bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effective interference mitigation scheme for multi-LED-based mobile optical camera communication
Authors: Yang Yiting , He Jing , Zhou Biao
Published: November 2021

Recently, optical camera communication (OCC) based on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors has received extensive attention due to its low cost and high flexibility. However, considering that the location of the user with a CMOS image sensor changes frequently, multi-LEDs are required to achieve seamless communication. In the paper, to mitigate random interchannel interference in overlapping areas of LED radiation, an effective identification recognition and sorting-based column selection are proposed. Meanwhile, to alleviate the distortion of bright and dark stripes caused by overlapping exposure time and user movement, an improved sampling scheme based on length estimation is proposed and experimentally demonstrated in a multi-LED-based mobile OCC system. Moreover, by varying the overlap rate of the adjacent LEDs’ radiation area and the moving speed of the user, respectively, the performance of the system is investigated. The experimental results show that, the bit error rate (BER) performance of the system decreases slightly with the increasing of moving speed, but it is lower than the hard-decision forward error code rate limit. In addition, at the overlap rate of the LED radiation area of 4.3% and the moving speed of 80 cm/s, the BER is close to

10

−
6

using the proposed scheme.
Superposition of two fractional optical vortices and the orbital angular momentum measurement by a deep-learning method
Authors: Cao Fulin , Pu Tanchao , Xie Changqing
Published: November 2021

We propose a single diffractive optical element called the composite fractional spiral zone plates to generate superimposed fractional optical vortices. Such an element is composed of two fractional spiral zone plates (FSZPs) through logical AND operation, and the produced beam carries superimposed fractional orbital angular momentum (OAM) states. By controlling the topological charge of the superimposed FSZPs, denoted by

l
1

and

l
2

, one can flexibly obtain the desired superimposed fractional OAM modes of the generated beam. Especially, a deep-learning model with a densely connected convolutional neural network architecture is utilized to accurately predict the superimposed fractional OAM states of SFOVs. The average recovery rate of the superimposed fractional OAM states based on the training model is over 99%, and the average error is as small as 0.02. This work may pave the way for wide-ranging applications such as smart OAM communication, particle transmission, and even quantum entanglement.
Graphene-based dual functional metadevice in the THz gap
Authors: Kumar Ghosh Sambit , Das Santanu , Bhattacharyya Somak
Published: November 2021

This paper presents a graphene-metal dual functional metadevice to provide two separate applications simultaneously, viz., absorption and cross-polarization conversion (CPC) of the electromagnetic (EM) wave without any structural deformations in the terahertz (THz) gap under two different biasing conditions. The meta-atom of the device bears stacked layers of metallic elliptical-shaped split rings, a thin zinc oxide (ZnO) layer, a slotted graphene layer printed over another ZnO layer backed by a continuous gold plate. It provides more than 70% absorptivity over a bandwidth of 3.40 THz (4.25 THz and 7.65 THz), with 90% absorptivity peak at 6.84 THz when the externally applied static electric field (

ξ

) on the patterned graphene surface is 8.52 V/nm. The change of the

ξ

to a value of 0.44 V/nm enables the device to produce a CPC ratio (CPCR) above 90% over a bandwidth of almost 3.87 THz (2.22 THz and 6.09 THz), with near unity polarization conversion ratio peaks occurring at 2.38 THz, 3.80 THz, and 5.82 THz. Both findings have been validated using an exhaustive equivalent circuit analysis. The design possesses ultrathin properties (

λ
0

/

12.49

), along with compactness (

λ
0

/

5

), which has been improved significantly compared to their microwave counterparts. The proposed metadevice finds useful applications in THz sensing, stealth technology, THz communication, detection, polarization manipulation of EM waves, etc.
Compressing magnetic field into a high-intensity electromagnetic field with a relativistic flying mirror
Authors: Zheng Xiaolong , Zhu Shuangyong , Zhang Xiaomei , Shen Baifei
Published: November 2021

Ultrahigh electromagnetic fields (≥~1023 W cm−2) are necessary for the study of strong-field quantum electrodynamics (QED). In this study, for the first time, we propose the compression of a pre-seeding static magnetic field with a relativistic flying mirror to generate a high electromagnetic field. The produced field intensity can be further amplified to be 5 × 1023 W cm−2 owing to the multiple reflections between the flying mirror and a stationary solid target; this produced field intensity is approximately four orders of magnitude larger than that of the seeding field and far exceeds that of the driver laser field (9.6 × 1022 W cm−2). Therefore, the ultrahigh electromagnetic field can significantly facilitate strong-field QED effects such as high-energy gamma photon emission. An analytical theory is developed to self-consistently describe the motion of the flying mirror and the field amplification. The predications from the theory are well demonstrated by numerical simulations. The scheme of producing high-intensity electromagnetic fields proposed in this letter provides a new, powerful means to study strong-field QED with a relatively low laser intensity.
Hardware optimization of dual-stage carrier-phase recovery for coherent optical receivers
Authors: Martins Celestino S. , Guiomar Fernando P. , Pinto Armando N.
Published: November 2021

We present an optimized dual-stage CPR method based on pilot symbols and a blind phase search algorithm (BPS) for M-QAM coherent optical transmission systems, targeting an efficient hardware implementation. A comprehensive optimization of the key CPR parameters is performed, including, pilot-rate, number of test phases, angle interval and moving average filter size. The optimization process is validated through numerical assessment of the optical communication system performance using 16-QAM, 64-QAM, and 256-QAM modulation formats at 64 GBaud. The optimized dual-stage CPR is demonstrated to operate with a very low number of test phases in the second stage BPS algorithm. In addition, it supports more than 10× higher laser linewidth than the standard CPR based on pilot symbols. Besides, a reduction of more than 90%, in terms of hardware complexity is achieved with respect to the standalone application of the BPS algorithm. The optimized dual-stage CPR is also validated through hardware implementation based on VHDL, and its gate-level complexity is assessed for a commercial off-the-shelf Xilinx Virtex-7 FPGA.
Off-axis focusing by using nanoimprinted dielectric metasurface with free-form phase distribution
Authors: Zeng Qiu-Chun , Chen Jia-Ci , Hsu Wei-Lun , Chen Yen-Chun , Han Chien-Yuan , Lee Yeeu-Chang , Wang Chih-Ming
Published: November 2021

This study presents the design and fabrication of a dielectric metasurface with free-form phase distribution and with a large period unit cell. The dielectric metasurface is fabricated using i-line stepper, dry etching, and nanoimprint technology. The phase distribution of the meta-device is the combination of a blazed grating for deflection and an aspherical lens for eliminating the off-axis aberration. The optical measurement result shows the off-axis focusing spot is with loss aberration and the corresponding Strehl ratio is 0.34. The diffraction efficiency is around 2%. The low efficiency is mainly attributed to the rounding of the rectangular nanostructures during the pattern transfer and relatively thin thickness. Moreover, the polarization-dependency of this large period metasurface is also discussed.
Physical localization of 45S rDNA in Cymbopogon and the analysis of differential distribution of rDNA in homologous chromosomes of Cymbopogon winterianus
Authors: Thakur Shivangi , Kumar Upendra , Malik Rashmi , Bisht Darshana , Balyan Priyanka , Mir Reyazul Rouf , Kumar Sundip
Published: November 2021

Cymbopogon, commonly known as lemon grass, is one of the most important aromatic grasses having therapeutic and medicinal values. FISH signals on somatic chromosome spreads off Cymbopogon species indicated the localization of 45S rDNA on the terminal region of short arms of a chromosome pair. A considerable interspecific variation in the intensity of 45S rDNA hybridization signals was observed in the cultivars of Cymbopogon winterianus and Cymbopogon flexuosus. Furthermore, in all the varieties of C. winterianus namely Bio-13, Manjari and Medini, a differential distribution of 45S rDNA was observed in a heterologous pair of chromosomes 1. The development of C. winterianus var. Manjari through gamma radiation may be responsible for breakage of fragile rDNA site from one of the chromosomes of this heterologous chromosome pair. While, in other two varieties of C. winterianus (Bio-13 and Medini), this variability may be because of evolutionary speciation due to natural cross among two species of Cymbopogon which was fixed through clonal propagation. However, in both the situations these changes were fixed by vegetative method of propagation which is general mode of reproduction in the case of C. winterianus.
A simulation of older adults’ associative memory deficit using structural process interference in young adults
Authors: Oscar-Strom Yafit , Guez Jonathan
Published: November 2021

Associative memory deficit underlies a part of older adults’ deficient episodic memory due to the reduced ability to bind units of information. In this article we further assess the mechanism underlying this deficit, by assessing the degree to which we can model it in young adults under conditions of divided attention. We shall describe two experiments in this paper; these experiments investigate item and associative recognition in young adults under full- or divided-attention conditions. The secondary tasks employed were N-back like (NBL), which serves as a working memory updating task, and parity judgement and visuospatial (VS) tasks, which serve as non-working memory tasks. The results of both experiments show that only the NBL specifically affected associative recognition, while the other tasks affected item and associative memory to the same degree, indicating a general resource competition. These results presented a convergence of evidence for the associative deficit in older adults by modelling it in young adults.
Effectiveness of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection and Covid-19 hospitalisation among Finnish elderly and chronically ill—An interim analysis of a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Baum Ulrike , Poukka Eero , Palmu Arto A. , Salo Heini , Lehtonen Toni O. , Leino Tuija
Published: November 2021

Background

In Finland, both mRNA and adenovirus vector (AdV) Covid-19 vaccines have been used after the vaccination campaign started on December 27, 2020. Vaccination of the elderly and chronically ill was prioritized and the interval between doses set to 12 weeks. The objective of this interim analysis was to evaluate first and second dose vaccine effectiveness (VE) in a real-world setting.

Methods

During the first five months of the campaign, a register-based cohort study was conducted in the Finnish elderly aged 70+ years and those aged 16–69 years with medical conditions predisposing to severe Covid-19 (chronically ill). Using Cox regression, VE against SARS-CoV-2 infection and Covid-19 hospitalisation was estimated comparing the hazard in the vaccinated with that in the unvaccinated.

Results

The cohorts included 901092 elderly (89% vaccinated) and 774526 chronically ill (69% vaccinated) individuals. Three weeks after the first dose, mRNA VE against infection was 45% (95% confidence interval, 36–53%) and 40% (26–51%) in elderly and chronically ill; mRNA VE against hospitalisation was 63% (49–74%) and 82% (56–93%). In chronically ill, AdV VE was 42% (32–50) and 62% (42–75%) against infection and hospitalisation, respectively. One week after the second dose, mRNA VE against infection was 75% (65–82%) and 77% (65–85%) in elderly and chronically ill; mRNA VE against hospitalisation was 93% (70–98%) and 90% (29–99%).

Conclusions

Covid-19 vaccines protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection and Covid-19 hospitalisation. A single dose provides moderate protection in elderly and chronically ill, although two doses are clearly superior.
A B-cell developmental gene regulatory network is activated in infant AML
Authors: Bolouri Hamid , Ries Rhonda , Pardo Laura , Hylkema Tiffany , Zhou Wanding , Smith Jenny L. , Leonti Amanda , Loken Michael , Farrar Jason E. , Triche Timothy J. , Meshinchi Soheil
Published: November 2021

Infant Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a poorly-addressed, heterogeneous malignancy distinguished by surprisingly few mutations per patient but accompanied by myriad age-specific translocations. These characteristics make treatment of infant AML challenging. While infant AML is a relatively rare disease, it has enormous impact on families, and in terms of life-years-lost and life limiting morbidities. To better understand the mechanisms that drive infant AML, we performed integrative analyses of genome-wide mRNA, miRNA, and DNA-methylation data in diagnosis-stage patient samples. Here, we report the activation of an onco-fetal B-cell developmental gene regulatory network in infant AML. AML in infants is genomically distinct from AML in older children/adults in that it has more structural genomic aberrations and fewer mutations. Differential expression analysis of ~1500 pediatric AML samples revealed a large number of infant-specific genes, many of which are associated with B cell development and function. 18 of these genes form a well-studied B-cell gene regulatory network that includes the epigenetic regulators BRD4 and POU2AF1, and their onco-fetal targets LIN28B and IGF2BP3. All four genes are hypo-methylated in infant AML. Moreover, micro-RNA Let7a-2 is expressed in a mutually exclusive manner with its target and regulator LIN28B. These findings suggest infant AML may respond to bromodomain inhibitors and immune therapies targeting CD19, CD20, CD22, and CD79A.
Heterologous expression and purification of recombinant human protoporphyrinogen oxidase IX: A comparative study
Authors: Novakova Zora , Khuntsaria Daria , Gresova Marketa , Mikesova Jana , Havlinova Barbora , Shukla Shivam , Kolarova Lucie , Vesela Katerina , Martasek Pavel , Barinka Cyril
Published: November 2021

Human protoporphyrinogen oxidase IX (hPPO) is an oxygen-dependent enzyme catalyzing the penultimate step in the heme biosynthesis pathway. Mutations in the enzyme are linked to variegate porphyria, an autosomal dominant metabolic disease. Here we investigated eukaryotic cells as alternative systems for heterologous expression of hPPO, as the use of a traditional bacterial-based system failed to produce several clinically relevant hPPO variants. Using bacterially-produced hPPO, we first analyzed the impact of N-terminal tags and various detergent on hPPO yield, and specific activity. Next, the established protocol was used to compare hPPO constructs heterologously expressed in mammalian HEK293T17 and insect Hi5 cells with prokaryotic overexpression. By attaching various fusion partners at the N- and C-termini of hPPO we also evaluated the influence of the size and positioning of fusion partners on expression levels, specific activity, and intracellular targeting of hPPO fusions in mammalian cells. Overall, our results suggest that while enzymatically active hPPO can be heterologously produced in eukaryotic systems, the limited availability of the intracellular FAD co-factor likely negatively influences yields of a correctly folded protein making thus the E.coli a system of choice for recombinant hPPO overproduction. At the same time, PPO overexpression in eukaryotic cells might be preferrable in cases when the effects of post-translational modifications (absent in bacteria) on target protein functions are studied.
Response of Rhodococcus cerastii IEGM 1278 to toxic effects of ibuprofen
Authors: Ivshina Irina B. , Tyumina Elena A. , Bazhutin Grigory A. , Vikhareva Elena V.
Published: November 2021

The article expands our knowledge on the variety of biodegraders of ibuprofen, one of the most frequently detected non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the environment. We studied the dynamics of ibuprofen decomposition and its relationship with the physiological status of bacteria and with additional carbon and energy sources. The involvement of cytoplasmic enzymes in ibuprofen biodegradation was confirmed. Within the tested actinobacteria, Rhodococcus cerastii IEGM 1278 was capable of complete oxidation of 100 μg/L and 100 mg/L of ibuprofen in 30 h and 144 h, respectively, in the presence of an alternative carbon source (n-hexadecane). Besides, the presence of ibuprofen induced a transition of rhodococci from single- to multicellular lifeforms, a shift to more negative zeta potential values, and a decrease in the membrane permeability. The initial steps of ibuprofen biotransformation by R. cerastii IEGM 1278 involved the formation of hydroxylated and decarboxylated derivatives with higher phytotoxicity than the parent compound (ibuprofen). The data obtained indicate potential threats of this pharmaceutical pollutant and its metabolites to biota and natural ecosystems.
Maternal smoking behaviour across the first two pregnancies and small for gestational age birth: Analysis of the SLOPE (Studying Lifecourse Obesity PrEdictors) population-based cohort in the South of England
Authors: Taylor Elizabeth J. , Doh Pia , Ziauddeen Nida , Godfrey Keith M. , Berrington Ann , Alwan Nisreen A.
Published: November 2021

Maternal smoking is established to cause adverse birth outcomes, but evidence considering maternal smoking change across successive pregnancies is sparse. We examined the association between self-reported maternal smoking during and between the first two pregnancies with the odds of small for gestational age (SGA) birth (<10thpercentile) in the second infant.

Records for the first two pregnancies for 16791 women within the SLOPE (Studying Lifecourse Obesity PrEdictors) study were analysed. This is a population-based cohort of prospectively collected anonymised antenatal and birth healthcare data (2003–2018) in Hampshire, UK. Logistic regression was used to relate maternal smoking change to the odds of SGA birth in the second infant.

In the full sample, compared to never smokers, mothers smoking at the start of the first pregnancy had higher odds of SGA birth in the second pregnancy even where they stopped smoking before the first antenatal appointment for the second pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.50 [95% confidence interval 1.10, 2.03]). If a mother was not a smoker at the first antenatal appointment for either her first or her second pregnancy, but smoked later in her first pregnancy or between pregnancies, there was no evidence of increased risk of SGA birth in the second pregnancy compared to never smokers. A mother who smoked ten or more cigarettes a day at the start of both of her first two pregnancies had the highest odds of SGA birth (3.54 [2.55, 4.92]). Women who were not smoking at the start of the first pregnancy but who subsequently resumed/began smoking and smoked at the start of their second pregnancy, also had higher odds (2.11 [1.51, 2.95]) than never smokers.

Smoking in the first pregnancy was associated with SGA birth in the second pregnancy, even if the mother quit by the confirmation of her second pregnancy.
Effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses for traumatic and chronic hand conditions: A scoping review
Authors: Oud T. A. M. , Lazzari E. , Gijsbers H. J. H. , Gobbo M. , Nollet F. , Brehm M. A.
Published: November 2021

Background

In the field of orthotics, the use of three-dimensional (3D) technology as an alternative to the conventional production process of orthoses is growing.

Purpose

This scoping review aimed to systematically map and summarize studies assessing the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses for traumatic and chronic hand conditions, and to identify knowledge gaps.

Methods

The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, IEEE, and PEDro were searched for studies of any type of 3D-printed orthoses for traumatic and chronic hand conditions. Any outcome related to the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses was considered. Two reviewers selected eligible studies, charted data on study characteristics by impairment type, and critically appraised the studies, except for case reports/series.

Results

Seventeen studies were included: four randomized controlled trials, four uncontrolled trials, four case series and five case reports. Only three studies had a sample size >20. Impairments described were forearm fractures (n = 5), spasticity (n = 5), muscle weakness (n = 4), joint contractures (n = 2) and pain (n = 1). Four poor to fair quality studies on forearm fractures supported the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses on hand function, functionality, and satisfaction. One good quality study on spasticity demonstrated the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses on hand function. One poor quality pain study reported limited positive effects on satisfaction. Studies on muscle weakness and joint contractures showed no benefits.

Conclusion

Current literature addressing the effectiveness of 3D-printed orthoses for traumatic and chronic hand conditions consists primarily of small and poor methodological quality studies. There is a need for well-designed controlled trials including patient-related outcomes, production time and cost analyses.
THE PROBLEM OF DETERMINING THE LEGAL REGIME OF “DISPUTED” REAL ESTATE: THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS
Authors: Pronina N.A. , Platunova T.N. , Kostyakova S.O.
Published: November 2021

The article raises the following topical problems currently inherent in the institution of real estate in theRussian Federation: the unsuccessful legal definition of a real estate object, enshrined in Art. 131 of the CivilCode of the Russian Federation; qualification of objects as immovable and, accordingly, delimitation of themfrom movable ones; the emergence of objects with a controversial legal regime; the need to move from themodel of “plurality” to the model of “unity” of real estate objects. Also, the authors of this article analyzea number of approaches aimed at resolving the above problems and the possible consequences (both positiveand negative) of their implementation in practice, put forward their views and offer their own solutionto these problems. A variant of the legalization of “disputable” objects is proposed by introducing the rightof construction into the civil law of the Russian Federation as a limited property right to use a land plot withthe extension of this right to everything that is being built on such a land plot. The examples of legislativeregulation of the right to build in the civil law of pre-revolutionary Russia are considered, the elements of theright to build in the current law of the Russian Federation are revealed.
ON THE PROBLEM OF DETERMINING THE LEVEL OF SATISFACTION OF THE POPULATION OF THE ALTAI REGION WITH MEASURES OF SOCIAL PROTECTION
Authors: Starodubtseva M.A. , Sayenko A.A.
Published: November 2021

xSocial protection of the population is assigned a huge role, because in order to develop and prosper,the state must embody law and justice, the support of its population. The stability of society, its sustainabledevelopment, and, as a result, its national security depend on the state of the social sphere, the effectivenessof the policy pursued by the state in the sphere of social support of citizens. However, in connection with theevents of 2020, namely the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection, it can be stated that unemploymentin the Altai Territory has increased almost 2.2 times compared to last year. The level of migration outflow ofthe population from the region has increased more than 2 times. Also, in modern conditions, a cumbersome,costly and insufficiently effective system of measures of state social assistance in the form of various benefits,one-time payments provided on the basis of federal and regional social programs to families and citizens indifficult life situations has become a serious problem. Hence, we put forward a hypothesis about a drop in thedegree of satisfaction of citizens with social services. To confirm our hypothesis, we conducted an empiricalstudy — anonymous questioning of respondents regarding the problems of the state of social protection ofthe population in the Altai Territory.
Análise causal da ineficiência vertical dos voos durante descidas
Authors: Szenczuk João Basílio Tarelho , Murça Mayara Condé Rocha , Sant’anna Souza Wallace Silva , Gomes Rogéria de Arantes
Published: November 2021

As Operações de Descida Contínua (CDOs) provaram entregar benefícios econômicos e ambientais significativos. No entanto, em operações reais, as trajetórias de voo são frequentemente desviadas em relação aos procedimentos ideais. Avaliar e compreender melhor o nível de aderência da trajetória aos procedimentos ideais de referência é uma etapa fundamental para a identificação de oportunidades de melhoria de desempenho do sistema. Para tanto, este trabalho apresenta um modelo estatístico de desempenho de trajetórias de voo e investiga fatores causais de ineficiência vertical durante descidas. Com base em dados históricos de rastreamento de voo, uma análise de agrupamento de trajetórias é realizada para aprender a estrutura do espaço aéreo e identificar o padrão de trajetória seguido por cada aeronave. A ineficiência vertical é quantificada em termos da quantidade de voo nivelado durante a descida. Um modelo de regressão é então desenvolvido para mapear fatores estruturais e operacionais que influenciam a eficiência vertical. Nosso estudo de caso consiste em 26.040 voos de chegada para os dois principais aeroportos da região metropolitana de São Paulo, Congonhas (CGH) e Guarulhos (GRU). Os resultados revelam que a estrutura do espaço aéreo e tempo convectivo são os fatores mais importantes que afetam a eficiência vertical no espaço aéreo analisado.
Ultrasonographic evaluation of patients with abnormal liver function tests in the emergency department
Authors: Vardar Baran Umut , Dupuis Carolyn S. , Goldstein Alan J. , Vardar Zeynep , Kim Young H.
Published: November 2021

Ultrasonography is often the initial modality used to evaluate patients found to have abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) in the emergency department. While an assessment for biliary ductal dilatation and obstruction remains one of the main questions to answer, radiologists should also be aware of the ultrasonographic appearance of other conditions that can cause abnormal LFTs. This may be crucial for the management and disposition of patients in the emergency department. This article reviews the ultrasonographic features of diseases that may cause abnormal LFTs.
Book review of: Rink, Dieter; Egner, Björn (Hrsg.) (2020): Lokale Wohnungspolitik. Beispiele aus deutschen Städten
Authors: Praum Carsten
Published: November 2021

Book Review
Medium-sized cities in decline in France: between urban shrinkage and city centre devitalisation
Authors: Chouraqui Julie
Published: November 2021

Since the end of the 2000s, the question of the decline of French medium-sized towns has become central within the scientific and public debate. More specifically, two processes are underlined: the devitalisation of city centres on the one hand, and urban shrinkage on the other hand. The devitalisation of city centres has been studied in several institutional reports. It is characterised by high rates of vacant housing and high street shops vacancies, a fall in visits to the city centre, an impoverishment of residents and population losses. In geography, urban studies and planning, the dynamics of urban shrinkage have been discussed since the 1990s. They comprise a multidimensional urban crisis, triggered and characterised by job and population losses. This paper attempts to explore the relationships between these processes by underlining their similarities and differences with data analysis and multivariate clustering methods. By comparing medium-sized cities with small and large cities, the specificities of urban decline in medium-sized cities are explored. It appears that cities are not homogeneously affected by urban decline. More particularly, a large number of weakened medium-sized cities display a distinctive feature: markers of decline are concentrated in their urban core.
Bewertung und Klassifizierung von Bahnhaltepunkten in Nordrhein-Westfalen. Ein methodischer Ansatz zur Operationalisierung von „Transit-Oriented Development“
Authors: Eichhorn Sebastian , Gerten Christian , Diller Christian
Published: November 2021

The concept of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) aims to develop new residential and commercial areas in regionally integrated sites that provide future residents and employees with good local infrastructure, diversified public spaces and attractive mobility alternatives so that they do not have to use their own car. This paper presents a methodology for the operationalisation of Transit-Oriented Development and applies it to evaluate and cluster of 747 railway stations in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Using the operationalised TOD dimensions, five interpretable clusters can be defined for North Rhine-Westphalia. The results show that the clusters with above-average TOD values in the dimensions destination accessibility, density and diversity can be found mainly in the Rhine-Ruhr region and in the solitary cities of North Rhine-Westphalia. In the peripheral areas, primarily clusters with lower TOD values occur. The findings indicate that there is a discrepancy between the availability of potentially developable building land and the degree of Transit-Oriented Development. In the surroundings of the railway stations of the high-capacity railway lines in regions with high demand for housing, there is barely any potential building land available. The majority of potential building land is located at railway stations with below-average TOD values and less pressure on the housing market. The clusters make it possible to formulate specific recommendations for action for urban planners and political decision makers in order to support a successful implementation of Transit-Oriented Development.
Reallabore in Theorie und Praxis: Reflexion des Forschungsdesigns im Hinblick auf die nachhaltige Transformation urbaner Räume
Authors: Meyer Kerstin , Esch Dajana , Rabadjieva Maria
Published: November 2021

As part of sustainable transformation of municipalities, real-world laboratories have been increasingly used as instruments in research projects since 2015. However, the academic reflection of their implementation has so far been scarce. This paper views real laboratories as a cooperative instrument for the sustainable transformation of urban spaces. It investigates the research question, to what extend real-world laboratories work as a theoretical concept in practice. The paper undertakes a comparative analysis of the projects “Bottrop 2018+”, “KuDeQua” and “ProUrban”, where real-world laboratories present the central methodology. Despite their common theoretical background, the projects show significant differences in the subject matter, spatial scope, practitioners’ involvement, processes and procedures. Through the comparison, opportunities, challenges and possible problems in implementing real-world laboratories are worked out.
Gleichwertige Lebensverhältnisse und Fachpolitik – explorative Beobachtungen und Überlegungen am Beispiel der aktuellen Kohlepolitik
Authors: Mäding Heinrich
Published: November 2021

This paper opens with a sketchof the general spatial policy objective: ‘Equivalent living conditions’ before exploring the significance of this objective in the context of current legislation on coal policy. Based on the most relevant documents (ranging from the report of the coal commission in January 2019 to the protocol of the final plenary sessions of both houses of the German federal parliament in July 2020), the operationalisation and importance accorded to the equivalence objective are traced. Despite the great relevance of coal policy for equivalent living conditions and the postulated relevance of equivalence for the coal policy, the connections remain ill-defined, usually implicit and insufficiently comprehensible. In the political process equivalence is becoming much less significant than arguments related to climate and energy policy.
Erzählen im Reallabor. Ein Beitrag zur konzeptionellen Ausgestaltung partizipativer Methoden der gemeinsamen Wissensproduktion durch Erzählräume im Reallabor
Authors: Seydel Hanna , Gliemann Katrin , Stark Sandra , Herlo Bianca
Published: November 2021

The transdisciplinary intersection between science and society in the real-world-laboratory approach is seen as a potential for generating transformational knowledge. At the same time, there are open questions in the methodological implementation, which are addressed in this paper by insights on experimental formats of storytelling. Using the example of the research project INTERPART, this paper explores the questions how intercultural spaces of participation in urban development can be expanded and what changes in institutional processes are required to achieve this. The paper involves two academic disciplines – spatial planning and design research – and fields of practice. Central findings include how deliberately designed narrative situations promote the co-production of transformative knowledge by encouraging participation in research and engaging citizens as experts of everyday life in co-research. The paper thus contributes to the current discourse on participatory research and co-production of knowledge in the context of methodological differentiation of real-world laboratory approaches.
Book review of: Wende, Wolfgang; Nijhuis, Steffen; Mensing-de Jong, Angela; Humann, Melanie (Hrsg.) (2020): Inclusive Urbanism. Advances in research, education and practice
Authors: Hartlik Joachim
Published: November 2021

Book Review
Editorial
Authors: Klee Andreas
Published: November 2021

In eigener Sache: Raumforschung und Raumordnung | Spatial Research and Planning ab jetzt beim oekom verlag
Infrastructure as an aspect of quality of life and its influence on life satisfaction in small towns of the German region type central location
Authors: Gareis Philipp , Diller Christian , Winkler-Kühlken Bärbel
Published: November 2021

According to most (inter)national studies, life satisfaction in small towns is higher than in other types of towns with more inhabitants. With a population survey in eight German cities, we examine the importance of the infrastructure as an aspect of quality of life and the accessibility of infrastructure for local life satisfaction and whether or not the factor of social cohesion has a stronger impact on life satisfaction. The results show a differentiated picture: First, the infrastructure offer, as an aspect of objectively measurable quality of life does not have the greatest impact on life satisfaction. The population of the small towns in central locations apparently takes advantage of the infrastructure offers of their neighbouring towns and other places. Somehow, they are very satisfied with life on site, despite a low level of satisfaction with the infrastructure. The study thus tends to confirm the borrowing size concept, according to which small towns in the surrounding area benefit from the functions of the core city. On the other hand, the two factors of social cohesion and satisfaction with the performance of the local administration are closely related to the individual life satisfaction on site. For further research, the question arises, as which factors can explain local common sense best and how this can be improved through political measures.
Detection of Multiple Bacterial Strains in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients based on Multiplex Real-time PCR with Melting Curve Analysis
Authors: Abbas Dr. Faten Naeem , Jabber Amany Shakeir
Published: November 2021

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an underutilized mode of dialysis therapy worldwide. Despite the reduction in peritonitis rate, peritonitis continues to be the main cause of technique failure. This study was undertaken to detection of the multiple bacterial strains in dialysis patients by melting curve analysis Real-time (RT-PCR). Ninety specimens of dialysate collected were blood culture and primers RT-PCR detection of the pathogens (bacterial). The results showed the most detected bacteria were Streptococcus pneumoniae (33%) followed by E. coli (31%), Staphylococcus aureus (13%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 11% then Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7%) respectively while the least frequency were recorded with Enterococcus faecalis with only (5%). From this study can concluded the identification of pathogens within two hours, Six bacterial pathogens have been detected and differentiated by using multiplex RT-PCR with peaks for melting curve study, high repeatability was exhibited for every amplification product.
RISK ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOOK PRINTING PROJECT USING HOUSE OF RISK METHOD
Authors: Putri Ananda Vania Arisa , Ramadhan Rheza Aulia , Sukarsono Bambang Purwanggono
Published: November 2021

Risk management is a management effort to control the company's risk operations by conducting risk analysis, risk evaluation and mitigation plan. Risk management efforts are feasible to be applied to the company's business activities including procurement activities. PT XYZ is one of the printing companies whose main demand is the printing of Elementary School Books. There is a decrease in demand that results in disruption to the company's cash flow so that a tight money policy is applied to every company's activity including procurement activities. This policy increases the risk that may occur, so risk management efforts are needed to minimize the impact that can occur. The House of Risk method is used to identify risk events and risk agents that cause them, and design mitigation measures to address those risk agents. The results showed that there were 10 risk events and 10 identified risk agents, with priority risk agents to be handled are A1 (volume and type of raw materials are incorrect) and A3 (communication interruption). There are 5 recommended mitigation measures.
Estimation Theory in Financial Accounting as It Applies to Valuing Intellectual Property Assets
Authors: Jarrett Jeffrey
Published: November 2021

The abandonment option under various capital budgeting models are discussed in this study to illustrate the notion that present value of cash flows is often improperly estimated in financial models utilizing decision analytics in estimation theory as it applies in financial accounting. In this study, intellectual property rights and other intangible assets which are often not considered in the accounting estimation processes utilized in financial accounting. An investor/analyst often misestimates cash flow resulting in less-than-optimum capital budgeting decisions. This is especially a problem when actions to abandon for salvage and other similar decisions improve when the present value of intangibles and property rights are included in the decision process. This last statement is the goal of this study as well as to present well-founded processes to improve abandonment and similar decisions in capital budgeting decisions. The estimation problem in financial accounting is included in the analysis to accomplish this goal.
Krew i kurzawa w greckiej historiografii klasycznej albo o zmarginalizowanych elementach Homerowego opisu pola bitwy
Authors: Kostuch Lucyna
Published: November 2021

Contemporary historians believe that Greek historiography emerging on the eve of the classical period adopted numerous elements from the Homeric description of battle scenery. The aim of this paper is to analyze the earliest historical works while looking for the blood and dust, the two greatly important attributes of the Homeric world of warfare. However, it turns out that blood and dust, so intimately associated with the portrayal of the physical site of battle in Homer, did not become a per- manent element in the historical accounts of military clashes in Greek historiography, even though it was an inevitable component of the military experience of historians and their readers.
Wszystko, co chcielibyście wiedzieć o Partenonie, ale baliście się zapytać; rec. książki: Mary Beard, Partenon
Authors: Maciudzińska-Kamczycka Magdalena
Published: November 2021

Wszystko, co chcielibyście wiedzieć o Partenonie, ale baliście się zapytać; rec. książki: Mary Beard, Partenon
O migracji żydów rosyjskojęzycznych do Niemiec, rec. książki: Joseph Cronin, Russian-Speaking Jews in Germany’s Jewish Communities, 1990–2005
Authors: Pietrasik Kamil
Published: November 2021

O migracji żydów rosyjskojęzycznych do Niemiec, rec. książki: Joseph Cronin, Russian-Speaking Jews in Germany’s Jewish Communities, 1990–2005
W poszukiwaniu rzymskości, rec. książki: Walburg Boppert, Christine Ertel, Die Gräberstraße von Mainz-Weisenau. Eine italische Gräberstraße des 1. Jhs. n. Chr im römischen Mainz
Authors: Mrozewicz Leszek
Published: November 2021

W poszukiwaniu rzymskości, rec. książki: Walburg Boppert, Christine Ertel, Die Gräberstraße von Mainz-Weisenau. Eine italische Gräberstraße des 1. Jhs. n. Chr im römischen Mainz
Maradona bez maski, rec. książki: Jimmy Burns, Maradona. Ręka Boga
Authors: Kubiaczyk Filip
Published: November 2021

Maradona bez maski, rec. książki: Jimmy Burns, Maradona. Ręka Boga
Psychiatric behavioral effect and characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus on Japanese patients with Prader-Willi syndrome: a preliminary retrospective study
Authors: Oto Yuji , Murakami Nobuyuki , Inoue Takeshi , Matsubara Keiko , Saima Sohei , Ogata Hiroyuki , Ihara Hiroshi , Nagai Toshiro , Matsubara Tomoyo
Published: November 2021

Objectives

In recent years, research on behavioral and psychiatric problems of adults with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) has gained attention. However, no report is available regarding the relationship between psychiatric illness and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients with PWS. Therefore, we evaluated a behavioral assessment to address the lack of data on the association between psychiatric behavior and T2DM.

Methods

This was a retrospective single-center study of patients with PWS. Patients with PWS whose blood tests were performed in our hospital between January 2018 and December 2019 and aged >10 years were included. We evaluated the data, including the behavioral patterns of Japanese PWS patients with T2DM.

Results

Overall, 114 patients were evaluated; 33 patients (28.9%) developed T2DM. The age of T2DM onset was 18.0 years (interquartile range [IQR], 14.6–21.4 years). The median body mass index at T2DM onset was 33.7 kg/m2 (IQR, 30.0–37.4 kg/m2). Between-group comparisons of the intelligence quotient, Food-Related Problem Questionnaire (FRPQ), and Japanese versions of the Short Sensory Profile and Aberrant Behavior Checklist showed a significant difference only in FRPQ scores (p=0.003).

Conclusions

The occurrence of T2DM among Japanese patients with PWS remains high. Only the FRPQ was significantly different between the T2DM and the non-T2DM group.
Preparation and characterization of polydimethylsiloxane-based composite films
Authors: Kılıç Enver Can , Salt Yavuz
Published: November 2021

In this study, we aimed to find the characteristic properties of the neat and the composite polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films. The composite films were prepared by adding 5 A and NaY zeolites and nano-TiO2 to PDMS polymer matrix. In the preparation of the composite polymer films, the inorganic additives were added by 10 wt.-%. The structural and thermal characteristics of the prepared homogenous PDMS film and composite PDMS films were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The glass transition temperature of the films was found by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Finally, the mechanical properties of the films were obtained through tensile tests. The effects of 5 A and NaY zeolites and TiO2 on the neat PDMS films were investigated.
Impact behavior of natural rubber based syntactic foam core sandwich structures
Authors: Güçlü Harun , Kasım Hasan , Kürşad Türkoğlu İ. , Can Yücel , Yazıcı Murat
Published: November 2021

In this study, the impact behavior of sandwich panels of natural rubber-based syntactic foam cores with aluminum face sheets was investigated experimentally and with the help of finite element analysis (FEA). Syntactic foam cores were produced byadding glass bubbles (GB) to the natural rubber (NR). Natural rubber was dissolved at room temperature with chemical solvents mixed with glass bubbles at 10, 20, and 30 weight percentages. Very low density (~0.8 g × cm-3) and high compressible foams were obtained depending on the GB weight percentages. Aluminum face sheets and the NR/GB syntactic foam core developed were joined by adhesive bonding to produce sandwich beam specimens. The sandwich beams manufactured in this way were subjected to impact loading under three-point bending boundary conditions experimentally. The experimental results were compared with finite element simulation results under the same loading and boundary conditions. The damage mechanism of the sandwich panels devised were analyzed. According to the results, natural rubber containing an additive of 20 wt.-% GBs showed better impact resistance than the others.
Optimization of casting parameters for improved mechanical properties of eggshell reinforced composites
Authors: Dwivedi Shashi Prakash , Maurya Nagendra Kumar , Maurya Manish , Saxena Ambuj , Srivastava Ashish Kumar
Published: November 2021

The tensile strength, hardness and toughness of any materials are the most important mechanical properties in the selection of materials for varied industrial applications. In the development of aluminum based composite material, tensile strength and hardness were significantly improved by adding various ceramic reinforcement particles. However, toughness was reduced. In this research work, an attempt was made to enhance tensile strength, hardness and toughness simultaneously by using carbonized eggshell as reinforcement material developed via electromagnetic stir casting. The process parameters used in this study are the matrix pouring temperature, wt.-% of the reinforcement; preheat temperature, stirring current and stirring time. Response surface methodology (RSM) is used for conducting the experiment. The multi-objective optimization technique utility theory is employed to optimize the combined mechanical properties viz. tensile strength, hardness and toughness. Microstructure results show that at the optimum level of process parameters, eggshells are uniformly distributed. Confirmation tests are conducted to validate the experimental results. Experimental results revealed that at optimum process parameters, hardness and tensile strength are significantly improved without affecting the toughness property of the composite. The optimum level of process parameters to enhance all mechanical properties (tensile strength, hardness and toughness) were found to be a reinforced preheating temperature of about 448.32 °C, a stirring current of about 11.64 A, a stirring time of about 63.64 s, a maximum pouring temperature of about 800.24 °C and a percentage of eggshells of about 9.16 %. The novelty of this work lies in the fact that no attempt was made to optimize these electromagnetic process parameters. Corrosion loss, thermal expansion behavior and a wear test were investigated to observe the effect of adding eggshell at optimum electromagnetic stir casting parameters.