bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Fish Model: When Do Researchers Collaborate Online?
Authors: Mohamed Bahaaeldin , Köhler Thomas
Published: March 2021

The questions of whether and how doctoral students are motivated for enhanced research collaboration deserve thorough consideration. Even though collaboration in general and its mediated forms, such as computer-supported cooperative work and collaborative learning (CSCW and CSCL), are prominent research topics, only a little is known about the methods necessary to design various activities to support research collaboration. With the upcoming generation of tools such as Mendeley, Conference Chair, ResearchGate, or Communote, scholars suspect that web 2.0 services play a decisive role in enabling and enhancing research collaboration. However, there is almost no data available on the extent to which researchers adopt these technologies, and how they do so. Therefore, the authors first present an overview of the current usage of web 2.0 among doctoral researchers in their daily academic routines, based on a survey (n = 140) conducted in the German Federal State of Saxony. It confirms a wide and often specified usage of web 2.0 services for research collaboration. For theoretical analysis, the authors propose a conceptual framework that reflects the requirements of scientific participation and scholarly collaboration within an average international doctoral programme adopting current digital technologies. The aim of this framework is to understand, support, and enhance research collaboration among doctoral researchers. Our fish model highlights the mutual relationship between the following dichotomous factors: (a) tasks/time factors; (b) beliefs/activities; (c) support/context; and (d) incentives/ethical issues. Our results indicate a significant relationship in terms of research collaboration. This relationship has particularly been identified between two dichotomous factors: beliefs/activities and incentives/ethics.
Introduction
Authors: Horsch Martin Thomas , Chiacchiera Silvia , Cavalcanti Welchy Leite , Schembera Björn
Published: March 2021

Digitalization is one of the driving forces of technological and social progress today. In the engineering sciences, in combination with a great variety of quantitatively reliable modelling and simulation approaches, it supports the development known as industry 4.0 by contributing to virtual manufacturing through cyber-physical systems. This is the main topic of this book, where the focus will be on the interoperability aspects of findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) data management, and the practical implementation on digital platforms and data infrastructures for materials modelling.
Algebraic Quantitative Semantics for Efficient Online Temporal Monitoring
Authors: Mamouras Konstantinos , Chattopadhyay Agnishom , Wang Zhifu
Published: March 2021

We investigate efficient algorithms for the online monitoring of properties written in metric temporal logic (MTL). We employ an abstract algebraic semantics based on semirings. It encompasses the Boolean semantics and a quantitative semantics capturing the robustness of satisfaction, which is based on the max-min semiring over the extended real numbers. We provide a precise equational characterization of the class of semirings for which our semantics can be viewed as an approximation to an alternative semantics that quantifies the distance of a system trace from the set of all traces that satisfy the desired property.
A Flexible Proof Format for SAT Solver-Elaborator Communication
Authors: Baek Seulkee , Carneiro Mario , Heule Marijn J. H.
Published: March 2021

We introduce , a new proof format for unsatisfiable SAT problems, and its associated toolchain. Compared to , the format allows solvers to include more information in proofs to reduce the computational cost of subsequent elaboration to . The format is easy to parse forward and backward, and it is extensible to future proof methods. The provision of optional proof steps allows SAT solver developers to balance implementation effort against elaboration time, with little to no overhead on solver time. We benchmark our toolchain against a comparable toolchain and confirm >84% median reduction in elaboration time and >94% median decrease in peak memory usage.
Generating Extended Resolution Proofs with a BDD-Based SAT Solver
Authors: Bryant Randal E. , Heule Marijn J. H.
Published: March 2021

In 2006, Biere, Jussila, and Sinz made the key observation that the underlying logic behind algorithms for constructing Reduced, Ordered Binary Decision Diagrams (BDDs) can be encoded as steps in a proof in theextended resolutionlogical framework. Through this, a BDD-based Boolean satisfiability (SAT) solver can generate a checkable proof of unsatisfiability. Such proofs indicate that the formula is truly unsatisfiable without requiring the user to trust the BDD package or the SAT solver built on top of it.

We extend their work to enable arbitrary existential quantification of the formula variables, a critical capability for BDD-based SAT solvers. We demonstrate the utility of this approach by applying a prototype solver to obtain polynomially sized proofs on benchmarks for the mutilated chessboard and pigeonhole problems—ones that are very challenging for search-based SAT solvers.
Digital Maturity Assessment – Bisherige Transformation, Typen digitaler Unternehmen, Branchen- und Ländervergleich
Authors: Proff Harald , Ahrens Claudia , Neuroth Wencke , Proff Heike , Knobbe Florian , Szybisty Gregor , Sommer Stefan
Published: March 2021

Wir entwickeln in diesem Kapitel einen Index zur Erfassung der digitalen Reife („Digital Maturity Index“, DMI) und haben damit bei 160 deutschen und 785 Unternehmen weltweit die bisherige digitale Transformation untersucht.

Die Ergebnisse für Deutschland

stützen die Hypothesen, dass

die Gewinnwirkung umso höher ist, je stärker durch die Digitalisierung Technologien und Prozesse (Activities) und mehr noch Angebote und Geschäftsmodelle (Businesses) verändert werden,

die Gewinnwirkung der Digitalisierung umso höher ist, je stärker Veränderungsfähigkeiten (Dynamic Capabilities) aktiviert und dadurch operative Fähigkeiten (Operational Capabilities) neu konfiguriert werden

und belegen damit, dass die Gewinnwirkung der Digitalisierung mit der digitalen Reife steigt.

Die Ergebnisse lassen sich entlang der vier Teilindizes (Business Index, Activity Index, Dynamic Capability Index und Operative Capability Index) genauer betrachten.

identifizieren sechs Archetypen digitaler Unternehmen (Champions, Potenzialträger, Innovatoren, Optimierer, Folger und Nachzügler) und zeigen, dass nur fünf Prozent der deutschen Unternehmen zu den digitalen Champions zählen, die im Zuge der Digitalisierung sowohl ihre Leistungen als auch ihre Fähigkeiten radikal verändert haben.

Die sechs Typen digitaler Unternehmen unterscheiden sich darin, wie stark sie ihre Leistungen und Kompetenzen, aber auch ihre Wertschöpfung und die IT digitalisieren und wie schnell sie die digitale Transformation managen.

Die Ergebnisse der Unternehmen weltweit

ermöglichen einen Branchenvergleich, gemäß dem Anbieter von Industrieprodukten und Dienstleistungsanbieter bereits eine deutlich höhere digitale Reife aufweisen als z. B. Automobilunternehmen.

ermöglichen einen Vergleich der bisherigen digitalen Transformation von Unternehmen in der EU, in Amerika und Asien, der relativ große Ähnlichkeiten zwischen den Regionen zeigt.
Accelerating Digitalization – Ansatzpunkte zur Beschleunigung der Digitalisierung
Authors: Proff Harald , Ahrens Claudia , Neuroth Wencke , Proff Heike , Knobbe Florian , Szybisty Gregor , Sommer Stefan
Published: March 2021

Wir entwickeln in diesem Kapitel Ansatzpunkte zur Beschleunigung der digitalen Transformation:

Zunächst werden Wege aufgezeigt, wie die sechs in Kap. 10.1007/978-3-658-31456-9_5 unterschiedenen Archetypen digitaler Unter-nehmen die digitale Reife erhöhen können.

Dabei gilt es, konsequent die Schwachstellen zu beseitigen, die die vier Teilindizes (Digital Activity Index, Digtal Business Index, Dynamic Capability Index und Operational Capability Index) aufdecken.

Anschließend wird die Notwendigkeit begründet, die Digitalisierung angesichts des zunehmenden Wettbewerbs um optimale digitale Leistungen weiter zu beschleunigen.

Dafür werden Ansatzpunkte aufgezeigt:

Vernetzung und Skalierung von Leistungen über geeignete digitale Schlüssel – Accelerator of Digitalization (1),

rechtzeitige Quantifizierung von Einspar- und Erlöspotenzialen der Digitalisierung – Accelerator of Digitalization (2),

Umsetzung digitaler Fähigkeiten durch minimal lebensfähige Leistungen, d. h. durch organisationale Agilität, die in kapitalintensiven Branchen die Notwendigkeit der Fixkostendegression durch Erzielung von Größen- und Verbundvorteilen berücksichtigen muss (hybride Agilität – Accelerator of Digitalization (3) und

Schutz vor ungewolltem Datenabfluss (Cyber Security – Accelerator of Digitalization (4).
Specific Research Objectives
Authors: Strunz Ulrich G.
Published: March 2021

The experiment’s purpose was to create a decision-making domain related to a VUCA domain—where agents had to solve a complex problem—and to analyze how their behavior changed when provided different global information.
Conclusion
Authors: Strunz Ulrich G.
Published: March 2021

The aim of this thesis was to create a decision-making domain, in which multiple agents would collectively engage a problem, without being able to communicate with each other. Furthermore, the group decision making was structured such that each agent would always have an influence over the outcome, but could not control the impact of their decisions. Different information conditions simulated information asymmetries, from which potential behavioral changes were to be analyzed.
Einleitung
Authors: Oltmer Jochen
Published: March 2021

Der Begriff „Schengen“ steht heute für den Verzicht auf regelmäßige stationäre Kontrollen an den Grenzen zwischen den 26 Mitgliedstaaten des Schengen-Raums. „Schengen“ bildet damit ein wesentliches Element der von der Europäischen Union (EU) als ein zentrales Ziel ihrer Politik formulierten Freizügigkeit, also der uneingeschränkten Bewegung aller Bürgerinnen und Bürger zwischen den Mitgliedstaaten der EU und der dort gewährten Freiheit der Niederlassung. „Schengen“ steht außerdem für die grenzpolizeiliche Zusammenarbeit der Staaten innerhalb Europas und an den Außengrenzen der EU.
Schluss
Authors: Oltmer Jochen
Published: March 2021

Seit dem Abschluss des Schengener Übereinkommens ist das Gewicht der Asyl- und Migrationspolitik für die EU erheblich angewachsen. Bis weit in die 1990er Jahre waren gemeinsame Aktivitäten auf diesen Feldern durch Verfahren zur intergouvernementalen Entscheidung gekennzeichnet: Vor allem die Innen- und Justizministerien der EU-Staaten verständigten sich über gemeinsame politische Initiativen und Regularien. Seit Ende der 1990er Jahre aber sind die Verfahren vergemeinschaftet, das heißt Mitgliedstaaten und die supranationalen Organe der EU entscheiden gemeinsam: Gesetzesvorhaben gehen ausschließlich von der Europäischen Kommission aus, sie werden vom Parlament und dem Rat der EU verabschiedet.
Oh, wait, O8 de Sitter may be unstable!
Authors: Bena Iosif , De Luca G. Bruno , Graña Mariana , Monaco Gabriele Lo
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We analyze the stability of four-dimensional de Sitter vacua constructed by compactifying massive Type IIA supergravity in the presence of two O8 sources [1]. When embedded in String Theory the first source has a clear interpretation as an O8− plane, but the second one could correspond to either an O8+ plane or to an O8− plane with 16 D8-branes on top. We find that this latter solution has a tachyonic instability, corresponding to the D8 branes moving away from the O8− plane. We comment on the possible ways of distinguishing between these sources.
Probiotische Teilbäder bei atopischer Dermatitis
Authors: Axt-Gadermann Michaela , Chudomirova Krasimira , Noll Matthias
Published: March 2021

Hintergrund

Die Bedeutung des epidermalen Mikrobioms bei der Pathogenese der atopischen Dermatitis (AD) rückt verstärkt in den Fokus aktueller Forschung.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die Wirkung eines probiotischen Badezusatzes auf die klinische Symptomatik und das epidermale Mikrobiom von Patienten mit AD wurde untersucht.

Material und Methoden

Die Studie wurde randomisiert und doppelblind durchgeführt: 22 Patienten wendeten 14 Tage täglich ein 10-minütiges Teilbad mit 4,5 × 109 oder 9 × 109 koloniebildenden Einheiten (KbE) lebensfähiger Milchsäurebakterien pro Liter an. Zu den Zeitpunkten Tag 0, Tag 7 und Tag 14 wurde die klinische Symptomatik mittels SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) und eines Fragebogens dokumentiert. Darüber hinaus wurden Hautabstriche zur Nukleinsäureextraktion für eine quantitative Staphylococcus (S.)-aureus-Polymerasekettenreaktion (PCR) und Mikrobiomanalyse mittels Amplikon-Sequenzierung gewonnen.

Ergebnisse

In beiden Behandlungsgruppen wurde eine vergleichbare Wirksamkeit dokumentiert: Probiotische Teilbäder mit einer Konzentration von 4,5 und 9 × 109 KBE/l konnten eine signifikante Reduktion des SCORADs (vor Therapiebeginn 63,04) und des lokalen SCORADs (14,68) an Tag 7 (SCORAD 47,09, lokaler SCORAD 10,99) und Tag 14 (SCORAD 35,26, lokaler SCORAD 8,54) erreichen. Die durch den Patienten erfassten Parameter Hauttrockenheit und Juckreiz verbesserten sich signifikant. Zeitgleich sank die mittlere Genkopienzahl von S. aureus um etwa 83 %, und die Mikrobiomanalyse zeigte eine tendenzielle Erhöhung der Diversität der bakteriellen Lebensgemeinschaft.

Fazit

Die topische Anwendung eines probiotischen Bades stellt eine vielversprechende unterstützende Behandlungsoption bei AD dar, die einer bestehenden Dysbiose entgegenwirkt.
Algorithm for error-free determination of the variance of all contiguous subsequences and fixed-length contiguous subsequences for a sequence of industrial measurement data
Authors: Chmielowiec Andrzej
Published: March 2021

The article presents an algorithm for fast and error-free determination of statistics such as the arithmetic mean and variance of all contiguous subsequences and fixed-length contiguous subsequences for a sequence of industrial measurement data. Additionally, it shows that both floating-point and integer representation can be used to perform this kind of statistical calculations. The author proves a theorem on the number of bits of precision that an arithmetic type must have to guarantee error-free determination of the arithmetic mean and variance. The article also presents the extension of Welford’s formula for determining variance for the sliding window method—determining the variance of fixed-length contiguous subsequences. The section dedicated to implementation tests shows the running times of individual algorithms depending on the arithmetic type used. The research shows that the use of integers in calculations makes the determination of the aforementioned statistics much faster.
Characterization of changes in structural, physicochemical and mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane building insulation after thermal aging in air and seawater
Authors: Barszczewska-Rybarek Izabela , Jaszcz Katarzyna , Chladek Grzegorz , Grabowska Paulina , Okseniuk Agnieszka , Szpot Michalina , Zawadzka Magdalena , Sokołowska Aleksandra , Tarkiewicz Aleksandra
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study was the identification of qualitative and quantitative changes in the visual appearance, chemical structure, morphology and selected physicochemical and mechanical properties of the closed cell rigid PU foam while heated in air and seawater for predicting its performance and durability. Specimens were aged at constant temperatures of 40 and 80 °C for a period of 10 weeks. Aging caused a yellowing of the samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that foam pores lost their regularity. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that the glass transition temperature (Tg) increased on average by 15 and 80%, respectively for samples heated at 40 and 80 °C. Water absorption (WS) also increased over time, respectively, by a maximum of 15 and 25%. The flexural strength (σflex) and compressive (σcomp) strength showed a decreasing tendency, whereas for tensile strength (σtens), an increase was observed. The starting material was characterized by the σflex, σtens and σcomp of: 436, 413 and 284 kPa, respectively. The lowest determined σflex value was of 345 kPa, and σcomp value was of 158 kPa. The highest determined σtens equaled to 608 kPa, respectively. The changes in flexural modulus were statistically insignificant and its average value was of 4.0 MPa.
Equity-efficiency implications of a European tax and transfer system
Authors: Gürer Eren
Published: March 2021

This study simulates three income tax scenarios in a Mirrleesian setting for 24 EU countries using data from the 2014 Structure of Earnings Survey. In scenario 1, each country individually maximizes its own welfare (benchmark). In scenarios 2 and 3, total welfare in the EU is maximized over a common budget constraint. Unlike scenario 2, the social planner of scenario 3 differentiates taxes by country of residence. If a common tax and transfer system were implemented in the EU, countries with a relatively higher mean wage rate—particularly those in Western and some of the Northern European countries—would transfer resources to the others. Scenario 2 implies increased labor distortions for almost all countries and, hence, leads to a contraction in total output. Scenario 3 produces higher (lower) marginal taxes for high- (low-) mean countries compared to the benchmark. The change in total output depends on the income effects on labor supply. Overall, total welfare is higher for the scenarios involving a European tax and transfer system despite more than two thirds of all the agents becoming worse off relative to the benchmark. A politically more feasible integrated tax system improves the well-being of almost half of all the EU but considerably reduces the aggregate welfare benefits.
A Newmark space-time formulation in structural dynamics
Authors: Bamer Franz , Shirafkan Nima , Cao Xiaodan , Oueslati Abdelbacet , Stoffel Marcus , de Saxcé Géry , Markert Bernd
Published: March 2021

In this contribution, we present a space-time formulation of the Newmark integration scheme for linear damped structures under both harmonic and transient excitations. The incremental set of equations of motion and the Newmark approximations are transformed into their corresponding space-time equivalents. The dynamic system is then represented by one algebraic space-time equation only. This equation is projected into a coupled pair of space-time equations, which is solved via the fixed point algorithm. The solution is iteratively assembled by enrichments, each of which is decomposed by a dyadic product of spatial and temporal enrichment vectors. The evolution of the spatial enrichment vectors is investigated during convergence and interpreted by comparing them to the set of linear modes of vibration. The new method is demonstrated by means of four numerical examples, presenting not only the excellent convergence behavior and the numerical efficiency but also the limits of the proposed approach.
Reinforcement learning methods based on GPU accelerated industrial control hardware
Authors: Schmidt Alexander , Schellroth Florian , Fischer Marc , Allimant Lukas , Riedel Oliver
Published: March 2021

Reinforcement learning is a promising approach for manufacturing processes. Process knowledge can be gained automatically, and autonomous tuning of control is possible. However, the use of reinforcement learning in a production environment imposes specific requirements that must be met for a successful application. This article defines those requirements and evaluates three reinforcement learning methods to explore their applicability. The results show that convolutional neural networks are computationally heavy and violate the real-time execution requirements. A new architecture is presented and validated that allows using GPU-based hardware acceleration while meeting the real-time execution requirements.
Estimation of recharge in mountain hard-rock aquifers based on discrete spring discharge monitoring during base-flow recession
Authors: Segadelli Stefano , Filippini Maria , Monti Anna , Celico Fulvio , Gargini Alessandro
Published: March 2021

Estimation of aquifer recharge is key to effective groundwater management and protection. In mountain hard-rock aquifers, the average annual discharge of a spring generally reflects the vertical aquifer recharge over the spring catchment. However, the determination of average annual spring discharge requires expensive and challenging field monitoring. A power-law correlation was previously reported in the literature that would allow quantification of the average annual spring discharge starting from only a few discharge measurements in the low-flow season, in a dry summer climate. The correlation is based upon the Maillet model and was previously derived by a 10-year monitoring program of discharge from springs and streams in hard-rock aquifers composed of siliciclastic and calcareous turbidites that did not have well defined hydrogeologic boundaries. In this research, the same correlation was applied to two ophiolitic (peridotitic) hard-rock aquifers in the Northern Apennines (Northern Italy) with well-defined hydrogeologic boundaries and base-outflow springs. The correlation provided a reliable estimate of the average annual spring discharge thus confirming its effectiveness regardless of bedrock lithology. In the two aquifers studied, the measurable annual outputs (i.e. sum of average annual spring discharges) could be assumed equal to the annual inputs (i.e. vertical recharge) based on the clear-cut aquifer boundaries and a quick groundwater circulation inferable from spring water parameters. Thus, in such setting, the aforementioned correlation also provided an estimate of the annual aquifer recharge allowing the assessment of coefficients of infiltration (i.e. ratio between aquifer recharge and total precipitation) ranging between 10 and 20%.
Welcoming mobile children at school: institutional responses and new questions
Authors: Kloetzer Laure , Clarke-Habibi Sara , Mehmeti Teuta , Zittoun Tania
Published: March 2021

Switzerland, like other countries in Europe, has long depended on migration and mobility for its economy. Facilitating the integration of migrant children in school, primarily through the acquisition of the local language, has therefore been a priority for policymakers. In recent years, mobility has been on the increase and mobility trajectories have become more diverse. A growing percentage of families arriving in the country have experienced repeated mobility and may not plan to settle in Switzerland for good. This paper examines institutional responses to the increasing number of mobile children in Swiss public schools, in particular, the manner in which such children are welcomed. It presents the main findings of an exploratory research project focused on children in repeated mobility, defined as having lived in multiple countries before their arrival in Switzerland, regardless of family background or legal status. Adopting a sociocultural psychological approach, the paper examines the macro-social level of cantonal educational policies regarding welcome processes, the meso-social level of local school policies, and the microsocial level of teachers’ practices and interactions in classrooms that welcome mobile children. Data include documentary analysis, interviews, and observations. Our analysis shows that a deficit view of mobile children and the preoccupation with language proficiency dominate policies and practices, resulting in the diversion of mobile children into special integration classes (so called “classes d’accueil” in the French speaking region, and “Integrationsklasse” in the Swiss German-speaking region). Mobility is conceptualized by Swiss policymakers, school directors, and teachers in terms of its challenges. In particular, school directors and teachers conceptualize mobility as increasing heterogeneity of the classroom. However, the situation varies greatly according to the personal orientations of school directors and teachers’ personal engagement. The paper emphasizes the ambiguous role of the integration classes: while they may impair the long-term chances of educational success by reducing academic expectations for non-native-speaking mobile children, they may also be used as “third spaces” which afford pedagogical freedom for dedicated teachers, potentially of benefit for children. The paper examines these propositions in the light of sociocultural educational literature and draws upon the case of welcoming mobile children to question a series of assumptions about the ultimate purposes of public schooling in Europe today.
Wie finanzieren wir die Corona-Schulden?
Authors: Ehnts Dirk , Paetz Michael
Published: March 2021

Das Jahr 2020 war geprägt von der COVID-19-Pandemie und ihren wirtschaftlichen Folgen. In Deutschland stiegen staatliches Defizit sowie die Schuldenquote infolge des Rückgangs der Wirtschaftsleistung auf geschätzt 5 % bzw. 75 % des BIP an. Um die wirtschaftliche Erholung von der Pandemie nicht durch die Rückkehr zu einem rigiden Sparkurs zu gefährden, ist es jetzt von besonderer Bedeutung, sich von falschen Vorstellungen bezüglich der Finanzierung sowie der Nachhaltigkeit staatlicher Ausgabenüberschüsse zu verabschieden. Nur so können die Weichen für eine Wirtschaftspolitik des 21. Jahrhunderts richtig gestellt werden.
Eigenkapitalpuffer im Abschwung wirksam?
Authors: Bremus Franziska , Menkhoff Lukas
Published: March 2021

Der antizyklische Kapitalpuffer und der Kapitalerhaltungspuffer wurden für die Verstetigung der Kreditvergabe sowie eine höhere Resilienz des Finanzsystems geschaffen. Fraglich bleibt, wie gut diese Puffer speziell im Abschwung in der Praxis von den Finanzinstituten genutzt werden. Dem Signalisierungsproblem zufolge könnte eine sinkende Eigenkapitalquote als positives (Fähigkeit zu Neugeschäften) aber auch negatives Zeichen (geringere Stabilität) gedeutet werden. Hinzu kommt das Unsicherheitsproblem, bei dem Kreditinstitute freigesetztes Eigenkapital in unsicheren Zeiten nicht für zusätzliches Kreditgeschäft nutzen.
Requirements for a successful Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program: a multicenter international survey among ERAS nurses
Authors: Pache Basile , Hübner Martin , Martin David , Addor Valerie , Ljungqvist Olle , Demartines Nicolas , Grass Fabian
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Nurses are the linchpin of any Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program, as they are in direct contact with patients and various caregivers. The aim of the present survey was to assess ERAS key factors and challenges from a nurse’s perspective.

Methods

A qualitative study among ERAS dedicated nurses and ERAS Interactive Audit System (EIAS) administrators using an online questionnaire (Survey Monkey®, Palo Alto, CA, United States) comprising 29 questions. The survey focused on challenges and drawbacks encountered during ERAS training, implementation and daily clinical practice. Closed multiple-choice and open-end questions and semantic differential scales (0–10) were used. Those invited to participate received three reminders within 4 and 8 weeks after invitation.

Results

Of 306 nurses invited, 123 completed the survey (response rate 40%). Overall, the success of the institutional ERAS program was rated as 6.9 ± 2/10. Improving both patient outcomes (90%) and satisfaction (69%) were rated as main motivators for ERAS implementation, while time restraints (50%) and logistics (43%) were identified as the main barriers. The study revealed a wide heterogeneity in coordination and management strategies (ERAS meetings, work models, teaching strategies). Sustained staff education before (9.1/10) and after (9.1/10) implementation, a dedicated ERAS coordinator (8.9/10) and regular meetings (8.3/10 scale) were rated as key factors for a successful program. Difficulty of implementation, maintenance and data acquisition were all rated > 5/10.

Conclusion

Despite heterogeneity in coordination and management, the ERAS program is evaluated as successful from a nurse’s perspective. Continuous staff education and coordination beyond the implementation period appear to be of the utmost importance for a sustained program.
Glyconanoparticles as tools to prevent antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Morelli Laura , Polito Laura , Richichi Barbara , Compostella Federica
Published: March 2021

The increased phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance and the slow pace of development of new antibiotics are at the base of a global health concern regarding microbial infections. Antibiotic resistance kills an estimated 700,000 people each year worldwide, and this number is expected to increase dramatically if efforts are not made to develop new drugs or alternative containment strategies. Increased vaccination coverage, improved sanitation or sustained implementation of infection control measures are among the possible areas of action. Indeed, vaccination is one of the most effective tools of preventing infections. Starting from 1970s polysaccharide-based vaccines against Meningococcus, Pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae type b have been licensed, and provided effective protection for population. However, the development of safe and effective vaccines for infectious diseases with broad coverage remains a major challenge in global public health. In this scenario, nanosystems are receiving attention as alternative delivery systems to improve vaccine efficacy and immunogenicity. In this report, we provide an overview of current applications of glyconanomaterials as alternative platforms in the development of new vaccine candidates. In particular, we will focus on nanoparticle platforms, used to induce the activation of the immune system through the multivalent-displacement of saccharide antigens.

Graphical abstract
What is the Effect of Stimulus Complexity on Attention to Repeating and Changing Information in Autism?
Authors: Arora Iti , Bellato Alessio , Gliga Teodora , Ropar Danielle , Kochhar Puja , Hollis Chris , Groom Madeleine
Published: March 2021

Slower habituation to repeating stimuli characterises Autism, but it is not known whether this is driven by difficulties with information processing or an attentional bias towards sameness. We conducted eye-tracking and presented looming geometrical shapes, clocks with moving arms and smiling faces, as two separate streams of stimuli (one repeating and one changing), to 7–15 years old children and adolescents (n = 103) with Autism, ADHD or co-occurring Autism+ADHD, and neurotypical children (Study-1); and to neurotypical children (n = 64) with varying levels of autistic traits (Study-2). Across both studies, autistic features were associated with longer looks to the repeating stimulus, and shorter looks to the changing stimulus, but only for more complex stimuli, indicating greater difficulty in processing complex or unpredictable information.
Prediction of activity cliffs on the basis of images using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Iqbal Javed , Vogt Martin , Bajorath Jürgen
Published: March 2021

An activity cliff (AC) is formed by a pair of structurally similar compounds with a large difference in potency. Accordingly, ACs reveal structure–activity relationship (SAR) discontinuity and provide SAR information for compound optimization. Herein, we have investigated the question if ACs could be predicted from image data. Therefore, pairs of structural analogs were extracted from different compound activity classes that formed or did not form ACs. From these compound pairs, consistently formatted images were generated. Image sets were used to train and test convolutional neural network (CNN) models to systematically distinguish between ACs and non-ACs. The CNN models were found to predict ACs with overall high accuracy, as assessed using alternative performance measures, hence establishing proof-of-principle. Moreover, gradient weights from convolutional layers were mapped to test compounds and identified characteristic structural features that contributed to successful predictions. Weight-based feature visualization revealed the ability of CNN models to learn chemistry from images at a high level of resolution and aided in the interpretation of model decisions with intrinsic black box character.
Standard non-target tests for risk assessment of plant protection products are unsuitable for entomopathogenic fungi—a proposal for a new protocol
Authors: Reinbacher Lara , Bacher Sven , Praprotnik Eva , Grabenweger Giselher
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The successful implementation of a plant protection product depends on its effectiveness against a target species and its safety for the environment. Risk assessment schemes have therefore been devised to facilitate classification and regulation. These guidelines, however, are directed towards chemical substances and are in many cases less suitable for the assessment of products employing microorganisms.

Methods

In this study, we developed a protocol for non-target testing of soil-applied entomopathogenic fungi for the biocontrol of insect pests. Using the predatory mite Gaeolaelaps (Hypoaspis) aculeifer as a non-target model organism, our protocol evaluates the lethal and sublethal effects of the fungus in recommended and ten-fold field concentrations.

Results

The proposed protocol considers fungal biology when setting test duration, endpoints, and quality control measures. To assess its practicability, we performed a trial with Metarhizium brunneum ART2825 as a representative entomopathogenic fungus. The biocontrol agent was able to infect a susceptible host and reproduce, showing that potential hazards can be detected using our approach. No hazard was detected for the non-target species, with no statistically significant differences in 5-week survival and reproductive output between treated and untreated groups.

Conclusion

Based on our results, the protocol is deemed appropriate for the detection of non-target effects. Subject to further validation, our approach could thus provide the basis for standardized protocols for the evaluation of the environmental safety of biocontrol organisms.
Effect of Strain-Induced Precipitation on the Recrystallization Kinetics in a Model Alloy
Authors: Ji Mo , Strangwood Martin , Davis Claire
Published: March 2021

The effects of Nb addition on the recrystallization kinetics and the recrystallized grain size distribution after cold deformation were investigated by using Fe-30Ni and Fe-30Ni-0.044 wt pct Nb steel with comparable starting grain size distributions. The samples were deformed to 0.3 strain at room temperature followed by annealing at 950 °C to 850 °C for various times; the microstructural evolution and the grain size distribution of non- and fully recrystallized samples were characterized, along with the strain-induced precipitates (SIPs) and their size and volume fraction evolution. It was found that Nb addition has little effect on recrystallized grain size distribution, whereas Nb precipitation kinetics (SIP size and number density) affects the recrystallization Avrami exponent depending on the annealing temperature. Faster precipitation coarsening rates at high temperature (950 °C to 900 °C) led to slower recrystallization kinetics but no change on Avrami exponent, despite precipitation occurring before recrystallization. Whereas a slower precipitation coarsening rate at 850 °C gave fine-sized strain-induced precipitates that were effective in reducing the recrystallization Avrami exponent after 50 pct of recrystallization. Both solute drag and precipitation pinning effects have been added onto the JMAK model to account the effect of Nb content on recrystallization Avrami exponent for samples with large grain size distributions.
Correction to: Asymmetric flow field‑flow fractionation as a multifunctional technique for the characterization of polymeric nanocarriers
Authors: Quattrini Federico , Berrecoso Germán , Crecente‑Campo José , Alonso María José
Published: March 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-021-00962-1
Clinico-pathological features and mutational spectrum of 16 nemaline myopathy patients from a Chinese neuromuscular center
Authors: Yin Xi , Pu Chuanqiang , Wang Zhenfu , Li Ke , Wang HuiFang
Published: March 2021

Nemaline myopathy (NM) is a congenital myopathy of great heterogeneity, characterized by the presence of rods in the cytoplasm of muscle fibers. The samples of 16 nemaline myopathy patients diagnosed by characteristically pathological features went through whole exon sequencing. Clinico-pathological and genetic features of the cases were systematically analyzed. According to the classification of nemaline myopathy by ENMC, 8 cases are typical congenital subtype, 6 cases are childhood/juvenile onset subtype and 2 case are adult onset subtype. In histological findings, characteristic purple-colored rods are discovered under modified gömöri trichrome staining (MGT). Electron microscopy revealed the presence of high electron-dense nemaline bodies around the submucosa and the nucleus nine patients (9/16 56.3%) were detected pathogenic causative mutations, among whom mutations in the NEB gene were the most frequent (6 patients, 66.7%). KBTBD13 gene mutation was discovered in two patients and ACTA1 gene mutation was discovered in 1 patient. Nemaline myopathy is a congenital myopathy with highly clinico-pathological and genetic heterogeneity. NEB gene mutation is the most common mutation, in which splicing change c.21522 +3A > G is hotspot mutation in Chinese NM patients.
Mapping of scatter in fatigue life assessment of welded structures—a round-robin study
Authors: Hultgren Gustav , Khurshid Mansoor , Haglund Peter , Barsoum Zuheir
Published: March 2021

A round-robin study has been carried out within a national project in Sweden with the addition of an international participant, where several industrial partners and universities are participating. The project aims to identify variation and sources of variation in welding production, map scatter in fatigue life estimation, and define and develop concepts to reduce these, in all steps of product development. The participating organisations were asked to carry out fatigue life assessment of welded box structures, which is a component in load-carrying structures. The estimations of fatigue life have also been compared with fatigue test results. Detailed drawings, loads and material data were also given to the participants. The participants were supposed to use assessment methods based on global and local stresses using the design codes or recommendations they currently use in-house. Differences were identified between both methods and participants using the same codes/recommendations. Applicability and conditions from the cases in the codes were also identified to be differently evaluated between the participants. It could be concluded that for the applied cases the nominal stress method often overestimated the fatigue life and had a high scatter in the estimations by different participants. The effective notch method is conservative in comparison to the life of tested components with little scatter between the results derived by the participants.
Heuristic rank selection with progressively searching tensor ring network
Authors: Li Nannan , Pan Yu , Chen Yaran , Ding Zixiang , Zhao Dongbin , Xu Zenglin
Published: March 2021

Recently, tensor ring networks (TRNs) have been applied in deep networks, achieving remarkable successes in compression ratio and accuracy. Although highly related to the performance of TRNs, rank selection is seldom studied in previous works and usually set to equal in experiments. Meanwhile, there is not any heuristic method to choose the rank, and an enumerating way to find appropriate rank is extremely time-consuming. Interestingly, we discover that part of the rank elements is sensitive and usually aggregate in a narrow region, namely an interest region. Therefore, based on the above phenomenon, we propose a novel progressive genetic algorithm named progressively searching tensor ring network search (PSTRN), which has the ability to find optimal rank precisely and efficiently. Through the evolutionary phase and progressive phase, PSTRN can converge to the interest region quickly and harvest good performance. Experimental results show that PSTRN can significantly reduce the complexity of seeking rank, compared with the enumerating method. Furthermore, our method is validated on public benchmarks like MNIST, CIFAR10/100, UCF11 and HMDB51, achieving the state-of-the-art performance.
Study of the Processing of a Recycled WC–Co Powder: Can It Compete with Conventional WC–Co Powders?
Authors: Mégret Alexandre , Vitry Véronique , Delaunois Fabienne
Published: March 2021

Cemented carbide tools suffer from many issues due to the use of tungsten and cobalt as raw materials. Indeed, those are listed by the European Commission as “critical raw materials” since 2011 and by the US Department of Interior as “critical minerals” in 2018. To remain competitive with the conventional high-speed steels, less performant but cheaper, WC–Co tools can be recycled. In the present paper, a WC–7.5Co powder, recycled by the “Coldstream” process, has been sintered with vacuum sintering. As preliminary experiments have shown that the sinterability of the powder is low, the sintering temperature was set at 1500 °C to achieve full density. In parallel, the influence of ball milling conditions (rotation speed and milling medium) on the reactivity of the recycled powder has been studied in terms of grain size distribution, hardness, and fracture toughness. The optimized milling conditions were found to be 6 h wet milling, leading to a hardness of about 1870 HV30 and a toughness of about 10.5 MPa√m after densification. The recycled powder can thus totally compete with conventional powders, opening avenues for the recycling of cemented carbide tools.

Graphical Abstract
Studying the Potential of Graphcore® IPUs for Applications in Particle Physics
Authors: Maddrell-Mander Samuel , Mohan Lakshan Ram Madhan , Marshall Alexander , O’Hanlon Daniel , Petridis Konstantinos , Rademacker Jonas , Rege Victoria , Titterton Alexander
Published: March 2021

This paper presents the first study of Graphcore’s Intelligence Processing Unit (IPU) in the context of particle physics applications. The IPU is a new type of processor optimised for machine learning. Comparisons are made for neural-network-based event simulation, multiple-scattering correction, and flavour tagging, implemented on IPUs, GPUs and CPUs, using a variety of neural network architectures and hyperparameters. Additionally, a Kálmán filter for track reconstruction is implemented on IPUs and GPUs. The results indicate that IPUs hold considerable promise in addressing the rapidly increasing compute needs in particle physics.
Spatiotemporal variability of agricultural drought and its association with climatic variables in the Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Bayable Getachew , Gashaw Temesgen
Published: March 2021

Drought is a serious threat to agriculture in Ethiopia. This study examined the spatiotemporal variability of agricultural drought and its association with climatic variables in the Upper Awash basin. Mann–Kendall (MK) trend test was employed to examine the drought trend while Sen’s slop estimator and pixel-based linear regression model were used to analyze the magnitude of drought changes. The association between agricultural drought and climatic variables was evaluated by the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). High spatiotemporal variability of drought was observed in Kiremit (June–September) and Belg (February–May) seasons. The Belg season spatial average vegetation condition index (VCI) trends were decreased insignificantly from 2001 to 2019 at a 5% significant level, whereas the spatial average VCI trends of Kiremit season were increased insignificantly. The return period of severe droughts during the Belg season was less frequent than the Kiremt season severe drought. The correlation between spatial average VCI and precipitation was positive for Belg and Kiremit seasons. Likewise, the correlation between average VCI and land surface temperature (LST) was negative in Belg and positive in Kiremit season. Moreover, the correlation between mean VCI and Pacific Ocean Sea Surface Temperature (SST) was positive for Belg and Kiremit seasons. The influencing factor of precipitation and LST on VCI during Belg season was higher than Kiremit season. The findings of this study are vital for decision-making systems and preparing plans to adjust sowing time, select drought-resistant crops, practice in situ water conservation, practice small-scale irrigation and diversify the income of smallholder farmers.
Correction to: The utilization of bentonite enhanced termite mound soil mixture as filter for the treatment of paint industrial effluent
Authors: Opafola Omobolaji Taofeek , David Adekunle Olorunlowo , Ajibade Fidelis Odedishemi , Adeyemi Hezekiah Oluwoye , Solana Olorunfunmi Isimioluwa , Odugbose Babashola Dapo
Published: March 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s42452-021-04499-3
Influence of innovative three-element binder on permanent deformations in recycled mixtures with emulsion and foamed bitumen
Authors: Mazurek Grzegorz , Iwański Marek , Buczyński Przemysław , Horodecka Renata
Published: March 2021

This article is detected to the assessment of durable deformations of recycled mixtures made of foamed bitumen (MCAS) and emulsion (MCE). In the basic part of research and analyses, attention was focused on determining the scale of three-component composition modifying rheological phenomena of recycled mixtures and other selected features considering various methods of bituminous binder proportioning. Cement, hydrated lime, and dusts from cement dust extracting system were included in the composition hydraulic binder. In this paper, the effect of graining of recycled mixture was also taken into account. One of the main scientific aims of the paper was to evaluate the degree of changes in durable deformations described in the power model depending on proportions of elements making three-element hydraulic binder. In effect, it was pointed out that the influence of hydraulic binder differently affected the durable deformation of recycled mixture depending on ways of bitumen binder implementation. There-element binder exerted the highest influence on mechanical properties of mixtures with fine-grained mixtures made according to the MCAS technology. The presence of 4 groups of mixtures with different properties was demonstrated using the classification neuron net. Based on that information, a set of the most recommended solutions from the point of view of time deformation resistance, low sensitiveness to the load level at moderate stiffness was selected. The best representative among them was the arrangement with 20% of hydrated lime, less than 40% of CBPD dusts and 40 ÷ 60% of cement.
Exponential ergodicity and steady-state approximations for a class of markov processes under fast regime switching
Authors: Arapostathis Ari , Pang Guodong , Zheng Yi
Published: March 2021

We study ergodic properties of a class of Markov-modulated general birth–death processes under fast regime switching. The first set of results concerns the ergodic properties of the properly scaled joint Markov process with a parameter that is taken to be large. Under very weak hypotheses, we show that if the averaged process is exponentially ergodic for large values of the parameter, then the same applies to the original joint Markov process. The second set of results concerns steady-state diffusion approximations, under the assumption that the ‘averaged’ fluid limit exists. Here, we establish convergence rates for the moments of the approximating diffusion process to those of the Markov-modulated birth–death process. This is accomplished by comparing the generator of the approximating diffusion and that of the joint Markov process. We also provide several examples which demonstrate how the theory can be applied.