bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Computational Study on the Detonation Velocity of Mixtures of Solid Explosives with Non‐Explosive Liquids
Authors: Klapötke Thomas M. , Suceska Muhamed
Published: January 2021

According to Urbanski's finding in a solid explosive with a density of less than the theoretical maximum density (TMD), the detonation velocity increases if the air contained in the explosive gets replaced by a non‐explosive liquid. In order to quantify this observation, the detonation velocities for RDX in combination with ten non‐explosive liquids were calculated using the EXPLO5 code (V6.05.04). It could be shown that pressing out the air of a high‐explosive powder and replacing the voids with a non‐explosive liquid such as ethylene glycol, water or glycerin helped to increase the final detonation velocity.
Transformation of Spinel Zn2Mn4O8·H2O to Layered δ‐MnO2‐Based Composite Nanosheets with Enhanced Capacitance in Aqueous Electrolyte
Authors: Wang Shuqing , Chen Jianyu , Elkholy Ayman E. , Liu Xuehua , Li Hongliang , Lin Chunfu , Guo Peizhi
Published: January 2021

Transition from the layered phase to spinel phase of active materials usually occurs in lithium secondary batteries with organic electrolytes, whereas the reverse conversion is rarely observed during electrochemical measurements. Herein, spinel Zn2Mn4O8·H2O nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized at room temperature and are transformed into large spinel ZnMn2O4 particles after calcination at 800 °C. Cyclic voltammetry of the Zn2Mn4O8·H2O NPs‐based electrodes leads to the formation of δ‐MnO2‐based composite nanosheets at the potential window of 0−1.2 V, and the latter shows the capacitances of 187 and 327 F g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 in aqueous Na2SO4 and MgSO4 electrolytes, respectively. However, the spinel‐to‐layered phase transition is not observed for Zn2Mn4O8 particles, which show a much lower capacitance even in MgSO4 solution. The presence of crystal water in Zn2Mn4O8·H2O NPs, combined with the existence of Na+ or Mg2+, not Al3+ ions in electrolytes, is helpful for both the release of Zn (II) ions and movement of Mn (III) ions during the spinel‐to‐layered phase transition driven by electrochemistry. The unique transition of Zn2Mn4O8·H2O NPs to δ‐MnO2‐based composite nanosheets and their structure–property relationship are discussed and analyzed based on the experimental results.
Bifunctional CO2 Plasma Treatment at the i/p Interface Enhancing the Performance of Planar Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells
Authors: Yan Lingling , Huang Shenglei , Ren Huizhi , Zhang Dekun , Liu Wenzhu , Zhao Ying , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: January 2021

Hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon (nc‐Si:H) or hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon oxide (nc‐SiOx:H) as window layers have ample potential to improve the short‐circuit current density (JSC) of silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells due to their wide optical bandgap. However, the growth of their nanocrystals within a 20 nm‐thickness on intrinsic hydrogenated amorphous silicon (i‐a‐Si:H) poses a challenge. Plasma treatment (PT) after i‐a‐Si:H deposition is usually used to improve passivation performance. Herein, the i/p interface is subjected to CO2 PT: a 20 s post CO2 PT is proven to be beneficial in obtaining improved passivation performance. This can be achieved by activated hydrogen which can be diffused to the wafer surface and can saturate the dangling bonds on it. Extending the CO2 PT time from 20 to 40 s, the oxygen (O) insertion into i‐a‐Si:H starts to increase slowly, which leads to marginal change of microstructure in the p layer. Strained SiSi bonds by oxygen incorporation into the a‐Si:H network generate nucleation sites and consequently accelerate the nucleation of p‐nc‐Si:H on i‐a‐Si:H. Finally, it is demonstrated that the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of planar SHJ solar cells is enhanced from 12.65% to 19.06% by a 20 s CO2 PT at the i/p interface.
Laser‐assisted hatching on clinical and neonatal outcomes in patients undergoing single vitrified Blastocyst transfer: A propensity score–matched study
Authors: Endo Yuji , Mitsuhata Shingo , Hayashi Momoko , Fujii Yoshitaka , Motoyama Hiroaki
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This study determined the effect of laser‐assisted hatching on the clinical and neonatal outcomes of single vitrified blastocyst transfer.

Methods

From June 2014 to March 2018, 289 matched pairs after propensity score matching were analyzed. During the blastocyst warming procedure, a small section of the zona pellucida area in the empty perivitelline space was sliced off using multiple laser beams. The clinical and neonatal outcomes of the laser‐treated group and non‐treatment control were analyzed.

Results

In the laser‐assisted hatching group, significantly higher rates of clinical pregnancy (40.8% vs 29.4%, P < .01) and live delivery (34.3% vs 22.5%, P < .01) were observed compared to the control group. Other variables such as the average gestational weeks, the sex of the baby, birthweight, or congenital malformations were found to have no significant differences in neonatal outcomes. Moreover, all babies were singleton live births.

Conclusions

Single vitrified blastocyst transfer treated with laser‐assisted hatching increases the live birth rate and has no adverse effects on neonatal outcomes.
Sporopollenin Exine Microcapsules as Potential Intestinal Delivery System of Probiotics
Authors: Stamatopoulos Konstantinos , Kafourou Vasiliki , Batchelor Hannah K. , Konteles Spyros J.
Published: January 2021

Despite several decades of research into encapsulation of bacteria, most of the proposed technologies are in the form of immobilized cultures. In this work, sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs) opened, using silica particles which act as pressing micro‐probes, and loaded withLactobacillus casei(L. casei) cells, are described for the first time. The proposed encapsulation provided ≈30× higher encapsulation yield (30.87%), compared to direct compression of SECs (0.99%). EncapsulatedL. caseicells show 1.21‐ and 2.25‐folds higher viability compared to free cells, in in vitro simulated fasted and fed media representing the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract, respectively. EncapsulatedL. caseican proliferate inside the SECs, generating enough pressure to cause the SECs to burst and release the viable and metabolically active cells. The noticeable difference with the application of the SECs as a means of encapsulation is that the SECs may act as a bioreactor and provide time for the encapsulated cells to multiply thousands of times before being released, following the SEC's burst. The unique advantages of SECs alongside the proposed encapsulation method, demonstrates the potential application of SECs as delivery system of probiotics to the distal part of the human GI tract.
Rapid and Selective Biomarker Detection with Conductometric Sensors
Authors: Perera Ganganath S. , Ahmed Taimur , Heiss Leah , Walia Sumeet , Bhaskaran Madhu , Sriram Sharath
Published: January 2021

The biomarker detection in human body fluids is crucial as biomarkers are important in diagnosing diseases. Conventional invasive techniques for biomarker detection are associated with infection, tissue damage, and discomfort. Non‐invasive devices are an attractive alternative. Here, metal oxide (oxygen‐deficient zinc oxide, ZnO) based conductometric sensors with two‐terminal electrodes for rapid detection of biomarkers in real‐time, are presented. This platform can be engineered for non‐invasive, sensitive, and on‐demand selective detection of biomarkers based on surface functionalization. The three novelties in this biosensing technique include an on‑demand target selection device platform, short (<10 min) incubation times, and real‐time monitoring of the biomarker of interest by electrical (resistance change) measurements. Cardiac inflammatory biomarkers interleukin 6 (IL‐6) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) are used as the model antigens. The devices can detect 100× lower concentration of IL‐6 than healthy levels in human saliva and sweat and 1000× and ≈50× lower CRP concentrations than healthy levels in human saliva and sweat, respectively. The devices show high selectivity for IL‐6 and CRP antigens when tested with a mixture of biomarkers. This sensor platform can be extended to selective measurements for viruses or DNA screening, which enables a new category of compact and rapid point‐of‐care medical devices.
Deciphering NH3 Adsorption Kinetics in Ternary Ni–Cu–Fe Oxyhydroxide toward Efficient Ammonia Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Zhu Mingke , Yang Yi , Xi Shibo , Diao Caozheng , Yu Zhigen , Lee Wee Siang Vincent , Xue Junmin
Published: January 2021

Developing efficient catalysts for the ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR) is crucial for NH3 utilization as a large‐scale energy carrier. This work reports a promising Ni–Cu–Fe–OOH material for ammonia oxidation, and density functional theory is used to investigate the AOR mechanism. It is revealed that the oxygen‐atoms bonded with the metal‐atom on the surface of electrode play an important role in AOR. By codoping Cu and Fe, the electron distribution around the oxygen‐atom is affected, which helps to promote the occurrence of ammonia oxidation. The Ni–Cu–Fe–OOH material delivers one of the highest ammonia removal efficiency to date of ≈90% after 12 h. In addition, ≈55% of the initial ammonia is successfully degraded after 24 h in high ammonia concentration. Thus, this work reveals the mechanism of AOR that can provide new ideas to tailor more powerful and updated catalysts in the future.
Rapid 3D Bioprinting of Glioblastoma Model Mimicking Native Biophysical Heterogeneity
Authors: Tang Min , Tiwari Shashi Kant , Agrawal Kriti , Tan Matthew , Dang Jason , Tam Trevor , Tian Jing , Wan Xueyi , Schimelman Jacob , You Shangting , Xia Qinghui , Rana Tariq M. , Chen Shaochen
Published: January 2021

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most lethal primary brain tumor characterized by high cellular and molecular heterogeneity, hypervascularization, and innate drug resistance. Cellular components and extracellular matrix (ECM) are the two primary sources of heterogeneity in GBM. Here, biomimetic tri‐regional GBM models with tumor regions, acellular ECM regions, and an endothelial region with regional stiffnesses patterned corresponding to the GBM stroma, pathological or normal brain parenchyma, and brain capillaries, are developed. Patient‐derived GBM cells, human endothelial cells, and hyaluronic acid derivatives are used to generate a species‐matched and biochemically relevant microenvironment. This in vitro study demonstrates that biophysical cues are involved in various tumor cell behaviors and angiogenic potentials and promote different molecular subtypes of GBM. The stiff models are enriched in the mesenchymal subtype, exhibit diffuse invasion of tumor cells, and induce protruding angiogenesis and higher drug resistance to temozolomide. Meanwhile, the soft models demonstrate enrichment in the classical subtype and support expansive cell growth. The three‐dimensional bioprinting technology utilized in this study enables rapid, flexible, and reproducible patient‐specific GBM modeling with biophysical heterogeneity that can be employed by future studies as a tunable system to interrogate GBM disease mechanisms and screen drug compounds.
In Situ Visualization of the Structural Evolution and Alignment of Lyotropic Liquid Crystals in Confined Flow
Authors: Rodriguez‐Palomo Adrian , Lutz‐Bueno Viviane , Cao Xiaobao , Kádár Roland , Andersson Martin , Liebi Marianne
Published: January 2021

Self‐assembled materials such as lyotropic liquid crystals offer a wide variety of structures and applications by tuning the composition. Understanding materials behavior under flow and the induced alignment is wanted in order to tailor structure related properties. A method to visualize the structure and anisotropy of ordered systems in situ under dynamic conditions is presented where flow‐induced nanostructural alignment in microfluidic channels is observed by scanning small angle X‐ray scattering in hexagonal and lamellar self‐assembled phases. In the hexagonal phase, the material in regions with high extensional flow exhibits orientation perpendicular to the flow and is oriented in the flow direction only in regions with a high enough shear rate. For the lamellar phase, a flow‐induced morphological transition occurs from aligned lamellae toward multilamellar vesicles. However, the vesicles do not withstand the mechanical forces and break in extended lamellae in regions with high shear rates. This evolution of nanostructure with different shear rates can be correlated with a shear thinning viscosity curve with different slopes. The results demonstrate new fundamental knowledge about the structuring of liquid crystals under flow. The methodology widens the quantitative investigation of complex structures and identifies important mechanisms of reorientation and structural changes.
Nanobiosensor Reports on CDK1 Kinase Activity in Tumor Xenografts in Mice
Authors: Tîlmaciu Carmen Mihaela , Dinesh Bhimareddy , Pellerano Morgan , Diot Sebastien , Guidetti Mélanie , Vollaire Julien , Bianco Alberto , Ménard‐Moyon Cécilia , Josserand Véronique , Morris May C.
Published: January 2021

Probing the dynamics and quantifying the activities of intracellular protein kinases that coordinate cell growth and division and constitute biomarkers and pharmacological targets in hyperproliferative and pathological disorders remain a challenging task. Here engineering and characterization of a nanobiosensor of the mitotic kinase CDK1, through multifunctionalization of carbon nanotubes with a CDK1‐specific fluorescent peptide reporter, are described. This original reporter of CDK1 activity combines the sensitivity of a fluorescent biosensor with the unique physico‐chemical and biological properties of nanotubes for multifunctionalization and efficient intracellular penetration. The functional versatility of this nanobiosensor enables implementation to quantify CDK1 activity in a sensitive and dose‐dependent fashion in complex biological environments in vitro, to monitor endogenous kinase in living cells and directly within tumor xenografts in mice by fluorescence imaging, thanks to a ratiometric quantification strategy accounting for response relative to concentration in space and in time.
A formal approach to rigorous development of critical systems
Authors: Singh Neeraj Kumar , Lawford Mark , Maibaum Thomas S. E. , Wassyng Alan
Published: January 2021

Safety critical systems, such as medical, automotive, and avionics systems, play an important role in our daily lives. Increasing demand for new technologies in these safety critical systems requires rapid adoption of commercial hardware and software. However, the adoption of new hardware and software increases life‐threatening vulnerabilities. To aid in the reduction of these vulnerabilities and system failures, this paper proposes a framework based on formal methods for developing safety‐critical systems from requirements analysis to code generation. This framework includes a development process for documenting system requirements using tabular expressions, automatic formal model generation from the documented requirements, verification and validation of the generated formal models using proof techniques and animations, interactive simulation for validating the required behavior of the developed models by enabling domain experts to observe the system states according to, and finally, code generation from the formal model into a desired language. A prototype toolchain is developed to automate this framework. An assessment of the proposed framework is undertaken through a case study: insulin infusion pump (IIP).
Recent Progress of Porous Materials in Lithium‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Liu Yao , Zhai Yunpu , Xia Yongyao , Li Wei , Zhao Dongyuan
Published: January 2021

Lithium‐metal batteries (LMBs) are regarded as one of the best choices for next‐generation energy storage devices. However, the low Coulombic efficiency, lithium dendrite growth, and volume expansion of lithium‐metal anodes are dragging LMBs out of successful commercialization. Herein, the application of various porous materials in LMBs is focused on. First, several representative works are summarized to highlight the recent key progress of porous materials in LMBs, categorized into current collectors, thin 3D “hosts,” protection layers, and separators. Then, the existing challenges are discussed and future research needs to present more thorough characterizations of porous materials are advocated for, such as their porosity, electric conductivity, specific surface area, and mass density, to elaborate on their positive influence on electrochemical performance. Finally, future strategies with porous materials to build long‐cycle‐life, high‐energy‐density lithium‐metal full cells toward realistic performance targets are envisioned.
Überarbeitung des Betriebszeitintervallnachweises der Ril 805
Authors: Mensinger Martin , Rengstl Mathias , Heiderich Sabine , Reissmüller David , Siebert Dorina
Published: January 2021

Der Betriebszeitintervallnachweis der Ril 805 auf Basis bruchmechanischer Konzepte dient der Ermittlung sicherer Betriebszeitintervalle für bestehende genietete Eisenbahnbrücken. Derzeit wird dieser überarbeitet und an den aktuellen Stand der Normung in den Eurocodes angepasst. Für eine praxistaugliche Anwendung werden Tonnagefaktoren bereitgestellt, welche sowohl die Einflüsse aus Rissmodell, Material und Belastung als auch die Ausnutzung im Spannungsnachweis berücksichtigen. In diesem Aufsatz werden die Grundlagen des bruchmechanischen Konzepts und das Vorgehen bei der Bestimmung des Tonnagefaktors erläutert. Dabei wird auch auf die zugrunde gelegten Materialparameter, Belastungs‐Zeitfolgen und Rissfortschrittsberechnungen eingegangen und der Einfluss div. Parameter untersucht. Nach der Vorstellung des resultierenden Nachweiskonzepts (zur Festlegung sicherer Betriebszeitintervalle) wird die Anwendung abschließend anhand eines Beispiels demonstriert.
The practice of breaking bad news
Authors: Montgomery Bruce , Corrie Olivia
Published: January 2021

Breaking bad news is never easy. A structured approach using evidence‐based communication strategies can make the task a little easier.
Adolescent genitourinary anomalies: managing transition
Authors: Woodhouse Christopher
Published: January 2021

Parents have limited aspirations for children with major congenital anomalies and have difficulty in preparing themselves for their maturity. Many general lessons can be learnt from experience in urology and vice versa.
Synthesis, structural and DFT investigation of Zn(nba)2(meim)2 for adsorptive removal of eosin yellow dye from aqueous solution
Authors: Oladipo Adetola C. , Tella Adedibu C. , Olayemi Victoria T. , Adimula Vincent O. , Dembaremba Tendai O. , Ogunlaja Adeniyi S. , Clayton Hadley S. , Clarkson Guy J. , Walton Richard I.
Published: January 2021

A novel Zn(II) mixed‐ligand complex, Zn(nba)2(meim)2 (1), synthesized from Zn(NO3)2.6H2O, nitrobenzoic acid (Hnba) and 1‐methylimidazole (meim) is reported. The complex was characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR, powder and single crystal X‐ray crystallography and TGA/DSC. 1 exhibits a tetrahedral geometry for Zn(II), which is coordinated to two carboxylate oxygen atoms from two nba anions and two imidazole nitrogen atoms from two meim molecules. Thermal analysis shows the stability of 1 up to 260 °C. The adsorption of eosin yellow (EY) dye on 1 was investigated. The adsorption capacity of 1 for EY amounted to 65.32 mg/g, fitting best into Langmuir isotherm and pseudo second order kinetic models. From DFT studies, it was determined that adsorption is predominantly due to electrostatic, hydrogen bonding and π‐π interactions.
Silver(I)‐mediated hetero base pairs of 6‐pyrazolylpurine and its deaza derivatives
Authors: Escher Daniela , Müller Jens
Published: January 2021

A series of antiparallel‐stranded and parallel‐stranded DNA duplexes containing hetero base pairs of the artificial nucleobases 6‐(1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)‐9H‐purine (6PP), 1‐deaza‐6PP (1D6PP), 7‐deaza‐6PP (7D6PP), and 1,7‐dideaza‐6PP (1,7D6PP) were investigated with respect to their ability to form silver(I)‐mediated base pairs. A close examination of the duplex melting temperatures in the absence and in the presence of silver(I) ions shows a strong sequence‐dependence of the stability of the resulting silver(I)‐mediated base pairs. The most stable silver(I)‐mediated base pairs are formed when 1,7D6PP is located in a purine‐rich strand opposite either 6PP or 7D6PP. This indicates that the silver(I) ions are coordinated via the Watson‐Crick edge of the latter nucleobase, whereas they bind to the pyrazolyl moiety of the former. As a result, a [2+1] coordination environment is proposed for the silver(I) ions.
Quantum corrections to generic branes: DBI, NLSM, and more
Authors: Goon Garrett , Melville Scott , Noller Johannes
Published: January 2021

Abstract

We study quantum corrections to hypersurfaces of dimension d + 1 > 2 embedded in generic higher-dimensional spacetimes. Manifest covariance is maintained throughout the analysis and our methods are valid for arbitrary co-dimension and arbitrary bulk metric. A variety of theories which are prominent in the modern amplitude literature arise as special limits: the scalar sector of Dirac-Born-Infeld theories and their multi-field variants, as well as generic non-linear sigma models and extensions thereof. Our explicit one-loop results unite the leading corrections of all such models under a single umbrella. In contrast to naive computations which generate effective actions that appear to violate the non-linear symmetries of their classical counterparts, our efficient methods maintain manifest covariance at all stages and make the symmetry properties of the quantum action clear. We provide an explicit comparison between our compact construction and other approaches and demonstrate the ultimate physical equivalence between the superficially different results.
The generalized Bergshoeff-de Roo identification. Part II
Authors: Baron W. , Marques D.
Published: January 2021

Abstract

We recently introduced a T-duality covariant mechanism to compute all-order higher-derivative interactions in the heterotic string. Here we extend the formalism to account for a two-parameter family of corrections that also include the bosonic string and HSZ theory. We use our result to compute the full second order Double Field Theory (DFT) for generic values of the parameters, including the generalized Green-Schwarz transformation and its invariant action.
ASPECTS Interobserver Agreement of 100 Investigators from the TENSION Study
Authors: van Horn Noel , Kniep Helge , Broocks Gabriel , Meyer Lukas , Flottmann Fabian , Bechstein Matthias , Götz Julia , Thomalla Götz , Bendszus Martin , Bonekamp Susanne , Pfaff Johannes Alex Rolf , Dellani Paulo Roberto , Fiehler Jens , Hanning Uta
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Evaluating the extent of cerebral ischemic infarction is essential for treatment decisions and assessment of possible complications in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Patients are often triaged according to image-based early signs of infarction, defined by Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS). Our aim was to evaluate interrater reliability in a large group of readers.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 100 investigators who independently evaluated 20 non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) scans as part of their qualification program for the TENSION study. Test cases were chosen by four neuroradiologists who had previously scored NCCT scans with ASPECTS between 0 and 8 and high interrater agreement. Percent and interrater agreements were calculated for total ASPECTS, as well as for each ASPECTS region.

Results

Percent agreements for ASPECTS ratings was 28%, with interrater agreement of 0.13 (95% confidence interval, CI 0.09–0.16), at zero tolerance allowance and 66%, with interrater agreement of 0.32 (95% CI: 0.21–0.44), at tolerance allowance set by TENSION inclusion criteria. ASPECTS region with highest level of agreement was the insular cortex (percent agreement = 96%, interrater agreement = 0.96 (95% CI: 0.94–0.97)) and with lowest level of agreement the M3 region (percent agreement = 68%, interrater agreement = 0.39 [95% CI: 0.17–0.61]).

Conclusion

Interrater agreement reliability for total ASPECTS and study enrollment was relatively low but seems sufficient for practical application. Individual region analysis suggests that some are particularly difficult to evaluate, with varying levels of reliability. Potential impairment of the supraganglionic region must be examined carefully, particularly with respect to the decision whether or not to perform mechanical thrombectomy.
Essential work of fracture assessment of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) processed via fused filament fabrication additive manufacturing
Authors: Verma Pawan , Ubaid Jabir , Schiffer Andreas , Jain Atul , Martínez-Pañeda Emilio , Kumar S.
Published: January 2021

Experiments and finite element (FE) calculations were performed to study the raster angle–dependent fracture behaviour of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) thermoplastic processed via fused filament fabrication (FFF) additive manufacturing (AM). The fracture properties of 3D-printed ABS were characterized based on the concept of essential work of fracture (EWF), utilizing double-edge-notched tension (DENT) specimens considering rectilinear infill patterns with different raster angles (0°, 90° and + 45/− 45°). The measurements showed that the resistance to fracture initiation of 3D-printed ABS specimens is substantially higher for the printing direction perpendicular to the crack plane (0° raster angle) as compared to that of the samples wherein the printing direction is parallel to the crack (90° raster angle), reporting EWF values of 7.24 kJ m−2 and 3.61 kJ m−2, respectively. A relatively high EWF value was also reported for the specimens with + 45/− 45° raster angle (7.40 kJ m−2). Strain field analysis performed via digital image correlation showed that connected plastic zones existed in the ligaments of the DENT specimens prior to the onset of fracture, and this was corroborated by SEM fractography which showed that fracture proceeded by a ductile mechanism involving void growth and coalescence followed by drawing and ductile tearing of fibrils. It was further shown that the raster angle–dependent strength and fracture properties of 3D-printed ABS can be predicted with an acceptable accuracy by a relatively simple FE model considering the anisotropic elasticity and failure properties of FFF specimens. The findings of this study offer guidelines for fracture-resistant design of AM-enabled thermoplastics.

Graphical abstract
Quantitative classification of carbonate aquifers based on hydrodynamic behaviour
Authors: Kovács Attila
Published: January 2021

A quantitative classification of carbonate aquifers based on hydrodynamic behaviour is introduced. This type of classification is necessary to understand the physical functioning of carbonate hydrogeological systems and to provide a realistic interpretation of field data. Carbonate aquifers are generally considered as karst systems; however, geomorphology and aquifer geology alone are insufficient for determining hydrodynamic behaviour. Analysis of spring and well hydrographs based on analytical solutions is applied to establishing a quantitative classification. A base-flow recession coefficient is used as an indicator of hydrodynamic behaviour. Detailed numerical analyses suggest that carbonate systems can be classified into two distinct groups based on hydrodynamic behaviour. The physical processes depend on a combination of hydraulic and geometric parameters, and their functional relationships can be quantitatively determined. The proposed classification methodology involves making an assumption about aquifer type, estimating aquifer properties from hydrograph data, and comparing the results with field observations. The proposed classification methodology was applied to aquifers representing the two groups of carbonate systems. In both cases, the applied methods revealed crucial information about hydrodynamic functioning of the investigated systems. While the studied limestone aquifer showed karstic hydrodynamic behaviour, the investigation of a dolomite aquifer disproves a priori assumptions on karstic flow conditions. Dolomite aquifers represent an ambiguous group of carbonates and require caution in the selection of investigation tools and interpretation of hydrogeological data. The introduced methodology provides a reliable means of determining the hydrodynamic functioning of an aquifer and supports the quantitative classification of carbonate hydrogeological systems.
Image distortion correction for MRI in low field permanent magnet systems with strong B0 inhomogeneity and gradient field nonlinearities
Authors: Koolstra Kirsten , O’Reilly Thomas , Börnert Peter , Webb Andrew
Published: January 2021

Objective

To correct for image distortions produced by standard Fourier reconstruction techniques on low field permanent magnet MRI systems with strong $${B}_{0}$$

B
0

inhomogeneity and gradient field nonlinearities.

Materials and methods

Conventional image distortion correction algorithms require accurate $${\Delta B}_{0}$$

Δ
B

0

maps which are not possible to acquire directly when the $${B}_{0}$$

B
0

inhomogeneities also produce significant image distortions. Here we use a readout gradient time-shift in a TSE sequence to encode the $${B}_{0}$$

B
0

field inhomogeneities in the k-space signals. Using a non-shifted and a shifted acquisition as input, $$\Delta {B}_{0}$$

Δ

B
0

maps and images were reconstructed in an iterative manner. In each iteration, $$\Delta {B}_{0}$$

Δ

B
0

maps were reconstructed from the phase difference using Tikhonov regularization, while images were reconstructed using either conjugate phase reconstruction (CPR) or model-based (MB) image reconstruction, taking the reconstructed field map into account. MB reconstructions were, furthermore, combined with compressed sensing (CS) to show the flexibility of this approach towards undersampling. These methods were compared to the standard fast Fourier transform (FFT) image reconstruction approach in simulations and measurements. Distortions due to gradient nonlinearities were corrected in CPR and MB using simulated gradient maps.

Results

Simulation results show that for moderate field inhomogeneities and gradient nonlinearities, $$\Delta {B}_{0}$$

Δ

B
0

maps and images reconstructed using iterative CPR result in comparable quality to that for iterative MB reconstructions. However, for stronger inhomogeneities, iterative MB reconstruction outperforms iterative CPR in terms of signal intensity correction. Combining MB with CS, similar image and $$\Delta {B}_{0}$$

Δ

B
0

map quality can be obtained without a scan time penalty. These findings were confirmed by experimental results.

Discussion

In case of $${B}_{0}$$

B
0

inhomogeneities in the order of kHz, iterative MB reconstructions can help to improve both image quality and $$\Delta {B}_{0}$$

Δ

B
0

map estimation.
Improving the resilience of existing built assets to earthquake induced liquefaction disaster events
Authors: Jones Keith G. , Morga Mariantonietta , Wanigarathna Nadeeshani , Pascale Federica , Meslem Abdelghani
Published: January 2021

LIQUEFACT was a EU H2020 funded project to investigate earthquake induced liquefaction potential across Europe and develop a series of tools to understand better the impacts that earthquake induced liquefaction disaster events have on the resilience of built assets and communities. A resilience assessment and improvement framework was developed to provide the theoretical underpinning for the LIQUEFACT project and to provide practical guidance on the assessment of built assets to Earthquake Induced Liquefaction Disaster events through the LIQUEFACT software tool and built asset management planning framework. This paper outlines the theoretical basis to the resilience assessment and improvement framework and built asset management planning framework and presents the results from a validation exercise through their application to a hypothetical healthcare scenario. The paper also describes the different stages of the research that led to the definition of the resilience assessment and improvement framework and built asset management planning framework. To this end the paper concludes that the resilience assessment and improvement framework and built asset management framework provide a longitudinal, holistic view of disaster vulnerability and resilience that can inform the selection of ground improvement mitigation actions to improve business continuity and resilience planning.
Criminalisation of migration for domestic work from Myanmar to Singapore—need for a radical policy shift
Authors: Deshingkar Priya
Published: January 2021

Between 2014 and April 2019, the government of Myanmar banned international migration for domestic work to Singapore and criminalised the brokering of such migration as well as predeparture training and placement of migrants as domestic workers in Singapore. These measures were taken in response to concerns over the alleged abuse of migrant women as well as international pressures to eliminate trafficking and debt bondage. Experienced brokers and recruitment agencies who were trading openly up until then were forced to cease operations. At the same time, large numbers of inexperienced and uncouth recruitment agencies emerged to take advantage of the black economy created by the ban. This resulted in women migrating irregularly from Myanmar to Singapore being exposed to greater risks which the paper traces. Four discernible impacts of the ban on the recruitment practices and working conditions faced by migrant women from Myanmar before departure and after arriving in Singapore were identified: a sharp increase in migration and placement costs, inadequate predeparture training, placement in forced labour conditions with extended and unclear repayment periods and no access to support from the Myanmar government while in Singapore. Although the ban has since been lifted, the resulting migration system had placed workers in conditions of extreme exploitation with little recourse to justice or having their voices heard. The paper ends by summarizing the unanticipated negative consequences of the criminalisation of migration brokerage in Myanmar and lessons for other countries that may be considering controls on female migration.
Fuzzy set theory driven maintenance sustainability performance assessment model: a multiple criteria approach
Authors: Jasiulewicz-Kaczmarek Małgorzata , Żywica Patryk , Gola Arkadiusz
Published: January 2021

During the last five decades, manufacturing has radically changed not only due to the technology development but also because of the new market and environmental requirements. Nowadays, companies are focused not only on cost-reduction and effectiveness or realized processes but also on reducing the negative impact on natural and social environment. Therefore, the maintenance is also transforming its role in order to better support value creation, both contributing to the economic dimension as well as extending its care for the environmental and social aspects. The paper presents a new method to solve the problem of the initial maintenance indicator merge into a new synthetic index that allows measuring the level of maintenance sustainability. The proposed approach allows to look at the process of combining indicators from a different perspective (i.e. through interactions between criteria) to help decision-makers in improving economic, social and environmental results of maintenance system. To justify effectiveness of proposed approach, it was applied to Composite Maintenance Sustainability Indicator, which was therefore generalized and expanded, so that it could be used in decision support system. The included case study shows the real benefit of using the proposed approach to analyse the actual results of maintenance system from sustainability point of view and forecasting future actions.
Assessing Available Water Content of Sandy Soils to Support Drought Monitoring and Agricultural Water Management
Authors: Ladányi Zsuzsanna , Barta Károly , Blanka Viktória , Pálffy Benjámin
Published: January 2021

In the future, according to regional climate-model simulations, the Carpathian Basin (in Central Europe) is predicted to be exposed to intensifying weather extremes that will exert a growing pressure on water resources. In recent past decades, water already has become a significant limiting factor for the natural environment and many agro-economic sectors in the southern Carpathian Basin. Therefore, there are increasing attempts to develop monitoring systems to detect water stress. In this study, changes in soil moisture conditions were monitored within two Arenosol profiles of extreme water balance during years characterised by different hydrologic conditions and under the impact of irrigation in the Great Hungarian Plain. Hourly data series of hydrometeorological parameters and soil moisture from six different soil depths during 2014–2018 were provided by on-site monitoring stations; humus, carbonate content, porosity, field capacity and wilting point were measured in the laboratory. On the basis of the newly definied so-called ‘available water percent’ (AW%) and a developed classification method, the rate, time and duration of water-shortage periods were evaluated for the years 2014–2018. The results show that drought monitoring cannot be effective without investigation of soil moisture content. Detailed analysis of available water percentage (AW%) can be used for real-time drought monitoring and as a precise indicator of the evolution of drought. This can help us prevent and manage damage from drought, and it is extremely important for agriculture.
Kulturelle Dimensionen des professionellen Handelns – eine empirische Rekonstruktion der Orientierungen von Lehramtsstudierenden
Authors: Timm Susanne
Published: January 2021

Lehrkräfte sind als Kulturgeprägte kulturprägend tätig. Weit jenseits dessen, dass sie explizit über die Vermittlung kulturbezogener Wissensbestände und kultureller Techniken in Kultur einführen, ist ihr Handeln implizit kulturbezogenes Vermittlungshandeln, das habituell geprägt ist. In dieser Studie steht die Frage im Mittelpunkt, welches implizite Wissen für die kulturelle Dimension professionellen Handelns für Lehramtsstudierende handlungsleitend ist. Angesichts der langfristigen Ausprägungen habitueller Konstitutionen und angesichts von Anforderungen an die Professionalität von Lehrkräften in einer kulturell diversen Gesellschaft wurde untersucht, welche Orientierungen hinsichtlich von Kulturalität und damit einhergehenden Vorstellungen zu den impliziten Anforderungen an Lehren Lehramtsstudierende im Studium ausprägen. Diese Frage wurde im rekonstruktiven Paradigma in einer qualitativen Studie mit Hilfe von Gruppendiskussionen und einer abduktiven Typenbildung bearbeitet. An mehreren der idealtypisch gewonnen Orientierungstypen zeigt sich, dass dominante Deutungen der Mehrheitskultur handlungsleitend sind und zumeist in unreflektierten Wiederholungen zur Geltung kommen. Vor diesem Hintergrund werden Anregungen und Herausforderung für die Ausbildung von Lehrerinnen und Lehrern sowie für die weitere Lehrerbildungsforschung formuliert.
Investigation of Metallurgical and Mechanical Properties of Laser Beam Welded and Post-weld Heat Treated DP1400 Steel
Authors: Sisodia Raghawendra P. S. , Gáspár Marcell
Published: January 2021

In this paper, the effect of autogenous diode laser beam welding (LBW) and the influence of post weld heat treatment (PWHT) on microstructural changes and mechanical properties of dual phase DP1400 high strength steel (HSS) butt welded joint are studied and presented. LBW and PWHT were performed on 1 mm sheet thickness using 3 and 5 kW diode laser systems, respectively. The technology ensures high quality welded joints in HSS and facilitate the welding and PWHT by same process and equipment. Microstructure evaluation was performed using optical and scanning electron microscopy. Related to the mechanical properties, tensile tests, fractography of fractured tensile specimens and three-point bending tests were carried out. The microstructural examination presented the constituents of martensite and ferrite in the heat affected zone (HAZ) and fusion zone (FZ) consists of predominantly lath martensite with ferrite and some bainite. Tempered martensite was observed after PWHT in HAZ and FZ. The hardening peaks observed in coarse-grained and fine-grained subzones were significantly reduced by the novelty technology, i.e. PWHT and thereby cold cracking sensitivity. The fractography of the fractured tensile specimens showed characteristic features of ductile failure.
This Wasn’t a Split-Second Decision”: An Empirical Ethical Analysis of Transgender Youth Capacity, Rights, and Authority to Consent to Hormone Therapy
Authors: Clark Beth A. , Virani Alice
Published: January 2021

Inherent in providing healthcare for youth lie tensions among best interests, decision-making capacity, rights, and legal authority. Transgender (trans) youth experience barriers to needed gender-affirming care, often rooted in ethical and legal issues, such as healthcare provider concerns regarding youth capacity and rights to consent to hormone therapy. Even when decision-making capacity is present, youth may lack the legal authority to give consent. The aims of this paper are therefore to provide an empirical analysis of minor trans youth capacity to consent to hormone therapy and to address the normative question of whether there is ethical justification for granting trans youth the authority to consent to this care. Through qualitative content analysis of interviews with trans youth, parents, and healthcare providers, we found that trans youth demonstrated the understandings and abilities characteristic of the capacity to consent to hormone therapy and that they did consent to hormone therapy with positive outcomes. Employing deontological and consequentialist reasoning and drawing on a foundation of empirical evidence, human rights, and best interests we conclude that granting trans youth with decisional capacity both the right and the legal authority to consent to hormone therapy via the informed consent model of care is ethically justified.
Deep venous thrombosis and abortion: an unusual clinical manifestation of severe form of pectus excavatum
Authors: Bianco M. , Mantovani S. , D’Agostino F. G. , Bassi M. , Amore D. , Cagnetti S. , Mottola E. , Vannucci J. , Venuta F. , Anile M.
Published: January 2021

Pectus excavatum is a chest wall malformation with a strong psychological and aesthetic impact. Rarely, pectus excavatum patients can show respiratory or cardiac symptoms occurring mainly during physical exertion. We report a case of a 34-year-old pregnant woman with a severe degree of pectus excavatum who developed serious cardiovascular disease resulting in spontaneous twin abortion at the twenty-first week of gestation. Cardiovascular disease was resolved after open surgical correction of pectus excavatum. This case shows how a tardive diagnosis and a delayed surgical approach for pectus excavatum can lead to severe consequences.
Total Differentiability and Monogenicity for Functions in Algebras of Order 4
Authors: Sabadini I. , Struppa D. C.
Published: January 2021

In this paper we discuss some notions of analyticity in associative algebras with unit. We also recall some basic tool in algebraic analysis and we use them to study the properties of analytic functions in two algebras of dimension four that played a relevant role in some work of the Italian school, but that have never been fully investigated.
Automated Head Tissue Modelling Based on Structural Magnetic Resonance Images for Electroencephalographic Source Reconstruction
Authors: Taberna Gaia Amaranta , Samogin Jessica , Mantini Dante
Published: January 2021

In the last years, technological advancements for the analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) recordings have permitted to investigate neural activity and connectivity in the human brain with unprecedented precision and reliability. A crucial element for accurate EEG source reconstruction is the construction of a realistic head model, incorporating information on electrode positions and head tissue distribution. In this paper, we introduce MR-TIM, a toolbox for head tissue modelling from structural magnetic resonance (MR) images. The toolbox consists of three modules: 1) image pre-processing – the raw MR image is denoised and prepared for further analyses; 2) tissue probability mapping – template tissue probability maps (TPMs) in individual space are generated from the MR image; 3) tissue segmentation – information from all the TPMs is integrated such that each voxel in the MR image is assigned to a specific tissue. MR-TIM generates highly realistic 3D masks, five of which are associated with brain structures (brain and cerebellar grey matter, brain and cerebellar white matter, and brainstem) and the remaining seven with other head tissues (cerebrospinal fluid, spongy and compact bones, eyes, muscle, fat and skin). Our validation, conducted on MR images collected in healthy volunteers and patients as well as an MR template image from an open-source repository, demonstrates that MR-TIM is more accurate than alternative approaches for whole-head tissue segmentation. We hope that MR-TIM, by yielding an increased precision in head modelling, will contribute to a more widespread use of EEG as a brain imaging technique.
Minority stress, resilience, and health in Italian and Taiwanese LGB+ people: A cross-cultural comparison
Authors: Baiocco Roberto , Scandurra Cristiano , Rosati Fausta , Pistella Jessica , Ioverno Salvatore , Bochicchio Vincenzo , Wang Hung-Che , Chang Te-Sheng
Published: January 2021

The present study, using a moderated mediational model, explored levels of distal/proximal stressors, rumination, resilience, and health in a group of Italian and Taiwanese LGB+ people. The study also examined the role of internalized sexual stigma (ISS) and rumination as mediators between discrimination and health, and resilience as a moderator of the relationship between discrimination and ISS, rumination, and health, respectively. An online survey was administered to 508 LGB+ participants (270 Italian and 238 Taiwanese) whose age ranged from 18 to 70 years (M = 37.93, SD = 13.53). The moderated mediation model was tested through a series of path analyses stratified by group nationality. Italian participants reported higher discrimination and resilience, but lower ISS, rumination, and health problems compared to their Taiwanese counterparts. The only common path between groups was the direct effect of discrimination on health problems. The mediating role of ISS and rumination in the relationship between discrimination and health, as well as the moderating role of resilience, were partly significant only for the Italian group. Conclusions: The findings suggest that mediators and moderators used to evaluate the effects of minority stress on health may differ between groups; further culturally sensitive research in the field of LGB+ health is needed.
A posteriori verification for the sign-change structure of solutions of elliptic partial differential equations
Authors: Tanaka Kazuaki
Published: January 2021

This paper proposes a method for rigorously analyzing the sign-change structure of solutions of elliptic partial differential equations subject to one of the three types of homogeneous boundary conditions: Dirichlet, Neumann, and mixed. Given explicitly estimated error bounds between an exact solutionuand a numerically computed approximate solution$${\hat{u}}$$u^, we evaluate the number of sign-changes ofu(the number of nodal domains) and determine the location of zero level-sets ofu(the location of the nodal line). We apply this method to the Dirichlet problem of the Allen–Cahn equation. The nodal line of solutions of this equation represents the interface between two coexisting phases.