bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is it possible to disregard obsolete requirements? a family of experiments in software effort estimation
Authors: Gren Lucas , Berntsson Svensson Richard
Published: April 2021

Expert judgement is a common method for software effort estimations in practice today. Estimators are often shown extra obsolete requirements together with the real ones to be implemented. Only one previous study has been conducted on if such practices bias the estimations. We conducted six experiments with both students and practitioners to study, and quantify, the effects of obsolete requirements on software estimation. By conducting a family of six experiments using both students and practitioners as research subjects ($$N=461$$

N
=
461

), and by using a Bayesian Data Analysis approach, we investigated different aspects of this effect. We also argue for, and show an example of, how we by using a Bayesian approach can be more confident in our results and enable further studies with small sample sizes. We found that the presence of obsolete requirements triggered an overestimation in effort across all experiments. The effect, however, was smaller in a field setting compared to using students as subjects. Still, the over-estimations triggered by the obsolete requirements were systematically around twice the percentage of the included obsolete ones, but with a large 95% credible interval. The results have implications for both research and practice in that the found systematic error should be accounted for in both studies on software estimation and, maybe more importantly, in estimation practices to avoid over-estimations due to this systematic error. We partly explain this error to be stemming from the cognitive bias of anchoring-and-adjustment, i.e. the obsolete requirements anchored a much larger software. However, further studies are needed in order to accurately predict this effect.
Mechanical unloading by miniature axial flow pumps in late cardiac allograft failure due to acute rejection
Authors: Just I. A. , Potapov E. , Knosalla C. , Schoenrath F.
Published: April 2021

Allograft failure secondary to rejection commonly requires a multimodal treatment, ultimately including mechanical circulatory support. A few case reports have demonstrated the use of Impella-devices due to its assumed favorable safety profile in this fragile cohort. However, this treatment option does not play a role in choice of anti-rejective therapy in clinical routine up to date. We summarize our institutional experiences and literature mini-review on Impella-based treatment strategies in allograft rejection after heart transplantation. In all seven cases, three from our institution and four reported in the literature, Impella-based therapies led to hemodynamic stabilization in allograft failure secondary to rejection. Adverse events included hemolysis, non-fatal bleeding and in one patient a relevant aortic valve insufficiency occurred. All patients showed an improvement of allograft function. Two patients died in context of severe immunosuppression or late secondary organ failure. Based on the limited available data, we propose that Impella-mediated mechanical unloading represents a valuable option for hemodynamic stabilization in severe allograft failure due to rejection, enabling an initiation of causal therapy and thereby potentially representing an opportunity to prevent mortality. Furthermore, we hypothesize it might add to the traditional therapeutic approaches by facilitating recovery by decompressing the myocardium in allograft rejection.
Operations research in Hungary: VOCAL 2018
Authors: Bertók Botond , Csendes Tibor , Galambos Gábor
Published: April 2021

This article shortly overviews the fields and latest research results of the Hungarian operations research community and their international partners mostly in the light of the papers presented at the VOCAL 2018 conference.
Correction to: Prognostic significance of serum inflammatory markers in esophageal cancer
Authors: Powell Arfon G. M. T. , Eley Catherine , Chin Carven , Coxon Alexandra H. , Christian Adam , Lewis Wyn G. ,   South East Wales Oesophagogastric Cancer Collaborative
Published: April 2021

In the original publication of the article, under the section “Clinicopathological characteristics”, the thresholds
Using Three Indirect Measures to Assess the Role of Sexuality-Related Associations and Interpretations for Women’s Sexual Desire: An Internet-Based Experimental Study
Authors: Zahler Lisa , Meyers Milena , Woud Marcella L. , Blackwell Simon E. , Margraf Jürgen , Velten Julia
Published: April 2021

Theoretical models emphasize the role of both automatic appraisals (i.e., associations) and conscious appraisals (i.e., interpretations) for sexual desire. Studies on sexuality-related appraisals have not combined self-report measures and experimental paradigms in order to compare the relevance of associations or interpretations. The aim of this study was to assess the relative contribution of both associations and interpretations to the explanation of low sexual desire in women. Toward this goal, indirect measures assessing associations (via a Single Target Implicit Association Test [STIAT]) and interpretations (via a Scrambled Sentences Test [SST] and a scenario task) were administered in a sample of 263 women (Mage = 27.90, SD 8.27) with varying levels of sexual desire and different sexual orientations (exclusively heterosexual women: 54.6%). Negative sexuality-related interpretations as assessed with two variants of the SST as well as the scenario task added to the explanation of lower sexual desire in women. Negative associations as measured with the STIAT were predictive of lower sexual desire only in women who did not indicate an exclusively heterosexual orientation. In this study, sexuality-related interpretations were more relevant to women’s sexual desire than automatic associations. Future studies should assess the causal mechanism underlying sexuality-related interpretations (e.g., by evaluating whether these can be changed via cognitive bias modification techniques or psychological treatments).
Rethinking student-teacher relationships in higher education: a multidimensional approach
Authors: Tormey Roland
Published: April 2021

Student-teacher relationships play an important role in both teacher and student experiences in higher education and have been found to be linked to learning, classroom management, and to student absenteeism. Although historically conceptualised in terms of immediacy or distance and measured with reference to behaviours, the growing recognition of the role of emotions and of power—as well as the development of a range of multidimensional models of social relationships—all suggest it is time to re-evaluate how student-teacher relationships are understood. This paper develops a theoretical model of student-teacher affective relationships in higher education based on three dimensions: affection/warmth, attachment/safety, and assertion/power. The three-dimensional model was tested using the Classroom Affective Relationships Inventory (CARI) with data from 851 students. The data supported the use of this multidimensional model for student-teacher relationships with both two- and three-dimensional models of relationships being identified as appropriate. The theoretical development of a multidimensional model and the empirical development of an instrument with which to explore these dimensions has important implications for higher education teachers, administrators and researchers.
Students’ Reasoning About Whether to Report When Others Cheat: Conflict, Confusion, and Consequences
Authors: Waltzer Talia , Samuelson Arvid , Dahl Audun
Published: April 2021

Nearly all students believe academic cheating is wrong, yet few students say they would report witnessed acts of cheating. To explain this apparent tension, the present research examined college students’ reasoning about whether to report plagiarism or other forms of cheating. Study 1 examined students’ conflicts when deciding whether to report cheating. Most students gave reasons against reporting a peer (e.g., social and physical consequences, a lack of responsibility to report) as well as reasons in favor of reporting (e.g., concerns about welfare, justice, and fairness). Study 2 provided experimental confirmation that the contextual factors referenced by Study 1 participants in fact influenced decisions about whether to report cheating. Overall, the findings indicate that students often decide against reporting peers’ acts of cheating, though not due to a lack of concern about integrity. Rather, students may refrain from reporting because of conflicting concerns, lack of information about school policy, and perceived better alternatives to reporting.
Correction to: Mechanics of the small punch test: a review and qualification of additive manufacturing materials
Authors: Torres Jonathan , Gordon Ali P.
Published: April 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-021-06081-z
Reliability assessment of hyperspectral imaging with the HyperView™ system for lower extremity superficial tissue oxygenation in young healthy volunteers
Authors: Kleiss Simone F. , Ma Kirsten F. , El Moumni Mostafa , Schuurmann Richte C. L. , Zeebregts Clark J. , Haalboom Marieke , Bokkers Reinoud P. H. , de Vries Jean-Paul P. M.
Published: April 2021

Purpose: Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a noninvasive spectroscopy technique for determining superficial tissue oxygenation. The HyperView™ system is a hand-held camera that enables perfusion image acquisition. The evaluation of superficial tissue oxygenation is warranted in the evaluation of patients with peripheral arterial disease. The aim was to determine the reliability of repeated HSI measurements. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, HSI was performed on 50 healthy volunteers with a mean age of 26.4 ± 2.5 years, at the lower extremity. Two independent observers performed HSI during two subsequent measurement sessions. Short term test–retest reliability and intra- and inter-observer reliability were determined, and generalizability and decision studies were performed. Transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPo2) measurements were also performed. Results: The short term test–retest reliability was good for the HSI values determined at the lower extremity, ranging from 0.72 to 0.90. Intra- and inter-observer reliability determined at different days were poor to moderate for both HSI (0.24 to 0.71 and 0.30 to 0.58, respectively) and TcPo2 (0.54 and 0.56, and 0.51 and 0.31, respectively). Reliability can be increased to >0.75 by averaging two measurements on different days. Conclusion: This study showed good short term test–retest reliability for HSI measurements, however low intra- and inter-observer reliability was observed for tissue oxygenation measurements with both HSI and TcPo2 performed at separate days in young healthy volunteers. Reliability of HSI can be improved when determined as a mean of two measurements taken on different days.
Hero Turned Villain: Identification of Components of the Sex Pheromone of the Tomato Bug, Nesidiocoris tenuis
Authors: Hall David R. , Harte Steven J. , Bray Daniel P. , Farman Dudley I. , James Rob , Silva Celine X. , Fountain Michelle T.
Published: April 2021

Nesidiocoris tenuis(Reuter) (Heteroptera: Miridae) is a tropical mirid bug used as a biocontrol agent in protected crops, including tomatoes. AlthoughN. tenuispredates important insect pests, especially whitefly, it also causes damage by feeding on tomato plants when prey populations decline, resulting in significant economic losses for growers. The pest is now established in some all-year-round tomato crops in Europe and control measures involve the application of pesticides which are incompatible with current IPM programs. As part of future IPM strategies, the pheromone ofN. tenuiswas investigated. Volatile collections were made from groups and individuals of mated and unmated, females and males. In analyses of these collections by gas chromatography coupled with electroantennographic (EAG) recording from antennae of male bugs, two EAG-active components were detected and identified as 1-octanol and octyl hexanoate. Unlike other mirids, both male and femaleN. tenuisproduced the two compounds, before and after mating, and both sexes gave EAG responses to both compounds. Furthermore, only octyl hexanoate was detected in whole body solvent washes from both sexes. These compounds are not related to the derivatives of 3-hydroxybutyrate esters found as pheromone components in other members of the Bryocrinae sub-family, and the latter could not be detected in volatiles fromN. tenuisand did not elicit EAG responses. Nevertheless, experiments carried out in commercial glasshouses showed that traps baited with a blend of the synthetic pheromone components caught essentially only maleN. tenuis, and significantly more than traps baited with octyl hexanoate alone. The latter caught significantly moreN. tenuisthan unbaited traps which generally caught very few bugs. Traps at plant height caught moreN. tenuismales than traps 1 m above or at the base of the plants. The trap catches provided an indication of population levels ofN. tenuisand were greatly reduced following an application of insecticide.
A Comprehensive Deep Learning-Based Approach to Reduced Order Modeling of Nonlinear Time-Dependent Parametrized PDEs
Authors: Fresca Stefania , Dede’ Luca , Manzoni Andrea
Published: April 2021

Conventional reduced order modeling techniques such as the reduced basis (RB) method (relying, e.g., on proper orthogonal decomposition (POD)) may incur in severe limitations when dealing with nonlinear time-dependent parametrized PDEs, as these are strongly anchored to the assumption of modal linear superimposition they are based on. For problems featuring coherent structures that propagate over time such as transport, wave, or convection-dominated phenomena, the RB method may yield inefficient reduced order models (ROMs) when very high levels of accuracy are required. To overcome this limitation, in this work, we propose a new nonlinear approach to set ROMs by exploiting deep learning (DL) algorithms. In the resulting nonlinear ROM, which we refer to as DL-ROM, both the nonlinear trial manifold (corresponding to the set of basis functions in a linear ROM) as well as the nonlinear reduced dynamics (corresponding to the projection stage in a linear ROM) are learned in a non-intrusive way by relying on DL algorithms; the latter are trained on a set of full order model (FOM) solutions obtained for different parameter values. We show how to construct a DL-ROM for both linear and nonlinear time-dependent parametrized PDEs. Moreover, we assess its accuracy and efficiency on different parametrized PDE problems. Numerical results indicate that DL-ROMs whose dimension is equal to the intrinsic dimensionality of the PDE solutions manifold are able to efficiently approximate the solution of parametrized PDEs, especially in cases for which a huge number of POD modes would have been necessary to achieve the same degree of accuracy.
Measurement Properties of the Full and Brief Version of the Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire in Persons with Physical Disabilities
Authors: Roels Ellen H. , Reneman Michiel F. , Post Marcel W. M.
Published: April 2021

Purpose The Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire (WORQ) is a self-report vocational rehabilitation assessment. A comprehensive (WORQ-FULL) and a brief version (WORQ-BRIEF) are available. The purpose of this study was to investigate measurement properties of both versions in persons with physical disabilities. Methods Cross sectional and test–retest design. Adults with physical disabilities in vocational rehabilitation were included. Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), test–retest reliability (intra-class correlation; ICC), agreement between sessions (Bland–Altman Plots), criterion validity (ICC and agreement with Bland–Altman Plots between WORQ-FULL and WORQ-BRIEF) and convergent validity with the Work Ability Index -Single item (WAS) and the EuroQOL 5D-5L were analyzed. Results Out of the 91 individuals who agreed to participate, 74 (81%) returned questionnaire T1 and 49 (54%) participants returned questionnaire T2 within the maximum time interval (= 27 days). At T2, 28 (57%) participants reported no medical changes compared to T1. Median age was 49 (IQR 40–60), 57% were male, 47% had experienced a stroke and 27% a spinal cord injury (n = 49). Internal consistency was good: 0.95/0.95/0.94 for the WORQ-FULL and 0.88/0.89/0.85 for the WORQ-BRIEF (n = 74/n = 48/n = 28, respectively). Test–retest reliabilitywas good: ICC = 0.86/0.85 for the WORQ-FULL and ICC = 0.87/0.86 for the WORQ-BRIEF (n = 49/ n = 28). Bland Altman plots suggested a higher score at T1. As for criterion validity of the WORQ-FULL versus the WORQ-BRIEF, ICC was good (ICC = 0.84; n = 74), however Bland Altman plots indicated potential bias. Correlations with the WAS/EuroQOL 5D-5L were variable: r = -0.24/r = -0.57 (WORQ-FULL) and r = -0.28/-0.65 (WORQ-BRIEF). Conclusions The WORQ showed good internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Agreement demonstrated large score differences are needed to indicate change beyond random chance at individual level, whereas small changes are sufficient at group level. Criterion validity of the WORQ-FULL versus the WORQ-BRIEF was supported, however, agreement demonstrated moderate to large score differences are needed to indicate change beyond random chance at individual level, whereas small changes are sufficient at group level. This indicates the WORQ-FULL and WORQ-BRIEF are better not used interchangeably. Correlation analyses provided better insight in the validity of the WORQ. Convergent validity was supported for the WORQ-BRIEF with the EuroQoL 5D-5L (r = -0.65).
There is nothing to identity
Authors: Fiocco M. Oreste
Published: April 2021

Several have denied that there is, specifically, a criterion of identity for persons and some deny that there are, for any kind, diachronic criteria of identity. I argue, however, thatthere are no criteria of identity, either synchronic or diachronic, for any kind whatsoever(and could be none). I begin by elaborating the notion of a criterion of identity in order to clarify what exactly is being denied when I maintain there are none. I examine the motivation of those who qualify in some way the general claim that there are synchronic and diachronic criteria of identity for every kind, then present my direct and categorical argument against such criteria. I next evaluate the objections of those who argue that rejecting criteria of identity has untenable results. These objections are ineffective, each based on the incorrect assumption that if there is no criterion of identity for a kind, the identity of an instance of that kind is independent of its qualities. I conclude by considering some of the upshots of rejecting criteria of identity and the insight doing so provides into things in general and the limits of ontological inquiry.
Genome editing of polyploid crops: prospects, achievements and bottlenecks
Authors: Schaart Jan G. , van de Wiel Clemens C. M. , Smulders Marinus J. M.
Published: April 2021

Plant breeding aims to develop improved crop varieties. Many crops have a polyploid and often highly heterozygous genome, which may make breeding of polyploid crops a real challenge. The efficiency of traditional breeding based on crossing and selection has been improved by using marker-assisted selection (MAS), and MAS is also being applied in polyploid crops, which helps e.g. for introgression breeding. However, methods such as random mutation breeding are difficult to apply in polyploid crops because there are multiple homoeologous copies (alleles) of each gene. Genome editing technology has revolutionized mutagenesis as it enables precisely selecting targets. The genome editing tool CRISPR/Cas is especially valuable for targeted mutagenesis in polyploids, as all alleles and/or copies of a gene can be targeted at once. Even multiple genes, each with multiple alleles, may be targeted simultaneously. In addition to targeted mutagenesis, targeted replacement of undesirable alleles by desired ones may become a promising application of genome editing for the improvement of polyploid crops, in the near future. Several examples of the application of genome editing for targeted mutagenesis are described here for a range of polyploid crops, and achievements and bottlenecks are highlighted.
“I have Felt so Much Joy”: The Role of Emotions in Community Sponsorship of Refugees
Authors: Phillimore Jenny , Reyes-Soto Marisol , D’Avino Gabriella , Nicholls Natasha
Published: April 2021

Resettlement programmes are considered one solution to displacement following the so-called refugee crisis. Private or community-based sponsorship models enable volunteer groups to take responsibility resettling refugees. The UK Community Sponsorship scheme (CS) allows volunteer groups to support refugee families in their community. This paper explores the role of emotions in CS using Jaspers three-stage social action life cycle (1998) drawing upon Doidge and Sandri’s (Br J Sociol 70: 463–480, 2018) positive and negative emotions, Jaspers (Sociol Forum 13: 397–424, 1998) reactive and affective continuum and Hoggett and Miller’s (Community Dev J 35: 352–364, 2000) individual/group features to explore the role of emotions in CS work. Using interview data collected from 123 interviews with 22 sponsorship groups, we find across the life cycle that there is a shift from negative reactive emotions during group initiation to positive affective emotions during consolidation and finally a mix of negative and positive affective emotions as groups become sustained. Understanding the role of emotions in motivating and sustaining volunteers is essential to the success of the CS, to encourage group formation and reduce burnout.
Reducing Radiation Exposure to Paediatric Patients Undergoing [18F]FDG-PET/CT Imaging
Authors: Kertész Hunor , Beyer Thomas , London Kevin , Saleh Hamda , Chung David , Rausch Ivo , Cal-Gonzalez Jacobo , Kitsos Theo , Kench Peter L.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To investigate the possibility of reducing the injected activity for whole-body [18F]FDG-PET/CT studies of paediatric oncology patients and to assess the usefulness of time-of-flight (TOF) acquisition on PET image quality at reduced count levels.

Procedures

Twenty-nine paediatric oncology patients (12F/17M, 3–18 years old (median age 13y), weight 45±20 kg, BMI 19±4 kg/m2), who underwent routine whole-body PET/CT examinations on a Siemens Biograph mCT TrueV system with TOF capability (555ps) were included in this study. The mean injected activity was 156 ± 45 MBq (3.8 ± 0.8 kg/MBq) and scaled to patient weight. The raw data was collected in listmode (LM) format and pre-processed to simulate reduced levels of [18F]FDG activity (75, 50, 35, 20 and 10% of the original counts) by randomly removing events from the original LM data. All data were reconstructed using the vendor-specific e7-tools with standard OSEM only, with OSEM plus resolution recovery (PSF). The reconstructions were repeated with added TOF (TOF) and PSF+TOF. The benefit of TOF together with the reduced count levels was evaluated by calculating the gains in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the liver and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in all PET-positive lesions before and after TOF employed at every simulated reduced count level. Finally, the PSF+TOF images at 50, 75 and 100% of counts were evaluated clinically on a 5-point scale by three nuclear medicine physicians.

Results

The visual inspection of the reconstructed images did not reveal significant differences in image quality between 75 and 100% count levels for PSF+TOF. The improvements in SNR and CNR were the greatest for TOF reconstruction and PSF combined. Both SNR and CNR gains did increase linearly with the patients BMI for both OSEM only and PSF reconstruction. These benefits were observed until reducing the counts to 50 and 35% for SNR and CNR, respectively.

Conclusions

The benefit of using TOF was noticeable when using 50% or greater of the counts when evaluating the CNR and SNR. For [18F]FDG-PET/CT, whole-body paediatric imaging the injected activity can be reduced to 75% of the original dose without compromising PET image quality.
Design of an Innovative Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Al Alloy for Selective Laser Melting to Produce Lighter Components for the Railway Sector
Authors: Sorci Roberto , Tassa Oriana , Colaneri Alessandro , Astri Alessandro , Mirabile Daphne , Iwnicki Simon , Demir Ali Gökhan
Published: April 2021

The railway industry can take advantage of additive manufacturing (AM) processes from several perspectives such as the production of spare parts on-demand or the use of lightweight structures for vibration and noise control. One of the key issues regarding the limitations of using these technologies is the scarcity of processable material types. Selective laser melting (SLM) is a metal AM process with industrial maturity where material development can open new prospects for the railway industry. In order to respond to such requirements, this study proposes a framework to study a new material from concept to the processability and finally to the preliminary mechanical characterization of alloy for SLM. The new material is an alloy based on AlSi7Mg reinforced by alumina nano-dispersoids. The powder feedstock was produced through VIGA (Vacuum Inert Gas Atomization) technology, while the mechanical alloying of the nano-dispersoids has been carried out through the ball-milling process. The obtained oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) powder has been used to produce samples by SLM. These samples have been characterized in terms of density, chemistry, and hardness. The obtained results showed that samples, produced by SLM were characterized by >1% porosity. Compared to the reference Al alloy, an increase up to 20% in microhardness was achieved for ODS samples made by the SLM process. The results show promise especially in terms of mechanical properties, even if additional work is needed concerning both the powder production and the AM process.
A Novel Approach to Predict the Process-Induced Mechanical Behavior of Additively Manufactured Materials
Authors: Kergaßner Andreas , Koepf Johannes A. , Markl Matthias , Körner Carolin , Mergheim Julia , Steinmann Paul
Published: April 2021

The grain structure and texture of additively manufactured materials depend strongly on the local temperature gradients during the solidification of the material. These grain structures and textures influence the mechanical behavior, ranging from isotropy to transversal and orthotropic symmetry. In the present contribution, a cellular automaton is used to model the grain growth during selective electron beam melting. The resulting grain structures and textures serve as input for a mesoscopic mechanical model. The mechanical behavior on the mesoscale is modeled by means of gradient-enhanced crystal plasticity, applying the finite element method. Computational homogenization is applied to determine the resulting macroscopic elastic and plastic properties of the additively manufactured metals. A general orthotropic yield criterion is identified by means of the initial yield loci computed with mesoscopic simulations of representative volume elements. The numerical results are partly validated with experimental data.
Experimental and Numerical Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of 3D-Printed Stainless Steel 316L Lattice Structures
Authors: Carraturo M. , Alaimo G. , Marconi S. , Negrello E. , Sgambitterra E. , Maletta C. , Reali A. , Auricchio F.
Published: April 2021

Additive manufacturing (AM), and in particular selective laser melting (SLM) technology, allows to produce structural components made of lattice structures. These kinds of structures have received a lot of research attention over recent years due to their capacity to generate easy-to-manufacture and lightweight components with enhanced mechanical properties. Despite a large amount of work available in the literature, the prediction of the mechanical behavior of lattice structures is still an open issue for researchers. Numerical simulations can help to better understand the mechanical behavior of such a kind of structure without undergoing long and expensive experimental campaigns. In this work, we compare numerical and experimental results of a uniaxial tensile test for stainless steel 316L octet-truss lattice specimen. Numerical simulations are based on both the nominal as-designed geometry and the as-build geometry obtained through the analysis of µ-CT images. We find that the use of the as-build geometry is fundamental for an accurate prediction of the mechanical behavior of lattice structures.
How to Handle Co-authorship When Not Everyone’s Research Contributions Make It into the Paper
Authors: Helgesson Gert , Master Zubin , Bülow William
Published: April 2021

While much of the scholarly work on ethics relating to academic authorship examines the fair distribution of authorship credit, none has yet examined situations where a researcher contributes significantly to the project, but whose contributions do not make it into the final manuscript. Such a scenario is commonplace in collaborative research settings in many disciplines and may occur for a number of reasons, such as excluding research in order to provide the paper with a clearer focus, tell a particular story, or exclude negative results that do not fit the hypothesis. Our concern in this paper is less about the reasons for including or excluding data from a paper and more about distributing credit in this type of scenario. In particular, we argue that the notion ‘substantial contribution’, which is part of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) authorship criteria, is ambiguous and that we should ask whether it concerns what ends up in the paper or what is a substantial contribution to the research process leading up to the paper. We then argue, based on the principles of fairness, due credit, and ensuring transparency and accountability in research, that the latter interpretation is more plausible from a research ethics point of view. We conclude that the ICMJE and other organizations interested in authorship and publication ethics should consider including guidance on authorship attribution in situations where researchers contribute significantly to the research process leading up to a specific paper, but where their contribution is finally omitted.
Indigenous ethnic identity, in-group warmth, and psychological wellbeing: A longitudinal study of Māori
Authors: Houkamau Carla , Milojev Petar , Greaves Lara , Dell Kiri , Sibley Chris G , Phinney Jean
Published: April 2021

Longitudinal studies into the relationship between affect (positive or negative feelings) towards one’s own ethnic group and wellbeing are rare, particularly for Indigenous peoples. In this paper, we test the longitudinal effects of in-group warmth (a measure of ethnic identity affect) and ethnic identity centrality on three wellbeing measures for New Zealand Māori: life satisfaction (LS), self-esteem (SE), and personal wellbeing (PW). Longitudinal panel data collected from Māori (N = 3803) aged 18 or over throughout seven annual assessments (2009–2015) in the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study were analyzed using latent trajectory models with structured residuals to examine cross-lagged within-person effects. Higher in-group warmth towards Māori predicted increases in all three wellbeing measures, even more strongly than ethnic identity centrality. Bi-directionally, PW and SE predicted increased in-group warmth, and SE predicted ethnic identification. Further, in sample-level (between-person) trends, LS and PW rose, but ethnic identity centrality interestingly declined over time. This is the first large-scale longitudinal study showing a strong relationship between positive affect towards one’s Indigenous ethnic group and wellbeing. Efforts at cultural recovery and restoration have been a deliberate protective response to colonization, but among Māori, enculturation and access to traditional cultural knowledge varies widely. The data reported here underline the role of ethnic identity affect as an important dimension of wellbeing and call for continued research into the role of this dimension of ethnic identity for Indigenous peoples.
Embodiment, Movement and Agency in Neuroethics
Authors: Kellmeyer Philipp , Müller Oliver , Voigt Julia
Published: April 2021

Emerging neurotechnologies, such as brain-computer interfaces, interact closely with a user’s body by enabling actions controlled with brain activity. This can have a profound impact on the user’s experience of movement, the sense of agency and other body-and action-related aspects. In this introduction to the special issue “Mechanized Brains, Embodied Technologies”, we reflect on the relationships between embodiment, movement and agency that are addressed in the collected papers.
The Differential Influence of Learner Factors and Learning Context on Different Professional Learning Activities
Authors: Hilkenmeier Frederic , Goller Michael , Schaper Niclas
Published: April 2021

Participation in designated learning opportunities and engagement in workplace learning are very different kinds of professional learning activities: Whereas the former takes place in organised, predefined settings with intended learning objectives, the latter mostly arises as a by-product through everyday experiences at work. Yet, empirical and theoretical models often do not sufficiently differentiate between these two kinds of learning activities. The main goal in the present study is to test whether the two discrete learning activities are indeed facilitated in different ways and by different antecedents. The results of a multi-wave diary study with a sample of 229 German employees show that engagement in workplace learning is not influenced by conscious beliefs connected to learning, which play a central role in most theoretical models explaining participation in designated learning opportunities, underlining the need for an autonomous theory of workplace learning. Furthermore, the current study shows the strong direct, indirect, and moderating influence of organisational learning culture on both kinds of professional learning activities. Possible implications for practitioners to put greater emphasis on organisational factors when designing learning opportunities are discussed.
Erfolgreiche Behandlung der Urticaria solaris mit Omalizumab
Authors: Hacker Valentin , Radakovic Sonja
Published: April 2021

Die Urticaria solaris ist eine seltene, IgE-mediierte Photodermatose. Wenngleich die Erkrankung oft nur saisonal auftritt, geht sie mit einem erheblichen Einfluss auf die Lebensqualität der Betroffenen einher. Die Therapie der Wahl sind H1-Antihistaminika und Photohardening, bei mangelndem Ansprechen sollte eine Therapie mit Omalizumab in Erwägung gezogen werden. In diesem Beitrag wird der Fall eines 22 Jahre alten Patienten beschrieben, bei dem nach mehreren frustranen Therapieversuchen durch eine Behandlung mit Omalizumab eine ausgeprägte Besserung seiner Beschwerden erzielt werden konnte.
From evidence to practice: development of web-based Dutch lipid reference values
Authors: Nurmohamed N. S. , Collard D. , Balder J. W. , Kuivenhoven J. A. , Stroes E. S. G. , Reeskamp L. F.
Published: April 2021

Introduction

In the Netherlands, the total number of yearly measured lipid profiles exceeds 500,000. While lipid values are strongly affected by age and sex, until recently, no up-to-date age- and sex-specific lipid reference values were available. We describe the translation of big-cohort lipid data into accessible reference values, which can be easily incorporated in daily clinical practice.

Methods

Lipid values (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides) from all healthy adults and children in the LifeLines cohort were used to generate age- and sex-specific percentiles. A combination of RStudio, Cascading Style Sheets and HyperText Markup Language was used to interactively display the percentiles in a responsive web layout.

Results

After exclusion of subjects reporting cardiovascular disease or lipid-lowering therapy at baseline, 141,611 subjects were included. On the website, input fields were created for age, sex and all main plasma lipids. Upon input of these values, corresponding percentiles are calculated, and output is displayed in a table and an interactive graph for each lipid. The website has been made available in both Dutch and English and can be accessed at www.lipidtools.com.

Conclusion

We constructed the first searchable, national lipid reference value tool with graphical display in the Netherlands to use in screening for dyslipidaemias and to reduce the underuse of lipid-lowering therapy in Dutch primary prevention. This study illustrates that data collected in big-cohort studies can be made easily accessible with modern digital techniques and preludes the digital health revolution yet to come.
A Perspective on Rishiganga-Dhauliganga Flash Flood in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Garhwal Himalaya, India
Authors: Sain Kalachand , Kumar Amit , Mehta Manish , Verma Akshaya , Tiwari Sameer K. , Garg Pumshottam K. , Kumar Vinit , Rai Santosh K. , Srivastava Pradeep , Sen Koushik
Published: April 2021

A ground-based and heliborne survey was conducted immediately after the disaster that took place on 7th February, 2021 in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Based on these observations and freely available Google Earth imagery, we have arrived at plausible causes of this catastrophe as detachment of a sizeable rock mass and overlying hanging glacier in the Raunthi catchment that dammed the Rishiganga River and led to the devastation of roads, bridges and hydropower projects in downstream.
The Neogene Siwalik Succession of the Arunachal Himalaya: A Revised Lithostratigrphic Classification and its Implications for the Regional Paleogeography
Authors: Debnath Arijit , Taral Suchana , Mullick Subhra , Chakraborty Tapan
Published: April 2021

Marine deposits in the Neogene Siwalik succession have been documented from the Tista valley, Bhutan and Kameng river sections of the Eastern Himalaya. This study was designed to investigate possible marine influence further east. During this investigation, it was revealed that the current classification and description of the stratigraphic units were inadequate to describe the variations present in this succession fully. In place of the existing three-fold classification, a four-fold lithostratigraphic classification of the Siwalik Group in the Arunachal Himalaya has been proposed by adding a new Siji Formation. This newly proposed formation is completely different from the underlying sand-dominated Subansiri or overlying conglomerate-dominated Kimin formations. Nearly 1000 m thick succession of the Siji Formation is characterised by of alternating tabular sheet like beds of grey mudstone, siltstone and sandstone with uncommon thin conglomerate beds. On the basis of the four-fold classification, the Siwalik rocks of the Arunachal Himalaya have been mapped over a strike length of ~230 km, demonstrating the lateral continuity of the individual formations and the large-scale deformational features affecting the rocks. Three lithologs prepared show the distinctive lithological characters and overall paleocurrent pattern of these formations. The lithological, sedimentological and ichnological features of the Dafla and Siji formations provide evidence for marine influence in the study area. The proposed new lithostratigraphic subdivisions are expected to facilitate regional correlation and evidence of marine sedimentation which will throw new light on the basin analysis of the Siwalik Group in the Eastern Himalayan.
Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Drinking and Irrigation Purpose using Geospatial and Statistical techniques in a Semi-arid Region of Rajasthan, India
Authors: Kumar Jai , Biswas Brototi , Verghese Susan
Published: April 2021

The role of groundwater in irrigation and drinking purposes and sustaining growth in economy is well-known. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to contamination and pollution when compared to surface water bodies. This paper is based on extensive investigations on the spatial and seasonal representative measurement of chemical parameters from 80 dug wells of Churu and adjoining Bikaner districts of Rajasthan, India. The region has dearth of water resources – both surface and sub-surface, with the main source of water being the dug wells. The application of hydro-statistical techniques and tools like Pearson’s correlation coefficient, relative activity of sodium ion (SAR), Wilcox diagram, Piper diagram and magnesium hazard indicate that the chemical parameters of the water of the study region is of very poor quality and not suitable for drinking and irrigation purposes. Wilcox diagram shows high sodium content, can destroy the soil structure rendering the soil and water unsuitable.
Kinematic and Statistical Analysis of Fold Related Fractures in the Northeast of Kopet Dagh Folded Belt, Northeast Iran
Authors: Kianizadeh Nasrin , Rahimi Behnam , Lashkaripour Gholam Reza , Fakoor Vahid
Published: April 2021

This study provides a description and statistical analysis of fold-related fractures in the Khur fold, northeast of Kopet Dagh fold-and-thrust belt, Iran. Kopet Dagh fold-and-thrust belt, as a part of Alpine-Himalaya orogeny belt in west Asia, forms the northeastern boundary of Iran plateau. In this study, the remote sensing technique was utilized to map and statistically analyze the lineaments on the satellite images. Extraction of fractures is based on the processing of satellite images and completed by field observations. Based on their directions, fractures can be categorized into four sets including an axial and a cross-axial set that trend parallel and perpendicular to the fold axial trace, respectively, and two oblique sets that trend at moderate angles to the axial trace. The mean trends of the principal compressional stress, independently calculated for the fold-related fractures systems, are close to N41° ± 5°E and are perpendicular to the general NW-SE trend of the Kopet Dagh fold-and-thrust belt. The cross-axial set is interpreted as the oldest set. The major orientation of lineaments is NE-SW. Also, the length distribution of fractures shows a right-skewed distribution. To extract the underlying scaling parameters, the dataset was analyzed using Maximum Likelihood Estimators (MLEs). It was found that a lognormal distribution is the best representative statistic for fracture lengths in the study area. The combination of information from the prepared fracture map, the analysis and measurement of the fractal dimension, and calculations of variables such as density and intensity revealed that the high probability of permeability along with fractures with an NW-SE trend.
Trace-element behaviour in sediments of Ugandan part of Lake Victoria: results from sequential extraction and chemometrical evaluation
Authors: Ribbe Nils , Arinaitwe Kenneth , Dadi Tallent , Friese Kurt , von Tümpling Wolf
Published: April 2021

Lake Victoria is the second largest freshwater lake and the largest tropical lake in the world. The transboundary lake has the fastest growing population in its catchment, which can impact the water and sediment quality. To determine the extent of anthropogenic effects on sediment quality in the Ugandan part of Lake Victoria, the contents and binding behaviour of trace elements were analysed, as well as organic matter and phosphorus in different sediment layers of both deep and coastal sediments near the coastal cities of Entebbe, Kampala and Jinja. The data were assessed using the German LAWA criteria for trace-element pollution, the Geo-Index, Cluster- and Factor analyses. Mostly, no critical trace-element contamination in the sediments of the investigated area was observed. However, changes in element distributions caused by anthropogenic influences from around the lake were detected, like higher contents of Cu, Ti and V in near shore sediments with urban surrounding. Near Jinja, industrial wastewaters caused particularly elevated contents of Cu in the sediments (70–121 mg/kg, 3.5–6 times the geogenic background), exceeding the LAWA criteria and potentially harming the aquatic habitat. In addition, temporally growing organic matter contents in the lake sediments near the estuary of River Nzoia (from 4.2 to 17.6% in around 60 years) due to increased soil erosion in the river’s catchment area and blooms of the water hyacinth became visible. This study demonstrates that the whole catchment area is responsible to ensure a healthy aquatic ecosystem in Lake Victoria.
Autonomous Driving Ethics: from Trolley Problem to Ethics of Risk
Authors: Geisslinger Maximilian , Poszler Franziska , Betz Johannes , Lütge Christoph , Lienkamp Markus
Published: April 2021

In 2017, the German ethics commission for automated and connected driving released 20 ethical guidelines for autonomous vehicles. It is now up to the research and industrial sectors to enhance the development of autonomous vehicles based on such guidelines. In the current state of the art, we find studies on how ethical theories can be integrated. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no framework for motion planning has yet been published which allows for the true implementation of any practical ethical policies. This paper makes four contributions: Firstly, we briefly present the state of the art based on recent works concerning unavoidable accidents of autonomous vehicles (AVs) and identify further need for research. While most of the research focuses on decision strategies in moral dilemmas or crash optimization, we aim to develop an ethical trajectory planning for all situations on public roads. Secondly, we discuss several ethical theories and argue for the adoption of the theory “ethics of risk.” Thirdly, we propose a new framework for trajectory planning, with uncertainties and an assessment of risks. In this framework, we transform ethical specifications into mathematical equations and thus create the basis for the programming of an ethical trajectory. We present a risk cost function for trajectory planning that considers minimization of the overall risk, priority for the worst-off and equal treatment of people. Finally, we build a connection between the widely discussed trolley problem and our proposed framework.
Perinatal hypoxia and the risk of severe Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH): a retrospective analysis of the pH value of umbilical arterial blood after birth
Authors: Hoberg C. , Klein C. , Klein D. , Meller C.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Molar-Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) remains a widespread developmental disorder of the teeth with a still largely unknown etiology. Perinatal events were blamed in previous studies for the development of MIH.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of perinatal hypoxia—determined by the pH value of the umbilical cord blood—and to investigate its correlation with severe MIH retrospectively. In addition, cesarean section was recorded as differentiation variable.

Methods

A total number of 138 children (mean age 8.0 years ± 1.7), who were treated for severe MIH in a dental office in Berlin between the years 2008 and 2019, were included in the study. The control group was comprised of patients with the same date of birth (44 children, mean age 7.7 years ± 1.7). Information on the pH value of the arterial blood from the umbilical cord taken immediately after birth, whose recording is mandatory in Germany, was received from the parents by letter survey requesting the entries from the German Child Health Booklet.

Results

In the group of the male children born without cesarean section, the pH value of the control group was significantly lower (7.19 ± 0.09) than the pH value of the MIH group (7.27 ± 0.07,p = 0.0008). In female children born with or without cesarean section as well as in male children born by cesarean section there were no significant differences between the MIH and control group.

Conclusions

No significant association between MIH and the pH value of the umbilical cord blood or birth by cesarean section could be found in the examined patient population.