M, Mutignani M, Gabbrielli A, Signorelli C, Spada C, Leoni P, Fabbri C, Segato S, Gaffuri N, Mangiavillano B, Radaelli F, Salerno R, Bargiggia S, Maroni L, Benedetti A, Occhipinti P, De Grazia F, Ferraris L, Cengia G, Greco S, Alvisi C, Scarcelli A, De Luca L, Cereatti F, Testoni PA, Mingotto R, Aragona G, Manes G, Beretta P, Amvrosiadis G, Cennamo V, Lella F, Missale G, Lagoussis P, Triossi O, Giovanardi M, De Roberto G, Cantu P, Buscarini E, Anderloni A, Carrara S, Fugazza A, Galtieri PA, Pellegatta G, Antonelli G, Rosch T, Sharma P (2020) Endoscopy units and the COVID-19 Outbreak: a Multi-Center Experience from Italy. Gastroenterology;]. The endoscopy-related rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection of staff is low, but supply of protective equipment is crucial for this. Endoscopic procedures in COVID-19 patients were not directly related to SARS-CoV-2 infection, but to other underlying diseases or typical complications of long-term ICU treatment.
Synthesis and characterization of PLGA/HAP scaffolds with DNA-functionalised calcium phosphate nanoparticles for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Sokolova Viktoriya , Kostka Kathrin , Shalumon K. T. , Prymak Oleg , Chen Jyh-Ping , Epple Matthias
Published: November 2020

Porous scaffolds of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA; 85:15) and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP) were prepared by an emulsion-precipitation procedure from uniform PLGA–nHAP spheres (150–250 µm diameter). These spheres were then thermally sintered at 83 °C to porous scaffolds that can serve for bone tissue engineering or for bone substitution. The base materials PLGA and nHAP and the PLGA–nHAP scaffolds were extensively characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The scaffold porosity was about 50 vol% as determined by relating mass and volume of the scaffolds, together with the computed density of the solid phase (PLGA–nHAP). The cultivation of HeLa cells demonstrated their high cytocompatibility. In combination with DNA-loaded calcium phosphate nanoparticles, they showed a good activity of gene transfection with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) as model protein. This is expected enhance bone growth around an implanted scaffold or inside a scaffold for tissue engineering.
A priori error estimates for a linearized fracture control problem
Authors: Mohammadi Masoumeh , Wollner Winnifried
Published: November 2020

A control problem for a linearized time-discrete regularized fracture propagation process is considered. The discretization of the problem is done using a conforming finite element method. In contrast to many works on discretization of PDE constrained optimization problems, the particular setting has to cope with the fact that the linearized fracture equation is not necessarily coercive. A quasi-best approximation result will be shown in the case of an invertible, though not necessarily coercive, linearized fracture equation. Based on this a priori error estimates for the control, state, and adjoint variables will be derived.
High-Value, Cost-Conscious Care Attitudes in the Graduate Medical Education Learning Environment: Various Stakeholder Attitudes That Residents Misjudge
Authors: Mordang Serge B. R. , Leep Hunderfund Andrea N. , Smeenk Frank W. J. M. , Stassen Laurents P. S. , Könings Karen D.
Published: November 2020

Background

Training residents in delivering high-value, cost-conscious care (HVCCC) is crucial for a sustainable healthcare. A supportive learning environment is key. Yet, stakeholders’ attitudes toward HVCCC in residents’ learning environment are unknown.

Objective

We aimed to measure stakeholders’ HVCCC attitudes in residents’ learning environment, compare these with resident perceptions of their attitudes, and identify factors associated with attitudinal differences among each stakeholder group.

Design

We conducted a cross-sectional survey across the Netherlands between June 2017 and December 2018.

Participants

Participants were 312 residents, 305 faculty members, 53 administrators, and 1049 patients from 66 (non)academic hospitals.

Main Measures

Respondents completed the Maastricht HVCCC Attitude Questionnaire (MHAQ), containing three subscales: (1) high-value care, (2) cost incorporation, (3) perceived drawbacks. Additionally, resident respondents estimated the HVCCC attitudes of other stakeholders, and answered questions on job demands and resources. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze data.

Key Results

Attitudes differed on all subscales: faculty and administrators reported more positive HVCCC attitudes than residents (p ≤ 0.05), while the attitudes of patients were less positive (p ≤ 0.05). Residents underestimated faculty’s (p < 0.001) and overestimated patients’ HVCCC attitudes (p < 0.001). Increasing age was, among residents and faculty, associated with more positive attitudes toward HVCCC (p ≤ 0.05). Lower perceived health quality was associated with less positive attitudes among patients (p < 0.001). The more autonomy residents perceived, the more positive their HVCCC attitude (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions

Attitudes toward HVCCC vary among stakeholders in the residency learning environment, and residents misjudge the attitudes of both faculty and patients. Faculty and administrators might improve their support to residents by more explicitly sharing their thoughts and knowledge on HVCCC and granting residents autonomy in clinical practice.
Genetic Divergence Across Glacial Refugia Despite Interglacial Gene Flow in a Crested Newt
Authors: Wielstra Ben , Salvi Daniele , Canestrelli Daniele
Published: November 2020

MtDNA-based phylogeography has illuminated the impact of the Pleistocene Ice Age on species distribution dynamics and the build-up of genetic divergence. The well-known shortcomings of mtDNA in biogeographical inference can be compensated by integrating multilocus data and species distribution modelling into phylogeography. We re-visit the phylogeography of the Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex), a species distributed in two of Europe’s main glacial refugia, the Balkan and Italian Peninsulas. While a new 51 nuclear DNA marker dataset supports the existence of three lineages previously suggested by mtDNA (Balkan, northern Italy and southern Italy), the nuclear DNA dataset also provides improved resolution where these lineages have obtained secondary contact. We observe geographically restricted admixture at the contact between the Balkan and northern Italy gene pools and identify a potential mtDNA ghost lineage here. At the contact between the northern and southern Italy gene pools we find admixture over a broader area, as well as asymmetric mtDNA introgression. Our species distribution model is in agreement with a distribution restricted to distinct refugia during Pleistocene glacial cycles and postglacial expansion with secondary contact. Our study supports: (1) the relevance of the north-western Balkan Peninsula as a discrete glacial refugium; (2) the importance of north-eastern Italy and the northern Apennine as suture zones; and (3) the applicability of a refugia-within-refugia scenario within the Italian Peninsula.
Cor triatriatum sinister with left anomalous pulmonary venous drainage to innominate vein: what to do with the vertical vein?
Authors: Ishiwari Keiichi , Nomura Koji , Ko Yoshihiro , Hamaya Izumi , Momoki Kodai , Takagi Tomomitsu
Published: November 2020

We treated a surgical case of a 47-day-old male infant diagnosed with an unusual type of cor triatriatum sinister (CTS) with left anomalous pulmonary venous drainage to the innominate vein via a vertical vein. After preoperative hemodynamic assessment of pulmonary venous (PV) return, this patient underwent a resection of the fibromuscular membrane between the accessory and the true left atrial chambers, concomitant with vertical vein banding to facilitate a left PV return through a common pulmonary venous collector (CPVC). Catheterization three months after this surgery revealed no obstruction of the PV return to the mitral orifice as well as good growth of the CPVC as a left PV return pathway. The patient has been doing well on aspirin.
Assessment of wear micromechanisms on a laser textured cemented carbide tool during abrasive-like machining by FIB/FESEM
Authors: Fang Shiqi , Bähre Dirk , Llanes Luis
Published: November 2020

The combined use of focused ion beam (FIB) milling and field-emission scanning electron microscopy inspection (FESEM) is a unique and successful approach for assessment of near-surface phenomena at specific and selected locations. In this study, a FIB/FESEM dual-beam platform was implemented to docment and analyze the wear micromechanisms on a laser-surface textured (LST) hardmetal (HM) tool. In particular, changes in surface and microstructural integrity of the laser-sculptured pyramids (effective cutting microfeatures) were characterized after testing the LST-HM tool against a steel workpiece in a workbench designed to simulate an external honing process. It was demonstrated that: (1) laser-surface texturing does not degrade the intrinsic surface integrity and tool effectiveness of HM pyramids; and (2) there exists a correlation between the wear and loading of shaped pyramids at the local level. Hence, the enhanced performance of the laser-textured tool should consider the pyramid geometry aspects rather than the microstructure assemblage of the HM grade used, at least for attempted abrasive applications.
Ternary MOF-Based Redox Active Sites Enabled 3D-on-2D Nanoarchitectured Battery-Type Electrodes for High-Energy-Density Supercapatteries
Authors: Nagaraju Goli , Sekhar S. Chandra , Ramulu Bhimanaboina , Hussain Sk. Khaja , Narsimulu D. , Yu Jae Su
Published: November 2020

Designing rationally combined metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with multifunctional nanogeometries is of significant research interest to enable the electrochemical properties in advanced energy storage devices. Herein, we explored a new class of binder-free dual-layered Ni–Co–Mn-based MOFs (NCM-based MOFs) with three-dimensional (3D)-on-2D nanoarchitectures through a polarity-induced solution-phase method for high-performance supercapatteries. The hierarchical NCM-based MOFs having grown on nickel foam exhibit a battery-type charge storage mechanism with superior areal capacity (1311.4 μAh cm−2 at 5 mA cm−2), good rate capability (61.8%; 811.67 μAh cm−2 at 50 mA cm−2), and an excellent cycling durability. The superior charge storage properties are ascribed to the synergistic features, higher accessible active sites of dual-layered nanogeometries, and exalted redox chemistry of multi metallic guest species, respectively. The bilayered NCM-based MOFs are further employed as a battery-type electrode for the fabrication of supercapattery paradigm with biomass-derived nitrogen/oxygen doped porous carbon as a negative electrode, which demonstrates excellent capacity of 1.6 mAh cm−2 along with high energy and power densities of 1.21 mWh cm−2 and 32.49 mW cm−2, respectively. Following, the MOF-based supercapattery was further assembled with a renewable solar power harvester to use as a self-charging station for various portable electronic applications.
REDUNET: reducing test suites by integrating set cover and network-based optimization
Authors: Mongiovì Misael , Fornaia Andrea , Tramontana Emiliano
Published: November 2020

The availability of effective test suites is critical for the development and maintenance of reliable software systems. To increase test effectiveness, software developers tend to employ larger and larger test suites. The recent availability of software tools for automatic test generation makes building large test suites affordable, therefore contributing to accelerating this trend. However, large test suites, though more effective, are resources and time consuming and therefore cannot be executed frequently. Reducing them without decreasing code coverage is a needed compromise between efficiency and effectiveness of the test, hence enabling a more regular check of the software under development. We propose a novel approach, namely REDUNET, to reduce a test suite while keeping the same code coverage. We integrate this approach in a complete framework for the automatic generation of efficient and effective test suites, which includes test suite generation, code coverage analysis, and test suite reduction. Our approach formulates the test suite reduction as a set cover problem and applies integer linear programming and a network-based optimisation, which takes advantage of the properties of the control flow graph. We find the optimal set of test cases that keeps the same code coverage in fractions of seconds on real software projects and test suites generated automatically by Randoop. The results on ten real software systems show that the proposed approach finds the optimal minimisation and achieves up to 90% reduction and more than 50% reduction on all systems under analysis. On the largest project our reduction algorithm performs more than three times faster than both integer linear programming alone and the state-of-the-art heuristic Harrold Gupta Soffa.
Die S3-Leitlinie „Peri- und Postmenopause – Diagnostik und Interventionen“ – eine Zusammenfassung
Authors:   Schweizerische Menopause Gesellschaft (SMG), Stute Petra
Published: November 2020

2020 wurde die S3-Leitlinie „Peri- und Postmenopause – Diagnostik und Interventionen“ publiziert, an deren Erarbeitung zwei Mandatsträger aus der Schweiz beteiligt waren. Der Artikel gibt eine Übersicht zu den Statements und Empfehlungen zu verschiedenen Aspekten der Hormonersatztherapie. Indikationen für eine Hormonersatztherapie sind nach wie vor das klimakterische Syndrom und die Prävention der Osteoporose.
Microplastic fiber and drought effects on plants and soil are only slightly modified by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
Authors: Lehmann Anika , Leifheit Eva F. , Feng Linshan , Bergmann Joana , Wulf Anja , Rillig Matthias C.
Published: November 2020

Microplastics are increasingly recognized as a factor of global change. By altering soil inherent properties and processes, ripple-on effects on plants and their symbionts can be expected. Additionally, interactions with other factors of global change, such as drought, can influence the effect of microplastics. We designed a greenhouse study to examine effects of polyester microfibers, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and drought on plant, microbial and soil responses. We found that polyester microfibers increased the aboveground biomass of Allium cepa under well-watered and drought conditions, but under drought conditions the AM fungal-only treatment reached the highest biomass. Colonization with AM fungi increased under microfiber contamination, however, plant biomass did not increase when both AM fungi and fibers were present. The mean weight diameter of soil aggregates increased with AM fungal inoculation overall but decreased when the system was contaminated with microfibers or drought stressed. Our study adds additional support to the mounting evidence that microplastic fibers in soil can affect the plant-soil system by promoting plant growth, and favoring key root symbionts, AM fungi. Although soil aggregation is usually positively influenced by plant roots and AM fungi, and microplastic promotes both, our results show that plastic still had a negative effect on soil aggregates. Even though there are concerns that microplastic might interact with other factors of global change, our study revealed no such effect for drought.
Influence of the Precursor and the Temperature of Synthesis on the Structure of Saponite
Authors: Meyer Sebastian , Bennici Simona , Vaulot Cyril , Rigolet Séverinne , Dzene Liva
Published: November 2020

Several procedures for hydrothermal synthesis of saponite can be found in the literature. They differ in terms of the preparation conditions of the precursor and of the synthesis temperature. The objective of the present study was to investigate how these two parameters influence the structure of the final synthesis product. The precursor was prepared from Mg(NO3)2, Al(NO3)3, and Na4SiO4 in three different ways: as a gel, a dried gel, and a calcined gel. The influence of the synthesis temperature on the structure of saponite was investigated in the range 90–200°C. The results showed that the use of a calcined precursor yielded a single mineral phase, saponite, with up to 90% aluminum in tetrahedral configuration. In comparison, the use of a gel precursor resulted in a product with only 60% aluminum in the tetrahedral configuration. The synthesis temperature had no significant effect on the saponite structure. The reported synthesis method showed the possibility of obtaining saponite with superior characteristics, in terms of crystallinity, surface acidity, and thermal stability compared to the natural mineral, even at 90°C, and thus with greater potential for industrial application.
Evonik plays key role in the development of a new process for catalytic synthesis
Authors: Atkinson Simon
Published: November 2020

Evonik Performance Materials GmbH, a division of Germany's Evonik Industries AG, is coordinating a project, involving 24 partners from ten different countries, which aims to develop a new process for catalytic synthesis. The major producer of C4-based materials – for the rubber, plastics and speciality chemicals markets – is working with companies and organisations on technology that combines catalytic synthesis with a highly efficient separation process to create what is described as an innovative membrane reactor that will be capable of operating on an industrial scale.
Wittgenstein on Aspect Perception
Authors: Baz Avner
Published: November 2020

The perception of what he calls 'aspects' preoccupied Wittgenstein and gave him considerable trouble in his final years. The Wittgensteinian aspect defies any number of traditional philosophical dichotomies: the aspect is neither subjective (inner, metaphysically private) nor objective; it presents perceivable unity and sense that are (arguably) not (yet) conceptual; it is 'subject to the will', but at the same time is normally taken to be genuinely revelatory of the object perceived under it. This Element begins with a grammatical and phenomenological characterization of Wittgensteinian 'aspects'. It then challenges two widespread ideas: that aspects are to be identified with concepts; and that aspect perception has a continuous version that is characteristic of (normal) human perception. It concludes by proposing that aspect perception brings to light the distinction between the world as perceived and the world as objectively construed, and the role we play in the constitution of the former.
Central Banks as Fiscal Players
Authors: Buiter Willem
Published: November 2020

It is well known that the balance sheets of most major central banks significantly expanded in the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2007-2011, but the consequences of this expansion are not well understood. This book develops a unified framework to explain how and why central bank balance sheets have expanded and what this shift means for fiscal and monetary policy. Buiter addresses a number of key issues in monetary economics and public finance, including how helicopter money works, when modern monetary theory makes sense, why the Eurosystem has a potentially fatal design flaw, why the fiscal theory of the price level is a fallacy and how to escape from the zero lower bound.
American Affective Polarization in Comparative Perspective
Authors: Gidron Noam , Adams James , Horne Will
Published: November 2020

American political observers express increasing concern about affective polarization, i.e., partisans' resentment toward political opponents. We advance debates about America's partisan divisions by comparing affective polarization in the US over the past 25 years with affective polarization in 19 other western publics. We conclude that American affective polarization is not extreme in comparative perspective, although Americans' dislike of partisan opponents has increased more rapidly since the mid-1990s than in most other Western publics. We then show that affective polarization is more intense when unemployment and inequality are high; when political elites clash over cultural issues such as immigration and national identity; and in countries with majoritarian electoral institutions. Our findings situate American partisan resentment and hostility in comparative perspective, and illuminate correlates of affective polarization that are difficult to detect when examining the American case in isolation.