bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anomaly detection and event mining in cold forming manufacturing processes
Authors: Nieves Avendano Diego , Caljouw Daniel , Deschrijver Dirk , Van Hoecke Sofie
Published: October 2020

Predictive maintenance is one of the main goals within the Industry 4.0 trend. Advances in data-driven techniques offer new opportunities in terms of cost reduction, improved quality control, and increased work safety. This work brings data-driven techniques for two predictive maintenance tasks: anomaly detection and event prediction, applied in the real-world use case of a cold forming manufacturing line for consumer lifestyle products by using acoustic emissions sensors in proximity of the dies of the press module. The proposed models are robust and able to cope with problems such as noise, missing values, and irregular sampling. The detected anomalies are investigated by experts and confirmed to correspond to deviations in the normal operation of the machine. Moreover, we are able to find patterns which are related to the events of interest.
Regional gravity field refinement for (quasi-) geoid determination based on spherical radial basis functions in Colorado
Authors: Liu Qing , Schmidt Michael , Sánchez Laura , Willberg Martin
Published: October 2020

This study presents a solution of the ‘1 cm Geoid Experiment’ (Colorado Experiment) using spherical radial basis functions (SRBFs). As the only group using SRBFs among the fourteen participated institutions from all over the world, we highlight the methodology of SRBFs in this paper. Detailed explanations are given regarding the settings of the four most important factors that influence the performance of SRBFs in gravity field modeling, namely (1) the choosing bandwidth, (2) the locations of the SRBFs, (3) the type of the SRBFs as well as (4) the extensions of the data zone for reducing the edge effect. Two types of basis functions covering the same spectral range are used for the terrestrial and the airborne measurements, respectively. The non-smoothing Shannon function is applied to the terrestrial data to avoid the loss of spectral information. The cubic polynomial (CuP) function which has smoothing features is applied to the airborne data as a low-pass filter for filtering the high-frequency noise. Although the idea of combining different SRBFs for different observations was proven in theory to be possible, it is applied to real data for the first time, in this study. The RMS error of our height anomaly result along the GSVS17 benchmarks w.r.t the validation data (which is the mean results of the other contributions in the ‘Colorado Experiment’) drops by 5% when combining the Shannon function for the terrestrial data and the CuP function for the airborne data, compared to those obtained by using the Shannon function for both the two data sets. This improvement indicates the validity and benefits of using different SRBFs for different observation types. Global gravity model (GGM), topographic model, the terrestrial gravity data, as well as the airborne gravity data are combined, and the contribution of each data set to the final solution is discussed. By adding the terrestrial data to the GGM and the topographic model, the RMS error of the height anomaly result w.r.t the validation data drops from 4 to 1.8 cm, and it is further reduced to 1 cm by including the airborne data. Comparisons with the mean results of all the contributions show that our height anomaly and geoid height solutions at the GSVS17 benchmarks have an RMS error of 1.0 cm and 1.3 cm, respectively; and our height anomaly results give an RMS value of 1.6 cm in the whole study area, which are all the smallest among the participants.
Acetylcholinesterase inhibition in electric eel and human donor blood: an in vitro approach to investigate interspecies differences and human variability in toxicodynamics
Authors: Kasteel Emma E. J. , Nijmeijer Sandra M. , Darney Keyvin , Lautz Leonie S. , Dorne Jean Lou C. M. , Kramer Nynke I. , Westerink Remco H. S.
Published: October 2020

In chemical risk assessment, default uncertainty factors are used to account for interspecies and interindividual differences, and differences in toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics herein. However, these default factors come with little scientific support. Therefore, our aim was to develop an in vitro method, using acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition as a proof of principle, to assess both interspecies and interindividual differences in toxicodynamics. Electric eel enzyme and human blood of 20 different donors (12 men/8 women) were exposed to eight different compounds (chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-oxon, phosmet, phosmet-oxon, diazinon, diazinon-oxon, pirimicarb, rivastigmine) and inhibition of AChE was measured using the Ellman method. The organophosphate parent compounds, chlorpyrifos, phosmet and diazinon, did not show inhibition of AChE. All other compounds showed concentration-dependent inhibition of AChE, with IC50s in human blood ranging from 0.2–29 µM and IC20s ranging from 0.1–18 µM, indicating that AChE is inhibited at concentrations relevant to the in vivo human situation. The oxon analogues were more potent inhibitors of electric eel AChE compared to human AChE. The opposite was true for carbamates, pointing towards interspecies differences for AChE inhibition. Human interindividual variability was low and ranged from 5–25%, depending on the concentration. This study provides a reliable in vitro method for assessing human variability in AChE toxicodynamics. The data suggest that the default uncertainty factor of ~ 3.16 may overestimate human variability for this toxicity endpoint, implying that specific toxicodynamic-related adjustment factors can support quantitative in vitro to in vivo extrapolations that link kinetic and dynamic data to improve chemical risk assessment.
Toric vector bundles: GAGA and Hodge theory
Authors: Stelzig Jonas
Published: October 2020

We prove a GAGA-style result for toric vector bundles with smooth base and give an algebraic construction of the Frölicher approximating vector bundle that has recently been introduced by Dan Popovici using analytic techniques. Both results make use of the Rees-bundle construction.
Countercurrent chromatographic fractionation followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry identification of alkylresorcinols in rye
Authors: Hammerschick Tim , Wagner Tim , Vetter Walter
Published: October 2020

Alkylresorcinols (5-alkyl-1,3-dihydroxybenzenes, ARs) are bioactive phenolic lipid compounds which are particularly abundant in rye and partly other cereals. In this study on ARs, whole rye grain extracts were gained with cyclohexane/ethyl acetate (46/54, w/w). Silylated extracts were used to develop a gas chromatography with mass spectrometry method in the selected ion monitoring mode (GC/MS-SIM) for the sensitive detection of conventional ARs along with keto-substituted (oxo-AR) and ring-methylated ARs (mAR) with 5-alkyl chain lengths of 14 to 27 carbon atoms and 0 to 4 double bonds in one run. Analysis was performed by countercurrent chromatographic (CCC) fractionation using the solvent system n-hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (9/1/9/1, v/v/v/v). Subsequent GC/MS-(SIM) analysis of 80 silylated CCC fractions enabled the detection of 74 ARs in the sample. The CCC elution of the ARs followed the equivalent chain length (ECL) rule in which one double bond compensated the effect of two (additional) carbon atoms. Novel or rarely reported ARs were detected in virtually all classes, i.e. saturated AR (AR14:0), even-numbered monounsaturated AR isomers (AR16:1-AR26:1), triunsaturated ARs (AR25:3), oxo-ARs (AR17:0 oxo, AR19:1 oxo, AR21:2 oxo, AR23:2 oxo) and odd-numbered methyl-ARs (mAR15:0-mAR23:0). Positions of the double bonds of monounsaturated ARs and oxo-ARs were determined with the help of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) derivatives.
Factors Affecting Women Surgeons’ Careers in Low–Middle‐Income Countries: An International Survey
Authors: Malik Mahim , Inam Hina , Janjua Mahin B. N. , Martins Russell S. , Zahid Nida , Khan Sadaf , Sattar Abida K. , Haider Adil H. , Enam Syed Ather
Published: October 2020

Background

Despite increasing numbers of women surgeons globally, barriers to career advancement persist. While these barriers have been extensively discussed in high‐income countries (HICs), the topic has received minimal attention in lower–middle‐income countries (LMICs) like Pakistan.

Methods

The Association of Women Surgeons of Pakistan (AWSP)—an organization in Pakistan consisting of female surgeons and trainees—carried out this international cross‐sectional study over July–Sept 2019. An anonymous online survey was disseminated via social media platforms and various institutions across Pakistan and internationally.

Results

A total of 218 female surgeons responded to the survey, with 146 (67%) from Pakistan and 72 (33%) from HICs. While HIC surgeons were more likely to report gender discrimination/bias (GD/bias) during residency (29.2% vs 11.6%; p = 0.001), more Pakistani surgeons reported that GD/bias negatively affected their job satisfaction (80.7% vs. 64.9%; p = 0.024). GD/bias manifested most commonly as differences in mentoring relationships (72%). A higher percentage Pakistani surgeons reported having experienced a family‐related interruption in their career (24.7% vs. 11.1%; p = 0.019). The vast majority (95%) felt that surgery was perceived as a masculine field, and the majority (56.4%) of respondents reported having been told that they could not be a surgeon because of their gender.

Conclusion

Our study highlights keys factors that must be addressed to provide equal career opportunities to women surgeons. It is the responsibility of surgical educators, policy makers, and healthcare organizations to facilitate women surgeons’ career progression by developing systems that support equitable career growth for women surgeons.
Dynamics and predictability of cold spells over the Eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Hochman Assaf , Scher Sebastian , Quinting Julian , Pinto Joaquim G. , Messori Gabriele
Published: October 2020

The accurate prediction of extreme weather events is an important and challenging task, and has typically relied on numerical simulations of the atmosphere. Here, we combine insights from numerical forecasts with recent developments in dynamical systems theory, which describe atmospheric states in terms of their persistence (θ−1) and local dimension (d), and inform on how the atmosphere evolves to and from a given state of interest. These metrics are intuitively linked to the intrinsic predictability of the atmosphere: a highly persistent, low-dimensional state will be more predictable than a low-persistence, high-dimensional one. We argue that θ−1 and d, derived from reanalysis sea level pressure (SLP) and geopotential height (Z500) fields, can provide complementary predictive information for mid-latitude extreme weather events. Specifically, signatures of regional extreme weather events might be reflected in the dynamical systems metrics, even when the actual extreme is not well-simulated in numerical forecasting systems. We focus on cold spells in the Eastern Mediterranean, and particularly those associated with snow cover in Jerusalem. These rare events are systematically associated with Cyprus Lows, which are the dominant rain-bearing weather system in the region. In our analysis, we compare the ‘cold spell Cyprus Lows’ to other ‘regular’ Cyprus Low days. Significant differences are found between cold spells and ‘regular’ Cyprus Lows from a dynamical systems perspective. When considering SLP, the intrinsic predictability of cold spells is lowest hours before the onset of snow. We find that the cyclone’s location, depth and magnitude of air-sea fluxes play an important role in determining its intrinsic predictability. The dynamical systems metrics computed on Z500 display a different temporal evolution to their SLP counterparts, highlighting the different characteristics of the atmospheric flow at the different levels. We conclude that the dynamical systems approach, although sometimes challenging to interpret, can complement conventional numerical forecasts and forecast skill measures, such as model spread and absolute error. This methodology outlines an important avenue for future research, which can potentially be fruitfully applied to other regions and other types of weather extremes.
Total joint replacement of the hip and knee in patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita: a report of six joints
Authors: Theil Christoph , Roedl Robert , Gosheger Georg , Moellenbeck Burkhard , Frommer Adrien , Dieckmann Ralf , Vogt Bjoern
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) is a rare congenital condition that leads to severe joint contractures and deformities. As painful joint dysplasia and degeneration might develop over time, total joint replacement (TJR) can be a potential treatment option for these patients. The aim of this study is to investigate functional results, implant survivorship and potential complications in patients with AMC who undergo hip or knee arthroplasty.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively identified six TJR in three patients at a single centre performed between 2006 and 2019. The median patient age at surgery was 23 years and the median follow-up period was 69 (IQR 55–99) months. We analysed surgical technique, implant survivorship and complications as well as functional outcome determined by pain reported on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), patient-reported outcome scores [Oxford Hip Score (OHS), Harris Hip score (HHS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS)], range of motion and ambulatory status. Depending on data distribution means with ranges and median with interquartile range were compared with the Wilcoxon signed rank test or Student’s t test. The level of significance was defined at < 0.05.

Results

In hips, the mean range of motion in flexion/extension (52° vs. 85°, p = 0.014) and in rotation (28° vs. 68°, p = 0.02) as well as mean pain score on the NRS (8.5 vs. 0, p = 0.001), OHS (9 vs. 26, p = 0.031) and HHS (17 vs. 52, p = 0.007) significantly improved. In knees, mean range of motion (55° vs. 93°, p = 0.403), mean pain score on the NRS (0 vs. 7) and the OKS (2 vs. 21) also improved. While the ambulatory status did not change, the patients who were wheelchair dependent reported less problems with transfers to a bed or chair and the patient who ambulated reported an improved walking distance. One total knee arthroplasty (TKA) underwent revision for an acute, late infection 155 months following the initial surgery.

Conclusions

TJR is a safe procedure in patients with AMC that effectively improves function and reduces pain irrespective of preoperative ambulatory status.
Correction to: Rheology of melts from the Colli Albani Volcanic District (Italy): a case study
Authors: Kleest Christin , Webb Sharon L. , Fanara Sara
Published: October 2020

In the published online version of the paper, the title is.
Experimental evidence for decompression melting of metasomatized mantle beneath Colima Graben, Mexico
Authors: Becerra-Torres Eduardo , Melekhova Elena , Blundy Jon D. , Brooker Richard A.
Published: October 2020

Primitive subduction zone magmas provide information about the composition and thermal structure of the underlying mantle wedge. In the Colima Graben, Mexico, primitive lavas erupted from cinder cones range from high magnesium calc-alkaline basalts to high-K trachybasalts. This chemical diversity suggests that the sub-arc mantle wedge from which they derive is heterogeneous. To explore the conditions of magma generation in the wedge beneath Colima we used an inverse experimental approach to constrain multiple saturation points on the liquidus surface of a primitive high-K basanite (COM-1). Equilibrium piston-cylinder experiments were carried out between 1.0 and 2.4 GPa under hydrous (1.8–3.8 wt% H2O) and oxidizing (ƒO2 = − 0.5 to 4.3 log units relative to NNO) conditions. COM-1 + 3.8 wt% H2O is shown to be multiply-saturated with a phlogopite-bearing spinel pyroxenite assemblage (cpx + opx + phl + sp) close to its liquidus at 1.9–2.4 GPa and 1300 ºC. Experimental mapping of the liquidus surface reveals a multiple saturation point (MSP) where a lherzolitic phase assemblage of ol + cpx + opx + sp + phl coexist. The topology of the MSP indicates a peritectic of the form cpx + opx + phl + sp = liquid + ol. Four bracketing experiments define the MSP of COM-1 as 1300 ± 10 °C, 1.7 ± 0.1 GPa, ∆NNO = 3.4 ± 0.5 log units, for melt containing 3.6 ± 0.4 wt% H2O. The MSP olivine is too forsterite-rich (Fo92-94) to be in equilibrium with mantle lherzolite, but matches phenocryst core compositions in the natural basanite. Thus, experimental results indicate that COM-1 was produced by incongruent melting of an olivine-free, phlogopite-pyroxenite source that itself is the result of metasomatism of mantle wedge by slab-derived fluids. These conditions provide a valuable constraint on the thermal structure and chemical composition of the mantle wedge beneath Colima.
Optical coherence tomography angiography findings in patients undergoing transcorneal electrical stimulation for treating retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Zabek Olga , Camenzind Zuche Hanna , Müller Ursula , Scholl Hendrik P. N. , Rickmann Annekatrin , della Volpe Waizel Maria
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES) is a novel treatment approach for patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The aim of our study was to observe changes in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) that would be attributed to TES treatment.

Methods

A total of 73 eyes were included: 43 eyes of 22 subjects (11 ♀, 11 ♂) suffering from RP were examined at baseline (BL), after first stimulation (TS), 1 week (1W), and 6 months (6M) after treatment initiation and were compared with 30 control eyes of 15 subjects (8 ♀, 7 ♂). TES was performed simultaneously on both eyes for 30 min weekly. OCTA scans of 9 × 15 mm were recorded with a PLEX Elite 9000 swept-source OCTA device (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena). Vascular density metrics such as perfusion density (PD) and vessel density (VD) were calculated automatically for the macular area by using standardised extended early treatment diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) grids centred around the fovea. In addition, the capillary perfusion density (CPD) and the capillary flux index (CFI) of the peripapillary nerve fibre layer microvasculature in all four quadrants of an annulus centred at the optic disc were measured. All parameters were determined over all retinal layers and separately for the superficial (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP). ANOVA-based linear mixed-effects models were calculated with SPSS®.

Results

Throughout the course of TES treatment, the macular VD and PD of all retinal layers in all subsections showed a slight decrement without reaching statistical significance, also when analysed separately in the SCP and DCP (p > 0.08). In analogy, the average CPD and CFI also presented with a slight decrement (p > 0.20). However, when compared with controls, most OCTA parameters showed a significant decrement (p < 0.05). When analysed systematically in all subsections of the extended ETDRS grid, the temporal macular subsections within the outer ring (radius 1.5–3 mm) and also of the peripheral C1, C2, and C3 rings (radius 3–7.5 mm) showed lower VD and PD values when compared with the other subsections (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Vascular density metrics in the macular region and the peripapillary microvasculature appear to remain unaffected by continuous TES treatment within a period of 6 months.
Notions of architecture in fog computing
Authors: Mann Zoltán Ádám
Published: October 2020

Fog computing is becoming a popular paradigm for bringing the advantages of the cloud nearer to the network edge. This way, computational tasks can be offloaded from end devices to nearby fog nodes, thus benefiting from high computational power and low latency at the same time. Architecture plays a central role in fog computing. Many papers on fog computing address architectural questions. However, a closer look reveals that different papers use the term “architecture” for very different concepts. This is rooted in the multi-disciplinary nature of the fog computing paradigm. The different communities involved in fog computing—network, hardware, system software, application software—all use the term “architecture,” but with different meaning. To facilitate the mutual understanding of architectural issues in fog computing, this paper introduces a conceptual framework for reasoning about architecture in fog computing. This conceptual framework uses three independent dimensions to describe architecture. Based on the three architecture dimensions, several architecture views can be defined to serve the different viewpoints of the involved disciplines, and to highlight different aspects of the architecture. The conceptual framework is validated using a literature mapping study.
The parisite–(Ce) enigma: challenges in the identification of fluorcarbonate minerals
Authors: Zeug Manuela , Nasdala Lutz , Ende Martin , Habler Gerlinde , Hauzenberger Christoph , Chanmuang N. Chutimun , Škoda Radek , Topa Dan , Wildner Manfred , Wirth Richard
Published: October 2020

A multi-methodological study was conducted in order to provide further insight into the structural and compositional complexity of rare earth element (REE) fluorcarbonates, with particular attention to their correct assignment to a mineral species. Polycrystals from La Pita Mine, Municipality de Maripí, Boyacá Department, Colombia, show syntaxic intergrowth of parisite–(Ce) with röntgenite–(Ce) and a phase which is assigned toB3S4(i.e., bastnäsite-3–synchisite-4; still unnamed) fluorcarbonate. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images reveal well-ordered stacking patterns of two monoclinic polytypes of parisite–(Ce) as well as heavily disordered layer sequences with varying lattice fringe spacings. The crystal structure refinement from single crystal X-ray diffraction data – impeded by twinning, complex stacking patterns, sequential and compositional faults – indicates that the dominant parisite–(Ce) polytypeM1has space groupCc. Parisite–(Ce), theB3S4phase and röntgenite–(Ce) show different BSE intensities from high to low. Raman spectroscopic analyses of parisite–(Ce), theB3S4phase and röntgenite–(Ce) reveal different intensity ratios of the three symmetric CO3stretching bands at around 1100 cm−1. We propose to non-destructively differentiate parisite–(Ce) and röntgenite–(Ce) by their 1092 cm−1/ 1081 cm−1ν1(CO3) band height ratio.
Reperfusion strategies in stroke due to isolated cervical internal carotid artery occlusion: systematic review and treatment comparison
Authors: Romoli Michele , Mosconi Maria Giulia , Pierini Patrizia , Alberti Andrea , Venti Michele , Caso Valeria , Vidale Simone , Lotti Enrico Maria , Longoni Marco , Calabresi Paolo , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Paciaroni Maurizio
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Despite intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovascular treatment (EVT) have been demonstrated effective in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusions, there are still no conclusive data to guide treatment in stroke due to cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. We systematically reviewed available literature to compare IVT, EVT, and bridging (IVT + EVT) and define optimal treatment.

Methods

Systematic review followed predefined protocol (Open-Science-Framework osf.io/bfykj). MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched. Results were restricted to studies in English, with sample size ≥ 10 and follow-up ≥30 days. Primary outcomes were favorable outcome (mRS ≤ 2), mortality, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage(sICH), defined according to study original report. Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used for bias assessment.

Results

Seven records of 930 screened were included in meta-analysis. Quality of studies was low-to-fair in 5, good in 2. IVT (n = 450) did not differ for favorable outcome and mortality compared to EVT (n = 150), though having lower rate of sICH (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2–0.8). Compared to IVT, bridging (IVT + EVT) was associated with higher rate of favorable outcome (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.3–3.7). Compared to EVT, bridging (IVT + EVT) provided higher rate of favorable outcome (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.4), with a marginally increased risk of sICH (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1–4.4) but similar mortality rates.

Conclusions

Our systematic review highlights that, in acute ischemic stroke associated with isolated cervical ICA occlusion, bridging (IVT + EVT) might lead to higher rate of functional independence at follow-up, without increasing mortality. The low quality of available studies prevents from drawing firm conclusions, and randomized-controlled clinical trials are critically needed to define optimal treatment in this AIS subgroup.
Local timing of rainfall predicts the timing of moult within a single locality and the progress of moult among localities that vary in the onset of the wet season in a year-round breeding tropical songbird
Authors: Nwaogu Chima J. , Cresswell Will
Published: October 2020

Rainfall seasonality is likely an important cue for timing key annual cycle events like moult in birds living in seasonally arid environments, but its precise effect is difficult to establish because seasonal rainfall may affect other covarying annual events such as breeding in the same way. In central Nigeria, however, Common Bulbuls Pycnonotus barbatus moult in the wet season but only show weak breeding seasonality. This suggests that moult is more sensitive to rainfall than breeding, but a similar outcome is possible if moult is simply periodic. We tested the relationship between rainfall and moult in Common Bulbuls at a single location over 18 years: on average moult started 5th May (± 41 days: 25th March–15th June), being on average later than the onset of the rains which is usually mid-April. The likelihood of finding a moulting Common bulbul was best predicted by rainfall 9–15 weeks before moult was scored. We then tested the generality of this across populations: the progress of moult should, therefore, correlate with the average timing of the wet season along a spatial environmental gradient where the rains start at different times each year south-to-north of Nigeria. To test this, we modelled moult progress just before the rains across 15 localities 6°–13° N as a function of the onset of the wet season among localities. As predicted, moult progressed further in localities with earlier wet seasons, confirming that the onset of moult is timed to the onset of the wet season in each locality despite weak breeding seasonality in the Common Bulbul. This strategy may evolve to maintain optimal annual cycle routine in seasonal environments where breeding is prone to unpredictable local perturbations like nest predation. It may, however, be less obvious in temperate systems where all annual cycle stages are seasonally constrained, but it may help with explaining the high frequency of breeding–moult overlaps in tropical birds.
Biologically synthesized of Au/Pt/ZnO nanoparticles using Arctium lappa extract and cytotoxic activity against leukemia
Authors: Dobrucka Renata , Romaniuk-Drapała Aleksandra , Kaczmarek Mariusz
Published: October 2020

The main objective of this work was to assess the cytotoxic activity of Au/Pt/ZnO nanoparticles synthesized using Arctium lappa extract against leukemia. The Au/Pt/ZnO nanoparticles obtained as a result of biological synthesis were characterized by UV-Vis, Scanning (SEM) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The applied methods showed that the size of nanoparticles ranged from 10 to 40 nm. This work also assessed the cytotoxicity of Au/Pt/ZnO nanoparticles by means of MTT assay, and analyzed apoptosis as well as the influence of the cultivation time and concentration of Au/Pt/ZnO nanoparticles on the percentage of dead cells. The studies showed that the percentage of dead leukemia cells increased with the cultivation time and concentration of Au/Pt/ZnO nanoparticles. There was observed an increase in the percentage of cells in the G2/M phase, which suggests the stoppage of G2/M leading to cell death. The cytotoxicity of Au/Pt/ZnO nanoparticles determined by means of the MTT test indicated that the viability of leukemia cells practically disappeared when the concentration of the tested nanoparticles was 10 mol.
Social cognitive theory and women’s career choices: an agent—based model simulation
Authors: Mozahem Najib A.
Published: October 2020

An agent-based model is proposed and tested. This model aims to simulate agency as conceptualized in Bandura's (Am Psychol 37:122–147, 1982; Organ Behav Hum Decis Process 50:248–287; Annu Rev Psychol 52: 1–26) Social cognitive theory. Social cognitive theory has been used to explain the continued underrepresentation of females in certain fields, most notably fields that are associated with engineering and technology. The theory proposes that agents acquire information from four different sources, and then, through a process of reciprocal interaction, these agents develop their perception of self-efficacy. In this study, an agent-based model is used to model this interaction. The output from the simulation supports the validity of the model used and illustrates how agency "emerges" from the triadic interaction. The model successfully simulates several of the theorized aspects of social cognitive theory. The simulation results reveal that even small gendered differences can lead to female misrepresentation in certain fields. The model also shows that female discouragement plays a larger role than male encouragement in female underrepresentation. The implications of these results are discussed. Finally, the limitations of the model are discussed, along with directions for future research.
Efficient solution techniques for two-phase flow in heterogeneous porous media using exact Jacobians
Authors: Büsing Henrik
Published: October 2020

Two efficient and scalable numerical solution methods will be compared using exact Jacobians to solve the fully coupled Newton systems arising during fully implicit discretization of the equations for two-phase flow in porous media. These methods use algebraic multigrid (AMG) to solve the linear systems in every Newton step. The algebraic multigrid methods rely on (i) a Schur Complement Reduction (SCR-AMG) and (ii) a Constrained Pressure Residual method (CPR-AMG) to decouple elliptic and hyperbolic contributions. Both methods employ automatic differentiation (AD) to calculate exact Jacobians and are compared with finite difference (FD) approximations of the Jacobian. The superiority of AD is shown by several numerical test cases from the field of CO2 geo-sequestration comprising two- and three-dimensional examples. A weak scaling test on JUQUEEN, a BlueGene/Q supercomputer, demonstrates the efficiency and scalability of both methods. To achieve maximum comparability and reproducibility, the Portable Extensible Toolkit for Scientific Computation (PETSc) is used as framework for the comparison of all solvers.
Minor effect of inaccurate fixation on VEP-based acuity estimates
Authors: Elgohary Amal A. , Heinrich Sven P.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

VEP-based estimation of visual acuity may be used in cases of suspected malingering to objectify subjective complaints. In such an application, a lack of cooperation needs to be expected. The same may apply to young children with suspected functional impairments. In the present study, we assessed how inaccurate fixation affects the acuity estimates obtained with a VEP technique.

Methods

VEP-based acuity estimates were obtained by stimulating with a series of different check sizes using a ‘stepwise sweep’ protocol. Sixteen participants were tested with normal and degraded vision under five different fixation conditions (central fixation and eccentric fixation at top, bottom, right, and left edge of the stimulus area).

Results

The majority of individual acuity estimates with eccentric fixation differed by less than 0.1 logMAR from central fixation, and almost all estimates differed by less than 0.3 logMAR. Median estimates with eccentric fixation differed only slightly (up to 0.08 logMAR) and, except for top fixation with normal vision, non-significantly. However, data quality was lower with eccentric fixation, which increased the probability that no acuity estimate could be derived from the recording.

Conclusion

VEP-based acuity estimates are relatively insensitive to eccentric fixation. Unnoticed deviations from central fixation in routine applications will probably be smaller than in the present study and will have even less impact on the outcome.
Concentration of heavy metals in street dust: an implication of using different geochemical background data in estimating the level of heavy metal pollution
Authors: Dytłow Sylwia , Górka-Kostrubiec Beata
Published: October 2020

Geochemical background data are used to distinguish between the sources of heavy metal (natural or anthropogenic) and to categorize the level of heavy metal pollution. In this study, we present the results of using different geochemical backgrounds (BG1–BG3) to establish the level of heavy metal pollution in street dust in Warsaw, Poland. We applied individual and collective indicators calculated with respect to the following backgrounds: (1) upper continental crust (UCC) (BG1), (2) the regional geochemical background established for Quaternary surface deposits of the Mazovian region (Poland) (parent geological material occurring in the studied area, Warsaw, Poland) (BG2), and (3) the minimal values of the concentration of heavy metals determined for the real street dust sample collectives from Warsaw (BG3). The assessment of the heavy metals pollution of street dust significantly depended on the background values used in the calculation of individual and collective indicators. Street dust was classified as unpolluted for almost all the heavy metals based on the values of indicators calculated for UCC data. The effect of traffic-related pollution was detected more precisely based on the values of indicators calculated for BG2 and BG3. The naturally elevated concentrations of heavy metals in UCC data can be responsible for the underestimation of pollution impact in street dust. When relatively low concentration of heavy metals is only observed, the application of BG2 or BG3 background data, which better correspond to the geogenic material in street dust, allows to realistically reflect the level of pollution from moving vehicles.

Graphic abstract
Social Network Analysis of a Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Group in Captivity Following the Integration of a New Adult Member
Authors: Díaz Sergio , Murray Lindsay , Roberts Sam G. B. , Rodway Paul
Published: October 2020

Management of primates in captivity often presents the challenge of introducing new individuals into a group, and research investigating the stability of the social network in the medium term after the introduction can help inform management decisions. We investigated the behavior of a group of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) housed at Chester Zoo, UK over 12 months (divided into three periods of 4 months) following the introduction of a new adult female. We recorded grooming, proximity, other affiliative behaviors, and agonistic behaviors and used social network analysis to investigate the stability, reciprocity, and structure of the group, to examine the effect of rearing history on grooming network position and the role of sex in agonistic behavior. Both the grooming and agonistic networks correlated across all three periods, while affiliative networks correlated only between periods 2 and 3. Males had significantly higher out-degree centrality in agonistic behaviors than females, indicating that they carried out agonistic behaviors more often than females. There was no significant difference in centrality between hand-reared and mother-reared chimpanzees. Overall, the group structure was stable and cohesive during the first year after the introduction of the new female, suggesting that this change did not destabilize the group. Our findings highlight the utility of social network analysis in the study of primate sociality in captivity, and how it can be used to better understand primate behavior following the integration of new individuals.
Thermochromatographic separation of 45Ti and subsequent radiosynthesis of [45Ti]salan
Authors: Giesen Kai , Spahn Ingo , Neumaier Bernd
Published: October 2020

Due to its favorable decay properties, the non-standard radionuclide 45Ti is a promising PET isotope for tumor imaging. Additionally, titanium complexes are widely used as anti-tumor agents and 45Ti could be used to study their in vivo distribution and metabolic fate. However, although 45Ti can be obtained using the 45Sc(p,n)45Ti nuclear reaction its facile production is offset by the high oxophilicity and hydrolytic instability of Ti4+ ions in aqueous solutions, which complicate recovery from the irradiated Sc matrix. Most available 45Ti recovery procedures rely on ion exchange chromatography or solvent extraction techniques which are time-consuming, produce large final elution volumes, or, in case of solvent extraction, cannot easily be automated. Thus a more widespread application of 45Ti for PET imaging has been hampered. Here, we describe a novel, solvent-free approach for recovery of 45Ti that involves formation of [45Ti]TiCl4 by heating of an irradiated Sc target in a gas stream of chlorine, followed by thermochromatographic separation of the volatile radiometal chloride from co-produced scandium chloride and trapping of [45Ti]TiCl4 in a glass vial at − 78 °C. The recovery of 45Ti amounted to 76 ± 5% (n = 5) and the radionuclidic purity was determined to be > 99%. After trapping, the [45Ti]TiCl4 could be directly used for 45Ti-radiolabeling, as demonstrated by the successful radiosynthesis of [45Ti][Ti(2,4-salan)].
In situ measurement of neutron temperature for the extended k0 NAA at FRM II
Authors: Li Xiaosong
Published: October 2020

The neutron temperature at different irradiation positions in the research reactor FRM II was measured using thermometer labels together with lutetium standards. This was the first time to measure the local temperature at the irradiation positions with this combination. The simplified Westcott formalism was used to calculate the neutron temperature using Lu and g(Tn) factors from different data sources. The results showed agreement between neutron temperature according to the Lu method and the temperature showed on the labels. They can be used as a reliable alternative to determine the neutron temperature instead of using Lu standards in the extended k0 NAA.
Gross alpha/beta activity concentrations in spa and mineral waters in North Vietnam
Authors: Duong Hao Van , Le Huy Luong , Nguyen Duong Thanh , Vu Ngoc Minh , Duong Trung H. , Hegedűs Miklós , Peka Anita , Kovács Tibor
Published: October 2020

There is little available information on the radioactivity concentrations in the thermal and drinking water sources in North Vietnam. In the current study, the gross alpha and gross beta activity concentrations were determined in 8 water sources in the area. The average activities of gross alpha and beta in the 8 sources are 38.7 mBq L− 1 and 88.0 mBq L− 1. These activity concentrations are lower than WHO recommendations for drinking water. In this study, the gross alpha and gross beta show a weak correlation.
Validation of the Hungarian version of the CarerQol instrument in informal caregivers: results from a cross-sectional survey among the general population in Hungary
Authors: Baji Petra , Brouwer Werner B. F. , van Exel Job , Golicki Dominik , Prevolnik Rupel Valentina , Zrubka Zsombor , Gulácsi László , Brodszky Valentin , Rencz Fanni , Péntek Márta
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The CarerQol instrument has been designed and validated as an instrument able to measure both the positive and the negative impacts of caregiving on the quality of life of informal caregivers (CarerQol-7D), as well as their general happiness (CarerQol-VAS). The aim of this study was to assess the construct validity of the CarerQol in the Hungarian context.

Methods

The CarerQol was translated into Hungarian. Subsequently, in a cross-sectional online survey, representative for the general Hungarian population (N = 1000), informal caregivers were identified (N = 149, female 51.2%, mean age 53.2). Clinical, convergent and discriminant validity of the CarerQol were evaluated in relation to the caregivers’ and care recipients’ EQ-5D-5L health status, and caregiving situation characteristics.

Results

Average CarerQol-7D and CarerQol-VAS scores were 76.0 (SD 16.2) and 6.8 (SD 2.3), respectively. CarerQol-7D and CarerQol-VAS scores were significantly correlated with caregiving time (r = − 0.257; − 0.212), caregivers’ EQ-5D-5L scores (r = 0.453; 0.326) and the CarerQol-7D also with care recipients’ EQ-5D-5L scores (r = 0.247). CarerQol-7D scores differed significantly with relevant caregiving characteristics (e.g. nature and severity of care recipients’ health status, sharing household) and both the CarerQol-7D and CarerQol-VAS with the overall care experience.

Conclusion

Our findings confirmed the validity of the Hungarian language version of the CarerQol and support the cross-cultural validity of the instrument. CarerQol-7D scores performed better in distinguishing caregiving situation characteristics than the general happiness measure CarerQol-VAS. Care recipients’ health status was only weakly associated with informal caregivers’ care-related quality of life and happiness. Caregivers’ own health and caregiving circumstances were more strongly associated with these scores.
Earnings beta
Authors: Ellahie Atif
Published: October 2020

The literature on cash flow or earnings beta is theoretically well-motivated in its use of fundamentals, instead of returns, to measure systematic risk. However, empirical measures of earnings beta based on either log-linearizing the return equation or log-linearizing the clean-surplus accounting identity are often difficult to construct. I construct simple earnings betas based on various measures of realized and expected earnings and find that an earnings beta based on price-scaled expectations shocks performs consistently well in explaining the cross-section of returns over 1981–2017. I also examine the relation between different measures of beta and several firm characteristics that are either theoretically connected to systematic risk or are empirically associated with returns and find evidence in support of the construct validity of an earnings beta based on price-scaled expectations shocks. Overall, the findings suggest that this easy-to-construct earnings beta can be suitable for future researchers requiring a measure of systematic risk.
Assessing Community Contributions to Sustainable Food Systems: Dietitians Leverage Practice, Process and Paradigms
Authors: Carlsson Liesel , Callaghan Edith , Broman Göran
Published: October 2020

Food systems are not sustainable, and efforts to address this are paralyzed by the complex networks of food system actors and factors that interact across sectoral and geographic scales. Actions at the community level can positively contribute toward globally sustainable food systems (SFS). Assessing such contributions has two central challenges: 1) a lack of methods that support alignment between communities and across scales, balanced against the need to involve the community in developing relevant indicators; and 2) the absence of adequate, fine grained data relevant to the community. Addressing these two challenges, this paper illustrates a proposed procedure that supports community engagement with, and assessment of, their contributions. Engaged by a community of Canadian dietitians, researchers used the Delphi Inquiry method, guided by the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development, to address the first challenge, and causal loop diagrams informed by the Cultural Adaptation Template to address the second. Indicators were developed for dietitian-identified actions and outcomes for SFS. Modeling indicator interactions provide insight into how some actions are influenced by and reinforce the value placed on SFS within the professional cultural paradigm, as well as priority areas for action and measurement. Process-oriented assessment is useful in the context of partial and subjective understandings of a dynamic system, and supports continual adjustment in action. This article offers theoretical and practical insight for community engagement in addressing some of the systemic challenges in food systems. It accommodates community-based knowledge, applies process-indicators, and emphasizes the importance of cultural paradigms as a driving force of community-level actions, and overall system change. Under current conditions, facilitating SFS literacy among dietitians can amplify adaptations for broader SFS development.
Measure Differential Inclusions: Existence Results and Minimum Problems
Authors: Di Piazza Luisa , Marraffa Valeria , Satco Bianca
Published: October 2020

We focus on a very general problem in the theory of dynamic systems, namely that of studying measure differential inclusions with varying measures. The multifunction on the right hand side has compact non-necessarily convex values in a real Euclidean space and satisfies bounded variation hypotheses with respect to the Pompeiu excess (and not to the Hausdorff-Pompeiu distance, as usually in literature). This is possible due to the use of interesting selection principles for excess bounded variation set-valued mappings. Conditions for the minimization of a generic functional with respect to a family of measures generated by equiregulated left-continuous, nondecreasing functions and to associated solutions of the differential inclusion driven by these measures are deduced, under constraints only on the initial point of the trajectory.
Optimized sample preparation for fecal volatile organic compound analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry
Authors: el Manouni el Hassani Sofia , Soers Ruud J. , Berkhout Daniel J. C. , Niemarkt Hendrik J. , Weda Hans , Nijsen Tamara , Benninga Marc A. , de Boer Nanne K. H. , de Meij Tim G. J. , Knobel Hugo H.
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Headspace gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-GC–MS) is widely considered the gold standard of quantitative fecal VOC analysis. However, guidelines providing general recommendations for bioanalytical method application in research and clinical setting are lacking.

Objectives

To propose an evidence-based research protocol for fecal VOC analysis by HS-GC–MS, based on extensive testing of instrumental and sampling conditions on detection and quantification limits, linearity, accuracy and repeatability of VOC outcome.

Methods

The influence of the following variables were assessed: addition of different salt solutions, injection temperature, injection speed, injection volume, septum use, use of calibration curves and fecal sample mass. Ultimately, the optimal sample preparation was assessed using fecal samples from healthy preterm infants. Fecal VOC analysis in this specific population has potential as diagnostic biomarkers, but available amount of feces is limited here, so optimization of VOC extraction is of importance.

Results

We demonstrated that addition of lithium chloride enhanced the release of polar compounds (e.g. small alcohols) into the headspace. Second, a linear relationship between injection volume, speed and temperature, and fecal sample mass on the abundance of VOC was demonstrated. Furthermore, the use of a septum preserved 90% of the non-polar compounds. By application of optimal instrumental and sampling conditions, a maximum of 320 unique compounds consisting of 14 different chemical classes could be detected.

Conclusions

These findings may contribute to standardized analysis of fecal VOC by HS-GC–MS, facilitating future application of fecal VOC in clinical practice.