bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Active gyroscopic stabilizer to mitigate vibration in a multimegawatt wind turbine
Authors: Soleymani Mehdi , Norouzi Mahdi
Published: December 2020

One of the main concerns in developing large wind turbines, especially offshore, is their cost‐effectiveness versus traditional power sources. Significant dynamic loads are applied to the tower and the foundation of a multimegawatt wind turbine. Any reduction in the loads can reduce the size of the structure and, consequently, the turbine's cost. In this paper, a novel structural control application is proposed to mitigate the transmitted vibrations to a multimegawatt turbine tower to decrease the tower base shear forces and overturning moments. For this purpose, a hybrid passive/active gyro stabilizer is designed and incorporated into the NREL baseline 5‐MW wind turbine. Furthermore, two controllers, including a proportional integral differential (PID), as the baseline controller, and a nonlinear fuzzy logic controller (FLC) as the main and nonlinear controllers, have been designed and implemented to the turbine model. The structural control systems are implemented into the turbine model by cosimulating ADAMS and Simulink. The results reveal that the application of the proposed stabilizer can significantly reduce the overturning moment at the base of the tower compared to the reference NREL 5‐MW model.
Lilienthal’s ‘Another “Korea” in the making?’ From the Cold War to the Indus Waters Treaty
Authors: Mehsud Muhammad Imran
Published: December 2020

This article discusses David Lilienthal's article ‘Another “Korea” in the Making?’ It argues that the primary purpose behind Lilienthal's article was the containment of Soviet influence in the region of South Asia. The stated article not only initiated but deeply influenced the World Bank led Indus mediations (1951–1960) to succeed in the shape of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). This article, thus, suggests that the IWT is a product of the Cold War competition between the US and USSR. More importantly, ‘Another “Korea” in the Making?’ shaped the features of the IWT greatly. This article also suggests that Lilienthal was the founding architect of the IWT.
Impact of the dams on water and plankton quality of the River Ganga (Gangotri to Vindhyachal)
Authors: Srivastava Kalpana , Kumar Vijay , Alam Absar , Nath Jha Dharm , Ramrao Thakur Venkatesh , Gupta Monika , Kumar Jeetendra , verma Hariom , Kumar Mishra Sandeep , Kumar Verma Sushil , Srivastav Saket , Shankar Srivastava Rama , Datt Joshi Kripal , Kumar Das Basanta
Published: December 2020

The river Ganga originates from Gangotri and travels approximate 1,300 km to Vindhyachal, bypassing through a series of dams. Water quality parameters including temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, chloride, biological oxygen demand, dissolved organic matter, and nutrients were studied from various centers of the river Ganga from Gangotri to Vindhyachal (24 centers). Specific conductivity increased gradually from Maneri above barrage area and reached maximum at Kanpur as the river receives industrial and domestic effluents near Kanpur. Allahabad, Haridwar, and Vindhyachal sampling points were found to be affected by anthropogenic influences. A chloride as well as Myxophyceae were maximum at Kanpur, which indicated that maximum organic pollution at Kanpur plankton population and composition were much more affected by temperature and nutrients than by the construction of dams. However, the pattern of release of water affected the accumulation of nutrients in surface water, which impacted the quality of planktonic fauna and flora. The upper stretch was dominated by diatoms and the middle stretch by green and blue‐green algae as the accumulation of nutrients exhibited eutrophic conditions. Near the source, diatoms like Eunotia, Achanthes, Cymbella, Diatoma, Tabellaria were found to be dominant but as river moves toward downstream, species of Synedra, Melosira, Nitzchia, and Cyclotella became abundant. The study revealed how water quality deteriorated by the construction of each dam. Therefore, when making policy for a dam on any river it is important to maintain at least one stream of the original water flow. The whole river should not be blocked at any point/place or at least 50% of original water should flow continuously to sustain the biodiversity and quality of water, otherwise after traveling a few kilometers through dams, a river will lose its originality.
Geometric and thermodynamic volume of hairy black branes
Authors: Bordo Alvaro Ballon
Published: December 2020

Abstract

With the objective to generalize previous results found for a handful of explicit solutions, we study the extended thermodynamics of a black brane with minimally coupled scalar hair in D-dimensional asymptotically anti-de Sitter spacetimes. Using Komar integration and the Hamiltonian formalism to calculate the conserved charges, we obtain a Smarr relation that is applicable to a wide variety of solutions and suggests a more general definition of the thermodynamic volume. This volume is found to be proportional to the geometric volume, and a simple prescription is given to calculate the constant of proportionality. Moreover, the method of Hamiltonian perturbations yields an extended first law of thermodynamics for hairy black branes, thus giving a definition for their enthalpy. These results are then verified by applying them to some of the explicit solutions that exist in the literature.
On the quantization of folded strings in non-critical dimensions
Authors: Sonnenschein Jacob , Weissman Dorin
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Classical rotating closed string are folded strings. At the folding points the scalar curvature associated with the induced metric diverges. As a consequence one cannot properly quantize the fluctuations around the classical solution since there is no complete set of normalizable eigenmodes. Furthermore in the non-critical effective string action of Polchinski and Strominger, there is a divergence associated with the folds. We overcome this obstacle by putting a massive particle at each folding point which can be used as a regulator. Using this method we compute the spectrum of quantum fluctuations around the rotating string and the intercept of the leading Regge trajectory. The results we find are that the intercepts are a = 1 and a = 2 for the open and closed string respectively, independent of the target space dimension. We argue that in generic theories with an effective string description, one can expect corrections from finite masses associated with either the endpoints of an open string or the folding points on a closed string. We compute explicitly the corrections in the presence of these masses.
Peer review analysis in the field of radiation oncology: results from a web-based survey of the Young DEGRO working group
Authors: Käsmann Lukas , Schröder Annemarie , Frey Benjamin , Fleischmann Daniel F. , Gauer Tobias , Ebert Nadja , Hecht Markus , Krug David , Niyazi Maximilian , Mäurer Matthias ,   Young DEGRO Group
Published: December 2020

Purpose

To evaluate the reviewing behaviour in the German-speaking countries in order to provide recommendations to increase the attractiveness of reviewing activity in the field of radiation oncology.

Methods

In November 2019, a survey was conducted by the Young DEGRO working group (jDEGRO) using the online platform “eSurveyCreator”. The questionnaire consisted of 29 items examining a broad range of factors that influence reviewing motivation and performance.

Results

A total of 281 responses were received. Of these, 154 (55%) were completed and included in the evaluation. The most important factors for journal selection criteria and peer review performance in the field of radiation oncology are the scientific background of the manuscript (85%), reputation of the journal (59%) and a high impact factor (IF; 40%). Reasons for declining an invitation to review include the scientific background of the article (60%), assumed effort (55%) and a low IF (27%). A double-blind review process is preferred by 70% of respondents to a single-blind (16%) or an open review process (14%). If compensation was offered, 59% of participants would review articles more often. Only 12% of the participants have received compensation for their reviewing activities so far. As compensation for the effort of reviewing, 55% of the respondents would prefer free access to the journal’s articles, 45% a discount for their own manuscripts, 40% reduced congress fees and 39% compensation for expenses.

Conclusion

The scientific content of the manuscript, reputation of the journal and a high IF determine the attractiveness for peer reviewing in the field of radiation oncology. The majority of participants prefer a double-blind peer review process and would conduct more reviews if compensation was available. Free access to journal articles, discounts for publication costs or congress fees, or an expense allowance were identified to increase attractiveness of the review process.
Validierung des Düsseldorfer Screeningtools: ein traitbasierter Ansatz zur Erfassung der psychischen Belastung von Krebspatienten
Authors: Sisolefsky Franziska , Rana Madiha , Rana Majeed , Herzberg Philipp Y.
Published: December 2020

Hintergrund

Screening von psychischen Belastungen während einer Krebserkrankung ist notwendig, um gezielt die Patienten herauszufiltern, die psychologische Unterstützung benötigen. Derzeit geschieht dies überwiegend über die Abfrage akuter Probleme. Stabile interne und externe Risikofaktoren und präventiv wirkende Merkmale bleiben weitestgehend unberücksichtigt. Das neu entwickelte Düsseldorfer Screeningtool (DST) erfasst psychische Belastung mithilfe stabiler Traits, unter Berücksichtigung der sozialen Unterstützung und des Krankheitsverarbeitungsstils. Zielsetzung ist eine Validierung des DST anhand des Distress-Thermometers (DT) sowie der Psychoonkologischen Basisdokumentation (PO-Bado).

Methodik

Untersucht wurden 126 Patienten mit Plattenepithelkarzinomen im Bereich Hals und Kopf. Zur Festlegung des Cut-Off-Wertes wurden ROC Kurven (Receiver-Operating-Characteristics) berechnet. Als Maß für die Güte werden Area under Curve Werte (AUC) angegeben. Sensitivität und Spezifität wurden für den jeweils als Goldstandard genutzten Fragebogen festgelegt.

Ergebnisse

Die Diskriminationsfähigkeit des DST ist sowohl im Vergleich mit dem DT als auch mit der PO-Bado mit AUC-Werten von 0,62 bis 0,80 als gut zu bewerten. Bei einem Cut-Off-Wert des DT von 5 kann eine Sensitivität von 84,2 % bei gleichzeitiger Spezifität von 37,0 % angegeben werden. Im Vergleich zur PO-Bado kann ein Sensitivitätswert von 92,9 % bei gleichzeitiger Spezifität von 43,6 % angegeben werden.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass auch ein traitbasierter Ansatz zur Erfassung von psychischer Belastung zielführend und sicher die Belastungssituation von Krebspatienten aufzeigen kann, sodass sich hier ein neuer Ansatz des Screenings in der Psychoonkologie herauskristallisiert hat.
Prognostic implications of dual tracer PET/CT: PSMA ligand and [18F]FDG PET/CT in patients undergoing [177Lu]PSMA radioligand therapy
Authors: Michalski Kerstin , Ruf Juri , Goetz Christian , Seitz Anna Katharina , Buck Andreas K. , Lapa Constantin , Hartrampf Philipp E.
Published: December 2020

Background

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand therapy (RLT) with 177Lu-labeled PSMA ligands has achieved remarkable results in advanced disease stages of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). However, not all patients benefit from this therapy. Different treatment responses could be explained by tumor heterogeneity triggered by progression and the number of prior treatments. PSMA-negative lesions can be missed on PSMA ligand PET/CT, which subsequently results in an underestimation of tumor burden. Conversely, high FDG uptake may also be an indicator of tumor aggressiveness and thus a poor prognostic marker for response to RLT and overall survival (OS). The aim of this analysis was to investigate the prognostic value of combined PSMA ligand PET/CT and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT for outcome prediction in patients undergoing RLT.

Materials and methods

This bicentric analysis included 54 patients with mCRPC who underwent both FDG and PSMA ligand PET/CT imaging before RLT. In all patients, the pattern of PSMA ligand and FDG uptake was visually assessed. Patients with at least one FDG-positive, but PSMA-negative (FDG+/PSMA−) lesions were compared to patients without any FDG+/PSMA− lesions. A log-rank analysis was used to assess the difference in OS between subgroups.

Results

Median OS was 11 ± 1.8 months (95% CI 7.4–14.6). A significantly lower OS (p < 0.001) was found in patients with at least one FDG+/PSMA− lesion at baseline PET/CTs (n = 18) with a median OS of 6.0 ± 0.5 months (95% CI: 5.0–7.0 months). In comparison, patients without any FDG+/PSMA− lesions (n = 36) had a median OS of 16.0 ± 2.5 months (95% CI: 11.2–20.8 months).

Conclusion

FDG+/PSMA− lesions are a negative predictor of overall survival in patients with mCRPC undergoing RLT. However, it remains to be determined if patients with FDG+/PSMA− lesions should be excluded from PSMA RLT.
Dimensionality Reduction of Complex Metastable Systems via Kernel Embeddings of Transition Manifolds
Authors: Bittracher Andreas , Klus Stefan , Hamzi Boumediene , Koltai Péter , Schütte Christof
Published: December 2020

We present a novel kernel-based machine learning algorithm for identifying the low-dimensional geometry of the effective dynamics of high-dimensional multiscale stochastic systems. Recently, the authors developed a mathematical framework for the computation of optimal reaction coordinates of such systems that is based on learning a parameterization of a low-dimensional transition manifold in a certain function space. In this article, we enhance this approach by embedding and learning this transition manifold in a reproducing kernel Hilbert space, exploiting the favorable properties of kernel embeddings. Under mild assumptions on the kernel, the manifold structure is shown to be preserved under the embedding, and distortion bounds can be derived. This leads to a more robust and more efficient algorithm compared to the previous parameterization approaches.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers in Acute Coronary Syndrome: Implications for Platelet Reactivity?
Authors: Tscharre Maximilian , Wadowski Patricia P. , Weikert Constantin , Pultar Joseph , Eichelberger Beate , Panzer Simon , Gremmel Thomas
Published: December 2020

Background

In patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are preferred over angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). However, in a recent pilot study, treatment with ACE inhibitors was associated with increased platelet reactivity compared to ARBs. Therefore, we sought to investigate the impact of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade with ACE inhibitors and ARBs on platelet aggregation in patients with ACS undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods

On-treatment residual platelet reactivity in response to arachidonic acid (AA), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), SFLLRN, AYPGKF, and collagen was assessed by multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) in 197 ACS patients on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and either prasugrel or ticagrelor.

Results

One hundred sixty-five (83.7%) patients were treated with ACE inhibitors, 32 (16.3%) with ARBs. On-treatment residual AA- and ADP-inducible platelet reactivity was significantly higher in patients with ACE inhibitors (both p < 0.05). Likewise, SFLLRN was significantly higher in patients with ACE inhibitors (p = 0.036) and there was a trend for higher AYPGKF- and collagen-inducible platelet reactivity (p = 0.053 and p = 0.082). The incidence of high on-treatment residual platelet reactivity AA was significantly higher in patients with ACE inhibitors (52 [31.5%] vs. 3 [9.4%] patients; p = 0.019).

Conclusion

ACE inhibitors are associated with increased on-treatment residual platelet reactivity in ACS patients with potent DAPT. Further clinical trials are needed to elucidate the role of RAAS blockade with ACE inhibitors and ARBs in ACS patients treated according to current standards.
Be Prepared! How Pre-lab Modules Affect Students’ Understanding of Gene Mapping
Authors: Haagsman Marjolein E. , Koster Margot C. , Boonstra Johannes , Scager Karin
Published: December 2020

Lab activities are characteristic of life science education. In the current study, we investigate whether pre-lab modules can improve students’ understanding of the theories and experimental procedures associated with lab activities. Such effects were studied in context of an expository lab on gene mapping in biology undergraduate education. An experimental group of 126 students had access to an online pre-lab module to prepare for the lab activity; a control group of 90 students did not have access to this pre-lab module. The data revealed that students who studied the pre-lab module had a better understanding of the gene mapping theory, at the onset of the class, when compared with the control group. Additionally, these students appeared to ask fewer questions on what needed to be done in the lab, suggesting more awareness of the experimental procedure. Further, students who studied the online pre-lab module showed greater understanding of the theory in their lab reports. These findings suggest that students’ understanding of background theory and its relation to practice can readily be improved by enriching existing expository labs with pre-lab modules that contain information and questions on the complex conceptual information relevant to the lab experiment.
Correction to: Percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total coronary occlusion: Do. Or do not. There is no try
Authors: Knaapen P. , Henriques J. P. , Nap A. , Arslan F.
Published: December 2020

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s12471-020-01531-w
Focused Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Authors: Crevenna Richard , Mickel Michael , Schuhfried Othmar , Gesslbauer Christina , Zdravkovic Andrej , Keilani Mohammad
Published: December 2020

Purpose of Review

Focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (fESWT) is a physical treatment modality developed over the last 25 years for musculoskeletal indications. It has many indications in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) and is effective, time-efficient, and cost-efficient. This review focuses on basics and on clinical indications as well as on significant trends in fESWT.

Recent Findings

In PM&R, stimulation of healing processes in tendons, surrounding tissue, and bones via mechanotransduction seems to be a relevant biological effect. The International Society for Medical Shockwave Treatment (ISMST) describes different types of indications (such as approved standard indications—in accordance with most scientific evidence—like calcifying tendinopathy of the shoulder, plantar fasciitis lateral epicondylopathy of the elbow, greater trochanter pain syndrome, patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy and bone non-union, common empirically tested clinical uses, exceptional or expert indications, and experimental indications).

fESWT is a relevant treatment option in PM&R and regenerative medicine. In recent years, historical paradigms (for example, application in cancer patients) have changed and new indications (such as nerve regeneration, myofascial trapezius syndrome, low back pain, dermatosclerosis, and lymphedema) are supported. Future translational research should focus on establishing actual exceptional indications and experimental indications for clinical routine.
Predicting Operative Outcomes in Patients with Liver Disease: Albumin-Bilirubin Score vs Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium Score
Authors: Taylor George A. , Fagenson Alexander M. , Kuo Lindsay E. , Pitt Henry A. , Lau Kwan N.
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND:

The albumin-bilirubin score (ALBI) has recently been shown to have increased accuracy in predicting post-hepatectomy liver failure and mortality compared with the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD). However, the use of ALBI as a predictor of postoperative mortality for other surgical procedures has not been analyzed. The aim of this study was to measure the predictive power of ALBI compared with MELD-sodium (MELD-Na) across a wide range of surgical procedures.

STUDY DESIGN:

Patients undergoing cardiac, pulmonary, esophageal, gastric, gallbladder, pancreatic, splenic, appendix, colorectal, adrenal, renal, hernia, and aortic operations were identified in the 2015-2018 American College of Surgeons NSQIP database. Patients with missing laboratory data were excluded. Univariable analysis and receiver operator characteristic curves were performed for 30-day mortality and morbidity. Areas under the curves were calculated to validate and compare the predictive abilities of ALBI and MELD-Na.

RESULTS:

Of 258,658 patients, the distribution of ALBI grades 1, 2, 3 were 51%, 42%, and 7%, respectively. Median MELD-Na was 7.50 (interquartile range 6.43 to 9.43). Overall 30-day mortality rate was 2.7% and overall morbidity was 28.6%. Increasing ALBI grade was significantly associated with mortality (ALBI grade 2: odds ratio [OR] 5.24; p < 0.001; ALBI grade 3: OR 25.6; p < 0.001) and morbidity (ALBI grade 2: OR 2.15; p < 0.001; ALBI grade 3: OR 6.12; p < 0.001). On receiver operator characteristic analysis, ALBI outperformed MELD-Na with increased accuracy in several operations.

CONCLUSIONS:

ALBI score predicts mortality and morbidity across a wide spectrum of surgical procedures. When compared with MELD-Na, ALBI more accurately predicts outcomes in patients undergoing pulmonary, elective colorectal, and adrenal operations.
Novel Interdisciplinary Approach to GERD: Concomitant Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair with Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication
Authors: Choi Alyssa Y. , Roccato Mary Kathryn , Samarasena Jason B. , Kolb Jennifer M. , Lee David P. , Lee Robert H. , Daly Shaun , Hinojosa Marcelo W. , Smith Brian R. , Nguyen Ninh T. , Chang Kenneth J.
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND:

Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) is an endoscopic alternative for the treatment of GERD. However, TIF does not address the hiatal hernia (HH). We present a novel approach with a laparoscopic HH repair followed by same-session TIF, coined concomitant transoral incisionless fundoplication (cTIF). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of cTIF in a collaborative approach between Gastroenterology and surgery.

STUDY DESIGN:

Patients with confirmed GERD and >2 cm HH who underwent cTIF between 2018 and 2020 were included. Symptoms were assessed using the Reflux Disease Questionnaire, GERD Health-Related Quality of Life Index, and the Reflux Symptom Index pre and post cTIF. One-way ANOVA and paired samples t-test were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS:

Sixty patients underwent cTIF (53% were men, mean age was 59.3 years) with 100% technical success. Mean ± SD HH measurement on endoscopy was 2.9 ± 1.5 cm. Scores on Reflux Disease Questionnaire for symptom frequency and symptom severity improved significantly from before to 6 months after cTIF (17.4 to 4.72; p < 0.01 and 16.7 to 4.56; p < 0.05, respectively). According to the GERD Health-Related Quality of Life Index, significant decreases were seen post cTIF in heartburn (23.26 to 7.37; p < 0.01) and regurgitation (14.26 to 0; p = 0.05). Reflux Symptom Index similarly decreased after cTIF (17.7 to 8.1 post cTIF; p < 0.01). Mean DeMeester score decreased from 43.7 to 4.9 and acid exposure time decreased from 12.7% to 1.28% post cTIF (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS:

We present a novel multidisciplinary approach to GERD using a combined endoscopic and surgical approach with close collaboration between Gastroenterology and surgery. Our results suggest that cTIF is safe and effective in reducing reflux symptoms in a large spectrum of GERD patients.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Lung Cancer Screening Program and Subsequent Lung Cancer
Authors: Van Haren Robert M. , Delman Aaron M. , Turner Kevin M. , Waits Brandy , Hemingway Mona , Shah Shimul A. , Starnes Sandra L.
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND:

Low-dose CT (LDCT) screening reduces lung cancer mortality by at least 20%. The COVID-19 pandemic required an unprecedented shutdown in our institutional LDCT program. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of COVID-19 on lung cancer screening and subsequent cancer diagnosis.

STUDY DESIGN:

We analyzed our prospective institutional LDCT screening database, which began in 2012. In all, 2,153 patients have participated. Monthly mean number of LDCTs were compared between baseline (January 2017 to February 2020) and COVID-19 periods (March 2020 to July 2020).

RESULTS:

LDCT was suspended on March 13, 2020 and 818 screening visits were cancelled. Phased reopening began on May 5, 2020 and full opening on June 1, 2020. Total monthly mean ± SD LDCTs (146 ± 31 vs 39 ± 40; p < 0.01) and new patient monthly LDCTs (56 ± 14 vs 15 ± 17; p < 0.01) were significantly decreased during the COVID-19 period. New patient monthly LDCTs have remained low despite resuming full operations. Three- and 6-month interval follow-up LDCTs were prioritized and were significantly increased compared with baseline (11 ± 4 vs 30 ± 4; p < 0.01). The “no-show” rate was significantly increased from baseline (15% vs 40%; p < 0.04). Most concerning, the percentage of patients with lung nodules suspicious for malignancy (Lung-RADS 4) were significantly increased after screenings resumed (8% vs 29%; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

COVID-19 caused significant disruption in lung cancer screening, leading to a decrease in new patients screened and an increased proportion of nodules suspicious for malignancy once screening resumed. Using lung cancer and the LDCT screening program as a model, this early analysis showed the unrecognized consequences related to the pandemic for screening programs and cancer care.
Advising Governments in the Westminster Tradition
Authors: Craft Jonathan , Halligan John
Published: December 2020

In turbulent environments and unstable political contexts, policy advisory systems have become more volatile. The policy advisory system in Anglophone countries is composed of different types of advisers who have input into government decision making. Government choices about who advises them varies widely as they demand contestability, greater partisan input and more external consultation. The professional advice of the public service may be disregarded. The consequences for public policy are immense depending on whether a plurality of advice works effectively or is derailed by narrow and partisan agendas that lack an evidence base and implementation plans. The book seeks to addresses these issues within a comparative country analysis of how policy advisory systems are constituted and how they operate in the age of instability in governance and major challenges with how the complexity policy issue can be handled.
A History of Hittite Literacy
Authors: Hout Theo van den
Published: December 2020

Why did the Anatolians remain illiterate for so long, although surrounded by people using script? Why and how did they eventually adopt the cuneiform writing system and why did they still invent a second, hieroglyphic script of their own? What did and didn't they write down and what role did Hittite literature, the oldest known literature in any Indo-European language, play? These and many other questions on scribal culture are addressed in this first, comprehensive book on writing, reading, script usage, and literacy in the Hittite kingdom (c.1650–1200 BC). It describes the rise and fall of literacy and literature in Hittite Anatolia in the wider context of its political, economic, and intellectual history.
A mediated model of the effect of organizational culture on the intentions to engage in change-supportive behaviors: insights from the theory of planned behavior
Authors: Ahmad Ahmad Bayiz , Butt Atif Saleem , Chen Dingxiang , Liu Bangcheng
Published: December 2020

This study positions perceived organizational culture's (OC) as an important internal contextual factor that influences employee reactions to change. Drawing on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and organization theory research, we analyze the mechanisms through which employee perceptions of OC generate its effect on employee responses to organizational change. Data from a field study of 171 employees in Kurdistan Region of Iraq's public school teachers showed that employee perceptions of developmental culture were positively and directly related to their change-supportive intentions (CSIs) and, as suggested by the TPB, its effects are simultaneously mediated by change-related attitude (CRA), subjective norm and perceived behavioral control. However, our findings demonstrated that hierarchical culture was only indirectly related to employee CSIs; this relationship was mediated only by CRA and subjective norm. This study is important because it broadens the remit of OC's role as change agent and provides valuable insight into how OC influences employee responses to change efforts in public organizations.
Family planning communication through mass media and health workers for promoting maternal health care utilization in Nigeria
Authors: Yaya Sanni , Bishwajit Ghose
Published: December 2020

Studies have demonstrated that health communication programmes, through community health workers or mass media, are a key strategy to promote awareness and uptake of essential maternal health services. This study investigated whether or not family planning communication through mass media and health workers has any association with maternal health care utilization uptake in Nigeria. Cross-sectional data were extracted from the 2003–13 Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys. The study sample comprised 41,938 women aged 15–49 years who had a live birth during the 5 years preceding the survey. Outcome variables were adequacy of antenatal care visits and place of delivery. Receiving family planning messages from the radio, TV, newspapers, a family planning worker or during a health facility visit were considered as possible sources of exposure to family planning information. Radio (32.6%) was the most commonly reported source of family planning information, followed by TV (17.5%) and newspapers (6.1%). Less than one-tenth of respondents were visited by family planning workers (9.5%) and about one-third visited a health facility during the previous 12 months (30.3%). Those who reported receiving family planning information from the three types of mass media and who had contact with a family planning worker and/or health facility were more likely to have at least eight antenatal care contacts (odds ratio for TV use=1.172, 95% CI=1.058–1.297) and deliver at a health facility (odds ratio for TV use=1.544, 95% CI=1.350–1.766). These findings indicate that family planning communication through mass media and health workers could potentially improve the utilization of antenatal and health facility delivery services in Nigeria.
Surgical and functional outcomes of two types of transcutaneous bone conduction implants
Authors: Scotta G , Allam A , Dimitriadis P A , Wright K , Yardley M , Ray J
Published: December 2020

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate surgical and functional outcomes, in a tertiary referral centre, of two different types of semi-implantable transcutaneous bone conduction devices.

Method

This study involved prospective data collection and review of patients implanted between November 2014 and December 2016. Glasgow Hearing Aid Inventory (Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile or Glasgow Hearing Aid Difference Profile) and Client Oriented Scale of Improvement were completed where appropriate. Surgical and audiological outcomes were recorded in the surgical notes.

Results

Glasgow Hearing Aid Difference Profile and Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit Profile showed similar mean score in the active and the passive transcutaneous bone conduction devices. Client Oriented Scale of Improvement showed improvements in listening situations. Post-operative speech reception threshold showed better mean threshold in the active transcutaneous bone conduction devices group when compared with the passive transcutaneous bone conduction devices group. No device failures or surgical complications existed in either group, with the surgical time being less in the passive transcutaneous bone conduction devices group.

Conclusion

Both devices are reliable semi-implantable transcutaneous bone conduction devices with excellent surgical and functional outcomes and patient satisfaction. Overall surgical time was much less in the passive transcutaneous bone conduction devices group with no necessity for pre-planning. This is much easier to remove with the possibility of conversion to other devices in the manufacturer’s portfolio and wide-ranging wireless accessories. Further studies are needed to assess the longer-term results in a bigger population.
Motion Adaptation Based on Learning the Manifold of Task and Dynamic Movement Primitive Parameters
Authors: Cohen Yosef , Bar-Shira Or , Berman Sigal
Published: December 2020

Dynamic movement primitives (DMP) are motion building blocks suitable for real-world tasks. We suggest a methodology for learning the manifold of task and DMP parameters, which facilitates runtime adaptation to changes in task requirements while ensuring predictable and robust performance. For efficient learning, the parameter space is analyzed using principal component analysis and locally linear embedding. Two manifold learning methods: kernel estimation and deep neural networks, are investigated for a ball throwing task in simulation and in a physical environment. Low runtime estimation errors are obtained for both learning methods, with an advantage to kernel estimation when data sets are small.
Metacognitions in heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual men: with or without premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction
Authors: Lawless Phoenix , Lovell Geoff P. , Allen Andrew , Kannis-Dymand Lee
Published: December 2020

Background:

Premature ejaculation (PE) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are prevalent sexual problems, with evidence to suggest variation across sexual orientation. Contributing factors have traditionally been divided into organic and psychological categories. While limited research has found support for the influence of metacognitive beliefs, these studies did not investigate potential differences in sexual orientation.

Aim:

The current study aimed to investigate the differences in metacognitive beliefs in men with or without PE and/or ED and whether these varied according to sexual orientation.

Method:

A sample of 531 men was recruited (65 met criteria for PE only, 147 for ED, 83 with PE and ED, and 236 healthy controls). Within this sample, 188 men identified as heterosexual, 144 as bisexual, and 199 as homosexual. Participants completed a cross-sectional online survey consisting of psychometric measures.

Results:

Participants with PE and ED were significantly higher in cognitive confidence, thoughts concerning uncontrollability and danger, and need to control thoughts than PE only, ED only, and healthy controls. Furthermore, the PE only group was significantly higher than healthy controls for cognitive confidence, with the ED significantly higher for thoughts concerning uncontrollability and danger. There were no significant differences between differing sexual orientations for men with/or without PE and/or ED.

Conclusions:

Congruent with previous research, metacognitive beliefs play a role in PE and/or ED, although this is not exclusive to sexual orientation. The findings highlight that assessment and intervention regarding metacognitive beliefs may be beneficial for men of all sexual orientations with PE and/or ED.
Using detention to talk about the elephant in the room: the Global Compact for Migration and the significance of its neglect of the UN Migrant Workers Convention
Authors: Grange Mariette , Majcher Izabella
Published: December 2020

The paper discusses the (unsteady) evolution of multilateral processes on migration since the 1980s, with a focus on immigration detention as a growing response to migratory movements. It identifies distinct periods leading up to the Global Compact for Migration (GCM). The paper exposes double standards in the treatment of migration at the UN and beyond, connected with states’ view of migration as a toxic topic. While the GCM put the issue of migration back on the global agenda, the paper argues against the claim that the GCM is the first-ever inter-governmentally negotiated agreement covering all dimensions of international migration. This description better fits the 1990 Migrant Workers Convention. Furthermore, the paper illustrates how the GCM poses a threat to human rights protection in the area of migration: given its focus on co-operation and a state-led non-binding approach, it may overshadow existing international norms and widely endorsed standards monitored by UN bodies.
Is Criticism Disloyal? American Jews' Attitudes toward Israel
Authors: Wright Graham , Saxe Leonard , Wald Kenneth D.
Published: December 2020

To what extent is it possible for American Jews to maintain a deep emotional connection to Israel while criticizing the actions of the Israeli government? This long-debated question echoes earlier investigations of different forms of patriotism toward one's home country. Drawing on two 2019 surveys of American Jews, we find that, like Americans in general, Jewish liberals and conservatives express different forms of patriotism toward both Israel and America. Jewish conservatives tend to oppose criticism of Israel and America for any reason, while Jewish liberals view criticism as an important part of “caring” about both countries. Both forms of patriotism are positively associated with stronger emotional connections to the relevant country. These results suggest that emotional connection to Israel represents a form of social identification with Israel and that lower levels of connection to Israel among some American Jews are driven more by apathy than active criticism or hostility.
Problems With Net Tectonic Rotation for Dikes and Suggestions for Alternative Approaches
Authors: Titus Sarah J. , Davis Joshua R.
Published: December 2020

The net tectonic rotation method is an alternative to paleomagnetic tilt corrections. The method was originally developed for sedimentary rocks and lavas, which have paleohorizontal indicators, but was later adapted for dikes by assuming that dikes intrude vertically. We conduct multiple numerical experiments that demonstrate geometric flaws in the net tectonic rotation method if dikes are not quite vertical prior to deformation. These flaws can impact the interpretations from the method, but the size of the impact depends on the original dike strike, dike dip, and the paleomagnetic reference direction. Our experiments show the worst behavior occurs for dikes that are approximately perpendicular to the reference declination. In addition, the results for dipping dikes of all initial strikes become increasingly distorted as the reference direction's inclination increases. Using data from two field areas in Cyprus and northern Iceland, we compare the application of net tectonic rotation to alternative techniques—relative comparisons and spatial regressions—that do not require an assumption of initially vertical dikes. We conclude with a list of questions that workers should answer prior to future application of net tectonic rotation to dikes.
Chemistry of Atmospheric Fine Particles During the COVID‐19 Pandemic in a Megacity of Eastern China
Authors: Liu Lei , Zhang Jian , Du Rongguang , Teng Xiaomi , Hu Rui , Yuan Qi , Tang Shanshan , Ren Chuanhua , Huang Xin , Xu Liang , Zhang Yinxiao , Zhang Xiaoye , Song Congbo , Liu Bowen , Lu Gongda , Shi Zongbo , Li Weijun
Published: December 2020

Air pollution in megacities represents one of the greatest environmental challenges. Our observed results show that the dramatic NOx decrease (77%) led to significant O3 increases (a factor of 2) during the COVID‐19 lockdown in megacity Hangzhou, China. Model simulations further demonstrate large increases of daytime OH and HO2 radicals and nighttime NO3 radical, which can promote the gas‐phase reaction and nocturnal multiphase chemistry. Therefore, enhanced NO3− and SO42− formation was observed during the COVID‐19 lockdown because of the enhanced oxidizing capacity. The PM2.5 decrease was only partially offset by enhanced aerosol formation with its reduction reaching 50%. In particular, NO3− decreased largely by 68%. PM2.5 chemical analysis reveals that vehicular emissions mainly contributed to PM2.5 under normal conditions in Hangzhou. Whereas, stationary sources dominated the residual PM2.5 during the COVID‐19 lockdown. This study provides evidence that large reductions in vehicular emissions can effectively mitigate air pollution in megacities.
Deriving CME Density From Remote Sensing Data and Comparison to In‐Situ Measurements
Authors: Temmer M. , Holzknecht L. , Dumbović M. , Vršnak B. , Sachdeva N. , Heinemann S. G. , Dissauer K. , Scolini C. , Asvestari E. , Veronig A. M. , Hofmeister S. J.
Published: December 2020

We determine the three‐dimensional geometry and deprojected mass of 29 well‐observed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and their interplanetary counterparts (ICMEs) using combined Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory ‐ Solar and Heliospheric Observatory white‐light data. From the geometry parameters, we calculate the volume of the CME for the magnetic ejecta (flux‐rope type geometry) and sheath structure (shell‐like geometry resembling the (I)CME frontal rim). Working under the assumption that the CME mass is roughly equally distributed within a specific volume, we expand the CME self‐similarly and calculate the CME density for distances close to the Sun (15–30 Rs) and at 1 AU. Specific trends are derived comparing calculated and in‐situ measured proton densities at 1 AU, though large uncertainties are revealed due to the unknown mass and geometry evolution: (1) a moderate correlation for the magnetic structure having a mass that stays rather constant (cc ≈ 0.56 − 0.59), and (2) a weak correlation for the sheath density (cc ≈ 0.26) by assuming the sheath region is an extra mass—as expected for a mass pile‐up process—that is in its amount comparable to the initial CME deprojected mass. High correlations are derived between in‐situ measured sheath density and the solar wind density (cc ≈ −0.73) and solar wind speed (cc ≈ 0.56) as measured 24 h ahead of the arrival of the disturbance. This gives additional confirmation that the sheath‐plasma indeed stems from piled‐up solar wind material. While the CME interplanetary propagation speed is not related to the sheath density, the size of the CME may play some role in how much material could be piled up.
Pro‐L* ‐ A Probabilistic L* Mapping Tool for Ground Observations
Authors: Thompson Rhys L. , Morley Steven K. , Watt Clare E. J. , Bentley Sarah N. , Williams Paul D.
Published: December 2020

Both ground and space observations are used extensively in the modeling of space weather processes within the Earth’s magnetosphere. In radiation belt physics modeling, one of the key phase‐space coordinates is L*, which indicates the location of the drift paths of energetic electrons. Global magnetic field models allow a subset of locations on the ground (mainly subauroral) to be mapped along field lines to a location in space and transformed into L*, provided that the initial ground location maps to a closed drift path. This allows observations from ground, or low‐altitude space‐based platforms to be mapped into space in order to inform radiation belt modeling. Many data‐based magnetic field models exist; however, these models can significantly disagree on mapped L* values for a single point on the ground, during both quiet times and storms. We present a state of the art probabilistic L* mapping tool, Pro‐L*, which produces probability distributions for L* corresponding to a given ground location. Pro‐L* has been calculated for a high resolution magnetic latitude by magnetic local time grid in the Earth’s Northern Hemisphere. We have developed the probabilistic model using 11 years of L* calculations for seven widely used magnetic field models. Usage of the tool is highlighted for both event studies and statistical models, and we demonstrate a number of potential applications.
Tracking lake surface elevations with proportional hypsometric relationships, Landsat imagery, and multiple DEMs
Authors: Weekley David , Li Xingong
Published: December 2020

Multidecadal inland surface water dynamics are of increasing interest due to their importance to climate, ecology, and society, yet several key challenges impede long‐term monitoring of inland surface waters globally. This research investigates two novel methods, one addressing subhydroflattened surface estimate uncertainty issues, and a second addressing temporal resolution issues, using 46 water bodies across the western United States. First, low water level estimate uncertainty was reduced using multiple digital elevation models (ALOS, SRTM, and NED) to derive the hypsometric relationship for each lake from the digital elevation model with the lowest hydroflattened water surface. This technique reduced the number of images with subhydroflattened water surfaces by at least 549 over the best individual DEM resulting in higher water surface elevation estimate accuracy. Second, this paper introduces proportional hypsometry which dynamically generates surface area/elevation relationships for every image using clear pixels only by removing contamination from both the image and DEM. Proportional hypsometry was found to be ill‐suited for subhydroflattened water surface levels but produced comparable accuracy to clear images for above hydroflattened water levels. Overall, using the lowest hydroflattened surface along with proportional hypsometry improved temporal resolution enabling analysis of nearly 10,000 additional images while maintaining similar accuracy levels as images with <1% contamination (2.35 m RMSE vs. 2.17 m RMSE). This research increases lower water elevation estimate accuracy and temporal resolution and is scalable enabling regional and global water dynamic analysis.
Effects of MHD and porosity on entropy generation in two incompressible Newtonian fluids over a thin needle in a parallel free stream
Authors: Ali Farhad , Imtiaz Anees , Khan Waqar A. , Khan Ilyas , Badruddin Irfan A.
Published: December 2020

This article is devoted to studying Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD)'s combined effect and porosity on the entropy generation in two incompressible Newtonian fluids over a thin needle moving in a parallel stream. Two Newtonian fluids (air and water) are taken into consideration in this study. The viscous dissipation term is involved in the energy equation. The assumption is that the free stream velocity is in the direction of the positive x-axis—(axial direction). The thin needle moves in the same or opposite direction of free stream velocity. The reduced similar governing equations are solved numerically with the help of shooting and the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. The expressions for dimensionless volumetric entropy generation rate and Bejan number are obtained through using similarity transformations. The effects of the magnetic parameter, porosity parameter, Eckert number, Bejan number, irreversibility parameter, Nusselt number, and skin friction are discussed graphically in detail for and taken as Newtonian fluids. The results are compared with published work and are found in excellent agreement.