bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generalized continuous mixed p‐norm based sliding window algorithm for a bilinear system with impulsive noise
Authors: Liu Wentao , Xiong Weili
Published: June 2022

This article investigates the identification issue of the bilinear system in the presence of the impulsive noise. The bilinear system based on the observer canonical form is translated into a regressive form, and a bilinear state observer is established to estimate the state variables. To overcome the effects of the impulsive noise to parameter estimation, the proposed algorithms employ a generalized continuous mixed ‐norm cost function, which can generate an adjustable gain that control the proportions of the error norms without resorting to a priori knowledge of the noise. Moreover, a sliding window is designed to update the dynamical data by removing the oldest data and adding the newest measurement data. An numerical example exhibits that the proposed algorithms can reduce the impact of the impulsive noise to parameter estimation and improve the parameter estimation accuracy compared with the conventional algorithms.
Cholesterol‐Modified Quinazoline: Gelation, Ag+ and Al3+ Ion Detection under Different Conditions and Phase Selective Dye Removal with an Ag‐gel
Authors: Raza Rameez , Mukherjee Manjira , Panja. Atanu , Baildya Nabajyoti , Ghosh Kumaresh
Published: June 2022

A newly designed cholesterol‐based quinazoline system 1 has been synthesized. The gelation ability of the compound 1 has been examined in different solvents. It exhibits strong gelation with silver perchlorate in benzene and acts as excellent visual detector of Ag+ ions over a series of other metal ions examined. The compound 1 selectively detects Al3+ ion as well with significant fluorometric response and color change. The benzene gel of 1 exhibits good viscoelastic response. In rheological study, the values of G’ are observed to be 8 times higher than those of G’’ at any frequency which signify dominant elastic character of the gel. The mode of aggregation of 1 during gelation in the presence of Ag+ ions and the binding of Al3+ ion in solution are explained by several spectroscopic techniques such as UV‐vis, fluorescence, FTIR and NMR. Theoretical study further enlightens the observations. As application, Ag‐gel shows excellent ability to remove toxic dyes from water.
Synergistic Engineering of Se Vacancies and Heterointerfaces in Zinc‐Cobalt Selenide Anode for Highly Efficient Na‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Xiao Ying , Miao Yue , Wan Shuang , Sun Yang‐Kook , Chen Shimou
Published: June 2022

The exploitation of effective strategies to accelerate the Na+ diffusion kinetics and improve the structural stability in the electrode is extremely important for the development of high efficientcy sodium‐ion batteries. Herein, Se vacancies and heterostructure engineering are utilized to improve the Na+‐storage performance of transition metal selenides anode prepared through a facile two‐in‐one route. The experimental results coupled with theoretical calculations reveal that the successful construction of the Se vacancies and heterostructure interfaces can effectively lower the Na+ diffusion barrier, accelerate the charge transfer efficiency, improve Na+ adsorption ability, and provide an abundance of active sites. Consequently, the batteries based on the constructed ZnSe/CoSe2‐CN anode manifest a high initial Coulombic efficiency (97.7%), remarkable specific capacities (547.1 mAh g–1 at 0.5 A g–1), superb rate capability (362.1 mAh g–1 at 20 A g–1), as well as ultrastable long‐term stability (1000 cycles) with a satisfied specific capacity (535.6 mAh g–1) at 1 A g–1. This work facilitates an in‐depth understanding of the synergistic effect of vacancies and heterojunctions in improving the Na+ reaction kinetics, providing an effective strategy to the rational design of key materials for high efficiency rechargeable batteries.
Does aid cause changes in economic freedom?
Authors: Pavlik Jamie Bologna , Powell Benjamin , Young Andrew T.
Published: June 2022

We examine whether aid affects recipient countries' economic freedom. The existing empirical literature examining this relationship has found conflicting results. However, all of these existing studies have struggled to employ plausible identification strategies to find a causal relationship between aid and economic freedom. Our study employs matching methods to better estimate the causal relationship between aid and economic freedom. We find that there is no meaningful causal impact of overall aid on recipient countries' economic freedom. There is some evidence that, specifically, large and sustained increases in “governance‐specific” aid lead to increases in economic freedom, but even then the effects appear to be quantitatively modest.
Self‐Assembled 2D/2D Schottky Heterojunction of Ti3C2/UiO‐66 Nanosheets for Boosting Photocatalytic H2 Evolution
Authors: Zhao Lei , Wu Haiyang , He Xuan , Chen Hui , Fang Wei , Zhang Haijun , Du Xing , Wang Daheng
Published: June 2022

The construction of heterojunctions is usually considered as a common strategy to improve charge separation and transfer during the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) process. Originating from the surficial electrical characteristic of Ti3C2 nanosheets and 2D UiO‐66, a novel 2D/2D Ti3C2/UiO‐66 composite is facilely constructed by the electrostatic self‐assembly process for HER. Higher photocatalytic HER efficiency (265.2 μmol h−1 g−1) is achieved for 2D/2D composites compared to both, pristine 3D UiO‐66 (15.89 μmol h−1 g−1) and 2D UiO‐66 (30.2 μmol h−1 g−1), respectively. The formation of a 2D/2D Ti3C2/UiO‐66 Schottky junction is beneficial for photoinduced electron–hole separation and charge transfer. More exposed active sites stemming from the maintained 2D morphology are simultaneously induced, which is also preferable for HER. Experimental and theoretical analysis reveals the prominent performance attributed to effective charge separation and accelerated electron migration from 2D UiO‐66 to Ti3C2 nanosheets with higher electrochemcial active surface area. Herein, a new route for the construction of efficient photocatalytic systems is provided.
The academic collaborative statistician: Research, training and evaluation
Authors: Griffith Emily H. , Sharp Julia L. , Bridges William C. , Craig Bruce A. , Hanford Kathryn J. , Stevens John R.
Published: June 2022

Statisticians with a primary collaborative position at their academic institution have a unique role in combining domain science and statistical research and training and mentoring graduate students. As a result, it is important that their responsibilities be clearly understood by both the collaborative statisticians and their departments. In this paper, we discuss various steps that these statisticians can take to be successful and to be appropriately evaluated for their work. These steps are even more important now because a combination of new technologies, quantitative experts in other fields and the growth of data science in general seems to have put the field of Statistics at a crossroads. For the discipline to continue to flourish, we argue that it is critical that the role of the collaborative statistician be maintained and valued in statistics departments.
Recent Developments in Starch Modification by Organic Acids: A Review
Authors: Karma Vivek , Gupta Arijit Dutta , Yadav Dev Kumar , Singh Apurva Anand , Verma Manvi , Singh Harinder
Published: June 2022

Treatment or processing of starch with organic acids (citric, stearic, succinic, and malic acids) can be used to obtain starch properties like low retrogradation, desirable viscosity, shear resistance, and high resistant starch. Esterification, cross linking, and hydrolysis of starch may occur after modification with organic acids (citric, succinic acid, malic acid) whereas a complex between starch and stearic acid may be formed on use of stearic acid. The conditions of reactions namely duration, starch acid concentration ratio, and temperature may influence physicochemical and structural properties of starch. Citric acid, succinic acid, stearic acid, and malic acid are regarded as "GRAS" and thus the starch citrate, starch succinate, starch stearate, and starch maleate are widely used in manufacturing of starch films, blends, nanoparticles, fat replacer, viscosity enhancer, and many other products. This review paper discusses the reaction conditions of organic acid modification of starches along with their influence on physicochemical and structural characteristics.
Materials‐based vaccines for infectious diseases
Authors: Bo Yang , Wang Hua
Published: June 2022

Infectious diseases that result from pathogen infection are among the leading causes of human death, with pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus, malaria, influenza, and ongoing SARS‐COV‐2 viruses constantly threatening the global population. While the mechanisms behind various infectious diseases are not entirely clear and thus retard the development of effective therapeutics, vaccines have served as a universal approach to containing infectious diseases. However, conventional vaccines that solely consist of antigens or simply mix antigens and adjuvants have failed to control various highly infective or deadly pathogens. Biomaterials‐based vaccines have provided a promising solution due to their ability to synergize the function of antigens and adjuvants, troubleshoot delivery issues, home and manipulate immune cells in situ. In this review, we will summarize different types of materials‐based vaccines for generating cellular and humoral responses against pathogens and discuss the design criteria for amplifying the efficacy of materials‐based vaccines against infectious diseases.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease
The Page curve for reflected entropy
Authors: Akers Chris , Faulkner Thomas , Lin Simon , Rath Pratik
Published: June 2022

Abstract

We study the reflected entropy SR in the West Coast Model, a toy model of black hole evaporation consisting of JT gravity coupled to end-of-the-world branes. We demonstrate the validity of the holographic duality relating it to the entanglement wedge cross section away from phase transitions. Further, we analyze the important non-perturbative effects that smooth out the discontinuity in the SR phase transition. By performing the gravitational path integral, we obtain the reflected entanglement spectrum analytically. The spectrum takes a simple form consisting of superselection sectors, which we interpret as a direct sum of geometries, a disconnected one and a connected one involving a closed universe. We find that area fluctuations of O ($$ \sqrt{G_N} $$

G
N

) spread out the SR phase transition in the canonical ensemble, analogous to the entanglement entropy phase transition. We also consider a Renyi generalization of the reflected entropy and show that the location of the phase transition varies as a function of the Renyi parameter.
Mouse precision-cut liver slices as an ex vivo model to study drug-induced cholestasis
Authors: Karsten R. E. H. , Krijnen N. J. W. , Maho W. , Permentier H. , Verpoorte E. , Olinga P.
Published: June 2022

Drugs are often withdrawn from the market due to the manifestation of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in patients. Drug-induced cholestasis (DIC), defined as obstruction of hepatic bile flow due to medication, is one form of DILI. Because DILI is idiosyncratic, and the resulting cholestasis complex, there is no suitable in vitro model for early DIC detection during drug development. Our goal was to develop a mouse precision-cut liver slice (mPCLS) model to study DIC and to assess cholestasis development using conventional molecular biology and analytical chemistry methods. Cholestasis was induced in mPCLS through a 48-h-incubation with three drugs known to induce cholestasis in humans, namely chlorpromazine (15, 20, and 30 µM), cyclosporin A (1, 3, and 6 µM) or glibenclamide (25, 50, and 65 µM). A bile-acid mixture (16 µM) that is physiologically representative of the human bile-acid pool was added to the incubation medium with drug, and results were compared to incubations with no added bile acids. Treatment of PCLS with cholestatic drugs increased the intracellular bile-acid concentration of deoxycholic acid and modulated bile-transporter genes. Chlorpromazine led to the most pronounced cholestasis in 48 h, observed as increased toxicity; decreased protein and gene expression of the bile salt export pump; increased gene expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein 4; and accumulation of intracellular bile acids. Moreover, chlorpromazine-induced cholestasis exhibited some transition into fibrosis, evidenced by increased gene expression of collagen 1A1 and heatshock protein 47. In conclusion, we demonstrate that mPCLS can be used to study human DIC onset and progression in a 48 h period. We thus propose this model is suited for other similar studies of human DIC.
Physiological factors facilitating the persistence of Pocillopora aliciae and Plesiastrea versipora in temperate reefs of south-eastern Australia under ocean warming
Authors: González-Pech Raúl A. , Hughes David J. , Strudwick Paige , Lewis Brett M. , Booth David J. , Figueira Will F. , Sommer Brigitte , Suggett David J. , Matthews Jennifer
Published: June 2022

High-latitude reefs are suboptimal coral habitats, but such habitats are increasingly considered to be potential refugia from climate change for range-shifting coral reef species. Notably, tropical reef fish have been observed along the south-east coast of Australia, but their establishment on temperate rocky reefs is currently limited by winter minimum temperatures and other resource needs, such as structurally complex habitats typical of tropical reefs. Recent expansion of the branching subtropical coral Pocillopora aliciae in rocky reefs near Sydney (34° S) could diversify the architectural structure of temperate marine environments, thereby providing potential shelter for tropical reef taxa in warming seas. Here, we investigated whether future environmental conditions (i.e. temperature increase) can influence the dominance of the subtropical branching coral P. aliciae over the resident encrusting coral Plesiastrea versipora in coastal Sydney by characterising physiological (e.g. metabolic stability) and behavioural (e.g. interspecific competitive hierarchy) traits that contribute to their competitive fitness. Our results suggest that a metabolic response, mediated by sterol and lipid metabolic pathways and provision of antioxidants, allows P. aliciae to reduce cellular stress and withstand exposure to short-term increased temperature. Conversely, P. versipora was more susceptible to heat exposure with no metabolic mediation observed. While P. versipora displayed greater aggressive behaviour when in direct contact with P. aliciae under all temperature conditions, the superior physiological and metabolic flexibility under increased temperatures of P. aliciae suggests that this species will likely outperform P. versipora under future increased temperatures. Such contrasting responses to environmental change would facilitate shifts in coral community and functional composition that could support further tropicalisation of coastal New South Wales.
Immune therapies against chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Akbar Sheikh Mohammad Fazle , Yoshida Osamu , Hiasa Yoichi
Published: June 2022

Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) represent a living and permanent reservoir of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Millions of these CHB patients will eventually develop complications such as liver cirrhosis, hepatic failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma if they are not treated properly. Accordingly, several antiviral drugs have been developed for the treatment of CHB, but these drugs can neither eradicate all forms of HBV nor contain the progression of complications in most patients with CHB. Thus, the development of new and novel therapeutics for CHB remains a pressing need. The molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of CHB indicate that immune dysregulations may be responsible for HBV persistence and progressive liver damage in CHB. This provided the scientific and ethical basis for the immune therapy of CHB patients. Around 30 years have passed since the initiation of immune therapies for CHB in the early 1990s, and hundreds of clinical trials have been accomplished to substantiate this immune treatment. Despite these approaches, an acceptable regimen of immune therapy is yet to be realized. However, most immune therapeutic agents are safe for human usage, and many of these protocols have inspired considerable optimism. In this review, the pros and cons of different immune therapies, observed in patients with CHB during the last 30 years, will be discussed to derive insights into the development of an evidence-based, effective, and patient-friendly regimen of immune therapy for the treatment of CHB.
Accelerating decline of an important wintering population of the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea at Sonadia Island, Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury Sayam U. , Foysal Mohammod , Green Rhys E.
Published: June 2022

The critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea breeds in Russia and winters between Bangladesh and China. World population estimates during 2014–2019 suggested a decline at a mean rate of 8% per year. Several surveys of local populations also indicated declines. We report a rapid decline of another local population of the species based on a 9-year series of annual surveys during the boreal winter at Sonadia Island, Chattogram Division, Bangladesh. We made bounded-count estimates of local populations of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper and 25 other shorebird species based on monthly counts in each of nine winters (2012/2013 to 2020/2021). For three of these winters (2017/2018 to 2019/2020), we also made Lincoln–Petersen estimates of the local population of Spoon-billed Sandpipers using resightings and scan surveys of individually marked birds. Population and trend estimates for the two methods were similar during the 3-year period when results from both were available. Bounded-count estimates of Spoon-billed Sandpipers declined markedly over the 9-year period. Analysis of combined data from both methods indicated that an exponential decline at a mean rate of 9.5% per year during the period 2012/2013 to 2017/2018 was followed by a much more rapid decline at 49.1% per year during 2018/2019 to 2020/2021. Bounded-count estimates of the combined population of 25 other shorebird species in each winter showed no decline during the 9-year period, which suggests that the decline in the local population of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper was not part of a general decline in populations of wintering shorebirds due to local factors. Estimates of the mean trend of other Spoon-billed Sandpiper local populations and of the world population all indicate declines at broadly similar rates. We recommend immediate reassessment of threats faced by the Spoon-billed Sandpiper and improved conservation interventions.
Alcohol consumption, blood DNA methylation and breast cancer: a Mendelian randomisation study
Authors: Zhou Xuan , Yu Lili , Wang Lijuan , Xiao Jiarui , Sun Jing , Zhou Yajing , Xu Xiaolin , Xu Wanghong , Spiliopoulou Athina , Timofeeva Maria , Zhang Xiaomeng , He Yazhou , Yang Haomin , Campbell Harry , Zhang Ben , Zhu Yimin , Theodoratou Evropi , Li Xue
Published: June 2022

Alcohol intake is thought to be a risk factor for breast cancer, but the causal relationship and carcinogenic mechanisms are not clear. We performed an up-to-date meta-analysis of prospective studies to assess observational association, and then conducted MR analysis to make causal inference based on the genetic predisposition to alcohol consumption (“drinks per week”) and pathological drinking behaviours (“alcohol use disorder” and “problematic alcohol use”), as well as genetically predicted DNA methylation at by alcohol-related CpG sites in blood. We found an observational dose–response association between alcohol intake and breast cancer incidence with an additional risk of 4% for per 10 g/day increase in alcohol consumption. Genetic predisposition to alcohol consumption (“drinks per week”) was not causally associated with breast cancer incidence at the OR of 1.01 (95% CI 0.84, 1.23), but problematic alcohol use (PAU) was linked to a higher breast cancer risk at the OR of 1.76 (95% CI 1.04, 2.99) when conditioning on alcohol consumption. Epigenetic MR analysis identified four CpG sites, cg03260624 near CDC7 gene, cg10816169 near ZNF318 gene, cg03345232 near RIN3 gene, and cg26312998 near RP11-867G23.13 gene, where genetically predicted epigenetic modifications were associated with an increased breast cancer incidence risk. Our findings re-affirmed that alcohol consumption is of high risk for breast cancer incidence even at a very low dose, and the pathogenic effect of alcohol on breast cancer could be due to pathological drinking behaviour and epigenetic modification at several CpG sites, which could be potential intervention targets for breast cancer prevention.
Karl Jaspers and artificial neural nets: on the relation of explaining and understanding artificial intelligence in medicine
Authors: Starke Georg , Poppe Christopher
Published: June 2022

Assistive systems based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) are bound to reshape decision-making in all areas of society. One of the most intricate challenges arising from their implementation in high-stakes environments such as medicine concerns their frequently unsatisfying levels of explainability, especially in the guise of the so-called black-box problem: highly successful models based on deep learning seem to be inherently opaque, resisting comprehensive explanations. This may explain why some scholars claim that research should focus on rendering AI systems understandable, rather than explainable. Yet, there is a grave lack of agreement concerning these terms in much of the literature on AI. We argue that the seminal distinction made by the philosopher and physician Karl Jaspers between different types of explaining and understanding in psychopathology can be used to promote greater conceptual clarity in the context of Machine Learning (ML). Following Jaspers, we claim that explaining and understanding constitute multi-faceted epistemic approaches that should not be seen as mutually exclusive, but rather as complementary ones as in and of themselves they are necessarily limited. Drawing on the famous example of Watson for Oncology we highlight how Jaspers’ methodology translates to the case of medical AI. Classical considerations from the philosophy of psychiatry can therefore inform a debate at the centre of current AI ethics, which in turn may be crucial for a successful implementation of ethically and legally sound AI in medicine.
Should Philosophical Reflection on Ethics Do Without Moral Concepts?
Authors: Hooker Brad
Published: June 2022

Roger Crisp, in his book Reasons and Goodness, argues in favour of de-moralizing our philosophical reflection on ethics. This paper begins by explaining what ‘de-moralizing’ means. Then the paper assesses Crisp’s argument for de-moralizing and puts forward arguments against de-moralizing.
Cellular automata rules solving the wireless sensor network coverage problem
Authors: Hoffmann Rolf , Désérable Dominique , Seredyński Franciszek
Published: June 2022

The problem of an optimal coverage of a wireless sensor network area is considered. To solve this problem, a Cellular Automata (CA) approach is proposed. More specifically, the objective is to find CA rules which are able to cover the 2D space by a minimum number of so–called “Sensor Tiles”. A sensor tile consists of a von Neumann neighborhood of range 2 centered at sensor “point” and surrounded by 12 sensing “pixels”. Two probabilistic CA rules were designed that can perform this task. Results of an experimental study show that the first rule evolves very fast stable sub-optimal coverings, starting from a random configuration. The second rule finds optimal coverings, however it needs much more time for their evolution. The results are supported by a theoretical study on von Neumann neighborhoods and borrowing either from heuristics or from the spectral theory of circulant graphs.
On Subdifferentials Via a Generalized Conjugation Scheme: An Application to DC Problems and Optimality Conditions
Authors: Fajardo M.D. , Vidal J.
Published: June 2022

This paper studies properties of a subdifferential defined using a generalized conjugation scheme. We relate this subdifferential together with the domain of an appropriate conjugate function and the ε-directional derivative. In addition, we also present necessary conditions for ε-optimality and global optimality in optimization problems involving the difference of two convex functions. These conditions will be written via this generalized notion of subdifferential studied in the first sections of the paper.
Using crushed waste bricks for urban greening with contrasting grassland mixtures: no negative effects of brick-augmented substrates varying in soil type, moisture and acid pre-treatment
Authors: Bauer Markus , Krause Martin , Heizinger Valentin , Kollmann Johannes
Published: June 2022

Ecological restoration aims at supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services, and urban greening is a great opportunity to achieve this goal. This is facilitated by species-rich seed mixtures based on local provenances, which are designed for certain nutrient and moisture regimes based on functional plant traits. Such grassland mixtures might be cultivated on crushed waste bricks, which would be a new component of water-holding urban substrates. Thus, we studied the effects of brick quantity and quality, acid pre-treatment of bricks, soil type and moisture on biomass of designed seed mixtures. Three greenhouse experiments were conducted, with substrates consisting of different brick ratios (5% vs. 30%), brick types (clean production waste vs. demolition material), and brick treatments (acid vs. control) tested on three trait-based mixtures and a non-regional commercial standard mixture. The trait-based mixtures included information on specific leaf area, seed mass and grass-to-legume ratio. There were no negative effects of demolition bricks, soil texture and moisture on grassland biomass. Acid-treated clean porous bricks improved biomass production of the standard and intermediate mixtures, while the effect was minimal with demolition bricks. Designed seed mixtures had a biomass similar to the standard mixture under dry conditions but did not benefit from high moisture like the standard mixture. In conclusion, waste bricks are a useful additive for urban restoration substrates to save raw material, and specifically designed regional mixtures can replace commercial grassland types on these substrates.
Quantifying the Impact of Signal-to-background Ratios on Surgical Discrimination of Fluorescent Lesions
Authors: Azargoshasb Samaneh , Boekestijn Imke , Roestenberg Meta , KleinJan Gijs H. , van der Hage Jos A. , van der Poel Henk G. , Rietbergen Daphne D. D. , van Oosterom Matthias N. , van Leeuwen Fijs W. B.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Surgical fluorescence guidance has gained popularity in various settings, e.g., minimally invasive robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery. In pursuit of novel receptor-targeted tracers, the field of fluorescence-guided surgery is currently moving toward increasingly lower signal intensities. This highlights the importance of understanding the impact of low fluorescence intensities on clinical decision making. This study uses kinematics to investigate the impact of signal-to-background ratios (SBR) on surgical performance.

Methods

Using a custom grid exercise containing hidden fluorescent targets, a da Vinci Xi robot with Firefly fluorescence endoscope and ProGrasp and Maryland forceps instruments, we studied how the participants’ (N = 16) actions were influenced by the fluorescent SBR. To monitor the surgeon’s actions, the surgical instrument tip was tracked using a custom video-based tracking framework. The digitized instrument tracks were then subjected to multi-parametric kinematic analysis, allowing for the isolation of various metrics (e.g., velocity, jerkiness, tortuosity). These were incorporated in scores for dexterity (Dx), decision making (DM), overall performance (PS) and proficiency. All were related to the SBR values.

Results

Multi-parametric analysis showed that task completion time, time spent in fluorescence-imaging mode and total pathlength are metrics that are directly related to the SBR. Below SBR 1.5, these values substantially increased, and handling errors became more frequent. The difference inDxandDMbetween the targets that gave SBR < 1.50 and SBR > 1.50, indicates that the latter group generally yields a 2.5-fold higherDxvalue and a threefold higherDMvalue. As these values provide the basis for thePSscore, proficiency could only be achieved at SBR > 1.55.

Conclusion

By tracking the surgical instruments we were able to, for the first time, quantitatively and objectively assess how the instrument positioning is impacted by fluorescent SBR. Our findings suggest that in ideal situations a minimum SBR of 1.5 is required to discriminate fluorescent lesions, a substantially lower value than the SBR 2 often reported in literature.
Betriebliche Absichten für gesundheitsförderliche Telearbeit nach dem COVID-19-Lockdown 2020
Authors: Lang Gert , Hofer-Fischanger Kathrin
Published: June 2022

Hintergrund

Unternehmen mussten wegen der Pandemie im Frühjahr 2020 schnelle Lösungen für die Weiterarbeit – von zu Hause aus – finden. Die Arbeitsbedingungen zu Hause (Telearbeit) entsprechen nicht immer den Grundprinzipien und Qualitätskriterien der betrieblichen Gesundheitsförderung (BGF).

Fragestellung

Wie stark ist der Ansatz gesundheitsförderlicher Telearbeit (Arbeit im Homeoffice) in Betrieben verankert und was beeinflusst die strategische Etablierung und Nutzung unterstützender Materialien?

Material und Methoden

Theoretisch abgeleitete Hypothesen wurden operationalisiert und 1858 österreichische Betriebe zur Teilnahme an einer Online-Befragung eingeladen. Die Stichprobe (n = 192) repräsentiert einen breiten Mix aus Unternehmensgrößen, Sektoren und Regionen.

Ergebnisse

Betriebe variieren stark in der Absicht zukünftig gesundheitsförderliche Telearbeit umzusetzen. Ein Teil der Variation kann durch multivariate Pfadmodelle aufgeklärt werden, wobei die Verhaltenskontrolle und die sozialen Normen eine zentrale Rolle einnehmen. Erstere wird vom Grad der Vorbereitung auf Telearbeit und ihre Umsetzung im Unternehmen bestimmt. Insbesondere zeigt sich, dass die Telearbeitskultur und die ‑bereitschaft für die Stärke von sozialen Normen gegenüber der Umsetzung von Telearbeit verantwortlich sind.

Schlussfolgerung

Telearbeit wurde bisher zu wenig im Sinne einer ganzheitlichen BGF betrachtet. Eine derartige Umsetzung hängt stark von Unternehmensstrukturen und -prozessen, der Kultur und den Handlungsspielräumen der Entscheidungsträger ab. Betrieben wird empfohlen, Kompetenzen aufzubauen und sich am Konzept der Kapazitätsbildung zu orientieren.
The class of c-almost periodic functions defined on vertical strips in the complex plane
Authors: Ounis Hadjer , Sepulcre Juan Matías
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we develop the notion of c-almost periodicity for functions defined on vertical strips in the complex plane. As a generalization of Bohr’s concept of almost periodicity, we study the main properties of this class of functions which was recently introduced for the case of one real variable. In fact, we extend some important results of this theory which were already demonstrated for some particular cases. In particular, given a non-null complex number c, we prove that the family of vertical translates of a prefixed c-almost periodic function defined in a vertical strip U is relatively compact on any vertical substrip of U, which leads to proving that every c-almost periodic function is also almost periodic and, in fact, $$c^m$$

c
m

-almost periodic for each integer number m.
Experimental study on interlayer interference of coalbed methane reservoir under different reservoir physical properties and pressure systems
Authors: Liu Lingli , Wang Jianjun , Su Penghui , Huang Wensong , Zhang Bin , Zhang Xianmin , Cui Zehong , Wei Xiaoyi , Duan Lijiang , Li Ming
Published: June 2022

Multilayer commingled production is the most efficient development technique of coalbed methane under the condition of multiple coal seams. However, due to the differences in physical properties between multilayer superimposed gas-bearing systems, interlayer interference severely limits coalbed methane development in commingled production. To achieve multilayer-commingled production, interlayer interference must be reduced and the combination of production layers must be optimized. Physical simulations are an effective measure to achieve this goal. According to the characteristics of multiple thin interbeds, strong reservoir heterogeneity and interlayer pressure difference in the Surat basin, a physical model is established to simulate the multilayer-commingled production process of coalbed methane reservoirs and the gas production contribution, and a pressure change of each layer is analyzed. The greater the interlayer pressure difference, the more obvious the early backflow phenomenon of the low-pressure layer, the more obvious the difference of layered production contribution in the later stage, the lower the degree of commingled production and recovery, and the stronger the interlayer interference. In view of these, this study proposes a new experimental method named the succession production. The novelty of this method is to control the commingled production time, that is, the high-pressure layer is produced first, and the low-pressure layer is combined when the interlayer pressure is consistent. The results show that this method can eliminate the early backflow phenomenon of the low-pressure layer and reduce interlayer interference. Furthermore, the characteristics of interlayer interference and the change law of multilayer-commingled production capacity of succession and commingled production are clarified, providing theoretical and technical support for reducing interlayer interference and optimizing production layer combination to promote the efficient development of multiple thin interbedded coalbed methane reservoirs.
Knowledge graph model development for knowledge discovery in dementia research using cognitive scripting and next-generation graph-based database: a design science research approach
Authors: Fahd Kiran , Miao Yuan , Miah Shah J. , Venkatraman Sitalakshmi , Ahmed Khandakar
Published: June 2022

Recent studies report doubling numbers of deaths due to dementia. With such an escalating mortality rate related to cognitive decline diseases, like dementia, timely information on contributing factors and knowledge discovery from evidence-based repositories is warranted. A large amount of scholarly knowledge extracted from research findings on dementia can be understood only using human intelligence for arriving at quality inferences. Due to the unstructured data presented in such a massive dataset of scientific articles available online, gaining insights from the knowledge hidden in the literature is complex and time-consuming. Hence, there is a need for developing a knowledge management model to create, query and maintain a knowledge repository of key elements and their relationships extracted from scholarly articles in a structured manner. In this paper, an innovative knowledge discovery computing model to process key findings from unstructured data from scholarly articles by using the design science research (DSR) methodology is proposed. The solution caters to a novel composition of the cognitive script of crucial knowledge related to dementia and its subsequent transformation from unstructured into a structured format using graph-based next-generation infrastructures. The computing model contains three phases to assist the research community to have a better understanding of the related knowledge in the existing unstructured research articles: (i) article collection and construction of cognitive script, (ii) generation of Cypher statements (a knowledge graph query language) and (iii) creation of graph-based repository and visualization. The performance of the computing model is demonstrated by visualizing the outcome of various search criteria in the form of nodes and their relationships. Our results also demonstrate the effectiveness of visual query and navigation highlighting its usability.
Structure-type classification and flexibility-based detection of earthquake-induced damage in full-scale RC buildings
Authors: Bernagozzi Giacomo , Quqa Said , Landi Luca , Diotallevi Pier Paolo
Published: June 2022

Detecting early damage in civil structures is highly desirable. In the area of vibration-based damage detection, modal flexibility (MF)-based methods have proven to be promising tools for promptly identifying changes in the global structural behavior. Many of these methods have been developed for specific types of structures, giving rise to different approaches and damage-sensitive features (DSFs). Although structural type classification is an important part of the damage detection process, this part of the process has received little attention in most literature and often relies on the use of a-priori engineering knowledge. Moreover, in general, experimental validations are only performed on small-scale laboratory structures with controlled artificial damage (e.g., imposed stiffness reductions). This paper proposes data-driven criteria for structure-type classification usable in the framework of MF-based damage identification methods to select the most appropriate algorithms and DSFs for detecting and localizing structural anomalies. This paper also tests the applicability of the proposed classification criteria and the damage identification methods on full-scale reinforced concrete (RC) structures that have experienced earthquake-induced damage. The considered structures are a seven-story RC wall building and a five-story RC frame building, which were both tested on the large-scale University of California, San Diego-Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (UCSD-NEES) shaking table.
Agroecological practices increase farmers’ well-being in an agricultural growth corridor in Tanzania
Authors: Milheiras Sergio G. , Sallu Susannah M. , Loveridge Robin , Nnyiti Petro , Mwanga Lilian , Baraka Elineema , Lala Margherita , Moore Eleanor , Shirima Deo D. , Kioko Esther N. , Marshall Andrew R. , Pfeifer Marion
Published: June 2022

Millions of people rely on nature-rich farming systems for their subsistence and income. The contributions of nature to these systems are varied and key to their sustainability in the long term. Yet, agricultural stakeholders are often unaware or undervalue the relevance of those contributions, which can affect decisions concerning land management. There is limited knowledge on how farming practices and especially those that build more strongly on nature, including agroecological practices, may shape farmers’ livelihoods and well-being. We aim to determine the effect that farmer perception of contributions from nature, socioeconomic conditions, and farming practices, have on outcomes related to food security and human well-being. We conducted 467 household surveys in an agricultural growth corridor in rural Tanzania, which is also essential for nature conservation due to its high biodiversity and its strategic location between several protected areas encompassing wetland, forest, and grassland habitats. Results show that implementing more agroecological practices at farm scale has a positive effect on farmer well-being in the study landscape. Results also indicate that higher awareness of benefits from nature, as well as engagement with agricultural extension services, are associated with higher number of agroecological practices applied in the farm. This research confirms the relevance of capacity-building initiatives to scale up the uptake of agroecological practices in the tropics. It also shows, using empirical evidence, that farming practices taking advantage of nature’s contributions to people can positively affect food security and human well-being, even when those practices complement conventional ones, such as the use of synthetic inputs. Understanding the impact of agroecological farming on the well-being of smallholder farmers in the tropics paves the way for policy and program development that ensures global food demands are met in a sustainable way without compromising the well-being of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
(Ho0.25Lu0.25Yb0.25Eu0.25)2SiO5 high-entropy ceramic with low thermal conductivity, tunable thermal expansion coefficient, and excellent resistance to CMAS corrosion
Authors: Chen Zhilin , Tian Zhilin , Zheng Liya , Ming Keyu , Ren Xiaomin , Wang Jingyang , Li Bin
Published: June 2022

Low thermal conductivity, compatible thermal expansion coefficient, and good calcium—magnesium—aluminosilicate (CMAS) corrosion resistance are critical requirements of environmental barrier coatings for silicon-based ceramics. Rare earth silicates have been recognized as one of the most promising environmental barrier coating candidates for good water vapor corrosion resistance. However, the relatively high thermal conductivity and high thermal expansion coefficient limit the practical application. Inspired by the high entropy effect, a novel rare earth monosilicate solid solution (Ho0.25Lu0.25Yb0.25Eu0.25)2SiO5was designed to improve the overall performance. The as-synthesized (Ho0.25Lu0.25Yb0.25Eu0.25)2SiO5shows very low thermal conductivity (1.07 W·m−1·K−1at 600 °C). Point defects including mass mismatch and oxygen vacancies mainly contribute to the good thermal insulation properties. The thermal expansion coefficient of (Ho0.25Lu0.25Yb0.25Eu0.25)2SiO5can be decreased to (4.0–5.9)×10−6K−1due to severe lattice distortion and chemical bonding variation, which matches well with that of SiC ((4.5–5.5)×10−6K−1). In addition, (Ho0.25Lu0.25Yb0.25Eu0.25)2SiO5presents good resistance to CMAS corrosion. The improved performance of (Ho0.25Lu0.25Yb0.25Eu0.25)2SiO5highlights it as a promising environmental barrier coating candidate.
Regionally extended shared socioeconomic pathways for the offshore wind industry in Finland
Authors: Jenkins Jamie , Malho Maria , Hyytiäinen Kari
Published: June 2022

Offshore wind energy is increasingly becoming an important part of European and global low-emission power systems. The aims of this paper are to create a shared understanding on the major drivers of offshore wind development in Finland and to explore how these drivers, and opportunities for the entire industry, may develop over the twenty-first century, under different global futures. This research develops extended shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) narratives for the offshore wind industry by using a virtual participatory workshop with expert stakeholders. According to our results, the five key drivers shaping the prospects of offshore wind development are public acceptability of offshore energy, global and national demand for low-emission energy, technological development and relative competitiveness of offshore energy, availability of space and wind resources, and energy markets and transmission infrastructure. Nationally extended SSP narratives, building on these key drivers, describe a wide range of alternative future risks and opportunities for developing offshore energy. Under sustainable development (SSP1), offshore wind is likely to soon become a major source of energy in the area, if developed in a balanced manner alongside other uses of the marine space. Under fossil-fuelled development (SSP5), offshore wind grows slower and may experience rapid uptake only in the latter half of the century. Under the regional rivalry scenario (SSP3), the need for local energy sources drives the national energy policies and may create new opportunities for offshore wind. Under the inequality scenario (SSP4), local municipalities and the residents decide on locations of new wind turbines and the overall magnitude of future offshore wind.
Exploring the impact of leader humility on different types of voice: the role of employee other-oriented motivations
Authors: Zhou Qiwei , Chen Keyu
Published: June 2022

Drawing on social learning theory and taking a motivational perspective, this study mainly investigates how leader humility can promote employees' other-oriented motivations, and uncovers the other-serving motivational mechanism through which leader humility can impact their employees' different types of voice behavior. By collecting data from 152 leader–subordinate dyads through an online survey, the results revealed that leader humility was positively related to both employees' prosocial motivation and organizational concern motivation. Meanwhile, these two motivations play mediating roles in explaining how leader humility can positively affect employees' supportive voice and challenging voice. It is noteworthy that leader humility, which features highlighting the value and strength of others, is more likely to trigger employees' prosocial motivation and thus influence their voice behavior. This research extends our understanding of leader humility, employee motivation, and workplace voice. Practical implications and limitations of the results are also discussed.
Neural correlates of learning accommodation and consolidation in generalised anxiety disorder
Authors: Migó Marta , Chou Tina , Widge Alik S. , Peters Amy T. , Ellard Kristen , Dougherty Darin D. , Deckersbach Thilo
Published: June 2022

Objective.

Anxiety can interfere with attention and working memory, which are components that affect learning. Statistical models have been designed to study learning, such as the Bayesian Learning Model, which takes into account prior possibilities and behaviours to determine how much of a new behaviour is determined by learning instead of chance. However, the neurobiological basis underlying how anxiety interferes with learning is not yet known. Accordingly, we aimed to use neuroimaging techniques and apply a Bayesian Learning Model to study learning in individuals with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

Methods.

Participants were 25 controls and 14 individuals with GAD and comorbid disorders. During fMRI, participants completed a shape-button association learning and reversal task. Using a flexible factorial analysis in SPM, activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and hippocampus was compared between groups during first reversal. Beta values from the peak of these regions were extracted for all learning conditions and submitted to repeated measures analyses in SPSS.

Results.

Individuals with GAD showed less activation in the basal ganglia and the hippocampus only in the first reversal compared with controls. This difference was not present in the initial learning and second reversal.

Conclusion.

Given that the basal ganglia is associated with initial learning, and the hippocampus with transfer of knowledge from short- to long-term memory, our results suggest that GAD may engage these regions to a lesser extent during early accommodation or consolidation of learning, but have no longer term effects in brain activation patterns during subsequent learning.